Correct spelling for the English word "toothily" is [tˈuːθɪlɪ], [tˈuːθɪlɪ], [t_ˈuː_θ_ɪ_l_ɪ] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Toothily is an adverb that describes a manner or action which involves showing or using one's teeth prominently. It derives from the noun "tooth," referring to the hard, calcified structure found in the mouth primarily used for chewing and biting. This term emphasizes the significance, visibility, or prominence of teeth within a particular context.
When used figuratively, toothily characterizes a smile or laugh that prominently displays one's teeth. For instance, a toothily smiling person is someone whose grin showcases their teeth widely and prominently. Toothily can also describe an action that involves using teeth in a strong, forceful, or noticeable way. It may imply the audibility and clarity of a person's speech if emphasizing dental sounds, such as sibilants or harsh consonants.
Furthermore, toothily can be used to describe an action that involves biting, tearing, or gnawing with the teeth. This may apply to animals that have a strong bite force or need to consume hard food, or even humans partaking in a vigorous chewing activity. It emphasizes the role and visuality of teeth in these actions, highlighting their involvement prominently.
In summary, toothily describes actions, expressions, or sounds that involve the use, visibility, or prominence of teeth. This adverb conveys the idea that teeth are central to the manner or action being described, either literally or figuratively.
The adverb "toothily" comes from the noun "tooth", which originated from the Old English word "tōþ". This can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*tanthuz". The "-ly" suffix, used to form adverbs in English, was added to "toothy" to create "toothily".