Pronunciation: [tˈʌsks] (IPA) 
The word "tusks" is a plural noun that refers to the elongated and pointed teeth of an animal, especially those of a wild boar or an elephant. Its phonetic transcription is /tʌsks/. The first sound /t/ is a voiceless alveolar plosive, followed by the short vowel sound /ʌ/ which is also known as a schwa. The last sound /s/ is a voiceless alveolar fricative. The spelling of the word "tusks" corresponds well to its pronunciation.
Tusks are elongated and pointed teeth that protrude from the mouths or jaws of certain animals. They are commonly found in mammals, particularly in species of the order Proboscidea, which includes elephants, mammoths, and mastodons. However, tusks can also be characteristic features of other animal groups such as wild boars, walruses, and narwhals.
These specialized teeth are composed of dentin, which is a hard, calcified substance similar to that found in human teeth, but they lack an outer layer of enamel. Tusks are notably larger and more pronounced than regular teeth, often growing far beyond the animal's mouth. They are typically used for various purposes depending on the species. In some animals, tusks serve as formidable defense mechanisms against predators or rivals during territorial disputes. They can also be used for digging, uprooting vegetation, or as tools for manipulating objects in the environment.
Tusks can exhibit a wide range of sizes and shapes, from small and curved to massive and straight. They may continue to grow throughout an animal's lifetime, with the rate of growth varying between species. In certain cases, tusks can be a sexually dimorphic characteristic, meaning they differ in appearance between males and females of a species. They are often prized by humans for their aesthetic and functional value, leading to their illegal hunting and trade, particularly in the case of ivory tusks from elephants, which has contributed to their endangerment.
The word tusks originated from the Old English term tusks or tux, derived from the Old Norse word tusk or tysk. This Old Norse term was related to the Middle Dutch word tusk and the Middle High German word zusk. Ultimately, this Germanic root can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word tunthskaz.
