fang

When you picture a vampire, a snake, or a wild animal, one of the first things that may come to mind is a pair of long, pointed teeth. A fang is usually a sharp tooth used for biting, holding, or, in some animals, injecting venom. It often suggests danger. A dog might bare its fangs when it feels threatened, and stories often give monsters or vampires fangs to make them seem more frightening. The word can also be used for something shaped like such a tooth, but that is less common.

The word "fang" brings to mind predators: snakes, wolves, spiders, and even mythical creatures like vampires. These are sharp, long teeth used for biting, holding prey, tearing flesh, or, in some animals, injecting venom. A snake's fangs work like needles that deliver venom into a victim, while the long canine teeth of a wolf or dog may also be called fangs when the speaker wants to stress their sharpness or threat.

The word is mainly used for animals or imaginary creatures, but it can also describe something that looks like such a tooth. In figurative use, if something "has fangs," it feels dangerous, harsh, or capable of causing harm. That sense keeps the same image of a sharp, attacking bite.

Historically, the word comes from an Old English root connected with the idea of seizing or taking, which fits the job of such teeth well. From the hiss of a snake to the snarl of a wolf to the smile of a vampire in a story, "fang" carries a vivid sense of danger, force, and fear. It is a small word, but it paints a very clear picture: something sharp, animal, and not to be approached carelessly.