Widetoothed

Widetoothed is an adjective used to describe objects whose teeth are spaced widely apart. The term is most commonly encountered in discussions of hand tools and grooming implements, but it also appears in technical writing about machinery and, occasionally, in descriptive biology or dentistry when referring to tooth-like structures with large spacing. There is no single universal definition, and the sense of the term varies by context.

In tools and grooming implements, widetoothed designs employ teeth set at wider intervals. In woodworking and metalworking, wide-toothed blades or cutters are valued for rapid material removal and reduced clogging, often at the expense of achieving a finer finish. Common examples include wide-toothed saws for soft woods and resin-heavy materials, where the larger tooth spacing helps clear debris more efficiently. In personal care, wide-toothed combs or brushes have teeth that are farther apart to detangle thick or curly hair with less breakage.

In engineering and gear design, the concept can describe configurations with increased tooth width or spacing to distribute load more evenly, improve debris clearance, or accommodate specific materials and speeds. The exact implications of a widetoothed design depend on the application, including material type, desired finish, and operating conditions.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from wide or widely spaced plus toothed, and may appear as wide-toothed or widetooothed in different sources. It is largely field-specific and not tied to a single standardized specification. See also wide-toothed gear, wide-toothed comb, and related tool design discussions.