Old Spanish edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Latin gingīva. According to Corominas and Pascual, also attested as enziva, cf. Asturian enxiva~xenxiva.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

enzia f (plural enzias)

  1. (usually in the plural, anatomy) gum
    • c. 1250, Alfonso X, Lapidario, f. 72r:
      Eſta piedra preſta mucho al podrimiento delos dientes ⁊ delas enzias. ⁊ mata los guſanos que se fazen en ellos. ⁊ faz los blancos & fremoſos.
      This stone is very good for the rotting of the teeth and gums. And it kills the worms that form in [teeth], and it makes them white and beautiful.

Descendants edit

  • Spanish: encía

Further reading edit