a. [ L. lingua tongue: cf. F. lingual. See Tongue, and cf. Language. ] 1. Of or pertaining to the tongue; uttered by the aid of the tongue; glossal; as, the lingual nerves; a lingual letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. lying near the tongue; especially, in dentistry, on the surface of the tooth next to the tongue. Contrasted with buccal, the side of a tooth touching the cheek, i. e. the side opposite to the lingual side. [ PJC ]

Lingual ribbon. (Zool.) See Odontophore. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A consonant sound formed by the aid of the tongue; -- a term especially applied to certain articulations (as those of t, d, th, and n) and to the letters denoting them. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In Sanskrit grammar certain letters, as &tsdot_;, &tsdot_;h, &dsdot_;, &dsdot_;h, &nsdot_;, are called linguals, cerebrals, or cacuminals. They are uttered with the tip of the tongue turned up and drawn back into the dome of the palate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being lingual. [ 1913 Webster ]