noun
tusk; fang
Refers to long, pointed teeth of animals such as elephants, boars, or snakes. Can also be used figuratively for sharp, aggressive qualities.
象の牙はとても長い。
An elephant's tusks are very long.
その蛇は牙で獲物に毒を注入する。
The snake injects venom into its prey with its fangs.
Katakana spelling is occasionally used for emphasis or in stylized contexts.
Kana spelling is sometimes used for clarity or in children's materials.
The kanji 牙 is a pictograph of an animal's tusk or fang. The reading きば is the native Japanese word, while き is an older, now obsolete reading.