(from ἀγκυλος, crooked, and γλῶσσα, the tongue); a contraction of the ligaments of the tongue. Some have this imperfection from their birth, others from some disease. In the first case, the membrane which supports the tongue is too short or too hard; in the latter, an ulcer under the tongue, healing and forming a cicatrix, is sometimes the cause: These speak with some difficulty. The ancyloglossi by nature are late before they speak; but when they begin, they soon speak properly. These we call tongue-tied. Mauriceau says, that in this case it is a small membranous production, which extends from the frenulum to the tip of the tongue, that hinders the child from sucking, &c. He justly condemns the cruel practice among nurses, of tearing this membrane with their nails; for thus ulcers are sometimes formed, which are of difficult cure: he advises to snip it with scissors in two or three places, taking care not to extend the points of the scissors so far as the frenulum. The instances rarely occur which require any kind of assistance; for if the child can thrust the tip of its tongue to the outer edge of its lip, this disease does not exist; and if the tongue is not greatly restrained, the frenulum will stretch by the child's sucking and crying.