chin

[ chin ]

/ tʃɪn /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR chin ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the lower extremity of the face, below the mouth.

the prominence of the lower jaw.

Informal. chin-up.

verb (used with object), chinned, chin·ning.

Gymnastics.

to bring one's chin up to (a horizontal bar, from which one is hanging by the hands), by bending the elbows.
to raise (oneself) to this position.

to raise or hold to the chin, as a violin.

Archaic. to talk to; chatter with.

verb (used without object), chinned, chin·ning.

Gymnastics. to chin oneself.

Slang. to talk; chatter: We sat up all night chinning about our college days.

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Question 1 of 7

What does “vacillate” mean?

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

to cause to be empty or unoccupied.

to assent tacitly; agree; consent.

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Idioms for chin

keep one's chin up, to maintain a cheerful disposition in spite of difficulties, disappointments, etc.Also chin up.

take it on the chin, Informal.

to suffer defeat; fail completely.
to endure suffering or punishment.

Origin of chin

before 1000; Middle English; Old English cin(n); cognate with Dutch kin,German Kinn chin, Old Norse kinn,Gothic kinnus cheek, Latin gena,Greek génus chin, gnáthos jaw (see genial², -gnathous), Sanskrit hanus jaw

OTHER WORDS FROM chin

chinless, adjectiveun·der·chin, noun

Words nearby chin

chimney swift, chimney wheel, chimp, chimpanzee, Chimu, chin, china, China aster, china bark, chinaberry, china blue

Definition for chin (2 of 5)

ch'in

[ chin; Chinese cheen ]

/ tʃɪn; Chinese tʃin /

noun

a Chinese zither consisting of an oblong, slightly curved wooden box over which are stretched strings that are stopped with one hand and plucked with the other.

Origin of ch'in

From Chinese (Wade-Giles) ch'in2, (Pinyin) qín

Definition for chin (3 of 5)

Chin

[ jin ]

/ dʒɪn /

noun

Also Tsin

[jin] /dʒɪn/ . any of three dynasties that ruled in China, a.d. 265–316 (the Western Chin), a.d. 317–420 (the Eastern Chin), and a.d. 936–46 (the Later Chin).

a dynasty that ruled in China 1115–1234.

Also (Pinyin) Jin .

Definition for chin (4 of 5)

Ch'in

[ chin; Chinese cheen ]

/ tʃɪn; Chinese tʃin /

noun

a dynasty in ancient China, 221–206 b.c., marked by the emergence of a unified empire and the construction of much of the Great Wall of China.

Also (Pinyin) Qin

[chin] /tʃɪn/ .

Definition for chin (5 of 5)

Chin.

or Chin.

China.

Chinese.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for chin

His chin rested on the thick plastic collar buckled around his neck.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau|Ian Frisch|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“There aren't any steaks involved, pardon the pun,” says Chin.
Adventure Photographer Jimmy Chin: Defying the Rational, Physically and Creatively|Oliver Jones|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We were exhausted, but it was something I just had to do,” says Chin.
Adventure Photographer Jimmy Chin: Defying the Rational, Physically and Creatively|Oliver Jones|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The first time I saw Glacier National Park, it was the magical fantasy land I had always been dreaming about,” says Chin.
Adventure Photographer Jimmy Chin: Defying the Rational, Physically and Creatively|Oliver Jones|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Ina drove me in, I got out of the car, and [the boxes] just reached up to my chin.
‘The Power Broker’ Turns 40: How Robert Caro Wrote a Masterpiece|Scott Porch|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She sobbed; he lifted her chin with his free hand—and what less could mortal apostle do?
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Then a little trickle of blood ran from his lips down his chin.
A Crime of the Under-seas|Guy Boothby
Arethusa propped her elbows on the high counter, and rested her chin on them so she could regard his work.
The Heart of Arethusa|Francis Barton Fox
He had a dark moustache, and his chin was square and well-developed.
The Fortunes of the Farrells|Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
"If it is not bad, it is foolish," said Darius, resting his chin upon his hand and leaning forward.
Marzio's Crucifix and Zoroaster|F. Marion Crawford

British Dictionary definitions for chin (1 of 2)

chin

/ (tʃɪn) /

noun

the protruding part of the lower jaw

the front part of the face below the lipsRelated adjective: genial

keep one's chin up to keep cheerful under difficult circumstancesSometimes shortened to: chin up!

take it on the chin informal to face squarely up to a defeat, adversity, etc

verb chins, chinning or chinned

gymnastics to raise one's chin to (a horizontal bar, etc) when hanging by the arms

(tr) informal to punch or hit (someone) on the chin

Word Origin for chin

Old English cinn; related to Old Norse kinn, Old High German kinni, Latin gena cheek, Old Irish gin mouth, Sanskrit hanu

British Dictionary definitions for chin (2 of 2)

Chin.

abbreviation for

China

Chinese

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for chin

chin

[ chĭn ]

n.

The prominence formed by the anterior projection of the lower jaw.

Idioms and Phrases with chin

chin

see keep one's chin up; lead with one's chin; take it on the chin.

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WORD OF THE DAY

chin

noun

verb (used with object), chinned, chin·ning.

verb (used without object), chinned, chin·ning.