jaw

¹

[ jaw ]

noun

1. either of two bones, the mandible or maxilla, forming the framework of the mouth.
2. the part of the face covering these bones, the mouth, or the mouth parts collectively:

   My jaw is swollen.

3. jaws, anything resembling a pair of jaws or evoking the concept of grasping and holding:

   the jaws of a gorge; the jaws of death.

4. Machinery.
   1. one of two or more parts, as of a machine, that grasp or hold something:

      the jaws of a vise.

   2. any of two or more protruding parts for attaching to or meshing with similar parts.
5. Often jaws. Also called throat. Nautical. a forked piece at the end of a gaff, fitting halfway around the mast.
6. Slang.
   1. idle talk; chatter.
   2. impertinent talk.

verb (used without object)

1. Slang.
   1. to talk; chat; gossip.
   2. to scold or use abusive language.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to scold.

jaw

²

[ jaw ]

noun

1. a swelling wave of water; billow.

verb (used without object)

1. (of liquid) to surge, splash, or dash forward, as in waves.

verb (used with object)

1. to pour or splash (liquid).

jaw

/ dʒɔː /

noun

1. the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth. In higher vertebrates it consists of the upper jaw (maxilla) fused to the cranium and the lower jaw (mandible) gnathalgnathic
2. the corresponding part of an invertebrate, esp an insect
3. a pair or either of a pair of hinged or sliding components of a machine or tool designed to grip an object
4. slang.
   1. impudent talk; cheek
   2. idle conversation; chat
   3. moralizing talk; a lecture

verb

1. slang.
   intr
   1. to talk idly; chat; gossip
   2. to lecture

jaw

/ jô /

1. Either of two bony or cartilaginous structures that in most vertebrate animals form the framework of the mouth, hold the teeth, and are used for biting and chewing food. The lower, movable part of the jaw is the mandible. The upper, fixed part is the maxilla.
2. Any of various structures of invertebrate animals, such as the pincers of spiders or mites, that function similarly to the jaws of vertebrates.

Derived Forms

• ˈjawˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• jawless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaw¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jou(e), goue, jovwe, from Old French jo(u)e, jewe; further origin uncertain

Origin of jaw²

First recorded in 1505–15; perhaps akin to jaup

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaw¹

C14: probably from Old French joue cheek; related to Italian gota cheek

Example Sentences

Lemberg and his team initially thought that Tiktaalik might have used crocodile-like snapping motions to eat, given the apparent similarity of their jaws.

From Popular-Science

The jaw came from a mosasaur living at the very end of the Cretaceous Period.

From Science News

OpenAI’s GPT-3 algorithm collectively dropped jaws last year, both for its size—at the time, a record-setting 175 billion parameters—and its abilities.

From Singularity Hub 

Most arthropods have jaws similar to ours, called mandibles.

From Science News For Students

Neck massageIf you tend to clench your teeth to release stress, it’s very likely the muscles around your spine and right under your jaw feel stiff.

From Popular-Science

Aviation experts across the world experienced severe jaw dropping at this news.

From The Daily Beast

It took me 1,015 strokes to see this shade of green in a world of orange, and my jaw nearly dropped.

From The Daily Beast

The industry lore is downright jaw-dropping in the details of the cons known as “brick-in-box” returns.

From The Daily Beast

Even by the already money-drenched standards of American politics, the Eldridge campaign was a jaw-dropping spectacle to behold.

From The Daily Beast

And soon all of America got to see Ray in the ring with Janay, hitting her with a shot in the jaw.

From The Daily Beast

My coup-d'œil assured me that it was practicable to give to this feature the character of a projecting under-jaw.

From Project Gutenberg

He usually seizes his prey by the flank near the hind leg, or by the throat below the jaw.

From Project Gutenberg

He had had his jaw smashed but I have seen men pull longer faces at breaking a collar stud.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a long pale face with an indifferent complexion and the common American lantern jaw.

From Project Gutenberg

The constable stared at the cadet for a moment and then his jaw dropped and likewise the club in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg