jaw

¹

[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

²

[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. Also called throat. Nautical.,  Often jaws 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

/ 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)

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

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.

Other Word Forms

• jawless adjective
• jawlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaw¹

First recorded in 1505–15; perhaps akin to jaup

Origin of jaw²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaw¹

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

Example Sentences

Swedish footballer Rami Kaib was sidelined for weeks after breaking his jaw eating a carrot.

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The man’s jaw seems strong enough to break concrete, and his hair bounces around his head in coils.

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He tugged at the heavy whiskers that ran down both sides of his jaw.

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Lord Ashton’s jaw clenched in anger, which made his almost-pointed ears quiver in a frankly canine way.

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She sported the set jaw and formidably upright posture that every Swanburne graduate learned in a required class called A Swanburne Girl Knows How to Make Her Point.

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Related Words

• bone 
• mouth