Quantcast
 
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

jaw

 - 9 dictionary results

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.
a. one of two or more parts, as of a machine, that grasp or hold something: the jaws of a vise.
b. 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.
a. idle talk; chatter.
b. impertinent talk.
–verb (used without object)
7. Slang.
a. to talk; chat; gossip.
b. to scold or use abusive language.
–verb (used with object)
8. Slang. to scold.
Use jaw in a Sentence
Origin:
1325–75; ME jawe, jowe < OF joue; orig. uncert.

Related forms:
jawless, adjective

jaw

2  [jaw] Scot. and North England
–noun
1. a swelling wave of water; billow.
–verb (used without object)
2. (of liquid) to surge, splash, or dash forward, as in waves.
–verb (used with object)
3. to pour or splash (liquid).
Origin:
1505–15; perh. akin to jaup
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To jaw
jaw   (jô)   
n.  

    1. Either of two bony or cartilaginous structures that in most vertebrates form the framework of the mouth and hold the teeth.

    2. The mandible or maxilla or the part of the face covering these bones.

    3. Any of various structures of invertebrates that have an analogous function to vertebrate jaws.

    4. Impudent argument or back talk: Don't give me any jaw.

    5. A conversation or chat.

  2. Either of two opposed hinged parts in a mechanical device.

  3. jaws The walls of a pass, canyon, or cavern.

  4. jaws A dangerous situation or confrontation: the jaws of death.

  5. Slang

    1. Impudent argument or back talk: Don't give me any jaw.

    2. A conversation or chat.

intr.v.   jawed, jaw·ing, jaws Slang

  1. To talk vociferously; jabber.

  2. To talk; converse.


[Middle English jawe, jowe, perhaps from Old French joue, cheek.]
jaw'less adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
jaw

  1. n.
    a chat. : I could use a good jaw with my old friend.
  2. in.
    to chat. : Stop jawing and get to work.

  3. Go to jaw(bone). :
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
jaw(bone)

  1. tv.
    to try to persuade someone verbally; to apply verbal pressure to someone. : They tried to jawbone me into doing it.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

jaw 
c.1374, "the bones of the mouth," perhaps from O.Fr. joue "cheek," from Gaulish *gauta "cheek," or perhaps a variant of words related to chew (q.v.). Replaced O.E. ceace, ceafl. Slang for "to speak" since 1748; hence 19c. U.S. slang jawsmith "talkative person" (1887). Jawbreaker "word hard to pronounce" is from 1839.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: jaw
Pronunciation: 'jo
Function: noun
1 : either of two complex cartilaginous or bony structures in most vertebrates that border themouth, support the soft parts enclosing it, and usually bear teeth on their oral margin: a : an upper structure more or less firmly fused with the skull called also upper jaw,maxilla b : a lower structure that consists of a single bone or of completely fused bones and that is hinged, movable, and articulated by a pair of condyles with the temporalbone of either side called also inferior maxillary bone, lower jaw, mandible
2 : the parts constituting the walls of the mouth and serving to open and close it—usually used in plural
3 : any of various organs of invertebrates that perform the function of the vertebrate jaws
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source

jaw (jô)
n.

  1. Either of two bony structures that form the framework of the mouth and hold the teeth.

  2. The mandible or maxilla or the part of the face covering these bones.

jaw'less adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
jaw   (jô)  Pronunciation Key 

  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.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see jaw on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
ExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyThe Daily BeastUrbanspoonAsk AnswersBloglinesSendori