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.
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to spend time idly; loaf.
to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
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verb (used with object)
8.
Slang. to scold.
Origin:
1325–75; Middle English jawe, jowe < Old French joue; origin uncertain

Related forms
jaw·less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged

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; perhaps akin to jaup

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
jaw (dʒɔː) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
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)Related: gnathal, gnathic
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
 a.  impudent talk; cheek
 b.  idle conversation; chat
 c.  moralizing talk; a lecture
 
—vb
5.  slang (intr)
 a.  to talk idly; chat; gossip
 b.  to lecture
 
Related: gnathal, gnathic
 
[C14: probably from Old French joue cheek; related to Italian gota cheek]
 
'jawlike
 
—adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

jaw
late 14c., "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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

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.
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American Heritage
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.
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Slang Dictionary

jaw definition


  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) definition


  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
Example sentences from the web
Manganese steel is used for both fixed and movable jaw faces.
The alveolar bone is the bone of the jaw which forms the alveolus around teeth.
The giant panda has large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough
  bamboo.
The dentary gradually becomes the main bone of the lower jaw.
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