jaw Hear it!

jaw Definition

jaw (jô)

noun

  1. either of the two bones or bony parts that hold the teeth and frame the mouth in most vertebrates: the mandible (lower jaw) is usually hinged and movable, the maxilla (upper jaw) is usually not
  2. any of various analogous biting structures of invertebrates
  3. the mouth
  4. either of two mechanical parts that open and close to grip or crush something, as in a monkey wrench or vise
  5. the narrow entrance of a canyon, valley, strait, etc.
  6. something grasping or imminent the jaws of death
  7. Slang a talk

Etymology: ME jowe < OFr joue, cheek

intransitive verb

Slang to talk, esp. in a boring or abusive way

transitive verb

Slang to scold or reprove, esp. repeatedly

jaw Synonyms

jaw

n.

  1. The bones of the mouth

    jawbone, muzzle, jowl, mandible, maxilla, chops; see also bone.

  2. A jawlike object

    clamp, grip, vise, wrench, monkey wrench, clasp, clutch; see also vise.

jaw* Synonyms

jaw*

v.

jabber, chatter, gab; see babble, talk 1.

jaw Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • victory: Then we managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
  • defeat: Suddenly Cheshunt were laughing, they were going to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Converse of object

  • clench: The clenched jaw on Angel; that's a bonus.
  • gape: Sammy the Shark - crawl into his gaping jaws but don't worry to much about getting bitten.
  • dislocate: For example a dislocated jaw is regarded a being a level 5 case with a standard amount awarded of £ 2,000.
  • slaver: There she got stuck and had to be helped to safety from the slavering jaws of a rabid guard dog.
  • protrude: The animal has a protruding lower jaw with small blunt teeth.
  • clamp: Unique are the width of the back support and the specially shaped split clamping jaws.

Adjective modifier

  • fractured: She also took Seb to the vet where it was confirmed he had a fractured jaw.
  • broken: But you don't expect to be out of football with a broken jaw.
  • upper: In the upper jaw six to eight implants are used to replace twelve to fourteen teeth.
  • swollen: The victim suffered a swollen jaw, a missing tooth and a cut to the back of his head.
  • low: Instead firm pressure on the lower jaw, or cheeks, or putting them in a time out, will achieve much more.

Modifies a noun

  • chuck: Carefully set the jig up in the lathe ( using the four jaw chuck ).
  • cyst: The only sure way of detecting a jaw cyst is by x-ray.
  • ache: Your jaw aches from holding a flashlight in your teeth, well those days are over!
  • bone: What would happen to the poor reptile waiting for two of his jaw bones to move into the ear?

Noun used with modifier

  • gripper: Most designs available today are equipped with coupled, non-controllable gripper jaws which are only able to open or close.
  • lantern: Already the cartoonists are portraying Brown as a kind of Dr. Hyde figure Ð a dark and threatening character with a lantern jaw.
jaw Quotes

   Talking jaw is better than going to war.

—Churchill, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer

Apeneck Sweeney spreads his knees Letting his arms hang down to laugh, The zebra stripes along his jaw Swelling to maculate giraffe.

—Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)