Jaw Definition

jô

jaws

noun

jaws

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.

Webster's New World

The lower of these bony parts, or the portion of the face covering it.

Webster's New World

Any of various analogous biting structures of invertebrates.

Webster's New World

The mouth.

Webster's New World

Either of two mechanical parts that open and close to grip or crush something, as in a monkey wrench or vise.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
jowls
chap
mandible
maxilla (upper jaw)
maw
mandible (lower jaw)
jowl
jawbone
clutch
clasp
grip
vise
clamp
monkey-wrench
wrench

verb

jaws

To talk vociferously; jabber.

American Heritage

To talk, esp. in a boring or abusive way.

Webster's New World

To scold or reprove, esp. repeatedly.

Webster's New World

To talk; converse.

American Heritage

To assail or abuse by scolding.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
be-quiet
praise

Other Word Forms of Jaw

Noun

Singular:

jaw

Plural:

jaws

Origin of Jaw

From Middle English jawe, jowe, geowe, alteration of *chawe (in early Modern English chawe, chaw), from Proto-Germanic *kawǭ (compare Middle Dutch kauwe (“fish jaw”), kouwe (“mouth cavity”), dialectal German Käu, Keu (“jaw, donkey jowl”)), gradation-variant of *kewǭ (compare Old English cīan (pl.) ‘gills’, West Frisian kiuw ‘gill’, Dutch kieuw ‘gill’), noun from Proto-Germanic *kewwaną (compare English chew). More at chew. Alteration probably influenced by Middle English jolle, chaul (“jowl”), which it replaced (see jowl).

From Wiktionary
Middle English jawe, jowe perhaps from Old French joue cheek

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition