Search

[jaw] /dʒɔ/

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.

5.
Often, jaws. Also called throat. Nautical. a forked piece at the end of a gaff, fitting halfway around the mast.
6.
Slang.

verb (used without object)
7.
Slang.

verb (used with object)
8.
Slang. to scold.
[jaw] /dʒɔ/ 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).
/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) related adjectives 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)

verb
5.
(intransitive) (slang)

n.

late 14c., “the bones of the mouth,” perhaps from Old French joue “cheek,” from Gaulish *gauta “cheek,” or perhaps a variant of Germanic words related to chew (q.v.); cf. also jowl. Replaced Old English ceace, ceafl.
v.

1610s, “to catch in the jaws, devour,” from jaw (n.). In slang from 1748, “to gossip, to speak” 1810, “to scold.” Related: Jawed; jawing. Hence 19c. U.S. slang jawsmith “talkative person” (1887).

jaw (jô)
n.

jaw’less adj.
jaw
(jô)

noun

: ain’t had a good jaw together (1842+)

verb

Related Terms

bat one’s gums, crack one’s jaw, flapjaw, glass jaw, ratchet-mouth