Jaw definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

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Definitions (40)

American Heritage Dictionary (10)

noun Either of two bony or cartilaginous structures that in most vertebrates form the framework of the mouth and hold the teeth.
noun The mandible or maxilla or the part of the face covering these bones.
noun Any of various structures of invertebrates that have an analogous function to vertebrate jaws.

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Century Dictionary (16)

One of the bones which form the skeleton or framework of the mouth; a maxilla or mandible; these bones collectively. The jaws in nearly all vertebrates are two in number, the upper and the lower. The upper jaw on each side consists chiefly of the superior maxillary or supramaxilla, and of an intermaxillary bone or premaxilia, both of which commonly bear teeth in mammals, reptiles, batrachians, and some fossil birds. The lower jaw in mammals is a single bone, the inframaxillary, inframaxilla, or mandible, or one pair of bones united at the middle line by a symphysis. In vertebrates below mammals this bone is represented by several pieces, its bony elements becoming quite complex in birds and most reptiles and many fishes. The mandible, and especially its terminal element when there are several, commonly bears teeth like the upper jaw. As a rule, it is movably articulated with the rest of the skull. In mammals this articulation is direct, and is known as the temporomaxiillary. In birds it is indirect, by intervention of a quadrate bone; and in the lower vertebrates various other modifications occur. See cuts under Cyclodus, Gallinæ, Felidæ, and skull. Theise Serpentes slen men, and thei eten hem wepynge; and whan thei eten, thei meven the over Jowe, and noughte the nether Jowe; and thei have no Tonge. Mandeville, Travels, p. 288.
The bones and associated structures of the mouth, as the teeth and soft parts, taken together as instruments of prehension and mastication; mouth-parts in general: commonly in the plural. In most invertebrates, as insects and crustaceans, the jaws are much complicated, and consist essentially of modified limbs, maxillipeds, gnathopods, or jaw-feet; and the opposite parts work upon each other sidewise, not up and down. Often used figuratively. See cut under mouth-part. My tongue cleaveth to my jaws. Ps. xxii. 15. Now, when we were in the very jaws of the gulf, I felt more composed than when we were only approaching it. Poe, Tales, I. 172. To drop head-foremost in the jaws Of vacant darkness. Tennyson, In Memoriam, xxxiv.
Something resembling in position or use, in grasping or biting, the jaw or jaws of an animal. Nautical, the hollowed or semicircular inner end of a boom or gaff. See gaff, 2. In machinery: (1) One of two opposing members which can be moved toward or from one another: as, the jaws of a vise or wrench; the jaws of a stone-crusher. (2) Name as housing, 9 .

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Examples (50)

The muscle in his jaw was at it again, flexing like an insistent tic. — Garwood, Julie - The Bride
Colin, if the set of his jaw was a true indication, was just as determined to sway Alec's judgment. — Garwood, Julie - The Bride
The whole side of his jaw was a burning mass of pain. — Death of a Macho Man
Perhaps the jaw was a little too fine drawn, and the air of bonhomie too elaborate to be quite natural. — SICK HEART RIVER
From just above her left eyebrow down to her jaw was a red ragged mass. — Blood Lure

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Used in the Same Context

chin · tooth · mouth · neck · skull · claw · cheek · throat · belly · tail · limb · snout

Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (5)

American Heritage Dictionary (1)

Middle English jawe, jowe, perhaps from Old French joue, cheek.

Century Dictionary (4)

from Middle English jawe, also jowe, geowe, an alteration (with sonant j for orig. surd ch, as also in jowl, jar, jar, ajar, and perhaps jam) of Middle English *chawe, *cheowe, found only in early modern English chawe, chaw, jaw (= Old Dutch kauwe, the jaw of a fish (Hexam), kouwe, the cavity of the mouth, = Danish Kjœve, the jaw); apparently from Middle English cheowen, chewen, modern English chew, chaw = Old Dutch kouwen, etc., chew. The form may have been affected by association with jowl, Middle English jolle, chaul, etc., and perhaps with F. joue, cheek.
from jaw, n.
apparently connected with javel and jaup.
from jaw, v.

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