Jaws 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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She wondered if the monster should gulp him down in pieces, for the jaws were strong enough to shatter bone. — VANCE MOORE
We made our way to Bayon, the piece de resistance for Angkor Thom, and our jaws were agape at the beautiful and well preserved temple, smiling faces all around … Huge reliefs were hand carved on the sides of the temple and detailed stories of war, aggression, everyday life and what not, painstakingly recorded by artisans of the most amazing sort. — Market Manila
Judging from a half-dozen different facsimiles of the Iordanov engraving, the sheen of Gogol's hair, the weight of his lower lids, the fullness of his jaws are all as malleable to chemicals as they are to a brush or pen. — The Morning News
All the Seacons but Tentakil have working jaws, which is a pretty amazing feat for 1988 — The Web Comic List - Latest Webcomics
Below the jaws are the stomach and intestine; so you see the Melicerta, though so minute a creature, has a complex structure. — Country Walks of a Naturalist with His Children

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jaws

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