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¹jaw

noun \ˈjȯ\

: either one of the two bones of the face where teeth grow

: the lower part of a person's face

jaws : two parts of a machine or tool that open and close to hold or crush something

Full Definition of JAW

a : either of two complex cartilaginous or bony structures in most vertebrates that border the mouth, support the soft parts enclosing it, usually bear teeth on their oral margin, and are an upper that is more or less firmly fused with the skull and a lower that is hinged, movable, and articulated with the temporal bone of either side — compare mandible, maxilla

b : the parts constituting the walls of the mouth and serving to open and close it —usually used in plural

c : any of various organs of invertebrates that perform the function of the vertebrate jaws

: something resembling the jaw of an animal: as

a : one of the sides of a narrow pass or channel

b : either of two or more opposable parts that open and close for holding or crushing something between them

a : a space lying between or as if between open jaws <escaped from out of the jaws of the whale>

b : a position or situation in which one is threatened <rode into the jaws of danger>

: a friendly chat

See jaw defined for English-language learners

See jaw defined for kids

Origin of JAW

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to JAW

Synonyms: backchat, cackle, causerie, chatter, chin music, chin-wag [slang], chitchat, confab, confabulation, gab, gabfest, gossip, jangle, chat, natter [chiefly British], palaver, patter, rap, schmooze, small talk, table talk, talk, tête-à-tête

Rhymes with JAW

aw, awe, blaw, braw, ca, caw, chaw, claw, craw, daw, draw, flaw, gnaw, haw, la, law, maw, pa, paw, pshaw, Ra, rah, raw, saw, shah, shaw, slaw, spa, squaw, straw, tau, taw, thaw, yaw

²jaw

verb

: to talk in an angry way or for a very long time

Full Definition of JAW

intransitive verb

: to talk especially abusively, indignantly, or long-windedly <jawing with the referee>

transitive verb

: to talk to in a scolding or boring manner

See jaw defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of JAW

1748

Related to JAW

Synonyms: baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, scold, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lecture, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, score, tongue-lash, upbraid

JAWS Defined for Kids

jaw

noun \ˈjȯ\

Definition of JAW for Kids

: either of an upper or lower bony structure that supports the soft parts of the mouth and usually bears teeth on its edge and of which the lower part is movable

: a part of an invertebrate animal (as an insect) that resembles or does the work of a human jaw

: one of a pair of moving parts that open and close for holding or crushing something <Tighten the jaws of the vise.>

Medical Dictionary

jaw

noun \ˈjȯ\

Medical Definition of JAW

: either of two complex cartilaginous or bony structures in most vertebrates that border the mouth, support the soft parts enclosing it, and usually bear teeth on their oral margin: a : an upper structure more or less firmly fused with the skull—called also upper jaw, maxilla b : a lower structure that consists of a single bone or of completely fused bones and that is hinged, movable, and articulated by a pair of condyles with the temporal bone of either side—called also inferior maxillary bone, lower jaw, mandible

: the parts constituting the walls of the mouth and serving to open and close it—usually used in plural

: any of various organs of invertebrates that perform the function of the vertebrate jaws