jaw

¹jaw

noun \ˈjȯ\

Definition of JAW

1

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

2

: 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

3

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>

4

: a friendly chat

Examples of JAW

1. He broke his upper jaw.
2. the jaws of a tiger
3. the jaws of a vise

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

Related Words

colloquy, conference, discourse, parley, powwow, symposium; debate, dialogue (also dialog), exchange, give-and-take; crosstalk, happy talk; yak (also yack), yammer, yap

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

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

Examples of JAW

1. The coach was jawing with the referee.
2. She was on the phone jawing with her sister all night.

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

Related Words

admonish, chide, remonstrate (with), reprove; abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], excoriate, fault, harangue, knock, lace (into), lash, pan, reprehend, revile, scourge, slam, vituperate; belittle, disparage, mock, put down; ridicule, scoff, scorn

Near Antonyms

approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction; extol (also extoll), laud, praise

jaw

noun \ˈjȯ\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of JAW

1

: 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

2

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

3

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

jaw

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Either of two bones that frame the mouth: a movable lower jaw (mandible) and a fixed upper jaw (maxilla). These hold the teeth (see tooth) and are used for biting and chewing and in speech. Vertical portions at the back of the lower jaw form hinge joints at the temples. The front of its arch thickens to form the chin. The upper jaw is attached to bones at the bridge of the nose, in the eye sockets and roof of the mouth, and the cheekbones. It contains the large maxillary sinus.