jaw

Meaning

Noun

1. One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
2. The part of the face below the mouth.
3. (especially, figuratively, in-plural) Anything resembling the jaw (sense 1) of an animal in form or action; the mouth or way of entrance.
4. A notch or opening.
5. A notched or forked part, adapted for holding an object in place.
6. One of a pair of opposing parts which are movable towards or from each other, for grasping or crushing anything between them.
7. The inner end of a boom or gaff, hollowed in a half circle so as to move freely on a mast.
8. (dated, slang) Impudent, abusive, or worthless talk.
9. (slang) An axle guard.
10. The curved part of the cushion marking the entry to the pocket.

Verb

1. (transitive) To assail or abuse by scolding.
2. (intransitive) To scold; to clamor.
3. (informal, intransitive) To talk; to converse.
4. (intransitive, transitive) (of a ball) To stick in the jaws of a pocket.

Verb

1. (Scotland, transitive) To pour or throw out.
2. (Scotland, transitive) To splash; to surge.

Adj

used in certain set phrases like jaw harp, jaw harpist and jaw's-trump.

Synonyms

chin

jawbone

cheek

mandible

chat

jowl

gossip

chatter

confabulate

talk

🗣️

chitchat

chap

confab

chaffer

natter

masticate

rattle on

lambaste

lower jaw

cheeks

scold

visit

claver

berate

take to task

chew

chide

have words

manducate

chew up

chew the fat

call down

chew out

bawl out

yack

call on the carpet

shoot the breeze

reproof

cheek bone

reprimand

dress down

rag

maxilla

remonstrate

rebuke

lecture

lambast

claw

jaw bone

trounce

Translations

mâchoire

Kiefer

mandíbula

mascella

mandibola

quijada

kaak

ganascia

Unterkiefer

mandíbula

mento

mandíbula

machoire

çene

Pronounced as (IPA)

/d͡ʒɔː/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: joue

In summary

From Middle English jawe/jowe (“jaw; sides of the lower face”, 14th century), the further origin of which is disputed. Either:
* From Anglo-Norman jowe, from Old French joe (“cheek; jaw”), from Vulgar Latin *ga(v)ota (“cheek”), of uncertain further origin.
** It has been objected that the rhyming of jowe (“jaw”) with clowe (“claw”) in Middle English demonstrates that it did not have the vowel /uː/. This would be a concern if /uː/ were the vowel to expect from a borrowing of the Old French word, which it is not. Compare English paw < Middle English pawe/powe < Anglo-Norman powe < Old French poe.
* From Middle English *chowe, from Old English *ċēowe. The main difficulties with this theory are the notable lack of evidence and the late attestation of chaw (early 16th century). If it is correct, then the further origin would be Proto-West Germanic *keuwā (“jaw”), whence Saterland Frisian Kiuwe, Dutch kieuw, German Keu, Käu. For the initial consonant, compare jowl as a variant of chavel/chawl.
It is also conceivable that the word is a merger of two coincidentally similar sources. Gradually displaced Middle English chavel (from Old English ċeafl).

Sentences

It forms the jaw joint by articulating with the quadrate bone of the skull .