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Webster 1913 Edition

Jaw

Jaw

(ja̤)
,
Noun.
[A modification of
chaw
, formed under the influence of F.
joue
the cheek. See
Chaw
,
Chew
.]
1.
(Anat.)
(a)
One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
(b)
Hence, also, the bone itself with the teeth and covering.
(c)
In the plural, the mouth.
2.
Fig.: Anything resembling the jaw of an animal in form or action; esp.,
pl.
, the mouth or way of entrance;
as, the
jaws
of a pass; the
jaws
of darkness; the
jaws
of death
.
Shak.
3.
(Mach.)
(a)
A notch or opening.
(b)
A notched or forked part, adapted for holding an object in place;
as, the
jaw
of a railway-car pedestal
. See
Axle guard
.
(b)
One of a pair of opposing parts which are movable towards or from each other, for grasping or crushing anything between them,
as, the
jaws
of a vise, or the
jaws
of a stone-crushing machine
.
4.
(Naut.)
The inner end of a boom or gaff, hollowed in a half circle so as to move freely on a mast.
5.
Impudent or abusive talk.
[Slang]
H. Kingsley.

Syn. – lip.
Jaw bit
(Railroad)
,
a bar across the jaws of a pedestal underneath an axle box.
–
Jaw breaker
,
a word difficult to pronounce.
[Obs.]
–
Jaw rope
(Naut.)
,
a rope which holds the jaws of a gaff to the mast.
–
Jaw tooth
,
a molar or grinder; a back tooth.

Jaw

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Jawed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Jawing
.]
1.
To scold; to clamor.
[Law]
Smollett.

Jaw

,
Verb.
T.
To assail or abuse by scolding.
[Law]

Webster 1828 Edition

Jaw

JAW

, n.
1.
The bones of the mouth in which the teeth are fixed. They resemble a horse shoe. In most animals, the under jaw only is movable.
2.
The mouth.
3.
In vulgar language, scolding, wrangling, abusive clamor.

JAW

,
Verb.
I.
To scold; to clamor. [Vulgar.]

JAW

,
Verb.
T.
To abuse by scolding. [Vulgar.]

Definition 2024

jaw

jaw

English

Pronunciation

  • (UK) enPR: jôː, IPA(key): /d͡ʒɔː/
  • (US) enPR: jô, IPA(key): /d͡ʒɔ/
  • (cot–caught merger) enPR: jä, IPA(key): /d͡ʒɑ/
  • Rhymes: -ɔː

Noun

jaw ‎(plural jaws)

  1. One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
  2. The part of the face below the mouth.
    His jaw dropped in amazement.
  3. (figuratively) Anything resembling the jaw of an animal in form or action; especially plural, the mouth or way of entrance.
    the jaws of a pass; the jaws of darkness; the jaws of death.
  4. A notch or opening.
  5. A notched or forked part, adapted for holding an object in place.
    the jaw of a railway-car pedestal.
  6. One of a pair of opposing parts which are movable towards or from each other, for grasping or crushing anything between them.
    the jaws of a vise; the jaws of a stone-crushing machine.
  7. (nautical) The inner end of a boom or gaff, hollowed in a half circle so as to move freely on a mast.
  8. (slang, dated) Impudent or abusive talk.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of H. Kingsley to this entry?)
  9. (slang) Axle guard.
  10. (snooker) The curved part of the cushion marking the entry to the pocket.
Derived terms
Translations
See also

Verb

jaw ‎(third-person singular simple present jaws, present participle jawing, simple past and past participle jawed)

  1. (transitive) To assail or abuse by scolding.
    • 1933, Ethel Lina White, The Spiral Staircase (Some Must Watch), Chapter 4,
      He built the Summit, so as to have no neighbours. And Lady Warren couldn't abide It. She was always jawing him about it, and they had one awful quarrel, in his study.
  2. (intransitive) To scold; to clamor.
    • 1748, Tobias Smollett, The Adventures of Roderick Random, Chapter 24,
      […] he waked him, which put him in a main high passion, and he swore woundily at the lieutenant, and called him lousy Scotch son of a whore […] , and swab, and lubber, whereby the lieutenant returned the salute, and they jawed together fore and aft a good spell, till at last the captain turned out, and, laying hold of a rattan, came athwart Mr. Bowling's quarter: whereby he told the captain that, if he was not his commander, he would heave him overboard […]
  3. (intransitive, informal) To talk; to converse.
  4. (snooker, transitive, intransitive) (of a ball) To stick in the jaws of a pocket.

Etymology 2

Uncertain, see Jew's harp for more.

Adjective

jaw ‎(not comparable)

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

Etymology

From Middle English jawe, jowe, geowe, alteration of *chawe (in early Modern English chawe, chaw), from Proto-Germanic *kawǭ (compare Middle Dutch kauwe ‎(“fish jaw”), kouwe ‎(“mouth cavity”), dialectal German Käu, Keu ‎(“jaw, donkey jowl”)), gradation-variant of *kewǭ (compare Old English ċīan (pl.) ‘gills’, West Frisian kiuw ‎(“gill”), Dutch kieuw ‎(“gill”)), noun from Proto-Germanic *kewwaną (compare English chew). More at chew. Alteration probably influenced by Middle English jolle, chaul ‎(“jowl”), which it replaced (see jowl).

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