jaw [jawjawsjawedjawing] noun, verb BrE [dʒɔː] NAmE [dʒɔː] noun 1. countable either of the two bones at the bottom of the face that contain the teeth and move when you talk or eat •the top/upper jaw •the bottom/lower jaw 2. singular the lower part of the face; the lower jaw •He has a strong square jaw. •The punch broke my jaw. 3.jawsplural the mouth and teeth of a person or an animal •The alligator's jaws snapped shut. 4.jawsplural the parts of a tool or machine that are used to hold things tightly •the jaws of a vice
Word Origin: late Middle English: from Old French joe ‘cheek, jaw’, of unknown origin.
Example Bank: •A shark can crush a boat with its massive jaws. •A spider sank its jaws into my ankle. •He fingered his jaw thoughtfully. •He had two days' growth of stubble on his jaw. •He rubbed his sore jaw. •Her jaw was set, ready for a fight. •His jaw jutted stubbornly forward; he would not be denied. •My jaw dropped in astonishment when I saw the size of the audience. •Pythons open their jaws wide to swallow their prey whole. •She dropped her jaw in astonishment. •She had a fold of flesh under her jaw. •She worked her lower jaw back and forth. •The animal's jaws snapped shut. •The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. •The dog had his arm clamped between its jaws. •The dog locked its jaws on her leg and wouldn't let go. •The slavering jaws of the guard dog stopped anyone going near. •The stern set of the officer's jaw made Tony realize he was in trouble. •a punch to the jaw Idioms: ↑jaws of a tunnel▪ jaws of death/defeat ▪ ↑somebody's jaw fell
verb intransitive (informal, often disapproving) to talk, especially to talk a lot or for a long time Verb forms:
Word Origin: late Middle English: from Old French joe ‘cheek, jaw’, of unknown origin.
