jaw
nounverbverbnouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//d͡ʒɔː//
- Australia//d͡ʒoː//
- Scotland//d͡ʒɔ//
- //d͡ʒɔ//
- //d͡ʒɑ//
One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
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.
His jaw dropped in amazement.
I'm up and jaws are on the floor Lovers in the bathroom and a line outside the door
- 3
figurativeAnything resembling the jaw (sense 1) of an animal in form or action; 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
The inner end of a boom or gaff, hollowed in a half circle so as to move freely on a mast.
- 8
datedImpudent, abusive, or worthless talk.
Give me the boy, now, and no more of your jaw. I am going to take the boy home with me.
"A lot you care," said Digory fiercely. "But I'm sick of this jaw. What have I got to do?"
- 9
slangAn axle guard.
- 10
The curved part of the cushion marking the entry to the pocket.
Etymology
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).
verb
- 1
To assail or abuse by scolding.
1933, Ethel Lina White, The Spiral Staircase (Some Must Watch), Chapter 4, http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300931.txt 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
To scold; to clamor.
- 3
informalTo talk; to converse.
Today the beastly boat is level at last and the sun’s out and we have all been jawing about what to do.
- 4
(of a ball) To stick in the jaws of a pocket.
verb
- 1
To pour or throw out.
Bletherum bore her to the vestry, Jaw'd some water in her face; […]
Nae need to jaw watter on a droun'd moose.
- 2
To splash; to surge.
'Twas freezin', thowin', rainin', snawin', In souple turns; While sheughs an' deep fur-drains were jawin' To spate the burns.
... a burn "whiles jawin' like a sea."
... stately tower, […] Whilk proud defies the jawing wave, Built on a rock[…]
Etymology
Uncertain. Attested since 1513 (as a verb and noun) in Scots. The DSL speculates that it might be related to Scots (and Northern English dialectal) jall, joll "knock, bump; toll (a bell)" via the notion of knocking "one thing against another, as waves on a rock". The EDD compares Old Norse jaga (“move to and fro”).
noun
- 1
A wave, a billow, a breaker.
Upo' the briny Borean jaws to float,
... a craft […] That, like the white sea-mew, jinket the jaws On the briny breist o' the main.
... ugly , ugly were the jaws That rowd unto their knee.
Scores o' our sturdiest farmers fail / To jouk the jaw, / An' broken-hearted[…]
- 2
A dash or spurt of water; any large quantity of water or other liquid.
But sweetly bends the reamin' bicker, To drown dull care in jaws o' liquor.
The nauseous mixture fell, When full in play; Wi' jaws upon the sprawling hash, […]
But Fisher - Willie and the lairds […] wash't their gebbies and their beards In sparklin' jaws o' claret. They're comin'! cry'd a bodie out; They're comin' now[…]
Wi' jaws o' yell some durty beutts / Pat loft suin in a slatter;
Forms
- plural
- jaws
- past tense
- jawed
- past participle
- jawed
- present participle
- jawing
- third person singular
- jaws
jaw · One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
jaws · The mouth.Jax · A male given name transferred from the surname.jay · Any of the numerous species of birds belonging to several…