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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

jaw en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • (US) audio cot-caught
  • /d͡ʒoː/ (Australia, British, New-Zealand, Southern, Standard)
  • /d͡ʒɑ/ (cot-caught-merger)
  • /d͡ʒɔː/ (Northern-England, Received-Pronunciation, Wales)
  • /d͡ʒɔ/ (Scotland)
  • /d͡ʒɔ/ without the cot–caught merger

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).

Meanings

  1. One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
  2. The part of the face below the mouth.
    • I'm up and jaws are on the floor Lovers in the bathroom and a line outside the door 2020 April 3, Chappell Roan, Dan Nigro, “Pink Pony Club”performed by Chappell Roan:
    • His jaw dropped in amazement.
  3. (especially, figuratively, in-plural) Anything 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. (dated, slang) Impudent, abusive, or worthless talk.
    • "A lot you care," said Digory fiercely. "But I'm sick of this jaw. What have I got to do?" 1955, C[live] S[taples] Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew, London: The Bodley Head, →OCLC:
    • Give me the boy, now, and no more of your jaw. I am going to take the boy home with me. 1869, Henry Kingsley, Silcote of Silcotes:
  9. (slang) An axle guard.
  10. The curved part of the cushion marking the entry to the pocket.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
jaws Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

jawbreaking · jaw-jack · foot-jaw · lower jaw · jaw worm · lantern jaw · jawfallen · jaw-breaker · pharyngeal jaws · jawsmith · jawy · wapper jaw · set of one's jaw · bis-phossy jaw · bisphossy jaw · stickjaw · lockjaw · with one's jaw in one's lap · jaw-dropping · loosejaw · slack-jawed · jawbone · jaw-bone · underjaw · someone's jaw dropped · jaw-dropper · jaw away · jaw-twister · jaw-jaw · lumpy jaw · flap one's jaw · longjaw · pi-jaw · netherjaw · jaw-jutting · jaw plate · radium jaw · crackjaw · jaw winking · trap jaw ant · make someone's jaw drop · double open jaw · Habsburg jaw · open jaw · upper jaw · jaw ball · jaw beard · jawlike · jaw-droppingly · lantern-jawed · bottle jaw · trap-jaw ant · overjaw · jaw muscle · jawfall · jawblock · knifejaw · jawbox · jaw bone · hog jaw · jawless · hold one's jaw · phossy jaw · glass jaw · jawfish · have wind in one's jaw · jawbreaker · jawline · ratchet jaw · jawfoot

Relateds

chin

Translations (208)

de Kiefer (bone holding the teeth) · id rahang (bone holding the teeth) · hi जबड़ा (bone holding the teeth) · fr mordache (one of a pair of opposing parts for grasping or crushing anything between them) · lv žoklis (bone holding the teeth) · oj indaamikan (bone holding the teeth) · scn mascidda (bone holding the teeth) · bg челюст (one of a pair of opposing parts for grasping or crushing anything between them) · nv ayaatsʼiin (bone holding the teeth) · kaw wĕhaṅ (bone holding the teeth) · enm cheke (bone holding the teeth) · vo donamaxül (bone holding the teeth) · sh čeljust (bone holding the teeth) · ro mandibule (bone holding the teeth) · lo ຫະນຸ (bone holding the teeth) · oc cais (bone holding the teeth) · km ឆ្អឹងថ្គាម (bone holding the teeth) · cmn 下顎 /下颚 (bone holding the teeth) · sh чељуст (bone holding the teeth) · ota فك (bone holding the teeth) · ur جبڑا (bone holding the teeth) · fo høka (bone holding the teeth) · bcl panga (bone holding the teeth) · pt mandíbula (bone holding the teeth) · ga giall (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · rup ciolj (bone holding the teeth) · ga draid (one of a pair of opposing parts for grasping or crushing anything between them) · sh vilica (bone holding the teeth) · os ӕфсӕр (bone holding the teeth) · ask ālikërī́k (bone holding the teeth) · xcl ծնօտ (bone holding the teeth) · xdq хъянхъяй (bone holding the teeth) · it ganascia (bone holding the teeth) · acw فَكّ (bone holding the teeth) · el σαγόνι (bone holding the teeth) · es quijada (bone holding the teeth) · ga giall (bone holding the teeth) · bg че́люст (bone holding the teeth) · sl čeljust (bone holding the teeth) · th ขากรรไกร (bone holding the teeth) · jje ᄐᆞᆨ (bone holding the teeth) · mt xedaq (bone holding the teeth) · fi leukaluu (bone holding the teeth) · fur massele (bone holding the teeth) · tyz càng (bone holding the teeth) · ky жаак (bone holding the teeth) · sw utaya (bone holding the teeth) · fi leuka (bone holding the teeth) · got 𐌺𐌹𐌽𐌽𐌿𐍃 (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · gl marmelo (bone holding the teeth) · pdt Kjeew (bone holding the teeth) · ro maxilar (bone holding the teeth) · et lõualuu (bone holding the teeth) · ba яңаҡ (bone holding the teeth) · uz jag' (bone holding the teeth) · no kjeve (bone holding the teeth) · ru че́люсть (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · cop ⲟⲩⲟⲛϫϥ (bone holding the teeth) · nrf mâchouaithe (bone holding the teeth) · ro falcă (bone holding the teeth) · sk čeľusť (bone holding the teeth) · oc mandibula (bone holding the teeth) · fr mâchoire inférieure (bone holding the teeth) · ast caxada (bone holding the teeth) · ca mandíbula (bone holding the teeth) · tew on (bone holding the teeth) · ka ყბა (bone holding the teeth) · mn эрүү (bone holding the teeth) · ast cureña (bone holding the teeth) · km ថ្គាម (bone holding the teeth) · fa آرواره (bone holding the teeth) · th คาง (bone holding the teeth) · ga mant (bone holding the teeth) · kix ūotōng (bone holding the teeth) · ab ацламҳәа (bone holding the teeth) · uli chilyewal’ (bone holding the teeth) · zu umhlathi (bone holding the teeth) · fa فک (bone holding the teeth) · ru че́люсть (bone holding the teeth) · bcl salang (bone holding the teeth) · fr mâchoire supérieure (bone holding the teeth) · ja(bone holding the teeth) · et lõug (bone holding the teeth) · fa زفر (bone holding the teeth) · ota چكه (bone holding the teeth) · alt јаак (bone holding the teeth) · eo makzelo (bone holding the teeth) · sah сыҥаах (bone holding the teeth) · oj indaamikan (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · fo kjálkabein (bone holding the teeth) · fur mašele (bone holding the teeth) · mk челуст (bone holding the teeth) · hy ծնոտ (bone holding the teeth) · uk ще́лепа (bone holding the teeth) · is kjálki (bone holding the teeth) · ko(bone holding the teeth) · prn āgeli (bone holding the teeth) · ast quexal (bone holding the teeth) · ast calláxina (bone holding the teeth) · ms rahang (bone holding the teeth) · de Unterkiefer (bone holding the teeth) · lo ຄາງກະໄຕ (bone holding the teeth) · grc σιαγών (bone holding the teeth) · ka ყბა (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · vo maxül (bone holding the teeth) · pl szczęka (bone holding the teeth) · egy a:r-t:F19 (bone holding the teeth) · oc maissa (bone holding the teeth) · he לֶסֶת (bone holding the teeth) · bg челюст (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · xh umhlathi (bone holding the teeth) · gl caixal (bone holding the teeth) · vec maseła (bone holding the teeth) · mcq sanoa (bone holding the teeth) · twf ȍdénemą (bone holding the teeth) · sc mansidha (bone holding the teeth) · dsb škrjono (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · lo ຄາງ (bone holding the teeth) · bn চোয়াল (bone holding the teeth) · kl alleroq (bone holding the teeth) · sv käke (bone holding the teeth) · lt žandikaulis (bone holding the teeth) · ceb apapangig (bone holding the teeth) · am አገጭ (bone holding the teeth) · ca maixella (bone holding the teeth) · ltg žūklis (bone holding the teeth) · gd giall (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · kk жақ (bone holding the teeth) · mk вилица (bone holding the teeth) · ug جاغ (bone holding the teeth) · rap kaua'e (bone holding the teeth) · io mashelo (bone holding the teeth) · ast quexella (bone holding the teeth) · sh вилица (bone holding the teeth) · fr mâchoire (bone holding the teeth) · rup falcã (bone holding the teeth) · ps زامه (bone holding the teeth) · jv uwang (bone holding the teeth) · bho जबड़ा (bone holding the teeth) · yo párì-ẹ̀ẹ̀kẹ́ (bone holding the teeth) · fi leuka (one of a pair of opposing parts for grasping or crushing anything between them) · nl kaak (bone holding the teeth) · da kæbe (bone holding the teeth) · vo löpamaxül (bone holding the teeth) · sq nofull (bone holding the teeth) · tk äň (bone holding the teeth) · wbk ëlikir (bone holding the teeth) · pdt Kjeew (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · nl bek (one of a pair of opposing parts for grasping or crushing anything between them) · cmn 顎 /颚 (bone holding the teeth) · ast caxa (bone holding the teeth) · az çənə (bone holding the teeth) · ba яңаҡ (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · za hwk (bone holding the teeth) · vi xương hàm (bone holding the teeth) · dsb crjono (bone holding the teeth) · bni mobanga (bone holding the teeth) · be чэ́люсць (bone holding the teeth) · fi leuka (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · ota اڭك (bone holding the teeth) · tr çene (bone holding the teeth) · cmn 頜 /颌 (bone holding the teeth) · sk čeľusť (one of a pair of opposing parts for grasping or crushing anything between them) · bsh ā́këli (bone holding the teeth) · am መንጋጋ (bone holding the teeth) · sc massidda (bone holding the teeth) · tl panga (bone holding the teeth) · it mascella (bone holding the teeth) · vi quai hàm (bone holding the teeth) · fr mors (one of a pair of opposing parts for grasping or crushing anything between them) · de Oberkiefer (bone holding the teeth) · tg ҷоғ (bone holding the teeth) · ceb alungaing (mandible) (bone holding the teeth) · haw ā (bone holding the teeth) · pri cérépwä (bone holding the teeth) · ast callasna (bone holding the teeth) · ro mandibulă (bone holding the teeth) · fy kaak (bone holding the teeth) · fy kake (bone holding the teeth) · fy tsjeak (bone holding the teeth) · grc γνάθος (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · pl czeluść (bone holding the teeth) · be скі́віца (bone holding the teeth) · pl żuchwa (bone holding the teeth) · ga mant (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · de Kinnbacke (bone holding the teeth) · my ပါးသွယ် (bone holding the teeth) · ota زنخدان (bone holding the teeth) · my မေး (bone holding the teeth) · ln mbanga (bone holding the teeth) · my ပါးချိတ်ရိုး (bone holding the teeth) · vec masela (bone holding the teeth) · th กราม (bone itself with the teeth and covering) · nr umhlathi (bone holding the teeth) · gl queixada (bone holding the teeth) · ht machwè (bone holding the teeth) · ar فَكّ (bone holding the teeth) · af kaak (bone holding the teeth) · vi hàm (bone holding the teeth) · apw biyedaa’ (bone holding the teeth) · hu állkapocs (bone holding the teeth) · cs čelist (bone holding the teeth) · tk eňek (bone holding the teeth) · sc massidha (bone holding the teeth) · sc mansidda (bone holding the teeth) · gd giall (bone holding the teeth) · la maxilla (bone holding the teeth) · ru че́люсть (one of a pair of opposing parts for grasping or crushing anything between them)

Source: en.wiktionary, “jaw” (noun), dump 20260902, contributors via the page history. Text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

jaw en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • (US) audio cot-caught
  • /d͡ʒoː/ (Australia, British, New-Zealand, Southern, Standard)
  • /d͡ʒɑ/ (cot-caught-merger)
  • /d͡ʒɔː/ (Northern-England, Received-Pronunciation, Wales)
  • /d͡ʒɔ/ (Scotland)
  • /d͡ʒɔ/ without the cot–caught merger

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).

Meanings

  1. (transitive) 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. (intransitive) To scold; to clamor.
    • […] 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 […] 1748, Tobias Smollett, chapter 24, in The Adventures of Roderick Random:
  3. (informal, intransitive) To 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. 1952, C. S. Lewis, chapter 5, in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Collins, published 1998:
  4. (intransitive, transitive) (of a ball) To stick in the jaws of a pocket.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
jawing Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
jawed Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
jawed Tense=Past lexicographic
jaws Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic

Deriveds

jaw down

Synonyms

confabulate · jaw · parley · parley · common · convo · treat · confab · chat · discourse · word · discourse · chat · converse · conversate

Source: en.wiktionary, “jaw” (verb), dump 20260902, contributors via the page history. Text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

jaw en · NOUN · etymology 2

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”).

Meanings

  1. (Northern-England, Scotland) A wave, a billow, a breaker.
    • ... ugly , ugly were the jaws That rowd unto their knee. 1882, Francis James Child, George Lyman Kittredge, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, page 21:
    • ... a craft […] That, like the white sea-mew, jinket the jaws On the briny breist o' the main. 1880, James E. Watt, Poetical Sketches of Scottish Life and Character, page 20:
    • Scores o' our sturdiest farmers fail / To jouk the jaw, / An' broken-hearted[…] 1892, James Lumsden, Samuel Mucklebackit, Sheep-head and Trotters: Being Savoury Selections, Poetic and Prosaic, from the Bulky Literary Remains of Samuel Mucklebackit and Thomas Pintail, Late Parnassian Hill and Arable Farmers in Lothian..., page 164:
    • Upo' the briny Borean jaws to float, 1815, Robert Fergusson, The Poems of Robert Fergusson: in Two Parts. To which is Prefixed, the Life of the Author, and a Sketch of His Writings; with a Copious Glossary Annexed, page 269:
  2. (Northern-England, Scotland) A dash or spurt of water; any large quantity of water or other liquid.
    • The nauseous mixture fell, When full in play; Wi' jaws upon the sprawling hash, […] 1817 [1685?], Robert Brown, Comic Poems of the Years 1685, and 1793: On Rustic Scenes in Scotland, at the Times to which They Refer : with Explanatory and Illustrative Notes, page 62:
    • But sweetly bends the reamin' bicker, To drown dull care in jaws o' liquor. 1813, Ebenezer Picken, Miscellaneous Poems, Songs, &c., Partly in the Scottish Dialect: With a Glossary, page 80:
    • ... , when he was gaun to be very big, and order in a great jaw of drink for the company, […] 1887, John Service, The Life and Recollections of Doctor Duguid of Kilwinning, page 125:
    • 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[…] 1827, William Tennant, Papistry Storm'd: Or, The Dingin' Down O' the Cathedral : Ane Poem, in Sax Sangs, page 84:
    • Wi' jaws o' yell some durty beutts / Pat loft suin in a slatter; 1866, Sidney Gilpin, The Songs and Ballads of Cumberland: To which are Added Dialect and Other Poems ; with Biographical Sketches, Notes, and Glossary, page 275:
    • ... a certain slight rollick in his voice and accent , perhaps due to the "jaws o' yell" in the yard yonder. 1876, Elizabeth Lynn Linton, Lizzie Lorton of Greyrigg: A Novel ..., page 279:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
jaws Number=Plur lexicographic

Relateds

jaw harp (etymologically unrelated) · jaw harpist (etymologically unrelated) · jaw's-trump (etymologically unrelated)

Source: en.wiktionary, “jaw” (noun), dump 20260902, contributors via the page history. Text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

jaw en · VERB · etymology 2

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”).

Meanings

  1. (Scotland, transitive) To pour or throw out.
    • Bletherum bore her to the vestry, Jaw'd some water in her face; […] 1863, James Nicholson, Kilwuddie and other poems, page 80:
    • Nae need to jaw watter on a droun'd moose. 1896, Peter Hay Hunter, James Inwick: Ploughman and Elder, page 145:
  2. (Scotland, of water, transitive) To splash; to surge.
    • 'Twas freezin', thowin', rainin', snawin', In souple turns; While sheughs an' deep fur-drains were jawin' To spate the burns. 1877, Walter Watson, The Poems and Songs of Walter Watson, page 100:
    • ... a burn "whiles jawin' like a sea." 1879, David Gilmour, Reminiscences of the Pen' Folk: Paisley Weavers of Other Days, Etc, page 52:
    • ... stately tower, […] Whilk proud defies the jawing wave, Built on a rock[…] 1885, Francis James Child, George Lyman Kittredge, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, page 223:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
jawed Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
jawed Tense=Past lexicographic
jawing Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
jaws Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic

Deriveds

jaw-hole · jawhole · jawbox