/ ˈmændɪbl; NAmE / noun ( anatomy )
1.
the jawbone
—picture at skeleton
2.
the upper or lower part of a bird's beak
3.
either of the two parts that are at the front and on either side of an insect's mouth, used especially for biting and crushing food
—picture at bumblebee
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , or from late Latin mandibula , from mandere to chew.