I. ˈchēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English cheke jawbone, cheek, from Old English cēace; akin to Old Frisian ziāke jawbone, Middle Low German kāke, Old English acēocian to suffocate, strangle, and perhaps to Old English cēowan to chew — more at chew
1.
a. : the fleshy wall or side of the mouth in man and mammals : the side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth
b. : the lateral aspect of the head of a lower vertebrate or an invertebrate (as an insect) : gena
c. : the portion of a hide corresponding to the cheek of the animal — see hide illustration
d. : the lateral part of the cephalic shield of a trilobite
2. : a lateral side of any mass, structure, or opening: as
a. : either of the side posts of a door or gate
b. : a sidepiece around the eye of the head of a pike, hammer, or pick by which it is secured to the staff or handle
c. : a sidepiece on a mast, supporting a crosstree
d. : one of two laterally paired parts of a mechanism or structure
the cheeks of a vise
the cheek of a mortise
the cheek of a pulley block
e. : a wall of a mineral vein
f. : one of the vertical side faces of a dormer window
g. : a middle part of a foundry flask
3.
a. of a bridle : cheek strap
b. of a bit : cheekpiece
4. : the shoulder of a artificial fly — see fly illustration
5. : buttock 1
6. : insolent boldness and flaunted self-assurance in speech or action : impudence
he has plenty of cheek
Synonyms: see temerity
•
- cheek by jowl
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. obsolete : to form a side to
2. : to place in or against the cheek
3.
a. : to speak impudently or saucily to
b. : tease