■ noun
1》 each of the upper and lower bony structures in vertebrates forming the framework of the mouth and containing the teeth.
↘( ~s ) the grasping, biting, or crushing mouthparts of an invertebrate.
2》 ( ~s ) the gripping parts of a wrench, vice, etc.
3》 ( ~s ) the grasping or destructive power of something: the ~s of death.
4》 informal tedious talk.
■ verb informal talk at length.
Derivatives
-~ed adjective
~less adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. joe 'cheek, ~', of unknown origin.