/ dʒɔː; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] either of the two bones at the bottom of the face that contain the teeth and move when you talk or eat :
the top / upper jaw
the bottom / lower jaw
2.
[ sing. ] the lower part of the face; the lower jaw :
He has a strong square jaw.
The punch broke my jaw.
—picture at face
3.
jaws [ pl. ] the mouth and teeth of a person or an animal :
The alligator's jaws snapped shut.
4.
jaws [ pl. ] the parts of a tool or machine that are used to hold things tightly :
the jaws of a vice
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IDIOMS
- sb's jaw dropped / fell / sagged
- the jaws of death, defeat, etc.
- the jaws of a tunnel, etc.
■ verb
[ v ] ( informal , often disapproving ) to talk, especially to talk a lot or for a long time
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French joe cheek, jaw, of unknown origin.