jawbone

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth
  2. verb talk idly or casually and in a friendly way

Etymology

From Middle English jawe bone, a partial calque of earlier Middle English chawlbone, chawylbon, chavylbone, chawle boon, chavyl bon (“jaw bone”, literally “chavel bone”), see chavel-bone; equivalent to jaw + bone.

In classic literature

Synonyms

lower jaw, mandible, mandibula, mandibular bone, submaxilla, lower jawbone, jowl

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