jowl

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. noun a fullness and looseness of the flesh of the lower cheek and jaw (characteristic of aging)

Etymology

From Middle English jawle, chawl, chavel (“jaw, jawbone”), from Old English ċeafl (“jaw, cheek”), from Proto-West Germanic *kafl (“jaw, cheek”). The modern form (for expected chavel, chawl; still found dialectally) is influenced by jaw, which it is a partial doublet of.

In classic literature

Synonyms

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

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