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Glite Dictionary
🦷 Mouth bone 🔧 Tool grip parts 🗣️ To talk a lot
jaw

jaw

69 5.9
One of the two parts of a tool that move together to grip or clamp something
  • noun
  • /dʒɔ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mordaza
  • The razor-sharp jaws of these army ants can strip a frog or a lizard to the bone in minutes.
  • jaw coupling
  • two measuring jaws
  • three-jaw chuck

So this is one of the jaws that does all the clamping.

Examples

  • Make sure the jaws of the clamp are aligned correctly before tightening.

  • I always like to have reversible jaw chucks if I can.

  • So this is one of the jaws that does all the clamping.

    Adam Savage’s Tested

  • Each of the head's two measuring jaws has its own transducer and individual oil dampening.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The chucks are available in screw- or power-operated two-jaw and power-operated three-jaw models.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The tool's jaws securely held the metal piece in place while I worked on it.

  • He adjusted the jaws of the vise to grip the wood firmly during the project.

Synonyms

clamp
vsjaw
92 3.3

A tool that holds things tightly while you work

is one of the two parts that press together, not the whole pressing device
vise
vsjaw
  • US
18 6.5

A tool attached to a workbench that holds something tightly while you work on it

is one of those two moving parts rather than the whole device
grapple
vsjaw
6 7.4

A tool with hooks used to grab and lift things

is the single holding part rather than the whole multihook tool
monkey wrench
vsjaw
  • US
2 3.0

A tool with one fixed and one movable jaw that grips and turns bolts

is the individual movable or fixed part, not the entire hand tool
chuck
vsjaw
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A part in machines like drills and lathes that holds a bit or material being worked on

is a single gripping part rather than the adjustable holding unit
grasper
vsjaw
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A claw or pincer on an animal that holds things

is a mechanical moving part rather than a biological seizing appendage
griper
vsjaw
9.3

A tool for holding or lifting things safely

is the single part that moves to grip rather than the entire holding tool

Idioms

jaw dropped
  • Informal
7 5.4

To feel very surprised and open your mouth wide

to drop one's jaw
  • Informal
4.4

Open your mouth wide in surprise

to make someone's jaw drop
  • Informal
4.4

To surprise someone very much

jaw in lap
  • Informal
9.9

A look of great surprise with the mouth open

Compounds

lower jaw
6 2.2

The bottom bone in the face that moves up and down to open the mouth

upper jaw
2 2.8

The top part of the jaw that holds the upper teeth

glass jaw
  • Informal
2 7.9

A weakness that makes someone easily knocked out in a fight

jaw clenched
1 6.4

Showing tight jaw muscles when someone is angry or stressed

lantern jaw
1 8.6

A long thin chin that sticks out clearly

bis-phossy jaw
  • Archaic
9.9

A serious disease that makes the jaw bone die after working with white phosphorus in match factories

lion-jaw forceps
  • Specialized
8.1

A metal tool with strong sharp teeth used in surgery to hold broken bone pieces

lumpy jaw
  • Specialized
8.5

A long-lasting infection that makes hard lumps and swelling on the jaw in animals or people

jaw-jutting confidence
8.5

A bold, proud way of acting that shows you feel sure of yourself

Surface Forms

jaw singular
jaws plural

Etymology

Jaw is also used for the two parts of a tool because they close like a mouth that 'bites' or holds something, which is why a clamp or pliers has jaws.