jawbone
jawbone Lexical Profile
jawbone Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A bone of the vertebrate jaw, especially the lower jawbone or mandible.
"The paleontologist carefully brushed dirt away from the fossilized jawbone of an early hominid."
The skeletal remains of an animal's jaw, occasionally noted in historical or mythic contexts as a crude tool or weapon.
"According to the biblical narrative, Samson defeated a thousand Philistines wielding only the jawbone of a donkey."
• verb
American To forcefully persuade, influence, or pressure someone through persistent talk or public appeals rather than legislation or physical force.
"The president attempted to jawbone the steel industry leaders into lowering their prices to avoid a spike in inflation."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a verb, 'jawbone' is primarily used in North American political and economic contexts to describe leaders applying public verbal pressure rather than exercising legal authority.
• Rhymes for jawbone
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'jawbone' (14th century), a compound of 'jaw' and 'bone'. The verb sense emerged in American English in the late 19th century, originally meaning to talk incessantly or to persuade using smooth talk.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.