jawbone

[ jaw-bohn ]
/ ˈdʒɔˌboʊn /

noun

a bone of either jaw; a maxilla or mandible.
the bone of the lower jaw; mandible.

verb (used with or without object), jaw·boned, jaw·bon·ing.

Informal. to attempt to influence or pressure by persuasion rather than by the exertion of force or one's authority, as in urging voluntary compliance with economic guidelines: The president jawboned the steel industry into postponing price increases.

adjective

Informal. obtained by or resorting to such a practice: jawbone controls.

Origin of jawbone

First recorded in 1480–90; jaw1 + bone

OTHER WORDS FROM jawbone

jaw·bon·ing, noun, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for jawboning

British Dictionary definitions for jawboning

jawbone
/ (ˈdʒɔːˌbəʊn) /

noun

a nontechnical name for mandible, (or (less commonly)) maxilla

verb

US to try to persuade or bring pressure to bear (on) by virtue of one's high office or position, esp in urging compliance with official policy

Medical definitions for jawboning

jawbone
[ jôbōn′ ]

n.

The maxilla or, especially, the mandible.