mandible

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

mandible
    n 1: the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth
         [syn: {lower jaw}, {mandible}, {mandibula}, {mandibular
         bone}, {submaxilla}, {lower jawbone}, {jawbone}, {jowl}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Mandible \Man"di*ble\, n. [L. mandibula, mandibulum, fr. mandere
   to chew. Cf. {Manger}.]
   1. (Anat.) The bone, or principal bone, of the lower jaw; the
      inferior maxilla; -- also applied to either the upper or
      the lower jaw in the beak of birds.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Zool.) The anterior pair of mouth organs of insects,
      crustaceaus, and related animals, whether adapted for
      biting or not. See Illust. of {Diptera}.
      [1913 Webster]