Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having jaws of a specified type: Describes an animal (or sometimes a person) possessing jaws of a particular, often notable, shape, structure, or characteristic. This term is most commonly used in combination with another word to form a compound adjective.

Usage

• The adjective jawed is almost exclusively used in its hyphenated compound form. It modifies a noun by specifying the nature of its jaws.
• Structure:
  • Example: a square-jawed hero, a large-jawed predator.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The fossil belonged to a heavy-jawed carnivore from the Cretaceous period.
  • He had a distinctly square-jawed appearance that made him look very determined.
  • The deep-sea anglerfish is a wide-jawed creature capable of swallowing prey larger than itself.

Advanced Usage

• Zoological/Biological Context: Used scientifically to classify or describe anatomical features.
  • The newly discovered species is a small-jawed relative of the tyrannosaur.
• Figurative/Descriptive Use: Applied to humans for vivid physical description, often implying character traits (e.g., determination from a "square jaw").
  • The detective in the novel was always described as a grim, lantern-jawed man.

Variants and Related Words

• -jawed (suffix): Functions as a combining form. Common compounds include:
  • Square-jawed: Having a jaw with a broad, angular shape.
  • Lantern-jawed: Having long, thin jaws that make the face look gaunt.
  • Weak-jawed: Having a jaw that appears small or not prominent.
  • Gap-jawed (informal): With the jaw hanging open in surprise or stupor.
• Jawless (adj): Lacking jaws, as in the class Agnatha (e.g., lampreys).

Synonyms

• Mandibulate (technical): Possessing mandibles or jaws.
• Having a [...] jaw: A more verbose alternative (e.g., "having a powerful jaw").

Notes

• The standalone use of "jawed" without a preceding descriptor is rare in modern English and is primarily found in technical zoological contexts (e.g., "jawed vertebrates" vs. "jawless fish").
• Its primary function is to create descriptive compound adjectives.

Adjective

1. of animals having jaws of a specified type