jowl etymology

Etymology

The word "jowl" comes from the Middle English word "jole," which in turn is derived from the Old Norse word "kolli," meaning "head."

Meaning

Jowl refers to the loose, fleshy part of an animal's face and neck below the lower jaw. It typically hangs down and is often associated with domestic animals, particularly swine.

Origin

The word "jowl" can be traced back to the Indo-European root keu-, which also gives rise to the English words "head," "chin," and "neck."

Usage

The noun "jowl" is primarily used to describe the fleshy part of an animal's face and neck. It can also be used metaphorically to refer to a person's face or neck, especially if it is described as loose or sagging. For example:

  • The dog wagged its jowls as it panted happily.
  • The old man's jowls hung down like loose bags of skin.

The verb "jowl" means to chew or move the jowls. It is not commonly used, but it can be found in some literary works:

  • The boar jowled at the apple core in its mouth.

jowl relate terms

  • gullet

    Etymology From Middle English golet golette from Old French golet throat Ulti

  • chew

    Etymology The word chew comes from the Old English word cēowan which means to chew

  • jowl

    Etymology The word jowl comes from the Middle English word jole which in turn is der

  • ajar

    Etymology Old French entr ouvrir meaning to open slightly Late Latin interaperire

  • cheek

    Etymology Middle English cheke from Old English ceac Proto West Germanic kekijo Pro

  • mandible

    Etymology The word mandible comes from the Latin word mandibula which is derived fr

  • feature

    Etymology Latin facere to make to do Old French feiture making deed Middle

  • lineament

    Etymology Origin Latin lineamentum figure outline feature characteristic Root P

  • cafe

    Etymology The word café originates from the French word café which in turn comes f

  • face

    Etymology The word face comes from the Middle English word face which in turn derive

  • lower

    Etymology The word lower comes from the Old English word lāw meaning low This wo

  • bone

    Etymology The word bone derives from the Proto Germanic bainaz meaning bone This r

  • lower

    Etymology The word lower comes from the Old English word lāw meaning low This wo