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mâchoire

jaw

noun mah-SHWAR Rare

Usage Note

mâchoire refers to either the upper (maxillaire) or lower (mandibule) jaw; in everyday speech it covers the whole jaw. The verb mâcher (to chew) shares the same root, and avoir la mâchoire serrée (to have a clenched jaw) is a common expression for tension.

Examples

"Il a la mâchoire très carrée."

Natural Translation

He has a very square jaw.

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