Dictionary
jaw•bone
Pronunciation: ( jô'bōn"), [key]
—n., v., -boned, -bon•ing,
—adj.
—
n.
1. a bone of either jaw; a maxilla or mandible.
2. the bone of the lower jaw; mandible.
—
v.t., v.i.
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.
—
adj.
Informal.obtained by or resorting to such a practice:
jawbone controls. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.