jawbone: Meaning and Definition of

jaw•bone

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