Mandible (noun)

A jawbone, especially the lower jawbone, in vertebrates and insects.

Origin:

The word 'mandible' comes from the latin word 'mandibula', meaning 'jawbone'.

Examples:

1. In humans, the mandible plays an important role in biting and chewing food.
2. The mandible is the largest, strongest bone in the face, and helps to support and shape the facial structure.
3. Some species of animals, such as snakes and alligators, have powerful mandibles that they use to crush their prey.
4. Mandibles are often used to identify and classify different species of insects, due to the unique shape and size of each species' jawbone.
5. In some species of birds, the mandibles are used to create the songs and calls that are characteristic of the species.