Etymology From Middle English, from Latin māxilla (“the jawbone, jaw”), diminutive of māla (“the cheekbone, jaw”).
› Synonym of jaw.
1
Anatomy, Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences, Zoology, Zootomy An upper jaw especially of humans and other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused.
2
Anatomy, Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences, Zoology, Zootomy Either of the two bones that lie with one on each side of the upper jaw lateral to the premaxilla and that in higher vertebrates bear most of the teeth.
3
Biology, Natural sciences, Zoology, Zootomy One of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in many arthropods that are used for tasting and manipulating food.