maw

Everyday

1. A maw is the mouth, jaws or throat of a hungry or fierce animal. tree →
2. A maw is anything that seems to swallow things up, like a big dark hole: «the maw of the cave». tree →
3. (Scotland, informal) «Maw» means mum or mother; «Paw» is dad. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and poems, «maw» makes a monster or animal sound scary and greedy: «the dragon's gaping maw». In descriptive writing, it is a strong word for a dark opening. In Scottish speech, a child may call their mum «Maw». Phrases: «gaping maw», «into the maw of».

Examples

• The crocodile opened its huge maw. tree →
• The ship sailed into the dark maw of the storm. tree →
• The dragon's maw was full of sharp teeth. tree →
• The cave's black maw frightened the explorers. tree →
• «Maw, can I go out to play?» asked the boy in Glasgow. tree →
• The whale's maw swallowed the tiny fish. tree →
• Now, just as the father pitched his younger son into the sea, a great whale-fish was coming along and swallowed him, and into its maw he went. tree →

Note

Countable. Literary in its main sense; in everyday speech people say «mouth» or «jaws». The Scottish «Maw» (mum) is informal and regional. Rhymes with «saw».

In Jewish tradition

The priests receive the shoulder, two cheeks and the maw from the animals people bring as sacrifices.

Interpretation. The rabbis taught that these gifts to the priests, the foreleg, cheeks and stomach, show that the people support those who serve in the sanctuary.

Examples

• And this shall be the priests' due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw. (Torah DEU.18.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Literary in its main sense; in everyday speech people say «mouth» or «jaws». The Scottish «Maw» (mum) is informal and regional. Rhymes with «saw».