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Lantern-jawed

What's the meaning of the word 'Lantern-jawed'?

To be lantern-jawed is to have a prominent and angular jaw.

What's the origin of the word 'Lantern-jawed'?

There’s not much to say about this expression than what it means and where it came from.

The first example of its use in print is from the late 17th century glossary or words used by the English criminal classes A New Dictionary of the Terms Ancient and Modern of the Canting Crew, 1699:

Lantern jaw’d, a very lean, thin faced Fellow.

The history of “Lantern – jawed” in printed materials

Trend of lantern – jawed in printed material over time

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Lantern-jawed

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