# maxilla

> English word · Noun · IPA /mækˈsɪl.ə/ · frequency rank #56,274

## Definitions
1. Synonym of jaw.
2. Synonym of jaw.
3. One of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in many arthropods that are used for tasting and manipulating food.

## Etymology
From Middle English, from Latin māxilla (“the jawbone, jaw”), diminutive of māla (“the cheekbone, jaw”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/maxilla