The noun "jowl" refers to the fleshy, sagging, and often loose skin that hangs down from the lower jaw or cheek area of certain animals, typically mammals. In humans, this term is more commonly used to describe the lower part of the cheek or jawline, which may appear puffy or droopy due to factors such as age, weight, or genetics.
Furthermore, the term "jowl" can also be applied to edible portions of an animal, particularly the lower cheeks or jaw area, which are commonly used in cooking. This culinary definition often refers to cuts of meat that are tough and require slow cooking methods to achieve tenderness.
In a figurative sense, "jowl" can be used metaphorically to describe someone's face or countenance, often emphasizing prominent or exaggerated facial features. It may connote an expression of disapproval, arrogance, or even self-importance.
Moreover, in certain contexts, "jowl" can be extended to describe a similar drooping or sagging feature that is not exclusive to living beings. For instance, architectural structures or building elements may exhibit jowl-like characteristics if they project outward or hang loose in a similar manner to the jowls of an animal.
In summary, "jowl" encompasses both literal and figurative meanings relating to the fleshy lower jaw or cheek area of animals or humans, edible portions in cooking, figurative expressions relating to one's face or countenance, as well as similarities to drooping architectural features.
