chin

¹

[ chin ]

noun

1. the lower extremity of the face, below the mouth.
2. the prominence of the lower jaw.
3. Informal. chin-up.

verb (used with object)

, chinned, chin·ning.

1. Gymnastics.
   1. to bring one's chin up to (a horizontal bar, from which one is hanging by the hands), by bending the elbows.
   2. to raise (oneself ) to this position.
2. to raise or hold to the chin, as a violin.
3. Archaic. to talk to; chatter with.

verb (used without object)

, chinned, chin·ning.

1. Gymnastics. to chin oneself.
2. Slang. to talk; chatter:

   We sat up all night chinning about our college days.

ch'in

²

[ chin; Chinese cheen ]

noun

1. a Chinese zither consisting of an oblong, slightly curved wooden box over which are stretched strings that are stopped with one hand and plucked with the other.

Chin

³

[ jin ]

noun

1. Also Tsin []. any of three dynasties that ruled in China, a.d. 265–316 (the Western Chin), a.d. 317–420 (the Eastern Chin), and a.d. 936–46 (the Later Chin).
2. a dynasty that ruled in China 1115–1234.

Ch'in

⁴

[ chin; Chinese cheen ]

noun

1. a dynasty in ancient China, 221–206 b.c., marked by the emergence of a unified empire and the construction of much of the Great Wall of China.

Chin.

⁵

or Chin.

abbreviation for

1. China.
2. Chinese.

Chin.

¹

abbreviation for

1. China
2. Chinese

chin

²

/ tʃɪn /

noun

1. the protruding part of the lower jaw
2. the front part of the face below the lips genial
3. keep one's chin up
   to keep cheerful under difficult circumstances Sometimes shortened tochin up!
4. take it on the chin informal.
   to face squarely up to a defeat, adversity, etc

verb

1. gymnastics to raise one's chin to (a horizontal bar, etc) when hanging by the arms
2. informal.
   tr to punch or hit (someone) on the chin

Other Words From

• chinless adjective
• under·chin noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chin¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English cin ( n ); cognate with Dutch kin, German Kinn chin, Old Norse kinn, Gothic kinnus cheek, Latin gena, Greek génus chin, gnáthos jaw ( genial ², -gnathous ), Sanskrit hanus jaw

Origin of chin²

From Chinese (Wade-Giles) ch'in2, (Pinyin) qín

Word History and Origins

Origin of chin¹

Old English cinn; related to Old Norse kinn, Old High German kinni, Latin gena cheek, Old Irish gin mouth, Sanskrit hanu

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. keep one's chin up, to maintain a cheerful disposition in spite of difficulties, disappointments, etc. Also chin up.
2. take it on the chin, Informal.
   1. to suffer defeat; fail completely.
   2. to endure suffering or punishment.

More idioms and phrases containing chin

see keep one's chin up ; lead with one's chin ; take it on the chin .

Example Sentences

With her chin lifted to an exquisite 45-degree angle, Amazon looks upon her opponent.

From Salon

Herbert, who fumbled last week while scrambling, hugged the ball tight under his chin with both arms as he ran through the end zone and up the sideline toward his coaches.

From Los Angeles Times

In contrast, the WRU bosses have been hiding in the pavilion, looking for a night-watchman to take on the chin music, rather than stride to the wicket to face the deliveries thrown down.

From BBC

About 15 defendants sat in the defendants' box, while Dominique Pelicot, wearing a green jumper, sat in another, resting his chin on his hand.

From BBC

He’s also set records for balancing a lawnmower on his chin, getting hit in the face with wet sponges, and slicing grapes with a sword while standing on a ball.

From NewsForKids.net