释义 |
cheek I. \ˈchēk\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English cheke jawbone, cheek, from Old English cēace; akin to Old Frisian ziāke jawbone, Middle Low German kāke, Old English acēocian to suffocate, strangle, and perhaps to Old English cēowan to chew — more at chew 1. a. : the fleshy wall or side of the mouth in man and mammals : the side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth b. : the lateral aspect of the head of a lower vertebrate or an invertebrate (as an insect) : gena c. : the portion of a hide corresponding to the cheek of the animal — see hide illustration d. : the lateral part of the cephalic shield of a trilobite 2. : a lateral side of any mass, structure, or opening: as a. : either of the side posts of a door or gate b. : a sidepiece around the eye of the head of a pike, hammer, or pick by which it is secured to the staff or handle c. : a sidepiece on a mast, supporting a crosstree d. : one of two laterally paired parts of a mechanism or structure < the cheeks of a vise > < the cheek of a mortise > < the cheek of a pulley block > e. : a wall of a mineral vein f. : one of the vertical side faces of a dormer window g. : a middle part of a foundry flask 3. a. of a bridle : cheek strap b. of a bit : cheekpiece 4. : the shoulder of a artificial fly — see fly illustration 5. : buttock 1 6. : insolent boldness and flaunted self-assurance in speech or action : impudence < he has plenty of cheek > Synonyms: see temerity • - cheek by jowl II. transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) 1. obsolete : to form a side to 2. : to place in or against the cheek 3. a. : to speak impudently or saucily to b. : tease |