J
the tenth letter in our alphabet, developed from I, the initial formjbeing specialised to denote the consonantal sound, the medialibeing retained for the vowel-sound—not universal in English books before the middle of the 17th century. As a numeral, a variant of I, used in medical prescriptions, asvj, six: representing the mechanical equivalent of heat—from Joule.
Jabber, jab′ėr,v.i.to gabble or talk rapidly and indistinctly: to chatter.—v.t.to utter indistinctly:—pr.p.jabb′ering;pa.p.jabb′ered.—n.rapid indistinct speaking.—n.Jabb′erer.—adv.Jabb′eringly. [From root ofgabble.]
Jabble, jab′l,n.(Scot.) an agitation on the surface of water.—v.t.to splash. [Cf.jaup.]
Jabiru, jab′i-rū,n.a kind of large stork. [Brazilian.]
Jaborandi, jab′o-ran′di,n.a Brazilian shrub with sialogogue and diaphoretic properties. [Brazilian.]
Jabot, zha-bō′,n.a frill of lace, &c., worn by women on the bodice.
Jacamar, jak′a-mar,n.a South American bird something like a kingfisher. [Fr.,—Brazilian.]
Jacana, ja-kā′na,n.a tropical bird, allied to the rails, and frequenting swamps. [Brazilian.]
Jacaranda, jak-a-ran′da,n.a South American tree with hard, heavy, brown wood. [Brazilian.]
Jacchus, jak′us,n.a South American marmoset.
Jacent, jā′sent,adj.lying at length.
Jacinth, jā′sinth,n.(B.) a precious stone, a red variety of zircon, now called hyacinth: a reddish-orange colour. [Contr. ofhyacinth.]
Jack, jak,n.used as a familiar name or diminutive of John: a saucy or paltry fellow: a sailor: any instrument serving to supply the place of a boy or helper, as a bootjack for taking off boots, a contrivance for turning a spit (smoke-jack, roasting-jack), a screw for raising heavy weights, a figure which strikes the bell in clocks: the male of some animals: a young pike: a support to saw wood on: a miner's wedge: a flag displayed from the bowsprit of a ship: a leather pitcher or bottle: a coat of mail: (coll.) a knave in cards: the small white ball that forms the aim in bowls.—ns.Jack′-a-dan′dy, a dandy or fop, esp. if diminutive;Jack′-a-Lan′tern, theignis fatuusor Will-o'-the-Wisp;Jack′-a-Lent′(Shak.), a boy (forJack of Lent, a kind of puppet formerly thrown at in sport at Lent);Jack′-block, a block of pulleys used for raising and lowering topgallant-masts.—n.pl.Jack′boots, large boots reaching above the knee, to protect the leg, formerly worn by cavalry, and covered with plates of iron.—ns.Jack′-cross′-tree, the cross-tree at the head of a topgallant-mast;Jack′-flag, a flag which is hoisted at the spritsail topmast-head;Jack′-fool, an absolute ass;Jack′-in-off′ice, a conceited and impertinent official;Jack′-in-the-box′, a box with a figure in it that springs up when the lid is lifted;Jack′-in-the-green′, a May-day chimney-sweep almost covered up with green shrubs;Jack′-knife, a large clasp-knife;Jack′-man, a soldier armed with a jack or coat of mail: a retainer;Jack′-nas′ty, a sneak, a sloven;Jack′-of-all′-trades, one who can turn his hand to anything;Jack′-plane, a large, strong plane used by joiners;Jack′-pudd′ing, a merry-andrew, buffoon;Jack′-rabb′it, one of several species of prairie-hares, with very long ears and legs;Jack′-raft′er, a rafter, shorter than the rest, used in hip-roofs;Jack′-sauce(Shak.), a saucy fellow;Jack′-screw, a screw for raising heavy weights;Jack′-slave(Shak.), a low servant, a vulgar fellow;Jack′-smith, a smith who makes jacks for the kitchen;Jack′-snipe, a small species of snipe;Jack′-staff, the staff on which the jack is hoisted.—n.pl.Jack′-stays, ropes or strips of wood or iron stretched along the yards of a ship to bind the sails to.—ns.Jack′-straw, a straw effigy, a low servile fellow;Jack′-tar, a sailor;Jack′-towel, a long endless towel passing over a roller.—Jack Frost, frost personified as a mischievous fellow;Jack Ketch, a public hangman—from one so named under James II.;Jack Sprat, a diminutive fellow.—Cheap Jack(seeCheap);Every man Jack, one and all;Yellow Jack(slang), yellow fever. [Fr.Jacques, the most common name in France, hence used as a substitute forJohn, the most common name in England; but it is really=JamesorJacob—L.Jacobus.]
Jack,Jak, jak,n.a tree of the East Indies of the same genus as the bread-fruit tree. [Port.jaka—Malaytsjaka.]
Jackal, jak′awl,n.a wild, gregarious animal closely allied to the dog—erroneously supposed to act as a lion's provider or hunting scout, hence a tool, a Parasite. [Pers.shaghāl.]
Jackanapes, jak′a-nāps,n.an impudent fellow: a coxcomb. [Jack o' apes, one who exhibited monkeys, withninserted to avoid the hiatus.]
Jackass, jak′as,n.the male of the ass: a blockhead. [Jack—the male, andass.]
Jackdaw, jak′daw,n.a species of crow. [Jackanddaw.]
Jacket, jak′et,n.a short coat.—adj.Jack′eted,wearing a jacket. [O. Fr.jaquette, a jacket, or sleeveless coat, a dim. of O. Fr.jaque, a coat of mail, prob. ultimately conn. withJacques.]
Jacobean, jak-o-bē′an,adj.of the period of James I. of England (1603-25).
Jacobin, jak′o-bin,n.a French Dominican monk, so named from their original establishment being that of StJacques, Paris: one of a society of revolutionists in France, so called from their meeting in the hall of the Jacobin convent: a demagogue: a hooded pigeon.—adjs.Jacobin′ic,-al.—v.t.Jac′obinise.—n.Jac′obinism, the principles of the Jacobins or French revolutionists. [Fr.,—L.Jacobus, James—Gr.Jacobos—Heb.Ya‛aqōb.]
Jacobite, jak′o-bīt,n.an adherent of James II. and his descendants: in Church history, a Syrian monophysite, named after the 6th-century monk,JacobusBaradæus.—adjs.Jac′obite,Jacobit′ic,-al.—n.Jac′obitism.
Jacob's-ladder, jā′kobz-lad′ėr,n.(naut.) a ladder made of ropes with wooden steps: a garden plant with large blue flowers. [From the ladder whichJacobsaw in his dream, Gen. xxviii. 12.]
Jacob's-Staff, jā′kobz-staf,n.a pilgrim's staff: a staff with a cross-head used in surveying: a sword-cane. [Prob. an allusion to the staff of the patriarchJacob, Gen. xxxii. 10.]
Jacobus, ja-kō′bus,n.a gold coin of James I. worth 20s.
Jaconet, jak′o-net,n.a cotton fabric, rather stouter than muslin. [Fr.jaconas.]
Jacquard loom. SeeLoom.
Jacqueminot, jak′mi-nō,n.a deep-red hybrid perpetual rose.—AlsoJacqueandJack. [From GeneralJacqueminotof Paris.]
Jacquerie, zhak′e-rē,n.name given to the revolt of the French peasants in 1358. [FromJacquesBonhomme, Goodman Jack, a name applied in derision to the peasants.]
Jactation, jak-tā′shun,n.act of throwing: extreme restlessness in disease: agitation of the body: boasting.
Jactitation(of marriage), jak-ti-tā′shun,n.a false pretence of being married to another. [L.jactitāre,-ātum, to brag, freq. ofjactāre, to throw.]
Jaculation, jak-ū-lā′shun,n.the act of throwing or hurling, as a dart.—v.t.Jac′ulate, to dart, throw.—n.Jac′ulātor.—adj.Jac′ulātory, darting or throwing out suddenly: ejaculatory. [L.jaculāri,-ātus, to throw as a dart—jaculum, a dart—jacĕre, to throw.]
Jade, jād,n.a mare, esp. an old and sorry one: a worthless nag: a woman—in contempt or irony.—v.t.to tire: to harass:—pr.p.jad′ing;pa.p.jad′ed.—adv.Jad′edly.—n.Jad′ery, the tricks of a jade.—adj.Jad′ish, worn out: vicious: unchaste—applied to a woman. [Scot.yad,yaud; Ice.jalda, a mare.]
Jade, jād,n.a dark-green stone used for ornamental purposes—applied both tojadeiteandnephrite. [Fr.,—Sp.ijada, the flank—L.ilia. It was believed to cure pain of the side.]
Jag, jag,n.a notch: a ragged protuberance: (bot.) a cleft or division: (Scot.) a stab.—v.t.to cut into notches: to stab or pierce:—pr.p.jag′ging;pa.p.jagged.—adjs.Jag′ged,Jag′gy, notched, rough-edged, uneven.—adv.Jag′gedly.—ns.Jag′gedness;Jag′ger, a brass wheel with a notched edge for cutting cakes, &c., into ornamental forms—alsoJag′ging-ī′ron. [Celt.; W., Gael., Ir.gag, a cleft.]
Jag, jag,n.a load: a saddle-bag: a quantity: (U.S.) as much liquor as one can carry.—n.Jag′ger, a peddler.
Jaggery, jag′ėr-i,n.a kind of coarse, dark-coloured sugar made in the East Indies from the sap of the coco-nut palm. [Hind.shakkar, Sans.çarkara.]
Jaghir,Jaghire, ja-gēr′,n.the government revenues of a tract of land assigned with power to administer.—n.Jaghir′dar, the holder of such. [Hind.]
Jaguar, jag′ū-är, or jag-wär′,n.a powerful beast of prey, allied to the leopard, found in South America. [Brazilian,jaguara.]
Jah, jä,n.Jehovah. [Heb.]
Jail, jāl,n.a prison.—ns.Jail′-bird,Gaol′-bird, a humorous name for one who is or has been confined in jail;Jail′er,Gaol′er, one who has charge of a jail or of prisoners, called also a turnkey;Jail′-fē′ver,Gaol′-fē′ver, typhus fever, so called because once common in jails.—Break jail, to force one's way out of prison;Commission of Jail Delivery, one of the commissions issued to judges of assize and judges of the Central Criminal Court in England. [O. Fr.gaole(Fr.geôle)—Low L.gabiola, a cage, dim. of Low L.gabia, a cage, a corr. ofcavea, a cage—L.cavus, hollow.]
Jain, jān,n.an adherent ofJain′ism, or a member of a heterodox Hindu sect, allied to ancient Buddhism: a style of architecture developed about 450A.D., with pseudo-arch and dome, built in horizontal courses and of pointed section. [Hind.jina, a deified saint.]
Jakes, jāks,n.(Shak.) a privy.—AlsoMrs Jones.
Jalap, jal′ap,n.the purgative root of a plant first brought fromJalapaor Xalapa, in Mexico.—adj.Jalap′ic—n.Jal′apin, a glucoside resin, one of the purgative principles of jalap.
Jalouse, jal-ōōz′,v.i.(Scot.) to suspect. SeeJealous.
Jalousie, zhal-oo-zē′,n.a Venetian blind. [Fr.,—jalousie, jealousy.]
Jam, jam,n.a conserve of fruit boiled with sugar. [Ety. dub.; perh. fromjam, to squeeze.]
Jam, jam,v.t.to press or squeeze tight:—pr.p.jam′ming;pa.p.jammed.—n.a crush, squeeze. [Cf.champ.]
Jamaica-pepper, ja-mā′ka-pep′ėr,n.Allspice (q.v.).
Jamb, jam,n.the sidepiece or post of a door, fireplace, &c. [Fr.jambe, perh. Celt.cam, bent.]
Jambe, jäm,n.armour for the leg.—ns.pl.Jam′beaus, leggings;Jambieres′, leg-pieces of leather, &c. [Fr.jambe, leg.]
Jambee, jam-bē′,n.an 18th-century light cane.
Jambok, jam′bok,n.a long lash made of hippopotamus hide, &c. [S. Afr.]
Jambone, jam′bōn,n.a lone hand in euchre, played only by agreement, in which the player lays his cards on the table and must lead one chosen by his opponent, scoring 8 points if he takes all the tricks.
Jamboree, jam-bō-rē,n.in euchre, a lone hand of the 5 highest cards, by agreement scoring 16 points for the holder: (slang) a boisterous frolic, a spree.
Jambu, jam′bōō,n.the rose-apple tree.
Jambul, jam′bul,n.a small Indian evergreen tree.
Jamdani, jam-dä′ni,n.a variety of Dacca muslin woven in designs of flowers.
Jamewar, jam′e-war,n.a Cashmere shawl with coloured patterns: the goat's-hair cloth of Cashmere.
Jampan, jam′pan,n.a sedan-chair borne on bamboo poles by four bearers.—n.Jampanee′, its bearer.
Jamrach, jam′rak,n.a place where wild animals are kept for sale—from a London dealer's name.
Jane, jān,n.(Spens.) a small silver Genoese coin: jean. [Low L.Janua, L.Genua, Genoa.]
Jangle, jang′l,v.i.to sound discordantly as in wrangling: to wrangle or quarrel.—v.t.to cause to sound harshly.—n.discordant sound: contention.—ns.Jang′ler;Jang′ling. [O. Fr.jangler; imit., likejingleandchink.]
Janitor, jan′i-tor,n.a doorkeeper: a porter:—fem.Jan′itrix. [L., fromjanua, a door.]
Janizary, jan′i-zar-i,n.a soldier of the old Turkish foot-guards (c. 1330-1826), formed originally of renegade prisoners and of a tribute of children taken from Christian subjects—alsoJan′issary,Jan′izar.—adj.Janizā′rian. [Fr.Janissaire—Turk,yeñi, new,‛asker, army.]
Janker, jang′ker,n.(Scot.) a long pole on two wheels used for transporting logs.
Jann, jan,n.one of the lowest of the five orders of Mohammedan genii.
Jannock, jan′ok,adj.(prov.) straightforward.
Jannock, jan′ok,n.oaten bread, a cake.
Jansenism, jan′sen-izm,n.a system of evangelical doctrine deduced from Augustine by CorneliusJansen(1585-1638), Roman Catholic Bishop of Ypres, essentially a reaction against the ordinary Catholic dogma of the freedom of the will and that of merely sufficient grace, maintaining that interior grace is irresistible, and that Christ died for all.—n.Jan′senist, a believer in Jansenism.
Jantily,Jantiness,Janty. SeeJaunty, &c.
January, jan′ū-ar-i,n.the first month of the year, dedicated by the Romans toJan′us, the god of opening, with a double head that looked both ways.—adjs.Jan′uform, two-faced;Jan′us-faced, double-dealing: deceitful. [L.Januarius—Junus.]
Jap, jap,n.andadj.(coll.) forJapanese′, of or belonging toJapan:the language of Japan: a native of Japan.
Japan, ja-pan′,v.t.to varnish after the manner of theJapanese′, or people ofJapan:to make black and glossy:—pr.p.japan′ning;pa.p.japanned′.—n.work japanned: the varnish or lacquer used in japanning.—ns.Japan′-earth, orTerra japonica, gambier;Japan′ner.—Japan lacquer, orBlack japan, a hard jet-black lacquer, for sheet-metal, made of asphaltum, linseed-oil, and varnish;Japanned leather, same as patent leather (seePatent).
Jape, jāp,v.i.to jest, joke.—v.t.to mock.—n.a jest, joke, trick. [O. Fr.japer.]
Japhetic, ja-fet′ik,adj.a term formerly applied in ethnology to European peoples, the supposed descendants ofJaphet, as opposed to Hamitic and Semitic.
Japonica, jap-on′i-ka,n.an abbreviation forPyrus japonica, the Japanese quince.
Jar, jär,v.i.to make a harsh discordant sound: to dash: to quarrel: to be inconsistent.—v.t.to shake:—pr.p.jar′ring;pa.p.jarred.—n.a harsh rattling sound: clash of interests or opinions: discord.—adv.Jar′ringly. [Imit.; cf.jargon.]
Jar, jär,n.an earthen or glass bottle with a wide mouth: a measure. [O. Fr.jare—Pers.jarrah.]
Jar, jär,n.a turn, used only in the phrase, 'on the jar,' ajar. [SeeAjar.]
Jardinière, zhar-dē-nyār′,n.a vessel for the display of flowers, growing or cut: a lappet forming part of an old head-dress. [Fr., 'a flower-stand,'jardinier, a gardener.]
Jargon, jär′gon,n.confused talk: slang.—n.Jar′gonist, one who uses jargon. [Fr.jargon, prob. conn. with L.garrīre, to prattle.]
Jargon, jär′gon,n.a variety of zircon found in Ceylon, transparent, colourless.—AlsoJar′goon.
Jargonelle, jär-go-nel′,n.a kind of pear. [Fr.]
Jarkman, järk′man,n.(slang) a swindling beggar, a begging-letter writer.
Jarl, järl,n.a noble, chief, earl. [Scand.]
Jarool, ja-rōōl′,n.the Indian bloodwood.
Jarrah, jar′a,n.the mahogany gum-tree of Australia.
Jarvey, jär′vi,n.(slang) a hackney-coach driver.
Jasey, jā′zi,n.a kind of wig, originally made of worsted. [Corr. ofJersey.]
Jasher, jäsh′ėr,n.one of the lost books of the ancient Hebrews, quoted twice (Josh. x. 13; 2 Sam. i. 18), most probably a collection of heroic ballads.
Jasmine, jas′min,Jessamine,jes′a-min,n.a genus of plants, many species of which have very fragrant flowers. [Fr.jasmin—Ar.,—Pers.yāsmīn.]
Jasper, jas′pėr,n.a precious stone, being a hard siliceous mineral of various colours.—adjs.Jas′pé, having the surface ornamented with veins;Jas′perated, mixed with jasper;Jas′pery, like jasper;Jaspid′ean,Jaspid′eous,Jas′poid. [Fr.jaspe—L. and Gr.iaspis—Ar.yasb.]
Jataka, jä′ta-kä,n.a nativity, the birth-story of Buddha. [Sans.,—jāta, born.]
Jaunce, jäns,v.i.(Shak.) to jolt or shake: to ride hard.—n.a jaunt. [O. Fr.jancer, to stir.]
Jaunder, jän′der,v.i.(Scot.) to talk idly.—n.gossip.
Jaundice, jän′dis,n.a disease, characterised by a yellowness of the eyes, skin, &c., caused by bile.—adj.Jaun′diced, affected with jaundice: prejudiced. [Fr.jaunisse, fromjaune, yellow—L.galbinus, yellowish,galbus, yellow.]
Jaunt, jänt,v.i.to go from place to place: to make an excursion.—n.an excursion: a ramble.—adj.Jaunt′ing, strolling: making an excursion.—n.Jaunt′ing-car, a low-set, two-wheeled, open vehicle used in Ireland, with side-seats back to back. [O. Fr.jancer, to stir (a horse); but more prob. Scand.]
Jaunty,Janty, jänt′i,adj.airy: showy: finical.—adv.Jaunt′ily.—n.Jaunt′iness. [Fr.gentil.]
Jaup, jäp,v.t.(Scot.) to spatter.—v.i.to make a sound like water shaken in a vessel.—n.water or mud splashed up.
Javel, jav′el,n.(Spens.) a worthless fellow.
Javelin, jav′lin,n.a spear meant to be hurled, anciently used by both infantry and cavalry. [O. Fr.javelin; prob. Celt.]
Jaw, jaw,n.the bones of the mouth in which the teeth are set: the mouth: anything like a jaw: (slang) talkativeness, scolding.—v.i.(slang) to scold.—ns.Jaw′bone, the bone of the jaw, in which the teeth are set;Jaw′-break′er(slang), a word hard to pronounce.—adj.Jawed, having jaws: denoting the appearance of the jaws, aslantern-jawed.—n.Jaw′fall, a falling of the jaw: (fig.) depression of spirits.—adj.Jaw′-fall′en, depressed in spirits: dejected.—ns.Jaw′-foot, a foot-jaw, maxilliped;Jaw′-lē′ver, an instrument for opening the mouth of a horse or cow to admit medicine;Jaw′-tooth, one of the double teeth, a grinder or molar.—Break-jaw word, a very long word, or one hard to pronounce;Hold one's jaw, to cease from talking or scolding. [Old spellingchaw, akin tochew.]
Jaw, jaw,v.t.(Scot.) to pour out, throw out: splash.—ns.Jaw′-box,Jaw′-hole, a sink.
Jay, jā,n.a bird of the crow family with gay plumage: a wanton woman: an indifferent actor, a stupid chattering fellow. [O. Fr.jay(mod. Fr.geai); from root ofgay.]
Jazerant. SeeJesserant.
Jealous, jel′us,adj.suspicious of or incensed at rivalry: anxious to defend the honour of.—adv.Jeal′ously.—ns.Jeal′ousy,Jeal′oushood(Shak.),Jeal′ousness. [O. Fr.jalous(mod. Fr.jaloux)—L.zelus—Gr.zēlos, emulation.]
Jeames, jēmz,n.a flunkey. [From Thackeray's 'Jeamesde la Pluche.']
Jean, jān,n.a twilled cotton cloth.—n.Jeanette′, coarse jean, for lining.—Satin jean, a smooth, glossy, hard-twilled cotton goods. [Jane.]
Jebusite, jeb′ū-zīt,n.one of a Canaanitish race who long defied the Israelites from their stronghold on Mount Zion.—adj.Jebusit′ic.
Jeddart, jed′dart,n.an old name forJedburgh.—Jeddart axe, a stout steel-headed pole, four feet long;Jeddart, orJedwood,justice, hanging first and trying afterwards.
Jedge, jej,n.(Scot.) a gauge or standard.
Jeer, jēr,v.t.to make sport of: to treat with derision.—v.i.to scoff: to deride: to make a mock of.—n.a railing remark: biting jest: mockery.—n.Jeer′er, a scoffer or mocker.—adv.Jeer′ingly. [Acc. to Skeat, from the Dut. phraseden gek scheeren, lit. 'to shear the fool,' to mock, the wordsgek scheeren(nowscheren) being corr. intojeer.]
Jeff, jef,v.i.to gamble with printers' quadrats thrown like dice.
Jeff, jef,n.a rope, in circus slang.
Jeffersonite, jef′er-son-īt,n.a greenish-black variety of pyroxene. [ThomasJefferson, 1743-1826.]
Jehoiada-box, jē-hoi′a-da-boks,n.a child's savings-bank—from 2 Chron. xxiv. 6-11.
Jehovah, je-hō′va,n.the eternal or self-existent Being, the chief Hebrew name of the Deity.—n.Jehō′vist, one who holds that the vowel-points annexed to the wordJehovahin Hebrew are the proper vowels of the word, some maintaining that they are those of the wordAdonaior ofElohim: the supposed writer of the passages in the Pentateuch, in which the name applied to God is Jehovah.—adj.Jehovist′ic. [Heb.Yahōwāh, hardly fromhāwāh, to be.]
Jehu, jē′hū,n.(coll.) a driver, esp. a furious whip. [A reference to 2 Kings, ix. 20.]
Jejune, je-jōōn′,adj.empty: void of interest: barren.—adv.Jejune′ly.—ns.Jejune′ness;Jeju′num, the second division of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum. [L.jejunus, hungry.]
Jelly, jel′i,n.anything gelatinous: the juice of fruit boiled with sugar.—v.i.Jell, to jelly.—adj.Jell′ied, in the state of jelly.—v.t.Jell′ify, to make into a jelly.—v.i.to become gelatinous.—ns.Jell′y-bag, a bag through which jelly is strained;Jell′y-fish, marine radiate animals like jelly. [Fr.gelée, fromgeler—L.gelāre, to freeze.]
Jellyby, jel′i-bi,n.a philanthropist who cares only for distant people—from MrsJellybyinBleak House, who busies herself about Borrioboola Gha, while her own household is going to ruin.
Jemidar, jem′i-där,n.a native officer in the Indian army of the rank of lieutenant: an officer of police, customs, &c.—AlsoJam′adar. [Hind.]
Jemmy, jem′i,n.a burglar's short crowbar: (slang) a baked sheep's head: a greatcoat.
Jemmy, jem′i,adj.neat, smart, handy—alsoGemm′y.—n.Jemm′iness, neatness.
Jenkins, jengk′ins,n.(coll.) a society reporter, toady.
Jennet, jen′et,n.a small Spanish horse.—AlsoGenn′et,Gen′et. [O. Fr.genette—Sp.ginete; Moorish.]
Jenneting, jen′et-ing,n.a kind of early apple. [Prob. apple of StJeanor John; not fromJune-eating.]
Jenny, jen′i,n.a female bird, a wren—usuallyJenn′y-wren: a female ass: a spinning-jenny. [From the nameJenny; prob. the last sense fromgin.]
Jeofail, jef′āl,n.an error in pleadings, or the acknowledgment of a mistake. [O. Fr.je faille, I fail.]
Jeopardy, jep′ard-i,n.hazard, danger.—vs.t.Jeop′ard,Jeop′ardise, to put in jeopardy.—n.Jeop′arder.—adj.Jeop′ardous, exposed to danger or loss.—adv.Jeop′ardously. [Fr.jeu parti, a divided game—Low L.jocus partitus—L.jocus, a game,partitus, divided—partīri, to divide.]
Jerboa, jėr-bō′a,n.a genus of small rodent quadrupeds, remarkable for the length of their hind-legs and their power of jumping. [Ar.yarbū‛.]
Jereed, je-rēd′,n.a kind of blunt javelin used by the Turks in mock-fights. [Ar.jarīd.]
Jeremiad, jer-e-mī′ad,n.a lamentation: a tale of grief: a doleful story. [FromJeremiahthe prophet, author of the book of Lamentations.]
Jerfalcon. Same asGyrfalcon.
Jericho, jer′i-kō,n.a remote place, to which one is humorously consigned—fromJerichoin Palestine and the story in 2 Sam. x. 4, 5.
Jerk, jėrk,v.t.to throw with a quick effort: to give a sudden movement.—n.a short, sudden movement: a striking against with a sudden motion: an involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle.—ns.Jerk′er;Jerk′iness.—adj.Jerk′y, moving or coming by jerks or starts, spasmodic; capricious, impatient. [A variant ofjertandgird, and conn. withyard, a rod.]
Jerk, jėrk,v.t.to search, as a vessel for concealed or smuggled goods—alsoJerque.—ns.Jerk′er,Jerqu′er;Jerqu′ing.
Jerk, jėrk,n.meat cut into thin pieces and dried in the sun.—AlsoJerk′y. [Chiliancharqui.]
Jerkin, jėr′kin,n.a young salmon.—AlsoGin′kin.
Jerkin, jėr′kin,n.a jacket, a short coat or close waistcoat.—n.Jer′kin-head(archit.) the combination of a truncated gable with a hipped roof. [Dut., dim. ofjurk, a frock.]
Jerkinet, jėr′ki-net,n.a woman's outer jacket.
Jeroboam, jer-o-bō′am,n.a large metal bowl: eight bottles. [Allusion to 1 Kings, xi. 28.]
Jerquer,Jerquing. SeeJerk(2).
Jerry-builder, jer′i-bild′ėr,n.one who builds flimsy houses cheaply and hastily, a speculative builder.—n.Jerr′y-build′ing.—adj.Jerr′y-built.—n.Jerr′y-shop, a low dram-shop. [Prob. the personal name.]
Jersey, jėr′zi,n.the finest part of wool: combed wool: a close-fitting woollen shirt, or kind of under-vest, worn in rowing, &c. [From the islandJersey.]
Jerusalem artichoke,pony. SeeArtichoke,Pony.
Jess, jes,n.a short strap round the legs of a hawk.—adj.Jessed, having jesses on. [O. Fr.ject—L.jactāre, to fling, freq. ofjacĕre, to throw.]
Jessamine, jes′a-min. SeeJasmine.
Jessamy, jes′sa-mi,n.jasmine: a dandy.
Jessant, jes′ant,adj.(her.) rising from the bottom line of a field or an upper line of an ordinary. [Perhaps a corr. ofissuant. Cf.issue.]
Jesse, jes′i,n.a large branched candlestick used in churches, formerly hung up in churches. [From its likeness to the genealogical tree of Christ's descent fromJesse(Is. xi. 1), the father of David, often in medieval churches carried out in stained glass (ajesse window), sculpture, mural decoration, &c.]
Jesserant, jes′e-rant,n.splint armour.—AlsoJaz′erant. [O. Fr.gesseron,jazeran—Sp.jacerina.]
Jest, jest,n.something ludicrous: joke: fun: something uttered in sport: object of laughter.—v.i.to make a jest: to joust.—ns.Jest′-book, a collection of funny stories;Jest′er, one who jests: a buffoon: a court-fool.—adj.Jest′ful, given to jesting.—adv.Jest′ingly.—n.Jest′ing-stock, a butt for jests. [Orig. 'a deed, a story,' M. E.geste—O. Fr.geste—L.gesta—gerĕre, to do.]
Jesuit, jez′ū-it,n.a member of the famous religious order, the Society ofJesus, founded in 1534 by Ignatius Loyola: a crafty or insidious person, an intriguer.—v.t.to make a Jesuit of.—adjs.Jesuit′ic,-al.—adv.Jesuit′ically.—ns.Jes′uitism, Jesuitry: the principles and practices of the Jesuits: cunning: deceit;Jesuitoc′racy, government by Jesuits;Jes′uitry, Jesuitism.—Jesuits' bark, cinchona, because introduced to Rome by Jesuit missionaries.
Jesus, jē′zus,n.the Saviour of mankind.—n.Jésus, a size of paper, super-royal.—Company, orSociety,of Jesus, the Jesuit order.—Grand jésus, imperial. [Gr.Iēsous—Heb.Yēshū‛a, contr. ofYehōshū‛a, help of Jehovah, the Saviour—yāsha‛, to save.]
Jet, jet,n.a rich black variety of mineral coal, very hard and compact, taking a brilliant polish, used for ornaments.—adj.Jet′-black.—n.Jet′tiness.—adj.Jet′ty, made of jet, or black as jet. [O. Fr.jaet—L.—Gr.gagatēs, fromGagas, a town and river in Lycia, in Asia Minor, where it was obtained.]
Jet, jet,n.a spouting stream: a spout at the end of a gas-pipe emitting the flame.—v.t.to throw out, shoot forth.—v.i.to strut, to encroach arrogantly upon.—n.Jettatu′ra, the Evil-eye. [O. Fr.jetter—L.jactāre, to fling, freq. ofjacĕre, to throw.]
Jetsam, jet′sam,n.the throwing of goods overboard to lighten a vessel: the goods so thrown away which remain under water (seeFlotsam)—alsoJet′som,Jet′son,Jet′tison.—v.t.Jet′tison, to throw overboard, as goods, in time of danger. [Anglo-Fr.jetteson—L.jactation-em, a casting.]
Jetton, jet′on,n.a piece of stamped metal used as a counter in card-playing, &c.
Jetty, jet′i,n.a projection: a kind of pier. [O. Fr.jettée, thrown out. See Jet (2).]
Jew, jōō,n.an inhabitant of Judea: a Hebrew or Israelite: opprobriously used for a usurer, miser, &c.:—fem.Jew′ess.—v.t.andv.i.(coll.) to overreach: cheat.—n.Jew′-bait′ing, the persecuting of Jews.—adj.Jew′ish, belonging to the Jews.—adv.Jew′ishly.—ns.Jew′ishness;Jew's′-ear, a fungus that grows on the elder, and bears some resemblance to the human ear;Jew's'frank′incense, the balsam known as benzoin or gum storax, often used as an incense;Jew's′-harp, a small harp-shaped musical instrument played between the teeth by striking a spring with the finger;Jew's′-mall′ow, a plant much cultivated as a pot-herb by the Jews in Syria;Jew's′-myr′tle, the prickly-leaved plant Ruscus aculeatus;Jew's′-pitch, asphaltum;Jew's′-stone, the fossil spine of a large echinus or sea hedgehog.—Jew's eye, in proverb 'Worth a Jew's eye,' something of high value—from the custom of torturing Jews for money;Jews' houses, in Cornwall, the name given to prehistoric miners' dwellings.—Wandering Jew(seeWander). [O. Fr.Juis—L.Judæus—Gr.Ioudaios—Heb.Yehūdāh, Judah.]
Jewel, jōō′el,n.a precious stone: an ornament of precious stones, worn as a decoration: anything or any one highly valued.—v.t.to dress or adorn with jewels: to fit with a jewel:—pr.p.jew′elling;pa.p.jew′elled,in a watch, having pivot-holes of garnets or any other jewels.—ns.Jew′el-case, a casket for holding jewels;Jew′eller, one who makes or deals in jewels;Jew′ellery,Jew′elry, jewels in general. [O. Fr.jouel(Fr.joyau); either a dim. of Fr.joie, joy, from L.gaudium, joy—gaudēre, to rejoice—or derived through Low L.jocale, from L.jocāri, to jest.]
Jewry, jōō′ri,n.Judea: a district inhabited byJews.
Jezebel, jez′e-bel,n.a bold and vicious woman, a virago. [From Ahab's wicked wife.]
Jib, jib,n.a triangular sail borne in front of the foremast in a ship, so called from its shifting of itself.—v.t.to shift a boom sail from one tack to the other.—v.i.to move restively.—ns.Jib′-boom, a boom or extension of the bowsprit, on which the jib is spread;Jib′-door, a door flush with the outside wall, intended to be concealed.—The cut of one's jib, appearance. [Dan.gibbe, to jib; cf. Dut.gijpen, to turn suddenly.]
Jibbings, jib′ingz,n.pl.the last milk drawn from a cow.
Jibe. Same asGibe.
Jiffy, jif′fi,n.(coll.) an instant.
Jig, jig,n.a quick, lively tune: a quick dance suited to the tune.—v.i.to dance a jig:—pr.p.jig′ging;pa.p.jigged.—adj.Jig′gish. [O. Fr.gige,gigue, a stringed instrument—Teut.; Ger.geige; cf.gig.]
Jigamaree, jig-a-ma-rē′,n.anything the name of which one forgets, a thingumbob.—AlsoJig′gumbob.
Jigger, jig′gėr,n.a corruption ofchigoe.
Jigger, jig′gėr,n.anything that jigs: one of many kinds of subsidiary appliances, as an apparatus for separating ores by jolting in sieves in water, a simple potter's wheel or a template or profile used with it, a warehouse crane, the bridge or rest for the cue in billiards: an old-fashioned sloop-rigged boat: a one-horse street car: a machine for exhibiting on a dial at once the prices at which sales are made, controlled by electric mechanism with a key-board: (slang) a drink of whisky.—v.t.to jerk or shake.
Jiggered, jig′ėrd,p.adj.a meaningless and needless substitute for a profane oath.
Jigging, jig′ing,n.in mining, the process of separating ore by means of a wire-bottomed sieve moved up and down in water.
Jigjog, jig′jog,n.a jolting motion, a jog.—AlsoJick′ajog,Jig′ajog. [Reduplicated form of jog.]
Jigot, jig′ot,n.a leg of mutton. SeeGigot.
Jill, jil,n.Same asGill.
Jill, jil,n.a young woman, often associated with Jack. [Short forGillian—i.e.Juliana.]
Jilt, jilt,n.a woman who encourages a lover and then rejects him.—v.t.to encourage and then discard a lover. [Formerlyjillet, dim. ofJill.]
Jimcrack. SeeGimcrack.
Jim Crow, jim krō,n.one of the earliest negro-minstrel songs: a kind of generic name for the negro.
Jim-crow, jim′-krō,n.a tool for bending or straightening iron rails or bars.
Jimmy, jim′i,n.(U.S.) a coal-car.
Jimp, jimp,adj.(Scot.) slender, elegant.—adv.Jimp,Jimp′ly, neatly, hardly.—adj.Jimp′y, neat.
Jimson-weed. SeeStramonium.
Jingal, jing′gal,n.a large Chinese swivel-musket.
Jingle, jing′l,n.a clinking sound: that which makes a rattling sound: a correspondence of sounds: a covered two-wheeled car.—v.i.to sound with a jingle.—ns.Jing′le-jang′le, a jingling sound;Jing′let, a ball serving as the clapper of a sleigh-bell;Jīng′ling, a game in which blindfolded players within a ring try to catch a player with a bell tied to him. [Imit.]
Jingo, jing′gō,n.a name used in the expletives, 'By Jingo!' 'By the living Jingo!' From its occurrence in a music-hall song of 1878 that conveyed a threat against Russia, Jingo has come to mean a British Chauvinist.—adjs.Jing′o,Jing′oish.—n.Jing′oism. [Often fearlessly derived from BasqueJinkoa,Jainko, God; no doubt conn. somehow with StGengulphus(died May 11, 760).]
Jink, jingk,v.i.(Scot.) to move nimbly, to dodge.—v.t.to elude: to cheat.—n.a quick, illusory turn.
Jinn, jin,n.pl.(sing.Jin′nee) a class of spirits in Mohammedan mythology, formed of fire, living chiefly on the mountains of Káf which encircle the world, assuming various shapes, sometimes as men of enormous size and portentous hideousness.—AlsoDjinn,Ginn. Thejinnare often calledgeniiby a confusion. A pluralJinnsis sometimes erroneously used. [Ar.jinn, pl.jinnīy.]
Jinrikisha, jin-rik′i-shä,n.a small, two-wheeled hooded carriage drawn by men. [Jap.jin, man,riki, power,sha, carriage.]
Job, job,n.a sudden stroke or stab with a pointed instrument like a beak.—v.t.to strike or stab suddenly:—pr.p.job′bing;pa.p.jobbed. [Gael.gob, W.gwp, a bird's beak; conn. withgobble,job.]
Job, job,n.any piece of work, esp. of a trifling or temporary nature: miscellaneous printing-work: any undertaking with a view to profit: a mean transaction, in which private gain is sought under pretence of public service.—adj.of a particular job or transaction, assigned to a special use: bought or sold lumped together.—v.i.to work at jobs: to buy and sell as a broker: to hire or let out by the week or month, esp. horses.—ns.Job′ber, one who jobs: one who buys and sells, as a broker or middleman: one who turns official actions to private advantage: one who engages in a mean lucrative affair;Job′bery, jobbing: unfair means employed to procure some private end;Job′-mas′ter, a livery-stable keeper who jobs out horses and carriages.—A bad job, an unfortunate affair;Odd jobs, occasional pieces of work. [Formerlygob—O. Fr.gob, a mouthful; from the same Celtic root asgobble.]
Job, jōb,n.a monument of patience—fromJobin Scripture.—n.Jobā′tion, a tedious scolding.—Job's comforter, one who aggravates the distress of an unfortunate man he has come to comfort;Job's news, bad news;Job's post, the bearer of bad news.
Jockey, jok′i,n.a man (orig. a boy) who rides horses in a race: a horse-dealer: one who takes undue advantage in business.—v.t.to jostle by riding against: to cheat.—ns.Jock′eyism,Jock′eyship, the art or practice of a jockey.—Jockey Club, an association for the promotion and ordering of horse-racing. [Dim. ofJock, northern Eng. forJack.]
Jockteleg, jok′te-leg,n.(Scot.) a large clasp-knife. [Cf.jack-knife.]
Jocose, jo-kōs′,adj.full of jokes: humorous: merry.—adv.Jocose′ly.—ns.Jocose′ness,Jocos′ity, the quality of being jocose.—adj.Joco-sē′rious, half in jest, half in earnest. [L.jocosus—jocus, a joke.]
Jocular, jok′ū-lar,adj.given to jokes: humorous: droll: laughable.—n.Jocular′ity.—adv.Joc′ularly.—n.Joculā′tor, a professional jester or minstrel.—adj.Joc′ulātory. [L.jocularis—jocus.]
Jocund, jok′und,adj.in a jocose humour: merry: cheerful: pleasant.—ns.Jocund′ity,Jocund′ness.—adv.Joc′undly. [Fr.,—L.jocundus—jocus.]
Jodel, jō′del,v.i.to sing with the falsetto voice in harmonic progressions.—Alson.[Swiss.]
Joe, jō,Joey, jō′i,n.(slang) a fourpenny-bit—fromJosephHume, M.P., their author, 1836.—Joe Miller, an old or stale jest, a jest-book;Joe Millerism, the habit of retailing stale jests—fromJoe Miller(1684-1738), a comedian but notoriously dull fellow, whose name was attached to a collection in 1739.
Joe, orJo, jō,n.(Scot.) a sweetheart.
Jog, jog,v.t.to shake: to push with the elbow or hand, to stimulate, stir up, as the memory.—v.i.to move by jogs: to travel slowly:—pr.p.jog′ging;pa.p.jogged.—n.a slight shake: a push.—ns.Jog′ger(Dryden), one who moves slowly and heavily;Jog′trot, a slow jogging trot.—Be jogging, to move on, to depart. [A weakened form ofshock.]
Joggle, jog′l,n.a notch in joints adapted in fitting stones or pieces of timber together to keep them from sliding. [Dim. ofjog, to push.]
Joggle, jog′l,v.t.to jog or shake slightly: to jostle.—v.i.to shake:—pr.p.jogg′ling;pa.p.jogg′led.[Dim. ofjog.]
Johannes, jō-han′ēz,n.an old Portuguese gold coin.—AlsoJoann′es.
Johannine, jō-an′nīn,adj.pertaining to St John.—AlsoJohan′nēan. [L.Joannes.]
Johannisberger, jō-hän′nis-bėr-gėr,n.a white Rhenish wine grown atJohannisberg('St John's Mountain'), near Wiesbaden.
John, jon,n.a proper name, one of whose diminutives,John′ny, is sometimes used in slang for a simpleton or a fellow generally.—ns.John′-a-dreams′(Shak.), a dreamy fellow;John′ian, a member of St John's College, Cambridge;John′ny-cake, a cake of Indian meal toasted;John′ny-raw, a beginner.—John Bull, a generic name for an Englishman from Arbuthnott'sHistory of John Bull, 1712;John Bullism, the typical English character, or any act or word expressive of it;John Chinaman, a Chinaman, the Chinese collectively;John Company, an old colloquial name for the Honourable East India Company;John Dory(seeDory);John Thomas, a generic name for a flunkey.
Johnsonianism, jon-sō′ni-an-izm,n.a peculiarity of DrJohnson, the lexicographer (1709-83)—alsoJohn′sonism.—n.John′sonese, the Johnsonian style, or an imitation of it—ponderous English, full of words of classical origin.
Join, join,v.t.to connect: to unite: to associate: to add or annex.—v.i.to be connected with: to grow together: to be in close contact: to unite (with).—ns.Joind′er, joining;Join′er, one who joins or unites: a carpenter;Join′ery, the art of the joiner;Join′-hand, running hand;Join′ing, the act of joining: a seam: a joint;Joint, a joining: the place where, or mode in which, two or more things join, as two rails, two pieces of timber connected by mortises and tenons, &c.: the flexible hinge of cloth or leather connecting the back of a book with its sides: (geol.) a crack intersecting a mass of rock: a knot: a hinge: a seam: a place of resort for tramps: (U.S.) an opium-den: the place where two bones are joined: (cook.) the part of the limb of an animal cut off at the joint.—adj.joined, united, or combined: shared among more than one.—v.t.to unite by joints: to fit closely: to provide with joints: to cut into joints, as an animal.—v.i.to fit like joints.—adj.Joint′ed, having joints.—ns.Joint′er, the largest kind of plane used by a joiner: a bent piece of iron for riveting two stones together;Joint′ing-rule, a long, straight-edged rule used by bricklayers for keeping their work even.—adv.Joint′ly, in a joint manner: unitedly or in combination: together.—ns.Joint′-oil, the synovia, a viscid secretion for lubricating the articular surfaces;Joint′-stock, stock held jointly or in company;Joint′-stool(Shak.), a stool made of parts inserted in each other;Joint′-ten′ancy, the ownership of land or goods along with one or more persons;Joint′-ten′ant, one who is owner of land or goods along with others;Joint′ure, property joined to or settled on a woman at marriage to be enjoyed after her husband's death.—v.t.to settle a jointure upon.—ns.Joint′ūress,Join′tress, a woman on whom a jointure is settled.—Join battle, to engage in battle.—Out of joint, dislocated, (fig.) disordered;Put one's nose out of joint, to supplant in another's love or confidence;Second joint, the middle piece of a fly fishing-rod: the thigh of a fowl—opp. to the leg or drumstick, the first joint;Universal joint, a contrivance by which one part of a machine is able to move freely in all directions, as in the ball-and-socket joint. [O. Fr.joindre—L.jungĕre,junctum.]
Joist, joist,n.the timbers to which the boards of a floor or the laths of a ceiling are nailed.—v.t.to fit with joists. [O. Fr.giste—gesir—L.jacēre, to lie.]
Joke, jōk,n.a jest: a witticism: something witty or sportive: anything said or done to excite a laugh.—v.t.to cast jokes at: to banter: to make merry with.—v.i.to jest: to be merry: to make sport.—n.Jok′er, one who jokes or jests: a card, generally the highest trump, at euchre.—adv.Jok′ingly, in a joking manner. [L.jocus.]
Jole, another form ofjowl.
Jole,Joll, jōl,v.t.(Shak.) to beat against anything, to clash with violence.
Jolly, jol′i,adj.merry: expressing or exciting mirth, jovial: comely, robust.—n.Jollificā′tion, a making jolly: noisy festivity and merriment.—adv.Joll′ily.—ns.Joll′iment(Spens.), merriment;Joll′ity,Joll′iness.—adv.Joll′y(coll.), uncommonly. [O. Fr.jolif,joli—Ice.jol, Yule.]
Jollyboat, jol′i-bōt,n.a small boat belonging to a ship. [Dan.jolle, a boat, and Eng.boat.]
Jolt, jōlt,v.i.to shake with sudden jerks.—v.t.to shake with a sudden shock.—n.a sudden jerk.—ns.Jolt′er;Jolt′-head,Jolt′erhead, a blockhead.—adv.Jolt′ingly, in a jolting manner. [Old formjoll, prob. conn. withjowl.]
Jonah, jō′nä,n.an unlucky passenger on shipboard or elsewhere—from the prophetJonah.
Jonathan, jon′a-than,n.the people of the United States, collectively, or a typical specimen,Brother Jonathan. [Perh. from the sagacious GovernorJonathanTrumbull, 1710-85.]
Jongleur, zhong′gler,n.a minstrel: a mountebank. [O. Fr.jogleor—L.joculator; cf.Juggler.]
Jonquil, jon′kwil,n.a name given to certain species of narcissus with rush-like leaves.—AlsoJon′quill. [Fr.jonquille—L.juncus, a rush.]
Jordan, jor′dan,n.(Shak.) a chamber-pot. [Jordan-bottle,a pilgrim's bottle containingJordanwater.]
Jorum, jō′rum,n.a drinking bowl or vessel, also its contents.—AlsoJō′ram. [Ety. unknown.]
Joseph, jō′zef,n.one whose chastity is above temptation—from the story ofJosephand Potiphar's wife in Gen. xxxix.: a caped overcoat worn by women in the 18th century for riding—in allusion toJoseph'scoat, Gen. xxxvii. 3.
Joskin, jos′kin,n.a clown, yokel. [Thieves' cant.]
Joss, jos,n.a Chinese idol.—ns.Joss′-house, a temple;Joss′-stick, a stick of gum burned as incense to their gods. [Pidgin-English corr. of the Port.deos, god.]
Joss-block, jos′-blok,n.(prov.) a horse-block.
Jostle, jos′l,v.t.to joust or strike against: to drive against. [Freq. ofjoust.]
Jot, jot,n.the least quantity assignable.—v.t.to set down briefly: to make a memorandum of:—pr.p.jot′ting;pa.p.jot′ted.—ns.Jot′ter, one who jots: a book for memoranda;Jot′ting, a memorandum. [L.,—Gr.iōta—Heb.yōdh, the smallest letter in the alphabet, Eng.i.]
Jotun, yō′tun,n.a giant. [Ice.jötunn.]