Jeffersonian (jef'эr sou´ni: эn) •adj. of or characteristic of Thomas Jefferson or his democratic principles •n. a follower of Thomas Jefferson Jef'fer·so´ni·an·ism' (-iz'эm) •n.
Jeffrey (jef´ri:) a masculine name: dim. Jeff: see GEOFFREY
Jeffrey pine a pine (Pinus jeffreyi) native to Oregon and California, resembling the ponderosa pine and having similar wood [after John Jeffrey, 19th-c. Scot botanist]
jehad (ji: häd´) •n. alt. sp. of JIHAD
Jehol (jэ houl´) former province of NE China: divided (1955) between Hebei & Liaoning provinces & Inner Mongolia
Jehoshaphat (ji häsh´э fæt', -häs´-) Bible a king of Judah in the 9th cent. B.C.: 2 Chron. 17-21 [Heb yehōshāphāt, lit., God has judged]
Jehovah (ji hou´vэ) God; (the) Lord [modern transliteration of the Tetragrammaton YHWH; the vowels appear through arbitrary transference of the vowel points of Adōnāi, my Lord: see YAHWEH]
Jehovah's Witnesses a proselytizing Christian sect founded by Charles T. Russell (1852-1916) [name adopted after Isa. 43:10, Ye are my witnesses]
Jehovist (ji hou´vist) •n. YAHWIST
Jehu (ji:´hu', -hyu') Bible a king of Israel in the 9th cent. B.C., described as a furious charioteer: 2 Kings 9 •n. [j-] [Now Rare] 1 a driver of a cab or coach 2 a fast, reckless driver [Heb]
jejune (ji ju:n´) •adj. 1 not nourishing; barren 2 not interesting or satisfying; dull or empty 3 not mature; childish [? by confusion with JUVENILE] je·june´ly •adv. je·june´ness •n. [L jejunus, empty, dry, barren]
jejunectomy (ji:'ju: nek´tэ mi:) pl. -mies •n. the surgical removal of all or part of the jejunum [JEJUN(UM) + -ECTOMY]
jejunostomy (-näs´tэ mi:) pl. -mies •n. the surgical operation of making an artificial opening into the jejunum [fol. + -O- + -STOMY]
jejunum (ji: ju:´nэm, jэ-) pl. je·ju´na (-nэ) •n. the middle part of the small intestine, between the duodenum and the ileum: see INTESTINE, illus. je·ju´nal •adj. [ML < neut. of L jejunus, empty: it was formerly thought to be empty after death]
Jekyll (ji:´kэl; popularly jek´эl), Dr. a kind, good doctor in R. L. Stevenson's story The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, who discovers drugs that enable him to transform himself into a vicious, brutal creature named Mr. Hyde and back again Jekyll (ji:´kэl; also jek´эl), Gertrude 1843-1932; Eng. landscape architect
jell (jel) •vi., vt. 1 to become or cause to become jelly 2 [Colloq.] to take or cause to take definite form; crystallize {plans that haven't jelled yet} •n. [Dial.] JELLY [back-form. < JELLY]
Jellicoe (jel´i kou'), John Rush·worth (rûsh´wørθ') 1st Earl Jellicoe 1859-1935; Eng. admiral
jellify (jel´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt., vi. to change into jelly jel'li·fi·ca´tion •n.
jello (jel´ou) •n. a flavored gelatin eaten as a dessert or used in molded salads [< Jell-O, a trademark for such a gelatin]
jelly (jel´i:) pl. -lies •n. 1 a soft, resilient, partially transparent, semisolid, gelatinous food resulting from the cooling of fruit juice boiled with sugar, or of meat juice cooked down 2 any substance like this; gelatinous substance •vt. -lied, -ly·ing 1 to make into jelly 2 to coat, fill, or serve with jelly •vi. to become jelly jel´ly·like' •adj. [ME gely < OFr gelée, a frost, jelly < fem. pp. of geler < L gelare, to freeze: see GELATIN]
jelly bean a small, bean-shaped, gelatinous candy with a hard sugar coating: also jel´ly·bean'
jellyfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' or -fish'es •n. 1 any of various free-swimming, mostly marine cnidarians (esp. class Scyphozoa) with a body made up largely of jellylike substance and shaped like an umbrella: it has long, hanging tentacles with stinging cells on them 2 [Colloq.] a weak-willed person
jellyroll (-roul') •n. a thin sheet of spongecake spread with jelly and rolled so as to form layers
Jemima (jэ mai´mэ) a feminine name [Heb yemīmāh, lit., a dove]
jemmy (jem´i:) pl. -mies •n. [Brit.] 1 JIMMY 2 a sheep's head used for food [< dim. of JAMES]
Jena (yei´nä') city in central Germany, in the state of Thuringia: site of a battle (1806) in which the Prussian forces were routed by Napoleon: pop. 107,000
Jenghiz Khan (jeŋ´gis) var. of GENGHIS KHAN
Jenner (jen´эr) 1 Edward 1749-1823; Eng. physician: introduced vaccination 2 Sir William 1815-98; Eng. physician
jennet (jen´et', -it) •n. a female donkey [ME genett < MFr genette < Sp jinete, horseman, mounted soldier < Ar Zenāta, a tribe of Barbary]
Jennifer (jen´i fэr) a feminine name: dim. Jenni, Jennie, Jenny [altered < GUINEVERE]
jenny (jen´i:) pl. -nies •n. 1 SPINNING JENNY 2 a) the female of some birds {a jenny wren} b) a female donkey [< fol.] Jenny (jen´i:) a feminine name: see JANE, JENNIFER
jeon (jön) pl. jeon •n. a monetary unit of North Korea, equal to ¹/100 of a won [Korean < Chin]
jeopard (jep´эrd) •vt. now rare var. of JEOPARDIZE [ME jeuparten, back-form. < jeuparti, JEOPARDY]
jeopardize (jep´эr daiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to put in jeopardy; risk loss, damage, or failure of; endanger
jeopardy (-di:) pl. -ard·ies •n. 1 great danger; peril {to have one's life in jeopardy} 2 Law exposure to conviction and punishment; situation of an accused person on trial for a crime SYN. DANGER [ME jeuparti < OFr jeu parti, lit., a divided game, game with even chances < ML jocus partitus, an even chance, alternative < L jocus, a game, JOKE + pp. of partire, to divide: see PART]
Jephthah (jef´θэ) Bible a judge who sacrificed his daughter in fulfillment of a vow: Judg. 11:30-40 [Heb Yiphtáh, lit., God opens]
jequirity (ji kwir´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 any of the poisonous, red and black seeds of a tropical, climbing plant (Abrus precatorius) of the pea family, used for beads and, formerly, as a weight: also jequirity bean 2 the plant it grows on [Fr Jéquirity < Tupi-Guarani]
Jer Bible Jeremiah
jerboa (jэr bou´э) •n. any of a family (Dipodidae) of small, nocturnal, leaping rodents of N Africa and Asia, with very long hind legs [Ar yarbū]
jeremiad (jer'э mai´æd', -эd) •n. a long lamentation or complaint: in allusion to the Lamentations of Jeremiah [Fr jérémiade < Jérémie, Jeremiah: see JEREMIAH]
Jeremiah (-э) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jerry; var. Jeremy 2 Bible a) a Hebrew prophet of the 7th and 6th cent. B.C. b) the book containing his prophecies (abbrev. Jer) •n. a person pessimistic about the future [LL(Ec) Jeremias < Gr(Ec) Hieremias < Heb yirmeyāh, lit., the Lord loosens (i.e., from the womb)]
Jeremy (jer´э mi:) a masculine name: see JEREMIAH
Jerez de la Frontera (he řeθ´ ðe lä fřôn te´řä) city in SW Spain, near Cádiz: noted for the sherry made there: pop. 176,000: also Jerez
Jericho (jer´i kou') city in W Jordan, just north of the Dead Sea: site of an ancient Canaanite city whose walls, according to the Bible, were miraculously destroyed when trumpets were sounded: Josh. 6
jerk¹ (jørk) •vt. 1 to pull, twist, push, thrust, or throw with a sudden, sharp movement Æ 2 [Old Colloq.] to make and serve (ice cream sodas) •vi. 1 to move with a jerk or in jerks 2 to twitch •n. 1 a sharp, abrupt movement; quick pull, twist, push, etc. 2 a sudden muscular contraction caused by a reflex action Æ 3 [Slang] a person regarded as disagreeable, contemptible, etc., esp. as the result of foolish or mean behavior jerk off [Vulgar Slang] to masturbate jerk out to utter sharply and abruptly [var. of archaic yerk < ?]
jerk² (jørk) •vt. to preserve (meat) by slicing into strips and drying, esp. originally in the sun •n. JERKY² [altered (after prec.) < JERKY²]
jerkin (jør´kin) •n. a short, closefitting jacket, often sleeveless, or a vest, of a kind worn in the 16th and 17th cent. [< ?]
jerkwater (jørk´wöt'эr) •n. a train on an early branch railroad •adj. [Colloq.] small, unimportant, etc. {a jerkwater town} [JERK¹ + WATER: prob. in reference to pulling the valve on the water tank to fill the engine boiler]
jerky¹ (jørk´i:) jerk´i·er, jerk´i·est •adj. 1 characterized or moving by jerks; making sudden starts and stops or spasmodic movements Æ 2 [Slang] foolish, mean, contemptible, etc. jerk´i·ly •adv. jerk´i·ness •n.
jerky² (jør´ki:) •n. meat, esp. beef, that has been preserved by being sliced into strips and dried, esp. originally in the sun [< Sp charqui < Quechua]
Jeroboam (jer'э bou´эm) Bible the first king of Israel: 1 Kings 11:26-14:20 •n. [often j-] an oversize wine bottle, esp. one for champagne holding about 3 liters [Heb yārobhām, lit., prob., the people increases]
Jerome (jэ roum´, jer´эm) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jerry 2 Saint (born Eusebius Hieronymus Sophronius) c. A.D. 340-420; monk & church scholar, born in Pannonia: author of the Vulgate: his day is Sept. 30 [Fr Jérôme < L Hieronymus < Gr Hierōnymos < hieros, holy (see HIERO-) + onyma, NAME]
Jerry (jer´i:) a masculine name: see GERALD, GERARD, JEREMIAH, JEROME
jerry-built (jer´i: bilt') •adj. built poorly, of cheap materials [< prec. (as an old generalized epithet, esp. of belittlement: cf. JACK), prob. reinforced by JURY²]
jerrycan (jer´i: kæn') •n. a large, flat can for holding liquids, esp. gasoline: also sp. jerry can or jer´ri·can' (jer´i:-) [< jerry, short for jeroboam + CAN²]
Jersey (jør´zi:) largest of the Channel Islands of the United Kingdom, 15 mi. (24 km) from the coast of France: 45 sq. mi. (117 sq. km); pop. 77,000 •n. pl. -seys any of a breed of small dairy cattle, orig. from this island, often light red or fawn in color: its milk has a high butterfat content jersey (jør´zi:) pl. -seys •n. 1 a soft, elastic, knitted cloth of wool, cotton, rayon, etc. 2 a closefitting pullover sweater or shirt worn by athletes, sailors, etc. 3 any closefitting, knitted upper garment [< fol.: orig. used of worsted garments made in Jersey of locally produced wool]
Jersey City city in NE N.J., across the Hudson from New York City: pop. 229,000 (met. area 553,000) [after NEW JERSEY]
Jerusalem (jэ ru:z´э lэm, -ru:´sэ-; -lem) capital of Israel (the country) in the central part: divided (1948-67) between Israel & Jordan: since 1967 Israel holds entire city and environs: pop. c. 250,000
Jerusalem artichoke 1 a tall North American sunflower (Helianthus tuberosus) of the composite family, with potatolike tubers used as a vegetable 2 such a tuber [altered, after prec., by folk etym. < GIRASOL]
Jerusalem Bible a Roman Catholic version of the Bible published in 1966, translated from the French La Bible de Jérusalem, produced by Dominican scholars in Jerusalem (1956)
Jerusalem cherry either of two bushy plants (Solanum pseudo-capsicum or S. capsicastrum) of the nightshade family, with small, star-shaped, white flowers and orange to red berries, grown widely as ornamentals
Jerusalem cricket any of a family (Stenopelmatidae) of burrowing, wingless, long-horned crickets common in dry regions of W U.S.
Jerusalem oak an aromatic Eurasian goosefoot (Chenopodium botrys) occurring as a weed in N U.S. and Canada
Jerusalem thorn 1 a leguminous, tropical American tree (Parkinsonia aculeata) having compound leaves and yellow, fragrant flowers: used for hedges 2 CHRIST'S-THORN
Jervis Bay (jär´vis) inlet of the Pacific, on the SE coast of New South Wales, Australia: peninsula on its S shore is a detached part of Australian Capital Territory
Jespersen (yes´pэr sэn, jes´-), (Jens) Otto (Harry) 1860-1943; Dan. linguist, noted for English studies
jess (jes) •n. a strap for fastening around a falcon's leg, with a ring at one end for attaching a leash: also sp. jesse •vt. to fasten jesses on [ME ges < OFr gies, gets, pl. (see JET¹): from its use in letting a hawk fly]
Jessamine (jes´э min) a feminine name •n. [j-] JASMINE [< MFr jessemin, JASMINE]
Jesse (jes´i:) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jess 2 Bible the father of David: 1 Sam. 16 [Heb yīshai]
Jesselton (jes´эl tэn) old name of KOTA KINABALU
Jessica (jes´i kэ) a feminine name
Jessie (jes´i:) a feminine name: var. of JESSICA
jest (jest) •n. 1 [Obs.] a notable deed 2 a mocking or bantering remark; jibe; taunt 3 a joke; witticism 4 a gay, lighthearted action or mood; fun; joking 5 something to be laughed at or joked about •vi. 1 to jeer; mock 2 to be playful in speech and actions; joke [ME geste < OFr, an exploit, tale of exploits < L gesta, neut. pl. pp. of gerere, to perform, carry out]
jester (jes´tэr) •n. a person who jests; esp., a professional fool employed by a medieval ruler to amuse him
Jesu (ji:´zu:, -su:; jei´-, yei´-) archaic var. of JESUS
Jesuit (jezh´u: it; jez´yu:-, jez´u:-) •n. 1 a member of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order for men, founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1534 2 [j-] a crafty schemer; cunning dissembler; casuist: hostile and offensive term, as used by anti-Jesuits Jes'u·it´ic or Jes'u·it´i·cal •adj. Jes'u·it´i·cal·ly •adv. [ModL Jesuita < LL(Ec) Iesus, JESUS + -ita, -ITE¹]
Jesuitism (-it iz'эm) •n. 1 the teachings or practice of the Jesuits 2 [j-] craftiness; duplicity; intrigue: hostile and offensive term, as used by anti-Jesuits Also Jes´u·it·ry (-i tri:)
Jesuitize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make Jesuitic
jet engine an engine for aircraft, ships, etc., operating on the principle of jet propulsion
jet lag a disruption of circadian rhythms, associated with high-speed travel by jet airplane to distant time zones
jet propulsion a method of propelling airplanes, boats, etc. that uses the reaction force created when compressed outside air and hot exhaust gases are forced through a jet nozzle
jet set a social set of rich, fashionable people who frequently travel, often by jet, for business or pleasure jet´-set´ter •n.
jet stream 1 any of several bands of high-velocity winds moving from west to east around the earth at altitudes from c. 12 to 16 km (c. 8 to 10 mi.) 2 the stream of exhaust from any reaction engine: also jet´stream' •n.
jet¹ (jet) jet´ted, jet´ting •vt., vi. 1 to spout, gush, or shoot out in a stream, as liquid or gas 2 to travel or convey by jet airplane •n. [ME < OFr get, giet, a throw, spurt < L jactus, a throw, cast] 1 a stream of liquid or gas emitted or forced out, as from a spout 2 a spout or nozzle for emitting a stream of water or gas 3 a jet-propelled airplane: in full, jet (air)plane •adj. 1 jet-propelled 2 of or having to do with jet propulsion or jet-propelled aircraft {the jet age} [< MFr jeter, to throw < OFr < VL *jectare, for L jactare, freq. of jacere, to throw < IE base *yē-, to throw, do > Gr hienai, to set in motion, throw, send]
jet² (jet) •n. 1 a hard, black variety of lignite, which takes a high polish: sometimes used in jewelry 2 a deep, lustrous black •adj. 1 made of jet 2 black like jet [ME get < OFr jaiet < L gagates < Gr gagatēs, jet, after Gagas, town and river in Lycia, Asia Minor]
jetbead (-bi:d') •n. a cultivated Japanese shrub (Rhodotypos tetrapetala) of the rose family, having white, four-petaled flowers and four shiny, black, beadlike fruits
jet-black (-blæk´) •adj. glossy black, like jet
jeté (zhэ tei´) •n. Ballet a leap from one foot to the other, made with a kicking movement of the leg [Fr, pp. of jeter, to throw]
jetliner (jet´lain'эr) •n. a commercial jet aircraft for carrying passengers or cargo [JET¹ + LINER¹]
jeton (zhэ touñ´) •n. a metal disk or counter, as for operating a pay telephone, etc. [Fr < MFr < OFr jeter, to calculate, lit., to throw: see JET¹]
jetport (jet´pört') •n. a large commercial airport with long runways designed for use by jetliners [JET¹ + (AIR)PORT]
jet-propelled (-prou peld´) •adj. driven by jet propulsion
jetsam (jet´sэm) •n. 1 that part of the cargo or equipment thrown overboard to lighten a ship in danger: see FLOTSAM 2 such material washed ashore 3 discarded things [var. of JETTISON]
jettison (jet´э sэn, -zэn) •n. 1 a throwing overboard of goods to lighten a ship, airplane, etc. in an emergency 2 JETSAM •vt. 1 to throw (goods) overboard 2 to discard (something) as useless or a burden [ME jetteson < Anglo-Fr getteson < OFr getaison, a throwing, jetsam < L jactatio, a throwing < jactare, to throw: see JET¹]
jetty¹ (jet´i:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a kind of wall built out into the water to restrain currents, protect a harbor or pier, etc. 2 a landing pier 3 an overhanging part of a building •vi. -tied, -ty·ing to project, or jut out [ME gete < OFr jetée, jetty, orig. pp. of jeter: see JET¹]
jetty² (jet´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. very black, like jet
jeu (zhö) pl. jeux (zhö) •n. a game; diversion [Fr]
jeu de mots (zhöd mou´) a play on words; pun [Fr]
jeu d'esprit (zhö des při:´) pl. jeux d'es·prit (zhö) a clever, witty turn of phrase, piece of writing, etc. [Fr, lit., play of intellect]
jeune fille (zhën fi:´yª) a young girl [Fr]
jeunesse (zhë nes´) •n. 1 youth 2 young people [Fr]
Jevons (jev´эnz), William Stanley 1835-82; Eng. economist & logician
jew (ju:) •vt. [Slang] to swindle; cheat; gyp jew someone down to get or bargain for better terms from someone in a business transaction, esp. in a petty or niggardly way USAGE—this is a vulgar and offensive usage, even when not consciously expressing an antisemitic attitude [< fol., by assoc. with occupation of Jews as moneylenders in Middle Ages] Jew (ju:) •n. 1 a person descended, or regarded as descended, from the ancient Hebrews of Biblical times 2 a person whose religion is Judaism See also HEBREW [ME < OFr Giu, Juiu < L Judaeus < Gr Ioudaios < Heb yehūdī, member of the tribe or kingdom of Judah: see JUDAH]
jewel (ju:´эl) •n. 1 a valuable ring, pin, necklace, etc., esp. one set with a gem or gems 2 a precious stone; gem 3 any person or thing that is very precious or valuable 4 a small gem or hard, gemlike bit, used as one of the bearings in a watch •vt. -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling to decorate or set with jewels [ME < OFr joel < jeu, a game, trifle < L jocus, a trifle, JOKE]
jeweler or jeweller (-эr) •n. a person who makes, deals in, or repairs jewelry, watches, etc. [ME jueler < OFr joieleor < joel: see JEWEL]
jewellery (ju:´эl ri:) •n. Brit. sp. of JEWELRY
jewelry (-ri:) •n. ornaments such as rings, brooches, bracelets, etc., collectively
jewelweed (ju:´эl wi:d') •n. any of a number of plants (genus Impatiens) of the balsam family, bearing yellow or orange-yellow flowers with short spurs, and seedpods that split at the touch when ripe
Jewess (ju:´is) •n. [Now Rare] a Jewish woman or girl See -ESS
Jewett (ju:´it), Sarah Orne (örn) 1849-1909; U.S. writer
jewfish (ju:´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any of several large fish found in warm seas; esp., a large grouper (Epinephelus itajara) found off Florida [calque of It giupesce, in error for giùpesce, bottom fish < giù, down, below (< giuso < ML jusum, down < L deorsum, down < *de-vorsum < de-, DE- + versus, a turning: see VERSE) + pesce < L piscis, FISH]
Jewish (ju:´ish) •adj. of or having to do with Jews or Judaism •n. loosely, Yiddish Jew´ish·ly •adv. Jew´ish·ness •n.
Jewish calendar a calendar used by the Jews in calculating Jewish history, holidays, etc. based on the lunar month and reckoned from 3761 B.C., the traditional date of the Creation
Jewry (ju:´ri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 [Historical] a district inhabited only or mainly by Jews; ghetto 2 Jewish people collectively {American Jewry} 3 obs. name for JUDEA [ME jewerie < OFr juerie < Giu: see JEW]
jew's-harp or jews'-harp (ju:z´härp') •n. a small musical instrument consisting of a lyre-shaped metal frame held between the teeth and played by plucking a projecting bent piece with the finger: it produces twanging tones [earlier Jew's trump, altered (by assoc. with JEW) < Du jeugdtromp, child's trumpet < jeugd, YOUTH (confused in Eng with ME Judeu, Jew) + tromp, trumpet < OFr trompe: see TRUMP²]
Jezebel (jez´э bel', -bэl) Bible the wicked woman who married Ahab, king of Israel: 1 Kings 21:5-23; 2 Kings 9:30-37 •n. [also j-] any woman regarded as shameless and wicked [Heb 'īzebhel]
Jezreel (jez ri:´эl, -ri:l´) 1 ancient town in N Israel, on the plain of Esdraelon 2 Plain of ESDRAELON
Jgs Bible Judges
Jhansi (jän´si:) city in S Uttar Pradesh, N India: pop. 281,000
Jhelum (jei´lэm) river in India, flowing from the Himalayas in Kashmir through Pakistan into the Chenab: c. 480 mi. (772 km)
JHS Jesus: see IHS
JHVH or JHWH see TETRAGRAMMATON
Jiangsu (ji: äŋ´su:') province of SE China: 39,459 sq. mi. (102,198 sq. km); pop. 60,500,000; cap. Nanjing
Jiangxi (-si:´) province of SE China: 63,629 sq. mi. (164,800 sq. km); pop. 33,185,000; cap. Nanchang
jib boom a spar fixed to and extending beyond the bowsprit of a ship, used in securing a jib or other headsail Also jib´boom' (-bu:m')
jib¹ (jib) •n. 1 the projecting arm of a crane 2 the boom of a derrick [prob. < GIBBET]
jib² (jib) jibbed, jib´bing •vi., vt. Naut. to jibe (a sail or boom) •n. a triangular sail secured to a stay forward of the mast or foremast [Dan gib: so named because it jibs: see the vi., vt.] cut of one's jib [Colloq.] one's appearance or way of dressing [< Dan gibbe, to shift from one side to the other, jibe, akin to Du gijpen < IE Gheib- < base *ghe-, to yawn > GAPE]
jib³ (jib) jibbed, jib´bing •vi. 1 to stop and refuse to go forward; balk 2 to start or shy (at something) •n. an animal that jibs, as a horse [prob. < vi.] jib´ber •n. [prob. < prec.]
jibe¹ (jaib) jibed, jib´ing •vi. 1 to shift from one side of a ship to the other when the stern passes across a following or quartering wind: said of a fore-and-aft sail or its boom 2 to change the course of a ship so that the sails shift thus: cf. TACK (vi. 1a) 3 [Colloq.] to be in harmony, agreement, or accord {accounts that don't jibe} •vt. Naut. to cause to jibe •n. an act of jibing [< Du gijpen, to shift over (of sails), orig., to gasp for air: see JIB²]
jibe² (jaib) •vi., vt., n. GIBE jib´er •n.
jicama (hi:´kэ mэ) •n. the large, white, fleshy root of a Mexican vine, eaten raw or cooked [MexSp jícama < Nahuatl]
Jidda (jid´э) seaport in Hejaz, Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea: pop. 561,000 Also Jed·da (jed´э)
jiffy (jif´i:) pl. -fies a very short time; instant {done in a jiffy} Also jiff •n. [18th-c. slang < ?]
jig¹ (jig) •n. 1 a) a fast, gay, springy sort of dance, usually in triple time b) the music for such a dance 2 any of various fishing lures that are jiggled up and down in the water 3 any of several mechanical devices operated in a jerky manner, as a sieve for separating ores, a pounding machine, or a drill 4 a device, often with metal surfaces, used as a guide for a tool or as a template •vi., vt. jigged, jig´ging [< ? giguer: see the n.] 1 to dance or perform (a jig) or to dance in jig style 2 to move jerkily and quickly up and down or to and fro 3 to use a jig (on) in working 4 to fish or catch (a fish) with a jig Æ in jig time [Colloq.] very quickly Æ the jig is up [Slang] that ends it; all chances for success are gone: said of a risky or improper activity [prob. < MFr giguer, to gambol, dance < gigue, a fiddle < MHG giga (akin to ON gigja) < OHG *gigan (> Ger dial. geigen), to move back and forth]
jig² (jig) •n. [Slang] BLACK (n. 5): a hostile and offensive term
jigger¹ (jig´эr) •n. Æ var. of CHIGGER
jigger² (jig´эr) •n. 1 a person who jigs Æ 2 a) a small cup or glass used to measure liquor, containing usually 1½ fluid ounces b) the quantity of liquor in a jigger 3 any device or contraption whose name does not occur to one; gadget 4 JIG¹ (n. 2) 5 Mech. any of several devices that operate with a jerky, reciprocating motion 6 Naut. a) a small tackle, as for hoisting b) the smaller, aftermost sail of a yawl or ketch c) JIGGERMAST
jiggermast (-mæst') •n. 1 the small mast in the stern of a yawl or ketch 2 the mast nearest the stern in a ship with four masts
jiggery-pokery (jig´эr i: pouk´эr i:) •n. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] trickery or deception; hanky-panky [altered < Scot joukery-paukery, rhyming slang < IE *joukerie, trickery < *joukere, a cheater < *jouk, a dodge, dart < ?]
jiggle (jig´эl) -gled, -gling •vt., vi. to move in a succession of quick, slight jerks; rock lightly •n. a jiggling movement [dim. or freq. of JIG¹, v.]
jiggly (jig´li:) •adj. moving or tending to move with a jiggle; unsteady
jigsaw (jig´sö') •n. a saw with a narrow blade set in a frame, that moves with an up-and-down motion for cutting curves or ornamental patterns: also jig saw •vt. to cut or form with a jigsaw [JIG¹, v. + SAW¹]
jigsaw puzzle a puzzle consisting of a picture that has been cut up into irregularly shaped pieces, which must be put together again to re-form the picture
jihad (ji: häd´) •n. 1 a war by Muslims against unbelievers or enemies of Islam, carried out as a religious duty 2 a fanatic campaign for or against an idea, etc.; crusade [Ar, a contest, war]
Jilin (ji:´lin´) 1 province of NE China: 72,201 sq. mi. (187,000 sq. km); pop. 212,502,000; cap. Changchun 2 city in this province, on the Songhua River: pop. 1,071,000
Jill (jil) a feminine name •n. [often j-] [Chiefly Literary] a girl or woman; esp., a sweetheart [var. of GILL³]
jillion (jil´yэn) •n. [Colloq.] an indefinite but very large number [arbitrary coinage, modeled on MILLION]
jilt (jilt) •n. [Now Rare] a woman who rejects a lover or suitor after accepting or encouraging him •vt. to reject or cast off (a previously accepted lover, etc.) [< jillet, dim. of JILL]
Jim (jim) nickname for JAMES
Jim Crow [also j- c-] [Colloq.] traditional discrimination against or segregation of blacks, esp. in the U.S. Jim´-Crow´ •vt., adj. Jim Crow´ism' [name of an early Negro minstrel song]
jim-dandy (jim´dæn´di:) •n. [Colloq.] an excellent or very pleasing person or thing •adj. [Colloq.] excellent; very pleasing [JIM (used as an intens.) + DANDY]
Jiménez (hi: me´neθ), Juan Ra·món (hwän řä môn´) 1881-1958; Sp. poet, in the Americas after 1937
jimjams (jim´jæmz') •n.pl. [Slang] 1 delirium tremens 2 a nervous feeling; jitters: usually with the [arbitrary echoic formation]
jimmies (jim´i:z) •n.pl. [Colloq.] particles for sprinkling on something, as in decorating it; specif., particles of chocolate for sprinkling on ice-cream cones
Jimmy (jim´i:) nickname of JAMES: also Jimmie •n. pl. -mies [j-] a short crowbar, used as by burglars to pry open windows, etc. Æ -mied, -my·ing •vt. [j-] to use a jimmy on; pry open with a jimmy or similar tool
jimson weed (jim´sэn) a poisonous annual weed (Datura stramonium) of the nightshade family, with foul-smelling leaves, prickly fruit, and white or purplish, trumpet-shaped flowers Also jimp´son weed (jimp´-) [altered < Jamestown weed, after JAMESTOWN, Va.]
Jinan (ji:´nän´) city in NE China: capital of Shandong province: pop. 1,333,000
jingle (jiŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vi. 1 to make a succession of light, ringing sounds, as small bells or bits of metal striking together; tinkle 2 to have obvious, easy rhythm, simple repetitions of sound, etc., as some poetry and music •vt. to cause to jingle •n. 1 a jingling sound 2 a verse that jingles; jingling arrangement of words {advertising jingles} jin´gly •adj. [ME gingelen, prob. echoic]
jingo (jiŋ´gou) pl. -goes •n. a person who boasts of his patriotism and favors an aggressive, threatening, warlike foreign policy; chauvinist •adj. of jingoes; jingoistic by jingo! [Colloq.] an exclamation used to indicate strong assertion, surprise, etc. jin´go·ism' •n., adj. jin´go·ist •n. jin'go·is´tic •adj. jin'go·is´ti·cal·ly •adv. [< phr. by jingo in the refrain of a patriotic Brit music-hall song (1878): orig. ? euphemism for JESUS]
jink (jiŋk) •vi. [Chiefly Brit.] to move swiftly or with sudden turns, as in dodging a pursuer •n. [Chiefly Brit.] an eluding, as by a quick, sudden turn [< ?]
jinn (jin) pl. of JINNI: popularly regarded as a singular, with the pl. jinns •n.
Jinnah (ji´nä', jin´э), Mohammed Ali 1876-1948; Indian statesman: 1st governor general of Pakistan (1947-1948)
jinni (ji ni:´, jin´i:) pl. jinn •n. Muslim Folklore a supernatural being that can take human or animal form and influence human affairs [Ar jinnī, pl. jinn]
jinrikisha (jin rik´shö', -shä') •n. a small, two-wheeled carriage with a hood, pulled by one or two men, esp. formerly in the Orient Also sp. jin·rick´sha' or jin·rik´sha' [Jpn < jin, a man + riki, power + sha, carriage]
jinx (jiŋks) •n. [Colloq.] 1 a person or thing supposed to bring bad luck 2 a spell of bad luck •vt. [Colloq.] to bring bad luck to [earlier jynx < L iynx < Gr, the wryneck (bird used in black magic)]
Jinzhou (jin´jou´) city in Liaoning province, NE China, at the head of Bo Hai; pop. 712,000
jipijapa (hi:'pi: hä´pэ) •n. 1 a Central and South American plant (Carludovica palmata) of a family (Cyclanthaceae, order Cyclanthales) of monocotyledonous perennials, whose leaves yield a flexible, durable straw used for hats 2 this straw 3 PANAMA HAT [Sp, after Jipijapa, place in Ecuador]
jism (jiz´эm) •n. [Vulgar Slang] SEMEN
jitney (jit´ni:) pl. -neys •n. 1 [Old Slang] a five-cent coin; nickel 2 a small bus or a car, esp. one traveling a regular route, that carries passengers for a low fare, originally five cents [c. 1903 < ? Fr jeton, JETON]
jitter (jit´эr) •vi. [Colloq.] to be nervous; have the jitters; fidget the jitters [Colloq.] a very uneasy, nervous feeling; the fidgets [? echoic]
jitterbug (-bûg') •n. 1 a dance for couples, esp. in the early 1940's, involving fast, acrobatic movements to swing music 2 a dancer of the jitterbug •vi. -bugged', -bug'ging to dance the jitterbug [prec. + BUG¹]
jittery (jit´эr i:) •adj. [Colloq.] having the jitters
jiujitsu (ju: jit´su:') var. of JUJITSU Also jiu·jut´su' (-jût´-, -jut´-) •n.
Jívaro (hi:´vä´rou') •n. 1 pl. -ros' or -ro' a member of a tribe of Indians who live in S Ecuador and N Peru 2 their language [Sp Jíbaro < native name]
jive¹ (jaiv) jived, jiv´ing •vt., vi. [Slang] to speak (to) in a way that is exaggerated, insincere, flippant, etc., esp. in trying to fool or mislead •n. 1 [Slang] talk used in jiving someone 2 old term for JAZZ or SWING (c. 1930-45) •adj. [Slang] insincere, misleading, fake, fraudulent, etc.: also jive´ass' (-æs') [altered < JIBE²: sense development, to taunt banter improvise swing (music)]
jive² (jaiv) var. of JIBE¹ (sense 3) •vi.
Jl 1 Bible Joel 2 July
Jn Bible John
Jno Bible John
Jo Bible 1 Joel 2 John jo (jou) pl. joes •n. [Scot.] a sweetheart [var. of JOY]
Joab (jou´æb') Bible the commander of David's army: 2 Sam. 10:7 [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Iōab < Heb yō'ābh, lit., Yahweh is (his) father]
Joan (joun) a feminine name: see JOANNA
Joan of Arc (ärk) (Fr. name Jeanne d'Arc) 1412-31; Fr. heroine: defeated the English at Orléans (1429): burned at the stake for witchcraft: called the Maid of Orléans Also Saint Joan of Arc
Joanna (jou æn´э) a feminine name: var. Joan, Jane, Jean, Joanne; equiv. L. & Ger. Johanna, Fr. Jeanne, It. Giovanna, Sp. Juana [ML, fem. of Joannes: see JOHN]
Joanne (jou æn´) a feminine name: see JOANNA
João Pessoa (zhu: auñ´ pэ sou´э) city in NE Brazil: capital of Paraíba state: pop. 291,000
Job (joub) Bible 1 a man who endured much suffering but did not lose his faith in God 2 the book telling of him: abbrev. Jb [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Iōb < Heb 'Iyyōbh]
job action a joint refusal by a group of employees to perform all or part of their duties in an attempt to force the granting of certain demands; esp., such an action by a group forbidden by law to strike
job analysis a study of a specific job, or of all jobs, in an enterprise with respect to operations involved, working conditions, qualifications required, etc.
Job Corps a U.S. government program for training underprivileged youth for employment
job lot 1 an assortment of goods for sale as one quantity 2 any random assortment, esp. when of inferior quality
job printing commercial printing of such items as letterheads, circulars, invitations, etc. Also job work job printer
job¹ (jäb) •n. 1 a specific piece of work, as in one's trade, or done by agreement for pay 2 anything one has to do; task; chore; duty 3 the thing or material being worked on 4 a) the action of doing a task, duty, or piece of work b) a result or product of such action Æ 5 a position of employment; situation; work 6 [Colloq.] a criminal act or deed, as a theft, etc. 7 [Colloq.] any happening, affair, matter, object, etc. 8 [Chiefly Brit.] a thing done supposedly in the public interest but actually for private gain •adj. hired or done by the job: see also JOB LOT •vi. jobbed, job´bing 1 to do odd jobs 2 to act as a jobber or broker 3 [Chiefly Brit.] to do public or official business dishonestly for private gain •vt. 1 to buy and sell (goods) as wholesaler; handle as middleman 2 to let or sublet (work, contracts, etc.) 3 to hire or let for hire, as a horse or carriage 4 [Slang] to deceive; trick; cheat 5 [Chiefly Brit.] to transact (public business) dishonestly for private gain SYN. POSITION, TASK odd jobs miscellaneous pieces of work on the job 1 while working at one's job 2 [Slang] attentive to one's task or duty [< ?]
job² (jäb) jobbed, job´bing •n., vt., vi. dial. var. of JAB [ME jobben, to peck]
jobber (jäb´эr) •n. 1 a person who jobs; esp., one who buys goods in quantity from manufacturers or importers and sells them to dealers; wholesaler; middleman 2 a person who works by the job; also, one who does piecework 3 [Brit.] a person who deals in stock-exchange securities: distinguished from BROKER
jobbery (jäb´эr i:) •n. [Chiefly Brit.] the carrying on of public or official business dishonestly for private gain [see JOB¹, vi. 3]
jobholder (jäb´houl'dэr) •n. a person who has a steady job; specif., a government employee
jobless (jäb´lis) •adj. 1 without a job; unemployed 2 having to do with the unemployed the jobless those who are unemployed job´less·ness •n.
Job's comforter (joubz´) a person who aggravates one's misery while attempting or pretending to comfort: see Job 16:1-5
Job's-tears (joubz´tirz´) •n.pl. 1 [with sing. v.] a coarse, annual tropical grass (Coix lacryma-jobi) which bears hard, beadlike structures (modified leaves) that contain edible grains 2 the beads, often used ornamentally [see JOB]
Jocasta (jou kæs´tэ) Gr. Myth. the queen who unwittingly marries her own son, Oedipus, and kills herself when she finds out [L < Gr Iokastē]
Jocelyn or Jocelin (jäs´э lin, jäs´lin) a feminine name [OFr Joscelin < OHG Gauzelen, dim. < Gauta, a Goth]
jock itch [Slang] a skin infection in the genital area caused by a fungus; tinea cruris
jock¹ (jäk) •n. 1 short for: a) JOCKEY b) JOCKSTRAP 2 [Slang] a male athlete
jock² (jäk) •n. [Slang] short for DISC JOCKEY
jockette (jäk'et´) •n. [Colloq.] a woman JOCKEY (sense 1)
jockey (jäk´i:) pl. -eys •n. 1 a person whose work is riding horses in races Æ 2 [Slang] one who operates a specified vehicle, machine, etc. •vt., vi. -eyed, -ey·ing 1 to ride (a horse) in a race 2 to cheat; trick; swindle 3 a) to maneuver for position or advantage b) to bring about by such maneuvering Æ 4 [Slang] to be the operator, pilot, etc. (of) [< Jocky, Jockie, northern Eng and Scot form of Jacky, dim. of JACK]
jockey shorts [often J- s-] boys' or men's closefitting knit undershorts, as of cotton, with an elastic waistband
jocko (jäk´ou) •n. a chimpanzee or a monkey [Fr, earlier engeco < ncheko, the native name in W Africa]
jockstrap (jäk´stræp') •n. an elastic belt with a groin pouch for supporting the genitals, worn by men while engaging in athletics [slang jock, penis + STRAP]
jocose (jou kous´) •adj. joking or playful; humorous SYN. WITTY jo·cose´ly •adv. jo·cose´ness •n. [L jocosus < jocus, a jest, JOKE]
jocosity (jou käs´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being jocose 2 pl. -ties a jocose action or remark [ML iocositas]
jocular (jäk´yu: lэr, -yэ-) •adj. 1 joking; humorous; full of fun 2 said as a joke SYN. WITTY joc'u·lar´i·ty (-lær´э ti:), pl. -ties, •n. joc´u·lar·ly •adv. [L jocularis < joculus, dim. of jocus, JOKE]
jocund (jäk´эnd; also jou´kэnd) •adj. cheerful; genial; gay jo·cun·di·ty (jou kûn´dэ ti:), pl. -ties, •n. joc´und·ly •adv. [ME < OFr jocond < LL jocundus (altered by assoc. with L jocus, JOKE) < L jucundus, pleasant < juvare, to help]
Jodhpur (joud´pur', jäd´-) 1 city in Rajasthan, NW India: pop. 494,000 2 former state of NW India, now part of Rajasthan jodhpur (jäd´pэr) •n. 1 [pl.] riding breeches made loose and full above the knees and tight from the knees to the ankles 2 a boot high enough to cover the ankle, with an adjustable buckle and strap, or an elastic insert, at the side [after fol., where the breeches first became popular]
Jodi or Jody (jou´di:) a feminine and masculine name
Joe abbrev. Bible Joel Joe (jou) nickname for JOSEPH Æ n. [Slang] 1 [often j-] fellow; guy 2 [j-] coffee
Joe Blow [Slang] 1 personification of an average, ordinary man 2 a name used to refer to a man whose name is not known or whose typicalness is being emphasized
Joe College [Colloq.] personification of the typical male college student in the United States
Joel (jou´эl, -el') 1 a masculine name 2 Bible a) Hebrew prophet, probably of the 5th cent. B.C. b) the book of his preachings (abbrev. Jl or Joe) [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Iōēl < Heb yō'ēl, lit., the Lord is God]
joe-pye weed (jou´pai´) any of a number of perennial American plants (genus Eupatorium) of the composite family, with whorled leaves and clusters of rayless, pinkish or purple flower heads [< ? the name of an Indian doctor said to have used the plant as medicine]
joey (jou´i:) •n. [Austral.] 1 a young kangaroo 2 any young animal [Australian native name joé]
Joffre (zhôf´řª), Jo·seph Jacques Cé·saire (zhou zef´ zhäk sei zeř´) 1852-1931; Fr. general: commander in chief of Fr. forces in World War I
jog trot 1 a slow, steady trot 2 a routine, monotonous, or leisurely way of doing something
jog¹ (jäg) jogged, jog´ging •vt. 1 a) to give a little shake, shove, or jerk to b) to nudge 2 to shake up or revive (a person's memory) 3 to cause to jog •vi. 1 to move along at a slow, steady, jolting pace or trot; specif., to engage in jogging as a form of exercise 2 to go (on or along) in a steady, slow, heavy manner •n. 1 a little shake, shove, or nudge 2 a slow, steady, jolting motion or trot jog´ger •n. [ME joggen, to spur (a horse), var. of jaggen, to JAG¹]
jog² (jäg) •n. 1 a projecting or notched part, esp. one at right angles, in a surface or line 2 a sharp, temporary change of direction, as in a road or one's course •vi. jogged, jog´ging to form or make a jog {turn left where the road jogs} [var. of JAG¹]
jogging (jäg´iŋ) •n. the practice of trotting at a slow, steady pace for some distance as a form of exercise
joggle post 1 a post made of pieces joined by joggles 2 a king post with shoulders to receive the feet of struts
joggle¹ (jäg´эl) -gled, -gling •vt., vi. to shake or jolt slightly •n. a slight jolt [freq. of JOG¹]
joggle² (jäg´эl) •n. 1 a) a joint between two surfaces of wood, stone, etc. made by cutting a notch in one and making a projection in the other to fit into it so as to prevent slippage b) a notch or projection for such a joint 2 DOWEL •vt. -gled, -gling to join by joggles [< JOG²]
Jogjakarta (jäg'yэ kärt´э) var. of YOGYAKARTA
Johanna (jou hæn´э) a feminine name: see JOANNA
johannes (jou hæn´i:z') pl. -nes •n. a Portuguese gold coin of the 18th and 19th cent. [< ML Johannes for John V, king of Portugal (1706-50), who first issued them]
Johannesburg (jou hæn´is børg', you hän´is-) city in the Transvaal, NE South Africa: pop. 1,156,000
Johannine (jou hæn´in, -ain') •adj. of or characteristic of the Apostle John [< ML Johannes (see JOHN) + -INE¹]
john (jän) •n. [Slang] 1 a toilet Æ 2 [also J-] a) any man, esp. one who is an easy mark b) a customer of a prostitute John (jän) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jack, Johnnie, Johnny; equiv. Fr. Jean, Ger. Johanne, Johannes, Hans, Ir. Sean, Shane, Shawn, It. Giovanni, Pol. Jan, Russ. Ivan, Scot. Ian, Jock, Sp. Juan, Welsh Evan; fem. Jane, Jean, Jeanne, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna 2 Bible a) one of the twelve Apostles and one of the four Evangelists, to whom is ascribed the fourth Gospel, the three Letters of John, and the Book of Revelation: his day is Dec 27 (also Saint John the Divine) b) the fourth book of the New Testament (abbrev. Jn or Jo) c) any of the three Letters of John d) JOHN THE BAPTIST 3 (called John Lackland) c. 1167-1216; king of England (1199-1216): forced by his barons to sign the Magna Carta: son of Henry II 4 John of the Cross, Saint (born Juan de Yepes y Álvarez) 1542-91; Sp. monk & mystic 5 John III (born John Sobieski) 1624-96; king of Poland (1674-96) 6 John XXIII (born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli) 1881-1963; pope (1958-63) 7 Augustus (Edwin) 1879-1961; Eng. painter [ME Jon < OFr Johan, Jehan, Jan < ML Johannes < LL(Ec) Joannes < Gr(Ec) Iōannes < Heb yōhānān, contr. < yehōhānān, lit., Yahweh is gracious]
John Barleycorn personification of corn liquor, malt liquor, etc.
John Bull personification of England or an Englishman [title character in John Arbuthnot's History of John Bull (1712)]
John Doe see DOE
John Dory (dör´i:) pl. John Do´rys any of various bony fishes (order Zeiformes); esp., a) an edible, marine, European fish (Zeus faber) with a yellow-ringed black spot one each side of its flat body b) a similar silvery fish (Zenopsis conchifera) of the W Atlantic [JOHN + DORY²]
John Hancock [Colloq.] one's signature: so called because John Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence is large and bold
John Henry [Colloq.] one's signature John Henry American Folklore the hero, usually depicted as black, of an American ballad, who died after a contest pitting his strength with a sledge hammer against that of a steam drill
John of Gaunt (gönt) Duke of Lancaster 1340-99; founder of the house of Lancaster: son of Edward III
John Paul I (born Albino Luciani) 1912-78; pope (1978)
John Paul II (born Karol Wojtyla) 1920- ; pope (1978- )
John Q. Public personification of an ordinary or average citizen, esp. of the U.S.
John the Baptist Bible the forerunner and baptizer of Jesus: he was killed by Herod: Matt. 3
johnboat (jän´bout') •n. a flat-bottomed boat with square ends, used on inland waters as for fishing
johnny (jän´i:) pl. -nies •n. Æ a short muslin gown with short sleeves and a back opening that is closed with ties, worn as by hospital patients [< ? fol.: see JACKET]
Johnny on the spot [Colloq.] a person who is ready and at hand whenever needed Also John´ny-on-the-spot´ •n.
Johnny or Johnnie (jän´i:) nickname for JOHN •n. pl. -nies [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] any man or boy [cf. JACK]
Johnny Reb (reb) personification of a Confederate soldier [JOHNNY + REB(EL)]
johnnycake (jän´i: keik') •n. 1 a flat, thin kind of corn bread baked on a griddle 2 any corn bread [altered (by assoc. with prec. & CAKE) < north Eng dial jannock, johnnick, a bread of oatmeal or wheat flour < ME janok (< ? Jan, var. of Jo(h)n)]
Johnny-come-lately (-kûm'leit´li:) •n. one who is late or recent in arriving at a place, position, or viewpoint
Johnny-jump-up (-jûmp´ûp') •n. 1 WILD PANSY 2 DAFFODIL 3 any of various American violets
Johns (jänz), Jasper 1930- ; U.S. painter, sculptor, & printmaker
Johnson (jän´sэn) 1 Andrew 1808-75; 17th president of the U.S. (1865-69) 2 James Wel·don (wel´dэn) 1871-1938; U.S. writer & diplomat 3 Lyn·don Baines (lin´dэn beinz´) 1908-73; 36th president of the U.S. (1963-69) 4 Philip Cour·tel·you (kör tel´yu:') 1906- ; U.S. architect 5 Samuel 1709-84; Eng. lexicographer, writer, & critic: known as Dr. Johnson
Johnson City (jän´sэn) city in NE Tenn., near the borders of Va. & N.C.: pop. 49,000 (urban area with nearby Va. 436,000) [after H. Johnson (1809-1874), early settler & first mayor]
Johnson grass a forage and pasture grass (Sorghum halepense), widespread in the S U.S., often as a weed
Johnson noise thermal background noise in a radio receiver [after J. B. Johnson, 20th-c. U.S. physicist]
Johnsonese (jän'sэn i:z´) •n. the literary style of, or like that of, Samuel Johnson, variously characterized by erudition, Latinisms, heaviness, pomposity, etc.
Johnsonian (jän sou´ni: эn) •adj. of, like, or characteristic of Samuel Johnson or his style
Johnston (jänz´tэn) 1 Albert Sidney 1803-62; Confederate general 2 Joseph Eggleston 1807-91; Confederate general
Johnstown (jänz´taun') city in SW Pa.: site of a disastrous flood (1889): pop. 28,000 [after Joseph Johns, owner of the town site]
Johore (jэ hör´) state of Malaysia, at the tip of the Malay Peninsula: 7,330 sq. mi. (18,985 sq. km); pop. 1,602,000
joie de vivre (zhwåd vi:´vřª) (the) joy of living [Fr]
join (join) •vt. 1 to put or bring together; connect; fasten 2 to make into one; unite {join forces, join people in marriage} 3 to become a part or member of; enter into association with {to join a club} 4 to go to and combine with {the path joins the highway} 5 a) to enter into the company of; accompany {join us later} b) to participate or take part with {they join me in congratulating you} 6 [Colloq.] to adjoin 7 Geom. to connect with a straight line or curve •vi. 1 to come together; meet 2 a) to enter into association b) to become a member of a group or organization: often with up 3 to participate (in a conversation, singing, etc.) •n. a place of joining; joint join battle to start fighting or competing SYN.—join is the general term implying a bringing or coming together of two or more things and may suggest direct contact, affiliation, etc.; combine implies a mingling together of things, often with a loss of distinction of elements that completely merge with one another [to combine milk and water]; unite implies a joining or combining of things to form a single whole [the United States]; connect implies attachment by some fastening or relationship [roads connected by a bridge, the duties connected with a job]; link stresses firmness of a connection [linked together in a common cause]; associate implies a joining with another or others as a companion, partner, etc. and, in extended use, suggests a connection made in the mind [to associate Freud's name with psychoanalysis]; consolidate implies a merger of distinct and separate units into a single whole for resulting compactness, strength, efficiency, etc. [to consolidate one's debts] —ANT. separate, part [ME joinen < OFr joindre < L jungere, to bind together, YOKE]
joinder (join´dэr) •n. 1 a joining; act of meeting or coming together 2 Law a) a joining of causes b) a joining of parties as plaintiffs or defendants c) a uniting on facts or procedure d) an accepting of an issue offered [OFr joindre, use of inf. as n.: see JOIN]
joiner (join´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that joins 2 a workman who constructs and finishes interior woodwork, as doors, molding, stairs, etc. Æ 3 [Colloq.] a person given to joining various organizations [ME joinour < OFr joignour < joindre: see JOIN]
joinery (-эr i:) •n. the work or skill of a joiner
joint (joint) •n. 1 a place or part where two things or parts are joined 2 the way in which two things are joined at such a part 3 one of the parts or sections of a jointed whole 4 a large cut of meat with the bone still in it, as for a roast Æ 5 [Slang] a) a cheap bar, nightclub, etc. b) any house, building, etc. c) a prison Æ 6 [Slang] a marijuana cigarette 7 Anat. a) a place or part where two bones or corresponding structures are joined, usually so that they can move b) the way in which they are joined 8 Bot. a point where a branch or leaf grows out of the stem 9 Geol. a fracture in a rock mass, along which displacement has not occurred •adj. [OFr joint, jointe, pp. of joindre: see JOIN] 1 joined as to time; concurrent 2 common to two or more persons, governments, etc. as to ownership or action {a joint declaration, joint property} 3 sharing with someone else {a joint owner} •vt. 1 to connect by a joint or joints 2 to give a joint or joints to 3 to prepare (a board or stave) for joining to another 4 to cut (meat) into joints; separate at the joints out of joint 1 not in place at the joint; dislocated 2 disordered or disorganized [OFr < L junctus, pp. of jungere, to join, YOKE]
joint account a bank account in the name of two or more persons, each of whom may withdraw funds
Joint Chiefs of Staff a group within the Department of Defense, consisting of the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, a director, and a chairman
joint committee a committee with members from both houses of a bicameral legislature, or from two or more organizations
joint resolution a resolution passed by both houses of a bicameral legislature: it has the force of a law if signed by the chief executive or passed over his veto
joint return a single income tax return filed by a married couple, combining their individual incomes
joint stock stock or capital held in a common fund
jointed (joint´id) •adj. having joints
jointer (joint´эr) •n. 1 a person or machine that joints 2 a long plane used in jointing boards 3 a triangular device with an edge, fastened to a plow beam 4 a tool for finishing mortar joints, as of brickwork
jointly (joint´li:) •adv. in a joint manner; together
jointress (join´tris) •n. a woman who has a jointure
joint-stock company (joint´stäk´) a business firm with a joint stock, owned by the stockholders in shares which each may sell or transfer independently
jointure (join´chэr) •n. 1 [Now Rare] an act or instance of joining 2 Law a) an arrangement by which a husband grants real property to his wife for her use after his death b) the property thus settled; widow's portion c) [Obs.] the holding of property jointly [< OFr < L junctura, a joining < jungere: see YOKE]
jointweed (joint´wi:d') •n. a plant (Polygonella articulata) of the buckwheat family, with threadlike leaves, jointed stems, and clusters of small, white flowers
jointworm (-wørm') •n. Æ the larva of a genus (Harmolita, family Eurytomidae) of small wasps which attack grain stems and cause galls to form in the joints
Joinville (zhwæñ vi:l´), Jean de (zhäñ dэ) c. 1224-1317; Fr. chronicler
joist (joist) •n. any of the parallel planks or beams that hold up the planks of a floor or the laths of a ceiling: see FRAME, illus. •vt. to provide with joists [ME giste < OFr, a bed, couch, beam < gesir, to lie < L jacere, to lie, throw: see JET¹]
jojoba (hou hou´bэ) •n. an evergreen desert shrub (Simmondsia californica) of the box family, found in Mexico and the SW U.S., with a seed (jojoba bean) containing an odorless, colorless liquid wax (jojoba oil) used in cosmetics, lubricants, etc. [Sp]
joke (jouk) •n. 1 anything said or done to arouse laughter; specif., a) a funny anecdote with a punch line b) an amusing trick played on someone 2 the humorous element in a situation 3 a thing done or said merely in fun 4 a person or thing to be laughed at, not to be taken seriously, because absurd, ridiculous, etc. •vi. joked, jok´ing [< the n. or L jocari, to joke] 1 to tell or play jokes 2 to say or do something as a joke; jest •vt. 1 [Now Rare] to make fun of; make (a person) the object of jokes or teasing 2 to bring to a specified condition by joking no joke a serious matter jok´ing·ly •adv. [L jocus, a joke, game < IE base *jek-, to speak > OHG jehan]
joker (jouk´эr) •n. 1 a person who jokes Æ 2 a cunningly worded provision put into a law, legal document, etc. to make it different from what it seems to be Æ 3 any hidden, unsuspected difficulty Æ 4 an extra playing card, usually with a conventionalized picture of a court jester on it, used in some games as the highest trump or as a wild card 5 [Slang] a person, fellow, etc.; esp., one deserving contempt, as because of being foolish, inept, disagreeable, etc.
jokester (jouk´stэr) •n. JOKER (n. 1) [see -STER]
jokey (jouk´i:) •adj. amusing; comical or lighthearted; humorous Also jok´y
Jokjakarta (jäk'yэ kärt´э) var. of YOGYAKARTA
jolie laide (zhô li: led´) a girl or woman oddly attractive though not conventionally pretty or beautiful
Joliet (jou´li: et', jou'li: et´) city in NE Ill.: pop. 77,000 [after prec.]
Joliet or Jolliet (jou´li: et', jou'li: et´; Fr zhô lye´), Louis 1645-1700; Fr.-Cdn. explorer of the Mississippi
Joliot-Curie (zhô lyou kü ři:´) 1 (Jean) Fré·dé·ric (fřei dei ři:k´) (born Jean Frédéric Joliot) 1900-58; Fr. nuclear physicist 2 I·rène (i: řen´) (born Irène Curie) 1897-1956; Fr. nuclear physicist: wife of Frédéric & daughter of Pierre & Marie Curie
jollify (jäl´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to make or be jolly or merry jol'li·fi·ca´tion •n.
jollity (jäl´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being jolly; fun 2 pl. -ties [Brit.] a jolly occasion; party [ME jolite < OFr < joli: see JOLLY]
jolly (jäl´i:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 full of high spirits and good humor; merry; gay; convivial 2 [Colloq.] enjoyable; pleasant •adv. [Brit. Colloq.] very; altogether •vt., vi. -lied, -ly·ing [Colloq.] Æ to try to make (a person) feel good or agreeable by coaxing, flattering, joking, etc.: often with along •n. pl. -lies [Brit. Colloq.] a British marine get one's jollies [Slang] to have fun or pleasure jol´li·ly •adv. jol´li·ness •n. [ME joli < OFr, prob. < ON jol, YULE]
jolly boat a sailing vessel's small boat, usually carried on the stern [< MDu jolle, yawl + BOAT]
Jolly Roger a black flag of pirates, with white skull and crossbones [JOLLY + Roger, pirate flag < ROGER]
Jolo (hou lou´, hou´lou') island in the Philippines, southwest of Mindanao: largest island in Sulu Archipelago: 345 sq. mi. (897 sq. km)
jolt (joult) •vt. 1 to shake up or jar, as with a bumpy ride or sharp blow 2 to shock or surprise •vi. to move along in a bumpy, jerky manner •n. 1 a sudden jerk or shake, as from a blow 2 a shock or surprise Æ 3 a drink of liquor neat jolt´ing·ly •adv. jolt´y •adj. [earlier jot, to jog, bump, of echoic orig: prob. infl. by obs. jowl, to strike]
Jonah (jou´nэ) 1 a masculine name: var. Jonas 2 Bible a) a Hebrew prophet: thrown overboard in a storm sent because he had disobeyed God, he was swallowed by a big fish, but three days later was cast up on the shore unharmed b) the book telling Jonah's story (abbrev. Jon) •n. any person said to bring bad luck by being present [LL(Ec) Jonas < Gr(Ec) īonas < Heb jōnāh, lit., a dove]
Jonah crab a large, reddish, edible crab (Cancer borealis) of the NE coast of North America
Jonathan (jän´э θэn) 1 a masculine name: dim Jon 2 Bible Saul's oldest son, a close friend of David: 1 Sam. 18-20 Æ 3 BROTHER JONATHAN •n. Æ a late fall variety of apple [Heb yōnāthān, contr. < yehōnāthān, lit., Yahweh has given]
jones (jounz) •n. [often J-] [Slang] 1 an addiction to a drug, specif. to heroin 2 any strong or compulsive craving [< slang term jones, thing] Jones (jounz) 1 Howard Mum·ford (mûm´fэrd) 1892-1980; U.S. educator & critic 2 In·i·go (in´i gou') 1573-1652; Eng. architect & stage designer 3 John Paul (born John Paul) 1747-92; Am. naval officer in the Revolutionary War, born in Scotland 4 (Walter) David 1895-1974; Eng. writer & artist
jongleur (jäŋ´glэr; Fr zhouñ glëř´) •n. a wandering minstrel in medieval France and England, who entertained by reciting or singing [Fr < OFr jogleor: see JUGGLER]
Jonquière (zhouñ kyeř´) city in SC Quebec, Canada: pop. 58,000 [after J. P. Taffanel, Marquis de la Jonquière (1685-1752), gov. of New France (1749-52)]
jonquil (jäŋ´kwil, jän´-) •n. 1 a) a species of narcissus (Narcissus jonquilla) having relatively small yellow flowers with a very short crown, and long, slender leaves b) its bulb or flower 2 loosely, any narcissus [Fr jonquille < Sp junquillo, dim. of junco, a reed < L juncus, a rush < IE base *yoini-, rush > MIr ain, rush, ON einir, juniper]
Jonson (jän´sэn), Ben c. 1572-1637; Eng. dramatist & poet Jon·so·ni·an (jän sou´ni: эn) •adj.
Joplin (jäp´lin), Scott 1868-1917; U.S. ragtime pianist & composer Joplin (jäp´lin) city in SW Mo.: pop. 41,000 [after Rev. H. G. Joplin, first settler]
Joppa (jäp´э) ancient name of JAFFA
Jordaens (yör´däns'), Ja·cob (yä´kôp) 1593-1678; Fl. painter
Jordan (jörd´ªn), David Starr (stär) 1851-1931; U.S. educator & naturalist Jordan (jörd´ªn) 1 river in the Near East, flowing from the Anti-Lebanon mountains south through the Sea of Galilee, through Jordan, into the Dead Sea: 200 mi. (322 km) 2 country in the Near East, east of Israel: 35,000 sq. mi. (90,650 sq. km); pop. 2,756,000; cap. Amman: official name the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Jor·da·ni·an (jör dei´ni: эn) •adj., n. Jordan (jörd´ªn) 1 river in the Near East, flowing from the Anti-Lebanon mountains south through the Sea of Galilee, through Jordan, into the Dead Sea: 200 mi. (322 km) 2 country in the Near East, east of Israel: 35,000 sq. mi. (90,650 sq. km); pop. 2,756,000; cap. Amman: official name the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Jor·da·ni·an (jör dei´ni: эn) •adj., n.
Jordan almond 1 a variety of large Spanish almond 2 a confection consisting of such an almond with a hardened, colored coating of sugar [altered (by assoc. with the proper name Jordan) < ME jardyne almaunde < OFr jardin, garden + ME almande, ALMOND: i.e., a cultivated almond]
jorum (jou´rэm, jör´эm) •n. 1 a large drinking bowl 2 the amount of liquor that it holds [prob. after Joram (2 Sam. 8:10), bringer of silver vessels < Heb Yōrām]
Jos 1 Joseph 2 Bible Joshua 3 Josiah
Joseph (jou´zэf, -sэf) 1 a masculine name: dim. Joe, Joey; equiv. L. Josephus, It. Guiseppe, Sp. José; fem. Josepha, Josephine 2 Bible a) Jacob's eleventh son, whose mother was Rachel: Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his jealous brothers but became a high official there: Gen. 30:22-24; 37; 45 b) the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus: Matt. 1:18-25: his day is March 19 (also called Saint Joseph) 3 c. 1840-1904; Nez Percé Indian chief •n. a woman's long riding coat, with a cape, worn in the 18th cent. [in allusion to Joseph's coat: Gen. 37:3] [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Iōsēph < Heb yōsēph, lit., may he add: see Gen. 30:24]
Joseph of Arimathea Bible a wealthy disciple who provided a tomb for Jesus' body: Matt. 27:57-60
Josephine (jou´zэ fi:n, -sэ-) 1 a feminine name: dim. Jo, Josie; var. Josepha 2 1763-1814; wife of Napoleon (1796-1809) & empress of France (1804-09): wife (1779-94) of Vicomte Alexandre de Beauharnais (1760-94) Fr. army officer [Fr Joséphine < Joseph: see JOSEPH]
Joseph's coat an ornamental species of pigweed (Amaranthus tricolor) having red, yellow, and green upper leaves
Josephson junction (jou´zef sэn, -sэf-) a low-power, high-speed electronic switching device consisting of a thin insulator between two superconducting metals: it operates at a temperature near absolute zero [after Brian Josephson (1940- ), Brit physicist]
Josephus (jou si:´fэs), (Flavius) A.D. 37-c. 95; Jewish historian
josh (jäsh) •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to ridicule in a good-humored way; tease jokingly; banter •n. good-humored joking josh´er •n. josh´ing·ly •adv. [< ?]
Joshua (jäsh´yu: э, jäsh´u: э) 1 a masculine name: dim. Josh 2 Bible a) Moses' successor, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land b) the book telling about him (abbrev. Josh or Jos) [Heb yehōshūa, lit., help of Jehovah: see JESUS]
Joshua tree a tree (Yucca brevifolia) of the agave family, found in the SW U.S. and characterized by branches that are extended grotesquely like upraised arms and by dagger-shaped, spine-tipped leaves [? Mormon coinage on the fancied resemblance of the angular branches to the arms of JOSHUA leading the Israelites]
Josiah (jou sai´э, -zai´э) Bible a king of Judah in the 7th cent. B.C.: 2 Kings 22, 23 [Heb yōshīyāh, lit., the Lord supports]
Josquin des Prez (or Desprez) (zhôs kæñ´ dei přei´) c. 1440-1521; Fr. composer
joss (jös, jäs) •n. a figure of a Chinese god; Chinese idol [PidE < Port deos < L deus, a god: see DEITY]
joss house a Chinese temple
joss stick a thin stick of dried paste made of fragrant wood dust, burned by the Chinese as incense
jostle (jäs´эl) -tled, -tling •vt., vi. 1 to bump or push, as in a crowd; elbow or shove roughly 2 to push (one's way) by shoving or bumping 3 to come or bring into close contact 4 to contend (with someone for something) •n. the act of jostling; rough bump or shove jos´tler •n. [earlier justle, freq. < ME justen: see JOUST]
jot (jät) •n. a trifling amount; the smallest bit •vt. jot´ted, jot´ting to make a brief, quick note of: usually with down [prob. < the n.] jot´ter •n. [L iota < Gr iōta, the letter i, the smallest letter (hence, very small thing): see IOTA]
jota (hou´tэ) •n. a Spanish dance in ¾ time performed by a man and woman to the rhythm of castanets [Sp < OSp sota < sotar, to dance < L saltare, to leap: see SALTANT]
jotting (jät´iŋ) •n. a short note jotted down
Jotunn or Jotun (yö´tun') •n. Norse Myth. any of the giants [ON jotunn, akin to OE eoten, a giant < IE base *ed-, to eat: hence, orig., glutton or ? man-eater]
Jotunnheim or Jotunheim (-heim') Norse Myth. the home of the giants [ON jotunheimar, pl. < jotunn (see JOTUN) + heimr, HOME]
joual (zhu: äl´) •n. a name for any variety of dialectal Canadian French: orig. (early 1960's), and still sometimes, a derogatory term, used esp. for those dialects that diverged most widely from standard speech [Fr, < a dialectal pronun. of cheval, horse]
joule (ju:l; also jaul) •n. Physics the unit of work or energy in the mks system, being the amount of work done by one newton acting through a distance of one meter and equal to 10,000,000 ergs [after fol.] Joule (ju:l), James Prescott 1818-89; Eng. physicist
jounce (jauns) jounced, jounc´ing •vt., vi. to shake, jolt, or bounce, as in riding •n. a bounce or jolt jounc´y •adj. [ME jounsen < ?]
jour 1 journal 2 journeyman
journal (jør´nэl) •n. 1 a daily record of happenings, as a diary 2 a record of the transactions of a legislature, club, etc. 3 a daily newspaper: often used in newspaper titles 4 any newspaper or periodical, as one dealing with scientific or professional matters 5 Bookkeeping a) DAYBOOK b) a book of original entry, used in the double-entry system, for recording all transactions, in the order in which they occur, with an indication of the special accounts to which they belong 6 Mech. the part of a rotary axle or shaft that turns in a bearing [orig. Scot] [ME, book containing forms of worship for the day hours (Little Hours) < OFr, lit., daily < L diurnalis < dies, day (see DEITY): sense 3 prob. via It giornale, of same orig.]
journal box Mech. a casing or housing for a journal
journalese (jør'nэl i:z´) •n. a style of writing and diction characteristic of many newspapers, magazines, etc.; facile or sensational style, with many clichés
journalism (jør´nэl iz'эm) •n. 1 the work of gathering, writing, editing, and publishing or disseminating news, as through newspapers and magazines or by radio and television 2 journalistic writing 3 newspapers and magazines collectively [Fr journalisme < journal: see JOURNAL]
journalist (-ist) •n. 1 a person whose occupation is journalism; reporter, news editor, etc. 2 a person who keeps a journal or diary
journalistic (jør'nэl is´tik) •adj. of or characteristic of journalists or journalism jour'nal·is´ti·cal´ly •adv.
journalize (jør´nэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. to record (transactions, daily events, etc.) in a journal
journey (jør´ni:) pl. -neys •n. 1 the act or an instance of traveling from one place to another; trip 2 any course or passage from one stage or experience to another •vi. -neyed, -ney·ing to go on a trip; travel SYN. TRIP jour´ney·er •n. [ME journee < OFr < VL *diurnata, day's journey, day's work < LL diurnum, a daily portion < L diurnus, daily < dies, day: see DEITY]
journeyman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a) orig., a worker for a daily wage b) a worker who has served an apprenticeship and is therefore qualified to work at a specified trade 2 any sound, experienced, but not brilliant craftsman or performer [ME < journee (see JOURNEY), in sense day's work + man]
journeywork (-wørk') •n. work of a journeyman
joust (jûst, jaust; also ju:st) •n. 1 a combat with lances between two knights on horseback; esp., such a formal combat as part of a tournament 2 [pl.] a tournament •vi. to engage in a joust [ME justen < OFr jouster, juster < VL *juxtare, to approach, tilt < L juxta: see JUXTA-] [ME jouste < OFr < jouster: see the vi.]
Jove (jouv) JUPITER by Jove! an exclamation of astonishment, emphasis, etc. [< L Jovis (used as gen. of Juppiter, JUPITER) < OL Jovis (gen. Jovis) < IE *diwes, gen. of *dyēus (> Gr Zeus) < base *dei-, to gleam, shine > DEITY]
jovial (jou´vi: эl) •adj. 1 [J-] JOVIAN 2 full of hearty, playful good humor; genial and gay: from the astrological notion that people born under the sign of Jupiter are joyful jo'vi·al´i·ty (-æl´э ti:) •n. jo´vi·al·ly •adv. [Fr < LL Jovialis, of Jupiter < L Jovis: see JOVE]
Jovian (jou´vi: эn) •adj. 1 of or like Jove (the god Jupiter); majestic 2 of the planet Jupiter 3 of or referring to the four large, gaseous planets of the solar system, specif. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune: cf. TERRESTRIAL (sense 6)
Jowett (jau´it), Benjamin 1817-93; Eng. classical scholar & translator of Plato and others
jowl¹ (jaul; also joul) •n. 1 a jawbone or jaw; esp., the lower jaw with the chin and cheeks 2 the cheek 3 the meat of a hog's cheek: see PORK, illus. [ME chavel < OE ceafl, jaw, cheek, akin to ON kjoptr, MHG kivel < IE base *Gebh-, jaw, mouth > OIr gop, mouth, Czech žábra, gills (of fish)]
jowl² (jaul; also joul) •n. 1 [usually pl.] the fleshy hanging part under the lower jaw 2 a) the dewlap of cattle b) the wattle of fowl 3 the head and adjacent parts of a fish jowl´y •adj. [ME cholle < OE ceole, throat, akin to Ger kehle < IE base *gel-, to swallow > OIr gaile, stomach]
joy (joi) •n. 1 a very glad feeling; happiness; great pleasure; delight 2 anything causing such feeling 3 the expression or showing of such feeling •vi. to be full of joy; rejoice •vt. [Archaic] 1 to make joyful 2 to enjoy SYN. PLEASURE [ME joie < OFr < LL gaudia, orig. pl. of L gaudium, joy < IE base *gāu-, to rejoice > Gr gēthein, to rejoice, MIr gūaire, noble]
joy ride [Colloq.] an automobile ride merely for pleasure, often at a reckless speed and sometimes, specif., in a stolen car joy rider joy riding
joyance (-эns) •n. [Archaic] joy; rejoicing
Joyce (jois) 1 a feminine and masculine name 2 James (Augustine Aloysius) 1882-1941; Ir. novelist Joyc·e·an (jois´i: эn) •adj. [< older Jocosa < L jocosa, fem. of jocosus, JOCOSE]
joyful (joi´fэl) •adj. feeling, expressing, or causing joy; glad; happy SYN. HAPPY joy´ful·ly •adv. joy´ful·ness •n.
joyless (joi´lis) •adj. without joy; unhappy; sad joy´less·ly •adv. joy´less·ness •n.
joyous (joi´эs) •adj. full of joy; happy; gay; glad SYN. HAPPY joy´ous·ly •adv. joy´ous·ness •n. [ME < OFr joios < joie, JOY]
joy-pop (joi´päp') -popped´, -pop´ping •vi. [Slang] to inject a narcotic drug under the skin, esp. in small quantities and infrequently joy´-pop´per •n.
joystick (joi´stik') •n. 1 [Slang] the control stick of an airplane 2 a manual device connected as to a computer terminal, with a control lever that can be tilted in various directions to move the cursor or part of the display
JP Justice of the Peace
Jpn 1 Japan 2 Japanese
Jr or jr junior
JSD or J.S.D Doctor of the Science of Laws
Ju June
Juan (hwän, wän) a masculine name: fem. Jua·ni·ta (hwä ni:t´э, wä-)
Juan de Fuca Strait (wän dэ fu:k´э, -fyu:k´э) strait between Vancouver Island and NW Wash.: c. 100 mi. (161 km) long: also called Strait of Juan de Fuca [after Juan de Fuca, a sailor, who reputedly discovered it for Spain (1592)]
Juan Fernández Islands (hwän' fer næn´dez') group of three islands in the South Pacific, c. 400 mi. (643 km) west of, & belonging to, Chile: c. 70 sq. mi. (181 sq. km)
Juárez see CIUDAD JUÁREZ Juárez (hwä´res', -rez'), Be·ni·to Pa·blo (be ni:´tô pä´blô) 1806-72; Mex. statesman: president of Mexico (1861-65; 1867-72)
Juba (ju:´bэ) river in Africa, flowing from S Ethiopia south through Somalia into the Indian Ocean: c. 1,000 mi. (1,609 km) juba (ju:´bэ) •n. a Southern plantation black dance of the 19th cent., characterized by a lively rhythm marked by clapping the hands [< Zulu, lit., to kick about]
Jubal (ju:´bэl) Bible one of Cain's descendants, a musician or inventor of musical instruments: Gen. 4:19-21 [Heb yūbhāl]
jubbah (jub´э) •n. a long outer garment worn by both men and women in some Muslim countries [Ar]
jubilant (ju:´bэ lэnt) •adj. joyful and triumphant; elated; rejoicing ju´bi·lance •n. ju´bi·lant·ly •adv. [L jubilans, prp. of jubilare: see JUBILATE]
jubilarian (ju:'bэ ler´i: эn) •n. one celebrating an anniversary, esp. the 50th or 25th, as of entering a religious order
jubilate (ju:´bэ leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vi. to rejoice, as in triumph; exult [< L jubilatus, pp. of jubilare, to shout for joy < jubilum, wild shout < IE base *yu-, an outcry, especially of rejoicing > YOWL] Jubilate (yu:'bi: lä´tei'; E ju:'bi lei´ti:) Bible the 100th Psalm (99th in the Vulgate version) [L, pl. imper. of jubilare: see JUBILATE]
jubilation (ju:'bэ lei´shэn) •n. 1 a jubilating or a being jubilant 2 a happy celebration, as of victory
jubilee (ju:´bэ li:', ju:'bэ li:´) •n. 1 Jewish History a year-long celebration held every fifty years in which all bondmen were freed, mortgaged lands were restored to the original owners, and land was left fallow: Lev. 25:8-17 2 a) an anniversary, esp. a 50th or 25th anniversary b) a celebration of this 3 a time or occasion of rejoicing 4 jubilation; rejoicing 5 R.C.Ch. a year proclaimed as a solemn time for gaining a plenary indulgence and for receiving absolution, on certain conditions: an ordinary jubilee occurs every twenty-five years [ME < OFr jubile < LL(Ec) jubilaeus < Gr(Ec) iōbēlaios < Heb yōbēl, a ram, ram's horn used as a trumpet to announce the sabbatical year: infl. by L jubilum: see JUBILATE]
Jud 1 Judaism 2 Bible Judges 3 Bible Judith
Judah (ju:´dэ) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jude; fem. Judith 2 Bible a) the fourth son of Jacob, whose mother was Leah: Gen. 29:35 b) the tribe descended from him, the strongest of the twelve tribes of Israel: Num. 1:26 3 the kingdom in the S part of Palestine formed by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin after they broke with the other ten tribes: 1 King 11:31; 12: 17-21 [Heb yehūdhāh, lit., praised]
Judaic (ju: dei´ik) •adj. 1 of Judah 2 of the Jews or Judaism; Jewish Ju·da´i·cal·ly •adv. [L Judaicus < Gr Ioudaikos < Ioudaios: see JEW]
Judaica (-i kэ) •n. a collection of books, papers, objects, data, etc. having to do with Jews or Judaism [ModL < L Judaicus, JUDAIC]
Judaism (ju:´dei iz'эm, -di:-, -dэ-) •n. 1 the Jewish religion, a monotheistic religion based on the laws and teachings of the the Holy Scripture and the Talmud 2 the Jewish way of life; observance of Jewish morality, traditions, ceremonies, etc. 3 Jews collectively; Jewry Ju´da·ist •n. Ju'da·is´tic •adj. [ME Judaisme < LL(Ec) Judaismus < Gr(Ec) Ioudaismos < Ioudaios: see JEW]
Judaize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vi. to conform to Jewish morality, traditions, etc. •vt. to bring into conformity with Judaism Ju'da·i·za´tion •n. [LL(Ec) Judaizare < Gr(Ec) Ioudaizein < Ioudaios: see JEW]
Judas (ju:´dэs), Saint see JUDE Judas (ju:´dэs) Bible 1 Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus: Matt. 26:14, 48 2 Jude, the Apostle 3 a brother of Jesus and James: Mark 6:3; Matt. 13:55 •n. 1 a traitor or betrayer 2 [usually j-] a peephole or small window, as in the door of a prison cell: in full, judas window (or hole) [ME < LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Ioudas < Heb yehūdhāh, JUDAH]
Judas Maccabaeus see MACCABAEUS, Judas
Judas tree CERCIS [from the legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on one]
judder (jûd´эr) •vi. [Brit.] to shake, wobble, or vibrate [altered < ? SHUDDER]
Jude (ju:d) 1 a masculine name: see JUDAH 2 Bible a) one of the twelve Apostles: his day is Oct. 28 (also called Judas, Saint Jude) b) a book of the New Testament, the Letter of Jude c) its author, perhaps the Judas called Jesus' brother See JUDAS
Judea (ju: di:´э) ancient region of S Palestine under Persian, Greek, & Roman rule: it corresponded roughly to the Biblical Judah Ju·de´an •adj., n.
Judeo- (ju: di:´ou, -dei´-; -э; ju:´di: ou') combining form 1 Judaic; Jewish 2 Jewish and {Judeo-Christian}
Judezmo (ju: dez´mou) •n. a language based on Old Spanish, with admixtures of Hebrew, Portuguese, Turkish, and other components, written in the Hebrew alphabet: it was formerly the chief language of Sephardic Jewry See also LADINO [Judezmo judezmo, lit., Jewishness, Jewish way of life; akin to Sp judaísmo, Judaism]
Judg Bible Judges
judge (jûj) •n. 1 an elected or appointed public official with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law 2 a person designated to determine the winner in a contest, settle a controversy, etc. 3 a person qualified to give an opinion or decide on the relative worth of anything {a good judge of music} 4 Jewish History any of the governing leaders of the Israelites after Joshua and before the time of the kings •vt., vi. judged, judg´ing [ME juggen < OFr juger, jugier < L judicare, to judge, declare the law < judex: see the n.] 1 to hear and pass judgment on (persons or cases) in a court of law 2 to determine the winner of (a contest) or settle (a controversy) 3 to decree 4 to form an idea, opinion, or estimate about (any matter) 5 to criticize or censure 6 to think or suppose 7 Jewish History to govern judg´er •n. SYN.—judge is applied to one who, by the authority vested in him or her by expertness of knowledge, is qualified to settle a controversy or decide on the relative merit of things [a judge of a beauty contest]; arbiter emphasizes the authoritativeness of decision of one whose judgment in a particular matter is considered indisputable [an arbiter of the social graces]; referee and umpire both apply to a person to whom anything is referred for decision or settlement [a referee in bankruptcy] and, in sports, to officials charged with the regulation of a contest, ruling on the plays in a game, etc. [a referee in boxing, basketball, etc., an umpire in baseball, cricket, etc.] see also INFER [ME juge < OFr < L judex, a judge, lit., one who points out the right < jus, law + dicere, to say, point out: see JURY¹ & DICTION]
judge advocate pl. judge advocates a military legal officer; esp., an officer designated to act as prosecutor at a court-martial
judge advocate general pl. judge advocates general Æ the head officer of the legal section in the U.S. Army, Navy, or Air Force
judge-made (jûj´meid') •adj. made by judges or by their decisions, often, specif., through judicial interpretation which is thought of as circumventing legislative intent
Judges (jûj´iz) a book of the Bible telling the history of the Jews from the death of Joshua to the birth of Samuel: abbrev. Judg, Jgs, or Jud
judgeship (jûj´ship') •n. the position, functions, or term of office of a judge
judgmatic (jûj mæt´ik) •adj. [Colloq.] discerning; judicious Also judg·mat´i·cal [< JUDG(E) + (DOG)MATIC]
judgment (jûj´mэnt) •n. 1 the act of judging; deciding 2 a legal decision; order, decree, or sentence given by a judge or law court 3 a) a debt or other obligation resulting from a court order b) a document recording this obligation 4 a misfortune looked on as a punishment from God 5 an opinion or estimate 6 criticism or censure 7 the ability to come to opinions about things; power of comparing and deciding; understanding; good sense 8 Bible justice; right 9 [J-] short for LAST JUDGMENT Also sp. judge´ment [ME jugement < OFr < ML judicamentum < L judicare: see JUDGE, vt., vi.]
Judgment Day Theol. the time of God's final judgment of all people; end of the world; doomsday
judgmental (jûj ment´ªl) •adj. 1 of or having to do with the exercise of judgment 2 making or tending to make judgments as to value, importance, etc., often specif., judgments considered to be lacking in tolerance, compassion, objectivity, etc.
judicable (ju:´di kэ bэl) •adj. 1 that can be judged 2 liable to be judged [LL judicabilis < L judicatus, pp. of judicare: see JUDGE, vt., vi.]
judicative (-keit'iv, -kэ tiv) •adj. judging; judicial [< L judicatus, pp. of judicare (see JUDICABLE) + -IVE]
judicatory (-kэ tör'i:) •adj. having to do with administering justice; judging •n. pl. -ries [LL judicatorium] 1 a court of law; tribunal 2 the system of administration of justice 3 law courts collectively [LL(Ec) judicatorius < L judicatus: see JUDICATIVE]
judicature (-kэ chэr) •n. 1 the administering of justice 2 the position, functions, or legal power of a judge 3 the extent of legal power of a judge or court of law; jurisdiction 4 a court of law 5 judges or courts of law collectively [MFr < ML judicatura < L judicare: see JUDGE, vt., vi.]
judicial (ju: dish´эl) •adj. 1 of judges, law courts, or their functions 2 allowed, enforced, or set by order of a judge or law court 3 administering justice 4 like or befitting a judge 5 carefully considering the facts, arguments, etc., and reasoning to a decision; fair; unbiased ju·di´cial·ly •adv. [OFr < L judicialis < judex: see JUDGE]
judiciary (ju: dish´i: er'i:; -dish´эr i:, -i: э ri:) •adj. of judges, law courts, or their functions •n. pl. -ar'ies 1 the part of government whose work is the administration of justice 2 a system of law courts 3 judges collectively [L judiciarius < judicium, judgment, court of justice < judex: see JUDGE]
judicious (-dish´эs) •adj. having, applying, or showing sound judgment; wise and careful ju·di´cious·ly •adv. ju·di´cious·ness •n. [Fr judicieux < L judicium, judgment < judex: see JUDGE]
Judith (ju:´diθ) 1 a feminine name: dim. Judy 2 a) a Jewish woman who saved her people by killing Holofernes b) a book of the Apocrypha telling her story (abbrev. Jdt or Jud) [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Ioudith < Heb yehūdhīth, fem. of yehūdhāh, JUDAH]
judo (ju:´dou) •n. a form of jujitsu developed as a sport and as a means of self-defense without the use of weapons [Jpn jūdo < jū, soft + dō, way]
judoka (ju:´dou kä') •n. one who performs, or is expert in, judo [Jpn < jūdō (see JUDO) + -ka, expert]
Judy (ju:d´i:) 1 a feminine name: see JUDITH 2 Punch's wife in a puppet show: see PUNCH-AND-JUDY SHOW
jug band a kind of small string band or jazz band using simple instruments, as guitars, harmonicas, and kazoos, and makeshift ones, as washtubs, empty jugs, etc. [from the jug used to produce bass notes by blowing across the opening]
jug wine inexpensive wine sold in jugs or large bottles
jug¹ (jûg) •n. a sound meant to imitate a nightingale's note •vi. jugged, jug´ging to make a nightingale's sound or a sound imitating this [echoic]
jug² (jûg) •n. 1 a) a container for liquids, usually large and deep with a small opening at the top and a handle b) the contents of such a container 2 [Slang] a jail 3 [Slang] a bottle of whiskey •vt. jugged, jug´ging 1 to put into a jug 2 to stew (esp. hare) in a covered earthenware container 3 [Slang] to jail jug´ful' (-ful') •n. [apparently a pet form of JUDITH or JOAN]
jugal (ju:´gэl) •adj. designating or of a bone of the upper cheek [L jugalis < jugum, a YOKE: cf. ZYGOMA]
jugate (ju:´git, -geit') •adj. Biol. paired or connected [L jugatus, pp. of jugare, to yoke, connect < jugum, YOKE]
Juggernaut (jûg´эr nöt') an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, whose idol, it was formerly supposed, so excited his worshipers when it was hauled along on a large car during religious rites that they threw themselves under the wheels and were crushed •n. [usually j-] 1 anything that exacts blind devotion or terrible sacrifice 2 any terrible, irresistible force [altered < Hindi Jagannāth < Sans Jagannātha, lord of the world < jagat, world + nātha, lord]
juggle (jûg´эl) -gled, -gling •vt. 1 to perform skillful tricks of sleight of hand with (balls, knives, etc.) as by keeping a number of them in the air continuously 2 to make several awkward attempts to catch or hold (a ball, etc.) 3 to manipulate or practice trickery on so as to deceive or cheat {to juggle figures so as to show a profit} •vi. to toss up a number of ball, knives, etc. and keep them continuously in the air •n. 1 an act of juggling 2 a clever trick or deception jug·gler (jûg´lэr) •n. [ME jogelen < OFr jogler, to juggle, play false < ML jogulari, to play, entertain < L joculari, to joke < joculus, dim. of jocus, JOKE]
jugglery (jûg´lэr i:) pl. -gler·ies •n. 1 the art or act of juggling; sleight of hand 2 trickery; deception [ME jugelri < OFr jogelerie]
jughead (jûg´hed') •n. [Slang] a foolish or stupid person
Jugoslavia (yu:'gou slä´vi: э) alt. sp. of YUGOSLAVIA Ju´go·slav' (-släv') or Ju'go·sla´vi·an •adj., n. Ju'go·slav´ic •adj.
jugular (jûg´yu: lэr, -yэ-; ju:g´-; often jûg´lэr) •adj. 1 of the neck or throat 2 of a jugular vein 3 Zool. of or having ventral fins in front of the pectoral, under the throat •n. JUGULAR VEIN go for the jugular [Colloq.] to be utterly ruthless, as with an opponent [LL jugularis < L jugulum, collarbone, neck, throat, dim. of jugum, a YOKE]
jugular vein either of two large veins in the neck carrying blood back from the head to the heart
jugulate (ju:´gyu: leit', -gyэ-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 [Now Rare] to kill by cutting the throat 2 Med. to use extreme measures in arresting (a disease) [L jugulatus, pp. of jugulare < jugulum: see JUGULAR]
jugum (ju:´gэm) pl. -ga (-gэ) •n.or -gums a special process on the forewings of some insects by means of which the forewings and hind wings are hooked together during flight [ModL < L, YOKE]
Jugurtha (ju: gør´θэ) died 104 B.C.; king of Numidia (c. 112-104 B.C.)
juice (ju:s) •n. 1 the liquid part of a plant, fruit, or vegetable 2 a liquid in or from animal tissue {gastric juice, meat juices} 3 the essence of anything 4 [Colloq.] energy; vitality Æ 5 [Slang] a) electricity b) gasoline, oil, or any liquid fuel Æ 6 [Slang] alcoholic liquor: often with the Æ 7 [Slang] exorbitant interest charged on a loan 8 [Slang] power or influence •vt. juiced, juic´ing Æ to extract juice from •vi. [Slang] to drink alcoholic beverages, esp. to excess Æ juice up to add power, vigor, energy, etc. or interest, excitement, etc. to juice´less •adj. [ME juis < OFr jus < L, broth, juice < IE *yūs- < base *yeu-, to mix > Gr zyme, leaven]
juiced (ju:st) •adj. drunk; intoxicated
juicer (ju:´sэr) •n. 1 a device or appliance for extracting juice from fruit 2 [Slang] an excessive drinker of alcoholic beverages
juicy (ju:´si:) juic´i·er, juic´i·est •adj. 1 full of juice; containing much juice; succulent 2 [Colloq.] full of interest, as a racy story or bit of gossip; piquant; spicy 3 [Colloq.] highly profitable {a juicy contract} juic´i·ly •adv. juic´i·ness •n.
jujitsu (ju: jit´su:') •n. a Japanese system of wrestling in which knowledge of anatomy and the principle of leverage are applied so that the strength and weight of an opponent are used against him or her [Jpn jū-jutsu, lit., soft art < jū, soft, pliant + jutsu, art]
juju (ju:´ju:') •n. 1 a magic charm or fetish used by some West African tribes 2 its magic [Hausa, an evil spirit, fetish]
jujube (ju:´ju:b'; for 3, often ju:´ju: bi:') •n. 1 the edible, datelike fruit of any of several trees and shrubs (genus Zizyphus) of the buckthorn family, growing in warm climates 2 a tree or shrub bearing this fruit 3 a fruit-flavored, jellylike lozenge or gumdrop [Fr < ML jujuba < L zizyphum < Gr zizyphon]
jujutsu (ju: jit´su:', -jût´-) •n. JUJITSU
juke (ju:k) juked, juk´ing •vi., vt. [Slang] Sports to outmaneuver by a feint or other deceptive movement [orig. uncert.]
jukebox (ju:k´bäks') •n. a coin-operated record player used in restaurants, bars, etc.: a record is chosen by pushing a button: also juke box [Gullah juke, wicked, disorderly (as in juke-house, house of prostitution), of WAfr orig.]
Jul July
julep (ju:´lэp) •n. Æ 1 MINT JULEP 2 a mixture of water with syrup or sugar, as for drinking along with, or after taking, medicine [ME < MFr < Ar julāb < Pers gulāb < gul, rose + āb, water]
Jules (ju:lz) a masculine name: see JULIUS
Julia (ju:l´yэ) a feminine name: dim. Juliet; equiv. Fr. & Ger. Julie, It. Giulia [L, fem. of Julius: see JULIUS]
Julian (ju:l´yэn, -i: эn) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jule; equiv. Fr. Julien, It. Giuliano; fem. Juliana 2 (L. name Flavius Claudius Julianus) A.D. 331-363; Rom. general: emperor of Rome (A.D. 361-363): called Julian the Apostate [L Julianus < Julius: see JULIUS]
Julian Alps SE range of the Alps, mostly in Slovenia: highest peak, 9,395 ft. (2,863 m)
Julian calendar the calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C., in which the ordinary year had 365 days: the months were the same as in the Gregorian, or New Style, calendar now used
Juliana (ju:'li: æn´э; for 2, Du yü´li: å´nэ) 1 a feminine name: equiv. Fr. Julienne, It. Giuliana 2 (born Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina) 1909- ; queen of the Netherlands (1948-80): daughter of Wilhelmina [L, fem. of prec.]
Julie (ju:´li:) a feminine name: see JULIA
julienne (ju:´li: en´; Fr zhü lyen´) •n. a clear soup containing vegetables cut into strips or bits •adj. Cooking cut into thin strips: said of vegetables, cheese, cold meats, etc.: also ju'li·enned´ (-end´) [Fr, prob. < Julienne, JULIANA; reason for name unknown]
Juliet (ju:´li: et', -it; ju:'li: et´; ju:l´yit) 1 a feminine name: see JULIA 2 the heroine of Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet: see ROMEO [Fr Juliette, dim. < L Julia]
Juliet cap a woman's small, brimless cap, worn usually on the back of the head: often a part of bridal attire
Julius (ju:l´yэs, -i: эs) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jule, Julie; equiv. Fr. Jules, It. Giulio, Sp. Julio; fem. Julia 2 Julius II (born Giuliano della Rovere) 1443-1513; pope (1503-13) [L, name of a Roman gens]
Julius Caesar see CAESAR, (Gaius) Julius
Jullundur (jûl´эn dэr) city in N India, in Punjab state: pop. 406,000
July (ju lai´, ju:-, jэ-) pl. -lies´ •n. the seventh month of the year, having 31 days: abbrev. Jul, Jl, Jy, or J [ME Julie < Anglo-Fr < L Julius < mensis Julius, the month of (Gaius) Julius CAESAR]
jumble¹ (jûm´bэl) •n. a kind of cookie shaped like a ring Also sp. jum´bal [< ? OFr jumel, gemel (Fr jumeau), twin: see GIMBALS]
jumble² (jûm´bэl) -bled, -bling •vt. 1 to mix in a confused, disorderly heap 2 to confuse mentally •vi. to be jumbled •n. 1 a confused mixture or heap 2 a muddle 3 [Brit.] RUMMAGE SALE: in full jumble sale SYN. CONFUSION [? blend of JUMP + TUMBLE]
jumbo (jûm´bou) pl. -bos •n. a very large person, animal, or thing •adj. very large; larger than usual of its kind [< Gullah jamba, elephant; of Afr orig.: reinforced by P(hineas) T(aylor) BARNUM's use of it for his famous elephant, Jumbo]
Jumna (jûm´nэ) river in N India, flowing from the Himalayas southwest into the Ganges in SE Uttar Pradesh state: 860 mi. (1,384 km)
jump (jûmp) •vi. 1 to move oneself suddenly from the ground, etc. by using the leg muscles; leap; spring 2 to be moved with a jerk; bob; bounce 3 to parachute from an aircraft 4 to move, act, or react energetically or eagerly: often with at 5 to move suddenly and involuntarily, as from fright, surprise, etc. 6 to pass suddenly from one thing or topic to another 7 to rise suddenly {prices have jumped} 8 to break in continuity of action, as a motion-picture image, because of faulty alignment of the film 9 [Slang] to be lively and animated {the party was jumping} 10 Bridge to make a jump bid Æ 11 Checkers to move a piece over an opponent's piece, thus capturing it 12 Comput. to continue at an instruction in another part of the program by means of a JUMP (n. 12) •vt. 1 a) to leap over b) to pass over; skip 2 to cause to leap {to jump a horse over a fence} Æ 3 to advance (a person) to a higher rank or position, esp. by bypassing intervening ranks Æ 4 to leap upon; spring aboard 5 to cause (prices, etc.) to rise suddenly Æ 6 to bypass (an electrical component, esp. a weak battery on a vehicle) 7 [Colloq.] to attack suddenly as from hiding 8 [Colloq.] to react to prematurely, in anticipation {to jump a traffic light} Æ 9 [Slang] to leave suddenly or without permission {to jump town, jump ship} 10 Bridge to raise (the bid) by making a jump bid Æ 11 Checkers to capture (an opponent's piece) by jumping 12 Journalism to continue (a story) on another page •n. 1 a jumping; leap; bound; spring 2 a distance jumped 3 a descent from an aircraft by parachute 4 a thing to be jumped over or from, as on a ski jump 5 a sudden transition 6 a sudden rise, as in prices 7 a sudden, nervous start or jerk; twitch 8 [pl.] [Slang] chorea; also, delirium tremens: usually with the 9 Athletics a contest in jumping {the high jump, the long jump} 10 Bridge JUMP BID Æ 11 Checkers a move by which an opponent's piece is jumped and captured 12 Comput. a program instruction that causes an instruction in another part of the program to be the next executed 13 Journalism a line telling on, or from, what page a story is continued: also jump line Æ adj. 1 designating or of a style of jazz music characterized by recurrent short riffs and a strong, fast beat 2 of or for parachuting or paratroops Æ get (or have) the jump on [Slang] to get (or have) an earlier start than and thus have an advantage over Æ jump a claim to seize mining rights or land claimed by someone else jump at to accept hastily and eagerly Æ jump bail to forfeit one's bail by running away Æ jump in with both feet to enter into an activity or venture wholeheartedly jump off [Mil. Slang] to start an attack jump on (or all over) [Slang] to scold; censure severely Æ jump rope to exercise or play a game with a jump-rope Æ jump the track to go suddenly off the rails jump to conclusions to make a hasty judgment on the jump [Colloq.] busily moving about [< ?]
jump ball Basketball a ball tossed by the referee between two opposing players who must tip it to a teammate, as in beginning play
jump bid Bridge a bid that is higher than is necessary to surpass the previous bid
jump seat a small folding seat, as one behind the front seat of a limousine, taxi, etc.
jump shot Basketball a shot in which the player faces the basket, usually at some distance from it, and jumps straight up
jump-cut (jûmp´kût') •n. Film an abrupt change from one shot, scene, or sequence to another, caused by the absence of transitional action, effects, etc. •vi. -cut', -cut'ting to make or use a jump-cut
jumped-up (jûmpt´ûp´) •adj. [Brit. Colloq.] having recently gained wealth, power, success, etc. and regarded as behaving presumptuously, aggressively, etc.
jumper cables a pair of long, thick, insulated electrical wires with large, clamplike terminals: used to start a motor vehicle's engine by connecting its dead battery to a live battery
jumper¹ (jûmp´эr) •n. 1 a person, animal, or thing that jumps Æ 2 a kind of sled 3 a short wire to close a break in, or cut out part of, a circuit, or to make a temporary electrical connection Æ 4 Basketball JUMP SHOT 5 Mining a boring tool that operates with an up-and-down jumping motion
jumper² (jûmp´эr) •n. 1 a loose jacket or blouse; specif., a) one worn by workmen to protect clothing b) one with a wide collar hanging down in back, worn by sailors 2 a sleeveless dress for wearing over a blouse or sweater Æ 3 [pl.] rompers: see ROMPER (sense 2) [< earlier dial. jump, short coat, prob. altered (infl. by JUMP) < Fr jupe (? via Sp aljuba, Moorish garment) < Ar al jubbah < al, the + jubbah, JUBBAH]
jumping bean the seed of any of several Mexican plants (esp. genus Sebastiana) of the spurge family, containing the larvae of a small moth (Cydia saltitans), which by its movements makes the seed jump or roll about
jumping jack 1 a child's toy consisting of a little jointed figure made to jump or dance by pulling a string or pushing an attached stick 2 an exercise in which one repeatedly jumps from a standing position, with the feet together and the arms at the sides, to a position in which the feet are apart and the hands touch overhead, and then jumps back again
jumping mouse any of various small North American and Asiatic rodents (family Zapodidae) with large hind legs and a long tail
jumping-off place (jûm´piŋ öf´) 1 any isolated or remote place regarded as the outmost limit of human habitation 2 the starting point for a trip or venture
jump-rope (jûmp´roup') •n. 1 a length of rope, usually with handles on each end, that is swung over the head and then under the feet as one jumps 2 a child's game or an exercise using such a rope Also jump rope
jump-start (jûmp´stärt') •vt. to start (the engine of a motor vehicle) by using jumper cables, or by pushing the vehicle and then suddenly releasing the clutch when the vehicle has begun to roll •n. the act of starting in such a way
jumpsuit (jûmp´su:t) •n. 1 a coverall worn by paratroops, garage mechanics, etc. 2 a lounging outfit somewhat like this
jumpy (jûm´pi:) jump´i·er, jump´i·est •adj. 1 moving in jumps, jerks, or abrupt variations 2 easily startled 3 nervous or apprehensive jump´i·ly •adv. jump´i·ness •n.
Jun 1 June 2 junior: also jun
junc junction
junco (jûŋ´kou') pl. -cos' •n. Æ any of a genus (Junco, family Emberizidae) of passerine birds of North America with a gray or black head and white outer tail feathers [ModL < Sp junco, a rush < L juncus: see JONQUIL]
junction (jûŋk´shэn) •n. 1 a joining or being joined 2 a place or point of joining or crossing, as of highways or railroads 3 a region within a single-crystal semiconductor body separating two types of material differing in impurity characteristics: when connections are made to a body containing such a junction, a semiconductor diode or transistor (junction translator) is produced junc´tion·al •adj. [L junctio < jungere, to JOIN]
juncture (jûŋk´chэr) •n. 1 a joining or being joined 2 a point or line of joining or connection; joint, as of two bones, or seam 3 a point of time 4 a particular or critical moment in the development of events; crisis 5 a state of affairs 6 Linguis. the transition from one speech sound to the next, either within a word, as between (t) and (r) in nitrate (close juncture), or marking the boundaries between words, as between (t) and (r) in night rate (open juncture) [L junctura < jungere, to JOIN]
June (ju:n) a feminine name •n. the sixth month of the year, having 30 days: abbrev. Jun, Ju, Je, or J [OFr < L Junius < mensis Junius, the month of Juno]
June bug Æ 1 any of several large, scarab beetles (genus Phyllophaga) appearing in May or June in the N U.S.: also June beetle Æ 2 FIGEATER
Juneau (ju:´nou') capital of Alas.: seaport on the SE coast: pop. 27,000 [after J. Juneau, a prospector]
Juneberry (ju:n´ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 any of a genus (Amelanchier) of trees and shrubs of the rose family, with white flowers, small, purple-black fruits, and simple leaves 2 the fruit
Jung (yuŋ), Carl Gus·tav (gus´täf') 1875-1961; Swiss psychologist & psychiatrist Jung´i·an •adj., n.
Junggar Pendi (zhuŋ´gär' pen´di:) region in N Xinjiang-Uygur, China, between the Tian Shan & the Altai Mountains
jungle (jûŋ´gэl) •n. 1 land covered with dense growth of trees, tall vegetation, vines, etc., typically in tropical regions, and inhabited by predatory animals 2 any confused, tangled growth, collection, etc. Æ 3 [Slang] a hobos' camp Æ 4 [Slang] a place or situation in which people engage in ruthless competition or in a struggle for survival jun´gly •adj. [Hindi jangal, desert forest, jungle < Sans jangala, wasteland, desert]
jungle fever any of several diseases of tropical regions; esp., a severe malarial fever of the East Indies
jungle fowl any of several Asian gallinaceous birds (genus Gallus, family Phasianidae), having combs and throat wattles: the red Indian species (G. gallus) is regarded as the ancestor of the present-day domestic chicken