Isa or Is Bible Isaiah

Isaac (ai´zэk) 1 a masculine name: dim. Ike 2 Bible one of the patriarchs, son of Abraham and Sarah, and father of Jacob and Esau: Gen. 21:3 [LL(Ec) Isaacus < Gr(Ec) Isaak < Heb yitshāq, lit., laughter: see Gen. 17:17]

Isabel (iz´э bel') a feminine name: dim. Bel; var. Isabelle, Isabella [Sp, prob. an alteration of Elizabeth]

Isabella (iz'э bel´э) 1 a feminine name: dim. Bella: see ISABEL 2 Isabella I 1451-1504; wife of Ferdinand V & queen of Castile (1474-1504): gave help to Columbus in his expedition: called Isabella of Castile 3 Isabella II 1830-1904; queen of Spain (1833-68): deposed [It]

Isabelle (iz´э bel') a feminine name: dim. Belle: see ISABEL [Fr]

isacoustic (ai'sэ ku:s´tik) •adj. of or having to do with equal intensity of sound [IS- + ACOUSTIC]

Isadora (iz'э dör´э) a feminine name: see ISIDORE [var. of Gr Isidōra: see ISIDORE]

isagoge (ai´sэ gou'ji:) •n. an introduction, as to a branch of study i'sa·gog´ic (-gäj´ik) •adj. [L < Gr eisagōgē < eisagein, to lead in, introduce < eis-, into + agein, to lead: see ACT]

isagogics (ai'sэ gäj´iks) •n.pl. introductory study; esp., the study of the literary history of the Bible, considered as introductory to the study of Bible interpretation [see ISAGOGE & -ICS]

Isaiah (ai zei´э; chiefly Brit, -zai-) 1 a masculine name 2 Bible a) a Hebrew prophet of the 8th cent. B.C. b) the book containing his teachings (abbrev. Is or Isa) [LL(Ec) Isaias < Gr(Ec) Ēsaias < Heb yĕsha yah, lit., God is salvation]

isallobar (ais æl´ou bär', -æl´э-) •n. a line on a weather map connecting places having an equal change of barometric pressure over a given period [< IS- + ALLO- + (ISO)BAR]

isatin (ai´sэ tin) •n. a reddish-orange, crystalline compound, C8H5NO2, produced by the oxidation of indigo and used in making dyes [< L isatis, variety of herb (< Gr isatis, woad) + -IN¹]

ISBN International Standard Book Number

Iscariot (is ker´i: эt) see JUDAS (sense 1) [LL(Ec) Iscariota < Gr(Ec) Iskariōtēs < ? Heb īsh-qĕrīyōth, man of Kerioth (town in Palestine)]

ischemia (is ki:´mi: э) •n. a lack of blood supply in an organ or tissue is·che´mic •adj. [ModL < Gr ischaimos, stanching blood (< ischein, to hold + haima, blood: see SCHEME & HEMO-) + -IA]

ischium (is´ki: эm) pl. -chi·a (-э) •n. the lowermost of the three sections of the innominate bone; bone on which the body rests when sitting is´chi·al, is'chi·ad´ic, or is'chi·at´ic •adj. [L < Gr ischion, hip, hip joint]

-ise (aiz) suffix chiefly Brit. sp. of -IZE

iseikonia (ai'sai kou´ni: э) •n. a condition in which the size of the image is the same in both eyes: opposed to ANISEIKONIA is'ei·kon´ic •adj.

Iseult (i su:lt´) ISOLDE [Fr]

Isfahan (is'fä hän´) var. of ESFAHÁN

-ish (ish) suffix 1 forming adjectives [ME < OE -isc, akin to Ger -isch, L -iscus, Gr -iskos] a) of or belonging to (a specified nation or people) {Spanish, Irish} b) like or characteristic of {devilish, boyish} c) tending to be or verging on being (a specified person or thing) {knavish} d) somewhat, rather {tallish, bluish} e) [Colloq.] approximately, about {thirtyish}2 forming verbs: it was generalized from certain verbs of French origin {finish, cherish, punish} [ME -ishen, -ischen, -issen < OFr -iss-, -is-, stem element in pres. tense < L -isc-, in inceptive verbs]

Isherwood (ish´эr wud), Christopher (William Bradshaw) 1904-86; U.S. writer, born in England

Ishmael (ish´mei эl) the son of Abraham and Hagar: he and his mother were made outcasts: Gen. 2l:9-21 •n. an outcast [LL(Ec) Ismaël < Heb yishmāē'l, lit., God hears]

Ishmaelite (-mei'эl ait') •n. 1 a descendant of Ishmael, the traditional progenitor of Arab peoples 2 an outcast Ish'ma·el·it´ish •adj.

Ishtar (ish´tär') Bab. & Assyr. Myth. the goddess of love, fertility, and war [Assyr-Bab < Akkadian, var. of Ash-dar: see ASHTORETH]

Isidore of Seville , Saint (L. Isidorus Hispalensis) c. A.D. 560-636; Sp. bishop & scholar: his day is April 4

Isidore or Isidor (iz´э dör') a masculine name: dim. Izzy; var. Isadore, Isador; fem. Isadora [< Ger Isdor or Fr Isidore, both < L Isidorus < Gr Isidōros < Isis + dōron, gift; hence, lit., gift of Isis]

isinglass (ai´zin glæs'; also, -ziŋ-) •n. 1 a form of gelatin prepared from the internal membranes of fish bladders: it is used as a clarifying agent and adhesive 2 mica, esp. in thin sheets [prob. altered < MDu huizenblas, lit., sturgeon bladder < huizen, sturgeon + blas, bladder]

Isis¹ (ai´sis) Egypt. Myth. the goddess of fertility, sister and wife of Osiris, usually represented with a cow's horns surrounding a solar (or lunar) disk [L < Gr]

Isis² (ai´sis) Eng. name of the THAMES River, esp. at, & west of, Oxford

Iskenderun (is ken´dэ ru:n') seaport in S Turkey, on the Mediterranean: pop. 125,000

isl 1 island 2 isle

Islam (is´läm', iz´-; -lэm, -læm'; is läm´, iz-) •n. 1 the Muslim religion, a monotheistic religion in which the supreme deity is Allah and the chief prophet and founder is Mohammed 2 Muslims collectively 3 all the lands in which the Muslim religion predominates Is·lam´ic (-läm´ik, -læm´-) or Is'lam·it´ic (-lэ mit´ik) •adj. Is´lam·ism' •n. Is´lam·ite' (-lэm ait') •n. [Ar islām, lit., submission (to God's will) < salama, to be resigned]

Islamabad (is läm´э bäd') capital of Pakistan, in the NE part, near Rawalpindi: pop. 201,000

Islamize (is´lэm aiz', iz´-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. to convert or conform to, or bring within, Islam Is'lam·i·za´tion •n.

island (ai´lэnd) •n. 1 a land mass not as large as a continent, surrounded by water 2 anything like an island in position or isolation; specif., a structure above the flight deck of an aircraft carrier containing the bridge, radar, etc. 3 short for: a) TRAFFIC ISLAND b) SAFETY ISLAND (see SAFETY ZONE) 4 Anat. a tissue or cluster of cells differing from surrounding tissue in formation, etc. •vt. 1 to make into or like an island; isolate 2 to intersperse with or as with islands {a prairie islanded with wooded tracts} [< ME iland (respelled by assoc. with unrelated ISLE) < OE igland, iegland, lit., island land & ealand, lit., water land < ig, ieg, isle (akin to Ger aue, ON ey < PGmc *aujo, akin to *ahwo) & ea, water < PGmc *ahwo, water < IE *akwa > L aqua: see LAND]

island universe old name for EXTERNAL GALAXY

islander (-эr) •n. a native or inhabitant of an island

Islands of the Blessed Gr. & Rom. Myth. the islands of bliss in the Western Ocean, where heroes are sent after death

isle (ail) •n. an island, esp. a small island •vt. isled, isl´ing ISLAND •vi. to live on an isle [ME ile < OFr ile, earlier isle < ML isla, contr. < L insula < ? (terra) in salo, (land) in the sea < salum, sea: the form isle became general in the Renaissance, infl. by L insula]

Isle of France ÎLE-DE-FRANCE

Isle Royale (roi´эl) island in N Lake Superior: it is part of the State of Mich. and, with adjacent islets, constitutes a U.S. national park (Isle Royale National Park), 842 sq. mi. (2,180 sq. km) [Fr, lit., royal island]

islet (ai´lit) •n. a very small island [OFr, dim. of isle, ISLE]

islets (or islands) of Langerhans (läŋ´эr häns') irregular groups of endocrine cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin: their degeneration may cause diabetes mellitus [after P. Langerhans (1847-88), Ger histologist]

Islington (iz´liŋ tэn) borough of N Greater London: pop. 165,200

ism (iz'эm) •n. a doctrine, theory, system, etc., esp. one whose name ends in -ism [< fol.]

-ism (iz´эm) suffix forming nouns 1 the act, practice, or result of {terrorism} 2 the condition of being {pauperism} 3 action, conduct, or qualities characteristic of {patriotism} 4 the doctrine, school, theory, or principle of {cubism, socialism} 5 devotion to {nationalism} 6 an instance, example, or peculiarity of {Gallicism, witticism} 7 an abnormal condition caused by {alcoholism} [ME -isme < OFr & L -isma (< Gr) & -ismus (< Gr -ismos): orig. suffix of action or of state, forming nouns from verbs in L -izare, Gr -izein]

Ismailia (is'mä i: li:´ä) city in NE Egypt: pop. 146,000

Ismailian (is'mei il´i: эn) •n. any member of a Shiite sect of Muslims holding that the office of imam should have gone to the descendant of Jafar's elder son Ismail (died A.D. 760) when Jafar, the sixth imam, died in A.D. 765 Also Is'ma·e´li·an (-i: li:-)

isn't (iz´эnt) is not

iso- (ai´sou, -sэ) combining form 1 equal, similar, alike, identical {isomorph} 2 isomeric {isoalloxazine} [< Gr isos, equal]

isoagglutination (ai'sou э glu:t'ªn ei´shэn) •n. the clumping of the red blood cells of an individual by the blood serum of another member of the same species

isoagglutinin (-э glu:t´ªn in) •n. a substance in the blood that causes isoagglutination [ISO- + AGGLUTININ]

isoalloxazine (-э läks´э zi:n') •n. FLAVIN (sense 1) [ISO- + alloxazine < Ger alloxan (< all(antoin) + ox(alsäure) + -an, -ANE) + AZINE]

isoantibody (-æn´ti bäd'i:) pl. -bod'ies •n. an antibody in one individual for cells or proteins of some other members of the same species

isoantigen (-æn´tэ jэn) •n. an antigen derived from one member of a species that can cause the production of antibodies in some other members of the same species

isobar (ai´sou bär', -sэ-) •n. 1 a line on a map connecting points having equal barometric pressure at a given reference altitude, commonly sea level, over a given period or at a given time 2 any atom that has the same atomic weight (or mass number) as another atom but a different atomic number, as carbon-14 and nitrogen-14 i'so·bar´ic (-bær´ik) •adj. [< ISO- + Gr baros, weight]

isobath (-bæθ') •n. a contour line on a map connecting points of equal depth in a body of water or below the earth's surface i'so·bath´ic •adj. [< ISO- + Gr bathos, depth]

isobutylene (ai'sou byu:t´ªl i:n', -sэ-) •n. a colorless, volatile liquid, (CH3)2C:CH2, obtained from gases in petroleum cracking: it polymerizes readily and is used in making synthetic rubber and resins Also i'so·bu´tene' (-byu:´ti:n')

isocheim (ai´sou kaim', -sэ-) •n. a line on a map connecting points on the earth's surface that have the same mean winter temperature i'so·chei´mal •adj. [< ISO- + Gr cheima, winter: see HIBERNATE]

isochor or isochore (ai´sou kör', -sэ-) •n. Physics a line on a graph representing the parallel changes in pressure and temperature of something whose volume remains constant i'so·chor´ic •adj. [< ISO- + Gr chōra, a place < IE base *ghēi-, to be empty > OE gad, lack]

isochromatic (ai'sou krou mæt´ik, -sэ-) •adj. 1 Optics having the same color: said of lines or curves in figures formed by interfering light waves from biaxial crystals 2 ORTHOCHROMATIC [ISO- + CHROMATIC]

isochronal (ai säk´rэ nэl) •adj. 1 equal in length of time 2 occurring at equal intervals of time Also i·soch´ro·nous i·soch´ro·nal·ly •adv. i·soch´ro·nism •n. [< ModL isochronus < Gr isochronos < isos, equal + chronos, time + -AL]

isochroous (ai säk´rou эs) •adj. having the same color in every part [ISO- + -CHROOUS]

isoclinal (ai'sou klai´nэl, -sэ-) •adj. 1 of similar or equal inclination or dip 2 connecting or showing points on the earth's surface having equal magnetic inclination or dip {isoclinal lines on a map} 3 Geol. dipping in the same direction: said of strata Also i'so·clin´ic (-klin´ik) •n. an isoclinal line i'so·cli´nal·ly •adv. [< ISO- + Gr klinein, to slope (see LEAN¹) + -AL]

isocline (ai´sou klain', -sэ-) •n. 1 an anticline or syncline so compressed that the strata on both sides of the axis dip with equal inclination in the same direction 2 an isoclinal line [see ISOCLINAL]

isocracy (ai säk´rэ si:) pl. -cies •n. a system of government in which all persons have equal political power [Gr isokratia: see ISO- & -CRACY]

Isocrates (ai säk´rэ ti:z') 436-338 B.C.; Athenian orator & rhetorician

isocyanate (ai'sou sai´э neit', -sэ-) •n. any of various compounds containing the group N:C:O, used in making resins and adhesives [see ISOCYANINE & -ATE²]

isocyanine (-ni:n', -nin) •n. any of a group of quinoline dyes used in sensitizing photographic plates and films [ISO- + CYANINE]

isocyclic (-sai´klik, -sik´lik) •adj. consisting of or being a ring of atoms of the same element [ISO- + CYCLIC]

isodiametric (-dai'э met´rik) •adj. having equal diameters or axes, as certain cells

isodimorphism (-dai mör´fiz'эm) •n. a similarity of crystalline structure between the two forms of two dimorphous substances i'so·di·mor´phous (-fэs) •adj.

isodose (ai´sou dous', -sэ-) •adj. designating or of points representing equal doses of radiation

isodynamic (ai'sou dai næm´ik, -sэ-) •adj. 1 of or having equal force 2 connecting or showing points on the earth's surface having equal magnetic intensity {isodynamic lines on a map}

isoelectric point (-i: lek´trik) the point, or pH value, at which a substance is neutral or has zero electric potential

isoelectronic (-e lek trän´ik) •adj. designating or of any of two or more atoms which have the same number of electrons around the nucleus and similar spectral and physical properties i'so·e'lec'tron´i·cal·ly •adv.

isogamete (-gæm´i:t', -gэ mi:t´) •n. a gamete not differentiated in size, structure, or function from another with which it unites: found in some protozoans, fungi, etc.: opposed to HETEROGAMETE i'so·ga·met´ic (-gэ met´ik) •adj.

isogamy (ai säg´э mi:) •n. reproduction by the uniting of isogametes i·sog´a·mous (-mэs) •adj. [ISO- + -GAMY]

isogenous (ai säj´э nэs) •adj. Biol. of the same origin; genetically uniform i·sog´e·ny (-ni:) •n. [ISO- + -GENOUS]

isogeotherm (ai'sou ji:´ou θørm') •n. an imaginary line or curved plane connecting points beneath the earth's surface that have the same average temperature i'so·ge'o·ther´mal •adj. [< ISO- + GEO- + Gr thermē, heat: see WARM]

isogloss (ai´sou glös', -sэ-) •n. Linguis. 1 a line of demarcation between regions differing in a particular feature of language, as on a point of pronunciation, vocabulary, etc. 2 such a line indicated on a map [< ISO- + Gr glōssa, tongue, speech: see GLOSS²]

isogonic (ai'sou gän´ik, -sэ-) •adj. 1 of or having equal angles 2 connecting or showing points on the earth's surface having the same magnetic declination {isogonic lines on a map} 3 of or having to do with isogony Also i·sog·o·nal (ai säg´э nэl) •n. an isogonic line [ISO- + -GON + -IC]

isogony (ai säg´э ni:) •n. equivalent growth of parts of an organism so that size remains proportionate to the whole [ISO- + -GONY]

isogram (ai´sou græm', -sэ-) •n. a line on a particular surface, as on a map, that represents a constant or equal value of a given quantity [ISO- + -GRAM]

isohel (ai´sou hel', -sэ-) •n. a line on a map connecting points having equal hours of sunshine in a standard period of time [< ISO- + Gr helios, SUN¹]

isohyet (ai'sou hai´эt, -sэ-) •n. a line on a map connecting points having equal amounts of precipitation during a given time period or for a particular storm i'so·hy´et·al •adj. [< ISO- + Gr hyetos, rain: see HYETO-]

isolate (ai´sэ leit'; occas. is´э-; for n., usually, -lit) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 to set apart from others; place alone 2 Chem. to separate (an element or compound) in pure form from substances with which it is combined or mixed 3 Med. to place (a patient) apart from others to prevent the spread of infection 4 Microbiol. to grow a pure culture of (a microbe), usually as individual colonies on a solid medium •adj. of or relating to someone or something that is set apart •n. 1 a person or group that is set apart 2 Psychol., Sociology a person who is separated from normal social activity, as through choice, rejection, psychological problems, etc. i´so·la·ble (-lэ bэl) •adj. i´so·la'tor •n. [back-form. < isolated < It isolato, pp. of isolare, to isolate < isola < L insula, island: see ISLE]

isolated point a separated or distant point of a set of points, as in graphing certain equations (e.g. y²=x²(x-¹) has many solutions that graphically form a curve but has one solution (0,0) that is isolated from this curve)

isolation (ai'sэ lei´shэn) •n. an isolating or being isolated SYN. SOLITUDE [Fr]

isolationist (-ist) •n. a person who believes in or advocates isolation; specif., one who opposes the involvement of a country in international alliances, agreements, etc. •adj. of isolationists or their policy i'so·la´tion·ism' •n.

Isolde (i soul´dэ; also i sould´; Ger i: zôl´dэ) Medieval Legend 1 the Irish princess betrothed to King Mark of Cornwall and loved by Tristram 2 the daughter of the king of Brittany, married to Tristram Also I·solt (i soult´) See TRISTRAM [Ger < OFr Isolt, Iseut < OHG Isold, prob. < is, ice + waltan, to rule, WIELD]

Isolette (ai'sэ let´) trademark for a kind of incubator for premature babies •n. [i-] such an incubator [arbitrary blend < ISOL(ATE) + (BASSIN)ET]

isoleucine (ai'sэ lu:´si:n', -sin) •n. an essential amino acid, CH3CH2CH(CH3)CH(NH2)COOH, an isomer of leucine, found in small amounts in most proteins: see AMINO ACID [ISO- + LEUCINE]

isoline (ai´sou lain', -sэ-) •n. ISOGRAM

isologous (ai säl´э gэs) •adj. 1 designating or of any of two or more chemical compounds of similar structure but consisting of different atoms of the same valence and usually of the same periodic group 2 designating or of a series formed by such compounds i´so·logue' or i´so·log' (-sэ lög') •n. [ISO- + (HOMO)LOGOUS]

isomagnetic (ai'sou mæg net´ik) •adj. 1 of equal magnetic force 2 connecting or showing points on the earth's surface having the same magnetic intensity {isomagnetic lines on a map} •n. an isomagnetic line

isomer (ai´sou mэr, -sэ-) •n. 1 Chem. any of two or more chemical compounds having the same constituent elements in the same proportion by weight but differing in physical or chemical properties because of differences in the structure of their molecules 2 Physics any of two or more nuclei possessing the same number of neutrons and protons, but existing in different energy states, and thus having different radioactive properties i'so·mer´ic (-mer´ik) •adj. i'so·mer´i·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr isomerēs, equally divided < isos, equal + meros, a part: see MERIT]

isomerism (ai säm´эr iz'эm) •n. the state or relation of isomers

isomerous (-эs) •adj. 1 having the same number of parts, markings, etc. 2 Bot. having the same number of parts in each whorl 3 ISOMERIC [ISO- + -MEROUS]

isometric (ai'sou met´rik, -sэ-) •adj. 1 of, indicating, or having equality of measure 2 CUBIC (sense 3) 3 of or having to do with isometrics •n. 1 a line, as on a chart, indicating changes of pressure or temperature at constant volume 2 [pl.] a method of physical exercise in which one set of muscles is tensed, for a period of seconds, in opposition to another set of muscles or to an immovable object Also i'so·met´ri·cal i'so·met´ri·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr isometros < isos, equal + metron, measure (see METER¹) + -IC]

isometric projection a method of drawing figures and maps so that three dimensions are shown not in perspective but foreshortened equally

isometropia (ai'sou mэ trou´pi: э, -sэ-) •n. the condition of being equal in refraction: said of the two eyes [ModL < ISO- + Gr metron, measure (see METER¹) + -OPIA]

isometry (ai säm´э tri:) •n. 1 equality of measure 2 Geog. equality of height above sea level [ISO- + -METRY]

isomorph (ai´sou mörf', -sэ-) •n. an organism, substance, or structure that exhibits isomorphism [ISO- + -MORPH]

isomorphic (ai'sou mör´fik, -sэ-) •adj. 1 having similar or identical structure or form 2 Biol., Chem. showing isomorphism Also i'so·mor´phous (-fэs)

isomorphism (-fiz'эm) •n. 1 Biol. a similarity in appearance or structure of organisms belonging to different species or races 2 Chem. an identity or close similarity in the crystalline form of substances usually containing different elements but having similar composition 3 Math. a one-to-one correspondence between two mathematical systems, sets, etc. that preserves the basic operations, as the correspondence between binary numbers and decimal numbers, each a set of real numbers [< prec. + -ISM]

isoniazid (ai´sou nai´э zid', -sэ-) •n. an antibacterial drug, C6H7N3O, used in treating and preventing tuberculosis [ISO- + NI(COTINIC) + (HYDR)AZ(INE) + -ID]

isonomy (ai sän´э mi:) •n. equality of laws, rights, or privileges [Gr isonomia: see ISO- & -NOMY]

isooctane (ai'sou äk´tein, -sэ-) •n. a liquid hydrocarbon, (CH3)2CHCH2C(CH3)3, used with normal heptane to prepare antiknock rating standards and arbitrarily assigned an octane rating of 100 [ISO- + OCTANE]

isopiestic (ai'sou pai es´tik, -sэ-) •adj. indicating equal pressure •n. ISOBAR [< ISO- + Gr piestos, compressible < piezein: see PIEZO-]

isopleth (ai sou pleθ', -sэ-) •n. the line connecting points on a graph or map that have equal or corresponding values with regard to certain variables [< Gr isoplēthēs, equal in number or quantity < isos, equal + plēthos, number, quantity]

isopod (-päd') •n. any of an order (Isopoda) of mostly aquatic malacostracan crustaceans with a flat, oval body and seven pairs of walking legs of similar size and form, each pair attached to a segment of the thorax •adj. of an isopod or the isopods Also i·sop·o·dan (ai säp´э dэn) [< ModL < ISO- + -POD]

isoprene (-pri:n') •n. a colorless, volatile liquid, CH2:C(CH3)CH:CH2, prepared by the dry distillation of raw rubber or synthetically: when heated with sodium or other substances it polymerizes to form a substance closely resembling natural rubber [coined (1860) by C. G. Williams (1829-1910), Brit chemist < ISO- + PR(OPYL) + -ENE]

isopropyl (ai'sou prou´pil) •n. the monovalent radical (CH3)2CH, an isomer of the monovalent propyl radical C3H7 [ISO- + PROPYL]

isosceles (ai säs´э li:z') •adj. Geom. designating a figure with two equal sides, esp. a triangle: see TRIANGLE, illus. [LL < Gr isoskelēs < isos, equal + skelos, a leg < IE base *(s)kel-, to bend > L calx, heel coluber, serpent]

isoseismal (ai'sou saiz´mэl, -sais´-) •adj. 1 of equal intensity of earthquake shock 2 connecting or showing points of such equal intensity on the earth's surface {isoseismal lines on a map} •n. an isoseismal line Also i'so·seis´mic [< ISO- + Gr seismos, earthquake (see SEISMIC) + -AL]

isosmotic (ais'äs mät´ik) •adj. ISOTONIC (sense 2) [IS(O)- + OSMOTIC]

isosporous (ai'sou spör´эs) •adj. HOMOSPOROUS

isostasy (ai säs´tэ si:) •n. 1 a condition in which there is equal pressure on every side 2 Geol. approximate equilibrium in large, equal areas of the earth's crust, preserved by the action of gravity upon the different substances in the crust in proportion to their densities i·so·stat·ic (ai'sou stæt´ik, -sэ-) •adj. [< ISO- + Gr stasis, a standing still: see STASIS]

isothere (ai´sou θir', -sэ-) •n. a line on a map connecting points on the earth's surface that have the same mean summer temperature i·soth·er·al (ai säθ´эr эl) •adj. [Fr isothère < iso- (see ISO-) + Gr theros, summer (see WARM)]

isotherm (-θørm') •n. 1 a line on a map connecting points on the earth's surface having the same mean temperature or the same temperature at a given time 2 a line representing changes of volume or pressure at constant temperature [Fr isotherme < iso-, ISO- + Gr thermē, heat < thermos, hot: see WARM]

isothermal (ai'sэ θør´mэl) •adj. 1 of or indicating equality or constancy of temperature 2 of or indicating changes of volume or pressure at constant temperature {an isothermal line} 3 of an isotherm or isotherms •n. ISOTHERM [Fr isotherme (see ISOTHERM) + -AL]

isotone (ai´sэ toun') •n. any atom that has the same number of neutrons as another atom but a different atomic number [ISO- + TONE]

isotonic (ai'sou tän´ik, -sэ-) •adj. 1 having equal tension 2 having the same osmotic pressure; esp., designating or of a salt solution having the same osmotic pressure as blood i'so·ton´i·cal·ly •adv. i'so·to·nic´i·ty (-tou nis´э ti:) •n. [< Gr isotonos (< isos, equal + tonos, a stretching: see TONE) + -IC]

isotope (ai´sэ toup') •n. any of two or more forms of an element having the same or very closely related chemical properties and the same atomic number but different atomic weights (or mass numbers) {U-235, U-238, and U-239 are three isotopes of uranium} i'so·top´ic (-täp´ik, -tou´pik) •adj. i'so·top´i·cal·ly •adv. i·sot·o·py (ai sät´э pi:, ais´э tou'pi:) •n. [< ISO- + Gr topos, place: see TOPIC]

isotropic (ai'sou träp´ik, -trou´pik; -sэ-) •adj. having physical properties, as conductivity, elasticity, etc., that are the same regardless of the direction of measurement: also i·sot·ro·pous (ai sä´trэ pэs) i·sot´ro·py (-pi:) •n. [ISO- + -TROPIC]

isozyme (ai´sou zaim') •n. an enzyme reacting the same as another enzyme but having a slightly different composition: also i·so·en·zyme (ai'sou en´zaim)

Israel (iz´ri: эl, -rei-; also iz´rэl) 1 a masculine name: dim. Izzy 2 Bible Jacob: so named after wrestling with the angel: Gen. 32:28 3 the Jewish people, as descendants of Jacob 4 ancient land of the Hebrews at the SE end of the Mediterranean 5 kingdom in the N part of this region, formed (10th cent. B.C.) by the ten tribes of Israel that broke with Judah & Benjamin 6 country between the Mediterranean Sea & Jordan: established (1948) as a Jewish state according to the United Nations plan (1947) partitioning Palestine into Arab and Jewish states: 7,992 sq. mi. (20,699 sq. km); pop. 4,208,000; cap. Jerusalem [OFr < LL(Ec) < Gr Israēl < Heb yisrael, lit., contender with God < sara, to wrestle + el, God]

Israeli (iz rei´li:) •n. a native or inhabitant of modern Israel •adj. of modern Israel or its people [ModHeb yisreeli < Heb: see ISRAEL]

Israelite (iz´ri: э lait', -rei-) •n. a member of the people of ancient Israel or their descendants; Hebrew •adj. of ancient Israel or the Israelites: also Is´ra·el·it'ish (-lait'ish) or Is'ra·el·it´ic (-lit´ik) [ME < LL(Ec) Israelita < Gr Israēlitēs]

Issachar (is´э kär') 1 Jacob's ninth son, whose mother was Leah: Gen. 30:18 2 the tribe of Israel descended from him: Num. 1:28

issei (i:´sei') pl. -sei' •n.or -seis' a Japanese who emigrated to the U.S. after the Oriental exclusion proclamation of 1907 and was thus ineligible by law, until 1952, to become a U.S. citizen: cf. NISEI, KIBEI [Jpn, lit., first generation]

ISSN International Standard Serial Number

issuable (ish´u: э bэl) •adj. 1 that can issue or be issued 2 that can be disputed, debated, or raised, as an issue at law is´su·a·bly •adv.

issuance (ish´u: эns) •n. an issuing; issue

issuant (-эnt) •adj. 1 [Rare] issuing 2 Heraldry having only the upper part visible {a lion issuant}

issue (ish´u:; chiefly Brit is´yu:) •n. 1 an outgoing; outflow; passing out; exit 2 a place or means of going out; exit; outlet 3 a result; consequence; upshot 4 offspring; a child or children 5 profits from lands, estates, or fines; produce; proceeds 6 a point, matter, or question to be disputed or decided 7 a sending or giving out; putting forth 8 the thing or set of things issued; all that is put forth and circulated at one time {the July issue of a magazine, an issue of bonds} 9 Med. a) a discharge of blood, pus, etc. b) an incision or artificial ulcer for the discharge of pus •vi. -sued, -su·ing 1 to go, come, pass, or flow out; emerge 2 to be descended; be born 3 to be derived or result (from a cause) 4 to end or result (in an effect or consequence) 5 to come as revenue; accrue 6 to be printed or published; be put forth and circulated •vt. 1 to let out; discharge 2 to give or deal out; distribute {to issue supplies} 3 to print or publish; put forth and circulate; give out publicly or officially {to issue commemorative stamps} SYN. EFFECT, RISE at issue 1 in dispute; still to be decided: also in issue 2 at variance; in disagreement join issue 1 to enter into conflict, argument, etc. with another or each other 2 to join in submitting an issue for decision at law take issue to disagree; differ is´su·er •n. [OFr pp. of issir, to go out < L exire < ex-, out + ire, to go: see YEAR]

Issus (is´эs) ancient town in Cilicia, in SE Asia Minor: site of a battle (333 B.C.) in which Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia

Issyk Kul (is´ik kul´) mountain lake in E Kyrgyzstan: c. 2,400 sq. mi. (6,216 sq. km): also Issyk-Kul

-ist (ist, эst) suffix forming nouns 1 a person who does, makes, or practices: they correspond to verbs ending in -IZE or nouns ending in -ISM {moralist, satirist} 2 a person skilled in or occupied with; an expert in {druggist, violinist, Miltonist} 3 an adherent of, believer in {anarchist} [ME -iste < OFr < L -ista < Gr -istēs < verbs ending in -izein]

Istanbul (is'tæn bul´, -tän-; -bu:l; Turk is täm´bu:l) seaport in NW Turkey, on both sides of the Bosporus: pop. 2,773,000: old name CONSTANTINOPLE: ancient name BYZANTIUM [altered < ModGr 's ten poli < Gr eis tēn polin, lit., into the city]

isth isthmus

isthmian (is´mi: эn) •adj. 1 of an isthmus 2 [I-] a) of the Isthmus of Panama b) of the Isthmus of Corinth or the games held there in ancient times •n. a native or inhabitant of an isthmus [< L isthmius (Gr isthmios < isthmos: see ISTHMUS) + -AN]

isthmus (is´mэs) pl. -mus·es or -mi' (-mai') •n. 1 a narrow strip of land having water at each side and connecting two larger bodies of land 2 Anat. a) a narrow strip of tissue connecting two larger parts of an organ {the isthmus of the thyroid} b) a narrow passage between two larger cavities {the isthmus of the fallopian tubes} [L < Gr isthmos, a neck, narrow passage, isthmus]

-istic (is´tik) suffix forming adjectives of or relating to an action, practice, doctrine, quality, etc., or to a person involved in or with it {realistic, artistic}: also -is´ti·cal [MFr -istique < L -isticus < Gr -istikos: also formed in E < -IST + -IC]

istle (ist´li:) •n. a fiber obtained from certain tropical American plants, as various agaves: used for cordage, nets, baskets, etc. [< AmSp ixtle < Nahuatl i:čλi]

Istria (is´tri: э) peninsula in W Slovenia & Croatia, projecting into the N Adriatic, formerly including part of the area around Trieste: also Istrian Peninsula Is´tri·an •adj., n.

it (it) pron. 1 the animal or thing previously mentioned or under discussion 2 It is also used as: a) the subject of an impersonal verb without reference to agent {it is snowing} b) the grammatical subject of a clause of which the actual subject is another clause or phrase following {it is clear that he wants to go} c) an object of indefinite sense in certain idiomatic expressions [to lord it over someone]; often, specif., an unpleasant consequence {to be in for it, let him have it} d) the antecedent to a relative pronoun from which it is separated by a predicate {it is your car that we want} e) a term of reference to something indefinite but understood, as the state of affairs {it's all right, I didn't hurt myself} Æ f) [Colloq.] an emphatic predicate pronoun referring to the person, thing, situation, etc. which is considered ultimate, final, or perfect {zero hour is here; this is it} g) [Slang] an emphatic pronoun referring to an attractive personal quality, as vigor, charm, or sex appeal •n. the player in a game who must do some essential thing, as the one in a game of tag who must try to catch another Æ with it [Slang] alert, informed, or hip [ME hit, it < OE hit, akin to Du het, Goth hita, this: IE base as in HE¹: basic sense this one] it abbrev. italic(s) It 1 Italian 2 Italy

ita initial teaching alphabet

itacolumite (it'э käl´yu: mait') •n. a type of fine-grained sandstone deposited in flexible layers [after Itacolumi, mountain in Brazil, where found]

itaconic acid (it'э kän´ik) a white crystalline material, CH2:C(COOH)CH2 COOH, prepared by the fermentation of sugar with a special mold: it is used in making resins and plasticizers [arbitrary transposition of aconitic (< ACONITE + -IC)]

itai-itai disease (i:´tai´i:´tai´) a painful, degenerative bone disease caused by industrial cadmium pollution of the food and water supply

Ital 1 Italian 2 Italy ital italic(s)

Italia (i: täl´yä) It. name of ITALY

Italian (i tæl´yэn) •adj. of Italy, its people, their language, or culture •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Italy 2 the Romance language of the Italians [ME < L Italianus < Italia]

Italian East Africa former Italian colony in E Africa, consisting of Ethiopia, Eritrea, & Italian Somaliland

Italian greyhound any of a breed of toy dog very similar to the greyhound, but much smaller in size and more slender, usually kept as a pet

Italian provincial designating or of a style of rural, Italian furniture of the 18th and 19th cent., with straight lines and simple decoration, usually of fruitwood or mahogany

Italian Somaliland former Italian colony on the E coast of Africa: merged with British Somaliland to form Somalia

Italian sonnet PETRARCHAN SONNET

Italianate (-it; also, & for v. always, -eit') •adj. Italian in quality, appearance, or character •vt. -at'ed, -at'ing ITALIANIZE [It italianare] [It Italianato]

Italianism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 an Italian expression, idiom, or custom 2 Italian spirit, quality, etc. 3 fondness for Italian customs, ideas, etc.

Italianize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. to make or become Italian in quality, appearance, character, etc. I·tal'ian·i·za´tion •n. [Fr italianiser]

Italic (i tæl´ik; also ai-) •n. a subfamily of languages within the Indo-European language family, including Latin, the Romance languages, Oscan, Imbrian, and other languages of ancient Italy •adj. 1 designating or of these languages 2 of ancient Italy, or its peoples or cultures [L Italicus] italic (i tæl´ik; also ai-) •adj. designating or of a type in which the characters slant upward to the right, used variously, as to emphasize words, indicate foreign words, set off book titles, etc. (Ex.: this is italic type) •n. 1 an italic letter or other character 2 [usually pl., sometimes with sing. v.] italic type or print [see ITALIC: so called because first used in an Italian edition of Virgil (1501)]

Italicism (i tæl´э saiz'эm) •n. ITALIANISM (sense 1)

italicize (i tæl´э saiz', ai-) -cized', -ciz'ing •vt. 1 to print in italics 2 to underscore (handwritten or typed matter) with a single line to indicate that it is to be printed in italics i·tal'i·ci·za´tion •n.

Italo- (it´э lou, i tæl´ou) combining form Italian, Italian and {Italo-American}

Italy (it´ªl i:) country in S Europe mostly on a peninsula extending into the Mediterranean & including Sicily, Sardinia, and numerous other islands: formerly a kingdom created by the unification of various Italian monarchies & states (1861), became a republic (1946): 116,304 sq. mi. (301,223 sq. km); pop. 57,226,000; cap. Rome: It. name ITALIA [L Italia, altered, prob. by Greeks living in S Italy < earlier (prob. Oscan) Víteliú; orig. used only of the SW point of the peninsula]

Itasca (i tæs´kэ), Lake lake in NW Minn., a source of the Mississippi: c. 2 sq. mi. (5.7 sq. km) [coined by Henry Rowe SCHOOLCRAFT < L (ver)itas, truth + ca(put), head, in ref. to other alleged sources]

itch (ich) •vi. 1 to feel or cause an irritating sensation on the skin that makes one want to scratch the affected part 2 to have a restless desire or hankering •vt. 1 to make itch 2 to irritate or annoy 3 [Colloq.] SCRATCH •n. 1 an irritating sensation on the skin that makes one want to scratch the affected part 2 a restless desire; hankering {an itch to travel} the itch any of various skin disorders accompanied by severe irritation of the skin, as scabies [ME yicchen, icchen < OE giccan, akin to Ger jucken]

itchy (-i:) itch´i·er, itch´i·est •adj. like, feeling, or causing an itch itch´i·ly •adv. itch´i·ness •n.

-ite¹ (ait) suffix forming nouns 1 a native, inhabitant, or citizen of {Brooklynite} 2 a descendant from or offspring of {Israelite} 3 an adherent of, believer in, or member of {laborite} 4 a product, esp. a commercially manufactured one {Lucite, dynamite, vulcanite} 5 a fossil {ammonite} 6 a part of a body or bodily organ {somite} 7 a salt or ester of an acid whose name ends in -OUS {nitrite, sulfite} [Fr, arbitrary alteration of -ate, -ATE²] 8 a (specified) mineral or rock {anthracite, dolomite} [ME < OFr or L or Gr: OFr -ite < L -ita, -ites < Gr -itēs, fem. -itis]

-ite² (ait; it) suffix forming adjectives, nouns, and verbs {finite} [L -itus, ending of some past participles]

item (ait´эm) •adv. also: used before each article in a series being enumerated •n. 1 orig., an admonition; hint 2 an article; unit; separate thing; particular; entry in an account 3 a bit of news or information •vt. [Archaic] ITEMIZE SYN.—item applies to each separate article or thing entered or included in a list, inventory, record, etc.; detail applies to any single thing or small section that is part of a whole structure, design, etc. [an architectural detail, the details of a plot]; particular stresses the distinctness of a thing as an individual unit in a whole [to go into particulars] [ME < L < ita, so, thus]

item veto executive power, as of some State governors, to veto a section of a bill without vetoing the whole bill

itemize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to specify the items of; set down by items {to itemize a bill of purchases} i'tem·i·za´tion •n.

Iténez (i: tei´nes) Bolivian name of GUAPORÉ

iterate (it´эr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to utter or do again or repeatedly SYN. REPEAT it´er·ant (-эr эnt) •adj. [< L iteratus, pp. of iterare, to repeat < iterum, again < *iterus, compar. of *i-, pron. stem > is, ea, id, he, she, it, ita, thus]

iteration (it'эr ei´shэn) •n. 1 an iterating or being iterated; repetition 2 something iterated Also it´er·ance (-эr эns) [ME < L iteratio]

iterative (it´эr eit'iv, -эr э tiv) •adj. 1 repetitious; repeating or repeated 2 Gram. FREQUENTATIVE [ME < MFr itératif < L iteratus]

Ithaca (iθ´э kэ) 1 one of the Ionian Islands, off the W coast of Greece: legendary home of Odysseus: 37 sq. mi. (95.8 sq. km): Gr. name I·thá·ki (i: θä´ki:) 2 city in WC N.Y., on Cayuga Lake: pop. 30,000 [after the Ionian island] Ith´a·can •adj., n.

Ithunn or Ithun (i:´ðu:n) IDUN

ithyphallic (iθ'i fæl´ik) •adj. 1 of the phallus carried in the rites of Bacchus 2 lewd; obscene; lascivious 3 in the meter of the Bacchic hymns [L ithyphallicus < Gr ithyphallikos < ithyphallos, erect phallus < ithys, straight (< IE base *sīdh-, to go directly toward > Sans sādhú-, straight) + phallos, PHALLUS]

itinerancy (ai tin´эr эn si:, i-) •n. 1 a) an itinerating, or traveling from place to place b) the state of being itinerant 2 a group of itinerant preachers or judges 3 official work requiring constant travel from place to place or frequent change of residence, as preaching or presiding over courts in a circuit Also i·tin´er·a·cy (-э si:)

itinerant (-эnt) •adj. traveling from place to place or on a circuit •n. a person who travels from place to place i·tin´er·ant·ly •adv. SYN.—itinerant applies to persons whose work or profession requires them to travel from place to place [itinerant laborers, an itinerant preacher]; ambulatory specifically implies ability to walk about [an ambulatory patient]; peripatetic implies a walking or moving about in carrying on some activity and is applied humorously to persons who are always on the go; nomadic is applied to tribes or groups of people who have no permanent home, but move about constantly in search of food for themselves, pasture for the animals they herd, etc.; vagrant is applied to individuals, specif. hobos or tramps, who wander about without a fixed home, and implies shiftlessness, disorderliness, etc. [LL itinerans, prp. of itinerari, to travel < L iter (gen. itineris), a walk, journey < base of ire, to go: see YEAR]

itinerary (ai tin´эr er'i:, i-) •adj. of traveling, journeys, routes, or roads •n. pl. -ar'ies [LL itinerarium, neut. of itinerarius] 1 a route 2 a record of a journey 3 a guidebook for travelers 4 a detailed outline for a proposed journey [LL itinerarius < itinerans: see ITINERANT]

itinerate (-эr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. to travel from place to place or on a circuit i·tin'er·a´tion •n. [< LL itineratus, pp. of itinerari: see ITINERANT]

-ition (ish´эn) suffix forming nouns see -ATION [< Fr or L: Fr -ition < L -itio (gen. -itionis) < -I-, thematic vowel + -tio (gen. -tionis)]

-itious (ish´эs) suffix forming adjectives of, having the nature of, characterized by {nutritious, seditious}: used in forming adjectives corresponding to nouns ending in -ITION [L -icius, -itius]

-itis (ait´is, -эs) suffix 1 inflammatory disease or inflammation of (a specified part or organ) {neuritis, bronchitis} 2 addiction to, or weariness resulting from preoccupation with: used in nonce words {golfitis} [ModL < L < Gr -itis, orig. fem. of adjectives ending in -itēs, used to modify nosos, disease (later understood, but omitted)]

it'll (it´ªl) 1 it will 2 it shall

ITO International Trade Organization

-itol (i töl´, -toul´, -täl´) suffix forming nouns any of certain alcohols with more than one hydroxyl group {mannitol} [< -ITE¹ + -OL¹]

its (its) pron. that or those belonging to it possessive pronominal adj. of, belonging to, or done by it [Early ModE analogical formation < it + s; written it's until early 19th c.: the ME & OE form was his]

it's (its) 1 it is 2 it has

itself (it self´) pron. a form of the 3d pers. sing., neuter pronoun, used: a) as an intensive {the work itself is easy} b) as a reflexive {the dog bit itself} c) as a quasi-noun meaning its real, true, or actual self [the bird is not itself today] (in this construction it may be considered a possessive pronominal adjective and self a noun, and they may be separated) {its own sweet self}

itty-bitty (it´i: bit´i:) •adj. [Colloq.] very small; tiny: a facetious imitation of child's talk: also it·sy-bit·sy (it´si: bit´si:) [baby talk alteration < little bit]

-ity (э ti:, i-) suffix state, character, condition, or an instance of any of these {chastity, possibility} [ME -ite < OFr or L: OFr ité < L -itas < -I-, ending of stem, or thematic vowel + -tas, -TY¹]

iu international unit(s)

IUD intrauterine (contraceptive) device: also IUCD

-ium (i: эm, yэm) suffix 1 a) forming Modern Latin names for chemical elements {sodium} b) forming the names of certain positive ions {ammonium, carbonium} 2 forming the names of certain biological structures {conidium, syncytium} [ModL < L, ending of certain neuter nouns]

IV intravenous

Ivan (ai´vэn; Russ i vän´) 1 a masculine name 2 Ivan III 1440-1505; grand duke of Muscovy (1462-1505): called the Great 3 Ivan IV 1530-84; grand duke of Muscovy (1533-84) & 1st czar of Russia (1547-84): called the Terrible [Russ < Gr Iōannēs: see JOHN]

Ivano-Frankovsk (i vän'э frän köfsk´) city in SW Ukraine: pop. 210,000

Ivanovo (i: vä´nô vô) city in central European Russia: pop. 474,000

-ive (iv) suffix 1 of, relating to, belonging to, having the nature or quality of {sportive} 2 tending to, given to {retrospective} [ME < OFr -if, fem. -ive < L -ivus]

I've (aiv) I have

Ives (aivz) 1 Charles Edward 1874-1954; U.S. composer 2 James M. see CURRIER AND IVES Ives·i·an •adj.

ivied (ai´vi:d) •adj. covered or overgrown with ivy

ivory (ai´vэr i:, ai´vri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 the hard, white substance, a form of dentin, that makes up the tusks of elephants, walruses, etc. 2 a) dentin in any form b) any substance like ivory in appearance, use, etc. 3 the color of ivory; creamy white 4 a tusk of an elephant, walrus, etc. 5 [pl.] things made of ivory 6 [pl.] [Slang] things resembling or suggesting ivory; specif., a) piano keys b) teeth c) dice d) billiard balls •adj. 1 of, made of, or like ivory 2 creamy-white [ME < OFr yvoire < L eboreus (adj.) < ebur (gen. eboris), ivory < Egypt зbw, elephant, ivory]

ivory black a fine black pigment made from burnt ivory

Ivory Coast 1 country in WC Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea, west of Ghana: formerly a French territory, it became independent (1960): 124,500 sq. mi. (322,463 sq. km); pop. 10,500,000; cap. Yamoussoukro 2 [Historical] the African coast in this region

ivory nut VEGETABLE IVORY (sense 1)

ivory tower a condition or place, as academia, regarded as isolated or withdrawn from the practical affairs of society

ivory-billed woodpecker (-bild') a large blue-black woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) with a white bill: formerly of SE U.S., now virtually extinct

Ivy (ai´vi:) a feminine name [< prec.] ivy (ai´vi:) pl. i´vies •n. 1 a climbing vine (Hedera helix) of the ginseng family, with a woody stem and evergreen leaves, grown as ornamentation on buildings, walls, etc. 2 any of various similar climbing plants, as ground ivy or poison ivy •adj. Æ [usually I-] of or characteristic of the Ivy League [ME ivi < OE ifig, ifegn, akin to Ger efeu (OHG ebawi, ebah): orig. sense prob. climber]

Ivy League a group of colleges in the NE U.S. forming a league for intercollegiate sports: often used to describe the fashions, standards, attitudes, etc. associated with their students Ivy Leaguer [< the fact that many of the buildings are traditionally ivy-covered]

Iwaki (i wäk´i:) city of NE Honshu, northeast of Tokyo: pop. 327,000

iwis (i wis´) •adv. [Archaic] certainly; assuredly [ME < OE gewiss (akin to Ger), certain(ly) < ge-, + wiss, certain: for IE base see WISE²]

Iwo (i:´wou) city in SW Nigeria: pop. 214,000

Iwo Jima (i:´wou ji:´mэ, i:´wэ) small island of the Volcano Islands in the W Pacific: captured from the Japanese by U.S. forces in World War II (1945); returned to Japan (1968); c. 8 sq. mi. (20.7 sq. km)

IWW Industrial Workers of the World

ixia (ik´si: э) •n. any of a genus (Ixia) of South African plants of the iris family, with grasslike leaves and funnel-shaped flowers [ModL < Gr ixos, birdlime: from the viscid nature of some of the species]

Ixion (iks´ai än', -эn) Gr. Myth. a Thessalian king who is bound to a revolving wheel in Tartarus because he sought the love of Hera [L < Gr Ixiōn]

ixora (iks´э rэ) •n. any of a genus (Ixora) of tropical evergreen plants of the madder family, with showy flowers, often grown in greenhouses [ModL, after Iśvara, Hindu deity]

Ixtacihuatl (i:s'tä si:´wätªl) volcanic mountain in central Mexico, southeast of Mexico City: 17,343 ft. (5,286 m): also sp. Ix'tac·ci´huatl or Iz'tac·ci´huatl

ixtle (ikst´li:, ist´-) •n. ISTLE

Iyar (i: yär´, i:´yär) •n. the eighth month of the Jewish year: see JEWISH CALENDAR [Heb]

-ization (э zei´shэn, ai-) suffix forming nouns the act, process, or result of making or doing {realization}

-ize (aiz) suffix forming verbs 1 to cause to be or become; make conform with or resemble; make {democratize, Americanize} 2 to become, become like, or change into {crystallize} 3 to subject to, treat with, or combine with {oxidize, galvanize} 4 to engage in; act in a (specified) way {soliloquize, theorize} [ME -isen < OFr -iser < LL -izare < Gr -izein]

Izhevsk (i zhefsk´) city in EC European Russia: pop. 611,000

Izmir (iz mir´) seaport in W Turkey on the Aegean Sea: pop. 758,000: former name SMYRNA

Izmit (iz mit´) city & seaport in NW Turkey in Asia, on an inlet of the Sea of Marmara: pop. 191,000

izzard (iz´эrd) •n. [Now Chiefly Dial.] the letter Z [earlier ezed, ezod, var. of ZED]

J abbrev. 1 January 2 Physics joule 3 Judge 4 July 5 June 6 Justice

J particle PSI PARTICLE

J/A or j/a joint account

j¹ or J (jei) pl. j's, J's •n. 1 the tenth letter of the English alphabet; formerly a variant of I, i, in the 17th cent. it became established as a consonant only, as in Julius, originally spelled Iulius 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the (j) in joy 3 a type or impression for J or j 4 the tenth in a sequence or group 5 an object shaped like J •adj. 1 of J or j 2 tenth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like J

j² (jei) •n. Physics the imaginary number √-1

JA 1 Judge Advocate 2 Junior Achievement Ja January ja (yä) •adv. yes [Ger]

jab (jæb) jabbed, jab´bing •vt., vi. 1 to poke or thrust, as with a sharp instrument 2 to punch with short, straight blows •n. a quick thrust, blow, or punch [var. of JOB²]

Jabalpur (jûb´эl pur') city in central India, in Madhya Pradesh: pop. 758,000

jabber (jæb´эr) •vi., vt. to speak or say quickly, incoherently, or nonsensically; chatter; gibber •n. fast, incoherent, nonsensical talk; gibberish jab´ber·er •n. [LME jaberen: prob. echoic]

jabberwocky (-wäk'i:) •n. meaningless syllables that seem to make sense; gibberish [after Jabberwocky (< prec. + ?), nonsense poem by Lewis CARROLL]

jabiru (jæb´э ru:') •n. any of various large wading storks, esp. a tropical American species (Jabiru mycteria) [Port < Tupi jabirú]

jaborandi (jæb'э ræn´di:) •n. the dried leaflets of various South American plants (genus Pilocarpus) of the rue family, that yield the alkaloid pilocarpine [Port < Tupi]

jabot (zhæ bou´) •n. a trimming or frill, as of lace, attached to the neck or front of a blouse, bodice, or shirt [Fr, bird's crop]

jacal (hä käl´) pl. -cal´es (-kä´leis) •n.or -cals´ a hut in Mexico and the Southwest, with walls of close-set wooden stakes plastered with mud and roofed with straw, rushes, etc. [AmSp < Nahuatl xacalli, contr. < xamitl calli, adobe house]

jacamar (jæk´э mär') •n. any of a family (Galbulidae) of tropical forest piciform birds of South and Central America that feed on insects [Fr < native (Tupi) name]

jaçana or jacana (zhä'sэ nä´) •n. any of a family (Jacanidae) of tropical and subtropical shorebirds with long toes that enable them to walk on the floating leaves of water plants; esp., a species (Jacana spinosa) native to Mexico [Port < Tupi jasana]

jacaranda (jæk'э ræn´dэ) •n. any of a genus (Jacaranda) of tropical American trees of the bignonia family, with finely divided foliage and large clusters of lavender flowers, often grown in the S U.S. [ModL < Port < native (Tupi) name in Brazil]

j'accuse (zhå küz´) •n. any strong accusation or denunciation: usually printed in italic type [Fr, I accuse: phrase made famous by Émile (Édouard Charles Antoine) ZOLA in a public letter attacking irregularities in the trial of Dreyfus]

jacinth (jei´sinθ, jæs´inθ) •n. 1 HYACINTH (sense 1b) 2 a reddish-orange color [ME jacinte < OFr iacinte < L hyacinthus: see HYACINTH]

jack (jæk) [J-] nickname for JOHN •n. pl. for 6, 7, 8, 9 jacks or jack [< nickname] 1 [often J-] a) orig., a common fellow or boy assistant b) a man or boy; fellow c) [Now Rare] a sailor; jack-tar Æ d) a lumberjack e) a jack-of-all-trades 2 a) BOOTJACK b) MONTEREY JACK c) SMOKEJACK 3 a fruit-flavored alcoholic liquor, as applejack 4 any of various machines used to lift, hoist, or move something heavy a short distance {hydraulic jack, automobile jack} 5 a wooden bar attached to each key of a harpsichord, etc. that raises the plectrum when the key is depressed 6 a male donkey; jackass Æ 7 short for JACK RABBIT 8 any of various birds, as a jackdaw 9 a) any of a tropical, marine family (Carangidae) of predatory, silvery, percoid, game and food fishes with widely forked tails, including the pompanos and yellowtails b) JACKFISH Æ 10 [Old Slang] money 11 Elec. a plug-in receptacle used to make electrical contact 12 Games a) a playing card with a conventionalized picture of a royal male servant or soldier on it; knave b) a small ball used as the center mark in lawn bowling c) any of the small stones or six-pronged metal pieces used in playing JACKS Æ 13 Hunting a torch or light used to attract fish or game at night 14 Naut. a small flag usually flown on a ship's bow to show nationality, often, specif., UNION JACK •vt. 1 to raise by means of a jack Æ 2 to hunt or fish for with a light •adj. male: of some animals every man jack every man; everyone jack off [Slang] to masturbate jack up 1 to raise by means of a jack Æ 2 [Colloq.] to raise (prices, salaries, etc.) Æ 3 [Colloq.] a) to reproach for misbehavior or neglect b) to encourage to perform one's duty [ME Jacke, Jake < OFr Jaque, Jaques < LL(Ec) Jacobus, JACOB]

jack- (jæk) combining form 1 male {jackass} 2 large or strong {jackboot} 3 boy; fellow: used in hyphenated compounds {jack-in-the-box} [see JACK]

jack bean a tropical plant (Canavalia ensiformis) of the pea family, often grown in S U.S. for forage and its edible seeds

jack cheese [occas. J- c-] MONTEREY JACK

Jack Frost frost or cold weather personified

Jack Ketch (kech´) [Brit.] an official hangman [after a famous Eng public executioner, died 1686]

jack mackerel a marine food fish (Trachurus symmetricus) of the jack family, found in schools from British Columbia to Baja California

jack pine a pine (Pinus banksiana) of Canada and N U.S., having short needles in pairs and many woody cones

jack rabbit any of several large hares (genus Lepus) of W North America, with long ears and strong hind legs [JACK(ASS) + RABBIT: so named because of its long ears]

jackal (jæk´эl; also, -öl') pl. -als or -al •n. 1 any of several wild dogs of Asia and N Africa, mostly yellowish-gray and smaller than the wolf: they often hunt prey in packs, generally at night, and also eat carrion and certain plants 2 a person who does dishonest or humiliating tasks for another: from the notion that the jackal hunts game for the lion and eats the leavings 3 a cheat or swindler [Turk chaqāl < Pers shagāl < Sans śrgālá]

jackanapes (jæk´э neips') •n. 1 [Archaic] a monkey 2 a conceited, insolent, presumptuous fellow 3 a pert, mischievous child [ME Jac Napes, nickname of William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk (1396-1450), whose badge was a clog and a chain like a tame ape's]

jackass (jæk´æs') •n. 1 a male donkey 2 a stupid or foolish person; nitwit [JACK- + ASS¹]

jackboot (-bu:t') •n. a heavy, sturdy military boot that reaches above the knee [JACK- + BOOT¹]

jackdaw (-dö') •n. 1 a small European crow (Corvus monedula) with a gray nape 2 any of various birds, as a large-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) [JACK- + DAW¹]

jacket (jæk´it) •n. 1 a short coat, usually with sleeves 2 an outer coating or covering; specif., a) DUST JACKET Æ b) a cardboard holder for a phonograph record c) the metal casing of a bullet d) the insulating casing on a pipe or boiler e) the skin of a potato, etc. Æ f) a folder or envelope for holding letters or documents •vt. 1 to put a jacket, or coat, on 2 to cover with a casing, wrapper, etc. [ME jaket < OFr jaquette, dim. of jaque < Sp jaco < Ar shakk]

jacket crown a type of artificial, tooth-colored dental crown made of acrylic or porcelain

jackfish (jæk´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es a local name of any of various fishes; esp., the northern pike [JACK- + FISH]

jackfruit (-fru:t') •n. 1 an East Indian tree (Artocarpus integrifolia) of the mulberry family, like the breadfruit 2 its large, heavy fruit, containing edible seeds 3 its yellow, fine-grained wood [JACK- + FRUIT]

jackhammer (-hæm'эr) •n. a portable type of pneumatic hammer, used for breaking up concrete, rock, etc. [JACK- + HAMMER]

jack-in-the-box (jæk´ in ðэ bäks') pl. -box'es a toy consisting of a box from which a little figure on a spring jumps up when the lid is lifted Also jack´-in-a-box' •n.

jack-in-the-pulpit (-pul´pit) pl. -pits •n. an American plant (Arisaema triphyllum) of the arum family, with a flower spike partly arched over by a hoodlike covering

jackknife (jæk´naif') pl. -knives' (-naivz') •n. 1 a large pocketknife 2 a dive in which the diver keeps his knees unbent, touches his feet with his hands, and then straightens out just before plunging into the water •vt. -knifed', -knif'ing 1 to cut with a jackknife 2 to cause to jackknife •vi. 1 to bend at the middle as in a jackknife dive 2 to turn on the hitch so as to form a sharp angle with each other: said of a vehicle and its trailer [JACK- + KNIFE]

jackleg (-leg') •adj. 1 a) not properly trained or qualified; incompetent b) MAKESHIFT 2 unprofessional, unscrupulous, or dishonest •n. a jackleg person or thing [JACK, n. 1e + (BLACK)LEG]

jacklight (-lait') •n. JACK (n. 13) •vt. JACK (vt. 2) [JACK- + LIGHT¹]

jack-of-all-trades (jæk´эv öl treidz´) pl. jacks´-of-all-trades´ •n. [often J-] 1 a person who can do many kinds of work acceptably 2 a handyman

jack-o'-lantern (jæk´э lænt'эrn) pl. -terns •n. 1 a shifting, elusive light seen over marshes at night; will-o'-the-wisp 2 a hollow pumpkin, real or artificial, cut to look like a face and used as a lantern

jackpot (jæk´pät') •n. 1 a pot in a poker game made up of accumulated stakes, which can be played for only when some player has a pair of jacks or better with which to open 2 any cumulative stakes or highest prize, as in a slot machine hit the jackpot [Slang] 1 to win the jackpot 2 to attain the highest success or reward [JACK, n. 12a + POT]

jackroll (jæk´roul') •vt. [Slang] ROLL (vt. 14) jack´roll'er •n.

jacks (jæks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] a children's game in which pebbles or small, six-pronged metal pieces are tossed and picked up in various ways, esp. while bouncing a small ball [< JACKSTONE]

jackscrew (jæk´skru:') •n. a machine used to raise heavy things a short distance, operated by turning a screwlike shaft [JACK- + SCREW]

jacksmelt (jæk´smelt') •n. a common silverside fish (Atherinopsis californiensis) of Pacific waters [JACK + SMELT]

jacksnipe (-snaip') pl. -snipes' or -snipe' •n. 1 a small snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) of the Old World 2 any of several similar American birds, as the pectoral sandpiper [JACK- + SNIPE]

Jackson (jæk´sэn) 1 Andrew (called Old Hickory) 1767-1845; U.S. general: 7th president of the U.S. (1829-37) 2 Robert H(oughwout) 1892-1954; U.S. jurist: associate justice, Supreme Court (1941-54) 3 Thomas Jonathan (called Stonewall Jackson) 1824-63: Confederate general in the Civil War Jackson (jæk´sэn) 1 capital of Miss., in the SW part, on the Pearl River: pop. 197,000 (met. area 395,000) 2 city in W Tenn.: pop. 49,000 [after A. JACKSON]

Jacksonian (jæk sou´ni: эn) •adj. of or relating to Andrew Jackson or his policies •n. a follower of Jackson

Jacksonville (jæk´sэn vil') port in NE Fla., on the St. Johns River: pop. 673,000 (met. area 907,000) [after A. JACKSON]

jackstay (jæk´stei') •n. 1 a rope or rod along a ship's yard, to which the edge of a sail is fastened 2 a rope or rod that runs up and down a ship's mast, along which the yard moves when being hoisted or lowered [JACK- + STAY¹]

jackstone (-stoun') •n. 1 JACK (n. 12c) 2 [pl., with sing. v.] JACKS [< dial. checkstone, chackstone < check, chuck, pebble]

jackstraw (-strö') •n. 1 [Obs.] STRAW MAN (sense 2) [JACK + STRAW] 2 a narrow strip of wood, plastic, etc. used in a game (jackstraws) played by tossing a number of such strips into a jumbled heap and trying to remove them one at a time without moving any of the others [JACK- + STRAW]

jack-tar (-tär´) •n. [often J-] a sailor [JACK + TAR²]

Jacob (jei´kэb) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jake, Jack; var. James; equiv. Fr. Jacques, It. Giácomo 2 Bible a son of Isaac, twin brother of Esau, and the father of the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel: also called Israel: Gen. 25:24-34 [LL(Ec) Jacobus < Gr Iakōbos < Heb Jaaqob, Jacob, lit., seizing by the heel of (cf. Gen. 25:26)]

Jacobean (jæk'э bi:´эn) •adj. 1 of James I of England 2 of the period in England when he was king (1603-1625) •n. a poet or other person of this period [< ModL Jacobaeus < Jacobus, L form of the name of James I (see JACK) + -AN]

Jacobian (jэ kou´bi: эn) •n. a determinant whose elements are the first, partial derivatives of a finite number of functions of the same number of variables, with the elements in each row being the derivatives of the same function with respect to each of the variables [after Karl G. J. Jakobi (1804-51), Ger mathematician]

Jacobin (jæk´э bin) •n. 1 a French Dominican friar: the Dominicans were established in a convent at the Church of St. Jacques in Paris 2 any member of a society of radical democrats in France during the Revolution of 1789: their meetings were held in the Jacobin friars' convent 3 an extreme political radical •adj. of the Jacobins or their policies: also Jac'o·bin´ic or Jac'o·bin´i·cal Jac´o·bin·ism' •n. [MFr < ML Jacobinus < LL(Ec) Jacobus: see JACK]

Jacobite (jæk´э bait') •n. a supporter of James II of England after his abdication, or of the claims of his son or his son's descendants to the throne Jac'o·bit´ic (-bit´ik) or Jac'o·bit´i·cal •adj. [< LL(Ec) Jacobus: see JACK]

Jacob's ladder 1 Bible the ladder from earth to heaven that Jacob saw in a dream: Gen. 28:12 2 a portable ladder used on ships and having, typically, wooden rungs and rope or wire sides 3 any of several plants (genus Polemonium) of the phlox family, with pinnately compound leaves and small, blue, bell-shaped flowers 4 CARRION FLOWER (sense 1)

Jacob's rod ASPHODEL (sense 1)

Jacobus (jэ kou´bэs) •n. UNITE² [see JACOBEAN]

jaconet (jæk´э net') •n. any of various lightweight cotton cloths, often glazed, used for clothing, bandages, etc. [Urdu jagannāthī, after Jagannāth (now Puri), town in India, where it was manufactured]

Jacquard (jэ kärd´) •n. 1 a) a loom with an endless belt of cards punched with holes arranged to produce a figured weave (also Jacquard loom) b) the distinctive mechanism of this loom 2 a) the weave made (also Jacquard weave) b) a fabric with such a weave [after J. M. Jacquard (1752-1834), Fr inventor]

Jacqueline (jæk´wэ lin, jæk´э-) a feminine name: dim. Jacky, Jackie [Fr, fem. of Jacques: see JACK]

Jacquerie (zhåk ři:´) the French peasants' revolt of 1358 •n. [often j-] any peasants' revolt [Fr < Jacques Bonhomme, nobles' epithet for peasant]

jactation (jæk tei´shэn) •n. 1 [Rare] the act of bragging 2 Med. JACTITATION (sense 3) [L jactatio, a throwing, boasting < jactare: see JET¹]

jactitation (jæk'ti tei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of bragging 2 Law a false boast or false statement that causes harm to another person 3 Med. restless tossing or jerking of the body in severe illness [ML jactitatio < L jactitare, to utter, tell in public < jactare, to throw: see JET¹]

Jacuzzi (jэ ku:´zi:) trademark for a kind of whirlpool bath [after Jacuzzi, U.S. family who developed it]

jade plant a thick-leaved plant (Crassula argentea) of the orpine family, native to S Africa and Asia

jade¹ (jeid) •n. 1 any of various hard greenish gemstones used in jewelry and artistic carvings, including jadeite and nephrite 2 a green color of medium hue •adj. 1 made of jade 2 green like jade [Fr < Sp (piedra de) ijada, (stone of) the side, loin < VL *iliata < L ilia, pl. of ileum (see ILEUM): from the notion that it cured pains in the side]

jade² (jeid) •n. 1 a horse, esp. a worn-out, worthless one 2 a) a loose or disreputable woman b) [Now Rare] a saucy, pert young woman •vt., vi. jad´ed, jad´ing to make or become tired, weary, or worn-out jad´ish •adj. [ME, prob. via Anglo-Fr < ON jalda, a mare < Finn]

jaded (jeid´id) •adj. 1 tired; worn-out; wearied 2 dulled or satiated, as from overindulgence jad´ed·ly •adv. jad´ed·ness •n. [pp. of prec., vt., vi.]

jadeite (jeid´ait) •n. a hard, translucent, usually greenish mineral, Na(Al, Fe)Si2O6, of the pyroxene group, that is the most precious type of jade, and is found chiefly in Myanmar [JAD(E)¹ + -ITE¹]

Jadotville (zhå dou vi:l´) old name of LIKASI

jaeger (yei´gэr; for 2, also, jei´-) •n. 1 JÄGER 2 any of a genus (Stercorarius, family Stercorariidae) of shorebirds which force other, weaker birds to leave or give up their prey

Jael (jei´эl) Bible the woman who killed Sisera by hammering a tent peg through his head while he slept: Judg. 4:17-22 [Heb yāel, lit., mountain goat]

Jaffa (yäf´э, jæf´э) seaport in central Israel: since 1950, incorporated with Tel Aviv

Jaffna (jæf´nэ) seaport in N Sri Lanka: pop. 118,000

JAG Judge Advocate General

jag¹ (jæg) •n. 1 a sharp, toothlike projection or similar indentation 2 [Archaic] a notch or pointed tear, as in cloth •vt. jagged, jag´ging [ME jaggen, joggen < the n.] 1 to cut jags in; notch or pink (cloth, etc.) 2 to cut unevenly; tear raggedly [ME jagge, projecting point < ?]

jag² (jæg) •n. 1 [Dial.] a small load or amount, as of wood or hay 2 [Slang] a) an intoxicated condition due to liquor or drugs b) a drinking spree c) a period of uncontrolled activity {a crying jag} [< ?]

Jagannath (jûg´э nät', -nöt') •n. JUGGERNAUT (the Hindu god)

jäger (yei´gэr) •n. 1 a hunter 2 [often J-] a rifleman in the old Austrian and German armies 3 JAEGER [Ger, huntsman < jagen, to hunt < ? IE base *yagh-, to chase, desire > Sans yahú-, restless]

jagged (jæg´id) •adj. having sharp projecting points; notched or ragged jag´ged·ly •adv. jag´ged·ness •n.

jaggery (jæg´эr i:) •n. a dark, crude sugar from the sap of certain palm trees [Anglo-Ind < Hindi jāgri < Sans śarkarā, SUGAR]

jaggy (jæg´i:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. jagged; notched

jaguar (jæg´wär', -yu: är') pl. -uars or -uar the largest New World predatory cat (Panthera onca), yellowish with black spots, found from SW U.S. to Argentina: cf. LEOPARD (n. 1) •n. [Port < Tupi jaguara]

jaguarundi (jæg'wэ rûn´di:, jä'gwэ-) •n. a small wildcat (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) of tropical and subtropical America, with a slender body and a long tail: also sp. jag'ua·ron´di [AmSp & Port < Tupi]

Jahveh or Jahve (yä´ve) JEHOVAH: also Jah·weh or Jah·we (yä´we, -wei) [see YAHWEH]

jai alai (hai´lai', hai´э lai') a game like handball, popular in Latin America: it is played with a curved basket (cesta) fastened to the arm, for catching the ball and hurling it against the wall [Sp < Basque jai, celebration + alai, merry]

jail (jeil) •n. 1 a building for the confinement of people who are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of minor offenses 2 imprisonment •vt. to put or keep in or as in jail [ME jaile, gaile < OFr jaole, gaole, a cage, prison < LL caveola, dim. of L cavea, CAGE]

jail delivery 1 [Historical] Eng. Law the clearing of a jail by bringing the prisoners to trial, as at the assizes 2 a liberation of prisoners from jail by force

jailbait (-beit') •n. [Slang] a young woman, considered a potential sexual partner, who has not reached the age of consent

jailbird (-børd') •n. [Colloq.] 1 a prisoner or former prisoner in a jail 2 a person often put in jail; habitual lawbreaker

jailbreak (-breik') •n. the act of breaking out of jail by force

jailer or jailor (-эr) •n. a person in charge of a jail or of prisoners

Jain (jain) •n. a believer in Jainism •adj. of the Jains or their religion Also Jai·na (jai´nэ) or Jain´ist [Hindi Jaina < Sans jina, saint < base ji, to conquer]

Jainism (jain´iz'эm) •n. a Hindu religion resembling Buddhism, founded in the 6th cent. B.C.: it emphasizes asceticism and reverence for all living things

Jaipur (jai´pur') 1 city in NW India: capital of Rajasthan state: pop. 1,005,000 2 former state of NW India: since 1950, included in Rajasthan state

Jakarta (jэ kär´tэ) capital of Indonesia, on the NW coast of Java: pop. c. 6,500,000

jake (jeik) •adj. [Slang] just right; satisfactory [prob. < Jake, abbrev. of JACOB: sense development unknown]

jakes (jeiks) •n. [Now Chiefly Dial.] an outdoor toilet; privy [< Jacques (see JACK): cf. JOHN]

Jakobson (jei´kэb sэn), Roman (Osipovič) 1896-1982; U.S. linguist, born in Russia

jalap (jæl´эp) •n. 1 the dried root of a Mexican vine (Ipomoea purga) of the morning-glory family, formerly used as a purgative 2 a resin obtained from this root 3 the plant bearing this root 4 any of several other plants with similar roots [Fr < Sp jalapa, after fol., whence it is imported]

Jalapa (hä lä´pä) city in E Mexico: capital of Veracruz state: pop. 66,000: official name Jalapa En·ri·quez (en ři:´kes)

jalapeño (häl'э pein´you) pl. -ños a kind of hot pepper, orig. from Mexico: also jalapeño pepper •n. [MexSp]

jalapin (jæl´э pin) •n. a glycoside, C34H56O16, contained in jalap

Jalisco (hä li:s´kô) state of W Mexico, on the Pacific: 31,258 sq. mi. (80,957 sq. km); pop. 4,371,000; cap. Guadalajara

jalopy (jэ läp´i:) pl. -lop´ies •n. [Slang] an old, ramshackle automobile [earlier jaloupy < ?]

jalousie (jæl´э si:', zhæl´u: zi:') •n. a window, shade, or door formed of overlapping, horizontal slats, or louvers, of wood, metal, or glass, that can be adjusted to regulate the air or light coming between them [Fr < It gelosia, lit., JEALOUSY: prob. so named from permitting one to see without being seen]

Jam Jamaica

jam session an informal gathering of jazz musicians to play improvised music or to improvise together, usually on tunes they all know

jam¹ (jæm) jammed, jam´ming •vt. 1 to squeeze or wedge into or through a confined space 2 a) to bruise or crush b) to force (a thumb, toe, etc.) back against its joint so as to cause impaction 3 to push, shove, or crowd 4 to pack full or tight 5 to fill or block (a passageway, river, etc.) by crowding or squeezing in 6 a) to wedge or make stick to prevent movement b) to put out of order by such jamming {to jam a rifle} 7 to make (radio broadcasts, radar signals, etc.) unintelligible, as by sending out other signals on the same wavelength •vi. 1 a) to become wedged or stuck fast b) to become unworkable through such jamming of parts 2 to push against one another in a confined space Æ 3 [Slang] Jazz to improvise freely, esp. in a jam session •n. 1 a jamming or being jammed 2 a group of persons or things so close together as to jam a passageway, etc. {a traffic jam} Æ 3 [Colloq.] a difficult situation; predicament [< ?]

jam² (jæm) •n. a food made by boiling fruit with sugar to a thick mixture: cf. PRESERVE, JELLY [< ? prec.]

Jamaica (jэ mei´kэ) country on an island in the West Indies, south of Cuba: a former colony, it became independent & a member of the Commonwealth (1962): 4,243 sq. mi. (10,991 sq. km); pop. 2,288,000; cap. Kingston Ja·mai´can •adj., n.

Jamaica rum a dark, full-bodied rum with a heavy aroma

jamb (jæm) •n. 1 a side post or piece of a framed opening, as for a door, window, or fireplace: see FRAME, illus. 2 a pillar of ore [ME jambe < OFr, a leg, shank, pier, side post of a door: see GAMB]

jambalaya (jûm'bэ lai´э, jæm´-) •n. 1 a Creole stew made of rice and shrimp, oysters, crabs, ham, chicken, etc., with spices and, often, vegetables 2 any jumbled mixture [AmFr (Louisiana) < Prov jambalaia]

jambeau (jæm´bou') pl. -beaux' (-bouz') •n. GREAVE [ME < OFr jambe: see JAMB]

jamboree (jæm'bэ ri:´) •n. 1 a) a boisterous party or noisy revel b) a gathering or celebration, with planned entertainment 2 a national or international assembly of Boy Scouts [< ?]

James (jeimz) 1 river in Va., flowing from the W part southeast into Chesapeake Bay: 340 mi. (547 km) 2 river in E N.Dak. & E S.Dak., flowing south into the Missouri: 710 mi. (1,143 km) James (jeimz) 1 a masculine name: dim. Jamie, Jim, Jimmy; fem. Jamie: see JACOB 2 Bible a) one of the twelve Apostles, Zebedee's son and brother of John: his day is July 25 (also Saint James the Greater) b) one of the twelve Apostles, Alphaeus' son: his day is May 3 (also Saint James the Less) c) a brother of Jesus: Gal. 1:19; also, a book of the New Testament sometimes ascribed to him (abbrev. Jas) 3 James I 1566-1625; king of England (1603-25) & (as James VI) king of Scotland (1567-1625): son of Mary, Queen of Scots 4 James II 1633-1701; king of England & (as James VII) king of Scotland (1685-88): deposed: son of Charles I 5 Henry 1811-82; U.S. writer on religion & philosophy: father of Henry & William 6 Henry 1843-1916; U.S. novelist, in England: son of Henry and brother of William 7 Jesse (Woodson) 1847-82; U.S. outlaw 8 William 1842-1910; U.S. psychologist & philosopher: exponent of pragmatism: son of Henry [ME < OFr < LL(Ec) Jacomus, later form of Jacobus: see JACOB]

James Bay arm of Hudson Bay, extending south into NE Ontario & NW Quebec: c. 275 mi. (442 km) long

James Edward see STUART, James Francis Edward

Jamesian (-i: эn) •adj. of or characteristic of Henry James or of his brother William

Jamestown (jeimz´taun') 1 former village near the mouth of the James River, Va.: the 1st permanent English colonial settlement in America (1607) 2 city in SW N.Y.: pop. 35,000 [after JAMES I]

jammies (jæm´i:z) •n.pl. [Colloq.] PAJAMAS [(contr. < PAJAMAS) + -IE (sense 1)]

Jammu (jûm´u:) 1 city in SW Jammu and Kashmir, India: winter capital of the state: pop. 135,000 2 former kingdom in N India: merged with Kashmir, 1846

Jammu and Kashmir state of N India: its control is disputed by Pakistan, which occupies c. 27,000 sq. mi. (72,932 sq. km) in the NW part: NE border areas in Indian territory are occupied by China: 16,500 sq. mi. (42,735 sq. km): 85,805 sq. mi. (222,236 sq. km); pop. 5,987,000 in section controlled by India; caps. Srinagar and Jammu

Jamnagar (jäm nûg´эr) city in W Gujarat state, W India: pop. 317,000

jampacked (jæm´pækt´) •adj. [Colloq.] tightly packed; crammed

Jamshedpur (jûm´shed pur') city in NE India, in Bihar state: pop. 670,000

Jamshid or Jamshyd (jæm shi:d´) Pers. Myth. the king of the peris: because he boasts that he is immortal, he has to live as a human being on earth [Pers]

Jan January

Jan Mayen (yän mai´эn) Norwegian island in the Arctic Ocean, between Greenland & N Norway: site of a meteorological station: 145 sq. mi. (375.5 sq. km)

Janáček (yä´nэ chek'), Le·oš (le´ösh) 1854-1928; Czech composer

Jane (jein) a feminine name: dim. Janet, Jenny •n. Æ [j-] [Slang] a girl or woman [Fr Jeanne < ML Joanna: see JOANNA]

Jane Doe see DOE

Janesville (jeinz´vil) city in S Wis.: pop. 52,000 [after H. F. Janes, early settler]

Janet (zhå ne´), Pierre (Marie Félix) (pyeř) 1859-1947; Fr. psychologist Janet (jæn´it) a feminine name: dim. Jan: see JANE

jangle (jæŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vi. 1 to quarrel or argue noisily 2 to make a harsh, inharmonious sound, as of a bell out of tune •vt. 1 to utter in a harsh, inharmonious manner 2 to cause to make a harsh sound 3 to irritate very much {to jangle someone's nerves} •n. 1 noisy or annoying talk 2 noisy quarrel or arguing 3 a harsh sound; discordant ringing jan´gler •n. [ME janglen < OFr jangler, to jangle, prattle, prob. < Frank *jangelon, to jeer]

Janice (jæn´is) a feminine name: dim. Jan [< JANE, JANET]

Janina (yä´ni: nä') Serb. name of IOANNINA

janitor (jæn´i tэr) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a doorman or doorkeeper 2 the custodian of a building, who maintains the heating system, does routine repairs, etc. jan'i·to´ri·al (-i tör´i: эl) •adj. jan´i·tress •n.fem. [Rare] See -ESS [L, doorkeeper < janua, door < janus, arched passageway: see JANUS]

janizary (jæn´i zer'i:) pl. -zar'ies •n. [often J-] 1 a soldier (orig. a slave) in the Turkish sultan's guard, established in the 14th cent. and abolished in 1826 2 any Turkish soldier 3 any very loyal or submissive follower or supporter Also jan´is·sar'y (-ser'i:) [Fr janissaire < It giannizzero < Turk yenicheri, lit., new troops < yeñi, new + cheri, soldiery]

Jansen (yän´sэn; E jæn´sэn), Cor·ne·lis (kôř nei´lis) (L. name Jansenius) 1585-1638; Du. Rom. Catholic theologian

Jansenism (jæn´sэn iz'эm) •n. a set of rigorous, unorthodox, predestinarian doctrines held by Cornelis Jansen Jan´sen·ist •n., adj. Jan'sen·is´tic •adj.

January (jæn´yu: er'i:) pl. -ar'ies •n. the first month of the year, having 31 days: abbrev. Jan, Ja, or J [ME Janyuere < L Januarius (mensis), (the month) of JANUS, to whom it was sacred]

Janus (jei´nэs) 1 Rom. Myth. the god who is guardian of portals and patron of beginnings and endings: he is shown as having two faces, one in front, the other at the back of his head 2 a small satellite of Saturn [L, lit., gate, arched passageway < IE base yă-, var. of ei-, to go > YEAR]

Janus-faced (-feist') •adj. two-faced; deceiving

Jap (jæp) •n., adj. short for JAPANESE: a hostile term JAP (jæp) •n. a young, upper-middle-class Jewish woman thought of as being materialistic, spoiled, self-indulgent, etc.: a term of ridicule or mild contempt [J(EWISH) A(MERICAN) P(RINCESS)] Jap abbrev. 1 Japan 2 Japanese

Japan (jэ pæn´) 1 island country in the Pacific, off the E coast of Asia, including Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, & many smaller islands: 143,750 sq. mi. (372,313 sq. km); pop. 121,402,000; cap. Tokyo: Jpn. names NIHON, NIPPON 2 Sea of arm of the Pacific, between Japan & E Asia: c. 405,000 sq. mi. (1,048,945 sq. km) japan (jэ pæn´) •n. 1 a lacquer or varnish giving a hard, glossy finish 2 a liquid mixture used as a paint drier: also japan drier 3 objects decorated and lacquered in the Japanese style •vt. -panned´, -pan´ning to varnish or lacquer with or as with japan [orig. from fol.]

Japan clover an annual plant (Lespedeza striata) of the pea family, grown for hay and foliage in the SW U.S.

Japan Current a fast, warm ocean current flowing northeast from the Philippine Sea east of Taiwan: it moves along the southern coast of Japan

Japan wax a white, waxy fat obtained from the fruit of several Asiatic sumacs (esp. Toxicodendron verniciflua and T. succedanea), used in lubricants, polishes, etc.

Japanese (jæp'э ni:z´, -ni:s´) •adj. of Japan, its people, language, culture, etc. •n. 1 pl. -nese´ a native of Japan 2 the language of Japan

Japanese andromeda (æn dräm´э dэ) an evergreen plant (Pieris japonica) of the heath family, with drooping racemes of bell-shaped, white flowers [see ANDROMEDA]

Japanese beetle a shiny, green-and-brown scarab beetle (Popillia japonica), orig. from Japan, which eats leaves, fruits, grasses, and roses and is damaging to crops

Japanese bobtail any of a breed of domestic cat, originating in Japan, with a very short, fluffy tail, and a soft, silky coat often in three colors, white, black, and red

Japanese Chin (chin) any of a breed of toy dog with a long, silky, usually black-and-white coat, a very short muzzle, and a tail that curls over the back: formerly called Japanese spaniel

Japanese iris any of several tall, beardless irises with showy flowers, esp. a species (Iris kaempferi) commonly cultivated in gardens

Japanese ivy BOSTON IVY

Japanese lantern CHINESE LANTERN

Japanese oyster a large, edible oyster (Ostrea gigas) native to Japan but introduced in the Puget Sound region

Japanese persimmon 1 an Asiatic persimmon (Diospyros kaki), bearing large, soft, edible, red or orange-colored fruit 2 its fruit

Japanese plum a cultivated plum tree (Prunus salicina) with yellow or reddish fruits, native to China

Japanese quince 1 a spiny plant (Chaenomeles lagenaria) of the rose family, with pink or red flowers and hard, fragrant, greenish-yellow fruit 2 the fruit

Japanese spurge a trailing pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) used as a ground cover

Japanesque (jæp'э nesk´) •adj. of Japanese style

jape (jeip) japed, jap´ing •vi. 1 to joke; jest 2 to play tricks •vt. [Now Rare] 1 to make fun of; mock 2 to play tricks on; fool •n. 1 a joke or jest 2 a trick jap´er •n. jap´er·y, pl. -er·ies, •n. [ME japen < OFr japer, to howl, of echoic orig.]

Japheth (jei´feθ') Bible the youngest of Noah's three sons: Gen. 5:32 [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) < Heb yepheth, lit., enlargement: cf. Gen. 9:27]

Japhetic (jэ fet´ik) •adj. 1 of or from Japheth 2 a former name for INDO-EUROPEAN

japonica (jэ pän´i kэ) •n. any of various trees, shrubs, or plants associated with the Far East, as a camellia or the Japanese quince [ModL, fem. of Japonicus, of Japan < Japonia, Japan < Fr Japon]

Japurá (zhä'pu řä´) river in S Colombia & NW Brazil, flowing southeast into the Amazon: c. 1,500 mi. (2,413 km)

Jaques (jei´kwi:z) a cynically philosophical nobleman in Shakespeare's As You Like It [OFr: see JACK]

Jaques-Dalcroze (zhäk dål křouz´), É·mile (ei mi:l´) 1865-1950; Swiss composer: originated eurythmics

jar¹ (jär) jarred, jar´ring •vi. 1 to make a harsh sound or a discord; grate 2 to have a harsh, irritating effect (on one) 3 to shake or vibrate from a sudden impact 4 to clash, disagree, or quarrel sharply •vt. 1 to make vibrate or shake by sudden impact 2 to cause to give a harsh or discordant sound 3 to jolt or shock •n. 1 a harsh, grating sound; discord 2 a vibration due to a sudden impact 3 a jolt or shock 4 a sharp clash, disagreement, or quarrel [ult. echoic]

jar² (jär) •n. 1 a container made of glass, stone, earthenware, etc., usually cylindrical, with a large opening and no spout: some jars have handles 2 as much as a jar will hold: also jar´ful' (-ful) [ME jarre < Fr jarre < OProv or Sp jarra < Ar jarrah, earthen water container]

jar³ (jär) •n. [Archaic] a turn: now only in the phrase on the jar ajar; partly open [see AJAR¹]

jardiniere (jär'dэ nir´; Fr zhåř di: nyeř´) •n. 1 an ornamental bowl, pot, or stand for flowers or plants 2 a garnish for meats, of different kinds of vegetables cooked separately and cut into pieces [Fr jardinière, a flower stand, orig. fem. of jardinier, gardener < jardin, GARDEN]

Jared (jær´id) a masculine name [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) < Heb yeredh, lit., descent: cf. Gen. 5:15]

jargon¹ (jär´gэn) •n. 1 incoherent speech; gibberish 2 a language or dialect unknown to one so that it seems incomprehensible or outlandish 3 a mixed or hybrid language or dialect; esp., pidgin 4 the specialized vocabulary and idioms of those in the same work, profession, etc., as of sportswriters or social workers: a somewhat derogatory term, often implying unintelligibility: see SLANG¹ 5 speech or writing full of long, unfamiliar, or roundabout words or phrases •vi. JARGONIZE SYN. DIALECT jar'gon·is´tic •adj. [ME < MFr, a chattering (of birds): ult. of echoic orig.]

jargon² (jär´gän') •n. a colorless or smoky variety of zircon Also jar·goon´ (-gu:n´) [Fr < It giargone < Ar zarqūn: see ZIRCON]

jargonize (jär´gэn aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vi. to talk or write in jargon •vt. to express in jargon

jarl (yärl) •n. in early Scandinavia, a chieftain or nobleman [ON, akin to OE eorl: see EARL]

Jarlsberg (yärlz´børg') trademark for a mild, buttery Norwegian cheese with large holes •n. [sometimes j-] this cheese: also Jarlsberg cheese

jarovize (yär´э vaiz') -vized', -viz'ing •vt. VERNALIZE [< Russ yar', spring grain + -IZE]

Jarry (zhå ři:´), Alfred 1873-1907; Fr. playwright

Jarvis (jär´vis) a masculine name: var. Jervis [older Gervas < Norm var. of Fr Gervais < LL Gervasius, name of an early Christian saint and martyr]

Jas 1 James 2 Bible (The Letter of) James

jasmine or jasmin (jæz´min, jæs´-) •n. 1 any of various tropical and subtropical plants (genus Jasminum) of the olive family, with fragrant flowers of yellow, red, or white, used in perfumes or for scenting tea 2 any of several other similar plants with fragrant flowers, as yellow jasmine 3 pale yellow [Fr jasmin < Ar yās(a)mīn < Pers yāsamīn]

Jason (jei´sэn) 1 a masculine name 2 Gr. Myth. a prince who leads the Argonauts, and, with Medea's help, gets the Golden Fleece [L Iāson < Gr, lit., healer]

jasper (jæs´pэr) •n. 1 an opaque variety of colored, cryptocrystalline quartz, usually reddish, yellow, or brown 2 Bible a precious stone, probably an opaque green quartz 3 a kind of porcelain developed by Wedgwood, having a dull surface in green, blue, etc., with raised designs, usually in white [ME jaspre < MFr < L iaspis < Gr, a green precious stone, prob. akin to Heb yāšpeh] Jasper (jæs´pэr) a masculine name: equiv. Fr. Gaspard, Ger. Kasper, Sp. Gaspar [OFr Jaspar < ?]

Jasper National Park Canadian national park in SW Alberta, in the E Rockies: 4,200 sq. mi. (10,877 sq. km)

Jaspers (yäs´pэrz), Karl 1883-1969; Ger. philosopher

jaspilite (jæs´pэ lait') •n. a rock consisting primarily of alternating bands of red jasper and black iron ore [< Gr iaspis, JASPER + -LITE]

jassid (jæs´id) •n. LEAFHOPPER [< ModL Jassidae < L Iassus, ancient town on the coast of Caria + ModL -idae, -IDAE]

Jassy (yä´si:) var. of IAŞI

Jat (jät, jöt) •n. a member of an Indian people of the Vale of Kashmir, the Punjab, and Rajputana [Hindi]

jato or JATO (jei´tou) •n. an airplane takeoff assisted by a jet-producing unit or units, usually small, solid-propellant rockets [j(et)-a(ssisted) t(ake)o(ff)]

jaundice (jön´dis) •n. 1 a) a condition in which the eyeballs, the skin, and the urine become abnormally yellowish as a result of increased amounts of bile pigments in the blood b) popularly, a disease causing this condition, as hepatitis 2 a bitter or prejudiced state of mind, caused by jealousy, envy, etc. •vt. -diced, -dic·ing 1 to cause to have jaundice 2 to make bitter or prejudiced through jealousy, envy, etc. [ME jaundis < OFr jaunisse < jaune, yellow < L galbinus, greenish yellow < galbus, yellow, prob. via Celt *galbos < IE base *ghel-, YELLOW]

jaunt (jönt) •vi. to take a short trip for pleasure •n. such a trip; excursion SYN. TRIP [< ?]

jaunting car a light, topless, two-wheeled cart used esp. in 19th-cent. Ireland, with seats on both sides

jaunty (jönt´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 in fashion; stylish; chic 2 having an easy confidence; gay and carefree; sprightly; perky jaun´ti·ly •adv. jaun´ti·ness •n. [earlier janty, genty < Fr gentil, genteel: see GENTLE]

Jaurès (zhô řes´), Jean Lé·on (zhäñ lei ouñ´) 1859-1914; Fr. Socialist leader & journalist: assassinated

Jav 1 Java 2 Javanese

Java (jä´vэ, jæv´э) large island of Indonesia, southeast of Sumatra: 49,995 sq. mi. (129,486 sq. km); pop. (with Madura) 91,270,000 •n. 1 any of a breed of domestic chicken developed in the U.S. from Oriental stock, having black or mottled black plumage Æ 2 a kind of coffee grown on Java and nearby islands Æ 3 [often j-] [Slang] any coffee

Java man a type of early human (Homo erectus erectus) known from fossil remains found in Java and thought to be from the Lower Pleistocene: see SOLO MAN

Java Sea part of the Pacific, between Java & Borneo: c. 600 mi. (961.8 km) long

Java sparrow a white, pink, and gray SE Asian passerine finch (Padda oryzivora, family Estrildidae) widely kept as a cage bird

Javanese (jæv'э ni:z´, -ni:s´) •adj. of Java, its people, their language, or culture •n. 1 pl. -nese´ a native or inhabitant of Java; esp., a member of a group of tribes occupying the main part of Java 2 the Indonesian language of these tribes

javelin (jæv´lin, jæv´э lin) •n. 1 a light spear for throwing 2 a) a pointed wooden or metal shaft, about 8½ ft. long, thrown for distance as a test of strength and skill b) the throwing of the javelin as a field event in track and field meets: in full javelin throw [MFr javeline, fem. dim. < javelot, a spear, prob. < Gaul *gabalaccos < IE base *ghabh(o)lo-, forked branch, fork > OE gafol, Ger gabel]

javelina (hä'vэ li:´nэ) •n. PECCARY [Sp jabalina, wild sow, fem. of jabalí, boar < Ar (khinzīr) jabalī, lit., mountain (pig) < jabal, mountain]

Javelle (or Javel) water (zhэ vel´) a solution of sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl, in water, used as a bleaching agent or disinfectant [after Javel, former Fr village (now part of Paris), where it was made]

jaw (jö) •n. 1 either of the two bones or bony parts that hold the teeth and frame the mouth in most vertebrates: the mandible (lower jaw) is usually hinged and movable, the maxilla (upper jaw) is usually not 2 any of various analogous biting structures of invertebrates 3 [pl.] the mouth 4 either of two mechanical parts that open and close to grip or crush something, as in a monkey wrench or vise 5 [pl.] the narrow entrance of a canyon, valley, strait, etc. 6 [pl.] something grasping or imminent {the jaws of death} 7 [Old Slang] a talk •vi. [Slang] to talk, esp. in a boring or abusive way •vt. [Old Slang] to scold or reprove, esp. repeatedly [ME jowe < OFr joue, cheek]

jaw harp JEW'S-HARP: also jaw's harp or jaws' harp

Jawa (jä´vэ) Indonesian name of JAVA

jawbone (-boun') •n. a bone of a jaw, esp. of the lower jaw Æ -boned', -bon'ing •vt., vi. to attempt to persuade by using one's high office or position to apply pressure, as the President might in proposing price and wage controls to business and labor

jawbreaker (-brei'kэr) •n. 1 a machine with jaws for crushing rocks, ore, etc. Æ 2 a hard, usually round candy 3 [Slang] a word that is hard to pronounce

jawless fish (-lis) any of a class (Agnatha) of fishes with an eel-like body and a circular, sucking mouth lacking jaws, consisting of the lampreys and hagfishes

Jaws of Life trademark for a pneumatic, heavy-duty, pincerlike tool that is inserted into the body of a wrecked vehicle to pry sections of it apart: used esp. to free people trapped inside

Jaxartes (jæks ärt´i:z') ancient name of SYR DARYA

Jay (jei), John 1745-1829; Am. statesman & jurist: 1st chief justice of the U.S. (1789-95)

jay¹ (jei) •n. 1 any of several passerine birds (family Corvidae), usually strikingly colored, as the Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) or the blue jay 2 [Colloq.] a foolish or talkative person [ME < OFr gai < LL gaius, a jay, prob. echoic, but sp. infl. by the L proper name Gaius]

jay² (jei) •n. [Slang] JOINT (n. 6)

Jayapura (jä'yэ pur´э) capital of West Irian, Indonesia: seaport on the NE coast; pop. 149,000

jaybird (jei´børd') •n. dial. var. of JAY¹

Jaycee (jei´si:´) •n. a member of a junior chamber of commerce [< j(unior) c(hamber)]

jayhawker (jei´hök'эr) •n. 1 an abolitionist guerrilla of Missouri and Kansas in Civil War days 2 a robber, raider, or plunderer 3 [J-] colloq. name for a Kansan: also Jay´hawk' [< ?]

jaywalk (jei´wök') •vi. to walk in or across a street without obeying traffic rules and signals, esp. at other than proper crossing places jay´walk'er •n. jay´walk'ing •n. [JAY¹, 2 + WALK]

jazz (jæz) •n. 1 a kind of music, originally improvised but now also arranged, characterized by syncopation, rubato, usually heavily accented rhythms, dissonances, individualized melodic variations, and unusual tonal effects on the trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, etc.: it originated with Southern blacks in the late 19th cent.: see also SWING, BOP² 2 [Slang] a quality reminiscent of jazz music; lively spirit 3 [Slang] remarks, acts, concepts, etc. regarded as hypocritical, tiresome, trite, pretentious, etc. •adj. of, in, like, or having to do with jazz •vt. 1 to speed up 2 [Slang] to fill with jazz qualities; make exciting or elaborate; enliven or embellish: usually with up •vi. [Slang] to move or behave in a lively or carefree way [etym. uncert.: < ? Creole patois jass, sexual term applied to the Congo dances (New Orleans)]

jazzman (jæz´mæn') pl. -men' •n. a jazz musician, esp. a male one

jazz-rock (-räk') •n. a style of popular music that combines jazz improvisation with rock rhythms

jazzy (jæz´i:) jazz´i·er, jazz´i·est •adj. 1 characterized by the qualities of jazz music, often, specif., the more superficial and showy qualities 2 [Slang] lively, gay, showy, etc. jazz´i·ly •adv. jazz´i·ness •n.

Jb Bible Job

JC or J.C. 1 Jesus Christ 2 Julius Caesar 3 jurisconsult

JCD or J.C.D. 1 Doctor of Canon Law [L Juris Canonici Doctor] 2 Doctor of Civil Law [L Juris Civilis Doctor]

jct junction

J-curve (jei´kørv') •n. a curve which, in some economic theories, indicates that a decline in the value of a nation's currency initially causes an increase, and then a decrease, in that nation's balance-of-trade deficit

JD 1 Doctor of Laws: also J.D. Æ [L Jurum Doctor] 2 juvenile delinquent: also jd

Jdt Bible Judith

Je June

je ne sais quoi (zhэn sei kwå´) something elusive, or hard to describe or express [Fr, I do not know what]

Je·sus (ji:´zэz, -zэs) 1 a masculine name 2 c. 8-4 B.C.-c. A.D. 29 (see CHRISTIAN ERA); founder of the Christian religion: see also CHRIST: also called Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth 3 the author of Ecclesiasticus, a book of the Apocrypha [LL(Ec) Iesus < Gr(Ec) Iēsous < Heb yēshūa, contr. of yehōshūa (JOSHUA), help of Jehovah < yāh, Jehovah + hōshīa, to help]

jealous (jel´эs) •adj. 1 very watchful or careful in guarding or keeping {jealous of one's rights} 2 a) resentfully suspicious of a rival or a rival's influence {a husband jealous of other men} b) resentfully envious c) resulting from such feelings {a jealous rage} 3 [Now Rare] requiring exclusive loyalty {the Lord is a jealous God} jeal´ous·ly •adv. jeal´ous·ness •n. [ME jelous < OFr gelos < ML zelosus: see ZEAL]

jealousy (jel´эs i:) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being jealous 2 pl. -ous·ies an instance of this; jealous feeling [ME jalousie < OFr gelosie < gelos: see JEALOUS]

Jean (zhäñ; for sense 2, ji:n) 1 Fr. var. of JOHN 2 a feminine name: dim. Jeanie: see JOANNA jean (ji:n) •n. 1 a durable cotton cloth in a twill weave, used for work clothes and casual wear 2 [pl.] trousers of this material, often blue, or of denim, flannel, etc. [< ME Gene (fustian), (fustian) of Genoa < OFr Janne < ML Janua < L Genua, Genoa]

Jeanne (ji:n) a feminine name: dim. Jeannette: see JOANNA

Jeanne d'Arc (zhån dåřk) Fr. name of JOAN OF ARC

Jeannette (jэ net´) a feminine name: dim. Nettie, Netty: see JEANNE

Jeans (ji:nz), Sir James (Hopwood) 1877-1946; Eng. mathematician, physicist, astronomer, & writer

jebel (je´bэl) •n. a hill or mountain: often used in Arabic place names [Ar]

Jebel Druze (dru:z) region in S Syria, on the N Jordan border, inhabited by the Druses: 2,584 sq. mi. (6,692 sq. km): also Jebel ed Druz (ed)

Jebel Musa (mu:´sэ) mountain in N Morocco, opposite Gibraltar: c. 2,700 ft. (822 m): cf. PILLARS OF HERCULES

jeep (ji:p) •n. a small, rugged automotive vehicle with a ¼-ton capacity and a four-wheel drive, used by U.S. armed forces in World War II [J-] trademark for a similar vehicle for civilian use [orig. military slang, after a creature (Eugene the Jeep) with extraordinary powers, in comic strip by E. C. Segar (1894-1938): later assoc. with G.P., abbrev. for General Purpose Car]

jeepers (ji:´pэrz) •interj. a mild exclamation of surprise, emphasis, etc. [euphemistic alteration of Jesus]

jeer (jir) •vi., vt. to make fun of (a person or thing) in a rude, sarcastic manner; mock; taunt; scoff (at) •n. a jeering cry or remark; sarcastic or derisive comment jeer´er •n. jeer´ing·ly •adv. [? altered < CHEER]

jeez (ji:z) •interj. an exclamation used variously to express surprise, anger, annoyance, etc. [euphemism for JESUS]

Jeffers (jef´эrz), (John) Robinson 1887-1962; U.S. poet

Jefferson (jef´эr sэn), Thomas 1743-1826; Am. statesman: 3d president of the U.S. (1801-09): drew up the Declaration of Independence

Jefferson City capital of Mo., on the Missouri River: pop. 35,000 [after prec.]