jiao [jē-'au̇] -n
- a monetary unit of the People's Republic of China equal to yuan
jib ['jib] -n
- a triangular sail set on a stay extending usu. from the head of the foremast to the bowsprit or the jibboom
- the small triangular headsail on a sloop
- the projecting arm of a crane
- a derrick boom
- to refuse to proceed further : balk
jib·boom ['ji(b)-'büm] -n
- a spar that forms an extension of the bowsprit
jibe ['jīb] -vb, n
(variant of gibe)
- to utter taunting words
- to deride or tease with taunting words
ji·ca·ma ['hē-kə-mə] -n
- an edible starchy tuberous root of a tropical American vine ( Pachyrhizus erosus) of the legume family that is eaten raw or cooked
Ji·ca·ri·lla [,hē-kə-'rē-yə] -n
- a member of an Apache people orig. of southeastern Colorado, northern New Mexico, and adjacent areas and now living chiefly in northern New Mexico
- the language of the Jicarilla people
jiff ['jif] -n
- jiffy
jif·fy ['ji-fē] -n
- moment, instant
jig ['jig] -n
- any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
- music to which a jig may be danced
- trick, game used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
- any of several fishing devices that are jerked up and down or drawn through the water
- a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positional relationship between a piece of work and the tool or between parts of work during assembly
- a device in which crushed ore is concentrated or coal is cleaned by agitating in water
- to move with rapid jerky motions
- to dance a jig
- to fish with a jig
- to dance in the rapid lively manner of a jig
- to give a rapid jerky motion to
- to separate (a mineral or ore from waste) with a jig
- to catch (a fish) with a jig
- to machine by means of a jig-controlled tool operation
- black
jig·ger ['ji-gər] -n
- one that jigs or operates a jig
- any of several sails
- jig
- a mechanical device usu. with a jerky reciprocating motion
- a mold or a machine incorporating a revolving mold on which ceramic items (as plates) are formed
- gadget, doodad
- a measure used in mixing drinks that usu. holds 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 milliliters)
jigger -n
- chigger
- to jerk up and down
- to alter or rearrange esp. by manipulating
- jigger an election district
jig·gerypok·ery ['ji-gər-ē-'pō-kər-ē] -n
- underhanded manipulation or dealings : trickery
jig·gle ['ji-gəl] -vb, n, adj
- to cause to move with quick little jerks or oscillating motions
- to move from or as if from being jiggled
jig·saw ['jig-,sȯ] -n
- scroll saw
- a light portable electric saw with a vertically reciprocating blade that is used esp. for cutting curves
- jigsaw puzzle
jigsaw -vt
- to cut or form by or as if by a jigsaw
- to arrange or place in an intricate or interlocking way
- suggesting a jigsaw puzzle or its separate pieces
jigsaw puzzle -n
- a puzzle consisting of small irregularly cut pieces that are to be fitted together to form a picture
- something suggesting a jigsaw puzzle
ji·had [ji-'häd, chiefly Brit -'had] -n
- a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty
- a personal struggle in devotion to Islam esp. involving spiritual discipline
- a crusade for a principle or belief
ji·had·ist [ji-'hä-dist, chiefly Brit -'ha-] -n, adj
- a Muslim who advocates or participates in a jihad
jil·lion ['jil-yən, 'ji-lē-ən] -n, adj
- zillion
jilt ['jilt] -vt, n
- to drop (as a lover) capriciously or unfeelingly
- one who jilts a lover
jim crow ['jim-'krō] -n, adj
- black
- ethnic discrimination esp. against blacks by legal enforcement or traditional sanctions
jimdan·dy ['jim-'dan-dē] -n, adj
- something excellent of its kind
jim·jams ['jim-,jamz] -n pl
- jitters
jim·mies ['ji-mēz] -n pl
- tiny rod-shaped bits of usu. chocolate-flavored candy often sprinkled on ice cream
jim·my ['ji-mē] -n
- a short crowbar
jimmy -vt
- to force open with or as if with a jimmy
- the burglar jimmied a window
jim·son·weed ['jim(p)-sən-,wēd] -n
- a poisonous tall annual weed ( Datura stramonium) of the nightshade family with rank-smelling foliage, large white or violet trumpet-shaped flowers, and roundish prickly fruits called also thorn apple
jin·gle ['jiŋ-gəl] -vb, n
- to make a light clinking or tinkling sound
- to rhyme or sound in a catchy repetitious manner
- to cause to jingle
jingle [-g(ə-)lē] -n, adj
- a light clinking or tinkling sound
- a catchy repetition of sounds in a poem
- something that jingles
- a short verse or song marked by catchy repetition
jin·go ['jiŋ-(,)gō] -interj
- used as a mild oath usu. in the phrase by jingo
jingo [-ish] -n, adj
- one characterized by jingoism
jin·go·ism ['jiŋ-(,)gō-,i-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj, adv
- extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked esp. by a belligerent foreign policy
jink ['jiŋk] -vi
- to move quickly or unexpectedly with sudden turns and shifts (as in dodging)
- a quick evasive turn : slip
- pranks, frolics
- high jinks
jin·ni ['jē-nē, 'ji-, jə-'nē] -n
- one of a class of spirits that according to Muslim demonology inhabit the earth, assume various forms, and exercise supernatural power
- genie
jin·rick·sha [jin-'rik-,shȯ] -n
- rickshaw
jinx ['jiŋ(k)s] -n
- one that brings bad luck
- the state or spell of bad luck brought on by a jinx
- to foredoom to failure or misfortune : bring bad luck to
ji·pi·ja·pa [,hē-pē-'hä-pə] -n
- a palmlike Central and So. American plant ( Carludovica palmataof the family Cyclanthaceae) with leaves used esp. to make Panama hats
- panama
JIT -abbr
- job instruction training
- just in time
jit·ney ['jit-nē] -n
- nickel
- bus
- a small bus that carries passengers over a regular route on a flexible schedule
- an unlicensed taxicab
jit·ter ['ji-tər] -n
- a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
- had a bad case of the jitter s before his performance
- the state of mind or the movement of one that jitters
- irregular random movement (as of a pointer or an image on a television screen)
- vibratory motion
jitter -vi
- to be nervous or act in a nervous way
- to make continuous fast repetitive movements
jit·ter·bug ['ji-tər-,bəg] -n
- a jazz variation of the two-step in which couples swing, balance, and twirl in standardized patterns and often with vigorous acrobatics
- one who dances the jitterbug
jitterbug -vi
- to dance the jitterbug
- to move around or back and forth with quick often jerky movements esp. to confuse or disconcert an opponent in sports
jit·tery ['ji-tə-rē] -adj, n
- suffering from the jitters
- marked by jittering movements
jiujitsu [jü-'jit-(,)sü] -n
(variant of jujitsu)
- an art of weaponless fighting employing holds, throws, and paralyzing blows to subdue or disable an opponent
jive ['jīv] -n, adj
- swing music or the dancing performed to it
- glib, deceptive, or foolish talk
- the jargon of hipsters
- a special jargon of difficult or slang terms
- tease, cajole
- swing
- to talk jive : kid around
- to dance to or play jive
- phony