j ['jā] -n
- the 10th letter of the English alphabet
- a speech counterpart of orthographic j
- a graphic device for reproducing the letter j
- a unit vector parallel to the y-axis
- one designated jesp. as the 10th in order or class
- something shaped like the letter J
- jack
- journal
- judge; justice
J -abbr
- joule
- jumper; jump shot
JA -abbr
- joint account
- judge advocate
jab ['jab] -vb
- to pierce with or as if with a sharp object : stab
- to poke quickly or abruptly : thrust
- to strike with a short straight blow
- to make quick or abrupt thrusts with a sharp object
- to strike a person with a short straight blow
- an act of jabbing
- a short straight boxing punch delivered with the leading hand
jab·ber ['ja-bər] -vb, n
- to talk rapidly, indistinctly, or unintelligibly
- to speak rapidly or indistinctly
jabber -n
- gibberish, chatter
jab·ber·wocky ['ja-bər-,wä-kē] -n
- meaningless speech or writing
jab·i·ru [,zha-bə-'rü] -n
- a large tropical American stork ( Jabiru mycteria) with a massive black bill
jab·o·ran·di [,zha-bə-,ran-'dē, -'ran-dē] -n
- the dried leaves of either of two So. American shrubs ( Pilocarpus jaborandiand P. microphyllus) of the rue family that are a source of pilocarpine
ja·bot [zha-'bō, 'ja-,bō] -n
- a fall of lace or cloth attached to the front of a neckband and worn esp. by men in the 18th century
- a pleated frill of cloth or lace attached down the center front of a woman's blouse or dress
ja·bo·ti·ca·ba [zhə-,bü-ti-'kä-bə] -n
- a Brazilian tree ( Myrciaria cauliflora) of the myrtle family cultivated in warm regions for its edible usu. purplish fruit
ja·cal [hə-'käl] -n
- a hut in Mexico and southwestern U.S. with a thatched roof and walls made of upright poles or sticks covered and chinked with mud or clay
jac·a·mar ['zha-kə-,mär] -n
- any of a family (Galbulidae) of usu. iridescent green or bronze insectivorous birds of tropical American forests having a long sharp bill
ja·ca·na [jə-'kä-nə, ,zha-sə-'naⁿ] -n
- any of a family (Jacanidae) of long-legged and long-toed tropical wading birds that frequent coastal freshwater marshes and ponds
jac·a·ran·da [,ja-kə-'ran-də] -n
- any of a genus ( Jacaranda) of tropical American trees of the bignonia family with bipinnate leaves and panicles of showy usu. blue flowers
ja·cinth ['jā-sᵊn(t)th, 'ja-] -n
- hyacinth
- a gem more nearly orange in color than a hyacinth
jack ['jak] -n
- man usu. used as an intensive in such phrases as every man jack
- sailor
- servant, laborer
- lumberjack
- : any of various usu. mechanical devices: as
- a device for turning a spit
- a usu. portable mechanism or device for exerting pressure or lifting a heavy body a short distance
- : something that supports or holds in position: as
- an iron bar at a topgallant masthead to support a royal mast and spread the royal shrouds
- a wooden brace fastened behind a scenic unit in a stage set to prop it up
- any of several fishes
- any of various carangids
- a male donkey
- jackrabbit
- any of several birds (as a jackdaw)
- a small white target ball in lawn bowling
- a small national flag flown by a ship
- a game played with a set of small objects that are tossed, caught, and moved in various figures
- a small 6-pointed metal object used in the game of jacks
- a playing card carrying the figure of a soldier or servant and ranking usu. below the queen
- jackpot
- money
- a female fitting in an electric circuit used with a plug to make a connection with another circuit
- applejack
- brandy
- jackknife
- monterey jack
- to hunt or fish at night with a jacklight
- to hunt or fish for at night with a jacklight
- to move or lift by or as if by a jack
- to raise the level of usu. used with up
- to take to task
jack·al ['ja-kəl also -,kȯl] -n
- any of several small omnivorous canids (as Canis aureus) of Africa and Asia having large ears, long legs, and bushy tails
- a person who performs routine or menial tasks for another
- a person who serves or collaborates with another esp. in the commission of base acts
JackaLent ['jak-ə-,lent] -n
- a small stuffed puppet set up to be pelted for fun in Lent
- a simple or insignificant person
jack·a·napes ['ja-kə-,nāps] -n
- monkey, ape
- an impudent or conceited fellow
- a saucy or mischievous child
jack·ass ['jak-,as] -n
- donkey
- a male donkey
- a stupid person : fool
jack bean -n
- a bushy annual tropical American legume ( Canavalia ensiformis) grown esp. for forage
jack·boot ['jak-,büt] -n
- a heavy military boot made of glossy black leather extending above the knee and worn esp. during the 17th and 18th centuries
- the spirit or policy of militarism or totalitarianism
- a laceless military boot reaching to the calf
jack·boot·ed [-,bü-təd] -adj
- wearing jackboots
- ruthlessly and violently oppressive
jack cheese -n
- monterey jack
jack crevalle -n
- a carangid fish ( Caranx hippos) that is an important food fish esp. along the west coast of Florida
jack·daw ['jak-,dȯ] -n
- a common black and gray bird ( Corvus monedula) of Eurasia and northern Africa that is related to but smaller than the carrion crow
- grackle
jack·et ['ja-kət] -n, adj
- a garment for the upper body usu. having a front opening, collar, lapels, sleeves, and pockets
- something worn or fastened around the body but not for use as clothing
- the natural covering of an animal
- the fur or wool of a mammal
- the skin of a potato
- : an outer covering or casing: as
- a thermally nonconducting cover
- a covering that encloses an intermediate space through which a temperature-controlling fluid circulates
- a tough cold-worked metal casing that forms the outer shell of a built-up bullet
- a wrapper or open envelope for a document
- an envelope for enclosing registered mail during delivery from one post office to another
- a detachable protective cover for a book
- a paper or cardboard envelope for a phonograph record
jacket -vt
- to put a jacket on : enclose in or with a jacket
Jack Frost -n
- frost or frosty weather personified
jack·fruit ['jak-,früt] -n
- a large tropical Asian tree ( Artocarpus heterophyllus) related to the breadfruit that yields a fine-grained yellow wood and immense fruits which contain an edible pulp and nutritious seeds
- its fruit
jack·ham·mer ['jak-,ha-mər] -n, vb
- a pneumatically operated percussive rock-drilling tool usu. held in the hands
- a device in which a tool (as a chisel for breaking up pavements) is driven percussively by compressed air
jackinthebox ['jak-ən-thə-,bäks] -n
- a toy consisting of a small box out of which a figure (as of a clown's head) springs when the lid is raised
jackinthepul·pit [,jak-ən-thə-'pu̇l-,pit, -pət also -'pəl-] -n
- a No. American spring-flowering woodland herb ( Arisaema triphyllumsyn. A. atrorubens) of the arum family having an upright club-shaped spadix arched over by a green and purple spathe
jack·knife ['jak-,nīf] -n
- a large strong pocketknife
- a dive executed headfirst in which the diver bends from the waist and touches the ankles while holding the knees unbent and then straightens out
jackknife -vt
- to cut with a jackknife
- to cause to double up like a jackknife
- to double up like a jackknife
- jackknifed into a seat beside me, folding up his six feet eight -- Lady Bird Johnson
- to turn and form an angle of 90 degrees or less with each other used esp. of a tractor-trailer combination
jack·leg ['jak-,leg, -,lāg] -adj, n
- characterized by unscrupulousness, dishonesty, or lack of professional standards
- lacking skill or training : amateur
- designed as a temporary expedient : makeshift
jack·light [-,līt] -n
- a light used esp. in hunting or fishing at night
jack mackerel -n
- a carangid food fish ( Trachurus symmetricus) of the Pacific coast of America that is iridescent green or bluish above and silvery below
jackofalltrades [,jak-əv-,ȯl-'trādz] -n
- a person who can do passable work at various tasks : a handy versatile person
jack off -vb
- masturbate
jacko'lan·tern ['ja-kə-,lan-tərn] -n
- ignis fatuus
- a lantern made of a pumpkin cut to look like a human face
- a large orangish gill fungus ( Omphalotus oleariussyn. Clitocybe illudens) that is poisonous and luminescent
jack pine -n
- a slender pine ( Pinus banksiana) of northern No. America that has two stout needles in each fascicle and wood used esp. for pulpwood
jack plane -n
- a medium-sized general-purpose plane used in carpentry and joinery
jack·pot ['jak-,pät] -n
- a hand or game of draw poker in which a pair of jacks or better is required to open
- a large pot (as in poker) formed by the accumulation of stakes from previous play
- a combination on a slot machine that wins a top prize or all the coins available for paying out
- the sum so won
- the top prize in a game or contest (as a lottery) that is typically a large fund of money formed by the accumulation of unwon prizes
- an impressive often unexpected success or reward
- a tight spot : jam
jack·rab·bit [-,ra-bət] -n
- any of several large hares (genus Lepus) of western No. America having very long ears and long hind legs
Jack Russell terrier ['jak-'rə-səl-] -n
- any of a breed of small terriers having a white coat with brown, black, or brown-and-black markings called also Jack Russell
jack salmon -n
- walleye
- grilse
jack·screw ['jak-,skrü] -n
- screw jack
jack·smelt [-,smelt] -n
- a large silverside ( Atherinopsis californiensis) of the Pacific coast of No. America that is the chief commercial smelt of the California markets
Jack·son Day ['jak-sən-] -n
- January 8 celebrated as a legal holiday in Louisiana to commemorate the successful defense of New Orleans in 1815
jack stand -n
- a stand whose height may be adjusted and which is used to support an automobile that has been raised by a jack
jack·stay [-,stā] -n
- an iron rod, wooden bar, or wire rope along a yard of a ship to which the sails are fastened
- a support of wood, iron, or rope running up a mast on which the parrel of a yard travels
jack·straw ['jak-,strȯ] -n
- a game in which a set of straws or thin strips is let fall in a heap with each player in turn trying to remove one at a time without disturbing the rest
- one of the pieces used in the game jackstraws
jacktar [-'tär] -n
- sailor
jackup ['jak-,əp] -n
- a drilling rig used in offshore drilling whose drilling platform is a barge from which legs are lowered to the bottom when over the drill site and which is raised above the water and supported on the legs to conduct drilling operations
Ja·cob ['jā-kəb] -n
- a son of Isaac and Rebekah, the twin brother of Esau, and heir of God's promise of blessing to Abraham
- the ancient Hebrew nation
Jac·o·be·an [,ja-kə-'bē-ən] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or characteristic of James I of England or his age
jacobean lily -n
- a Mexican bulbous herb ( Sprekelia formosissima) of the amaryllis family cultivated for its bright red solitary flower
Ja·co·bi·an [jə-'kō-bē-ən, yä-] -n
- a determinant which is defined for a finite number of functions of the same number of variables and in which each row consists of the first partial derivatives of the same function with respect to each of the variables
Jac·o·bin ['ja-kə-bən] -n, adj
- dominican
- a member of an extremist or radical political group
- a member of such a group advocating egalitarian democracy and engaging in terrorist activities during the French Revolution of 1789
Jac·o·bite ['ja-kə-,bīt] -n
- a member of any of various Monophysite Eastern churches
- a member of the Monophysite Syrian church
Jacobite [,ja-kə-'bi-ti-kəl] -n, adj
- a partisan of James II of England or of the Stuarts after the revolution of 1688
Ja·cob's ladder ['jā-kəbz-] -n
- any of a genus ( Polemonium) of herbs of the phlox family that have pinnate leaves, a bell-shaped corolla, and a several-seeded capsule
- a perennial herb ( P. caeruleum) with bright blue or occas. white flowers
- a marine ladder of rope or chain with wooden or iron rungs
Ja·cob·son's organ ['jā-kəb-sənz-] -n
- vomeronasal organ
Ja·co·bus [jə-'kō-bəs] -n
- unite
jac·o·net ['ja-kə-,net] -n
- a lightweight cotton cloth used for clothing and bandages
jac·quard ['ja-,kärd] -n
- the control mechanism of a Jacquard loom
- jacquard loom
- a fabric of intricate variegated weave or pattern
Jacquard loom -n
- a loom designed to weave fabrics of intricate design whose control mechanism makes use of cards with holes punched in them
jac·que·rie [,zhä-kə-'rē, ,zha-] -n
- a peasants' revolt
jac·ti·ta·tion [,jak-tə-'tā-shən] -n
- a tossing to and fro or jerking and twitching of the body
Ja·cuz·zi [jə-'kü-zē] -trademark
- used for a whirlpool bath and a recreational bathing tub or pool
jade ['jād] -n
- a broken-down, vicious, or worthless horse
- a disreputable woman
- a flirtatious girl
- to wear out by overwork or abuse
- to tire or dull through repetition or excess
- to make ridiculous
- to become weary or dulled
- : either of two tough compact typically green gemstones that take a high polish:
- jadeite
- nephrite
- a sculpture or artifact of jade
- jade green
jaded -adj, adv, n
- fatigued by overwork : exhausted
- made dull, apathetic, or cynical by experience or by surfeit
jade green -n
- a light bluish green
jade·ite ['jā-,dīt] -n, adj
- a usu. green monoclinic mineral of the pyroxene group that is a silicate of sodium and aluminum and is a jade
jade plant -n
- any of several succulent plants (genus Crassula) of the orpine family cultivated as foliage plants
jae·ger ['yā-gər] -n
- hunter, huntsman
- one attending a person of rank or wealth and wearing hunter's costume
- any of several large dark-colored birds (genus Stercorarius) of northern seas that are related to the skua, are strong fliers, and tend to harass weaker birds until they drop or disgorge their prey
jag ['jag] -vb, n
- prick, stab
- to cut indentations into
- to form teeth on (a saw) by cutting indentations
- prick, thrust
- to move in jerks
- a sharp projecting part : barb
- a small load
- a state or feeling of exhilaration or intoxication usu. induced by liquor
- spree
JAG -abbr
- judge advocate general
jag·ged ['ja-gəd] -adj, adv, n
- having a sharply uneven edge or surface
- having a harsh, rough, or irregular quality
jag·gery ['ja-gə-rē] -n
- an unrefined brown sugar made from palm sap
jag·gy ['ja-gē] -adj
- jagged, notched
jag·uar ['ja-,gwär, -gyə-,wär, -gwər; dial -gwī(-ə)r, esp Brit 'ja-gyə-wər] -n
- a large cat ( Panthera onca) chiefly of Central and So. America that is larger and stockier than the leopard and is brownish yellow or buff with black spots
jag·ua·run·di [,zha-gwə-'rən-dē, ,ja-] -n
- a slender long-tailed short-legged black, gray, or reddish wildcat ( Felis yagouaroundi) chiefly of Central and So. America
Jah ['jä] -n
- the Supreme Being of Rastafarianism
jai alai ['hī-,lī, ,hī-ə-'lī] -n
- a court game somewhat like handball played usu. by two or four players with a ball and a long curved wicker basket strapped to the wrist
jail ['jāl] -n
- a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
- such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes
- confinement in a jail
- to confine in or as if in a jail
jail·bait ['jāl-,bāt] -n
- a girl under the age of consent with whom sexual intercourse is unlawful and constitutes statutory rape
jail·bird [-,bərd] -n
- a person confined in jail
- a habitual criminal
jail·break [-,brāk] -n
- a forcible escape from jail
jail·er ['jā-lər] -n
- a keeper of a jail
- one that restricts another's liberty as if by imprisonment
jail·house ['jāl-,hau̇s] -n
- jail
jailhouse lawyer -n
- a prison inmate self-taught in the law who tries to gain release through legal maneuvers or who advises fellow inmates on their legal problems
Jain ['jīn] -n
- an adherent of Jainism
Jain·ism ['jī-,ni-zəm] -n
- a religion of India originating in the sixth century b.c.and teaching liberation of the soul by right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct
jake ['jāk] -adj
- all right, fine
- a sexually immature male wild turkey under two years old
jake leg ['jāk-,leg, -,lāg] -n
- a paralysis caused by drinking improperly distilled or contaminated liquor
jakes ['jāks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- privy
jal·ap ['ja-ləp, 'jä-] -n
- the dried tuberous root of a Mexican plant ( Ipomoea purgasyn. Exogonium purga) of the morning-glory family
- a powdered purgative drug prepared from it that contains resinous glycosides
- the root or derived drug of plants related to the one supplying jalap
- a plant yielding jalap
ja·la·pe·o [,hä-lə-'pā-(,)nyō, ,ha-, -'pā-(,)nō, -'pē-(,)nō] -n
- a small plump dark green chili pepper of Mexico and the southern U.S. called also jalapeo pepper
ja·lopy [jə-'lä-pē] -n
- a dilapidated old vehicle (as an automobile)
jal·ou·sie ['ja-lə-sē] -n
- a blind with adjustable horizontal slats for admitting light and air while excluding direct sun and rain
- a window made of adjustable glass louvers that control ventilation
jam ['jam] -vb, n
- to become blocked or wedged
- to become unworkable through the jamming of a movable part
- to force one's way into a restricted space
- to take part in a jam session
- dunk
- to press into a close or tight position
- to cause to become wedged so as to be unworkable
- to make unworkable by jamming
- to block passage of : obstruct
- to fill often to excess : pack
- the crowd jammed the theater
- to push forcibly
- to apply (brakes) suddenly and forcibly used with on
- crush, bruise
- to make unintelligible by sending out interfering signals or messages
- to make (as a radar apparatus) ineffective by jamming signals or by causing reflection of radar waves
- to block, crowd, or bump (a pass receiver) near the line of scrimmage in football
- to pitch inside to (a batter)
- an act or instance of jamming
- a crowded mass that impedes or blocks
- the quality or state of being jammed
- the pressure or congestion of a crowd : crush
- a difficult state of affairs : fix
- jam session
- dunk shot
- a musical piece
- a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency
Jam -abbr
- Jamaica
Jamaica rum -n
- a heavy-bodied rum made by slow fermentation and marked by a pungent bouquet
jamb ['jam] -n
- an upright piece or surface forming the side of an opening (as for a door, window, or fireplace)
- a projecting columnar part or mass
jam·ba·laya [,jəm-bə-'lī-ə] -n
- rice cooked usu. with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters and seasoned with herbs
- a mixture of diverse elements
- curious jambalaya s of competing elements -- Neil Hickey
jam·beau ['jam-(,)bō] -n
- a piece of medieval armor for the leg below the knee
jam·bo·ree [,jam-bə-'rē] -n
- a noisy or unrestrained carouse
- a large festive gathering
- a national or international camping assembly of Boy Scouts
- a long mixed program of entertainment
James ['jāmz] -n
- an apostle, son of Zebedee, and brother of the apostle John according to the Gospel accounts
- an apostle and son of Alphaeus according to the Gospel accounts called also James the Less
- a brother of Jesus traditionally held to be the author of the New Testament Epistle of James
- a moral lecture addressed to early Christians and included as a book in the New Testament
jam·mies ['ja-mēz] -n pl
- pajamas
jampack ['jam-'pak] -vt
- to pack tightly or to excess
Jams ['jamz] -trademark
- used for knee-length loose-fitting swim trunks
jam session -n
- an often impromptu performance by a group esp. of jazz musicians that is characterized by improvisation
Jam·shid [jam-'shēd] -n
- an early legendary king of Persia who reigned for 700 years
jamup ['jam-,əp] -n
- jam
Jan -abbr
- January
Jane Doe ['jān-'dō] -n
- a woman who is a party to legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld
Jane·ite ['jā-,nīt] -n
- an enthusiastic admirer of Jane Austen's writings
jan·gle ['jaŋ-gəl] -vb, n
- to talk idly
- to quarrel verbally
- to make a harsh or discordant often ringing sound
- keys jangling in my pocket
- to utter or sound in a discordant, babbling, or chattering way
- to cause to sound harshly or inharmoniously
- to excite to tense irritation
jangle -n
- idle talk
- noisy quarreling
- a discordant often ringing sound
jan·gly ['jaŋ-g(ə-)lē] -adj
- marked by jangling : having a jangling quality
jan·is·sary ['ja-nə-,ser-ē, -,zer-] -n
- a soldier of an elite corps of Turkish troops organized in the 14th century and abolished in 1826
- a member of a group of loyal or subservient troops, officials, or supporters
jan·i·tor ['ja-nə-tər] -n, adj
- doorkeeper
- one who keeps the premises of a building (as an apartment or office) clean, tends the heating system, and makes minor repairs
Jan·sen·ism ['jan(t)-sə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj
- a system of doctrine based on moral determinism, defended by various reformist factions among 17th and 18th century western European Roman Catholic clergy, religious, and scholars, and condemned as heretical by papal authority
- a puritanical attitude (as toward sex)
Jan·u·ary ['jan-yə-,wer-ē, -,we-rē] -n
- the first month of the Gregorian calendar
Ja·nus ['jā-nəs] -n
- a Roman god that is identified with doors, gates, and all beginnings and that is depicted with two opposite faces
Janusfaced [-,fāst] -adj
- having two contrasting aspects
- duplicitous, two-faced
Janus green -n
- a basic azine dye used esp. as a vital biological stain (as for mitochondria)
Jap ['jap] -n or adj
- japanese
JAP ['jap] -n
- jewish american princess
ja·pan [jə-'pan] -adj
- of, relating to, or originating in Japan : of a kind or style characteristic of Japanese workmanship
japan -n
- any of several varnishes yielding a hard brilliant finish
- a hard dark coating containing asphalt and a drier that is used esp. on metal and fixed by heating called also japan black
- work (as lacquer ware) finished and decorated in the Japanese manner
- to cover with or as if with a coat of japan
- to give a high gloss to
Jap·a·nese [,ja-pə-'nēz, -'nēs] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of Japan
- a person of Japanese descent
- the language of the Japanese
Japanese an·drom·e·da [-,an-'drä-mə-də] -n
- a shrubby evergreen heath ( Pieris japonica) of southeastern Asia with glossy leaves and drooping clusters of usu. whitish flowers
Japanese beetle -n
- a small metallic green and brown scarab beetle ( Popillia japonica) that has been introduced into eastern No. America from Japan and as a grub feeds on the roots of grasses and decaying vegetation and as an adult eats foliage and fruits
Japanese cedar -n
- a large Chinese and Japanese evergreen tree ( Cryptomeria japonica) of the cypress family grown as an ornamental and for its valuable soft wood
Japanese eggplant -n
- a long slender eggplant having a dark purple thin skin
Japanese iris -n
- any of various beardless garden irises (esp. Iris kaempferi) with very large showy flowers
Japanese lacquer -n
- lacquer
Japanese maple -n
- a maple ( Acer palmatum) of Japan, China, and Korea with purple flowers and usu. deeply parted leaves that is widely cultivated as a shrub or small tree
Japanese millet -n
- a coarse annual grass ( Echinochloa frumentacea) cultivated esp. in Asia for its edible seeds
Japanese plum -n
- a small plum tree ( Prunus salicina) native to China and cultivated esp. in Japan for its large sweet usu. yellow to light red fruit
- its fruit
Japanese quail -n
- a quail ( Coturnix japonicasyn. C. coturnix japonica) of eastern Asia that is sometimes raised for its meat or eggs and is used in laboratory research
Japanese quince -n
- either of two ornamental shrubs ( Chaenomeles speciosasyn. C. lagenariaof China and C. japonicaof Japan) of the rose family with usu. scarlet, pink, or white flowers
Japanese spurge -n
- a low Japanese pachysandra ( Pachysandra terminalis) often used as a ground cover
Jap·a·nize ['ja-pə-,nīz] -vt, n
- to make Japanese
- to bring (as an area or industry) under the influence of Japan
Japan wax -n
- a yellowish fat obtained from the berries of several Asian sumacs (as Rhus vernicifluaand R. succedanea) and used chiefly in polishes
jape ['jāp] -vb, n
- to say or do something jokingly or mockingly
- to make mocking fun of
- : something designed to arouse amusement or laughter: as
- an amusing literary or dramatic production
- a jape that would be okay as a sophomore class play -- John Simon
- gibe
Ja·pheth ['jā-fəth] -n
- a son of Noah held to be the progenitor of the Medes and Greeks
ja·po·nais·e·rie [zhä-pȯ-ne-zə-'rē, -nez-'rē] -n
- a style in art reflecting Japanese qualities or motifs
- an object or decoration in this style
ja·pon·i·ca [jə-'pä-ni-kə] -n
- japanese quince
jar ['jär] -vb, adv
- to make a harsh or discordant sound
- to have a harshly disagreeable or disconcerting effect
- to be out of harmony
- bicker
- to undergo severe vibration
- : to cause to jar: as
- to affect disagreeably : unsettle
- to make unstable or loose : shake
- a state or manifestation of discord or conflict
- a harsh grating sound
- a sudden or unexpected shake
- an unsettling shock
- an unpleasant break or conflict in rhythm, flow, or transition
- a widemouthed container made typically of earthenware or glass
- as much as a jar will hold
- the position of being ajar usu. used in the phrase on the jar
jar·di·niere [,jär-də-'nir, ,zhär-dᵊn-'yer, -'er] -n
- an ornamental stand for plants or flowers
- a large usu. ceramic flowerpot holder
- a garnish for meat consisting of several cooked vegetables cut into pieces
jar·gon ['jär-gən, -,gän] -n, adj
- confused unintelligible language
- a strange, outlandish, or barbarous language or dialect
- a hybrid language or dialect simplified in vocabulary and grammar and used for communication between peoples of different speech
- the technical terminology or characteristic idiom of a special activity or group
- obscure and often pretentious language marked by circumlocutions and long words
jargon -vi
- twitter, warble
- jargonize
jar·gon·ish ['jär-gə-nish] -adj
- jargonistic
jar·gon·is·tic [,jär-gə-'nis-tik] -adj
- characterized by the use of jargon : phrased in jargon
jar·gon·ize ['jär-gə-,nīz] -vb
- to speak or write jargon
- to express in jargon
- to make into jargon
jar·goon [jär-'gün] -n
- a colorless, pale yellow, or smoky zircon
jar·head ['jär-,hed] -n
- marine
jarl ['yär(-ə)l] -n
- a Scandinavian noble ranking immediately below the king
jar·rah ['ja-rə] -n
- a tall eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus marginata) of western Australia with rough bark, alternate leaves, and durable hard wood
- its wood
Jas -abbr
- James
jas·mine ['jaz-mən] -n
- any of numerous often climbing shrubs (genus Jasminum) of the olive family that usu. have extremely fragrant flowers
- a tall-climbing semievergreen Asian shrub ( J. officinale) with fragrant white flowers from which oil is extracted for use in perfumes
- any of numerous plants having sweet-scented flowers
- yellow jessamine
- a light yellow
Ja·son ['jā-sᵊn] -n
- a legendary Greek hero distinguished for his successful quest of the Golden Fleece
jas·per ['jas-pər] -n, adj
- an opaque cryptocrystalline quartz of any of several colors
- green chalcedony
- colored stoneware with raised white decoration
- a blackish green
jas·per·ware ['jas-pər-,wer] -n
- jasper
jas·sid ['ja-səd] -n
- any of numerous small leafhoppers that include many economically significant pests of cultivated plants
- leafhopper
Jat ['jät] -n
- a member of an Indo-Aryan people of the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh
JATO -abbr
- jet-assisted takeoff
jaunce ['jȯn(t)s, 'jän(t)s] -vi
- prance
jaun·dice ['jȯn-dəs, 'jän-] -n
- yellowish pigmentation of the skin, tissues, and body fluids caused by the deposition of bile pigments
- a disease or abnormal condition characterized by jaundice
- a state or attitude characterized by satiety, distaste, or hostility
jaun·diced [-dəst] -adj
- affected with or as if with jaundice
- exhibiting or influenced by envy, distaste, or hostility
jaunt ['jȯnt, 'jänt] -vi
- to trudge about
- to make a usu. short journey for pleasure
- a tiring trip
- an excursion undertaken esp. for pleasure
jaunting car -n
- a light 2-wheeled open horse-drawn vehicle used esp. in Ireland with lengthwise seats placed face-to-face or back to back
jaun·ty ['jȯn-tē, 'jän-] -adj, adv, n
- stylish
- genteel
- sprightly in manner or appearance : lively
- sporting a jaunty red beret
Jav -abbr
- Javanese
ja·va ['ja-və, 'jä-, -vē] -n
- coffee
Ja·va man ['jä-və-, 'ja-] -n
- a Pleistocene hominid known from fragmentary skeletons found in Trinil and Djetis, Java, and classified with the direct ancestor ( Homo erectus) of modern humans
Ja·va·nese [,ja-və-'nēz, ,jä-, -'nēs] -n, adj
- a member of an Indonesian people inhabiting the island of Java
- an Austronesian language of the Javanese people
jav·e·lin ['jav-lən, 'ja-və-] -n
- a light spear thrown as a weapon of war or in hunting
- a slender usu. metal shaft at least 260 centimeters long that is thrown for distance in a field event
ja·ve·li·na [,hä-və-'lē-nə] -n
- peccary
Ja·velle water [zha-'vel, zhə-] -n
- an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite used as a disinfectant or a bleaching agent
jaw ['jȯ] -n
- either of two complex cartilaginous or bony structures in most vertebrates that border the mouth, support the soft parts enclosing it, usu. bear teeth on their oral margin, and are an upper that is more or less firmly fused with the skull and a lower that is hinged, movable, and articulated with the temporal bone of either side
- the parts constituting the walls of the mouth and serving to open and close it usu. used in pl.
- any of various organs of invertebrates that perform the function of the vertebrate jaws
- : something resembling the jaw of an animal: as
- one of the sides of a narrow pass or channel
- either of two or more opposable parts that open and close for holding or crushing something between them
- a space lying between or as if between open jaws
- escaped from out of the jaw s of the whale
- a position or situation in which one is threatened
- rode into the jaw s of danger
- a friendly chat
- to talk esp. abusively, indignantly, or long-windedly
- to talk to in a scolding or boring manner
jaw·bone ['jȯ-,bōn] -n
- jaw
- mandible
jawbone -vt
- to speak forcefully and persuasively to
- jawboned them into accepting the deal
- to talk esp. forcefully and persuasively
- jawboning about the tax cuts
jaw·bon·ing [-,bō-niŋ] -n
- the use of public appeals (as by a president) to influence the actions esp. of business and labor leaders
- the use of spoken persuasion
jaw·break·er [-,brā-kər] -n
- a word difficult to pronounce
- a round hard candy
jawdrop·ping ['jȯ-,drä-piŋ] -adj, n, adv
- causing great surprise or astonishment
jawed ['jȯd] -adj
- having jaws usu. used in combination
jaw·less fish ['jȯ-ləs-] -n
- any of the taxonomic group (Agnatha) of primitive vertebrates without jaws including cyclostomes and extinct related forms
jaw·line ['jȯ-,līn] -n
- the outline of the lower jaw
jay ['jā] -n
- a predominantly fawn-colored Old World bird ( Garrulus glandarius) of the crow family with a black-and-white crest and wings marked with black, white, and blue
- any of various usu. crested and largely blue chiefly New World birds that are related to the common Old World jay and have roving habits and harsh voices
- an impertinent chatterer
- dandy
- greenhorn
- a moderate blue
- the letter j
- joint
jay·bird ['jā-,bərd] -n
- jay
- jay
Jay·cee [,jā-'sē] -n
- a member of a major national and international civic organization
jay·gee ['jā-'jē] -n
- lieutenant junior grade
jay·hawk·er ['jā-,hȯ-kər] -n
- a member of a band of antislavery guerrillas in Kansas and Missouri before and during the American Civil War
- bandit
- a native or resident of Kansas used as a nickname
jay·vee [,jā-'vē] -n
- junior varsity
- a member of a junior varsity team
jay·walk ['jā-,wȯk] -vi, n
- to cross a street carelessly or in an illegal manner so as to be endangered by traffic
jazz ['jaz] -n, adj
- American music developed esp. from ragtime and blues and characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre
- popular dance music influenced by jazz and played in a loud rhythmic manner
- empty talk : humbug
- spouted all the scientific jazz -- Pete Martin
- similar but unspecified things : stuff
- that wind, and the waves, and all that jazz -- John Updike
- to play in the manner of jazz
- enliven usu. used with up
- accelerate
- to go here and there : gad
- to dance to or play jazz
jazz·man ['jaz-,man, -mən] -n
- a jazz musician
jazzrock [-'räk] -n
- a blend of jazz and rock music
jazzy ['ja-zē] -adj, adv, n
- having the characteristics of jazz
- marked by unrestraint, animation, or flashiness