jiao [jē-'au̇] -n

  1. a monetary unit of the People's Republic of China equal to yuan

jib ['jib] -n

  1. a triangular sail set on a stay extending usu. from the head of the foremast to the bowsprit or the jibboom
  2. the small triangular headsail on a sloop
  3. the projecting arm of a crane
  4. a derrick boom
  5. to refuse to proceed further : balk

jib·boom ['ji(b)-'büm] -n

  1. a spar that forms an extension of the bowsprit

jibe ['jīb] -vb, n

(variant of gibe)

  1. to utter taunting words
  2. to deride or tease with taunting words

ji·ca·ma ['hē-kə-mə] -n

  1. 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

  1. a member of an Apache people orig. of southeastern Colorado, northern New Mexico, and adjacent areas and now living chiefly in northern New Mexico
  2. the language of the Jicarilla people

jiff ['jif] -n

  1. jiffy

jif·fy ['ji-fē] -n

  1. moment, instant
    • ready in a jiffy

jig ['jig] -n

  1. any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
  2. music to which a jig may be danced
  3. trick, game used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
  4. any of several fishing devices that are jerked up and down or drawn through the water
  5. 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
  6. a device in which crushed ore is concentrated or coal is cleaned by agitating in water
  7. to move with rapid jerky motions
  8. to dance a jig
  9. to fish with a jig
  10. to dance in the rapid lively manner of a jig
  11. to give a rapid jerky motion to
  12. to separate (a mineral or ore from waste) with a jig
  13. to catch (a fish) with a jig
  14. to machine by means of a jig-controlled tool operation
  15. black

jig·ger ['ji-gər] -n

  1. one that jigs or operates a jig
  2. any of several sails
  3. jig
  4. a mechanical device usu. with a jerky reciprocating motion
  5. a mold or a machine incorporating a revolving mold on which ceramic items (as plates) are formed
  6. gadget, doodad
  7. a measure used in mixing drinks that usu. holds 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 milliliters)

jigger -n

  1. chigger
  2. to jerk up and down
  3. to alter or rearrange esp. by manipulating
    • jigger an election district

jig·gerypok·ery ['ji-gər-ē-'pō-kər-ē] -n

  1. underhanded manipulation or dealings : trickery

jig·gle ['ji-gəl] -vb, n, adj

  1. to cause to move with quick little jerks or oscillating motions
  2. to move from or as if from being jiggled

jig·saw ['jig-,sȯ] -n

  1. scroll saw
  2. a light portable electric saw with a vertically reciprocating blade that is used esp. for cutting curves
  3. jigsaw puzzle

jigsaw -vt

  1. to cut or form by or as if by a jigsaw
  2. to arrange or place in an intricate or interlocking way
  3. suggesting a jigsaw puzzle or its separate pieces

jigsaw puzzle -n

  1. a puzzle consisting of small irregularly cut pieces that are to be fitted together to form a picture
  2. something suggesting a jigsaw puzzle

ji·had [ji-'häd, chiefly Brit -'had] -n

  1. a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty
  2. a personal struggle in devotion to Islam esp. involving spiritual discipline
  3. a crusade for a principle or belief

ji·had·ist [ji-'hä-dist, chiefly Brit -'ha-] -n, adj

  1. a Muslim who advocates or participates in a jihad

jil·lion ['jil-yən, 'ji-lē-ən] -n, adj

  1. zillion

jilt ['jilt] -vt, n

  1. to drop (as a lover) capriciously or unfeelingly
  2. one who jilts a lover

jim crow ['jim-'krō] -n, adj

  1. black
  2. ethnic discrimination esp. against blacks by legal enforcement or traditional sanctions

jimdan·dy ['jim-'dan-dē] -n, adj

  1. something excellent of its kind

jim·jams ['jim-,jamz] -n pl

  1. jitters

jim·mies ['ji-mēz] -n pl

  1. tiny rod-shaped bits of usu. chocolate-flavored candy often sprinkled on ice cream

jim·my ['ji-mē] -n

  1. a short crowbar

jimmy -vt

  1. to force open with or as if with a jimmy
    • the burglar jimmied a window

jim·son·weed ['jim(p)-sən-,wēd] -n

  1. 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

  1. to make a light clinking or tinkling sound
  2. to rhyme or sound in a catchy repetitious manner
  3. to cause to jingle

jingle [-g(ə-)lē] -n, adj

  1. a light clinking or tinkling sound
  2. a catchy repetition of sounds in a poem
  3. something that jingles
  4. a short verse or song marked by catchy repetition

jin·go ['jiŋ-(,)gō] -interj

  1. used as a mild oath usu. in the phrase by jingo

jingo [-ish] -n, adj

  1. one characterized by jingoism

jin·go·ism ['jiŋ-(,)gō-,i-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj, adv

  1. extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked esp. by a belligerent foreign policy

jink ['jiŋk] -vi

  1. to move quickly or unexpectedly with sudden turns and shifts (as in dodging)
  2. a quick evasive turn : slip
  3. pranks, frolics
  4. high jinks

jin·ni ['jē-nē, 'ji-, jə-'nē] -n

  1. one of a class of spirits that according to Muslim demonology inhabit the earth, assume various forms, and exercise supernatural power
  2. genie

jin·rick·sha [jin-'rik-,shȯ] -n

  1. rickshaw

jinx ['jiŋ(k)s] -n

  1. one that brings bad luck
  2. the state or spell of bad luck brought on by a jinx
  3. to foredoom to failure or misfortune : bring bad luck to

ji·pi·ja·pa [,hē-pē-'hä-pə] -n

  1. a palmlike Central and So. American plant ( Carludovica palmataof the family Cyclanthaceae) with leaves used esp. to make Panama hats
  2. panama

JIT -abbr

  1. job instruction training
  2. just in time

jit·ney ['jit-nē] -n

  1. nickel
  2. bus
  3. a small bus that carries passengers over a regular route on a flexible schedule
  4. an unlicensed taxicab

jit·ter ['ji-tər] -n

  1. a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
    • had a bad case of the jitter s before his performance
  2. the state of mind or the movement of one that jitters
  3. irregular random movement (as of a pointer or an image on a television screen)
  4. vibratory motion

jitter -vi

  1. to be nervous or act in a nervous way
  2. to make continuous fast repetitive movements

jit·ter·bug ['ji-tər-,bəg] -n

  1. a jazz variation of the two-step in which couples swing, balance, and twirl in standardized patterns and often with vigorous acrobatics
  2. one who dances the jitterbug

jitterbug -vi

  1. to dance the jitterbug
  2. 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

  1. suffering from the jitters
  2. marked by jittering movements

jiujitsu [jü-'jit-(,)sü] -n

(variant of jujitsu)

  1. an art of weaponless fighting employing holds, throws, and paralyzing blows to subdue or disable an opponent

jive ['jīv] -n, adj

  1. swing music or the dancing performed to it
  2. glib, deceptive, or foolish talk
  3. the jargon of hipsters
  4. a special jargon of difficult or slang terms
  5. tease, cajole
  6. swing
  7. to talk jive : kid around
  8. to dance to or play jive
  9. phony