jack

jack¹

noun

1》 a device for lifting heavy objects, especially one for raising the axle of a motor vehicle.

2》 a playing card bearing a representation of a soldier, page, or knave, normally ranking next below a queen.

3》 (also jack socket) a socket designed to receive a jack plug.

4》 (in bowls) a small white ball at which the players aim.

5》 (also jackstone) a small round pebble or star-shaped piece of metal or plastic used in tossing and catching games.

    ↘(jacks) a game played by tossing and catching jacks.

6》 a small version of a national flag flown at the bow of a vessel in harbour.

7》 N. Amer. informal money.

8》 a device for turning a spit.

9》 a part of the mechanism in a spinet or harpsichord that connects a key to its corresponding string.

10》 a perch-like marine fish, typically with a row of large spiky scales along each side. [Family Carangidae: numerous species.]

11》 the male of various animals, especially a merlin or (N. Amer.) an ass.

12》 used in names of animals and plants that are smaller than similar kinds, e.g. jack pine.

verb

1》 (jack something up) raise something with a jack.

2》 (jack something up) informal increase something by a considerable amount.

3》 (jack in/into) log into or connect up (a computer or electronic device).

Phrases

every man jack informal every single person.

jack of all trades (and master of none) a person who can do many different types of work (but has special skill in none).

Phrasal verbs

jack someone around N. Amer. informal cause someone inconvenience or problems.

jack something in Brit. informal cease doing something.

jack off vulgar slang masturbate.

jack up informal

1》 inject oneself with a narcotic drug.

2》 Austral. give up or refuse to participate.

Origin

ME: from Jack, familiar form of the given name John, used orig. to denote an ordinary man, hence the 'knave' in cards and 'male animal', also denoting various devices saving human labour.

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jack²

noun historical

1》 another term for blackjack (in sense 5).

2》 a sleeveless padded tunic worn by foot soldiers. [ME: from OFr. jaque; origin uncertain, perh. based on Arab.]

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jack³

adjective Austral. informal tired of or bored with someone or something.

Origin

C19: from jack up (see jack¹).

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jack⁴

verb informal, chiefly N. Amer. take (something) illicitly; steal.

Origin

1990s: from hijack.