n. & v.
—n.
1 a device for lifting heavy objects, esp. the axle of a vehicle off the ground while changing a wheel etc.
2 a court-card with a picture of a man, esp. a soldier, page, or knave, etc.
3 a ship's flag, esp. one flown from the bow and showing nationality.
4 a device using a single plug to connect an electrical circuit.
5 a small white ball in bowls, at which the players aim.
6 a = JACKSTONE. b (in pl.) a game of jackstones.
7 (Jack) the familiar form of John esp. typifying the common man or the male of a species (I'm all right, Jack).
8 the figure of a man striking the bell on a clock.
9 sl. a detective; a policeman.
10 US sl. money.
11 = LUMBERJACK.
12 = STEEPLEJACK.
13 a device for turning a spit.
14 any of various marine perchlike fish of the family Carangidae, including the amberjack.
15 a device for plucking the string of a harpsichord etc., one being operated by each key.
—v.tr. (usu. foll. by up)
1 raise with or as with a jack (in sense 1).
2 colloq. raise e.g. prices.
Phrases and idioms:
every man jack each and every person. Jack Frost frost personified. jack in (or up) sl. abandon (an attempt etc.). jack-in-the-box a toy figure that springs out of a box when it is opened. jack-in-office a self-important minor official. jack of all trades a person who can do many different kinds of work. jack-o'-lantern
1 a will-o'-the wisp.
2 a lantern made esp. from a pumpkin with holes for facial features. jack plane a medium-sized plane for use in rough joinery. jack plug a plug for use with a jack (see sense 4 of n.). Jack tar a sailor. on one's jack (or Jack Jones) sl. alone; on one's own.
Etymology: ME Iakke, a pet-name for John, erron. assoc. with F Jacques James
2.
n.
1 = BLACKJACK(3).
2 hist. a sleeveless padded tunic worn by foot-soldiers.
Etymology: ME f. OF jaque, of uncert. orig.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.