[jump] vb [prob. akin to LG gumpen to jump] vi (1530) 1 a: to spring into the air: leap; esp: to spring free from the ground or other base by the muscular action of feet and legs b: to move suddenly or involuntarily: start c: to move over a position occupied by an opponent's piece in a board game often thereby capturing the piece d: to undergo a vertical or lateral displacement owing to improper alignment of the film on a projector mechanism e: to start out or forward: begin--usu. used with off "~ off to a big lead" f: to move energetically: hustle g: to go from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to another "~ to a subroutine"
2: coincide, agree 3 a: to move haphazardly or irregularly: shift abruptly "~ed from job to job" b: to change or abandon employment esp. in violation of contract c: to rise suddenly in rank or status d: to undergo a sudden sharp change in value "prices ~ed" e: to make a jump in bridge f: to make a hurried judgment "~ to conclusions" g: to show eagerness "~ed at the chance" h: to enter eagerly "~ on the bandwagon"
4: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack "~ed on him for his criticism"
5: to bustle with activity "the bar was ~ing with young people" ~ vt 1 a: to leap over "~ a hurdle" b: to move over (a piece) in a board game c: to act, move, or begin before (as a signal) "~ the green light" d: to leap aboard "~ a freight"
2. obs: risk, hazard 3 a: to escape from: avoid b: to leave hastily or in violation of contract "~ town without paying their bills --Hamilton Basso" c: to depart from (a normal course) "~ the track"
4. a: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack on b: to occupy illegally "~ a mining claim"
5. a (1): to cause to leap (2): to cause (game) to break cover: start, flush b: to elevate in rank or status c: to raise (a bridge partner's bid) by more than one rank d: to increase suddenly and sharply -- jump bail : to abscond after being released from prison on bail -- jump ship 1: to leave the company of a ship without authority
2: to desert a cause or party esp. abruptly: defect -- jump the gun 1: to start in a race before the starting signal
2: to act, move, or begin something before the proper time -- jump the queue Brit: to advance directly to or as if to the head of a line
[2]jump adv (1539) obs: exactly, pat [3]jump n (ca. 1552) 1 a (1): an act of jumping: leap (2): any of several sports competitions featuring a leap, spring, or bound (3): a space cleared or covered by a leap (4): an obstacle to be jumped over or from b: a sudden involuntary movement: start c: a move made in a board game by jumping d: a transfer from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to a different sequence "conditional ~"
2. obs: venture 3 a (1): a sharp sudden increase (2): a bid in bridge of more tricks than are necessary to overcall the preceding bid--compare shift b: an abrupt change or transition c (1): a quick short journey (2): one in a series of moves from one place to another
4: an advantage at the start "desirous of getting the ~ on the competition --Elmer Davis"