I. ˈjak noun
Etymology: Middle English Jacke, familiar term of address to a social inferior, nickname for Johan John
Date: 1548
1.
a. : man — usually used as an intensive in such phrases as every man jack
b. often capitalized : sailor
c.
(1) : servant , laborer
(2) : lumberjack
2. : any of various usually mechanical devices: as
a. : a device for turning a spit
b. : a usually portable mechanism or device for exerting pressure or lifting a heavy body a short distance
3. : something that supports or holds in position: as
a. : an iron bar at a topgallant masthead to support a royal mast and spread the royal shrouds
b. : a wooden brace fastened behind a scenic unit in a stage set to prop it up
4.
a. : any of several fishes ; especially : any of various carangids
b. : a male donkey
c. : jackrabbit
d. : any of several birds (as a jackdaw)
5.
a. : a small white target ball in lawn bowling
b. : a small national flag flown by a ship
c.
(1) plural but singular in construction : a game played with a set of small objects that are tossed, caught, and moved in various figures
(2) : a small 6-pointed metal object used in the game of jacks
6.
a. : a playing card carrying the figure of a soldier or servant and ranking usually below the queen
b. : jackpot 1a(2)
7. slang : money
8. : a female fitting in an electric circuit used with a plug to make a connection with another circuit
9.
a. : applejack
b. : brandy
10. : jackknife 2
11. : Monterey Jack
II. verb
Date: circa 1841
intransitive verb
: to hunt or fish at night with a jacklight
transitive verb
1. : to hunt or fish for at night with a jacklight
2.
a. : to move or lift by or as if by a jack
b. : to raise the level of — usually used with up
jack up the price
c. : to take to task
• jack·er noun