ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: jack (I) + straw
1. obsolete : a man without property, worth, or influence
2.
a. : one of the pieces used in the game jackstraws
b. jackstraws plural but singular in construction : a game in which a set of straws or strips (as of bone or wood) are let fall in a heap and each player in turn tries to remove them one at a time with a small instrument and without disturbing the rest of the pile
3. dialect England : any of several small European birds using bedstraw in their nests: as
a. : whitethroat
b. : garden warbler
c. : blackcap