I. ˈjōlt verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably blend of joll (obsolete variant of jowl ) (IV) and obsolete jot to bump, probably of imitative origin
transitive verb
1. : to cause to move with a sudden and jerky motion by a push or series of pushes : jounce
the lumbering coach jolted its passengers over the miserable road
jolted about by the car's swift turns
2.
a. : to give a sharp knock to so as to dislodge or move
jolt it crosswise and lengthwise with a rawhide hammer — H.F.Blanchard & Ralph Ritchen
b. : to jar in boxing with a quick or hard blow
3.
a. : to administer a psychological shock to : disturb the composure of
crudely jolted out of the mood — Virginia Woolf
trying to jolt the world into looking at the future — New Yorker
b. : to shake or interfere with roughly, abruptly, and disconcertingly : upset the even tenor or stability of
determination to pursue his own course was jolted badly — F.L.Paxson
her parents' plans, however, were rudely jolted — Clyde Gilmour
intransitive verb
1.
a. of a vehicle : to move with a jolt or a series of jolts
the train jolted to a stop — Nathaniel Benchley
the wagon jolted up the slope — Ellen Glasgow
b. : to ride or move on foot with a succession of jolts
on into South Carolina they jolted — Dixon Wecter
my body jolts and jars, for I have not got into the trick of drifting slackly down a hillside — Wynford Vaughn-Thomas
climbed into the tonga and jolted away — John Masters
2. slang : to take jolts of narcotics ; especially : to take jolts of heroin
was she still jolting — Wenzell Brown
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : an abrupt sharp jerky blow or movement knocking or shaking violently and tending to unsettle or dislodge : jounce
well packed for protection against jolts in shipment
received the full jolt from each explosion — L.D.de La Penne & Virgilio Spigai
b. : a jarring blow in boxing
c.
(1) : a sudden feeling of shock, surprise, or disappointment caused by some novel or unexpected event or development : a psychological blow or shock
that a few men have such far-reaching power gave the people quite a jolt — Paul Wooton
will give an exciting and much-needed jolt to the complacency of those laymen — J.F.Wharton
this kind of discussion gives a healthy jolt — David Daiches
the affair dealt quite a jolt to his pride
also : an event or development causing such a feeling
his mother's death was quite a jolt to the boy
(2) : a damaging but nonphysical blow : setback , reverse
the … argument for evolution had received a severe jolt — R.W.Murray
had a severe financial jolt
2. slang : a term in jail
3.
a. : a small potent or bracing portion of something : shot
a reassuring jolt of fresh air — Atlantic
poured a jolt of brandy — Dorothy Baker
a new perfume that contains a jolt of gardenia — New Yorker
b. slang : a unit of a narcotic (as heroin) for hypodermic injection
a jolt can be had for a nod and a price — J.B.Clayton
Synonyms: see impact