/jingks/ , n.
1. a person, thing, or influence supposed to bring bad luck.
v.t.
2. to bring bad luck to; place a jinx on: The strike has jinxed my plans to go to Milwaukee for the weekend.
3. to destroy the point of: His sudden laugh jinxed the host's joke.
[ 1910-15, Amer.; perh. jynx wryneck (bird used in divination and magic) íynx ]