Main Entry: ¹jack

Pronunciation: \ˈjak\

Function: 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 sing in constr : 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