Main Entry:

¹jump

Pronunciation:

\ˈjəmp\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

probably akin to Low German gumpen to jump

Date:

1530

intransitive verb1 a: to spring into the air : leap ; especially : to spring free from the ground or other base by the muscular action of feet and legs b: to move suddenly or involuntarily : start c: to move over a position occupied by an opponent's piece in a board game often thereby capturing the piece d: to undergo a vertical or lateral displacement owing to improper alignment of the film on a projector mechanism e: to start out or forward : begin —usually used with off<jump off to a big lead> f: to move energetically : hustle g: to go from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to another <jump to a subroutine>2: coincide, agree3 a: to move haphazardly or irregularly : shift abruptly <jumped from job to job> b: to change or abandon employment especially in violation of contract c: to rise suddenly in rank or status d: to undergo a sudden sharp change in value <prices jumped> e: to make a jump in bridge f: to make a hurried judgment <jump to conclusions> g: to show eagerness <jumped at the chance> h: to enter eagerly <jump on the bandwagon>4: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack <jumped on him for his criticism>5: to bustle with activity <the bar was jumping with young people>transitive verb1 a: to leap over <jump a hurdle> b: to move over (a piece) in a board game c: to act, move, or begin before (as a signal) <jump the green light> d: to leap aboard <jump a freight>2obsolete : risk, hazard3 a: to escape from : avoid b: to leave hastily or in violation of contract <jump town without paying their bills — Hamilton Basso> c: to depart from (a normal course) <jump the track>4 a: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack on b: to occupy illegally <jump a mining claim>5 a (1): to cause to leap (2): to cause (game) to break cover : start, flush b: to elevate in rank or status c: to raise (a bridge partner's bid) by more than one rank d: to increase suddenly and sharply

— jump bail

: to abscond after being released from prison on bail

— jump ship

1: to leave the company of a ship without authority2: to desert a cause or party especially abruptly : defect

— jump the gun

1: to start in a race before the starting signal2: to act, move, or begin something before the proper time

— jump the queue

British : to advance directly to or as if to the head of a line

— jump the shark

of a TV series : to sustain an irreparable decline in popularity following an absurd or incongruous event in the story line