Ivan the Terrible. Ivan IV., son of the founder of the Russian Empire, who rose to power from the position of Grand Duke of Moscow. This second Ivan, at the age of fourteen, during the regency of his mother, had the triumvirate put to death; whereupon he assumed the title of Czar. His reputation for cruelty soon began to assert itself. In the space of six weeks he caused to be put to death no less than 25,000 (some authorities say 60,000) persons at Novogorod, from the idea that they were plotting to deliver up that city to the King of Poland. To crown all, in a fit of passion he killed his own son.
Ivory Black. A pigment originally obtained from calcined ivory, but now from bone.
Ivy Lane. From the ivy-covered houses of the prebendaries attached to St Paul’s Cathedral.
J
Jackanapes. Properly “Jack-of-apes,” an impudent fellow who apes the manners of his social superiors.
Jackass. The male ass.
Jack-boots. When first worn by cavalry these high leather boots were covered with metal plates as a protection for the leg. The term Jack is derived from the Norman-French jacque, a leathern jerkin worn over a coat of mail. At a later period the jacque itself was made sword-proof by metal plates on its under side.
Jacket. Expressed originally the diminutive of the jacque--viz. a short or sleeveless coat of leather. See “[Jack-boots].”
Jack Ketch. The name formerly given to the common hangman, after Richard Jacquett, who owned the manor of Tyburn, where malefactors were executed previous to 1783.
Jack-knife. The name formerly given to a large folding pocket-knife, and now used by sailors, in contradistinction to a “Penknife.” See “[Jack Tar].”