Jolt, jōlt, v.i. to shake with sudden jerks.—v.t. to shake with a sudden shock.—n. a sudden jerk.—ns. Jolt′er; Jolt′-head, Jolt′erhead, a blockhead.—adv. Jolt′ingly, in a jolting manner. [Old form joll, prob. conn. with jowl.]
Jonah, jō′nä, n. an unlucky passenger on shipboard or elsewhere—from the prophet Jonah.
Jonathan, jon′a-than, n. the people of the United States, collectively, or a typical specimen, Brother Jonathan. [Perh. from the sagacious Governor Jonathan Trumbull, 1710-85.]
Jongleur, zhong′gler, n. a minstrel: a mountebank. [O. Fr. jogleor—L. joculator; cf. Juggler.]
Jonquil, jon′kwil, n. a name given to certain species of narcissus with rush-like leaves.—Also Jon′quill. [Fr. jonquille—L. juncus, a rush.]
Jordan, jor′dan, n. (Shak.) a chamber-pot. [Jordan-bottle, a pilgrim's bottle containing Jordan water.]
Jorum, jō′rum, n. a drinking bowl or vessel, also its contents.—Also Jō′ram. [Ety. unknown.]
Joseph, jō′zef, n. one whose chastity is above temptation—from the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Gen. xxxix.: a caped overcoat worn by women in the 18th century for riding—in allusion to Joseph's coat, Gen. xxxvii. 3.
Joskin, jos′kin, n. a clown, yokel. [Thieves' cant.]
Joss, jos, n. a Chinese idol.—ns. Joss′-house, a temple; Joss′-stick, a stick of gum burned as incense to their gods. [Pidgin-English corr. of the Port. deos, god.]