Is (R. passim), I; oftentimes the sibilant is carried to the next word.
I-strike, "sixpence in each shilling was i-strike quite away" (R[232],a), struck: see Respublica.
I-torment, "zo i-torment" (R[211],a), tormented.
I-trounst, "so i-trounst" (R[211],b). Prof. Brandl refers to M.E. trunsioun and O.F. tronchon.
Jack-a-napes (R[264],b), here = a tame ape or monkey. The origin of the term in this and its more usual sense (= an ape-like, pert, or ridiculous person) is obscure. Dr. Murray says that so far as yet found the word appears first as an opprobrious nickname of William de la Pole, the Duke of Suffolk who was murdered in 1450, whose badge was a clog and chain such as was attached to a tame ape. Thus in contemporary poems (e.g., Pol. Poems, c. 1499 [Rolls], II. 222) several noblemen are designated by their badges, Suffolk being named the "ape-clogge." We find Jack-napes generic for an ape in Skelton (1522), and shortly afterwards the term was current in the present and more common sense. But the connection between Jack Napes and an ape (again to quote Dr. Murray) "is uncertain."
Jack Noble, "Hence Forty Pence ... Jack Noble is a-bed" (N[98],a), a pun on the value of the coins (forty pence being half a noble) and the lady's preference. What K. q. title means I cannot divine. Prof. Brandl suggests King—Queen, but confesses it obscure; a bry appears to signify a breeze, awkward affair or predicament.
Jake, "a good jake of fence" (M[32],a), coat of defence; a sleeveless tunic or jacket formerly worn by foot-soldiers and others, usually of quilted leather. Sometimes = a coat of mail.
Javels, "javels as shall wrong them" (R[192],b), a generic reproach—rascal, good-for-nothing. "How much more abhominable is that pieuish pride in a lewde vnthriftye, iavell."—More, Treat. Pass. (1534), Introd. Wks., 1272.
Je, Je nescey (N[97],b), i.e. Je ne sais [pas].
Jet (passim), formerly as hard a worked word as "commodity" or "cast"; it signified any device, contrivance, art, fashion, style, mode, manner, or custom. As verb = to strut, walk with consequence, and so forth.