Emily Dickinson Lexicon

JANT'I-LY, adv. [from janty.]

Briskly; airily; gayly.

JANT'I-NESS, n.

Airiness; flutter; briskness.

JANT'Y, a.

Airy; showy; fluttering; finical. – Hobbes.

JAN'U-A-RY, n. [Ir. gionbhar or gionvar; Russ. genvar; Fr. janvier; It. gennaio; Sp. enero; Port. janeiro; L. januarius. It is evident from the Irish and Russian words, that the first syllable of January, is from the root of L. geno to beget, Eng. to begin, Sax. aginnan. Var is said to signify a revolution. January then signifies the beginning, or first month. Janus is probably from the same root.]

The first month of the year, according to the present computation. At the foundation of Rome, March was considered the first month. January and February were introduced by Numa Pompilius. – Encyc.

JA'NUS, n. [L.]

A Latin deity, represented with two faces looking in opposite directions.

JA-PAN', n. [from the country in Asia, so called.]

This name is given to work varnished and figured in the manner practiced by the natives of Japan. – Encyc. Cyc.

JA-PAN', v.t.

1. To varnish in the manner of the Japanese.
2. To black and gloss, as in blacking shoes or boots. – Gay.

JA-PAN'-EARTH, n.

Catechu, a combination of gummy and resinous matter, obtained from the juice of a species of palm tree. – Nicholson. Japan-earth or catechu, is obtained by decoction and evaporation from the Acacia Catechu. It consists chiefly of tannin combined with a peculiar species of extractive. – Thomson.

JAP-A-NESE', a.

Pertaining to Japan or its inhabitants.

JAP-A-NESE', n.

A native of Japan; or the language of the inhabitants.

JA-PAN'NED, pp.

Varnished in a particular manner.

JA-PAN'NER, n.

1. One who varnishes in the manner of the Japanese, or one skilled in the art.
2. A shoe-blacker. – Pope.

JA-PAN'NING, n.

The art of varnishing and drawing figures on wood or other material, in the manner practiced by the Japanese. – Encyc.

JA-PAN'NING, ppr.

Varnishing in the manner of the Japanese; giving a glossy black surface.

JAPE, n.

A jest; a trick. [Obs.] – Chaucer.

JAPE, v.i. [Ice. geipa.]

To jest. [Obs.] – Chaucer.

JAPE, v.t. [Sax. geap, deceitful.]

To cheat. [Obs.] – Chaucer.

JAP'ER, n.

A jester. [Obs.]

JA-PHET'IC, a.

Pertaining to Japheth, the eldest son of Noah; as, the Japhetic nations, which people the north of Asia and all Europe; Japhetic languages.

JAP'U, n.

A bird of Brasil that suspends its nest.

JAR, n.¹

1. A rattling vibration of sound; a shake; as, a trembling jar. – Holder.
2. A harsh sound; discord.
3. Clash of interest or opinions; collision; discord; debate. And yet his peace is but continual jar. – Spenser.
4. The state of a door half open, or ready to move and strike the post.
5. Repetition of the noise made by the pendulum of a clock. – Shak.

JAR, n.² [Sp. jarra, jarro; Port. id.; It. giarro.]

1. A vessel with a large belly and broad mouth, made of earth or glass; as, a jar of honey. – Dryden. We say, an electrical battery of nine jars.
2. A certain measure; as, a jar of oil.

JAR, v.i.

1. To strike together with a short rattle or tremulous sound; to strike untunably or harshly; to strike discordantly; as, a jarring sound. A string may jar in the best master's band. – Roscommon.
2. To clash; to interfere; to act in opposition; to be inconsistent. For orders and degrees / Jar not with liberty, but well consist. – Milton.
3. To quarrel; to dispute; to clash in words. – Dryden.
4. To vibrate regularly; to repeat the same sound. – Shak.

JAR, v.t.

To shake; to cause to tremble; to cause a short tremulous motion in a thing.

JAR-A-RAC'A, n.

A species of serpent in America, seldom exceeding 18 inches in length, having prominent veins on its head, and of a dusky brownish color, variegated with red and black spots. It is very poisonous. – Cyc.