2 N‑COUNT If you call someone a jerk , you are insulting them because you think they are stupid or you do not like them. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
3 → see also knee-jerk
jer|kin /dʒɜː r k I n/ (jerkins ) N‑COUNT A jerkin is a sleeveless jacket worn by men or women. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
jerky /dʒɜː r ki/ (jerkier , jerkiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] Jerky movements are very sudden and quick, and do not flow smoothly. □ Mr Griffin made a jerky gesture. ● jerki|ly /dʒɜː r k I li/ ADV [ADV with v] □ Using his stick heavily, he moved jerkily towards the car.
jerry-built /dʒe rib I lt/ ADJ If you describe houses or blocks of flats as jerry-built , you are critical of the fact that they have been built very quickly and cheaply, without much care for safety or quality. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …jerry-built equipment. □ The place is a bit jerry-built.
jer|sey ◆◇◇ /dʒɜː r zi/ (jerseys )
1 N‑COUNT A jersey is a knitted piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body and your arms and does not open at the front. Jerseys are usually worn over a shirt or blouse. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ His grey jersey and trousers were sodden with the rain.
2 N‑VAR [oft N n] Jersey is a knitted, slightly stretchy fabric used especially to make women's clothing. □ Sheila had come to dinner in a black jersey top.
Jer|sey (Jerseys ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A Jersey cow or a Jersey is a light brown cow that produces very creamy milk.
Je|ru|sa|lem ar|ti|choke /dʒəruː sələm ɑː r t I tʃoʊk/ (Jerusalem artichokes ) N‑VAR Jerusalem artichokes are small, yellowish-white vegetables that grow underground and look like potatoes.
jest /dʒe st/ (jests , jesting , jested )
1 N‑COUNT A jest is something that you say that is intended to be amusing. [FORMAL ] □ It was a jest rather than a reproach. ● PHRASE If you say something in jest , you do not mean it seriously, but want to be amusing. □ Don't say that, even in jest.
2 VERB If you jest , you tell jokes or say amusing things. [FORMAL ] □ [V + with] He enjoyed drinking and jesting with his cronies.
jest|er /dʒe stə r / (jesters ) N‑COUNT In the courts of kings and queens in medieval Europe, the jester was the person whose job was to do silly things in order to make people laugh.
Jesu|it /dʒe zju I t, [AM ] dʒe ʒu I t/ (Jesuits ) N‑COUNT A Jesuit is a Catholic priest who belongs to the Society of Jesus.
Jesus ◆◇◇ /dʒiː zəs/
1 N‑PROPER Jesus or Jesus Christ is the name of the man who Christians believe was the son of God, and whose teachings are the basis of Christianity.
2 EXCLAM Jesus is used by some people to express surprise, shock, or annoyance. This use could cause offence. [FEELINGS ]
jet ◆◇◇ /dʒe t/ (jets , jetting , jetted )
1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A jet is an aircraft that is powered by jet engines. □ Her private jet landed in the republic on the way to Japan. □ He had arrived from Jersey by jet.
2 → see also jump jet
3 VERB If you jet somewhere, you travel there in a fast plane. □ [V adv/prep] They will be jetting off on a two-week holiday in America.
4 N‑COUNT A jet of liquid or gas is a strong, fast, thin stream of it. □ [+ of ] A jet of water poured through the windows.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Jet is a hard black stone that is used in jewellery.
je t ai r|craft (jet aircraft ) N‑COUNT A jet aircraft is an aircraft that is powered by one or more jet engines.
je t bla ck also jet-black ADJ Something that is jet black is a very intense black. □ …jet-black hair.
je t e n|gine (jet engines ) N‑COUNT A jet engine is an engine in which hot air and gases are forced out at the back. Jet engines are used for most modern aircraft.
je t lag in BRIT, also use jetlag N‑UNCOUNT If you are suffering from jet lag , you feel tired and slightly confused after a long journey by aeroplane, especially after travelling between places that have a time difference of several hours.
je t-lagged ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is jet-lagged is suffering from jet lag. □ I'm still a little jet-lagged.
jet|liner /dʒe tla I nə r / (jetliners ) N‑COUNT A jetliner is a large aircraft, especially one which carries passengers. [AM ]
jet|sam /dʒe tsəm/ → see flotsam
je t set also jet-set N‑SING You can refer to rich and successful people who live in a luxurious way as the jet set . □ The winter sports bring the jet set from England.
je t-setting ADJ [ADJ n] You use jet-setting to describe people who are rich and successful and who have a luxurious lifestyle. □ …the international jet-setting elite.
je t ski (jet skis ) N‑COUNT A jet ski is a small machine like a motorcycle that is powered by a jet engine and can travel on the surface of water. [TRADEMARK ]
je t stream (jet streams ) N‑COUNT A jet stream is a very strong wind that blows high in the earth's atmosphere and has an important influence on the weather.
jet|ti|son /dʒe t I sən/ (jettisons , jettisoning , jettisoned )