Jacamar
(Jac"a*mar`) n. [F. jacamar, Braz. jacamarica; cf. Sp. jacamar.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous
species of tropical American birds of the genus Galbula and allied genera. They are allied to the kingfishers,
but climb on tree trunks like nuthatches, and feed upon insects. Their colors are often brilliant.
Jacana
(Jac"a*na`) n. [Cf. Sp. jacania.] (Zoöl.) Any of several wading birds belonging to the genus
Jacana and several allied genera, all of which have spurs on the wings. They are able to run about over
floating water weeds by means of their very long, spreading toes. Called also surgeon bird.
The most common South American species is Jacana spinosa. The East Indian or pheasant jacana
(Hydrophasianus chirurgus) is remarkable for having four very long, curved, middle tail feathers.
Jacaranda
(Jac`a*ran"da) n. [Braz.; cf. Sp. & Pg. jacaranda.] (Bot.) (a) The native Brazilian name
for certain leguminous trees, which produce the beautiful woods called king wood, tiger wood, and
violet wood. (b) A genus of bignoniaceous Brazilian trees with showy trumpet-shaped flowers.
Jacare
(Jac"a*re`) n. [Pg. jacaré; of Brazilian origin.] (Zoöl.) A cayman. See Yacare.
Jacchus
(Jac"chus) n. [NL., fr. L. Jacchus a mystic name of Bacchus, Gr. .] (Zoöl.) The common
marmoset (Hapale vulgaris). Formerly, the name was also applied to other species of the same genus.
Jacconet
(Jac"co*net) n. See Jaconet.
Jacent
(Ja"cent) a. [L. jacens, p. pr. of jacere to lie: cf. F. jacent.] Lying at length; as, the jacent
posture. [R.] Sir H. Wotton.
Jacinth
(Ja"cinth) n. [F. jacinthe, L. hyacinthus. See Hyacinth.] See Hyacinth. Tennyson.
Jack
(Jack) n. [Pg. jaca, Malayalam, tsjaka.] (Bot.) A large tree, the Artocarpus integrifolia, common
in the East Indies, closely allied to the breadfruit, from which it differs in having its leaves entire. The
fruit is of great size, weighing from thirty to forty pounds, and through its soft fibrous matter are scattered
the seeds, which are roasted and eaten. The wood is of a yellow color, fine grain, and rather heavy, and
is much used in cabinetwork. It is also used for dyeing a brilliant yellow. [Written also jak.]
Jack
(Jack) n. [F. Jacques James, L. Jacobus, Gr. Heb. Ya 'aqob Jacob; prop., seizing by the heel; hence,
a supplanter. Cf. Jacobite, Jockey.]
1. A familiar nickname of, or substitute for, John.
You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Rugby.
Shak. 2. An impertinent or silly fellow; a simpleton; a boor; a clown; also, a servant; a rustic. "Jack fool." Chaucer.
Since every Jack became a gentleman,
There 's many a gentle person made a Jack.
Shak. 3. A popular colloquial name for a sailor; — called also Jack tar, and Jack afloat.
4. A mechanical contrivance, an auxiliary machine, or a subordinate part of a machine, rendering convenient
service, and often supplying the place of a boy or attendant who was commonly called Jack; as: (a) A
device to pull off boots. (b) A sawhorse or sawbuck. (c) A machine or contrivance for turning a spit; a
smoke jack, or kitchen jack. (b) (Mining) A wooden wedge for separating rocks rent by blasting. (e)
(Knitting Machine) A lever for depressing the sinkers which push the loops down on the needles. (f)
(Warping Machine) A grating to separate and guide the threads; a heck box. (g) (Spinning) A machine
for twisting the sliver as it leaves the carding machine. (h) A compact, portable machine for planing
metal. (i) A machine for slicking or pebbling leather. (k) A system of gearing driven by a horse power,
for multiplying speed. (l) A hood or other device placed over a chimney or vent pipe, to prevent a back
