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or studding, which, being intercepted, is shorter than the others. — Jack towel, a towel hung on a
roller for common use. — Jack truss (Arch.), in a hip roof, a minor truss used where the roof has not
its full section. — Jack tree. (Bot.) See 1st Jack, n. — Jack yard (Naut.), a short spar to extend
a topsail beyond the gaff.
Blue jack, blue vitriol; sulphate of copper. — Hydraulic jack, a jack used for lifting, pulling, or forcing,
consisting of a compact portable hydrostatic press, with its pump and a reservoir containing a supply of
liquid, as oil. — Jack-at-a-pinch. (a) One called upon to take the place of another in an emergency.
(b) An itinerant parson who conducts an occasional service for a fee. — Jack-at- all-trades, one who
can turn his hand to any kind of work. — Jack-by-the-hedge (Bot.), a plant of the genus Erysimum
(E. alliaria, or Alliaria officinalis), which grows under hedges. It bears a white flower and has a taste
not unlike garlic. Called also, in England, sauce-alone. Eng. Cyc. — Jack- in-a-box. (a) (Bot.) A
tropical tree which bears a drupe that rattles when dry in the inflated calyx. (b) A child's toy, consisting
of a box, out of which, when the lid is raised, a figure springs. (c) (Mech.) An epicyclic train of bevel
gears for transmitting rotary motion to two parts in such a manner that their relative rotation may be
variable; applied to driving the wheels of tricycles, road locomotives, and to cotton machinery, etc.; an
equation box; a jack frame; — called also compensating gearing. (d) A large wooden screw turning
in a nut attached to the crosspiece of a rude press. — Jack-in-office, an insolent fellow in authority.
Wolcott. — Jack-in-the- bush (Bot.), a tropical shrub with red fruit — Jack-in-the- green, a chimney
sweep inclosed in a framework of boughs, carried in Mayday processions. — Jack-in-the- pulpit (Bot.),
the American plant Arisæma triphyllum, or Indian turnip, in which the upright spadix is inclosed. — Jack-
of-the- buttery (Bot.), the stonecrop (Sedum acre). — Jack-of-the-clock, a figure, usually of a man,
on old clocks, which struck the time on the bell. — Jack-on-both-sides, one who is or tries to be
neutral. — Jack-out-of-office, one who has been in office and is turned out. Shak. - - Jack the
Giant Killer, the hero of a well- known nursery story. — Jack-with-a-lantern, Jack-o'-lantern. (a)
An ignis fatuus; a will-o'-the-wisp. "[Newspaper speculations] supplying so many more jack-o'-lanterns
to the future historian." Lowell. (b) A lantern made of a pumpkin so prepared as to show in illumination
the features of a human face, etc. — Yellow Jack (Naut.), the yellow fever; also, the quarantine flag.
See Yellow flag, under Flag.
Jack
(Jack) n. [F. jaque, jacque, perh. from the proper name Jacques. Cf. Jacquerie.] A coarse
and cheap mediæval coat of defense, esp. one made of leather.
Their horsemen are with jacks for most part clad. Sir J. Harrington. Jack
(Jack) n. [Named from its resemblance to a jack boot.] A pitcher or can of waxed leather; —
called also black jack. [Obs.] Dryden.
Jack
(Jack), v. i. To hunt game at night by means of a jack. See 2d Jack, n., 4, n.
Jack
(Jack), v. t. To move or lift, as a house, by means of a jack or jacks. See 2d Jack, n., 5.
Jack-a-dandy
(Jack`-a-dan"dy) n. A little dandy; a little, foppish, impertinent fellow.
Jackal
(Jack"al`) n. [Pers. shaghal: cf. OF. jackal, F. chacal; cf. Skr. çr.gala.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of carnivorous animals inhabiting Africa and Asia, related to the
dog and wolf. They are cowardly, nocturnal, and gregarious. They feed largely on carrion, and are noted
for their piercing and dismal howling.
The common species of Southern Asia (Canis aureus) is yellowish gray, varied with brown on the shoulders,
haunches, and legs. The common African species (C. anthus) is darker in color.
2. One who does mean work for another's advantage, as jackals were once thought to kill game which
lions appropriated. [Colloq.] Ld. Lytton.
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