| jai alai |
a game somewhat similar to handball but played on a larger court, in which players have a curved basket strapped to the wrist for catching and hurling the ball. |
| jail |
a building in which a government confines accused or convicted offenders, usu. for short periods. [3 definitions] |
| jailbait |
(slang) a person under the age of consent, sexual intercourse with whom may be punishable as statutory rape. |
| jailbird |
(informal) someone who is serving or has served time in jail; convict. |
| jailbreak |
a forcible escape from jail. |
| jailer |
one responsible for the maintenance and security of a jail. [2 definitions] |
| Jain |
a believer in or supporter of Jainism. [2 definitions] |
| Jainism |
a dualistic Hindu religion founded in India in the sixth century B.C., emphasizing asceticism, teaching transmigration of the soul, and regarding the worship of the gods as spiritually unimportant. |
| Jakarta |
the seaport capital of Indonesia. |
| Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm |
German brothers who were folklorists and philologists (Jakob, b.1785--d.1863; Wilhelm, b.1786--d.1859). |
| jalap |
the dried root of any of several plants belonging to the morning-glory family, used as a purgative. [2 definitions] |
| jalapeņo |
a very hot Mexican pepper, now widely cultivated. |
| jalopy |
(informal) an old automobile in poor condition. |
| jalousie |
a shutter, blind, or window with overlapping horizontal slats that can be tilted to admit more or less light or air. |
| jam1 |
to force or pack tightly into a small space. [12 definitions] |
| jam2 |
a sweet spread usu. made by cooking crushed fruit and sugar. |
| Jamaica |
an island country in the West Indies south of Cuba. |
| Jamaica rum |
a dark, pungent, full-bodied rum made in Jamaica. |
| jamb |
the side, or side frame, of a door or window opening. |
| jambalaya |
a Creole dish of rice cooked with ham, chicken, shrimp, oysters, and the like, and seasoned with herbs and spices. |
| jamboree |
(informal) a noisy or enthusiastic party or celebration. [2 definitions] |