jar
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: enpr: jär
ipa: /dʒɑː/
ipa: [d͡ʒɑː(ɹ)]
ipa: /d͡ʒɑɹ/
ipa: [d͡ʒɑɹ]
ipa: /dʒɐː/
ipa: [d͡ʒɐː(ɹ)]
rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)
Forms: form: jars
form: jarring
form: jarred
form: jarred
Etymology: From earlier jar, jur, jarre, jurre, of uncertain origin. Possibly from earlier *char, *chur, *charre, *churre (now spelt chirr, churr (“to make a sound”); compare also nightjar and its variant nightchurr), from Middle English *chirren, *cherren, *churren (“to sound, cry, murmur, complain”), from Old English ċeorian (“to murmur, gripe, complain with just cause”), from Proto-West Germanic *karēn (“to complain”). For the change of ch to j, compare also charm, jarm (“chirping”); achar, ajar (“slightly turned or open”), chaw, jaw, etc. The noun is derived from the verb.
Senses: examples: text: He hit it with a hammer, hoping he could jar it loose.
text: [T]he wrought iron arms of a fly-wheel were jarred loose in the cast iron rim, and broke off quite short from the rapid and continued violent shocks caused by the cam striking the helve, although the iron was of the toughest description originally.
ref: 1850 April 24, “Discussion on Railway Axes, and on the Structural Changes which Iron is Supposed to Undergo from Vibration and Concussion. […]”, in J[oseph] C[linton] Robertson, editor, The Mechanics’ Magazine, Museum, Register, Journal, and Gazette, volume LII, number 1397, London: Robertson and Co., Mechanics’ Magazine Office, […], published 18 May 1850, →OCLC, page 394, column 1:
text: The most reliable process [for removing curculios] is that of jarring the trees and collecting the insects on a cotton sheet spread under the tree. […] [I]n this manner a dozen or more of trees can be jarred and the results carefully collected in about fifteen or twenty minutes.
ref: 1868, W[illiam] Saunders, “[Appendix to Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Arts. Appendix (G). Report of ‘the Fruit Growers Association of Ontario,’ with Local Reports Annexed.] Report on the Fruit Crop in the Vicinity of London during 1868, with Remarks on Their Insect Enemies and Diseases”, in Sessional Papers. Second Session of the First Parliament of the Province of Ontario., volume I, part II, Toronto, Ont.: Hunter, Rose & Co. printers, →OCLC, page 199:
glosses: To knock, shake, or strike sharply, especially causing a quivering or vibrating movement.
glosses: To harm or injure by such action.
examples: text: I think the accident jarred him, as he hasn’t got back in a car since.
glosses: To shock or surprise.
examples: text: VVhen thoſe renoumed^([sic – meaning renowned]) noble Peres of Greece, / thrugh ſtubborn pride amongſt theſelues did iar / forgetfull of the famous golden fleece, / then Orpheus vvith his harp theyr ſtrife did bar.
ref: 1595, Edmunde Spenser [i.e., Edmund Spenser], “[Amoretti.] Sonnet XLIIII”, in Amoretti and Epithalamion. […], London: […] [Peter Short] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, signature [C7], verso:
text: For Orders and Degrees / Jarr not with liberty, but well conſiſt.
ref: 1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
glosses: To act in disagreement or opposition, to clash, to be at odds with; to interfere; to dispute, to quarrel.
examples: text: The clashing notes jarred on my ears.
text: How irkſome is this Muſick to my heart? / When ſuch Strings iarre, what hope of Harmony?
ref: 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 126, column 1:
text: Be not too rigidly Cenſorious, / A ſtring may jarr in the beſt Maſters hand, / And the moſt skilfull Archer miſs his aim; / But in a Poem elegantly writ, / I will not quarrel with a ſlight miſtake, / Such as our Natures frailty may excuſe; [...]
ref: 1680, Horace, translated by Earl of Roscommon [i.e., Wentworth Dillon, 4th Earl of Roscommon], Horace’s Art of Poetry. […], London: […] Henry Herringman […], →OCLC, page 24:
glosses: To (cause something to) give forth a rudely tremulous or quivering sound; to (cause something to) sound discordantly or harshly.
glosses: To quiver or vibrate due to being shaken or struck.
glosses: Of the appearance, form, style, etc., of people and things: to look strangely different; to stand out awkwardly from its surroundings; to be incongruent.
Derived terms: word: jarring
word: jarry
word: jarsome