jab

Pronunciation: /d͡ʒæb/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
  2. noun a quick short straight punch
  3. noun the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow

Etymology

Originally a Scottish (unclear if Scots or Scottish English) form of English job (“peck, poke, thrust”), from Middle English jobben.

In classic literature

Synonyms

jabbing, poke, poking, thrust, thrusting

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
gesture

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