jar Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a vessel (usually cylindrical) with a wide mouth and without handles
  2. noun the quantity contained in a jar
    jarful.
    • he drank a jar of beer
  3. noun a sudden jarring impact
    shock; jolt; jounce.
    • the door closed with a jolt
    • all the jars and jolts were smoothed out by the shock absorbers
  4. verb be incompatible; be or come into conflict
    collide; clash.
    • These colors clash
  5. verb move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion
    jolt.
  6. verb shock physically
    shake up; bump around.
    • Georgia was shaken up in the Tech game
  7. verb affect in a disagreeable way
    • This play jarred the audience
  8. verb place in a cylindrical vessel
    • jar the jam

WordNet

Jar noun
Etymology
See Ajar.
Definitions
  1. A turn. [Only in phrase.]
Jar noun
Etymology
F. jarre, Sp. jarra, from Ar. jarrah ewer; cf. Pers. jarrah.
Definitions
  1. A deep, broad-mouthed vessel of earthenware or glass, for holding fruit, preserves, etc., or for ornamental purposes; as, a jar of honey; a rose jar. Dryden.
  2. The measure of what is contained in a jar; as, a jar of oil; a jar of preserves.
Jar intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. OE. charken to creak, AS. cearcian to gnash, F. jars a gander, L. garrire to chatter, prate, OHG. kerran to chatter, croak, G. quarren to grumble, and E. jargon, ajar.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Jarred ; present participle & verbal noun jarring
Definitions
  1. To give forth a rudely quivering or tremulous sound; to sound harshly or discordantly; as, the notes jarred on my ears.
    When such strings jar, what hope of harmony ? Shak.
    A string may jar in the best master's hand. Roscommon.
  2. To act in opposition or disagreement; to clash; to interfere; to quarrel; to dispute.
    When those renowned noble peers Greece Through stubborn pride among themselves did jar. Spenser.
    For orders and degrees Jar not with liberty, but well consist. Milton.
Jar transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause a short, tremulous motion of, to cause to tremble, as by a sudden shock or blow; to shake; to shock; as, to jar the earth; to jar one's faith.
  2. To tick; to beat; to mark or tell off. Obs.
    My thoughts are minutes, and with sighs they jar Their watches on unto mine eyes. Shak.
Jar noun
Definitions
  1. A rattling, tremulous vibration or shock; a shake; a harsh sound; a discord; as, the jar of a train; the jar of harsh sounds.
  2. Clash of interest or opinions; collision; discord; debate; slight disagreement.
    And yet his peace is but continual jar. Spenser.
    Cease, cease these jars, and rest your minds in peace. Shak.
  3. A regular vibration, as of a pendulum.
    I love thee not a jar of the clock. Shak.
  4. pl. In deep well boring, a device resembling two long chain links, for connecting a percussion drill to the rod or rope which works it, so that the drill is driven down by impact and is jerked loose when jammed.

Webster 1913