̈ɪdʒʌmp v. & n. --v. 1 intr.
move off the ground or
other surface (usu.
upward, at
least initially) by
sudden muscular effort in the legs. 2 intr. (often foll. by
up,
from,
in,
out, etc.) move suddenly or hastily in a specified
way (we jumped
into the car). 3 intr.
give a sudden
bodily movement from shock or excitement etc. 4 intr.
undergo a
rapid change,
esp. an
advance in
status. 5 intr. (often foll. by about) change or move rapidly from
one idea or
subject to
another. 6 a intr.
rise or
increase suddenly (prices jumped). b tr.
cause to do
this. 7 tr. a pass
over (an
obstacle,
barrier, etc.) by jumping. b move or pass over (an intervening thing) to a
point beyond. 8 tr. skip or pass over (a passage in a
book etc.). 9 tr. cause (a
thing, or an
animal, esp. a horse) to jump. 10 intr. (foll. by
to, at)
reach a
conclusion hastily. 11 tr. (of a train) leave (the rails)
owing to a
fault. 12 tr.
ignore and pass (a
red traffic-light etc.). 13 tr.
get on or off (a
train etc.) quickly, esp. illegally or dangerously. 14 tr. pounce on or
attack (a person) unexpectedly. 15 tr.
take summary possession of (a
claim allegedly abandoned or
forfeit by the former occupant). --n. 1 the
act or an
instance of jumping. 2 a a sudden bodily movement caused by shock or excitement. b (the jumps) colloq.
extreme nervousness or
anxiety. 3 an
abrupt rise in
amount,
price,
value, status, etc. 4 an obstacle to be jumped, esp. by a
horse. 5 a a sudden
transition. b a
gap in a
series,
logical sequence, etc. øget (or have) the jump on colloq. get (or have) an
advantage over (a person) by
prompt action. jump at
accept eagerly. jump bail see
BAIL(1). jump down a person's
throat colloq.
reprimand or
contradict a
person fiercely. jumped-up colloq.
upstart; presumptuously
arrogant. jump the
gun see GUN. jumping-off
place (or point etc.) the place or point of
starting. jump-jet a jet
aircraft that can take off and
land vertically. jump-lead a
cable for conveying
current from the
battery of a
motor vehicle to
boost (or recharge) another. jump-off a deciding
round in a
showjumping competition. jump on colloq. attack or
criticize severely and
without warning. jump out of one's
skin colloq. be extremely startled. jump the
queue 1
push forward out of one's
turn. 2 take
unfair precedence over others. jump-rope US a skipping-rope. jump
seat US a folding
extra seat in a motor vehicle. jump
ship (of a seaman) desert. jump-start v.tr.
start (a motor vehicle) by
pushing it or
with jump-leads. --n. the action of jump-starting. jump
suit a one-piece
garment for the
whole body, of a kind orig.
worn by paratroopers. jump to it colloq. act promptly and energetically. one jump
ahead one
stage further on
than a
rival etc. on the jump colloq. on the move; in a
hurry. øøjumpable adj. [16th
c.: prob. imit.]