jak

Noun (1)

jack (plural jacks)

1. A coarse medieval coat of defence, especially one made of leather.
   • jack of plate

Noun (2)

jack (plural jacks)

1. (capitalized) A name applied to a hypothetical or typical man.
   • After Dinner they frisk away to some known Place of Rendezvous, where (at Night) every Jack has his Jill and every Jill has her Jack.1723, The New-England Courant, volume 80
2. (US, countable) A man, a fellow; a typical man; men in general.
   • Call you me daughter? now I promiſe you / You haue ſhewd a tender fatherly regard, / To wiſh me wed to one halfe Lunaticke, / A mad-cap ruffian, and a ſwearing Iacke, / That thinkes with oathes to face the matter out.c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
3. (colloquial) A sailor.

   Synonyms:

   jacktar, tar

4. (slang) A policeman or detective; (Australia) a military policeman.
   • When Wardell arrived on the scene, they were surprised to find that he was unshaven, and did not look too happy. One of them remarked: "The 'Jacks' (detectives) are after you."1935, Bernard O'Donnell, The trials of Mr. Justice Avory, page 219

   Synonyms:

   jake, 5-O, alphabet, barney, beatsman, bizzie, bluebottle, bluecoat, blue heeler, blue meanie

5. (archaic) A manual laborer.

See all 63 meanings of jack