jab
[jab]
- to poke, or thrust abruptly or sharply, as with the end or point of a stick.
- to punch, especially with a short, quick blow.
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- a poke with the end or point of something; a sharp, quick thrust.
- a short, quick punch.
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Origin of jab
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for jab
Contemporary Examples
Maybe you think Botox is no big deal—a quick lunchtime jab to freshen up the face?
Nicole Kidman Botox Insanity: Why All Women Lose Out When We Obsess Over Stars’ FacesEmma Woolf
May 25, 2014
This could be construed as a jab at Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who is actively considering both.
There was the jab at a blue-haired Liza Minnelli, claiming she was a man in drag masquerading as the Oscar winning legend.
A man was restraining him from behind while, to his horror, he said, he saw another leaning in to jab a syringe into his arm.
Even Gingrich, after complimenting Cain's attempt to simplify a complex idea, took a jab at the pizza guy.
GOP Debate Live UpdatesOctober 18, 2011
Historical Examples
Cochise let go the ladder with one hand to jab his knife at Lennon's leg.
Bloom of CactusRobert Ames Bennet
A jab from someone's elbow had decorated Dulcie Vale with a black eye.
Marjorie Dean, College SophomorePauline Lester
He shortened his right arm for a jab like the crash of a pile-driver.
The Trail of '98Robert W. Service
We can jab it off its hook with a billiard-cue, I should think, Moke.
The Right StuffIan Hay
If I see another one, I'll jab him with one of these knitting needles.
Tom Slade with the ColorsPercy K. Fitzhugh
jab
- to poke or thrust sharply
- to strike with a quick short blow or blows
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- a sharp poke or stab
- a quick short blow, esp (in boxing) a straight punch with the leading hand
- informal an injectionpolio jabs
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Word Origin
C19: originally Scottish variant of job
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for jab
v.
1825, "to thrust with a point," Scottish variant of job "to strike, pierce, thrust," from Middle English jobben "to jab, thrust, peck" (late 15c.), of unknown origin, perhaps echoic. Related: Jabbed; jabbing.
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n.
1825, from jab (v.). Meaning "a punch with the fist" is from 1889. Sense of "injection with a hypodermic needle," beloved by headline writers, is from 1914.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper