jinx
[ jingks ]
/ dʒɪŋks /
noun
a person, thing, or influence supposed to bring bad luck.
verb (used with object)
to bring bad luck to; place a jinx on: The strike has jinxed my plans to go to Milwaukee for the weekend.
to destroy the point of: His sudden laugh jinxed the host's joke.
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Origin of jinx
1910–15, Americanism; perhaps < Latin jynx wryneck (bird used in divination and magic) < Greek íynx
Related formsout·jinx, verb (used with object)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for jinx
British Dictionary definitions for jinx
jinx
/ (dʒɪŋks) /
noun
an unlucky or malevolent force, person, or thing
verb
(tr) to be or put a jinx on
Word Origin for jinx
C20: perhaps from New Latin Jynx genus name of the wryneck, from Greek iunx wryneck, the name of a bird used in magic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for jinx
jinx
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper