jab
pronunciation
How to pronounce jab in British English:
UK [dʒæb]
How to pronounce jab in American English:
US [dʒæb]
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- Noun:
- a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
- a quick short straight punch
- the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow
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- Verb:
- poke or thrust abruptly
- strike or punch quick and short blows
- stab or pierce
Word Origin
- 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.
- jab (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.
Example
- 1. The right jab can protect a child for life , but chronic diseases may require lifelong medication .
- 2. Researchers believe the jab could also tackle breast , prostate , pancreatic , bowel and ovarian cancers .
- 3. Keys can especially do a lot of damage : if an attacker comes at you , scratch his face or jab at his eyes with the keys .
- 4. More than 1.4 million girls in britain have so far received the jab , but no suspicious deaths have previously been reported .
- 5. More than 11 million people from groups deemed a " priority " , including pregnant women , are being offered the jab , alongside two million health and social care staff .