jolt
pronunciation
How to pronounce jolt in British English:
UK [dʒəʊlt]
How to pronounce jolt in American English:
US [dʒoʊlt]
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- Noun:
- a sudden impact
- an abrupt spasmodic movement
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- Verb:
- move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion
- disturb (someone's) composure
Word Origin
- jolt (v.)
- 1590s, perhaps from Middle English jollen, chollen "to knock, to batter" (early 15c.), or an alteration of obsolete jot (v.) "to jostle" (1520s). Perhaps related to earlier jolt head "a big, stupid head" (1530s). Figurative sense of "to startle, surprise" is from 1872. Related: Jolted; jolting.
- jolt (n.)
- 1590s, "a knock," from jolt (v.). Meaning "jarring shock" is from 1630s.
Example
- 1. It was a jolt to most foreign observers and the nepali elite when maoist insurgents won the most seats in an election a year ago .
- 2. This jolt taxes the system and creates strain on weak artery walls .
- 3. And on january 18th the law school of new york university ( nyu ) held a discussion on a reform that would jolt the system : cutting legal education by a year .
- 4. Coach jolt signature cc berry snow boots shoes flats .
- 5. We actually resemble nothing so much as those legendary lab rats that endlessly pressed a lever to give themselves a little electrical jolt to the brain .