jar

¹

[ jahr ]

noun

1. a broad-mouthed container, usually cylindrical and of glass or earthenware:

   a cookie jar.

2. the quantity such a container can or does hold.

jar

²

[ jahr ]

verb (used without object)

, jarred, jar·ring.

1. to have a harshly unpleasant or perturbing effect on one's nerves, feelings, thoughts, etc.:

   The sound of the alarm jarred.

2. to produce a harsh, grating sound; sound discordantly.
3. to vibrate audibly; rattle:

   The window jarred in the frame.

4. to vibrate or shake.
5. to conflict, clash, or disagree.

verb (used with object)

, jarred, jar·ring.

1. to cause to rattle or shake.
2. to have a sudden and unpleasant effect upon (the feelings, nerves, etc.):

   The burglary violently jarred their sense of security.

3. to cause to sound harshly or discordantly.

noun

1. a jolt or shake; a vibrating movement, as from concussion.
2. a sudden unpleasant effect upon the mind or feelings; shock.
3. a harsh, grating sound.
4. a discordant sound or combination of sounds.
5. a quarrel or disagreement, especially a minor one.

jar

³

[ jahr ]

noun

1. a turn or turning.

jar

¹

/ dʒɑː /

verb

1. to vibrate or cause to vibrate
2. to make or cause to make a harsh discordant sound
3. often foll by on to have a disturbing or painful effect (on the nerves, mind, etc)
4. intr to disagree; clash

noun

1. a jolt or shock
2. a harsh discordant sound

jar

²

/ dʒɑː /

noun

1. on a jar or on the jar
   (of a door) slightly open; ajar

jar

³

/ dʒɑː /

noun

1. a wide-mouthed container that is usually cylindrical, made of glass or earthenware, and without handles
2. Alsojarful the contents or quantity contained in a jar
3. informal.
   a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beer

   to have a jar with someone

4. obsolete.
   a measure of electrical capacitance

Derived Forms

• ˈjarring, adjective
• ˈjarringly, adverb

Other Words From

• jarless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jar¹

First recorded in 1585–95; Middle English jarre “liquid measure smaller than a barrel,” possibly from Old French jarre, from Spanish or Portuguese jarra, jarro “a jar, pitcher,” or from Medieval Latin jarra, from Old Provençal jarra, from Arabic jarrah “earthen water vessel”

Origin of jar²

First recorded in 1520–30; probably imitative; chirr

Origin of jar³

First recorded in 1665–75; variant of char ³; ajar ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of jar¹

C16: probably of imitative origin; compare Old English cearran to creak

Origin of jar²

C17 (in the sense: turn): from earlier char, from Old English cierran to turn; see ajar ¹

Origin of jar³

C16: from Old French jarre, from Old Provençal jarra, from Arabic jarrah large earthen vessel

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the jar, partly opened; ajar:

   The window was on the jar.

Example Sentences

It’s a jarring sight, but oarfish are anything but dangerous.

From Los Angeles Times

In the background, a jarring chorus of voices echoed, “Arrest her, arrest her!”

From BBC

When I'm in the bell jar, as I majorly have been for the last two months, the more I sit around and just wallow in sadness, the worse I feel.

From Salon

Seeking a response to a jarring defeat against the All Blacks seven days prior, Ireland's victory against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday served to answer some questions while presenting a few more.

From BBC

But I do look around like, “Ew, what is that in that jar? Ew.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• basin
• bottle
• can
• flask
• jug
• pot
• urn
• vase
• vessel