jacket

[ jak-it ]

noun

1. a short coat, in any of various forms, usually opening down the front.
2. something designed to be placed around the upper part of the body for a specific purpose other than use as clothing:

   a life jacket.

3. a protective outer covering.
4. the skin of a potato, especially when it has been cooked.
5. book jacket.
6. the cover of a paperbound book, usually bearing an illustration.
7. a paper or cardboard envelope for protecting a phonograph record.
8. a metal casing, as the steel covering of a cannon, the steel cover around the core of a bullet, or the water jacket on certain types of machine guns.
9. a folded paper or open envelope containing an official document.

verb (used with object)

1. to put a jacket on (someone or something).

jacket

/ ˈdʒækɪt /

noun

1. a short coat, esp one that is hip-length and has a front opening and sleeves
2. something that resembles this or is designed to be worn around the upper part of the body

   a life jacket

3. any exterior covering or casing, such as the insulating cover of a boiler
4. the part of the cylinder block of an internal-combustion engine that encloses the coolant
5. See dust jacket
6. 1. the skin of a baked potato
   2. ( as modifier )

      jacket potatoes

7. a metal casing used in certain types of ammunition
8. a cover to protect a gramophone record Brit namesleeve
9. a folder or envelope to hold documents

verb

1. tr to put a jacket on (someone or something)

Derived Forms

• ˈjacket-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈjacketed, adjective

Other Words From

• jacket·ed adjective
• jacket·less adjective
• jacket·like adjective
• under·jacket noun
• un·jacket·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jacket¹

1425–75; late Middle English jaket < Middle French ja ( c ) quet, equivalent to jaque jack ⁴ + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of jacket¹

C15: from Old French jaquet short jacket, from jacque peasant, from proper name Jacques James

Related Words

• coat
• fur
• parka
• sheath
• tunic