john

¹

[ jon ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a toilet or bathroom.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) a fellow; guy.
3. (sometimes initial capital letter) a prostitute's customer.
4. Also called john mule. a male mule, or more properly a gelded mule. Compare horse mule.

John

²

[ jon ]

noun

1. the apostle John, believed to be the author of the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the book of Revelation.
2. John the Baptist.
3. John Lackland, 1167?–1216, king of England 1199–1216; signer of the Magna Carta 1215 (son of Henry II of England).
4. Augustus Edwin, 1878–1961, British painter and etcher.
5. Elton Reginald Kenneth Dwight, born 1947, English rock singer, pianist, and songwriter.
6. the fourth Gospel.
7. any of the three Epistles of John: 1, 2, or 3 John.
8. a male given name.

john

¹

/ dʒɒn /

noun

1. a slang word for lavatory
2. slang.
   a prostitute's client
3. slang.
   short for John Hop

John

²

/ dʒɒn /

noun

1. New Testament
   1. JohnMJewishRELIGION: apostleRELIGION: saint the apostle John, the son of Zebedee, identified with the author of the fourth Gospel, three epistles, and the book of Revelation. Feast day: Dec 27 or Sept 26
   2. the fourth Gospel
   3. any of three epistles (in full The First, Second, and Third Epistles of John )
2. See John the Baptist
3. John11671216MEnglishPOLITICS: hereditary ruler known as John Lackland. 1167–1216, king of England (1199–1216); son of Henry II. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his brother Richard I, having previously tried to usurp the throne. War with France led to the loss of most of his French possessions. After his refusal to recognize Stephen Langton as archbishop of Canterbury an interdict was imposed on England (1208–14). In 1215 he was compelled by the barons to grant the Magna Carta
4. John13711419MBurgundianPOLITICS: hereditary ruler called the Fearless . 1371–1419, duke of Burgundy (1404–19). His attempt to control the mad king Charles VI and his murder of the king's brother led to civil war: assassinated
5. JohnAugustus (Edwin)18781961MBritishARTS AND CRAFTS: painter Augustus ( Edwin ). 1878–1961, British painter, esp of portraits
6. JohnBarry1945MWelshSPORT AND GAMES: rugby union player Barry born 1945, Welsh Rugby Union footballer: halfback for Wales (1966–72) and the British Lions (1968–71)
7. JohnSir Elton (Hercules)1947MBritishMUSIC: rock pianistMUSIC: composerMUSIC: singer Sir Elton ( Hercules ). original name Reginald Dwight. born 1947, British rock pianist, composer, and singer; his hits include "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973) and "Candle in the Wind 1997" (1997), a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales
8. JohnGwen18761939FBritishARTS AND CRAFTS: painter Gwen , sister of Augustus John. 1876–1939, British painter, working in France: noted esp for her portraits of women

Word History and Origins

Origin of john¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Johan, Iohan, John; generic use of the proper name

Origin of john²

Middle English Johan, John, Jon, from Medieval Latin Jō(h)annēs, from Greek Iōánnēs, from Hebrew Yôkhānān, contracted from Yĕhôkhānān “God has been gracious”; Anna ( def ), Yahweh ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of john¹

C20: special use of the proper name

Example Sentences

John the female cat became wedged inside a garage and had to be cut out using small tools.

From BBC

It captures some of the inquisitive humanity that Steinmetz, a tall and direct people’s person with a John Malkovich mien, conveys in life.

From New York Times

Besides Trump and Bush, three presidents were elected in the 1880s while losing the popular vote: John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes and Benjamin Harrison.

From Los Angeles Times

Working for 26 years as a high school science teacher isn’t what got John Mannion elected to Congress.

From Science Magazine

This study was funded by the Center for Science in the Public Interest via a grant by the John Sperling Foundation.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• latrine
• lavatory
• men's room
• outhouse
• toilet
• urinal