jugular

[ juhg-yuh-ler, joo-gyuh- ]

adjective

1. Anatomy.
   1. of or relating to the throat or neck.
   2. noting or pertaining to any of certain large veins of the neck, especially one external jugular vein collecting blood from the superficial parts of the head or one internal jugular vein collecting blood from within the skull.
2. (of a fish) having the pelvic fins at the throat, before the pectoral fins.

noun

1. Anatomy. a jugular vein.

jugular

/ ˈdʒʌɡjʊlə /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated near the throat or neck
2. of, having, or denoting pelvic fins situated in front of the pectoral fins

   a jugular fish

noun

1. short for jugular vein
2. go for the jugular
   to make a savage and destructive attack on an enemy's weakest point

Other Words From

• inter·jugu·lar adjective
• post·jugu·lar adjective
• sub·jugu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jugular¹

1590–1600; < Late Latin jugulāris, equivalent to Latin jugul ( um ) throat ( jugulate ) + -āris -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of jugular¹

C16: from Late Latin jugulāris, from Latin jugulum throat

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go for the jugular, to attack a vital and vulnerable trait, feature, element, etc., in an attempt to overcome somebody or something swiftly and totally:

   The defense attorney went right for the jugular by attempting to destroy the witness's credibility.

More idioms and phrases containing jugular

see go for , def. 4.

Example Sentences

The Dodgers could have gone for the jugular, and the World Series sweep, against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

But Lee has been delivering these jugular jabs the whole day, talking about the failed businesses.

From Los Angeles Times

She was smart about how she ordered her argument for a smartphone, starting with logic and then going for the emotional jugular.

From Los Angeles Times

Hours later, as a doctor inserted a large-gauge transfusion line into his jugular vein, Junger sensed his father’s presence in the room.

From New York Times

I knew convincing a girlfriend wouldn’t be easy, so I went for the jugular.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gruff
• hoarse