See Also: Jack Line, Jack Stay - Sailing(gambling)
Jack the Lad(dictionary)
Jack(1)(dictionary)
jack(3)(dictionary)
Jack-in-the-box(dictionary)
jack(4)(dictionary)
jack(5)(dictionary)
jack-up(dictionary)
new jack(dictionary)
jack(encyclopedia)

Jack-in-the-box (iou)



Jack-in-the-box noun. . M16.
[from JACK noun1 + IN preposition + THE + BOX noun2.]
Christian Church. The consecrated host (alluding to its reservation in a pyx). derog. Only in M16.
A cheat; spec. a thief giving tradesmen empty boxes instead of ones containing payment. L16-E18.
A kind of firework; spec. one that glows for a period before suddenly erupting with a loud bang into a shower of sparks. M17.
A toy consisting of a box containing a figure on a spring, which leaps up when the lid is raised. E18.
Any of various mechanical devices consisting essentially of a screw and a box or frame. E18.
a. A West Indian tree, Hernandia sonora (family Hernandiaceae), bearing large nuts that rattle in their pericarps when shaken. M18.
b. Wild arum, Arum maculatum. dial. L19.