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JAB, TO . To pierce fish by prodding.
JABART . A northern term for a fish out of season.
JABB . A peculiar net used for catching the fry of the coal-fish.
JACK . In the British navy the jack is a small _union_ flag, formed by the intersection of St. George's and St. Andrew's crosses (which see), usually displayed from a staff erected on the outer end of a ship's bowsprit. In merchant ships the union is bordered with white or red. (_See_ UNION-JACK.) Also, a common term for the jack or cross-trees. Also, a young male pike, _Esox lucius_, under a foot in length. Also, a drinking vessel of half-pint contents. (_See_ BLACK-JACK.)--_Jack_, or _Jack Tar_, a familiar term for a sailor. A fore-mast man and an able seaman. It was an early term for short coats, jackets, and a sort of coat-of-mail or defensive lorica, or upper garment.
JACK ADAMS . A stubborn fool.
JACK AFLOAT . A sailor. Euripides used almost the same term in _floater_, for a seaman.
JACK CROSS-TREES . Single iron cross-trees at the head of long topgallant-masts, to support royal and skysail masts.
JACK IN OFFICE . An insolent fellow in authority.
JACK IN THE BASKET . A sort of wooden cap or basket on the top of a pole, to mark a sand-bank or hidden danger.
JACK IN THE BOX . A very handy engine, consisting of a large wooden male screw turning in a female one, which forms the upper part of a strong wooden box, shaped like the frustum of a pyramid. It is used by means of levers passing through holes in it as a press in packing, and for other purposes.
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