jink
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L322828 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /d͡ʒɪŋk/
noun
Etymology: Origin uncertain. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests onomatopoeia for motion. Attested since the 18th century. Compare unnasalised dialectal jick (“to avoid with a sudden jerk of the body, elude”).
- A quick evasive turn.
- A jack or knucklebone used in the game of jinks (possibly derived from the Scottish game high jinks).
verb
Etymology: Origin uncertain. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests onomatopoeia for motion. Attested since the 18th century. Compare unnasalised dialectal jick (“to avoid with a sudden jerk of the body, elude”).
- To make a quick evasive turn or turns to confuse pursuers, incoming fire, etc.
“But faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin, / An' cheat you yet.”
“Do not jink. This serves no purpose and will only spoil your run in.”
- To cause a vehicle to make a quick evasive turn.
“Jink it he did. Norton pushed the aircraft left just as he was at the bottom of his loop.”
- In the games of spoilfive and forty-five, to win the game by taking all five tricks; also, to attempt to win all five tricks, losing what has been already won if unsuccessful.
- To elude; to cheat.