Etymology dictionary
junkie (n.) — jynx (n.)
junkie (n.)
"drug addict," 1923, from junk (n.1) in the narcotics sense + -y (3). Junker in the same sense is recorded from 1922. Junk for "narcotic" is older.
junky (adj.)
"run-down, seedy, trashy," 1876, from junk (n.1) + -y (2).
junkman (n.)
"dealer in junk," 1872, from junk (n.1) + man (n.).
junk-shop (n.)
1800, "marine shop," from junk (n.1) in the sense "discarded articles from ships." By 1951 in the non-marine sense "junk-dealer."
Juno
Roman goddess of adult women and marriage, sister and wife of Jupiter, mid-14c., probably literally "the young one" (if so, perhaps as goddess of the new moon), from Proto-Italic *juwen- "young," which also is the source of Latin iunior "younger," iuvenis "young man" (see young (adj.)). Noted for her stately beauty and fits of jealous rage. Also the patron of national finances. Usually identified with Greek Hera, but Juno also had qualities of Athena.
Junoesque (adj.)
"of stately, mature beauty," 1861, from Juno + -esque. Those qualities were attributed to the Roman goddess. Junonian is from 1717.
junta (n.)
1620s, "Spanish legislative council," from Spanish and Portuguese junta "council, meeting, convention," from Medieval Latin iuncta "joint," from Latin iuncta, fem. past participle of iungere "to join together," from nasalized form of PIE root *yeug- "to join."
Meaning "political or military group in power" first recorded 1640s as junto (from confusion with Spanish nouns ending in -o), originally with reference to the Cabinet Council of Charles I. Modern spelling in this sense is from 1714; popularized 1808 in connection with private councils formed secretly across Spain to resist Napoleon. In English history, a group of leading Whigs in the reigns of William III and Queen Anne.
junto (n.)
1640s, alternative formation of junta at a time when English considered Spanish nouns to properly end in -o. In U.S. history the Essex Junto (1802) were a group of extreme Massachusetts Federalists, adherents of Hamilton during the John Adams presidency and later bitter opponents of the policies of Jefferson and Madison.
jupe (n.)
late 13c., "men's loose jacket," from Old French jupe "tunic worn under the armor," also a gown or woman's skirt (12c.), from Arabic jubbah "loose outer garment." As a woman's bodice, from 1810. Jupon is from a French variant form.
Jupiter (n.)
also Juppiter, c. 1200, "supreme deity of the ancient Romans," from Latin Iupeter, Iupiter, Iuppiter, "Jove, god of the sky and chief of the gods," from PIE *dyeu-peter- "god-father" (originally vocative, "the name naturally occurring most frequently in invocations" [Tucker]), from *deiw-os "god" (from root *dyeu- "to shine," in derivatives "sky, heaven, god") + peter "father" in the sense of "male head of a household" (see father (n.)).
Compare Greek Zeu pater, vocative of Zeus pater "Father Zeus;" Sanskrit Dyaus pitar "heavenly father." As the name of the brightest of the superior planets from late 13c. in English, from Latin (Iovis stella). The Latin word also meant "heaven, sky, air," hence sub Iove "in the open air." As god of the sky he was considered to be the originator of weather, hence Jupiter Pluvius "Jupiter as dispenser of rain" 1704), in jocular use from mid-19c.
jural (adj.)
"legal, juristic," 1630s, from Latin iur- (see jury (n.)) + -al (1).
Jurassic (adj.)
"of or pertaining to the geological period between the Triassic and the Cretaceous," 1823, from French Jurassique, literally "of the Jura Mountains," between France and Switzerland, whose limestones were laid down during this geological period. The name was chosen by von Humboldt. As a noun from 1831. The name is said to be from Gaulish *iuris "wooded mountain."
jurat (n.)
also jurate, "one who has taken an oath," early 15c. (mid-14c. in Anglo-French), from Medieval Latin iuratus "sworn man," noun use of past participle of Latin iurare "to swear" (see jury (n.)). Meaning "official memorandum at the end of an affidavit" (showing when and before whom it was sworn) is from 1796, from Latin iuratum, noun use of the neuter past participle.
jure divino
"by divine right," Latin phrase, from ablative of jus "law, right, justice" (see jurist) + ablative of divinus (see divine (adj.)).
juried (adj.)
"judged by a jury," in reference to art shows, etc., 1963, from jury (n.).
jury (adj.)
"temporary," 1610s (in jury-mast, a nautical term for a temporary mast put in place of one broken or blown away), a sailors' word of uncertain origin. Perhaps it is ultimately from Old French ajurie "help, relief," from Latin adjutare (see aid (n.)). Jury-leg for "wooden leg" is from 1751; Denham once used jury-buttocks.
jury (n.)
"set number of persons, selected according to law and sworn to determine the facts and truth of a case or charge submitted to them and render a verdict," early 14c. (late 12c. in Anglo-Latin), from Anglo-French and Old French juree (13c.), from Medieval Latin iurata "an oath, a judicial inquest, sworn body of men," noun use of fem. past participle of Latin iurare "to swear," from ius (genitive iuris) "law, an oath" (see jurist).
Meaning "body of persons chosen to award prizes at an exhibition" is from 1851. Grand jury attested from early 15c. in Anglo-French (le graund Jurre), literally "large," so called with reference to the number of its members (usually 12 to 23). Jury-box is from 1729; juryman from 1570s. Figurative phrase jury is still out "no decision has been made" is by 1903.
juridical (adj.)
"pertaining to law," c. 1500, from Latin iuridicalis "relating to right; pertaining to justice," from iuridicus, from ius (genitive iuris) "right, law" (see jurist) + dicere "to say, speak" (from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly"). Related: Juridically.
jurisconsult (n.)
"one who gives his opinion in cases of law," c. 1600, from Latin iurisconsultus, originally two words, genitive of ius "law" (see jurist) + present participle of consultare "consult, take the advice of" (see consultation).
jurisdiction (n.)
early 14c., jurisdiccioun, jurediction, etc., "administration of justice," from Old French juridicion (13c., Modern French juridiction) and directly from Latin iurisdictionem (nominative iurisdictio) "administration of justice, jurisdiction," from phrase iuris dictio, genitive of ius "law, right" (see jurist) + dictio "a saying" (from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly").
Meaning "extent or range of administrative power, domain over which a legal or judicial authority extends" is from late 14c. Meaning "judicial authority, right of making and enforcing laws" is from early 15c. The form in English assimilated to Latin 16c. Related: Jurisdictional.
jurisprudence (n.)
1620s, "systematic knowledge of law," from French jurisprudence (17c.) and directly from Late Latin iurisprudentia "the science of law," from iuris "of right, of law" (genitive of ius; see jurist) + prudentia "knowledge, a foreseeing" (see prudence). Meaning "the philosophy of law" is first attested 1756. Related: Jurisprudent; jurisprudential.
jurist (n.)
mid-15c., "one who practices law;" 1620s, "a legal writer, one who professes the science of the law," from Old French juriste (14c.), from Medieval Latin iurista "jurist," from Latin ius (genitive iuris) "a right," especially "legal right or authority, law," also "place where justice is administered, court of justice," from Old Latin ious, perhaps literally "sacred formula," a word peculiar to Latin (not general Italic) that originated in the religious cults, from PIE root *yewes- "law" (Watkins; compare Latin iurare "to pronounce a ritual formula," Vedic yos "health," Avestan yaoz-da- "make ritually pure," Irish huisse "just"). Related: Juristic. The more mundane Latin law-word lex meant specific laws as opposed to the body of laws.
The Germanic root represented by Old English æ "custom, law," Old High German ewa, German Ehe "marriage," sometimes is associated with this group, or it is traced to PIE *ei- "to go."
juror (n.)
"one who serves on a jury," c. 1300 (late 12c. in Anglo-Latin), from Anglo-French jurour (late 13c.), Old French jureor "character witness, person who swears an oath," from Latin iuratorem (nominative iurator) "swearer, sworn census-clerk," agent noun from iurare "to swear," from ius (genitive iuris) "law" (see jurist). Meaning "one of a group selected to award prizes, etc. at a public exhibition" is from 1851; this particular use seems to have arisen with the great Industrial Exhibition held that year at the Crystal Palace in London.
jussive (adj.)
"of a grammatical mode expressing command," 1825, with -ive + Latin iuss-, past participle stem of iubere "to bid, command, to order," from PIE root *ioudh- "to cause to move" (cognates: Sanskrit yudhya- "to fight," yodha- "to rebel;" Greek hysmine "battle, fight;" Lithuanian judėti "to move" (intransitive), judus "belligerent"). The sense evolution in Latin was from "cause to move" to "order." As a noun from 1836.
just (adv.)
c. 1400, "precisely, exactly;" late 15c., "fittingly, snugly;" c. 1500, "immediately;" from just (adj.) and paralleling the adverbial use of French juste (also compare Dutch juist, German just, from the adjectives).
The original sense of "exactly" in space, time, kind, or degree; "precisely, without interval, deviation, or variation" is preserved in just so "exactly that, in that very way" (1751), just as I thought, etc. But the sense decayed, as it often does in general words for exactness (compare anon, soon), from "exactly, precisely, punctually" to "within a little; with very little but a sufficient difference; nearly; almost exactly;" then by 1660s to "merely, barely, by or within a narrow margin (as in just missed). Hence just now as "a short time ago" (1680s). Also "very lately, within a brief period of time" (18c.). It is also used intensively, "quite" (by 1855).
Just-so story is attested 1902 in Kipling, from just so "exactly that, in that very way."
justness (n.)
"quality or fact of being equitable or by right," early 15c., from just (adj.) + -ness.
just (adj.)
late 14c., "morally upright, righteous in the eyes of God" ("Now chiefly as a Biblical archaism" - OED, 1989); also "equitable, fair, impartial in one's dealings;" also "fitting, proper, conforming to standards or rules;" also "justifiable, reasonable;" from Old French juste "just, righteous; sincere" (12c.) and directly from Latin iustus "upright, righteous, equitable; in accordance with law, lawful; true, proper; perfect, complete" (source also of Spanish and Portuguese justo, Italian giusto). This is from ius "a right," especially "legal right, law" (see jurist; from Latin ius also come English jury (n.), injury, etc.).
It is attested from c. 1400 as "right-minded, good in intention;" from early 15c. as "legal, lawful, right in law." Also "exact, precise; marked or characterized by precision; having correct dimensions" (late 14c.); of narrations, calculations, etc., "accurate, correct" (early 15c.). The sense in music, "harmonically pure, correct, and exact" is by 1850.
The more mundane Latin law-word lex covered specific laws as opposed to the body of laws. The noun meaning "righteous person or persons; Christ" is from late 14c. (The neuter adjective in Latin was used as a noun, iustum, "what is right or just").
justice (n.)
mid-12c., "the exercise of authority in vindication of right by assigning reward or punishment;" also "quality of being fair and just; moral soundness and conformity to truth," from Old French justice "justice, legal rights, jurisdiction" (11c.), from Latin iustitia "righteousness, equity," from iustus "upright, just" (see just (adj.)).
Meaning "right order, equity, the rewarding to everyone of that which is his due" in English is from late 14c. The Old French word had widespread senses including also "uprightness, equity, vindication of right, court of justice, judge." To the Greek philosophers (Plato, Aristotle) the notion was of each thing in its proper sphere or serving its proper purpose; inequality of aptitudes and outcomes was implied.
In English c. 1400-1700 sometimes also with a vindictive sense "infliction of punishment, legal vengeance." As a title for a judicial officer, c. 1200. Justice of the peace is attested from early 14c. To do justice to (someone or something) "deal with as is right or fitting" is from 1670s. In the Mercian hymns, Latin iustitia is glossed by Old English rehtwisnisse.
justiciable (adj.)
"amenable to law, subject to judicial trial," mid-15c., from Anglo-French and Old French justiciable "pertaining to justice or law," hence "proper to be brought before a court of justice," from justicier, from Latin iustitia "righteousness; equity" (see justice).
justiciary (n.)
"administrator of justice," 1540s; later as an adjective, "pertaining to the law" (1580s), from Medieval Latin justiciarius, from Latin iustitia (see justice (n.)).
justification (n.)
late 14c., "administration of justice," from Late Latin iustificationem (nominative iustificatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of iustificare "act justly toward; make just" (see justify). Meaning "action of justifying, showing something to be just or right" is from late 15c. Theological sense "act by which the soul is reconciled to God" is from 1520s. Meaning "act of adjusting or making exact" in typography is from 1670s.
justificative (adj.)
"having the power to justify," 1610s; see justification + -ative. Related: Justificator; justificatory.
justifiability (n.)
"quality of being justifiable; possibility of being defended or excused," 1835, from justifiable + -ity. Justifiableness is from 1630s.
justifiable (adj.)
"capable of being proved just or true, morally defensible," 1520s, from Old French justifiable, from justifiier (see justify). Earlier in same sense was justificable (mid-15c.). Related: Justifiably (mid-15c.).
justified (adj.)
1580s, "made right," past-participle adjective from justify. Typesetting sense is from 1670s.
justify (v.)
c. 1300, "to administer justice;" late 14c., "to show (something) to be just or right," from Old French justifiier "submit to court proceedings" (12c.), from Late Latin iustificare "act justly toward; make just," from Latin iustificus "dealing justly, righteous," from iustus "just" (see just (adj.)) + combining form of facere "to make, to do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").
Meaning "declare to be innocent or blameless" is from 1520s. Of circumstances, "to afford justification," from 1630s. Meaning "to make exact" (now largely restricted to typesetting) is from 1550s. Related: Justified; justifier; justifying.
Justine
fem. proper name, fem. of Latin Iustinus (see Justin).
Justin
masc. proper name, from Latin Iustinus, literally "just," from iustus (see just (adj.)) + common name-forming element -inus (see -ine (1)). The Justinian Code was a compilation made by Justinian, emperor of the East, in 529.
justly (adv.)
early 14c., "in an adjacent position, closely" (obsolete except in dialect), from just (adj.) + -ly (2). Meanings "truthfully, honestly" and "equitably, with justice, fairly" are from late 14c. Sense of "justifiably, with good reason, accurately" is from c. 1400; that of "legally, legitimately, rightfully" is early 15c.
jut (v.1)
"to protrude, extend forward beyond the main body," mid-15c., corruption of obsolete verb jet, from Old French jeter "to throw," from Latin iacēre "to lie, rest," related to iacere "to throw" (from PIE root *ye- "to throw, impel"). Related: Jutted; jutting. As a noun, "a jutting out, a projecting point" from 1786.
jut (v.2)
"to strike, hit, shove, push," 1540s, echoic. Related: Jutted; jutting.
jute (n.)
name of a plant fiber used in making coarse fabrics and paper, and the plant which produces it, 1746, from Bengali jhuto, ultimately from Sanskrit juta-s "twisted hair, matted hair," related to jata "braid of hair," a word of unknown origin, perhaps from a non-Indo-European language.
Jute
Old English Eotas, Iutas (plural), one of the ancient Germanic inhabitants of Jutland, the peninsula between modern Germany and Denmark, who, with the Angles and Saxons invaded Britain in 5c.. Traditionally they were said to have settled in Kent and Hampshire. The name is related to Old Norse Iotar. Related: Jutish (1775).
juvenal (n.)
1580s, "a younth, a young man, a juvenile," from noun use of Latin iuvenalis "youthful, suitable for young persons," from iuvenis "young man" (see young (adj.)). The Roman satirist is Decimius Junius Juvenalis. As an adjective from 1630s.
juvenescence (n.)
"the state of growing or being young," 1766; see juvenescent + -ence.
juvenescent (adj.)
1759, "becoming young, growing young in appearance," from Latin iuvenescentem (nominative iuvenescens), present participle of iuvenescere "to grow into youth, grow young again, regain youth," from iuvenis "young man" (see young (adj.)). Its use in a sense of "immature, undeveloped" (by 1875) is etymologically incorrect.
juvenility (n.)
1620s, "state of being young or youthful," from Latin iuvenilitas "youth," abstract noun from iuvenilis "of youth," from iuvenis "young man" (see young (adj.)). Meaning "anything characteristic of youth" is from 1660s; that of "juveniles collectively" is from 1823.
juvenile (adj.)
1620s, "young, youthful," from Latin iuvenilis "of or belonging to youth, youthful," from iuvenis "young man, one in the flower of his age" (in Roman use, the period just beyond adolescence, from age 21 or 25 to 40), noun use of an adjective meaning "young" (source also of French jeune; see young (adj.)).
Meaning "pertaining to or suited to youth" is from 1660s. As a noun, "a young person," from 1733. Juvenile delinquency first recorded 1816; Juvenile delinquent the following year. Slang shortening juvie/juvey is recorded from 1941 as "juvenile delinquent," 1967 as "juvenile detention."
juvenilia (n.)
"works of a person's youth," 1620s, from Latin iuvenilia, neuter plural of iuvenilis "of or belonging to youth" (see juvenile).
Juventus
Roman god of youth, personification of iuventas "youth, young person," originally "the age of youth" (from 20 to 40), from iuvenis "young man" (see young (adj.)).
juxtapose (v.)
"to place (two or more objects) side by side or close together," 1826, a back-formation from juxtaposition or else from French juxtaposer (18c.). Related: Juxtaposed; juxtaposing.
juxtaposition (n.)
"the act of placing or the state of being placed in nearness or contiguity," 1660s, from French juxtaposition (17c.), from Latin iuxta "beside, very near, close to, near at hand" + French position (see position (n.)). Latin iuxta is a contraction of *iugista (adv.), superlative of adjective *iugos "closely connected," from PIE root *yeug- "to join."
jynx (n.)
"wryneck," 1640s, from Modern Latin jynx (plural jynges), from Latin iynx (see jinx). As "a charm or spell," 1690s.