| jew | Originally, one belonging to the tribe or kingdom of Judah; after the return from the Babylonish captivity, any member of the new state; a Hebrew; an Israelite. Jew's frankincense, gum styrax, or benzoin. <botany> Jew's mallow, an annual herb (Corchorus olitorius) cultivated in Syria and Egypt as a pot herb, and in India for its fibre. Jew's pitch, asphaltum; bitumen. The Wandering Jew, an imaginary personage, who, for his cruelty to the Savior during his passion, is doomed to wander on the earth till Christ's second coming. Origin: OF. Juis, pl, F. Juif, L. Judaeus, Gr, fr. The country of the Jews, Judea, fr. Heb. Yhdah Judah, son of Jacob. Cf. Judaic. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| jew's-ear | <botany> A species of fungus (Hirneola Auricula-Judae, or Auricula), bearing some resemblance to the human ear. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| jew's-harp | Origin: Jew + harp; or possibly a corrupt. Of jaw's harp; cf. G. Maultrommel, lit, mouthdrum]</ety 1. An instrument of music, which, when placed between the teeth, gives, by means of a bent metal tongue struck by the finger, a sound which is modulated by the breath; called also Jew's-trump. 2. The shackle for joining a chain cable to an anchor. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |