jam´like´

jam¹ «jam», verb, jammed, jam|ming, noun.

–v.t.

1. to press or squeeze tightly between two surfaces: »

The ship was jammed between two rocks.

SYNONYM(S): wedge, pack.

2. to bruise or crush by squeezing: »

I jammed my fingers in the door.

3. to press or squeeze (things or people) tightly together: »

They jammed us all into one bus.

SYNONYM(S): force, thrust, push, shove.

4. to fill or block up (the way) by crowding: »

The river was jammed with logs. Crowds that … jam the doors (Tennyson).

5. to cause to stick, catch, or lock so that it cannot be worked: »

The key broke off and jammed the lock.

6. to push or thrust (a thing) hard (into a place); shove: »

to jam one more book into the bookcase. The steersman … jammed his helm hard down (Thomas Hughes).

7. to pull or draw tight, as one does a noose.

8. to make (radio or telephone signals) unintelligible by sending out others of approximately the same frequency: »

The broadcasts were jammed by the enemy.

–v.i.

1. to press or push things or persons tightly together: »

A crowd jammed into the bus.

2. to stick or catch so that it cannot be worked: »

The window has jammed; I can't open it.

3. to become unworkable through the sticking, catching, or locking of a movable part.

4. Slang. a) to embellish a jazz composition with lively improvisations. b) to take part in a jam session.

–n.

1. a crush or squeeze; crowded mass: »

She was delayed by a traffic jam.

2. the act of jamming.

3. the condition of being jammed.

4. Informal. a difficulty or tight spot: »

He was in a m.

╂[perhaps imitative]

–jam´ma|ble, adjective.

jam² «jam», noun.

fruit boiled with sugar until thick: »

raspberry jam, plum jam.

╂[perhaps special use of jam¹]

–jam´like´, adjective.

Jam.,

Jamaica.