jamb

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Either of the vertical components that form the side of an opening in a wall, such as that of a door frame, window frame, or fireplace.
  2. Any thick mass of rock that prevents miners from following the lode or vein.
  3. Synonym of jambeau (“piece of armor for the leg”).
verb
  1. To fix or attach a jamb to.

Pronunciation

/d͡ʒæm/

Word forms

jamb jambs jambe jaum jambing jambed

Etymology

From Middle English jambe, jaumbe, from Old French jambe (“leg”), from Late Latin gamba (“hock, shank, leg, thigh”), from Ancient Greek καμπή (kampḗ, “turning post, bend or flexure”). Doublet of gam, gamb, gamba, and jambe.

Synonyms

Derived words

This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.