Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Jigger?

\Jig"ger\, n. [A corrupt. of chigre.] (Zo["o]l.) A species of flea ({Sarcopsylla, or Pulex, penetrans}), which burrows beneath the skin. See {Chigoe}.
\Jig"ger\, n. [See {Jig}, n. & v.] 1. One who, or that which, jigs; specifically, a miner who sorts or cleans ore by the process of jigging; also, the sieve used in jigging. 2. (Pottery) (a) A horizontal table carrying a revolving mold, on which earthen vessels are shaped by rapid motion; a potter's wheel. (b) A templet or tool by which vessels are shaped on a potter's wheel. 3. (Naut.) (a) A light tackle, consisting of a double and single block and the fall, used for various purposes, as to increase the purchase on a topsail sheet in hauling it home; the watch tackle. --Totten. (b) A small fishing vessel, rigged like a yawl. [New Eng.] (c) A supplementary sail. See {Dandy}, n., 2 (b) . 4. A pendulum rolling machine for slicking or graining leather; same as {Jack}, 4 (i) . {Jigger mast}. (Naut.) (a) The after mast of a four-masted vessel. (b) The small mast set at the stern of a yawl-rigged boat.
\Jig"ger\ (j[i^]g"g[~e]r), n. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of small red mites (esp. {Tetranychus irritans} and {T. Americanus}) which, in the larval or leptus stage, burrow beneath the skin of man and various animals, causing great annoyance. [Southern U. S.]
\Jig"ger\, v. t. [Cf. {Jiggle}.] To move, send, or drive with a jerk; to jerk; also, to drive or send over with a jerk, as a golf ball. He could jigger the ball o'er a steeple tall as most men would jigger a cop. --Harper's Mag.