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   Jam

   /jam/

   

   verb

   • 1. squeeze or pack tightly into a specified space: "four of us were jammed in one compartment" Similar stuffshoveforceramthrustwedgepresspushsticksqueezecompressconfinecrampacksandwichinsertcrowdpackpilepresssqueezecramthrongoccupyfilloverfillovercrowdobstructblockclogcongestmob
   • ▪ push (something) roughly and forcibly into position or a space: "he jammed his hat on" Similar stuffshoveforceramthrustwedgepresspushsticksqueezecompressconfinecrampacksandwichinsert
   • ▪ crowd onto (a road) so as to block it: "the roads were jammed with traffic"
   • ▪ cause (phone lines) to be continuously busy with a large number of calls: "listeners jammed WBOQ's switchboard with calls"
   • 2. become or make unable to move or work due to a part seizing or becoming stuck: "the photocopier jammed" Similar stickbecome stuckcatchseize (up)become immobilizedbecome unable to movebecome fixedbecome wedgedbecome lodgedbecome trappedimmobilizeparalyzedisablecrippledeactivateput out of actionmake inoperativestophaltbring to a haltbring to a standstillOpposite free
   • ▪ make (a broadcast or other electronic signal) unintelligible by causing interference: "GPS signals are weak and easily jammed"
   • 3. improvise with other musicians, especially in jazz or blues: informal "the opportunity to jam with Atlanta blues musicians"

   noun

   • 1. an instance of a machine or thing seizing or becoming stuck: "paper jams"
   • ▪ short for traffic jam
   • ▪ a handhold obtained by stuffing a part of the body such as a hand or foot into a crack in the rock.
   • 2. an awkward situation or predicament: informal "I'm in a jam" Similar predicamentplighttricky situationticklish situationawkward situationspot of troublebit of botherdifficultyproblempuzzlequandarydilemmamuddlemessquagmiremireimbrogliomare's nestdire straitswith nowhere to turncomessinformal:picklestewsticky situationfixholescrapebind(tight) spot(tight) cornerfine kettle of fishhow-do-you-dohot waterdeep waterspot of bother
   • 3. an informal gathering of musicians improvising together, especially in jazz or blues.
   • ▪ (especially in dance or urban music) a song or track: "an ultra catchy jam, driven by the drums but given substance by the interjection of horns"

   Word Origin early 18th century: probably symbolic; compare with jag1 and cram.

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • J

     8

   • A

     1

   • M

     3

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