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jackfruit (n) – A tropical Asian tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus) having large edible fruits and fine-grained durable wood

jackstay (n) – A line or lines running the length of a boat; used to clip in a safety harness to prevent being washed overboard and lost

Jacob’s ladder (n) – A rope ladder with rigid rungs used for climbing aloft

jaded (adj) – Cynical; possessing disgust caused by excessiveness

jellyfish (n) – Any of a variety of free-swimming, marine invertebrates characterized by an umbrella-shaped body largely made up of a jelly-like substance and long, hanging tentacles with stinging cells on them

jib (n) – A triangular sail secured to a stay forward of the mast or foremast

jibe (v) – To pass the stern of a boat through the wind during a tack

jibing (n) – A sailboat maneuver in which the stern passes through the wind

jojoba (n) – An evergreen desert shrub whose seeds contain an odorless, colorless, liquid wax used in cosmetics, lubricants, etc.

journalism (n) – The collection and editing of news for presentation through the media

jumbo (n) – Chiefly on American schooners, a fore staysail or triangular sail set on the fore stay; the largest of the headsails

Junkanoo (n) – A Caribbean dance of celebration, originating centuries ago when slaves were given three days off at Christmas and celebrated their freedom by donning masks, playing homemade instruments (drums, horns, bells and whistles), and dancing around their island communities

juvenile (n) – Young

juxtaposition (n) – The placing of two or more things physically or abstractly side by side

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