US /ˈdʒɪm.i/ UK /ˈdʒɪm.i/
noun verb Freq #1223

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    a short crowbar used for forcing open a door, window, or lock

    The burglar left a bent jimmy beside the damaged window frame.

  2. 2
    verb

    to force something open or into position with a short bar or similar tool

    They tried to jimmy the stuck drawer open with a screwdriver.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a short crowbar used for... jemmycrowbarpry bar
2 verb · to force something open or... pryleverforce
Word family
Forms jimmied
Related forms leverbreak inburglar

Etymology

A variant of British English jemmy, probably from Jemmy, a familiar form of the personal name James. The tool name was later extended to the verb meaning 'force open with a lever.'

Topics

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