Definition: jigger

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

jigger
     n 1: a small glass adequate to hold a single swallow of whiskey
          [syn: shot glass, pony]
     2: any small mast on a sailing vessel; especially the
        mizzenmast of a yawl [syn: jiggermast]
     3: larval mite that sucks the blood of vertebrates including
        human beings causing intense irritation [syn: harvest
        mite, chigger, redbug]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Jigger \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.
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.
Jigger \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.]
Jigger \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.
Chigoe \Chig"oe\, Chigre \Chig"re\, n. [Cf. F. chigue, perh. fr.
   Catalan chic small, Sp. chico; or of Peruvian origin.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   A species of flea (Pulex penetrans), common in the West
   Indies and South America, which often attacks the feet or any
   exposed part of the human body, and burrowing beneath the
   skin produces great irritation. When the female is allowed to
   remain and breed, troublesome sores result, which are
   sometimes dangerous. See Jigger. [Written also chegre,
   chegoe, chique, chigger, jigger.]

   Note: The name is sometimes erroneously given to certain
         mites or ticks having similar habits.
Dandy \Dan"dy\, n.; pl. Dandies. [Cf. F. dandin, ninny, silly
   fellow, dandiner to waddle, to play the fool; prob. allied to
   E. dandle. Senses 2&3 are of uncertain etymol.]
   1. One who affects special finery or gives undue attention to
      dress; a fop; a coxcomb.

   2. (Naut.)
      (a) A sloop or cutter with a jigger on which a lugsail is
          set.
      (b) A small sail carried at or near the stern of small
          boats; -- called also jigger, and mizzen.

   3. A dandy roller. See below.

   Dandy brush, a yard whalebone brush.

   Dandy fever. See Dengue.

   Dandy line, a kind of fishing line to which are attached
      several crosspieces of whalebone which carry a hook at
      each end.

   Dandy roller, a roller sieve used in machines for making
      paper, to press out water from the pulp, and set the
      paper.