English

Proper noun

Jess

1. A diminutive of the male given name Jesse.
2. A diminutive of the female given names Jessica or Jessamy.
   • 1967, Sleigh, Barbara, Jessamy, 1993 edition, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, ISBN 0 340 19547 9, page 58:

     ‘Now then Kit,’ said Mr Parkinson, ‘look sharp! Help Jess up. Where has she got to?’ ‘Here I am!’ said Jessamy breathlessly as “helped” rather to vigorously from behind by Kit, she arrived on her knees on the floor of the dog cart.

   • 1967, Sleigh, Barbara, Jessamy, 1993 edition, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, ISBN 0 340 19547 9, page 127:

     ‘It’s almost as if we’ve gone silly with happiness,’ said Marcus two days later. ‘Everyone in the house going round grinning like a lot of Cheshire Cats! The family I mean.’ ‘And Jess,’ said Kitto quickly. ‘Oh well, Jess is as good as family,’ said Fanny comfortably. Jessamy said nothing, but she looked up quickly and her smile would have rivalled any Cheshire Cat.

English

Noun

jess ‎(plural jesses)

1. (falconry) A short strap fastened around the leg of a bird used in falconry, to which a leash may be fastened.

Verb

jess ‎(third-person singular simple present jesses, present participle jessing, simple past and past participle jessed)

1. (falconry) To fasten a strap around the leg of a hawk.

Etymology 2

See jet (etymology 2).

Noun

jess ‎(plural jesses)

1. Alternative form of jet (the mineral).
2. Alternative form of jet (the color).

Etymology 3

See just.

Adverb

jess ‎(not comparable)

1. Eye dialect spelling of just.

References

• Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967

Icelandic

Etymology

From English yes.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /jɛsː/
• Rhymes: -ɛsː

Interjection

jess

1. (informal) yes (exclamation of satisfaction, joy, etc.)