J.

J (j). J is the tenth letter of the English alphabet. It is a later

variant form of the Roman letter I, used to express a consonantal

sound, that is, originally, the sound of English y in yet. The forms J

and I have, until a recent time, been classed together, and they have

been used interchangeably.

In medical prescriptions j is still used in place of i at the end of a

number, as a Roman numeral; as, vj, xij.

J is etymologically most closely related to i, y, g; as in jot, iota;

jest, gesture; join, jugular, yoke. See I.

J is a compound vocal consonant, nearly equivalent in sound to dzh. It

is exactly the same as g in gem. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 179,

211, 239.

Jaal" goat` (?). (Zoöl.) A species of wild goat (Capra Nubiana) found

in the mountains of Abyssinia, Upper Egypt, and Arabia; -- called also

beden, and jaela.

Jab (?), v. t. [Cf. Job.] To thrust; to stab; to punch. See Job, v. t.

[Scot. & Colloq. U. S.]