Definition

Noun: A man who serves as a sailor; a seaman. This is a traditional, somewhat informal term for a sailor, often used in historical or literary contexts.

Usage

The word "jack-tar" is used as a countable noun to refer to an individual sailor. It is an old-fashioned term that evokes the image of a classic seafarer.

Examples

• The old stories were full of adventures experienced by a brave jack-tar.
• In the 18th century, a jack-tar's life was hard and dangerous.
• The museum exhibit featured the personal letters of a jack-tar from the age of sail.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often hyphenated ("jack-tar") but can also be found as a closed compound ("jacktar") or as two separate words ("Jack Tar"), especially when used as a nickname or a personification of sailors as a group.
  • "Jack Tar" was a common figure in naval ballads.

Variants and Related Words

• Tar (noun): A shortened, even more informal version of "jack-tar."
  • An old tar sat in the corner of the pub, telling sea stories.
• Jack (noun, historical): When used in a nautical context, "Jack" can informally refer to a sailor, as in the phrase "every man jack," meaning every single sailor or man.

Synonyms

• Sailor
• Seaman
• Mariner
• Seafarer
• Bluejacket (specifically for a navy enlisted sailor)

Idioms

• Jack Tar: This is the primary form of the idiom, representing the typical sailor.
  • The policy was designed to improve the welfare of the common Jack Tar.

Noun

1. a man who serves as a sailor