English word jinx comes from English transferred, Ancient Greek (to 1453) ἴυγξ, and later Latin iynx (Wryneck (bird).)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| transferred | English (en) | |
| ἴυγξ | Ancient Greek (to 1453) (grc) | |
| transferred sense | English (en) | A (usually looser) meaning of a word or phrase developed from a metaphoric application of its original signification (for example, hunger has the primary and original sense “want of food”, “craving appetite”; whence developed the transferred sense of “any strong desire or craving”). |
| iynx | Latin (lat) | Wryneck (bird). |
| jynx | English (en) | (transferred sense) A charm or spell a jinx (quod vide).. A bird, the wryneck, once thought a bird of ill omen (Jynx torquilla).. The name of an order of spiritual intelligences in ancient “Chaldaic” philosophy. |
| jinx | English (en) | A hex; an evil spell.. A person or thing supposed to bring bad luck. (transitive) To bring bad luck to.. (transitive) To cast a spell on. Used after the same response is said by two people simultaneously. Often, a game is played where the person who failed to say "jinx" first becomes "jinxed", whereby they cannot speak until someone says their name. |