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jostle for

 - 2 dictionary results

jos⋅tle

[jos-uhl] verb, -tled, -tling, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to bump, push, shove, brush against, or elbow roughly or rudely.
2. to drive or force by, or as if by, pushing or shoving: The crowd jostled him into the subway.
3. to exist in close contact or proximity with: The three families jostle each other in the small house.
4. to contend with: rival gangs continually jostling each other.
5. to unsettle; disturb: The thought jostled her complacency.
6. Slang. to pick the pocket of.
–verb (used without object)
7. to bump or brush against someone or something, as in passing or in a crowd; push or shove (often fol. by with, for, or against): He jostled for position.
8. to exist in close contact or proximity with someone or something.
9. to compete; contend.
10. Slang. to pick pockets.
–noun
11. a shock, push, bump, or brush against someone or something.
Also, justle.


Origin:
1350–1400; var. (in ME, var. sp.) of justle, equiv. to just(en) to joust + -le


jos⋅tle⋅ment, noun
jostler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

jostle 
1546, formed from jousten (see joust) + frequentative suffix -tle. The usual spelling 17c.-18c. was justle. An earlier meaning of the word was "to have sex with" (c.1400).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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