Jeer (?), n. [Cf. Gear.]
(Naut.) (a) A gear; a tackle.
(b) pl. An assemblage or combination of
tackles, for hoisting or lowering the lower yards of a
ship.
Jeer capstan (Naut.), an extra
capstan usually placed between the foremast and mainmast.
Jeer, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Jeered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Jeering.] [Perh. a corrup. of cheer to salute with
cheers, taken in an ironical sense; or more prob. fr. D.
gekscheren to jeer, lit., to shear the fool; gek a fool
(see 1st Geck) + scheren to shear. See Shear,
v.] To utter sarcastic or scoffing
reflections; to speak with mockery or derision; to use taunting
language; to scoff; as, to jeer at a speaker.
But when he saw her toy and gibe and
jeer.
Spenser.
Syn. -- To sneer; scoff; flout; gibe; mock.
Jeer (?), v. t. To treat with
scoffs or derision; to address with jeers; to taunt; to flout; to
mock at.
And if we can not jeer them, we jeer
ourselves.
B. Jonson.Jeer, n. A railing remark or
reflection; a scoff; a taunt; a biting jest; a flout; a jibe;
mockery.
Midas, exposed to all their jeers,
Had lost his art, and kept his ears.
Swift.