[f. JAR v. + -ING2.] That jars.
1. Sounding with harsh or rough vibration; grating; hence, inharmonious, discordant, out of tune; grating upon the ear or (transf.) the feelings or nerves.
1552. Huloet, Iarrynge or discordyng, discrepans, dissonus [etc.].
a. 1591. H. Smith, Serm. (1637), 451. A note above Ela is a jarring note, and alwayes makes a discord in the harmony.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 169. A Bell, if it haue a Rift in it,… giueth a Hoarse and Iarring Sound.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 880. Op’n flie With impetuous recoile and jarring sound, Th’ infernal dores.
1773. Phil. Trans., LXIII. 283. The wild note … of the bulfinch … is a most jarring and disagreeable noise.
1803. T. Beddoes, Hygëia, III. ix. 201. Creaking wheels, jarring windows.
2. Striking with a concussion; causing vibration.
1665. R. Hooke, Microgr., vi. 13. Another Instance of the strange loosening nature of a violent jarring Motion.
1716. Gay, Trivia, III. 163 (J.).
| Whene’er I pass, their Poles unseen below, | |
| Make my Knee tremble with the jarring Blow. |
1830. Herschel, Stud. Nat. Phil., 238. The jarring effect of a blow.
3. Discordant, conflicting, clashing.
1661. Boyle, Style of Script. (1675), 95. Writings, alledg’d … to countenance their jarring opinions.
1762. Falconer, Shipwr., Proem 1. While jarring int’rests wake the world to arms.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 226. Their jarring inclinations and mutual concessions gave to the whole administration a strangely capricious character.
4. Quarrelling, disputing, wrangling.
1628. Ford, Lover’s Mel., II. i. A young lady contracted to a noble gentleman … being hindered by their jarring parents, stole from her home.
1780. Cowper, Nightingale & Glowworm, 27. Hence jarring sectaries may learn Their real interest to discern.
a. 1832. Mackintosh, Wks. (1846), II. 474. The suspicion and jealousy of jarring parties.
Hence Jarringly adv., in a jarring manner. Jarringness, the quality of being jarring.
1583. Babington, Commandm., i. (1590), 34. That they [the strings of an instrument] sounde iarringlie and out of tune.
1832. Lytton, Eugene A., I. x. The answer sounded jarringly on the irritated nerves of the disappointed rival.
1865. Pall Mall Gaz., 22 April, 11/2. Self-complacency which implies jarringness to others, and pococurantism.
