JAZZ DEFINED

jazz   [jaz]
–noun
1. music originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century and subsequently developing through various increasingly complex styles, generally marked by intricate, propulsive rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, improvisatory, virtuosic solos, melodic freedom, and a harmonic idiom ranging from simple diatonicism through chromaticism to atonality.
2. a style of dance music, popular esp. in the 1920s, arranged for a large band and marked by some of the features of jazz.
3. dancing or a dance performed to such music, as with violent bodily motions and gestures.
4. Slang. liveliness; spirit; excitement.
5. Slang. insincere, exaggerated, or pretentious talk: Don't give me any of that jazz about your great job!
6. Slang. similar or related but unspecified things, activities, etc.: He goes for fishing and all that jazz.
–adjective
7. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of jazz.
–verb (used with object)
8. to play (music) in the manner of jazz.
9. Informal.
a. to excite or enliven.
b. to accelerate.
10. Slang: Vulgar. to copulate with.
–verb (used without object)
11. to dance to jazz music.
12. to play or perform jazz music.
13. Informal. to act or proceed with great energy or liveliness.
14. Slang: Vulgar. to copulate.
—Verb phrase
15. jazz up, Informal.
a. to add liveliness, vigor, or excitement to.
b. to add ornamentation, color, or extra features to, in order to increase appeal or interest; embellish.
c. to accelerate.
Origin:
1905–10, Americanism; 1915–20 for def. 5; orig. uncert.