noun
jiffy
Jiffy (noun) means a very short, unspecified length of time.
noun
1
A very short, unspecified length of time.
2
A unit of time defined by the frequency of its basic timer – historically, and by convention, 0.01 of a second, but some computer operating systems use other values.
3
The length of an alternating current power cycle (1/60 or 1/50 of a second).
4
The time taken for light to travel a specified distance in a vacuum, usually one centimetre (approximately 33.3564 picoseconds), but sometimes one foot or the width of a nucleon.
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Etymology
Origin unknown; said to have been thieves’ cant for “lightning”. Also formerly written "giffy", to which a connection with gliff has been proposed. As a kind of envelope, a genericization of Jiffy bag.
Rhymes for jiffy
See all rhymes for jiffy →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of jiffy?
"jiffy" (noun) means a very short, unspecified length of time.
What are the different meanings of jiffy?
"jiffy" has 3 main meanings: 1. A very short, unspecified length of time; 2. A unit of time defined by the frequency of its basic timer – historically, and by convention, 0.01 of a second, but some computer operating systems use other values; 3. The length of an alternating current power cycle (1/60 or 1/50 of a second).