DCHP-1 Online

jumper ((1)) 1

• 1a n. See 1921 quote.

  See also: jumper sleigh  

  • 1812  (1903)  They had not gone far when the Indian drew their attention to the tracks of a jumper in the snow.
  • 1834  (1926)  . . . after five or six miles we fell in with a sort of vehicle called a jumper which we purchased for the enormous sum of one dollar.
  • 1921  In winter time, travel was by way of snowshoes, dog-sled, or jumper. A jumper is a low, short, strong sleigh set upon heavy wooden runners and hauled by ox, horse, men or dogs.
  • 1964  . . . early settlers from the vicinity of Meaford and Owen Sound brought their grists in home-made sleighs called jumpers, which were hauled by oxen. . . .

• 1b n. a similar vehicle used as a stoneboat.

  See also: stoneboat  travois (def. 3)  

  • 1905  When ripe it was cut with the sickle, bound in sheaves, and taken on the umper to the threshing-floor.

• 2 n. the Rocky Mountain mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus hemionus.

  See also: mule deer  

  • 1948  When going at full speed the [mule] deer travels with a peculiar bounding gait that has given to it the name of "jumper".
  • 1958  When alarmed, mule deer have the habit of making vertical jumps; this has gained for them the name "jumper."

• 3 n. a jumping mouse, Zapus princeps, of the Rocky Mountain region.

  • 1946  During the winter the Jumpers are said to go underground for greater warmth, their hibernation period lasting six months.