THE FIRST WORD

jilt

PRONUNCIATION:

(jilt) 

MEANING:

verb tr.: To end a relationship suddenly or callously.
noun: A person, especially a woman, who discards a lover.

ETYMOLOGY:

Of uncertain origin, perhaps from the name Gillian (or Jillian/Jill). Earliest documented use: 1660.

USAGE:

"Even so, it is unlikely, analysts said, that China would jilt Khartoum for Juba [capital of South Sudan] -- that would probably alarm other repressive and corrupt regimes, such as those in Angola and Equatorial Guinea, where China has forged highly profitable oil relationships."
Sudarsan Raghavan & Andrew Higgins; China Caught Between Two Sudans; The Washington Post; Mar 24, 2012.