Etymology From Middle English ajar, on char (“on [the] turn”), from on (“on”) + char (“turn, occasion”), from Old English ċierr, cyrr (“turn”), from ċierran (“to turn, convert”), equivalent to a- + char. Akin to Scots char, chare (“to turn, cause to turn”), Dutch akerre, kier (“ajar”), German kehren (“to turn”). See char.
1
Slightly turned or opened.
The door was standing ajar.
ajar
adj
Etymology From Middle English ajar, on char (“on [the] turn”), from on (“on”) + char (“turn, occasion”), from Old English ċierr, cyrr (“turn”), from ċierran (“to turn, convert”), equivalent to a- + char. Akin to Scots char, chare (“to turn, cause to turn”), Dutch akerre, kier (“ajar”), German kehren (“to turn”). See char.
1
Slightly turned or opened.
The door is ajar.
I know—for Death, who comes for me From regions of the blest afar, Where there is nothing to deceive, Hath left his iron gate ajar, […]1829, Edgar Allan Poe, “Tamerlane”, in Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems:
ajar
verb
Etymology From Middle English ajar, on char (“on [the] turn”), from on (“on”) + char (“turn, occasion”), from Old English ċierr, cyrr (“turn”), from ċierran (“to turn, convert”), equivalent to a- + char. Akin to Scots char, chare (“to turn, cause to turn”), Dutch akerre, kier (“ajar”), German kehren (“to turn”). See char.
1
Rare To turn or open slightly; to become ajar or to cause to become ajar; to be or to hang ajar.
Perhaps nonstandard
A plainclothes detective knocked on a slightly ajarred door.1970, John H. Evans, Mercer County law journal, volume 10:
Yes, and the door also lops off stairs leading to a landing on whose landing is another door on whose hinges much of this story ajars, if it hasn't jarred too much already.1977, Bill Reed, Dogod:
1 more example
Just as the gates fully ajarred themselves, the Lamborghini soared through them, and out into the freedom of the poorly defined road.2007, Loki, Shard of the Ancient:
Ajar
noun
Etymology From Georgian აჭარლები (ač̣arlebi).
1
Synonym of Adjaran.
The Ajars are Muslim Georgians and have their own autonomous republic within Georgia, but Georgians insist that there are no important distinctions between Ajars and Georgians […]1995, Timothy J. Colton, Robert C. Tucker, Patterns in Post-Soviet Leadership:
During World War II Stalin drew up a plan for the deportation of the Muslim Ajars, but the plan was postponed and finally abandoned at his death in 1953.1998, James Minahan, Miniature Empires: A Historical Dictionary of the Newly Independent States:
1 more example
Of these, the Georgian Ajars were the most eager to rise up against Russia, but the Ottomans also hoped for revolts in Daghestan and Azerbaijan upon entry of their troops.2004, Tadeusz Swietochowski, Russian Azerbaijan, 1905-1920: The Shaping of a National Identity in a Muslim Community:
ajar
adv
Etymology From a- (“in, at”) + jar (“discord, disagreement”).
Being at variance or in contradiction to something.
There is a sort of unexpressed concern, / A kind of shock that sets one's heart ajar […].1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, II.14:
ajar
verb
Etymology From a- (“in, at”) + jar (“discord, disagreement”).
1
Rare To show variance or contradiction with something; to be or cause to be askew.
Perhaps nonstandard
It clean deafened the two of us, and set all the crockery ware ajarring ; and when the neighbours heard it they came running into the street to see who was getting hurt.1907, The English Illustrated Magazine, volume 36: