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Jottings Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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jottings

[ˈdʒɒtɪŋz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

writing

Quickly written or brief notes or comments.

Synonyms

annotations, notes, scribbles.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
jottings

Use this term for informal and quick notes made spontaneously. Suitable when mentioning brief, unorganized writings.

  • She looked through her jottings from the meeting to remember the main points.
  • His jottings were scattered all over his desk.
notes

A general term that can be used in any context for recorded information, often well-organized, either informal or formal.

  • She took thorough notes during the lecture to study later.
  • He left a note on the fridge reminding her about the appointment.
scribbles

Used for chaotic, often messy or illegible writing. It has a slight negative connotation, implying lack of care or neatness.

  • The child’s scribbles were all over the drawing paper.
  • His hurried scribbles were hard to decipher.
annotations

Appropriate for formal or academic contexts where one is adding comments or explanations to a text, often to clarify or give additional information.

  • The professor's annotations in the book helped me understand the complex concepts.
  • He spent hours creating annotations for the manuscript.

Examples of usage

  • He made some quick jottings in his notebook during the meeting.
  • I always carry a small notebook for jotting down ideas on the go.
Context #2 | Noun

art

Rough sketches or drawings, often done quickly.

Synonyms

doodles, drawings, sketches.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
jottings

Informal notes, quick writings or scribbles used to capture fleeting thoughts or ideas.

  • She reviewed her jottings from the meeting to ensure she didn't miss any key points.
  • His travel jottings provided a detailed account of his journey.
sketches

Quick, rough drawings capturing the essence or basic outline of a subject, often used as a preliminary step before creating a more detailed artwork.

  • The artist made several sketches before starting the final painting.
  • She carried a small notebook to make quick sketches of interesting scenes.
doodles

Casual drawings or scribbles, often done absentmindedly or for fun, typically in the margins of a notebook during meetings or classes.

  • She filled the margins of her notebook with little doodles while listening to the lecture.
  • The artist's sketchbook was filled with random doodles and imaginative figures.
drawings

More refined and detailed illustrations, often created with a specific purpose or intention. These are typically finished pieces of art or blueprints.

  • The children displayed their drawings at the school art fair.
  • The architect presented detailed drawings of the new building complex.

Examples of usage

  • She showed me her jottings for the new painting she's working on.
  • The artist's jottings captured the essence of the scene perfectly.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Many famous writers kept jottings as a way to jot down ideas that could later become stories or poems.
  • Notable authors like Virginia Woolf and Charles Dickens used their jottings to capture inspiration in their everyday lives.
  • The act of recording jottings is seen as a bridge between thought and execution in creative writing.

Psychology

  • Writing jottings can enhance memory retention, helping people recall information more effectively.
  • Studies show that the physical act of writing down thoughts leads to better processing and understanding of concepts.
  • Jottings serve as an external memory aid, reducing cognitive load by freeing the mind from having to remember every detail.

Education

  • Students often use jottings to summarize lessons and concepts, aiding in their studying process.
  • Teachers encourage the practice of jottings in classrooms to promote active engagement and note-taking skills.
  • The use of digital tools for jottings has increased, allowing for quick captures of thoughts in various formats.

Technology

  • Modern note-taking apps have made it easier to create digital jottings that can be organized and accessed anywhere.
  • Voice-to-text features allow users to 'jot' down ideas verbally, adding convenience to capturing thoughts.
  • Jottings in the age of technology have transformed into collaborative tools where multiple users can share and refine ideas.

Origin of 'jottings'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'jot' comes from the Middle English word 'joten,' meaning to write down quickly.
  • It is believed the phrase 'jot down' originated from the practice of scribbling notes swiftly, possibly to capture fleeting thoughts.
  • Jottings were essential in the past when people relied on memory and simple reminders before the advent of modern technology.

The word 'jottings' originated from the verb 'jot' meaning to write something quickly or briefly. It has been used in the English language since the 18th century. Over time, 'jottings' evolved to refer to quick notes, sketches, or comments written down in a hasty or informal manner.

See also: jot, jotting.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,939 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.