Jăck'-ketch, n.

n. [Perhaps from Jack and Prov. ketch, a hangman, from ketch, equivalent to catch, to seize or catch hold of; but see the citations given below.] A public executioner, or hangman. [Eng.] The manor of Tyburn was formerly held by Richard Jaquett, where felons for a long time were executed; from whence we have Jack Ketch. Lloyd's MS., British Museum. He [Monmouth] then accosted John Ketch, the executioner, a wretch who had butchered many brave and noble victims, and whose name has, during a century and a half, been vulgarly given to all who have succeeded him in his odious office. Macaulay.