Jambed

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Became stuck tightly and unable to move, as when something is caught in a narrow space
2. Got wedged or trapped so that movement is blocked or restricted
3. Was firmly caught or impeded within a tight gap or confined area

Etymology: The past tense of "jamb" carries a surprisingly long journey. The noun "jamb," meaning the upright side post of a door or window, reaches English from Old French "jambe," which meant "leg." The French word came from Late Latin "gamba," used for the hock or shank of an animal, and that traces back to Ancient Greek "kampē," meaning a bend or turning post. A leg, a bent joint and a doorframe turn out to be close relatives. The link to the doorframe is easy to see once you picture it. A jamb is the part of a doorway a body presses against, and "jamb" in its verb sense means to wedge something tightly, as a door might be jammed fast against its frame. "Jambed" is simply the past form of that verb, describing something that has been wedged or trapped so it cannot move freely.