First Known Use: circa 1711
Dictionary
gist
noun \ˈjist\
Definition of GIST
1
: the ground of a legal action
2
: the main point or part : essence <the gist of an argument>
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Examples of GIST
- … Einstein showed how time intervals depend on the motion of people and clocks doing the measuring. And that's the gist of relativity. —Alan Lightman, Science, January/February 1984
- Thus, Poulterers' Case gave rise to a doctrine which survives to this day: the gist of conspiracy is the agreement, and so the agreement is punishable even if its purpose was not achieved. —Wayne R. LaFave & Austin W. Scott, Jr., Criminal Law, (1972) 1986
- Dorothea told him that she had seen Lydgate, and recited the gist of her conversation with him about the Hospital. —George Eliot, Middlemarch,1872
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Origin of GIST
Anglo-French, it lies, from gisir to lie, ultimately from Latin jacēre — more at adjacent
Related to GIST
- Synonyms
- bottom line, bull's-eye, centerpiece, core, essence, crux, heart, kernel, keynote, meat, meat and potatoes, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus, pith, pivot, point, root, sum
GIST Defined for Kids
gist
noun \ˈjist\
Definition of GIST for Kids
: the main point of a matter <He spoke so fast, I only got the gist of the story.>
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