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Jib

noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A triangular staysail set forward of the foremast. In a sloop (see image) the basic jib reaches back roughly to the level of the mast.

    "Release the line by pulling down and unfurl the jib by pulling on the two jibsheets."

  2. 2
    The projecting arm of a crane.
  3. 3
    One who jibs or balks, refusing to continue forward.
  4. 4
    Crystal meth. slang, uncountable
  5. 5
    The mouth, sometimes particularly the tongue, underlip, or tooth. slang

    "They needa’ watch they jibs."

Show 7 more definitions
  1. 6
    A first-year student at the University of Dublin. Ireland, archaic, slang

    "Forgetting that the jibs, whom they insulted, were afterwards to grow into the influential men […]"

  2. 7
    any triangular fore-and-aft sail (set forward of the foremast) wordnet
  3. 8
    Any of a variety of specialty triangular staysails set forward of the foremast. usually
  4. 9
    A crane used for mounting and moving a video camera. metonymically
  5. 10
    A stationary condition; a standstill.
  6. 11
    An object that is used for performing tricks while skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, in-line skating, or biking. These objects are usually found in a terrain park or skate park.
  7. 12
    A person's face. slang

    "Whipping around I saw Herman with a stunned expression on his jib."

Verb
  1. 1
    To shift, or swing around, as a sail, boom, yard, etc., as in tacking.
  2. 2
    To stop and refuse to go forward (usually of a horse).

    "“Who calls, who calls?” cried Essper; a shout was the only answer. There was no path, but the underwood was low, and Vivian took his horse, an old forester, across it with ease. Essper’s jibbed."

  3. 3
    shift from one side of the ship to the other wordnet
  4. 4
    To stop doing something, to become reluctant to proceed with an activity. figuratively

    "“What say you to the young lady herself?” said Craigengelt; “the finest young woman in all Scotland, one that you used to be so fond of when she was cross, and now she consents to have you, and gives up her engagement with Ravenswood, you are for jibbing. I must say, the devil’s in ye, when ye neither know what you would have nor what you would want.”"

  5. 5
    refuse to comply wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see below).

Etymology 2

Attested since the 1680s (also spelled jibe and gybe), perhaps from Dutch gijben (a variant of gijpen (“to turn sails suddenly”), whence certainly the form jibe) or else from Danish gibbe (“jib, jibe”), related to Swedish gippa (“jib, jibe, jerk, make jump”). Compare also Middle High German gempeln (“to spring”), Swedish guppa (“to move up and down”), Swedish gumpa (“to jump, spring”). See jump.

Etymology 3

Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortening of gibbet.

Etymology 4

Uncertain, perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see above).

Etymology 5

Uncertain, perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see above).

Etymology 6

From Middle English gibbe (“a swelling or protrusion in the body”), from Old French gibbe and/or Medieval Latin gibba (“hump”).

See also for "jib"

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