gist

[ jist ]
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noun
  1. the main or essential part of a matter: What was the gist of his speech?

  2. the ground of a legal action.

Origin of gist

1
First recorded in 1720–30; from Anglo-French (cest action) gist “(this matter) lies,” 3rd-person singular present of Anglo-French, Old French gesir “to lie” (compare modern French ci-gît “here lies”), ultimately from Latin jacēre; cf. adjacent, hic jacet

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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British Dictionary definitions for gist

gist

/ (dʒɪst) /


noun
  1. the point or substance of an argument, speech, etc

  2. law the essential point of an action

Origin of gist

1
C18: from Anglo-French, as in cest action gist en this action consists in, literally: lies in, from Old French gésir to lie, from Latin jacēre, from jacere to throw

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