jib
1 [
jib]
| 1. | any of various triangular sails set forward of a forestaysail or fore-topmast staysail. Compare flying jib, inner jib. |
| 2. | the inner one of two such sails, set inward from a flying jib. |
| 3. | of or pertaining to a jib: jib clew. |
| 4. | cut of one's jib, one's general appearance, mien, or manner: I could tell by the cut of his jib that he wasn't the kind of person I'd want to deal with. |
1655–65; orig. uncert.

jib
2 [
jib]
verb (used without object), verb (used with object), jibbed, jib⋅bing, noun Nautical| jibe 1 . |
jibe
1 [
jahyb]
verb, jibed, jib⋅ing, noun Nautical| 1. | to shift from one side to the other when running before the wind, as a fore-and-aft sail or its boom. |
| 2. | to alter course so that a fore-and-aft sail shifts in this manner. |
| 3. | to cause to jibe. |
| 4. | the act of jibing. |
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Jib
Jib\, n. [Named from its shifting from side to side. See Jib, v. i.., Jibe.]1. (Naut.) A triangular sail set upon a stay or halyard extending from the foremast or fore-topmast to the bowsprit or the jib boom. Large vessels often carry several jibe; as, inner jib; outer jib; flying jib; etc. 2. (Mach.) The projecting arm of a crane, from which the load is suspended. Jib boom (Naut.), a spar or boom which serves as an extension of the bowsprit. It is sometimes extended by another spar called the flying jib boom. [Written also gib boom.] Jib crane (Mach.), a crane having a horizontal jib on which a trolley moves, bearing the load. Jib door (Arch.), a door made flush with the wall, without dressings or moldings; a disguised door. Jib header (Naut.), a gaff-topsail, shaped like a jib; a jib-headed topsail. Jib topsail (Naut.), a small jib set above and outside of all the other jibs. The cut of one's jib, one's outward appearance. [Colloq.] --Sir W. Scott.Jib
Jib\, v. i. [Connected with jibe; cf. OF. giber to shake.] To move restively backward or sidewise, -- said of a horse; to balk. [Written also jibb.] [Eng.]Jib
Jib\, n. 1. One that jibs, or balks; a jibber. 2. A stationary condition; a standstill.Cite This Source
jib
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jib
see cut of one's jib
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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jib
in sailing ships, triangular sail rigged to a stay extending from the foremast, or foretopmast, to the bowsprit or to a spar, the jibboom, that is an extension of the bowsprit. The jib is first known to have been used on one-masted vessels. Its use began to spread about 1600 and extended to larger war vessels about 1700. Jibs proved handy in helping to steer and were much valued-e.g., on the square-rigger, as a means of better close-hauled sailing and of setting extra sail with comparatively little labour demand. In some ships the number of jibs reached five or more, and often the jibboom itself required an extension, the flying jibboom, to carry them.
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