gist

[ jist ]

noun

1. the main or essential part of a matter:

   What was the gist of his speech?

   Synonyms: import, kernel, burden, substance, point, essence

2. the ground of a legal action.

gist

/ dʒɪst /

noun

1. the point or substance of an argument, speech, etc
2. law the essential point of an action

Word History and Origins

Origin of gist¹

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; adjacent ( def ), hic jacet ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of gist¹

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

Example Sentences

Despite a spiraling rabbit hole of media quibbling about what Huckabee supposedly said, the basic gist of his remarks were clear.

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Kennedy, interpreting the gist of the exchange, signaled to White that Camelot must be kept in the text.

From The Daily Beast

One niece of a victim wrote her a letter, the gist of which was, “Lois Robison, shut up,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

But, in short, the gist of this argument is: Afghanistan's a loser.

From The Daily Beast

I suggest the 90-minute experience tour and a night watching of Citizen Kane to get the full gist of William Randolph Hearst.

From The Daily Beast

Dont forget to tell the examiner that Toly and Modi are prepared for the upper division, so runs the gist of his letters.

From Project Gutenberg

As the gist of the tort consists of the injury done to one's reputation, the defamatory statement must have been published.

From Project Gutenberg

The gist of the Minority Report so far, at any rate, as the non-able-bodied are concerned may be put even more shortly.

From Project Gutenberg

The boss pushed that part of it aside abruptly, as he always does when he has got hold of the gist of a thing.

From Project Gutenberg

I can tell you the gist of them both in a few well-chosen phrases!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• summary
• tenor
• upshot