jib

1
[ jib ]
See synonyms for jib on Thesaurus.com
nounNautical.
  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.

adjective
  1. of or relating to a jib: jib clew.

Idioms about jib

  1. 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.

Origin of jib

1
First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain

Words that may be confused with jib

Other definitions for jib (2 of 4)

jib2

or jibb

[ jib ]

verb (used with or without object), nounjibbed, jib·bing,
  1. variants of jibe3.

Other definitions for jib (3 of 4)

jib3
[ jib ]

verb (used without object),jibbed, jib·bing.
  1. to move restively sidewise or backward instead of forward, as an animal in harness; balk.

  2. to balk at doing something; defer action; procrastinate.

noun
  1. a horse or other animal that jibs.

Origin of jib

3
First recorded in 1805–15; perhaps special use of jib2

Other words from jib

  • jibber, noun

Other definitions for jib (4 of 4)

jib4
[ jib ]

noun
  1. the projecting arm of a crane.

  2. the boom of a derrick.

Origin of jib

4
First recorded in 1755–65; apparently short for gibbet

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

How to use jib in a sentence

  • But some of the horses jibbed, and we had eventually to give it up and bring up supplies by hand.

  • Dahlia, it seemed, jibbed sometimes, she must—Bluebell was paying no attention.

    Bluebell | Mrs. George Croft Huddleston
  • If the horse jibbed at all, or stuck in the deep ruts—and wasn't it a wet season?

    Robbery Under Arms | Thomas Alexander Browne, AKA Rolf Boldrewood
  • The horse jibbed for a second and then swung along the wild road with the vigorous ease of good blood skilfully handled.

    The Half-Hearted | John Buchan
  • If I had a horse that—jibbed, I should be very patient with him and try to cure him of the bad habit by kindness.

    Miss Elliot's Girls | Mrs Mary Spring Corning

British Dictionary definitions for jib (1 of 4)

jib1

/ (dʒɪb) /


noun
  1. nautical any triangular sail set forward of the foremast of a vessel

  2. cut of someone's jib someone's manner, behaviour, style, etc

  1. obsolete

    • the lower lip, usually when it protrudes forwards in a grimace

    • the face or nose

Origin of jib

1
C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for jib (2 of 4)

jib2

/ (dʒɪb) /


verbjibs, jibbing or jibbed (intr) mainly British
  1. (often foll by at) to be reluctant (to); hold back (from); balk (at)

  2. (of an animal) to stop short and refuse to go forwards: the horse jibbed at the jump

  1. nautical variant of gybe

Origin of jib

2
C19: of unknown origin

Derived forms of jib

  • jibber, noun

British Dictionary definitions for jib (3 of 4)

jib3

/ (dʒɪb) /


noun
  1. the projecting arm of a crane or the boom of a derrick, esp one that is pivoted to enable it to be raised or lowered

Origin of jib

3
C18: probably based on gibbet

British Dictionary definitions for jib (4 of 4)

jib4

/ (dʒɪb) /


noun
  1. (often plural) South Wales dialect a contortion of the face; a face: stop making jibs

Origin of jib

4
special use of jib 1 (in the sense: lower lip, face)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with jib

jib

see cut of one's jib

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.