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

A House ethics report could and may still shed more light, but it likely wouldn’t alter the already known gist: that Gaetz was not the sort of middle-aged man you would like hanging around any teenage girls.

From Salon

Denis Villeneuve conveyed the gist over the space of a couple of hours, aided by an impressive blend of sound and visual editing and cinematographic sorcery.

From Salon

The gist of Grewal’s argument is that the funding for Coinbase’s contract comes from seized crypto assets in the Justice Department’s Assets Forfeiture Fund, not from congressional appropriations.

From Los Angeles Times

“The general gist of saying everything is worse, is dangerous — it’s not true. But aesthetically, things have gotten worse,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Her campaign spokesperson, Venus Gist, said the recall is more than a local issue.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• summary
• tenor
• upshot