gist

American  

[jist] / dʒɪst /

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.

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gist British  

/ dʒɪst /

noun

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

2. law the essential point of an action

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Etymology

Origin of gist

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. )

Example Sentences

This pretty much captures the gist of the show’s debut season.

From Salon

“When I was a young guy,” Perryman said, “my head was all over the place — just trying to get the gist of the NFL. They taught me how to be where my mind is.”

From Los Angeles Times

I exclaim after I sign the gist of the announcement to Autumn.

From Literature

Beowulf’s picture was far more elaborate than those of his siblings, and it did need a bit more work coloring in the background, but the gist of it was on full, frightening view.

From Literature

In a novel of many threads, this is the gist: The saved are those who aren’t ashamed of who they are or where they came from.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• summary
• tenor
• upshot