gist
[jist]
- the main or essential part of a matter: What was the gist of his speech?
- the ground of a legal action.
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Origin of gist
1720–30; < Anglo-French (cest action) gist (this matter) lies, 3rd singular present indicative of Anglo-French, Old French gesir to lie ≪ Latin jacēre
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
upshottenorsummarykernelforcepointideatopicsensesubjectbearingpiththemescoresignificanceimportcorekeynotedriftshortExamples from the Web for gist
Contemporary Examples
Mrs. Kennedy, interpreting the gist of the exchange, signaled to White that Camelot must be kept in the text.
One niece of a victim wrote her a letter, the gist of which was, “Lois Robison, shut up,” she said.
Wisconsin Spa Shooting Brings Back Painful Memories for the Moms of Mass KillersWinston Ross
October 25, 2012
But, in short, the gist of this argument is: Afghanistan's a loser.
Don’t Abandon Afghanistan!June 9, 2011
Historical Examples
Now, Smith, you've given me the gist of the matter, haven't you?
The CavalierGeorge Washington Cable
I don't know that I could repeat it word for word, but I could certainly give the gist of it.
Jennie Baxter, JournalistRobert Barr
I want to have the gist of them before the London Syndicate sees them.
A Woman IntervenesRobert Barr
That has been the gist of Axelson's repeated communications.
And this was the gist of most of the expressed sentiments which came to him.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, CompleteAlbert Bigelow Paine
gist
- the point or substance of an argument, speech, etc
- law the essential point of an action
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Word Origin
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for gist
n.
1711, "the real point" (of a law case, etc.), from Anglo-French legalese phrases, e.g. cest action gist "this action lies," meaning "this case is sustainable by law," from Old French gist en "it consists in, it lies in" (third person singular present indicative of gésir "to lie"), from Latin iacet "it lies," from iacere "to lie, rest," related to iacere "to throw" (see jet (v.)). Extended sense of "essence" first recorded 1823.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper