jib
1[ jib ]
/ dʒɪb /
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noun Nautical.
any of various triangular sails set forward of a forestaysail or fore-topmast staysail.Compare flying jib, inner jib.
the inner one of two such sails, set inward from a flying jib.
adjective
of or relating to a jib: jib clew.
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Idioms about jib
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
1First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH jib
jib , jibeOther definitions for jib (2 of 4)
jib2
or jibb
[ jib ]
/ dʒɪb /
verb (used with or without object), noun jibbed, jib·bing,
variants of jibe3.
Other definitions for jib (3 of 4)
jib3
[ jib ]
/ dʒɪb /
verb (used without object), jibbed, jib·bing.
to move restively sidewise or backward instead of forward, as an animal in harness; balk.
to balk at doing something; defer action; procrastinate.
noun
a horse or other animal that jibs.
Origin of jib
3First recorded in 1805–15; perhaps special use of jib2
OTHER WORDS FROM jib
jibber, nounOther definitions for jib (4 of 4)
jib4
[ jib ]
/ dʒɪb /
noun
the projecting arm of a crane.
the boom of a derrick.
Origin of jib
4First recorded in 1755–65; apparently short for gibbet
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use jib in a sentence
After enduring this life for several weeks, I managed to make my escape one day while Mrs. Jibb was cleaning my cage.
The Joyous Story of Toto|Laura E. Richards
British Dictionary definitions for jib (1 of 4)
jib1
/ (dʒɪb) /
noun
nautical any triangular sail set forward of the foremast of a vessel
cut of someone's jib someone's manner, behaviour, style, etc
obsolete
- the lower lip, usually when it protrudes forwards in a grimace
- the face or nose
Word Origin for jib
C17: of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for jib (2 of 4)
jib2
/ (dʒɪb) /
verb jibs, jibbing or jibbed (intr) mainly British
(often foll by at) to be reluctant (to); hold back (from); balk (at)
(of an animal) to stop short and refuse to go forwardsthe horse jibbed at the jump
nautical variant of gybe
Derived forms of jib
jibber, nounWord Origin for jib
C19: of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for jib (3 of 4)
jib3
/ (dʒɪb) /
noun
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
Word Origin for jib
C18: probably based on gibbet
British Dictionary definitions for jib (4 of 4)
jib4
/ (dʒɪb) /
noun
(often plural) South Wales dialect a contortion of the face; a facestop making jibs
Word Origin for jib
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.