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jig
1[ jig ]
/ dʒɪg /
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noun
verb (used with object), jigged, jig·ging.
to treat, cut, produce, etc., with a jig.
verb (used without object), jigged, jig·ging.
to use a jig.
to fish with a jig.
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Origin of jig
1First recorded in 1855–60; probably akin to jig2, in the sense “jerk to and fro”; origin and interrelationship of these words uncertain
Words nearby jig
Other definitions for jig (2 of 4)
jig2
[ jig ]
/ dʒɪg /
noun
verb (used with object), jigged, jig·ging.
verb (used without object), jigged, jig·ging.
Origin of jig
2First recorded in 1550–60; in earliest sense “kind of dance”; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle French giguer “to frolic, gambol,” possibly from an unattested West Germanic verb
OTHER WORDS FROM jig
jiglike, jiggish, adjectiveOther definitions for jig (3 of 4)
jig3
[ jig ]
/ dʒɪg /
noun
(formerly used in communications to represent the letter J.)
Other definitions for jig (4 of 4)
jig4
[ jig ]
/ dʒɪg /
noun Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.
a contemptuous term used to refer to a Black person.
Origin of jig
4First recorded in 1920–25, Americanism; of uncertain origin; cf. jigaboo
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use jig in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for jig
jig
/ (dʒɪɡ) /
noun
verb jigs, jigging or jigged
Word Origin for jig
C16 (originally: a dance or the music for it; applied to various modern devices because of the verbal sense: to jerk up and down rapidly): of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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