gist Definition
gist (jist)
noun
- Law the grounds for action in a lawsuit
- the essence or main point, as of an article or argument
Etymology: ME giste < OFr, abode, point at issue < 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of gesir, to lie < L jacere, to lie; sense infl. by Anglo-Fr legal phrase l'action gist, lit., the action lies
gist Synonyms
gist Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- argument: The House has got the gist of the argument.
- story: The main gist of the story can be found at the New Scientist website.
- article: Develops the gist of this article in a more rigorous fashion.
- matter: The gist of the matter is hardly altered thereby.
- text: The first time they listen to get the gist of the text.
- message: The gist of the message is shown opposite - do NOT follow the instructions!
Converse of object
- get: The House has got the gist of the argument.
- understand: Now we can understand well the gist of the parable.
- know: Anybody who has played a typical Japanese-style RPG will know the gist of this system automatically from that comment.
- give: The title gives the gist of her argument: ' National parties are a waste of time.
- have: I think that the Leader of the House has the gist.
- follow: It can also help you to follow the gist of some text in another language by translating it into your own language.
Adjective modifier
- metastatic: A structured assessment was carried out of the Novartis economic evaluation of imatinib for unresectable and/or metastatic GIST.
- general: However, the general gist of the warning usually remains the same.
- basic: The basic gist was that a Christian has no fear.
- main: The main gist of the story can be found at the New Scientist website.
- malignant: Malignant GISTs arising in the small intestine have a significantly poorer prognosis than those arising in the stomach.
Modifies a noun
- patient: All these trials are looking good for GIST patients.
- talk: Thursday 16 November, 16:00 GIST Talk: TBA - Joseph Kaye.
- translation: Gist On occasions due to time constraints clients may ask for a gist translation.

