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gist

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The definition of gist is the main point.

(noun)

An example of gist is when you sum up in one sentence what someone has just said to you.
An example of gist is the legal grounds for a lawsuit.

See gist in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Law the grounds for action in a lawsuit
the essence or main point, as of an article or argument

Origin: 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

See gist in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The central idea; the essence. See Synonyms at substance.
Law The grounds for action in a suit.

Origin:

Origin: From Anglo-Norman (cest action) gist, (this action) lies

Origin: , third person sing. of gesir, to lie

Origin: , from Latin iacēre; see yē- in Indo-European roots

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