gist Hear it!

gist definition

gist (jist)

noun

  1. Law the grounds for action in a lawsuit
  2. 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.