jig Hear it!

jig¹ Definition

jig (jig)

noun

    1. a fast, springy sort of dance, usually in triple time
    2. the music for such a dance
  1. any of various fishing lures that are jiggled up and down in the water
  2. any of several mechanical devices operated in a jerky manner, as a sieve for separating ores, a pounding machine, or a drill
  3. a device, often with metal surfaces, used as a guide for a tool or as a template

Etymology: prob. < MFr giguer, to gambol, dance < gigue, a fiddle < MHG giga (akin to ON gigja) < OHG *gigan (> Ger dial. geigen), to move back and forth

intransitive verb, transitive verb jigged, jig·ging

  1. to dance or perform (a jig) or to dance in jig style
  2. to move jerkily and quickly up and down or to and fro
  3. to use a jig (on) in working
  4. to fish or catch (a fish) with a jig

Etymology: < ? giguer: see jigthe

jig¹ Idioms

in jig time

Informal very quickly

the jig is up

Slang that ends it; all chances for success are gone: said of a risky or improper activity

jig² Definition

jig (jig)

noun

Slang black (): a hostile and offensive term

jig Synonyms

jig

n.

song and dance, contredanse, hop; see dance 1, music 1.

jig Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • bend: Making a Bending Jig The key to good results is to invest a little time in building a bending jig.
  • dance: It was like watching Dante from Clerks dancing a jig with a head full of paper feathers.
  • perform: The dancers will perform jigs and reels in both soft and heavy shoes.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • around: Once we had powdered our noses, it was off to the Trade tent or a big of jigging around.

Adjective modifier

  • merry: Now they leaped up as one, and danced a merry jig.
  • Irish: Will the DJ have an Irish jig for aunt Pat or a Doris Day track for the older guests?
  • lively: Our repertoire mainly comprises well known Irish folk songs to get the audience singing and lively jigs and reels to set the toes tapping.
  • wooden: To ensure that everything is in line I made a wooden jig.
  • traditional: Expect to hear everything from ' Whiskey in the Jar ' to traditional jigs & reels.
  • simple: You can make a simple jig by cutting v notches into an open topped cardboard box.

Modifies a noun

  • borer: Apparently it is classed as a ' jig borer ' tho to all intents it's simply a vertical milling machine.
  • jigsaw: The puzzles look so real jig zone jigsaw puzzles and the music sounds so great!
  • saw: Jig Saw A good quality jig saw is without a doubt the most versatile saw that you will ever use.
  • puzzle: The puzzles look so real jig zone jigsaw puzzles and the music sounds so great!
  • zone: The puzzles look so real jig zone jigsaw puzzles and the music sounds so great!
  • step: The ' down ' jig step is used in the jig Figure.

Noun used with modifier

  • worktop: The template for the bolts is again located with pins on the worktop jig.
  • alignment: Disk 9 real harness was tested on the alignment jig.
  • slip: Slip jigs are much less common in Scottish music that, I think, in Irish music.
  • assembly: These formulae will also give settings for the assembly jig.

Browse dictionary entries near jig

  1. jiffy
  2. Jidda
  3. jicama
  4. JIBOR
  5. jibe
  6. jib boom
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  8. Jiangxi
  9. Jiangsu
  10. Jiang Zemin
  1. jigger
  2. jiggermast
  3. jiggery-pokery
  4. jiggle
  5. jiggly
  6. jigsaw
  7. jigsaw puzzle
  8. jihad
  9. Jilin
  10. Jill