jib

¹

[ jib ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. any of various triangular sails set forward of a forestaysail or fore-topmast staysail. Compare flying jib, inner jib.
2. the inner one of two such sails, set inward from a flying jib.

adjective

1. of or relating to a jib:

   jib clew.

jib

²

or jibb

[ jib ]

verb (used with or without object)

, jibbed, jib·bing,

1. variants of jibe ³.

jib

³

[ jib ]

verb (used without object)

, jibbed, jib·bing.

1. to move restively sidewise or backward instead of forward, as an animal in harness; balk.
2. to balk at doing something; defer action; procrastinate.

noun

1. a horse or other animal that jibs.

jib

⁴

[ jib ]

noun

1. the projecting arm of a crane.
2. the boom of a derrick.

jib

¹

/ dʒɪb /

noun

1. the projecting arm of a crane or the boom of a derrick, esp one that is pivoted to enable it to be raised or lowered

jib

²

/ dʒɪb /

noun

1. dialect.
   often plural a contortion of the face; a face

   stop making jibs

jib

³

/ dʒɪb /

noun

1. nautical any triangular sail set forward of the foremast of a vessel
2. cut of someone's jib
   someone's manner, behaviour, style, etc
3. obsolete.
   1. the lower lip, usually when it protrudes forwards in a grimace
   2. the face or nose

jib

⁴

/ dʒɪb /

verb

1. often foll by at to be reluctant (to); hold back (from); balk (at)
2. (of an animal) to stop short and refuse to go forwards

   the horse jibbed at the jump

3. nautical variant of gybe

Derived Forms

• ˈjibber, noun

Other Words From

• jibber noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jib¹

First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain

Origin of jib²

First recorded in 1805–15; perhaps special use of jib ²

Origin of jib³

First recorded in 1755–65; apparently short for gibbet

Word History and Origins

Origin of jib¹

C18: probably based on gibbet

Origin of jib²

special use of jib ¹(in the sense: lower lip, face)

Origin of jib³

C17: of unknown origin

Origin of jib⁴

C19: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cut of one's jib, one's general appearance, mien, or manner:

   I could tell by the cut of his jib that he wasn't the kind of person I'd want to deal with.

More idioms and phrases containing jib

see cut of one's jib

Example Sentences

Even liberals who excoriated Putin’s regime jibbed at heavy-handed foreign criticism.

From Time

There were a couple of camera operators, one with a huge jib for all of the overhead sweeping shots.

From The Daily Beast

"A real wilderness," cried Dr. Silence from his seat in the bows where he held the jib sheet.

From Project Gutenberg

In sailing the jib is worked to every puff, eased off or drawn in at every variation in direction or strength of wind.

From Project Gutenberg

The size of the jib is also influenced by the fact that it has to balance the equally enormous mainsail.

From Project Gutenberg

A broad reach on starboard followed, 'Vigilant' setting her balloon jib-topsail very smartly.

From Project Gutenberg

The breeze, which came from the northward by east, was growing, and jib topsails were pulled down when about ten miles off.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• back off
• blanch
• cower
• cringe
• flinch
• grimace
• recoil