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

To borrow the old sailing expression, they liked the cut of his jib.

From BBC

“Especially now, where there’s more skepticism, especially on the Republicans’ side, I think that’s why they’re shifting to the jibs argument.

From Washington Times

It leans like a ladder in midair, “and the camera is on another track with a jib arm and a dolly attached to the top of the jib.”

From New York Times

Once we’re clear of the port, the crew gets to work, hoisting the main sail, followed by the jib.

From Seattle Times

With the Rhythm’s main sail fluttering in the breeze on that spring day, our crew began preparing the jib: the smaller, triangular-shaped sail attached near the bow.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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