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单词 just
释义

justn.1

Brit. /dʒʌst/, U.S. /dʒəst/
Forms: see just adj.
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: just adj.
Etymology: < just adj. In sense 1 after post-classical Latin iustus just person (Vulgate), use as noun of masculine of classical Latin iūstus just adj. Compare Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French, French juste just person (first half of the 12th cent.). With sense 2 compare classical Latin iūstum justice, equity, use as noun of neuter of iūstus.
1.
a. singular. A just person or being. Now only with the: any just person, the typical just person. Now somewhat archaic.
ΚΠ
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds vii. 52 The prophetis..that bifore teelden of the comynge of the iust [1611 King James the Iust one; L. Iusti].
?1483 W. Caxton in tr. Caton iv. sig. hij It is seen selde, the Iuste to dekaye ne to haue nede in suche manere, but that he hath euer good ynough for to fede and susteyne hys lyf naturalle.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts vii. 52 That iust whom ye haue betrayed.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xxxvi[i]. 12 The vngodly layeth wayte for the iust, & gnasȝsheth vpon him with his tethe [so 1611 and R.V.].
1664 Bp. J. Taylor Disswasive from Popery ix. 210 Christ is not our Advocate alone, but a Iudge: and since the just is scarce secure, how shall a sinner go to him, as to an Advocate?
a1708 W. Beveridge Expos. XXXIX Articles (1711) xvi. 216 A just Man may fall, a just Man may Sin.
1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the Second 38 The Deathbed of the Just! is yet undrawn By mortal Hand.
a1831 R. Hall Wks. (1832) VI. xvi. 355 God can be at once the just and the justifier.
1853 O. F. Owen tr. Aristotle Organon II. iv. iii. 429 What is justly, is also scientifically, (done), and a just is a scientific man.
1871 B. Jowett in B. Miall tr. M. Hamburger Awakening of Western Legal Thought (1942) i. 44 The just is always a loser in comparison with the unjust.
1886 Evening Bull. (San Francisco) 21 Dec. 4/5 The rain falls upon the just and the unjust, but more on the just than on the unjust, because the unjust steals the just's umbrella.
1911 J. N. Figgis Pain & Gladness iv. 29 The just will live by his faithfulness.
2000 tr. Lamothe Papers in C. Adams Taste for Comfort & Status iii. vii. 237 The heart of the just is precious.
b. With the and plural agreement: just people as a class.to sleep the sleep of the just: see quots. at sleep v. 6a.
ΚΠ
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope Proem ii. sig. fii The lawe hath be gyuen for the trespacers or mysdoers. And by cause the good ond Iuste be not subget to the lawe [etc.].
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. v. f. vij He..sendeth his reyne on the iuste and on the iniuste.
1567 Triall of Treasure sig. D God doth so guide the hartes of the iuste, That they respecte chiefly the celestiall treasure.
1659 J. Shirley Contention Ajax & Ulisses iii Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.
1709 I. Watts Hymns & Spiritual Songs (ed. 2) ii. 264 Behold the Spirits of the Just, Whose Faith is turn'd to Sight.
1754 S. Fielding & J. Collier Cry III. v. iv. 290 Mercy descends like the dew from heaven on the just and on the unjust.
1817 H. Rutter Key to Old Test. Introd. 12 Jesus Christ himself, the head and model of all the just, in whom all the just are united.
1871 J. R. Macduff Memories of Patmos xvii. 230 Until the spirits of the just are ‘made perfect’.
1911 Mme Moret tr. A. Moret In Time of Pharaohs v. 258 The just were..to live on, but the guilty were delivered up to devouring monsters.
1947 Billboard 20 Sept. 90/4 Every night while the just were overwhelming the unjust at the foot of the high-dive ladder, Arkansas Whitey meditated: [etc.].
2004 Church Times 1 Oct. 13/3 For the Qumranites, the just were ‘the men of truth who kept the law’.
†2. Righteousness; equitableness, fairness. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [noun] > fairness or equity
evennessOE
rightOE
equityc1315
evenheadc1350
charityc1430
evenhood1496
consciencea1538
equalness1548
equality1556
equanimity1607
candour1616
equitableness1648
candidness1661
just1667
both-sidedness1845
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 381 Strength from Truth divided and from Just..naught merits but dispraise. View more context for this quotation
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

† justn.2

Forms: late Middle English iust, late Middle English iuste, late Middle English just, late Middle English juste, late Middle English juyste, 1500s ioust.
Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French juste; Latin justa.
Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman jouste, Anglo-Norman and Middle French juste, Middle French juiste (c1155 in Old French; also in sense ‘allowance of ale’ (a1321 or earlier)), and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin justa vessel, flagon (9th cent.; frequently from 11th cent. in British sources), right measure (of drink) (11th cent.; frequently from 12th cent. in British sources), use as noun (short for mensura justa just measure) of feminine of classical Latin iūstus just adj. Compare Old Occitan justa (14th cent.), and also Old Icelandic justa.
Obsolete.
A relatively deep and wide vessel with a long narrow neck and handles, used for holding wine or beer. Also with modifying word.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > containers for drink > [noun] > large for liquor
jubbec1386
hogshead1390
justc1400
keel1485
muida1492
tree1513
quarter pipe?1763
cistern1815
wood1822
ox-head1888
c1400 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Tiber.) (2004) vi. xix. 112 Hym was yȝeue a goldene iust [a1425 Harl. 1900 iust, L. iusta] wonderlyche veyr arayed wyþ perles & wyþ precyous stones.
c1450 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 598/16 Obba, genus est calicis, a juyste.
a1529 J. Skelton Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng in Certayne Bks. (?1545) sig. D For they go to roust Streyght ouer the ale Joust.

Compounds

just womb n. a large, round stomach; = pot belly n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > trunk > front > belly or abdomen > [noun] > types of
just wombc1400
paunch?a1425
gorbelly1519
barrel-belly1561
grand paunch1569
pack paunch1582
swag-paunch1611
swag bellya1616
bottle belly1655
paunch-gut1683
pot belly1696
gundy-gut1699
tun-bellya1704
panter1706
corporation1753
pancheon1804
poda1825
bow window1840
pot1868
pus-gut1935
beer belly1942
pussy-gut1949
pot-gut1951
Molson muscle1967
beer gut1976
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xiii. l. 83 (MED) I shal iangle to þis Iurdan with his iust wombe.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

justadj.

Brit. /dʒʌst/, U.S. /dʒəst/
Forms: Middle English joust, Middle English–1500s iuste, Middle English–1500s juste, Middle English–1600s iust, Middle English– just; Scottish pre-1700 iust, pre-1700 juist, pre-1700 juste, pre-1700 1700s– just.
Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French just; Latin iūstus.
Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman just, joust, Anglo-Norman and Middle French juste (French juste ) (of a person or God) that does what is morally right or in accordance with religious principles (first quarter of the 12th cent. in Old French), honest and impartial in dealing with people (first half of the 12th cent.), (of a thing) consonant with principles of moral right, of equity, or of divine law (first half of the 12th cent.), that conforms to a required or agreed standard (1283), precise, exact (1283), well-founded (1284), (of a statement, opinion, etc.) correct, accurate (first half of the 14th cent. or earlier), lawful, legally valid (a1352 or earlier), (of clothes) of an exact fit (second half of the 14th cent.), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin iūstus lawful, legitimate, rightful, deserved, fair, impartial, in accordance with justice, equitable, justified, valid, prescribed or appointed, proper, correct, in post-classical Latin also righteous (Vulgate) < iūs right, law, justice (see jure n.) + -tus, suffix forming adjectives. Compare Old Occitan just, Catalan just (12th cent.), Spanish justo (a1207), Portuguese justo (13th cent.), Italian giusto (a1294); also Middle Dutch juust (Dutch juist; < French).Some senses of the English adjective are not paralleled in French until later than in English, e.g. ‘(of things) equitable, fair’ (1595), ‘(of a place) exact’ (1668).
I. Of a thing.
1.
a. That conforms to a required or agreed standard; right in amount, proportion, aesthetic quality, etc.; appropriate, correct.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > conformity to or with a pattern, etc. > [adjective] > conforming to a standard rule
rightOE
justc1384
verya1425
orderly1542
ruled1551
normatic1598
formal1635
solemn1639
regular1643
mathematical1776
reglementary1800
rule-right1877
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Philipp. i. 7 It is iust [L. iustum] to me for to feele this thing for alle ȝou, for that I haue ȝou in herte.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 4343 Me semeth, by iuste prouidence, ȝe schulde liȝtly dissymvble ȝoure offence.
c1475 (a1449) J. Lydgate Select. Minor Poems (1840) 60 (MED) Juste weight halte justly the balaunce.
1588 W. Smith Brief Descr. London (Harl. 6363) f. 13 If they ffynd [the weights] not Iust: they breake them.
1598 B. Yong tr. G. Polo Enamoured Diana in tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 491 A maruellous sweete concent keeping iust time and measure.
1612 Mr. King tr. Benvenuto Passenger ii. i. 429 Degenerating, swaruing and digressing from this qualitie, symitriall and iust proportion, there ensues a distempered temperature.
1671 R. Bohun Disc. Wind 67 So that a just and moderate condensation is necessary to the constitution of Winds.
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 23. ⁋9 Rules for the just opposition of colours, and the proper dimensions of ruffles and pinners.
1821 J. Q. Adams Rep. Weights & Meas. 15 The first of these injunctions..commands that the standards should be just.
1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith v. 203 The just balance between the moral and intellectual sides of his nature is often destroyed.
1927 T. G. Frothingham Amer. Reinforcem. in World War xvi. 129 One of the outstanding necessities..was to establish precedence of orders in just proportion to the requirements of the departments of the Services.
2011 A. Dell'Antonio Listening as Spiritual Pract. in Early Mod. Italy 184 (note) The perceived importance of a just balance between speaking and listening in conversation.
b. Of a time, place, etc.: adapted to something else, or to an end or purpose; appropriate; suitable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective]
goodeOE
rightOE
queemlOE
belonglOE
behovingc1175
limplyc1200
tidefula1300
avenantc1300
mackc1330
worthy1340
hemea1350
convenientc1374
seemlya1375
shapelyc1374
ablea1382
cordant1382
meetc1385
accordable1386
accordinga1387
appurtenantc1386
pertinentc1390
accordanta1393
likea1393
setea1400
throa1400
agreeablec1425
habilec1425
suitly1426
competentc1430
suiting1431
fitc1440
proportionablec1443
justc1450
congruent?a1475
cordinga1475
congruec1475
afferant1480
belonging1483
cordable1485
hovable1508
attainanta1513
accommodate1525
agreeing1533
respondent1533
opportunate?1541
appropriate1544
commode1549
familiar1553
apt1563
pliant1565
liable1570
sortly1570
competible1586
sortable1586
fitty1589
accommodable1592
congruable1603
affining1606
feated1606
suity1607
reputable1611
suited1613
idoneousa1615
matchable1614
suitablea1616
congruous1631
fitten1642
responsal1647
appropriated1651
adapt1658
mack-like1672
squared1698
homogeneous1708
applicable1711
unforeign1718
fitted1736
congenial1738
assorted1790
accommodatable1874
OK1925
c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 719 [It] stant eke in so Iuste a place That euery sovne mot to hyt pace.
1574 H. Howard Def. Eccl. Regiment in Eng. 173 Princes may commaunde a faste vpon any iust occasion.
1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 55 in Sylva How many Things to be done in their just Season.
c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1973) To Children 11 He was very liberall to them, but ever chose just times and occasions to exercise it.
1684 R. Waller tr. Ess. Nat. Exper. Acad. del Cimento 10 Our Instrument remains still unalterably just to every place where 'tis made use of.
1703 tr. G. Della Casa Galateo of Manners 7 That we may know the just Seasons of gratifying other Men's Humours rather than our own.
1790 E. Burke Subst. Speech Deb. Army Estimates 32 He was far from condemning such opposition; on the contrary, he most highly applauded it, where a just occasion existed for it.
1852 Trans. Essex (Mass.) Agric. Soc. 28 The just time of day and of night, for the coming and the gathering of that harvest.
1926 Catholic Hist. Rev. New Ser. 1 202 In this recognition of the just place of history in University teaching, Louvain..had anticipated state progress.
2011 M. A. Grisanti in E. H. Merrill et al. World & Word iv. xi. 213 Although this could have served as the just occasion for their demise, the Lord forgave them.
2.
a. Of a calculated result, measure, amount, number, date, etc.: precisely measured or determined, not approximated in any way; precise, exact. Also: that is exactly the figure specified. Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > of calculated result
evena1400
justc1400
mathematical1604
exacta1616
mathematic1664
strict1791
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > exactly as specified
veryc1386
justc1400
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §3. 17 To haue take a Iust Ascendent by thin Astrilabie.
1425 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Apr. 1425 §36. m. 13 The which cokett contenes the hool nombre of sarplers and pokes, and the just poys that they holden.
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. i. iv Open your compasse to the iust length of ye line.
1594 Acct.-bk. W. Wray in Antiquary (1896) 32 118 [He] owes me..the just some of iijli. xixs. id.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 324 If thou tak'st more or lesse then a iust pound. View more context for this quotation
1608 A. Willet Hexapla in Exodum 875 The forepart of the court was a iust square.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 122 We cannot exactly tell the just time thereof.
1723 E. Chambers tr. S. Le Clerc Treat. Archit. I. 105 It shou'd be rais'd to the just height of the Windows.
1734 J. Ward Introd. Math. (ed. 6) ii. xi. 139 The First Root is 300 being less than Just.
1766 T. H. Croker et al. Compl. Dict. Arts & Sci. III. at Series Thus may we proceed, without ever coming at the just quantity sought.
1833 tr. Plan of Treaty 1785 in Diplomatic Corr. U.S. I. 257 The account of the tax..upon said letters of each kind, for their postage to New York, and a recapitulation which shall show the just total of said taxes.
1882 T. Morrison Arithm. for Standard VII 12 Equation of Payments is the rule by which we determine the just time when several debts due at different times may be paid at once without loss to either party.
1904 P. J. Hamilton Colonization South xvi. 301 An elaborate plan was attached representing the form of settling the districts or county divisions.., showing a just square of twenty miles on each side, arranged somewhat like a checkerboard.
1996 J. R. Abrial B-book 164 Either n is a multiple of m, and q is then the just number by which we have to multiply m in order to obtain n, [etc.].
b. †(a) (Of an instrument) marked by or adapted to precision (obsolete); (b) (of a natural action, process, etc.) uniform in operation, regular, even, steady (now somewhat rare).In quot. c1405 as wordplay: cf. sense 12.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > uniformity > [adjective]
oneOE
consimilec1400
suinga1425
even?c1425
agreeable1512
uniform1540
consemblable?1541
suant1547
constantc1550
just?1556
similar1563
similary1564
unvaried1570
uniformal1574
consimilar1577
homogeneana1601
homogeneal1603
homogene1607
invariable1607
of a piece1607
undistinguisheda1616
univocal1615
immutable1621
uniformable1632
solemn1639
homogeneous1646
consistent1651
pariformal1651
self-consistent1651
congeniousa1656
level1655
undiversificated1659
equal1663
of one make1674
invarieda1676
congenerous1683
undiversified1684
equable1693
solid1699
consisting1700
tranquil1794
unbranching1826
horizontal1842
sole1845
self-similar1847
homoeomeric1865
equiformal1883
monochrome1970
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > [adjective] > correct in procedure, operation, etc.
just?1556
curiousa1592
exact1597
punctual1620
correct1705
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > conformity to or with a pattern, etc. > [adjective] > conforming to a standard rule > characterized by the presence or operation of
just?1556
regular?1558
solemn1639
suanta1722
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > of tools, materials, etc.: accurate
truec1392
just?1556
precise1561
finea1566
delicate1581
nicea1628
exact1665
sensible1678
sensitive1820
precision1875
pin-sharp1933
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 382 Thow shalt me fynde as Iust as is a Squyre [sc. a square for measuring angles].]
?1556 N. Smyth tr. Herodian Hist. iv. f. xlvii All the Romaine knightes, do ride about ye Towre, wt a iuste course, & order to & fro, called of them Pirrhichius.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 8 The iuste course of the yeere.
1665 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 61 An instrument composed of two Rulers..will be no longer just at all.
1694 W. Burnaby tr. Petronius Satyr (new ed.) 134 He..now in a just motion keeps time with his Sister above.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Just Divisors are such Numbers or Quantities which will divide a given Number or Quantity, so as to leave no Remainder.
1772 W. Jones Poems 28 Mark'd the just progress of each rolling sphere.
1810 W. L. Brown Ess. Nat. Equality Mankind (ed. 4) vi. 293 In a grand piece of machinery, the smaller wheels and pins, though less observable, are not on that account less necessary than others to the just motion and effect of the whole.
1854 Med. Examiner Mar. 130 A medicine that somehow relieves the organism of some embarrassments, and fits it again for the just operation of aliment and stimuli.
1917 Textile Amer. Apr. 11/2 Julius Hirsh, whose knitting works are located Tenth and Berks streets, has a just advance in business.
1991 J. Kondo in W. T. Golden Worldwide Sci. & Technol. Advice to Highest Levels Govt. 280 The purpose of this is to promote the just progress of science.
3. Based on reasonable or adequate grounds; well-founded; justifiable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > argument, source of conviction > [adjective] > strong, valid, convincing
justa1413
pregnanta1425
well-disposedc1449
pregnablea1500
legitime1532
concludent1571
potent1609
solid1615
concluding1620
valida1648
valuable1647
conclusive1649
cogent1659
legitimate1774
well-taken1789
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) iii. l. 1227 Al quyt from euery drede and tene. As she þat Iust cause hadde hym to tryste.
c1425 Treat. Ten Commandments in Stud. Philol. (1910) 6 18 Ieremie..saith. þat to a iuste ooth. langeth thre þinges.
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique iii. f. 114 The ymages we may chaunge, as the matter shal geue iust cause.
1572 Treat. Treasons against Q. Elizabeth ii. f. 155v If Sinon did not intend by one meane or other, to make her away: would his shrewd head defame him selfe in this manner,..with the iust suspicion of procuring her murder?
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island xi. xii. 148 A simple maid, With justest grief and wrong so ill apaid.
1697 E. Stillingfleet Answer to Mr. Locke's Let. 81 I have a just Esteem for the Invention of such who can spin Volumes barely out of their own Thoughts.
1792 J. Almon Anecd. Life W. Pitt (octavo ed.) II. xxix. 130 The excuse is a valid one if it is a just one.
1796 E. Hamilton Lett. Hindoo Rajah I. 45 Alas! my fears were just. The pure spirit had fled.
1825 Justice Bayley in R. V. Barnewall & C. Cresswell Rep. Cases King's Bench IV. 255 Malice..in its legal sense..means a wrongful act done intentionally without just cause or excuse.
1858 T. P. Thompson Audi Alteram Partem (1859) II. lxxiv. 23 The justest object of jealousy to wise men in all ages.
1919 N.Y. Libraries May 190/2 The libraries, librarians, and their friends in America..can have a just feeling of satisfaction that camp life in France is brighter, cheerier, more endurable, because of their interest and help.
1970 S. L. Bernath Squall across Atlantic iv. 61 The Supreme Court..granted no redress because it felt there were just grounds for suspicion in the cases.
2007 R. Vigne in R. Bonney & E. J. B. Trim Devel. Pluralism in Mod. Brit. & France 154 It was his just fear of subjection by Louis XIV..that led Victor Amadeus II to seek an alliance with William III.
4.
a. Of a copy, translation, etc.: that conforms exactly to an original, or correctly represents one; accurate. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > [adjective] > that is a copy > exact or accurate
justc1425
expressa1535
polygraphic1805
spitten1878
autotypic1883
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adjective] > in natural state > faithful to original
justc1425
perfect1523
undistorting1823
realistic1829
realista1832
photographic1855
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective]
rightOE
namely?c1225
lealc1330
very1338
truec1400
justc1425
exquisite1541
precise?a1560
jump1581
accuratea1599
nice1600
refined1607
punctual1608
press?1611
square1632
exact1645
unerring1665
proper1694
correct1705
pointed1724
prig1776
precisivea1805
as right as a trivet1835
spot on1936
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 1746 (MED) This Anthenor haþ first made mencioun, To-fore þe kyng by iust relacioun, Of his expleyt.
1563 N. Winȝet Buke Fourscoir-thre Questions sig. Biiij We sett furth yis iust copie, without altering or eiking ony thing.
1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie Pref. sig. Ciiii I avow it not for a iust translation.
1614 W. Barclay Nepenthes Ep. Ded. sig. A2 Since you are charged, the custome requireth that you haue a just copie of the Libell, which I present heere vnto you.
1691 J. Swift Ode to Athenian Society xii, in Suppl. Fifth Vol. Athenian Gaz. 6 Like a just Map.
1763 B. Martin Young Gentleman & Lady's Philos. II. 313 This noble Invention makes all the Difficulty of constructing a just Map of the Moon vanish.
1824 W. Buchanan Mem. Painting I. 23 The school of Venice produces a true and just imitation of nature.
1862 A. Trollope N. Amer. I. ix. 187 In making..a just calculation it must be borne in mind that clothing is dearer than in England.
1897 Windsor Mag. 5 559/1 It was hard for a draughtsman to make anything like a just copy of a great picture.
1988 J. Kertzer Poetic Argument i. 29 Language must be accurate as both imitation and vehicle. That is, it must provide a just translation and it must be internally consistent.
b. Of a statement, idea, judgement, etc.: in accordance with reason, truth, or reality; right; true; factually correct. Often with connotations of fairness: cf. sense 5.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > [adjective] > in accordance with reason
reasonablea1382
rationablec1475
just1490
rational1531
correct1705
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > of statement: agreeing with reality
soothlyc888
soothfastc950
truea1250
very1303
strait1340
honesta1400
soothfulc1400
precisec1443
veritable1474
just1490
perfect1523
faithful1529
sincere1555
unmangled1557
truthful?1567
neat1571
oraculous1612
punctual1620
oracular1631
unvamped1639
strict1645
unembroidered1649
ungarbled1721
unexaggerated1770
veracious1777
unfictitious1835
unexaggeratinga1854
uncooked1860
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > strict, rigorous
just1490
nicea1522
point-devicea1529
exact1533
narrow1551
rigorousa1564
point-vice1574
curious1614
rigid?1626
hard1690
strict1749
deadly1909
1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos xxi. sig. Fijv He refuseth to lene his eeres for to vnderstande my wordes that ben soo iuste and resonable.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. Prol. 59 Virgil writis mony just claus conding.
1581 T. Nicholas tr. A. de Zárate Discov. & Conquest Peru iii. iv. f. 50v But Don Francisco pretended that their opinions were not iuste.
a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters (1636) 20 He maintaineth, that strangers speake wiser and juster things than his own fellow-citizens.
1649 S. Rutherford Free Disputation 81 To send away the opinion I have of this non-fundamentall or fundamentall truth as a grosse mistake, and to welcome the just contrary opinion as a truth.
1679 (title) A just narrative of the hellish new counter-plots of the Papists.
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey I. iii. 306 Much he knows, and just conclusions draws From various precedents, and various laws.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth V. 136 A single glance of a good plate or a picture imprints a juster idea than a volume could convey.
1849 R. Turnbull Genius of Italy Pref. viii The author..has aimed especially to furnish a just idea of the present state and future prospects of the Italian race.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. lxxv. 618 To present a just picture of American public opinion one must cut deeper.
1921 Print-collector's Q. Apr. 109 I am convinced that this [sc. an etching] is a just description of The Lamas.
1958 H. J. Hewitt Black Prince's Exped. 1355–1357 vii. 154 The total sum received in England has been studied, but a just statement would need longer and more complex treatment than is appropriate in this work.
1994 P. A. Rahe Republics Anc. & Mod. iii. 118 The man slated to be Washington's first secretary of the treasury had a just estimation of the central role played by fiduciary institutions in the modern political economy.
5.
a. Constituted by law or equity, grounded on right; lawful, rightful. Also: †legally valid (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > [adjective]
righteOE
kindc1300
rightfulc1330
truec1384
righteous1391
lawfula1400
just?1435
legitimec1450
legitimatea1460
verya1466
justc1540
reable1581
sib1701
competent1765
?1435 ( J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 644 The [pe]degree be iuste successioun..Vnto the Kyng ys now dessended dovn.
1551 Acts Parl. Scotl. (1814) II. 484/1 Gif thay assurit perounis spulȝeit haue iust actioun to ask restitutioun of thair gudis.
1583 tr. P. van Marnix van Sant Aldegonde Pithie, & most Earnest Exhort., conc. Estate of Christiandome 68 To what purpose is it for vs to think vnder pretence of law & iustice to moderate that mans ambition, who hath bene long resolued, that he hath lawfull and iust title, to inuade other mens kingdomes?
1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. ix. §581. 253 Where a just grant, or other thing cannot take effect without a deed.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 38 We now return To claim our just inheritance of old. View more context for this quotation
1729 N. Tindal tr. P. Rapin de Thoyras Hist. Eng. VIII. xvii. 459 Another Person has a juster Title than she to the Crown.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iv. 443 He [sc. James II] would still go as far as any man in support of her [sc. his country's] just liberties.
1887 A. M. Hopkinson Vree Thornleigh's Inheritance iii. 44 If Amy Manceschi's daughter was still alive, she was either indifferent to her just inheritance, or ignorant of her claims to it.
1921 J. S. Fletcher Herapath Prop. xiv. 219 He did it with the idea of getting everything into the hands of his own daughter, of defrauding me of my just rights.
1997 G. Spence O. J.: Last Word xx. 254 In civil cases, a motion for summary judgment tests whether the minimal elements of a just claim in fact exist.
b. Consonant with principles of moral right or of equity; righteous; equitable; fair. Of a reward, punishment, etc.: deserved, merited; see also just desert n. at Compounds 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [adjective]
righteOE
rightfula1225
skilful1340
veryc1440
justc1450
fair-minded1645
dextera1734
just-minded1825
square dinkum1888
fair dinkum1912
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] > that is due > deserved
wurthe?c1225
condign1413
meritory1523
meritorious1535
deserved1552
just1553
earned1559
merited1593
c1450 in F. J. Furnivall Hymns to Virgin & Christ (1867) 114 (MED) The hiȝest lessoun þat man may lere Is to lyue iust lijf.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 5 More it Ioyes me Iason of þi Iust werkes.
1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India Ded. sig. aaijv If honest commendacions be a iust reward dew to noble enterprises.
1590 R. Hitchcock tr. F. Sansovino Quintesence of Wit f. 5 That warre is iust, that is necessarye.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 33 I will never rest, till I have executed just vengeance on him that unjustly slew thee.
1643 D. Cawdrey Good Man 35 If men go on thus to forsake them, and let them fall, for want of Assistance, it is just with God, they should never chuse more.
a1668 W. Waller Divine Medit. (1680) xiii. 89 It was just with God..to turn his Majesty to grass, to have his dwelling, and intercommoning with the beasts of the field.
a1688 R. Cudworth tr. Plato Theætetus in Treat. Concerning Eternal & Immutable Morality (1731) i. i. 2 As to things Just and Unjust, Holy and Unholy,..none of these things have in Nature any Essence of their own.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. viii. 69 You'll think it just that I should give them an opportunity to retaliate.
1800 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1799: Acct. of Bks. 15/1 Let the king prepare a just compensation for the good, and a just punishment for the bad.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge vi. 265 Is this fair, or reasonable, or just to yourself?
1863 Times 29 Apr. 9/2 Society has no right to resent the severity and excessive plain-spokenness of the language in which a just sentence is pronounced and punishment inflicted.
1935 R. S. Godley Khaki & Blue 112 Laws..must be just and reasonable, and administered absolutely impartially, irrespective of race, politics or colour.
1975 W. Damon in J. R. Meyer et al. Values Educ. 26 Concerns of responsibility and blame, including..what constitutes just retribution for doing wrong.
2006 Reader's Digest Apr. 35/1 It is a conceit of the public-sector unions that their pension arrangements are a just reward for the lower salaries in the public sector.
†6. Of clothing, armour, etc.: of an exact fit. Hence: fitting too closely, tight. Cf. just adv. 1b. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > that fits in specific way > well-fitting
well-sittinga1300
justc1440
well-fitting1576
featly1801
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > that fits in specific way > close-fitting
straita1387
justc1440
sitting1440
close1488
well-fitted1590
close-bodied1677
succinct1714
tightish1775
tight1784
full-fashioned1812
skintight1838
snug1838
fully-fashioned1844
tight-fitting1846
close-fitting1870
slim1884
skin-fitting1915
skinny1915
slinky1921
tight-ass1969
c1440 (?a1400) Sir Perceval (1930) l. 272 (MED) His hode was juste to his chyn.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 38 Clothinge..streite and well sittinge and iuste, that sum tyme the fruite that was in me suffered payne and was in perell.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 145v Mekill iust armur.
1583 R. P. tr. P. de la Sierra Second Pt. Myrror of Knighthood ii. x. f. 221v The armour was very iust vnto his body, and lykewise very hard.
1649 R. Lovelace Aramantha in Lucasta 145 It [sc. a robe] sate close and free, As the just bark unto the Tree.
1657 J. M. Discovery 44 I desired nothing but what was as Just as the Cloathes on my back.
1829 [implied in: J. Lawrence Horse Varieties & Uses xv. 84 A good nail would..justly fit and fill the piercing hole of the shoe.].
7.
a. That matches up exactly; characterized by or involving exact correspondence between two or more things.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > [adjective] > in exact agreement or harmony > of correspondence: exact
just1536
stricta1732
1536 J. Gwynneth Confut. Fyrst Parte Frythes Boke sig. r.viv I do not yet discommende the iust agrement, that is betwene his case & his example.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiii. 219 So as there be found a iust correspondencie betweene them.
1695 G. Hooper Disc. Lent ii. vii. 281 The Leaven'd Bread they always chose to use..seems to import a just correspondence with those [sacraments] of the Eucharistical kind.
1753 W. Hogarth Anal. Beauty xi. 83 They meet in just similitude.
1792 Amer. Museum Oct. 245 The luminous and dark places, the large and the small appearances in the moon, have a just correspondence with our seas, rivers, lakes, plains, mountains, forests.
1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. xvi. 313 In consequence of the just collocation, and by means of the joint action of longitudinal and annular fibres.
1851 Chambers's Edinb. Jrnl. Dec. 747/1 The value of the land rises in just correspondence to the demand.
1913 J. A. Cantrell Increasing Needs of Nation 129 If an individual is allowed his own choice of Theatrical performance the effect on the mind will be in just comparison to the value of his judgment in making that choice.
1967 M. Sullivan Short Hist. Chinese Art viii. 180 He seeks a just correspondence of the type of brush-stroke with the object depicted.
2001 B. J. Malkovsky Role of Divine Grace in Soteriology of Śaṃkarācārya viii. 282 He declares a just connection between the type of knowledge attained and its result.
†b. That corresponds or correspond exactly in amount, duration, position, etc.; equal; even, level. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adjective]
evenlyeOE
evenOE
egallc1374
equalc1400
pareilc1450
just1551
matchable1558
parile1606
equivalenta1626
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia ii. sig. Hviiv Dyuydynge the daye and the nyghte into xxiiii iust houres.
1594 T. Blundeville Exercises iii. i. xxxiii. f. 164 Vntill the last degree of the sayd signe doe appeare iust with the vpper edge of the Horizon.
a1640 T. Risdon Chorogr. Surv. Devon (1811) (modernized text) §46. 52 That..well in Derbyshire, which ebbeth and floweth by just tides.
a1652 S. Foster Elliptical Horologiography (1654) 141 The whole houres and parts upon one side justly corresponding to the just houres and parts upon the other side.
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. xiv. 483 The destin'd victim to dis-part In sev'n just portions.
1781 C. Lofft Eudosia iii. 58 This antient Industry in twelve just parts Distributed; assigning each their name.
1868 E. Dingle Hints from Dawning IV. xi. 282 Now the very first rule we have in studying a circle and its just divisions on the base of the distance, or semi-diameter, is, that six distances is the only measure [etc.].
1970 A. Fowler Triumphal Forms iii. 39 As with all square numbers, its geometrical rectitude symbolized virtue; moreover, it was susceptible to repeated equal (and therefore just) divisions.]
c. Music. Acoustically pure, having the simplest mathematical ratio or ratios; in accordance with the harmonic series. Also: having as many pure intervals as is practical.
ΚΠ
1664 J. Birchensha tr. J. H. Alsted Templum Musicum iv. 18 The seventeenth, are Intervalls not just, which are either deficient or redundant, chiefly by the lesser Semitone, or Comma, or both together.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Diminish'd Interval, in Music, is a defective Interval, or an Interval which is short of its just Quantity by a lesser Semi-tone.
?1775 W. Waring tr. J. J. Rousseau Dict. Mus. 339 The relation is just when the interval is just, major or minor.
1850 T. P. Thompson Theory & Pract. Just Intonation 73 Three just Minor Sixths are not equal to two Octaves.
1885 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 27 Mar. 496/2 The intervals 182,114 cents differ only by 2 cents each from 182, 112, which would occur in our just scale of B fl.
1905 E. W. Naylor Elizabethan Virginal Bk. Index 219/1 Practical directions for study of ‘just’ tuning.
1918 Musical Q. Apr. 200 Their natural musical instinct leads them to sing just intervals, but their continued association with a tempered organ or a piano counteracts that.
1963 L. Teal Art Saxophone Playing 61/2 Use of the acoustically correct or ‘just’ scale, based on the overtone series, involves so many pitch values in an octave that it is impractical when building an instrument.
2007 Computer Mus. Jrnl. 31 18/1 At this point, the just interval is no longer signified by the sounded interval.
8. That is truly or in all respects the thing specified; complete in amount or in character; full; genuine, proper. Now rare.See also just battle n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adjective] > that is completely what is specified
perfectc1387
just?1537
full-fledged1579
thorough1719
?1537 J. Twyne in Hugh of Caumpedene tr. Hist. Kyng Boccus To Rdr. sig. A.iv He shortly techeth moch knowlege..breuely and playnly that that ypocras, Galyen or Ptholomy comprehendyd in great or iuste volumes.
1588 H. G. tr. Cataneo (title) Briefe tables to know redily how manie ranckes of footemen..go to the making of a iust battaile.
1608 T. Hudson tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Ivdith To Rdr. 8 in J. Sylvester Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) I am the first in Fraunce, who in a iust Poeme hath treated in our tongne of sacred things.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 42 This warre was rather a suppression of Rebels, then a warre with a iust Enemie.
1624 W. Bedell Copies Certaine Lett. x. 136 It would require a iust volume to shew it.
a1689 J. Reresby Mem. & Trav. (1813) 67 It is a just surprise to see so much of the world in so narrow a place.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. i. xii. 43 Published..sometimes in just Volumes, but often in Pamphlets and loose Papers.
1778 R. Lowth Isaiah ix. 7 (note) A just poem, remarkable for the regularity of its disposition, and the elegance of its plan.
1884 W. F. B. Laurie John Bull's Neighbour Squaring Up ii, in Burma 69 It is truly astonishing... It is a just surprise..that [etc.].
1913 C. F. Holder Quakers in Great Brit. & Amer. iii. 56 Judge Archer declared in favor of the legality of such marriages, which came as a just relief.
1930 H. Jackson Anat. Bibliomania (2001) xxvii. iv. 572 Nor need we run so far for examples in worse kind, for we have a just volume published by William Blades to this purpose.
†9. That barely occurs; almost imperceptible. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > bare or mere
barec1200
scarce1297
mere1547
single1639
bare-weighta1763
scant1856
just1884
1884 R. Browning Two Camels in Ferishtah's Fancies 117 A lip's mere tremble, Look's half hesitation, cheek's just change of colour.
II. Of a person, or of God or a god.
10. That does what is morally right or is in accordance with religious principles, righteous; spec. (Theology) considered or made righteous in the eyes of God, justified (more fully just before God). Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [adjective] > specifically of persons
justc1384
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > [adjective]
righteOE
righteouseOE
right-doingOE
rightfullOE
justc1384
rekenc1400
justfulc1425
upright1530
right-up1539
right-minded1574
principled1697
well-minded1824
unwrongful1876
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Ezek. xxxiii. 12 The riȝtwijsnesse of a iust man [a1425 L.V. the riȝtfulnesse of a riȝtful man; L. justitia justi].
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Rom. iii. 26 That he be iust [L. justus], and iustifyinge him that is of the feith of Jhesu Crist.
a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Harl. 4866) (1897) l. 2919 Lokith þat þe man..be clene of lyuyng, Discrete, iust.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. vi Scripture, declareth playnly, howe it is faith that maketh vs iust before God.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iii. iv. §28. 211 The iustest man passeth no one day wherein he falleth not many times.
a1617 P. Baynes Comm. Epist. First Chapter Paul to Ephesians (1618) 127 Iustification doth sentence..this of me, that I am iust before God.
1699 T. Edwards Paraselene dismantled of her Cloud 159/1 But that Justice whereby we are just before God, not falsly accounted, but made truly just, is by the Righteousness of Christ only.
1756 A. A. Sykes Script. Doctr. Redempt. Man by Jesus Christ vi. 387 Becoming incarnate,..and dying as he did, in order to present them holy, unblameable, unreproveable, i. e. Just before God.
1800 J. Lawrence Descr. Work Divine Grace vii. 162 This faith cannot be that everlasting righteousness which constitutes him just before God.
1887 B. Hastie tr. B. Pünjer Hist. Christian Philos. of Relig. i. iv. 239 It is preached from the pulpits that man becomes just by faith.
1916 J. N. Wilson Why God made Men ii. 85 It is evident that men cannot be made just by the deeds of the law.
1956 H. Knight tr. W. Niesel Theol. Calvin ix. 132 We never achieve perfect obedience such as would enable us to appear just before God.
2002 M. J. Miller tr. F. Holböck Married Saints & Blesseds iii. 490 Ceferino Giménez Malla..became truly just in the eyes of the Lord.
11.
a. Honest and impartial in dealing with people; that gives everyone his or her due; administering justice fairly; fair-minded.
ΚΠ
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Royal) (1850) 1 John i. 9 If we knowlechen oure synnes, he is feithful and iust [L. justus], that he forȝiue to us oure synnes.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 166 Scho..bawd him be als iust to awppis and owlis As vnto pacokkis.
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique iii. f. 110v I mistrust not the Iudges, because thei are iuste.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xxiv. 166 The Gods are iust, and of our pleasant vertues. Make instruments to scourge vs. View more context for this quotation
1676 Art of Making Love ii. 59 Such a Vertuous Lady is always just and reasonable.
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. xiii. 249 Some juster Prince perhaps had entertain'd, And safe restor'd me to my native land.
1787 Wishart's Theologia (new ed.) I. ix. 342 Reductive justice is that whereby God is just in these afflictions he sometimes brings on his elect.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam Prol. p. v Thou madest man, he knows not why..And thou hast made him: thou art just.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel II. v. iii. 13 He was just, but as a matter of business. He made no allowances.
1904 Black Cat Aug. 35 It was a feeling of outraged justice that made her speak, for she was a just woman.
1967 J. Knappert Trad. Swahili Poetry i. 62 He is assured that Allah knows him personally and follows all his deeds, for which he will be duly rewarded, for Allah is just.
2009 Church Times 11 Dec. 14/2 The Bhutanese are a wise, gentle, just, and generous people.
†b. With of, to. Honourable in fulfilling one's obligations or promises; loyal and steadfast. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [adjective]
faireOE
goodlyOE
selec1275
honourablec1384
just1509
ingenuous1610
squarea1644
even down1654
white1837
sportsmanlike1899
1509 J. Fisher Serm. Henry VIJ (de Worde) sig. B.j Our lorde ye is moost Iuste of his promyse.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iii. ii. 86 He was my Friend, faithfull, and iust to me. View more context for this quotation
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia i. 3 He was very iust of his promise.
1730 A. Pope Epit. R. Digby in D. Lewis et al. Misc. Poems 124 Just of thy Word, and in each Thought sincere.
1776 Poems on Different Occasions 99 O love, the shepherd happy by thy power, Just to his vows with grateful hands will raise..Beside the streams an altar to thy praise.
1809 T. Campbell Gertrude of Wyoming iii. xxix. 66 Thou hast been to me all tenderness, And friend to more than human friendship just.
1891 R. L. Stevenson Lett. (1899) II. 266 Burns alone has been just to his promise.
12. Accurate and careful in doing something. Now rare.
ΚΠ
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 382 Thow shalt me fynde as Iust as is a Squyre [sc. a square for measuring angles].
1587 T. Hughes Misfort. Arthur i. iii, in W. C. Hazlitt Dodsley's Sel. Coll. Old Eng. Plays (1874) IV. 271 Grief is no just esteemer of our deeds.
1639 P. Massinger Unnaturall Combat v. ii. sig. K4v Be but a just examiner of thy selfe.
1693 Oxford-act ii. 10 As knowing nothing of the Busi'ness: Take Word for Word, from just Relators, Not Paraphrasers, but Translators.
1711 tr. Strabo in Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks I. 208 (note) How shou'd he be that just Imitator of Life, whilst he himself knows not its Measures?
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 4. 19 The fear of not being approved as just copiers of human manners, is not the most important concern that an author of this sort ought to have before him.
a1792 G. Forster Journ. Bengal to Eng. (1798) I. v. 80 The Hindoos of this day..are just imitators, and correct workmen.
1825 Oxberry's Dramatic Biogr. II. 16 He will always be allowed, by every judicious spectator, to be a humorous, but just copier of nature.
1868 Christian Ambassador 6 47 The just accountant has never cut off the whole sum. Though he has often subtracted a heavy proportion, he has so worked the question as to leave a remainder.
1988 M. F. Kanga tr. in Acta Iranica 2nd Ser. XII. 90 You will be looking for a just writer and scribe, who will not change the words.
13. That has a legitimate right to something; that is the specified thing legally; lawful, rightful.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > [adjective]
righteOE
kindc1300
rightfulc1330
truec1384
righteous1391
lawfula1400
just?1435
legitimec1450
legitimatea1460
verya1466
justc1540
reable1581
sib1701
competent1765
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. viii. ix. 269 This hure cherist in contempcioun of his just lady.
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1901) I. 256/3 The residew of the saidis gudis, quhilkis had na juste awnaris, war sald.
1604 W. Hubbock Oration Gratulatory sig. B1v Al the gold and silver plate, with a most rich princely wardrop; all which haue now long since powred themselues into your bosome, as the iust owner & ful heire to them al.
1645 J. Taylor Crop-eare Curried 31 You will take a devillish power..to supplant and ruinate a Just King and His Posterity.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) iii. 22 The Rebel-Knave, that dares his Prince engage, Proves the just Victim of his Royal Rage.
1770 F. Gentleman Dramatic Censor I. 4 There is little, if any dishonesty in stealing jewels merely to ornament the just owner.
1827 S. H. Cassan Lives Bishops of Winchester I. 382 It was determined that the King and the Queen, his just wife, should be lodged at Bridewell.
1864 Reader 15 Oct. 475/2 Believing her just husband to be dead.
1902 F. Brinkley China XII. iv. 136 Even in cases of actual criminality, the Roman Catholic missionary interfered between the law and its just victim.
1959 L. Lockert tr. Heraclius i, in Moot Plays Corneille 71 Thou'dst have this marriage Thou darest prescribe for me to bring to thy house The right to rule the Empire, and from being A vile usurper, a cruel tyrant, make thee A lawful sovereign, the just holder of it.
2011 M. N. Rothbard Econ. Controv. iii. xix. 362 In the case of an identifiable unjust owner and the identification of a victim or just owner, the case is clear: a restoration to the victim of his rightful property.

Compounds

C1. Parasynthetic.
just-minded adj. (and n.)
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [adjective]
righteOE
rightfula1225
skilful1340
veryc1440
justc1450
fair-minded1645
dextera1734
just-minded1825
square dinkum1888
fair dinkum1912
1825 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 1580 Ridicule..never injures a just man with the just-minded.
1837 Amer. Monthly Mag. Mar. 284 If all the just minded publishers in the country should combine to do this justice to foreign writers, at that very moment hundreds of rogues would rush into the business.
1906 S. A. Reeve Cost of Competition ii. vi. 507 The attitude of the laborer is very naturally one of grievance,..and that of any just-minded person in the same situation would be the same.
1999 M. E. Giles Women in Inquisition ii. iv. 97 When a system is by nature prejudiced against the accused,..perhaps the criteria by which just-minded people render moral judgments are put in question.
just-mindedness n.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [noun]
doomc825
righteOE
evennessOE
lawc1175
righteouslaikc1175
judgementc1300
righteousheada1325
justice1340
rightfulnessa1387
justnessc1443
fairnessc1450
rightfulhoodc1475
rightheada1500
uprightness1541
righteoushood1543
rightship1793
just-mindedness1838
1838 J. F. Cooper Excurs. Italy I. iii. 51 No one is more ready to give proper credit to the just-mindedness and liberality of a portion of the English than myself.
1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 20 Aug. 2/2 Confidence in the just-mindedness of their employers.
2005 B. D. Lepard Hope for Global Ethic xvii. 194 The ability of affected individuals to develop and demonstrate the virtues of forgiveness and just-mindedness toward members of other groups.
C2. In adverbial relation to a participial adjective, with sense ‘justly, justifiably’.
†a. With past participial adjectives, as just-conceived, etc. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1542 T. Wyatt Psalm vi. 81 in Coll. Poems (1969) Chastyse me not for my deserving, Acordyng to thy just conceyv'd Ire.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. ii. 399 In my iust-kindled ire.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 345 Before we will lay downe our iust-borne Armes. View more context for this quotation
1665 Lamentatio Civitatis 40 That your hearts may smite you, and you return, before God turn upon you in his just conceived wrath.
b. With present participial adjectives, as just-judging, just-thinking, etc.
ΚΠ
?1594 M. Drayton Peirs Gaueston sig. K4 Iust-dooming heauens, reuenge mee from aboue.
1596 C. M. Second Pt. Nature of Woman iv. sig. D2 The censure of the iust iudging senate.
1633 J. Ford Loves Sacrifice v. sig. K The boundlesse spleene Of just-consuming wrath.
1648 J. Taylor Brown Dozen of Drunkards 9 A just measuring man that will have penniworths for his penny.
1786 Lady's Mag. Apr. 209/2 I knew him to be one of the most reasonable just thinking persons.
1824 F. Moore Hist. Life Joanna of Sicily I. vii. 264 Whether this line of conduct was produced by the wisdom of a just-judging mind,..it is impossible to decide.
1829 E. S. Swaine in J. Bischoff Comprehensive Hist. Woollen Manuf. (1842) II. 238 At the very name of a drawback or bounty..the just-thinking legislator must shrink with an instinctive distrust.
1993 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in On Earth as in Heaven (2012) i. 31 These obligations..have been coordinated from the very first moment of creation by the just-judging God.
2007 J. K. Olick in J. M. Gerson & D. L. Wolf Sociol. confronts Holocaust v. 301 A just thinking man took a remaining burden from them, which they perceived had been unjustly loaded on them.
C3.
† just age n. [compare post-classical Latin iusta aetas (1518 or earlier)] Obsolete an age of discretion, a person's majority; cf. just years n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > adult > [noun] > adulthood or maturity
full eldOE
agec1275
douthc1275
full agec1390
maturitya1475
years?1532
just age1541
just years1541
consistencea1613
grown years1645
legal age1658
adultness1663
adultagea1670
muttonhood1841
adulthood1850
1541 M. Coverdale tr. H. Bullinger Christen State Matrimonye xiii. f. xxxvv Wherfore yf ye will escape the wrath of god, then kepe your selues from whordome and marye at your iuste age.
1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) iii. i. 128 When a man comes to a just age.
a1677 J. Harrington Grounds & Reasons Monarchy ii. 27 in Commonwealth-of Oceana (1700) The King in his just age suffer'd Minority under him.
just desert n. what a person or thing really deserves, esp. an appropriate punishment; now usually in plural.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [noun] > deserving (good or ill)
worthnesseOE
addlingc1175
ofservingc1225
desert1297
ofgoing1340
deserving1388
merita1393
worthiness1395
deservice1480
just desert1548
deservednessa1628
fitness1648
1548 N. Udall in N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Pref. f. xviv It procedeth more of their enuie, of their vnquietnes of minde..then of any faute or iust deserte in Erasmus.
c1550 T. Becon Flour of Godly Praiers f. lxxx O mooste merciful God, we fyndynge in our selfes a iust deserte of al those thy plages..(so great and manifold is the number of our synnes).
1582 R. Parsons First Bk. Christian Exercise viii. 98 The commodities, preferments, and pleasures of the worlde, doe possesse so stronglye the hartes of manye men..beinge forsaken also vpon their iust desertes of the grace of God.
1599 Warning for Faire Women ii. 1508 Upon a pillory..that al the world may see, A just desert for such impiety.
1640 True Rel. Susan Higges (single sheet) My servants to the Iustices, declar'd what I had said; For which I was attached, and to the Iayle convey'd, And at the Sises was condemn'd, and had my iust desert.
1715 T. Parnell Ess. Homer ii. 41 in A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I The other's Remarks are perish'd as things that Men were asham'd to preserve, the just Desert of whatever arises from the miserable Principles of ill Will or Envy.
1756 E. Perronet Mitre ii. lviii. 75 What, wert thou drawn upon a sledge, All traitors just desert: Would heavy weigh around thy neck, And, with the first quassation break The sinews of thy heart.
1838 Amer. Biblical Repository Apr. 341 When this book comes to a second edition, (and if it meet its just deserts it certainly will).
1840 S. M. Heaton Thoughts on Litany vi. 200 All those evil consequences which our sins, negligences, and ignorances..have provoked upon us as our most just dessert.
1899 C. Eldridge Boy Captain xxiii. 242 ‘They get only their just deserts.’ ‘If we all got our “just deserts” it would go hard with some of us.’
1948 M. Anderson Anne of Thousand Days ii. i. 52 Probably what I feel now is my just desert.
2005 C. Hardyment Malory (2006) 33 Nor do the villains always get their just deserts.
† just-gentle adj. Obsolete rare both just and gentle.
ΚΠ
1594 J. Sylvester tr. O. de La Noue Profit Imprisonm. sig. B2 May we not rather thinke we are belou'd of God, When as we feele the stripes of his iust-gentle rod?
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. ii. 390 The deeds of Heau'ns Iust-Gentle King.
just intonation n. Music the tuning of intervals to be acoustically pure, having the simplest mathematical ratios; the tuning of a diatonic scale with as many pure intervals as is practical; cf. sense 7c.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > tuning or intonation > [noun]
temperure1390
modulation1543
tuning1554
temperature1592
temperament1728
intonation1776
just intonation1850
tuning1902
tune-up1977
1850 T. P. Thompson (title) Theory and practice of just intonation.
1944 W. Apel Harvard Dict. Music 166/2 The Didymic..or syntonic comma which indicates the difference between E as the fourth tone of the circle of fifth..and the E of just intonation.
2006 M. W. Jackson Harmonious Triads vi. 155 Pythagorean intonation shared with just intonation the ratios for the octave, fifth, and fourth.
just-tempered adj. Music = sense 7c.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > tuning or intonation > [adjective]
temperative1728
modulative1828
just-tempered1905
1905 Open Court July 445 Helmholtz, in his great scientific work on tone-sensation, tells of his practical experiments in the use of the just-tempered scales.
2005 C. Woodstra et al. All Music Guide to Classical Music 934/1 In Study No. 37, pitch rations of a just-tempered scale are turned into rhythmic ratios.
† just years n. [compare post-classical Latin iusti anni, plural (1524 or earlier)] Obsolete years of adulthood; cf. just age n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > adult > [noun] > adulthood or maturity
full eldOE
agec1275
douthc1275
full agec1390
maturitya1475
years?1532
just age1541
just years1541
consistencea1613
grown years1645
legal age1658
adultness1663
adultagea1670
muttonhood1841
adulthood1850
1541 M. Coverdale tr. H. Bullinger Christen State Matrimonye vi. f. xi For an vnnaturall & vnhonest thynge is it, to mary yonge folkes, which yet haue not attayned to theyr laufull & iuste yeares [Ger. die jre gebürliche jar noch nit habend].
1588 D. Rogers in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 148 They are not minded to Crowne the yonge kinge, before he come to just yeares.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

justv.

Brit. /dʒʌst/, U.S. /dʒəst/, Scottish English /dʒʌst/
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: just adj.
Etymology: < just adj. Compare Old French juster (second half of the 13th cent. in two apparently isolated attestations), Middle French (Picardy) justoiier (mid 14th cent.). Compare later adjust v.2
Originally and chiefly Scottish (now Orkney and Shetland).
transitive. To check and adjust (a weight, measure, etc.) for accuracy; to bring into conformity with a standard. Sc. National Dict. (at cited word) records the word as still in use in Orkney and Shetland in 1959.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > bring into conformity > adjust to a standard or purpose
trick1552
just1558
tune1581
pitch1624
adjust1636
justen1659
trim1779
1558 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1913) X. 437 For iiij stane..of towis to fulfill and just the patrone to the muld of the said gros culvering.
1585 Burgh Court Perth 17 Aug. The abuse committed be Robert Weir pewtherer in justing the weights of the weighous of Leith.
1628 Acts of Bailiary in G. Barry Hist. Orkney (1805) App. ix. 473 That every pundlar be justed and made equal with the King's pundlar.
1663 in P. H. Brown Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1908) 3rd Ser. I. 450 [The coins to be coined as follows,] to passe in lignetts thorow a milne, to be cutted by cutters, to be troned, weighted and justed peice by peice.
1765 Aberdeen Jrnl. 25 Mar. He likewise makes, justs and sells all Kinds of Weights.
1866 T. Edmonston Gloss. Dial. Shetland & Orkney 55 Just (to), to adjust.
1914 J. S. Angus Gloss. Shetland Dial. 69 Just, to adjust; to make just.

Derivatives

ˈjusting n. frequently attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > [noun]
commodation1578
justing1582
suiting1601
adaptation1610
adapting1610
accommodation1612
adaption1615
adjustment1644
contemperation1654
squaring1702
adaptment1786
adjustage1819
1582–3 in R. W. Cochran-Patrick Rec. Coinage Scotl. (1876) II. 317 Payit for twa pair new justing scheiris.
1657 in M. Wood Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1940) IX. 57 Ane new steill balk..and a stand of brasse weights..for justing of the touns great weights heireftir.
1676 W. Cunningham Diary (1887) 83 The register..went to the troning roume and compaired the 4 m. weight with the justing ps.
1709 G. Allardes Let. 12 Feb. in I. Newton Corr. (1967) IV. 532 He prays also to be advised..upon the..allowance..for furnishing Rollers Upholding the files, cutters and tumblers or the Seising or Justing peeces.
1883 Pall Mall Gaz. 28 Sept. 14/1 Thoroughly understands gauging, justing, and every branch of the business to the minutest details.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

justadv.

Brit. /dʒʌst/, /dʒəst/, U.S. /dʒəst/
Forms: see just adj.; also U.S. regional (Pennsylvania) 1900s– chust; Scottish 1900s– chust (in representations of Highland English). See also jes adv., jest adv., jist adv., jus adv.
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: just adj.
Etymology: < just adj. Compare similar adverbial uses of Middle French, French juste and Italian giusto (from c1370 and 1532 respectively), and also of Middle Dutch juust (Dutch juist ), German just (16th cent.). Compare earlier justly adv. Compare jes adv., jest adv., and jist adv.In South African use in just now at Phrases 1b after Afrikaans netnou ( < net only ( < Dutch net : see net adj.) + nou now ( < Dutch nu now adv.)).
†1.
a. In an exact or accurate manner; so as to correspond exactly; with precision; accurately; punctually; correctly. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adverb] > with careful exactness
gradely1340
just1417
featlya1450
accurately1581
severely1600
rigidly1610
cleanly1883
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb] > strictly
strait1338
smally1340
at point devicec1390
point-devicec1425
precisely1526
to the point device1542
just1549
rigorously1561
by the square1570
curiously1573
by point device1575
in print1576
to a tittle1597
nicelya1616
to a hair's breadtha1616
point-vice1641
to a nicka1680
to a cow's thumb1681
to a tee1693
narrowly1708
scrupulously1712
to a dot1728
perjinkly1775
to a nicety1795
astringently1866
to a fit1890
1417 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 11 We award that fra the sole end of the frunt..be drawen a lyne just and set just Seint Leonard grunde, after that betwix party and party.
1549 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Psalmes into Eng. Metre ciii. sig. F.viii The lord yt made vs knoweth oure shape Our mould and fashion iust.
1575 W. Stevenson Gammer Gurtons Nedle ii. ii. sig. Biiii Her Cock..yt nightly crowed so iust.
1590 H. Swinburne Briefe Treat. Test. & Willes i. f. 19v Borrowing that definition, which agreeth so iust with their testamentes.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets cix. sig. G3v I returne againe, Iust to the time. View more context for this quotation
1667 S. Pepys Diary 1 Oct. (1974) VIII. 458 The instrumental music he had brought by practice to play very just.
a1729 E. Taylor Preparatory Medit. ii, in Poems (1960) 253 Thou..bringst out all, new buildst the Fabrick just.
1743 T. Jones in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 405 I..send the enclosed plan, which describes the ground very near just.
b. So as to fit exactly; in a close-fitting way; closely, tightly. Cf. just adj. 6. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adverb]
of one's wearingc1400
justa1486
without welt or guard1592
succinctly1743
off-the-pega1916
off-the-rack1920
a1486 in Archaeologia (1900) 57 44 (MED) Then his basinet pynnid up on two greet staplis before the breste with a dowbill bokill behynde up on the bak for to make the basinet sitte juste.
1561 J. Daus tr. H. Bullinger Hundred Serm. vpon Apocalips v. 35 This [coat] cleaueth iust to the body.
1587 L. Mascall First Bk. Cattell ii. 156 The hoofe ought to bee pared euen, that the shooe maye fitte close and iust thereon.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 399 The first pin would be somewhat flat in the midest, to the intent that the other being round, may..close the iuster together.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode i. i. 12 You love to have your Cloaths hang just, Sir.
1762 Jachin & Boaz (Jerusalem Lodge) 20 The common Gavel, to knock off all superfluous Matters, whereby the Square may fit easy and just.
1804 J. Collins Scripscrapologia 32 A close quill'd-up coif, their noddles just did fit.
2. As a modifier: exactly, precisely; actually; very closely. Also (now archaic) even just (cf. even adv. 5).
a. Of place or position, modifying prepositional phrases and adverbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > [adverb]
towarda1300
justc1440
towards1590
in1709
in-ower1813
the world > space > distance > nearness > [adverb] > nearly or closely
nighlyOE
nighc1387
throng?a1425
justc1440
narrowly1487
foot-hot1513
meeta1522
hardly1554
fastlings1568
nearly1569
neara1592
close1596
closely1634
nicely1690
narrow1697
snugly1800
snug1831
tight1888
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure l. 1123 (MED) The gyaunt he hyttez Iust to þe genitates [read genitales] and jaggede þam in sondre.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxiii. 259 He passyd iust by kyng Charlemayn.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cclxxxvij There was also a chapel iust by, wherin were burning innumerable Tapers.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 267 The Englishe Marshalles ranne abroade even iust to Parys, and brent Saint Germayns.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. ii. 2 Euen iust in the place whereupon the sunne riseth.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. ii. iii. 160 You haue now hit me iust where my paine lies.
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia v. 9 They double all the Stuff that is to be water'd, that is, they crease it just through the middle of it.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 254. ⁋6 A beautiful young Creature who sat just before me.
1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. xxii. 382 We are Butted and Bounded just where we were in Queen Elizabeth's time.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. vii. x. 74 Here is a very creditable good House just by. View more context for this quotation
1804 J. Barrow Trav. China ix. 515 The tops of the walls..were just on a level with the surface of the water in the canal.
1843 N. J. Halpin Oberon's Vision 28 He deserted the path of historical investigation just at the stage where it was ready to convey him to the truth.
1884 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 25 319 The case..appears to me to break down just at the critical point.
1964 G. Lyall Most Dangerous Game vi. 48 Most pilots knew just where the Finnish radar stations were.
2009 Esquire Aug. 10/1 Our headquarters are just next to the capital's Carnaby Street.
b. Of degree and comparison, modifying as or so with adjectives, adverbs, or quantifiers: equally or quite as ——.See also just as soon at soon adv. 8a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adverb]
evenlyeOE
evenOE
evenOE
egallyc1374
full outa1382
likea1400
even-forthc1400
unec1540
just1551
at once1588
upon the same measure1598
equal1623
equally1634
coequally1643
so1697
inasmuch1732
twinly1913
the world > relative properties > quantity > [adverb] > as much (as)
just1551
only1782
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. i. xix Then shall you make one right line iuste as long as two of those vnequall sides.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 43 To lay a land is to saile from it iust so farre as you can see it.
1688 J. Smith Compl. Disc. Baroscope 51 So much of it as may sink it down just so low as the End of the Gage.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I. at Decimal There must be just as many Decimal Parts cut off by the Separating Point, from the Product, as there are Decimals in both Factors.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. i. 7 Finding that my expectations were just as great as my purse.
1801 W. Cobbett Let. 19 Oct. in Lett. to Ld. Hawkesbury & H. Addington (1802) iv. 40 They will be just as numerous as Buonaparté pleases.
1832 L. Hunt Transl. 242 I'd just as lief be buried, tomb'd and grass'd in.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 209 His object was to grant just so much favour to them as might suffice to frighten the Churchmen into submission.
1870 Sporting Rev. Aug. 116 You may sit next one at dinner, or at church, even just as likely as anywhere else.
1902 M. E. Francis North, South, & over Sea 165 To be sure, I mind it just so well as if it wur yesterday!
1953 R. M. Brooks & C. O. Hesse Western Fruit Gardening 101 The apple..should be watered just as thoroughly and as often as any other fruit plant.
2002 W. Rhode Paperback Raita (2003) 160 I would have been just as happy catching a couple of lamb kebabs and a Roomali roti from the street vendor.
c. Of manner, modifying prepositional phrases, adverbs, and conjunctions, esp. as, like. Also of reason or purpose, modifying prepositional phrases and conjunctions.See also just like mother makes at mother n.1 Phrases 2b, just naturally at naturally adv. 5e, just so adv., just the same at same adv. 3.In quot. 1607 with sense ‘just as’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > [adverb]
ordenely1340
orderlyc1485
just1565
rank and filea1658
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adverb] > intimately or familiarly > on very intimate terms
just1565
hail fellow well met1577
au mieux1795
1565 T. Stapleton tr. F. Staphylus Apologie f. 84v Iff men speake not iust as Luther doth, then they are cursed and persecuted as heretikes.
1566 T. Drant in tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. C.viiij I would haue all thynges iuste as they were left vs by the Lorde.
1607 G. Chapman Bussy D'Ambois v. i. 63 Nature workes at random, iust with you.
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 159 To heare men professe,..give great wordes, and then doe iust as they have done before.
1628 A. Cowley Piramus & Thisbe xxiv Just like a Marble Statue did he stand.
1651 T. Vaughan Lumen de Lumine 20 It is just thus with the common Astrologer.
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia ix. 57 A Sphere, which will..grow bigger, just after the same manner..as the waves or rings on the surface of the water.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 186 A very great number..offer'd all sorts of Violence to those they met, even just as a mad Dog runs on and bites at every one he meets.
1761 C. Churchill Rosciad 21 Just in the way that Monkies mimick Man.
1780 W. Cowper Rep. Adjudged Case 14 Designed to sit close to it, just like a saddle.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II clxvii. 202 He was in love..so was she, Just in the way we very often see.
1823 R. Butler Irish Tutor iii. 22 That's just why I came.
1841 C. Elliott in Invalid's Hymn Bk. (ed. 2) ii. 58 Just as I am—without one plea.
1882 Thirty-sixth Ann. Rep. Amer. Missionary Soc. 108 It will be in promise, and prophecy,..and victory, even just as Jesus has said.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 8 Feb. 12/3 People say it was just because Gran lived so vividly that she flickered out like a candle come midsummer.
1926 ‘G. A. Birmingham’ Spillikins x. 110 I wonder whether their contemporaries saw them just thus.
1956 H. Carter in First Person Rural (1963) ii. 16 It meant almost always a sweet if trifling present, thrown in for good measure even when the storekeeper didn't know just why he did it.
1967 S. Terkel Division Street xx. 333 You don't commit youself, just like you didn't commit youself to the bunco man of the old days.
2003 Australian 10 June (Brisbane ed.) 30/3 It is wrong to cut scenes from a film just as it is to rip pages from a book simply because we don't like the way something was portrayed or said.
2010 Independent 31 May (Viewspaper section) 13/1 Just for that reason, it's worth trying to get the mind round it.
d. Of amount, number, or quantity, modifying nouns, pronouns, and quantifiers.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
righteOE
evenOE
evenlya1225
redlyc1275
justicelya1375
justilya1375
justlya1375
redilya1375
trulya1375
properlya1382
precisec1392
preciselyc1392
truec1392
straitlya1395
leala1400
arightc1405
by linec1420
justlyc1425
featlya1450
rule-righta1450
to the letter?1495
exquisitely1526
evenliklya1530
very1530
absolutely1538
jump1539
just1568
accurately1581
punctually1581
jumplya1586
arights1596
just so1601
plumb1601
compassly1606
nicelya1616
squarely1626
justa1631
adequately1632
mathematicallya1638
critically1655
exquisitively1660
just1665
pointedly1667
faithfully1690
correctlya1704
jus1801
jest1815
jes1851
neat1875
cleanly1883
on the nose1883
smack-dab1892
spot on1920
forensically1974
1568 E. Dering Sparing Restraint ii. 182 And nowe what skilleth it whether it be iust a thousande mile off, or else want a mile or two of it?
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. F4v Such as..haue either iust nothing, or else very little at all.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 323 Nor cut thou lesse nor more but iust a pound of flesh. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. i. 7 Euen iust the sum that I do owe to you. View more context for this quotation
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme i. vii. 18 There are just five regular Bodies.
1718 M. Prior Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 281 They did just Nothing all the Day.
1766 H. Brooke Fool of Quality I. iii. 81 The Man in Gibbets..was reported, between Twelve and One at Midnight, to descend from the Gallows, and take just three turns about the old Barn.
1821 J. Q. Adams Rep. Weights & Measures 98 The troy weights..had then been just one century in use.
1883 Daily News 22 Sept. 4/5 It is just a fortnight since Mr. Gladstone embarked.
1913 Sat. Evening Post 24 Apr. 61/2 What fighting chance was there left? Just none at all.
1957 J. B. Sears & A. D. Henderson Cubberley of Stanford iii. xii. 278 He died on Sunday, September 14, at 4:20 a.m... Just thirty-five years earlier he had written in his note book that his father had died on a Sunday and at 4:20 a.m!
2003 M. Barbieri Org. Codes ii. 53 This is just the number [of generations] that varieties need..to accumulate the changes that transform them irreversibly into new species.
e. Of time, modifying prepositional phrases, adverbs, and temporal clauses.See also just now at Phrases 1, just yet at Phrases 2, just that at that conj. 7a.
ΚΠ
?1571 tr. G. Buchanan Detectioun Marie Quene of Scottes sig. K.iiv Iust about the tyme of hir husbandes death (as she gessit by the strength and workyng of the poysoun) she returneth to Stereline.
?1574 W. Bourne Regiment for Sea sig. C.iij Then riseth the Sunne at. 5. of the clocke iust, and setteth at. 7. of the clocke iuste.
1608 J. Day Law-trickes iii. sig. D3v Em. doe you loue me? Lur. I faith. Em. For how long? Lur. Till death. Em. O deadly lye. Ile tell you iust how long, loue's bred i'th blood, Prospers as long as beauties in the bud.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) ii. iii. 12 A parted eu'n iust betweene Twelue and One. View more context for this quotation
1672 C. Manners in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 25 Mr. Cooper..actually began it, but just then fell dangerously sicke.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 59 Just that Day Twelvemonth you left me Aboard Ship at Gravesend.
1707 Boston News-let. 7 July 2/1 Just as Capt. Bolton came from Lisbon, the greatest Convent there was burnt down to the ground.
1745 J. Swift Direct. to Servants 12 When your Master..wants a Servant, who happens to be abroad, your Answer must be, that he but just that Minute stept out.
1819 M. R. Mitford Let. 18 Mar. (1925) 161 Just as we were at our merriest, in sailed Madam J——, like a tragedy queen.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. iii. iv. 182 Just at that precise moment, who should appear but Mr. Stirn!
1916 Amer. Mag. Mar. 33/2 Just then another stream of water busted the window in.
1954 J. H. Giles Plum Thicket xiv. 193 ‘What time is it, Jim?’..‘Just on the stroke of midnight, sir.’
2005 R. Asquith Love, Fifteen xv. 272 He's running away just when I need him.
f. Of state, identity, or similarity, or of opposition or antithesis.
(a) Modifying prepositional phrases, nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.See also just it at Phrases 5, just my luck at luck n. Phrases 2f.
ΚΠ
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie iv. iv. 176 They go about to make vs beleeue that they are iust of the same opinion.
1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 39 As drie as Stock-fish, and just such meat for flesh, as that is for fish.
1681 R. Knox Hist. Relation Ceylon i. vi. 26 There is another sort just of the same bigness, but..milk white both in body and face.
1746 J. Spence Polymetis Bk. VII. xiv. 223 (note) Virgil speaks of a feast just like this.
1789 J. Pinkerton Enq. Hist. Scotl. II. iv. vi. 140 The Fins..are in a plain country, while the Norwegians are in western mountains just similar to our Highlands.
1847 Launceston Examiner 12 May 301/4 Every farmer knew the difference between a good striped Dundee corn sack and a sougee bag, and there was just that difference in the comparison of the two classes of labour.
1900 School Rev. (U.S.) June 322 Just this happened in Latin.
1933 Mind 42 82 Proof of the actual existence of a material world epistemically depends on just these elements of confusedness and involuntariness characteristic of our sense-awareness.
1960 R. A. Knox Occas. Serm. 227 Many who value the name of Christian still find it reasonable to believe that he did just that.
2004 R. Dawkins Ancestor's Tale 167/2 I suspect that major new departures in evolution often start in just such a way.
(b) Modifying noun phrases with the.For colloquial phrases with sense ‘the desirable, etc., thing’, as just the job, thing, ticket, etc., see the noun. See also just the same at same adj. 8.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. i. 56 'Tis iust the fashion. View more context for this quotation
1662 S. Pepys Diary 17 Aug. (1970) III. 168 This is just the case of England at the present.
1693 J. Whittel Constantinus Redivivus 82 These plausible advices..prevail'd on him to Act in all things just the reverse of what he had sometime before been counsell'd by those who best understood.
1730 J. Chilton Positive Inst. 69 This rash, uncharitable, Hand over Head way of attacking, is just the very Picture and Pattern of some of your Fathers.
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 229 Serve him with ven'son and he chuses fish, With soal—that's just the sort he would not wish.
a1813 M. W. Roberts Duty (1815) II. 186 She would be just the girl for a soldier's wife.
1851 M. Reid Scalp Hunters I. ii. 22 St Vrain said I was just the man for their life.
1887 Century Nov. 97/1 That book's just the kind of thing for a man like me.
1948 Pop. Sci. May 175/2 Performance improvers of the hot-rod, short-manifold type..can sometimes make a sluggish engine wake up, while gas savers do just the opposite.
1998 R. Gordon Ailments through Ages 68 Chloroform was swifter and sweeter than ether, just the stuff for labour pains.
(c) Modifying interrogative pronouns and adverbs introducing a subject or object clause.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
righteOE
evenOE
evenlya1225
redlyc1275
justicelya1375
justilya1375
justlya1375
redilya1375
trulya1375
properlya1382
precisec1392
preciselyc1392
truec1392
straitlya1395
leala1400
arightc1405
by linec1420
justlyc1425
featlya1450
rule-righta1450
to the letter?1495
exquisitely1526
evenliklya1530
very1530
absolutely1538
jump1539
just1568
accurately1581
punctually1581
jumplya1586
arights1596
just so1601
plumb1601
compassly1606
nicelya1616
squarely1626
justa1631
adequately1632
mathematicallya1638
critically1655
exquisitively1660
just1665
pointedly1667
faithfully1690
correctlya1704
jus1801
jest1815
jes1851
neat1875
cleanly1883
on the nose1883
smack-dab1892
spot on1920
forensically1974
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. iv. xvii. sig. Hh1 I can make her speak to me, just what I please.
1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. iii. 25 Does every Man make just what he likes?
1777 S. Johnson Let. to Mrs. Thrale 6 Oct. (1952) 22 I purpose soon to be at Lichfield, but know not just when.
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice I. ii. 12 The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished. View more context for this quotation
1855 Iowa Med. Jrnl. 2 223 Just how many millions, is a matter of no consequence.
1888 Frank Leslie's Pop. Monthly Oct. 434/2 I disremember now just which shoulder.
1920 T. S. Eliot Let. 14 Feb. (1988) I. 362 Only a person on the spot knows just who these people are.
1966 N. Harris Artist in Amer. Soc. v. 141 Hawthorne feared the layman could never be certain just which attitudes were his own.
2011 New Scientist 19 Nov. 12/1 We can't all go veggie, so just how much meat is it OK for an eco-citizen to eat?
g. In negative contexts in preceding uses of sense 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
righteOE
evenOE
evenlya1225
redlyc1275
justicelya1375
justilya1375
justlya1375
redilya1375
trulya1375
properlya1382
precisec1392
preciselyc1392
truec1392
straitlya1395
leala1400
arightc1405
by linec1420
justlyc1425
featlya1450
rule-righta1450
to the letter?1495
exquisitely1526
evenliklya1530
very1530
absolutely1538
jump1539
just1568
accurately1581
punctually1581
jumplya1586
arights1596
just so1601
plumb1601
compassly1606
nicelya1616
squarely1626
justa1631
adequately1632
mathematicallya1638
critically1655
exquisitively1660
just1665
pointedly1667
faithfully1690
correctlya1704
jus1801
jest1815
jes1851
neat1875
cleanly1883
on the nose1883
smack-dab1892
spot on1920
forensically1974
a1631 J. Donne Poems (1633) 197 Wilt thou then Antedate some new made vow? Or say that now We are not just those persons, which we were?
1675 R. Baxter Catholick Theol. ii. i. 6 Mortals know not just how Gods eminent Intellection and Volition differ from the formal in Man.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 346 Our Guide being something before us, and not just in Sight.
1816 T. Chalmers Let. in W. Hanna Mem. T. Chalmers (1851) II. 59 I told you..that I was not just so well.
1862 B. Edwards Rachel Noble's Experience 120 Not that a railway station is without its tragedies;..but they are not just visible to the passing glance.
1905 Poor Law & Local Govt. Mag. June 237 Here and there the fence is not just too well defined, and..a Parish Council may..get occasionally on the wrong side of it.
1933 I. Gershwin Till Then (sheet music) 4 I don't know just what it is about you, but where you go—There my heart belongs.
2006 S. Woodward Inconceivable xii. 71 It's not just as easy as writing me a check, though.
3. Indicating a point in time.
a.
(a) Exactly, or almost exactly, at or after this or that moment; (formerly also) †immediately, very shortly afterwards, very soon. Now chiefly with progressive tenses: in the process or on the point of (doing something).See also to be just going to at go v. 51a(a), just now at Phrases 1, only just at only adv. 6.
ΚΠ
a1500 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Chetham) l. 1727 + 2 Graundyneee [sic] was the ffirste, He rode oute of tho gatus juste.
?1567 M. Parker Whole Psalter xlix. 142 My soule he iust will saue.
1656 E. Prestwich Hectors v. iii. 60 When we had drunk our flaggons a piece, and we were just a coming away, in came a neighbour of mine.
1686 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. II II. vii. 1249 With what a stern and terrible Majesty he sits upon yonder flaming Throne, from whence he is now just ready to exact of ye a dreadful account.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 319 Presently the Captain reply'd, Tell his Excellency, I am just a coming.
1723 W. Stukeley Let. 22 July in W. C. Lukis Family Mem. W. Stukeley (1887) III. 249 I am just drinking your health in a swinger of limestone thea.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 10 I was just bidding her—but she did it of herself.
1811 W. Scoresby Jrnl. 26 Apr. in Arctic Whaling Jrnls. (2003) I. 19 We were just drifting on the pack when I perceived room to tack.
1857 E. B. Ramsay Two Lect. on Some Changes in Social Life & Habits 39 The kitchen [sc. tea urn] is just coming in.
1904 E. Glasgow Deliverance i. x. 114 We..found old Mrs. Dudley just putting on her company cap.
1971 D. M. Lloyd-Jones Preaching & Preachers (1972) xv. 295 As they were just finishing the hymn..Mel Trotter saw a door at the back of the building opening.
2001 Navy News Sept. 18/2 There are some quite far-reaching changes which are just being introduced into the Fleet.
(b) Of state or condition: on the point of being, very nearly. Now regional and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > almost or nearly
nigheOE
well-nigheOE
forneanc1000
well-nearc1175
almostc1261
nighwhatc1300
nearhandc1350
nigh handa1375
nigh handsa1375
as good asc1390
into (right) littlea1413
unto litea1420
nigh byc1430
nearbyc1485
near handsa1500
as near as1517
mosta1538
next door1542
wellmost1548
all but1590
anewst1590
uneath1590
next to1611
nearlya1616
thereaboutsa1616
welly1615
thereabout1664
within (an) ames-ace ofa1670
anear1675
pretty much1682
three parts1711
newsta1728
only not1779
partly1781
in all but name1824
just about1836
nentes1854
near1855
nar1859
just1860
not-quite1870
nearabouta1878
effectively1884
nigh on1887
1860 F. C. Armstrong Lion of War i. 4 ‘Carry him down, he's just dead from hunger and cold.’ Kate..did take up the half dead child.
1884 Daily News 23 May 5 The writer adds that he ‘saw a man just dead, and he was crawling towards us’.
1902 Eng. Dial. Dict. III. at Just Pem[brokeshire]. ‘He's just dead,’ likely to die soon.
b. Exactly, or almost exactly, before this or that moment; very recently, in the immediate past; with little preceding interval; within a brief preceding period. Usually with verbs in the perfect.In United States usage, now frequently with simple past in place of the present perfect.See also just off the boat at boat n.1 Phrases 8.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > at a particular or certain time > precisely
rightsc1400
just1605
(right) on the button1925
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > newness or novelty > recency > [adverb]
neweneOE
newlyeOE
unyoreeOE
noweOE
newOE
lateOE
yesterdaya1300
freshlya1387
of newa1393
anewa1425
newlingsa1425
latewardc1434
the other dayc1450
lately?c1475
erst1480
latewards1484
sith late1484
alatea1500
recently1509
even now1511
late-whiles1561
late ygo1579
formerly1590
just now1591
lastly1592
just1605
low1610
this moment1696
latewardly1721
shortsyne1768
sometime1779
latterly1821
1605 1st Pt. Jeronimo sig. f.iiiv Foregod I haue iust mist them: ha?
1649 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest (new ed.) iv. i. 563 When they have attempted great works, and have just finished them.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 863 The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, & closing stood in squadron joind. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 135 Broken Boughs and Thyme, And pleasing Cassia just renew'd in prime. View more context for this quotation
1702 W. Bromley Several Years Trav. 11 He answered he did not know, I was a Stranger just come to Town.
1758 S. Hayward Seventeen Serm. v. 145 The apostle had just been speaking of Jesus Christ.
1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 472 His only child was just dead.
1878 T. Hardy Return of Native I. i. iii. 55 When folks are just married 'tis as well to look glad o't.
1930 P. Bowles Let. 28 Feb. in In Touch (1994) 44 My intro letter from Cowell to Copland just came.
1962 P. Larkin Let. 6 Aug. in Lett. Monica (2010) 301 Mother's friends all seem to have just died, or had a stroke, or a fall.
1987 M. Dorris Yellow Raft in Blue Water (1988) ix. 178 I have a brother... Lee. I just heard he's a MIA.
2011 Independent 5 July 18/3 Jones..had just been telling friends how his new, £500 bike had revolutionised his life.
†4. In replies and expressions of assent: = just so adv. 2. Also even just. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assent > [adverb] > expression of assent > exactly or just so
just1529
precisely1765
1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys i. f. vi So haue ye the hole some of the howsholdes .v. hondred thowsand and twenty thowsande. Euen iust Go nowe to the money then.
?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye i. sig. b7v Euen iust, if heaven fell we shulde catch larkes.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. ii. 24 O tis a verse in Horace I know it well... Moore. I iust, a verse in Horace. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 259 Iaq. Rosalinde is your loues name? Orl. Yes, Iust. View more context for this quotation
1694 W. Congreve Double-dealer iii. i. 38 L. You know laughing without a jest is as impertinent; hee! as, as—C. As dancing without a Fiddle. L. Just 'ifaith!
1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife ii. 23 Treb. So I guess the Dialogue, Madam, is suppos'd to be between your Majesty and your first Minister of State. Lady F. Just.
1796 R. Bage Hermsprong I. xxi. 225 ‘I met the young man—’ ‘Sporting his ostentatious charity—’ ‘Just, my lord; the epithet is perfectly adaptive.’
1798 M. J. Young Rose-mount Castle III. xxvii. 254 ‘Another! another, my child!’ ‘Yes; just, just like this.’
5. Limiting the extent or degree denoted by an expression: only as much as, not much more or less than; barely, by a little, by a slight margin. Sometimes preceded by only or (in early use) but.In early uses not always readily distinguishable from sense 2.
a. Modifying prepositional phrases and adverbs, expressing place and time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > in or by a very small degree or amount
just1600
diminutively1750
infinitesimally1850
minutely1854
fractionally1871
hemi-demi-semi1929
1600 J. Pory Gen. Descr. Afr. 10 in tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. Iust within the saide entrance standeth the towne and port of vela.
1635 T. Heywood Hierarchie Blessed Angells viii. 544 A Temple dedicate to the memorie of Saint Lawrence, standing iust without the gate.
1652 W. Blith Eng. Improver Improved ii. 9 A moist springing water lying near, or just under the surface or superficies of the Earth.
1671 J. Ogilby tr. O. Dapper et al. Atlas Chinensis 703 This Fish..comes as it were on purpose with his Companion and plays just above the Water.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 122. ¶3 He is just within the Game-Act, and qualified to kill an Hare or a Pheasant.
1788 F. Burney Court Jrnls. & Lett. (2014) IV. 360 One of the Letters..was written just after I had communicated to her my singular rencontre with this lady.
1845 S. Judd Margaret i. ii. 9 They [sc. trousers] were short, reaching just below the knee.
1880 E. W. Wilcox Buckeye Cookery & Pract. Housek. 83 Fill with ice-cream just before serving.
1904 G. George Pract. Org. Chem. viii. 81 Alkaline hypobromite solution. This should be prepared only just before it is required for use.
1953 J. Wain Hurry on Down 180 Charles and Rosa stood just inside the door.
1972 ‘C. Fremlin’ Appointment with Yesterday xi. 87 It's half past five—well, just on.
1994 Jrnl. Canad. Stud. Spring 156/2 A little premature, but only just a little.
2010 Independent 10 Aug. (Viewspaper section) 20/2 There's a rack of ‘Boris bikes’ just around the corner from our flat.
b. Modifying noun phrases or pronouns, expressing number or quantity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > barely, scarcely, only, or just
uneathc1200
scarcely1297
albusyc1325
onlepyc1350
anerly1381
barec1400
scarce1413
scantlyc1440
narrowlyc1450
scant1492
barelya1513
hardly?1532
faintly1544
nakedly1589
just1603
rawly1607
just1627
badly1715
scrimp1756
bare-weighta1763
scrimplya1774
jimp1814
jistc1820
1603 T. Bell Anat. Popish Tyrannie sig. Z4v Againe, if he begin his supputation the first day of May,..yet is it but iust halfe a yeare; and consequently, Parsons affirming it to be more, is still a lyar.
1611 J. Chapman in T. Coryate Odcombian Banquet sig. I4v Hauing learning iust enough to vndo him.
1663 A. Cowley Ess. in Verse & Prose (1669) v Thrice happy He To whom the wise indulgency of Heaven, With sparing hand, but just enough has given.
1664 R. Stapylton Step-mother iii. 38 Ten, twenty, thirty, you'l live, till you be Just a year older then am I, a hundred.
1693 J. Dryden Disc. conc. Satire in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires p. xlv Let Horace who is the Second, and but just the Second, carry off the Quivers, and the Arrows.
1728 J. Morgan Compl. Hist. Algiers I. 65 I have..hinted only just enough to give a superficial Insight to Matters at that Time.
1773 C. Burney Present State Music in Germany I. 160 She has just sufficient, from her savings, to bring her through the year.
1826 W. Scott Woodstock II. i. 7 Everard had but just time to bid Wildrake hold the horses.
1861 Bell's Life in Sydney 16 Nov. 2/5 Fifty-four ounces..out of only just a billy-full.
1920 ‘K. Mansfield’ Let. 31 Jan. (1993) III. 203 You will not put me off with just a sentence or two?
1952 D. Day Long Loneliness iii. 239 Monsignor Luigi Ligutti..recommended St. Martine's,..just an hour's ride out of Montreal.
1997 Mail on Sunday 10 Aug. i. 22/2 It seemed like an eternity waiting for the shifting and tumbling to stop, though I'm sure it was only just seconds.
c. Modifying verbs or adjectives. Now frequently as an intensifier of may or might.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > barely, scarcely, only, or just
uneathc1200
scarcely1297
albusyc1325
onlepyc1350
anerly1381
barec1400
scarce1413
scantlyc1440
narrowlyc1450
scant1492
barelya1513
hardly?1532
faintly1544
nakedly1589
just1603
rawly1607
just1627
badly1715
scrimp1756
bare-weighta1763
scrimplya1774
jimp1814
jistc1820
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 45 Water borne is when there is no more water than will iust beare her from the ground.
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia vii. 38 Distilled water, that is so cold that it just begins to freeze.
a1697 J. Aubrey Nat. Hist. Wilts. (1847) ii. ix. 110 Our cloathiers combine against the wooll-masters, and keep their spinners but just alive.
1735 A. Pope Of Char. of Women 8 She..Was just not ugly, and was just not mad.
1739 Ld. Chesterfield Lett. (1932) (modernized text) II. 398 He [sc. an ignorant man] can just be said to live, and that is all.
1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 3 They..could not conveniently get the Ruins at that Time removed, therefore, they only just rough-levelled them.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iii. 98 The western breeze Just kissed the lake, just stirred the trees.
1824 T. Fielding Select Prov. all Nations 6 Ask a kite for a feather, and she'll say she has but just enough to fly with.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 157 Men who..seemed to think that they had given an illustrious proof of loyalty by just stopping short of regicide.
1889 R. S. S. Baden-Powell Pigsticking 98 Fissures just wide enough to admit a horse's leg.
1929 Needlecraft Apr. 5/3 Cut the coat-lining to fit the coat and sleeve-sections, cutting the fronts of the lining just wide enough to overlap the edges of the facing.
1964 B. Dick High Country Family 109 There were always only just enough rabbits for the odd pie and the succulent braised pot-roast.
1971 L. Bangs in G. Marcus Psychotic Reactions (1987) 19 Carburetor Dung just may have been the most inept album I ever heard.
1993 Hockey News (Toronto) 5 Feb. 25/3 He just missed tying Gretzky's record for most goals in a period.
2012 N.Y. Times 9 Sept. (Late ed.) (Arts & Leisure section) 22/4 It's so crazy it just might work.
6. Used to place the focus on a particular word or phrase.
a. No less than; absolutely; actually, positively, really. In weakened sense: neither more nor less than, no other than; simply, merely.
(a) Modifying noun phrases.See also just one of those things at thing n.1 Phrases 2g, to be just a pretty face at sense 1b, to be more than just a pretty face at pretty face n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > state or quality of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded > [adverb] > simply, only, or merely
butOE
onlya1325
alone?c1335
purelya1375
alonelya1400
nobbuta1400
simplya1400
plain1535
barely1577
merelyc1580
purea1616
singly1655
just1668
sommer1835
maara1931
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
1668 J. Dryden Secret-love iv. i. 38 Hey-day! This is just the Devil and the Sinner; you lay snares for me, and then punish me for being taken; here's trying a man's Faith indeed.
1677 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer v. 79 So, very fine! just a Marriage quarrel! which, tho' it generally begins by the Wives fault, yet, in the conclusion, it becomes the Husbands.
1747 J. Cunningham Love in Mist 35 Why shou'd a Girl of Sense her Passion stifle, And lose the Man she likes—for just a Trifle?
1786 R. Burns Poems 198 I am nae Poet, in a sense, But just a Rhymer like by chance.
1805 A. Knox Let. 8 July in J. Jebb & A. Knox Thirty Years' Corr. (1834) I. 208 I write just a line to apologize for my silence.
1866 J. Ruskin Crown Wild Olive ii. 101 ‘But what has all this to do with our Exchange?’..My dear friends, it has just everything to do with it.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 92 Doris is not a Cleopatra..she's just a Highland lady Touched with an Eastern strain.
1922 D. H. Lawrence England my England 20 Let the psychoanalysts talk about father complex. It is just a word invented.
1972 Daily Tel. 20 Oct. (Colour Suppl.) 52/1 The Rolls-Royce approach to making motor cars (they are never just ‘cars’ at Crewe).
2006 Build It May 46/1 It is such a simple structure, just a set of A-frames and purlins for the roof and a couple of pillars.
(b) Modifying adverbial clauses or phrases.See also just for the hell of it at hell n. and int. Phrases 4k.
ΚΠ
1675 G. Mackenzie Observ. upon 28. Act, 23. Parl. James VI 8 I understand not Craig. who Diag. 8. affirms Statutes to be constitutiones trium Regni ordinum, cum consensu Principis: for that is just to invert the statutory words of this, and many other Acts.
1693 Vertue Rewarded 35 Another would think to gain me by his over-civility, and he'd come a great way just to ask me how I did.
1749 Exam. Princ. Two Brothers (ed. 2) 40 They considered farther, of what more immediate Importance it was to them, to recover if possible some Degree of Favour in the C—b—t, just for the Sake of making the Time they spent there, so much the more easy to themselves.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. vi. i. 223 A man's running in debt..for no reason in the world but just because he can blow out his own brains when he's done.
1842 W. C. Hazlitt tr. M. de Montaigne Compl. Wks. 610/1 To-day, just in order to pass away the time, I went to call upon some of those ladies whose doors are open to all comers with money in their pockets.
1890 J. E. McCann Songs from Attic 130 Just for the sake of being called a good fellow, Just for the praise of the sycophant crowd,..You are sleeping, to-day, 'neath the sod in your shroud!
1933 M. Lowry Let. Aug. in Sursum Corda! (1995) I. 138 I went to see a dilapidated musical comedy called The Belle of New York just so as I could think about the title.
1953 M. K. Miles in W. Stegner & R. Scowcroft Stanford Short Stories 1953 63 Like the time when he walked the window ledges four stories above the main street, just for the heck of it.
1971 R. Allen Suedehead ii. 16 More than once his gang had waylaid a lone Irishman and beat the hell out of him. Just for kicks.
2004 J. McCourt Queer Street viii. 138 We taxi over from Kismet just to watch them—they're fantastic!
(c) Modifying adjectives or verbs.See also sense 6c, it's just not on at on adv. 13e, it just goes to show, it just shows at show v. Phrases 13b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > [adverb]
iwis?c1160
sickerlyc1175
wisc1175
wislyc1200
i-witterlic1275
sickerc1275
certc1300
hardilyc1300
hardlya1325
certain1330
tristilya1350
certainlya1375
redelya1375
redilya1375
surelyc1380
hand in handa1382
righta1393
assuredlya1400
surea1400
naturallyc1425
in certc1440
ascertainly1477
soverly1513
perqueer1568
really1604
assurelya1626
just1687
pos1710
besure1743
verdad1928
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. lvi. 84 I Just did as a bashful Beggar does when he beggs an Alms.
1726 J. M. tr. A. de La V. d'Orville de Vignacourt Tragical Hist. Chevalier de Vaudray 84 When I heard this melancholy News, I was just ready to expire with Grief.
1750 P. Shaw Reflector i. iii. 30 Unless properly assisted..to support his tender Frame; he would just make his Appearance,..sing his Dirge, and quit the Stage.
a1774 R. Fergusson Poems (1785) 192 Ye royit louns! just do as he'd do.
1812 L.-M. Hawkins Countess & Gertrude (ed. 2) IV. lxxxvii. 380 She just did not name, though she left her to guess, that this somebody must be Colonel Sydenham.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles I. xix. 240 If anybody asked you for your head, ma'am, you'd just cut it off and give it.
1895 H. Butterworth In Old New Eng. 136 It is an awful night—just awful!
1937 A. Huxley Ends & Means xii. 199 In the abstract this scheme seems good enough; but in practice it just doesn't work.
1962 Listener 18 Jan. 135/1 The functionalist revolution just doesn't seem to have reached architectural photography.
1995 Vietnam News Sept. 2/3 It was just marvellous to spend some time with my kids after my long office hours.
2011 New Yorker 10 Oct. 107/1 Jake. Jake. Jake. I can't say it enough. I just love the sound of his name.
(d) In correlative constructions using not just, with contrast expressed by but, but also.
ΚΠ
1858 Mercersburg Rev. Jan. 63 In this idea of the foedus Dei there was included.., not just the anthropological aspect.., nor merely the theological.., but that twofold aspect of the fundamental idea of all religion, which Zuingle already had brought out.
a1871 A. Cary in M. C. Ames Memorial Alice & Phoebe Cary (1873) 262 Great deeds have been acted, great words have been said, Not just uplifting some fortunate one, But lifting up all men the more by a head.
1918 R. Aldington Let. 13 Oct. in R. Aldington & H. D. Lives in Lett. (2003) 127 Somehow I grow to a mood of acceptation; not just timidity or resignation, but a knowledge that fools are many times too strong for the wise.
1957 Oxf. Mag. 17 Oct. 22/2 The story is not just of local boy making good, but also, and more significantly, of maverick making friends.
1992 T. Morrison Jazz 178 A not just crazy but also dirty woman.
2011 C. Zimmer Planet of Viruses 13 Human rhinoviruses certainly impose a burden on public health, not just by causing colds but by opening the way for more harmful pathogens.
b. colloquial. Used to emphasize the action expressed by a verb in exhortations, instructions, threats, exclamations, etc.See also wouldn't you just know it? at know v. Phrases 15d, just think! at think v.2 5a.
ΚΠ
1675 P. Bellon Mock-duellist i. 6 Stand de you very strait, just come de mee. So, very goot.
1678 T. Porter French Conjurer ii. 11 Why did my fate this pleasing Scene begin? Just shew me bliss, then take it back agen!
1730 E. Young Love of Fame: Universal Passion (ed. 3) vi. 123 When from the sheets her lovely form she lifts, She begs you just would turn you, while she shifts.
1800 R. Houlton Wilmore Castle i. iii. 15 Do, young lady, just try it on before the glass.
1834 F. M. Reynolds Coquette (1835) III. ii. 24 Just to think that that was not only a magistrate that spoke to me yesterday, but really the great Sir —— himself.
1841 T. Moore Poet. Wks. (new ed.) IX. 233 If King William would make them a present To 'tother [sic] chaste lady—ye Saints, just imagine it!
1852 W. G. Simms As Good as Comedy iv. 56 ‘I know you hain't got the teeth to raise the skin of that varmint.’ ‘Hain't I, then? Just you try it, then.’
1898 F. Montgomery Tony 13 Mother! do just get in with me for a few minutes till the train starts.
1927 P. MacDonald Patrol iii. 22 As for yeh, Hale, yeh slimy ignorant choot; just wait!
1964 I. Murdoch Ital. Girl x. 122 Yes, it was someone else, and just guess who!
1971 Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg) 10 June 12 You can just imagine what it feels like when you have to use a lift which is marked ‘Goods only’.
2004 J. Wilson Diamond Girls 19 You're getting way too lippy, madam. Just you watch it.
c. Used to weaken the force of the action expressed by a verb, and so to represent it as unimportant.Often with connotations of immediacy: cf. sense 3a.
ΚΠ
1682 E. Ravenscroft London Cuckolds v. i. 47 Well to satisfie you I'll just step in and see her.
1703 W. Wake State of Church & Clergy of Eng. ix. 452 This Maxim we find on several Occasions judicially Confirm'd; an Instance or two of which, for the farther Establishment of this Remark, I will just mention upon this Occasion.
1766 I. Bickerstaff Plain Dealer iii. xi. 55 Yonder goes my attorney—I'll just speak two or three words to him and be back with you again in an instant.
1814 W. Scott Waverley III. xv*. 216 As it is nye the darkening, sir, wad ye just step in bye to our house? View more context for this quotation
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. ii. xvii. 266 I'll just walk on, till I'm beneath her window.
1912 R. F. Scott Jrnl. Mar. in Last Exped. (1913) I. xx. 592 It was blowing a blizzard. He [sc. Captain Oates] said, ‘I am just going outside and may be some time.’
1955 E. Tarry Third Door v. 69 We don't want to get you in no trouble with the white folks, but could you just show us how to write a letter?
1995 .net June 77/1 You should be able to view GIF images automatically in all Web browsers by just clicking on the image.
d. colloquial (chiefly British). Used parenthetically to strengthen an assertion, a response, or (now usually) a rhetorical question (usually a negative one): certainly, definitely, indeed.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > assuredly, indeed
soothlyc825
forsoothc888
wiselyc888
sooth to sayOE
i-wislichec1000
to (‥) soothOE
iwis?c1160
certesa1250
without missa1275
i-witterlic1275
trulyc1275
aplight1297
certc1300
in (good) fayc1300
verily1303
certain1330
in truthc1330
to tell (also speak, say) the truthc1330
certainlya1375
faithlya1375
in faitha1375
surelya1375
in sooth1390
in trothc1390
in good faitha1393
to witc1400
faithfullyc1405
soothly to sayc1405
all righta1413
sad?a1425
in certc1440
wella1470
truec1480
to say (the) truth1484
of a truth1494
of (a) trotha1500
for a truth?1532
in (of) verity1533
of verityc1550
really1561
for, in, or into very?1565
indeed1583
really and truly1600
indeed and indeed1673
right enough1761
deed1816
just1838
of a verity1850
sho1893
though1905
verdad1928
sholy1929
ja-nee1937
only1975
deffo1996
1838 J. Grant Sketches London 209 ‘And she also disappeared?’ ‘She jost did, Sir.’
?1856 F. E. Smedley Harry Coverdale's Courtship v. 26 Won't they be surprised to see us, just?
c1863 T. Taylor in M. R. Booth Eng. Plays of 19th Cent. (1909) II. 119 Ain't it a bore, just!
c1875 ‘Brenda’ Froggy's Little Brother (new ed.) iv. 41 ‘Now, haven't we 'ad a supper just?’ exclaimed Froggy with satisfaction.
1891 Evening Chron. (Newcastle) 19 Mar. 3/4 Mr. Williamson. Was it a ferocious dog? Witness. It was, just.
1894 R. Kipling Let. 28 July in C. E. Carrington Rudyard Kipling (1955) ix. 217 Won't New York be hot—just!
1901 N.E.D. at Just Mod. Sc. A. I did not take it! B. You did just.
1903 A. Bennett Leonora viii. 228 ‘He's a good dancer.’ ‘I should think he was!..Isn't he just, mother?’
1904 E. Nesbit Phoenix & Carpet v. 94 ‘Luv us!’ said Ike, ‘ain't it been taught its schoolin', just!’
1930 J. B. Priestley Angel Pavement i. 16 She let herself go all right, didn't she just!
1943 K. Tennant Ride on Stranger iv. 37 ‘I don't believe you'd do that anyway yourself. Just grab money.’ ‘Wouldn't I just,’ her mentor said exultantly.
1969 P. O'Brian Master & Commander (1970) xi. 355 Oh, if I had his cullions in my hand, wouldn't I serve him out, just?
2010 J. McGregor Even Dogs (2011) iii. 63 Ben made sure the job got done. Didn't he just.

Phrases

P1. just now.
a. Only a very short time ago.See also now adv. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > newness or novelty > recency > [adverb]
neweneOE
newlyeOE
unyoreeOE
noweOE
newOE
lateOE
yesterdaya1300
freshlya1387
of newa1393
anewa1425
newlingsa1425
latewardc1434
the other dayc1450
lately?c1475
erst1480
latewards1484
sith late1484
alatea1500
recently1509
even now1511
late-whiles1561
late ygo1579
formerly1590
just now1591
lastly1592
just1605
low1610
this moment1696
latewardly1721
shortsyne1768
sometime1779
latterly1821
1591 A. Fraunce Countesse of Pembrokes Yuychurch i. iii. i. sig. D4 That beastly Satyre..Stood with lusting rage, and raging fury before her, And now, eu'n iust now had left of fully to bynde her.
1633 J. Ford 'Tis Pitty shee's Whore i. sig. C2 v My Barber told me iust now that there is a fellow come to Towne.
1671 R. Head & F. Kirkman Eng. Rogue IV. viii. 126 Master,..you were talking just now of the Devil owing you a shame, pray tell me what it was.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 106. ¶6 The good Man whom I have just now mentioned?
1785 J. O'Keeffe Peeping Tom of Coventry i. iv. 13 You little rogue, how nicely you gave me the slip just now!
1828 H. Angelo Reminisc. I. 492 If the lout who was pointed out to me just now, be he, I never beheld..such a scarecrow.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 296 As you were saying just now.
1918 B. Tarkington Magnificent Ambersons xvi. 234 He was inclined to melancholy this morning, but seemed jolly enough just now.
2000 Kenyon Rev. Summer 28 Look here, sweetheart,..I didn't mean to make an ass of myself with your friend just now.
b. Directly, immediately, very soon (now chiefly English regional). Also (South African): in a while, later.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
1606 T. Hutton 2nd Pt. Reasons for Refusall vii. 44 It is..in other places before deliuered in termes, as if it were iust now to be done, and that Christ on this very day were to be borne.
1682 T. D'Urfey Butler's Ghost i. 75 That I will, Cries he. But (quoth the Squire) just now T'must be.
1765 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (Dublin ed.) I. v. 163 But, Harry, says he, I am going just now to leave this Country; will you and your Man Neddy come along with me?
1845 Graham's Mag. Nov. 203/1 I am sorry, Mr. Davenport, that your cousin, Miss Fanshaw, is coming just now.
1879 A. Trollope Thackeray ix. 187 I will give one or two instances just now.
1902 Eng. Dial. Dict. III. 394/1 [Cumberland] I'll come just now. [ N.E.D. noted: So in most local dialects.]
1939 ‘D. Rame’ Wine of Good Hope i. iii. 40 ‘Well, eat then,’ said Lowell. ‘I'll come just now.’
1953 N. Gordimer Lying Days ii. ix. 92 ‘Well,’ I said, ‘I'll open it just now—.’
1966 A. Sachs Jail Diary xvi. 143 ‘Would you mind switching off the light after you lock up.’ ‘The men on cell duty will do that just now.’
2018 www.702.co.za (S. Afr.) 8 Aug. (radio station website, accessed 16 Aug. 2018) You don't wait around like a dumb idiot when somebody says they'll help you ‘just now’ because you now know it will be nowhere close to now.
c. Exactly at this point of time; at this moment; right now.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > [adverb] > precisely at present or just now
as nowc1390
instantlyc1485
just now?1615
of the hour1887
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) xix. 297 Lord Vlysses liu'd, and stood iust now On his returne for home.
1686 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. II II. vii. 945 The Prince of Devils is just now mustering up all his Legions against me.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia IV. vii. ii. 30 This is all vastly true; but I have no time to hear any more of it just now.
1823 Repository of Arts 1 Jan. 57/1 Tight-bodied dresses are just now the only ones adopted for the promenade.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. v. 394 Just now he did nothing to check the panic.
1923 Humorist 17 Nov. 407/1 ‘Is there another taxi about?’ I asked him. ‘'Fraid not, sir—not just now.’
1956 M. Dickens Angel in Corner ix. 169 ‘Want one’ he asked, holding up the bottle. ‘Not just now.’
2005 J. Hawes Speak for Eng. 87 Sorry, I don't really want to hear about your exciting career just now.
P2. just yet: (in negative constructions) at this precise moment.
ΚΠ
1794 Lady's Mag. Dec. 657/1 I'll be in a good humour presently—but not just yet.
1816 A. Lefanu Strathallan III. i. 17 They should not come out of the egg-shell just yet, till they have had a little finishing.
1880 E. Lynn Linton Rebel of Family III. vii. 144 He had no intention of marrying and ranging himself just yet.
1943 ‘C. Dickson’ She died Lady x. 114 I led her over and sat her down on an overcushioned ottoman. ‘She's in no shape to walk just yet, Superintendent.’
1990 Amiga Computing Dec. 114/4 It would be very unwise to adopt standards just yet.
2000 Tuam (County Galway) Herald & Western Advertiser 8 July 9/3 The half-way house was for those who would eventually make their own way in life but not just yet.
P3. just as well: see well adj. 2c.
P4. just a minute (also second, moment, etc.): used to ask someone to stop, wait, or pay attention for a short amount of time; also used to express puzzlement, realization, outrage, etc.
ΚΠ
1824 E. H. McLeod Principle! III. 253 Stop! just a moment—stop!
1898 Stenographer Nov. 265/1 ‘Just a minute, please!’ interrupted Atalanta. Atalanta was plainly in trouble. Yet the young man had only jogged along in his dictation at a rate of about eighty words a minute.
1930 Oxf. Ann. Girls 22/2 Just a tick! I'm coming!
1934 J. M. Cain Postman always rings Twice x. 115 Just a few minutes, sarge.
1972 I. Levin Stepford Wives ii. 132 Now just a second; just hear me out please.
1977 M. Frayn Donkeys' Years ii, in Plays: One (1985) 119 Just a moment—if old Birkett's shoved off, we could break into the Buttery and steal that beer.
1982 P. Redmond Brookside (Mersey TV shooting script) (O.E.D. Archive) Episode 1. 58 Aye Aye. Just a minute pal. Where d'you think you're going?
1998 R. Stone Damascus Gate ii. lii. 379 ‘Just a mo, Dmitri,’ she said.
2005 R. Anderson Little Fugue (2006) 264 Now, just a minute, no one's saying that you're not a great poet in your own right.
P5. colloquial. just it: precisely the issue or point in question.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adverb] > so as to match truth, exactly > as spoken
just it1825
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > [noun] > essential part
pointc1385
pithc1425
issue1553
extract1570
catch1600
hinge1638
punctuma1680
resa1732
jet1748
gist1820
bottom line1830
just it1862
crux1888
1825 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 24 Sept. 792 Brick. We want..to hear of his attacks on you, and not, just now, of yours on him. Bolt. Why, that's just it.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles II. iii. 28 ‘You have eaten it all the season.’ ‘That's just it’, answered Herbert. ‘I have eaten so much of it that I am sick of it.’
1916 Cosmopolitan July 218/1 ‘You see, this is just it,’ she said solemnly: ‘You think you have the right to know everything about me.’
1955 R. Galton & A. Simpson Hancock's Half-hour (1987) 39 That's just it. We're the only house down our street that hasn't got one [sc. a television set].
2010 J. McGregor Even Dogs (2011) iv. 140 But that's just it Rob mate,..nothing's normal for them is it, nothing's good enough.
P6. colloquial. just about: almost, very nearly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > almost or nearly
nigheOE
well-nigheOE
forneanc1000
well-nearc1175
almostc1261
nighwhatc1300
nearhandc1350
nigh handa1375
nigh handsa1375
as good asc1390
into (right) littlea1413
unto litea1420
nigh byc1430
nearbyc1485
near handsa1500
as near as1517
mosta1538
next door1542
wellmost1548
all but1590
anewst1590
uneath1590
next to1611
nearlya1616
thereaboutsa1616
welly1615
thereabout1664
within (an) ames-ace ofa1670
anear1675
pretty much1682
three parts1711
newsta1728
only not1779
partly1781
in all but name1824
just about1836
nentes1854
near1855
nar1859
just1860
not-quite1870
nearabouta1878
effectively1884
nigh on1887
1836 Spirit of Times 15 Oct. 278/1 Just about the most interesting race ever witnessed.
1895 C. King Fort Frayne xx. 290 Farrar was..just about the happiest fellow that wore the army blue.
1927 C. A. Lindbergh ‘We’ v. 74 He was just about capable of flying anything on wings.
1985 D. Lucie Hard Feelings ii. iv. 83/1 Viv... D'you get everything?.. Annie Just about. Took hours getting through the checkout.
2013 E. K. Moore Supremes at Earl's All-you-can-eat i. 8 I have had just about all I can take from you.
Categories »
P7. colloquial. just too bad: see bad adj., n.2, and adv. Phrases 4.
P8. colloquial. just like that: suddenly, without warning.
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1888 H. James in Eng. Illustr. Mag. Sept. 778/1 In love with me in six days, just like that?
1905 Baroness Orczy Scarlet Pimpernel (1907) vi. 50 Anyway, Marguerite St Just married Sir Percy Blakeney one fine day, just like that, without any warning to her friends.
1935 I. Gershwin That Moment of Moments in Compl. Lyrics (1993) 254/1 So I got my hat And I went to the door. When just like that—A dream came through the door; And as I stared—I cared and cared and cared!
1961 J. Heller Catch-22 (1962) v. 42 He called me a wise guy and punched me in the nose..knocked me flat on my ass. Pow! Just like that.
2003 A. McCall Smith Portuguese Irregular Verbs (2004) 43 Ten years passed—just like that—pouf!
P9. just as good (as): (in commercial transactions) used to designate a recommended substitute for a patent medicine, other branded article, etc. Now rare.
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1892 N.-Y. Evangelist 17 Mar. 7/4 (advt.) When you ask your druggist for Scott's Emulsion of cod-liver oil, if he is honest, he will not try to sell you something ‘just as good’.
1900 Southern Planter June 356 The farmer..knows what it is to buy a ‘just as good’ plow that wears in soft spots and will not scour; a ‘just as good’ corn-planter that drops anywhere from nothing to a dozen grains in a hill; [etc.].
1908 Life 2 Jan. 10/1 When I would buy a cake of soap that's suited to my mind I much resent the man who keeps the ‘just-as-good-as’ kind.
1920 J. A. De Haas Business Organization & Admin. 320 There is always a great temptation on the part of middlemen to substitute just-as-good articles.
1922 Manch. Guardian 31 July 6/4 The modern trick of finding substitutes for many of the necessaries and luxuries of life and labelling these ‘just as good’.
1955 Pittsburgh Courier 14 May a10 Resist sales pressure to sell you an item said to be ‘just as good’ and ‘much cheaper’ than the popular make which attracted you.
P10. North American colloquial. just (plain) folk(s): ordinary, down-to-earth, unpretentious people. Frequently in predicative use (often with singular subject). Also attributive, esp. designating attitudes, behaviour, etc., considered to be characteristic of such people.In earlier use probably not a fixed collocation.In quot. 1894 with reference to E. Stillman Doubleday's 1894 novel Just Plain Folks: a Story of Lost Opportunities.
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1894 Arena Nov. (Bks. of Day section) It is almost within the memory of this generation when a book dealing with just plain folks would be considered inartistic and commonplace.
1918 House & Garden Apr. 24/2 We went into this war so that these ‘just folks’ could keep on being ‘just folks’, so that they could live in peace and plenty.
1934 Times 27 Dec. 12/4 He prided himself all his life on being ‘just plain folks’.
1958 R. N. Berkes & M. S. Bedi Diplomacy of India iii. 97 India has revealed an abiding faith in what might be called, without disrespect, a ‘just folks’ approach to resolving international tension.
1972 Newsday 3 Dec. (Sports section) 8/2 He's a master at giving the impression he's just plain folk, gullible and ready to be had.
1999 Calgary (Alberta) Herald (Nexis) 10 Mar. f6 Former guest stars and just plain folk chat about the personal impact of the Sunday night drama series.
2004 T. Wolfe I am Charlotte Simmons xxvii. 536 He was a good-natured man who always acted like Just Folks.
P11. just in case: see in case adv. 4.

Compounds

Forming adjectives.
a. In sense 2e, esp. with past participles, as just-built, just-mentioned, etc.
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1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 111 Iust-Duked Iosvah, cheeres the Abramides To Canaans Conquest.
1681 T. D'Urfey Progress Honesty iv. 4 So the reverend Sire..thus begun To pitty and instruct his just precipitating Son.
1715 J. Morrice et al. tr. H. Grotius Of Rights War & Peace III. iii. iv. 110 (note) Plutarch of the just mentioned Æmilius Paulus says, [etc.].
1767 W. Dodd Poems 238 When the just-waken'd babe its mother view'd.
1818 J. Bentham Church-of-Englandism 55 An infant? Yea, a just-born infant.
1843 Knickerbocker Nov. 438 Some perhaps at this moment making their first exclamation in the world, to large points of admiration from the just-made mother.
1877 ‘J. Darby’ Hours iv. 98 Fire-dogs, supporting the cheerful brand only on funeral or christening occasions, glistening in the gloom with the glare of a just dead noli-me- tangere.
1885 J. K. Jerome On Stage 27 There being a dismal, just-got-up sort of look about him.
1920 Proc. IRE 8 380 The just shown ideal diagrams of reception curves and surfaces are but roughly approximated.
1966 M. Greaves Regency Patron vii. 101 Constable,..whose subjects were light and warmth and the freshness of a just departed shower.
2009 Vanity Fair July 121/3 The entire development has a just-built look.
b. In sense 5, as just-bearable, just-sufficient, etc.
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a1714 J. Sharp Eight Disc. (1734) V. vi. 206 With some Men the Course of Life they are engaged in..is thought a just sufficient Reason to exempt them from the Practice of those strict Rules of Virtue and Piety, that other Christians take themselves to be obliged to.
1825 F. Joyce Pract. Chem. Mineral. 371 Drop in cautiously a just sufficient quantity of muriate of barya to decompose the Whole of the sulphate salts.
1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. II. 179 A just-bearable specimen of the way in which ladies of quality could write.
1884 F. H. Myers in Fortn. Rev. 613 The companionship of the just-elder sister.
1915 Outlook 24 Mar. 697/1 Whenever we reached the just-alive ones [sc. churches] on Sunday we were sure to hear the minister take the text in his teeth and start for the goal of eternity with it.
1938 S. S. Stevens & H. Davis Hearing iv. 149 We are..concerned..only with..the ability of an added just-noticeable difference to contribute always the same increment to the total subjective effect.
2005 H. Watzman Company C iii. 103 I was able to enter into a walking, dreamless trance in which a just-sufficient portion of my brain remained alert.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1c1384n.2c1400adj.c1384v.1558adv.1417
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