Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense jibs, present participle jibbing, past tense, past participle jibbed
1. countable noun
Thejib is the small triangular sail that is sometimes used at the front of a sailing boat.
2. verb
If you jibat something, you are unwilling to do it or to accept it.
[old-fashioned]
...those who jib at the idea of selling their land. [VERB + at]
[Also VERB]
jib in British English1
(dʒɪb)
noun
1. nautical
any triangular sail set forward of the foremast of a vessel
2. cut of someone's jib
3. obsolete
a.
the lower lip, usually when it protrudes forwards in a grimace
b.
the face or nose
Word origin
C17: of unknown origin
jib in British English2
(dʒɪb)
verbWord forms: jibs, jibbing or jibbed(intransitive) mainly British
1. (often foll by at)
to be reluctant (to); hold back (from); balk (at)
2.
(of an animal) to stop short and refuse to go forwards
the horse jibbed at the jump
3. nautical variant of gybe
Derived forms
jibber (ˈjibber)
noun
Word origin
C19: of unknown origin
jib in British English3
(dʒɪb)
noun
the projecting arm of a crane or the boom of a derrick, esp one that is pivoted to enable it to be raised or lowered
Word origin
C18: probably based on gibbet
jib in British English4
(dʒɪb)
noun
(often plural) South Wales dialect
a contortion of the face; a face
stop making jibs
Word origin
special use of jib1 (in the sense: lower lip, face)
jib in American English1
(dʒɪb)
verb intransitiveWord forms: jibbed or ˈjibbing
1.
to stop and refuse to go forward; balk
2.
to start or shy (at something)
noun
3.
an animal that jibs, as a horse
Derived forms
jibber (ˈjibber)
noun
Word origin
prob. < jib3
jib in American English2
(dʒɪb)
noun
1.
the projecting arm of a crane
2.
the boom of a derrick
Word origin
prob. < gibbet
jib in American English3
(dʒɪb)
verb intransitive, verb transitiveWord forms: jibbed or ˈjibbing
1. Nautical
to jibe (a sail or boom)
noun
2.
a triangular sail secured to a stay forward of the mast or foremast
Idioms:
cut of one's jib
Word origin
< Dan gibbe, to shift from one side to the other, jibe, akin to Du gijpen < IE ĝheib- < base *ghe-, to yawn > gape
Examples of 'jib' in a sentence
jib
The sloop's engine was still idling, as Rice trimmed the jib.
Ballard, J. G. RUSHING TO PARADISE (2002)
By noon the sea was white all across, and we took in sail, running under double-reefed main and storm jib.
Michael Gruber TROPIC OF NIGHT (2002)
All related terms of 'jib'
genoa jib
a large triangular jib sail, often with a foot that extends as far aft as the clew of the mainsail
jib boom
a spar forming an extension of the bowsprit
flying jib
the jib set furthest forward or outboard on a vessel with two or more jibs
jib-headed
(of a sail ) pointed at the top or head
cut of one's jib
one's appearance or way of dressing
Genoa
a port in NW Italy , capital of Liguria , on the Gulf of Genoa: Italy's main port; an independent commercial city with many colonies in the Middle Ages; university (1243); heavy industries . Pop: 610 307 (2001)