jib

¹jib

noun \ˈjib\

Definition of JIB

: a triangular sail set on a stay extending usually from the head of the foremast to the bowsprit or the jibboom; also : the small triangular headsail on a sloop — see sail illustration

Origin of JIB

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1661

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

Rhymes with JIB

bib, crib, drib, fib, gib, glib, Hib, lib, nib, rib, sib, squib

²jib

noun

Definition of JIB

1

: the projecting arm of a crane

2

: a derrick boom

Origin of JIB

probably by shortening & alteration from gibbet

First Known Use: 1764

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

³jib

intransitive verb

jibbedjib·bing

Definition of JIB

: to refuse to proceed further : balk

— jib·ber noun

Origin of JIB

probably from jib to shift from one side of a ship to the other, perhaps from ¹jib

First Known Use: 1811