Main Entry: ¹jig

Pronunciation: \ˈjig\

Function: noun

Etymology: perhaps from Middle French giguer to frolic, from gigue fiddle, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gīga fiddle; akin to Old Norse geiga to turn aside

Date: circa 1560

1 a : any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm b : music to which a jig may be danced
2 : trick, game —used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
3 a : any of several fishing devices that are jerked up and down or drawn through the water b : a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positional relationship between a piece of work and the tool or between parts of work during assembly c : a device in which crushed ore is concentrated or coal is cleaned by agitating in water

— in jig time : in a short time : quickly