jig

¹jig

noun \ˈjig\

Definition of JIG

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

Origin of JIG

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

First Known Use: circa 1560

Other Dance Terms

attitude, honor, saltatory, sashay, taw

Rhymes with JIG

big, brig, cig, dig, fig, gig, grig, pig, prig, rig, sprig, swig, trig, twig, vig, Whig, wig, zig

²jig

verb

jiggedjig·ging

Definition of JIG

intransitive verb

1

a : to move with rapid jerky motions

b : to dance a jig

2

: to fish with a jig

transitive verb

1

: to dance in the rapid lively manner of a jig

2

a : to give a rapid jerky motion to

b : to separate (a mineral or ore from waste) with a jig

3

: to catch (a fish) with a jig

4

: to machine by means of a jig-controlled tool operation

Examples of JIG

1. We jigged to the fiddle music.
2. <the mother could tell that her little boy had to use the bathroom because he was jigging>

First Known Use of JIG

1604

Related to JIG

Synonyms

fiddle, jerk, fidget, jiggle, squiggle, squirm, thrash, thresh, toss, twist, twitch, wiggle, wriggle, writhe

Related Words

flit, flutter, twitter; quake, quiver, shake, shiver, shudder, tremble; pace

Near Antonyms

relax, rest, unwind; calm (down), still

³jig

noun

Definition of JIG

usually offensive

: black 4

Origin of JIG

short for jigaboo black person

First Known Use: 1927