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gin

noun (1)
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\ ˈjin How to pronounce gin (audio) \

Definition of gin

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1 : a colorless alcoholic beverage made from distilled or redistilled neutral grain spirits flavored with juniper berries and aromatics (such as anise and caraway seeds)
2a : gin rummy
b : the act of laying down a full hand of matched cards in gin rummy

gin

noun (2)
\ ˈjin How to pronounce gin (audio) \

Definition of gin (Entry 2 of 5)

: any of various tools or mechanical devices: such as
a : cotton gin
b : a snare or trap for game

gin

verb (1)
\ ˈjin How to pronounce gin (audio) \
ginned; ginning

Definition of gin (Entry 3 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to come up with : generate —usually used with up gin up enthusiasm
2 : to separate (cotton fiber) from seeds and waste material
3 : snare

gin

conjunction
\ ˈgin How to pronounce gin (audio) \

Definition of gin (Entry 4 of 5)

dialect
: if

gin

verb (2)
\ ˈgin How to pronounce gin (audio) \
gan\ ˈgan How to pronounce gin (audio) \; ginning

Definition of gin (Entry 5 of 5)

archaic
: begin
Other Words from gin Phrases Containing gin Learn More About gin

Other Words from gin

Noun (1)

ginny \ ˈjin-​ē How to pronounce gin (audio) \ adjective

Verb (1)

ginner noun

First Known Use of gin

Noun (1)

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Conjunction

1580, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for gin

Noun (1)

by shortening & alteration from geneva

Noun (2)

Middle English gin, from Anglo-French, short for engin — more at engine entry 1

Conjunction

perhaps by contraction from dialect gif if + an if

Verb (2)

Middle English ginnen, short for beginnen

Learn More About gin

Time Traveler for gin

Time Traveler

The first known use of gin was in the 13th century

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Dictionary Entries Near gin

gimpy

gin

gin and it

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Cite this Entry

“Gin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gin. Accessed 2 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for gin

gin

noun
\ ˈjin How to pronounce gin (audio) \

Kids Definition of gin

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: cotton gin

gin

verb
ginned; ginning

Kids Definition of gin (Entry 2 of 3)

: to separate seeds from cotton in a cotton gin

gin

noun

Kids Definition of gin (Entry 3 of 3)

: a strong alcoholic liquor flavored with juniper berries

More from Merriam-Webster on gin

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gin

Nglish: Translation of gin for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of gin for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gin

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