SINCE 1828

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the gist

Definition of the gist

: the general or basic meaning of something said or written : the main points —usually + of The gist of her argument was that the law was unfair. I didn't read the whole article, but I got the gist of it.

Word by Word Definitions

: the ground (see ¹ground 2a) of a legal action
: the main point or part : essence

See the full definition of gist

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up the gist? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

hebetude

play

lethargy or dullness

Words at Play

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We're Down With You Being—or Your Being?—a Square

It's about (you? your?) having your say.

Devilish Words

Don't blame a word use error on the devil.

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How 'Wonderful' Lost Its Sense of Wonder

A case of semantic bleaching

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Don't Let Reading This Be Another 'Coulda' 'Shoulda' 'Woulda'

PSA: They're three separate words.

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

Which word entered the English language first?

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Name More Food!

Test your knowledge of food vocabulary!

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Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

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Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

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