gi -abbr

  1. gill

GI [,jē-'ī] -adj

  1. provided by an official U.S. military supply department
    • GI shoes
  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of U.S. military personnel
  3. conforming to military regulations or customs
    • a GI haircut
  4. a member or former member of the U.S. armed forces
  5. a man enlisted in the army
  6. in a strictly regulation manner
  7. to clean thoroughly (as floors) in preparation for or as if for a military inspection
  8. galvanized iron
  9. gastrointestinal
  10. general issue; government issue

gi·ant ['jī-ənt] -n, adj

  1. a legendary humanlike being of great stature and strength
  2. a living being of great size
  3. a person of extraordinary powers
  4. something unusually large or powerful

giant -adj

  1. having extremely large size, proportion, or power

giant anteater -n

  1. a large bushy-tailed anteater ( Myrmecophaga tridactyla) of Central and So. America

giant cactus -n

  1. saguaro

giant clam -n

  1. a very large clam ( Tridacna gigas) found on the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific oceans that sometimes weighs more than 500 pounds (227 kilograms)

gi·ant·ess ['jī-ən-təs] -n

  1. a female giant

gi·ant·ism ['jī-ən-,ti-zəm] -n

  1. the quality or state of being a giant
    • giantism in industry
  2. gigantism

giant panda -n

  1. panda

giant reed -n

  1. a tall perennial grass ( Arundo donax) native to Mediterranean regions that has woody stems used esp. in making baskets, shelters, and reeds for woodwind instruments

giant schnauzer -n

  1. any of a breed of powerful heavyset schnauzers that attain a height of 23 to 27 inches (60 to 70 centimeters)

giant sequoia -n

  1. an evergreen tree ( Sequoiadendron giganteum)of the bald cypress family that grows on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and sometimes exceeds 270 feet (about 82 meters) in height called also big tree sequoia

giant slalom -n

  1. a slalom race for skiers on a longer and steeper course than that used for the regular slalom

giant squid -n

  1. any of a genus ( Architeuthis) of extremely large squids that may attain a length of 60 feet (18 meters) and include the largest mollusks known

giant star -n

  1. a star of great luminosity and of large mass

giant tortoise -n

  1. any of various large long-lived herbivorous land tortoises (genus Geochelone) formerly common on the islands of the western Indian Ocean and on the Galapagos Islands

giant water bug -n

  1. any of a family (Belostomatidae and esp. genus Lethocerus) of very large predatory aquatic bugs capable of inflicting a painful bite

giaour ['jau̇(-ə)r] -n

  1. one outside the Islamic faith : infidel

giar·dia [jē-'är-dē-ə, 'jär-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Giardia) of flagellate protozoans inhabiting the intestines of various mammals and including one ( G. lambliasyn. G. intestinalis)that is associated with diarrhea in humans

giar·di·a·sis [(,)jē-,är-'dī-ə-səs, jē-ər-, jär-] -n

  1. infestation with or disease caused by a giardia

gib ['gib] -n

  1. a male cat
  2. a castrated male cat
  3. a plate of metal or other material machined to hold other parts in place, to afford a bearing surface, or to provide means for overcoming looseness

Gib -abbr

  1. Gibraltar

gib·ber ['ji-bər] -vi, n

  1. to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and often foolishly

gib·ber·el·lic acid [,ji-bə-'re-lik-] -n

  1. a crystalline acid C 19H 22O 6that is a gibberellin used esp. in the malting of barley

gib·ber·el·lin [-'re-lən] -n

  1. any of several growth-regulating plant hormones that promote cell elongation and activity of the cambium, induce parthenocarpy, and stimulate synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins

gib·ber·ish ['ji-b(ə-)rish, 'gi-] -n

  1. : unintelligible or meaningless language:
  2. a technical or esoteric language
  3. pretentious or needlessly obscure language

gib·bet ['ji-bət] -n

  1. gallows
  2. an upright post with a projecting arm for hanging the bodies of executed criminals as a warning

gibbet -vt

  1. to expose to infamy or public scorn
  2. to hang on a gibbet
  3. to execute by hanging on a gibbet

gib·bon ['gi-bən] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Hylobatesof the family Hylobatidae) of agile brachiating tailless apes of southeastern Asia that are the smallest and most arboreal anthropoid apes

gib·bos·i·ty [ji-'bä-sə-tē, gi-] -n

  1. protuberance, swelling

gib·bous ['ji-bəs, 'gi-] -adj

  1. marked by convexity or swelling
  2. seen with more than half but not all of the apparent disk illuminated
  3. having a hump : humpbacked

gibe ['jīb] -vb, n

  1. to utter taunting words
  2. to deride or tease with taunting words

gib·lets ['jib-ləts also 'gib-] -n pl

  1. the edible viscera of a fowl

Gi·bral·tar [jə-'brȯl-tər] -n

  1. an impregnable stronghold

Gib·son ['gib-sən] -n

  1. a martini garnished with a cocktail onion

Gibson girl -adj

  1. of or relating to a style esp. in women's clothing characterized by high necks, full sleeves, and wasp waists

gid ['gid] -n

  1. a disease esp. of sheep caused by the larva of a tapeworm ( Multiceps multiceps) in the brain

gid·dy ['gi-dē] -adj, adv, n

  1. dizzy
    • giddy from the unaccustomed exercise
  2. causing dizziness
    • a giddy height
  3. whirling rapidly
  4. lightheartedly silly : frivolous
  5. joyfully elated : euphoric

giddy -vb

  1. to make giddy
  2. to become giddy

gid·dy·ap [,gi-dē-'ap, -'əp] -vb imper

  1. a command (as to a horse) to go ahead or go faster

Gid·e·on ['gi-dē-ən] -n

  1. an early Hebrew hero noted for his defeat of the Midianites
  2. a member of an interdenominational organization whose activities include the placing of Bibles in hotel rooms

gie ['giv] -vb

(variant of give)

  1. to make a present of
    • give a doll to a child
  2. to grant or bestow by formal action
    • the law give s citizens the right to vote
  3. to accord or yield to another
    • gave him her confidence
  4. to put into the possession of another for his or her use
    • gave me his phone number
  5. to administer as a sacrament
  6. to administer as a medicine
  7. to commit to another as a trust or responsibility and usu. for an expressed reason
  8. to transfer from one's authority or custody
    • the sheriff gave the prisoner to the warden
  9. to execute and deliver
    • all employees must give bond
  10. to convey to another
    • give them my regards
  11. to offer to the action of another : proffer
    • gave her his hand
  12. to yield (oneself) to a man in sexual intercourse
  13. to present in public performance
    • give a concert
  14. to present to view or observation
    • gave the signal to start
  15. to provide by way of entertainment
    • give a party
  16. to propose as a toast
  17. to designate as a share or portion : allot
    • all the earth to thee and to thy race I give -- John Milton
  18. to make assignment of (a name)
  19. to set forth as an actual or hypothetical datum
    • give the dimensions of the room
  20. to attribute in thought or utterance : ascribe
    • gave the credit to you
  21. to yield as a product, consequence, or effect : produce
    • cows give milk
    • 84 divided by 12 give s 7
  22. to bring forth : bear
  23. to yield possession of by way of exchange : pay
  24. to dispose of for a price : sell
  25. to deliver by some bodily action
    • gave him a push
  26. to carry out (as a bodily movement)
    • gave a cynical smile
  27. to inflict as punishment
  28. to award by formal verdict
    • judgment was given against the plaintiff
  29. to offer for consideration, acceptance, or use
    • give s no reason for his absence
  30. to suffer the loss of : sacrifice
  31. to offer as appropriate or due esp. to something higher or more worthy
    • gave his spirit to God
  32. to apply freely or fully : devote
    • gave themselves to their work
  33. to offer as a pledge
    • I give you my word
  34. to cause one to have or receive
    • mountains always gave him pleasure
  35. to cause a person to catch by contagion, infection, or exposure
  36. to allow one to have or take
    • give me time
  37. to lead or attempt to lead used with an infinitive
    • you gave me to understand you'd be late
  38. to care to the extent of
    • didn't give a hoot
  39. to make gifts or presents
  40. to yield to physical force or strain
  41. to collapse from the application of force or pressure
  42. to undergo or submit to change
    • for the strike to be settled, something has to give
  43. to afford a view or passage : open
    • the window give s onto the terrace
  44. to enter wholeheartedly into an activity
  45. to be happening
    • wants to know what give s
  46. capacity or tendency to yield to force or strain : flexibility
  47. the quality or state of being springy

Gi·em·sa stain [gē-'em-zə-] -n, adj

  1. a stain consisting of eosin and a blue dye and used chiefly in the differential staining of blood films called also Giemsa Giemsa's stain

GIF ['gif, 'jif] -n

  1. a computer file format for the compression and storage of digital video images
  2. such an image itself

gift ['gift] -n

  1. a notable capacity, talent, or endowment
  2. something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
  3. the act, right, or power of giving
  4. to endow with some power, quality, or attribute
  5. present
    • gift ed her with flowers

GIFT -abbr

  1. gamete intrafallopian transfer; gamete intrafallopian tube transfer

gift card -n

  1. a card entitling the recipient to receive goods or services of a specified value from the issuer

gift certificate -n

  1. a certificate entitling the recipient to receive goods or services of a specified value from the issuer

gift·ed ['gif-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. having great natural ability : talented
    • gifted children
  2. revealing a special gift
    • gifted voices

gift of gab

  1. the ability to talk glibly and persuasively

gift of tongues

  1. a charisma identified by ecstatic usu. unintelligible speech

gift·ware ['gift-,wer] -n

  1. wares or goods suitable for gifts

gift wrap -vt

  1. to wrap (merchandise intended as a gift) decoratively

gig ['gig] -n

  1. : something that whirls or is whirled: as
  2. top, whirligig
  3. a 3-digit selection in a numbers game
  4. a person of odd or grotesque appearance
  5. a long light ship's boat
  6. a rowboat designed for speed rather than for work
  7. a light 2-wheeled one-horse carriage
  8. to travel in a gig
  9. a pronged spear for catching fish
  10. an arrangement of hooks to be drawn through a school of fish in order to hook their bodies
  11. to spear with a gig
  12. spur, jab
  13. goad, provoke
  14. to fish with a gig
  15. a job usu. for a specified time
  16. an entertainer's engagement
  17. to work as a musician
    • gigged with various bands -- Downbeat
  18. a military demerit
  19. to give a military gig to
  20. gigabyte

giga- ['ji-gə, 'gi-] -comb form

  1. billion (10 9)
    • giga hertz
    • giga watt

giga·bit [-,bit] -n

  1. one billion bits

giga·byte [-,bīt] -n

  1. 1024 megabytes or 1,073,741,824 bytes
  2. one billion bytes

giga·flop [-,fläp] -n

  1. a unit of measure for the calculating speed of a computer equal to one billion floating-point operations per second

giga·hertz [-,hərts, -,herts] -n

  1. a unit of frequency equal to one billion hertz

gi·gan·tesque [,jī-,gan-'tesk, -gən-] -adj

  1. of enormous or grotesquely large proportions

gi·gan·tic [jī-'gan-tik, jə-] -adj, adv

  1. exceeding the usual or expected (as in size, force, or prominence)

gi·gan·tism [jī-'gan-,ti-zəm, jə-; 'jī-gən-] -n

  1. giantism
  2. development to abnormally large size
  3. excessive vegetative growth often accompanied by the inhibiting of reproduction

giga·watt ['ji-gə-,wät, 'gi-] -n

  1. a unit of power equal to one billion watts

gig·gle ['gi-gəl] -vb, n, adv, adj

  1. to laugh with repeated short catches of the breath
  2. to utter with a giggle

giggle -n

  1. the act of giggling
  2. a source of amusement

GIGO -abbr

  1. garbage in, garbage out

gig·o·lo ['ji-gə-,lō, 'zhi-] -n

  1. a man supported by a woman usu. in return for his attentions
  2. a professional dancing partner or male escort

gi·got ['ji-gət, zhē-'gō] -n

  1. a leg of meat (as lamb) esp. when cooked
  2. a leg-of-mutton sleeve

gigue ['zhēg] -n

  1. a lively dance movement (as of a suite) having compound triple rhythm and composed in fugal style

Gi·la monster ['hē-lə-] -n

  1. a large orange and black venomous lizard ( Heloderma suspectum) of the southwestern U.S.
  2. a related lizard ( H. horridum) of Mexico

gil·bert ['gil-bərt] -n

  1. the centimeter-gram-second unit of magnetomotive force equivalent to 104 ampere-turn

gild ['gild] -vt, n

  1. to overlay with or as if with a thin covering of gold
  2. to give money to
  3. to give an attractive but often deceptive appearance to
  4. to make bloody

gild ['gild] -n

(variant of guild)

  1. an association of people with similar interests or pursuits
  2. a medieval association of merchants or craftsmen
  3. a group of organisms that use the same ecological resource in a similar way
    • a feeding guild

Gil·ga·mesh ['gil-gə-,mesh, gil-'gä-] -n

  1. a legendary Sumerian king and hero of the Gilgamesh Epic
  2. an organ (as of a fish) for obtaining oxygen from water
  3. wattle
  4. the flesh under or about the chin or jaws usu. used in pl.
  5. one of the radiating plates forming the undersurface of the cap of a mushroom fungus
  6. gillnet
  7. to become entangled in a gill net
  8. ravine
  9. a narrow stream or rivulet
  10. girl, sweetheart

gill arch -n

  1. any of the bony or cartilaginous arches or curved bars extending dorsoventrally and placed one behind the other on each side of the pharynx and supporting the gills of fishes and amphibians
  2. any of the rudimentary ridges in the embryos of all higher vertebrates that correspond to the gill arches

gill cleft -n

  1. gill slit
  2. gill slit

gill cover -n

  1. operculum

gil·lie ['gi-lē] -n

  1. a male attendant on a Scottish Highland chief
  2. attendant
  3. a fishing and hunting guide
  4. a shoe with a low top and decorative lacing

gill·net ['gil-,net] -vt

  1. to catch (fish) with a gill net

gill net -n

  1. a flat net suspended vertically in the water with meshes that allow the head of a fish to pass but entangle the gills upon withdrawal

gill·net·ter [-,ne-tər] -n

  1. a boat equipped for or engaged in fishing with gill nets
  2. a person who fishes with a gill net

gill raker -n

  1. any of the bony processes on a gill arch that divert solid substances away from the gills

gill slit -n

  1. any of the openings or clefts between the gill arches in vertebrates that breathe by gills through which water taken in at the mouth passes to the exterior and so bathes the gills
  2. any of the rudimentary grooves in the neck region of the embryos of air-breathing vertebrates that correspond to the gill slits
  3. the external opening to the cavity containing the gills when a protective covering of the gills is present

gil·ly·flow·er ['ji-lē-,flau̇(-ə)r] -n

  1. carnation

Gil·son·ite ['gil-sə-,nīt] -trademark

  1. used for asphalt

gilt ['gilt] -adj

  1. covered with gold or gilt : of the color of gold
  2. gold or something that resembles gold laid on a surface
  3. money
  4. superficial brilliance
  5. a bond issued by the government of the United Kingdom
  6. a young female swine

giltedged ['gilt-,ejd] -adj

  1. having a gilt edge
  2. of the best quality or rating
    • giltedged securities

gim·bal ['gim-bəl, 'jim-] -n

  1. a device that permits a body to incline freely in any direction or suspends it so that it will remain level when its support is tipped usu. used in pl. called also gimbal ring

gimbal -vt

  1. to provide with or support on gimbals

gim·crack ['jim-,krak] -n

  1. a showy object of little use or value : gewgaw

gimcrack -adj

  1. cheap, shoddy

gim·el ['gi-məl] -n

  1. the 3d letter of the Hebrew alphabet

gim·let ['gim-lət] -n

  1. a small tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and cross handle for boring holes

gimlet -adj

  1. having a piercing or penetrating quality
  2. to pierce as if with a gimlet
  3. a drink consisting of sweetened lime juice and gin or vodka and sometimes carbonated or plain water

gim·leteyed [-'īd] -adj

  1. sharp-sighted

gim·mal ['gi-məl, 'ji-] -n

  1. joined work (as in a clock) whose parts move within each other
  2. a finger ring consisting of a pair or series of interlocked rings

gim·me ['gi-mē] -n

  1. a short putt in golf conceded to an opponent in casual or match play
  2. something easily achieved or won esp. in a contest

gimme cap -n

  1. an adjustable visored cap that often features a corporate logo or slogan

gim·mick ['gi-mik] -n, adj

  1. a mechanical device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling apparatus
  2. an ingenious or novel mechanical device : gadget
  3. an important feature that is not immediately apparent : catch
  4. an ingenious and usu. new scheme or angle
  5. a trick or device used to attract business or attention
    • a marketing gimmick

gimmick -vt

  1. to alter or influence by means of a gimmick
  2. to provide with a gimmick often used with up

gim·mick·ry ['gi-mi-krē] -n

  1. an array or profusion of gimmicks
  2. use of gimmicks

gimp ['gimp] -n

  1. an ornamental flat braid or round cord used as a trimming
  2. spirit, vim
  3. cripple
  4. limp
    • walks with a gimp -- Damon Runyon
  5. limp, hobble
    • gimp ing up the stairs

gin ['gin] -vb

  1. begin
  2. : any of various tools or mechanical devices: as
  3. a snare or trap for game
  4. cotton gin
  5. snare
  6. to separate (cotton fiber) from seeds and waste material
  7. to come up with : generate usu. used with up
    • gin up enthusiasm
  8. if
  9. a colorless alcoholic beverage made from distilled or redistilled neutral grain spirits flavored with juniper berries and aromatics (as anise and caraway seeds)
  10. gin rummy
  11. the act of laying down a full hand of matched cards in gin rummy

gin·ger ['jin-jər] -n, adj

  1. a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes medicinally
  2. the spice usu. prepared by drying and grinding ginger
  3. any of a genus ( Zingiberof the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes
  4. a widely cultivated tropical herb ( Z. officinale) that supplies most commercial ginger
  5. pep
    • the ginger to...work hard -- Willa Cather
  6. a light reddish or reddish-brown color
    • ginger hair

ginger ['jinj-riŋ, 'jin-jə-] -vt

  1. to make lively : pep up
    • ginger up the tourist trade -- N.Y. Times

ginger ale -n

  1. a sweetened carbonated nonalcoholic beverage flavored mainly with ginger extract

ginger beer -n

  1. a sweetened carbonated nonalcoholic beverage heavily flavored with ginger or capsicum or both

gin·ger·bread ['jin-jər-,bred] -n, adj

  1. a cake whose ingredients include molasses and ginger
  2. lavish or superfluous ornament esp. in architecture

ginger group -n

  1. a group that serves as an energizing force within a larger body (as a political party)

gin·ger·ly ['jin-jər-lē] -adj, n, adv

  1. very cautious or careful

ginger nut -n

  1. gingersnap

gin·ger·root ['jin-jər-,(r)üt, -,(r)u̇t] -n

  1. ginger

gin·ger·snap [-,snap] -n

  1. a thin brittle cookie sweetened with molasses and flavored with ginger

ging·ham ['giŋ-əm] -n

  1. a clothing fabric usu. of yarn-dyed cotton in plain weave

gin·gi·va ['jin-jə-və, jin-'jī-] -n, adj

  1. gum

gin·gi·vec·to·my [,jin-jə-'vek-tə-mē] -n

  1. surgical removal of a portion of the gingiva

gin·gi·vi·tis [,jin-jə-'vī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of the gums

gink ['giŋk] -n

  1. person, guy

gink·go ['giŋ-(,)kō also 'giŋk-(,)gō] -n

  1. a gymnospermous dioecious tree ( Ginkgo biloba) of eastern China that is widely grown as an ornamental or shade tree and has fan-shaped leaves and foul-smelling yellowish fleshy seed coats called also maidenhair tree
  2. ginkgo biloba

ginkgo bi·lo·ba [-,bī-'lō-bə] -n

  1. an extract of the leaves of ginkgo that is held to enhance mental functioning by increasing blood circulation to the brain

gin mill -n

  1. bar, saloon

gi·nor·mous [jī-'nȯr-məs] -adj

  1. extremely large : humongous

gin rummy -n

  1. a rummy game for two players in which each player is dealt 10 cards and in which a player may win a hand by matching all the cards in it or may end play when the unmatched cards count up to 10 points or less

gin·seng ['jin-,seŋ, -,siŋ] -n

  1. a Chinese perennial herb ( Panax ginsengsyn. P. schinsengof the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having five leaflets on each leaf, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root valued esp. locally as a medicine
  2. any of several plants related to ginseng
  3. a No. American herb ( P. quinquefolius)
  4. the root of a ginseng

Gip·sy ['jip-sē] -vi

(variant of gypsy)

  1. to live or roam like a Gypsy

gi·raffe [jə-'raf] -n, adj

  1. a large fleet African ruminant mammal ( Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines
  2. camelopardalis

gir·an·dole ['jir-ən-,dōl] -n

  1. a radiating and showy composition (as a cluster of skyrockets fired together)
  2. an ornamental branched candlestick
  3. a pendant earring usu. with three ornaments hanging from a central piece

gir·a·sole ['jir-ə-,sȯl, -,sōl, -,säl] -n

  1. jerusalem artichoke
  2. an opal of varying color that gives out fiery reflections in bright light

gird ['gərd] -vb

  1. to encircle or bind with a flexible band (as a belt)
  2. to make fast (as a sword by a belt or clothing with a cord)
  3. surround
  4. provide, equip
  5. to invest with the sword of knighthood
  6. to prepare (oneself) for action
  7. to prepare for action
  8. to sneer at : mock
  9. gibe, rail
  10. a sarcastic remark

gird·er ['gər-dər] -n

  1. a horizontal main structural member (as in a building or bridge) that supports vertical loads and that consists of a single piece or of more than one piece bound together

gir·dle ['gər-dᵊl] -n

  1. : something that encircles or confines: as
  2. an article of dress encircling the body usu. at the waist
  3. a woman's close-fitting undergarment often boned and usu. elasticized that extends from the waist to below the hips
  4. shoulder girdle
  5. pelvic girdle
  6. the edge of a brilliant that is grasped by the setting

girdle ['gər-dᵊl-iŋ] -vt

  1. to encircle with or as if with a girdle
  2. to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a plant) usu. to kill by interrupting the circulation of water and nutrients
  3. to move around : circle
    • girdled the world

girl ['gər(-ə)l] -n

  1. a female child from birth to adulthood
  2. daughter
  3. a young unmarried woman
  4. a single or married woman of any age
  5. sweetheart
  6. a female servant or employee

girl Friday -n

  1. a female assistant (as in an office) entrusted with a wide variety of tasks

girl·friend ['gər(-ə)l-,frend] -n

  1. a female friend
  2. a frequent or regular female companion in a romantic or sexual relationship

Girl Guide -n

  1. a member of a worldwide scouting movement for girls 7 to 18 years of age that is equivalent to the Girl Scouts in the U.S.

girl·ie ['gər-lē] -adj

  1. girlish
  2. featuring scantily clothed women
    • girlie magazines
    • girlie show

girl·ish ['gər-lish] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a girl or girlhood

Girl Scout -n

  1. a member of any of the scouting programs of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for girls ages 5 through 17

girn ['girn] -vi, n

  1. snarl

gi·ro ['jir-(,)ō, 'zhir-; 'jē-(,)rō, 'zhē-, esp Brit 'jī-] -n

  1. a service of many European banks that permits authorized direct transfer of funds among account holders as well as conventional transfers by check

gi·rolle [zhē-'rōl, -'rȯl] -n

  1. chanterelle

Gi·ron·din [jə-'rän-din, zhə-] -n

  1. girondist

Gi·rond·ist [-dist] -n

  1. a member of the moderate republican party in the French legislative assembly in 1791

girt ['gərt] -vb

  1. gird
  2. to fasten by means of a girth
  3. to measure in girth

girth ['gərth] -n

  1. a band or strap that encircles the body of an animal to fasten something (as a saddle) on its back
  2. a measure around a body
    • a man of more than average girth
    • the girth of a tree
  3. size, dimensions
  4. encircle
  5. to bind or fasten with a girth
  6. to measure the girth of

gi·sarme [gi-'zärm] -n

  1. a medieval weapon consisting of a blade mounted on a long staff and carried by foot soldiers

gist ['jist] -n

  1. the ground of a legal action
  2. the main point or part : essence
    • the gist of an argument

git ['git] -n

  1. a foolish or worthless person

git ['get, ÷'git] -vb

(variant of get)

  1. to gain possession of
  2. to receive as a return : earn
    • he got a bad reputation for carelessness
  3. to obtain by concession or entreaty
    • get your mother's permission to go
  4. to become affected by (a disease or bodily condition) : catch
    • got measles from his sister
  5. to seek out and obtain
    • hoped to get dinner at the inn
  6. to obtain and bring where wanted or needed
    • get a pencil from the desk
  7. beget
  8. to cause to come or go
    • quickly got his luggage through customs
  9. to cause to move
    • get it out of the house
  10. to cause to be in a certain position or condition
    • got his feet wet
  11. to make ready : prepare
    • get breakfast
  12. to be subjected to
    • got a bad fall
  13. to receive by way of punishment
  14. to suffer a specified injury to
    • got my nose broken
  15. to achieve as a result of military activity
  16. to obtain or receive by way of benefit or advantage
    • he got little for his trouble
    • get the better of an enemy
  17. seize
  18. overcome
  19. to have an emotional effect on
    • the final scene always get s me
  20. irritate
    • the delays were starting to get her
  21. puzzle
  22. to take vengeance on
  23. kill
  24. hit
  25. to prevail on : cause
    • finally got them to tidy up their room
  26. have used in the present perfect tense form with present meaning
    • I've got no money
  27. to have as an obligation or necessity used in the present perfect tense form with present meaning
    • you have got to come
  28. to find out by calculation
    • get the answer to a problem
  29. memorize
    • got the verse by heart
  30. hear
  31. understand
    • he got the joke
  32. to establish communication with
  33. to put out in baseball
  34. deliver
    • the car get s 20 miles to the gallon
  35. to succeed in coming or going : to bring or move oneself
    • get away to the country
    • got into the car
  36. to reach or enter into a certain condition
    • got to sleep after midnight
  37. to make progress
    • hasn't gotten far with the essay
  38. to acquire wealth
  39. to be able
    • never got to go to college
  40. to come to be often used with following present participle
    • got talking about old times
  41. to succeed in becoming : become
    • how to get clear of all the debts I owe -- Shak.
  42. to become involved
    • people who get into trouble with the law
  43. to leave immediately
    • told them to get
  44. used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive voice auxiliary
    • they got caught in the act
  45. : something begotten:
  46. offspring
  47. the entire progeny of a male animal
  48. lineage
  49. a return of a difficult shot in a game (as tennis)
  50. a document of release from obligation in Jewish law
  51. a bill of divorce
  52. a religious divorce by Jewish law

git·tern ['gi-tərn] -n

  1. a medieval guitar

give ['giv] -vb

  1. to make a present of
    • give a doll to a child
  2. to grant or bestow by formal action
    • the law give s citizens the right to vote
  3. to accord or yield to another
    • gave him her confidence
  4. to put into the possession of another for his or her use
    • gave me his phone number
  5. to administer as a sacrament
  6. to administer as a medicine
  7. to commit to another as a trust or responsibility and usu. for an expressed reason
  8. to transfer from one's authority or custody
    • the sheriff gave the prisoner to the warden
  9. to execute and deliver
    • all employees must give bond
  10. to convey to another
    • give them my regards
  11. to offer to the action of another : proffer
    • gave her his hand
  12. to yield (oneself) to a man in sexual intercourse
  13. to present in public performance
    • give a concert
  14. to present to view or observation
    • gave the signal to start
  15. to provide by way of entertainment
    • give a party
  16. to propose as a toast
  17. to designate as a share or portion : allot
    • all the earth to thee and to thy race I give -- John Milton
  18. to make assignment of (a name)
  19. to set forth as an actual or hypothetical datum
    • give the dimensions of the room
  20. to attribute in thought or utterance : ascribe
    • gave the credit to you
  21. to yield as a product, consequence, or effect : produce
    • cows give milk
    • 84 divided by 12 give s 7
  22. to bring forth : bear
  23. to yield possession of by way of exchange : pay
  24. to dispose of for a price : sell
  25. to deliver by some bodily action
    • gave him a push
  26. to carry out (as a bodily movement)
    • gave a cynical smile
  27. to inflict as punishment
  28. to award by formal verdict
    • judgment was given against the plaintiff
  29. to offer for consideration, acceptance, or use
    • give s no reason for his absence
  30. to suffer the loss of : sacrifice
  31. to offer as appropriate or due esp. to something higher or more worthy
    • gave his spirit to God
  32. to apply freely or fully : devote
    • gave themselves to their work
  33. to offer as a pledge
    • I give you my word
  34. to cause one to have or receive
    • mountains always gave him pleasure
  35. to cause a person to catch by contagion, infection, or exposure
  36. to allow one to have or take
    • give me time
  37. to lead or attempt to lead used with an infinitive
    • you gave me to understand you'd be late
  38. to care to the extent of
    • didn't give a hoot
  39. to make gifts or presents
  40. to yield to physical force or strain
  41. to collapse from the application of force or pressure
  42. to undergo or submit to change
    • for the strike to be settled, something has to give
  43. to afford a view or passage : open
    • the window give s onto the terrace
  44. to enter wholeheartedly into an activity
  45. to be happening
    • wants to know what give s
  46. capacity or tendency to yield to force or strain : flexibility
  47. the quality or state of being springy

giveandgo [,giv-ən-'gō] -n

  1. a play (as in basketball or hockey) in which a player passes to a teammate and immediately cuts toward the net or goal to receive a return pass

giveandtake [,giv-ən-'tāk] -n

  1. the practice of making mutual concessions : compromise
  2. a usu. good-natured exchange (as of ideas or comments)

give·away ['giv-ə-,wā] -n

  1. an unintentional revelation or betrayal
  2. something given away free
  3. premium
  4. the act of giving something away free
    • staging a promotional giveaway
  5. a radio or television program on which prizes are given away

give away -vt

  1. to make a present of
  2. to deliver (a bride) ceremonially to the bridegroom at a wedding
  3. betray
  4. disclose, reveal
  5. to give (as weight) by way of a handicap

give·back ['giv-,bak] -n

  1. a previous gain (as an increase in wages or benefits) given back to management by workers (as in a labor contract)

give back -vi

  1. retire, retreat
  2. to send in return or reply : restore, return

give in -vt

  1. deliver, submit
    • gave in his resignation
  2. to yield under insistence or entreaty : surrender

giv·en ['gi-vən] -adj

  1. prone, disposed
    • given to swearing
  2. presented as a gift : bestowed without compensation
  3. particular, specified
    • at a given time
  4. assumed as actual or hypothetical : granted
    • given that all are equal before the law
  5. having been executed : dated
  6. immediately present in experience

given -n

  1. something given
  2. something taken for granted : a basic condition or assumption
  3. in view of : considering
    • given what she knew about others' lives, how could she complain about her own? -- Marilyn French

given name -n

  1. a name that precedes one's surname
  2. first name

give off -vt

  1. to send out as a branch
  2. emit
    • gave off an unpleasant smell
  3. to branch off

give out -vt

  1. declare, publish
    • giving out that the doctor...required a few days of complete rest -- Charles Dickens
  2. to read aloud the words of (a hymn or psalm) for congregational singing
  3. emit
    • gave out a constant hum
  4. issue
    • gave out new uniforms
  5. break down, fail
  6. to become exhausted : collapse

give over -vt

  1. cease
  2. entrust
  3. to yield without restraint or control : abandon
    • gave themselves over to laughter
  4. to set apart for a particular purpose or use
  5. to pronounce incurable
  6. to cease an activity : stop
    • told him to give over and let me alone -- Brendan Behan

giv·er ['gi-vər] -n

  1. one that gives : donor

give up -vt

  1. to yield control or possession of : surrender
    • forced to give up his job
  2. to desist from : abandon
    • refused to give up her efforts
  3. to declare incurable or insoluble
  4. to abandon (oneself) to a particular feeling, influence, or activity
    • gave himself up to despair
  5. to devote to a particular purpose or use
  6. to despair of seeing
    • we'd given you up
  7. to allow (a hit or run in baseball) while pitching
  8. to cease doing or attempting something esp. as an admission of defeat : quit often used with on
    • don't give up on the project

giz·mo ['giz-(,)mō] -n

  1. gadget

giz·zard ['gi-zərd] -n

  1. the muscular enlargement of the alimentary canal of birds that has usu. thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food and when the crop is present follows it and the proventriculus
  2. a thickened part of the alimentary canal in some animals (as an insect or an earthworm) that is similar in function to the crop of a bird
  3. innards