gist

UK: dʒɪst | US: dʒɪst

Definition

  1. n. the main or essential part of a matter, idea, or argument

  2. n. (Law) the real ground or substance of a legal action

Structure

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Etymology

The word "gist" originated from Old French gist, the third-person singular present tense of gesir ("to lie"), derived from Latin jacēre ("to lie down, rest"). In legal contexts, it referred to the foundational point "on which a case rests." Over time, it broadened to mean the "essential part" of any idea or argument, retaining its core sense of being the foundational or central element.

Examples

  1. She summarized the report, focusing only on the gist of the argument.

  2. I missed some details, but I understood the gist of his speech.

  3. The gist of the lawsuit was unclear to the jury.

  4. Can you give me the gist of the article in a few sentences?

  5. He explained the theory so poorly that I couldn’t grasp the gist.