jib

Etymology 1

Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see below).

noun

1. (nautical) A triangular staysail set forward of the foremast. In a sloop (see image) the basic jib reaches back roughly to the level of the mast.
2. (nautical, usually with a modifier) Any of a variety of specialty triangular staysails set forward of the foremast.

Etymology 2

Attested since the 1680s (also spelled jibe and gybe), perhaps from Dutch gijben (a variant of gijpen (“to turn sails suddenly”), whence certainly the form jibe) or else from Danish gibbe (“jib, jibe”), related to Swedish gippa (“jib, jibe, jerk, make jump”). Compare also Middle High German gempeln (“to spring”), Swedish guppa (“to move up and down”), Swedish gumpa (“to jump, spring”). See jump.

verb

1. (chiefly nautical) To shift, or swing around, as a sail, boom, yard, etc., as in tacking.

Etymology 3

Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortening of gibbet.

noun

1. The projecting arm of a crane.
2. (metonymically, cinematography, film) A crane used for mounting and moving a video camera.
3. An object that is used for performing tricks while skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, in-line skating, or biking. These objects are usually found in a terrain park or skate park.

Etymology 4

Uncertain, perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see above).

verb

1. To stop and refuse to go forward (usually of a horse).
   “Who calls, who calls?” cried Essper; a shout was the only answer. There was no path, but the underwood was low, and Vivian took his horse, an old forester, across it with ease. Essper’s jibbed. 1826, Benjamin Disraeli, Vivian Grey, London: Henry Colburn, published 1827, Volume 4, Book 6, page 73
   The lama jibbed at the open door of a crowded third-class carriage. ‘Were it not better to walk?’ said he weakly. 1901, Rudyard Kipling, chapter 2, in Kim
   Juno has a kindly gait. She neither jibs nor shies, though she will take a fence no more. […] 1989, Jack Vance, chapter 8, in Madouc
2. (figurative) To stop doing something, to become reluctant to proceed with an activity.
   “What say you to the young lady herself?” said Craigengelt; “the finest young woman in all Scotland, one that you used to be so fond of when she was cross, and now she consents to have you, and gives up her engagement with Ravenswood, you are for jibbing. I must say, the devil’s in ye, when ye neither know what you would have nor what you would want.” 1819, Walter Scott, chapter 28, in The Bride of Lammermoor
   Some of us began to jib when the family began to collect portraits of their new son to decorate their walls …. 1992, Hilary Mantel, A Place of Greater Safety, Harper Perennial, published 2007, pages 401–2
   The Parlement scarcely jibbed. 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 318

noun

1. One who jibs or balks, refusing to continue forward.
2. A stationary condition; a standstill.

Etymology 5

noun

1. (slang) Crystal meth.

Etymology 6

From Middle English gibbe (“a swelling or protrusion in the body”), from Old French gibbe and/or Medieval Latin gibba (“hump”).

noun

1. (slang, especially African-American Vernacular) The mouth, sometimes particularly the tongue, underlip, or tooth.

Etymology 7

noun

1. (Ireland, slang, archaic) A first-year student at the University of Dublin.
   Forgetting that the jibs, whom they insulted, were afterwards to grow into the influential men […] 1840, The University Magazine: A Literary and Philosophic Review, page 133
   [I]n a healthy environment, young Mahoney might have taken the risk, both with University and, in part, with entering the Aula for the jibs dance. 2014, Peter Guy, As Mirrors Are Lonely, page 115