just

Etymology 1

From Middle English juste, from Old French juste, from Latin iūstus (“just, lawful, rightful, true, due, proper, moderate”), from Proto-Italic *jowestos, related to Latin iūs (“law, right”); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-. Compare Scots juist (“just”), Saterland Frisian juust (“just”), West Frisian just (“just”), Dutch juist (“just”), German Low German jüst (“jüst”), German just (“just”), Danish just (“just”), Swedish just (“just”). Doublet of giusto.

adj

1. Factually right, correct; factual.
   It is a just assessment of the facts.
2. Rationally right, correct.
3. Morally right; upright, righteous, equitable; fair.
   It looks like a just solution at first glance.
   Here is a Proclamation for a Prince: that proclaims him in whoſe name it is emitted James II of England], to be the greateſt Tyrant that ever lived in the world, and their Revolt who have diſowned him to be the juſteſt that ever was. 1744, Alexander Shiels [i.e., Alexander Shields], “Period VI. Containing the Testimony through the Continued Tract of the Present Deformation, from the Year 1660 to this Day.”, in A Hind Let Loose: Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland, for the Interest of Christ; with the True State thereof in All Its Periods: …, Edinburgh: Reprinted by R. Drummond and Company, and sold by William Gray bookbinder in the Grassmarket, and several others, &c., →OCLC, pages 167–168
4. Proper, adequate.

adv

1. Only, simply, merely.
   Plant just a few tomatoes, unless you can freeze or dry them.
   He calls it vermilion, but it's just red to me.
   Philander went into the next room, which was just a lean-to hitched on to the end of the shanty, and came back with a salt mackerel that dripped brine like a rainstorm. Then he put the coffee pot on the stove and rummaged out a loaf of dry bread and some hardtack. 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 8, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
   From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much.[…] But viewed from high up in one of the growing number of skyscrapers in Sri Lanka’s capital, it is clear that something extraordinary is happening: China is creating a shipping hub just 200 miles from India’s southern tip. 2013-06-08, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52
   Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. 2013-06-14, Sam Leith, “Where the profound meets the profane”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 1, page 37
   1. Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned.
      I spent two hours cooking my favorite recipe, just to burn the rice and ruin the meal.
      I helped him out just for him to betray me.
2. (sentence adverb) Used to reduce the force of an imperative; simply.
   Just follow the directions on the box.
3. Used to convey a less serious or formal tone
   I just called to say "hi".
4. Used to show humility.
   Lord, we just want to thank You and praise Your Name.
5. (degree) absolutely, positively
   It is just splendid!
   just fine
6. Moments ago, recently.
   They just left, but you may leave a message at the desk.
   Philander went into the next room[…]and came back with a salt mackerel[…]. Next he put the mackerel in a fry-pan, and the shanty began to smell like a Banks boat just in from a v'yage. 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 8, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
7. By a narrow margin; closely; nearly.
   The fastball just missed my head!
   The piece just might fit.
   Nanny Broome was looking up at the outer wall. Just under the ceiling there were three lunette windows, heavily barred and blacked out in the normal way by centuries of grime. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 14, in The China Governess
8. Exactly, precisely, perfectly.
   He wants everything just right for the big day.
   Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about, they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. 2013-06-22, “Engineers of a different kind”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 70

intj

1. (slang) Expressing dismay or discontent.

Etymology 2

Variation of joust, presumably ultimately from Latin iuxta (“near, besides”).

noun

1. A joust, tournament.
   Justs and tilts were held here weekly, while the great tourneys that occurred less often were given upon a field outside the castle wall upon the floor of the valley. 1928, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter 11, in Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, 1st edition, page 139

verb

1. To joust, fight a tournament.