gign.1
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ I. Something that whirls.† 1. A whipping-top. Obsolete.figurative.1630 J. Taylor Wks. ii. 79/2 For hee's the gigge of time, Whom sharpest wits haue whipt with sportful rime.1630 J. Taylor Wks. ii. 144/1 Thou Tauerne, Alehouse, Whorehouse, Gig of time, That for a groat wilt amongst Tinkers rime.† 2. A set of feathers arranged so as to revolve rapidly in the wind, for the purpose of attracting birds to a net. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > top > [noun] > whipping-top
gig1570
scourge-top1627
whip-gig1782
whip-top1801
whipping-top1809
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 525/1 Whyrlegyge, chyldys game, giraculum.]
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. xi. f. 317 This solide [Cone] of many is called Turbo, which to our purpose may be Englished a Top or Ghyg.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. i. 64 Thou disputes like an Infant: goe whip thy Gigg . View more context for this quotation
1644 in Notes & Queries 1st Ser. IX. 422/1 For four giggs and scourge sticks is.
a1657 R. Lovelace Poems (1864) 159 H' has left his apish jigs, And whipping hearts like gigs.
1692 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §130 Play-things which are above their Skill to make, as Tops, Gigs, Battledors, and the like.
1719 in T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth V. 109 I told her I'd give her a Whip for her Gig.
a1793 G. White On Weather in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1802) II. 268 The happy school-boy brings transported forth His long-forgotten scourge, and giddy gig.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fowling > fowling equipment > [noun] > decoy bird
stalec1440
stall?a1500
chanterelle1601
staling1601
gig1621
fetcha1640
call bird1686
caller1725
stool1825
playbird1878
brace-bird1885
jacky-bird1897
1621 G. Markham Hunger's Prevent. (1655) 115.
a1698 W. Blundell Crosby Rec. (1880) 272 A great help..for bringing in of larks about your net, is a gigg of feathers..which twirleth swiftly round on the least breath of wind.
1727 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Oeconomique (Dublin ed.) at Day-net
3. = gig-mill n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > putting nap on > machine
gig-mill1551
gigging-mill1789
raising gig1804
teasel1835
gig1842
gigging-machine1875
nappera1884
1842 W. T. Brande Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art 512/2 Gigs, or gig machines, are rotatory cylinders covered with wire-teeth, for teazling woollen cloth.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) Gig, Gig-mill, the machine by which the shag or nap is raised upon blankets and other cloth; also applied to the building in which the machine is worked..‘Where's your Tom now? Au! he do worky down to factory—he 've a-worked to the gig's two year’.
II. Applied to persons.† 4. A flighty, giddy girl. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > light-mindedness > [noun] > person > female
gig?c1225
gigleta1340
halok?1507
fizgiga1529
gilliea1529
flirt1562
peat1566
sluta1592
gillian flirt1593
giggle1611
filly1616
jill-flirt1627
flibbertigibbet1640
flirtigig1683
flip-flap1702
gamine1848
kitten1870
sillypop1894
frippet1908
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 153 Hunti þer efter..wið gige lachtre. Hore echȝe. wið ani lichte lates.
c1450 How Good Wijf (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 38 Fare not as a gigge, for nouȝt þat may bitide, Lauȝe þou not to loude, ne ȝane þou not to wide.
c1535 Ploughman's Tale iii. sig. C.ii Some spende her good vpon [hir] gygges And fynden hem of great aray.
1594 Willobie his Auisa xii. f. 13 Thou selfewill gig that dost detest My faithfull loue, looke to thy fame.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew (at cited word) A young Gig, a wanton Lass.
1780 F. Burney Let. June in Early Jrnls. & Lett. (2003) IV. 165 Charlotte Lewis called,—& the little Gig told all the Quarrels..she led in her Family.
5. A queer-looking figure, an oddity; dialect a fool. Chiefly Eton College slang. Cf. geck n.1, gegge n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > degree or type of mental illness > [noun] > slight madness > crankiness or eccentricity > person
fantastical1589
fantastic1598
earwig brain1599
extravagant1627
fanatic1644
energumen1660
original1675
toy-pate1702
gig1777
quiz1780
quoz?1780
rum touch1800
crotcheteer1815
pistol1828
eccentric1832
case1833
originalist1835
cure1856
crotchet-monger1874
curiosity1874
crank1881
crackpot1883
faddist1883
schwärmer1884
hard case1892
finger1899
mad hatter1905
nut1908
numéro1924
screwball1933
wack1938
fruitcake1942
odd bod1942
oddball1943
ghoster1953
raver1959
kook1960
flake1968
woo-woo1972
zonky1972
wacko1977
headbanger1981
1777 in Life Hugh Eliot (1868) iv. 124 Upon my word, Hugh, you are the greatest gig in the world.
1797 G. Colman Heir at Law iv. iii. 59 What a damn'd gig you look like... A gig? Umph! that's an Eton phrase—the Westminster call it Quiz.
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Gig, a trifling, silly, flighty fellow.
1825 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 17 416 O, France is the region of caricature, And a regular Frenchman's a gig to be sure With his apple-green breeches [etc.].
1832 T. B. Macaulay in Life & Lett. (1880) I. 265 Be you Tories, be you Whigs, You must write to sad young gigs.
1836 T. Hook Gilbert Gurney I. 193 They were what Mr. Daly..called uncommon gigs.
1856 G. J. Whyte-Melville Kate Coventry xiv Such a set of ‘gigs’, my dear, I never saw in my life..not a good-looking man amongst them.
III. Senses relating to amusement or glee.
6. † a. A fancy, joke, whim. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > jest or pleasantry > a jest or joke
gameOE
jape1377
bourda1387
mirthc1390
mowa1393
chapec1400
skauncec1440
sport?1449
popc1540
flirt1549
jest1551
merriment1576
shifta1577
facetiae1577
gig1590
pleasantry1594
lepidity1647
rallery1653
drollery1654
wit-crack1662
joco1663
pleasance1668
joke1670
jocunditya1734
quizzification1801
funniment1826
side-splitter1834
funniness1838
quizzery1841
jocularity1846
rib-tickler1855
jocosity1859
humorism1860
gag1863
gas1914
nifty1918
mirthquaker1921
rib1929
boffo1934
giggle1936
1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. C2v A right cutte of the worde, without gigges or fancies of hæreticall and newe opinions.
1600 J. Lane Tom Tel-Troths Message 118 New gigges for a countrie clowne.
1607 R. Parker Scholasticall Disc. against Antichrist i. i. 16 It is a common gigge to shift of all things brought against this filthee Idoll.
a1625 J. Fletcher Humorous Lieut. iv. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Sss3/1 I must goe see him presently, For this is such a gig.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 204 Any idle tale, or gigge of a geering, gibing wit.
1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) III. 321 They put a gigg in the gravest scull And send their wits to gather wool.
1821 Joseph the Book-man 111 One talk'd of life's most funny rigs, And much enlarg'd on pleasing gigs.
b. Fun, merriment, glee. in high gig, on the (high) gig: in a state of boisterous hilarity; also dialect eager, impatient. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > merriment > [noun]
dreamOE
man-dreamOE
gleea1200
galec1200
bauderyc1386
oliprancec1390
cheera1393
gaynessc1400
disportc1405
joyousitiea1450
festivitya1500
lakea1500
gaiety1573
merriment1574
jucundity1575
galliardise?1577
jouissance1579
merrymake1579
jolliment1590
mirth1591
jollyhead1596
spleen1598
jocantry16..
geniality1609
jovialty1621
jocundry1637
gaietry1650
sport1671
fun1726
galliardism1745
gig1777
merrymaking1779
hilarity1834
rollick1852
1777 F. Burney Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1990) II. 271 The Girls, Betsy & Beckey, were upon the high Gig all the Time, for they enjoyed seeing me thus whisked about.
1807 Oracle in Spirit of Public Jrnls. (1809) XII. 45 I tells you Common Garden's the gig, the go, and the finish.
1813 T. Moore Intercepted Lett. iii. 21 We were all in high gig—Roman Punch and Tokay Travelled round, till our heads travelled just the same way.
1819 ‘R. Rabelais’ Abeillard & Heloisa 36 Being so full of gig and glee Begins her speech with He! He! He!
c1830 in Besant 50 Yrs. Ago 134 A laughter-loving lass of eighteen who dearly loved a bit of gig.
1876 C. C. Robinson Gloss. Words Dial. Mid-Yorks. Gig, a state of flurry; ‘He's on the gig to be off.’
Compounds
gig-fair n. local (see quot. 1829) ? Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1829 S. Glover Hist. County of Derby I. 271 Fairs for shows, ribands, toys, &c. commonly called holiday or gig fairs.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
gign.2
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ 1. A light two-wheeled one-horse carriage.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > carriage for conveying persons > [noun] > types of carriage > light carriage > two-wheeled
timwhisky1768
whisky1769
gig1791
rib chair1795
shandry1802
trap1807
tilbury1814
dennet1818
chaise-cart1821
spring-cart1823
go-cart1824
jockey-cart1840
guinguette1852
Catherine1861
croydon1880
stolkjaerre1885
Ralli car1886
1791 ‘G. Gambado’ Ann. Horsemanship v. 24 Airing, en famille, in a gig, accompanied with a husband and three children.
1796 Grose's Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (ed. 3)
1809 Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 14 755 Let the former riders in gigs and whiskeys and one-horsed carriages continue to ride in them.
1838 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. Solit. Man in Tales & Sketches (1879) 84 Spruce gigs rattling past.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. v. 51 In the carriage, mind you, not in the gig driven by a groom.
1889 G. N. Hooper in Duke of Beaufort et al. Driving (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) 379 Gigs are considered equally suitable for London and country use.
2.
a. Nautical. A light, narrow, clinker-built ship's boat, adapted either for rowing or sailing. Also cutter-gig, whale-gig.Not in Falconer Dict. Marine 1780.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessels propelled by oars or poles > [noun] > vessels propelled by oars and sails > gig
light horseman1589
gig1790
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > boat attendant on larger vessel > [noun] > ship's boat > types of
float-boat1322
cocka1400
cockboat1413
longboat1421
cogc1430
cog boat1440
espyne1487
jolywat1495
barge1530
fly-boat1598
gondola1626
cocket-boat1668
yawl1670
whale-boat1682
pinnace1685
launch1697
jolly-boat1728
cutter1745
gig1790
pram1807
jolly1829
whaler1893
1790 J. Wolcot Advice to Future Laureat in Wks. (1812) II. 338 That by its painter drags the Gig or Yawl.
1801 in Ld. Nelson Dispatches & Lett. (1845) IV. 325 Lord Nelson repaired in his gig (his usual conveyance) on board of our Ship.
1816 ‘Quiz’ Grand Master i. 24 Tis number sixty-five—a wig—O d——n the number! man the gig.
1860 L. Oliphant Narr. Earl of Elgin's Mission China & Japan I. 71 Customhouse guards..have a proper respect for a British man-of-war's gig.
1874 F. G. D. Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. vi. 169 Cutter Gig, Whale Gig.
b. A modified form of the ship's gig, used, esp. on the Thames, as a rowing boat, chiefly for racing purposes.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessels propelled by oars or poles > [noun] > rowing boat > light or racing
boat1829
torpid1838
wager-boat1844
skiff1845
slogger1852
whiff1859
gig1865
best boat1866
shell1867
ship1878
sculling four1885
rum-tum1891
Togger1891
1865 [see gig-eight n. at Compounds 1c].
1881 Sportsman's Year-bk. 100 A heavy pair-oared gig.
1882 Times (Weekly ed.) 16 June 2/1 The steam-launches and gigs of the Thames police may with noiseless vigilance patrol the waters.
1888 W. B. Woodgate Boating (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) xi. 143 Many regattas offered prizes for pair oars with coxwains in outrigged gigs.
c. Short for gigsman n. at Compounds 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > types of sailor > [noun] > sailor on other types of craft
brigantiner1555
gondolier1603
collier1716
Greenlandman?1785
junkman1795
surfman1816
Whitehaller1824
gig1833
yawler1833
coracler1834
keel-boatman1839
square-rigger1855
surf boatman1856
skiffman1868
flatman1883
yawlsman1885
packet rat1887
hookerman1894
scooterist1919
launchman1924
sampan-wallah1932
tanker man1932
hydrocyclist-
1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle's Log xviii, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 185/1 One of the Captain's gigs, the handsome black already introduced on the scene.
3. A wooden box or chamber, with two compartments, one above the other, used by miners in ascending and descending a pit-shaft. Also = kibble n.3
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > mining equipment > [noun] > box or block for lowering miners
horse1747
gig1881
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 137 Gig. See Kibble.
1883 B'ham Weekly Post 18 Aug. 4/3 Thirteen men placed themselves in the gig to be drawn to the surface from a depth of about 1,300 feet.
Compounds
General attributive. C1. Simple attributive.
a. (In sense 1.)
gig-apron n.
ΚΠ
1869 Daily News 10 Dec. Stetham and Co. have gutta percha in the shape of gig-aprons and dumb jockeys.
gig-cushion n.
ΚΠ
1843 T. C. Haliburton Attaché I. xi. 195 The lawyer took a stretch for it on the bench, with his gig cushions for a pillar.
gig harness n.
ΚΠ
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Gig-saddle, the saddle belonging to a set of single-horse carriage or gig-harness.
gig-horse n.
ΚΠ
1835 D. Booth Analyt. Dict. Eng. Lang. 304 Coach-horse, Carriage-horse, Gig-horse, &c.
1882 Ogilvie's Imperial Dict. (new ed.) Gig-horse, a horse that draws a gig.
gig-house n.
ΚΠ
1829 ‘D. Conway’ Journey Norway 151 There was also attached..a coach or gig-house and a garden.
gig-umbrella n.
ΚΠ
1883 C. Reade Tit for Tat in Harper's Mag. Jan. 252/2 The lady..came out to her, and a servant and a gig umbrella.
gig-whip n.
ΚΠ
1830 Chron. 24 Aug. in Ann. Reg. (1831) 137/2 Captain Smith, having jumped out of it, with the gig-whip in his hand.
1843 M. J. Higgins Ess. (1875) 39 Albert..takes up a gig-whip, but does not use it.
b.
gig-ways adv.
ΚΠ
1832 J. Hodgson in J. Raine Mem. (1858) II. 258 If you come gig-ways pray bring with you Raine's Testamenta.
c. (In sense 2b.)
gig-eight n.
ΚΠ
1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 23 May 110 We may imagine..the raws and blisters that he endured, ere he was qualified to progress from the coaching tub to a seat in the gig eight.
gig-race n.
ΚΠ
1888 W. B. Woodgate Boating (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) xi. 144 This system..caused gig races to be fruitful sources of squabbles.
gig-sculling n.
ΚΠ
1887 Sporting Life (Philadelphia) 30 June 4/6 No sculling boats had been engaged for the scratch gig sculling race.
C2. Similative. (In sense 2b.)
gig-built adj.
ΚΠ
1896 Daily News 5 Aug. 3/3 Mr. J. E. M...happened to be with some friends in a large gig-built boat close by.
C3.
gig-bishop n. a bishop who rides in a gig instead of a carriage.
ΚΠ
1852 S. G. Osborne in Times 3 Nov. Divide the dioceses into manageable districts, and have what I will call ‘gig bishops’.
1897 Tablet 4 Sept. 384 The Suffragans, or ‘gig-bishops’, as the late Mr. Rogers used to call them.
gig-box n. a box in the seat of a gig.
ΚΠ
1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle's Log I. vii. 199 Fyall ordered Jupiter to bring a case from his gig-box, containing some capital brandy.
gig-pair n. a gig fitted for two rowers.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessels propelled by oars or poles > [noun] > rowing boat > for specific number of rowers
a pair of oars1598
ten1642
four-oar1844
pair-oar1853
six-oar1856
two-oar1857
four1861
sixern1866
gig-pair1869
pair1885
eight1898
1869 Echo 9 Feb. 3/4 He daily has one or two out in the gig-pairs.
gig-road n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1824 Times 7 Jan. 3/5 That is the gig-road toward's Batler's-green.
1883 Standard 9 Nov. 2/2 The road is not a working road, but what they call a gig road.
gig-saddle n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Gig-saddle, a small saddle used with carriage-harness, and carrying the terrets for the driving-reins and the check-hook for the bearing-rein.
Categories »
gigsman n. one of the crew of a ship's gig.
gig-tree n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Gig-tree, the frame of a gig or harness saddle.
gig-work n. practice in rowing in a gig.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [noun] > rowing > in specific type of boat
skiffing1869
gig-work1898
1898 Daily News 20 Jan. 3/4 All the candidates indulged in long bouts of gig work.
Derivatives
gig-ful n. as many as a gig will hold.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > [noun] > all the people on board a ship > as many as a gig will hold
gig-ful1848
1848 J. Mackintosh Diary in Macleod Mem. (1854) vi. 154 Two gigfuls of fishers passed me.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† gign.3
Obsolete. rare.
? A squeaking noise.
ΚΠ
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame (Fairf.) iii. 852 And euer mo so swyft as thought This queynt hous about went..And al thys hous..was made of twigges..That for the swough and for the twynges [read twyges] This house was also [= as] ful of gyges And also ful eke of chirkynges As [etc.].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
gign.4
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ A kind of fish-spear; = fish-gig n., fizgig n. 4. Also U.S., ‘An arrangement of four barbless hooks, fastened back to back, and attached to a hand-line, used for catching fish by dragging it through a school’ ( Funk's Stand. Dict.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > spear > [noun]
pricka1350
garfanglec1440
wawsper1472
spear1551
waster1580
fizgig1589
visgee1593
fish-spear1611
glaive1640
fish-giga1642
gaff1656
gig1705
lance1728
sticker1772
graina1818
picaroon1837
pickpole1837
fishing-spear1840
lily-iron1852
gambeering iron1883
mackerel gaff1883
1705 R. Beverley Hist. Virginia ii. v. 34 At each End of the Canoe stands an Indian, with a Gig, or pointed Spear, setting the Canoe forward with the Butt-end of the Spear, as gently as he can, by that Means stealing upon the Fish, without any Noise.
1770 J. Cook Jrnl. 23 Aug. (1955) I. 396 They have wooden fish gigs with 2, 3 or 4 prongs each very ingeniously made with which they strike fish.
1807 P. Gass Jrnls. 228 Two men are trying to take some of the fish with a gig.
1877 G. Gibbs Tribes Washington 195 The spring salmon are taken..in the small streams either with the scoop-net or with a gig.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† gign.5
Obsolete.
(See quots.)
ΚΠ
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 106/1 A Gigge is a hole in the Ground where Fire is made to dry the Flax.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Gigge.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gign.6
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ colloquial.
An engagement for a musician or musicians playing jazz, dance music, etc.; spec. a ‘one-night stand’; (also) the place of such a performance. Also transferred and attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > a performance > [noun] > engagement
gig1926
1926 Melody Maker Sept. 7 One popular ‘gig’ band makes use of a nicely printed booklet.
1927 Melody Maker May 457/3 This seven-piece combination does many ‘gigs’ in S.E. London, but is hoping to secure a resident engagement at Leamington in the near future.
1934 S. R. Nelson All about Jazz vi. 113 Jack runs numerous bands which play ‘gig’ work—i.e. private engagements or public work. In his office, he has a file in which some hundreds of ‘gig’ musicians are listed.
1963 L. Hairston in Freedomways Winter 51 Pa—knockin' hisself out on a mail-handler gig at the Post Office where the pay is so lousy he's gotta work a part-time gig.
1965 G. Melly Owning-up vii. 80 Another Proustian gig was the Civic Hall, Nantwich. We played there fairly regularly right through the 'fifties.
1969 Observer 12 Jan. 31/5 Leading groups will be given two hours in which to play what they want, without the limitations imposed by commercial gigs.
Derivatives
ˈgigster n. one who does ‘gigs’.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > [noun] > player of gigs
gigster1939
1939 Melody Maker 9 Sept. When King George died there was terrible confusion, especially among gigsters, as to whether they should fulfil their gigs or not.
Draft additions December 2021
A job; an occupation. Now spec.: a temporary job, performed on a freelance, informal, or on-demand basis, esp. one that has an uncertain future: cf. gig work n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > position or job > [noun]
steadc1000
noteOE
officec1300
ministry?a1475
rooma1485
placea1500
roomth1544
place1558
post1562
berth1720
situation1766
job1781
sit1853
spot1859
billet1870
engagement1884
shop1885
gig1908
lurk1916
possie1916
number1928
site1930
sits vac1945
hat1966
society > occupation and work > work > [noun] > temporary or casual work
notec1350
jobbery1832
catchwork1856
grass1888
in and out work1903
gig work2004
gig2015
1908 H. Green Maison de Shine 48 ‘What's your game?’ The Property Man's tone was rather unpleasant. ‘I'm champion paper tearer of the West.’.. ‘What kind o' gig is that?’
1957 H. Simmons Corner Boy i. xxix. 100 Ain't no other gig in town I can make this kind of bread.
1986 W. Balliett Amer. Musicians (1990) 256 She was..willing to take a gig as a nurse's aide at thirty dollars a week.
2015 Observer 29 Nov. (New Review) 14/2 I lost my job in the recession of 2009... Apart from having to go back to a nine-to-five job for one year in 2012, I have only worked gigs ever since.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1972; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† gigv.1
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ a. intransitive. (Sense obscure: see etymological note.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (intransitive)] > cause or come to a state
comeeOE
i-teon975
sort1543
gig1647
1647 J. Cleveland Poems in Char. London-diurnall (Wing C4662) 43 No wonder they'l confesse, no losse of men; For Rupert knocks 'em, till they gigg agen.
1690 J. Dryden Amphitryon Prol. sig. Aiv Yet in Lampoons, you Libel one another. The first produces still, a second Jig; You whip em out, like School-boys, till they gig: And, with the same success..For, ev'ry one, still dwindles to a less.
b. transitive. (Sense obscure: see etymological note.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > give rise to
makeOE
breedc1200
wakea1325
wakenc1330
engendera1393
gendera1398
raisea1400
begetc1443
reara1513
ingener1513
ingenerate1528
to stir upc1530
yield1576
to pull ona1586
to brood up1586
to set afloat (on float)1586
spawn1594
innate1602
initiate1604
inbreed1605
irritate1612
to give rise to1630
to let in1655
to gig (out)1659
to set up1851
gin1887
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 185 One question gigs out another. We shall never end.
1677 J. Lake & S. Drake in J. Cleveland Clievelandi Vindiciæ Ep. Ded. sig. A4 How many of their slight productions may be gigged out of one of his pregnant Words?
1690 J. Dryden Amphitryon iii. 27 Sosia. You, my Lord Amphitryon, may have brought forth another You my Lord Amphitryon..and our Diamonds may have procreated these Diamonds... Phædra. If this be true, I hope my Goblet has gigg'd another Golden Goblet.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gigv.2
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > movements or steps > [verb (intransitive)] > specific movements
gambol1508
gig1693
reverse1859
hesitate1914
1693 J. Dryden tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires vi. 106 The Rank Matrons, Dancing to the Pipe, Gig with their Bums.
2. transitive. To move backwards and forwards. Chiefly U.S.; also technical in to gig back (the carriage of a sawmill after the cut is made). Cf. jig v.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > move to and fro or up and down [verb (transitive)]
work1617
reciprocate1653
pump1803
gig1815
dodge1820
pumphandle1851
trombone1879
yo-yo1973
1815 Niles' Weekly Reg. 16 Sept. 36/1 The carriages run upon cast racks, are propelled by the improved short hand and gigged backwards by bevel wheels, in the manner of the best mills.
1874 W. M. Baines Narr. E. Crewe viii. 180 This carriage [to the frame-saw] could be ‘gigged’ backwards or forwards or fed forwards.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. II. 965/2 The motion is imparted by the crank and pitman, and the spring above gigs back the saw, keeping it strained on its upward stroke.
1877 Lumberman's Gaz. 8 Dec. 362 These gangs [i.e. of saws]..convert whole logs into lumber as they pass through—thus obviating the necessity of ‘gigging back’.
1886 Hotchkiss in Encycl. Brit. XXI. 345/1 A rope..passing over pulleys in the floor to a drum beneath, so arranged as to be under the control of the sawyer in its feeding movement or in reversal to ‘gig’ the carriage back to its first position.
1887 Microscope VII. 333 Gently gig the glass back and forth.
Compounds
gig-back n. (see quot.)
ΚΠ
1893 I. K. Funk et al. Standard Dict. Eng. Lang. I Gig-back, a device by which a sawmill carriage is run back after the cut has been made, usually much more rapidly than during the forward motion.
gig-saw (see quot.)
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Gig-saw, a thin saw to which a rapid vertical reciprocation is imparted.
Derivatives
ˈgigging n. in quot. 1887 attributive.
ΚΠ
1887 Microscope VII. 335 The..diatoms are again transferred to the crystal gigging glass.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
gigv.3
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ transitive. To raise the nap of (cloth) with a gig. Also in combinations, as gig-drum, gig-machine, gig-wheel.
ΚΠ
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1320 Several French schemes have been mounted for making the gig-drum act upon the two sides of the cloth.
1842 G. W. Francis Dict. Arts Gig Wheel, a mill in which the nap of woollen cloth is raised by the application of teasles.
1842 W. T. Brande Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art 512/2 Gigs, or gig machines, are rotatory cylinders covered with wire-teeth, for teazling woollen cloth.
Derivatives
ˈgigger n. one who works a gigging-machine.
ˈgigging n. also attributive as gigging-machine, gigging-mill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > putting nap on > machine
gig-mill1551
gigging-mill1789
raising gig1804
teasel1835
gig1842
gigging-machine1875
nappera1884
1789 Trans. Soc. Arts 7 195 Mills, called here Gigging-Mills..worked by men turning them backward and forward, till the wool is sufficiently opened for use.
1875 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Gigging-machine, a machine for dressing woolen cloth by subjecting it to the action of teasels, whose fine hooks draw the loose fibres to the surface.
18.. Fibre & Fabric V. 20 A man who can take charge of dyeing, scouring, fulling and gigging in a small country mill.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† gigv.4
Obsolete. rare.
transitive. ? To befool, hoax.
ΚΠ
1795 Poetry in Ann. Reg. 153 Gigg'd by their neighbours, gull'd of all their cash.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gigv.5
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ a. transitive. To spear (fish) with a gig.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (transitive)] > catch fish with spear
poach1602
dart1624
peg1735
spear1755
harpoon1774
gig1816
spritsail-yard1833
gaff1844
grain1892
spear-fish1962
1816 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 569 The Indians sometimes gig them [porpoises].
b. intransitive. ‘To fish with a gig or fishgig’ (Webster 1828–32).
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gigv.6
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ intransitive. To ride or travel in a gig. Also to gig it.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > riding in a vehicle > ride in a vehicle [verb (intransitive)] > ride in a wheeled vehicle > in specific type of horse-drawn vehicle
wagon1606
caroche1620
chariot1628
coach1631
to chaise it1792
gig1807
hack1879
buckboard1904
car1907
stolkjaerre1932
1807 T. Moore Mem. (1856) VIII. 65 To-day I gig it to Ashby.
1823 Countess Granville Let. 17 Oct. (1894) I. 229 I am enchanted, I have gigged round the new road.
1827 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) IV. 479 We had first two miles' walk, then two miles' gigging.
1829 P. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 3 Lost the coach, and had to gig it home.
1860 All Year Round 14 Jan. 280 A young doctor gigging it at an express-train velocity.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gigv.7
/ɡɪɡ/, U.S. /ɡɪɡ/ colloquial.
intransitive. To do a ‘gig’ or ‘gigs’ (see gig n.6); frequently to gig around (see quot. 1939).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > play gigs
gig1939
1939 C. E. Smith in Ramsey & Smith Jazzmen (1940) xiii. 267 To gig around meant to play for small parties, week-end engagements, and the like.
1949 L. Feather Inside Be-bop iii. 77 [He] gigs around New York with Chubby Jackson, Lennie Tristano, Benny Goodman.
1949 L. Feather Inside Be-bop iii. 92 Settling in California, [he] gigged with Boyd Raeburn, [etc.].
Derivatives
ˈgigging n.
ΚΠ
1952 B. Ulanov Hist. Jazz in Amer. xviii. 227 He had the usual Gotham gigging beginning.
1959 ‘F. Newton’ Jazz Scene xii. 222 He had to earn his living as a blueprint inspector, occasionally gigging in his spare time.
1967 Crescendo Feb. 12/2 Buy Professor Jacko's ‘Gig-Book For All Occasions’. Gives melody line, chords and starting note for complete evening's gigging.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1972; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1?c1225n.21790
n.3c1384
n.41705n.51688n.61908v.11647
v.21693v.31789v.41795v.51816v.61807v.71939- beauty-manner
- beauty-mock
- beauty-proof
- beauty-waning
- beauty-worshipper
- beautybeaming
- beautyberry
- beautyblushing
- beautyclad
- beautydom
- beautyhood
- beautyintheghost
- beautylover
- beautymanner
- beautymock
- beautyproof
- beautyship
- beautywaning
- beautyworshipper
- beauté du diable
- beauvais
- beauvais tapestry
- beaux
- beaux arts
- beaux gestes