jib
jib Lexical Profile
jib Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A triangular staysail set ahead of the foremast of a sailing vessel.
"The crew quickly hoisted the jib to catch the changing crosswind."
The projecting arm of a crane or derrick from which a load is suspended.
"The construction worker signaled the operator to swing the jib over the foundation."
A boom device with a camera on one end and a counterweight on the other, used in filmmaking.
"The director used a jib to get a sweeping, continuous shot over the concert crowd."
• verb
To shift a fore-and-aft sail from one side of a vessel to the other while sailing before the wind.
"The captain warned the crew to keep their heads down as they prepared to jib the mainsail."
To refuse to proceed further or comply (especially of a horse or other draft animal).
"The horse jibbed at the final jump, throwing its rider forward into the dirt."
To ride, slide, or jump on a surface other than snow, such as a rail or box (used in snowboarding and freeskiing).
"He spent the whole afternoon trying to jib the handrail at the local terrain park."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with the homophone 'jibe'; while 'jibe' means to agree or to shift course in sailing, 'jib' typically refers to the sail itself, though it is sometimes used as an alternative spelling for the sailing maneuver.
• Rhymes for jib
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 17th century. Origin unknown; perhaps related to 'gibbet' or 'jibe'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.