joint

joint / joint/ • n. 1. a point at which parts of an artificial structure are joined. ∎  Geol. a break or fracture in a mass of rock, with no relative displacement of the parts. ∎  a piece of flexible material forming the hinge of a book cover. 2. a structure in the human or animal body at which two parts of the skeleton are fitted together. ∎  each of the distinct sections of a body or limb between the places at which they are connected: the top two joints of his index finger. ∎  Brit. a large piece of meat cooked whole or ready for cooking: a joint of ham. ∎  the part of a stem of a plant from which a leaf or branch grows. ∎  a section of a plant stem between such parts; an internode. 3. inf. an establishment of a specified kind, esp. one where people meet for eating, drinking, or entertainment: a burger joint. ∎  (the joint) prison. 4. inf. a marijuana cigarette. • adj. shared, held, or made by two or more people or organizations together: the companies issued a joint statement. ∎  shared, held, or made by both houses of a bicameral legislature: a joint session of Congress a joint congressional hearing. ∎  sharing in a position, achievement, or activity: a joint winner. ∎  Law applied or regarded together. Often contrasted with several. • v. [tr.] 1. provide or fasten (something) with joints: [as adj.] (jointed) jointed lever arms. ∎  fill up the joints of (masonry or brickwork) with mortar; point. ∎  prepare (a board) for being joined to another by planing its edge. 2. cut (the body of an animal) into joints. PHRASES: out of joint (of a joint of the body) out of position; dislocated: he put his hip out of joint. ∎  in a state of disorder or disorientation: time was thrown completely out of joint.DERIVATIVES: joint·less adj.joint·ly adv.