|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
gig
gig1 / gig/ • n. 1. chiefly hist. a light two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse. 2. a light, fast, narrow boat adapted for rowing or sailing. • v. [intr.] travel in a gig. gig2 inf. • n. a live performance by or engagement for a musician or group playing popular or jazz music. ∎ a job, esp. one that is temporary or that has an uncertain future: he secured his first gig as an NFL coach. • v. (gigged , gig·ging ) [intr.] perform a gig or gigs. ∎ [tr.] use (a piece of musical equipment) at a gig. gig3 • n. a harpoonlike device used for catching fish or frogs. • v. (gigged , gig·ging ) [intr.] catch fish or frogs using such a device. gig4 • n. inf. Comput. short for gigabyte. |
|
|
Cite this article
"gig." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gig." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gig.html "gig." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gig.html |
|
gig
gig, a light, narrow ship's boat, built for speed, originally clinker built but then more usually of carvel construction, rowing four or six oars. It had steps or tabernacles for two short masts which could be shipped when required, setting two lug or lateen sails. Powered boats have long since replaced them, but some are still used for recreational purposes. In the US Navy it is the name of the captain's personal boat.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"gig." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gig." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-gig.html "gig." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-gig.html |
|
gig
gig
A. †flighty girl XIII; †whipping-top XV; †rancy, whim XVI; (dial.) fun, glee; (dial.) odd person, fool XVIII; B. (in full, gig-mill) machine for raising a nap on cloth XVI; light two-wheeled one-horse carriage; light ship's boat XVIII. All these uses may be referred to the gen. notion of light or quick movement, which is also that of the later JIG; but the history of both words is obscure. |
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "gig." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "gig." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gig.html T. F. HOAD. "gig." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gig.html |
|
gig
gig
•big, brig, dig, fig, frig, gig, grig, jig, lig, pig, prig, rig, snig, sprig, swig, tig, trig, twig, Whig, wig
•Liebig • shindig • whirligig
•thingamajig • Pfennig • Gehrig
•thimblerig • Meurig • oilrig • Leipzig
•Schleswig • bigwig • periwig • Ludwig
•earwig • Danzig • Zagazig
|
|
|
Cite this article
"gig." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gig." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-gig.html "gig." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-gig.html |
|