gig 1
/gig/ , n. , v. , gigged, gigging .
n.
1. a light, two-wheeled one-horse carriage.
2. Naut.
a. a light boat rowed with four, six, or eight long oars.
b. a boat reserved for the use of the captain of a ship.
3. something that whirls.
4. Also called gig mill . a roller containing teasels, used for raising nap on a fabric.
5. Obs. whirligig (def. 5).
v.i.
6. to ride in a gig.
7. to raise the nap on (a fabric).
[ 1200-50; ME gigge, gig flighty girl; akin to Dan gig top; cf. Norw giga to shake about ]
gig 2
/gig/ , n. , v. , gigged, gigging .
n.
1. a device, commonly four hooks secured back to back, for dragging through a school of fish to hook them through the body.
2. a spearlike device with a long, thick handle, used for spearing fish and frogs.
v.t.
3. to catch or spear (a fish or frog) with a gig.
v.i.
4. to catch fish or frogs with a gig.
[ 1715-25; shortened from FISHGIG or FIZGIG ]
gig 3
/gig/ , n. , v. , gigged, gigging .
n.
1. an official report of a minor infraction of regulations, as in school or the army; a demerit.
2. a punishment for a minor infraction of rules.
v.t.
3. to give a gig to or punish with a gig.
[ 1940-45; orig. uncert. ]
gig 4
/gig/ , n. , v. , gigged, gigging . Slang.
n.
1. a single professional engagement, usually of short duration, as of jazz or rock musicians.
2. any job, esp. one of short or uncertain duration: a teaching gig out west somewhere.
v.i.
3. to work as a musician, esp. in a single engagement: He gigged with some of the biggest names in the business.
[ 1925-30; orig. uncert. ]