jib 1
/jib/ , n. Naut.
1. any of various triangular sails set forward of a forestaysail or fore-topmast staysail. Cf. flying jib, inner jib . See diag. under ship .
2. the inner one of two such sails, set inward from a flying jib.
3. cut of one's jib , one's general appearance, mien, or manner: I could tell by the cut of his jib that he wasn't the kind of person I'd want to deal with.
adj.
4. of or pertaining to a jib: jib clew.
[ 1655-65; orig. uncert. ]
jib 2
/jib/ , v.i., v.t., jibbed, jibbing , n. Naut.
jibe 1 .
Also, jibb .
jib 3
— jibber , n.
/jib/ , v. , jibbed, jibbing , n. Chiefly Brit.
v.i.
1. to move restively sidewise or backward instead of forward, as an animal in harness; balk.
2. to balk at doing something; defer action; procrastinate.
n.
3. a horse or other animal that jibs.
[ 1805-15; perh. special use of JIB 2 ]
jib 4
/jib/ , n.
1. the projecting arm of a crane.
2. the boom of a derrick.
[ 1755-65; appar. short for GIBBET ]