n., adj., & v.
n. 1 a a place at which two things are joined together. b a point at which, or a contrivance by which, two parts of an artificial structure are joined. 2 a structure in an animal body by which two bones are fitted together. 3 a any of the parts into which an animal carcass is divided for food. b any of the parts of which a body is made up. 4 sl. a place of meeting for drinking etc. 5 sl. a marijuana cigarette. 6 the part of a stem from which a leaf or branch grows. 7 a piece of flexible material forming the hinge of a book-cover. 8 Geol. a fissure in a mass of rock.
adj. 1 held or done by, or belonging to, two or more persons etc. in conjunction (a joint mortgage; joint action). 2 sharing with another in some action, state, etc. (joint author; joint favourite).
v.tr. 1 connect by joints. 2 divide (a body or member) at a joint or into joints. 3 fill up the joints of (masonry etc.) with mortar etc.; trim the surface of (a mortar joint). 4 prepare (a board etc.) for being joined to another by planing its edge. joint account a bank account held by more than one person, each of whom has the right to deposit and withdraw funds. joint and several (of a bond etc.) signed by more than one person, of whom each is liable for the whole sum. joint stock capital held jointly; a common fund. joint-stock company one formed on the basis of a joint stock. out of joint 1 (of a bone) dislocated. 2 out of order. jointless adj. jointly adv.
[ ME f. OF, past part. of joindre JOIN ]