GIST Meaning of GIST in English [gist] n [AF, it lies, fr. MF, fr. gesir to lie, ultim. fr. L jacere--more at adjacent] (ca. 1711) 1: the ground of a legal action 2: the main point or part: essence "the ~ of an argument" Merriam-Webster English vocab. Английский словарь Merriam Webster. 2012