[jig] n [perh. fr. MF giguer to frolic, fr. gigue fiddle, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG giga fiddle; akin to ON geiga to turn aside] (ca. 1560) 1 a: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm b: music to which a jig may be danced
2: trick, game--used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up 3 a: any of several fishing devices that are jerked up and down or drawn through the water b: a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positional relationship between a piece of work and the tool or between parts of work during assembly c: a device in which crushed ore is concentrated or coal is cleaned by agitating in water -- in jig time : in a short time: quickly
[2]jig vb jigged ; jig.ging vi (1604) 1 a: to move with rapid jerky motions b: to dance a jig
2: to fish with a jig ~ vt 1: to dance in the rapid lively manner of a jig
2. a: to give a rapid jerky motion to b: to separate (a mineral or ore from waste) with a jig
3: to catch (a fish) with a jig
4: to machine by means of a jig-controlled tool operation [3]jig n [short for jigaboo black person] (1927): black 4--usu. taken to be offensive