I. ˈjig noun
Etymology: perhaps from Middle French giguer to frolic, from gigue fiddle, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gīga fiddle; akin to Old Norse geiga to turn aside
Date: circa 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
II. verb
( jigged ; jig·ging )
Date: 1604
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to move with rapid jerky motions
b. : to dance a jig
2. : to fish with a jig
transitive verb
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
III. noun
Etymology: short for jigaboo black person
Date: 1927
usually offensive : black 4