I. ˈjīənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English geaunt, giaunt, from Middle French geant, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin gagant-, gagas, alteration of Latin gigant-, gigas, from Greek
1. : a legendary manlike being of huge stature and great strength and of more than mortal but less than godlike power and endowment
2.
a.
(1) : a person of unusual stature or size
a fair-haired young giant , slim and lean-faced — Liam O'Flaherty
perceived the inner worth of the gaunt frontier giant — Charles Lee
(2) : a person exhibiting gigantism
troupe of tiny people with a seven-foot giant — American Guide Series: Washington
b. : a person of extraordinary powers or endowments
one of the nation's journalistic giants — J.A.Morris b.1904
one of the giants of his times … he imparted to his students his own contagious enthusiasm for literature — N.M.Pusey
3. : something unusually large or powerful
too small a crew to handle the clumsy giant he commanded — Frank Yerby
the tools needed … were among the giants of the forging industry — E.A.Mossein
imposes setbacks on its architectural giants to let a little light and air into the city — Flora Lewis
it rolls, with irresistible power, majestic and silent; a young giant among rivers — Tom Marvel
4. : giant star
5. : a large nozzle used in hydraulic mining
II. adjective
1. : resembling a giant : characterized by unusual size, proportion, scope, strength, power, or significance : extremely large
the giant corporation whose activities spread over many fields — R.B.Heflebower
behind the local broadcasting station is the giant network — Stuart Chase
time has not staled his giant intellect — Saturday Review
they battle through bitter cold and giant drifts — Newsweek
2. of a plant or animal : extremely large as contrasted with members of related species or varieties
Synonyms: see huge