v. i. [ Connected with jibe; cf. OF. giber to shake. ] To move restively backward or sidewise, -- said of a horse; to balk. [ Written also jibb. ] [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Named from its shifting from side to side. See Jib, v. i.., Jibe. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Naut.) A triangular sail set upon a stay or halyard extending from the foremast or fore-topmast to the bowsprit or the jib boom. Large vessels often carry several jibs; as, inner jib; outer jib; flying jib; etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mach.) The projecting arm of a crane, from which the load is suspended. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One that jibs, or balks; a jibber. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

4. A stationary condition; a standstill. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Jib boom (Naut.), a spar or boom which serves as an extension of the bowsprit. It is sometimes extended by another spar called the flying jib boom. [ Written also gib boom. ] --
Jib crane (Mach.), a crane having a horizontal jib on which a trolley moves, bearing the load. --
Jib door (Arch.), a door made flush with the wall, without dressings or moldings; a disguised door. --
Jib header (Naut.), a gaff-topsail, shaped like a jib; a jib-headed topsail. --
Jib topsail (Naut.), a small jib set above and outside of all the other jibs. --
The cut of one's jib, one's outward appearance. [ Colloq. ] Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ imp. & p. p. Jibbed p. pr. & vb. n. Jibbing. ] Also . [ Cf. Jib a sail, Gybe. ] (Chiefly Naut.) To shift, or swing round, as a sail, boom, yard, etc., as in tacking. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A horse that jibs. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. (Naut.) To change a ship's course so as to cause a shifting of the boom. See Jibe, v. t., and Gybe. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To agree; to harmonize. [ Colloq. ] Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Jibed p. pr. & vb. n. Jibing ] [ Cf. Dan. gibbe, D. gijpen, v. i., and dial. Sw. gippa to jerk. Cf. Jib, n. & v. i. ] (Naut.) To shift, as the boom of a fore-and-aft sail, from one side of a vessel to the other when the wind is aft or on the quarter. See Gybe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Perh. corrupt. fr. gliff. ] [ Written also giffy. ] A moment; an instant; as, I will be ready in a jiffy. [ Colloq. ] J. & H. Smith. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. gigue a stringed instrument, a kind of dance, F. gigue dance, tune, gig; of German origin; cf. MHG. gīge fiddle, G. geige. Cf. Gig a fiddle, Gig a whirligig. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Mus.) A light, brisk musical movement. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hot and hasty, like a Scotch jig. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A light, humorous piece of writing, esp. in rhyme; a farce in verse; a ballad. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A jig shall be clapped at, and every rhyme
Praised and applauded. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A piece of sport; a trick; a prank. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Is't not a fine jig,
A precious cunning, in the late Protector? Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A trolling bait, consisting of a bright spoon and a hook attached. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Mach.) (a) A small machine or handy tool; esp.: (Metal Working) A contrivance fastened to or inclosing a piece of work, and having hard steel surfaces to guide a tool, as a drill, or to form a shield or template to work to, as in filing. (b) (Mining) An apparatus or a machine for jigging ore. [ 1913 Webster ]

Drill jig, a jig for guiding a drill. See Jig, 6 (a). --
Jig drilling,
Jig filing (Metal Working), a process of drilling or filing in which the action of the tool is directed or limited by a jig. --
Jig saw, a sawing machine with a narrow, vertically reciprocating saw, used to cut curved and irregular lines, or ornamental patterns in openwork, a scroll saw; -- called also gig saw. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Jigged p. pr. & vb. n. Jigging ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To sing to the tune of a jig. [ 1913 Webster ]

Jig off a tune at the tongue's end. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To trick or cheat; to cajole; to delude. Ford. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mining) To sort or separate, as ore in a jigger or sieve. See Jigging, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Metal Working) To cut or form, as a piece of metal, in a jigging machine. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To dance a jig; to skip about. [ 1913 Webster ]

You jig, you amble, and you lisp. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To move with a skip or rhythm; to move with vibrations or jerks.

The fin would jig off slowly, as if it were looking for nothing at all. Kipling. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]