Universal joint

Joint Joint (joint), n. [F. joint, fr. joindre, p. p. joint. See {Join}.] [1913 Webster] 1. The place or part where two things or parts are joined or united; the union of two or more smooth or even surfaces admitting of a close-fitting or junction; junction; as, a joint between two pieces of timber; a joint in a pipe. [1913 Webster]

2. A joining of two things or parts so as to admit of motion; an articulation, whether movable or not; a hinge; as, the knee joint; a node or joint of a stem; a ball and socket joint. See {Articulation}. [1913 Webster]

A scaly gauntlet now, with joints of steel, Must glove this hand. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

To tear thee joint by joint. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. The part or space included between two joints, knots, nodes, or articulations; as, a joint of cane or of a grass stem; a joint of the leg. [1913 Webster]

4. Any one of the large pieces of meat, as cut into portions by the butcher for roasting. [1913 Webster]

5. (Geol.) A plane of fracture, or divisional plane, of a rock transverse to the stratification. [1913 Webster]

6. (Arch.) The space between the adjacent surfaces of two bodies joined and held together, as by means of cement, mortar, etc.; as, a thin joint. [1913 Webster]

7. The means whereby the meeting surfaces of pieces in a structure are secured together. [1913 Webster]

8. [{Jag} a notch.] A projecting or retreating part in something; any irregularity of line or surface, as in a wall. [Now Chiefly U. S.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

9. (Theaters) A narrow piece of scenery used to join together two flats or wings of an interior setting. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

10. a disreputable establishment, or a place of low resort, as for smoking opium; -- also used for a commercial establishment, implying a less than impeccable reputation, but often in jest; as, talking about a high-class joint is an oxymoron. [Slang] [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

11. a marijuana cigarette. [Slang] [PJC]

12. prison; -- used with ``the''. [Slang] `` he spent five years in the joint.'' [PJC]

{Coursing joint} (Masonry), the mortar joint between two courses of bricks or stones.

{Fish joint}, {Miter joint}, {Universal joint}, etc. See under {Fish}, {Miter}, etc.

{Joint bolt}, a bolt for fastening two pieces, as of wood, one endwise to the other, having a nut embedded in one of the pieces.

{Joint chair} (Railroad), the chair that supports the ends of abutting rails.

{Joint coupling}, a universal joint for coupling shafting. See under {Universal}.

{Joint hinge}, a hinge having long leaves; a strap hinge.

{Joint splice}, a re["e]nforce at a joint, to sustain the parts in their true relation.

{Joint stool}. (a) A stool consisting of jointed parts; a folding stool. --Shak. (b) A block for supporting the end of a piece at a joint; a joint chair.

{Out of joint}, out of place; dislocated, as when the head of a bone slips from its socket; hence, not working well together; disordered. ``The time is out of joint.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]