- Jig
- Jig Jig, n. [OF. gigue a stringed instrument, a kind of dance,
F. gigue dance, tune, gig; of German origin; cf. MHG. g[=i]ge
fiddle, G. geige. Cf. {Gig} a fiddle, {Gig} a whirligig.]
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1. (Mus.) A light, brisk musical movement.
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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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.