gist

[jist]

noun

1. the main or essential part of a matter.

   What was the gist of his speech?

   Synonyms: import, kernel, burden, substance, point, essence

2. the ground of a legal action.

gist

/ dʒɪst /

noun

1. the point or substance of an argument, speech, etc

2. law the essential point of an action

Word History and Origins

Origin of gist¹

First recorded in 1720–30; from Anglo-French (cest action) gist “(this matter) lies,” 3rd-person singular present of Anglo-French, Old French gesir “to lie” (compare modern French ci-gît “here lies”), ultimately from Latin jacēre; adjacent ( def. ), hic jacet ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of gist¹

C18: from Anglo-French, as in cest action gist en this action consists in, literally: lies in, from Old French gésir to lie, from Latin jacēre, from jacere to throw

Example Sentences

The 'time of their lives', is the gist.

From BBC

But that’s the gist of what they would be asked to do, which bespeaks no small amount of hubris on Newsom’s part.

From Los Angeles Times

The gist of Miller’s spiel — in fact, the worldview that he has been espousing for years — is that “illegal aliens” are responsible for all those ills, and exclusively responsible.

From Los Angeles Times

This pretty much captures the gist of the show's debut season.

From Salon

Seventeen of the UK's largest pension firms already approved the gist of these reforms in a voluntary agreement earlier this month.

From BBC

Related Words

• summary 
• tenor 
• upshot