gin Hear it!

gin1 definition

gin (jin)

noun

  1. a strong, aromatic alcoholic liquor distilled from rye and other grains and flavored with juniper berries
  2. a similar liquor differently flavored sloe gin
  3. Archaic alcoholic liquor generally

Etymology: < geneva

gin2 definition

gin (jin)

noun

  1. a snare, net, or trap, as for game or fish
  2. a machine for hoisting heavy objects
  3. ☆ cotton gin

Etymology: ME, ingenuity, machine, aphetic < OFr engin, engine

transitive verb ginned, ginning gin′·ning

  1. to catch in a trap
  2. to remove seeds from (cotton) with a gin
gin3 definition

gin (gin)

transitive verb, intransitive verb gan, ginning gin′·ning

Archaic to begin

Etymology: ME ginnen, aphetic form of beginnen (see begin) & onginnen (OE onginnan, to attempt)

gin4 definition

gin (gin)

conjunction

Scot. if; whether

Etymology: ? contr. < given, infl. ? by Scot prep. gin, by (a certain time)

gin5 definition

gin (jin)

noun

☆ gin rummy

intransitive verb ginned, ginning gin′·ning

☆ to win in gin rummy with no unmatched cards left in one's hand, thus gaining additional points
gin6 definition

gin (jin)

intransitive verb

Slang used only in the phrasegin up,
  1. to generate, devise, etc.
  2. to stir up, stimulate, enliven, etc.

Etymology: phr. ? < old slang gin up, to become intoxicated < ginger ()

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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