Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.] 1. (Mus.) A light, brisk musical movement. Hot and hasty, like a Scotch jib. -- Shak. 3. A light, humorous piece of writing, esp. in rhyme; a farce in verse; a ballad. [Obs.] A jig shall be clapped at, and every rhyme Praised and applauded. --Beau. & Fl. 4. A piece of sport; a trick; a prank. [Obs.] Is't not a fine jig, A precious cunning, in the late Protector? -- Beau & Fl. 5. A trolling bait, consisting of a bright spoon and a hook attached. 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 templet to work to, as in filing. (b) (Mining) An apparatus or a machine for jigging ore. {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}.
\Jig\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Jigged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Jigging}.] 1. To sing to the tune of a jig. Jig off a tune at the tongue's end. -- Shak. 2. To trick or cheat; to cajole; to delude. --Ford. 3. (Mining) To sort or separate, as ore in a jigger or sieve. See {Jigging}, n. 4. (Metal Working) To cut or form, as a piece of metal, in a jigging machine.
\Jig\, v. i. To dance a jig; to skip about. You jig, you amble, and you lisp. -- Shak.
\Jig\, v. i. 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.