JIB • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Jib

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/dʒɪb/ Listen

noun

Jib n.

(Naut.) A triangular sail set upon a stay or halyard extending from the foremast or fore-topmast to the bowsprit or the jib boom. Large vessels often carry several jibs; as, inner jib; outer jib; flying jib; etc.

(Mach.) The projecting arm of a crane, from which the load is suspended.

One that jibs, or balks; a jibber.

A stationary condition; a standstill.

Jib boom (Naut.), a spar or boom which serves as an extension of the bowsprit. It is sometimes extended by another spar called the flying jib boom. (Written also gib boom)

Jib crane (Mach.), a crane having a horizontal jib on which a trolley moves, bearing the load.

Jib door (Arch.), a door made flush with the wall, without dressings or moldings; a disguised door.

Jib header (Naut.), a gaff-topsail, shaped like a jib; a jib-headed topsail.

Jib topsail (Naut.), a small jib set above and outside of all the other jibs.

The cut of one's jib, one's outward appearance. (Colloq.)

verb

Jibb, Jib v. t. & v. i. (past & past part. jibbed; pres. part. jibbing) (Chiefly Naut.) To shift, or swing round, as a sail, boom, yard, etc., as in tacking.

Jib v. i. (Written also jibb) To move restively backward or sidewise, said of a horse; to balk. (Eng.)

See images of 'Jib'

Etymology of 'Jib'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Jib" Quotes from Famous Books

... The mainsail and jib shivered, and the Curlew spun round like a top just as it seemed inevitable that she must end her career on some jagged rocks that ...

— The Ocean Wireless Boys And The Naval Code • John Henry Goldfrap, AKA Captain Wilbur Lawton

... lascars standing by for business. Our stern was pointing straight at the head of the channel; so we must turn entirely around in the puddle—and the wind blowing as described. It was done, and beautifully. It was done by help of a jib. We stirred up much mud, but did not touch the bottom. We turned right around in our tracks—a seeming impossibility. We had several casts of quarter-less 5, and one cast of half 4—27 feet; we were drawing 26 astern. By the time we were entirely around and pointed, ...

— Innocents abroad • Mark Twain

... began to shift about and came in squalls so hard that we could scarcely stand, so we took in the jib and mizzen, and lay to under the foresail. Of course the hatchways was battened down and tarpaulined, for the seas that came aboard was fearful. When I was standin' there, expectin' every moment that we should ...

— The Lively Poll - A Tale of the North Sea • R.M. Ballantyne

... arrogate to himself always the position of leader and director. He knew the proper names of many things of which the rest of us were ignorant, and, where his knowledge did not carry him, I was assured his conceit and hardihood did. To such ears as Nelly Fane's, for instance, 'Jib-boom,' 'Fore topmast-staysail,' must have an admirably knowledgeable note about them, I thought, even if ever so wrongly used. My first attack upon Fred consisted in convicting him of some such swaggering misuse of a nautical term to the which, ...

— The Record of Nicholas Freydon - An Autobiography • A. J. (Alec John) Dawson

... the steamer bound from New York to London direct, as we, my wife and I newly married, were taking a last look at the receding American shore, there appeared a gentleman who seemed by the cut of his jib startlingly French. We had under our escort a French governess returning to Paris. In a twinkle she and this gentleman had struck up an acquaintance, and much to my displeasure she introduced him to me as "Monsieur Mahoney." ...

— Marse Henry, Complete - An Autobiography • Henry Watterson

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