- jib
-
jib1
/jib/, n. Naut.1. any of various triangular sails set forward of a forestaysail or fore-topmast staysail. Cf. flying jib, inner jib. See diag. under ship.2. the inner one of two such sails, set inward from a flying jib.3. cut of one's jib, one's general appearance, mien, or manner: I could tell by the cut of his jib that he wasn't the kind of person I'd want to deal with.adj.4. of or pertaining to a jib: jib clew.[1655-65; orig. uncert.]jib2/jib/, v.i., v.t., jibbed, jibbing, n. Naut.jibe1.Also, jibb.jib3—jibber, n./jib/, v., jibbed, jibbing, n. Chiefly Brit.v.i.1. to move restively sidewise or backward instead of forward, as an animal in harness; balk.2. to balk at doing something; defer action; procrastinate.n.3. a horse or other animal that jibs.[1805-15; perh. special use of JIB2]jib4/jib/, n.1. the projecting arm of a crane.2. the boom of a derrick.[1755-65; appar. short for GIBBET]
* * *
▪ sailin sailing ships, triangular sail rigged to a stay extending from the foremast, or foretopmast, to the bowsprit or to a spar, the jibboom, that is an extension of the bowsprit. The jib is first known to have been used on one-masted vessels. Its use began to spread about 1600 and extended to larger war vessels about 1700. Jibs proved handy in helping to steer and were much valued—e.g., on the square-rigger, as a means of better close-hauled sailing and of setting extra sail with comparatively little labour demand. In some ships the number of jibs reached five or more, and often the jibboom itself required an extension, the flying jibboom, to carry them.Most modern sailboats lack a bowsprit or a jibboom, and the lower corner of the jib is attached to a fitting on the hull near the bow.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
