gig

English

/ɡɪɡ/

noun
Definitions
  • (informal) A performing engagement by a musical group; or, generally, any job or role, especially for a musician or performer.
  • (informal) Any job; especially one that is temporary; or alternately, one that is very desirable.
  • A forked spear for catching fish, frogs, or other small animals.
  • (historical) A two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage.
  • (South England) A six-oared sea rowing boat commonly found in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
  • (watercraft) An open boat used to transport the captain of a ship, the captain's gig.
  • (US) A demerit received for some infraction of military dress or deportment codes.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English gige (fiddle), *gygge.

Origin

Middle English

*gygge

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms