joint
/d͡ʒɔɪnt/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.71 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Done by two or more people or organisations working together.
noun
The point where two components of a structure join rigidly.
noun
Any part of an animalian body where two bones or exoskeleton segments are abutted, in most cases allowing that part of the body to be bent or straightened.
noun
A cut of meat, especially (but not necessarily) (a) one containing a joint in the sense of an articulation or (b) one rolled up and tied.
Example Sentences
- "the joint influences of culture and climate"
- "The play was a joint production between the two companies."
- "A joint burden laid upon us all."
- "This rod is free to swing at the joint with the platform."
- "The water is leaking out of the joint between the two pipes."
- "The dovetail joint, while more difficult to make, is also quite strong."
Etymology
The noun is from Middle English joynt (attested since the late 13th century), from Old French joint (“joint of the body”) (attested since the 12th century). The adjective (attested since the 15th century) is from Old French jointiz. Both Old French words are from Latin iūnctus, the past participle of iungō. See also join, jugular, junction. Displaced Old English fōg and partially displaced English lith. The meaning of "building, establishment", especially in connection with shady activities, appeared in Anglo-Irish by 1821 and entered general American English slang by 1877, especially in the sense of "opium den". The sense "marijuana cigarette" is attested since 1935. The development to meaning "any thing" also happened to the Scots and Memphian form junt and the Mid-Atlantic/Philadelphian form jawn.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Usage
- American usage
- Slang
- Dated
- Transitive verb
- Intransitive verb
- Archaic
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Places.