Gin
Origin 1
Abbreviation of geneva or alternatively from Dutch genever ("juniper") from the Old French genevre (French genièvre), from Latin iūniperus ("juniper"). Hence Gin rummy (first attested 1941).
Noun
gin
(countable and uncountable; plural gins)- A colourless non-aged alcoholic liquor made by distilling fermented grains such as barley, corn, oats or rye with juniper berries; the base for many cocktails.
- (uncountable) gin rummy
- (poker) drawing the best card or combination of cardsJohnny Chan held jack-nine, and hit gin when a queen-ten-eight board was dealt out.
Derived terms
Related terms
Pronunciation
- enPR: jÄn, IPA: /dʒɪn/
- Rhymes: -ɪn
- Homophones: djinn
Origin 2
Aphetism of Old French engin ("engine").
Full definition of gin
Noun
gin
(plural gins)- (obsolete) A trick; a device or instrument.
- (obsolete) Contrivance; artifice; a trap; a snare.
- A snare or trap for game.
- A machine for raising or moving heavy objects, consisting of a tripod formed of poles united at the top, with a windlass, pulleys, ropes, etc.
- (mining) A hoisting drum, usually vertical; a whim.
- A pile driver.
- A windpump.
- A cotton gin.
- An instrument of torture worked with screws.
Verb
Pronunciation
- IPA: /gɪn/
Origin 3
From Middle English ginnen, from Old English ginnan ("to open", "to cut open")
Verb
- (archaic) To begin.
Origin 4
From Dharug dyin, but having acquired a derogatory tone.
R. M. W. Dixon, Australian Aboriginal Words'', Oxford University Press, 1990, ISBN 0-19-553099-3, page 167.
Noun
gin
(plural gins)- (Australia, now considered offensive) An Aboriginal woman.
- 1869, Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia, Volume 1, %22gns%22+australia+OR+aboriginal+-intitle:%22%22+-inauthor:%22%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=enFdT6a1BcjtmAWIyLnGDw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22gin%22|%22gns%22%20australia%20OR%20aboriginal%20-intitle%3A%22%22%20-inauthor%3A%22%22&f=false page 273,His next shot was discharged amongst the mob, and most unfortunately wounded the gin already mentioned ; who, with a child fastened to her back, slid down the bank, and lay, apparently dying, with her legs in the water.
- 1988, Tom Cole, Hell West and Crooked, Angus & Robertson, 1995, p.179,Dad said Shoesmith and Thompson had made one error that cost them their lives by letting the gins into the camp, and the blacks speared them all.
- 2008, Bill Marsh, Jack Goldsmith, Goldie: Adventures in a Vanishing Australia, %22gns%22+australia+OR+aboriginal+-intitle:%22%22+-inauthor:%22%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6HddT9uPIenQmAX2xq3PDw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22gin%22|%22gns%22%20australia%20OR%20aboriginal%20-intitle%3A%22%22%20-inauthor%3A%22%22&f=false unnumbered page,But there was this gin there, see, what they called a kitchen girl.