• 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)
    1. 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.
    2. (uncountable) gin rummy
    3. (poker) drawing the best card or combination of cards
      Johnny 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)
    1. (obsolete) A trick; a device or instrument.
    2. (obsolete) Contrivance; artifice; a trap; a snare.
    3. A snare or trap for game.
    4. 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.
    5. (mining) A hoisting drum, usually vertical; a whim.
    6. A pile driver.
    7. A windpump.
    8. A cotton gin.
    9. An instrument of torture worked with screws.

    Related terms

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To remove the seeds from cotton with a cotton gin.
    2. (transitive) To trap something in a gin.
    3. To invent (via Irish), see gin up
      The matter was a ginned up controversy

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /gɪn/

    Origin 3

    From Middle English ginnen, from Old English ginnan ("to open", "to cut open")

    Verb

    1. (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)
    1. (Australia, now considered offensive) An Aboriginal woman.

    Synonyms

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