Joint

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dʒɔɪnt/
• Rhymes: -ɔɪnt

Origin

The noun is from Middle English (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 iunctus, the past participle of iungo. See also join, jugular.

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.

Full definition of joint

Adjective

1. Done by two or more people or organisations working together.The play was a joint production between the two companies.
• ShakespeareA joint burden laid upon us all.

Derived terms

Noun

1. The point where two components of a structure join, but are still able to rotate.This rod is free to swing at the joint with the platform.
2. The point where two components of a structure join rigidly.The water is leaking out of the joint between the two pipes.
3. (anatomy) Any part of the body where two bones join, in most cases allowing that part of the body to be bent or straightened.
4. The means of securing together the meeting surfaces of components of a structure.The dovetail joint, while more difficult to make, is also quite strong.
5. A cut of meat.Set the joint in a roasting tin and roast for the calculated cooking time.
6. The part or space included between two joints, knots, nodes, or articulations.a joint of cane or of a grass stem; a joint of the leg
7. (geology) A fracture in which the strata are not offset; a geologic joint.
8. (originally slang) A restaurant, bar, nightclub or similar business.It was the kind of joint you wouldn't want your boss to see you in.
9. (slang) (always with "the") prisonI'm just trying to stay out of the joint.
10. (slang) A marijuana cigarette.After locking the door and closing the shades, they lit the joint.

Synonyms

• (point where two components join, but are able to rotate) hinge, pivot
• (marijuana cigarette) See also

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To unite by a joint or joints; to fit together; to prepare so as to fit togetherto joint boards, a jointing plane
• unknown date, Alexander PopePierced through the yielding planks of jointed wood.
2. (transitive) To join; to connect; to unite; to combine.
• unknown date, William ShakespeareJointing their force 'gainst Caesar.
3. (transitive) To provide with a joint or joints; to articulate.
• unknown date RayThe fingers are jointed together for motion.
4. (transitive) To separate the joints; of; to divide at the joint or joints; to disjoint; to cut up into joints, as meat.
• unknown date DrydenHe joints the neck.
• unknown date HollandQuartering, jointing, seething, and roasting.
5. (intransitive) To fit as if by joints; to coalesce as joints do.the stones joint, neatly.