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jib¹

(jĭb)

1. Nautical A triangular headsail set with its luff fastened to a stay rising from the bow, bowsprit, or jib boom.

a. The arm of a mechanical crane.

b. The boom of a derrick.

[Origin unknown.]

jib²

(jĭb)

intr.v. jibbed, jib·bing, jibs

1. To stop short and turn restively from side to side; balk.

2. To perform tricks by jumping onto and maneuvering over fixed obstacles such as railings or platforms. Used especially of snowboarders and skiers.

[Origin unknown.]

jibber n.

(click for a larger image)

jib2

Sina Candrian of Switzerland at the 2008 US Open Snowboarding Championships

Stratton Mountain, Vermont

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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