Gist Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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gist

[dʒɪst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

summary

The essence or main point of something. A concise summary or abstract.

Synonyms

core, essence, main point, summary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gist	To convey the basic idea or main point of a conversation, text, or situation without going into detail. Often used when providing a brief explanation. I missed the meeting, but can you give me the gist of what was discussed? The gist of the story is that the hero overcomes many obstacles.
essence	To capture the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, often used in philosophical or abstract discussions. The essence of happiness is different for everyone. She captured the essence of the landscape in her painting.
core	To emphasize the central or most important part of something, often used in contexts involving principles, beliefs, or values. At the core of our company's success is strong teamwork. The core issue here is trust.
main point	To explicitly highlight the most important part or argument of a discussion, story, or text. Useful when clarity and specificity are required. The main point of his argument is that we need to invest more in renewable energy. What's the main point of the article?
summary	To provide a brief account of the main points or highlights of a larger piece of text or event. Commonly used in academic and professional settings. Can you give me a summary of the report? The teacher asked for a summary of the book.

Examples of usage

Can you give me the gist of the meeting?
She read the article quickly and got the gist of it.
I didn't catch the whole conversation, but I got the gist.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal

A criminal charge or indictment.

Synonyms

accusation, charge, indictment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gist	Used to refer to the main point or essence of something, such as a conversation, story, or argument. It is often used when summarizing or giving a brief overview. The gist of his argument is that we need more funding for education. I didn't catch every detail, but I got the gist of what she was saying.
charge	Utilized in legal contexts to indicate a formal statement of wrongdoing against someone. It can also be used in everyday language to indicate holding someone responsible for something. The suspect was arrested and charged with theft. He was in charge of organizing the event.
indictment	Specifically used in a legal context to mean a formal accusation that someone has committed a crime, typically a serious one. It has a very formal and legalistic connotation. The grand jury handed down an indictment for fraud. Her indictment was announced after a lengthy investigation.
accusation	Employed when suggesting that someone has done something wrong or illegal. This term can often carry a negative connotation, as it implies blame or guilt. She made a serious accusation against her coworker. The politician faced accusations of corruption during his term.

Examples of usage

He was arrested on a gist of embezzlement charges.
The gist of the lawsuit was for fraud.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

Authors often strive to distill their long stories into a few sentences, capturing the gist for easier understanding.
In poetry, conveying the gist of a feeling in just a few lines is considered a sign of skill.
Literary summaries frequently aim to present the gist to aid readers in grasping the main themes quickly.

Communication

In discussions or presentations, summarizing the gist helps keep the audience engaged and focused.
When giving feedback, stating the gist first can clarify points before diving into details.
Active listening often involves summarizing the gist of what someone else has said, reinforcing understanding.

Psychology

Cognitive psychologists note that individuals often focus on the gist rather than every detail when processing information.
Research suggests that memory for the gist of events is typically more reliable than for specific details.
This tendency can aid decision-making, as capturing the gist can lead to quicker, effective action.

Pop Culture

In film reviews, critics often summarize the gist of a movie in one catchy sentence to entice viewers.
Television adaptations of books often capture the gist of the story while changing many details to fit the medium.
Social media platforms encourage users to share the gist of their thoughts in short, snappy posts, making it easier for friends to engage.

Origin of 'gist'

Main points about word origin

This word comes from the Old French word 'giste', which means 'to stand' or 'to lie'.
The term gained popularity in English in the late 19th century, reflecting how it emphasizes the essence of a matter.
Originally, this word had a legal connotation, relating to the essence of a case in law.

The word 'gist' originated from the Old French word 'gist' meaning 'lies' or 'is situated'. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent the essence or main point of something. In legal contexts, it also came to refer to a criminal charge or indictment.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,927, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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