GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found one definition
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Gist (jĭst), n. [OF. giste abode, lodgings, F. gîte, fr. gésir to lie, L. jacēre, prop., to be thrown, hence, to lie, fr. jacĕre to throw. In the second sense fr. OF. gist, F. gît, 3d pers. sing. ind. of gésir to lie, used in a proverb, F., c'est là que gît le lièvre, it is there that the hare lies, i. e., that is the point, the difficulty. See Jet a shooting forth, and cf. Agist, Joist, n., Gest a stage in traveling.]
1. A resting place. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
These quails have their set gists; to wit, ordinary resting and baiting places. Holland.
[1913 Webster]
2. The main point, as of a question; the point on which an action rests; the pith of a matter; as, “the gist of a question”.
[1913 Webster]