GIST
WordNet
noun
(1) The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
"The gist of the prosecutor's argument"
"The heart and soul of the Republican Party"
"The nub of the story"
(2) The central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From gist from gésir ‘to lie’.
Noun
- The most essential part; the main idea or substance (of a longer or more complicated matter).
- 1948: Carl Sandburg, Remembrance Rock, page 103,
- "Should they live and build their church in the American wilderness, their worst dangers would rise in and among themselves rather than outside. That was the gist of the lesson from their pastor and "wellwiller" John Robinson."
- 1996, Nicky Silver, Etiquette and Vitriol, Theatre Communications Group 1996, p. 10:
- I was really just vomiting images like spoiled sushi (that may be an ill-considered metaphor, but you get my gist).
- 2003, David McDuff, translating Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment, Penguin 2003 p. 183:
- I don't remember his exact words, but the gist of it was that he wanted it all for nothing, as quickly as possible, without any effort.
- 1948: Carl Sandburg, Remembrance Rock, page 103,
- The grounds for action in a suit.