Just
WordNet
adjective
(1) Free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; or conforming with established standards or rules
"A fair referee"
"Fair deal"
"On a fair footing"
"A fair fight"
"By fair means or foul"
(2) Implying justice dictated by reason, conscience, and a natural sense of what is fair to all
"Equitable treatment of all citizens"
"An equitable distribution of gifts among the children"
(3) Used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting
"A just and lasting peace"- A.Lincoln
"A kind and just man"
"A just reward"
"His just inheritance"
(4) Of moral excellence
"A genuinely good person"
"A just cause"
"An upright and respectable man"
adverb
(5) By a small margin
"They could barely hear the speaker"
"We hardly knew them"
"Just missed being hit"
"Had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open"
"Would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave"- W.B.Yeats
(6) And nothing more
"I was merely asking"
"It is simply a matter of time"
"Just a scratch"
"He was only a child"
"Hopes that last but a moment"
(7) Only a moment ago
"He has just arrived"
"The sun just now came out"
(8) Indicating exactness or preciseness
"He was doing precisely (or exactly) what she had told him to do"
"It was just as he said--the jewel was gone"
"It has just enough salt"
(9) Absolutely
"I just can't take it anymore"
"He was just grand as Romeo"
"It's simply beautiful!"
WiktionaryText
Etymology 1
< < < < .
- cognate with Dutch & Scotish juist, French juste etc.
Adjective
- factually fair; correct; proper.
- It is a just assesment of the facts.
- morally fair; upright; righteous, equitable.
- It looks like a just solution at first glance.
Adverb
just
- Only, simply, merely
- Just follow the directions on the box.
- Plant just a few tomatoes, unless you can, freeze, or dry them.
- Moments ago, recently
- They just left, but you may leave a message at the desk.
- By a narrow margin; closely; nearly
- The fastball just missed my head!
- The piece just might fit.
- exactly, perfectly
- He wants everything just right for the big day.
Etymology 2
variation of joust, presumably ultimately from iuxta 'near, besides'