gin

gin

gin¹ [jin]

n.

[< GENEVA]

1. a strong, aromatic alcoholic liquor distilled from rye and other grains and flavored with juniper berries

2. a similar liquor differently flavored [sloe gin]

3. Archaic alcoholic liquor generally

gin² [jin]

n.

[ME, ingenuity, machine, aphetic < OFr engin, ENGINE]

1. a snare, net, or trap, as for game or fish

2. a machine for hoisting heavy objects

☆ 3. COTTON GIN

vt.

ginned, ginning

1. to catch in a trap

2. to remove seeds from (cotton) with a gin

gin³ [gin]

vt., vi.

gan, ginning [ME ginnen, aphetic form of beginnen (see BEGIN) & onginnen (OE onginnan, to attempt)]

Archaic to begin

gin⁴ [gin]

conj.

[? contr. < GIVEN, infl. ? by Scot prep. gin, by (a certain time)]

Scot. if; whether

gin⁵ [jin]

n.

☆ GIN RUMMY

vi.

ginned, ginning

☆ to win in gin rummy with no unmatched cards left in one's hand, thus gaining additional points

gin⁶ [jin]

vi.

[phr. ? < old slang gin up, to become intoxicated < GINGER (vt. 2)]

Slang used only in the phrase gin up,

a) to generate, devise, etc.

b) to stir up, stimulate, enliven, etc.