gist🔊

The main idea or substance, or the most essential part, of a longer or more complicated matter; the crux, the heart, the pith. +

(law, dated) The essential ground for action in a lawsuit, without which there is no cause of action; the gravamen.

(Nigeria) Gossip, rumor; an instance of this.

To extract and present the main ideas or substance, or the most essential parts of (a document, piece of writing, etc.); to abridge, to summarize. +

(Nigeria) To talk idly; chat; also, to gossip.

(obsolete) A stop for lodging or rest in a journey, or the place where this happens; a rest.