gist[noun]Synonyms: point, core, essence, force, idea, meaning, sense, significance, substance
Related Words: sap,
soul,
spirit,
subject,
theme,
topic,
bearing,
drift,
tenor
English Thesaurus: meaning, the gist, the drift/your drift, the essence, the thrust, ... [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
gist /dʒɪst/
noun[
Date: 1700-1800;
Language: Anglo-French;
Origin: 'it lies, it can be presented in a court of law', from Old French gesir 'to lie']
the gist the main idea and meaning of what someone has said or written
the gist of
The gist of his argument is that full employment is impossible. Don’t worry about all the details as long as you get the gist (=understand the main meaning) of it. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
meaning the thoughts or ideas that someone wants you to understand from what they say, do, write etc:
What do you think is the meaning of the poem?the gist the main idea and meaning of something such as an article or a speech:
Read the story quickly first, just to get the gist of it. I think I understand the gist of what you’re saying.the drift/your drift the main set of ideas involved in something such as an explanation, argument, or account of something – often used when the ideas are not stated directly:
The drift of his letter is that he wants to come back. I don’t quite follow your drift.the essence the most important meaning of something such as an argument or piece of writing:
The essence of what he is saying is that human character is formed by society.the thrust the most important message of an argument, explanation etc, especially when it consists of a set of connected ideas leading to a final answer or idea:
The overall thrust of her argument is that we need to do more to protect our environment.the substance formal the most important ideas contained in an argument or piece of writing:
The substance of Marx’s views is the same in both of these books. His article lacks substance (=there are no interesting or important ideas in it).the implication the meaning of what someone says, writes etc that is not stated directly, but that people are expected to understand:
The implication was that they did not consider Harrison to be trustworthy. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲