from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Joint \Joint\ (joint), n. [F. joint, fr. joindre, p. p. joint.
See {Join}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The place or part where two things or parts are joined or
united; the union of two or more smooth or even surfaces
admitting of a close-fitting or junction; junction; as, a
joint between two pieces of timber; a joint in a pipe.
[1913 Webster]
2. A joining of two things or parts so as to admit of motion;
an articulation, whether movable or not; a hinge; as, the
knee joint; a node or joint of a stem; a ball and socket
joint. See {Articulation}.
[1913 Webster]
A scaly gauntlet now, with joints of steel,
Must glove this hand. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
To tear thee joint by joint. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
3. The part or space included between two joints, knots,
nodes, or articulations; as, a joint of cane or of a grass
stem; a joint of the leg.
[1913 Webster]
4. Any one of the large pieces of meat, as cut into portions
by the butcher for roasting.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Geol.) A plane of fracture, or divisional plane, of a
rock transverse to the stratification.
[1913 Webster]
6. (Arch.) The space between the adjacent surfaces of two
bodies joined and held together, as by means of cement,
mortar, etc.; as, a thin joint.
[1913 Webster]
7. The means whereby the meeting surfaces of pieces in a
structure are secured together.
[1913 Webster]
8. [{Jag} a notch.] A projecting or retreating part in
something; any irregularity of line or surface, as in a
wall. [Now Chiefly U. S.]
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
9. (Theaters) A narrow piece of scenery used to join together
two flats or wings of an interior setting.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
10. a disreputable establishment, or a place of low resort,
as for smoking opium; -- also used for a commercial
establishment, implying a less than impeccable
reputation, but often in jest; as, talking about a
high-class joint is an oxymoron. [Slang]
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
11. a marijuana cigarette. [Slang]
[PJC]
12. prison; -- used with "the". [Slang] " he spent five years
in the joint."
[PJC]
{Coursing joint} (Masonry), the mortar joint between two
courses of bricks or stones.
{Fish joint}, {Miter joint}, {Universal joint}, etc. See
under {Fish}, {Miter}, etc.
{Joint bolt}, a bolt for fastening two pieces, as of wood,
one endwise to the other, having a nut embedded in one of
the pieces.
{Joint chair} (Railroad), the chair that supports the ends of
abutting rails.
{Joint coupling}, a universal joint for coupling shafting.
See under {Universal}.
{Joint hinge}, a hinge having long leaves; a strap hinge.
{Joint splice}, a re["e]nforce at a joint, to sustain the
parts in their true relation.
{Joint stool}.
(a) A stool consisting of jointed parts; a folding stool.
--Shak.
(b) A block for supporting the end of a piece at a joint;
a joint chair.
{Out of joint}, out of place; dislocated, as when the head of
a bone slips from its socket; hence, not working well
together; disordered. "The time is out of joint." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]