Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Jig \Jig\, n. [OF. gigue a stringed instrument, a kind of dance,
F. gigue dance, tune, gig; of German origin; cf. MHG. g[=i]ge
fiddle, G. geige. Cf. {Gig} a fiddle, {Gig} a whirligig.]
1. (Mus.) A light, brisk musical movement.
Hot and hasty, like a Scotch jib. -- Shak.
3. A light, humorous piece of writing, esp. in rhyme; a farce
in verse; a ballad. [Obs.]
A jig shall be clapped at, and every rhyme Praised
and applauded. --Beau. & Fl.
4. A piece of sport; a trick; a prank. [Obs.]
Is't not a fine jig, A precious cunning, in the late
Protector? -- Beau & Fl.
5. A trolling bait, consisting of a bright spoon and a hook
attached.
6. (Mach.)
(a) A small machine or handy tool; esp.: (Metal Working) A
contrivance fastened to or inclosing a piece of work,
and having hard steel surfaces to guide a tool, as a
drill, or to form a shield or templet to work to, as
in filing.
(b) (Mining) An apparatus or a machine for jigging ore.
{Drill jig}, a jig for guiding a drill. See {Jig}, 6
(a) .
{Jig drilling}, {Jig filing} (Metal Working), a process of
drilling or filing in which the action of the tool is
directed or limited by a jig.
{Jig saw}, a sawing machine with a narrow, vertically
reciprocating saw, used to cut curved and irregular lines,
or ornamental patterns in openwork, a scroll saw; --
called also {gig saw}.