Message-ID: <8946761.1075855406698.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 02:00:00 -0800 (PST) From: word@m-w.com To: mw-wod@listserv.webster.m-w.com Subject: gibe: M-W's Word of the Day Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: word@M-W.COM X-To: MW-WOD@LISTSERV.WEBSTER.M-W.COM X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Stacey_White_Jan2002\White, Stacey W.\Inbox X-Origin: White-S X-FileName: swhite (Non-Privileged).pst *************************************************************** Bring the gift of language and laughter home for the holidays with The Merriam-Webster and Garfield Dictionary. http://www.m-w.com/book/diction/garfield.htm *************************************************************** The Word of the Day for December 15 is: gibe \JYBE\ (verb) *1 : to utter taunting words 2 : to deride or tease with taunting words Example sentence: When the crowd began to hoot and gibe at him, Chris decided to cut his speech short. Did you know? Confused about "jibe" and "gibe"? The distinction actually isn't as clear-cut as some commentators would like it to be. "Jibe" is used both for the verb meaning "to be in accord, agree" ("jibe with") and for the verb and noun of nautical parlance ("jibe the mainsail," "a risky jibe in heavy seas"). "Gibe" is used for the verb "to deride or tease" and the noun "a taunting remark." But "jibe" is a recognized variant of "gibe," so it, too, has taunting or teasing uses. "Gibe" has been used occasionally as a variant of "jibe," but this use is very rare, and many would consider it to be an error. *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. ---------------- Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc. http://www.Merriam-Webster.com ---------------- Subscribe or unsubscribe to Word of the Day via the Web at: http://www.Merriam-Webster.com/service/subinst.htm To join the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-subscribe-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com To leave the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-signoff-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions about your subscription? Write to: mw-wod-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions or comments about the Word of the Day? Write to: word@Merriam-Webster.com (c) 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated