GI

I. adjective Etymology: galvanized iron; from abbreviation used in listing such articles as garbage cans, but taken as abbreviation for government issue Date: circa 1935 1. provided by an official United States military supply department <

GI shoes

> 2. of, relating to, or characteristic of United States military personnel 3. conforming to military regulations or customs <

a GI haircut

> II. noun (plural GIs or GI's) Date: 1943 a member or former member of the United States armed forces; especially a man enlisted in the army III. adverb Date: 1949 in a strictly regulation manner IV. transitive verb (GI'd; GI'ing) Date: 1951 to clean thoroughly (as floors) in preparation for or as if for a military inspection V. abbreviation 1. galvanized iron 2. gastrointestinal 3. general issue; government issue