joint

I. noun Etymology: Middle English jointe, from Anglo-French, from joindre Date: 13th century 1. a. (1) the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton with the parts that surround and support it (2) node 5b b. a part or space included between two articulations, knots, or nodes c. a large piece of meat for roasting 2. a. a place where two things or parts are joined b. a space between the adjacent surfaces of two bodies joined and held together (as by cement or mortar) c. a fracture or crack in rock not accompanied by dislocation d. the flexing part of a cover along either spine edge of a book e. the junction of two or more members of a framed structure f. a union formed by two abutting rails in a track including the elements (as bars and bolts) necessary to hold the abutting rails together g. an area at which two ends, surfaces, or edges are attached 3. a. a shabby or disreputable place of entertainment b. place, establishment c. slang prison 2 4. a marijuana cigarette • jointed adjective • jointedly adverb • jointedness noun II. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from past participle of joindre Date: 14th century 1. united, combined <

the joint influences of culture and climate

> 2. common to two or more: as a. (1) involving the united activity of two or more <

a joint effort

> (2) constituting an activity, operation, or organization in which elements of more than one armed service participate <

joint maneuvers

> (3) constituting an action or expression of two or more governments <

joint peace talks

> b. shared by or affecting two or more <

a joint fine

> 3. united, joined, or sharing with another (as in a right or status) <

joint heirs

> 4. being a function of or involving two or more variables and especially random variables • jointly adverb III. verb Etymology: 1joint Date: 1530 transitive verb 1. to separate the joints of (as meat) 2. a. to unite by a joint ; fit together b. to provide with a joint ; articulate c. to prepare (as a board) for joining by planing the edge intransitive verb 1. to fit as if by joints <

the stones joint neatly

> 2. to form joints as a stage in growth — used especially of small grains