joint

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   involving both houses of a legislature

   a joint session of Congress

2. 2
   adj

   united or combined

   a joint session of Congress

3. 3
   adj

   affecting or involving two or more

   joint income-tax return

4. 4
   verb

   provide with a joint

   the carpenter jointed two pieces of wood

5. 5
   adj

   United, combined

   the joint influences of culture and climate

6. 6
   adj

   Done by two or more people or organisations working together.

   The play was a joint production between the two companies.

7. 7
   noun

   The point where two components of a structure join, but are still able to rotate.

   This rod is free to swing at the joint with the platform.

8. 8
   noun

   The point where two components of a structure join rigidly.

   The water is leaking out of the joint between the two pipes.

Etymology

The noun is from Middle English joynt (attested since the late 13th century), from Old French joint (“joint of the body”) (attested since the 12th century). The adjective (attested since the 15th century) is from Old French jointiz. Both Old French words are from Latin iūnctus, the past participle of iungō. See also join, jugular, junction. Displaced Old English fōg and partially displaced English lith. The meaning of "building, establishment", especially in connection with shady activities, appeared in Anglo-Irish by 1821 and entered general American English slang by 1877, especially in the s…