joint - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education
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joint
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joint
top to bottom: end-lap, doweled, and spline joints
joint  audio  (joint) KEY 

NOUN:
    1. A place or part at which two or more things are joined.
    2. A way in which two or more things are joined: a mortise-and-tenon joint; flexible joints.
  1. Anatomy
    1. A point of articulation between two or more bones, especially such a connection that allows motion.
    2. A point in the exoskeleton of an invertebrate at which movable parts join, as along the leg of an arthropod.
  2. Botany An articulation on a fruit or stem, such as the node of a grass stem.
  3. Geology A fracture or crack in a rock mass along which no appreciable movement has occurred.
  4. A large cut of meat for roasting.
  5. Slang
    1. A cheap or disreputable gathering place: "The tavern is . . . just a joint with Formica tables, a vinyl floor, lights over the mirrors" (Scott Turow).
    2. A building or dwelling.
    3. A prison. Often used with the.
  6. Slang A marijuana cigarette.
  7. Vulgar Slang A penis.
ADJECTIVE:
  1. Shared by or common to two or more: our joint presence; a joint income-tax return.
  2. Sharing with another or others: a joint tenant.
  3. Formed or characterized by cooperation or united action: joint military maneuvers.
  4. Involving both houses of a legislature: a joint session of Congress.
  5. Law Regarded as one legal body; united in identity of interest or liability.
  6. Mathematics Involving two or more variables.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
joint·ed, joint·ing, joints
  1. To combine or attach with a joint or joints: securely jointed the sides of the drawer.
  2. To provide or construct with joints: joint a boom on a crane.
  3. To separate (meat) at the joints.

IDIOM:
out of joint
  1. Dislocated, as a bone.
  2. Informal
    1. Not harmonious; inconsistent.
    2. Out of order; inauspicious or unsatisfactory.
    3. In bad spirits or humor; out of sorts.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from past participle of joindre, to join ; see join



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