plural joints
1
a(1)
: the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton with the parts that surround and support it
the hip joint
(2)
b
: a part or space included between two articulations, knots, or nodes
2
a
: a place where two things or parts are joined
a joint between two pieces of timber
b
: a space between the adjacent surfaces of two bodies (such as bricks) 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 (such 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
a cheap joint
b
: place, establishment
a hamburger joint
c
slang
: prison sense 2
spent five years in the joint
4
: a marijuana cigarette
smoking a joint
5
chiefly British
: a large piece of meat for roasting
a joint of beef
2
: common to two or more: such 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
mathematics
: being a function of or involving two or more variables and especially random variables
a joint probability density function
jointly
adverb
jointed; jointing; joints
1
a
: to unite by a joint : fit together
joint two boards
her elbows and shoulders are jointed wrong—Irish Digest
b
: to provide with a joint : articulate
c
: to prepare (something, such as a board) for joining by planing the edge
2
: to separate the joints of
joint a piece of meat
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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