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 sense of "opium den". The sense "marijuana cigarette" is attested since 1935. The development to meaning "any thing" also happened to the Scots and Memphian form junt and the Mid-Atlantic/Philadelphian form jawn.
1
United, combined
the joint influences of culture and climate
2
Done by two or more people or organisations working together.
The play was a joint production between the two companies.
A joint burden laid upon us all.c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
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 sense of "opium den". The sense "marijuana cigarette" is attested since 1935. The development to meaning "any thing" also happened to the Scots and Memphian form junt and the Mid-Atlantic/Philadelphian form jawn.
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.
2
The point where two components of a structure join rigidly.
The water is leaking out of the joint between the two pipes.
3
Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences Any part of an animalian body where two bones or exoskeleton segments are abutted, in most cases allowing that part of the body to be bent or straightened.
4
The means of securing together the meeting surfaces of components of a structure.
The dovetail joint, while more difficult to make, is also quite strong.
5
A cut of meat, especially (but not necessarily) (a) one containing a joint in the sense of an articulation or (b) one rolled up and tied.
Near-synonym: roast
Set the joint in a roasting tin and roast for the calculated cooking time.
6
The part or space included between two joints, knots, nodes, or articulations.
a joint of cane or of a grass stem; a joint of the leg
7
Geography, Geology, Natural sciences A fracture in which the strata are not offset; a geologic joint.
8
US, Slang A place of business, particularly in the food service or hospitality industries; sometimes extended to any place that is a focus of human connection or activity (e.g., schools, hangouts, party spots).
African-American Vernacular; may be somewhat derogatory; African-American Vernacular; may be somewhat derogatory
It was the kind of joint you wouldn't want your boss to see you in.
"...Where's the ladies' in this joint? I've to powder me nose."1996, Deirdre Purcell, Roses After Rain, page 335:
2 more examples
For a minute I stayed away from real crowded places like Big Ben's and even the new Ruthless spot, but I hung out in a few smaller Harlem joints when I wasn't running and lifting weights and getting ready for training camp.2006, Noire [pseudonym], Thug-A-Licious: An Urban Erotic Tale, New York, N.Y.: One World, Ballantine Books, →ISBN, page 255:
Sham Shui Po might be one of Hong Kong’s poorest neighbourhoods but it has a rich immigrant history and a glut of fantastic street-food joints.2021 August 18, Lee Cobaj, “Best things to do in Hong Kong”, in The Times, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 25 Oct 2021:
African-American Vernacular; may be somewhat derogatory
11
US, Slang, With the definite article Prison, jail, or lockup.
African-American Vernacular; may be somewhat derogatory
Now you're gonna put me right back in the joint.1980 June 20, Dan Aykroyd, John Landis, 25:19 from the start, in John Landis, director, The Blues Brothers (film), spoken by "Joliet" Jake Blue (John Belushi), Universal Pictures:
After locking the door and closing the shades, they lit the joint.
13
Dated, Slang A syringe used to inject an illicit drug.
Captain Jack McMahon, chief of Houston's police narcotics division, holds tools of the “junkie” trade, including “joints” (syringes), needles, heroin, milk sugar (used to cut pure heroin), spoons for heating a shot of heroin (mixed with water), […]1954, Listen, volumes 7-10, page 131:
Inez called up Camille on the phone repeatedly and had long talks with her; they even talked about his joint, or so Dean claimed.1957 September 5, Jack Kerouac, chapter 1, in On the Road, New York, N.Y.: Viking Press, →OCLC, part 4:
There I was, going down at last on the star of all those pornographic films that I had been producing in my head since I first laid a hand upon my own joint . . .1969, Philip Roth, “Cunt Crazy”, in Portnoy’s Complaint, New York: Vintage, published 1994, page 158:
1 more example
"Good, then," I said, my joint about to skeet like a water pistol. I was surprised too. I was known for having supreme dick control, and I could usually last a lot longer than this.2006, Noire [pseudonym], Thug-A-Licious: An Urban Erotic Tale, New York, N.Y.: One World, Ballantine Books, →ISBN, page 17:
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 sense of "opium den". The sense "marijuana cigarette" is attested since 1935. The development to meaning "any thing" also happened to the Scots and Memphian form junt and the Mid-Atlantic/Philadelphian form jawn.
1
To unite by a joint or joints; to fit together; to prepare so as to fit together
to joint boards
a jointing plane
2 more examples
Pierced through the yielding planks of jointed wood.1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
But I must warn you that chipboard floors are always likely to squeak. The material is still being used in new-builds, but developers now use adhesive to bed and joint it, rather than screws or nails. I suspect the adhesive will eventually embrittle and crack, resulting in the same squeaking problems as before.2014 August 17, Jeff Howell, “Home improvements: Repairing and replacing floorboards [print version: Never buy anything from a salesman, 16 August 2014, p. P7]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Property):
2
To join; to connect; to unite; to combine.
But soon that war had end, and the time's state Made friends of them, jointing their force 'gainst Caesarc. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
3
To provide with a joint or joints; to articulate.
The fingers are […]jointed together for motion.1691, John Ray, The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation. […], London: […] Samuel Smith, […], →OCLC:
4
To separate the joints; of; to divide at the joint or joints; to disjoint; to cut up into joints, as meat.
Another time alſo being minded to entertain king Priamus friendly, when he came unto his pavilion: / He then beſtir'd himſelfe, and caught up ſoone, / A good white ſheepe, whoſe throat he cut anon. / but about cutting it up, quartering, jointing, ſeething, and roſting, he ſpent a great part of the night: […]1603, Plutarch, “[The Morals, or Miscellane Works of Plutarch. The Second Tome.] The Seventh Book. Of Symposiaques, or Banquet-Discourses.”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Philosophie, Commonlie Called, The Morals […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield, →OCLC, page 750:
He joints the neck.1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC: