Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ey-
Proto-Indo-European *-u
Proto-Indo-European *h₂óyu
Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *h₂yéwos
Proto-Italic *jowos
Archaic Latin *iowos, *iowez-
Proto-Indo-European *-tós
Proto-Italic *-tos
Archaic Latin -tus
Archaic Latin iovestos
Latin iūstus
Old French justebor.
Middle English juste
English just
From Middle English juste, from Old French juste, from Latin iūstus (“just, lawful, rightful, true, due, proper, moderate”), from Proto-Italic *jowestos, related to Latin iūs (“law, right”); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-. Compare Scots juist (“just”), Saterland Frisian juust (“just”), West Frisian just (“just”), Dutch juist (“just”), German Low German jüst (“jüst”), German just (“just”), Danish just (“just”), Swedish just (“just”). Doublet of giusto.
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Colossians 4:1:
Looking back over my previously written account of these things, I must insist that I have been altogether juster to Cavor than he has been to me. 1900 December – 1901 August, H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, “chapter 23”, in The First Men in the Moon, London: George Newnes, […], published 1901, →OCLC:
It looks like a just solution at first glance.
Here is a Proclamation for a Prince: that proclaims him in whoſe name it is emitted [James II of England], to be the greateſt Tyrant that ever lived in the world, and their Revolt who have diſowned him to be the juſteſt that ever was. 1744, Alexander Shiels [i.e., Alexander Shields], “Period VI. Containing the Testimony through the Continued Tract of the Present Deformation, from the Year 1660 to this Day.”, in A Hind Let Loose: Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland, for the Interest of Christ; with the True State thereof in All Its Periods: …, Edinburgh: Reprinted by R. Drummond and Company, and sold by William Gray bookbinder in the Grassmarket, and several others, &c., →OCLC, pages 167–168:
My lord, we know your grace to be a man
Just and upright. 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ey-
Proto-Indo-European *-u
Proto-Indo-European *h₂óyu
Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *h₂yéwos
Proto-Italic *jowos
Archaic Latin *iowos, *iowez-
Proto-Indo-European *-tós
Proto-Italic *-tos
Archaic Latin -tus
Archaic Latin iovestos
Latin iūstus
Old French justebor.
Middle English juste
English just
From Middle English juste, from Old French juste, from Latin iūstus (“just, lawful, rightful, true, due, proper, moderate”), from Proto-Italic *jowestos, related to Latin iūs (“law, right”); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-. Compare Scots juist (“just”), Saterland Frisian juust (“just”), West Frisian just (“just”), Dutch juist (“just”), German Low German jüst (“jüst”), German just (“just”), Danish just (“just”), Swedish just (“just”). Doublet of giusto.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Only, simply, merely.
Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. 2013 June 14, Sam Leith, “Where the profound meets the profane”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 1, page 37:
He calls it vermilion, but it's just red to me.
Philander went into the next room, which was just a lean-to hitched on to the end of the shanty, and came back with a salt mackerel that dripped brine like a rainstorm. Then he put the coffee pot on the stove and rummaged out a loaf of dry bread and some hardtack. 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VIII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
Just plant a few tomatoes, unless you can freeze or dry them.
From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much.[…] But viewed from high up in one of the growing number of skyscrapers in Sri Lanka’s capital, it is clear that something extraordinary is happening: China is creating a shipping hub just 200 miles from India’s southern tip. 2013 June 8, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:
(not-comparable) Only, simply, merely. ▸ Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned.
I spent two hours cooking my favorite recipe, just to burn the rice and ruin the meal.
I helped him out, just for him to betray me.
(not-comparable, qualifier:sentence adverb) Used to reduce the force of an imperative; simply.
Just follow the directions on the box.
(not-comparable, qualifier:sentence adverb) Used to increase the force of an imperative; simply, without questioning.
I'm tired of playing games – just get it done.
(not-comparable) Used to convey a less serious or formal tone.
(not-comparable) Barely, hardly, scarcely. ▸ Moments ago, only very recently.
They just left, but you may leave a message at the desk.
Philander went into the next room[…]and came back with a salt mackerel[…]. Next he put the mackerel in a fry-pan, and the shanty began to smell like a Banks boat just in from a v'yage. 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VIII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
(not-comparable) Barely, hardly, scarcely. ▸ By a narrow margin; closely; narrowly; almost not.
The piece just might fit.
The fire department arrived just in time.
The fastball just missed my head!
Nanny Broome was looking up at the outer wall. Just under the ceiling there were three lunette windows, heavily barred and blacked out in the normal way by centuries of grime. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 14, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
(not-comparable) Exactly, precisely, perfectly.
The god Pan […] guided my hand so just to the heart of the beast. c. 1580 (date written), Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “[The Second Booke] Chapter 19”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC, folio 122, recto:
He wants everything just right for the big day.
To-night, at Herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one. c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vi]:
And having just enough, not covet more. 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Fourteenth Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC:
Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about, they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. 2013 June 22, “Engineers of a different kind”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 70:
sq vetëm (only, simply, merely) · pt somente (only, simply, merely) · uk са́ме (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ur بس (only, simply, merely) · ca just (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · da lige (by a narrow margin, barely) · nl zonet (recently, moments ago) · eo ĵus (recently, moments ago) · hu épp csak (by a narrow margin, barely) · sl rávnokar (recently, moments ago) · da kun (only, simply, merely) · nl slechts (only, simply, merely) · fi vain (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · nl precies (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · de eben (recently, moments ago) · ka ახლახანს (recently, moments ago) · ang efn (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · arz يادوْب (recently, moments ago) · nl zojuist (recently, moments ago) · ja ばかり (recently, moments ago) · sv nyss (recently, moments ago) · sh zamalo (by a narrow margin, barely) · de gerade (recently, moments ago) · de wirklich (absolutely, positively) · de einfach mal (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · ru лишь (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · da lige (recently, moments ago) · de einfach (used to show humility in prayer or worship) · et napilt (by a narrow margin, barely) · izh vaa (only, simply, merely) · tr yalnızca (only, simply, merely) · ca acabar de (recently, moments ago) · es simplemente (only, simply, merely) · ta சும்மா (only, simply, merely) · ang efn (by a narrow margin, barely) · cmn 恰恰 (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · nl net (by a narrow margin, barely) · la modo (only, simply, merely) · fa جخت (recently, moments ago) · sv just (recently, moments ago) · it solo (only, simply, merely) · az yenicə (recently, moments ago) · ka ამ წამს (recently, moments ago) · la modo (recently, moments ago) · pox aven (recently, moments ago) · pt bem (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · tr kıl payıyla (by a narrow margin, barely) · ja 丁度 (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · cs právě (recently, moments ago) · izh ikkee (only, simply, merely) · fr simplement (only, simply, merely) · sh baš (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · fi tuskin (by a narrow margin, barely) · nn nettopp (recently, moments ago) · da lige (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · fi vasta (recently, moments ago) · fr simplement (absolutely, positively) · de geradeso (by a narrow margin, barely) · sl lè (only, simply, merely) · ro întocmai (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ru то́лько (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · tr demin (recently, moments ago) · ms چوما (only, simply, merely) · ru и́менно (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ga go díreach (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · sh tijesno (by a narrow margin, barely) · sl zgòlj (only, simply, merely) · gd air èiginn (by a narrow margin, barely) · da lige (only, simply, merely) · ltg tik (only, simply, merely) · de einfach nur (used to show humility in prayer or worship) · ba яңы ғына (recently, moments ago) · cmn 剛才 /刚才 (recently, moments ago) · es sólo (only, simply, merely) · ca sols (only, simply, merely) · fi vain (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · sh sasvim (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · oj eta (only, simply, merely) · km តែ (only, simply, merely) · nl net (only, simply, merely) · acw دوب (recently, moments ago) · ja 只 (only, simply, merely) · nl enkel (only, simply, merely) · he רק (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · ca només (only, simply, merely) · cmn 就 (only, simply, merely) · nmn ǁʻáa (only, simply, merely) · da bare (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · fur juste (only, simply, merely) · ms هاڽ (only, simply, merely) · ca just (by a narrow margin, barely) · mi kātahi (only, simply, merely) · sv precis (recently, moments ago) · da blot (only, simply, merely) · ta தான் (recently, moments ago) · pt apenas (only, simply, merely) · vi hoàn toàn (absolutely, positively) · ru соверше́нно (absolutely, positively) · ru то́лько (only, simply, merely) · pt por pouco (by a narrow margin, barely) · ru про́сто (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · ja ところ (recently, moments ago) · pl ledwo (recently, moments ago) · ltg tikai (only, simply, merely) · et lihtsalt (only, simply, merely) · ur صرف (only, simply, merely) · sv precis (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · vi chỉ (only, simply, merely) · ro tocmai (recently, moments ago) · tr biraz önce (recently, moments ago) · es apenas (recently, moments ago) · el μόλις (recently, moments ago) · cic pilla (only, simply, merely) · de bloß (only, simply, merely) · ang efn (recently, moments ago) · pl po prostu (only, simply, merely) · nl pas (recently, moments ago) · vi chỉ cần (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · ms baru (recently, moments ago) · he רק (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · fi vain (used to show humility in prayer or worship) · ltg tān tik (recently, moments ago) · ru абсолю́тно (absolutely, positively) · ms cuma (only, simply, merely) · sh maloprije (recently, moments ago) · hu csak (only, simply, merely) · vi chính (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ro numai (only, simply, merely) · ang nū (recently, moments ago) · vi vừa đủ (by a narrow margin, barely) · km ទើបនឹង (recently, moments ago) · he רק עכשיו (recently, moments ago) · vi đúng (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · de einfach nur (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · ur ذرا (only, simply, merely) · ca simplement (only, simply, merely) · az sadəcə (only, simply, merely) · nb kun (only, simply, merely) · nb bare (only, simply, merely) · tr az önce (recently, moments ago) · da lige (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · ru то́лько (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · fr venir de (recently, moments ago) · lv tikai (only, simply, merely) · de mal eben (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · es solamente (only, simply, merely) · ru как ра́з (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ka ძლივს (by a narrow margin, barely) · nl op een haar na (by a narrow margin, barely) · ka სრულიად (absolutely, positively) · nv tʼóó (only, simply, merely) · zdj apvaha (recently, moments ago) · ru едва́ (recently, moments ago) · ka მხოლოდ (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · ta தான் (only, simply, merely) · pl dopiero (recently, moments ago) · ro chiar (absolutely, positively) · sl samó (only, simply, merely) · pt recém (recently, moments ago) · sh samo (only, simply, merely) · ms بارو (recently, moments ago) · sh tek (recently, moments ago) · fi juuri ja juuri (by a narrow margin, barely) · hy նոր (recently, moments ago) · is bara (only, simply, merely) · fi täsmälleen (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ru едва́ (by a narrow margin, barely) · io jus (only, simply, merely) · ru всего́ лишь (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · et vaid (only, simply, merely) · vi một tí (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · pt simplesmente (only, simply, merely) · pdt blooss (only, simply, merely) · ru то́лько что (recently, moments ago) · grc μόνον (only, simply, merely) · is áðan (recently, moments ago) · mk само (only, simply, merely) · ru лишь (only, simply, merely) · nds man (only, simply, merely) · fi juuri äsken (recently, moments ago) · vi vừa đúng (by a narrow margin, barely) · et kõigest (only, simply, merely) · et äsja (recently, moments ago) · vi thật là (absolutely, positively) · es acabar de (recently, moments ago) · fr juste (only, simply, merely) · fi vastikään (recently, moments ago) · lv tikko (recently, moments ago) · sv bara (only, simply, merely) · mk токму (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · sv precis (by a narrow margin, barely) · de total (absolutely, positively) · ba яңы (recently, moments ago) · eo ĝuste (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · de soeben (recently, moments ago) · vi vừa mới (recently, moments ago) · nb nettopp (recently, moments ago) · vi vừa (recently, moments ago) · ru про́сто (only, simply, merely) · pl dopiero co (recently, moments ago) · mk штотуку (recently, moments ago) · hy ուղղակի (only, simply, merely) · es simplemente (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · da bare (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · it appena (recently, moments ago) · fi aivan (absolutely, positively) · ky дал (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · nl gewoon (only, simply, merely) · nl maar (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · ar فَقَط (only, simply, merely) · hu éppen csak hogy (by a narrow margin, barely) · nds blot (only, simply, merely) · es tan solo (only, simply, merely) · tr sadece (only, simply, merely) · nb nettopp (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ltg tik (recently, moments ago) · pt só (only, simply, merely) · th พึ่ง (recently, moments ago) · nn nettopp (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · he בדיוק (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · bg току-що (recently, moments ago) · az sadəcə (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · mn саяхан (recently, moments ago) · vi thử xem (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · eo nur (only, simply, merely) · sco juist (by a narrow margin, barely) · bg именно (absolutely, positively) · vi thật đúng là (absolutely, positively) · fi ainoastaan (only, simply, merely) · th แค่ (only, simply, merely) · vi chỉ việc (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · oc venir de (recently, moments ago) · de einfach (only, simply, merely) · fi tarkalleen (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · km អំបាញ់មិញ (recently, moments ago) · de grad (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ajp لسا (recently, moments ago) · ta சும்மா (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · fi äsken (recently, moments ago) · ang efn (only, simply, merely) · ka უბრალოდ (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · pt recentemente (recently, moments ago) · ja ちょっと (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · cmn 剛剛 /刚刚 (recently, moments ago) · ist sulo (only, simply, merely) · ur خالی (only, simply, merely) · sl skôraj (by a narrow margin, barely) · cs pouze (only, simply, merely) · ru всего́ лишь (only, simply, merely) · nl maar (only, simply, merely) · da bare (only, simply, merely) · arz لسا (recently, moments ago) · cs přesně (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · az indicə (recently, moments ago) · az təkcə (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · fi yksinkertaisesti (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · pl tylko (only, simply, merely) · sh upravo (recently, moments ago) · da helt (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · de bloß (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · ltg tik tik (recently, moments ago) · et vast (recently, moments ago) · ltg viņ (only, simply, merely) · mk тукушто (recently, moments ago) · ro doar (only, simply, merely) · la sōlum (only, simply, merely) · uk що́йно (recently, moments ago) · lv tieši (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ka ზუსტად (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · he עכשיו (recently, moments ago) · sco juist (recently, moments ago) · he רק (only, simply, merely) · ja ジャスト (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · tr ucu ucuna (by a narrow margin, barely) · nl nog net (by a narrow margin, barely) · de genau (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · apc لسا (recently, moments ago) · fi pelkästään (only, simply, merely) · nl gewoon (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · pl dokładnie (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · fi juuri (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · nds blots (only, simply, merely) · bg само (only, simply, merely) · nl juist (by a narrow margin, barely) · ltg kū tik (recently, moments ago) · cic illa (only, simply, merely) · fa جخت (by a narrow margin, barely) · de nur einfach (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · vi vừa kịp (by a narrow margin, barely) · de nur (only, simply, merely) · da akkurat (by a narrow margin, barely) · ka მხოლოდ (only, simply, merely) · hi केवल (only, simply, merely) · th เพิ่ง (recently, moments ago) · es recién (recently, moments ago) · sh skoro (by a narrow margin, barely) · cy newydd (recently, moments ago) · de nur mal (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · de nur (used to show humility in prayer or worship) · km ទើបតែនឹង (recently, moments ago) · sh potpuno (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ka სავსებით (absolutely, positively) · de einfach (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · sl pràvkar (recently, moments ago) · az sadəcə (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · et täiesti (absolutely, positively) · he בדיוק (absolutely, positively) · fi äskettäin (recently, moments ago) · cs těsně (by a narrow margin, barely) · az təzəcə (recently, moments ago) · mk баш (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · cmn 剛 /刚 (recently, moments ago) · fi juuri (recently, moments ago) · hu éppen (recently, moments ago) · bg едва (by a narrow margin, barely) · ms hanya (only, simply, merely) · az təkcə (only, simply, merely) · ja に過ぎない (only, simply, merely) · de einfach nur (absolutely, positively) · km ទើបបាន (recently, moments ago) · sco juist (only, simply, merely) · el μόνο (only, simply, merely) · grc ἄρτι (recently, moments ago) · lv gandrīz (by a narrow margin, barely) · sh upravo (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · ru то́чно (exactly, precisely, perfectly) · da just (recently, moments ago) · es apenas (only, simply, merely) · ta மட்டும் (used to reduce the force of an imperative) · nl net (recently, moments ago) · ltg niu tik (recently, moments ago) · izh aima (only, simply, merely) · el απλώς (only, simply, merely) · fi vain (only, simply, merely) · ka უბრალოდ (only, simply, merely) · acw بس (only, simply, merely) · et just (recently, moments ago) · vi một chút (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · fi hädin tuskin (by a narrow margin, barely) · da netop (recently, moments ago) · nn berre (only, simply, merely) · pt acabar de (recently, moments ago) · az təkcə (used to convey a less serious or formal tone) · lv tik tikko (by a narrow margin, barely) · cmn 只是 (only, simply, merely) · he רק (recently, moments ago) · ba әле генә (recently, moments ago) · pl właśnie (recently, moments ago) · nl onlangs (recently, moments ago) · dsb jano (only, simply, merely) · vi chỉ vừa (by a narrow margin, barely) · sh само (only, simply, merely) · ja ただ (only, simply, merely) · et täpselt (exactly, precisely, perfectly)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ey-
Proto-Indo-European *-u
Proto-Indo-European *h₂óyu
Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *h₂yéwos
Proto-Italic *jowos
Archaic Latin *iowos, *iowez-
Proto-Indo-European *-tós
Proto-Italic *-tos
Archaic Latin -tus
Archaic Latin iovestos
Latin iūstus
Old French justebor.
Middle English juste
English just
From Middle English juste, from Old French juste, from Latin iūstus (“just, lawful, rightful, true, due, proper, moderate”), from Proto-Italic *jowestos, related to Latin iūs (“law, right”); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-. Compare Scots juist (“just”), Saterland Frisian juust (“just”), West Frisian just (“just”), Dutch juist (“just”), German Low German jüst (“jüst”), German just (“just”), Danish just (“just”), Swedish just (“just”). Doublet of giusto.
Variation of joust, presumably ultimately from Latin iuxta (“near, besides”).
Meanings
A joust, tournament.
Justs and tilts were held here weekly, while the great tourneys that occurred less often were given upon a field outside the castle wall upon the floor of the valley. 1928, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter 11, in Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, 1st edition, page 139:
Variation of joust, presumably ultimately from Latin iuxta (“near, besides”).
Meanings
To joust, fight a tournament.
He iusts with her vnknowne whom he lou’d best, [...]. 1600, [Torquato Tasso], “The Third Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne”, in Edward Fairefax [i.e., Edward Fairfax], transl., Godfrey of Bulloigne, or The Recouerie of Ierusalem. […], London: […] Ar[nold] Hatfield, for I[saac] Iaggard and M[atthew] Lownes, →OCLC, page 39: