joust means A tilting match: a mock combat between two mounted knights or men-at-arms using lances in the lists or enclosed field.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, joust ranks #2,328 of 14,438 for Most Storied Words, #2,340 of 14,361 for Most Ingenious Words, #2,351 of 14,308 for Most Malleable Words, #2,430 of 14,340 for Most Vivid Words.
joust is pronounced /d͡ʒaʊst/.
Why “joust” is a great word
A contest between two mounted knights armed with lances, charging at each other to unseat their opponent. From Middle English, borrowed from Old French *jouster*, from Vulgar Latin *iuxtāre* ("to approach, come near"), from Latin *iūxta* ("close to, beside"); English since the early 14th century. Unlike a "duel," fought in earnest to settle honor, or a "debate," structured for deliberation, a joust is a collision of pageantry and controlled violence. It is the thunder of destriers on packed earth, the sharp crack of a lance splintering on a shield, and the heavy, metallic thud of a knight falling into the dust—a ritual where the performance of honor often matters more than its substance, and where every charge echoes the original meaning: to come close in order to clash.
Etymology
From Middle English, borrowed from Old French jouster (modern French jouter), from Vulgar Latin *juxtō, *iuxtō, *iuxtāre, from Latin iūxta (“close to”). English since the early 14th century.
noun
- A tilting match: a mock combat between two mounted knights or men-at-arms using lances in the lists or enclosed field.“medieval joust”
verb
- To engage in mock combat on horseback, as two knights in the lists; to tilt.“The knights prepared to joust in the tournament.”
- To engage in verbal sparring over an important issue. (used of two people, both of whom participate more or less equally)“verbally joust”
- To touch penises while engaging in a sex act, especially oral sex.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- quintain 85% match — An object (generally a post or plank on a support) set up as a target to be tilted at in jousting, or otherwise used as target practice. vs joust →
- hastilude 84% match — A medieval martial game. vs joust →
- monomachy 82% match — A fight or other contest between two people or forces; a duel; single combat. vs joust →
- monomachia 82% match — A duel; single combat. vs joust →
- melee 82% match — A battle fought at close range, (especially) one not involving ranged weapons; hand-to-hand combat; brawling. vs joust →
- destrier 82% match — A large warhorse, especially of a medieval knight. vs joust →
- chivalry 82% match — Cavalry; horsemen armed for battle. vs joust →
- paladin 81% match — A heroic champion, especially a knight. vs joust →