just means factually right, correct; factual.
just is pronounced /d͡ʒʌst/.
Why “just” is a great word
Conforming to a standard of correctness, whether factual, rational, or moral; fair and equitable. From Middle English juste, from Old French juste, from Latin iūstus (“lawful, rightful, fair”), from iūs (“law, right”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-. Unlike “fair,” which implies an ad hoc balance or a pleasing proportionality, or “righteous,” which rings with a tone of personal moral certitude, “just” denotes fidelity to an external and objective principle. It is the measured click of calibrated scales, the verdict that aligns not with pity but with law, and the quiet satisfaction of a debt repaid in full; not kind, not generous, but set square with the world.
Etymology
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.
adj
- Factually right, correct; factual.e.g.“It is a just assessment of the facts.”
- Rationally right, correct.
- Morally right; upright, righteous, equitable; fair.e.g.“It looks like a just solution at first glance.”
- Proper, adequate.
adv
- Only, simply, merely.e.g.“Just plant a few tomatoes, unless you can freeze or dry them.”
- Only, simply, merely.; Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned.e.g.“I spent two hours cooking my favorite recipe, just to burn the rice and ruin the meal.”
- Used to reduce the force of an imperative; simply.e.g.“Just follow the directions on the box.”
- Used to increase the force of an imperative; simply, without questioning.e.g.“I'm tired of playing games – just get it done.”
- Used to convey a less serious or formal tonee.g.“I just called to say "hi".”
- Absolutely, positively.e.g.“It is just splendid!”
- Barely, hardly, scarcely.; Moments ago, only very recently.e.g.“They just left, but you may leave a message at the desk.”
- Barely, hardly, scarcely.; By a narrow margin; closely; narrowly; almost not.e.g.“The fastball just missed my head!”
- Exactly, precisely, perfectly.e.g.“He wants everything just right for the big day.”
intj
- Expressing dismay or discontent.
noun
- A joust, tournament.e.g.“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:
verb
- To joust, fight a tournament.e.g.“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] Ha
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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