ginGIN, n. A contraction of Geneva, a distilled spirit. [See Geneva.] GIN, n. [A contraction of engine.] A machine or instrument by which the mechanical powers are employed in aid of human strength. The word is applied to various engines, as a machine for driving piles, another for raising weights, &c., and a machine for separating the seeds from cotton, invented by E.Whitney, is called a cotton-gin. It is also the name given to an engine of torture, and to a pump moved by rotary sails. GIN, v.t. To clear cotton of its seeds by a machine which separates them with expedition. GIN, v.i. To begin. |