Forms: 3–4 ioust, 7– joust; 4–7 iust, 7– just, (6–9 giust). [a. OF. juste, joste, jouste, F. joute, f. juster, etc. JUST v. For the spelling and pronunciation, see JUST, JOUST, v.]
1. A combat in which two knights or men-at-arms on horseback encountered each other with lances; spec. a combat of this kind for exercise or sport; a tilt. Usually in pl. justs, jousts, a series of such encounters, as a spectacular display; a tournament.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2898. Vor þer nas so god kniȝt non … Þat in ioustes ssolde sitte þe dunt of is lance.
c. 1320. Sir Beues (A.), 3785. And to þe iustes þai gonne ride.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 10. Whanne lordis ben fro hom in werris, in iustis.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, xxi. 62. I was a yonge knyght and hauntyd the iustes and tornoys.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 1. For knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., V. ii. 52. What newes from Oxford? Hold those Iusts and Triumphs?
1635. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Banish’d Virg., 192. Right joyfull … to light on by the way so solemne jousts.
1645. Evelyn, Diary, 2 May. There had been in the morning a Just and Tournament of severall young gentlemen.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xv. 191. Great justs were made: the French King himself justing.
1755. Johnson, Just, mock encounter on horseback; tilt; tournament. Joust is more proper.
1776. Mickle, trans. Camoens’ Lusiad, 330. At just and tournay with the tilted lance.
1801. Strutt, Sports & Past., III. i. 113. The just was a separate trial of skill, when only one man was opposed to another.
1808. Scott, Marm., I. xiv. Seldom hath pass’d a week but giust Or feat of arms befel.
1830. G. P. R. James, Darnley, xxi. 93. Just after just, tourney after tourney.
1838. Prescott, Ferd. & Is. (1846), III. xi. 44. The knights … defied one another to jousts and tourneys.
1859. Tennyson, Enid, 537. Down to the meadow where the jousts were held.
fig. 1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. ii. III. Colonies, 553. Less powrfull in the Paphian Ioust For Propagation.
1846. H. Rogers, Ess., I. iv. 203. He entered the lists in those intellectual jousts, as they may be called.
† b. pl. as sing. A tournament. Obs.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVII. 50. Coming fro … Ierico To a iustes in iherusalem.
a. 1512. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 687. Chief chalengeour, at a royall iustyce and turney.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 303. The king did holde a royall Iustes in Smithfielde in London.
1593. Peele, Order Garter, B j b. As if the God of warre, Had held a Iusts in honour of his loue.
1641–74. Baker, Chron., an. 1400. They would publish a solemn Justs to be holden at Oxford.
† 2. Applied to the ancient Grecian games. Obs.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 37. Olympades, þat beeþ þe tymes of here iustis and tornementis.
1388. Wyclif, 2 Macc. iv. 18. Whanne iustus, doon oonys in fyue ȝeer, was maad solempli in Tire.
