gist

Universal Words noun (usually the gist) [sing.] ~ (of sth) the main or general meaning of a piece of writing, a speech or a conversation: to get (= understand) the gist of an argument * I missed the beginning of the lecture-can you give me the gist of what he said? * I'm afraid I don't quite follow your gist (= what you really mean). * Students are taught the skills of reading and listening for gist.