WordWeb Online

1. The central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
   - effect, essence, burden, core
    
2. The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
   "the gist of the prosecutor's argument";
   - kernel, substance, core, center [US], centre [Brit, Cdn], essence, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty

Derived forms: gists

Type of: cognitive content, content, import, meaning, mental object, significance, signification

Encyclopedia: Gist