Refers to the essential meaning, intent, or main idea behind a statement, document, or proposal. Slightly formal.
I don't quite understand the gist of his proposal.
Please summarize the main point of this text.
prospectus; written statement of purpose
Compound of 趣 (purport, gist) and 意 (idea, thought). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally conveys 'essential meaning'.