gage
1 Americannoun
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something, as a glove, thrown down by a medieval knight in token of challenge to combat.
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Archaic. a challenge.
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Archaic. a pledge or pawn; security.
verb (used with object)
noun
noun
noun
noun
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something deposited as security against the fulfilment of an obligation; pledge
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(formerly) a glove or other object thrown down to indicate a challenge to combat
verb
noun
noun
noun
noun
Other Word Forms
- gager noun
Etymology
Origin of gage1
First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English, from Old French g(u)age, from Germanic; compare Gothic wadi “a pledge”; wage
Origin of gage3
First recorded in 1840–50; by shortening
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It changes the atmosphere when a heckler goes too far, but it really is about gaging, do the people around me want me to keep going?"
From BBC
The gage was installed many years ago to measure water conditions, the release said.
From Los Angeles Times
The river gage shows the river may reach 192.58 feet The Chehalis Basin Flood Authority has flood inundation maps & river gages for the region on its website.
From Seattle Times
Both sites already have gages to monitor the flow and height of the water.
From Washington Times
As Surrey, he trilled his tongue daringly as he threw down a gage; as a gossiping gardener, he exclaimed a comical “Whaaaaaaaat? Think you the King shall be deposed?”
From New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
