Dictionary.com

gar

1
[ gahr ]
/ gɑr /
See synonyms for gar on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural (especially collectively) gar, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) gars.

Also called garfish, garpike. any predaceous freshwater fish of the genus Lepisosteus, of North America, covered with hard, diamond-shaped scales and having long jaws with needlelike teeth.
needlefish (def. 1).

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Origin of gar

1
1755–65, Americanism; shortened form of garfish

Definition for gar (2 of 4)

gar2
[ gahr ]
/ gɑr /

verb (used with object), garred, gar·ring.

Scot. to compel or force (someone) to do something.
Scot. and North England Obsolete. to do, perform, or cause.

Origin of gar

2
1250–1300; Middle English geren, garren, gairen<Old Norse gera to do, make; akin to Old English gearwian to prepare

Definition for gar (3 of 4)

gar.

garage.

Definition for gar (4 of 4)

G.A.R.

Grand Army of the Republic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to gar

bayonet, pike, weapon, bill, javelin, partisan, lancet, halberd

British Dictionary definitions for gar (1 of 2)

gar1
/ (ɡɑː) /

noun plural gar or gars

short for garpike, garfish

British Dictionary definitions for gar (2 of 2)

gar2
/ (ɡɑːr) /

verb

(tr) Scot to cause or compel

Word Origin for gar

from Old Norse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012