gage

[ geyj ]

/ geɪdʒ /

noun

something, as a glove, thrown down by a medieval knight in token of challenge to combat.

Archaic. a challenge.

Archaic. a pledge or pawn; security.

verb (used with object), gaged, gag·ing.

Archaic. to pledge, stake, or wager.

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a granular metamorphic rock.

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a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.

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Origin of gage

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Germanic; see wage

Words nearby gage

gag-bit, gaga, gagaku, gagarin, gagauzi, gage, gager, gagger, gaggery, gaggle, gagman

Definition for gaging (2 of 3)

gage²

[ geyj ]

/ geɪdʒ /

noun, verb (used with object), gaged, gag·ing. (chiefly in technical use)

gauge.

OTHER WORDS FROM gage

gag·er, noun

Definition for gaging (3 of 3)

gauge

[ geyj ]

/ geɪdʒ /

verb (used with object), gauged, gaug·ing.

to determine the exact dimensions, capacity, quantity, or force of; measure.

to appraise, estimate, or judge.

to make conformable to a standard.

to mark or measure off; delineate.

to prepare or mix (plaster) with a definite proportion of plaster of Paris and mortar.

to chip or rub (bricks or stones) to a uniform size or shape.

noun

a standard of measure or measurement.

a standard dimension, size, or quantity.

any device or instrument for measuring, registering measurements, or testing something, especially for measuring a dimension, quantity, or mechanical accuracy: pressure gauge; marking gauge.

a means of estimating or judging; criterion; test.

extent; scope; capacity: trying to determine the gauge of his own strength.

Ordnance. a unit of measure of the internal diameter of a shotgun barrel, determined by the number of spherical lead bullets of a diameter equal to that of the bore that are required to make one pound: a twelve-gauge shotgun.

Railroads. the distance between the inner edges of the heads of the rails in a track, usually 4 feet 8.5 inches (1.4 meters) (standard gauge), but sometimes more (broad gauge) and sometimes less (narrow gauge).

the distance between a pair of wheels on an axle.

the thickness or diameter of various, usually thin, objects, as the thickness of sheet metal or the diameter of a wire or screw.

the fineness of a knitted fabric as expressed in loops per every 1.5 inches (3.8 cm): 15 denier, 60 gauge stockings.

Nautical. the position of one vessel as being to the windward (weather gauge) or to the leeward (lee gauge) of another vessel on an approximately parallel course.

Building Trades. the portion of the length of a slate, tile, etc., left exposed when laid in place.

the amount of plaster of Paris mixed with mortar or common plaster to hasten the set.

Also especially in technical use, gage.

Origin of gauge

1375–1425; late Middle English < Old North French (French jauge) < Germanic

SYNONYMS FOR gauge

2 evaluate, assess, value, calculate.

OTHER WORDS FROM gauge

gauge·a·ble, adjectivegauge·a·bly, adverbmis·gauge, verb (used with object), mis·gauged, mis·gaug·ing.mul·ti·gauge, adjective

re·gauge, verb (used with object), re·gauged, re·gaug·ing.self-gaug·ing, adjectiveun·gauged, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for gaging

This bottle serves the purpose of a standard for gaging the jars.
Elements of Chemistry,|Antoine Lavoisier
By planing the ends and the width before the thickness is planed, a dressed face is secured all around for gaging the thickness.
Handwork in Wood|William Noyes
The tool shown in Fig. 51 is used for gaging taper threaded holes in boilers when fitting studs.
Measuring Tools|Unknown
It has been found that next in importance to properly graded aggregates is the gaging of the amount of water used in the mixture.
Concrete Construction|Halbert P. Gillette

She had lost many of her family, and was able to comfort from gaging the affectionate father's grief.
The Lincoln Story Book|Henry L. Williams

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (1 of 6)

gage¹

/ (ɡeɪdʒ) /

noun

something deposited as security against the fulfilment of an obligation; pledge

(formerly) a glove or other object thrown down to indicate a challenge to combat

verb

(tr) archaic to stake, pledge, or wager

Word Origin for gage

C14: from Old French gage, of Germanic origin; compare Gothic wadi pledge

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (2 of 6)

gage²

/ (ɡeɪdʒ) /

noun

short for greengage

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (3 of 6)

gage³

/ (ɡeɪdʒ) /

noun

US old-fashioned, slang marijuana

Word Origin for gage

C20: of uncertain origin; compare ganja

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (4 of 6)

gage⁴

/ (ɡeɪdʒ) /

noun, verb

US a variant spelling (esp in technical senses) of gauge

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (5 of 6)

Gage

/ (ɡeɪdʒ) /

noun

Thomas. 1721–87, British general and governor in America; commander in chief of British forces at Bunker Hill (1775)

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (6 of 6)

gauge

gage

/ (ɡeɪdʒ) /

verb (tr)

to measure or determine the amount, quantity, size, condition, etc, of

to estimate or appraise; judge

to check for conformity or bring into conformity with a standard measurement, dimension, etc

noun

a standard measurement, dimension, capacity, or quantity

any of various instruments for measuring a quantitya pressure gauge

any of various devices used to check for conformity with a standard measurement

a standard or means for assessing; test; criterion

scope, capacity, or extent

the diameter of the barrel of a gun, esp a shotgun

the thickness of sheet metal or the diameter of wire

the distance between the rails of a railway track: in Britain 4 ft 8 1/2 in. (1.435 m)

the distance between two wheels on the same axle of a vehicle, truck, etc

nautical the position of a vessel in relation to the wind and another vessel. One vessel may be windward (weather gauge) or leeward (lee gauge) of the other

the proportion of plaster of Paris added to mortar to accelerate its setting

the distance between the nails securing the slates, tiles, etc, of a roof

a measure of the fineness of woven or knitted fabric, usually expressed as the number of needles used per inch

the width of motion-picture film or magnetic tape

adjective

(of a pressure measurement) measured on a pressure gauge that registers zero at atmospheric pressure; above or below atmospheric pressure5 bar gauge See also absolute (def. 10)

Derived forms of gauge

gaugeable or gageable, adjectivegaugeably or gageably, adverb

Word Origin for gauge

C15: from Old Northern French, probably of Germanic origin

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

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WORD OF THE DAY

gage

noun

verb (used with object), gaged, gag·ing.

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Origin of gage

Words nearby gage

Definition for gaging (2 of 3)

noun, verb (used with object), gaged, gag·ing. (chiefly in technical use)

OTHER WORDS FROM gage

Definition for gaging (3 of 3)

verb (used with object), gauged, gaug·ing.

noun

Origin of gauge

SYNONYMS FOR gauge

OTHER WORDS FROM gauge

Example sentences from the Web for gaging

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (1 of 6)

noun

verb

Word Origin for gage

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (2 of 6)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (3 of 6)

noun

Word Origin for gage

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (4 of 6)

noun, verb

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (5 of 6)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for gaging (6 of 6)

gage

verb (tr)

noun

adjective

Derived forms of gauge

Word Origin for gauge