gauge

[geyj]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gauge ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Related formsgauge·a·ble, adjectivegauge·a·bly, adverbmis·gauge, verb (used with object), mis·gauged, mis·gaug·ing.mul·ti·gauge, adjectivere·gauge, verb (used with object), re·gauged, re·gaug·ing.self-gaug·ing, adjectiveun·gauged, adjective

Synonyms for gauge

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gauge ON THESAURUS.COM

2. evaluate, assess, value, calculate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for gauge

indicator, pattern, benchmark, meter, criterion, yardstick, barometer, guess, calculate, evaluate, ascertain, assess, determine, quantify, weigh, appraise, calibrate, height, sample, bore

Examples from the Web for gauge

Contemporary Examples of gauge

It took the entire day, but the slow pace indicated that it was probably a test to gauge public reaction.
The Monuments Men of Occupy Hong Kong
Brendon Hong
December 4, 2014
So, he approached his nomadic friends to gauge their interest in the collaboration.
London’s Pagan Counterculture Kings
Justin Jones
October 12, 2014
To gauge his level of truthfulness, I asked, “So, you wouldn't mind if I included your donor identification number in the story?”
Today’s Sperm Donor Isn’t a Broke 20-Something
Stephanie Fairyington
September 20, 2014
The only gauge of normality that young people have is their observation of each other.
Kids Don’t Know How Overweight They Really Are
Russell Saunders
July 29, 2014
When a soldier is hit by an IED the gauge records the event.
How a Thumb-Sized Gauge Is Revolutionizing Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brian Castner
March 23, 2014

Historical Examples of gauge

Nevertheless, he has liberated a force that no gauge made by man can measure.
Jennie Baxter, Journalist
Robert Barr
But it is not every man that can gauge the value of a working mine so well as John Kenyon.'
A Woman Intervenes
Robert Barr
The gauge is a narrow one, so that the locomotive can be made of small dimensions.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 417
Various
The battery was exhausted, but this fact had not been indicated on the gauge.
Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout
Victor Appleton
I was trying cautiously to gauge him, to get from him all the information I could.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science April 1930
Various

British Dictionary definitions for gauge

gauge

gage

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 Formsgaugeable 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

Word Origin and History for gauge

"ascertain by exact measurements," mid-15c., from Anglo-French gauge (mid-14c.), from Old North French gauger (Old French jauger), from gauge "gauging rod," perhaps from Frankish *galgo "rod, pole for measuring" or another Germanic source (cf. Old Norse gelgja "pole, perch," Old High German galgo; see gallows). Related: Gauged; gauging. The figurative use is from 1580s.

"fixed standard of measure," early 15c. (surname Gageman is early 14c.), from Old North French gauge "gauging rod" (see gauge (v.)). Meaning "instrument for measuring" is from 1680s.