gauger

American  

[gey-jer] / ˈgeɪ dʒər /

especially in technical use, gager

noun

1. a person or thing that gauges.

2. a worker or inspector who checks the dimensions or quality of machined work.

3. a customs official, collector of excise taxes, or the like.

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gauger British  

/ ˈɡeɪdʒə /

noun

1. a person or thing that gauges

2. a customs officer who inspects bulk merchandise, esp liquor casks, for excise duty purposes

3. a collector of excise taxes

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Etymology

Origin of gauger

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Anglo-French word gaugeour. See gauge, -or ²

Example Sentences

“It’s a good temperature gauger of where we are and where we want to be.”

From Washington Times • Sep. 19, 2018

“The man who’s supposed to be the arch-spinner and gauger of the public mood, David Cameron, screwed up,” said Fielding.

From BusinessWeek • Aug. 15, 2011

Jem Hathaway, the gauger, told me last market-day that he saw him one Sunday in the what-dye-call't—the Park there, covered with rings, and gold chains, and fine velvets—all green and gold, like our great peacock.

From Town Versus Country by Mitford, Mary Russell

Then the gauger comes 'roun', 'n ye have to pay a tax on all he's smart enough to fin',—a dollar 'n ten cen's a gallon.

From A Tar-Heel Baron by Holloway, Edward Stratton

He is said to have had many fights with smugglers, but did not suffer the fate of the gauger in Guy Mannering, for Dirck Hatteraicks were not so common as youthful readers might desire.

From Springtime and Other Essays by Darwin, Francis, Sir