gage
1 of 4noun (1)
less common spelling of gauge
1
a
: a measurement (as of linear dimension) according to some standard or system: such as
(1)
: the distance between the rails of a railroad
(2)
: the size of a shotgun barrel's inner diameter nominally expressed as the number of lead balls each just fitting that diameter required to make a pound
a 12-gauge shotgun
(3)
: the thickness of a thin material (such as sheet metal or plastic film)
(4)
: the diameter of a slender object (such as wire or a hypodermic needle)
(5)
: the fineness of a knitted fabric expressed by the number of loops per unit width
b
: dimensions, size
c
: measure sense 1
surveys are a gauge of public sentiment
2
: an instrument for or a means of measuring or testing: such as
a
: an instrument for measuring a dimension or for testing mechanical accuracy
b
: an instrument with a graduated (see graduate entry 1 sense transitive 2a) scale or dial for measuring or indicating quantity
3
: relative position of a ship with reference to another ship and the wind
4
: a function introduced into a field equation to produce a convenient form of the equation but having no observable physical consequences
gage
2 of 4noun (2)
ˈgāj 
1
: a token of defiance
specifically : a glove or cap cast on the ground to be taken up by an opponent as a pledge of combat
2
: something deposited as a pledge of performance
gage
3 of 4verb
gaged; gaging; gages
transitive verb
1
archaic : pledge
2
archaic : stake, risk
gage
4 of 4noun (3)
: greengage
Synonyms
Noun (2)
- guarantee
- guaranty
- pawn
- pledge
- security
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (2)
Middle English, "pledge, formal pledge of a person's appearance to do battle," borrowed from Anglo-French — more at wage entry 1
Verb
borrowed from Anglo-French gager "to offer surety, give as a pledge," derivative of gage "pledge, gage entry 2"
Noun (3)
by shortening
First Known Use
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (3)
1847, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
gage
variant of gauge
Medical Definition
gage
variant of gauge
Biographical Definition
Gage
biographical name
ˈgāj
Thomas 1721–1787 British general and colonial governor in America
gauges 1 of 2
verb
variants also gages
1
as in figures
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement glance over the pattern and try to gauge how much fabric you'll need Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- figures
- calculates
- estimates
- judges
- places
- guesses
- reasons
- conjectures
- puts
- calls
- makes
- understands
- supposes
- reckons
- deduces
- gathers
- extrapolates
- infers
- concludes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- measures
- scales
- calibrates
- computes
- works out
2
as in measures
to find out the size, extent, or amount of very difficult to gauge how upset he really is by his controlled reaction Synonyms & Similar Words
- measures
- scales
- assesses
- figures
- spans
- calipers
- computes
- calibrates
- judges
- calculates
- values
- quantitates
- estimates
- quantifies
- weighs
- evaluates
- appraises
- lays off
- ascertains
- guesstimates
- sums
- ciphers
- guesses
- tallies
- figures out
- valuates
- totals
- marks (off)
- finds out
- works out
- determines
- conjectures
- adds up
- discovers
- supposes
- reckons
- dopes (out)
gauges
2 of 2noun
variants also gages
1
as in dials
Synonyms & Similar Words
- dials
- indicators
- indexes
- needles
- indices
- faces
- hands
- pointers
2
as in standards
Synonyms & Similar Words
- standards
- mirrors
- touchstones
- guidelines
- principles
- examples
- paradigms
- rules
- patterns
- manifestations
- pinnacles
- zeniths
- phantoms
- summits
- apexes
- archetypes
- essences
- peaks
- acmes
- apotheoses
- incarnations
- models
- pinks
- role models
- apices
- culminations
- personifications
- quintessences
- patron saints
- ideas
- embodiments
- nonpareils
- paragons
- eidolons
- eidola
- classics
- epitomes
- ideals
- exemplars
- nonesuches
- beau ideals