OpenSynonym

gage

/ɡeɪdʒ/

NOUN

1. Something offered as a pledge or challenge

Something, such as a glove or another object, thrown down as a challenge to combat; also used figuratively as a symbol of a challenge or commitment.

1.1. Challenges and symbols of defiance

An object offered or thrown down as a challenge, traditionally representing a demand to fight or accept a contest.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The knight threw down his gage to challenge his rival to combat.

Related Words

NOUN

2. Something deposited as a guarantee or pledge

Something valuable deposited or given as security to guarantee the fulfillment of an obligation, agreement, or promise.

2.1. Security and collateral

An item of value provided as assurance that an obligation will be fulfilled or a debt repaid.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • breach
  • break
  • disagreement

Examples

  • The borrower offered a valuable watch as a gage for the loan.
  • The agreement required a deposit as a gage of good faith.

Related Words

2.2. Promises and formal commitments

A pledge, promise, or formal assurance that someone will fulfill an obligation or honor an agreement.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • breach
  • break
  • disagreement

Examples

  • His written promise served as a gage of his commitment to the agreement.

Related Words

NOUN

3. A measuring instrument or standard of measurement

An instrument used to determine or regulate dimensions, distance, capacity, thickness, or other measurable properties; also a standard used for comparison.

3.1. Measuring instruments and gauges

A device used to measure, inspect, or regulate the dimensions, condition, or capacity of an object or system.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The engineer used a precision gage to inspect the machine components.
  • The technician checked the pressure using a calibrated gage.

Related Words

3.2. Standards and benchmarks

A reference standard or criterion used to compare, evaluate, or determine the quality and dimensions of something.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The industry adopted a common gage for evaluating product quality.

Related Words

NOUN

4. An act or result of measuring

The process of determining the size, amount, capacity, or extent of something, or the result obtained from that process.

4.1. Measurement and quantification

The determination of dimensions, quantities, or other measurable properties through observation or calculation.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The gage of the material was recorded before manufacturing began.

Related Words

NOUN

5. An estimate or judgment

An approximate calculation, assessment, or judgment about the size, value, amount, character, or ability of something or someone.

5.1. Estimates and approximations

An approximate determination of a quantity, value, or extent based on available information.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The contractor provided a rough gage of the project's total cost.

Related Words

5.2. Evaluation of character or ability

An assessment or judgment of someone's qualities, character, performance, or capabilities.

Synonyms

  • assessment
  • appraisal
  • evaluation
  • judgment
  • estimation

Examples

  • The interview gave the manager a useful gage of the candidate's abilities.

Related Words

NOUN

6. The distance between railway tracks

The distance between the inner sides of the two rails of a railway track.

6.1. Railway track spacing

The measured distance separating the two rails of a railway track, determining the compatibility of trains with the track.

Synonyms

  • track gauge
  • rail gauge

Examples

  • The railway company selected a standard gage for its new track.

Related Words

NOUN

7. The thickness of sheet metal or wire

A measurement or numerical designation indicating the thickness of sheet metal or wire according to a particular numbering system.

7.1. Metal and wire thickness

A standardized designation used to specify the thickness of metal sheets, wires, and similar materials.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The manufacturer specified the gage of the steel sheet in the product requirements.

Related Words

  • sheet metal
  • wire
  • diameter
  • metalworking
  • dimension
  • specification

NOUN

8. A measurement of knitting or stitching density

The number of stitches per unit of length, such as an inch or centimeter, in a knitted or crocheted fabric.

8.1. Knitting and stitch density

The number of stitches or rows within a specified length of knitted fabric, used to determine its density and dimensions.

Synonyms

  • stitch gauge
  • stitch count

Examples

  • The knitter checked the gage before starting the sweater.

Related Words

NOUN

9. Relative position of vessels in relation to the wind

The relative positions or orientations of two or more sailing vessels with reference to the direction of the wind.

9.1. Sailing positions and wind direction

The relative placement of sailing vessels in relation to the wind during navigation.

Synonyms

  • wind position

Examples

  • The captain studied the gage of the vessels before changing course.

Related Words

NOUN

10. The depth to which a vessel sinks in water

The vertical distance between the waterline and the lowest point of a vessel's hull when it is floating.

10.1. Ship draft and immersion depth

The depth of a ship or boat below the waterline, indicating how deeply it sits in the water.

Synonyms

  • draft
  • draught

Examples

  • The harbor authority checked the vessel's gage before allowing it to enter shallow waters.

Related Words

NOUN

11. A unit describing shotgun bore size

A measurement system indicating how many spherical lead balls of a particular bore diameter can be made from one pound of lead; also used to describe a shotgun of a specified bore size.

11.1. Shotgun bore and ammunition measurement

A traditional system for identifying the bore size of a shotgun based on the number of lead balls of that diameter that make up one pound.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The specification listed the firearm's gage as twelve.

Related Words

  • shotgun
  • firearm
  • bore diameter
  • caliber
  • ammunition
  • 12-gauge

NOUN

12. A tunnel-like ear piercing

A type of ear piercing in which the earlobe is stretched to accommodate a hollow ring or tunnel-shaped piece of jewelry.

12.1. Stretched earlobe jewelry

A hollow ring or tunnel-shaped ornament worn in an enlarged earlobe piercing.

Synonyms

  • ear tunnel
  • flesh tunnel

Examples

  • She chose a black gage for her stretched earlobe.

Related Words

  • ear piercing
  • earlobe stretching
  • plug
  • tunnel jewelry
  • body modification

NOUN

13. A small quantity of something

A small amount or portion of a substance or material.

13.1. Small amounts and portions

A limited quantity of something, often referring to a small serving or amount of material.

Synonyms

Examples

  • He poured a small gage of liquid into the glass.

Related Words

  • morsel
  • little
  • fraction
  • drop
  • dose
  • serving

NOUN

14. A container for a drink

A drinking vessel, such as a quart pot or pint pot, or by extension the drink contained in it.

14.1. Drinking vessels and servings

A traditional container used for holding or serving a quantity of beer or another beverage.

Synonyms

  • pint pot
  • quart pot
  • drinking vessel

Examples

  • The customer ordered a gage at the old tavern.

Related Words

NOUN

15. A tobacco pipe

A pipe used for smoking tobacco.

15.1. Smoking pipes

A device designed to hold and burn tobacco for smoking.

Synonyms

  • pipe
  • tobacco pipe

Examples

  • The antique gage was displayed in the collector's cabinet.

Related Words

  • tobacco
  • smoking
  • pipe bowl
  • stem
  • smoking device

NOUN

16. A chamber pot

A portable container traditionally kept in a bedroom for use as a toilet, especially before indoor plumbing became common.

16.1. Portable toilet containers

A vessel used for collecting human waste, traditionally kept near a bed for nighttime use.

Synonyms

  • chamber pot
  • bedpan

Examples

  • The museum displayed an antique gage from the eighteenth century.

Related Words

  • toilet
  • potty
  • sanitation
  • portable toilet
  • commode

NOUN

17. A subspecies of plum

A type of European plum belonging to the species Prunus domestica, commonly associated with the greengage group.

17.1. Plum varieties and fruit

A variety of plum cultivated for its fruit, which is commonly eaten fresh or used in cooking and preserves.

Synonyms

  • greengage

Examples

  • The farmer harvested ripe gages from the orchard.

Related Words

  • plum
  • fruit
  • Prunus domestica
  • stone fruit
  • orchard
  • greengage plum

NOUN

18. Marijuana

A term used in some slang contexts to refer to cannabis, a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant.

18.1. Cannabis and drug slang

An informal or regional term referring to marijuana or cannabis.

Synonyms

  • marijuana
  • cannabis
  • weed
  • pot

Examples

  • The old glossary listed gage as a slang term for marijuana.

Related Words

  • hemp
  • cannabis plant
  • THC
  • cannabinoids

VERB

19. To give or deposit something as a pledge or security

To provide something valuable as a pledge, guarantee, or security for an obligation or debt.

19.1. Pawning and providing collateral

To deposit or offer an item of value as security for a loan or the fulfillment of an agreement.

Synonyms

  • pawn
  • pledge
  • deposit
  • collateralize
  • secure

Examples

  • He gaged his watch to secure the short-term loan.

Related Words

VERB

20. To wager or bet

To risk money or something valuable on the outcome of an event or contest.

20.1. Betting and wagering

To stake money or valuables on an uncertain outcome in the hope of winning something.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The players gaged their money on the final result.

Related Words

VERB

21. To bind someone by a pledge or security

To bind or commit someone to an obligation through a pledge, promise, or form of security.

21.1. Binding and committing by agreement

To place someone under an obligation through a formal promise, pledge, or security arrangement.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The contract gaged both parties to fulfill their responsibilities.

Related Words

VERB

22. To measure or determine dimensions using a gauge

To measure or determine the capacity, dimensions, level, or condition of something with a measuring instrument.

22.1. Measuring and determining dimensions

To use a measuring instrument or standard to establish the size, capacity, thickness, or condition of an object.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The technician gaged the pipe to ensure it met the required dimensions.

Related Words

VERB

23. To estimate or appraise something

To form an approximate judgment or assessment of the amount, value, character, or ability of something or someone.

23.1. Estimating quantities and values

To make an approximate calculation or judgment about the size, amount, value, or extent of something.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The survey was designed to gage public opinion about the proposed changes.

Related Words

23.2. Judging character and ability

To evaluate someone's character, skills, performance, or capabilities based on observation or experience.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The coach tried to gage the new player's abilities during practice.

Related Words

VERB

24. To gather fabric into evenly spaced folds

To draw fabric into evenly spaced gathers by passing a thread through it and pulling the thread tight.

24.1. Gathering and pleating fabric

To create small, evenly distributed folds in fabric by stitching and pulling a thread.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The seamstress gaged the fabric before attaching it to the waistband.

Related Words

VERB

25. To mix ordinary plaster with plaster of Paris

To combine a quantity of ordinary plaster with plaster of Paris to make the mixture set more quickly.

25.1. Preparing plaster mixtures

To add plaster of Paris to ordinary plaster in a controlled quantity to accelerate the setting process.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The plasterer gaged the mixture to make it set more quickly.

Related Words

  • plastering
  • plaster of Paris
  • gypsum
  • setting time
  • construction material

VERB

26. To shape stones, bricks, or similar materials to a standard size

To chip, hew, or polish stones, bricks, or other materials so that they conform to a specified size or shape.

26.1. Shaping and finishing building materials

To cut, chip, or polish construction materials to achieve uniform dimensions or a required shape.

Synonyms

  • hew
  • chip
  • trim
  • shape
  • dress
  • polish

Examples

  • The mason gaged the stones to ensure that each one fitted the wall.

Related Words

  • masonry
  • stoneworking
  • brickwork
  • cutting
  • finishing
  • dimensioning