gear

views updated May 23 2018

gear / gi(ə)r/ • n. 1. (often gears) one of a set of toothed wheels that work together to alter the relation between the speed of a driving mechanism (such as the engine of a vehicle or the crank of a bicycle) and the speed of the driven parts (the wheels). ∎  a particular function or state of adjustment of engaged gears: he was tooling along in fifth gear.2. inf. equipment that is used for a particular purpose. ∎  a person's personal possessions and clothes. ∎  clothing, esp. of a specified kind: designer gear. ∎ Naut. a ship’s rigging.• v. [tr.] design or adjust the gears in (a machine) to give a specified speed or power output: it's geared too high for serious off-road use. ∎  (gear something to) adjust or adapt something to suit a special purpose or need.PHRASES: in gear with a gear engaged: the captain revved the engines and put them in gear. ∎ fig. done with more energy or effort: I've got to get my act in gear.PHRASAL VERBS: gear down (or up) change to a lower (or higher) gear.gear for make ready or prepared: a nation geared for war.gear up equip or prepare oneself: the region started to gear up for the tourist season.

gear

views updated May 23 2018

gear Wheel, usually toothed, attached to a rotating shaft. The teeth of one gear engage those of another in order to transmit and modify speed of rotation and torque.

Gear

views updated May 21 2018

Gear

property in general; persons belongings, as clothes, collectively; equipment required for a particular task or procedure.

gear

views updated May 21 2018

gear equipment, apparatus, etc. XIII. — ON. gervi, gǫrvi, corr. to OS. gerwi, garewi, OHG. garawī, gar(e)wī :- Gmc. *ʒarwīn-, f. *ʒarwu- ready.