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gauge
gauge / gāj/ (chiefly technical also gage) • n. 1. an instrument or device for measuring the magnitude, amount, or contents of something, typically with a visual display of such information. ∎ a tool for checking whether something conforms to a desired dimension. ∎ fig. a means of estimating something; a criterion or test: emigration is perhaps the best gauge of public unease. 2. the thickness, size, or capacity of something, esp. as a standard measure, in particular: ∎ the diameter of a string, fiber, tube, etc.: [as adj.] a fine 0.018-inch gauge wire. ∎ [in comb.] a measure of the diameter of a gun barrel, or of its ammunition, expressed as the number of spherical pieces of shot of the same diameter as the barrel that can be made from 1 pound (454 g) of lead: [as adj.] a 12-gauge shotgun. ∎ [in comb.] the thickness of sheet metal or plastic: [as adj.] 500-gauge polyethylene. ∎ the distance between the rails of a line of railroad track: the line was laid to a gauge of 2 ft. 9 in. 3. (usu. the gage) hist. Naut. the position of a sailing vessel to windward (weather gage) or leeward (lee gage) of another. • v. [tr.] 1. estimate or determine the magnitude, amount, or volume of: astronomers can gauge the star's intrinsic brightness. ∎ form a judgment or estimate of (a situation, mood, etc.): she is unable to gauge his mood. 2. measure the dimensions of (an object) with a gauge: when dry, the assemblies can be gauged exactly and planed to width. ∎ [as adj.] (gauged) made in standard dimensions: gauged sets of strings. DERIVATIVES: gauge·a·ble adj. gaug·er n. |
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Cite this article
"gauge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gauge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gauge.html "gauge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gauge.html |
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gauge
gauge gāj also gage n.
1. a measure of the diameter of a gun barrel, or of its ammunition, expressed as the number of spherical pieces of shot of the same diameter as the barrel that can be made from 1 lb (454 grams) of lead: a twelve-gauge shotgun. 2. the thickness of sheet metal or plastic: 500-gauge polyethylene. 3. the distance between the rails of a line of railroad track: the line was laid to a gauge of 2 feet 9 inches 4. (usually the gage) the position of a sailing vessel to windward (weather gage) or leeward (lee gage) of another. |
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Cite this article
"gauge." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gauge." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-gauge.html "gauge." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-gauge.html |
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gauge
gauge, U.S. gage fixed measure XV; graduated instrument XVII. — ONF. gauge, var. of F. jauge.
So vb. XV. — OF. gauger (mod. jauger). |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "gauge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "gauge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gauge.html T. F. HOAD. "gauge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gauge.html |
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gauge
gauge
•age, assuage, backstage, cage, downstage, engage, enrage, gage, gauge, mage, multistage, offstage, onstage, Osage, page, Paige, rage, rampage, sage, stage, swage, under-age, upstage, wage
•greengage • ribcage • birdcage
•teenage • saxifrage • outrage
•space-age
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Cite this article
"gauge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gauge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-gauge.html "gauge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-gauge.html |
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