n. & v.
n. 1 a barrier, usu. hinged, used to close an opening made for entrance and exit through a wall, fence, etc. 2 such an opening, esp. in the wall of a city, enclosure, or large building. 3 a means of entrance or exit. 4 a numbered place of access to aircraft at an airport. 5 a mountain pass. 6 an arrangement of slots into which the gear lever of a motor vehicle moves to engage the required gear. 7 a device for holding the frame of a cine film momentarily in position behind the lens of a camera or projector. 8 a an electrical signal that causes or controls the passage of other signals. b an electrical circuit with an output which depends on the combination of several inputs. 9 a device regulating the passage of water in a lock etc. 10 a the number of people entering by payment at the gates of a sports ground etc. b (in full gate-money) the proceeds taken for admission. 11 sl. the mouth. 12 US sl. dismissal. 13 = starting-gate.
v.tr. 1 Brit. confine to college or school entirely or after certain hours. 2 (as gated adj.) (of a road) having a gate or gates to control the movement of traffic or animals.
[ OE gt, geat, pl. gatu, f. Gmc ]