■ verb
1》 obtain or secure (something favourable).
↘benefit: managers would ~ from greater openness.
2》 reach or arrive at (a destination).
↘( ~ on ) come closer to (a person or thing pursued).
3》 increase the amount or rate of (weight, speed, etc.).
↘increase in value.
↘(of a clock or watch) become fast by (a specific amount of time).
4》 ( ~ in ) increase in (a quality): canoeing is ~ing in popularity.
■ noun
1》 a thing that is ~ed.
2》 an increase in wealth or resources.
3》 the factor by which power or voltage is increased in an amplifier or other electronic device, usually expressed as a logarithm.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~er noun
Origin
C15 (orig. in the sense 'booty'): from OFr. gaigne (n.), gaignier (v.), of Gmc origin.