[ geɪdʒ ]
( chiefly US also gage )
■ noun
1》 an instrument that measures and gives a visual display of the amount, level, or contents of something.
2》 the thickness, size, or capacity of a wire, sheet, tube, bullet, etc., especially as a standard measure.
3》 the distance between the rails of a line of railway track.
4》 Nautical, archaic the position of a sailing vessel to windward ( the weather gage ) or leeward ( the lee gage ) of another.
■ verb
1》 estimate or determine the amount or level of.
↘judge or assess (a situation, mood, etc.).
2》 measure the dimensions of with a ~.
↘[as adjective ~d ] made in standard dimensions.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~r noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~ (n.), ~r (v.), var. of Old North. Fr. jauge , jauger , of unknown origin.