GAIN


Meaning of GAIN in English

gain 1

— gainable , adj.

/gayn/ , v.t.

1. to get (something desired), esp. as a result of one's efforts: to gain possession of an object; to gain permission to enter a country.

2. to acquire as an increase or addition: to gain weight; to gain speed.

3. to obtain as a profit: He gained ten dollars by this deal.

4. to win; get in competition: to gain the prize.

5. to win (someone) to one's own side or point of view; persuade (sometimes fol. by over ): to gain supporters.

6. (of a watch or clock) to run fast by (a specified amount): My watch gains six minutes a day.

7. to reach, esp. by effort; get to; arrive at: to gain one's destination.

v.i.

8. to improve; make progress; advance: to gain in health after an illness.

9. to get nearer, as in pursuit (usually fol. by on or upon ): Our horse was gaining on the favorite at the far turn.

10. to draw away from or farther ahead of the other contestants in a race, one's pursuers, etc. (usually fol. by on or upon ).

11. (of a watch or clock) to run fast.

12. gain ground , to progress or advance, as in value, strength, or achievement: The company's new products are gaining ground in suburban areas.

13. gain time , to arrange a postponement or delay for a particular purpose, esp. by roundabout means.

n.

14. profit or advantage.

15. an increase or advance.

16. gains , profits or winnings.

17. the act of gaining; acquisition.

18. Electronics.

a. a measure of the increase in signal amplitude produced by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input.

b. the effectiveness of a directional antenna as compared with a standard, nondirectional one.

19. the volume control of a radio, phonograph, amplifier, etc.

[ 1425-75; late ME (n.) gaaing, n. deriv of gaaignier to till, earn, win weidanon to hunt, forage for food ]

Syn. 1. procure. GAIN, ATTAIN, EARN, WIN imply obtaining a reward or something advantageous. GAIN carries the least suggestion of method or of effort expended. ATTAIN emphasizes the reaching of a goal. EARN emphasizes the exertions and labor expended that deserve reward. WIN emphasizes attainment in spite of competition or opposition. 7. attain. 15. addition, increment, acquisition.

Ant. 1. lose.

gain 2

/gayn/ , Carpentry.

n.

1. a notch, dado, or mortise cut into a piece of wood, as to receive another piece or to house a flap of a hinge.

2. tusk (def. 4).

3. a short rabbet, for receiving a flap of a butt hinge.

v.t.

4. to make a gain or gains in.

5. to fasten or support by means of a gain.

[ 1670-80; perh. akin to obs. gane, OE (north) ganian to yawn, open ]

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .