n. & v. (US gage: see also sense 7)
n. 1 a standard measure to which certain things must conform, esp.: a the measure of the capacity or contents of a barrel. b the fineness of a textile. c the diameter of a bullet. d the thickness of sheet metal. 2 any of various instruments for measuring or determining this, or for measuring length, thickness, or other dimensions or properties. 3 the distance between a pair of rails or the wheels on one axle. 4 the capacity, extent, or scope of something. 5 a means of estimating; a criterion or test. 6 a graduated instrument measuring the force or quantity of rainfall, stream, tide, wind, etc. 7 (usu. gage) Naut. a relative position with respect to the wind.
v.tr. 1 measure exactly (esp. objects of standard size). 2 determine the capacity or content of. 3 estimate or form a judgement of (a person, temperament, situation, etc.). 4 make uniform; bring to a standard size or shape. gauge pressure the amount by which a pressure exceeds that of the atmosphere. take the gauge of estimate. gaugeable adj. gauger n.
[ ME f. ONF gauge, gauger, of unkn. orig. ]