n.
Pronunciation: ' g ā n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English gayne, from Anglo-French gaigne, gain, from gaaigner to till, earn, gain, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German weidan ō n to hunt for food, Old English w ā th pursuit, hunt
Date: 14th century
1 : resources or advantage acquired or increased : PROFIT <made substantial gain s last year>
2 : the act or process of gaining
3 a : an increase in amount, magnitude, or degree <a gain in efficiency> b : the increase (as of voltage or signal intensity) caused by an amplifier especially : the ratio of output over input c : the signal-gathering ability of an antenna