I. ˈgān noun
Etymology: Middle English gayne, from Anglo-French gaigne, gain, from gaaigner to till, earn, gain, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German weidanōn to hunt for food, Old English wāth 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
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to acquire or get possession of usually by industry, merit, or craft
gain an advantage
he stood to gain a fortune
b. : to win in competition or conflict
the troops gain ed enemy territory
c.
(1) : to arrive at : reach , attain
gain ed the river that night
(2) : traverse , cover
gain ed 10 yards on the play
d. : to get by a natural development or process
gain strength
e. : to establish a specific relationship with
gain a friend
2.
a. : to make an increase of (a specified amount)
gain ed three percent in the past month
b. : to increase in (a particular quality)
gain momentum
3. : to win to one's side : persuade
gain adherents to a cause
4. : to cause to be obtained or given : attract
gain attention
5. of a timepiece : to run fast by the amount of
the clock gain s a minute a day
intransitive verb
1. : to get advantage : profit
hoped to gain by the deal
2.
a. : increase
the day was gain ing in warmth
b. : to increase in weight
c. : to improve in health or ability
3. of a timepiece : to run fast
4. : to get closer to something pursued — usually used with on or upon
• gain·er noun
•
- gain ground