I. ˈgāt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English geat; akin to Old Norse gat opening
Date: before 12th century
1. : an opening in a wall or fence
2. : a city or castle entrance often with defensive structures (as towers)
3.
a. : the frame or door that closes a gate
b. : a movable barrier (as at a grade crossing)
4.
a. : a means of entrance or exit
b. : starting gate
c. : an area (as at a railroad station or an airport) for departure or arrival
d. : a space between two markers through which a competitor must pass in the course of a slalom race
5.
a. : a door, valve, or other device for controlling the passage especially of a fluid
b.
(1) : an electronic switch that allows or prevents the flow of current in a circuit
(2) : an electrode in a field-effect transistor that modulates the current flowing through the transistor according to the voltage applied to the electrode — compare drain , source
c. : a device (as in a computer) that outputs a signal when specified input conditions are met
logic gate
d. : a molecule or part of a molecule that acts (as by a change in conformation) in response to a stimulus to permit or block passage (as of ions) through a cell membrane
6. slang : dismissal
gave him the gate
7. : the total admission receipts or the number of spectators (as at a sports event)
II. transitive verb
( gat·ed ; gat·ing )
Date: 1835
1. British : to punish by confinement to a campus or dormitory
2. : to supply with a gate
3. : to control by means of a gate
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse gata road; akin to Old High German gazza road
Date: 13th century
1. archaic : way , path
2. dialect : method , style