1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a barrier, usu. hinged, used to close an opening made for entrance and exit through a wall, fence, etc.
2 such an opening, esp. in the wall of a city, enclosure, or large building.
3 a means of entrance or exit.
4 a numbered place of access to aircraft at an airport.
5 a mountain pass.
6 an arrangement of slots into which the gear lever of a motor vehicle moves to engage the required gear.
7 a device for holding the frame of a cine film momentarily in position behind the lens of a camera or projector.
8 a an electrical signal that causes or controls the passage of other signals. b an electrical circuit with an output which depends on the combination of several inputs.
9 a device regulating the passage of water in a lock etc.
10 a the number of people entering by payment at the gates of a sports ground etc. b (in full gate-money) the proceeds taken for admission.
11 sl. the mouth.
12 US sl. dismissal.
13 starting-gate.
--v.tr.
1. Brit. confine to college or school entirely or after certain hours.
2 (as gated adj.) (of a road) having a gate or gates to control the movement of traffic or animals.
Etymology: OE g{aelig}t, geat, pl. gatu, f. Gmc 2. n. (prec. or prefixed by a name) Brit. a street (Westgate).
Etymology: ME f. ON gata, f. Gmc