gain 1
— gainable , adj.
/gayn/ , v.t.
1. to get (something desired), esp. as a result of one's efforts: to gain possession of an object; to gain permission to enter a country.
2. to acquire as an increase or addition: to gain weight; to gain speed.
3. to obtain as a profit: He gained ten dollars by this deal.
4. to win; get in competition: to gain the prize.
5. to win (someone) to one's own side or point of view; persuade (sometimes fol. by over ): to gain supporters.
6. (of a watch or clock) to run fast by (a specified amount): My watch gains six minutes a day.
7. to reach, esp. by effort; get to; arrive at: to gain one's destination.
v.i.
8. to improve; make progress; advance: to gain in health after an illness.
9. to get nearer, as in pursuit (usually fol. by on or upon ): Our horse was gaining on the favorite at the far turn.
10. to draw away from or farther ahead of the other contestants in a race, one's pursuers, etc. (usually fol. by on or upon ).
11. (of a watch or clock) to run fast.
12. gain ground , to progress or advance, as in value, strength, or achievement: The company's new products are gaining ground in suburban areas.
13. gain time , to arrange a postponement or delay for a particular purpose, esp. by roundabout means.
n.
14. profit or advantage.
15. an increase or advance.
16. gains , profits or winnings.
17. the act of gaining; acquisition.
18. Electronics.
a. a measure of the increase in signal amplitude produced by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input.
b. the effectiveness of a directional antenna as compared with a standard, nondirectional one.
19. the volume control of a radio, phonograph, amplifier, etc.
[ 1425-75; late ME (n.) gaaing, n. deriv of gaaignier to till, earn, win weidanon to hunt, forage for food ]
Syn. 1. procure. GAIN, ATTAIN, EARN, WIN imply obtaining a reward or something advantageous. GAIN carries the least suggestion of method or of effort expended. ATTAIN emphasizes the reaching of a goal. EARN emphasizes the exertions and labor expended that deserve reward. WIN emphasizes attainment in spite of competition or opposition. 7. attain. 15. addition, increment, acquisition.
Ant. 1. lose.
gain 2
/gayn/ , Carpentry.
n.
1. a notch, dado, or mortise cut into a piece of wood, as to receive another piece or to house a flap of a hinge.
2. tusk (def. 4).
3. a short rabbet, for receiving a flap of a butt hinge.
v.t.
4. to make a gain or gains in.
5. to fasten or support by means of a gain.
[ 1670-80; perh. akin to obs. gane, OE (north) ganian to yawn, open ]