Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Gage?

\Gage\, n. [F. gage, LL. gadium, wadium; of German origin; cf. Goth. wadi, OHG. wetti, weti, akin to E. wed. See {Wed}, and cf. {Wage}, n.] 1. A pledge or pawn; something laid down or given as a security for the performance of some act by the person depositing it, and forfeited by nonperformance; security. Nor without gages to the needy lend. --Sandys. 2. A glove, cap, or the like, cast on the ground as a challenge to combat, and to be taken up by the accepter of the challenge; a challenge; a defiance. ``There I throw my gage.'' --Shak.
\Gage\, n. [So called because an English family named Gage imported the greengage from France, in the last century.] A variety of plum; as, the greengage; also, the blue gage, frost gage, golden gage, etc., having more or less likeness to the greengage. See {Greengage}.
\Gage\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Gaged}; p. pr & vb. n. {Gaging}.] [Cf. F. gager. See {Gage}, n., a pledge.] 1. To give or deposit as a pledge or security for some act; to wage or wager; to pawn or pledge. [Obs.] A moiety competent Was gaged by our king. --Shak. 2. To bind by pledge, or security; to engage. Great debts Wherein my time, sometimes too prodigal, Hath left me gaged. --Shak.
\Gage\, n. A measure or standard. See {Gauge}, n.
\Gage\, v. t. To measure. See {Gauge}, v. t. You shall not gage me By what we do to-night. --Shak.