Gear Definition

gîr
geared, gearing, gears
noun
gears
A toothed wheel, disk, etc. designed to mesh with another or with the thread of a worm.
Webster's New World
The clothing and equipment of a soldier, knight, etc.
Webster's New World
Clothing; apparel.
Webster's New World
Any part of a mechanism performing a specific function.
The steering gear.
Webster's New World
A specific adjustment of such a system.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
geared, gearing, gears
To be in, or come into, proper adjustment or working order.
Webster's New World
To adapt (one thing) so as to conform with another.
To gear production to demand.
Webster's New World
To connect by gears.
Webster's New World
To furnish with gears.
Webster's New World
To furnish with gear; harness.
Webster's New World
adjective
Highly acceptable, attractive, etc.
Webster's New World
(mostly British (Scouse)) great or fantastic.
Wiktionary
idiom
gear down
  • to adjust gears so that the driven element goes slower than the driving element, with a consequent increase in torque
Webster's New World
gear up
  • to adjust gears so that the driven element goes faster than the driving element, with a consequent decrease in torque
  • to accelerate; increase efficiency (of)

    the factory geared up production

Webster's New World
high gear
  • the arrangement of gears providing the greatest speed but little torque
  • high speed or efficiency
Webster's New World
in (<i>or</i> out of) gear
  • (not) connected to the motor
  • (not) in proper adjustment or working order
Webster's New World
low gear
  • the arrangement of gears providing little speed but great torque
  • low speed or efficiency
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Gear

Noun

Singular:
gear
Plural:
gears

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Gear

Origin of Gear

  • Middle English gere equipment from Old Norse gervi gera to do, make, make ready

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old Norse gervi.

    From Wiktionary

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gear