Gauge Definition

gāj

gages, gauged, gauges, gauging

noun

gauges

Dimensions, capacity, thickness, etc.

Webster's New World

A standard measure or scale of measurement.

Webster's New World

Any device for measuring something, as the thickness of wire, the dimensions of a machined part, the amount of liquid in a container, steam pressure, etc.

Webster's New World

Any means of estimating or judging.

Webster's New World

The distance between the rails of a rail track.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
guess
estimate

verb

gauged, gauges, gauging

To measure accurately by means of a gauge.

Webster's New World

To measure the size, amount, extent, or capacity of.

Webster's New World

To estimate; judge; appraise.

Webster's New World

To bring to correct gauge; make conform with a standard.

Webster's New World

To cut or rub (bricks or stone) to a desired shape.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
estimate
guess

adjective

Of or relating to a gauge.

American Heritage

Invariant under a local transformation.

American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Gauge

Noun

Singular:

gauge

Plural:

gauges

Origin of Gauge

From Middle English gage, gaugen, from Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French gauger (compare Modern French jauger from Old French jaugier), from gauge (“gauging rod”), from Frankish *galga (“measuring rod, pole”), from Proto-Germanic *galgô (“pole, stake, cross”), from Proto-Indo-European *g'hAlgh-, *g'hAlg- (“perch, long switch”). Cognate with Old High German galgo, Old Frisian galga, Old English ġealga (“cross-beam, gallows”), Old Norse galgi (“cross-beam, gallows”), Old Norse gelgja (“pole, perch”).

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old North French gauging rod of Germanic origin

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