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:

Synonyms:
trappings
toggery
gearing
tackle
paraphernalia
equipment
apparatus
rigging
mechanism
draught-gear
appointments
accouterments
gear mechanism
train
power-train

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

Synonyms:

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