gorge

¹

[ gawrj ]

noun

1. a narrow cleft with steep, rocky walls, especially one through which a stream runs.

   Synonyms: gap, notch, ravine, defile

2. a small canyon.
3. a gluttonous meal.
4. something that is swallowed; contents of the stomach.
5. an obstructing mass:

   an ice gorge.

6. the seam formed at the point where the lapel meets the collar of a jacket or coat.
7. Fortification. the rear entrance or part of a bastion or similar outwork.
8. Also called gorge hook. a primitive type of fishhook consisting of a piece of stone or bone with sharpened ends and a hole or groove in the center for fastening a line.
9. the throat; gullet.

verb (used with object)

, gorged, gorg·ing.

1. to stuff with food (usually used reflexively or passively):

   He gorged himself. They were gorged.

   Synonyms: fill, cram, glut

2. to swallow, especially greedily.

   Synonyms: gobble, gulp, bolt, devour

3. to choke up (usually used passively).

verb (used without object)

, gorged, gorg·ing.

1. to eat greedily.

gorge

²

[ gawrj ]

noun

, Heraldry.

1. gurge ( def 2 ).

gorge

/ ɡɔːdʒ /

noun

1. a deep ravine, esp one through which a river runs
2. the contents of the stomach
3. feelings of disgust or resentment (esp in the phrase one's gorge rises )
4. an obstructing mass

   an ice gorge

5. fortifications
   1. a narrow rear entrance to a work
   2. the narrow part of a bastion or outwork
6. archaic.
   the throat or gullet

verb

1. intr falconry (of hawks) to eat until the crop is completely full
2. to swallow (food) ravenously
3. tr to stuff (oneself) with food

gorge

/ gôrj /

1. A deep, narrow valley with steep rocky sides, often with a stream flowing through it. Gorges are smaller and narrower than canyons and are often a part of a canyon.

Derived Forms

• ˈgorger, noun
• ˈgorgeable, adjective

Other Words From

• gorge·a·ble adjective
• gorg·ed·ly [gawr, -jid-lee], adverb
• gorg·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gorge¹

First recorded in 1325–75; (verb) Middle English, from Old French gorger, derivative of gorge “throat,” from unattested Vulgar Latin gorga, akin to Latin gurguliō “gullet, throat,” gurges “whirlpool, eddy”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gorge¹

C14: from Old French gorger to stuff, from gorge throat, from Late Latin gurga, modification of Latin gurges whirlpool

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make one's gorge rise, to evoke violent anger or strong disgust:

   The cruelty of war made his gorge rise.

Example Sentences

Oil revenue accounts for nearly 90% of Nigeria’s export earnings but a relatively small number of business people and politicians have gorged themselves on the oil wealth.

From BBC

At least 36 people have died and several have been injured after a bus fell into a gorge in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand.

From BBC

And lots of fright fans don’t limit their horror entertainment to spooky season, gorging horror movies, shows and books all year long.

From Salon

The deep gorge which paves the way to a hidden beach is often flooded from autumn until spring, and has no easy exists because of its sheer cliffs, according to a local tourism website.

From BBC

It is an important question - not just for mighty, 40-tonne humpbacks that travel thousands of kilometres to gorge themselves in the cold seas - but for the health of the ocean and our planet.

From BBC

Related Words

• canyon
• chasm
• crevasse
• ravine