gab

¹

[ gab ]

verb (used without object)

, gabbed, gab·bing.

1. to talk or chat idly; chatter.

   Synonyms: schmooze, rap, yak, visit, gossip, chitchat

noun

1. idle talk; chatter.

gab

²

[ gab ]

noun

, Machinery.

1. a hook or fork that engages temporarily with a moving rod or lever.

gab

³

[ gab ]

noun

, Scot. Slang.

1. gob ³.

GAB

¹

abbreviation for

1. Gabon (international car registration)

gab

²

/ ɡæb /

noun

1. a hook or open notch in a rod or lever that drops over the spindle of a valve to form a temporary connection for operating the valve
2. a pointed tool used in masonry

gab

³

/ ɡæb /

verb

1. intr to talk excessively or idly, esp about trivial matters; gossip; chatter

noun

1. idle or trivial talk
2. gift of the gab
   ability to speak effortlessly, glibly, or persuasively

Derived Forms

• ˈgabber, noun

Other Words From

• gabber noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gab¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun gab, gabbe “deceit, falsehood, idle talk”; probably from Old Norse gabba “to mock”; gabble

Origin of gab²

First recorded in 1790–95; origin uncertain; possibly from Dutch dialect gabbe “notch, gash”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gab¹

C18: probably from Flemish gabbe notch, gash

Origin of gab²

C18: variant of Northern dialect gob mouth, probably from Irish Gaelic gob beak, mouth

Idioms and Phrases

see gift of gab .