gage

¹

[ geyj ]

noun

1. something, as a glove, thrown down by a medieval knight in token of challenge to combat.
2. Archaic. a challenge.
3. Archaic. a pledge or pawn; security.

verb (used with object)

, gaged, gag·ing.

1. Archaic. to pledge, stake, or wager.

gage

²

[ geyj ]

noun

, gaged, gag·ing.

1. (chiefly in technical use) gauge.

gage

³

[ geyj ]

noun

1. greengage.

Gage

⁴

[ geyj ]

noun

1. Thomas, 1721–87, British general in America 1763–76.

gage

¹

/ ɡeɪdʒ /

noun

1. a variant spelling (esp in technical senses) of gauge

Gage

²

/ ɡeɪdʒ /

noun

1. GageThomas17211787MBritishMILITARY: generalPOLITICS: colonial administrator Thomas. 1721–87, British general and governor in America; commander in chief of British forces at Bunker Hill (1775)

gage

³

/ ɡeɪdʒ /

noun

1. old-fashioned.
   marijuana

gage

⁴

/ ɡeɪdʒ /

noun

1. something deposited as security against the fulfilment of an obligation; pledge
2. (formerly) a glove or other object thrown down to indicate a challenge to combat

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to stake, pledge, or wager

gage

⁵

/ ɡeɪdʒ /

noun

1. short for greengage

Other Words From

• gager noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gage¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English, from Old French g(u)age, from Germanic; compare Gothic wadi “a pledge”; wage

Origin of gage²

First recorded in 1840–50; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of gage¹

C20: of uncertain origin; compare ganja

Origin of gage²

C14: from Old French gage, of Germanic origin; compare Gothic wadi pledge

Example Sentences

Dorothy was named after a real child, the deceased baby niece of Baum and his wife Maud Gage.

From Salon

When a judge ordered experts to inspect the claims, Dr. Bruce Gage, then chief of psychiatry for the Washington State Department of Corrections, found multiple problems.

From Los Angeles Times

Gage reported that the jails didn’t monitor suicidal detainees who were awaiting transfer to psychiatric facilities.

From Los Angeles Times

“Riverside County jail system is amongst the most restrictive correctional settings I have visited,” Gage wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Gage noted that the department had faced a staffing shortage since the 2009 recession, but emphasized that basic standards of care were required by law.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agreement
• assurance
• certificate
• collateral
• contract
• deposit
• insurance
• security
• warranty