Gage

/ɡeɪdʒ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A pledge or security for a loan or obligation.

He used his property as a gage to secure the loan.

A measure or standard, especially for assessing something.

The scale serves as a gage for determining the severity of the situation.

A tool or instrument used to measure dimensions, capacity, or quantity.

The mechanic used a gage to check the tire pressure.

verb

To measure or estimate the amount, level, or volume of something.

They needed to gage the response of the audience to the presentation.

To pledge or to give as a security.

He decided to gage his savings in order to start the business.

Middle English 'gage', from Old French 'gage' meaning 'pledge'.

throw down the gage:

To issue a challenge.

gage one's heart:

To pledge or commit emotionally.

To assess something informally.

I need to gage if this party is worth going to.

A bit of a challenge or test.

That's a tough gage you set for him.