释义 |
gauge I. noun or gage \ˈgāj\ (-s) Etymology: Middle English gauge, from Old North French, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German galgo cross, gallows — more at gallows 1. a. : measurement especially according to some standard or system < make a note of the gauge of each barrel > b. : the dimensions or extent of something < cannot mark the gauge of her sufferings > < glanced about to take the gauge of the situation > 2. a. : an instrument for or means of testing < used a notched rod for a gauge to estimate the content of the barrels > b. usually gage : an instrument for checking or measuring a particular dimension of an object (as thickness, depth, or diameter) c. : a carpenter's tool for scribing a line parallel to the edge of a piece of work — called also marking gauge; compare mortise gauge d. usually gage : any of various instruments usually provided with a graduated scale or dial for measuring or indicating quantity < gasoline gage > e. : a bookbinders tool used to secure uniform size, spacing, or position of materials f. : perforation gauge; sometimes : perforation number g. printing (1) : guide (2) : height gauge 2 (3) : line gauge (4) : page gauge 3. a. : relative position of a ship with reference to another ship and the wind — see lee gauge, weather gauge b. : the depth to which a ship sinks in the water when fully loaded 4. a. usually gage : the distance between the heads of the rails of a railroad measured at right angles thereto at a point 5/8 inch below the top of the rail, standard gage in most countries being now 4 feet 8 1/2 inches b. : the distance between a pair of wheels on an axle — compare wheelbase 5. : the quantity of plaster of paris used with mortar to accelerate its setting for special purposes — see gauge stuff 6. : the size of a shotgun expressed as the number in a pound of round lead balls of a size to just fit into the barrel < a 12-gauge shotgun > < shotguns of different gauges > — compare bore, caliber 7. : the thickness especially of sheet metal or the diameter especially of wire, a hypodermic needle, or a screw — see wire gauge 2 8. a. : the number of needles in 1 1/2 inches of the needlebar of a knitting machine b. : the fineness of a knitted fabric determined by the number of loops per 1 1/2 inch based in turn on the number of needles per 1 1/2 inch < 51-gauge hosiery is sheerer than 45-gauge > c. : the number of stitches per inch in hand knitting and crocheting — used especially in describing patterns Synonyms: see standard II. transitive verb or gage \“\ (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English gaugen, from Old North French gaugier, from gauge, n. 1. a. : to measure exactly : determine precisely the size of (as a standardized part), amount of (as rainfall), dimensions, or other measurable value of (as intensity or velocity); broadly : to estimate (some quantity) by practical or logical means < gauging his progress by the milestones he passed > b. : to determine the capacity or amount of contents of (as a cask or comparable vessel) c. : to measure the capacity, character, or ability of : appraise, judge < gauging the probable response of the electorate by sampling techniques > < I would not gauge the future on what I know of the past > < how would you gauge his conduct? > d. usually gage : to determine the flow of (a stream) by measurement of the cross section and the velocity 2. a. : to check or limit with or as if with a gauge < he gauged each part of the model with calipers > broadly : to cause to conform to a standard (as of measurement or performance) b. : to measure off or set out < gauge the line for the foundation > sometimes : to set bounds to c. (1) : to determine the perforation number of (a stamp) (2) : to have (an indicated perforation number) by measurement < a stamp gauging 10 > 3. : to mix (plaster) in certain definite proportions (as for quick drying) : mix plaster of paris with (mortar) for quick setting 4. : to dress (bricks or stones) to size by rubbing or chipping 5. : to set (an insert) in the right position in bookbinding 6. a. : to gather (sewing) with alternating short and long stitches b. : to hold evenly distributed gathers with (as smocking) |