Part 403

G (j) 1. G is the seventh letter of the English alphabet, and a vocal consonant. It has two sounds; one simple, as in gave, go, gull; the other compound (like that of j), as in gem, gin, dingy. See Guide to Pronunciation, ßß 231-6, 155, 176, 178, 179, 196, 211, 246.

The form of G is from the Latin, in the alphabet which it first appeared as a modified form of C. The name is also from the Latin, and probably comes to us through the French. Etymologically it is most closely related to a c hard, k y, and w; as in corn, grain, kernel; kin L. genus, Gr. &?;; E. garden, yard; drag, draw; also to ch and h; as in get, prehensile; guest, host (an army); gall, choler; gust, choose. See C.

2. (Mus.) G is the name of the fifth tone of the natural or model scale; -- called also sol by the Italians and French. It was also originally used as the treble clef, and has gradually changed into the character represented in the margin. See Clef. G (G sharp) is a tone intermediate between G and A.

Gab (?), n. [Cf. Gaff.] (Steam Engine) The hook on the end of an eccentric rod opposite the strap. See. Illust. of Eccentric.

Gab, n. [OE. gabbe gabble, mocking, fr. Icel. gabb mocking, mockery, or OF. gab, gabe; perh. akin to E. gape, or gob. Cf. Gab, v. i., Gibber.] The mouth; hence, idle prate; chatter; unmeaning talk; loquaciousness. [Colloq.]

Gift of gab, facility of expression. [Colloq.]

Gab, v. i. [OE. gabben to jest, lie, mock, deceive, fr. Icel. gabba to mock, or OF. gaber. See 2d Gab, and cf. Gabble.] 1. To deceive; to lie. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. To talk idly; to prate; to chatter. Holinshed.

Gab"ar*age (?), n. A kind of coarse cloth for packing goods. [Obs.]

Gab`ar*dine", Gab`er*dine" (&?;), n. [Sp. gabardina; cf. It. gavardina, OF. galvardine, calvardine, gavardine, galeverdine; perh. akin to Sp. & OF. gaban a sort of cloak or coat for rainy weather, F. caban great coat with a hood and sleeves, It. gabbano and perh. to E. cabin.] A coarse frock or loose upper garment formerly worn by Jews; a mean dress. Shak.

Gab"ber (?), n. 1. A liar; a deceiver. [Obs.]

2. One addicted to idle talk.

Gab"ble (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gabbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Gabbling (?).] [Freq. of gab. See Gab, v. i.] 1. To talk fast, or to talk without meaning; to prate; to jabber. Shak.

2. To utter inarticulate sounds with rapidity; as, gabbling fowls. Dryden.

Gab"ble, n. 1. Loud or rapid talk without meaning.

Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud Among the builders.

Milton.

2. Inarticulate sounds rapidly uttered; as of fowls.

Gab"bler (?), n. One who gabbles; a prater.

Gab"bro (?), n. [It.] (Geol.) A name originally given by the Italians to a kind of serpentine, later to the rock called euphotide, and now generally used for a coarsely crystalline, igneous rock consisting of lamellar pyroxene (diallage) and labradorite, with sometimes chrysolite (olivine gabbro).

Ga"bel (?), n. [F. gabelle, LL. gabella, gabulum, gablum; of uncertain origin. Cf.Gavel tribute.] (O. Eng. Law) A rent, service, tribute, custom, tax, impost, or duty; an excise. Burrill.

He enables St. Peter to pay his gabel by the ministry of a fish.

Jer. Taylor.

Ga"bel*er (?), n. (O. Eng. Law) A collector of gabels or taxes.

||Ga`belle" (?), n. [F. See Gabel.] A tax, especially on salt. [France] ||Brande & C.

Ga*belle"man (?), n. A gabeler. Carlyle.

Gab`er*dine" (?), n. See Gabardine.

Gab"er-lun`zie (?), n. [Gael. gabair talker + lunndair idler.] A beggar with a wallet; a licensed beggar. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.