Part 404

Gab"ert (?), n. [Cf.F. gabare, Arm. kobar, gobar.] A lighter, or vessel for inland navigation. [Scot.] Jamieson.

Ga"bi*on (?), n.[F., from It. gabbione a large cage, gabion, from gabbia cage, L. cavea. See Cage.] 1. (Fort.) A hollow cylinder of wickerwork, like a basket without a bottom. Gabions are made of various sizes, and filled with earth in building fieldworks to shelter men from an enemy's fire.

2. (Hydraul. Engin.) An openwork frame, as of poles, filled with stones and sunk, to assist in forming a bar dyke, etc., as in harbor improvement.

Ga`bi*on*ade" (?), n. [F. gabionnade.] 1. (Fort.) A traverse made with gabions between guns or on their flanks, protecting them from enfilading fire.

2. A structure of gabions sunk in lines, as a core for a sand bar in harbor improvements.

Ga"bi*on*age (?), n. [F. gabionnage.] (Mil.) The part of a fortification built of gabions.

Ga"bi*oned (?), p. a. Furnished with gabions.

||Ga`bion`nade" (?), n. See Gabionade.

Ga"ble (?), n. A cable. [Archaic] Chapman.

Ga"ble, n. [OE. gable, gabil, F. gable, fr. LL. gabalum front of a building, prob. of German or Scand. origin; cf. OHG. gibil, G. giebel gable, Icel. gafl, Goth. gibla pinnacle; perh. akin to Gr. &?; head, and E. cephalic, or to G. gabel fork, AS. geafl, E. gaffle, L. gabalus a kind of gallows.] (Arch.) (a) The vertical triangular portion of the end of a building, from the level of the cornice or eaves to the ridge of the roof. Also, a similar end when not triangular in shape, as of a gambrel roof and the like. Hence: (b) The end wall of a building, as distinguished from the front or rear side. (c) A decorative member having the shape of a triangular gable, such as that above a Gothic arch in a doorway.

Bell gable. See under Bell. -- Gable roof, a double sloping roof which forms a gable at each end. -- Gable wall. Same as Gable (b). -- Gable window, a window in a gable.

Ga"blet (?), n. (Arch.) A small gable, or gable-shaped canopy, formed over a tabernacle, niche, etc.

Gab"lock (?), n. [See Gavelock.] A false spur or gaff, fitted on the heel of a gamecock. Wright.

Ga"by (?), n. [Icel. gapi a rash, reckless man. Cf. Gafe.] A simpleton; a dunce; a lout. [Colloq.]

Gad (?), n. [OE. gad, Icel. gaddr goad, sting; akin to Sw. gadd sting, Goth. gazds, G. gerte switch. See Yard a measure.] 1. The point of a spear, or an arrowhead.

2. A pointed or wedge-shaped instrument of metal, as a steel wedge used in mining, etc.

I will go get a leaf of brass, And with a gad of steel will write these words.

Shak.

3. A sharp-pointed rod; a goad.

4. A spike on a gauntlet; a gadling. Fairholt.

5. A wedge-shaped billet of iron or steel. [Obs.]

Flemish steel . . . some in bars and some in gads.

Moxon.

6. A rod or stick, as a fishing rod, a measuring rod, or a rod used to drive cattle with. [Prov. Eng. Local, U.S.] Halliwell. Bartlett.

Upon the gad, upon the spur of the moment; hastily. [Obs.] "All this done upon the gad!" Shak.

Gad, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gadded; p. pr. & vb. n. Gadding.] [Prob. fr. gad, n., and orig. meaning to drive about.] To walk about; to rove or go about, without purpose; hence, to run wild; to be uncontrolled. "The gadding vine." Milton.

Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way?

Jer. ii. 36.