Part 407

Gag, n. 1. Something thrust into the mouth or throat to hinder speaking.

2. A mouthful that makes one retch; a choking bit; as, a gag of mutton fat. Lamb.

3. A speech or phrase interpolated offhand by an actor on the stage in his part as written, usually consisting of some seasonable or local allusion. [Slang]

Gag rein (Harness), a rein for drawing the bit upward in the horse's mouth. -- Gag runner (Harness), a loop on the throat latch guiding the gag rein.

Gag"ate (?; 48), n. [L. gagates. See Jet a black mineral.] Agate. [Obs.] Fuller.

Gage (?), n. [F. gage, LL. gadium, wadium; of German origin; cf. Goth. wadi, OHG. wetti, weti, akin to E. wed. See Wed, and cf. Wage, n.] 1. A pledge or pawn; something laid down or given as a security for the performance of some act by the person depositing it, and forfeited by nonperformance; security.

Nor without gages to the needy lend.

Sandys.

2. A glove, cap, or the like, cast on the ground as a challenge to combat, and to be taken up by the accepter of the challenge; a challenge; a defiance. "There I throw my gage." Shak.

Gage (?), n. [So called because an English family named Gage imported the greengage from France, in the last century.] A variety of plum; as, the greengage; also, the blue gage, frost gage, golden gage, etc., having more or less likeness to the greengage. See Greengage.

Gage, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gaged (?); p. pr & vb. n. Gaging (?).] [Cf. F. gager. See Gage, n., a pledge.] 1. To give or deposit as a pledge or security for some act; to wage or wager; to pawn or pledge. [Obs.]

A moiety competent Was gaged by our king.

Shak.

2. To bind by pledge, or security; to engage.

Great debts Wherein my time, sometimes too prodigal, Hath left me gaged.

Shak.

Gage, n. A measure or standard. See Gauge, n.

Gage, v. t. To measure. See Gauge, v. t.

You shall not gage me By what we do to-night.

Shak.

Ga"ger (?), n. A measurer. See Gauger.

Gag"ger (?), n. 1. One who gags.

2. (Founding) A piece of iron imbedded in the sand of a mold to keep the sand in place.

Gag"gle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gaggled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Gaggling (?).] [Of imitative origin; cf. D. gaggelen, gagelen, G. gackeln, gackern, MHG. g&?;gen, E. giggle, cackle.] To make a noise like a goose; to cackle. Bacon.

Gag"gle, n. [Cf. Gaggle v. i.] (Zoˆl.) A flock of wild geese. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Gag"tooth` (?), n.; pl. Gagteeth (&?;). A projecting tooth. [Obs.]

Gag"-toothed" (?), a. Having gagteeth. [Obs.]

Gahn"ite (?), n. [Named after Gahn, a Swedish chemist.] (Min.) Zinc spinel; automolite.