narrow gauge

noun

See under gauge(def 13).

Origin of narrow gauge

First recorded in 1835–45

OTHER WORDS FROM narrow gauge

nar·row-gauge; especially in technical use, nar·row-gage, adjective nar·row-gauged; especially in technical use, nar·row-gaged, adjective

Words nearby narrow gauge

narrator, narrow, narrow boat, narrow construction, narrow escape, narrow gauge, narrow seas, narrow-angle glaucoma, narrow-bodied, narrow-fisted, narrow-leaved bottle tree

Definition for narrow gauge (2 of 2)

gauge

[ geyj ]

/ geɪdʒ /

verb (used with object), gauged, gaug·ing.

to determine the exact dimensions, capacity, quantity, or force of; measure.

to appraise, estimate, or judge.

to make conformable to a standard.

to mark or measure off; delineate.

to prepare or mix (plaster) with a definite proportion of plaster of Paris and mortar.

to chip or rub (bricks or stones) to a uniform size or shape.

noun

a standard of measure or measurement.

a standard dimension, size, or quantity.

any device or instrument for measuring, registering measurements, or testing something, especially for measuring a dimension, quantity, or mechanical accuracy: pressure gauge; marking gauge.

a means of estimating or judging; criterion; test.

extent; scope; capacity: trying to determine the gauge of his own strength.

Ordnance. a unit of measure of the internal diameter of a shotgun barrel, determined by the number of spherical lead bullets of a diameter equal to that of the bore that are required to make one pound: a twelve-gauge shotgun.

Railroads. the distance between the inner edges of the heads of the rails in a track, usually 4 feet 8.5 inches (1.4 meters) (standard gauge), but sometimes more (broad gauge) and sometimes less (narrow gauge).

the distance between a pair of wheels on an axle.

the thickness or diameter of various, usually thin, objects, as the thickness of sheet metal or the diameter of a wire or screw.

the fineness of a knitted fabric as expressed in loops per every 1.5 inches (3.8 cm): 15 denier, 60 gauge stockings.

Nautical. the position of one vessel as being to the windward (weather gauge) or to the leeward (lee gauge) of another vessel on an approximately parallel course.

Building Trades. the portion of the length of a slate, tile, etc., left exposed when laid in place.

the amount of plaster of Paris mixed with mortar or common plaster to hasten the set.

Also especially in technical use, gage.

Origin of gauge

1375–1425; late Middle English < Old North French (French jauge) < Germanic

SYNONYMS FOR gauge

2 evaluate, assess, value, calculate.

OTHER WORDS FROM gauge

gauge·a·ble, adjective gauge·a·bly, adverb mis·gauge, verb (used with object), mis·gauged, mis·gaug·ing. mul·ti·gauge, adjective

re·gauge, verb (used with object), re·gauged, re·gaug·ing. self-gaug·ing, adjective un·gauged, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for narrow gauge

The point of disaster was on a sharp curve where the narrow-gauge track bent like a strained bow around one of the rocky hills.

The King of Arcadia |Francis Lynde
A narrow-gauge railroad runs twenty miles into the interior from Solitas.

Cabbages and Kings |O. Henry
The concentration of narrow-gauge and medium-gauge lines seemed to be issuing in a complete fusion of their interests in 1913.

The Argentine Republic |Pierre Denis
They recover their numbers fast enough, and the chances are that this "narrow-gauge mule" will be always with us.

The Killer |Stewart Edward White

But I got there, going from Chehaw over a narrow-gauge road.

Tuskegee & Its People: Their Ideals and Achievements |Various

British Dictionary definitions for narrow gauge (1 of 2)

gauge

gage

/ (ɡeɪdʒ) /

verb (tr)

to measure or determine the amount, quantity, size, condition, etc, of

to estimate or appraise; judge

to check for conformity or bring into conformity with a standard measurement, dimension, etc

noun

a standard measurement, dimension, capacity, or quantity

any of various instruments for measuring a quantity a pressure gauge

any of various devices used to check for conformity with a standard measurement

a standard or means for assessing; test; criterion

scope, capacity, or extent

the diameter of the barrel of a gun, esp a shotgun

the thickness of sheet metal or the diameter of wire

the distance between the rails of a railway track: in Britain 4 ft 8 1/2 in. (1.435 m)

the distance between two wheels on the same axle of a vehicle, truck, etc

nautical the position of a vessel in relation to the wind and another vessel. One vessel may be windward (weather gauge) or leeward (lee gauge) of the other

the proportion of plaster of Paris added to mortar to accelerate its setting

the distance between the nails securing the slates, tiles, etc, of a roof

a measure of the fineness of woven or knitted fabric, usually expressed as the number of needles used per inch

the width of motion-picture film or magnetic tape

adjective

(of a pressure measurement) measured on a pressure gauge that registers zero at atmospheric pressure; above or below atmospheric pressure 5 bar gauge See also absolute (def. 10)

Derived forms of gauge

gaugeable or gageable, adjective gaugeably or gageably, adverb

Word Origin for gauge

C15: from Old Northern French, probably of Germanic origin

British Dictionary definitions for narrow gauge (2 of 2)

narrow gauge

noun

a railway track with a smaller distance between the lines than the standard gauge of 56 1/2 in

adjective narrow-gauge, narrow-gauged

of, relating to, or denoting a railway with a narrow gauge

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

narrow gauge

noun

Origin of narrow gauge

OTHER WORDS FROM narrow gauge

Words nearby narrow gauge

Definition for narrow gauge (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), gauged, gaug·ing.

noun

Origin of gauge

SYNONYMS FOR gauge

OTHER WORDS FROM gauge

Example sentences from the Web for narrow gauge

British Dictionary definitions for narrow gauge (1 of 2)

gage

verb (tr)

noun

adjective

Derived forms of gauge

Word Origin for gauge

British Dictionary definitions for narrow gauge (2 of 2)

noun

adjective narrow-gauge, narrow-gauged