gear

English

/ɡɪə(ɹ)/, /ɡɪɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • (uncountable) Equipment or paraphernalia, especially that used for an athletic endeavor.
  • Clothing; garments.
  • (obsolete) Goods; property; household items.
  • (countable) A wheel with grooves (teeth) engraved on the outer circumference, such that two such devices can interlock and convey motion from one to the other; a gear wheel.
  • (countable) A particular combination or choice of interlocking gears, such that a particular gear ratio is achieved.
  • (countable) A configuration of the transmission of a motor car so as to achieve a particular ratio of engine to axle torque.
  • (slang) recreational Recreational drugs, including steroids.
  • (uncountable) Stuff.
  • (obsolete) Business matters; affairs; concern.
  • (obsolete) Anything worthless; nonsense; rubbish.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English gere (childish behaviour) derived from Old Norse gervi derived from Proto-Germanic *garwijaną (prepare).

Origin

Proto-Germanic

*garwijaną

Gloss

prepare

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms