A pledge or pawn; something laid down or given as a security for the performance of some act to be done by the person depositing the thing, and which is to be forfeited by non-performance. It is used of a movable thing; not of land or other immovable. There I throw my gage.

A challenge to combat; that is, a glove, a cap, a gauntlet, or the like, cast on the ground by the challenger, and taken up by the accepter of the challenge.

A measure, or rule of measuring; a standard.

The number of feet which a ship sinks in the water.

Among letter-founders, a piece of hard wood variously notched, used to adjust the dimensions, slopesof the various sorts of letters.

An instrument in joinery made to strike a line parallel to the straight side of a board. A sliding-gage, a tool used by mathematical instrument makers for measuring and setting off distances. Sea-gage, an instrument for finding the depth of the sea. Tide-gage, an instrument for determining the highth of the tides. Wind-gage, an instrument for measuring the force of the wind on any given surface. Weather-gage, the windward side of a ship.

To pledge; to pawn; to give or deposit as a pledge or security for some other act; to wage or wager.

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

To measure; to take or ascertain the contents of a vessel, cask or ship; written also gauge.