gage
gb/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/ us/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
B2
English
~ 9800
mérőműszer, méretszám, vastagsági szám, felmér, zálog, eldobott kesztyű, ringló, ringlószilva
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
1
mérőműszer
B2
Usage pattern:
a [type] gage to measure [something]
The mechanic checked the oil pressure gage before starting the engine.
A szerelő a motor beindítása előtt ellenőrizte az olajnyomásmérőt.
Make sure the depth gage is zeroed before you begin drilling.
Győződj meg róla, hogy a mélységmérő nullázva van, mielőtt elkezdesz fúrni.
A faulty temperature gage can cause the system to overheat without warning.
Learner examples
The fuel gage shows how much gas is in the car.
Az üzemanyagszint-mérő mutatja, mennyi benzin van az autóban.
He looked at the pressure gage to see if it was safe.
Ránézett a nyomásmérőre, hogy lássa, biztonságos-e.
The worker used a depth gage to measure the hole.
Common mistake:
Learners often do not realize that “gage” is mainly a technical or spelling-variant form of “gauge.” In most general writing, “gauge” is preferred, so use “gauge” unless you see “gage” in a specific technical standard or product name.
Meaning
Instrument for measuring (gauge)
Collocations
pressure gage
|fuel gage
|depth gage
|temperature gage
|dial gage
|go/no-go gage
Synonyms
gauge (Standard modern spelling; identical meaning, more common.)
|
meter (General word for measuring device; not all meters are called gages.)
|
indicator (Stresses showing a value more than making a precise measurement.)
Themes
science
|technology
|engineering
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A tool or instrument used to measure things like pressure, size, or level; today it is usually spelled “gauge.”
A device used to measure a physical quantity, such as pressure, level, or size, usually spelled “gauge” in modern English.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
2
méretszám
C1
Usage pattern:
[number]-gage [material]
For this circuit, use 14-gage copper wire only.
Ehhez az áramkörhöz csak 14-es méretszámú rézhuzalt használj.
The panels are made from 20-gage stainless steel.
A panelek 20-as méretszámú rozsdamentes acélból készülnek.
We ordered a heavier gage of sheet metal for the outer shell.
Learner examples
The cable is 16-gage wire.
Ez a kábel 16-os méretszámú huzalból készült.
This door uses a thicker gage of steel.
Ehhez az ajtóhoz vastagabb acélt használnak.
He checked what gage of wire the plan required.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the number with direct thickness: in many systems, a smaller gage number means a thicker material. Also, spelling “gage” instead of the more common “gauge” can look like a mistake in general English.
Meaning
Standard size or thickness (gauge)
Collocations
12-gage wire
|18-gage steel
|sheet-metal gage
|wire gage
|gage thickness
Synonyms
gauge (Standard modern spelling for this meaning.)
|
thickness rating (Describes the idea but is longer and less technical-sounding.)
|
size (Very general; does not imply a specific numbered standard.)
Themes
engineering
|manufacturing
|technology
|science
|work
Definition
A number that tells how thick or big something like wire or metal is; today it is usually spelled “gauge.”
A numbered standard that indicates the thickness, diameter, or size of materials such as wire, sheet metal, or tubing, typically spelled “gauge.”
VERB
B2
3
felmér
B2
Usage pattern:
to gage [something] / to gage how [clause]
It was hard to gage the crowd’s reaction from the stage lights.
A reflektorok fényében nehéz volt felmérni a tömeg reakcióját.
The company sent a survey to gage customer satisfaction.
A cég kérdőívet küldött ki, hogy felmérje az ügyfelek elégedettségét.
Before investing, she tried to gage how risky the project was.
Learner examples
He tried to gage how tired he was before driving home.
Megpróbálta felmérni, mennyire fáradt, mielőtt hazavezet.
The teacher asked questions to gage what the students knew.
A tanár kérdéseket tett fel, hogy felmérje, mit tudnak a diákok.
I cannot gage the cost until I see the plan.
Common mistake:
Learners often spell this word as “gage.” In most modern writing, “gauge” is correct and far more common for this meaning. Also, do not use it where a simple verb like “feel” or “think” is needed; “gage” suggests a more careful check or estimate.
Meaning
Measure or estimate (gauge)
Collocations
gage interest
|gage reaction
|gage public opinion
|gage the situation
|gage the risk
Synonyms
gauge (Standard spelling with the same meanings; more common in all registers.)
|
measure (Focuses more on exact or numerical measurement.)
|
assess (Stresses careful judgment, often about quality or risk.)
|
estimate (Suggests an approximate, not exact, judgment.)
Antonyms
ignore (To pay no attention and make no measurement or judgment.)
Themes
thinking
|communication
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To measure or to carefully guess how big, how strong, or how important something is; today it is usually spelled “gauge.”
To measure or judge the amount, size, or level of something, especially to form an opinion about it; usually spelled “gauge.”
NOUN
C1
ARCHAIC
4
zálog
B2
Usage pattern:
a gage of [loyalty/honor/etc.]
He offered his signet ring as a gage of his word.
Pecsétgyűrűjét ajánlotta fel szava zálogául.
The land was held as a gage until the debt was repaid.
A földet zálogként tartották, amíg az adósságot vissza nem fizették.
She placed the necklace in the lawyer’s hands as a gage of her promise.
Learner examples
He gave his sword as a gage of his promise.
Kardját adta ígérete zálogául.
The ring was a gage that he would return.
A gyűrű annak a záloga volt, hogy visszatér.
They kept the money as a gage until the work was done.
Common mistake:
Learners may wrongly use this old word in modern legal or business writing instead of common words like “pledge,” “deposit,” or “collateral.” In present-day English, “gage” in this sense is mainly found in historical texts or old literature.
Meaning
Something given as a pledge
Collocations
leave a gage
|take a gage
|as a gage of good faith
|a gage of loyalty
Synonyms
pledge (Most direct modern equivalent in everyday use.)
|
security (Legal or financial term; stresses protection against loss.)
|
collateral (Specifically for loans and financial obligations.)
Antonyms
release (Letting someone go from a promise or obligation, so no gage is needed.)
Themes
law
|history
|finance
Definition
A thing that a person gives to show they will keep a promise, pay a debt, or accept a challenge; now old-fashioned.
Something given as security to show that a promise, debt, or challenge will be honored; a pledge or token, now mainly in historical or literary use.
NOUN
C1
ARCHAIC
5
Usage pattern:
to throw down the gage
With a flourish, the knight hurled his gauntlet to the ground as a gage.
A lovag nagy mozdulattal a földre hajította a kesztyűjét, a kihívás jeléül.
No one dared to take up the gage that lay in the dust between the armies.
Senki sem merte felvenni a két sereg között a porban heverő eldobott kesztyűt.
He cast down the gage before the king, demanding trial by combat.
Learner examples
The knight threw down his glove as a gage.
A lovag kihívásként ledobta a kesztyűjét.
No man picked up the gage, so the challenge was not accepted.
Senki sem vette fel a kesztyűt, így a kihívást nem fogadták el.
In the old story, the gage starts a great war.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is strongly historical and tied to set phrases like “throw down the gage” and “take up the gage.” In modern English, we normally just say “issue a challenge” or “accept a challenge.”
Meaning
Glove or token of challenge
Collocations
throw down the gage
|cast down the gage
|take up the gage
|accept the gage
Synonyms
challenge (Names the act itself rather than the physical object used to show it.)
|
defiance (Stresses open resistance more than the formal ritual of a gage.)
Antonyms
truce (An agreement to stop fighting, the opposite social move of throwing down a gage.)
Themes
history
|conflict
|arts_entertainment
|relationships
Definition
A glove or small object that someone throws on the ground to show a serious challenge to fight; used in old stories.
A glove or other token that a person throws down to issue a formal challenge to combat or to a dispute, especially in medieval or literary contexts.
NOUN
B2
6
ringló
B2
ringlószilva
B2
Usage pattern:
a [color] gage
The old tree in the garden still produces delicious yellow gages every summer.
A kert öreg fája minden nyáron még mindig finom sárga ringlókat terem.
We made jam from a mixture of gages and darker plums.
Ringlóból és sötétebb szilvából vegyesen főztünk lekvárt.
Greengages are a kind of gage prized for their rich, honeyed flavor.
Learner examples
She picked a bowl of gages from the tree.
Egy tál ringlót szedett a fáról.
These gages are small, but they are very sweet.
Ezek a ringlók kicsik, de nagyon édesek.
We cooked the gages with sugar to make jam.
Common mistake:
Learners may think “gage” in this sense is a general word for any plum. In fact, it refers to specific varieties, often called “greengage” or similar names, and is most common in gardening or food contexts.
Meaning
A type of sweet plum
Collocations
greengage
|yellow gage
|sweet gage
|gage plum
Synonyms
plum (General fruit name; does not show that it is this particular variety.)
Themes
food
|plants
|food_drink
|nature
Definition
A kind of small, very sweet plum, for example a greengage.
A type of plum, especially one of several small, sweet varieties such as the greengage, commonly grown in gardens and orchards.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gage
IPA
GB/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
US/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
gage (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gage)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gage
- Plural: gages
Verb
- Base: gage
- 3rd Person Singular: gages
- Present Participle: gaging
- Past: gaged
Word family
Forms
gages
noun
gaging
verb
gaged
verb
Core family
gauge
noun B2
Expressions
gage block
1/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ blˈɑk/
fixed phrase
technical
Precision block for setting length
A very accurate metal block with a fixed length, used to set or check other measuring tools in workshops and factories.
Examples
- The machinist used a gage block to verify that the caliper was reading correctly.
- Gage blocks must be kept clean and free of rust to maintain their precision.
plug gage
1/plˈʌɡ ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
Tool to check hole diameter
A metal tool shaped like a cylinder, made to a very exact size, which is put into a hole to check if the hole is the correct diameter.
Examples
- Each drilled hole was inspected with a plug gage before the parts were shipped.
- If the plug gage does not enter the hole, the diameter is too small.
ring gage
1/ɹˈɪŋ ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
Ring tool to check shaft size
A metal ring made to a very exact inside size, used to check whether a shaft or round part is the correct diameter.
Examples
- The inspector slid a ring gage over the shaft to confirm its size.
- A go/no-go ring gage quickly shows if the part is within tolerance.
take up the gage
1/tˈeɪk ˈʌp ðə ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
archaic
Accept a formal challenge
To accept a serious challenge, especially in old stories where a person picks up the glove or object that was thrown down.
Examples
- No knight dared to take up the gage that lay between them.
- At last, one young warrior stepped forward to take up the gage.
thread gage
1/θɹˈɛd ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
Tool to check screw threads
A tool used to check if a screw or nut has the correct thread size and spacing.
Examples
- Use a thread gage to confirm whether that bolt is metric or inch.
- The technician checked every fitting with a thread gage before assembly.
throw down the gage
1/θɹˈoʊ dˈaʊn ðə ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
archaic
Issue a formal challenge
To make a serious and formal challenge, especially in old stories where a person throws a glove or object on the ground to show they want to fight.
Examples
- In a burst of anger, the lord threw down the gage before his rival.
- By throwing down the gage, he publicly demanded trial by combat.