Gage

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Gage

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

gayj  /ɡeɪdʒ/

Definition

As a noun: a pledge or security deposited as guarantee of good faith; a token of a challenge, such as a glove thrown down; (variant spelling of gauge) a measuring instrument or standard measure. As a verb: to offer as a pledge; to engage.

Plain meaning

Gage in its historical sense means a pledge or token — something given as a guarantee or as a challenge to combat. It is also a variant spelling of gauge (a measuring tool or standard).

Register

Archaic and literary in the pledge and challenge senses. Technical in the gauge/measurement sense. The gage/gauge spelling variation is a minor dialect marker.