gage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Archaic, Literary; (fruit sense) Regional (US)
Quick answer
What does “gage” mean?
A valuable item deposited to guarantee the fulfillment of an obligation or bet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A valuable item deposited to guarantee the fulfillment of an obligation or bet; a token, pledge, or security.
1) To pledge or deposit something as security for a loan or bet. 2) To offer or lay down as a challenge (especially in historical contexts of combat). 3) A fruit, specifically a greengage plum (US).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary difference lies in the fruit meaning: in American English, 'gage' is a recognized short form for 'greengage' (a type of plum). This usage is virtually nonexistent in British English, where the fruit is almost exclusively called a 'greengage'. The 'pledge' sense is archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
In both UK and US, the financial/pledge sense connotes historical or legal formality, often with a sense of chivalric or solemn obligation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora for the pledge sense. The fruit sense has moderate frequency in US regional contexts where the fruit is known.
Grammar
How to Use “gage” in a Sentence
to gage something (for something)to offer something as a gageNoun + as a gageVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He gaged his ancestral ring to secure the loan.
- The knight gaged his honour on the outcome of the duel.
American English
- He gaged his watch for the money. (archaic)
- She gaged her family's estate. (archaic)
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- She made a delicious gage plum tart.
- We planted a gage tree in the orchard.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Rare, found in historical or literary studies regarding chivalry or early law.
Everyday
Virtually never used. The fruit sense might appear in US farmers' markets or gardening contexts.
Technical
Obsolete in law/finance. Not used in modern engineering or science.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gage”
- Misspelling as 'gauge'.
- Using it in a modern financial context.
- Assuming it's a common word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While they sound identical, 'gage' and 'gauge' are distinct words with different etymologies and meanings. 'Gauge' relates to measurement, while 'gage' relates to a pledge or a type of plum.
You are very unlikely to need it in active vocabulary. You might encounter it in historical fiction, legal history texts, or, in the US, in contexts discussing specific plum varieties (greengages).
It is an archaic idiom meaning to issue a formal challenge, especially to a duel. It originates from the medieval practice of throwing down a glove (the 'gage') as a symbolic act of challenge.
The fruit itself (greengage) is known, but it is almost never referred to simply as a 'gage' in British English. The full name 'greengage' is standard.
A valuable item deposited to guarantee the fulfillment of an obligation or bet.
Gage is usually formal, archaic, literary; (fruit sense) regional (us) in register.
Gage: in British English it is pronounced /ɡeɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡeɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “throw down the gage (to issue a challenge)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a medieval knight's GAuntlet thrown on the Ground as a GA(r)GE - a challenge and a pledge.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN OBJECT OF VALUE IS A PLEDGE FOR FUTURE BEHAVIOUR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gage' most likely to be encountered in modern American English?