A-gāte'1, adv.
[Prefix a and gate or gait.] On the way; going; as, to be a-gate; to set the bells a-gate. [Obs.] Colgrave.
2 entries under this word
Agate
Ag'ate2, n.
n. [Fr. agate, Pr. agathes, achates, Sp., Pg., It. agata, Lat. achates, Gr. ἀχάτης; so called, says Pliny, 37, 10, because it was first found near the river Achates, in Sicily.]
Sense 1. (Min.) A semi-pellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz, presenting various tints in the same specimen. Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or are blended in clouds. Dana.
Sense 2. (Print.) A kind of type, larger than pearl and smaller than nonpareil; in England called ruby.
☞ This line is printed in the type called agate.
Sense 3. A very diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures formerly cut in agate for rings, &c. [Obs.] Shak.
Sense 4. An instrument used by gold wire drawers, so called from the agate in the middle of it. Encyc. Brit.