Gage | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Gāge, n.

noun

n. [Fr., Pr., Sp., & Pg. gage, It. gaggio, L. Lat. gadium, vadium, wadium, from Goth. vadi, pledge, earnest, from vidan, to bind, O. H. Ger. wetti, pledge, agreement, N. H. Ger. wette, bet, wager, A.-S. wedd, pledge, promise.]

Sense 1. 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; security.

Nor without gages to the needy lend. Sandys.

Sense 2. 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 acceptor of the challenge, “There I throw my gage.” Shak.

Gāge, n.

noun

n. A measure or standard. See GAUGE.

Gāge, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. GAGED; p. pr. & vb. n. GAGING.] [Fr. gager, Pr. gajar. See supra.]

Sense 1. To give or deposit as a pledge or security for some other act; to wage or wager; to pawn or pledge. [Obs.]

A moiety competent Was gaged by our king. Shak.

Sense 2. To bind by pledge, caution, or security; to engage.

Great debts Wherein my time, something too prodigal, Hath left me gaged. Shak.

Gāge, v. t.

verbtransitive

To measure. See GAUGE.

You shall not gage me By what we do to-night. Shak.