GAD, gad, _n._ a pointed bar of steel: a tool used in mining: a graver: a
rod or stick, a goad: the bar across a Scotch condemned cell, on which the
iron ring ran which fastened the shackles--also GADE, GAID.--_n._ GAD'LING,
one of the spikes on the knuckles of a gauntlet.--UPON THE GAD (_Shak._),
upon the spur of the moment. [Ice. _gadd-r_, a spike.]
GAD, gad, _interj._ a minced form of God.--_interjs._ GAD'SO, an
exclamation of surprise; GAD'ZOOKS, an obsolete minced oath.
GAD, gad, _v.i._ to rove about restlessly: to wander or ramble in speech,
&c., to straggle in growth:--_pr.p._ gad'ding; _pa.p._ gad'ded.--_ns._ GAD,
GAD'ABOUT, one who walks idly about; GAD'DER.--_adv._ GAD'DINGLY--_n._
GAD'DISHNESS. [Prob. conn. with _gad_ in _gadfly_; or obsolete _gadling_,
vagabond.]
GADFLY, gad'fl[=i], _n._ a fly which pierces the skin of cattle in order to
deposit its eggs: a mischievous gadabout. [From _gad_, n., _fly_.]
GADGE, gaj, _n._ an instrument of torture (_Browning_).
GADHELIC, gad-el'ik, _adj._ of or belonging to that branch of the Celtic
race which comprises the Erse of Ireland, the Gaels of Scotland, and the
Manx of the Isle of Man, as distinguished from the _Cymric_. [Ir.
_Gaedheal_ (pl. _Gaedhil_), a Gael.]
GADOID, g[=a]'doid, _adj._ pertaining to the _Gadidæ_, or cod-fishes.--_n._
a fish of this family.--_n._ G[=A]'DEAN, a fish of this family.--_adj._
G[=A]'DINE.--_n._ G[=A]'DUS, the typical genus of the same. [Gr. _gados_.]
GADOLINITE, gad'[=o]-lin-[=i]t, _n._ a silicate of the yttrium and cerium
metals, containing also beryllium and iron. [From the Finnish chemist
_Gadolin_ (1760-1852).]
GADROON, gad-r[=oo]n', _n._ one of a set of convex curves or arcs joined at
their extremities to form a decorative pattern--in plate, &c.--_adj._
GADROONED'.--_n._ GADROON'ING. [Fr. _godron_.]
GADSMAN, gadz'man, _n._ (_Scot._) one who drives horses at the plough.
[_Gad_ and _man_.]
GADWALL, gad'wawl, _n._ a northern fresh-water duck.
GAE, g[=a], a Scotch form of _go_.
GAEL, g[=a]l, _n._ a Scotch Highlander.--_adj._ GAELIC (g[=a]l'ik),
pertaining to the Gaels.--_n._ the Scottish-Highland dialect.--_v.t._
GAEL'ICISE.--_n._ GAEL'ICISM. [Gael. _Gaidheal_.]
GAFF, gaf, _n._ a hook used esp. for landing large fish after they have
been hooked on the line and spent by the skill of the angler: (_naut._) the
spar to which the head of a fore-and-aft sail is bent.--_v.t._ to hook or
bind by means of a gaff.--_n._ GAFF'-TOP-SAIL, a small sail, the head of
which is extended on a small gaff which hoists on the top-mast, and the
foot on the lower gaff. [Fr. _gaffe_.]
GAFF, gaf, _n._ (_slang_) a low theatre: a fair.
GAFF, gaf, _v.i._ (_slang_) to gamble.--_ns._ GAFF'ER; GAFF'ING.
GAFFER, gaf'[.e]r, _n._ originally a word of respect applied to an old man,
now familiar: the foreman of a squad of workmen. [Corr. of _godfather_, as
_gammer_ of _godmother_.]
GAG, gag, _v.t._ to forcibly stop the mouth: to silence: to choke up: to
introduce gag into a piece:--_pr.p._ gag'ging; _pa.p._ gagged.--_n._
something thrust into the mouth or put over it to enforce silence, or
distend the jaws during an operation: the closure applied in a debate: a
mouthful which produces nausea, the fat of fresh beef boiled: (_slang_) an
actor's interpolation: a joke or hoax.--_n._ GAG'GER, one who gags. [Prob.
imitative of sound made in choking.]
GAG, gag, _v.t._ (_slang_) to deceive.--v.i. to practise imposture.--n. a
made-up story, lie: (_U.S._) a laughing-stock.
GAGE, g[=a]j, _n._ a pledge: something thrown down as a challenge, as a
glove.--_v.t._ to bind by pledge or security: offer as a guarantee: to
stake, wager. [O. Fr. _guage_, from Teut. See WED.]
GAGE. See GAUGE.
GAGE, g[=a]j, _n._ name applied to several varieties of plum. [See
GREENGAGE.]
GAGGLE, gag'l, _n._ a flock of geese, or of women.--_v.i._ to cackle.--_n._
GAGG'LING, cackling.--_adj._ garrulous.
GAG-TOOTH, gag'-t[=oo]th, _n._ a projecting tooth.--_adj._ GAG'-TOOTHED.
GAIETY, GAILY. See GAY.
GAIKWAR, g[=i]k'war, _n._ name of the ruler of Baroda in India. [Marathi
_g[=a]e_--Sans. _go_, a cow, bull.]
GAIN, g[=a]n, _v.t._ to obtain by effort: to earn: to be successful in: to
draw to one's own party, bribe: to reach: to make advance: (_N. T._) to
escape.--_n._ that which is gained: profit.--_adj._ GAIN'ABLE.--_n._
GAIN'ER.--_adj._ GAIN'FUL.--_adv._ GAIN'FULLY.--_n._ GAIN'FULNESS.--_n.pl._
GAIN'INGS.--_adj._ GAIN'LESS.--_n._ GAIN'LESSNESS.--GAIN GROUND (see
GROUND); GAIN UPON, to overtake by degrees. [O. Fr. _gain_, _gaain_,
_gaigner_, _gaaignier_, from Teut., as in _weidenen_, to graze, to seek
forage, _weida_, pasture.]