Gage (?), n. [F. gage, LL.
gadium, wadium; of German origin; cf. Goth.
wadi, OHG. wetti, weti, akin to E. wed.
See Wed, and cf. Wage, n.]
1. A pledge or pawn; something laid down or
given as a security for the performance of some act by the person
depositing it, and forfeited by nonperformance; security.
Nor without gages to the needy
lend.
Sandys.
2. A glove, cap, or the like, cast on the
ground as a challenge to combat, and to be taken up by the accepter
of the challenge; a challenge; a defiance. "There I throw my
gage." Shak.
Gage, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Gaged (?); p. pr & vb. n.
Gaging (?).] [Cf. F. gager. See Gage,
n., a pledge.] 1. To give or
deposit as a pledge or security for some act; to wage or wager; to
pawn or pledge. [Obs.]
A moiety competent
Was gaged by our king.
Shak.
2. To bind by pledge, or security; to
engage.
Great debts
Wherein my time, sometimes too prodigal,
Hath left me gaged.
Shak.Gage (?), n. [So called because an
English family named Gage imported the greengage from France,
in the last century.] A variety of plum; as, the
greengage; also, the blue gage, frost gage,
golden gage, etc., having more or less likeness to the
greengage. See Greengage.
Gage, v. t. To measure. See
Gauge, v. t.
You shall not gage me
By what we do to-night.
Shak.Gage, n. A measure or standard.
See Gauge, n.