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   Gear

   /ɡir/

   

   noun

   • 1. one of a set of toothed wheels that work together to alter the relation between the speed of a driving mechanism (such as the engine of a vehicle or the crank of a bicycle) and the speed of the driven parts (the wheels): "a racing bike with ten-speed gears" Similar gearwheeltoothed wheelcogcogwheelgear ratiospeed
   • ▪ a particular function or state of adjustment of engaged gears: "he was tooling along in fifth gear"
   • ▪ used in reference to the level of effort or intensity expended in an activity or undertaking: "from this weekend, the campaign is expected to step up a gear"
   • 2. equipment that is used for a particular purpose: "camping gear" Similar equipmentapparatusparaphernaliaarticlesappliancesimpedimentatoolsutensilsimplementsinstrumentshardwaregadgetsgadgetrystuffthingskitrigtackleoutfitresourcesamenitiessuppliesfurniturefurnishingsfittingsodds and endsbits and piecesbits and bobstrappingsappurtenancesaccoutrementsregaliamaterielbaggageinformal:box of tricksclobbergubbinsodds and sodsarchaic:equipage
   • ▪ clothing, especially of a specified kind: informal "designer gear" Similar clothesclothinggarmentsarticles of clothing/dressattiregarbdresswearwardrobeoutfitcostumeturnoutfineryinformal:togsdudsgarmsgetupglad ragsclobberkitrig-outthreadsformal:apparelliterary:raimenthabilimentshabitarchaic:vestments
   • ▪ a person's personal possessions and clothes: informal "I told her to come back to my place with all her gear" Similar belongingspossessionseffectspersonal effectspropertybaggagechattelsmovablesparaphernaliaappurtenancesimpedimentamiscellaneous articlesodds and endsbits and piecesbits and bobstrappingsaccessoriesrubbishinformal:thingsstuffkitjunktrapsclobbergubbinsodds and sodsdated:dunnage
   • ▪ a ship's rigging.

   verb

   • 1. prepare, adjust, or equip for a particular purpose or need: "they gear workouts to your specific needs"
   • 2. design or adjust the gears in a machine to give a specified speed or power output: "it's geared too high for serious off-road use"

   Word Origin Middle English: of Scandinavian origin; compare with Old Norse gervi. Early senses expressed the general meaning ‘equipment or apparatus’, later ‘mechanism’: hence gear (sense 1 of the noun) (early 19th century).

   Scrabble Points: 5

   • G

     2

   • E

     1

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

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