gear

Meanings

Noun

• Equipment or paraphernalia, especially that used for an athletic endeavor.
• Clothing; garments.
• Goods; property; household items.
• A wheel with grooves (teeth) engraved on the outer circumference, such that two such devices can interlock and convey motion from one to the other; a gear wheel.
• A particular combination or choice of interlocking gears, such that a particular gear ratio is achieved.
• A configuration of the transmission of a motor car so as to achieve a particular ratio of engine to axle torque.
• Recreational drugs, including steroids.
• Stuff.
• Business matters; affairs; concern.
• Anything worthless; nonsense; rubbish.

Verb

• To provide with gearing; to fit with gears in order to achieve a desired gear ratio.
• To be in, or come into, gear.
• To dress; to put gear on; to harness.
• To design or devise (something) so as to be suitable (for a particular type of person or a particular purpose).
• To borrow money in order to invest it in assets.

Adjective

• great or fantastic

Origin

• From Middle English gere, a borrowing from Old Norse gervi, from Proto-Germanic *garwijaną. See also adjective yare, yar from the same root via Old English.