Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to get (something desired), especially as a result of one's efforts: to gain possession of an object; to gain permission to enter a country.
2.
to acquire as an increase or addition: to gain weight; to gain speed.
3.
to obtain as a profit: He gained ten dollars by this deal.
4.
to win; get in competition: to gain the prize.
5.
EXPANDto win (someone) to one's own side or point of view; persuade (sometimes followed by over): to gain supporters.
6.
(of a watch or clock) to run fast by (a specified amount): My watch gains six minutes a day.
7.
COLLAPSEto reach, especially by effort; get to; arrive at: to gain one's destination.
verb (used without object)
8.
to improve; make progress; advance: to gain in health after an illness.
9.
to get nearer, as in pursuit (usually followed by on or upon): Our horse was gaining on the favorite at the far turn.
10.
to draw away from or farther ahead of the other contestants in a race, one's pursuers, etc. (usually followed by on or upon).
11.
(of a watch or clock) to run fast.
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Gaining
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
noun
Idioms12.
profit or advantage.
13.
an increase or advance.
14.
gains, profits or winnings.
15.
the act of gaining; acquisition.
16.
EXPANDElectronics.
a.
a measure of the increase in signal amplitude produced by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input.
b.
the effectiveness of a directional antenna as compared with a standard, nondirectional one.
18.
gain ground, to progress or advance, as in value, strength, or achievement: The company's new products are gaining ground in suburban areas.
19.
gain time, to arrange a postponement or delay for a particular purpose, especially by roundabout means.
Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English (noun) < Middle French, contraction of Old French gaaing, noun derivative of gaaignier to till, earn, win < Germanic; compare Old High German weidanōn to hunt, forage for food
1425–75; late Middle English (noun) < Middle French, contraction of Old French gaaing, noun derivative of gaaignier to till, earn, win < Germanic; compare Old High German weidanōn to hunt, forage for food
Related forms
gain·a·ble, adjective
un·gain·a·ble, adjective
Synonyms
1. procure. Gain, attain, earn, win imply obtaining a reward or something advantageous. Gain carries the least suggestion of method or of effort expended. Attain emphasizes the reaching of a goal. Earn emphasizes the exertions and labor expended that deserve reward. Win emphasizes attainment in spite of competition or opposition. 7. attain. 13. addition, increment, acquisition.
1. procure. Gain, attain, earn, win imply obtaining a reward or something advantageous. Gain carries the least suggestion of method or of effort expended. Attain emphasizes the reaching of a goal. Earn emphasizes the exertions and labor expended that deserve reward. Win emphasizes attainment in spite of competition or opposition. 7. attain. 13. addition, increment, acquisition.
Antonyms
1. lose.
1. lose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
1.
a notch, dado, or mortise cut into a piece of wood, as to receive another piece or to house a flap of a hinge.
2.
tusk (def. 4).
3.
a short rabbet, for receiving a flap of a butt hinge.
Origin:
1670–80; perhaps akin to obsolete gane, Old English (north) ganian to yawn, open
1670–80; perhaps akin to obsolete gane, Old English (north) ganian to yawn, open
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To gaining
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
gain
late 15c. (n.), 1520s (v.), from M.Fr. gain, from O.Fr. gaaigne, from gaaignier "to gain," also "cultivate land," from Frank. *waidanjan "hunt, forage," also "graze, pasture," from P.Gmc. *wartho "hunting ground" (cf. Ger. weide "pasture, pasturage," O.N. veiðr "hunting"), from PIE *wei "to strive
EXPANDafter." The original O.Fr. sense enfolded the notions of "profit from agriculture" and "booty, prey." Related: Gained; gaining.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
gain (gān)
n.
An increase in amount or degree.
Progress; advancement.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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