gears definition | Dictionary.com

gear

[geer]

–noun

Machinery.

a.	a part, as a disk, wheel, or section of a shaft, having cut teeth of such form, size, and spacing that they mesh with teeth in another part to transmit or receive force and motion.

b.	an assembly of such parts.

c.	one of several possible arrangements of such parts in a mechanism, as an automobile transmission, for affording different relations of torque and speed between the driving and the driven machinery, or for permitting the driven machinery to run in either direction: first gear; reverse gear.

d.	a mechanism or group of parts performing one function or serving one purpose in a complex machine: steering gear.

2.	implements, tools, or apparatus, esp. as used for a particular occupation or activity; paraphernalia: fishing gear.

3.	a harness, esp. of horses.

Nautical.

a.	the lines, tackles, etc., of a particular sail or spar.

b.	the personal tools, clothing, and other possessions of a sailor.

5.	portable items of personal property, including clothing; possessions: The campers keep all their gear in footlockers.

6.	wearing apparel; clothing: The fashion pages of the Sunday paper are featuring the latest fall gear.

7.	armor or arms.

–verb (used with object)

8.	to provide with or connect by gearing.

9.	to put in or into gear.

10.	to provide with gear; supply; equip.

11.	to prepare, adjust, or adapt to a particular situation, person, etc., in order to bring about satisfactory results: The producers geared their output to seasonal demands.

–verb (used without object)

12.	to fit exactly, as one part of gearing into another; come into or be in gear.

–adjective

13.	Slang. great; wonderful.

—Verb phrases

14.

gear down,

a.	Automotive. to shift the transmission of a vehicle to a lower gear: The truck driver geared down at the top of the hill.

b.	to reduce in scope or intensity: With less income you'll have to gear down your spending habits.

15.

gear up,

a.	to make or get ready for a future event or situation: Insiders say the senator is gearing up to run for governor.

b.	to get or put on equipment or clothing for a particular purpose: The hikers geared up for the long trek down the mountain.

c.	to arouse or excite, as with enthusiasm or expectation: The employees were geared up for a hard battle with management over working hours.

—Idioms

16.

in gear,

a.	Machinery. in the state in which gears are connected or meshed: The car is in gear.

b.	in proper or active working order; functioning continuously without trouble: Every department in this company must be in gear at all times.

17.	in or into high gear, in or into a state of utmost speed, activity, or efficiency: Military rearmament moved into high gear.

18.	out of gear, Machinery. in the state in which gears are not connected or meshed: The engine is out of gear.

19.	shift or switch gears, to change one's attitude, course of action, methods, etc., in an abrupt, dramatic, or unexpected manner: In the middle of the second act the play shifts gears from comedy to tragedy.

Origin:
1150–1200; ME gere < ON gervi, gørvi; akin to OE gearwe equipment

Related forms:

gearless, adjective

Synonyms:
2. equipment, outfit, tackle, rig.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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gear (gîr)

1. A toothed machine part, such as a wheel or cylinder, that meshes with another toothed part to transmit motion or to change speed or direction.
2. A complete assembly that performs a specific function in a larger machine.
3. A transmission configuration for a specific ratio of engine to axle torque in a motor vehicle.
4. Clothing and accessories: the latest gear for teenagers.
5. Personal belongings, including clothing: keeps her gear in a trunk.
6. A ship's rigging.
7. A sailor's personal effects.
Equipment, such as tools or clothing, used for a particular activity: fishing gear. See Synonyms at equipment.
1. Clothing and accessories: the latest gear for teenagers.
2. Personal belongings, including clothing: keeps her gear in a trunk.
3. A ship's rigging.
4. A sailor's personal effects.
The harness for a horse.
Nautical
1. A ship's rigging.
2. A sailor's personal effects.

v. geared, gear·ing, gears

v. tr.

1. To equip with gears.
2. To connect by gears.
3. To put into gear.
To adjust or adapt so as to make suitable: geared the speech to a conservative audience.
To provide with gear; equip.

v. intr.

To come into or be in gear.
To become adjusted so as to fit or blend.

Phrasal Verb(s):
gear upTo get ready for a coming action or event: a group of investors who had geared up for the takeover fight.

[Middle English gere, equipment, from Old Norse gervi; akin to gera, to do, make, make ready.]

gear (gîr) Pronunciation Key

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A wheel with teeth around its rim that mesh with the teeth of another wheel to transmit motion. Gears are used to transmit power (as in a car transmission) or change the direction of motion in a mechanism (as in a differential axle). Fixed ratios of speed in various parts of a machine is often established by the arrangement of gears.

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