gain

gain
gain1
—gainable, adj.
/gayn/, v.t.
1. to get (something desired), esp. 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. to win (someone) to one's own side or point of view; persuade (sometimes fol. 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. to reach, esp. by effort; get to; arrive at: to gain one's destination.
v.i.
8. to improve; make progress; advance: to gain in health after an illness.
9. to get nearer, as in pursuit (usually fol. 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 fol. by on or upon).
11. (of a watch or clock) to run fast.
12. gain ground, to progress or advance, as in value, strength, or achievement: The company's new products are gaining ground in suburban areas.
13. gain time, to arrange a postponement or delay for a particular purpose, esp. by roundabout means.
n.
14. profit or advantage.
15. an increase or advance.
16. gains, profits or winnings.
17. the act of gaining; acquisition.
18. Electronics.
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.
19. the volume control of a radio, phonograph, amplifier, etc.
[1425-75; late ME (n.) < MF, contr. of OF gaaing, n. deriv of gaaignier to till, earn, win < Gmc; cf. OHG weidanon to hunt, forage for food]
Syn. 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. 15. addition, increment, acquisition.
Ant. 1. lose.
gain2
/gayn/, Carpentry.
n.
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.
v.t.
4. to make a gain or gains in.
5. to fasten or support by means of a gain.
[1670-80; perh. akin to obs. gane, OE (north) ganian to yawn, open]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:
, , , , (by effort), , , , , , , , , / , , , , , , , , , , / , , , , , , , , , / , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • gain — gain …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • gain — [ gɛ̃ ] n. m. • XIIe; de gagner 1 ♦ Littér. Action de gagner. Le gain d une bataille. ⇒ succès, victoire. Le gain d un procès. Cour. Avoir, obtenir gain de cause. Absolt Chances égales de gain et de perte. 2 ♦ Ce qu on gagne; profit, bénéfice… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • gain — n 1: an increase in value, capital, or amount compare loss capital gain: a gain realized on the sale or exchange of a capital asset (as a stock or real estate) ca·su·al·ty gain: a gain realized by an insured because property insurance benefits… …   Law dictionary

  • gain — GAIN. s. m. Profit, lucre. Grand gain. petit gain. gain mediocre. gain sordide, illicite, deshonneste. travailler pour le gain. faire à moitié de gain. entrer avec quelqu un à moitié de gain & de perte. à perte & à gain. apporter grand gain.… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Gain — Gain, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Gained} (g[=a]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Gaining}.] [From gain, n. but. prob. influenced by F. gagner to earn, gain, OF. gaaignier to cultivate, OHG. weidin[=o]n, weidinen to pasture, hunt, fr. weida pasturage, G. weide,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gain — (g[=a]n), n. [OE. gain, gein, ga[yogh]hen, gain, advantage, Icel. gagn; akin to Sw. gagn, Dan. gavn, cf. Goth. gageigan to gain. The word was prob. influenced by F. gain gain, OF. gaain. Cf. {Gain}, v. t.] 1. That which is gained, obtained, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gain — gain1 [gān] n. [ME < OFr gaaigne < gaaignier: see GAIN1 the vt.] 1. an increase; addition; specif., a) [often pl.] an increase in wealth, earnings, etc.; profit; winnings b) an increase in advantage; advantage; improvement 2. the act of… …   English World dictionary

  • Gain — Gain, v. i. To have or receive advantage or profit; to acquire gain; to grow rich; to advance in interest, health, or happiness; to make progress; as, the sick man gains daily. [1913 Webster] Thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gain — ist das englische Wort für Verstärkung (Physik), wird in der Technik verwendet die Eingangsverstärkung, etwa bei einem Mischpult oder Gitarrenverstärker der Gain (Mawddach), Quellfluss des Mawddach in Wales eine Namensvariante der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • gain — ► VERB 1) obtain or secure. 2) reach or arrive at. 3) (gain on) come closer to (a person or thing pursued). 4) increase the amount or rate of (weight, speed, etc.). 5) increase in value. 6) (gain in) improve o …   English terms dictionary

  • Gain — Gain, a. [OE. gein, gain, good, near, quick; cf. Icel. gegn ready, serviceable, and gegn, adv., against, opposite. Cf. {Ahain}.] Convenient; suitable; direct; near; handy; dexterous; easy; profitable; cheap; respectable. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”