Etymology From Middle English gere, a borrowing from Old Norse gervi, from Proto-Germanic *garwijaną (“to prepare”). See also adjective yare, yar from the same root via Old English.
Equipment or paraphernalia, especially that used for an athletic endeavor.
2
Clothing; garments.
Aray thy selfe in her most gorgeous geare1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 26:
Those Eastern winters, I can't endure 'em / So every year I pack my gear and come out here till Purim / Rosh Hashanah, I spend in Arizona1990, “(I'm Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica”, in Tom Lehrer (music), The Remains of Tom Lehrer, performed by Tom Lehrer, published 2000:
Homely gear and common ware.1551, Thomas More, “(please specify the Internet Archive page)”, in Raphe Robynson [i.e., Ralph Robinson], transl., A Fruteful, and Pleasaunt Worke of the Best State of a Publyque Weale, and of the Newe Yle Called Utopia: […], London: […] [Steven Mierdman for] Abraham Vele, […], →OCLC:
4
A wheel, wheel segment, or bar with grooves (teeth) engraved on the outer circumference, such that two such devices can interlock and convey motion from one to the other.
Automotive, Cycling, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports, Transport, Vehicles A particular combination or choice of interlocking gears, such that a particular gear ratio is achieved; often selected via a shifter.
6
Automotive, Cycling, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports, Transport, Vehicles A configuration of the transmission of a motor car so as to achieve a particular ratio of engine to axle torque.
"Have you got any gear? Dominic, have you got any acid?" Emma kept running her hands nervously through her hair. "Not LSD, man; that last trip freaked me out."2003, Marianne Hancock, Looking for Oliver, page 90:
When he was digged up, which was in the presence of the Magistracy of the Town, his body was found entire, not at all putrid, no ill smell about him, saving the mustiness of the grave-Clothes, his joynts limber and flexible, as in those that are alive, his skin only flaccid, but a more fresh grown in the room of it, the wound of his throat gaping, but no gear nor corruption in it; there was also observed a Magical mark in the great toe of his right foot, viz. an Excrescency in the form of a Rose.1662, Henry More, An Antidote Against Atheism, Book III, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 113
goe they both together to their geare.1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 30:
March 29, 1549, Hugh Latimer, the fourth sermon preached before King Edward That servant of his that confessed and uttered this gear was an honest man.
Etymology From Middle English gere, a borrowing from Old Norse gervi, from Proto-Germanic *garwijaną (“to prepare”). See also adjective yare, yar from the same root via Old English.
1
Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To provide with gearing; to fit with gears in order to achieve a desired gear ratio.
2
Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To be in gear, come into gear.
3
To dress; to put gear on; to harness.
4
Usually, With to or toward(s) To design or devise (something) so as to be suitable (for a particular type of person or a particular purpose).
This shop is not really geared towards people of our age.
They have geared the hotel mainly at tourists.
5
Business, Finance To borrow money in order to invest it in assets.
Etymology From Middle English gere, a borrowing from Old Norse gervi, from Proto-Germanic *garwijaną (“to prepare”). See also adjective yare, yar from the same root via Old English.