\Gauge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Gauged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Gauging}] [OF. gaugier, F. jauger, cf. OF. gauge gauge,
measuring rod, F. jauge; of uncertain origin; perh. fr. an
assumed L. qualificare to determine the qualities of a thing
(see {Qualify}); but cf. also F. jalon a measuring stake in
surveying, and E. gallon.] [Written also {gage}.]
1. To measure or determine with a gauge.
2. To measure or to ascertain the contents or the capacity
   of, as of a pipe, barrel, or keg.
3. (Mech.) To measure the dimensions of, or to test the
   accuracy of the form of, as of a part of a gunlock.
         The vanes nicely gauged on each side. --Derham.
4. To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread
   through it, as cloth or a garment.
5. To measure the capacity, character, or ability of; to
   estimate; to judge of.
         You shall not gauge me By what we do to-night.
                                               --Shak.

\Gauge\, n. [Written also gage.]
1. A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to
   determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard.
         This plate must be a gauge to file your worm and
         groove to equal breadth by.           --Moxon.
         There is not in our hands any fixed gauge of minds.
                                               --I. Taylor.
2. Measure; dimensions; estimate.
         The gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and
         contempt.                             --Burke.
3. (Mach. & Manuf.) Any instrument for ascertaining or
   regulating the dimensions or forms of things; a templet or
   template; as, a button maker's gauge.
4. (Physics) Any instrument or apparatus for measuring the
   state of a phenomenon, or for ascertaining its numerical
   elements at any moment; -- usually applied to some
   particular instrument; as, a rain gauge; a steam gauge.
5. (Naut.)
   (a) Relative positions of two or more vessels with
       reference to the wind; as, a vessel has the weather
       gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and
       the lee gauge when on the lee side of it.
   (b) The depth to which a vessel sinks in the water.
       --Totten.
6. The distance between the rails of a railway.
Note: The standard gauge of railroads in most countries is
      four feet, eight and one half inches. Wide, or broad,
      gauge, in the United States, is six feet; in England,
      seven feet, and generally any gauge exceeding standard
      gauge. Any gauge less than standard gauge is now called
      narrow gauge. It varies from two feet to three feet six
      inches.
7. (Plastering) The quantity of plaster of Paris used with
   common plaster to accelerate its setting.
8. (Building) That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which
   is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of
   such shingles, slates, or tiles.
{Gauge of a carriage}, {car}, etc., the distance between the
   wheels; -- ordinarily called the {track}.
{Gauge cock}, a stop cock used as a try cock for ascertaining
   the height of the water level in a steam boiler.
{Gauge concussion} (Railroads), the jar caused by a car-wheel
   flange striking the edge of the rail.
{Gauge glass}, a glass tube for a water gauge.
{Gauge lathe}, an automatic lathe for turning a round object
   having an irregular profile, as a baluster or chair round,
   to a templet or gauge.
{Gauge point}, the diameter of a cylinder whose altitude is
   one inch, and contents equal to that of a unit of a given
   measure; -- a term used in gauging casks, etc.
{Gauge rod}, a graduated rod, for measuring the capacity of
   barrels, casks, etc.
{Gauge saw}, a handsaw, with a gauge to regulate the depth of
   cut. --Knight.
{Gauge stuff}, a stiff and compact plaster, used in making
   cornices, moldings, etc., by means of a templet.
{Gauge wheel}, a wheel at the forward end of a plow beam, to
   determine the depth of the furrow.
{Joiner's gauge}, an instrument used to strike a line
   parallel to the straight side of a board, etc.
{Printer's gauge}, an instrument to regulate the length of
   the page.
{Rain gauge}, an instrument for measuring the quantity of
   rain at any given place.
{Salt gauge}, or {Brine gauge}, an instrument or contrivance
   for indicating the degree of saltness of water from its
   specific gravity, as in the boilers of ocean steamers.
{Sea gauge}, an instrument for finding the depth of the sea.
{Siphon gauge}, a glass siphon tube, partly filled with
   mercury, -- used to indicate pressure, as of steam, or the
   degree of rarefaction produced in the receiver of an air
   pump or other vacuum; a manometer.
{Sliding gauge}. (Mach.)
   (a) A templet or pattern for gauging the commonly accepted
       dimensions or shape of certain parts in general use,
       as screws, railway-car axles, etc.
   (b) A gauge used only for testing other similar gauges,
       and preserved as a reference, to detect wear of the
       working gauges.
   (c) (Railroads) See Note under {Gauge}, n., 5.
{Star gauge} (Ordnance), an instrument for measuring the
   diameter of the bore of a cannon at any point of its
   length.
{Steam gauge}, an instrument for measuring the pressure of
   steam, as in a boiler.
{Tide gauge}, an instrument for determining the height of the
   tides.
{Vacuum gauge}, a species of barometer for determining the
   relative elasticities of the vapor in the condenser of a
   steam engine and the air.
{Water gauge}.
   (a) A contrivance for indicating the height of a water
       surface, as in a steam boiler; as by a gauge cock or
       glass.
   (b) The height of the water in the boiler.
{Wind gauge}, an instrument for measuring the force of the
   wind on any given surface; an anemometer.
{Wire gauge}, a gauge for determining the diameter of wire or
   the thickness of sheet metal; also, a standard of size.
   See under {Wire}.