gear

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɪɚ/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
  2. noun wheelwork consisting of a connected set of rotating gears by which force is transmitted or motion or torque is changed
  3. noun a mechanism for transmitting motion for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle)

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

gear wheel, geared wheel, cogwheel

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
wheel
Narrower (hyponyms)
bevel gear, spur gear, pinion, worm wheel, worm gear, sun gear

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