gear (gîr)n.1. a. 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. b. A complete assembly that performs a specific function in a larger machine. c. A transmission configuration for a specific ratio of engine to axle torque in a motor vehicle. 2. Equipment, such as tools or clothing, used for a particular activity: fishing gear. See Synonyms at equipment. 3. a. Clothing and accessories: the latest gear for teenagers. b. Personal belongings, including clothing: keeps her gear in a trunk. 4. The harness for a horse. 5. Nautical a. A ship's rigging. b. A sailor's personal effects. v. geared, gear·ing, gears v.tr.1. a. To equip with gears. b. To connect by gears. c. To put into gear. 2. To adjust or adapt so as to make suitable: geared the speech to a conservative audience. 3. To provide with gear; equip. v.intr.1. To come into or be in gear. 2. To become adjusted so as to fit or blend. Phrasal Verb: gear up To 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 upvb (adverb)1. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) (tr) to equip with gears 2. to prepare, esp for greater efficiency is our industry geared up for these new challenges?
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Verb | 1. | gear up - make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc; "Get the children ready for school!"; "prepare for war"; "I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill"alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue" socialise, socialize - prepare for social life; "Children have to be socialized in school" provide - take measures in preparation for; "provide for the proper care of the passengers on the cruise ship" cram - prepare (students) hastily for an impending exam fix - kill, preserve, and harden (tissue) in order to prepare for microscopic study mount - fix onto a backing, setting, or support; "mount slides for macroscopic analysis" lay out, set up, set - get ready for a particular purpose or event; "set up an experiment"; "set the table"; "lay out the tools for the surgery" prime - insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing; "prime a cannon"; "prime a mine" brace, poise - prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult |
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