gear

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

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