ga te|way drug (gateway drugs ) N‑COUNT A gateway drug is a drug such as cannabis that is believed by some people to lead to the use of more harmful drugs such as heroin or cocaine.
gath|er ◆◆◇ /gæ ðə r / (gathers , gathering , gathered )
1 VERB If people gather somewhere or if someone gathers people somewhere, they come together in a group. □ [V prep/adv] In the evenings, we gathered around the fireplace and talked. □ [V n with together ] The man signalled for me to gather the children together. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you gather things, you collect them together so that you can use them. □ [V n] I suggest we gather enough firewood to last the night. □ [V n with together ] She stood up and started gathering her things together. ● PHRASAL VERB Gather up means the same as gather . □ [V P n] When Sutcliffe had gathered up his papers, he went out. □ [V n P ] He gathered the leaves up off the ground.
3 VERB If you gather information or evidence, you collect it, especially over a period of time and after a lot of hard work. □ [V n] …a private detective using a hidden recording device to gather information.
4 VERB If something gathers speed, momentum, or force, it gradually becomes faster or more powerful. □ [V n] Demands for his dismissal have gathered momentum in recent weeks. □ [V n] The raft gathered speed as the current dragged it toward the falls.
5 VERB When you gather something such as your strength, courage, or thoughts, you make an effort to prepare yourself to do something. □ [V n] You must gather your strength for the journey. ● PHRASAL VERB Gather up means the same as gather . □ [V P n] She was gathering up her courage to approach him when he called to her. [Also V n P ]
6 VERB You use gather in expressions such as ' I gather ' and ' as far as I can gather ' to introduce information that you have found out, especially when you have found it out in an indirect way. □ [V that] I gather his report is highly critical of the trial judge. □ [V n] 'He speaks English,' she said to Graham. 'I gathered that.' □ [V n] From what I could gather, he was trying to raise money by organising festivals.
7 to gather dust → see dust
▸ gather up → see gather 2 , gather 5
gath|er|er /gæ ðərə r / (gatherers ) N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A gatherer is someone who collects or gathers a particular thing. □ …professional intelligence gatherers.
gath|er|ing /gæ ðər I ŋ/ (gatherings )
1 N‑COUNT A gathering is a group of people meeting together for a particular purpose. □ His sardonic manner and good looks helped to make him sought-after at literary gatherings.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If there is gathering darkness, the light is gradually decreasing, usually because it is nearly night. □ The lighthouse beam was quite distinct in the gathering dusk.
3 → see also gather
gator /ge I tə r / (gators ) also 'gator N‑COUNT A gator is the same as an alligator . [AM , INFORMAL ]
gauche /goʊ ʃ/ ADJ If you describe someone as gauche , you mean that they are awkward and uncomfortable in the company of other people. □ We're all a bit gauche when we're young. □ She was a rather gauche, provincial creature.
gau|cho /gaʊ tʃoʊ/ (gauchos ) N‑COUNT A gaucho is a South American cowboy.
gaudy /gɔː di/ (gaudier , gaudiest ) ADJ If something is gaudy , it is very brightly-coloured and showy. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …her gaudy orange-and-purple floral hat.
gauge /ge I dʒ/ (gauges , gauging , gauged )
1 VERB If you gauge the speed or strength of something, or if you gauge an amount, you measure or calculate it, often by using a device of some kind. □ [V n] He gauged the wind at over thirty knots. □ [V n] Distance is gauged by journey time rather than miles.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A gauge is a device that measures the amount or quantity of something and shows the amount measured. □ …temperature gauges. □ …pressure gauges.
3 VERB If you gauge people's actions, feelings, or intentions in a particular situation, you carefully consider and judge them. □ [V n] …as he gauged possible enemy moves and his own responses.
4 N‑SING A gauge of someone's feelings or a situation is a fact or event that can be used to judge them. □ [+ of ] The index is the government's chief gauge of future economic activity.
5 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A gauge is the distance between the two rails on a railway line. □ …a narrow gauge railway.
6 N‑COUNT A gauge is the thickness of something, especially metal or wire.
gaunt /gɔː nt/
1 ADJ If someone looks gaunt , they look very thin, usually because they have been very ill or worried. □ Looking gaunt and tired, he denied there was anything to worry about.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe a building as gaunt , you mean it is very plain and unattractive. [LITERARY ] □ Above on the hillside was a large, gaunt, grey house.
gaunt|let /gɔː ntl I t/ (gauntlets )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Gauntlets are long, thick, protective gloves. □ …a pair of black leather driving gauntlets.
2 PHRASE If you pick up the gauntlet or take up the gauntlet , you accept the challenge that someone has made. □ She picked up the gauntlet in her incisive Keynote Address to the Conference. □ Whoever decides to take up the gauntlet and challenge the Prime Minister will have a tough battle.