gear / gi(ə)r/ • n. 1. (often gears) one of a set of toothed wheels that work together to alter the relation between the speed of a driving mechanism (such as the engine of a vehicle or the crank of a bicycle) and the speed of the driven parts (the wheels). ∎  a particular function or state of adjustment of engaged gears: he was tooling along in fifth gear.2. inf. equipment that is used for a particular purpose. ∎  a person's personal possessions and clothes. ∎  clothing, esp. of a specified kind: designer gear. ∎ Naut. a ship’s rigging.• v. [tr.] design or adjust the gears in (a machine) to give a specified speed or power output: it's geared too high for serious off-road use. ∎  (gear something to) adjust or adapt something to suit a special purpose or need.PHRASES: in gear with a gear engaged: the captain revved the engines and put them in gear. ∎ fig. done with more energy or effort: I've got to get my act in gear.PHRASAL VERBS: gear down (or up) change to a lower (or higher) gear.gear for make ready or prepared: a nation geared for war.gear up equip or prepare oneself: the region started to gear up for the tourist season.

gear Wheel, usually toothed, attached to a rotating shaft. The teeth of one gear engage those of another in order to transmit and modify speed of rotation and torque.

Gear

property in general; person’s belongings, as clothes, collectively; equipment required for a particular task or procedure.

gear equipment, apparatus, etc. XIII. — ON. gervi, gǫrvi, corr. to OS. gerwi, garewi, OHG. garawī, gar(e)wī :- Gmc. *ʒarwīn-, f. *ʒarwu- ready.