GAGE, in our ancient customs, signifies a pledge
VOL. VII. Part II.
or pawn, given by way of security. The word is only properly used in speaking of moveables; for immovables, hypotheca is used.
If the gage perish, the person who received it is not to answer for it, but only for extreme negligence, &c.
GAGE is also used for a challenge to combat: See CARTEL. In which sense, it was a pledge, which the accuser or challenger cast on the ground, and the other took up as accepting the challenge: it was usually a glove, gauntlet, chaperoon, or the like. See COMBAT, and DUEL.
GAGE is only now retained as a substantive. As a verb, the G is changed into W, and of gage is formed wage: as, to wage law, to wage deliverance, q. d. to give security a thing shall be delivered. See WAGE.
If a person who has distrained be sued for not having delivered what he had taken by distress, he should wage, or gage, or gager, deliverance; that is, put in surety that he will deliver them.