GAIN, in Architecture, is the workman's term for the beveling shoulder of a joist or other timber. It is used also for the lapping of the end of the joist, &c. upon a trimmer or girder; and then the thickness of the shoulder is cut into the trimmer; also beveling upwards, that it may just receive the gain; and so the joist and trimmer lie even and level with the surface. This way of working is used in floors and hearths.
To GAIN the Wind, in sea language, is to arrive on the weather side or to windward of some other vessel in sight, when both are plying to windward, or sailing as near the wind as possible.