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.