GAGE, among letter-founders, a piece of hard wood variously notched, used to adjust the dimensions, slopes, &c. of the different sorts of letters. In joinery it denotes an instrument to strike a line parallel to the straight side of a board. Sliding-gage, among mathematical-instrument makers, a tool for measuring and setting off distances.
The term gage, implying measure, as of depth, height, force, quantity, &c., is frequently used in composition to denote particular kinds of instruments; as sea-gage, tide-gage, wind-gage, rain-gage, &c., &c.