gear: [13] The etymological meaning of gear is roughly ‘that which puts one in a state of readiness’ – hence ‘equipment, apparatus’. Its ultimate source is prehistoric Indo-European *garw-, which also produced the now obsolete English adjective yare ‘ready’ and (via Germanic, Italian, and French) garh [16]. A derivative *garwīn- passed into Old Norse as gervi, which English borrowed as gear. The mechanical sense of the word developed in the 16th century. => garb
gear (n.)
c. 1200, "fighting equipment, armor and weapons," probably from Old Norse gørvi (plural gørvar) "apparel, gear," related to görr, gørr, gerr "skilled, accomplished; ready, willing," and to gøra, gørva "to make, construct, build; set in order, prepare," a very frequent verb in Old Norse, used in a wide range of situations from writing a book to dressing meat. This is from Proto-Germanic *garwjan "to make, prepare, equip" (cognates: Old English gearwe "clothing, equipment, ornament," which may be the source of some uses; Old Saxon garwei; Dutch gaar "done, dressed;" Old High German garo "ready, prepared, complete," garawi "clothing, dress," garawen "to make ready;" German gerben "to tan").
From early 14c. as "wearing apparel, clothes, dress;" also "harness of a draught animal; equipment of a riding horse." From late 14c. as "equipment generally; tools, utensils," especially the necessary equipment for a certain activity, as the rigging of a sailing ship. Meaning "toothed wheel in machinery" first attested 1520s; specific mechanical sense of "parts by which a motor communicates motion" is from 1814; specifically of a vehicle (bicycle, automobile, etc.) by 1888. Slang for "male sex organs" from 1670s.
gear (v.)
c. 1200, "to equip oneself for fighting; to dress," probably from gear (n.) or from the verb in Old Norse. Mechanical meaning "put (machinery) in gear" is from 1851. Related: Geared; gearing.
gear (adj.)
"stylish, excellent," British slang, 1951 (popularized c. 1963 by the Beatles), said to be from earlier that's the gear, an expression of approval (1925), from gear (n.).
实用例句
1. There wasn't enough room in the baggage compartment for all the gear.
行李舱没有足够的空间放下所有的工具。
来自柯林斯例句
2. She selected a low gear and started down the track carefully.
她选了低速挡小心翼翼地沿小径下行。
来自柯林斯例句
3. With protective gear on you can spar with a partner.
戴上护具后可以和对手练习轻拳出击。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Police with riot gear and several fire engines are in attendance.
防暴警察和数辆消防车都到了。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Ranks of police in riot gear stood nervously by.
