gain

I. noun Etymology: Middle English gayne, from Anglo-French gaigne, gain, from gaaigner to till, earn, gain, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German weidanōn to hunt for food, Old English wāth pursuit, hunt Date: 14th century 1. resources or advantage acquired or increased ; profit <

made substantial gains last year

> 2. the act or process of gaining 3. a. an increase in amount, magnitude, or degree <

a gain in efficiency

> b. the increase (as of voltage or signal intensity) caused by an amplifier; especially the ratio of output over input c. the signal-gathering ability of an antenna II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to acquire or get possession of usually by industry, merit, or craft <

gain an advantage

> <

he stood to gain a fortune

> b. to win in competition or conflict <

the troops gained enemy territory

> c. (1) to arrive at ; reach, attain <

gained the river that night

> (2) traverse, cover <

gained 10 yards on the play

> d. to get by a natural development or process <

gain strength

> e. to establish a specific relationship with <

gain a friend

> 2. a. to make an increase of (a specified amount) <

gained three percent in the past month

> b. to increase in (a particular quality) <

gain momentum

> 3. to win to one's side ; persuade <

gain adherents to a cause

> 4. to cause to be obtained or given ; attract <

gain attention

> 5. of a timepiece to run fast by the amount of <

the clock gains a minute a day

> intransitive verb 1. to get advantage ; profit <

hoped to gain by the deal

> 2. a. increase <

the day was gaining in warmth

> b. to increase in weight c. to improve in health or ability 3. of a timepiece to run fast 4. to get closer to something pursued — usually used with on or upon • gainer noun