gauge

Definitions
Examples

(noun): A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard
(noun): An act of measuring.
(noun): An estimate.
(noun): Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the level, state, dimensions or forms of things
(noun): A thickness of sheet metal or wire designated by any of several numbering schemes.
(noun): The distance between the rails of a railway.
(noun): A semi-norm; a function that assigns a non-negative size to all vectors in a vector space.
(noun): The number of stitches per inch, centimetre, or other unit of distance.
(noun): Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind.
(noun): The depth to which a vessel sinks in the water.
(noun): (plastering) The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to make it set more quickly.
(noun): That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.
(noun): A unit of measurement which describes how many spheres of bore diameter of a shotgun can be had from one pound of lead; 12 gauge is roughly equivalent to .75 caliber.
(noun): (by extension) A shotgun (synecdoche for 12 gauge shotgun, the most common chambering for combat and hunting shotguns).
(noun): A tunnel-like ear piercing consisting of a hollow ring embedded in the lobe.
(verb): To measure or determine with a gauge; to measure the capacity of.
(verb): To estimate.
(verb): To appraise the character or ability of; to judge of.
(verb): To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it.
(verb): To mix (a quantity of ordinary plaster) with a quantity of plaster of Paris.
(verb): To chip, hew or polish (stones, bricks, etc) to a standard size and/or shape.

A vessel has the weather gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and the lee gauge when on the lee side of it.