From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
gauge
n 1: a measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a
quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of
rain etc. [syn: gauge, gage]
2: accepted or approved instance or example of a quantity or
quality against which others are judged or measured or
compared [syn: gauge, standard of measurement]
3: the distance between the rails of a railway or between the
wheels of a train
4: the thickness of wire
5: diameter of a tube or gun barrel [syn: bore, gauge,
caliber, calibre]
v 1: judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or
time); "I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds"
[syn: estimate, gauge, approximate, guess, judge]
2: rub to a uniform size; "gauge bricks"
3: determine the capacity, volume, or contents of by measurement
and calculation; "gauge the wine barrels"
4: measure precisely and against a standard; "the wire is
gauged"
5: adapt to a specified measurement; "gauge the instruments"
6: mix in specific proportions; "gauge plaster"