Chapter G to Gage of G by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

(b) The end wall of a building, as distinguished from the front or rear side. (c) A decorative member having the shape of a triangular gable, such as that above a Gothic arch in a doorway.

Bell gable. See under Bell. — Gable roof, a double sloping roof which forms a gable at each end. — Gable wall. Same as Gable (b). — Gable window, a window in a gable.

Gablet
(Ga"blet) n. (Arch.) A small gable, or gable-shaped canopy, formed over a tabernacle, niche, etc.

Gablock
(Gab"lock) n. [See Gavelock.] A false spur or gaff, fitted on the heel of a gamecock. Wright.

Gaby
(Ga"by) n. [Icel. gapi a rash, reckless man. Cf. Gafe.] A simpleton; a dunce; a lout. [Colloq.]

Gad
(Gad) n. [OE. gad, Icel. gaddr goad, sting; akin to Sw. gadd sting, Goth. gazds, G. gerte switch. See Yard a measure.]

1. The point of a spear, or an arrowhead.

2. A pointed or wedge-shaped instrument of metal, as a steel wedge used in mining, etc.

I will go get a leaf of brass,
And with a gad of steel will write these words.

Shak.

3. A sharp-pointed rod; a goad.

4. A spike on a gauntlet; a gadling. Fairholt.

5. A wedge-shaped billet of iron or steel. [Obs.]

Flemish steel . . . some in bars and some in gads.

Moxon.

6. A rod or stick, as a fishing rod, a measuring rod, or a rod used to drive cattle with. [Prov. Eng. Local, U.S.] Halliwell. Bartlett.

Upon the gad, upon the spur of the moment; hastily. [Obs.] "All this done upon the gad!" Shak.

Gad
(Gad), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gadded; p. pr. & vb. n. Gadding.] [Prob. fr. gad, n., and orig. meaning to drive about.] To walk about; to rove or go about, without purpose; hence, to run wild; to be uncontrolled. "The gadding vine." Milton.

Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way?

Jer. ii. 36.

Gadabout
(Gad"a*bout`) n. A gadder [Colloq.]

Gadbee
(Gad"bee`) n. (Zoöl.) The gadfly.

Gadder
(Gad"der) n. One who roves about idly, a rambling gossip.

Gadding
(Gad"ding), a. & n. Going about much, needlessly or without purpose.

Envy is a gadding passion, and walketh the streets.

Bacon.

The good nuns would check her gadding tongue.

Tennyson.

Gadding car, in quarrying, a car which carries a drilling machine so arranged as to drill a line of holes.

Gaddingly
(Gad"ding*ly) adv. In a roving, idle manner.