GAIN
Gain, n. Etym: [Cf. W. gan a mortise.] (Arch.)
Defn: A square or beveled notch cut out of a girder, binding joist, or other timber which supports a floor beam, so as to receive the end of the floor beam.
GAIN Gain, a. Etym: [OE. gein, gain, good, near, quick; cf. Icel. gegn ready, serviceable, and gegn, adv., against, opposite. CF. Ahain.]
Defn: Convenient; suitable; direct; near; handy; dexterous; easy; profitable; cheap; respectable. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
GAIN Gain, n. Etym: [OE. gain, gein, ga, gain, advantage, Icel. gagn; akin to Sw. gagn, Dan. gavn, cf. Goth. gageigan to gain. The word was prob. influenced by F. gain gain, OF. gaain. Cf. Gain, v. t.]
1. That which is gained, obtained, or acquired, as increase, profit, advantage, or benefit; — opposed to loss. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phil. iii. 7. Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim. vi. 6. Every one shall share in the gains. Shak.
2. The obtaining or amassing of profit or valuable possessions; acquisition; accumulation. "The lust of gain." Tennyson.
GAIN Gain, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gained; p. pr. & vb. n. Gaining.] Etym: [From gain, n. but. prob. influenced by F. gagner to earn, gain, OF. gaaignier to cultivate, OHG. weidin, weidinen to pasture, hunt, fr. weida pasturage, G. weide, akin to Icel. vei hunting, AS. wa, cf. L. venari to hunt, E. venison. See Gain, n., profit.]
1. To get, as profit or advantage; to obtain or acquire by effort or labor; as, to gain a good living. What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul Matt. xvi. 26. To gain dominion, or to keep it gained. Milton. For fame with toil we gain, but lose with ease. Pope.
2. To come off winner or victor in; to be successful in; to obtain by competition; as, to gain a battle; to gain a case at law; to gain a prize.