Main Entry:

¹gain

Pronunciation:

\ˈgān\

Function:

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 gaining3 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