subgauge

sub·gauge
S1U1B3G2A1U1G2E1
/ˈsʌbˌɡeɪdʒ/

adjective

Smaller in bore diameter than the standard gauge specified; most often describing a shotgun with a bore smaller than 12-gauge.

Scrabble 12

Meanings

adjectivesubgauge (comparative more subgauge, superlative most subgauge)

comparative more subgauge · superlative most subgauge

  1. engineeringSmaller in bore diameter than the standard gauge specified; most often describing a shotgun with a bore smaller than 12-gauge.

    Features: A gorgeous subgauge for the clays crowd with a hand-polished, coin-finished receiver with full-cover engraving in an organic floral design and with gold inlays and game birds;

    2022 October 11, Graham Moore, Shooter’s Bible: The World's Bestselling Firearms Reference, 114 edition, Skyhorse, page 122
  2. engineeringHaving a dimension or capacity smaller than a standard gauge.

    Balls for bearings generally have gauge intervals of 1 μm and subgauges of 0.2 μm.

    2000, T. A. Stolarski, S. Tobe, Rolling Contacts, Wiley, page 357
  3. rail transportDescribes a railway track, narrower in gauge than the standard gauge.

    An amount paid for a ride on a miniature or subgauge railway furnishing point to point transportation service for public convenience is not considered an amount paid for admission to a "place" within the meaning of sec. 1700(a) of the 1939 Code, but rather a charge for transportation.

    1958 February, Index-Digest Supplement (Publication; 401), Internal Revenue, page 352

Origin

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with subgauge

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Cite this entry
APA

subgauge. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subgauge

MLA

“subgauge.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subgauge. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “subgauge,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subgauge.

Source: subgauge on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.