gait
gait Lexical Profile
gait Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person's manner of walking, stepping, or running.
"The physical therapist analyzed the patient's gait to identify the source of his hip pain."
Any of the specific patterns of leg movement used by a horse or dog in moving forward, such as a walk, trot, canter, or gallop.
"The rider smoothly transitioned the horse from a slow trot into a faster gait."
• verb
To train or lead a horse or dog to move at a particular gait, especially in a show ring.
"The handler gaited the terrier across the ring so the judge could evaluate its movement."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'gait' (a person's or animal's manner of walking) with its homophone 'gate' (a hinged barrier in a fence or wall).
• Rhymes for gait
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English gate ('road, path, way of going'), borrowed from Old Norse gata ('way, path, street'), which later shifted in spelling to distinguish it from 'gate' (a barrier).