broad gauge
The wider distance at which the rails are laid on some railways, involving a corresponding width of carriage. See gauge. Often attrib. (also fig.). Hence ˈbroad-gauged a.
(The broad gauge of the Great Western Railway, in England, is 7 feet, as against the ordinary gauge of 4 ft. 8½ in.)
| 1844 [see narrow gauge]. 1858 Brannan in F. J. Meine Tall Tales of S.W. (1930) 255 The Univarsalists..get on the broad gage and goes the hull hog-ah! 1864 Times 24 Dec., A through broad-gauge train was due. 1865 Ibid. 25 Jan., If the broad gauge may be unnecessarily wide the narrow gauge is too narrow. 1868 M. Pattison Academ. Org. iv. 102 We wish to maintain one broad-gauge line of refining education. 1881 Chicago Times 4 June, Everything broad-gauged and in liberal proportions. |