first gear

first gear (plural first gears)

1. The first gear of a transmission or other gearbox, which usually is the one that provides the lowest output speed and greatest mechanical advantage, except in setups in which there is a granny gear.

   Synonym: first (elliptical)

   Coordinate terms: creeper gear, granny gear; second gear, third gear, fourth gear, fifth gear; top gear, overdrive; angel gear, neutral

   Near-synonym: low gear (synonymous except when a creeper gear is present)