Adjacent Words

Line definitions

	Tweet

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

LINE, n. [L. linea, linum; Gr. flax.]
1. In geometry, a quantity extended in length, without breadth or thickness; or a limit terminating a surface.
2. A slender string; a small cord or rope. The angler uses a line and hook. The seaman uses a hand line, a hauling line, spilling lines, etc.
3. A thread, string or cord extended to direct any operation.
We as by line upon the ocean go.
4. Lineament; a mark in the hand or face.
He tipples palmistry, and dines on all her fortune-telling lines.
5. Delineation; sketch; as the lines of a building.
6. Contour; outline; exterior limit of a figure.
Free as thy stroke, yet faultless as thy line.
7. In writing, printing and engraving, the words and letters which stand on a level in one row, between one margin and another; as a page of thirty lines.
8. In poetry, a verse, or the words which form a certain number of feet, according to the measure.
9. A short letter; a note. I received a line from my friend by the last mail.
10. A rank or row of soldiers, or the disposition of an army drawn up with an extended front; or the like disposition of a fleet prepared for engagement.
11. A trench or rampart; an extended work in fortification.
Unite thy forces and attack their lines.
12. Method; disposition; as line of order.
13. Extension; limit; border.
Eden stretched her line from Auran eastward to the royal towers of great Seleucia.
14. Equator; equinoctial circle.
When the sun below the line descends -
15. A series or succession of progeny or relations, descending from a common progenitor. We speak of the ascending or descending line; the line of descent; the male line; a line of kings.
16. The twelfth part of an inch.
17. A straight extended mark.
18. A straight or parallel direction. The houses must all stand in a line. Every new building must be set in a line with other on the same street.
19. Occupation; employment; department or course of business. We speak of men in the same line of business.
20. Course; direction.
What general line of conduct ought to be pursued?
21. Lint or flax. [Seldom used.]
22. In heraldry, lines are the figures used in armories to divide the shield into different parts, and to compose different figures.
23. In Scripture, line signifies a cord for measuring; also, instruction, doctrine. Psalms 19. Isaiah 28.
A right line, a straight or direct line; the shortest line that can be drawn between two points.
Horizontal line, a line drawn parallel to the horizon.
Equinoctial line, in geography, a great circle on the earth's surface, at 90 degrees distance from each pole, and bisecting the earth at that part. In astronomy, the circle which the sun seems to describe, in March and September, when the days and nights are of equal length.
Meridian line, an imaginary circle drawn through the two poles of the earth, and any part of its surface.
A ship of the line, a ship of war large enough to have a place in the line of battle. All ships carrying seventy four or more large guns, are ships of the line. Smaller ships may sometimes be so called.
LINE, v.t. [supposed to be from L. linum, flax, whence linen, which is often used for linings.]
1. To cover on the inside; as a garment lined with linen, fur or silk; a box lined with paper or tin.
2. To put in the inside.
- What if I do line one of their hands?
3. To place along by the side of any thing for guarding; as, to line a hedge with riflemen; to line works with soldiers.
4. To strengthen by additional works or men.
Line and new repair your towns of war with men of courage.
5. To cover; to add a covering; as, to line a crutch.
6. To strengthen with any thing added.
Who lined himself with hope.
7. To impregnate; applied to irrational animals.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a formation of people or things one beside another; "the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed"; "they were arrayed in line of battle"; "the cast stood in line for the curtain call"
2: a mark that is long relative to its width; "He drew a line on the chart"
3: a formation of people or things one behind another; "the line stretched clear around the corner"; "you must wait in a long line at the checkout counter"
4: a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point
5: text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen; "the letter consisted of three short lines"; "there are six lines in every stanza"
6: a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum
7: a fortified position (especially one marking the most forward position of troops); "they attacked the enemy's line"
8: a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning; "I can't follow your line of reasoning" [syn: argumentation, logical argument, argument, line of reasoning, line]
9: a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power [syn: cable, line, transmission line]
10: a connected series of events or actions or developments; "the government took a firm course"; "historians can only point out those lines for which evidence is available" [syn: course, line]
11: a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent
12: a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface; "his face has many lines"; "ironing gets rid of most wrinkles" [syn: wrinkle, furrow, crease, crinkle, seam, line]
13: a pipe used to transport liquids or gases; "a pipeline runs from the wells to the seaport" [syn: pipeline, line]
14: the road consisting of railroad track and roadbed [syn: line, railway line, rail line]
15: a telephone connection [syn: telephone line, phone line, telephone circuit, subscriber line, line]
16: acting in conformity; "in line with"; "he got out of line"; "toe the line"
17: the descendants of one individual; "his entire lineage has been warriors" [syn: lineage, line, line of descent, descent, bloodline, blood line, blood, pedigree, ancestry, origin, parentage, stemma, stock]
18: something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible; "a washing line"
19: the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money; "he's not in my line of business" [syn: occupation, business, job, line of work, line]
20: in games or sports; a mark indicating positions or bounds of the playing area
21: (often plural) a means of communication or access; "it must go through official channels"; "lines of communication were set up between the two firms" [syn: channel, communication channel, line]
22: a particular kind of product or merchandise; "a nice line of shoes" [syn: line, product line, line of products, line of merchandise, business line, line of business]
23: a commercial organization serving as a common carrier
24: space for one line of print (one column wide and 1/14 inch deep) used to measure advertising [syn: agate line, line]
25: the maximum credit that a customer is allowed [syn: credit line, line of credit, bank line, line, personal credit line, personal line of credit]
26: a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; "she was humming an air from Beethoven" [syn: tune, melody, air, strain, melodic line, line, melodic phrase]
27: persuasive but insincere talk that is usually intended to deceive or impress; "`let me show you my etchings' is a rather worn line"; "he has a smooth line but I didn't fall for it"; "that salesman must have practiced his fast line of talk"
28: a short personal letter; "drop me a line when you get there" [syn: note, short letter, line, billet]
29: a conceptual separation or distinction; "there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity" [syn: line, dividing line, demarcation, contrast]
30: mechanical system in a factory whereby an article is conveyed through sites at which successive operations are performed on it [syn: production line, assembly line, line] v
1: be in line with; form a line along; "trees line the riverbank" [syn: line, run along]
2: cover the interior of; "line the gloves"; "line a chimney"
3: make a mark or lines on a surface; "draw a line"; "trace the outline of a figure in the sand" [syn: trace, draw, line, describe, delineate]
4: mark with lines; "sorrow had lined his face"
5: fill plentifully; "line one's pockets"
6: reinforce with fabric; "lined books are more enduring"

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English; partly from Anglo-French lingne, from Latin linea, from feminine of lineus made of flax, from linum flax; partly from Old English l?ne; akin to Old English l?n flax — more at linen Date: before 12th century 1. a. a length of cord or cord-like material ; as (1) a comparatively strong slender cord (2) clothesline (3) a rope used on shipboard b. (1) a device for catching fish consisting of a cord with hooks and other fishing gear (2) scope for activity ; rope c. a length of material used in measuring and leveling d. (1) piping for conveying a fluid (as steam) (2) a narrow short synthetic tube that is inserted approximately one inch into a vein (as of the arm) to provide temporary intravenous access for the administration of fluid, medication, or nutrients e. (1) a wire or pair of wires connecting one telegraph or telephone station with another or a whole system of such wires; also any circuit in an electronic communication system (2) a telephone connection <tried to get a line>; also an individual telephone extension <a call on line 2> (3) the principal circuits of an electric power system 2. a. (1) a horizontal row of written or printed characters; also a blank row in lieu of such characters (2) a unit in the rhythmic structure of verse formed by the grouping of a number of the smallest units of the rhythm (as metrical feet) (3) a distinct segment of a computer program containing a single command or a small number of commands b. a short letter ; note c. plural a certificate of marriage d. the words making up a part in a drama — usually used in plural e. any of the successive horizontal rows of picture elements on the screen of a cathode-ray tube (as a television screen) 3. a. something (as a ridge or seam) that is distinct, elongated, and narrow b. a narrow crease (as on the face) ; wrinkle c. the course or direction of something in motion ; route d. (1) a state of agreement or conformity ; accordance (2) a state of order, control, or obedience <wouldn't let them get out of line> e. (1) a boundary of an area <the state line> (2) distinction 2 <the fine line between love and hate> f. the track and roadbed of a railway g. an amount of cocaine that is arranged in a line to be inhaled through the nose 4. a. a course of conduct, action, or thought; especially an official or public position <the party line> b. a field of activity or interest c. a glib often persuasive way of talking 5. a. limit, restraint b. archaic position in life ; lot 6. a. (1) family, lineage (2) a strain produced and maintained especially by selective breeding or biological culture (3) a chronological series b. dispositions made to cover extended military positions and presenting a front to the enemy — usually used in plural c. a military formation in which the different elements are abreast of each other d. naval ships arranged in a regular order e. (1) the combatant forces of an army distinguished from the staff corps and supply services (2) the force of a regular navy f. (1) officers of the navy eligible for command at sea distinguished from officers of the staff (2) officers of the army belonging to a combatant branch g. an arrangement or placement of persons or objects of one kind in an orderly series <a line of trees> <stand on line> <waiting in line>; also the persons or objects so positioned <the line moved slowly at the bank> h. (1) a group of public conveyances plying regularly under one management over a route (2) a system of transportation together with its equipment, routes, and appurtenances; also the company owning or operating it i. a succession of musical notes especially considered in melodic phrases j. (1) an arrangement of operations in manufacturing permitting sequential occurrence on various stages of production (2) the personnel of an organization that are responsible for its stated objective k. (1) the seven players including center, two guards, two tackles, and two ends who in offensive football play line up on or within one foot of the line of scrimmage (2) the players who in defensive play line up within one yard of the line of scrimmage l. a group of three players including a left winger, center, and right winger who play together as a unit in hockey 7. a narrow elongated mark drawn or projected: as a. (1) a circle of latitude or longitude on a map (2) equator b. a mark (as on a map) recording a boundary, division, or contour c. any of the horizontal parallel strokes on a music staff on or between which notes are placed — compare space d. a mark (as by pencil) that forms part of the formal design of a picture distinguished from the shading or color e. a division on a bridge score dividing the score for bonuses from that for tricks f. (1) a demarcation of a limit with reference to which the playing of some game or sport is regulated — usually used in combination (2) a marked or imaginary line across a playing area (as a football field) parallel to the end line (3) line of scrimmage 8. a straight or curved geometric element that is generated by a moving point and that has extension only along the path of the point ; curve 9. a. a defining outline ; contour b. a general plan ; model — usually used in plural 10. a. chiefly British pica — used to indicate the size of large type b. the unit of fineness of halftones expressed as the number of screen lines to the linear inch 11. merchandise or services of the same general class for sale or regularly available 12. a. a source of information ; insight b. betting odds offered by a bookmaker especially on a sporting event 13. a complete game of 10 frames in bowling — called also string 14. line drive • liny also liney adjective II. verb (lined; lining) Date: 1530 transitive verb 1. to mark or cover with a line or lines <lined paper> 2. to depict with lines ; draw 3. to place or form a line along <pedestrians line the walks> 4. to form into a line or lines ; align <line up troops> 5. to hit (as a baseball) hard and in a usually straight line intransitive verb 1. to hit a line drive in baseball 2. to come into the correct relative position ; align III. transitive verb (lined; lining) Etymology: Middle English, from line flax, from Old English l?n Date: 14th century 1. to cover the inner surface of <line a cloak with silk> 2. to put something in the inside of ; fill 3. to serve as the lining of <tapestries lined the walls> 4. obsolete fortify

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. & v. --n. 1 a continuous mark or band made on a surface (drew a line). 2 use of lines in art, esp. draughtsmanship or engraving (boldness of line). 3 a thing resembling such a mark esp. a furrow or wrinkle. 4 Mus. a each of (usu. five) horizontal marks forming a stave in musical notation. b a sequence of notes or tones forming an instrumental or vocal melody. 5 a a straight or curved continuous extent of length without breadth. b the track of a moving point. 6 a a contour or outline, esp. as a feature of design (admired the sculpture's clean lines; this year's line is full at the back; the ship's lines). b a facial feature (the cruel line of his mouth). 7 a (on a map or graph) a curve connecting all points having a specified common property. b (the Line) the Equator. 8 a a limit or boundary. b a mark limiting the area of play, the starting or finishing point in a race, etc. c the boundary between a credit and a debit in an account. 9 a a row of persons or things. b a direction as indicated by them (line of march). c US a queue. 10 a a row of printed or written words. b a portion of verse written in one line. 11 (in pl.) a a piece of poetry. b the words of an actor's part. c a specified amount of text etc. to be written out as a school punishment. 12 a short letter or note (drop me a line). 13 (in pl.) = marriage lines. 14 a length of cord, rope, wire, etc., usu. serving a specified purpose, esp. a fishing-line or clothes-line. 15 a a wire or cable for a telephone or telegraph. b a connection by means of this (am trying to get a line). 16 a a single track of a railway. b one branch or route of a railway system, or the whole system under one management. 17 a a regular succession of buses, ships, aircraft, etc., plying between certain places. b a company conducting this (shipping line). 18 a connected series of persons following one another in time (esp. several generations of a family); stock, succession (a long line of craftsmen; next in line to the throne). 19 a a course or manner of procedure, conduct, thought, etc. (did it along these lines; don't take that line with me). b policy (the party line). c conformity (bring them into line). 20 a direction, course, or channel (lines of communication). 21 a department of activity; a province; a branch of business (not in my line). 22 a class of commercial goods (a new line in hats). 23 colloq. a false or exaggerated account or story; a dishonest approach (gave me a line about missing the bus). 24 a a connected series of military fieldworks, defences, etc. (behind enemy lines). b an arrangement of soldiers or ships side by side; a line of battle (ship of the line). c (prec. by the) regular army regiments (not auxiliary forces or Guards). 25 each of the very narrow horizontal sections forming a television picture. 26 a narrow range of the spectrum that is noticeably brighter or darker than the adjacent parts. 27 the level of the base of most letters in printing and writing. 28 (as a measure) one twelfth of an inch. --v. 1 tr. mark with lines. 2 tr. cover with lines (a face lined with pain). 3 tr. & intr. position or stand at intervals along (crowds lined the route). Phrases and idioms: all along the line at every point. bring into line make conform. come into line conform. end of the line the point at which further effort is unproductive or one can go no further. get a line on colloq. learn something about. in line for likely to receive. in the line of in the course of (esp. duty). in (or out of) line with in (or not in) accordance with. lay (or put) it on the line speak frankly. line-drawing a drawing in which images are produced from variations of lines. line of fire the expected path of gunfire, a missile, etc. line of force Physics an imaginary line which represents the strength and direction of a magnetic, gravitational, or electric field at any point. line of march the route taken in marching. line of vision the straight line along which an observer looks. line-out (in Rugby Football) parallel lines of opposing forwards at right angles to the touchline for the throwing in of the ball. line printer a machine that prints output from a computer a line at a time rather than character by character. line up 1 arrange or be arranged in a line or lines. 2 have ready; organize (had a job lined up). line-up n. 1 a line of people for inspection. 2 an arrangement of persons in a team or nations etc. in an alliance. on the line 1 at risk (put my reputation on the line). 2 speaking on the telephone. 3 (of a picture in an exhibition) hung with its centre about level with the spectator's eye. out of line not in alignment; discordant. Etymology: ME line, ligne f. OF ligne ult. f. L linea f. linum flax, & f. OE line rope, series 2. v.tr. 1 a cover the inside surface of (a garment, box, etc.) with a layer of usu. different material. b serve as a lining for. 2 cover as if with a lining (shelves lined with books). 3 colloq. fill, esp. plentifully. Phrases and idioms: line one's pocket (or purse) make money, usu. by corrupt means. Etymology: ME f. obs. line flax, with ref. to the use of linen for linings

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Line Line, n. [OE. line, AS. l[=i]ne cable, hawser, prob. from L. linea a linen thread, string, line, fr. linum flax, thread, linen, cable; but the English word was influenced by F. ligne line, from the same L. word linea. See Linen.] 1. A linen thread or string; a slender, strong cord; also, a cord of any thickness; a rope; a hawser; as, a fishing line; a line for snaring birds; a clothesline; a towline. Who so layeth lines for to latch fowls. --Piers Plowman. 2. A more or less threadlike mark of pen, pencil, or graver; any long mark; as, a chalk line. 3. The course followed by anything in motion; hence, a road or route; as, the arrow descended in a curved line; the place is remote from lines of travel. 4. Direction; as, the line of sight or vision. 5. A row of letters, words, etc., written or printed; esp., a row of words extending across a page or column. 6. A short letter; a note; as, a line from a friend. 7. (Poet.) A verse, or the words which form a certain number of feet, according to the measure. In the preceding line Ulysses speaks of Nausicaa. --Broome. 8. Course of conduct, thought, occupation, or policy; method of argument; department of industry, trade, or intellectual activity. He is uncommonly powerful in his own line, but it is not the line of a first-rate man. --Coleridge. 9. (Math.) That which has length, but not breadth or thickness. 10. The exterior limit of a figure, plat, or territory; boundary; contour; outline. Eden stretched her line From Auran eastward to the royal towers Of great Seleucia. --Milton. 11. A threadlike crease marking the face or the hand; hence, characteristic mark. Though on his brow were graven lines austere. --Byron. He tipples palmistry, and dines On all her fortune-telling lines. --Cleveland. 12. Lineament; feature; figure. ``The lines of my boy's face.'' --Shak. 13. A straight row; a continued series or rank; as, a line of houses, or of soldiers; a line of barriers. Unite thy forces and attack their lines. --Dryden. 14. A series or succession of ancestors or descendants of a given person; a family or race; as, the ascending or descending line; the line of descent; the male line; a line of kings. Of his lineage am I, and his offspring By very line, as of the stock real. --Chaucer. 15. A connected series of public conveyances, and hence, an established arrangement for forwarding merchandise, etc.; as, a line of stages; an express line. 16. (Geog.) (a) A circle of latitude or of longitude, as represented on a map. (b) The equator; -- usually called the line, or equinoctial line; as, to cross the line. 17. A long tape, or a narrow ribbon of steel, etc., marked with subdivisions, as feet and inches, for measuring; a tapeline. 18. (Script.) (a) A measuring line or cord. He marketh it out with a line. --Is. xliv. 13. (b) That which was measured by a line, as a field or any piece of land set apart; hence, allotted place of abode. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. --Ps. xvi. 6. (c) Instruction; doctrine. Their line is gone out through all the earth. --Ps. xix. 4. 19. (Mach.) The proper relative position or adjustment of parts, not as to design or proportion, but with reference to smooth working; as, the engine is in line or out of line. 20. The track and roadbed of a railway; railroad. 21. (Mil.) (a) A row of men who are abreast of one another, whether side by side or some distance apart; -- opposed to column. (b) The regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, guards, volunteer corps, cavalry, artillery, etc. 22. (Fort.) (a) A trench or rampart. (b) pl. Dispositions made to cover extended positions, and presenting a front in but one direction to an enemy. 23. pl. (Shipbuilding) Form of a vessel as shown by the outlines of vertical, horizontal, and oblique sections. 24. (Mus.) One of the straight horizontal and parallel prolonged strokes on and between which the notes are placed. 25. (Stock Exchange) A number of shares taken by a jobber. 26. (Trade) A series of various qualities and values of the same general class of articles; as, a full line of hosiery; a line of merinos, etc. --McElrath. 27. The wire connecting one telegraphic station with another, or the whole of a system of telegraph wires under one management and name. 28. pl. The reins with which a horse is guided by his driver. [U. S.] 29. A measure of length; one twelfth of an inch. Hard lines, hard lot. --C. Kingsley. [See Def. 18.] Line breeding (Stockbreeding), breeding by a certain family line of descent, especially in the selection of the dam or mother. Line conch (Zo["o]l.), a spiral marine shell (Fasciolaria distans), of Florida and the West Indies. It is marked by narrow, dark, revolving lines. Line engraving. (a) Engraving in which the effects are produced by lines of different width and closeness, cut with the burin upon copper or similar material; also, a plate so engraved. (b) A picture produced by printing from such an engraving. Line of battle. (a) (Mil. Tactics) The position of troops drawn up in their usual order without any determined maneuver. (b) (Naval) The line or arrangement formed by vessels of war in an engagement. Line of battle ship. See Ship of the line, below. Line of beauty (Fine Arts),an abstract line supposed to be beautiful in itself and absolutely; -- differently represented by different authors, often as a kind of elongated S (like the one drawn by Hogarth). Line of centers. (Mach.) (a) A line joining two centers, or fulcra, as of wheels or levers. (b) A line which determines a dead center. See Dead center, under Dead. Line of dip (Geol.), a line in the plane of a stratum, or part of a stratum, perpendicular to its intersection with a horizontal plane; the line of greatest inclination of a stratum to the horizon. Line of fire (Mil.), the direction of fire. Line of force (Physics), any line in a space in which forces are acting, so drawn that at every point of the line its tangent is the direction of the resultant of all the forces. It cuts at right angles every equipotential surface which it meets. Specifically (Magnetism), a line in proximity to a magnet so drawn that any point in it is tangential with the direction of a short compass needle held at that point. --Faraday. Line of life (Palmistry), a line on the inside of the hand, curving about the base of the thumb, supposed to indicate, by its form or position, the length of a person's life. Line of lines. See Gunter's line. Line of march. (Mil.) (a) Arrangement of troops for marching. (b) Course or direction taken by an army or body of troops in marching. Line of operations, that portion of a theater of war which an army passes over in attaining its object. --H. W. Halleck. Line of sight (Firearms), the line which passes through the front and rear sight, at any elevation, when they are sighted at an object. Line tub (Naut.), a tub in which the line carried by a whaleboat is coiled. Mason and Dixon's line

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Line Line (l[imac]n), n. [OE. lin. See Linen.] 1. Flax; linen. [Obs.] ``Garments made of line.'' --Spenser. 2. The longer and finer fiber of flax.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Line Line, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lined (l[imac]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lining.] [See Line flax.] 1. To cover the inner surface of; as, to line a cloak with silk or fur; to line a box with paper or tin. The inside lined with rich carnation silk. --W. Browne. 2. To put something in the inside of; to fill; to supply, as a purse with money. The charge amounteth very high for any one man's purse, except lined beyond ordinary, to reach unto. --Carew. Till coffee has her stomach lined. --Swift. 3. To place persons or things along the side of for security or defense; to strengthen by adding anything; to fortify; as, to line works with soldiers. Line and new repair our towns of war With men of courage and with means defendant. --Shak. 4. To impregnate; -- applied to brute animals. --Creech. Lined gold, gold foil having a lining of another metal.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Line Line (l[imac]n), v. t. 1. To mark with a line or lines; to cover with lines; as, to line a copy book. He had a healthy color in his cheeks, and his face, though lined, bore few traces of anxiety. --Dickens. 2. To represent by lines; to delineate; to portray. [R.] ``Pictures fairest lined.'' --Shak. 3. To read or repeat line by line; as, to line out a hymn. This custom of reading or lining, or, as it was frequently called, ``deaconing'' the hymn or psalm in the churches, was brought about partly from necessity. --N. D. Gould. 4. To form into a line; to align; as, to line troops. To line bees, to track wild bees to their nest by following their line of flight. To line up (Mach.), to put in alignment; to put in correct adjustment for smooth running. See 3d Line, 19.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Loxodromic Lox`o*drom"ic, a. [Gr. ? slanting, oblique + ? a running, course; cf. F. loxodromique.] Pertaining to sailing on rhumb lines; as, loxodromic tables. Loxodromic curve or line (Geom.), a line on the surface of a sphere, which always makes an equal angle with every meridian; the rhumb line. It is the line on which a ship sails when her course is always in the direction of one and the same point of the compass.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Shaft Shaft, n. [OE. shaft, schaft, AS. sceaft; akin to D. schacht, OHG. scaft, G. schaft, Dan. & Sw. skaft handle, haft, Icel. skapt, and probably to L. scapus, Gr. ????, ????, a staff. Probably originally, a shaven or smoothed rod. Cf. Scape, Scepter, Shave.] 1. The slender, smooth stem of an arrow; hence, an arrow. His sleep, his meat, his drink, is him bereft, That lean he wax, and dry as is a shaft. --Chaucer. A shaft hath three principal parts, the stele [stale], the feathers, and the head. --Ascham. 2. The long handle of a spear or similar weapon; hence, the weapon itself; (Fig.) anything regarded as a shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of light. And the thunder, Winged with red lightning and impetuous rage, Perhaps hath spent his shafts. --Milton. Some kinds of literary pursuits . . . have been attacked with all the shafts of ridicule. --V. Knox. 3. That which resembles in some degree the stem or handle of an arrow or a spear; a long, slender part, especially when cylindrical. Specifically: (a) (Bot.) The trunk, stem, or stalk of a plant. (b) (Zo["o]l.) The stem or midrib of a feather. See Illust. of Feather. (c) The pole, or tongue, of a vehicle; also, a thill. (d) The part of a candlestick which supports its branches. Thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold . . . his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. --Ex. xxv. 31. (e) The handle or helve of certain tools, instruments, etc., as a hammer, a whip, etc. (f) A pole, especially a Maypole. [Obs.] --Stow. (g) (Arch.) The body of a column; the cylindrical pillar between the capital and base (see Illust. of Column). Also, the part of a chimney above the roof. Also, the spire of a steeple. [Obs. or R.] --Gwilt. (h) A column, an obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument. Bid time and nature gently spare The shaft we raise to thee. --Emerson. (i) (Weaving) A rod at the end of a heddle. (j) (Mach.) A solid or hollow cylinder or bar, having one or more journals on which it rests and revolves, and intended to carry one or more wheels or other revolving parts and to transmit power or motion; as, the shaft of a steam engine. See Illust. of Countershaft. 4. (Zo["o]l.) A humming bird (Thaumastura cora) having two of the tail feathers next to the middle ones very long in the male; -- called also cora humming bird. 5. [Cf. G. schacht.] (Mining) A well-like excavation in the earth, perpendicular or nearly so, made for reaching and raising ore, for raising water, etc. 6. A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft. 7. The chamber of a blast furnace. Line shaft (Mach.), a main shaft of considerable length, in a shop or factory, usually bearing a number of pulleys by which machines are driven, commonly by means of countershafts; -- called also line, or main line. Shaft alley (Naut.), a passage extending from the engine room to the stern, and containing the propeller shaft. Shaft furnace (Metal.), a furnace, in the form of a chimney, which is charged at the top and tapped at the bottom.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(lines, lining, lined) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. A line is a long thin mark which is drawn or painted on a surface. Draw a line down that page's center. ...a dotted line... The ball had clearly crossed the line. N-COUNT 2. The lines on someone's skin, especially on their face, are long thin marks that appear there as they grow older. He has a large, generous face with deep lines. = wrinkle N-COUNT: usu pl 3. A line of people or things is a number of them arranged one behind the other or side by side. The sparse line of spectators noticed nothing unusual. = row N-COUNT: oft N of n 4. A line of people or vehicles is a number of them that are waiting one behind another, for example in order to buy something or to go in a particular direction. Children clutching empty bowls form a line... = queue N-COUNT 5. A line of a piece of writing is one of the rows of words, numbers, or other symbols in it. The next line should read: Five days, 23.5 hours... Tina wouldn't have read more than three lines. N-COUNT 6. A line of a poem, song, or play is a group of words that are spoken or sung together. If an actor learns his or her lines for a play or film, they learn what they have to say. ...a line from Shakespeare's Othello: 'one that loved not wisely but too well'... Learning lines is very easy. Acting is very difficult. N-COUNT 7. You can refer to a long piece of wire, string, or cable as a line when it is used for a particular purpose. She put her washing on the line. ...a piece of fishing-line... The winds downed power lines. N-VAR: usu with supp 8. A line is a connection which makes it possible for two people to speak to each other on the telephone. The telephone lines went dead... It's not a very good line. Shall we call you back Susan?... She's on the line from her home in Boston. N-COUNT: oft on the N 9. You can use line to refer to a telephone number which you can ring in order to get information or advice. ...the 24-hours information line. N-COUNT: oft in names after n 10. A line is a route, especially a dangerous or secret one, along which people move or send messages or supplies. Negotiators say they're keeping communication lines open. ...the guerrillas' main supply lines. N-COUNT: usu pl, usu with supp 11. The line in which something or someone moves is the particular route that they take, especially when they keep moving straight ahead. Walk in a straight line... The wings were at right angles to the line of flight. N-COUNT 12. A line is a particular route, involving the same stations, roads, or stops along which a train or bus service regularly operates. They've got to ride all the way to the end of the line... I would be able to stay on the Piccadilly Line and get off the tube at South Kensington. N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft in names after n 13. A railway line consists of the pieces of metal and wood which form the track that the trains travel along. = track N-COUNT 14. A shipping, air, or bus line is a company which provides services for transporting people or goods by sea, air, or bus. (BUSINESS) The Foreign Office offered to pay the shipping line all the costs of diverting the ship to Bermuda. = company N-COUNT: usu supp N 15. A state or county line is a boundary between two states or counties. (AM) ...the California state line. = border N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp 16. You can use lines to refer to the set of physical defences or the soldiers that have been established along the boundary of an area occupied by an army. Their unit was shelling the German lines only seven miles away. N-COUNT 17. The particular line that a person has towards a problem is the attitude that they have towards it. For example, if someone takes a hard line on something, they have a firm strict policy which they refuse to change. Forty members of the governing Conservative party rebelled, voting against the government line... N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp 18. You can use line to refer to the way in which someone's thoughts or activities develop, particularly if it is logical. What are some of the practical benefits likely to be of this line of research? N-COUNT: usu N of n/-ing 19. If you say that something happens along particular lines, or on particular lines, you are giving a general summary or approximate account of what happens, which may not be correct in every detail. He'd said something along those lines already... Our forecast for 1990 was on the right lines... N-PLURAL: usu along/on N with supp 20. If something is organized on particular lines, or along particular lines, it is organized according to that method or principle. ...so-called autonomous republics based on ethnic lines. ...reorganising old factories to work along Japanese lines. N-PLURAL: on/along N with supp 21. Your line of business or work is the kind of work that you do. (BUSINESS) So what was your father's line of business?... In my line of work I often get home too late for dinner. N-COUNT: usu N of n 22. A line is a particular type of product that a company makes or sells. His best selling line is the cheapest lager at £1.99. N-COUNT 23. In a factory, a line is an arrangement of workers or machines where a product passes from one worker to another until it is finished. ...a production line capable of producing three different products. N-COUNT 24. You can use line when you are referring to a number of people who are ranked according to status. Nicholas Paul Patrick was seventh in the line of succession to the throne... ...the man who stands next in line for the presidency. N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n, ord in N 25. A particular line of people or things is a series of them that has existed over a period of time, when they have all been similar in some way, or done similar things. We were part of a long line of artists... It's the latest in a long line of tragedies. N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n 26. If people or things line a road, room, or other place, they are present in large numbers along its edges or sides. Thousands of local people lined the streets and clapped as the procession went by. ...a square lined with pubs and clubs. VERB: V n, V-ed • -lined ...a long tree-lined drive. COMB in ADJ 27. If you line a wall, container, or other object, you put a layer of something such as leaves or paper on the inside surface of it in order to make it stronger, warmer, or cleaner. Scoop the blanket weed out and use it to line hanging baskets... Female bears tend to line their dens with leaves or grass. VERB: V n, V n with n • -lined ...a dark, suede-lined case. COMB in ADJ 28. If something lines a container or area, especially an area inside a person, animal, or plant, it forms a layer on the inside surface. ...the muscles that line the intestines. VERB: V n 29. see also lined, lining, bottom line, branch line, dividing line, front line, party line, picket line, yellow line 30. If you draw the line at a particular activity, you refuse to do it, because you disapprove of it or because it is more extreme than what you normally do. Letters have come from prisoners, declaring that they would draw the line at hitting an old lady. PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR at n/-ing 31. If you draw a line between two things, you make a distinction between them. It is, however, not possible to draw a distinct line between the two categories. = distinguish PHRASE: V inflects 32. If you do something or if it happens to you in the line of duty, you do it or it happens as part of your regular work or as a result of it. More than 3,000 police officers were wounded in the line of duty last year. PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR 33. If you refer to a method as the first line of, for example, defence or treatment, you mean that it is the first or most important method to be used in dealing with a problem. Passport checks will remain the first line of defence against terrorists... PHRASE: PHR n 34. If you are in line for something, it is likely to happen to you or you are likely to obtain it. If something is in line to happen, it is likely to happen. He must be in line for a place in the Guinness Book of Records... Public sector pay is also in line to be hit hard. = due PHRASE: PHR for n, PHR to-inf 35. If one object is in line with others, or moves into line with others, they are arranged in a line. You can also say that a number of objects are in line or move into line. The device itself was right under the vehicle, almost in line with the gear lever... Venus, the Sun and Earth all moved into line. PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v, oft PHR with n 36. If one thing is in line with another, or is brought into line with it, the first thing is, or becomes, similar to the second, especially in a way that has been planned or expected. The structure of our schools is now broadly in line with the major countries of the world... This brings the law into line with most medical opinion. PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR, oft PHR with n 37. When people stand in line or wait in line, they stand one behind the other in a line, waiting their turn for something. (AM; in BRIT, use queue) I had been standing in line for three hours. PHRASE: V inflects 38. If you keep someone in line or bring them into line, you make them obey you, or you make them behave in the way you want them to. All this was just designed to frighten me and keep me in line. ...if the Prime Minister fails to bring rebellious Tories into line. PHRASE: PHR after v 39. If a machine or piece of equipment comes on line, it starts operating. If it is off line, it is not operating. The new machine will go on line in June 2006... Every second her equipment was off line cost the company money. PHRASE: usu PHR after v 40. If you do something on line, you do it using a computer or a computer network. They can order their requirements on line. ...on-line transaction processing. PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR, PHR n 41. If something such as your job, career, or reputation is on the line, you may lose or harm it as a result of what you are doing or of the situation you are in. (INFORMAL) He wouldn't put his career on the line to help a friend. PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR 42. If one thing is out of line with another, the first thing is different from the second in a way that was not agreed, planned, or expected. ...if one set of figures is sharply out of line with a trend. PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, oft PHR with n 43. If someone steps out of line, they disobey someone or behave in an unacceptable way. Any one of my players who steps out of line will be in trouble with me as well... You're way out of line, lady. PHRASE: v PHR, v-link PHR 44. If you read between the lines, you understand what someone really means, or what is really happening in a situation, even though it is not said openly. Reading between the lines, it seems neither Cole nor Ledley King will be going to Japan. PHRASE: V inflects 45. to sign on the dotted line: see dotted to line your pockets: see pocket the line of least resistance: see resistance to toe the line: see toe

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

lin (qaw, chebhel): Usually of a measuring line, as Jer 31:39; Eze 47:3; Zec 1:16 (qaw); Ps 78:55; Am 7:17; Zec 2:1 (chebhel). Other Hebrew words mean simply a cord or thread (Jos 2:18,21; 1Ki 7:15; Eze 40:3). In Ps 19:4 (qaw, "Their line is gone out through all the earth"), the reference is probably still to measurement (the heaven as spanning and bounding the earth), though the Septuagint, followed by Ro 10:18, takes it as meaning a musical cord phthoggos). The "line," as measure, suggests rule of conduct (Isa 28:10). For "line" in Isa 44:13, the Revised Version (British and American) reads "pencil," margin "red ochre" (seredh), and in 2Co 10:16, "province," margin "limit" (kanon).

See also MEASURING LINE; WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

James Orr

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Streak, stripe, extended mark. 2. Straight direction. 3. Parallel direction. 4. Thread, cord, string, rope. 5. Row, rank. 6. Row of words (across a page). 7. Note, short letter. 8. Equator, equinoctial circle. 9. One twelfth of an inch. 10. Lineage, race, family, ancestry. 11. Course, method. 12. Occupation, employment, calling, business, pursuit. II. v. a. 1. Cover on the inside. 2. Place along the side of. 3. Cover with lines, mark, draw lines upon. 4. Delineate, draw, sketch outline. 5. Fill, put into, put inside.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

To get a man into a line, i.e. to divert his attention by a ridiculous or absurd story. To humbug.

Moby Thesaurus

DMZ, Indian file, L, MO, Spenserian stanza, WATS, WATS line, Zeitgeist, abut, accommodation, accompaniment, accord, accordance, aceldama, acknowledgment, acquiescence, acquire, action, activity, adaptation, adaption, adjoin, adjustment, advance guard, affiliation, aftermath, agreement, aim, air, air lane, airhead, algorithm, align, aligned, allocate, allot, alto, anagnorisis, ancestry, angle, animal kingdom, answer, antistrophe, apparentation, apportion, approach, architectonics, architecture, area, argosy, argument, aria, arrange, arrange for, arrangement, array, art, articulation, assemble, assortment, atmosphere, attack, autarky, autolithograph, avant-garde, azimuth, background, bag, balance, band, bank, bar, bar line, baritone, bass, basso continuo, basso ostinato, bassus, battle line, battle site, battlefield, battleground, be a printmaker, beachhead, bearing, beat, befringe, belt, bent, billet, bimetallism, bind, birth, blarney, blaze, blaze a trail, blemish, block in, block out, blood, bloodline, blotch, book, border, border line, borderline, bottoms, bound, boundary, boundary condition, boundary line, bourn, brace, braid, brail, branch, brand, break boundary, breakoff point, breed, bridgehead, brief, brood, brushwork, burden, burr, business, business letter, butt, buzz, cable, cable railway, calling, canto, cantus, cantus figuratus, cantus planus, caravan, card, career, career building, careerism, carve, cast, catalog goods, catastrophe, catena, catenation, cavalcade, ceil, ceiling, chain, chain reaction, chaining, chalk, chalk out, chalk up, character, characterization, check, check off, chisel, chiseling, chit, chorus, cicatrize, circuit, circumscription, clan, class, clue, co-ax, coaxial cable, cog railway, collocate, color, column, combat area, combat zone, coming after, commodities, common ancestry, communicate, communication, compass, compliance, complication, compose, composition, con, concatenation, concentric cable, conclusion, condensation trail, confine, conformance, conformation other-direction, conformity, congruity, connection, consanguinity, consecution, consecutiveness, consequence, consistency, consumer goods, consumer items, continuation, continuity, continuo, continuum, contour, contract for, contrail, contralto, contrivance, conventionality, coordinate, cord, correspondence, cortege, couplet, course, cover, craft, crease, creed, cribble, crinkle, crocodile, cross-hatching, crosshatch, cup of tea, current, cut, cutoff, cutoff point, cycle, dapple, dash, data, deadline, deal, deal out, define, degree, delimit, delimitation, delineate, delineation, demarcate, demarcation, deme, demitint, denomination, denouement, derivation, descant, descendant, descent, description, design, designation, determinant, develop, development, device, diagonal, dig up, direct line, direction, direction line, discolor, dispatch, dispose, distaff side, distich, distribute, division line, dot, dotted line, draft, draftsmanship, dress parade, drift, drone, dynasty, echelon, economic self-sufficiency, edge, edging, effect, effects, el, electric railway, elevated, elevated railway, embankment, employ, employment, enchase, end, endless belt, endless round, enemy line, enframe, engage, engrave, engravement, engraving, envoi, episode, epistle, epode, etch, etching, extension, extraction, extremity, fable, face, falling action, family, farthest outpost, fashion, favor, feather, feeder, feeder line, female line, field, field of battle, field of blood, figuration, figure, figured bass, filament, file, filiation, fill, finish, firing line, first line, fix, fleck, fleet, flexibility, flight path, floor, flotilla, flyover, folk, following, forefront, form, form a line, formation, formulate, forte, frame, freckle, free enterprise, free trade, fringe, front, front line, front rank, front-runner, frontier, funeral, fur, furrow, game, gamut, gash, gem-engraving, genealogy, genre, gens, genus, get hold of, get in line, gimmick, glacial movement, glass-cutting, glyptic, goods, goods for sale, governmentalism, gradation, graft, grain, grave, graving, gravity-operated railway, groove, ground bass, grouping, guiding principles, guise, hachure, hairline, half tint, handicraft, harmony, hatch, hatching, hawser, heading, hedge, heir, helmsmanship, hem, heptastich, heritage, hexastich, high-water mark, hint, hire, horse railway, house, hum, ilk, impress, imprint, in a row, in accord, in agreement, in control, in harmony, in line, in step, incident, incise, incision, inclination, information, inlay, inscribe, inscript, inscription, interface, interline, inventory, itinerary, job, job lot, join, junction, keeping, kidney, killing ground, kin, kind, label, laissez-faire, laissez-faireism, landing beach, lap, lay, lead, ledger line, letter, lie, lifework, ligament, ligation, ligature, light railroad, limen, limit, limitation, limiting factor, line of action, line of battle, line of business, line of demarcation, line of descent, line of direction, line of goods, line of march, line of work, line up, lineage, lineation, lined up, lines, lining, list, lithograph, load, local color, localism, logical sequence, long suit, lot, low-water mark, lower limit, mail-order goods, main current, main interest, main line, mainstream, make, make a mark, make prints, male line, malleability, managed currency, manner, manner of working, march, march past, marge, margin, marginate, mark, mark off, mark out, marking, marshal, matriclan, means, measure, melodia, melodic line, melody, merchandise, merchant fleet, merchant navy, message, mete, method, methodology, metier, metro, mission, missive, mode, mode of operation, mode of procedure, modus operandi, mold, monorail, monostich, monotone, mood, motif, motion, motorcade, mottle, movement, mule train, mystery, mythos, nation, nature, navigation, navy, neighbor, nexus, nick, noninterference, nonintervention, notch, note, nullification, number, obedience, oblique, observance, obtain, occupation, octastich, octave, octet, offerings, offspring, orbit, order, order of succession, ordinate, organize, orientation, orthodoxy, ottava rima, outguard, outline, outpost, pack, pack train, pad, painterliness, parade, parcel out, parentage, part, party line, party principle, passage, path, patriclan, pencil, pendulum, pentastich, people, pepper, periodicity, peripeteia, perspective, persuasion, pet subject, phratry, phyle, phylum, piloting, pioneer, piste, pitch, place, plain chant, plain song, plan, plan of action, planned economy, plant kingdom, platform, plenum, pliancy, plot, plumb, point, policy, polity, pomp, position, position paper, postcard, posteriority, posterity, postposition, powder train, practice, precursor, prepare, price supports, prick, prick song, primrose path, principles, print, private line, procedure, proceeding, process, procession, profession, profile, program, progression, prolongation, promenade, protection, protectionism, public policy, pump-priming, punch, punctuate, puncture, purfle, purl, pursuit, put in place, quarter, quatrain, queue, queue up, race, rack railway, rack-and-pinion railway, racket, rail, rail line, railhead, railroad, railway, rally, range, rank, ready, ready for, recognition, reconcilement, reconciliation, recurrence, refrain, regiment, reply, rescript, reticulation, review, rhyme royal, riddle, rim, rising action, road, roadbed, roadway, role, rope, rotation, rough in, rough out, round, route, routine, row, rule, run, sales pitch, scale, scar, scarify, scent, scheme, score, scoring, scotch, scout, scrape, scratch, scratching, script, sculpture, sea lane, seal, seam, seat of war, secondary plot, sectionalism, secure, seed, sell out, separatrix, sept, septet, sequel, sequence, series, sestet, set, set off, set out, set up, sextet, shading, shadow, shambles, shape, shipping, ships, shortcut, side, sideline, sides, sidetrack, siding, sign up, signs, silhouette, single file, sketch, skimmington, skirt, slant, slash, slashing, solidus, solo, solo part, song, song and dance, soprano, soprano part, sort, space, spear side, spearhead, specialism, speciality, specialization, specialty, species, speck, speckle, spectrum, speech, spiel, spindle side, splotch, spoor, spot, spun yarn, staff, stain, stamp, stanza, staples, start, starting line, starting point, stave, steerage, steering, stem, stigmatize, stipple, stippling, stirps, stock, stock-in-trade, story, straight, straighten, strain, strand, strategy, streak, streaking, stream, street railway, streetcar line, striate, striation, strictness, string, string out, strip, stripe, striping, stroke, strong point, strophe, structure, stuff, style, subject, subjunction, sublineation, subplot, subway, succession, successiveness, successor, suffixation, swath, swing, switch, switchback, sword side, syllable, system, tack, tactics, tailback, target date, tattoo, technicality, technique, telegraph cable, telegraph line, telephone, telephone line, tendency, tendon, tenor, tercet, term, terminal, terminal date, terminus, terza rima, tetrastich, the drill, the front, the general tendency, the how, the like of, the likes of, the main course, the way of, theater, theater of operations, theater of war, thematic development, theme, thing, thong, thorough bass, thread, threshold, tick, tick off, tier, time allotment, time spirit, tint, tone, tonnage, tool, tooling, topic, totem, touch, tour, trace, traces, track, trade, trail, train, traject, trajectory, trajet, tram, tramline, treatment, treble, trend, trestle, tribe, trim, triplet, tristich, trolley line, true, trunk, trunk line, tube, tune, turnout, twine, twist, type, type-cutting, uncover, under control, underground, underline, underlining, underscore, underscoring, undersong, uniformity, up for, upper limit, values, van, vanguard, vapor trail, variety, vendibles, verge, verse, virgule, vocation, voice part, wad, wainscot, wake, walk, walk of life, wares, way, weakness, whaling fleet, windrow, wire, wire line, wise, word, words, work, wrinkle, yarn, zone of communications