Adjacent Words

load line definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: waterlines to show the level the water should reach when the ship is properly loaded [syn: load line, Plimsoll line, Plimsoll mark, Plimsoll]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: circa 1859 the line on a ship indicating the depth to which it sinks in the water when properly loaded — see Plimsoll mark illustration

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Load Load, n. [OE. lode load, way; properly the same word as lode, but confused with lade, load, v. See Lade, Lead, v., Lode.] 1. A burden; that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load. He might such a load To town with his ass carry. --Gower. 2. The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading. 3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care. `` A . . . load of guilt.'' --Ray. `` Our life's a load.'' --Dryden. 4. A particular measure for certain articles, being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a load of hay; specifically, five quarters. 5. The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder. 6. Weight or violence of blows. [Obs.] --Milton. 7. (Mach.) The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working. Load line, or Load water line (Naut.), the line on the outside of a vessel indicating the depth to which it sinks in the water when loaded. Syn: Burden; lading; weight; cargo. See Burden.