browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about ballast
ballast |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Ballast \Bal"last\, n. [D. ballast; akin to Dan. baglast ballast, OSw. barlast Sw ballast. The first part is perh. the same word as E. bare, adj.; the second is last a burden, and hence the meaning a bare, or mere, load. See {Bare}, a., and {Last} load.] 1. (Naut.) Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing. 2. Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness. 3. Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid. 4. The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete. 5. Fig.: That which gives or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security. It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity. --Barrow. {Ballast engine}, a steam engine used in excavating and for digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast. {Ship in ballast}, a ship carring only ballast. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Ballast \Bal"last\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ballasted}; p. pr & vb n. {Ballasting}.] 1. To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold 2. To fill in as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid. 3. To keep steady; to steady, morally. 'T is charity must ballast the heart. --Hammond. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: ballast n : used to stabilize a ship or airship v : make steady with a ballast
more about ballast
This work is licensed under a
