| Ballast (ballast) |
|---|
| n. | (b l"last) |
|---|
| Bal"last |
| [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 mer |
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.
Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon
to give it steadiness.
Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a
railroad to make it firm and solid.
The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel,
used in making concrete.
Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain,
uprightness, steadiness, and security.
|
| Ballast (ballast) |
|---|
| v. t. | |
|---|
| Bal"last |
|
To steady, as a vessel, by
putting heavy substances in the hold.
To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with
gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.
To keep steady] to steady, morally.
|
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In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 