load line

noun

waterlines to show the level the water should reach when the ship is properly loaded

• Syn: ↑Plimsoll line, ↑Plimsoll mark, ↑Plimsoll

• Hypernyms: ↑waterline, ↑water line, ↑water level

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noun

1. or load waterline

a. : the line on the outside of a ship to which it sinks in the water when loaded or safely loaded

b. also load line mark : a mark representing the safe load line

2. : one of a set of marks graduated in accordance with international standards and required by law in most maritime countries to be cut and painted amidships on the sides of a seagoing cargo ship to indicate the greatest draft to which it can be safely loaded under various conditions (as tropical fresh water or North Atlantic winter) — see plimsoll mark

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Naut.

1. Also called Plimsoll line. any of various lines marked on the sides of a cargo vessel to indicate the depth to which a vessel may be immersed under certain conditions. Cf. freeboard (def. 1a).

2. the line made by the surface of the water on the hull of a loaded ship.

[1880-85]

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load line noun

A line on a ship's side to mark the depth to which her cargo may be allowed to sink her

• • •

Main Entry: ↑load

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load line,

a line painted amidships on the side of a ship that marks the water line under a full load.

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n. another term for Plimsoll line

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ˈload line 7 [load line load lines] noun

= ↑Plimsoll line