Word Direct Answers

What does "bilge" mean?

Bilge: (Naut.) That part of a ship's hull or bottom which is broadest and most nearly flat, and on which she would rest if aground.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Bilge water. Bilge free (Naut.), stowed in such a way that the bilge is clear of everything; -- said of a cask. -- Bilge pump, a pump to draw the bilge water from the gold of a ship. -- Bilge water (Naut.), water which collects in the bilge or bottom of a ship or other vessel. It is often allowed to remain till it becomes very offensive. -- Bilge ways, the timbers which support the cradle of a ship upon the ways, and which slide upon the launching ways in launching the vessel.
  2. 3.(Naut.) To suffer a fracture in the bilge; to spring a leak by a fracture in the bilge.
  3. 4.To bulge.
  4. 5.(Naut.) To fracture the bilge of, or stave in the bottom of (a ship or other vessel).
  5. 6.To cause to bulge.

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