Word Direct Answers

What does "load" mean?

Load: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.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.
  2. 3.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.
  3. 4.The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder.
  4. 5.Weight or violence of blows. [Obs.] Milton.
  5. 6.(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. See Burden.
  6. 7.To lay a load or burden on or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to charge with a load, as a gun; to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon. I strive all in vain to load the cart. Gascoigne. I have loaden me with many spoils. Shak. Those honors deep and broad, wherewith Your majesty loads our house. Shak.
  7. 8.To adulterate or drug; as, to load wine. [Cant]
  8. 9.To magnetize.[Obs.] Prior. Loaded dice, dice with one side made heavier than the others, so that the number on the opposite side will come up oftenest.

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