Ballast

['bæləst]

Definition

(noun.) any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship.

(noun.) an electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps.

(noun.) an attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings.

(noun.) coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads.

(verb.) make steady with a ballast.

Edited by Jimmy--From WordNet

Definition

(a.) 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.

(a.) Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.

(a.) Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.

(a.) The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.

(a.) Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.

(v. t.) To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.

(v. t.) To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.

(v. t.) To keep steady; to steady, morally.

Editor: Miles

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. [1]. Weight (for steadiness), ballasting.[2]. Prudence, discretion, judgment, sense, wisdom, TACT, GUMPTION, common sense.

v. a. Put ballast into.

Inputed by Leslie

Definition

n. heavy matter employed to give a ship sufficient immersion in the water to insure her safe sailing with spread canvas when her cargo and equipment are too light: that which renders anything steady.—v.t. to load with ballast: to make or keep steady: (Shak.) load.—n. Bal′last-heav′er.

Typist: Wolfgang