Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ballast
Bal′last
(băl′last)
, Noun.
1.
(Naut.)
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.
2.
Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.
3.
Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.
4.
The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.
5.
Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.
It [piety] is the right
ballast
of prosperity. Barrow.
Ballast engine
, a steam engine used in excavating and for digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast.
– Ship in ballast
, a ship carrying only ballast.
Bal′last
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Ballasted
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ballasting
.] 1.
To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.
2.
To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.
3.
To keep steady; to steady, morally.
’T is charity must
ballast
the heart. Hammond.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ballast
BAL'LAST
, n.1.
Heavy matter, as stone, sand or iron, laid on the bottom of a ship or other vessel, to sink it in the water, to such a depth, as to enable it to carry sufficient sail, without oversetting. Shingle ballast is ballast of coarse gravel.
2.
Figuratively, that which is used to make a thing steady.BAL'LAST
,Verb.
T.
2.
To keep any thing steady, by counterbalancing its force.