| 释义 |
bal·last
I. \ˈbaləst\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: probably from Low German, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Swedish barlast, literally, mere load, from bar bare (from Old Danish & Old Swedish) + last load, from Middle Low German; akin to Old Norse berr bare and to Old High German hlast load — more at bare, last
1. : a relatively heavy substance used to maintain a ship at its proper draft or trim or to improve its stability (as rock stowed in holds or water in tanks)
2. : something that gives stability or weight especially in character, conduct, ideas, or morals
< it is profitable for cultures to carry a considerable degree of ballast in the shape of consistency and continuity — A.L.Kroeber >
3. : something heavy (as sand or water) put into the car of a balloon to be thrown out if necessary to reduce the load
4.
a. : gravel or broken stone laid in a roadbed especially of a railroad to provide a firm surface for the track, to hold the track in line, and to facilitate drainage
b. : the larger solids (as broken stone or gravel) used in making concrete — compare aggregate III 3b
5. : a resistance used to stabilize the current in a circuit (as of an arc lamp, a mercury-vapor lamp, or a fluorescent lamp)
6. : roughage
•
- in ballast
II. transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
1. : to steady or equip with ballast
< ballast a canoe with large rocks >
2. archaic : weight down : burden, load
3.
a. : to steady or stabilize in mind, morals, or conduct
< a little security to ballast your life >
b. : to act as a counterpoise to
< some common sense to ballast the general flightiness of the group >
4. : to fill in (as a railroad bed) with ballast
Synonyms: see stabilize |