leadline

A sailor uses a leadline to measure the depth of the water.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sounding line: "leadline" refers to a line or rope with a lead weight attached to it, used for measuring the depth of water, typically from a ship.
   • A weighted line for fishing: In some contexts, "leadline" can refer to a fishing line weighted with lead to keep the bait or net submerged.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sailor threw the leadline overboard to determine how deep the water was before anchoring. (A rope with a lead weight used for depth measurement.)
  • The fisherman adjusted the leadline on his net to ensure it would sink properly in the strong current. (A weighted line for fishing equipment.)

Advanced Usage

• "to heave the leadline": a nautical term meaning to throw the leadline into the water to measure depth.

  • The captain ordered the crew to heave the leadline as the ship approached the shallow reef. (To deploy the sounding line for depth checking.)

• "leadline casting": the act of using a leadline in fishing or surveying.

  • Leadline casting requires careful technique to avoid tangling the weighted line. (The process of throwing or deploying a leadline.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lead (n): a heavy metal used in the weight of a leadline.
  • The lead at the end of the line sank quickly. (The metal weight.)
• Line (n): a length of cord or rope used with the lead.
  • The line was marked every fathom to measure depth. (The rope or cord.)
• Sounding (n): the process of measuring water depth, often using a leadline.
  • The sounding revealed a depth of 10 fathoms. (The measurement taken.)

Synonyms

• Sounding line: a line used for measuring water depth.
• Plumb line: a line with a weight used to determine verticality, sometimes analogous in function.
• Depth line: a general term for a line used to measure depth.

Related Idioms

• "To sound the depths": to measure or explore the depth of something, often metaphorically.
  • He used the leadline to sound the depths of the river. (To measure the depth literally.)
• "To know the depths": to understand the full extent of something, derived from nautical sounding.
  • The explorer knew the depths of the ocean thanks to his leadline. (To have knowledge of deep water.)