sounding-line

A sailor lowers a sounding-line into the ocean.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A line used to measure depth of water: A "sounding-line" is a weighted line or rope used to determine the depth of water, typically from a ship or boat, by lowering it until the weight touches the bottom.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sailor lowered the sounding-line over the side to check how deep the water was before anchoring. (The weighted line was used to measure the water's depth.)
  • With a traditional sounding-line, they could measure depths up to several hundred meters. (The line was a basic tool for depth measurement.)

Advanced Usage

• "to take soundings": To measure depth using a sounding-line or similar device.

  • The crew took soundings every hour to map the ocean floor. (They used the sounding-line to record depth measurements.)

• "sounding-line" in historical contexts: Often used in navigation before modern sonar technology.

  • Explorers relied on the sounding-line to avoid shallow reefs. (The line helped them navigate safely.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sounding (n): the act of measuring depth, often with a line.

  • The sounding indicated a depth of 50 meters. (The measurement from the line.)

• Sounding-lead (n): the weight attached to the end of a sounding-line.

  • The sounding-lead was made of lead to sink quickly. (The heavy weight at the line's end.)

• Sounding rod (n): a rod used for similar depth measurements in shallow waters.

  • They used a sounding rod instead of a line in the river. (A rigid alternative to the line.)

Synonyms

• Lead line: a specific type of sounding-line with a lead weight.

  • The lead line was standard equipment on old ships. (Synonymous with sounding-line.)

• Depth line: a general term for any line used to measure depth.

  • The depth line showed 20 fathoms. (A less technical synonym.)

Related Idioms

• "to sound the depths": To investigate or explore something thoroughly, often metaphorically.
  • The scientist sounded the depths of the ocean with a modern instrument. (To measure or explore deeply.)
  • She sounded the depths of his emotions during the conversation. (To probe or understand deeply.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Sound out: To measure depth; also, to test someone's opinion.
  • They sounded out the channel with a sounding-line before entering. (Measured depth.)
  • I will sound out the manager about the new policy. (Test opinion; note: this is a separate meaning from the line itself.)