sounding-pipe
Definition
Noun: A sounding-pipe is a tube or pipe used to ascertain the depth of water, typically in a ship's hold or in a body of water, by lowering it and listening for the sound or feeling the resistance when it touches the bottom.
Usage Examples
- (A tube used to measure water depth in a ship's hold.)
- (A pipe for measuring water depth in a natural body of water.)
Advanced Usage
- "to take a sounding with a sounding-pipe": to measure depth using this specific instrument.
- The crew took a sounding with the sounding-pipe to ensure the ship was not in shallow waters. (They measured depth using the pipe.)
Variants and Related Words
- Sounding line (n): a line with a lead weight used to measure depth, often used interchangeably but distinct from a pipe.
- The sounding line was thrown overboard to check the depth. (A line with a weight for depth measurement.)
- Sounding (n): the act of measuring depth, especially of water.
- The sounding revealed a depth of twenty fathoms. (The measurement of depth.)
Synonyms
- Depth gauge: an instrument for measuring depth.
- Plumb line: a line with a weight used to determine vertical depth.
Related Idioms
- Sound the depths: to investigate or explore thoroughly.
- The detective sounded the depths of the mystery to find the truth. (Investigated deeply.)