Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
bilge - 7 dictionary results
NO-SALT Water Softener
 Whole House Electronic Conditioner/ Descaler System. Free S&H. Now $295
 www.equinox-products.com

bilge

  [bilj] noun, verb, bilged, bilg⋅ing.
Use bilge in a Sentence
–noun
1. Nautical.
a. either of the rounded areas that form the transition between the bottom and the sides on the exterior of a hull.
b. Also, bilges. (in a hull with a double bottom) an enclosed area between frames at each side of the floors, where seepage collects.
c. Also called bilge well. a well into which seepage drains to be pumped away.
d. Also called bilge water. seepage accumulated in bilges.
2. Slang. bilge water (def. 2).
3. the widest circumference or belly of a cask.
–verb (used without object)
4. Nautical.
a. to leak in the bilge.
b. (of white paint) to turn yellow.
5. to bulge or swell out.
–verb (used with object)
6. Nautical. to damage (a hull bottom) so as to create an entry for seawater.
Origin:
1505–15; perh. var. of bulge

bilge water

 
–noun
1. Nautical. bilge (def. 1d).
2. Also called bilge. Slang. foolish, worthless, or offensive talk or ideas; nonsense; rubbish.
Origin:
1700–10
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To bilge
bilge   (bĭlj)   
n.  
  1. Nautical
    1. The rounded portion of a ship's hull, forming a transition between the bottom and the sides.
    2. The lowest inner part of a ship's hull.
  2. Bilge water.
  3. Slang Stupid talk or writing; nonsense.
  4. The bulging part of a barrel or cask.
v.   bilged, bilg·ing, bilg·es

v.   intr.
  1. Nautical To spring a leak in the bilge.
  2. To bulge or swell.
v.   tr.
Nautical To break open the bilge of.

[Probably alteration of bulge.]
bilg'y adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Bilge

Bilge\, n. [A different orthography of bulge, of same origin as belly. Cf. Belly, Bulge.]

1. The protuberant part of a cask, which is usually in the middle.

2. (Naut.) That part of a ship's hull or bottom which is broadest and most nearly flat, and on which she would rest if aground.

3. Bilge water.

Bilge free (Naut.), stowed in such a way that the bilge is clear of everything; -- said of a cask.

Bilge pump, a pump to draw the bilge water from the gold of a ship.

Bilge water (Naut.), water which collects in the bilge or bottom of a ship or other vessel. It is often allowed to remain till it becomes very offensive.

Bilge ways, the timbers which support the cradle of a ship upon the ways, and which slide upon the launching ways in launching the vessel.

Bilge

Bilge\ (b[i^]lj), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bilged (b[i^]ljd); p. pr. & vb. n. Bilging.]

1. (Naut.) To suffer a fracture in the bilge; to spring a leak by a fracture in the bilge.

2. To bulge.

Bilge

Bilge\, v. t. 1. (Naut.) To fracture the bilge of, or stave in the bottom of (a ship or other vessel).

2. To cause to bulge.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : bilge
Spanish: sabio,
German: weise,
Japanese: 賢い
More Translations »

bilge 
1513, "lowest internal part of a ship," also "the foulness which collects there," variant of bulge "ship's hull," also "leather bag," from O.N.Fr. boulge "leather sack," from L.L. bulga "leather sack," apparently from Gaulish bulga.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see bilge on Thesaurus | Reference
NO-SALT Water Softener
 Whole House Electronic Conditioner/ Descaler System. Free S&H. Now $295
 www.equinox-products.com