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line - 17 dictionary results
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line

1  [lahyn] noun, verb, lined, lin⋅ing.
Use line in a Sentence
–noun
1. a mark or stroke long in proportion to its breadth, made with a pen, pencil, tool, etc., on a surface: a line down the middle of the page.
2. Mathematics. a continuous extent of length, straight or curved, without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point.
3. something arranged along a line, esp. a straight line; a row or series: a line of trees.
4. a number of persons standing one behind the other and waiting their turns at or for something; queue.
5. something resembling a traced line, as a band of color, a seam, or a furrow: lines of stratification in rock.
6. a furrow or wrinkle on the face, neck, etc.: lines around the eyes.
7. an indication of demarcation; boundary; limit: the county line; a fine line between right and wrong.
8. a row of written or printed letters, words, etc.: a page of 30 lines.
9. a verse of poetry: A line in iambic pentameter contains five feet.
10. Usually, lines. the words of an actor's part in a drama, musical comedy, etc.: to rehearse one's lines.
11. a short written message: Drop me a line when you're on vacation.
12. a system of public conveyances, as buses or trains, plying regularly over a fixed route: the northbound line at State Street.
13. a transportation or conveyance company: a steamship line.
14. a course of direction; route: the line of march down Main Street.
15. a course of action, procedure, thought, policy, etc.: That newspaper follows the communist line.
16. a piece of pertinent or useful information (usually fol. by on): I've got a line on a good used car.
17. a series of generations of persons, animals, or plants descended from a common ancestor: a line of kings.
18. a department of activity; occupation or business: What line are you in?
19. Informal. a mode of conversation, esp. one that is glib or exaggerated in order to impress or influence another person: He really handed her a line about his rich relatives.
20. a straight line drawn from an observed object to the fovea of the eye.
21. lines,
a. the outer form or proportions of a ship, building, etc.: a ship of fine lines.
b. a general form, as of an event or something that is made, which may be the basis of comparison, imitation, etc.: two books written along the same lines.
c. a person's lot or portion: to endure the hard lines of poverty.
d. Chiefly British. a certificate of marriage.
22. a circle of the terrestrial or celestial sphere: the equinoctial line.
23. banner (def. 7).
24. Fine Arts.
a. a mark made by a pencil, brush, or the like, that defines the contour of a shape, forms hatching, etc.
b. the edge of a shape.
25. Television. one scanning line.
26. Telecommunications.
a. a telephone connection: Please hold the line.
b. a wire circuit connecting two or more pieces of electric apparatus, esp. the wire or wires connecting points or stations in a telegraph or telephone system, or the system itself.
27. the line, Geography. the equator.
28. a stock of commercial goods of the same general class but having a range of styles, sizes, prices, or quality: the company's line of shoes.
29. an assembly line.
30. Law. a limit defining one estate from another; the outline or boundary of a piece of real estate.
31. Bridge. a line on a score sheet that separates points scored toward game (below the line) from points scored by setting a contract, having honors, etc. (above the line).
32. Music. any of the straight, horizontal, parallel strokes of the staff, or one placed above or below the staff.
33. Military.
a. a defensive position or front.
b. a series of fortifications: the Maginot line.
c. Usually, lines. a distribution of troops, sentries, etc., for the defense of a position or for an attack: behind the enemy's lines.
d. the body of personnel constituting the combatant forces of an army, as distinguished from the supply services and staff corps.
34. an arrangement of troops of an army or of ships of a fleet as drawn up for battle: line of battle.
35. a body or formation of troops or ships drawn up abreast (distinguished from column ).
36. the class of officers serving with combatant units or warships.
37. the regular forces of an army or navy.
38. that part of an administrative organization consisting of persons actively engaged on a given project. Compare staff 1 (def. 4).
39. a thread, string, cord, rope, or the like.
40. a clothesline: the wash hanging on the line.
41. a cord, wire, or the like, used for measuring or as a guide.
42. Nautical.
a. a pipe or hose: a steam line.
b. a rope or cable used at sea.
43. Slang. a small quantity of cocaine arranged in the form of a slender thread or line, as for sniffing.
44. Also, ligne. a unit, 1/40 inch (0.635 millimeter), for measuring the diameter of buttons.
45. Angling. a length of nylon, silk, linen, cord, or the like, to which are attached the leader, hook, sinker, float, etc.
46. Football.
a. either of the two front rows of opposing players lined up opposite each other on the line of scrimmage: a four-man line.
b. line of scrimmage.
47. the betting odds established by bookmakers for events not covered by pari-mutuel betting, esp. sporting events, as football or basketball.
48. Ice Hockey. the two wings and center who make up a team's offensive unit.
49. Fencing. any of the four divisions of the portion of a fencer's body on which a touch can be scored, taken as an area of attack or defense.
50. Textiles. the longer and preferred flax or hemp fibers. Compare tow 2 (def. 2).
51. Fox Hunting. the trail of scent left by a fox.
52. a unit of length equivalent to 1/12 inch (2.12 millimeters).
53. Insurance.
a. a class or type of insurance: casualty line.
b. the amount of insurance written for a particular risk.
54. Australian Slang. a girl or woman.
–verb (used without object)
55. to take a position in a line; range (often fol. by up): to line up before the start of a parade.
56. Baseball.
a. to hit a line drive.
b. to line out.
–verb (used with object)
57. to bring into a line, or into line with others (often fol. by up): to line up troops.
58. to mark with a line or lines: to line paper for writing.
59. to sketch verbally or in writing; outline (often fol. by out): We followed the plan he had lined out.
60. to arrange a line along: to line a coast with colonies.
61. to form a line along: Rocks lined the drive.
62. to apply liner to (the eyes).
63. to delineate with or as if with lines; draw: to line the silhouette of a person's head.
64. Archaic. to measure or test with a line.
—Verb phrases
65. line out,
a. Baseball. to be put out by hitting a line drive caught on the fly by a player of the opposing team.
b. to execute or perform: He lined out a few songs upon request.
66. line up, to secure; make available: to line up support; to line up a speaker for the banquet.
—Idioms
67. bring, come, or get into line,
a. to become or cause to become straight, as in a row: The members of the marching band got into line.
b. to conform or cause to conform or agree: They were persuaded to come into line with the party's policy.
68. down the line,
a. in all ways; thoroughly; fully: It's a fine house right down the line—well-built, roomy, attractive.
b. in the future.
69. draw the line, to impose a restriction; limit: They might exaggerate but would draw the line at outright lying.
70. go up in one's lines, Theater. to forget one's part during a performance. Also, British, go up on one's lines.
71. hold the line, to maintain the status quo, esp. in order to forestall unfavorable developments: We're trying to hold the line on prices.
72. in line,
a. in alignment; straight.
b. in conformity or agreement.
c. in control (of one's conduct): to keep one's temper in line.
d. prepared; ready.
e. waiting one behind the other in a queue: There were eight people in line at the teller's window.
73. in line with, in agreement or conformity with: The action taken was in line with her decision.
74. in the line of duty, in the execution of the duties belonging to some occupation, esp. with regard to the responsibility for life and death: a policeman wounded in the line of duty. Also, in line of duty.
75. lay it on the line, Informal.
a. to give money; pay.
b. to give the required information; speak directly or frankly: I'm going to stop being polite and lay it on the line.
76. off line,
a. occurring or functioning away from an assembly line, work process, etc.
b. not in operation; not functioning.
77. on a line, Baseball. (of a batted or thrown ball) through the air in an approximately straight line from the point of impact or delivery: hit on a line between third and short; thrown in on a line from the center fielder.
78. on line,
a. on or part of an assembly line: Production will be improved when the new welding equipment is on line.
b. in or into operation: The manufacturing facilities will be on line before November.
c. Computers. actively linked to a computer: The printer is not yet on line.
d. Chiefly New York City. line 1 (def. 72e).
79. on the line, Informal.
a. being risked or put in jeopardy; in a vulnerable position: Our prestige and honor are on the line.
b. immediately; readily: paid cash on the line.
80. out of line,
a. not in a straight line.
b. in disagreement with what is accepted or practiced.
c. Informal. impertinent; presumptuous: That last remark was out of line.
81. read between the lines, to understand the unexpressed but implied meaning of something said or written: Her letter sounded cheerful enough, but I read a certain sadness between the lines.
82. toe the line or mark,
a. to conform strictly to a rule, command, etc.
b. to shoulder responsibilities; do one's duty: He tried hard to toe the line on the new job.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME li(g)ne cord, rope, stroke, series, guiding rule, partly < OF ligne ≪ L līnea, n. use of fem. of līneus flaxen (orig. applied to string), equiv to līn(um) flax (see line 2 ) + -eus -eous, partly continuing OE līne string, row, series < L, as above

Related forms:
lin⋅a⋅ble, line⋅a⋅ble, adjective
lineless, adjective
linelike, adjective
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line

2  [lahyn] verb, lined, lin⋅ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to cover the inner side or surface of: to line the coat with blue silk.
2. to serve to cover: Velvet draperies lined the walls of the room.
3. to furnish or fill: to line shelves with provisions.
4. to reinforce the back of a book with glued fabric, paper, vellum, etc.
–noun
5. a thickness of glue, as between two veneers in a sheet of plywood.
—Idiom
6. line one's pockets, to make much money, esp. in an illegal or questionable way.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME lynen, deriv. of line linen, flax, OE līn < L līnum flax

ban⋅ner

  [ban-er]
–noun
1. the flag of a country, army, troop, etc.
2. an ensign or the like bearing some device, motto, or slogan, as one carried in religious processions, political demonstrations, etc.
3. a flag formerly used as the standard of a sovereign, lord, or knight.
4. a sign painted on cloth and hung over a street, entrance, etc.: Banners at the intersection announced the tennis tournament.
5. anything regarded or displayed as a symbol of principles.
6. Heraldry. a square flag bearing heraldic devices.
7. Also called banner line, line, screamer, streamer. Journalism. a headline extending across the width of a newspaper page, usually across the top of the front page.
8. an open streamer with lettering, towed behind an airplane in flight, for advertising purposes.
–adjective
9. leading or foremost: a banner year for crops.
Origin:
1200–50; ME banere < OF baniere < LL bann(um) (var. of bandum standard < Gmc, cf. Goth bandwa sign; see band 1 ) + OF -iere < L -āria -ary

Related forms:
bannered, adjective
ban⋅ner⋅less, adjective
ban⋅ner⋅like, adjective

Synonyms:
9. notable, record, winning, red-letter, vintage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To line
line 1   (līn)   
n.  
  1. Mathematics A geometric figure formed by a point moving along a fixed direction and the reverse direction.
    1. A thin continuous mark, as that made by a pen, pencil, or brush applied to a surface.
    2. A similar mark cut or scratched into a surface.
    3. A crease in the skin, especially on the face; a wrinkle.
    4. A real or imaginary mark positioned in relation to fixed points of reference.
    5. A degree or circle of longitude or latitude drawn on a map or globe.
    6. The equator. Used with the.
    7. A border or boundary: the county line.
    8. A demarcation: a line of darker water beyond the reef.
    9. A contour or an outline: the line of the hills against the evening sky.
    10. A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour.
    11. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture.
    12. A cable, rope, string, cord, or wire.
    13. Nautical A rope used aboard a ship.
    14. A fishing line.
    15. A clothesline.
    16. A cord or tape used, as by builders or surveyors, for measuring, leveling, or straightening.
    17. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems.
    18. An open or functioning telephone connection: tried to get a free line.
    19. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
    20. A company owning or managing such a system.
    21. A railway track or system of tracks.
    22. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
    23. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    24. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    25. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    26. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    27. Range of competence: not in my line.
    28. Ancestry or lineage.
    29. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    30. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    31. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    32. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    33. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    34. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    35. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    36. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    37. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    38. A marriage certificate.
    39. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    40. A source of information.
    41. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    42. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    43. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    44. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    45. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    46. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    47. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    48. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    49. A bulwark or trench.
    50. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    51. A foul line.
    52. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    53. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    54. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    55. Football A line of scrimmage.
    56. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A real or imaginary mark positioned in relation to fixed points of reference.
    2. A degree or circle of longitude or latitude drawn on a map or globe.
    3. The equator. Used with the.
    4. A border or boundary: the county line.
    5. A demarcation: a line of darker water beyond the reef.
    6. A contour or an outline: the line of the hills against the evening sky.
    7. A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour.
    8. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture.
    9. A cable, rope, string, cord, or wire.
    10. Nautical A rope used aboard a ship.
    11. A fishing line.
    12. A clothesline.
    13. A cord or tape used, as by builders or surveyors, for measuring, leveling, or straightening.
    14. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems.
    15. An open or functioning telephone connection: tried to get a free line.
    16. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
    17. A company owning or managing such a system.
    18. A railway track or system of tracks.
    19. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
    20. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    21. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    22. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    23. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    24. Range of competence: not in my line.
    25. Ancestry or lineage.
    26. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    27. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    28. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    29. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    30. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    31. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    32. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    33. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    34. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    35. A marriage certificate.
    36. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    37. A source of information.
    38. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    39. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    40. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    41. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    42. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    43. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    44. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    45. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    46. A bulwark or trench.
    47. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    48. A foul line.
    49. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    50. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    51. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    52. Football A line of scrimmage.
    53. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A border or boundary: the county line.
    2. A demarcation: a line of darker water beyond the reef.
    3. A contour or an outline: the line of the hills against the evening sky.
    4. A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour.
    5. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture.
    6. A cable, rope, string, cord, or wire.
    7. Nautical A rope used aboard a ship.
    8. A fishing line.
    9. A clothesline.
    10. A cord or tape used, as by builders or surveyors, for measuring, leveling, or straightening.
    11. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems.
    12. An open or functioning telephone connection: tried to get a free line.
    13. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
    14. A company owning or managing such a system.
    15. A railway track or system of tracks.
    16. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
    17. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    18. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    19. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    20. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    21. Range of competence: not in my line.
    22. Ancestry or lineage.
    23. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    24. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    25. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    26. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    27. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    28. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    29. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    30. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    31. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    32. A marriage certificate.
    33. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    34. A source of information.
    35. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    36. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    37. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    38. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    39. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    40. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    41. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    42. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    43. A bulwark or trench.
    44. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    45. A foul line.
    46. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    47. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    48. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    49. Football A line of scrimmage.
    50. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour.
    2. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture.
    3. A cable, rope, string, cord, or wire.
    4. Nautical A rope used aboard a ship.
    5. A fishing line.
    6. A clothesline.
    7. A cord or tape used, as by builders or surveyors, for measuring, leveling, or straightening.
    8. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems.
    9. An open or functioning telephone connection: tried to get a free line.
    10. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
    11. A company owning or managing such a system.
    12. A railway track or system of tracks.
    13. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
    14. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    15. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    16. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    17. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    18. Range of competence: not in my line.
    19. Ancestry or lineage.
    20. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    21. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    22. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    23. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    24. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    25. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    26. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    27. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    28. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    29. A marriage certificate.
    30. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    31. A source of information.
    32. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    33. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    34. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    35. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    36. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    37. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    38. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    39. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    40. A bulwark or trench.
    41. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    42. A foul line.
    43. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    44. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    45. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    46. Football A line of scrimmage.
    47. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A cable, rope, string, cord, or wire.
    2. Nautical A rope used aboard a ship.
    3. A fishing line.
    4. A clothesline.
    5. A cord or tape used, as by builders or surveyors, for measuring, leveling, or straightening.
    6. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems.
    7. An open or functioning telephone connection: tried to get a free line.
    8. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
    9. A company owning or managing such a system.
    10. A railway track or system of tracks.
    11. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
    12. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    13. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    14. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    15. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    16. Range of competence: not in my line.
    17. Ancestry or lineage.
    18. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    19. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    20. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    21. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    22. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    23. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    24. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    25. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    26. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    27. A marriage certificate.
    28. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    29. A source of information.
    30. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    31. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    32. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    33. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    34. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    35. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    36. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    37. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    38. A bulwark or trench.
    39. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    40. A foul line.
    41. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    42. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    43. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    44. Football A line of scrimmage.
    45. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  7. A pipe or system of pipes for conveying a fluid: gas lines.
  8. An electric-power transmission cable.
    1. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems.
    2. An open or functioning telephone connection: tried to get a free line.
    3. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
    4. A company owning or managing such a system.
    5. A railway track or system of tracks.
    6. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
    7. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    8. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    9. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    10. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    11. Range of competence: not in my line.
    12. Ancestry or lineage.
    13. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    14. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    15. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    16. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    17. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    18. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    19. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    20. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    21. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    22. A marriage certificate.
    23. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    24. A source of information.
    25. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    26. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    27. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    28. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    29. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    30. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    31. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    32. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    33. A bulwark or trench.
    34. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    35. A foul line.
    36. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    37. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    38. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    39. Football A line of scrimmage.
    40. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
    2. A company owning or managing such a system.
    3. A railway track or system of tracks.
    4. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
    5. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    6. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    7. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    8. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    9. Range of competence: not in my line.
    10. Ancestry or lineage.
    11. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    12. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    13. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    14. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    15. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    16. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    17. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    18. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    19. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    20. A marriage certificate.
    21. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    22. A source of information.
    23. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    24. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    25. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    26. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    27. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    28. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    29. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    30. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    31. A bulwark or trench.
    32. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    33. A foul line.
    34. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    35. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    36. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    37. Football A line of scrimmage.
    38. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A railway track or system of tracks.
    2. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
    3. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    4. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    5. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    6. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    7. Range of competence: not in my line.
    8. Ancestry or lineage.
    9. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    10. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    11. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    12. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    13. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    14. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    15. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    16. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    17. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    18. A marriage certificate.
    19. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    20. A source of information.
    21. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    22. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    23. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    24. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    25. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    26. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    27. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    28. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    29. A bulwark or trench.
    30. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    31. A foul line.
    32. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    33. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    34. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    35. Football A line of scrimmage.
    36. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  12. A course of progress or movement; a route: a line of flight.
    1. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
    2. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
    3. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
    4. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    5. Range of competence: not in my line.
    6. Ancestry or lineage.
    7. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    8. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    9. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    10. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    11. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    12. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    13. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    14. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    15. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    16. A marriage certificate.
    17. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    18. A source of information.
    19. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    20. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    21. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    22. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    23. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    24. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    25. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    26. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    27. A bulwark or trench.
    28. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    29. A foul line.
    30. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    31. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    32. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    33. Football A line of scrimmage.
    34. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  14. A general concept or model. Often used in the plural: a trilogy along the lines of the Oresteia.
  15. A condition of agreement; alignment: brought the front wheels into line; a wage agreement in line with current inflation.
    1. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
    2. Range of competence: not in my line.
    3. Ancestry or lineage.
    4. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    5. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    6. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    7. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    8. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    9. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    10. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    11. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    12. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    13. A marriage certificate.
    14. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    15. A source of information.
    16. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    17. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    18. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    19. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    20. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    21. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    22. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    23. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    24. A bulwark or trench.
    25. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    26. A foul line.
    27. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    28. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    29. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    30. Football A line of scrimmage.
    31. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  17. Merchandise or services of a similar or related nature: carries a complete line of small tools.
  18. A group of persons or things arranged in a row or series: long lines at the box office; a line of stones.
    1. Ancestry or lineage.
    2. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
    3. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
    4. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    5. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    6. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    7. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    8. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    9. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    10. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    11. A marriage certificate.
    12. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    13. A source of information.
    14. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    15. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    16. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    17. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    18. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    19. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    20. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    21. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    22. A bulwark or trench.
    23. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    24. A foul line.
    25. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    26. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    27. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    28. Football A line of scrimmage.
    29. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
    2. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
    3. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
    4. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    5. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    6. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    7. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    8. A marriage certificate.
    9. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    10. A source of information.
    11. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    12. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    13. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    14. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    15. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    16. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    17. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    18. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    19. A bulwark or trench.
    20. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    21. A foul line.
    22. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    23. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    24. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    25. Football A line of scrimmage.
    26. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
    2. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
    3. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    4. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    5. A marriage certificate.
    6. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    7. A source of information.
    8. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    9. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    10. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    11. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    12. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    13. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    14. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    15. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    16. A bulwark or trench.
    17. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    18. A foul line.
    19. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    20. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    21. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    22. Football A line of scrimmage.
    23. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  22. A brief letter; a note: I'll drop you a line.
    1. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
    2. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
    3. A marriage certificate.
    4. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    5. A source of information.
    6. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    7. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    8. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    9. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    10. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    11. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    12. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    13. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    14. A bulwark or trench.
    15. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    16. A foul line.
    17. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    18. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    19. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    20. Football A line of scrimmage.
    21. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  24. Informal Glib or insincere talk, usually intended to deceive or impress: He kept on handing me a line about how busy he is.
  25. lines Chiefly British
    1. A marriage certificate.
    2. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
    3. A source of information.
    4. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    5. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    6. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    7. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    8. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    9. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    10. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    11. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    12. A bulwark or trench.
    13. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    14. A foul line.
    15. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    16. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    17. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    18. Football A line of scrimmage.
    19. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  26. Games A horizontal demarcation on a scorecard in bridge dividing the honor score from the trick score.
    1. A source of information.
    2. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
    3. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    4. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    5. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    6. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    7. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    8. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    9. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    10. A bulwark or trench.
    11. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    12. A foul line.
    13. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    14. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    15. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    16. Football A line of scrimmage.
    17. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
    2. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
    3. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    4. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    5. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    6. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    7. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    8. A bulwark or trench.
    9. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    10. A foul line.
    11. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    12. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    13. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    14. Football A line of scrimmage.
    15. Football The linemen considered as a group.
    1. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
    2. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
    3. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
    4. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
    5. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
    6. A bulwark or trench.
    7. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
    8. A foul line.
    9. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    10. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    11. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    12. Football A line of scrimmage.
    13. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  30. Sports
    1. A foul line.
    2. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
    3. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
    4. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
    5. Football A line of scrimmage.
    6. Football The linemen considered as a group.
  31. Informal The odds a bookmaker gives, especially for sports events.
  32. The proportion of an insurance risk assumed by a particular underwriter or company.
  33. Slang A small amount of cocaine arranged in a thin, usually tightly rolled strip for sniffing.
  34. Archaic One's lot or position in life.
v.   lined, lin·ing, lines

v.   tr.
  1. To mark, incise, or cover with a line or lines.
  2. To represent with lines.
  3. To place in a series or row.
  4. To form a bordering line along: Small stalls lined the alley.
  5. Baseball To hit (a ball) sharply so that it flies low and fast.
v.   intr. Baseball
To hit a line drive: lined out to shortstop.
Phrasal Verb(s):
line up
  1. To arrange in or form a line.
  2. Football To take one's position in a formation before a snap or kickoff.
  3. To organize and make ready: lined up considerable support for the bill.

Idiom(s):
all along the line
  1. In every place.
  2. At every stage or moment.

Idiom(s):
down the line
  1. All the way; throughout: Errors are to be found down the line.
  2. At a point or an end in the future.

Idiom(s):
in line forNext in order for: in line for the presidency.

Idiom(s):
on the line
  1. Ready or available for immediate payment.
  2. So as to be risked; in jeopardy: "Careers were on the line once again" (Seymour M. Hersh).

Idiom(s):
out of line
  1. Uncalled-for; improper.
  2. Unruly and out of control.

[Middle English, from Old English līne and from Old French ligne, both from Latin līnea, string, cord, from feminine of līneus, of linen, from līnum, thread, linen; see lno- in Indo-European roots.]
line 2   (līn)   
tr.v.   lined, lin·ing, lines
  1. To fit a covering to the inside surface of: a coat lined with fur.
  2. To cover the inner surface of: Moisture lined the walls of the cave.
  3. To fill plentifully, as with money or food.

[Middle English linen, from line, flax, linen cloth, from Old English līn, from Latin līnum; see lno- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Line

Line\ (l[imac]n), n. [OE. lin. See Linen.]

1. Flax; linen. [Obs.] "Garments made of line." --Spenser.

2. The longer and finer fiber of flax.

Line

Line\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lined (l[imac]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lining.] [See Line flax.]

1. To cover the inner surface of; as, to line a cloak with silk or fur; to line a box with paper or tin.

The inside lined with rich carnation silk. --W. Browne.

2. To put something in the inside of; to fill; to supply, as a purse with money.

The charge amounteth very high for any one man's purse, except lined beyond ordinary, to reach unto. --Carew.

Till coffee has her stomach lined. --Swift.

3. To place persons or things along the side of for security or defense; to strengthen by adding anything; to fortify; as, to line works with soldiers.

Line and new repair our towns of war With men of courage and with means defendant. --Shak.

4. To impregnate; -- applied to brute animals. --Creech.

Lined gold, gold foil having a lining of another metal.

Line

Line\, n. [OE. line, AS. l[=i]ne cable, hawser, prob. from L. linea a linen thread, string, line, fr. linum flax, thread, linen, cable; but the English word was influenced by F. ligne line, from the same L. word linea. See Linen.]

1. A linen thread or string; a slender, strong cord; also, a cord of any thickness; a rope; a hawser; as, a fishing line; a line for snaring birds; a clothesline; a towline.

Who so layeth lines for to latch fowls. --Piers Plowman.

2. A more or less threadlike mark of pen, pencil, or graver; any long mark; as, a chalk line.

3. The course followed by anything in motion; hence, a road or route; as, the arrow descended in a curved line; the place is remote from lines of travel.

4. Direction; as, the line of sight or vision.

5. A row of letters, words, etc., written or printed; esp., a row of words extending across a page or column.

6. A short letter; a note; as, a line from a friend.

7. (Poet.) A verse, or the words which form a certain number of feet, according to the measure.

In the preceding line Ulysses speaks of Nausicaa. --Broome.

8. Course of conduct, thought, occupation, or policy; method of argument; department of industry, trade, or intellectual activity.

He is uncommonly powerful in his own line, but it is not the line of a first-rate man. --Coleridge.

9. (Math.) That which has length, but not breadth or thickness.

10. The exterior limit of a figure, plat, or territory; boundary; contour; outline.

Eden stretched her line From Auran eastward to the royal towers Of great Seleucia. --Milton.

11. A threadlike crease marking the face or the hand; hence, characteristic mark.

Though on his brow were graven lines austere. --Byron.

He tipples palmistry, and dines On all her fortune-telling lines. --Cleveland.

12. Lineament; feature; figure. "The lines of my boy's face." --Shak.

13. A straight row; a continued series or rank; as, a line of houses, or of soldiers; a line of barriers.

Unite thy forces and attack their lines. --Dryden.

14. A series or succession of ancestors or descendants of a given person; a family or race; as, the ascending or descending line; the line of descent; the male line; a line of kings.

Of his lineage am I, and his offspring By very line, as of the stock real. --Chaucer.

15. A connected series of public conveyances, and hence, an established arrangement for forwarding merchandise, etc.; as, a line of stages; an express line.

16. (Geog.) (a) A circle of latitude or of longitude, as represented on a map. (b) The equator; -- usually called the line, or equinoctial line; as, to cross the line.

17. A long tape, or a narrow ribbon of steel, etc., marked with subdivisions, as feet and inches, for measuring; a tapeline.

18. (Script.) (a) A measuring line or cord.

He marketh it out with a line. --Is. xliv. 13. (b) That which was measured by a line, as a field or any piece of land set apart; hence, allotted place of abode.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. --Ps. xvi. 6. (c) Instruction; doctrine.

Their line is gone out through all the earth. --Ps. xix. 4.

19. (Mach.) The proper relative position or adjustment of parts, not as to design or proportion, but with reference to smooth working; as, the engine is in line or out of line.

20. The track and roadbed of a railway; railroad.

21. (Mil.) (a) A row of men who are abreast of one another, whether side by side or some distance apart; -- opposed to column. (b) The regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, guards, volunteer corps, cavalry, artillery, etc.

22. (Fort.) (a) A trench or rampart. (b) pl. Dispositions made to cover extended positions, and presenting a front in but one direction to an enemy.

23. pl. (Shipbuilding) Form of a vessel as shown by the outlines of vertical, horizontal, and oblique sections.

24. (Mus.) One of the straight horizontal and parallel prolonged strokes on and between which the notes are placed.

25. (Stock Exchange) A number of shares taken by a jobber.

26. (Trade) A series of various qualities and values of the same general class of articles; as, a full line of hosiery; a line of merinos, etc. --McElrath.

27. The wire connecting one telegraphic station with another, or the whole of a system of telegraph wires under one management and name.

28. pl. The reins with which a horse is guided by his driver. [U. S.]

29. A measure of length; one twelfth of an inch.

Hard lines, hard lot. --C. Kingsley. [See Def. 18.]

Line breeding (Stockbreeding), breeding by a certain family line of descent, especially in the selection of the dam or mother.

Line conch (Zo["o]l.), a spiral marine shell (Fasciolaria distans), of Florida and the West Indies. It is marked by narrow, dark, revolving lines.

Line engraving. (a) Engraving in which the effects are produced by lines of different width and closeness, cut with the burin upon copper or similar material; also, a plate so engraved. (b) A picture produced by printing from such an engraving.

Line of battle. (a) (Mil. Tactics) The position of troops drawn up in their usual order without any determined maneuver. (b) (Naval) The line or arrangement formed by vessels of war in an engagement.

Line of battle ship. See Ship of the line, below.

Line of beauty (Fine Arts),an abstract line supposed to be beautiful in itself and absolutely; -- differently represented by different authors, often as a kind of elongated S (like the one drawn by Hogarth).

Line of centers. (Mach.) (a) A line joining two centers, or fulcra, as of wheels or levers. (b) A line which determines a dead center. See Dead center, under Dead.

Line of dip (Geol.), a line in the plane of a stratum, or part of a stratum, perpendicular to its intersection with a horizontal plane; the line of greatest inclination of a stratum to the horizon.

Line of fire (Mil.), the direction of fire.

Line of force (Physics), any line in a space in which forces are acting, so drawn that at every point of the line its tangent is the direction of the resultant of all the forces. It cuts at right angles every equipotential surface which it meets. Specifically (Magnetism), a line in proximity to a magnet so drawn that any point in it is tangential with the direction of a short compass needle held at that point. --Faraday.

Line of life (Palmistry), a line on the inside of the hand, curving about the base of the thumb, supposed to indicate, by its form or position, the length of a person's life.

Line of lines. See Gunter's line.

Line of march. (Mil.) (a) Arrangement of troops for marching. (b) Course or direction taken by an army or body of troops in marching.

Line of operations, that portion of a theater of war which an army passes over in attaining its object. --H. W. Halleck.

Line of sight (Firearms), the line which passes through the front and rear sight, at any elevation, when they are sighted at an object.

Line tub (Naut.), a tub in which the line carried by a whaleboat is coiled.

Mason and Dixon's line , the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland, as run before the Revolution (1764-1767) by two English astronomers named Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon. In an extended sense, the line between the free and the slave States.

On the line, on a level with the eye of the spectator; -- said of a picture, as hung in an exhibition of pictures.

Right line, a straight line; the shortest line that can be drawn between two points.

Ship of the line, formerly, a ship of war large enough to have a place in the line of battle; a vessel superior to a frigate; usually, a seventy-four, or three-decker; -- called also line of battle ship. --Totten.

To cross the line, to cross the equator, as a vessel at sea.

To give a person line, to allow him more or less liberty until it is convenient to stop or check him, like a hooked fish that swims away with the line.

Water line (Shipbuilding), the outline of a horizontal section of a vessel, as when floating in the water. Line\ (l[imac]n), v. t. 1. To mark with a line or lines; to cover with lines; as, to line a copy book.

He had a healthy color in his cheeks, and his face, though lined, bore few traces of anxiety. --Dickens.

2. To represent by lines; to delineate; to portray. [R.] "Pictures fairest lined." --Shak.

3. To read or repeat line by line; as, to line out a hymn.

This custom of reading or lining, or, as it was frequently called, "deaconing" the hymn or psalm in the churches, was brought about partly from necessity. --N. D. Gould.

4. To form into a line; to align; as, to line troops.

To line bees, to track wild bees to their nest by following their line of flight.

To line up (Mach.), to put in alignment; to put in correct adjustment for smooth running. See 3d Line, 19.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : line
Spanish: cuerda, cordel, sedal,
German: die Leine,
Japanese: ひも
More Translations »

line

A set of points that have one dimension — length — but no width or height. (See coordinates.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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line  (n.)
from O.E. line "rope, row of letters," and from O.Fr. ligne, both from L. linea "linen thread, string, line," from phrase linea restis "linen cord," from fem. of lineus (adj.) "of linen," from linum "linen" (see linen). Oldest sense is "rope, cord, string;" extended 1382 to "a thread-like mark" (from sense "cord used by builders for making things level," 1340), also "track, course, direction." Sense of "things or people arranged in a straight line" is from 1557. That of "cord bearing hooks used in fishing" is from c.1300. Meaning "one's occupation, branch of business" is from 1638, probably from misunderstood KJV translation of 2 Cor. x.16, "And not to boast in another mans line of things made ready to our hand," where line translates Gk. kanon, lit. "measuring rod." Meaning "class of goods in stock" is from 1834. Meaning "telegraph wire" is from 1847 (later "telephone wire"), hence lineman (1858). Meaning "policy or set of policies of a political faction" is 1892, Amer.Eng., from notion of a procession of followers; this is the sense in party line. In British army, the Line (1802) is the regular, numbered troops, as distinguished from guards and auxiliaries. In the Navy (1704, e.g. ship of the line) it refers to the battle line. Lines "words of an actor's part" is from 1882. Lines of communication were originally transverse trenches in seigeworks. The baseball line-up (1889) is older than the police version (1907).

line  (v.)
"to cover the inner side of," c.1386, from O.E. lin "linen cloth" (see linen). Linen was frequently used in the Middle Ages as a second layer of material on the inner side of a garment.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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line

In technical analysis, a horizontal pattern on a price chart indicating a period during which supply and demand for a security are relatively equal. Technical analysts generally look for the price to break away from the line, at which time they are likely to take a position in the direction of the movement. See also making a line.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Main Entry: line
Pronunciation: 'lIn
Function: noun
1 : something (as a ridge, seam, mark, or streak) that is distinct, elongated, and narrow—see LINEA
2 : a strain produced and maintained especially by selective breeding or biological culture
3 : a narrow short synthetic tube (as of plastic) that is inserted approximately one inch into a vein (as of the arm) to provide temporary intravenous access for the administrationof fluid, medication, or nutrients
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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line (līn)
n.

  1. The path traced by a moving point.
  2. A thin continuous mark, as that made by a pen, pencil, or brush applied to a surface.
  3. A crease in the skin, especially on the face; a wrinkle.
  4. In anatomy, a long narrow mark, strip, or streak distinguished from adjacent tissue by color, texture, or elevation.
  5. A real or imaginary mark positioned in relation to fixed points of reference.
  6. A border, boundary, or demarcation.
  7. A contour or an outline.
  8. A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour.
  9. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture.
  10. A cable, rope, string, cord or wire.
  11. A general method, manner, or course of procedure.
  12. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor.
  13. An official or prescribed policy.
  14. Ancestry or lineage.
  15. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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line   (līn)  Pronunciation Key 
A geometric figure formed by a point moving in a fixed direction and in the reverse direction. The intersection of two planes is a line. ◇ The part of a line that lies between two points on the line is called a line segment.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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line
1. An electrical conductor. For distances larger than a breadbox, a single line may consist of two electrical conductors in twisted, parallel, or concentric arrangement used to transport one logical signal.
By extension, a (usually physical) medium such as an optical fibre which carries a signal.
(1995-09-29)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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line

In addition to the idioms beginning with line, also see all along (the line); along the lines of; blow it (one's lines); bottom line; chow down (line); down the line; draw a line; draw the line at; drop a line; end of the line; fall in line; feed someone a line; firing line; get a line on; go on (line); hard line; hold the line; hook, line, and sinker; hot line; in line; lay on the line; least resistance, line of; on line; out of line; party line; read between the lines; sign on the dotted line; somewhere along the line; step out of line; toe the line.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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