line
1noun
- the outer form or proportions of a ship, building, etc.: a ship of fine lines.
- 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.
- a person's lot or portion: to endure the hard lines of poverty.
- Chiefly British. a certificate of marriage.
- a mark made by a pencil, brush, or the like, that defines the contour of a shape, forms hatching, etc.
- the edge of a shape.
- a telephone connection: Please hold the line.
- a wire circuit connecting two or more pieces of electric apparatus, especially the wire or wires connecting points or stations in a telegraph or telephone system, or the system itself.
- a defensive position or front.
- a series of fortifications: the Maginot line.
- Usually lines. a distribution of troops, sentries, etc., for the defense of a position or for an attack: behind the enemy's lines.
- the body of personnel constituting the combatant forces of an army, as distinguished from the supply services and staff corps.
- a pipe or hose: a steam line.
- a rope or cable used at sea.
- either of the two front rows of opposing players lined up opposite each other on the line of scrimmage: a four-man line.
- the line of scrimmage.
- a class or type of insurance: casualty line.
- the amount of insurance written for a particular risk.
verb (used without object), lined, lin·ing.
- to hit a line drive.
- to line out.
verb (used with object), lined, lin·ing.
Verb Phrases
- Baseball. to be put out by hitting a line drive caught on the fly by a player of the opposing team.
- to execute or perform: He lined out a few songs upon request.
Idioms for line
- to become or cause to become straight, as in a row: The members of the marching band got into line.
- to conform or cause to conform or agree: They were persuaded to come into line with the party's policy.
- in all ways; thoroughly; fully: It's a fine house right down the line—well-built, roomy, attractive.
- in the future.
- in alignment; straight.
- in conformity or agreement.
- in control (of one's conduct): to keep one's temper in line.
- prepared; ready.
- waiting one behind the other in a queue: There were eight people in line at the teller's window.
- to give money; pay.
- to give the required information; speak directly or frankly: I'm going to stop being polite and lay it on the line.
- occurring or functioning away from an assembly line, work process, etc.
- not in operation; not functioning.
- on or part of an assembly line: Production will be improved when the new welding equipment is on line.
- in or into operation: The manufacturing facilities will be on line before November.
- Computers. actively linked to a computer: The printer is not yet on line.
- Chiefly New York City. line1(def 73e).
- being risked or put in jeopardy; in a vulnerable position: Our prestige and honor are on the line.
- immediately; readily: paid cash on the line.
- not in a straight line.
- in disagreement with what is accepted or practiced.
- Informal. impertinent; presumptuous: That last remark was out of line.
- to conform strictly to a rule, command, etc.
- to shoulder responsibilities; do one's duty: He tried hard to toe the line on the new job.
Origin of line
1OTHER WORDS FROM line
lin·a·ble, line·a·ble, adjective line·less, adjective line·like, adjectiveWords nearby line
Definition for line (2 of 2)
verb (used with object), lined, lin·ing.
noun
Origin of line
2Example sentences from the Web for line
Last week I turned 40, a bittersweet occasion because I crossed the line to living longer without my mother than with her.
Is it any wonder that the interests of large corporations and unions get to the front of the line?
In the end, the line between magic and religion may be something of an artificial one.
Yet all too often the line between Southern and Confederate can get blurred.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern |Lloyd Green |January 2, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
These people put their lives on the line for the rest of us, too.
This line of exploration appeared preferable to the strong practical mind of Mr. Chambers, who had in view the quid pro quo.
Successful Exploration Through the Interior of Australia |William John WillsIt is profusely illustrated with half-tones and line engravings.
Sources of the Synoptic Gospels |Carl S. PattonThe line of Messrs. Featherstonhaugh and Mudge is even less in conformity to the terms of the treaty.
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents: Tyler |Compiled by James D. RichardsonAn Army man tackled me on their 25-yard line, after I had taken the ball down the field for nearly a touchdown.
Football Days |William H. EdwardsWhen the powers are not used along the line of their strength they become demoralized, weakened, deteriorated.
How to Succeed |Orison Swett Marden
British Dictionary definitions for line (1 of 2)
noun
- any straight one-dimensional geometrical element whose identity is determined by two points. A line segment lies between any two points on a line
- a set of points (x, y) that satisfies the equation y = mx + c, where m is the gradient and c is the intercept with the y -axis
- a white or coloured band indicating a boundary or division on a field, track, etc
- a mark or imaginary mark at which a race begins or ends
- See line of scrimmage
- the players arranged in a row on either side of the line of scrimmage at the start of each play
- the edge or contour of a shape, as in sculpture or architecture, or a mark on a painting, drawing, etc, defining or suggesting this
- the sum or type of such contours or marks, characteristic of a style or designthe line of a draughtsman; the line of a building
- a conducting wire, cable, or circuit for making connections between pieces of electrical apparatus, such as a cable for electric-power transmission, telecommunications, etc
- (as modifier)the line voltage
- a railway track, including the roadbed, sleepers, etc
- one of the rails of such a track
- any of the five horizontal marks that make up the staveCompare space (def. 10)
- the musical part or melody notated on one such set
- a discernible shape formed by sequences of notes or musical soundsa meandering melodic line
- (in polyphonic music) a set of staves that are held together with a bracket or brace
- the equator (esp in the phrase crossing the line)
- any circle or arc on the terrestrial or celestial sphere
- accounting denoting entries above a horizontal line on a profit and loss account, separating those that establish the profit or loss from those that show how the profit is distributed
- denoting revenue transactions rather than capital transactions in a nation's accounts
- marketing expenditure on media advertising through an agency, rather than internally arranged advertising, such as direct mail, free samples, etc
- bridge denoting bonus points, marked above the horizontal line on the score card
- accounting denoting entries below a horizontal line on a profit and loss account, separating those that establish the profit or loss from those that show how the profit is distributed
- denoting capital transactions rather than revenue transactions in a nation's accounts
- marketing denoting expenditure on advertising by other means than the traditional media, such as the provision of free gifts, special displays, direct mailshots, etc
- bridge denoting points scored towards game and rubber, marked below the horizontal line on the score card
- at every stage in a series
- in every detail
- to keep a telephone line open
- football to prevent the opponents from taking the ball forward
- (of soldiers) to keep formation, as when under fire
- to pay money
- to speak frankly and directly
- to risk (one's career, reputation, etc) on something
verb
Derived forms of line
linable or lineable, adjective lined, adjective linelike, adjective liny or liney, adjectiveWord Origin for line
British Dictionary definitions for line (2 of 2)
verb (tr)
Word Origin for line
Medical definitions for line
n.
Scientific definitions for line
Cultural definitions for line
Idioms and Phrases with line
In addition to the idioms beginning with line
- line of fire, in the
- line one's pockets
- line up
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