measure by a sounding-line

  • 1Sounding line — A sounding line or lead line is a length of thin rope with a plummet, generally of lead, at its end. No matter what metal the plummet is made of, it s still referred to as the lead. In the recent past, depths were measured in fathoms, although… …

    Wikipedia

  • 2sounding line — noun a weighted line used to measure the depth of water under a boat …

    English new terms dictionary

  • 3Sounding — Sound Sound, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sounded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sounding}.] [F. sonder; cf. AS. sundgyrd a sounding rod, sundline a sounding line (see {Sound} a narrow passage of water).] 1. To measure the depth of; to fathom; especially, to… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4sounding — sound·ing || saÊŠndɪŋ n. measurement of water depth by means of a line and lead; measurements obtained by sounding with a lead and line; measurement of atmospheric conditions (Meteorology) adj. making a noise, producing a loud sound, resonant; …

    English contemporary dictionary

  • 5Echo sounding — pulses directed from the surface or from a submarine vertically down to measure the distance to the bottom by means of sound waves. HistoryAfter the disaster of the Titanic in 1912, the German physicist Alexander Behm conducted some research to… …

    Wikipedia

  • 6Depth sounding — refers to a historical nautical term for measuring depth; it is often referred to simply as sounding. Sounding is finding the depth of a given point in a body of water. Sounding data is used in bathymetry to make maps of the floor of a body of… …

    Wikipedia

  • 7Fathom — Fath om, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fathomed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Fathoming}.] 1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.] Purchas. [1913 Webster] 2. To measure by a sounding line;… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 8Fathomed — Fathom Fath om, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fathomed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Fathoming}.] 1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.] Purchas. [1913 Webster] 2. To measure by a sounding line;… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 9Fathoming — Fathom Fath om, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fathomed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Fathoming}.] 1. To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span. [Obs.] Purchas. [1913 Webster] 2. To measure by a sounding line;… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 10fathom — I. noun Etymology: Middle English fadme, from Old English fæthm outstretched arms, length of the outstretched arms; akin to Old Norse fathmr fathom, Latin patēre to be open, pandere to spread out, Greek petannynai Date: before 12th century 1. a… …

    New Collegiate Dictionary