Part 746

Loach (lch), n. [OE. loche, F. loche.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several small, fresh-water, cyprinoid fishes of the genera Cobitis, Nemachilus, and allied genera, having six or more barbules around the mouth. They are found in Europe and Asia. The common European species (N. barbatulus) is used as a food fish.

Load (?), n. [OE. lode load, way; properly the same word as lode, but confused with lade, load, v. See Lade, Lead, v., Lode.] 1. A burden; that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load.

He might such a load To town with his ass carry.

Gower.

2. The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading.

3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care. " A . . . load of guilt." Ray. " Our life's a load." Dryden.

4. A particular measure for certain articles, being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a load of hay; specifically, five quarters.

5. The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder.

6. Weight or violence of blows. [Obs.] Milton.

7. (Mach.) The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working.

Load line, or Load water line (Naut.), the line on the outside of a vessel indicating the depth to which it sinks in the water when loaded.

Syn. -- Burden; lading; weight; cargo. See Burden.

Load, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Loaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Loading. Loaden is obsolete, and laden belongs to lade.] 1. To lay a load or burden on or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to charge with a load, as a gun; to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon.

I strive all in vain to load the cart.

Gascoigne.

I have loaden me with many spoils.

Shak.

Those honors deep and broad, wherewith Your majesty loads our house.

Shak.

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2. To adulterate or drug; as, to load wine.

3. To magnetize.[Obs.] Prior.

Loaded dice, dice with one side made heavier than the others, so that the number on the opposite side will come up oftenest.

Load"er (?), n. One who, or that which, loads; a mechanical contrivance for loading, as a gun.

Load"ing, n. 1. The act of putting a load on or into.

2. A load; cargo; burden. Shak.

{ Load"man*age, Lode"man*age (?) }, n. Pilotage; skill of a pilot or loadsman. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ Loads"man, Lodes"man (?) }, n. [Load, lode + man. See Lode.] A pilot. [Obs.] Chaucer.