Plimsoll mark

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. load-line mark.

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Etymology

Origin of Plimsoll mark

1880–85; named after Samuel Plimsoll (1824–98), English member of Parliament who brought about its adoption

Example Sentences

A few were laden to the Plimsoll mark with cryolite from Greenland, fluorspar from Newfoundland, pitch and coke from the U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

With his bicycle laden considerably above the Plimsoll mark, he pedalled wearily homewards.

From If Winter Don't A B C D E F Notsomuchinson by Pain, Barry

There was no Plimsoll mark in those days, and this cockle-shell of a vessel was literally loaded down to the scuppers.

From The Shellback's Progress In the Nineteenth Century by Runciman, Walter

A glance told us that her sea-worthiness was questionable and that her over-burdening cargo pressed her Plimsoll mark close to the water line.

From The Portal of Dreams by Buck, Charles Neville

So the clever man heightens the Plimsoll mark, adds a million or so to shipowners’ capital by dipping his pen in the ink, and gives Jack more jam.

From The Sea and the Jungle by Tomlinson, H. M. (Henry Major)