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redline

or red-line

[ verb red-lahyn; noun red-lahyn ]
/ verb ˈrɛdˌlaɪn; noun ˈrɛdˈlaɪn /
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verb (used with object), red·lined, red·lin·ing.
verb (used without object), red·lined, red·lin·ing.
to engage in redlining.
noun
Automotive.
  1. the maximum rotational speed, or angular velocity, of the engine crankshaft that is considered safe: often measured in rpm.
  2. a red line or boundary of a red area that delineates such a value, as on a tachometer.
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Origin of redline

First recorded in 1940–45; red1 + line1

OTHER WORDS FROM redline

redliner, noun

Other definitions for redline (2 of 2)

red line

noun
Ice Hockey. a line of the color red that is parallel to and equidistant from the goal lines and divides the rink in half.
a limit, point, or boundary beyond which one may not go without incurring negative consequences: The use of chemical weapons is a red line, which, if crossed, could trigger military action.

Origin of red line

First recorded in 1960–65
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use redline in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for redline (1 of 2)

redline
/ (ˈrɛdˌlaɪn) /

verb (tr)
(esp of a bank or group of banks) to refuse a loan to (a person or country) because of the presumed risks involved
to restrict people's access to goods or services on the basis of the area in which they live

British Dictionary definitions for redline (2 of 2)

red line

noun
a point beyond which a person or group is not prepared to negotiate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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