sounding line

American  

noun

1. a line weighted with a lead or plummet sounding lead and bearing marks to show the length paid out, used for sounding, as at sea.

---

sounding line British  

noun

1. a line marked off to indicate its length and having a sounding lead at one end. It is dropped over the side of a vessel to determine the depth of the water

---

Etymology

Origin of sounding line

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

By his observations Franklin may be said to have converted the thermometer into a sounding line.

From COSMOS: A Sketch of the Physical Description of the Universe, Vol. 1 by Humboldt, Alexander von

The lieutenant wanted two men to keep it out in the current while he used the sounding line and recorded results.

From Overland by De Forest, J. W. (John William)

"First time I ever wished I was a Dutchman!" swore Joe Byng, coiling up his sounding line.

From Told in the East by Mundy, Talbot

The principal instruments used in navigation were the rudder, anchor, sounding line, cables, oars, sails, and masts.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels - Volume 18 Historical Sketch of the Progress of Discovery, Navigation, and Commerce, from the Earliest Records to the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century, By William Stevenson by Stevenson, William

Creature so heavenly fair, May any mortal genius dare, Or less than tongue divine, To praise in lofty, rare, and sounding line?

From The Exemplary Novels of Cervantes by Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de