line
Pronunciation: (līn), [key] — n., v., lined, lin•ing.
—n. - a mark or stroke long in proportion to its breadth, made with a pen, pencil, tool, etc., on a surface: a line down the middle of the page.
- a continuous extent of length, straight or curved, without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point.
- something arranged along a line, esp. a straight line; a row or series: a line of trees.
- a number of persons standing one behind the other and waiting their turns at or for something; queue.
- something resembling a traced line, as a band of color, a seam, or a furrow: lines of stratification in rock.
- a furrow or wrinkle on the face, neck, etc.: lines around the eyes.
- an indication of demarcation; boundary; limit: the county line; a fine line between right and wrong.
- a row of written or printed letters, words, etc.: a page of 30 lines.
- a verse of poetry: A line in iambic pentameter contains five feet.
- Usually,the words of an actor's part in a drama, musical comedy, etc.: to rehearse one's lines.
- a short written message: Drop me a line when you're on vacation.
- a system of public conveyances, as buses or trains, plying regularly over a fixed route: the northbound line at State Street.
- a transportation or conveyance company: a steamship line.
- a course of direction; route: the line of march down Main Street.
- a course of action, procedure, thought, policy, etc.: That newspaper follows the communist line.
- a piece of pertinent or useful information (usually fol. by on): I've got a line on a good used car.
- a series of generations of persons, animals, or plants descended from a common ancestor: a line of kings.
- a department of activity; occupation or business: What line are you in?
- a mode of conversation, esp. one that is glib or exaggerated in order to impress or influence another person: He really handed her a line about his rich relatives.
- a straight line drawn from an observed object to the fovea of the eye.
- a ship of fine lines.
- the outer form or proportions of a ship, building, etc.:a ship of fine lines.
- a general form, as of an event or something that is made, which may be the basis of comparison, imitation, etc.:two books written along the same lines.
- a person's lot or portion:to endure the hard lines of poverty.
- Chiefly Brit.a certificate of marriage.
- a circle of the terrestrial or celestial sphere: the equinoctial line.
- banner (def. 7).
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- a mark made by a pencil, brush, or the like, that defines the contour of a shape, forms hatching, etc.
- the edge of a shape.
- one scanning line.
- Please hold the line.
- a telephone connection:Please hold the line.
- a wire circuit connecting two or more pieces of electric apparatus, esp. the wire or wires connecting points or stations in a telegraph or telephone system, or the system itself.
- the equator.
- a stock of commercial goods of the same general class but having a range of styles, sizes, prices, or quality: the company's line of shoes.
- an assembly line.
- a limit defining one estate from another; the outline or boundary of a piece of real estate.
- a line on a score sheet that separates points scored toward gamefrom points scored by setting a contract, having honors, etc.
- any of the straight, horizontal, parallel strokes of the staff, or one placed above or below the staff.
- the Maginot line.
- a defensive position or front.
- a series of fortifications:the Maginot line.
- Usually,lines.a distribution of troops, sentries, etc., for the defense of a position or for an attack:behind the enemy's lines.
- the body of personnel constituting the combatant forces of an army, as distinguished from the supply services and staff corps.
- an arrangement of troops of an army or of ships of a fleet as drawn up for battle: line of battle.
- a body or formation of troops or ships drawn up abreast (distinguished from column).
- the class of officers serving with combatant units or warships.
- the regular forces of an army or navy.
- that part of an administrative organization consisting of persons actively engaged on a given project. Cf. staff (def. 4).
- a thread, string, cord, rope, or the like.
- a clothesline: the wash hanging on the line.
- a cord, wire, or the like, used for measuring or as a guide.
- a steam line.
- a pipe or hose:a steam line.
- a rope or cable used at sea.
- a small quantity of cocaine arranged in the form of a slender thread or line, as for sniffing.
- a unit, inch (0.635 millimeter), for measuring the diameter of buttons.
- a length of nylon, silk, linen, cord, or the like, to which are attached the leader, hook, sinker, float, etc.
- a four-man line.
- either of the two front rows of opposing players lined up opposite each other on the line of scrimmage:a four-man line.
- Seeline of scrimmage.
- the betting odds established by bookmakers for events not covered by pari-mutuel betting, esp. sporting events, as football or basketball.
- the two wings and center who make up a team's offensive unit.
- any of the four divisions of the portion of a fencer's body on which a touch can be scored, taken as an area of attack or defense.
- the longer and preferred flax or hemp fibers. Cf. tow (def. 2).
- the trail of scent left by a fox.
- a unit of length equivalent to inch (2.12 millimeters).
- casualty line.
- a class or type of insurance:casualty line.
- the amount of insurance written for a particular risk.
- a girl or woman.
- The members of the marching band got into line.
- to become or cause to become straight, as in a row:The members of the marching band got into line.
- to conform or cause to conform or agree:They were persuaded to come into line with the party's policy.
- It's a fine house right down the line—well-built, roomy, attractive.
- in all ways; thoroughly; fully:It's a fine house right down the line—well-built, roomy, attractive.
- in the future.
- to impose a restriction; limit: They might exaggerate but would draw the line at outright lying.
- Theat. to forget one's part during a performance.
- to maintain the status quo, esp. in order to forestall unfavorable developments: We're trying to hold the line on prices.
- to keep one's temper in line.
- in alignment; straight.
- in conformity or agreement.
- in control (of one's conduct):to keep one's temper in line.
- prepared; ready.
- waiting one behind the other in a queue:There were eight people in line at the teller's window.
- in agreement or conformity with: The action taken was in line with her decision.
- in the execution of the duties belonging to some occupation, esp. with regard to the responsibility for life and death: a policeman wounded in the line of duty.
- I'm going to stop being polite and lay it on the line.
- to give money; pay.
- to give the required information; speak directly or frankly:I'm going to stop being polite and lay it on the line.
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- occurring or functioning away from an assembly line, work process, etc.
- not in operation; not functioning.
- (of a batted or thrown ball) through the air in an approximately straight line from the point of impact or delivery: hit on a line between third and short; thrown in on a line from the center fielder.
- Production will be improved when the new welding equipment is on line.
- on or part of an assembly line:Production will be improved when the new welding equipment is on line.
- in or into operation:The manufacturing facilities will be on line before November.
- Computers.actively linked to a computer:The printer is not yet on line.
- Chiefly New York City.Seeline1 (def. 60e).
- Our prestige and honor are on the line.
- being risked or put in jeopardy; in a vulnerable position:Our prestige and honor are on the line.
- immediately; readily:paid cash on the line.
- That last remark was out of line.
- not in a straight line.
- in disagreement with what is accepted or practiced.
- Informal.impertinent; presumptuous:That last remark was out of line.
- to understand the unexpressed but implied meaning of something said or written: Her letter sounded cheerful enough, but I read a certain sadness between the lines.
- He tried hard to toe the line on the new job.
- to conform strictly to a rule, command, etc.
- to shoulder responsibilities; do one's duty:He tried hard to toe the line on the new job.
—v.i. - to take a position in a line; range (often fol. by up): to line up before the start of a parade.
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- to hit a line drive.
- to line out.
—v.t. - to bring into a line, or into line with others (often fol. by up): to line up troops.
- to mark with a line or lines: to line paper for writing.
- to sketch verbally or in writing; outline (often fol. by out): We followed the plan he had lined out.
- to arrange a line along: to line a coast with colonies.
- to form a line along: Rocks lined the drive.
- to apply liner to (the eyes).
- to delineate with or as if with lines; draw: to line the silhouette of a person's head.
- to measure or test with a line.
- He lined out a few songs upon request.
- Baseball.to be put out by hitting a line drive caught on the fly by a player of the opposing team.
- to execute or perform:He lined out a few songs upon request.
- to secure; make available: to line up support; to line up a speaker for the banquet.
line
Pronunciation: (līn), [key] — v., n. lined, lin•ing,
—v.t. - to cover the inner side or surface of: to line the coat with blue silk.
- to serve to cover: Velvet draperies lined the walls of the room.
- to furnish or fill: to line shelves with provisions.
- to reinforce the back of a book with glued fabric, paper, vellum, etc.
- to make much money, esp. in an illegal or questionable way.
—n. - a thickness of glue, as between two veneers in a sheet of plywood.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.