load

views updated Jun 11 2018

load / lōd/ • n. 1. a heavy or bulky thing that is being carried or is about to be carried: in addition to their own food, they must carry a load of up to eighty pounds. ∎  the total number or amount that can be carried in something, esp. a vehicle of a specified type: a tractor-trailer load of new appliances. ∎  the material carried along by a stream, glacier, ocean current, etc. ∎  an amount of items washed or to be washed in a washing machine or dishwasher at one time: I do at least six loads of washing a week.2. a weight or source of pressure borne by someone or something: the increased load on the heart caused by a raised arterial pressure the arch has hollow spandrels to lighten the load on the foundations. ∎  the amount of work to be done by a person or machine: Arthur has a light teaching load. ∎  a burden of responsibility, worry, or grief: consumers will find it difficult to service their heavy load of debt.3. (a load of) inf. a lot of (often used to express one's disapproval or dislike of something): she was talking a load of garbage. ∎  (a load/loads) inf. plenty: she spends loads of money on clothes there's loads to see here, even when it rains.4. the amount of power supplied by a source; the resistance of moving parts to be overcome by a motor. ∎  the amount of electricity supplied by a generating system at any given time. ∎  Electr. an impedance or circuit that receives or develops the output of a transistor or other device.5. vulgar slang semen.• v. [tr.] 1. put a load or large amount of something on or in (a vehicle, ship, container, etc.): they load up their dugout canoes. ∎  (often be loaded) place (a load or large quantity of something) on or in a vehicle, ship, container, etc.: stolen property from a burglary was loaded into a taxi. ∎  [intr.] (of a ship or vehicle) take on a load: when we came to the quay the ship was still loading.2. make (someone or something) carry or hold a large or excessive amount of heavy things: Elaine was loaded down with bags full of shopping. ∎  (load someone/something with) fig. supply someone or something in overwhelming abundance or to excess with: the King and Queen loaded Columbus with wealth and honors. ∎  (load someone with) fig. burden someone with (worries, responsibilities, etc.). ∎  (usu. be loaded) bias toward a particular outcome: the odds were loaded against them before the match.3. insert (something) into a device so that it will operate: load the cassette into the camcorder. ∎  insert something into (a device) so that it can be operated. ∎  charge (a firearm) with ammunition. ∎  Comput. transfer (a program or data) into memory, or into the central processor from storage. ∎  Comput. transfer programs into (a computer memory or processor).4. add an extra charge to (an insurance premium) in the case of a poorer risk.PHRASES: get a load of inf. used to draw attention to someone or something: get a load of what we've just done.get (or have) a load on inf. become drunk.load the bases Baseball (of the team at bat) fill all three bases with runners; (of a pitcher) allow all three bases to be occupied by runners.load the dice against/in favor of someone put someone at a disadvantage or advantage.take a (or the) load off one's feet sit or lie down.take a load off someone's mind bring someone relief from anxiety.PHRASAL VERBS: load up on consume a substantial amount of (food or beverage): we were loading up on beer and raw oysters.

load

views updated May 18 2018

load †carriage OE.; burden XIII; transf. and fig. XVI. OE. lād way, journey, conveyance = OHG. leita course, leading, procession (G. leite), ON. leið way, course :- Gmc. *laiðō, whence *laiðjan LEAD2. The development of meaning has been infl. by assoc. with LADE.
Hence vb. XV.

Load

views updated Jun 27 2018

Load

a great amount; quantity. See also burden, charge.

Examples: load of public abhorrence, 1855; of care, 1791; of drunksLipton, 1970; of guilt; of sorrow, 1799; of troubles; of waters, 1698; of woes, 1593.

load

views updated May 29 2018

load The total amount of material carried by a stream or river, or the mass of rock overlying a geologic structure.

load

views updated May 08 2018

load Total amount of material carried by a stream or river, or the mass of rock overlying a geologic structure.

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