Definition of line

• n. - Flax; linen.
• n. - The longer and finer fiber of flax.
• v. t. - To cover the inner surface of; as, to line a cloak with silk or fur; to line a box with paper or tin.
• v. t. - To put something in the inside of; to fill; to supply, as a purse with money.
• v. t. - To place persons or things along the side of for security or defense; to strengthen by adding anything; to fortify; as, to line works with soldiers.
• v. t. - To impregnate; -- applied to brute animals.
• n. - A linen thread or string; a slender, strong cord; also, a cord of any thickness; a rope; a hawser; as, a fishing line; a line for snaring birds; a clothesline; a towline.
• n. - A more or less threadlike mark of pen, pencil, or graver; any long mark; as, a chalk line.
• n. - The course followed by anything in motion; hence, a road or route; as, the arrow descended in a curved line; the place is remote from lines of travel.
• n. - Direction; as, the line of sight or vision.
• n. - A row of letters, words, etc., written or printed; esp., a row of words extending across a page or column.
• n. - A short letter; a note; as, a line from a friend.
• n. - A verse, or the words which form a certain number of feet, according to the measure.
• n. - Course of conduct, thought, occupation, or policy; method of argument; department of industry, trade, or intellectual activity.
• n. - That which has length, but not breadth or thickness.
• n. - The exterior limit of a figure, plat, or territory; boundary; contour; outline.
• n. - A threadlike crease marking the face or the hand; hence, characteristic mark.
• n. - Lineament; feature; figure.
• n. - A straight row; a continued series or rank; as, a line of houses, or of soldiers; a line of barriers.
• n. - A series or succession of ancestors or descendants of a given person; a family or race; as, the ascending or descending line; the line of descent; the male line; a line of kings.
• n. - A connected series of public conveyances, and hence, an established arrangement for forwarding merchandise, etc.; as, a line of stages; an express line.
• n. - A circle of latitude or of longitude, as represented on a map.
• n. - The equator; -- usually called the line, or equinoctial line; as, to cross the line.
• n. - A long tape, or a narrow ribbon of steel, etc., marked with subdivisions, as feet and inches, for measuring; a tapeline.
• n. - A measuring line or cord.
• n. - That which was measured by a line, as a field or any piece of land set apart; hence, allotted place of abode.
• n. - Instruction; doctrine.
• n. - The proper relative position or adjustment of parts, not as to design or proportion, but with reference to smooth working; as, the engine is in line or out of line.
• n. - The track and roadbed of a railway; railroad.
• n. - A row of men who are abreast of one another, whether side by side or some distance apart; -- opposed to column.
• n. - The regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, guards, volunteer corps, cavalry, artillery, etc.
• n. - A trench or rampart.
• n. - Dispositions made to cover extended positions, and presenting a front in but one direction to an enemy.
• n. - Form of a vessel as shown by the outlines of vertical, horizontal, and oblique sections.
• n. - One of the straight horizontal and parallel prolonged strokes on and between which the notes are placed.
• n. - A number of shares taken by a jobber.
• n. - A series of various qualities and values of the same general class of articles; as, a full line of hosiery; a line of merinos, etc.
• n. - The wire connecting one telegraphic station with another, or the whole of a system of telegraph wires under one management and name.
• n. - The reins with which a horse is guided by his driver.
• n. - A measure of length; one twelfth of an inch.
• v. t. - To mark with a line or lines; to cover with lines; as, to line a copy book.
• v. t. - To represent by lines; to delineate; to portray.
• v. t. - To read or repeat line by line; as, to line out a hymn.
• v. t. - To form into a line; to align; as, to line troops.