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Load

1. To lay a load or burden on or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to charge with a load, as a gun; to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon. I strive all in vain to load the cart. (Gascoigne) I have loaden me with many spoils. (Shak) Those honors deep and broad, wherewith Your majesty loads our house. (Shak)

2. To adulterate or drug; as, to load wine.

3. To magnetize. Loaded dice, dice with one side made heavier than the others, so that the number on the opposite side will come up oftenest.

Origin: Loaded; loading. Loaden is obsolete, and laden belongs to lade.

1. A burden; that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load. He might such a load to town with his ass carry. (Gower)

2. The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading.

3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care. a . . . Load of guilt. . Our life's a load.

4. A particular measure for certain articles, being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a load of hay; specifically, five quarters.

5. The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder.

6. Weight or violence of blows.

7. (Science: machinery) The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working. Load line, or load water line, the line on the outside of a vessel indicating the depth to which it sinks in the water when loaded.

Synonym: burden, lading, weight, cargo. See burden.

Origin: oe. Lode load, way; properly the same word as lode, but confused with lade, load, v. See Lade, lead, lode.