3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care. " A . . . load of guilt." Ray. " Our life's a load." Dryden.
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. [Obs.] Milton.
7. (Mach.)
Defn: The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working. Load line, or Load water line (Naut.), the line on the outside of a vessel indicating the depth to which it sinks in the water when loaded.
Syn.
— Burden; lading; weight; cargo. See Burden.
LOAD Load, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Loaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Loading. Loaden is obsolete, and laden belongs to lade.]
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. [Cant]