Bilge

Quick meaning: Bilge is a noun meaning (nautical) The rounded portion of a ship's hull, forming a transition between the bottom and the sides.

Meaning

(nautical) The rounded portion of a ship's hull, forming a transition between the bottom and the sides.

More Meanings

1. (nautical) The lowest inner part of a ship's hull, where water accumulates.
2. (uncountable) The water accumulated in the bilge; bilge water.
3. The bulging part of a barrel or cask.
4. (nautical, intransitive) To spring a leak in the bilge.
5. (intransitive) To bulge or swell.
6. (nautical, transitive) To break open the bilge(s) of.
7. (slang, uncountable) Stupid talk or writing; nonsense.

Example Sentences

complete bilge

"The whole thing is the most absolute bilge and a disgrace to our legislature."

That they can, with a straight face, praise it as good scholarship calls into question whether they can any longer recognize even passable scholarship. More likely, however, they know bilge when they see it—but laud this particular bilge nonetheless because it furthers a common partisan interest.

Word Forms

• bilges
• bilging
• bilged

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include brig, sump, hatch, drainage, path, wedge.

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