n. [ D. ballast; akin to Dan. baglast, ballast, OSw. barlast, Sw. ballast. The first part is perh. the same word as E. bare, adj.; the second is last a burden, and hence the meaning a bare, or mere, load. See Bare, a., and Last load. ]
It [ piety ] is the right ballast of prosperity. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]
Ballast engine,
Ship in ballast,
v. t.
'T is charity must ballast the heart. Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Law) A toll paid for the privilege of taking up ballast in a port or harbor. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. That which is used for steadying anything; ballast. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. [ 1st pref. un- + ballast. ] To free from ballast; to discharge ballast from. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Not ballasted. [ Obs. & R. ] Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]
a.
Unballasted by any sufficient weight of plan. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]
(Naut.) Water confined in specially constructed compartments in a vessel's hold, to serve as ballast. [ 1913 Webster ]