plimsoll

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun waterlines to show the level the water should reach when the ship is properly loaded
  2. noun a light gym shoe with a rubber sole and a canvas top

Etymology

From Samuel Plimsoll, a Bristol merchant who created a system of marks and symbols for the waterline of ships. The shoe was possibly named because the line of its sole resembled the Plimsoll line of ship.

In classic literature

Synonyms

load line, Plimsoll line, Plimsoll mark

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