The Collaborative International Dictionary
Bilge \Bilge\, n. [A different orthography of bulge, of same origin as belly. Cf. Belly, Bulge.]
The protuberant part of a cask, which is usually in the middle.
(Naut.) That part of a ship's hull or bottom which is broadest and most nearly flat, and on which she would rest if aground.
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Bilge water.
Bilge free (Naut.), stowed in such a way that the bilge is clear of everything; -- said of a cask.
Bilge pump, a pump to draw the bilge water from the gold of a ship.
Bilge water (Naut.), water which collects in the bilge or bottom of a ship or other vessel. It is often allowed to remain till it becomes very offensive.
Bilge ways, the timbers which support the cradle of a ship upon the ways, and which slide upon the launching ways in launching the vessel.
WordNet
n. water accumulated in the bilge of a ship [syn: bilge]
Usage examples of "bilge water".
I liked the odor of bilge water from old tankers, the odor of crude oil in barrels bound for distant places, the odor of oil on the water turned slimy and yellow and gold, the odor of rotting lumber and the refuse of the sea blackened by oil and tar, of decayed fruit, of little Japanese fishing sloops, of banana boats and old rope, of tugboats and scrap iron and the brooding mysterious smell of the sea at low tide.
Favorite bows were gripped and held well out of the water's reach, while oiled bags of arrows rolled sluggishly in the shallow bilge water of the skiff.
A cold and evil-smelling draught ascended, while with every roll of the lugger the bilge water sluiced and gurgled over the iron ballast.
Before this voyage was over, the smells of aged bilge water, human sweat and rancid cooking would be added to the bouquet.
Unfortunately it had rested in bilge water, as could only be expected, but there was just enough at the top unspoiled for the pie-crust.
The close air reeked with the odor of bilge water, dried whale oil and the sweat of the working robots.