Ballast

BAL'LAST, n.
1. Heavy matter, as stone, sand or iron, laid on the bottom of a ship or other vessel, to sink it in the water, to such a depth, as to enable it to carry sufficient sail, without oversetting.
Shingle ballast is ballast of coarse gravel.
2. Figuratively, that which is used to make a thing steady.
BAL'LAST, v.t. To place heavy substances on the bottom of a ship or vessel, to keep it from oversetting.
2. To keep any thing steady, by counterbalancing its force.

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