slab line

Noun

slab line (plural slab lines)

1. A line or small rope by which sailors haul up the foot of the mainsail or foresail.
   • when Kings are hailing up their topgallants , Subjects lay hold on their slablines1713, Nathaniel Ward, The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America
   • Take the end up under and before the quarter of the main yard abaft the sail, reeve it through the quarter slab-line block on the jack-stay, then carry the end out to the slab-line block, which is seized on the jack-stay where the leech-line block is made fast, reeve it from in out, and bend it on...1868, The seaman's catechismn and instructor in gunnery, etc, page 134
2. The line on a pair of lenses that indicates where a slab-off prism has been applied.
   • Although Fresnel prism may be used for full-time wear, if successfully worn, it is possible to replace it by ordering slab-off prism with the slab line oriented vertically.2023, Clifford W. Brooks, Although Fresnel prism may be used for full-time wear, if successfully worn, it is possible to replace it by ordering slab-off prism with the slab line oriented vertically....
3. (Texas, slang) An informal car club for customized slabs (luxury pre-1980 General Motors vehicles)
   • A single slab line is comprised of cars that share a paint color and originate from the same area of Houston , and they congregate at social events, such as block parties or car shows. Slab lines proceed into an event in a straight line.2016, Langston Collin Wilkins, “Officially Ridin' Swangas: Slab as tangible and intangible cultural heritage in Houston, Texas”, in Michelle L. Stefano, Peter Davis, editor, The Routledge Companion...
4. A central conductor surrounded by two planar ground slabs.
   • As most of air-dielectric lines the shielded slab line is particularly recommended for operation at high peak and average powers.2008, Stanislaw Rosloniec, Fundamental Numerical Methods for Electrical Engineering, page 258
   • The line continues through the side wall of the waveguide where it transitions to an air-dielectric stripline consisting of cavity 2 with a metallic slab line.2013, Bert Henderson , Edmar Camargo, Microwave Mixer Technology and Applications, page 361
5. A climbing route that is characterized by a relatively low-angle rock face or slab that lacks significant vertical features such as large holds or overhangs.
   • What a Difference a Day Makes ( E5 6a Steve Howe and Iwan Jones ) takes a groove and slab line to the left while , Lasagne Verdi ( E5 6b-Pritchard and Dixon) takes a left to right diagonal across the crag.1987, Mountain, page 11
   • Serious slab line right of S-Direct.2012, Stewart M. Green, Rock Climbing Utah, page 460