ˈbæləst n. & v. --n. 1
any heavy material placed in a
ship or
the car of a
balloon etc. to
secure stability. 2
coarse stone etc. used to
form the
bed of a
railway track or road. 3 Electr. any
device used to
stabilize the
current in a
circuit. 4
anything that affords stability or permanence. --v.tr. 1
provide with ballast. 2
afford stability or
weight to. [16th
c.: f. LG or Scand., of uncert. orig.]