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The basis or foundation of a thing; especially, a horizontal piece, as a timber, which forms the lower member of a frame, or supports a structure; as, the sills of a house, of a bridge, of a loom, and the like. Hence:

One of a pair of horizontal rails or timbers for supporting anything, as a boat, a barrel, etc.

Inclined from a direct line, whether horizontal or perpendicular; sloping; oblique. "The slant lightning." Milton.

An oblique direction; a line or direction including from a horizontal line or direction; also, sometimes, an inclination, as of one line or surface to another.

Inclining or inclined from the plane of the horizon, or from a horizontal or other right line; oblique; declivous; slanting. -- Slop"ing*ly, adv. The sloping land recedes into the clouds. Cowper.

snow blown into the air from a mountain peak, often having a pinkish color and extending horizontally for several miles across the sky.

osing right angle; or the space between the outer moldings of two contiguous arches and a horizontal line above them, or another arch above and inclosing them.

To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully.

Thou blessest the springing thereof. Ps. lxv. 10. Springing line of an arch (Arch.), the horizontal line drawn through the junction of the vertical face of the impost with the curve of the intrados; -- called also spring of an arch.

At right angles with the mast or the keel, and parallel to the horizon; -- said of the yards of a square-rigged vessel when they are so braced.

Having the sails extended upon yards suspended horizontally by the middle, as distinguished from fore-and-aft sails; thus, a ship and a brig are square-rigged vessels.

In a theodolite, etc., horizontal cross wires or hairs equidistant from the central horizontal cross wire.

A horizontal graduated bar mounted on a staff, used as a stadium, or telemeter, for measuring distances.

A horizontal bar on a stake, used for supporting the yarns which are kept apart by pins in the bar.

e deck instead of beneath it, with its vertical branch turned upward from that which lies horizontally.

The five horizontal and parallel lines on and between which musical notes are written or pointed; the staff. [Obs.] Stave jointer, a machine for dressing the edges of staves.

Making a large angle with the plane of the horizon; ascending or descending rapidly with respect to a horizontal line or a level; precipitous; as, a steep hill or mountain; a steep roof; a steep ascent; a steep declivity; a steep barometric gradient.

To project upward, or make an angle with the horizon or with the line of a vessel's keel; -- said of the bowsprit, etc.

A kind of ring, or bent piece of metal, wood, leather, or the like, horizontal in one part for receiving the foot of a rider, and attached by a strap to the saddle, -- used to assist a person in mounting a horse, and to enable him to sit steadily in riding, as well as to relieve him by supporting a part of the weight o…

An assemblage of upright stones with others placed horizontally on their tops, on Salisbury Plain, England, -- generally supposed to be the remains of an ancient Druidical temple.