from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ladle \La"dle\, n. [AS. hl[ae]del, fr. hladan to load, drain.
See {Lade}, v. t.]
1. A cuplike spoon, often of large size, with a long handle,
used in lading or dipping.
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When the materials of glass have been kept long in
fusion, the mixture casts up the superfluous salt,
which the workmen take off with ladles. --Boyle.
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2. (Founding) A vessel to carry liquid metal from the furnace
to the mold.
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3. The float of a mill wheel; -- called also {ladle board}.
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4. (Gun.)
(a) An instrument for drawing the charge of a cannon.
(b) A ring, with a handle or handles fitted to it, for
carrying shot.
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{Ladle wood} (Bot.), the wood of a South African tree
({Cassine Colpoon}), used for carving.
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