wave-line

Definitions

noun The outline of a wave; specifically, in physics, the path of a wave of light, sound, etc., or the graphic representation of such a path.
noun Nautical, the general outline of the surface of sea-waves: specifically used attributively to note a method of ship-building devised by J. Scott Russell, in which the lines of the hull of a vessel are adapted scientifically to the lines of the waves, and are nearly or quite cycloidal.
noun One of the series of lines or furrows produced by the sea-waves upon a sandy beach.

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word wave-line.

Nor have we such faith in the ability of the Georgian Squire as to believe that he, from his own observation and acute reasoning on facts which he had noticed when a boy in school, would ever have given to the world the famous wave-line bow to be a pattern on which all nations should model their vessels.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 37, November, 1860 Various
Given a wave-line, the machine draws another wave-line a quarter of

Scientific American Supplement, No. 288, July 9, 1881 Various
The curves of her sloping neck were perfect and carried not a wave-line of grossness.

The Bishop of Cottontown A Story of the Southern Cotton Mills John Trotwood Moore
Beyond the wave-line, under a cover of foam, the jaded sea lay feebly palpitant like an old man asleep.

Angel Island Inez Haynes Gillmore 1921
The laird sat still, his arms upon his knees, his head a little lifted, his eyes crossing the Kelpie's Pool to the wave-line against the sky.

Foes Mary Johnston 1903
The wave-line, indeed, may be said not only to suggest movement, but also to describe its direction and force.

Line and Form (1900) Walter Crane 1880
The ship-builder adhering to the old model is out-sailed by one who builds on the mechanically-justified wave-line principle.

Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects Everyman's Library Herbert Spencer 1861