I. ˈbilj noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1.
a. : the point of largest circumference of a cask or barrel usually located at the middle
b. : the difference in width between the midsection of a barrel stave and the end
2.
a. : the part of the underwater body of a ship lying between the flat of the ship's bottom and the straight vertical topsides ; specifically : the point of greatest curvature
b. : the lowest point of a ship's inner hull adjacent to the keelson
3.
a. : bilge water
b. : stale, offensive, or worthless remarks or ideas
all his sanctimonious bilge — John Buchan
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to fracture or otherwise damage the bilge of (a ship) : stave in the bottom of
the boat was bilged by a snag — W.S.Campbell
2. slang : to require to resign (as from a naval academy) because of failure in studies
a couple of midshipmen got bilged
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to undergo a fracture or other damage in the bilge : spring a leak through damage to the bilge
the ship bilged when it struck the reef
b. : to rest on the bilge (as after running aground)
for three hours the ship lay bilging on the sand bar
2. slang : to fail in one's studies and resign under compulsion
he bilged out