launch vehicle
A vehicle for transporting objects into space, usually a rocket.
Entries starting with L
303 entries.
launch window
The specific time period during which a rocket or spacecraft may be launched in order to achieve its mission.
launder
A trough used by miners to receive powdered ore from the box where it is beaten, or for carrying water to the stamps, or other apparatus for comminuting (sorting) the ore.
lautering
nounManufacturing
The step or process in brewing beer which separates the mash into clear liquid wort and grain.
lavatory
nounManufacturing
A vessel or fixture for washing
law
A mode of operation of the flight controls of a fly-by-wire aircraft.
lay
To place and arrange (pages) for a form upon the imposing stone.
layback
The process of recording the final sound onto the master track.
layout
A specification of an integrated circuit showing the position of the physical components that will implement the schematic in silicon.
layup
nounRail equipment
A track used to store train cars.
lazy daisy
A kind of chain stitch that can be used to form flower designs.
lazy Kate
In spinning, a device used to hold one or more spools or bobbins in place while the yarn on them is manipulated.
lazy-bed
a ridge of ground generally used for growing potatoes and sometimes also for raising corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with earth dug out of trenches along both sides
LC
Initialism of launch complex.
LCD
Initialism of liquid crystal display.
LCROSS
Initialism of Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite.
LCV
nounAutomotive
Initialism of light combat vehicle or light-weight combat vehicle
LDCM
Initialism of Landsat Data Continuity Mission, an enterprise for acquisition of satellite imagery of Earth, directed by NASA.
LDP
nounAutomotive
Initialism of limited driving privilege.
LDSD
Initialism of Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (a reentry vehicle designed to test techniques for atmospheric entry on Mars).
lead
The advance of the current phase in an alternating circuit beyond that of the electromotive force producing it.
lead out
To pad out (text) by inserting lead slugs between words.
lead-lag
In helicopters, the movement of main rotor blades in the plane of rotation due to the inward and outward shifting of their centres of gravity as they flap up and down.
leader
A piece of material at the beginning or end of a reel or roll to allow the material to be threaded or fed onto something, as a reel of film onto a projector or a roll of paper onto a rotary printing press.
leading edge
The frontmost edge of a wing or other airfoil of an aircraft; sometimes contains slots or slats.
leakage current
The current that flows through the grounding to earth.
leakguard
On a diaper or menstrual pad, a tight barrier around the legs, usually a gusset made from firm waterproof or stay-dry materials, that prevents liquid from leaking through; a leg cuff.
lean
Of a character which prevents the compositor from earning the usual wages; opposed to fat.
learner's permit
nounAutomotive
A restricted license that is given to a person who is learning to drive, but has not yet satisfied the requirement to obtain a driver's license.
LEC
Abbreviation of local exchange carrier.
ledeburite
nounMetallurgy
a mixture of 4.3% carbon in iron
ledge
nounManufacturing
A piece of timber to support the deck, placed athwartship between beams.
ledger
nounConstruction
A board attached to a wall to provide support for attaching other structural elements (such as deck joists or roof rafters) to a building.
left-hander
nounAutomotive
A bend or turn to the left; a left-hand corner.
leg
A branch circuit; one phase of a polyphase system.
legacy-free
adjectiveIndustrial electronics
Lacking certain older components such as a floppy disk drive, legacy ports, and ISA or other expansion bus.
lehr
A long oven or kiln, often having a moving belt, used for annealing glass.
LEM
Originally Lunar Excursion Module, latterly Lunar Module.
leno
A type of weave used to make light, open cotton fabric used for window curtains.
lens
An object, usually made of glass, that focuses or defocuses the light that passes through it.
leporello
Any printed material (book, leaflet etc.) having such folds; a concertina.
LES
Initialism of launch escape system.
let down
To lengthen by undoing and resewing a hem.
let through
To allow an amount of voltage to pass through to the attached equipment.
let-through
A transient voltage spike that is allowed to pass through a power conditioning unit to the load
letter
A single type; type, collectively; a style of type.
letter-quality printing
A printing method that produces solid letters that are as clear or clearer than those produced by a typewriter.
letterboard
A board on which matter in type is placed for storage or manipulation.
letterfounder
One who founds or casts letters or types.
letterpress
The printing process in which ink is applied to the top surface of a raised image area, which is then pressed against paper to transfer the image.
lettice cap
A high fashion cap worn in 16th-century England, typically made of white fur from the least weasel, or sometimes velvet.
LEV
nounAutomotive
Abbreviation of low-emissions vehicle.
level junction
nounRail equipment
An at-grade junction between two crossing railroad tracks.
level staff
nounSurveying
A graduated rod used by surveyors to measure differences in level.
level-triggered
adjectiveElectrical engineering
Describing a circuit or component whose output is sensitive to changes of the inputs only so long as the clock input's signal is high.
leveling
nounSurveying
The process of measuring levels to establish heights and altitudes.
levelling staff
nounSurveying
A graduated pole used in the process of establishing heights and altitudes.
lever
A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied;, used for transmitting and modifying force and motion.
lever frame
nounRail equipment
A frame in a signal box in which levers that operate signals and points are mounted.
ley
Arable land used temporarily for hay or grazing.