Load /(lōd)/

1. A burden; that which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; that which is borne or sustained; a weight; as, a heavy load.

   He might such a load To town with his ass carry.

2. The quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way; the contents of a cart, barrow, or vessel; that which will constitute a cargo; lading.
3. That which burdens, oppresses, or grieves the mind or spirits; as, a load of care.
4. A particular measure for certain articles, being as much as may be carried at one time by the conveyance commonly used for the article measured; as, a load of wood; a load of hay; specifically, five quarters.
5. The charge of a firearm; as, a load of powder.
6. Weight or violence of blows. [Obs.]
7. The work done by a steam engine or other prime mover when working. (Mach.)
8. The amount of work that a person, group, or machine is assigned to perform; as, the boss distributed the load evenly among his employees.
9. The device or devices that consume power from a power supply. (Elec.)
10. The weight or force that a structural support bears or is designed to bear; the object that creates that force. (Engineering)

imp. & p. p. Loaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Loading

1. To lay a load or burden on or in, as on a horse or in a cart; to charge with a load, as a gun; to furnish with a lading or cargo, as a ship; hence, to add weight to, so as to oppress or embarrass; to heap upon.

   I strive all in vain to load the cart.

   I have loaden me with many spoils.

   Those honors deep and broad, wherewith Your majesty loads our house.

2. To adulterate or drug; as, to load wine. [Cant]
3. To magnetize. [Obs.]