dock (redirected from loading docks)

dock, in botany: see buckwheat.

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dock

Any coarse weedy plant of the genus Rumex, in the buckwheat family, that has a long taproot and is sometimes used as a potherb. Most docks are native to Europe but naturalized throughout North America. Examples include curly dock (R. crispus) and bitter dock (R. obtusifolius). The early basal leaves of patience-dock (R. patientia) are sometimes used in salads. The common weed R. acetosa is known variously as dock, common sorrel, or garden sorrel. See also sorrel.

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dock

(1) To place into a cradle or base station. See docking station.

(2) (Dock) The launching pad for applications in the Mac OS X operating system. See Mac Dock.

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dock¹

1. a wharf or pier

2. a space between two wharves or piers for the mooring of ships

3. an area of water that can accommodate a ship and can be closed off to allow regulation of the water level

4. short for dry dock

5. short for scene dock

6. Chiefly US and Canadian a platform from which lorries, goods trains, etc., are loaded and unloaded

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dock²

1. the bony part of the tail of an animal, esp a dog or sheep

2. the part of an animal's tail left after the major part of it has been cut off

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dock³

an enclosed space in a court of law where the accused sits or stands during his trial

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dock⁴

1. any of various temperate weedy plants of the polygonaceous genus Rumex, having greenish or reddish flowers and typically broad leaves

2. any of several similar or related plants

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dock [däk]

(civil engineering)

The slip or waterway that is between two piers or cut into the land for the berthing of ships.

A basin or enclosure for reception of vessels, provided with means for controlling the water level.