2. The cubical content or burden of a vessel, or vessels, in tons; or,
the amount of weight which one or several vessels may carry. See Ton,
n. (b).
A fleet . . . with an aggregate tonnage of 60,000 seemed sufficient to
conquer the world.
Motley.
3. A duty or impost on vessels, estimated per ton, or, a duty, toll, or
rate payable on goods per ton transported on canals.
4. The whole amount of shipping estimated by tons; as, the tonnage of
the United States. See Ton.
There are in common use the following terms relating to tonnage: (a)
Displacement. (b) Register tonnage, gross and net. (c) Freight tonnage.
(d) Builders' measurement. (e) Yacht measurement. The first is mainly
used for war vessels, where the total weight is likely to be nearly
constant. The second is the most important, being that used for
commercial purposes. The third and fourth are different rules for
ascertaining the actual burden-carrying power of a vessel, and the
fifth is for the proper classification of pleasure craft. Gross tonnage
expresses the total cubical interior of a vessel; net tonnage, the
cubical space actually available for freight- carrying purposes. Rules
for ascertaining these measurements are established by law.
Tonne (?), n. A tun. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ton"ni*hood (?), n. (Zoöl.) The female of the bullfinch; — called also
tonyhoop. [Prov. Eng.]
Ton"nish (tn"nsh), a. In the ton; fashionable; modish. — Ton"nish*ness,
n.
To*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; a stretching, a tone + -meter.] 1.
(Physics.) An instrument for determining the rate of vibrations in
tones.
2. (Physiol.) (a) An apparatus for studying and registering the action
of various fluids and drugs on the excised heart of lower animals. (b)
An instrument for measuring tension, esp. that of the eyeball.
To*nom"e*try (?), n. The act of measuring with a tonometer;
specifically (Med.), measurement of tension, esp. the tension of the
eyeball.
Ton"o*phant (tn"*fant), n. [Gr. to`nos a tone + fai`nein to show.]
(Physics.) A modification of the kaleidophon, for showing composition
of acoustic vibrations. It consists of two thin slips of steel welded
together, their length being adjystable by a screw socket.
Ton"ous (?), a. Abounding in tone or sound.
Ton"quin bean` (t"kn bn). See Tonka bean.
Ton"sil (?), n. [L. tonsill&?;, pl.: cf. F. tonsille. ] (Anat.) One of
the two glandular organs situated in the throat at the sides of the
fauces. The tonsils are sometimes called the almonds, from their shape.
Ton"sil*ar (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the tonsils; tonsilitic.
[Written also tonsillar.]
Ton"sile (?), a. [L. tonsilis, fr. tondere, tonsum, to shear, clip. See
Tonsure. ] Capable of being clipped.