A pale rose-colored variety of the ruby spinel; SYN. balas ruby.

ETYM Dutch ballast; akin to Dan. baglast, ballast, OSw. barlast, Swed. ballast. The first part is perh. the same word as Eng.
1. Weighted material carefully placed toward the bottom of a craft's hull to stabilize a ship or airship.
2. Crushed gravel placed under railroad tracks.
3. (Casual) Dense, hearty food.
An electrical device used in fluorescent and HID fixtures. It furnishes the necessary starting and operating characteristics to the lamp for proper performance.

1. A mass of timbers built into the bow and stern of a vessel to give solidity.
2. Dead trees or branches; useless material.
3. Unproductive workers. dead wood