Bottom

A ship’s bottom is that part which is used for freight or stowage.

Goods imported in British bottoms are those which come in our own vessels.

Goods imported in foreign bottoms are those which come in foreign ships.

A full bottom is where the lower half of the hull is so disposed as to allow large stowage.

A sharp bottom is when a ship is capable of speed.

At bottom. Radically, fundamentally: as, the young prodigal lived a riotous life, but was good at bottom, or below the surface.

At the bottom. At the base or root.

“Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.”

—Ruskin: True and Beautiful, p. 426.

From the bottom of my heart. Without reservation. (Imo corde.)

“If one of the parties … be content to forgive from the bottom of his heart all that the other hath trespassed against him.”—Common Prayer Book.

He was at the bottom of it. He really instigated it, or prompted it.

Never venture all in one bottom—i.e. one ship. “Do not put all your eggs into one basket.”

“My ventures are not in one bottom trusted.”—Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice, i. 1.

To have no bottom. To be unfathomable.

To get to the bottom of the matter. To ascertain the entire truth; to bolt a matter to its bran.

To stand on one’s own bottom. To be independent. “Every tub must stand on its own bottom.”

To touch bottom. To reach the lowest depth.

A horse of good bottom means of good stamina, good foundation.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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