1. [n]  measuring instrument that consists of a float that trails from a ship by a knotted line in order to measure the ship's speed through the water
2. [n]  a written record of events on a voyage (of a ship or plane)
3. [n]  a written record of the transmissions by a radio station
4. [n]  the exponent required to produce a given number
5. [n]  a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
6. [n]  large log at the back of a hearth fire
7. [v]  enter into a log, as on ships and planes
8. [v]  cut lumber, as in woods and forests

1. \Log\, n. [Heb. l[=o]g.]
   A Hebrew measure of liquids, containing 2.37 gills. --W. H.
   Ward.
   

2. \Log\, n. [Icel. l[=a]g a felled tree, log; akin to E. lie.
   See {Lie} to lie prostrate.]
   1. A bulky piece of wood which has not been shaped by hewing
      or sawing.
   2. [Prob. the same word as in sense 1; cf. LG. log, lock,
      Dan. log, Sw. logg.] (Naut.) An apparatus for measuring
      the rate of a ship's motion through the water.
   Note: The common log consists of the log-chip, or logship,
         often exclusively called the log, and the log line, the
         former being commonly a thin wooden quadrant of five or
         six inches radius, loaded with lead on the arc to make
         it float with the point up. It is attached to the log
         line by cords from each corner. This line is divided
         into equal spaces, called knots, each bearing the same
         proportion to a mile that half a minute does to an
         hour. The line is wound on a reel which is so held as
         to let it run off freely. When the log is thrown, the
         log-chip is kept by the water from being drawn forward,
         and the speed of the ship is shown by the number of
         knots run out in half a minute. There are improved
         logs, consisting of a piece of mechanism which, being
         towed astern, shows the distance actually gone through
         by the ship, by means of the revolutions of a fly,
         which are registered on a dial plate.
   3. Hence: The record of the rate of ship's speed or of her
      daily progress; also, the full nautical record of a ship's
      cruise or voyage; a log slate; a log book.
   4. A record and tabulated statement of the work done by an
      engine, as of a steamship, of the coal consumed, and of
      other items relating to the performance of machinery
      during a given time.
   5. (Mining) A weight or block near the free end of a hoisting
      rope to prevent it from being drawn through the sheave.
   {Log board} (Naut.), a board consisting of two parts shutting
      together like a book, with columns in which are entered
      the direction of the wind, course of the ship, etc.,
      during each hour of the day and night. These entries are
      transferred to the log book. A folding slate is now used
      instead.
   {Log book}, or {Logbook} (Naut.), a book in which is entered
      the daily progress of a ship at sea, as indicated by the
      log, with notes on the weather and incidents of the
      voyage; the contents of the log board.
   {Log cabin}, {Log house}, a cabin or house made of logs.
   {Log canoe}, a canoe made by shaping and hollowing out a
      single log.
   {Log glass} (Naut.), a small sandglass used to time the
      running out of the log line.
   {Log line} (Naut.), a line or cord about a hundred and fifty
      fathoms long, fastened to the log-chip. See Note under 2d
      {Log}, n., 2.
   {Log perch} (Zo["o]l.), an ethiostomoid fish, or darter
      ({Percina caprodes}); -- called also {hogfish} and
      {rockfish}.
   {Log reel} (Naut.), the reel on which the log line is wound.
   {Log slate}. (Naut.) See {Log board} (above).
   {Rough log} (Naut.), a first draught of a record of the
      cruise or voyage.
   {Smooth log} (Naut.), a clean copy of the rough log. In the
      case of naval vessels this copy is forwarded to the proper
      officer of the government.
   {To heave the log} (Naut.), to cast the log-chip into the
      water; also, the whole process of ascertaining a vessel's
      speed by the log.
   

3. \Log\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Logged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Logging}.] (Naut.),
   To enter in a ship's log book; as, to log the miles run. --J.
   F. Cooper.
   

4. \Log\, v. i.
   1. To engage in the business of cutting or transporting logs
      for timber; to get out logs. [U.S.]
   2. To move to and fro; to rock. [Obs.]
   

the smallest measure for liquids used by the Hebrews (Lev. 14:10, 12, 15, 21, 24), called in the Vulgate sextarius. It is the Hebrew unit of measure of capacity, and is equal to the contents of six ordinary hen's eggs=the twelfth part of a him, or nearly a pint.