range line

noun

1. (in U.S. public-land surveys) one of two parallel lines running north and south that define the east and west borders of a township. Compare township ( def 2 ), township line.

Word History and Origins

Origin of range line¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

Nels Anderson, their boss, keeps them all riding our range line.

From Project Gutenberg

They swung westward along the range line to the place where Doug and Slim had picked off the tracks of the missing cattle.

From Project Gutenberg

This "Range Line House" was inhabited now—a settler was putting in winter-residence so he might not lose his claim.

From Project Gutenberg