Meanings
- not comparablenauticalHaving a downward trim (of a submarine); usually follows the number of degrees.
Two degrees down bubble. Hold her at 60.
1958, Run Silent, Run Deep, 00:01:251 more example
Dissatisfied with Sailfin's sluggish response, he turned the iron wheel a bit more until the bubble rode backward, indicating that the submarine's stern had lifted relative to the dipping bow. A glance at the calibrations etched into the brass plate behind the liquid-filled glass tubing told him that Sailfin's nose has dipped the required amount. "We have ten degrees down bubble, sir."
2000, Overdue and Presumed Lost, by Arthur MacMahan, page 181Antonyms: up bubble
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveHaving a downward trim (of a submarine); usually follows the number of degrees.
Origin
From the bubble of air in the glass tube of the inclinometer, a gauge that indicates the submarine's vertical trim.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Russian с диффере́нтом на́ но́с
- с диффере́нтом на́ но́с (s differéntom ná nós)having a downward trim
Cite this entry
down bubble. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/down%20bubble
“down bubble.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/down%20bubble. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “down bubble,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/down%20bubble.
Source: down bubble on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.