B \B\ (b[=e])
is the second letter of the English alphabet. (See Guide to
Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 196, 220.) It is etymologically
related to p, v, f, w and m, letters representing sounds
having a close organic affinity to its own sound; as in Eng.
bursar and purser; Eng. bear and Lat. ferre; Eng. silver and
Ger. silber; Lat. cubitum and It. gomito; Eng. seven,
Anglo-Saxon seofon, Ger. sieben, Lat. septem, Gr."epta`,
Sanskrit saptan. The form of letter B is Roman, from Greek B
(Beta), of Semitic origin. The small b was formed by gradual
change from the capital B.
Note: In Music, B is the nominal of the seventh tone in the
model major scale (the scale of C major ), or of the
second tone in it's relative minor scale (that of A
minor ) . B[flat] stands for B flat, the tone a half
step, or semitone, lower than B. In German, B stands
for our B[flat], while our B natural is called H
(pronounced h["a]).
Ba \Ba\ (b[aum]), v. i. [Cf. OF. baer to open the mouth, F.
bayer.]
To kiss. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Baa \Baa\ (b[aum]), v. i. [Cf. G. b["a]en; an imitative word.]
To cry baa, or bleat as a sheep.
He treble baas for help, but none can get. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Baa \Baa\ (b[aum]), n.; pl. {Baas} (b[aum]z). [Cf. G. b["a].]
The cry or bleating of a sheep; a bleat.
Baaing \Baa"ing\, n.
The bleating of a sheep. --Marryat.
Baal \Ba"al\ (b[=a]"al), n.; Heb. pl. {Baalim} (-[i^]m). [Heb.
ba'al lord.]
1. (Myth.) The supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and
Canaanitish nations.
Note: The name of this god occurs in the Old Testament and
elsewhere with qualifying epithets subjoined, answering
to the different ideas of his character; as,
Baal-berith (the Covenant Baal), Baal-zebub (Baal of
the fly).
2. pl. The whole class of divinities to whom the name Baal
was applied. --Judges x. 6.
Baalism \Ba"al*ism\ (-[i^]z'm), n.
Worship of Baal; idolatry.
Baalist \Ba"al*ist\, Baalite \Ba"al*ite\, n.
A worshiper of Baal; a devotee of any false religion; an
idolater.
Baba \Ba"ba\, n. [F.]
A kind of plum cake.
Babbitt \Bab"bitt\, v. t.
To line with Babbitt metal.
Babbitt metal \Bab"bitt met`al\ [From the inventor, Isaac
Babbitt of Massachusetts.]
A soft white alloy of variable composition (as a nine parts
of tin to one of copper, or of fifty parts of tin to five of
antimony and one of copper) used in bearings to diminish
friction.
Babble \Bab"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Babbled} (?);p. pr. & vb.
n. {Babbling}.] [Cf.LG. babbeln, D. babbelen, G. bappeln,
bappern, F. babiller, It. babbolare; prob. orig., to keep
saying ba, imitative of a child learning to talk.]
1. To utter words indistinctly or unintelligibly; to utter
inarticulate sounds; as a child babbles.
2. To talk incoherently; to utter unmeaning words.
3. To talk much; to chatter; to prate.
4. To make a continuous murmuring noise, as shallow water
running over stones.
In every babbling he finds a friend. --Wordsworth.
Note: Hounds are said to babble, or to be babbling, when they
are too noisy after having found a good scent.
Syn: To prate; prattle; chatter; gossip.
Babble \Bab"ble\, v. i.
1. To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat, as
words, in a childish way without understanding.
These [words] he used to babble in all companies.
--Arbuthnot.
2. To disclose by too free talk, as a secret.
Babble \Bab"ble\, n.
1. Idle talk; senseless prattle; gabble; twaddle. ``This is
mere moral babble.'' --Milton.
2. Inarticulate speech; constant or confused murmur.
The babble of our young children. --Darwin.
The babble of the stream. --Tennyson.
Babblement \Bab"ble*ment\, n.
Babble. --Hawthorne.
Babbler \Bab"bler\, n.
1. An idle talker; an irrational prater; a teller of secrets.
Great babblers, or talkers, are not fit for trust.
--L'Estrange.
2. A hound too noisy on finding a good scent.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A name given to any one of family
({Timalin[ae]}) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering
note.
Babblery \Bab"ble*ry\, n.
Babble. [Obs.] --Sir T. More
Babe \Babe\, n. [Cf. Ir. bab, baban, W. baban, maban.]
1. An infant; a young child of either sex; a baby.
2. A doll for children. --Spenser.
Babehood \Babe"hood\, n.
Babyhood. [R.] --Udall.
Babel \Ba"bel\, n. [Heb. B[=a]bel, the name of the capital of
Babylonia; in Genesis associated with the idea of
``confusion'']
1. The city and tower in the land of Shinar, where the
confusion of languages took place.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel. --Gen. xi.
9.
2. Hence: A place or scene of noise and confusion; a confused
mixture of sounds, as of voices or languages.
That babel of strange heathen languages. --Hammond.
The grinding babel of the street. --R. L.
Stevenson.
Babery \Bab"er*y\, n. [Perh. orig. for baboonery. Cf. {Baboon},
and also {Babe}.]
Finery of a kind to please a child. [Obs.] ``Painted
babery.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
Babian \Ba"bi*an\, Babion \Ba"bi*on\, n. [See {Baboon}]
A baboon. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Babillard \Bab"il*lard\, n. [F., a babbler.] (Zo["o]l.)
The lesser whitethroat of Europe; -- called also {babbling
warbler}.
Babingtonite \Bab"ing*ton*ite\, n. [From Dr. Babbington.] (Min.)
A mineral occurring in triclinic crystals approaching
pyroxene in angle, and of a greenish black color. It is a
silicate of iron, manganese, and lime.
Babiroussa \Bab`i*rous"sa\, Babirussa \Bab`i*rus"sa\, n. [F.
babiroussa, fr. Malay b[=a]b[=i] hog + r[=u]sa deer.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large hoglike quadruped ({Sus, or Porcus, babirussa}) of
the East Indies, sometimes domesticated; the Indian hog. Its
upper canine teeth or tusks are large and recurved.
Babish \Bab"ish\, a.
Like a babe; a childish; babyish. [R.] ``Babish imbecility.''
--Drayton. -- {Bab"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Bab"ish*ness}, n. [R.]
Babism \Bab"ism\, n. [From Bab (Pers. bab a gate), the title
assumed by the founder, Mirza Ali Mohammed.]
The doctrine of a modern religious sect, which originated in
Persia in 1843, being a mixture of Mohammedan, Christian,
Jewish and Parsee elements.
Babist \Bab"ist\, n.
A believer in Babism.
Bablah \Bab"lah\, n. [Cf. Per. bab[=u]l a species of mimosa
yielding gum arabic.]
The ring of the fruit of several East Indian species of
acacia; neb-neb. It contains gallic acid and tannin, and is
used for dyeing drab.
Baboo \Ba"boo\, Babu \Ba"bu\ (b[aum]"b[=oo]), n. [Hind.
b[=a]b[=u] ]
A Hindoo gentleman; a native clerk who writes English; also,
a Hindoo title answering to Mr. or Esquire. --Whitworth.
Baboon \Bab*oon"\, n. [OE. babewin, baboin, fr.F. babouin, or
LL. babewynus. Of unknown origin; cf. D. baviaan, G. pavian,
baboon, F. babin lip of ape, dogs, etc., dial. G. b["a]ppe
mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Old World Quadrumana, of the genera {Cynocephalus}
and {Papio}; the dog-faced ape. Baboons have dog-like muzzles
and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and
naked callosities on the buttocks. They are mostly African.
See {Mandrill}, and {Chacma}, and {Drill} an ape.
Baboonery \Bab*oon"ery\, n.
Baboonish behavior. --Marryat.
Baboonish \Bab*oon"ish\, a.
Like a baboon.
Baby \Ba"by\ (b[=a]"b[y^]), n.; pl. {Babies} (-b[i^]z). [Dim. of
babe]
An infant or young child of either sex; a babe.
2. A small image of an infant; a doll.
{Babies in the eyes}, the minute reflection which one sees of
one's self in the eyes of another.
She clung about his neck, gave him ten kisses, Toyed
with his locks, looked babies in his eyes.
--Heywood.
Baby \Ba"by\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, an infant; young or little; as,
baby swans. ``Baby figure'' --Shak.
Baby \Ba"by\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Babied} (?); p. pr. & vb.
n.{Babying}.]
To treat like a young child; to keep dependent; to humor; to
fondle. --Young.
Baby farm \Ba"by farm`\
A place where the nourishment and care of babies are offered
for hire.
Baby farmer \Ba"by farm`er\
One who keeps a baby farm.
Baby farming \Ba"by farm`ing\
The business of keeping a baby farm.
Babyhood \Ba"by*hood\, n.
The state or period of infancy.
Babyhouse \Ba"by*house`\, a.
A place for children's dolls and dolls' furniture. --Swift.
Babyish \Ba"by*ish\, a.
Like a baby; childish; puerile; simple. -- {Ba"by*ish*ly},
adv. -- {Ba"by*ish*ness}, n.
Babyism \Ba"by*ism\, n.
1. The state of being a baby.
2. A babyish manner of acting or speaking.
Baby jumper \Ba"by jump`er\
A hoop suspended by an elastic strap, in which a young child
may be held secure while amusing itself by jumping on the
floor.
Babylonian \Bab`y*lo"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the real or to the mystical Babylon, or
to the ancient kingdom of Babylonia; Chaldean.
Babylonian \Bab`y*lo"ni*an\, n.
1. An inhabitant of Babylonia (which included Chaldea); a
Chaldean.
2. An astrologer; -- so called because the Chaldeans were
remarkable for the study of astrology.
Babylonic \Bab`y*lon"ic\, Babylonical \Bab`y*lon"ic*al\, a.
1. Pertaining to Babylon, or made there; as, Babylonic
garments, carpets, or hangings.
2. Tumultuous; disorderly. [Obs.] --Sir J. Harrington.
Babylonish \Bab"y*lo`nish\, n.
1. Of or pertaining to, or made in, Babylon or Babylonia. ``A
Babylonish garment.'' --Josh. vii. 21.
2. Pertaining to the Babylon of --Revelation xiv. 8.
3. Pertaining to Rome and papal power. [Obs.]
The . . . injurious nickname of Babylonish. --Gape.
4. Confused; Babel-like.
Babyroussa \Bab`y*rous"sa\, Babyrussa \Bab`y*rus"sa\, n.
(Zo["o]l.)
See {Babyroussa}.
Babyship \Ba"by*ship\, n.
The quality of being a baby; the personality of an infant.
Bac \Bac\, n. [F. See {Back} a vat]
1. A broad, flatbottomed ferryboat, usually worked by a rope.
2. A vat or cistern. See 1st {Back}.
Baccalaureate \Bac"ca*lau"re*ate\, n. [NL. baccalaureatus,
fr.LL. baccalaureus a bachelor of arts, fr. baccalarius, but
as if fr L. bacca lauri bayberry, from the practice of the
bachelor's wearing a garland of bayberries. See {Bachelor}.]
1. The degree of bachelor of arts. (B.A. or A.B.), the first
or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and
colleges.
2. A baccalaureate sermon. [U.S.]
Baccalaureate \Bac`ca*lau"re*ate\, a.
Pertaining to a bachelor of arts.
{Baccalaureate sermon}, in some American colleges, a sermon
delivered as a farewell discourse to a graduating class.
Baccara \Bac`ca*ra"\, Baccarat \Bac`ca*rat"\, n. [F.]
A French game of cards, played by a banker and punters.
Baccare \Bac*ca"re\, Backare \Bac*ka"re\, interj.
Stand back! give place! -- a cant word of the Elizabethan
writers, probably in ridicule of some person who pretended to
a knowledge of Latin which he did not possess.
Baccare! you are marvelous forward. --Shak.
Baccate \Bac"cate\, a. [L. baccatus, fr. L. bacca berry.] (Bot.)
Pulpy throughout, like a berry; -- said of fruits. --Gray.
Baccated \Bac"ca*ted\, a.
1. Having many berries.
2. Set or adorned with pearls. [Obs.]
Bacchanal \Bac"cha*nal\, a. [L. Bacchanalis. See {Bacchanalia}.]
1. Relating to Bacchus or his festival.
2. Engaged in drunken revels; drunken and riotous or noisy.
Bacchanal \Bac"cha*nal\, n.
1. A devotee of Bacchus; one who indulges in drunken revels;
one who is noisy and riotous when intoxicated; a carouser.
``Tipsy bacchanals.'' --Shak.
2. pl. The festival of Bacchus; the bacchanalia.
3. Drunken revelry; an orgy.
4. A song or dance in honor of Bacchus.
Bacchanalia \Bac`cha*na"li*a\, n. pl. [L. Bacchanal a place
devoted to Bacchus; in the pl. Bacchanalia a feast of
Bacchus, fr. Bacchus the god of wine, Gr. ?]
1. (Myth.) A feast or an orgy in honor of Bacchus.
2. Hence: A drunken feast; drunken reveler.
Bacchanalian \Bac`cha*na"li*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the festival of Bacchus; relating to or
given to reveling and drunkenness.
Even bacchanalian madness has its charms. --Cowper.
Bacchanalian \Bac`cha*na"li*an\, n.
A bacchanal; a drunken reveler.
Bacchanalianism \Bac`cha*na"li*an*ism\, n.
The practice of bacchanalians; bacchanals; drunken revelry.
Bacchant \Bac"chant\, n.; pl. E. {Bacchants}, L. {Bacchantes}.
[L. bacchans, -antis, p. pr. of bacchari to celebrate the
festival of Bacchus.]
1. A priest of Bacchus.
2. A bacchanal; a reveler. --Croly.
Bacchant \Bac"chant\, a.
Bacchanalian; fond of drunken revelry; wine-loving; reveling;
carousing. --Byron.
Bacchante \Bac"chante\, n.; L. pl. {Bacchantes}.
1. A priestess of Bacchus.
2. A female bacchanal.
Bacchantic \Bac*chan"tic\, a.
Bacchanalian.
Bacchic \Bac"chic\, Bacchical \Bac"chic*al\, a. [L. Bacchicus,
Gr. ?]
Of or relating to Bacchus; hence, jovial, or riotous,with
intoxication.
Bacchius \Bac*chi"us\, n.; pl. {Bacchii}. [L. Bacchius pes, Gr.
? (sc. ? foot).] (Pros.)
A metrical foot composed of a short syllable and two long
ones; according to some, two long and a short.
Bacchus \Bac"chus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?] (Myth.)
The god of wine, son of Jupiter and Semele.
Bacciferous \Bac*cif"er*ous\, a. [L. baccifer; bacca berry +
ferre to bear]
Producing berries. `` Bacciferous trees.'' --Ray.
Bacciform \Bac"ci*form\, a. [L. bacca berry + -form. ]
Having the form of a berry.
Baccivorous \Bac*civ"o*rous\, a. [L. bacca berry + varare to
devour.] (Zo["o]l.)
Eating, or subsisting on, berries; as, baccivorous birds.
Bace \Bace\, n., a., & v.
See {Base}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bacharach \Bach"a*rach\, Backarack \Back"a*rack\, n.
A kind of wine made at Bacharach on the Rhine.
Bachelor \Bach"e*lor\ (b[a^]ch"[-e]*l[~e]r), n. [OF. bacheler
young man, F. bachelier (cf.Pr. bacalar, Sp. bachiller, Pg.
bacharel, It. baccalare), LL. baccalarius the tenant of a
kind of farm called baccalaria, a soldier not old or rich
enough to lead his retainers into battle with a banner, a
person of an inferior academical degree aspiring to a
doctorate. In the latter sense, it was afterward changed to
baccalaureus. See {Baccalaureate}, n.]
1. A man of any age who has not been married.
As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed
a hound. --W. Irving.
2. An unmarried woman. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
3. A person who has taken the first or lowest degree in the
liberal arts, or in some branch of science, at a college
or university; as, a bachelor of arts.
4. A knight who had no standard of his own, but fought under
the standard of another in the field; often, a young
knight.
5. In the companies of London tradesmen, one not yet admitted
to wear the livery; a junior member. [Obs.]
6. (Zo["o]l.) A kind of bass, an edible fresh-water fish
({Pomoxys annularis}) of the southern United States.
Bachelordom \Bach"e*lor*dom\ (b[a^]ch"[-e]*l[~e]r*d[u^]m), n.
The state of bachelorhood; the whole body of bachelors.
Bachelorhood \Bach"e*lor*hood\ (-h[oo^]d), n.
The state or condition of being a bachelor; bachelorship.
Bachelorism \Bach"e*lor*ism\ (-[i^]z'm), n.
Bachelorhood; also, a manner or peculiarity belonging to
bachelors. --W. Irving.
Bachelor's button \Bach"e*lor's but"ton\, (Bot.)
A plant with flowers shaped like buttons; especially, several
species of {Ranunculus}, and the cornflower ({Centaures
cyanus}) and globe amaranth ({Gomphrena}).
Note: Bachelor's buttons, a name given to several flowers
``from their similitude to the jagged cloathe buttons,
anciently worne in this kingdom'', according to
Johnson's --Gerarde, p. 472 (1633); but by other
writers ascribed to ``a habit of country fellows to
carry them in their pockets to divine their success
with their sweethearts.'' --Dr. Prior.
Bachelorship \Bach"e*lor*ship\, n.
The state of being a bachelor.
Bachelry \Bach"el*ry\, n. [OF. bachelerie.]
The body of young aspirants for knighthood. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bacillar \Ba*cil"lar\, a. [L. bacillum little staff.] (Biol.)
Shaped like a rod or staff.
Bacillariae \Bac"il*la`ri*[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., fr.L. bacillum,
dim. of baculum stick.] (Biol.)
See {Diatom}.
Bacillary \Bac"il*la*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to little rods; rod-shaped.
Bacilliform \Ba*cil"li*form\, a. [L. bacillum little staff +
-form.]
Rod-shaped.
Bacillus \Ba*cil"lus\, n.; pl. {Bacilli}. [NL., for L. bacillum.
See {Bacillarle}.] (Biol.)
A variety of bacterium; a microscopic, rod-shaped vegetable
organism.
Back \Back\, n. [F. bac: cf. Arm. bak tray, bowl.]
1. A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by
brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and
others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot
glue, etc.
{Hop back}, {Jack back}, the cistern which receives the
infusion of malt and hops from the copper.
{Wash back}, a vat in which distillers ferment the wort to
form wash.
{Water back}, a cistern to hold a supply of water; esp. a
small cistern at the back of a stove, or a group of pipes
set in the fire box of a stove or furnace, through which
water circulates and is heated.
2. A ferryboat. See {Bac}, 1.
Back \Back\, n. [As b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak,
Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b?g?
flight. Cf. {Bacon}.]
1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending
from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals,
that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to
such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish,
or lobster.
2. An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge.
[The mountains] their broad bare backs upheave Into
the clouds. --Milton.
3. The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the
inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of
the foot, the back of a hand rail.
Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this, Gave me
your hands, the backs and palms to kiss. --Donne.
4. The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of
a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the
back of a chimney.
5. The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which
fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or
not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill,
or of a village.
6. The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its
edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw.
7. A support or resource in reserve.
This project Should have a back or second, that
might hold, If this should blast in proof. --Shak.
8. (Naut.) The keel and keelson of a ship.
9. (Mining) The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a
horizontal underground passage.
10. A garment for the back; hence, clothing.
A bak to walken inne by daylight. --Chaucer.
{Behind one's back}, when one is absent; without one's
knowledge; as, to ridicule a person behind his back.
{Full back}, {Half back}, {Quarter back} (Football), players
stationed behind those in the front line.
{To be or lie on one's back}, to be helpless.
{To put}, {or get}, {one's back up}, to assume an attitude of
obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when
attacked.). [Colloq.]
{To see the back of}, to get rid of.
{To turn the back}, to go away; to flee.
{To turn the back on one}, to forsake or neglect him.
Back \Back\, a.
1. Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the
back door; back settlements.
2. Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent.
3. Moving or operating backward; as, back action.
{Back charges}, charges brought forward after an account has
been made up.
{Back filling} (Arch.), the mass of materials used in filling
up the space between two walls, or between the inner and
outer faces of a wall, or upon the haunches of an arch or
vault.
{Back pressure}. (Steam Engine) See under {Pressure}.
{Back rest}, a guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe,
and placed in contact with the work, to steady it in
turning.
{Back slang}, a kind of slang in which every word is written
or pronounced backwards; as, nam for man.
{Back stairs}, stairs in the back part of a house; private
stairs. Also used adjectively. See {Back stairs},
{Backstairs}, and {Backstair}, in the Vocabulary.
{Back step} (Mil.), the retrograde movement of a man or body
of men, without changing front.
{Back stream}, a current running against the main current of
a stream; an eddy.
{To take the back track}, to retrace one's steps; to retreat.
[Colloq.]
Back \Back\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Backed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Backing}.]
1. To get upon the back of; to mount.
I will back him [a horse] straight. --Shak.
2. To place or seat upon the back. [R.]
Great Jupiter, upon his eagle backed, Appeared to
me. --Shak.
3. To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede;
as, to back oxen.
4. To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back
books.
5. To adjoin behind; to be at the back of.
A garden . . . with a vineyard backed. --Shak.
The chalk cliffs which back the beach. --Huxley.
6. To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to
indorse; as, to back a note or legal document.
7. To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or
influence; as, to back a friend. ``Parliament would be
backed by the people.'' --Macaulay.
Have still found it necessary to back and fortify
their laws with rewards and punishments. --South.
The mate backed the captain manfully. --Blackw. Mag.
8. To bet on the success of; -- as, to back a race horse.
{To back an anchor} (Naut.), to lay down a small anchor ahead
of a large one, the cable of the small one being fastened
to the crown of the large one.
{To back the field}, in horse racing, to bet against a
particular horse or horses, that some one of all the other
horses, collectively designated ``the field'', will win.
{To back the oars}, to row backward with the oars.
{To back a rope}, to put on a preventer.
{To back the sails}, to arrange them so as to cause the ship
to move astern.
{To back up}, to support; to sustain; as, to back up one's
friends.
{To back a warrant} (Law), is for a justice of the peace, in
the county where the warrant is to be executed, to sign or
indorse a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend
an offender.
{To back water} (Naut.), to reverse the action of the oars,
paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship
backward.
Back \Back\, v. i.
1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back.
2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course
opposite to that of the sun; -- used of the wind.
3. (Sporting) To stand still behind another dog which has
pointed; -- said of a dog. [Eng.]
{To back and fill}, to manage the sails of a ship so that the
wind strikes them alternately in front and behind, in
order to keep the ship in the middle of a river or channel
while the current or tide carries the vessel against the
wind. Hence: (Fig.) To take opposite positions
alternately; to assert and deny. [Colloq.]
{To back out}, {To back down}, to retreat or withdraw from a
promise, engagement, or contest; to recede. [Colloq.]
Cleon at first . . . was willing to go; but, finding
that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to back
out. --Jowett
(Thucyd. )
Back \Back\, adv. [Shortened from aback.]
1. In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step
back.
2. To the place from which one came; to the place or person
from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back
for something left behind; to go back to one's native
place; to put a book back after reading it.
3. To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back
to private life; to go back to barbarism.
4. (Of time) In times past; ago. ``Sixty or seventy years
back.'' --Gladstone.
5. Away from contact; by reverse movement.
The angel of the Lord . . . came, and rolled back
the stone from the door. --Matt. xxvii.
2.
6. In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to
keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to
another.
7. In a state of restraint or hindrance.
The Lord hath kept thee back from honor. --Numb.
xxiv. 11.
8. In return, repayment, or requital.
What have I to give you back! --Shak.
9. In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking;
as, he took back0 the offensive words.
10. In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent. [Colloq.]
{Back and forth}, backwards and forwards; to and fro.
{To go back on}, to turn back from; to abandon; to betray;
as, to go back on a friend; to go back on one's
professions. [Colloq.]
Backarack \Back"a*rack\, n.
See {Bacharach}.
Backare \Bac*ka"re\, interj.
Same as {Baccare}.
Backband \Back"band`\ (-b[a^]nd), n. [2nd back, n. + band.]
(Saddlery)
The band which passes over the back of a horse and holds up
the shafts of a carriage.
Backbite \Back"bite`\, v. i. [2nd back, n., + bite]
To wound by clandestine detraction; to censure meanly or
spitefully (an absent person); to slander or speak evil of
(one absent). --Spenser.
Backbite \Back"bite`\, v. i.
To censure or revile the absent.
They are arrant knaves, and will backbite. --Shak.
Backbiter \Back"bit`er\, n.
One who backbites; a secret calumniator or detractor.
Backbiting \Back"bit`ing\, n.
Secret slander; detraction.
Backbiting, and bearing of false witness. --Piers
Plowman.
Backboard \Back"board`\, n. [2nd back, n. + board.]
1. A board which supports the back wen one is sitting;
Note: specifically, the board athwart the after part of a
boat.
2. A board serving as the back part of anything, as of a
wagon.
3. A thin stuff used for the backs of framed pictures,
mirrors, etc.
4. A board attached to the rim of a water wheel to prevent
the water from running off the floats or paddies into the
interior of the wheel. --W. Nicholson.
5. A board worn across the back to give erectness to the
figure. --Thackeray.
Backbond \Back"bond`\, n. [Back, adv. + bond.] (Scots Law)
An instrument which, in conjunction with another making an
absolute disposition, constitutes a trust.
Backbone \Back"bone"\, n. [2d back,n.+ bone. ]
1. The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives
firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal
column.
2. Anything like, or serving the purpose of, a backbone.
The lofty mountains on the north side compose the
granitic axis, or backbone of the country. --Darwin.
We have now come to the backbone of our subject.
--Earle.
3. Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness.
Shelley's thought never had any backbone. --Shairp.
{To the backbone}, through and through; thoroughly; entirely.
``Staunch to the backbone.'' --Lord Lytton.
Backboned \Back"boned"\, a.
Vertebrate.
Backcast \Back"cast`\, n. [Back, adv.+ cast.]
Anything which brings misfortune upon one, or causes failure
in an effort or enterprise; a reverse. [Scot.]
Back door \Back" door"\
A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect
way. --Atterbury.
Backdoor \Back"door"\, a.
Acting from behind and in concealment; as, backdoor
intrigues.
Backdown \Back"down`\, n.
A receding or giving up; a complete surrender. [Colloq.]
Backed \Backed\, a.
Having a back; fitted with a back; as, a backed electrotype
or stereotype plate. Used in composition; as, broad-backed;
hump-backed.
Backer \Back"er\, n.
One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs a
person or thing in a contest.
Backfall \Back"fall`\, n. [2nd back,n. + fall]
A fall or throw on the back in wrestling.
Backfriend \Back"friend`\, n. [Back, n. or adv. + friend]
A secret enemy. [Obs.] --South.
Backgammon \Back"gam`mon\, n. [Origin unknown; perhaps fr. Dan.
bakke tray + E. game; or very likely the first part is from
E. back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are
often set back.]
A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a
``board'' marked off into twenty-four spaces called
``points''. Each player has fifteen pieces, or ``men'', the
movements of which from point to point are determined by
throwing dice. Formerly called tables.
{Backgammon board}, a board for playing backgammon, often
made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together,
each tray containing two ``tables''.
Backgammon \Back"gam`mon\, v. i.
In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before
the loser is clear of his first ``table''.
Background \Back"ground`\, n. [Back, a. + ground.]
1. Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as
opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
2. (Paint.) The space which is behind and subordinate to a
portrait or group of figures.
Note: The distance in a picture is usually divided into
foreground, middle distance, and background.
--Fairholt.
3. Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a
background of red hangings.
4. A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
I fancy there was a background of grinding and
waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly
finished . . . performance. --Mrs.
Alexander.
A husband somewhere in the background. --Thackeray.
Backhand \Back"hand`\, n. [Back, adv. + hand.]
A kind of handwriting in which the downward slope of the
letters is from left to right.
Backhand \Back"hand`\, a.
1. Sloping from left to right; -- said of handwriting.
2. Backhanded; indirect; oblique. [R.]
Backhanded \Back"hand`ed\, a.
1. With the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow.
2. Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded
compliment.
3. Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, a backhanded
letters.
Backhandedness \Back"hand`ed*ness\, n.
State of being backhanded; the using of backhanded or
indirect methods.
Backhander \Back"hand`er\, n.
A backhanded blow.
Backhouse \Back"house`\, n. [Back, a. + house.]
A building behind the main building. Specifically: A privy; a
necessary.
Backing \Back"ing\, n.
1. The act of moving backward, or of putting or moving
anything backward.
2. That which is behind, and forms the back of, anything,
usually giving strength or stability.
3. Support or aid given to a person or cause.
4. (Bookbinding) The preparation of the back of a book with
glue, etc., before putting on the cover.
Backjoint \Back"joint`\, n. [Back, a. or adv. + joint.] (Arch.)
A rebate or chase in masonry left to receive a permanent slab
or other filling.
Backlash \Back"lash`\, n. [Back, adv. + lash.] (Mech.)
The distance through which one part of connected machinery,
as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the
connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from
wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly
fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse
of motion.
Backless \Back"less\, a.
Without a back.
Backlog \Back"log`\, n. [Back, a. + log.]
A large stick of wood, forming the back of a fire on the
hearth. [U.S.]
There was first a backlog, from fifteen to four and
twenty inches in diameter and five feet long, imbedded
in the ashes. --S. G.
Goodrich.
Backpiece \Back"piece`\, Backplate \Back"plate`\, n. [Back,n.or
a. + piece, plate. ]
A piece, or plate which forms the back of anything, or which
covers the back; armor for the back.
Backrack \Back"rack\ (b[a^]k"r[a^]k), Backrag \Back"rag\
(b[a^]k"r[a^]g), n.
See {Bacharach}.
Backs \Backs\ (b[a^]ks), n. pl.
Among leather dealers, the thickest and stoutest tanned
hides.
Backsaw \Back"saw`\ (b[a^]k"s[add]`), n. [2d back, n.+ saw.]
A saw (as a tenon saw) whose blade is stiffened by an added
metallic back.
Backset \Back"set`\, n. [Back, adv. + set.]
1. A check; a relapse; a discouragement; a setback.
2. Whatever is thrown back in its course, as water.
Slackwater, or the backset caused by the overflow.
--Harper's
Mag.
Backset \Back"set`\, v. i.
To plow again, in the fall; -- said of prairie land broken up
in the spring. [Western U.S.]
Backsettler \Back"set"tler\, n. [Back, a. + settler.]
One living in the back or outlying districts of a community.
The English backsettlers of Leinster and Munster.
--Macaulay.
Backsheesh \Back"sheesh`\, Backshish \Back"shish`\, n. [Pers.
bakhsh[=i]sh, fr. bakhsh[=i]dan to give.]
In Egypt and the Turkish empire, a gratuity; a ``tip''.
Backside \Back"side`\, n. [Back, a. + side. ]
The hinder part, posteriors, or rump of a person or animal.
Note: Backside (one word) was formerly used of the rear part
or side of any thing or place, but in such senses is
now two words.
Backsight \Back"sight`\, n. [Back, adv. + sight. ] (Surv.)
The reading of the leveling staff in its unchanged position
when the leveling instrument has been taken to a new
position; a sight directed backwards to a station previously
occupied. Cf. {Foresight}, n., 3.
Backslide \Back`slide"\, v. i. [imp. {Backslid}; p. p.
{Backslidden}, {Backslid}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Backsliding}.]
[Back, adv. + slide.]
To slide back; to fall away; esp. to abandon gradually the
faith and practice of a religion that has been professed.
Backslider \Back"slid"er\, n.
One who backslides.
Backsliding \Back"slid"ing\, a.
Slipping back; falling back into sin or error; sinning.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord. --Jer.
iii. 14.
Backsliding \Back"slid"ing\, n.
The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or duty.
Our backslidings are many. --Jer. xiv. 7.
Backstaff \Back"staff`\, n.
An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the
heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and
sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to
the body observed.
Back stairs \Back" stairs`\
Stairs in the back part of a house, as distinguished from the
front stairs; hence, a private or indirect way.
Backstairs \Back"stairs`\, Backstair \Back"stair`\, a.
Private; indirect; secret; intriguing; -- as if finding
access by the back stairs.
A backstairs influence. --Burke.
Female caprice and backstairs influence. --Trevelyan.
Backstay \Back"stay`\, n. [Back, a. orn.+ stay.]
1. (Naut.) A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the
side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the
shrouds in supporting the mast. [ Often used in the
plural.]
2. A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.
Backster \Back"ster\, n. [See {Baxter}.]
A backer. [Obs.]
Backstitch \Back"stitch`\, n. [Back, adv. + stitch.]
A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the
last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end.
Backstitch \Back"stitch`\, v. i.
To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam.
Backstress \Back"stress\, n.
A female baker. [Obs.]
Backsword \Back"sword`\, n. [2d back,n.+ sword.]
1. A sword with one sharp edge.
2. In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic
amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used.
Also called singlestick. --Halliwell.
Backward \Back"ward\, Backwards \Back"wards\, adv. [Back, adv. +
-ward.]
1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride
backward.
2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms
backward.
3. On the back, or with the back downward.
Thou wilt fall backward. --Shak.
4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.
Some reigns backward. --Locke.
5. By way of reflection; reflexively. --Sir J. Davies.
6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame,
from religion to sin.
The work went backward. --Dryden.
7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction;
contrarily; as, to read backwards.
We might have . . . beat them backward home. --Shak.
Backward \Back"ward\, a.
1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. --Pope.
3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension;
dull; inapt; as, a backward child. ``The backward
learner.'' --South.
4. Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country
or region is in a backward state.
6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.]
And flies unconscious o'er each backward year.
--Byron.
Backward \Back"ward\, n.
The state behind or past. [Obs.]
In the dark backward and abysm of time. --Shak.
Backward \Back"ward\, v. i.
To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]
Backwardation \Back`war*da"tion\, n. [Backward, v. i.+ -ation.]
(Stock Exchange)
The seller's postponement of delivery of stock or shares,
with the consent of the buyer, upon payment of a premium to
the latter; -- also, the premium so paid. See {Contango}.
--Biddle.
Backwardly \Back"ward*ly\, adv.
1. Reluctantly; slowly; aversely. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
2. Perversely; ill. [Obs.]
And does he think so backwardly of me? --Shak.
Backwardness \Back"ward*ness\, n.
The state of being backward.
Backwash \Back"wash`\, v. i.
To clean the oil from (wood) after combing.
Backwater \Back"wa`ter\, n. [Back, a. or adv. + -ward. ]
1. Water turned back in its course by an obstruction, an
opposing current, or the flow of the tide, as in a sewer
or river channel, or across a river bar.
2. An accumulation of water overflowing the low lands, caused
by an obstruction.
3. Water thrown back by the turning of a waterwheel, or by
the paddle wheels of a steamer.
Backwoods \Back"woods"\, n. pl. [Back, a. + woods.]
The forests or partly cleared grounds on the frontiers.
Backwoodsman \Back"woods"man\, n.; pl. {Backwoodsmen}.
A man living in the forest in or beyond the new settlements,
especially on the western frontiers of the older portions of
the United States. --Fisher Ames.
Backworm \Back"worm`\, n. [2d back, n. + worm. ]
A disease of hawks. See {Filanders}. --Wright.
Bacon \Ba"con\, n. [OF. bacon, fr. OHG. bacho, bahho, flitch of
bacon, ham; akin to E. back. Cf. Back the back side.]
The back and sides of a pig salted and smoked; formerly, the
flesh of a pig salted or fresh.
{Bacon beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a beetle ({Dermestes lardarius})
which, especially in the larval state, feeds upon bacon,
woolens, furs, etc. See {Dermestes}.
{To save one's bacon}, to save one's self or property from
harm or less. [Colloq.]
Baconian \Ba*co"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon, or to his system of
philosophy.
{Baconian method}, the inductive method. See {Induction}.
Bacteria \Bac*te"ri*a\, n.p.
See {Bacterium}.
Bacterial \Bac*te"ri*al\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to bacteria.
Bactericidal \Bac*te"ri*ci`dal\, a.
Destructive of bacteria.
Bactericide \Bac*te"ri*cide\ (b[a^]k*t[=e]"r[i^]*s[imac]d), n.
[Bacterium + L. caedere to kill] (Biol.)
Same as {Germicide}.
Bacteriological \Bac*te"ri*o*log`ic*al\
(b[a^]k*t[=e]`r[i^]*[-o]*l[o^]j"[i^]*kal), a.
Of or pertaining to bacteriology; as, bacteriological
studies.
Bacteriologist \Bac*te"ri*ol`o*gist\, n.
One skilled in bacteriology.
Bacteriology \Bac*te"ri*ol`o*gy\, n. [Bacterium + -logy. ]
(Biol.)
The science relating to bacteria.
Bacterioscopic \Bac*te`ri*o*scop"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Relating to bacterioscopy; as, a bacterioscopic examination.
Bacterioscopist \Bac*te`ri*os"co*pist\, n. (Biol.)
One skilled in bacterioscopic examinations.
Bacterioscopy \Bac*te`ri*os"co*py\ (-[o^]s"k[-o]*p[y^]), n.
[Bacterium + -scopy ] (Biol.)
The application of a knowledge of bacteria for their
detection and identification, as in the examination of
polluted water.
Bacterium \Bac*te"ri*um\, n.; pl. {Bacteria}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?,
?, a staff: cf. F. bact['e]rie. ] (Biol.)
A microscopic vegetable organism, belonging to the class
Alg[ae], usually in the form of a jointed rodlike filament,
and found in putrefying organic infusions. Bacteria are
destitute of chlorophyll, and are the smallest of microscopic
organisms. They are very widely diffused in nature, and
multiply with marvelous rapidity, both by fission and by
spores. Certain species are active agents in fermentation,
while others appear to be the cause of certain infectious
diseases. See {Bacillus}.
Bacteroid \Bac"te*roid\, Bacteroidal \Bac`te*roid"al\, a.
[Bacterium + -oid.] (Biol.)
Resembling bacteria; as, bacteroid particles.
Bactrian \Bac"tri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Bactria in Asia. -- n. A native of
Bactria.
{Bactrian camel}, the two-humped camel.
Bacule \Bac"ule\, n. [F.] (Fort.)
See {Bascule}.
Baculine \Bac"u*line\, a. [L. baculum staff.]
Of or pertaining to the rod or punishment with the rod.
Baculite \Bac"u*lite\, n. [L. baculune stick, staff; cf. F.
baculite.] (Paleon.)
A cephalopod of the extinct genus {Baculites}, found fossil
in the Cretaceous rocks. It is like an uncoiled ammonite.
Baculometry \Bac`u*lom"e*try\, n. [L. baculum staff + -metry]
Measurement of distance or altitude by a staff or staffs.
Bad \Bad\ (b[a^]d), imp. of {Bid}.
Bade. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Bad \Bad\ (b[a^]d), a. [Compar. {Worse}; superl. {Worst}. ]
[Probably fr. AS. b[ae]ddel hermaphrodite; cf. b[ae]dling
effeminate fellow.]
Wanting good qualities, whether physical or moral; injurious,
hurtful, inconvenient, offensive, painful, unfavorable, or
defective, either physically or morally; evil; vicious;
wicked; -- the opposite of {good}; as, a bad man; bad
conduct; bad habits; bad soil; bad health; bad crop; bad
news.
Note: Sometimes used substantively.
The strong antipathy of good to bad. --Pope.
Syn: Pernicious; deleterious; noxious; baneful; injurious;
hurtful; evil; vile; wretched; corrupt; wicked; vicious;
imperfect.
Badder \Bad"der\,
compar. of {Bad}, a. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Badderlocks \Bad"der*locks\, n. [Perh. for Balderlocks, fr.
Balder the Scandinavian deity.] (Bot.)
A large black seaweed ({Alaria esculenta}) sometimes eaten in
Europe; -- also called {murlins}, {honeyware}, and {henware}.
Baddish \Bad"dish\, a.
Somewhat bad; inferior. --Jeffrey.
Bade \Bade\
A form of the pat tense of {Bid}.
Badge \Badge\, n. [LL. bagea, bagia, sign, prob. of German
origin; cf. AS. be['a]g, be['a]h, bracelet, collar, crown, OS
b?g- in comp., AS. b?gan to bow, bend, G. biegen. See {Bow}
to bend.]
1. A distinctive mark, token, sign, or cognizance, worn on
the person; as, the badge of a society; the badge of a
policeman. ``Tax gatherers, recognized by their official
badges. '' --Prescott.
2. Something characteristic; a mark; a token.
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge. --Shak.
3. (Naut.) A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel,
containing a window or the representation of one.
Badge \Badge\, v. t.
To mark or distinguish with a badge.
Badgeless \Badge"less\, a.
Having no badge. --Bp. Hall.
Badger \Badg"er\, n. [Of uncertain origin; perh. fr. an old verb
badge to lay up provisions to sell again.]
An itinerant licensed dealer in commodities used for food; a
hawker; a huckster; -- formerly applied especially to one who
bought grain in one place and sold it in another. [Now
dialectic, Eng.]
Badger \Badg"er\, n. [OE. bageard, prob. fr. badge + -ard, in
reference to the white mark on its forehead. See {Badge},n.]
1. A carnivorous quadruped of the genus {Meles} or of an
allied genus. It is a burrowing animal, with short, thick
legs, and long claws on the fore feet. One species ({M.
vulgaris}), called also {brock}, inhabits the north of
Europe and Asia; another species ({Taxidea Americana or
Labradorica}) inhabits the northern parts of North
America. See {Teledu}.
2. A brush made of badgers' hair, used by artists.
{Badger dog}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Dachshund}.
Badger \Badg"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Badgered} (?);p. pr. &
vb. n. {Badgering}.] [For sense 1, see 2d {Badger}; for 2,
see 1st {Badger}.]
1. To tease or annoy, as a badger when baited; to worry or
irritate persistently.
2. To beat down; to cheapen; to barter; to bargain.
Badgerer \Badg"er*er\, n.
1. One who badgers.
2. A kind of dog used in badger baiting.
Badgering \Badg"er*ing\, n.
1. The act of one who badgers.
2. The practice of buying wheat and other kinds of food in
one place and selling them in another for a profit. [Prov.
Eng.]
Badger-legged \Badg"er-legged`\, a.
Having legs of unequal length, as the badger was thought to
have. --Shak.
Badiaga \Bad`i*a"ga\, n. [Russ. badiaga.] (Zo["o]l.)
A fresh-water sponge (Spongilla), common in the north of
Europe, the powder of which is used to take away the livid
marks of bruises.
Badian \Ba"di*an\, n. [F. badiane, fr. Per. b[=a]di[=a]n anise.]
(Bot.)
An evergreen Chinese shrub of the Magnolia family ({Illicium
anisatum}), and its aromatic seeds; Chinese anise; star
anise.
Badigeon \Ba*di"geon\ (b[.a]*d[i^]j"[u^]n), n. [F.]
A cement or paste (as of plaster and freestone, or of sawdust
and glue or lime) used by sculptors, builders, and workers in
wood or stone, to fill holes, cover defects, or finish a
surface.
Badinage \Ba`di`nage"\, n. [F., fr. badiner to joke, OF. to
trifle, be silly, fr. badin silly.]
Playful raillery; banter. ``He . . . indulged himself only in
an elegant badinage.'' --Warburton.
Bad lands \Bad" lands"\
Barren regions, especially in the western United States,
where horizontal strata (Tertiary deposits) have been often
eroded into fantastic forms, and much intersected by
ca[~n]ons, and where lack of wood, water, and forage
increases the difficulty of traversing the country, whence
the name, first given by the Canadian French, Mauvaises
Terres (bad lands).
Badly \Bad"ly\, adv.
In a bad manner; poorly; not well; unskillfully; imperfectly;
unfortunately; grievously; so as to cause harm; disagreeably;
seriously.
Note: Badly is often used colloquially for very much or very
greatly, with words signifying to want or need.
Badminton \Bad"min*ton\, n. [From the name of the seat of the
Duke of Beaufort in England.]
1. A game, similar to lawn tennis, played with shuttlecocks.
2. A preparation of claret, spiced and sweetened.
Badness \Bad"ness\, n.
The state of being bad.
Baenomere \B[ae]"no*mere\, n. [Gr. ? to walk + -mere.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the somites (arthromeres) that make up the thorax of
Arthropods. --Packard.
Baenopod \B[ae]"no*pod\, n. [Gr. ? to walk + -pod.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the thoracic legs of Arthropods.
Baenosome \B[ae]"no*some\, n. [Gr. ? to walk + -some body.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The thorax of Arthropods. --Packard.
Baff \Baff\ (b[a^]f), n.
A blow; a stroke. [Scot.] --H. Miller.
Baffle \Baf"fle\ (b[a^]f"f'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Baffled}
(-f'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Baffling} (-fl[i^]ng).] [Cf.
Lowland Scotch bauchle to treat contemptuously, bauch
tasteless, abashed, jaded, Icel. b[=a]gr uneasy, poor, or
b[=a]gr, n., struggle, b[ae]gja to push, treat harshly, OF.
beffler, beffer, to mock, deceive, dial. G. b["a]ppe mouth,
beffen to bark, chide.]
1. To cause to undergo a disgraceful punishment, as a
recreant knight. [Obs.]
He by the heels him hung upon a tree, And baffled
so, that all which passed by The picture of his
punishment might see. --Spenser.
2. To check by shifts and turns; to elude; to foil.
The art that baffles time's tyrannic claim.
--Cowper.
3. To check by perplexing; to disconcert, frustrate, or
defeat; to thwart. ``A baffled purpose.'' --De Quincey.
A suitable scripture ready to repel and baffle them
all. --South.
Calculations so difficult as to have baffled, until
within a . . . recent period, the most enlightened
nations. --Prescott.
The mere intricacy of a question should not baffle
us. --Locke.
{Baffling wind} (Naut.), one that frequently shifts from one
point to another.
Syn: To balk; thwart; foil; frustrate; defeat.
Baffle \Baf"fle\, v. i.
1. To practice deceit. [Obs.] --Barrow.
2. To struggle against in vain; as, a ship baffles with the
winds. [R.]
Baffle \Baf"fle\, n.
A defeat by artifice, shifts, and turns; discomfiture. [R.]
``A baffle to philosophy.'' --South.
Bafflement \Baf"fle*ment\, n.
The process or act of baffling, or of being baffled;
frustration; check.
Baffler \Baf"fler\, n.
One who, or that which, baffles.
Baffling \Baf"fling\ (b[a^]f"fl[i^]ng), a.
Frustrating; discomfiting; disconcerting; as, baffling
currents, winds, tasks. -- {Baff"ling*ly}, adv. --
{Baff"ling*ness}, n.
Baft \Baft\ (b[a^]ft). n.
Same as {Bafta}.
Bafta \Baf"ta\ (b[a^]f"t[.a]), n. [Cf. Per. baft. woven,
wrought.]
A coarse stuff, usually of cotton, originally made in India.
Also, an imitation of this fabric made for export.
Bag \Bag\, n. [OE. bagge; cf. Icel. baggi, and also OF. bague,
bundle, LL. baga.]
1. A sack or pouch, used for holding anything; as, a bag of
meal or of money.
2. A sac, or dependent gland, in animal bodies, containing
some fluid or other substance; as, the bag of poison in
the mouth of some serpents; the bag of a cow.
3. A sort of silken purse formerly tied about men's hair
behind, by way of ornament. [Obs.]
4. The quantity of game bagged.
5. (Com.) A certain quantity of a commodity, such as it is
customary to carry to market in a sack; as, a bag of
pepper or hops; a bag of coffee.
{Bag and baggage}, all that belongs to one.
{To give one the bag}, to disappoint him. [Obs.] --Bunyan.
Bag \Bag\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bagged}(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bagging}]
1. To put into a bag; as, to bag hops.
2. To seize, capture, or entrap; as, to bag an army; to bag
game.
3. To furnish or load with a bag or with a well filled bag.
A bee bagged with his honeyed venom. --Dryden.
Bag \Bag\, v. i.
1. To swell or hang down like a full bag; as, the skin bags
from containing morbid matter.
2. To swell with arrogance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
3. To become pregnant. [Obs.] --Warner. (Alb. Eng. ).
Bagasse \Ba*gasse"\, n. [F.]
Sugar cane, as it comes crushed from the mill. It is then
dried and used as fuel. Also extended to the refuse of
beetroot sugar.
Bagatelle \Bag`a*telle"\, n. [F., fr. It. bagatella; cf. Prov.
It. bagata trifle, OF. bague, Pr. bagua, bundle. See {Bag},
n.]
1. A trifle; a thing of no importance.
Rich trifles, serious bagatelles. --Prior.
2. A game played on an oblong board, having, at one end, cups
or arches into or through which balls are to be driven by
a rod held in the hand of the player.
Baggage \Bag"gage\, n. [F. bagage, from OF. bague bungle. In
senses 6 and 7 cf. F. bagasse a prostitute. See {Bag}, n.]
1. The clothes, tents, utensils, and provisions of an army.
Note: ``The term itself is made to apply chiefly to articles
of clothing and to small personal effects.'' --Farrow.
2. The trunks, valises, satchels, etc., which a traveler
carries with him on a journey; luggage.
The baronet's baggage on the roof of the coach.
--Thackeray.
We saw our baggage following below. --Johnson.
Note: The English usually call this luggage.
3. Purulent matter. [Obs.] --Barrough.
4. Trashy talk. [Obs.] --Ascham.
5. A man of bad character. [Obs.] --Holland.
6. A woman of loose morals; a prostitute.
A disreputable, daring, laughing, painted French
baggage. --Thackeray.
7. A romping, saucy girl. [Playful] --Goldsmith.
Baggage master \Bag"gage mas`ter\
One who has charge of the baggage at a railway station or
upon a line of public travel. [U.S.]
Baggager \Bag"ga*ger\, n.
One who takes care of baggage; a camp follower. [Obs.] --Sir
W. Raleigh.
Baggala \Bag"ga*la\, n. [Ar. ``fem. of baghl a mule.'' Balfour.]
(Naut.)
A two-masted Arab or Indian trading vessel, used in Indian
Ocean.
Baggily \Bag"gi*ly\, adv.
In a loose, baggy way.
Bagging \Bag"ging\, n.
1. Cloth or other material for bags.
2. The act of putting anything into, or as into, a bag.
3. The act of swelling; swelling.
Bagging \Bag"ging\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Reaping peas, beans, wheat, etc., with a chopping stroke.
[Eng.]
Baggy \Bag"gy\, a.
Resembling a bag; loose or puffed out, or pendent, like a
bag; flabby; as, baggy trousers; baggy cheeks.
Bagman \Bag"man\, n.; pl. {Bagmen}.
A commercial traveler; one employed to solicit orders for
manufacturers and tradesmen. --Thackeray.
Bag net \Bag" net`\
A bag-shaped net for catching fish.
Bagnio \Bagn"io\, n. [It. bagno, fr. L. balneum. Cf. {Bain}.]
1. A house for bathing, sweating, etc.; -- also, in Turkey, a
prison for slaves. [Obs.]
2. A brothel; a stew; a house of prostitution.
Bagpipe \Bag"pipe\, n.
A musical wind instrument, now used chiefly in the Highlands
of Scotland.
Note: It consists of a leather bag, which receives the air by
a tube that is stopped by a valve; and three sounding
pipes, into which the air is pressed by the performer.
Two of these pipes produce fixed tones, namely, the
bass, or key tone, and its fifth, and form together
what is called the drone; the third, or chanter, gives
the melody.
Bagpipe \Bag"pipe\, v. t.
To make to look like a bagpipe.
{To bagpipe the mizzen} (Naut.), to lay it aback by bringing
the sheet to the mizzen rigging. --Totten.
Bagpiper \Bag"pip`er\, n.
One who plays on a bagpipe; a piper. --Shak.
Bagreef \Bag"reef`\, n. [Bag + reef.] (Naut.)
The lower reef of fore and aft sails; also, the upper reef of
topsails. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Bague \Bague\, n. [F., a ring] (Arch.)
The annular molding or group of moldings dividing a long
shaft or clustered column into two or more parts.
Baguet \Ba*guet"\, Baguette \Ba*guette"\, n. [F. baguette, prop.
a rod? It. bacchetta, fr. L. baculum, baculu? stick, staff.]
1. (Arch.) A small molding, like the astragal, but smaller; a
bead.
2. (Zo["o]l) One of the minute bodies seen in the divided
nucleoli of some Infusoria after conjugation.
Bagwig \Bag"wig"\, n.
A wig, in use in the 18th century, with the hair at the back
of the head in a bag.
Bagworm \Bag"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of several lepidopterous insects which construct, in the
larval state, a baglike case which they carry about for
protection. One species ({Plat[oe]ceticus Gloveri}) feeds on
the orange tree. See {Basket worm}.
Bah \Bah\, interj.
An exclamation expressive of extreme contempt.
Twenty-five years ago the vile ejaculation, Bah! was
utterly unknown to the English public. --De Quincey.
Bahar \Ba*har"\, n. [Ar. bah[=a]r, from bahara to charge with a
load.]
A weight used in certain parts of the East Indies, varying
considerably in different localities, the range being from
223 to 625 pounds.
Baigne \Baigne\, v. i. [F. baigner to bathe, fr. L. balneum
bath.]
To soak or drench. [Obs.]
Bail \Bail\, n. [F. baille a bucket, pail; cf. LL. bacula, dim.
of bacca a sort of vessel. Cf. {Bac}.]
A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat. [Obs.]
The bail of a canoe . . . made of a human skull.
--Capt. Cook.
Bail \Bail\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bailed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bailing}.]
1. To lade; to dip and throw; -- usually with out; as, to
bail water out of a boat.
Buckets . . . to bail out the water. --Capt. J.
Smith.
2. To dip or lade water from; -- often with out to express
completeness; as, to bail a boat.
By the help of a small bucket and our hats we bailed
her out. --R. H. Dana,
Jr.
Bail \Bail\, v.?t. [OF. bailler to give, to deliver, fr. L.
bajulare to bear a burden, keep in custody, fr. bajulus ? who
bears burdens.]
1. To deliver; to release. [Obs.]
Ne none there was to rescue her, ne none to bail.
--Spenser.
2. (Law)
(a) To set free, or deliver from arrest, or out of
custody, on the undertaking of some other person or
persons that he or they will be responsible for the
appearance, at a certain day and place, of the person
bailed.
Note: The word is applied to the magistrate or the surety.
The magistrate bails (but admits to bail is commoner) a
man when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment
upon bond given with sureties. The surety bails a
person when he procures his release from arrest by
giving bond for his appearance. --Blackstone.
(b) To deliver, as goods in trust, for some special object
or purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied,
that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the
part of the bailee, or person intrusted; as, to bail
cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail
goods to a carrier. --Blackstone. Kent.
Bail \Bail\, n. [OF. bail guardian, administrator, fr. L.
bajulus. See {Bail} to deliver.]
1. Custody; keeping. [Obs.]
Silly Faunus now within their bail. --Spenser.
2. (Law)
(a) The person or persons who procure the release of a
prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from
imprisonment, by becoming surely for his appearance in
court.
The bail must be real, substantial bondsmen.
--Blackstone.
A. and B. were bail to the arrest in a suit at
law. --Kent.
(b) The security given for the appearance of a prisoner in
order to obtain his release from custody of the
officer; as, the man is out on bail; to go bail for
any one.
Excessive bail ought not to be required.
--Blackstone.
Bail \Bail\, n. [OE. beyl; cf. Dan. b["o]ile an bending, ring,
hoop, Sw. b["o]gel, bygel, and Icel. beyla hump, swelling,
akin to E. bow to bend.]
1. The arched handle of a kettle, pail, or similar vessel,
usually movable. --Forby.
2. A half hoop for supporting the cover of a carrier's wagon,
awning of a boat, etc.
Bail \Bail\, n. [OF. bail, baille. See {Bailey}.]
1. (Usually pl.) A line of palisades serving as an exterior
defense. [Written also {bayle}.] [Obs.]
2. The outer wall of a feudal castle. Hence: The space
inclosed by it; the outer court. --Holinshed.
3. A certain limit within a forest. [Eng.]
4. A division for the stalls of an open stable.
5. (Cricket) The top or cross piece ( or either of the two
cross pieces) of the wicket.
Bailable \Bail"a*ble\, a.
1. Having the right or privilege of being admitted to bail,
upon bond with sureties; -- used of persons. ``He's
bailable, I'm sure.'' --Ford.
2. Admitting of bail; as, a bailable offense.
3. That can be delivered in trust; as, bailable goods.
Bail bond \Bail" bond`\ (Law)
(a) A bond or obligation given by a prisoner and his
surety, to insure the prisoner's appearance in court,
at the return of the writ.
(b) Special bail in court to abide the judgment.
--Bouvier.
Bailee \Bail`ee"\, n. [OF. baill['e], p. p. of bailler. See
{Bail} to deliver.] (Law)
The person to whom goods are committed in trust, and who has
a temporary possession and a qualified property in them, for
the purposes of the trust. --Blackstone.
Note: In penal statutes the word includes those who receive
goods for another in good faith. --Wharton.
Bailer \Bail"er\, n. (Law)
See {Bailor}.
Bailer \Bail"er\, n.
1. One who bails or lades.
2. A utensil, as a bucket or cup, used in bailing; a machine
for bailing water out of a pit.
Bailey \Bai"ley\, n. [The same word as bail line of palisades;
cf. LL. ballium bailey, OF. bail, baille, a palisade,
baillier to inclose, shut.]
1. The outer wall of a feudal castle. [Obs.]
2. The space immediately within the outer wall of a castle or
fortress. [Obs.]
3. A prison or court of justice; -- used in certain proper
names; as, the Old Bailey in London; the New Bailey in
Manchester. [Eng.] --Oxf. Gloss.
Bailie \Bail"ie\, n. [See {Bailiff}.]
An officer in Scotland, whose office formerly corresponded to
that of sheriff, but now corresponds to that of an English
alderman.
Bailiff \Bail"iff\, n. [OF. baillif, F. bailli, custodia?
magistrate, fr. L. bajulus porter. See {Bail} to deliver.]
1. Originally, a person put in charge of something
especially, a chief officer, magistrate, or keeper, as of
a county, town, hundred, or castle; one to whom power? of
custody or care are intrusted. --Abbott.
Lausanne is under the canton of Berne, governed by a
bailiff sent every three years from the senate.
--Addison.
2. (Eng. Law) A sheriff's deputy, appointed to make arrests,
collect fines, summon juries, etc.
Note: In American law the term bailiff is seldom used except
sometimes to signify a sheriff's officer or constable,
or a party liable to account to another for the rent
and profits of real estate. --Burrill.
3. An overseer or under steward of an estate, who directs
husbandry operations, collects rents, etc. [Eng.]
Bailiffwick \Bail"iff*wick\, n.
See {Bailiwick}. [Obs.]
Bailiwick \Bail"i*wick\, n. [Bailie, bailiff + wick a village.]
(Law)
The precincts within which a bailiff has jurisdiction; the
limits of a bailiff's authority.
Baillie \Bail"lie\, n.
1. Bailiff. [Obs.]
2. Same as {Bailie}. [Scot.]
Bailment \Bail"ment\, n.
1. (Law) The action of bailing a person accused.
Bailment . . . is the saving or delivery of a man
out of prison before he hath satisfied the law.
--Dalton.
2. (Law) A delivery of goods or money by one person to
another in trust, for some special purpose, upon a
contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be
faithfully executed. --Blackstone.
Note: In a general sense it is sometimes used as
comprehending all duties in respect to property.
--Story.
Bailor \Bail`or"\, n. (Law)
One who delivers goods or money to another in trust.
Bailpiece \Bail"piece`\, n. (Law)
A piece of parchment, or paper, containing a recognizance or
bail bond.
Bain \Bain\, n. [F. bain, fr. L. balneum. Cf. {Bagnio}.]
A bath; a bagnio. [Obs.] --Holland.
Bain-marie \Bain`-ma`rie"\, n. [F.]
A vessel for holding hot water in which another vessel may be
heated without scorching its contents; -- used for warming or
preparing food or pharmaceutical preparations.
Bairam \Bai"ram\, n. [Turk. ba["i]r[=a]m.]
The name of two Mohammedan festivals, of which one is held at
the close of the fast called Ramadan, and the other seventy
days after the fast.
Bairn \Bairn\, n. [Scot. bairn, AS. bearn, fr. beran to bear;
akin to Icel., OS., &Goth. barn. See {Bear} to support.]
A child. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
Has he not well provided for the bairn ! --Beau. & Fl.
Baisemains \Baise"mains`\, n. pl. [F., fr. baiser to kiss +
mains hands.]
Respects; compliments. [Obs.]
Bait \Bait\, n. [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS.
b[=a]t food, Sw. bete. See {Bait}, v. i.]
1. Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other
animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or
net.
2. Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation.
--Fairfax.
3. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a
journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
4. A light or hasty luncheon.
{Bait bug} (Zo["o]l), a crustacean of the genus {Hippa} found
burrowing in sandy beaches. See {Anomura}.
Bait \Bait\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Baited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Baiting}.] [OE. baiten, beit?n, to feed, harass, fr. Icel.
beita, orig. to cause to bite, fr. b[=i]ta. [root]87. See
{Bite}.]
1. To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for
sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.
2. To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as,
to bait horses. --Holland.
3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
A crooked pin . . . bailed with a vile earthworm.
--W. Irving.
Bait \Bait\, v. i.
To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment
of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey.
Evil news rides post, while good news baits. --Milton.
My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting
at Newmarket. --Evelyn.
Bait \Bait\, v. i. [F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap
or flutter. See {Batter}, v. i.]
To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a
hawk when she stoops to her prey. ``Kites that bait and
beat.'' --Shak.
Baiter \Bait"er\, n.
One who baits; a tormentor.
Baize \Baize\, n. [For bayes, pl. fr. OF. baie; cf. F. bai
bay-colored. See {Bay} a color.]
A coarse woolen stuff with a long nap; -- usually dyed in
plain colors.
A new black baize waistcoat lined with silk. --Pepys.
Bajocco \Ba*joc"co\, n. [It., fr. bajo brown, bay, from its
color.]
A small copper coin formerly current in the Roman States,
worth about a cent and a half.
Bake \Bake\ (b[=a]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Baked} (b[=a]kt); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Baking}.] [AS. bacan; akin to D. bakken, OHG.
bacchan, G. backen, Icel. & Sw. baca, Dan. bage, Gr. ? to
roast.]
1. To prepare, as food, by cooking in a dry heat, either in
an oven or under coals, or on heated stone or metal; as,
to bake bread, meat, apples.
Note: Baking is the term usually applied to that method of
cooking which exhausts the moisture in food more than
roasting or broiling; but the distinction of meaning
between roasting and baking is not always observed.
2. To dry or harden (anything) by subjecting to heat, as, to
bake bricks; the sun bakes the ground.
3. To harden by cold.
The earth . . . is baked with frost. --Shak.
They bake their sides upon the cold, hard stone.
--Spenser.
Bake \Bake\, v. i.
1. To do the work of baking something; as, she brews, washes,
and bakes. --Shak.
2. To be baked; to become dry and hard in heat; as, the bread
bakes; the ground bakes in the hot sun.
Bake \Bake\, n.
The process, or result, of baking.
Bakehouse \Bake"house`\ (-hous`), n. [AS. b[ae]ch[=u]s. See
{Bake}, v. t., and {House}.]
A house for baking; a bakery.
Bakemeat \Bake"meat`\ (b[=a]k"m[=e]t`), Baked-meat
\Baked"-meat`\ (b[=a]kt"-), n.
A pie; baked food. [Obs.] --Gen. xl. 17. --Shak.
Baken \Bak"en\,
p. p. of {Bake}. [Obs. or. Archaic]
Baker \Bak"er\, n. [AS. b[ae]cere. See {Bake}, v. i.]
1. One whose business it is to bake bread, biscuit, etc.
2. A portable oven in which baking is done. [U.S.]
{A baker's dozen}, thirteen.
{Baker foot}, a distorted foot. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
{Baker's itch}, a rash on the back of the hand, caused by the
irritating properties of yeast.
{Baker's salt}, the subcarbonate of ammonia, sometimes used
instead of soda, in making bread.
Baker-legged \Bak"er-legged`\, a.
Having legs that bend inward at the knees.
Bakery \Bak"er*y\, n.
1. The trade of a baker. [R.]
2. The place for baking bread; a bakehouse.
Baking \Bak"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of cooking in an oven, or of drying and
hardening by heat or cold.
2. The quantity baked at once; a batch; as, a baking of
bread.
{Baking powder}, a substitute for yeast, usually consisting
of an acid, a carbonate, and a little farinaceous matter.
Bakingly \Bak"ing*ly\, adv.
In a hot or baking manner.
Bakistre \Bak"is*tre\, n. [See {Baxter}.]
A baker. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Baksheesh \Bak"sheesh`\, Bakshish \Bak"shish`\, n.
Same as {Backsheesh}.
Balaam \Ba"laam\, n.
A paragraph describing something wonderful, used to fill out
a newspaper column; -- an allusion to the miracle of Balaam's
ass speaking. --Numb. xxii. 30. [Cant]
{Balaam basket or box} (Print.), the receptacle for rejected
articles. --Blackw. Mag.
Balachong \Bal"a*chong\, n. [Malay b[=a]lach[=a]n.]
A condiment formed of small fishes or shrimps, pounded up
with salt and spices, and then dried. It is much esteemed in
China.
Balaenoidea \Bal`[ae]*noi"de*a\, n. [NL., from L. balaena whale
+ -oid.] (Zo["o]l)
A division of the Cetacea, including the right whale and all
other whales having the mouth fringed with baleen. See
{Baleen}.
Balance \Bal"ance\, n. [OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilan?,
bilancis, having two scales; bis twice (akin to E. two) +
lanx plate, scale.]
1. An apparatus for weighing.
Note: In its simplest form, a balance consists of a beam or
lever supported exactly in the middle, having two
scales or basins of equal weight suspended from its
extremities. Another form is that of the Roman balance,
our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended
near one of its extremities, on the longer arm of which
a counterpoise slides. The name is also given to other
forms of apparatus for weighing bodies, as to the
combinations of levers making up platform scales; and
even to devices for weighing by the elasticity of a
spring.
2. Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
A fair balance of the advantages on either side.
--Atterbury.
3. Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
4. The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even
adjustment; steadiness.
And hung a bottle on each side To make his balance
true. --Cowper.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
--Buckle.
English workmen completely lose their balance. --J.
S. Mill.
5. An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an
account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; --
also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an
account. `` A balance at the banker's. '' --Thackeray.
I still think the balance of probabilities leans
towards the account given in the text. --J. Peile.
6. (Horol.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See
{Balance wheel} (in the Vocabulary).
7. (Astron.)
(a) The constellation Libra.
(b) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which
the sun enters at the equinox in September.
8. A movement in dancing. See {Balance}, v. i., S.
{Balance electrometer}, a kind of balance, with a poised
beam, which indicates, by weights suspended from one arm,
the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces.
--Knight.
{Balance fish}. (Zo["o]l) See {Hammerhead}.
{Balance knife}, a carving or table knife the handle of which
overbalances the blade, and so keeps it from contact with
the table.
{Balance of power}. (Politics), such an adjustment of power
among sovereign states that no one state is in a position
to interfere with the independence of the others;
international equilibrium; also, the ability ( of a state
or a third party within a state) to control the relations
between sovereign states or between dominant parties in a
state.
{Balance sheet} (Bookkeeping), a paper showing the balances
of the open accounts of a business, the debit and credit
balances footing up equally, if the system of accounts be
complete and the balances correctly taken.
{Balance thermometer}, a thermometer mounted as a balance so
that the movement of the mercurial column changes the
indication of the tube. With the aid of electrical or
mechanical devices adapted to it, it is used for the
automatic regulation of the temperature of rooms warmed
artificially, and as a fire alarm.
{Balance of torsion}. See {Torsion Balance}.
{Balance of trade} (Pol. Econ.), an equilibrium between the
money values of the exports and imports of a country; or
more commonly, the amount required on one side or the
other to make such an equilibrium.
{Balance valve}, a valve whose surfaces are so arranged that
the fluid pressure tending to seat, and that tending to
unseat the valve, are nearly in equilibrium; esp., a
puppet valve which is made to operate easily by the
admission of steam to both sides. See {Puppet valve}.
{Hydrostatic balance}. See under {Hydrostatic}.
{To lay in balance}, to put up as a pledge or security.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
{To strike a balance}, to find out the difference between the
debit and credit sides of an account.
Balance \Bal"ance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Balanced} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Balancing} (?).] [From {Balance}, n.: cf. F.
balancer. ]
1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by
adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
2. To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling;
as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance
one's self on a tight rope.
3. To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to
counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
One expression . . . must check and balance another.
--Kent.
4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to
estimate.
Balance the good and evil of things. --L'Estrange.
5. To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts
equal by paying the difference between them.
I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power
to balance accounts with my Maker. --Addison.
6. To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account
equal; -- said of an item; as, this payment, or credit,
balances the account.
7. To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of
the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as,
to balance a set of books.
8. (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from,
reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
9. (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass;
as, to balance the boom mainsail.
{Balanced valve}. See {Balance valve}, under {Balance}, n.
Syn: To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize;
equalize.
Balance \Bal"ance\, v. i.
1. To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as,
the scales balance.
2. To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force;
to waver; to hesitate.
He would not balance or err in the determination of
his choice. --Locke.
3. (Dancing) To move toward a person or couple, and then
back.
Balanceable \Bal"ance*a*ble\, a.
Such as can be balanced.
Balancement \Bal"ance*ment\, n.
The act or result of balancing or adjusting; equipoise; even
adjustment of forces. [R.] --Darwin.
Balancer \Bal"an*cer\, n.
1. One who balances, or uses a balance.
2. (Zo["o]l.) In Diptera, the rudimentary posterior wing.
Balancereef \Bal"ance*reef`\, n. (Naut.)
The last reef in a fore-and-aft sail, taken to steady the
ship.
Balance wheel \Bal"ance wheel`\
1. (Horology)
(a) A wheel which regulates the beats or pulses of a watch
or chronometer, answering to the pendulum of a clock;
-- often called simply a {balance}.
(b) A ratchet-shaped scape wheel, which in some watches is
acted upon by the axis of the balance wheel proper (in
those watches called a balance).
2. (Mach.) A wheel which imparts regularity to the movements
of any engine or machine; a fly wheel.
Balaniferous \Bal`a*nif"er*ous\, a. [L. balanus acorn +
-ferous.]
Bearing or producing acorns.
Balanite \Bal"a*nite\, n. [L. balanus acorn: cf. F. balanite.]
(Paleon.)
A fossil balanoid shell.
Balanoglossus \Bal`a*no*glos"sus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? acorn + ?
tongue.] (Zo["o]l)
A peculiar marine worm. See {Enteropneusta}, and {Tornaria}.
Balanoid \Bal"a*noid\, a. [Gr. ? acorn + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Resembling an acorn; -- applied to a group of barnacles
having shells shaped like acorns. See {Acornshell}, and
{Barnacle}.
Balas ruby \Bal"as ru`by\ [OE. bales, balais, F. balais, LL.
balascus, fr. Ar. balakhsh, so called from Badakhshan,
Balashan, or Balaxiam, a place in the neighborhood of
Samarcand, where this ruby is found.] (Min.)
A variety of spinel ruby, of a pale rose red, or inclining to
orange. See {Spinel}.
Balaustine \Ba*laus"tine\, n. [L. balaustium, Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
The pomegranate tree ({Punica granatum}). The bark of the
root, the rind of the fruit, and the flowers are used
medicinally.
Balbutiate \Bal*bu"ti*ate\, Balbucinate \Bal*bu"ci*nate\, v. i.
[L. balbutire, fr. balbus stammering: cf. F. balbutier.]
To stammer. [Obs.]
Balbuties \Bal*bu"ti*es\, n. (Med.)
The defect of stammering; also, a kind of incomplete
pronunciation.
Balcon \Bal"con\, n.
A balcony. [Obs.] --Pepys.
Balconied \Bal"co*nied\, a.
Having balconies.
Balcony \Bal"co*ny\, n.; pl. {Balconies}. [It. balcone; cf. It.
balco, palco, scaffold, fr. OHG. balcho, pa?cho, beam, G.
balken. See {Balk} beam.]
1. (Arch.) A platform projecting from the wall of a building,
usually resting on brackets or consoles, and inclosed by a
parapet; as, a balcony in front of a window. Also, a
projecting gallery in places of amusement; as, the balcony
in a theater.
2. A projecting gallery once common at the stern of large
ships.
Note: ``The accent has shifted from the second to the first
syllable within these twenty years.'' --Smart (1836).
Bald \Bald\, a. [OE. balled, ballid, perh. the p. p. of ball to
reduce to the roundness or smoothness of a ball, by removing
hair. [root]85. But cf. W. bali whiteness in a horse's
forehead.]
1. Destitute of the natural or common covering on the head or
top, as of hair, feathers, foliage, trees, etc.; as, a
bald head; a bald oak.
On the bald top of an eminence. --Wordsworth.
2. Destitute of ornament; unadorned; bare; literal.
In the preface to his own bald translation.
--Dryden.
3. Undisguised. `` Bald egotism.'' --Lowell.
4. Destitute of dignity or value; paltry; mean. [Obs.]
5. (Bot.) Destitute of a beard or awn; as, bald wheat.
6. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Destitute of the natural covering.
(b) Marked with a white spot on the head; bald-faced.
{Bald buzzard} (Zo["o]l.), the fishhawk or osprey.
{Bald coot} (Zo["o]l.), a name of the European coot ({Fulica
atra}), alluding to the bare patch on the front of the
head.
Baldachin \Bal"da*chin\, n. [LL. baldachinus, baldechinus, a
canopy of rich silk carried over the host; fr. Bagdad, It.
Baldacco, a city in Turkish Asia from whence these rich silks
came: cf. It. baldacchino. Cf. {Baudekin}.]
1. A rich brocade; baudekin. [Obs.]
2. (Arch.) A structure in form of a canopy, sometimes
supported by columns, and sometimes suspended from the
roof or projecting from the wall; generally placed over an
altar; as, the baldachin in St. Peter's.
3. A portable canopy borne over shrines, etc., in procession.
[Written also {baldachino}, {baldaquin}, etc.]
Bald eagle \Bald" ea"gle\ (Zo["o]l.)
The white-headed eagle ({Hali[ae]etus leucocephalus}) of
America. The young, until several years old, lack the white
feathers on the head.
Note: The bald eagle is represented in the coat of arms, and
on the coins, of the United States.
Balder \Bal"der\, n. [Icel. Baldr, akin to E. bold.] (Scan.
Myth.)
The most beautiful and beloved of the gods; the god of peace;
the son of Odin and Freya. [Written also {Baldur}.]
Balderdash \Bal"der*dash\, n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. Dan.
balder noise, clatter, and E. dash; hence, perhaps, unmeaning
noise, then hodgepodge, mixture; or W. baldorduss a
prattling, baldordd, baldorddi, to prattle.]
1. A worthless mixture, especially of liquors.
Indeed beer, by a mixture of wine, hath lost both
name and nature, and is called balderdash. --Taylor
(Drink and
Welcome).
2. Senseless jargon; ribaldry; nonsense; trash.
Balderdash \Bal"der*dash\, v. t.
To mix or adulterate, as liquors.
The wine merchants of Nice brew and balderdash, and
even mix it with pigeon's dung and quicklime.
--Smollett.
Bald-faced \Bald"-faced`\, a.
Having a white face or a white mark on the face, as a stag.
Baldhead \Bald"head`\, n.
1. A person whose head is bald. --2 Kings ii. 23.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A white-headed variety of pigeon.
Baldheaded \Bald"head`ed\, a.
Having a bald head.
Baldly \Bald"ly\, adv.
Nakedly; without reserve; inelegantly.
Baldness \Bald"ness\, n.
The state or condition of being bald; as, baldness of the
head; baldness of style.
This gives to their syntax a peculiar character of
simplicity and baldness. --W. D.
Whitney.
Baldpate \Bald"pate`\, n.
1. A baldheaded person. --Shak.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The American widgeon ({Anas Americana}).
Baldpate \Bald"pate`\, Baldpated \Bald"pat`ed\, a.
Destitute of hair on the head; baldheaded. --Shak.
Baldrib \Bald"rib`\, n.
A piece of pork cut lower down than the sparerib, and
destitute of fat. [Eng.] --Southey.
Baldric \Bal"dric\, n. [OE. baudric, bawdrik, through OF. (cf.
F. baudrier and LL. baldringus, baldrellus), from OHG.
balderich, cf. balz, palz, akin to E. belt. See {Belt}, n.]
A broad belt, sometimes richly ornamented, worn over one
shoulder, across the breast, and under the opposite arm; less
properly, any belt. [Also spelt {bawdrick}.]
A radiant baldric o'er his shoulder tied Sustained the
sword that glittered at his side. --Pope.
Baldwin \Bald"win\, n. (Bot.)
A kind of reddish, moderately acid, winter apple. [U.S.]
Bale \Bale\, n. [OE. bale, OF. bale, F. balle, LL. bala, fr.
OHG. balla, palla, pallo, G. ball, balle, ballen, ball round
pack; cf. D. baal. Cf. {Ball} a round body.]
A bundle or package of goods in a cloth cover, and corded for
storage or transportation; also, a bundle of straw ? hay,
etc., put up compactly for transportation.
{Bale of dice}, a pair of dice. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Bale \Bale\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Baled} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Baling}.]
To make up in a bale. --Goldsmith.
Bale \Bale\, v. t.
See {Bail}, v. t., to lade.
Bale \Bale\ (b[=a]l), n. [AS. bealo, bealu, balu; akin to OS.
balu, OHG. balo, Icel. b["o]l, Goth. balweins.]
1. Misery; calamity; misfortune; sorrow.
Let now your bliss be turned into bale. --Spenser.
2. Evil; an evil, pernicious influence; something causing
great injury. [Now chiefly poetic]
Balearic \Bal`e*ar"ic\, a. [L. Balearicus, fr. Gr. ? the
Balearic Islands.]
Of or pertaining to the isles of Majorca, Minorca, Ivica,
etc., in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Valencia.
{Balearic crane}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Crane}.
Baleen \Ba*leen"\, n. [F. baleine whale and whalibone, L.
balaena a whale; cf. Gr. ?. ] (Zo["o]l. & Com.)
Plates or blades of ``whalebone,'' from two to twelve feet
long, and sometimes a foot wide, which in certain whales
({Bal[ae]noidea}) are attached side by side along the upper
jaw, and form a fringelike sieve by which the food is
retained in the mouth.
Balefire \Bale"fire`\ (b[=a]l"f[imac]r), n. [AS. b[=ae]lf[=y]r
the fire of the funeral pile; b[=ae]l fire, flame (akin to
Icel. b[=a]l, OSlav. b[=e]l[u^], white, Gr. falo`s bright,
white, Skr. bh[=a]la brightness) + f[=y]r, E. fire.]
A signal fire; an alarm fire.
Sweet Teviot! on thy silver tide The glaring balefires
blaze no more. --Sir W.
Scott.
Baleful \Bale"ful\, a. [AS. bealoful. See {Bale} misery.]
1. Full of deadly or pernicious influence; destructive.
``Baleful enemies.'' --Shak.
Four infernal rivers that disgorge Into the burning
lake their baleful streams. --Milton.
2. Full of grief or sorrow; woeful; sad. [Archaic]
Balefully \Bale"ful*ly\, adv.
In a baleful manner; perniciously.
Balefulness \Bale"ful*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being baleful.
Balisaur \Bal"i*sa`ur\, n. [Hind.] (Zo["o]l.)
A badgerlike animal of India ({Arcionyx collaris}).
Balister \Bal"is*ter\, n. [OF. balestre. See {Ballista}.]
A crossbow. [Obs.] --Blount.
Balistoid \Bal"is*toid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like a fish of the genus {Balistes}; of the family
{Balistid[ae]}. See {Filefish}.
Balistraria \Bal`is*tra"ri*a\, n. [LL.] (Anc. Fort.)
A narrow opening, often cruciform, through which arrows might
be discharged.
Balize \Ba*lize"\, n. [F. balise; cf. Sp. balisa.]
A pole or a frame raised as a sea beacon or a landmark.
Balk \Balk\, n. [AS. balca beam, ridge; akin to Icel. b[=a]lkr
partition, bj[=a]lki beam, OS. balko, G. balken; cf. Gael.
balc ridge of earth between two furrows. Cf. {Balcony},
{Balk}, v. i., 3d {Bulk}.]
1. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the
end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.
Bad plowmen made balks of such ground. --Fuller.
2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a
house. The loft above was called ``the balks.''
Tubs hanging in the balks. --Chaucer.
3. (Mil.) One of the beams connecting the successive supports
of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.
4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker.
--South.
5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.
6. (Baseball) A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to
deliver the ball.
{Balk line} (Billiards), a line across a billiard table near
one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are
placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table,
parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game,
called the balk line game.
Balk \Balk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Balked} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Balking}.] [From {Balk} a beam; orig. to put a balk or beam
in one's way, in order to stop or hinder. Cf., for sense 2,
AS. on balcan legan to lay in heaps.]
1. To leave or make balks in. [Obs.] --Gower.
2. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles. [Obs.]
Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights,
Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see.
--Shak.
3. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance. [Obs.]
4. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to
let go by; to shirk. [Obs. or Obsolescent]
By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked
the ?nns. --Evelyn.
Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat.
--Bp. Hall.
Nor doth he any creature balk, But lays on all he
meeteth. --Drayton.
5. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to
?hwart; as, to balk expectation.
They shall not balk my entrance. --Byron.
Balk \Balk\, v. i.
1. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition. [Obs.]
In strifeful terms with him to balk. --Spenser.
2. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to
stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks.
Note: This has been regarded as an Americanism, but it occurs
in Spenser's ``Fa["e]rie Queene,'' Book IV., 10, xxv.
Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt, Ne
ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt.
Balk \Balk\, v. i. [Prob. from D. balken to bray, bawl.]
To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore,
the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
Balker \Balk"er\, n. [See 2d {Balk}.]
One who, or that which balks.
Balker \Balk"er\, n. [See last {Balk}.]
A person who stands on a rock or eminence to espy the shoals
of herring, etc., and to give notice to the men in boats
which way they pass; a conder; a huer.
Balkingly \Balk"ing*ly\, adv.
In a manner to balk or frustrate.
Balkish \Balk"ish\, a.
Uneven; ridgy. [R.] --Holinshed.
Balky \Balk"y\ (b[add]k"[y^]), a.
Apt to balk; as, a balky horse.
Ball \Ball\ (b[add]l), n. [OE. bal, balle; akin to OHG. balla,
palla, G. ball, Icel. b["o]llr, ball; cf. F. balle. Cf. 1st
{Bale}, n., {Pallmall}.]
1. Any round or roundish body or mass; a sphere or globe; as,
a ball of twine; a ball of snow.
2. A spherical body of any substance or size used to play
with, as by throwing, knocking, kicking, etc.
3. A general name for games in which a ball is thrown,
kicked, or knocked. See {Baseball}, and {Football}.
4. Any solid spherical, cylindrical, or conical projectile of
lead or iron, to be discharged from a firearm; as, a
cannon ball; a rifle ball; -- often used collectively; as,
powder and ball. Spherical balls for the smaller firearms
are commonly called {bullets}.
5. (Pyrotechnics & Mil.) A flaming, roundish body shot into
the air; a case filled with combustibles intended to burst
and give light or set fire, or to produce smoke or stench;
as, a fire ball; a stink ball.
6. (Print.) A leather-covered cushion, fastened to a handle
called a ballstock; -- formerly used by printers for
inking the form, but now superseded by the roller.
7. A roundish protuberant portion of some part of the body;
as, the ball of the thumb; the ball of the foot.
8. (Far.) A large pill, a form in which medicine is commonly
given to horses; a bolus. --White.
9. The globe or earth. --Pope.
Move round the dark terrestrial ball. --Addison.
{Ball and socket joint}, a joint in which a ball moves within
a socket, so as to admit of motion in every direction
within certain limits.
{Ball bearings}, a mechanical device for lessening the
friction of axle bearings by means of small loose metal
balls.
{Ball cartridge}, a cartridge containing a ball, as
distinguished from a blank cartridge, containing only
powder.
{Ball cock}, a faucet or valve which is opened or closed by
the fall or rise of a ball floating in water at the end of
a lever.
{Ball gudgeon}, a pivot of a spherical form, which permits
lateral deflection of the arbor or shaft, while retaining
the pivot in its socket. --Knight.
{Ball lever}, the lever used in a ball cock.
{Ball of the eye}, the eye itself, as distinguished from its
lids and socket; -- formerly, the pupil of the eye.
{Ball valve} (Mach.), a contrivance by which a ball, placed
in a circular cup with a hole in its bottom, operates as a
valve.
{Ball vein} (Mining), a sort of iron ore, found in loose
masses of a globular form, containing sparkling particles.
{Three balls}, or {Three golden balls}, a pawnbroker's sign
or shop.
Syn: See {Globe}.
Ball \Ball\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Balled} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Balling}.]
To gather balls which cling to the feet, as of damp snow or
clay; to gather into balls; as, the horse balls; the snow
balls.
Ball \Ball\, v. t.
1. (Metal.) To heat in a furnace and form into balls for
rolling.
2. To form or wind into a ball; as, to ball cotton.
Ball \Ball\, n. [F. bal, fr. OF. baler to dance, fr. LL.
ballare. Of uncertain origin; cf. Gr. ? to toss or throw, or
?, ?, to leap, bound, ? to dance, jump about; or cf. 1st
{Ball}, n.]
A social assembly for the purpose of dancing.
Ballad \Bal"lad\, n. [OE. balade, OF. balade, F. ballade, fr.
Pr. ballada a dancing song, fr. ballare to dance; cf. It.
ballata. See 2d {Ball}, n., and {Ballet}.]
A popular kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or
singing; as, the ballad of Chevy Chase; esp., a sentimental
or romantic poem in short stanzas.
Ballad \Bal"lad\, v. i.
To make or sing ballads. [Obs.]
Ballad \Bal"lad\, v. t.
To make mention of in ballads. [Obs.]
Ballade \Bal*lade"\, n. [See {Ballad}, n.]
A form of French versification, sometimes imitated in
English, in which three or four rhymes recur through three
stanzas of eight or ten lines each, the stanzas concluding
with a refrain, and the whole poem with an envoy.
Ballader \Bal"lad*er\, n.
A writer of ballads.
Ballad monger \Bal"lad mon`ger\ [See {Monger}.]
A seller or maker of ballads; a poetaster. --Shak.
Balladry \Bal"lad*ry\, n. [From {Ballad}, n. ]
Ballad poems; the subject or style of ballads. ``Base
balladry is so beloved.'' --Drayton.
Ballahoo \Bal"la*hoo\, Ballahou \Bal"la*hou\, n.
A fast-sailing schooner, used in the Bermudas and West
Indies.
Ballarag \Bal"la*rag\, v. i. [Corrupted fr. bullirag.]
To bully; to threaten. [Low] --T. Warton.
Ballast \Bal"last\, n. [D. ballast; akin to Dan. baglast,
ballast, OSw. barlast, Sw. ballast. The first part is perh.
the same word as E. bare, adj.; the second is last a burden,
and hence the meaning a bare, or mere, load. See {Bare}, a.,
and {Last} load.]
1. (Naut.) Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put
into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a
depth as to prevent capsizing.
2. Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it
steadiness.
3. Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad
to make it firm and solid.
4. The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in
making concrete.
5. Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness,
steadiness, and security.
It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.
--Barrow.
{Ballast engine}, a steam engine used in excavating and for
digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast.
{Ship in ballast}, a ship carring only ballast.
Ballast \Bal"last\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ballasted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Ballasting}.]
1. To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the
hold.
2. To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone,
etc., in order to make it firm and solid.
3. To keep steady; to steady, morally.
'T is charity must ballast the heart. --Hammond.
Ballastage \Bal"last*age\, n. (Law)
A toll paid for the privilege of taking up ballast in a port
or harbor.
Ballasting \Bal"last*ing\, n.
That which is used for steadying anything; ballast.
Ballatry \Bal"la*try\, n.
See {Balladry}. [Obs.] --Milton.
Ballet \Bal"let`\, n. [F., a dim. of bal dance. See 2d {Ball},
n.]
1. An artistic dance performed as a theatrical entertainment,
or an interlude, by a number of persons, usually women.
Sometimes, a scene accompanied by pantomime and dancing.
2. The company of persons who perform the ballet.
3. (Mus.) A light part song, or madrigal, with a fa la burden
or chorus, -- most common with the Elizabethan madrigal
composers.
4. (Her.) A bearing in coats of arms, representing one or
more balls, which are denominated bezants, plates, etc.,
according to color.
Ball-flower \Ball"-flow`er\, n. (Arch.)
An ornament resembling a ball placed in a circular flower,
the petals of which form a cup round it, -- usually inserted
in a hollow molding.
Ballista \Bal*lis"ta\, n.; pl. {Ballist[ae]}. [L. ballista,
balista, fr. Gr. ? to throw.]
An ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow, used
for hurling large missiles.
Ballister \Bal"lis*ter\, n. [L. ballista. Cf. {Balister}.]
A crossbow. [Obs.]
Ballistic \Bal*lis"tic\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the ballista, or to the art of hurling
stones or missile weapons by means of an engine.
2. Pertaining to projection, or to a projectile.
{Ballistic pendulum}, an instrument consisting of a mass of
wood or other material suspended as a pendulum, for
measuring the force and velocity of projectiles by means
of the arc through which their impact impels it.
Ballistics \Bal*lis"tics\, n. [Cf. F. balistique. See
{Ballista}.]
The science or art of hurling missile weapons by the use of
an engine. --Whewell.
Ballium \Bal"li*um\, n. [LL.]
See {Bailey}.
Balloon \Bal*loon"\, n. [F. ballon, aug. of balle ball: cf. It.
ballone. See 1st {Ball}, n., and cf. {Pallone}.]
1. A bag made of silk or other light material, and filled
with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float
in the atmosphere; especially, one with a car attached for
a["e]rial navigation.
2. (Arch.) A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church,
etc., as at St. Paul's, in London. [R.]
3. (Chem.) A round vessel, usually with a short neck, to hold
or receive whatever is distilled; a glass vessel of a
spherical form.
4. (Pyrotechnics) A bomb or shell. [Obs.]
5. A game played with a large inflated ball. [Obs.]
6. (Engraving) The outline inclosing words represented as
coming from the mouth of a pictured figure.
{Air balloon}, a balloon for a["e]rial navigation.
{Balloon frame} (Carp.), a house frame constructed altogether
of small timber.
{Balloon net}, a variety of woven lace in which the weft
threads are twisted in a peculiar manner around the warp.
Balloon \Bal*loon"\, v. t.
To take up in, or as if in, a balloon.
Balloon \Bal*loon"\, v. i.
1. To go up or voyage in a balloon.
2. To expand, or puff out, like a balloon.
Ballooned \Bal*looned"\, a.
Swelled out like a balloon.
Ballooner \Bal*loon"er\, n.
One who goes up in a balloon; an a["e]ronaut.
Balloon fish \Bal*loon" fish`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A fish of the genus {Diodon} or the genus {Tetraodon}, having
the power of distending its body by taking air or water into
its dilatable esophagus. See {Globefish}, and {Bur fish}.
Ballooning \Bal*loon"ing\, n.
1. The art or practice of managing balloons or voyaging in
them.
2. (Stock Exchange) The process of temporarily raising the
value of a stock, as by fictitious sales. [U.S.]
Ballooning spider \Bal*loon"ing spi"der\ (Zo["o]l.)
A spider which has the habit of rising into the air. Many
kinds ( esp. species of {Lycosa}) do this while young by
ejecting threads of silk until the force of the wind upon
them carries the spider aloft.
Balloonist \Bal*loon"ist\, n.
An a["e]ronaut.
Balloonry \Bal*loon"ry\, n.
The art or practice of ascending in a balloon;
a["e]ronautics.
Ballot \Bal"lot\ (b[a^]l"l[u^]t), n. [F. ballotte, fr. It.
ballotta. See {Ball} round body.]
1. Originally, a ball used for secret voting. Hence: Any
printed or written ticket used in voting.
2. The act of voting by balls or written or printed ballots
or tickets; the system of voting secretly by balls or by
tickets.
The insufficiency of the ballot. --Dickens.
3. The whole number of votes cast at an election, or in a
given territory or electoral district.
{Ballot box}, a box for receiving ballots.
Ballot \Bal"lot\ (b[a^]l"l[u^]t), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Balloted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Balloting}.] [F. ballotter to
toss, to ballot, or It. ballottare. See {Ballot}, n.]
To vote or decide by ballot; as, to ballot for a candidate.
Ballot \Bal"lot\, v. t.
To vote for or in opposition to.
None of the competitors arriving to a sufficient number
of balls, they fell to ballot some others. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Ballotade \Bal"lo*tade`\, n. [F. ballottade, fr. ballotter to
toss. See {Ballot}, v. i.] (Man.)
A leap of a horse, as between two pillars, or upon a straight
line, so that when his four feet are in the air, he shows
only the shoes of his hind feet, without jerking out.
Ballotation \Bal`lo*ta"tion\, n.
Voting by ballot. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Balloter \Bal"lot*er\, n.
One who votes by ballot.
Ballotin \Bal"lo*tin\, n. [F.]
An officer who has charge of a ballot box. [Obs.]
--Harrington.
Ballow \Bal"low\, n.
A cudgel. [Obs.] --Shak.
Ballproof \Ball"proof`\, a.
Incapable of being penetrated by balls from firearms.
Ballroom \Ball"room`\, n.
A room for balls or dancing.
Balm \Balm\, n. [OE. baume, OF. bausme, basme, F. baume, L.
balsamum balsam, from Gr. ?; perhaps of Semitic origin; cf.
Heb. b[=a]s[=a]m. Cf. {Balsam}.]
1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus {Melissa}.
2. The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or
shrubs. --Dryden.
3. Any fragrant ointment. --Shak.
4. Anything that heals or that mitigates pain. ``Balm for
each ill.'' --Mrs. Hemans.
{Balm cricket} (Zo["o]l.), the European cicada. --Tennyson.
{Balm of Gilead} (Bot.), a small evergreen African and
Asiatic tree of the terebinthine family ({Balsamodendron
Gileadense}). Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong
aromatic scent; and from this tree is obtained the balm of
Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca. This has a
yellowish or greenish color, a warm, bitterish, aromatic
taste, and a fragrant smell. It is valued as an unguent
and cosmetic by the Turks. The fragrant herb
{Dracocephalum Canariense} is familiarly called balm of
Gilead, and so are the American trees, {Populus
balsamifera}, variety candicans (balsam poplar), and
{Abies balsamea} (balsam fir).
Balm \Balm\, v. i.
To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal. Hence: To
soothe; to mitigate. [Archaic] --Shak.
Balmify \Balm"i*fy\, v. t. [Balm + -fy.]
To render balmy. [Obs.] --Cheyne.
Balmily \Balm"i*ly\, adv.
In a balmy manner. --Coleridge.
Balmoral \Bal*mor"al\, n. [From Balmoral Castle, in
Aberdeenshire, Scotland.]
1. A long woolen petticoat, worn immediately under the dress.
2. A kind of stout walking shoe, laced in front.
A man who uses his balmorals to tread on your toes.
--George
Eliot.
Balmy \Balm"y\, a.
1. Having the qualities of balm; odoriferous; aromatic;
assuaging; soothing; refreshing; mild. ``The balmy
breeze.'' --Tickell.
Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep !
--Young.
2. Producing balm. ``The balmy tree.'' --Pope.
Syn: Fragrant; sweet-scented; odorous; spicy.
Balneal \Bal"ne*al\, a. [L. balneum bath.]
Of or pertaining to a bath. --Howell.
Balneary \Bal"ne*a*ry\, n. [L. balnearium, fr. balneum bath.]
A bathing room. --Sir T. Browne.
Balneation \Bal`ne*a"tion\, n. [LL. balneare to bathe, fr. L.
balneum bath.]
The act of bathing. [R.]
Balneatory \Bal"ne*a*to*ry\, a. [L. balneatorius.]
Belonging to a bath. [Obs.]
Balneography \Bal`ne*og"ra*phy\, n. [L. balneum bath + -graphy.]
A description of baths.
Balneology \Bal`ne*ol"o*gy\, n. [L. balneum bath + -logy.]
A treatise on baths; the science of bathing.
Balneotherapy \Bal`ne*o*ther"a*py\, n. [L. balneum bath + Gr. ?
to heal.]
The treatment of disease by baths.
Balotade \Bal"o*tade`\, n.
See {Ballotade}.
Balsa \Bal"sa\, n. [Sp. or Pg. balsa.] (Naut.)
A raft or float, used principally on the Pacific coast of
South America.
Balsam \Bal"sam\, n. [L. balsamum the balsam tree or its resin,
Gr. ?. See {Balm}, n.]
1. A resin containing more or less of an essential or
volatile oil.
Note: The balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing
spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. A
great variety of substances pass under this name, but
the term is now usually restricted to resins which, in
addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and
cinnamic acid. Among the true balsams are the balm of
Gilead, and the balsams of copaiba, Peru, and Tolu.
There are also many pharmaceutical preparations and
resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to
which the name balsam has been given.
2. (Bot.)
(a) A species of tree ({Abies balsamea}).
(b) An annual garden plant ({Impatiens balsamina}) with
beautiful flowers; balsamine.
3. Anything that heals, soothes, or restores.
Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood?
--Tennyson.
{Balsam apple} (Bot.), an East Indian plant ({Momordica
balsamina}), of the gourd family, with red or
orange-yellow cucumber-shaped fruit of the size of a
walnut, used as a vulnerary, and in liniments and
poultices.
{Balsam fir} (Bot.), the American coniferous tree, {Abies
balsamea}, from which the useful Canada balsam is derived.
{Balsam of copaiba}. See {Copaiba}.
{Balsam of Mecca}, balm of Gilead.
{Balsam of Peru}, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained
from a Central American tree ({Myroxylon Pereir[ae]} and
used as a stomachic and expectorant, and in the treatment
of ulcers, etc. It was long supposed to be a product of
Peru.
{Balsam of Tolu}, a reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or
solid balsam, obtained from a South American tree
({Myroxylon toluiferum}). It is highly fragrant, and is
used as a stomachic and expectorant.
{Balsam tree}, any tree from which balsam is obtained, esp.
the {Abies balsamea}.
{Canada balsam}, {Balsam of fir}, Canada turpentine, a
yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by time and exposure,
becomes a transparent solid mass. It is obtained from the
balm of Gilead (or balsam) fir ({Abies balsamea}) by
breaking the vesicles upon the trunk and branches. See
{Balm}.
Balsam \Bal"sam\, v. t.
To treat or anoint with balsam; to relieve, as with balsam;
to render balsamic.
Balsamation \Bal`sam*a"tion\, n.
1. The act of imparting balsamic properties.
2. The art or process of embalming.
Balsamic \Bal*sam"ic\, Balsamical \Bal*sam"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
balsamique.]
Having the qualities of balsam; containing, or resembling,
balsam; soft; mitigative; soothing; restorative.
Balsamiferous \Bal`sam*if"er*ous\, a. [Balsam + -ferous.]
Producing balsam.
Balsamine \Bal"sam*ine\, n. [Cf. F. balsamine, fr. Gr. ? balsam
plant.] (Bot.)
The {Impatiens balsamina}, or garden balsam.
Balsamous \Bal"sam*ous\, a.
Having the quality of balsam; containing balsam. ``A
balsamous substance.'' --Sterne.
Balter \Bal"ter\, v. t. [Etymol. uncertain. Cf.
{Bloodboltered}.]
To stick together. [Obs.] --Holland.
Baltic \Bal"tic\, a. [NL. mare Balticum, fr. L. balteus belt,
from certain straits or channels surrounding its isles,
called belts. See {Belt}.]
Of or pertaining to the sea which separates Norway and Sweden
from Jutland, Denmark, and Germany; situated on the Baltic
Sea.
Baltimore bird \Bal"ti*more bird`\ Baltimore oriole \Bal"ti*more
o"ri*ole\ (Zo["o]l.)
A common American bird ({Icterus galbula}), named after Lord
Baltimore, because its colors (black and orange red) are like
those of his coat of arms; -- called also {golden robin}.
Baluster \Bal"us*ter\, n. [F. balustre, It. balaustro, fr. L.
balaustium the flower of the wild pomegranate, fr. Gr.
balay`stion; -- so named from the similarity of form.]
(Arch.)
A small column or pilaster, used as a support to the rail of
an open parapet, to guard the side of a staircase, or the
front of a gallery. See {Balustrade}. [Corrupted into
{banister}.]
Balustered \Bal"us*tered\ (-t[~e]rd), a.
Having balusters. --Dryden.
Balustrade \Bal"us*trade`\ (-tr[=a]d`), n. [F. balustrade, It.
balaustrata fr. balaustro. See {Baluster}.]
A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open
parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge,
staircase, or the eaves of a building.
Bam \Bam\ (b[a^]m), n. [Prob. a contr. of bamboozle.]
An imposition; a cheat; a hoax. --Garrick.
To relieve the tedium, he kept plying them with all
manner of bams. --Prof.
Wilson.
Bam \Bam\, v. t.
To cheat; to wheedle. [Slang] --Foote.
Bambino \Bam*bi"no\ (b[aum]m*b[=e]"n[-o]), n. [It., a little
boy, fr. bambo silly; cf. Gr. bambali`zein, bambai`nein, to
chatter.]
A child or baby; esp., a representation in art of the infant
Christ wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Bambocciade \Bam*boc`ci*ade"\, n. [It. bambocciata, fr.
Bamboccio a nickname of Peter Van Laer, a Dutch genre
painter; properly, a child, simpleton, puppet, fr. bambo
silly.] (Paint.)
A representation of a grotesque scene from common or rustic
life.
Bamboo \Bam*boo"\, n. [Malay bambu, mambu.] (Bot.)
A plant of the family of grasses, and genus {Bambusa},
growing in tropical countries.
Note: The most useful species is {Bambusa arundinacea}, which
has a woody, hollow, round, straight, jointed stem, and
grows to the height of forty feet and upward. The
flowers grow in large panicles, from the joints of the
stalk, placed three in a parcel, close to their
receptacles. Old stalks grow to five or six inches in
diameter, and are so hard and durable as to be used for
building, and for all sorts of furniture, for water
pipes, and for poles to support palanquins. The smaller
stalks are used for walking sticks, flutes, etc.
Bamboo \Bam*boo"\, v. t.
To flog with the bamboo.
Bamboozle \Bam*boo"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bamboozled} (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Bamboozling} (?).] [Said to be of Gipsy
origin.]
To deceive by trickery; to cajole by confusing the senses; to
hoax; to mystify; to humbug. [Colloq.] --Addison.
What oriental tomfoolery is bamboozling you? --J. H.
Newman.
Bamboozler \Bam*boo"zler\, n.
A swindler; one who deceives by trickery. [Colloq.]
--Arbuthnot.
Ban \Ban\ (b[a^]n), n. [AS. bann command, edict; akin to D. ban,
Icel. bann, Dan. band, OHG. ban, G. bann, a public
proclamation, as of interdiction or excommunication, Gr.
fa`nai to say, L. fari to speak, Skr. bhan to speak; cf. F.
ban, LL. bannum, of G. origin. [root]86. Cf. {Abandon},
{Fame}.]
1. A public proclamation or edict; a public order or notice,
mandatory or prohibitory; a summons by public
proclamation.
2. (Feudal & Mil.) A calling together of the king's (esp. the
French king's) vassals for military service; also, the
body of vassals thus assembled or summoned. In present
usage, in France and Prussia, the most effective part of
the population liable to military duty and not in the
standing army.
3. pl. Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in church.
See {Banns} (the common spelling in this sense).
4. An interdiction, prohibition, or proscription. ``Under ban
to touch.'' --Milton.
5. A curse or anathema. ``Hecate's ban.'' --Shak.
6. A pecuniary mulct or penalty laid upon a delinquent for
offending against a ban; as, a mulct paid to a bishop by
one guilty of sacrilege or other crimes.
{Ban of the empire} (German Hist.), an imperial interdict by
which political rights and privileges, as those of a
prince, city, or district, were taken away.
Ban \Ban\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Banned} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Banning}.] [OE. bannen, bannien, to summon, curse, AS.
bannan to summon; akin to Dan. bande, forbande, to curse, Sw.
banna to revile, bannas to curse. See {Ban} an edict, and cf.
{Banish}.]
1. To curse; to invoke evil upon. --Sir W. Scott.
2. To forbid; to interdict. --Byron.
Ban \Ban\, v. i.
To curse; to swear. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Ban \Ban\, n. [Serv. ban; cf. Russ. & Pol. pan a master? lord,
Per. ban.]
An ancient title of the warden of the eastern marches of
Hungary; now, a title of the viceroy of Croatia and Slavonia.
Banal \Ban"al\, a. [F., fr. ban an ordinance.]
Commonplace; trivial; hackneyed; trite.
Banality \Ba*nal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Banalities}. [F. banalit['e].
See {Banal}.]
Something commonplace, hackneyed, or trivial; the
commonplace, in speech.
The highest things were thus brought down to the
banalities of discourse. --J. Morley.
Banana \Ba*na"na\, n. [Sp. banana, name of the fruit.] (Bot.)
A perennial herbaceous plant of almost treelike size ({Musa
sapientum}); also, its edible fruit. See {Musa}.
Note: The banana has a soft, herbaceous stalk, with leaves of
great length and breadth. The flowers grow in bunches,
covered with a sheath of a green or purple color; the
fruit is five or six inches long, and over an inch in
diameter; the pulp is soft, and of a luscious taste,
and is eaten either raw or cooked. This plant is a
native of tropical countries, and furnishes an
important article of food.
{Banana bird} (Zo["o]l.), a small American bird ({Icterus
leucopteryx}), which feeds on the banana.
{Banana quit} (Zo["o]l.), a small bird of tropical America,
of the genus {Certhiola}, allied to the creepers.
Banat \Ban"at\, n. [Cf. F. & G. banat. See {Ban} a warden.]
The territory governed by a ban.
Banc \Banc\, Bancus \Ban"cus\, Bank \Bank\, n. [OF. banc, LL.
bancus. See {Bank}, n.]
A bench; a high seat, or seat of distinction or judgment; a
tribunal or court.
{In banc}, {In banco} (the ablative of bancus), {In bank}, in
full court, or with full judicial authority; as, sittings
in banc (distinguished from sittings at {nisi prius}).
Banco \Ban"co\, n. [It. See {Bank}.]
A bank, especially that of Venice.
Note: This term is used in some parts of Europe to indicate
bank money, as distinguished from the current money,
when this last has become depreciated.
Band \Band\ (b[a^]nd), n. [OE. band, bond, Icel. band; akin to
G., Sw., & D. band, OHG. bant, Goth. banti, Skr. bandha a
binding, bandh to bind, for bhanda, bhandh, also to E. bend,
bind. In sense 7, at least, it is fr. F. bande, from OHG.
bant. [root]90 See {Bind}, v. t., and cf. {Bend}, {Bond}, 1st
{Bandy}.]
1. A fillet, strap, or any narrow ligament with which a thing
is encircled, or fastened, or by which a number of things
are tied, bound together, or confined; a fetter.
Every one's bands were loosed. --Acts xvi.
26.
2. (Arch.)
(a) A continuous tablet, stripe, or series of ornaments,
as of carved foliage, of color, or of brickwork, etc.
(b) In Gothic architecture, the molding, or suite of
moldings, which encircles the pillars and small
shafts.
3. That which serves as the means of union or connection
between persons; a tie. ``To join in Hymen's bands.''
--Shak.
4. A linen collar or ruff worn in the 16th and 17th
centuries.
5. pl. Two strips of linen hanging from the neck in front as
part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress.
6. A narrow strip of cloth or other material on any article
of dress, to bind, strengthen, ornament, or complete it.
``Band and gusset and seam.'' --Hood.
7. A company of persons united in any common design,
especially a body of armed men.
Troops of horsemen with his bands of foot. --Shak.
8. A number of musicians who play together upon portable
musical instruments, especially those making a loud sound,
as certain wind instruments (trumpets, clarinets, etc.),
and drums, or cymbals.
9. (Bot.) A space between elevated lines or ribs, as of the
fruits of umbelliferous plants.
10. (Zo["o]l.) A stripe, streak, or other mark transverse to
the axis of the body.
11. (Mech.) A belt or strap.
12. A bond [Obs.] ``Thy oath and band.'' --Shak.
13. Pledge; security. [Obs.] --Spenser.
{Band saw}, a saw in the form of an endless steel belt, with
teeth on one edge, running over wheels.
Band \Band\ (b[a^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Banded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Banding}.]
1. To bind or tie with a band.
2. To mark with a band.
3. To unite in a troop, company, or confederacy. ``Banded
against his throne.'' --Milton.
{Banded architrave}, {pier}, {shaft}, etc. (Arch.), an
architrave, pier, etc., of which the regular profile is
interrupted by blocks or projections crossing it at right
angles.
Band \Band\, v. i.
To confederate for some common purpose; to unite; to conspire
together.
Certain of the Jews banded together. --Acts xxiii.
12.
Band \Band\, v. t.
To bandy; to drive away. [Obs.]
Band \Band\,
imp. of {Bind}. [Obs.]
Bandage \Band"age\, n. [F. bandage, fr. bande. See {Band}.]
1. A fillet or strip of woven material, used in dressing and
binding up wounds, etc.
2. Something resembling a bandage; that which is bound over
or round something to cover, strengthen, or compress it; a
ligature.
Zeal too had a place among the rest, with a bandage
over her eyes. --Addison.
Bandage \Band"age\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bandaged} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bandaging} (?).]
To bind, dress, or cover, with a bandage; as, to bandage the
eyes.
Bandala \Ban*da"la\, n.
A fabric made in Manilla from the older leaf sheaths of the
abaca ({Musa textilis}).
Bandanna \Ban*dan"na\, Bandana \Ban*dan"a\, n. [Hind. b[=a]ndhn?
a mode of dyeing in which the cloth is tied in different
places so as to prevent the parts tied from receiving the
dye. Cf. {Band}, n.]
1. A species of silk or cotton handkerchief, having a
uniformly dyed ground, usually of red or blue, with white
or yellow figures of a circular, lozenge, or other simple
form.
2. A style of calico printing, in which white or bright spots
are produced upon cloth previously dyed of a uniform red
or dark color, by discharging portions of the color by
chemical means, while the rest of the cloth is under
pressure. --Ure.
Bandbox \Band"box`\, n.
A light box of pasteboard or thin wood, usually cylindrical,
for holding ruffs (the bands of the 17th century), collars,
caps, bonnets, etc.
Bandeau \Ban"deau\ (b[a^]n"d[=o]), n.; pl. {Bandeaux}
(b[a^]n"d[=o]z). [F.]
A narrow band or fillet; a part of a head-dress.
Around the edge of this cap was a stiff bandeau of
leather. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bandelet \Band"e*let\, Bandlet \Band"let\, n. [F. bandelette,
dim. of bande. See {Band}, n., and ch. {Bendlet}.] (Arch.)
A small band or fillet; any little band or flat molding,
compassing a column, like a ring. --Gwilt.
Bander \Band"er\, n.
One banded with others. [R.]
Banderole \Band"e*role\, Bandrol \Band"rol\, n. [F. banderole,
dim. of bandi[`e]re, banni[`e]re, banner; cf. It. banderuola
a little banner. See {Banner}.]
A little banner, flag, or streamer. [Written also
{bannerol}.]
From the extremity of which fluttered a small banderole
or streamer bearing a cross. --Sir W.
Scott.
Band fish \Band" fish`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A small red fish of the genus {Cepola}; the ribbon fish.
Bandicoot \Ban"di*coot\, n. [A corruption of the native name.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) A species of very large rat ({Mus giganteus}), found in
India and Ceylon. It does much injury to rice fields and
gardens.
(b) A ratlike marsupial animal (genus {Perameles}) of several
species, found in Australia and Tasmania.
Banding plane \Band"ing plane`\
A plane used for cutting out grooves and inlaying strings and
bands in straight and circular work.
Bandit \Ban"dit\, n.; pl. {Bandits}, or {Banditti}. [It. bandito
outlaw, p. p. of bandire to proclaim, to banish, to
proscribe, LL. bandire, bannire. See {Ban} an edict, and cf.
{Banish}.]
An outlaw; a brigand.
No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer. --Milton.
Note: The plural banditti was formerly used as a collective
noun.
Deerstealers are ever a desperate banditti. --Sir
W. Scott.
Bandle \Ban"dle\, n. [Ir. bannlamh cubit, fr. bann a measure +
lamh hand, arm.]
An Irish measure of two feet in length.
Bandlet \Band"let\, n.
Same as {Bandelet}.
Bandmaster \Band"mas`ter\, n.
The conductor of a musical band.
Bandog \Ban"dog`\, n. [Band + dog, i.e., bound dog.]
A mastiff or other large and fierce dog, usually kept chained
or tied up.
The keeper entered leading his bandog, a large
bloodhound, tied in a leam, or band, from which he
takes his name. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bandoleer \Ban`do*leer"\, Bandolier \Ban`do*lier"\, n. [F.
bandouli[`e]re (cf.It. bandoliera, Sp. bandolera), fr.F.
bande band, Sp. & It. banda. See {Band}, n.]
1. A broad leather belt formerly worn by soldiers over the
right shoulder and across the breast under the left arm.
Originally it was used for supporting the musket and
twelve cases for charges, but later only as a cartridge
belt.
2. One of the leather or wooden cases in which the charges of
powder were carried. [Obs.]
Bandoline \Ban"do*line\, n. [Perh. allied to band.]
A glutinous pomatum for the fair.
Bandon \Ban"don\, n. [OF. bandon. See {Abandon}.]
Disposal; control; license. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Bandore \Ban"dore\, n. [Sp. bandurria, fr. L. pandura,
pandurium, a musical instrument of three strings, fr. Gr. ?.
Cf. {Pandore}, {Banjo}, {Mandolin}.]
A musical stringed instrument, similar in form to a guitar; a
pandore.
Bandrol \Band"rol\, n.
Same as {Banderole}.
Bandy \Ban"dy\, n. [Telugu bandi.]
A carriage or cart used in India, esp. one drawn by bullocks.
Bandy \Ban"dy\, n.; pl. {Bandies}. [Cf. F. band['e], p. p. of
bander to bind, to bend (a bow), to bandy, fr. bande. See
{Band}, n.]
1. A club bent at the lower part for striking a ball at play;
a hockey stick. --Johnson.
2. The game played with such a club; hockey; shinney; bandy
ball.
Bandy \Ban"dy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bandied} (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bandying}.]
1. To beat to and fro, as a ball in playing at bandy.
Like tennis balls bandied and struck upon us . . .
by rackets from without. --Cudworth.
2. To give and receive reciprocally; to exchange. ``To bandy
hasty words.'' --Shak.
3. To toss about, as from man to man; to agitate.
Let not obvious and known truth be bandied about in
a disputation. --I. Watts.
Bandy \Ban"dy\, v. i.
To content, as at some game in which each strives to drive
the ball his own way.
Fit to bandy with thy lawless sons. --Shak.
Bandy \Ban"dy\, a.
Bent; crooked; curved laterally, esp. with the convex side
outward; as, a bandy leg.
Bandy-legged \Ban"dy-legged`\, a.
Having crooked legs.
Bane \Bane\ (b[=a]n), n. [OE. bane destruction, AS. bana
murderer; akin to Icel. bani death, murderer, OHG. bana
murder, bano murderer, Goth. banja stroke, wound, Gr. foney`s
murderer, fo`nos murder, OIr. bath death, benim I strike.
[root]31.]
1. That which destroys life, esp. poison of a deadly quality.
[Obs. except in combination, as in ratsbane, henbane,
etc.]
2. Destruction; death. [Obs.]
The cup of deception spiced and tempered to their
bane. --Milton.
3. Any cause of ruin, or lasting injury; harm; woe.
Money, thou bane of bliss, and source of woe.
--Herbert.
4. A disease in sheep, commonly termed the rot.
Syn: Poison; ruin; destruction; injury; pest.
Bane \Bane\, v. t.
To be the bane of; to ruin. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Baneberry \Bane"ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
A genus {(Act[ae]a)} of plants, of the order
{Ranunculace[ae]}, native in the north temperate zone. The
red or white berries are poisonous.
Baneful \Bane"ful\, a.
Having poisonous qualities; deadly; destructive; injurious;
noxious; pernicious. ``Baneful hemlock.'' --Garth. ``Baneful
wrath.'' --Chapman. -- {Bane"ful*ly}, adv. --{Bane"ful*ness},
n.
Banewort \Bane"wort\, n. (Bot.)
Deadly nightshade.
Bang \Bang\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Banged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Banging}.] [Icel. banga to hammer; akin to Dan. banke to
beat, Sw. b[*a]ngas to be impetuous, G. bengel club, clapper
of a bell.]
1. To beat, as with a club or cudgel; to treat with violence;
to handle roughly.
The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks.
--Shak.
2. To beat or thump, or to cause ( something) to hit or
strike against another object, in such a way as to make a
loud noise; as, to bang a drum or a piano; to bang a door
(against the doorpost or casing) in shutting it.
Bang \Bang\, v. i.
To make a loud noise, as if with a blow or succession of
blows; as, the window blind banged and waked me; he was
banging on the piano.
Bang \Bang\, n.
1. A blow as with a club; a heavy blow.
Many a stiff thwack, many a bang. --Hudibras.
2. The sound produced by a sudden concussion.
Bang \Bang\, v. t.
To cut squarely across, as the tail of a hors, or the
forelock of human beings; to cut (the hair).
His hair banged even with his eyebrows. --The Century
Mag.
Bang \Bang\, n.
The short, front hair combed down over the forehead, esp.
when cut squarely across; a false front of hair similarly
worn.
His hair cut in front like a young lady's bang. --W. D.
Howells.
Bang \Bang\, Bangue \Bangue\, n.
See {Bhang}.
Banging \Bang"ing\, a.
Huge; great in size. [Colloq.] --Forby.
Bangle \Ban"gle\, v. t. [From 1st {Bang}.]
To waste by little and little; to fritter away. [Obs.]
Bangle \Ban"gle\, n. [Hind. bangr[=i] bracelet, bangle.]
An ornamental circlet, of glass, gold, silver, or other
material, worn by women in India and Africa, and in some
other countries, upon the wrist or ankle; a ring bracelet.
{Bangle ear}, a loose hanging ear of a horse, like that of a
spaniel.
Banian \Ban"ian\, n. [Skr. banij merchant. The tree was so named
by the English, because used as a market place by the
merchants.]
1. A Hindoo trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer.
[Written also {banyan}.]
2. A man's loose gown, like that worn by the Banians.
3. (Bot.) The Indian fig. See {Banyan}.
{Banian days} (Naut.), days in which the sailors have no
flesh meat served out to them. This use seems to be
borrowed from the Banians or Banya race, who eat no flesh.
Banish \Ban"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Banished}(?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Banishing}.] [OF. banir, F. bannir, LL. bannire, fr.
OHG. bannan to summon, fr. ban ban. See {Ban} an edict, and
{Finish}, v. t.]
1. To condemn to exile, or compel to leave one's country, by
authority of the ruling power. ``We banish you our
territories.'' --Shak.
2. To drive out, as from a home or familiar place; -- used
with from and out of.
How the ancient Celtic tongue came to be banished
from the Low Countries in Scotland. --Blair.
3. To drive away; to compel to depart; to dispel. ``Banish
all offense.'' --Shak.
Syn: To {Banish}, {Exile}, {Expel}.
Usage: The idea of a coercive removal from a place is common
to these terms. A man is banished when he is forced by
the government of a country (be he a foreigner or a
native) to leave its borders. A man is exiled when he
is driven into banishment from his native country and
home. Thus to exile is to banish, but to banish is not
always to exile. To expel is to eject or banish,
summarily or authoritatively, and usually under
circumstances of disgrace; as, to expel from a
college; expelled from decent society.
Banisher \Ban"ish*er\, n.
One who banishes.
Banishment \Ban"ish*ment\, n. [Cf. F. bannissement.]
The act of banishing, or the state of being banished.
He secured himself by the banishment of his enemies.
--Johnson.
Round the wide world in banishment we roam. --Dryden.
Syn: Expatriation; ostracism; expulsion; proscription; exile;
outlawry.
Banister \Ban"is*ter\, n. [Formerly also banjore and banjer;
corrupted from bandore, through negro slave pronunciation.]
A stringed musical instrument having a head and neck like the
guitar, and its body like a tambourine. It has five strings,
and is played with the fingers and hands.
Bank \Bank\ (b[a^][ng]k), n. [OE. banke; akin to E. bench, and
prob. of Scand. origin.; cf. Icel. bakki. See {Bench}.]
1. A mound, pile, or ridge of earth, raised above the
surrounding level; hence, anything shaped like a mound or
ridge of earth; as, a bank of clouds; a bank of snow.
They cast up a bank against the city. --2 Sam. xx.
15.
2. A steep acclivity, as the slope of a hill, or the side of
a ravine.
3. The margin of a watercourse; the rising ground bordering a
lake, river, or sea, or forming the edge of a cutting, or
other hollow.
Tiber trembled underneath her banks. --Shak.
4. An elevation, or rising ground, under the sea; a shoal,
shelf, or shallow; as, the banks of Newfoundland.
5. (Mining)
(a) The face of the coal at which miners are working.
(b) A deposit of ore or coal, worked by excavations above
water level.
(c) The ground at the top of a shaft; as, ores are brought
to bank.
{Bank beaver} (Zo["o]l.), the otter. [Local, U.S.]
{Bank swallow}, a small American and European swallow
({Clivicola riparia}) that nests in a hole which it
excavates in a bank.
Bank \Bank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Banked}(b[a^][ng]kt); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Banking}.]
1. To raise a mound or dike about; to inclose, defend, or
fortify with a bank; to embank. ``Banked well with
earth.'' --Holland.
2. To heap or pile up; as, to bank sand.
3. To pass by the banks of. [Obs.] --Shak.
{To bank a fire}, {To bank up a fire}, to cover the coals or
embers with ashes or cinders, thus keeping the fire low
but alive.
Bank \Bank\, n. [Prob. fr. F. banc. Of German origin, and akin
to E. bench. See {Bench}.]
1. A bench, as for rowers in a galley; also, a tier of oars.
Placed on their banks, the lusty Trojan sweep
Neptune's smooth face, and cleave the yielding deep.
--Waller.
2. (Law)
(a) The bench or seat upon which the judges sit.
(b) The regular term of a court of law, or the full court
sitting to hear arguments upon questions of law, as
distinguished from a sitting at Nisi Prius, or a court
held for jury trials. See {Banc}. --Burrill.
3. (Printing) A sort of table used by printers.
4. (Music) A bench, or row of keys belonging to a keyboard,
as in an organ. --Knight.
Bank \Bank\, n. [F. banque, It. banca, orig. bench, table,
counter, of German origin, and akin to E. bench; cf. G. bank
bench, OHG. banch. See {Bench}, and cf. {Banco}, {Beach}.]
1. An establishment for the custody, loan, exchange, or
issue, of money, and for facilitating the transmission of
funds by drafts or bills of exchange; an institution
incorporated for performing one or more of such functions,
or the stockholders (or their representatives, the
directors), acting in their corporate capacity.
2. The building or office used for banking purposes.
3. A fund from deposits or contributions, to be used in
transacting business; a joint stock or capital. [Obs.]
Let it be no bank or common stock, but every man be
master of his own money. --Bacon.
4. (Gaming) The sum of money or the checks which the dealer
or banker has as a fund, from which to draw his stakes and
pay his losses.
5. In certain games, as dominos, a fund of pieces from which
the players are allowed to draw.
{Bank credit}, a credit by which a person who has given the
required security to a bank has liberty to draw to a
certain extent agreed upon.
{Bank of deposit}, a bank which receives money for safe
keeping.
{Bank of issue}, a bank which issues its own notes payable to
bearer.
Bank \Bank\, v. t.
To deposit in a bank.
Bank \Bank\, v. i.
1. To keep a bank; to carry on the business of a banker.
2. To deposit money in a bank; to have an account with a
banker.
Bankable \Bank"a*ble\ (b[a^][ng]k"[.a]*b'l), a.
Receivable at a bank.
Bank bill \Bank" bill`\
1. In America (and formerly in England), a promissory note of
a bank payable to the bearer on demand, and used as
currency; a bank note.
2. In England, a note, or a bill of exchange, of a bank,
payable to order, and usually at some future specified
time. Such bills are negotiable, but form, in the strict
sense of the term, no part of the currency.
Bank book \Bank" book`\
A book kept by a depositor, in which an officer of a bank
enters the debits and credits of the depositor's account with
the bank.
Banker \Bank"er\, n.[See the nouns {Bank} and the verbs derived
from them.]
1. One who conducts the business of banking; one who,
individually, or as a member of a company, keeps an
establishment for the deposit or loan of money, or for
traffic in money, bills of exchange, etc.
2. A money changer. [Obs.]
3. The dealer, or one who keeps the bank in a gambling house.
4. A vessel employed in the cod fishery on the banks of
Newfoundland. --Grabb. J. Q. Adams.
5. A ditcher; a drain digger. [Prov. Eng.]
6. The stone bench on which masons cut or square their work.
--Weale.
Bankeress \Bank"er*ess\, n.
A female banker. --Thackeray.
Banking \Bank"ing\, n.
The business of a bank or of a banker.
{Banking house}, an establishment or office in which, or a
firm by whom, banking is done.
Bank note \Bank" note`\
1. A promissory note issued by a bank or banking company,
payable to bearer on demand.
Note: In the United States popularly called a bank bill.
2. Formerly, a promissory note made by a banker, or banking
company, payable to a specified person at a fixed date; a
bank bill. See {Bank bill}, 2. [Obs.]
3. A promissory note payable at a bank.
Bankrupt \Bank"rupt\, n. [F. banqueroute, fr. It. bancarotta
bankruptcy; banca bank (fr. OHG. banch, G. bank, bench) +
rotta broken, fr. L. ruptus, p. p. of rumpere to break. At
Florence, it is said, the bankrupt had his bench ( i.e.,
money table) broken. See 1st {Bank}, and {Rupture}, n.]
1. (Old Eng. Low) A trader who secretes himself, or does
certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors.
--Blackstone.
2. A trader who becomes unable to pay his debts; an insolvent
trader; popularly, any person who is unable to pay his
debts; an insolvent person. --M?Culloch.
3. (Law) A person who, in accordance with the terms of a law
relating to bankruptcy, has been judicially declared to be
unable to meet his liabilities.
Note: In England, until the year 1861 none but a ``trader''
could be made a bankrupt; a non-trader failing to meet
his liabilities being an ``insolvent''. But this
distinction was abolished by the Bankruptcy Act of
1861. The laws of 1841 and 1867 of the United States
relating to bankruptcy applied this designation
bankrupt to others besides those engaged in trade.
Bankrupt \Bank"rupt\, a.
1. Being a bankrupt or in a condition of bankruptcy; unable
to pay, or legally discharged from paying, one's debts;
as, a bankrupt merchant.
2. Depleted of money; not having the means of meeting
pecuniary liabilities; as, a bankrupt treasury.
3. Relating to bankrupts and bankruptcy.
4. Destitute of, or wholly wanting (something once possessed,
or something one should possess). ``Bankrupt in
gratitude.'' --Sheridan.
{Bankrupt law}, a law by which the property of a person who
is unable or unwilling to pay his debts may be taken and
distributed to his creditors, and by which a person who
has made a full surrender of his property, and is free
from fraud, may be discharged from the legal obligation of
his debts. See {Insolvent}, a.
Bankrupt \Bank"rupt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bankrupted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bankrupting}.]
To make bankrupt; to bring financial ruin upon; to
impoverish.
Bankruptcy \Bank"rupt*cy\, n.; pl. {Bankruptcies}(?).
1. The state of being actually or legally bankrupt.
2. The act or process of becoming a bankrupt.
3. Complete loss; -- followed by of.
Bankside \Bank"side`\, n.
The slope of a bank, especially of the bank of a steam.
Bank-sided \Bank"-sid`ed\, a. (Naut.)
Having sides inclining inwards, as a ship; -- opposed to
{wall-sided}.
Bank swallow \Bank" swal"low\
See under 1st {Bank}, n.
Banlieue \Ban"li*eue`\, n. [F., fr. LL. bannum leucae, banleuca;
bannum jurisdiction + leuca league.]
The territory without the walls, but within the legal limits,
of a town or city. --Brande & C.
Banner \Ban"ner\, n. [OE. banere, OF. baniere, F. banni[`e]re,
bandi[`e]re, fr. LL. baniera, banderia, fr. bandum banner,
fr. OHG. bant band, strip of cloth; cf. bindan to bind, Goth.
bandwa, bandwo, a sign. See {Band}, n.]
1. A kind of flag attached to a spear or pike by a
crosspiece, and used by a chief as his standard in battle.
Hang out our banners on the outward walls. --Shak.
2. A large piece of silk or other cloth, with a device or
motto, extended on a crosspiece, and borne in a
procession, or suspended in some conspicuous place.
3. Any flag or standard; as, the star-spangled banner.
{Banner fish} (Zo["o]l.), a large fish of the genus
{Histiophorus}, of the Swordfish family, having a broad
bannerlike dorsal fin; the sailfish. One species ({H.
Americanus}) inhabits the North Atlantic.
Bannered \Ban"nered\, a.
Furnished with, or bearing, banners. ``A bannered host.''
--Milton.
Banneret \Ban"ner*et\, n.[OE. baneret, OF. baneret, F. banneret;
properly a dim. of OF. baniere. See {Banner}.]
1. Originally, a knight who led his vassals into the field
under his own banner; -- commonly used as a title of rank.
2. A title of rank, conferred for heroic deeds, and hence, an
order of knighthood; also, the person bearing such title
or rank.
Note: The usual mode of conferring the rank on the field of
battle was by cutting or tearing off the point of the
pennon or pointed flag on the spear of the candidate,
thereby making it a banner.
3. A civil officer in some Swiss cantons.
4. A small banner. --Shak.
Bannerol \Ban"ner*ol\, n.
A banderole; esp. a banner displayed at a funeral procession
and set over the tomb. See {Banderole}.
Bannition \Ban*ni"tion\, n. [LL. bannitio. See {Banish}.]
The act of expulsion. [Obs.] --Abp. Laud.
Bannock \Ban"nock\, n. [Gael. bonnach.]
A kind of cake or bread, in shape flat and roundish, commonly
made of oatmeal or barley meal and baked on an iron plate, or
griddle; -- used in Scotland and the northern counties of
England. --Jamieson.
{Bannock fluke}, the turbot. [Scot.]
Banns \Banns\, n. pl. [See {Ban}.]
Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in a church, or
other place prescribed by law, in order that any person may
object, if he knows of just cause why the marriage should not
take place.
Banquet \Ban"quet\, n. [F., a feast, prop. a dim. of banc bench;
cf. It. banchetto, dim. of banco a bench, counter. See {Bank}
a bench, and cf. {Banquette}.]
1. A feast; a sumptuous entertainment of eating and drinking;
often, a complimentary or ceremonious feast, followed by
speeches.
2. A dessert; a course of sweetmeats; a sweetmeat or
sweetmeats. [Obs.]
We'll dine in the great room, but let the music And
banquet be prepared here. --Massinger.
Banquet \Ban"quet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Banqueted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Banqueting}.]
To treat with a banquet or sumptuous entertainment of food;
to feast.
Just in time to banquet The illustrious company
assembled there. --Coleridge.
Banquet \Ban"quet\, v. i.
1. To regale one's self with good eating and drinking; to
feast.
Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, I
would not taste thy treasonous offer. --Milton.
2. To partake of a dessert after a feast. [Obs.]
Where they did both sup and banquet. --Cavendish.
Banquetter \Ban"quet*ter\, n.
One who banquets; one who feasts or makes feasts.
Banquette \Ban*quette"\, n. [F. See {Banquet}, n.]
1. (Fort.) A raised way or foot bank, running along the
inside of a parapet, on which musketeers stand to fire
upon the enemy.
2. (Arch.) A narrow window seat; a raised shelf at the back
or the top of a buffet or dresser.
Banshee \Ban"shee\, Banshie \Ban"shie\, n. [Gael. bean-shith
fairy; Gael. & Ir. bean woman + Gael. sith fairy.]
A supernatural being supposed by the Irish and Scotch
peasantry to warn a family of the speedy death of one of its
members, by wailing or singing in a mournful voice under the
windows of the house.
Banstickle \Ban"stic`kle\, n. [OE. ban, bon, bone + stickle
prickle, sting. See {Bone}, n., {Stickleback}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small fish, the three-spined stickleback.
Bantam \Ban"tam\, n.
A variety of small barnyard fowl, with feathered legs,
probably brought from Bantam, a district of Java.
Bantam work \Ban"tam work`\
Carved and painted work in imitation of Japan ware.
Banteng \Ban"teng\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The wild ox of Java ({Bibos Banteng}).
Banter \Ban"ter\, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. {Bantered}(?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bantering}.] [Prob. corrupted fr. F. badiner to joke,
or perh. fr. E. bandy to beat to and fro. See {Badinage}, and
cf. {Barter} fr. OF. barater.]
1. To address playful good-natured ridicule to, -- the person
addressed, or something pertaining to him, being the
subject of the jesting; to rally; as, he bantered me about
my credulity.
Hag-ridden by my own fancy all night, and then
bantered on my haggard looks the next day. --W.
Irving.
2. To jest about; to ridicule in speaking of, as some trait,
habit, characteristic, and the like. [Archaic]
If they banter your regularity, order, and love of
study, banter in return their neglect of them.
--Chatham.
3. To delude or trick, -- esp. by way of jest. [Obs.]
We diverted ourselves with bantering several poor
scholars with hopes of being at least his lordship's
chaplain. --De Foe.
4. To challenge or defy to a match. [Colloq. Southern and
Western U.S.]
Banter \Ban"ter\, n.
The act of bantering; joking or jesting; humorous or
good-humored raillery; pleasantry.
Part banter, part affection. --Tennyson.
Banterer \Ban"ter*er\, n.
One who banters or rallies.
Bantingism \Ban"ting*ism\, n.
A method of reducing corpulence by avoiding food containing
much farinaceous, saccharine, or oily matter; -- so called
from William Banting of London.
Bantling \Bant"ling\, n. [Prob. for bandling, from band, and
meaning a child wrapped in swaddling bands; or cf. G.
b["a]ntling a bastard, fr. bank bench. Cf. {Bastard}, n.]
A young or small child; an infant. [Slightly contemptuous or
depreciatory.]
In what out of the way corners genius produces her
bantlings. --W. Irving.
Banxring \Banx"ring\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An East Indian insectivorous mammal of the genus {Tupaia}.
Banyan \Ban"yan\, n. [See {Banian}.] (Bot.)
A tree of the same genus as the common fig, and called the
Indian fig ({Ficus Indica}), whose branches send shoots to
the ground, which take root and become additional trunks,
until it may be the tree covers some acres of ground and is
able to shelter thousands of men.
Baobab \Ba"o*bab\, n. [The native name.] (Bot.)
A gigantic African tree ({Adansonia digitata}), also
naturalized in India. See {Adansonia}.
Baphomet \Baph"o*met\, n.[A corruption of Mahomet or Mohammed,
the Arabian prophet: cf. Pr. Bafomet, OSp. Mafomat, OPg.
Mafameda.]
An idol or symbolical figure which the Templars were accused
of using in their mysterious rites.
Baptism \Bap"tism\, n. [OE. baptim, baptem, OE. baptesme,
batisme, F. bapt[^e]me, L. baptisma, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
baptize, fr. ? to dip in water, akin to ? deep, Skr. g[=a]h
to dip, bathe, v. i.]
The act of baptizing; the application of water to a person,
as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is
initiated into the visible church of Christ. This is
performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring.
Baptismal \Bap*tis"mal\, a. [Cf. F. baptismal.]
Pertaining to baptism; as, baptismal vows.
{Baptismal name}, the Christian name, which is given at
baptism.
Baptismally \Bap*tis"mal*ly\, adv.
In a baptismal manner.
Baptist \Bap"tist\, n. [L. baptista, G. ?]
1. One who administers baptism; -- specifically applied to
John, the forerunner of Christ. --Milton.
2. One of a denomination of Christians who deny the validity
of infant baptism and of sprinkling, and maintain that
baptism should be administered to believers alone, and
should be by immersion. See {Anabaptist}.
Note: In doctrine the Baptists of this country [the United
States] are Calvinistic, but with much freedom and
moderation. --Amer. Cyc.
{Freewill Baptists}, a sect of Baptists who are Arminian in
doctrine, and practice open communion.
{Seventh-day Baptists}, a sect of Baptists who keep the
seventh day of the week, or Saturday, as the Sabbath. See
{Sabbatarian}. The Dunkers and Campbellites are also
Baptists.
Baptistery \Bap"tis*ter*y\,Baptistry \Bap"tis*try\, n.; pl.
{Baptisteries}, {-tries} (?). [L. baptisterium, Gr. ?: cf. F.
baptist[`e]re.] (Arch.)
(a) In early times, a separate building, usually
polygonal, used for baptismal services. Small churches
were often changed into baptisteries when larger
churches were built near.
(b) A part of a church containing a font and used for
baptismal services.
Baptistic \Bap*tis"tic\, a. [Gr. ?]
Of or for baptism; baptismal.
Baptistical \Bap*tis"tic*al\, a.
Baptistic. [R.]
Baptizable \Bap*tiz"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being baptized; fit to be baptized. --Baxter.
Baptization \Bap`ti*za"tion\, n.
Baptism. [Obs.]
Their baptizations were null. --Jer. Taylor.
Baptize \Bap*tize"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Baptized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Baptizing}.] [F. baptiser, L. baptizare, fr.Gr. ?.
See {Baptism}.]
1. To administer the sacrament of baptism to.
2. To christen ( because a name is given to infants at their
baptism); to give a name to; to name.
I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be
Romeo. --Shak.
3. To sanctify; to consecrate.
Baptizement \Bap*tize"ment\, n.
The act of baptizing. [R.]
Baptizer \Bap*tiz"er\, n.
One who baptizes.
Bar \Bar\ (b[aum]r), n. [OE. barre, F. barre, fr. LL. barra, W.
bar the branch of a tree, bar, baren branch, Gael. & Ir.
barra bar. [root]91.]
1. A piece of wood, metal, or other material, long in
proportion to its breadth or thickness, used as a lever
and for various other purposes, but especially for a
hindrance, obstruction, or fastening; as, the bars of a
fence or gate; the bar of a door.
Thou shalt make bars of shittim wood. --Ex. xxvi.
26.
2. An indefinite quantity of some substance, so shaped as to
be long in proportion to its breadth and thickness; as, a
bar of gold or of lead; a bar of soap.
3. Anything which obstructs, hinders, or prevents; an
obstruction; a barrier.
Must I new bars to my own joy create? --Dryden.
4. A bank of sand, gravel, or other matter, esp. at the mouth
of a river or harbor, obstructing navigation.
5. Any railing that divides a room, or office, or hall of
assembly, in order to reserve a space for those having
special privileges; as, the bar of the House of Commons.
6. (Law)
(a) The railing that incloses the place which counsel
occupy in courts of justice. Hence, the phrase at the
bar of the court signifies in open court.
(b) The place in court where prisoners are stationed for
arraignment, trial, or sentence.
(c) The whole body of lawyers licensed in a court or
district; the legal profession.
(d) A special plea constituting a sufficient answer to
plaintiff's action.
7. Any tribunal; as, the bar of public opinion; the bar of
God.
8. A barrier or counter, over which liquors and food are
passed to customers; hence, the portion of the room behind
the counter where liquors for sale are kept.
9. (Her.) An ordinary, like a fess but narrower, occupying
only one fifth part of the field.
10. A broad shaft, or band, or stripe; as, a bar of light; a
bar of color.
11. (Mus.) A vertical line across the staff. Bars divide the
staff into spaces which represent measures, and are
themselves called measures.
Note: A double bar marks the end of a strain or main division
of a movement, or of a whole piece of music; in
psalmody, it marks the end of a line of poetry. The
term bar is very often loosely used for measure, i.e.,
for such length of music, or of silence, as is included
between one bar and the next; as, a passage of eight
bars; two bars' rest.
12. (Far.) pl.
(a) The space between the tusks and grinders in the upper
jaw of a horse, in which the bit is placed.
(b) The part of the crust of a horse's hoof which is bent
inwards towards the frog at the heel on each side,
and extends into the center of the sole.
13. (Mining)
(a) A drilling or tamping rod.
(b) A vein or dike crossing a lode.
14. (Arch.)
(a) A gatehouse of a castle or fortified town.
(b) A slender strip of wood which divides and supports
the glass of a window; a sash bar.
{Bar shoe} (Far.), a kind of horseshoe having a bar across
the usual opening at the heel, to protect a tender frog
from injury.
{Bar shot}, a double headed shot, consisting of a bar, with a
ball or half ball at each end; -- formerly used for
destroying the masts or rigging in naval combat.
{Bar sinister} (Her.), a term popularly but erroneously used
for baton, a mark of illegitimacy. See {Baton}.
{Bar tracery} (Arch.), ornamental stonework resembling bars
of iron twisted into the forms required.
{Blank bar} (Law). See {Blank}.
{Case at bar} (Law), a case presently before the court; a
case under argument.
{In bar of}, as a sufficient reason against; to prevent.
{Matter in bar}, or {Defence in bar}, a plea which is a final
defense in an action.
{Plea in bar}, a plea which goes to bar or defeat the
plaintiff's action absolutely and entirely.
{Trial at bar} (Eng. Law), a trial before all the judges of
one the superior courts of Westminster, or before a quorum
representing the full court.
Bar \Bar\ (b[aum]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barred} (b[aum]rd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Barring}.] [ F. barrer. See {Bar}, n.]
1. To fasten with a bar; as, to bar a door or gate.
2. To restrict or confine, as if by a bar; to hinder; to
obstruct; to prevent; to prohibit; as, to bar the entrance
of evil; distance bars our intercourse; the statute bars
my right; the right is barred by time; a release bars the
plaintiff's recovery; -- sometimes with up.
He barely looked the idea in the face, and hastened
to bar it in its dungeon. --Hawthorne.
3. To except; to exclude by exception.
Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gauge me By
what we do to-night. --Shak.
4. To cross with one or more stripes or lines.
For the sake of distinguishing the feet more
clearly, I have barred them singly. --Burney.
Barb \Barb\, n. [F. barbe, fr. L. barba beard. See {Beard}, n.]
1. Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place
of it.
The barbel, so called by reason of his barbs, or
wattles in his mouth. --Walton.
2. A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners. [Obs.]
3. pl. Paps, or little projections, of the mucous membrane,
which mark the opening of the submaxillary glands under
the tongue in horses and cattle. The name is mostly
applied when the barbs are inflamed and swollen. [Written
also {barbel} and {barble}.]
4. The point that stands backward in an arrow, fishhook,
etc., to prevent it from being easily extracted. Hence:
Anything which stands out with a sharp point obliquely or
crosswise to something else. ``Having two barbs or
points.'' --Ascham.
5. A bit for a horse. [Obs.] --Spenser.
6. (Zo["o]l.) One of the side branches of a feather, which
collectively constitute the vane. See {Feather}.
7. (Zo["o]l.) A southern name for the kingfishes of the
eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; --
also improperly called {whiting}.
8. (Bot.) A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.
Barb \Barb\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barbed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Barbing}.]
1. To shave or dress the beard of. [Obs.]
2. To clip; to mow. [Obs.] --Marston.
3. To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or
hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc.
But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire.
--Milton.
Barb \Barb\, n. [F. barbe, fr. Barbarie.]
1. The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from
Barbary into Spain by the Moors.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon,
originally brought from Barbary.
Barb \Barb\, n. [Corrupted fr. bard.]
Armor for a horse. Same as 2d {Bard}, n., 1.
Barbacan \Bar"ba*can\, n.
See {Barbican}.
Barbacanage \Bar"ba*can*age\, n.
See {Barbicanage}.
Barbadian \Bar*ba"di*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Barbados. -- n. A native of Barbados.
Barbados \Bar*ba"dos\ or Barbadoes \Bar*ba"does\, n.
A West Indian island, giving its name to a disease, to a
cherry, etc.
{Barbados cherry} (Bot.), a genus of trees of the West Indies
({Malpighia}) with an agreeably acid fruit resembling a
cherry.
{Barbados leg} (Med.), a species of elephantiasis incident to
hot climates.
{Barbados nuts}, the seeds of the {Jatropha curcas}, a plant
growing in South America and elsewhere. The seeds and
their acrid oil are used in medicine as a purgative. See
{Physic nut}.
Barbara \Bar"ba*ra\, n. [Coined by logicians.] (Logic)
The first word in certain mnemonic lines which represent the
various forms of the syllogism. It indicates a syllogism
whose three propositions are universal affirmatives.
--Whately.
Barbaresque \Bar`ba*resque"\, a.
Barbaric in form or style; as, barbaresque architecture. --De
Quincey.
Barbarian \Bar*ba"ri*an\, n. [See {Barbarous}.]
1. A foreigner. [Historical]
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I
shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he
that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. --? Cor.
xiv. 11.
2. A man in a rule, savage, or uncivilized state.
3. A person destitute of culture. --M. Arnold.
4. A cruel, savage, brutal man; one destitute of pity or
humanity. ``Thou fell barbarian.'' --Philips.
Barbarian \Bar*ba"ri*an\, a.
Of, or pertaining to, or resembling, barbarians; rude;
uncivilized; barbarous; as, barbarian governments or nations.
Barbaic \Bar*ba"ic\, a. [L. barbaricus foreign, barbaric, Gr.
?.]
1. Of, or from, barbarian nations; foreign; -- often with
reference to barbarous nations of east. ``Barbaric pearl
and gold.'' --Milton.
2. Of or pertaining to, or resembling, an uncivilized person
or people; barbarous; barbarian; destitute of refinement.
``Wild, barbaric music.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Barbarism \Bar"ba*rism\, n. [L. barbarismus, Gr. ?; cf. F.
barbarisme.]
1. An uncivilized state or condition; rudeness of manners;
ignorance of arts, learning, and literature;
barbarousness. --Prescott.
2. A barbarous, cruel, or brutal action; an outrage.
A heinous barbarism . . . against the honor of
marriage. --Milton.
3. An offense against purity of style or language; any form
of speech contrary to the pure idioms of a particular
language. See {Solecism}.
The Greeks were the first that branded a foreign
term in any of their writers with the odious name of
barbarism. --G. Campbell.
Barbarity \Bar*bar"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Barbarities}. [From
{Barbarous}.]
The state or manner of a barbarian; lack of civilization.
2. Cruelty; ferociousness; inhumanity.
Treating Christians with a barbarity which would
have shocked the very Moslem. --Macaulay.
3. A barbarous or cruel act.
4. Barbarism; impurity of speech. [Obs.] --Swift.
Barbarize \Bar"ba*rize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Barbarized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Barbarizing}.]
1. To become barbarous.
The Roman empire was barbarizing rapidly from the
time of Trajan. --De Quincey.
2. To adopt a foreign or barbarous mode of speech.
The ill habit . . . of wretched barbarizing against
the Latin and Greek idiom, with their untutored
Anglicisms. --Milton.
Barbarize \Bar"ba*rize\, v. t. [Cf. F. barbariser, LL.
barbarizare.]
To make barbarous.
The hideous changes which have barbarized France.
--Burke.
Barbarous \Bar"ba*rous\, a. [L. barbarus, Gr. ?, strange,
foreign; later, slavish, rude, ignorant; akin to L. balbus
stammering, Skr. barbara stammering, outlandish. Cf. {Brave},
a.]
1. Being in the state of a barbarian; uncivilized; rude;
peopled with barbarians; as, a barbarous people; a
barbarous country.
2. Foreign; adapted to a barbaric taste. [Obs.]
Barbarous gold. --Dryden.
3. Cruel; ferocious; inhuman; merciless.
By their barbarous usage he died within a few days,
to the grief of all that knew him. --Clarendon.
4. Contrary to the pure idioms of a language.
A barbarous expression --G. Campbell.
Syn: Uncivilized; unlettered; uncultivated; untutored;
ignorant; merciless; brutal. See {Ferocious}.
Barbarously \Bar"ba*rous*ly\, adv.
In a barbarous manner.
Barbarousness \Bar"ba*rous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being barbarous; barbarity;
barbarism.
Barbary \Bar"ba*ry\, n. [Fr. Ar. Barbar the people of Barbary.]
The countries on the north coast of Africa from Egypt to the
Atlantic. Hence: A Barbary horse; a barb. [Obs.] Also, a kind
of pigeon.
{Barbary ape} (Zo["o]l.), an ape ({Macacus innus}) of north
Africa and Gibraltar Rock, being the only monkey
inhabiting Europe. It is very commonly trained by showmen.
Barbastel \Bar"ba*stel`\, n. [F. barbastelle.] (Zo["o]l.)
A European bat ({Barbastellus communis}), with hairy lips.
Barbate \Bar"bate\, a. [L. barbatus, fr. barba beard. See {Barb}
beard.] (Bot.)
Bearded; beset with long and weak hairs.
Barbated \Bar"ba*ted\, a.
Having barbed points.
A dart uncommonly barbated. --T. Warton.
Barbecue \Bar"be*cue\ (b[aum]"b[-e]*k[=u]), n. [In the language
of Indians of Guiana, a frame on which all kinds of flesh and
fish are roasted or smoke-dried.]
1. A hog, ox, or other large animal roasted or broiled whole
for a feast.
2. A social entertainment, where many people assemble,
usually in the open air, at which one or more large
animals are roasted or broiled whole.
3. A floor, on which coffee beans are sun-dried.
Barbecue \Bar"be*cue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barbecued}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Barbecuing}.]
1. To dry or cure by exposure on a frame or gridiron.
They use little or no salt, but barbecue their game
and fish in the smoke. --Stedman.
2. To roast or broil whole, as an ox or hog.
Send me, gods, a whole hog barbecued. --Pope.
Barbed \Barbed\, a. [See 4th {Bare}.]
Accoutered with defensive armor; -- said of a horse. See
{Barded} ( which is the proper form.) --Sir W. Raleigh.
Barbed \Barbed\, a.
Furnished with a barb or barbs; as, a barbed arrow; barbed
wire.
{Barbed wire}, a wire, or a strand of twisted wires, armed
with barbs or sharp points. It is used for fences.
Barbel \Bar"bel\, n.[OE. barbel, F. barbeau, dim. of L. barbus
barbel, fr. barba beard. See 1st {Barb}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A slender tactile organ on the lips of certain
fished.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large fresh-water fish ( Barbus vulgaris)
found in many European rivers. Its upper jaw is furnished
with four barbels.
3. pl. Barbs or paps under the tongued of horses and cattle.
See 1st {Barb}, 3.
Barbellate \Bar"bel*late\, a. [See 1st {Barb}.] (Bot.)
Having short, stiff hairs, often barbed at the point. --Gray.
Barbellulate \Bar*bel"lu*late\, a. (Bot.)
Barbellate with diminutive hairs or barbs.
Barber \Bar"ber\, n. [OE. barbour, OF. barbeor, F. barbier, as
if fr. an assumed L. barbator, fr. barba beard. See 1st
{Barb}.]
One whose occupation it is to shave or trim the beard, and to
cut and dress the hair of his patrons.
{Barber's itch}. See under {Itch}.
Note: Formerly the barber practiced some offices of surgery,
such as letting blood and pulling teeth. Hence such
terms as barber surgeon ( old form barber chirurgeon),
barber surgery, etc.
Barber \Bar"ber\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barbered} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Barbering}.]
To shave and dress the beard or hair of. --Shak.
Barber fish \Bar"ber fish\ (Zo["o]l.)
See {Surgeon fish}.
Barbermonger \Bar"ber*mon`ger\, n.
A fop. [Obs.]
Barberry \Bar"ber*ry\, n. [OE. barbarin, barbere, OF. berbere.]
(Bot.)
A shrub of the genus {Berberis}, common along roadsides and
in neglected fields. {B. vulgaris} is the species best known;
its oblong red berries are made into a preserve or sauce, and
have been deemed efficacious in fluxes and fevers. The bark
dyes a fine yellow, esp. the bark of the root. [Also spelt
{berberry}.]
Barbet \Bar"bet\, n. [F. barbet, fr. barbe beard, long hair of
certain animals. See {Barb} beard.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A variety of small dog, having long curly hair.
(b) A bird of the family {Bucconid[ae]}, allied to the
Cuckoos, having a large, conical beak swollen at the
base, and bearded with five bunches of stiff bristles;
the puff bird. It inhabits tropical America and Africa.
(c) A larva that feeds on aphides.
Barbette \Bar*bette"\, n. [F. Cf. {Barbet}.] (Fort.)
A mound of earth or a platform in a fortification, on which
guns are mounted to fire over the parapet.
{En barbette}, {In barbette}, said of guns when they are
elevated so as to fire over the top of a parapet, and not
through embrasures.
{Barbette gun}, or {Barbette battery}, a single gun, or a
number of guns, mounted in barbette, or partially
protected by a parapet or turret.
{Barbette carriage}, a gun carriage which elevates guns
sufficiently to be in barbette. [See Illust. of
{Casemate}.]
Barbican \Bar"bi*can\, Barbacan \Bar"ba*can\, n. [OE. barbican,
barbecan, F. barbacane, LL. barbacana, barbicana, of
uncertain origin: cf. Ar. barbakh aqueduct, sewer. F.
barbacane also means, an opening to let out water, loophole.]
1. (Fort.) A tower or advanced work defending the entrance to
a castle or city, as at a gate or bridge. It was often
large and strong, having a ditch and drawbridge of its
own.
2. An opening in the wall of a fortress, through which
missiles were discharged upon an enemy.
Barbicanage \Bar"bi*can*age\, Barbacanage \Bar"ba*can*age\, n.
[LL. barbicanagium. See {Barbican}.]
Money paid for the support of a barbican. [Obs.]
Barbicel \Bar"bi*cel\, n. [NL. barbicella, dim. of L. barba. See
1st {Barb}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the small hooklike processes on the barbules of
feathers.
Barbiers \Bar"biers\, n. (Med.)
A variety of paralysis, peculiar to India and the Malabar
coast; -- considered by many to be the same as beriberi in
chronic form.
Barbigerous \Bar*big"er*ous\, a. [L. barba a beard + gerous.]
Having a beard; bearded; hairy.
Barbiton \Bar"bi*ton\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Mus.)
An ancient Greek instrument resembling a lyre.
Barbituric acid \Bar`bi*tu"ric ac"id\ (Chem.)
A white, crystalline substance, {CH2(CO.NH)2.CO}, derived
from alloxantin, also from malonic acid and urea, and
regarded as a substituted urea.
Barble \Bar"ble\ (b[aum]r"b'l), n.
See {Barbel}.
Barbotine \Bar"bo*tine\, n. [F.]
A paste of clay used in decorating coarse pottery in relief.
Barbre \Bar"bre\ (b[aum]r"b[~e]r), a.
Barbarian. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Barbule \Bar"bule\, n. [L. barbula, fr. barba beard.]
1. A very minute barb or beard. --Booth.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the processes along the edges of the
barbs of a feather, by which adjacent barbs interlock. See
{Feather}.
Barcarolle \Bar"ca*rolle\, n. [F. barcarolle, fr. It.
barcaruola, fr. barca bark, barge.] (Mus.)
(a) A popular song or melody sung by Venetian gondoliers.
(b) A piece of music composed in imitation of such a song.
Barcon \Bar"con\, n. [It. barcone, fr. barca a bark.]
A vessel for freight; -- used in Mediterranean.
Bard \Bard\, n. [Of Celtic origin; cf. W. bardd, Arm. barz, Ir.
& Gael. bard, and F. barde.]
1. A professional poet and singer, as among the ancient
Celts, whose occupation was to compose and sing verses in
honor of the heroic achievements of princes and brave men.
2. Hence: A poet; as, the bard of Avon.
Bard \Bard\, Barde \Barde\, n. [F. barde, of doubtful origin.]
1. A piece of defensive (or, sometimes, ornamental) armor for
a horse's neck, breast, and flanks; a barb. [Often in the
pl.]
2. pl. Defensive armor formerly worn by a man at arms.
3. (Cookery) A thin slice of fat bacon used to cover any meat
or game.
Bard \Bard\, v. t. (Cookery)
To cover (meat or game) with a thin slice of fat bacon.
Barded \Bard"ed\, p.a. [See {Bard} horse armor.]
1. Accoutered with defensive armor; -- said of a horse.
2. (Her.) Wearing rich caparisons.
Fifteen hundred men . . . barded and richly trapped.
--Stow.
Bardic \Bard"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to bards, or their poetry. ``The bardic lays
of ancient Greece.'' --G. P. Marsh.
Bardish \Bard"ish\, a.
Pertaining to, or written by, a bard or bards. ``Bardish
impostures.'' --Selden.
Bardism \Bard"ism\, n.
The system of bards; the learning and maxims of bards.
Bardling \Bard"ling\, n.
An inferior bard. --J. Cunningham.
Bardship \Bard"ship\, n.
The state of being a bard.
Bare \Bare\, a. [OE. bar, bare, AS. b[ae]r; akin to D. & G.
baar, OHG. par, Icel. berr, Sw. & Dan. bar, OSlav. bos?
barefoot, Lith. basas; cf. Skr. bh[=a]s to shine ?.]
1. Without clothes or covering; stripped of the usual
covering; naked; as, his body is bare; the trees are bare.
2. With head uncovered; bareheaded.
When once thy foot enters the church, be bare.
--Herbert.
3. Without anything to cover up or conceal one's thoughts or
actions; open to view; exposed.
Bare in thy guilt, how foul must thou appear!
--Milton.
4. Plain; simple; unadorned; without polish; bald; meager.
``Uttering bare truth.'' --Shak.
5. Destitute; indigent; empty; unfurnished or scantily
furnished; -- used with of (rarely with in) before the
thing wanting or taken away; as, a room bare of furniture.
``A bare treasury.'' --Dryden.
6. Threadbare; much worn.
It appears by their bare liveries that they live by
your bare words. --Shak.
7. Mere; alone; unaccompanied by anything else; as, a bare
majority. ``The bare necessaries of life.'' --Addison.
Nor are men prevailed upon by bare of naked truth.
--South.
{Under bare poles} (Naut.), having no sail set.
Bare \Bare\, n.
1. Surface; body; substance. [R.]
You have touched the very bare of naked truth.
--Marston.
2. (Arch.) That part of a roofing slate, shingle, tile, or
metal plate, which is exposed to the weather.
Bare \Bare\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bared}(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Baring}.] [AS. barian. See {Bare}, a.]
To strip off the covering of; to make bare; as, to bare the
breast.
Bare \Bare\
Bore; the old preterit of {Bear}, v.
Bareback \Bare"back`\, adv.
On the bare back of a horse, without using a saddle; as, to
ride bareback.
Barebacked \Bare"backed`\, a.
Having the back uncovered; as, a barebacked horse.
Barebone \Bare"bone`\, n.
A very lean person; one whose bones show through the skin.
--Shak.
Barefaced \Bare"faced`\, a.
1. With the face uncovered; not masked. ``You will play
barefaced.'' --Shak.
2. Without concealment; undisguised. Hence: Shameless;
audacious. ``Barefaced treason.'' --J. Baillie.
Barefacedly \Bare"faced`ly\, adv.
Openly; shamelessly. --Locke.
Barefacedness \Bare"faced`ness\, n.
The quality of being barefaced; shamelessness; assurance;
audaciousness.
Barefoot \Bare"foot\, a. & adv.
With the feet bare; without shoes or stockings.
Barefooted \Bare"foot`ed\, a.
Having the feet bare.
Bar'ege \Ba*r['e]ge"\, n. [F. bar['e]ge, so called from
Bar['e]ges, a town in the Pyrenees.]
A gauzelike fabric for ladies' dresses, veils, etc. of
worsted, silk and worsted, or cotton and worsted.
Barehanded \Bare"hand`ed\, n.
Having bare hands.
Bareheaded \Bare"head`ed\, Barehead \Bare"head\, a. & adv.
Having the head uncovered; as, a bareheaded girl.
Barelegged \Bare"legged`\, a.
Having the legs bare.
Barely \Bare"ly\, adv.
1. Without covering; nakedly.
2. Without concealment or disguise.
3. Merely; only.
R. For now his son is duke. W. Barely in title, not
in revenue. --Shak.
4. But just; without any excess; with nothing to spare ( of
quantity, time, etc.); hence, scarcely; hardly; as, there
was barely enough for all; he barely escaped.
Barenecked \Bare"necked`\, a.
Having the neck bare.
Bareness \Bare"ness\, n.
The state of being bare.
Baresark \Bare"sark\, n. [Literally, bare sark or shirt.]
A Berserker, or Norse warrior who fought without armor, or
shirt of mail. Hence, adverbially: Without shirt of mail or
armor.
Barfish \Bar"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Calico bass}.
Barful \Bar"ful\, a.
Full of obstructions. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bargain \Bar"gain\, n. [OE. bargayn, bargany, OF. bargaigne,
bargagne, prob. from a supposed LL. barcaneum, fr. barca a
boat which carries merchandise to the shore; hence, to
traffic to and fro, to carry on commerce in general. See
{Bark} a vessel. ]
1. An agreement between parties concerning the sale of
property; or a contract by which one party binds himself
to transfer the right to some property for a
consideration, and the other party binds himself to
receive the property and pay the consideration.
A contract is a bargain that is legally binding.
--Wharton.
2. An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge.
And whon your honors mean to solemnize The bargain
of your faith. --Shak.
3. A purchase; also ( when not qualified), a gainful
transaction; an advantageous purchase; as, to buy a thing
at a bargain.
4. The thing stipulated or purchased; also, anything bought
cheap.
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. --Shak.
{Bargain and sale} (Law), a species of conveyance, by which
the bargainor contracts to convey the lands to the
bargainee, and becomes by such contract a trustee for and
seized to the use of the bargainee. The statute then
completes the purchase; i. e., the bargain vests the use,
and the statute vests the possession. --Blackstone.
{Into the bargain}, over and above what is stipulated;
besides.
{To sell bargains}, to make saucy (usually indelicate)
repartees. [Obs.] --Swift.
{To strike a bargain}, to reach or ratify an agreement. ``A
bargain was struck.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Contract; stipulation; purchase; engagement.
Bargain \Bar"gain\, v. i. [OE. barganien, OF. bargaigner, F.
barguigner, to hesitate, fr. LL. barcaniare. See {Bargain},
n.]
To make a bargain; to make a contract for the exchange of
property or services; -- followed by with and for; as, to
bargain with a farmer for a cow.
So worthless peasants bargain for their wives. --Shak.
Bargain \Bar"gain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bargained} (?); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Bargaining}.]
To transfer for a consideration; to barter; to trade; as, to
bargain one horse for another.
{To bargain away}, to dispose of in a bargain; -- usually
with a sense of loss or disadvantage; as, to bargain away
one's birthright. ``The heir . . . had somehow bargained
away the estate.'' --G. Eliot.
Bargainee \Bar`gain*ee"\, n. [OF. bargaign['e], p. p. See
{Bargain}, v. i.] (Law)
The party to a contract who receives, or agrees to receive,
the property sold. --Blackstone.
Bargainer \Bar"gain*er\, n.
One who makes a bargain; -- sometimes in the sense of
bargainor.
Bargainor \Bar`gain*or"\, n. (Law)
One who makes a bargain, or contracts with another; esp., one
who sells, or contracts to sell, property to another.
--Blackstone.
Barge \Barge\, n. [OF. barge, F. berge, fr. LL. barca, for
barica (not found), prob. fr. L. baris an Egyptian rowboat,
fr. Gr. ?, prob. fr. Egyptian: cf. Coptic bari a boat. Cf.
{Bark} a vessel.]
1. A pleasure boat; a vessel or boat of state, elegantly
furnished and decorated.
2. A large, roomy boat for the conveyance of passengers or
goods; as, a ship's barge; a charcoal barge.
3. A large boat used by flag officers.
4. A double-decked passenger or freight vessel, towed by a
steamboat. [U.S.]
5. A large omnibus used for excursions. [Local, U.S.]
Bargeboard \Barge"board`\, n. [Perh. corrup. of vergeboard; or
cf. LL. bargus a kind of gallows.]
A vergeboard.
Bargecourse \Barge"course`\, n. [See {Bargeboard}.] (Arch.)
A part of the tiling which projects beyond the principal
rafters, in buildings where there is a gable. --Gwilt.
Bargee \Bar*gee"\, n.
A bargeman. [Eng.]
Bargeman \Barge"man\, n.
The man who manages a barge, or one of the crew of a barge.
Bargemastter \Barge"mast`ter\, n.
The proprietor or manager of a barge, or one of the crew of a
barge.
Barger \Bar"ger\, n.
The manager of a barge. [Obs.]
Barghest \Bar"ghest`\, n. [Perh. G. berg mountain + geist demon,
or b["a]r a bear + geist.]
A goblin, in the shape of a large dog, portending misfortune.
[Also written {barguest}.]
Baria \Ba"ri*a\, n. [Cf. {Barium}.] (Chem.)
Baryta.
Baric \Bar"ic\ (b[a^]r"[i^]k), a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to barium; as, baric oxide.
Baric \Bar"ic\, a. [Gr. ba`ros weight.] (Physics)
Of or pertaining to weight, esp. to the weight or pressure of
the atmosphere as measured by the barometer.
Barilla \Ba*ril"la\ (b[.a]*r[i^]l"l[.a]), n. [Sp. barrilla.]
1. (Bot.) A name given to several species of Salsola from
which soda is made, by burning the barilla in heaps and
lixiviating the ashes.
2. (Com.)
(a) The alkali produced from the plant, being an impure
carbonate of soda, used for making soap, glass, etc.,
and for bleaching purposes.
(b) Impure soda obtained from the ashes of any seashore
plant, or kelp. --Ure.
{Copper barilla} (Min.), native copper in granular form mixed
with sand, an ore brought from Bolivia; -- called also
{Barilla de cobre}.
Barillet \Bar"il*let\, n. [F., dim. of baril barrel.]
A little cask, or something resembling one. --Smart.
Bar iron \Bar" i`ron\
See under {Iron}.
Barite \Ba"rite\, n. (Min.)
Native sulphate of barium, a mineral occurring in
transparent, colorless, white to yellow crystals (generally
tabular), also in granular form, and in compact massive forms
resembling marble. It has a high specific gravity, and hence
is often called {heavy spar}. It is a common mineral in
metallic veins.
Baritone \Bar"i*tone\, a. & n.
See {Barytone}.
Barium \Ba"ri*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. bary`s heavy.] (Chem.)
One of the elements, belonging to the alkaline earth group; a
metal having a silver-white color, and melting at a very high
temperature. It is difficult to obtain the pure metal, from
the facility with which it becomes oxidized in the air.
Atomic weight, 137. Symbol, Ba. Its oxide called baryta.
[Rarely written {barytum}.]
Note: Some of the compounds of this element are remarkable
for their high specific gravity, as the sulphate,
called heavy spar, and the like. The oxide was called
barote, by Guyton de Morveau, which name was changed by
Lavoisier to baryta, whence the name of the metal.
Bard \Bard\, n. [Akin to Dan. & Sw. bark, Icel. b["o]rkr, LG. &
HG. borke.]
1. The exterior covering of the trunk and branches of a tree;
the rind.
2. Specifically, Peruvian bark.
{Bark bed}. See {Bark stove} (below).
{Bark pit}, a pit filled with bark and water, in which hides
are steeped in tanning.
{Bark stove} (Hort.), a glazed structure for keeping tropical
plants, having a bed of tanner's bark (called a bark bed)
or other fermentable matter which produces a moist heat.
Bark \Bark\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barked} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Barking}.]
1. To strip the bark from; to peel.
2. To abrade or rub off any outer covering from; as to bark
one's heel.
3. To girdle. See {Girdle}, v. t., 3.
4. To cover or inclose with bark, or as with bark; as, to
bark the roof of a hut.
Bark \Bark\, v. i. [OE. berken, AS. beorcan; akin to Icel.
berkja, and prob. to E. break.]
1. To make a short, loud, explosive noise with the vocal
organs; -- said of some animals, but especially of dogs.
2. To make a clamor; to make importunate outcries.
They bark, and say the Scripture maketh heretics.
--Tyndale.
Where there is the barking of the belly, there no
other commands will be heard, much less obeyed.
--Fuller.
Bark \Bark\, n.
The short, loud, explosive sound uttered by a dog; a similar
sound made by some other animals.
Bark \Bark\, Barque \Barque\, n. [F. barque, fr. Sp. or It.
barca, fr. LL. barca for barica. See {Barge}.]
1. Formerly, any small sailing vessel, as a pinnace, fishing
smack, etc.; also, a rowing boat; a barge. Now applied
poetically to a sailing vessel or boat of any kind.
--Byron.
2. (Naut.) A three-masted vessel, having her foremast and
mainmast square-rigged, and her mizzenmast
schooner-rigged.
Barkantine \Bark"an*tine\, n.
Same as {Barkentine}.
Bark beetle \Bark" bee`tle\ (Zo["o]l.)
A small beetle of many species (family {Scolytid[ae]}), which
in the larval state bores under or in the bark of trees,
often doing great damage.
Barkbound \Bark"bound`\, a.
Prevented from growing, by having the bark too firm or close.
Barkeeper \Bar"keep`er\, n.
One who keeps or tends a bar for the sale of liquors.
Barken \Bark"en\, a.
Made of bark. [Poetic] --Whittier.
Barkentine \Bark"en*tine\, n. [See {Bark}, n., a vessel.]
(Naut.)
A threemasted vessel, having the foremast square-rigged, and
the others schooner-rigged. [Spelled also {barquentine},
{barkantine}, etc.] See Illust. in Append.
Barker \Bark"er\, n.
1. An animal that barks; hence, any one who clamors
unreasonably.
2. One who stands at the doors of shops to urg? passers by to
make purchases. [Cant, Eng.]
3. A pistol. [Slang] --Dickens.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The spotted redshank.
Barker \Bark"er\, n.
One who strips trees of their bark.
Barker's mill \Bark"er's mill`\ [From Dr. Barker, the inventor.]
A machine, invented in the 17th century, worked by a form of
reaction wheel. The water flows into a vertical tube and
gushes from apertures in hollow horizontal arms, causing the
machine to revolve on its axis.
Barkery \Bark"er*y\ (-[~e]r*[y^]), n.
A tanhouse.
Barking irons \Bark"ing i`rons\
1. Instruments used in taking off the bark of trees.
--Gardner.
2. A pair of pistols. [Slang]
Barkless \Bark"less\, a.
Destitute of bark.
Bark louse \Bark" louse`\ (Zo["o]l.)
An insect of the family {Coccid[ae]}, which infests the bark
of trees and vines.
Note: The wingless females assume the shape of scales. The
bark louse of the vine is {Pulvinaria innumerabilis};
that of the pear is {Lecanium pyri}. See {Orange
scale}.
Barky \Bark"y\, a.
Covered with, or containing, bark. ``The barky fingers of the
elm.'' --Shak.
Barley \Bar"ley\, n. [OE. barli, barlich, AS. b[ae]rlic; bere
barley + l[=i]c (which is prob. the same as E. like, adj., or
perh. a form of AS. le[=a]c leek). AS. bere is akin to Icel,
barr barley, Goth. barizeins made of barley, L. far spelt;
cf. W. barlys barley, bara bread. ?92. Cf. {Farina}, 6th
{Bear}.] (Bot.)
A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus {Hordeum},
used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared
beer, ale, and whisky.
{Barley bird} (Zo["o]l.), the siskin.
{Barley sugar}, sugar boiled till it is brittle (formerly
with a decoction of barley) and candied.
{Barley water}, a decoction of barley, used in medicine, as a
nutritive and demulcent.
Barleybrake \Bar"ley*brake`\ Barleybreak
\Bar"ley*break`\(b[aum]r"l[y^]*br[=a]k`), n.
An ancient rural game, commonly played round stacks of
barley, or other grain, in which some of the party attempt to
catch others who run from a goal.
Barley-bree \Bar"ley-bree`\ (-br[=e]`), n. [Lit. barley broth.
See {Brew}.]
Liquor made from barley; strong ale. [Humorous] [Scot.]
--Burns.
Barleycorn \Bar"ley*corn`\, n. [See {Corn}.]
1. A grain or ``corn'' of barley.
2. Formerly, a measure of length, equal to the average length
of a grain of barley; the third part of an inch.
{John Barleycorn}, a humorous personification of barley as
the source of malt liquor or whisky.
Barm \Barm\, n. [OE. berme, AS. beorma; akin to Sw. b["a]rma, G.
b["a]rme, and prob. L. fermenium. [root]93.]
Foam rising upon beer, or other malt liquors, when
fermenting, and used as leaven in making bread and in
brewing; yeast. --Shak.
Barm \Barm\, n. [OE. bearm, berm, barm, AS. beorma; akin to E.
bear to support.]
The lap or bosom. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Barmaid \Bar"maid`\, n.
A girl or woman who attends the customers of a bar, as in a
tavern or beershop.
A bouncing barmaid. --W. Irving.
Barmaster \Bar"mas`ter\, n. [Berg + master: cf. G. Bergmeister.]
Formerly, a local judge among miners; now, an officer of the
barmote. [Eng.]
Barmcloth \Barm"cloth`\, n.
Apron. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Barmecidal \Bar"me*ci`dal\, a. [See {Barmecide}.]
Unreal; illusory. ``A sort of Barmecidal feast.'' --Hood.
Barmecide \Bar"me*cide\, n. [A prince of the Barmecide family,
who, as related in the ``Arabian Nights' Tales'', pretended
to set before the hungry Shacabac food, on which the latter
pretended to feast.]
One who proffers some illusory advantage or benefit. Also
used as an adj.: Barmecidal. ``A Barmecide feast.''
--Dickens.
Barmote \Bar"mote`\, n. [Barg + mote meeting.]
A court held in Derbyshire, in England, for deciding
controversies between miners. --Blount.
Balmy \Balm"y\, a.
Full of barm or froth; in a ferment. ``Barmy beer.''
--Dryden.
Barn \Barn\, n. [OE. bern, AS. berern, bern; bere barley + ern,
[ae]rn, a close place. ?92. See {Barley}.]
A covered building used chiefly for storing grain, hay, and
other productions of a farm. In the United States a part of
the barn is often used for stables.
{Barn owl} (Zo["o]l.), an owl of Europe and America ({Aluco
flammeus}, or {Strix flammea}), which frequents barns and
other buildings.
{Barn swallow} (Zo["o]l.), the common American swallow
({Hirundo horreorum}), which attaches its nest of mud to
the beams and rafters of barns.
Barn \Barn\, v. t.
To lay up in a barn. [Obs.] --Shak.
Men . . . often barn up the chaff, and burn up the
grain. --Fuller.
Barn \Barn\, n.
A child. [Obs.] See {Bairn}.
Barnabite \Bar"na*bite\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A member of a religious order, named from St. Barnabas.
Barnacle \Bar"na*cle\, n. [Prob. from E. barnacle a kind of
goose, which was popularly supposed to grow from this
shellfish; but perh. from LL. bernacula for pernacula, dim.
of perna ham, sea mussel; cf. Gr. ? ham Cf. F. bernacle,
barnacle, E. barnacle a goose; and Ir. bairneach, barneach,
limpet.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any cirriped crustacean adhering to rocks, floating timber,
ships, etc., esp.
(a) the sessile species (genus {Balanus} and allies), and
(b) the stalked or goose barnacles (genus {Lepas} and
allies). See {Cirripedia}, and {Goose barnacle}.
{Barnacle eater} (Zo["o]l.), the orange filefish.
{Barnacle scale} (Zo["o]l.), a bark louse ({Ceroplastes
cirripediformis}) of the orange and quince trees in
Florida. The female scale curiously resembles a sessile
barnacle in form.
Barnacle \Bar"na*cle\, n. [See {Bernicle}.]
A bernicle goose.
Barnacle \Bar"na*cle\, n. [OE. bernak, bernacle; cf. OF. bernac,
and Prov. F. (Berri) berniques, spectacles.]
1. pl. (Far.) An instrument for pinching a horse's nose, and
thus restraining him.
Note: [Formerly used in the sing.]
The barnacles . . . give pain almost equal to
that of the switch. --Youatt.
2. pl. Spectacles; -- so called from their resemblance to the
barnacles used by farriers. [Cant, Eng.] --Dickens.
Barnyard \Barn"yard`\, n.
A yard belonging to a barn.
Barocco \Ba*roc"co\, a. [It.] (Arch.)
See {Baroque}.
Barograph \Bar"o*graph\, n. [Gr. ? weight + -graph.] (Meteor.)
An instrument for recording automatically the variations of
atmospheric pressure.
Baroko \Ba*ro"ko\, n. [A mnemonic word.] (Logic)
A form or mode of syllogism of which the first proposition is
a universal affirmative, and the other two are particular
negative.
Barology \Ba*rol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? weight + -logy.]
The science of weight or gravity.
Baromacrometer \Bar`o*ma*crom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? weight + ? long
+ -meter.] (Med.)
An instrument for ascertaining the weight and length of a
newborn infant.
Barometer \Ba*rom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? weight + -meter: cf. F.
barom[`e]tre.]
An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the
atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of
weather, or for ascertaining the height of any ascent.
Note: The barometer was invented by Torricelli at Florence
about 1643. It is made in its simplest form by filling
a graduated glass tube about 34 inches long with
mercury and inverting it in a cup containing mercury.
The column of mercury in the tube descends until
balanced by the weight of the atmosphere, and its rise
or fall under varying conditions is a measure of the
change in the atmospheric pressure. At the sea level
its ordinary height is about 30 inches (760
millimeters). See {Sympiesometer}. --Nichol.
{Aneroid barometer}. See {Aneroid barometer}, under
{Aneroid}.
{Marine barometer}, a barometer with tube contracted at
bottom to prevent rapid oscillations of the mercury, and
suspended in gimbals from an arm or support on shipboard.
{Mountain barometer}, a portable mercurial barometer with
tripod support, and long scale, for measuring heights.
{Siphon barometer}, a barometer having a tube bent like a
hook with the longer leg closed at the top. The height of
the mercury in the longer leg shows the pressure of the
atmosphere.
{Wheel barometer}, a barometer with recurved tube, and a
float, from which a cord passes over a pulley and moves an
index.
Barometric \Bar`o*met"ric\, Barometrical \Bar`o*met"ric*al\, a.
Pertaining to the barometer; made or indicated by a
barometer; as, barometric changes; barometrical observations.
Barometrically \Bar`o*met"ric*al*ly\, adv.
By means of a barometer, or according to barometric
observations.
Barometrograph \Bar`o*met"ro*graph\, n. [Gr. ? weight + ?
measure + -graph.]
A form of barometer so constructed as to inscribe of itself
upon paper a record of the variations of atmospheric
pressure.
Barometry \Ba*rom"e*try\, n.
The art or process of making barometrical measurements.
Barometz \Bar"o*metz\, n. [Cf. Russ. baranets' clubmoss.] (Bot.)
The woolly-skinned rhizoma or rootstock of a fern ({Dicksonia
barometz}), which, when specially prepared and inverted,
somewhat resembles a lamb; -- called also {Scythian lamb}.
Baron \Bar"on\, n. [OE. baron, barun, OF. baron, accus. of ber,
F. baron, prob. fr. OHG. baro (not found) bearer, akin to E.
bear to support; cf. O. Frisian bere, LL. baro, It. barone,
Sp. varon. From the meaning bearer (of burdens) seem to have
come the senses strong man, man (in distinction from woman),
which is the oldest meaning in French, and lastly, nobleman.
Cf. L. baro, simpleton. See {Bear} to support.]
1. A title or degree of nobility; originally, the possessor
of a fief, who had feudal tenants under him; in modern
times, in France and Germany, a nobleman next in rank
below a count; in England, a nobleman of the lowest grade
in the House of Lords, being next below a viscount.
Note: ``The tenants in chief from the Crown, who held lands
of the annual value of four hundred pounds, were styled
Barons; and it is to them, and not to the members of
the lowest grade of the nobility (to whom the title at
the present time belongs), that reference is made when
we read of the Barons of the early days of England's
history . . . . Barons are addressed as 'My Lord,' and
are styled 'Right Honorable.' All their sons and
daughters 'Honorable.''' --Cussans.
2. (Old Law) A husband; as, baron and feme, husband and wife.
[R.] --Cowell.
{Baron of beef}, two sirloins not cut asunder at the
backbone.
{Barons of the Cinque Ports}, formerly members of the House
of Commons, elected by the seven Cinque Ports, two for
each port.
{Baron of the exchequer}, the judges of the Court of
Exchequer, one of the three ancient courts of England, now
abolished.
Baronage \Bar"on*age\, n. [OE. barnage, baronage, OF. barnage,
F. baronnage; cf. LL. baronagium.]
1. The whole body of barons or peers.
The baronage of the kingdom. --Bp. Burnet.
2. The dignity or rank of a baron.
3. The land which gives title to a baron. [Obs.]
Baroness \Bar"on*ess\, n.
A baron's wife; also, a lady who holds the baronial title in
her own right; as, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts.
Baronet \Bar"on*et\, n. [Baron + -et.]
A dignity or degree of honor next below a baron and above a
knight, having precedency of all orders of knights except
those of the Garter. It is the lowest degree of honor that is
hereditary. The baronets are commoners.
Note: The order was founded by James I. in 1611, and is given
by patent. The word, however, in the sense of a lesser
baron, was in use long before. ``Baronets have the
title of 'Sir' prefixed to their Christian names; their
surnames being followed by their dignity, usually
abbreviated Bart. Their wives are addressed as 'Lady'
or 'Madam'. Their sons are possessed of no title beyond
'Esquire.''' --Cussans.
Baronetage \Bar"on*et*age\, n.
1. State or rank of a baronet.
2. The collective body of baronets.
Baronetcy \Bar"on*et*cy\, n.
The rank or patent of a baronet.
Baronial \Ba*ro"ni*al\, a.
Pertaining to a baron or a barony. ``Baronial tenure.''
--Hallam.
Barony \Bar"o*ny\, n.; pl. {Baronies}. [OF. baronie, F.
baronnie, LL. baronia. See {Baron}.]
1. The fee or domain of a baron; the lordship, dignity, or
rank of a baron.
2. In Ireland, a territorial division, corresponding nearly
to the English hundred, and supposed to have been
originally the district of a native chief. There are 252
of these baronies. In Scotland, an extensive freehold. It
may be held by a commoner. --Brande & C.
Baroque \Ba*roque"\, a. [F.; cf. It. barocco.] (Arch.)
In bad taste; grotesque; odd.
Baroscope \Bar"o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? weight + -scope: cf. F.
baroscope.]
Any instrument showing the changes in the weight of the
atmosphere; also, less appropriately, any instrument that
indicates -or foreshadows changes of the weather, as a deep
vial of liquid holding in suspension some substance which
rises and falls with atmospheric changes.
Baroscopic \Bar`o*scop"ic\, Baroscopical \Bar`o*scop"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or determined by, the baroscope.
Barouche \Ba*rouche"\, n. [G. barutsche, It. baroccio, biroccio,
LL. barrotium, fr. L. birotus two-wheeled; bi=bis twice +
rota wheel.]
A four-wheeled carriage, with a falling top, a seat on the
outside for the driver, and two double seats on the inside
arranged so that the sitters on the front seat face those on
the back seat.
Barouchet \Ba`rou*chet"\, n.
A kind of light barouche.
Barpost \Bar"post`\, n.
A post sunk in the ground to receive the bars closing a
passage into a field.
Barque \Barque\, n.
Same as 3d {Bark}, n.
Barracan \Bar"ra*can\, n. [F. baracan, bouracan (cf. Pr.
barracan, It. baracane, Sp. barragan, Pg. barregana, LL.
barracanus), fr. Ar. barrak[=a]n a kind of black gown, perh.
fr. Per. barak a garment made of camel's hair.]
A thick, strong stuff, somewhat like camlet; -- still used
for outer garments in the Levant.
Barrack \Bar"rack\, n. [F. baraque, fr. It. baracca (cf. Sp.
barraca), from LL. barra bar. See {Bar}, n.]
1. (Mil.) A building for soldiers, especially when in
garrison. Commonly in the pl., originally meaning
temporary huts, but now usually applied to a permanent
structure or set of buildings.
He lodged in a miserable hut or barrack, composed of
dry branches and thatched with straw. --Gibbon.
2. A movable roof sliding on four posts, to cover hay, straw,
etc. [Local, U.S.]
Barrack \Bar"rack\, v. t.
To supply with barracks; to establish in barracks; as, to
barrack troops.
Barrack \Bar"rack\, v. i.
To live or lodge in barracks.
Barraclade \Bar"ra*clade\, n. [D. baar, OD. baer, naked, bare +
kleed garment, i. e., cloth undressed or without nap.]
A home-made woolen blanket without nap. [Local, New York]
--Bartlett.
Barracoon \Bar"ra*coon`\, n. [Sp. or Pg. barraca. See
{Barrack}.]
A slave warehouse, or an inclosure where slaves are quartered
temporarily. --Du Chaillu.
Barracuda \Bar`ra*cu"da\, Barracouata \Bar`ra*cou"ata\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A voracious pikelike, marine fish, of the genus
{Sphyr[ae]na}, sometimes used as food.
Note: That of Europe and our Atlantic coast is {Sphyr[ae]na
spet} (or {S. vulgaris}); a southern species is {S.
picuda}; the Californian is {S. argentea}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia
and New Zealand ({Thyrsites atun}).
Barrage \Bar"rage\, n. [F., fr. barrer to bar, from barre bar.]
(Engin.)
An artificial bar or obstruction placed in a river or water
course to increase the depth of water; as, the barrages of
the Nile.
Barranca \Bar*ran"ca\, n. [Sp.]
A ravine caused by heavy rains or a watercourse. [Texas & N.
Mex.]
Barras \Bar"ras\, n. [F.]
A resin, called also {galipot}.
Barrator \Bar"ra*tor\, n. [OE. baratour, OF. barateor deceiver,
fr. OF. barater, bareter, to deceive, cheat, barter. See
{Barter}, v. i.]
One guilty of barratry.
Barratrous \Bar"ra*trous\, ? (Law)
Tainter with, or constituting, barratry. --
{Bar"ra*trous*ly}, adv. --Kent.
Barratry \Bar"ra*try\, n. [Cf. F. baraterie, LL. barataria. See
{Barrator}, and cf. {Bartery}.]
1. (Law) The practice of exciting and encouraging lawsuits
and quarrels. [Also spelt {barretry}.] --Coke. Blackstone.
2. (Mar. Law) A fraudulent breach of duty or willful act of
known illegality on the part of a master of a ship, in his
character of master, or of the mariners, to the injury of
the owner of the ship or cargo, and without his consent.
It includes every breach of trust committed with dishonest
purpose, as by running away with the ship, sinking or
deserting her, etc., or by embezzling the cargo. --Kent.
Part.
3. (Scots Law) The crime of a judge who is influenced by
bribery in pronouncing judgment. --Wharton.
Barred owl \Barred" owl"\ (Zo["o]l.)
A large American owl ({Syrnium nebulosum}); -- so called from
the transverse bars of a dark brown color on the breast.
Barrel \Bar"rel\ (b[a^]r"r[e^]l), n.[OE. barel, F. baril, prob.
fr. barre bar. Cf. {Barricade}.]
1. A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth,
and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with
hoops, and having flat ends or heads.
2. The quantity which constitutes a full barrel. This varies
for different articles and also in different places for
the same article, being regulated by custom or by law. A
barrel of wine is 311/2 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196
pounds.
3. A solid drum, or a hollow cylinder or case; as, the barrel
of a windlass; the barrel of a watch, within which the
spring is coiled.
4. A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is
discharged. --Knight.
5. A jar. [Obs.] --1 Kings xvii. 12.
6. (Zo["o]l.) The hollow basal part of a feather.
{Barrel bulk} (Com.), a measure equal to five cubic feet,
used in estimating capacity, as of a vessel for freight.
{Barrel drain} (Arch.), a drain in the form of a cylindrical
tube.
{Barrel of a boiler}, the cylindrical part of a boiler,
containing the flues.
{Barrel of the ear} (Anat.), the tympanum, or tympanic
cavity.
{Barrel organ}, an instrument for producing music by the
action of a revolving cylinder.
{Barrel vault}. See under {Vault}.
Barrel \Bar"rel\ (b[a^]r"r[e^]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barreled}
(-r[e^]ld), or {Barrelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Barreling}, or
{Barrelling}.]
To put or to pack in a barrel or barrels.
Barreled \Bar"reled\, Barrelled \Bar"relled\, a.
Having a barrel; -- used in composition; as, a
double-barreled gun.
Barren \Bar"ren\, a. [OE. barein, OF. brehaing, fem. brehaigne,
baraigne, F. br['e]haigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm.
br['e]kha[~n], markha[~n], sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare,
principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents; Bisc. barau,
baru, fasting.]
1. Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young;
sterile; -- said of women and female animals.
She was barren of children. --Bp. Hall.
2. Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; ?rile.
``Barren mountain tracts.'' --Macaulay.
3. Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty.
Brilliant but barren reveries. --Prescott.
Some schemes will appear barren of hints and matter.
--Swift.
4. Mentally dull; stupid. --Shak.
{Barren flower}, a flower which has only stamens without a
pistil, or which as neither stamens nor pistils.
{Barren Grounds} (Geog.), a vast tract in British America
northward of the forest regions.
{Barren Ground bear} (Zo["o]l.), a peculiar bear, inhabiting
the Barren Grounds, now believed to be a variety of the
brown bear of Europe.
{Barren Ground caribou} (Zo["o]l.), a small reindeer
({Rangifer Gr[oe]nlandicus}) peculiar to the Barren
Grounds and Greenland.
Barren \Bar"ren\, n.
1. A tract of barren land.
2. pl. Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees,
but not timber; as, pine barrens; oak barrens. They are
not necessarily sterile, and are often fertile. [Amer.]
--J. Pickering.
Barrenly \Bar"ren*ly\, adv.
Unfruitfully; unproductively.
Barrenness \Bar"ren*ness\, n.
The condition of being barren; sterility; unproductiveness.
A total barrenness of invention. --Dryden.
Barrenwort \Bar"ren*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
An herbaceous plant of the Barberry family ({Epimedium
alpinum}), having leaves that are bitter and said to be
sudorific.
Barret \Bar"ret\, n. [F. barrette, LL. barretum a cap. See
{Berretta}, and cf. {Biretta}.]
A kind of cap formerly worn by soldiers; -- called also
{barret cap}. Also, the flat cap worn by Roman Catholic
ecclesiastics.
Barricade \Bar`ri*cade"\, n. [F. barricade, fr. Sp. barricada,
orig. a barring up with casks; fr. barrica cask, perh. fr.
LL. barra bar. See {Bar}, n., and cf. {Barrel}, n.]
1. (Mil.) A fortification, made in haste, of trees, earth,
palisades, wagons, or anything that will obstruct the
progress or attack of an enemy. It is usually an
obstruction formed in streets to block an enemy's access.
2. Any bar, obstruction, or means of defense.
Such a barricade as would greatly annoy, or
absolutely stop, the currents of the atmosphere.
--Derham.
Barricade \Bar`ri*cade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barricaded}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Barricading}.] [Cf. F. barricader. See
{Barricade}, n.]
To fortify or close with a barricade or with barricades; to
stop up, as a passage; to obstruct; as, the workmen
barricaded the streets of Paris.
The further end whereof [a bridge] was barricaded with
barrels. --Hakluyt.
Barricader \Bar`ri*cad"er\, n.
One who constructs barricades.
Barricado \Bar`ri*ca"do\, n. & v. t.
See {Barricade}. --Shak.
Barrier \Bar"ri*er\, n. [OE. barrere, barere, F. barri[`e]re,
fr. barre bar. See {Bar}, n.]
1. (Fort.) A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other
obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.
2. A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a
country, commanding an avenue of approach.
3. pl. A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or
to keep back a crowd.
No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced
into the lists. --Sir W.
Scott.
4. An any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or
attack. ``Constitutional barriers.'' --Hopkinson.
5. Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.
'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice
barrier ! --Pope.
{Barrier gate}, a heavy gate to close the opening through a
barrier.
{Barrier reef}, a form of coral reef which runs in the
general direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon
channel more or less extensive.
{To fight at barriers}, to fight with a barrier between, as a
martial exercise. [Obs.]
Barrigudo \Bar`ri*gu"do\, n. [Native name, fr. Sp. barrigudo
big-bellied.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large, dark-colored, South American monkey, of the genus
{Lagothrix}, having a long prehensile tail.
Barringout \Bar`ring*out"\, n.
The act of closing the doors of a schoolroom against a
schoolmaster; -- a boyish mode of rebellion in schools.
--Swift.
Barrister \Bar"ris*ter\, n. [From {Bar}, n.]
Counselor at law; a counsel admitted to plead at the bar, and
undertake the public trial of causes, as distinguished from
an attorney or solicitor. See {Attorney}. [Eng.]
Barroom \Bar"room`\, n.
A room containing a bar or counter at which liquors are sold.
Barrow \Bar"row\, n. [OE. barow, fr. AS. beran to bear. See
{Bear} to support, and cf. {Bier}.]
1. A support having handles, and with or without a wheel, on
which heavy or bulky things can be transported by hand.
See {Handbarrow}, and {Wheelbarrow}.
2. (Salt Works) A wicker case, in which salt is put to drain.
Barrow \Bar"row\, n. [OE. barow, bargh, AS. bearg, bearh; akin
to Icel. b["o]rgr, OHG. barh, barug, G. barch. ?95.]
A hog, esp. a male hog castrated. --Holland.
Barrow \Bar"row\, n. [OE. bergh, AS. beorg, beorh, hill,
sepulchral mound; akin to G. berg mountain, Goth. bairgahei
hill, hilly country, and perh. to Skr. b?hant high, OIr.
brigh mountain. Cf. {Berg}, {Berry} a mound, and {Borough} an
incorporated town.]
1. A large mound of earth or stones over the remains of the
dead; a tumulus.
2. (Mining) A heap of rubbish, attle, etc.
Barrowist \Bar"row*ist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Henry Barrowe, one of the founders of
Independency or Congregationalism in England. Barrowe was
executed for nonconformity in 1953.
Barrulet \Bar"ru*let\, n. [Dim. of bar, n.] (Her.)
A diminutive of the bar, having one fourth its width.
Barruly \Bar"ru*ly\, a. (Her.)
Traversed by barrulets or small bars; -- said of the field.
Barry \Bar"ry\, a. (Her.)
Divided into bars; -- said of the field.
Barse \Barse\, n. [AS. bears, b[ae]rs, akin to D. baars, G.
bars, barsch. Cf. 1st {Bass}, n.]
The common perch. See 1st {Bass}. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Bartender \Bar"tend`er\, n.
A barkeeper.
Barter \Bar"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bartered} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bartering}.] [OE. bartren, OF. barater, bareter, to
cheat, exchange, perh. fr. Gr. ? to do, deal (well or ill),
use practices or tricks, or perh. fr. Celtic; cf. Ir. brath
treachery, W. brad. Cf. {Barrator}.]
To traffic or trade, by exchanging one commodity for another,
in distinction from a sale and purchase, in which money is
paid for the commodities transferred; to truck.
Barter \Bar"ter\, v. t.
To trade or exchange in the way of barter; to exchange
(frequently for an unworthy consideration); to traffic; to
truck; -- sometimes followed by away; as, to barter away
goods or honor.
Barter \Bar"ter\, n.
1. The act or practice of trafficking by exchange of
commodities; an exchange of goods.
The spirit of huckstering and barter. --Burke.
2. The thing given in exchange.
Syn: Exchange; dealing; traffic; trade; truck.
Barterer \Bar"ter*er\, n.
One who barters.
Bartery \Bar"ter*y\, n.
Barter. [Obs.] --Camden.
Barth \Barth\, n. [Etymol. unknown.]
A place of shelter for cattle. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Bartholomew tide \Bar*thol"o*mew tide`\
Time of the festival of St. Bartholomew, August 24th. --Shak.
Bartizan \Bar"ti*zan`\, n. [Cf. {Brettice}.] (Arch.)
A small, overhanging structure for lookout or defense,
usually projecting at an angle of a building or near an
entrance gateway.
Bartlett \Bart"lett\, n. (Bot.)
A Bartlett pear, a favorite kind of pear, which originated in
England about 1770, and was called Williams' Bonchr['e]tien.
It was brought to America, and distributed by Mr. Enoch
Bartlett, of Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Barton \Bar"ton\, n. [AS. beret?n courtyard, grange; bere barley
+ t?n an inclosure. ]
1. The demesne lands of a manor; also, the manor itself.
[Eng.] --Burton.
2. A farmyard. [Eng.] --Southey.
Bartram \Bar"tram\, n. (Bot.)
See {Bertram}. --Johnson.
Barway \Bar"way`\, n.
A passage into a field or yard, closed by bars made to take
out of the posts.
Barwise \Bar"wise`\, adv. (Her.)
Horizontally.
Barwood \Bar"wood`\, n.
A red wood of a leguminous tree ({Baphia nitida}), from
Angola and the Gaboon in Africa. It is used as a dyewood, and
also for ramrods, violin bows and turner's work.
Barycentric \Bar`y*cen"tric\, a. [Gr. ? heavy + ? center.]
Of or pertaining to the center of gravity. See {Barycentric
calculus}, under {Calculus}.
Baryphony \Ba*ryph"o*ny\, n. [Gr. ? heavy + ? a sound voice.]
(Med.)
Difficulty of speech.
Baryta \Ba*ry"ta\, n. [Gr. ? heavy. Cf. {Baria}.] (Chem.)
An oxide of barium (or barytum); a heavy earth with a
specific gravity above 4.
Barytes \Ba*ry"tes\, n. [Gr. ? heavy: cf. Gr. ? heaviness, F.
baryte.] (Min.)
Barium sulphate, generally called {heavy spar} or {barite}.
See {Barite}.
Barytic \Ba*ryt"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to baryta.
Baryto-calcite \Ba*ry"to-cal"cite\, n. [Baryta + calcite.]
(Min.)
A mineral of a white or gray color, occurring massive or
crystallized. It is a compound of the carbonates of barium
and calcium.
Barytone \Bar"y*tone\, Baritone \Bar"i*tone\, a. [Gr. ?; ? heavy
+ ? tone.]
1. (Mus.) Grave and deep, as a kind of male voice.
2. (Greek Gram.) Not marked with an accent on the last
syllable, the grave accent being understood.
Barytone \Bar"y*tone\, Baritone \Bar"i*tone\, n. [F. baryton:
cf. It. baritono.]
1. (Mus.)
(a) A male voice, the compass of which partakes of the
common bass and the tenor, but which does not descend
as low as the one, nor rise as high as the other.
(b) A person having a voice of such range.
(c) The viola di gamba, now entirely disused.
2. (Greek Gram.) A word which has no accent marked on the
last syllable, the grave accent being understood.
Barytum \Ba*ry"tum\, n. [NL.] (Chem.)
The metal barium. See {Barium}. [R.]
Basal \Ba"sal\, a.
Relating to, or forming, the base.
{Basal cleavage}. See under {Cleavage}.
{Basal plane} (Crystallog.), one parallel to the lateral or
horizontal axis.
Basal-nerved \Ba"sal-nerved`\, a. (Bot.)
Having the nerves radiating from the base; -- said of leaves.
Basalt \Ba*salt"\, n. [N. basaltes (an African word), a dark and
hard species of marble found in Ethiopia: cf. F. basalte.]
1. (Geol.) A rock of igneous origin, consisting of augite and
triclinic feldspar, with grains of magnetic or titanic
iron, and also bottle-green particles of olivine
frequently disseminated.
Note: It is usually of a greenish black color, or of some
dull brown shade, or black. It constitutes immense beds
in some regions, and also occurs in veins or dikes
cutting through other rocks. It has often a prismatic
structure as at the Giant's Causeway, in Ireland, where
the columns are as regular as if the work of art. It is
a very tough and heavy rock, and is one of the best
materials for macadamizing roads.
2. An imitation, in pottery, of natural basalt; a kind of
black porcelain.
Basaltic \Ba*salt"ic\, a. [Cf. F. basaltique.]
Pertaining to basalt; formed of, or containing, basalt; as
basaltic lava.
Basaltiform \Ba*salt"i*form\, a. [Basalt + -form.]
In the form of basalt; columnar.
Basaltoid \Ba*salt"oid\, a. [Basalt + -oid.]
Formed like basalt; basaltiform.
Basan \Bas"an\, n.
Same as {Basil}, a sheepskin.
Basanite \Bas"a*nite\, n. [L. basanites lapis, Gr. ? the
touchstone: cf. F. basanite.] (Min.)
Lydian stone, or black jasper, a variety of siliceous or
flinty slate, of a grayish or bluish black color. It is
employed to test the purity of gold, the amount of alloy
being indicated by the color left on the stone when rubbed by
the metal.
Basbleu \Bas`bleu"\, n. [F., fr. bas stocking + bleu blue.]
A bluestocking; a literary woman. [Somewhat derisive]
Bascinet \Bas"ci*net\, n. [OE. bacinet, basnet, OF. bassinet,
bacinet, F. bassinet, dim. of OF. bacin, F. bassin, a helmet
in the form of a basin.]
A light helmet, at first open, but later made with a visor.
[Written also {basinet}, {bassinet}, {basnet}.]
Bascule \Bas"cule\, n. [F., a seesaw.]
In mechanics an apparatus on the principle of the seesaw, in
which one end rises as the other falls.
{Bascule bridge}, a counterpoise or balanced drawbridge,
which is opened by sinking the counterpoise and thus
lifting the footway into the air.
Base \Base\ (b[=a]s), a. [OE. bass, F. bas, low, fr. LL. bassus
thick, fat, short, humble; cf. L. Bassus, a proper name, and
W. bas shallow. Cf. {Bass} a part in music.]
1. Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth;
as, base shrubs. [Archaic] --Shak.
2. Low in place or position. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. Of humble birth; or low degree; lowly; mean. [Archaic] ``A
pleasant and base swain.'' --Bacon.
4. Illegitimate by birth; bastard. [Archaic]
Why bastard? wherefore base? --Shak.
5. Of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and
silver, the precious metals.
6. Alloyed with inferior metal; debased; as, base coin; base
bullion.
7. Morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity
of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base
fellow; base motives; base occupations. ``A cruel act of a
base and a cowardish mind.'' --Robynson (More's Utopia).
``Base ingratitude.'' --Milton.
8. Not classical or correct. ``Base Latin.'' --Fuller.
9. Deep or grave in sound; as, the base tone of a violin. [In
this sense, commonly written {bass.}]
10. (Law) Not held by honorable service; as, a base estate,
one held by services not honorable; held by villenage.
Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a
base tenant.
{Base fee}, formerly, an estate held at the will of the lord;
now, a qualified fee. See note under {Fee}, n., 4.
{Base metal}. See under {Metal}.
Syn: Dishonorable; worthless; ignoble; low-minded; infamous;
sordid; degraded.
Usage: {Base}, {Vile}, {Mean}. These words, as expressing
moral qualities, are here arranged in the order of
their strength, the strongest being placed first. Base
marks a high degree of moral turpitude; vile and mean
denote, in different degrees, the want of what is
valuable or worthy of esteem. What is base excites our
abhorrence; what is vile provokes our disgust or
indignation; what is mean awakens contempt. Base is
opposed to high-minded; vile, to noble; mean, to
liberal or generous. Ingratitude is base; sycophancy
is vile; undue compliances are mean.
Base \Base\, n. [F. base, L. basis, fr. Gr. ? a stepping step, a
base, pedestal, fr. ? to go, step, akin to E. come. Cf.
{Basis}, and see {Come}.]
1. The bottom of anything, considered as its support, or that
on which something rests for support; the foundation; as,
the base of a statue. ``The base of mighty mountains.''
--Prescott.
2. Fig.: The fundamental or essential part of a thing; the
essential principle; a groundwork.
3. (Arch.)
(a) The lower part of a wall, pier, or column, when
treated as a separate feature, usually in projection,
or especially ornamented.
(b) The lower part of a complete architectural design, as
of a monument; also, the lower part of any elaborate
piece of furniture or decoration.
4. (Bot.) That extremity of a leaf, fruit, etc., at which it
is attached to its support.
5. (Chem.) The positive, or non-acid component of a salt; a
substance which, combined with an acid, neutralizes the
latter and forms a salt; -- applied also to the hydroxides
of the positive elements or radicals, and to certain
organic bodies resembling them in their property of
forming salts with acids.
6. (Pharmacy) The chief ingredient in a compound.
7. (Dyeing) A substance used as a mordant. --Ure.
8. (Fort.) The exterior side of the polygon, or that
imaginary line which connects the salient angles of two
adjacent bastions.
9. (Geom.) The line or surface constituting that part of a
figure on which it is supposed to stand.
10. (Math.) The number from which a mathematical table is
constructed; as, the base of a system of logarithms.
11. [See {Base} low.] A low, or deep, sound. (Mus.)
(a) The lowest part; the deepest male voice.
(b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, base.
[Now commonly written {bass}.]
The trebles squeak for fear, the bases roar.
--Dryden.
12. (Mil.) A place or tract of country, protected by
fortifications, or by natural advantages, from which the
operations of an army proceed, forward movements are
made, supplies are furnished, etc.
13. (Mil.) The smallest kind of cannon. [Obs.]
14. (Zo["o]l.) That part of an organ by which it is attached
to another more central organ.
15. (Crystallog.) The basal plane of a crystal.
16. (Geol.) The ground mass of a rock, especially if not
distinctly crystalline.
17. (Her.) The lower part of the field. See {Escutcheon}.
18. The housing of a horse. [Obs.]
19. pl. A kind of skirt ( often of velvet or brocade, but
sometimes of mailed armor) which hung from the middle to
about the knees, or lower. [Obs.]
20. The lower part of a robe or petticoat. [Obs.]
21. An apron. [Obs.] ``Bakers in their linen bases.''
--Marston.
22. The point or line from which a start is made; a starting
place or a goal in various games.
To their appointed base they went. --Dryden.
23. (Surv.) A line in a survey which, being accurately
determined in length and position, serves as the origin
from which to compute the distances and positions of any
points or objects connected with it by a system of
triangles. --Lyman.
24. A rustic play; -- called also {prisoner's base}, {prison
base}, or {bars}. ``To run the country base.'' --Shak.
25. (Baseball) Any one of the four bounds which mark the
circuit of the infield.
{Altern base}. See under {Altern}.
{Attic base}. (Arch.) See under {Attic}.
{Base course}. (Arch.)
(a) The first or lower course of a foundation wall, made
of large stones of a mass of concrete; -- called also
{foundation course}.
(b) The architectural member forming the transition
between the basement and the wall above.
{Base hit} (Baseball), a hit, by which the batsman, without
any error on the part of his opponents, is able to reach
the first base without being put out.
{Base line}.
(a) A main line taken as a base, as in surveying or in
military operations.
(b) A line traced round a cannon at the rear of the vent.
{Base plate}, the foundation plate of heavy machinery, as of
the steam engine; the bed plate.
{Base ring} (Ordnance), a projecting band of metal around the
breech, connected with the body of the gun by a concave
molding. --H. L. Scott.
Base \Base\ (b[=a]s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Based} (b[=a]sd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Basing}.] [From {Base}, n.]
To put on a base or basis; to lay the foundation of; to
found, as an argument or conclusion; -- used with on or upon.
--Bacon.
Base \Base\, v. t. [See {Base}, a., and cf. {Abase}.]
1. To abase; to let, or cast, down; to lower. [Obs.]
If any . . . based his pike. --Sir T.
North.
2. To reduce the value of; to debase. [Obs.]
Metals which we can not base. --Bacon.
Baseball \Base"ball"\, n.
1. A game of ball, so called from the bases or bounds ( four
in number) which designate the circuit which each player
must endeavor to make after striking the ball.
2. The ball used in this game.
Baseboard \Base"board\, n. (Arch.)
A board, or other woodwork, carried round the walls of a room
and touching the floor, to form a base and protect the
plastering; -- also called washboard (in England), mopboard,
and scrubboard.
Baseborn \Base"born`\, a.
1. Born out of wedlock. --Gay.
2. Born of low parentage.
3. Vile; mean. ``Thy baseborn heart.'' --Shak.
Base-burner \Base"-burn`er\, n.
A furnace or stove in which the fuel is contained in a hopper
or chamber, and is fed to the fire as the lower stratum is
consumed.
Base-court \Base"-court`\, n. [F. basse-cour. See {Base}, a.,
and {Court}, n.]
1. The secondary, inferior, or rear courtyard of a large
house; the outer court of a castle.
2. (Law) An inferior court of law, not of record.
Based \Based\, p. p. & a.
1. Having a base, or having as a base; supported; as,
broad-based.
2. [See {Base}, n., 18-21.] Wearing, or protected by, bases.
[Obs.] ``Based in lawny velvet.'' --E. Hall.
Basedow's disease \Ba"se*dow's dis*ease"\ [Named for Dr.
Basedow, a German physician.] (Med.)
A disease characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland,
prominence of the eyeballs, and inordinate action of the
heart; -- called also {exophthalmic goiter}. --Flint.
Baselard \Bas"e*lard\, n. [OF. baselarde, LL. basillardus.]
A short sword or dagger, worn in the fifteenth century.
[Written also {baslard}.] --Fairholt.
Baseless \Base"less\, a.
Without a base; having no foundation or support. ``The
baseless fabric of this vision.'' --Shak.
Basely \Base"ly\, adv.
1. In a base manner; with despicable meanness; dishonorably;
shamefully.
2. Illegitimately; in bastardy. [Archaic] --Knolles.
Basement \Base"ment\, n. [F. soubassement. Of uncertain origin.
Cf. {Base}, a., {Bastion}.] (Arch.)
The outer wall of the ground story of a building, or of a
part of that story, when treated as a distinct substructure.
( See {Base}, n., 3
(a) .) Hence: The rooms of a ground floor, collectively.
{Basement membrane} (Anat.), a delicate membrane composed of
a single layer of flat cells, forming the substratum upon
which, in many organs, the epithelioid cells are disposed.
Baseness \Base"ness\, n.
The quality or condition of being base; degradation;
vileness.
I once did hold it a baseness to write fair. --Shak.
Basenet \Bas"e*net\, n.
See {Bascinet}. [Obs.]
Base viol \Base" vi`ol\
See {Bass viol}.
Bash \Bash\, v. t. & i. [OE. baschen, baissen. See {Abash}.]
To abash; to disconcert or be disconcerted or put out of
countenance. [Obs.]
His countenance was bold and bashed not. --Spenser.
Bashaw \Ba*shaw"\, n. [See {Pasha}.]
1. A Turkish title of honor, now written {pasha}. See
{Pasha}.
2. Fig.: A magnate or grandee.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A very large siluroid fish ({Leptops olivaris})
of the Mississippi valley; -- also called {goujon}, {mud
cat}, and {yellow cat}.
Bashful \Bash"ful\, a. [See {Bash}.]
1. Abashed; daunted; dismayed. [Obs.]
2. Very modest, or modest excess; constitutionally disposed
to shrink from public notice; indicating extreme or
excessive modesty; shy; as, a bashful person, action,
expression.
Syn: Diffident; retiring; reserved; shamefaced; sheepish.
Bashfully \Bash"ful*ly\, adv.
In a bashful manner.
Bashfulness \Bash"ful*ness\, n.
The quality of being bashful.
Syn: {Bashfulness}, {Modesty}, {Diffidence}, {Shyness}.
Usage: Modesty arises from a low estimate of ourselves;
bashfulness is an abashment or agitation of the
spirits at coming into contact with others; diffidence
is produced by an undue degree of self-distrust;
shyness usually arises from an excessive
self-consciousness, and a painful impression that
every one is looking at us. Modesty of deportment is
becoming at all; bashfulness often gives rise to
mistakes and blundering; diffidence is society
frequently makes a man a burden to himself; shyness
usually produces a reserve or distance which is often
mistaken for haughtiness.
Bashi-bazouk \Bash"i-ba*zouk"\, n. [Turkish, light-headed, a
foolish fellow.]
A soldier belonging to the irregular troops of the Turkish
army.
Bashless \Bash"less\, a.
Shameless; unblushing. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bashyle \Bas"hyle\, n. (Chem.)
See {Basyle}.
Basi- \Ba"si-\
A combining form, especially in anatomical and botanical
words, to indicate the base or position at or near a base;
forming a base; as, basibranchials, the most ventral of the
cartilages or bones of the branchial arches; basicranial,
situated at the base of the cranium; basifacial,
basitemporal, etc.
Basic \Ba"sic\, a.
1. (Chem.)
(a) Relating to a base; performing the office of a base in
a salt.
(b) Having the base in excess, or the amount of the base
atomically greater than that of the acid, or exceeding
in proportion that of the related neutral salt.
(c) Apparently alkaline, as certain normal salts which
exhibit alkaline reactions with test paper.
2. (Min.) Said of crystalline rocks which contain a
relatively low percentage of silica, as basalt.
{Basic salt} (Chem.), a salt formed from a base or hydroxide
by the partial replacement of its hydrogen by a negative
or acid element or radical.
Basicerite \Ba*sic"er*ite\, n. [Basi- + Gr. ? horn, antenna.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The second joint of the antenn[ae] of crustaceans.
Basicity \Ba*sic"i*ty\, n. (Chem.)
(a) The quality or state of being a base.
(b) The power of an acid to unite with one or more atoms or
equivalents of a base, as indicated by the number of
replaceable hydrogen atoms contained in the acid.
Basidiospore \Ba*sid"i*o*spore\, n. [Basidium + spore.] (Bot.)
A spore borne by a basidium. -- {Ba*sid`i*o*spor"ous}, a.
Basidium \Ba*sid"i*um\, n. [NL., dim. of Gr. ? base.] (Bot.)
A special oblong or pyriform cell, with slender branches,
which bears the spores in that division of fungi called
Basidiomycetes, of which the common mushroom is an example.
Basifier \Ba"si*fi`er\, n. (Chem.)
That which converts into a salifiable base.
Basifugal \Ba*sif"u*gal\, a. [Base,n.+ L. fugere to flee.]
(Bot.)
Tending or proceeding away from the base; as, a basifugal
growth.
Basify \Ba"si*fy\, v. t. [Base + -fy.] (Chem.)
To convert into a salifiable base.
Basigynium \Ba`si*gyn"i*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? base + ? woman.]
(Bot.)
The pedicel on which the ovary of certain flowers, as the
passion flower, is seated; a carpophore or thecaphore.
Basihyal \Ba`si*hy"al\, a. [Basi- + Gr. ? (the letter
``upsilon''); from the shape.] (Anat.)
Noting two small bones, forming the body of the inverted
hyoid arch.
Basihyoid \Ba`si*hy"oid\, n. [Basi- + hyoid.] (Anat.)
The central tongue bone.
Basil \Bas"il\, n. [Cf. F. basile and E. {Bezel}.]
The slope or angle to which the cutting edge of a tool, as a
plane, is ground. --Grier.
Basil \Bas"il\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Basiled} (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Basiling}.]
To grind or form the edge of to an angle. --Moxon.
Basil \Bas"il\, n. [F. basilic, fr. L. badilicus royal, Gr. ?,
fr. ? king.] (Bot.)
The name given to several aromatic herbs of the Mint family,
but chiefly to the common or sweet basil ({Ocymum
basilicum}), and the bush basil, or lesser basil ({O.
minimum}), the leaves of which are used in cookery. The name
is also given to several kinds of mountain mint
({Pycnanthemum}).
{Basil thyme}, a name given to the fragrant herbs {Calamintha
Acinos} and {C. Nepeta}.
{Wild basil}, a plant ({Calamintha clinopodium}) of the Mint
family.
Basil \Bas"il\, n. [Corrupt. from E. basan, F. basane, LL.
basanium, bazana, fr. Ar. bith[=a]na, prop., lining.]
The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.
Basilar \Bas"i*lar\, Basilary \Bas"i*la*ry\, a. [F. basilaire,
fr. L. basis. See {Base}, n.]
1. Relating to, or situated at, the base.
2. Lower; inferior; applied to impulses or springs of action.
[R.] ``Basilar instincts.'' --H. W. Beecher.
Basilic \Ba*sil"ic\, n. [F. basilique.]
Basilica.
Basilic \Ba*sil"ic\, Basilical \Ba*sil"ic*al\, a. [See
{Basilica}.]
1. Royal; kingly; also, basilican.
2. (Anat.) Pertaining to certain parts, anciently supposed to
have a specially important function in the animal economy,
as the middle vein of the right arm.
Basilica \Ba*sil"i*ca\, n.; pl. {Basilicas}; sometimes
{Basilic[ae]} (-s[=e]). [L. basilica, Gr. ? ( sc. ?, or ?)
fr. ? royal, fr. ? king.]
Originally, the place of a king; but afterward, an apartment
provided in the houses of persons of importance, where
assemblies were held for dispensing justice; and hence, any
large hall used for this purpose.
2. (Arch.)
(a) A building used by the Romans as a place of public
meeting, with court rooms, etc., attached.
(b) A church building of the earlier centuries of
Christianity, the plan of which was taken from the
basilica of the Romans. The name is still applied to
some churches by way of honorary distinction.
Basilica \Ba*sil"i*ca\, n.
A digest of the laws of Justinian, translated from the
original Latin into Greek, by order of Basil I., in the ninth
century. --P. Cyc.
Basilican \Ba*sil"i*can\, a.
Of, relating to, or resembling, a basilica; basilical.
There can be no doubt that the first churches in
Constantinople were in the basilican form. --Milman.
Basilicok \Ba*sil"i*cok\, n. [OF. basilicoc.]
The basilisk. [Obs.] --Chaucer
Basilicon \Ba*sil"i*con\, n. [L. basilicon, Gr. ?, neut. of ?:
cf. F. basilicon. See {Basilica}.] (Med.)
An ointment composed of wax, pitch, resin, and olive oil,
lard, or other fatty substance.
Basilisk \Bas"i*lisk\, n. [L. basiliscus, Gr. ? little king,
kind of serpent, dim. of ? king; -- so named from some
prominences on the head resembling a crown.]
1. A fabulous serpent, or dragon. The ancients alleged that
its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that
its breath, and even its look, was fatal. See
{Cockatrice}.
Make me not sighted like the basilisk. --Shak.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A lizard of the genus {Basiliscus}, belonging
to the family {Iguanid[ae]}.
Note: This genus is remarkable for a membranous bag rising
above the occiput, which can be filled with air at
pleasure; also for an elevated crest along the back,
that can be raised or depressed at will.
3. (Mil.) A large piece of ordnance, so called from its
supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from
its size. [Obs.]
Basin \Ba"sin\, n. [OF. bacin, F. bassin, LL. bacchinus, fr.
bacca a water vessel, fr. L. bacca berry, in allusion to the
round shape; or perh. fr. Celtic. Cf. {Bac}.]
1. A hollow vessel or dish, to hold water for washing, and
for various other uses.
2. The quantity contained in a basin.
3. A hollow vessel, of various forms and materials, used in
the arts or manufactures, as that used by glass grinders
for forming concave glasses, by hatters for molding a hat
into shape, etc.
4. A hollow place containing water, as a pond, a dock for
ships, a little bay.
5. (Physical Geog.)
(a) A circular or oval valley, or depression of the
surface of the ground, the lowest part of which is
generally occupied by a lake, or traversed by a river.
(b) The entire tract of country drained by a river, or
sloping towards a sea or lake.
6. (Geol.) An isolated or circumscribed formation,
particularly where the strata dip inward, on all sides,
toward a center; -- especially applied to the coal
formations, called {coal basins} or {coal fields}.
Basined \Ba"sined\, a.
Inclosed in a basin. ``Basined rivers.'' --Young.
Basinet \Bas"i*net\, n.
Same as {Bascinet}.
Basioccipital \Ba`si*oc*cip"i*tal\, a. [Basi- + occipital.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the bone in the base of the cranium,
frequently forming a part of the occipital in the adult, but
usually distinct in the young. -- n. The basioccipital bone.
Basion \Ba"si*on\, n. [Gr. ? a base.] (Anat.)
The middle of the anterior margin of the great foramen of the
skull.
Basipodite \Ba*sip"o*dite\, n. [Basi- + ?, ?, foot.] (Anat.)
The basal joint of the legs of Crustacea.
Basipterygium \Ba*sip`te*ryg"i*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a base +
? a fin.] (Anat.)
A bar of cartilage at the base of the embryonic fins of some
fishes. It develops into the metapterygium. --
{Ba*sip`ter*yg"i*al}, a.
Basipterygoid \Ba`sip*ter"y*goid\, a. & n. [Basi- + pierygoid.]
(Anat.)
Applied to a protuberance of the base of the sphenoid bone.
Basis \Ba"sis\, n.; pl. {Bases}. [L. basis, Gr. ?. See {Base},
n.]
1. The foundation of anything; that on which a thing rests.
--Dryden.
2. The pedestal of a column, pillar, or statue. [Obs.]
If no basis bear my rising name. --Pope.
3. The ground work the first or fundamental principle; that
which supports.
The basis of public credit is good faith. --A.
Hamilton.
4. The principal component part of a thing.
Basisolute \Ba*sis"o*lute\ (b[.a]*s[i^]s"[-o]*l[=u]t), a. [Basi-
+ solute, a.] (Bot.)
Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves.
Basisphenoid \Ba`si*sphe"noid\, Basisphenoidal
\Ba`si*sphe*noid"al\, a. [Basi- + spheroid.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to that part of the base of the cranium
between the basioccipital and the presphenoid, which usually
ossifies separately in the embryo or in the young, and
becomes a part of the sphenoid in the adult.
Basisphenoid \Ba`si*sphe"noid\, n. (Anat.)
The basisphenoid bone.
Bask \Bask\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Basked} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Basking}.] [ OScand. ba?ask to bathe one's self, or perh.
bakask to bake one's self, sk being reflexive. See {Bath},
n., {Bake}, v. t.]
To lie in warmth; to be exposed to genial heat.
Basks in the glare, and stems the tepid wave.
--Goldsmith.
Bask \Bask\, v. t.
To warm by continued exposure to heat; to warm with genial
heat.
Basks at the fire his hairy strength. --Milton.
Basket \Bas"ket\, n. [Of unknown origin. The modern Celtic words
seem to be from the English.]
1. A vessel made of osiers or other twigs, cane, rushes,
splints, or other flexible material, interwoven. ``Rude
baskets . . . woven of the flexile willow.'' --Dyer.
2. The contents of a basket; as much as a basket contains;
as, a basket of peaches.
3. (Arch.) The bell or vase of the Corinthian capital.
[Improperly so used.] --Gwilt.
4. The two back seats facing one another on the outside of a
stagecoach. [Eng.] --Goldsmith.
{Basket fish} (Zo["o]l.), an ophiuran of the genus
{Astrophyton}, having the arms much branched. See
{Astrophyton}.
{Basket hilt}, a hilt with a covering wrought like basketwork
to protect the hand. --Hudibras. Hence,
{Baskethilted}, a.
{Basket work}, work consisting of plaited osiers or twigs.
{Basket worm} (Zo["o]l.), a lepidopterous insect of the genus
{Thyridopteryx} and allied genera, esp. {T.
ephemer[ae]formis}. The larva makes and carries about a
bag or basket-like case of silk and twigs, which it
afterwards hangs up to shelter the pupa and wingless adult
females.
Basket \Bas"ket\, v. t.
To put into a basket. [R.]
Basketful \Bas"ket*ful\, n.; pl. {Basketfuls}.
As much as a basket will contain.
Basketry \Bas"ket*ry\, n.
The art of making baskets; also, baskets, taken collectively.
Basking shark \Bask"ing shark`\ (Zo["o]l.)
One of the largest species of sharks ({Cetorhinus maximus}),
so called from its habit of basking in the sun; the liver
shark, or bone shark. It inhabits the northern seas of Europe
and America, and grows to a length of more than forty feet.
It is a harmless species.
Basnet \Bas"net\, n.
Same as {Bascinet}.
Basommatophora \Ba*som`ma*toph"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
base + ? eye + ? to bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Pulmonifera having the eyes at the base of the
tentacles, including the common pond snails.
Bason \Ba"son\, n.
A basin. [Obs. or Special form]
Basque \Basque\, a. [F.]
Pertaining to Biscay, its people, or their language.
Basque \Basque\, n. [F.]
1. One of a race, of unknown origin, inhabiting a region on
the Bay of Biscay in Spain and France.
2. The language spoken by the Basque people.
3. A part of a lady's dress, resembling a jacket with a short
skirt; -- probably so called because this fashion of dress
came from the Basques.
Basquish \Basqu"ish\, a. [F. Basque Biscayan: cf. G. Baskisch.]
Pertaining to the country, people, or language of Biscay;
Basque [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Bas-relief \Bas`-re*lief"\, n. [F. bas-relief; bas law + relief
raised work, relever to raise: cf. It. bassorilievo.]
Low relief; sculpture, the figures of which project less than
half of their true proportions; -- called also {bassrelief}
and {basso-rilievo}. See {Alto-rilievo}.
Bass \Bass\, n.; pl. {Bass}, and sometimes {Basses}. [A
corruption of barse.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. An edible, spiny-finned fish, esp. of the genera {Roccus},
{Labrax}, and related genera. There are many species.
Note: The common European bass is {Labrax lupus}. American
species are: the striped bass ({Roccus lineatus});
white or silver bass of the lakes. ({R. chrysops});
brass or yellow bass ({R. interruptus}).
2. The two American fresh-water species of black bass (genus
{Micropterus}). See {Black bass}.
3. Species of {Serranus}, the sea bass and rock bass. See
{Sea bass}.
4. The southern, red, or channel bass ({Sci[ae]na ocellata}).
See {Redfish}.
Note: The name is also applied to many other fishes. See
{Calico bass}, under {Calico}.
Bass \Bass\, n. [A corruption of bast.]
1. (Bot.) The linden or lime tree, sometimes wrongly called
{whitewood}; also, its bark, which is used for making
mats. See {Bast}.
2. (Pron. ?) A hassock or thick mat.
Bass \Bass\, n. [F. basse, fr. bas low. See {Base}, a.]
1. A bass, or deep, sound or tone.
2. (Mus.)
(a) The lowest part in a musical composition.
(b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, bass.
[Written also {base}.]
{Thorough bass}. See {Thorough bass}.
Bass \Bass\, a.
Deep or grave in tone.
{Bass clef} (Mus.), the character placed at the beginning of
the staff containing the bass part of a musical
composition. [See Illust. under {Clef}.]
{Bass voice}, a deep-sounding voice; a voice fitted for
singing bass.
Bass \Bass\, v. t.
To sound in a deep tone. [R.] --Shak.
Bassa \Bas"sa\, Bassaw \Bas*saw"\, n.
See {Bashaw}.
Bass drum \Bass` drum"\ (Mus.)
The largest of the different kinds of drums, having two
heads, and emitting a deep, grave sound. See {Bass}, a.
Basset \Bas"set\, n. [F. bassette, fr.It. bassetta. Cf.
{Basso}.]
A game at cards, resembling the modern faro, said to have
been invented at Venice.
Some dress, some dance, some play, not to forget Your
piquet parties, and your dear basset. --Rowe.
Basset \Bas"set\, a. [Cf. OF. basset somewhat low, dim. of bas
low.] (Geol.)
Inclined upward; as, the basset edge of strata. --Lyell.
Basset \Bas"set\, n. (Geol.)
The edge of a geological stratum at the surface of the
ground; the outcrop.
Basset \Bas"set\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Basseted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Basseting}.] (Geol.)
To inclined upward so as to appear at the surface; to crop
out; as, a vein of coal bassets.
Basset horn \Bas"set horn`\ [See {Basset}, a.] (Mus.)
An instrument blown with a reed, and resembling a clarinet,
but of much greater compass, embracing nearly four octaves.
Basset hound \Bas"set hound`\ [F. basset.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small kind of hound with a long body and short legs, used
as an earth dog.
Basseting \Bas"set*ing\, n.
The upward direction of a vein in a mine; the emergence of a
stratum at the surface.
Bassetto \Bas*set"to\, n. [It., adj., somewhat low; n., counter
tenor. See {Basso}.] (Mus.)
A tenor or small bass viol.
Bass horn \Bass" horn"\ (Mus.)
A modification of the bassoon, much deeper in tone.
Bassinet \Bas"si*net\, n. [Cf. F. bassinet, dim. of bassin. See
{Basin}, and cf. {Bascinet}.]
1. A wicker basket, with a covering or hood over one end, in
which young children are placed as in a cradle.
2. See {Bascinet}. --Lord Lytton.
Basso \Bas"so\, n. [It., fr. LL. bassus. See {Base}, a.] (Mus.)
(a) The bass or lowest part; as, to sing basso.
(b) One who sings the lowest part.
(c) The double bass, or {contrabasso}.
{Basso continuo}. [It., bass continued.] (Mus.) A bass part
written out continuously, while the other parts of the
harmony are indicated by figures attached to the bass;
continued bass.
Bassock \Bas"sock\, n.
A hassock. See 2d {Bass}, 2.
Bassoon \Bas*soon"\, n. [F. basson, fr. basse bass; or perh. fr.
bas son low sound. See {Bass} a part in music. ] (Mus.)
A wind instrument of the double reed kind, furnished with
holes, which are stopped by the fingers, and by keys, as in
flutes. It forms the natural bass to the oboe, clarinet, etc.
Note: Its compass comprehends three octaves. For convenience
of carriage it is divided into two parts; whence it is
also called a fagot.
Bassoonist \Bas*soon"ist\, n.
A performer on the bassoon. --Busby.
Basso-rilievo \Bas"so-ri*lie"vo\, Basso-relievo
\Bas"so-re*lie"vo\, n. [It. basso-rilievo.]
Same as {Bas-relief}.
Bassorin \Bas"so*rin\, n. [Cf. F. bassorine.] (Chem.)
A constituent part of a species of gum from Bassora, as also
of gum tragacanth and some gum resins. It is one of the
amyloses. --Ure.
Bass-relief \Bass"-re*lief`\, n.
Some as {Bas-relief}.
Bass viol \Bass" vi`ol\ (Mus.)
A stringed instrument of the viol family, used for playing
bass. See 3d {Bass}, n., and {Violoncello}.
Basswood \Bass"wood`\, n. (Bot.)
The bass ({Tilia}) or its wood; especially, {T. Americana}.
See {Bass}, the lime tree.
All the bowls were made of basswood, White and polished
very smoothly. --Longfellow.
Bast \Bast\, n. [AS. b[ae]st; akin to Icel., Sw., Dan., D., & G.
bast, of unknown origin. Cf. {Bass} the tree.]
1. The inner fibrous bark of various plants; esp. of the lime
tree; hence, matting, cordage, etc., made therefrom.
2. A thick mat or hassock. See 2d {Bass}, 2.
Basta \Bas"ta\, interj. [It.]
Enough; stop. --Shak.
Bastard \Bas"tard\, n. [OF. bastard, bastart, F. b?tard, prob.
fr. OF. bast, F. b?t, a packsaddle used as a bed by the
muleteers (fr. LL. bastum) + -ard. OF. fils de bast son of
the packsaddle; as the muleteers were accustomed to use their
saddles for beds in the inns. See Cervantes, ``Don Quixote,''
chap. 16; and cf.G. bankert, fr. bank bench.]
1. A ``natural'' child; a child begotten and born out of
wedlock; an illegitimate child; one born of an illicit
union.
Note: By the civil and canon laws, and by the laws of many of
the United States, a bastard becomes a legitimate child
by the intermarriage of the parents at any subsequent
time. But by those of England, and of some states of
the United States, a child, to be legitimate, must at
least be born after the lawful marriage. --Kent.
Blackstone.
2. (Sugar Refining)
(a) An inferior quality of soft brown sugar, obtained from
the sirups that ? already had several boilings.
(b) A large size of mold, in which sugar is drained.
3. A sweet Spanish wine like muscadel in flavor.
Brown bastard is your only drink. --Shak.
4. A writing paper of a particular size. See {Paper}.
Bastard \Bas"tard\, a.
1. Begotten and born out of lawful matrimony; illegitimate.
See {Bastard}, n., note.
2. Lacking in genuineness; spurious; false; adulterate; --
applied to things which resemble those which are genuine,
but are really not so.
That bastard self-love which is so vicious in
itself, and productive of so many vices. --Barrow.
3. Of an unusual make or proportion; as, a bastard musket; a
bastard culverin. [Obs.]
4. (Print.) Abbreviated, as the half title in a page
preceding the full title page of a book.
{Bastard ashlar} (Arch.), stones for ashlar work, roughly
squared at the quarry.
{Bastard file}, a file intermediate between the coarsest and
the second cut.
{Bastard type} (Print.), type having the face of a larger or
a smaller size than the body; e.g., a nonpareil face on a
brevier body.
{Bastard wing} (Zo["o]l.), three to five quill feathers on a
small joint corresponding to the thumb in some mam malia;
the alula.
Bastard \Bas"tard\, v. t.
To bastardize. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Bastardism \Bas"tard*ism\, n.
The state of being a bastard; bastardy.
Bastardize \Bas"tard*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bastardized}
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Bastardizing}.]
1. To make or prove to be a bastard; to stigmatize as a
bastard; to declare or decide legally to be illegitimate.
The law is so indulgent as not to bastardize the
child, if born, though not begotten, in lawful
wedlock. --Blackstone.
2. To beget out of wedlock. [R.] --Shak.
Bastardly \Bas"tard*ly\, a.
Bastardlike; baseborn; spurious; corrupt. [Obs.] -- adv. In
the manner of a bastard; spuriously. [Obs.] --Shak. Donne.
Bastardy \Bas"tar*dy\, n.
1. The state of being a bastard; illegitimacy.
2. The procreation of a bastard child. --Wharton.
Baste \Baste\ (b[=a]st), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Basted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Basting}.] [Cf. Icel. beysta to strike, powder; Sw.
basa to beat with a rod: perh. akin to E. beat.]
1. To beat with a stick; to cudgel.
One man was basted by the keeper for carrying some
people over on his back through the waters. --Pepys.
2. (Cookery) To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or
fat on, as on meat in roasting.
3. To mark with tar, as sheep. [Prov. Eng.]
Baste \Baste\, v. t. [OE. basten, OF. bastir, F. b?tir, prob.
fr. OHG. bestan to sew, MHG. besten to bind, fr. OHG. bast
bast. See {Bast}.]
To sew loosely, or with long stitches; -- usually, that the
work may be held in position until sewed more firmly. --Shak.
Bastile Bastille \Bas*tile" Bas*tille"\, n. [F. bastille
fortress, OF. bastir to build, F. b?tir.]
1. (Feud. Fort.) A tower or an elevated work, used for the
defense, or in the siege, of a fortified place.
The high bastiles . . . which overtopped the walls.
--Holland.
2. ``The Bastille'', formerly a castle or fortress in Paris,
used as a prison, especially for political offenders;
hence, a rhetorical name for a prison.
Bastinade \Bas`ti*nade"\, n.
See {Bastinado}, n.
Bastinade \Bas`ti*nade"\, v. t.
To bastinado. [Archaic]
Bastinado \Bas`ti*na"do\, n.; pl. {Bastinadoes}. [Sp. bastonada
(cf. F. bastonnade), fr. baston (cf. F. b?ton) a stick or
staff. See {Baston}.]
1. A blow with a stick or cudgel.
2. A sound beating with a stick or cudgel. Specifically: A
form of punishment among the Turks, Chinese, and others,
consisting in beating an offender on the soles of his
feet.
Bastinado \Bas`ti*na"do\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bastinadoes}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bastinadoing}.]
To beat with a stick or cudgel, especially on the soles of
the feet.
Bastion \Bas"tion\, n. [F. bastion (cf. It. bastione), fr. LL.
bastire to build (cf. F. b?tir, It. bastire), perh. from the
idea of support for a weight, and akin to Gr. ? to lift,
carry, and to E. baston, baton.] (Fort.)
A work projecting outward from the main inclosure of a
fortification, consisting of two faces and two flanks, and so
constructed that it is able to defend by a flanking fire the
adjacent curtain, or wall which extends from one bastion to
another. Two adjacent bastions are connected by the curtain,
which joins the flank of one with the adjacent flank of the
other. The distance between the flanks of a bastion is called
the gorge. A lunette is a detached bastion. See {Ravelin}.
Bastioned \Bas"tioned\, a.
Furnished with a bastion; having bastions.
Basto \Bas"to\ (b[.a]s"t[-o]), n. [Sp.]
The ace of clubs in quadrille and omber. --Pope.
Baston \Bas"ton\, n. [OF. baston, F. b[^a]ton, LL. basto. See
{Bastion}, and cf. {Baton}, and 3d {Batten}.]
1. A staff or cudgel. [Obs.] ``To fight with blunt bastons.''
--Holland.
2. (Her.) See {Baton}.
3. An officer bearing a painted staff, who formerly was in
attendance upon the king's court to take into custody
persons committed by the court. --Mozley & W.
Basyle \Bas"yle\, n. [Gr. ? base + ? wood. See {-yl}.] (Chem.)
A positive or nonacid constituent of compound, either
elementary, or, if compound, performing the functions of an
element.
Basylous \Bas"y*lous\, a.
Pertaining to, or having the nature of, a basyle;
electro-positive; basic; -- opposed to {chlorous}. --Graham.
Bat \Bat\, n. [OE. batte, botte, AS. batt; perhaps fr. the
Celtic; cf. Ir. bat, bata, stick, staff; but cf. also F.
batte a beater (thing), wooden sword, battre to beat.]
1. A large stick; a club; specifically, a piece of wood with
one end thicker or broader than the other, used in playing
baseball, cricket, etc.
2. (Mining) Shale or bituminous shale. --Kirwan.
3. A sheet of cotton used for filling quilts or comfortables;
batting.
4. A part of a brick with one whole end.
{Bat bolt} (Machinery), a bolt barbed or jagged at its butt
or tang to make it hold the more firmly. --Knight.
Bat \Bat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Batted} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Batting}.]
To strike or hit with a bat or a pole; to cudgel; to beat.
--Holland.
Bat \Bat\, v. i.
To use a bat, as in a game of baseball.
Bat \Bat\, n. [Corrupt. from OE. back, backe, balke; cf. Dan.
aften-bakke (aften evening), Sw. natt-backa (natt night),
Icel. le[eth]r-blaka (le[eth]r leather), Icel. blaka to
flutter.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Cheiroptera, an order of flying mammals, in which
the wings are formed by a membrane stretched between the
elongated fingers, legs, and tail. The common bats are small
and insectivorous. See {Cheiroptera} and {Vampire}.
{Bat tick} (Zo["o]l.), a wingless, dipterous insect of the
genus {Nycteribia}, parasitic on bats.
Batable \Bat"a*ble\, a. [Abbrev. from debatable.]
Disputable. [Obs.]
Note: The border land between England and Scotland, being
formerly a subject of contention, was called batable or
debatable ground.
Batailled \Bat"ailled\, a.
Embattled. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Batardeau \Ba`tar*deau"\, n. [F.]
1. A cofferdam. --Brande & C.
2. (Mil.) A wall built across the ditch of a fortification,
with a sluice gate to regulate the height of water in the
ditch on both sides of the wall.
Batatas \Ba*ta"tas\, Batata \Ba*ta"ta\, n.
An aboriginal American name for the sweet potato ({Ipom[ae]a
batatas}).
Batavian \Ba*ta"vi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to
(a) the Batavi, an ancient Germanic tribe; or to
(b) ?atavia or Holland; as, a Batavian legion.
{Batavian Republic}, the name given to Holland by the French
after its conquest in 1795.
Batavian \Ba*ta"vi*an\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Batavia or Holland. [R.]
--Bancroft.
Batch \Batch\, n. [OE. bache, bacche, fr. AS. bacan to bake; cf.
G. geb["a]ck and D. baksel. See {Bake}, v. t.]
1. The quantity of bread baked at one time.
2. A quantity of anything produced at one operation; a group
or collection of persons or things of the same kind; as, a
batch of letters; the next batch of business. ``A new
batch of Lords.'' --Lady M. W. Montagu.
Bate \Bate\, n. [Prob. abbrev. from debate.]
Strife; contention. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bate \Bate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bating}.] [From abate.]
1. To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to
abate; to beat down; to lower.
He must either bate the laborer's wages, or not
employ or not pay him. --Locke.
2. To allow by way of abatement or deduction.
To whom he bates nothing or what he stood upon with
the parliament. --South.
3. To leave out; to except. [Obs.]
Bate me the king, and, be he flesh and blood. He
lies that says it. --Beau. & Fl.
4. To remove. [Obs.]
About autumn bate the earth from about the roots of
olives, and lay them bare. --Holland.
5. To deprive of. [Obs.]
When baseness is exalted, do not bate The place its
honor for the person's sake. --Herbert.
Bate \Bate\, v. i.
1. To remit or retrench a part; -- with of.
Abate thy speed, and I will bate of mine. --Dryden.
2. To waste away. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bate \Bate\, v. t.
To attack; to bait. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bate \Bate\,
imp. of {Bite}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bate \Bate\, v. i. [F. battre des ailes to flutter. Cf. {Bait}
to flutter.]
To flutter as a hawk; to bait. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Bate \Bate\, n. (Jewish Antiq.)
See 2d {Bath}.
Bate \Bate\, n. [Cf. Sw. beta maceration, soaking, G. beize, and
E. bite.]
An alkaline solution consisting of the dung of certain
animals; -- employed in the preparation of hides; grainer.
--Knight.
Bate \Bate\, v. t.
To steep in bate, as hides, in the manufacture of leather.
Bateau \Ba*teau"\, n.; pl. {Bateaux}. [F. bateau, LL. batellus,
fr. battus, batus, boa, which agrees with AS. b[=a]t boat:
cf. W. bad boat. See {Boat}, n.]
A boat; esp. a flat-bottomed, clumsy boat used on the
Canadian lakes and rivers. [Written also, but less properly,
{batteau}.]
{Bateau bridge}, a floating bridge supported by bateaux.
Bated \Bat"ed\, a.
Reduced; lowered; restrained; as, to speak with bated breath.
--Macaulay.
Bateful \Bate"ful\, a.
Exciting contention; contentious. [Obs.] ``It did bateful
question frame. '' --Sidney.
Bateless \Bate"less\, a.
Not to be abated. [Obs.] --Shak.
Batement \Bate"ment\, n. [For {Abatement}. See 2d {Bate}.]
Abatement; diminution. --Moxon.
{Batement light} (Arch.), a window or one division of a
window having vertical sides, but with the sill not
horizontal, as where it follows the rake of a staircase.
Batfish \Bat"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A name given to several species of fishes:
(a) The Malthe vespertilio of the Atlantic coast.
(b) The flying gurnard of the Atlantic ({Cephalacanthus
spinarella}).
(c) The California batfish or sting ray ({Myliobatis
Californicus}.)
Batfowler \Bat"fowl`er\, n.
One who practices or finds sport in batfowling.
Batfowling \Bat"fowl`ing\, n. [From {Bat} a stick.]
A mode of catching birds at night, by holding a torch or
other light, and beating the bush or perch where they roost.
The birds, flying to the light, are caught with nets or
otherwise.
Batful \Bat"ful\, a. [Icel. bati amelioration, batna to grow
better; akin to AS. bet better. Goth. ga-batnan to profit.
?255. Cf. {Batten}, v. i., {Better}.]
Rich; fertile. [Obs.] ``Batful valleys.'' --Drayton.
Bath \Bath\ (b[.a]th; 61), n.; pl. {Baths} (b[.a]thz). [AS.
b[ae][eth]; akin to OS. & Icel. ba[eth], Sw., Dan., D., & G.
bad, and perh. to G. b["a]hen to foment.]
1. The act of exposing the body, or part of the body, for
purposes of cleanliness, comfort, health, etc., to water,
vapor, hot air, or the like; as, a cold or a hot bath; a
medicated bath; a steam bath; a hip bath.
2. Water or other liquid for bathing.
3. A receptacle or place where persons may immerse or wash
their bodies in water.
4. A building containing an apartment or a series of
apartments arranged for bathing.
Among the ancients, the public baths were of amazing
extent and magnificence. --Gwilt.
5. (Chem.) A medium, as heated sand, ashes, steam, hot air,
through which heat is applied to a body.
6. (Photog.) A solution in which plates or prints are
immersed; also, the receptacle holding the solution.
Note: Bath is used adjectively or in combination, in an
obvious sense of or for baths or bathing; as, bathroom,
bath tub, bath keeper.
{Douche bath}. See {Douche}.
{Order of the Bath}, a high order of British knighthood,
composed of three classes, viz., knights grand cross,
knights commanders, and knights companions, abbreviated
thus: G. C. B., K. C. B., K. B.
{Russian bath}, a kind of vapor bath which consists in a
prolonged exposure of the body to the influence of the
steam of water, followed by washings and shampooings.
{Turkish bath}, a kind of bath in which a profuse
perspiration is produced by hot air, after which the body
is washed and shampooed.
{Bath house}, a house used for the purpose of bathing; --
also a small house, near a bathing place, where a bather
undresses and dresses.
Bath \Bath\, n. [Heb.]
A Hebrew measure containing the tenth of a homer, or five
gallons and three pints, as a measure for liquids; and two
pecks and five quarts, as a dry measure.
Bath \Bath\, n.
A city in the west of England, resorted to for its hot
springs, which has given its name to various objects.
{Bath brick}, a preparation of calcareous earth, in the form
of a brick, used for cleaning knives, polished metal, etc.
{Bath chair}, a kind of chair on wheels, as used by invalids
at Bath. ``People walked out, or drove out, or were pushed
out in their Bath chairs.'' --Dickens.
{Bath metal}, an alloy consisting of four and a half ounces
of zinc and one pound of copper.
{Bath note}, a folded writing paper, 8 1/2 by 14 inches.
{Bath stone}, a species of limestone (o["o]lite) found near
Bath, used for building.
Bathe \Bathe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bathed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bathing}.] [OE. ba?ien, AS. ba?ian, fr. b[ae]? bath. See 1st
{Bath}, and cf. {Bay} to bathe.]
1. To wash by immersion, as in a bath; to subject to a bath.
Chancing to bathe himself in the River Cydnus.
--South.
2. To lave; to wet. ``The lake which bathed the foot of the
Alban mountain.'' --T. Arnold.
3. To moisten or suffuse with a liquid.
And let us bathe our hands in C[ae]sar's blood.
--Shak.
4. To apply water or some liquid medicament to; as, to bathe
the eye with warm water or with sea water; to bathe one's
forehead with camphor.
5. To surround, or envelop, as water surrounds a person
immersed. ``The rosy shadows bathe me. '' --Tennyson.
``The bright sunshine bathing all the world.''
--Longfellow.
Bathe \Bathe\, v. i.
1. To bathe one's self; to take a bath or baths. ``They bathe
in summer.'' --Waller.
2. To immerse or cover one's self, as in a bath. ``To bathe
in fiery floods.'' --Shak. ``Bathe in the dimples of her
cheek.'' --Lloyd.
3. To bask in the sun. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bathe \Bathe\, n.
The immersion of the body in water; as to take one's usual
bathe. --Edin. Rev.
Bather \Bath"er\, n.
One who bathes.
Bathetic \Ba*thet"ic\, a.
Having the character of bathos. [R.]
Bathing \Bath"ing\, n.
Act of taking a bath or baths.
{Bathing machine}, a small room on wheels, to be driven into
the water, for the convenience of bathers, who undress and
dress therein.
Bathmism \Bath"mism\, n.
See {Vital force}.
Bathometer \Ba*thom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? depth + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring depths, esp. one for taking
soundings without a sounding line.
Bathorse \Bat"horse`\, n. [F. b[^a]t packsaddle (cheval de
b[^a]t packhorse) + E. horse. See {Bastard}.]
A horse which carries an officer's baggage during a campaign.
Bathos \Ba"thos\, n. [Gr. ? depth, fr. ? deep.] (Rhet.)
A ludicrous descent from the elevated to the low, in writing
or speech; anticlimax.
Bathybius \Ba*thyb"i*us\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? deep + ? life]
(Zo["o]l.)
A name given by Prof. Huxley to a gelatinous substance found
in mud dredged from the Atlantic and preserved in alcohol. He
supposed that it was free living protoplasm, covering a large
part of the ocean bed. It is now known that the substance is
of chemical, not of organic, origin.
Bathymetric \Bath`y*met"ric\, Bathymetrical \Bath`y*met"ric*al\,
a.
Pertaining to bathymetry; relating to the measurement of
depths, especially of depths in the sea.
Bathymetry \Ba*thym"e*try\, n. [Gr. ba`qos depth + -metry.]
The art or science of sounding, or measuring depths in the
sea.
Bating \Bat"ing\, prep. [Strictly p. pr. of {Bate} to abate.]
With the exception of; excepting.
We have little reason to think that they bring many
ideas with them, bating some faint ideas of hunger and
thirst. --Locke.
Batiste \Ba*tiste"\, n. [F. batiste, from the name of the
alleged first maker, Baptiste of Cambrai. --Littr['e].]
Originally, cambric or lawn of fine linen; now applied also
to cloth of similar texture made of cotton.
Batlet \Bat"let\, n. [Bat stick + -let.]
A short bat for beating clothes in washing them; -- called
also {batler}, {batling staff}, {batting staff}. --Shak.
Batman \Bat"man\, n. [Turk. batman.]
A weight used in the East, varying according to the locality;
in Turkey, the greater batman is about 157 pounds, the lesser
only a fourth of this; at Aleppo and Smyrna, the batman is 17
pounds. --Simmonds.
Batman \Bat"man\, n.; pl. {Batmen}. [F. b[^a]t packsaddle + E.
man. Cf. {Bathorse}.]
A man who has charge of a bathorse and his load. --Macaulay.
Batoidei \Ba*toi"de*i\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ba`tos a kind of
ray + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of fishes which includes the rays and skates.
Baton \Bat"on\, n. [F. b[^a]ton. See {Baston}.]
1. A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes; as, the
baton of a field marshal; the baton of a conductor in
musical performances.
He held the baton of command. --Prescott.
2. (Her.) An ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister
as a mark of bastardy, and containing one fourth in
breadth of the bend sinister; -- called also {bastard
bar}. See {Bend sinister}.
Batoon \Ba*toon"\, n.
See {Baton}, and {Baston}.
Bat printing \Bat" print`ing\ (Ceramics)
A mode of printing on glazed ware.
Batrachia \Ba*tra"chi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. batra`cheios
belonging to a frog, fr. ba`trachos frog.] (Zo["o]l.)
The order of amphibians which includes the frogs and toads;
the Anura. Sometimes the word is used in a wider sense as
equivalent to Amphibia.
Batrachian \Ba*tra"chi*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the Batrachia. -- n. One of the Batrachia.
Batrachoid \Bat"ra*choid\, a. [Batrachia + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Froglike. Specifically: Of or pertaining to the
{Batrachid[ae]}, a family of marine fishes, including the
toadfish. Some have poisonous dorsal spines.
Batrachomyomachy \Bat`ra*cho*my*om"a*chy\, n. [Gr.
batrachomyomachi`a; ba`trachos frog + my^s mouse + ma`chh
battle.]
The battle between the frogs and mice; -- a Greek parody on
the Iliad, of uncertain authorship.
Batrachophagous \Bat`ra*choph"a*gous\, a. [Gr. ? frog + ? to
eat.]
Feeding on frogs. --Quart. Rev.
Batsman \Bats"man\, n.; pl. {Batsmen}.
The one who wields the bat in cricket, baseball, etc.
Bat's-wing \Bat's"-wing"\or Batwing \Bat"wing\, a.
Shaped like a bat's wing; as, a bat's-wing burner.
Batta \Bat"ta\ (b[a^]t"t[.a]), n. [Prob. through Pg. for
Canarese bhatta rice in the husk.]
Extra pay; esp. an extra allowance to an English officer
serving in India. --Whitworth.
Batta \Bat"ta\ (b[a^]t"t[.a]), n. [Hind. ba[.t][.t]a.]
Rate of exchange; also, the discount on uncurrent coins.
[India]
Battable \Bat"ta*ble\, a. [See {Batful}.]
Capable of cultivation; fertile; productive; fattening.
[Obs.] --Burton.
Battailant \Bat"tail*ant\, a. [F. bataillant, p. pr. See
{Battle}, v. i. ] [Obs.]
Prepared for battle; combatant; warlike. --Spenser. -- n. A
combatant. --Shelton.
Battailous \Bat"tail*ous\, a. [OF. bataillos, fr. bataille. See
{Battle}, n.]
Arrayed for battle; fit or eager for battle; warlike. [Obs.]
``In battailous aspect.'' --Milton.
Battalia \Bat*tal"ia\, n. [LL. battalia battle, a body of
troops. See {Battle}, n.]
1. Order of battle; disposition or arrangement of troops
(brigades, regiments, battalions, etc.), or of a naval
force, for action.
A drawing up the armies in battalia. --Jer. Taylor.
2. An army in battle array; also, the main battalia or body.
[Obs.] --Shak.
Battalion \Bat*tal"ion\, n. [F. bataillon, fr. It. battaglione.
See {Battalia}.]
1. A body of troops; esp. a body of troops or an army in
battle array. ``The whole battalion views.'' --Milton.
2. (Mil.) A regiment, or two or more companies of a regiment,
esp. when assembled for drill or battle.
Battalion \Bat*tal"ion\, v. t.
To form into battalions. [R.]
Battel \Bat"tel\, n. [Obs. form. of {Battle}.] (Old Eng. Law)
A single combat; as, trial by battel. See {Wager of battel},
under {Wager}.
Battel \Bat"tel\, n. [Of uncertain etymology.]
Provisions ordered from the buttery; also, the charges for
them; -- only in the pl., except when used adjectively.
[Univ. of Oxford, Eng.]
Battel \Bat"tel\, v. i.
To be supplied with provisions from the buttery. [Univ. of
Oxford, Eng.]
Battel \Bat"tel\, v. t. [Cf. {Batful}, {Batten}, v. i.]
To make fertile. [Obs.] ``To battel barren land.'' --Ray.
Battel \Bat"tel\, a.
Fertile; fruitful; productive. [Obs.]
A battel soil for grain, for pasture good. --Fairfax.
Batteler \Bat"tel*er\, Battler \Bat"tler\, n. [See 2d {Battel},
n.]
A student at Oxford who is supplied with provisions from the
buttery; formerly, one who paid for nothing but what he
called for, answering nearly to a sizar at Cambridge.
--Wright.
Batten \Bat"ten\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Battened} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Battening}.] [See {Batful}.]
1. To make fat by plenteous feeding; to fatten. ``Battening
our flocks.'' --Milton.
2. To fertilize or enrich, as land.
Batten \Bat"ten\, v. i.
To grow fat; to grow fat in ease and luxury; to glut one's
self. --Dryden.
The pampered monarch lay battening in ease. --Garth.
Skeptics, with a taste for carrion, who batten on the
hideous facts in history, -- persecutions,
inquisitions. --Emerson.
Batten \Bat"ten\, n . [F. b?ton stick, staff. See {Baton}.]
A strip of sawed stuff, or a scantling; as,
(a) pl. (Com. & Arch.) Sawed timbers about 7 by 2 1/2 inches
and not less than 6 feet long. --Brande & C.
(b) (Naut.) A strip of wood used in fastening the edges of a
tarpaulin to the deck, also around masts to prevent
chafing.
(c) A long, thin strip used to strengthen a part, to cover a
crack, etc.
{Batten door} (Arch.), a door made of boards of the whole
length of the door, secured by battens nailed crosswise.
Batten \Bat"ten\, v. t.
To furnish or fasten with battens.
{To batten down}, to fasten down with battens, as the
tarpaulin over the hatches of a ship during a storm.
Batten \Bat"ten\, n. [F. battant. See {Batter}, v. t.]
The movable bar of a loom, which strikes home or closes the
threads of a woof.
Battening \Bat"ten*ing\, n. (Arch.)
Furring done with small pieces nailed directly upon the wall.
Batter \Bat"ter\ (b[a^]t"t[~e]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Battered}
(-t[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Battering}.] [OE. bateren, OF.
batre, F. battre, fr. LL. battere, for L. batuere to strike,
beat; of unknown origin. Cf. {Abate}, {Bate} to abate.]
1. To beat with successive blows; to beat repeatedly and with
violence, so as to bruise, shatter, or demolish; as, to
batter a wall or rampart.
2. To wear or impair as if by beating or by hard usage.
``Each battered jade.'' --Pope.
3. (Metallurgy) To flatten (metal) by hammering, so as to
compress it inwardly and spread it outwardly.
Batter \Bat"ter\, n. [OE. batere, batire; cf. OF. bateure,
bature, a beating. See {Batter}, v. t.]
1. A semi-liquid mixture of several ingredients, as, flour,
eggs, milk, etc., beaten together and used in cookery.
--King.
2. Paste of clay or loam. --Holland.
3. (Printing) A bruise on the face of a plate or of type in
the form.
Batter \Bat"ter\, n.
A backward slope in the face of a wall or of a bank; receding
slope.
{Batter rule}, an instrument consisting of a rule or frame,
and a plumb line, by which the batter or slope of a wall
is regulated in building.
Batter \Bat"ter\, v. i. (Arch.)
To slope gently backward.
Batter \Bat"ter\, n.
One who wields a bat; a batsman.
Batterer \Bat"ter*er\ (-t[~e]r*[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, batters.
Battering-ram \Bat"ter*ing-ram`\, n.
1. (Mil.) An engine used in ancient times to beat down the
walls of besieged places.
Note: It was a large beam, with a head of iron, which was
sometimes made to resemble the head of a ram. It was
suspended by ropes to a beam supported by posts, and so
balanced as to swing backward and forward, and was
impelled by men against the wall. --Grose.
2. A blacksmith's hammer, suspended, and worked horizontally.
Battering train \Bat"ter*ing train`\ (Mil.)
A train of artillery for siege operations.
Battery \Bat"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Batteries}. [F. batterie, fr.
battre. See {Batter}, v. t.]
1. The act of battering or beating.
2. (Law) The unlawful beating of another. It includes every
willful, angry and violent, or negligent touching of
another's person or clothes, or anything attached to his
person or held by him.
3. (Mil.)
(a) Any place where cannon or mortars are mounted, for
attack or defense.
(b) Two or more pieces of artillery in the field.
(c) A company or division of artillery, including the
gunners, guns, horses, and all equipments. In the
United States, a battery of flying artillery consists
usually of six guns.
{Barbette battery}. See {Barbette}.
{Battery d'enfilade}, or {Enfilading battery}, one that
sweeps the whole length of a line of troops or part of a
work.
{Battery en ['e]charpe}, one that plays obliquely.
{Battery gun}, a gun capable of firing a number, of shots
simultaneously or successively without stopping to load.
{Battery wagon}, a wagon employed to transport the tools and
materials for repair of the carriages, etc., of the
battery.
{In battery}, projecting, as a gun, into an embrasure or over
a parapet in readiness for firing.
{Masked battery}, a battery artificially concealed until
required to open upon the enemy.
{Out of battery}, or {From battery}, withdrawn, as a gun, to
a position for loading.
4. (Elec.)
(a) A number of coated jars (Leyden jars) so connected
that they may be charged and discharged
simultaneously.
(b) An apparatus for generating voltaic electricity.
Note: In the trough battery, copper and zinc plates,
connected in pairs, divide the trough into cells, which
are filled with an acid or oxidizing liquid; the effect
is exhibited when wires connected with the two
end-plates are brought together. In Daniell's battery,
the metals are zinc and copper, the former in dilute
sulphuric acid, or a solution of sulphate of zinc, the
latter in a saturated solution of sulphate of copper. A
modification of this is the common gravity battery, so
called from the automatic action of the two fluids,
which are separated by their specific gravities. In
Grove's battery, platinum is the metal used with zinc;
two fluids are used, one of them in a porous cell
surrounded by the other. In Bunsen's or the carbon
battery, the carbon of gas coke is substituted for the
platinum of Grove's. In Leclanch['e]'s battery, the
elements are zinc in a solution of ammonium chloride,
and gas carbon surrounded with manganese dioxide in a
porous cell. A secondary battery is a battery which
usually has the two plates of the same kind, generally
of lead, in dilute sulphuric acid, and which, when
traversed by an electric current, becomes charged, and
is then capable of giving a current of itself for a
time, owing to chemical changes produced by the
charging current. A storage battery is a kind of
secondary battery used for accumulating and storing the
energy of electrical charges or currents, usually by
means of chemical work done by them; an accumulator.
5. A number of similar machines or devices in position; an
apparatus consisting of a set of similar parts; as, a
battery of boilers, of retorts, condensers, etc.
6. (Metallurgy) A series of stamps operated by one motive
power, for crushing ores containing the precious metals.
--Knight.
7. The box in which the stamps for crushing ore play up and
down.
8. (Baseball) The pitcher and catcher together.
Batting \Bat"ting\, n.
1. The act of one who bats; the management of a bat in
playing games of ball. --Mason.
2. Cotton in sheets, prepared for use in making quilts, etc.;
as, cotton batting.
Battle \Bat"tle\, a.
Fertile. See {Battel}, a. [Obs.]
Battle \Bat"tle\, n. [OE. bataille, bataile, F. bataille battle,
OF., battle, battalion, fr. L. battalia, battualia, the
fighting and fencing exercises of soldiers and gladiators,
fr. batuere to strike, beat. Cf. {Battalia}, 1st {Battel},
and see {Batter}, v. t. ]
1. A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the
divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement;
a combat.
2. A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life.
The whole intellectual battle that had at its center
the best poem of the best poet of that day. --H.
Morley.
3. A division of an army; a battalion. [Obs.]
The king divided his army into three battles.
--Bacon.
The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the
battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every
action. --Robertson.
4. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear;
battalia. [Obs.] --Hayward.
Note: Battle is used adjectively or as the first part of a
self-explaining compound; as, battle brand, a ``brand''
or sword used in battle; battle cry; battlefield;
battle ground; battlearray; battle song.
{Battle piece}, a painting, or a musical composition,
representing a battle.
{Battle royal}.
(a) A fight between several gamecocks, where the one that
stands longest is the victor. --Grose.
(b) A contest with fists or cudgels in which more than two
are engaged; a m[^e]l['e]e. --Thackeray.
{Drawn battle}, one in which neither party gains the victory.
{To give battle}, to attack an enemy.
{To join battle}, to meet the attack; to engage in battle.
{Pitched battle}, one in which the armies are previously
drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the
forces.
{Wager of battle}. See under {Wager}, n.
Syn: Conflict; encounter; contest; action.
Usage: {Battle}, {Combat}, {Fight}, {Engagement}. These words
agree in denoting a close encounter between contending
parties. Fight is a word of less dignity than the
others. Except in poetry, it is more naturally applied
to the encounter of a few individuals, and more
commonly an accidental one; as, a street fight. A
combat is a close encounter, whether between few or
many, and is usually premeditated. A battle is
commonly more general and prolonged. An engagement
supposes large numbers on each side, engaged or
intermingled in the conflict.
Battle \Bat"tle\ (b[a^]t"t'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Battled}
(-tl'd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Battling}.] [F. batailler, fr.
bataille. See {Battle}, n.]
To join in battle; to contend in fight; as, to battle over
theories.
To meet in arms, and battle in the plain. --Prior.
Battle \Bat"tle\, v. t.
To assail in battle; to fight.
Battle-ax \Bat"tle-ax`\ Battle-axe \Bat"tle-axe`\(-[a^]ks`), n.
(Mil.)
A kind of broadax formerly used as an offensive weapon.
Battled \Bat"tled\, p. p.
Embattled. [Poetic] --Tennyson.
Battledoor \Bat"tle*door`\, n. [OE. batyldour. A corrupted form
of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. batallador a great combatant, he
who has fought many battles, Pg. batalhador, Pr. batalhador,
warrior, soldier, fr. L. battalia; or cf. Pr. batedor batlet,
fr. batre to beat, fr. L. batuere. See {Battle}, n.]
1. An instrument, with a handle and a flat part covered with
parchment or crossed with catgut, used to strike a
shuttlecock in play; also, the play of battledoor and
shuttlecock.
2. [OE. battleder.] A child's hornbook. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Battlement \Bat"tle*ment\ (-ment), n. [OE. batelment; cf. OF.
bataillement combat, fr. batailler, also OF. bastillier,
bateillier, to fortify. Cf. {Battle}, n., {Bastile},
{Bastion}.] (Arch.)
(a) One of the solid upright parts of a parapet in ancient
fortifications.
(b) pl. The whole parapet, consisting of alternate solids
and open spaces. At first purely a military feature,
afterwards copied on a smaller scale with decorative
features, as for churches.
Battlemented \Bat"tle*ment*ed\ (-m[e^]nt*[e^]d), a.
Having battlements.
A battlemented portal. --Sir W.
Scott.
Battologist \Bat*tol"o*gist\, n.
One who battologizes.
Battologize \Bat*tol"o*gize\, v. t.
To keep repeating needlessly; to iterate. --Sir T. Herbert.
Battology \Bat*tol"o*gy\, n. [F. battologie, fr. Gr. ?; ? a
stammerer + ? speech.]
A needless repetition of words in speaking or writing.
--Milton.
Batton \Bat"ton\, n.
See {Batten}, and {Baton}.
Battue \Bat"tue`\, n. [F. battue, fr. battre to beat. See
{Batter}, v. t., and cf. {Battuta}.] (Hunting)
(a) The act of beating the woods, bushes, etc., for game.
(b) The game itself.
(c) The wanton slaughter of game. --Howitt.
Batture \Bat`ture"\, n. [F., fr. battre to beat. ]
An elevated river bed or sea bed.
Battuta \Bat*tu"ta\, n. [It. battuta, fr. battere to beat.]
(Mus.)
The measuring of time by beating.
Batty \Bat"ty\, a.
Belonging to, or resembling, a bat. ``Batty wings.'' --Shak.
Batule \Bat"ule\, n.
A springboard in a circus or gymnasium; -- called also
{batule board}.
Batz \Batz\, n.; pl. {Batzen}. [Ger. batz, batze, batzen, a coin
bearing the image of a bear, Ger. b["a]tz, betz, bear.]
A small copper coin, with a mixture of silver, formerly
current in some parts of Germany and Switzerland. It was
worth about four cents.
Baubee \Bau*bee"\, n.
Same as {Bawbee}.
Bauble \Bau"ble\, n. [Cf. OF. baubel a child's plaything, F.
babiole, It. babbola, LL. baubellum gem, jewel, L. babulus, a
baburrus, foolish.]
1. A trifling piece of finery; a gewgaw; that which is gay
and showy without real value; a cheap, showy plaything.
The ineffective bauble of an Indian pagod.
--Sheridan.
2. The fool's club. [Obs.] ``A fool's bauble was a short
stick with a head ornamented with an ass's ears
fantastically carved upon it.'' --Nares.
Baubling \Bau"bling\, a.
See {Bawbling}. [Obs.]
Baudekin \Bau"de*kin\, n. [OE. bawdekin rich silk stuff, OF.
baudequin. See {Baldachin}.]
The richest kind of stuff used in garments in the Middle
Ages, the web being gold, and the woof silk, with embroidery
: -- made originally at Bagdad. [Spelt also {baudkin},
{baudkyn}, {bawdekin}, and {baldakin}.] --Nares.
Baudrick \Bau"drick\, n.
A belt. See {Baldric}.
Bauk \Bauk\, Baulk \Baulk\, n. & v.
See {Balk}.
Baunscheidtism \Baun"scheidt*ism\, n. [From the introducer, a
German named Baunscheidt.] (Med.)
A form of acupuncture, followed by the rubbing of the part
with a stimulating fluid.
Bauxite \Baux"ite\, Beauxite \Beaux"ite\,n. [F., fr. Baux or
Beaux, near Arles.] (Min.)
A ferruginous hydrate of alumina. It is largely used in the
preparation of aluminium and alumina, and for the lining of
furnaces which are exposed to intense heat.
Bavarian \Ba*va"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Bavaria. -- n. A native or an inhabitant
of Bavaria.
{Bavarian cream}. See under {Cream}.
Bavaroy \Bav"a*roy\, n. [F. Bavarois Bavarian.]
A kind of cloak or surtout. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Let the looped bavaroy the fop embrace. --Gay.
Bavian \Ba"vi*an\ (b[=a]"v[i^]*an), n. [See {Baboon}.]
A baboon.
Bavin \Bav"in\ (b[a^]v"[i^]n), n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. baban tuft,
tassel.]
1. A fagot of brushwood, or other light combustible matter,
for kindling fires; refuse of brushwood. [Obs. or Dial.
Eng.]
2. Impure limestone. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Bawbee \Baw*bee"\, n. [Perh. corrupt. fr. halfpenny.]
A halfpenny. [Spelt also {baubee}.] [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
Bawble \Baw"ble\, n.
A trinket. See {Bauble}.
Bawbling \Baw"bling\, a.
Insignificant; contemptible. [Obs.]
Bawcock \Baw"cock\, n. [From F. beau fine + E. cock (the bird);
or more prob. fr. OF. baud bold, gay + E. cock. Cf. {Bawd}.]
A fine fellow; -- a term of endearment. [Obs.] ``How now, my
bawcock ?'' --Shak.
Bawd \Bawd\, n. [OE. baude, OF. balt, baut, baude, bold, merry,
perh. fr. OHG. bald bold; or fr. Celtic, cf. W. baw dirt. Cf.
{Bold}, {Bawdry}.]
A person who keeps a house of prostitution, or procures women
for a lewd purpose; a procurer or procuress; a lewd person;
-- usually applied to a woman.
Bawd \Bawd\, v. i.
To procure women for lewd purposes.
Bawdily \Bawd"i*ly\, adv.
Obscenely; lewdly.
Bawdiness \Bawd"i*ness\, n.
Obscenity; lewdness.
Bawdrick \Bawd"rick\, n.
A belt. See {Baldric}.
Bawdry \Bawd"ry\, n. [OE. baudery, OF. bauderie, balderie,
boldness, joy. See {Bawd}.]
1. The practice of procuring women for the gratification of
lust.
2. Illicit intercourse; fornication. --Shak.
3. Obscenity; filthy, unchaste language. ``The pert style of
the pit bawdry.'' --Steele.
Bawdy \Bawd"y\, a.
1. Dirty; foul; -- said of clothes. [Obs.]
It [a garment] is al bawdy and to-tore also.
--Chaucer.
2. Obscene; filthy; unchaste. ``A bawdy story.'' --Burke.
Bawdyhouse \Baw"dy*house`\, n.
A house of prostitution; a house of ill fame; a brothel.
Bawhorse \Baw"horse`\, n.
Same as {Bathorse}.
Bawl \Bawl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bawled} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bawling}.] [Icel. baula to low, bellow, as a cow; akin to
Sw. b["o]la; cf. AS bellan, G. bellen to bark, E. bellow,
bull.]
1. To cry out with a loud, full sound; to cry with vehemence,
as in calling or exultation; to shout; to vociferate.
2. To cry loudly, as a child from pain or vexation.
Bawl \Bawl\, v. t.
To proclaim with a loud voice, or by outcry, as a hawker or
town-crier does. --Swift.
Bawl \Bawl\, n.
A loud, prolonged cry; an outcry.
Bawler \Bawl"er\, n.
One who bawls.
Bawn \Bawn\, n. [Ir. & Gael. babhun inclosure, bulwark.]
1. An inclosure with mud or stone walls, for keeping cattle;
a fortified inclosure. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. A large house. [Obs.] --Swift.
Bawrel \Baw"rel\, n. [Cf. It. barletta a tree falcon, or hobby.]
A kind of hawk. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Bawsin \Baw"sin\, Bawson \Baw"son\, n. [OE. bawson, baucyne,
badger (named from its color), OF. bauzan, baucant, bauchant,
spotted with white, pied; cf. It. balzano, F. balzan, a
white-footed horse, It. balza border, trimming, fr. L.
balteus belt, border, edge. Cf. Belt.]
1. A badger. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
2. A large, unwieldy person. [Obs.] --Nares.
Baxter \Bax"ter\, n. [OE. bakestre, bakistre, AS. b[ae]cestre,
prop. fem. of b[ae]cere baker. See {Baker}.]
A baker; originally, a female baker. [Old Eng. & Scotch]
Bay \Bay\, a. [F. bai, fr. L. badius brown, chestnutcolored; --
used only of horses.]
Reddish brown; of the color of a chestnut; -- applied to the
color of horses.
{Bay cat} (Zo["o]l.), a wild cat of Africa and the East
Indies ({Felis aurata}).
{Bay lynx} (Zo["o]l.), the common American lynx ({Felis, or
Lynx, rufa}).
Bay \Bay\, n. [F. baie, fr. LL. baia. Of uncertain origin: cf.
Ir. & Gael. badh or bagh bay harbor, creek; Bisc. baia,
baiya, harbor, and F. bayer to gape, open the mouth.]
1. (Geol.) An inlet of the sea, usually smaller than a gulf,
but of the same general character.
Note: The name is not used with much precision, and is often
applied to large tracts of water, around which the land
forms a curve; as, Hudson's Bay. The name is not
restricted to tracts of water with a narrow entrance,
but is used foe any recess or inlet between capes or
headlands; as, the Bay of Biscay.
2. A small body of water set off from the main body; as a
compartment containing water for a wheel; the portion of a
canal just outside of the gates of a lock, etc.
3. A recess or indentation shaped like a bay.
4. A principal compartment of the walls, roof, or other part
of a building, or of the whole building, as marked off by
the buttresses, vaulting, mullions of a window, etc.; one
of the main divisions of any structure, as the part of a
bridge between two piers.
5. A compartment in a barn, for depositing hay, or grain in
the stalks.
6. A kind of mahogany obtained from Campeachy Bay.
{Sick bay}, in vessels of war, that part of a deck
appropriated to the use of the sick. --Totten.
Bay \Bay\, n. [F. baie a berry, the fruit of the laurel and
other trees, fr. L. baca, bacca, a small round fruit, a
berry, akin to Lith. bapka laurel berry.]
1. A berry, particularly of the laurel. [Obs.]
2. The laurel tree ({Laurus nobilis}). Hence, in the plural,
an honorary garland or crown bestowed as a prize for
victory or excellence, anciently made or consisting of
branches of the laurel.
The patriot's honors and the poet's bays.
--Trumbull.
3. A tract covered with bay trees. [Local, U. S.]
{Bay leaf}, the leaf of the bay tree ({Laurus nobilis}). It
has a fragrant odor and an aromatic taste.
Bay \Bay\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bayed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Baying}.] [ OE. bayen, abayen, OF. abaier, F. aboyer, to
bark; of uncertain origin.]
To bark, as a dog with a deep voice does, at his game.
The hounds at nearer distance hoarsely bayed. --Dryden.
Bay \Bay\, v. t.
To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive
to bay; as, to bay the bear. --Shak.
Bay \Bay\, n. [See {Bay}, v. i.]
1. Deep-toned, prolonged barking. ``The bay of curs.''
--Cowper.
2. [OE. bay, abay, OF. abai, F. aboi barking, pl. abois,
prop. the extremity to which the stag is reduced when
surrounded by the dogs, barking (aboyant); aux abois at
bay.] A state of being obliged to face an antagonist or a
difficulty, when escape has become impossible.
Embolden'd by despair, he stood at bay. --Dryden.
The most terrible evils are just kept at bay by
incessant efforts. --I. Taylor
Bay \Bay\, v. t. [Cf. OE. b[ae]wen to bathe, and G. b["a]hen to
foment.]
To bathe. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bay \Bay\, n.
A bank or dam to keep back water.
Bay \Bay\, v. t.
To dam, as water; -- with up or back.
Baya \Ba"ya\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The East Indian weaver bird ({Ploceus Philippinus}).
Bayad \Ba*yad"\, Bayatte \Ba*yatte"\, n. [Ar. bayad.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large, edible, siluroid fish of the Nile, of two species
({Bagrina bayad} and {B. docmac}).
Bayadere \Ba`ya*dere"\, n. [F., from Pg. bailadeira a female
dancer, bailar to dance.]
A female dancer in the East Indies. [Written also
{bajadere}.]
Bay-antler \Bay"-ant`ler\, n. [See {Bez-Antler}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The second tine of a stag's horn. See under {Antler}.
Bayard \Bay"ard\, n.
1. [OF. bayard, baiart, bay horse; bai bay + -ard. See {Bay},
a., and {-ard}.] Properly, a bay horse, but often any
horse. Commonly in the phrase blind bayard, an old blind
horse.
Blind bayard moves the mill. --Philips.
2. [Cf. F. bayeur, fr. bayer to gape.] A stupid, clownish
fellow. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Bayardly \Bay"ard*ly\, a.
Blind; stupid. [Obs.] ``A formal and bayardly round of
duties.'' --Goodman.
Bayberry \Bay"ber*ry\, n. (Bot.)
(a) The fruit of the bay tree or {Laurus nobilis}.
(b) A tree of the West Indies related to the myrtle ({Pimenta
acris}).
(c) The fruit of {Myrica cerifera} (wax myrtle); the shrub
itself; -- called also {candleberry tree}.
{Bayberry tallow}, a fragrant green wax obtained from the
bayberry or wax myrtle; -- called also {myrtle wax}.
Baybolt \Bay"bolt`\, n.
A bolt with a barbed shank.
Bayed \Bayed\, a.
Having a bay or bays. ``The large bayed barn.'' --Drayton.
Bay ice \Bay" ice`\
See under {Ice}.
Bay leaf \Bay" leaf`\
See under 3d {Bay}.
Bayonet \Bay"o*net\, n. [F. bayonnette, ba["i]onnette; -- so
called, it is said, because the first bayonets were made at
Bayonne.]
1. (Mil.) A pointed instrument of the dagger kind fitted on
the muzzle of a musket or rifle, so as to give the soldier
increased means of offense and defense.
Note: Originally, the bayonet was made with a handle, which
required to be fitted into the bore of the musket after
the soldier had fired.
2. (Mach.) A pin which plays in and out of holes made to
receive it, and which thus serves to engage or disengage
parts of the machinery.
{Bayonet clutch}. See {Clutch}.
{Bayonet joint}, a form of coupling similar to that by which
a bayonet is fixed on the barrel of a musket. --Knight.
Bayonet \Bay"o*net\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bayoneted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bayoneting}.]
1. To stab with a bayonet.
2. To compel or drive by the bayonet.
To bayonet us into submission. --Burke.
Bayou \Bay"ou\, n.; pl. {Bayous}. [North Am. Indian bayuk, in F.
spelling bayouc, bayouque.]
An inlet from the Gulf of Mexico, from a lake, or from a
large river, sometimes sluggish, sometimes without
perceptible movement except from tide and wind. [Southern U.
S.]
A dark slender thread of a bayou moves loiteringly
northeastward into a swamp of huge cypresses. --G. W.
Cable.
Bay rum \Bay" rum"\
A fragrant liquid, used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.
Note: The original bay rum, from the West Indies, is
prepared, it is believed, by distillation from the
leaves of the bayberry ({Myrcia acris}). The bay rum of
the Pharmacop[oe]ia (spirit of myrcia) is prepared from
oil of myrcia (bayberry), oil of orange peel, oil of
pimento, alcohol, and water.
Bays \Bays\, Bayze \Bayze\, n.
See {Baize}. [Obs.]
Bay salt \Bay" salt`\
Salt which has been obtained from sea water, by evaporation
in shallow pits or basins, by the heat of the sun; the large
crystalline salt of commerce. --Bacon. Ure.
Bay tree \Bay" tree`\
A species of laurel. ({Laurus nobilis}).
Bay window \Bay" win"dow\ (Arch.)
A window forming a bay or recess in a room, and projecting
outward from the wall, either in a rectangular, polygonal, or
semicircular form; -- often corruptly called a {bow window}.
Bay yarn \Bay" yarn`\
Woolen yarn. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Bazaar \Ba*zaar"\ Bazar \Ba*zar"\(b[.a]*z[aum]r"), n. [Per.
b[=a]zar market.]
1. In the East, an exchange, marketplace, or assemblage of
shops where goods are exposed for sale.
2. A spacious hall or suite of rooms for the sale of goods,
as at a fair.
3. A fair for the sale of fancy wares, toys, etc., commonly
for a charitable objects. --Macaulay.
Bdellium \Bdel"lium\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; cf. Heb. b'dolakh
bdellium (in sense 1).]
1. An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (--Gen.
ii. 12, and --Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a
precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber
found in Arabia.
2. A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India,
Persia, and Africa.
Note: Indian bdellium or false myrrh is an exudation from
Balsamodendron Roxb?rghii. Other kinds are known as
African, Sicilian, etc.
Bdelloidea \Bdel*loi"de*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? leech +
-oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
The order of Annulata which includes the leeches. See
{Hirudinea}.
Bdellometer \Bdel*lom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? leech + -meter.] (Med.)
A cupping glass to which are attached a scarificator and an
exhausting syringe. --Dunglison.
Bdellomorpha \Bdel`lo*mor"pha\,n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? leech + ?
form.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Nemertina, including the large leechlike worms
({Malacobdella}) often parasitic in clams.
Be \Be\, v. i. [imp. {Was}; p. p. {Been}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Being}.] [OE. been, beon, AS. be['o]n to be, be['o]m I am;
akin to OHG. bim, pim, G. bin, I am, Gael. & Ir. bu was, W.
bod to be, Lith. bu-ti, O. Slav. by-ti, to be, L. fu-i I have
been, fu-turus about to be, fo-re to be about to be, and perh
to fieri to become, Gr. ? to be born, to be, Skr. bh? to be.
This verb is defective, and the parts lacking are supplied by
verbs from other roots, is, was, which have no radical
connection with be. The various forms, am, are, is, was,
were, etc., are considered grammatically as parts of the verb
``to be'', which, with its conjugational forms, is often
called the substantive verb. ?97. Cf. {Future}, {Physic}.]
1. To exist actually, or in the world of fact; to have
ex?stence.
To be contents his natural desire. --Pope.
To be, or not to be: that is the question. --Shak.
2. To exist in a certain manner or relation, -- whether as a
reality or as a product of thought; to exist as the
subject of a certain predicate, that is, as having a
certain attribute, or as belonging to a certain sort, or
as identical with what is specified, -- a word or words
for the predicate being annexed; as, to be happy; to be
here; to be large, or strong; to be an animal; to be a
hero; to be a nonentity; three and two are five;
annihilation is the cessation of existence; that is the
man.
3. To take place; to happen; as, the meeting was on Thursday.
4. To signify; to represent or symbolize; to answer to.
The field is the world. --Matt. xiii.
38.
The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the
seven churches. --Rev. i. 20.
Note: The verb to be (including the forms is, was, etc.) is
used in forming the passive voice of other verbs; as,
John has been struck by James. It is also used with the
past participle of many intransitive verbs to express a
state of the subject. But have is now more commonly
used as the auxiliary, though expressing a different
sense; as, ``Ye have come too late -- but ye are come.
'' ``The minstrel boy to the war is gone.'' The present
and imperfect tenses form, with the infinitive, a
particular future tense, which expresses necessity,
duty, or purpose; as, government is to be supported; we
are to pay our just debts; the deed is to be signed
to-morrow.
Note: Have or had been, followed by to, implies movement. ``I
have been to Paris.'' --Sydney Smith. ``Have you been
to Franchard ?'' --R. L. Stevenson.
Note: Been, or ben, was anciently the plural of the
indicative present. ``Ye ben light of the world.''
--Wyclif, Matt. v. 14. Afterwards be was used, as in
our Bible: ``They that be with us are more than they
that be with them.'' --2 Kings vi. 16. Ben was also the
old infinitive: ``To ben of such power.'' --R. of
Gloucester. Be is used as a form of the present
subjunctive: ``But if it be a question of words and
names.'' --Acts xviii. 15. But the indicative forms, is
and are, with if, are more commonly used.
{Be it so}, a phrase of supposition, equivalent to suppose it
to be so; or of permission, signifying let it be so.
--Shak.
{If so be}, in case.
{To be from}, to have come from; as, from what place are you
? I am from Chicago.
{To let be}, to omit, or leave untouched; to let alone. ``Let
be, therefore, my vengeance to dissuade.'' --Spenser.
Syn: {To be}, {Exist}.
Usage: The verb to be, except in a few rare case, like that
of Shakespeare's ``To be, or not to be'', is used
simply as a copula, to connect a subject with its
predicate; as, man is mortal; the soul is immortal.
The verb to exist is never properly used as a mere
copula, but points to things that stand forth, or have
a substantive being; as, when the soul is freed from
all corporeal alliance, then it truly exists. It is
not, therefore, properly synonymous with to be when
used as a copula, though occasionally made so by some
writers for the sake of variety; as in the phrase
``there exists [is] no reason for laying new taxes.''
We may, indeed, say, ``a friendship has long existed
between them,'' instead of saying, ``there has long
been a friendship between them;'' but in this case,
exist is not a mere copula. It is used in its
appropriate sense to mark the friendship as having
been long in existence.
Be- \Be-\ [AS. be, and in accented form b[=i], akin to OS. be
and b[=i], OHG. bi, pi, and p[=i], MHG. be and b[=i], G. be
and bei, Goth. bi, and perh. Gr. ? about (cf. AS. bese['o]n
to look about). [root]203. Cf. {By}, {Amb-}.]
A prefix, originally the same word as by; joined with verbs,
it serves:
(a) To intensify the meaning; as, bespatter, bestir.
(b) To render an intransitive verb transitive; as, befall (to
fall upon); bespeak (to speak for).
(c) To make the action of a verb particular or definite; as,
beget (to get as offspring); beset (to set around).
Note: It is joined with certain substantives, and a few
adjectives, to form verbs; as, bedew, befriend,
benight, besot; belate (to make late); belittle (to
make little). It also occurs in certain nouns, adverbs,
and prepositions, often with something of the force of
the preposition by, or about; as, belief (believe),
behalf, bequest (bequeath); because, before, beneath,
beside, between. In some words the original force of be
is obscured or lost; as, in become, begin, behave,
behoove, belong.
Beach \Beach\ (b[=e]ch), n.; pl. {Beaches} (-[e^]z). [Cf. Sw.
backe hill, Dan. bakke, Icel. bakki hill, bank. Cf. {Bank}.]
1. Pebbles, collectively; shingle.
2. The shore of the sea, or of a lake, which is washed by the
waves; especially, a sandy or pebbly shore; the strand.
{Beach flea} (Zo["o]l.), the common name of many species of
amphipod Crustacea, of the family {Orchestid[ae]}, living
on the sea beaches, and leaping like fleas.
{Beach grass} (Bot.), a coarse grass ({Ammophila
arundinacea}), growing on the sandy shores of lakes and
seas, which, by its interlaced running rootstocks, binds
the sand together, and resists the encroachment of the
waves.
{Beach wagon}, a light open wagon with two or more seats.
{Raised beach}, an accumulation of water-worn stones, gravel,
sand, and other shore deposits, above the present level of
wave action, whether actually raised by elevation of the
coast, as in Norway, or left by the receding waters, as in
many lake and river regions.
Beach \Beach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Beaching}.]
To run or drive (as a vessel or a boat) upon a beach; to
strand; as, to beach a ship.
Beach comber \Beach" comb`er\
A long, curling wave rolling in from the ocean. See {Comber}.
[Amer.]
Beached \Beached\, p. p. & a.
1. Bordered by a beach.
The beached verge of the salt flood. --Shak.
2. Driven on a beach; stranded; drawn up on a beach; as, the
ship is beached.
Beachy \Beach"y\, a.
Having a beach or beaches; formed by a beach or beaches;
shingly.
The beachy girdle of the ocean. --Shak.
Beacon \Bea"con\, n. [OE. bekene, AS. be['a]cen, b?cen; akin to
OS. b?kan, Fries. baken, beken, sign, signal, D. baak, OHG.
bouhhan, G. bake; of unknown origin. Cf. {Beckon}.]
1. A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to
give any notice, commonly of warning.
No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar. --Gay.
2. A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near
the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to
mariners.
3. A high hill near the shore. [Prov. Eng.]
4. That which gives notice of danger.
Modest doubt is called The beacon of the wise.
--Shak.
{Beacon fire}, a signal fire.
Beacon \Bea"con\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beaconed} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Beaconing}.]
1. To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.
That beacons the darkness of heaven. --Campbell.
2. To furnish with a beacon or beacons.
Beaconage \Bea"con*age\, n.
Money paid for the maintenance of a beacon; also, beacons,
collectively.
Beaconless \Bea"con*less\, a.
Having no beacon.
Bead \Bead\, n. [OE. bede prayer, prayer bead, AS. bed, gebed,
prayer; akin to D. bede, G. bitte, AS. biddan, to ask, bid,
G. bitten to ask, and perh. to Gr. ? to persuade, L. fidere
to trust. Beads are used by the Roman Catholics to count
their prayers, one bead being dropped down a string every
time a prayer is said. Cf. Sp. cuenta bead, fr. contar to
count. See {Bid}, in to bid beads, and {Bide}.]
1. A prayer. [Obs.]
2. A little perforated ball, to be strung on a thread, and
worn for ornament; or used in a rosary for counting
prayers, as by Roman Catholics and Mohammedans, whence the
phrases to tell beads, to at one's beads, to bid beads,
etc., meaning, to be at prayer.
3. Any small globular body; as,
(a) A bubble in spirits.
(b) A drop of sweat or other liquid. ``Cold beads of
midnight dew.'' --Wordsworth.
(c) A small knob of metal on a firearm, used for taking
aim (whence the expression to draw a bead, for, to
take aim).
(d) (Arch.) A small molding of rounded surface, the
section being usually an arc of a circle. It may be
continuous, or broken into short embossments.
(e) (Chem.) A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or
microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for
several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron,
manganese, etc., before the blowpipe; as, the borax
bead; the iron bead, etc.
{Bead and butt} (Carp.), framing in which the panels are
flush, having beads stuck or run upon the two edges.
--Knight.
{Beat mold}, a species of fungus or mold, the stems of which
consist of single cells loosely jointed together so as to
resemble a string of beads. [Written also {bead mould}.]
{Bead tool}, a cutting tool, having an edge curved so as to
make beads or beading.
{Bead tree} (Bot.), a tree of the genus {Melia}, the best
known species of which ({M. azedarach}), has blue flowers
which are very fragrant, and berries which are poisonous.
Bead \Bead\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beaded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Beading}.]
To ornament with beads or beading.
Bead \Bead\, v. i.
To form beadlike bubbles.
Beadhouse \Bead"house`\, Bedehouse \Bede"house`\, n. [OE. bede
prayer + E. house. See {Bead}, n.]
An almshouse for poor people who pray daily for their
benefactors.
Beading \Bead"ing\, n.
1. (Arch.) Molding in imitation of beads.
2. The beads or bead-forming quality of certain liquors; as,
the beading of a brand of whisky.
Beadle \Bea"dle\, n. [OE. bedel, bidel, budel, OF. bedel, F.
bedeau, fr. OHG. butil, putil, G. b["u]ttel, fr. OHG. biotan,
G. bieten, to bid, confused with AS. bydel, the same word as
OHG. butil. See. {Bid}, v.]
1. A messenger or crier of a court; a servitor; one who cites
or bids persons to appear and answer; -- called also an
{apparitor} or {summoner}.
2. An officer in a university, who precedes public
processions of officers and students. [Eng.]
Note: In this sense the archaic spellings bedel (Oxford) and
bedell (Cambridge) are preserved.
3. An inferior parish officer in England having a variety of
duties, as the preservation of order in church service,
the chastisement of petty offenders, etc.
Beadlery \Bea"dle*ry\, n.
Office or jurisdiction of a beadle.
Beadleship \Bea"dle*ship\, n.
The state of being, or the personality of, a beadle. --A.
Wood.
Bead proof \Bead" proof`\
1. Among distillers, a certain degree of strength in
alcoholic liquor, as formerly ascertained by the floating
or sinking of glass globules of different specific
gravities thrown into it; now ascertained by more accurate
meters.
2. A degree of strength in alcoholic liquor as shown by beads
or small bubbles remaining on its surface, or at the side
of the glass, when shaken.
Beadroll \Bead"roll`\, n. (R. C. Ch.)
A catalogue of persons, for the rest of whose souls a certain
number of prayers are to be said or counted off on the beads
of a chaplet; hence, a catalogue in general.
On Fame's eternal beadroll worthy to be field.
--Spenser.
It is quite startling, on going over the beadroll of
English worthies, to find how few are directly
represented in the male line. --Quart. Rev.
Beadsman \Beads"man\, Bedesman \Bedes"man\, n.; pl. {-men}.
A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray
for the soul of its founder; an almsman.
Whereby ye shall bind me to be your poor beadsman for
ever unto Almighty God. --Fuller.
Beadsnake \Bead"snake`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small poisonous snake of North America ({Elaps fulvius}),
banded with yellow, red, and black.
Beadswoman \Beads"wom`an\, Bedeswoman \Bedes"wom`an\, n.; pl.
{-women}.
Fem. of {Beadsman}.
Beadwork \Bead"work`\, n.
Ornamental work in beads.
Beady \Bead"y\, a.
1. Resembling beads; small, round, and glistening. ``Beady
eyes.'' --Thackeray.
2. Covered or ornamented with, or as with, beads.
3. Characterized by beads; as, beady liquor.
Beagle \Bea"gle\, n. [OE. begele; perh. of Celtic origin; cf.
Ir. & Gael. beag small, little, W. bach. F. bigle is from
English.]
1. A small hound, or hunting dog, twelve to fifteen inches
high, used in hunting hares and other small game. See
Illustration in Appendix.
2. Fig.: A spy or detective; a constable.
Beak \Beak\ (b[=e]k), n. [OE. bek, F. bec, fr. Celtic; cf. Gael.
& Ir. bac, bacc, hook, W. bach.]
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The bill or nib of a bird, consisting of a horny
sheath, covering the jaws. The form varied much
according to the food and habits of the bird, and is
largely used in the classification of birds.
(b) A similar bill in other animals, as the turtles.
(c) The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects, and
other invertebrates, as in the Hemiptera.
(d) The upper or projecting part of the shell, near the
hinge of a bivalve.
(e) The prolongation of certain univalve shells containing
the canal.
2. Anything projecting or ending in a point, like a beak, as
a promontory of land. --Carew.
3. (Antiq.) A beam, shod or armed at the end with a metal
head or point, and projecting from the prow of an ancient
galley, in order to pierce the vessel of an enemy; a
beakhead.
4. (Naut.) That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which
is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.
5. (Arch.) A continuous slight projection ending in an arris
or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water
is thrown off.
6. (Bot.) Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird,
terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant.
7. (Far.) A toe clip. See {Clip}, n. (Far.).
8. A magistrate or policeman. [Slang, Eng.]
Beaked \Beaked\, a.
1. Having a beak or a beaklike point; beak-shaped. ``Each
beaked promontory.'' --Milton.
2. (Biol.) Furnished with a process or a mouth like a beak;
rostrate.
{Beaked whale} (Zo["o]l.), a cetacean of the genus
{Hyperoodon}; the bottlehead whale.
Beaker \Beak"er\, n. [OE. biker; akin to Icel. bikarr, Sw.
b["a]gare, Dan. baeger, G. becher, It. bicchiere; -- all fr.
LL. bicarium, prob. fr. Gr. ? wine jar, or perh. L. bacar
wine vessel. Cf. {Pitcher} a jug.]
1. A large drinking cup, with a wide mouth, supported on a
foot or standard.
2. An open-mouthed, thin glass vessel, having a projecting
lip for pouring; -- used for holding solutions requiring
heat. --Knight.
Beakhead \Beak"head`\, n.
1. (Arch.) An ornament used in rich Norman doorways,
resembling a head with a beak. --Parker.
2. (Naut.)
(a) A small platform at the fore part of the upper deck of
a vessel, which contains the water closets of the
crew.
(b) (Antiq.) Same as {Beak}, 3.
Beakiron \Beak"i*ron\, n. [From {Bickern}.]
A bickern; a bench anvil with a long beak, adapted to reach
the interior surface of sheet metal ware; the horn of an
anvil.
Beal \Beal\, n. [See Boil a tumor.] (Med.) A small inflammatory
tumor; a pustule. [Prov. Eng.] Beal \Beal\, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. {Bealed}; p. pr & vb. n. {Bealing}.]
To gather matter; to swell and come to a head, as a pimple.
[Prov. Eng.]
Be-all \Be"-all`\, n.
The whole; all that is to be. [Poetic] --Shak.
Beam \Beam\, n. [AS. be['a]m beam, post, tree, ray of light;
akin to OFries. b[=a]m tree, OS. b?m, D. boom, OHG. boum,
poum, G. baum, Icel. ba?mr, Goth. bahms and Gr. ? a growth, ?
to become, to be. Cf. L. radius staff, rod, spoke of a wheel,
beam or ray, and G. strahl arrow, spoke of a wheel, ray or
beam, flash of lightning. ?97. See {Be}; cf. {Boom} a spar.]
1. Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to
its thickness, and prepared for use.
2. One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building or
ship.
The beams of a vessel are strong pieces of timber
stretching across from side to side to support the
decks. --Totten.
3. The width of a vessel; as, one vessel is said to have more
beam than another.
4. The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales
are suspended.
The doubtful beam long nods from side to side.
--Pope.
5. The principal stem or horn of a stag or other deer, which
bears the antlers, or branches.
6. The pole of a carriage. [Poetic] --Dryden.
7. A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which
weavers wind the warp before weaving; also, the cylinder
on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven; one being
called the fore beam, the other the back beam.
8. The straight part or shank of an anchor.
9. The main part of a plow, to which the handles and colter
are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen
or horses that draw it.
10. (Steam Engine) A heavy iron lever having an oscillating
motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected
with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and
the other with the crank of the wheel shaft; -- called
also {working beam} or {walking beam}.
11. A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun
or other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat.
How far that little candle throws his beams !
--Shak.
12. Fig.: A ray; a gleam; as, a beam of comfort.
Mercy with her genial beam. --Keble.
13. One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk; -- called
also {beam feather}.
{Abaft the beam} (Naut.), in an arc of the horizon between a
line that crosses the ship at right angles, or in the
direction of her beams, and that point of the compass
toward which her stern is directed.
{Beam center} (Mach.), the fulcrum or pin on which the
working beam of an engine vibrates.
{Beam compass}, an instrument consisting of a rod or beam,
having sliding sockets that carry steel or pencil points;
-- used for drawing or describing large circles.
{Beam engine}, a steam engine having a working beam to
transmit power, in distinction from one which has its
piston rod attached directly to the crank of the wheel
shaft.
{Before the beam} (Naut.), in an arc of the horizon included
between a line that crosses the ship at right angles and
that point of the compass toward which the ship steers.
{On the beam}, in a line with the beams, or at right angled
with the keel.
{On the weather beam}, on the side of a ship which faces the
wind.
{To be on her beam ends}, to incline, as a vessel, so much on
one side that her beams approach a vertical position.
Beam \Beam\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beamed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Beaming}.]
To send forth; to emit; -- followed ordinarily by forth; as,
to beam forth light.
Beam \Beam\, v. i.
To emit beams of light.
He beamed, the daystar of the rising age. --Trumbull.
Beambird \Beam"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small European flycatcher ({Muscicapa gricola}), so called
because it often nests on a beam in a building.
Beamed \Beamed\, a.
Furnished with beams, as the head of a stag.
Tost his beamed frontlet to the sky. --Sir W.
Scott.
Beamful \Beam"ful\, a.
Beamy; radiant.
Beamily \Beam"i*ly\, adv.
In a beaming manner.
Beaminess \Beam"i*ness\, n.
The state of being beamy.
Beaming \Beam"ing\, a.
Emitting beams; radiant.
Beamingly \Beam"ing*ly\, adv.
In a beaming manner; radiantly.
Beamless \Beam"less\, a.
1. Not having a beam.
2. Not emitting light.
Beamlet \Beam"let\, n.
A small beam of light.
Beam tree \Beam" tree`\ [AS. be['a]m a tree. See {Beam}.] (Bot.)
A tree ({Pyrus aria}) related to the apple.
Beamy \Beam"y\, a.
1. Emitting beams of light; radiant; shining. ``Beamy gold.''
--Tickell.
2. Resembling a beam in size and weight; massy.
His double-biting ax, and beamy spear. --Dryden.
3. Having horns, or antlers.
Beamy stags in toils engage. --Dryden.
Bean \Bean\ (b[=e]n), n. [OE. bene, AS. be['a]n; akin to D.
boon, G. bohne, OHG. p[=o]na, Icel. baun, Dan. b["o]nne, Sw.
b["o]na, and perh. to Russ. bob, L. faba.]
1. (Bot.) A name given to the seed of certain leguminous
herbs, chiefly of the genera {Faba}, {Phaseolus}, and
{Dolichos}; also, to the herbs.
Note: The origin and classification of many kinds are still
doubtful. Among true beans are: the black-eyed bean and
China bean, included in {Dolichos Sinensis}; black
Egyptian bean or hyacinth bean, {D. Lablab}; the common
haricot beans, kidney beans, string beans, and pole
beans, all included in {Phaseolus vulgaris}; the lower
bush bean, {Ph. vulgaris}, variety {nanus}; Lima bean,
{Ph. lunatus}; Spanish bean and scarlet runner, {Ph.
maltiflorus}; Windsor bean, the common bean of England,
{Faba vulgaris}. As an article of food beans are
classed with vegetables.
2. The popular name of other vegetable seeds or fruits, more
or less resembling true beans.
{Bean aphis} (Zo["o]l.), a plant louse ({Aphis fab[ae]})
which infests the bean plant.
{Bean fly} (Zo["o]l.), a fly found on bean flowers.
{Bean goose} (Zo["o]l.), a species of goose ({Anser
segetum}).
{Bean weevil} (Zo["o]l.), a small weevil that in the larval
state destroys beans. The American species in {Bruchus
fab[ae]}.
{Florida bean} (Bot.), the seed of {Mucuna urens}, a West
Indian plant. The seeds are washed up on the Florida
shore, and are often polished and made into ornaments.
{Ignatius bean}, or {St. Ignatius's bean} (Bot.), a species
of {Strychnos}.
{Navy bean}, the common dried white bean of commerce;
probably so called because an important article of food in
the navy.
{Pea bean}, a very small and highly esteemed variety of the
edible white bean; -- so called from its size.
{Sacred bean}. See under {Sacred}.
{Screw bean}. See under {Screw}.
{Sea bean}.
(a) Same as {Florida bean}.
(b) A red bean of unknown species used for ornament.
{Tonquin bean}, or {Tonka bean}, the fragrant seed of
{Dipteryx odorata}, a leguminous tree.
{Vanilla bean}. See under {Vanilla}.
Bean caper \Bean" ca`per\ (Bot.)
A deciduous plant of warm climates, generally with fleshy
leaves and flowers of a yellow or whitish yellow color, of
the genus {Zygophyllum}.
Bean trefoil \Bean" tre"foil\ (Bot.)
A leguminous shrub of southern Europe, with trifoliate leaves
({Anagyris f[oe]tida}).
Bear \Bear\ (b[^a]r), v. t. [imp. {Bore} (b[=o]r) (formerly
{Bare} (b[^a]r)); p. p. {Born} (b[^o]rn), {Borne} (b[=o]r);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Bearing}.] [OE. beren, AS. beran, beoran, to
bear, carry, produce; akin to D. baren to bring forth, G.
geb["a]ren, Goth. ba['i]ran to bear or carry, Icel. bera, Sw.
b["a]ra, Dan. b[ae]re, OHG. beran, peran, L. ferre to bear,
carry, produce, Gr. fe`rein, OSlav brati to take, carry, OIr.
berim I bear, Skr. bh[.r] to bear. [root]92. Cf. {Fertile}.]
1. To support or sustain; to hold up.
2. To support and remove or carry; to convey.
I 'll bear your logs the while. --Shak.
3. To conduct; to bring; -- said of persons. [Obs.]
Bear them to my house. --Shak.
4. To possess and use, as power; to exercise.
Every man should bear rule in his own house.
--Esther i.
22.
5. To sustain; to have on (written or inscribed, or as a
mark), as, the tablet bears this inscription.
6. To possess or carry, as a mark of authority or
distinction; to wear; as, to bear a sword, badge, or name.
7. To possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind; to
entertain; to harbor --Dryden.
The ancient grudge I bear him. --Shak.
8. To endure; to tolerate; to undergo; to suffer.
Should such a man, too fond to rule alone, Bear,
like the Turk, no brother near the throne. --Pope.
I cannot bear The murmur of this lake to hear.
--Shelley.
My punishment is greater than I can bear. --Gen. iv.
13.
9. To gain or win. [Obs.]
Some think to bear it by speaking a great word.
--Bacon.
She was . . . found not guilty, through bearing of
friends and bribing of the judge. --Latimer.
10. To sustain, or be answerable for, as blame, expense,
responsibility, etc.
He shall bear their iniquities. --Is. liii.
11.
Somewhat that will bear your charges. --Dryden.
11. To render or give; to bring forward. ``Your testimony
bear'' --Dryden.
12. To carry on, or maintain; to have. ``The credit of
bearing a part in the conversation.'' --Locke.
13. To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain
without violence, injury, or change.
In all criminal cases the most favorable
interpretation should be put on words that they can
possibly bear. --Swift.
14. To manage, wield, or direct. ``Thus must thou thy body
bear.'' --Shak. Hence: To behave; to conduct.
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison ?
--Shak.
15. To afford; to be to; to supply with.
His faithful dog shall bear him company. --Pope.
16. To bring forth or produce; to yield; as, to bear apples;
to bear children; to bear interest.
Here dwelt the man divine whom Samos bore.
--Dryden.
Note: In the passive form of this verb, the best modern usage
restricts the past participle born to the sense of
brought forth, while borne is used in the other senses
of the word. In the active form, borne alone is used as
the past participle.
{To bear down}.
(a) To force into a lower place; to carry down; to
depress or sink. ``His nose, . . . large as were the
others, bore them down into insignificance.''
--Marryat.
(b) To overthrow or crush by force; as, to bear down an
enemy.
{To bear a hand}.
(a) To help; to give assistance.
(b) (Naut.) To make haste; to be quick.
{To bear in hand}, to keep (one) up in expectation, usually
by promises never to be realized; to amuse by false
pretenses; to delude. [Obs.] ``How you were borne in hand,
how crossed.'' --Shak.
{To bear in mind}, to remember.
{To bear off}.
(a) To restrain; to keep from approach.
(b) (Naut.) To remove to a distance; to keep clear from
rubbing against anything; as, to bear off a blow; to
bear off a boat.
(c) To gain; to carry off, as a prize.
{To bear one hard}, to owe one a grudge. [Obs.] ``C[ae]sar
doth bear me hard.'' --Shak.
{To bear out}.
(a) To maintain and support to the end; to defend to the
last. ``Company only can bear a man out in an ill
thing.'' --South.
(b) To corroborate; to confirm.
{To bear up}, to support; to keep from falling or sinking.
``Religious hope bears up the mind under sufferings.''
--Addison.
Syn: To uphold; sustain; maintain; support; undergo; suffer;
endure; tolerate; carry; convey; transport; waft.
Bear \Bear\, v. i.
1. To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in opposition to
barrenness.
This age to blossom, and the next to bear. --Dryden.
2. To suffer, as in carrying a burden.
But man is born to bear. --Pope.
3. To endure with patience; to be patient.
I can not, can not bear. --Dryden.
4. To press; -- with on or upon, or against.
These men bear hard on the suspected party.
--Addison.
5. To take effect; to have influence or force; as, to bring
matters to bear.
6. To relate or refer; -- with on or upon; as, how does this
bear on the question?
7. To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect.
Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain
time upon the platform. --Hawthorne.
8. To be situated, as to the point of compass, with respect
to something else; as, the land bears N. by E.
{To bear against}, to approach for attack or seizure; as, a
lion bears against his prey. [Obs.]
{To bear away} (Naut.), to change the course of a ship, and
make her run before the wind.
{To bear back}, to retreat. ``Bearing back from the blows of
their sable antagonist.'' --Sir W. Scott.
{To bear down upon} (Naut.), to approach from the windward
side; as, the fleet bore down upon the enemy.
{To bear in with} (Naut.), to run or tend toward; as, a ship
bears in with the land.
{To bear off} (Naut.), to steer away, as from land.
{To bear up}.
(a) To be supported; to have fortitude; to be firm; not to
sink; as, to bear up under afflictions.
(b) (Naut.) To put the helm up (or to windward) and so put
the ship before the wind; to bear away. --Hamersly.
{To bear upon} (Mil.), to be pointed or situated so as to
affect; to be pointed directly against, or so as to hit
(the object); as, to bring or plant guns so as to bear
upon a fort or a ship; the artillery bore upon the center.
{To bear up to}, to tend or move toward; as, to bear up to
one another.
{To bear with}, to endure; to be indulgent to; to forbear to
resent, oppose, or punish.
Bear \Bear\, n.
A bier. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bear \Bear\, n. [OE. bere, AS. bera; akin to D. beer, OHG. bero,
pero, G. b["a]r, Icel. & Sw. bj["o]rn, and possibly to L.
fera wild beast, Gr. ? beast, Skr. bhalla bear.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the
closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade Carnivora,
but they live largely on fruit and insects.
Note: The European brown bear ({U. arctos}), the white polar
bear ({U. maritimus}), the grizzly bear ({U.
horribilis}), the American black bear, and its variety
the cinnamon bear ({U. Americanus}), the Syrian bear
({Ursus Syriacus}), and the sloth bear, are among the
notable species.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An animal which has some resemblance to a bear
in form or habits, but no real affinity; as, the woolly
bear; ant bear; water bear; sea bear.
3. (Astron.) One of two constellations in the northern
hemisphere, called respectively the {Great Bear} and the
{Lesser Bear}, or {Ursa Major} and {Ursa Minor}.
4. Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person.
5. (Stock Exchange) A person who sells stocks or securities
for future delivery in expectation of a fall in the
market.
Note: The bears and bulls of the Stock Exchange, whose
interest it is, the one to depress, and the other to
raise, stocks, are said to be so called in allusion to
the bear's habit of pulling down, and the bull's of
tossing up.
6. (Mach.) A portable punching machine.
7. (Naut.) A block covered with coarse matting; -- used to
scour the deck.
{Australian bear}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Koala}.
{Bear baiting}, the sport of baiting bears with dogs.
{Bear caterpillar} (Zo["o]l.), the hairy larva of a moth,
esp. of the genus {Euprepia}.
{Bear garden}.
(a) A place where bears are kept for diversion or
fighting.
(b) Any place where riotous conduct is common or
permitted. --M. Arnold.
{Bear leader}, one who leads about a performing bear for
money; hence, a facetious term for one who takes charge of
a young man on his travels.
Bear \Bear\, v. t. (Stock Exchange)
To endeavor to depress the price of, or prices in; as, to
bear a railroad stock; to bear the market.
Bear \Bear\, Bere \Bere\, n. [AS. bere. See {Barley}.] (Bot.)
Barley; the six-rowed barley or the four-rowed barley,
commonly the former ({Hord. vulgare}). [Obs. except in North
of Eng. and Scot.]
Bearable \Bear"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being borne or endured; tolerable. --
{Bear"a*bly}, adv.
Bearberry \Bear"ber*ry\, n. (Bot.)
A trailing plant of the heath family ({Arctostaphylos
uva-ursi}), having leaves which are tonic and astringent, and
glossy red berries of which bears are said to be fond.
Bearbind \Bear"bind`\, n. (Bot.)
The bindweed ({Convolvulus arvensis}).
Beard \Beard\, n. [OE. berd, AS. beard; akin to Fries. berd, D.
baard, G. bart, Lith. barzda, OSlav. brada, Pol. broda, Russ.
boroda, L. barba, W. barf. Cf. 1st {Barb}.]
1. The hair that grows on the chin, lips, and adjacent parts
of the human face, chiefly of male adults.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The long hairs about the face in animals, as in the
goat.
(b) The cluster of small feathers at the base of the beak
in some birds
(c) The appendages to the jaw in some Cetacea, and to the
mouth or jaws of some fishes.
(d) The byssus of certain shellfish, as the muscle.
(e) The gills of some bivalves, as the oyster.
(f) In insects, the hairs of the labial palpi of moths and
butterflies.
3. (Bot.) Long or stiff hairs on a plant; the awn; as, the
beard of grain.
4. A barb or sharp point of an arrow or other instrument,
projecting backward to prevent the head from being easily
drawn out.
5. That part of the under side of a horse's lower jaw which
is above the chin, and bears the curb of a bridle.
6. (Print.) That part of a type which is between the shoulder
of the shank and the face.
7. An imposition; a trick. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Beard grass} (Bot.), a coarse, perennial grass of different
species of the genus {Andropogon}.
{To one's beard}, to one's face; in open defiance.
Beard \Beard\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bearded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bearding}.]
1. To take by the beard; to seize, pluck, or pull the beard
of (a man), in anger or contempt.
2. To oppose to the gills; to set at defiance.
No admiral, bearded by three corrupt and dissolute
minions of the palace, dared to do more than mutter
something about a court martial. --Macaulay.
3. To deprive of the gills; -- used only of oysters and
similar shellfish.
Bearded \Beard"ed\, a.
Having a beard. ``Bearded fellow.'' --Shak. ``Bearded
grain.'' --Dryden.
{Bearded vulture}, {Bearded eagle}. (Zo["o]l.) See
{Lammergeir}.
{Bearded tortoise}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Matamata}.
Beardie \Beard"ie\, n. [From {Beard}, n.] (Zo["o]l.)
The bearded loach ({Nemachilus barbatus}) of Europe. [Scot.]
Beardless \Beard"less\, a.
1. Without a beard. Hence: Not having arrived at puberty or
manhood; youthful.
2. Destitute of an awn; as, beardless wheat.
Beardlessness \Beard"less*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being destitute of beard.
Bearer \Bear"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, bears, sustains, or carries.
``Bearers of burdens.'' --2 Chron. ii. 18. ``The bearer of
unhappy news.'' --Dryden.
2. Specifically: One who assists in carrying a body to the
grave; a pallbearer. --Milton.
3. A palanquin carrier; also, a house servant. [India]
4. A tree or plant yielding fruit; as, a good bearer.
5. (Com.) One who holds a check, note, draft, or other order
for the payment of money; as, pay to bearer.
6. (Print.) A strip of reglet or other furniture to bear off
the impression from a blank page; also, a type or
type-high piece of metal interspersed in blank parts to
support the plate when it is shaved.
Bearherd \Bear"herd`\, n.
A man who tends a bear.
Bearhound \Bear"hound`\, n.
A hound for baiting or hunting bears. --Car??le.
Bearing \Bear"ing\, n.
1. The manner in which one bears or conducts one's self;
mien; behavior; carriage.
I know him by his bearing. --Shak.
2. Patient endurance; suffering without complaint.
3. The situation of one object, with respect to another, such
situation being supposed to have a connection with the
object, or influence upon it, or to be influenced by it;
hence, relation; connection.
But of this frame, the bearings and the ties, The
strong connections, nice dependencies. --Pope.
4. Purport; meaning; intended significance; aspect.
5. The act, power, or time of producing or giving birth; as,
a tree in full bearing; a tree past bearing.
[His mother] in travail of his bearing. --R. of
Gloucester.
6. (Arch.)
(a) That part of any member of a building which rests upon
its supports; as, a lintel or beam may have four
inches of bearing upon the wall.
(b) The portion of a support on which anything rests.
(c) Improperly, the unsupported span; as, the beam has
twenty feet of bearing between its supports.
7. (Mach.)
(a) The part of an axle or shaft in contact with its
support, collar, or boxing; the journal.
(b) The part of the support on which a journal rests and
rotates.
8. (Her.) Any single emblem or charge in an escutcheon or
coat of arms -- commonly in the pl.
A carriage covered with armorial bearings.
--Thackeray.
9. (Naut.)
(a) The situation of a distant object, with regard to a
ship's position, as on the bow, on the lee quarter,
etc.; the direction or point of the compass in which
an object is seen; as, the bearing of the cape was W.
N. W.
(b) pl. The widest part of a vessel below the plank-sheer.
(c) pl. The line of flotation of a vessel when properly
trimmed with cargo or ballast.
{Ball bearings}. See under {Ball}.
{To bring one to his bearings}, to bring one to his senses.
{To lose one's bearings}, to become bewildered.
{To take bearings}, to ascertain by the compass the position
of an object; to ascertain the relation of one object or
place to another; to ascertain one's position by reference
to landmarks or to the compass; hence (Fig.), to ascertain
the condition of things when one is in trouble or
perplexity.
Syn: Deportment; gesture; mien; behavior; manner; carriage;
demeanor; port; conduct; direction; relation; tendency;
influence.
Bearing cloth \Bear"ing cloth`\
A cloth with which a child is covered when carried to be
baptized. --Shak.
Bearing rein \Bear"ing rein`\
A short rein looped over the check hook or the hames to keep
the horse's head up; -- called in the United States a
checkrein.
Bearish \Bear"ish\, a.
Partaking of the qualities of a bear; resembling a bear in
temper or manners. --Harris.
Bearishness \Bear"ish*ness\, n.
Behavior like that of a bear.
Bearn \Bearn\, n.
See {Bairn}. [Obs.]
Bear's-breech \Bear's"-breech`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) See {Acanthus}, n., 1.
(b) The English cow parsnip ({Heracleum sphondylium}) --Dr.
Prior.
Bear's-ear \Bear's-ear`\ (b[^a]rz"[=e]r`), n. (Bot.)
A kind of primrose ({Primula auricula}), so called from the
shape of the leaf.
Bear's-foot \Bear's"-foot`\ (-f[oo^]t`), n. (Bot.)
A species of hellebore ({Helleborus f[oe]tidus}), with
digitate leaves. It has an offensive smell and acrid taste,
and is a powerful emetic, cathartic, and anthelmintic.
Bearskin \Bear"skin`\, n.
1. The skin of a bear.
2. A coarse, shaggy, woolen cloth for overcoats.
3. A cap made of bearskin, esp. one worn by soldiers.
Bear's-paw \Bear's"-paw`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large bivalve shell of the East Indies ({Hippopus
maculatus}), often used as an ornament.
Bearward \Bear"ward`\, n. [Bear + ward a keeper.]
A keeper of bears. See {Bearherd}. [R.] --Shak.
Beast \Beast\, n. [OE. best, beste, OF. beste, F. b[^e]te, fr.
L. bestia.]
1. Any living creature; an animal; -- including man, insects,
etc. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. Any four-footed animal, that may be used for labor, food,
or sport; as, a beast of burden.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.
--Prov. xii.
10.
3. As opposed to {man}: Any irrational animal.
4. Fig.: A coarse, brutal, filthy, or degraded fellow.
5. A game at cards similar to loo. [Obs.] --Wright.
6. A penalty at beast, omber, etc. Hence: To be beasted, to
be beaten at beast, omber, etc.
{Beast royal}, the lion. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Syn: {Beast}, {Brute}.
Usage: When we use these words in a figurative sense, as
applicable to human beings, we think of beasts as mere
animals governed by animal appetite; and of brutes as
being destitute of reason or moral feeling, and
governed by unrestrained passion. Hence we speak of
beastly appetites; beastly indulgences, etc.; and of
brutal manners; brutal inhumanity; brutal ferocity.
So, also, we say of a drunkard, that he first made
himself a beast, and then treated his family like a
brute.
Beasthood \Beast"hood\, n.
State or nature of a beast.
Beastings \Beast"ings\, n. pl.
See {Biestings}.
Beastlihead \Beast"li*head\, n. [Beastly + -head state.]
Beastliness. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Beastlike \Beast"like"\, a.
Like a beast.
Beastliness \Beast"li*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being beastly.
Beastly \Beast"ly\, a.
1. Pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of, a
beast.
Beastly divinities and droves of gods. --Prior.
2. Characterizing the nature of a beast; contrary to the
nature and dignity of man; brutal; filthy.
The beastly vice of drinking to excess. --Swift.
3. Abominable; as, beastly weather. [Colloq. Eng.]
Syn: Bestial; brutish; irrational; sensual; degrading.
Beat \Beat\, v. t. [imp. {Beat}; p. p. {Beat}, {Beaten}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Beating}.] [OE. beaten, beten, AS. be['a]tan; akin
to Icel. bauta, OHG. b?zan. Cf. 1st {Butt}, {Button}.]
1. To strike repeatedly; to lay repeated blows upon; as, to
beat one's breast; to beat iron so as to shape it; to beat
grain, in order to force out the seeds; to beat eggs and
sugar; to beat a drum.
Thou shalt beat some of it [spices] very small.
--Ex. xxx. 36.
They did beat the gold into thin plates. --Ex.
xxxix. 3.
2. To punish by blows; to thrash.
3. To scour or range over in hunting, accompanied with the
noise made by striking bushes, etc., for the purpose of
rousing game.
To beat the woods, and rouse the bounding prey.
--Prior.
4. To dash against, or strike, as with water or wind.
A frozen continent . . . beat with perpetual storms.
--Milton.
5. To tread, as a path.
Pass awful gulfs, and beat my painful way.
--Blackmore.
6. To overcome in a battle, contest, strife, race, game,
etc.; to vanquish or conquer; to surpass.
He beat them in a bloody battle. --Prescott.
For loveliness, it would be hard to beat that. --M.
Arnold.
7. To cheat; to chouse; to swindle; to defraud; -- often with
out. [Colloq.]
8. To exercise severely; to perplex; to trouble.
Why should any one . . . beat his head about the
Latin grammar who does not intend to be a critic?
--Locke.
9. (Mil.) To give the signal for, by beat of drum; to sound
by beat of drum; as, to beat an alarm, a charge, a parley,
a retreat; to beat the general, the reveille, the tattoo.
See {Alarm}, {Charge}, {Parley}, etc.
{To beat down}, to haggle with (any one) to secure a lower
price; to force down. [Colloq.]
{To beat into}, to teach or instill, by repetition.
{To beat off}, to repel or drive back.
{To beat out}, to extend by hammering.
{To beat out of} a thing, to cause to relinquish it, or give
it up. ``Nor can anything beat their posterity out of it
to this day.'' --South.
{To beat the dust}. (Man.)
(a) To take in too little ground with the fore legs, as a
horse.
(b) To perform curvets too precipitately or too low.
{To beat the hoof}, to walk; to go on foot.
{To beat the wing}, to flutter; to move with fluttering
agitation.
{To beat time}, to measure or regulate time in music by the
motion of the hand or foot.
{To beat up}, to attack suddenly; to alarm or disturb; as, to
beat up an enemy's quarters.
Syn: To strike; pound; bang; buffet; maul; drub; thump;
baste; thwack; thrash; pommel; cudgel; belabor; conquer;
defeat; vanquish; overcome.
Beat \Beat\, v. i.
1. To strike repeatedly; to inflict repeated blows; to knock
vigorously or loudly.
The men of the city . . . beat at the door.
--Judges. xix.
22.
2. To move with pulsation or throbbing.
A thousand hearts beat happily. --Byron.
3. To come or act with violence; to dash or fall with force;
to strike anything, as, rain, wind, and waves do.
Sees rolling tempests vainly beat below. --Dryden.
They [winds] beat at the crazy casement.
--Longfellow.
The sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he
fainted, and wisbed in himself to die. --Jonah iv.
8.
Public envy seemeth to beat chiefly upon ministers.
--Bacon.
4. To be in agitation or doubt. [Poetic]
To still my beating mind. --Shak.
5. (Naut.) To make progress against the wind, by sailing in a
zigzag line or traverse.
6. To make a sound when struck; as, the drums beat.
7. (Mil.) To make a succession of strokes on a drum; as, the
drummers beat to call soldiers to their quarters.
8. (Acoustics & Mus.) To sound with more or less rapid
alternations of greater and less intensity, so as to
produce a pulsating effect; -- said of instruments, tones,
or vibrations, not perfectly in unison.
{A beating wind} (Naut.), a wind which necessitates tacking
in order to make progress.
{To beat about}, to try to find; to search by various means
or ways. --Addison.
{To beat about the bush}, to approach a subject circuitously.
{To beat up and down} (Hunting), to run first one way and
then another; -- said of a stag.
{To beat up for recruits}, to go diligently about in order to
get helpers or participators in an enterprise.
Beat \Beat\, n.
1. A stroke; a blow.
He, with a careless beat, Struck out the mute
creation at a heat. --Dryden.
2. A recurring stroke; a throb; a pulsation; as, a beat of
the heart; the beat of the pulse.
3. (Mus.)
(a) The rise or fall of the hand or foot, marking the
divisions of time; a division of the measure so
marked. In the rhythm of music the beat is the unit.
(b) A transient grace note, struck immediately before the
one it is intended to ornament.
4. (Acoustics & Mus.) A sudden swelling or re["e]nforcement
of a sound, recurring at regular intervals, and produced
by the interference of sound waves of slightly different
periods of vibrations; applied also, by analogy, to other
kinds of wave motions; the pulsation or throbbing produced
by the vibrating together of two tones not quite in
unison. See {Beat}, v. i., 8.
5. A round or course which is frequently gone over; as, a
watchman's beat.
6. A place of habitual or frequent resort.
7. A cheat or swindler of the lowest grade; -- often
emphasized by dead; as, a dead beat. [Low]
{Beat of drum} (Mil.), a succession of strokes varied, in
different ways, for particular purposes, as to regulate a
march, to call soldiers to their arms or quarters, to
direct an attack, or retreat, etc.
{Beat of a watch}, or {clock}, the stroke or sound made by
the action of the escapement. A clock is in beat or out of
beat, according as the strokes is at equal or unequal
intervals.
Beat \Beat\, a.
Weary; tired; fatigued; exhausted. [Colloq.]
Quite beat, and very much vexed and disappointed.
--Dickens.
Beaten \Beat"en\, a.
1. Made smooth by beating or treading; worn by use. ``A broad
and beaten way.'' --Milton. ``Beaten gold.'' --Shak.
2. Vanquished; conquered; baffled.
3. Exhausted; tired out.
4. Become common or trite; as, a beaten phrase. [Obs.]
5. Tried; practiced. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Beater \Beat"er\ (b[=e]t"[~e]r), n.
1. One who, or that which, beats.
2. A person who beats up game for the hunters. --Black.
Beath \Beath\ (b[=e][th]), v. t. [AS. be[eth]ian to foment.]
To bathe; also, to dry or heat, as unseasoned wood. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Beatific \Be`a*tif"ic\, Beatifical \Be`a*tif"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
b['e]atifique, L. beatificus. See {Beatify}.]
Having the power to impart or complete blissful enjoyment;
blissful. ``The beatific vision.'' --South. --
{Be`a*tif"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Beatificate \Be`a*tif"i*cate\, v. t.
To beatify. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Beatification \Be*at`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
b['e]atification.]
The act of beatifying, or the state of being beatified; esp.,
in the R. C. Church, the act or process of ascertaining and
declaring that a deceased person is one of ``the blessed,''
or has attained the second degree of sanctity, -- usually a
stage in the process of canonization. ``The beatification of
his spirit.'' --Jer. Taylor.
Beatify \Be*at"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beatified} (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Beatifying}.] [L. beatificare; beatus happy
(fr. beare to bless, akin to bonus good) + facere to make:
cf. F. b['e]atifier. See {Bounty}.]
1. To pronounce or regard as happy, or supremely blessed, or
as conferring happiness.
The common conceits and phrases that beatify wealth.
--Barrow.
2. To make happy; to bless with the completion of celestial
enjoyment. ``Beatified spirits.'' --Dryden.
3. (R. C. Ch.) To ascertain and declare, by a public process
and decree, that a deceased person is one of ``the
blessed'' and is to be reverenced as such, though not
canonized.
Beating \Beat"ing\, n.
1. The act of striking or giving blows; punishment or
chastisement by blows.
2. Pulsation; throbbing; as, the beating of the heart.
3. (Acoustics & Mus.) Pulsative sounds. See {Beat}, n.
4. (Naut.) The process of sailing against the wind by tacks
in zigzag direction.
Beatitude \Be*at"i*tude\, n. [L. beatitudo: cf. F. b['e]atitude.
See {Beatify}.]
1. Felicity of the highest kind; consummate bliss.
2. Any one of the nine declarations (called the Beatitudes),
made in the Sermon on the Mount (--Matt. v. 3-12), with
regard to the blessedness of those who are distinguished
by certain specified virtues.
3. (R. C. Ch.) Beatification. --Milman.
Syn: Blessedness; felicity; happiness.
Beau \Beau\, n.; pl. F. {Beaux} (E. pron. b?z), E. {Beaus}. [F.,
a fop, fr. beau fine, beautiful, fr. L. bellus pretty, fine,
for bonulus, dim. of bonus good. See {Bounty}, and cf.
{Belle}, {Beauty}.]
1. A man who takes great care to dress in the latest fashion;
a dandy.
2. A man who escorts, or pays attentions to, a lady; an
escort; a lover.
Beaucatcher \Beau"catch`er\, n.
A small flat curl worn on the temple by women. [Humorous]
Beaufet \Beau"fet\, n. [See {Buffet}.]
A niche, cupboard, or sideboard for plate, china, glass,
etc.; a buffet.
A beaufet . . . filled with gold and silver vessels.
--Prescott.
Beaufin \Beau"fin\, n.
See {Biffin}. --Wright.
Beau ideal \Beau" i*de"al\ [F. beau beautiful + id['e]al ideal.]
A conception or image of consummate beauty, moral or
physical, formed in the mind, free from all the deformities,
defects, and blemishes seen in actual existence; an ideal or
faultless standard or model.
Beauish \Beau"ish\, n.
Like a beau; characteristic of a beau; foppish; fine. ``A
beauish young spark.'' --Byrom.
Beau monde \Beau` monde"\ [F. beau fine + monde world.]
The fashionable world; people of fashion and gayety. --Prior.
Beaupere \Beau"pere`\, n. [F. beau p['e]re; beau fair + p['e]re
father.]
1. A father. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
2. A companion. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Beauseant \Beau`se`ant"\, n. [F. beauc['e]ant.]
The black and white standard of the Knights Templars.
Beauship \Beau"ship\, n.
The state of being a beau; the personality of a beau.
[Jocular] --Dryden.
Beauteous \Beau"te*ous\, a.
Full of beauty; beautiful; very handsome. [Mostly poetic] --
{Beau"te*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Beau"te*ous*ness}, n.
Beautied \Beau"tied\, p. a.
Beautiful; embellished. [Poetic] --Shak.
Beautifier \Beau"ti*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, beautifies or makes beautiful.
Beautiful \Beau"ti*ful\, a.
Having the qualities which constitute beauty; pleasing to the
sight or the mind.
A circle is more beautiful than a square; a square is
more beautiful than a parallelogram. --Lord Kames.
Syn: Handsome; elegant; lovely; fair; charming; graceful;
pretty; delightful. See {Fine}. -- {Beau"ti*ful*ly},
adv. -- {Beau"ti*ful*ness}, n.
Beautify \Beau"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beautified} (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Beautifying}.] [Beauty + -fy.]
To make or render beautiful; to add beauty to; to adorn; to
deck; to grace; to embellish.
The arts that beautify and polish life. --Burke.
Syn: To adorn; grace; ornament; deck; decorate.
Beautify \Beau"ti*fy\, v. i.
To become beautiful; to advance in beauty. --Addison.
Beautiless \Beau"ti*less\, a.
Destitute of beauty. --Hammond.
Beauty \Beau"ty\, n.; pl. {Beautie}s . [OE. beaute, beute, OF.
beaut['e], biaut['e], Pr. beltat, F. beaut['e], fr. an
assumed LL. bellitas, from L. bellus pretty. See {Beau}.]
1. An assemblage or graces or properties pleasing to the eye,
the ear, the intellect, the [ae]sthetic faculty, or the
moral sense.
Beauty consists of a certain composition of color
and figure, causing delight in the beholder.
--Locke.
The production of beauty by a multiplicity of
symmetrical parts uniting in a consistent whole.
--Wordsworth.
The old definition of beauty, in the Roman school,
was, ``multitude in unity;'' and there is no doubt
that such is the principle of beauty. --Coleridge.
2. A particular grace, feature, ornament, or excellence;
anything beautiful; as, the beauties of nature.
3. A beautiful person, esp. a beautiful woman.
All the admired beauties of Verona. --Shak.
4. Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion. [Obs.]
She stained her hair yellow, which was then the
beauty. --Jer. Taylor.
{Beauty spot}, a patch or spot placed on the face with intent
to heighten beauty by contrast.
Beaux \Beaux\, n.,
pl. of {Beau}.
Beauxite \Beaux"ite\, n. (Min.)
See {Bauxite}.
Beaver \Bea"ver\, n. [OE. bever, AS. beofer, befer; akin to D.
bever, OHG. bibar, G. biber, Sw. b["a]fver, Dan. b[ae]ver,
Lith. bebru, Russ. bobr', Gael. beabhar, Corn. befer, L.
fiber, and Skr. babhrus large ichneumon; also as an adj.,
brown, the animal being probably named from its color. ?253.
See {Brown}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) An amphibious rodent, of the genus {Castor}.
Note: It has palmated hind feet, and a broad, flat tail. It
is remarkable for its ingenuity in constructing its
valued for its fur, and for the material called castor,
obtained from two small bags in the groin of the
animal. The European species is {Castor fiber}, and the
American is generally considered a variety of this,
although sometimes called {Castor Canadensis}.
2. The fur of the beaver.
3. A hat, formerly made of the fur of the beaver, but now
usually of silk.
A brown beaver slouched over his eyes. --Prescott.
4. Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woolen cloth, used chiefly
for making overcoats.
{Beaver rat} (Zo["o]l.), an aquatic ratlike quadruped of
Tasmania ({Hydromys chrysogaster}).
{Beaver skin}, the furry skin of the beaver.
{Bank beaver}. See under 1st {Bank}.
Beaver \Bea"ver\, n. [OE. baviere, bauier, beavoir, bever; fr.
F. bavi[`e]re, fr. bave slaver, drivel, foam, OF., prattle,
drivel, perh. orig. an imitative word. Bavi[`e]re, according
to Cotgrave, is the bib put before a (slavering) child.]
That piece of armor which protected the lower part of the
face, whether forming a part of the helmet or fixed to the
breastplate. It was so constructed (with joints or otherwise)
that the wearer could raise or lower it to eat and drink.
Beavered \Bea"vered\, a.
Covered with, or wearing, a beaver or hat. ``His beavered
brow.'' --Pope.
Beaverteen \Bea"ver*teen\, n.
A kind of fustian made of coarse twilled cotton, shorn after
dyeing. --Simmonds.
Bebeerine \Be*bee"rine\, or Bebirine \Be*bi"rine\
(b[-e]*b[=e]"r[i^]n or -r[=e]n), n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid got from the bark of the bebeeru, or green heart
of Guiana ({Nectandra Rodi[oe]i}). It is a tonic,
antiperiodic, and febrifuge, and is used in medicine as a
substitute for quinine. [Written also {bibirine}.]
Bebleed \Be*bleed"\, v. t.
To make bloody; to stain with blood. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Beblood \Be*blood"\, Bebloody \Be*blood"y\, v. t.
To make bloody; to stain with blood. [Obs.] --Sheldon.
Beblot \Be*blot"\, v. t.
To blot; to stain. --Chaucer.
Beblubber \Be*blub"ber\, v. t.
To make swollen and disfigured or sullied by weeping; as, her
eyes or cheeks were beblubbered.
Becalm \Be*calm"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Becalmed} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Becalming}.]
1. To render calm or quiet; to calm; to still; to appease.
Soft whispering airs . . . becalm the mind.
--Philips.
2. To keep from motion, or stop the progress of, by the
stilling of the wind; as, the fleet was becalmed.
Became \Be*came"\,
imp. of {Become}.
Becard \Bec"ard\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American bird of the flycatcher family. ({Tityra
inquisetor}).
Because \Be*cause"\, conj. [OE. bycause; by + cause.]
1. By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the
reason that. --Milton.
2. In order that; that. [Obs.]
And the multitude rebuked them because they should
hold their peace. --Matt. xx.
31.
{Because of}, by reason of, on account of. [Prep. phrase.]
Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon
the children of disobedience. --Eph. v. 6.
Syn: {Because}, {For}, {Since}, {As}, {Inasmuch As}.
Usage: These particles are used, in certain connections, to
assign the reason of a thing, or that ``on account
of'' which it is or takes place. Because (by cause) is
the strongest and most emphatic; as, I hid myself
because I was afraid. For is not quite so strong; as,
in Shakespeare, ``I hate him, for he is a Christian.''
Since is less formal and more incidental than because;
as, I will do it since you request me. It more
commonly begins a sentence; as, Since your decision is
made, I will say no more. As is still more incidental
than since, and points to some existing fact by way of
assigning a reason. Thus we say, as I knew him to be
out of town, I did not call. Inasmuch as seems to
carry with it a kind of qualification which does not
belong to the rest. Thus, if we say, I am ready to
accept your proposal, inasmuch as I believe it is the
best you can offer, we mean, it is only with this
understanding that we can accept it.
Beccabunga \Bec`ca*bun"ga\, n. [NL. (cf. It. beccabunga, G.
bachbunge), fr. G. bach brook + bunge, OHG. bungo, bulb. See
{Beck} a brook.]
See {Brooklime}.
Beccafico \Bec`ca*fi"co\, n.; pl. {Beccaficos}. [It., fr.
beccare to peck + fico fig.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small bird. ({Silvia hortensis}), which is highly prized by
the Italians for the delicacy of its flesh in the autumn,
when it has fed on figs, grapes, etc.
Bechamel \Bech"a*mel\, n. [F. b['e]chamel, named from its
inventor, Louis de B['e]chamel.] (Cookery)
A rich, white sauce, prepared with butter and cream.
Bechance \Be*chance"\, adv. [Pref. be- for by + chance.]
By chance; by accident. [Obs.] --Grafton.
Bechance \Be*chance"\, v. t. & i.
To befall; to chance; to happen to.
God knows what hath bechanced them. --Shak.
Becharm \Be*charm"\, v. t.
To charm; to captivate.
Beche de mer \B[^e]che` de mer"\ [F., lit., a sea spade.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The trepang.
Bechic \Be"chic\, a. [L. bechicus, adj., for a cough, Gr. ?, fr.
? cough: cf. F. b['e]chique.] (Med.)
Pertaining to, or relieving, a cough. --Thomas. -- n. A
medicine for relieving coughs. --Quincy.
Beck \Beck\, n.
See {Beak}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Beck \Beck\, n. [OE. bek, AS. becc; akin to Icel. bekkr brook,
OHG. pah, G. bach.]
A small brook.
The brooks, the becks, the rills. --Drayton.
Beck \Beck\, n.
A vat. See {Back}.
Beck \Beck\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Becked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Becking}.] [Contr. of beckon.]
To nod, or make a sign with the head or hand. [Archaic]
--Drayton.
Beck \Beck\, v. t.
To notify or call by a nod, or a motion of the head or hand;
to intimate a command to. [Archaic]
When gold and silver becks me to come on. --Shak.
Beck \Beck\, n.
A significant nod, or motion of the head or hand, esp. as a
call or command.
They have troops of soldiers at their beck. --Shak.
Becker \Beck"er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A European fish ({Pagellus centrodontus}); the sea bream or
braise.
Becket \Beck"et\, n. [Cf. D. bek beak, and E. beak.]
1. (Naut.) A small grommet, or a ring or loop of rope ? metal
for holding things in position, as spars, ropes, etc.;
also a bracket, a pocket, or a handle made of rope.
2. A spade for digging turf. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Beckon \Beck"on\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beckoned} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Beckoning}.]
To make a significant sign to; hence, to summon, as by a
motion of the hand.
His distant friends, he beckons near. --Dryden.
It beckons you to go away with it. --Shak.
Beckon \Beck"on\, n.
A sign made without words; a beck. ``At the first beckon.''
--Bolingbroke.
Beclap \Be*clap\, v. t. [OE. biclappen.]
To catch; to grasp; to insnare. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Beclip \Be*clip"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beclipped} (?).] [AS.
beclyppan; pref. be + clyppan to embrace.]
To embrace; to surround. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Becloud \Be*cloud"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beclouded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Beclouding}.]
To cause obscurity or dimness to; to dim; to cloud.
If thou becloud the sunshine of thine eye. --Quarles.
Become \Be*come"\, v. i. [imp. {Became}; p. p. {Become}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Becoming}.] [OE. bicumen, becumen, AS. becuman to
come to, to happen; akin to D. bekomen, OHG.a piqu["e]man,
Goth. biquiman to come upon, G. bekommen to get, suit. See
{Be-}, and {Come}.]
1. To pass from one state to another; to enter into some
state or condition, by a change from another state, or by
assuming or receiving new properties or qualities,
additional matter, or a new character.
The Lord God . . . breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life; and man became a living soul. --Gen.
ii. 7.
That error now which is become my crime. --Milton.
2. To come; to get. [Obs.]
But, madam, where is Warwick then become! --Shak.
{To become of}, to be the present state or place of; to be
the fate of; to be the end of; to be the final or
subsequent condition of.
What is then become of so huge a multitude? --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Become \Be*come"\, v. t.
To suit or be suitable to; to be congruous with; to befit; to
accord with, in character or circumstances; to be worthy of,
or proper for; to cause to appear well; -- said of persons
and things.
It becomes me so to speak of so excellent a poet.
--Dryden.
I have known persons so anxious to have their dress
become them, as to convert it, at length, into their
proper self, and thus actually to become the dress.
--Coleridge.
Becomed \Be*com"ed\, a.
Proper; decorous. [Obs.]
And gave him what becomed love I might. --Shak.
Becoming \Be*com"ing\, a.
Appropriate or fit; congruous; suitable; graceful; befitting.
A low and becoming tone. --Thackeray.
Note: Formerly sometimes followed by of.
Such discourses as are becoming of them.
--Dryden.
Syn: Seemly; comely; decorous; decent; proper.
Becoming \Be*com"ing\, n.
That which is becoming or appropriate. [Obs.]
Becomingly \Be*com"ing*ly\, adv.
In a becoming manner.
Becomingness \Be*com"ing*ness\, n.
The quality of being becoming, appropriate, or fit;
congruity; fitness.
The becomingness of human nature. --Grew.
Becripple \Be*crip"ple\, v. t.
To make a cripple of; to cripple; to lame. [R.] --Dr. H.
More.
Becuna \Be*cu"na\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.)
A fish of the Mediterranean ({Sphyr[ae]na spet}). See
{Barracuda}.
Becurl \Be*curl"\, v. t.
To curl; to adorn with curls.
Bed \Bed\, n. [AS. bed, bedd; akin to OS. bed, D. bed, bedde,
Icel. be?r, Dan. bed, Sw. b["a]dd, Goth. badi, OHG. betti, G.
bett, bette, bed, beet a plat of ground; all of uncertain
origin.]
1. An article of furniture to sleep or take rest in or on; a
couch. Specifically: A sack or mattress, filled with some
soft material, in distinction from the bedstead on which
it is placed (as, a feather bed), or this with the
bedclothes added. In a general sense, any thing or place
used for sleeping or reclining on or in, as a quantity of
hay, straw, leaves, or twigs.
And made for him [a horse] a leafy bed. --Byron.
I wash, wring, brew, bake, . . . make the beds.
--Shak.
In bed he slept not for my urging it. --Shak.
2. (Used as the symbol of matrimony) Marriage.
George, the eldest son of his second bed.
--Clarendon.
3. A plat or level piece of ground in a garden, usually a
little raised above the adjoining ground. ``Beds of
hyacinth and roses.'' --Milton.
4. A mass or heap of anything arranged like a bed; as, a bed
of ashes or coals.
5. The bottom of a watercourse, or of any body of water; as,
the bed of a river.
So sinks the daystar in the ocean bed. --Milton.
6. (Geol.) A layer or seam, or a horizontal stratum between
layers; as, a bed of coal, iron, etc.
7. (Gun.) See {Gun carriage}, and {Mortar bed}.
8. (Masonry)
(a) The horizontal surface of a building stone; as, the
upper and lower beds.
(b) A course of stone or brick in a wall.
(c) The place or material in which a block or brick is
laid.
(d) The lower surface of a brick, slate, or tile.
--Knight.
9. (Mech.) The foundation or the more solid and fixed part or
framing of a machine; or a part on which something is laid
or supported; as, the bed of an engine.
10. The superficial earthwork, or ballast, of a railroad.
11. (Printing) The flat part of the press, on which the form
is laid.
Note: Bed is much used adjectively or in combination; as, bed
key or bedkey; bed wrench or bedwrench; bedchamber;
bedmaker, etc.
{Bed of justice} (French Hist.), the throne (F. lit bed)
occupied by the king when sitting in one of his
parliaments (judicial courts); hence, a session of a
refractory parliament, at which the king was present for
the purpose of causing his decrees to be registered.
{To be brought to bed}, to be delivered of a child; -- often
followed by of; as, to be brought to bed of a son.
{To make a bed}, to prepare a bed; to arrange or put in order
a bed and its bedding.
{From bed and board} (Law), a phrase applied to a separation
by partial divorce of man and wife, without dissolving the
bonds of matrimony. If such a divorce (now commonly called
a judicial separation) be granted at the instance of the
wife, she may have alimony.
Bed \Bed\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bedding}.]
1. To place in a bed. [Obs.] --Bacon.
2. To make partaker of one's bed; to cohabit with.
I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her. --Shak.
3. To furnish with a bed or bedding.
4. To plant or arrange in beds; to set, or cover, as in a bed
of soft earth; as, to bed the roots of a plant in mold.
5. To lay or put in any hollow place, or place of rest and
security, surrounded or inclosed; to embed; to furnish
with or place upon a bed or foundation; as, to bed a
stone; it was bedded on a rock.
Among all chains or clusters of mountains where
large bodies of still water are bedded.
--Wordsworth.
6. (Masonry) To dress or prepare the surface of stone) so as
to serve as a bed.
7. To lay flat; to lay in order; to place in a horizontal or
recumbent position. ``Bedded hair.'' --Shak.
Bed \Bed\, v. i.
To go to bed; to cohabit.
If he be married, and bed with his wife. --Wiseman.
Bedabble \Be*dab*ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedabbled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bedabbling}.]
To dabble; to sprinkle or wet. --Shak.
Bedaff \Be*daff"\, v. t.
To make a daff or fool of. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bedagat \Bed"a*gat\, n.
The sacred books of the Buddhists in Burmah. --Malcom.
Bedaggle \Be*dag"gle\, v. t.
To daggle.
Bedash \Be*dash"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedashed} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bedashing}.]
To wet by dashing or throwing water or other liquid upon; to
bespatter. ``Trees bedashed with rain.'' --Shak.
Bedaub \Be*daub"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedaubed} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bedaubing}.]
To daub over; to besmear or soil with anything thick and
dirty.
Bedaub foul designs with a fair varnish. --Barrow.
Bedazzle \Be*daz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedazzled} (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bedazzling} (?).]
To dazzle or make dim by a strong light. ``Bedazzled with the
sun.'' --Shak.
Bedbug \Bed"bug`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A wingless, bloodsucking, hemipterous insect ({Cimex
Lectularius}), sometimes infesting houses and especially
beds. See Illustration in Appendix.
Bedchair \Bed"chair`\, n.
A chair with adjustable back, for the sick, to support them
while sitting up in bed.
Bedchamber \Bed"cham`ber\, n.
A chamber for a bed; an apartment form sleeping in. --Shak.
{Lords of the bedchamber}, eight officers of the royal
household, all of noble families, who wait in turn a week
each. [Eng.]
{Ladies of the bedchamber}, eight ladies, all titled, holding
a similar official position in the royal household, during
the reign of a queen. [Eng.]
Bedclothes \Bed"clothes`\, n. pl.
Blankets, sheets, coverlets, etc., for a bed. --Shak.
Bedcord \Bed"cord`\, n.
A cord or rope interwoven in a bedstead so as to support the
bed.
Bedded \Bed"ded\, a.
Provided with a bed; as, double-bedded room; placed or
arranged in a bed or beds.
Bedding \Bed"ding\, n. [AS. bedding, beding. See {Bed}.]
1. A bed and its furniture; the materials of a bed, whether
for man or beast; bedclothes; litter.
2. (Geol.) The state or position of beds and layers.
Bede \Bede\, v. t. [See {Bid}, v. t.]
To pray; also, to offer; to proffer. [Obs.] --R. of
Gloucester. Chaucer.
Bede \Bede\, n. (Mining)
A kind of pickax.
Bedeck \Be*deck"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedecked} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bedecking}.]
To deck, ornament, or adorn; to grace.
Bedecked with boughs, flowers, and garlands. --Pennant.
Bedeguar \Bed"e*guar\, Bedegar \Bed"e*gar\, n. [F., fr. Per.
b[=a]d-[=a]ward, or b[=a]d-[=a]wardag, prop., a kind of white
thorn or thistle.]
A gall produced on rosebushes, esp. on the sweetbrier or
eglantine, by a puncture from the ovipositor of a gallfly
({Rhodites ros[ae]}). It was once supposed to have medicinal
properties.
Bedehouse \Bede"house`\, n.
Same as {Beadhouse}.
Bedel \Be"del\, Bedell \Be"dell\, n.
Same as {Beadle}.
Bedelry \Be"del*ry\, n.
Beadleship. [Obs.] --Blount.
Beden \Bed"en\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Abyssinian or Arabian ibex ({Capra Nubiana}). It is
probably the wild goat of the Bible.
Bedesman \Bedes"man\, n.
Same as {Beadsman}. [Obs.]
Bedevil \Be*dev"il\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedevilled} (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bedeviling} or {Bedevilling}.]
1. To throw into utter disorder and confusion, as if by the
agency of evil spirits; to bring under diabolical
influence; to torment.
Bedeviled and used worse than St. Bartholomew.
--Sterne.
2. To spoil; to corrupt. --Wright.
Bedevilment \Be*dev"il*ment\, n.
The state of being bedeviled; bewildering confusion;
vexatious trouble. [Colloq.]
Bedew \Be*dew"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedewed} (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bedewing}.]
To moisten with dew, or as with dew. ``Falling tears his face
bedew.'' --Dryden.
Bedewer \Be*dew"er\, n.
One who, or that which, bedews.
Bedewy \Be*dew"y\, a.
Moist with dew; dewy. [Obs.]
Night with her bedewy wings. --A. Brewer.
Bedfellow \Bed"fel`low\, n.
One who lies with another in the same bed; a person who
shares one's couch.
Bedfere Bedphere \Bed"fere` Bed"phere`\, n. [Bed + AS. fera a
companion.]
A bedfellow. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Bedgown \Bed"gown`\, n.
A nightgown.
Bedight \Be*dight"\, v. t. [p. p. {Bedight}, {Bedighted}.]
To bedeck; to array or equip; to adorn. [Archaic] --Milton.
Bedim \Be*dim"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedimmed} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bedimming}.]
To make dim; to obscure or darken. --Shak.
Bedizen \Be*diz"en\, v. t.
To dress or adorn tawdrily or with false taste.
Remnants of tapestried hangings, . . . and shreds of
pictures with which he had bedizened his tatters. --Sir
W. Scott.
Bedizenment \Be*diz"en*ment\, n.
That which bedizens; the act of dressing, or the state of
being dressed, tawdrily.
Bedkey \Bed"key`\, n.
An instrument for tightening the parts of a bedstead.
Bedlam \Bed"lam\, n. [See {Bethlehem}.]
1. A place appropriated to the confinement and care of the
insane; a madhouse. --Abp. Tillotson.
2. An insane person; a lunatic; a madman. [Obs.]
Let's get the bedlam to lead him. --Shak.
3. Any place where uproar and confusion prevail.
Bedlam \Bed"lam\, a.
Belonging to, or fit for, a madhouse. ``The bedlam, brainsick
duchess.'' --Shak.
Bedlamite \Bed"lam*ite\, n.
An inhabitant of a madhouse; a madman. ``Raving bedlamites.''
--Beattie.
Bedmaker \Bed"mak`er\, n.
One who makes beds.
Bed-molding \Bed"-mold`ing\ Bed-moulding
\Bed"-mould`ing\(b[e^]d"m[=o]ld`[i^]ng), n. (Arch.)
The molding of a cornice immediately below the corona. --Oxf.
Gloss.
Bedote \Be*dote"\ (b[-e]*d[=o]t"), v. t.
To cause to dote; to deceive. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bedouin \Bed"ou*in\, n. [F. b['e]douin, OF. b['e]duin, fr. Ar.
bedaw[=i] rural, living in the desert, fr. badw desert, fr.
bad[=a] to live in the desert, to lead a nomadic life.]
One of the nomadic Arabs who live in tents, and are scattered
over Arabia, Syria, and northern Africa, esp. in the deserts.
-- {Bed"ou*in*ism}, n.
Bedouin \Bed"ou*in\, a.
Pertaining to the Bedouins; nomad.
Bedpan \Bed"pan`\, n.
1. A pan for warming beds. --Nares.
2. A shallow chamber vessel, so constructed that it can be
used by a sick person in bed.
Bedphere \Bed"phere`\, n.
See {Bedfere}. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Bedpiece \Bed"piece`\, Bedplate \Bed"plate`\, n. (Mach.)
The foundation framing or piece, by which the other parts are
supported and held in place; the bed; -- called also
{baseplate} and {soleplate}.
Bedpost \Bed"post`\, n.
1. One of the four standards that support a bedstead or the
canopy over a bedstead.
2. Anciently, a post or pin on each side of the bed to keep
the clothes from falling off. See {Bedstaff}. --Brewer.
Bedquilt \Bed"quilt`\, n.
A quilt for a bed; a coverlet.
Bedrabble \Be*drab"ble\, v. t.
To befoul with rain and mud; to drabble.
Bedraggle \Be*drag"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedraggled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bedraggling}.]
To draggle; to soil, as garments which, in walking, are
suffered to drag in dust, mud, etc. --Swift.
Bedrench \Be*drench"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedrenched} (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bedrenching}.]
To drench; to saturate with moisture; to soak. --Shak.
Bedribble \Be*drib"ble\, v. t.
To dribble upon.
Bedrid \Bed"rid`\, Bedridden \Bed"rid`den\, a. [OE. bedrede, AS.
bedreda, bedrida; from bed, bedd, a bed or couch + ridda a
rider; cf. OHG. pettiriso, G. bettrise. See {Bed}, n., and
{Ride}, v. i. ]
Confined to the bed by sickness or infirmity. ``Her decrepit,
sick, and bedrid father.'' --Shak. ``The estate of a
bedridden old gentleman.'' --Macaulay.
Bedright Bedrite \Bed"right` Bed"rite`\, n. [Bed + right, rite.]
The duty or privilege of the marriage bed. --Shak.
Bedrizzle \Be*driz"zle\, v. t.
To drizzle upon.
Bed rock \Bed" rock"\ (Mining)
The solid rock underlying superficial formations. Also Fig.
Bedroom \Bed"room\, n.
1. A room or apartment intended or used for a bed; a lodging
room.
2. Room in a bed.
Note: [In this sense preferably {bed room}.]
Then by your side no bed room me deny. --Shak.
Bedrop \Be*drop"\, v. t.
To sprinkle, as with drops.
The yellow carp, in scales bedropped with gold. --Pope.
Bedrug \Be*drug"\, v. t.
To drug abundantly or excessively.
Bed screw \Bed" screw`\
1. (Naut.) A form of jack screw for lifting large bodies, and
assisting in launching.
2. A long screw formerly used to fasten a bedpost to one of
the adjacent side pieces.
Bedside \Bed"side`\, n.
The side of a bed.
Bedsite \Bed"site`\, n.
A recess in a room for a bed.
Of the three bedrooms, two have fireplaces, and all are
of fair size, with windows and bedsite well placed.
--Quart. Rev.
Bedsore \Bed"sore`\, n. (Med.)
A sore on the back or hips caused by lying for a long time in
bed.
Bedspread \Bed"spread`\, n.
A bedquilt; a counterpane; a coverlet. [U. S.]
Bedstaff \Bed"staff`\, n.; pl. {Bedstaves}.
``A wooden pin stuck anciently on the sides of the bedstead,
to hold the clothes from slipping on either side.''
--Johnson.
Hostess, accommodate us with a bedstaff. --B. Jonson.
Say there is no virtue in cudgels and bedstaves.
--Brome.
Bedstead \Bed"stead\, n. [Bed + stead a frame.]
A framework for supporting a bed.
Bed steps \Bed" steps`\
Steps for mounting a bed of unusual height.
Bedstock \Bed"stock\, n.
The front or the back part of the frame of a bedstead. [Obs.
or Dial. Eng.]
Bedstraw \Bed"straw`\, n.
1. Straw put into a bed. --Bacon.
2. (Bot.) A genus of slender herbs, usually with square
stems, whorled leaves, and small white flowers.
{Our Lady's bedstraw}, which has yellow flowers, is {Galium
verum}.
{White bedstraw} is {G. mollugo}.
Bedswerver \Bed"swerv`er\, n.
One who swerves from and is unfaithful to the marriage vow.
[Poetic] --Shak.
Bedtick \Bed"tick`\, n.
A tick or bag made of cloth, used for inclosing the materials
of a bed.
Bedtime \Bed"time`\, n.
The time to go to bed. --Shak.
Beduck \Be*duck"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beducked}.]
To duck; to put the head under water; to immerse. ``Deep
himself beducked.'' --Spenser.
Beduin \Bed"uin\, n.
See {Bedouin}.
Bedung \Be*dung"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedunged}.]
To cover with dung, as for manuring; to bedaub or defile,
literally or figuratively. --Bp. Hall.
Bedust \Be*dust"\, v. t.
To sprinkle, soil, or cover with dust. --Sherwood.
Bedward \Bed"ward\, adv.
Towards bed.
Bedwarf \Be*dwarf"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedwarfed}.]
To make a dwarf of; to stunt or hinder the growth of; to
dwarf. --Donne.
Bedye \Be*dye"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bedyed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bedyeing}.]
To dye or stain.
Briton fields with Sarazin blood bedyed. --Spenser.
Bee \Bee\,
p. p. of {Be}; -- used for been. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bee \Bee\ (b[=e]), n. [AS. be['o]; akin to D. bij and bije,
Icel. b?, Sw. & Dan. bi, OHG. pini, G. biene, and perh. Ir.
beach, Lith. bitis, Skr. bha. [root]97.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) An insect of the order {Hymenoptera}, and
family {Apid[ae]} (the honeybees), or family
{Andrenid[ae]} (the solitary bees.) See {Honeybee}.
Note: There are many genera and species. The common honeybee
({Apis mellifica}) lives in swarms, each of which has
its own queen, its males or drones, and its very
numerous workers, which are barren females. Besides the
{A. mellifica} there are other species and varieties of
honeybees, as the {A. ligustica} of Spain and Italy;
the {A. Indica} of India; the {A. fasciata} of Egypt.
The {bumblebee} is a species of {Bombus}. The tropical
honeybees belong mostly to {Melipoma} and {Trigona}.
2. A neighborly gathering of people who engage in united
labor for the benefit of an individual or family; as, a
quilting bee; a husking bee; a raising bee. [U. S.]
The cellar . . . was dug by a bee in a single day.
--S. G.
Goodrich.
3. pl. [Prob. fr. AS. be['a]h ring, fr. b?gan to bend. See
1st {Bow}.] (Naut.) Pieces of hard wood bolted to the
sides of the bowsprit, to reeve the fore-topmast stays
through; -- called also {bee blocks}.
{Bee beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a beetle ({Trichodes apiarius})
parasitic in beehives.
{Bee bird} (Zo["o]l.), a bird that eats the honeybee, as the
European flycatcher, and the American kingbird.
{Bee flower} (Bot.), an orchidaceous plant of the genus
{Ophrys} ({O. apifera}), whose flowers have some
resemblance to bees, flies, and other insects.
{Bee fly} (Zo["o]l.), a two winged fly of the family
{Bombyliid[ae]}. Some species, in the larval state, are
parasitic upon bees.
{Bee garden}, a garden or inclosure to set beehives in; an
apiary. --Mortimer.
{Bee glue}, a soft, unctuous matter, with which bees cement
the combs to the hives, and close up the cells; -- called
also {propolis}.
{Bee hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the honey buzzard.
{Bee killer} (Zo["o]l.), a large two-winged fly of the family
{Asilid[ae]} (esp. {Trupanea apivora}) which feeds upon
the honeybee. See {Robber fly}.
{Bee louse} (Zo["o]l.), a minute, wingless, dipterous insect
({Braula c[ae]ca}) parasitic on hive bees.
{Bee martin} (Zo["o]l.), the kingbird ({Tyrannus
Carolinensis}) which occasionally feeds on bees.
{Bee moth} (Zo["o]l.), a moth ({Galleria cereana}) whose
larv[ae] feed on honeycomb, occasioning great damage in
beehives.
{Bee wolf} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of the bee beetle. See
Illust. of {Bee beetle}.
{To have a bee in the head} or {in the bonnet}.
(a) To be choleric. [Obs.]
(b) To be restless or uneasy. --B. Jonson.
(c) To be full of fancies; to be a little crazy. ``She's
whiles crack-brained, and has a bee in her head.''
--Sir W. Scott.
Beebread \Bee"bread`\, n.
A brown, bitter substance found in some of the cells of
honeycomb. It is made chiefly from the pollen of flowers,
which is collected by bees as food for their young.
Beech \Beech\, n.; pl. {Beeches}. [OE. beche, AS. b?ce; akin to
D. beuk, OHG. buocha, G. buche, Icel. beyki, Dan. b["o]g, Sw.
bok, Russ. buk, L. fagus, Gr. ? oak, ? to eat, Skr. bhaksh;
the tree being named originally from the esculent fruit. See
{Book}, and cf. 7th {Buck}, {Buckwheat}.] (Bot.)
A tree of the genus {Fagus}.
Note: It grows to a large size, having a smooth bark and
thick foliage, and bears an edible triangular nut, of
which swine are fond. The {Fagus sylvatica} is the
European species, and the {F. ferruginea} that of
America.
{Beech drops} (Bot.), a parasitic plant which grows on the
roots of beeches ({Epiphegus Americana}).
{Beech marten} (Zo["o]l.), the stone marten of Europe
({Mustela foina}).
{Beech mast}, the nuts of the beech, esp. as they lie under
the trees, in autumn.
{Beech oil}, oil expressed from the mast or nuts of the beech
tree.
{Cooper beech}, a variety of the European beech with
copper-colored, shining leaves.
Beechen \Beech"en\, a. [AS. b?cen.]
Consisting, or made, of the wood or bark of the beech;
belonging to the beech. ``Plain beechen vessels.'' --Dryden.
Beechnut \Beech"nut`\, n.
The nut of the beech tree.
Beech tree \Beech" tree`\
The beech.
Beechy \Beech"y\, a.
Of or relating to beeches.
Bee-eater \Bee"-eat`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A bird of the genus {Merops}, that feeds on bees. The
European species ({M. apiaster}) is remarkable for its
brilliant colors.
(b) An African bird of the genus {Rhinopomastes}.
Beef \Beef\ (b[=e]f), n. [OE. boef, befe, beef, OF. boef, buef,
F. b[oe]ef, fr. L. bos, bovis, ox; akin to Gr. boy^s, Skr.
g[=o] cow, and E. cow. See 2d {Cow}.]
1. An animal of the genus {Bos}, especially the common
species, {B. taurus}, including the bull, cow, and ox, in
their full grown state; esp., an ox or cow fattened for
food.
Note: [In this, which is the original sense, the word has a
plural, beeves (b[=e]vz).]
A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine.
--Milton.
2. The flesh of an ox, or cow, or of any adult bovine animal,
when slaughtered for food.
Note: [In this sense, the word has no plural.] ``Great meals
of beef.'' --Shak.
3. Applied colloquially to human flesh.
Beef \Beef\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, beef.
{Beef tea}, essence of beef, or strong beef broth.
Beefeater \Beef"eat`er\, n. [Beef + eater; prob. one who eats
another's beef, as his servant. Cf. AS. hl[=a]f?ta servant,
properly a loaf eater.]
1. One who eats beef; hence, a large, fleshy person.
2. One of the yeomen of the guard, in England.
3. (Zo["o]l.) An African bird of the genus {Buphaga}, which
feeds on the larv[ae] of botflies hatched under the skin
of oxen, antelopes, etc. Two species are known.
Beefsteak \Beef"steak`\, n.
A steak of beef; a slice of beef broiled or suitable for
broiling.
Beef-witted \Beef"-wit`ted\, n.
Stupid; dull. --Shak.
Beefwood \Beef"wood`\, n.
An Australian tree ({Casuarina}), and its red wood, used for
cabinetwork; also, the trees {Stenocarpus salignus} of New
South Wales, and {Banksia compar} of Queensland.
Beefy \Beef"y\, a.
Having much beef; of the nature of beef; resembling beef;
fleshy.
Beehive \Bee"hive`\, n.
A hive for a swarm of bees. Also used figuratively.
Note: A common and typical form of beehive was a domeshaped
inverted basket, whence certain ancient Irish and
Scotch architectural remains are called beehive houses.
Beehouse \Bee"house`\, n.
A house for bees; an apiary.
Bee larkspur \Bee" lark`spur\
(Bot.) See {Larkspur}.
Beeld \Beeld\, n.
Same as {Beild}. --Fairfax.
Bee line \Bee" line`\
The shortest line from one place to another, like that of a
bee to its hive when loaded with honey; an air line. ``A bee
line for the brig.'' --Kane.
Beelzebub \Be*el"ze*bub\, n.
The title of a heathen deity to whom the Jews ascribed the
sovereignty of the evil spirits; hence, the Devil or a devil.
See {Baal}.
Beem \Beem\ (b[=e]m), n. [AS. b[=e]me, b[=y]me.]
A trumpet. [Obs.]
Beemaster \Bee"mas`ter\, n.
One who keeps bees.
Been \Been\ [OE. beon, ben, bin, p. p. of been, beon, to be. See
{Be}.]
The past participle of {Be}. In old authors it is also the
pr. tense plural of {Be}. See 1st {Bee}.
Assembled been a senate grave and stout. --Fairfax.
Beer \Beer\, n. [OE. beor, ber, AS. be['o]r; akin to Fries.
biar, Icel. bj?rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E.
brew. [root]93, See {Brew}.]
1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but
commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other
substance to impart a bitter flavor.
Note: Beer has different names, as {small beer}, {ale},
{porter}, {brown stout}, {lager beer}, according to its
strength, or other qualities. See {Ale}.
2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of
various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.
{Small beer}, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. ``To
suckle fools, and chronicle small beer.'' --Shak.
Beeregar \Beer"e*gar\, n. [Beer + eager.]
Sour beer. [Obs.]
Beerhouse \Beer"house`\, n.
A house where malt liquors are sold; an alehouse.
Beeriness \Beer"i*ness\, n.
Beery condition.
Beery \Beer"y\, a.
Of or resembling beer; affected by beer; maudlin.
Beestings \Beest"ings\, n.
Same as {Biestings}.
Beeswax \Bees"wax`\, n.
The wax secreted by bees, and of which their cells are
constructed.
Beeswing \Bees"wing`\, n.
The second crust formed in port and some other wines after
long keeping. It consists of pure, shining scales of tartar,
supposed to resemble the wing of a bee.
Beet \Beet\ (b[=e]t), n. [AS. bete, from L. beta.]
1. (Bot.) A biennial plant of the genus {Beta}, which
produces an edible root the first year and seed the second
year.
2. The root of plants of the genus {Beta}, different species
and varieties of which are used for the table, for feeding
stock, or in making sugar.
Note: There are many varieties of the common beet ({Beta
vulgaris}). The Old ``white beet'', cultivated for its
edible leafstalks, is a distinct species ({Beta
Cicla}).
Beete \Beete\, Bete \Bete\ (b[=e]t), v. t. [AS. b[=e]tan to
mend. See {Better}.]
1. To mend; to repair. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To renew or enkindle (a fire). [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Beetle \Bee"tle\ (b[=e]"t'l), n. [OE. betel, AS. b[=i]tl, b?tl,
mallet, hammer, fr. be['a]tan to beat. See {Beat}, v. t.]
1. A heavy mallet, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc.
2. A machine in which fabrics are subjected to a hammering
process while passing over rollers, as in cotton mills; --
called also {beetling machine}. --Knight.
Beetle \Bee"tle\ (b[=e]"t'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beetled}
(-t'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Beetling}.]
1. To beat with a heavy mallet.
2. To finish by subjecting to a hammering process in a beetle
or beetling machine; as, to beetle cotton goods.
Beetle \Bee"tle\, n. [OE. bityl, bittle, AS. b[imac]tel, fr.
b[imac]tan to bite. See {Bite}, v. t.]
Any insect of the order Coleoptera, having four wings, the
outer pair being stiff cases for covering the others when
they are folded up. See {Coleoptera}.
{Beetle mite} (Zo["o]l.), one of many species of mites, of
the family {Oribatid[ae]}, parasitic on beetles.
{Black beetle}, the common large black cockroach ({Blatta
orientalis}).
Beetle \Bee"tle\, v. i. [See {Beetlebrowed}.]
To extend over and beyond the base or support; to overhang;
to jut.
To the dreadful summit of the cliff That beetles o'er
his base into the sea. --Shak.
Each beetling rampart, and each tower sublime.
--Wordsworth.
Beetle brow \Bee"tle brow`\
An overhanging brow.
Beetle-browed \Bee"tle-browed`\, a. [OE. bitelbrowed; cf. OE.
bitel, adj., sharp, projecting, n., a beetle. See {Beetle} an
insect.]
Having prominent, overhanging brows; hence, lowering or
sullen.
Note: The earlier meaning was, ``Having bushy or overhanging
eyebrows.''
Beetlehead \Bee"tle*head`\, n. [Beetle a mallet + head.]
1. A stupid fellow; a blockhead. --Sir W. Scott.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The black-bellied plover, or bullhead
({Squatarola helvetica}). See {Plover}.
Beetle-headed \Bee"tle-head`ed\, a.
Dull; stupid. --Shak.
Beetlestock \Bee"tle*stock`\, n.
The handle of a beetle.
Beet radish \Beet" rad`ish\
Same as {Beetrave}.
Beetrave \Beet"rave`\, n. [F. betterave; bette beet + rave
radish.]
The common beet ({Beta vulgaris}).
Beeve \Beeve\, n. [Formed from beeves, pl. of beef.]
A beef; a beef creature.
They would knock down the first beeve they met with.
--W. Irving.
Beeves \Beeves\ (b[=e]vz), n.
plural of {Beef}, the animal.
Befall \Be*fall"\, v. t. [imp. {Befell}; p. p. {Befallen}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Befalling}.] [AS. befeallan; pref. be- +
feallan to fall.]
To happen to.
I beseech your grace that I may know The worst that may
befall me. --Shak.
Befall \Be*fall"\, v. i.
To come to pass; to happen.
I have revealed . . . the discord which befell.
--Milton.
Befit \Be*fit"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Befitted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Befitting}.]
To be suitable to; to suit; to become.
That name best befits thee. --Milton.
Befitting \Be*fit"ting\, a.
Suitable; proper; becoming; fitting.
Befittingly \Be*fit"ting*ly\, adv.
In a befitting manner; suitably.
Beflatter \Be*flat"ter\, v. t.
To flatter excessively.
Beflower \Be*flow"er\, v. t.
To besprinkle or scatter over with, or as with, flowers.
--Hobbes.
Befog \Be*fog"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Befogged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Befogging}.]
1. To involve in a fog; -- mostly as a participle or part.
adj.
2. Hence: To confuse; to mystify.
Befool \Be*fool"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Befooled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Befooling}.] [OE. befolen; pref. be- + fol fool.]
1. To fool; to delude or lead into error; to infatuate; to
deceive.
This story . . . contrived to befool credulous men.
--Fuller.
2. To cause to behave like a fool; to make foolish. ``Some
befooling drug.'' --G. Eliot.
Before \Be*fore"\, prep. [OE. beforen, biforen, before, AS.
beforan; pref. be- + foran, fore, before. See {Be-}, and
{Fore}.]
1. In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand
before the fire; before the house.
His angel, who shall go Before them in a cloud and
pillar of fire. --Milton.
2. Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior
to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of
purpose; in order that.
Before Abraham was, I am. --John viii.
58.
Before this treatise can become of use, two points
are necessary. --Swift.
Note: Formerly before, in this sense, was followed by that.
``Before that Philip called thee . . . I saw thee.''
--John i. 48.
3. An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.
The golden age . . . is before us. --Carlyle.
4. Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or
worth; rather than.
He that cometh after me is preferred before me.
--John i. 15.
The eldest son is before the younger in succession.
--Johnson.
5. In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.
Abraham bowed down himself before the people. --Gen.
xxiii. 12.
Wherewith shall I come before the Lord? --Micah vi.
6.
6. Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.
If a suit be begun before an archdeacon. --Ayliffe.
7. Open for; free of access to; in the power of.
The world was all before them where to choose.
--Milton.
{Before the mast} (Naut.), as a common sailor, -- because the
sailors live in the forecastle, forward of the foremast.
{Before the wind} (Naut.), in the direction of the wind and
by its impulse; having the wind aft.
Before \Be*fore"\, adv.
1. On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the
front; -- opposed to {in the rear}.
The battle was before and behind. --2 Chron.
xiii. 14.
2. In advance. ``I come before to tell you.'' --Shak.
3. In time past; previously; already.
You tell me, mother, what I knew before. --Dryden.
4. Earlier; sooner than; until then.
When the butt is out, we will drink water; not a
drop before. --Shak.
Note: Before is often used in self-explaining compounds; as,
before-cited, before-mentioned; beforesaid.
Beforehand \Be*fore"hand`\, adv. [Before + hand.]
1. In a state of anticipation ore preoccupation; in advance;
-- often followed by with.
Agricola . . . resolves to be beforehand with the
danger. --Milton.
The last cited author has been beforehand with me.
--Addison.
2. By way of preparation, or preliminary; previously;
aforetime.
They may be taught beforehand the skill of speaking.
--Hooker.
Beforehand \Be*fore"hand`\, a.
In comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded.
Rich and much beforehand. --Bacon.
Beforetime \Be*fore"time`\, adv.
Formerly; aforetime.
[They] dwelt in their tents, as beforetime. --2 Kings
xiii. 5.
Befortune \Be*for"tune\, v. t.
To befall. [Poetic]
I wish all good befortune you. --Shak.
Befoul \Be*foul"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Befouled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Befouling}.] [Cf. AS. bef?lan; pref. be- + f?lan to foul.
See {Foul}, a.]
1. To make foul; to soil.
2. To entangle or run against so as to impede motion.
Befriend \Be*friend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Befriended}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Befriending}.]
To act as a friend to; to favor; to aid, benefit, or
countenance.
By the darkness befriended. --Longfellow.
Befriendment \Be*friend"ment\, n.
Act of befriending. [R.]
Befrill \Be*frill"\, v. t.
To furnish or deck with a frill.
Befringe \Be*fringe"\, v. t.
To furnish with a fringe; to form a fringe upon; to adorn as
with fringe. --Fuller.
Befuddle \Be*fud"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Befuddled}]
To becloud and confuse, as with liquor.
Beg \Beg\, n. [Turk. beg, pronounced bay. Cf. {Bey}, {Begum}.]
A title of honor in Turkey and in some other parts of the
East; a bey.
Beg \Beg\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Begged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Begging}.] [OE. beggen, perh. fr. AS. bedecian (akin to
Goth. bedagwa beggar), biddan to ask. (Cf. {Bid}, v. t.); or
cf. beghard, beguin.]
1. To ask earnestly for; to entreat or supplicate for; to
beseech.
I do beg your good will in this case. --Shak.
[Joseph] begged the body of Jesus. --Matt. xxvii.
58.
Note: Sometimes implying deferential and respectful, rather
than earnest, asking; as, I beg your pardon; I beg
leave to disagree with you.
2. To ask for as a charity, esp. to ask for habitually or
from house to house.
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his
seed begging bread. --Ps. xxxvii.
25.
3. To make petition to; to entreat; as, to beg a person to
grant a favor.
4. To take for granted; to assume without proof.
5. (Old Law) To ask to be appointed guardian for, or to ask
to have a guardian appointed for.
Else some will beg thee, in the court of wards.
--Harrington.
Hence:
{To beg (one) for a fool}, to take him for a fool.
{I beg to}, is an elliptical expression for I beg leave to;
as, I beg to inform you.
{To beg the question}, to assume that which was to be proved
in a discussion, instead of adducing the proof or
sustaining the point by argument.
{To go a-begging}, a figurative phrase to express the absence
of demand for something which elsewhere brings a price;
as, grapes are so plentiful there that they go a-begging.
Syn: To {Beg}, {Ask}, {Request}.
Usage: To ask (not in the sense of inquiring) is the generic
term which embraces all these words. To request is
only a polite mode of asking. To beg, in its original
sense, was to ask with earnestness, and implied
submission, or at least deference. At present,
however, in polite life, beg has dropped its original
meaning, and has taken the place of both ask and
request, on the ground of its expressing more of
deference and respect. Thus, we beg a person's
acceptance of a present; we beg him to favor us with
his company; a tradesman begs to announce the arrival
of new goods, etc. Crabb remarks that, according to
present usage, ``we can never talk of asking a
person's acceptance of a thing, or of asking him to do
us a favor.'' This can be more truly said of usage in
England than in America.
Beg \Beg\, v. i.
To ask alms or charity, especially to ask habitually by the
wayside or from house to house; to live by asking alms.
I can not dig; to beg I am ashamed. --Luke xvi. 3.
Bega \Be"ga\, n.
See {Bigha}.
Begem \Be*gem"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Begemmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Begemming}.]
To adorn with gems, or as with gems.
Begemmed with dewdrops. --Sir W.
Scott.
Those lonely realms bright garden isles begem.
--Shelley.
Beget \Be*get"\, v. t. [imp. {Begot}, (Archaic) {Begat}; p. p.
{Begot}, {Begotten}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Begetting}.] [OE.
bigiten, bigeten, to get, beget, AS. begitan to get; pref.
be- + gitan. See {Get}, v. t. ]
1. To procreate, as a father or sire; to generate; --
commonly said of the father.
Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget.
--Milton.
2. To get (with child.) [Obs.] --Shak.
3. To produce as an effect; to cause to exist.
Love is begot by fancy. --Granville.
Begetter \Be*get"ter\, n.
One who begets; a father.
Beggable \Beg"ga*ble\, a.
Capable of being begged.
Beggar \Beg"gar\, n. [OE. beggere, fr. beg.]
1. One who begs; one who asks or entreats earnestly, or with
humility; a petitioner.
2. One who makes it his business to ask alms.
3. One who is dependent upon others for support; -- a
contemptuous or sarcastic use.
4. One who assumes in argument what he does not prove. --Abp.
Tillotson.
Beggar \Beg"gar\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beggared}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Beggaring}.]
1. To reduce to beggary; to impoverish; as, he had beggared
himself. --Milton.
2. To cause to seem very poor and inadequate.
It beggared all description. --Shak.
Beggarhood \Beg"gar*hood\, n.
The condition of being a beggar; also, the class of beggars.
Beggarism \Beg"gar*ism\, n.
Beggary. [R.]
Beggarliness \Beg"gar*li*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being beggarly; meanness.
Beggarly \Beg"gar*ly\, a.
1. In the condition of, or like, a beggar; suitable for a
beggar; extremely indigent; poverty-stricken; mean; poor;
contemptible. ``A bankrupt, beggarly fellow.'' --South.
``A beggarly fellowship.'' --Swift. ``Beggarly elements.''
--Gal. iv. 9.
2. Produced or occasioned by beggary. [Obs.]
Beggarly sins, that is, those sins which idleness
and beggary usually betray men to; such as lying,
flattery, stealing, and dissimulation. --Jer.
Taylor.
Beggarly \Beg"gar*ly\, adv.
In an indigent, mean, or despicable manner; in the manner of
a beggar.
Beggar's lice \Beg"gar's lice`\ (Bot.)
The prickly fruit or seed of certain plants (as some species
of {Echinospermum} and {Cynoglossum}) which cling to the
clothing of those who brush by them.
Beggar's ticks \Beg"gar's ticks`\
The bur marigold ({Bidens}) and its achenes, which are armed
with barbed awns, and adhere to clothing and fleeces with
unpleasant tenacity.
Beggary \Beg"gar*y\, n. [OE. beggerie. See {Beggar}, n.]
1. The act of begging; the state of being a beggar;
mendicancy; extreme poverty.
2. Beggarly appearance. [R.]
The freedom and the beggary of the old studio.
--Thackeray.
Syn: Indigence; want; penury; mendicancy.
Beggary \Beg"gar*y\, a.
Beggarly. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Beggestere \Beg"ge*stere\, n. [Beg + -ster.]
A beggar. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Beghard \Be*ghard"\ Beguard \Be*guard"\, n. [F. b['e]gard,
b['e]guard; cf. G. beghard, LL. Beghardus, Begihardus,
Begardus. Prob. from the root of beguine + -ard or -hard. See
{Beguine}.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of an association of religious laymen living in imitation
of the Beguines. They arose in the thirteenth century, were
afterward subjected to much persecution, and were suppressed
by Innocent X. in 1650. Called also Beguins.
Begild \Be*gild"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Begilded} or {Begilt}.]
To gild. --B. Jonson.
Begin \Be*gin"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Began}, {Begun}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Beginning}.] [AS. beginnan (akin to OS. biginnan, D.
& G. beginnen, OHG. biginnan, Goth., du-ginnan, Sw. begynna,
Dan. begynde); pref. be- + an assumed ginnan. [root]31. See
{Gin} to begin.]
1. To have or commence an independent or first existence; to
take rise; to commence.
Vast chain of being! which from God began. --Pope.
2. To do the first act or the first part of an action; to
enter upon or commence something new, as a new form or
state of being, or course of action; to take the first
step; to start. ``Tears began to flow.'' --Dryden.
When I begin, I will also make an end. --1 Sam. iii.
12.
Begin \Be*gin"\, v. t.
1. To enter on; to commence.
Ye nymphs of Solyma ! begin the song. --Pope.
2. To trace or lay the foundation of; to make or place a
beginning of.
The apostle begins our knowledge in the creatures,
which leads us to the knowledge of God. --Locke.
Syn: To commence; originate; set about; start.
Begin \Be*gin"\, n.
Beginning. [Poetic & Obs.] --Spenser.
Beginner \Be*gin"ner\, n.
One who begins or originates anything. Specifically: A young
or inexperienced practitioner or student; a tyro.
A sermon of a new beginner. --Swift.
Beginning \Be*gin"ning\, n.
1. The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement
of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being
or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a
succession of acts or states.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the
earth. --Gen. i. 1.
2. That which begins or originates something; the first
cause; origin; source.
I am . . . the beginning and the ending. --Rev. i.
8.
3. That which is begun; a rudiment or element.
Mighty things from small beginnings grow. --Dryden.
4. Enterprise. ``To hinder our beginnings.'' --Shak.
Syn: Inception; prelude; opening; threshold; origin; outset;
foundation.
Begird \Be*gird"\, v. t. [imp. {Begirt}, {Begirded}; p. p.
{Begirt}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Begirding}.] [AS. begyrdan (akin
to Goth. bigairdan); pref. be- + gyrdan to gird.]
1. To bind with a band or girdle; to gird.
2. To surround as with a band; to encompass.
Begirdle \Be*gir"dle\, v. t.
To surround as with a girdle.
Begirt \Be*girt"\, v. t.
To encompass; to begird. --Milton.
Beglerbeg \Beg"ler*beg`\, n. [Turk. beglerbeg, fr. beg, pl.
begler. See {Beg}, n.]
The governor of a province of the Ottoman empire, next in
dignity to the grand vizier.
Begnaw \Be*gnaw"\, v. t. [p. p. {Begnawed}, (R.) {Begnawn}.]
[AS. begnagan; pref. be- + gnagan to gnaw.]
To gnaw; to eat away; to corrode.
The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul. --Shak.
Begod \Be*god"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Begodded}.]
To exalt to the dignity of a god; to deify. [Obs.] ``Begodded
saints.'' --South.
Begone \Be*gone"\, interj. [Be, v. i. + gone, p. p.]
Go away; depart; get you gone.
Begone \Be*gone"\, p. p. [OE. begon, AS. big[=a]n; pref. be- +
g[=a]n to go.]
Surrounded; furnished; beset; environed (as in woe-begone).
[Obs.] --Gower. Chaucer.
Begonia \Be*go"ni*a\ (b[-e]*g[=o]"n[i^]*[.a]), n. [From Michel
Begon, a promoter of botany.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants, mostly of tropical America, many species
of which are grown as ornamental plants. The leaves are
curiously one-sided, and often exhibit brilliant colors.
Begore \Be*gore"\ (b[-e]*g[=o]r"), v. t.
To besmear with gore.
Begot \Be*got"\ (b[-e]*g[o^]t"),
imp. & p. p. of {Beget}.
Begotten \Be*got"ten\,
p. p. of {Beget}.
Begrave \Be*grave"\, v. t. [Pref. be- + grave; akin to G.
begraben, Goth. bigraban to dig a ditch around.]
To bury; also, to engrave. [Obs.] --Gower.
Begrease \Be*grease"\, v. t.
To soil or daub with grease or other oily matter.
Begrime \Be*grime"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Begrimed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Begriming}.]
To soil with grime or dirt deeply impressed or rubbed in.
Books falling to pieces and begrimed with dust.
--Macaulay.
Begrimer \Be*grim"er\, n.
One who, or that which, begrimes.
Begrudge \Be*grudge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Begrudged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Begrudging}.]
To grudge; to envy the possession of.
Beguile \Be*guile"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beguiled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Beguiling}.]
1. To delude by guile, artifice, or craft; to deceive or
impose on, as by a false statement; to lure.
The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. --Gen. iii.
13.
2. To elude, or evade by craft; to foil. [Obs.]
When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage. --Shak.
3. To cause the time of to pass without notice; to relieve
the tedium or weariness of; to while away; to divert.
Ballads . . . to beguile his incessant wayfaring.
--W. Irving.
Syn: To delude; deceive; cheat; insnare; mislead; amuse;
divert; entertain.
Beguilement \Be*guile"ment\, n.
The act of beguiling, or the state of being beguiled.
Beguiler \Be*guil"er\, n.
One who, or that which, beguiles.
Beguiling \Be*guil"ing\, a.
Alluring by guile; deluding; misleading; diverting. --
{Be*guil"ing*ly}, adv.
Beguin \Be`guin"\, n. [F.]
See {Beghard}.
Beguinage \Be`gui`nage"\, n. [F.]
A collection of small houses surrounded by a wall and
occupied by a community of Beguines.
Beguine \Be`guine"\, n. [F. b['e]guine; LL. beguina, beghina;
fr. Lambert le B[`e]gue (the Stammerer) the founder of the
order. (Du Cange.)]
A woman belonging to one of the religious and charitable
associations or communities in the Netherlands, and
elsewhere, whose members live in beguinages and are not bound
by perpetual vows.
Begum \Be"gum\, n. [Per., fr. Turk., perh. properly queen
mother, fr. Turk. beg (see {Beg}, n.) + Ar. umm mother.]
In the East Indies, a princess or lady of high rank.
--Malcom.
Begun \Be*gun"\,
p. p. of {Begin}.
Behalf \Be*half"\, n. [OE. on-behalve in the name of, bihalven
by the side of, fr. AS. healf half, also side, part: akin to
G. halb half, halber on account of. See {Be-}, and {Half},
n.]
Advantage; favor; stead; benefit; interest; profit; support;
defense; vindication.
In behalf of his mistress's beauty. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Against whom he had contracted some prejudice in behalf
of his nation. --Clarendon.
{In behalf of}, in the interest of.
{On behalf of}, on account of; on the part of.
Behappen \Be*hap"pen\, v. t.
To happen to. [Obs.]
Behave \Be*have"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Behaved}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Behaving}.] [AS. behabban to surround, restrain, detain
(akin to G. gehaben (obs.) to have, sich gehaben to behave or
carry one's self); pref. be- + habban to have. See {Have}, v.
t. ]
1. To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline;
to handle; to restrain. [Obs.]
He did behave his anger ere 't was spent. --Shak.
2. To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; --
used reflexively.
Those that behaved themselves manfully. --2 Macc.
ii. 21.
Behave \Be*have"\, v. i.
To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to
behave well or ill.
Note: This verb is often used colloquially without an adverb
of manner; as, if he does not behave, he will be
punished. It is also often applied to inanimate
objects; as, the ship behaved splendidly.
Behavior \Be*hav"ior\, n.
Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; mode of conducting
one's self; conduct; deportment; carriage; -- used also of
inanimate objects; as, the behavior of a ship in a storm; the
behavior of the magnetic needle.
A gentleman that is very singular in his behavior.
--Steele.
{To be upon one's good behavior}, {To be put upon one's good
behavior}, to be in a state of trial, in which something
important depends on propriety of conduct.
{During good behavior}, while (or so long as) one conducts
one's self with integrity and fidelity or with propriety.
Syn: Bearing; demeanor; manner.
Usage: {Behavior}, {Conduct}. Behavior is the mode in which
we have or bear ourselves in the presence of others or
toward them; conduct is the mode of our carrying
ourselves forward in the concerns of life. Behavior
respects our manner of acting in particular cases;
conduct refers to the general tenor of our actions. We
may say of soldiers, that their conduct had been
praiseworthy during the whole campaign, and their
behavior admirable in every instance when they met the
enemy.
Behead \Be*head"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beheaded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Beheading}.] [OE. bihefden, AS. behe['a]fdian; pref. be-
+ he['a]fod head. See {Head}.]
To sever the head from; to take off the head of.
Beheadal \Be*head"al\, n.
Beheading. [Modern]
Beheld \Be*held"\,
imp. & p. p. of {Behold}.
Behemoth \Be"he*moth\, n. [Heb. behem[=o]th, fr. Egyptian
P-ehe-maut hippopotamus.]
An animal, probably the hippopotamus, described in --Job xl.
15-24.
Behen \Be"hen\, Behn \Behn\, n. [Per. & Ar. bahman, behmen, an
herb, whose leaves resemble ears of corn, saffron.] (Bot.)
(a) The {Centaurea behen}, or saw-leaved centaury.
(b) The {Cucubalus behen}, or bladder campion, now called
{Silene inflata}.
(c) The {Statice limonium}, or sea lavender.
Behest \Be*hest"\, n. [OE. biheste promise, command, AS.
beh[=ae]s promise; pref. be- + h[=ae]s command. See {Hest},
{Hight}.]
1. That which is willed or ordered; a command; a mandate; an
injunction.
To do his master's high behest. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A vow; a promise. [Obs.]
The time is come that I should send it her, if I
keep the behest that I have made. --Paston.
Behest \Be*hest"\, v. t.
To vow. [Obs.] --Paston.
Behete \Be*hete"\, v. t.
See {Behight}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Behight \Be*hight"\, v. t. [imp. {Behight}; p. p. {Behight},
{Behoten}.] [OE. bihaten, AS. beh[=a]tan to vow, promise;
pref. be- + h[=a]tan to call, command. See {Hight}, v.] [Obs.
in all its senses.]
1. To promise; to vow.
Behight by vow unto the chaste Minerve. --Surrey.
2. To give in trust; to commit; to intrust.
The keys are to thy hand behight. --Spenser.
3. To adjudge; to assign by authority.
The second was to Triamond behight. --Spenser.
4. To mean, or intend.
More than heart behighteth. --Mir. for
Mag.
5. To consider or esteem to be; to declare to be.
All the lookers-on him dead behight. --Spenser.
6. To call; to name; to address.
Whom . . . he knew and thus behight. --Spenser.
7. To command; to order.
He behight those gates to be unbarred. --Spenser.
Behight \Be*hight"\, n.
A vow; a promise. [Obs.] --Surrey.
Behind \Be*hind"\, prep. [AS. behindan; pref. be- + hindan. See
{Hind}, a.]
1. On the side opposite the front or nearest part; on the
back side of; at the back of; on the other side of; as,
behind a door; behind a hill.
A tall Brabanter, behind whom I stood. --Bp. Hall.
2. Left after the departure of, whether this be by removing
to a distance or by death.
A small part of what he left behind him. --Pope.
3. Left a distance by, in progress of improvement Hence:
Inferior to in dignity, rank, knowledge, or excellence, or
in any achievement.
I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
--2 Cor. xi.
5.
Behind \Be*hind"\, adv.
1. At the back part; in the rear. ``I shall not lag behind.''
--Milton.
2. Toward the back part or rear; backward; as, to look
behind.
3. Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view;
out of sight; remaining.
We can not be sure that there is no evidence behind.
--Locke.
4. Backward in time or order of succession; past.
Forgetting those things which are behind. --Phil.
ii. 13.
5. After the departure of another; as, to stay behind.
Leave not a rack behind. --Shak.
Behind \Be*hind"\, n.
The backside; the rump. [Low]
Behindhand \Be*hind"hand`\, adv. & a. [Behind + hand.]
1. In arrears financially; in a state where expenditures have
exceeded the receipt of funds.
2. In a state of backwardness, in respect to what is
seasonable or appropriate, or as to what should have been
accomplished; not equally forward with some other person
or thing; dilatory; backward; late; tardy; as, behindhand
in studies or in work.
In this also [dress] the country are very much
behindhand. --Addison.
Behither \Be*hith"er\, prep.
On this side of. [Obs.]
Two miles behither Clifden. --Evelyn.
Behold \Be*hold"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beheld}(p. p. formerly
{Beholden}, now used only as a p. a.); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Beholding}.] [OE. bihalden, biholden, AS. behealdan to hold,
have in sight; pref. be- + healdan to hold, keep; akin to G.
behalten to hold, keep. See {Hold}.]
To have in sight; to see clearly; to look at; to regard with
the eyes.
When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. --Num.
xxi. 9.
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of
the world. --John. i. 29.
Syn: To scan; gaze; regard; descry; view; discern.
Behold \Be*hold"\, v. i.
To direct the eyes to, or fix them upon, an object; to look;
to see.
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, . .
. a lamb as it had been slain. --Rev. v. 6.
Beholden \Be*hold"en\, p. a. [Old p. p. of behold, used in the
primitive sense of the simple verb hold.]
Obliged; bound in gratitude; indebted.
But being so beholden to the Prince. --Tennyson.
Beholder \Be*hold"er\, n.
One who beholds; a spectator.
Beholding \Be*hold"ing\, a.
Obliged; beholden. [Obs.]
I was much bound and beholding to the right reverend
father. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
So much hath Oxford been beholding to her nephews, or
sister's children. --Fuller.
Beholding \Be*hold"ing\, n.
The act of seeing; sight; also, that which is beheld. --Shak.
Beholdingness \Be*hold"ing*ness\, n.,
The state of being obliged or beholden. [Obs.] --Sir P.
Sidney.
Behoof \Be*hoof"\, n. [OE. to bihove for the use of, AS. beh?f
advantage, a word implied in beh?fl[=i]c necessary; akin to
Sw. behof, Dan. behov, G. behuf, and E. heave, the root
meaning to seize, hence the meanings ``to hold, make use
of.'' See {Heave}, v. t.]
Advantage; profit; benefit; interest; use.
No mean recompense it brings To your behoof. --Milton.
Behoovable \Be*hoov"a*ble\, a.
Supplying need; profitable; advantageous. [Obs.] --Udall.
Behoove \Be*hoove"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Behooved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Behooving}.] [OE. bihoven, behoven, AS. beh?fian to
have need of, fr. beh?f. See {Behoof}.]
To be necessary for; to be fit for; to be meet for, with
respect to necessity, duty, or convenience; -- mostly used
impersonally.
And thus it behooved Christ to suffer. --Luke xxiv.
46.
[Also written {behove}.]
Behoove \Be*hoove"\, v. i.
To be necessary, fit, or suitable; to befit; to belong as
due. --Chaucer.
Behoove \Be*hoove"\, n.
Advantage; behoof. [Obs.]
It shall not be to his behoove. --Gower.
Behooveful \Be*hoove"ful\, a.
Advantageous; useful; profitable. [Archaic] --
{Be*hoove"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Be*hoove"ful*ness}, n. [Archaic]
Behove \Be*hove"\, v.,
and derivatives. See {Behoove}, &c.
Behovely \Be*hove"ly\, a. & adv.
Useful, or usefully. [Obs.]
Behowl \Be*howl"\, v. t.
To howl at. [Obs.]
The wolf behowls the moon. --Shak.
Beige \Beige\, n. [F.]
Debeige.
Beild \Beild\, n. [Prob. from the same root as build, v. t.]
A place of shelter; protection; refuge. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
[Also written {bield} and {beeld}.]
The random beild o' clod or stane. --Burns.
Being \Be"ing\, p. pr. from {Be}.
Existing.
Note: Being was formerly used where we now use having.
``Being to go to a ball in a few days.'' --Miss
Edgeworth.
Note: In modern usage, is, are, was or were being, with a
past participle following (as built, made, etc.)
indicates the process toward the completed result
expressed by the participle. The form is or was
building, in this passive signification, is idiomatic,
and, if free from ambiguity, is commonly preferable to
the modern is or was being built. The last form of
speech is, however, sufficiently authorized by approved
writers. The older expression was is, or was,
a-building or in building.
A man who is being strangled. --Lamb.
While the article on Burns was being written.
--Froude.
Fresh experience is always being gained. --Jowett
(Thucyd. )
Being \Be"ing\, n.
1. Existence, as opposed to nonexistence; state or sphere of
existence.
In Him we live, and move, and have our being. --Acts
xvii. 28.
2. That which exists in any form, whether it be material or
spiritual, actual or ideal; living existence, as
distinguished from a thing without life; as, a human
being; spiritual beings.
What a sweet being is an honest mind ! --Beau. & Fl.
A Being of infinite benevolence and power.
--Wordsworth.
3. Lifetime; mortal existence. [Obs.]
Claudius, thou Wast follower of his fortunes in his
being. --Webster
(1654).
4. An abode; a cottage. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
It was a relief to dismiss them [Sir Roger's
servants] into little beings within my manor.
--Steele.
Being \Be"ing\, adv.
Since; inasmuch as. [Obs. or Colloq.]
And being you have Declined his means, you have
increased his malice. --Beau. & Fl.
Bejade \Be*jade"\, v. t.
To jade or tire. [Obs.] --Milton.
Bejape \Be*jape"\, v. t.
To jape; to laugh at; to deceive. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bejaundice \Be*jaun"dice\, v. t.
To infect with jaundice.
Bejewel \Be*jew"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bejeweled} or
{Bejewelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bejeweling} or {Bejewelling}.]
To ornament with a jewel or with jewels; to spangle.
``Bejeweled hands.'' --Thackeray.
Bejumble \Be*jum"ble\, v. t.
To jumble together.
Bekah \Be"kah\, n. [Heb.]
Half a shekel.
Beknave \Be*knave"\, v. t.
To call knave. [Obs.] --Pope.
Beknow \Be*know"\, v. t.
To confess; to acknowledge. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bel \Bel\ (b[e^]l), n.
The Babylonian name of the god known among the Hebrews as
{Baal}. See {Baal}. --Baruch vi. 41.
Belabor \Be*la"bor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belabored}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Belaboring}.]
1. To ply diligently; to work carefully upon. ``If the earth
is belabored with culture, it yieldeth corn.'' --Barrow.
2. To beat soundly; to cudgel.
Ajax belabors there a harmless ox. --Dryden.
Bel-accoyle \Bel`-ac*coyle"\, n. [F. bel beautiful + accueil
reception.]
A kind or favorable reception or salutation. [Obs.]
Belace \Be*lace"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belaced}.]
1. To fasten, as with a lace or cord. [Obs.]
2. To cover or adorn with lace. [Obs.] --Beaumont.
3. To beat with a strap. See {Lace}. [Obs.] --Wright.
Belam \Be*lam"\, v. t. [See {Lam}.]
To beat or bang. [Prov. & Low, Eng.] --Todd.
Belamour \Bel"a*mour\, n. [F. bel amour fair love.]
1. A lover. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. A flower, but of what kind is unknown. [Obs.]
Her snowy brows, like budded belamours. --Spenser.
Belamy \Bel"a*my\, n. [F. bel ami fair friend.]
Good friend; dear friend. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Belate \Be*late"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Belating}.]
To retard or make too late. --Davenant.
Belated \Be*lat"ed\, a.
Delayed beyond the usual time; too late; overtaken by night;
benighted. ``Some belated peasant.'' --Milton. --
{Be*lat"ed*ness}, n. --Milton.
Belaud \Be*laud"\, v. t.
To laud or praise greatly.
Belay \Be*lay"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belaid}, {Belayed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Belaying}.] [For senses 1 & 2, D. beleggen to
cover, belay; akin to E. pref. be-, and lay to place: for
sense 3, OE. beleggen, AS. belecgan. See pref. {Be-}, and
{Lay} to place.]
1. To lay on or cover; to adorn. [Obs.]
Jacket . . . belayed with silver lace. --Spenser.
2. (Naut.) To make fast, as a rope, by taking several turns
with it round a pin, cleat, or kevel. --Totten.
3. To lie in wait for with a view to assault. Hence: to block
up or obstruct. [Obs.] --Dryden.
{Belay thee!} Stop.
Belaying pin \Be*lay"ing pin`\ (b[-e]*l[=a]"[i^]ng p[i^]n`).
(Naut.)
A strong pin in the side of a vessel, or by the mast, round
which ropes are wound when they are fastened or belayed.
Belch \Belch\ (b[e^]lch; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belched}
(b[e^]lcht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Belching}.] [OE. belken, AS.
bealcan, akin to E. bellow. See {Bellow}, v. i.]
1. To eject or throw up from the stomach with violence; to
eruct.
I belched a hurricane of wind. --Swift.
2. To eject violently from within; to cast forth; to emit; to
give vent to; to vent.
Within the gates that now Stood open wide, belching
outrageous flame. --Milton.
Belch \Belch\, v. i.
1. To eject wind from the stomach through the mouth; to
eructate.
2. To issue with spasmodic force or noise. --Dryden.
Belch \Belch\, n.
1. The act of belching; also, that which is belched; an
eructation.
2. Malt liquor; -- vulgarly so called as causing eructation.
[Obs.] --Dennis.
Belcher \Belch"er\, n.
One who, or that which, belches.
Beldam \Bel"dam\ Beldame \Bel"dame\, n. [Pref. bel-, denoting
relationship + dame mother: cf. F. belledame fair lady, It.
belladonna. See {Belle}, and {Dame}.]
1. Grandmother; -- corresponding to belsire.
To show the beldam daughters of her daughter.
--Shak.
2. An old woman in general; especially, an ugly old woman; a
hag.
Around the beldam all erect they hang. --Akenside.
Beleaguer \Be*lea"guer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beleaguered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Beleaguering}.] [D. belegeren (akin to G.
belagern, Sw. bel["a]gra, Dan. beleire); pref. be- = E. be- +
leger bed, camp, army, akin to E. lair. See {Lair}.]
To surround with an army so as to preclude escape; to
besiege; to blockade.
The wail of famine in beleaguered towns. --Longfellow.
Syn: To block up; environ; invest; encompass.
Beleaguerer \Be*lea"guer*er\, n.
One who beleaguers.
Beleave \Be*leave"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Beleft}.]
To leave or to be left. [Obs.] --May.
Belecture \Be*lec"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belectured}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Belecturing}.]
To vex with lectures; to lecture frequently.
Belee \Be*lee"\, v. t.
To place under the lee, or unfavorably to the wind. --Shak.
Belemnite \Be*lem"nite\, n. [Gr. ? dart, fr. ? dart, fr. ? to
throw: cf. F. b['e]lemnite.] (Paleon.)
A conical calcareous fossil, tapering to a point at the lower
extremity, with a conical cavity at the other end, where it
is ordinarily broken; but when perfect it contains a small
chambered cone, called the phragmocone, prolonged, on one
side, into a delicate concave blade; the thunderstone. It is
the internal shell of a cephalopod related to the sepia, and
belonging to an extinct family. The belemnites are found in
rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous ages. --
{Bel*em*nit"ic}, a.
Beleper \Be*lep"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belepered}.]
To infect with leprosy. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Bel-esprit \Bel"-es*prit"\, n.; pl. {Beaux}{-esprits}. [F., fine
wit.]
A fine genius, or man of wit. ``A man of letters and a bel
esprit.'' --W. Irving.
Belfry \Bel"fry\, n. [OE. berfray movable tower used in sieges,
OF. berfreit, berfroit, F. beffroi, fr. MHG. bervrit,
bercvrit, G. bergfriede, fr. MHG. bergen to protect (G.
bergen to conceal) + vride peace, protection, G. friede
peace; in compounds often taken in the sense of security, or
place of security; orig. therefore a place affording
security. G. friede is akin to E. free. See {Burg}, and
{Free}.]
1. (Mil. Antiq.) A movable tower erected by besiegers for
purposes of attack and defense.
2. A bell tower, usually attached to a church or other
building, but sometimes separate; a campanile.
3. A room in a tower in which a bell is or may be hung; or a
cupola or turret for the same purpose.
4. (Naut.) The framing on which a bell is suspended.
Belgard \Bel*gard"\, n. [It. bel guardo.]
A sweet or loving look. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Belgian \Bel"gi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Belgium. -- n. A native or inhabitant of
Belgium.
Belgic \Bel"gic\, a. [L. Belgicus, fr. Belgae the Belgians.]
1. Of or pertaining to the Belg[ae], a German tribe who
anciently possessed the country between the Rhine, the
Seine, and the ocean.
How unlike their Belgic sires of old. --Goldsmith.
2. Of or pertaining to the Netherlands or to Belgium.
Belgravian \Bel*gra"vi*an\, a.
Belonging to Belgravia (a fashionable quarter of London,
around Pimlico), or to fashionable life; aristocratic.
Belial \Be"li*al\, n. [Heb. beli ya'al; beli without + ya'al
profit.]
An evil spirit; a wicked and unprincipled person; the
personification of evil.
What concord hath Christ with Belia ? --2 Cor. vi.
15.
{A son} (or man) {of Belial}, a worthless, wicked, or
thoroughly depraved person. --1 Sam. ii. 12.
Belibel \Be*li"bel\, v. t. [See {Libel}, v. t. ]
To libel or traduce; to calumniate. --Fuller.
Belie \Be*lie"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Belying}.] [OE. bilien, bili?en, AS. bele['o]gan; pref. be-
+ le['o]gan to lie. See {Lie}, n.]
1. To show to be false; to convict of, or charge with,
falsehood.
Their trembling hearts belie their boastful tongues.
--Dryden.
2. To give a false representation or account of.
Should I do so, I should belie my thoughts. --Shak.
3. To tell lie about; to calumniate; to slander.
Thou dost belie him, Percy, thou dost belie him.
--Shak.
4. To mimic; to counterfeit. [Obs.] --Dryden.
5. To fill with lies. [Obs.] ``The breath of slander doth
belie all corners of the world.'' --Shak.
Belief \Be*lief"\, n. [OE. bileafe, bileve; cf. AS. gele['a]fa.
See {Believe}.]
1. Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance
of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without
immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or
testimony; partial or full assurance without positive
knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction;
confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our
senses.
Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest
suspicion to the fullest assurance. --Reid.
2. (Theol.) A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith.
No man can attain [to] belief by the bare
contemplation of heaven and earth. --Hooker.
3. The thing believed; the object of belief.
Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of
fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men. --Bacon.
4. A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of
any class of views; doctrine; creed.
In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief
was subject upon its first promulgation. --Hooker.
{Ultimate belief}, a first principle incapable of proof; an
intuitive truth; an intuition. --Sir W. Hamilton.
Syn: Credence; trust; reliance; assurance; opinion.
Beliefful \Be*lief"ful\, a.
Having belief or faith.
Believable \Be*liev"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being believed; credible. -- {Be*liev"a*ble*ness},
n. -- {Be*liev`a*bil"i*ty}, n.
Believe \Be*lieve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Believed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Believing}.] [OE. bileven (with pref. be- for AS.
ge-), fr. AS. gel?fan, gel?fan; akin to D. gelooven, OHG.
gilouban, G. glauben, OS. gil?bian, Goth. galaubjan, and
Goth. liubs dear. See {Lief}, a., {Leave}, n.]
To exercise belief in; to credit upon the authority or
testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of, upon
evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of
the mind, or by circumstances other than personal knowledge;
to regard or accept as true; to place confidence in; to
think; to consider; as, to believe a person, a statement, or
a doctrine.
Our conqueror (whom I now Of force believe almighty).
--Milton.
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ? --Acts
xxvi. 27.
Often followed by a dependent clause. I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. --Acts viii.
37.
Syn: See {Expect}.
Believe \Be*lieve"\, v. i.
1. To have a firm persuasion, esp. of the truths of religion;
to have a persuasion approaching to certainty; to exercise
belief or faith.
Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. --Mark ix.
24.
With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.
--Rom. x. 10.
2. To think; to suppose.
I will not believe so meanly of you. --Fielding.
{To believe in}.
(a) To believe that the subject of the thought (if a
person or thing) exists, or (if an event) that it has
occurred, or will occur; -- as, to believe in the
resurrection of the dead. ``She does not believe in
Jupiter.'' --J. H. Newman.
(b) To believe that the character, abilities, and purposes
of a person are worthy of entire confidence; --
especially that his promises are wholly trustworthy.
``Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God,
believe also in me.'' --John xiv. 1.
(c) To believe that the qualities or effects of an action
or state are beneficial: as, to believe in sea
bathing, or in abstinence from alcoholic beverages.
{To believe on}, to accept implicitly as an object of
religious trust or obedience; to have faith in.
Believer \Be*liev"er\, n.
1. One who believes; one who is persuaded of the truth or
reality of some doctrine, person, or thing.
2. (Theol.) One who gives credit to the truth of the
Scriptures, as a revelation from God; a Christian; -- in a
more restricted sense, one who receives Christ as his
Savior, and accepts the way of salvation unfolded in the
gospel.
Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all
believers. --Book of Com.
Prayer.
3. (Eccl. Hist.) One who was admitted to all the rights of
divine worship and instructed in all the mysteries of the
Christian religion, in distinction from a catechumen, or
one yet under instruction.
Believing \Be*liev"ing\, a.
That believes; having belief. -- {Be*liev"ing*ly}, adv.
Belight \Be*light"\, v. t.
To illuminate. [Obs.] --Cowley.
Belike \Be*like"\, adv. [Pref. be- (for by) + like.]
It is likely or probably; perhaps. [Obs. or Archaic] --
{Be*like"ly}, adv.
Belike, boy, then you are in love. --Shak.
Belime \Be*lime"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belimed}.]
To besmear or insnare with birdlime.
Belittle \Be*lit"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belittled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Belittling}.]
To make little or less in a moral sense; to speak of in a
depreciatory or contemptuous way. --T. Jefferson.
Belive \Be*live"\, adv. [Cf. {Live}, a.]
Forthwith; speedily; quickly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Belk \Belk\, v. t. [See {Belch}.]
To vomit. [Obs.]
Bell \Bell\, n. [AS. belle, fr. bellan to bellow. See {Bellow}.]
1. A hollow metallic vessel, usually shaped somewhat like a
cup with a flaring mouth, containing a clapper or tongue,
and giving forth a ringing sound on being struck.
Note: Bells have been made of various metals, but the best
have always been, as now, of an alloy of copper and
tin.
{The Liberty Bell}, the famous bell of the Philadelphia State
House, which rang when the Continental Congress declared
the Independence of the United States, in 1776. It had
been cast in 1753, and upon it were the words ``Proclaim
liberty throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants
thereof.''
2. A hollow perforated sphere of metal containing a loose
ball which causes it to sound when moved.
3. Anything in the form of a bell, as the cup or corol of a
flower. ``In a cowslip's bell I lie.'' --Shak.
4. (Arch.) That part of the capital of a column included
between the abacus and neck molding; also used for the
naked core of nearly cylindrical shape, assumed to exist
within the leafage of a capital.
5. pl. (Naut.) The strikes of the bell which mark the time;
or the time so designated.
Note: On shipboard, time is marked by a bell, which is struck
eight times at 4, 8, and 12 o'clock. Half an hour after
it has struck ``eight bells'' it is struck once, and at
every succeeding half hour the number of strokes is
increased by one, till at the end of the four hours,
which constitute a watch, it is struck eight times.
{To bear away the bell}, to win the prize at a race where the
prize was a bell; hence, to be superior in something.
--Fuller.
{To bear the bell}, to be the first or leader; -- in allusion
to the bellwether or a flock, or the leading animal of a
team or drove, when wearing a bell.
{To curse by bell}, {book}, {and candle}, a solemn form of
excommunication used in the Roman Catholic church, the
bell being tolled, the book of offices for the purpose
being used, and three candles being extinguished with
certain ceremonies. --Nares.
{To lose the bell}, to be worsted in a contest. ``In single
fight he lost the bell.'' --Fairfax.
{To shake the bells}, to move, give notice, or alarm. --Shak.
Note: Bell is much used adjectively or in combinations; as,
bell clapper; bell foundry; bell hanger; bell-mouthed;
bell tower, etc., which, for the most part, are
self-explaining.
{Bell arch} (Arch.), an arch of unusual form, following the
curve of an ogee.
{Bell cage}, or {Bell carriage} (Arch.), a timber frame
constructed to carry one or more large bells.
{Bell cot} (Arch.), a small or subsidiary construction,
frequently corbeled out from the walls of a structure, and
used to contain and support one or more bells.
{Bell deck} (Arch.), the floor of a belfry made to serve as a
roof to the rooms below.
{Bell founder}, one whose occupation it is to found or cast
bells.
{Bell foundry}, or {Bell foundery}, a place where bells are
founded or cast.
{Bell gable} (Arch.), a small gable-shaped construction,
pierced with one or more openings, and used to contain
bells.
{Bell glass}. See {Bell jar}.
{Bell hanger}, a man who hangs or puts up bells.
{Bell pull}, a cord, handle, or knob, connecting with a bell
or bell wire, and which will ring the bell when pulled.
--Aytoun.
{Bell punch}, a kind of conductor's punch which rings a bell
when used.
{Bell ringer}, one who rings a bell or bells, esp. one whose
business it is to ring a church bell or chime, or a set of
musical bells for public entertainment.
{Bell roof} (Arch.), a roof shaped according to the general
lines of a bell.
{Bell rope}, a rope by which a church or other bell is rung.
{Bell tent}, a circular conical-topped tent.
{Bell trap}, a kind of bell shaped stench trap.
Bell \Bell\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Belling}.]
To put a bell upon; as, to bell the cat.
2. To make bell-mouthed; as, to bell a tube.
Bell \Bell\, v. i.
To develop bells or corollas; to take the form of a bell; to
blossom; as, hops bell.
Bell \Bell\, v. t. [AS. bellan. See {Bellow}.]
To utter by bellowing. [Obs.]
Bell \Bell\, v. i.
To call or bellow, as the deer in rutting time; to make a
bellowing sound; to roar.
As loud as belleth wind in hell. --Chaucer.
The wild buck bells from ferny brake. --Sir W.
Scott.
Belladonna \Bel`la*don"na\, n. [It., literally fine lady; bella
beautiful + donna lady.] (Bot.)
(a) An herbaceous European plant ({Atropa belladonna}) with
reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries.
The whole plant and its fruit are very poisonous, and the
root and leaves are used as powerful medicinal agents.
Its properties are largely due to the alkaloid atropine
which it contains. Called also {deadly nightshade}.
(b) A species of {Amaryllis} ({A. belladonna}); the
belladonna lily.
Bell animalcule \Bell" an`i*mal"cule\ (Zo["o]l.)
An infusorian of the family {Vorticellid[ae]}, common in
fresh-water ponds.
Bell bearer \Bell" bear`er\ (Zo["o]l.)
A Brazilian leaf hopper ({Bocydium tintinnabuliferum}),
remarkable for the four bell-shaped appendages of its thorax.
Bellbird \Bell"bird`\, n. [So called from their notes.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) A South American bird of the genus {Casmarhincos}, and
family {Cotingid[ae]}, of several species; the campanero.
(b) The {Myzantha melanophrys} of Australia.
Bell crank \Bell" crank`\
A lever whose two arms form a right angle, or nearly a right
angle, having its fulcrum at the apex of the angle. It is
used in bell pulls and in changing the direction of bell
wires at angles of rooms, etc., and also in machinery.
Belle \Belle\ (b[e^]l), n. [F. belle, fem. of bel, beau,
beautiful, fine. See {Beau}.]
A young lady of superior beauty and attractions; a handsome
lady, or one who attracts notice in society; a fair lady.
Belled \Belled\ (b[e^]ld), a.
Hung with a bell or bells.
Belle-lettrist \Belle-let"trist\, n.
One versed in belles-lettres.
Bellerophon \Bel*ler"o*phon\, n. (Paleon.)
A genus of fossil univalve shells, believed to belong to the
Heteropoda, peculiar to the Paleozoic age.
Belles-lettres \Belles-let"tres\, n. pl. [F.]
Polite or elegant literature; the humanities; -- used
somewhat vaguely for literary works in which imagination and
taste are predominant.
Belletristic \Bel`le*tris"tic\, Belletristical
\Bel`le*tris"tic*al\, a.
Occupied with, or pertaining to, belles-lettres. ``An
unlearned, belletristic trifler.'' --M. Arnold.
Bell-faced \Bell"-faced`\, a.
Having the striking surface convex; -- said of hammers.
Bellflower \Bell"flow`er\, n. (Bot.)
A plant of the genus Campanula; -- so named from its
bell-shaped flowers.
Bellflower \Bell"flow`er\, n. [F. bellefleur, lit., beautiful
flower.]
A kind of apple. The yellow bellflower is a large, yellow
winter apple. [Written also {bellefleur}.]
Bellibone \Bel"li*bone\, n. [F. belle et bonne, beautiful and
good.]
A woman excelling both in beauty and goodness; a fair maid.
[Obs.] --Spenser.
Bellic \Bel"lic\, Bellical \Bel"li*cal\, a. [L. bellicus. See
{Bellicose}.]
Of or pertaining to war; warlike; martial. [Obs.] ``Bellic
C[ae]sar.'' --Feltham.
Bellicose \Bel"li*cose`\, a. [L. bellicosus, fr. bellicus of
war, fr. bellum war. See {Duel}.]
Inclined to war or contention; warlike; pugnacious.
Arnold was, in fact, in a bellicose vein. --W. Irving.
Bellicosely \Bel"li*cose`ly\, adv.
In a bellicose manner.
Bellicous \Bel"li*cous\, a.
Bellicose. [Obs.]
Bellied \Bel"lied\, a.
Having (such) a belly; puffed out; -- used in composition;
as, pot-bellied; shad-bellied.
Belligerence \Bel*lig"er*ence\, Belligerency \Bel*lig"er*en*cy\,
n.
The quality of being belligerent; act or state of making war;
warfare.
Belligerent \Bel*lig"er*ent\, a. [L. bellum war + gerens,
-entis, waging, p. pr. of gerere to wage: cf. F.
bellig['e]rant. See {Bellicose}, {Jest}.]
1. Waging war; carrying on war. ``Belligerent powers.'' --E.
Everett.
2. Pertaining, or tending, to war; of or relating to
belligerents; as, a belligerent tone; belligerent rights.
Belligerent \Bel*lig"er*ent\, n.
A nation or state recognized as carrying on war; a person
engaged in warfare.
Belligerently \Bel*lig"er*ent*ly\, adv.
In a belligerent manner; hostilely.
Belling \Bell"ing\, n. [From {Bell} to bellow.]
A bellowing, as of a deer in rutting time. --Johnson.
Bellipotent \Bel*lip"o*tent\, a. [L. bellipotens; bellum war +
potens powerful, p. pr. of posse to be able.]
Mighty in war; armipotent. [R.] --Blount.
Bell jar \Bell" jar`\ (Phys.)
A glass vessel, varying in size, open at the bottom and
closed at the top like a bell, and having a knob or handle at
the top for lifting it. It is used for a great variety of
purposes; as, with the air pump, and for holding gases, also
for keeping the dust from articles exposed to view.
Bellman \Bell"man\, n.
A man who rings a bell, especially to give notice of anything
in the streets. Formerly, also, a night watchman who called
the hours. --Milton.
Bell metal \Bell" met`al\
A hard alloy or bronze, consisting usually of about three
parts of copper to one of tin; -- used for making bells.
{Bell metal ore}, a sulphide of tin, copper, and iron; the
mineral stannite.
Bell-mouthed \Bell"-mouthed`\, a.
Expanding at the mouth; as, a bell-mouthed gun. --Byron.
Bellon \Bel"lon\, n.
Lead colic.
Bellona \Bel*lo"na\, n. [L., from bellum war.] (Rom. Myth.)
The goddess of war.
Bellow \Bel"low\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bellowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bellowing}.] [OE. belwen, belowen, AS. bylgean, fr.
bellan; akin to G. bellen, and perh. to L. flere to weep,
OSlav. bleja to bleat, Lith. balsas voice. Cf. {Bell}, n. &
v., {Bawl}, {Bull}.]
1. To make a hollow, loud noise, as an enraged bull.
2. To bowl; to vociferate; to clamor. --Dryden.
3. To roar; as the sea in a tempest, or as the wind when
violent; to make a loud, hollow, continued sound.
The bellowing voice of boiling seas. --Dryden.
Bellow \Bel"low\, v. t.
To emit with a loud voice; to shout; -- used with out.
``Would bellow out a laugh.'' --Dryden.
Bellow \Bel"low\, n.
A loud resounding outcry or noise, as of an enraged bull; a
roar.
Bellower \Bel"low*er\, n.
One who, or that which, bellows.
Bellows \Bel"lows\, n. sing. & pl. [OE. bely, below, belly,
bellows, AS. b[ae]lg, b[ae]lig, bag, bellows, belly. Bellows
is prop. a pl. and the orig. sense is bag. See {Belly}.]
An instrument, utensil, or machine, which, by alternate
expansion and contraction, or by rise and fall of the top,
draws in air through a valve and expels it through a tube for
various purposes, as blowing fires, ventilating mines, or
filling the pipes of an organ with wind.
{Bellows camera}, in photography, a form of camera, which can
be drawn out like an accordion or bellows.
{Hydrostatic bellows}. See {Hydrostatic}.
{A pair of bellows}, the ordinary household instrument for
blowing fires, consisting of two nearly heart-shaped
boards with handles, connected by leather, and having a
valve and tube.
Bellows fish \Bel"lows fish`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A European fish ({Centriscus scolopax}), distinguished by a
long tubular snout, like the pipe of a bellows; -- called
also {trumpet fish}, and {snipe fish}.
Bell pepper \Bell" pep`per\ (Bot.)
A species of Capsicum, or Guinea pepper ({C. annuum}). It is
the red pepper of the gardens.
Bell-shaped \Bell"-shaped`\ (-sh[=a]pt`), a.
Having the shape of a wide-mouthed bell; campanulate.
Belluine \Bel"lu*ine\, a. [L. belluinus, fr. bellua beast.]
Pertaining to, or like, a beast; brutal. [R.]
Animal and belluine life. --Atterbury.
Bellwether \Bell"weth`er\, n.
1. A wether, or sheep, which leads the flock, with a bell on
his neck.
2. Hence: A leader. [Contemptuous] --Swift.
Bellwort \Bell"wort"\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of plants ({Uvularia}) with yellowish bell-shaped
flowers.
Belly \Bel"ly\ (b[e^]l"l[y^]), n.; pl. {Bellies} (-l[i^]z). [OE.
bali, bely, AS. belg, b[ae]lg, b[ae]lig, bag, bellows, belly;
akin to Icel. belgr bag, bellows, Sw. b["a]lg, Dan. b[ae]lg,
D. & G. balg, cf. W. bol the paunch or belly, dim. boly, Ir.
bolg. Cf. {Bellows}, {Follicle}, {Fool}, {Bilge}.]
1. That part of the human body which extends downward from
the breast to the thighs, and contains the bowels, or
intestines; the abdomen.
Note: Formerly all the splanchnic or visceral cavities were
called bellies; -- the lower belly being the abdomen;
the middle belly, the thorax; and the upper belly, the
head. --Dunglison.
2. The under part of the body of animals, corresponding to
the human belly.
Underneath the belly of their steeds. --Shak.
3. The womb. [Obs.]
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.
--Jer. i. 5.
4. The part of anything which resembles the human belly in
protuberance or in cavity; the innermost part; as, the
belly of a flask, muscle, sail, ship.
Out of the belly of hell cried I. --Jonah ii. 2.
5. (Arch.) The hollow part of a curved or bent timber, the
convex part of which is the back.
{Belly doublet}, a doublet of the 16th century, hanging down
so as to cover the belly. --Shak.
{Belly fretting}, the chafing of a horse's belly with a
girth. --Johnson.
{Belly timber}, food. [Ludicrous] --Prior.
{Belly worm}, a worm that breeds or lives in the belly
(stomach or intestines). --Johnson.
Belly \Bel"ly\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bellied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bellying}.]
To cause to swell out; to fill. [R.]
Your breath of full consent bellied his sails. --Shak.
Belly \Bel"ly\, v. i.
To swell and become protuberant, like the belly; to bulge.
The bellying canvas strutted with the gale. --Dryden.
Bellyache \Bel"ly*ache`\, n.
Pain in the bowels; colic.
Bellyband \Bel"ly*band`\, n.
1. A band that passes under the belly of a horse and holds
the saddle or harness in place; a girth.
2. A band of flannel or other cloth about the belly.
3. (Naut.) A band of canvas, to strengthen a sail.
Bellybound \Bel"ly*bound`\, a.
Costive; constipated.
Bellycheat \Bel"ly*cheat`\, n.
An apron or covering for the front of the person. [Obs.]
--Beau. & Fl.
Bellycheer \Bel"ly*cheer`\, n. [Perh. from F. belle ch[`e]re.]
Good cheer; viands. [Obs.] ``Bellycheer and banquets.''
--Rowlands. ``Loaves and bellycheer.'' --Milton.
Bellycheer \Bel"ly*cheer`\, v. i.
To revel; to feast. [Obs.]
A pack of clergymen [assembled] by themselves to
bellycheer in their presumptuous Sion. --Milton.
Bellyful \Bel"ly*ful\, n.
As much as satisfies the appetite. Hence: A great abundance;
more than enough. --Lloyd.
King James told his son that he would have his bellyful
of parliamentary impeachments. --Johnson.
Belly-god \Bel"ly-god`\, n.
One whose great pleasure it is to gratify his appetite; a
glutton; an epicure.
Belly-pinched \Bel"ly-pinched`\, a.
Pinched with hunger; starved. ``The belly-pinched wolf.''
--Shak.
Belock \Be*lock"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belocked}.] [Pref. be- +
lock: cf. AS. bel?can.]
To lock, or fasten as with a lock. [Obs.] --Shak.
Belomancy \Bel"o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? arrow + ? a diviner: cf.
F. b['e]lomancie.]
A kind of divination anciently practiced by means of marked
arrows drawn at random from a bag or quiver, the marks on the
arrows drawn being supposed to foreshow the future. --Encyc.
Brit.
Belong \Be*long"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Belonged}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Belonging}.] [OE. belongen (akin to D. belangen to
concern, G. belangen to attain to, to concern); pref. be- +
longen to desire. See {Long}, v. i.]
Note: [Usually construed with to.]
1. To be the property of; as, Jamaica belongs to Great
Britain.
2. To be a part of, or connected with; to be appendant or
related; to owe allegiance or service.
A desert place belonging to . . . Bethsaids. --Luke
ix. 10.
The mighty men which belonged to David. --1 Kings i.
8.
3. To be the concern or proper business or function of; to
appertain to. ``Do not interpretations belong to God ?''
--Gen. xl. 8.
4. To be suitable for; to be due to.
Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age.
--Heb. v. 14.
No blame belongs to thee. --Shak.
5. To be native to, or an inhabitant of; esp. to have a legal
residence, settlement, or inhabitancy, whether by birth or
operation of law, so as to be entitled to maintenance by
the parish or town.
Bastards also are settled in the parishes to which
the mothers belong. --Blackstone.
Belong \Be*long"\, v. t.
To be deserved by. [Obs.]
More evils belong us than happen to us. --B. Jonson.
Belonging \Be*long"ing\, n. [Commonly in the pl.]
1. That which belongs to one; that which pertains to one;
hence, goods or effects. ``Thyself and thy belongings.''
--Shak.
2. That which is connected with a principal or greater thing;
an appendage; an appurtenance.
3. Family; relations; household. [Colloq.]
Few persons of her ladyship's belongings stopped,
before they did her bidding, to ask her reasons.
--Thackeray.
Belonite \Bel"o*nite\, n. [Gr. ? a needle.] (Min.)
Minute acicular or dendritic crystalline forms sometimes
observed in glassy volcanic rocks.
Belooche Beloochee \Bel*oo"che Bel*oo"chee\, a.
Of or pertaining to Beloochistan, or to its inhabitants. --
n. A native or an inhabitant of Beloochistan.
Belord \Be*lord"\, v. t.
1. To act the lord over.
2. To address by the title of ``lord''.
Belove \Be*love"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beloved}.] [OE.
bilufien. See pref. {Be-}, and {Love}, v. t.]
To love. [Obs.] --Wodroephe.
Beloved \Be*loved"\, p. p. & a.
Greatly loved; dear to the heart.
Antony, so well beloved of C[ae]sar. --Shak.
This is my beloved Son. --Matt. iii.
17.
Beloved \Be*lov"ed\, n.
One greatly loved.
My beloved is mine, and I am his. --Cant. ii.
16.
Below \Be*low"\, prep. [Pref. be- by + low.]
1. Under, or lower in place; beneath not so high; as, below
the moon; below the knee. --Shak.
2. Inferior to in rank, excellence, dignity, value, amount,
price, etc.; lower in quality. ``One degree below kings.''
--Addison.
3. Unworthy of; unbefitting; beneath.
They beheld, with a just loathing and disdain, . . .
how below all history the persons and their actions
were. --Milton.
Who thinks no fact below his regard. --Hallam.
Syn: Underneath; under; beneath.
Below \Be*low"\, adv.
1. In a lower place, with respect to any object; in a lower
room; beneath.
Lord Marmion waits below. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. On the earth, as opposed to the heavens.
The fairest child of Jove below. --Prior.
3. In hell, or the regions of the dead.
What business brought him to the realms below.
--Dryden.
4. In court or tribunal of inferior jurisdiction; as, at the
trial below. --Wheaton.
5. In some part or page following.
Belowt \Be*lowt"\, v. t.
To treat as a lout; to talk abusively to. [Obs.] --Camden.
Belsire \Bel"sire`\, n. [Pref. bel- + sire. Cf. {Beldam}.]
A grandfather, or ancestor. ``His great belsire Brute.''
[Obs.] --Drayton.
Belswagger \Bel"swag`ger\, n. [Contr. from bellyswagger.]
A lewd man; also, a bully. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Belt \Belt\ (b[e^]lt), n. [AS. belt; akin to Icel. belti, Sw.
b["a]lte, Dan. b[ae]lte, OHG. balz, L. balteus, Ir. & Gael.
balt border, belt.]
1. That which engirdles a person or thing; a band or girdle;
as, a lady's belt; a sword belt.
The shining belt with gold inlaid. --Dryden.
2. That which restrains or confines as a girdle.
He cannot buckle his distempered cause Within the
belt of rule. --Shak.
3. Anything that resembles a belt, or that encircles or
crosses like a belt; a strip or stripe; as, a belt of
trees; a belt of sand.
4. (Arch.) Same as {Band}, n., 2. A very broad band is more
properly termed a belt.
5. (Astron.) One of certain girdles or zones on the surface
of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, supposed to be of the
nature of clouds.
6. (Geog.) A narrow passage or strait; as, the Great Belt and
the Lesser Belt, leading to the Baltic Sea.
7. (Her.) A token or badge of knightly rank.
8. (Mech.) A band of leather, or other flexible substance,
passing around two wheels, and communicating motion from
one to the other.
Note: [See Illust. of {Pulley}.]
9. (Nat. Hist.) A band or stripe, as of color, round any
organ; or any circular ridge or series of ridges.
{Belt lacing}, thongs used for lacing together the ends of
machine belting.
Belt \Belt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Belted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Belting}.]
To encircle with, or as with, a belt; to encompass; to
surround.
A coarse black robe belted round the waist. --C. Reade.
They belt him round with hearts undaunted.
--Wordsworth.
2. To shear, as the buttocks and tails of sheep. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.
Beltane \Bel"tane\, n. [Gael. bealltainn, bealltuinn.]
1. The first day of May (Old Style).
The quarter-days anciently in Scotland were
Hallowmas, Candlemas, Beltane, and Lammas. --New
English Dict.
2. A festival of the heathen Celts on the first day of May,
in the observance of which great bonfires were kindled. It
still exists in a modified form in some parts of Scotland
and Ireland.
Belted \Belt"ed\, a.
1. Encircled by, or secured with, a belt; as, a belted plaid;
girt with a belt, as an honorary distinction; as, a belted
knight; a belted earl.
2. Marked with a band or circle; as, a belted stalk.
3. Worn in, or suspended from, the belt.
Three men with belted brands. --Sir W.
Scott.
{Belted cattle}, cattle originally from Dutch stock, having a
broad band of white round the middle, while the rest of
the body is black; -- called also {blanketed cattle}.
Beltein \Bel"tein\, Beltin \Bel"tin\, n.
See {Beltane}.
Belting \Belt"ing\, n.
The material of which belts for machinery are made; also,
belts, taken collectively.
Beluga \Be*lu"ga\ (b[-e]*l[=u]"g[.a]), n. [Russ. bieluga a sort
of large sturgeon, prop. white fish, fr. bieluii white.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A cetacean allied to the dolphins.
Note: The northern beluga ({Delphinapterus catodon}) is the
white whale and white fish of the whalers. It grows to
be from twelve to eighteen feet long.
Belute \Be*lute"\ (b[-e]*l[=u]t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Beluted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Beluting}.] [Pref. be- + L. lutum
mud.]
To bespatter, as with mud. [R.] --Sterne.
Belvedere \Bel`ve*dere"\, n. [It., fr. bello, bel, beautiful +
vedere to see.] (Arch.)
A small building, or a part of a building, more or less open,
constructed in a place commanding a fine prospect.
Belzebuth \Bel"ze*buth\, n. [From Beelzebub.] (Zo["o]l.)
A spider monkey ({Ateles belzebuth}) of Brazil.
Bema \Be"ma\, n. [Gr. ? step, platform.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A platform from which speakers addressed an
assembly. --Mitford.
2. (Arch.)
(a) That part of an early Christian church which was
reserved for the higher clergy; the inner or eastern
part of the chancel.
(b) Erroneously: A pulpit.
Bemad \Be*mad"\, v. t.
To make mad. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Bemangle \Be*man"gle\, v. t.
To mangle; to tear asunder. [R.] --Beaumont.
Bemask \Be*mask"\, v. t.
To mask; to conceal.
Bemaster \Be*mas"ter\, v. t.
To master thoroughly.
Bemaul \Be*maul"\, v. t.
To maul or beat severely; to bruise. ``In order to bemaul
Yorick.'' --Sterne.
Bemaze \Be*maze\, v. t. [OE. bimasen; pref. be- + masen to
maze.]
To bewilder.
Intellects bemazed in endless doubt. --Cowper.
Bemean \Be*mean"\, v. t.
To make mean; to lower. --C. Reade.
Bemeet \Be*meet"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bemet}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bemeeting}.]
To meet. [Obs.]
Our very loving sister, well bemet. --Shak.
Bemete \Be*mete"\, v. t.
To mete. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bemingle \Be*min"gle\, v. t.
To mingle; to mix.
Bemire \Be*mire"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bemired}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bemiring}.]
To drag through, encumber with, or fix in, the mire; to soil
by passing through mud or dirt.
Bemired and benighted in the dog. --Burke.
Bemist \Be*mist"\, v. t.
To envelop in mist. [Obs.]
Bemoan \Be*moan"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bemoaned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bemoaning}.] [OE. bimenen, AS. bem?nan; pref. be- + m?nan
to moan. See {Moan}.]
To express deep grief for by moaning; to express sorrow for;
to lament; to bewail; to pity or sympathize with.
Implores their pity, and his pain bemoans. --Dryden.
Syn: See {Deplore}.
Bemoaner \Be*moan"er\, n.
One who bemoans.
Bemock \Be*mock"\, v. t.
To mock; to ridicule.
Bemock the modest moon. --Shak.
Bemoil \Be*moil"\, v. t. [Pref. be- + moil, fr. F. mouiller to
wet; but cf. also OE. bimolen to soil, fr. AS. m[=a]l spot:
cf. E. mole.]
To soil or encumber with mire and dirt. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bemol \Be"mol\ (b[=e]"m[o^]l), n. [F. b['e]mol, fr. b['e] [flat]
+ mol soft.] (Mus.)
The sign [flat]; the same as B flat. [Obs.]
Bemonster \Be*mon"ster\, v. t.
To make monstrous or like a monster. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bemourn \Be*mourn"\, v. t.
To mourn over. --Wyclif.
Bemuddle \Be*mud"dle\, v. t.
To muddle; to stupefy or bewilder; to confuse.
Bemuffle \Be*muf"fle\, v. t.
To cover as with a muffler; to wrap up.
Bemuffled with the externals of religion. --Sterne.
Bemuse \Be*muse"\, v. t.
To muddle, daze, or partially stupefy, as with liquor.
A parson much bemused in beer. --Pope.
Ben \Ben\, Ben nut \Ben" nut`\ . [Ar. b[=a]n, name of the tree.]
(Bot.)
The seed of one or more species of moringa; as, oil of ben.
See {Moringa}.
Ben \Ben\, adv. & prep. [AS. binnan; pref. be- by + innan
within, in in.]
Within; in; in or into the interior; toward the inner
apartment. [Scot.]
Ben \Ben\, n. [See {Ben}, adv.]
The inner or principal room in a hut or house of two rooms;
-- opposed to {but}, the outer apartment. [Scot.]
Ben \Ben\
An old form of the pl. indic. pr. of {Be}. [Obs.]
Bename \Be*name"\, v. t. [p. p. {Benamed}, {Benempt}.]
To promise; to name. [Obs.]
Bench \Bench\, n.; pl. {Benches}. [OE. bench, benk, AS. benc;
akin to Sw. b["a]nk, Dan b[ae]nk, Icel. bekkr, OS., D., & G.
bank. Cf. {Bank}, {Beach}.]
1. A long seat, differing from a stool in its greater length.
Mossy benches supplied the place of chairs. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a
carpenter's bench.
3. The seat where judges sit in court.
To pluck down justice from your awful bench. --Shak.
4. The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion
of the full bench. See {King's Bench}.
5. A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; --
so named because the animals are usually placed on benches
or raised platforms.
6. A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat
ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or
river.
{Bench mark} (Leveling), one of a number of marks along a
line of survey, affixed to permanent objects, to show
where leveling staffs were placed.
{Bench of bishops}, the whole body of English prelates
assembled in council.
{Bench plane}, any plane used by carpenters and joiners for
working a flat surface, as jack planes, long planes.
{Bench show}, an exhibition of dogs.
{Bench table} (Arch.), a projecting course at the base of a
building, or round a pillar, sufficient to form a seat.
Bench \Bench\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Benched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Benching}.]
1. To furnish with benches.
'T was benched with turf. --Dryden.
Stately theaters benched crescentwise. --Tennyson.
2. To place on a bench or seat of honor.
Whom I . . . have benched and reared to worship.
--Shak.
Bench \Bench\, v. i.
To sit on a seat of justice. [R.] --Shak.
Bencher \Bench"er\, n.
1. (Eng. Law) One of the senior and governing members of an
Inn of Court.
2. An alderman of a corporation. [Eng.] --Ashmole.
3. A member of a court or council. [Obs.] --Shak.
4. One who frequents the benches of a tavern; an idler.
[Obs.]
Bench warrant \Bench" war`rant\ (Law)
A process issued by a presiding judge or by a court against a
person guilty of some contempt, or indicted for some crime;
-- so called in distinction from a justice's warrant.
Bend \Bend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bended} or {Bent}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bending}.] [AS. bendan to bend, fr. bend a band,
bond, fr. bindan to bind. See {Bind}, v. t., and cf. 3d & 4th
{Bend}.]
1. To strain or move out of a straight line; to crook by
straining; to make crooked; to curve; to make ready for
use by drawing into a curve; as, to bend a bow; to bend
the knee.
2. To turn toward some certain point; to direct; to incline.
``Bend thine ear to supplication.'' --Milton.
Towards Coventry bend we our course. --Shak.
Bending her eyes . . . upon her parent. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. To apply closely or with interest; to direct.
To bend his mind to any public business. --Temple.
But when to mischief mortals bend their will.
--Pope.
4. To cause to yield; to render submissive; to subdue.
``Except she bend her humor.'' --Shak.
5. (Naut.) To fasten, as one rope to another, or as a sail to
its yard or stay; or as a cable to the ring of an anchor.
--Totten.
{To bend the brow}, to knit the brow, as in deep thought or
in anger; to scowl; to frown. --Camden.
Syn: To lean; stoop; deflect; bow; yield.
Bend \Bend\, v. i.
1. To be moved or strained out of a straight line; to crook
or be curving; to bow.
The green earth's end Where the bowed welkin slow
doth bend. --Milton.
2. To jut over; to overhang.
There is a cliff, whose high and bending head Looks
fearfully in the confined deep. --Shak.
3. To be inclined; to be directed.
To whom our vows and wished bend. --Milton.
4. To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.
While each to his great Father bends. --Coleridge.
Bend \Bend\, n. [See {Bend}, v. t., and cf. {Bent}, n.]
1. A turn or deflection from a straight line or from the
proper direction or normal position; a curve; a crook; as,
a slight bend of the body; a bend in a road.
2. Turn; purpose; inclination; ends. [Obs.]
Farewell, poor swain; thou art not for my bend.
--Fletcher.
3. (Naut.) A knot by which one rope is fastened to another or
to an anchor, spar, or post. --Totten.
4. (Leather Trade) The best quality of sole leather; a butt.
See {Butt}.
5. (Mining) Hard, indurated clay; bind.
6. pl. (Med.) same as {caisson disease}. Usually referred to
as {the bends}.
{Bends of a ship}, the thickest and strongest planks in her
sides, more generally called wales. They have the beams,
knees, and foothooks bolted to them. Also, the frames or
ribs that form the ship's body from the keel to the top of
the sides; as, the midship bend.
Bend \Bend\, n. [AS. bend. See {Band}, and cf. the preceding
noun.]
1. A band. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. [OF. bende, bande, F. bande. See {Band}.] (Her.) One of
the honorable ordinaries, containing a third or a fifth
part of the field. It crosses the field diagonally from
the dexter chief to the sinister base.
{Bend sinister} (Her.), an honorable ordinary drawn from the
sinister chief to the dexter base.
Bendable \Bend"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being bent.
Bender \Bend"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, bends.
2. An instrument used for bending.
3. A drunken spree. [Low, U. S.] --Bartlett.
4. A sixpence. [Slang, Eng.]
Bending \Bend"ing\, n.
The marking of the clothes with stripes or horizontal bands.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bendlet \Bend"let\, n. [Bend + -let: cf. E. bandlet.] (Her.)
A narrow bend, esp. one half the width of the bend.
Bendwise \Bend"wise\, adv. (Her.)
Diagonally.
Bendy \Ben"dy\, a. [From {Bend} a band.] (Her.)
Divided into an even number of bends; -- said of a shield or
its charge. --Cussans.
Bene \Ben"e\, n. (Bot.)
See {Benne}.
Bene \Be"ne\, n. [AS. b[=e]n.]
A prayer; boon. [Archaic]
What is good for a bootless bene ? --Wordsworth.
Bene \Bene\, Ben \Ben\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A hoglike mammal of New Guinea ({Porcula papuensis}).
Beneaped \Be*neaped"\, a. (Naut.)
See {Neaped}.
Beneath \Be*neath"\, prep. [OE. benethe, bineo[eth]en, AS.
beneo[eth]an, beny[eth]an; pref. be- + neo[eth]an, ny[eth]an,
downward, beneath, akin to E. nether. See {Nether}.]
1. Lower in place, with something directly over or on; under;
underneath; hence, at the foot of. ``Beneath the mount.''
--Ex. xxxii. 19.
Beneath a rude and nameless stone he lies. --Pope.
2. Under, in relation to something that is superior, or that
oppresses or burdens.
Our country sinks beneath the yoke. --Shak.
3. Lower in rank, dignity, or excellence than; as, brutes are
beneath man; man is beneath angels in the scale of beings.
Hence: Unworthy of; unbecoming.
He will do nothing that is beneath his high station.
--Atterbury.
Beneath \Be*neath"\, adv.
1. In a lower place; underneath.
The earth you take from beneath will be barren.
--Mortimer.
2. Below, as opposed to heaven, or to any superior region or
position; as, in earth beneath.
Benedicite \Ben`e*dic"i*te\, n. [L., (imperative pl.,) bless ye,
praise ye.]
A canticle (the Latin version of which begins with this word)
which may be used in the order for morning prayer in the
Church of England. It is taken from an apocryphal addition to
the third chapter of Daniel.
Benedicite \Ben`e*dic"i*te\, interj. [See {Benedicite}, n.]
An exclamation corresponding to Bless you !.
Benedict \Ben"e*dict\, Benedick \Ben"e*dick\, n. [From Benedick,
one of the characters in Shakespeare's play of ``Much Ado
about Nothing.'']
A married man, or a man newly married.
Benedict \Ben"e*dict\, a. [L. benedictus, p. p. of benedicere to
bless. See {Benison}, and cf. {Bennet}.]
Having mild and salubrious qualities. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Benedictine \Ben`e*dic"tine\, a.
Pertaining to the monks of St. Benedict, or St. Benet.
Benedictine \Ben`e*dic"tine\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a famous order of monks, established by St. Benedict
of Nursia in the sixth century. This order was introduced
into the United States in 1846.
Note: The Benedictines wear black clothing, and are sometimes
called Black Monks. The name Black Fr????rs which
belongs to the Dominicans, is also sometimes applied to
the Benedictines.
Benediction \Ben`e*dic"tion\, n. [L. benedictio: cf. F.
b['e]n['e]diction. See {Benison}.]
1. The act of blessing.
2. A blessing; an expression of blessing, prayer, or kind
wishes in favor of any person or thing; a solemn or
affectionate invocation of happiness.
So saying, he arose; whom Adam thus Followed with
benediction. --Milton.
Homeward serenely she walked with God's benediction
upon her. --Longfellow.
Specifically: The short prayer which closes public
worship; as, to give the benediction.
3. (Eccl.) The form of instituting an abbot, answering to the
consecration of a bishop. --Ayliffe.
4. (R. C. Ch.) A solemn rite by which bells, banners,
candles, etc., are blessed with holy water, and formally
dedicated to God.
Benedictional \Ben`e*dic"tion*al\, n.
A book of benedictions.
Benedictionary \Ben`e*dic"tion*a*ry\, n.
A collected series of benedictions.
The benedictionary of Bishop Athelwold. --G. Gurton's
Needle.
Benedictive \Ben`e*dic"tive\, a.
Tending to bless. --Gauden.
Benedictory \Ben`e*dic"to*ry\, a.
Expressing wishes for good; as, a benedictory prayer.
--Thackeray.
Benedictus \Ben`e*dic"tus\, n. [L., blessed. See {Benedict}, a.]
The song of Zacharias at the birth of John the Baptist
(--Luke i. 68); -- so named from the first word of the Latin
version.
Benedight \Ben"e*dight\, a.
Blessed. [R.] --Longfellow.
Benefaction \Ben`e*fac"tion\, n. [L. benefactio, fr. benefacere
to do good to one; bene well + facere to do. See {Benefit}.]
1. The act of conferring a benefit. --Johnson.
2. A benefit conferred; esp. a charitable donation.
Syn: Gift; present; gratuity; boon; alms.
Benefactor \Ben`e*fac"tor\,n. [L.]
One who confers a benefit or benefits. --Bacon.
Benefactress \Ben`e*fac"tress\, n.
A woman who confers a benefit.
His benefactress blushes at the deed. --Cowper.
Benefic \Be*nef"ic\, a. [L. beneficus. See {Benefice}.]
Favorable; beneficent. --Milton.
Benefice \Ben"e*fice\, n. [F. b['e]n['e]fice, L. beneficium, a
kindness, in LL. a grant of an estate, fr. L. beneficus
beneficent; bene well + facere to do. See {Benefit}.]
1. A favor or benefit. [Obs.] --Baxter.
2. (Feudal Law) An estate in lands; a fief.
Note: Such an estate was granted at first for life only, and
held on the mere good pleasure of the donor; but
afterward, becoming hereditary, it received the
appellation of fief, and the term benefice became
appropriated to church livings.
3. An ecclesiastical living and church preferment, as in the
Church of England; a church endowed with a revenue for the
maintenance of divine service. See {Advowson}.
Note: All church preferments are called benefices, except
bishoprics, which are called dignities. But,
ordinarily, the term dignity is applied to bishoprics,
deaneries, archdeaconries, and prebendaryships;
benefice to parsonages, vicarages, and donatives.
Benefice \Ben"e*fice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beneficed}.]
To endow with a benefice.
Note: [Commonly in the past participle.]
Beneficed \Ben"e*ficed\, a.
Possessed of a benefice or church preferment. ``Beneficed
clergymen.'' --Burke.
Beneficeless \Ben"e*fice*less\, a.
Having no benefice. ``Beneficeless precisians.'' --Sheldon.
Beneficence \Be*nef"i*cence\, n. [L. beneficentia, fr.
beneficus: cf. F. b['e]n['e]ficence. See {Benefice}.]
The practice of doing good; active goodness, kindness, or
charity; bounty springing from purity and goodness.
And whose beneficence no charge exhausts. --Cowper.
Syn: See {Benevolence}.
Beneficent \Be*nef`i*cent\, a.
Doing or producing good; performing acts of kindness and
charity; characterized by beneficence.
The beneficent fruits of Christianity. --Prescott.
Syn: See {Benevolent}.
Beneficential \Be*nef`i*cen"tial\, a.
Relating to beneficence.
Beneficently \Be*nef"i*cent*ly\ (b[-e]*n[e^]f"[i^]*sent*l[y^]),
adv.
In a beneficent manner; with beneficence.
Beneficial \Ben`e*fi"cial\, a. [Cf. F. b['e]n['e]ficial, LL.
beneficialis.]
1. Conferring benefits; useful; profitable; helpful;
advantageous; serviceable; contributing to a valuable end;
-- followed by to.
The war which would have been most beneficial to us.
--Swift.
2. (Law) Receiving, or entitled to have or receive,
advantage, use, or benefit; as, the beneficial owner of an
estate. --Kent.
3. King. [Obs.] ``A beneficial foe.'' --B. Jonson.
Syn: See {Advantage}.
Beneficially \Ben`e*fi"cial*ly\, adv.
In a beneficial or advantageous manner; profitably;
helpfully.
Beneficialness \Ben`e*fi"cial*ness\, n.
The quality of being beneficial; profitableness.
Beneficiary \Ben`e*fi"ci*a*ry\, a. [Cf. F. b['e]n['e]ficiaire,
LL. beneficiarius.]
1. Holding some office or valuable possession, in
subordination to another; holding under a feudal or other
superior; having a dependent and secondary possession.
A feudatory or beneficiary king of England. --Bacon.
2. Bestowed as a gratuity; as, beneficiary gifts.
Beneficiary \Ben`e*fi"ci*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Beneficiaries}.
1. A feudatory or vassal; hence, one who holds a benefice and
uses its proceeds. --Ayliffe.
2. One who receives anything as a gift; one who receives a
benefit or advantage; esp. one who receives help or income
from an educational fund or a trust estate.
The rich men will be offering sacrifice to their
Deity whose beneficiaries they are. --Jer. Taylor.
Beneficiate \Ben`e*fi"ci*ate\, v. t. [Sp. beneficiar to benefit,
to work mines.] (Mining)
To reduce (ores). -- {Ben`e*fi`ci*a"tion} (?), n.
Beneficient \Ben`e*fi"cient\, a.
Beneficent. [Obs.]
Benefit \Ben"e*fit\, n. [OE. benefet, benfeet, bienfet, F.
bienfait, fr. L. benefactum; bene well (adv. of bonus good) +
factum, p. p. of facere to do. See {Bounty}, and {Fact}.]
1. An act of kindness; a favor conferred.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits. --Ps. ciii. 2.
2. Whatever promotes prosperity and personal happiness, or
adds value to property; advantage; profit.
Men have no right to what is not for their benefit.
--Burke.
3. A theatrical performance, a concert, or the like, the
proceeds of which do not go to the lessee of the theater
or to the company, but to some individual actor, or to
some charitable use.
4. Beneficence; liberality. [Obs.] --Webster (1623).
5. pl. Natural advantages; endowments; accomplishments. [R.]
``The benefits of your own country.'' --Shak.
{Benefit of clergy}. (Law) See under {Clergy}.
Syn: Profit; service; use; avail. See {Advantage}.
Benefit \Ben"e*fit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Benefited}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Benefitting}.]
To be beneficial to; to do good to; to advantage; to advance
in health or prosperity; to be useful to; to profit.
I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would
benefit them. --Jer. xviii.
10.
Benefit \Ben"e*fit\, v. i.
To gain advantage; to make improvement; to profit; as, he
will benefit by the change.
Benefiter \Ben"e*fit`er\, n.
One who confers a benefit; -- also, one who receives a
benefit.
Beneme \Be*neme"\, v. t. [AS. ben?man. Cf. {Benim}.]
To deprive (of), or take away (from). [Obs.]
Benempt \Be*nempt"\, p. p. of {Bename}.
1. Promised; vowed. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. Named; styled. [Archaic] --Sir W. Scott.
Bene placito \Be`ne plac"i*to\ (b[=e]`n[-e] pl[a^]s"[i^]*t[-o];
It. b[=a]`n[asl] pl[aum]"ch[-e]*t[-o]). [It. beneplacito
pleasure, fr. L. bene well + placitus pleasing.]
1. At or during pleasure.
For our English judges there never was . . . any
bene placito as their tenure. --F. Harrison.
2. (Mus.) At pleasure; ad libitum.
Benet \Be*net"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Benetted}.]
To catch in a net; to insnare. --Shak.
Benevolence \Be*nev"o*lence\, n. [OF. benevolence, L.
benevolentia. See {Benevolent}.]
1. The disposition to do good; good will; charitableness;
love of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote
their happiness.
The wakeful benevolence of the gospel. --Chalmers.
2. An act of kindness; good done; charity given.
3. A species of compulsory contribution or tax, which has
sometimes been illegally exacted by arbitrary kings of
England, and falsely represented as a gratuity.
Syn: {Benevolence}, {Beneficence}, {Munificence}.
Usage: Benevolence marks a disposition made up of a choice
and desire for the happiness of others. Beneficence
marks the working of this disposition in dispensing
good on a somewhat broad scale. Munificence shows the
same disposition, but acting on a still broader scale,
in conferring gifts and favors. These are not
necessarily confined to objects of immediate utility.
One may show his munificence in presents of pictures
or jewelry, but this would not be beneficence.
Benevolence of heart; beneficence of life; munificence
in the encouragement of letters.
Benevolent \Be*nev"o*lent\, a. [L. benevolens, -entis; bene well
(adv. of bonus good) + volens, p. pr. of volo I will, I wish.
See {Bounty}, and {Voluntary}.]
Having a disposition to do good; possessing or manifesting
love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and
happiness; disposed to give to good objects; kind;
charitable. -- {Be*nev"o*lent*ly}, adv.
Syn: {Benevolent}, {Beneficent}.
Usage: Etymologically considered, benevolent implies wishing
well to others, and beneficent, doing well. But by
degrees the word benevolent has been widened to
include not only feelings, but actions; thus, we speak
of benevolent operations, benevolent labors for the
public good, benevolent societies. In like manner,
beneficent is now often applied to feelings; thus, we
speak of the beneficent intentions of a donor. This
extension of the terms enables us to mark nicer shades
of meaning. Thus, the phrase ``benevolent labors''
turns attention to the source of these labors, viz.,
benevolent feeling; while beneficent would simply mark
them as productive of good. So, ``beneficent
intentions'' point to the feelings of the donor as
bent upon some specific good act; while ``benevolent
intentions'' would only denote a general wish and
design to do good.
Benevolous \Be*nev"o*lous\, a. [L. benevolus.]
Kind; benevolent. [Obs.] --T. Puller.
Bengal \Ben*gal"\, n.
1. A province in India, giving its name to various stuffs,
animals, etc.
2. A thin stuff, made of silk and hair, originally brought
from Bengal.
3. Striped gingham, originally brought from Bengal; Bengal
stripes.
{Bengal light}, a firework containing niter, sulphur, and
antimony, and producing a sustained and vivid colored
light, used in making signals and in pyrotechnics; --
called also {blue light}.
{Bengal stripes}, a kind of cotton cloth woven with colored
stripes. See {Bengal}, 3.
{Bengal tiger}. (Zo["o]l.). See {Tiger}.
Bengalee \Ben*gal"ee\, Bengali \Ben*gal"i\, n.
The language spoken in Bengal.
Bengalese \Ben`gal*ese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Bengal. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or
natives of Bengal.
Bengola \Ben*go"la\, n.
A Bengal light.
Benight \Be*night"\ (b[-e]*n[imac]t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Benighted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Benighting}.]
1. To involve in darkness; to shroud with the shades of
night; to obscure. [Archaic]
The clouds benight the sky. --Garth.
2. To overtake with night or darkness, especially before the
end of a day's journey or task.
Some virgin, sure, . . . benighted in these woods.
--Milton.
3. To involve in moral darkness, or ignorance; to debar from
intellectual light.
Shall we to men benighted The lamp of life deny ?
--Heber.
Benightment \Be*night"ment\, n.
The condition of being benighted.
Benign \Be*nign"\, a. [OE. benigne, bening, OF. benigne, F.
b['e]nin, fem. b['e]nigne, fr. L. benignus, contr. from
benigenus; bonus good + root of genus kind. See {Bounty}, and
{Genus}.]
1. Of a kind or gentle disposition; gracious; generous;
favorable; benignant.
Creator bounteous and benign. --Milton.
2. Exhibiting or manifesting kindness, gentleness, favor,
etc.; mild; kindly; salutary; wholesome.
Kind influences and benign aspects. --South.
3. Of a mild type or character; as, a benign disease.
Syn: Kind; propitious; bland; genial; salubrious; favorable
salutary; gracious; liberal.
Benignancy \Be*nig"nan*cy\, n.
Benignant quality; kindliness.
Benignant \Be*nig"nant\, a. [LL. benignans, p. pr. of benignare,
from L. benignus. See {Benign}.]
Kind; gracious; favorable. -- {Be*nig"nant*ly}, adv.
Benignity \Be*nig"ni*ty\, n. [OE. benignite, F. b['e]nignit['e],
OF. b['e]nignet['e], fr. L. benignitas. See {Benign}.]
1. The quality of being benign; goodness; kindness;
graciousness. ``Benignity of aspect.'' --Sir W. Scott.
2. Mildness; gentleness.
The benignity or inclemency of the season.
--Spectator.
3. Salubrity; wholesome quality. --Wiseman.
Benignly \Be*nign"ly\, adv.
In a benign manner.
Benim \Be*nim"\, v. t. [AS. beniman. See {Benumb}, and cf.
{Nim}.]
To take away. [Obs.]
Ire . . . benimeth the man fro God. --Chaucer.
Benison \Ben"i*son\, n. [OE. beneysun, benesoun, OF.
bene["i]?un, bene["i]son, fr. L. benedictio, fr. benedicere
to bless; bene (adv. of bonus good) + dicere to say. See
{Bounty}, and {Diction}, and cf. {Benediction}.]
Blessing; beatitude; benediction. --Shak.
More precious than the benison of friends. --Talfourd.
B'enitier \B['e]*ni"tier`\, n. [F., fr. b['e]nir to bless.] (R.
C. Ch.)
A holy-water stoup. --Shipley.
Benjamin \Ben"ja*min\, n. [Corrupted from benzoin.]
See {Benzoin}.
Benjamin \Ben"ja*min\, n.
A kind of upper coat for men. [Colloq. Eng.]
Benjamite \Ben"ja*mite\, n.
A descendant of Benjamin; one of the tribe of Benjamin.
--Judg. iii. 15.
Benne \Ben"ne\, n. [Malay bijen.] (Bot.)
The name of two plants ({Sesamum orientale} and {S.
indicum}), originally Asiatic; -- also called oil plant. From
their seeds an oil is expressed, called benne oil, used
mostly for making soap. In the southern United States the
seeds are used in candy.
Bennet \Ben"net\, n. [F. beno[^i]te, fr. L. benedicta, fem. of
benedictus, p. p., blessed. See {Benedict}, a.] (Bot.)
The common yellow-flowered avens of Europe ({Geum urbanum});
herb bennet. The name is sometimes given to other plants, as
the hemlock, valerian, etc.
Benshee \Ben"shee\, n.
See {Banshee}.
Bent \Bent\,
imp. & p. p. of {Bend}.
Bent \Bent\, a. & p. p.
1. Changed by pressure so as to be no longer straight;
crooked; as, a bent pin; a bent lever.
2. Strongly inclined toward something, so as to be resolved,
determined, set, etc.; -- said of the mind, character,
disposition, desires, etc., and used with on; as, to be
bent on going to college; he is bent on mischief.
Bent \Bent\, n. [See {Bend}, n. & v.]
1. The state of being curved, crooked, or inclined from a
straight line; flexure; curvity; as, the bent of a bow.
[Obs.] --Wilkins.
2. A declivity or slope, as of a hill. [R.] --Dryden.
3. A leaning or bias; proclivity; tendency of mind;
inclination; disposition; purpose; aim. --Shak.
With a native bent did good pursue. --Dryden.
4. Particular direction or tendency; flexion; course.
Bents and turns of the matter. --Locke.
5. (Carp.) A transverse frame of a framed structure.
6. Tension; force of acting; energy; impetus. [Archaic]
The full bent and stress of the soul. --Norris.
Syn: Predilection; turn.
Usage: {Bent}, {Bias}, {Inclination}, {Prepossession}. These
words agree in describing a permanent influence upon
the mind which tends to decide its actions. Bent
denotes a fixed tendency of the mind in a given
direction. It is the widest of these terms, and
applies to the will, the intellect, and the
affections, taken conjointly; as, the whole bent of
his character was toward evil practices. Bias is
literally a weight fixed on one side of a ball used in
bowling, and causing it to swerve from a straight
course. Used figuratively, bias applies particularly
to the judgment, and denotes something which acts with
a permanent force on the character through that
faculty; as, the bias of early education, early
habits, etc. Inclination is an excited state of desire
or appetency; as, a strong inclination to the study of
the law. Prepossession is a mingled state of feeling
and opinion in respect to some person or subject,
which has laid hold of and occupied the mind previous
to inquiry. The word is commonly used in a good sense,
an unfavorable impression of this kind being
denominated a prejudice. ``Strong minds will be
strongly bent, and usually labor under a strong bias;
but there is no mind so weak and powerless as not to
have its inclinations, and none so guarded as to be
without its prepossessions.'' --Crabb.
Bent \Bent\, n. [AS. beonet; akin to OHG. pinuz, G. binse, rush,
bent grass; of unknown origin.]
1. A reedlike grass; a stalk of stiff, coarse grass.
His spear a bent, both stiff and strong. --Drayton.
2. (Bot.) A grass of the genus {Agrostis}, esp. {Agrostis
vulgaris}, or redtop. The name is also used of many other
grasses, esp. in America.
3. Any neglected field or broken ground; a common; a moor.
[Obs.] --Wright.
Bowmen bickered upon the bent. --Chevy Chase.
Bent grass \Bent" grass`\ (Bot.)
Same as {Bent}, a kind of grass.
Benthal \Ben"thal\, a. [Gr. ? the depth of the sea.]
Relating to the deepest zone or region of the ocean.
Benthamic \Ben*tham"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Bentham or Benthamism.
Benthamism \Ben"tham*ism\, n.
That phase of the doctrine of utilitarianism taught by Jeremy
Bentham; the doctrine that the morality of actions is
estimated and determined by their utility; also, the theory
that the sensibility to pleasure and the recoil from pain are
the only motives which influence human desires and actions,
and that these are the sufficient explanation of ethical and
jural conceptions.
Benthamite \Ben"tham*ite\, n.
One who believes in Benthamism.
Benting time \Bent"ing time"\
The season when pigeons are said to feed on bents, before
peas are ripe.
Bare benting times . . . may come. --Dryden.
Benty \Bent"y\, a.
1. A bounding in bents, or the stalks of coarse, stiff,
withered grass; as, benty fields.
2. Resembling bent. --Holland.
Benumb \Be*numb"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Benumbed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Benumbing}.] [OE. binomen, p. p. of binimen to take away,
AS. beniman; pref. be + niman to take. See {Numb}, a., and
cf. {Benim}.]
To make torpid; to deprive of sensation or sensibility; to
stupefy; as, a hand or foot benumbed by cold.
The creeping death benumbed her senses first. --Dryden.
Benumbed \Be*numbed"\, a.
Made torpid; numbed; stupefied; deadened; as, a benumbed body
and mind. -- {Be*numbed"ness}, n.
Benumbment \Be*numb"ment\, n.
Act of benumbing, or state of being benumbed; torpor.
--Kirby.
Benzal \Ben"zal\, n. [Benzoic + aldehyde.] (Chem.)
A compound radical, {C6H5.CH}, of the aromatic series,
related to benzyl and benzoyl; -- used adjectively or in
combination.
Benzamide \Ben*zam"ide\, n. [Benzoin + amide.] (Chem.)
A transparent crystalline substance, {C6H5.CO.NH2}, obtained
by the action of ammonia upon chloride of benzoyl, as also by
several other reactions with benzoyl compounds.
Benzene \Ben"zene\, n. [From {Benzoin}.] (Chem.)
A volatile, very inflammable liquid, {C6H6}, contained in the
naphtha produced by the destructive distillation of coal,
from which it is separated by fractional distillation. The
name is sometimes applied also to the impure commercial
product or benzole, and also, but rarely, to a similar mixed
product of petroleum.
{Benzene nucleus}, {Benzene ring} (Chem.), a closed chain or
ring, consisting of six carbon atoms, each with one
hydrogen atom attached, regarded as the type from which
the aromatic compounds are derived. This ring formula is
provisionally accepted as representing the probable
constitution of the benzene molecule, {C6H6}, and as the
type on which its derivatives are formed.
Benzile \Ben"zile\, n. [From {Benzoin}.] (Chem.)
A yellowish crystalline substance, {C6H5.CO.CO.C6H5}, formed
from benzoin by the action of oxidizing agents, and
consisting of a doubled benzoyl radical.
Benzine \Ben"zine\, n. [From {Benzoin}.] (Chem.)
1. A liquid consisting mainly of the lighter and more
volatile hydrocarbons of petroleum or kerosene oil, used
as a solvent and for cleansing soiled fabrics; -- called
also {petroleum spirit}, {petroleum benzine}. Varieties or
similar products are gasoline, naphtha, rhigolene,
ligroin, etc.
2. Same as {Benzene}. [R.]
Note: The hydrocarbons of benzine proper are essentially of
the marsh gas series, while benzene proper is the
typical hydrocarbon of the aromatic series.
Benzoate \Ben"zo*ate\, n. [Cf. F. benzoate.] (Chem.)
A salt formed by the union of benzoic acid with any
salifiable base.
Benzoic \Ben*zo"ic\ (b[e^]n*z[=o]"[i^]k), a. [Cf. F.
benzo["i]que.]
Pertaining to, or obtained from, benzoin.
{Benzoic acid}, or {flowers of benzoin}, a peculiar vegetable
acid, {C6H5.CO2H}, obtained from benzoin, and some other
balsams, by sublimation or decoction. It is also found in
the urine of infants and herbivorous animals. It
crystallizes in the form of white, satiny flakes; its odor
is aromatic; its taste is pungent, and somewhat acidulous.
{Benzoic aldehyde}, oil of bitter almonds; the aldehyde,
{C6H5.CHO}, intermediate in composition between benzoic or
benzyl alcohol, and benzoic acid. It is a thin colorless
liquid.
Benzoin \Ben*zoin"\ (b[e^]n*zoin"), n. [Cf. F. benjoin, Sp.
benjui, Pg. beijoin; all fr. Ar. lub[=a]n-j[=a]w[=i] incense
form Sumatra (named Java in Arabic), the first syllable being
lost. Cf. {Benjamin}.]
Note: [Called also {benjamin}.]
1. A resinous substance, dry and brittle, obtained from the
{Styrax benzoin}, a tree of Sumatra, Java, etc., having a
fragrant odor, and slightly aromatic taste. It is used in
the preparation of benzoic acid, in medicine, and as a
perfume.
2. A white crystalline substance, {C14H12O2}, obtained from
benzoic aldehyde and some other sources.
3. (Bot.) The spicebush ({Lindera benzoin}).
{Flowers of benzoin}, benzoic acid. See under {Benzoic}.
Benzoinated \Ben*zoin"a*ted\, a. (Med.)
Containing or impregnated with benzoin; as, benzoinated lard.
Benzole \Ben"zole\ Benzol \Ben"zol\, n. [Benzoin + L. oleum
oil.] (Chem.)
An impure benzene, used in the arts as a solvent, and for
various other purposes. See {Benzene}.
Note: It has great solvent powers, and is used by
manufacturers of India rubber and gutta percha; also
for cleaning soiled kid gloves, and for other purposes.
Benzoline \Ben"zo*line\, n. (Chem.)
(a) Same as {Benzole}.
(b) Same as {Amarine}. [R.] --Watts.
Benzoyl \Ben"zoyl\, n. [Benzoic + Gr. ? wood. See {-yl}.]
(Chem.)
A compound radical, {C6H5.CO}; the base of benzoic acid, of
the oil of bitter almonds, and of an extensive series of
compounds. [Formerly written also {benzule}.]
Benzyl \Ben"zyl\, n. [Benzoic + -yl.] (Chem.)
A compound radical, {C6H5.CH2}, related to toluene and
benzoic acid; -- commonly used adjectively.
Bepaint \Be*paint"\, v. t.
To paint; to cover or color with, or as with, paint.
Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek. --Shak.
Bepelt \Be*pelt"\, v. t.
To pelt roundly.
Bepinch \Be*pinch"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bepinched}.]
To pinch, or mark with pinches. --Chapman.
Beplaster \Be*plas"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beplastered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Beplastering}.]
To plaster over; to cover or smear thickly; to bedaub.
Beplastered with rouge. --Goldsmith.
Beplumed \Be*plumed"\, a.
Decked with feathers.
Bepommel \Be*pom"mel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bepommeled}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Bepommeling}.]
To pommel; to beat, as with a stick; figuratively, to assail
or criticise in conversation, or in writing. --Thackeray.
Bepowder \Be*pow"der\, v. t.
To sprinkle or cover with powder; to powder.
Bepraise \Be*praise"\, v. t.
To praise greatly or extravagantly. --Goldsmith.
Beprose \Be*prose"\, v. t.
To reduce to prose. [R.] ``To beprose all rhyme.'' --Mallet.
Bepuffed \Be*puffed"\, a.
Puffed; praised. --Carlyle.
Bepurple \Be*pur"ple\, v. t.
To tinge or dye with a purple color.
Bequeath \Be*queath"\ (b[-e]*kw[=e][th]"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Bequeathed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bequeathing}.] [OE. biquethen,
AS. becwe[eth]an to say, affirm, bequeath; pref. be- +
cwe[eth]an to say, speak. See {Quoth}.]
1. To give or leave by will; to give by testament; -- said
especially of personal property.
My heritage, which my dead father did bequeath to
me. --Shak.
2. To hand down; to transmit.
To bequeath posterity somewhat to remember it.
--Glanvill.
3. To give; to offer; to commit. [Obs.]
To whom, with all submission, on my knee I do
bequeath my faithful services And true subjection
everlastingly. --Shak.
Syn: To {Bequeath}, {Devise}.
Usage: Both these words denote the giving or disposing of
property by will. Devise, in legal usage, is property
used to denote a gift by will of real property, and he
to whom it is given is called the devisee. Bequeath is
properly applied to a gift by will or legacy; i. e.,
of personal property; the gift is called a legacy, and
he who receives it is called a legatee. In popular
usage the word bequeath is sometimes enlarged so as to
embrace devise; and it is sometimes so construed by
courts.
Bequeathable \Be*queath"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being bequeathed.
Bequeathal \Be*queath"al\, n.
The act of bequeathing; bequeathment; bequest. --Fuller.
Bequeathment \Be*queath"ment\, n.
The act of bequeathing, or the state of being bequeathed; a
bequest.
Bequest \Be*quest"\, n. [OE. biquest, corrupted fr. bequide;
pref. be- + AS. cwide a saying, becwe[eth]an to bequeath. The
ending -est is probably due to confusion with quest. See
{Bequeath}, {Quest}.]
1. The act of bequeathing or leaving by will; as, a bequest
of property by A. to B.
2. That which is left by will, esp. personal property; a
legacy; also, a gift.
Bequest \Be*quest"\, v. t.
To bequeath, or leave as a legacy. [Obs.] ``All I have to
bequest.'' --Gascoigne.
Bequethen \Be*queth"en\,
old p. p. of {Bequeath}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bequote \Be*quote"\, v. t.
To quote constantly or with great frequency.
Berain \Be*rain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Berained}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Beraining}.]
To rain upon; to wet with rain. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Berate \Be*rate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Berated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Berating}.]
To rate or chide vehemently; to scold. --Holland. --Motley.
Berattle \Be*rat"tle\, v. t.
To make rattle; to scold vociferously; to cry down. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Beray \Be*ray"\ (?) v. t. [Pref. be + ray to defile]
To make foul; to soil; to defile. [Obs.] --Milton.
Berbe \Berbe\, n. [Cf. Berber, Barb a Barbary horse.] (Zo["o]l.)
An African genet ({Genetta pardina}). See {Genet}.
Berber \Ber"ber\, n. [See {Barbary}.]
A member of a race somewhat resembling the Arabs, but often
classed as Hamitic, who were formerly the inhabitants of the
whole of North Africa from the Mediterranean southward into
the Sahara, and who still occupy a large part of that region;
-- called also {Kabyles}. Also, the language spoken by this
people.
Berberine \Ber"ber*ine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid obtained, as a bitter, yellow substance, from the
root of the barberry, gold thread, and other plants.
Berberry \Ber"ber*ry\, n.
See Barberry.
Berdash \Ber"dash\, n.
A kind of neckcloth. [Obs.]
A treatise against the cravat and berdash. --Steele.
Bere \Bere\, v. t. [Cf. OIcel. berja to strike.]
To pierce. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bere \Bere\, n.
See Bear, barley. [Scot.]
Bereave \Be*reave"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bereaved}, {Bereft};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Bereaving.}] [OE. bireven, AS. bere['a]fian.
See {Be-}, and {Reave.}]
1. To make destitute; to deprive; to strip; -- with of before
the person or thing taken away.
Madam, you have bereft me of all words. --Shak.
Bereft of him who taught me how to sing. --Tickell.
2. To take away from. [Obs.]
All your interest in those territories Is utterly
bereft you; all is lost. --Shak.
3. To take away. [Obs.]
Shall move you to bereave my life. --Marlowe.
Note: The imp. and past pple. form bereaved is not used in
reference to immaterial objects. We say bereaved or
bereft by death of a relative, bereft of hope and
strength.
Syn: To dispossess; to divest.
Bereavement \Be*reave"ment\, n.
The state of being bereaved; deprivation; esp., the loss of a
relative by death.
Bereaver \Be*reav"er\, n.
One who bereaves.
Bereft \Be*reft"\,
imp. & p. p. of Bereave.
Beretta \Be*ret"ta\, n.
Same as Berretta.
Berg \Berg\, n. [[root]95. See {Barrow} hill, and cf.
{Iceberg}.]
A large mass or hill, as of ice.
Glittering bergs of ice. --Tennyson.
Bergamot \Ber"ga*mot\ (b[~e]r"g[.a]*m[o^]t), n. [F. bergamote,
fr. It. bergamotta; prob. a corruption of Turk. beg arm[=u]di
a lord's pear.]
1. (Bot.)
(a) A tree of the Orange family ({Citrus bergamia}),
having a roundish or pear-shaped fruit, from the rind
of which an essential oil of delicious odor is
extracted, much prized as a perfume. Also, the fruit.
(b) A variety of mint ({Mentha aquatica, var. glabrata}).
2. The essence or perfume made from the fruit.
3. A variety of pear. --Johnson.
4. A variety of snuff perfumed with bergamot.
The better hand . . . gives the nose its bergamot.
--Cowper.
5. A coarse tapestry, manufactured from flock of cotton or
hemp, mixed with ox's or goat's hair; -- said to have been
invented at Bergamo, Italy. Encyc. Brit.
{Wild bergamot} (Bot.), an American herb of the Mint family
({Monarda fistulosa}).
Bergander \Ber"gan*der\, n. [Berg, for burrow + gander a male
goose? Cf. G. bergente, Dan. gravgaas.] (Zo["o]l.)
A European duck ({Anas tadorna}). See {Sheldrake}.
Bergeret \Ber"ger*et\, n. [OF. bergerete, F. berger a shepherd.]
A pastoral song. [Obs.]
Bergh \Bergh\, n. [AS. beorg.]
A hill. [Obs.]
Bergmaster \Berg"mas`ter\, n.
See {Barmaster}.
Bergmeal \Berg"meal\, n. [G. berg mountain + mehl meal.] (Min.)
An earthy substance, resembling fine flour. It is composed of
the shells of infusoria, and in Lapland and Sweden is
sometimes eaten, mixed with flour or ground birch bark, in
times of scarcity. This name is also given to a white powdery
variety of calcite.
Bergmote \Berg"mote\, n.
See {Barmote}.
Bergomask \Ber"go*mask\, n.
A rustic dance, so called in ridicule of the people of
Bergamo, in Italy, once noted for their clownishness.
Bergylt \Ber"gylt\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Norway haddock. See {Rosefish}.
Berhyme \Be*rhyme"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Berhymed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Berhyming}.]
To mention in rhyme or verse; to rhyme about.
Note: [Sometimes use depreciatively.] --Shak.
Beriberi \Be`ri*be"ri\, n. [Singhalese beri weakness.]
An acute disease occurring in India, characterized by
multiple inflammatory changes in the nerves, producing great
muscular debility, a painful rigidity of the limbs, and
cachexy.
Berime \Be*rime"\, v. t.
To berhyme.
Note: [The earlier and etymologically preferable spelling.]
Berkeleian \Berke*le"ian\, a.
Of or relating to Bishop Berkeley or his system of idealism;
as, Berkeleian philosophy. -- {Berke"ley*ism}, n.
Berlin \Ber"lin\, n. [The capital of Prussia]
1. A four-wheeled carriage, having a sheltered seat behind
the body and separate from it, invented in the 17th
century, at Berlin.
2. Fine worsted for fancy-work; zephyr worsted; -- called
also {Berlin wool}.
{Berlin black}, a black varnish, drying with almost a dead
surface; -- used for coating the better kinds of ironware.
--Ure.
{Berlin blue}, Prussian blue. --Ure.
{Berlin green}, a complex cyanide of iron, used as a green
dye, and similar to Prussian blue.
{Berlin iron}, a very fusible variety of cast iron, from
which figures and other delicate articles are
manufactured. These are often stained or lacquered in
imitation of bronze.
{Berlin shop}, a shop for the sale of worsted embroidery and
the materials for such work.
{Berlin work}, worsted embroidery.
Berm \Berm\ Berme \Berme\, n. [F. berme, of German origin; cf.
G. brame, br["a]me, border, akin to E. brim.]
1. (Fort.) A narrow shelf or path between the bottom of a
parapet and the ditch.
2. (Engineering) A ledge at the bottom of a bank or cutting,
to catch earth that may roll down the slope, or to
strengthen the bank.
Bermuda grass \Ber*mu"da grass`\ (Bot.)
A kind of grass ({Cynodon Dactylon}) esteemed for pasture in
the Southern United States. It is a native of Southern
Europe, but is now wide-spread in warm countries; -- called
also {scutch grass}, and in Bermuda, {devil grass}.
Bernacle \Ber"na*cle\, n.
See {Barnacle}.
Berna fly \Ber"na fly`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A Brazilian dipterous insect of the genus {Trypeta}, which
lays its eggs in the nostrils or in wounds of man and beast,
where the larv[ae] do great injury.
Bernardine \Ber"nar*dine\, a.
Of or pertaining to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, or to the
Cistercian monks. -- n. A Cistercian monk.
Bernese \Ber*nese"\, a.
Pertaining to the city or canton of Bern, in Switzerland, or
to its inhabitants. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or natives of
Bern.
Bernicle \Ber"ni*cle\, n. [OE. bernak, bernacle; cf. OF. bernac;
prob. fr. LL. bernacula for hibernicula, bernicula, fr.
Hibernia; the birds coming from Hibernia or Ireland. Cf. 1st
{Barnacle}.]
A bernicle goose. [Written also {barnacle}.]
{Bernicle goose} (Zo["o]l.), a goose ({Branta leucopsis}), of
Arctic Europe and America. It was formerly believed that
it hatched from the cirripeds of the sea ({Lepas}), which
were, therefore, called barnacles, goose barnacles, or
Anatifers. The name is also applied to other related
species. See {Anatifa} and {Cirripedia}.
Bernouse \Ber*nouse"\, n.
Same as {Burnoose}.
Berob \Be*rob"\, v. t.
To rob; to plunder. [Obs.]
Beroe \Ber"o*e\, n. [L. Beroe, one of the Oceanid[ae] Gr. ?: cf.
F. bero['e].] (Zo["o]l.)
A small, oval, transparent jellyfish, belonging to the
Ctenophora.
Berretta \Ber*ret"ta\, n. [It., fr. LL. birrettum, berretum, a
cap, dim. of L. birrus, birrum, a cloak to keep off rain, cf.
Gr. ? tawny, red: cf. Sp. birreta, Pg. barrete, and E.
{Barret}.]
A square cap worn by ecclesiastics of the Roman Catholic
Church. A cardinal's berretta is scarlet; that worn by other
clerics is black, except that a bishop's is lined with green.
[Also spelt {beretta}, {biretta}, etc.]
Berried \Ber"ried\, a.
Furnished with berries; consisting of a berry; baccate; as, a
berried shrub.
Berry \Ber"ry\, n.; pl. {Berries}. [OE. berie, AS. berie,
berige; akin to D. bes, G. beere, OS. and OHG. beri, Icel.
ber, Sw. b["a]r, Goth. basi, and perh. Skr. bhas to eat.]
1. Any small fleshy fruit, as the strawberry, mulberry,
huckleberry, etc.
2. (Bot.) A small fruit that is pulpy or succulent
throughout, having seeds loosely imbedded in the pulp, as
the currant, grape, blueberry.
3. The coffee bean.
4. One of the ova or eggs of a fish. --Travis.
{In berry}, containing ova or spawn.
Berry \Ber"ry\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Berried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Berrying}.]
To bear or produce berries.
Berry \Ber"ry\, n. [AS. beorh. See {Barrow} a hill.]
A mound; a hillock. --W. Browne.
Berrying \Ber"ry*ing\, n.
A seeking for or gathering of berries, esp. of such as grow
wild.
Berserk \Ber"serk\, Berserker \Ber"serk*er\, n. [Icel.
berserkr.]
1. (Scand. Myth.) One of a class of legendary heroes, who
fought frenzied by intoxicating liquors, and naked,
regardless of wounds. --Longfellow.
2. One who fights as if frenzied, like a Berserker.
Berstle \Bers"tle\, n.
See {Bristle}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Berth \Berth\, n. [From the root of bear to produce, like birth
nativity. See {Birth}.] [Also written {birth}.]
1. (Naut.)
(a) Convenient sea room.
(b) A room in which a number of the officers or ship's
company mess and reside.
(c) The place where a ship lies when she is at anchor, or
at a wharf.
2. An allotted place; an appointment; situation or
employment. ``He has a good berth.'' --Totten.
3. A place in a ship to sleep in; a long box or shelf on the
side of a cabin or stateroom, or of a railway car, for
sleeping in.
{Berth deck}, the deck next below the lower gun deck. --Ham.
Nav. Encyc.
{To give} (the land or any object) {a wide berth}, to keep at
a distance from it.
Berth \Berth\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Berthed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Berthing}.]
1. To give an anchorage to, or a place to lie at; to place in
a berth; as, she was berthed stem to stern with the
Adelaide.
2. To allot or furnish berths to, on shipboard; as, to berth
a ship's company. --Totten.
Bertha \Ber"tha\, n. [F. berthe, fr. Berthe, a woman's name.]
A kind of collar or cape worn by ladies.
Berthage \Berth"age\, n.
A place for mooring vessels in a dock or harbor.
Berthierite \Ber"thi*er*ite\, n. [From Berthier, a French
naturalist.] (Min.)
A double sulphide of antimony and iron, of a dark steel-gray
color.
Berthing \Berth"ing\, n. (Naut.)
The planking outside of a vessel, above the sheer strake.
--Smyth.
Bertram \Ber"tram\, n. [Corrupted fr. L. pyrethrum, Gr. ? a hot
spicy plant, fr. ? fire.] (Bot.)
Pellitory of Spain ({Anacyclus pyrethrum}).
Berycoid \Ber"y*coid\ (b[e^]r"[i^]*koid), a. [NL. {beryx}, the
name of the typical genus + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the {Berycid[ae]}, a family of marine
fishes.
Beryl \Ber"yl\ (b[e^]r"[i^]l), n. [F. b['e]ryl, OF. beril, L.
beryllus, Gr. bh`ryllos, prob. fr. Skr. vai[dsdot][=u]rya.
Cf. {Brilliant}.] (Min.)
A mineral of great hardness, and, when transparent, of much
beauty. It occurs in hexagonal prisms, commonly of a green or
bluish green color, but also yellow, pink, and white. It is a
silicate of aluminium and glucinum (beryllium). The
{aquamarine} is a transparent, sea-green variety used as a
gem. The {emerald} is another variety highly prized in
jewelry, and distinguished by its deep color, which is
probably due to the presence of a little oxide of chromium.
Berylline \Ber"yl*line\, a.
Like a beryl; of a light or bluish green color.
Beryllium \Be*ryl"li*um\, n. [NL.] (Chem.)
A metallic element found in the beryl. See {Glucinum}.
Berylloid \Ber"yl*loid\, n. [Beryl + -oid.] (Crystallog.)
A solid consisting of a double twelve-sided pyramid; -- so
called because the planes of this form occur on crystals of
beryl.
Besaiel \Be*saiel"\, Besaile \Be*saile"\, Besayle \Be*sayle"\,
n. [OF. beseel, F. bisa["i]eul, fr. L. bis twice + LL.
avolus, dim. of L. avus grandfather.]
1. A great-grandfather. [Obs.]
2. (Law) A kind of writ which formerly lay where a
great-grandfather died seized of lands in fee simple, and
on the day of his death a stranger abated or entered and
kept the heir out. This is now abolished. --Blackstone.
Besaint \Be*saint"\, v. t.
To make a saint of.
Besant \Be*sant"\, n.
See {Bezant}.
Bes-antler \Bes-ant"ler\, n.
Same as {Bez-antler}.
Bescatter \Be*scat"ter\, v. t.
1. To scatter over.
2. To cover sparsely by scattering (something); to strew.
``With flowers bescattered.'' --Spenser.
Bescorn \Be*scorn"\, v. t.
To treat with scorn. ``Then was he bescorned.'' --Chaucer.
Bescratch \Be*scratch"\, v. t.
To tear with the nails; to cover with scratches.
Bescrawl \Be*scrawl"\, v. t.
To cover with scrawls; to scribble over. --Milton.
Bescreen \Be*screen"\, v. t.
To cover with a screen, or as with a screen; to shelter; to
conceal. --Shak.
Bescribble \Be*scrib"ble\, v. t.
To scribble over. ``Bescribbled with impertinences.''
--Milton.
Bescumber \Be*scum"ber\, Bescummer \Be*scum"mer\, v. t. [Pref.
be- + scumber, scummer.]
To discharge ordure or dung upon. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Besee \Be*see"\, v. t. & i. [AS. bese['o]n; pref. be- + ?e['o]n
to see.]
To see; to look; to mind. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Beseech \Be*seech"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besought}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Beseeching}.] [OE. bisechen, biseken (akin to G.
besuchen to visit); pref. be- + sechen, seken, to seek. See
{Seek}.]
1. To ask or entreat with urgency; to supplicate; to implore.
I beseech you, punish me not with your hard
thoughts. --Shak.
But Eve . . . besought his peace. --Milton.
Syn: To beg; to crave.
Usage: {To Beseech}, {Entreat}, {Solicit}, {Implore},
{Supplicate}. These words agree in marking that sense
of want which leads men to beg some favor. To solicit
is to make a request, with some degree of earnestness
and repetition, of one whom we address as a superior.
To entreat implies greater urgency, usually enforced
by adducing reasons or arguments. To beseech is still
stronger, and belongs rather to the language of poetry
and imagination. To implore denotes increased fervor
of entreaty, as addressed either to equals or
superiors. To supplicate expresses the extreme of
entreaty, and usually implies a state of deep
humiliation. Thus, a captive supplicates a conqueror
to spare his life. Men solicit by virtue of their
interest with another; they entreat in the use of
reasoning and strong representations; they beseech
with importunate earnestness; they implore from a
sense of overwhelming distress; they supplicate with a
feeling of the most absolute inferiority and
dependence.
Beseech \Be*seech"\, n.
Solicitation; supplication. [Obs. or Poetic] --Shak.
Beseecher \Be*seech"er\, n.
One who beseeches.
Beseeching \Be*seech"ing\, a.
Entreating urgently; imploring; as, a beseeching look. --
{Be*seech"ing*ly}, adv. -- {Be*seech"ing*ness}, n.
Beseechment \Be*seech"ment\, n.
The act of beseeching or entreating earnestly. [R.]
--Goodwin.
Beseek \Be*seek"\, v. t.
To beseech. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Beseem \Be*seem"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beseemed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Beseeming}.] [Pref. be- + seem.]
Literally: To appear or seem (well, ill, best, etc.) for
(one) to do or to have. Hence: To be fit, suitable, or proper
for, or worthy of; to become; to befit.
A duty well beseeming the preachers. --Clarendon.
What form of speech or behavior beseemeth us, in our
prayers to God ? --Hocker.
Beseem \Be*seem"\, v. i.
To seem; to appear; to be fitting. [Obs.] ``As beseemed
best.'' --Spenser.
Beseeming \Be*seem"ing\, n.
1. Appearance; look; garb. [Obs.]
I . . . did company these three in poor beseeming.
--Shak.
2. Comeliness. --Baret.
Beseeming \Be*seem"ing\, a.
Becoming; suitable. [Archaic] -- {Be*seem"ing*ly}, adv. --
{Be*seem"ing*ness}, n.
Beseemly \Be*seem"ly\, a.
Fit; suitable; becoming. [Archaic]
In beseemly order sitten there. --Shenstone.
Beseen \Be*seen"\, a. [Properly the p. p. of besee.]
1. Seen; appearing. [Obs. or Archaic]
2. Decked or adorned; clad. [Archaic] --Chaucer.
3. Accomplished; versed. [Archaic] --Spenser.
Beset \Be*set"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beset}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Besetting}.] [AS. besettan (akin to OHG. bisazjan, G.
besetzen, D. bezetten); pref. be- + settan to set. See
{Set}.]
1. To set or stud (anything) with ornaments or prominent
objects.
A robe of azure beset with drops of gold.
--Spectator.
The garden is so beset with all manner of sweet
shrubs that it perfumes the air. --Evelyn.
2. To hem in; to waylay; to surround; to besiege; to
blockade. ``Beset with foes.'' --Milton.
Let thy troops beset our gates. --Addison.
3. To set upon on all sides; to perplex; to harass; -- said
of dangers, obstacles, etc. ``Adam, sore beset, replied.''
--Milton. ``Beset with ills.'' --Addison. ``Incommodities
which beset old age.'' --Burke.
4. To occupy; to employ; to use up. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Syn: To surround; inclose; environ; hem in; besiege;
encircle; encompass; embarrass; urge; press.
Besetment \Be*set"ment\, n.
The act of besetting, or the state of being beset; also, that
which besets one, as a sin. ``Fearing a besetment.'' --Kane.
Besetter \Be*set"ter\, n.
One who, or that which, besets.
Besetting \Be*set"ting\, a.
Habitually attacking, harassing, or pressing upon or about;
as, a besetting sin.
Beshine \Be*shine"\ (b[-e]*sh[imac]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Beshone}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Beshining}.]
To shine upon; to illumine.
Beshow \Be*show"\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large food fish ({Anoplopoma fimbria}) of the north Pacific
coast; -- called also {candlefish}.
Beshrew \Be*shrew"\, v. t.
To curse; to execrate.
Beshrew me, but I love her heartily. --Shak.
Note: Often a very mild form of imprecation; sometimes so far
from implying a curse, as to be uttered coaxingly, nay
even with some tenderness. --Schmidt.
Beshroud \Be*shroud"\, v. t.
To cover with, or as with, a shroud; to screen.
Beshut \Be*shut"\, v. t.
To shut up or out. [Obs.]
Beside \Be*side"\, prep. [OE. biside, bisiden, bisides, prep.
and adv., beside, besides; pref. be- by + side. Cf. Besides,
and see {Side}, n.]
1. At the side of; on one side of. ``Beside him hung his
bow.'' --Milton.
2. Aside from; out of the regular course or order of; in a
state of deviation from; out of.
[You] have done enough To put him quite beside his
patience. --Shak.
3. Over and above; distinct from; in addition to.
Note: [In this use besides is now commoner.]
Wise and learned men beside those whose names are
in the Christian records. --Addison.
{To be beside one's self}, to be out of one's wits or senses.
Paul, thou art beside thyself. --Acts xxvi.
24.
Syn: {Beside}, {Besides}.
Usage: These words, whether used as prepositions or adverbs,
have been considered strictly synonymous, from an
early period of our literature, and have been freely
interchanged by our best writers. There is, however, a
tendency, in present usage, to make the following
distinction between them: 1. That beside be used only
and always as a preposition, with the original meaning
``by the side of; '' as, to sit beside a fountain; or
with the closely allied meaning ``aside from'',
``apart from'', or ``out of''; as, this is beside our
present purpose; to be beside one's self with joy. The
adverbial sense to be wholly transferred to the
cognate word. 2. That besides, as a preposition, take
the remaining sense ``in addition to'', as, besides
all this; besides the considerations here offered.
``There was a famine in the land besides the first
famine.'' --Gen. xxvi. 1. And that it also take the
adverbial sense of ``moreover'', ``beyond'', etc.,
which had been divided between the words; as, besides,
there are other considerations which belong to this
case. The following passages may serve to illustrate
this use of the words:
Lovely Thais sits beside thee. --Dryden.
Only be patient till we have appeased The
multitude, beside themselves with fear. --Shak.
It is beside my present business to enlarge on
this speculation. --Locke.
Besides this, there are persons in certain
situations who are expected to be charitable.
--Bp. Porteus.
And, besides, the Moor May unfold me to him;
there stand I in much peril. --Shak.
That man that does not know those things which
are of necessity for him to know is but an
ignorant man, whatever he may know besides.
--Tillotson.
Note: See {Moreover}.
Besides \Be*sides"\, Beside \Be*side"\, adv. [OE. Same as
beside, prep.; the ending -s is an adverbial one, prop. a
genitive sign.]
1. On one side. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Shak.
2. More than that; over and above; not included in the
number, or in what has been mentioned; moreover; in
addition.
The men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides ?
--Gen. xix.
12.
To all beside, as much an empty shade, An Eugene
living, as a C[ae]sar dead. --Pope.
Note: These sentences may be considered as elliptical.
Besides \Be*sides\, prep.
Over and above; separate or distinct from; in addition to;
other than; else than. See {Beside}, prep., 3, and Syn. under
{Beside}.
Besides your cheer, you shall have sport. --Shak.
Besiege \Be*siege"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besieged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Besieging}.] [OE. bisegen; pref. be- + segen to
siege. See {Siege}.]
To beset or surround with armed forces, for the purpose of
compelling to surrender; to lay siege to; to beleaguer; to
beset.
Till Paris was besieged, famished, and lost. --Shak.
Syn: To environ; hem in; invest; encompass.
Besiegement \Be*siege"ment\, n.
The act of besieging, or the state of being besieged.
--Golding.
Besieger \Be*sie"ger\, n.
One who besieges; -- opposed to the besieged.
Besieging \Be*sie"ging\, a.
That besieges; laying siege to. -- {Be*sie"ging*ly}, adv.
Besit \Be*sit"\, v. t. [Pref. be- + sit.]
To suit; to fit; to become. [Obs.]
Beslabber \Be*slab"ber\, v. t.
To beslobber.
Beslave \Be*slave"\, v. t.
To enslave. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Beslaver \Be*slav"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beslavered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Beslavering}.]
To defile with slaver; to beslobber.
Beslime \Be*slime"\, v. t.
To daub with slime; to soil. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Beslobber \Be*slob"ber\, v. t.
To slobber on; to smear with spittle running from the mouth.
Also Fig.: as, to beslobber with praise.
Beslubber \Be*slub"ber\, v. t.
To beslobber.
Besmear \Be*smear"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besmeared}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Besmearing}.]
To smear with any viscous, glutinous matter; to bedaub; to
soil.
Besmeared with precious balm. --Spenser.
Besmearer \Be*smear"er\, n.
One that besmears.
Besmirch \Be*smirch"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besmirched}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Besmirching}.]
To smirch or soil; to discolor; to obscure. Hence: To
dishonor; to sully. --Shak.
Besmoke \Be*smoke"\, v. t.
1. To foul with smoke.
2. To harden or dry in smoke. --Johnson.
Besmut \Be*smut"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besmutted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Besmutting}.] [Pref. be- + smut: cf. AS. besm[=i]tan, and
also OE. besmotren.]
To blacken with smut; to foul with soot.
Besnow \Be*snow"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besnowed}.] [OE.
bisnewen, AS. besn[=i]wan; pref. be- + sn[=i]wan to snow.]
1. To scatter like snow; to cover thick, as with snow flakes.
[R.] --Gower.
2. To cover with snow; to whiten with snow, or as with snow.
Besnuff \Be*snuff"\, v. t.
To befoul with snuff. --Young.
Besogne \Be*sogne"\, n. [F. bisogne.]
A worthless fellow; a bezonian. [Obs.]
Besom \Be"som\, n. [OE. besme, besum, AS. besma; akin to D.
bezem, OHG pesamo, G. besen; of uncertain origin.]
A brush of twigs for sweeping; a broom; anything which sweeps
away or destroys. [Archaic or Fig.]
I will sweep it with the besom of destruction. --Isa.
xiv. 23.
The housemaid with her besom. --W. Irving.
Besom \Be"som\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besomed}.]
To sweep, as with a besom. [Archaic or Poetic] --Cowper.
Rolls back all Greece, and besoms wide the plain.
--Barlow.
Besomer \Be"som*er\, n.
One who uses a besom. [Archaic]
Besort \Be*sort"\, v. t.
To assort or be congruous with; to fit, or become. [Obs.]
Such men as may besort your age. --Shak.
Besort \Be*sort"\, n.
Befitting associates or attendants. [Obs.]
With such accommodation and besort As levels with her
breeding. --Shak.
Besot \Be*sot"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besotted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Besotting}.]
To make sottish; to make dull or stupid; to stupefy; to
infatuate.
Fools besotted with their crimes. --Hudibras.
Besotted \Be*sot"ted\, a.
Made sottish, senseless, or infatuated; characterized by
drunken stupidity, or by infatuation; stupefied. ``Besotted
devotion.'' --Sir W. Scott. -- {Be*sot"ted*ly}, adv. --
{Be*sot"ted*ness}, n. --Milton.
Besottingly \Be*sot"ting*ly\, adv.
In a besotting manner.
Besought \Be*sought"\,
p. p. of {Beseech}.
Bespangle \Be*span"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bespangled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bespangling}.]
To adorn with spangles; to dot or sprinkle with something
brilliant or glittering.
The grass . . . is all bespangled with dewdrops.
--Cowper.
Bespatter \Be*spat"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bespattered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bespattering}.]
1. To soil by spattering; to sprinkle, esp. with dirty water,
mud, or anything which will leave foul spots or stains.
2. To asperse with calumny or reproach.
Whom never faction could bespatter. --Swift.
Bespawl \Be*spawl"\, v. t.
To daub, soil, or make foul with spawl or spittle. [Obs.]
--Milton.
Bespeak \Be*speak"\, v. t. [imp. {Bespoke}, {Bespake} (Archaic);
p. p. {Bespoke}, {Bespoken}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bespeaking}.]
[OE. bispeken, AS. besprecan, to speak to, accuse; pref. be-
+ sprecan to speak. See {Speak}.]
1. To speak or arrange for beforehand; to order or engage
against a future time; as, to bespeak goods, a right, or a
favor.
Concluding, naturally, that to gratify his avarice
was to bespeak his favor. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To show beforehand; to foretell; to indicate.
[They] bespoke dangers . . . in order to scare the
allies. --Swift.
3. To betoken; to show; to indicate by external marks or
appearances.
When the abbot of St. Martin was born, he had so
little the figure of a man that it bespoke him
rather a monster. --Locke.
4. To speak to; to address. [Poetic]
He thus the queen bespoke. --Dryden.
Bespeak \Be*speak"\, v. i.
To speak. [Obs.] --Milton.
Bespeak \Be*speak"\, n.
A bespeaking. Among actors, a benefit (when a particular play
is bespoken.) ``The night of her bespeak.'' --Dickens.
Bespeaker \Be*speak"er\, n.
One who bespeaks.
Bespeckle \Be*spec"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bespeckled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bespeckling}.]
To mark with speckles or spots. --Milton.
Bespew \Be*spew"\, v. t.
To soil or daub with spew; to vomit on.
Bespice \Be*spice"\, v. t.
To season with spice, or with some spicy drug. --Shak.
Bespirt \Be*spirt"\, v. t.
Same as {Bespurt}.
Bespit \Be*spit\ (b[-e]*sp[i^]t"), v. t. [imp. {Bespit}; p. p.
{Bespit}, {Bespitten} (-t'n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Bespitting}.]
To daub or soil with spittle. --Johnson.
Bespoke \Be*spoke"\ (b[-e]*sp[=o]k"),
imp. & p. p. of {Bespeak}.
Bespot \Be*spot"\ (b[-e]*sp[o^]t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Bespotted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bespotting}.]
To mark with spots, or as with spots.
Bespread \Be*spread"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bespread}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bespreading}.]
To spread or cover over.
The carpet which bespread His rich pavilion's floor.
--Glover.
Besprent \Be*sprent"\, p. p. [OE. bespreynt, p. p. of
besprengen, bisprengen, to besprinkle, AS. besprengan, akin
to D. & G. besprengen; pref. be- + sprengan to sprinkle. See
{Sprinkle}.]
Sprinkled over; strewed.
His face besprent with liquid crystal shines.
--Shenstone.
The floor with tassels of fir was besprent.
--Longfellow.
Besprinkle \Be*sprin"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Besprinkled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Besprinkling}.]
To sprinkle over; to scatter over.
The bed besprinkles, and bedews the ground. --Dryden.
Besprinkler \Be*sprin"kler\, n.
One who, or that which, besprinkles.
Besprinkling \Be*sprin"kling\, n.
The act of sprinkling anything; a sprinkling over.
Bespurt \Be*spurt"\, v. t.
To spurt on or over; to asperse. [Obs.] --Milton.
Bessemer steel \Bes"se*mer steel`\
Steel made directly from cast iron, by burning out a portion
of the carbon and other impurities that the latter contains,
through the agency of a blast of air which is forced through
the molten metal; -- so called from Sir Henry Bessemer, an
English engineer, the inventor of the process.
Best \Best\ (b[e^]st), a.; superl. of Good. [AS. besta, best,
contr. from betest, betst, betsta; akin to Goth. batists,
OHG. pezzisto, G. best, beste, D. best, Icel. beztr, Dan.
best, Sw. b["a]st. This word has no connection in origin with
good. See {Better}.]
1. Having good qualities in the highest degree; most good,
kind, desirable, suitable, etc.; most excellent; as, the
best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best
abilities.
When he is best, he is a little worse than a man.
--Shak.
Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight.
--Milton.
2. Most advanced; most correct or complete; as, the best
scholar; the best view of a subject.
3. Most; largest; as, the best part of a week.
{Best man}, the only or principal groomsman at a wedding
ceremony.
Best \Best\, n.
Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing,
or being, or action; as, to do one's best; to the best of our
ability.
{At best}, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the
case; under the most favorable circumstances; as, life is
at best very short.
{For best}, finally. [Obs.] ``Those constitutions . . . are
now established for best, and not to be mended.''
--Milton.
{To get the best of}, to gain an advantage over, whether
fairly or unfairly.
{To make the best of}.
(a) To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the
greatest advantage. ``Let there be freedom to carry their
commodities where they can make the best of them.''
--Bacon.
(b) To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to
make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.
Best \Best\, adv.; superl. of {Well}.
1. In the highest degree; beyond all others. ``Thou serpent!
That name best befits thee.'' --Milton.
He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both
great and small. --Coleridge.
2. To the most advantage; with the most success, case,
profit, benefit, or propriety.
Had we best retire? I see a storm. --Milton.
Had I not best go to her? --Thackeray.
3. Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is
expedient is best known to himself.
Best \Best\, v. t.
To get the better of. [Colloq.]
Bestad \Be*stad"\, imp. & p. p. of {Bestead}.
Beset; put in peril. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bestain \Be*stain"\, v. t.
To stain.
Bestar \Be*star"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bestarred}.]
To sprinkle with, or as with, stars; to decorate with, or as
with, stars; to bestud. ``Bestarred with anemones.'' --W.
Black.
Bestead \Be*stead"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bestead} or {Bested},
also (Obs.) {Bestad}. In sense 3 imp. also {Besteaded}.]
[Pref. be- + stead a place.]
1. To put in a certain situation or condition; to
circumstance; to place. [Only in p. p.]
They shall pass through it, hardly bestead and
hungry: . . . and curse their king and their God.
--Is. viii.
21.
Many far worse bestead than ourselves. --Barrow.
2. To put in peril; to beset.
Note: [Only in p. p.] --Chaucer.
3. To serve; to assist; to profit; to avail. --Milton.
Bestial \Bes"tial\, a. [F. bestial, L. bestialis, fr. bestia
beast. See {Beast}.]
1. Belonging to a beast, or to the class of beasts.
Among the bestial herds to range. --Milton.
2. Having the qualities of a beast; brutal; below the dignity
of reason or humanity; irrational; carnal; beastly;
sensual. --Shak.
Syn: Brutish; beastly; brutal; carnal; vile; low; depraved;
sensual; filthy.
Bestial \Bes"tial\, n.
A domestic animal; also collectively, cattle; as, other kinds
of bestial. [Scot.]
Bestiality \Bes*tial"i*ty\, n. [F. bestialit['e].]
1. The state or quality of being bestial.
2. Unnatural connection with a beast.
Bestialize \Bes"tial*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bestialized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bestializing}.]
To make bestial, or like a beast; to degrade; to brutalize.
The process of bestializing humanity. --Hare.
Bestially \Bes"tial*ly\, adv.
In a bestial manner.
Bestick \Be*stick"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bestuck}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Besticking}.]
To stick over, as with sharp points pressed in; to mark by
infixing points or spots here and there; to pierce.
Truth shall retire Bestuck with slanderous darts.
--Milton.
Bestill \Be*still"\, v. t.
To make still.
Bestir \Be*stir"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bestirred}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bestirring}.]
To put into brisk or vigorous action; to move with life and
vigor; -- usually with the reciprocal pronoun.
You have so bestirred your valor. --Shak.
Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake. --Milton.
Bestorm \Be*storm"\, v. i. & t.
To storm. --Young.
Bestow \Be*stow"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bestowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bestowing}.] [OE. bestowen; pref. be- + stow a place. See
{Stow}.]
1. To lay up in store; to deposit for safe keeping; to stow;
to place; to put. ``He bestowed it in a pouch.'' --Sir W.
Scott.
See that the women are bestowed in safety. --Byron.
2. To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some
occupation.
3. To expend, as money. [Obs.]
4. To give or confer; to impart; -- with on or upon.
Empire is on us bestowed. --Cowper.
Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor. --1
Cor. xiii. 3.
5. To give in marriage.
I could have bestowed her upon a fine gentleman.
--Tatler.
6. To demean; to conduct; to behave; -- followed by a
reflexive pronoun. [Obs.]
How might we see Falstaff bestow himself to-night in
his true colors, and not ourselves be seen ? --Shak.
Syn: To give; grant; present; confer; accord.
Bestowal \Be*stow"al\, n.
The act of bestowing; disposal.
Bestower \Be*stow"er\, n.
One that bestows.
Bestowment \Be*stow"ment\, n.
1. The act of giving or bestowing; a conferring or bestowal.
If we consider this bestowment of gifts in this
view. --Chauncy.
2. That which is given or bestowed.
They almost refuse to give due praise and credit to
God's own bestowments. --I. Taylor.
Bestraddle \Be*strad"dle\, v. t.
To bestride.
Bestraught \Be*straught"\, a. [Pref. be- + straught; prob. here
used for distraught.]
Out of one's senses; distracted; mad. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bestreak \Be*streak"\, v. t.
To streak.
Bestrew \Be*strew"\, v. t. [imp. {Bestrewed}; p. p. {Bestrewed},
{Bestrown} (?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Bestrewing}.]
To strew or scatter over; to besprinkle. [Spelt also
{bestrow}.] --Milton.
Bestride \Be*stride"\, v. t. [imp. {Bestrode}, (Obs. or R.)
{Bestrid}; p. p. {Bestridden}, {Bestrid}, {Bestrode}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Bestriding}.] [AS. bestr[=i]dan; pref. be- +
str[=i]dan to stride.]
1. To stand or sit with anything between the legs, or with
the legs astride; to stand over
That horse that thou so often hast bestrid. --Shak.
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a
Colossus. --Shak.
2. To step over; to stride over or across; as, to bestride a
threshold.
Bestrode \Be*strode"\,
imp. & p. p. of {Bestride}.
Bestrown \Be*strown"\,
p. p. of {Bestrew}.
Bestuck \Be*stuck"\,
imp. & p. p. {Bestick}.
Bestud \Be*stud"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bestudded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bestudding}.]
To set or adorn, as with studs or bosses; to set thickly; to
stud; as, to bestud with stars. --Milton.
Beswike \Be*swike"\, v. t. [AS. besw[=i]can; be- + sw[=i]can to
deceive, entice; akin to OS. sw[=i]kan, OHG. sw[=i]hhan,
Icel. sv[=i]kja.]
To lure; to cheat. [Obs.] --Gower.
Bet \Bet\, n. [Prob. from OE. abet abetting, OF. abet, fr.
abeter to excite, incite. See {Abet}.]
That which is laid, staked, or pledged, as between two
parties, upon the event of a contest or any contingent issue;
the act of giving such a pledge; a wager. ``Having made his
bets.'' --Goldsmith.
Bet \Bet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bet}, {Betted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Betting}.]
To stake or pledge upon the event of a contingent issue; to
wager.
John a Gaunt loved him well, and betted much money on
his head. --Shak.
I'll bet you two to one I'll make him do it. --O. W.
Holmes.
Bet \Bet\,
imp. & p. p. of {Beat}. [Obs.]
Bet \Bet\, a. & adv.
An early form of {Better}. [Obs.]
{To go bet}, to go fast; to hurry. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Betaine \Be"ta*ine\, n. [From beta, generic name of the beet.]
(Chem.)
A nitrogenous base, {C5H11NO2}, produced artificially, and
also occurring naturally in beet-root molasses and its
residues, from which it is extracted as a white crystalline
substance; -- called also {lycine} and {oxyneurine}. It has a
sweetish taste.
Betake \Be*take"\, v. t. [imp. {Betook}; p. p. {Betaken}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Betaking}.] [Pref. be- + take.]
1. To take or seize. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. To have recourse to; to apply; to resort; to go; -- with a
reflexive pronoun.
They betook themselves to treaty and submission.
--Burke.
The rest, in imitation, to like arms Betook them.
--Milton.
Whither shall I betake me, where subsist? --Milton.
3. To commend or intrust to; to commit to. [Obs.]
Betaught \Be*taught"\,a. [p. p. of OE. bitechen, AS. bet?can, to
assign, deliver. See {Teach}.]
Delivered; committed in trust. [Obs.]
Bete \Bete\, v. t.
To better; to mend. See {Beete}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Beteela \Be*tee"la\, n. [Pg. beatilha.]
An East India muslin, formerly used for cravats, veils, etc.
[Obs.]
Beteem \Be*teem"\, v. t. [Pref. be- + an old verb teem to be
fitting; cf. D. betamen to beseem, G. ziemen, Goth. gatiman,
and E. tame. See {Tame}, a.]
1. To give; to bestow; to grant; to accord; to consent.
[Obs.] --Spenser. Milton.
2. To allow; to permit; to suffer. [Obs.]
So loving to my mother, That he might not beteem the
winds of heaven Visit her face too roughly. --Shak.
Betel \Be"tel\ (b[=e]"t'l), n. [Pg., fr. Tamil ve[.t][.t]ilei,
prop. meaning, a mere leaf.] (Bot.)
A species of pepper ({Piper betle}), the leaves of which are
chewed, with the areca or betel nut and a little shell lime,
by the inhabitants of the East Indies. It is a woody climber
with ovate many-nerved leaves.
Betelguese \Bet"el*guese\ (b[e^]t"[e^]l*j[=e]z), n. [F.
B['e]telgeuse, of Arabic origin.] (Astron.)
A bright star of the first magnitude, near one shoulder of
Orion. [Written also {Betelgeux} and {Betelgeuse}.]
Betel nut \Be"tel nut`\
The nutlike seed of the areca palm, chewed in the East with
betel leaves (whence its name) and shell lime.
Bete noire \B[^e]te" noire"\ [Fr., lit. black beast.]
Something especially hated or dreaded; a bugbear.
Bethabara wood \Beth*ab"a*ra wood`\ (Bot.)
A highly elastic wood, used for fishing rods, etc. The tree
is unknown, but it is thought to be East Indian.
Bethel \Beth"el\, n. [Heb. b?th-el house of God.]
1. A place of worship; a hallowed spot. --S. F. Adams.
2. A chapel for dissenters. [Eng.]
3. A house of worship for seamen.
Bethink \Be*think"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bethought}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bethinking}.] [AS. be?encan; pref. be- + ?encan to
think. See {Think}.]
To call to mind; to recall or bring to recollection,
reflection, or consideration; to think; to consider; --
generally followed by a reflexive pronoun, often with of or
that before the subject of thought.
I have bethought me of another fault. --Shak.
The rest . . . may . . . bethink themselves, and
recover. --Milton.
We bethink a means to break it off. --Shak.
Syn: To recollect; remember; reflect.
Bethink \Be*think"\, v. i.
To think; to recollect; to consider. ``Bethink ere thou
dismiss us.'' --Byron.
Bethlehem \Beth"le*hem\, n. [Heb. b?th-lekhem house of food;
b?th house + lekhem food, l[=a]kham to eat. Formerly the name
of a hospital for the insane, in London, which had been the
priory of St. Mary of Bethlehem. Cf. {Bedlam}.]
1. A hospital for lunatics; -- corrupted into bedlam.
2. (Arch.) In the Ethiopic church, a small building attached
to a church edifice, in which the bread for the eucharist
is made. --Audsley.
Bethlehemite \Beth"le*hem*ite\, Bethlemite \Beth"lem*ite\, n.
1. An inhabitant of Bethlehem in Judea.
2. An insane person; a madman; a bedlamite.
3. One of an extinct English order of monks.
Bethought \Be*thought"\,
imp. & p. p. of {Bethink}.
Bethrall \Be*thrall"\, v. t.
To reduce to thralldom; to inthrall. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bethumb \Be*thumb"\, v. t.
To handle; to wear or soil by handling; as books. --Poe.
Bethump \Be*thump"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bethumped}, or
{Bethumpt}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bethumping}.]
To beat or thump soundly. --Shak.
Betide \Be*tide"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betided}, Obs. {Betid};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Betiding}.] [OE. bitiden; pref. bi-, be- +
tiden, fr. AS. t[=i]dan, to happen, fr. t[=i]d time. See
{Tide}.]
To happen to; to befall; to come to; as, woe betide the
wanderer.
What will betide the few ? --Milton.
Betide \Be*tide"\, v. i.
To come to pass; to happen; to occur.
A salve for any sore that may betide. --Shak.
Note: Shakespeare has used it with of. ``What would betide of
me ?''
Betime \Be*time"\, Betimes \Be*times"\, adv. [Pref. be- (for by)
+ time; that is, by the proper time. The -s is an adverbial
ending.]
1. In good season or time; before it is late; seasonably;
early.
To measure life learn thou betimes. --Milton.
To rise betimes is often harder than to do all the
day's work. --Barrow.
2. In a short time; soon; speedily; forth with.
He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes.
--Shak.
Betitle \Be*ti"tle\, v. t.
To furnish with a title or titles; to entitle. [Obs.]
--Carlyle.
Betoken \Be*to"ken\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betokened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Betokening}.]
1. To signify by some visible object; to show by signs or
tokens.
A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow . . .
Betokening peace from God, and covenant new.
--Milton.
2. To foreshow by present signs; to indicate something future
by that which is seen or known; as, a dark cloud often
betokens a storm.
Syn: To presage; portend; indicate; mark; note.
B'eton \B['e]`ton"\, n. [F. b['e]ton, fr. L. bitumen bitumen.]
(Masonry)
The French name for concrete; hence, concrete made after the
French fashion.
Betongue \Be*tongue"\, v. t.
To attack with the tongue; to abuse; to insult.
Betony \Bet"o*ny\, n.; pl. {Betonies}. [OE. betony, betany, F.
betoine, fr. L. betonica, vettonica.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Betonica} (Linn.).
Note: The purple or wood betony ({B. officinalis}, Linn.) is
common in Europe, being formerly used in medicine, and
(according to Loudon) in dyeing wool a yellow color.
Betook \Be*took"\,
imp. of {Betake}.
Betorn \Be*torn"\, a.
Torn in pieces; tattered.
Betoss \Be*toss\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betossed}.]
To put in violent motion; to agitate; to disturb; to toss.
``My betossed soul.'' --Shak.
Betrap \Be*trap"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betrapped}.]
1. To draw into, or catch in, a trap; to insnare; to
circumvent. --Gower.
2. To put trappings on; to clothe; to deck.
After them followed two other chariots covered with
red satin, and the horses betrapped with the same.
--Stow.
Betray \Be*tray"\ (b[-e]*tr[=a]"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Betrayed} (-tr[=a]d"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Betraying}.] [OE.
betraien, bitraien; pref. be- + OF. tra["i]r to betray, F.
trahir, fr. L. tradere. See {Traitor}.]
1. To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or
fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or
faithlessly; as, an officer betrayed the city.
Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be
betrayed into the hands of men. --Matt. xvii.
22.
2. To prove faithless or treacherous to, as to a trust or one
who trusts; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a
person or a cause.
But when I rise, I shall find my legs betraying me.
--Johnson.
3. To violate the confidence of, by disclosing a secret, or
that which one is bound in honor not to make known.
Willing to serve or betray any government for hire.
--Macaulay.
4. To disclose or discover, as something which prudence would
conceal; to reveal unintentionally.
Be swift to hear, but cautious of your tongue, lest
you betray your ignorance. --T. Watts.
5. To mislead; to expose to inconvenience not foreseen to
lead into error or sin.
Genius . . . often betrays itself into great errors.
--T. Watts.
6. To lead astray, as a maiden; to seduce (as under promise
of marriage) and then abandon.
7. To show or to indicate; -- said of what is not obvious at
first, or would otherwise be concealed.
All the names in the country betray great antiquity.
--Bryant.
Betrayal \Be*tray"al\n.
The act or the result of betraying.
Betrayer \Be*tray"er\, n.
One who, or that which, betrays.
Betrayment \Be*tray"ment\, n.
Betrayal. [R.] --Udall.
Betrim \Be*trim"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betrimmed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Betrimming}.]
To set in order; to adorn; to deck, to embellish; to trim.
--Shak.
Betroth \Be*troth"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betrothed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Betrothing}.] [Pref. be- + troth, i. e., truth. See
{Truth}.]
1. To contract to any one for a marriage; to engage or
promise in order to marriage; to affiance; -- used esp. of
a woman.
He, in the first flower of my freshest age,
Betrothed me unto the only heir. --Spenser.
Ay, and we are betrothed. --Shak.
2. To promise to take (as a future spouse); to plight one's
troth to.
What man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and
hath not taken her? --Deut. xx. 7.
3. To nominate to a bishopric, in order to consecration.
--Ayliffe.
Betrothal \Be*troth"al\, n.
The act of betrothing, or the fact of being betrothed; a
mutual promise, engagement, or contract for a future marriage
between the persons betrothed; betrothment; affiance. ``The
feast of betrothal.'' --Longfellow.
Betrothment \Be*troth"ment\, n.
The act of betrothing, or the state of being betrothed;
betrothal.
Betrust \Be*trust"\, v. t.
To trust or intrust. [Obs.]
Betrustment \Be*trust"ment\, n.
The act of intrusting, or the thing intrusted. [Obs.]
--Chipman.
Betso \Bet"so\, n. [It. bezzo.]
A small brass Venetian coin. [Obs.]
Better \Bet"ter\, a.; compar. of Good. [OE. betere, bettre, and
as adv. bet, AS. betera, adj., and bet, adv.; akin to Icel.
betri, adj., betr, adv., Goth. batiza, adj., OHG. bezziro,
adj., baz, adv., G. besser, adj. and adv., bass, adv., E.
boot, and prob. to Skr. bhadra excellent. See {Boot}
advantage, and cf. {Best}, {Batful}.]
1. Having good qualities in a greater degree than another;
as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a
better air.
Could make the worse appear The better reason.
--Milton.
2. Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness,
acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect.
To obey is better than sacrifice. --1 Sam. xv.
22.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put
confidence in princes. --Ps. cxviii.
9.
3. Greater in amount; larger; more.
4. Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the
patient is better.
5. More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance;
a better knowledge of the subject.
{All the better}. See under {All}, adv.
{Better half}, an expression used to designate one's wife.
My dear, my better half (said he), I find I must now
leave thee. --Sir P.
Sidney.
{To be better off}, to be in a better condition.
{Had better}. (See under {Had}).
Note: The phrase had better, followed by an infinitive
without to, is idiomatic. The earliest form of
construction was ``were better'' with a dative; as,
``Him were better go beside.'' (--Gower.) i. e., It
would be better for him, etc. At length the nominative
(I, he, they, etc.) supplanted the dative and had took
the place of were. Thus we have the construction now
used.
By all that's holy, he had better starve Than but
once think this place becomes thee not. --Shak.
Better \Bet"ter\, n.
1. Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of;
as, to get the better of an enemy.
2. One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in
merit, social standing, etc.; -- usually in the plural.
Their betters would hardly be found. --Hooker.
{For the better}, in the way of improvement; so as to produce
improvement. ``If I have altered him anywhere for the
better.'' --Dryden.
Better \Bet"ter\, adv.; compar. of {Well}.
1. In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill
and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as,
Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than
recruits.
I could have better spared a better man. --Shak.
2. More correctly or thoroughly.
The better to understand the extent of our
knowledge. --Locke.
3. In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one
better than another.
Never was monarch better feared, and loved. --Shak.
4. More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten
miles and better. [Colloq.]
{To think better of} (any one), to have a more favorable
opinion of any one.
{To think better of} (an opinion, resolution, etc.), to
reconsider and alter one's decision.
Better \Bet"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bettered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bettering}.] [AS. beterian, betrian, fr. betera better.
See {Better}, a.]
1. To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities
of.
Love betters what is best. --Wordsworth.
He thought to better his circumstances. --Thackeray.
2. To improve the condition of, morally, physically,
financially, socially, or otherwise.
The constant effort of every man to better himself.
--Macaulay.
3. To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
The works of nature do always aim at that which can
not be bettered. --Hooker.
4. To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest
of. [Obs.]
Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve
to better us and worse our foes. --Milton.
Syn: To improve; meliorate; ameliorate; mend; amend; correct;
emend; reform; advance; promote.
Better \Bet"ter\, v. i.
To become better; to improve. --Carlyle.
Better \Bet"ter\, n.
One who bets or lays a wager.
Betterment \Bet"ter*ment\, n.
1. A making better; amendment; improvement. --W. Montagu.
2. (Law) An improvement of an estate which renders it better
than mere repairing would do; -- generally used in the
plural. [U. S.] --Bouvier.
Bettermost \Bet"ter*most`\, a.
Best. [R.] ``The bettermost classes.'' --Brougham.
Betterness \Bet"ter*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being better or superior; superiority. [R.]
--Sir P. Sidney.
2. The difference by which fine gold or silver exceeds in
fineness the standard.
Bettong \Bet"tong\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small, leaping Australian marsupial of the genus
{Bettongia}; the jerboa kangaroo.
Bettor \Bet"tor\, n.
One who bets; a better. --Addison.
Betty \Bet"ty\, n.
1. [Supposed to be a cant word, from Betty, for Elizabeth, as
such an instrument is also called Bess (i. e., Elizabeth)
in the Canting Dictionary of 1725, and Jenny (i. e.,
Jane).] A short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open.
[Written also {bettee}.]
The powerful betty, or the artful picklock.
--Arbuthnot.
2. [Betty, nickname for Elizabeth.] A name of contempt given
to a man who interferes with the duties of women in a
household, or who occupies himself with womanish matters.
3. A pear-shaped bottle covered round with straw, in which
olive oil is sometimes brought from Italy; -- called by
chemists a Florence flask. [U. S.] --Bartlett.
Betulin \Bet"u*lin\, n. [L. betula birch tree.] (Chem.)
A substance of a resinous nature, obtained from the outer
bark of the common European birch ({Betula alba}), or from
the tar prepared therefrom; -- called also {birch camphor}.
--Watts.
Betumble \Be*tum"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betumbled}.]
To throw into disorder; to tumble. [R.]
From her betumbled couch she starteth. --Shak.
Betutor \Be*tu"tor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betutored}.]
To tutor; to instruct. --Coleridge.
Between \Be*tween"\, prep. [OE. bytwene, bitweonen, AS.
betwe['o]nan, betwe['o]num; prefix be- by + a form fr. AS.
tw[=a] two, akin to Goth. tweihnai two apiece. See {Twain},
and cf. {Atween}, {Betwixt}.]
1. In the space which separates; betwixt; as, New York is
between Boston and Philadelphia.
2. Used in expressing motion from one body or place to
another; from one to another of two.
If things should go so between them. --Bacon.
3. Belonging in common to two; shared by both.
Castor and Pollux with only one soul between them.
--Locke.
4. Belonging to, or participated in by, two, and involving
reciprocal action or affecting their mutual relation; as,
opposition between science and religion.
An intestine struggle, open or secret, between
authority and liberty. --Hume.
5. With relation to two, as involved in an act or attribute
of which another is the agent or subject; as, to judge
between or to choose between courses; to distinguish
between you and me; to mediate between nations.
6. In intermediate relation to, in respect to time, quantity,
or degree; as, between nine and ten o'clock.
{Between decks}, the space, or in the space, between the
decks of a vessel.
{Between ourselves}, {Between you and me}, {Between
themselves}, in confidence; with the understanding that the
matter is not to be communicated to others.
Syn: {Between}, {Among}.
Usage: Between etymologically indicates only two; as, a
quarrel between two men or two nations; to be between
two fires, etc. It is however extended to more than
two in expressing a certain relation.
I . . . hope that between public business,
improving studies, and domestic pleasures,
neither melancholy nor caprice will find any
place for entrance. --Johnson.
Among implies a mass or collection of things or
persons, and always supposes more than two; as, the
prize money was equally divided among the ship's crew.
Between \Be*tween"\, n.
Intermediate time or space; interval. [Poetic & R.] --Shak.
Betwixt \Be*twixt"\, prep. [OE. betwix, bitwix, rarely bitwixt,
AS. betweox, betweohs, betweoh, betw[=i]h; pref. be- by + a
form fr. AS. tw[=a] two. See {Between}.]
1. In the space which separates; between.
From betwixt two aged oaks. --Milton.
2. From one to another of; mutually affecting.
There was some speech of marriage Betwixt myself and
her. --Shak.
{Betwixt and between}, in a midway position; so-so; neither
one thing nor the other. [Colloq.]
Beurr'e \Beur*r['e]"\, n. [F., fr. beurre butter.] (Bot.)
A beurr['e] (or buttery) pear, one with the meat soft and
melting; -- used with a distinguishing word; as, Beurr['e]
d'Anjou; Beurr['e] Clairgeau.
Bevel \Bev"el\, n. [C. F. biveau, earlier buveau, Sp. baivel; of
unknown origin. Cf. {Bevile}.]
1. Any angle other than a right angle; the angle which one
surface makes with another when they are not at right
angles; the slant or inclination of such surface; as, to
give a bevel to the edge of a table or a stone slab; the
bevel of a piece of timber.
2. An instrument consisting of two rules or arms, jointed
together at one end, and opening to any angle, for
adjusting the surfaces of work to the same or a given
inclination; -- called also a {bevel square}. --Gwilt.
Bevel \Bev"el\, a.
1. Having the slant of a bevel; slanting.
2. Hence: Morally distorted; not upright. [Poetic]
I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel.
--Shak.
{A bevel angle}, any angle other than one of 90[deg].
{Bevel wheel}, a cogwheel whose working face is oblique to
the axis. --Knight.
Bevel \Bev"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beveled} (?) or {Bevelled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Beveling} or {Bevelling}.]
To cut to a bevel angle; to slope the edge or surface of.
Bevel \Bev"el\, v. i.
To deviate or incline from an angle of 90[deg], as a surface;
to slant.
Their houses are very ill built, the walls bevel.
--Swift.
Beveled \Bev"eled\, Bevelled \Bev"elled\, a.
1. Formed to a bevel angle; sloping; as, the beveled edge of
a table.
2. (Min.) Replaced by two planes inclining equally upon the
adjacent planes, as an edge; having its edges replaced by
sloping planes, as a cube or other solid.
Bevel gear \Bev"el gear`\ (Mech.)
A kind of gear in which the two wheels working together lie
in different planes, and have their teeth cut at right angles
to the surfaces of two cones whose apices coincide with the
point where the axes of the wheels would meet.
Bevelment \Bev"el*ment\, n. (Min.)
The replacement of an edge by two similar planes, equally
inclined to the including faces or adjacent planes.
Bever \Be"ver\, n. [OE. bever a drink, drinking time, OF.
beivre, boivre, to drink, fr. L. bibere.]
A light repast between meals; a lunch. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Bever \Be"ver\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bevered} (?).]
To take a light repast between meals. [Obs.]
Beverage \Bev"er*age\, n. [OF. bevrage, F. breuvage, fr. beivre
to drink, fr. L. bibere. Cf. {Bib}, v. t., {Poison},
{Potable}.]
1. Liquid for drinking; drink; -- usually applied to drink
artificially prepared and of an agreeable flavor; as, an
intoxicating beverage.
He knew no beverage but the flowing stream.
--Thomson.
2. Specifically, a name applied to various kinds of drink.
3. A treat, or drink money. [Slang]
Bevile \Bev"ile\, n. [See {Bevel}.] (Her.)
A chief broken or opening like a carpenter's bevel. --Encyc.
Brit.
Beviled \Bev"iled\, Bevilled \Bev"illed\, a. (Her.)
Notched with an angle like that inclosed by a carpenter's
bevel; -- said of a partition line of a shield.
Bevy \Bev"y\, n.; pl. {Bevies}. [Perhaps orig. a drinking
company, fr. OF. bev['e]e (cf. It. beva) a drink, beverage;
then, perh., a company in general, esp. of ladies; and last
applied by sportsmen to larks, quails, etc. See {Beverage}.]
1. A company; an assembly or collection of persons,
especially of ladies.
What a bevy of beaten slaves have we here ! --Beau.
& Fl.
2. A flock of birds, especially quails or larks; also, a herd
of roes.
Bewail \Be*wail"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewailed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bewailing}.]
To express deep sorrow for, as by wailing; to lament; to wail
over.
Hath widowed and unchilded many a one, Which to this
hour bewail the injury. --Shak.
Syn: To bemoan; grieve. -- See {Deplore}.
Bewail \Be*wail"\, v. i.
To express grief; to lament. --Shak.
Bewailable \Be*wail"a*ble\, a.
Such as may, or ought to, be bewailed; lamentable.
Bewailer \Be*wail"er\, n.
One who bewails or laments.
Bewailing \Be*wail"ing\, a.
Wailing over; lamenting. -- {Be*wail"ing*ly}, adv.
Bewailment \Be*wail"ment\, n.
The act of bewailing.
Bewake \Be*wake"\, v. t. & i.
To keep watch over; to keep awake. [Obs.] --Gower.
Beware \Be*ware"\, v. i. [Be, imperative of verb to be + ware.
See {Ware}, {Wary}.]
1. To be on one's guard; to be cautious; to take care; --
commonly followed by of or lest before the thing that is
to be avoided.
Beware of all, but most beware of man ! --Pope.
Beware the awful avalanche. --Longfellow.
2. To have a special regard; to heed. [Obs.]
Behold, I send an Angel before thee. . . . Beware of
him, and obey his voice. --Ex. xxiii.
20, 21.
Note: This word is a compound from be and the Old English
ware, now wary, which is an adjective. ``Be ye war of
false prophetis.'' --Wyclif, Matt. vii. 15. It is used
commonly in the imperative and infinitive modes, and
with such auxiliaries (shall, should, must, etc.) as go
with the infinitive.
Beware \Be*ware"\ (b[-e]*w[^a]r"), v. t.
To avoid; to take care of; to have a care for. [Obs.]
``Priest, beware your beard.'' --Shak.
To wish them beware the son. --Milton.
Bewash \Be*wash"\, v. t.
To drench or souse with water. ``Let the maids bewash the
men.'' --Herrick.
Beweep \Be*weep"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewept}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Beweeping}.] [AS. bew?pan; pref. be- + weep.]
To weep over; to deplore; to bedew with tears. ``His timeless
death beweeping.'' --Drayton.
Beweep \Be*weep"\, v. i.
To weep. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bewet \Be*wet"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewet}, {Bewetted}.]
To wet or moisten. --Gay.
Bewhore \Be*whore"\, v. t.
1. To corrupt with regard to chastity; to make a whore of.
--J. Fletcher.
2. To pronounce or characterize as a whore. --Shak.
Bewig \Be*wig"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewigged}.]
To cover (the head) with a wig. --Hawthorne.
Bewilder \Be*wil"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewildered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Bewildering}.] [Pref. be- + wilder.]
To lead into perplexity or confusion, as for want of a plain
path; to perplex with mazes; or in general, to perplex or
confuse greatly.
Lost and bewildered in the fruitless search. --Addison.
Syn: To perplex; puzzle; entangle; confuse; confound;
mystify; embarrass; lead astray.
Bewildered \Be*wil"dered\, a.
Greatly perplexed; as, a bewildered mind.
Bewilderedness \Be*wil"dered*ness\, n.
The state of being bewildered; bewilderment. [R.]
Bewildering \Be*wil"der*ing\, a.
Causing bewilderment or great perplexity; as, bewildering
difficulties. -- {Be*wil"der*ing*ly}, adv.
Bewilderment \Be*wil"der*ment\, n.
1. The state of being bewildered.
2. A bewildering tangle or confusion.
He . . . soon lost all traces of it amid
bewilderment of tree trunks and underbrush.
--Hawthorne.
Bewinter \Be*win"ter\, v. t.
To make wintry. [Obs.]
Bewit \Bew"it\, n. [Cf. OF. buie bond, chain, fr. L. boja neck
collar, fetter. Cf. {Buoy}.]
A double slip of leather by which bells are fastened to a
hawk's legs.
Bewitch \Be*witch"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewitched}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bewitching}.]
1. To gain an ascendency over by charms or incantations; to
affect (esp. to injure) by witchcraft or sorcery.
See how I am bewitched; behold, mine arm Is like a
blasted sapling withered up. --Shak.
2. To charm; to fascinate; to please to such a degree as to
take away the power of resistance; to enchant.
The charms of poetry our souls bewitch. --Dryden.
Syn: To enchant; captivate; charm; entrance.
Bewitchedness \Be*witch"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being bewitched. --Gauden.
Bewitcher \Be*witch"er\, n.
One who bewitches.
Bewitchery \Be*witch"er*y\, n.
The power of bewitching or fascinating; bewitchment; charm;
fascination.
There is a certain bewitchery or fascination in words.
--South.
Bewitching \Be*witch"ing\, a.
Having power to bewitch or fascinate; enchanting;
captivating; charming. -- {Be*witch"ing*ly}, adv. --
Be*witch"ing*ness, n.
Bewitchment \Be*witch"ment\, n.
1. The act of bewitching, or the state of being bewitched.
--Tylor.
2. The power of bewitching or charming. --Shak.
Bewonder \Be*won"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewondered}.]
1. To fill with wonder. [Obs.]
2. To wonder at; to admire. [Obs.]
Bewrap \Be*wrap"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewrapped}.]
To wrap up; to cover. --Fairfax.
Bewray \Be*wray"\ (b[-e]*r[=a]"), v. t.
To soil. See {Beray}.
Bewray \Be*wray"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bewrayed} (-r[=a]d"); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bewraying}.] [OE. bewraien, biwreyen; pref. be-
+ AS. wr[=e]gan to accuse, betray; akin to OS. wr[=o]gian,
OHG. ruog[=e]n, G. r["u]gen, Icel. r[ae]gja, Goth. wr[=o]hjan
to accuse.]
To expose; to reveal; to disclose; to betray. [Obs. or
Archaic]
The murder being once done, he is in less fear, and in
more hope that the deed shall not be bewrayed or known.
--Robynson
(More's
Utopia. )
Thy speech bewrayeth thee. --Matt. xxvi.
73.
Bewrayer \Be*wray"er\ (-[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, bewrays; a revealer. [Obs. or
Archaic] --Addison.
Bewrayment \Be*wray"ment\ (-ment), n.
Betrayal. [R.]
Bewreck \Be*wreck"\, v. t.
To wreck. [Obs.]
Bewreke \Be*wreke"\, v. t. [Pref. be- + wreak.]
To wreak; to avenge. [Obs.] --Ld. Berners.
Bewrought \Be*wrought"\, a. [Pref. be- + wrought, p. p. of work,
v. t. ]
Embroidered. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Bey \Bey\ (b[=a]), n. [See {Beg} a bey.]
A governor of a province or district in the Turkish
dominions; also, in some places, a prince or nobleman; a beg;
as, the bey of Tunis.
Beylic \Bey"lic\, n. [Turk.]
The territory ruled by a bey.
Beyond \Be*yond"\, prep. [OE. biyonde, bi[yogh]eonde, AS.
begeondan, prep. and adv.; pref. be- + geond yond, yonder.
See {Yon}, {Yonder}.]
1. On the further side of; in the same direction as, and
further on or away than.
Beyond that flaming hill. --G. Fletcher.
2. At a place or time not yet reached; before.
A thing beyond us, even before our death. --Pope.
3. Past, out of the reach or sphere of; further than; greater
than; as, the patient was beyond medical aid; beyond one's
strength.
4. In a degree or amount exceeding or surpassing; proceeding
to a greater degree than; above, as in dignity,
excellence, or quality of any kind. ``Beyond
expectation.'' --Barrow.
Beyond any of the great men of my country. --Sir P.
Sidney.
{Beyond sea}. (Law) See under {Sea}.
{To go beyond}, to exceed in ingenuity, in research, or in
anything else; hence, in a bed sense, to deceive or
circumvent.
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any
matter. --1 Thess. iv.
6.
Beyond \Be*yond"\, adv.
Further away; at a distance; yonder.
Lo, where beyond he lyeth languishing. --Spenser.
Bezant \Be*zant"\, n. [See {Byzant}.]
1. A gold coin of Byzantium or Constantinople, varying in
weight and value, usually (those current in England)
between a sovereign and a half sovereign. There were also
white or silver bezants. [Written also {besant}, {byzant},
etc.]
2. (Her.) A circle in or, i. e., gold, representing the gold
coin called bezant. --Burke.
3. A decoration of a flat surface, as of a band or belt,
representing circular disks lapping one upon another.
Bez-antler \Bez`-ant"ler\, n. [L. bis twice (OF. bes) + E.
antler.]
The second branch of a stag's horn.
Bezel \Bez"el\ (b[e^]z"[e^]l), n. [From an old form of F. biseau
sloping edge, prob. fr. L. bis double. See {Bi-}.]
The rim which encompasses and fastens a jewel or other
object, as the crystal of a watch, in the cavity in which it
is set.
B'ezique \B['e]*zique"\ (b[asl]*z[=e]k"), n. [F. b['e]sigue.]
A game at cards in which various combinations of cards in the
hand, when declared, score points.
Bezoar \Be"zoar\, n. [F. b['e]zoard, fr. Ar. b[=a]zahr,
b[=a]dizahr, fr. Per. p[=a]d-zahr bezoar; p[=a]d protecting +
zahr poison; cf. Pg. & Sp. bezoar.]
A calculous concretion found in the intestines of certain
ruminant animals (as the wild goat, the gazelle, and the
Peruvian llama) formerly regarded as an unfailing antidote
for poison, and a certain remedy for eruptive, pestilential,
or putrid diseases. Hence: Any antidote or panacea.
Note: Two kinds were particularly esteemed, the Bezoar
orientale of India, and the Bezoar occidentale of Peru.
{Bezoar antelope}. See {Antelope}.
{Bezoar goat} (Zo["o]l.), the wild goat ({Capra [ae]gagrus}).
{Bezoar mineral}, an old preparation of oxide of antimony.
--Ure.
Bezoardic \Bez`o*ar"dic\, a. [Cf. F. b['e]zoardique,
b['e]zoartique.]
Pertaining to, or compounded with, bezoar. -- n. A medicine
containing bezoar.
Bezoartic \Bez`o*ar"tic\, Bezoartical \Bez`o*ar"tic*al\, a. [See
{Bezoardic}.]
Having the qualities of an antidote, or of bezoar; healing.
[Obs.]
Bezonian \Be*zo"ni*an\, n. [Cf. F. besoin need, want, It
bisogno.]
A low fellow or scoundrel; a beggar.
Great men oft die by vile bezonians. --Shak.
Bezzle \Bez"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bezzled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bezzling}.] [OF. besillier, besiler, to maltreat, pillage;
or shortened fr. embezzle. Cf. {Embezzle}.]
To plunder; to waste in riot. [Obs.]
Bezzle \Bez"zle\, v. i.
To drink to excess; to revel. [Obs.]
Bhang \Bhang\, n. [Per. bang; cf. Skr. bhang[=a] hemp.]
An astringent and narcotic drug made from the dried leaves
and seed capsules of wild hemp ({Cannabis Indica}), and
chewed or smoked in the East as a means of intoxication. See
{Hasheesh}.
Bhunder \Bhun"der\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
An Indian monkey ({Macacus Rhesus}), protected by the Hindoos
as sacred. See {Rhesus}.
Bi- \Bi-\ [L. bis twice, which in composition drops the -s, akin
to E. two. See {Bis-}, {Two}, and cf. {Di-}, {Dis-}.]
1. In most branches of science bi- in composition denotes
two, twice, or doubly; as, bidentate, two-toothed;
biternate, doubly ternate, etc.
2. (Chem.) In the composition of chemical names bi- denotes
two atoms, parts, or equivalents of that constituent to
the name of which it is prefixed, to one of the other
component, or that such constituent is present in double
the ordinary proportion; as, bichromate, bisulphide. Be-
and di- are often used interchangeably.
Biacid \Bi*ac"id\, a. [Pref. bi- + acid.] (Chem.)
Having two hydrogen atoms which can be replaced by negative
atoms or radicals to form salts; -- said of bases. See
{Diacid}.
Biacuminate \Bi`a*cu"mi*nate\, a. [Pref. bi- + acuminate.]
(Bot.)
Having points in two directions.
Biangular \Bi*an"gu*lar\, a. [Pref. bi- + angular.]
Having two angles or corners.
Biangulate \Bi*an"gu*late\, Biangulated \Bi*an"gu*la`ted\, a.
[Pref. bi- + angulate, angulated.]
Biangular.
Biangulous \Bi*an"gu*lous\,a. [Pref. bi- + angulous.]
Biangular. [R.]
Biantheriferous \Bi*an`ther*if"er*ous\, a. [Pref. bi- +
antherigerous.] (Bot.)
Having two anthers.
Biarticulate \Bi`ar*tic"u*late\, a. [Pref. bi- + articulate.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having, or consisting of, tow joints.
Bias \Bi"as\ (b[imac]"as), n.; pl. {Biases} (-[e^]z). [F.
biasis, perh. fr. LL. bifax two-faced; L. bis + facies face.
See {Bi-}, and cf. {Face}.]
1. A weight on the side of the ball used in the game of
bowls, or a tendency imparted to the ball, which turns it
from a straight line.
Being ignorant that there is a concealed bias within
the spheroid, which will . . . swerve away. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A leaning of the mind; propensity or prepossession toward
an object or view, not leaving the mind indifferent; bent;
inclination.
Strong love is a bias upon the thoughts. --South.
Morality influences men's lives, and gives a bias to
all their actions. --Locke.
3. A wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (as
the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference.
4. A slant; a diagonal; as, to cut cloth on the bias.
Syn: Prepossession; prejudice; partiality; inclination. See
{Bent}.
Bias \Bi"as\, a.
1. Inclined to one side; swelled on one side. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.
Bias \Bi"as\, adv.
In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as,
to cut cloth bias.
Bias \Bi"as\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Biased} (b[imac]"ast); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Biasing}.]
To incline to one side; to give a particular direction to; to
influence; to prejudice; to prepossess.
Me it had not biased in the one direction, nor should
it have biased any just critic in the counter
direction. --De Quincey.
Biauriculate \Bi`au*ric"u*late\, a. [Pref. bi- + auriculate.]
1. (Anat.) Having two auricles, as the heart of mammals,
birds, and reptiles.
2. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) Having two earlike projections at its
base, as a leaf.
Biaxal \Bi*ax"al\, Biaxial \Bi*ax"i*al\, a. [Pref. bi- + axal,
axial.] (Opt.)
Having two axes; as, biaxial polarization. --Brewster. --
{Bi*ax"i*al*ly}, adv.
Bib \Bib\, n. [From {Bib}, v., because the bib receives the
drink that the child slavers from the mouth.]
1. A small piece of cloth worn by children over the breast,
to protect the clothes.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An arctic fish ({Gadus luscus}), allied to the
cod; -- called also {pout} and {whiting pout}.
3. A bibcock.
Bib \Bib\, Bibbe \Bibbe\, v. t. [L. bibere. See {Beverage}, and
cf. {Imbibe}.]
To drink; to tipple. [Obs.]
This miller hath . . . bibbed ale. --Chaucer.
Bib \Bib\, v. i.
To drink; to sip; to tipple.
He was constantly bibbing. --Locke.
Bibacious \Bi*ba"cious\, a. [L. bibax, bibacis, fr. bibere. See
{Bib}.]
Addicted to drinking.
Bibacity \Bi*bac"i*ty\, n.
The practice or habit of drinking too much; tippling.
--Blount.
Bibasic \Bi*ba"sic\, a. [Pref. bi- + basic.] (Chem.)
Having to hydrogen atoms which can be replaced by positive or
basic atoms or radicals to form salts; -- said of acids. See
{Dibasic}.
Bibb \Bibb\ (b[i^]b), n.
A bibcock. See {Bib}, n., 3.
Bibber \Bib"ber\, n.
One given to drinking alcoholic beverages too freely; a
tippler; -- chiefly used in composition; as, winebibber.
Bibble-babble \Bib"ble-bab"ble\, n. [A reduplication of babble.]
Idle talk; babble. --Shak.
Bibbs \Bibbs\ (b[i^]bz), n. pl. (Naut.)
Pieces of timber bolted to certain parts of a mast to support
the trestletrees.
Bibcock \Bib"cock`\ (b[i^]b"k[o^]k), n.
A cock or faucet having a bent down nozzle. --Knight.
Bibirine \Bi*bi"rine\, n. (Chem.)
See {Bebeerine}.
Bibitory \Bib"i*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to drinking or tippling.
Bible \Bi"ble\ (b[imac]"b'l), n. [F. bible, L. biblia, pl., fr.
Gr. bibli`a, pl. of bibli`on, dim. of bi`blos, by`blos, book,
prop. Egyptian papyrus.]
1. A book. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. {The Book} by way of eminence, -- that is, the book which
is made up of the writings accepted by Christians as of
divine origin and authority, whether such writings be in
the original language, or translated; the Scriptures of
the Old and New Testaments; -- sometimes in a restricted
sense, the Old Testament; as, King James's Bible; Douay
Bible; Luther's Bible. Also, the book which is made up of
writings similarly accepted by the Jews; as, a rabbinical
Bible.
3. A book containing the sacred writings belonging to any
religion; as, the Koran is often called the Mohammedan
Bible.
{Bible Society}, an association for securing the
multiplication and wide distribution of the Bible.
{Douay Bible}. See {Douay Bible}.
{Geneva Bible}. See under {Geneva}.
Bibler \Bib"ler\ (b[i^]b"l[~e]r), n. [See {Bib}, v. t.]
A great drinker; a tippler. [Written also {bibbler} and
{bibbeler}.]
Biblical \Bib"li*cal\ (b[i^]b"l[i^]*kal), a.
Pertaining to, or derived from, the Bible; as, biblical
learning; biblical authority.
Biblicality \Bib`li*cal"i*ty\ (-k[a^]l"[i^]*t[y^]), n.
The quality of being biblical; a biblical subject. [R.]
Biblically \Bib"li*cal*ly\, adv.
According to the Bible.
Biblicism \Bib"li*cism\, n. [Cf. F. biblicisme.]
Learning or literature relating to the Bible. [R.]
Biblicist \Bib"li*cist\, n.
One skilled in the knowledge of the Bible; a demonstrator of
religious truth by the Scriptures.
Bibliograph \Bib"li*o*graph`\, n.
Bibliographer.
Bibliographer \Bib`li*og"ra*pher\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? book + ? to
write : cf. F. bibliographe.]
One who writes, or is versed in, bibliography.
Bibliographic \Bib`li*o*graph"ic\, Bibliographical
\Bib`li*o*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. bibliographique.]
Pertaining to bibliography, or the history of books. --
{Bib`li*o*graph"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Bibliography \Bib`li*og"ra*phy\n.; pl. {Bibliographies}. [Gr. ?:
cf. F. bibliographie.]
A history or description of books and manuscripts, with
notices of the different editions, the times when they were
printed, etc.
Bibliolater \Bib`li*ol"a*ter\, Bibliolatrist
\Bib`li*ol"a*trist\, n. [See. {Bibliolatry}.]
A worshiper of books; especially, a worshiper of the Bible; a
believer in its verbal inspiration. --De Quincey.
Bibliolatry \Bib`li*ol"a*try\ (-tr[y^]), n. [Gr. bibli`on book +
latrei`a service, worship, latrey`ein to serve.]
Book worship, esp. of the Bible; -- applied by Roman Catholic
divines to the exaltation of the authority of the Bible over
that of the pope or the church, and by Protestants to an
excessive regard to the letter of the Scriptures.
--Coleridge. --F. W. Newman.
Bibliological \Bib`li*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Relating to bibliology.
Bibliology \Bib`li*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? book + -logy.]
1. An account of books; book lore; bibliography.
2. The literature or doctrine of the Bible.
Bibliomancy \Bib"li*o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? book + -mancy: cf. F.
bibliomancie.]
A kind of divination, performed by selecting passages of
Scripture at hazard, and drawing from them indications
concerning future events.
Bibliomania \Bib`li*o*ma"ni*a\, n. [Gr. ? book + ? madness: cf.
F. bibliomanie.]
A mania for acquiring books.
Bibliomaniac \Bib`li*o*ma"ni*ac\, n.
One who has a mania for books. -- a. Relating to a
bibliomaniac.
Bibliomaniacal \Bib`li*o*ma*ni"ac*al\, a.
Pertaining to a passion for books; relating to a
bibliomaniac.
Bibliopegic \Bib`li*o*peg"ic\ (-p[e^]j"[i^]k), a. [Gr. bibli`on
book + phgny`naito make fast.]
Relating to the binding of books. [R.]
Bibliopegist \Bib`li*op"e*gist\
(b[i^]b`l[i^]*[o^]p"[-e]*j[i^]st), n.
A bookbinder.
Bibliopegistic \Bib`li*op`e*gis"tic\
(-[o^]p`[-e]*j[i^]s"t[i^]k), a.
Pertaining to the art of binding books. [R.] --Dibdin.
Bibliopegy \Bib`li*op"e*gy\, n. [See {Bibliopegic}.]
The art of binding books. [R.]
Bibliophile \Bib"li*o*phile\, n. [Gr. ? book + ? to love: cf. F.
bibliophile.]
A lover of books.
Bibliophilism \Bib`li*oph"i*lism\, n.
Love of books.
Bibliophilist \Bib`li*oph"i*list\, n.
A lover of books.
Bibliophobia \Bib`li*o*pho"bi*a\, n. [Gr. ? book + ? to fear.]
A dread of books. [R.]
Bibliopole \Bib"li*o*pole\, n. [L. bibliopola, Gr. ?; ? book + ?
to sell: cf. F. bibliopole.]
One who sells books.
Bibliopolic \Bib`li*o*pol"ic\, Bibliopolar \Bib`li*op"o*lar\, a.
[See {Bibliopole}.]
Of or pertaining to the sale of books. ``Bibliopolic
difficulties.'' --Carlyle.
Bibliopolism \Bib`li*op"o*lism\, n.
The trade or business of selling books.
Bibliopolist \Bib`li*op"o*list\, n.
Same as {Bibliopole}.
Bibliopolistic \Bib`li*op`o*lis"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to bibliopolism. --Dibdin.
Bibliotaph \Bib"li*o*taph\, Bibliotaphist \Bib`li*ot"a*phist\,
n. [Gr. ? book + ? a burial.]
One who hides away books, as in a tomb. [R.] --Crabb.
Bibliothec \Bib"li*o*thec\, n.
A librarian.
Bibliotheca \Bib`li*o*the"ca\, n. [L. See {Bibliotheke}.]
A library.
Bibliothecal \Bib`li*o*the"cal\, a. [L. bibliothecalis. See
{Bibliotheke}.]
Belonging to a library. --Byrom.
Bibliothecary \Bib`li*oth"e*ca*ry\, n. [L. bibliothecarius: cf.
F. biblioth['e]caire.]
A librarian. [Obs.] --Evelin.
Bibliotheke \Bib"li*o*theke\, n. [L. bibliotheca, Gr. ?; ? book
+ ? a case, box, fr. ? to place: cf. F. biblioth[`e]que.]
A library. [Obs.] --Bale.
Biblist \Bib"list\, n. [Cf. F. bibliste. See {Bible}.]
1. One who makes the Bible the sole rule of faith.
2. A biblical scholar; a biblicist. --I. Taylor.
Bibracteate \Bi*brac"te*ate\, a. [Pref. bi- + bracteate.] (Bot.)
Furnished with, or having, two bracts.
Bibulous \Bib"u*lous\, a. [L. bibulus, fr. bibere to drink. See
{Bib}, v. t. ]
1. Readily imbibing fluids or moisture; spongy; as, bibulous
blotting paper.
2. Inclined to drink; addicted to tippling.
Bibulously \Bib"u*lous*ly\, adv.
In a bibulous manner; with profuse imbibition or absorption.
--De Quincey.
Bicalcarate \Bi*cal"ca*rate\, a. [Pref. bi- + calcarate.]
Having two spurs, as the wing or leg of a bird.
Bicallose \Bi*cal"lose\, Bicallous \Bi*cal"lous\, a. [Pref. bi-
+ callose, callous.] (Bot.)
Having two callosities or hard spots. --Gray.
Bicameral \Bi*cam"er*al\, a. [Pref. bi- + camera.]
Consisting of, or including, two chambers, or legislative
branches. --Bentham.
Bicapsular \Bi*cap"su*lar\, a. [Pref. bi- + capsular: cf. F.
bicapsulaire.] (Bot.)
Having two capsules; as, a bicapsular pericarp.
Bicarbonate \Bi*car"bon*ate\, n. [Pref. bi- + carbonate.]
(Chem.)
A carbonate in which but half the hydrogen of the acid is
replaced by a positive element or radical, thus making the
proportion of the acid to the positive or basic portion twice
what it is in the normal carbonates; an acid carbonate; --
sometimes called {supercarbonate}.
Bicarbureted \Bi*car"bu*ret`ed\ or -retted \-ret`ted\, a. [Pref.
bi- + carbureted.] (Chem.)
Containing two atoms or equivalents of carbon in the
molecule. [Obs. or R.]
Bicarinate \Bi*car"i*nate\, a. [Pref. bi- + carinate.] (Biol.)
Having two keel-like projections, as the upper palea of
grasses.
Bicaudal \Bi*cau"dal\, a. [Pref. bi- + caudal.]
Having, or terminating in, two tails.
Bicaudate \Bi*cau"date\, a. [Pref. bi- + caudate.]
Two-tailed; bicaudal.
Bicched \Bic"ched\, a. [Of unknown origin.]
Pecked; pitted; notched. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Bicched bones}, pecked, or notched, bones; dice.
Bice \Bice\, Bise \Bise\, n. [F. bis, akin to It. bigio light
gray, tawny.] (Paint.)
A pale blue pigment, prepared from the native blue carbonate
of copper, or from smalt; -- called also {blue bice}.
{Green bice} is prepared from the blue, by adding yellow
orpiment, or by grinding down the green carbonate of
copper. --Cooley. --Brande & C.
Bicentenary \Bi*cen"te*na*ry\, a. [Pref. bi- + centenary.]
Of or pertaining to two hundred, esp. to two hundred years;
as, a bicentenary celebration. -- n. The two hundredth
anniversary, or its celebration.
Bicentennial \Bi`cen*ten"ni*al\, a. [Pref. bi- + centennial.]
1. Consisting of two hundred years.
2. Occurring every two hundred years.
Bicentennial \Bi`cen*ten"ni*al\, n.
The two hundredth year or anniversary, or its celebration.
Bicephalous \Bi*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Pref. bi- + cephalous: cf. F.
bic['e]phale.]
Having two heads.
Biceps \Bi"ceps\, n. [L., two-headed; bis twice + caput head.
See {Capital}.] (Anat.)
A muscle having two heads or origins; -- applied particularly
to a flexor in the arm, and to another in the thigh.
Bichir \Bi*chir"\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A remarkable ganoid fish ({Polypterus bichir}) found in the
Nile and other African rivers. See {Brachioganoidei}.
Bichloride \Bi*chlo"ride\, n. [Pref. bi- + chloride.] (Chem.)
A compound consisting of two atoms of chlorine with one or
more atoms of another element; -- called also {dichloride}.
{Bichloride of mercury}, mercuric chloride; -- sometimes
called {corrosive sublimate}.
Bicho \Bi"cho\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Jigger}.
Bichromate \Bi*chro"mate\, n. [Pref. bi- + chromate.] (Chem.)
A salt containing two parts of chromic acid to one of the
other ingredients; as, potassium bichromate; -- called also
{dichromate}.
Bichromatize \Bi*chro"ma*tize\, v. t.
To combine or treat with a bichromate, esp. with bichromate
of potassium; as, bichromatized gelatine.
Bicipital \Bi*cip"i*tal\, a. [L. biceps, bicipitis: cf. F.
bicipital. See {Biceps}.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) Having two heads or origins, as a muscle.
(b) Pertaining to a biceps muscle; as, bicipital furrows,
the depressions on either side of the biceps of the
arm.
2. (Bot.) Dividing into two parts at one extremity; having
two heads or two supports; as, a bicipital tree.
Bicipitous \Bi*cip"i*tous\, a.
Having two heads; bicipital. ``Bicipitous serpents.'' --Sir
T. Browne.
Bicker \Bick"er\, n. [See {Beaker}.]
A small wooden vessel made of staves and hoops, like a tub.
[Prov. Eng.]
Bicker \Bick"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bickered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bickering}.] [OE. bikeren, perh. fr. Celtic; cf. W. bicra
to fight, bicker, bicre conflict, skirmish; perh. akin to E.
beak.]
1. To skirmish; to exchange blows; to fight. [Obs.]
Two eagles had a conflict, and bickered together.
--Holland.
2. To contend in petulant altercation; to wrangle.
Petty things about which men cark and bicker.
--Barrow.
3. To move quickly and unsteadily, or with a pattering noise;
to quiver; to be tremulous, like flame.
They [streamlets] bickered through the sunny shade.
--Thomson.
Bicker \Bick"er\, n.
1. A skirmish; an encounter. [Obs.]
2. A fight with stones between two parties of boys. [Scot.]
--Jamieson.
3. A wrangle; also, a noise,, as in angry contention.
Bickerer \Bick"er*er\, n.
One who bickers.
Bickering \Bick"er*ing\, n.
1. A skirmishing. ``Frays and bickerings.'' --Milton.
2. Altercation; wrangling.
Bickerment \Bick"er*ment\, n.
Contention. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bickern \Bick"ern\, n. [F. bigorne. See {Bicorn}.]
An anvil ending in a beak or point (orig. in two beaks);
also, the beak or horn itself.
Bicolligate \Bi*col"li*gate\, a. [L. bis twice + colligatus, p.
p. See {Colligate}, v. t. ] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the anterior toes connected by a basal web.
Bicolor \Bi"col`or\, Bicolored \Bi"col`ored\, a. [L. bicolor;
bis twice + color color.]
Of two colors.
Biconcave \Bi*con"cave\, a. [Pref. bi- + concave.]
Concave on both sides; as, biconcave vertebr[ae].
Biconjugate \Bi*con"ju*gate\, a. [Pref. bi- + conjugate, a.]
(Bot.)
Twice paired, as when a petiole forks twice. --Gray.
Biconvex \Bi*con"vex\, a. [Pref. bi- + convex.]
Convex on both sides; as, a biconvex lens.
Bicorn \Bi"corn\, Bicorned \Bi"corned\, Bicornous \Bi*cor"nous\,
a. [L. bicornis; bis twice + cornu horn: cf. F. bicorne. Cf.
{Bickern}.]
Having two horns; two-horned; crescentlike.
Bicorporal \Bi*cor"po*ral\, a. [Pref. bi- + corporal.]
Having two bodies.
Bicorporate \Bi*cor"po*rate\, a. [Pref. bi- + corporate.] (Her.)
Double-bodied, as a lion having one head and two bodies.
Bicostate \Bi*cos"tate\, a. [Pref. bi- + costate.] (Bot.)
Having two principal ribs running longitudinally, as a leaf.
Bicrenate \Bi*cre"nate\, a. [Pref. bi- + crenate.] (Bot.)
Twice crenated, as in the case of leaves whose crenatures are
themselves crenate.
Bicrescentic \Bi`cres*cen"tic\, a. [Pref. bi- + crescent.]
Having the form of a double crescent.
Bicrural \Bi*cru"ral\, a. [Pref. bi- + crural.]
Having two legs. --Hooker.
Bicuspid \Bi*cus"pid\, Bicuspidate \Bi*cus"pid*ate\, a. [See
pref. {Bi-}, and {Cuspidate}.]
Having two points or prominences; ending in two points; --
said of teeth, leaves, fruit, etc.
Bicuspid \Bi*cus"pid\, n. (Anat.)
One of the two double-pointed teeth which intervene between
the canines (cuspids) and the molars, on each side of each
jaw. See {Tooth}, n.
Bicyanide \Bi*cy"a*nide\, n.
See {Dicyanide}.
Bicycle \Bi"cy*cle\, n. [Pref. bi- + cycle.]
A light vehicle having two wheels one behind the other. It
has a saddle seat and is propelled by the rider's feet acting
on cranks or levers.
Bicycler \Bi"cy*cler\, n.
One who rides a bicycle.
Bicyclic \Bi*cyc"lic\, a.
Relating to bicycles.
Bicycling \Bi"cy*cling\, n.
The use of a bicycle; the act or practice of riding a
bicycle.
Bicyclism \Bi"cy*clism\, n.
The art of riding a bicycle.
Bicyclist \Bi"cy*clist\, n.
A bicycler.
Bicycular \Bi*cyc"u*lar\, a.
Relating to bicycling.
Bid \Bid\ (b[i^]d), v. t. [imp. {Bade} (b[a^]d), {Bid}, (Obs.)
{Bad}; p. p. {Bidden}, {Bid}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bidding}.]
[OE. bidden, prop to ask, beg, AS. biddan; akin to OS.
biddian, Icel. bi[eth]ja, OHG. bittan, G. bitten, to pray,
ask, request, and E. bead, also perh. to Gr. teiqein to
persuade, L. fidere to trust, E. faith, and bide. But this
word was early confused with OE. beden, beoden, AS.
be['o]dan, to offer, command; akin to Icel. bj[=o][eth]a,
Goth. biudan (in comp.), OHG. biotan to command, bid, G.
bieten, D. bieden, to offer, also to Gr. pynqa`nesqai to
learn by inquiry, Skr. budh to be awake, to heed, present
OSlav. bud[=e]ti to be awake, E. bode, v. The word now has
the form of OE. bidden to ask, but the meaning of OE. beden
to command, except in ``to bid beads.'' [root]30.]
1. To make an offer of; to propose. Specifically : To offer
to pay ( a certain price, as for a thing put up at
auction), or to take (a certain price, as for work to be
done under a contract).
2. To offer in words; to declare, as a wish, a greeting, a
threat, or defiance, etc.; as, to bid one welcome; to bid
good morning, farewell, etc.
Neither bid him God speed. --2. John 10.
He bids defiance to the gaping crowd. --Granrille.
3. To proclaim; to declare publicly; to make known. [Mostly
obs.] ``Our banns thrice bid !'' --Gay.
4. To order; to direct; to enjoin; to command.
That Power who bids the ocean ebb and flow. --Pope
Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee. --Matt.
xiv. 28
I was bid to pick up shells. --D. Jerrold.
5. To invite; to call in; to request to come.
As many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
--Matt. xxii.
9
{To bid beads}, to pray with beads, as the Roman Catholics;
to distinguish each bead by a prayer. [Obs.]
{To bid defiance to}, to defy openly; to brave.
{To bid fair}, to offer a good prospect; to make fair
promise; to seem likely.
Syn: To offer; proffer; tender; propose; order; command;
direct; charge; enjoin.
Bid \Bid\,
imp. & p. p. of {Bid}.
Bid \Bid\, n.
An offer of a price, especially at auctions; a statement of a
sum which one will give for something to be received, or will
take for something to be done or furnished; that which is
offered.
Bid \Bid\, v. i. [See {Bid}, v. t.]
1. To pray. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To make a bid; to state what one will pay or take.
Bidale \Bid"ale`\, n. [Bid + ale.]
An invitation of friends to drink ale at some poor man's
house, and there to contribute in charity for his relief.
[Prov. Eng.]
Biddable \Bid"da*ble\, a.
Obedient; docile. [Scot.]
Bidden \Bid"den\,
p. p. of {Bid}.
Bidder \Bid"der\, n. [AS. biddere. ]
One who bids or offers a price. --Burke.
Biddery ware \Bid"der*y ware`\ [From Beder or Bidar a town in
India.]
A kind of metallic ware made in India. The material is a
composition of zinc, tin, and lead, in which ornaments of
gold and silver are inlaid or damascened. [Spelt also bidry,
{bidree}, {bedery}, {beder}.]
Bidding \Bid"ding\, n.
1. Command; order; a proclamation or notifying. ``Do thou thy
master's bidding.'' --Shak.
2. The act or process of making bids; an offer; a proposal of
a price, as at an auction.
Bidding prayer \Bid"ding prayer`\
1. (R. C. Ch.) The prayer for the souls of benefactors, said
before the sermon.
2. (Angl. Ch.) The prayer before the sermon, with petitions
for various specified classes of persons.
Biddy \Bid"dy\, n. [Etymology uncertain.]
A name used in calling a hen or chicken. --Shak.
Biddy \Bid"dy\, n. [A familiar form of Bridget.]
An Irish serving woman or girl. [Colloq.]
Bide \Bide\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bided}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Biding}.] [OE. biden, AS. b[=i]dan; akin to OHG. b[=i]tan,
Goth. beidan, Icel. b[=i]??; perh. orig., to wait with trust,
and akin to bid. See {Bid}, v. t., and cf. {Abide}.]
1. To dwell; to inhabit; to abide; to stay.
All knees to thee shall bow of them that bide In
heaven or earth, or under earth, in hell. --Milton.
2. To remain; to continue or be permanent in a place or
state; to continue to be. --Shak.
Bide \Bide\, v. t.
1. To encounter; to remain firm under (a hardship); to
endure; to suffer; to undergo.
Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are, That bide
the pelting of this pitiless storm. --Shak.
2. To wait for; as, I bide my time. See {Abide}.
Bident \Bi"dent\, n. [L. bidens, -entis, having two prongs; bis
twice + dens a tooth.]
An instrument or weapon with two prongs.
Bidental \Bi*den"tal\, a.
Having two teeth. --Swift.
Bidentate \Bi*den"tate\, a. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)
Having two teeth or two toothlike processes; two-toothed.
Bidet \Bi*det"\, n. [F. bidet, perh. fr. Celtic; cr. Gael.
bideach very little, diminutive, bidein a diminutive animal,
W. bidan a weakly or sorry wretch.]
1. A small horse formerly allowed to each trooper or dragoon
for carrying his baggage. --B. Jonson.
2. A kind of bath tub for sitting baths; a sitz bath.
Bidigitate \Bi*dig"i*tate\, a. [Pref. bi- + digitate.]
Having two fingers or fingerlike projections.
Biding \Bid"ing\, n.
Residence; habitation. --Rowe.
Bield \Bield\, n.
A shelter. Same as {Beild}. [Scot.]
Bield \Bield\, v. t.
To shelter. [Scot.]
Biennial \Bi*en"ni*al\, a. [L. biennalis and biennis, fr.
biennium a space of two years; bis twice + annus year. Cf.
{Annual}.]
1. Happening, or taking place, once in two years; as, a
biennial election.
2. (Bot.) Continuing for two years, and then perishing, as
plants which form roots and leaves the first year, and
produce fruit the second.
Biennial \Bi*en"ni*al\, n.
1. Something which takes place or appears once in two years;
esp. a biennial examination.
2. (Bot.) A plant which exists or lasts for two years.
Biennially \Bi*en"ni*al*ly\, adv.
Once in two years.
Bier \Bier\, n. [OE. b[ae]e, beere, AS. b?r, b?re; akin to D.
baar, OHG. b[=a]ra, G. bahre, Icel barar, D? baare, L.
feretrum, Gr. ?, from the same ?? bear to produce. See 1st
{Bear}, and cf. {Barrow}.]
1. A handbarrow or portable frame on which a corpse is placed
or borne to the grave.
2. (Weaving) A count of forty threads in the warp or chain of
woolen cloth. --Knight.
Bierbalk \Bier"balk`\ (b[=e]r"b[add]k`), n. [See {Bier}, and
{Balk}, n.]
A church road (e. g., a path across fields) for funerals.
[Obs.] --Homilies.
Biestings \Biest"ings\, Beestings \Beest"ings\, n. pl. [OE.
bestynge, AS. b[=y]sting, fr. b[=y]st, beost; akin to D.
biest, OHG. biost, G. biest; of unknown origin.]
The first milk given by a cow after calving. --B. Jonson.
The thick and curdy milk . . . commonly called
biestings. --Newton.
(1574).
Bifacial \Bi*fa"cial\, a. [Pref. bi- + facial.]
Having the opposite surfaces alike.
Bifarious \Bi*fa"ri*ous\, a. [L. bifarius; bis twice + fari to
speak. Cf. Gr. ? twofold; ? twice + ? to say.]
1. Twofold; arranged in two rows.
2. (Bot.) Pointing two ways, as leaves that grow only on
opposite sides of a branch; in two vertical rows.
Bifariously \Bi*fa"ri*ous*ly\, adv.
In a bifarious manner.
Biferous \Bif"er*ous\, a. [L. bifer; bis twice + ferre to bear.]
Bearing fruit twice a year.
Biffin \Bif"fin\, n. [Cf. {Beaufin}.]
1. A sort of apple peculiar to Norfolk, Eng.
Note: [Sometimes called beaufin; but properly beefin (it is
said), from its resemblance to raw beef.] --Wright.
2. A baked apple pressed down into a flat, round cake; a
dried apple. --Dickens.
Bifid \Bi"fid\, a. [L. bifidus; bis twice + root of findere to
cleave or split: cf. F. bifide.]
Cleft to the middle or slightly beyond the middle; opening
with a cleft; divided by a linear sinus, with straight
margins.
Bifidate \Bif"i*date\, a. [L. bifidatus.]
See {Bifid}.
Bifilar \Bi*fi"lar\, a. [Pref. bi- + filar.]
Two-threaded; involving the use of two threads; as, bifilar
suspension; a bifilar balance.
{Bifilar micrometer} (often called {a bifilar}), an
instrument form measuring minute distances or angles by
means of two very minute threads (usually spider lines),
one of which, at least, is movable; -- more commonly
called a {filar micrometer}.
Biflabellate \Bi`fla*bel"late\, a. [Pref. bi- + flabellate.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Flabellate on both sides.
Biflagellate \Bi`fla*gel"late\, a. [Pref. bi- + flagellate.]
Having two long, narrow, whiplike appendages.
Biflorate \Bi*flo"rate\, Biflorous \Bi*flo"rous\, a. [L. bis
twice + flos, floris, flower.] (Bot.)
Bearing two flowers; two-flowered.
Bifold \Bi"fold\, a. [Pref. bi- + fold.]
Twofold; double; of two kinds, degrees, etc. --Shak.
Bifoliate \Bi*fo"li*ate\, a. [Pref. bi- + foliate.] (Bot.)
Having two leaves; two-leaved.
Bifoliolate \Bi*fo"li*o*late\, a. [Pref. bi- + foliolate.]
(Bot.)
Having two leaflets, as some compound leaves.
Biforate \Bif"o*rate\, a. [L. bis twice + foratus, p. p. of
forare to bore or pierce.] (Bot.)
Having two perforations.
Biforine \Bif"o*rine\, n. [L. biforis, biforus, having two
doors; bis twice + foris door.] (Bot.)
An oval sac or cell, found in the leaves of certain plants of
the order {Arace[ae]}. It has an opening at each end through
which raphides, generated inside, are discharged.
Biforked \Bi"forked\, a.
Bifurcate.
Biform \Bi"form\, a. [L. biformis; bis twice + forma shape: cf.
F. biforme.]
Having two forms, bodies, or shapes. --Croxall.
Biformed \Bi"formed\, a. [Pref. bi- + form.]
Having two forms. --Johnson.
Biformity \Bi*form"i*ty\, n.
A double form.
Biforn \Bi*forn"\, prep. & adv.
Before. [Obs.]
Biforous \Bif"o*rous\, a. [L. biforis having two doors; bis
twice, two + foris door.]
See {Biforate}.
Bifronted \Bi*front"ed\, a. [Pref. bi- + front.]
Having two fronts. ``Bifronted Janus.'' --Massinger.
Bifurcate \Bi*fur"cate\, Bifurcated \Bi*fur"ca*ted\, a. [Pref.
bi- + furcate.]
Two-pronged; forked.
Bifurcate \Bi*fur"cate\, v. i.
To divide into two branches.
Bifurcation \Bi`fur*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. bifurcation.]
A forking, or division into two branches.
Bifurcous \Bi*fur"cous\, a. [L. bifurcus; bis twice + furca
fork.]
See {Bifurcate}, a. [R.] --Coles.
Big \Big\, a. [Compar. {Bigger}; superl. {Biggest}.] [Perh. from
Celtic; cf. W. beichiog, beichiawg, pregnant, with child, fr.
baich burden, Arm. beac'h; or cf. OE. bygly, Icel. biggiligr,
(properly) habitable; (then) magnigicent, excellent, fr. OE.
biggen, Icel. byggja, to dwell, build, akin to E. be.]
1. Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of
great size; large. ``He's too big to go in there.''
--Shak.
2. Great with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth
or produce; -- often figuratively.
[Day] big with the fate of Cato and of Rome.
--Addison.
3. Having greatness, fullness, importance, inflation,
distention, etc., whether in a good or a bad sense; as, a
big heart; a big voice; big looks; to look big. As applied
to looks, it indicates haughtiness or pride.
God hath not in heaven a bigger argument. --Jer.
Taylor.
Note: Big is often used in self-explaining compounds; as,
big-boned; big-sounding; big-named; big-voiced.
{To talk big}, to talk loudly, arrogantly, or pretentiously.
I talked big to them at first. --De Foe.
Syn: Bulky; large; great; massive; gross.
Big \Big\, Bigg \Bigg\, n. [OE. bif, bigge; akin to Icel. bygg,
Dan. byg, Sw. bjugg.] (Bot.)
Barley, especially the hardy four-rowed kind.
``Bear interchanges in local use, now with barley, now
with bigg.'' --New English
Dict.
Big \Big\, Bigg \Bigg\, v. t. [OE. biggen, fr. Icel. byggja to
inhabit, to build, b?a (neut.) to dwell (active) to make
ready. See {Boor}, and {Bound}.]
To build. [Scot. & North of Eng. Dial.] --Sir W. Scott.
Biga \Bi"ga\, n. [L.] (Antiq.)
A two-horse chariot.
Bigam \Big"am\, n. [L. bigamus twice married: cf. F. bigame. See
{Bigamy.}]
A bigamist. [Obs.]
Bigamist \Big"a*mist\, n. [Cf. {Digamist}.]
One who is guilty of bigamy. --Ayliffe.
Bigamous \Big"a*mous\, a.
Guilty of bigamy; involving bigamy; as, a bigamous marriage.
Bigamy \Big"a*my\, n. [OE. bigamie, fr. L. bigamus twice
married; bis twice + Gr. ? marriage; prob. akin to Skt.
j[=a]mis related, and L. gemini twins, the root meaning to
bind, join: cf. F. bigamie. Cf. {Digamy}.] (Law)
The offense of marrying one person when already legally
married to another. --Wharton.
Note: It is not strictly correct to call this offense bigamy:
it more properly denominated polygamy, i. e., having a
plurality of wives or husbands at once, and in several
statutes in the United States the offense is classed
under the head of polygamy. In the canon law bigamy was
the marrying of two virgins successively, or one after
the death of the other, or once marrying a widow. This
disqualified a man for orders, and for holding
ecclesiastical offices. Shakespeare uses the word in
the latter sense. --Blackstone. --Bouvier.
Base declension and loathed bigamy. --Shak.
Bigarreau \Big`ar*reau"\, Bigaroon \Big`a*roon"\, n. [F.
bigarreau, fr. bigarr['e] variegated.] (Bot.)
The large white-heart cherry.
Big-bellied \Big"-bel`lied\, a.
Having a great belly; as, a big-bellied man or flagon;
advanced in pregnancy.
Bigeminate \Bi*gem"i*nate\, a. [Pref. bi- + geminate.] (Bot.)
Having a forked petiole, and a pair of leaflets at the end of
each division; biconjugate; twice paired; -- said of a
decompound leaf.
Bigential \Bi*gen"tial\, a. [Pref. bi- + L. gens, gentis,
tribe.] (Zo["o]l.)
Including two tribes or races of men.
Bigeye \Big"eye`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A fish of the genus {Priacanthus}, remarkable for the large
size of the eye.
Bigg \Bigg\, n. & v.
See {Big}, n. & v.
Biggen \Big"gen\, v. t. & i.
To make or become big; to enlarge. [Obs. or Dial.] --Steele.
Bigger \Big"ger\, a.,
compar. of {Big}.
Biggest \Big"gest\, a.,
superl. of {Big}.
Biggin \Big"gin\, n. [F. b['e]guin, prob. from the cap worn by
the B['e]guines. Cf. {Beguine}, {Biggon}.]
A child's cap; a hood, or something worn on the head.
An old woman's biggin for a nightcap. --Massinger.
Biggin \Big"gin\, n.
A coffeepot with a strainer or perforated metallic vessel for
holding the ground coffee, through which boiling water is
poured; -- so called from Mr. Biggin, the inventor.
Biggin \Big"gin\, Bigging \Big"ging\, n. [OE. bigging. See
{Big}, {Bigg}, v. t.]
A building. [Obs.]
Biggon \Big"gon\, Biggonnet \Big"gon*net\, n. [F. b['e]guin and
OF. beguinet, dim of b['e]guin. See {Biggin} a cap.]
A cap or hood with pieces covering the ears.
Bigha \Big"ha\, n.
A measure of land in India, varying from a third of an acre
to an acre.
Bighorn \Big"horn`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Rocky Mountain sheep ({Ovis or Caprovis montana}).
Bight \Bight\ (b[imac]t), n. [OE. bi[yogh]t a bending; cf. Sw. &
Dan. bugt bend, bay; fr. AS. byht, fr. b[=u]gan. [root]88.
Cf. {Bout}, {Bought} a bend, and see {Bow}, v.]
1. A corner, bend, or angle; a hollow; as, the bight of a
horse's knee; the bight of an elbow.
2. (Geog.) A bend in a coast forming an open bay; as, the
Bight of Benin.
3. (Naut.) The double part of a rope when folded, in
distinction from the ends; that is, a round, bend, or coil
not including the ends; a loop.
Biglandular \Bi*glan"du*lar\, a. [Pref. bi- + glandular.]
Having two glands, as a plant.
Bigly \Big"ly\, adv. [From {Big}, a.]
In a tumid, swelling, blustering manner; haughtily;
violently.
He brawleth bigly. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia. )
Bigness \Big"ness\, n.
The state or quality of being big; largeness; size; bulk.
Bignonia \Big*no"ni*a\, n. [Named from the Abb['e] Bignon.]
(Bot.)
A large genus of American, mostly tropical, climbing shrubs,
having compound leaves and showy somewhat tubular flowers.
{B. capreolata} is the cross vine of the Southern United
States. The trumpet creeper was formerly considered to be of
this genus.
Bignoniaceous \Big*no`ni*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of
which the trumpet flower is an example.
Bigot \Big"ot\, n. [F. bigot a bigot or hypocrite, a name once
given to the Normans in France. Of unknown origin; possibly
akin to Sp. bigote a whisker; hombre de bigote a man of
spirit and vigor; cf. It. s-bigottire to terrify, to appall.
Wedgwood and others maintain that bigot is from the same
source as Beguine, Beghard.]
1. A hypocrite; esp., a superstitious hypocrite. [Obs.]
2. A person who regards his own faith and views in matters of
religion as unquestionably right, and any belief or
opinion opposed to or differing from them as unreasonable
or wicked. In an extended sense, a person who is
intolerant of opinions which conflict with his own, as in
politics or morals; one obstinately and blindly devoted to
his own church, party, belief, or opinion.
To doubt, where bigots had been content to wonder
and believe. --Macaulay.
Bigot \Big"ot\, a.
Bigoted. [Obs.]
In a country more bigot than ours. --Dryden.
Bigoted \Big"ot*ed\, a.
Obstinately and blindly attached to some creed, opinion
practice, or ritual; unreasonably devoted to a system or
party, and illiberal toward the opinions of others. ``Bigoted
to strife.'' --Byron.
Syn: Prejudiced; intolerant; narrow-minded.
Bigotedly \Big"ot*ed*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a bigot.
Bigotry \Big"ot*ry\, n. [Cf. F. bigoterie.]
1. The state of mind of a bigot; obstinate and unreasoning
attachment of one's own belief and opinions, with
narrow-minded intolerance of beliefs opposed to them.
2. The practice or tenets of a bigot.
Bigwig \Big"wig`\, n. [Big,a.+ wig.]
A person of consequence; as, the bigwigs of society. [Jocose]
In our youth we have heard him spoken of by the bigwigs
with extreme condescension. --Dickens.
Big-wigged \Big"-wigged`\, a.
characterized by pomposity of manner. [Eng.]
Bihydroguret \Bi`hy*drog"u*ret\, n. [Pref. bi- + hydroguret.]
(Chem.)
A compound of two atoms of hydrogen with some other
substance. [Obs.]
Bijou \Bi*jou"\, n.; pl. {Bijoux}. [F.; of uncertain origin.]
A trinket; a jewel; -- a word applied to anything small and
of elegant workmanship.
Bijoutry \Bi*jou"try\, n. [F. bijouterie. See {Bijou}.]
Small articles of virtu, as jewelry, trinkets, etc.
Bijugate \Bij"u*gate\, a. [L. bis twice + jugatus, p. p. of
jugare to join.] (Bot.)
Having two pairs, as of leaflets.
Bijugous \Bij"u*gous\, a. [L. bijugus yoked two together; bis
twice + jugum yoke, pair.] (Bot.)
Bijugate.
Bike \Bike\, n. [Ethymol. unknown.]
A nest of wild bees, wasps, or ants; a swarm. [Scot.] --Sir
W. Scott.
Bikh \Bikh\, n. [Hind., fr. Skr. visha poison.] (Bot.)
The East Indian name of a virulent poison extracted from
{Aconitum ferox} or other species of aconite: also, the plant
itself.
Bilabiate \Bi*la"bi*ate\, a. [Pref. bi- + labiate.] (Bot.)
Having two lips, as the corols of certain flowers.
Bilaciniate \Bi`la*cin"i*ate\, a. [Pref. bi- + laciniate.]
Doubly fringed.
Bilalo \Bi*la"lo\, n.
A two-masted passenger boat or small vessel, used in the bay
of Manila.
Bilamellate \Bi*lam"el*late\, Bilamellated \Bi*lam"el*la`ted\,
a. [Pref. bi- + lamellate.] (Bot.)
Formed of two plates, as the stigma of the Mimulus; also,
having two elevated ridges, as in the lip of certain flowers.
Bilaminar \Bi*lam"i*nar\, Bilaminate \Bi*lam"i*nate\, a. [Pref.
bi- + laminar, laminate.]
Formed of, or having, two lamin[ae], or thin plates.
Biland \Bi"land\, n.
A byland. [Obs.] --Holland.
Bilander \Bil"an*der\, n. [D. bijlander; bij by + land land,
country.] (Naut.)
A small two-masted merchant vessel, fitted only for coasting,
or for use in canals, as in Holland.
Why choose we, then, like bilanders to creep Along the
coast, and land in view to keep? --Dryden.
Bilateral \Bi*lat"er*al\, a. [Pref. bi- + lateral: cf. F.
bilat['e]ral.]
1. Having two sides; arranged upon two sides; affecting two
sides or two parties.
2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to the two sides of a central
area or organ, or of a central axis; as, bilateral
symmetry in animals, where there is a similarity of parts
on the right and left sides of the body.
Bilaterality \Bi*lat`er*al"i*ty\, n.
State of being bilateral.
Bilberry \Bil"ber*ry\, n.; pl. {Bilberries}. [Cf. Dan.
b["o]lleb[ae]r bilberry, where b["o]lle is perh. akin to E.
ball.]
1. (Bot.) The European whortleberry ({Vaccinium myrtillus});
also, its edible bluish black fruit.
There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry. --Shak.
2. (Bot.) Any similar plant or its fruit; esp., in America,
the species {Vaccinium myrtilloides}, {V. c[ae]spitosum}
and {V. uliginosum}.
Bilbo \Bil"bo\, n.; pl. {Bilboes}.
1. A rapier; a sword; so named from Bilbao, in Spain. --Shak.
2. pl. A long bar or bolt of iron with sliding shackles, and
a lock at the end, to confine the feet of prisoners or
offenders, esp. on board of ships.
Methought I lay Worse than the mutines in the
bilboes. --Shak.
Bilboquet \Bil"bo*quet\, n. [F.]
The toy called {cup and ball}.
Bilcock \Bil"cock\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European water rail.
Bildstein \Bild"stein\, n. [G., fr. bild image, likeness + stein
stone.]
Same as {Agalmatolite}.
Bile \Bile\, n. [L. bilis: cf. F. bile.]
1. (Physiol.) A yellow, or greenish, viscid fluid, usually
alkaline in reaction, secreted by the liver. It passes
into the intestines, where it aids in the digestive
process. Its characteristic constituents are the bile
salts, and coloring matters.
2. Bitterness of feeling; choler; anger; ill humor; as, to
stir one's bile. --Prescott.
Note: The ancients considered the bile to be the ``humor''
which caused irascibility.
Bile \Bile\, n. [OE. byle, bule, bele, AS. b?le, b?l; skin to D.
buil, G. beule, and Goth. ufbauljan to puff up. Cf. {Boil} a
tumor, {Bulge}.]
A boil. [Obs. or Archaic]
Bilection \Bi*lec"tion\, n. (Arch.)
That portion of a group of moldings which projects beyond the
general surface of a panel; a bolection.
Bilestone \Bile"stone`\, n. [Bile + stone.]
A gallstone, or biliary calculus. See {Biliary}. --E. Darwin.
Bilge \Bilge\, n. [A different orthography of bulge, of same
origin as belly. Cf. {Belly}, {Bulge}.]
1. The protuberant part of a cask, which is usually in the
middle.
2. (Naut.) That part of a ship's hull or bottom which is
broadest and most nearly flat, and on which she would rest
if aground.
3. Bilge water.
{Bilge free} (Naut.), stowed in such a way that the bilge is
clear of everything; -- said of a cask.
{Bilge pump}, a pump to draw the bilge water from the gold of
a ship.
{Bilge water} (Naut.), water which collects in the bilge or
bottom of a ship or other vessel. It is often allowed to
remain till it becomes very offensive.
{Bilge ways}, the timbers which support the cradle of a ship
upon the ways, and which slide upon the launching ways in
launching the vessel.
Bilge \Bilge\ (b[i^]lj), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bilged}
(b[i^]ljd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Bilging}.]
1. (Naut.) To suffer a fracture in the bilge; to spring a
leak by a fracture in the bilge.
2. To bulge.
Bilge \Bilge\, v. t.
1. (Naut.) To fracture the bilge of, or stave in the bottom
of (a ship or other vessel).
2. To cause to bulge.
Bilgy \Bil"gy\, a.
Having the smell of bilge water.
Biliary \Bil"ia*ry\ (b[i^]l"y[.a]*r[y^]; 106), a. [L. bilis
bile: cf. F. biliaire.] (Physiol.)
Relating or belonging to bile; conveying bile; as, biliary
acids; biliary ducts.
{Biliary calculus} (Med.), a gallstone, or a concretion
formed in the gall bladder or its duct.
Biliation \Bil`i*a"tion\, n. (Physiol.)
The production and excretion of bile.
Biliferous \Bi*lif"er*ous\, a.
Generating bile.
Bilifuscin \Bil`i*fus"cin\, n. [L. bilis bile + fuscus dark.]
(Physiol.)
A brownish green pigment found in human gallstones and in old
bile. It is a derivative of bilirubin.
Bilimbi \Bi*lim"bi\, Bilimbing \Bi*lim"bing\, n. [Malay.]
The berries of two East Indian species of {Averrhoa}, of the
{Oxalide[ae]} or Sorrel family. They are very acid, and
highly esteemed when preserved or pickled. The juice is used
as a remedy for skin diseases. [Written also {blimbi} and
{blimbing}.]
Biliment \Bil"i*ment\, n.
A woman's ornament; habiliment. [Obs.]
Bilin \Bi"lin\, n. [Cf. F. biline, from L. bilis bile.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A name applied to the amorphous or crystalline mass obtained
from bile by the action of alcohol and ether. It is composed
of a mixture of the sodium salts of the bile acids.
Bilinear \Bi*lin"e*ar\, a. (Math.)
Of, pertaining to, or included by, two lines; as, bilinear
co["o]rdinates.
Bilingual \Bi*lin"gual\, a. [L. bilinguis; bis twice + lingua
tongue, language.]
Containing, or consisting of, two languages; expressed in two
languages; as, a bilingual inscription; a bilingual
dictionary. -- {Bi*lin"gual*ly}, adv.
Bilingualism \Bi*lin"gual*ism\, n.
Quality of being bilingual.
The bilingualism of King's English. --Earle.
Bilinguar \Bi*lin"guar\, a.
See {Bilingual}.
Bilinguist \Bi*lin"guist\, n.
One versed in two languages.
Bilinguous \Bi*lin"guous\, a. [L. bilinguis.]
Having two tongues, or speaking two languages. [Obs.]
Bilious \Bil"ious\ (b[i^]l"y[u^]s), a. [L. biliosus, fr. bilis
bile.]
1. Of or pertaining to the bile.
2. Disordered in respect to the bile; troubled with an excess
of bile; as, a bilious patient; dependent on, or
characterized by, an excess of bile; as, bilious symptoms.
3. Choleric; passionate; ill tempered. ``A bilious old
nabob.'' --Macaulay.
{Bilious temperament}. See {Temperament}.
Biliousness \Bil"ious*ness\, n.
The state of being bilious.
Biliprasin \Bil`i*pra"sin\, n. [L. bilis bile + prasinus green.]
(Physiol.)
A dark green pigment found in small quantity in human
gallstones.
Bilirubin \Bil`i*ru"bin\, n. [L. bilis biel + ruber red.]
(Physiol.)
A reddish yellow pigment present in human bile, and in that
from carnivorous and herbivorous animals; the normal biliary
pigment.
Biliteral \Bi*lit"er*al\, a. [L. bis twice + littera letter.]
Consisting of two letters; as, a biliteral root of a Sanskrit
verb. --Sir W. Jones. -- n. A word, syllable, or root,
consisting of two letters.
Biliteralism \Bi*lit"er*al*ism\, n.
The property or state of being biliteral.
Biliverdin \Bil`i*ver"din\, n. [L. bilis bile + viridis green.
Cf. {Verdure}.] (Physiol.)
A green pigment present in the bile, formed from bilirubin by
oxidation.
Bilk \Bilk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bilked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bilking}.] [Origin unknown. Cf. {Balk}.]
To frustrate or disappoint; to deceive or defraud, by
nonfulfillment of engagement; to leave in the lurch; to give
the slip to; as, to bilk a creditor. --Thackeray.
Bilk \Bilk\, n.
1. A thwarting an adversary in cribbage by spoiling his
score; a balk.
2. A cheat; a trick; a hoax. --Hudibras.
3. Nonsense; vain words. --B. Jonson.
4. A person who tricks a creditor; an untrustworthy, tricky
person. --Marryat.
Bill \Bill\, n. [OE. bile, bille, AS. bile beak of a bird,
proboscis; cf. Ir. & Gael. bil, bile, mouth, lip, bird's
bill. Cf. {Bill} a weapon.]
A beak, as of a bird, or sometimes of a turtle or other
animal. --Milton.
Bill \Bill\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Billed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Billing}.]
1. To strike; to peck. [Obs.]
2. To join bills, as doves; to caress in fondness. ``As
pigeons bill.'' --Shak.
{To bill and coo}, to interchange caresses; -- said of doves;
also of demonstrative lovers. --Thackeray.
Bill \Bill\, n.
The bell, or boom, of the bittern
The bittern's hollow bill was heard. --Wordsworth.
Bill \Bill\, n. [OE. bil, AS. bill, bil; akin to OS. bil sword,
OHG. bill pickax, G. bille. Cf. {Bill} bea?.]
1. A cutting instrument, with hook-shaped point, and fitted
with a handle; -- used in pruning, etc.; a billhook. When
short, called a hand bill, when long, a hedge bill.
2. A weapon of infantry, in the 14th and 15th centuries. A
common form of bill consisted of a broad, heavy,
double-edged, hook-shaped blade, having a short pike at
the back and another at the top, and attached to the end
of a long staff.
France had no infantry that dared to face the
English bows end bills. --Macaulay.
3. One who wields a bill; a billman. --Strype.
4. A pickax, or mattock. [Obs.]
5. (Naut.) The extremity of the arm of an anchor; the point
of or beyond the fluke.
Bill \Bill\, v. t.
To work upon ( as to dig, hoe, hack, or chop anything) with a
bill.
Bill \Bill\, n. [OE. bill, bille, fr. LL. billa (or OF. bille),
for L. bulla anything rounded, LL., seal, stamp, letter,
edict, roll; cf. F. bille a ball, prob. fr. Ger.; cf. MHG.
bickel, D. bikkel, dice. Cf. {Bull} papal edict, {Billet} a
paper.]
1. (Law) A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong
the complainant has suffered from the defendant, or a
fault committed by some person against a law.
2. A writing binding the signer or signers to pay a certain
sum at a future day or on demand, with or without
interest, as may be stated in the document. [Eng.]
Note: In the United States, it is usually called a note, a
note of hand, or a promissory note.
3. A form or draft of a law, presented to a legislature for
enactment; a proposed or projected law.
4. A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away,
to advertise something, as a lecture, a play, or the sale
of goods; a placard; a poster; a handbill.
She put up the bill in her parlor window. --Dickens.
5. An account of goods sold, services rendered, or work done,
with the price or charge; a statement of a creditor's
claim, in gross or by items; as, a grocer's bill.
6. Any paper, containing a statement of particulars; as, a
bill of charges or expenditures; a weekly bill of
mortality; a bill of fare, etc.
{Bill of adventure}. See under {Adventure}.
{Bill of costs}, a statement of the items which form the
total amount of the costs of a party to a suit or action.
{Bill of credit}.
(a) Within the constitution of the United States, a paper
issued by a State, on the mere faith and credit of the
State, and designed to circulate as money. No State
shall ``emit bills of credit.'' --U. S. Const.
--Peters. --Wharton. --Bouvier
(b) Among merchants, a letter sent by an agent or other
person to a merchant, desiring him to give credit to
the bearer for goods or money.
{Bill of divorce}, in the Jewish law, a writing given by the
husband to the wife, by which the marriage relation was
dissolved. --Jer. iii. 8.
{Bill of entry}, a written account of goods entered at the
customhouse, whether imported or intended for exportation.
{Bill of exceptions}. See under {Exception}.
{Bill of exchange} (Com.), a written order or request from
one person or house to another, desiring the latter to pay
to some person designated a certain sum of money therein
generally is, and, to be negotiable, must be, made payable
to order or to bearer. So also the order generally
expresses a specified time of payment, and that it is
drawn for value. The person who draws the bill is called
the drawer, the person on whom it is drawn is, before
acceptance, called the drawee, -- after acceptance, the
acceptor; the person to whom the money is directed to be
paid is called the payee. The person making the order may
himself be the payee. The bill itself is frequently called
a draft. See {Exchange}. --Chitty.
{Bill of fare}, a written or printed enumeration of the
dishes served at a public table, or of the dishes (with
prices annexed) which may be ordered at a restaurant, etc.
{Bill of health}, a certificate from the proper authorities
as to the state of health of a ship's company at the time
of her leaving port.
{Bill of indictment}, a written accusation lawfully presented
to a grand jury. If the jury consider the evidence
sufficient to support the accusation, they indorse it ``A
true bill,'' otherwise they write upon it ``Not a true
bill,'' or ``Not found,'' or ``Ignoramus'', or
``Ignored.''
{Bill of lading}, a written account of goods shipped by any
person, signed by the agent of the owner of the vessel, or
by its master, acknowledging the receipt of the goods, and
promising to deliver them safe at the place directed,
dangers of the sea excepted. It is usual for the master to
sign two, three, or four copies of the bill; one of which
he keeps in possession, one is kept by the shipper, and
one is sent to the consignee of the goods.
{Bill of mortality}, an official statement of the number of
deaths in a place or district within a given time; also, a
district required to be covered by such statement; as, a
place within the bills of mortality of London.
{Bill of pains and penalties}, a special act of a legislature
which inflicts a punishment less than death upon persons
supposed to be guilty of treason or felony, without any
conviction in the ordinary course of judicial proceedings.
--Bouvier. --Wharton.
{Bill of parcels}, an account given by the seller to the
buyer of the several articles purchased, with the price of
each.
{Bill of particulars} (Law), a detailed statement of the
items of a plaintiff's demand in an action, or of the
defendant's set-off.
{Bill of rights}, a summary of rights and privileges claimed
by a people. Such was the declaration presented by the
Lords and Commons of England to the Prince and Princess of
Orange in 1688, and enacted in Parliament after they
became king and queen. In America, a bill or declaration
of rights is prefixed to most of the constitutions of the
several States.
{Bill of sale}, a formal instrument for the conveyance or
transfer of goods and chattels.
{Bill of sight}, a form of entry at the customhouse, by which
goods, respecting which the importer is not possessed of
full information, may be provisionally landed for
examination.
{Bill of store}, a license granted at the customhouse to
merchants, to carry such stores and provisions as are
necessary for a voyage, custom free. --Wharton.
{Bills payable} (pl.), the outstanding unpaid notes or
acceptances made and issued by an individual or firm.
{Bills receivable} (pl.), the unpaid promissory notes or
acceptances held by an individual or firm. --McElrath.
{A true bill}, a bill of indictment sanctioned by a grand
jury.
Bill \Bill\, v. t.
1. To advertise by a bill or public notice.
2. To charge or enter in a bill; as, to bill goods.
Billage \Bil"lage\, n. & v. t. & i.
Same as {Bilge}.
Billard \Bil"lard\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An English fish, allied to the cod; the coalfish. [Written
also {billet} and {billit}.]
Billbeetle \Bill`bee"tle\, or Billbug \Bill"bug`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A weevil or curculio of various species, as the corn weevil.
See {Curculio}.
Billboard \Bill"board`\, n.
1. (Naut.) A piece of thick plank, armed with iron plates,
and fixed on the bow or fore channels of a vessel, for the
bill or fluke of the anchor to rest on. --Totten.
2. A flat surface, as of a panel or of a fence, on which
bills are posted; a bulletin board.
Bill book \Bill" book`\ (Com.)
A book in which a person keeps an account of his notes,
bills, bills of exchange, etc., thus showing all that he
issues and receives.
Bill broker \Bill" bro`ker\
One who negotiates the discount of bills.
Billed \Billed\, a.
Furnished with, or having, a bill, as a bird; -- used in
composition; as, broad-billed.
Billet \Bil"let\, n. [F. billet, dim. of an OF. bille bill. See
{Bill} a writing.]
1. A small paper; a note; a short letter. ``I got your
melancholy billet.'' --Sterne.
2. A ticket from a public officer directing soldiers at what
house to lodge; as, a billet of residence.
Billet \Bil"let\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Billeted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Billeting}.] [From {Billet} a ticket.] (Mil.)
To direct, by a ticket or note, where to lodge. Hence: To
quarter, or place in lodgings, as soldiers in private houses.
Billeted in so antiquated a mansion. --W. Irving.
Billet \Bil"let\, n. [F. billette, bille, log; of unknown
origin; a different word from bille ball. Cf. {Billiards},
{Billot}.]
1. A small stick of wood, as for firewood.
They shall beat out my brains with billets. --Shak.
2. (Metal.) A short bar of metal, as of gold or iron.
3. (Arch.) An ornament in Norman work, resembling a billet of
wood either square or round.
4. (Saddlery)
(a) A strap which enters a buckle.
(b) A loop which receives the end of a buckled strap.
--Knight.
5. (Her.) A bearing in the form of an oblong rectangle.
Billet-doux \Bil`let-doux"\, n.; pl. {Billets-doux}. [F. billet
note + doux sweet, L. dulcis.]
A love letter or note.
A lover chanting out a billet-doux. --Spectator.
Billethead \Bil"let*head`\, n. (Naut.)
A round piece of timber at the bow or stern of a whaleboat,
around which the harpoon lone is run out when the whale darts
off.
Billfish \Bill"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A name applied to several distinct fishes:
(a) The garfish ({Tylosurus, or Belone, longirostris}) and
allied species.
(b) The saury, a slender fish of the Atlantic coast
({Scomberesox saurus}).
(c) The {Tetrapturus albidus}, a large oceanic species
related to the swordfish; the spearfish.
(d) The American fresh-water garpike ({Lepidosteus osseus}).
Billhead \Bill"head`\, n.
A printed form, used by merchants in making out bills or
rendering accounts.
Bill holder \Bill" hold`er\
1. A person who holds a bill or acceptance.
2. A device by means of which bills, etc., are held.
Billhook \Bill"hook`\, n. [Bill + hook.]
A thick, heavy knife with a hooked point, used in pruning
hedges, etc. When it has a short handle, it is sometimes
called a {hand bill}; when the handle is long, a {hedge bill}
or {scimiter}.
Billiard \Bil"liard\, a.
Of or pertaining to the game of billiards. ``Smooth as is a
billiard ball.'' --B. Jonson.
Billiards \Bil"liards\, n. [F. billiard billiards, OF. billart
staff, cue form playing, fr. bille log. See {Billet} a
stick.]
A game played with ivory balls o a cloth-covered, rectangular
table, bounded by elastic cushions. The player seeks to impel
his ball with his cue so that it shall either strike (carom
upon) two other balls, or drive another ball into one of the
pockets with which the table sometimes is furnished.
Billing \Bill"ing\, a. & n.
Caressing; kissing.
Billingsgate \Bil"lings*gate`\, n.
1. A market near the Billings gate in London, celebrated for
fish and foul language.
2. Coarsely abusive, foul, or profane language; vituperation;
ribaldry.
Billion \Bil"lion\, n. [F. billion, arbitrarily formed fr. L.
bis twice, in imitation of million a million. See {Million}.]
According to the French and American method of numeration, a
thousand millions, or 1,000,000,000; according to the English
method, a million millions, or 1,000,000,000,000. See
{Numeration}.
Billman \Bill"man\, n.; pl. {Billmen}.
One who uses, or is armed with, a bill or hooked ax. ``A
billman of the guard.'' --Savile.
Billon \Bil`lon"\, n. [F. Cf. {Billet} a stick.]
An alloy of gold and silver with a large proportion of copper
or other base metal, used in coinage.
Billot \Bil"lot\, n. [F. billot, dim. of bille. See {Billet} a
stick.]
Bullion in the bar or mass.
Billow \Bil"low\, n. [Cf. Icel. bylgja billow, Dan. b["o]lge,
Sw. b["o]lja; akin to MHG. bulge billow, bag, and to E.
bulge. See {Bulge}.]
1. A great wave or surge of the sea or other water, caused
usually by violent wind.
Whom the winds waft where'er the billows roll.
--Cowper.
2. A great wave or flood of anything. --Milton.
Billow \Bil"low\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Billowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Billowing}.]
To surge; to rise and roll in waves or surges; to undulate.
``The billowing snow.'' --Prior.
Billowy \Bil"low*y\, a.
Of or pertaining to billows; swelling or swollen into large
waves; full of billows or surges; resembling billows.
And whitening down the many-tinctured stream, Descends
the billowy foam. --Thomson.
Billposter \Bill"post`er\, Billsticker \Bill"stick"er\, n.
One whose occupation is to post handbills or posters in
public places.
Billy \Bil"ly\, n.
1. A club; esp., a policeman's club.
2. (Wool Manuf.) A slubbing or roving machine.
Billyboy \Bil"ly*boy`\, n.
A flat-bottomed river barge or coasting vessel. [Eng.]
Billy goat \Bil"ly goat`\
A male goat. [Colloq.]
Bilobate \Bi*lo"bate\ (b[-i]*l[=o]"b[asl]t or
b[imac]"l[-o]*b[asl]t), a. [Pref. bi- + lobate.]
Divided into two lobes or segments.
Bilobed \Bi"lobed\ (b[imac]"l[=o]bd), a. [Pref. bi- + lobe.]
Bilobate.
Bilocation \Bi`lo*ca"tion\, n. [Pref. bi- + location.]
Double location; the state or power of being in two places at
the same instant; -- a miraculous power attributed to some of
the saints. --Tylor.
Bilocular \Bi*loc"u*lar\, a. [Pref. bi- + locular: cf. F.
biloculaire.]
Divided into two cells or compartments; as, a bilocular
pericarp. --Gray.
Bilsted \Bil"sted\, n. (Bot.)
See {Sweet gum}.
Biltong \Bil"tong\, n. [S. African.]
Lean meat cut into strips and sun-dried. --H. R. Haggard.
Bimaculate \Bi*mac"u*late\, a. [Pref. bi- + maculate, a.]
Having, or marked with, two spots.
Bimana \Bim"a*na\, n. pl. [NL. See {Bimanous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Animals having two hands; -- a term applied by Cuvier to man
as a special order of Mammalia.
Bimanous \Bim"a*nous\, a. [L. bis twice + manus hand.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having two hands; two-handed.
Bimarginate \Bi*mar"gin*ate\, a. [Pref. bi- + marginate.]
Having a double margin, as certain shells.
Bimastism \Bi*mas"tism\, n. [Pref. bi- + Gr. ? breast.] (Anat.)
The condition of having two mamm[ae] or teats.
Bimedial \Bi*me"di*al\, a. [Pref. bi- + medial.] (Geom.)
Applied to a line which is the sum of two lines commensurable
only in power (as the side and diagonal of a square).
Bimembral \Bi*mem"bral\, a. [L. bis twice + membrum member.]
(Gram.)
Having two members; as, a bimembral sentence. --J. W. Gibbs.
Bimensal \Bi*men"sal\, a. [Pref. bi- + mensal.]
See {Bimonthly}, a. [Obs. or R.]
Bimestrial \Bi*mes"tri*al\, a. [L. bimestris; bis twice + mensis
month.]
Continuing two months. [R.]
Bimetallic \Bi`me*tal"lic\, a. [Pref. bi- + metallic: cf. F.
bim['e]tallique.]
Of or relating to, or using, a double metallic standard (as
gold and silver) for a system of coins or currency.
Bimetallism \Bi*met"al*lism\, n. [F. bim['e]talisme.]
The legalized use of two metals (as gold and silver) in the
currency of a country, at a fixed relative value; -- in
opposition to monometallism.
Note: The words bim['e]tallisme and monom['e]tallisme are due
to M. Cernuschi [1869]. --Littr['e].
Bimetallist \Bi*met"al*list\, n.
An advocate of bimetallism.
Bimonthly \Bi*month"ly\, a. [Pref. bi- + monthly.]
Occurring, done, or coming, once in two months; as, bimonthly
visits; bimonthly publications. -- n. A bimonthly
publication.
Bimonthly \Bi*month"ly\, adv.
Once in two months.
Bimuscular \Bi*mus"cu*lar\, a. [Pref. bi- + muscular.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having two adductor muscles, as a bivalve mollusk.
Bin \Bin\, n. [OE. binne, AS. binn manager, crib; perh. akin to
D. ben, benne, basket, and to L. benna a kind of carriage ( a
Gallic word), W. benn, men, wain, cart.]
A box, frame, crib, or inclosed place, used as a receptacle
for any commodity; as, a corn bin; a wine bin; a coal bin.
Bin \Bin\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Binned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Binning}.]
To put into a bin; as, to bin wine.
Bin \Bin\
An old form of {Be} and {Been}. [Obs.]
Bin- \Bin-\
A euphonic form of the prefix {Bi-}.
Binal \Bi"nal\, a. [See {Binary}.]
Twofold; double. [R.] ``Binal revenge, all this.'' --Ford.
Binarseniate \Bin`ar*se"ni*ate\, n. [Pref. bin- + arseniate.]
(Chem.)
A salt having two equivalents of arsenic acid to one of the
base. --Graham.
Binary \Bi"na*ry\, a. [L. binarius, fr. bini two by two, two at
a time, fr. root of bis twice; akin to E. two: cf. F.
binaire.]
Compounded or consisting of two things or parts;
characterized by two (things).
{Binary arithmetic}, that in which numbers are expressed
according to the binary scale, or in which two figures
only, 0 and 1, are used, in lieu of ten; the cipher
multiplying everything by two, as in common arithmetic by
ten. Thus, 1 is one; 10 is two; 11 is three; 100 is four,
etc. --Davies & Peck.
{Binary compound} (Chem.), a compound of two elements, or of
an element and a compound performing the function of an
element, or of two compounds performing the function of
elements.
{Binary logarithms}, a system of logarithms devised by Euler
for facilitating musical calculations, in which 1 is the
logarithm of 2, instead of 10, as in the common
logarithms, and the modulus 1.442695 instead of .43429448.
{Binary measure} (Mus.), measure divisible by two or four;
common time.
{Binary nomenclature} (Nat. Hist.), nomenclature in which the
names designate both genus and species.
{Binary scale} (Arith.), a uniform scale of notation whose
ratio is two.
{Binary star} (Astron.), a double star whose members have a
revolution round their common center of gravity.
{Binary theory} (Chem.), the theory that all chemical
compounds consist of two constituents of opposite and
unlike qualities.
Binary \Bi"na*ry\, n.
That which is constituted of two figures, things, or parts;
two; duality. --Fotherby.
Binate \Bi"nate\, a. [L. bini two and two.] (Bot.)
Double; growing in pairs or couples. --Gray.
Binaural \Bin*au"ral\, a. [Pref. bin- + aural.]
Of or pertaining to, or used by, both ears.
Bind \Bind\, v. t. [imp. {Bound}; p. p. {Bound}, formerly
{Bounden}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Binding}.] [AS. bindan, perfect
tense band, bundon, p. p. bunden; akin to D. & G. binden,
Dan. binde, Sw. & Icel. binda, Goth. bindan, Skr. bandh (for
bhandh) to bind, cf. Gr. ? (for ?) cable, and L. offendix.
[root]90.]
1. To tie, or confine with a cord, band, ligature, chain,
etc.; to fetter; to make fast; as, to bind grain in
bundles; to bind a prisoner.
2. To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or
influence of any kind; as, attraction binds the planets to
the sun; frost binds the earth, or the streams.
He bindeth the floods from overflowing. --Job
xxviii. 11.
Whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years.
--Luke xiii.
16.
3. To cover, as with a bandage; to bandage or dress; --
sometimes with up; as, to bind up a wound.
4. To make fast ( a thing) about or upon something, as by
tying; to encircle with something; as, to bind a belt
about one; to bind a compress upon a part.
5. To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action;
as, certain drugs bind the bowels.
6. To protect or strengthen by a band or binding, as the edge
of a carpet or garment.
7. To sew or fasten together, and inclose in a cover; as, to
bind a book.
8. Fig.: To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law,
duty, promise, vow, affection, or other moral tie; as, to
bind the conscience; to bind by kindness; bound by
affection; commerce binds nations to each other.
Who made our laws to bind us, not himself. --Milton.
9. (Law)
(a) To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations;
esp. under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
--Abbott.
(b) To place under legal obligation to serve; to
indenture; as, to bind an apprentice; -- sometimes
with out; as, bound out to service.
{To bind over}, to put under bonds to do something, as to
appear at court, to keep the peace, etc.
{To bind to}, to contract; as, to bind one's self to a wife.
{To bind up in}, to cause to be wholly engrossed with; to
absorb in.
Syn: To fetter; tie; fasten; restrain; restrict; oblige.
Bind \Bind\, v. i.
1. To tie; to confine by any ligature.
They that reap must sheaf and bind. --Shak.
2. To contract; to grow hard or stiff; to cohere or stick
together in a mass; as, clay binds by heat. --Mortimer.
3. To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural
action, as by friction.
4. To exert a binding or restraining influence. --Locke.
Bind \Bind\, n.
1. That which binds or ties.
2. Any twining or climbing plant or stem, esp. a hop vine; a
bine.
3. (Metal.) Indurated clay, when much mixed with the oxide of
iron. --Kirwan.
4. (Mus.) A ligature or tie for grouping notes.
Binder \Bind"er\, n.
1. One who binds; as, a binder of sheaves; one whose trade is
to bind; as, a binder of books.
2. Anything that binds, as a fillet, cord, rope, or band; a
bandage; -- esp. the principal piece of timber intended to
bind together any building.
Bindery \Bind"er*y\, n.
A place where books, or other articles, are bound; a
bookbinder's establishment.
Bindheimite \Bind"heim*ite\, n. [From Bindheim, a German who
analyzed it.] (Min.)
An amorphous antimonate of lead, produced from the alteration
of other ores, as from jamesonite.
Binding \Bind"ing\, a.
That binds; obligatory.
{Binding beam} (Arch.), the main timber in double flooring.
{Binding joist} (Arch.), the secondary timber in
double-framed flooring.
Syn: Obligatory; restraining; restrictive; stringent;
astringent; costive; styptic.
Binding \Bind"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of one who, or that which, binds.
2. Anything that binds; a bandage; the cover of a book, or
the cover with the sewing, etc.; something that secures
the edge of cloth from raveling.
3. pl. (Naut.) The transoms, knees, beams, keelson, and other
chief timbers used for connecting and strengthening the
parts of a vessel.
Bindingly \Bind"ing*ly\, adv.
So as to bind.
Bindingness \Bind"ing*ness\, n.
The condition or property of being binding; obligatory
quality. --Coleridge.
Bindweed \Bind"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Convolvulus}; as, greater bindweed ({C.
Sepium}); lesser bindweed ({C. arvensis}); the white, the
blue, the Syrian, bindweed. The black bryony, or {Tamus}, is
called {black bindweed}, and the {Smilax aspera}, {rough
bindweed}.
The fragile bindweed bells and bryony rings.
--Tennyson.
Bine \Bine\, n. [{Bind}, cf. {Woodbine}.]
The winding or twining stem of a hop vine or other climbing
plant.
Binervate \Bi*nerv"ate\, a. [L. bis twice + nervus sinew,
nerve.]
1. (Bot.) Two-nerved; -- applied to leaves which have two
longitudinal ribs or nerves.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having only two nerves, as the wings of some
insects.
Bing \Bing\, n. [Cf. Icel. bingr, Sw. binge, G. beige, beuge.
Cf. Prov. E. bink bench, and bench coal the uppermost stratum
of coal.]
A heap or pile; as, a bing of wood. ``Potato bings.''
--Burns. ``A bing of corn.'' --Surrey. [Obs. or Dial. Eng. &
Scot.]
Biniodide \Bin*i"o*dide\, n.
Same as {Diiodide}.
Bink \Bink\, n.
A bench. [North of Eng. & Scot.]
Binnacle \Bin"na*cle\, n. [For bittacle, corrupted (perh. by
influence of bin) fr. Pg. bitacola binnacle, fr. L.
habitaculum dwelling place, fr. habitare to dwell. See
{Habit}, and cf. {Bittacle}.] (Naut.)
A case or box placed near the helmsman, containing the
compass of a ship, and a light to show it at night. --Totten.
Binny \Bin"ny\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large species of barbel ({Barbus bynni}), found in the
Nile, and much esteemed for food.
Binocle \Bin"o*cle\, n. [F. binocle; L. bini two at a time +
oculus eye.] (Opt.)
A dioptric telescope, fitted with two tubes joining, so as to
enable a person to view an object with both eyes at once; a
double-barreled field glass or an opera glass.
Binocular \Bin*oc"u*lar\, a. [Cf. F. binoculaire. See
{Binocle}.]
1. Having two eyes. ``Most animals are binocular.'' --Derham.
2. Pertaining to both eyes; employing both eyes at once; as,
binocular vision.
3. Adapted to the use of both eyes; as, a binocular
microscope or telescope. --Brewster.
Binocular \Bin*oc"u*lar\, n.
A binocular glass, whether opera glass, telescope, or
microscope.
Binocularly \Bin*oc"u*lar*ly\, adv.
In a binocular manner.
Binoculate \Bin*oc"u*late\, a.
Having two eyes.
Binomial \Bi*no"mi*al\, n. [L. bis twice + nomen name: cf. F.
binome, LL. binomius (or fr. bi- + Gr. ? distribution ?). Cf.
{Monomial}.] (Alg.)
An expression consisting of two terms connected by the sign
plus (+) or minus (-); as, a + b, or 7 - 3.
Binomial \Bi*no"mi*al\, a.
1. Consisting of two terms; pertaining to binomials; as, a
binomial root.
2. (Nat. Hist.) Having two names; -- used of the system by
which every animal and plant receives two names, the one
indicating the genus, the other the species, to which it
belongs.
{Binomial theorem} (Alg.), the theorem which expresses the
law of formation of any power of a binomial.
Binominal \Bi*nom"i*nal\, a. [See {Binomial}.]
Of or pertaining to two names; binomial.
Binominous \Bi*nom"i*nous\, a.
Binominal. [Obs.]
Binotonous \Bi*not"o*nous\, a. [L. bini two at a time + tonus,
fr. Gr. ?, tone.]
Consisting of two notes; as, a binotonous cry.
Binous \Bi"nous\, a.
Same as {Binate}.
Binoxalate \Bin*ox"a*late\, n. [Pref. bin- + oxalate.] (Chem.)
A salt having two equivalents of oxalic acid to one of the
base; an acid oxalate.
Binoxide \Bin*ox"ide\, n. [Pref. bin- + oxide.] (Chem.)
Same as {Dioxide}.
Binturong \Bin"tu*rong\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small Asiatic civet of the genus {Arctilis}.
Binuclear \Bi*nu"cle*ar\, Binucleate \Bi*nu"cle*ate\, a. [Pref.
bi- + nuclear, nucleate.] (Biol.)
Having two nuclei; as, binucleate cells.
Binucleolate \Bi*nu"cle*o*late\, a. [Pref. bi- + nucleolus.]
(Biol.)
Having two nucleoli.
Bioblast \Bi"o*blast\, n. [Gr. ? life + -blast.] (Biol.)
Same as {Bioplast}.
Biocellate \Bi*oc"el*late\, a. [L. bis twice + ocellatus. See
{Ocellated}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having two ocelli (eyelike spots); -- said of a wing, etc.
Biochemistry \Bi`o*chem"is*try\, n. [Gr. ? life + E. chemistry.]
(Biol.)
The chemistry of living organisms; the chemistry of the
processes incidental to, and characteristic of, life.
Biodynamics \Bi`o*dy*nam"ics\, n. [Gr. ? life + E. dynamics.]
(Biol.)
The doctrine of vital forces or energy.
Biogen \Bi"o*gen\, n. [Gr. ? life + -gen.] (Biol.)
Bioplasm.
Biogenesis \Bi`o*gen"e*sis\, Biogeny \Bi*og"e*ny\, n. [Gr. ?
life + ?, ?, birth.] (Biol.)
(a) A doctrine that the genesis or production of living
organisms can take place only through the agency of
living germs or parents; -- opposed to {abiogenesis}.
(b) Life development generally.
Biogenetic \Bi`o*ge*net"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Pertaining to biogenesis.
Biogenist \Bi*og"e*nist\, n.
A believer in the theory of biogenesis.
Biognosis \Bi`og*no"sis\, n. [Gr. ? life + ? investigation.]
(Biol.)
The investigation of life.
Biographer \Bi*og"ra*pher\, n.
One who writes an account or history of the life of a
particular person; a writer of lives, as Plutarch.
Biographic \Bi"o*graph"ic\, Biographical \Bi`o*graph"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to biography; containing biography. --
{Bi`o*graph"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Biographize \Bi*og"ra*phize\, v. t.
To write a history of the life of. --Southey.
Biography \Bi*og"ra*phy\, n.; pl. {Biographies}. [Gr. ?; ? life
+ ? to write: cf. F. biographie. See {Graphic}.]
1. The written history of a person's life.
2. Biographical writings in general.
Biologic \Bi`o*log"ic\, Biological \Bi`o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or relating to biology. -- {Bi`o*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Biologist \Bi*ol"o*gist\, n.
A student of biology; one versed in the science of biology.
Biology \Bi*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? life + -logy: cf. F. biologie.]
The science of life; that branch of knowledge which treats of
living matter as distinct from matter which is not living;
the study of living tissue. It has to do with the origin,
structure, development, function, and distribution of animals
and plants.
Biolysis \Bi*ol"y*sis\, n. [Gr. ? life + ? a dissolving.]
(Biol.)
The destruction of life.
Biolytic \Bi`o*lyt"ic\, a. [Gr. ? life + ? to destroy.]
Relating to the destruction of life.
Biomagnetic \Bi`o*mag*net"ic\, a.
Relating to biomagnetism.
Biomagnetism \Bi`o*mag"net*ism\, n. [Gr. ? life + E. magnetism.]
Animal magnetism.
Biometry \Bi*om"e*try\, n. [Gr. ? life + -metry.]
Measurement of life; calculation of the probable duration of
human life.
Bion \Bi"on\, n. [Gr. ? living, p. pr. of ? to live.] (Biol.)
The physiological individual, characterized by definiteness
and independence of function, in distinction from the
morphological individual or morphon.
Bionomy \Bi*on"o*my\, n. [Gr. ? life + ? law.]
Physiology. [R.] --Dunglison.
Biophor Biophore \Bi"o*phor` Bi"o*phore`\, n. [Gr. ? life + ?
bearing, fr. ? to bear.] (Biol.)
One of the smaller vital units of a cell, the bearer of
vitality and heredity. See Pangen, in Supplement.
Bioplasm \Bi"o*plasm\ (b[imac]"[-o]*pl[a^]z'm), n. [Gr. bi`os
life + pla`sma form, mold, fr. pla`ssein to mold.] (Biol.)
A name suggested by Dr. Beale for the germinal matter
supposed to be essential to the functions of all living
beings; the material through which every form of life
manifests itself; unaltered protoplasm.
Bioplasmic \Bi`o*plas"mic\ (b[imac]`[-o]*pl[a^]z"m[i^]k), a.
Pertaining to, or consisting of, bioplasm.
Bioplast \Bi"o*plast\ (-pl[a^]st), n. [Gr. bi`os life +
pla`ssein to form.] (Biol.)
A tiny mass of bioplasm, in itself a living unit and having
formative power, as a living white blood corpuscle; bioblast.
Bioplastic \Bi`o*plas"tic\ (b[imac]`[-o]*pl[a^]s"t[i^]k), a.
(Biol.)
Bioplasmic.
Biorgan \Bi*or"gan\, n. [Gr. ? life + E. organ.] (Biol.)
A physiological organ; a living organ; an organ endowed with
function; -- distinguished from idorgan.
Biostatics \Bi`o*stat"ics\, n. [Gr. ? life + ?. See {Statics}.]
(Biol.)
The physical phenomena of organized bodies, in opposition to
their organic or vital phenomena.
Biostatistics \Bi`o*sta*tis"tics\, n. [Gr. ? life + E.
statistics.] (Biol.)
Vital statistics.
Biotaxy \Bi"o*tax`y\, n. [Gr. ? life + ? arrangement.] (Biol.)
The classification of living organisms according to their
structural character; taxonomy.
Biotic \Bi*ot"ic\, a. [Gr. ? pert. to life.] (Biol.)
Relating to life; as, the biotic principle.
Biotite \Bi"o*tite\, n. [From Biot, a French naturalist.] (Min.)
Mica containing iron and magnesia, generally of a black or
dark green color; -- a common constituent of crystalline
rocks. See {Mica}.
Bipalmate \Bi*pal"mate\, a. [Pref. bi- + palmate.] (Bot.)
Palmately branched, with the branches again palmated.
Biparietal \Bi`pa*ri"e*tal\, a. [Pref. bi- + parietal.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the diameter of the cranium, from one
parietal fossa to the other.
Biparous \Bip"a*rous\, a. [L. bis twice + parere to bring
forth.]
Bringing forth two at a birth.
Bipartible \Bi*part"i*ble\, a. [Cf. F. bipartible. See
{Bipartite}.]
Capable of being divided into two parts.
Bipartient \Bi*par"tient\, a. [L. bis twice + partiens, p. pr.
of partire to divide.]
Dividing into two parts. -- n. A number that divides another
into two equal parts without a remainder.
Bipartile \Bi*par"tile\, a.
Divisible into two parts.
Bipartite \Bip"ar*tite\, a. [L. bipartitus, p. p. of bipartire;
bis twice + partire. See {Partite}.]
1. Being in two parts; having two correspondent parts, as a
legal contract or writing, one for each party; shared by
two; as, a bipartite treaty.
2. Divided into two parts almost to the base, as a leaf;
consisting of two parts or subdivisions. --Gray.
Bipartition \Bi`par*ti"tion\, n.
The act of dividing into two parts, or of making two
correspondent parts, or the state of being so divided.
Bipectinate \Bi*pec"ti*nate\, Bipectinated \Bi*pec"ti*na`ted\,
a. [Pref. bi- + pectinate.] (Biol.)
Having two margins toothed like a comb.
Biped \Bi"ped\, n. [L. bipes; bis twice + pes, pedis, ?oot: cf.
F. bip[`e]de.]
A two-footed animal, as man.
Biped \Bi"ped\, a.
Having two feet; two-footed.
By which the man, when heavenly life was ceased, Became
a helpless, naked, biped beast. --Byrom.
Bipedal \Bip"e*dal\, a. [L. bipedalis: cf. F. bip['e]dal. See
{Biped}, n.]
1. Having two feet; biped.
2. Pertaining to a biped.
Bipeltate \Bi*pel"tate\, a. [Pref. bi- + peltate.]
Having a shell or covering like a double shield.
Bipennate \Bi*pen"nate\, Bipennated \Bi*pen"na*ted\, a. [Pref.
bi- + pennate: cf. L. bipennis. Cf. {Bipinnate}.]
Having two wings. ``Bipennated insects.'' --Derham.
Bipennis \Bi*pen"nis\, n. [L.]
An ax with an edge or blade on each side of the handle.
Bipetalous \Bi*pet"al*ous\, a. [Pref. bi- + petalous.] (Bot.)
Having two petals.
Bipinnaria \Bi`pin*na"ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. L. bis twice + pinna
feather.] (Zo["o]l.)
The larva of certain starfishes as developed in the
free-swimming stage.
Bipinnate \Bi*pin"nate\, Bipinnated \Bi*pin"na*ted\, a. [Pref.
bi- + pinnate; cf. F. bipinn['e]. Cf. {Bipennate}.]
Twice pinnate.
Bipinnatifid \Bi`pin*nat"i*fid\, a. [Pref. bi- + pinnatifid.]
(Bot.)
Doubly pinnatifid.
Note: A bipinnatifid leaf is a pinnatifid leaf having its
segments or divisions also pinnatifid. The primary
divisions are pinn[ae] and the secondary pinnules.
Biplicate \Bip"li*cate\, a. [Pref. bi- + plicate.]
Twice folded together. --Henslow.
Biplicity \Bi*plic"i*ty\, n.
The state of being twice folded; reduplication. [R.]
--Bailey.
Bipolar \Bi*po"lar\, a. [Pref. bi- + polar. Cf. {Dipolar}.]
Doubly polar; having two poles; as, a bipolar cell or
corpuscle.
Bipolarity \Bi`po*lar"i*ty\, n.
Bipolar quality.
Bipont \Bi"pont\, Bipontine \Bi*pont"ine\, a. (Bibliog.)
Relating to books printed at Deuxponts, or Bipontium
(Zweibr["u]cken), in Bavaria.
Bipunctate \Bi*punc"tate\, a. [Pref. bi- + punctate.]
Having two punctures, or spots.
Bipunctual \Bi*punc"tu*al\, a.
Having two points.
Bipupillate \Bi*pu"pil*late\, a. [Pref. bi- + pupil (of the
eye).] (Zo["o]l.)
Having an eyelike spot on the wing, with two dots within it
of a different color, as in some butterflies.
Bipyramidal \Bi`py*ram"i*dal\, a. [Pref. bi- + pyramidal.]
Consisting of two pyramids placed base to base; having a
pyramid at each of the extremities of a prism, as in quartz
crystals.
Biquadrate \Bi*quad"rate\, n. [Pref. bi- + quadrate.] (Math.)
The fourth power, or the square of the square. Thus 4x4=16,
the square of 4, and 16x16=256, the biquadrate of 4.
Biquadratic \Bi`quad*rat"ic\, a. [Pref. bi- + quadratic: cf. F.
biquadratique.] (Math.)
Of or pertaining to the biquadrate, or fourth power.
{Biquadratic equation} (Alg.), an equation of the fourth
degree, or an equation in some term of which the unknown
quantity is raised to the fourth power.
{Biquadratic root of a number}, the square root of the square
root of that number. Thus the square root of 81 is 9, and
the square root of 9 is 3, which is the biquadratic root
of 81. Hutton.
Biquadratic \Bi`quad*rat"ic\, n. (Math.)
(a) A biquadrate.
(b) A biquadratic equation.
Biquintile \Bi*quin"tile\, n. [Pref. bi- + quintile: cf. F.
biquintile.] (Astron.)
An aspect of the planets when they are distant from each
other by twice the fifth part of a great circle -- that is,
twice 72 degrees.
Biradiate \Bi*ra"di*ate\, Biradiated \Bi*ra"di*a`ted\, a. [Pref.
bi- + radiate.]
Having two rays; as, a biradiate fin.
Biramous \Bi*ra"mous\, a. [Pref. bi- + ramous.] (Biol.)
Having, or consisting of, two branches.
Birch \Birch\ (b[~e]rch), n.; pl. {Birches} (-[e^]z). [OE.
birche, birk, AS. birce, beorc; akin to Icel. bj["o]rk, Sw.
bj["o]rk, Dan. birk, D. berk, OHG. piricha, MHG. birche,
birke, G. birke, Russ. bereza, Pol. brzoza, Serv. breza, Skr.
bh[=u]rja. [root]254. Cf. 1st {Birk}.]
1. A tree of several species, constituting the genus
{Betula}; as, the white or common birch ({B. alba}) (also
called silver birch and lady birch); the dwarf birch ({B.
glandulosa}); the paper or canoe birch ({B. papyracea});
the yellow birch ({B. lutea}); the black or cherry birch
({B. lenta}).
2. The wood or timber of the birch.
3. A birch twig or birch twigs, used for flogging.
Note: The twigs of the common European birch (B. alba), being
tough and slender, were formerly much used for rods in
schools. They were also made into brooms.
The threatening twigs of birch. --Shak.
4. A birch-bark canoe.
{Birch of Jamaica}, a species ({Bursera gummifera}) of
turpentine tree.
{Birch partridge}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Ruffed grouse}.
{Birch wine}, wine made of the spring sap of the birch.
{Oil of birch}.
(a) An oil obtained from the bark of the common European
birch ({Betula alba}), and used in the preparation of
genuine (and sometimes of the imitation) Russia
leather, to which it gives its peculiar odor.
(b) An oil prepared from the black birch ({B. lenta}),
said to be identical with the oil of wintergreen, for
which it is largely sold.
Birch \Birch\, a.
Of or pertaining to the birch; birchen.
Birch \Birch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Birched} (b[~e]rcht); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Birching}.]
To whip with a birch rod or twig; to flog.
Birchen \Birch"en\ (b[~e]rch"'n), a.
Of or relating to birch.
He passed where Newark's stately tower Looks out from
Yarrow's birchen bower. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bird \Bird\ (b[~e]rd), n. [OE. brid, bred, bird, young bird,
bird, AS. bridd young bird. [root]92.]
1. Orig., a chicken; the young of a fowl; a young eaglet; a
nestling; and hence, a feathered flying animal (see 2).
That ungentle gull, the cuckoo's bird. --Shak.
The brydds [birds] of the aier have nestes.
--Tyndale
(Matt. viii.
20).
2. (Zo["o]l.) A warm-blooded, feathered vertebrate provided
with wings. See {Aves}.
3. Specifically, among sportsmen, a game bird.
4. Fig.: A girl; a maiden.
And by my word! the bonny bird In danger shall not
tarry. --Campbell.
{Arabian bird}, the phenix.
{Bird of Jove}, the eagle.
{Bird of Juno}, the peacock.
{Bird louse} (Zo["o]l.), a wingless insect of the group
Mallophaga, of which the genera and species are very
numerous and mostly parasitic upon birds. -- Bird mite
(Zo["o]l.), a small mite (genera {Dermanyssus},
{Dermaleichus} and allies) parasitic upon birds. The
species are numerous.
{Bird of passage}, a migratory bird.
{Bird spider} (Zo["o]l.), a very large South American spider
({Mygale avicularia}). It is said sometimes to capture and
kill small birds.
{Bird tick} (Zo["o]l.), a dipterous insect parasitic upon
birds (genus {Ornithomyia}, and allies), usually winged.
Bird \Bird\, v. i.
1. To catch or shoot birds.
2. Hence: To seek for game or plunder; to thieve. [R.] --B.
Jonson.
Birdbolt \Bird"bolt`\, n.
A short blunt arrow for killing birds without piercing them.
Hence: Anything which smites without penetrating. --Shak.
Bird cage \Bird" cage"\, or Birdcage \Bird"cage`\, n.
A cage for confining birds.
Birdcall \Bird"call`\, n.
1. A sound made in imitation of the note or cry of a bird for
the purpose of decoying the bird or its mate.
2. An instrument of any kind, as a whistle, used in making
the sound of a birdcall.
Birdcatcher \Bird"catch`er\, n.
One whose employment it is to catch birds; a fowler.
Birdcatching \Bird"catch`ing\, n.
The art, act, or occupation or catching birds or wild fowls.
Bird cherry \Bird" cher`ry\ (Bot.)
A shrub ({Prunus Padus} ) found in Northern and Central
Europe. It bears small black cherries.
Birder \Bird"er\, n.
A birdcatcher.
Bird-eyed \Bird"-eyed`\, a.
Quick-sighted; catching a glance as one goes.
Bird fancier \Bird" fan`ci*er\
1. One who takes pleasure in rearing or collecting rare or
curious birds.
2. One who has for sale the various kinds of birds which are
kept in cages.
Birdie \Bird"ie\, n.
A pretty or dear little bird; -- a pet name. --Tennyson.
Birdikin \Bird"i*kin\, n.
A young bird. --Thackeray.
Birding \Bird"ing\, n.
Birdcatching or fowling. --Shak.
{Birding piece}, a fowling piece. --Shak.
Birdlet \Bird"let\, n.
A little bird; a nestling.
Birdlike \Bird"like`\, a.
Resembling a bird.
Birdlime \Bird"lime`\, n. [Bird + lime viscous substance.]
An extremely adhesive viscid substance, usually made of the
middle bark of the holly, by boiling, fermenting, and
cleansing it. When a twig is smeared with this substance it
will hold small birds which may light upon it. Hence:
Anything which insnares.
Not birdlime or Idean pitch produce A more tenacious
mass of clammy juice. --Dryden.
Note: Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.
Birdlime \Bird"lime`\, v. t.
To smear with birdlime; to catch with birdlime; to insnare.
When the heart is thus birdlimed, then it cleaves to
everything it meets with. --Coodwin.
Birdling \Bird"ling\, n.
A little bird; a nestling.
Birdman \Bird"man\, n.
A fowler or birdcatcher.
Bird of paradise \Bird" of par"a*dise\ (Zo["o]l.)
The name of several very beautiful birds of the genus
{Paradisea} and allied genera, inhabiting New Guinea and the
adjacent islands. The males have brilliant colors, elegant
plumes, and often remarkable tail feathers.
Note: The {Great emerald} ({Paradisea apoda}) and the {Lesser
emerald} ({P. minor}) furnish many of the plumes used
as ornaments by ladies; the Red is {P. rubra or
sanguinea}; the Golden is {Parotia aurea or
sexsetacea}; the King is {Cincinnurus regius}. The name
is also applied to the longer-billed birds of another
related group ({Epimachin[ae]}) from the same region.
The Twelve-wired ({Seleucides alba}) is one of these.
See {Paradise bird}, and Note under {Apod}.
Bird pepper \Bird" pep`per\
A species of capsicum ({Capsicum baccatum}), whose small,
conical, coral-red fruit is among the most piquant of all red
peppers.
Bird's-beak \Bird's"-beak`\, n. (Arch.)
A molding whose section is thought to resemble a beak.
Birdseed \Bird"seed`\, n.
Canary seed, hemp, millet or other small seeds used for
feeding caged birds.
Bird's-eye \Bird's"-eye`\, a.
1. Seen from above, as if by a flying bird; embraced at a
glance; hence, general; not minute, or entering into
details; as, a bird's-eye view.
2. Marked with spots resembling bird's eyes; as, bird's-eye
diaper; bird's-eye maple.
Bird's-eye \Bird's"-eye`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant with a small bright flower, as the Adonis or
pheasant's eye, the mealy primrose ({Primula farinosa}), and
species of Veronica, Geranium, etc.
Bird's-eye maple \Bird's"-eye` ma"ple\
See under {Maple}.
Bird's-foot \Bird's"-foot`\, n. (Bot.)
A papilionaceous plant, the {Ornithopus}, having a curved,
cylindrical pod tipped with a short, clawlike point.
{Bird's-foot trefoil}. (Bot.)
(a) A genus of plants ({Lotus}) with clawlike pods. {L.
corniculatas}, with yellow flowers, is very common in
Great Britain.
(b) the related plant, {Trigonella ornithopodioides}, is also
European.
Bird's-mouth \Bird's-mouth`\, n. (Arch.)
An interior angle or notch cut across a piece of timber, for
the reception of the edge of another, as that in a rafter to
be laid on a plate; -- commonly called {crow's-foot} in the
United States.
Bird's nest \Bird's" nest`\, or Bird's-nest \Bird's-nest\, n.
1. The nest in which a bird lays eggs and hatches her young.
2. (Cookery) The nest of a small swallow ({Collocalia
nidifica} and several allied species), of China and the
neighboring countries, which is mixed with soups.
Note: The nests are found in caverns and fissures of cliffs
on rocky coasts, and are composed in part of alg[ae].
They are of the size of a goose egg, and in substance
resemble isinglass. See Illust. under {Edible}.
3. (Bot.) An orchideous plant with matted roots, of the genus
{Neottia} ({N. nidus-avis.})
{Bird's-nest pudding}, a pudding containing apples whose
cores have been replaced by sugar.
{Yellow bird's nest}, a plant, the {Monotropa hypopitys}.
Bird's-nesting \Bird's-nest`ing\ (b[~e]rdz"n[e^]st`[i^]ng), n.
Hunting for, or taking, birds' nests or their contents.
Bird's-tongue \Bird's"-tongue`\, n. (Bot.)
The knotgrass ({Polygonum aviculare}).
Bird-witted \Bird"-wit`ted\, a.
Flighty; passing rapidly from one subject to another; not
having the faculty of attention. --Bacon.
Birectangular \Bi`rec*tan"gu*lar\, a. [Pref. bi- + rectangular.]
Containing or having two right angles; as, a birectangular
spherical triangle.
Bireme \Bi"reme\, n. [L. biremis; bis twice + remus oar: cf. F.
bir[`e]me.]
An ancient galley or vessel with two banks or tiers of oars.
Biretta \Bi*ret"ta\, n.
Same as {Berretta}.
Birgander \Bir"gan*der\, n.
See {Bergander}.
Birk \Birk\, n. [See {Birch}, n.]
A birch tree. [Prov. Eng.] ``The silver birk.'' --Tennyson.
Birk \Birk\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small European minnow ({Leuciscus phoxinus}).
Birken \Birk"en\, v. t. [From 1st {Birk}.]
To whip with a birch or rod. [Obs.]
Birken \Birk"en\, a.
Birchen; as, birken groves. --Burns.
Birkie \Bir"kie\, n.
A lively or mettlesome fellow. [Jocular, Scot.] --Burns.
Birl \Birl\, v. t. & i.
To revolve or cause to revolve; to spin. [Scot.] --Sir W.
Scott.
Birl \Birl\, v. t. & i. [AS. byrlian. [root]92.]
To pour (beer or wine); to ply with drink; to drink; to
carouse. [Obs. or Dial.] --Skelton.
Birlaw \Bir"law\, n. [See {By}{-law}.] (Law)
A law made by husbandmen respecting rural affairs; a rustic
or local law or by-law. [Written also {byrlaw}, {birlie},
{birley}.]
Birostrate \Bi*ros`trate\, Birostrated \Bi*ros"tra*ted\, a.
[Pref. bi- + rostrate.]
Having a double beak, or two processes resembling beaks.
The capsule is bilocular and birostrated. --Ed. Encyc.
Birr \Birr\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Birred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Birring}.] [Cf. OE. bur, bir, wind, storm wind, fr. Icel.
byrr wind. Perh. imitative.]
To make, or move with, a whirring noise, as of wheels in
motion.
Birr \Birr\, n.
1. A whirring sound, as of a spinning wheel.
2. A rush or impetus; force.
Birrus \Bir"rus\, n. [LL., fr. L. birrus a kind of cloak. See
{Berretta}.]
A coarse kind of thick woolen cloth, worn by the poor in the
Middle Ages; also, a woolen cap or hood worn over the
shoulders or over the head.
Birse \Birse\, n.
A bristle or bristles. [Scot.]
Birt \Birt\ (b[~e]rt), n. [OE. byrte; cf. F. bertonneau. Cf.
{Bret}, {Burt}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A fish of the turbot kind; the brill. [Written also {burt},
{bret}, or {brut}.] [Prov. Eng.]
Birth \Birth\ (b[~e]rth), n. [OE. burth, birth, AS. beor[edt],
gebyrd, fr. beran to bear, bring forth; akin to D. geboorte,
OHG. burt, giburt, G. geburt, Icel. bur[eth]r, Skr. bhrti
bearing, supporting; cf. Ir. & Gael. beirthe born, brought
forth. [root]92. See 1st {Bear}, and cf. {Berth}.]
1. The act or fact of coming into life, or of being born; --
generally applied to human beings; as, the birth of a son.
2. Lineage; extraction; descent; sometimes, high birth; noble
extraction.
Elected without reference to birth, but solely for
qualifications. --Prescott.
3. The condition to which a person is born; natural state or
position; inherited disposition or tendency.
A foe by birth to Troy's unhappy name. --Dryden.
4. The act of bringing forth; as, she had two children at a
birth. ``At her next birth.'' --Milton.
5. That which is born; that which is produced, whether animal
or vegetable.
Poets are far rarer births than kings. --B. Jonson.
Others hatch their eggs and tend the birth till it
is able to shift for itself. --Addison.
6. Origin; beginning; as, the birth of an empire.
{New birth} (Theol.), regeneration, or the commencement of a
religious life.
Syn: Parentage; extraction; lineage; race; family.
Birth \Birth\, n.
See {Berth}. [Obs.] --De Foe.
Birthday \Birth"day`\ (b[~e]rth"d[=a]`), n.
1. The day in which any person is born; day of origin or
commencement.
Those barbarous ages past, succeeded next The
birthday of invention. --Cowper.
2. The day of the month in which a person was born, in
whatever succeeding year it may recur; the anniversary of
one's birth.
This is my birthday; as this very day Was Cassius
born. --Shak.
Birthday \Birth"day`\, a.
Of or pertaining to the day of birth, or its anniversary; as,
birthday gifts or festivities.
Birthdom \Birth"dom\, n. [Birth + -dom.]
The land of one's birth; one's inheritance. [R.] --Shak.
Birthing \Birth"ing\, n. (Naut.)
Anything added to raise the sides of a ship. --Bailey.
Birthless \Birth"less\, a.
Of mean extraction. [R.] --Sir W. Scott.
Birthmark \Birth"mark`\, n.
Some peculiar mark or blemish on the body at birth.
Most part of this noble lineage carried upon their body
for a natural birthmark, . . . a snake. --Sir T.
North.
Birthnight \Birth"night`\, n.
The night in which a person is born; the anniversary of that
night in succeeding years.
The angelic song in Bethlehem field, On thy birthnight,
that sung thee Savior born. --Milton.
Birthplace \Birth"place`\, n.
The town, city, or country, where a person is born; place of
origin or birth, in its more general sense. ``The birthplace
of valor.'' --Burns.
Birthright \Birth"right`\, n.
Any right, privilege, or possession to which a person is
entitled by birth, such as an estate descendible by law to an
heir, or civil liberty under a free constitution; esp. the
rights or inheritance of the first born.
Lest there be any . . . profane person, as Esau, who
for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. --Heb. xii.
16.
Birthroot \Birth"root`\, n. (Bot.)
An herbaceous plant ({Trillium erectum}), and its astringent
rootstock, which is said to have medicinal properties.
Birthwort \Birth"wort`\, n.
A genus of herbs and shrubs ({Aristolochia}), reputed to have
medicinal properties.
Bis \Bis\, adv. [L. bis twice, for duis, fr. root of duo two.
See {Two}, and cf. {Bi-}.]
Twice; -- a word showing that something is, or is to be,
repeated; as a passage of music, or an item in accounts.
Bis- \Bis-\, pref.
A form of {Bi-}, sometimes used before s, c, or a vowel.
Bisa antelope \Bi"sa an"te*lope\ (Zo["o]l.)
See {Oryx}.
Bisaccate \Bi*sac"cate\, a. [Pref. bi- + saccate.] (Bot.)
Having two little bags, sacs, or pouches.
Biscayan \Bis*cay"an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Biscay in Spain. -- n. A native or
inhabitant of Biscay.
Biscotin \Bis"co*tin\, n. [F. biscotin. See {Biscuit}.]
A confection made of flour, sugar, marmalade, and eggs; a
sweet biscuit.
Biscuit \Bis"cuit\, n. [F. biscuit (cf. It. biscotto, Sp.
bizcocho, Pg. biscouto), fr. L. bis twice + coctus, p. p. of
coquere to cook, bake. See {Cook}, and cf. {Bisque} a kind of
porcelain.]
1. A kind of unraised bread, of many varieties, plain, sweet,
or fancy, formed into flat cakes, and bakes hard; as, ship
biscuit.
According to military practice, the bread or biscuit
of the Romans was twice prepared in the oven.
--Gibbon.
2. A small loaf or cake of bread, raised and shortened, or
made light with soda or baking powder. Usually a number
are baked in the same pan, forming a sheet or card.
3. Earthen ware or porcelain which has undergone the first
baking, before it is subjected to the glazing.
4. (Sculp.) A species of white, unglazed porcelain, in which
vases, figures, and groups are formed in miniature.
{Meat biscuit}, an alimentary preparation consisting of
matters extracted from meat by boiling, or of meat ground
fine and combined with flour, so as to form biscuits.
Biscutate \Bi*scu"tate\, a. [Pref. bi- + scutate.] (Bot.)
Resembling two bucklers placed side by side.
Bise \Bise\, n. [F.]
A cold north wind which prevails on the northern coasts of
the Mediterranean and in Switzerland, etc.; -- nearly the
same as the mistral.
Bise \Bise\, n. (Paint.)
See {Bice}.
Bisect \Bi*sect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bisected}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bisecting}.] [L. bis twice + secare, sectum, to cut.]
1. To cut or divide into two parts.
2. (Geom.) To divide into two equal parts.
Bisection \Bi*sec"tion\, n. [Cf. F. bissection.]
Division into two parts, esp. two equal parts.
Bisector \Bi*sec"tor\, n.
One who, or that which, bisects; esp. (Geom.) a straight line
which bisects an angle.
Bisectrix \Bi*sec"trix\, n.
The line bisecting the angle between the optic axes of a
biaxial crystal.
Bisegment \Bi*seg"ment\, n. [Pref. bi- + segment.]
One of tow equal parts of a line, or other magnitude.
Biseptate \Bi*sep"tate\, a. [Pref. bi- + septate.]
With two partitions or septa. --Gray.
Biserial \Bi*se"ri*al\, Biseriate \Bi*se"ri*ate\, a. [Pref. bi-
+ serial, seriate.]
In two rows or series.
Biserrate \Bi*ser"rate\, a. [Pref. bi- + serrate.]
1. (Bot.) Doubly serrate, or having the serratures serrate,
as in some leaves.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Serrate on both sides, as some antenn[ae].
Bisetose \Bi*se"tose\, Bisetous \Bi*se"tous\, a. [Pref. bi- +
setose, setous.]
Having two bristles.
Bisexous \Bi*sex"ous\, a. [L. bis twice + sexus sex: cf. F.
bissexe.]
Bisexual. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Bisexual \Bi*sex"u*al\, a. [Pref. bi- + sexual.] (Biol.)
Of both sexes; hermaphrodite; as a flower with stamens and
pistil, or an animal having ovaries and testes.
Bisexuous \Bi*sex"u*ous\, a.
Bisexual.
Biseye \Bi*seye"\,
p. p. of {Besee}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Evil biseye}, ill looking. [Obs.]
Bish \Bish\, n.
Same as {Bikh}.
Bishop \Bish"op\, n. [OE. bischop, biscop, bisceop, AS. bisceop,
biscop, L. episcopus overseer, superintendent, bishop, fr.
Gr. ?, ? over + ? inspector, fr. root of ?, ?, to look to,
perh. akin to L. specere to look at. See {Spy}, and cf.
{Episcopal}.]
1. A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or director.
Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned
unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. --1 Pet.
ii. 25.
It is a fact now generally recognized by theologians
of all shades of opinion, that in the language of
the New Testament the same officer in the church is
called indifferently ``bishop'' ( ? ) and ``elder''
or ``presbyter.'' --J. B.
Lightfoot.
2. In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican or Protestant
Episcopal churches, one ordained to the highest order of
the ministry, superior to the priesthood, and generally
claiming to be a successor of the Apostles. The bishop is
usually the spiritual head or ruler of a diocese,
bishopric, or see.
{Bishop in partibus} [{infidelium}] (R. C. Ch.), a bishop of
a see which does not actually exist; one who has the
office of bishop, without especial jurisdiction.
--Shipley.
{Titular bishop} (R. C. Ch.), a term officially substituted
in 1882 for bishop in partibus.
{Bench of Bishops}. See under {Bench}.
3. In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of
the highest church officers or superintendents.
4. A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a
representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called
archer.
5. A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons,
and sugar. --Swift.
6. An old name for a woman's bustle. [U. S.]
If, by her bishop, or her ``grace'' alone, A genuine
lady, or a church, is known. --Saxe.
Bishop \Bish"op\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bishoped}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bishoping}.]
To admit into the church by confirmation; to confirm; hence,
to receive formally to favor.
Bishop \Bish"op\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bishoped}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bishoping}.] [From the name of the scoundrel who first
practiced it. Youatt.] (Far.)
To make seem younger, by operating on the teeth; as, to
bishop an old horse or his teeth.
Note: The plan adopted is to cut off all the nippers with a
saw to the proper length, and then with a cutting
instrument the operator scoops out an oval cavity in
the corner nippers, which is afterwards burnt with a
hot iron until it is black. --J. H. Walsh.
Bishopdom \Bish"op*dom\, n.
Jurisdiction of a bishop; episcopate. ``Divine right of
bishopdom.'' --Milton.
Bishoplike \Bish"op*like`\, a.
Resembling a bishop; belonging to a bishop. --Fulke.
Bishoply \Bish"op*ly\, a.
Bishoplike; episcopal. [Obs.]
Bishoply \Bish"op*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a bishop. [Obs.]
Bishopric \Bish"op*ric\, n. [AS. bisceopr[=i]ce; bisceop bishop
+ r[=i]ce dominion. See {-ric}.]
1. A diocese; the district over which the jurisdiction of a
bishop extends.
2. The office of a spiritual overseer, as of an apostle,
bishop, or presbyter. --Acts i. 20.
Bishop's cap \Bish"op's cap`\ (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Mitella}; miterwort. --Longfellow.
Bishop sleeve \Bish"op sleeve`\
A wide sleeve, once worn by women.
Bishop's length \Bish"op's length`\
A canvas for a portrait measuring 58 by 94 inches. The half
bishop measures 45 by 56.
Bishop-stool \Bish"op-stool`\, n.
A bishop's seat or see.
Bishop's-weed \Bish"op's-weed`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) An umbelliferous plant of the genus {Ammi.}
(b) Goutweed ({[AE]gopodium podagraria}).
Bishop's-wort \Bish"op's-wort`\, n. (Bot.)
Wood betony ({Stachys betonica}); also, the plant called
fennel flower ({Nigella Damascena}), or devil-in-a-bush.
Bisie \Bis"ie\, v. t.
To busy; to employ. [Obs.]
Bisilicate \Bi*sil"i*cate\, n. (Min. Chem.)
A salt of metasilicic acid; -- so called because the ratio of
the oxygen of the silica to the oxygen of the base is as two
to one. The bisilicates include many of the most common and
important minerals.
Bisk \Bisk\, n. [F. bisque.]
Soup or broth made by boiling several sorts of flesh
together. --King.
Bisk \Bisk\, n. [F. bisque.] (Tennis)
See {Bisque}.
Bismare \Bi*smare"\, Bismer \Bi*smer"\, n. [AS. bismer.]
Shame; abuse. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bismer \Bis"mer\, n.
1. A rule steelyard. [Scot.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) The fifteen-spined ({Gasterosteus spinachia}).
Bismillah \Bis*mil"lah\, interj. [Arabic, in the name of God!]
An adjuration or exclamation common among the Mohammedans.
[Written also {Bizmillah}.]
Bismite \Bis"mite\, n. (Min.)
Bismuth trioxide, or bismuth ocher.
Bismuth \Bis"muth\, n. [Ger. bismuth, wismuth: cf. F. bismuth.]
(Chem.)
One of the elements; a metal of a reddish white color,
crystallizing in rhombohedrons. It is somewhat harder than
lead, and rather brittle; masses show broad cleavage surfaces
when broken across. It melts at 507[deg] Fahr., being easily
fused in the flame of a candle. It is found in a native
state, and as a constituent of some minerals. Specific
gravity 9.8. Atomic weight 207.5. Symbol Bi.
Note: Chemically, bismuth (with arsenic and antimony is
intermediate between the metals and nonmetals; it is
used in thermo-electric piles, and as an alloy with
lead and tin in the fusible alloy or metal. Bismuth is
the most diamagnetic substance known.
{Bismuth glance}, bismuth sulphide; bismuthinite.
{Bismuth ocher}, a native bismuth oxide; bismite.
Bismuthal \Bis"muth*al\, a.
Containing bismuth.
Bismuthic \Bis"muth*ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to bismuth; containing bismuth, when this
element has its higher valence; as, bismuthic oxide.
Bismuthiferous \Bis`muth*if"er*ous\, a. [Bismuth + -ferous.]
Containing bismuth.
Bismuthine \Bis"muth*ine\, Bismuthinite \Bis"muth*in*ite\, n.
Native bismuth sulphide; -- sometimes called bismuthite.
Bismuthous \Bis"muth*ous\, a.
Of, or containing, bismuth, when this element has its lower
valence.
Bismuthyl \Bis"muth*yl`\, n. (Min.)
Hydrous carbonate of bismuth, an earthy mineral of a dull
white or yellowish color. [Written also {bismuthite}.]
Bison \Bi"son\ (b[imac]"s[o^]n; 277), n. [L. bison, Gr. bi`swn,
a wild ox; akin to OHG. wisunt, wisant, G. wisent, AS.
wesend, Icel. v[=i]sundr: cf. F. bison.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The aurochs or European bison.
(b) The American bison buffalo ({Bison Americanus}), a large,
gregarious bovine quadruped with shaggy mane and short
black horns, which formerly roamed in herds over most of
the temperate portion of North America, but is now
restricted to very limited districts in the region of the
Rocky Mountains, and is rapidly decreasing in numbers.
Bispinose \Bi*spi"nose\ (b[imac]*sp[imac]"n[=o]s), a. [Pref. bi-
+ spinose.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having two spines.
Bisque \Bisque\, n. [A corruption of biscuit.]
Unglazed white porcelain.
Bisque \Bisque\, n. [F.]
A point taken by the receiver of odds in the game of tennis;
also, an extra innings allowed to a weaker player in croquet.
Bisque \Bisque\, n. [F.]
A white soup made of crayfish.
Bissextile \Bis*sex"tile\, n. [L. bissextilis annus, fr.
bissextus (bis + sextus sixth, fr. sex six) the sixth of the
calends of March, or twenty-fourth day of February, which was
reckoned twice every fourth year, by the intercalation of a
day.]
Leap year; every fourth year, in which a day is added to the
month of February on account of the excess of the tropical
year (365 d. 5 h. 48 m. 46 s.) above 365 days. But one day
added every four years is equivalent to six hours each year,
which is 11 m. 14 s. more than the excess of the real year.
Hence, it is necessary to suppress the bissextile day at the
end of every century which is not divisible by 400, while it
is retained at the end of those which are divisible by 400.
Bissextile \Bis*sex"tile\, a.
Pertaining to leap year.
Bisson \Bis"son\, a. [OE. bisen, bisne, AS. bisen, prob. for
b[=i]s?ne; bi by + s?ne clear, akin to se['o]n to see; clear
when near, hence short-sighted. See {See}.]
Purblind; blinding. [Obs.] ``Bisson rheum.'' --Shak.
Bister \Bis"ter\, Bistre \Bis"tre\, n. [F. bistre a color made
of soot; of unknown origin. Cf., however, LG. biester
frowning, dark, ugly.] (Paint.)
A dark brown pigment extracted from the soot of wood.
Bistipuled \Bi*stip"uled\, a. [Pref. bi- + stipule.] (Bot.)
Having two stipules.
Bistort \Bis"tort\, n. [L. bis + tortus, p. p. of torquere to
twist: cf. F. bistorte.] (Bot.)
An herbaceous plant of the genus {Polygonum}, section
{Bistorta}; snakeweed; adderwort. Its root is used in
medicine as an astringent.
Bistoury \Bis"tou*ry\, n.; pl. {Bistouries}. [F. bistouri.]
A surgical instrument consisting of a slender knife, either
straight or curved, generally used by introducing it beneath
the part to be divided, and cutting towards the surface.
Bistre \Bis"tre\, n.
See {Bister}.
Bisulcate \Bi*sul"cate\, a. [Pref. bi- + sulcate.]
1. Having two grooves or furrows.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Cloven; said of a foot or hoof.
Bisulcous \Bi*sul"cous\, a. [L. bisulcus; bis twice + sulcus
furrow.]
Bisulcate. --Sir T. Browne.
Bisulphate \Bi*sul"phate\, n. [Pref. bi- + sulphate.] (Chem.)
A sulphate in which but half the hydrogen of the acid is
replaced by a positive element or radical, thus making the
proportion of the acid to the positive or basic portion twice
what it is in the normal sulphates; an acid sulphate.
Bisulphide \Bi*sul"phide\, n. [Pref. bi- + sulphide.] (Chem.)
A sulphide having two atoms of sulphur in the molecule; a
disulphide, as in iron pyrites, FeS2; -- less frequently
called bisulphuret.
Bisulphite \Bi*sul"phite\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of sulphurous acid in which the base replaces but half
the hydrogen of the acid; an acid sulphite.
Bisulphuret \Bi*sul"phu*ret\, n. [Pref. bi- + sulphuret.]
(Chem.)
See {Bisulphide}.
Bit \Bit\, n. [OE. bitt, bite, AS. bite, bite, fr. b[=i]tan to
bite. See {Bite}, n. & v., and cf. {Bit} a morsel.]
1. The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted
in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages to which
the reins are fastened. --Shak.
The foamy bridle with the bit of gold. --Chaucer.
2. Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.
Bit \Bit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bitted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bitting}.]
To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.
Bit \Bit\,
imp. & p. p. of {Bite}.
Bit \Bit\, n. [OE. bite, AS. bita, fr. b[=i]tan to bite; akin to
D. beet, G. bissen bit, morsel, Icel. biti. See {Bite}, v.,
and cf. {Bit} part of a bridle.]
1. A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken
into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small piece of
anything; a little; a mite.
2. Somewhat; something, but not very great.
My young companion was a bit of a poet. --T. Hook.
Note: This word is used, also, like jot and whit, to express
the smallest degree; as, he is not a bit wiser.
3. A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually
turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See {Bitstock}.
4. The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the
bolt and tumblers. --Knight.
5. The cutting iron of a plane. --Knight.
6. In the Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver
coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth
about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12 1/2 cents.
{Bit my bit}, piecemeal. --Pope.
Bit \Bit\,
3d sing. pr. of {Bid}, for biddeth. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bitake \Bi*take"\, v. t. [See {Betake}, {Betaught}.]
To commend; to commit. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bitangent \Bi*tan"gent\, a. [Pref. bi- + tangent.] (Geom.)
Possessing the property of touching at two points. -- n. A
line that touches a curve in two points.
Bitartrate \Bi*tar"trate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of tartaric acid in which the base replaces but half
the acid hydrogen; an acid tartrate, as cream of tartar.
Bitch \Bitch\, n. [OE. biche, bicche, AS. bicce; cf. Icel.
bikkja, G. betze, peize.]
1. The female of the canine kind, as of the dog, wolf, and
fox.
2. An opprobrious name for a woman, especially a lewd woman.
--Pope.
Bite \Bite\, v. t. [imp. {Bit}; p. p. {Bitten}, {Bit}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Biting}.] [OE. biten, AS. b[=i]tan; akin to D.
bijten, OS. b[=i]tan, OHG. b[=i]zan, G. beissen, Goth.
beitan, Icel. b[=i]ta, Sw. bita, Dan. bide, L. findere to
cleave, Skr. bhid to cleave. [root]87. Cf. {Fissure}.]
1. To seize with the teeth, so that they enter or nip the
thing seized; to lacerate, crush, or wound with the teeth;
as, to bite an apple; to bite a crust; the dog bit a man.
Such smiling rogues as these, Like rats, oft bite
the holy cords atwain. --Shak.
2. To puncture, abrade, or sting with an organ (of some
insects) used in taking food.
3. To cause sharp pain, or smarting, to; to hurt or injure,
in a literal or a figurative sense; as, pepper bites the
mouth. ``Frosts do bite the meads.'' --Shak.
4. To cheat; to trick; to take in. [Colloq.] --Pope.
5. To take hold of; to hold fast; to adhere to; as, the
anchor bites the ground.
The last screw of the rack having been turned so
often that its purchase crumbled, . . . it turned
and turned with nothing to bite. --Dickens.
{To bite the dust}, {To bite the ground}, to fall in the
agonies of death; as, he made his enemy bite the dust.
{To bite in} (Etching), to corrode or eat into metallic
plates by means of an acid.
{To bite the thumb at} (any one), formerly a mark of
contempt, designed to provoke a quarrel; to defy. ``Do you
bite your thumb at us?'' --Shak.
{To bite the tongue}, to keep silence. --Shak.
Bite \Bite\, v. i.
1. To seize something forcibly with the teeth; to wound with
the teeth; to have the habit of so doing; as, does the dog
bite?
2. To cause a smarting sensation; to have a property which
causes such a sensation; to be pungent; as, it bites like
pepper or mustard.
3. To cause sharp pain; to produce anguish; to hurt or
injure; to have the property of so doing.
At the last it [wine] biteth like serpent, and
stingeth like an adder. --Prov. xxiii.
32.
4. To take a bait into the mouth, as a fish does; hence, to
take a tempting offer.
5. To take or keep a firm hold; as, the anchor bites.
Bite \Bite\, n. [OE. bite, bit, bitt, AS. bite bite, fr.
b[=i]tan to bite, akin to Icel. bit, OS. biti, G. biss. See
{Bite}, v., and cf. {Bit}.]
1. The act of seizing with the teeth or mouth; the act of
wounding or separating with the teeth or mouth; a seizure
with the teeth or mouth, as of a bait; as, to give
anything a hard bite.
I have known a very good fisher angle diligently
four or six hours for a river carp, and not have a
bite. --Walton.
2. The act of puncturing or abrading with an organ for taking
food, as is done by some insects.
3. The wound made by biting; as, the pain of a dog's or
snake's bite; the bite of a mosquito.
4. A morsel; as much as is taken at once by biting.
5. The hold which the short end of a lever has upon the thing
to be lifted, or the hold which one part of a machine has
upon another.
6. A cheat; a trick; a fraud. [Colloq.]
The baser methods of getting money by fraud and
bite, by deceiving and overreaching. --Humorist.
7. A sharper; one who cheats. [Slang] --Johnson.
8. (Print.) A blank on the edge or corner of a page, owing to
a portion of the frisket, or something else, intervening
between the type and paper.
Biter \Bit"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, bites; that which bites often, or
is inclined to bite, as a dog or fish. ``Great barkers are
no biters.'' --Camden.
2. One who cheats; a sharper. [Colloq.] --Spectator.
Biternate \Bi*ter"nate\, a. [Pref. bi- + ternate.] (Bot.)
Doubly ternate, as when a petiole has three ternate leaflets.
-- {Bi*ter"nate*ly}, adv. --Gray.
Bitheism \Bi"the*ism\, n. [Pref. bi- + theism.]
Belief in the existence of two gods; dualism.
Biting \Bit"ing\, a.
That bites; sharp; cutting; sarcastic; caustic. ``A biting
affliction.'' ``A biting jest.'' --Shak.
Biting in \Bit"ing in"\ (Etching.)
The process of corroding or eating into metallic plates, by
means of an acid. See {Etch}. --G. Francis.
Bitingly \Bit"ing*ly\, adv.
In a biting manner.
Bitless \Bit"less\, a.
Not having a bit or bridle.
Bitstock \Bit"stock`\, n.
A stock or handle for holding and rotating a bit; a brace.
Bitt \Bitt\, n. (Naut.)
See {Bitts}.
Bitt \Bitt\, v. t. [See {Bitts}.] (Naut.)
To put round the bitts; as, to bitt the cable, in order to
fasten it or to slacken it gradually, which is called veering
away. --Totten.
Bittacle \Bit"ta*cle\, n.
A binnacle. [Obs.]
Bitten \Bit"ten\,
p. p. of {Bite}.
Bitten \Bit"ten\, a. (Bot.)
Terminating abruptly, as if bitten off; premorse.
Bitter \Bit"ter\, n. [See {Bitts}.] (Naut.)
AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts.
{Bitter end}, that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts,
and so within board, when the ship rides at anchor.
Bitter \Bit"ter\, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel.
bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E.
bite. See {Bite}, v. t.]
1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of
wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine;
bitter as aloes.
2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe;
as, a bitter cold day.
3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind;
calamitous; poignant.
It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast
forsaken the Lord thy God. --Jer. ii. 19.
4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh;
stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against
them. --Col. iii.
19.
5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.
The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with
hard bondage. --Ex. i. 14.
{Bitter apple}, {Bitter cucumber}, {Bitter gourd}. (Bot.) See
{Colocynth}.
{Bitter cress} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Cardamine}, esp.
{C. amara}.
{Bitter earth} (Min.), tale earth; calcined magnesia.
{Bitter principles} (Chem.), a class of substances, extracted
from vegetable products, having strong bitter taste but
with no sharply defined chemical characteristics.
{Bitter salt}, Epsom salts; magnesium sulphate.
{Bitter vetch} (Bot.), a name given to two European
leguminous herbs, {Vicia Orobus} and {Ervum Ervilia}.
{To the bitter end}, to the last extremity, however
calamitous.
Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe;
acrimonious.
Bitter \Bit"ter\, n.
Any substance that is bitter. See {Bitters}.
Bitter \Bit"ter\, v. t.
To make bitter. --Wolcott.
Bitterbump \Bit"ter*bump`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
the butterbump or bittern.
Bitterful \Bit"ter*ful\, a.
Full of bitterness. [Obs.]
Bittering \Bit"ter*ing\, n.
A bitter compound used in adulterating beer; bittern.
Bitterish \Bit"ter*ish\, a.
Somewhat bitter. --Goldsmith.
Bitterling \Bit"ter*ling\, n. [G.] (Zo["o]l.)
A roachlike European fish ({Rhodima amarus}).
Bitterly \Bit"ter*ly\, adv.
In a bitter manner.
Bittern \Bit"tern\, n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F.
butor; of unknown origin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A wading bird of the genus {Botaurus}, allied to the herons,
of various species.
Note: The common European bittern is {Botaurus stellaris}. It
makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by
Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American
bittern is {B. lentiginosus}, and is also called
{stake-driver} and {meadow hen}. See {Stake-driver}.
Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the
{least bittern} ({Ardetta exilis}), and the {sun
bittern}.
Bittern \Bit"tern\, n. [From {Bitter}, a.]
1. The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is
concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of
magnesium which it contains.
2. A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc.,
used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer. --Cooley.
Bitterness \Bit"ter*ness\, n. [AS. biternys; biter better + -nys
= -ness.]
1. The quality or state of being bitter, sharp, or acrid, in
either a literal or figurative sense; implacableness;
resentfulness; severity; keenness of reproach or sarcasm;
deep distress, grief, or vexation of mind.
The lip that curls with bitterness. --Percival.
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. --Job
vii. 11.
2. A state of extreme impiety or enmity to God.
Thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond
of iniquity. --Acts viii.
23.
3. Dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to
apostasy.
Looking diligently, . . . lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you. --Heb. xii.
15.
Bitternut \Bit"ter*nut"\, n. (Bot.)
The swamp hickory ({Carya amara}). Its thin-shelled nuts are
bitter.
Bitterroot \Bit"ter*root`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant ({Lewisia rediviva}) allied to the purslane, but with
fleshy, farinaceous roots, growing in the mountains of Idaho,
Montana, etc. It gives the name to the Bitter Root mountains
and river. The Indians call both the plant and the river
Sp[ae]t'lum.
Bitters \Bit"ters\, n. pl.
A liquor, generally spirituous in which a bitter herb, leaf,
or root is steeped.
Bitter spar \Bit"ter spar"\
A common name of dolomite; -- so called because it contains
magnesia, the soluble salts of which are bitter. See
{Dolomite}.
Bittersweet \Bit"ter*sweet`\, a.
Sweet and then bitter or bitter and then sweet; esp. sweet
with a bitter after taste; hence (Fig.), pleasant but
painful.
Bittersweet \Bit"ter*sweet`\, n.
1. Anything which is bittersweet.
2. A kind of apple so called. --Gower.
3. (Bot.)
(a) A climbing shrub, with oval coral-red berries
({Solanum dulcamara}); woody nightshade. The whole
plant is poisonous, and has a taste at first sweetish
and then bitter. The branches are the officinal
dulcamara.
(b) An American woody climber ({Celastrus scandens}),
whose yellow capsules open late in autumn, and
disclose the red aril which covers the seeds; -- also
called {Roxbury waxwork}.
Bitterweed \Bit"ter*weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A species of Ambrosia ({A. artemisi[ae]folia}); Roman worm
wood. --Gray.
Bitterwood \Bit"ter*wood`\, n.
A West Indian tree ({Picr[ae]na excelsa}) from the wood of
which the bitter drug Jamaica quassia is obtained.
Bitterwort \Bit"ter*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
The yellow gentian ({Gentiana lutea}), which has a very
bitter taste.
Bittock \Bit"tock\, n. [See {Bit} a morsel.]
A small bit of anything, of indefinite size or quantity; a
short distance. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Bittor Bittour \Bit"tor Bit"tour\, n. [See {Bittern}] (Zo["o]l.)
The bittern. --Dryden.
Bitts \Bitts\, n. pl. [Cf. F. bitte, Icel. biti, a beam. ?87.]
(Naut.)
A frame of two strong timbers fixed perpendicularly in the
fore part of a ship, on which to fasten the cables as the
ship rides at anchor, or in warping. Other bitts are used for
belaying (belaying bitts), for sustaining the windlass
(carrick bitts, winch bitts, or windlass bitts), to hold the
pawls of the windlass (pawl bitts) etc.
Bitume \Bi*tume"\, n. [F. See {Bitumen}.]
Bitumen. [Poetic] --May.
Bitumed \Bi*tumed"\, a.
Smeared with bitumen. [R.] ``The hatches caulked and
bitumed.'' --Shak.
Bitumen \Bi*tu"men\, n. [L. bitumen: cf. F. bitume. Cf.
{B['e]ton}.]
1. Mineral pitch; a black, tarry substance, burning with a
bright flame; Jew's pitch. It occurs as an abundant
natural product in many places, as on the shores of the
Dead and Caspian Seas. It is used in cements, in the
construction of pavements, etc. See {Asphalt}.
2. By extension, any one of the natural hydrocarbons,
including the hard, solid, brittle varieties called
asphalt, the semisolid maltha and mineral tars, the oily
petroleums, and even the light, volatile naphthas.
Bituminate \Bi*tu"mi*nate\ (b[i^]*t[=u]"m[i^]*n[=a]t), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. {Bituminated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bituminating}.]
[L. bituminatus, p. p. of bituminare to bituminate. See
{Bitumen}.]
To treat or impregnate with bitumen; to cement with bitumen.
``Bituminated walls of Babylon.'' --Feltham.
Bituminiferous \Bi*tu`mi*nif"er*ous\, a. [Bitumen + -ferous.]
Producing bitumen. --Kirwan.
Bituminization \Bi*tu`mi*ni*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
bituminisation.]
The process of bituminizing. --Mantell.
Bituminize \Bi*tu"mi*nize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bituminized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Bituminizing}.] [Cf. F. bituminiser.]
To prepare, treat, impregnate, or coat with bitumen.
Bituminous \Bi*tu"mi*nous\, a. [L. bituminosus: cf. F.
bitumineux.]
Having the qualities of bitumen; compounded with bitumen;
containing bitumen.
Near that bituminous lake where Sodom flamed. --Milton.
{Bituminous coal}, a kind of coal which yields, when heated,
a considerable amount of volatile bituminous matter. It
burns with a yellow smoky flame.
{Bituminous limestone}, a mineral of a brown or black color,
emitting an unpleasant smell when rubbed. That of Dalmatia
is so charged with bitumen that it may be cut like soap.
{Bituminous shale}, an argillaceous shale impregnated with
bitumen, often accompanying coal.
Biuret \Bi"u*ret\, n. [Pref. bi- + urea.] (Chem.)
A white, crystalline, nitrogenous substance, {C2O2N3H5},
formed by heating urea. It is intermediate between urea and
cyanuric acid.
Bivalency \Biv"a*len*cy\, n. (Chem.)
The quality of being bivalent.
Bivalent \Biv"a*lent\, a. [L. bis twice + valens, p. pr. See
{Valence}.] (Chem.)
Equivalent in combining or displacing power to two atoms of
hydrogen; dyad.
Bivalve \Bi"valve\, n. [F. bivalve; bi- (L. bis) + valve valve.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A mollusk having a shell consisting of two
lateral plates or valves joined together by an elastic
ligament at the hinge, which is usually strengthened by
prominences called teeth. The shell is closed by the
contraction of two transverse muscles attached to the
inner surface, as in the clam, -- or by one, as in the
oyster. See Mollusca.
2. (Bot.) A pericarp in which the seed case opens or splits
into two parts or valves.
Bivalve \Bi"valve\, a. [Pref. bi- + valve.] (Zo["o]l. & Bot.)
Having two shells or valves which open and shut, as the
oyster and certain seed vessels.
Bivalved \Bi"valved\, a.
Having two valves, as the oyster and some seed pods; bivalve.
Bivalvous \Bi*val"vous\, a.
Bivalvular.
Bivalvular \Bi*val"vu*lar\, a.
Having two valves.
Bivaulted \Bi*vault"ed\, a. [Pref. bi- + vault.]
Having two vaults or arches.
Bivector \Bi*vec"tor\, n. [Pref. bi- + vector.] (Math.)
A term made up of the two parts ? + ?1 ?-1, where ? and ?1
are vectors.
Biventral \Bi*ven"tral\, a. [Pref. bi- + ventral.] (Anat.)
Having two bellies or protuberances; as, a biventral, or
digastric, muscle, or the biventral lobe of the cerebellum.
Bivial \Biv"i*al\, a.
Of or relating to the bivium.
Bivious \Biv"i*ous\, a. [L. bivius; bis twice + via way.]
Having, or leading, two ways.
Bivious theorems and Janus-faced doctrines. --Sir T.
Browne.
Bivium \Biv"i*um\, n. [L., a place with two ways. See
{Bivious}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One side of an echinoderm, including a pair of ambulacra, in
distinction from the opposite side (trivium), which includes
three ambulacra.
Bivouac \Biv"ouac\, n. [F. bivouac, bivac, prab. fr. G.
beiwache, or beiwacht; bei by, near + wachen to watch, wache
watch, guard. See {By}, and {Watch}.] (Mil.)
(a) The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of
surprise or attack.
(b) An encampment for the night without tents or covering.
Bivouac \Biv"ouac\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bivouacked} (?); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Bivouacking}.] (Mil.)
(a) To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army.
(b) To encamp for the night without tents or covering.
Biweekly \Bi"week`ly\, a. [Pref. bi- + weekly.]
Occurring or appearing once every two weeks; fortnightly. --
n. A publication issued every two weeks. -- {Bi"week"ly},
adv.
Biwreye \Bi*wreye"\, v. t.
To bewray; to reveal. [Obs.]
Bizantine \Biz"an*tine\
See {Byzantine}.
Bizarre \Bi*zarre"\, a. [F. bizarre odd, fr. Sp. bizarro
gallant, brave, liberal, prob. of Basque origin; cf. Basque
bizarra beard, whence the meaning manly, brave.]
Odd in manner or appearance; fantastic; whimsical;
extravagant; grotesque. --C. Kingsley.
Bizet \Bi*zet"\, n. [Cf. {Bezel}.]
The upper faceted portion of a brilliant-cut diamond, which
projects from the setting and occupies the zone between the
girdle and the table. See {Brilliant}, n.
Blab \Blab\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blabbed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blabbing}.] [Cf. OE. blaberen, or Dan. blabbre, G. plappern,
Gael. blabaran a stammerer; prob. of imitative origin. Cf.
also {Blubber}, v.]
To utter or tell unnecessarily, or in a thoughtless manner;
to publish (secrets or trifles) without reserve or
discretion. --Udall.
And yonder a vile physician blabbing The case of his
patient. --Tennyson.
Blab \Blab\, v. i.
To talk thoughtlessly or without discretion; to tattle; to
tell tales.
She must burst or blab. --Dryden.
Blab \Blab\, n. [OE. blabbe.]
One who blabs; a babbler; a telltale. ``Avoided as a blab.''
--Milton.
For who will open himself to a blab or a babbler.
--Bacon.
Blabber \Blab"ber\, n.
A tattler; a telltale.
Black \Black\, a. [OE. blak, AS. bl[ae]c; akin to Icel. blakkr
dark, swarthy, Sw. bl["a]ck ink, Dan. bl[ae]k, OHG. blach,
LG. & D. blaken to burn with a black smoke. Not akin to AS.
bl[=a]c, E. bleak pallid. ?98.]
1. Destitute of light, or incapable of reflecting it; of the
color of soot or coal; of the darkest or a very dark
color, the opposite of white; characterized by such a
color; as, black cloth; black hair or eyes.
O night, with hue so black! --Shak.
2. In a less literal sense: Enveloped or shrouded in
darkness; very dark or gloomy; as, a black night; the
heavens black with clouds.
I spy a black, suspicious, threatening cloud.
--Shak.
3. Fig.: Dismal, gloomy, or forbidding, like darkness;
destitute of moral light or goodness; atrociously wicked;
cruel; mournful; calamitous; horrible. ``This day's black
fate.'' ``Black villainy.'' ``Arise, black vengeance.''
``Black day.'' ``Black despair.'' --Shak.
4. Expressing menace, or discontent; threatening; sullen;
foreboding; as, to regard one with black looks.
Note: Black is often used in self-explaining compound words;
as, black-eyed, black-faced, black-haired,
black-visaged.
{Black act}, the English statute 9 George I, which makes it a
felony to appear armed in any park or warren, etc., or to
hunt or steal deer, etc., with the face blackened or
disguised. Subsequent acts inflicting heavy penalties for
malicious injuries to cattle and machinery have been
called black acts.
{Black angel} (Zo["o]l.), a fish of the West Indies and
Florida ({Holacanthus tricolor}), with the head and tail
yellow, and the middle of the body black.
{Black antimony} (Chem.), the black sulphide of antimony,
{Sb2S3}, used in pyrotechnics, etc.
{Black bear} (Zo["o]l.), the common American bear ({Ursus
Americanus}).
{Black beast}. See {B[^e]te noire}.
{Black beetle} (Zo["o]l.), the common large cockroach
({Blatta orientalis}).
{Black and blue}, the dark color of a bruise in the flesh,
which is accompanied with a mixture of blue. ``To pinch
the slatterns black and blue.'' --Hudibras.
{Black bonnet} (Zo["o]l.), the black-headed bunting ({Embriza
Sch[oe]niclus}) of Europe.
{Black canker}, a disease in turnips and other crops,
produced by a species of caterpillar.
{Black cat} (Zo["o]l.), the fisher, a quadruped of North
America allied to the sable, but larger. See {Fisher}.
{Black cattle}, any bovine cattle reared for slaughter, in
distinction from dairy cattle. [Eng.]
{Black cherry}. See under {Cherry}.
{Black cockatoo} (Zo["o]l.), the palm cockatoo. See
{Cockatoo}.
{Black copper}. Same as {Melaconite}.
{Black currant}. (Bot.) See {Currant}.
{Black diamond}. (Min.) See {Carbonado}.
{Black draught} (Med.), a cathartic medicine, composed of
senna and magnesia.
{Black drop} (Med.), vinegar of opium; a narcotic preparation
consisting essentially of a solution of opium in vinegar.
{Black earth}, mold; earth of a dark color. --Woodward.
{Black flag}, the flag of a pirate, often bearing in white a
skull and crossbones; a signal of defiance.
{Black flea} (Zo["o]l.), a flea beetle ({Haltica nemorum})
injurious to turnips.
{Black flux}, a mixture of carbonate of potash and charcoal,
obtained by deflagrating tartar with half its weight of
niter. --Brande & C.
{Black fly}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) In the United States, a small, venomous, two-winged
fly of the genus {Simulium} of several species,
exceedingly abundant and troublesome in the northern
forests. The larv[ae] are aquatic.
(b) A black plant louse, as the bean aphis ({A. fab[ae]}).
{Black Forest} [a translation of G. Schwarzwald], a forest in
Baden and W["u]rtemburg, in Germany; a part of the ancient
Hercynian forest.
{Black game}, or {Black grouse}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Blackcock},
{Grouse}, and {Heath grouse}.
{Black grass} (Bot.), a grasslike rush of the species {Juncus
Gerardi}, growing on salt marshes, and making good hay.
{Black gum} (Bot.), an American tree, the tupelo or
pepperidge. See {Tupelo}.
{Black Hamburg (grape)} (Bot.), a sweet and juicy variety of
dark purple or ``black'' grape.
{Black horse} (Zo["o]l.), a fish of the Mississippi valley
({Cycleptus elongatus}), of the sucker family; the
Missouri sucker.
{Black lemur} (Zo["o]l.), the {Lemurniger} of Madagascar; the
{acoumbo} of the natives.
{Black list}, a list of persons who are for some reason
thought deserving of censure or punishment; -- esp. a list
of persons stigmatized as insolvent or untrustworthy, made
for the protection of tradesmen or employers. See
{Blacklist}, v. t.
{Black manganese} (Chem.), the black oxide of manganese,
{MnO2}.
{Black Maria}, the close wagon in which prisoners are carried
to or from jail.
{Black martin} (Zo["o]l.), the chimney swift. See {Swift}.
{Black moss} (Bot.), the common so-called long moss of the
southern United States. See {Tillandsia}.
{Black oak}. See under {Oak}.
{Black ocher}. See {Wad}.
{Black pigment}, a very fine, light carbonaceous substance,
or lampblack, prepared chiefly for the manufacture of
printers' ink. It is obtained by burning common coal tar.
{Black plate}, sheet iron before it is tinned. --Knight.
{Black quarter}, malignant anthrax with engorgement of a
shoulder or quarter, etc., as of an ox.
{Black rat} (Zo["o]l.), one of the species of rats ({Mus
rattus}), commonly infesting houses.
{Black rent}. See {Blackmail}, n., 3.
{Black rust}, a disease of wheat, in which a black, moist
matter is deposited in the fissures of the grain.
{Black sheep}, one in a family or company who is unlike the
rest, and makes trouble.
{Black silver}. (Min.) See under {Silver}.
{Black and tan}, black mixed or spotted with tan color or
reddish brown; -- used in describing certain breeds of
dogs.
{Black tea}. See under {Tea}.
{Black tin} (Mining), tin ore (cassiterite), when dressed,
stamped and washed, ready for smelting. It is in the form
of a black powder, like fine sand. --Knight.
{Black walnut}. See under {Walnut}.
{Black warrior} (Zo["o]l.), an American hawk ({Buteo
Harlani}).
Syn: Dark; murky; pitchy; inky; somber; dusky; gloomy; swart;
Cimmerian; ebon; atrocious.
Black \Black\, adv.
Sullenly; threateningly; maliciously; so as to produce
blackness.
Black \Black\, n.
1. That which is destitute of light or whiteness; the darkest
color, or rather a destitution of all color; as, a cloth
has a good black.
Black is the badge of hell, The hue of dungeons, and
the suit of night. --Shak.
2. A black pigment or dye.
3. A negro; a person whose skin is of a black color, or
shaded with black; esp. a member or descendant of certain
African races.
4. A black garment or dress; as, she wears black; pl. (Obs.)
Mourning garments of a black color; funereal drapery.
Friends weeping, and blacks, and obsequies, and the
like show death terrible. --Bacon.
That was the full time they used to wear blacks for
the death of their fathers. --Sir T.
North.
5. The part of a thing which is distinguished from the rest
by being black.
The black or sight of the eye. --Sir K.
Digby.
6. A stain; a spot; a smooch.
Defiling her white lawn of chastity with ugly blacks
of lust. --Rowley.
{Black and white}, writing or print; as, I must have that
statement in black and white.
{Blue black}, a pigment of a blue black color.
{Ivory black}, a fine kind of animal charcoal prepared by
calcining ivory or bones. When ground it is the chief
ingredient of the ink used in copperplate printing.
{Berlin black}. See under {Berlin}.
Black \Black\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blacked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blacking}.] [See {Black}, a., and cf. {Blacken}.]
1. To make black; to blacken; to soil; to sully.
They have their teeth blacked, both men and women,
for they say a dog hath his teeth white, therefore
they will black theirs. --Hakluyt.
Sins which black thy soul. --J. Fletcher.
2. To make black and shining, as boots or a stove, by
applying blacking and then polishing with a brush.
Blackamoor \Black"a*moor\, n. [Black + Moor.]
A negro or negress. --Shak.
Black art \Black" art`\
The art practiced by conjurers and witches; necromancy;
conjuration; magic.
Note: This name was given in the Middle Ages to necromancy,
under the idea that the latter term was derived from
niger black, instead of nekro`s, a dead person, and
mantei`a, divination. --Wright.
Black-a-vised \Black"-a-vised`\, a.
Dark-visaged; swart.
Blackball \Black"ball`\, n.
1. A composition for blacking shoes, boots, etc.; also, one
for taking impressions of engraved work.
2. A ball of black color, esp. one used as a negative in
voting; -- in this sense usually two words.
Blackball \Black"ball`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blackballed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Blackballing}.]
1. To vote against, by putting a black ball into a ballot
box; to reject or exclude, as by voting against with black
balls; to ostracize.
He was blackballed at two clubs in succession.
--Thackeray.
2. To blacken (leather, shoes, etc.) with blacking.
Blackband \Black"band`\, n. (Min.)
An earthy carbonate of iron containing considerable
carbonaceous matter; -- valuable as an iron ore.
Black bass \Black" bass`\ (Zo["o]l.)
1. An edible, fresh-water fish of the United States, of the
genus {Micropterus}. the small-mouthed kind is {M.
dolomie[=i]}; the large-mouthed is {M. salmoides}.
2. The sea bass. See {Blackfish}, 3.
Blackberry \Black"ber*ry\ (bl[a^]k"b[e^]r*r[y^]), n. [OE.
blakberye, AS. bl[ae]cberie; bl[ae]c black + berie berry.]
The fruit of several species of bramble ({Rubus}); also, the
plant itself. {Rubus fruticosus} is the blackberry of
England; {R. villosus} and {R. Canadensis} are the high
blackberry and low blackberry of the United States. There are
also other kinds.
Blackbird \Black"bird\ (bl[a^]k"b[~e]rd), n. (Zo["o]l.)
In England, a species of thrush ({Turdus merula}), a singing
bird with a fin note; the merle. In America the name is given
to several birds, as the {Quiscalus versicolor}, or crow
blackbird; the {Agel[ae]us ph[oe]niceus}, or red-winged
blackbird; the cowbird; the rusty grackle, etc. See
{Redwing}.
Blackboard \Black"board`\ (-b[=o]rd`), n.
A broad board painted black, or any black surface on which
writing, drawing, or the working of mathematical problems can
be done with chalk or crayons. It is much used in schools.
Black book \Black" book`\ (b[oo^]k`).
1. One of several books of a political character, published
at different times and for different purposes; -- so
called either from the color of the binding, or from the
character of the contents.
2. A book compiled in the twelfth century, containing a
description of the court of exchequer of England, an
official statement of the revenues of the crown, etc.
3. A book containing details of the enormities practiced in
the English monasteries and religious houses, compiled by
order of their visitors under Henry VIII., to hasten their
dissolution.
4. A book of admiralty law, of the highest authority,
compiled in the reign of Edw. III. --Bouvier. --Wharton.
5. A book kept for the purpose of registering the names of
persons liable to censure or punishment, as in the English
universities, or the English armies.
6. Any book which treats of necromancy.
Black-browed \Black"-browed`\ (bl[a^]k"broud`), a.
Having black eyebrows. Hence: Gloomy; dismal; threatening;
forbidding. --Shak. Dryden.
Blackburnian warbler \Black*bur"ni*an war"bler\ [Named from Mrs.
Blackburn, an English lady.] (Zo["o]l.)
A beautiful warbler of the United States ({Dendroica
Blackburni[ae]}). The male is strongly marked with orange,
yellow, and black on the head and neck, and has an
orange-yellow breast.
Blackcap \Black"cap`\ (-k[a^]p`), n.
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small European song bird ({Sylvia atricapilla}),
with a black crown; the mock nightingale.
(b) An American titmouse ({Parus atricapillus}); the
chickadee.
2. (Cookery) An apple roasted till black, to be served in a
dish of boiled custard.
3. The black raspberry.
Blackcoat \Black"coat`\, n.
A clergyman; -- familiarly so called, as a soldier is
sometimes called a redcoat or a bluecoat.
Blackcock \Black"cock`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The male of the European black grouse ({Tetrao tetrix},
Linn.); -- so called by sportsmen. The female is called gray
hen. See {Heath grouse}.
Black death \Black" death`\
A pestilence which ravaged Europe and Asia in the fourteenth
century.
Blacken \Black"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blackened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blackening}.] [See {Black}, a., and cf. {Black}, v.
t. ]
1. To make or render black.
While the long funerals blacken all the way. --Pope.
2. To make dark; to darken; to cloud. ``Blackened the whole
heavens.'' --South.
3. To defame; to sully, as reputation; to make infamous; as,
vice blackens the character.
Syn: To denigrate; defame; vilify; slander; calumniate;
traduce; malign; asperse.
Blacken \Black"en\, v. i.
To grow black or dark.
Blackener \Black"en*er\, n.
One who blackens.
Black-eyed \Black"-eyed`\, a.
Having black eyes. --Dryden.
Black-faced \Black"-faced`\, a.
Having a black, dark, or gloomy face or aspect.
Blackfeet \Black"feet`\, n. pl. (Ethn.)
A tribe of North American Indians formerly inhabiting the
country from the upper Missouri River to the Saskatchewan,
but now much reduced in numbers.
Blackfin \Black"fin`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Bluefin}.
Blackfish \Black"fish\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A small kind of whale, of the genus
{Globicephalus}, of several species. The most common is
{G. melas}. Also sometimes applied to other whales of
larger size.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The tautog of New England ({Tautoga}).
3. (Zo["o]l.) The black sea bass ({Centropristis atrarius})
of the Atlantic coast. It is excellent food fish; --
locally called also {black Harry}.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A fish of southern Europe ({Centrolophus
pompilus}) of the Mackerel family.
5. (Zo["o]l.) The female salmon in the spawning season.
Note: The name is locally applied to other fishes.
Blackfoot \Black"foot`\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Blackfeet; as, a Blackfoot Indian. --
n. A Blackfoot Indian.
Black friar \Black" fri`ar\ (Eccl.)
A friar of the Dominican order; -- called also {predicant}
and {preaching friar}; in France, {Jacobin}. Also, sometimes,
a Benedictine.
Blackguard \Black"guard\, n. [Black + guard.]
1. The scullions and lower menials of a court, or of a
nobleman's household, who, in a removal from one residence
to another, had charge of the kitchen utensils, and being
smutted by them, were jocularly called the ``black
guard''; also, the servants and hangers-on of an army.
[Obs.]
A lousy slave, that . . . rode with the black guard
in the duke's carriage, 'mongst spits and dripping
pans. --Webster
(1612).
2. The criminals and vagrants or vagabonds of a town or
community, collectively. [Obs.]
3. A person of stained or low character, esp. one who uses
scurrilous language, or treats others with foul abuse; a
scoundrel; a rough.
A man whose manners and sentiments are decidedly
below those of his class deserves to be called a
blackguard. --Macaulay.
4. A vagrant; a bootblack; a gamin. [Obs.]
Blackguard \Black"guard`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blackguarded};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Blackguarding}.]
To revile or abuse in scurrilous language. --Southey.
Blackguard \Black"guard\, a.
Scurrilous; abusive; low; worthless; vicious; as, blackguard
language.
Blackguardism \Black"guard*ism\, n.
The conduct or language of a blackguard; ruffianism.
Blackguardly \Black"guard*ly\, adv. & a.
In the manner of or resembling a blackguard; abusive;
scurrilous; ruffianly.
Blackhead \Black"head`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The scaup duck.
Blackheart \Black"heart`\, n.
A heart-shaped cherry with a very dark-colored skin.
Black-hearted \Black"-heart`ed\, a.
Having a wicked, malignant disposition; morally bad.
Black hole \Black" hole`\
A dungeon or dark cell in a prison; a military lock-up or
guardroom; -- now commonly with allusion to the cell (the
Black Hole) in a fort at Calcutta, into which 146 English
prisoners were thrust by the nabob Suraja Dowla on the night
of June 20, 17656, and in which 123 of the prisoners died
before morning from lack of air.
A discipline of unlimited autocracy, upheld by rods,
and ferules, and the black hole. --H. Spencer.
Blacking \Black"ing\, n.
1. Any preparation for making things black; esp. one for
giving a black luster to boots and shoes, or to stoves.
2. The act or process of making black.
Blackish \Black"ish\, a.
Somewhat black.
Black-jack \Black"-jack`\, n.
1. (Min.) A name given by English miners to sphalerite, or
zinc blende; -- called also {false galena}. See {Blende}.
2. Caramel or burnt sugar, used to color wines, spirits,
ground coffee, etc.
3. A large leather vessel for beer, etc. [Obs.]
4. (Bot.) The {Quercus nigra}, or barren oak.
5. The ensign of a pirate.
Black lead \Black` lead"\
Plumbago; graphite. It leaves a blackish mark somewhat like
lead. See {Graphite}.
Blacklead \Black`lead"\, v. t.
To coat or to polish with black lead.
Blackleg \Black"leg`\, n.
1. A notorious gambler. [Colloq.]
2. A disease among calves and sheep, characterized by a
settling of gelatinous matter in the legs, and sometimes
in the neck. [Eng.]
Black letter \Black" let`ter\
The old English or Gothic letter, in which the Early English
manuscripts were written, and the first English books were
printed. It was conspicuous for its blackness. See {Type}.
Black-letter \Black"-let`ter\, a.
1. Written or printed in black letter; as, a black-letter
manuscript or book.
2. Given to the study of books in black letter; that is, of
old books; out of date.
Kemble, a black-letter man! --J. Boaden.
3. Of or pertaining to the days in the calendar not marked
with red letters as saints' days. Hence: Unlucky;
inauspicious.
Blacklist \Black"list`\, v. t.
To put in a black list as deserving of suspicion, censure, or
punishment; esp. to put in a list of persons stigmatized as
insolvent or untrustworthy, -- as tradesmen and employers do
for mutual protection; as, to blacklist a workman who has
been discharged. See {Black list}, under {Black}, a.
If you blacklist us, we will boycott you. --John
Swinton.
Blackly \Black"ly\, adv.
In a black manner; darkly, in color; gloomily; threateningly;
atrociously. ``Deeds so blackly grim and horrid.'' --Feltham.
Blackmail \Black"mail`\, n. [Black + mail a piece of money.]
1. A certain rate of money, corn, cattle, or other thing,
anciently paid, in the north of England and south of
Scotland, to certain men who were allied to robbers, or
moss troopers, to be by them protected from pillage. --Sir
W. Scott.
2. Payment of money exacted by means of intimidation; also,
extortion of money from a person by threats of public
accusation, exposure, or censure.
3. (Eng. Law) Black rent, or rent paid in corn, flesh, or the
lowest coin, a opposed to ``white rent'', which paid in
silver.
{To levy blackmail}, to extort money by threats, as of injury
to one's reputation.
Blackmail \Black"mail`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blackmailed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Blackmailing}.]
To extort money from by exciting fears of injury other than
bodily harm, as injury to reputation, distress of mind, etc.;
as, to blackmail a merchant by threatening to expose an
alleged fraud. [U. S.]
Blackmailer \Black"mail`er\, n.
One who extorts, or endeavors to extort, money, by black
mailing.
Blackmailing \Black"mail`ing\, n.
The act or practice of extorting money by exciting fears of
injury other than bodily harm, as injury to reputation.
Black Monday \Black" Mon`day\
1. Easter Monday, so called from the severity of that day in
1360, which was so unusual that many of Edward III.'s
soldiers, then before Paris, died from the cold. --Stow.
Then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a
bleeding on Black Monday last. --Shak.
2. The first Monday after the holidays; -- so called by
English schoolboys. --Halliwell.
Black monk \Black" monk`\
A Benedictine monk.
Blackmoor \Black"moor\, n.
See {Blackamoor}.
Black-mouthed \Black"-mouthed`\, a.
Using foul or scurrilous language; slanderous.
Blackness \Black"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being black; black color;
atrociousness or enormity in wickedness.
They're darker now than blackness. --Donne.
Blackpoll \Black"poll`\, n. [Black + poll head.] (Zo["o]l.)
A warbler of the United States ({Dendroica striata}).
Black pudding \Black" pud"ding\
A kind of sausage made of blood, suet, etc., thickened with
meal.
And fat black puddings, -- proper food, For warriors
that delight in blood. --Hudibras.
Black Rod \Black" Rod`\
(a) the usher to the Chapter of the Garter, so called from
the black rod which he carries. He is of the king's
chamber, and also usher to the House of Lords. [Eng.]
(b) An usher in the legislature of British colonies.
--Cowell.
Committed to the custody of the Black Rod.
--Macaulay.
Blackroot \Black"root`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Colicroot}.
Blacks \Blacks\, n. pl.
1. The name of a kind of in used in copperplate printing,
prepared from the charred husks of the grape, and residue
of the wine press.
2. Soot flying in the air. [Eng.]
3. Black garments, etc. See {Black}, n., 4.
Blacksalter \Black"salt`er\, n.
One who makes crude potash, or black salts.
Black salts \Black" salts`\
Crude potash. --De Colange.
Blacksmith \Black"smith`\, n. [Black (in allusion to the color
of the metal) + smith. Cf. {Whitesmith}.]
1. A smith who works in iron with a forge, and makes iron
utensils, horseshoes, etc.
The blacksmith may forge what he pleases. --Howell.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A fish of the Pacific coast ({Chromis, or
Heliastes, punctipinnis}), of a blackish color.
Black snake \Black" snake`\ (sn[=a]k) or Blacksnake
\Black"snake\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A snake of a black color, of which two species are common in
the United States, the {Bascanium constrictor}, or racer,
sometimes six feet long, and the {Scotophis Alleghaniensis},
seven or eight feet long.
Note: The name is also applied to various other black
serpents, as {Natrix atra} of Jamaica.
Blackstrap \Black"strap`\ (-str[a^]p), n.
1. A mixture of spirituous liquor (usually rum) and molasses.
No blackstrap to-night; switchel, or ginger pop.
--Judd.
2. Bad port wine; any common wine of the Mediterranean; -- so
called by sailors.
Blacktail \Black"tail`\, n. [Black + tail.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A fish; the ruff or pope.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The black-tailed deer ({Cervus or Cariacus
Columbianus}) of California and Oregon; also, the mule
deer of the Rocky Mountains. See {Mule deer}.
Blackthorn \Black"thorn`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A spreading thorny shrub or small tree ({Prunus
spinosa}), with blackish bark, and bearing little
black plums, which are called sloes; the sloe.
(b) A species of {Crat[ae]gus} or hawthorn ({C.
tomentosa}). Both are used for hedges.
Black vomit \Black" vom"it\ (Med.)
A copious vomiting of dark-colored matter; or the substance
so discharged; -- one of the most fatal symptoms in yellow
fever.
Black wash \Black" wash`\or Blackwash \Black"wash\, n.
1. (Med.) A lotion made by mixing calomel and lime water.
2. A wash that blackens, as opposed to {whitewash}; hence,
figuratively, calumny.
To remove as far as he can the modern layers of
black wash, and let the man himself, fair or foul,
be seen. --C. Kingsley.
Blackwood \Black"wood\, n.
A name given to several dark-colored timbers. The East Indian
black wood is from the tree {Dalbergia latifolia}. --Balfour.
Blackwork \Black"work`\, n.
Work wrought by blacksmiths; -- so called in distinction from
that wrought by whitesmiths. --Knight.
Bladder \Blad"der\, n. [OE. bladder, bleddre, AS. bl?dre,
bl?ddre; akin to Icel. bla?ra, SW. bl["a]ddra, Dan. bl[ae]re,
D. blaar, OHG. bl[=a]tara the bladder in the body of animals,
G. blatter blister, bustule; all fr. the same root as AS.
bl[=a]wan, E. blow, to puff. See {Blow} to puff.]
1. (Anat.) A bag or sac in animals, which serves as the
receptacle of some fluid; as, the urinary bladder; the
gall bladder; -- applied especially to the urinary
bladder, either within the animal, or when taken out and
inflated with air.
2. Any vesicle or blister, especially if filled with air, or
a thin, watery fluid.
3. (Bot.) A distended, membranaceous pericarp.
4. Anything inflated, empty, or unsound. ``To swim with
bladders of philosophy.'' --Rochester.
{Bladder nut}, or {Bladder tree} (Bot.), a genus of plants
({Staphylea}) with bladderlike seed pods.
{Bladder pod} (Bot.), a genus of low herbs ({Vesicaria}) with
inflated seed pods.
{Bladdor senna} (Bot.), a genus of shrubs ({Colutea}), with
membranaceous, inflated pods.
{Bladder worm} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of any species of
tapeworm ({T[ae]nia}), found in the flesh or other parts
of animals. See {Measle}, {Cysticercus}.
{Bladder wrack} (Bot.), the common black rock weed of the
seacoast ({Fucus nodosus} and {F. vesiculosus}) -- called
also {bladder tangle}. See {Wrack}.
Bladder \Blad"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bladdered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bladdering}.]
1. To swell out like a bladder with air; to inflate. [Obs.]
--G. Fletcher.
2. To put up in bladders; as, bladdered lard.
Bladderwort \Blad"der*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A genus ({Utricularia}) of aquatic or marshy plants, which
usually bear numerous vesicles in the divisions of the
leaves. These serve as traps for minute animals. See
{Ascidium}.
Bladdery \Blad"der*y\, a.
Having bladders; also, resembling a bladder.
Blade \Blade\ (bl[=a]d), n. [OE. blade, blad, AS. bl[ae]d leaf;
akin to OS., D., Dan., & Sw. blad, Icel. bla[eth], OHG. blat,
G. blatt, and perh. to L. folium, Gr. fy`llon. The root is
prob. the same as that of AS. bl[=o]wan, E. blow, to blossom.
See {Blow} to blossom, and cf. {Foil} leaf of metal.]
1. Properly, the leaf, or flat part of the leaf, of any
plant, especially of gramineous plants. The term is
sometimes applied to the spire of grasses.
The crimson dulse . . . with its waving blade.
--Percival.
First the blade, then ear, after that the full corn
in the ear. --Mark iv. 28.
2. The cutting part of an instrument; as, the blade of a
knife or a sword.
3. The broad part of an oar; also, one of the projecting arms
of a screw propeller.
4. The scapula or shoulder blade.
5. pl. (Arch.) The principal rafters of a roof. --Weale.
6. pl. (Com.) The four large shell plates on the sides, and
the five large ones of the middle, of the carapace of the
sea turtle, which yield the best tortoise shell. --De
Colange.
7. A sharp-witted, dashing, wild, or reckless, fellow; -- a
word of somewhat indefinite meaning.
He saw a turnkey in a trice Fetter a troublesome
blade. --Coleridge.
Blade \Blade\ (bl[=a]d), v. t.
To furnish with a blade.
Blade \Blade\, v. i.
To put forth or have a blade.
As sweet a plant, as fair a flower, is faded As ever in
the Muses' garden bladed. --P. Fletcher.
Bladebone \Blade"bone`\ (-b[=o]n`), n.
The scapula. See {Blade}, 4.
Bladed \Blad"ed\ (bl[=a]d"[e^]d), a.
1. Having a blade or blades; as, a two-bladed knife.
Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass. --Shak.
2. Divested of blades; as, bladed corn.
3. (Min.) Composed of long and narrow plates, shaped like the
blade of a knife.
Bladefish \Blade"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A long, thin, marine fish of Europe ({Trichiurus lepturus});
the ribbon fish.
Bladesmith \Blade"smith`\, n.
A sword cutler. [Obs.]
Blady \Blad"y\, a.
Consisting of blades. [R.] ``Blady grass.'' --Drayton.
Blae \Bl[ae]\, a. [See {Blue}.]
Dark blue or bluish gray; lead-colored. [Scot.]
Blaeberry \Bl[ae]"ber*ry\, n. [Bl[ae] + berry; akin to Icel
bl[=a]ber, Sw. bl?b["a]r, D. blaab[ae]r. Cf. {Blueberry}.]
The bilberry. [North of Eng. & Scot.]
Blague \Blague\ (bl[.a]g), n. [F.]
Mendacious boasting; falsehood; humbug.
Blain \Blain\ (bl[=a]n), n. [OE. blein, bleyn, AS. bl[=e]gen;
akin to Dan. blegn, D. blein; perh. fr. the same root as E.
bladder. See {Bladder}.]
1. An inflammatory swelling or sore; a bulla, pustule, or
blister.
Blotches and blains must all his flesh emboss.
--Milton.
2. (Far.) A bladder growing on the root of the tongue of a
horse, against the windpipe, and stopping the breath.
Blamable \Blam"a*ble\ (bl[=a]m"[.a]*b'l), a. [Cf. F.
bl[^a]mable.]
Deserving of censure; faulty; culpable; reprehensible;
censurable; blameworthy. -- {Blam"a*ble*ness}, n. --
{Blam"a*bly}, adv.
Blame \Blame\ (bl[=a]m), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blamed}
(bl[=a]md); p. pr. & vb. n. {Blaming}.] [OE. blamen, F.
bl[^a]mer, OF. blasmer, fr. L. blasphemare to blaspheme, LL.
also to blame, fr. Gr. blasfhmei^n to speak ill, to slander,
to blaspheme, fr. bla`sfhmos evil speaking, perh, for
blapsi`fhmos; bla`psis injury (fr. bla`ptein to injure) +
fh`mh a saying, fr. fa`nai to say. Cf. {Blaspheme}, and see
{Fame}.]
1. To censure; to express disapprobation of; to find fault
with; to reproach.
We have none to blame but ourselves. --Tillotson.
2. To bring reproach upon; to blemish. [Obs.]
She . . . blamed her noble blood. --Spenser.
{To blame}, to be blamed, or deserving blame; in fault; as,
the conductor was to blame for the accident.
You were to blame, I must be plain with you. --Shak.
Blame \Blame\, n. [OE. blame, fr. F. bl[^a]me, OF. blasme, fr.
bl[^a]mer, OF. blasmer, to blame. See {Blame}, v.]
1. An expression of disapprobation fir something deemed to be
wrong; imputation of fault; censure.
Let me bear the blame forever. --Gen. xiiii.
9.
2. That which is deserving of censure or disapprobation;
culpability; fault; crime; sin.
Holy and without blame before him in love. --Eph. i.
4.
3. Hurt; injury. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Syn: Censure; reprehension; condemnation; reproach; fault;
sin; crime; wrongdoing.
Blameful \Blame"ful\, a.
1. Faulty; meriting blame. --Shak.
2. Attributing blame or fault; implying or conveying censure;
faultfinding; censorious. --Chaucer. -- {Blame"ful*ly},
adv. -- {Blame"ful*ness}, n.
Blameless \Blame"less\, a.
Free from blame; without fault; innocent; guiltless; --
sometimes followed by of.
A bishop then must be blameless. --1 Tim. iii.
2.
Blameless still of arts that polish to deprave.
--Mallet.
We will be blameless of this thine oath. --Josh. ii.
17.
Syn: Irreproachable; sinless; unblemished; inculpable.
Usage: {Blameless}, {Spotless}, {Faultless}, {Stainless}. We
speak of a thing as blameless when it is free from
blame, or the just imputation of fault; as, a
blameless life or character. The others are stronger.
We speak of a thing as faultless, stainless, or
spotless, only when we mean that it is absolutely
without fault or blemish; as, a spotless or stainless
reputation; a faultless course of conduct. The last
three words apply only to the general character, while
blameless may be used in reverence to particular
points; as, in this transaction he was wholly
blameless. We also apply faultless to personal
appearance; as, a faultless figure; which can not be
done in respect to any of the other words.
Blamelessly \Blame"less*ly\, adv.
In a blameless manner.
Blamelessness \Blame"less*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being blameless; innocence.
Blamer \Blam"er\, n.
One who blames. --Wyclif.
Blameworthy \Blame"wor`thy\, a.
Deserving blame; culpable; reprehensible. --
{Blame"wor`thi*ness}, n.
Blancard \Blan"card\, n. [F., fr. blanc white.]
A kind of linen cloth made in Normandy, the thread of which
is partly blanches before it is woven.
Blanch \Blanch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blanched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blanching}.] [OE. blanchen, blaunchen, F. blanchir, fr.
blanc white. See {Blank}, a.]
1. To take the color out of, and make white; to bleach; as,
to blanch linen; age has blanched his hair.
2. (Gardening) To bleach by excluding the light, as the
stalks or leaves of plants, by earthing them up or tying
them together.
3. (Confectionery & Cookery)
(a) To make white by removing the skin of, as by scalding;
as, to blanch almonds.
(b) To whiten, as the surface of meat, by plunging into
boiling water and afterwards into cold, so as to
harden the surface and retain the juices.
4. To give a white luster to (silver, before stamping, in the
process of coining.).
5. To cover (sheet iron) with a coating of tin.
6. Fig.: To whiten; to give a favorable appearance to; to
whitewash; to palliate.
Blanch over the blackest and most absurd things.
--Tillotson.
Syn: To {Blanch}, {Whiten}.
Usage: To whiten is the generic term, denoting, to render
white; as, to whiten the walls of a room. Usually
(though not of necessity) this is supposed to be done
by placing some white coloring matter in or upon the
surface of the object in question. To blanch is to
whiten by the removal of coloring matter; as, to
blanch linen. So the cheek is blanched by fear, i. e.,
by the withdrawal of the blood, which leaves it white.
Blanch \Blanch\, v. i.
To grow or become white; as, his cheek blanched with fear;
the rose blanches in the sun.
[Bones] blanching on the grass. --Tennyson.
Blanch \Blanch\, v. t. [See {Blench}.]
1. To avoid, as from fear; to evade; to leave unnoticed.
[Obs.]
Ifs and ands to qualify the words of treason,
whereby every man might express his malice and
blanch his danger. --Bacon.
I suppose you will not blanch Paris in your way.
--Reliq. Wot.
2. To cause to turn aside or back; as, to blanch a deer.
Blanch \Blanch\, v. i.
To use evasion. [Obs.]
Books will speak plain, when counselors blanch.
--Bacon.
Blanch \Blanch\, n. (Mining)
Ore, not in masses, but mixed with other minerals.
Blancher \Blanch"er\, n.
One who, or that which, blanches or whitens; esp., one who
anneals and cleanses money; also, a chemical preparation for
this purpose.
Blancher \Blanch"er\, n.
One who, or that which, frightens away or turns aside. [Obs.]
And Gynecia, a blancher, which kept the dearest deer
from her. --Sir P.
Sidney.
And so even now hath he divers blanchers belonging to
the market, to let and stop the light of the gospel.
--Latimer.
Blanch holding \Blanch" hold`ing\ (Scots Law)
A mode of tenure by the payment of a small duty in white rent
(silver) or otherwise.
Blanchimeter \Blanch*im"e*ter\, n. [1st blanch + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring the bleaching power of chloride
of lime and potash; a chlorometer. --Ure.
Blancmange \Blanc*mange"\, n. [F. blancmanger, lit. white food;
blanc white + manger to eat.] (Cookery)
A preparation for desserts, etc., made from isinglass, sea
moss, cornstarch, or other gelatinous or starchy substance,
with mild, usually sweetened and flavored, and shaped in a
mold.
Blancmanger \Blanc*man"ger\, n. [F. See {Blancmange}.]
A sort of fricassee with white sauce, variously made of
capon, fish, etc. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bland \Bland\, a. [L. blandus, of unknown origin.]
1. Mild; soft; gentle; smooth and soothing in manner; suave;
as, a bland temper; bland persuasion; a bland sycophant.
``Exhilarating vapor bland.'' --Milton.
2. Having soft and soothing qualities; not drastic or
irritating; not stimulating; as, a bland oil; a bland
diet.
Blandation \Blan*da"tion\, n. [Cf. L. blanditia, blandities, fr.
blandus. See {Bland}.]
Flattery. [Obs.]
Blandiloquence \Blan*dil"o*quence\, n. [L. blandiloquentia;
blandus mild + loqui to speak.]
Mild, flattering speech.
Blandiloquous \Blan*dil"o*quous\, Blandiloquious
\Blan*di*lo"qui*ous\, a.
Fair-spoken; flattering.
Blandise \Blan"dise\, v. i. [Same word as {Blandish}.]
To blandish any one. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Blandish \Blan"dish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blandished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blandishing}.] [OE. blaundisen, F. blandir, fr. L.
blandiri, fr. blandus mild, flattering.]
1. To flatter with kind words or affectionate actions; to
caress; to cajole.
2. To make agreeable and enticing.
Mustering all her wiles, With blandished parleys.
--Milton.
Blandisher \Blan"dish*er\, n.
One who uses blandishments.
Blandishment \Blan"dish*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. blandissement.]
The act of blandishing; a word or act expressive of affection
or kindness, and tending to win the heart; soft words and
artful caresses; cajolery; allurement.
Cowering low with blandishment. --Milton.
Attacked by royal smiles, by female blandishments.
--Macaulay.
Blandly \Bland"ly\, adv.
In a bland manner; mildly; suavely.
Blandness \Bland"ness\, n.
The state or quality of being bland.
Blank \Blank\, a. [OE. blank, blonc, blaunc, blaunche, fr. F.
blanc, fem. blanche, fr. OHG. blanch shining, bright, white,
G. blank; akin to E. blink, cf. also AS. blanc white. ?98.
See {Blink}, and cf. 1st {Blanch}.]
1. Of a white or pale color; without color.
To the blank moon Her office they prescribed.
--Milton.
2. Free from writing, printing, or marks; having an empty
space to be filled in with some special writing; -- said
of checks, official documents, etc.; as, blank paper; a
blank check; a blank ballot.
3. Utterly confounded or discomfited.
Adam . . . astonied stood, and blank. --Milton.
4. Empty; void; without result; fruitless; as, a blank space;
a blank day.
5. Lacking characteristics which give variety; as, a blank
desert; a blank wall; destitute of interests, affections,
hopes, etc.; as, to live a blank existence; destitute of
sensations; as, blank unconsciousness.
6. Lacking animation and intelligence, or their associated
characteristics, as expression of face, look, etc.;
expressionless; vacant. ``Blank and horror-stricken
faces.'' --C. Kingsley.
The blank . . . glance of a half returned
consciousness. --G. Eliot.
7. Absolute; downright; unmixed; as, blank terror.
{Blank bar} (Law), a plea put in to oblige the plaintiff in
an action of trespass to assign the certain place where
the trespass was committed; -- called also {common bar}.
{Blank cartridge}, a cartridge containing no ball.
{Blank deed}. See {Deed}.
{Blank door}, or {Blank window} (Arch.), a depression in a
wall of the size of a door or window, either for
symmetrical effect, or for the more convenient insertion
of a door or window at a future time, should it be needed.
{Blank indorsement} (Law), an indorsement which omits the
name of the person in whose favor it is made; it is
usually made by simply writing the name of the indorser on
the back of the bill.
{Blank line} (Print.), a vacant space of the breadth of a
line, on a printed page; a line of quadrats.
{Blank tire} (Mech.), a tire without a flange.
{Blank tooling}. See {Blind tooling}, under {Blind}.
{Blank verse}. See under {Verse}.
{Blank wall}, a wall in which there is no opening; a dead
wall.
Blank \Blank\, n.
1. Any void space; a void space on paper, or in any written
instrument; an interval void of consciousness, action,
result, etc; a void.
I can not write a paper full, I used to do; and yet
I will not forgive a blank of half an inch from you.
--Swift.
From this time there ensues a long blank in the
history of French legislation. --Hallam.
I was ill. I can't tell how long -- it was a blank.
--G. Eliot.
2. A lot by which nothing is gained; a ticket in a lottery on
which no prize is indicated.
In Fortune's lottery lies A heap of blanks, like
this, for one small prize. --Dryden.
3. A paper unwritten; a paper without marks or characters a
blank ballot; -- especially, a paper on which are to be
inserted designated items of information, for which spaces
are left vacant; a bland form.
The freemen signified their approbation by an
inscribed vote, and their dissent by a blank.
--Palfrey.
4. A paper containing the substance of a legal instrument, as
a deed, release, writ, or execution, with spaces left to
be filled with names, date, descriptions, etc.
5. The point aimed at in a target, marked with a white spot;
hence, the object to which anything is directed.
Let me still remain The true blank of thine eye.
--Shak.
6. Aim; shot; range. [Obs.]
I have stood . . . within the blank of his
displeasure For my free speech. --Shak.
7. A kind of base silver money, first coined in England by
Henry V., and worth about 8 pence; also, a French coin of
the seventeenth century, worth about 4 pence. --Nares.
8. (Mech.) A piece of metal prepared to be made into
something by a further operation, as a coin, screw, nuts.
9. (Dominoes) A piece or division of a piece, without spots;
as, the ``double blank''; the ``six blank.''
{In blank}, with an essential portion to be supplied by
another; as, to make out a check in blank.
Blank \Blank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blanked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blanking}.] [Cf. 3d {Blanch}.]
1. To make void; to annul. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. To blanch; to make blank; to damp the spirits of; to
dispirit or confuse. [Obs.]
Each opposite that blanks the face of joy. --Shak.
Blanket \Blan"ket\, n. [F. blanchet, OF. also blanket, a woolen
waistcoat or shirt, the blanket of a printing press; prop.
white woolen stuff, dim. of blanc white; blanquette a kind of
white pear, fr. blanc white. See {Blank}, a.]
1. A heavy, loosely woven fabric, usually of wool, and having
a nap, used in bed clothing; also, a similar fabric used
as a robe; or any fabric used as a cover for a horse.
2. (Print.) A piece of rubber, felt, or woolen cloth, used in
the tympan to make it soft and elastic.
3. A streak or layer of blubber in whales.
Note: The use of blankets formerly as curtains in theaters
explains the following figure of Shakespeare. --Nares.
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
To cry, ``Hold, hold!'' --Shak.
{Blanket sheet}, a newspaper of folio size.
{A wet blanket}, anything which damps, chills, dispirits, or
discour?ges.
Blanket \Blan"ket\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blanketed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blanketing}.]
1. To cover with a blanket.
I'll . . . blanket my loins. --Shak.
2. To toss in a blanket by way of punishment.
We'll have our men blanket 'em i' the hall. --B.
Jonson.
3. To take the wind out of the sails of (another vessel) by
sailing to windward of her.
{Blanket cattle}. See {Belted cattle}, under {Belted}.
Blanketing \Blan"ket*ing\, n.
1. Cloth for blankets.
2. The act or punishment of tossing in a blanket.
That affair of the blanketing happened to thee for
the fault thou wast guilty of. --Smollett.
Blankly \Blank"ly\, adv.
1. In a blank manner; without expression; vacuously; as, to
stare blankly. --G. Eliot.
2. Directly; flatly; point blank. --De Quincey.
Blankness \Blank"ness\, n.
The state of being blank.
Blanquette \Blan*quette"\, n. [F. blanquette, from blanc white.]
(Cookery)
A white fricassee.
Blanquillo \Blan*quil"lo\, n. [Sp. blanquillo whitish.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large fish of Florida and the W. Indies ({Caulolatilus
chrysops}). It is red, marked with yellow.
Blare \Blare\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blaring}.] [OE. blaren, bloren, to cry, woop; cf. G.
pl["a]rren to bleat, D. blaren to bleat, cry, weep. Prob. an
imitative word, but cf. also E. blast. Cf. {Blore}.]
To sound loudly and somewhat harshly. ``The trumpet blared.''
--Tennyson.
Blare \Blare\, v. t.
To cause to sound like the blare of a trumpet; to proclaim
loudly.
To blare its own interpretation. --Tennyson.
Blare \Blare\, n.
The harsh noise of a trumpet; a loud and somewhat harsh
noise, like the blast of a trumpet; a roar or bellowing.
With blare of bugle, clamor of men. --Tennyson.
His ears are stunned with the thunder's blare. --J. R.
Drake.
Blarney \Blar"ney\ (bl[aum]r"n[y^]), n. [Blarney, a village and
castle near Cork.]
Smooth, wheedling talk; flattery. [Colloq.]
{Blarney stone}, a stone in Blarney castle, Ireland, said to
make those who kiss it proficient in the use of blarney.
Blarney \Blar"ney\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blarneyed} (-n[i^]d);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Blarneying}.]
To influence by blarney; to wheedle with smooth talk; to make
or accomplish by blarney. ``Blarneyed the landlord.''
--Irving.
Had blarneyed his way from Long Island. --S. G.
Goodrich.
Blas'e \Bla*s['e]"\ (bl[.a]*z[asl]"), a. [F., p. p. of blaser.]
Having the sensibilities deadened by excess or frequency of
enjoyment; sated or surfeited with pleasure; used up.
Blaspheme \Blas*pheme"\ (bl[a^]s*f[=e]m"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Blasphemed} (-f[=e]md"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Blaspheming}.]
[OE. blasfem[=e]n, L. blasphemare, fr. Gr. blasfhmei^n: cf.
F. blasph['e]mer. See {Blame}, v.]
1. To speak of, or address, with impious irreverence; to
revile impiously (anything sacred); as, to blaspheme the
Holy Spirit.
So Dagon shall be magnified, and God, Besides whom
is no god, compared with idols, Disglorified,
blasphemed, and had in scorn. --Milton.
How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge
and avenge thyself on all those who thus continually
blaspheme thy great and all-glorious name? --Dr. W.
Beveridge.
2. Figuratively, of persons and things not religiously
sacred, but held in high honor: To calumniate; to revile;
to abuse.
You do blaspheme the good in mocking me. --Shak.
Those who from our labors heap their board,
Blaspheme their feeder and forget their lord.
--Pope.
Blaspheme \Blas*pheme"\, v. i.
To utter blasphemy.
He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath
never forgiveness. --Mark iii.
29.
Blasphemer \Blas*phem"er\, n.
One who blasphemes.
And each blasphemer quite escape the rod, Because the
insult's not on man, but God ? --Pope.
Blasphemous \Blas"phe*mous\, a. [L. blasphemus, Gr. ?.]
Speaking or writing blasphemy; uttering or exhibiting
anything impiously irreverent; profane; as, a blasphemous
person; containing blasphemy; as, a blasphemous book; a
blasphemous caricature. ``Blasphemous publications.''
--Porteus.
Nor from the Holy One of Heaven Refrained his tongue
blasphemous. --Milton.
Note: Formerly this word was accented on the second syllable,
as in the above example.
Blasphemously \Blas"phe*mous*ly\, adv.
In a blasphemous manner.
Blasphemy \Blas"phe*my\, n. [L. blasphemia, Gr. ?: cf. OF.
blasphemie.]
1. An indignity offered to God in words, writing, or signs;
impiously irreverent words or signs addressed to, or used
in reference to, God; speaking evil of God; also, the act
of claiming the attributes or prerogatives of deity.
Note: When used generally in statutes or at common law,
blasphemy is the use of irreverent words or signs in
reference to the Supreme Being in such a way as to
produce scandal or provoke violence.
2. Figuratively, of things held in high honor: Calumny;
abuse; vilification.
Punished for his blasphemy against learning.
--Bacon.
-blast \-blast\ [Gr. ? sprout, shoot.]
A suffix or terminal formative, used principally in
biological terms, and signifying growth, formation; as,
bioblast, epiblast, mesoblast, etc.
Blast \Blast\ (bl[.a]st), n. [AS. bl[=ae]st a puff of wind, a
blowing; akin to Icel. bl[=a]str, OHG. bl[=a]st, and fr. a
verb akin to Icel. bl[=a]sa to blow, OHG. bl[^a]san, Goth.
bl[=e]san (in comp.); all prob. from the same root as E.
blow. See {Blow} to eject air.]
1. A violent gust of wind.
And see where surly Winter passes off, Far to the
north, and calls his ruffian blasts; His blasts
obey, and quit the howling hill. --Thomson.
2. A forcible stream of air from an orifice, as from a
bellows, the mouth, etc. Hence: The continuous blowing to
which one charge of ore or metal is subjected in a
furnace; as, to melt so many tons of iron at a blast.
Note: The terms hot blast and cold blast are employed to
designate whether the current is heated or not heated
before entering the furnace. A blast furnace is said to
be in blast while it is in operation, and out of blast
when not in use.
3. The exhaust steam from and engine, driving a column of air
out of a boiler chimney, and thus creating an intense
draught through the fire; also, any draught produced by
the blast.
4. The sound made by blowing a wind instrument; strictly, the
sound produces at one breath.
One blast upon his bugle horn Were worth a thousand
men. --Sir W.
Scott.
The blast of triumph o'er thy grave. --Bryant.
5. A sudden, pernicious effect, as if by a noxious wind,
especially on animals and plants; a blight.
By the blast of God they perish. --Job iv. 9.
Virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast.
--Shak.
6. The act of rending, or attempting to rend, heavy masses of
rock, earth, etc., by the explosion of gunpowder,
dynamite, etc.; also, the charge used for this purpose.
``Large blasts are often used.'' --Tomlinson.
7. A flatulent disease of sheep.
{Blast furnace}, a furnace, usually a shaft furnace for
smelting ores, into which air is forced by pressure.
{Blast hole}, a hole in the bottom of a pump stock through
which water enters.
{Blast nozzle}, a fixed or variable orifice in the delivery
end of a blast pipe; -- called also {blast orifice}.
{In full blast}, in complete operation; in a state of great
activity. See {Blast}, n., 2. [Colloq.]
Blast \Blast\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blasted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blasting}.]
1. To injure, as by a noxious wind; to cause to wither; to
stop or check the growth of, and prevent from
fruit-bearing, by some pernicious influence; to blight; to
shrivel.
Seven thin ears, and blasted with the east wind.
--Gen. xii. 6.
2. Hence, to affect with some sudden violence, plague,
calamity, or blighting influence, which destroys or causes
to fail; to visit with a curse; to curse; to ruin; as, to
blast pride, hopes, or character.
I'll cross it, though it blast me. --Shak.
Blasted with excess of light. --T. Gray.
3. To confound by a loud blast or din.
Trumpeters, With brazen din blast you the city's
ear. --Shak.
4. To rend open by any explosive agent, as gunpowder,
dynamite, etc.; to shatter; as, to blast rocks.
Blast \Blast\, v. i.
1. To be blighted or withered; as, the bud blasted in the
blossom.
2. To blow; to blow on a trumpet. [Obs.]
Toke his blake trumpe faste And gan to puffen and to
blaste. --Chaucer.
Blasted \Blast"ed\, a.
1. Blighted; withered.
Upon this blasted heath. --Shak.
2. Confounded; accursed; detestable.
Some of her own blasted gypsies. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. Rent open by an explosive.
The blasted quarry thunders, heard remote.
--Wordsworth.
Blastema \Blas*te"ma\, n.; pl. {Blastemata}. [Gr. ? bud,
sprout.] (Biol.)
The structureless, protoplasmic tissue of the embryo; the
primitive basis of an organ yet unformed, from which it
grows.
Blastemal \Blas*te"mal\, a. (Biol.)
Relating to the blastema; rudimentary.
Blastematic \Blas`te*mat"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Connected with, or proceeding from, the blastema; blastemal.
Blaster \Blast"er\, n.
One who, or that which, blasts or destroys.
Blastide \Blas"tide\, n. [Gr. ? sprout, fr. ? to grow.] (Biol.)
A small, clear space in the segments of the ovum, the
precursor of the nucleus.
Blasting \Blast"ing\, n.
1. A blast; destruction by a blast, or by some pernicious
cause.
I have smitten you with blasting and mildew. --Amos
iv. 9.
2. The act or process of one who, or that which, blasts; the
business of one who blasts.
Blastment \Blast"ment\, n.
A sudden stroke or injury produced by some destructive cause.
[Obs.] --Shak.
Blastocarpous \Blas`to*car"pous\, a. [Gr. ? sprout, germ + ?
fruit.] (Bot.)
Germinating inside the pericarp, as the mangrove. --Brande &
C.
Blastocoele \Blas"to*c[oe]le\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout + koi^los
hollow.] (Biol.)
The cavity of the blastosphere, or segmentation cavity.
Blastocyst \Blas"to*cyst\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout + E. cyst.]
(Biol.)
The germinal vesicle.
Blastoderm \Blas"to*derm\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout + E. derm.]
(Biol.)
The germinal membrane in an ovum, from which the embryo is
developed.
Blastodermatic \Blas`to*der*mat"ic\, Blastodermic
\Blas`to*der"mic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the blastoderm.
Blastogenesis \Blas`to*gen"e*sis\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout + E.
genesis.] (Biol.)
Multiplication or increase by gemmation or budding.
Blastoid \Blas"toid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Blastoidea.
Blastoidea \Blas*toid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. blasto`s sprout
+ -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the divisions of Crinoidea found fossil in paleozoic
rocks; pentremites. They are so named on account of their
budlike form.
Blastomere \Blas"to*mere\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout + -mere.]
(Biol.)
One of the segments first formed by the division of the ovum.
--Balfour.
Blastophoral \Blas`toph"o*ral\, Blastophoric \Blas`to*phor"ic\,
a.
Relating to the blastophore.
Blastophore \Blas"to*phore\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout + ? to
bear.] (Biol.)
That portion of the spermatospore which is not converted into
spermatoblasts, but carries them.
Blastopore \Blas"to*pore\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout + E. pore.]
(Biol.)
The pore or opening leading into the cavity of invagination,
or archenteron.
Note: [See Illust. of {Invagination}.] --Balfour.
Blastosphere \Blas"to*sphere\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout + E.
sphere.] (Biol.)
The hollow globe or sphere formed by the arrangement of the
blastomeres on the periphery of an impregnated ovum.
Note: [See Illust. of {Invagination}.]
Blastostyle \Blas"to*style\, n. [Gr. blasto`s sprout, bud + ? a
pillar.] (Zo["o]l.)
In certain hydroids, an imperfect zooid, whose special
function is to produce medusoid buds. See {Hydroidea}, and
{Athecata}.
Blast pipe \Blast" pipe`\
The exhaust pipe of a steam engine, or any pipe delivering
steam or air, when so constructed as to cause a blast.
Blastula \Blas"tu*la\, n. [NL., dim. of Gr. blasto`s a sprout.]
(Biol.)
That stage in the development of the ovum in which the outer
cells of the morula become more defined and form the
blastoderm.
Blastule \Blas"tule\, n. (Biol.)
Same as {Blastula}.
Blasty \Blast"y\, a.
1. Affected by blasts; gusty.
2. Causing blast or injury. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Blat \Blat\, v. i.
To cry, as a calf or sheep; to bleat; to make a senseless
noise; to talk inconsiderately. [Low]
Blat \Blat\, v. t.
To utter inconsiderately. [Low]
If I have anything on my mind, I have to blat it right
out. --W. D.
Howells.
Blatancy \Bla"tan*cy\, n.
Blatant quality.
Blatant \Bla"tant\, a. [Cf. {Bleat}.]
Bellowing, as a calf; bawling; brawling; clamoring;
disagreeably clamorous; sounding loudly and harshly. ``Harsh
and blatant tone.'' --R. H. Dana.
A monster, which the blatant beast men call. --Spenser.
Glory, that blatant word, which haunts some military
minds like the bray of the trumpet. --W. Irving.
Blatantly \Bla"tant*ly\, adv.
In a blatant manner.
Blatherskite \Blath"er*skite\, n.
A blustering, talkative fellow. [Local slang, U. S.]
--Barllett.
Blatter \Blat"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blattered}.] [L.
blaterare to babble: cf. F. blat['e]rer to bleat.]
To prate; to babble; to rail; to make a senseless noise; to
patter. [Archaic] ``The rain blattered.'' --Jeffrey.
They procured . . . preachers to blatter against me, .
. . so that they had place and time to belie me
shamefully. --Latimer.
Blatteration \Blat`ter*a"tion\, n. [L. blateratio a babbling.]
Blattering.
Blatterer \Blat"ter*er\, n.
One who blatters; a babbler; a noisy, blustering boaster.
Blattering \Blat"ter*ing\, n.
Senseless babble or boasting.
Blatteroon \Blat`ter*oon"\, n. [L. blatero, -onis.]
A senseless babbler or boaster. [Obs.] ``I hate such
blatteroons.'' --Howell.
Blaubok \Blau"bok\, n. [D. blauwbok.] (Zo["o]l.)
The blue buck. See {Blue buck}, under {Blue}.
Blay \Blay\, n. [AS. bl?ge, fr. bl?c, bleak, white; akin to
Icel. bleikja, OHG. bleicha, G. bleihe. See {Bleak}, n. & a.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A fish. See {Bleak}, n.
Blaze \Blaze\ (bl[=a]z), n. [OE. blase, AS. bl[ae]se, blase;
akin to OHG. blass whitish, G. blass pale, MHG. blas torch,
Icel. blys torch; perh. fr. the same root as E. blast. Cf.
{Blast}, {Blush}, {Blink}.]
1. A stream of gas or vapor emitting light and heat in the
process of combustion; a bright flame. ``To heaven the
blaze uprolled.'' --Croly.
2. Intense, direct light accompanied with heat; as, to seek
shelter from the blaze of the sun.
O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon!
--Milton.
3. A bursting out, or active display of any quality; an
outburst; a brilliant display. ``Fierce blaze of riot.''
``His blaze of wrath.'' --Shak.
For what is glory but the blaze of fame? --Milton.
4. [Cf. D. bles; akin to E. blaze light.] A white spot on the
forehead of a horse.
5. A spot made on trees by chipping off a piece of the bark,
usually as a surveyor's mark.
Three blazes in a perpendicular line on the same
tree indicating a legislative road, the single blaze
a settlement or neighborhood road. --Carlton.
{In a blaze}, on fire; burning with a flame; filled with,
giving, or reflecting light; excited or exasperated.
{Like blazes}, furiously; rapidly. [Low] ``The horses did
along like blazes tear.'' --Poem in Essex dialect.
Note: In low language in the U. S., blazes is frequently used
of something extreme or excessive, especially of
something very bad; as, blue as blazes. --Neal.
Syn: {Blaze}, {Flame}.
Usage: A blaze and a flame are both produced by burning gas.
In blaze the idea of light rapidly evolved is
prominent, with or without heat; as, the blaze of the
sun or of a meteor. Flame includes a stronger notion
of heat; as, he perished in the flames.
Blaze \Blaze\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blazed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blazing}.]
1. To shine with flame; to glow with flame; as, the fire
blazes.
2. To send forth or reflect glowing or brilliant light; to
show a blaze.
And far and wide the icy summit blazed.
--Wordsworth.
3. To be resplendent. --Macaulay.
{To blaze away}, to discharge a firearm, or to continue
firing; -- said esp. of a number of persons, as a line of
soldiers. Also used (fig.) of speech or action. [Colloq.]
Blaze \Blaze\, v. t.
1. To mark (a tree) by chipping off a piece of the bark.
I found my way by the blazed trees. --Hoffman.
2. To designate by blazing; to mark out, as by blazed trees;
as, to blaze a line or path.
Champollion died in 1832, having done little more
than blaze out the road to be traveled by others.
--Nott.
Blaze \Blaze\, v. t. [OE. blasen to blow; perh. confused with
blast and blaze a flame, OE. blase. Cf. {Blaze}, v. i., and
see {Blast}.]
1. To make public far and wide; to make known; to render
conspicuous.
On charitable lists he blazed his name. --Pollok.
To blaze those virtues which the good would hide.
--Pope.
2. (Her.) To blazon. [Obs.] --Peacham.
Blazer \Blaz"er\, n.
One who spreads reports or blazes matters abroad. ``Blazers
of crime.'' --Spenser.
Blazing \Blaz"ing\, a.
Burning with a blaze; as, a blazing fire; blazing torches.
--Sir W. Scott.
{Blazing star}.
(a) A comet. [Obs.]
(b) A brilliant center of attraction.
(c) (Bot.) A name given to several plants; as, to
{Cham[ae]lirium luteum} of the Lily family; {Liatris
squarrosa}; and {Aletris farinosa}, called also
{colicroot} and {star grass}.
Blazon \Bla"zon\, n. [OE. blason, blasoun, shield, fr. F. blason
coat of arms, OF. shield, from the root of AS. bl[ae]se
blaze, i. e., luster, splendor, MHG. blas torch See {Blaze},
n.]
1. A shield. [Obs.]
2. An heraldic shield; a coat of arms, or a bearing on a coat
of arms; armorial bearings.
Their blazon o'er his towers displayed. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. The art or act of describing or depicting heraldic
bearings in the proper language or manner. --Peacham.
4. Ostentatious display, either by words or other means;
publication; show; description; record.
Obtrude the blazon of their exploits upon the
company. --Collier.
Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and
spirit, Do give thee fivefold blazon. --Shak.
Blazon \Bla"zon\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blazoned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Blazoning}.] [From blazon, n.; confused with 4th blaze:
cf. F. blasonner.]
1. To depict in colors; to display; to exhibit conspicuously;
to publish or make public far and wide.
Thyself thou blazon'st. --Shak.
There pride sits blazoned on th' unmeaning brow.
--Trumbull.
To blazon his own worthless name. --Cowper.
2. To deck; to embellish; to adorn.
She blazons in dread smiles her hideous form.
--Garth.
3. (Her.) To describe in proper terms (the figures of
heraldic devices); also, to delineate (armorial bearings);
to emblazon.
The coat of, arms, which I am not herald enough to
blazon into English. --Addison.
Blazon \Bla"zon\, v. i.
To shine; to be conspicuous. [R.]
Blazoner \Bla"zon*er\, n.
One who gives publicity, proclaims, or blazons; esp., one who
blazons coats of arms; a herald. --Burke.
Blazonment \Bla"zon*ment\ (bl[=a]"z'n*ment), n.
The act of blazoning; blazoning; emblazonment.
Blazonry \Bla"zon*ry\, n.
1. Same as {Blazon}, 3.
The principles of blazonry. --Peacham.
2. A coat of arms; an armorial bearing or bearings.
The blazonry of Argyle. --Lord
Dufferin.
3. Artistic representation or display.
Blea \Blea\, n.
The part of a tree which lies immediately under the bark; the
alburnum or sapwood.
Bleaberry \Blea"ber*ry\, n. (Bot.)
See {Blaeberry}.
Bleach \Bleach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bleached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bleaching}.] [OE. blakien, blechen, v. t. & v. i., AS.
bl[=a]cian, bl?can, to grow pale; akin to Icel. bleikja, Sw.
bleka, Dan. blege, D. bleeken, G. bleichen, AS. bl[=a]c pale.
See {Bleak}, a.]
To make white, or whiter; to remove the color, or stains,
from; to blanch; to whiten.
The destruction of the coloring matters attached to the
bodies to be bleached is effected either by the action
of the air and light, of chlorine, or of sulphurous
acid. --Ure.
Immortal liberty, whose look sublime Hath bleached the
tyrant's cheek in every varying clime. --Smollett.
Bleach \Bleach\, v. i.
To grow white or lose color; to whiten.
Bleached \Bleached\, a.
Whitened; make white.
Let their bleached bones, and blood's unbleaching
stain, Long mark the battlefield with hideous awe.
--Byron.
Bleacher \Bleach"er\, n.
One who whitens, or whose occupation is to whiten, by
bleaching.
Bleachery \Bleach"er*y\, n.; pl. {Bleacheries}.
A place or an establishment where bleaching is done.
Bleaching \Bleach"ing\, n.
The act or process of whitening, by removing color or stains;
esp. the process of whitening fabrics by chemical agents.
--Ure.
{Bleaching powder}, a powder for bleaching, consisting of
chloride of lime, or some other chemical or chemicals.
Bleak \Bleak\, a. [OE. blac, bleyke, bleche, AS. bl[=a]c, bl?c,
pale, wan; akin to Icel. bleikr, Sw. blek, Dan. bleg, OS.
bl?k, D. bleek, OHG. pleih, G. bleich; all from the root of
AS. bl[=i]can to shine; akin to OHG. bl[=i]chen to shine; cf.
L. flagrare to burn, Gr. ? to burn, shine, Skr. bhr[=a]j to
shine, and E. flame. ?98. Cf. {Bleach}, {Blink}, {Flame}.]
1. Without color; pale; pallid. [Obs.]
When she came out she looked as pale and as bleak as
one that were laid out dead. --Foxe.
2. Desolate and exposed; swept by cold winds.
Wastes too bleak to rear The common growth of earth,
the foodful ear. --Wordsworth.
At daybreak, on the bleak sea beach. --Longfellow.
3. Cold and cutting; cheerless; as, a bleak blast. --
{Bleak"ish}, a. -- {Bleak"ly}, adv. -- {Bleak"ness}, n.
Bleak \Bleak\, n. [From {Bleak}, a., cf. {Blay}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small European river fish ({Leuciscus alburnus}), of the
family Cyprinid[ae]; the blay. [Written also {blick}.]
Note: The silvery pigment lining the scales of the bleak is
used in the manufacture of artificial pearls. --Baird.
Bleaky \Bleak"y\, a.
Bleak. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Blear \Blear\, a. [See {Blear}, v.]
1. Dim or sore with water or rheum; -- said of the eyes.
His blear eyes ran in gutters to his chin. --Dryden.
2. Causing or caused by dimness of sight; dim.
Power to cheat the eye with blear illusion.
--Milton.
Blear \Blear\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bleared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blearing}.] [OE. bleren; cf. Dan. plire to blink, Sw. plira
to twinkle, wink, LG. plieren; perh. from the same root as E.
blink. See {Blink}, and cf. {Blur}.]
To make somewhat sore or watery, as the eyes; to dim, or
blur, as the sight. Figuratively: To obscure (mental or moral
perception); to blind; to hoodwink.
That tickling rheums Should ever tease the lungs and
blear the sight. --Cowper.
{To blear the eye of}, to deceive; to impose upon. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Bleared \Bleared\, a.
Dimmed, as by a watery humor; affected with rheum. --
{Blear"ed*ness}, n.
Dardanian wives, With bleared visages, come forth to
view The issue of the exploit. --Shak.
Bleareye \Blear"eye`\, n. (Med.)
A disease of the eyelids, consisting in chronic inflammation
of the margins, with a gummy secretion of sebaceous matter.
--Dunglison.
Blear-eyed \Blear"-eyed`\, a.
1. Having sore eyes; having the eyes dim with rheum;
dim-sighted.
The blear-eyed Crispin. --Drant.
2. Lacking in perception or penetration; short-sighted; as, a
blear-eyed bigot.
Bleareyedness \Blear"eyed`ness\, n.
The state of being blear-eyed.
Bleary \Blear"y\, a.
Somewhat blear.
Bleat \Bleat\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bleated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bleating}.] [OE. bleten, AS. bl?tan; akin to D. blaten,
bleeten, OHG. bl[=a]zan, pl[=a]zan; prob. of imitative
origin.]
To make the noise of, or one like that of, a sheep; to cry
like a sheep or calf.
Then suddenly was heard along the main, To low the ox,
to bleat the woolly train. --Pope
The ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baas, will
never answer a calf when he bleats. --Shak.
Bleat \Bleat\, n.
A plaintive cry of, or like that of, a sheep.
The bleat of fleecy sheep. --Chapman's
Homer.
Bleater \Bleat"er\, n.
One who bleats; a sheep.
In cold, stiff soils the bleaters oft complain Of gouty
ails. --Dyer.
Bleating \Bleat"ing\, a.
Crying as a sheep does.
Then came the shepherd back with his bleating flocks
from the seaside. --Longfellow.
Bleating \Bleat"ing\, n.
The cry of, or as of, a sheep. --Chapman.
Bleb \Bleb\, n. [Prov. E. bleb, bleib, blob, bubble, blister.
This word belongs to the root of blub, blubber, blabber, and
perh. blow to puff.]
A large vesicle or bulla, usually containing a serous fluid;
a blister; a bubble, as in water, glass, etc.
Arsenic abounds with air blebs. --Kirwan.
Blebby \Bleb"by\, a.
Containing blebs, or characterized by blebs; as, blebby
glass.
Bleck \Bleck\, Blek \Blek\, v. t.
To blacken; also, to defile. [Obs. or Dial.] --Wyclif.
Bled \Bled\,
imp. & p. p. of {Bleed}.
Blee \Blee\, n. [AS. ble['o], ble['o]h.]
Complexion; color; hue; likeness; form. [Archaic]
For him which is so bright of blee. --Lament. of
Mary Magd.
That boy has a strong blee of his father. --Forby.
Bleed \Bleed\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bleeding}.] [OE. bleden, AS. bl?dan, fr. bl?d blood; akin to
Sw. bl["o]da, Dan. bl["o]de, D. bloeden, G. bluten. See
{Blood}.]
1. To emit blood; to lose blood; to run with blood, by
whatever means; as, the arm bleeds; the wound bled freely;
to bleed at the nose.
2. To withdraw blood from the body; to let blood; as, Dr. A.
bleeds in fevers.
3. To lose or shed one's blood, as in case of a violent death
or severe wounds; to die by violence. ``C[ae]sar must
bleed.'' --Shak.
The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day. --Pope.
4. To issue forth, or drop, as blood from an incision.
For me the balm shall bleed. --Pope.
5. To lose sap, gum, or juice; as, a tree or a vine bleeds
when tapped or wounded.
6. To pay or lose money; to have money drawn or extorted; as,
to bleed freely for a cause. [Colloq.]
{To make the heart bleed}, to cause extreme pain, as from
sympathy or pity.
Bleed \Bleed\, v. t.
1. To let blood from; to take or draw blood from, as by
opening a vein.
2. To lose, as blood; to emit or let drop, as sap.
A decaying pine of stately size, bleeding amber.
--H. Miller.
3. To draw money from (one); to induce to pay; as, they bled
him freely for this fund. [Colloq.]
Bleeder \Bleed"er\, n. (Med.)
(a) One who, or that which, draws blood.
(b) One in whom slight wounds give rise to profuse or
uncontrollable bleeding.
Bleeding \Bleed"ing\, a.
Emitting, or appearing to emit, blood or sap, etc.; also,
expressing anguish or compassion.
Bleeding \Bleed"ing\, n.
A running or issuing of blood, as from the nose or a wound; a
hemorrhage; the operation of letting blood, as in surgery; a
drawing or running of sap from a tree or plant.
Blemish \Blem"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blemished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blemishing}.] [OE. blemissen, blemishen, OF. blemir,
blesmir, to strike, injure, soil, F. bl[^e]mir to grow pale,
fr. OF. bleme, blesme, pale, wan, F. bl[^e]me, prob. fr. Icel
bl[=a]man the livid color of a wound, fr. bl[=a]r blue; akin
to E. blue. OF. blemir properly signifies to beat one (black
and) blue, and to render blue or dirty. See {Blue}.]
1. To mark with deformity; to injure or impair, as anything
which is well formed, or excellent; to mar, or make
defective, either the body or mind.
Sin is a soil which blemisheth the beauty of thy
soul. --Brathwait.
2. To tarnish, as reputation or character; to defame.
There had nothing passed between us that might
blemish reputation. --Oldys.
Blemish \Blem"ish\, n.; pl. {Blemishes}.
Any mark of deformity or injury, whether physical or moral;
anything that diminishes beauty, or renders imperfect that
which is otherwise well formed; that which impairs
reputation.
He shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe
lamb of the first year without blemish. --Lev. xiv.
10.
The reliefs of an envious man are those little
blemishes and imperfections that discover themselves in
an illustrious character. --Spectator.
Syn: Spot; speck; flaw; deformity; stain; defect; fault;
taint; reproach; dishonor; imputation; disgrace.
Blemishless \Blem"ish*less\, a.
Without blemish; spotless.
A life in all so blemishless. --Feltham.
Blemishment \Blem"ish*ment\, n.
The state of being blemished; blemish; disgrace; damage;
impairment.
For dread of blame and honor's blemishment. --Spenser.
Blench \Blench\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blenched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blenching}.] [OE. blenchen to blench, elude, deceive, AS.
blencan to deceive; akin to Icel. blekkja to impose upon.
Prop. a causative of blink to make to wink, to deceive. See
{Blink}, and cf. 3d {Blanch}.]
1. To shrink; to start back; to draw back, from lack of
courage or resolution; to flinch; to quail.
Blench not at thy chosen lot. --Bryant.
This painful, heroic task he undertook, and never
blenched from its fulfillment. --Jeffrey.
2. To fly off; to turn aside. [Obs.]
Though sometimes you do blench from this to that.
--Shak.
Blench \Blench\, v. t.
1. To baffle; to disconcert; to turn away; -- also, to
obstruct; to hinder. [Obs.]
Ye should have somewhat blenched him therewith, yet
he might and would of likelihood have gone further.
--Sir T. More.
2. To draw back from; to deny from fear. [Obs.]
He now blenched what before he affirmed. --Evelyn.
Blench \Blench\, n.
A looking aside or askance. [Obs.]
These blenches gave my heart another youth. --Shak.
Blench \Blench\, v. i. & t. [See 1st {Blanch}.]
To grow or make pale. --Barbour.
Blencher \Blench"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, scares another; specifically, a
person stationed to prevent the escape of the deer, at a
hunt. See {Blancher}. [Obs.]
2. One who blenches, flinches, or shrinks back.
Blench holding \Blench" hold`ing\ (Law)
See {Blanch holding}.
Blend \Blend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blended} or {Blent}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Blending}.] [OE. blenden, blanden, AS. blandan to
blend, mix; akin to Goth. blandan to mix, Icel. blanda, Sw.
blanda, Dan. blande, OHG. blantan to mis; to unknown origin.]
1. To mix or mingle together; esp. to mingle, combine, or
associate so that the separate things mixed, or the line
of demarcation, can not be distinguished. Hence: To
confuse; to confound.
Blending the grand, the beautiful, the gay.
--Percival.
2. To pollute by mixture or association; to spoil or corrupt;
to blot; to stain. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Syn: To commingle; combine; fuse; merge; amalgamate;
harmonize.
Blend \Blend\, v. i.
To mingle; to mix; to unite intimately; to pass or shade
insensibly into each other, as colors.
There is a tone of solemn and sacred feeling that
blends with our conviviality. --Irving.
Blend \Blend\, n.
A thorough mixture of one thing with another, as color, tint,
etc., into another, so that it cannot be known where one ends
or the other begins.
Blend \Blend\, v. t. [AS. blendan, from blind blind. See
{Blind}, a.]
To make blind, literally or figuratively; to dazzle; to
deceive. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Blende \Blende\, n. [G., fr. blenden to blind, dazzle, deceive,
fr. blind blind. So called either in allusion to its dazzling
luster; or (Dana) because, though often resembling galena, it
yields no lead. Cf. {Sphalerite}.] (Min.)
(a) A mineral, called also {sphalerite}, and by miners {mock
lead}, {false galena}, and {black-jack}. It is a zinc
sulphide, but often contains some iron. Its color is
usually yellow, brown, or black, and its luster resinous.
(b) A general term for some minerals, chiefly metallic
sulphides which have a somewhat brilliant but nonmetallic
luster.
Blender \Blend"er\, n.
One who, or that which, blends; an instrument, as a brush,
used in blending.
Blending \Blend"ing\, n.
1. The act of mingling.
2. (Paint.) The method of laying on different tints so that
they may mingle together while wet, and shade into each
other insensibly. --Weale.
Blendous \Blend"ous\, a.
Pertaining to, consisting of, or containing, blende.
Blendwater \Blend"wa`ter\, n.
A distemper incident to cattle, in which their livers are
affected. --Crabb.
Blenheim spaniel \Blen"heim span"iel\ [So called from Blenheim
House, the seat of the duke of Marlborough, in England.]
A small variety of spaniel, kept as a pet.
Blenk \Blenk\, v. i.
To blink; to shine; to look. [Obs.]
Blennioid \Blen"ni*oid\, Blenniid \Blen"ni*id\, a. [Blenny +
-oid] (Zo["o]l.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the blennies.
Blennogenous \Blen*nog"e*nous\, a. [Gr. ? mucus + -genous.]
Generating mucus.
Blennorrhea \Blen`nor*rhe"a\, n. [Gr. ? mucus + ? to flow.]
(Med.)
(a) An inordinate secretion and discharge of mucus.
(b) Gonorrhea. --Dunglison.
Blenny \Blen"ny\, n.; pl. {Blennies}. [L. blennius, blendius,
blendea, Gr. ?, fr. ? slime, mucus.] (Zo["o]l.)
A marine fish of the genus {Blennius} or family
{Blenniid[ae]}; -- so called from its coating of mucus. The
species are numerous.
Blent \Blent\, imp. & p. p. of {Blend} to mingle.
Mingled; mixed; blended; also, polluted; stained.
Rider and horse, friend, foe, in one red burial blent.
--Byron.
Blent \Blent\, imp. & p. p. of {Blend} to blind.
Blinded. Also (--Chaucer), 3d sing. pres. Blindeth. [Obs.]
Blesbok \Bles"bok\, n. [D., fr. bles a white spot on the
forehead + bok buck.] (Zo["o]l.)
A South African antelope ({Alcelaphus albifrons}), having a
large white spot on the forehead.
Bless \Bless\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blessed}or {Blest}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blessing}.] [OE. blessien, bletsen, AS. bletsian,
bledsian, bloedsian, fr. bl?d blood; prob. originally to
consecrate by sprinkling with blood. See {Blood}.]
1. To make or pronounce holy; to consecrate
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.
--Gen. ii. 3.
2. To make happy, blithesome, or joyous; to confer prosperity
or happiness upon; to grant divine favor to.
The quality of mercy is . . . twice blest; It
blesseth him that gives and him that takes. --Shak.
It hath pleased thee to bless the house of thy
servant, that it may continue forever before thee.
--1 Chron.
xvii. 27 (R.
V. )
3. To express a wish or prayer for the happiness of; to
invoke a blessing upon; -- applied to persons.
Bless them which persecute you. --Rom. xii.
14.
4. To invoke or confer beneficial attributes or qualities
upon; to invoke or confer a blessing on, -- as on food.
Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and
looking up to heaven, he blessed them. --Luke ix.
16.
5. To make the sign of the cross upon; to cross (one's self).
[Archaic] --Holinshed.
6. To guard; to keep; to protect. [Obs.]
7. To praise, or glorify; to extol for excellences.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within
me, bless his holy name. --Ps. ciii. 1.
8. To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
The nations shall bless themselves in him. --Jer.
iv. 3.
9. To wave; to brandish. [Obs.]
And burning blades about their heads do bless.
--Spenser.
Round his armed head his trenchant blade he blest.
--Fairfax.
Note: This is an old sense of the word, supposed by Johnson,
Nares, and others, to have been derived from the old
rite of blessing a field by directing the hands to all
parts of it. ``In drawing [their bow] some fetch such a
compass as though they would turn about and bless all
the field.'' --Ascham.
{Bless me!} {Bless us!} an exclamation of surprise. --Milton.
{To bless from}, to secure, defend, or preserve from. ``Bless
me from marrying a usurer.'' --Shak.
To bless the doors from nightly harm. --Milton.
{To bless with}, {To be blessed with}, to favor or endow
with; to be favored or endowed with; as, God blesses us
with health; we are blessed with happiness.
Blessed \Bless"ed\ (bl[e^]s"[e^]d), a.
1. Hallowed; consecrated; worthy of blessing or adoration;
heavenly; holy.
O, run; prevent them with thy humble ode, And lay it
lowly at his blessed feet. --Milton.
2. Enjoying happiness or bliss; favored with blessings;
happy; highly favored.
All generations shall call me blessed. --Luke i. 48.
Towards England's blessed shore. --Shak.
3. Imparting happiness or bliss; fraught with happiness;
blissful; joyful. ``Then was a blessed time.'' ``So
blessed a disposition.'' --Shak.
4. Enjoying, or pertaining to, spiritual happiness, or
heavenly felicity; as, the blessed in heaven.
Reverenced like a blessed saint. --Shak.
Cast out from God and blessed vision. --Milton.
5. (R. C. Ch.) Beatified.
6. Used euphemistically, ironically, or intensively.
Not a blessed man came to set her [a boat] free.
--R. D.
Blackmore.
Blessedly \Bless"ed*ly\, adv.
Happily; fortunately; joyfully.
We shall blessedly meet again never to depart. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Blessedness \Bless"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being blessed; happiness; felicity; bliss;
heavenly joys; the favor of God.
The assurance of a future blessedness. --Tillotson.
{Single blessedness}, the unmarried state. ``Grows, lives,
and dies in single blessedness.'' --Shak.
Syn: Delight; beatitude; ecstasy. See {Happiness}.
Blessed thistle \Bless"ed this"tle\
See under {Thistle}.
Blesser \Bless"er\, n.
One who blesses; one who bestows or invokes a blessing.
Blessing \Bless"ing\, n. [AS. bletsung. See {Bless}, v. t.]
1. The act of one who blesses.
2. A declaration of divine favor, or an invocation imploring
divine favor on some or something; a benediction; a wish
of happiness pronounces.
This is the blessing, where with Moses the man of
God blessed the children of Israel. --Deut.
xxxiii. 1.
3. A means of happiness; that which promotes prosperity and
welfare; a beneficent gift.
Nature's full blessings would be well dispensed.
--Milton.
4. (Bib.) A gift. [A Hebraism] --Gen. xxxiii. 11.
5. Grateful praise or worship.
Blest \Blest\, a.
Blessed. ``This patriarch blest.'' --Milton.
White these blest sounds my ravished ear assail.
--Trumbull.
Blet \Blet\, n. [F. blet, blette, a., soft from over ripeness.]
A form of decay in fruit which is overripe.
Bletonism \Ble"ton*ism\, n.
The supposed faculty of perceiving subterraneous springs and
currents by sensation; -- so called from one Bleton, of
France.
Bletting \Blet"ting\, n.
A form of decay seen in fleshy, overripe fruit. --Lindley.
Blew \Blew\,
imp. of {Blow}.
Bleyme \Bleyme\, n. [F. bleime.] (Far.)
An inflammation in the foot of a horse, between the sole and
the bone. [Obs.]
Bleynte \Bleyn"te\,
imp. of {Blench}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Blickey \Blick"ey\, n. [D. blik tin.]
A tin dinner pail. [Local, U. S.] --Bartlett.
Blight \Blight\ (bl[imac]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blighted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Blighting}.] [Perh. contr. from AS.
bl[=i]cettan to glitter, fr. the same root as E. bleak. The
meaning ``to blight'' comes in that case from to glitter,
hence, to be white or pale, grow pale, make pale, bleach. Cf.
{Bleach}, {Bleak}.]
1. To affect with blight; to blast; to prevent the growth and
fertility of.
[This vapor] blasts vegetables, blights corn and
fruit, and is sometimes injurious even to man.
--Woodward.
2. Hence: To destroy the happiness of; to ruin; to mar
essentially; to frustrate; as, to blight one's prospects.
Seared in heart and lone and blighted. --Byron.
Blight \Blight\, v. i.
To be affected by blight; to blast; as, this vine never
blights.
Blight \Blight\, n.
1. Mildew; decay; anything nipping or blasting; -- applied as
a general name to various injuries or diseases of plants,
causing the whole or a part to wither, whether occasioned
by insects, fungi, or atmospheric influences.
2. The act of blighting, or the state of being blighted; a
withering or mildewing, or a stoppage of growth in the
whole or a part of a plant, etc.
3. That which frustrates one's plans or withers one's hopes;
that which impairs or destroys.
A blight seemed to have fallen over our fortunes.
--Disraeli.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A downy species of aphis, or plant louse,
destructive to fruit trees, infesting both the roots and
branches; -- also applied to several other injurious
insects.
5. pl. A rashlike eruption on the human skin. [U. S.]
Blighting \Blight"ing\, a.
Causing blight.
Blightingly \Blight"ing*ly\, adv.
So as to cause blight.
Blimbi \Blim"bi\, Blimbing \Blim"bing\, n.
See {Bilimbi}, etc.
Blin \Blin\, v. t. & i. [OE. blinnen, AS. blinnan; pref. be- +
linnan to cease.]
To stop; to cease; to desist. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Blin \Blin\, n. [AS. blinn.]
Cessation; end. [Obs.]
Blind \Blind\, a. [AS.; akin to D., G., OS., Sw., & Dan. blind,
Icel. blindr, Goth. blinds; of uncertain origin.]
1. Destitute of the sense of seeing, either by natural defect
or by deprivation; without sight.
He that is strucken blind can not forget The
precious treasure of his eyesight lost. --Shak.
2. Not having the faculty of discernment; destitute of
intellectual light; unable or unwilling to understand or
judge; as, authors are blind to their own defects.
But hard be hardened, blind be blinded more, That
they may stumble on, and deeper fall. --Milton.
3. Undiscerning; undiscriminating; inconsiderate.
This plan is recommended neither to blind
approbation nor to blind reprobation. --Jay.
4. Having such a state or condition as a thing would have to
a person who is blind; not well marked or easily
discernible; hidden; unseen; concealed; as, a blind path;
a blind ditch.
5. Involved; intricate; not easily followed or traced.
The blind mazes of this tangled wood. --Milton.
6. Having no openings for light or passage; as, a blind wall;
open only at one end; as, a blind alley; a blind gut.
7. Unintelligible, or not easily intelligible; as, a blind
passage in a book; illegible; as, blind writing.
8. (Hort.) Abortive; failing to produce flowers or fruit; as,
blind buds; blind flowers.
{Blind alley}, an alley closed at one end; a cul-de-sac.
{Blind axle}, an axle which turns but does not communicate
motion. --Knight.
{Blind beetle}, one of the insects apt to fly against people,
esp. at night.
{Blind cat} (Zo["o]l.), a species of catfish ({Gronias
nigrolabris}), nearly destitute of eyes, living in caverns
in Pennsylvania.
{Blind coal}, coal that burns without flame; anthracite coal.
--Simmonds.
{Blind door}, {Blind window}, an imitation of a door or
window, without an opening for passage or light. See
{Blank door or window}, under {Blank}, a.
{Blind level} (Mining), a level or drainage gallery which has
a vertical shaft at each end, and acts as an inverted
siphon. --Knight.
{Blind nettle} (Bot.), dead nettle. See {Dead nettle}, under
{Dead}.
{Blind shell} (Gunnery), a shell containing no charge, or one
that does not explode.
{Blind side}, the side which is most easily assailed; a weak
or unguarded side; the side on which one is least able or
disposed to see danger. --Swift.
{Blind snake} (Zo["o]l.), a small, harmless, burrowing snake,
of the family {Typhlopid[ae]}, with rudimentary eyes.
{Blind spot} (Anat.), the point in the retina of the eye
where the optic nerve enters, and which is insensible to
light.
{Blind tooling}, in bookbinding and leather work, the
indented impression of heated tools, without gilding; --
called also {blank tooling}, and {blind blocking}.
{Blind wall}, a wall without an opening; a blank wall.
Blind \Blind\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blinded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blinding}.]
1. To make blind; to deprive of sight or discernment. ``To
blind the truth and me.'' --Tennyson.
A blind guide is certainly a great mischief; but a
guide that blinds those whom he should lead is . . .
a much greater. --South.
2. To deprive partially of vision; to make vision difficult
for and painful to; to dazzle.
Her beauty all the rest did blind. --P. Fletcher.
3. To darken; to obscure to the eye or understanding; to
conceal; to deceive.
Such darkness blinds the sky. --Dryden.
The state of the controversy between us he
endeavored, with all his art, to blind and confound.
--Stillingfleet.
4. To cover with a thin coating of sand and fine gravel; as a
road newly paved, in order that the joints between the
stones may be filled.
Blind \Blind\, n.
1. Something to hinder sight or keep out light; a screen; a
cover; esp. a hinged screen or shutter for a window; a
blinder for a horse.
2. Something to mislead the eye or the understanding, or to
conceal some covert deed or design; a subterfuge.
3. [Cf. F. blindes, p?., fr. G. blende, fr. blenden to blind,
fr. blind blind.] (Mil.) A blindage. See {Blindage}.
4. A halting place. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Blind \Blind\, Blinde \Blinde\, n.
See {Blende}.
Blindage \Blind"age\, n. [Cf. F. blindage.] (Mil.)
A cover or protection for an advanced trench or approach,
formed of fascines and earth supported by a framework.
Blinder \Blind"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, blinds.
2. (Saddlery) One of the leather screens on a bridle, to
hinder a horse from seeing objects at the side; a blinker.
Blindfish \Blind"fish`\, n.
A small fish ({Amblyopsis spel[ae]us}) destitute of eyes,
found in the waters of the Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky. Related
fishes from other caves take the same name.
Blindfold \Blind"fold`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blindfolded}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Blindfolding}.] [OE. blindfolden, blindfelden,
blindfellen; AS. blind blind + prob. fellan, fyllan, to fell,
strike down.]
To cover the eyes of, as with a bandage; to hinder from
seeing.
And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on
the face. --Luke xxii.
64.
Blindfold \Blind"fold`\, a.
Having the eyes covered; blinded; having the mental eye
darkened. Hence: Heedless; reckless; as, blindfold zeal;
blindfold fury.
Fate's blindfold reign the atheist loudly owns.
--Dryden.
Blinding \Blind"ing\, a.
Making blind or as if blind; depriving of sight or of
understanding; obscuring; as, blinding tears; blinding snow.
Blinding \Blind"ing\, n.
A thin coating of sand and fine gravel over a newly paved
road. See {Blind}, v. t., 4.
Blindly \Blind"ly\, adv.
Without sight, discernment, or understanding; without
thought, investigation, knowledge, or purpose of one's own.
By his imperious mistress blindly led. --Dryden.
Blindman's buff \Blind"man's buff"\ [See {Buff} a buffet.]
A play in which one person is blindfolded, and tries to catch
some one of the company and tell who it is.
Surely he fancies I play at blindman's buff with him,
for he thinks I never have my eyes open.
--Stillingfleet.
Blindman's holiday \Blind`man's hol"i*day\
The time between daylight and candle light. [Humorous]
Blindness \Blind"ness\, n.
State or condition of being blind, literally or figuratively.
--Darwin.
{Color blindness}, inability to distinguish certain color.
See {Daltonism}.
Blindstory \Blind"sto`ry\, n. (Arch.)
The triforium as opposed to the clearstory.
Blindworm \Blind"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small, burrowing, snakelike, limbless lizard ({Anguis
fragilis}), with minute eyes, popularly believed to be blind;
the slowworm; -- formerly a name for the adder.
Newts and blindworms do no wrong. --Shak.
Blink \Blink\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blinked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blinking}.] [OE. blenken; akin to dan. blinke, Sw. blinka,
G. blinken to shine, glance, wink, twinkle, D. blinken to
shine; and prob. to D. blikken to glance, twinkle, G. blicken
to look, glance, AS. bl[=i]can to shine, E. bleak. [root]98.
See {Bleak}; cf. 1st {Blench}.]
1. To wink; to twinkle with, or as with, the eye.
One eye was blinking, and one leg was lame. --Pope
2. To see with the eyes half shut, or indistinctly and with
frequent winking, as a person with weak eyes.
Show me thy chink, to blink through with mine eyne.
--Shak.
3. To shine, esp. with intermittent light; to twinkle; to
flicker; to glimmer, as a lamp.
The dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink.
--Wordsworth.
The sun blinked fair on pool and stream . --Sir W.
Scott.
4. To turn slightly sour, as beer, mild, etc.
Blink \Blink\, v. t.
1. To shut out of sight; to avoid, or purposely evade; to
shirk; as, to blink the question.
2. To trick; to deceive. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
Blink \Blink\, n. [OE. blink. See {Blink}, v. i. ]
1. A glimpse or glance.
This is the first blink that ever I had of him.
--Bp. Hall.
2. Gleam; glimmer; sparkle. --Sir W. Scott.
Not a blink of light was there. --Wordsworth.
3. (Naut.) The dazzling whiteness about the horizon caused by
the reflection of light from fields of ice at sea; ice
blink.
4. pl. [Cf. {Blencher}.] (Sporting) Boughs cast where deer
are to pass, to turn or check them. [Prov. Eng.]
Blinkard \Blink"ard\, n. [Blind + -ard.]
1. One who blinks with, or as with, weak eyes.
Among the blind the one-eyed blinkard reigns.
--Marvell.
2. That which twinkles or glances, as a dim star, which
appears and disappears. --Hakewill.
Blink beer \Blink" beer`\
Beer kept unbroached until it is sharp. --Crabb.
Blinker \Blink"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, blinks.
2. A blinder for horses; a flap of leather on a horse's
bridle to prevent him from seeing objects as his side
hence, whatever obstructs sight or discernment.
Nor bigots who but one way see, through blinkers of
authority. --M. Green.
3. pl. A kind of goggles, used to protect the eyes form
glare, etc.
Blink-eyed \Blink"-eyed`\, a.
Habitually winking. --Marlowe.
Blirt \Blirt\, n. (Naut.)
A gust of wind and rain. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Bliss \Bliss\ (bl[i^]s), n.; pl. {Blisses} (bl[i^]s"[e^]z). [OE.
blis, blisse, AS. blis, bl[=i][eth]s, fr. bl[=i][eth]e
blithe. See {Blithe}.]
Orig., blithesomeness; gladness; now, the highest degree of
happiness; blessedness; exalted felicity; heavenly joy.
An then at last our bliss Full and perfect is.
--Milton.
Syn: Blessedness; felicity; beatitude; happiness; joy;
enjoyment. See {Happiness}.
Blissful \Bliss"ful\, a.
Full of, characterized by, or causing, joy and felicity;
happy in the highest degree. ``Blissful solitude.'' --Milton.
-- {Bliss"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Bliss"ful*ness}, n.
Blissless \Bliss"less\, a.
Destitute of bliss. --Sir P. Sidney.
Blissom \Blis"som\, v. i. [For blithesome: but cf. also Icel.
bl?sma of a goat at heat.]
To be lustful; to be lascivious. [Obs.]
Blissom \Blis"som\, a.
Lascivious; also, in heat; -- said of ewes.
Blister \Blis"ter\, n. [OE.; akin to OD. bluyster, fr. the same
root as blast, bladder, blow. See {Blow} to eject wind.]
1. A vesicle of the skin, containing watery matter or serum,
whether occasioned by a burn or other injury, or by a
vesicatory; a collection of serous fluid causing a
bladderlike elevation of the cuticle.
And painful blisters swelled my tender hands.
--Grainger.
2. Any elevation made by the separation of the film or skin,
as on plants; or by the swelling of the substance at the
surface, as on steel.
3. A vesicatory; a plaster of Spanish flies, or other matter,
applied to raise a blister. --Dunglison.
{Blister beetle}, a beetle used to raise blisters, esp. the
{Lytta (or Cantharis) vesicatoria}, called {Cantharis} or
{Spanish fly} by druggists. See {Cantharis}.
{Blister fly}, a blister beetle.
{Blister plaster}, a plaster designed to raise a blister; --
usually made of Spanish flies.
{Blister steel}, crude steel formed from wrought iron by
cementation; -- so called because of its blistered
surface. Called also {blistered steel}.
{Blood blister}. See under {Blood}.
Blister \Blis"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blistered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blistering}.]
To be affected with a blister or blisters; to have a blister
form on.
Let my tongue blister. --Shak.
Blister \Blis"ter\, v. t.
1. To raise a blister or blisters upon.
My hands were blistered. --Franklin.
2. To give pain to, or to injure, as if by a blister.
This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongue.
--Shak.
Blistery \Blis"ter*y\, a.
Full of blisters. --Hooker.
Blite \Blite\ (bl[imac]t), n. [L. blitum, Gr. bli`ton.] (Bot.)
A genus of herbs ({Blitum}>) with a fleshy calyx. {Blitum
capitatum} is the strawberry blite.
Blithe \Blithe\ (bl[imac][th]), a. [AS. bl[=i][eth]e blithe,
kind; akin to Goth. blei[thorn]s kind, Icel. bl[=i][eth]r
mild, gentle, Dan. & Sw. blid gentle, D. blijd blithe, OHG.
bl[=i]di kind, blithe.]
Gay; merry; sprightly; joyous; glad; cheerful; as, a blithe
spirit.
The blithe sounds of festal music. --Prescott.
A daughter fair, So buxom, blithe, and debonair.
--Milton.
Blitheful \Blithe"ful\ (bl[imac][th]"f[.u]l), a.
Gay; full of gayety; joyous.
Blithely \Blithe"ly\, adv.
In a blithe manner.
Blitheness \Blithe"ness\, n.
The state of being blithe. --Chaucer.
Blithesome \Blithe"some\ (-s[u^]m), a.
Cheery; gay; merry.
The blithesome sounds of wassail gay. --Sir W.
Scott.
-- {Blithe"some*ly}, adv. -- {Blithe"some*ness}, n.
Blive \Blive\ (bl[imac]v), adv. [A contraction of {Belive}.]
Quickly; forthwith. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Blizzard \Bliz"zard\ (bl[i^]z"z[~e]rd), n. [Cf. {Blaze} to
flash. Formerly, in local use, a rattling volley; cf. ``to
blaze away'' to fire away.]
A gale of piercingly cold wind, usually accompanied with fine
and blinding snow; a furious blast. [U. S.]
Bloat \Bloat\ (bl[=o]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bloated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bloating}.] [Cf. Icel. blotna to become soft, blautr
soft, wet, Sw. bl["o]t soft, bl["o]ta to soak; akin to G.
bloss bare, and AS. ble['a]t wretched; or perh. fr. root of
Eng. 5th blow. Cf. {Blote}.]
1. To make turgid, as with water or air; to cause a swelling
of the surface of, from effusion of serum in the cellular
tissue, producing a morbid enlargement, often accompanied
with softness.
2. To inflate; to puff up; to make vain. --Dryden.
Bloat \Bloat\, v. i.
To grow turgid as by effusion of liquid in the cellular
tissue; to puff out; to swell. --Arbuthnot.
Bloat \Bloat\, a.
Bloated. [R.] --Shak.
Bloat \Bloat\, n.
A term of contempt for a worthless, dissipated fellow.
[Slang]
Bloat \Bloat\, v. t.
To dry (herrings) in smoke. See {Blote}.
Bloated \Bloat"ed\ (bl[=o]t"[e^]d), p. a.
Distended beyond the natural or usual size, as by the
presence of water, serum, etc.; turgid; swollen; as, a
bloated face. Also, puffed up with pride; pompous.
Bloatedness \Bloat"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being bloated.
Bloater \Bloat"er\ (-[~e]r), n. [See {Bloat}, {Blote}.]
The common herring, esp. when of large size, smoked, and half
dried; -- called also {bloat herring}.
Blob \Blob\ (bl[o^]b), n. [See {Bleb}.]
1. Something blunt and round; a small drop or lump of
something viscid or thick; a drop; a bubble; a blister.
--Wright.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A small fresh-water fish ({Uranidea
Richardsoni}); the miller's thumb.
Blobber \Blob"ber\ (bl[o^]b"b[~e]r), n. [See {Blubber}, {Blub}.]
A bubble; blubber. [Low] --T. Carew.
{Blobber lip}, a thick, protruding lip.
His blobber lips and beetle brows commend. --Dryden.
Blobber-lipped \Blob"ber-lipped`\ (-l[i^]pt`), a.
Having thick lips. ``A blobber-lipped shell.'' --Grew.
Blocage \Blo*cage"\, n. [F.] (Arch.)
The roughest and cheapest sort of rubblework, in masonry.
Block \Block\, n. [OE. blok; cf. F. bloc (fr. OHG.), D. & Dan.
blok, Sw. & G. block, OHG. bloch. There is also an OHG.
bloch, biloh; bi by + the same root as that of E. lock. Cf.
{Block}, v. t., {Blockade}, and see {Lock}.]
1. A piece of wood more or less bulky; a solid mass of wood,
stone, etc., usually with one or more plane, or
approximately plane, faces; as, a block on which a butcher
chops his meat; a block by which to mount a horse;
children's playing blocks, etc.
Now all our neighbors' chimneys smoke, And Christmas
blocks are burning. --Wither.
All her labor was but as a block Left in the quarry.
--Tennyson.
2. The solid piece of wood on which condemned persons lay
their necks when they are beheaded.
Noble heads which have been brought to the block.
--E. Everett.
3. The wooden mold on which hats, bonnets, etc., are shaped.
Hence: The pattern or shape of a hat.
He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat; it
ever changes with the next block. --Shak.
4. A large or long building divided into separate houses or
shops, or a number of houses or shops built in contact
with each other so as to form one building; a row of
houses or shops.
5. A square, or portion of a city inclosed by streets,
whether occupied by buildings or not.
The new city was laid out in rectangular blocks,
each block containing thirty building lots. Such an
average block, comprising 282 houses and covering
nine acres of ground, exists in Oxford Street.
--Lond. Quart.
Rev.
6. A grooved pulley or sheave incased in a frame or shell
which is provided with a hook, eye, or strap, by which it
may be attached to an object. It is used to change the
direction of motion, as in raising a heavy object that can
not be conveniently reached, and also, when two or more
such sheaves are compounded, to change the rate of motion,
or to exert increased force; -- used especially in the
rigging of ships, and in tackles.
7. (Falconry) The perch on which a bird of prey is kept.
8. Any obstruction, or cause of obstruction; a stop; a
hindrance; an obstacle; as, a block in the way.
9. A piece of box or other wood for engravers' work.
10. (Print.) A piece of hard wood (as mahogany or cherry) on
which a stereotype or electrotype plate is mounted to
make it type high.
11. A blockhead; a stupid fellow; a dolt. [Obs.]
What a block art thou ! --Shak.
12. A section of a railroad where the block system is used.
See {Block system}, below.
{A block of shares} (Stock Exchange), a large number of
shares in a stock company, sold in a lump. --Bartlett.
{Block printing}.
(a) A mode of printing (common in China and Japan) from
engraved boards by means of a sheet of paper laid on
the linked surface and rubbed with a brush. --S. W.
Williams.
(b) A method of printing cotton cloth and paper hangings
with colors, by pressing them upon an engraved
surface coated with coloring matter.
{Block system} on railways, a system by which the track is
divided into sections of three or four miles, and trains
are so run by the guidance of electric signals that no
train enters a section or block before the preceding train
has left it.
Block \Block\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blocked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blocking}.] [Cf. F. bloquer, fr. bloc block. See {Block},
n.]
1. To obstruct so as to prevent passage or progress; to
prevent passage from, through, or into, by obstructing the
way; -- used both of persons and things; -- often followed
by up; as, to block up a road or harbor.
With moles . . . would block the port. --Rowe.
A city . . . besieged and blocked about. --Milton.
2. To secure or support by means of blocks; to secure, as two
boards at their angles of intersection, by pieces of wood
glued to each.
3. To shape on, or stamp with, a block; as, to block a hat.
{To block out}, to begin to reduce to shape; to mark out
roughly; to lay out; as, to block out a plan.
Blockade \Block*ade"\, n. [Cf. It. bloccata. See {Block}, v. t.
]
1. The shutting up of a place by troops or ships, with the
purpose of preventing ingress or egress, or the reception
of supplies; as, the blockade of the ports of an enemy.
Note: Blockade is now usually applied to an investment with
ships or vessels, while siege is used of an investment
by land forces. To constitute a blockade, the investing
power must be able to apply its force to every point of
practicable access, so as to render it dangerous to
attempt to enter; and there is no blockade of that port
where its force can not be brought to bear. --Kent.
2. An obstruction to passage.
{To raise a blockade}. See under {Raise}.
Blockade \Block*ade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blockaded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blockading}.]
1. To shut up, as a town or fortress, by investing it with
troops or vessels or war for the purpose of preventing
ingress or egress, or the introduction of supplies. See
note under {Blockade}, n. ``Blockaded the place by sea.''
--Gilpin.
2. Hence, to shut in so as to prevent egress.
Till storm and driving ice blockade him there.
--Wordsworth.
3. To obstruct entrance to or egress from.
Huge bales of British cloth blockade the door.
--Pope.
Blockader \Block*ad"er\, n.
1. One who blockades.
2. (Naut.) A vessel employed in blockading.
Blockage \Block"age\, n.
The act of blocking up; the state of being blocked up.
Block book \Block" book`\
A book printed from engraved wooden blocks instead of movable
types.
Blockhead \Block"head`\, n. [Block + head.]
A stupid fellow; a dolt; a person deficient in understanding.
The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read, With loads of
learned lumber in his head. --Pope.
Blockheaded \Block"head`ed\, a.
Stupid; dull.
Blockheadism \Block"head*ism\, n.
That which characterizes a blockhead; stupidity. --Carlyle.
Blockhouse \Block"house`\, n. [Block + house: cf. G. blockhaus.]
1. (Mil.) An edifice or structure of heavy timbers or logs
for military defense, having its sides loopholed for
musketry, and often an upper story projecting over the
lower, or so placed upon it as to have its sides make an
angle wit the sides of the lower story, thus enabling the
defenders to fire downward, and in all directions; --
formerly much used in America and Germany.
2. A house of squared logs. [West. & South. U. S.]
Blocking \Block"ing\, n.
1. The act of obstructing, supporting, shaping, or stamping
with a block or blocks.
2. Blocks used to support (a building, etc.) temporarily.
Blocking course \Block"ing course`\ (Arch.)
The finishing course of a wall showing above a cornice.
Blockish \Block"ish\, a.
Like a block; deficient in understanding; stupid; dull.
``Blockish Ajax.'' --Shak. -- {Block"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Block"ish*ness}, n.
Blocklike \Block"like`\, a.
Like a block; stupid.
Block tin \Block" tin`\
See under {Tin}.
Bloedite \Bloe"dite\, n. [From the chemist Bl["o]de.] (Min.)
A hydrous sulphate of magnesium and sodium.
Blomary \Blom"a*ry\, n.
See {Bloomery}.
Bloncket \Blonc"ket\, Blonket \Blon"ket\, a. [OF. blanquet
whitish, dim. of blanc white. Cf. {Blanket}.]
Gray; bluish gray. [Obs.]
Our bloncket liveries been all too sad. --Spenser.
Blond \Blond\, Blonde \Blonde\, a. [F., fair, light, of
uncertain origin; cf. AS. blonden-feax gray-haired, old,
prop. blended-haired, as a mixture of white and brown or
black. See {Blend}, v. t. ]
Of a fair color; light-colored; as, blond hair; a blond
complexion.
Blonde \Blonde\, n. [F.]
1. A person of very fair complexion, with light hair and
light blue eyes. [Written also {blond}.]
2. [So called from its color.] A kind of silk lace originally
of the color of raw silk, now sometimes dyed; -- called
also {blond lace}.
Blond metal \Blond" met`al\
A variety of clay ironstone, in Staffordshire, England, used
for making tools.
Blondness \Blond"ness\, n.
The state of being blond. --G. Eliot.
Blood \Blood\, n. [OE. blod, blood, AS. bl?d; akin to D. bloed,
OHG. bluot, G. blut, Goth, bl??, Sw. & Dan. blod; prob. fr.
the same root as E. blow to bloom. See {Blow} to bloom.]
1. The fluid which circulates in the principal vascular
system of animals, carrying nourishment to all parts of
the body, and bringing away waste products to be excreted.
See under {Arterial}.
Note: The blood consists of a liquid, the plasma, containing
minute particles, the blood corpuscles. In the
invertebrate animals it is usually nearly colorless,
and contains only one kind of corpuscles; but in all
vertebrates, except Amphioxus, it contains some
colorless corpuscles, with many more which are red and
give the blood its uniformly red color. See
{Corpuscle}, {Plasma}.
2. Relationship by descent from a common ancestor;
consanguinity; kinship.
To share the blood of Saxon royalty. --Sir W.
Scott.
A friend of our own blood. --Waller.
{Half blood} (Law), relationship through only one parent.
{Whole blood}, relationship through both father and mother.
In American Law, blood includes both half blood, and whole
blood. --Bouvier. --Peters.
3. Descent; lineage; especially, honorable birth; the highest
royal lineage.
Give us a prince of blood, a son of Priam. --Shak.
I am a gentleman of blood and breeding. --Shak.
4. (Stock Breeding) Descent from parents of recognized breed;
excellence or purity of breed.
Note: In stock breeding half blood is descent showing one
half only of pure breed. Blue blood, full blood, or
warm blood, is the same as blood.
5. The fleshy nature of man.
Nor gives it satisfaction to our blood. --Shak.
6. The shedding of blood; the taking of life, murder;
manslaughter; destruction.
So wills the fierce, avenging sprite, Till blood for
blood atones. --Hood.
7. A bloodthirsty or murderous disposition. [R.]
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion Was
timed with dying cries. --Shak.
8. Temper of mind; disposition; state of the passions; -- as
if the blood were the seat of emotions.
When you perceive his blood inclined to mirth.
--Shak.
Note: Often, in this sense, accompanied with bad, cold, warm,
or other qualifying word. Thus, to commit an act in
cold blood, is to do it deliberately, and without
sudden passion; to do it in bad blood, is to do it in
anger. Warm blood denotes a temper inflamed or
irritated. To warm or heat the blood is to excite the
passions. Qualified by up, excited feeling or passion
is signified; as, my blood was up.
9. A man of fire or spirit; a fiery spark; a gay, showy man;
a rake.
Seest thou not . . . how giddily 'a turns about all
the hot bloods between fourteen and five and thirty?
--Shak.
It was the morning costume of a dandy or blood.
--Thackeray.
10. The juice of anything, especially if red.
He washed . . . his clothes in the blood of grapes.
--Gen. xiix.
11.
Note: Blood is often used as an adjective, and as the first
part of self-explaining compound words; as,
blood-bespotted, blood-bought, blood-curdling,
blood-dyed, blood-red, blood-spilling, blood-stained,
blood-warm, blood-won.
{Blood baptism} (Eccl. Hist.), the martyrdom of those who had
not been baptized. They were considered as baptized in
blood, and this was regarded as a full substitute for
literal baptism.
{Blood blister}, a blister or bleb containing blood or bloody
serum, usually caused by an injury.
{Blood brother}, brother by blood or birth.
{Blood clam} (Zo["o]l.), a bivalve mollusk of the genus Arca
and allied genera, esp. {Argina pexata} of the American
coast. So named from the color of its flesh.
{Blood corpuscle}. See {Corpuscle}.
{Blood crystal} (Physiol.), one of the crystals formed by the
separation in a crystalline form of the h[ae]moglobin of
the red blood corpuscles; h[ae]matocrystallin. All blood
does not yield blood crystals.
{Blood heat}, heat equal to the temperature of human blood,
or about 981/2 [deg] Fahr.
{Blood horse}, a horse whose blood or lineage is derived from
the purest and most highly prized origin or stock.
{Blood money}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Blood orange}, an orange with dark red pulp.
{Blood poisoning} (Med.), a morbid state of the blood caused
by the introduction of poisonous or infective matters from
without, or the absorption or retention of such as are
produced in the body itself; tox[ae]mia.
{Blood pudding}, a pudding made of blood and other materials.
{Blood relation}, one connected by blood or descent.
{Blood spavin}. See under {Spavin}.
{Blood vessel}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Blue blood}, the blood of noble or aristocratic families,
which, according to a Spanish prover, has in it a tinge of
blue; -- hence, a member of an old and aristocratic
family.
{Flesh and blood}.
(a) A blood relation, esp. a child.
(b) Human nature.
{In blood} (Hunting), in a state of perfect health and vigor.
--Shak.
{To let blood}. See under {Let}.
{Prince of the blood}, the son of a sovereign, or the issue
of a royal family. The sons, brothers, and uncles of the
sovereign are styled princes of the blood royal; and the
daughters, sisters, and aunts are princesses of the blood
royal.
Blood \Blood\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blooded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blooding}.]
1. To bleed. [Obs.] --Cowper.
2. To stain, smear or wet, with blood. [Archaic]
Reach out their spears afar, And blood their points.
--Dryden.
3. To give (hounds or soldiers) a first taste or sight of
blood, as in hunting or war.
It was most important too that his troops should be
blooded. --Macaulay.
4. To heat the blood of; to exasperate. [Obs.]
The auxiliary forces of the French and English were
much blooded one against another. --Bacon.
Bloodbird \Blood"bird`\ (bl[u^]d"b[~e]rd`), n. (Zo["o]l.)
An Australian honeysucker ({Myzomela sanguineolata}); -- so
called from the bright red color of the male bird.
Blood-boltered \Blood"-bol`tered\, a. [Blood + Prov. E. bolter
to mat in tufts. Cf. {Balter}.]
Having the hair matted with clotted blood. [Obs. & R.]
The blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me. --Shak.
Blooded \Blood"ed\, a.
Having pure blood, or a large admixture or pure blood; of
approved breed; of the best stock.
Note: Used also in composition in phrases indicating a
particular condition or quality of blood; as,
cold-blooded; warm-blooded.
Bloodflower \Blood"flow`er\, n. [From the color of the flower.]
(Bot.)
A genus of bulbous plants, natives of Southern Africa, named
{H[ae]manthus}, of the Amaryllis family. The juice of {H.
toxicarius} is used by the Hottentots to poison their arrows.
Bloodguilty \Blood"guilt`y\, a.
Guilty of murder or bloodshed. ``A bloodguilty life.''
--Fairfax. -- {Blood"guilt`i*ness}, n. -- {Blood"guilt`less},
a.
Bloodhound \Blood"hound`\, n.
A breed of large and powerful dogs, with long, smooth, and
pendulous ears, and remarkable for acuteness of smell. It is
employed to recover game or prey which has escaped wounded
from a hunter, and for tracking criminals. Formerly it was
used for pursuing runaway slaves. Other varieties of dog are
often used for the same purpose and go by the same name. The
Cuban bloodhound is said to be a variety of the mastiff.
Bloodily \Blood"i*ly\, adv.
In a bloody manner; cruelly; with a disposition to shed
blood.
Bloodiness \Blood"i*ness\, n.
1. The state of being bloody.
2. Disposition to shed blood; bloodthirstiness.
All that bloodiness and savage cruelty which was in
our nature. --Holland.
Bloodless \Blood"less\, a. [AS. bl?dle['a]s.]
1. Destitute of blood, or apparently so; as, bloodless
cheeks; lifeless; dead.
The bloodless carcass of my Hector sold. --Dryden.
2. Not attended with shedding of blood, or slaughter; as, a
bloodless victory. --Froude.
3. Without spirit or activity.
Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood ! --Shak.
-- {Blood"less*ly}, adv. -- {Blood"less*ness}, n.
Bloodlet \Blood"let`\, v. t. [AS. bl?dl?tan; bl?d blood + l?atan
to let.]
bleed; to let blood. --Arbuthnot.
Bloodletter \Blood"let`ter\, n.
One who, or that which, lets blood; a phlebotomist.
Bloodletting \Blood"let`ting\, n. (Med.)
The act or process of letting blood or bleeding, as by
opening a vein or artery, or by cupping or leeches; -- esp.
applied to venesection.
Blood money \Blood" mon`ey\
1. Money paid to the next of kin of a person who has been
killed by another.
2. Money obtained as the price, or at the cost, of another's
life; -- said of a reward for supporting a capital charge,
of money obtained for betraying a fugitive or for
committing murder, or of money obtained from the sale of
that which will destroy the purchaser.
Bloodroot \Blood"root`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant ({Sanguinaria Canadensis}), with a red root and red
sap, and bearing a pretty, white flower in early spring; --
called also {puccoon}, {redroot}, {bloodwort}, {tetterwort},
{turmeric}, and {Indian paint}. It has acrid emetic
properties, and the rootstock is used as a stimulant
expectorant. See {Sanguinaria}.
Note: In England the name is given to the tormentil, once
used as a remedy for dysentery.
Bloodshed \Blood"shed`\, n. [Blood + shed]
The shedding or spilling of blood; slaughter; the act of
shedding human blood, or taking life, as in war, riot, or
murder.
Bloodshedder \Blood"shed`der\, n.
One who sheds blood; a manslayer; a murderer.
Bloodshedding \Blood"shed`ding\, n.
Bloodshed. --Shak.
Bloodshot \Blood"shot`\, a. [Blood + shot, p. p. of shoot to
variegate.]
Red and inflamed; suffused with blood, or having the vessels
turgid with blood, as when the conjunctiva is inflamed or
irritated.
His eyes were bloodshot, . . . and his hair disheveled.
--Dickens.
Blood-shotten \Blood"-shot`ten\, a.
Bloodshot. [Obs.]
Bloodstick \Blood"stick"\, n. (Far.)
A piece of hard wood loaded at one end with lead, and used to
strike the fleam into the vein. --Youatt.
Bloodstone \Blood"stone`\, n. (Min.)
(a) A green siliceous stone sprinkled with red jasper, as if
with blood; hence the name; -- called also {heliotrope}.
(b) Hematite, an ore of iron yielding a blood red powder or
``streak.''
Bloodstroke \Blood"stroke`\, n. [Cf. F. coup de sang.]
Loss of sensation and motion from hemorrhage or congestion in
the brain. --Dunglison.
Bloodsucker \Blood"suck`er\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any animal that sucks blood; esp., the leech
({Hirudo medicinalis}), and related species.
2. One who sheds blood; a cruel, bloodthirsty man; one guilty
of bloodshed; a murderer. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. A hard and exacting master, landlord, or money lender; an
extortioner.
Bloodthirsty \Blood"thirst`y\, a.
Eager to shed blood; cruel; sanguinary; murderous. --
{Blood"thirst`i*ness} (?), n.
Bloodulf \Blood"ulf\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European bullfinch.
Blood vessel \Blood" ves`sel\ (Anat.)
Any vessel or canal in which blood circulates in an animal,
as an artery or vein.
Bloodwite \Blood"wite`\, Bloodwit \Blood"wit`\, n. [AS.
bl?w[=i]te; bl?d blood, + w[=i]te wite, fine.] (Anc. Law)
A fine or amercement paid as a composition for the shedding
of blood; also, a riot wherein blood was spilled.
Bloodwood \Blood"wood\, n. (Bot.)
A tree having the wood or the sap of the color of blood.
Note: Norfolk Island bloodwood is a euphorbiaceous tree
({Baloghia lucida}), from which the sap is collected
for use as a plant. Various other trees have the name,
chiefly on account of the color of the wood, as
{Gordonia H[ae]matoxylon} of Jamaica, and several
species of Australian {Eucalyptus}; also the true
logwood ({ H[ae]matoxylon campechianum}).
Bloodwort \Blood"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant, {Rumex sanguineus}, or bloody-veined dock. The name
is applied also to bloodroot ({Sanguinaria Canadensis}), and
to an extensive order of plants ({H[ae]modorace[ae]}), the
roots of many species of which contain a red coloring matter
useful in dyeing.
Bloody \Blood"y\, a. [AS. bl[=o]dig.]
1. Containing or resembling blood; of the nature of blood;
as, bloody excretions; bloody sweat.
2. Smeared or stained with blood; as, bloody hands; a bloody
handkerchief.
3. Given, or tending, to the shedding of blood; having a
cruel, savage disposition; murderous; cruel.
Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. --Shak.
4. Attended with, or involving, bloodshed; sanguinary; esp.,
marked by great slaughter or cruelty; as, a bloody battle.
5. Infamous; contemptible; -- variously used for mere
emphasis or as a low epithet. [Vulgar] --Thackeray.
Bloody \Blood"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bloodied}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bloodying}.]
To stain with blood. --Overbury.
Bloodybones \Blood"y*bones`\, n.
A terrible bugbear.
Bloody flux \Blood"y flux`\
The dysentery, a disease in which the flux or discharge from
the bowels has a mixture of blood. --Arbuthnot.
Bloody hand \Blood"y hand`\
1. A hand stained with the blood of a deer, which, in the old
forest laws of England, was sufficient evidence of a man's
trespass in the forest against venison. --Jacob.
2. (Her.) A red hand, as in the arms of Ulster, which is now
the distinguishing mark of a baronet of the United
Kingdom.
Bloody-minded \Blood"y-mind"ed\, a.
Having a cruel, ferocious disposition; bloodthirsty.
--Dryden.
Bloody sweat \Blood"y sweat`\
A sweat accompanied by a discharge of blood; a disease,
called sweating sickness, formerly prevalent in England and
other countries.
Bloom \Bloom\, n. [OE. blome, fr. Icel. bl?m, bl?mi; akin to Sw.
blom, Goth. bl?ma, OS. bl?mo, D. bloem, OHG. bluomo, bluoma,
G. blume; fr. the same root as AS. bl?wan to blow, blossom.
See {Blow} to bloom, and cf. {Blossom}.]
1. A blossom; the flower of a plant; an expanded bud;
flowers, collectively.
The rich blooms of the tropics. --Prescott.
2. The opening of flowers in general; the state of blossoming
or of having the flowers open; as, the cherry trees are in
bloom. ``Sight of vernal bloom.'' --Milton.
3. A state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor; an
opening to higher perfection, analogous to that of buds
into blossoms; as, the bloom of youth.
Every successive mother has transmitted a fainter
bloom, a more delicate and briefer beauty.
--Hawthorne.
4. The delicate, powdery coating upon certain growing or
newly-gathered fruits or leaves, as on grapes, plums, etc.
Hence: Anything giving an appearance of attractive
freshness; a flush; a glow.
A new, fresh, brilliant world, with all the bloom
upon it. --Thackeray.
5. The clouded appearance which varnish sometimes takes upon
the surface of a picture.
6. A yellowish deposit or powdery coating which appears on
well-tanned leather. --Knight.
7. (Min.) A popular term for a bright-hued variety of some
minerals; as, the rose-red cobalt bloom.
Bloom \Bloom\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bloomed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blooming}.]
1. To produce or yield blossoms; to blossom; to flower or be
in flower.
A flower which once In Paradise, fast by the tree of
life, Began to bloom. --Milton.
2. To be in a state of healthful, growing youth and vigor; to
show beauty and freshness, as of flowers; to give promise,
as by or with flowers.
A better country blooms to view,
Beneath a brighter sky. --Logan.
Bloom \Bloom\, v. t.
1. To cause to blossom; to make flourish. [R.]
Charitable affection bloomed them. --Hooker.
2. To bestow a bloom upon; to make blooming or radiant. [R.]
--Milton.
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day.
--Keats.
Bloom \Bloom\, n. [AS. bl?ma a mass or lump, [=i]senes bl?ma a
lump or wedge of iron.] (Metal.)
(a) A mass of wrought iron from the Catalan forge or from
the puddling furnace, deprived of its dross, and
shaped usually in the form of an oblong block by
shingling.
(b) A large bar of steel formed directly from an ingot by
hammering or rolling, being a preliminary shape for
further working.
Bloomary \Bloom"a*ry\, n.
See {Bloomery}.
Bloomer \Bloom"er\, n. [From Mrs. Bloomer, an American, who
sought to introduce this style of dress.]
1. A costume for women, consisting of a short dress, with
loose trousers gathered round ankles, and (commonly) a
broad-brimmed hat.
2. A woman who wears a Bloomer costume.
Bloomery \Bloom"er*y\, n. (Manuf.)
A furnace and forge in which wrought iron in the form of
blooms is made directly from the ore, or (more rarely) from
cast iron.
Blooming \Bloom"ing\, n. (Metal.)
The process of making blooms from the ore or from cast iron.
Blooming \Bloom"ing\, a.
1. Opening in blossoms; flowering.
2. Thriving in health, beauty, and vigor; indicating the
freshness and beauties of youth or health.
Bloomingly \Bloom"ing*ly\, adv.
In a blooming manner.
Bloomingness \Bloom"ing*ness\, n.
A blooming condition.
Bloomless \Bloom"less\, a.
Without bloom or flowers. --Shelley.
Bloomy \Bloom"y\, a.
1. Full of bloom; flowery; flourishing with the vigor of
youth; as, a bloomy spray.
But all the bloomy flush of life is fled.
--Goldsmith.
2. Covered with bloom, as fruit. --Dryden.
Blooth \Blooth\, n.
Bloom; a blossoming. [Prov. Eng.]
All that blooth means heavy autumn work for him and his
hands. --T. Hardy.
Blore \Blore\, n. [Perh. a variant of blare, v. i.; or cf. Gael.
& Ir. blor a loud noise.]
The act of blowing; a roaring wind; a blast. [Obs.]
A most tempestuous blore. --Chapman.
Blosmy \Blos"my\, a.
Blossomy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Blossom \Blos"som\ (bl[o^]s"s[u^]m), n. [OE. blosme, blostme,
AS. bl[=o]sma, bl[=o]stma, blossom; akin to D. bloesem, L.
fios, and E. flower; from the root of E. blow to blossom. See
{Blow} to blossom, and cf. {Bloom} a blossom.]
1. The flower of a plant, or the essential organs of
reproduction, with their appendages; florescence; bloom;
the flowers of a plant, collectively; as, the blossoms and
fruit of a tree; an apple tree in blossom.
Note: The term has been applied by some botanists, and is
also applied in common usage, to the corolla. It is
more commonly used than flower or bloom, when we have
reference to the fruit which is to succeed. Thus we use
flowers when we speak of plants cultivated for
ornament, and bloom in a more general sense, as of
flowers in general, or in reference to the beauty of
flowers.
Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day.
--Longfellow.
2. A blooming period or stage of development; something
lovely that gives rich promise.
In the blossom of my youth. --Massinger.
3. The color of a horse that has white hairs intermixed with
sorrel and bay hairs; -- otherwise called peach color.
{In blossom}, having the blossoms open; in bloom.
Blossom \Blos"som\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blossomed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blossoming}.] [AS. bl?stmian. See {Blossom}, n.]
1. To put forth blossoms or flowers; to bloom; to blow; to
flower.
The moving whisper of huge trees that branched And
blossomed. --Tennyson.
2. To flourish and prosper.
Israel shall blossom and bud, and full the face of
the world with fruit. --Isa. xxvii.
6.
Blossomless \Blos"som*less\, a.
Without blossoms.
Blossomy \Blos"som*y\, a.
Full of blossoms; flowery.
Blot \Blot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blotted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blotting}.] [Cf. Dan. plette. See 3d {Blot}.]
1. To spot, stain, or bespatter, as with ink.
The brief was writ and blotted all with gore.
--Gascoigne.
2. To impair; to damage; to mar; to soil.
It blots thy beauty, as frosts do bite the meads.
--Shak.
3. To stain with infamy; to disgrace.
Blot not thy innocence with guiltless blood. --Rowe.
4. To obliterate, as writing with ink; to cancel; to efface;
-- generally with out; as, to blot out a word or a
sentence. Often figuratively; as, to blot out offenses.
One act like this blots out a thousand crimes.
--Dryden.
5. To obscure; to eclipse; to shadow.
He sung how earth blots the moon's gilded wane.
--Cowley.
6. To dry, as writing, with blotting paper.
Syn: To obliterate; expunge; erase; efface; cancel; tarnish;
disgrace; blur; sully; smear; smutch.
Blot \Blot\, v. i.
To take a blot; as, this paper blots easily.
Blot \Blot\, n. [Cf. Icel. blettr, Dan. plet.]
1. A spot or stain, as of ink on paper; a blur. ``Inky blots
and rotten parchment bonds.'' --Shak.
2. An obliteration of something written or printed; an
erasure. --Dryden.
3. A spot on reputation; a stain; a disgrace; a reproach; a
blemish.
This deadly blot in thy digressing son. --Shak.
Blot \Blot\, n. [Cf. Dan. blot bare, naked, Sw. blott, d. bloot,
G. bloss, and perh. E. bloat.]
1. (Backgammon)
(a) An exposure of a single man to be taken up.
(b) A single man left on a point, exposed to be taken up.
He is too great a master of his art to make a
blot which may be so easily hit. --Dryden.
2. A weak point; a failing; an exposed point or mark.
Blotch \Blotch\, n. [Cf. OE. blacche in blacchepot blacking pot,
akin to black, as bleach is akin to bleak. See {Black}, a.,
or cf. {Blot} a spot.]
1. A blot or spot, as of color or of ink; especially a large
or irregular spot. Also Fig.; as, a moral blotch.
Spots and blotches . . . some red, others yellow.
--Harvey.
2. (Med.) A large pustule, or a coarse eruption.
Foul scurf and blotches him defile. --Thomson.
Blotched \Blotched\, a.
Marked or covered with blotches.
To give their blotched and blistered bodies ease.
--Drayton.
Blotchy \Blotch"y\, a.
Having blotches.
Blote \Blote\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bloted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bloting}.] [Cf. Sw. bl["o]t-fisk soaked fish, fr. bl["o]ta
to soak. See 1st {Bloat}.]
To cure, as herrings, by salting and smoking them; to bloat.
[Obs.]
Blotless \Blot"less\, a.
Without blot.
Blotter \Blot"ter\ (bl[o^]t"t[~e]r), n.
1. One who, or that which, blots; esp. a device for absorbing
superfluous ink.
2. (Com.) A wastebook, in which entries of transactions are
made as they take place.
Blottesque \Blot*tesque"\ (bl[o^]t*t[e^]sk"), a. (Painting)
Characterized by blots or heavy touches; coarsely depicted;
wanting in delineation. --Ruskin.
Blotting paper \Blot"ting pa`per\ (p[=a]`p[~e]r).
A kind of thick, bibulous, unsized paper, used to absorb
superfluous ink from freshly written manuscript, and thus
prevent blots.
Blouse \Blouse\ (blouz; F. bl[=oo]z), n. [F. blouse. Of unknown
origin.]
A light, loose over-garment, like a smock frock, worn
especially by workingmen in France; also, a loose coat of any
material, as the undress uniform coat of the United States
army.
Blow \Blow\ (bl[=o]), v. i. [imp. {Blew} (bl[=u]); p. p. {Blown}
(bl[=o]n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Blowing}.] [OE. blowen, AS.
bl[=o]wan to blossom; akin to OS. bl[=o]jan, D. bloeijen,
OHG. pluojan, MHG. bl["u]ejen, G. bl["u]hen, L. florere to
flourish, OIr. blath blossom. Cf. {Blow} to puff,
{Flourish}.]
To flower; to blossom; to bloom.
How blows the citron grove. --Milton.
Blow \Blow\, v. t.
To cause to blossom; to put forth (blossoms or flowers).
The odorous banks, that blow Flowers of more mingled
hue. --Milton.
Blow \Blow\, n. (Bot.)
A blossom; a flower; also, a state of blossoming; a mass of
blossoms. ``Such a blow of tulips.'' --Tatler.
Blow \Blow\, n. [OE. blaw, blowe; cf. OHG. bliuwan, pliuwan, to
beat, G. bl["a]uen, Goth. bliggwan.]
1. A forcible stroke with the hand, fist, or some instrument,
as a rod, a club, an ax, or a sword.
Well struck ! there was blow for blow. --Shak.
2. A sudden or forcible act or effort; an assault.
A vigorous blow might win [Hanno's camp]. --T.
Arnold.
3. The infliction of evil; a sudden calamity; something which
produces mental, physical, or financial suffering or loss
(esp. when sudden); a buffet.
A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows.
--Shak.
{At a blow}, suddenly; at one effort; by a single vigorous
act. ``They lose a province at a blow.'' --Dryden.
{To come to blows}, to engage in combat; to fight; -- said of
individuals, armies, and nations.
Syn: Stroke; knock; shock; misfortune.
Blow \Blow\, v. i. [imp. {Blew} (bl[=u]); p. p. {Blown}
(bl[=o]n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Blowing}.] [OE. blawen, blowen,
AS. bl[=a]wan to blow, as wind; akin to OHG. pl[=a]jan, G.
bl["a]hen, to blow up, swell, L. flare to blow, Gr.
'ekflai`nein to spout out, and to E. bladder, blast, inflate,
etc., and perh. blow to bloom.]
1. To produce a current of air; to move, as air, esp. to move
rapidly or with power; as, the wind blows.
Hark how it rains and blows ! --Walton.
2. To send forth a forcible current of air, as from the mouth
or from a pair of bellows.
3. To breathe hard or quick; to pant; to puff.
Here is Mistress Page at the door, sweating and
blowing. --Shak.
4. To sound on being blown into, as a trumpet.
There let the pealing organ blow. --Milton.
5. To spout water, etc., from the blowholes, as a whale.
6. To be carried or moved by the wind; as, the dust blows in
from the street.
The grass blows from their graves to thy own. --M.
Arnold.
7. To talk loudly; to boast; to storm. [Colloq.]
You blow behind my back, but dare not say anything
to my face. --Bartlett.
{To blow hot and cold} (a saying derived from a fable of
[AE]sop's), to favor a thing at one time and treat it
coldly at another; or to appear both to favor and to
oppose.
{To blow off}, to let steam escape through a passage provided
for the purpose; as, the engine or steamer is blowing off.
{To blow out}.
(a) To be driven out by the expansive force of a gas or
vapor; as, a steam cock or valve sometimes blows out.
(b) To talk violently or abusively. [Low]
{To blow over}, to pass away without effect; to cease, or be
dissipated; as, the storm and the clouds have blown over.
{To blow up}, to be torn to pieces and thrown into the air as
by an explosion of powder or gas or the expansive force of
steam; to burst; to explode; as, a powder mill or steam
boiler blows up. ``The enemy's magazines blew up.''
--Tatler.
Blow \Blow\, v. t.
1. To force a current of air upon with the mouth, or by other
means; as, to blow the fire.
2. To drive by a current air; to impel; as, the tempest blew
the ship ashore.
Off at sea northeast winds blow Sabean odors from
the spicy shore. --Milton.
3. To cause air to pass through by the action of the mouth,
or otherwise; to cause to sound, as a wind instrument; as,
to blow a trumpet; to blow an organ.
Hath she no husband That will take pains to blow a
horn before her? --Shak.
Boy, blow the pipe until the bubble rise, Then cast
it off to float upon the skies. --Parnell.
4. To clear of contents by forcing air through; as, to blow
an egg; to blow one's nose.
5. To burst, shatter, or destroy by an explosion; -- usually
with up, down, open, or similar adverb; as, to blow up a
building.
6. To spread by report; to publish; to disclose.
Through the court his courtesy was blown. --Dryden.
His language does his knowledge blow. --Whiting.
7. To form by inflation; to swell by injecting air; as, to
blow bubbles; to blow glass.
8. To inflate, as with pride; to puff up.
Look how imagination blows him. --Shak.
9. To put out of breath; to cause to blow from fatigue; as,
to blow a horse. --Sir W. Scott.
10. To deposit eggs or larv[ae] upon, or in (meat, etc.).
To suffer The flesh fly blow my mouth. --Shak.
{To blow great guns}, to blow furiously and with roaring
blasts; -- said of the wind at sea or along the coast.
{To blow off}, to empty (a boiler) of water through the
blow-off pipe, while under steam pressure; also, to eject
(steam, water, sediment, etc.) from a boiler.
{To blow one's own trumpet}, to vaunt one's own exploits, or
sound one's own praises.
{To blow out}, to extinguish by a current of air, as a
candle.
{To blow up}.
(a) To fill with air; to swell; as, to blow up a bladder
or bubble.
(b) To inflate, as with pride, self-conceit, etc.; to
puff up; as, to blow one up with flattery. ``Blown up
with high conceits engendering pride.'' --Milton.
(c) To excite; as, to blow up a contention.
(d) To burst, to raise into the air, or to scatter, by an
explosion; as, to blow up a fort.
(e) To scold violently; as, to blow up a person for some
offense. [Colloq.]
I have blown him up well -- nobody can say I
wink at what he does. --G. Eliot.
{To blow upon}.
(a) To blast; to taint; to bring into discredit; to
render stale, unsavory, or worthless.
(b) To inform against. [Colloq.]
How far the very custom of hearing anything
spouted withers and blows upon a fine passage,
may be seen in those speeches from
[Shakespeare's] Henry V. which are current in
the mouths of schoolboys. --C. Lamb.
A lady's maid whose character had been blown
upon. --Macaulay.
Blow \Blow\, n.
1. A blowing, esp., a violent blowing of the wind; a gale;
as, a heavy blow came on, and the ship put back to port.
2. The act of forcing air from the mouth, or through or from
some instrument; as, to give a hard blow on a whistle or
horn; to give the fire a blow with the bellows.
3. The spouting of a whale.
4. (Metal.) A single heat or operation of the Bessemer
converter. --Raymond.
5. An egg, or a larva, deposited by a fly on or in flesh, or
the act of depositing it. --Chapman.
Blowball \Blow"ball`\, n.
The downy seed head of a dandelion, which children delight to
blow away. --B. Jonson.
Blowen \Blow"en\, Blowess \Blow"ess\, n.
A prostitute; a courtesan; a strumpet. [Low] --Smart.
Blower \Blow"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, blows.
2. (Mech.) A device for producing a current of air; as:
(a) A metal plate temporarily placed before the upper part
of a grate or open fire.
(b) A machine for producing an artificial blast or current
of air by pressure, as for increasing the draft of a
furnace, ventilating a building or shaft, cleansing
gram, etc.
3. A blowing out or excessive discharge of gas from a hole or
fissure in a mine.
4. The whale; -- so called by seamen, from the circumstance
of its spouting up a column of water.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A small fish of the Atlantic coast ({Tetrodon
turgidus}); the puffer.
6. A braggart, or loud talker. [Slang] --Bartlett.
Blowfly \Blow"fly`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of fly of the genus {Musca} that deposits its
eggs or young larv[ae] (called flyblows and maggots) upon
meat or other animal products.
Blowgun \Blow"gun`\, n.
A tube, as of cane or reed, sometimes twelve feet long,
through which an arrow or other projectile may be impelled by
the force of the breath. It is a weapon much used by certain
Indians of America and the West Indies; -- called also
{blowpipe}, and {blowtube}. See {Sumpitan}.
Blowhole \Blow"hole`\, n.
1. A cavern in a cliff, at the water level, opening to the
air at its farther extremity, so that the waters rush in
with each surge and rise in a lofty jet from the
extremity.
2. A nostril or spiracle in the top of the head of a whale or
other cetacean.
Note: There are two spiracles or blowholes in the common
whales, but only one in sperm whales, porpoises, etc.
3. A hole in the ice to which whales, seals, etc., come to
breathe.
4. (Founding) An air hole in a casting.
Blown \Blown\, p. p. & a.
1. Swollen; inflated; distended; puffed up, as cattle when
gorged with green food which develops gas.
2. Stale; worthless.
3. Out of breath; tired; exhausted. ``Their horses much
blown.'' --Sir W. Scott.
4. Covered with the eggs and larv[ae] of flies; fly blown.
Blown \Blown\, p. p. & a.
Opened; in blossom or having blossomed, as a flower. --Shak.
Blow-off \Blow"-off`\, n.
1. A blowing off steam, water, etc.; -- Also, adj. as, a
blow-off cock or pipe.
2. An outburst of temper or excitement. [Colloq.]
Blow-out \Blow"-out`\, n.
The cleaning of the flues of a boiler from scale, etc., by a
blast of steam.
Blowpipe \Blow"pipe`\, n.
1. A tube for directing a jet of air into a fire or into the
flame of a lamp or candle, so as to concentrate the heat
on some object.
Note: It is called a mouth blowpipe when used with the mouth;
but for both chemical and industrial purposes, it is
often worked by a bellows or other contrivance. The
common {mouth blowpipe} is a tapering tube with a very
small orifice at the end to be inserted in the flame.
The {oxyhydrogen blowpipe}, invented by Dr. Hare in
1801, is an instrument in which oxygen and hydrogen,
taken from separate reservoirs, in the proportions of
two volumes of hydrogen to one of oxygen, are burned in
a jet, under pressure. It gives a heat that will
consume the diamond, fuse platinum, and dissipate in
vapor, or in gaseous forms, most known substances.
2. A blowgun; a blowtube.
{Blowpipe analysis} (Chem.), analysis by means of the
blowpipe.
{Blowpipe reaction} (Chem.), the characteristic behavior of a
substance subjected to a test by means of the blowpipe.
Blowpoint \Blow"point`\, n.
A child's game. [Obs.]
Blowse \Blowse\, n.
See {Blowze}.
Blowth \Blowth\, n. [From {Blow} to blossom: cf. {Growth}.]
A blossoming; a bloom. [Obs. or Archaic] ``In the blowth and
bud.'' --Sir W. Raleigh.
Blowtube \Blow"tube`\, n.
1. A blowgun. --Tylor.
2. A similar instrument, commonly of tin, used by boys for
discharging paper wads and other light missiles.
3. (Glassmaking) A long wrought iron tube, on the end of
which the workman gathers a quantity of ``metal'' (melted
glass), and through which he blows to expand or shape it;
-- called also {blowing tube}, and {blowpipe}.
Blow valve \Blow" valve`\ (Mach.)
See {Snifting valve}.
Blowy \Blow"y\, a.
Windy; as, blowy weather; a blowy upland.
Blowze \Blowze\, n. [Prob. from the same root as blush.]
A ruddy, fat-faced woman; a wench. [Obs.] --Shak.
Blowzed \Blowzed\, a.
Having high color from exposure to the weather; ruddy-faced;
blowzy; disordered.
Huge women blowzed with health and wind. --Tennyson.
Blowzy \Blowz"y\, a.
Coarse and ruddy-faced; fat and ruddy; high colored; frowzy.
Blub \Blub\, v. t. & i. [Cf. {Bleb}, {Blob}.]
To swell; to puff out, as with weeping. [Obs.]
Blubber \Blub"ber\, n. [See {Blobber}, {Blob}, {Bleb}.]
1. A bubble.
At his mouth a blubber stood of foam. --Henryson.
2. The fat of whales and other large sea animals from which
oil is obtained. It lies immediately under the skin and
over the muscular flesh.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A large sea nettle or medusa.
Blubber \Blub"ber\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blubbered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blubbering}.]
To weep noisily, or so as to disfigure the face; to cry in a
childish manner.
She wept, she blubbered, and she tore her hair.
--Swift.
Blubber \Blub"ber\, v. t.
1. To swell or disfigure (the face) with weeping; to wet with
tears.
Dear Cloe, how blubbered is that pretty face!
--Prior.
2. To give vent to (tears) or utter (broken words or cries);
-- with forth or out.
Blubbered \Blub"bered\, p. p. & a.
Swollen; turgid; as, a blubbered lip. --Spenser.
Blubbering \Blub"ber*ing\, n.
The act of weeping noisily.
He spake well save that his blubbering interrupted him.
--Winthrop.
Blubbery \Blub"ber*y\, a.
1. Swollen; protuberant.
2. Like blubber; gelatinous and quivering; as, a blubbery
mass.
Blucher \Blu"cher\ (bl[=u]"k[~e]r), n.
A kind of half boot, named from the Prussian general
Bl["u]cher. --Thackeray.
Bludgeon \Bludg"eon\, n. [Cf. Ir. blocan a little block, Gael.
plocan a mallet, W. plocyn, dim. of ploc block; or perh.
connected with E. blow a stroke. Cf. {Block}, {Blow} a
stroke.]
A short stick, with one end loaded, or thicker and heavier
that the other, used as an offensive weapon.
Blue \Blue\, a. [Compar. {Bluer}; superl. {Bluest}.] [OE. bla,
blo, blew, blue, Sw. bl?, D. blauw, OHG. bl?o, G. blau; but
influenced in form by F. bleu, from OHG. bl[=a]o.]
1. Having the color of the clear sky, or a hue resembling it,
whether lighter or darker; as, the deep, blue sea; as blue
as a sapphire; blue violets. ``The blue firmament.''
--Milton.
2. Pale, without redness or glare, -- said of a flame; hence,
of the color of burning brimstone, betokening the presence
of ghosts or devils; as, the candle burns blue; the air
was blue with oaths.
3. Low in spirits; melancholy; as, to feel blue.
4. Suited to produce low spirits; gloomy in prospect; as,
thongs looked blue. [Colloq.]
5. Severe or over strict in morals; gloom; as, blue and sour
religionists; suiting one who is over strict in morals;
inculcating an impracticable, severe, or gloomy mortality;
as, blue laws.
6. Literary; -- applied to women; -- an abbreviation of
bluestocking. [Colloq.]
The ladies were very blue and well informed.
--Thackeray.
{Blue asbestus}. See {Crocidolite}.
{Blue black}, of, or having, a very dark blue color, almost
black.
{Blue blood}. See under {Blood}.
{Blue buck} (Zo["o]l.), a small South African antelope
({Cephalophus pygm[ae]us}); also applied to a larger
species ({[AE]goceras leucoph[ae]u}s); the blaubok.
{Blue cod} (Zo["o]l.), the buffalo cod.
{Blue crab} (Zo["o]l.), the common edible crab of the
Atlantic coast of the United States ({Callinectes
hastatus}).
{Blue curls} (Bot.), a common plant ({Trichostema
dichotomum}), resembling pennyroyal, and hence called also
{bastard pennyroyal}.
{Blue devils}, apparitions supposed to be seen by persons
suffering with {delirium tremens}; hence, very low
spirits. ``Can Gumbo shut the hall door upon blue devils,
or lay them all in a red sea of claret?'' --Thackeray.
{Blue gage}. See under {Gage}, a plum.
{Blue gum}, an Australian myrtaceous tree ({Eucalyptus
globulus}), of the loftiest proportions, now cultivated in
tropical and warm temperate regions for its timber, and as
a protection against malaria. The essential oil is
beginning to be used in medicine. The timber is very
useful. See {Eucalyptus}.
{Blue jack}, {Blue stone}, blue vitriol; sulphate of copper.
{Blue jacket}, a man-of war's man; a sailor wearing a naval
uniform.
{Blue jaundice}. See under {Jaundice}.
{Blue laws}, a name first used in the eighteenth century to
describe certain supposititious laws of extreme rigor
reported to have been enacted in New Haven; hence, any
puritanical laws. [U. S.]
{Blue light}, a composition which burns with a brilliant blue
flame; -- used in pyrotechnics and as a night signal at
sea, and in military operations.
{Blue mantle} (Her.), one of the four pursuivants of the
English college of arms; -- so called from the color of
his official robes.
{Blue mass}, a preparation of mercury from which is formed
the blue pill. --McElrath.
{Blue mold}, or mould, the blue fungus ({Aspergillus
glaucus}) which grows on cheese. --Brande & C.
{Blue Monday}, a Monday following a Sunday of dissipation, or
itself given to dissipation (as the Monday before Lent).
{Blue ointment} (Med.), mercurial ointment.
{Blue Peter} (British Marine), a blue flag with a white
square in the center, used as a signal for sailing, to
recall boats, etc. It is a corruption of blue repeater,
one of the British signal flags.
{Blue pill}. (Med.)
(a) A pill of prepared mercury, used as an aperient, etc.
(b) Blue mass.
{Blue ribbon}.
(a) The ribbon worn by members of the order of the Garter;
-- hence, a member of that order.
(b) Anything the attainment of which is an object of great
ambition; a distinction; a prize. ``These
[scholarships] were the --blue ribbon of the
college.'' --Farrar.
(c) The distinctive badge of certain temperance or total
abstinence organizations, as of the --Blue ribbon
Army.
{Blue ruin}, utter ruin; also, gin. [Eng. Slang] --Carlyle.
{Blue spar} (Min.), azure spar; lazulite. See {Lazulite}.
{Blue thrush} (Zo["o]l.), a European and Asiatic thrush
({Petrocossyphus cyaneas}).
{Blue verditer}. See {Verditer}.
{Blue vitriol} (Chem.), sulphate of copper, a violet blue
crystallized salt, used in electric batteries, calico
printing, etc.
{Blue water}, the open ocean.
{To look blue}, to look disheartened or dejected.
{True blue}, genuine and thorough; not modified, nor mixed;
not spurious; specifically, of uncompromising
Presbyterianism, blue being the color adopted by the
Covenanters.
For his religion . . . 'T was Presbyterian, true blue.
--Hudibras.
Blue \Blue\ (bl[=u]), n.
1. One of the seven colors into which the rays of light
divide themselves, when refracted through a glass prism;
the color of the clear sky, or a color resembling that,
whether lighter or darker; a pigment having such color.
Sometimes, poetically, the sky.
2. A pedantic woman; a bluestocking. [Colloq.]
3. pl. [Short for blue devils.] Low spirits; a fit of
despondency; melancholy. [Colloq.]
{Berlin blue}, Prussian blue.
{Mineral blue}. See under {Mineral}.
{Prussian blue}. See under {Prussian}.
Blue \Blue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blued}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bluing}.]
To make blue; to dye of a blue color; to make blue by
heating, as metals, etc.
Blueback \Blue"back`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A trout ({Salmo oquassa}) inhabiting some of the lakes of
Maine.
(b) A salmon ({Oncorhynchus nerka}) of the Columbia River and
northward.
(c) An American river herring ({Clupea [ae]stivalis}),
closely allied to the alewife.
Bluebeard \Blue"beard\, n.
The hero of a medi[ae]val French nursery legend, who, leaving
home, enjoined his young wife not to open a certain room in
his castle. She entered it, and found the murdered bodies of
his former wives. -- Also used adjectively of a subject which
it is forbidden to investigate.
The Bluebeard chamber of his mind, into which no eye
but his own must look. --Carlyle.
Bluebell \Blue"bell`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A plant of the genus {Campanula}, especially the
{Campanula rotundifolia}, which bears blue bell-shaped
flowers; the harebell.
(b) A plant of the genus {Scilla} ({Scilla nutans}).
Blueberry \Blue"berry\, n. [Cf. {Blaeberry}.] (Bot.)
The berry of several species of {Vaccinium}, an ericaceous
genus, differing from the American huckleberries in
containing numerous minute seeds instead of ten nutlets. The
commonest species are {V. Pennsylvanicum} and {V. vacillans}.
{V. corymbosum} is the tall blueberry.
Bluebill \Blue"bill`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A duck of the genus {Fuligula}. Two American species ({F.
marila} and {F. affinis}) are common. See {Scaup duck}.
Bluebird \Blue"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small song bird ({Sialia sialis}), very common in the
United States, and, in the north, one of the earliest to
arrive in spring. The male is blue, with the breast reddish.
It is related to the European robin.
{Pairy bluebird} (Zo["o]l.), a brilliant Indian or East
Indian bird of the genus {Irena}, of several species.
Blue bonnet \Blue" bon`net\ or Blue-bonnet \Blue"-bon`net\, n.
1. A broad, flat Scottish cap of blue woolen, or one wearing
such cap; a Scotchman.
2. (Bot.) A plant. Same as {Bluebottle}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The European blue titmouse ({Parus
c[oe]ruleus}); the bluecap.
Blue book \Blue" book`\
1. A parliamentary publication, so called from its blue paper
covers. [Eng.]
2. The United States official ``Biennial Register.''
Bluebottle \Blue"bot`tle\, n.
1. (Bot.) A plant ({Centaurea cyanus}) which grows in grain
fields. It receives its name from its blue bottle-shaped
flowers.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large and troublesome species of blowfly
({Musca vomitoria}). Its body is steel blue.
Bluebreast \Blue"breast`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small European bird; the blue-throated warbler.
Bluecap \Blue"cap`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The bluepoll.
(b) The blue bonnet or blue titmouse.
2. A Scot; a Scotchman; -- so named from wearing a blue
bonnet. [Poetic] --Shak.
Bluecoat \Blue"coat`\, n.
One dressed in blue, as a soldier, a sailor, a beadle, etc.
Blue-eye \Blue"-eye`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The blue-cheeked honeysucker of Australia.
Blue-eyed \Blue"-eyed`\, a.
Having blue eyes.
Blue-eyed grass \Blue-eyed grass\(Bot.)
a grasslike plant ({Sisyrinchium anceps}), with small flowers
of a delicate blue color.
Bluefin \Blue"fin`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A species of whitefish ({Coregonus nigripinnis}) found in
Lake Michigan.
Bluefish \Blue"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
1. A large voracious fish ({Pomatomus saitatrix}), of the
family {Carangid[ae]}, valued as a food fish, and widely
distributed on the American coast. On the New Jersey and
Rhode Island coast it is called the {horse mackerel}, in
Virginia {saltwater tailor}, or {skipjack}.
2. A West Indian fish ({Platyglossus radiatus}), of the
family {Labrid[ae]}.
Note: The name is applied locally to other species of fishes;
as the cunner, sea bass, squeteague, etc.
Bluegown \Blue"gown`\, n.
One of a class of paupers or pensioners, or licensed beggars,
in Scotland, to whim annually on the king's birthday were
distributed certain alms, including a blue gown; a beadsman.
Blue grass \Blue" grass`\ (Bot.)
A species of grass ({Poa compressa}) with bluish green stems,
valuable in thin gravelly soils; wire grass.
{Kentucky blue grass}, a species of grass ({Poa pratensis})
which has running rootstocks and spreads rapidly. It is
valuable as a pasture grass, as it endures both winter and
drought better than other kinds, and is very nutritious.
Blue jay \Blue" jay`\ (Zo["o]l.)
The common jay of the United States ({Cyanocitta, or Cyanura,
cristata}). The predominant color is bright blue.
Blue-john \Blue"-john`\, n.
A name given to fluor spar in Derbyshire, where it is used
for ornamental purposes.
Bluely \Blue"ly\, adv.
With a blue color. --Swift.
Blueness \Blue"ness\, n.
The quality of being blue; a blue color. --Boyle.
Bluenose \Blue"nose\, n.
A nickname for a Nova Scotian.
Bluepoll \Blue"poll`\, n. [Blue + poll head.] (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of salmon ({Salmo Cambricus}) found in Wales.
Blueprint \Blue"print\
See under {Print}.
Bluestocking \Blue"stock`ing\, n.
1. A literary lady; a female pedant. [Colloq.]
Note: As explained in Boswell's ``Life of Dr. Johnson'', this
term is derived from the name given to certain meetings
held by ladies, in Johnson's time, for conversation
with distinguished literary men. An eminent attendant
of these assemblies was a Mr. Stillingfleet, who always
wore blue stockings. He was so much distinguished for
his conversational powers that his absence at any time
was felt to be a great loss, so that the remark became
common, ``We can do nothing without the blue
stockings.'' Hence these meetings were sportively
called bluestocking clubs, and the ladies who attended
them, bluestockings.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The American avocet ({Recurvirostra
Americana}).
Bluestockingism \Blue"stock`ing*ism\, n.
The character or manner of a bluestocking; female pedantry.
[Colloq.]
Bluestone \Blue"stone`\, n.
1. Blue vitriol. --Dunglison.
2. A grayish blue building stone, as that commonly used in
the eastern United States.
Bluethroat \Blue"throat`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A singing bird of northern Europe and Asia ({Cyanecula
Suecica}), related to the nightingales; -- called also
{blue-throated robin} and {blue-throated warbler}.
Bluets \Blu"ets\, n. [F. bluet, bleuet, dim. of bleu blue. See
{Blue}, a.] (Bot.)
A name given to several different species of plants having
blue flowers, as the {Houstonia c[oe]rulea}, the {Centaurea
cyanus} or bluebottle, and the {Vaccinium angustifolium}.
Blue-veined \Blue"-veined`\, a.
Having blue veins or blue streaks.
Bluewing \Blue"wing`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The blue-winged teal. See {Teal}.
Bluey \Blue"y\,a.
Bluish. --Southey.
Bluff \Bluff\, a. [Cf. OD. blaf flat, broad, blaffaert one with
a broad face, also, a boaster; or G. verbl["u]ffen to
confuse, LG. bluffen to frighten; to unknown origin.]
1. Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a
ship. ``Bluff visages.'' --Irving.
2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front. ``A bluff or
bold shore.'' --Falconer.
Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and
precipitous aspect. --Judd.
3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
4. Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as,
a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea
captain. ``Bluff King Hal.'' --Sir W. Scott.
There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a
proper defense in a moment of surprise. --I. Taylor.
Bluff \Bluff\, n.
1. A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a
ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
Beach, bluff, and wave, adieu. --Whittier.
2. An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for
the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only
bluff, or a bluff.
3. A game at cards; poker. [U.S.] --Bartlett.
Bluff \Bluff\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bluffed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bluffing}.]
1. (Poker) To deter (an opponent) from taking the risk of
betting on his hand of cards, as the bluffer does by
betting heavily on his own hand although it may be of less
value. [U. S.]
2. To frighten or deter from accomplishing a purpose by
making a show of confidence in one's strength or
resources; as, he bluffed me off. [Colloq.]
Bluff \Bluff\, v. i.
To act as in the game of bluff.
Bluff-bowed \Bluff"-bowed`\, a. (Naut.)
Built with the stem nearly straight up and down.
Bluffer \Bluff"er\, n.
One who bluffs.
Bluff-headed \Bluff"-head`ed\, a. (Naut.)
Built with the stem nearly straight up and down.
Bluffness \Bluff"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being bluff.
Bluffy \Bluff"y\, a.
1. Having bluffs, or bold, steep banks.
2. Inclined to bo bluff; brusque.
Bluing \Blu"ing\, n.
1. The act of rendering blue; as, the bluing of steel.
--Tomlinson.
2. Something to give a bluish tint, as indigo, or
preparations used by washerwomen.
Bluish \Blu"ish\, a.
Somewhat blue; as, bluish veins. ``Bluish mists.'' --Dryden.
-- {Blu"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Blu"ish*ness}, n.
Blunder \Blun"der\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blundered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blundering}.] [OE. blunderen, blondren, to stir,
confuse, blunder; perh. allied to blend to mix, to confound
by mixture.]
1. To make a gross error or mistake; as, to blunder in
writing or preparing a medical prescription. --Swift.
2. To move in an awkward, clumsy manner; to flounder and
stumble.
I was never distinguished for address, and have
often even blundered in making my bow. --Goldsmith.
Yet knows not how to find the uncertain place, And
blunders on, and staggers every pace. --Dryden.
{To blunder on}.
(a) To continue blundering.
(b) To find or reach as if by an accident involving more
or less stupidity, -- applied to something desirable;
as, to blunder on a useful discovery.
Blunder \Blun"der\, v. t.
1. To cause to blunder. [Obs.] ``To blunder an adversary.''
--Ditton.
2. To do or treat in a blundering manner; to confuse.
He blunders and confounds all these together.
--Stillingfleet.
Blunder \Blun"der\, n.
1. Confusion; disturbance. [Obs.]
2. A gross error or mistake, resulting from carelessness,
stupidity, or culpable ignorance.
Syn: {Blunder}, {Error}, {Mistake}, {Bull}.
Usage: An error is a departure or deviation from that which
is right or correct; as, an error of the press; an
error of judgment. A mistake is the interchange or
taking of one thing for another, through haste,
inadvertence, etc.; as, a careless mistake. A blunder
is a mistake or error of a gross kind. It supposes a
person to flounder on in his course, from
carelessness, ignorance, or stupidity. A bull is a
verbal blunder containing a laughable incongruity of
ideas.
Blunderbuss \Blun"der*buss\, n. [Either fr. blunder + D. bus
tube, box, akin to G. b["u]chse box, gun, E. box; or
corrupted fr. D. donderbus (literally) thunder box, gun,
musket.]
1. A short gun or firearm, with a large bore, capable of
holding a number of balls, and intended to do execution
without exact aim.
2. A stupid, blundering fellow.
Blunderer \Blun"der*er\, n.
One who is apt to blunder.
Blunderhead \Blun"der*head`\, n. [Blunder + head.]
A stupid, blundering fellow.
Blundering \Blun"der*ing\, a.
Characterized by blunders.
Blunderingly \Blun"der*ing*ly\, adv.
In a blundering manner.
Blunge \Blunge\, v. t.
To amalgamate and blend; to beat up or mix in water, as clay.
Blunger \Blun"ger\, n. [Corrupted from plunger.]
A wooden blade with a cross handle, used for mi?ing the clay
in potteries; a plunger. --Tomlinson.
Blunging \Blun"ging\, n.
The process of mixing clay in potteries with a blunger.
--Tomlinson.
Blunt \Blunt\, a. [Cf. Prov. G. bludde a dull or blunt knife,
Dan. blunde to sleep, Sw. & Icel. blunda; or perh. akin to E.
blind.]
1. Having a thick edge or point, as an instrument; dull; not
sharp.
The murderous knife was dull and blunt. --Shak.
2. Dull in understanding; slow of discernment; stupid; --
opposed to {acute}.
His wits are not so blunt. --Shak.
3. Abrupt in address; plain; unceremonious; wanting the forms
of civility; rough in manners or speech. ``Hiding his
bitter jests in blunt behavior.'' ``A plain, blunt man.''
--Shak.
4. Hard to impress or penetrate. [R.]
I find my heart hardened and blunt to new
impressions. --Pope.
Note: Blunt is much used in composition, as blunt-edged,
blunt-sighted, blunt-spoken.
Syn: Obtuse; dull; pointless; curt; short; coarse; rude;
brusque; impolite; uncivil.
Blunt \Blunt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blunted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blunting}.]
1. To dull the edge or point of, by making it thicker; to
make blunt. --Shak.
2. To repress or weaken, as any appetite, desire, or power of
the mind; to impair the force, keenness, or
susceptibility, of; as, to blunt the feelings.
Blunt \Blunt\, n.
1. A fencer's foil. [Obs.]
2. A short needle with a strong point. See {Needle}.
3. Money. [Cant] --Beaconsfield.
Bluntish \Blunt"ish\, a.
Somewhat blunt. -- {Blunt"ish*ness}, n.
Bluntly \Blunt"ly\, adv.
In a blunt manner; coarsely; plainly; abruptly; without
delicacy, or the usual forms of civility.
Sometimes after bluntly giving his opinions, he would
quietly lay himself asleep until the end of their
deliberations. --Jeffrey.
Bluntness \Blunt"ness\, n.
1. Want of edge or point; dullness; obtuseness; want of
sharpness.
The multitude of elements and bluntness of angles.
--Holland.
2. Abruptness of address; rude plainness. ``Bluntness of
speech.'' --Boyle.
Blunt-witted \Blunt"-wit`ted\, n.
Dull; stupid.
Blunt-witted lord, ignoble in demeanor! --Shak.
Blur \Blur\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blurred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Blurring}.] [Prob. of same origin as blear. See {Blear}.]
1. To render obscure by making the form or outline of
confused and uncertain, as by soiling; to smear; to make
indistinct and confused; as, to blur manuscript by
handling it while damp; to blur the impression of a
woodcut by an excess of ink.
But time hath nothing blurred those lines of favor
Which then he wore. --Shak.
2. To cause imperfection of vision in; to dim; to darken.
Her eyes are blurred with the lightning's glare.
--J. R. Drake.
3. To sully; to stain; to blemish, as reputation.
Sarcasms may eclipse thine own, But can not blur my
lost renown. --Hudibras.
Syn: To spot; blot; disfigure; stain; sully.
Blur \Blur\ (bl[^u]r), n.
1. That which obscures without effacing; a stain; a blot, as
upon paper or other substance.
As for those who cleanse blurs with blotted fingers,
they make it worse. --Fuller.
2. A dim, confused appearance; indistinctness of vision; as,
to see things with a blur; it was all blur.
3. A moral stain or blot.
Lest she . . . will with her railing set a great
blur on mine honesty and good name. --Udall.
Blurry \Blur"ry\ (bl[^u]r"r[y^]), a.
Full of blurs; blurred.
Blurt \Blurt\ (bl[^u]rt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blurted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Blurting}.] [Cf. {Blare}.]
To utter suddenly and unadvisedly; to divulge
inconsiderately; to ejaculate; -- commonly with out.
Others . . . can not hold, but blurt out, those words
which afterward they forced to eat. --Hakewill.
{To blurt at}, to speak contemptuously of. [Obs.] --Shak.
Blush \Blush\ (bl[u^]sh) v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blushed}
(bl[u^]sht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Blushing}.] [OE. bluschen to
shine, look, turn red, AS. blyscan to glow; akin to blysa a
torch, [=a]bl[=y]sian to blush, D. blozen, Dan. blusse to
blaze, blush.]
1. To become suffused with red in the cheeks, as from a sense
of shame, modesty, or confusion; to become red from such
cause, as the cheeks or face.
To the nuptial bower I led her blushing like the
morn. --Milton.
In the presence of the shameless and unblushing, the
young offender is ashamed to blush. --Buckminster.
He would stroke The head of modest and ingenuous
worth, That blushed at its own praise. --Cowper.
2. To grow red; to have a red or rosy color.
The sun of heaven, methought, was loth to set, But
stayed, and made the western welkin blush. --Shak.
3. To have a warm and delicate color, as some roses and other
flowers.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen. --T.
Gray.
Blush \Blush\, v. t.
1. To suffuse with a blush; to redden; to make roseate.
[Obs.]
To blush and beautify the cheek again. --Shak.
2. To express or make known by blushing.
I'll blush you thanks. --Shak.
Blush \Blush\, n.
1. A suffusion of the cheeks or face with red, as from a
sense of shame, confusion, or modesty.
The rosy blush of love. --Trumbull.
2. A red or reddish color; a rosy tint.
Light's last blushes tinged the distant hills.
--Lyttleton.
{At first blush}, or {At the first blush}, at the first
appearance or view. ``At the first blush, we thought they
had been ships come from France.'' --Hakluyt.
Note: This phrase is used now more of ideas, opinions, etc.,
than of material things. ``All purely identical
propositions, obviously, and at first blush, appear,''
etc. --Locke.
{To put to the blush}, to cause to blush with shame; to put
to shame.
Blusher \Blush"er\ (bl[u^]sh"[~e]r), n.
One that blushes.
Blushet \Blush"et\, n.
A modest girl. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Blushful \Blush"ful\, a.
Full of blushes.
While from his ardent look the turning Spring Averts
her blushful face. --Thomson.
Blushing \Blush"ing\, a.
Showing blushes; rosy red; having a warm and delicate color
like some roses and other flowers; blooming; ruddy; roseate.
The dappled pink and blushing rose. --Prior.
Blushing \Blush"ing\, n.
The act of turning red; the appearance of a reddish color or
flush upon the cheeks.
Blushingly \Blush"ing*ly\, adv.
In a blushing manner; with a blush or blushes; as, to answer
or confess blushingly.
Blushless \Blush"less\, a.
Free from blushes; incapable of blushing; shameless;
impudent.
Vice now, secure, her blushless front shall raise.
--Dodsley.
Blushy \Blush"y\, a.
Like a blush; having the color of a blush; rosy. [R.] ``A
blushy color.'' --Harvey.
Bluster \Blus"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Blustered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blustering}.] [Allied to blast.]
1. To blow fitfully with violence and noise, as wind; to be
windy and boisterous, as the weather.
And ever-threatening storms Of Chaos blustering
round. --Milton.
2. To talk with noisy violence; to swagger, as a turbulent or
boasting person; to act in a noisy, tumultuous way; to
play the bully; to storm; to rage.
Your ministerial directors blustered like tragic
tyrants. --Burke.
Bluster \Blus"ter\, v. t.
To utter, or do, with noisy violence; to force by blustering;
to bully.
He bloweth and blustereth out . . . his abominable
blasphemy. --Sir T. More.
As if therewith he meant to bluster all princes into a
perfect obedience to his commands. --Fuller.
Bluster \Blus"ter\, n.
1. Fitful noise and violence, as of a storm; violent winds;
boisterousness.
To the winds they set Their corners, when with
bluster to confound Sea, air, and shore. --Milton.
2. Noisy and violent or threatening talk; noisy and boastful
language. --L'Estrange.
Syn: Noise; boisterousness; tumult; turbulence; confusion;
boasting; swaggering; bullying.
Blusterer \Blus"ter*er\, n.
One who, or that which, blusters; a noisy swaggerer.
Blustering \Blus"ter*ing\, a.
1. Exhibiting noisy violence, as the wind; stormy;
tumultuous.
A tempest and a blustering day. --Shak.
2. Uttering noisy threats; noisy and swaggering; boisterous.
``A blustering fellow.'' --L'Estrange.
Blusteringly \Blus"ter*ing*ly\, adv.
In a blustering manner.
Blusterous \Blus"ter*ous\, a.
Inclined to bluster; given to blustering; blustering.
--Motley.
Blustrous \Blus"trous\, a.
Blusterous. --Shak.
Bo \Bo\, interj. [Cf. W. bw, an interj. of threatening or
frightening; n., terror, fear, dread.]
An exclamation used to startle or frighten. [Spelt also {boh}
and {boo}.]
Boa \Bo"a\, n.; pl. {Boas} . [L. boa a kind of water serpent.
Perh. fr. bos an ox.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of large American serpents, including
the boa constrictor, the emperor boa of Mexico ({B.
imperator}), and the chevalier boa of Peru ({B. eques}).
Note: The name is also applied to related genera; as, the
dog-headed boa ({Xiphosoma caninum}).
2. A long, round fur tippet; -- so called from its
resemblance in shape to the boa constrictor.
Boa constrictor \Bo"a con*strict"or\ [NL. See {Boa}, and
{Constrictor}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large and powerful serpent of tropical America, sometimes
twenty or thirty feet long. See Illustration in Appendix.
Note: It has a succession of spots, alternately black and
yellow, extending along the back. It kills its prey by
constriction. The name is also loosely applied to other
large serpents which crush their prey, particularly to
those of the genus Python, found in Asia and Africa.
Boanerges \Bo`a*ner"ges\ [Gr. ?, fr. Heb. bn? hargem sons of
thunder. -- an appellation given by Christ to two of his
disciples (James and John). See Mark iii. 17.]
Any declamatory and vociferous preacher or orator.
Boar \Boar\, n. [OE. bar, bor, bore, AS. b[=a]r; akin to OHG.
p?r, MHG. b?r, G. b["a]r, boar (but not b["a]r bear), and
perh. Russ. borov' boar.] (Zo["o]l.)
The uncastrated male of swine; specifically, the wild hog.
Board \Board\, n. [OE. bord, AS. bord board, shipboard; akin to
bred plank, Icel. bor? board, side of a ship, Goth.
f?tu-baurd]/> footstool, D. bord board, G. brett, bort. See
def. 8. [root]92.]
1. A piece of timber sawed thin, and of considerable length
and breadth as compared with the thickness, -- used for
building, etc.
Note: When sawed thick, as over one and a half or two inches,
it is usually called a plank.
2. A table to put food upon.
Note: The term board answers to the modern table, but it was
often movable, and placed on trestles. --Halliwell.
Fruit of all kinds . . . She gathers, tribute
large, and on the board Heaps with unsparing
hand. --Milton.
3. Hence: What is served on a table as food; stated meals;
provision; entertainment; -- usually as furnished for pay;
as, to work for one's board; the price of board.
4. A table at which a council or court is held. Hence: A
council, convened for business, or any authorized assembly
or meeting, public or private; a number of persons
appointed or elected to sit in council for the management
or direction of some public or private business or trust;
as, the Board of Admiralty; a board of trade; a board of
directors, trustees, commissioners, etc.
Both better acquainted with affairs than any other
who sat then at that board. --Clarendon.
We may judge from their letters to the board.
--Porteus.
5. A square or oblong piece of thin wood or other material
used for some special purpose, as, a molding board; a
board or surface painted or arranged for a game; as, a
chessboard; a backgammon board.
6. Paper made thick and stiff like a board, for book covers,
etc.; pasteboard; as, to bind a book in boards.
7. pl. The stage in a theater; as, to go upon the boards, to
enter upon the theatrical profession.
8. [In this use originally perh. a different word meaning
border, margin; cf. D. boord, G. bord, shipboard, and G.
borte trimming; also F. bord (fr. G.) the side of a ship.
Cf. {Border}.] The border or side of anything. (Naut.)
(a) The side of a ship. ``Now board to board the rival
vessels row.'' --Dryden. See {On board}, below.
(b) The stretch which a ship makes in one tack.
Note: Board is much used adjectively or as the last part of a
compound; as, fir board, clapboard, floor board,
shipboard, sideboard, ironing board, chessboard,
cardboard, pasteboard, seaboard; board measure.
{The American Board}, a shortened form of ``The American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions'' (the foreign
missionary society of the American Congregational
churches).
{Bed and board}. See under {Bed}.
{Board and board} (Naut.), side by side.
{Board of control}, six privy councilors formerly appointed
to superintend the affairs of the British East Indies.
--Stormonth.
{Board rule}, a figured scale for finding without calculation
the number of square feet in a board. --Haldeman.
{Board of trade}, in England, a committee of the privy
council appointed to superintend matters relating to
trade. In the United States, a body of men appointed for
the advancement and protection of their business
interests; a chamber of commerce.
{Board wages}.
(a) Food and lodging supplied as compensation for
services; as, to work hard, and get only board wages.
(b) Money wages which are barely sufficient to buy food
and lodging.
(c) A separate or special allowance of wages for the
procurement of food, or food and lodging. --Dryden.
{By the board}, over the board, or side. ``The mast went by
the board.'' --Totten. Hence (Fig.),
{To go by the board}, to suffer complete destruction or
overthrow.
{To enter on the boards}, to have one's name inscribed on a
board or tablet in a college as a student. [Cambridge,
England.] ``Having been entered on the boards of Trinity
college.'' --Hallam.
{To make a good board} (Naut.), to sail in a straight line
when close-hauled; to lose little to leeward.
{To make short boards}, to tack frequently.
{On board}.
(a) On shipboard; in a ship or a boat; on board of; as, I
came on board early; to be on board ship.
(b) In or into a railway car or train. [Colloq. U. S.]
{Returning board}, a board empowered to canvass and make an
official statement of the votes cast at an election.
[U.S.]
Board \Board\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boarded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Boarding}.]
1. To cover with boards or boarding; as, to board a house.
``The boarded hovel.'' --Cowper.
2. [Cf. {Board} to accost, and see {Board}, n.] To go on
board of, or enter, as a ship, whether in a hostile or a
friendly way.
You board an enemy to capture her, and a stranger to
receive news or make a communication. --Totten.
3. To enter, as a railway car. [Colloq. U. S.]
4. To furnish with regular meals, or with meals and lodgings,
for compensation; to supply with daily meals.
5. To place at board, for compensation; as, to board one's
horse at a livery stable.
Board \Board\, v. i.
To obtain meals, or meals and lodgings, statedly for
compensation; as, he boards at the hotel.
We are several of us, gentlemen and ladies, who board
in the same house. --Spectator.
Board \Board\, v. t. [F. aborder. See {Abord}, v. t.]
To approach; to accost; to address; hence, to woo. [Obs.]
I will board her, though she chide as loud As thunder
when the clouds in autumn crack. --Shak.
Boardable \Board"a*ble\, a.
That can be boarded, as a ship.
Boarder \Board"er\, n.
1. One who has food statedly at another's table, or meals and
lodgings in his house, for pay, or compensation of any
kind.
2. (Naut.) One who boards a ship; one selected to board an
enemy's ship. --Totten.
Boarding \Board"ing\, n.
1. (Naut.) The act of entering a ship, whether with a hostile
or a friendly purpose.
Both slain at one time, as they attempted the
boarding of a frigate. --Sir F.
Drake.
2. The act of covering with boards; also, boards,
collectively; or a covering made of boards.
3. The act of supplying, or the state of being supplied, with
regular or specified meals, or with meals and lodgings,
for pay.
{Boarding house}, a house in which boarders are kept.
{Boarding nettings} (Naut.), a strong network of cords or
ropes erected at the side of a ship to prevent an enemy
from boarding it.
{Boarding pike} (Naut.), a pike used by sailors in boarding a
vessel, or in repelling an attempt to board it. --Totten.
{Boarding school}, a school in which pupils receive board and
lodging as well as instruction.
Boarfish \Boar"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A Mediterranean fish ({Capros aper}), of the family
{Caproid[ae]}; -- so called from the resemblance of
the extended lips to a hog's snout.
(b) An Australian percoid fish ({Histiopterus
recurvirostris}), valued as a food fish.
Boarish \Boar"ish\, a.
Swinish; brutal; cruel.
In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. --Shak.
Boast \Boast\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Boasted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Boasting}.] [OE. bosten, boosten, v., bost, boost, n.,
noise, boasting; cf. G. bausen, bauschen, to swell, pusten,
Dan. puste, Sw. pusta, to blow, Sw. p["o]sa to swell; or W.
bostio to boast, bost boast, Gael. bosd. But these last may
be from English.]
1. To vaunt one's self; to brag; to say or tell things which
are intended to give others a high opinion of one's self
or of things belonging to one's self; as, to boast of
one's exploits courage, descent, wealth.
By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: . . not of works, lest any man should
boast. --Eph. ii. 8,
9.
2. To speak in exulting language of another; to glory; to
exult.
In God we boast all the day long. --Ps. xliv. 8
Syn: To brag; bluster; vapor; crow; talk big.
Boast \Boast\, v. t.
1. To display in ostentatious language; to speak of with
pride, vanity, or exultation, with a view to
self-commendation; to extol.
Lest bad men should boast Their specious deeds.
--Milton.
2. To display vaingloriously.
3. To possess or have; as, to boast a name.
{To boast one's self}, to speak with unbecoming confidence
in, and approval of, one's self; -- followed by of and the
thing to which the boasting relates. [Archaic]
Boast not thyself of to-morrow. --Prov. xxvii.
1
Boast \Boast\, v. t. [Of uncertain etymology.]
1. (Masonry) To dress, as a stone, with a broad chisel.
--Weale.
2. (Sculp.) To shape roughly as a preparation for the finer
work to follow; to cut to the general form required.
Boast \Boast\, n.
1. Act of boasting; vaunting or bragging.
Reason and morals? and where live they most, In
Christian comfort, or in Stoic boast! --Byron.
2. The cause of boasting; occasion of pride or exultation, --
sometimes of laudable pride or exultation.
The boast of historians. --Macaulay.
Boastance \Boast"ance\, n.
Boasting. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Boaster \Boast"er\, n.
One who boasts; a braggart.
Boaster \Boast"er\, n.
A stone mason's broad-faced chisel.
Boastful \Boast"ful\, a.
Given to, or full of, boasting; inclined to boast; vaunting;
vainglorious; self-praising. -- {Boast"ful*ly}, adv. --
{Boast"ful*ness}, n.
Boasting \Boast"ing\, n.
The act of glorying or vaunting; vainglorious speaking;
ostentatious display.
When boasting ends, then dignity begins. --Young.
Boastingly \Boast"ing*ly\, adv.
Boastfully; with boasting. ``He boastingly tells you.''
--Burke.
Boastive \Boast"ive\, a.
Presumptuous. [R.]
Boastless \Boast"less\, a.
Without boasting or ostentation.
Boat \Boat\, n. [OE. boot, bat, AS. b[=a]t; akin to Icel.
b[=a]tr, Sw. b[*a]t, Dan. baad, D. & G. boot. Cf. {Bateau}.]
1. A small open vessel, or water craft, usually moved by cars
or paddles, but often by a sail.
Note: Different kinds of boats have different names; as,
canoe, yawl, wherry, pinnace, punt, etc.
2. Hence, any vessel; usually with some epithet descriptive
of its use or mode of propulsion; as, pilot boat, packet
boat, passage boat, advice boat, etc. The term is
sometimes applied to steam vessels, even of the largest
class; as, the Cunard boats.
3. A vehicle, utensil, or dish, somewhat resembling a boat in
shape; as, a stone boat; a gravy boat.
Note: Boat is much used either adjectively or in combination;
as, boat builder or boatbuilder; boat building or
boatbuilding; boat hook or boathook; boathouse; boat
keeper or boatkeeper; boat load; boat race; boat
racing; boat rowing; boat song; boatlike; boat-shaped.
{Advice boat}. See under {Advice}.
{Boat hook} (Naut.), an iron hook with a point on the back,
fixed to a long pole, to pull or push a boat, raft, log,
etc. --Totten.
{Boat rope}, a rope for fastening a boat; -- usually called a
{painter}.
{In the same boat}, in the same situation or predicament.
[Colloq.] --F. W. Newman.
Boat \Boat\ (b[=o]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Boating}.]
1. To transport in a boat; as, to boat goods.
2. To place in a boat; as, to boat oars.
{To boat the oars}. See under {Oar}.
Boat \Boat\, v. i.
To go or row in a boat.
I boated over, ran my craft aground. --Tennyson.
Boatable \Boat"a*ble\, a.
1. Such as can be transported in a boat.
2. Navigable for boats, or small river craft.
The boatable waters of the Alleghany. --J. Morse.
Boatage \Boat"age\, n.
Conveyance by boat; also, a charge for such conveyance.
Boatbill \Boat"bill`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
1. A wading bird ({Cancroma cochlearia}) of the tropical
parts of South America. Its bill is somewhat like a boat
with the keel uppermost.
2. A perching bird of India, of the genus {Eurylaimus}.
Boat bug \Boat" bug`\ (Zo["o]l.)
An aquatic hemipterous insect of the genus {Notonecta}; -- so
called from swimming on its back, which gives it the
appearance of a little boat. Called also {boat fly}, {boat
insect}, {boatman}, and {water boatman}.
Boatful \Boat"ful\, n.; pl. {Boatfuls}.
The quantity or amount that fills a boat.
Boathouse \Boat"house`\, n.
A house for sheltering boats.
Half the latticed boathouse hides. --Wordsworth.
Boating \Boat"ing\, n.
1. The act or practice of rowing or sailing, esp. as an
amusement; carriage in boats.
2. In Persia, a punishment of capital offenders, by laying
them on the back in a covered boat, where they are left to
perish.
Boation \Bo*a"tion\, n. [L. boatus, fr. boare to roar.]
A crying out; a roaring; a bellowing; reverberation. [Obs.]
The guns were heard . . . about a hundred Italian
miles, in long boations. --Derham.
Boatman \Boat"man\, n.; pl. {Boatmen}.
1. A man who manages a boat; a rower of a boat.
As late the boatman hies him home. --Percival.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A boat bug. See {Boat bug}.
Boatmanship \Boat"man*ship\, n.
The art of managing a boat.
Boat-shaped \Boat"-shaped`\, a. (Bot.)
See {Cymbiform}.
Boat shell \Boat" shell`\ (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A marine gastropod of the genus {Crepidula}. The species
are numerous. It is so named from its form and interior
deck.
(b) A marine univalve shell of the genus {Cymba}.
Boatsman \Boats"man\, n.
A boatman. [Archaic]
Boatswain \Boat"swain\, n. [Boat + swain.]
1. (Naut.) An officer who has charge of the boats, sails,
rigging, colors, anchors, cables, cordage, etc., of a
ship, and who also summons the crew, and performs other
duties.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The jager gull.
(b) The tropic bird.
{Boatswain's mate}, an assistant of the boatswain. --Totten.
Boat-tail \Boat"-tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large grackle or blackbird ({Quiscalus major}), found in
the Southern United States.
Boatwoman \Boat"wom`an\, n.; pl. {Boatwomen}.
A woman who manages a boat.
Bob \Bob\, n. [An onomatopoetic word, expressing quick, jerky
motion; OE. bob bunch, bobben to strike, mock, deceive. Cf.
Prov. Eng. bob, n., a ball, an engine beam, bunch, blast,
trick, taunt, scoff; as, a v., to dance, to courtesy, to
disappoint, OF. bober to mock.]
1. Anything that hangs so as to play loosely, or with a short
abrupt motion, as at the end of a string; a pendant; as,
the bob at the end of a kite's tail.
In jewels dressed and at each ear a bob. --Dryden.
2. A knot of worms, or of rags, on a string, used in angling,
as for eels; formerly, a worm suitable for bait.
Or yellow bobs, turned up before the plow, Are
chiefest baits, with cork and lead enow. --Lauson.
3. A small piece of cork or light wood attached to a fishing
line to show when a fish is biting; a float.
4. The ball or heavy part of a pendulum; also, the ball or
weight at the end of a plumb line.
5. A small wheel, made of leather, with rounded edges, used
in polishing spoons, etc.
6. A short, jerking motion; act of bobbing; as, a bob of the
head.
7. (Steam Engine) A working beam.
8. A knot or short curl of hair; also, a bob wig.
A plain brown bob he wore. --Shenstone.
9. A peculiar mode of ringing changes on bells.
10. The refrain of a song.
To bed, to bed, will be the bob of the song.
--L'Estrange.
11. A blow; a shake or jog; a rap, as with the fist.
12. A jeer or flout; a sharp jest or taunt; a trick.
He that a fool doth very wisely hit, Doth very
foolishly, although he smart, Not to seem senseless
of the bob. --Shak.
13. A shilling. [Slang, Eng.] --Dickens.
Bob \Bob\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bobbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bobbing}.] [OE. bobben. See {Bob}, n.]
1. To cause to move in a short, jerking manner; to move (a
thing) with a bob. ``He bobbed his head.'' --W. Irving.
2. To strike with a quick, light blow; to tap.
If any man happened by long sitting to sleep . . .
he was suddenly bobbed on the face by the servants.
--Elyot.
3. To cheat; to gain by fraud or cheating; to filch.
Gold and jewels that I bobbed from him. --Shak.
4. To mock or delude; to cheat.
To play her pranks, and bob the fool, The shrewish
wife began. --Turbervile.
5. To cut short; as, to bob the hair, or a horse's tail.
Bob \Bob\, v. i.
1. To have a short, jerking motion; to play to and fro, or up
and down; to play loosely against anything. ``Bobbing and
courtesying.'' --Thackeray.
2. To angle with a bob. See {Bob}, n., 2 & 3.
He ne'er had learned the art to bob For anything but
eels. --Saxe.
{To bob at an apple}, {cherry}, etc. to attempt to bite or
seize with the mouth an apple, cherry, or other round
fruit, while it is swinging from a string or floating in a
tug of water.
Bobac \Bo"bac\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Poland marmot ({Arctomys bobac}).
Bobance \Bo*bance"\, n. [OF. bobance, F. bombance, boasting,
pageantry, fr. L. bombus a humming, buzzing.]
A boasting. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bobber \Bob"ber\, n.
One who, or that which, bobs.
Bobbery \Bob"ber*y\, n. [Prob. an Anglo-Indian form of Hindi
b[=a]p re O thou father! (a very disrespectful address).]
A squabble; a tumult; a noisy disturbance; as, to raise a
bobbery. [Low] --Halliwell.
Bobbin \Bob"bin\, n. [F. bobine; of uncertain origin; cf. L.
bombus a humming, from the noise it makes, or Ir. & Gael.
baban tassel, or E. bob.]
1. A small pin, or cylinder, formerly of bone, now most
commonly of wood, used in the making of pillow lace. Each
thread is wound on a separate bobbin which hangs down
holding the thread at a slight tension.
2. A spool or reel of various material and construction, with
a head at one or both ends, and sometimes with a hole
bored through its length by which it may be placed on a
spindle or pivot. It is used to hold yarn or thread, as in
spinning or warping machines, looms, sewing machines, etc.
3. The little rounded piece of wood, at the end of a latch
string, which is pulled to raise the latch.
4. (Haberdashery) A fine cord or narrow braid.
5. (Elec.) A cylindrical or spool-shaped coil or insulated
wire, usually containing a core of soft iron which becomes
magnetic when the wire is traversed by an electrical
current.
{Bobbin and fly frame}, a roving machine.
{Bobbin lace}, lace made on a pillow with bobbins; pillow
lace.
Bobbinet \Bob`bi*net"\, n. [Bobbin + net.]
A kind of cotton lace which is wrought by machines, and not
by hand. [Sometimes written {bobbin net}.]
The English machine-made net is now confined to point
net, warp net, and bobbin net, so called from the
peculiar construction of the machines by which they are
produced. --Tomlinsom.
Bobbinwork \Bob"bin*work`\, n.
Work woven with bobbins.
Bobbish \Bob"bish\, a.
Hearty; in good spirits. [Low, Eng.] --Dickens.
Bobby \Bob"by\, n.
A nickname for a policeman; -- from Sir Robert Peel, who
remodeled the police force. See Peeler. [Slang, Eng.]
--Dickens.
Bob-cherry \Bob"-cher`ry\, n.
A play among children, in which a cherry, hung so as to bob
against the mouth, is to be caught with the teeth.
Bobfly \Bob"fly`\, n. (Fishing)
The fly at the end of the leader; an end fly.
Bobolink \Bob"o*link`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An American singing bird ({Dolichonyx oryzivorus}). The male
is black and white; the female is brown; -- called also,
{ricebird}, {reedbird}, and {Boblincoln}.
The happiest bird of our spring is the bobolink. --W.
Irving.
Bobsled \Bob"sled`\, Bobsleigh \Bob"sleigh`\, n.
A short sled, mostly used as one of a pair connected by a
reach or coupling; also, the compound sled so formed. [U. S.]
The long wagon body set on bobsleds. --W. D.
Howells.
Bobstay \Bob"stay`\, n. [Bob + stay.] (Naut.)
A rope or chain to confine the bowsprit of a ship downward to
the stem or cutwater; -- usually in the pl.
Bobtail \Bob"tail`\, n. [Bob + tail.]
An animal (as a horse or dog) with a short tail.
{Rag, tag, and bobtail}, the rabble.
Bobtail \Bob"tail`\, a.
Bobtailed. ``Bobtail cur.'' --Marryat.
Bobtailed \Bob"tailed`\, a.
Having the tail cut short, or naturally short; curtailed; as,
a bobtailed horse or dog; a bobtailed coat.
Bobwhite \Bob"white`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The common quail of North America ({Colinus, or Ortyx,
Virginianus}); -- so called from its note.
Bob wig \Bob" wig`\
A short wig with bobs or short curls; -- called also {bobtail
wig}. --Spectator.
Bocal \Bo"cal\, n. [F.]
A cylindrical glass vessel, with a large and short neck.
Bocardo \Bo*car"do\, n. [A mnemonic word.]
1. (Logic) A form of syllogism of which the first and third
propositions are particular negatives, and the middle term
a universal affirmative.
Baroko and Bocardo have been stumbling blocks to the
logicians. --Bowen.
2. A prison; -- originally the name of the old north gate in
Oxford, which was used as a prison. [Eng.] --Latimer.
Bocasine \Boc"a*sine\, n. [F. bocassin, boucassin.]
A sort of fine buckram.
Bocca \Boc"ca\, n. [It., mouth.]
The round hole in the furnace of a glass manufactory through
which the fused glass is taken out. --Craig.
Boce \Boce\ (b[=o]s), n. [L. box, bocis, Gr. bo`ax, bw^x.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A European fish ({Box vulgaris}), having a compressed body
and bright colors; -- called also {box}, and {bogue}.
Bock beer \Bock" beer`\ [G. bockbier; bock a buck + bier beer;
-- said to be so named from its tendency to cause the drinker
to caper like a goat.]
A strong beer, originally made in Bavaria. [Also written
{buck beer}.]
Bockelet \Bock"e*let\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of long-winged hawk; -- called also {bockerel}, and
{bockeret}. [Obs.]
Bockey \Bock"ey\, n. [D. bokaal.]
A bowl or vessel made from a gourd. [Local, New York]
--Bartlett.
Bocking \Bock"ing\, n.
A coarse woolen fabric, used for floor cloths, to cover
carpets, etc.; -- so called from the town of Bocking, in
England, where it was first made.
Bockland \Bock"land\, n.
See {Bookland}.
Boddice \Bod"dice\, n.
See {Bodick}.
Bode \Bode\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Boding}.] [OE. bodien, AS. bodian to announce, tell from bod
command; akin to Icel. bo?a to announce, Sw. b[*a]da to
announce, portend. [root]89. See {Bid}.]
To indicate by signs, as future events; to be the omen of; to
portend to presage; to foreshow.
A raven that bodes nothing but mischief. --Goldsmith.
Good onset bodes good end. --Spenser.
Bode \Bode\, v. i.
To foreshow something; to augur.
Whatever now The omen proved, it boded well to you.
--Dryden.
Syn: To forebode; foreshadow; augur; betoken.
Bode \Bode\, n.
1. An omen; a foreshadowing. [Obs.]
The owl eke, that of death the bode bringeth.
--Chaucer.
2. A bid; an offer. [Obs. or Dial.] --Sir W. Scott
Bode \Bode\, n. [AS. boda; akin to OFries. boda, AS. bodo, OHG.
boto. See {Bode}, v. t.]
A messenger; a herald. --Robertson.
Bode \Bode\, n. [See {Abide}.]
A stop; a halting; delay. [Obs.]
Bode \Bode\, imp. & p. p. from {Bide}.
Abode.
There that night they bode. --Tennyson.
Bode \Bode\, p. p. of {Bid}.
Bid or bidden. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bodeful \Bode"ful\, a.
Portentous; ominous. --Carlyle.
Bodement \Bode"ment\, n.
An omen; a prognostic. [Obs.]
This foolish, dreaming, superstitious girl Makes all
these bodements. --Shak.
Bodge \Bodge\, n.
A botch; a patch. [Dial.] --Whitlock.
Bodge \Bodge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bodged}.]
To botch; to mend clumsily; to patch. [Obs. or Dial.]
Bodge \Bodge\, v. i.
See {Budge}.
Bodian \Bo"di*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large food fish ({Diagramma lineatum}), native of the East
Indies.
Bodice \Bod"ice\, n. [This is properly the plural of body, Oe.
bodise a pair of bodies, equiv. to a bodice. Cf. {Corset},
and see {Body}.]
1. A kind of under waist stiffened with whalebone, etc., worn
esp. by women; a corset; stays.
2. A close-fitting outer waist or vest forming the upper part
of a woman's dress, or a portion of it.
Her bodice half way she unlaced. --Prior.
Bodiced \Bod"iced\, a.
Wearing a bodice. --Thackeray.
Bodied \Bod"ied\, a.
Having a body; -- usually in composition; as, able-bodied.
A doe . . . not altogether so fat, but very good flesh
and good bodied. --Hakluyt.
Bodiless \Bod"i*less\, a.
1. Having no body.
2. Without material form; incorporeal.
Phantoms bodiless and vain. --Swift.
Bodiliness \Bod"i*li*ness\, n.
Corporeality. --Minsheu.
Bodily \Bod"i*ly\, a.
1. Having a body or material form; physical; corporeal;
consisting of matter.
You are a mere spirit, and have no knowledge of the
bodily part of us. --Tatler.
2. Of or pertaining to the body, in distinction from the
mind. ``Bodily defects.'' --L'Estrange.
3. Real; actual; put in execution. [Obs.]
Be brought to bodily act. --Shak.
{Bodily fear}, apprehension of physical injury.
Syn: See {Corporal}.
Bodily \Bod"i*ly\, adv.
1. Corporeally; in bodily form; united with a body or matter;
in the body.
For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily. --Col. ii. 9
2. In respect to, or so as to affect, the entire body or
mass; entirely; all at once; completely; as, to carry away
bodily. ``Leapt bodily below.'' --Lowell.
Boding \Bod"ing\ (b[=o]d"[i^]ng), a.
Foreshowing; presaging; ominous. -- {Bod"ing*ly}, adv.
Boding \Bod"ing\, n.
A prognostic; an omen; a foreboding.
Bodkin \Bod"kin\ (b[o^]d"k[i^]n), n. [OE. boydekyn dagger; of
uncertain origin; cf. W. bidog hanger, short sword, Ir.
bideog, Gael. biodag.]
1. A dagger. [Obs.]
When he himself might his quietus make With a bare
bodkin. --Shak.
2. (Needlework) An implement of steel, bone, ivory, etc.,
with a sharp point, for making holes by piercing; a
?tiletto; an eyeleteer.
3. (Print.) A sharp tool, like an awl, used for picking ?ut
letters from a column or page in making corrections.
4. A kind of needle with a large eye and a blunt point, for
drawing tape, ribbon, etc., through a loop or a hem; a
tape needle.
Wedged whole ages in a bodkin's eye. --Pope.
5. A kind of pin used by women to fasten the hair.
{To sit}, {ride}, or {travel bodkin}, to sit closely wedged
between two persons. [Colloq.] --Thackeray.
Bodkin \Bod"kin\, n.
See {Baudekin}. [Obs.] --Shirley.
Bodle \Bo"dle\, n.
A small Scotch coin worth about one sixth of an English
penny. --Sir W. Scott.
Bodleian \Bod"lei*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Sir Thomas Bodley, or to the celebrated
library at Oxford, founded by him in the sixteenth century.
Bodock \Bo*dock"\, n. [Corrupt. fr. bois d'arc.]
The Osage orange. [Southwestern U.S.]
Bodrage \Bod"rage\, n. [Prob. of Celtic origin: cf. {Bordrage}.]
A raid. [Obs.]
Body \Bod"y\, n.; pl. {Bodies}. [OE. bodi, AS. bodig; akin to
OHG. botah. [root]257. Cf. {Bodice}.]
1. The material organized substance of an animal, whether
living or dead, as distinguished from the spirit, or vital
principle; the physical person.
Absent in body, but present in spirit. --1 Cor. v. 3
For of the soul the body form doth take. For soul is
form, and doth the body make. --Spenser.
2. The trunk, or main part, of a person or animal, as
distinguished from the limbs and head; the main, central,
or principal part, as of a tree, army, country, etc.
Who set the body and the limbs Of this great sport
together? --Shak.
The van of the king's army was led by the general; .
. . in the body was the king and the prince.
--Clarendon.
Rivers that run up into the body of Italy.
--Addison.
3. The real, as opposed to the symbolical; the substance, as
opposed to the shadow.
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body
is of Christ. --Col. ii. 17.
4. A person; a human being; -- frequently in composition; as,
anybody, nobody.
A dry, shrewd kind of a body. --W. Irving.
5. A number of individuals spoken of collectively, usually as
united by some common tie, or as organized for some
purpose; a collective whole or totality; a corporation;
as, a legislative body; a clerical body.
A numerous body led unresistingly to the slaughter.
--Prescott.
6. A number of things or particulars embodied in a system; a
general collection; as, a great body of facts; a body of
laws or of divinity.
7. Any mass or portion of matter; any substance distinct from
others; as, a metallic body; a moving body; an a["e]riform
body. ``A body of cold air.'' --Huxley.
By collision of two bodies, grind The air attrite to
fire. --Milton.
8. Amount; quantity; extent.
9. That part of a garment covering the body, as distinguished
from the parts covering the limbs.
10. The bed or box of a vehicle, on or in which the load is
placed; as, a wagon body; a cart body.
11. (Print.) The shank of a type, or the depth of the shank
(by which the size is indicated); as, a nonpareil face on
an agate body.
12. (Geom.) A figure that has length, breadth, and thickness;
any solid figure.
13. Consistency; thickness; substance; strength; as, this
color has body; wine of a good body.
Note: Colors bear a body when they are capable of being
ground so fine, and of being mixed so entirely with
oil, as to seem only a very thick oil of the same
color.
{After body} (Naut.), the part of a ship abaft the dead flat.
{Body cavity} (Anat.), the space between the walls of the
body and the inclosed viscera; the c[ae]lum; -- in
mammals, divided by the diaphragm into thoracic and
abdominal cavities.
{Body of a church}, the nave.
{Body cloth}; pl.
{Body cloths}, a cloth or blanket for covering horses.
{Body clothes}. (pl.)
1. Clothing for the body; esp. underclothing.
2. Body cloths for horses. [Obs.] --Addison.
{Body coat}, a gentleman's dress coat.
{Body color} (Paint.), a pigment that has consistency,
thickness, or body, in distinction from a tint or wash.
{Body of a law} (Law), the main and operative part.
{Body louse} (Zo["o]l.), a species of louse ({Pediculus
vestimenti}), which sometimes infests the human body and
clothes. See {Grayback}.
{Body plan} (Shipbuilding), an end elevation, showing the
conbour of the sides of a ship at certain points of her
length.
{Body politic}, the collective body of a nation or state as
politically organized, or as exercising political
functions; also, a corporation. --Wharton.
As to the persons who compose the body politic or
associate themselves, they take collectively the
name of ``people'', or ``nation''. --Bouvier.
{Body servant}, a valet.
{The bodies seven} (Alchemy), the metals corresponding to the
planets. [Obs.]
Sol gold is, and Luna silver we threpe (=call), Mars
yren (=iron), Mercurie quicksilver we clepe,
Saturnus lead, and Jupiter is tin, and Venus coper.
--Chaucer.
{Body snatcher}, one who secretly removes without right or
authority a dead body from a grave, vault, etc.; a
resurrectionist.
{Body snatching} (Law), the unauthorized removal of a dead
body from the grave; usually for the purpose of
dissection.
Body \Bod"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bodied} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bodying}.]
To furnish with, or as with, a body; to produce in definite
shape; to embody.
{To body forth}, to give from or shape to mentally.
Imagination bodies forth The forms of things
unknown. --Shak.
Bodyguard \Bod"y*guard`\, n.
1. A guard to protect or defend the person; a lifeguard.
2. Retinue; attendance; following. --Bp. Porteus.
Boeotian \B[oe]*o"tian\, a. [L. Boeotia, Gr. ?, noted for its
moist, thick atmosphere, and the dullness and stupidity of
its inhabitants.]
Of or pertaining to B[oe]otia; hence, stupid; dull; obtuse.
-- n. A native of B[oe]otia; also, one who is dull and
ignorant.
Boer \Boer\, n. [D., a farmer. See {Boor}.]
A colonist or farmer in South Africa of Dutch descent.
Boes \Bo"es\, 3d sing. pr. of {Behove}.
Behoves or behooves. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bog \Bog\, n. [Ir. & Gael. bog soft, tender, moist: cf. Ir.
bogach bog, moor, marsh, Gael. bogan quagmire.]
1. A quagmire filled with decayed moss and other vegetable
matter; wet spongy ground where a heavy body is apt to
sink; a marsh; a morass.
Appalled with thoughts of bog, or caverned pit, Of
treacherous earth, subsiding where they tread. --R.
Jago.
2. A little elevated spot or clump of earth, roots, and
grass, in a marsh or swamp. [Local, U. S.]
{Bog bean}. See {Buck bean}.
{Bog bumper} (bump, to make a loud noise), {Bog blitter},
{Bog bluiter}, {Bog jumper}, the bittern. [Prov.]
{Bog butter}, a hydrocarbon of butterlike consistence found
in the peat bogs of Ireland.
{Bog earth} (Min.), a soil composed for the most part of
silex and partially decomposed vegetable fiber. --P. Cyc.
{Bog moss}. (Bot.) Same as {Sphagnum}.
{Bog myrtle} (Bot.), the sweet gale.
{Bog ore}. (Min.)
(a) An ore of iron found in boggy or swampy land; a
variety of brown iron ore, or limonite.
(b) Bog manganese, the hydrated peroxide of manganese.
{Bog rush} (Bot.), any rush growing in bogs; saw grass.
{Bog spavin}. See under {Spavin}.
Bog \Bog\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bogged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bogging}.]
To sink, as into a bog; to submerge in a bog; to cause to
sink and stick, as in mud and mire.
At another time, he was bogged up to the middle in the
slough of Lochend. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bogberry \Bog"ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
The small cranberry ({Vaccinium oxycoccus}), which grows in
boggy places.
Bogey \Bo"gey\, n.
A goblin; a bugbear. See {Bogy}.
Boggard \Bog"gard\, n.
A bogey. [Local, Eng.]
Boggle \Bog"gle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Boggled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Boggling}.] [ See {Bogle}, n.]
1. To stop or hesitate as if suddenly frightened, or in
doubt, or impeded by unforeseen difficulties; to take
alarm; to exhibit hesitancy and indecision.
We start and boggle at every unusual appearance.
--Glanvill.
Boggling at nothing which serveth their purpose.
--Barrow.
2. To do anything awkwardly or unskillfully.
3. To play fast and loose; to dissemble. --Howell.
Syn: To doubt; hesitate; shrink; stickle; demur.
Boggle \Bog"gle\, v. t.
To embarrass with difficulties; to make a bungle or botch of.
[Local, U. S.]
Boggler \Bog"gler\, n.
One who boggles.
Bogglish \Bog"glish\, a.
Doubtful; skittish. [Obs.]
Boggy \Bog"gy\, a.
Consisting of, or containing, a bog or bogs; of the nature of
a bog; swampy; as, boggy land.
Bogie \Bo"gie\, n. [A dialectic word. N. of Eng. & Scot.]
A four-wheeled truck, having a certain amount of play around
a vertical axis, used to support in part a locomotive on a
railway track.
Bogle \Bo"gle\, n. [Scot. and North Eng. bogle, bogill, bugill,
specter; as a verb, to terrify, fr. W. bwgwl threatening,
fear, bwg, bwgan, specter, hobgoblin. Cf. {Bug}.]
A goblin; a specter; a frightful phantom; a bogy; a bugbear.
[Written also {boggle}.]
Bogsucker \Bog"suck`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The American woodcock; -- so called from its feeding among
the bogs.
Bogtrotter \Bog"trot`ter\, n.
One who lives in a boggy country; -- applied in derision to
the lowest class of Irish. --Halliwell.
Bogtrotting \Bog"trot`ting\, a.
Living among bogs.
Bogue \Bogue\, v. i. (Naut.)
To fall off from the wind; to edge away to leeward; -- said
only of inferior craft.
Bogue \Bogue\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The boce; -- called also {bogue bream}. See {Boce}.
Bogus \Bo"gus\, a. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Spurious; fictitious; sham; -- a cant term originally applied
to counterfeit coin, and hence denoting anything counterfeit.
[Colloq. U. S.]
Bogus \Bo"gus\, n.
A liquor made of rum and molasses. [Local, U. S.] --Bartlett.
Bogwood \Bog"wood`\, n.
The wood of trees, esp. of oaks, dug up from peat bogs. It is
of a shining black or ebony color, and is largely used for
making ornaments.
Bogy \Bo"gy\, n.; pl. {Bogies}. [See {Bogle}.]
A specter; a hobgoblin; a bugbear. ``Death's heads and
bogies.'' --J. H. Newman. [Written also {bogey}.]
There are plenty of such foolish attempts at playing
bogy in the history of savages. --C. Kingsley.
Bohea \Bo*hea"\, n. [From Wu-i, pronounced by the Chinese bu-i,
the name of the hills where this kind of tea is grown.]
Bohea tea, an inferior kind of black tea. See under {Tea}.
Note: The name was formerly applied to superior kinds of
black tea, or to black tea in general.
Bohemia \Bo*he"mi*a\, n.
1. A country of central Europe.
2. Fig.: The region or community of social Bohemians. See
{Bohemian}, n., 3.
She knew every one who was any one in the land of
Bohemia. --Compton
Reade.
Bohemian \Bo*he"mi*an\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to Bohemia, or to the language of its
ancient inhabitants or their descendants. See {Bohemian},
n., 2.
2. Of or pertaining to a social gypsy or ``Bohemian'' (see
{Bohemian}, n., 3); vagabond; unconventional; free and
easy. [Modern]
Hers was a pleasant Bohemian life till she was five
and thirty. --Blackw. Mag.
Artists have abandoned their Bohemian manners and
customs nowadays. --W. Black.
{Bohemian chatterer}, or {Bohemian waxwing} (Zo["o]l.), a
small bird of Europe and America ({Ampelis garrulus}); the
waxwing.
{Bohemian glass}, a variety of hard glass of fine quality,
made in Bohemia. It is of variable composition, containing
usually silica, lime, and potash, rarely soda, but no
lead. It is often remarkable for beauty of color.
Bohemian \Bo*he"mi*an\, n.
1. A native of Bohemia.
2. The language of the Czechs (the ancient inhabitants of
Bohemia), the richest and most developed of the dialects
of the Slavic family.
3. A restless vagabond; -- originally, an idle stroller or
gypsy (as in France) thought to have come from Bohemia; in
later times often applied to an adventurer in art or
literature, of irregular, unconventional habits,
questionable tastes, or free morals. [Modern]
Note: In this sense from the French boh['e]mien, a gypsy;
also, a person of irregular habits.
She was of a wild, roving nature, inherited from
father and mother, who were both Bohemians by
taste and circumstances. --Thackeray.
Bohemianism \Bo*he"mi*an*ism\, n.
The characteristic conduct or methods of a Bohemian. [Modern]
Bohun upas \Bo"hun u"pas\
See {Upas}.
Boiar \Bo*iar"\, n.
See {Boyar}.
Boil \Boil\ (boil), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Boiled} (boild); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Boiling}.] [OE. boilen, OF. boilir, builir, F.
bouillir, fr. L. bullire to be in a bubbling motion, from
bulla bubble; akin to Gr. ?, Lith. bumbuls. Cf. {Bull} an
edict, {Budge}, v., and {Ebullition}.]
1. To be agitated, or tumultuously moved, as a liquid by the
generation and rising of bubbles of steam (or vapor), or
of currents produced by heating it to the boiling point;
to be in a state of ebullition; as, the water boils.
2. To be agitated like boiling water, by any other cause than
heat; to bubble; to effervesce; as, the boiling waves.
He maketh the deep to boil like a pot. --Job xii.
31.
3. To pass from a liquid to an a["e]riform state or vapor
when heated; as, the water boils away.
4. To be moved or excited with passion; to be hot or fervid;
as, his blood boils with anger.
Then boiled my breast with flame and burning wrath.
--Surrey.
5. To be in boiling water, as in cooking; as, the potatoes
are boiling.
{To boil away}, to vaporize; to evaporate or be evaporated by
the action of heat.
{To boil over}, to run over the top of a vessel, as liquid
when thrown into violent agitation by heat or other cause
of effervescence; to be excited with ardor or passion so
as to lose self-control.
Boil \Boil\, v. t.
1. To heat to the boiling point, or so as to cause
ebullition; as, to boil water.
2. To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation; as, to
boil sugar or salt.
3. To subject to the action of heat in a boiling liquid so as
to produce some specific effect, as cooking, cleansing,
etc.; as, to boil meat; to boil clothes.
The stomach cook is for the hall, And boileth meate
for them all. --Gower.
4. To steep or soak in warm water. [Obs.]
To try whether seeds be old or new, the sense can
not inform; but if you boil them in water, the new
seeds will sprout sooner. --Bacon.
{To boil down}, to reduce in bulk by boiling; as, to boil
down sap or sirup.
Boil \Boil\, n.
Act or state of boiling. [Colloq.]
Boil \Boil\, n. [Influenced by boil, v. See {Beal}, {Bile}.]
A hard, painful, inflamed tumor, which, on suppuration,
discharges pus, mixed with blood, and discloses a small
fibrous mass of dead tissue, called the core.
{A blind boil}, one that suppurates imperfectly, or fails to
come to a head.
{Delhi boil} (Med.), a peculiar affection of the skin,
probably parasitic in origin, prevailing in India (as
among the British troops) and especially at Delhi.
Boilary \Boil"a*ry\, n.
See {Boilery}.
Boiled \Boiled\, a.
Dressed or cooked by boiling; subjected to the action of a
boiling liquid; as, boiled meat; a boiled dinner; boiled
clothes.
Boiler \Boil"er\, n.
1. One who boils.
2. A vessel in which any thing is boiled.
Note: The word boiler is a generic term covering a great
variety of kettles, saucepans, clothes boilers,
evaporators, coppers, retorts, etc.
3. (Mech.) A strong metallic vessel, usually of wrought iron
plates riveted together, or a composite structure
variously formed, in which steam is generated for driving
engines, or for heating, cooking, or other purposes.
Note: The earliest steam boilers were usually spheres or
sections of spheres, heated wholly from the outside.
Watt used the wagon boiler (shaped like the top of a
covered wagon) which is still used with low pressures.
Most of the boilers in present use may be classified as
plain cylinder boilers, flue boilers, sectional and
tubular boilers.
{Barrel of a boiler}, the cylindrical part containing the
flues.
{Boiler plate}, {Boiler iron}, plate or rolled iron of about
a quarter to a half inch in thickness, used for making
boilers and tanks, for covering ships, etc.
{Cylinder boiler}, one which consists of a single iron
cylinder.
{Flue boilers} are usually single shells containing a small
number of large flues, through which the heat either
passes from the fire or returns to the chimney, and
sometimes containing a fire box inclosed by water.
{Locomotive boiler}, a boiler which contains an inclosed fire
box and a large number of small flues leading to the
chimney.
{Multiflue boiler}. Same as {Tubular boiler}, below.
{Sectional boiler}, a boiler composed of a number of
sections, which are usually of small capacity and similar
to, and connected with, each other. By multiplication of
the sections a boiler of any desired capacity can be built
up.
{Tubular boiler}, a boiler containing tubes which form flues,
and are surrounded by the water contained in the boiler.
See Illust. {of Steam boiler}, under {Steam}.
{Tubulous boiler}. See under {Tubulous}. See {Tube}, n., 6,
and 1st {Flue}.
Boilery \Boil"er*y\ (boil"[~e]r*[y^]), n. [Cf. F. bouillerie.]
A place and apparatus for boiling, as for evaporating brine
in salt making.
Boiling \Boil"ing\, a.
Heated to the point of bubbling; heaving with bubbles; in
tumultuous agitation, as boiling liquid; surging; seething;
swelling with heat, ardor, or passion.
{Boiling point}, the temperature at which a fluid is
converted into vapor, with the phenomena of ebullition.
This is different for different liquids, and for the same
liquid under different pressures. For water, at the level
of the sea, barometer 30 in., it is 212 [deg] Fahrenheit;
for alcohol, 172.96[deg]; for ether, 94.8[deg]; for
mercury, about 675[deg]. The boiling point of water is
lowered one degree Fahrenheit for about 550 feet of ascent
above the level of the sea.
{Boiling spring}, a spring which gives out very hot water, or
water and steam, often ejecting it with much force; a
geyser.
{To be at the boiling point}, to be very angry.
{To keep the pot boiling}, to keep going on actively, as in
certain games. [Colloq.]
Boiling \Boil"ing\, n.
1. The act of ebullition or of tumultuous agitation.
2. Exposure to the action of a hot liquid.
Boilingly \Boil"ing*ly\, adv.
With boiling or ebullition.
And lakes of bitumen rise boiling higher. --Byron.
Bois d'arc \Bois" d'arc"\ [F., bow wood. So called because used
for bows by the Western Indians.] (Bot.)
The Osage orange ({Maclura aurantiaca}).
The bois d'arc seems to be the characteristic growth of
the black prairies. --U. S. Census
(1880).
Bois durci \Bois" dur`ci"\ [F., hardened wood.]
A hard, highly polishable composition, made of fine sawdust
from hard wood (as rosewood) mixed with blood, and pressed.
Boist \Boist\, n. [OF. boiste, F. bo[^i]te, from the same root
as E. box.]
A box. [Obs.]
Boisterous \Bois"ter*ous\, a. [OE. boistous; of uncertain
origin; cf. W. bwyst wild, savage, wildness, ferocity,
bwystus ferocious.]
1. Rough or rude; unbending; unyielding; strong; powerful.
[Obs.] ``Boisterous sword.'' ``Boisterous hand.'' --Shak.
2. Exhibiting tumultuous violence and fury; acting with noisy
turbulence; violent; rough; stormy.
The waters swell before a boisterous storm. --Shak.
The brute and boisterous force of violent men.
--Milton.
3. Noisy; rough; turbulent; as, boisterous mirth; boisterous
behavior.
I like not that loud, boisterous man. --Addison.
4. Vehement; excessive. [R.]
The heat becomes too powerful and boisterous for
them. --Woodward.
Syn: Loud; roaring; violent; stormy; turbulent; furious;
tumultuous; noisy; impetuous; vehement.
Boisterously \Bois"ter*ous*ly\, adv.
In a boisterous manner.
Boisterousness \Bois"ter*ous*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being boisterous; turbulence;
disorder; tumultuousness.
Boistous \Bois"tous\, a.
Rough or rude; coarse; strong; violent; boisterous; noisy.
[Obs.] --Chaucer. -- {Bois"tous*ly}, adv. --
{Bois"tous*ness}, n. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bojanus organ \Bo*ja"nus or"gan\ [From Bojanus, the discoverer.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A glandular organ of bivalve mollusca, serving in part as a
kidney.
Bokadam \Bo"ka*dam`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Cerberus}.
Boke \Boke\, v. t. & i.
To poke; to thrust. [Obs. or Dial.]
Bolar \Bo"lar\, a. [See {Bole} clay.]
Of or pertaining to bole or clay; partaking of the nature and
qualities of bole; clayey.
Bolas \Bo"las\, n. sing. & pl. [Sp.]
A kind of missile weapon consisting of one, two, or more
balls of stone, iron, or other material, attached to the ends
of a leather cord; -- used by the Gauchos of South America,
and others, for hurling at and entangling an animal.
Bold \Bold\ (b[=o]ld), a. [OE. bald, bold, AS. bald, beald; akin
to Icel. ballr, OHG. bald, MHG. balt, D. boud, Goth.
bal[thorn]ei boldness, It. baldo. In Ger. there remains only
bald, adv. soon. Cf. {Bawd}, n.]
1. Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; not timorous
or shrinking from risk; brave; courageous.
Throngs of knights and barons bold. --Milton.
2. Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger;
planned with courage; daring; vigorous. ``The bold design
leased highly.'' --Milton.
3. In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over
assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or
restraint; rude; impudent.
Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice.
--Shak.
4. Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules,
as in art, literature, etc.; taking liberties in
composition or expression; as, the figures of an author
are bold. ``Bold tales.'' --Waller.
The cathedral church is a very bold work. --Addison.
5. Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous;
striking the eye; in high relief.
Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder.
--Dryden.
6. Steep; abrupt; prominent.
Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears.
--Trumbull.
Bold eagle \Bold eagle\, (Zo["o]l.)
an Australian eagle ({Aquila audax}), which destroys lambs
and even the kangaroo.
{To make bold}, to take liberties or the liberty; to venture.
Syn: Courageous; daring; brave; intrepid; fearless;
dauntless; valiant; manful; audacious; stouthearted;
high-spirited; adventurous; confident; strenuous;
forward; impudent.
Bold \Bold\, v. t.
To make bold or daring. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bold \Bold\, v. i.
To be or become bold. [Obs.]
Bolden \Bold"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boldened}. ]
To make bold; to encourage; to embolden.
Ready speakers, being boldened with their present
abilities to say more, . . . use less help of diligence
and study. --Ascham.
Bold-faced \Bold"-faced`\, a.
1. Somewhat impudent; lacking modesty; as, a bold-faced
woman.
I have seen enough to confute all the bold-faced
atheists of this age. --Bramhall.
2. (Print.) Having a conspicuous or heavy face.
Note: This line is bold-faced nonpareil.
Boldly \Bold"ly\, adv. [AS. bealdl[=i]ce.]
In a bold manner.
Boldness \Bold"ness\, n.
The state or quality of being bold.
Syn: Courage; bravery; intrepidity; dauntlessness; hardihood;
assurance.
Boldo \Bol"do\, Boldu \Bol"du\, n. (Bot.)
A fragrant evergreen shrub of Chili ({Peumus Boldus}). The
bark is used in tanning, the wood for making charcoal, the
leaves in medicine, and the drupes are eaten.
Bole \Bole\, n. [OE. bole, fr. Icel. bolr; akin to Sw. b[*a]l,
Dan. bul, trunk, stem of a tree, G. bohle a thick plank or
board; cf. LG. boll round. Cf. {Bulge}.]
The trunk or stem of a tree, or that which is like it.
Enormous elm-tree boles did stoop and lean. --Tennyson.
Bole \Bole\, n. [Etym. doubtful.]
An aperture, with a wooden shutter, in the wall of a house,
for giving, occasionally, air or light; also, a small closet.
[Scot.]
Open the bole wi'speed, that I may see if this be the
right Lord Geraldin. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bole \Bole\, n.
A measure. See {Boll}, n., 2. --Mortimer.
Bole \Bole\, n. [Gr. ? a clod or lump of earth: cf. F. bol, and
also L. bolus morsel. Cf. {Bolus}.]
1. Any one of several varieties of friable earthy clay,
usually colored more or less strongly red by oxide of
iron, and used to color and adulterate various substances.
It was formerly used in medicine. It is composed
essentially of hydrous silicates of alumina, or more
rarely of magnesia. See {Clay}, and {Terra alba}.
2. A bolus; a dose. --Coleridge.
{Armenian bole}. See under {Armenian}.
{Bole Armoniac}, or {Armoniak}, Armenian bole. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Bolection \Bo*lec"tion\, n. (Arch.)
A projecting molding round a panel. Same as {Bilection}.
--Gwilt.
Bolero \Bo*le"ro\, n. [Sp.] (Mus.)
A Spanish dance, or the lively music which accompanies it.
bolete \bolete\ n.
any fungus of the family {Boletaceae}. [WordNet 1.5]
Boletic \Bo*let"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or obtained from, the {Boletus}.
{Boletic acid}, an acid obtained from the {Boletus
fomentarius}, variety {pseudo-igniarius}. Same as
{{Fumaric acid}}.
Boletus \Bo*le"tus\, n. [L. boletus, Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
A genus of fungi having the under side of the pileus or cap
composed of a multitude of fine separate tubes. A few are
edible, and others very poisonous.
Boley \Bo"ley\, Bolye \Bo"lye\, n.
Same as {Booly}.
Bolide \Bo"lide\, n. [F. See {Bolis}.]
A kind of bright meteor; a {bolis}.
Bolis \Bo"lis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? missile, arrow, fr. ? to
throw.]
A meteor or brilliant shooting star, followed by a train of
light or sparks; esp. one which explodes.
Bolivian \Bo*liv"i*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Bolivia. -- n. A native of Bolivia.
Boll \Boll\, n. [OE. bolle boll, bowl, AS. bolla. See {Bowl} a
vessel.]
1. The pod or capsule of a plant, as of flax or cotton; a
pericarp of a globular form.
2. A Scotch measure, formerly in use: for wheat and beans it
contained four Winchester bushels; for oats, barley, and
potatoes, six bushels. A boll of meal is 140 lbs.
avoirdupois. Also, a measure for salt of two bushels.
[Sometimes spelled {bole}.]
Boll \Boll\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bolled}.]
To form a boll or seed vessel; to go to seed.
The barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
--Ex. ix. 31.
Bollandists \Bol"land*ists\, n. pl.
The Jesuit editors of the ``Acta Sanctorum'', or Lives of the
Saints; -- named from John Bolland, who began the work.
Bollard \Bol"lard\, n. [Cf. {Bole} the stem of a tree, and
{Pollard}.]
An upright wooden or iron post in a boat or on a dock, used
in veering or fastening ropes.
{Bollard timber} (Naut.), a timber, also called a knighthead,
rising just within the stem in a ship, on either side of
the bowsprit, to secure its end.
Bollen \Boll"en\, a.
See {Boln}, a.
Bolling \Boll"ing\, n. [Cf. {Bole} stem of a tree, and {Poll},
v. t.]
A tree from which the branches have been cut; a pollard.
Bollworm \Boll"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The larva of a moth ({Heliothis armigera}) which devours the
bolls or unripe pods of the cotton plant, often doing great
damage to the crops.
Boln \Boln\, v. i. [OE. bolnen, bollen; cf. Dan. bulne. Cf.
{Bulge}.]
To swell; to puff. --Holland.
Boln \Boln\, Bollen \Boll"en\, a.
Swollen; puffed out.
Thin, and boln out like a sail. --B. Jonson.
Bologna \Bo*lo"gna\, n.
1. A city of Italy which has given its name to various
objects.
2. A Bologna sausage.
{Bologna sausage} [It. salsiccia di Bologna], a large sausage
made of bacon or ham, veal, and pork, chopped fine and
inclosed in a skin.
{Bologna stone} (Min.), radiated barite, or barium sulphate,
found in roundish masses composed of radiating fibers,
first discovered near Bologna. It is phosphorescent when
calcined.
{Bologna vial}, a vial of unannealed glass which will fly
into pieces when its surface is scratched by a hard body,
as by dropping into it a fragment of flint; whereas a
bullet may be dropped into it without injury.
Bolognese \Bo*lo`gnese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Bologna. -- n. A native of Bologna.
{Bolognese school} (Paint.), a school of painting founded by
the Carracci, otherwise called the Lombard or Eclectic
school, the object of which was to unite the excellences
of the preceding schools.
Bolognian \Bo*lo"gnian\, a. & n.
Bolognese.
{Bolognian stone}. See {Bologna stone}, under {Bologna}.
Bolometer \Bo*lom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? a stroke, ray + -meter.]
(Physics)
An instrument for measuring minute quantities of radiant
heat, especially in different parts of the spectrum; --
called also {actinic balance}, {thermic balance}. --S. P.
Langley.
Bolster \Bol"ster\, n. [AS. bolster; akin to Icel. b?lstr, Sw. &
Dan. bolster, OHG. bolstar, polstar, G. polster; from the
same root as E. bole stem, bowl hollow vessel. Cf. {Bulge},
{Poltroon}.]
1. A long pillow or cushion, used to support the head of a
person lying on a bed; -- generally laid under the
pillows.
And here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster,
This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.
--Shak.
2. A pad, quilt, or anything used to hinder pressure, support
any part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a
wounded part; a compress.
This arm shall be a bolster for thy head. --Gay.
3. Anything arranged to act as a support, as in various forms
of mechanism, etc.
4. (Saddlery) A cushioned or a piece part of a saddle.
5. (Naut.)
(a) A cushioned or a piece of soft wood covered with
tarred canvas, placed on the trestletrees and against
the mast, for the collars of the shrouds to rest on,
to prevent chafing.
(b) Anything used to prevent chafing.
6. A plate of iron or a mass of wood under the end of a
bridge girder, to keep the girder from resting directly on
the abutment.
7. A transverse bar above the axle of a wagon, on which the
bed or body rests.
8. The crossbeam forming the bearing piece of the body of a
railway car; the central and principal cross beam of a car
truck.
9. (Mech.) the perforated plate in a punching machine on
which anything rests when being punched.
10. (Cutlery)
(a) That part of a knife blade which abuts upon the end
of the handle.
(b) The metallic end of a pocketknife handle. --G.
Francis.
11. (Arch.) The rolls forming the ends or sides of the Ionic
capital. --G. Francis.
12. (Mil.) A block of wood on the carriage of a siege gun,
upon which the breech of the gun rests when arranged for
transportation.
Note: [See Illust. of {Gun carriage}.]
{Bolster work} (Arch.), members which are bellied or curved
outward like cushions, as in friezes of certain classical
styles.
Bolster \Bol"ster\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bolstered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bolstering}.]
1. To support with a bolster or pillow. --S. Sharp.
2. To support, hold up, or maintain with difficulty or
unusual effort; -- often with up.
To bolster baseness. --Drayton.
Shoddy inventions designed to bolster up a
factitious pride. --Compton
Reade.
Bolstered \Bol"stered\, a.
1. Supported; upheld.
2. Swelled out.
Bolsterer \Bol"ster*er\, n.
A supporter.
Bolt \Bolt\, n. [AS. bolt; akin to Icel. bolti, Dan. bolt, D.
bout, OHG. bolz, G. bolz, bolzen; of uncertain origin.]
1. A shaft or missile intended to be shot from a crossbow or
catapult, esp. a short, stout, blunt-headed arrow; a
quarrel; an arrow, or that which resembles an arrow; a
dart.
Look that the crossbowmen lack not bolts. --Sir W.
Scott.
A fool's bolt is soon shot. --Shak.
2. Lightning; a thunderbolt.
3. A strong pin, of iron or other material, used to fasten or
hold something in place, often having a head at one end
and screw thread cut upon the other end.
4. A sliding catch, or fastening, as for a door or gate; the
portion of a lock which is shot or withdrawn by the action
of the key.
5. An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a
fetter. [Obs.]
Away with him to prison! lay bolts enough upon him.
--Shak.
6. A compact package or roll of cloth, as of canvas or silk,
often containing about forty yards.
7. A bundle, as of oziers.
{Bolt auger}, an auger of large size; an auger to make holes
for the bolts used by shipwrights.
{Bolt and nut}, a metallic pin with a head formed upon one
end, and a movable piece (the nut) screwed upon a thread
cut upon the other end. See B, C, and D, in illust. above.
Note: See {Tap bolt}, {Screw bolt}, and {Stud bolt}.
Bolt \Bolt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bolted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bolting}.]
1. To shoot; to discharge or drive forth.
2. To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments. --Milton.
3. To swallow without chewing; as, to bolt food.
4. (U. S. Politics) To refuse to support, as a nomination
made by a party to which one has belonged or by a caucus
in which one has taken part.
5. (Sporting) To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge,
as conies, rabbits, etc.
6. To fasten or secure with, or as with, a bolt or bolts, as
a door, a timber, fetters; to shackle; to restrain.
Let tenfold iron bolt my door. --Langhorn.
Which shackles accidents and bolts up change.
--Shak.
Bolt \Bolt\ (b[=o]lt; 110), v. i.
1. To start forth like a bolt or arrow; to spring abruptly;
to come or go suddenly; to dart; as, to bolt out of the
room.
This Puck seems but a dreaming dolt, . . . And oft
out of a bush doth bolt. --Drayton.
2. To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads.
--Milton.
3. To spring suddenly aside, or out of the regular path; as,
the horse bolted.
4. (U.S. Politics) To refuse to support a nomination made by
a party or a caucus with which one has been connected; to
break away from a party.
Bolt \Bolt\, adv.
In the manner of a bolt; suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
[He] came bolt up against the heavy dragoon.
--Thackeray.
{Bolt upright}.
(a) Perfectly upright; perpendicular; straight up;
unbendingly erect. --Addison.
(b) On the back at full length. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bolt \Bolt\, n. [From {Bolt}, v. i.]
1. A sudden spring or start; a sudden spring aside; as, the
horse made a bolt.
2. A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
This gentleman was so hopelessly involved that he
contemplated a bolt to America -- or anywhere.
--Compton
Reade.
3. (U. S. Politics) A refusal to support a nomination made by
the party with which one has been connected; a breaking
away from one's party.
Bolt \Bolt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bolted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bolting}.] [OE. bolten, boulten, OF. buleter, F. bluter, fr.
Ll. buletare, buratare, cf. F. bure coarse woolen stuff; fr.
L. burrus red. See {Borrel}, and cf. {Bultel}.]
1. To sift or separate the coarser from the finer particles
of, as bran from flour, by means of a bolter; to separate,
assort, refine, or purify by other means.
He now had bolted all the flour. --Spenser.
Ill schooled in bolted language. --Shak.
2. To separate, as if by sifting or bolting; -- with out.
Time and nature will bolt out the truth of things.
--L'Estrange.
3. (Law) To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as
cases at law. --Jacob.
{To bolt to the bran}, to examine thoroughly, so as to
separate or discover everything important. --Chaucer.
This bolts the matter fairly to the bran. --Harte.
The report of the committee was examined and sifted
and bolted to the bran. --Burke.
Bolt \Bolt\, n.
A sieve, esp. a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting
flour and meal; a bolter. --B. Jonson.
Boltel \Bol"tel\, n.
See {Boultel}.
Bolter \Bolt"er\, n.
One who bolts; esp.:
(a) A horse which starts suddenly aside.
(b) A man who breaks away from his party.
Bolter \Bolt"er\, n.
1. One who sifts flour or meal.
2. An instrument or machine for separating bran from flour,
or the coarser part of meal from the finer; a sieve.
Bolter \Bolt"er\, n.
A kind of fishing line. See {Boulter}.
Bolthead \Bolt"head`\, n.
1. (Chem.) A long, straight-necked, glass vessel for chemical
distillations; -- called also a {matrass} or receiver.
2. The head of a bolt.
Bolting \Bolt"ing\, n.
A darting away; a starting off or aside.
Bolting \Bolt"ing\, n.
1. A sifting, as of flour or meal.
2. (Law) A private arguing of cases for practice by students,
as in the Inns of Court. [Obs.]
{Bolting cloth}, wire, hair, silk, or other sieve cloth of
different degrees of fineness; -- used by millers for
sifting flour. --McElrath.
{Bolting hutch}, a bin or tub for the bolted flour or meal;
(fig.) a receptacle.
Boltonite \Bol"ton*ite\, n. (Min.)
A granular mineral of a grayish or yellowish color, found in
Bolton, Massachusetts. It is a silicate of magnesium,
belonging to the chrysolite family.
Boltrope \Bolt"rope`\, n. (Naut.)
A rope stitched to the edges of a sail to strengthen the
sail.
Boltsprit \Bolt"sprit`\, n. [A corruption of bowsprit.] (Naut.)
See {Bowsprit}.
Bolty \Bol"ty\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An edible fish of the Nile (genus {Chromis}). [Written also
{bulti}.]
Bolus \Bo"lus\, n.; pl. {Boluses}. [L. bolus bit, morsel; cf. G.
? lump of earth. See {Bole}, n., clay.]
A rounded mass of anything, esp. a large pill.
Bom \Bom\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large American serpent, so called from the sound it makes.
Bomb \Bomb\, n. [F. bombe bombshell, fr. L. bombus a humming or
buzzing noise, Gr. ?.]
1. A great noise; a hollow sound. [Obs.]
A pillar of iron . . . which if you had struck,
would make . . . a great bomb in the chamber
beneath. --Bacon.
2. (Mil.) A shell; esp. a spherical shell, like those fired
from mortars. See {Shell}.
3. A bomb ketch.
{Bomb chest} (Mil.), a chest filled with bombs, or only with
gunpowder, placed under ground, to cause destruction by
its explosion.
{Bomb ketch}, {Bomb vessel} (Naut.), a small ketch or vessel,
very strongly built, on which mortars are mounted to be
used in naval bombardments; -- called also {mortar
vessel}.
{Bomb lance}, a lance or harpoon with an explosive head, used
in whale fishing.
{Volcanic bomb}, a mass of lava of a spherical or pear shape.
``I noticed volcanic bombs.'' --Darwin.
Bomb \Bomb\, v. t.
To bombard. [Obs.] --Prior.
Bomb \Bomb\, v. i. [Cf. {Boom}.]
To sound; to boom; to make a humming or buzzing sound. [Obs.]
--B. Jonson.
Bombace \Bom"bace\, n. [OF.]
Cotton; padding. [Obs.]
Bombard \Bom"bard\, n. [F. bombarde, LL. bombarda, fr. L. bombus
+ -ard. Cf. {Bumper}, and see {Bomb}.]
1. (Gun.) A piece of heavy ordnance formerly used for
throwing stones and other ponderous missiles. It was the
earliest kind of cannon.
They planted in divers places twelve great bombards,
wherewith they threw huge stones into the air,
which, falling down into the city, might break down
the houses. --Knolles.
2. A bombardment. [Poetic & R.] --J. Barlow.
3. A large drinking vessel or can, or a leather bottle, for
carrying liquor or beer. [Obs.]
Yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a
foul bombard that would shed his liquor. --Shak.
4. pl. Padded breeches. [Obs.]
{Bombard phrase}, inflated language; bombast. [Obs.] --B.
Jonson.
Bombard \Bom"bard\, n. [OE. bombarde, fr. F. bombarde.] (Mus.)
See {Bombardo}. [Obs.]
Bombard \Bom*bard"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bombarded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bombarding}.]
To attack with bombards or with artillery; especially, to
throw shells, hot shot, etc., at or into.
Next, she means to bombard Naples. --Burke.
His fleet bombarded and burnt down Dieppe. --Wood.
Bombardier \Bom`bar*dier"\, n. [F. bombardier.] (Mil.)
(a) One who used or managed a bombard; an artilleryman; a
gunner. [Archaic]
(b) A noncommissioned officer in the British artillery.
{Bombardier beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a kind of beetle ({Brachinus
crepitans}), so called because, when disturbed, it makes
an explosive discharge of a pungent and acrid vapor from
its anal glands. The name is applied to other related
species, as the {B. displosor}, which can produce ten or
twelve explosions successively. The common American
species is {B. fumans}.
Bombardman \Bom"bard*man\, n.
One who carried liquor or beer in a can or bombard. [Obs.]
They . . . made room for a bombardman that brought
bouge for a country lady. --B. Jonson.
Bombardment \Bom*bard"ment\, n. [F. bombardement.]
An attack upon a fortress or fortified town, with shells, hot
shot, rockets, etc.; the act of throwing bombs and shot into
a town or fortified place.
Bombardo \Bom*bar"do\, Bombardon \Bom*bar"don\, n. [It.
bombardo.] (Mus.)
Originally, a deep-toned instrument of the oboe or bassoon
family; thence, a bass reed stop on the organ. The name
bombardon is now given to a brass instrument, the lowest of
the saxhorns, in tone resembling the ophicleide. --Grove.
Bombasine \Bom`ba*sine"\, n.
Same as {Bombazine}.
Bombast \Bom"bast\ (b[o^]m"b[.a]st or b[u^]m"b[.a]st; 277), n.
[OF. bombace cotton, LL. bombax cotton, bombasium a doublet
of cotton; hence, padding, wadding, fustian. See
{Bombazine}.]
1. Originally, cotton, or cotton wool. [Obs.]
A candle with a wick of bombast. --Lupton.
2. Cotton, or any soft, fibrous material, used as stuffing
for garments; stuffing; padding. [Obs.]
How now, my sweet creature of bombast! --Shak.
Doublets, stuffed with four, five, or six pounds of
bombast at least. --Stubbes.
3. Fig.: High-sounding words; an inflated style; language
above the dignity of the occasion; fustian.
Yet noisy bombast carefully avoid. --Dryden.
Bombast \Bom"bast\, a.
High-sounding; inflated; big without meaning; magniloquent;
bombastic.
[He] evades them with a bombast circumstance, Horribly
stuffed with epithets of war. --Shak.
Nor a tall metaphor in bombast way. --Cowley.
Bombast \Bom*bast"\ (b[o^]m*b[.a]st" or b[u^]m*b[.a]st"), v. t.
To swell or fill out; to pad; to inflate. [Obs.]
Not bombasted with words vain ticklish ears to feed.
--Drayton.
Bombastic \Bom*bas"tic\ (b[o^]m*b[.a]s"t[i^]k or
b[u^]m*b[.a]s"t[i^]k), Bombastical \Bom*bas"tic*al\, a.
Characterized by bombast; high-sounding; inflated. --
{Bom*bas"tic*al*ly}, adv.
A theatrical, bombastic, windy phraseology. --Burke.
Syn: Turgid; tumid; pompous; grandiloquent.
Bombastry \Bom"bast*ry\, n.
Swelling words without much meaning; bombastic language;
fustian.
Bombastry and buffoonery, by nature lofty and light,
soar highest of all. --Swift.
Bombax \Bom"bax\, n. [LL., cotton. See {Bombast}, n.] (Bot.)
A genus of trees, called also the {silkcotton tree}; also, a
tree of the genus Bombax.
Bombazet Bombazette \Bom`ba*zet" Bom`ba*zette"\, n. [Cf.
{Bombazine}.]
A sort of thin woolen cloth. It is of various colors, and may
be plain or twilled.
Bombazine \Bom`ba*zine"\, n. [F. bombasin, LL. bombacinium,
bambacinium, L. bombycinus silken, bombycinum a silk or
cotton texture, fr. bombyx silk, silkworm, Gr. ?. Cf.
{Bombast}, {Bombycinous}.]
A twilled fabric for dresses, of which the warp is silk, and
the weft worsted. Black bombazine has been much used for
mourning garments. [Sometimes spelt {bombasin}, and
{bombasine}.] --Tomlinson.
Bombic \Bom"bic\, a. [L. bombyx silk, silkworm: cf. F.
bombique.]
Pertaining to, or obtained from, the silkworm; as, bombic
acid.
Bombilate \Bom"bi*late\, v. i. [LL. bombilare, for L. bombitare.
See {Bomb}, n.]
To hum; to buzz. [R.]
Bombilation \Bom`bi*la"tion\, n.
A humming sound; a booming.
To . . . silence the bombilation of guns. --Sir T.
Browne.
Bombinate \Bom"bi*nate\, v. i.
To hum; to boom.
Bombination \Bom`bi*na"tion\, n.
A humming or buzzing.
Bombolo \Bom"bo*lo\, n.; pl. {Bomboloes}. [Cf. It bombola a
pitcher.]
A thin spheroidal glass retort or flask, used in the
sublimation of camphor. [Written also {bumbelo}, and
{bumbolo}.]
Bombproof \Bomb"proof`\, a.
Secure against the explosive force of bombs. -- n. A
structure which heavy shot and shell will not penetrate.
Bombshell \Bomb"shell`\, n.
A bomb. See {Bomb}, n.
Bombycid \Bom*by"cid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Bombyx, or the family
{Bombycid[ae]}.
Bombycinous \Bom*byc"i*nous\, a. [L. bombycinus. See
{Bombazine}.]
1. Silken; made of silk. [Obs.] --Coles.
2. Being of the color of the silkworm; transparent with a
yellow tint. --E. Darwin.
Bombylious \Bom*byl"i*ous\, a. [L. bombylius a bumblebee, Gr.
?.]
Buzzing, like a bumblebee; as, the bombylious noise of the
horse fly. [Obs.] --Derham.
Bombyx \Bom"byx\ (b[o^]m"b[i^]ks), n. [L., silkworm. See
{Bombazine}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of moths, which includes the silkworm moth. See
{Silkworm}.
Bon \Bon\, a. [F., fr. L. bonus.]
Good; valid as security for something.
Bon-accord \Bon-ac*cord"\, n.
Good will; good fellowship; agreement. [Scot.]
Bona fide \Bo"na fi"de\ [L.]
In or with good faith; without fraud or deceit; real or
really; actual or actually; genuine or genuinely; as, you
must proceed bona fide; a bona fide purchaser or transaction.
Bonair \Bo*nair"\, a. [OE., also bonere, OF. bonnaire, Cotgr.,
abbrev. of debonnaire. See {Debonair}.]
Gentle; courteous; complaisant; yielding. [Obs.]
Bonanza \Bo*nan"za\, n. [Sp., prop. calm., fair weather,
prosperity, fr. L. bonus good.]
In mining, a rich mine or vein of silver or gold; hence,
anything which is a mine of wealth or yields a large income.
[Colloq. U. S.]
Bonapartean \Bo`na*part"e*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Napoleon Bonaparte or his family.
Bonapartism \Bo"na*part`ism\, n.
The policy of Bonaparte or of the Bonapartes.
Bonapartist \Bo"na*part`ist\, n.
One attached to the policy or family of Bonaparte, or of the
Bonapartes.
Bona peritura \Bo"na per`i*tu"ra\ [L.] (Law)
Perishable goods. --Bouvier.
Bona roba \Bo"na ro"ba\ [It., prop. ``good stuff.'']
A showy wanton; a courtesan. --Shak
Bonasus \Bo*na"sus\, Bonassus \Bo*nas"sus\, n. [L. bonasus, Gr.
?, ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
The aurochs or European bison. See {Aurochs}.
Bonbon \Bon"bon`\, n. [F. bonbon, fr. bon bon very good, a
superlative by reduplication, fr. bon good.]
Sugar confectionery; a sugarplum; hence, any dainty.
Bonce \Bonce\, n. [Etymol. unknown.]
A boy's game played with large marbles.
Bonchr'etien \Bon`chr['e]`tien"\, n. [F., good Christian.]
A name given to several kinds of pears. See {Bartlett}.
Boncilate \Bon"ci*late\, n. [Empirical trade name.]
A substance composed of ground bone, mineral matters, etc.,
hardened by pressure, and used for making billiard balls,
boxes, etc.
Bond \Bond\, n. [The same word as band. Cf. {Band}, {Bend}.]
1. That which binds, ties, fastens, or confines, or by which
anything is fastened or bound, as a cord, chain, etc.; a
band; a ligament; a shackle or a manacle.
Gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder, I gained
my freedom. --Shak.
2. pl. The state of being bound; imprisonment; captivity,
restraint. ``This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of
bonds.'' --Acts xxvi.
3. A binding force or influence; a cause of union; a uniting
tie; as, the bonds of fellowship.
A people with whom I have no tie but the common bond
of mankind. --Burke.
4. Moral or political duty or obligation.
I love your majesty According to my bond, nor more
nor less. --Shak.
5. (Law) A writing under seal, by which a person binds
himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators, to pay
a certain sum on or before a future day appointed. This is
a single bond. But usually a condition is added, that, if
the obligor shall do a certain act, appear at a certain
place, conform to certain rules, faithfully perform
certain duties, or pay a certain sum of money, on or
before a time specified, the obligation shall be void;
otherwise it shall remain in full force. If the condition
is not performed, the bond becomes forfeited, and the
obligor and his heirs are liable to the payment of the
whole sum. --Bouvier. --Wharton.
6. An instrument (of the nature of the ordinary legal bond)
made by a government or a corporation for purpose of
borrowing money; as, a government, city, or railway bond.
7. The state of goods placed in a bonded warehouse till the
duties are paid; as, merchandise in bond.
8. (Arch.) The union or tie of the several stones or bricks
forming a wall. The bricks may be arranged for this
purpose in several different ways, as in English or block
bond (Fig. 1), where one course consists of bricks with
their ends toward the face of the wall, called headers,
and the next course of bricks with their lengths parallel
to the face of the wall, called stretchers; Flemish bond
(Fig.2), where each course consists of headers and
stretchers alternately, so laid as always to break joints;
Cross bond, which differs from the English by the change
of the second stretcher line so that its joints come in
the middle of the first, and the same position of
stretchers comes back every fifth line; Combined cross and
English bond, where the inner part of the wall is laid in
the one method, the outer in the other.
9. (Chem.) A unit of chemical attraction; as, oxygen has two
bonds of affinity. It is often represented in graphic
formul[ae] by a short line or dash. See Diagram of
{Benzene nucleus}, and {Valence}.
{Arbitration bond}. See under {Arbitration}.
{Bond crediter} (Law), a creditor whose debt is secured by a
bond. --Blackstone.
{Bond debt} (Law), a debt contracted under the obligation of
a bond. --Burrows.
{Bond} (or {lap}) {of a slate}, the distance between the top
of one slate and the bottom or drip of the second slate
above, i. e., the space which is covered with three
thicknesses; also, the distance between the nail of the
under slate and the lower edge of the upper slate.
{Bond timber}, timber worked into a wall to tie or strengthen
it longitudinally.
Syn: Chains; fetters; captivity; imprisonment.
Bond \Bond\ (b[o^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bonded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bonding}.]
1. To place under the conditions of a bond; to mortgage; to
secure the payment of the duties on (goods or merchandise)
by giving a bond.
2. (Arch.) To dispose in building, as the materials of a
wall, so as to secure solidity.
Bond \Bond\, n. [OE. bond, bonde, peasant, serf, AS. bonda,
bunda, husband, bouseholder, from Icel. b[=o]ndi husbandman,
for b[=u]andi, fr. b[=u]a to dwell. See {Boor}, {Husband}.]
A vassal or serf; a slave. [Obs. or Archaic]
Bond \Bond\, a.
In a state of servitude or slavery; captive.
By one Spirit are we all baptized .. whether we be Jews
or Bentiles, whether we be bond or free. --1 Cor. xii.
13.
Bondage \Bond"age\, n. [LL. bondagium. See {Bond}, a.]
1. The state of being bound; condition of being under
restraint; restraint of personal liberty by compulsion;
involuntary servitude; slavery; captivity.
The King, when he designed you for my guard,
Resolved he would not make my bondage hard.
--Dryden.
2. Obligation; tie of duty.
He must resolve by no means to be . . . brought
under the bondage of onserving oaths. --South.
3. (Old Eng. Law) Villenage; tenure of land on condition of
doing the meanest services for the owner.
Syn: Thralldom; bond service; imprisonment.
Bondager \Bond"a*ger\, n.
A field worker, esp. a woman who works in the field. [Scot.]
Bondar \Bon"dar\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small quadruped of Bengal ({Paradoxurus bondar}), allied to
the genet; -- called also {musk cat}.
Bonded \Bond"ed\, a.
Placed under, or covered by, a bond, as for the payment of
duties, or for conformity to certain regulations.
{Bonded goods}, goods placed in a bonded warehouse; goods,
for the duties on which bonds are given at the
customhouse.
{Bonded warehouse}, a warehouse in which goods on which the
duties are unpaid are stored under bond and in the joint
custody of the importer, or his agent, and the customs
officers.
Bonder \Bond"er\, n.
1. One who places goods under bond or in a bonded warehouse.
2. (Masonry) A bonding stone or brick; a bondstone.
Bonder \Bond"er\, n. [Norwegian bonde.]
A freeholder on a small scale. [Norway] --Emerson.
Bondholder \Bond"hold`er\, n.
A person who holds the bonds of a public or private
corporation for the payment of money at a certain time.
Bondmaid \Bond"maid`\, n. [Bond,a.orn.+ maid.]
A female slave, or one bound to service without wages, as
distinguished from a hired servant.
Bondman \Bond"man\, n.; pl. {Bondmen}. [Bond,a.orn.+ man.]
1. A man slave, or one bound to service without wages. ``To
enfranchise bondmen.'' --Macaulay.
2. (Old Eng. Law) A villain, or tenant in villenage.
Bond servant \Bond" serv`ant\
A slave; one who is bound to service without wages.
If thy brother . . . be waxen poor, and be sold unto
thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bond
servant: but as an hired servant. --Lev. xxv.
39, 40.
Bond service \Bond" serv`ice\
The condition of a bond servant; service without wages;
slavery.
Their children . . . upon those did Solomon levy a
tribute of bond service. --1 Kings ix.
21.
Bondslave \Bond"slave`\, n.
A person in a state of slavery; one whose person and liberty
are subjected to the authority of a master.
Bondsman \Bonds"man\, n.; pl. {Bondsmen}. [Bond, a. or n. +
man.]
1. A slave; a villain; a serf; a bondman.
Carnal, greedy people, without such a precept, would
have no mercy upon their poor bondsmen. --Derham.
2. (Law) A surety; one who is bound, or who gives security,
for another.
Bondstone \Bond"stone`\, n. [Bond,n.+ stone.] (Masonry)
A stone running through a wall from one face to another, to
bind it together; a binding stone.
Bondswoman \Bonds"wom`an\, n.
See {Bondwoman}.
Bonduc \Bon"duc\, n. [F. bonduc, fr. Ar. bunduq hazel nut,
filbert nut.] (Bot.)
See {Nicker tree}.
Bondwoman \Bond"wom`an\, n.; pl. {Bondwomen}. [Bond,a.orn.+
woman.]
A woman who is a slave, or in bondage.
He who was of the bondwoman. --Gal. iv. 23.
Bone \Bone\, n. [OE. bon, ban, AS. b[=a]n; akin to Icel. bein,
Sw. ben, Dan. & D. been, G. bein bone, leg; cf. Icel. beinn
straight.]
1. (Anat.) The hard, calcified tissue of the skeleton of
vertebrate animals, consisting very largely of calcic
carbonate, calcic phosphate, and gelatine; as, blood and
bone.
Note: Even in the hardest parts of bone there are many minute
cavities containing living matter and connected by
minute canals, some of which connect with larger canals
through which blood vessels ramify.
2. One of the pieces or parts of an animal skeleton; as, a
rib or a thigh bone; a bone of the arm or leg; also, any
fragment of bony substance. (pl.) The frame or skeleton of
the body.
3. Anything made of bone, as a bobbin for weaving bone lace.
4. pl. Two or four pieces of bone held between the fingers
and struck together to make a kind of music.
5. pl. Dice.
6. Whalebone; hence, a piece of whalebone or of steel for a
corset.
7. Fig.: The framework of anything.
{A bone of contention}, a subject of contention or dispute.
{A bone to pick}, something to investigate, or to busy one's
self about; a dispute to be settled (with some one).
{Bone ash}, the residue from calcined bones; -- used for
making cupels, and for cleaning jewelry.
{Bone black} (Chem.), the black, carbonaceous substance into
which bones are converted by calcination in close vessels;
-- called also {animal charcoal}. It is used as a
decolorizing material in filtering sirups, extracts, etc.,
and as a black pigment. See {Ivory black}, under {Black}.
{Bone cave}, a cave in which are found bones of extinct or
recent animals, mingled sometimes with the works and bones
of man. --Am. Cyc.
{Bone dust}, ground or pulverized bones, used as a
fertilizer.
{Bone earth} (Chem.), the earthy residuum after the
calcination of bone, consisting chiefly of phosphate of
calcium.
{Bone lace}, a lace made of linen thread, so called because
woven with bobbins of bone.
{Bone oil}, an oil obtained by, heating bones (as in the
manufacture of bone black), and remarkable for containing
the nitrogenous bases, pyridine and quinoline, and their
derivatives; -- also called {Dippel's oil}.
{Bone setter}. Same as {Bonesetter}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Bone shark} (Zo["o]l.), the basking shark.
{Bone spavin}. See under {Spavin}.
{Bone turquoise}, fossil bone or tooth of a delicate blue
color, sometimes used as an imitation of true turquoise.
{Bone whale} (Zo["o]l.), a right whale.
{To be upon the bones of}, to attack. [Obs.]
{To make no bones}, to make no scruple; not to hesitate.
[Low]
{To pick a bone with}, to quarrel with, as dogs quarrel over
a bone; to settle a disagreement. [Colloq.]
Bone \Bone\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Boning}.]
1. To withdraw bones from the flesh of, as in cookery. ``To
bone a turkey.'' --Soyer.
2. To put whalebone into; as, to bone stays. --Ash.
3. To fertilize with bone.
4. To steal; to take possession of. [Slang]
Bone \Bone\, v. t. [F. bornoyer to look at with one eye, to
sight, fr. borgne one-eyed.]
To sight along an object or set of objects, to see if it or
they be level or in line, as in carpentry, masonry, and
surveying. --Knight.
Joiners, etc., bone their work with two straight edges.
W. --M. Buchanan.
Boneache \Bone"ache`\, n.
Pain in the bones. --Shak.
Boneblack \Bone"black`\, n.
See {Bone black}, under {Bone}, n.
Boned \Boned\, a.
1. Having (such) bones; -- used in composition; as,
big-boned; strong-boned.
No big-boned men framed of the Cyclops' size.
--Shak.
2. Deprived of bones; as, boned turkey or codfish.
3. Manured with bone; as, boned land.
Bonedog \Bone"dog`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The spiny dogfish.
Bonefish \Bone"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Ladyfish}.
Boneless \Bone"less\, a.
Without bones. ``Boneless gums.'' --Shak.
Boneset \Bone"set`\, n. (Bot.)
A medicinal plant, the thoroughwort ({Eupatorium
perfoliatum}). Its properties are diaphoretic and tonic.
Bonesetter \Bone"set*ter\, n.
One who sets broken or dislocated bones; -- commonly applied
to one, not a regular surgeon, who makes an occupation of
setting bones. -- {Bone"set*ting}, n.
Boneshaw \Bone"shaw\, n. (Med.)
Sciatica. [Obs.]
Bonetta \Bo*net"ta\, n.
See {Bonito}. --Sir T. Herbert.
Bonfire \Bon"fire`\, n. [OE. bonefire, banefire, orig. a fire of
bones; bone + fire; but cf. also Prov. E. bun a dry stalk.]
A large fire built in the open air, as an expression of
public joy and exultation, or for amusement.
Full soon by bonfire and by bell, We learnt our liege
was passing well. --Gay.
Bongrace \Bon"grace`\, n. [F. bon good + gr[^a]ce grace, charm.]
A projecting bonnet or shade to protect the complexion; also,
a wide-brimmed hat. [Obs.]
Bonhomie \Bon`ho*mie"\, Bonhommie \Bon`hom*mie"\, n. [F.]
good nature; pleasant and easy manner.
Bonibell \Bon"i*bell\, n.
See {Bonnibel}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Boniface \Bon"i*face\, n. [From the sleek, jolly landlord in
Farquhar's comedy of ``The Beaux' Stratagem.'']
An innkeeper.
Boniform \Bon"i*form\, a. [L. bonus good + -form.]
Sensitive or responsive to moral excellence. --Dr. H. More.
Bonify \Bon"i*fy\, v. t. [L. bonus good + -fy: cf. F. bonifier.]
To convert into, or make, good.
To bonify evils, or tincture them with good.
--Cudworth.
Boniness \Bon"i*ness\, n.
The condition or quality of being bony.
Boning \Bon"ing\, n. [Senses 1 and 2 fr. 1st {Bone}, sense 3 fr.
3d {Bone}.]
1. The clearing of bones from fish or meat.
2. The manuring of land with bones.
3. A method of leveling a line or surface by sighting along
the tops of two or more straight edges, or a range of
properly spaced poles. See 3d {Bone}, v. t.
Bonitary \Bon"i*ta*ry\, a.
Beneficial, as opposed to statutory or civil; as, bonitary
dominion of land.
Bonito \Bo*ni"to\, n.; pl. {Bonitoes}. [Sp. & Pg. bonito, fr.
Ar. bain[=i]t and bain[=i]th.] [Often incorrectly written
{bonita}.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. A large tropical fish ({Orcynus pelamys}) allied to the
tunny. It is about three feet long, blue above, with four
brown stripes on the sides. It is sometimes found on the
American coast.
2. The skipjack ({Sarda Mediterranea}) of the Atlantic, an
important and abundant food fish on the coast of the
United States, and ({S. Chilensis}) of the Pacific, and
other related species. They are large and active fishes,
of a blue color with black oblique stripes.
3. The medregal ({Seriola fasciata}), an edible fish of the
southern of the United States and the West Indies.
4. The cobia or crab eater ({Elacate canada}), an edible fish
of the Middle and Southern United States.
Bonmot \Bon"mot`\, n.; pl. {Bonsmots}. [ F. bon good + mot
word.]
A witty repartee; a jest.
Bonne \Bonne\ (b[o^]n), n. (F., prop. good woman.)
A female servant charged with the care of a young child.
Bonne bouche \Bonne" bouche"\; pl. {Bonnes bouches}. [F. bon,
fem. bonne, good + bouche mouth.]
A delicious morsel or mouthful; a tidbit.
Bonnet \Bon"net\ (b[o^]n"n[e^]t), n. [OE. bonet, OF. bonet,
bonete. F. bonnet fr. LL. bonneta, bonetum; orig. the name of
a stuff, and of unknown origin.]
1. A headdress for men and boys; a cap. [Obs.] --Milton.
--Shak.
2. A soft, elastic, very durable cap, made of thick, seamless
woolen stuff, and worn by men in Scotland.
And p?i?s and bonnets waving high. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. A covering for the head, worn by women, usually protecting
more or less the back and sides of the head, but no part
of the forehead. The shape of the bonnet varies greatly at
different times; formerly the front part projected, and
spread outward, like the mouth of a funnel.
4. Anything resembling a bonnet in shape or use; as,
(a) (Fort.) A small defense work at a salient angle; or a
part of a parapet elevated to screen the other part
from enfilade fire.
(b) A metallic canopy, or projection, over an opening, as
a fireplace, or a cowl or hood to increase the draught
of a chimney, etc.
(c) A frame of wire netting over a locomotive chimney, to
prevent escape of sparks.
(d) A roofing over the cage of a mine, to protect its
occupants from objects falling down the shaft.
(e) In pumps, a metal covering for the openings in the
valve chambers.
5. (Naut.) An additional piece of canvas laced to the foot of
a jib or foresail in moderate winds. --Hakluyt.
6. The second stomach of a ruminating animal.
7. An accomplice of a gambler, auctioneer, etc., who entices
others to bet or to bid; a decoy. [Cant]
{Bonnet head} (Zo["o]l.), a shark ({Sphyrna tiburio}) of the
southern United States and West Indies.
{Bonnet limpet} (Zo["o]l.), a name given, from their shape,
to various species of shells (family {Calyptr[ae]id[ae]}).
{Bonnet monkey} (Zo["o]l.), an East Indian monkey ({Macacus
sinicus}), with a tuft of hair on its head; the munga.
{Bonnet piece}, a gold coin of the time of James V. of
Scotland, the king's head on which wears a bonnet. --Sir
W. Scott.
{To have a bee in the bonnet}. See under {Bee}.
{Black bonnet}. See under {Black}.
{Blue bonnet}. See in the Vocabulary.
Bonnet \Bon"net\, v. i.
To take off the bonnet or cap as a mark of respect; to
uncover. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bonneted \Bon"net*ed\, a.
1. Wearing a bonnet. ``Bonneted and shawled.'' --Howitt.
2. (Fort.) Protected by a bonnet. See {Bonnet}, 4
(a) .
Bonnetless \Bon"net*less\, a.
Without a bonnet.
Bonnibel \Bon"ni*bel\, n. [F. bonne et belle, good and
beautiful. Cf. {Bellibone}.]
A handsome girl. [Obs.]
Bonnie \Bon"nie\, a. [Scot.]
See {Bonny}, a.
Bonnilass \Bon"ni*lass`\, n. [Bonny + lass.]
A ``bonny lass''; a beautiful girl. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bonnily \Bon"ni*ly\, adv.
Gayly; handsomely.
Bonniness \Bon"ni*ness\, n.
The quality of being bonny; gayety; handsomeness. [R.]
Bonny \Bon"ny\, a. [Spelled {bonnie} by the Scotch.] [OE. boni,
prob. fr. F. bon, fem. bonne, good, fr. L. bonus good. See
{Bounty}, and cf. {Bonus}, {Boon}.]
1. Handsome; beautiful; pretty; attractively lively and
graceful.
Till bonny Susan sped across the plain. --Gay.
Far from the bonnie banks of Ayr. --Burns.
2. Gay; merry; frolicsome; cheerful; blithe.
Be you blithe and bonny. --Shak.
Report speaks you a bonny monk, that would hear the
mati?chime ere he quitted his bowl. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bonny \Bon"ny\, n. (Mining)
A round and compact bed of ore, or a distinct bed, not
communicating with a vein.
Bonnyclabber \Bon"ny*clab`ber\, n. [Ir. bainne, baine, milk +
clabar mud, mire.]
Coagulated sour milk; loppered milk; curdled milk; --
sometimes called simply clabber. --B. Jonson.
Bon Silene \Bon" Si`l[`e]ne"\ [F.] (Bot.)
A very fragrant tea rose with petals of various shades of
pink.
Bonspiel \Bon"spiel\, n. [Scot.; of uncertain origin.]
A cur?ing match between clubs. [Scot.]
Bontebok \Bon"te*bok\, n. [D. bont a sort of skin or fur, prop.
variegated + bok buck.] (Zo["o]l.)
The pied antelope of South Africa ({Alcelaphus pygarga}). Its
face and rump are white. Called also {nunni}.
Bon ton \Bon" ton"\ [F., good tone, manner.]
The height of the fashion; fashionable society.
Bonus \Bo"nus\, n.; pl. {Bonuses}. [L. bonus good. Cf. {Bonny}.]
1. (Law) A premium given for a loan, or for a charter or
other privilege granted to a company; as the bank paid a
bonus for its charter. --Bouvier.
2. An extra dividend to the shareholders of a joint stock
company, out of accumulated profits.
3. Money paid in addition to a stated compensation.
Bon vivant \Bon" vi`vant"\; pl. {Bons vivants}. [F. bon good +
vivant, p. pr. of vivre to live.]
A good fellow; a jovial companion; a free liver.
Bony \Bon"y\, a.
1. Consisting of bone, or of bones; full of bones; pertaining
to bones.
2. Having large or prominent bones.
{Bony fish} (Zo["o]l.), the menhaden.
{Bony pike} (Zo["o]l.), the gar pike ({Lepidosteus}).
Bonze \Bon"ze\ (b[o^]n"z[-e]; 277), n. [Pg. bonzo, fr. Japan.
b[=o]zu a Buddhist priest: cf. F. bonze.]
A Buddhist or Fohist priest, monk, or nun.
Note: The name was given by the Portuguese to the priests of
Japan, and has since been applied to the priests of
China, Cochin China, and the neighboring countries.
Booby \Boo"by\ (b[=oo]"b[y^]), n.; pl. {Boobies} (-b[i^]z). [Sp.
bobo dunce, idiot; cf. L. balbus stammering, E. barbarous.]
1. A dunce; a stupid fellow.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A swimming bird ({Sula fiber} or {S. sula}) related to
the common gannet, and found in the West Indies,
nesting on the bare rocks. It is so called on account
of its apparent stupidity. The name is also sometimes
applied to other species of gannets; as, {S.
piscator}, the red-footed booby.
(b) A species of penguin of the antarctic seas.
{Booby hatch} (Naut.), a kind of wooden hood over a hatch,
readily removable.
{Booby hut}, a carriage body put upon sleigh runners. [Local,
U. S.] --Bartlett.
{Booby hutch}, a clumsy covered carriage or seat, used in the
eastern part of England. --Forby.
{Booby trap}, a schoolboy's practical joke, as a shower bath
when a door is opened.
Booby \Boo"by\ (b[=oo]"b[y^]), a.
Having the characteristics of a booby; stupid.
Boobyish \Boo"by*ish\, a.
Stupid; dull.
Boodh \Boodh\, n.
Same as {Buddha}. --Malcom.
Boodhism \Boodh"ism\, n.
Same as {Buddhism}.
Boodhist \Boodh"ist\, n.
Same as {Buddhist}.
Boodle \Boo"dle\, n. [Origin uncertain.]
1. The whole collection or lot; caboodle. [Low, U. S.]
--Bartlett.
2. Money given in payment for votes or political influence;
bribe money; swag. [Polit. slang, U. S.]
Boohoe \Boo`hoe"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Boohooed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Boohooing}.] [An imitative word.]
To bawl; to cry loudly. [Low] --Bartlett.
Boohoo \Boo"hoo`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The sailfish; -- called also {woohoo}.
Book \Book\ (b[oo^]k), n. [OE. book, bok, AS. b[=o]c; akin to
Goth. b[=o]ka a letter, in pl. book, writing, Icel. b[=o]k,
Sw. bok, Dan. bog, OS. b[=o]k, D. boek, OHG. puoh, G. buch;
and fr. AS. b[=o]c, b[=e]ce, beech; because the ancient
Saxons and Germans in general wrote runes on pieces of
beechen board. Cf. {Beech}.]
1. A collection of sheets of paper, or similar material,
blank, written, or printed, bound together; commonly, many
folded and bound sheets containing continuous printing or
writing.
Note: When blank, it is called a blank book. When printed,
the term often distinguishes a bound volume, or a
volume of some size, from a pamphlet.
Note: It has been held that, under the copyright law, a book
is not necessarily a volume made of many sheets bound
together; it may be printed on a single sheet, as music
or a diagram of patterns. --Abbott.
2. A composition, written or printed; a treatise.
A good book is the precious life blood of a master
spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a
life beyond life. --Milton.
3. A part or subdivision of a treatise or literary work; as,
the tenth book of ``Paradise Lost.''
4. A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are
kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and
expenditures, etc.
5. Six tricks taken by one side, in the game of whist; in
certain other games, two or more corresponding cards,
forming a set.
Note: Book is used adjectively or as a part of many
compounds; as, book buyer, bookrack, book club, book
lore, book sale, book trade, memorandum book, cashbook.
{Book account}, an account or register of debt or credit in a
book.
{Book debt}, a debt for items charged to the debtor by the
creditor in his book of accounts.
{Book learning}, learning acquired from books, as
distinguished from practical knowledge. ``Neither does it
so much require book learning and scholarship, as good
natural sense, to distinguish true and false.'' --Burnet.
{Book louse} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of minute,
wingless insects injurious to books and papers. They
belong to the {Pseudoneuroptera}.
{Book moth} (Zo["o]l.), the name of several species of moths,
the larv[ae] of which eat books.
{Book oath}, an oath made on {The Book}, or Bible.
{The Book of Books}, the Bible.
{Book post}, a system under which books, bulky manuscripts,
etc., may be transmitted by mail.
{Book scorpion} (Zo["o]l.), one of the false scorpions
({Chelifer cancroides}) found among books and papers. It
can run sidewise and backward, and feeds on small insects.
{Book stall}, a stand or stall, often in the open air, for
retailing books.
{Canonical books}. See {Canonical}.
{In one's books}, in one's favor. ``I was so much in his
books, that at his decease he left me his lamp.''
--Addison.
{To bring to book}.
(a) To compel to give an account.
(b) To compare with an admitted authority. ``To bring it
manifestly to book is impossible.'' --M. Arnold.
{To curse by bell, book, and candle}. See under {Bell}.
{To make a book} (Horse Racing), to lay bets (recorded in a
pocket book) against the success of every horse, so that
the bookmaker wins on all the unsuccessful horses and
loses only on the winning horse or horses.
{To speak by the book}, to speak with minute exactness.
{Without book}.
(a) By memory.
(b) Without authority.
Book \Book\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Booked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Booking}.]
1. To enter, write, or register in a book or list.
Let it be booked with the rest of this day's deeds.
--Shak.
2. To enter the name of (any one) in a book for the purpose
of securing a passage, conveyance, or seat; as, to be
booked for Southampton; to book a seat in a theater.
3. To mark out for; to destine or assign for; as, he is
booked for the valedictory. [Colloq.]
Here I am booked for three days more in Paris.
--Charles
Reade.
Bookbinder \Book"bind`er\, n.
One whose occupation is to bind books.
Bookbindery \Book"bind`er*y\, n.
A bookbinder's shop; a place or establishment for binding
books.
Bookbinding \Book"bind`ing\, n.
The art, process, or business of binding books.
Bookcase \Book"case`\, n.
A case with shelves for holding books, esp. one with glazed
doors.
Bookcraft \Book"craft`\, n.
Authorship; literary skill.
Booked \Booked\, a.
1. Registered.
2. On the way; destined. [Colloq.]
Booker \Book"er\, n.
One who enters accounts or names, etc., in a book; a
bookkeeper.
Bookful \Book"ful\, n.
As much as will fill a book; a book full. --Shak. -- a.
Filled with book learning. [R.] ``The bookful blockhead.''
--Pope.
Bookholder \Book"hold`er\, n.
1. A prompter at a theater. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
2. A support for a book, holding it open, while one reads or
copies from it.
Booking clerk \Book"ing clerk`\
A clerk who registers passengers, baggage, etc., for
conveyance, as by railway or steamship, or who sells passage
tickets at a booking office.
Booking office \Book"ing of`fice\
1. An office where passengers, baggage, etc., are registered
for conveyance, as by railway or steamship.
2. An office where passage tickets are sold. [Eng.]
Bookish \Book"ish\, a.
1. Given to reading; fond of study; better acquainted with
books than with men; learned from books. ``A bookish
man.'' --Addison. ``Bookish skill.'' --Bp. Hall.
2. Characterized by a method of expression generally found in
books; formal; labored; pedantic; as, a bookish way of
talking; bookish sentences. -- {Book"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Book"ish*ness}, n.
Bookkeeper \Book"keep`er\, n.
One who keeps accounts; one who has the charge of keeping the
books and accounts in an office.
Bookkeeping \Book"keep`ing\, n.
The art of recording pecuniary or business transactions in a
regular and systematic manner, so as to show their relation
to each other, and the state of the business in which they
occur; the art of keeping accounts. The books commonly used
are a daybook, cashbook, journal, and ledger. See {Daybook},
{Cashbook}, {Journal}, and {Ledger}.
{Bookkeeping by single entry}, the method of keeping books by
carrying the record of each transaction to the debit or
credit of a single account.
{Bookkeeping by double entry}, a mode of bookkeeping in which
two entries of every transaction are carried to the
ledger, one to the Dr., or left hand, side of one account,
and the other to the Cr., or right hand, side of a
corresponding account, in order tha? the one entry may
check the other; -- sometimes called, from the place of
its origin, the Italian method.
Bookland \Book"land`\, Bockland \Bock"land`\, n. [AS. b?cland;
b?c book + land land.] (O. Eng. Law)
Charter land held by deed under certain rents and free
services, which differed in nothing from free socage lands.
This species of tenure has given rise to the modern
freeholds.
Book-learned \Book"-learned`\, a.
Versed in books; having knowledge derived from books. [Often
in a disparaging sense.]
Whate'er these book-learned blockheads say, Solon's the
veriest fool in all the play. --Dryden.
Bookless \Book"less\, a.
Without books; unlearned. --Shenstone.
Booklet \Book"let\, n.
A little book. --T. Arnold.
Bookmaker \Book"mak`er\, n.
1. One who writes and publishes books; especially, one who
gathers his materials from other books; a compiler.
2. (Horse Racing) A betting man who ``makes a book.'' See {To
make a book}, under {Book}, n.
Bookman \Book"man\, n.; pl. {Bookmen}.
A studious man; a scholar. --Shak.
Bookmark \Book"mark`\, n.
Something placed in a book to guide in finding a particular
page or passage; also, a label in a book to designate the
owner; a bookplate.
Bookmate \Book"mate`\, n. [Book + mate.]
A schoolfellow; an associate in study.
Bookmonger \Book"mon`ger\, n.
A dealer in books.
Book muslin \Book" mus`lin\
1. A kind of muslin used for the covers of books.
2. A kind of thin white muslin for ladies' dresses.
Bookplate \Book"plate`\, n.
A label, placed upon or in a book, showing its ownership or
its position in a library.
Bookseller \Book"sell`er\, n.
One who sells books.
Bookselling \Book"sell`ing\, n.
The employment of selling books.
Bookshelf \Book"shelf`\, n.; pl. {Bookshelves}.
A shelf to hold books.
Bookshop \Book"shop`\, n.
A bookseller's shop. [Eng.]
Bookstall \Book"stall`\, n.
A stall or stand where books are sold.
Bookstand \Book"stand`\, n.
1. A place or stand for the sale of books in the streets; a
bookstall.
2. A stand to hold books for reading or reference.
Bookstore \Book"store`\, n.
A store where books are kept for sale; -- called in England a
bookseller's shop.
Bookwork \Book"work`\, n.
1. Work done upon a book or books (as in a printing office),
in distinction from newspaper or job work.
2. Study; application to books.
Bookworm \Book"worm`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any larva of a beetle or moth, which is
injurious to books. Many species are known.
2. A student closely attached to books or addicted to study;
a reader without appreciation.
I wanted but a black gown and a salary to be as mere
a bookworm as any there. --Pope.
Booky \Book"y\, a.
Bookish.
Booly \Boo"ly\, n.; pl. {Boolies}. [Ir. buachail cowherd; bo cow
+ giolla boy.]
A company of Irish herdsmen, or a single herdsman, wandering
from place to place with flocks and herds, and living on
their milk, like the Tartars; also, a place in the mountain
pastures inclosed for the shelter of cattle or their keepers.
[Obs.] [Written also {boley}, {bolye}, {bouillie}.]
--Spenser.
Boom \Boom\ (b[=oo]m), n. [D. boom tree, pole, beam, bar. See
{Beam}.]
1. (Naut.) A long pole or spar, run out for the purpose of
extending the bottom of a particular sail; as, the jib
boom, the studding-sail boom, etc.
2. (Mech.) A long spar or beam, projecting from the mast of a
derrick, from the outer end of which the body to be lifted
is suspended.
3. A pole with a conspicuous top, set up to mark the channel
in a river or harbor. [Obs.]
4. (Mil. & Naval) A strong chain cable, or line of spars
bound together, extended across a river or the mouth of a
harbor, to obstruct navigation or passage.
5. (Lumbering) A line of connected floating timbers stretched
across a river, or inclosing an area of water, to keep saw
logs, etc., from floating away.
{Boom iron}, one of the iron rings on the yards through which
the studding-sail booms traverse.
{The booms}, that space on the upper deck of a ship between
the foremast and mainmast, where the boats, spare spars,
etc., are stowed. --Totten.
Boom \Boom\ (b[=oo]m), v. t. (Naut.)
To extend, or push, with a boom or pole; as, to boom out a
sail; to boom off a boat.
Boom \Boom\ (b[=oo]m), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Boomed}, p. pr. &
vb. n. {Booming}.] [Of imitative origin; cf. OE. bommen to
hum, D. bommen to drum, sound as an empty barrel, also W.
bwmp a hollow sound; aderyn y bwmp, the bird of the hollow
sound, i. e., the bittern. Cf. {Bum}, {Bump}, v. i., {Bomb},
v. i.]
1. To cry with a hollow note; to make a hollow sound, as the
bittern, and some insects.
At eve the beetle boometh Athwart the thicket lone.
--Tennyson.
2. To make a hollow sound, as of waves or cannon.
Alarm guns booming through the night air. --W.
Irving.
3. To rush with violence and noise, as a ship under a press
of sail, before a free wind.
She comes booming down before it. --Totten.
4. To have a rapid growth in market value or in popular
favor; to go on rushingly.
Boom \Boom\, n.
1. A hollow roar, as of waves or cannon; also, the hollow cry
of the bittern; a booming.
2. A strong and extensive advance, with more or less noisy
excitement; -- applied colloquially or humorously to
market prices, the demand for stocks or commodities and to
political chances of aspirants to office; as, a boom in
the stock market; a boom in coffee. [Colloq. U. S.]
Boom \Boom\, v. t.
To cause to advance rapidly in price; as, to boom railroad or
mining shares; to create a ``boom'' for; as to boom Mr. C.
for senator. [Colloq. U. S.]
Boomdas \Boom"das\, n. [D. boom tree + das badger.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small African hyracoid mammal ({Dendrohyrax arboreus})
resembling the daman.
Boomer \Boom"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, booms.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A North American rodent, so named because it is
said to make a booming noise. See {Sewellel}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A large male kangaroo.
4. One who works up a ``boom''. [Slang, U. S.]
Boomerang \Boom"er*ang\, n.
A very singular missile weapon used by the natives of
Australia and in some parts of India. It is usually a curved
stick of hard wood, from twenty to thirty inches in length,
from two to three inches wide, and half or three quarters of
an inch thick. When thrown from the hand with a quick rotary
motion, it describes very remarkable curves, according to the
shape of the instrument and the manner of throwing it, often
moving nearly horizontally a long distance, then curving
upward to a considerable height, and finally taking a
retrograde direction, so as to fall near the place from which
it was thrown, or even far in the rear of it.
Booming \Boom"ing\, a.
1. Rushing with violence; swelling with a hollow sound;
making a hollow sound or note; roaring; resounding.
O'er the sea-beat ships the booming waters roar.
--Falcone.
2. Advancing or increasing amid noisy excitement; as, booming
prices; booming popularity. [Colloq. U. S.]
Booming \Boom"ing\, n.
The act of producing a hollow or roaring sound; a violent
rushing with heavy roar; as, the booming of the sea; a deep,
hollow sound; as, the booming of bitterns. --Howitt.
Boomkin \Boom"kin\, n. (Naut.)
Same as {Bumkin}.
Boomorah \Boo"mo*rah\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small West African chevrotain ({Hy[ae]moschus aquaticus}),
resembling the musk deer.
Boomslange \Boom"slang*e\, n. [D. boom tree + slang snake.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large South African tree snake ({Bucephalus Capensis}).
Although considered venomous by natives, it has no poison
fangs.
Boon \Boon\ (b[=oo]n), n. [OE. bone, boin, a petition, fr. Icel.
b[=o]n; akin to Sw. & Dan. b[aum]n, AS. b[=e]n, and perh. to
E. ban; but influenced by F. bon good, fr. L. bonus.
[root]86. See 2d {Ban}, {Bounty}.]
1. A prayer or petition. [Obs.]
For which to God he made so many an idle boon.
--Spenser.
2. That which is asked or granted as a benefit or favor; a
gift; a benefaction; a grant; a present.
Every good gift and every perfect boon is from
above. --James i. 17
(Rev. Ver. ).
Boon \Boon\, a. [F. bon. See {Boon}, n.]
1. Good; prosperous; as, boon voyage. [Obs.]
2. Kind; bountiful; benign.
Which . . . Nature boon Poured forth profuse on
hill, and dale, and plain. --Milton.
3. Gay; merry; jovial; convivial.
A boon companion, loving his bottle. --Arbuthnot.
Boon \Boon\, n. [Scot. boon, bune, been, Gael. & Ir. bunach
coarse tow, fr. bun root, stubble.]
The woody portion flax, which is separated from the fiber as
refuse matter by retting, braking, and scutching.
Boor \Boor\, n. [D. boer farmer, boor; akin to AS. geb?r
countryman, G. bauer; fr. the root of AS. b?an to inhabit,
and akin to E. bower, be. Cf. {Neighbor}, {Boer}, and {Big}
to build.]
1. A husbandman; a peasant; a rustic; esp. a clownish or
unrefined countryman.
2. A Dutch, German, or Russian peasant; esp. a Dutch colonist
in South Africa, Guiana, etc.: a boer.
3. A rude ill-bred person; one who is clownish in manners.
Boorish \Boor"ish\, a.
Like a boor; clownish; uncultured; unmannerly. --
{Boor"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Boor"ish*ness}, n.
Which is in truth a gross and boorish opinion.
--Milton.
Boort \Boort\, n.
See {Bort}.
Boose \Boose\, n. [AS. b[=o]s, b[=o]sig; akin to Icel. b[=a]ss,
Sw. b[*a]s, Dan. baas, stall, G. banse, Goth. bansts barn,
Skr. bh[=a]sas stall. [root]252.]
A stall or a crib for an ox, cow, or other animal. [Prov.
Eng.] --Halliwell.
Boose \Boose\, v. i.
To drink excessively. See {Booze}.
Booser \Boos"er\, n.
A toper; a guzzler. See {Boozer}.
Boost \Boost\ (b[=oo]st), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boosted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Boosting}.] [Cf. {Boast}, v. i.]
To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to
climb); to push up; hence, to assist in overcoming obstacles,
or in making advancement. [Colloq. U. S.]
Boost \Boost\ (b[=oo]st), n.
A push from behind, as to one who is endeavoring to climb;
help. [Colloq. U. S.]
Boot \Boot\ (b[=oo]t), n. [OE. bot, bote, advantage, amends,
cure, AS. b[=o]t; akin to Icel. b[=o]t, Sw. bot, Dan. bod,
Goth. b[=o]ta, D. boete, G. busse; prop., a making good or
better, from the root of E. better, adj. [root]255.]
1. Remedy; relief; amends; reparation; hence, one who brings
relief.
He gaf the sike man his boote. --Chaucer.
Thou art boot for many a bruise And healest many a
wound. --Sir W.
Scott.
Next her Son, our soul's best boot. --Wordsworth.
2. That which is given to make an exchange equal, or to make
up for the deficiency of value in one of the things
exchanged.
I'll give you boot, I'll give you three for one.
--Shak.
3. Profit; gain; advantage; use. [Obs.]
Then talk no more of flight, it is no boot. --Shak.
{To boot}, in addition; over and above; besides; as a
compensation for the difference of value between things
bartered.
Helen, to change, would give an eye to boot. --Shak.
A man's heaviness is refreshed long before he comes
to drunkenness, for when he arrives thither he hath
but changed his heaviness, and taken a crime to
boot. --Jer. Taylor.
Boot \Boot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Booted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Booting}.]
1. To profit; to advantage; to avail; -- generally followed
by it; as, what boots it?
What booteth it to others that we wish them well,
and do nothing for them? --Hooker.
What subdued To change like this a mind so far
imbued With scorn of man, it little boots to know.
--Byron.
What boots to us your victories? --Southey.
2. To enrich; to benefit; to give in addition. [Obs.]
And I will boot thee with what gift beside Thy
modesty can beg. --Shak.
Boot \Boot\, n. [OE. bote, OF. bote, F. botte, LL. botta; of
uncertain origin.]
1. A covering for the foot and lower part of the leg,
ordinarily made of leather.
2. An instrument of torture for the leg, formerly used to
extort confessions, particularly in Scotland.
So he was put to the torture, which in Scotland they
call the boots; for they put a pair of iron boots
close on the leg, and drive wedges between them and
the leg. --Bp. Burnet.
3. A place at the side of a coach, where attendants rode;
also, a low outside place before and behind the body of
the coach. [Obs.]
4. A place for baggage at either end of an old-fashioned
stagecoach.
5. An apron or cover (of leather or rubber cloth) for the
driving seat of a vehicle, to protect from rain and mud.
6. (Plumbing) The metal casing and flange fitted about a pipe
where it passes through a roof.
{Boot catcher}, the person at an inn whose business it was to
pull off boots and clean them. [Obs.] --Swift.
{Boot closer}, one who, or that which, sews the uppers of
boots.
{Boot crimp}, a frame or device used by bootmakers for
drawing and shaping the body of a boot.
{Boot hook}, a hook with a handle, used for pulling on boots.
{Boots and saddles} (Cavalry Tactics), the trumpet call which
is the first signal for mounted drill.
{Sly boots}. See {Slyboots}, in the Vocabulary.
Boot \Boot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Booted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Booting}.]
1. To put boots on, esp. for riding.
Coated and booted for it. --B. Jonson.
2. To punish by kicking with a booted foot. [U. S.]
Boot \Boot\, v. i.
To boot one's self; to put on one's boots.
Boot \Boot\, n.
Booty; spoil. [Obs. or R.] --Shak.
Bootblack \Boot"black`\, n.
One who blacks boots.
Booted \Boot"ed\, a.
1. Wearing boots, especially boots with long tops, as for
riding; as, a booted squire.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having an undivided, horny, bootlike covering;
-- said of the tarsus of some birds.
Bootee \Boot*ee"\, n.
A half boot or short boot.
Bootes \Bo*["o]"tes\ (b[-o]*[=o]"t[=e]z), n. [L. Bootes, Gr.
bow`ths herdsman, fr. boy^s, gen. boo`s, ox, cow.] (Astron.)
A northern constellation, containing the bright star
Arcturus.
Booth \Booth\ (b[=oo][th]), n. [OE. bothe; cf. Icel. b[=u][eth],
Dan. & Sw. bod, MHG. buode, G. bude, baude; from the same
root as AS. b[=u]an to dwell, E. boor, bower, be; cf. Bohem.
bauda, Pol. buda, Russ. budka, Lith. buda, W. bwth, pl.
bythod, Gael. buth, Ir. both.]
1. A house or shed built of boards, boughs, or other slight
materials, for temporary occupation. --Camden.
2. A covered stall or temporary structure in a fair or
market, or at a polling place.
Boothale \Boot"hale`\, v. t. & i. [Boot, for booty + hale.]
To forage for booty; to plunder. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Boothose \Boot"hose`\, n.
1. Stocking hose, or spatterdashes, in lieu of boots. --Shak.
2. Hose made to be worn with boots, as by travelers on
horseback. --Sir W. Scott.
Boothy \Booth"y\, n.
See {Bothy}.
Bootikin \Boot"i*kin\, n. [Boot + -kin.]
1. A little boot, legging, or gaiter.
2. A covering for the foot or hand, worn as a cure for the
gout. --H. Walpole.
Booting \Boot"ing\, n.
Advantage; gain; gain by plunder; booty. [Obs.] --Sir. J.
Harrington.
Booting \Boot"ing\, n.
1. A kind of torture. See {Boot}, n., 2.
2. A kicking, as with a booted foot. [U. S.]
Bootjack \Boot"jack`\, n.
A device for pulling off boots.
Bootless \Boot"less\, a. [From {Boot} profit.]
Unavailing; unprofitable; useless; without advantage or
success. --Chaucer.
I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. --Shak.
-- {Boot"less*ly}, adv. -- {Boot"less*ness}, n.
Bootlick \Boot"lick`\, n.
A toady. [Low, U. S.] --Bartlett.
Bootmaker \Boot"mak`er\, n.
One who makes boots. -- {Boot"mak`ing}, n.
Boots \Boots\, n.
A servant at a hotel or elsewhere, who cleans and blacks the
boots and shoes.
Boottopping \Boot"top`ping\, n.
1. (Naut.) The act or process of daubing a vessel's bottom
near the surface of the water with a mixture of tallow,
sulphur, and resin, as a temporary protection against
worms, after the slime, shells, etc., have been scraped
off.
2. (Naut.) Sheathing a vessel with planking over felt.
Boottree \Boot"tree`\, n. [Boot + tree wood, timber.]
An instrument to stretch and widen the leg of a boot,
consisting of two pieces, together shaped like a leg, between
which, when put into the boot, a wedge is driven.
The pretty boots trimly stretched on boottrees.
--Thackeray.
Booty \Boo"ty\, n. [Cf. Icel. b?ti exchange, barter, Sw. byte
barter, booty, Dan. bytte; akin to D. buit booty, G. beute,
and fr. Icel. byta, Sw. byta, Dan. bytte, to distribute,
exchange. The Scandinavian word was influenced in English by
boot profit.]
That which is seized by violence or obtained by robbery,
especially collective spoil taken in war; plunder; pillage.
--Milton.
{To play booty}, to play dishonestly, with an intent to lose;
to allow one's adversary to win at cards at first, in
order to induce him to continue playing and victimize him
afterwards. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
Booze \Booze\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Boozed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Boozing}.] [D. buizen; akin to G. bausen, and perh. fr. D.
buis tube, channel, bus box, jar.]
To drink greedily or immoderately, esp. alcoholic liquor; to
tipple. [Written also {bouse}, and {boose}.] --Landor.
This is better than boozing in public houses. --H. R.
Haweis.
Booze \Booze\, n.
A carouse; a drinking. --Sir W. Scott.
Boozer \Booz"er\, n.
One who boozes; a toper; a guzzler of alcoholic liquors; a
bouser.
Boozy \Booz"y\, a.
A little intoxicated; fuddled; stupid with liquor; bousy.
[Colloq.] --C. Kingsley.
Bopeep \Bo*peep"\, n. [Bo + peep.]
The act of looking out suddenly, as from behind a screen, so
as to startle some one (as by children in play), or of
looking out and drawing suddenly back, as if frightened.
I for sorrow sung, That such a king should play bopeep,
And go the fools among. --Shak.
Borable \Bor"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being bored. [R.]
Borachte \Bo*rach"te\, n. [Sp. borracha a leather bottle for
wine, borracho drunk, fr. borra a lamb.]
A large leather bottle for liquors, etc., made of the skin of
a goat or other animal. Hence: A drunkard. [Obs.]
You're an absolute borachio. --Congreve.
Boracic \Bo*rac"ic\, a. [Cf. F. boracique. See {Borax}.]
Pertaining to, or produced from, borax; containing boron;
boric; as, boracic acid.
Boracite \Bo"ra*cite\, n. (Min.)
A mineral of a white or gray color occurring massive and in
isometric crystals; in composition it is a magnesium borate
with magnesium chloride.
Boracous \Bo"ra*cous\, a. (Chem.)
Relating to, or obtained from, borax; containing borax.
Borage \Bor"age\, n. [OE. borage (cf. F. bourrache, It.
borraggine, borrace, LL. borago, borrago, LGr. ?), fr. LL.
borra, F. bourre, hair of beasts, flock; so called from its
hairy leaves.] (Bot.)
A mucilaginous plant of the genus Borago (B. officinalis),
which is used, esp. in France, as a demulcent and
diaphoretic.
Boragewort \Bor"age*wort`\, n.
Plant of the Borage family.
Boraginaceous \Bo*rag`i*na"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a family of plants
({Boraginace[ae]}) which includes the borage, heliotrope,
beggar's lice, and many pestiferous plants.
Boragineous \Bor`a*gin"e*ous\, a. (Bot.)
Relating to the Borage tribe; boraginaceous.
Boramez \Bor"a*mez\, n.
See {Barometz}.
Borate \Bo"rate\, n. [From {Boric}.] (Chem.)
A salt formed by the combination of boric acid with a base or
positive radical.
Borax \Bo"rax\, n. [OE. boras, fr. F. borax, earlier spelt
borras; cf. LL. borax, Sp. borraj; all fr. Ar. b?rag, fr.
Pers. b?rah.]
A white or gray crystalline salt, with a slight alkaline
taste, used as a flux, in soldering metals, making enamels,
fixing colors on porcelain, and as a soap. It occurs native
in certain mineral springs, and is made from the boric acid
of hot springs in Tuscany. It was originally obtained from a
lake in Thibet, and was sent to Europe under the name of
tincal. Borax is a pyroborate or tetraborate of sodium,
Na2B4O7.10H2O.
{Borax bead}. (Chem.) See {Bead}, n., 3.
Borborygm \Bor"bo*rygm\, n. [F. borborygme, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
rumble in the bowels.] (Med.)
A rumbling or gurgling noise produced by wind in the bowels.
--Dunglison.
Bord \Bord\, n. [See {Board}, n.]
1. A board; a table. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. (Mining) The face of coal parallel to the natural
fissures.
Bord \Bord\, n.
See {Bourd}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bordage \Bord"age\, n. [LL. bordagium.]
The base or servile tenure by which a bordar held his
cottage.
Bordar \Bord"ar\, n. [LL. bordarius, fr. borda a cottage; of
uncertain origin.]
A villein who rendered menial service for his cottage; a
cottier.
The cottar, the bordar, and the laborer were bound to
aid in the work of the home farm. --J. R. Green.
Bordeaux \Bor*deaux"\, a.
Pertaining to Bordeaux in the south of France. -- n. A claret
wine from Bordeaux.
Bordel \Bor"del\, Bordello \Bor*del"lo\, n. [F. bordel, orig. a
little hut, OF. borde hut, cabin, of German origin, and akin
to E. board,n.See. {Board}, n.]
A brothel; a bawdyhouse; a house devoted to prostitution.
[Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Bordelais \Bor`de*lais"\, a. [F.]
Of or pertaining to Bordeaux, in France, or to the district
around Bordeaux.
Bordeller \Bor"del*ler\, n.
A keeper or a frequenter of a brothel. [Obs.] --Gower.
Border \Bor"der\, n. [OE. bordure, F. bordure, fr. border to
border, fr. bord a border; of German origin; cf. MHG. borte
border, trimming, G. borte trimming, ribbon; akin to E. board
in sense 8. See {Board}, n., and cf. {Bordure}.]
1. The outer part or edge of anything, as of a garment, a
garden, etc.; margin; verge; brink.
Upon the borders of these solitudes. --Bentham.
In the borders of death. --Barrow.
2. A boundary; a frontier of a state or of the settled part
of a country; a frontier district.
3. A strip or stripe arranged along or near the edge of
something, as an ornament or finish.
4. A narrow flower bed.
{Border land}, land on the frontiers of two adjoining
countries; debatable land; -- often used figuratively; as,
the border land of science.
{The Border}, {The Borders}, specifically, the frontier
districts of Scotland and England which lie adjacent.
{Over the border}, across the boundary line or frontier.
Syn: Edge; verge; brink; margin; brim; rim; boundary;
confine.
Border \Bor"der\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bordered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bordering}.]
1. To touch at the edge or boundary; to be contiguous or
adjacent; -- with on or upon as, Connecticut borders on
Massachusetts.
2. To approach; to come near to; to verge.
Wit which borders upon profaneness deserves to be
branded as folly. --Abp.
Tillotson.
Border \Bor"der\, v. t.
1. To make a border for; to furnish with a border, as for
ornament; as, to border a garment or a garden.
2. To be, or to have, contiguous to; to touch, or be touched,
as by a border; to be, or to have, near the limits or
boundary; as, the region borders a forest, or is bordered
on the north by a forest.
The country is bordered by a broad tract called the
``hot region.'' --Prescott.
Shebah and Raamah . . . border the sea called the
Persian gulf. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
3. To confine within bounds; to limit. [Obs.]
That nature, which contemns its origin, Can not be
bordered certain in itself. --Shak.
Borderer \Bor"der*er\, n.
One who dwells on a border, or at the extreme part or
confines of a country, region, or tract of land; one who
dwells near to a place or region.
Borderers of the Caspian. --Dyer.
Bordland \Bord"land`\, n. [Bordar (or perh. bord a board) +
land.] (O. Eng. Law)
Either land held by a bordar, or the land which a lord kept
for the maintenance of his board, or table. --Spelman.
Bordlode \Bord"lode`\, n. [Bordar (or perh. bord a board) + lode
leading.] (O. Eng. Law)
The service formerly required of a tenant, to carry timber
from the woods to the lord's house. --Bailey. Mozley & W.
Bordman \Bord"man\, n. [Bordar (or perh. bord a board) + man.]
A bordar; a tenant in bordage.
Bordrag \Bord"rag\, Bordraging \Bord"ra`ging\, n. [Perh. from
OE. bord, for border + raging. Cf. {Bodrage}.]
An incursion upon the borders of a country; a raid. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Bord service \Bord" serv`ice\ [Bordar (or perh. bord a board) +
service.] (O. Eng. Law)
Service due from a bordar; bordage.
Bordure \Bor"dure\, n. [F. bordure. See {Border}, n.] (Her.)
A border one fifth the width of the shield, surrounding the
field. It is usually plain, but may be charged.
Bore \Bore\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bored}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Boring}.] [OE. borien, AS. borian; akin to Icel. bora, Dan.
bore, D. boren, OHG. por?n, G. bohren, L. forare, Gr. ? to
plow, Zend bar. [root]91.]
1. To perforate or penetrate, as a solid body, by turning an
auger, gimlet, drill, or other instrument; to make a round
hole in or through; to pierce; as, to bore a plank.
I'll believe as soon this whole earth may be bored.
--Shak.
2. To form or enlarge by means of a boring instrument or
apparatus; as, to bore a steam cylinder or a gun barrel;
to bore a hole.
Short but very powerful jaws, by means whereof the
insect can bore, as with a centerbit, a cylindrical
passage through the most solid wood. --T. W.
Harris.
3. To make (a passage) by laborious effort, as in boring; as,
to bore one's way through a crowd; to force a narrow and
difficult passage through. ``What bustling crowds I
bored.'' --Gay.
4. To weary by tedious iteration or by dullness; to tire; to
trouble; to vex; to annoy; to pester.
He bores me with some trick. --Shak.
Used to come and bore me at rare intervals.
--Carlyle.
5. To befool; to trick. [Obs.]
I am abused, betrayed; I am laughed at, scorned,
Baffled and bored, it seems. --Beau. & Fl.
Bore \Bore\, v. i.
1. To make a hole or perforation with, or as with, a boring
instrument; to cut a circular hole by the rotary motion of
a tool; as, to bore for water or oil (i. e., to sink a
well by boring for water or oil); to bore with a gimlet;
to bore into a tree (as insects).
2. To be pierced or penetrated by an instrument that cuts as
it turns; as, this timber does not bore well, or is hard
to bore.
3. To push forward in a certain direction with laborious
effort.
They take their flight . . . boring to the west.
--Dryden.
4. (Man.) To shoot out the nose or toss it in the air; --
said of a horse. --Crabb.
Bore \Bore\ (b[=o]r), n.
1. A hole made by boring; a perforation.
2. The internal cylindrical cavity of a gun, cannon, pistol,
or other firearm, or of a pipe or tube.
The bores of wind instruments. --Bacon.
Love's counselor should fill the bores of hearing.
--Shak.
3. The size of a hole; the interior diameter of a tube or gun
barrel; the caliber.
4. A tool for making a hole by boring, as an auger.
5. Caliber; importance. [Obs.]
Yet are they much too light for the bore of the
matter. --Shak.
6. A person or thing that wearies by prolixity or dullness; a
tiresome person or affair; any person or thing which
causes ennui.
It is as great a bore as to hear a poet read his own
verses. --Hawthorne.
Bore \Bore\, n. [Icel. b[=a]ra wave: cf. G. empor upwards, OHG.
bor height, burren to lift, perh. allied to AS. beran, E. 1st
{bear}. [root]92.] (Physical Geog.)
(a) A tidal flood which regularly or occasionally rushes
into certain rivers of peculiar configuration or
location, in one or more waves which present a very
abrupt front of considerable height, dangerous to
shipping, as at the mouth of the Amazon, in South
America, the Hoogly and Indus, in India, and the
Tsien-tang, in China.
(b) Less properly, a very high and rapid tidal flow, when
not so abrupt, such as occurs at the Bay of Fundy and
in the British Channel.
Bore \Bore\,
imp. of 1st & 2d {Bear}.
Boreal \Bo"re*al\, a. [L. borealis: cf. F. bor['e]al. See
{Boreas}.]
Northern; pertaining to the north, or to the north wind; as,
a boreal bird; a boreal blast.
So from their own clear north in radiant streams,
Bright over Europe bursts the boreal morn. --Thomson.
Boreas \Bo"re*as\, n. [L. boreas, Gr. ?.]
The north wind; -- usually a personification.
Borecole \Bore"cole`\, n. [Cf. D. boerenkool (lit.) husbandman's
cabbage.]
A brassicaceous plant of many varieties, cultivated for its
leaves, which are not formed into a compact head like the
cabbage, but are loose, and are generally curled or wrinkled;
kale.
Boredom \Bore"dom\, n.
1. The state of being bored, or pestered; a state of ennui.
--Dickens.
2. The realm of bores; bores, collectively.
Boree \Bo*ree"\, n.
Same as {Bourr['E]['e]}. [Obs.] --Swift.
Borel \Bor"el\, n.
See {Borrel}.
Borele \Bor"e*le\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The smaller two-horned rhinoceros of South Africa ({Atelodus
bicornis}).
Borer \Bor"er\, n.
1. One that bores; an instrument for boring.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A marine, bivalve mollusk, of the genus {Teredo} and
allies, which burrows in wood. See {Teredo}.
(b) Any bivalve mollusk ({Saxicava}, {Lithodomus}, etc.)
which bores into limestone and similar substances.
(c) One of the larv[ae] of many species of insects, which
penetrate trees, as the apple, peach, pine, etc. See
{Apple borer}, under {Apple}.
(d) The hagfish ({Myxine}).
Boric \Bo"ric\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, boron.
{Boric acid}, a white crystalline substance {B(OH)3}, easily
obtained from its salts, and occurring in solution in the
hot lagoons of Tuscany.
Boride \Bo"ride\, n. (Chem.)
A binary compound of boron with a more positive or basic
element or radical; -- formerly called {boruret}.
Boring \Bor"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of one who, or that which, bores; as,
the boring of cannon; the boring of piles and ship timbers
by certain marine mollusks.
One of the most important applications of boring is
in the formation of artesian wells. --Tomlinson.
2. A hole made by boring.
3. pl. The chips or fragments made by boring.
{Boring bar}, a revolving or stationary bar, carrying one or
more cutting tools for dressing round holes.
{Boring tool} (Metal Working), a cutting tool placed in a
cutter head to dress round holes. --Knight.
Born \Born\ (b[^o]rn), p. p. & a. [See {Bear}, v. t.]
1. Brought forth, as an animal; brought into life; introduced
by birth.
No one could be born into slavery in Mexico.
--Prescott.
2. Having from birth a certain character; by or from birth;
by nature; innate; as, a born liar. ``A born matchmaker.''
--W. D. Howells.
{Born again} (Theol.), regenerated; renewed; having received
spiritual life. ``Except a man be born again, he can not
see the kingdom of God.'' --John iii. 3.
{Born days}, days since one was born; lifetime. [Colloq.]
Borne \Borne\ (b[=o]rn), p. p. of {Bear}.
Carried; conveyed; supported; defrayed. See {Bear}, v. t.
Borneol \Bor"ne*ol\, n. [Borneo + -ol.] (Chem.)
A rare variety of camphor, {C10H17.OH}, resembling ordinary
camphor, from which it can be produced by reduction. It is
said to occur in the camphor tree of Borneo and Sumatra
({Dryobalanops camphora}), but the natural borneol is rarely
found in European or American commerce, being in great
request by the Chinese. Called also {Borneo camphor}, {Malay
camphor}, and {camphol}.
Bornite \Bor"nite\, n. [Named after Von Born, a mineralogist.]
(Min.)
A valuable ore of copper, containing copper, iron, and
sulphur; -- also called {purple copper ore} (or
{erubescite}), in allusion to the colors shown upon the
slightly tarnished surface.
Borofluoride \Bo`ro*flu"or*ide\, n. [Boron + fluoride.] (Chem.)
A double fluoride of boron and hydrogen, or some other
positive element, or radical; -- called also {fluoboride},
and formerly {fluoborate}.
Boroglyceride \Bo"ro*glyc"er*ide\, n. [Boron + glyceride.]
(Chem.)
A compound of boric acid and glycerin, used as an antiseptic.
Boron \Bo"ron\ (b[=o]"r[o^]n), n. [See {Borax}.] (Chem.)
A nonmetallic element occurring abundantly in borax. It is
reduced with difficulty to the free state, when it can be
obtained in several different forms; viz., as a substance of
a deep olive color, in a semimetallic form, and in colorless
quadratic crystals similar to the diamond in hardness and
other properties. It occurs in nature also in boracite,
datolite, tourmaline, and some other minerals. Atomic weight
10.9. Symbol B.
Borosilicate \Bo"ro*sil"i*cate\, n. [Boron + silicate.] (Chem.)
A double salt of boric and silicic acids, as in the natural
minerals tourmaline, datolite, etc.
Borough \Bor"ough\, n. [OE. burgh, burw, boru, port, town,
burrow, AS. burh, burg; akin to Icel., Sw., & Dan. borg, OS.
& D. burg, OHG. puruc, purc, MHG. burc, G. burg, Goth.
ba['u]rgs; and from the root of AS. beorgan to hide, save,
defend, G. bergen; or perh. from that of AS. beorg hill,
mountain. [root]95. See {Bury}, v. t., and cf. {Burrow},
{Burg}, {Bury}, n., {Burgess}, {Iceberg}, {Borrow}, {Harbor},
{Hauberk}.]
1. In England, an incorporated town that is not a city; also,
a town that sends members to parliament; in Scotland, a
body corporate, consisting of the inhabitants of a certain
district, erected by the sovereign, with a certain
jurisdiction; in America, an incorporated town or village,
as in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. --Burrill. Erskine.
2. The collective body of citizens or inhabitants of a
borough; as, the borough voted to lay a tax.
{Close borough}, or {Pocket borough}, a borough having the
right of sending a member to Parliament, whose nomination
is in the hands of a single person.
{Rotten borough}, a name given to any borough which, at the
time of the passage of the Reform Bill of 1832, contained
but few voters, yet retained the privilege of sending a
member to Parliament.
Borough \Bor"ough\, n. [See {Borrow}.] (O. Eng. Law)
(a) An association of men who gave pledges or sureties to
the king for the good behavior of each other.
(b) The pledge or surety thus given. --Blackstone.
Tomlins.
Borough-English \Bor"ough-Eng"lish\, n. (Eng. Law)
A custom, as in some ancient boroughs, by which lands and
tenements descend to the youngest son, instead of the eldest;
or, if the owner have no issue, to the youngest brother.
--Blackstone.
Boroughhead \Bor"ough*head`\, n.
See {Headborough}. [Obs.]
Boroughholder \Bor"ough*hold"er\, n.
A headborough; a borsholder.
Boroughmaster \Bor"ough*mas"ter\, n. [Cf. {Burgomaster}.]
The mayor, governor, or bailiff of a borough.
Boroughmonger \Bor"ough*mon"ger\, n.
One who buys or sells the parliamentary seats of boroughs.
Boroughmongering \Bor"ough*mon"ger*ing\, Boroughmongery
\Bor"ough*mon"ger*y\, n.
The practices of a boroughmonger.
Borracho \Bor*rach"o\, n.
See {Borachio}. [Obs.]
Borrage \Bor"rage\, n., Borraginaceous \Bor*rag`i*na"ceous\, a.,
etc.
See {Borage}, n., etc.
Borrel \Bor"rel\, n. [OF. burel a kind of coarse woolen cloth,
fr. F. bure drugget. See {Bureau}. Rustic and common people
dressed in this cloth, which was prob. so called from its
color.]
1. Coarse woolen cloth; hence, coarse clothing; a garment.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. A kind of light stuff, of silk and wool.
Borrel \Bor"rel\, a. [Prob. from {Borrel}, n.]
Ignorant, unlearned; belonging to the laity. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Borrow \Bor"row\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Borrowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Borrowing}.] [OE. borwen, AS. borgian, fr. borg, borh,
pledge; akin to D. borg, G. borg; prob. fr. root of AS.
beorgan to protect. ?95. See 1st {Borough}.]
1. To receive from another as a loan, with the implied or
expressed intention of returning the identical article or
its equivalent in kind; -- the opposite of lend.
2. (Arith.) To take (one or more) from the next higher
denomination in order to add it to the next lower; -- a
term of subtraction when the figure of the subtrahend is
larger than the corresponding one of the minuend.
3. To copy or imitate; to adopt; as, to borrow the style,
manner, or opinions of another.
Rites borrowed from the ancients. --Macaulay.
It is not hard for any man, who hath a Bible in his
hands, to borrow good words and holy sayings in
abundance; but to make them his own is a work of
grace only from above. --Milton.
4. To feign or counterfeit. ``Borrowed hair.'' --Spenser.
The borrowed majesty of England. --Shak.
5. To receive; to take; to derive.
Any drop thou borrowedst from thy mother. --Shak.
{To borrow trouble}, to be needlessly troubled; to be
overapprehensive.
Borrow \Bor"row\, n.
1. Something deposited as security; a pledge; a surety; a
hostage. [Obs.]
Ye may retain as borrows my two priests. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. The act of borrowing. [Obs.]
Of your royal presence I'll adventure The borrow of
a week. --Shak.
Borrower \Bor"row*er\, n.
One who borrows.
Neither a borrower nor a lender be. --Shak.
Borsholder \Bors"hold`er\, n. [OE. borsolder; prob. fr. AS.
borg, gen. borges, pledge + ealdor elder. See {Borrow}, and
{Elder}, a.] (Eng. Law)
The head or chief of a tithing, or borough (see 2d
{Borough}); the headborough; a parish constable. --Spelman.
Bort \Bort\, n.
Imperfectly crystallized or coarse diamonds, or fragments
made in cutting good diamonds which are reduced to powder and
used in lapidary work.
Boruret \Bo"ru*ret\, n. (Chem.)
A boride. [Obs.]
Borwe \Bor"we\, n.
Pledge; borrow. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bos \Bos\, n. [L., ox, cow.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of ruminant quadrupeds, including the wild and
domestic cattle, distinguished by a stout body, hollow horns,
and a large fold of skin hanging from the neck.
Bosa \Bo"sa\, n. [Ar. b?za, Pers. b?zah: cf. F. bosan.]
A drink, used in the East. See {Boza}.
Boscage \Bos"cage\, n. [OF. boscage grove, F. bocage, fr. LL.
boscus, buscus, thicket, wood. See 1st {Bush}.]
1. A growth of trees or shrubs; underwood; a thicket; thick
foliage; a wooded landscape.
2. (O. Eng. Law) Food or sustenance for cattle, obtained from
bushes and trees; also, a tax on wood.
Bosh \Bosh\, n. [Cf. G. posse joke, trifle; It. bozzo a rough
stone, bozzetto a rough sketch, s-bozzo a rough draught,
sketch.]
Figure; outline; show. [Obs.]
Bosh \Bosh\, n. [Turk.]
Empty talk; contemptible nonsense; trash; humbug. [Colloq.]
Bosh \Bosh\, n.; pl. {Boshes}. [Cf. G. b["o]schung a slope.]
1. One of the sloping sides of the lower part of a blast
furnace; also, one of the hollow iron or brick sides of
the bed of a puddling or boiling furnace.
2. pl. The lower part of a blast furnace, which slopes
inward, or the widest space at the top of this part.
3. In forging and smelting, a trough in which tools and
ingots are cooled.
Boshbok \Bosh"bok\, n. [D. bosch wood + bok buck.] (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of antelope. See {Bush buck}.
Boshvark \Bosh"vark\, n. [D. bosch wood + varken pig.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The bush hog. See under {Bush}, a thicket.
Bosjesman \Bos"jes*man\, n.; pl. {Bosjesmans}. [D. boschjesman.]
See {Bushman}.
Bosk \Bosk\, n. [See {Bosket}.]
A thicket; a small wood. ``Through bosk and dell.'' --Sir W.
Scott.
Boskage \Bos"kage\, n.
Same as {Boscage}.
Thridding the somber boskage of the wood. --Tennyson.
Bosket \Bos"ket\, Bosquet \Bos"quet\, n. [F. bosquet a little
wood, dim. fr. LL. boscus. See {Boscage}, and cf. {Bouquet}.]
(Gardening)
A grove; a thicket; shrubbery; an inclosure formed by
branches of trees, regularly or irregularly disposed.
Boskiness \Bosk"i*ness\, n.
Boscage; also, the state or quality of being bosky.
Bosky \Bosk"y\, a. [Cf. {Bushy}.]
1. Woody or bushy; covered with boscage or thickets.
--Milton.
2. Caused by boscage.
Darkened over by long bosky shadows. --H. James.
Bosom \Bos"om\ (b[oo^]z"[u^]m), n. [AS. b?sm; akin to D. bozem,
Fries. b?sm, OHG. puosum, G. busen, and prob. E. bough.]
1. The breast of a human being; the part, between the arms,
to which anything is pressed when embraced by them.
You must prepare your bosom for his knife. --Shak.
2. The breast, considered as the seat of the passions,
affections, and operations of the mind; consciousness;
secret thoughts.
Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know Wherefore they
do it. --Shak.
If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my
iniquity in my bosom. --Job xxxi.
33.
3. Embrace; loving or affectionate inclosure; fold.
Within the bosom of that church. --Hooker.
4. Any thing or place resembling the breast; a supporting
surface; an inner recess; the interior; as, the bosom of
the earth. ``The bosom of the ocean.'' --Addison.
5. The part of the dress worn upon the breast; an article, or
a portion of an article, of dress to be worn upon the
breast; as, the bosom of a shirt; a linen bosom.
He put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it
out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. --Ex. iv.
6.
6. Inclination; desire. [Obs.] --Shak.
7. A depression round the eye of a millstone. --Knight.
Bosom \Bos"om\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the bosom.
2. Intimate; confidential; familiar; trusted; cherished;
beloved; as, a bosom friend.
Bosom \Bos"om\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bosomed} (-[u^]md); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Bosoming}.]
1. To inclose or carry in the bosom; to keep with care; to
take to heart; to cherish.
Bosom up my counsel, You'll find it wholesome.
--Shak.
2. To conceal; to hide from view; to embosom.
To happy convents bosomed deep in vines. --Pope.
Bosomed \Bos"omed\ (b[oo^]z"[u^]md), a.
Having, or resembling, bosom; kept in the bosom; hidden.
Bosomy \Bos"om*y\ (-[y^]), a.
Characterized by recesses or sheltered hollows.
Boson \Bo"son\ (b[=o]"s'n), n.
See {Boatswain}. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Bosporian \Bos*po"ri*an\, a. [L. Bosporus, G. Bo`sporos, lit.,
ox-ford, the ox's or heifer's ford, on account of Io's
passage here as a heifer; fr. boy^s ox, heifer + po`ros
ford.]
Of or pertaining to the Thracian or the Cimmerian Bosporus.
The Alans forced the Bosporian kings to pay them
tribute and exterminated the Taurians. --Tooke.
Bosporus \Bos"po*rus\ (b[o^]s"p[-o]*r[u^]s), n. [L.]
A strait or narrow sea between two seas, or a lake and a
seas; as, the Bosporus (formerly the Thracian Bosporus) or
Strait of Constantinople, between the Black Sea and Sea of
Marmora; the Cimmerian Bosporus, between the Black Sea and
Sea of Azof. [Written also {Bosphorus}.]
Bosquet \Bos"quet\, n.
See {Bosket}.
Boss \Boss\ (b[o^]s; 115), n.; pl. {Bosses} (-[e^]z). [OE. boce,
bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin;
cf. OHG. b[=o]zo tuft, bunch, OHG. b[=o]zan, MHG. b[^o]zen,
to beat. See {Beat}, and cf. {Botch} a swelling.]
1. Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a
knoblike process; as, a boss of wood.
2. A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different
material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a
buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection
of a shield. See {Umbilicus}.
3. (Arch.) A projecting ornament placed at the intersection
of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in
other situations.
4. [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. b["o]sse.] A wooden vessel for the
mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the
laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. --Gwilt.
5. (Mech.)
(a) The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is
keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another.
(b) A swage or die used for shaping metals.
6. A head or reservoir of water. [Obs.]
Boss \Boss\ (b[o^]s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bossed} (b[o^]st); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bossing}.] [OE. bocen, fr. OF. bocier. See the
preceding word.]
To ornament with bosses; to stud.
Boss \Boss\, n. [D. baas master.]
A master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a
political dictator. [Slang, U. S.]
Bossage \Boss"age\, n. [F. bossage, fr. bosse. See {Boss} a
stud.]
1. (Arch.) A stone in a building, left rough and projecting,
to be afterward carved into shape. --Gwilt.
2. (Arch.) Rustic work, consisting of stones which seem to
advance beyond the level of the building, by reason of
indentures or channels left in the joinings. --Gwilt.
Bossed \Bossed\, a.
Embossed; also, bossy.
Bosset \Bos"set\, n. [Cf. {Boss} a stud.] (Zo["o]l.)
A rudimental antler of a young male of the red deer.
Bossism \Boss"ism\, n.
The rule or practices of bosses, esp. political bosses.
[Slang, U. S.]
Bossy \Boss"y\, a.
Ornamented with bosses; studded.
Bossy \Bos"sy\, n. [Dim. fr. Prov. E. boss in boss-calf,
buss-calf, for boose-calf, prop., a calf kept in the stall.
See 1st {Boose}.]
A cow or calf; -- familiarly so called. [U. S.]
Boston \Bos"ton\, n.
A game at cards, played by four persons, with two packs of
fifty-two cards each; -- said to be so called from Boston,
Massachusetts, and to have been invented by officers of the
French army in America during the Revolutionary war.
Boswellian \Bos*well"i*an\, a.
Relating to, or characteristic of, Boswell, the biographer of
Dr. Johnson.
Boswellism \Bos"well*ism\, n.
The style of Boswell.
Bot \Bot\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Bots}.
Botanic \Bo*tan"ic\, Botanical \Bo*tan"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
botanique. See {Botany}.]
Of or pertaining to botany; relating to the study of plants;
as, a botanical system, arrangement, textbook, expedition. --
{Botan"ic*al*ly}, adv.
{Botanic garden}, a garden devoted to the culture of plants
collected for the purpose of illustrating the science of
botany.
{Botanic physician}, a physician whose medicines consist
chiefly of herbs and roots.
Botanist \Bot"a*nist\, n. [Cf. F. botaniste.]
One skilled in botany; one versed in the knowledge of plants.
Botanize \Bot"a*nize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Botanized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Botanizing}.] [Cf. F. botaniser.]
To seek after plants for botanical investigation; to study
plants.
Botanize \Bot"a*nize\, v. t.
To explore for botanical purposes.
Botanizer \Bot"a*ni`zer\, n.
One who botanizes.
Botanologer \Bot`a*nol"o*ger\, n.
A botanist. [Obs.]
Botanology \Bot`a*nol"o*gy\, n. [Botany + -logy: cf. F.
botanologie.]
The science of botany. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Botanomancy \Bot"a*no*man`cy\, n. [Botany + -mancy: cf. F.
botanomantie.]
An ancient species of divination by means of plants, esp.
sage and fig leaves.
Botany \Bot"a*ny\, n.; pl. {Botanies}. [F. botanique, a. & n.,
fr. Gr. ? botanic, fr. ? herb, plant, fr. ? to feed, graze.]
1. The science which treats of the structure of plants, the
functions of their parts, their places of growth, their
classification, and the terms which are employed in their
description and denomination. See {Plant}.
2. A book which treats of the science of botany.
Note: Botany is divided into various departments; as,
{Structural Botany}, which investigates the structure and
organic composition of plants;
{Physiological Botany}, the study of their functions and
life; and
{Systematic Botany}, which has to do with their
classification, description, nomenclature, etc.
Botany Bay \Bot"a*ny Bay"\
A harbor on the east coast of Australia, and an English
convict settlement there; -- so called from the number of new
plants found on its shore at its discovery by Cook in 1770.
Note: Hence, any place to which desperadoes resort.
{Botany Bay kino} (Med.), an astringent, reddish substance
consisting of the inspissated juice of several Australian
species of {Eucalyptus}.
{Botany Bay resin} (Med.), a resin of reddish yellow color,
resembling gamboge, the product of different Australian
species of {Xanthorrh[ae]a}, esp. the grass tree ({X.
hastilis}).
Botargo \Bo*tar"go\, n. [It. bottarga, bottarica; or Sp.
botarga; a kind of large sausages, a sort of wide breeches:
cf. F. boutargue.]
A sort of cake or sausage, made of the salted roes of the
mullet, much used on the coast of the Mediterranean as an
incentive to drink.
Botch \Botch\, n.; pl. {Botches}. [Same as Boss a stud. For
senses 2 & 3 cf. D. botsen to beat, akin to E. beat.]
1. A swelling on the skin; a large ulcerous affection; a
boil; an eruptive disease. [Obs. or Dial.]
Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss.
--Milton.
2. A patch put on, or a part of a garment patched or mended
in a clumsy manner.
3. Work done in a bungling manner; a clumsy performance; a
piece of work, or a place in work, marred in the doing, or
not properly finished; a bungle.
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work. --Shak.
Botch \Botch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Botched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Botching}.] [See {Botch}, n.]
1. To mark with, or as with, botches.
Young Hylas, botched with stains. --Garth.
2. To repair; to mend; esp. to patch in a clumsy or imperfect
manner, as a garment; -- sometimes with up.
Sick bodies . . . to be kept and botched up for a
time. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
3. To put together unsuitably or unskillfully; to express or
perform in a bungling manner; to spoil or mar, as by
unskillful work.
For treason botched in rhyme will be thy bane.
--Dryden.
Botchedly \Botch"ed*ly\, adv.
In a clumsy manner.
Botcher \Botch"er\, n.
1. One who mends or patches, esp. a tailor or cobbler.
--Shak.
2. A clumsy or careless workman; a bungler.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A young salmon; a grilse.
Botcherly \Botch"er*ly\, a.
Bungling; awkward. [R.]
Botchery \Botch"er*y\, n.
A botching, or that which is done by botching; clumsy or
careless workmanship.
Botchy \Botch"y\, a.
Marked with botches; full of botches; poorly done. ``This
botchy business.'' --Bp. Watson.
Bote \Bote\, n. [Old form of boot; -- used in composition. See
1st {Boot}.] (Law)
(a) Compensation; amends; satisfaction; expiation; as, man
bote, a compensation or a man slain.
(b) Payment of any kind. --Bouvier.
(c) A privilege or allowance of necessaries.
Note: This word is still used in composition as equivalent to
the French estovers, supplies, necessaries; as,
housebote, a sufficiency of wood to repair a house, or
for fuel, sometimes called firebote; so plowbote,
cartbote, wood for making or repairing instruments of
husbandry; haybote or hedgebote, wood for hedges,
fences, etc. These were privileges enjoyed by tenants
under the feudal system. --Burrill. --Bouvier.
--Blackstone.
Boteless \Bote"less\, a.
Unavailing; in vain. See {Bootless}.
Botfly \Bot"fly`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A dipterous insect of the family ({Estrid[ae]}, of many
different species, some of which are particularly troublesome
to domestic animals, as the horse, ox, and sheep, on which
they deposit their eggs. A common species is one of the
botflies of the horse ({Gastrophilus equi}), the larv[ae] of
which (bots) are taken into the stomach of the animal, where
they live several months and pass through their larval
states. In tropical America one species sometimes lives under
the human skin, and another in the stomach. See {Gadfly}.
Both \Both\, a. or pron. [OE. bothe, ba?e, fr. Icel. b[=a]?ir;
akin to Dan. baade, Sw. b[*a]da, Goth. baj??s, OHG. beid?,
b?d?, G. & D. beide, also AS. begen, b[=a], b?, Goth. bai,
and Gr. ?, L. ambo, Lith. ab[`a], OSlav. oba, Skr. ubha.
[root]310. Cf. {Amb}-.]
The one and the other; the two; the pair, without exception
of either.
Note: It is generally used adjectively with nouns; as, both
horses ran away; but with pronouns, and often with
nous, it is used substantively, and followed by of.
Note: It frequently stands as a pronoun.
She alone is heir to both of us. --Shak.
Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto
Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
--Gen. xxi.
27.
He will not bear the loss of his rank, because he
can bear the loss of his estate; but he will bear
both, because he is prepared for both.
--Bolingbroke.
Note: It is often used in apposition with nouns or pronouns.
Thy weal and woe are both of them extremes.
--Shak.
This said, they both betook them several ways.
--Milton.
Note: Both now always precedes any other attributive words;
as, both their armies; both our eyes.
Note: Both of is used before pronouns in the objective case;
as, both of us, them, whom, etc.; but before
substantives its used is colloquial, both (without of)
being the preferred form; as, both the brothers.
Both \Both\, conj.
As well; not only; equally.
Note: Both precedes the first of two co["o]rdinate words or
phrases, and is followed by and before the other, both
. . . and . . .; as well the one as the other; not only
this, but also that; equally the former and the latter.
It is also sometimes followed by more than two
co["o]rdinate words, connected by and expressed or
understood.
To judge both quick and dead. --Milton.
A masterpiece both for argument and style.
--Goldsmith.
To whom bothe heven and erthe and see is sene.
--Chaucer.
Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound.
--Goldsmith.
He prayeth well who loveth well Both man and bird
and beast. --Coleridge.
Bother \Both"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bothered} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bothering}.] [Cf. Ir. buaidhirt trouble, buaidhrim I
vex.]
To annoy; to trouble; to worry; to perplex. See {Pother}.
Note: The imperative is sometimes used as an exclamation
mildly imprecatory.
Bother \Both"er\, v. i.
To feel care or anxiety; to make or take trouble; to be
troublesome.
Without bothering about it. --H. James.
Bother \Both"er\, n.
One who, or that which, bothers; state of perplexity or
annoyance; embarrassment; worry; disturbance; petty trouble;
as, to be in a bother.
Botheration \Both`er*a"tion\, n.
The act of bothering, or state of being bothered; cause of
trouble; perplexity; annoyance; vexation. [Colloq.]
Botherer \Both"er*er\, n.
One who bothers.
Bothersome \Both"er*some\, a.
Vexatious; causing bother; causing trouble or perplexity;
troublesome.
Both-hands \Both"-hands`\, n.
A factotum. [R.]
He is his master's both-hands, I assure you. --B.
Jonson.
Bothie \Both"ie\, n.
Same as {Bothy}. [Scot.]
Bothnian \Both"ni*an\, Bothnic \Both"nic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Bothnia, a country of northern Europe, or
to a gulf of the same name which forms the northern part of
the Baltic sea.
Bothrenchyma \Both*ren"chy*ma\, n. [Gr. ? pit + ? something
poured in. Formed like parenchyma.] (Bot.)
Dotted or pitted ducts or vessels forming the pores seen in
many kinds of wood.
Bothy \Both"y\Boothy \Booth"y\ n.; pl. {-ies} [Scottish. Cf.
{Booth}.]
A wooden hut or humble cot, esp. a rude hut or barrack for
unmarried farm servants; a shepherd's or hunter's hut; a
booth. [Scot.]
Botocudos \Bo`to*cu"dos\, n. pl. [Pg. botoque stopple. So called
because they wear a wooden plug in the pierced lower lip.]
A Brazilian tribe of Indians, noted for their use of poisons;
-- also called Aymbor['e]s.
Bo tree \Bo" tree`\ (Bot.)
The peepul tree; esp., the very ancient tree standing at
Anurajahpoora in Ceylon, grown from a slip of the tree under
which Gautama is said to have received the heavenly light and
so to have become Buddha.
The sacred bo tree of the Buddhists ({Ficus
religiosa}), which is planted close to every temple,
and attracts almost as much veneration as the status of
the god himself. . . . It differs from the banyan
({Ficus Indica}) by sending down no roots from its
branches. --Tennent.
Botryogen \Bot"ry*o*gen\, n. [Gr. ? cluster of grapes + -gen.]
(Min.)
A hydrous sulphate of iron of a deep red color. It often
occurs in botryoidal form.
Botryoid \Bot"ry*oid\, Botryoidal \Bot`ry*oid"al\, a. [Gr. ?
cluster of grapes + -oid.]
Having the form of a bunch of grapes; like a cluster of
grapes, as a mineral presenting an aggregation of small
spherical or spheroidal prominences.
Botryolite \Bot"ry*o*lite\, n. [Gr. ? cluster of grapes +
-lite.] (Min.)
A variety of datolite, usually having a botryoidal structure.
Botryose \Bot"ry*ose`\, a. (Bot.)
(a) Having the form of a cluster of grapes.
(b) Of the racemose or acropetal type of inflorescence.
--Gray.
Bots \Bots\, n. pl. [Cf. Gael. botus belly worm, boiteag
maggot.] (Zo["o]l.)
The larv[ae] of several species of botfly, especially those
larv[ae] which infest the stomach, throat, or intestines of
the horse, and are supposed to be the cause of various
ailments. [Written also {botts}.]
Note: See Illust. of {Botfly}.
Bottine \Bot*tine"\, n. [F. See {Boot} (for the foot.).]
1. A small boot; a lady's boot.
2. An appliance resembling a small boot furnished with
straps, buckles, etc., used to correct or prevent
distortions in the lower extremities of children.
--Dunglison.
Bottle \Bot"tle\, n. [OE. bote, botelle, OF. botel, bouteille,
F. bouteille, fr. LL. buticula, dim. of butis, buttis, butta,
flask. Cf. {Butt} a cask.]
1. A hollow vessel, usually of glass or earthenware (but
formerly of leather), with a narrow neck or mouth, for
holding liquids.
2. The contents of a bottle; as much as a bottle contains;
as, to drink a bottle of wine.
3. Fig.: Intoxicating liquor; as, to drown one's reason in
the bottle.
Note: Bottle is much used adjectively, or as the first part
of a compound.
{Bottle ale}, bottled ale. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Bottle brush}, a cylindrical brush for cleansing the
interior of bottles.
{Bottle fish} (Zo["o]l.), a kind of deep-sea eel
({Saccopharynx ampullaceus}), remarkable for its baglike
gullet, which enables it to swallow fishes two or three
times its won size.
{Bottle flower}. (Bot.) Same as {Bluebottle}.
{Bottle glass}, a coarse, green glass, used in the
manufacture of bottles. --Ure.
{Bottle gourd} (Bot.), the common gourd or calabash
({Lagenaria Vulgaris}), whose shell is used for bottles,
dippers, etc.
{Bottle grass} (Bot.), a nutritious fodder grass ({Setaria
glauca} and {S. viridis}); -- called also {foxtail}, and
{green foxtail}.
{Bottle tit} (Zo["o]l.), the European long-tailed titmouse;
-- so called from the shape of its nest.
{Bottle tree} (Bot.), an Australian tree ({Sterculia
rupestris}), with a bottle-shaped, or greatly swollen,
trunk.
{Feeding bottle}, {Nursing bottle}, a bottle with a rubber
nipple (generally with an intervening tube), used in
feeding infants.
Bottle \Bot"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bottled}p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bottling}.]
To put into bottles; to inclose in, or as in, a bottle or
bottles; to keep or restrain as in a bottle; as, to bottle
wine or porter; to bottle up one's wrath.
Bottle \Bot"tle\, n. [OE. botel, OF. botel, dim. of F. botte;
cf. OHG. bozo bunch. See {Boss} stud.]
A bundle, esp. of hay. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Chaucer.
--Shak.
Bottled \Bot"tled\, a.
1. Put into bottles; inclosed in bottles; pent up in, or as
in, a bottle.
2. Having the shape of a bottle; protuberant. --Shak.
Bottle green \Bot"tle green`\
A dark shade of green, like that of bottle glass. --
{Bot"tle-green`}, a.
Bottlehead \Bot"tle*head`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A cetacean allied to the grampus; -- called also
{bottle-nosed whale}
.
Note: There are several species so named, as the pilot
whales, of the genus {Globicephalus}, and one or more
species of {Hypero["o]don} ({H. bidens}, etc.), found
on the European coast. See {Blackfish}, 1.
Bottleholder \Bot"tle*hold`er\, n.
1. One who attends a pugilist in a prize fight; -- so called
from the bottle of water of which he has charge.
2. One who assists or supports another in a contest; an
abettor; a backer. [Colloq.]
Lord Palmerston considered himself the bottleholder
of oppressed states. --The London
Times.
Bottle-nose \Bot"tle-nose`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
1. A cetacean of the Dolphin family, of several species, as
{Delphinus Tursio} and {Lagenorhyncus leucopleurus}, of
Europe.
2. The puffin.
Bottle-nosed \Bot"tle-nosed`\ (-n[=o]zd), a.
Having the nose bottle-shaped, or large at the end.
--Dickens.
Bottler \Bot"tler\ (b[o^]t"tl[~e]r/), n.
One who bottles wine, beer, soda water, etc.
Bottlescrew \Bot"tle*screw`\n.
A corkscrew. --Swift.
Bottling \Bot"tling\ (b[o^]t"tl[i^]ng) n.
The act or the process of putting anything into bottles (as
beer, mineral water, etc.) and corking the bottles.
Bottom \Bot"tom\ (b[o^]t"t[u^]m), n. [OE. botum, botme, AS.
botm; akin to OS. bodom, D. bodem, OHG. podam, G. boden,
Icel. botn, Sw. botten, Dan. bund (for budn), L. fundus (for
fudnus), Gr. pyqmh`n (for fyqmh`n), Skr. budhna (for
bhudhna), and Ir. bonn sole of the foot, W. bon stem, base.
[root]257. Cf. 4th {Found}, {Fund}, n.]
1. The lowest part of anything; the foot; as, the bottom of a
tree or well; the bottom of a hill, a lane, or a page.
Or dive into the bottom of the deep. --Shak.
2. The part of anything which is beneath the contents and
supports them, as the part of a chair on which a person
sits, the circular base or lower head of a cask or tub, or
the plank floor of a ship's hold; the under surface.
Barrels with the bottom knocked out. --Macaulay.
No two chairs were alike; such high backs and low
backs and leather bottoms and worsted bottoms. --W.
Irving.
3. That upon which anything rests or is founded, in a literal
or a figurative sense; foundation; groundwork.
4. The bed of a body of water, as of a river, lake, sea.
5. The fundament; the buttocks.
6. An abyss. [Obs.] --Dryden.
7. Low land formed by alluvial deposits along a river;
low-lying ground; a dale; a valley. ``The bottoms and the
high grounds.'' --Stoddard.
8. (Naut.) The part of a ship which is ordinarily under
water; hence, the vessel itself; a ship.
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted. --Shak.
Not to sell the teas, but to return them to London
in the same bottoms in which they were shipped.
--Bancroft.
{Full bottom}, a hull of such shape as permits carrying a
large amount of merchandise.
9. Power of endurance; as, a horse of a good bottom.
10. Dregs or grounds; lees; sediment. --Johnson.
{At bottom}, {At the bottom}, at the foundation or basis; in
reality. ``He was at the bottom a good man.'' --J. F.
Cooper.
{To be at the bottom of}, to be the cause or originator of;
to be the source of. [Usually in an opprobrious sense.]
--J. H. Newman.
He was at the bottom of many excellent counsels.
--Addison.
{To go to the bottom}, to sink; esp. to be wrecked.
{To touch bottom}, to reach the lowest point; to find
something on which to rest.
Bottom \Bot"tom\, a.
Of or pertaining to the bottom; fundamental; lowest; under;
as, bottom rock; the bottom board of a wagon box; bottom
prices.
{Bottom glade}, a low glade or open place; a valley; a dale.
--Milton.
{Bottom grass}, grass growing on bottom lands.
{Bottom land}. See 1st {Bottom}, n., 7.
Bottom \Bot"tom\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bottomed} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bottoming}.]
1. To found or build upon; to fix upon as a support; --
followed by on or upon.
Action is supposed to be bottomed upon principle.
--Atterbury.
Those false and deceiving grounds upon which many
bottom their eternal state]. --South.
2. To furnish with a bottom; as, to bottom a chair.
3. To reach or get to the bottom of. --Smiles.
Bottom \Bot"tom\, v. i.
1. To rest, as upon an ultimate support; to be based or
grounded; -- usually with on or upon.
Find on what foundation any proposition bottoms.
--Locke.
2. To reach or impinge against the bottom, so as to impede
free action, as when the point of a cog strikes the bottom
of a space between two other cogs, or a piston the end of
a cylinder.
Bottom \Bot"tom\, n. [OE. botme, perh. corrupt. for button. See
{Button}.]
A ball or skein of thread; a cocoon. [Obs.]
Silkworms finish their bottoms in . . . fifteen days.
--Mortimer.
Bottom \Bot"tom\, v. t.
To wind round something, as in making a ball of thread.
[Obs.]
As you unwind her love from him, Lest it should ravel
and be good to none, You must provide to bottom it on
me. --Shak.
Bottomed \Bot"tomed\, a.
Having at the bottom, or as a bottom; resting upon a bottom;
grounded; -- mostly, in composition; as, sharp-bottomed;
well-bottomed.
Bottomless \Bot"tom*less\, a.
Without a bottom; hence, fathomless; baseless; as, a
bottomless abyss. ``Bottomless speculations.'' --Burke.
Bottomry \Bot"tom*ry\, n. [From 1st {Bottom} in sense 8: cf.D.
bodemerij. Cf. {Bummery}.] (Mar.Law)
A contract in the nature of a mortgage, by which the owner of
a ship, or the master as his agent, hypothecates and binds
the ship (and sometimes the accruing freight) as security for
the repayment of money advanced or lent for the use of the
ship, if she terminates her voyage successfully. If the ship
is lost by perils of the sea, the lender loses the money; but
if the ship arrives safe, he is to receive the money lent,
with the interest or premium stipulated, although it may, and
usually does, exceed the legal rate of interest. See
{Hypothecation}.
Bottony \Bot"ton*y\, Botton'e \Bot"to*n['e]\, a. [F.
boutonn['e], fr. boutonner to bud, button.] (Her.)
Having a bud or button, or a kind of trefoil, at the end;
furnished with knobs or buttons.
{Cross bottony} (Her.), a cross having each arm terminating
in three rounded lobes, forming a sort of trefoil.
Botts \Botts\, n. pl. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Bots}.
Botuliform \Bot"u*li*form`\, a. [L. botulus sausage + -form.]
(Bot.)
Having the shape of a sausage. --Henslow.
Bouche \Bouche\, n. [F.]
Same as {Bush}, a lining.
Bouche \Bouche\, v. t.
Same as {Bush}, to line.
Bouche \Bouche\, Bouch \Bouch\, n. [F. bouche mouth, victuals.]
1. A mouth. [Obs.]
2. An allowance of meat and drink for the tables of inferior
officers or servants in a nobleman's palace or at court.
[Obs.]
Bouch'ees \Bou`ch['e]es"\, n. pl. [F., morsels, mouthfuls, fr.
bouche mouth.] (Cookery)
Small patties.
Boud \Boud\, n.
A weevil; a worm that breeds in malt, biscuit, etc. [Obs.]
--Tusser.
Boudoir \Bou*doir"\, n. [F., fr. bouder to pout, be sulky.]
A small room, esp. if pleasant, or elegantly furnished, to
which a lady may retire to be alone, or to receive intimate
friends; a lady's (or sometimes a gentleman's) private room.
--Cowper.
Bouffe \Bouffe\, n. [F., buffoon.]
Comic opera. See {Opera Bouffe}.
Bougainvillaea \Bou`gain*vil*l[ae]`a\, n. [Named from
Bougainville, the French navigator.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants of the order Nyctoginace[ae], from tropical
South America, having the flowers surrounded by large bracts.
Bouge \Bouge\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bouged}] [Variant of bulge.
Cf. {Bowge}.]
1. To swell out. [Obs.]
2. To bilge. [Obs.] ``Their ship bouged.'' --Hakluyt.
Bouge \Bouge\, v. t.
To stave in; to bilge. [Obs.] --Holland.
Bouge \Bouge\, n. [F. bouche mouth, victuals.]
Bouche (see {Bouche}, 2); food and drink; provisions. [Obs.]
[They] made room for a bombardman that brought bouge
for a country lady or two, that fainted . . . with
fasting. --B. Jonson.
Bouget \Bou"get\, n. [Cf. F. bougette sack, bag. Cf. {Budget}.]
(Her.)
A charge representing a leather vessel for carrying water; --
also called {water bouget}.
Bough \Bough\, n. [OE. bogh, AS. b[=o]g, b[=o]h, bough,
shoulder; akin to Icel. b[=o]gr shoulder, bow of a ship, Sw.
bog, Dan. bov, OHG. buog, G. bug, and to Gr.? ( for ? )
forearm, Skr. b[=a]hu (for bh[=a]ghu) arm. [root]88, 251. Cf.
{Bow} of a ship.]
1. An arm or branch of a tree, esp. a large arm or main
branch.
2. A gallows. [Archaic] --Spenser.
Bought \Bought\, n. [Cf. Dan. bugt bend, turning, Icel. bug?a.
Cf. {Bight}, {Bout}, and see {Bow} to bend.]
1. A flexure; a bend; a twist; a turn; a coil, as in a rope;
as the boughts of a serpent. [Obs.] --Spenser.
The boughts of the fore legs. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. The part of a sling that contains the stone. [Obs.]
Bought \Bought\,
imp. & p. p. of {Buy}.
Bought \Bought\, p. a.
Purchased; bribed.
Boughten \Bought"en\, a.
Purchased; not obtained or produced at home. --Coleridge.
Boughty \Bought"y\, a.
Bending. [Obs.] --Sherwood.
Bougie \Bou*gie"\, n. [F. bougie wax candle, bougie, fr. Bougie,
Bugia, a town of North Africa, from which these candles were
first imported into Europe.]
1. (Surg.) A long, flexible instrument, that is
Note: introduced into the urethra, esophagus, etc., to remove
obstructions, or for the other purposes. It was
originally made of waxed linen rolled into cylindrical
form.
2. (Pharm.) A long slender rod consisting of gelatin or some
other substance that melts at the temperature of the body.
It is impregnated with medicine, and designed for
introduction into urethra, etc.
Bouilli \Bou`illi"\, n. [F., fr. bouillir to boil.] (Cookery)
Boiled or stewed meat; beef boiled with vegetables in water
from which its gravy is to be made; beef from which bouillon
or soup has been made.
Bouillon \Bou`illon"\, n. [F., fr. bouillir to boil.]
1. A nutritious liquid food made by boiling beef, or other
meat, in water; a clear soup or broth.
2. (Far.) An excrescence on a horse's frush or frog.
Bouk \Bouk\ (b[=oo]k), n. [AS. b[=u]c belly; akin to G. bauch,
Icel. b[=u]kr body.]
1. The body. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. Bulk; volume. [Scot.]
Boul \Boul\ (b[=oo]l), n.
A curved handle. --Sir W. Scott.
Boulangerite \Bou*lan"ger*ite\, n. [From Boulanger, a French
mineralogist.] (Min.)
A mineral of a bluish gray color and metallic luster, usually
in plumose masses, also compact. It is a sulphide of antimony
and lead.
Boulder \Boul"der\ (b[=o]l"d[~e]r), n.
Same as {Bowlder}.
Bouldery \Boul"der*y\, a.
Characterized by bowlders.
Boule \Boule\, Boulework \Boule"work`\, n.
Same as {Buhl}, {Buhlwork}.
Boulevard \Bou"le*vard`\, n. [F. boulevard, boulevart, fr. G.
bollwerk. See {Bulwark}.]
1. Originally, a bulwark or rampart of fortification or
fortified town.
2. A public walk or street occupying the site of demolished
fortifications. Hence: A broad avenue in or around a city.
Bouleversement \Boule`verse`ment"\, n. [F., fr. bouleverser to
overthrow.]
Complete overthrow; disorder; a turning upside down.
Buolt \Buolt\, n.
Corrupted form {Bolt}.
Boultel \Boul"tel\, Boultin \Boul"tin\, n. (Arch.)
(a) A molding, the convexity of which is one fourth of a
circle, being a member just below the abacus in the
Tuscan and Roman Doric capital; a torus; an ovolo.
(b) One of the shafts of a clustered column. [Written also
{bowtel}, {boltel}, {boultell}, etc.]
Boulter \Boul"ter\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A long, stout fishing line to which many hooks are attached.
Boun \Boun\, a. [See {Bound} ready.]
Ready; prepared; destined; tending. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Boun \Boun\, v. t.
To make or get ready. --Sir W. Scott.
Bounce \Bounce\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bounced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bouncing}.] [OE. bunsen; cf. D. bonzen to strike, bounce,
bons blow, LG. bunsen to knock; all prob. of imitative
origin.]
1. To strike or thump, so as to rebound, or to make a sudden
noise; a knock loudly.
Another bounces as hard as he can knock. --Swift.
Against his bosom bounced his heaving heart.
--Dryden.
2. To leap or spring suddenly or unceremoniously; to bound;
as, she bounced into the room.
Out bounced the mastiff. --Swift.
Bounced off his arm+chair. --Thackeray.
3. To boast; to talk big; to bluster. [Obs.]
Bounce \Bounce\, v. t.
1. To drive against anything suddenly and violently; to bump;
to thump. --Swift.
2. To cause to bound or rebound; sometimes, to toss.
3. To eject violently, as from a room; to discharge
unceremoniously, as from employment. [Collog. U. S.]
4. To bully; to scold. [Collog.] --J. Fletcher.
Bounce \Bounce\, n.
1. A sudden leap or bound; a rebound.
2. A heavy, sudden, and often noisy, blow or thump.
The bounce burst open the door. --Dryden.
3. An explosion, or the noise of one. [Obs.]
4. Bluster; brag; untruthful boasting; audacious
exaggeration; an impudent lie; a bouncer. --Johnson. De
Quincey.?
5. (Zo["o]l.) A dogfish of Europe ({Scyllium catulus}).
Bounce \Bounce\, adv.
With a sudden leap; suddenly.
This impudent puppy comes bounce in upon me.
--Bickerstaff.
Bouncer \Boun"cer\, n.
1. One who bounces; a large, heavy person who makes much
noise in moving.
2. A boaster; a bully. [Collog.] --Johnson.
3. A bold lie; also, a liar. [Collog.] --Marryat.
4. Something big; a good stout example of the kind.
The stone must be a bouncer. --De Quincey.
Bouncing \Boun"cing\, a.
1. Stout; plump and healthy; lusty; buxom.
Many tall and bouncing young ladies. --Thackeray.
2. Excessive; big. ``A bouncing reckoning.'' --B. & Fl.
{Bouncing Bet} (Bot.), the common soapwort ({Saponaria
officinalis}). --Harper's Mag.
Bouncingly \Boun"cing*ly\, adv.
With a bounce.
Bound \Bound\, n. [OE. bounde, bunne, OF. bonne, bonde, bodne,
F. borne, fr. LL. bodina, bodena, bonna; prob. of Celtic
origin; cf. Arm. bonn boundary, limit, and boden, bod, a tuft
or cluster of trees, by which a boundary or limit could be
marked. Cf. {Bourne}.]
The external or limiting line, either real or imaginary, of
any object or space; that which limits or restrains, or
within which something is limited or restrained; limit;
confine; extent; boundary.
He hath compassed the waters with bounds. --Job xxvi.
10.
On earth's remotest bounds. --Campbell.
And mete the bounds of hate and love. --Tennyson.
{To keep within bounds}, not to exceed or pass beyond
assigned limits; to act with propriety or discretion.
Syn: See {Boundary}.
Bound \Bound\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bounded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bounding}.]
1. To limit; to terminate; to fix the furthest point of
extension of; -- said of natural or of moral objects; to
lie along, or form, a boundary of; to inclose; to
circumscribe; to restrain; to confine.
Where full measure only bounds excess. --Milton.
Phlegethon . . . Whose fiery flood the burning
empire bounds. --Dryden.
2. To name the boundaries of; as, to bound France.
Bound \Bound\, v. i. [F. bondir to leap, OF. bondir, bundir, to
leap, resound, fr. L. bombitare to buzz, hum, fr. bombus a
humming, buzzing. See {Bomb}.]
1. To move with a sudden spring or leap, or with a succession
of springs or leaps; as the beast bounded from his den;
the herd bounded across the plain.
Before his lord the ready spaniel bounds. --Pope.
And the waves bound beneath me as a steed That knows
his rider. --Byron.
2. To rebound, as an elastic ball.
Bound \Bound\, v. t.
1. To make to bound or leap; as, to bound a horse. [R.]
--Shak.
2. To cause to rebound; to throw so that it will rebound; as,
to bound a ball on the floor. [Collog.]
Bound \Bound\, n.
1. A leap; an elastic spring; a jump.
A bound of graceful hardihood. --Wordsworth.
2. Rebound; as, the bound of a ball. --Johnson.
3. (Dancing) Spring from one foot to the other.
Bound \Bound\,
imp. & p. p. of {Bind}.
Bound \Bound\, p. p. & a.
1. Restrained by a hand, rope, chain, fetters, or the like.
2. Inclosed in a binding or cover; as, a bound volume.
3. Under legal or moral restraint or obligation.
4. Constrained or compelled; destined; certain; -- followed
by the infinitive; as, he is bound to succeed; he is bound
to fail.
5. Resolved; as, I am bound to do it. [Collog. U. S.]
6. Constipated; costive.
Note: Used also in composition; as, icebound, windbound,
hidebound, etc.
{Bound bailiff} (Eng. Law), a sheriff's officer who serves
writs, makes arrests, etc. The sheriff being answerable
for the bailiff's misdemeanors, the bailiff is usually
under bond for the faithful discharge of his trust.
{Bound up in}, entirely devoted to; inseparable from.
Bound \Bound\, a. [Past p. of OE. bounen to prepare, fr. boun
ready, prepared, fr. Icel. b[=u]inn, p. p. of b[=u]a to
dwell, prepare; akin to E. boor and bower. See {Bond}, a.,
and cf. {Busk}, v.]
Ready or intending to go; on the way toward; going; -- with
to or for, or with an adverb of motion; as, a ship is bound
to Cadiz, or for Cadiz. ``The mariner bound homeward.''
--Cowper.
Boundary \Bound"a*ry\, n.; pl. {Boundaries} [From {Bound} a
limit; cf. LL. bonnarium piece of land with fixed limits.]
That which indicates or fixes a limit or extent, or marks a
bound, as of a territory; a bounding or separating line; a
real or imaginary limit.
But still his native country lies Beyond the boundaries
of the skies. --N. Cotton.
That bright and tranquil stream, the boundary of Louth
and Meath. --Macaulay.
Sensation and reflection are the boundaries of our
thoughts. --Locke.
Syn: Limit; bound; border; term; termination; barrier; verge;
confines; precinct.
Usage: {Bound}, {Boundary}. Boundary, in its original and
strictest sense, is a visible object or mark
indicating a limit. Bound is the limit itself. But in
ordinary usage the two words are made interchangeable.
Bounden \Bound"en\, p. p & a. [Old. p. p. of bind.]
1. Bound; fastened by bonds. [Obs.]
2. Under obligation; bound by some favor rendered; obliged;
beholden.
This holy word, that teacheth us truly our bounden
duty toward our Lord God in every point. --Ridley.
3. Made obligatory; imposed as a duty; binding.
I am much bounden to your majesty. --Shak.
Bounder \Bound"er\ (bound"[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, limits; a boundary. --Sir T. Herbert.
Bounding \Bound"ing\, a.
Moving with a bound or bounds.
The bounding pulse, the languid limb. --Montgomery.
Boundless \Bound"less\, a.
Without bounds or confines; illimitable; vast; unlimited.
``The boundless sky.'' --Bryant. ``The boundless ocean.''
--Dryden. ``Boundless rapacity.'' ``Boundless prospect of
gain.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Unlimited; unconfined; immeasurable; illimitable;
infinite. -- {Bound"less*ly}, adv. -- {Bound"less*ness},
n.
Bounteous \Boun"te*ous\, a. [OE. bountevous, fr. bounte bounty.]
Liberal in charity; disposed to give freely; generously
liberal; munificent; beneficent; free in bestowing gifts; as,
bounteous production.
But O, thou bounteous Giver of all good. --Cowper.
-- {Boun"te*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Boun"te*ous*ness}, n.
Bountiful \Boun"ti*ful\, a.
1. Free in giving; liberal in bestowing gifts and favors.
God, the bountiful Author of our being. --Locke.
2. Plentiful; abundant; as, a bountiful supply of food.
Syn: Liberal; munificent; generous; bounteous. --
{Boun"ti*ful*ly}, adv. -- {Boun"ti*ful*ness}, n.
Bountihead \Boun"ti*head\, Bountyhood \Boun"ty*hood\, n.
Goodness; generosity. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bounty \Boun"ty\, n.; pl. {Bounties}. [OE. bounte goodness,
kindness, F. bont['e], fr. L. bonitas, fr. bonus good, for
older duonus; cf. Skr. duvas honor, respect.]
1. Goodness, kindness; virtue; worth. [Obs.]
Nature set in her at once beauty with bounty.
--Gower.
2. Liberality in bestowing gifts or favors; gracious or
liberal giving; generosity; munificence.
My bounty is as boundless as the sea. --Shak.
3. That which is given generously or liberally. ``Thy morning
bounties.'' --Cowper.
4. A premium offered or given to induce men to enlist into
the public service; or to encourage any branch of
industry, as husbandry or manufactures.
{Bounty jumper}, one who, during the latter part of the Civil
War, enlisted in the United States service, and deserted
as soon as possible after receiving the bounty. [Collog.]
{Queen Anne's bounty} (Eng. Hist.), a provision made in Queen
Anne's reign for augmenting poor clerical livings.
Syn: Munificence; generosity; beneficence.
Bouquet \Bou*quet"\, n. [F. bouquet bunch, bunch of flowers,
trees, feathers, for bousquet, bosquet, thicket, a little
wood, dim. of LL. boscus. See {Bush} thicket, and cf.
{Bosket}, {Busket}.]
1. A nosegay; a bunch of flowers.
2. A perfume; an aroma; as, the bouquet of wine.
Bouquetin \Bou`que*tin"\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
The ibex.
Bour \Bour\, n. [See {Bower} a chamber.]
A chamber or a cottage. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bourbon \Bour"bon\, n. [From the castle and seigniory of Bourbon
in central France.]
1. A member of a family which has occupied several European
thrones, and whose descendants still claim the throne of
France.
2. A politician who is behind the age; a ruler or politician
who neither forgets nor learns anything; an obstinate
conservative.
Bourbonism \Bour"bon*ism\, n.
The principles of those adhering to the house of Bourbon;
obstinate conservatism.
Bourbonist \Bour"bon*ist\, n.
One who adheres to the house of Bourbon; a legitimist.
Bourbon whisky \Bour"bon whis"ky\
See under {Whisky}.
Bourd \Bourd\, n. [F. bourde fib, lie, OF. borde, bourde, jest,
joke.]
A jest. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bourd \Bourd\, v. i.
To jest. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bourder \Bourd"er\, n.
A jester. [Obs.]
Bourdon \Bour"don\, n. [F., fr. L. burdo mule, esp. one used for
carrying litters. Cf. Sp. muleta a young she mule; also,
crutch, prop.]
A pilgrim's staff.
Bourdon \Bour"don`\, n. [F. See {Burden} a refrain.] (Mus.)
(a) A drone bass, as in a bagpipe, or a hurdy-gurdy. See
{Burden} (of a song.)
(b) A kind of organ stop.
Bourgeois \Bour*geois"\, n. [From a French type founder named
Bourgeois, or fr. F. bourgeois of the middle class; hence
applied to an intermediate size of type between brevier and
long primer: cf. G. bourgeois, borgis. Cf. {Burgess}.]
(Print.)
A size of type between long primer and brevier. See {Type}.
Note: This line is printed in bourgeois type.
Bourgeois \Bour*geois"\, n. [F., fr. bourg town; of German
origin. See {Burgess}.]
A man of middle rank in society; one of the shopkeeping
class. [France.] a. Characteristic of the middle class, as in
France.
Bourgeoisie \Bour*geoi*sie"\, n. [F.]
The French middle class, particularly such as are concerned
in, or dependent on, trade.
Bourgeon \Bour"geon\, v. i. [OE. burjoun a bud, burjounen to
bud, F. bourgeon a bud, bourgeonner to bud; cf. OHG. burjan
to raise.]
To sprout; to put forth buds; to shoot forth, as a branch.
Gayly to bourgeon and broadly to grow. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bouri \Bou"ri\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A mullet ({Mugil capito}) found in the rivers of Southern
Europe and in Africa.
Bourn \Bourn\, Bourne \Bourne\, n. [OE. burne, borne, AS. burna;
akin to OS. brunno spring, G. born, brunnen, OHG. prunno,
Goth. brunna, Icel. brunnr, and perh. to Gr. ?. The root is
prob. that of burn, v., because the source of a stream seems
to issue forth bubbling and boiling from the earth. Cf.
{Torrent}, and see {Burn}, v.]
A stream or rivulet; a burn.
My little boat can safely pass this perilous bourn.
--Spenser.
Bourn \Bourn\, Bourne \Bourne\, n. [F. borne. See {Bound} a
limit.]
A bound; a boundary; a limit. Hence: Point aimed at; goal.
Where the land slopes to its watery bourn. --Cowper.
The undiscovered country, from whose bourn No traveler
returns. --Shak.
Sole bourn, sole wish, sole object of my song.
--Wordsworth.
To make the doctrine . . . their intellectual bourne.
--Tyndall.
Bournless \Bourn"less\, a.
Without a bourn or limit.
Bournonite \Bour"non*ite\, n. [Named after Count Bournon, a
mineralogist.] (Min.)
A mineral of a steel-gray to black color and metallic luster,
occurring crystallized, often in twin crystals shaped like
cogwheels (wheel ore), also massive. It is a sulphide of
antimony, lead, and copper.
Bournous \Bour*nous"\, n.
See {Burnoose}.
Bourr'ee \Bour*r['e]e\, n. [F.] (Mus.)
An old French dance tune in common time.
Bourse \Bourse\, n. [F. bourse purse, exchange, LL. bursa, fr.
Gr.? skin, hide, of which a purse was usually made. Cf.
{Purse}, {Burse}.]
An exchange, or place where merchants, bankers, etc., meet
for business at certain hours; esp., the Stock Exchange of
Paris.
Bouse \Bouse\, v. i.
To drink immoderately; to carouse; to booze. See {Booze}.
Bouse \Bouse\, n.
Drink, esp. alcoholic drink; also, a carouse; a booze. ``A
good bouse of liquor.'' --Carlyle.
Bouser \Bous"er\, n.
A toper; a boozer.
Boustrophedon \Bou`stro*phe"don\, n. [Gr. ? turning like oxen in
plowing; ? to turn.]
An ancient mode of writing, in alternate directions, one line
from left to right, and the next from right to left (as
fields are plowed), as in early Greek and Hittite.
Boustrophedonic \Bou*stroph`e*don"ic\, a.
Relating to the boustrophedon made of writing.
Boustorphic \Bou*storph"ic\, a. [Gr. ? ?ox-guiding.]
Boustrophedonic.
Bousy \Bousy\, a.
Drunken; sotted; boozy.
In his cups the bousy poet songs. --Dryden.
Bout \Bout\, n. [A different spelling and application of bought
bend.]
1. As much of an action as is performed at one time; a going
and returning, as of workmen in reaping, mowing, etc.; a
turn; a round.
In notes with many a winding bout Of linked
sweetness long drawn out. --Milton.
The prince . . . has taken me in his train, so that
I am in no danger of starving for this bout.
--Goldsmith.
2. A conflict; contest; attempt; trial; a set-to at anything;
as, a fencing bout; a drinking bout.
The gentleman will, for his honor's sake, have one
bout with you; he can not by the duello avoid it.
--Shak.
Boutade \Bou*tade"\, n. [F., fr. bouter to thrust. See {Butt}.]
An outbreak; a caprice; a whim. [Obs.]
Boutefeu \Boute"feu\, n. [F.; bouter to thrust, put + feu fire.]
An incendiary; an inciter of quarrels. [Obs.]
Animated by . . . John [`a] Chamber, a very boutefeu, .
. . they entered into open rebellion. --Bacon.
Boutonniere \Bou`ton`ni[`e]re"\, n. [F., buttonhole.]
A bouquet worn in a buttonhole.
Bouts-rim'es \Bouts`-ri*m['e]s"\, n. pl. [F. bout end + rim['e]
rhymed.]
Words that rhyme, proposed as the ends of verses, to be
filled out by the ingenuity of the person to whom they are
offered.
Bovate \Bo"vate\, n. [LL. bovata, fr. bos, bovis, ox.]
(O.Eng.Law.)
An oxgang, or as much land as an ox can plow in a year; an
ancient measure of land, of indefinite quantity, but usually
estimated at fifteen acres.
Bovey coal \Bo"vey coal`\ (Min.)
A kind of mineral coal, or brown lignite, burning with a weak
flame, and generally a disagreeable odor; -- found at Bovey
Tracey, Devonshire, England. It is of geological age of the
o["o]lite, and not of the true coal era.
Bovid \Bo"vid\, a. [L. bos, bovis, ox, cow.] (Zo["o]l.)
Relating to that tribe of ruminant mammals of which the genus
{Bos} is the type.
Boviform \Bo"vi*form\, a. [L. bos, bovis, ox + -form.]
Resembling an ox in form; ox-shaped. [R.]
Bovine \Bo"vine\, a. [LL. bovinus, fr.L. bos, bovis, ox, cow:
cf. F. bovine. See {Cow}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the genus {Bos}; relating
to, or resembling, the ox or cow; oxlike; as, the bovine
genus; a bovine antelope.
2. Having qualities characteristic of oxen or cows; sluggish
and patient; dull; as, a bovine temperament.
The bovine gaze of gaping rustics. --W. Black.
Bow \Bow\ (bou), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bowed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bowing}.] [OE. bowen, bogen, bugen, AS. b[=u]gan (generally
v. i.); akin to D. buigen, OHG. biogan, G. biegen, beugen,
Icel. boginn bent, beygja to bend, Sw. b["o]ja, Dan. b["o]ie,
bugne, Coth. biugan; also to L. fugere to flee, Gr. ?, and
Skr. bhuj to bend. [root]88. Cf. {Fugitive}.]
1. To cause to deviate from straightness; to bend; to
inflect; to make crooked or curved.
We bow things the contrary way, to make them come to
their natural straightness. --Milton.
The whole nation bowed their necks to the worst kind
of tyranny. --Prescott.
2. To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to
bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.
Adversities do more bow men's minds to religion.
--Bacon.
Not to bow and bias their opinions. --Fuller.
3. To bend or incline, as the head or body, in token of
respect, gratitude, assent, homage, or condescension.
They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the
ground before him. --2 Kings ii.
15.
4. To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress,;? to
crush; to subdue.
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave.
--Shak.
5. To express by bowing; as, to bow one's thanks.
Bow \Bow\ (bou), v. i.
1. To bend; to curve. [Obs.]
2. To stop. [Archaic]
They stoop, they bow down together. --Is. xlvi. 2?
3. To bend the head, knee, or body, in token of reverence or
submission; -- often with down.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel
before the Lord our maker. --Ps. xcv. 6.
4. To incline the head in token of salutation, civility, or
assent; to make bow.
Admired, adored by all circling crowd, For
wheresoe'er she turned her face, they bowed.
--Dryden.
Bow \Bow\ (bou), n.
An inclination of the head, or a bending of the body, in
token of reverence, respect, civility, or submission; an
obeisance; as, a bow of deep humility.
Bow \Bow\ (b[=o]), n. [OE. bowe, boge, AS. boga, fr. AS.
b[=u]gan to bend; akin to D. boog, G. bogen, Icel. bogi. See
{Bow}, v. t.]
1. Anything bent, or in the form of a curve, as the rainbow.
I do set my bow in the cloud. --Gen. ix. 13.
2. A weapon made of a strip of wood, or other elastic
material, with a cord connecting the two ends, by means of
which an arrow is propelled.
3. An ornamental knot, with projecting loops, formed by
doubling a ribbon or string.
4. The U-shaped piece which embraces the neck of an ox and
fastens it to the yoke.
5. (Mus.) An appliance consisting of an elastic rod, with a
number of horse hairs stretched from end to end of it,
used in playing on a stringed instrument.
6. An arcograph.
7. (Mech. & Manuf.) Any instrument consisting of an elastic
rod, with ends connected by a string, employed for giving
reciprocating motion to a drill, or for preparing and
arranging the hair, fur, etc., used by hatters.
8. (Naut.) A rude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking
the sun's altitude at sea.
9. (Saddlery) sing. or pl. Two pieces of wood which form the
arched forward part of a saddletree.
{Bow bearer} (O. Eng. Law), an under officer of the forest
who looked after trespassers.
{Bow drill}, a drill worked by a bow and string.
{Bow instrument} (Mus.), any stringed instrument from which
the tones are produced by the bow.
{Bow window} (Arch.) See {Bay window}.
{To draw a long bow}, to lie; to exaggerate. [Colloq.]
Bow \Bow\ (b[=o]), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bowed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bowing}.]
To play (music) with a bow. -- v. i. To manage the bow.
Bow \Bow\ (b[=o]), n. [Icel. b[=o]gr shoulder, bow of a ship.
See {Bough}.]
1. (Naut.) The bending or rounded part of a ship forward; the
stream or prow.
2. (Naut.) One who rows in the forward part of a boat; the
bow oar.
{Bow chaser} (Naut.), a gun in the bow for firing while
chasing another vessel. --Totten.
{Bow piece}, a piece of ordnance carried at the bow of a
ship.
{On the bow} (Naut.), on that part of the horizon within
45[deg] on either side of the line ahead. --Totten.
Bowable \Bow"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being bowed or bent; flexible; easily influenced;
yielding. [Obs.]
Bowbell \Bow"bell`\, n.
One born within hearing distance of Bow-bells; a cockney.
--Halliwell.
Bow-bells \Bow"-bells`\, n. pl.
The bells of Bow Church in London; cockneydom.
People born within the sound of Bow-bells are usually
called cockneys. --Murray's
Handbook of
London.
Bowbent \Bow"bent`\, a.
Bent, like a bow. --Milton.
Bow-compass \Bow"-com`pass\, n.; pl. {Bow-compasses}.
1. An arcograph.
2. A small pair of compasses, one leg of which carries a
pencil, or a pen, for drawing circles. Its legs are often
connected by a bow-shaped spring, instead of by a joint.
3. A pair of compasses, with a bow or arched plate riveted to
one of the legs, and passing through the other.
Bowel \Bow"el\, n. [OE. bouel, bouele, OF. boel, boele, F.
boyau, fr. L. botellus a small sausage, in LL. also
intestine, dim. of L. botulus sausage.]
1. One of the intestines of an animal; an entrail, especially
of man; a gut; -- generally used in the plural.
He burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels
gushed out. --Acts i. 18.
2. pl. Hence, figuratively: The interior part of anything;
as, the bowels of the earth.
His soldiers . . . cried out amain, And rushed into
the bowels of the battle. --Shak.
3. pl. The seat of pity or kindness. Hence: Tenderness;
compassion. ``Thou thing of no bowels.'' --Shak.
Bloody Bonner, that corpulent tyrant, full (as one
said) of guts, and empty of bowels. --Fuller.
4. pl. Offspring. [Obs.] --Shak.
Bowel \Bow"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boweled} or {Bowelled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Boweling} or {Bowelling}.]
To take out the bowels of; to eviscerate; to disembowel.
Boweled \Bow"eled\, a. [Written also {bowelled}.]
Having bowels; hollow. ``The boweled cavern.'' --Thomson.
Bowelless \Bow"el*less\, a.
Without pity. --Sir T. Browne.
Bowenite \Bow"en*ite\, n. [From G.T. Bowen, who analyzed it in
1822.] (Min.)
A hard, compact variety of serpentine found in Rhode Island.
It is of a light green color and resembles jade.
Bower \Bo"wer\, n. [From {Bow}, v. & n.]
1. One who bows or bends.
2. (Naut.) An anchor carried at the bow of a ship.
3. A muscle that bends a limb, esp. the arm. [Obs.]
His rawbone arms, whose mighty brawned bowers Were
wont to rive steel plates and helmets hew.
--Spenser.
{Best bower}, {Small bower}. See {the Note under Anchor}.
Bower \Bow"er\ (bou"[~e]r), n. [G. bauer a peasant. So called
from the figure sometimes used for the knave in cards. See
{Boor}.]
One of the two highest cards in the pack commonly used in the
game of euchre.
{Right bower}, the knave of the trump suit, the highest card
(except the ``Joker'') in the game.
{Left bower}, the knave of the other suit of the same color
as the trump, being the next to the right bower in value.
{Best bower} or {Joker}, in some forms of euchre and some
other games, an extra card sometimes added to the pack,
which takes precedence of all others as the highest card.
Bower \Bow"er\, n. [OE. bour, bur, room, dwelling, AS. b[=u]r,
fr. the root of AS. b[=u]an to dwell; akin to Icel. b[=u]r
chamber, storehouse, Sw. b[=u]r cage, Dan. buur, OHG. p[=u]r
room, G. bauer cage, bauer a peasant. [root]97] Cf.{Boor},
{Byre}.]
1. Anciently, a chamber; a lodging room; esp., a lady's
private apartment.
Give me my lute in bed now as I lie, And lock the
doors of mine unlucky bower. --Gascoigne.
2. A rustic cottage or abode; poetically, an attractive abode
or retreat. --Shenstone. B. Johnson.
3. A shelter or covered place in a garden, made with boughs
of trees or vines, etc., twined together; an arbor; a
shady recess.
Bower \Bow"er\, v. t.
To embower; to inclose. --Shak.
Bower \Bow"er\, v. i.
To lodge. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Bower \Bow"er\, n. [From {Bough}, cf. {Brancher}.] (Falconry)
A young hawk, when it begins to leave the nest. [Obs.]
Bower bird \Bow"er bird`\ (Zo["o]l.)
An Australian bird ({Ptilonorhynchus violaceus or
holosericeus}), allied to the starling, which constructs
singular bowers or playhouses of twigs and decorates them
with bright-colored objects; the satin bird.
Note: The name is also applied to other related birds of the
same region, having similar habits; as, the spotted
bower bird ({Chalmydodera maculata}), and the regent
bird ({Sericulus melinus}).
Bowery \Bow"er*y\, a.
Shading, like a bower; full of bowers.
A bowery maze that shades the purple streams.
--Trumbull.
Bowery \Bow"er*y\, n.; pl. {Boweries}. [D. bouwerij.]
A farm or plantation with its buildings. [U.S.Hist.]
The emigrants [in New York] were scattered on boweries
or plantations; and seeing the evils of this mode of
living widely apart, they were advised, in 1643 and
1646, by the Dutch authorities, to gather into
``villages, towns, and hamlets, as the English were in
the habit of doing.'' --Bancroft.
Bowery \Bow"er*y\, a.
Characteristic of the street called the {Bowery}, in New York
city; swaggering; flashy.
Bowess \Bow"ess\, n. (Falconry)
Same as {Bower}. [Obs.]
Bowfin \Bow"fin`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A voracious ganoid fish ({Amia calva}) found in the fresh
waters of the United States; the mudfish; -- called also
{Johnny Grindle}, and {dogfish}.
Bowge \Bowge\, v. i.
To swell out. See {Bouge}. [Obs.]
Bowge \Bowge\, v. t.
To cause to leak. [Obs.] See {Bouge}.
Bowgrace \Bow"grace`\, n. (Naut.)
A frame or fender of rope or junk, laid out at the sides or
bows of a vessel to secure it from injury by floating ice.
Bow hand \Bow" hand`\
1. (Archery) The hand that holds the bow, i. e., the left
hand.
Surely he shoots wide on the bow hand. --Spenser.
2. (Mus.) The hand that draws the bow, i. e., the right hand.
Bowhead \Bow"head`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The great Arctic or Greenland whale. ({Bal[ae]na
mysticetus}). See {Baleen}, and {Whale}.
Bowie knife \Bow"ie knife`\
A knife with a strong blade from ten to fifteen inches long,
and double-edged near the point; -- used as a hunting knife,
and formerly as a weapon in the southwestern part of the
United States. It was named from its inventor, Colonel James
Bowie. Also, by extension, any large sheath knife.
Bowing \Bow"ing\, n. (Mus.)
1. The act or art of managing the bow in playing on stringed
instruments.
Bowing constitutes a principal part of the art of
the violinist, the violist, etc. --J. W. Moore.
2. In hatmaking, the act or process of separating and
distributing the fur or hair by means of a bow, to prepare
it for felting.
Bowingly \Bow"ing*ly\, adv.
In a bending manner.
Bowknot \Bow"knot`\, n.
A knot in which a portion of the string is drawn through in
the form of a loop or bow, so as to be readily untied.
Bowl \Bowl\ (b[=o]l), n. [OE. bolle, AS. bolla; akin to Icel.
bolli, Dan. bolle, G. bolle, and perh. to E. boil a tumor.
Cf. {Boll}.]
1. A concave vessel of various forms (often approximately
hemispherical), to hold liquids, etc.
Brought them food in bowls of basswood.
--Longfellow.
2. Specifically, a drinking vessel for wine or other
spirituous liquors; hence, convivial drinking.
3. The contents of a full bowl; what a bowl will hold.
4. The hollow part of a thing; as, the bowl of a spoon.
Bowl \Bowl\ (b[=o]l), n. [F. boule, fr. L. bulla bubble, stud.
Cf. {Bull} an edict, {Bill} a writing.]
1. A ball of wood or other material used for rolling on a
level surface in play; a ball of hard wood having one side
heavier than the other, so as to give it a bias when
rolled.
2. pl. An ancient game, popular in Great Britain, played with
biased balls on a level plat of greensward.
Like an uninstructed bowler, . . . who thinks to
attain the jack by delivering his bowl
straightforward upon it. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. pl. The game of tenpins or bowling. [U.S.]
Bowl \Bowl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bowled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bowling}.]
1. To roll, as a bowl or cricket ball.
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel, And
bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven. --Shak.
2. To roll or carry smoothly on, or as on, wheels; as, we
were bowled rapidly along the road.
3. To pelt or strike with anything rolled.
Alas, I had rather be set quick i' the earth, And
bowled to death with turnips? --Shak.
{To bowl} (a player) {out}, in cricket, to put out a striker
by knocking down a bail or a stump in bowling.
Bowl \Bowl\, v. i.
1. To play with bowls.
2. To roll a ball on a plane, as at cricket, bowls, etc.
3. To move rapidly, smoothly, and like a ball; as, the
carriage bowled along.
Bowlder \Bowl"der\, Boulder \Boul"der\, n. [Cf. Sw. bullra to
roar, rattle, Dan. buldre, dial. Sw. bullersteen larger kind
of pebbles; perh. akin to E. bellow.]
1. A large stone, worn smooth or rounded by the action of
water; a large pebble.
2. (Geol.) A mass of any rock, whether rounded or not, that
has been transported by natural agencies from its native
bed. See {Drift}.
{Bowlder clay}, the unstratified clay deposit of the Glacial
or Drift epoch, often containing large numbers of
bowlders.
{Bowlder wall}, a wall constructed of large stones or
bowlders.
Bowldery \Bowl"der*y\, a.
Characterized by bowlders.
Bowleg \Bow"leg`\, n.
A crooked leg. --Jer. Taylor.
Bowl-legged \Bowl"-legged`\, a.
Having crooked legs, esp. with the knees bent outward.
--Johnson.
Bowler \Bowl"er\, n.
One who plays at bowls, or who rolls the ball in cricket or
any other game.
Bowless \Bow"less\, a.
Destitute of a bow.
Bowline \Bow"line\, n. [Cf. D. boelijn, Icel. b["o]gl["i]na?,
Dan. bovline; properly the line attached to the shoulder or
side of the sail. See {Bow} (of a ship), and {Line}.] (Naut.)
A rope fastened near the middle of the leech or perpendicular
edge of the square sails, by subordinate ropes, called
bridles, and used to keep the weather edge of the sail tight
forward, when the ship is closehauled.
{Bowline bridles}, the ropes by which the bowline is fastened
to the leech of the sail.
{Bowline knot}. See Illust. {under Knot}.
{On a bowline}, close-hauled or sailing close to the wind; --
said of a ship.
Bowling \Bowl"ing\, n.
The act of playing at or rolling bowls, or of rolling the
ball at cricket; the game of bowls or of tenpins.
{Bowling alley}, a covered place for playing at bowls or
tenpins.
{Bowling green}, a level piece of greensward or smooth ground
for bowling, as the small park in lower Broadway, New
York, where the Dutch of New Amsterdam played this game.
Bowls \Bowls\ (b[=o]lz), n. pl.
See {Bowl}, a ball, a game.
Bowman \Bow"man\, n.; pl. {Bowmen}.
A man who uses a bow; an archer.
The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen
and bowmen. --Jer. iv. 29.
{Bowman's root}. (Bot.) See {Indian physic}, under {Indian}.
Bowman \Bow"man\, n. (Naut.)
The man who rows the foremost oar in a boat; the bow oar.
Bowne \Bowne\, v. t. [See {Boun}.]
To make ready; to prepare; to dress. [Obs.]
We will all bowne ourselves for the banquet. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bow net \Bow" net`\
1. A trap for lobsters, being a wickerwork cylinder with a
funnel-shaped entrance at one end.
2. A net for catching birds. --J. H. Walsh.
Bow oar \Bow" oar`\
1. The oar used by the bowman.
2. One who rows at the bow of a boat.
Bow-pen \Bow"-pen`\, n.
Bow-compasses carrying a drawing pen. See {Bow-compass}.
Bow-pencil \Bow"-pen`cil\, n.
Bow-compasses, one leg of which carries a pencil.
Bow-saw \Bow"-saw`\, n.
A saw with a thin or narrow blade set in a strong frame.
Bowse \Bowse\, v. i. [See {Booze}, and {Bouse}.]
1. To carouse; to bouse; to booze. --De Quincey.
2. (Naut.) To pull or haul; as, to bowse upon a tack; to
bowse away, i. e., to pull all together.
Bowse \Bowse\, n.
A carouse; a drinking bout; a booze.
Bowshot \Bow"shot`\, n.
The distance traversed by an arrow shot from a bow.
Bowsprit \Bow"sprit`\, n. [Bow + sprit; akin to D. boegspriet;
boeg bow of a ship + spriet, E. sprit, also Sw. bogspr["o]t,
G. bugspriet.] (Naut.)
A large boom or spar, which projects over the stem of a ship
or other vessel, to carry sail forward.
Bowssen \Bows"sen\, v. t.
To drench; to soak; especially, to immerse (in water believed
to have curative properties). [Obs.]
There were many bowssening places, for curing of mad
men. . . . If there appeared small amendment he was
bowssened again and again. --Carew.
Bowstring \Bow"string`\, n.
1. The string of a bow.
2. A string used by the Turks for strangling offenders.
{Bowstring bridge}, a bridge formed of an arch of timber or
iron, often braced, the thrust of which is resisted by a
tie forming a chord of the arch.
{Bowstring girder}, an arched beam strengthened by a tie
connecting its two ends.
{Bowstring hemp} (Bot.), the tenacious fiber of the
{Sanseviera Zeylanica}, growing in India and Africa, from
which bowstrings are made. --Balfour.
Bowstring \Bow"string`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bowstringed}or
{Bowstrung}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bowstringing}.]
To strangle with a bowstring.
Bowstringed \Bow"stringed`\, p.a.
1. Furnished with bowstring.
2. Put to death with a bowstring; strangled.
Bowtel \Bow"tel\, n.
See {Boultel}.
Bowwow \Bow"wow`\, n.
An onomatopoetic name for a dog or its bark. -- a.
Onomatopoetic; as, the bowwow theory of language; a bowwow
word. [Jocose.]
Bowyer \Bow"yer\, n. [From {Bow}, like lawyer from law.]
1. An archer; one who uses bow.
2. One who makes or sells bows.
Box \Box\ (b[o^]ks), n. [As. box, L. buxus, fr. Gr. ?. See {Box}
a case.] (Bot.)
A tree or shrub, flourishing in different parts of the world.
The common box ({Buxus sempervirens}) has two varieties, one
of which, the dwarf box ({B. suffruticosa}), is much used for
borders in gardens. The wood of the tree varieties, being
very hard and smooth, is extensively used in the arts, as by
turners, engravers, mathematical instrument makers, etc.
{Box elder}, the ash-leaved maple ({Negundo aceroides}), of
North America.
{Box holly}, the butcher's broom ({Russus aculeatus}).
{Box thorn}, a shrub ({Lycium barbarum}).
{Box tree}, the tree variety of the common box.
Box \Box\, n.; pl. {Boxes} [As. box a small case or vessel with
a cover; akin to OHG. buhsa box, G. b["u]chse; fr. L. buxus
boxwood, anything made of boxwood. See {Pyx}, and cf. {Box} a
tree, {Bushel}.]
1. A receptacle or case of any firm material and of various
shapes.
2. The quantity that a box contain.
3. A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or
other place of public amusement.
Laughed at by the pit, box, galleries, nay, stage.
--Dorset.
The boxes and the pit are sovereign judges.
--Dryden.
4. A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money; as, a
poor box; a contribution box.
Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks,
Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted box. --J.
Warton.
5. A small country house. ``A shooting box.'' --Wilson.
Tight boxes neatly sashed. --Cowper.
6. A boxlike shed for shelter; as, a sentry box.
7. (Mach)
(a) An axle box, journal box, journal bearing, or bushing.
(b) A chamber or section of tube in which a valve works;
the bucket of a lifting pump.
8. The driver's seat on a carriage or coach.
9. A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or
gift. ``A Christmas box.'' --Dickens.
10. (Baseball) The square in which the pitcher stands.
11. (Zo["o]l.) A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue.
Note: Box is much used adjectively or in composition; as box
lid, box maker, box circle, etc.; also with modifying
substantives; as money box, letter box, bandbox, hatbox
or hat box, snuff box or snuffbox.
{Box beam} (Arch.), a beam made of metal plates so as to have
the form of a long box.
{Box car} (Railroads), a freight car covered with a roof and
inclosed on the sides to protect its contents.
{Box chronometer}, a ship's chronometer, mounted in gimbals,
to preserve its proper position.
{Box coat}, a thick overcoat for driving; sometimes with a
heavy cape to carry off the rain.
{Box coupling}, a metal collar uniting the ends of shafts or
other parts in machinery.
{Box crab} (Zo["o]l.), a crab of the genus {Calappa}, which,
when at rest with the legs retracted, resembles a box.
{Box drain} (Arch.), a drain constructed with upright sides,
and with flat top and bottom.
{Box girder} (Arch.), a box beam.
{Box groove} (Metal Working), a closed groove between two
rolls, formed by a collar on one roll fitting between
collars on another. --R. W. Raymond.
{Box metal}, an alloy of copper and tin, or of zinc, lead,
and antimony, for the bearings of journals, etc.
{Box plait}, a plait that doubles both to the right and the
left.
{Box turtle} or
{Box tortoise} (Zo["o]l.), a land tortoise or turtle of the
genera {Cistudo} and {Emys}; -- so named because it can
withdraw entirely within its shell, which can be closed by
hinged joints in the lower shell. Also, humorously, an
exceedingly reticent person. --Emerson.
{In a box}, in a perplexity or an embarrassing position; in
difficulty. (Colloq.)
{In the wrong box}, out of one's place; out of one's element;
awkwardly situated. (Colloq.) --Ridley (1554)
Box \Box\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boxed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Boxing}.]
1. To inclose in a box.
2. To furnish with boxes, as a wheel.
3. (Arch.) To inclose with boarding, lathing, etc., so as to
bring to a required form.
{To box a tree}, to make an incision or hole in a tree for
the purpose of procuring the sap.
{To box off}, to divide into tight compartments.
{To box up}.
(a) To put into a box in order to save; as, he had boxed
up twelve score pounds.
(b) To confine; as, to be boxed up in narrow quarters.
Box \Box\, n. [Cf.Dan. baske to slap, bask slap, blow. Cf.
{Pash}.]
A blow on the head or ear with the hand.
A good-humored box on the ear. --W. Irving.
Box \Box\, v. i.
To fight with the fist; to combat with, or as with, the hand
or fist; to spar.
Box \Box\, v. t.
To strike with the hand or fist, especially to strike on the
ear, or on the side of the head.
Box \Box\, v. t. [Cf.Sp. boxar, now spelt bojar.]
To boxhaul.
{To box off} (Naut.), to turn the head of a vessel either way
by bracing the headyards aback.
{To box the compass} (Naut.), to name the thirty-two points
of the compass in their order.
Boxberry \Box"ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
The wintergreen. ({Gaultheria procumbens}). [Local, U.S.]
Boxen \Box"en\ (b[o^]ks"'n), a.
Made of boxwood; pertaining to, or resembling, the box
({Buxus}). [R.]
The faded hue of sapless boxen leaves. --Dryden.
Boxer \Box"er\ (b[o^]ks"[~e]r), n.
One who packs boxes.
Boxer \Box"er\, n.
One who boxes; a pugilist.
Boxfish \Box"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The trunkfish.
Boxhaul \Box"haul`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boxhauled}.] (Naut.)
To put (a vessel) on the other tack by veering her short
round on her heel; -- so called from the circumstance of
bracing the head yards abox (i. e., sharp aback, on the
wind). --Totten.
Boxhauling \Box"haul`ing\, n. (Naut.)
A method of going from one tack to another. See {Boxhaul}.
Boxing \Box"ing\, n.
1. The act of inclosing (anything) in a box, as for storage
or transportation.
2. Material used in making boxes or casings.
3. Any boxlike inclosure or recess; a casing.
4. (Arch.) The external case of thin material used to bring
any member to a required form.
Boxing \Box"ing\, n.
The act of fighting with the fist; a combat with the fist;
sparring
. --Blackstone.
{Boxing glove}, a large padded mitten or glove used in
sparring for exercise or amusement.
Box-iron \Box"-i`ron\, n.
A hollow smoothing iron containing a heater within.
Boxkeeper \Box"keep`er\, n.
An attendant at a theater who has charge of the boxes.
Boxthorn \Box"thorn`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Lycium}, esp. {Lycium barbarum}.
Boxwood \Box"wood`\, n.
The wood of the box ({Buxus}).
Boy \Boy\, n. [Cf. D. boef, Fries. boi, boy; akin to G. bube,
Icel. bofi rouge.]
A male child, from birth to the age of puberty; a lad; hence,
a son.
My only boy fell by the side of great Dundee. --Sir W.
Scott.
Note: Boy is often used as a term of comradeship, as in
college, or in the army or navy. In the plural used
colloquially of members of an associaton, fraternity,
or party.
{Boy bishop}, a boy (usually a chorister) elected bishop, in
old Christian sports, and invested with robes and other
insignia. He practiced a kind of mimicry of the ceremonies
in which the bishop usually officiated.
{The Old Boy}, the Devil. [Slang]
{Yellow boys}, guineas. [Slang, Eng.]
{Boy's love}, a popular English name of Southernwood
({Artemisia abrotonum}); -- called also {lad's love}.
{Boy's play}, childish amusements; anything trifling.
Boy \Boy\, v. t.
To act as a boy; -- in allusion to the former practice of
boys acting women's parts on the stage.
I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness.
--Shak.
Boyar \Bo*yar"\, Boyard \Bo*yard"\, n. [Russ. boi['a]rin'.]
A member of a Russian aristocratic order abolished by Peter
the Great. Also, one of a privileged class in Roumania.
Note: English writers sometimes call Russian landed
proprietors boyars.
Boyau \Boy"au\, n.; pl. {Boyaux} or {Boyaus}. [F. boyau gut, a
long and narrow place, and (of trenches) a branch. See
{Bowel}.] (Fort.)
A winding or zigzag trench forming a path or communication
from one siegework to another, to a magazine, etc.
Boycott \Boy"cott`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Boycotted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Boycotting}.] [From Captain Boycott, a land agent in
Mayo, Ireland, so treated in 1880.]
To combine against (a landlord, tradesman, employer, or other
person), to withhold social or business relations from him,
and to deter others from holding such relations; to subject
to a boycott.
Boycott \Boy"cott\, n.
The process, fact, or pressure of boycotting; a combining to
withhold or prevent dealing or social intercourse with a
tradesman, employer, etc.; social and business interdiction
for the purpose of coercion.
Boycotter \Boy"cott`er\, n.
A participant in boycotting.
Boycottism \Boy"cott*ism\, n.
Methods of boycotters.
Boydekin \Boy"de*kin\, n.
A dagger; a bodkin. [Obs.]
Boyer \Boy"er\, n. [D. boeijer; -- so called because these
vessels were employed for laying the boeijen, or buoys: cf.
F. boyer. See {Buoy}.] (Naut.)
A Flemish sloop with a castle at each end. --Sir W. Raleigh.
Boyhood \Boy"hood\, n. [Boy + -hood.]
The state of being a boy; the time during which one is a boy.
--Hood.
Boyish \Boy"ish\, a.
Resembling a boy in a manners or opinions; belonging to a
boy; childish; trifling; puerile.
A boyish, odd conceit. --Baillie.
Boyishly \Boy"ish*ly\, adv.
In a boyish manner; like a boy.
Boyishness \Boy"ish*ness\, n.
The manners or behavior of a boy.
Boyism \Boy"ism\, n.
1. Boyhood. [Obs.] --T. Warton.
2. The nature of a boy; childishness. --Dryden.
Boyle's law \Boyle's" law`\
See under {Law}.
Boza \Bo"za\, n. [See {Bosa}.]
An acidulated fermented drink of the Arabs and Egyptians,
made from millet seed and various astringent substances;
also, an intoxicating beverage made from hemp seed, darnel
meal, and water. [Written also {bosa}, {bozah}, {bouza}.]
Brabantine \Bra*bant"ine\, a.
Pertaining to Brabant, an ancient province of the
Netherlands.
Brabble \Brab"ble\, v. i. [D. brabbelen to talk confusedly. ?95.
Cf. {Blab}, {Babble}.]
To clamor; to contest noisily. [R.]
Brabble \Brab"ble\, n.
A broil; a noisy contest; a wrangle.
This petty brabble will undo us all. --Shak.
Brabblement \Brab"ble*ment\, n.
A brabble. [R.] --Holland.
Brabbler \Brab"bler\, n.
A clamorous, quarrelsome, noisy fellow; a wrangler. [R]
--Shak.
Braccate \Brac"cate\, a.[L. bracatus wearing breeches, fr.
bracae breeches.] (Zo["o]l.)
Furnished with feathers which conceal the feet.
Brace \Brace\, n. [OF. brace, brasse, the two arms, embrace,
fathom, F. brasse fathom, fr. L. bracchia the arms (stretched
out), pl. of bracchium arm; cf. Gr. ?.]
1. That which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly; a
bandage or a prop.
2. A cord, ligament, or rod, for producing or maintaining
tension, as a cord on the side of a drum.
The little bones of the ear drum do in straining and
relaxing it as the braces of the war drum do in
that. --Derham.
3. The state of being braced or tight; tension.
The laxness of the tympanum, when it has lost its
brace or tension. --Holder.
4. (Arch. & Engin.) A piece of material used to transmit, or
change the direction of, weight or pressure; any one of
the pieces, in a frame or truss, which divide the
structure into triangular parts. It may act as a tie, or
as a strut, and serves to prevent distortion of the
structure, and transverse strains in its members. A boiler
brace is a diagonal stay, connecting the head with the
shell.
5. (Print.) A vertical curved line connecting two or more
words or lines, which are to be taken together; thus,
boll, bowl; or, in music, used to connect staves.
6. (Naut.) A rope reeved through a block at the end of a
yard, by which the yard is moved horizontally; also, a
rudder gudgeon.
7. (Mech.) A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for
holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock.
8. A pair; a couple; as, a brace of ducks; now rarely applied
to persons, except familiarly or with some contempt. ``A
brace of greyhounds.'' --Shak.
He is said to have shot . . . fifty brace of
pheasants. --Addison.
A brace of brethren, both bishops, both eminent for
learning and religion, now appeared in the church.
--Fuller.
But you, my brace of lords. --Shak.
9. pl. Straps or bands to sustain trousers; suspenders.
I embroidered for you a beautiful pair of braces.
--Thackeray.
10. Harness; warlike preparation. [Obs.]
For that it stands not in such warlike brace.
--Shak.
11. Armor for the arm; vantbrace.
12. (Mining) The mouth of a shaft. [Cornwall]
{Angle brace}. See under {Angle}.
Brace \Brace\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Braced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bracing}.]
1. To furnish with braces; to support; to prop; as, to brace
a beam in a building.
2. To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension;
to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves.
And welcome war to brace her drums. --Campbell.
3. To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly.
The women of China, by bracing and binding them from
their infancy, have very little feet. --Locke.
Some who spurs had first braced on. --Sir W.
Scott.
4. To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold
firmly; as, he braced himself against the crowd.
A sturdy lance in his right hand he braced.
--Fairfax.
5. (Naut.) To move around by means of braces; as, to brace
the yards.
{To brace about} (Naut.), to turn (a yard) round for the
contrary tack.
{To brace a yard} (Naut.), to move it horizontally by means
of a brace.
{To brace in} (Naut.), to turn (a yard) by hauling in the
weather brace.
{To brace one's self}, to call up one's energies. ``He braced
himself for an effort which he was little able to make.''
--J. D. Forbes.
{To brace to} (Naut.), to turn (a yard) by checking or easing
off the lee brace, and hauling in the weather one, to
assist in tacking.
{To brace up} (Naut.), to bring (a yard) nearer the direction
of the keel by hauling in the lee brace.
{To brace up sharp} (Naut.), to turn (a yard) as far forward
as the rigging will permit.
Brace \Brace\, v. i.
To get tone or vigor; to rouse one's energies; -- with up.
[Colloq.]
Bracelet \Brace"let\, n. [F. bracelet, dim. of OF. bracel
armlet, prop. little arm, dim. of bras arm, fr. L. bracchium.
See {Brace},n.]
1. An ornamental band or ring, for the wrist or the arm; in
modern times, an ornament encircling the wrist, worn by
women or girls.
2. A piece of defensive armor for the arm. --Johnson.
Bracer \Bra"cer\, n.
1. That which braces, binds, or makes firm; a band or
bandage.
2. A covering to protect the arm of the bowman from the
vibration of the string; also, a brassart. --Chaucer.
3. A medicine, as an astringent or a tonic, which gives
tension or tone to any part of the body. --Johnson.
Brach \Brach\, n. [OE. brache a kind of scenting hound or
setting dog, OF. brache, ? braque, fr. OHG. braccho, G.
bracke; possibly akin to E. fragrant, fr. L. fragrare to
smell.]
A bitch of the hound kind. --Shak.
Brachelytra \Brach*el"y*tra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. (?) short + ?
a covering.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of beetles having short elytra, as the rove beetles.
Brachia \Brach"i*a\, n. pl.
See {Brachium}.
Brachial \Brach"i*al\or, a. [L. brachialis (bracch-), from
bracchium (bracch-) arm: cf. F. brachial.]
1. (Anat.) Pertaining or belonging to the arm; as, the
brachial artery; the brachial nerve.
2. Of the nature of an arm; resembling an arm.
Brachiata \Brach`i*a"ta\, n. pl. [See {Brachiate}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of the Crinoidea, including those furnished with
long jointed arms. See {Crinoidea}.
Brachiate \Brach"i*ate\, a. [L. brachiatus (bracch-) with boughs
or branches like arms, from brackium (bracch-) arm.] (Bot.)
Having branches in pairs, decussated, all nearly horizontal,
and each pair at right angles with the next, as in the maple
and lilac.
Brachioganoid \Brach`i*og"a*noid\, n.
One of the Brachioganoidei.
Brachioganoidei \Brach`i*o*ga*noid"e*i\, n. pl.[NL., from L.
brachium (bracch-) arm + NL. ganoidei.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of ganoid fishes of which the bichir of Africa is a
living example. See {Crossopterygii}.
Brachiolaria \Brach`i*o*la"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. brachiolum
(bracch-), dim. of brachium (bracch-) arm.] (Zo["o]l.)
A peculiar early larval stage of certain starfishes, having a
bilateral structure, and swimming by means of bands of
vibrating cilia.
Brachiopod \Brach"i*o*pod\, n. [Cf.F. brachiopode.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Brachiopoda, or its shell.
Brachiopoda \Brach`i*op"o*da\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? arm + -poda.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A class of Molluscoidea having a symmetrical bivalve shell,
often attached by a fleshy peduncle.
Note: Within the shell is a pair of ``arms,'' often long and
spirally coiled, bearing rows of ciliated tentacles by
which a current of water is made to flow into the
mantle cavity, bringing the microscopic food to the
mouth between the bases of the arms. The shell is both
opened and closed by special muscles. They form two
orders; Lyopoma, in which the shell is thin, and
without a distinct hinge, as in Lingula; and
Arthropoma, in which the firm calcareous shell has a
regular hinge, as in Rhynchonella. See {Arthropomata}.
Brachium \Brach"i*um\, n.; pl. {Bracchia}. [L. brachium or
bracchium, arm.] (Anat.)
The upper arm; the segment of the fore limb between the
shoulder and the elbow.
Brachman \Brach"man\, n. [L. Brachmanae, pl., Gr. ?.]
See {Brahman}. [Obs.]
Brachycatalectic \Brach`y*cat`a*lec"tic\, n. [Gr. ?; brachy`s
short + ? to leave off; cf. ? incomplete.] (Gr. & Last.
Pros.)
A verse wanting two syllables at its termination.
Brachycephalic \Brach`y*ce*phal"ic\, Brachycephalous
\Brach`y*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Gr. brachy`s short + ? head.] (Anat.)
Having the skull short in proportion to its breadth;
shortheaded; -- in distinction from dolichocephalic.
Brachycephaly \Brach`y*ceph"a*ly\, Brachycephalism
\Brach`y*ceph"a*lism\, n. [Cf. F. Brachyc['e]phalie] . (Anat.)
The state or condition of being brachycephalic; shortness of
head.
Brachyceral \Bra*chyc"er*al\, a. [Gr. brachy`s short + ? horn.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having short antenn[ae], as certain insects.
Brachydiagonal \Brach`y*di*ag"o*nal\, a. [Gr. brachy`s short +
E. diagonal.]
Pertaining to the shorter diagonal, as of a rhombic prism.
{Brachydiagonal axis}, the shorter lateral axis of an
orthorhombic crystal.
Brachydiagonal \Brach`y*di*ag"o*nal\, n.
The shorter of the diagonals in a rhombic prism.
Brachydome \Brach`y*dome\, n. [Gr. brachy`s short + E. dome.]
(Crystallog.)
A dome parallel to the shorter lateral axis. See {Dome}.
Brachygrapher \Bra*chyg"ra*pher\, n.
A writer in short hand; a stenographer.
He asked the brachygrapher whether he wrote the notes
of the sermon. --Gayton.
Brachygraphy \Bra*chyg"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. brachy`s short +
-graphy: cf. F. brachygraphie.]
Stenography. --B. Jonson.
Brachylogy \Bra*chyl"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? : brachy`s short + ?
discourse: cf. F. brachylogie.] (Rhet.)
Conciseness of expression; brevity.
Brachypinacoid \Brach`y*pin"a*coid\, n. [Gr. brachy`s short + E.
pinacoid.] (Crytallog.)
A plane of an orthorhombic crystal which is parallel both to
the vertical axis and to the shorter lateral (brachydiagonal)
axis.
Brachyptera \Bra*chyp"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
short-winged; brachy`s short + ? feather, wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Coleoptera having short wings; the rove beetles.
Brachypteres \Bra*chyp"te*res\, n.pl. [NL. See {Brachyptera}. ]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of birds, including auks, divers, and penguins.
Brachypterous \Bra*chyp"ter*ous\, a. [Gr. ? : cf. F.
brachypt[`e]re.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having short wings.
Brachystochrone \Bra*chys"to*chrone\, n. [Incorrect for
brachistochrone, fr. Gr. bra`chistos shortest (superl. of
brachy`s short) + ? time : cf. F. brachistochrone. ] (Math.)
A curve, in which a body, starting from a given point, and
descending solely by the force of gravity, will reach another
given point in a shorter time than it could by any other
path. This curve of quickest descent, as it is sometimes
called, is, in a vacuum, the same as the cycloid.
Brachytypous \Brach"y*ty`pous\, a. [Gr. ? short + ? stamp,
form.] (Min.)
Of a short form.
Brachyura \Brach`y*u"ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. brachy`s short +
? tail.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of decapod Crustacea, including the common crabs,
characterized by a small and short abdomen, which is bent up
beneath the large cephalo-thorax. [Also spelt {Brachyoura}.]
See {Crab}, and Illustration in Appendix.
Brachyural \Brach`y*u"ral\, Brachyurous \Brach`y*u"rous\, a.
[Cf. F. brachyure.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Brachyura.
Brachyuran \Brach`y*u"ran\, n.
One of the Brachyura.
Bracing \Bra"cing\, a.
Imparting strength or tone; strengthening; invigorating; as,
a bracing north wind.
Bracing \Bra"cing\, n.
1. The act of strengthening, supporting, or propping, with a
brace or braces; the state of being braced.
2. (Engin.) Any system of braces; braces, collectively; as,
the bracing of a truss.
Brack \Brack\ (br[a^]k), n. [Cf.D. braak, Dan. br[ae]k, a
breaking, Sw. & Icel. brak a crackling, creaking. Cf.
{Breach}.]
An opening caused by the parting of any solid body; a crack
or breach; a flaw.
Stain or brack in her sweet reputation. --J. Fletcher.
Brack \Brack\, n. [D. brak, adj., salt; cf. LG. wrak refuse, G.
brack.]
Salt or brackish water. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Bracken \Brack"en\, n. [OE. braken, AS. bracce. See {2d Brake},
n.]
A brake or fern. --Sir W. Scott.
Bracket \Brack"et\, n. [Cf.OF. braguette codpiece, F. brayette,
Sp. bragueta, also a projecting mold in architecture; dim.
fr.L. bracae breeches; cf. also, OF. bracon beam, prop,
support; of unknown origin. Cf. {Breeches}.]
1. (Arch.) An architectural member, plain or ornamental,
projecting from a wall or pier, to support weight falling
outside of the same; also, a decorative feature seeming to
discharge such an office.
Note: This is the more general word. See {Brace},
{Cantalever}, {Console}, {Corbel}, {Strut}.
2. (Engin. & Mech.) A piece or combination of pieces, usually
triangular in general shape, projecting from, or fastened
to, a wall, or other surface, to support heavy bodies or
to strengthen angles.
3. (Naut.) A shot, crooked timber, resembling a knee, used as
a support.
4. (Mil.) The cheek or side of an ordnance carriage.
5. (Print.) One of two characters [], used to inclose a
reference, explanation, or note, or a part to be excluded
from a sentence, to indicate an interpolation, to rectify
a mistake, or to supply an omission, and for certain other
purposes; -- called also {crotchet}.
6. A gas fixture or lamp holder projecting from the face of a
wall, column, or the like.
{Bracket light}, a gas fixture or a lamp attached to a wall,
column, etc.
Bracket \Brack"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bracketed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bracketing}]
To place within brackets; to connect by brackets; to furnish
with brackets.
Bracketing \Brack"et*ing\, n. (Arch.)
A series or group of brackets; brackets, collectively.
Brackish \Brack"ish\, a. [See {Brack} salt water.]
Saltish, or salt in a moderate degree, as water in saline
soil.
Springs in deserts found seem sweet, all brackish
though they be. --Byron.
Brackishness \Brack"ish*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being brackish, or somewhat salt.
Bracky \Brack"y\, a.
Brackish. --Drayton.
Bract \Bract\, n. [See {Bractea}.] (Bot.)
(a) A leaf, usually smaller than the true leaves of a plant,
from the axil of which a flower stalk arises.
(b) Any modified leaf, or scale, on a flower stalk or at the
base of a flower.
Note: Bracts are often inconspicuous, but sometimes large and
showy, or highly colored, as in many cactaceous plants.
The spathes of aroid plants are conspicuous forms of
bracts.
Bractea \Brac"te*a\, n. [L., a thin plate of metal or wood, gold
foil.] (Bot.)
A bract.
Bracteal \Brac"te*al\, a. [Cf.F. bract['e]al.]
Having the nature or appearance of a bract.
Bracteate \Brac"te*ate\, a. [Cf.L. bracteatus covered with gold
plate.] (Bot.)
Having a bract or bracts.
Bracted \Bract"ed\, a. (Bot.)
Furnished with bracts.
Bracteolate \Brac"te*o*late\, a. (Bot.)
Furnished with bracteoles or bractlets.
Bracteole \Brac"te*ole\, n. [L. bracteola, dim. of bractea. See
{Bractea}.] (Bot.)
Same as {Bractlet}.
Bractless \Bract"less\, a. (Bot.)
Destitute of bracts.
Bractlet \Bract"let\, n. [Bract + -let] (Bot.)
A bract on the stalk of a single flower, which is itself on a
main stalk that support several flowers. --Gray.
Brad \Brad\, n. [Cf.OE. brod, Dan. braad prick, sting, brodde
ice spur, frost nail, Sw. brodd frost nail, Icel. broddr any
pointed piece of iron or stell; akin to AS. brord point,
spire of grass, and perh. to E. bristle. See {Bristle}, n.]
A thin nail, usually small, with a slight projection at the
top on one side instead of a head; also, a small wire nail,
with a flat circular head; sometimes, a small, tapering,
square-bodied finishing nail, with a countersunk head.
Brad awl \Brad" awl`\
A straight awl with chisel edge, used to make holes for
brads, etc. --Weale.
Bradoon \Bra*doon"\, n.
Same as {Bridoon}.
Brae \Brae\, n. [See {Bray} a hill.]
A hillside; a slope; a bank; a hill. [Scot.] --Burns.
Brag \Brag\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bragged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bragging}.] [OE. braggen to resound, blow, boast (cf. F.
braguer to lead a merry life, flaunt, boast, OF. brague
merriment), from Icel. braka to creak, brak noise, fr. the
same root as E. break; properly then, to make a noise, boast.
?{95}.]
To talk about one's self, or things pertaining to one's self,
in a manner intended to excite admiration, envy, or wonder;
to talk boastfully; to boast; -- often followed by of; as, to
brag of one's exploits, courage, or money, or of the great
things one intends to do.
Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, Brags of
his substance, not of ornament. --Shak.
Syn: To swagger; boast; vapor; bluster; vaunt; flourish; talk
big.
Brag \Brag\, v. t.
To boast of. [Obs.] --Shak.
Brag \Brag\, n.
1. A boast or boasting; bragging; ostentatious pretense or
self glorification.
C[ae]sar . . . made not here his brag Of ``came,''
and ``saw,'' and ``overcame.'' --Shak.
2. The thing which is boasted of.
Beauty is Nature's brag. --Milton.
3. A game at cards similar to bluff. --Chesterfield.
Brag \Brag\, a. [See {Brag}, v. i.]
Brisk; full of spirits; boasting; pretentious; conceited.
[Archaic]
A brag young fellow. --B. Jonson.
Brag \Brag\, adv.
Proudly; boastfully. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Braggadocio \Brag`ga*do"cio\, n. [From Braggadocchio, a boastful
character in Spenser's ``Fa["e]rie Queene.'']
1. A braggart; a boaster; a swaggerer. --Dryden.
2. Empty boasting; mere brag; pretension.
Braggardism \Brag"gard*ism\, n. [See {Braggart}.]
Boastfulness; act of bragging. --Shak.
Braggart \Brag"gart\, n. [OF. bragard flaunting, vain, bragging.
See {Brag}, v. i.]
A boaster.
O, I could play the woman with mine eyes, And braggart
with my tongue. --Shak.
Braggart \Brag"gart\, a.
Boastful. -- {Brag"gart*ly}, adv.
Bragger \Brag"ger\, n.
One who brags; a boaster.
Bragget \Brag"get\, n. [OE. braket, bragot, fr. W. bragawd,
bragod, fr. brag malt.]
A liquor made of ale and honey fermented, with spices, etc.
[Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Braggingly \Brag"ging`ly\, adv.
Boastingly.
Bragless \Brag"less\, a.
Without bragging. [R.] --Shak.
Bragly \Brag"ly\, adv.
In a manner to be bragged of; finely; proudly. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Brahma \Brah"ma\, n. [See {Brahman}.]
1. (Hindoo Myth.) The One First Cause; also, one of the triad
of Hindoo gods. The triad consists of Brahma, the Creator,
Vishnu, the Preserver, and Siva, the Destroyer.
Note: According to the Hindoo religious books, Brahma (with
the final a short), or Brahm, is the Divine Essence,
the One First Cause, the All in All, while the personal
gods, Brahm['a] (with the final a long), Vishnu, and
Siva, are emanations or manifestations of Brahma the
Divine Essence.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A valuable variety of large, domestic fowl,
peculiar in having the comb divided lengthwise into three
parts, and the legs well feathered. There are two breeds,
the dark or penciled, and the light; -- called also
{Brahmapootra}.
Brahman \Brah"man\, Brahmin \Brah"min\, n.; pl. {Brahmans},
{Brahmins}. [Skr. Br[=a]hmana (cf. Brahman worship, holiness;
the God Brahma, also Brahman): cf. F. Brahmane, Brachmane,
Bramine, L. Brachmanae, -manes, -mani, pl., Gr. ?, pl.]
A person of the highest or sacerdotal caste among the
Hindoos.
{Brahman bull} (Zo["o]l.), the male of a variety of the zebu,
or Indian ox, considered sacred by the Hindoos.
Brahmaness \Brah"man*ess\, n.
A Brahmani.
Brahmani \Brah"man*i\, n. [Fem. of Brahman.]
Any Brahman woman. [Written also {Brahmanee}.]
Brahmanic \Brah*man"ic\, -ical \-ic*al\, Brahminic
\Brah*min"ic\, ical \*ic*al\,a.
Of or pertaining to the Brahmans or to their doctrines and
worship.
Brahmanism \Brah"man*ism\, Brahminism \Brah"min*ism\, n.
The religion or system of doctrines of the Brahmans; the
religion of Brahma.
Brahmanist \Brah"man*ist\, Brahminist \Brah"min*ist\, n.
An adherent of the religion of the Brahmans.
Brahmoism \Brah"mo*ism\, n.
The religious system of Brahmo-somaj. --Balfour.
Brahmo-somaj \Brah`mo-so*maj"\, n. [Bengalese, a worshiping
assembly.]
A modern reforming theistic sect among the Hindoos. [Written
also {Brama-samaj}.]
Braid \Braid\ (br[=a]d), v. t. [imp. &. p. p. {Braided}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Braiding}.] [OE. braiden, breiden, to pull, reach,
braid, AS. bregdan to move to and fro, to weave; akin. to
Icel. breg[eth]a, D. breiden to knit, OS. bregdan to weave,
OHG. brettan to brandish. Cf. {Broid}.]
1. To weave, interlace, or entwine together, as three or more
strands or threads; to form into a braid; to plait.
Braid your locks with rosy twine. --Milton.
2. To mingle, or to bring to a uniformly soft consistence, by
beating, rubbing, or straining, as in some culinary
operations.
3. To reproach. [Obs.] See {Upbraid}. --Shak.
Braid \Braid\, n.
1. A plait, band, or narrow fabric formed by intertwining or
weaving together different strands.
A braid of hair composed of two different colors
twined together. --Scott.
2. A narrow fabric, as of wool, silk, or linen, used for
binding, trimming, or ornamenting dresses, etc.
Braid \Braid\, n. [Cf.Icel. breg?a to move quickly.]
1. A quick motion; a start. [Obs.] --Sackville.
2. A fancy; freak; caprice. [Obs.] --R. Hyrde.
Braid \Braid\ v. i.
To start; to awake. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Braid \Braid\, a. [AS. br[ae]d, bred, deceit; akin to Icel.
brag[eth] trick, AS. bredan, bregdan, to braid, knit, (hence)
to knit a net, to draw into a net, i. e., to deceive. See
{Braid}, v. t.]
Deceitful. [Obs.]
Since Frenchmen are so braid, Marry that will, I live
and die a maid. --Shak.
Braiding \Braid"ing\, n.
1. The act of making or using braids.
2. Braids, collectively; trimming.
A gentleman enveloped in mustachios, whiskers, fur
collars, and braiding. --Thackeray.
Brail \Brail\, n. [OE. brayle furling rope, OF. braiol a band
placed around the breeches, fr.F. braies, pl., breeches,
fr.L. braca, bracae, breeches, a Gallic word; cf. Arm.
bragez. Cf. {Breeches}.]
1. (Falconry) A thong of soft leather to bind up a hawk's
wing.
2. pl. (Naut.) Ropes passing through pulleys, and used to
haul in or up the leeches, bottoms, or corners of sails,
preparatory to furling.
3. A stock at each end of a seine to keep it stretched.
Brail \Brail\, v. t. (Naut.)
To haul up by the brails; -- used with up; as, to brail up a
sail.
Brain \Brain\, n. [OE. brain, brein, AS. bragen, br[ae]gen; akin
to LG. br["a]gen, bregen, D. brein, and perh. to Gr. ?, the
upper part of head, if ? =?. [root]95.]
1. (Anat.) The whitish mass of soft matter (the center of the
nervous system, and the seat of consciousness and
volition) which is inclosed in the cartilaginous or bony
cranium of vertebrate animals. It is simply the anterior
termination of the spinal cord, and is developed from
three embryonic vesicles, whose cavities are connected
with the central canal of the cord; the cavities of the
vesicles become the central cavities, or ventricles, and
the walls thicken unequally and become the three segments,
the fore-, mid-, and hind-brain.
Note: In the brain of man the cerebral lobes, or largest part
of the forebrain, are enormously developed so as to
overhang the cerebellum, the great lobe of the
hindbrain, and completely cover the lobes of the
midbrain. The surface of the cerebrum is divided into
irregular ridges, or convolutions, separated by grooves
(the so-called fissures and sulci), and the two
hemispheres are connected at the bottom of the
longitudinal fissure by a great transverse band of
nervous matter, the corpus callosum, while the two
halves of the cerebellum are connected on the under
side of the brain by the bridge, or pons Varolii.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The anterior or cephalic ganglion in insects
and other invertebrates.
3. The organ or seat of intellect; hence, the understanding.
`` My brain is too dull.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Note: In this sense, often used in the plural.
4. The affections; fancy; imagination. [R.] --Shak.
{To have on the brain}, to have constantly in one's thoughts,
as a sort of monomania. [Low]
{Brain box} or {case}, the bony on cartilaginous case
inclosing the brain.
{Brain coral}, {Brain stone coral} (Zo["o]l), a massive
reef-building coral having the surface covered by ridges
separated by furrows so as to resemble somewhat the
surface of the brain, esp. such corals of the genera
{M[ae]andrina} and {Diploria}.
{Brain fag} (Med.), brain weariness. See {Cerebropathy}.
{Brain fever} (Med.), fever in which the brain is specially
affected; any acute cerebral affection attended by fever.
{Brain sand}, calcareous matter found in the pineal gland.
Brain \Brain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brained}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Braining}.]
1. To dash out the brains of; to kill by beating out the
brains. Hence, Fig.: To destroy; to put an end to; to
defeat.
There thou mayst brain him. --Shak.
It was the swift celerity of the death . . . That
brained my purpose. --Shak.
2. To conceive; to understand. [Obs.]
?T is still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen
Tongue, and brain not. --Shak.
Brained \Brained\, p.a.
Supplied with brains.
If th' other two be brained like us. --Shak.
Brainish \Brain"ish\, a.
Hot-headed; furious. [R.] --Shak.
Brainless \Brain"less\, a.
Without understanding; silly; thoughtless; witless. --
{Brain"less*ness}, n.
Brainpan \Brain"pan`\, n. [Brain + pan.]
The bones which inclose the brain; the skull; the cranium.
Brainsick \Brain"sick`\, a.
Disordered in the understanding; giddy; thoughtless. --
{Brain"sick*ness}, n.
Brainsickly \Brain"sick`ly\, adv.
In a brainsick manner.
Brainy \Brain"y\, a.
Having an active or vigorous mind. [Colloq.]
Braise \Braise\, Braize \Braize\, n. [So called from its
iridescent colors.] (Zo["o]l.)
A European marine fish ({Pagrus vulgaris}) allied to the
American scup; the becker. The name is sometimes applied to
the related species. [Also written {brazier}.]
Braise \Braise\, Braize \Braize\, n. [F.]
1. Charcoal powder; breeze.
2. (Cookery) Braised meat.
Braise \Braise\, v. t. [F. braiser, fr. braise coals.] (Cookery)
To stew or broil in a covered kettle or pan.
A braising kettle has a deep cover which holds coals;
consequently the cooking is done from above, as well as
below. --Mrs.
Henderson.
Braiser \Brais"er\, n.
A kettle or pan for braising.
Brait \Brait\, n. [Cf.W. braith variegated, Ir. breath, breagh,
fine, comely.]
A rough diamond.
Braize \Braize\ (br[=a]z), n.
See {Braise}.
Brake \Brake\ (br[=a]k),
imp. of {Break}. [Arhaic] --Tennyson.
Brake \Brake\, n. [OE. brake fern; cf. AS. bracce fern, LG.
brake willow bush, Da. bregne fern, G. brach fallow; prob.
orig. the growth on rough, broken ground, fr. the root of E.
break. See {Break}, v. t., cf. {Bracken}, and 2d {Brake}, n.]
1. (Bot.) A fern of the genus {Pteris}, esp. the {P.
aquilina}, common in almost all countries. It has solitary
stems dividing into three principal branches. Less
properly: Any fern.
2. A thicket; a place overgrown with shrubs and brambles,
with undergrowth and ferns, or with canes.
Rounds rising hillocks, brakes obscure and rough, To
shelter thee from tempest and from rain. --Shak.
He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for
stone. --Sir W.
Scott.
{Cane brake}, a thicket of canes. See {Canebrake}.
Brake \Brake\ (br[=a]k), n. [OE. brake; cf. LG. brake an
instrument for breaking flax, G. breche, fr. the root of E.
break. See Break, v. t., and cf. {Breach}.]
1. An instrument or machine to break or bruise the woody part
of flax or hemp so that it may be separated from the
fiber.
2. An extended handle by means of which a number of men can
unite in working a pump, as in a fire engine.
3. A baker's kneading though. --Johnson.
4. A sharp bit or snaffle.
Pampered jades . . . which need nor break nor bit.
--Gascoigne.
5. A frame for confining a refractory horse while the smith
is shoeing him; also, an inclosure to restrain cattle,
horses, etc.
A horse . . . which Philip had bought . . . and
because of his fierceness kept him within a brake of
iron bars. --J. Brende.
6. That part of a carriage, as of a movable battery, or
engine, which enables it to turn.
7. (Mil.) An ancient engine of war analogous to the crossbow
and ballista.
8. (Agric.) A large, heavy harrow for breaking clods after
plowing; a drag.
9. A piece of mechanism for retarding or stopping motion by
friction, as of a carriage or railway car, by the pressure
of rubbers against the wheels, or of clogs or ratchets
against the track or roadway, or of a pivoted lever
against a wheel or drum in a machine.
10. (Engin.) An apparatus for testing the power of a steam
engine, or other motor, by weighing the amount of
friction that the motor will overcome; a friction brake.
11. A cart or carriage without a body, used in breaking in
horses.
12. An ancient instrument of torture. --Holinshed.
{Air brake}. See {Air brake}, in the Vocabulary.
{Brake beam} or {Brake bar}, the beam that connects the brake
blocks of opposite wheels.
{Brake block}.
(a) The part of a brake holding the brake shoe.
(b) A brake shoe.
{Brake shoe} or {Brake rubber}, the part of a brake against
which the wheel rubs.
{Brake wheel}, a wheel on the platform or top of a car by
which brakes are operated.
{Continuous brake} . See under {Continuous}.
Brakeman \Brake"man\, n.; pl. {Brakemen}.
1. (Railroads) A man in charge of a brake or brakes.
2. (Mining) The man in charge of the winding (or hoisting)
engine for a mine.
Braky \Brak"y\, a.
Full of brakes; abounding with brambles, shrubs, or ferns;
rough; thorny.
In the woods and braky glens. --W. Browne.
Brama \Bra"ma\, n.
See {Brahma}.
Bramah press \Bra"mah press`\
A hydrostatic press of immense power, invented by Joseph
Bramah of London. See under {Hydrostatic}.
Bramble \Bram"ble\ (br[a^]m"b'l), n. [OE. brembil, AS.
br[=e]mel, br[=e]mbel, br[=ae]mbel (akin to OHG. br[=a]mal),
fr. the same root as E. broom, As. br[=o]m. See {Broom}.]
1. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus {Rubus}, including the
raspberry and blackberry. Hence: Any rough, prickly shrub.
The thorny brambles, and embracing bushes. --Shak.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The brambling or bramble finch.
Bramble bush \Bram"ble bush`\ (b[.u]sh`). (Bot.)
The bramble, or a collection of brambles growing together.
He jumped into a bramble bush And scratched out both
his eyes. --Mother
Goose.
Brambled \Bram"bled\, a.
Overgrown with brambles.
Forlorn she sits upon the brambled floor. --T. Warton.
Bramble net \Bram"ble net`\
A net to catch birds.
Brambling \Bram"bling\, n. [OE. bramline. See {Bramble}, n.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The European mountain finch ({Fringilla montifringilla}); --
called also {bramble finch} and {bramble}.
Brambly \Bram"bly\, a.
Pertaining to, resembling, or full of, brambles. ``In brambly
wildernesses.'' --Tennyson.
Brame \Brame\, n. [Cf. {Breme}.]
Sharp passion; vexation. [Obs.]
Heart-burning brame. --Spenser.
Bramin \Bra"min\, Braminic \Bra*min"ic\, etc.
See {Brahman}, {Brachmanic}, etc.
Bran \Bran\, n. [OE. bren, bran, OF. bren, F. bran, from Celtic;
cf. Armor. brenn, Ir. bran, bran, chaff.]
1. The broken coat of the seed of wheat, rye, or other cereal
grain, separated from the flour or meal by sifting or
bolting; the coarse, chaffy part of ground grain.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The European carrion crow.
Brancard \Bran"card\, n. [F.]
A litter on which a person may be carried. [Obs.] --Coigrave.
Branch \Branch\, n.; pl. {Branches}. [OE. braunche, F. branche,
fr. LL. branca claw of a bird or beast of prey; cf. Armor.
brank branch, bough.]
1. (Bot.) A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main
stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other
plant.
2. Any division extending like a branch; any arm or part
connected with the main body of thing; ramification; as,
the branch of an antler; the branch of a chandelier; a
branch of a river; a branch of a railway.
Most of the branches, or streams, were dried up.
--W. Irving.
3. Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct
article; a section or subdivision; a department.
``Branches of knowledge.'' --Prescott.
It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. --Shak.
4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends
outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the
branches of an hyperbola.
5. A line of family descent, in distinction from some other
line or lines from the same stock; any descendant in such
a line; as, the English branch of a family.
His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock.
--Carew.
6. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot,
authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.
{Branches of a bridle}, two pieces of bent iron, which bear
the bit, the cross chains, and the curb.
{Branch herring}. See {Alewife}.
{Root and branch}, totally, wholly.
Syn: Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig.
Branch \Branch\, a.
Diverging from, or tributary to, a main stock, line, way,
theme, etc.; as, a branch vein; a branch road or line; a
branch topic; a branch store.
Branch \Branch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Branched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Branching}.]
1. To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches;
to ramify.
2. To divide into separate parts or subdivision.
{To branch off}, to form a branch or a separate part; to
diverge.
{To branch out}, to speak diffusively; to extend one's
discourse to other topics than the main one; also, to
enlarge the scope of one's business, etc.
To branch out into a long disputation. --Spectator.
Branch \Branch\, v. t.
1. To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division
in.
2. To adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers,
or twigs.
The train whereof loose far behind her strayed,
Branched with gold and pearl, most richly wrought.
--Spenser.
Brancher \Branch"er\, n.
1. That which shoots forth branches; one who shows growth in
various directions.
2. (Falconry) A young hawk when it begins to leave the nest
and take to the branches.
Branchery \Branch"er*y\, n.
A system of branches.
Branchia \Bran"chi*a\, n.; pl. {Branchi[ae]}. [L., fr. Gr. ?,
pl. of ?.] (Anat.)
A gill; a respiratory organ for breathing the air contained
in water, such as many aquatic and semiaquatic animals have.
Branchial \Bran"chi*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to branchi[ae] or gills.
{Branchial arches}, the bony or cartilaginous arches which
support the gills on each side of the throat of fishes and
amphibians. See Illustration in Appendix.
{Branchial clefts}, the openings between the branchial arches
through which water passes.
Branchiate \Bran"chi*ate\, a. (Anat.)
Furnished with branchi[ae]; as, branchiate segments.
Branchiferous \Bran*chif"er*ous\, a. (Anat.)
Having gills; branchiate; as, branchiferous gastropods.
Branchiness \Branch"i*ness\, n.
Fullness of branches.
Branching \Branch"ing\, a.
Furnished with branches; shooting our branches; extending in
a branch or branches.
Shaded with branching palm. --Milton.
Branching \Branch"ing\, n.
The act or state of separation into branches; division into
branches; a division or branch.
The sciences, with their numerous branchings. --L.
Watts.
Branchiogastropoda \Bran`chi*o*gas*trop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., from
Gr. ? gill + E. gastropoda.] (Zo["o]l.)
Those Gastropoda that breathe by branchi[ae], including the
Prosobranchiata and Opisthobranchiata.
Branchiomerism \Bran`chi*om"er*ism\, n. [Gr. ? gill + -mere.]
(Anat.)
The state of being made up of branchiate segments. --R.
Wiedersheim.
Branchiopod \Bran"chi*o*pod\, n.
One of the Branchiopoda.
Branchiopoda \Bran"chi*o*poda\, n. pl. [Gr. ? gill + -poda: cf.
F. branchiopode.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Entomostraca; -- so named from the feet of
branchiopods having been supposed to perform the function of
gills. It includes the fresh-water genera {Branchipus},
{Apus}, and {Limnadia}, and the genus {Artemia} found in salt
lakes. It is also called {{Phyllopoda}}. See {Phyllopoda},
{Cladocera}. It is sometimes used in a broader sense.
Branchiostegal \Bran`chi*os"te*gal\, a. [Gr. ? gill + ? to
cover: cf. F. branchiost[`e]ge.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to the membrane covering the gills of fishes. --
n. (Anat.) A branchiostegal ray. See Illustration of
{Branchial arches} in Appendix.
Note: This term was formerly applied to a group of fishes
having boneless branchi[ae]. But the arrangement was
artificial, and has been rejected.
Branchiostege \Bran`chi*os"tege\, (Anat.)
The branchiostegal membrane. See Illustration in Appendix.
Branchiostegous \Bran`chi*os"te*gous\, a. (Anat.)
Branchiostegal.
Branchiostoma \Bran`chi*os"to*ma\, n. [NL., fr., Gr. ? gill + ?
mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
The lancelet. See {Amphioxus}.
Branchiura \Bran"chi*u"ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr., Gr. ? gill + ?
tail.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Entomostraca, with suctorial mouths, including
species parasitic on fishes, as the carp lice ({Argulus}).
Branchless \Branch"less\, a.
Destitute of branches or shoots; without any valuable
product; barren; naked.
Branchlet \Branch"let\, n. [Branch + -let.]
A little branch; a twig.
Branch pilot \Branch" pi`lot\
A pilot who has a branch or commission, as from Trinity
House, England, for special navigation.
Branchy \Branch"y\, a.
Full of branches; having wide-spreading branches; consisting
of branches.
Beneath thy branchy bowers of thickest gloom. --J.
Scott.
Brand \Brand\, n. [OE. brand, brond, AS. brand brond brand,
sword, from byrnan, beornan, to burn; akin to D., Dan., Sw.,
& G. brand brand, Icel. brandr a brand, blade of a sword.
[root]32. See {Burn}, v. t., and cf. {Brandish}.]
1. A burning piece of wood; or a stick or piece of wood
partly burnt, whether burning or after the fire is
extinct.
Snatching a live brand from a wigwam, Mason threw it
on a matted roof. --Palfrey.
2. A sword, so called from its glittering or flashing
brightness. [Poetic] --Tennyson.
Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by
that flaming brand. --Milton.
3. A mark made by burning with a hot iron, as upon a cask, to
designate the quality, manufacturer, etc., of the
contents, or upon an animal, to designate ownership; --
also, a mark for a similar purpose made in any other way,
as with a stencil. Hence, figurately: Quality; kind;
grade; as, a good brand of flour.
4. A mark put upon criminals with a hot iron. Hence: Any mark
of infamy or vice; a stigma.
The brand of private vice. --Channing.
5. An instrument to brand with; a branding iron.
6. (Bot.) Any minute fungus which produces a burnt appearance
in plants. The brands are of many species and several
genera of the order {Puccini[ae]i}.
Brand \Brand\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Branded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Branding}.].
1. To burn a distinctive mark into or upon with a hot iron,
to indicate quality, ownership, etc., or to mark as
infamous (as a convict).
2. To put an actual distinctive mark upon in any other way,
as with a stencil, to show quality of contents, name of
manufacture, etc.
3. Fig.: To fix a mark of infamy, or a stigma, upon.
The Inquisition branded its victims with infamy.
--Prescott.
There were the enormities, branded and condemned by
the first and most natural verdict of common
humanity. --South.
4. To mark or impress indelibly, as with a hot iron.
As if it were branded on my mind. --Geo. Eliot.
Brander \Brand"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, brands; a branding iron.
2. A gridiron. [Scot.]
Brand goose \Brand" goose`\ [Prob. fr. 1st brand + goose: cf.
Sw. brandg[*a]s. Cf. {Brant}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of wild goose ({Branta bernicla}) usually called in
America {brant}. See {Brant}.
Brandied \Bran"died\, a.
Mingled with brandy; made stronger by the addition of brandy;
flavored or treated with brandy; as, brandied peaches.
Branding iron \Brand"ing i`*ron\
An iron to brand with.
Brand iron \Brand" i`ron\
1. A branding iron.
2. A trivet to set a pot on. --Huloet.
3. The horizontal bar of an andiron.
Brandish \Bran"dish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brandished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Brandishing}.] [OE. braundisen, F. brandir, fr. brand
a sword, fr. OHG. brant brand. See {Brand}, n.]
1. To move or wave, as a weapon; to raise and move in various
directions; to shake or flourish.
The quivering lance which he brandished bright.
--Drake.
2. To play with; to flourish; as, to brandish syllogisms.
Brandish \Bran"dish\, n.
A flourish, as with a weapon, whip, etc. ``Brandishes of the
fan.'' --Tailer.
Brandisher \Bran"dish*er\, n.
One who brandishes.
Brandle \Bran"dle\, v. t. & i. [F. brandiller.]
To shake; to totter. [Obs.]
Brandling \Brand"ling\, Brandlin \Brand"lin\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Branlin}, fish and worm.
Brand-new \Brand"-new"\, a. [See {Brand}, and cf. {Brannew}.]
Quite new; bright as if fresh from the forge.
Brand spore \Brand" spore`\ (Bot.)
One of several spores growing in a series or chain, and
produced by one of the fungi called brand.
Brandy \Bran"dy\, n.; pl. {Brandies}. [From older brandywine,
brandwine, fr. D. brandewijn, fr. p. p. of branden to burn,
distill + wijn wine, akin to G. branntwein. See {Brand}.]
A strong alcoholic liquor distilled from wine. The name is
also given to spirit distilled from other liquors, and in the
United States to that distilled from cider and peaches. In
northern Europe, it is also applied to a spirit obtained from
grain.
{Brandy fruit}, fruit preserved in brandy and sugar.
Brandywine \Bran"dy*wine`\, n.
Brandy. [Obs.] --Wiseman.
Brangle \Bran"gle\, n. [Prov. E. brangled confused, entangled,
Scot. brangle to shake, menace; probably a variant of
wrangle, confused with brawl. [root]95.> ]
A wrangle; a squabble; a noisy contest or dispute. [R.]
A brangle between him and his neighbor. --Swift.
Brangle \Bran"gle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Brangled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Brangling}.]
To wrangle; to dispute contentiously; to squabble. [R.]
Branglement \Bran"gle*ment\, n.
Wrangle; brangle. [Obs.]
Brangler \Bran"gler\, n.
A quarrelsome person.
Brangling \Bran"gling\, n.
A quarrel. [R.] --Whitlock.
Brank \Brank\, n. [Prov. of Celtic origin; cf. L. brance, brace,
the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.]
Buckwheat. [Local, Eng.] --Halliwell.
Brank \Brank\, Branks \Branks\, n. [Cf. Gael. brangus, brangas,
a sort of pillory, Ir. brancas halter, or D. pranger fetter.]
1. A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. [Scot. & Prov.
Eng.] --Jamieson.
2. A scolding bridle, an instrument formerly used for
correcting scolding women. It was an iron frame
surrounding the head and having a triangular piece
entering the mouth of the scold.
Brank \Brank\, v. i.
1. To hold up and toss the head; -- applied to horses as
spurning the bit. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
2. To prance; to caper. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
Brankursine \Brank"ur*sine\, n. [F. branc-ursine, branch-ursine,
fr. LL. branca claw + L. ursinus belonging to a bear (fr.
ursus bear), i. e., bear's claw, because its leaves resemble
the claws of a bear. Cf. {Branch}.] (Bot.)
Bear's-breech, or Acanthus.
Branlin \Bran"lin\, n. [Scot. branlie fr. brand.] (Zo["o]l.)
A young salmon or parr, in the stage in which it has
transverse black bands, as if burned by a gridiron.
Branlin \Bran"lin\, n. [See {Brand}.]
A small red worm or larva, used as bait for small fresh-water
fish; -- so called from its red color.
Bran-new \Bran"-new"\, a.
See {Brand-new}.
Branny \Bran"ny\, a.
Having the appearance of bran; consisting of or containing
bran. --Wiseman.
Bransle \Bran"sle\, n. [See {Brawl} a dance.]
A brawl or dance. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Brant \Brant\ (br[a^]nt), n. [Cf.{Brand goose}, {Brent},
{Brenicle}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of wild goose ({Branta bernicla}) -- called also
{brent} and {brand goose}. The name is also applied to other
related species.
Brant \Brant\, a. [See {Brent}.]
Steep. [Prov. Eng.]
Brantail \Bran"tail`\ (br[a^]n"t[=a]l`), n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European redstart; -- so called from the red color of its
tail.
Brant-fox \Brant"-fox`\, n. [For brand-fox; cf. G. brandfuchs,
Sw. bradr["a]f. So called from its yellowish brown and
somewhat black color. See {Brand}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of fox found in Sweden ({Vulpes alopex}), smaller than
the common fox ({V. vulgaris}), but probably a variety of it.
Branular \Bran"u*lar\, a.
Relating to the brain; cerebral. --I. Taylor.
Brasen \Bra"sen\, a.
Same as {Brazen}.
Brash \Brash\, a. [Cf. Gael. bras or G. barsch harsh, sharp,
tart, impetuous, D. barsch, Sw. & Dan. barsk.]
Hasty in temper; impetuous. --Grose.
Brash \Brash\, a. [Cf. Amer. bresk, brusk, fragile, brittle.]
Brittle, as wood or vegetables. [Colloq., U. S.] --Bartlett.
Brash \Brash\, n. [See {Brash} brittle.]
1. A rash or eruption; a sudden or transient fit of sickness.
2. Refuse boughs of trees; also, the clippings of hedges.
[Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
3. (Geol.) Broken and angular fragments of rocks underlying
alluvial deposits. --Lyell.
4. Broken fragments of ice. --Kane.
{Water brash} (Med.), an affection characterized by a
spasmodic pain or hot sensation in the stomach with a
rising of watery liquid into the mouth; pyrosis.
{Weaning brash} (Med.), a severe form of diarrhea which
sometimes attacks children just weaned.
Brasier \Bra"sier\, Brazier \Bra"zier\, n. [OE. brasiere, F.
braise live coals. See {Brass}.]
An artificer who works in brass. --Franklin.
Brasier \Bra"sier\, Brazier \Bra"zier\, n. [F. brasier,
brais['i]er, fr. braise live coals. See {Brass}.]
A pan for holding burning coals.
Brass \Brass\, n.; pl. {Brasses}. [OE. bras, bres, AS. br[ae]s;
akin to Icel. bras cement, solder, brasa to harden by fire,
and to E. braze, brazen. Cf. 1st & 2d {Braze}.]
1. An alloy (usually yellow) of copper and zinc, in variable
proportion, but often containing two parts of copper to
one part of zinc. It sometimes contains tin, and rarely
other metals.
2. (Mach.) A journal bearing, so called because frequently
made of brass. A brass is often lined with a softer metal,
when the latter is generally called a white metal lining.
See {Axle box}, {Journal Box}, and {Bearing}.
3. Coin made of copper, brass, or bronze. [Obs.]
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your
purses, nor scrip for your journey. --Matt. x. 9.
4. Impudence; a brazen face. [Colloq.]
5. pl. Utensils, ornaments, or other articles of brass.
The very scullion who cleans the brasses.
--Hopkinson.
6. A brass plate engraved with a figure or device.
Specifically, one used as a memorial to the dead, and
generally having the portrait, coat of arms, etc.
7. pl. (Mining) Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the
color of which is near to that of brass.
Note: The word brass as used in Sculpture language is a
translation for copper or some kind of bronze.
Note: Brass is often used adjectively or in self-explaining
compounds; as, brass button, brass kettle, brass
founder, brass foundry or brassfoundry.
{Brass band} (Mus.), a band of musicians who play upon wind
instruments made of brass, as trumpets, cornets, etc.
{Brass foil}, {Brass leaf}, brass made into very thin sheets;
-- called also {Dutch gold}.
Brassage \Bras"sage\, n. [F.]
A sum formerly levied to pay the expense of coinage; -- now
called {seigniorage}.
Brassart \Bras"sart\, n. [F. brassard, fr. bras arm. See
{Brace}, n.]
Armor for the arm; -- generally used for the whole arm from
the shoulder to the wrist, and consisting, in the 15th and
16th centuries, of many parts.
Brasse \Brasse\, n. [Perh. a transposition of barse; but cf. LG.
brasse the bream, G. brassen Cf. {Bream}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A spotted European fish of the genus {Lucioperca}, resembling
a perch.
Brassets \Bras"sets\, n.
See {Brassart}.
Brassica \Bras"si*ca\, n. [L., cabbage.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants embracing several species and varieties
differing much in appearance and qualities: such as the
common cabbage ({B. oleracea}), broccoli, cauliflowers, etc.;
the wild turnip ({B. campestris}); the common turnip ({B.
rapa}); the rape or coleseed ({B. napus}), etc.
Brassicaceous \Bras`si*ca"ceous\, a. [L. brassica cabbage.]
(Bot.)
Related to, or resembling, the cabbage, or plants of the
Cabbage family.
Brassiness \Brass"i*ness\, n.
The state, condition, or quality of being brassy. [Colloq.]
Brass-visaged \Brass"-vis"aged\, a.
Impudent; bold.
Brassy \Brass"y\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to brass; having the nature, appearance,
or hardness, of brass.
2. Impudent; impudently bold. [Colloq.]
Brast \Brast\, v. t. & i. [See {Burst}.]
To burst. [Obs.]
And both his y["e]n braste out of his face. --Chaucer.
Dreadfull furies which their chains have brast.
--Spenser.
Brat \Brat\ (br[a^]t), n. [OE. bratt coarse garnment, AS. bratt
cloak, fr. the Celtic; cf. W. brat clout, rag, Gael. brat
cloak, apron, rag, Ir. brat cloak; properly then, a child's
bib or clout; hence, a child.]
1. A coarse garment or cloak; also, coarse clothing, in
general. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. A coarse kind of apron for keeping the clothes clean; a
bib. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] --Wright.
3. A child; an offspring; -- formerly used in a good sense,
but now usually in a contemptuous sense. ``This brat is
none of mine.'' --Shak. ``A beggar's brat.'' --Swift.
O Israel! O household of the Lord! O Abraham's
brats! O brood of blessed seed! --Gascoigne.
4. The young of an animal. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
Brat \Brat\, n. (Mining)
A thin bed of coal mixed with pyrites or carbonate of lime.
Bratsche \Brat"sche\, n. [G., fr. It. viola da braccio viola
held on the arm.]
The tenor viola, or viola.
Brattice \Brat"tice\, n. [See {Brettice}.] (Mining)
(a) A wall of separation in a shaft or gallery used for
ventilation.
(b) Planking to support a roof or wall.
Brattishing \Brat"tish*ing\, n.
1. See {Brattice}, n.
2. (Arch.) Carved openwork, as of a shrine, battlement, or
parapet.
Braunite \Braun"ite\, n. (Min.)
A native oxide of manganese, of dark brownish black color. It
was named from a Mr. Braun of Gotha.
Bravade \Bra*vade"\ (br[.a]*v[=a]d"), n.
Bravado. [Obs.] --Fanshawe.
Bravado \Bra*va"do\ (br[.a]*v[=a]"d[-o]), n., pl. {Bravadoes}
(-d[-o]z). [Sp. bravada, bravata, boast, brag: cf. F.
bravade. See {Brave}.]
Boastful and threatening behavior; a boastful menace.
In spite of our host's bravado. --Irving.
Brave \Brave\ (br[=a]v), a. [Compar. {Braver}; superl.
{Bravest}.] [F. brave, It. or Sp. bravo, (orig.) fierce,
wild, savage, prob. from. L. barbarus. See {Barbarous}, and
cf. {Bravo}.]
1. Bold; courageous; daring; intrepid; -- opposed to
{cowardly}; as, a brave man; a brave act.
2. Having any sort of superiority or excellence; --
especially such as in conspicuous. [Obs. or Archaic as
applied to material things.]
Iron is a brave commodity where wood aboundeth.
--Bacon.
It being a brave day, I walked to Whitehall.
--Pepys.
3. Making a fine show or display. [Archaic]
Wear my dagger with the braver grace. --Shak.
For I have gold, and therefore will be brave. In
silks I'll rattle it of every color. --Robert
Greene.
Frog and lizard in holiday coats And turtle brave in
his golden spots. --Emerson.
Syn: Courageous; gallant; daring; valiant; valorous; bold;
heroic; intrepid; fearless; dauntless; magnanimous;
high-spirited; stout-hearted. See {Gallant}.
Brave \Brave\, n.
1. A brave person; one who is daring.
The star-spangled banner, O,long may it wave O'er
the land of the free and the home of the brave. --F.
S. Key.
2. Specifically, an Indian warrior.
3. A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.
Hot braves like thee may fight. --Dryden.
4. A challenge; a defiance; bravado. [Obs.]
Demetrius, thou dost overween in all; And so in
this, to bear me down with braves. --Shak.
Brave \Brave\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Braved} (br[=a]vd); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Braving}.]
1. To encounter with courage and fortitude; to set at
defiance; to defy; to dare.
These I can brave, but those I can not bear.
--Dryden.
2. To adorn; to make fine or showy. [Obs.]
Thou [a tailor whom Grunio was browbeating] hast
braved meny men; brave not me; I'll neither be faced
or braved. --Shak.
Bravely \Brave"ly\ adv.
1. In a brave manner; courageously; gallantly; valiantly;
splendidly; nobly.
2. Finely; gaudily; gayly; showily.
And [she] decked herself bravely to allure the eyes
of all men that should see her. --Judith. x.
4.
3. Well; thrivingly; prosperously. [Colloq.]
Braveness \Brave"ness\, n.
The quality of state or being brave.
Bravery \Brav"er*y\, n. [Cf. F. braverie.]
1. The quality of being brave; fearless; intrepidity.
Remember, sir, my liege, . . . The natural bravery
of your isle. --Shak.
2. The act of braving; defiance; bravado. [Obs.]
Reform, then, without bravery or scandal of former
times and persons. --Bacon.
3. Splendor; magnificence; showy appearance; ostentation;
fine dress.
With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery.
--Shak.
Like a stately ship . . . With all her bravery on,
and tackle trim. --Milton.
4. A showy person; a fine gentleman; a beau. [Obs.]
A man that is the bravery of his age. --Beau. & Fl.
Syn: Courage; heroism; interpidity; gallantry; valor;
fearlessness; dauntlessness; hardihood; manfulness. See
{Courage}, and {Heroism}.
Braving \Brav"ing\, n.
A bravado; a boast.
With so proud a strain Of threats and bravings.
--Chapman.
Bravingly \Brav"ing*ly\, adv.
In a defiant manner.
Bravo \Bra"vo\, n.; pl. {Bravoes}. [I. See {Brave}, a.]
A daring villain; a bandit; one who sets law at defiance; a
professional assassin or murderer.
Safe from detection, seize the unwary prey. And stab,
like bravoes, all who come this way. --Churchill.
Bravo \Bra"vo\, interj. [It. See {Brave}.]
Well done! excellent! an exclamation expressive of applause.
Bravura \Bra*vu"ra\, n. [It., (properly) bravery, spirit, from
bravo. See {Brave}.] (Mus.)
A florid, brilliant style of music, written for effect, to
show the range and flexibility of a singer's voice, or the
technical force and skill of a performer; virtuoso music.
{Aria di bravura}[It.], a florid air demanding brilliant
execution.
Brawl \Brawl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Brawled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Brawling}.] [OE. braulen to quarrel, boast, brallen to cry,
make a noise; cf. LG. brallen to brag, MHG. pr?ulen, G.
prahlen, F. brailler to cry, shout, Pr. brailar, braillar, W.
bragal to vociferate, brag, Armor. bragal to romp, to strut,
W. broliaw to brag, brawl boast. ?95.]
1. To quarrel noisily and outrageously.
Let a man that is a man consider that he is a fool
that brawleth openly with his wife. --Golden Boke.
2. To complain loudly; to scold.
3. To make a loud confused noise, as the water of a rapid
stream running over stones.
Where the brook brawls along the painful road.
--Wordsworth.
Syn: To wrangle; squabble; contend.
Brawl \Brawl\, n.
A noisy quarrel; loud, angry contention; a wrangle; a tumult;
as, a drunken brawl.
His sports were hindered by the brawls. --Shak.
Syn: Noise; quarrel; uproar; row; tumult.
Brawler \Brawl"er\, n.
One that brawls; wrangler.
{Common brawler} (Law), one who disturbs a neighborhood by
brawling (and is therefore indictable at common law as a
nuisance). --Wharton.
Brawling \Brawl"ing\, a.
1. Quarreling; quarrelsome; noisy.
She is an irksome brawling scold. --Shak.
2. Making a loud confused noise. See {Brawl}, v. i., 3.
A brawling stream. --J. S.
Shairp.
Brawlingly \Brawl"ing*ly\, adv.
In a brawling manner.
Brawn \Brawn\, n. [OF. braon fleshy part, muscle, fr. HG. br?to
flesh, G. braten roast meat; akin to Icel. br?? flesh, food
of beasts, AS. br?de roast meat, br?dan to roast, G. braten,
and possibly to E. breed.]
1. A muscle; flesh. [Obs.]
Formed well of brawns and of bones. --Chaucer.
2. Full, strong muscles, esp. of the arm or leg, muscular
strength; a protuberant muscular part of the body;
sometimes, the arm.
Brawn without brains is thine. --Dryden.
It was ordained that murderers should be brent on
the brawn of the left hand. --E. Hall.
And in my vantbrace put this withered brawn. --Shak.
3. The flesh of a boar; also, the salted and prepared flesh
of a boar.
The best age for the boar is from two to five years,
at which time it is best to geld him, or sell him
for brawn. --Mortimer.
4. A boar. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Brawned \Brawned\, a.
Brawny; strong; muscular. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Brawner \Brawn"er\, n.
A boor killed for the table.
Brawniness \Brawn"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being brawny.
Brawny \Brawn"y\, a.
Having large, strong muscles; muscular; fleshy; strong.
``Brawny limbs.'' --W. Irving.
Syn: Muscular; fleshy; strong; bulky; sinewy; athletic;
stalwart; powerful; robust.
Braxy \Brax"y\, n. [Cf. AS. breac rheum, broc sickness, Ir.
bracha corruption. Jamieson.]
1. A disease of sheep. The term is variously applied in
different localities. [Scot.]
2. A diseased sheep, or its mutton.
Bray \Bray\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Braying}.] [OE. brayen, OF. breier, F. broyer to pound,
grind, fr. OHG. brehhan to break. See {Break}.]
To pound, beat, rub, or grind small or fine.
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar, . . .
yet will not his foolishness depart from him. --Prov.
xxvii. 22.
Bray \Bray\, v. i. [OE brayen, F. braire to bray, OF. braire to
cry, fr. LL. bragire to whinny; perh. fr. the Celtic and akin
to E. break; or perh. of imitative origin.]
1. To utter a loud, harsh cry, as an ass.
Laugh, and they Return it louder than an ass can
bray. --Dryden.
2. To make a harsh, grating, or discordant noise.
Heard ye the din of battle bray? --Gray.
Bray \Bray\, v. t.
To make or utter with a loud, discordant, or harsh and
grating sound.
Arms on armor clashing, brayed Horrible discord.
--MIlton.
And varying notes the war pipes brayed. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bray \Bray\, n.
The harsh cry of an ass; also, any harsh, grating, or
discordant sound.
The bray and roar of multitudinous London. --Jerrold.
Bray \Bray\, n. [OE. braye, brey, brew, eyebrow, brow of a hill,
hill, bank, Scot. bra, brae, bray, fr. AS. br?w eyebrow,
influenced by the allied Icel. br? eyebrow, bank, also akin
to AS. br? yebrow. See {Brow}.]
A bank; the slope of a hill; a hill. See {Brae}, which is now
the usual spelling. [North of Eng. & Scot.] --Fairfax.
Brayer \Bray"er\, n.
An implement for braying and spreading ink in hand printing.
Brayer \Bray"er\, n.
One that brays like an ass. --Pope.
Braying \Bray"ing\, a.
Making a harsh noise; blaring. ``Braying trumpets.'' --Shak.
Braze \Braze\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Brazed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Brazing}.] [F. braser to solder, fr. Icel. brasa to harden
by fire. Cf. {Brass}.]
1. To solder with hard solder, esp. with an alloy of copper
and zinc; as, to braze the seams of a copper pipe.
2. To harden. ``Now I am brazes to it.'' --Shak.
Braze \Braze\, v. t. [AS. br[ae]sian, fr. br[ae]s brass. See
{Brass}.]
To cover or ornament with brass. --Chapman.
Brazen \Bra"zen\, a.[OE. brasen, AS. br[ae]sen. See {Brass}.]
1. Pertaining to, made of, or resembling, brass.
2. Sounding harsh and loud, like resounding brass.
3. Impudent; immodest; shameless; having a front like brass;
as, a brazen countenance.
{Brazen age}.
(a) (Myth.) The age of war and lawlessness which succeeded
the silver age.
(b) (Arch[ae]ol.) See under {Bronze}.
{Brazen sea} (Jewish Antiq.), a large laver of brass, placed
in Solomon's temple for the use of the priests.
Brazen \Bra"zen\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brazened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Brazening}.]
To carry through impudently or shamelessly; as, to brazen the
matter through.
Sabina brazened it out before Mrs. Wygram, but inwardly
she was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect. --W.
Black.
Brazen-browed \Bra"zen-browed`\, a.
Shamelessly impudent. --Sir T. Browne.
Brazenface \Bra"zen*face`\, n.
An impudent or shameless person. ``Well said, brazenface;
hold it out.'' --Shak.
Brazenfaced \Bra"zen*faced`\, a.
Impudent; shameless.
Brazenly \Bra"zen*ly\, adv.
In a bold, impudent manner.
Brazenness \Bra"zen*ness\ (br[=a]"z'n*n[e^]s), n.
The quality or state of being brazen. --Johnson.
Brazier \Bra"zier\ (br[=a]"zh[~e]r), n.
Same as {Brasier}.
Braziletto \Braz`i*let"to\, n. [Cf. Pg. & Sp. brasilete, It.
brasiletto.]
See {Brazil wood}.
Brazilian \Bra*zil"ian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Brazil. -- n. A native or an inhabitant
of Brazil.
{Brazilian pebble}. See {Pebble}, n., 2.
Brazilin \Braz"i*lin\, n. [Cf. F. br['e]siline. See {Brazil}.]
(Chem.)
A substance contained in both Brazil wood and Sapan wood,
from which it is extracted as a yellow crystalline substance
which is white when pure. It is colored intensely red by
alkalies. [Written also {brezilin}.]
Brazil nut \Bra*zil" nut`\ (Bot.)
An oily, three-sided nut, the seed of the {Bertholletia
excelsa}; the cream nut.
Note: From eighteen to twenty-four of the seed or ``nuts''
grow in a hard and nearly globular shell.
Brazil wood \Bra*zil" wood`\ [OE. brasil, LL. brasile (cf. Pg. &
Sp. brasil, Pr. bresil, Pr. bresil); perh. from Sp. or Pg.
brasa a live coal (cf. {Braze}, {Brasier}); or Ar. vars plant
for dyeing red or yellow. This name was given to the wood
from its color; and it is said that King Emanuel, of
Portugal, gave the name Brazil to the country in South
America on account of its producing this wood.]
1. The wood of the oriental {C[ae]salpinia Sapan}; -- so
called before the discovery of America.
2. A very heavy wood of a reddish color, imported from Brazil
and other tropical countries, for cabinet-work, and for
dyeing. The best is the heartwood of {C[ae]salpinia
echinata}, a leguminous tree; but other trees also yield
it. An inferior sort comes from Jamaica, the timber of {C.
Braziliensis} and {C. crista}. This is often distinguished
as Braziletto, but the better kind is also frequently so
named.
Breach \Breach\, n. [OE. breke, breche, AS. brice, gebrice,
gebrece (in comp.), fr. brecan to break; akin to Dan.
br[ae]k, MHG. breche, gap, breach. See {Break}, and cf.
{Brake} (the instrument), {Brack} a break] .
1. The act of breaking, in a figurative sense.
2. Specifically: A breaking or infraction of a law, or of any
obligation or tie; violation; non-fulfillment; as, a
breach of contract; a breach of promise.
3. A gap or opening made made by breaking or battering, as in
a wall or fortification; the space between the parts of a
solid body rent by violence; a break; a rupture.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead. --Shak.
4. A breaking of waters, as over a vessel; the waters
themselves; surge; surf.
The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before
me, as the breach of waters. --2 Sam. v.
20?
{A clear breach} implies that the waves roll over the vessel
without breaking.
{A clean breach} implies that everything on deck is swept
away. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
5. A breaking up of amicable relations; rupture.
There's fallen between him and my lord An unkind
breach. --Shak.
6. A bruise; a wound.
Breach for breach, eye for eye. --Lev. xxiv.
20?
7. (Med.) A hernia; a rupture.
8. A breaking out upon; an assault.
The Lord had made a breach upon Uzza. --1. Chron.
xiii. 11?
{Breach of falth}, a breaking, or a failure to keep, an
expressed or implied promise; a betrayal of confidence or
trust.
{Breach of peace}, disorderly conduct, disturbing the public
peace.
{Breach of privilege}, an act or default in violation of the
privilege or either house of Parliament, of Congress, or
of a State legislature, as, for instance, by false
swearing before a committee. --Mozley. Abbott.
{Breach of promise}, violation of one's plighted word, esp.
of a promise to marry.
{Breach of trust}, violation of one's duty or faith in a
matter entrusted to one.
Syn: Rent; cleft; chasm; rift; aperture; gap; break;
disruption; fracture; rupture; infraction; infringement;
violation; quarrel; dispute; contention; difference;
misunderstanding.
Breach \Breach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Breached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Breaching}.]
To make a breach or opening in; as, to breach the walls of a
city.
Breach \Breach\, v. i.
To break the water, as by leaping out; -- said of a whale.
Breachy \Breach"y\, a.
Apt to break fences or to break out of pasture; unruly; as,
breachy cattle.
Bread \Bread\, v. t. [AS. br[ae]dan to make broad, to spread.
See {Broad}, a.]
To spread. [Obs.] --Ray.
Bread \Bread\, n. [AS. bre['a]d; akin to OFries. br[=a]d, OS.
br?d, D. brood, G. brod, brot, Icel. brau?, Sw. & Dan.
br["o]d. The root is probably that of E. brew. ? See {Brew}.]
1. An article of food made from flour or meal by moistening,
kneading, and baking.
Note:
{Raised bread} is made with yeast, salt, and sometimes a
little butter or lard, and is mixed with warm milk or
water to form the dough, which, after kneading, is given
time to rise before baking.
{Cream of tartar bread} is raised by the action of an
alkaline carbonate or bicarbonate (as saleratus or
ammonium bicarbonate) and cream of tartar (acid tartrate
of potassium) or some acid.
{Unleavened bread} is usually mixed with water and salt only.
{A["e]rated bread}. See under {A["e]rated}.
{Bread and butter} (fig.), means of living.
{Brown bread}, {Indian bread}, {Graham bread}, {Rye and
Indian bread}. See {Brown bread}, under {Brown}.
{Bread tree}. See {Breadfruit}.
2. Food; sustenance; support of life, in general.
Give us this day our daily bread. --Matt. vi. 11
Bread \Bread\, v. t. (Cookery)
To cover with bread crumbs, preparatory to cooking; as,
breaded cutlets.
Breadbasket \Bread"bas`ket\, n.
The stomach. [Humorous] --S. Foote.
Breadcorn \Bread"corn`\
Corn of grain of which bread is made, as wheat, rye, etc.
Breaded \Bread"ed\, a.
Braided [Obs.] --Spenser.
Breaden \Bread"en\, a.
Made of bread. [R.]
Breadfruit \Bread"fruit`\, n. (Bot.)
1. The fruit of a tree ({Artocarpus incisa}) found in the
islands of the Pacific, esp. the South Sea islands. It is
of a roundish form, from four to six or seven inches in
diameter, and, when baked, somewhat resembles bread, and
is eaten as food, whence the name.
2. (Bot.) The tree itself, which is one of considerable size,
with large, lobed leaves. Cloth is made from the bark, and
the timber is used for many purposes. Called also
{breadfruit tree} and {bread tree}.
Breadless \Bread"less\, a.
Without bread; destitute of food.
Plump peers and breadless bards alike are dull. --P.
Whitehead.
Breadroot \Bread`root"\, n. (Bot.)
The root of a leguminous plant ({Psoralea esculenta}), found
near the Rocky Mountains. It is usually oval in form, and
abounds in farinaceous matter, affording sweet and palatable
food.
Note: It is the Pomme blanche of Canadian voyageurs.
Breadstuff \Bread"stuff\, n.
Grain, flour, or meal of which bread is made.
Breadth \Breadth\, n. [OE. brede, breede, whence later bredette,
AS. br?du, fr. br[=a]d broad. See {Broad}, a.]
1. Distance from side to side of any surface or thing;
measure across, or at right angles to the length; width.
2. (Fine Arts) The quality of having the colors and shadows
broad and massive, and the arrangement of objects such as
to avoid to great multiplicity of details, producing an
impression of largeness and simple grandeur; -- called
also {breadth of effect}.
Breadth of coloring is a prominent character in the
painting of all great masters. --Weale.
Breadthless \Breadth"less\, a.
Without breadth.
Breadthways \Breadth"ways\, ads.
Breadthwise. --Whewell.
Breadthwise \Breadth"wise\, ads.
In the direction of the breadth.
Breadthwinner \Breadth"win`ner\, n.
The member of a family whose labor supplies the food of the
family; one who works for his living. --H. Spencer.
Break \Break\, v. t. [imp. {broke}, (Obs. {Brake}); p. p.
{Broken}, (Obs. {Broke}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Breaking}.] [OE.
breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG.
brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka,
br["a]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to
break, L. frangere. Cf. {Bray} to pound, {Breach},
{Fragile}.]
1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with
violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal;
to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock.
--Shak.
2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a
package of goods.
3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or
communicate.
Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak.
4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise.
Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To
break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton
5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or
terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to
break one's journey.
Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their
senses I'll restore. --Shak.
6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as,
to break a set.
7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to
pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British
squares.
8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments.
The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments
with which he had solaced the hours of captivity.
--Prescott.
9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller
denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill.
10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as,
to break flax.
11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind.
An old man, broken with the storms of state.
--Shak.
12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a
fall or blow.
I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall.
--Dryden.
13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to,
and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as,
to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose
cautiously to a friend.
14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to
discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or
saddle. ``To break a colt.'' --Spenser.
Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?
--Shak.
15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to
ruin.
With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks,
Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks.
--Dryden.
16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to
cashier; to dismiss.
I see a great officer broken. --Swift.
Note: With prepositions or adverbs:
{To break down}.
(a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's
strength; to break down opposition.
(b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to
break down a door or wall.
{To break in}.
(a) To force in; as, to break in a door.
(b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in.
{To break of}, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break
one of a habit.
{To break off}.
(a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig.
(b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. ``Break off thy sins by
righteousness.'' --Dan. iv. 27.
{To break open}, to open by breaking. ``Open the door, or I
will break it open.'' --Shak.
{To break out}, to take or force out by breaking; as, to
break out a pane of glass.
{To break out a cargo}, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it
easily.
{To break through}.
(a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the
force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to
break through the enemy's lines; to break through the
ice.
(b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony.
{To break up}.
(a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow
ground). ``Break up this capon.'' --Shak. ``Break up
your fallow ground.'' --Jer. iv. 3.
(b) To dissolve; to put an end to. ``Break up the
court.'' --Shak.
{To break} (one) {all up}, to unsettle or disconcert
completely; to upset. [Colloq.]
Note: With an immediate object:
{To break the back}.
(a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally.
(b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the
back of a difficult undertaking.
{To break bulk}, to destroy the entirety of a load by
removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to
transfer in detail, as from boats to cars.
{To break cover}, to burst forth from a protecting
concealment, as game when hunted.
{To break a deer} or {stag}, to cut it up and apportion the
parts among those entitled to a share.
{To break fast}, to partake of food after abstinence. See
{Breakfast}.
{To break ground}.
(a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence
excavation, as for building, siege operations, and
the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a
canal, or a railroad.
(b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan.
(c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom.
{To break the heart}, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief.
{To break a house} (Law), to remove or set aside with
violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of
the fastenings provided to secure it.
{To break the ice}, to get through first difficulties; to
overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a
subject.
{To break jail}, to escape from confinement in jail, usually
by forcible means.
{To break a jest}, to utter a jest. ``Patroclus . . . the
livelong day breaks scurril jests.'' --Shak.
{To break joints}, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc.,
so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with
those in the preceding course.
{To break a lance}, to engage in a tilt or contest.
{To break the neck}, to dislocate the joints of the neck.
{To break no squares}, to create no trouble. [Obs.]
{To break a path}, {road}, etc., to open a way through
obstacles by force or labor.
{To break upon a wheel}, to execute or torture, as a criminal
by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs
with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly
employed in some countries.
{To break wind}, to give vent to wind from the anus.
Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate;
infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate.
Break \Break\, v. i.
1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually
with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder.
2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a
bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag.
Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out.
--Math. ix.
17.
3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to
appear; to dawn.
The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak.
And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at
our feet. --Wordsworth.
4. To burst forth violently, as a storm.
The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A
second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden.
5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the
clouds are breaking.
At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay.
6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose
health or strength.
See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he
droops apace. --Swift.
7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my
heart is breaking.
8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt.
He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes
break, and come to poverty. --Bacn.
9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait;
as, to break into a run or gallop.
10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks
when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note
is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound
instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at
puberty.
11. To fall out; to terminate friendship.
To break upon the score of danger or expense is to
be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier.
Note: With prepositions or adverbs:
{To break away}, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or
go away against resistance.
Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak.
{To break down}.
(a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down.
(b) To fail in any undertaking.
He had broken down almost at the outset.
--Thackeray.
{To break forth}, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound,
light, etc. ``Then shall thy light break forth as the
morning.'' --Isa. lviii. 8;
Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's
feelings. ``Break forth into singing, ye mountains.''
--Isa. xliv. 23.
{To break from}, to go away from abruptly.
This radiant from the circling crowd he broke.
--Dryden.
{To break into}, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a
house.
{To break in upon}, to enter or approach violently or
unexpectedly. ``This, this is he; softly awhile; let us
not break in upon him.'' --Milton.
{To break loose}.
(a) To extricate one's self forcibly. ``Who would not,
finding way, break loose from hell?'' --Milton.
(b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety.
{To break off}.
(a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness
and violence.
(b) To desist or cease suddenly. ``Nay, forward, old man;
do not break off so.'' --Shak.
{To break off from}, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit.
{To break out}.
(a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear
suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. ``For in the
wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the
desert.'' --Isa. xxxv. 6
(b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a
disease.
(c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a
patient.
{To break over}, to overflow; to go beyond limits.
{To break up}.
(a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the
ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up
in the next storm.
(b) To disperse. ``The company breaks up.'' --I. Watts.
{To break upon}, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn
upon.
{To break with}.
(a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part
friendship. ``It can not be the Volsces dare break
with us.'' --Shak. ``If she did not intend to marry
Clive, she should have broken with him altogether.''
--Thackeray.
(b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference;
to speak. [Obs.] ``I will break with her and with her
father.'' --Shak.
Break \Break\ ( [1913 Webster]), n. [See {Break}, v. t., and cf.
{Brake} (the instrument), {Breach}, {Brack} a crack.]
1. An opening made by fracture or disruption.
2. An interruption of continuity; change of direction; as, a
break in a wall; a break in the deck of a ship.
Specifically:
(a) (Arch.) A projection or recess from the face of a
building.
(b) (Elec.) An opening or displacement in the circuit,
interrupting the electrical current.
3. An interruption; a pause; as, a break in friendship; a
break in the conversation.
4. An interruption in continuity in writing or printing, as
where there is an omission, an unfilled line, etc.
All modern trash is Set forth with numerous breaks
and dashes. --Swift.
5. The first appearing, as of light in the morning; the dawn;
as, the break of day; the break of dawn.
6. A large four-wheeled carriage, having a straight body and
calash top, with the driver's seat in front and the
footman's behind.
7. A device for checking motion, or for measuring friction.
See {Brake}, n. 9 & 10.
8. (Teleg.) See {Commutator}.
Breakable \Break"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being broken.
Breakage \Break"age\, n.
1. The act of breaking; a break; a breaking; also, articles
broken.
2. An allowance or compensation for things broken
accidentally, as in transportation or use.
Breakbone fever \Break"bone` fe`ver\ (Med.)
See {Dengue}.
Break-circuit \Break"-cir`cuit\, n. (Elec.)
A key or other device for breaking an electrical circuit.
Breakdown \Break"down`\, n.
1. The act or result of breaking down, as of a carriage;
downfall.
2.
(a) A noisy, rapid, shuffling dance engaged in
competitively by a number of persons or pairs in
succession, as among the colored people of the
Southern United States, and so called, perhaps,
because the exercise is continued until most of those
who take part in it break down.
(b) Any rude, noisy dance performed by shuffling the feet,
usually by one person at a time. [U.S.]
Don't clear out when the quadrilles are over,
for we are going to have a breakdown to wind up
with. --New Eng.
Tales.
Breaker \Break"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, breaks.
I'll be no breaker of the law. --Shak.
2. Specifically: A machine for breaking rocks, or for
breaking coal at the mines; also, the building in which
such a machine is placed.
3. (Naut.) A small water cask. --Totten.
4. A wave breaking into foam against the shore, or against a
sand bank, or a rock or reef near the surface.
The breakers were right beneath her bows.
--Longfellow.
Breakfast \Break"fast\, n. [Break + fast.]
1. The first meal in the day, or that which is eaten at the
first meal.
A sorry breakfast for my lord protector. --Shak.
2. A meal after fasting, or food in general.
The wolves will get a breakfast by my death.
--Dryden.
Breakfast \Break"fast\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {breakfasted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Breakfasting}.]
To break one's fast in the morning; too eat the first meal in
the day.
First, sir, I read, and then I breakfast. --Prior.
Breakfast \Break"fast\, v. t.
To furnish with breakfast. --Milton.
Breakman \Break"man\, n.
See {Brakeman}.
Breakneck \Break"neck`\, n.
1. A fall that breaks the neck.
2. A steep place endangering the neck.
Breakneck \Break"neck`\, a.
Producing danger of a broken neck; as, breakneck speed.
Break-up \Break"-up`\, n.
Disruption; a separation and dispersion of the parts or
members; as, a break-up of an assembly or dinner party; a
break-up of the government.
Breakwater \Break"wa`ter\, n.
Any structure or contrivance, as a mole, or a wall at the
mouth of a harbor, to break the force of waves, and afford
protection from their violence.
Bream \Bream\, n. [OE. breme, brem, F. br[^e]me, OF. bresme, of
German origin; cf. OHG. brahsema, brahsina, OLG. bressemo, G.
brassen. Cf. {Brasse}.]
1. (Zo["o]l) A European fresh-water cyprinoid fish of the
genus {Abramis}, little valued as food. Several species
are known.
2. (Zo["o]l) An American fresh-water fish, of various species
of {Pomotis} and allied genera, which are also called
{sunfishes} and pondfishes. See {Pondfish}.
3. (Zo["o]l) A marine sparoid fish of the genus {Pagellus},
and allied genera. See {Sea Bream}.
Bream \Bream\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Breamed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Breaming}.] [Cf. {Broom}, and G. ein schiff brennen.]
(Naut.)
To clean, as a ship's bottom of adherent shells, seaweed,
etc., by the application of fire and scraping.
Breast \Breast\ (br[e^]st), n. [OE. brest, breost, As.
bre['o]st; akin to Icel. brj[=o]st, Sw. br["o]st, Dan. bryst,
Goth. brusts, OS. briost, D. borst, G. brust.]
1. The fore part of the body, between the neck and the belly;
the chest; as, the breast of a man or of a horse.
2. Either one of the protuberant glands, situated on the
front of the chest or thorax in the female of man and of
some other mammalia, in which milk is secreted for the
nourishment of the young; a mamma; a teat.
My brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother.
--Cant. viii.
1.
3. Anything resembling the human breast, or bosom; the front
or forward part of anything; as, a chimney breast; a plow
breast; the breast of a hill.
Mountains on whose barren breast The laboring clouds
do often rest. --Milton.
4. (Mining)
(a) The face of a coal working.
(b) The front of a furnace.
5. The seat of consciousness; the repository of thought and
self-consciousness, or of secrets; the seat of the
affections and passions; the heart.
He has a loyal breast. --Shak.
6. The power of singing; a musical voice; -- so called,
probably, from the connection of the voice with the lungs,
which lie within the breast. [Obs.]
By my troth, the fool has an excellent breast.
--Shak.
{Breast drill}, a portable drilling machine, provided with a
breastplate, for forcing the drill against the work.
{Breast pang}. See {Angina pectoris}, under {Angina}.
{To make a clean breast}, to disclose the secrets which weigh
upon one; to make full confession.
Breast \Breast\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.{Breasted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Breasting}.]
To meet, with the breast; to struggle with or oppose
manfully; as, to breast the storm or waves.
The court breasted the popular current by sustaining the
demurrer. --Wirt.
{To breast up a hedge}, to cut the face of it on one side so
as to lay bare the principal upright stems of the plants.
Breastband \Breast"band`\ (-b[a^]nd`), n.
A band for the breast. Specifically: (Naut.) A band of
canvas, or a rope, fastened at both ends to the rigging, to
support the man who heaves the lead in sounding.
Breastbeam \Breast"beam`\ (br[e^]st"b[=e]m`), n. (Mach.)
The front transverse beam of a locomotive.
Breastbone \Breast"bone`\ (br[e^]st"b[=o]n`), n.
The bone of the breast; the sternum.
Breast-deep \Breast"-deep`\ (br[e^]st"d[=e]p`), a.
Deep as from the breast to the feet; as high as the breast.
Set him breast-deep in earth, and famish him. --Shak.
Breasted \Breast"ed\, a.
Having a breast; -- used in composition with qualifying
words, in either a literal or a metaphorical sense; as, a
single-breasted coat.
The close minister is buttoned up, and the brave
officer open-breasted, on these occasions. --Spectator.
Breastfast \Breast"fast`\, n. (Naut.)
A large rope to fasten the midship part of a ship to a wharf,
or to another vessel.
Breastheight \Breast"height`\, n.
The interior slope of a fortification, against which the
garrison lean in firing.
Breast-high \Breast"-high`\, a.
High as the breast.
Breasthook \Breast"hook`\, n. (Naut.)
A thick piece of timber in the form of a knee, placed across
the stem of a ship to strengthen the fore part and unite the
bows on each side. --Totten.
Breasting \Breast"ing\, n. (Mach.)
The curved channel in which a breast wheel turns. It is
closely adapted to the curve of the wheel through about a
quarter of its circumference, and prevents the escape of the
water until it has spent its force upon the wheel. See
{Breast wheel}.
Breastknot \Breast"knot`\ (br[e^]st"n[o^]t), n.
A knot of ribbons worn on the breast. --Addison.
Breastpin \Breast"pin`\ (br[e^]st"p[i^]n`), n.
A pin worn on the breast for a fastening, or for ornament; a
brooch.
Breastplate \Breast"plate`\, n.
1. A plate of metal covering the breast as defensive armor.
Before his old rusty breastplate could be scoured,
and his cracked headpiece mended. --Swift.
2. A piece against which the workman presses his breast in
operating a breast drill, or other similar tool.
3. A strap that runs across a horse's breast. --Ash.
4. (Jewish Antiq.) A part of the vestment of the high priest,
worn upon the front of the ephod. It was a double piece of
richly embroidered stuff, a span square, set with twelve
precious stones, on which were engraved the names of the
twelve tribes of Israel. See {Ephod}.
Breastplow \Breast"plow`\, Breastplough \Breast"plough`\, n.
A kind of plow, driven by the breast of the workman; -- used
to cut or pare turf.
Breastrail \Breast"rail`\ (-r[=a]l`), n.
The upper rail of any parapet of ordinary height, as of a
balcony; the railing of a quarter-deck, etc.
Breastrope \Breast"rope`\ (br[e^]st"r[=o]p`), n.
See {Breastband}.
Breastsummer \Breast"sum`mer\, n. (Arch.)
A summer or girder extending across a building flush with,
and supporting, the upper part of a front or external wall; a
long lintel; a girder; -- used principally above shop
windows. [Written also {brestsummer} and {bressummer}.]
Breastwheel \Breast"wheel`\ (br[e^]st" hw[=e]l`), n.
A water wheel, on which the stream of water strikes neither
so high as in the overshot wheel, nor so low as in the
undershot, but generally at about half the height of the
wheel, being kept in contact with it by the breasting. The
water acts on the float boards partly by impulse, partly by
its weight.
Breastwork \Breast"work`\ (br[e^]st"w[^u]rk`), n.
1. (Fort.) A defensive work of moderate height, hastily
thrown up, of earth or other material.
2. (Naut.) A railing on the quarter-deck and forecastle.
Breath \Breath\ (br[e^]th), n. [OE. breth, breeth, AS.
br[=ae][eth] odor, scent, breath; cf. OHG. br[=a]dam steam,
vapor, breath, G. brodem, and possibly E. {Brawn}, and
{Breed}.]
1. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in
the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has
received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc.
Melted as breath into the wind. --Shak.
2. The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or
capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath.
3. The power of respiration, and hence, life. --Hood.
Thou takest away their breath, they die. --Ps. civ.
29.
4. Time to breathe; respite; pause.
Give me some breath, some little pause. --Shak.
5. A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single
act; an instant.
He smiles and he frowns in a breath. --Dryden.
6. Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life.
The earthquake voice of victory, To thee the breath
of life. --Byron.
7. A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle.
A breath can make them, as a breath has made.
--Goldsmith.
8. A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion.
Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea, when not a
breath of wind flies o'er its surface. --Addison.
9. Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume. --Tennison.
The breath of flowers. --Bacon.
10. Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.
An after dinner's breath. --Shak.
{Out of breath}, breathless, exhausted; breathing with
difficulty.
{Under one's breath}, in low tones.
Breathable \Breath"a*ble\ (br[=e][th]"[.a]*b'l), a.
Such as can be breathed.
Breathableness \Breath"a*ble*ness\, n.
State of being breathable.
Breathe \Breathe\ (br[=e][th]), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Breathed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Breathing}.] [From {Breath}.]
1. To respire; to inhale and exhale air; hence;, to live. ``I
am in health, I breathe.'' --Shak.
Breathes there a man with soul so dead? --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To take breath; to rest from action.
Well! breathe awhile, and then to it again! --Shak.
3. To pass like breath; noiselessly or gently; to exhale; to
emanate; to blow gently.
The air breathes upon us here most sweetly. --Shak.
There breathes a living fragrance from the shore.
--Byron.
Breathe \Breathe\, v. t.
1. To inhale and exhale in the process of respiration; to
respire.
To view the light of heaven, and breathe the vital
air. --Dryden.
2. To inject by breathing; to infuse; -- with into.
Able to breathe life into a stone. --Shak.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the
ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life. --Gen. ii. 7.
3. To emit or utter by the breath; to utter softly; to
whisper; as, to breathe a vow.
He softly breathed thy name. --Dryden.
Or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse, A
mother's curse, on her revolting son. --Shak.
4. To exhale; to emit, as breath; as, the flowers breathe
odors or perfumes.
5. To express; to manifest; to give forth.
Others articles breathe the same severe spirit.
--Milner.
6. To act upon by the breath; to cause to sound by breathing.
``They breathe the flute.'' --Prior.
7. To promote free respiration in; to exercise.
And every man should beat thee. I think thou wast
created for men to breathe themselves upon thee.
--Shak.
8. To suffer to take breath, or recover the natural
breathing; to rest; as, to breathe a horse.
A moment breathed his panting steed. --Sir W.
Scott.
9. To put out of breath; to exhaust.
Mr. Tulkinghorn arrives in his turret room, a little
breathed by the journey up. --Dickens.
10. (Phonetics) To utter without vocality, as the nonvocal
consonants.
The same sound may be pronounces either breathed,
voiced, or whispered. --H. Sweet.
Breathed elements, being already voiceless, remain
unchanged
Note: [in whispering]. --H. Sweet.
{To breathe again}, to take breath; to feel a sense of
relief, as from danger, responsibility, or press of
business.
{To breathe one's last}, to die; to expire.
{To breathe a vein}, to open a vein; to let blood. --Dryden.
Breather \Breath"er\, n.
1. One who breathes. Hence:
(a) One who lives.
(b) One who utters.
(c) One who animates or inspires.
2. That which puts one out of breath, as violent exercise.
[Colloq.]
Breathful \Breath"ful\, a.
Full of breath; full of odor; fragrant. [Obs.]
Breathing \Breath"ing\, n.
1. Respiration; the act of inhaling and exhaling air.
Subject to a difficulty of breathing. --Melmoth.
2. Air in gentle motion.
3. Any gentle influence or operation; inspiration; as, the
breathings of the Spirit.
4. Aspiration; secret prayer. ``Earnest desires and
breathings after that blessed state.'' --Tillotson.
5. Exercising; promotion of respiration.
Here is a lady that wants breathing too; And I have
heard, you knights of Tyre Are excellent in making
ladies trip. --Shak.
6. Utterance; communication or publicity by words.
I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose. --Shak.
7. Breathing place; vent. --Dryden.
8. Stop; pause; delay.
You shake the head at so long a breathing. --Shak.
9. Also, in a wider sense, the sound caused by the friction
of the outgoing breath in the throat, mouth, etc., when
the glottis is wide open; aspiration; the sound expressed
by the letter h.
10. (Gr. Gram.) A mark to indicate aspiration or its absence.
See {Rough breathing}, {Smooth breathing}, below.
{Breathing place}.
(a) A pause. ``That c[ae]sura, or breathing place, in the
midst of the verse.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
(b) A vent.
{Breathing time}, pause; relaxation. --Bp. Hall.
{Breathing while}, time sufficient for drawing breath; a
short time. --Shak.
{Rough breathing} ({spiritus asper}) ([spasp]). See 2d
{Asper}, n.
{Smooth breathing} ({spiritus lenis}), a mark (') indicating
the absence of the sound of h, as in 'ie`nai (ienai).
Breathless \Breath"less\ (br[e^]th"l[e^]s), a.
1. Spent with labor or violent action; out of breath.
2. Not breathing; holding the breath, on account of fear,
expectation, or intense interest; attended with a holding
of the breath; as, breathless attention.
But breathless, as we grow when feeling most.
--Byron.
3. Dead; as, a breathless body.
Breathlessly \Breath"less*ly\, adv.
In a breathless manner.
Breathlessness \Breath"less*ness\, n.
The state of being breathless or out of breath.
Breccia \Brec"cia\, n. [It., breach, pebble, fragments of stone,
fr. F. br[`e]che; of German origin. See {Breach}.] (Geol.)
A rock composed of angular fragments either of the same
mineral or of different minerals, etc., united by a cement,
and commonly presenting a variety of colors.
{Bone breccia}, a breccia containing bones, usually
fragmentary.
{Coin breccia}, a breccia containing coins.
Brecciated \Brec"ci*a`ted\, a.
Consisting of angular fragments cemented together; resembling
breccia in appearance.
The brecciated appearance of many specimens [of
meteorites]. --H. A.
Newton.
Bred \Bred\,
imp. & p. p. of {Breed}.
{Bred out}, degenerated. ``The strain of man's bred out into
baboon and monkey.'' --Shak.
{Bred to arms}. See under {Arms}.
{Well bred}.
(a) Of a good family; having a good pedigree. ``A gentleman
well bred and of good name.'' --Shak. [Obs., except as
applied to domestic animals.]
(b) Well brought up, as shown in having good manners;
cultivated; refined; polite.
Brede \Brede\, or Breede \Breede\, n.
Breadth. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Brede \Brede\, n. [See {Braid} woven cord.]
A braid. [R.]
Half lapped in glowing gauze and golden brede.
--Tennyson.
Breech \Breech\, n. [See {Breeches}.]
1. The lower part of the body behind; the buttocks.
2. Breeches. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. The hinder part of anything; esp., the part of a cannon,
or other firearm, behind the chamber.
4. (Naut.) The external angle of knee timber, the inside of
which is called the throat.
Breech \Breech\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Breeched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Breeching}.]
1. To put into, or clothe with, breeches.
A great man . . . anxious to know whether the
blacksmith's youngest boy was breeched. --Macaulay.
2. To cover as with breeches. [Poetic]
Their daggers unmannerly breeched with gore. --Shak.
3. To fit or furnish with a breech; as, to breech a gun.
4. To whip on the breech. [Obs.]
Had not a courteous serving man conveyed me away,
whilst he went to fetch whips, I think, in my
conscience, he would have breeched me. --Old Play.
5. To fasten with breeching.
Breechblock \Breech"block\, n.
The movable piece which closes the breech of a breech-loading
firearm, and resists the backward force of the discharge. It
is withdrawn for the insertion of a cartridge, and closed
again before the gun is fired.
Breechcloth \Breech"cloth`\, n.
A cloth worn around the breech.
Breeches \Breech"es\, n. pl. [OE. brech, brek, AS. br[=e]k, pl.
of br[=o]c breech, breeches; akin to Icel. br[=o]k breeches,
ODan. brog, D. broek, G. bruch; cf. L. bracae, braccae, which
is of Celtic origin. Cf. {Brail}.]
1. A garment worn by men, covering the hips and thighs;
smallclothes.
His jacket was red, and his breeches were blue.
--Coleridge.
2. Trousers; pantaloons. [Colloq.]
{Breeches buoy}, in the life-saving service, a pair of canvas
breeches depending from an annular or beltlike life buoy
which is usually of cork. This contrivance, inclosing the
person to be rescued, is hung by short ropes from a block
which runs upon the hawser stretched from the ship to the
shore, and is drawn to land by hauling lines.
{Breeches pipe}, a forked pipe forming two branches united at
one end.
{Knee breeches}, breeches coming to the knee, and buckled or
fastened there; smallclothes.
{To wear the breeches}, to usurp the authority of the
husband; -- said of a wife. [Colloq.]
Breeching \Breech"ing\, n.
1. A whipping on the breech, or the act of whipping on the
breech.
I view the prince with Aristarchus' eyes, Whose
looks were as a breeching to a boy. --Marlowe.
2. That part of a harness which passes round the breech of a
horse, enabling him to hold back a vehicle.
3. (Naut.) A strong rope rove through the cascabel of a
cannon and secured to ringbolts in the ship's side, to
limit the recoil of the gun when it is discharged.
4. The sheet iron casing at the end of boilers to convey the
smoke from the flues to the smokestack.
Breechloader \Breech"load`er\, n.
A firearm which receives its load at the breech.
For cavalry, the revolver and breechloader will
supersede the saber. --Rep. Sec.
War (1860).
Breech-loading \Breech"-load`ing\, a.
Receiving the charge at the breech instead of at the muzzle.
Breech pin \Breech" pin`\, Breech screw \Breech" screw`\ .
A strong iron or steel plug screwed into the breech of a
musket or other firearm, to close the bottom of the bore.
Breech sight \Breech" sight`\
A device attached to the breech of a firearm, to guide the
eye, in conjunction with the front sight, in taking aim.
Breed \Breed\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Breeding}.] [OE. breden, AS. br[=e]dan to nourish, cherish,
keep warm, from br[=o]d brood; akin to D. broeden to brood,
OHG. bruoten, G. br["u]ten. See {Brood}.]
1. To produce as offspring; to bring forth; to bear; to
procreate; to generate; to beget; to hatch.
Yet every mother breeds not sons alike. --Shak.
If the sun breed maggots in a dead dog. --Shak.
2. To take care of in infancy, and through the age of youth;
to bring up; to nurse and foster.
To bring thee forth with pain, with care to breed.
--Dryden.
Born and bred on the verge of the wilderness.
--Everett.
3. To educate; to instruct; to form by education; to train;
-- sometimes followed by up.
But no care was taken to breed him a Protestant.
--Bp. Burnet.
His farm may not remove his children too far from
him, or the trade he breeds them up in. --Locke.
4. To engender; to cause; to occasion; to originate; to
produce; as, to breed a storm; to breed disease.
Lest the place And my quaint habits breed
astonishment. --Milton.
5. To give birth to; to be the native place of; as, a pond
breeds fish; a northern country breeds stout men.
6. To raise, as any kind of stock.
7. To produce or obtain by any natural process. [Obs.]
Children would breed their teeth with less danger.
--Locke.
Syn: To engender; generate; beget; produce; hatch; originate;
bring up; nourish; train; instruct.
Breed \Breed\, v. i.
1. To bear and nourish young; to reproduce or multiply
itself; to be pregnant.
That they breed abundantly in the earth. --Gen.
viii. 17.
The mother had never bred before. --Carpenter.
Ant. Is your gold and silver ewes and rams? Shy. I
can not tell. I make it breed as fast. --Shak.
2. To be formed in the parent or dam; to be generated, or to
grow, as young before birth.
3. To have birth; to be produced or multiplied.
Heavens rain grace On that which breeds between
them. --Shak.
4. To raise a breed; to get progeny.
The kind of animal which you wish to breed from.
--Gardner.
{To breed in and in}, to breed from animals of the same stock
that are closely related.
Breed \Breed\, n.
1. A race or variety of men or other animals (or of plants),
perpetuating its special or distinctive characteristics by
inheritance.
Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed.
--Shak.
Greyhounds of the best breed. --Carpenter.
2. Class; sort; kind; -- of men, things, or qualities.
Are these the breed of wits so wondered at? --Shak.
This courtesy is not of the right breed. --Shak.
3. A number produced at once; a brood. [Obs.]
Note: Breed is usually applied to domestic animals; species
or variety to wild animals and to plants; and race to
men.
Breedbate \Breed"bate\, n.
One who breeds or originates quarrels. [Obs.] ``No telltale
nor no breedbate.'' --Shak.
Breeder \Breed"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, breeds, produces, brings up, etc.
She was a great breeder. --Dr. A.
Carlyle.
Italy and Rome have been the best breeders of worthy
men. --Ascham.
2. A cause. ``The breeder of my sorrow.'' --Shak.
Breeding \Breed"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of generating or bearing.
2. The raising or improving of any kind of domestic animals;
as, farmers should pay attention to breeding.
3. Nurture; education; formation of manners.
She had her breeding at my father's charge. --Shak.
4. Deportment or behavior in the external offices and
decorums of social life; manners; knowledge of, or
training in, the ceremonies, or polite observances of
society.
Delicacy of breeding, or that polite deference and
respect which civility obliges us either to express
or counterfeit towards the persons with whom we
converse. --Hume.
5. Descent; pedigree; extraction. [Obs.]
Honest gentlemen, I know not your breeding. --Shak.
{Close breeding}, {In and in breeding}, breeding from a male
and female from the same parentage.
{Cross breeding}, breeding from a male and female of
different lineage.
{Good breeding}, politeness; genteel deportment.
Syn: Education; instruction; nurture; training; manners. See
{Education}.
Breeze \Breeze\, Breeze fly \Breeze" fly`\, n. [OE. brese, AS.
bri['o]sa; perh. akin to OHG. brimissa, G. breme, bremse, D.
brems, which are akin to G. brummen to growl, buzz, grumble,
L. fremere to murmur; cf. G. brausen, Sw. brusa, Dan. bruse,
to roar, rush.] (Zo["o]l.)
A fly of various species, of the family {Tabanid[ae]}, noted
for buzzing about animals, and tormenting them by sucking
their blood; -- called also {horsefly}, and {gadfly}. They
are among the largest of two-winged or dipterous insects. The
name is also given to different species of botflies. [Written
also {breese} and {brize}.]
Breeze \Breeze\, n. [F. brise; akin to It. brezza breeze, Sp.
briza, brisa, a breeze from northeast, Pg. briza northeast
wind; of uncertain origin; cf. F. bise, Pr. bisa, OHG. bisa,
north wind, Arm. biz northeast wind.]
1. A light, gentle wind; a fresh, soft-blowing wind.
Into a gradual calm the breezes sink. --Wordsworth.
2. An excited or ruffed state of feeling; a flurry of
excitement; a disturbance; a quarrel; as, the discovery
produced a breeze. [Colloq.]
{Land breeze}, a wind blowing from the land, generally at
night.
{Sea breeze}, a breeze or wind blowing, generally in the
daytime, from the sea.
Breeze \Breeze\, n. [F. braise cinders, live coals. See
{Brasier}.]
1. Refuse left in the process of making coke or burning
charcoal.
2. (Brickmaking) Refuse coal, coal ashes, and cinders, used
in the burning of bricks.
Breeze \Breeze\, v. i.
To blow gently. [R.] --J. Barlow.
{To breeze up} (Naut.), to blow with increasing freshness.
Breezeless \Breeze"less\, a.
Motionless; destitute of breezes.
A stagnant, breezeless air becalms my soul.
--Shenstone.
Breeziness \Breez"i*ness\, n.
State of being breezy.
Breezy \Breez"y\, a.
1. Characterized by, or having, breezes; airy. ``A breezy day
in May.'' --Coleridge.
'Mid lawns and shades by breezy rivulets fanned.
--Wordsworth.
2. Fresh; brisk; full of life. [Colloq.]
Bregma \Breg"ma\, n. [Gr. ? the front part of the head: cf. F.
bregma.] (Anat.)
The point of junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures of
the skull.
Bregmatic \Breg*mat"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to the bregma.
Brehon \Bre"hon\, n. [Ir. breitheamh judge.]
An ancient Irish or Scotch judge.
{Brehon laws}, the ancient Irish laws, -- unwritten, like the
common law of England. They were abolished by statute of
Edward III.
Breme \Breme\ (br[=e]m), a. [OE. breme, brime, fierce,
impetuous, glorious, AS. br[=e]me, br[=y]me, famous. Cf.
{Brim}, a.]
1. Fierce; sharp; severe; cruel. [Obs.] --Spenser.
From the septentrion cold, in the breme freezing
air. --Drayton.
2. Famous; renowned; well known. --Wright. [Written also
{brim} and {brimme}.]
Bren \Bren\, Brenne \Bren"ne\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Brent}
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Brenning}.] [See {Burn}.]
To burn. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Consuming fire brent his shearing house or stall. --W.
Browne.
Bren \Bren\, n.
Bran. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Brennage \Bren"nage\, n. [OF. brenage; cf. LL. brennagium,
brenagium. See {Bran}.] (Old Eng. Law)
A tribute which tenants paid to their lord, in lieu of bran,
which they were obliged to furnish for his hounds.
Brenningly \Bren"ning*ly\, adv.
Burningly; ardently. [Obs.]
Brent \Brent\, Brant \Brant\, a. [AS. brant; akin to Dan. brat,
Icel. brattr, steep.]
1. Steep; high. [Obs.]
Grapes grow on the brant rocks so wonderfully that
ye will marvel how any man dare climb up to them.
--Ascham.
2. Smooth; unwrinkled. [Scot.]
Your bonnie brow was brent. --Burns.
Brent \Brent\, imp. & p. p. of {Bren}.
Burnt. [Obs.]
Brent \Brent\, n. [Cf. {Brant}.]
A brant. See {Brant}.
Brequet chain \Breq"uet chain`\
A watch-guard.
Brere \Brere\, n.
A brier. [Archaic] --Chaucer.
Brest \Brest\, 3d sing.pr.
for Bursteth. [Obs.]
Brest \Brest\, Breast \Breast\, n. (Arch.)
A torus. [Obs.]
Breste \Bres"te\, v. t. & i. [imp. {Brast}; p. p. {Brusten},
{Borsten}, {Bursten}.]
To burst. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Brestsummer \Brest"sum`mer\, n.
See {Breastsummer}.
Bret \Bret\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Birt}.
Bretful \Bret"ful\, a. [OE. also brerdful, fr. brerd top, brim,
AS. brerd.]
Brimful. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Brethren \Breth"ren\, n.;
pl. of {Brother}.
Note: This form of the plural is used, for the most part, in
solemn address, and in speaking of religious sects or
fraternities, or their members.
Breton \Bret"on\, a. [F. breton.]
Of or relating to Brittany, or Bretagne, in France. -- n. A
native or inhabitant of Brittany, or Bretagne, in France;
also, the ancient language of Brittany; Armorican.
Brett \Brett\, n.
Same as {Britzska}.
Brettice \Bret"tice\, n.; pl. {Brettices}. [OE. bretasce,
bretage, parapet, OF. bretesche wooden tower, F. bret[`e]che,
LL. breteschia, bertresca, prob. fr. OHG. bret, G. brett
board; akin to E. board. See {Board}, n., and cf.
{Bartizan}.]
The wooden boarding used in supporting the roofs and walls of
coal mines. See {Brattice}.
Bretwalda \Bret"wal*da\, n. [AS. Bretwalda, br?ten walda, a
powerful ruler.] (Eng. Hist.)
The official title applied to that one of the Anglo-Saxon
chieftains who was chosen by the other chiefs to lead them in
their warfare against the British tribes. --Brande & C.
Bretzel \Bret"zel\, n. [G.]
See {Pretzel}.
Breve \Breve\ (br[=e]v), n. [It. & (in sense 2) LL. breve, fr.
L. brevis short. See {Brief}.]
1. (Mus.) A note or character of time, equivalent to two
semibreves or four minims. When dotted, it is equal to
three semibreves. It was formerly of a square figure (as
thus: ? ), but is now made oval, with a line perpendicular
to the staff on each of its sides; -- formerly much used
for choir service. --Moore.
2. (Law) Any writ or precept under seal, issued out of any
court.
3. (Print.) A curved mark [[breve]] used commonly to indicate
the short quantity of a vowel.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The great ant thrush of Sumatra ({Pitta
gigas}), which has a very short tail.
Brevet \Bre*vet"\ (br[-e]*v[e^]t"; 277), n. [F. brevet, LL.
brevetum, fr. L. brevis short. See {Brief}.]
1. A warrant from the government, granting a privilege,
title, or dignity. [French usage].
2. (Mil.) A commission giving an officer higher rank than
that for which he receives pay; an honorary promotion of
an officer.
Note: In the United States army, rank by brevet is conferred,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for
``gallant actions or meritorious services.'' A brevet
rank gives no right of command in the particular corps
to which the officer brevetted belongs, and can be
exercised only by special assignment of the President,
or on court martial, and detachments composed of
different corps, with pay of the brevet rank when on
such duty.
Brevet \Bre*vet"\ (br[-e]*v[e^]t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Brevetted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Brevetting}.] (Mil.)
To confer rank upon by brevet.
Brevet \Bre*vet"\, a. (Mil.)
Taking or conferring rank by brevet; as, a brevet colonel; a
brevet commission.
Brevetcy \Bre*vet"cy\ (br[-e]*v[e^]t"s[y^]), n.; pl.
{Brevetcies} (-s[i^]z). (Mil.)
The rank or condition of a brevet officer.
Breviary \Bre"vi*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Breviaries}. [F. br['e]viarie,
L. breviarium summary, abridgment, neut. noun fr. breviarius
abridged, fr. brevis short. See {Brief}, and cf. {Brevier}.]
1. An abridgment; a compend; an epitome; a brief account or
summary.
A book entitled the abridgment or breviary of those
roots that are to be cut up or gathered. --Holland.
2. A book containing the daily public or canonical prayers of
the Roman Catholic or of the Greek Church for the seven
canonical hours, namely, matins and lauds, the first,
third, sixth, and ninth hours, vespers, and compline; --
distinguished from the missal.
Breviate \Bre"vi*ate\, n. [L. breviatus, p. p. of breviare to
shorten, brevis short.]
1. A short compend; a summary; a brief statement.
I omit in this breviate to rehearse. --Hakluyt.
The same little breviates of infidelity have . . .
been published and dispersed with great activity.
--Bp. Porteus.
2. A lawyer's brief. [R.] --Hudibras.
Breviate \Bre"vi*ate\, v. t.
To abbreviate. [Obs.]
Breviature \Bre"vi*a*ture\, n.
An abbreviature; an abbreviation. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Brevier \Bre*vier"\ (br[-e]*v[=e]r"), n. [Prob. from being
originally used in printing a breviary. See {Breviary}.]
(Print.)
A size of type between bourgeois and minion.
Note: This line is printed in brevier type.
Breviloquence \Bre*vil"o*quence\, n. [L. breviloquentia.]
A brief and pertinent mode of speaking. [R.]
Breviped \Brev"i*ped\, a. [L. brevis short + pes, pedis, foot:
cf. F. br['e]vip[`e]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having short legs. -- n. A breviped bird.
Brevipen \Brev"i*pen\, n. [L. brevis short + penna wing: cf. F.
br['e]vipenne.] (Zo["o]l.)
A brevipennate bird.
Brevipennate \Brev`i*pen"nate\, a. [L. brevis short + E.
pennate.] (Zo["o]l.)
Short-winged; -- applied to birds which can not fly, owing to
their short wings, as the ostrich, cassowary, and emu.
Brevirostral \Brev`i*ros"tral\, Brevirostrate
\Brev`i*ros"trate\, a. [L. brevis short + E. rostral, rostrate.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Short-billed; having a short beak.
Brevity \Brev"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Brevities}. [L. brevitas, fr.
brevis short: cf. F. bri[`e]vit['e]. See {Brief}.]
1. Shortness of duration; briefness of time; as, the brevity
of human life.
2. Contraction into few words; conciseness.
Brevity is the soul of wit. --Shak.
This argument is stated by St. John with his usual
elegant brevity and simplicity. --Bp. Porteus.
Syn: Shortness; conciseness; succinctness; terseness.
Brew \Brew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brewed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Brewing}.] [OE. brewen, AS. bre['o]wan; akin to D. brouwen,
OHG. priuwan, MHG. briuwen, br?wen, G. brauen, Icel. brugga,
Sw. brygga, Dan. brygge, and perh. to L. defrutum must boiled
down, Gr. ? (for ??) a kind of beer. The original meaning
seems to have been to prepare by heat. [root]93. Cf. {Broth},
{Bread}.]
1. To boil or seethe; to cook. [Obs.]
2. To prepare, as beer or other liquor, from malt and hops,
or from other materials, by steeping, boiling, and
fermentation. ``She brews good ale.'' --Shak.
3. To prepare by steeping and mingling; to concoct.
Go, brew me a pottle of sack finely. --Shak.
4. To foment or prepare, as by brewing; to contrive; to plot;
to concoct; to hatch; as, to brew mischief.
Hence with thy brewed enchantments, foul deceiver!
--Milton.
Brew \Brew\, v. i.
1. To attend to the business, or go through the processes, of
brewing or making beer.
I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour. --Shak.
2. To be in a state of preparation; to be mixing, forming, or
gathering; as, a storm brews in the west.
There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest. --Shak.
Brew \Brew\, n.
The mixture formed by brewing; that which is brewed. --Bacon.
Brewage \Brew"age\, n.
Malt liquor; drink brewed. ``Some well-spiced brewage.''
--Milton.
A rich brewage, made of the best Spanish wine.
--Macaulay.
Brewer \Brew"er\, n.
One who brews; one whose occupation is to prepare malt
liquors.
Brewery \Brew"er*y\, n.
A brewhouse; the building and apparatus where brewing is
carried on.
Brewhouse \Brew"house`\, n.
A house or building appropriated to brewing; a brewery.
Brewing \Brew"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of preparing liquors which are brewed,
as beer and ale.
2. The quantity brewed at once.
A brewing of new beer, set by old beer. --Bacon.
3. A mixing together.
I am not able to avouch anything for certainty, such
a brewing and sophistication of them they make.
--Holland.
4. (Naut.) A gathering or forming of a storm or squall,
indicated by thick, dark clouds.
Brewis \Brew"is\, n. [OE. brewis, brouwys, browesse, brewet, OF.
brouet, -s being the OF. ending of the nom. sing. and acc.
pl.; dim. of OHG. brod. [root]93. See {Broth}, and cf.
{Brose}.]
1. Broth or pottage. [Obs.]
Let them of their Bonner's ``beef'' and ``broth''
make what brewis they please for their credulous
guests. --Bp. Hall.
2. Bread soaked in broth, drippings of roast meat, milk, or
water and butter.
Brewsterite \Brews"ter*ite\, n. [Named after Sir David
Brewster.]
A rare zeolitic mineral occurring in white monoclinic
crystals with pearly luster. It is a hydrous silicate of
aluminia, baryta, and strontia.
Brezilin \Brez"i*lin\, n.
See {Brazilin}.
Briar \Bri"ar\, n.
Same as {Brier}.
Briarean \Bri*a"re*an\, a. [L. Briareius, fr. Briareus a
mythological hundred-handed giant, Gr. ?, fr. ? strong.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, Briareus, a giant fabled to
have a hundred hands; hence, hundred-handed or many-handed.
Bribable \Brib"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being bribed.
A more bribable class of electors. --S. Edwards.
Bribe \Bribe\, n. [F. bribe a lump of bread, scraps, leavings of
meals (that are generally given to a beggar), LL. briba scrap
of bread; cf. OF. briber, brifer, to eat gluttonously, to
beg, and OHG. bilibi food.]
1. A gift begged; a present. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. A price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with
a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct of a
judge, witness, voter, or other person in a position of
trust.
Undue reward for anything against justice is a
bribe. --Hobart.
3. That which seduces; seduction; allurement.
Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave
these ever?blooming sweets. --Akenside.
Bribe \Bribe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bribed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bribing}.]
1. To rob or steal. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To give or promise a reward or consideration to (a judge,
juror, legislator, voter, or other person in a position of
trust) with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the
conduct; to induce or influence by a bribe; to give a
bribe to.
Neither is he worthy who bribes a man to vote
against his conscience. --F. W.
Robertson.
3. To gain by a bribe; of induce as by a bribe.
Bribe \Bribe\, v. i.
1. To commit robbery or theft. [Obs.]
2. To give a bribe to a person; to pervert the judgment or
corrupt the action of a person in a position of trust, by
some gift or promise.
An attempt to bribe, though unsuccessful, has been
holden to be criminal, and the offender may be
indicted. --Bouvier.
The bard may supplicate, but cannot bribe.
--Goldsmith.
Bribeless \Bribe"less\, a.
Incapable of being bribed; free from bribes.
From thence to heaven's bribeless hall. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Briber \Brib"er\, n.
1. A thief. [Obs.] --Lydgate.
2. One who bribes, or pays for corrupt practices.
3. That which bribes; a bribe.
His service . . . were a sufficient briber for his
life. --Shak.
Bribery \Brib"er*y\, n.; pl. {Briberies}. [OE. brybery
rascality, OF. briberie. See {Bribe}, n.]
1. Robbery; extortion. [Obs.]
2. The act or practice of giving or taking bribes; the act of
influencing the official or political action of another by
corrupt inducements.
{Bribery oath}, an oath taken by a person that he has not
been bribed as to voting. [Eng.]
Bric-a brac \Bric"-a brac`\, n. [F.]
Miscellaneous curiosities and works of decorative art,
considered collectively.
{A piece of bric-a-brac}, any curious or antique article of
virtu, as a piece of antiquated furniture or metal work,
or an odd knickknack.
Brick \Brick\, n. [OE. brik, F. brique; of Ger. origin; cf. AS.
brice a breaking, fragment, Prov. E. brique piece, brique de
pain, equiv. to AS. hl[=a]fes brice, fr. the root of E.
break. See {Break}.]
1. A block or clay tempered with water, sand, etc., molded
into a regular form, usually rectangular, and sun-dried,
or burnt in a kiln, or in a heap or stack called a clamp.
The Assyrians appear to have made much less use of
bricks baked in the furnace than the Babylonians.
--Layard.
2. Bricks, collectively, as designating that kind of
material; as, a load of brick; a thousand of brick.
Some of Palladio's finest examples are of brick.
--Weale.
3. Any oblong rectangular mass; as, a brick of maple sugar; a
penny brick (of bread).
4. A good fellow; a merry person; as, you 're a brick.
[Slang] ``He 's a dear little brick.'' --Thackeray.
{To have a brick in one's hat}, to be drunk. [Slang]
Note: Brick is used adjectively or in combination; as, brick
wall; brick clay; brick color; brick red.
{Brick clay}, clay suitable for, or used in making, bricks.
{Brick dust}, dust of pounded or broken bricks.
{Brick earth}, clay or earth suitable for, or used in making,
bricks.
{Brick loaf}, a loaf of bread somewhat resembling a brick in
shape.
{Brick nogging} (Arch.), rough brickwork used to fill in the
spaces between the uprights of a wooden partition; brick
filling.
{Brick tea}, tea leaves and young shoots, or refuse tea,
steamed or mixed with fat, etc., and pressed into the form
of bricks. It is used in Northern and Central Asia. --S.
W. Williams.
{Brick trimmer} (Arch.), a brick arch under a hearth, usually
within the thickness of a wooden floor, to guard against
accidents by fire.
{Brick trowel}. See {Trowel}.
{Brick works}, a place where bricks are made.
{Bath brick}. See under {Bath}, a city.
{Pressed brick}, bricks which, before burning, have been
subjected to pressure, to free them from the imperfections
of shape and texture which are common in molded bricks.
Brick \Brick\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bricked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bricking}.]
1. To lay or pave with bricks; to surround, line, or
construct with bricks.
2. To imitate or counterfeit a brick wall on, as by smearing
plaster with red ocher, making the joints with an edge
tool, and pointing them.
{To brick up}, to fill up, inclose, or line, with brick.
Brickbat \Brick"bat`\, n.
A piece or fragment of a brick. See {Bat}, 4. --Bacon.
Brickkiln \Brick"kiln`\, n.
A kiln, or furnace, in which bricks are baked or burnt; or a
pile of green bricks, laid loose, with arches underneath to
receive the wood or fuel for burning them.
Bricklayer \Brick"lay`er\, n. [Brick + lay.]
One whose occupation is to build with bricks.
{Bricklayer's itch}. See under {Itch}.
Bricklaying \Brick"lay`ing\, n.
The art of building with bricks, or of uniting them by cement
or mortar into various forms; the act or occupation of laying
bricks.
Brickle \Bric"kle\, a. [OE. brekil, brokel, bruchel, fr. AS.
brecan, E. break. Cf. {Brittle}.]
Brittle; easily broken. [Obs. or Prov.] --Spenser.
As stubborn steel excels the brickle glass.
--Turbervile.
Brickleness \Bric"kle*ness\, n.
Brittleness. [Obs.]
Brickmaker \Brick"mak`er\, n.
One whose occupation is to make bricks. -- {Brick"mak*ing},
n.
Brickwork \Brick"work`\, n.
1. Anything made of bricks.
Niches in brickwork form the most difficult part of
the bricklayer's art. --Tomlinson.
2. The act of building with or laying bricks.
Bricky \Brick"y\, a.
Full of bricks; formed of bricks; resembling bricks or brick
dust. [R.] --Spenser.
Brickyard \Brick"yard`\, n.
A place where bricks are made, especially an inclosed place.
Bricole \Bri*cole"\, n. [F.] (Mil.)
A kind of traces with hooks and rings, with which men drag
and maneuver guns where horses can not be used.
Brid \Brid\, n.
A bird. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bridal \Brid"al\, a. [From {Bride}. Cf. {Bridal}, n.]
Of or pertaining to a bride, or to wedding; nuptial; as,
bridal ornaments; a bridal outfit; a bridal chamber.
Bridal \Brid"al\, n. [OE. bridale, brudale, AS. br[=y]dealo
brideale, bridal feast. See {Bride}, and {Ale}, 2.]
A nuptial festival or ceremony; a marriage.
Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The bridal of
the earth and sky. --Herbert.
Bridalty \Brid"al*ty\, n.
Celebration of the nuptial feast. [Obs.] ``In honor of this
bridalty.'' --B. Jonson.
Bride \Bride\ (br[imac]d), n. [OE. bride, brid, brude, brud,
burd, AS. br[=y]d; akin to OFries. breid, OSax. br[=u]d, D.
bruid, OHG. pr[=u]t, br[=u]t, G. braut, Icel. br[=u][eth]r,
Sw. & Dan. brud, Goth. br[=u][thorn]s; cf. Armor. pried
spouse, W. priawd a married person.]
1. A woman newly married, or about to be married.
Has by his own experience tried How much the wife is
dearer than the bride. --Lyttleton.
I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. --Rev.
xxi. 9.
2. Fig.: An object ardently loved.
{Bride of the sea}, the city of Venice.
Bride \Bride\, v. t.
To make a bride of. [Obs.]
Bride-ale \Bride"-ale`\, n. [See {Bridal}.]
A rustic wedding feast; a bridal. See {Ale}.
The man that 's bid to bride-ale, if he ha' cake, And
drink enough, he need not fear his stake. --B. Jonson.
Bridebed \Bride"bed`\, n.
The marriage bed. [Poetic]
Bridecake \Bride"cake`\, n.
Rich or highly ornamented cake, to be distributed to the
guests at a wedding, or sent to friends after the wedding.
Bridechamber \Bride"cham`ber\, n.
The nuptial apartment. --Matt. ix. 15.
Bridegroom \Bride"groom`\ (-gr[=oo]m`), n. [OE. bridegome,
brudgume, AS. br[=y]dguma (akin to OS. br[=u]digumo, D.
bruidegom, bruigom, OHG. pr[=u]tigomo, MHG. briutegome, G.
br["a]utigam); AS. br[=y]d bride + guma man, akin to Goth.
guma, Icel. gumi, OHG. gomo, L. homo; the insertion of r
being caused by confusion with groom. See {Bride}, and cf.
{Groom}, {Homage}.]
A man newly married, or just about to be married.
Brideknot \Bride"knot`\, n.
A knot of ribbons worn by a guest at a wedding; a wedding
favor. [Obs.]
Bridemaid \Bride"maid`\, n., Brideman \Bride"man\, n.
See {Bridesmaid}, {Bridesman}.
Bridesmaid \Brides"maid`\, n.
A female friend who attends on a bride at her wedding.
Bridesman \Brides"man\, n.; pl. {Bridesmen}.
A male friend who attends upon a bridegroom and bride at
their marriage; the ``best man.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Bridestake \Bride"stake`\, n.
A stake or post set in the ground, for guests at a wedding to
dance round.
Divide the broad bridecake Round about the bridestake.
--B. Jonson.
Bridewell \Bride"well\, n.
A house of correction for the confinement of disorderly
persons; -- so called from a hospital built in 1553 near St.
Bride's (or Bridget's) well, in London, which was
subsequently a penal workhouse.
Bridge \Bridge\, n. [OE. brig, brigge, brug, brugge, AS. brycg,
bricg; akin to Fries. bregge, D. brug, OHG. brucca, G.
br["u]cke, Icel. bryggja pier, bridge, Sw. brygga, Dan.
brygge, and prob. Icel. br[=u] bridge, Sw. & Dan. bro bridge,
pavement, and possibly to E. brow.]
1. A structure, usually of wood, stone, brick, or iron,
erected over a river or other water course, or over a
chasm, railroad, etc., to make a passageway from one bank
to the other.
2. Anything supported at the ends, which serves to keep some
other thing from resting upon the object spanned, as in
engraving, watchmaking, etc., or which forms a platform or
staging over which something passes or is conveyed.
3. (Mus.) The small arch or bar at right angles to the
strings of a violin, guitar, etc., serving of raise them
and transmit their vibrations to the body of the
instrument.
4. (Elec.) A device to measure the resistance of a wire or
other conductor forming part of an electric circuit.
5. A low wall or vertical partition in the fire chamber of a
furnace, for deflecting flame, etc.; -- usually called a
{bridge wall}.
{Aqueduct bridge}. See {Aqueduct}.
{Asses' bridge}, {Bascule bridge}, {Bateau bridge}. See under
{Ass}, {Bascule}, {Bateau}.
{Bridge of a steamer} (Naut.), a narrow platform across the
deck, above the rail, for the convenience of the officer
in charge of the ship; in paddlewheel vessels it connects
the paddle boxes.
{Bridge of the nose}, the upper, bony part of the nose.
{Cantalever bridge}. See under {Cantalever}.
{Draw bridge}. See {Drawbridge}.
{Flying bridge}, a temporary bridge suspended or floating, as
for the passage of armies; also, a floating structure
connected by a cable with an anchor or pier up stream, and
made to pass from bank to bank by the action of the
current or other means.
{Girder bridge} or {Truss bridge}, a bridge formed by
girders, or by trusses resting upon abutments or piers.
{Lattice bridge}, a bridge formed by lattice girders.
{Pontoon bridge}, {Ponton bridge}. See under {Pontoon}.
{Skew bridge}, a bridge built obliquely from bank to bank, as
sometimes required in railway engineering.
{Suspension bridge}. See under {Suspension}.
{Trestle bridge}, a bridge formed of a series of short,
simple girders resting on trestles.
{Tubular bridge}, a bridge in the form of a hollow trunk or
rectangular tube, with cellular walls made of iron plates
riveted together, as the Britannia bridge over the Menai
Strait, and the Victoria bridge at Montreal.
{Wheatstone's bridge} (Elec.), a device for the measurement
of resistances, so called because the balance between the
resistances to be measured is indicated by the absence of
a current in a certain wire forming a bridge or connection
between two points of the apparatus; -- invented by Sir
Charles Wheatstone.
Bridge \Bridge\ (br[i^]j), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bridged}
(br[i^]jd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Bridging}.]
1. To build a bridge or bridges on or over; as, to bridge a
river.
Their simple engineering bridged with felled trees
the streams which could not be forded. --Palfrey.
2. To open or make a passage, as by a bridge.
Xerxes . . . over Hellespont Bridging his way,
Europe with Asia joined. --Milton.
3. To find a way of getting over, as a difficulty; --
generally with over.
Bridgeboard \Bridge"board`\, n.
1. (Arch.) A notched board to which the treads and risers of
the steps of wooden stairs are fastened.
2. A board or plank used as a bridge.
Bridgehead \Bridge"head`\, n.
A fortification commanding the extremity of a bridge nearest
the enemy, to insure the preservation and usefulness of the
bridge, and prevent the enemy from crossing; a
t[^e]te-de-pont.
Bridgeless \Bridge"less\, a.
Having no bridge; not bridged.
Bridgepot \Bridge"pot`\, n. (Mining)
The adjustable socket, or step, of a millstone spindle.
--Knight.
Bridgetree \Bridge"tree`\, n. [Bridge + tree a beam.] (Mining)
The beam which supports the spindle socket of the runner in a
grinding mill. --Knight.
Bridge-ward \Bridge"-ward`\, n.
1. A bridge keeper; a warden or a guard for a bridge. [Obs.]
--Sir W. Scott.
2. The principal ward of a key. --Knight.
Bridgeing \Bridge"ing\, n. (Arch.)
The system of bracing used between floor or other timbers to
distribute the weight.
{Bridging joist}. Same as {Binding joist}.
Bridgey \Bridge"y\, a.
Full of bridges. [R.] --Sherwood.
Bridle \Bri"dle\, n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG.
britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf.
{Bridoon}.]
1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and
restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins,
with other appendages.
2. A restraint; a curb; a check. --I. Watts.
3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which
holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
4. (Naut.)
(a) A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends,
so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached
to its middle.
(b) A mooring hawser.
{Bowline bridle}. See under {Bowline}.
{Branches of a bridle}. See under {Branch}.
{Bridle cable} (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle.
See 4, above.
{Bridle hand}, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the
left hand.
{Bridle path}, {Bridle way}, a path or way for saddle horses
and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for
vehicles.
{Bridle port} (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow
through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are
passed.
{Bridle rein}, a rein attached to the bit.
{Bridle road}.
(a) Same as {Bridle path}. --Lowell.
(b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback
exercise.
{Bridle track}, a bridle path.
{Scolding bridle}. See {Branks}, 2.
Syn: A check; restrain.
Bridle \Bri"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bridled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bridling}.]
1. To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to
bridle a horse.
He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. --Drake.
2. To restrain, guide, or govern, with, or as with, a bridle;
to check, curb, or control; as, to bridle the passions; to
bridle a muse. --Addison.
Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel
in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that
consolidation. --Burke.
Syn: To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress;
master; subdue.
Bridle \Bri"dle\, v. i.
To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression
of pride, scorn, or resentment; to assume a lofty manner; --
usually with up. ``His bridling neck.'' --Wordsworth.
By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be
treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs.
Tranquillus. --Tatler.
Bridle iron \Bri"dle i`ron\ (Arch.)
A strong flat bar of iron, so bent as to support, as in a
stirrup, one end of a floor timber, etc., where no sufficient
bearing can be had; -- called also {stirrup} and {hanger}.
Bridler \Bri"dler\, n.
One who bridles; one who restrains and governs, as with a
bridle. --Milton.
Bridoon \Bri*doon"\, n. [F. bridon, from bride; of German
origin. See {Bridle}, n.] (Mil.)
The snaffle and rein of a military bridle, which acts
independently of the bit, at the pleasure of the rider. It is
used in connection with a curb bit, which has its own rein.
--Campbell.
Brief \Brief\, a. [OE. bref, F. brief, bref, fr. L. brevis; akin
to Gr. ? short, and perh. to Skr. barh to tear. Cf. {Breve}.]
1. Short in duration.
How brief the life of man. --Shak.
2. Concise; terse; succinct.
The brief style is that which expresseth much in
little. --B. Jonson.
3. Rife; common; prevalent. [Prov. Eng.]
{In brief}. See under {Brief}, n.
Syn: Short; concise; succinct; summary; compendious;
condensed; terse; curt; transitory; short-lived.
Brief \Brief\, adv.
1. Briefly. [Obs. or Poetic]
Adam, faltering long, thus answered brief. --Milton.
2. Soon; quickly. [Obs.] --Shak.
Brief \Brief\ (br[=e]f), n. [See {Brief}, a., and cf. {Breve}.]
1. A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few
words.
Bear this sealed brief, With winged hastle, to the
lord marshal. --Shak.
And she told me In a sweet, verbal brief. --Shak.
2. An epitome.
Each woman is a brief of womankind. --Overbury.
3. (Law) An abridgment or concise statement of a client's
case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial
at law. This word is applied also to a statement of the
heads or points of a law argument.
It was not without some reference to it that I
perused many a brief. --Sir J.
Stephen.
Note: In England, the brief is prepared by the attorney; in
the United States, counsel generally make up their own
briefs.
4. (Law) A writ; a breve. See {Breve}, n., 2.
5. (Scots Law) A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to
any judge ordinary, commanding and authorizing that judge
to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their
verdict to pronounce sentence.
6. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a
collection or charitable contribution of money in
churches, for any public or private purpose. [Eng.]
{Apostolical brief}, a letter of the pope written on fine
parchment in modern characters, subscribed by the
secretary of briefs, dated ``a die Nativitatis,'' i. e.,
``from the day of the Nativity,'' and sealed with the ring
of the fisherman. It differs from a bull, in its
parchment, written character, date, and seal. See {Bull}.
{Brief of title}, an abstract or abridgment of all the deeds
and other papers constituting the chain of title to any
real estate.
{In brief}, in a few words; in short; briefly. ``Open the
matter in brief.'' --Shak.
Brief \Brief\, v. t.
To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to
brief pleadings.
Briefless \Brief"less\, a.
Having no brief; without clients; as, a briefless barrister.
Briefly \Brief"ly\, adv.
Concisely; in few words.
Briefman \Brief"man\, n.
1. One who makes a brief.
2. A copier of a manuscript.
Briefness \Brief"ness\, n.
The quality of being brief; brevity; conciseness in discourse
or writing.
Brier \Bri"er\, Briar \Bri"ar\, n. [OE. brere, brer, AS.
br[=e]r, br[ae]r; cf. Ir. briar prickle, thorn, brier, pin,
Gael. preas bush, brier, W. prys, prysg.]
1. A plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles;
especially, species of {Rosa}, {Rubus}, and {Smilax}.
2. Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.
The thorns and briers of reproof. --Cowper.
{Brier root}, the root of the southern {Smilax laurifolia}
and {S. Walteri}; -- used for tobacco pipes.
{Cat brier}, {Green brier}, several species of Smilax ({S.
rotundifolia}, etc.)
{Sweet brier} ({Rosa rubiginosa}). See {Sweetbrier}.
{Yellow brier}, the {Rosa Eglantina}.
Briered \Bri"ered\, a.
Set with briers. --Chatterton.
Briery \Bri"er*y\, a.
Full of briers; thorny.
Briery \Bri"er*y\, n.
A place where briers grow. --Huloet.
Brig \Brig\ (br[i^]g), n.
A bridge. [Scot.] --Burns.
Brig \Brig\, n. [Shortened from {Brigantine}.] (Naut.)
A two-masted, square-rigged vessel.
{Hermaphrodite brig}, a two-masted vessel square-rigged
forward and schooner-rigged aft. See Illustration in
Appendix.
Brigade \Bri*gade"\, n. [F. brigade, fr. It. brigata troop,
crew, brigade, originally, a contending troop, fr. briga
trouble, quarrel. See {Brigand}.]
1. (Mil.) A body of troops, whether cavalry, artillery,
infantry, or mixed, consisting of two or more regiments,
under the command of a brigadier general.
Note: Two or more brigades constitute a division, commanded
by a major general; two or more divisions constitute an
army corps, or corps d'arm['e]e. [U.S.]
2. Any body of persons organized for acting or marching
together under authority; as, a fire brigade.
{Brigade inspector}, an officer whose duty is to inspect
troops in companies before they are mustered into service.
{Brigade major}, an officer who may be attached to a brigade
to assist the brigadier in his duties.
Brigade \Bri*gade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brigaded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Brigading}.] (Mil.)
To form into a brigade, or into brigades.
Brigadier general \Brig`a*dier" gen"er*al\ [F. brigadier, fr.
brigade.] (Mil.)
An officer in rank next above a colonel, and below a major
general. He commands a brigade, and is sometimes called, by a
shortening of his title, simple a {brigadier}.
Brigand \Brig"and\ (br[i^]g"and), n. [F. brigand, OF. brigant
light-armed soldier, fr. LL. brigans light-armed soldier (cf.
It. brigante.) fr. brigare to strive, contend, fr. briga
quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break; cf.
Goth. brikan to break, brakja strife. Cf. {Brigue}.]
1. A light-armed, irregular foot soldier. [Obs.]
2. A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of
robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain
retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter.
Giving them not a little the air of brigands or
banditti. --Jeffery.
Brigandage \Brig"and*age\ (-[asl]j), n. [F. brigandage.]
Life and practice of brigands; highway robbery; plunder.
Brigandine \Brig"an*dine\, n. [F. brigandine (cf. It.
brigantina), fr. OF. brigant. See {Brigand}.]
A coast of armor for the body, consisting of scales or
plates, sometimes overlapping each other, generally of metal,
and sewed to linen or other material. It was worn in the
Middle Ages. [Written also {brigantine}.] --Jer. xlvi. 4.
Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet, And
brigandine of brass. --Milton.
Brigandish \Brig"and*ish\, a.
Like a brigand or freebooter; robberlike.
Brigandism \Brig"and*ism\, n.
Brigandage.
Brigantine \Brig"an*tine\, n. [F. brigantin, fr. It. brigantino,
originally, a practical vessel. See {Brigand}, and cf.
{Brig}]
1. A practical vessel. [Obs.]
2. A two-masted, square-rigged vessel, differing from a brig
in that she does not carry a square mainsail.
3. See {Brigandine}.
Brigge \Brig"ge\, n.
A bridge. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Bright \Bright\, v. i.
See {Brite}, v. i.
Bright \Bright\, a. [OE. briht, AS. beorht, briht; akin to OS.
berht, OHG. beraht, Icel. bjartr, Goth. ba['i]rhts.
[root]94.]
1. Radiating or reflecting light; shedding or having much
light; shining; luminous; not dark.
The sun was bright o'erhead. --Longfellow.
The earth was dark, but the heavens were bright.
--Drake.
The public places were as bright as at noonday.
--Macaulay.
2. Transmitting light; clear; transparent.
From the brightest wines He 'd turn abhorrent.
--Thomson.
3. Having qualities that render conspicuous or attractive, or
that affect the mind as light does the eye; resplendent
with charms; as, bright beauty.
Bright as an angel new-dropped from the sky.
--Parnell.
4. Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent.
5. Sparkling with wit; lively; vivacious; shedding
cheerfulness and joy around; cheerful; cheery.
Be bright and jovial among your guests. --Shak.
6. Illustrious; glorious.
In the brightest annals of a female reign. --Cotton.
7. Manifest to the mind, as light is to the eyes; clear;
evident; plain.
That he may with more ease, with brighter evidence,
and with surer success, draw the bearner on. --I.
Watts.
8. Of brilliant color; of lively hue or appearance.
Here the bright crocus and blue violet grew. --Pope.
Note: Bright is used in composition in the sense of
brilliant, clear, sunny, etc.; as, bright-eyed,
bright-haired, bright-hued.
Syn: Shining; splending; luminous; lustrous; brilliant;
resplendent; effulgent; refulgent; radiant; sparkling;
glittering; lucid; beamy; clear; transparent;
illustrious; witty; clear; vivacious; sunny.
Bright \Bright\, n.
Splendor; brightness. [Poetic]
Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear. --Milton.
Bright \Bright\, adv.
Brightly. --Chaucer.
I say it is the moon that shines so bright. --Shak.
Brighten \Bright"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brightened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Brightening}.]
Note: [From {Bright}, a.]
1. To make bright or brighter; to make to shine; to increase
the luster of; to give a brighter hue to.
2. To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster
or splendor to.
The present queen would brighten her character, if
she would exert her authority to instill virtues
into her people. --Swift.
3. To improve or relieve by dispelling gloom or removing that
which obscures and darkens; to shed light upon; to make
cheerful; as, to brighten one's prospects.
An ecstasy, which mothers only feel, Plays round my
heart and brightens all my sorrow. --Philips.
4. To make acute or witty; to enliven. --Johnson.
Brighten \Bright"en\, v. i. [AS. beorhtan.]
To grow bright, or more bright; to become less dark or
gloomy; to clear up; to become bright or cheerful.
And night shall brighten into day. --N. Cotton.
And, all his prospects brightening to the last, His
heaven commences ere world be past. --Goldsmith.
Bright-harnessed \Bright"-har`nessed\, a.
Having glittering armor. [Poetic] --Milton.
Brightly \Bright"ly\, adv.
1. Brilliantly; splendidly; with luster; as, brightly shining
armor.
2. With lively intelligence; intelligently.
Looking brightly into the mother's face.
--Hawthorne.
Brightness \Bright"ness\, n. [AS. beorhines. See {Bright}.]
1. The quality or state of being bright; splendor; luster;
brilliancy; clearness.
A sudden brightness in his face appear. --Crabbe.
2. Acuteness (of the faculties); sharpness 9wit.
The brightness of his parts . . . distinguished him.
--Prior.
Syn: Splendor; luster; radiance; resplendence; brilliancy;
effulgence; glory; clearness.
Bright's disease \Bright's" dis*ease"\ [From Dr. Bright of
London, who first described it.] (Med.)
An affection of the kidneys, usually inflammatory in
character, and distinguished by the occurrence of albumin and
renal casts in the urine. Several varieties of Bright's
disease are now recognized, differing in the part of the
kidney involved, and in the intensity and course of the
morbid process.
Brightsome \Bright"some\, a.
Bright; clear; luminous; brilliant. [R.] --Marlowe.
Brigose \Bri*gose"\, a. [LL. brigosus, It. brigoso. See
{Brigue}, n.]
Contentious; quarrelsome. [Obs.] --Puller.
Brigue \Brigue\, n. [F. brigue, fr. LL. briga quarrel. See
{Brigand}.]
A cabal, intrigue, faction, contention, strife, or quarrel.
[Obs.] --Chesterfield.
Brigue \Brigue\, v. i. [F. briguer. See {Brigue}, n.]
To contend for; to canvass; to solicit. [Obs.] --Bp. Hurd.
Brike \Brike\, n. [AS. brice.]
A breach; ruin; downfall; peril. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Brill \Brill\, n. [Cf. Corn. brilli mackerel, fr. brith
streaked, speckled.] (Zo["o]l.)
A fish allied to the turbot ({Rhombus levis}), much esteemed
in England for food; -- called also {bret}, {pearl}, {prill}.
See {Bret}.
Brillante \Bril*lan"te\, adv. [It. See {Brilliant}, a.] (Mus.)
In a gay, showy, and sparkling style.
Brillance \Bril"lance\, n.
Brilliancy. --Tennyson.
Brillancy \Bril"lan*cy\, n. [See {Brilliant}.]
The quality of being brilliant; splendor; glitter; great
brightness, whether in a literal or figurative sense.
With many readers brilliancy of style passes for
affluence of thought. --Longfellow.
Brilliant \Bril"liant\ (br[i^]l"yant), a. [F. brillant, p. pr.
of briller to shine or sparkle (cf. Pr. & Sp. brillar, It.
brillare), fr. L. beryllus a precious stone of sea-green
color, Prov. It. brill. See {Beryl}.]
1. Sparkling with luster; glittering; very bright; as, a
brilliant star.
2. Distinguished by qualities which excite admiration;
splendid; shining; as, brilliant talents.
Washington was more solicitous to avoid fatal
mistakes than to perform brilliant exploits.
--Fisher Ames.
Syn: See {Shining}.
Brilliant \Bril"liant\, n. [F. brillant. See {Brilliant}, a.]
1. A diamond or other gem of the finest cut, formed into
faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light,
by which it is rendered more brilliant. It has at the
middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which
is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a
bizet; below, it has a small face or collet, parallel to
the table, connected with the girdle by a pavilion of
elongated facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose
diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the
surface, and is flat below.
This snuffbox -- on the hinge see brilliants shine.
--Pope.
2. (Print.) The smallest size of type used in England
printing.
Note: This line is printed in the type called Brilliant.
3. A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
Brilliantly \Bril"liant*ly\, adv.
In a brilliant manner.
Brilliantness \Bril"liant*ness\, n.
Brilliancy; splendor; glitter.
Brills \Brills\, n. pl. [CF. G. brille spectacles, D. bril, fr.
L. berillus. See {Brilliant}.]
The hair on the eyelids of a horse. --Bailey.
Brim \Brim\, n. [OE. brim, brimme, AS. brymme edge, border; akin
to Icel. barmr, Sw. br["a]m, Dan. br[ae]mme, G. brame,
br["a]me. Possibly the same word as AS. brim surge, sea, and
properly meaning, the line of surf at the border of the sea,
and akin to L. fremere to roar, murmur. Cf. {Breeze} a fly.]
1. The rim, border, or upper edge of a cup, dish, or any
hollow vessel used for holding anything.
Saw I that insect on this goblet's brim I would
remove it with an anxious pity. --Coleridge.
2. The edge or margin, as of a fountain, or of the water
contained in it; the brink; border.
The feet of the priests that bare the ark were
dipped in the brim of the water. --Josh. iii.
15.
3. The rim of a hat. --Wordsworth.
Brim \Brim\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Brimmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Brimming}.]
To be full to the brim. ``The brimming stream.'' --Milton.
{To brim over} (literally or figuratively), to be so full
that some of the contents flows over the brim; as, a cup
brimming over with wine; a man brimming over with fun.
Brim \Brim\, v. t.
To fill to the brim, upper edge, or top.
Arrange the board and brim the glass. --Tennyson.
Brim \Brim\, a.
Fierce; sharp; cold. See {Breme}. [Obs.]
Brimful \Brim"ful\, a.
Full to the brim; completely full; ready to overflow. ``Her
brimful eyes.'' --Dryden.
Brimless \Brim"less\, a.
Having no brim; as, brimless caps.
Brimmed \Brimmed\, a.
1. Having a brim; -- usually in composition. ``Broad-brimmed
hat.'' --Spectator.
2. Full to, or level with, the brim. --Milton.
Brimmer \Brim"mer\, n.
A brimful bowl; a bumper.
Brimming \Brim"ming\, a.
Full to the brim; overflowing.
Brimstone \Brim"stone\, n. [OE. brimston, bremston, bernston,
brenston; cf. Icel. brennistein. See {Burn}, v. t., and
{Stone}.]
Sulphur; See {Sulphur}.
Brimstone \Brim"stone\, a.
Made of, or pertaining to, brimstone; as, brimstone matches.
From his brimstone bed at break of day A-walking the
devil has gone. --Coleridge.
Brimstony \Brim"sto`ny\, a.
Containing or resembling brimstone; sulphurous. --B. Jonson.
Brin \Brin\, n. [F.]
One of the radiating sticks of a fan. The outermost are
larger and longer, and are called panaches. --Knight.
Brinded \Brin"ded\, a. [Cf. Icel. br["o]nd[=o]ttr brindled, fr.
brandr brand; and OE. bernen, brinnen, to burn. See {Brand},
{Burn}.]
Of a gray or tawny color with streaks of darker hue;
streaked; brindled. ``Three brinded cows,'' --Dryden. ``The
brinded cat.'' --Shak.
Brindle \Brin"dle\, n. [See {Brindled}.]
1. The state of being brindled.
2. A brindled color; also, that which is brindled.
Brindle \Brin"dle\, a.
Brindled.
Brindled \Brin"dled\, a. [A dim. form of brinded.]
Having dark streaks or spots on a gray or tawny ground;
brinded. ``With a brindled lion played.'' --Churchill.
Brine \Brine\, n. [AS. bryne a burning, salt liquor, brine, fr.
brinnan, brynnan, to burn. See {Burn}.]
1. Water saturated or strongly impregnated with salt; pickle;
hence, any strong saline solution; also, the saline
residue or strong mother liquor resulting from the
evaporation of natural or artificial waters.
2. The ocean; the water of an ocean, sea, or salt lake.
Not long beneath the whelming brine . . . he lay.
--Cowper.
3. Tears; -- so called from their saltness.
What a deal of brine Hath washed thy sallow cheecks
for Rosaline! --Shak.
{Brine fly} (Zo["o]l.), a fly of the genus {Ephydra}, the
larv[ae] of which live in artificial brines and in salt
lakes.
{Brine gauge}, an instrument for measuring the saltness of a
liquid.
{Brine pan}, a pit or pan of salt water, where salt is formed
by cristallization.
{Brine pit}, a salt spring or well, from which water is taken
to be boiled or evaporated for making salt.
{Brine pump} (Marine Engin.), a pump for changing the water
in the boilers, so as to clear them of the brine which
collects at the bottom.
{Brine shrimp}, {Brine worm} (Zo["o]l.), a phyllopod
crustacean of the genus {Artemia}, inhabiting the strong
brines of salt works and natural salt lakes. See
{Artemia}.
{Brine spring}, a spring of salt water.
{Leach brine} (Saltmaking), brine which drops from granulated
salt in drying, and is preserved to be boiled again.
Brine \Brine\, v. t.
1. To steep or saturate in brine.
2. To sprinkle with salt or brine; as, to brine hay.
Bring \Bring\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brought}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bringing}.] [OE. bringen, AS. bringan; akin to OS. brengian,
D. brengen, Fries. brenga, OHG. bringan, G. bringen, Goth.
briggan.]
1. To convey to the place where the speaker is or is to be;
to bear from a more distant to a nearer place; to fetch.
And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her,
and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread.
--1 Kings
xvii. 11.
To France shall we convey you safe, And bring you
back. --Shak.
2. To cause the accession or obtaining of; to procure; to
make to come; to produce; to draw to.
There is nothing will bring you more honor . . .
than to do what right in justice you may. --Bacon.
3. To convey; to move; to carry or conduct.
In distillation, the water . . . brings over with it
some part of the oil of vitriol. --Sir I.
Newton.
4. To persuade; to induce; to draw; to lead; to guide.
It seems so preposterous a thing . . . that they do
not easily bring themselves to it. --Locke.
The nature of the things . . . would not suffer him
to think otherwise, how, or whensoever, he is
brought to reflect on them. --Locke.
5. To produce in exchange; to sell for; to fetch; as, what
does coal bring per ton?
{To bring about}, to bring to pass; to effect; to accomplish.
{To bring back}.
(a) To recall.
(b) To restore, as something borrowed, to its owner.
{To bring by the lee} (Naut.), to incline so rapidly to
leeward of the course, when a ship sails large, as to
bring the lee side suddenly to the windward, any by laying
the sails aback, expose her to danger of upsetting.
{To bring down}.
(a) To cause to come down.
(b) To humble or abase; as, to bring down high looks.
{To bring down the house}, to cause tremendous applause.
[Colloq.]
{To bring forth}.
(a) To produce, as young fruit.
(b) To bring to light; to make manifest.
{To bring forward}
(a) To exhibit; to introduce; to produce to view.
(b) To hasten; to promote; to forward.
(c) To propose; to adduce; as, to bring forward arguments.
{To bring home}.
(a) To bring to one's house.
(b) To prove conclusively; as, to bring home a charge of
treason.
(c) To cause one to feel or appreciate by personal
experience.
(d) (Naut.) To lift of its place, as an anchor.
{To bring in}.
(a) To fetch from without; to import.
(b) To introduce, as a bill in a deliberative assembly.
(c) To return or repot to, or lay before, a court or other
body; to render; as, to bring in a verdict or a
report.
(d) To take to an appointed place of deposit or
collection; as, to bring in provisions or money for a
specified object.
(e) To produce, as income.
(f) To induce to join.
{To bring off}, to bear or convey away; to clear from
condemnation; to cause to escape.
{To bring on}.
(a) To cause to begin.
(b) To originate or cause to exist; as, to bring on a
disease.
{To bring one on one's way}, to accompany, guide, or attend
one.
{To bring out}, to expose; to detect; to bring to light from
concealment.
{To bring over}.
(a) To fetch or bear across.
(b) To convert by persuasion or other means; to cause to
change sides or an opinion.
{To bring to}.
(a) To resuscitate; to bring back to consciousness or
life, as a fainting person.
(b) (Naut.) To check the course of, as of a ship, by
dropping the anchor, or by counterbracing the sails so
as to keep her nearly stationary (she is then said to
lie to).
(c) To cause (a vessel) to lie to, as by firing across her
course.
(d) To apply a rope to the capstan.
{To bring to light}, to disclose; to discover; to make clear;
to reveal.
{To bring a sail to} (Naut.), to bend it to the yard.
{To bring to pass}, to accomplish to effect. ``Trust also in
Him; and He shall bring it to pass.'' --Ps. xxxvii. 5.
{To bring under}, to subdue; to restrain; to reduce to
obedience.
{To bring up}.
(a) To carry upward; to nurse; to rear; to educate.
(b) To cause to stop suddenly.
(c)
Note: [v. i. by dropping the reflexive pronoun] To stop
suddenly; to come to a standstill. [Colloq.]
{To bring up (any one) with a round turn}, to cause (any one)
to stop abruptly. [Colloq.]
{To be brought to bed}. See under {Bed}.
Syn: To fetch; bear; carry; convey; transport; import;
procure; produce; cause; adduce; induce.
Bringer \Bring"er\, n.
One who brings.
Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news Hath but a
losing office. --Shak.
{Bringer in}, one who, or that which, introduces.
Brininess \Brin"i*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being briny; saltness; brinishness.
Brinish \Brin"ish\, a.
Like brine; somewhat salt; saltish. ``Brinish tears.''
--Shak.
Brinishness \Brin"ish*ness\, n.
State or quality of being brinish.
Brinjaree \Brin"ja*ree`\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A rough-haired East Indian variety of the greyhound.
Brink \Brink\, n. [Dan. brink edge, verge; akin to Sw. brink
declivity, hill, Icel. brekka; cf. LG. brink a grassy hill,
W. bryn hill, bryncyn hillock.]
The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a
precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a
border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also Fig. ``The brink of
vice.'' --Bp. Porteus. ``The brink of ruin.'' --Burke.
The plashy brink of weedy lake. --Bryant.
Briny \Brin"y\, a. [From {Brine}.]
Of or pertaining to brine, or to the sea; partaking of the
nature of brine; salt; as, a briny taste; the briny flood.
Briony \Bri"o*ny\, n.
See {Bryony}. --Tennyson.
Brisk \Brisk\, a. [Cf. W. brysg, fr. brys haste, Gael. briosg
quick, lively, Ir. broisg a start, leap, jerk.]
1. Full of liveliness and activity; characterized by
quickness of motion or action; lively; spirited; quick.
Cheerily, boys; be brick awhile. --Shak.
Brick toil alternating with ready ease. --Wordworth.
2. Full of spirit of life; effervesc?ng, as liquors;
sparkling; as, brick cider.
Syn: Active; lively; agile; alert; nimble; quick; sprightly;
vivacious; gay; spirited; animated.
Brisk \Brisk\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Bricked}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bricking}.]
To make or become lively; to enliven; to animate; to take, or
cause to take, an erect or bold attitude; -- usually with up.
Brisket \Bris"ket\, n. [OE. bruskette, OF. bruschet, F.
br['e]chet, brichet; prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. brysced
the breast of a slain animal, brisket, Corn. vrys breast,
Armor. brusk, bruched, the front of the chest, Gael. brisgein
the cartilaginous part of a bone.]
That part of the breast of an animal which extends from the
fore legs back beneath the ribs; also applied to the fore
part of a horse, from the shoulders to the bottom of the
chest.
Note: [See Illust. of {Beef}.]
Briskly \Brisk"ly\, adv.
In a brisk manner; nimbly.
Briskness \Brisk"ness\, n.
Liveliness; vigor in action; quickness; gayety; vivacity;
effervescence.
Bristle \Bris"tle\ (br[i^]s"s'l), n. [OE. bristel, brustel, AS.
bristl, byrst; akin to D. borstel, OHG. burst, G. borste,
Icel. burst, Sw. borst, and to Skr. bh[.r]shti edge, point,
and prob, L. fastigium extremity, Gr. 'a`flaston stern of a
ship, and E. brush, burr, perh. to brad. [root]96.]
1. A short, stiff, coarse hair, as on the back of swine.
2. (Bot.) A stiff, sharp, roundish hair. --Gray.
Bristle \Bris"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bristled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Bristling}.]
1. To erect the bristles of; to cause to stand up, as the
bristles of an angry hog; -- sometimes with up.
Now for the bare-picked bone of majesty Doth dogged
war bristle his angry crest. --Shak.
Boy, bristle thy courage up. --Shak.
2. To fix a bristle to; as, to bristle a thread.
Bristle \Bris"tle\, v. i.
1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles.
His hair did bristle upon his head. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing,
thick and erect, like bristles.
The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten
thousand bayonets. --Thackeray.
Ports bristling with thousands of masts. --Macaulay.
3. To show defiance or indignation.
{To bristle up}, to show anger or defiance.
Bristle-pointed \Bris"tle-point`ed\, a. (Bot.)
Terminating in a very fine, sharp point, as some leaves.
Bristle-shaped \Bris"tle-shaped`\, a.
Resembling a bristle in form; as, a bristle-shaped leaf.
Bristletail \Bris"tle*tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An insect of the genera {Lepisma}, {Campodea}, etc.,
belonging to the Thysanura.
Bristliness \Bris"tli*ness\, n.
The quality or state of having bristles.
Bristly \Bris"tly\, a.
Thick set with bristles, or with hairs resembling bristles;
rough.
The leaves of the black mulberry are somewhat bristly.
--Bacon.
Bristol \Bris"tol\, n.
A seaport city in the west of England.
{Bristol board}, a kind of fine pasteboard, made with a
smooth but usually unglazed surface.
{Bristol brick}, a brick of siliceous matter used for
polishing cultery; -- originally manufactured at Bristol.
{Bristol stone}, rock crystal, or brilliant crystals of
quartz, found in the mountain limestone near Bristol, and
used in making ornaments, vases, etc. When polished, it is
called {Bristol diamond}.
Brisure \Bri*sure"\, n. [F.]
1. (Fort.) Any part of a rampart or parapet which deviates
from the general direction.
2. (Her.) A mark of cadency or difference.
Brit \Brit\, Britt \Britt\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The young of the common herring; also, a small species
of herring; the sprat.
(b) The minute marine animals (chiefly Entomostraca) upon
which the right whales feed.
Britannia \Bri*tan"ni*a\, n. [From L. Britannia Great Britain.]
A white-metal alloy of tin, antimony, bismuth, copper, etc.
It somewhat resembles silver, and is used for table ware.
Called also {Britannia metal}.
Britannic \Bri*tan"nic\, a. [L. Britannicus, fr. Britannia Great
Britain.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain; British; as, her Britannic
Majesty.
Brite \Brite\, Bright \Bright\, v. t.
To be or become overripe, as wheat, barley, or hops. [Prov.
Eng.]
Briticism \Brit"i*cism\, n.
A word, phrase, or idiom peculiar to Great Britain; any
manner of using a word or words that is peculiar to Great
Britain.
British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain.
British \Brit"ish\, n. pl.
People of Great Britain.
Britisher \Brit"ish*er\, n.
An Englishman; a subject or inhabitant of Great Britain, esp.
one in the British military or naval service. [Now used
jocosely]
Briton \Brit"on\, a. [AS. bryten Britain.]
British. [Obs.] --Spenser. -- n. A native of Great Britain.
Brittle \Brit"tle\, a. [OE. britel, brutel, AS. bryttian to
dispense, fr. bre['o]tan to break; akin to Icel. brytja, Sw.
bryta, Dan. bryde. Cf. {Brickle}.]
Easily broken; apt to break; fragile; not tough or tenacious
.
Farewell, thou pretty, brittle piece Of fine-cut crystal.
--Cotton.
{Brittle silver ore}, the mineral stephanite.
Brittlely \Brit"tle*ly\, adv.
In a brittle manner. --Sherwood.
Brittleness \Brit"tle*ness\, n.
Aptness to break; fragility.
Brittle star \Brit"tle star`\ (br[icrt]"t'l st[aum]r`),
(Zo["o]l.)
Any species of ophiuran starfishes. See {Ophiuroidea}.
Britzska \Britz"ska\ (br[i^]ts"k[.a]), n. [Russ. britshka; cf.
Pol. bryczka, dim. of bryka freight wagon.]
A long carriage, with a calash top, so constructed as to give
space for reclining at night, when used on a journey.
Brize \Brize\ (br[imac]z), n.
The breeze fly. See {Breeze}. --Shak.
Broach \Broach\, n. [OE. broche, F. broche, fr. LL. brocca;
prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. proc thrust, stab, Gael. brog
awl. Cf. {Brooch}.]
1. A spit. [Obs.]
He turned a broach that had worn a crown. --Bacon.
2. An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at
each end, used by thatchers. [Prov. Eng.] --Forby.
3. (Mech.)
(a) A tool of steel, generally tapering, and of a
polygonal form, with from four to eight cutting edges,
for smoothing or enlarging holes in metal; sometimes
made smooth or without edges, as for burnishing pivot
holes in watches; a reamer. The broach for gun barrels
is commonly square and without taper.
(b) A straight tool with file teeth, made of steel, to be
pressed through irregular holes in metal that cannot
be dressed by revolving tools; a drift.
4. (Masonry) A broad chisel for stonecutting.
5. (Arch.) A spire rising from a tower. [Local, Eng.]
6. A clasp for fastening a garment. See {Brooch}.
7. A spitlike start, on the head of a young stag.
8. The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for
dipping. --Knight.
9. The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.
Broach \Broach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Broached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Broaching}.] [F. brocher, fr. broche. See {Broach}, n.]
1. To spit; to pierce as with a spit.
I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point.
--Shak.
2. To tap; to pierce, as a cask, in order to draw the liquor.
Hence: To let out; to shed, as blood.
Whereat with blade, with bloody blameful blade, He
bravely broached his boiling bloody breast. --Shak.
3. To open for the first time, as stores.
You shall want neither weapons, victuals, nor aid; I
will open the old armories, I will broach my store,
and will bring forth my stores. --Knolles.
4. To make public; to utter; to publish first; to put forth;
to introduce as a topic of conversation.
Those very opinions themselves had broached.
--Swift.
5. To cause to begin or break out. [Obs.] --Shak.
6. (Masonry) To shape roughly, as a block of stone, by
chiseling with a coarse tool. [Scot. & North of Eng.]
7. To enlarge or dress (a hole), by using a broach.
{To broach to} (Naut.), to incline suddenly to windward, so
as to lay the sails aback, and expose the vessel to the
danger of oversetting.
Broacher \Broach"er\, n.
1. A spit; a broach.
On five sharp broachers ranked, the roast they
turned. --Dryden.
2. One who broaches, opens, or utters; a first publisher or
promoter.
Some such broacher of heresy. --Atterbury.
Broad \Broad\, a. [Compar. {Broader}; superl. {Broadest}.] [OE.
brod, brad, AS. br[=a]d; akin to OS. br[=e]d, D. breed, G.
breit, Icel. brei?r, Sw. & Dan. bred, Goth. braids. Cf.
{Breadth}.]
1. Wide; extend in breadth, or from side to side; -- opposed
to {narrow}; as, a broad street, a broad table; an inch
broad.
2. Extending far and wide; extensive; vast; as, the broad
expanse of ocean.
3. Extended, in the sense of diffused; open; clear; full.
``Broad and open day.'' --Bp. Porteus.
4. Fig.: Having a large measure of any thing or quality; not
limited; not restrained; -- applied to any subject, and
retaining the literal idea more or less clearly, the
precise meaning depending largely on the substantive.
A broad mixture of falsehood. --Locke.
Note: Hence:
5. Comprehensive; liberal; enlarged.
The words in the Constitution are broad enough to
include the case. --D. Daggett.
In a broad, statesmanlike, and masterly way. --E.
Everett.
6. Plain; evident; as, a broad hint.
7. Free; unrestrained; unconfined.
As broad and general as the casing air. --Shak.
8. (Fine Arts) Characterized by breadth. See {Breadth}.
9. Cross; coarse; indelicate; as, a broad compliment; a broad
joke; broad humor.
10. Strongly marked; as, a broad Scotch accent.
Note: Broad is often used in compounds to signify wide,
large, etc.; as, broad-chested, broad-shouldered,
broad-spreading, broad-winged.
{Broad acres}. See under {Acre}.
{Broad arrow}, originally a pheon. See {Pheon}, and {Broad
arrow} under {Arrow}.
{As broad as long}, having the length equal to the breadth;
hence, the same one way as another; coming to the same
result by different ways or processes.
It is as broad as long, whether they rise to others,
or bring others down to them. --L'Estrange.
{Broad pennant}. See under {Pennant}.
Syn: Wide; large; ample; expanded; spacious; roomy;
extensive; vast; comprehensive; liberal.
Broad \Broad\, n.
1. The broad part of anything; as, the broad of an oar.
2. The spread of a river into a sheet of water; a flooded
fen. [Local, Eng.] --Southey.
3. A lathe tool for turning down the insides and bottoms of
cylinders. --Knight.
Broadax Broadaxe \Broad"ax` Broad"axe`\, n.
1. An ancient military weapon; a battle-ax.
2. An ax with a broad edge, for hewing timber.
Broadbill \Broad"bill`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A wild duck ({Aythya, or Fuligula, marila)},
which appears in large numbers on the eastern coast of the
United States, in autumn; -- called also {bluebill},
{blackhead}, {raft duck}, and {scaup duck}. See {Scaup
duck}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The shoveler. See {Shoveler}.
Broadbrim \Broad"brim`\, n.
1. A hat with a very broad brim, like those worn by men of
the society of Friends.
2. A member of the society of Friends; a Quaker. [Sportive]
Broad-brimmed \Broad"-brimmed`\, a.
Having a broad brim.
A broad-brimmed flat silver plate. --Tatler.
Broadcast \Broad"cast`\, n. (Agric.)
A casting or throwing seed in all directions, as from the
hand in sowing.
Broadcast \Broad"cast`\, a.
1. Cast or dispersed in all directions, as seed from the hand
in sowing; widely diffused.
2. Scattering in all directions (as a method of sowing); --
opposed to planting in hills, or rows.
Broadcast \Broad"cast`\, adv.
So as to scatter or be scattered in all directions; so as to
spread widely, as seed from the hand in sowing, or news from
the press.
Broad Church \Broad" Church`\ (Eccl.)
A portion of the Church of England, consisting of persons who
claim to hold a position, in respect to doctrine and
fellowship, intermediate between the High Church party and
the Low Church, or evangelical, party. The term has been
applied to other bodies of men holding liberal or
comprehensive views of Christian doctrine and fellowship.
Side by side with these various shades of High and Low
Church, another party of a different character has
always existed in the Church of England. It is called
by different names: Moderate, Catholic, or Broad
Church, by its friends; Latitudinarian or Indifferent,
by its enemies. Its distinctive character is the desire
of comprehension. Its watch words are charity and
toleration. --Conybeare.
Broadcloth \Broad"cloth\, n.
A fine smooth-faced woolen cloth for men's garments, usually
of double width (i.e., a yard and a half); -- so called in
distinction from woolens three quarters of a yard wide.
Broaden \Broad"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Broadened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Broadening}.] [From {Broad}, a.]
To grow broad; to become broader or wider.
The broadening sun appears. --Wordsworth.
Broaden \Broad"en\, v. t.
To make broad or broader; to render more broad or
comprehensive.
Broad gauge \Broad" gauge`\ (Railroad)
A wider distance between the rails than the ``standard''
gauge of four feet eight inches and a half. See {Gauge}.
Broad-horned \Broad"-horned`\, a.
Having horns spreading widely.
Broadish \Broad"ish\, a.
Rather broad; moderately broad.
Broadleaf \Broad"leaf`\, n. (Bot.)
A tree ({Terminalia latifolia}) of Jamaica, the wood of which
is used for boards, scantling, shingles, etc; -- sometimes
called the {almond tree}, from the shape of its fruit.
Broad-leaved \Broad"-leaved`\, Broad-leafed \Broad"-leafed`\, a.
Having broad, or relatively broad, leaves. --Keats.
Broadly \Broad"ly\, adv.
In a broad manner.
Broadmouth \Broad"mouth`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Eurylaimid[ae], a family of East Indian passerine
birds.
Broadness \Broad"ness\, n. [AS. br[=a]dnes.]
The condition or quality of being broad; breadth; coarseness;
grossness.
Broadpiece \Broad"piece`\, n.
An old English gold coin, broader than a guinea, as a Carolus
or Jacobus.
Broad seal \Broad" seal`\
The great seal of England; the public seal of a country or
state.
Broadseal \Broad"seal`\, v. t.
To stamp with the broad seal; to make sure; to guarantee or
warrant. [Obs.]
Thy presence broadseals our delights for pure. --B.
Jonson.
Broadside \Broad"side`\, n.
1. (Naut.) The side of a ship above the water line, from the
bow to the quarter.
2. A discharge of or from all the guns on one side of a ship,
at the same time.
3. A volley of abuse or denunciation. [Colloq.]
4. (Print.) A sheet of paper containing one large page, or
printed on one side only; -- called also {broadsheet}.
Broadspread \Broad"spread`\, a.
Widespread.
Broadspreading \Broad"spread`ing\, a.
Spreading widely.
Broadsword \Broad"sword`\, n.
A sword with a broad blade and a cutting edge; a claymore.
I heard the broadsword's deadly clang. --Sir W.
Scott.
Broadwise \Broad"wise`\, adv.
Breadthwise. [Archaic]
Brob \Brob\, n. [Cf. Gael. brog, E. brog, n.] (Carp.)
A peculiar brad-shaped spike, to be driven alongside the end
of an abutting timber to prevent its slipping.
Brobdingnagian \Brob`ding*nag"i*an\, a. [From Brobdingnag, a
country of giants in ``Gulliver's Travels.'']
Colossal; of extraordinary height; gigantic. -- n. A giant.
[Spelt often {Brobdignagian}.]
Brocade \Bro*cade"\, n. [Sp. brocado (cf. It. broccato, F.
brocart), fr. LL. brocare *prick, to figure (textile
fabrics), to emboss (linen), to stitch. See {Broach}.]
Silk stuff, woven with gold and silver threads, or ornamented
with raised flowers, foliage, etc.; -- also applied to other
stuffs thus wrought and enriched.
A gala suit of faded brocade. --W. Irving.
Brocaded \Bro*cad"ed\, a.
1. Woven or worked, as brocade, with gold and silver, or with
raised flowers, etc.
Brocaded flowers o'er the gay mantua shine. --Gay.
2. Dressed in brocade.
Brocage \Bro"cage\, n.
See {Brokkerage}.
Brocard \Broc"ard\, n. [Perh. fr. Brocardica, Brocardicorum
opus, a collection of ecclesiastical canons by Burkhard,
Bishop of Worms, called, by the Italians and French,
Brocard.]
An elementary principle or maximum; a short, proverbial rule,
in law, ethics, or metaphysics.
The legal brocard, ``Falsus in uno, falsus in
omnibus,'' is a rule not more applicable to other
witness than to consciousness. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Brocatel \Bro"ca*tel\, n. [F. brocatelle, fr. It. brocatello:
cf. Sp. brocatel. See {Brocade}.]
1. A kind of coarse brocade, or figured fabric, used chiefly
for tapestry, linings for carriages, etc.
2. A marble, clouded and veined with white, gray, yellow, and
red, in which the yellow usually prevails. It is also
called Siena marble, from its locality.
Brocatello \Bro`ca*tel"lo\, n.
Same as {Brocatel}.
Broccoli \Broc"co*li\, n. [It. broccoli, pl. of broccolo sprout,
cabbage sprout, dim. of brocco splinter. See {Broach}, n.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the Cabbage species ({Brassica oleracea}) of many
varieties, resembling the cauliflower. The ``curd,'' or
flowering head, is the part used for food.
Brochantite \Broch"an*tite\, n. [From Brochant de Villiers, a
French mineralogist.] (Min.)
A basic sulphate of copper, occurring in emerald-green
crystals.
Broch'e \Bro`ch['e]"\, a. [F.]
Woven with a figure; as, broch['e] goods.
Broche \Broche\, n. [F.]
See {Broach}, n.
Brochure \Bro*chure"\, n. [F., fr. brocher to stitch. See
{Broach}, v. t.]
A printed and stitched book containing only a few leaves; a
pamphlet.
Brock \Brock\, n. [AS. broc, fr. W. broch; akin to Ir. & Gael.
broc, Corn. & Armor. broch; cf. Ir. & Gael. breac speckled.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A badger.
Or with pretense of chasing thence the brock. --B.
Jonson.
Brock \Brock\, n. [See {Brocket}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A brocket. --Bailey.
Brocket \Brock"et\ (br[o^]k"[e^]t), n. [OE. broket, F. broquart
fallow deer a year old, fr. the same root as E. broach,
meaning point (hence tine of a horn).]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A male red deer two years old; -- sometimes
called {brock}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A small South American deer, of several species
({Coassus superciliaris}, {C. rufus}, and {C. auritus}).
Brockish \Brock"ish\, a.
Beastly; brutal. [Obs.] --Bale.
Brodekin \Brode"kin\ (br[=o]d"k[i^]n), n. [F. brodequin, OE.
brossequin, fr. OD. broseken, brosekin, dim. of broos buskin,
prob. fr. LL. byrsa leather, Gr. by`rsa skin, hide. Cf.
{Buskin}.]
A buskin or half-boot. [Written also {brodequin}.] [Obs.]
Brog \Brog\ (br[o^]g), n. [Gael. Cf. {Brob}.]
A pointed instrument, as a joiner's awl, a brad awl, a
needle, or a small sharp stick.
Brog \Brog\, v. t.
To prod with a pointed instrument, as a lance; also, to
broggle. [Scot. & Prov.] --Sir W. Scott.
Brogan \Bro"gan\, n.
A stout, coarse shoe; a brogue.
Broggle \Brog"gle\, v. i. [Dim. of Prov. E. brog to broggle. Cf.
{Brog}, n.]
To sniggle, or fish with a brog. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Brogue \Brogue\, n. [Ir. & Gael. brog shoe, hoof.]
1. A stout, coarse shoe; a brogan.
Note: In the Highlands of Scotland, the ancient brogue was
made of horsehide or deerskin, untanned or tenned with
the hair on, gathered round the ankle with a thong. The
name was afterward given to any shoe worn as a part of
the Highland costume.
{Clouted brogues}, patched brogues; also, brogues studded
with nails. See under {Clout}, v. t.
2. A dialectic pronunciation; esp. the Irish manner of
pronouncing English.
Or take, Hibernis, thy still ranker brogue. --Lloyd.
Brogues \Brogues\, n. pl. [Cf. {Breeches}.]
Breeches. [Obs.] --Shenstone.
Broid \Broid\, v. t.
To braid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Broider \Broid"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Broidered}.] [OE.
broiden, brouden, F. broder, confused with E. braid; F.
broder is either the same word as border to border (see
{Border}), or perh. of Celtic origin; cf. W. brathu to sting,
stab, Ir. & Gael. brod goad, prickle, OE. brod a goad; and
also Icel. broddr a spike, a sting, AS. brord a point.]
To embroider. [Archaic]
They shall make a broidered coat. --Ex. xxviii.
4.
Broiderer \Broid"er*er\, n.
One who embroiders. [Archaic]
Broidery \Broid"er*y\, n.
Embroidery. [Archaic]
The golden broidery tender Milkah wove. --Tickell.
Broil \Broil\, n. [F. brouiller to disorder, from LL. brogilus,
broilus, brolium, thicket, wood, park; of uncertain origin;
cf. W. brog a swelling out, OHG. pr[=o]il marsh, G. br["u]hl,
MHG. brogen to rise. The meaning tumult, confusion, comes
apparently from tangled undergrowth, thicket, and this
possibly from the meaning to grow, rise, sprout.]
A tumult; a noisy quarrel; a disturbance; a brawl;
contention; discord, either between individuals or in the
state.
I will own that there is a haughtiness and fierceness
in human nature which will which will cause innumerable
broils, place men in what situation you please.
--Burke.
Syn: Contention; fray; affray; tumult; altercation;
dissension; discord; contest; conflict; brawl; uproar.
Broil \Broil\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Broiled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Broiling}.] [OE. broilen, OF. bruillir, fr. bruir to broil,
burn; of Ger. origin; cf. MHG. br["u]ejen, G. br["u]hen, to
scald, akin to E. brood.]
1. To cook by direct exposure to heat over a fire, esp. upon
a gridiron over coals.
2. To subject to great (commonly direct) heat.
Broil \Broil\, v. i.
To be subjected to the action of heat, as meat over the fire;
to be greatly heated, or to be made uncomfortable with heat.
The planets and comets had been broiling in the sun.
--Cheyne.
Broiler \Broil"er\, n.
One who excites broils; one who engages in or promotes noisy
quarrels.
What doth he but turn broiler, . . . make new libels
against the church? --Hammond.
Broiler \Broil"er\, n.
1. One who broils, or cooks by broiling.
2. A gridiron or other utensil used in broiling.
3. A chicken or other bird fit for broiling. [Colloq.]
Broiling \Broil"ing\, a.
Excessively hot; as, a broiling sun. -- n. The act of causing
anything to broil.
Brokage \Bro"kage\, n.
See {Brokerage}.
Broke \Broke\, v. i. [See {Broker}, and cf. {Brook}.]
1. To transact business for another. [R.] --Brome.
2. To act as procurer in love matters; to pimp. [Obs.]
We do want a certain necessary woman to broke
between them, Cupid said. --Fanshawe.
And brokes with all that can in such a suit Corrupt
the tender honor of a maid. --Shak.
Broke \Broke\ (br[=o]k),
imp. & p. p. of {Break}.
Broken \Bro"ken\ (br[=o]"k'n), a. [From {Break}, v. t.]
1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into
fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish.
2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a
broken surface.
3. Fractured; cracked; disunited; sundered; strained; apart;
as, a broken reed; broken friendship.
4. Made infirm or weak, by disease, age, or hardships.
The one being who remembered him as he been before
his mind was broken. --G. Eliot.
The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay, Sat by his
fire, and talked the night away. --Goldsmith.
5. Subdued; humbled; contrite.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. --Ps. li.
17.
6. Subjugated; trained for use, as a horse.
7. Crushed and ruined as by something that destroys hope;
blighted. ``Her broken love and life.'' --G. Eliot.
8. Not carried into effect; not adhered to; violated; as, a
broken promise, vow, or contract; a broken law.
9. Ruined financially; incapable of redeeming promises made,
or of paying debts incurred; as, a broken bank; a broken
tradesman.
10. Imperfectly spoken, as by a foreigner; as, broken
English; imperfectly spoken on account of emotion; as, to
say a few broken words at parting.
Amidst the broken words and loud weeping of those
grave senators. --Macaulay.
{Broken ground}.
(a) (Mil.) Rough or uneven ground; as, the troops were
retarded in their advance by broken ground.
(b) Ground recently opened with the plow.
{Broken line} (Geom.), the straight lines which join a number
of given points taken in some specified order.
{Broken meat}, fragments of meat or other food.
{Broken number}, a fraction.
{Broken weather}, unsettled weather.
Broken-backed \Bro"ken-backed`\, a.
1. Having a broken back; as, a broken-backed chair.
2. (Naut.) Hogged; so weakened in the frame as to droop at
each end; -- said of a ship. --Totten.
Broken-bellied \Bro"ken-bel`lied\, a.
Having a ruptured belly. [R.]
Broken-hearted \Bro"ken-heart`ed\, a.
Having the spirits depressed or crushed by grief or despair.
She left her husband almost broken-hearted. --Macaulay.
Syn: Disconsolable; heart-broken; inconsolable; comfortless;
woe-begone; forlorn.
Brokenly \Bro"ken*ly\, adv.
In a broken, interrupted manner; in a broken state; in broken
language.
The pagans worship God . . . as it were brokenly and by
piecemeal. --Cudworth.
Brokenness \Bro"ken*ness\, n.
1. The state or quality of being broken; unevenness.
--Macaulay.
2. Contrition; as, brokenness of heart.
Broken wind \Bro"ken wind`\ (Far.)
The heaves.
Broken-winded \Bro"ken-wind`ed\, a. (Far.)
Having short breath or disordered respiration, as a horse.
Broker \Bro"ker\ (br[=o]"k[~e]r), n. [OE. brocour, from a word
akin to broken, bruken, to use, enjoy, possess, digest, fr.
AS. br[=u]can to use, enjoy; cf. Fries. broker, F.
brocanteur. See {Brook}, v. t.]
1. One who transacts business for another; an agent.
2. (Law) An agent employed to effect bargains and contracts,
as a middleman or negotiator, between other persons, for a
compensation commonly called brokerage. He takes no
possession, as broker, of the subject matter of the
negotiation. He generally contracts in the names of those
who employ him, and not in his own. --Story.
3. A dealer in money, notes, bills of exchange, etc.
4. A dealer in secondhand goods. [Eng.]
5. A pimp or procurer. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Bill broker}, one who buys and sells notes and bills of
exchange.
{Curbstone broker} or {Street broker}, an operator in stocks
(not a member of the Stock Exchange) who executes orders
by running from office to office, or by transactions on
the street. [U.S.]
{Exchange broker}, one who buys and sells uncurrent money,
and deals in exchanges relating to money.
{Insurance broker}, one who is agent in procuring insurance
on vessels, or against fire.
{Pawn broker}. See {Pawnbroker}.
{Real estate broker}, one who buys and sells lands, and
negotiates loans, etc., upon mortgage.
{Ship broker}, one who acts as agent in buying and selling
ships, procuring freight, etc.
{Stock broker}. See {Stockbroker}.
Brokerage \Bro"ker*age\, n.
1. The business or employment of a broker. --Burke.
2. The fee, reward, or commission, given or changed for
transacting business as a broker.
Brokerly \Bro"ker*ly\, a.
Mean; servile. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Brokery \Bro"ker*y\, n.
The business of a broker. [Obs.]
And with extorting, cozening, forfeiting, And tricks
belonging unto brokery. --Marlowe.
Broking \Bro"king\, a.
Of or pertaining to a broker or brokers, or to brokerage.
[Obs.]
Redeem from broking pawn the blemished crown. --Shak.
Broma \Bro"ma\ (br[=o]"m[.a]), n. [NL., fr. Gr. brw^ma food,
bibrw`skein to eat.]
1. (Med.) Aliment; food. --Dunglison.
2. A light form of prepared cocoa (or cacao), or the drink
made from it.
Bromal \Bro"mal\ (br[=o]"mal), n. [Bromine + aldehyde.] (Chem.)
An oily, colorless fluid, {CBr3.COH}, related to bromoform,
as chloral is to chloroform, and obtained by the action of
bromine on alcohol.
Bromate \Bro"mate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of bromic acid.
Bromate \Bro"mate\, v. t. (Med.)
To combine or impregnate with bromine; as, bromated camphor.
Bromatologist \Bro`ma*tol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in the science of foods.
Bromatology \Bro`ma*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, food + -logy.]
The science of aliments. --Dunglison.
Brome \Brome\, n. [F.] (Chem.)
See {Bromine}.
Brome grass \Brome" grass`\ [L. bromos a kind of oats, Gr. ?.]
(Bot.)
A genus (Bromus) of grasses, one species of which is the
chess or cheat.
Bromeliaceous \Bro*me`li*a"ceous\, a. [Named after Olaf Bromel,
a Swedish botanist.] (Bot.)
Pertaining to, or resembling, a family of endogenous and
mostly epiphytic or saxicolous plants of which the genera
{Tillandsia} and {Billbergia} are examples. The pineapple,
though terrestrial, is also of this family.
Bromic \Bro"mic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, bromine; -- said of those
compounds of bromine in which this element has a valence of
five, or the next to its highest; as, bromic acid.
Bromide \Bro"mide\, n. (Chem.)
A compound of bromine with a positive radical.
Brominate \Bro"mi*nate\, v. t.
See {Bromate}, v. t.
Bromine \Bro"mine\, n. [Gr. ? bad smell, stink. Cf. {Brome}.]
(Chem.)
One of the elements, related in its chemical qualities to
chlorine and iodine. Atomic weight 79.8. Symbol Br. It is a
deep reddish brown liquid of a very disagreeable odor,
emitting a brownish vapor at the ordinary temperature. In
combination it is found in minute quantities in sea water,
and in many saline springs. It occurs also in the mineral
bromyrite.
Bromism \Bro"mism\, n. (Med.)
A diseased condition produced by the excessive use of bromine
or one of its compounds. It is characterized by mental
dullness and muscular weakness.
Bromize \Bro"mize\, v. t. (Photog.)
To prepare or treat with bromine; as, to bromize a silvered
plate.
Bromlife \Brom"life\, n. [From Bromley Hill, near Alston,
Cumberland, England.] (Min.)
A carbonate of baryta and lime, intermediate between
witherite and strontianite; -- called also {alstonite}.
Bromoform \Bro"mo*form\, n. [Bromine + formyl.] (Chem.)
A colorless liquid, {CHBr3}, having an agreeable odor and
sweetish taste. It is produced by the simultaneous action of
bromine and caustic potash upon wood spirit, alcohol, or
acetone, as also by certain other reactions. In composition
it is the same as chloroform, with the substitution of
bromine for chlorine. It is somewhat similar to chloroform in
its effects. --Watts.
Brompicrin \Brom*pi"crin\, n. [G. brompikrin; brom bromine +
pikrins["a]ure picric acid.] (Chem.)
A pungent colorless explosive liquid, {CNO2Br3}, analogous to
and resembling chlorpicrin. [Spelt also {brompikrin}.]
Bromuret \Brom"u*ret\, n.
See {Bromide}. [Obs.]
Bromyrite \Brom"y*rite\, n. [Bromine + Gr. ? silver.] (Min.)
Silver bromide, a rare mineral; -- called also
{bromargyrite}.
Bronchi \Bron"chi\, n. pl. (Anat.)
See {Bronchus}.
Bronchia \Bron"chi*a\, n. pl. [L., pl. Cf. {Bronchus}.] (Anat.)
The bronchial tubes which arise from the branching of the
trachea, esp. the subdivision of the bronchi. --Dunglison.
Bronchial \Bron"chi*al\, a. [Cf. F. bronchial. See {Bronchia}.]
(Anat.)
Belonging to the bronchi and their ramifications in the
lungs.
{Bronchial arteries}, branches of the descending aorta,
accompanying the bronchia in all their ramifications.
{Bronchial cells}, the air cells terminating the bronchia.
{Bronchial glands}, glands whose functions are unknown,
seated along the bronchia.
{Bronchial membrane}, the mucous membrane lining the
bronchia.
{Bronchial tube}, the bronchi, or the bronchia.
Bronchic \Bron"chic\, a. (Anat.)
Bronchial.
Bronchiole \Bron"chi*ole\, n. (Anat.)
A minute bronchial tube.
Bronchitic \Bron*chit"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to bronchitis; as, bronchitic inflammation.
Bronchitis \Bron*chi"tis\, n. [Bronchus + -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation, acute or chronic, of the bronchial tubes or any
part of them.
Broncho \Bron"cho\, n. [Sp. bronco rough, wild.]
A native or a Mexican horse of small size. [Western U.S.]
Bronchocele \Bron"cho*cele\, n. [Gr. ?; ? windpipe + ? tumor.]
(Med.)
See {Goiter}.
Bronchophony \Bron*choph"o*ny\, n. [Gr. ? windpipe + ? sound.]
A modification of the voice sounds, by which they are
intensified and heightened in pitch; -- observed in
auscultation of the chest in certain cases of intro-thoracic
disease.
Broncho-pneumonia \Bron`cho-pneu*mo"ni*a\, n. [Bronchus +
pneumonia.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the bronchi and lungs; catarrhal pneumonia.
Bronchotome \Bron"cho*tome\, n. [Gr. ? windpipe + ? to cut.]
(Surg.)
An instrument for cutting into the bronchial tubes.
Bronchotomy \Bron*chot"o*my\, n. (Surg.)
An incision into the windpipe or larynx, including the
operations of tracheotomy and laryngotomy.
Bronchus \Bron"chus\, n.; pl. {Bronchi}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
windpipe. Cf. {Bronchia}.] (Anat.)
One of the subdivisions of the trachea or windpipe; esp. one
of the two primary divisions.
Bronco \Bron"co\, n.
Same as {Broncho}.
Brond \Brond\, n. [See {Brand}.]
A sword. [Obs.]
Brontolite \Bron"to*lite\, Brontolith \Bron"to*lith\, n. [Gr. ?
+ -lite, -lith.]
An a["e]rolite. [R.]
Brontology \Bron*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? thunder + -logy.]
A treatise upon thunder.
Brontosaurus \Bron`to*sau"rus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? thunder + ?
lizard.] (Paleon.)
A genus of American jurassic dinosaurs. A length of sixty
feet is believed to have been attained by these reptiles.
Brontotherium \Bron`to*the"ri*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? thunder +
? beast.] (Paleon.)
A genus of large extinct mammals from the miocene strata of
western North America. They were allied to the rhinoceros,
but the skull bears a pair of powerful horn cores in front of
the orbits, and the fore feet were four-toed. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Brontozoum \Bron`to*zo"um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? thunder + ?
animal.] (Paleon.)
An extinct animal of large size, known from its three-toed
footprints in Mesozoic sandstone.
Note: The tracks made by these reptiles are found eighteen
inches in length, and were formerly referred to
gigantic birds; but the discovery of large bipedal
three-toed dinosaurs has suggested that they were made
by those reptiles.
Bronze \Bronze\, n. [F. bronze, fr. It. bronzo brown, fr. OHG.
br?n, G. braun. See {Brown}, a.]
1. An alloy of copper and tin, to which small proportions of
other metals, especially zinc, are sometimes added. It is
hard and sonorous, and is used for statues, bells, cannon,
etc., the proportions of the ingredients being varied to
suit the particular purposes. The varieties containing the
higher proportions of tin are brittle, as in bell metal
and speculum metal.
2. A statue, bust, etc., cast in bronze.
A print, a bronze, a flower, a root. --Prior.
3. A yellowish or reddish brown, the color of bronze; also, a
pigment or powder for imitating bronze.
4. Boldness; impudence; ``brass.''
Imbrowned with native bronze, lo! Henley stands.
--Pope.
{Aluminium bronze}. See under {Aluminium}.
{Bronze age}, an age of the world which followed the stone
age, and was characterized by the use of implements and
ornaments of copper or bronze.
{Bronze powder}, a metallic powder, used with size or in
combination with painting, to give the appearance of
bronze, gold, or other metal, to any surface.
{Phosphor bronze} & {Silicious} or {Silicium bronze} are made
by adding phosphorus and silicon respectively to ordinary
bronze, and are characterized by great tenacity.
Bronze \Bronze\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bronzed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bronzing}.] [Cf. F. bronzer. See {Bronze}, n.]
1. To give an appearance of bronze to, by a coating of bronze
powder, or by other means; to make of the color of bronze;
as, to bronze plaster casts; to bronze coins or medals.
The tall bronzed black-eyed stranger. --W. Black.
2. To make hard or unfeeling; to brazen.
The lawer who bronzes his bosom instead of his
forehead. --Sir W.
Scott.
{Bronzed skin disease}. (Pathol.) See {Addison's disease}.
Bronzewing \Bronze"wing`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An Australian pigeon of the genus {Phaps}, of several
species; -- so called from its bronze plumage.
Bronzine \Bronz"ine\, n.
A metal so prepared as to have the appearance of bronze. --
a. Made of bronzine; resembling bronze; bronzelike.
Bronzing \Bronz"ing\, n.
1. The act or art of communicating to articles in metal,
wood, clay, plaster, etc., the appearance of bronze by
means of bronze powders, or imitative painting, or by
chemical processes. --Tomlinson.
2. A material for bronzing.
Bronzist \Bronz"ist\, n.
One who makes, imitates, collects, or deals in, bronzes.
Bronzite \Bronz"ite\, n. [Cf. F. bronzite.] (Min.)
A variety of enstatite, often having a bronzelike luster. It
is a silicate of magnesia and iron, of the pyroxene family.
Bronzy \Bronz"y\, a.
Like bronze.
Brooch \Brooch\ (br[=o]ch; 277), n. [See {Broach}, n.]
1. An ornament, in various forms, with a tongue, pin, or loop
for attaching it to a garment; now worn at the breast by
women; a breastpin. Formerly worn by men on the hat.
Honor 's a good brooch to wear in a man's hat. --B.
Jonson.
2. (Paint.) A painting all of one color, as a sepia painting,
or an India painting.
Brooch \Brooch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brooched} (br[=o]cht).]
To adorn as with a brooch. [R.]
Brood \Brood\ (br[=oo]d), n. [OE. brod, AS. br[=o]d; akin to D.
broed, OHG. bruot, G. brut, and also to G. br["u]he broth,
MHG. br["u]eje, and perh. to E. brawn, breath. Cf. {Breed},
v. t.]
1. The young birds hatched at one time; a hatch; as, a brood
of chickens.
As a hen doth gather her brood under her wings.
--Luke xiii.
34.
A hen followed by a brood of ducks. --Spectator.
2. The young from the same dam, whether produced at the same
time or not; young children of the same mother, especially
if nearly of the same age; offspring; progeny; as, a woman
with a brood of children.
The lion roars and gluts his tawny brood.
--Wordsworth.
3. That which is bred or produced; breed; species.
Flocks of the airy brood, (Cranes, geese or
long-necked swans). --Chapman.
4. (Mining) Heavy waste in tin and copper ores.
{To sit on brood}, to ponder. [Poetic] --Shak.
Brood \Brood\, a.
1. Sitting or inclined to sit on eggs.
2. Kept for breeding from; as, a brood mare; brood stock;
having young; as, a brood sow.
Brood \Brood\ (br[=o]ch), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Brooded}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Brooding}.]
1. To sit on and cover eggs, as a fowl, for the purpose of
warming them and hatching the young; or to sit over and
cover young, as a hen her chickens, in order to warm and
protect them; hence, to sit quietly, as if brooding.
Birds of calm sir brooding on the charmed wave.
--Milton.
2. To have the mind dwell continuously or moodily on a
subject; to think long and anxiously; to be in a state of
gloomy, serious thought; -- usually followed by over or
on; as, to brood over misfortunes.
Brooding on unprofitable gold. --Dryden.
Brooding over all these matters, the mother felt
like one who has evoked a spirit. --Hawthorne.
When with downcast eyes we muse and brood.
--Tennyson.
Brood \Brood\ (br[=oo]d), v. t.
1. To sit over, cover, and cherish; as, a hen broods her
chickens.
2. To cherish with care. [R.]
3. To think anxiously or moodily upon.
You'll sit and brood your sorrows on a throne.
--Dryden.
Broody \Brood"y\, a.
Inclined to brood. --Ray.
Brook \Brook\, n. [OE. brok, broke, brook, AS. br[=o]c; akin to
D. broek, LG. br[=o]k, marshy ground, OHG. pruoh, G. bruch
marsh; prob. fr. the root of E. break, so as that it
signifies water breaking through the earth, a spring or
brook, as well as a marsh. See {Break}, v. t.]
A natural stream of water smaller than a river or creek.
The Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land
of brooks of water. --Deut. viii.
7.
Empires itself, as doth an inland brook Into the main
of waters. --Shak.
Brook \Brook\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brooked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Brooking}.] [OE. broken, bruken, to use, enjoy, digest, AS.
br?can; akin to D. gebruiken to use, OHG. pr?hhan, G.
brauchen, gebrauchen, Icel. br?ka, Goth. br?kjan, and L.
frui, to enjoy. Cf. {Fruit}, {Broker}.]
1. To use; to enjoy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To bear; to endure; to put up with; to tolerate; as, young
men can not brook restraint. --Spenser.
Shall we, who could not brook one lord, Crouch to
the wicked ten? --Macaulay.
3. To deserve; to earn. [Obs.] --Sir J. Hawkins.
Brookite \Brook"ite\, n. [Named from the English mineralogist,
H. J. Brooke.] (Min.)
A mineral consisting of titanic oxide, and hence identical
with rutile and octahedrite in composition, but crystallizing
in the orthorhombic system.
Brooklet \Brook"let\, n.
A small brook.
Brooklime \Brook"lime`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant ({Veronica Beccabunga}), with flowers, usually blue,
in axillary racemes. The American species is {V. Americana}.
[Formerly written {broklempe} or {broklympe}.]
Brook mint \Brook" mint`\ (Bot.)
See {Water mint}.
Brookside \Brook"side`\, n.
The bank of a brook.
Brookweed \Brook"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A small white-flowered herb ({Samolus Valerandi}) found
usually in wet places; water pimpernel.
Broom \Broom\, n. [OE. brom, brome, AS. br[=o]m; akin to LG.
bram, D. brem, OHG. br[=a]mo broom, thorn?bush, G. brombeere
blackberry. Cf. {Bramble}, n.]
1. (Bot.) A plant having twigs suitable for making brooms to
sweep with when bound together; esp., the {Cytisus
scoparius} of Western Europe, which is a low shrub with
long, straight, green, angular branches, minute leaves,
and large yellow flowers.
No gypsy cowered o'er fires of furze and broom.
--Wordsworth.
2. An implement for sweeping floors, etc., commonly made of
the panicles or tops of broom corn, bound together or
attached to a long wooden handle; -- so called because
originally made of the twigs of the broom.
{Butcher's broom}, a plant ({Ruscus aculeatus}) of the Smilax
family, used by butchers for brooms to sweep their blocks;
-- called also {knee holly}. See {Cladophyll}.
{Dyer's broom}, a species of mignonette ({Reseda luteola}),
used for dyeing yellow; dyer's weed; dyer's rocket.
{Spanish broom}. See under {Spanish}.
Broom \Broom\, v. t. (Naut.)
See {Bream}.
Broom corn \Broom" corn`\ (Bot.)
A variety of {Sorghum vulgare}, having a joined stem, like
maize, rising to the height of eight or ten feet, and bearing
its seeds on a panicle with long branches, of which brooms
are made.
Broom rape \Broom" rape`\ (Bot.)
A genus ({Orobanche}) of parasitic plants of Europe and Asia.
They are destitute of chlorophyll, have scales instead of
leaves, and spiked flowers, and grow attached to the roots of
other plants, as furze, clover, flax, wild carrot, etc. The
name is sometimes applied to other plants related to this
genus, as {Aphyllon uniflorum}and {A. Ludovicianum}.
Broomstaff \Broom"staff`\, n.
A broomstick. [Obs.] --Shak.
Broomstick \Broom"stick`\, n.
A stick used as a handle of a broom.
Broomy \Broom"y\, a.
Of or pertaining to broom; overgrowing with broom; resembling
broom or a broom.
If land grow mossy or broomy. --Mortimer.
Brose \Brose\, n. [CF. Gael. brothas. Cf. {Brewis}, {Broth}.]
Pottage made by pouring some boiling liquid on meal (esp.
oatmeal), and stirring it. It is called beef brose, water
brose, etc., according to the name of the liquid (beef broth,
hot water, etc.) used. [Scot.]
Brotel \Brot"el\, a.
Brittle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Brotelness \Brot"el*ness\, n.
Brittleness. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Broth \Broth\, n. [AS. bro?; akin to OHG. brod, brot; cf. Ir.
broth, Gael. brot. [root]93. Cf. {Brewis}, {Brew}.]
Liquid in which flesh (and sometimes other substances, as
barley or rice) has been boiled; thin or simple soup.
I am sure by your unprejudiced discourses that you love
broth better than soup. --Addison.
Brothel \Broth"el\, n. [OE. brothel, brodel, brethel, a
prostitute, a worthless fellow, fr. AS. ber['o]?an to ruin,
destroy; cf. AS. bre['o]tan to break, and E. brittle. The
term brothel house was confused with bordel brothel. CF.
{Bordel}.]
A house of lewdness or ill fame; a house frequented by
prostitutes; a bawdyhouse.
Brotheler \Broth"el*er\, n.
One who frequents brothels.
Brothelry \Broth"el*ry\, n.
Lewdness; obscenity; a brothel. --B. Jonson.
Brother \Broth"er\ (br[u^][th]"[~e]r), n.; pl. {Brothers}
(br[u^][th]"[~e]rz) or {Brethren} (br[e^][th]"r[e^]n). See
{Brethren}. [OE. brother, AS. br[=o][eth]or; akin to OS.
brothar, D. broeder, OHG. pruodar, G. bruder, Icel.
br[=o][eth]ir, Sw. & Dan. broder, Goth. br[=o][thorn]ar, Ir.
brathair, W. brawd, pl. brodyr, Lith. brolis, Lett. brahlis,
Russ. brat', Pol. & Serv. brat, OSlav. bratr[u^], L. frater,
Skr. bhr[=a]t[.r], Zend bratar brother, Gr. fra`thr, fra`twr,
a clansman. The common plural is {Brothers}; in the solemn
style, {Brethren}, OE. pl. brether, bretheren, AS. dat. sing.
br[=e][eth]er, nom. pl. br[=o][eth]or, br[=o][eth]ru.
[root]258. Cf. {Friar}, {Fraternal}.]
1. A male person who has the same father and mother with
another person, or who has one of them only. In the latter
case he is more definitely called a half brother, or
brother of the half blood.
Two of us in the churchyard lie, My sister and my
brother. --Wordsworth.
2. One related or closely united to another by some common
tie or interest, as of rank, profession, membership in a
society, toil, suffering, etc.; -- used among judges,
clergymen, monks, physicians, lawyers, professors of
religion, etc. ``A brother of your order.'' --Shak.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he
to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my
brother. --Shak.
3. One who, or that which, resembles another in distinctive
qualities or traits of character.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to
him that is a great waster. --Prov. xviii.
9.
That April morn Of this the very brother.
--Wordsworth.
Note: In Scripture, the term brother is applied to a kinsman
by blood more remote than a son of the same parents, as
in the case of Abraham and Lot, Jacob and Laban. In a
more general sense, brother or brethren is used for
fellow-man or fellow-men.
For of whom such massacre Make they but of their
brethren, men of men? --Milton.
{Brother Jonathan}, a humorous designation for the people of
the United States collectively. The phrase is said to have
originated from Washington's referring to the patriotic
Jonathan Trumbull, governor of Connecticut, as ``Brother
Jonathan.''
{Blood brother}. See under {Blood}.
Brother \Broth"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brothered}.]
To make a brother of; to call or treat as a brother; to admit
to a brotherhood. --Sir W. Scott.
Brother german \Broth"er ger"man\ (Law)
A brother by both the father's and mother's side, in
contradistinction to a {uterine brother}, one by the mother
only. --Bouvier.
Brotherhood \Broth"er*hood\, n. [Brother + -hood.]
1. The state of being brothers or a brother.
2. An association for any purpose, as a society of monks; a
fraternity.
3. The whole body of persons engaged in the same business, --
especially those of the same profession; as, the legal or
medical brotherhood.
4. Persons, and, poetically, things, of a like kind.
A brotherhood of venerable trees. --Wordsworth.
Syn: Fraternity; association; fellowship; sodality.
Brother-in-law \Broth"er-in-law`\, n.; pl. {Brothers-in-law}.
The brother of one's husband or wife; also, the husband of
one's sister; sometimes, the husband of one's wife's sister.
Brotherliness \Broth"er*li*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being brotherly.
Brotherly \Broth"er*ly\, a.
Of or pertaining to brothers; such as is natural for
brothers; becoming to brothers; kind; affectionate; as,
brotherly love.
Syn: Fraternal; kind; affectionate; tender.
Brotherly \Broth"er*ly\, adv.
Like a brother; affectionately; kindly. ``I speak but
brotherly of him.'' --Shak.
Brouded \Broud"ed\, p.a.
Braided; broidered. [Obs.]
Alle his clothes brouded up and down. --Chaucer.
Brougham \Brough"am\, n.
A light, close carriage, with seats inside for two or four,
and the fore wheels so arranged as to turn short.
Brow \Brow\, n. [OE. browe, bruwe, AS. br?; akin to AS. br?w,
bre['a]w, eyelid, OFries. br[=e], D. braauw, Icel. br[=a],
br?n, OHG. pr[=a]wa, G. braue, OSlav. br?v?, Russ. brove, Ir.
brai, Ir. & Gael. abhra, Armor. abrant, Gr. ?, Skr. bhr?. Cf.
{Bray} a bank, {Bridge}.]
1. The prominent ridge over the eye, with the hair that
covers it, forming an arch above the orbit.
And his arched brow, pulled o'er his eyes, With
solemn proof proclaims him wise. --Churchill.
2. The hair that covers the brow (ridge over the eyes); the
eyebrow.
'T is not your inky brows, your brack silk hair.
--Shak.
3. The forehead; as, a feverish brow.
Beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow. --Shak.
4. The general air of the countenance.
To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow. --Milton.
He told them with a masterly brow. --Milton.
5. The edge or projecting upper part of a steep place; as,
the brow of a precipice; the brow of a hill.
{To bend the brow}, {To knit the brows}, to frown; to scowl.
Brow \Brow\, v. t.
To bound to limit; to be at, or form, the edge of. [R.]
Tending my flocks hard by i' the hilly crofts That brow
this bottom glade. --Milton.
Browbeat \Brow"beat`\, v. t. [imp. {Browbeat}; p. p.
{Browbeaten}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Browbeating}.]
To depress or bear down with haughty, stern looks, or with
arrogant speech and dogmatic assertions; to abash or
disconcert by impudent or abusive words or looks; to bully;
as, to browbeat witnesses.
My grandfather was not a man to be browbeaten. --W.
Irving.
Browbeating \Brow"beat`ing\, n.
The act of bearing down, abashing, or disconcerting, with
stern looks, supercilious manners, or confident assertions.
The imperious browbeatings and scorn of great men.
--L'Estrange.
Browbound \Brow"bound`\ (-bound`), a.
Crowned; having the head encircled as with a diadem. --Shak.
Browdyng \Browd"yng\ (broud"[i^]ng/), n.
Embroidery. [Obs.]
Of goldsmithrye, of browdyng, and of steel. --Chaucer.
Browed \Browed\, a.
Having (such) a brow; -- used in composition; as,
dark-browed, stern-browed.
Browless \Brow"less\, a.
Without shame. --L. Addison.
Brown \Brown\, a. [Compar. {Browner}; superl. {Brownest}.] [OE.
brun, broun, AS. br?n; akin to D. bruin, OHG. br?n, Icel.
br?nn, Sw. brun, Dan. bruun, G. braun, Lith. brunas, Skr.
babhru. [root]93, 253. Cf. {Bruin}, {Beaver}, {Burnish},
{Brunette}.]
Of a dark color, of various shades between black and red or
yellow.
Cheeks brown as the oak leaves. --Longfellow.
{Brown Bess}, the old regulation flintlock smoothbore musket,
with bronzed barrel, formerly used in the British army.
{Brown bread}
(a) Dark colored bread; esp. a kind made of unbolted wheat
flour, sometimes called in the United States Graham
bread. ``He would mouth with a beggar though she smelt
brown bread and garlic.'' --Shak.
(b) Dark colored bread made of rye meal and Indian meal, or
of wheat and rye or Indian; rye and Indian bread. [U.S.]
{Brown coal}, wood coal. See {Lignite}.
{Brown hematite} or {Brown iron ore} (Min.), the hydrous iron
oxide, limonite, which has a brown streak. See {Limonite}.
{Brown holland}. See under {Holland}.
{Brown paper}, dark colored paper, esp. coarse wrapping
paper, made of unbleached materials.
{Brown spar} (Min.), a ferruginous variety of dolomite, in
part identical with ankerite.
{Brown stone}. See {Brownstone}.
{Brown stout}, a strong kind of porter or malt liquor.
{Brown study}, a state of mental abstraction or serious
reverie. --W. Irving.
Brown \Brown\, n.
A dark color inclining to red or yellow, resulting from the
mixture of red and black, or of red, black, and yellow; a
tawny, dusky hue.
Brown \Brown\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Browned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Browning}.]
1. To make brown or dusky.
A trembling twilight o'er welkin moves, Browns the
dim void and darkens deep the groves. --Barlow.
2. To make brown by scorching slightly; as, to brown meat or
flour.
3. To give a bright brown color to, as to gun barrels, by
forming a thin coat of oxide on their surface. --Ure.
Brown \Brown\, v. i.
To become brown.
Brownback \Brown"back`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The dowitcher or red-breasted snipe. See {Dowitcher}.
Brown bill \Brown" bill`\ [Brown + bill cutting tool.]
A bill or halberd of the 16th and 17th centuries. See 4th
{Bill}.
Many time, but for a sallet, my brainpan had been cleft
with a brown bill. --Shak.
Note: The black, or as it is sometimes called, the brown
bill, was a kind of halberd, the cutting part hooked
like a woodman's bill, from the back of which projected
a spike, and another from the head. --Grose.
Brownian \Brown"i*an\, a.
Pertaining to Dr. Robert Brown, who first demonstrated (about
1827) the commonness of the motion described below.
{Brownian movement}, the peculiar, rapid, vibratory movement
exhibited by the microscopic particles of substances when
suspended in water or other fluids.
Brownie \Brown"ie\, n. [So called from its supposed tawny or
swarthy color.]
An imaginary good-natured spirit, who was supposed often to
perform important services around the house by night, such as
thrashing, churning, sweeping. [Scot.]
Browning \Brown"ing\, n.
1. The act or operation of giving a brown color, as to gun
barrels, etc.
2. (Masonry) A smooth coat of brown mortar, usually the
second coat, and the preparation for the finishing coat of
plaster.
Brownish \Brown"ish\, a.
Somewhat brown.
Brownism \Brown"ism\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
The views or teachings of Robert Brown of the Brownists.
--Milton.
Brownism \Brown"ism\, n. (Med.)
The doctrines of the Brunonian system of medicine. See
{Brunonian}.
Brownist \Brown"ist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Robert Brown, of England, in the 16th century,
who taught that every church is complete and independent in
itself when organized, and consists of members meeting in one
place, having full power to elect and depose its officers.
Brownist \Brown"ist\, n. (Med.)
One who advocates the Brunonian system of medicine.
Brownness \Brown"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being brown.
Now like I brown (O lovely brown thy hair); Only in
brownness beauty dwelleth there. --Drayton.
Brownstone \Brown"stone`\, n.
A dark variety of sandstone, much used for building purposes.
Brown thrush \Brown" thrush"\ (Zo["o]l.)
A common American singing bird ({Harporhynchus rufus}),
allied to the mocking bird; -- also called brown thrasher.
Brownwort \Brown"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A species of figwort or {Scrophularia} ({S. vernalis}), and
other species of the same genus, mostly perennials with
inconspicuous coarse flowers.
Browny \Brown"y\, a.
Brown or, somewhat brown. ``Browny locks.'' --Shak.
Browpost \Brow"post`\, n. (Carp.)
A beam that goes across a building.
Browse \Browse\ (brouz), n. [OF. brost, broust, sprout, shoot,
F. brout browse, browsewood, prob. fr. OHG. burst, G. borste,
bristle; cf. also Armor. brousta to browse. See {Bristle},
n., {Brush}, n.]
The tender branches or twigs of trees and shrubs, fit for the
food of cattle and other animals; green food. --Spenser.
Sheep, goats, and oxen, and the nobler steed, On
browse, and corn, and flowery meadows feed. --Dryden.
Browse \Browse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Browsed} (brouzd); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Browsing}.] [For broust, OF. brouster, bruster, F.
brouter. See {Browse}, n., and cf. {Brut}.]
1. To eat or nibble off, as the tender branches of trees,
shrubs, etc.; -- said of cattle, sheep, deer, and some
other animals.
Yes, like the stag, when snow the plasture sheets,
The barks of trees thou browsedst. --Shak.
2. To feed on, as pasture; to pasture on; to graze.
Fields . . . browsed by deep-uddered kine.
--Tennyson.
Browse \Browse\ (brouz), v. i.
1. To feed on the tender branches or shoots of shrubs or
trees, as do cattle, sheep, and deer.
2. To pasture; to feed; to nibble. --Shak.
Browser \Brows"er\ (brouz"[~e]r), n.
An animal that browses.
Browsewood \Browse"wood`\, n.
Shrubs and bushes upon which animals browse.
Browsing \Brows"ing\, n.
Browse; also, a place abounding with shrubs where animals may
browse.
Browsings for the deer. --Howell.
Browspot \Brow"spot`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A rounded organ between the eyes of the frog; the interocular
gland.
Bruang \Bru*ang"\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Malayan sun bear.
Brucine \Bru"cine\, n. [Cf. F. brucine, fr. James Bruce, a
Scottish traveler.] (Chem.)
A powerful vegetable alkaloid, found, associated with
strychnine, in the seeds of different species of {Strychnos},
especially in the {Nux vomica}. It is less powerful than
strychnine. Called also {brucia} and {brucina}.
Brucite \Bru"cite\, n. [Named after Dr. A. Bruce of New York.]
(Min.)
(a) A white, pearly mineral, occurring thin and foliated,
like talc, and also fibrous; a native magnesium hydrate.
(b) The mineral chondrodite. [R.]
Bruckeled \Bruck"eled\, a.
Wet and dirty; begrimed. [Obs. or Dial.] --Herrick.
Bruh \Bruh\, n. (Zo["o]l.) [Native name.]
The rhesus monkey. See {Rhesus}.
Bruin \Bru"in\, n. [D. bruin brown. In the epic poem of
``Reynard the Fox'' the bear is so called from his color. See
{Brown}, a.]
A bear; -- so called in popular tales and fables.
Bruise \Bruise\ (br[udd]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bruised}
(br[udd]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Bruising}.] [OE. brusen,
brisen, brosen, bresen, AS. br[=y]san or fr. OF. bruiser,
bruisier, bruser, to break, shiver, perh. from OHG.
brochis[=o]n. Cf. {Break}, v. t.]
1. To injure, as by a blow or collision, without laceration;
to contuse; as, to bruise one's finger with a hammer; to
bruise the bark of a tree with a stone; to bruise an apple
by letting it fall.
2. To break; as in a mortar; to bray, as minerals, roots,
etc.; to crush.
Nor bruise her flowerets with the armed hoofs.
--Shak.
Syn: To pulverize; bray; triturate; pound; contuse.
Bruise \Bruise\, v. i.
To fight with the fists; to box.
Bruising was considered a fine, manly, old English
custom. --Thackeray.
Bruise \Bruise\, n.
An injury to the flesh of animals, or to plants, fruit, etc.,
with a blunt or heavy instrument, or by collision with some
other body; a contusion; as, a bruise on the head; bruises on
fruit.
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is
no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises. --Isa. i.
6.
Bruiser \Bruis"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, bruises.
2. A boxer; a pugilist. --R. Browning.
Like a new bruiser on Broughtonic sand, Amid the
lists our hero takes his stand. --T. Warton.
3. A concave tool used in grinding lenses or the speculums of
telescopes. --Knight.
Bruisewort \Bruise"wort`\, n.
A plant supposed to heal bruises, as the true daisy, the
soapwort, and the comfrey.
Bruit \Bruit\, n. [OE. bruit, brut, noise, bruit, F. bruit, fr.
LL. brugitus; cf. L. rugire to roar; perh. influenced by the
source of E. bray to make a harsh noise, Armor. brud bruit.]
1. Report; rumor; fame.
The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.
--Shak.
2. [French pron. ?.] (Med.) An abnormal sound of several
kinds, heard on auscultation.
Bruit \Bruit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bruited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bruiting}.]
To report; to noise abroad.
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited. --Shak.
Brumaire \Bru`maire"\, n. [F., fr. L. bruma winter.]
The second month of the calendar adopted by the first French
republic. It began thirty days after the autumnal equinox.
See {Vendemiaire}.
Brumal \Bru"mal\, a. [L. brumalis, fr. bruma winter: cf. F.
brumal.]
Of or pertaining to winter. ``The brumal solstice.'' --Sir T.
Browne.
Brume \Brume\, n. [F. brume winter season, mist, L. bruma
winter.]
Mist; fog; vapors. ``The drifting brume.'' --Longfellow.
Brummagem \Brum"ma*gem\, a. [Birmingham (formerly Bromwycham),
Eng., ``the great mart and manufactory of gilt toys, cheap
jewelry,'' etc.]
Counterfeit; gaudy but worthless; sham. [Slang] ``These
Brummagem gentry.'' --Lady D. Hardy.
Brumous \Bru"mous\, a.
Foggy; misty.
Brun \Brun\, n. [See {Broun} a brook.]
Same as {Brun}, a brook. [Scot.]
Brunette \Bru*nette"\, n. [F. brunet, brunette, brownish, dim.
of brun, brune, brown, fr. OHG. br?n. See {Brown}, a.]
A girl or woman with a somewhat brown or dark complexion. --
a. Having a dark tint.
Brunion \Brun"ion\, n. [F. brugnon (cf. It. brugna, prugna), fr.
L. prunum. See {Prune}, n.]
A nectarine.
Brunonian \Bru*no"ni*an\, a.
Pertaining to, or invented by, Brown; -- a term applied to a
system of medicine promulgated in the 18th century by John
Brown, of Scotland, the fundamental doctrine of which was,
that life is a state of excitation produced by the normal
action of external agents upon the body, and that disease
consists in excess or deficiency of excitation.
Brunswick black \Bruns"wick black`\
See {Japan black}.
Brunswick green \Bruns"wick green`\ [G. Braunschweiger gr["u]n,
first made at Brunswick, in Germany.]
An oxychloride of copper, used as a green pigment; also, a
carbonate of copper similarly employed.
Brunt \Brunt\ (br[u^]nt), n. [OE. brunt, bront, fr. Icel. bruna
to rush; cf. Icel. brenna to burn. Cf. {Burn}, v. t.]
1. The heat, or utmost violence, of an onset; the strength or
greatest fury of any contention; as, the brunt of a
battle.
2. The force of a blow; shock; collision. ``And heavy brunt
of cannon ball.'' --Hudibras.
It is instantly and irrecoverably scattered by our
first brunt with some real affair of common life.
--I. Taylor.
Brush \Brush\, n. [OE. brusche, OF. broche, broce, brosse,
brushwood, F. brosse brush, LL. brustia, bruscia, fr. OHG.
brusta, brust, bristle, G. borste bristle, b["u]rste brush.
See {Bristle}, n., and cf. {Browse}.]
1. An instrument composed of bristles, or other like
material, set in a suitable back or handle, as of wood,
bone, or ivory, and used for various purposes, as in
removing dust from clothes, laying on colors, etc. Brushes
have different shapes and names according to their use;
as, clothes brush, paint brush, tooth brush, etc.
2. The bushy tail of a fox.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A tuft of hair on the mandibles.
4. Branches of trees lopped off; brushwood.
5. A thicket of shrubs or small trees; the shrubs and small
trees in a wood; underbrush.
6. (Elec.) A bundle of flexible wires or thin plates of
metal, used to conduct an electrical current to or from
the commutator of a dynamo, electric motor, or similar
apparatus.
7. The act of brushing; as, to give one's clothes a brush; a
rubbing or grazing with a quick motion; a light touch; as,
we got a brush from the wheel as it passed.
[As leaves] have with one winter's brush Fell from
their boughts. --Shak.
8. A skirmish; a slight encounter; a shock or collision; as,
to have a brush with an enemy.
Let grow thy sinews till their knots be strong, And
tempt not yet the brushes of the war. --Shak.
9. A short contest, or trial, of speed.
Let us enjoy a brush across the country. --Cornhill
Mag.
{Electrical brush}, a form of the electric discharge
characterized by a brushlike appearance of luminous rays
diverging from an electrified body.
Brush \Brush\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brushed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Brushing}.] [OE. bruschen; cf. F. brosser. See {Brush}, n.]
1. To apply a brush to, according to its particular use; to
rub, smooth, clean, paint, etc., with a brush. ``A'
brushes his hat o' mornings.'' --Shak.
2. To touch in passing, or to pass lightly over, as with a
brush.
Some spread their sailes, some with strong oars
sweep The waters smooth, and brush the buxom wave.
--Fairfax.
Brushed with the kiss of rustling wings. --Milton.
3. To remove or gather by brushing, or by an act like that of
brushing, or by passing lightly over, as wind; -- commonly
with off.
As wicked dew as e'er my mother brushed With raven's
feather from unwholesome fen. --Shak.
And from the boughts brush off the evil dew.
--Milton.
{To brush aside}, to remove from one's way, as with a brush.
{To brush away}, to remove, as with a brush or brushing
motion.
{To brush up}, to paint, or make clean or bright with a
brush; to cleanse or improve; to renew.
You have commissioned me to paint your shop, and I
have done my best to brush you up like your
neighbors. --Pope.
Brush \Brush\, v. i.
To move nimbly in haste; to move so lightly as scarcely to be
perceived; as, to brush by.
Snatching his hat, he brushed off like the wind.
--Goldsmith.
Brusher \Brush"er\, n.
One who, or that which, brushes.
Brushiness \Brush"i*ness\, n.
The quality of resembling a brush; brushlike condition;
shagginess. --Dr. H. More.
Brushing \Brush"ing\, a.
1. Constructed or used to brush with; as a brushing machine.
2. Brisk; light; as, a brushing gallop.
Brushite \Brush"ite\, n. [From George J. Brush, an American
mineralogist.] (Min.)
A white or gray crystalline mineral consisting of the acid
phosphate of calcium.
Brush turkey \Brush" tur`key\ (Zo["o]l.)
A large, edible, gregarious bird of Australia ({Talegalla
Lathami}) of the family {Megapodid[ae]}. Also applied to
several allied species of New Guinea.
Note: The brush turkeys live in the ``brush,'' and construct
a common nest by collecting a large heap of decaying
vegetable matter, which generates heat sufficient to
hatch the numerous eggs (sometimes half a bushel)
deposited in it by the females of the flock.
Brush wheel \Brush" wheel`\
1. A wheel without teeth, used to turn a similar one by the
friction of bristles or something brushlike or soft
attached to the circumference.
2. A circular revolving brush used by turners, lapidaries,
silversmiths, etc., for polishing.
Brushwood \Brush"wood\, n.
1. Brush; a thicket or coppice of small trees and shrubs.
2. Small branches of trees cut off.
Brushy \Brush"y\, a.
Resembling a brush; shaggy; rough.
Brusk \Brusk\, a.
Same as {Brusque}.
Brusque \Brusque\, a. [F. brusque, from It. brusco brusque,
tart, sour, perh. fr. L. (vitis) labrusca wild (vine); or cf.
OHG. bruttisc grim, fr. brutti terror.]
Rough and prompt in manner; blunt; abrupt; bluff; as, a
brusque man; a brusque style.
Brusqueness \Brusque"ness\, n.
Quality of being brusque; roughness joined with promptness;
bluntness. --Brit. Quar.
Brussels \Brus"sels\, n.
A city of Belgium, giving its name to a kind of carpet, a
kind of lace, etc.
{Brussels carpet}, a kind of carpet made of worsted yarn
fixed in a foundation web of strong linen thread. The
worsted, which alone shows on the upper surface in drawn
up in loops to form the pattern.
{Brussels ground}, a name given to the handmade ground of
real Brussels lace. It is very costly because of the
extreme fineness of the threads.
{Brussels lace}, an expensive kind of lace of several
varieties, originally made in Brussels; as, Brussels
point, Brussels ground, Brussels wire ground.
{Brussels net}, an imitation of Brussels ground, made by
machinery.
{Brussels point}. See {Point lace}.
{Brussels sprouts} (Bot.), a plant of the Cabbage family,
which produces, in the axils of the upright stem, numerous
small green heads, or ``sprouts,'' each a cabbage in
miniature, of one or two inches in diameter; the
thousand-headed cabbage.
{Brussels wire ground}, a ground for lace, made of silk, with
meshes partly straight and partly arched.
Brustle \Brus"tle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Brustled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Brustling}.] [OE. brustlien and brastlien, AS. brastlian,
fr. berstan to burst, akin to G. prasseln to crackle. See
{Burst}, v. i.]
1. To crackle; to rustle, as a silk garment. [Obs.] --Gower.
2. To make a show of fierceness or defiance; to bristle.
[Obs.]
{To brustle up}, to bristle up. [Obs.] --Otway.
Brustle \Brus"tle\, n.
A bristle. [Obs. or Prov.] --Chaucer.
Brut \Brut\, v. i. [F. brouter, OF. brouster. See {Browse}, n.]
To browse. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Brut \Brut\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Birt}.
Bruta \Bru"ta\, n. [NL., neuter pl., fr. L. brutus heavy,
stupid.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Edentata}.
Brutal \Bru"tal\, a. [Cf. F. brutal. See {Brute}, a.]
1. Of or pertaining to a brute; as, brutal nature. ``Above
the rest of brutal kind.'' --Milton.
2. Like a brute; savage; cruel; inhuman; brutish; unfeeling;
merciless; gross; as, brutal manners. ``Brutal
intemperance.'' --Macaulay.
Brutalism \Bru"tal*ism\, n.
Brutish quality; brutality.
Brutality \Bru*tal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Brutalities}. [Cf. F.
brutalit['e].]
1. The quality of being brutal; inhumanity; savageness;
pitilessness.
2. An inhuman act.
The . . . brutalities exercised in war. --Brougham.
Brutalization \Bru`tal*i*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of making brutal; state of being
brutalized.
Brutalize \Bru"tal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brutalized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Brutalizing}.] [Cf. F. brutaliser.]
To make brutal; beasty; unfeeling; or inhuman.
Brutalize \Bru"tal*ize\, v. i.
To become brutal, inhuman, barbarous, or coarse and beasty.
[R.]
He mixed . . . with his countrymen, brutalized with
them in their habits and manners. --Addison.
Brutally \Bru"tal*ly\, adv.
In a brutal manner; cruelly.
Brute \Brute\, a. [F. brut, nasc., brute, fem., raw, rough,
rude, brutish, L. brutus stupid, irrational: cf. It. & Sp.
bruto.]
1. Not having sensation; senseless; inanimate; unconscious;
without intelligence or volition; as, the brute earth; the
brute powers of nature.
2. Not possessing reason, irrational; unthinking; as, a brute
beast; the brute creation.
A creature . . . not prone And brute as other
creatures, but endued With sanctity of reason.
--Milton.
3. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, a brute beast.
Hence: Brutal; cruel; fierce; ferocious; savage; pitiless;
as, brute violence. --Macaulay.
The influence of capital and mere brute labor.
--Playfair.
4. Having the physical powers predominating over the mental;
coarse; unpolished; unintelligent.
A great brute farmer from Liddesdale. --Sir W.
Scott.
5. Rough; uncivilized; unfeeling. [R.]
Brute \Brute\, n.
1. An animal destitute of human reason; any animal not human;
esp. a quadruped; a beast.
Brutes may be considered as either a["e]ral,
terrestrial, aquatic, or amphibious. --Locke.
2. A brutal person; a savage in heart or manners; as
unfeeling or coarse person.
An ill-natured brute of a husband. --Franklin.
Syn: See {Beast}.
Brute \Brute\, v. t. [For bruit.]
To report; to bruit. [Obs.]
Brutely \Brute"ly\, adv.
In a rude or violent manner.
Bruteness \Brute"ness\, n.
1. Brutality. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. Insensibility. ``The bruteness of nature.'' --Emerson.
Brutify \Bru"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brutified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Brutifying}.] [Brute + -fy: cf. F. brutifier.]
To make like a brute; to make senseless, stupid, or
unfeeling; to brutalize.
Any man not quite brutified and void of sense.
--Barrow.
Brutish \Bru"tish\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, a brute or brutes; of a cruel,
gross, and stupid nature; coarse; unfeeling; unintelligent.
O, let all provocation Take every brutish shape it can
devise. --Leigh Hunt.
Man may . . . render himself brutish, but it is in vain
that he would seek to take the rank and density of the
brute. --I. Taylor.
Syn: Insensible; stupid; unfeeling; savage; cruel; brutal;
barbarous; inhuman; ferocious; gross; carnal; sensual;
bestial. -- {Bru"tish*ly}, adv. -- {Bru"tish*ness}, n.
Brutism \Bru"tism\, n.
The nature or characteristic qualities or actions of a brute;
extreme stupidity, or beastly vulgarity.
Bruting \Bru"ting\, n.
Browsing. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Bryological \Bry*o*log"i*cal\, a.
Relating to bryology; as, bryological studies.
Bryologist \Bry*ol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in bryology.
Bryology \Bry*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? moss + -logy.]
That part of botany which relates to mosses.
Bryonin \Bry"o*nin\, n. (Chem.)
A bitter principle obtained from the root of the bryony
({Bryonia alba} and {B. dioica}). It is a white, or slightly
colored, substance, and is emetic and cathartic.
Bryony \Bry"o*ny\ (br[imac]"[-o]*n[y^]), n. [L. bryonia, Gr.
brywni`a, fr. bry`ein to swell, esp. of plants.] (Bot.)
The common name of several cucurbitaceous plants of the genus
{Bryonia}. The root of {B. alba} (rough or {white bryony})
and of {B. dioica} is a strong, irritating cathartic.
{Black bryony}, a plant ({Tamus communis}) so named from its
dark glossy leaves and black root; black bindweed.
Bryophyta \Bry*oph"y*ta\, n. pl.
See {Cryptogamia}.
Bryozoa \Bry`o*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? moss + ? animal.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A class of Molluscoidea, including minute animals which by
budding form compound colonies; -- called also {Polyzoa}.
Note: They are often coralike in form and appearance, each
small cell containing an individual zooid. Other
species grow in delicate, flexible, branched forms,
resembling moss, whence the name. Some are found in
fresh water, but most are marine. The three principal
divisions are {Ectoprocta}, {Entoprocta}, and
{Pterobranchia}. See {Cyclostoma}, {Chilostoma}, and
{Phylactolema}.
Bryozoan \Bry`o*zo"an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Bryozoa. -- n. One of the Bryozoa.
Bryozoum \Bry`o*zo"um\, n. [NL. See {Bryozoa}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An individual zooid of a bryozoan coralline, of which there
may be two or more kinds in a single colony. The zo[oe]cia
usually have a wreath of tentacles around the mouth, and a
well developed stomach and intestinal canal; but these parts
are lacking in the other zooids ({Avicularia}, {O[oe]cia},
etc.).
Buansuah \Bu`an*su"ah\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The wild dog of northern India ({Cuon prim[ae]vus}), supposed
by some to be an ancestral species of the domestic dog.
Buat \Bu"at\, n. [Scot., of uncertain origin.]
A lantern; also, the moon. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Bub \Bub\, n.
Strong malt liquor. [Cant] --Prior.
Bub \Bub\, n. [Cf. 2d {Bubby}.]
A young brother; a little boy; -- a familiar term of address
of a small boy.
Bub \Bub\, v. t. [Abbrev. from {Bubble}.]
To throw out in bubbles; to bubble. [Obs.] --Sackville.
Bubale \Bu"ba*le\, n. [Cf. F. bubale. See {Buffalo}, n.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large antelope ({Alcelaphus bubalis}) of Egypt and the
Desert of Sahara, supposed by some to be the fallow deer of
the Bible.
Bubaline \Bu"ba*line\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Resembling a buffalo.
{Bubaline antelope} (Zo["o]l.), the bubale.
Bubble \Bub"ble\, n. [Cf. D. bobbel, Dan. boble, Sw. bubbla. Cf.
{Blob}, n.]
1. A thin film of liquid inflated with air or gas; as, a soap
bubble; bubbles on the surface of a river.
Beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow, Like
bubbles in a late disturbed stream. --Shak.
2. A small quantity of air or gas within a liquid body; as,
bubbles rising in champagne or a["e]rated waters.
3. A globule of air, or globular vacuum, in a transparent
solid; as, bubbles in window glass, or in a lens.
4. A small, hollow, floating bead or globe, formerly used for
testing the strength of spirits.
5. The globule of air in the spirit tube of a level.
6. Anything that wants firmness or solidity; that which is
more specious than real; a false show; a cheat or fraud; a
delusive scheme; an empty project; a dishonest
speculation; as, the South Sea bubble.
Then a soldier . . . Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. --Shak.
7. A person deceived by an empty project; a gull. [Obs.]
``Ganny's a cheat, and I'm a bubble.'' --Prior.
Bubble \Bub"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bubbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bubbling}.] [Cf. D. bobbelen, Dan. boble. See {Bubble}, n.]
1. To rise in bubbles, as liquids when boiling or agitated;
to contain bubbles.
The milk that bubbled in the pail. --Tennyson.
2. To run with a gurgling noise, as if forming bubbles; as, a
bubbling stream. --Pope.
3. To sing with a gurgling or warbling sound.
At mine ear Bubbled the nightingale and heeded not.
--Tennyson.
Bubbler \Bub"bler\, v. t.
To cheat; to deceive.
She has bubbled him out of his youth. --Addison.
The great Locke, who was seldom outwitted by false
sounds, was nevertheless bubbled here. --Sterne.
Bubbler \Bub"bler\, n.
1. One who cheats.
All the Jews, jobbers, bubblers, subscribers,
projectors, etc. --Pope.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A fish of the Ohio river; -- so called from the
noise it makes.
Bubble shell \Bub"ble shell`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A marine univalve shell of the genus {Bulla} and allied
genera, belonging to the Tectibranchiata.
Bubbling Jock \Bub"bling Jock`\(Zo["o]l.)
The male wild turkey, the gobbler; -- so called in allusion
to its notes.
Bubbly \Bub"bly\, a.
Abounding in bubbles; bubbling. --Nash.
Bubby \Bub"by\ (b[u^]b"b[y^]), n. [Cf. Prov. G. b["u]bbi, or It.
poppa, Pr. popa, OF. poupe, a woman's breast.]
A woman's breast. [Low]
Bubby \Bub"by\, n. [A corruption of brother.]
Bub; -- a term of familiar or affectionate address to a small
boy.
Bubo \Bu"bo\ (b[=u]"b[-o]), n.; pl. {Buboes} (-b[-o]z). [LL.
bubo the groin, a swelling in the groin, Gr. boubw`n.] (Med.)
An inflammation, with enlargement, of a lymphatic gland, esp.
in the groin, as in syphilis.
Bubonic \Bu*bon"ic\ (b[-u]*b[o^]n"[i^]k), a.
Of or pertaining to a bubo or buboes; characterized by
buboes.
Bubonocele \Bu*bon"o*cele\ (b[-u]*b[o^]n"[-o]*s[=e]l), n. [Gr.
boubw`n groin + ? tumor: cf. F. bubonoc[`e]le.] (Med.)
An inguinal hernia; esp. that incomplete variety in which the
hernial pouch descends only as far as the groin, forming a
swelling there like a bubo.
Bubukle \Bu"bu*kle\, n.
A red pimple. [R.] --Shak.
Buccal \Buc"cal\, a. [L. bucca cheek: cf. F. buccal.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mouth or cheeks.
Buccaneer \Buc`ca*neer"\, n. [F. boucanier, fr. boucaner to
smoke or broil meat and fish, to hunt wild beasts for their
skins, boucan a smoking place for meat or fish, gridiron for
smoking: a word of American origin.]
A robber upon the sea; a pirate; -- a term applied especially
to the piratical adventurers who made depredations on the
Spaniards in America in the 17th and 18th centuries. [Written
also {bucanier}.]
Note: Primarily, one who dries and smokes flesh or fish after
the manner of the Indians. The name was first given to
the French settlers in Hayti or Hispaniola, whose
business was to hunt wild cattle and swine.
Buccaneer \Buc`ca*neer"\, v. i.
To act the part of a buccaneer; to live as a piratical
adventurer or sea robber.
Buccaneerish \Buc`ca*neer"ish\, a.
Like a buccaneer; piratical.
Buccinal \Buc"ci*nal\, a. [L. bucina a crooked horn or trumpet.]
Shaped or sounding like a trumpet; trumpetlike.
Buccinator \Buc`ci*na"tor\, n. [L., a trumpeter, fr. bucinare to
sound the trumpet.] (Anat.)
A muscle of the cheek; -- so called from its use in blowing
wind instruments.
Buccinoid \Buc"ci*noid\, a. [Buccinum + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Resembling the genus Buccinum, or pertaining to the
{Buccinid[ae]}, a family of marine univalve shells. See
{Whelk}, and {Prosobranchiata}.
Buccinum \Buc"ci*num\, n. [L., a trumpet, a trumpet shell.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large univalve mollusks abundant in the arctic
seas. It includes the common whelk ({B. undatum}).
Bucentaur \Bu*cen"taur\, n. [Gr. boy^s ox + ke`ntayros centaur.]
1. A fabulous monster, half ox, half man.
2. [It. bucentoro.] The state barge of Venice, used by the
doge in the ceremony of espousing the Adriatic.
Buceros \Bu"ce*ros\, n. [Gr. boy`kerws horned like an ox; boy^s
ox + ke`ras horn.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large perching birds; the hornbills.
Bucholzite \Buch"ol*zite\, n. [So called from Bucholz, a German
chemist.] (Min.)
Same as {Fibrolite}.
Buchu \Bu"chu\, n. (Bot.)
A South African shrub ({Barosma}) with small leaves that are
dotted with oil glands; also, the leaves themselves, which
are used in medicine for diseases of the urinary organs, etc.
Several species furnish the leaves.
Buck \Buck\ (b[u^]k), n. [Akin to LG. b["u]ke, Dan. byg, Sw.
byk, G. bauche: cf. It. bucato, Prov. Sp. bugada, F.
bu['e]e.]
1. Lye or suds in which cloth is soaked in the operation of
bleaching, or in which clothes are washed.
2. The cloth or clothes soaked or washed. [Obs.] --Shak.
Buck \Buck\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bucked} (b[u^]kt); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bucking}.] [OE. bouken; akin to LG. b["u]ken, Dan.
byge, Sw. byka, G. bauchen, beuchen; cf. OF. buer. Cf. the
preceding noun.]
1. To soak, steep, or boil, in lye or suds; -- a process in
bleaching.
2. To wash (clothes) in lye or suds, or, in later usage, by
beating them on stones in running water.
3. (Mining) To break up or pulverize, as ores.
Buck \Buck\, n. [OE. buk, bucke, AS. bucca, bua, he-goat; akin
to D. bok, OHG. pocch, G. bock, Ir. boc, W. bwch, Corn. byk;
cf. Zend b?za, Skr. bukka. [root]256. Cf. {Butcher}, n.]
1. The male of deer, especially fallow deer and antelopes, or
of goats, sheep, hares, and rabbits.
Note: A male fallow deer is called a fawn in his first year;
a pricket in his second; a sorel in his third; a sore
in his fourth; a buck of the first head in his fifth;
and a great buck in his sixth. The female of the fallow
deer is termed a doe. The male of the red deer is
termed a stag or hart and not a buck, and the female is
called a hind. --Brande & C.
2. A gay, dashing young fellow; a fop; a dandy.
The leading bucks of the day. --Thackeray.
3. A male Indian or negro. [Colloq. U.S.]
Note: The word buck is much used in composition for the names
of antelopes; as, bush buck, spring buck.
{Blue buck}. See under {Blue}.
{Water buck}, a South African variety of antelope ({Kobus
ellipsiprymnus}). See Illust. of {Antelope}.
Buck \Buck\ (b[u^]k), v. i.
1. To copulate, as bucks and does.
2. To spring with quick plunging leaps, descending with the
fore legs rigid and the head held as low down as possible;
-- said of a vicious horse or mule.
Buck \Buck\, v. t.
1. (Mil.) To subject to a mode of punishment which consists
in tying the wrists together, passing the arms over the
bent knees, and putting a stick across the arms and in the
angle formed by the knees.
2. To throw by bucking. See {Buck}, v. i., 2.
The brute that he was riding had nearly bucked him
out of the saddle. --W. E.
Norris.
Buck \Buck\, n.
A frame on which firewood is sawed; a sawhorse; a sawbuck.
{Buck saw}, a saw set in a frame and used for sawing wood on
a sawhorse.
Buck \Buck\, n. [See {Beech}, n.]
The beech tree. [Scot.]
{Buck mast}, the mast or fruit of the beech tree. --Johnson.
Buck-basket \Buck"-bas`ket\, n. [See 1st {Buck}.]
A basket in which clothes are carried to the wash. --Shak.
Buck bean \Buck" bean`\ (b[=e]n`). (Bot.)
A plant ({Menyanthes trifoliata}) which grows in moist and
boggy places, having racemes of white or reddish flowers and
intensely bitter leaves, sometimes used in medicine; marsh
trefoil; -- called also {bog bean}.
Buckboard \Buck"board`\, n.
A four-wheeled vehicle, having a long elastic board or frame
resting on the bolsters or axletrees, and a seat or seats
placed transversely upon it; -- called also {buck wagon}.
Bucker \Buck"er\, n. (Mining)
1. One who bucks ore.
2. A broad-headed hammer used in bucking ore.
Bucker \Buck"er\, n.
A horse or mule that bucks.
Bucket \Buck"et\, n. [OE. boket; cf. AS. buc pitcher, or Corn.
buket tub.]
1. A vessel for drawing up water from a well, or for
catching, holding, or carrying water, sap, or other
liquids.
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, The
moss-covered bucket, which hung in the well.
--Wordsworth.
2. A vessel (as a tub or scoop) for hoisting and conveying
coal, ore, grain, etc.
3. (Mach.) One of the receptacles on the rim of a water wheel
into which the water rushes, causing the wheel to revolve;
also, a float of a paddle wheel.
4. The valved piston of a lifting pump.
{Fire bucket}, a bucket for carrying water to put out fires.
{To kick the bucket}, to die. [Low]
Bucket shop \Buck"et shop`\
An office or a place where facilities are given for betting
small sums on current prices of stocks, petroleum, etc.
[Slang, U.S.]
Buckety \Buck"et*y\, n. [A corruption of buckwheat.]
Paste used by weavers to dress their webs. --Buchanan.
Buckeye \Buck"eye`\, n.
1. (Bot.) A name given to several American trees and shrubs
of the same genus ({[AE]sculus}) as the horse chestnut.
{The Ohio buckeye}, or {Fetid buckeye}, is {[AE]sculus
glabra}.
{Red buckeye} is {[AE]. Pavia}.
{Small buckeye} is {[AE]. paviflora}.
{Sweet buckeye}, or {Yellow buckeye}, is {[AE]. flava}.
2. A cant name for a native in Ohio. [U.S.]
{Buckeye State}, Ohio; -- so called because buckeye trees
abound there.
Buck-eyed \Buck"-eyed`\, a.
Having bad or speckled eyes. ``A buck-eyed horse.'' --James
White.
Buckhound \Buck"hound`\, n.
A hound for hunting deer.
{Master of the buckhounds}, an officer in the royal
household. [Eng.]
Buckie \Buck"ie\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large spiral marine shell, esp. the common whelk. See
{Buccinum}. [Scot.]
{Deil's buckie}, a perverse, refractory youngster. [Slang]
Bucking \Buck"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of soaking or boiling cloth in an
alkaline liquid in the operation of bleaching; also, the
liquid used. --Tomlinson.
2. A washing.
3. The process of breaking up or pulverizing ores.
{Bucking iron} (Mining), a broad-faced hammer, used in
bucking or breaking up ores.
{Bucking kier} (Manuf.), a large circular boiler, or kier,
used in bleaching.
{Bucking stool}, a washing block.
Buckish \Buck"ish\, a.
Dandified; foppish.
Buckle \Buc"kle\, n. [OE. bocle buckle, boss of a shield, OF.
bocle, F. boucle, boss of a shield, ring, fr. L. buccula a
little cheek or mouth, dim. of bucca cheek; this boss or knob
resembling a cheek.]
1. A device, usually of metal, consisting of a frame with one
more movable tongues or catches, used for fastening things
together, as parts of dress or harness, by means of a
strap passing through the frame and pierced by the tongue.
2. A distortion bulge, bend, or kink, as in a saw blade or a
plate of sheet metal. --Knight.
3. A curl of hair, esp. a kind of crisp curl formerly worn;
also, the state of being curled.
Earlocks in tight buckles on each side of a lantern
face. --W. Irving.
Lets his wig lie in buckle for a whole half year.
--Addison.
4. A contorted expression, as of the face. [R.]
'Gainst nature armed by gravity, His features too in
buckle see. --Churchill.
Buckle \Buc"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buckled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Buckling}.] [OE. boclen, F. boucler. See {Buckle}, n.]
1. To fasten or confine with a buckle or buckles; as, to
buckle a harness.
2. To bend; to cause to kink, or to become distorted.
3. To prepare for action; to apply with vigor and
earnestness; -- generally used reflexively
.
Cartwright buckled himself to the employment. --Fuller.
4. To join in marriage. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Buckle \Buc"kle\ (b[u^]k"k'l), v. i.
1. To bend permanently; to become distorted; to bow; to curl;
to kink.
Buckled with the heat of the fire like parchment.
--Pepys.
2. To bend out of a true vertical plane, as a wall.
3. To yield; to give way; to cease opposing. [Obs.]
The Dutch, as high as they seem, do begin to buckle.
--Pepys.
4. To enter upon some labor or contest; to join in close
fight; to struggle; to contend.
The bishop was as able and ready to buckle with the
Lord Protector as he was with him. --Latimer.
In single combat thou shalt buckle with me. --Shak.
{To buckle to}, to bend to; to engage with zeal.
To make our sturdy humor buckle thereto. --Barrow.
Before buckling to my winter's work. --J. D.
Forbes.
Buckler \Buc"kler\, n. [OE. bocler, OF. bocler, F. bouclier, a
shield with a boss, from OF. bocle, boucle, boss. See
{Buckle}, n.]
1. A kind of shield, of various shapes and sizes, worn on one
of the arms (usually the left) for protecting the front of
the body.
Note: In the sword and buckler play of the Middle Ages in
England, the buckler was a small shield, used, not to
cover the body, but to stop or parry blows.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the large, bony, external plates found on many
ganoid fishes.
(b) The anterior segment of the shell of trilobites.
3. (Naut.) A block of wood or plate of iron made to fit a
hawse hole, or the circular opening in a half-port, to
prevent water from entering when the vessel pitches.
{Blind buckler} (Naut.), a solid buckler.
{Buckler mustard} (Bot.), a genus of plants ({Biscutella})
with small bright yellow flowers. The seed vessel on
bursting resembles two bucklers or shields.
{Buckler thorn}, a plant with seed vessels shaped like a
buckler. See {Christ's thorn}.
{Riding buckler} (Naut.), a buckler with a hole for the
passage of a cable.
Buckler \Buc"kler\, v. t.
To shield; to defend. [Obs.]
Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right, Now buckler
falsehood with a pedigree? --Shak.
Buckler-headed \Buc"kler-head`ed\, a.
Having a head like a buckler.
Buckling \Buc"kling\, a.
Wavy; curling, as hair. --Latham.
Buckra \Buck"ra\, n. [In the language of the Calabar coast,
buckra means ``demon, a powerful and superior being.'' --J.
L. Wilson.]
A white man; -- a term used by negroes of the African coast,
West Indies, etc.
Buckra \Buck"ra\, a.
White; white man's; strong; good; as, buckra yam, a white
yam.
Buckram \Buck"ram\, n. [OE. bokeram, bougeren, OF. boqueran, F.
bougran, MHG. buckeram, LL. buchiranus, boquerannus, fr. MHG.
boc, G. bock, goat (as being made of goat's hair), or fr. F.
bouracan, by transposing the letter r. See {Buck},
{Barracan}.]
1. A coarse cloth of linen or hemp, stiffened with size or
glue, used in garments to keep them in the form intended,
and for wrappers to cover merchandise.
Note: Buckram was formerly a very different material from
that now known by the name. It was used for wearing
apparel, etc. --Beck (Draper's Dict. ).
2. (Bot.) A plant. See {Ramson}. --Dr. Prior.
Buckram \Buck"ram\, a.
1. Made of buckram; as, a buckram suit.
2. Stiff; precise. ``Buckram dames.'' --Brooke.
Buckram \Buck"ram\, v. t.
To strengthen with buckram; to make stiff. --Cowper.
Buck's-horn \Buck's"-horn`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant with leaves branched somewhat like a buck's horn
({Plantago Coronopus}); also, {Lobelia coronopifolia}.
Buckshot \Buck"shot`\, n.
A coarse leaden shot, larger than swan shot, used in hunting
deer and large game.
Buckskin \Buck"skin`\, n.
1. The skin of a buck.
2. A soft strong leather, usually yellowish or grayish in
color, made of deerskin.
3. A person clothed in buckskin, particularly an American
soldier of the Revolutionary war.
Cornwallis fought as lang's he dought, An' did the
buckskins claw, man. --Burns.
4. pl. Breeches made of buckskin.
I have alluded to his buckskin. --Thackeray.
Buckstall \Buck"stall`\, n.
A toil or net to take deer.
Buckthorn \Buck"thorn`\, n. (Bot.)
A genus ({Rhamnus}) of shrubs or trees. The shorter branches
of some species terminate in long spines or thorns. See
{Rhamnus}.
{Sea buckthorn}, a plant of the genus {Hippopha["e]}.
Bucktooth \Buck"tooth`\, n.
Any tooth that juts out.
When he laughed, two white buckteeth protruded.
--Thackeray.
Buckwheat \Buck"wheat`\, n. [Buck a beech tree + wheat; akin to
D. boekweit, G. buchweizen.]
1. (Bot.) A plant ({Fagopyrum esculentum}) of the Polygonum
family, the seed of which is used for food.
2. The triangular seed used, when ground, for griddle cakes,
etc.
Bucolic \Bu*col"ic\, a. [L. bucolicus, Gr. ?, fr. ? cowherd,
herdsman; ? ox + (perh.) ? race horse; cf. Skr. kal to drive:
cf. F. bucolique. See {Cow} the animal.]
Of or pertaining to the life and occupation of a shepherd;
pastoral; rustic.
Bucolic \Bu*col"ic\, n. [L. Bucolic[^o]n po["e]ma.]
A pastoral poem, representing rural affairs, and the life,
manners, and occupation of shepherds; as, the Bucolics of
Theocritus and Virgil. --Dryden.
Bucolical \Bu*col"ic*al\, a.
Bucolic.
Bucranium \Bu*cra"ni*um\, n.; pl. L. {Bucrania}. [L., fr. Gr. ?
ox head.]
A sculptured ornament, representing an ox skull adorned with
wreaths, etc.
Bud \Bud\, n. [OE. budde; cf. D. bot, G. butze, butz, the core
of a fruit, bud, LG. butte in hagebutte, hainbutte, a hip of
the dog-rose, or OF. boton, F. bouton, bud, button, OF. boter
to bud, push; all akin to E. beat. See {Button}.]
1. (Bot.) A small protuberance on the stem or branches of a
plant, containing the rudiments of future leaves, flowers,
or stems; an undeveloped branch or flower.
2. (Biol.) A small protuberance on certain low forms of
animals and vegetables which develops into a new organism,
either free or attached. See {Hydra}.
{Bud moth} (Zo["o]l.), a lepidopterous insect of several
species, which destroys the buds of fruit trees; esp.
{Tmetocera ocellana} and {Eccopsis malana} on the apple
tree.
Bud \Bud\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Budded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Budding}.]
1. To put forth or produce buds, as a plant; to grow, as a
bud does, into a flower or shoot.
2. To begin to grow, or to issue from a stock in the manner
of a bud, as a horn.
3. To be like a bud in respect to youth and freshness, or
growth and promise; as, a budding virgin. --Shak.
Syn: To sprout; germinate; blossom.
Bud \Bud\, v. t.
To graft, as a plant with another or into another, by
inserting a bud from the one into an opening in the bark of
the other, in order to raise, upon the budded stock, fruit
different from that which it would naturally bear.
The apricot and the nectarine may be, and usually are,
budded upon the peach; the plum and the peach are
budded on each other. --Farm. Dict.
Buddha \Bud"dha\, n. [Skr. buddha wise, sage, fr. budh to know.]
The title of an incarnation of self-abnegation, virtue, and
wisdom, or a deified religious teacher of the Buddhists, esp.
Gautama Siddartha or Sakya Sinha (or Muni), the founder of
Buddhism.
Buddhism \Bud"dhism\, n.
The religion based upon the doctrine originally taught by the
Hindoo sage Gautama Siddartha, surnamed Buddha, ``the
awakened or enlightened,'' in the sixth century b. c., and
adopted as a religion by the greater part of the inhabitants
of Central and Eastern Asia and the Indian Islands. Buddha's
teaching is believed to have been atheistic; yet it was
characterized by elevated humanity and morality. It presents
release from existence (a beatific enfranchisement,
Nirv[^a]na) as the greatest good. Buddhists believe in
transmigration of souls through all phases and forms of life.
Their number was estimated in 1881 at 470,000,000.
Buddhist \Bud"dhist\, n.
One who accepts the teachings of Buddhism.
Buddhist \Bud"dhist\, a.
Of or pertaining to Buddha, Buddhism, or the Buddhists.
Buddhistic \Bud*dhis"tic\, a.
Same as {Buddhist}, a.
Budding \Bud"ding\, n.
1. The act or process of producing buds.
2. (Biol.) A process of asexual reproduction, in which a new
organism or cell is formed by a protrusion of a portion of
the animal or vegetable organism, the bud thus formed
sometimes remaining attached to the parent stalk or cell,
at other times becoming free; gemmation. See {Hydroidea}.
3. The act or process of ingrafting one kind of plant upon
another stock by inserting a bud under the bark.
Buddle \Bud"dle\, n. [Prov. E., to cleanse ore, also a vessel
for this purpose; cf. G. butteln to shake.] (Mining)
An apparatus, especially an inclined trough or vat, in which
stamped ore is concentrated by subjecting it to the action of
running water so as to wash out the lighter and less valuable
portions.
Buddle \Bud"dle\, v. i. (Mining)
To wash ore in a buddle.
Bude burner \Bude" burn`er\ [See {Bude light}.]
A burner consisting of two or more concentric Argand burners
(the inner rising above the outer) and a central tube by
which oxygen gas or common air is supplied.
Bude light \Bude" light`\ [From Bude, in Cornwall, the residence
of Sir G.Gurney, the inventor.]
A light in which high illuminating power is obtained by
introducing a jet of oxygen gas or of common air into the
center of a flame fed with coal gas or with oil.
Budge \Budge\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Budged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Budging}.] [F. bouger to stir, move (akin to Pr. bojar,
bolegar, to stir, move, It. bulicare to boil, bubble), fr. L.
bullire. See {Boil}, v. i.]
To move off; to stir; to walk away.
I'll not budge an inch, boy. --Shak.
The mouse ne'er shunned the cat as they did budge From
rascals worse than they. --Shak.
Budge \Budge\, a. [See {Budge}, v.]
Brisk; stirring; jocund. [Obs.] --South.
Budge \Budge\, n. [OE. bouge bag, OF. boge, bouge, fr. L. bulga
a leathern bag or knapsack; a Gallic word; cf. OIr. bolc,
Gael. bolg. Cf. {Budge}, n.]
A kind of fur prepared from lambskin dressed with the wool
on; -- used formerly as an edging and ornament, esp. of
scholastic habits.
Budge \Budge\, a.
1. Lined with budge; hence, scholastic. ``Budge gowns.''
--Milton.
2. Austere or stiff, like scholastics.
Those budge doctors of the stoic fur. --Milton.
{Budge bachelor}, one of a company of men clothed in long
gowns lined with budge, who formerly accompanied the lord
mayor of London in his inaugural procession.
{Budge barrel} (Mil.), a small copper-hooped barrel with only
one head, the other end being closed by a piece of
leather, which is drawn together with strings like a
purse. It is used for carrying powder from the magazine to
the battery, in siege or seacoast service.
Budgeness \Budge"ness\, n.
Sternness; severity. [Obs.]
A Sara for goodness, a great Bellona for budgeness.
--Stanyhurst.
Budger \Budg"er\, n.
One who budges. --Shak.
budgerow \budg"e*row\, n. [Hindi bajr[=a].]
A large and commodious, but generally cumbrous and sluggish
boat, used for journeys on the Ganges.
Budget \Budg"et\, n. [OE. bogett, bouget, F. bougette bag,
wallet, dim. of OF. boge, bouge, leather bag. See {Budge},
n., and cf. {Bouget}.]
1. A bag or sack with its contents; hence, a stock or store;
an accumulation; as, a budget of inventions.
2. The annual financial statement which the British
chancellor of the exchequer makes in the House of Commons.
It comprehends a general view of the finances of the
country, with the proposed plan of taxation for the
ensuing year. The term is sometimes applied to a similar
statement in other countries.
{To open the budget}, to lay before a legislative body the
financial estimates and plans of the executive government.
Budgy \Budg"y\, a. [From {Budge}, n.]
Consisting of fur. [Obs.]
Budlet \Bud"let\, n. [Bud + -let.]
A little bud springing from a parent bud.
We have a criterion to distinguish one bud from
another, or the parent bud from the numerous budlets
which are its offspring. --E. Darwin.
Buff \Buff\ (b[u^]f), n. [OE. buff, buffe, buff, buffalo, F.
buffle buffalo. See {Buffalo}.]
1. A sort of leather, prepared from the skin of the buffalo,
dressed with oil, like chamois; also, the skins of oxen,
elks, and other animals, dressed in like manner. ``A suit
of buff.'' --Shak.
2. The color of buff; a light yellow, shading toward pink,
gray, or brown.
A visage rough, Deformed, unfeatured, and a skin of
buff. --Dryden.
3. A military coat, made of buff leather. --Shak.
4. (Med.) The grayish viscid substance constituting the buffy
coat. See {Buffy coat}, under {Buffy}, a.
5. (Mech.) A wheel covered with buff leather, and used in
polishing cutlery, spoons, etc.
6. The bare skin; as, to strip to the buff. [Colloq.]
To be in buff is equivalent to being naked.
--Wright.
Buff \Buff\, a.
1. Made of buff leather. --Goldsmith.
2. Of the color of buff.
{Buff coat}, a close, military outer garment, with short
sleeves, and laced tightly over the chest, made of buffalo
skin, or other thick and elastic material, worn by
soldiers in the 17th century as a defensive covering.
{Buff jerkin}, originally, a leather waistcoat; afterward,
one of cloth of a buff color. [Obs.] --Nares.
{Buff stick} (Mech.), a strip of wood covered with buff
leather, used in polishing.
Buff \Buff\, v. t.
To polish with a buff. See {Buff}, n., 5.
Buff \Buff\, v. t. [OF. bufer to cuff, buffet. See {Buffet} a
blow.]
To strike. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Buff \Buff\, n. [See {Buffet}.]
A buffet; a blow; -- obsolete except in the phrase
``Blindman's buff.''
Nathless so sore a buff to him it lent That made him
reel. --Spenser.
Buff \Buff\, a. [Of uncertain etymol.]
Firm; sturdy.
And for the good old cause stood buff, 'Gainst many a
bitter kick and cuff. --Hudibras.
Buffa \Buf"fa\, n. fem. (Mus.) [It. See {Buffoon}.]
The comic actress in an opera. -- a. Comic, farcical.
{Aria buffa}, a droll or comic air.
{Opera buffa}, a comic opera. See {Opera bouffe}.
Buffalo \Buf"fa*lo\, n.; pl. {Buffaloes}. [Sp. bufalo (cf. It.
bufalo, F. buffle), fr. L. bubalus, bufalus, a kind of
African stag or gazelle; also, the buffalo or wild ox, fr.
Gr. ? buffalo, prob. fr. ? ox. See {Cow} the animal, and cf.
{Buff} the color, and {Bubale}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A species of the genus {Bos} or {Bubalus} ({B.
bubalus}), originally from India, but now found in most of
the warmer countries of the eastern continent. It is
larger and less docile than the common ox, and is fond of
marshy places and rivers.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A very large and savage species of the same
genus ({B. Caffer}) found in South Africa; -- called also
{Cape buffalo}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of wild ox.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The bison of North America.
5. A buffalo robe. See {Buffalo robe}, below.
6. (Zo["o]l.) The buffalo fish. See {Buffalo fish}, below.
{Buffalo berry} (Bot.), a shrub of the Upper Missouri
({Sherherdia argentea}) with acid edible red berries.
{Buffalo bird} (Zo["o]l.), an African bird of the genus
{Buphaga}, of two species. These birds perch upon
buffaloes and cattle, in search of parasites.
{Buffalo bug}, the carpet beetle. See under {Carpet}.
{Buffalo chips}, dry dung of the buffalo, or bison, used for
fuel. [U.S.]
{Buffalo clover} (Bot.), a kind of clover ({Trifolium
reflexum} and {T.soloniferum}) found in the ancient
grazing grounds of the American bison.
{Buffalo cod} (Zo["o]l.), a large, edible, marine fish
({Ophiodon elongatus}) of the northern Pacific coast; --
called also {blue cod}, and {cultus cod}.
{Buffalo fish} (Zo["o]l.), one of several large fresh-water
fishes of the family {Catostomid[ae]}, of the Mississippi
valley. The red-mouthed or brown ({Ictiobus bubalus}), the
big-mouthed or black ({Bubalichthys urus}), and the
small-mouthed ({B. altus}), are among the more important
species used as food.
{Buffalo fly}, or {Buffalo gnat} (Zo["o]l.), a small
dipterous insect of the genus {Simulium}, allied to the
black fly of the North. It is often extremely abundant in
the lower part of the Mississippi valley and does great
injury to domestic animals, often killing large numbers of
cattle and horses. In Europe the Columbatz fly is a
species with similar habits.
{Buffalo grass} (Bot.), a species of short, sweet grass
({Buchlo["e] dactyloides}), from two to four inches high,
covering the prairies on which the buffaloes, or bisons,
feed. [U.S.]
{Buffalo nut} (Bot.), the oily and drupelike fruit of an
American shrub ({Pyrularia oleifera}); also, the shrub
itself; oilnut.
{Buffalo robe}, the skin of the bison of North America,
prepared with the hair on; -- much used as a lap robe in
sleighs.
Buffel duck \Buf"fel duck\ (b[u^]f"f[e^]l d[u^]k`). [See
{Buffalo}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small duck ({Charitonetta albeola}); the spirit duck, or
butterball. The head of the male is covered with numerous
elongated feathers, and thus appears large. Called also
{bufflehead}.
Buffer \Buff"er\ (b[u^]f"[~e]r), n. [Prop a striker. See
{Buffet} a blow.]
1. (Mech.)
(a) An elastic apparatus or fender, for deadening the jar
caused by the collision of bodies; as, a buffer at the
end of a railroad car.
(b) A pad or cushion forming the end of a fender, which
receives the blow; -- sometimes called {buffing
apparatus}.
2. One who polishes with a buff.
3. A wheel for buffing; a buff.
4. A good-humored, slow-witted fellow; -- usually said of an
elderly man. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
Bufferhead \Buff"er*head`\, n.
The head of a buffer, which recieves the concussion, in
railroad carriages.
Buffet \Buf*fet"\ (b[oo^]f*f[=a]"), n. [F. buffet, LL. bufetum;
of uncertain origin; perh. fr. the same source as E. buffet a
blow, the root meaning to puff, hence (cf. puffed up) the
idea of ostentation or display.]
1. A cupboard or set of shelves, either movable or fixed at
one side of a room, for the display of plate, china, etc.,
a sideboard.
Not when a gilt buffet's reflected pride Turns you
from sound philosophy aside. --Pope.
2. A counter for refreshments; a restaurant at a railroad
station, or place of public gathering.
Buffet \Buf"fet\ (b[u^]f"f[e^]t), n. [OE. buffet, boffet, OF.
buffet a slap in the face, a pair of bellows, fr. buffe blow,
cf. F. bouffer to blow, puff; prob. akin to E. puff. For the
meaning slap, blow, cf. F. soufflet a slap, souffler to blow.
See {Puff}, v. i., and cf. {Buffet} sidebroad, {Buffoon}]
1. A blow with the hand; a slap on the face; a cuff.
When on his cheek a buffet fell. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A blow from any source, or that which affects like a blow,
as the violence of winds or waves; a stroke; an adverse
action; an affliction; a trial; adversity.
Those planks of tough and hardy oak that used for
yeas to brave the buffets of the Bay of Biscay.
--Burke.
Fortune's buffets and rewards. --Shak.
3. A small stool; a stool for a buffet or counter.
Go fetch us a light buffet. --Townely
Myst.
Buffet \Buf"fet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buffeted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Buffeting}.] [OE. buffeten, OF. buffeter. See the
preceding noun.]
1. To strike with the hand or fist; to box; to beat; to cuff;
to slap.
They spit in his face and buffeted him. --Matt.
xxvi. 67.
2. To affect as with blows; to strike repeatedly; to strive
with or contend against; as, to buffet the billows.
The sudden hurricane in thunder roars, Buffets the
bark, and whirls it from the shores. --Broome.
You are lucky fellows who can live in a dreamland of
your own, instead of being buffeted about the world.
--W. Black.
3. [Cf. {Buffer}.] To deaden the sound of (bells) by muffling
the clapper.
Buffet \Buf"fet\, v. i.
1. To exercise or play at boxing; to strike; to smite; to
strive; to contend.
If I might buffet for my love, or bound my horse for
her favors, I could lay on like a butcher. --Shak.
2. To make one's way by blows or struggling.
Strove to buffet to land in vain. --Tennyson.
Buffeter \Buf"fet*er\, n.
One who buffets; a boxer. --Jonson.
Buffeting \Buf"fet*ing\, n.
1. A striking with the hand.
2. A succession of blows; continued violence, as of winds or
waves; afflictions; adversity.
He seems to have been a plant of slow growth, but .
. . fitted to endure the buffeting on the rudest
storm. --Wirt.
Buffin \Buf"fin\, n. [So called from resembling buff ?eather.]
A sort of coarse stuff; as, buffin gowns. [Obs.]
Buffing apparatus \Buff"ing ap`pa*ra"tus\
See {Buffer}, 1.
Buffle \Buf"fle\, n. [OE., from F. buffle. See {Buffalo}.]
The buffalo. [Obs.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Buffle \Buf"fle\, v. i.
To puzzle; to be at a loss. [Obs.] --Swift.
Bufflehead \Buf"fle*head`\, n. [Buffle + head.]
1. One who has a large head; a heavy, stupid fellow. [Obs.]
What makes you stare so, bufflehead? --Plautus
(trans. 1694).
2. (Zo["o]l.) The buffel duck. See {Buffel duck}.
Buffle-headed \Buf"fle-head`ed\, a.
Having a large head, like a buffalo; dull; stupid;
blundering. [Obs.]
So fell this buffle-headed giant. --Gayton.
Buffo \Buf"fo\, n.masc. [It. See {Buffoon}.] (Mus.)
The comic actor in an opera.
Buffoon \Buf*foon"\, n. [F. bouffon (cf. It. buffone, buffo,
buffa, puff of wind, vanity, nonsense, trick), fr. bouffer to
puff out, because the buffoons puffed out their cheeks for
the amusement of the spectators. See {Buffet} a blow.]
A man who makes a practice of amusing others by low tricks,
antic gestures, etc.; a droll; a mimic; a harlequin; a clown;
a merry-andrew.
Buffoon \Buf*foon"\, a.
Characteristic of, or like, a buffoon. ``Buffoon stories.''
--Macaulay.
To divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic
dances. --Melmoth.
Buffoon \Buf*foon"\, v. i.
To act the part of a buffoon. [R.]
Buffoon \Buf*foon"\, v. t.
To treat with buffoonery. --Glanvill.
Buffoonery \Buf*foon"er*y\, n.; pl. {Buffooneries}. [F.
bouffonnerie.]
The arts and practices of a buffoon, as low jests, ridiculous
pranks, vulgar tricks and postures.
Nor that it will ever constitute a wit to conclude a
tart piece of buffoonery with a ``What makes you
blush?'' --Spectator.
Buffoonish \Buf*foon"ish\, a.
Like a buffoon; consisting in low jests or gestures. --Blair.
Buffoonism \Buf*foon"ism\, n.
The practices of a buffoon; buffoonery.
Buffoonly \Buf*foon"ly\, a.
Low; vulgar. [R.]
Apish tricks and buffoonly discourse. --Goodman.
Buffy \Buff"y\, a. (Med.)
Resembling, or characterized by, buff.
{Buffy coat}, the coagulated plasma of blood when the red
corpuscles have so settled out that the coagulum appears
nearly colorless. This is common in diseased conditions
where the corpuscles run together more rapidly and in
denser masses than usual. --Huxley.
Bufo \Bu"fo\, n. [L. bufo a toad.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Amphibia including various species of toads.
Bufonite \Bu"fon*ite\, n. [L. bufo toad: cf. F. bufonite.]
(Paleon.)
An old name for a fossil consisting of the petrified teeth
and palatal bones of fishes belonging to the family of
Pycnodonts (thick teeth), whose remains occur in the
o["o]lite and chalk formations; toadstone; -- so named from a
notion that it was originally formed in the head of a toad.
Bug \Bug\, n. [OE. bugge, fr. W. bwg, bwgan, hobgoblin,
scarecrow, bugbear. Cf. {Bogey}, {Boggle}.]
1. A bugbear; anything which terrifies. [Obs.]
Sir, spare your threats: The bug which you would
fright me with I seek. --Shak.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A general name applied to various insects
belonging to the Hemiptera; as, the squash bug; the chinch
bug, etc.
3. (Zo["o]l.) An insect of the genus {Cimex}, especially the
bedbug ({C. lectularius}). See {Bedbug}.
4. (Zo["o]l.) One of various species of Coleoptera; as, the
ladybug; potato bug, etc.; loosely, any beetle.
5. (Zo["o]l.) One of certain kinds of Crustacea; as, the sow
bug; pill bug; bait bug; salve bug, etc.
Note: According to present popular usage in England, and
among housekeepers in America, bug, when not joined
with some qualifying word, is used specifically for
bedbug. As a general term it is used very loosely in
America, and was formerly used still more loosely in
England. ``God's rare workmanship in the ant, the
poorest bug that creeps.'' --Rogers (--Naaman). ``This
bug with gilded wings.'' --Pope.
{Bait bug}. See under {Bait}.
{Bug word}, swaggering or threatening language. [Obs.]
--Beau. & Fl.
Bugaboo \Bug`a*boo"\, Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, n. [See {Bug}.]
Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that
causes needless fright; something used to excite needless
fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten
children, etc. ``Bugaboos to fright ye.'' --Lloyd.
But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of
figure and a small estate. --Pope.
The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. --S. B.
Griffin.
The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. --J.
Burroughs.
Syn: Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow.
Bugbane \Bug"bane`\, n. (Bot.)
A perennial white-flowered herb of the order
{Ranunculace[ae]} and genus {Cimiciguga}; bugwort. There are
several species.
Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, n.
Same as {Bugaboo}. -- a. Causing needless fright. --Locke.
Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, v. t.
To alarm with idle phantoms.
Bugfish \Bug"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The menhaden. [U.S.]
Bugger \Bug"ger\, n. [F. bougre, fr. LL. Bulgarus, a Bulgarian,
and also a heretic; because the inhabitants of Bulgaria were
infected with heresy. Those guilty of the crime of buggery
were called heretics, because in the eyes of their
adversaries there was nothing more heinous than heresy, and
it was therefore thought that the origin of such a vice could
only be owing to heretics.]
1. One guilty of buggery or unnatural vice; a sodomite.
2. A wretch; -- sometimes used humorously or in playful
disparagement. [Low]
Buggery \Bug"ger*y\, n. [OF. bougrerie, bogrerie, heresy. See
{Bugger}.]
Unnatural sexual intercourse; sodomy.
Bugginess \Bug"gi*ness\, n. [From {Buggy}, a.]
The state of being infested with bugs.
Buggy \Bug"gy\, a. [From {Bug}.]
Infested or abounding with bugs.
Buggy \Bug"gy\, n.; pl. {Buggies}.
1. A light one horse two-wheeled vehicle. [Eng.]
Villebeck prevailed upon Flora to drive with him to
the race in a buggy. --Beaconsfield.
2. A light, four-wheeled vehicle, usually with one seat, and
with or without a calash top. [U.S.]
{Buggy cultivator}, a cultivator with a seat for the driver.
{Buggy plow}, a plow, or set of plows, having a seat for the
driver; -- called also {sulky plow}.
Bugle \Bu"gle\, n. [OE. bugle buffalo, buffalo's horn, OF.
bugle, fr. L. buculus a young bullock, steer, dim. of bos ox.
See {Cow} the animal.]
A sort of wild ox; a buffalo. --E. Phillips.
Bugle \Bu"gle\, n. [See {Bugle} a wild ox.]
1. A horn used by hunters.
2. (Mus.) A copper instrument of the horn quality of tone,
shorter and more conical that the trumpet, sometimes
keyed; formerly much used in military bands, very rarely
in the orchestra; now superseded by the cornet; -- called
also the {Kent bugle}.
Bugle \Bu"gle\, n. [LL. bugulus a woman's ornament: cf. G.
b["u]gel a bent piece of metal or wood, fr. the same root as
G. biegen to bend, E. bow to bend.]
An elongated glass bead, of various colors, though commonly
black.
Bugle \Bu"gle\, a. [From {Bugle} a bead.]
Jet black. ``Bugle eyeballs.'' --Shak.
Bugle \Bu"gle\, n. [F. bugle; cf. It. bugola, L. bugillo.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Ajuga} of the Mint family, a native of
the Old World.
{Yellow bugle}, the {Ajuga cham[ae]pitys}.
Bugled \Bu"gled\, a.
Ornamented with bugles.
Bugle horn \Bu"gle horn`\
1. A bugle.
One blast upon his bugle horn Were worth a thousand
men. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A drinking vessel made of horn. [Obs.]
And drinketh of his bugle horn the wine. --Chaucer.
Bugler \Bu"gler\, n.
One who plays on a bugle.
Bugleweed \Bu"gle*weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant of the Mint family and genus {Lycopus}; esp. {L.
Virginicus}, which has mild narcotic and astringent
properties, and is sometimes used as a remedy for hemorrhage.
Bugloss \Bu"gloss\, n.; pl. {Buglosses}. [F. buglosse, L.
buglossa, buglossus, fr. Gr. ? oxtongue ? ox + ? tongue.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Anchusa}, and especially the {A.
officinalis}, sometimes called {alkanet}; oxtongue.
{Small wild bugloss}, the {Asperugo procumbens} and the
{Lycopsis arvensis}.
{Viper's bugloss}, a species of {Echium}.
Bugwort \Bug"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
Bugbane.
Buhl \Buhl\, Buhlwork \Buhl"work\, n. [From A. Ch. Boule, a
French carver in wood.]
Decorative woodwork in which tortoise shell, yellow metal,
white metal, etc., are inlaid, forming scrolls, cartouches,
etc. [Written also {boule}, {boulework}.]
Buhlbuhl \Buhl"buhl\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Bulbul}.
Buhrstone \Buhr"stone`\, n. [OE. bur a whetstone for scythes.]
(Min.)
A cellular, flinty rock, used for mill stones. [Written also
{burrstone}.]
Build \Build\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Built}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Building}. The regular imp. & p. p. {Builded} is
antiquated.] [OE. bulden, bilden, AS. byldan to build, fr.
bold house; cf. Icel. b[=o]l farm, abode, Dan. bol small
farm, OSw. bol, b["o]le, house, dwelling, fr. root of Icel.
b?a to dwell; akin to E. be, bower, boor. [root]97.]
1. To erect or construct, as an edifice or fabric of any
kind; to form by uniting materials into a regular
structure; to fabricate; to make; to raise.
Nor aught availed him now To have built in heaven
high towers. --Milton.
2. To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or
produce by using appropriate means.
Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks.
--Shak.
3. To increase and strengthen; to increase the power and
stability of; to settle, or establish, and preserve; --
frequently with up; as, to build up one's constitution.
I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace,
which is able to build you up. --Acts xx. 32.
Syn: To erect; construct; raise; found; frame.
Build \Build\, v. i.
1. To exercise the art, or practice the business, of
building.
2. To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground one's
self or one's hopes or opinions upon something deemed
reliable; to rely; as, to build on the opinions or advice
of others.
Build \Build\, n.
Form or mode of construction; general figure; make; as, the
build of a ship.
Builder \Build"er\, n.
One who builds; one whose occupation is to build, as a
carpenter, a shipwright, or a mason.
In the practice of civil architecture, the builder
comes between the architect who designs the work and
the artisans who execute it. --Eng. Cyc.
Building \Build"ing\, n.
1. The act of constructing, erecting, or establishing.
Hence it is that the building of our Sion rises no
faster. --Bp. Hall.
2. The art of constructing edifices, or the practice of civil
architecture.
The execution of works of architecture necessarily
includes building; but building is frequently
employed when the result is not architectural.
--Hosking.
3. That which is built; a fabric or edifice constructed, as a
house, a church, etc.
Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife's attire Have
cost a mass of public treasury. --Shak.
Built \Built\, n.
Shape; build; form of structure; as, the built of a ship.
[Obs.] --Dryden.
Built \Built\, a.
Formed; shaped; constructed; made; -- often used in
composition and preceded by the word denoting the form; as,
frigate-built, clipper-built, etc.
Like the generality of Genoese countrywomen, strongly
built. --Landor.
Buke muslin \Buke" mus"lin\
See {Book muslin}.
Bukshish \Buk"shish\, n.
See {Backsheesh}.
Bulau \Bu"lau\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
An East Indian insectivorous mammal ({Gymnura Rafflesii}),
somewhat like a rat in appearance, but allied to the
hedgehog.
Bulb \Bulb\ (b[u^]lb), n. [L. bulbus, Gr. bolbo`s: cf. F.
bulbe.]
1. (Bot.) A spheroidal body growing from a plant either above
or below the ground (usually below), which is strictly a
bud, consisting of a cluster of partially developed
leaves, and producing, as it grows, a stem above, and
roots below, as in the onion, tulip, etc. It differs from
a corm in not being solid.
2. (Anat.) A name given to some parts that resemble in shape
certain bulbous roots; as, the bulb of the aorta.
{Bulb of the eye}, the eyeball.
{Bulb of a hair}, the ``root,'' or part whence the hair
originates.
{Bulb of the spinal cord}, the medulla oblongata, often
called simply bulb.
{Bulb of a tooth}, the vascular and nervous papilla contained
in the cavity of the tooth.
3. An expansion or protuberance on a stem or tube, as the
bulb of a thermometer, which may be of any form, as
spherical, cylindrical, curved, etc. --Tomlinson.
Bulb \Bulb\, v. i.
To take the shape of a bulb; to swell.
Bulbaceous \Bul*ba"ceous\, a. [L. bulbaceus. See {Bulb}, n.]
Bulbous. --Jonson.
Bulbar \Bulb"ar\, a.
Of or pertaining to bulb; especially, in medicine, pertaining
to the bulb of the spinal cord, or medulla oblongata; as,
bulbar paralysis.
Bulbed \Bulbed\, a.
Having a bulb; round-headed.
Bulbel \Bulb"el\, n. [Dim., fr. bulb, n.] (Bot.)
A separable bulb formed on some flowering plants.
Bulbiferous \Bul*bif"er*ous\, a. [Bulb,n.+ -ferous: cf. F.
bulbif[`e]re.] (Bot.)
Producing bulbs.
Bulblet \Bulb"let\, n. [Bulb,n.+ -let.] (Bot.)
A small bulb, either produced on a larger bulb, or on some
a["e]rial part of a plant, as in the axils of leaves in the
tiger lily, or replacing the flowers in some kinds of onion.
Bulbose \Bul*bose"\, a.
Bulbous.
Bulbo-tuber \Bul"bo-tu`ber\, n. [Bulb,n.+ tuber.] (Bot.)
A corm.
Bulbous \Bulb"ous\, a. [L. bulbosus: cf. F. bulbeux. See {Bulb},
n.]
Having or containing bulbs, or a bulb; growing from bulbs;
bulblike in shape or structure.
Bulbul \Bul"bul\, n. [Per.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Persian nightingale ({Pycnonotus jocosus}). The name is
also applied to several other Asiatic singing birds, of the
family {Timaliid[ae]}. The green bulbuls belong to the
{Chloropsis} and allied genera. [Written also {buhlbuhl}.]
Bulbule \Bul"bule\, n. [L. bulbulus, dim. of bulbus. See {Bulb},
n.]
A small bulb; a bulblet.
Bulchin \Bul"chin\, n. [Dim. of bull.]
A little bull.
Bulge \Bulge\, n. [OE. bulge a swelling; cf. AS. belgan to
swell, OSw. bulgja, Icel. b[=o]lginn swollen, OHG. belgan to
swell, G. bulge leathern sack, Skr. b?h to be large, strong;
the root meaning to swell. Cf. {Bilge}, {Belly}, {Billow},
{Bouge}, n.]
1. The bilge or protuberant part of a cask.
2. A swelling, protuberant part; a bending outward, esp. when
caused by pressure; as, a bulge in a wall.
3. (Naut.) The bilge of a vessel. See {Bilge}, 2.
{Bulge ways}. (Naut.) See {Bilge ways}.
Bulge \Bulge\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bulged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bulging}.]
1. To swell or jut out; to bend outward, as a wall when it
yields to pressure; to be protuberant; as, the wall
bulges.
2. To bilge, as a ship; to founder.
And scattered navies bulge on distant shores.
--Broome.
Bulgy \Bul"gy\, a.
Bulged; bulging; bending, or tending to bend, outward.
[Colloq.]
Bulimia \Bu*lim"i*a\, Bulimy \Bu"li*my\, n. [NL. bulimia, fr.
Gr. boylimi`a, lit., ox-hunger; boy^s ox + limo`s hunger: cf.
F. boulimie.] (Med.)
A disease in which there is a perpetual and insatiable
appetite for food; a diseased and voracious appetite.
Bulimus \Bu*li"mus\ (b[-u]*l[imac]"m[u^]s), n. [L. bulimus
hunger. See {Bulimy}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of land snails having an elongated spiral shell,
often of large size. The species are numerous and abundant in
tropical America.
Bulk \Bulk\ (b[u^]lk), n. [OE. bulke, bolke, heap; cf. Dan. bulk
lump, clod, OSw. bolk crowd, mass, Icel. b?lkast to be bulky.
Cf. {Boll}, n., {Bile} a boil, {Bulge}, n.]
1. Magnitude of material substance; dimensions; mass; size;
as, an ox or ship of great bulk.
Against these forces there were prepared near one
hundred ships; not so great of bulk indeed, but of a
more nimble motion, and more serviceable. --Bacon.
2. The main mass or body; the largest or principal portion;
the majority; as, the bulk of a debt.
The bulk of the people must labor, Burke told them,
``to obtain what by labor can be obtained.'' --J.
Morley.
3. (Naut.) The cargo of a vessel when stowed.
4. The body. [Obs.] --Shak.
My liver leaped within my bulk. --Turbervile.
{Barrel bulk}. See under {Barrel}.
{To break bulk} (Naut.), to begin to unload or more the
cargo.
{In bulk}, in a mass; loose; not inclosed in separate
packages or divided into separate parts; in such shape
that any desired quantity may be taken or sold.
{Laden in bulk}, {Stowed in bulk}, having the cargo loose in
the hold or not inclosed in boxes, bales, or casks.
{Sale by bulk}, a sale of goods as they are, without weight
or measure.
Syn: Size; magnitude; dimension; volume; bigness; largeness;
massiveness.
Bulk \Bulk\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bulked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bulking}.]
To appear or seem to be, as to bulk or extent; to swell.
The fame of Warburton possibly bulked larger for the
moment. --Leslie
Stephen.
Bulk \Bulk\, n. [Icel. b[=a]lkr a beam, partition. Cf. {Balk},
n. & v.]
A projecting part of a building. [Obs.]
Here, stand behind this bulk. --Shak.
Bulker \Bulk"er\, n. (Naut.)
A person employed to ascertain the bulk or size of goods, in
order to fix the amount of freight or dues payable on them.
Bulkhead \Bulk"head`\, n. [See {Bulk} part of a building.]
1. (Naut.) A partition in a vessel, to separate apartments on
the same deck.
2. A structure of wood or stone, to resist the pressure of
earth or water; a partition wall or structure, as in a
mine; the limiting wall along a water front.
{Bulked line}, a line beyond which a wharf must not project;
-- usually, the harbor line.
Bulkiness \Bulk"i*ness\, n.
Greatness in bulk; size.
Bulky \Bulk"y\, a.
Of great bulk or dimensions; of great size; large; thick;
massive; as, bulky volumes.
A bulky digest of the revenue laws. --Hawthorne.
Bull \Bull\, n. [OE. bule, bul, bole; akin to D. bul, G. bulle,
Icel. boli, Lith. bullus, Lett. bollis, Russ. vol'; prob. fr.
the root of AS. bellan, E. bellow.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The male of any species of cattle
({Bovid[ae]}); hence, the male of any large quadruped, as
the elephant; also, the male of the whale.
Note: The wild bull of the Old Testament is thought to be the
oryx, a large species of antelope.
2. One who, or that which, resembles a bull in character or
action. --Ps. xxii. 12.
3. (Astron.)
(a) Taurus, the second of the twelve signs of the zodiac.
(b) A constellation of the zodiac between Aries and
Gemini. It contains the Pleiades.
At last from Aries rolls the bounteous sun, And
the bright Bull receives him. --Thomson.
4. (Stock Exchange) One who operates in expectation of a rise
in the price of stocks, or in order to effect such a rise.
See 4th {Bear}, n., 5.
{Bull baiting}, the practice of baiting bulls, or rendering
them furious, as by setting dogs to attack them.
{John Bull}, a humorous name for the English, collectively;
also, an Englishman. ``Good-looking young John Bull.''
--W. D.Howells.
{To take the bull by the horns}, to grapple with a difficulty
instead of avoiding it.
Bull \Bull\, a.
Of or pertaining to a bull; resembling a bull; male; large;
fierce.
{Bull bat} (Zo["o]l.), the night hawk; -- so called from the
loud noise it makes while feeding on the wing, in the
evening.
{Bull calf}.
(a) A stupid fellow.
{Bull mackerel} (Zo["o]l.), the chub mackerel.
{Bull pump} (Mining), a direct single-acting pumping engine,
in which the steam cylinder is placed above the pump.
{Bull snake} (Zo["o]l.), the pine snake of the United States.
{Bull stag}, a castrated bull. See {Stag}.
{Bull wheel}, a wheel, or drum, on which a rope is wound for
lifting heavy articles, as logs, the tools in well boring,
etc.
Bull \Bull\, v. i.
To be in heat; to manifest sexual desire as cows do.
[Colloq.]
Bull \Bull\, v. t. (Stock Exchange)
To endeavor to raise the market price of; as, to bull
railroad bonds; to bull stocks; to bull Lake Shore; to
endeavor to raise prices in; as, to bull the market. See 1st
{Bull}, n., 4.
Bull \Bull\, n. [OE. bulle, fr. L. bulla bubble, stud, knob,
LL., a seal or stamp: cf. F. bulle. Cf. {Bull} a writing,
{Bowl} a ball, {Boil}, v. i.]
1. A seal. See {Bulla}.
2. A letter, edict, or respect, of the pope, written in
Gothic characters on rough parchment, sealed with a bulla,
and dated ``a die Incarnationis,'' i. e., ``from the day
of the Incarnation.'' See Apostolical brief, under
{Brief}.
A fresh bull of Leo's had declared how inflexible
the court of Rome was in the point of abuses.
--Atterbury.
3. A grotesque blunder in language; an apparent congruity,
but real incongruity, of ideas, contained in a form of
expression; so called, perhaps, from the apparent
incongruity between the dictatorial nature of the pope's
bulls and his professions of humility.
And whereas the papist boasts himself to be a Roman
Catholic, it is a mere contradiction, one of the
pope's bulls, as if he should say universal
particular; a Catholic schimatic. --Milton.
{The Golden Bull}, an edict or imperial constitution made by
the emperor Charles IV. (1356), containing what became the
fundamental law of the German empire; -- so called from
its golden seal.
Syn: See {Blunder}.
Bulla \Bul"la\, n.; pl. {Bull[ae]}. [L. bulla bubble. See {Bull}
an edict.]
1. (Med.) A bleb; a vesicle, or an elevation of the cuticle,
containing a transparent watery fluid.
2. (Anat.) The ovoid prominence below the opening of the ear
in the skulls of many animals; as, the tympanic or
auditory bulla.
3. A leaden seal for a document; esp. the round leaden seal
attached to the papal bulls, which has on one side a
representation of St. Peter and St. Paul, and on the other
the name of the pope who uses it.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of marine shells. See {Bubble shell}.
Bullace \Bul"lace\, n. [OE. bolas, bolace, OF. beloce; of Celtic
origin; cf. Arm. bolos, polos, Gael. bulaistear.] (Bot.)
(a) A small European plum ({Prunus communis}, var.
{insitita}). See {Plum}.
(b) The bully tree.
Bullantic \Bul*lan"tic\, a. [See {Bull} an edict.]
Pertaining to, or used in, papal bulls. --Fry.
{Bullantic letters}, Gothic letters used in papal bulls.
Bullary \Bul"la*ry\, n. [LL. bullarium: cf. F. bullairie. See
{Bull} an edict.]
A collection of papal bulls.
Bullary \Bul"la*ry\, n.; pl. {Bullaries} (-r[i^]z). [Cf.
{Boilary}.]
A place for boiling or preparing salt; a boilery. --Crabb.
And certain salt fats or bullaries. --Bills in
Chancery.
Bullate \Bul"late\ (b[u^]l"l[asl]t/), a. [L. bullatus, fr. bulla
bubble.] (Biol.)
Appearing as if blistered; inflated; puckered.
{Bullate leaf} (Bot.), a leaf, the membranous part of which
rises between the veins puckered elevations convex on one
side and concave on the other.
Bullbeggar \Bull"beg`gar\, n.
Something used or suggested to produce terror, as in children
or persons of weak mind; a bugbear.
And being an ill-looked fellow, he has a pension from
the church wardens for being bullbeggar to all the
forward children in the parish. --Mountfort
(1691).
Bull brier \Bull" bri`er\ (Bot.)
A species of Smilax ({S. Pseudo-China}) growing from New
Jersey to the Gulf of Mexico, which has very large tuberous
and farinaceous rootstocks, formerly used by the Indians for
a sort of bread, and by the negroes as an ingredient in
making beer; -- called also {bamboo brier} and {China brier}.
Bullcomber \Bull"comb*er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A scaraboid beetle; esp. the {Typh[ae]us vulgaris} of Europe.
Bulldog \Bull"dog`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A variety of dog, of remarkable ferocity,
courage, and tenacity of grip; -- so named, probably, from
being formerly employed in baiting bulls.
2. (Metal.) A refractory material used as a furnace lining,
obtained by calcining the cinder or slag from the puddling
furnace of a rolling mill.
Bulldog \Bull"dog`\, a.
Characteristic of, or like, a bulldog; stubborn; as, bulldog
courage; bulldog tenacity.
{Bulldog bat} (Zo'94l.), a bat of the genus {Nyctinomus}; --
so called from the shape of its face.
Bulldoze \Bull"doze`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bulldozed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Bulldozing}.]
To intimidate; to restrain or coerce by intimidation or
violence; -- used originally of the intimidation of negro
voters, in Louisiana. [Slang, U.S.]
Bulldozer \Bull"do`zer\, n.
One who bulldozes. [Slang]
Bulled \Bulled\, a. [Cf. {Boln}.]
Swollen. [Obs.]
Bullen-bullen \Bul"len-bul"len\, n. [Native Australian name,
from its cry.] (Zo["o]l.)
The lyre bird.
Bullen-nail \Bul"len-nail`\, n. [Bull large, having a large head
+ nail.]
A nail with a round head and short shank, tinned and
lacquered.
Bullet \Bul"let\, n. [F. boulet, dim. of boule ball. See {Bull}
an edict, and cf. {Boulet}.]
1. A small ball.
2. A missile, usually of lead, and round or elongated in
form, to be discharged from a rifle, musket, pistol, or
other small firearm.
3. A cannon ball. [Obs.]
A ship before Greenwich . . . shot off her ordnance,
one piece being charged with a bullet of stone.
--Stow.
4. The fetlock of a horse.
Note: [See Illust. under {Horse}.]
Bullet-proof \Bul"let-proof`\, a.
Capable of resisting the force of a bullet.
{Bullet tree}. See {Bully tree}.
{Bullet wood}, the wood of the bullet tree.
Bulletin \Bul"le*tin\, n. [F. bulletin, fr. It. bullettino, dim.
of bulletta, dim. of bulla, bolla, an edict of the pope, from
L. bulla bubble. See {Bull} an edict.]
1. A brief statement of facts respecting some passing event,
as military operations or the health of some distinguished
personage, issued by authority for the information of the
public.
2. Any public notice or announcement, especially of news
recently received.
3. A periodical publication, especially one containing the
proceeding of a society.
{Bulletin board}, a board on which announcements are put,
particularly at newsrooms, newspaper offices, etc.
Bullfaced \Bull"faced`\, a.
Having a large face.
Bullfeast \Bull"feast`\, n.
See {Bullfight}. [Obs.]
Bullfight \Bull"fight`\, Bullfighting \Bull"fight`ing\, n.
A barbarous sport, of great antiquity, in which men torment,
and fight with, a bull or bulls in an arena, for public
amusement, -- still popular in Spain. -- {Bull"fight`er}, n.
Bullfinch \Bull"finch`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A bird of the genus {Pyrrhula} and other related genera,
especially the {P. vulgaris or rubicilla}, a bird of Europe
allied to the grosbeak, having the breast, cheeks, and neck,
red.
Note: As a cage bird it is highly valued for its remarkable
power of learning to whistle correctly various musical
airs.
{Crimson-fronted bullfinch}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Burion}.
{Pine bullfinch}, the pine finch.
Bullfist \Bull"fist\, Bullfice \Bull"fice\, n. [Cf. G. bofist,
AS. wulfes fist puffball, E. fizz, foist.] (Bot.)
A kind of fungus. See {Puffball}.
Bull fly \Bull" fly`\ or Bullfly \Bull"fly`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any large fly troublesome to cattle, as the gadflies and
breeze flies.
Bullfrog \Bull"frog`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A very large species of frog ({Rana Catesbiana}), found in
North America; -- so named from its loud bellowing in spring.
Bullhead \Bull"head`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A fresh-water fish of many species, of the genus
{Uranidea}, esp. {U. gobio} of Europe, and {U.
Richardsoni} of the United States; -- called also
{miller's thumb}.
(b) In America, several species of {Amiurus}; -- called
also {catfish}, {horned pout}, and {bullpout}.
(c) A marine fish of the genus {Cottus}; the sculpin.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The black-bellied plover ({Squatarola helvetica}); --
called also {beetlehead}.
(b) The golden plover.
3. A stupid fellow; a lubber. [Colloq.] --Jonson.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A small black water insect. --E. Phillips.
{Bullhead whiting} (Zo["o]l.), the kingfish of Florida
({Menticirrus alburnus}).
Bullheaded \Bull"head`ed\ (b[.u]l"h[e^]d`[e^]d), a.
Having a head like that of a bull. Fig.: Headstrong;
obstinate; dogged.
Bullion \Bul"lion\ (b[.u]l"y[u^]n), n. [Cf. OE. bullyon a hook
used for fastening the dress, a button, stud, an embossed
ornament of various kinds, e. g., on the cover of a book, on
bridles or poitrels, for purses, for breeches and doublets,
LL. bullio the swelling of boiling water, a mass of gold or
silver, fr. L. bulla boss, stud, bubble (see {Bull} an
edict), or perh. corrupted fr. F. billon base coin, LL.
billio bullion. Cf. {Billon}, {Billet} a stick.]
1. Uncoined gold or silver in the mass.
Note: Properly, the precious metals are called bullion, when
smelted and not perfectly refined, or when refined, but
in bars, ingots or in any form uncoined, as in plate.
The word is often often used to denote gold and silver,
both coined and uncoined, when reckoned by weight and
in mass, including especially foreign, or uncurrent,
coin.
2. Base or uncurrent coin. [Obs.]
And those which eld's strict doom did disallow, And
damm for bullion, go for current now. --Sylvester.
3. Showy metallic ornament, as of gold, silver, or copper, on
bridles, saddles, etc. [Obs.]
The clasps and bullions were worth a thousand pound.
--Skelton.
4. Heavy twisted fringe, made of fine gold or silver wire and
used for epaulets; also, any heavy twisted fringe whose
cords are prominent.
Bullionist \Bul"lion*ist\, n.
An advocate for a metallic currency, or a paper currency
always convertible into gold.
Bullirag \Bul"li*rag\, v. t. [Cf. bully,n.& v., and rag to
scold, rail. Cf. {Ballarag}.]
To intimidate by bullying; to rally contemptuously; to
badger. [Low]
Bullish \Bull"ish\, a.
Partaking of the nature of a bull, or a blunder.
Let me inform you, a toothless satire is as improper as
a toothed sleek stone, and as bullish. --Milton.
Bullist \Bull"ist\, n. [F. bulliste. See {Bull} an edict.]
A writer or drawer up of papal bulls. [R.] --Harmar.
Bullition \Bul*li"tion\, n. [L. bullire, bullitum, to boil. See
{Boil}, v. i.]
The action of boiling; boiling. [Obs.] See {Ebullition}.
--Bacon.
Bull-necked \Bull"-necked`\, a.
Having a short and thick neck like that of a bull. --Sir W.
Scott.
Bullock \Bul"lock\, n. [AS. bulluc a young bull. See {Bull}.]
1. A young bull, or any male of the ox kind.
Take thy father's young bullock, even the second
bullock of seven years old. --Judges vi.
25.
2. An ox, steer, or stag.
Bullock \Bul"lock\, v. t.
To bully. [Obs.]
She shan't think to bullock and domineer over me.
--Foote.
Bullock's-eye \Bul"lock's-eye`\, n.
See {Bull's-eye}, 3.
Bullon \Bul"lon\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A West Indian fish ({Scarus Croicensis}).
Bullpout \Bull"pout`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Bullhead}, 1
(b) .
Bull's-eye \Bull's"-eye`\, n.
1. (Naut.) A small circular or oval wooden block without
sheaves, having a groove around it and a hole through it,
used for connecting rigging.
2. A small round cloud, with a ruddy center, supposed by
sailors to portend a storm.
3. A small thick disk of glass inserted in a deck, roof,
floor, ship's side, etc., to let in light.
4. A circular or oval opening for air or light.
5. A lantern, with a thick glass lens on one side for
concentrating the light on any object; also, the lens
itself. --Dickens.
6. (Astron.) Aldebaran, a bright star in the eye of Taurus or
the Bull.
7. (Archery & Gun.) The center of a target.
8. A thick knob or protuberance left on glass by the end of
the pipe through which it was blown.
9. A small and thick old-fashioned watch. [Colloq.]
Bull's-nose \Bull's"-nose`\, n. (Arch.)
An external angle when obtuse or rounded.
Bull terrier \Bull" ter"ri*er\ (Zo["o]l.)
A breed of dogs obtained by crossing the bulldog and the
terrier.
Bull trout \Bull" trout`\ (Zo["o]l.)
(a) In England, a large salmon trout of several species, as
{Salmo trutta} and {S. Cambricus}, which ascend rivers;
-- called also {sea trout}.
(b) {Salvelinus malma} of California and Oregon; -- called
also {Dolly Varden trout} and {red-spotted trout}.
(c) The huso or salmon of the Danube.
Bullweed \Bull"weed`\, n. [Bole a stem + weed.] (Bot.)
Knapweed. --Prior.
Bullwort \Bull"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Bishop's-weed}.
Bully \Bul"ly\, n.; pl. {Bullies}. [Cf. LG. bullerjaan,
bullerb["a]k, bullerbrook, a blusterer, D. bulderaar a
bluster, bulderen to bluster; prob. of imitative origin; or
cf. MHG. buole lover, G. buhle.]
1. A noisy, blustering fellow, more insolent than courageous;
one who is threatening and quarrelsome; an insolent,
tyrannical fellow.
Bullies seldom execute the threats they deal in.
--Palmerston.
2. A brisk, dashing fellow. [Slang Obs.] --Shak.
Bully \Bul"ly\, a.
1. Jovial and blustering; dashing. [Slang] ``Bless thee,
bully doctor.'' --Shak.
2. Fine; excellent; as, a bully horse. [Slang, U.S.]
Bully \Bul"ly\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bullied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bullying}.]
To intimidate with threats and by an overbearing, swaggering
demeanor; to act the part of a bully toward.
For the last fortnight there have been prodigious
shoals of volunteers gone over to bully the French,
upon hearing the peace was just signing. --Tatler.
Syn: To bluster; swagger; hector; domineer.
Bully \Bul"ly\, v. i.
To act as a bully.
Bullyrag \Bul"ly*rag\, v. t.
Same as {Bullirag}.
Bullyrock \Bul"ly*rock`\, n.
A bully. [Slang Obs.] --Shak.
Bully tree \Bul"ly tree`\ (Bot.)
The name of several West Indian trees of the order
{Sapotace[ae]}, as {Dipholis nigra} and species of {Sapota}
and {Mimusops}. Most of them yield a substance closely
resembling gutta-percha.
Bulrush \Bul"rush`\, n. [OE. bulrysche, bolroysche; of uncertain
origin, perh. fr. bole stem + rush.] (Bot.)
A kind of large rush, growing in wet land or in water.
Note: The name bulrush is applied in England especially to
the cat-tail ({Typha latifolia} and {T. angustifolia})
and to the lake club-rush ({Scirpus lacustris}); in
America, to the {Juncus effusus}, and also to species
of {Scirpus} or club-rush.
Bulse \Bulse\, n.
A purse or bag in which to carry or measure diamonds, etc.
[India] --Macaulay.
Bultel \Bul"tel\, n. [LL. bultellus. See {Bolt} to sift.]
A bolter or bolting cloth; also, bran. [Obs.]
Bulti \Bul"ti\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Bolty}.
Bultow \Bul"tow`\, n.
A trawl; a boulter; the mode of fishing with a boulter or
spiller.
Bulwark \Bul"wark\, n. [Akin to D. bolwerk, G. bollwerk, Sw.
bolwerk, Dan. bolv["a]rk, bulv["a]rk, rampart; akin to G.
bohle plank, and werk work, defense. See {Bole} stem, and
{Work}, n., and cf. {Boulevard}.]
1. (Fort.) A rampart; a fortification; a bastion or outwork.
2. That which secures against an enemy, or defends from
attack; any means of defense or protection.
The royal navy of England hath ever been its
greatest defense, . . . the floating bulwark of our
island. --Blackstone.
3. pl. (Naut.) The sides of a ship above the upper deck.
Syn: See {Rampart}.
Bulwark \Bul"wark\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bulwarked}; p. pr. &
vb.n. {Bulwarking}.]
To fortify with, or as with, a rampart or wall; to secure by
fortification; to protect.
Of some proud city, bulwarked round and armed With
rising towers. --Glover.
Bum \Bum\, n. [Contr. fr. bottom in this sense.]
The buttock. [Low] --Shak.
Bum \Bum\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bummed}; p. pr. & vb.n.
{Bumming} (?).] [See {Boom}, v. i., to roar.]
To make murmuring or humming sound. --Jamieson.
Bum \Bum\, n.
A humming noise. --Halliwell.
Bumbailiff \Bum"bail"iff\, n. [A corruption of bound bailiff.]
[Low, Eng.]
See {Bound bailiff}, under {Bound}, a.
Bumbard \Bum"bard\
See {Bombard}. [Obs.]
Bumbarge \Bum"barge`\, n.
See {Bumboat}. --Carlyle.
Bumbast \Bum"bast\
See {Bombast}. [Obs.]
Bumbelo \Bum"be*lo\, n.; pl. {Bumbeloes}. [It. bombola.]
A glass used in subliming camphor. [Spelled also {bombolo}
and {bumbolo}.]
Bumble \Bum"ble\, n. [See {Bump} to boom.] (Zo["o]l.)
The bittern. [Local, Eng.]
Bumble \Bum"ble\, v. i.
To make a hollow or humming noise, like that of a bumblebee;
to cry as a bittern.
As a bittern bumbleth in the mire. --Chaucer.
Bumblebee \Bum"ble*bee`\, n. [OE. bumblen to make a humming
noise (dim. of bum, v. i.) + bee. Cf. {Humblebee}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large bee of the genus {Bombus}, sometimes called
{humblebee}; -- so named from its sound.
Note: There are many species. All gather honey, and store it
in the empty cocoons after the young have come out.
Bumboat \Bum"boat`\, n. [From bum the buttocks, on account of
its clumsy form; or fr. D. bun a box for holding fish in a
boat.] (Naut.)
A clumsy boat, used for conveying provisions, fruit, etc.,
for sale, to vessels lying in port or off shore.
Bumkin \Bum"kin\, n. [Boom a beam + -kin. See {Bumpkin}.]
(Naut.)
A projecting beam or boom; as:
(a) One projecting from each bow of a vessel, to haul the
fore tack to, called a tack bumpkin.
(b) One from each quarter, for the main-brace blocks, and
called {brace bumpkin}.
(c) A small outrigger over the stern of a boat, to extend the
mizzen. [Written also {boomkin}.]
Bummalo \Bum"ma*lo\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small marine Asiatic fish ({Saurus ophidon}) used in India
as a relish; -- called also {Bombay duck}.
Bummer \Bum"mer\, n.
An idle, worthless fellow, who is without any visible means
of support; a dissipated sponger. [Slang, U.S.]
Bummery \Bum"me*ry\, n.
See {Bottomery}. [Obs.]
There was a scivener of Wapping brought to hearing for
relief against a bummery bond. --R. North.
Bump \Bump\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bumped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bumping}.] [Cf. W. pwmp round mass, pwmpiaw to thump, bang,
and E. bum, v. i., boom to roar.]
To strike, as with or against anything large or solid; to
thump; as, to bump the head against a wall.
Bump \Bump\, v. i.
To come in violent contact with something; to thump.
``Bumping and jumping.'' --Southey.
Bump \Bump\, n. [From {Bump} to strike, to thump.]
1. A thump; a heavy blow.
2. A swelling or prominence, resulting from a bump or blow; a
protuberance.
It had upon its brow A bump as big as a young
cockerel's stone. --Shak.
3. (Phren.) One of the protuberances on the cranium which are
associated with distinct faculties or affections of the
mind; as, the bump of ``veneration;'' the bump of
``acquisitiveness.'' [Colloq.]
4. The act of striking the stern of the boat in advance with
the prow of the boat following. [Eng.]
Bump \Bump\, v. i. [See {Boom} to roar.]
To make a loud, heavy, or hollow noise, as the bittern; to
boom.
As a bittern bumps within a reed. --Dryden.
Bump \Bump\, n.
The noise made by the bittern.
Bumper \Bum"per\, n. [A corruption of bumbard, bombard, a large
drinking vessel.]
1. A cup or glass filled to the brim, or till the liquor runs
over, particularly in drinking a health or toast.
He frothed his bumpers to the brim. --Tennyson.
2. A covered house at a theater, etc., in honor of some
favorite performer. [Cant]
Bumper \Bump"er\, n.
1. That which bumps or causes a bump.
2. Anything which resists or deadens a bump or shock; a
buffer.
Bumpkin \Bump"kin\, n. [The same word as bumkin, which Cotgrave
defines thus: ``Bumkin, Fr. chicambault, the luffe-block, a
long and thick piece of wood, whereunto the fore-sayle and
sprit-sayle are fastened, when a ship goes by the winde.''
Hence, a clumsy man may easily have been compared to such a
block of wood; cf. OD. boomken a little tree. See {Boom} a
pole.]
An awkward, heavy country fellow; a clown; a country lout.
``Bashful country bumpkins.'' --W. Irving.
Bumptious \Bump"tious\, a.
Self-conceited; forward; pushing. [Colloq.] --Halliwell.
Bumptiousness \Bump"tious*ness\, n.
Conceitedness. [Colloq.]
Bun \Bun\, Bunn \Bunn\, n. [Scot. bun, bunn, OE. bunne, bonne;
fr. Celtic; cf. Ir. bunna, Gael. bonnach, or OF. bugne tumor,
Prov. F. bugne a kind of pancake; akin to OHG. bungo bulb,
MHG. bunge, Prov. E. bung heap, cluster, bunny a small
swelling.]
A slightly sweetened raised cake or bisquit with a glazing of
sugar and milk on the top crust.
Bunch \Bunch\, n. [Akin to OSw. & Dan. bunke heap, Icel. bunki
heap, pile, bunga tumor, protuberance; cf. W. pwng cluster.
Cf. {Bunk}.]
1. A protuberance; a hunch; a knob or lump; a hump.
They will carry . . . their treasures upon the
bunches of camels. --Isa. xxx. 6.
2. A collection, cluster, or tuft, properly of things of the
same kind, growing or fastened together; as, a bunch of
grapes; a bunch of keys.
3. (Mining) A small isolated mass of ore, as distinguished
from a continuous vein. --Page.
Bunch \Bunch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bunched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bunching}.]
To swell out into a bunch or protuberance; to be protuberant
or round.
Bunching out into a large round knob at one end.
--Woodward.
Bunch \Bunch\, v. t.
To form into a bunch or bunches.
Bunch-backed \Bunch"-backed`\, a.
Having a bunch on the back; crooked. ``Bunch-backed toad.''
--Shak.
Bunchberry \Bunch"ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
The dwarf cornel ({Cornus Canadensis}), which bears a dense
cluster of bright red, edible berries.
Bunch grass \Bunch" grass`\ (Bot.)
A grass growing in bunches and affording pasture. In
California, {Atropis tenuifolia}, {Festuca scabrella}, and
several kinds of {Stipa} are favorite bunch grasses. In Utah,
{Eriocoma cuspidata} is a good bunch grass.
Bunchiness \Bunch"i*ness\, n.
The quality or condition of being bunchy; knobbiness.
Bunchy \Bunch"y\, a.
1. Swelling out in bunches.
An unshapen, bunchy spear, with bark unpiled.
--Phaer.
2. Growing in bunches, or resembling a bunch; having tufts;
as, the bird's bunchy tail.
3. (Mining) Yielding irregularly; sometimes rich, sometimes
poor; as, a bunchy mine. --Page.
Buncombe \Bun"combe\, Bunkum \Bun"kum\, n. [Buncombe a county of
North Carolina.]
Speech-making for the gratification of constituents, or to
gain public applause; flattering talk for a selfish purpose;
anything said for mere show. [Cant or Slang, U.S.]
All that flourish about right of search was bunkum --
all that brag about hanging your Canada sheriff was
bunkum . . . slavery speeches are all bunkum.
--Haliburton.
{To speak for Buncombe}, to speak for mere show, or
popularly.
Note: ``The phrase originated near the close of the debate on
the famous `Missouri Question,' in the 16th Congress.
It was then used by Felix Walker -- a na["i]ve old
mountaineer, who resided at Waynesville, in Haywood,
the most western country of North Carolina, near the
border of the adjacent county of Buncombe, which formed
part of his district. The old man rose to speak, while
the house was impatiently calling for the `Question,'
and several members gathered round him, begging him to
desist. He preserved, however, for a while, declaring
that the people of his district expected it, and that
he was bound to `make a speech for Buncombe.''' --W.
Darlington.
Bund \Bund\, n. [G.]
League; confederacy; esp. the confederation of German states.
Bund \Bund\, n. [Hindi band.]
An embankment against inundation. [India] --S. Wells
Williams.
Bunder \Bun"der\, n. [Pers. bandar a landing place, pier.]
A boat or raft used in the East Indies in the landing of
passengers and goods.
Bundesrath \Bun"des*rath`\ (b[oo^]n"d[e^]s*r[aum]t`), n. [G.,
from bund (akin to E. bond) confederacy + rath council, prob.
akin to E. read.]
The federal council of the German Empire. In the Bundesrath
and the Reichstag are vested the legislative functions. The
federal council of Switzerland is also so called.
Note: The Bundesrath of the German empire is presided over by
a chancellor, and is composed of sixty-two members, who
represent the different states of the empire, being
appointed for each session by their respective
governments.
By this united congress, the highest tribunal of
Switzerland, -- the Bundesrath -- is chosen, and
the head of this is a president. --J. P. Peters
(Trans.
M["u]ller's
Pol. Hist.).
Bundle \Bun"dle\ (b[u^]n"d'l), n. [OE. bundel, AS. byndel; akin
to D. bondel, bundel, G. b["u]ndel, dim. of bund bundle, fr.
the root of E. bind. See {Bind}.]
A number of things bound together, as by a cord or envelope,
into a mass or package convenient for handling or conveyance;
a loose package; a roll; as, a bundle of straw or of paper; a
bundle of old clothes.
The fable of the rods, which, when united in a bundle,
no strength could bend. --Goldsmith.
{Bundle pillar} (Arch.), a column or pier, with others of
small dimensions attached to it. --Weale.
Bundle \Bun"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bundled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bundling}.]
1. To tie or bind in a bundle or roll.
2. To send off abruptly or without ceremony.
They unmercifully bundled me and my gallant second
into our own hackney coach. --T. Hook.
{To bundle off}, to send off in a hurry, or without ceremony.
{To bundle one's self up}, to wrap one's self up warmly or
cumbrously.
Bundle \Bun"dle\, v. i.
1. To prepare for departure; to set off in a hurry or without
ceremony.
2. To sleep on the same bed without undressing; -- applied to
the custom of a man and woman, especially lovers, thus
sleeping. --Bartlett.
Van Corlear stopped occasionally in the villages to
eat pumpkin pies, dance at country frolics, and
bundle with the Yankee lasses. --W. Irving.
Bung \Bung\, n. [Cf. W. bwng orfice, bunghole, Ir. buinne tap,
spout, OGael. buine.]
1. The large stopper of the orifice in the bilge of a cask.
2. The orifice in the bilge of a cask through which it is
filled; bunghole.
3. A sharper or pickpocket. [Obs. & Low]
You filthy bung, away. --Shak.
Bung \Bung\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bunged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bunging}.]
To stop, as the orifice in the bilge of a cask, with a bung;
to close; -- with up.
{To bung up}, to use up, as by bruising or over exertion; to
exhaust or incapacitate for action. [Low]
He had bunged up his mouth that he should not have
spoken these three years. --Shelton
(Trans. Don
Quixote).
Bungalow \Bun"ga*low\, n. [Bengalee b[=a]ngl[=a]]
A thatched or tiled house or cottage, of a single story,
usually surrounded by a veranda. [India]
Bungarum \Bun"ga*rum\, n. [Bungar, the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A venomous snake of India, of the genus {Bungarus}, allied to
the cobras, but without a hood.
Bunghole \Bung"hole`\, n.
See {Bung}, n., 2. --Shak.
Bungle \Bun"gle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bungled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bungling}.] [Prob. a diminutive from, akin to bang; cf.
Prov. G. bungen to beat, bang, OSw. bunga. See {Bang}.]
To act or work in a clumsy, awkward manner.
Bungle \Bun"gle\, v. t.
To make or mend clumsily; to manage awkwardly; to botch; --
sometimes with up.
I always had an idea that it would be bungled. --Byron.
Bungle \Bun"gle\, n.
A clumsy or awkward performance; a botch; a gross blunder.
Those errors and bungles which are committed.
--Cudworth.
Bungler \Bun"gler\, n.
A clumsy, awkward workman; one who bungles.
If to be a dunce or a bungler in any profession be
shameful, how much more ignominious and infamous to a
scholar to be such! --Barrow.
Bungling \Bun"gling\, a.
Unskillful; awkward; clumsy; as, a bungling workman. --Swift.
They make but bungling work. --Dryden.
Bunglingly \Bun"gling*ly\, adv.
Clumsily; awkwardly.
Bungo \Bun"go\, n. (Naut.)
A kind of canoe used in Central and South America; also, a
kind of boat used in the Southern United States. --Bartlett.
Bunion \Bun"ion\, n. (Med.)
Same as {Bunyon}.
Bunk \Bunk\, n. [Cf. OSw. bunke heap, also boaring, flooring.
Cf. {Bunch}.]
1. A wooden case or box, which serves for a seat in the
daytime and for a bed at night. [U.S.]
2. One of a series of berths or bed places in tiers.
3. A piece of wood placed on a lumberman's sled to sustain
the end of heavy timbers. [Local, U.S.]
Bunk \Bunk\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bunked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bunking}.]
To go to bed in a bunk; -- sometimes with in. [Colloq. U.S.]
--Bartlett.
Bunker \Bun"ker\, n. [Scot. bunker, bunkart, a bench, or low
chest, serving for a seat. Cf. {Bunk}, {Bank}, {Bench}.]
1. A sort of chest or box, as in a window, the lid of which
serves for a seat. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
2. A large bin or similar receptacle; as, a coal bunker.
Bunko \Bun"ko\, n. [Sf. Sp. banco bank, banca a sort of game at
cards. Cf. {Bank} (in the commercial sense).]
A kind of swindling game or scheme, by means of cards or by a
sham lottery. [Written also {bunco}.]
{Bunko steerer}, a person employed as a decoy in bunko.
[Slang, U.S.]
Bunkum \Bun"kum\, n.
See {Buncombe}.
Bunn \Bunn\, n.
See {Bun}.
Bunnian \Bun"nian\, n.
See {Bunyon}.
Bunny \Bun"ny\, n. (Mining)
A great collection of ore without any vein coming into it or
going out from it.
Bunny \Bun"ny\, n.
A pet name for a rabbit or a squirrel.
Bunodonta \Bu`no*don"ta\, Bunodonts \Bu"no*donts\, n. pl. [NL.
bunodonta, fr. Gr. ? hill, heap + ?, ?, a tooth.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of the herbivorous mammals including the hogs and
hippopotami; -- so called because the teeth are tuberculated.
Bunsen's battery \Bun"sen's bat"ter*y\, Bunsen's burner
\Bun"sen's burn`er\ .
See under {Battery}, and {Burner}.
Bunt \Bunt\, n. (Bot.)
A fungus ({Ustilago f[oe]tida}) which affects the ear of
cereals, filling the grains with a fetid dust; -- also called
pepperbrand.
Bunt \Bunt\, n. [Cf. Sw. bunt bundle, Dan. bundt, G. bund, E.
bundle.] (Naut.)
The middle part, cavity, or belly of a sail; the part of a
furled sail which is at the center of the yard. --Totten.
Bunt \Bunt\, v. i. (Naut.)
To swell out; as, the sail bunts.
Bunt \Bunt\, v. t. & i.
To strike or push with the horns or head; to butt; as, the
ram bunted the boy.
Bunter \Bun"ter\, n.
A woman who picks up rags in the streets; hence, a low,
vulgar woman. [Cant]
Her . . . daughters, like bunters in stuff gowns.
--Goldsmith.
Bunting \Bun"ting\, n. [Scot. buntlin, corn-buntlin, OE.
bunting, buntyle; of unknown origin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bird of the genus {Emberiza}, or of an allied genus,
related to the finches and sparrows (family
{Fringillid[ae]}).
Note: Among European species are the common or corn bunting
({Emberiza miliaria}); the ortolan ({E. hortulana});
the cirl ({E. cirlus}); and the black-headed
({Granitivora melanocephala}). American species are the
bay-winged or grass ({Po["o]c[ae]tes or Po[oe]cetes
gramineus}); the black-throated ({Spiza Americana});
the towhee bunting or chewink ({Pipilo}); the snow
bunting ({Plectrophanax nivalis}); the rice bunting or
bobolink, and others. See {Ortolan}, {Chewick}, {Snow
bunting}, {Lark bunting}.
Bunting \Bun"ting\, Buntine \Bun"tine\, n. [Prov. E. bunting
sifting flour, OE. bonten to sift, hence prob. the material
used for that purpose.]
A thin woolen stuff, used chiefly for flags, colors, and
ships' signals.
Buntline \Bunt"line\, n. [2d bunt + line.] (Naut.)
One of the ropes toggled to the footrope of a sail, used to
haul up to the yard the body of the sail when taking it in.
--Totten.
Bunyon \Bun"yon\, Bunion \Bun"ion\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. bunny a
small swelling, fr. OF. bugne, It. bugna, bugnone. See
{Bun}.] (Med.)
An enlargement and inflammation of a small membranous sac
(one of the burs[ae] muscos[ae]), usually occurring on the
first joint of the great toe.
Buoy \Buoy\, n. [D. boei buoy, fetter, fr. OF. boie, buie,
chain, fetter, F. bou['e]e a buoy, from L. boia. ``Boiae
genus vinculorum tam ferreae quam ligneae.'' --Festus. So
called because chained to its place.] (Naut.)
A float; esp. a floating object moored to the bottom, to mark
a channel or to point out the position of something beneath
the water, as an anchor, shoal, rock, etc.
{Anchor buoy}, a buoy attached to, or marking the position
of, an anchor.
{Bell buoy}, a large buoy on which a bell is mounted, to be
rung by the motion of the waves.
{Breeches buoy}. See under {Breeches}.
{Cable buoy}, an empty cask employed to buoy up the cable in
rocky anchorage.
{Can buoy}, a hollow buoy made of sheet or boiler iron,
usually conical or pear-shaped.
{Life buoy}, a float intended to support persons who have
fallen into the water, until a boat can be dispatched to
save them.
{Nut} or {Nun buoy}, a buoy large in the middle, and tapering
nearly to a point at each end.
{To stream the buoy}, to let the anchor buoy fall by the
ship's side into the water, before letting go the anchor.
{Whistling buoy}, a buoy fitted with a whistle that is blown
by the action of the waves.
Buoy \Buoy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buoyed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Buoying}.]
1. To keep from sinking in a fluid, as in water or air; to
keep afloat; -- with up.
2. To support or sustain; to preserve from sinking into ruin
or despondency.
Those old prejudices, which buoy up the ponderous
mass of his nobility, wealth, and title. --Burke.
3. To fix buoys to; to mark by a buoy or by buoys; as, to
buoy an anchor; to buoy or buoy off a channel.
Not one rock near the surface was discovered which
was not buoyed by this floating weed. --Darwin.
Buoy \Buoy\, v. i.
To float; to rise like a buoy. ``Rising merit will buoy up at
last.'' --Pope.
Buoyage \Buoy"age\, n.
Buoys, taken collectively; a series of buoys, as for the
guidance of vessels into or out of port; the providing of
buoys.
Buoyance \Buoy"ance\, n.
Buoyancy. [R.]
Buoyancy \Buoy"an*cy\, n.; pl. {Buoyancies}.
1. The property of floating on the surface of a liquid, or in
a fluid, as in the atmosphere; specific lightness, which
is inversely as the weight compared with that of an equal
volume of water.
2. (Physics) The upward pressure exerted upon a floating body
by a fluid, which is equal to the weight of the body;
hence, also, the weight of a floating body, as measured by
the volume of fluid displaced.
Such are buoyancies or displacements of the
different classes of her majesty's ships. --Eng.
Cyc.
3. Cheerfulness; vivacity; liveliness; sprightliness; -- the
opposite of {heaviness}; as, buoyancy of spirits.
Buoyant \Buoy"ant\, a. [From {Buoy}, v. t. & i.]
1. Having the quality of rising or floating in a fluid;
tending to rise or float; as, iron is buoyant in mercury.
``Buoyant on the flood.'' --Pope.
2. Bearing up, as a fluid; sustaining another body by being
specifically heavier.
The water under me was buoyant. --Dryden.
3. Light-hearted; vivacious; cheerful; as, a buoyant
disposition; buoyant spirits. -- {Buoy"ant*ly}, adv.
Buprestidan \Bu*pres"ti*dan\, n. [L. buprestis, Gr. ?, a
poisonous beetle, which, being eaten by cattle in the grass,
caused them to swell up and and die; ? ox, cow + ? to blow
up, swell out.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a tribe of beetles, of the genus {Buprestis} and
allied genera, usually with brilliant metallic colors. The
larv[ae] are usually borers in timber, or beneath bark, and
are often very destructive to trees.
Bur \Bur\, Burr \Burr\, n. [OE. burre burdock; cf. Dan. borre,
OSw. borra, burdock, thistle; perh. akin to E. bristle (burr-
for burz-), or perh. to F. bourre hair, wool, stuff; also,
according to Cotgrave, ``the downe, or hairie coat, wherewith
divers herbes, fruits, and flowers, are covered,'' fr. L.
burrae trifles, LL. reburrus rough.]
1. (Bot.) Any rough or prickly envelope of the seeds of
plants, whether a pericarp, a persistent calyx, or an
involucre, as of the chestnut and burdock. Also, any weed
which bears burs.
Amongst rude burs and thistles. --Milton.
Bur and brake and brier. --Tennyson.
2. The thin ridge left by a tool in cutting or shaping metal.
See {Burr}, n., 2.
3. A ring of iron on a lance or spear. See {Burr}, n., 4.
4. The lobe of the ear. See {Burr}, n., 5.
5. The sweetbread.
6. A clinker; a partially vitrified brick.
7. (Mech.)
(a) A small circular saw.
(b) A triangular chisel.
(c) A drill with a serrated head larger than the shank; --
used by dentists.
8. [Cf. Gael. borr, borra, a knob, bunch.] (Zo["o]l.) The
round knob of an antler next to a deer's head. [Commonly
written {burr}.]
{Bur oak} (Bot.), a useful and ornamental species of oak
({Quercus macrocarpa}) with ovoid acorns inclosed in deep
cups imbricated with pointed scales. It grows in the
Middle and Western United States, and its wood is tough,
close-grained, and durable.
{Bur reed} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Sparganium}, having
long ribbonlike leaves.
Burbolt \Bur"bolt`\, n.
A birdbolt. [Obs.] --Ford.
Burbot \Bur"bot\, n. [F. barbote, fr. barbe beard. See 1st
{Barb}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A fresh-water fish of the genus {Lota}, having on the nose
two very small barbels, and a larger one on the chin.
[Written also {burbolt}.]
Note: The fish is also called an {eelpout} or {ling}, and is
allied to the codfish. The {Lota vulgaris} is a common
European species. An American species ({L. maculosa})
is found in New England, the Great Lakes, and farther
north.
Burdelais \Bur`de*lais"\, n. [F. bourdelais, prob. fr.
bordelais. See {Bordelais}.]
A sort of grape. --Jonson.
Burden \Bur"den\ (b[^u]"d'n), n. [Written also burthen.] [OE.
burden, burthen, birthen, birden, AS. byr[eth]en; akin to
Icel. byr[eth]i, Dan. byrde, Sw. b["o]rda, G. b["u]rde, OHG.
burdi, Goth. ba['u]r[thorn]ei, fr. the root of E. bear, AS.
beran, Goth. bairan. [root]92. See 1st {Bear}.]
1. That which is borne or carried; a load.
Plants with goodly burden bowing. --Shak.
2. That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which
is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive.
Deaf, giddy, helpless, left alone, To all my friends
a burden grown. --Swift.
3. The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she
will carry; as, a ship of a hundred tons burden.
4. (Mining) The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over
the stream of tin.
5. (Metal.) The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the
charge of a blast furnace. --Raymond.
6. A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as, a burden of
gad steel, 120 pounds.
7. A birth. [Obs. & R.] --Shak.
{Beast of burden}, an animal employed in carrying burdens.
{Burden of proof} [L. onus probandi] (Law), the duty of
proving a particular position in a court of law, a failure
in the performance of which duty calls for judgment
against the party on whom the duty is imposed.
Syn: {Burden}, {Load}.
Usage: A burden is, in the literal sense, a weight to be
borne; a load is something laid upon us to be carried.
Hence, when used figuratively, there is usually a
difference between the two words. Our burdens may be
of such a nature that we feel bound to bear them
cheerfully or without complaint. They may arise from
the nature of our situation; they may be allotments of
Providence; they may be the consequences of our
errors. What is upon us, as a load, we commonly carry
with greater reluctance or sense of oppression. Men
often find the charge of their own families to be a
burden; but if to this be added a load of care for
others, the pressure is usually serve and irksome.
Burden \Bur"den\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Burdened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Burdening}.]
1. To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a
heavy load upon; to load.
I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened.
--2 Cor. viii.
13.
2. To oppress with anything grievous or trying; to overload;
as, to burden a nation with taxes.
My burdened heart would break. --Shak.
3. To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a
burden (something heavy or objectionable). [R.]
It is absurd to burden this act on Cromwell.
--Coleridge.
Syn: To load; encumber; overload; oppress.
Burden \Bur"den\ (b[^u]r"d'n), n. [OE. burdoun the bass in
music, F. bourdon; cf. LL. burdo drone, a long organ pipe, a
staff, a mule. Prob. of imitative origin. Cf. {Bourdon}.]
1. The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme
at the end of each stanza; the chorus; refrain. Hence:
That which is often repeated or which is dwelt upon; the
main topic; as, the burden of a prayer.
I would sing my song without a burden. --Shak.
2. The drone of a bagpipe. --Ruddiman.
Burden \Bur"den\, n. [See {Burdon}.]
A club. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Burdener \Bur"den*er\, n.
One who loads; an oppressor.
Burdenous \Bur"den*ous\, a.
Burdensome. [Obs.] ``Burdenous taxations.'' --Shak.
Burdensome \Bur"den*some\, a.
Grievous to be borne; causing uneasiness or fatigue;
oppressive.
The debt immense of endless gratitude So burdensome.
--Milton.
Syn: Heavy; weighty; cumbersome; onerous; grievous;
oppressive; troublesome. -- {Bur"den*some*ly}, adv. --
{Bur"den*some*ness}, n.
Burdock \Bur"dock\, n. [Bur + dock the plant.] (Bot.)
A genus of coarse biennial herbs ({Lappa}), bearing small
burs which adhere tenaciously to clothes, or to the fur or
wool of animals.
Note: The common burdock is the {Lappa officinalis}.
Burdon \Bur"don\, n. [See {Bourdon}.]
A pilgrim's staff. [Written also {burden}.] --Rom. of R.
Bureau \Bu"reau\, n.; pl. E. {Bureaus}, F. {Bureaux}. [F. bureau
a writing table, desk, office, OF., drugget, with which a
writing table was often covered, equiv. to F. bure, and fr.
OF. buire dark brown, the stuff being named from its color,
fr. L. burrus red, fr. Gr. ? flame-colored, prob. fr. ? fire.
See {Fire}, n., and cf. {Borel}, n.]
1. Originally, a desk or writing table with drawers for
papers. --Swift.
2. The place where such a bureau is used; an office where
business requiring writing is transacted.
3. Hence: A department of public business requiring a force
of clerks; the body of officials in a department who labor
under the direction of a chief.
Note: On the continent of Europe, the highest departments, in
most countries, have the name of bureaux; as, the
Bureau of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In England
and America, the term is confined to inferior and
subordinate departments; as, the ``Pension Bureau,'' a
subdepartment of the Department of the Interior. [Obs.]
In Spanish, bureo denotes a court of justice for the
trial of persons belonging to the king's household.
4. A chest of drawers for clothes, especially when made as an
ornamental piece of furniture. [U.S.]
{Bureau system}. See {Bureaucracy}.
{Bureau Veritas}, an institution, in the interest of maritime
underwriters, for the survey and rating of vessels all
over the world. It was founded in Belgium in 1828, removed
to Paris in 1830, and re["e]stablished in Brussels in
1870.
Bureaucracy \Bu*reau"cra*cy\, n. [Bureau + Gr. ? to be strong,
to govern, ? strength: cf. F. bureaucratie.]
1. A system of carrying on the business of government by
means of departments or bureaus, each under the control of
a chief, in contradiction to a system in which the
officers of government have an associated authority and
responsibility; also, government conducted on this system.
2. Government officials, collectively.
Bureaucrat \Bu*reau"crat\, n.
An official of a bureau; esp. an official confirmed in a
narrow and arbitrary routine. --C. Kingsley.
Bureaucratic \Bu`reau*crat"ic\, Bureaucratical
\Bu`reau*crat"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. bureaucratique.]
Of, relating to, or resembling, a bureaucracy.
Bureaucratist \Bu*reau"cra*tist\, n.
An advocate for, or supporter of, bureaucracy.
Burel \Bur"el\, n. & a.
Same as {Borrel}.
Burette \Bu*rette"\, n. [F., can, cruet, dim. of buire flagon.]
(Chem.)
An apparatus for delivering measured quantities of liquid or
for measuring the quantity of liquid or gas received or
discharged. It consists essentially of a graduated glass
tube, usually furnished with a small aperture and stopcock.
Bur fish \Bur" fish`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A spinose, plectognath fish of the Allantic coast of the
United States (esp. {Chilo mycterus geometricus}) having the
power of distending its body with water or air, so as to
resemble a chestnut bur; -- called also {ball fish}, {balloon
fish}, and {swellfish}.
Burg \Burg\, n. [AS. burh, burg, cf. LL. burgus. See 1st
{Borough}.]
1. A fortified town. [Obs.]
2. A borough. [Eng.] See 1st {Borough}.
Burgage \Burg"age\, n. [From {Burg}: cf. F. bourgage, LL.
burgagium.] (Eng. Law)
A tenure by which houses or lands are held of the king or
other lord of a borough or city; at a certain yearly rent, or
by services relating to trade or handicraft. --Burrill.
Burgall \Bur"gall\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small marine fish; -- also called {cunner}.
Burgamot \Bur"ga*mot\, n.
See {Bergamot}.
Burganet \Bur"ga*net\, n.
See {Burgonet}.
Burgee \Bur"gee\, n.
1. A kind of small coat.
2. (Naut.) A swallow-tailed flag; a distinguishing pennant,
used by cutters, yachts, and merchant vessels.
Burgeois \Bur*geois"\ (b[^u]r*jois"), n. (Print.)
See 1st {Bourgeois}.
Burgeois \Bur*geois"\ (b[oo^]r*zhw[aum]"), n.
A burgess; a citizen. See 2d {Bourgeois}. [R.] --Addison.
Burgeon \Bur"geon\, v. i.
To bud. See {Bourgeon}.
Burgess \Bur"gess\, n. [OE. burgeis, OF. burgeis, fr.
burcfortified town, town, F. bourg village, fr. LL. burgus
fort, city; from the German; cf. MHG. burc, G. burg. See 1st
{Borough}, and cf. 2d {Bourgeois}.]
1. An inhabitant of a borough or walled town, or one who
possesses a tenement therein; a citizen or freeman of a
borough. --Blackstone.
Note: ``A burgess of a borough corresponds with a citizen of
a city.'' --Burrill.
2. One who represents a borough in Parliament.
3. A magistrate of a borough.
4. An inhabitant of a Scotch burgh qualified to vote for
municipal officers.
Note: Before the Revolution, the representatives in the
popular branch of the legislature of Virginia were
called burgesses; they are now called delegates.
{Burgess oath}. See {Burgher}, 2.
Burgess-ship \Bur"gess-ship\, n.
The state of privilege of a burgess. --South.
Burggrave \Burg"grave\, n. [G. burggraf; burg fortress + graf
count: cf. D. burggraaf, F. burgrave. See {Margrave}.]
(Germany)
Originally, one appointed to the command of a burg (fortress
or castle); but the title afterward became hereditary, with a
domain attached.
Burgh \Burgh\, n. [OE. See {Burg}.]
A borough or incorporated town, especially, one in Scotland.
See {Borough}.
Burghal \Burgh"al\, a.
Belonging to a burgh.
Burghbote \Burgh"bote`\, n. [Burgh + bote.] (Old Law)
A contribution toward the building or repairing of castles or
walls for the defense of a city or town.
Burghbrech \Burgh"brech`\, n. [Burgh + F. br[`e]che, equiv. to
E. breach.] (AS. Law)
The offense of violating the pledge given by every inhabitant
of a tithing to keep the peace; breach of the peace.
--Burrill.
Burgher \Burgh"er\, n. [From burgh; akin to D. burger, G.
b["u]rger, Dan. borger, Sw. borgare. See {Burgh}.]
1. A freeman of a burgh or borough, entitled to enjoy the
privileges of the place; any inhabitant of a borough.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) A member of that party, among the Scotch
seceders, which asserted the lawfulness of the burgess
oath (in which burgesses profess ``the true religion
professed within the realm''), the opposite party being
called antiburghers.
Note: These parties arose among the Presbyterians of
Scotland, in 1747, and in 1820 reunited under the name
of the ``United Associate Synod of the Secession
Church.''
Burghermaster \Burgh"er*mas`ter\, n.
See {Burgomaster}.
Burghership \Burgh"er*ship\, n.
The state or privileges of a burgher.
Burghmaster \Burgh"mas`ter\, n.
1. A burgomaster.
2. (Mining) An officer who directs and lays out the meres or
boundaries for the workmen; -- called also {bailiff}, and
{barmaster}. [Eng.]
Burghmote \Burgh"mote`\, n. (AS. Law) [Burgh + mote meeting.]
A court or meeting of a burgh or borough; a borough court
held three times yearly.
Burglar \Bur"glar\, n. [OE. burg town, F. bourg, fr. LL. burgus
(of German origin) + OF. lere thief, fr. L. latro. See
{Borough}, and {Larceny}.] (Law)
One guilty of the crime of burglary.
{Burglar alarm}, a device for giving alarm if a door or
window is opened from without.
Burglarer \Bur"glar*er\, n.
A burglar. [Obs.]
Burglarious \Bur*gla"ri*ous\, a.
Pertaining to burglary; constituting the crime of burglary.
To come down a chimney is held a burglarious entry.
--Blackstone.
Burglariously \Bur*gla"ri*ous*ly\, adv.
With an intent to commit burglary; in the manner of a
burglar. --Blackstone.
Burglary \Bur"gla*ry\, n.; pl. {Burglaries}. [Fr. {Burglar}; cf.
LL. burglaria.] (Law)
Breaking and entering the dwelling house of another, in the
nighttime, with intent to commit a felony therein, whether
the felonious purpose be accomplished or not. --Wharton.
Burrill.
Note: By statute law in some of the United States, burglary
includes the breaking with felonious intent into a
house by day as well as by night, and into other
buildings than dwelling houses. Various degrees of the
crime are established.
Burgomaster \Bur"go*mas`ter\, n. [D. burgemeester; burg borough
+ meester master; akin to G. burgemeister, b["u]rgermeister.
See 1st {Borough}, and {Master}.]
1. A chief magistrate of a municipal town in Holland,
Flanders, and Germany, corresponding to mayor in England
and the United States; a burghmaster.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An aquatic bird, the glaucous gull ({Larus
glaucus}), common in arctic regions.
Burgonet \Bur"go*net\, n. [F. bouruignotte, because the
Burgundians, F. Bouruignons, first used it.]
A kind of helmet. [Written also {burganet}.] --Shak.
Burgoo \Bur"goo\, n. [Prov. E. burgood yeast, perh. fr. W. burym
yeast + cawl cabbage, gruel.]
A kind of oatmeal pudding, or thick gruel, used by seamen.
[Written also {burgout}.]
Burgrass \Bur"grass`\, n. (Bot.)
Grass of the genus {Cenchrus}, growing in sand, and having
burs for fruit.
Burgrave \Bur"grave\, n. [F.]
See {Burggrave}.
Burgundy \Bur"gun*dy\, n.
1. An old province of France (in the eastern central part).
2. A richly flavored wine, mostly red, made in Burgundy,
France.
{Burgundy pitch}, a resinous substance prepared from the
exudation of the Norway spruce ({Abies excelsa}) by
melting in hot water and straining through cloth. The
genuine Burgundy pitch, supposed to have been first
prepared in Burgundy, is rare, but there are many
imitations. It has a yellowish brown color, is translucent
and hard, but viscous. It is used in medicinal plasters.
Burh \Burh\, n.
See {Burg}. [Obs.]
Burhel \Bur"hel\, Burrhel \Burr"hel\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The wild Himalayan, or blue, sheep ({Ovis burrhel}).
Burial \Bur"i*al\, n. [OE. buriel, buriels, grave, tomb, AS.
byrgels, fr. byrgan to bury, and akin to OS. burgisli
sepulcher.]
1. A grave; a tomb; a place of sepulture. [Obs.]
The erthe schook, and stoones weren cloven, and
biriels weren opened. --Wycliff
[Matt. xxvii.
51, 52].
2. The act of burying; depositing a dead body in the earth,
in a tomb or vault, or in the water, usually with
attendant ceremonies; sepulture; interment. ``To give a
public burial.'' --Shak.
Now to glorious burial slowly borne. --Tennyson.
{Burial case}, a form of coffin, usually of iron, made to
close air-tight, for the preservation of a dead body.
{Burial ground}, a piece of ground selected and set apart for
a place of burials, and consecrated to such use by
religious ceremonies.
{Burial place}, any place where burials are made.
{Burial service}.
(a) The religious service performed at the interment of
the dead; a funeral service.
(b) That portion of a liturgy which is read at an
interment; as, the English burial service.
Syn: Sepulture; interment; inhumation.
Burier \Bur"i*er\, n.
One who, or that which, buries.
Till the buriers have buried it. --Ezek. xxxix.
15.
And darkness be the burier of the dead. --Shak.
Burin \Bu"rin\, n. [F. burin, cf. It. burino, bulino; prob. from
OHG. bora borer, bor[=o]n to bore, G. bohren. See 1st
{Bore}.]
1. The cutting tool of an engraver on metal, used in line
engraving. It is made of tempered steel, one end being
ground off obliquely so as to produce a sharp point, and
the other end inserted in a handle; a graver; also, the
similarly shaped tool used by workers in marble.
2. The manner or style of execution of an engraver; as, a
soft burin; a brilliant burin.
Burinist \Bu"rin*ist\, n.
One who works with the burin. --For. Quart. Rev.
Burion \Bu"ri*on\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The red-breasted house sparrow of California ({Carpodacus
frontalis}); -- called also {crimson-fronted bullfinch}.
[Written also {burrion}.]
Burke \Burke\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Burked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Burking}.] [From one Burke of Edinburgh, who committed the
crime in 1829.]
1. To murder by suffocation, or so as to produce few marks of
violence, for the purpose of obtaining a body to be sold
for dissection.
2. To dispose of quietly or indirectly; to suppress; to
smother; to shelve; as, to burke a parliamentary question.
The court could not burke an inquiry, supported by
such a mass of a affidavits. --C. Reade.
Burkism \Burk"ism\, n.
The practice of killing persons for the purpose of selling
their bodies for dissection.
Burl \Burl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Burled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Burling}.] [OE. burle stuffing, or a knot in cloth; cf. F.
bourlet, bourrelet, OF. bourel, a wreath or a roll of cloth,
linen, or leather, stuffed with flocks, etc., dim. of bourre.
[root]92. See {Bur}.]
To dress or finish up (cloth); to pick knots, burs, loose
threads, etc., from, as in finishing cloth.
{Burling iron}, a peculiar kind of nippers or tweezers used
in burling woolen cloth.
Burl \Burl\, n.
1. A knot or lump in thread or cloth.
2. An overgrown knot, or an excrescence, on a tree; also,
veneer made from such excrescences.
Burlap \Bur"lap\, n.
A coarse fabric, made of jute or hemp, used for bagging;
also, a finer variety of similar material, used for curtains,
etc. [Written also {burlaps}.]
Burler \Burl"er\, n.
One who burls or dresses cloth.
Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, a. [F. burlesque, fr. It. burlesco, fr.
burla jest, mockery, perh. for burrula, dim. of L. burrae
trifles. See {Bur}.]
Tending to excite laughter or contempt by extravagant images,
or by a contrast between the subject and the manner of
treating it, as when a trifling subject is treated with mock
gravity; jocular; ironical.
It is a dispute among the critics, whether burlesque
poetry runs best in heroic verse, like that of the
Dispensary, or in doggerel, like that of Hudibras.
--Addison.
Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, n.
1. Ludicrous representation; exaggerated parody; grotesque
satire.
Burlesque is therefore of two kinds; the first
represents mean persons in the accouterments of
heroes, the other describes great persons acting and
speaking like the basest among the people.
--Addison.
2. An ironical or satirical composition intended to excite
laughter, or to ridicule anything.
The dull burlesque appeared with impudence, And
pleased by novelty in spite of sense. --Dryden.
3. A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross
perversion.
Who is it that admires, and from the heart is
attached to, national representative assemblies, but
must turn with horror and disgust from such a
profane burlesque and abominable perversion of that
sacred institute? --Burke.
Syn: Mockery; farce; travesty; mimicry.
Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Burlesqued}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Burlesquing}.]
To ridicule, or to make ludicrous by grotesque representation
in action or in language.
They burlesqued the prophet Jeremiah's words, and
turned the expression he used into ridicule.
--Stillingfleet.
Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, v. i.
To employ burlesque.
Burlesquer \Bur*les"quer\, n.
One who burlesques.
Burletta \Bur*let"ta\ (b[^u]r*l[e^]t"t[.a]), n. [It., dim. of
burla mockery. See {Burlesque}, a.] (Mus.)
A comic operetta; a music farce. --Byron.
Burliness \Bur"li*ness\ (b[^u]r"l[i^]*n[e^]s), n.
Quality of being burly.
Burly \Bur"ly\ (b[^u]r"l[y^]), a. [OE. burlich strong,
excellent; perh. orig. fit for a lady's bower, hence
handsome, manly, stout. Cf. {Bower}.]
1. Having a large, strong, or gross body; stout; lusty; --
now used chiefly of human beings, but formerly of animals,
in the sense of stately or beautiful, and of inanimate
things that were huge and bulky. ``Burly sacks.''
--Drayton.
In his latter days, with overliberal diet, [he was]
somewhat corpulent and burly. --Sir T. More.
Burly and big, and studious of his ease. --Cowper.
2. Coarse and rough; boisterous.
It was the orator's own burly way of nonsense.
--Cowley.
Burman \Bur"man\, n.; pl. {Burmans}. [``The softened modern
M'yan-ma, M'yan-ma [native name] is the source of the
European corruption Burma.'' --Balfour.], (Ethnol.)
A member of the Burman family, one of the four great families
Burmah; also, sometimes, any inhabitant of Burmah; a Burmese.
-- a. Of or pertaining to the Burmans or to Burmah.
Bur marigold \Bur" mar"i*gold\
See {Beggar's ticks}.
Burmese \Bur`mese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Burmah, or its inhabitants. -- n. sing. &
pl. A native or the natives of Burmah. Also (sing.), the
language of the Burmans.
Burn \Burn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Burned} (?) or {Burnt} (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Burning}.] [OE. bernen, brennen, v. t., early
confused with beornen, birnen, v. i., AS. b[ae]rnan, bernan,
v. t., birnan, v. i.; akin to OS. brinnan, OFries. barna,
berna, OHG. brinnan, brennan, G. brennen, OD. bernen, D.
branden, Dan. br[ae]nde, Sw. br["a]nna, brinna, Icel. brenna,
Goth. brinnan, brannjan (in comp.), and possibly to E.
fervent.]
1. To consume with fire; to reduce to ashes by the action of
heat or fire; -- frequently intensified by up: as, to burn
up wood. ``We'll burn his body in the holy place.''
--Shak.
2. To injure by fire or heat; to change destructively some
property or properties of, by undue exposure to fire or
heat; to scorch; to scald; to blister; to singe; to char;
to sear; as, to burn steel in forging; to burn one's face
in the sun; the sun burns the grass.
3. To perfect or improve by fire or heat; to submit to the
action of fire or heat for some economic purpose; to
destroy or change some property or properties of, by
exposure to fire or heat in due degree for obtaining a
desired residuum, product, or effect; to bake; as, to burn
clay in making bricks or pottery; to burn wood so as to
produce charcoal; to burn limestone for the lime.
4. To make or produce, as an effect or result, by the
application of fire or heat; as, to burn a hole; to burn
charcoal; to burn letters into a block.
5. To consume, injure, or change the condition of, as if by
action of fire or heat; to affect as fire or heat does;
as, to burn the mouth with pepper.
This tyrant fever burns me up. --Shak.
This dry sorrow burns up all my tears. --Dryden.
When the cold north wind bloweth, . . . it devoureth
the mountains, and burneth the wilderness, and
consumeth the grass as fire. --Ecclus.
xliii. 20, 21.
6. (Surg.) To apply a cautery to; to cauterize.
7. (Chem.) To cause to combine with oxygen or other active
agent, with evolution of heat; to consume; to oxidize; as,
a man burns a certain amount of carbon at each
respiration; to burn iron in oxygen.
{To burn}, {To burn together}, as two surfaces of metal
(Engin.), to fuse and unite them by pouring over them a
quantity of the same metal in a liquid state.
{To burn a bowl} (Game of Bowls), to displace it
accidentally, the bowl so displaced being said to be
burned.
{To burn daylight}, to light candles before it is dark; to
waste time; to perform superfluous actions. --Shak.
{To burn one's fingers}, to get one's self into unexpected
trouble, as by interfering the concerns of others,
speculation, etc.
{To burn out}, to destroy or obliterate by burning. ``Must
you with hot irons burn out mine eyes?'' --Shak.
{To be burned out}, to suffer loss by fire, as the burning of
one's house, store, or shop, with the contents.
{To burn up}, {To burn down}, to burn entirely.
Burn \Burn\, v. i.
1. To be of fire; to flame. ``The mount burned with fire.''
--Deut. ix. 15.
2. To suffer from, or be scorched by, an excess of heat.
Your meat doth burn, quoth I. --Shak.
3. To have a condition, quality, appearance, sensation, or
emotion, as if on fire or excessively heated; to act or
rage with destructive violence; to be in a state of lively
emotion or strong desire; as, the face burns; to burn with
fever.
Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked
with us by the way? --Luke xxiv.
32.
The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne,
Burned on the water. --Shak.
Burning with high hope. --Byron.
The groan still deepens, and the combat burns.
--Pope.
The parching air Burns frore, and cold performs the
effect of fire. --Milton.
4. (Chem.) To combine energetically, with evolution of heat;
as, copper burns in chlorine.
5. In certain games, to approach near to a concealed object
which is sought. [Colloq.]
{To burn out}, to burn till the fuel is exhausted.
{To burn up}, {To burn down}, to be entirely consumed.
Burn \Burn\, n.
1. A hurt, injury, or effect caused by fire or excessive or
intense heat.
2. The operation or result of burning or baking, as in
brickmaking; as, they have a good burn.
3. A disease in vegetables. See {Brand}, n., 6.
Burn \Burn\, n. [See 1st {Bourn}.]
A small stream. [Scot.]
Burnable \Burn"a*ble\, a.
Combustible. --Cotgrave.
Burned \Burned\, p. p. & a.
See {Burnt}.
Burned \Burned\, p. p.
Burnished. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Burner \Burn"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, burns or sets fire to anything.
2. The part of a lamp, gas fixture, etc., where the flame is
produced.
{Bunsen's burner} (Chem.), a kind of burner, invented by
Professor Bunsen of Heidelberg, consisting of a straight
tube, four or five inches in length, having small holes
for the entrance of air at the bottom. Illuminating gas
being also admitted at the bottom, a mixture of gas and
air is formed which burns at the top with a feebly
luminous but intensely hot flame.
{Argand burner}, {Rose burner}, etc. See under {Argand},
{Rose}, etc.
Burnet \Bur"net\, n. [OE. burnet burnet; also, brownish (the
plant perh. being named from its color), fr. F. brunet, dim.
of brun brown; cf. OF. brunete a sort of flower. See
{Brunette}.] (Bot.)
A genus of perennial herbs ({Poterium}); especially,
{P.Sanguisorba}, the common, or garden, burnet.
{Burnet moth} (Zo["o]l.), in England, a handsome moth
({Zyg[ae]na filipendula}), with crimson spots on the
wings.
{Burnet saxifrage}. (Bot.) See {Saxifrage}.
{Canadian burnet}, a marsh plant ({Poterium Canadensis}).
{Great burnet}, {Wild burnet}, {Poterium (or Sanguisorba)
oficinalis}.
Burnettize \Bur"nett*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Burnettized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Burnettizing}.] (Manuf.)
To subject (wood, fabrics, etc.) to a process of saturation
in a solution of chloride of zinc, to prevent decay; -- a
process invented by Sir William Burnett.
Burnie \Burn"ie\, n. [See 4th {Burn}.]
A small brook. [Scot.] --Burns.
Burniebee \Bur"nie*bee`\, n.
The ladybird. [Prov. Eng.]
Burning \Burn"ing\, a.
1. That burns; being on fire; excessively hot; fiery.
2. Consuming; intense; inflaming; exciting; vehement;
powerful; as, burning zeal.
Like a young hound upon a burning scent. --Dryden.
{Burning bush} (Bot.), an ornamental shrub ({Euonymus
atropurpureus}), bearing a crimson berry.
Burning \Burn"ing\, n.
The act of consuming by fire or heat, or of subjecting to the
effect of fire or heat; the state of being on fire or
excessively heated.
{Burning fluid}, any volatile illuminating oil, as the
lighter petroleums (naphtha, benzine), or oil of
turpentine (camphine), but esp. a mixture of the latter
with alcohol.
{Burning glass}, a convex lens of considerable size, used for
producing an intense heat by converging the sun's rays to
a focus.
{Burning house} (Metal.), the furnace in which tin ores are
calcined, to sublime the sulphur and arsenic from the
pyrites. --Weale.
{Burning mirror}, a concave mirror, or a combination of plane
mirrors, used for the same purpose as a burning glass.
Syn: Combustion; fire; conflagration; flame; blaze.
Burnish \Bur"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Burnished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Burnishing}.] [OE. burnischen, burnissen, burnen, OF.
burnir, brunir, to make brown, polish, F. brunir, fr. F. brun
brown, fr. OHG. br?n; cf. MHG. briunen to make brown, polish.
See {Brown}, a.]
To cause to shine; to make smooth and bright; to polish;
specifically, to polish by rubbing with something hard and
smooth; as, to burnish brass or paper.
The frame of burnished steel, that east a glare From
far, and seemed to thaw the freezing air. --Dryden.
Now the village windows blaze, Burnished by the setting
sun. --Cunningham.
{Burnishing machine}, a machine for smoothing and polishing
by compression, as in making paper collars.
Burnish \Bur"nish\, v. i.
To shine forth; to brighten; to become smooth and glossy, as
from swelling or filling out; hence, to grow large.
A slender poet must have time to grow, And spread and
burnish as his brothers do. --Dryden.
My thoughts began to burnish, sprout, and swell.
--Herbert.
Burnish \Bur"nish\, n.
The effect of burnishing; gloss; brightness; luster.
--Crashaw.
Burnisher \Bur"nish*er\, n.
1. One who burnishes.
2. A tool with a hard, smooth, rounded end or surface, as of
steel, ivory, or agate, used in smoothing or polishing by
rubbing. It has a variety of forms adapted to special
uses.
Burnoose \Bur"noose\, Burnous \Bur"nous\, n. [Ar. burnus a kind
of high-crowned cap: cf. F. bournous, burnous, Sp. al-bornoz,
a sort of upper garment, with a hood attached.]
1. A cloaklike garment and hood woven in one piece, worn by
Arabs.
2. A combination cloak and hood worn by women. [Variously
written {bournous}, {bernouse}, {bornous}, etc.]
Burnstickle \Burn"stic`kle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A stickleback ({Gasterosteus aculeatus}).
Burnt \Burnt\, p. p. & a.
Consumed with, or as with, fire; scorched or dried, as with
fire or heat; baked or hardened in the fire or the sun.
{Burnt ear}, a black, powdery fungus which destroys grain.
See {Smut}.
{Burnt offering}, something offered and burnt on an altar, as
an atonement for sin; a sacrifice. The offerings of the
Jews were a clean animal, as an ox, a calf, a goat, or a
sheep; or some vegetable substance, as bread, or ears of
wheat or barley. Called also {burnt sacrifice}. --[2 Sam.
xxiv. 22.]
Burr \Burr\, n. [See {Bur}.] (Bot.)
1. A prickly seed vessel. See {Bur}, 1.
2. The thin edge or ridge left by a tool in cutting or
shaping metal, as in turning, engraving, pressing, etc.;
also, the rough neck left on a bullet in casting.
The graver, in plowing furrows in the surface of the
copper, raises corresponding ridges or burrs.
--Tomlinson.
3. A thin flat piece of metal, formed from a sheet by
punching; a small washer put on the end of a rivet before
it is swaged down.
4. A broad iron ring on a tilting lance just below the gripe,
to prevent the hand from slipping.
5. The lobe or lap of the ear.
6. [Probably of imitative origin.] A guttural pronounciation
of the letter r, produced by trilling the extremity of the
soft palate against the back part of the tongue; rotacism;
-- often called the Newcastle, Northumberland, or
Tweedside, burr.
7. The knot at the bottom of an antler. See {Bur}, n., 8.
Burr \Burr\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Burred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Burring}.]
To speak with burr; to make a hoarse or guttural murmur.
--Mrs. Browning.
Burrel \Bur"rel\, n. [Cf. OF. burel reddish (cf. {Borel}, n.),
or F. beurr['e] butter pear, fr. beurre butter. Cf.
{Butter}.]
A sort of pear, called also the {red butter pear}, from its
smooth, delicious, soft pulp.
Burrel \Bur"rel\, n.
Same as {Borrel}.
Burrel fly \Bur"rel fly`\ [From its reddish color. See 1st
{Burrel}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The botfly or gadfly of cattle ({Hypoderma bovis}). See
{Gadfly}.
Burrel shot \Bur"rel shot`\ [Either from annoying the enemy like
a burrel fly, or, less probably, fr. F. bourreler to sting,
torture.] (Gun.)
A mixture of shot, nails, stones, pieces of old iron, etc.,
fired from a cannon at short range, in an emergency. [R.]
Burring machine \Burr"ing ma*chine"\
A machine for cleansing wool of burs, seeds, and other
substances.
Burr millstone \Burr" mill"stone`\
See {Buhrstone}.
Burro \Bur"ro\, n. [Sp., an ass.] (Zo["o]l.)
A donkey. [Southern U.S.]
Burrock \Bur"rock\, n. [Perh. from AS. burg, burh, hill + -ock.]
A small weir or dam in a river to direct the stream to gaps
where fish traps are placed. --Knight.
Burrow \Bur"row\, n. [See 1st {Borough}.]
1. An incorporated town. See 1st {Borough}.
2. A shelter; esp. a hole in the ground made by certain
animals, as rabbits, for shelter and habitation.
3. (Mining) A heap or heaps of rubbish or refuse.
4. A mound. See 3d {Barrow}, and {Camp}, n., 5.
Burrow \Bur"row\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Burrowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Burrowing}.]
1. To excavate a hole to lodge in, as in the earth; to lodge
in a hole excavated in the earth, as conies or rabbits.
2. To lodge, or take refuge, in any deep or concealed place;
to hide.
Sir, this vermin of court reporters, when they are
forced into day upon one point, are sure to burrow
in another. --Burke.
{Burrowing owl} (Zo["o]l.), a small owl of the western part
of North America ({Speotyto cunicularia}), which lives in
holes, often in company with the prairie dog.
Burrower \Bur"row*er\, n.
One who, or that which, burrows; an animal that makes a hole
under ground and lives in it.
Burrstone \Burr"stone`\, n.
See {Buhrstone}.
Burry \Burr"y\, a.
Abounding in burs, or containing burs; resembling burs; as,
burry wool.
Bursa \Bur"sa\, n.; pl. {Burs[ae]}. [L. See {Burse}.] (Anat.)
Any sac or saclike cavity; especially, one of the synovial
sacs, or small spaces, often lined with synovial membrane,
interposed between tendons and bony prominences.
Bursal \Bur"sal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a bursa or to burs[ae].
Bursar \Bur"sar\, n. [LL. bursarius, fr. bursa purse. See
{Burse}, and cf. {Purser}.]
1. A treasurer, or cash keeper; a purser; as, the bursar of a
college, or of a monastery.
2. A student to whom a stipend or bursary is paid for his
complete or partial support.
Bursarship \Bur"sar*ship\, n.
The office of a bursar.
Bursary \Bur"sa*ry\, n.; pl. {-ries}. [LL. bursaria. See
{Bursar}.]
1. The treasury of a college or monastery.
2. A scholarship or charitable foundation in a university, as
in Scotland; a sum given to enable a student to pursue his
studies. ``No woman of rank or fortune but would have a
bursary in her gift.'' --Southey.
Bursch \Bursch\, n.; pl. {Burschen}. [G., ultimately fr. LL.
bursa. See {Burse}.]
A youth; especially, a student in a german university.
Burse \Burse\, n. [LL. bursa, or F. bourse. See {Bourse}, and
cf. {Bursch}, {Purse}.]
1. A purse; also, a vesicle; a pod; a hull. [Obs.] --Holland.
2. A fund or foundation for the maintenance of needy scholars
in their studies; also, the sum given to the
beneficiaries. [Scot.]
3. (Eccl.) An ornamental case of hold the corporal when not
in use. --Shipley.
4. An exchange, for merchants and bankers, in the cities of
continental Europe. Same as {Bourse}.
5. A kind of bazaar. [Obs.]
She says she went to the burse for patterns. --Old
Play.
Bursiculate \Bur*sic"u*late\, a. [See {Burse}.] (Bot.)
Bursiform.
Bursiform \Bur"si*form\, a. [LL. bursa purse + -form.]
Shaped like a purse.
Bursitis \Bur*si"tis\, n. [NL., fr. E. bursa + -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of a bursa.
Burst \Burst\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Burst}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bursting}. The past participle bursten is obsolete.] [OE.
bersten, bresten, AS. berstan (pers. sing. berste, imp. sing.
b[ae]rst, imp. pl. burston, p. p. borsten); akin to D.
bersten, G. bersten, OHG. brestan, OS. brestan, Icel. bresta,
Sw. brista, Dan. briste. Cf. {Brast}, {Break}.]
1. To fly apart or in pieces; of break open; to yield to
force or pressure, especially to a sudden and violent
exertion of force, or to pressure from within; to explode;
as, the boiler had burst; the buds will burst in spring.
From the egg that soon Bursting with kindly rupture,
forth disclosed Their callow young. --Milton.
Note: Often used figuratively, as of the heart, in reference
to a surcharge of passion, grief, desire, etc.
No, no, my heart will burst, an if I speak: And I
will speak, that so my heart may burst. --Shak.
2. To exert force or pressure by which something is made
suddenly to give way; to break through obstacles or
limitations; hence, to appear suddenly and unexpectedly or
unaccountably, or to depart in such manner; -- usually
with some qualifying adverb or preposition, as forth, out,
away, into, upon, through, etc.
Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth. --Milton.
And now you burst (ah cruel!) from my arms. --Pope.
A resolved villain Whose bowels suddenly burst out.
--Shak.
We were the first that ever burst Into that silent
sea. --Coleridge.
To burst upon him like an earthquake. --Goldsmith.
Burst \Burst\ (b[^u]rst), v. t.
1. To break or rend by violence, as by an overcharge or by
strain or pressure, esp. from within; to force open
suddenly; as, to burst a cannon; to burst a blood vessel;
to burst open the doors.
My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage.
--Shak.
2. To break. [Obs.]
You will not pay for the glasses you have burst?
--Shak.
He burst his lance against the sand below. --Fairfax
(Tasso).
3. To produce as an effect of bursting; as, to burst a hole
through the wall.
{Bursting charge}. See under {Charge}.
Burst \Burst\, n.
1. A sudden breaking forth; a violent rending; an explosion;
as, a burst of thunder; a burst of applause; a burst of
passion; a burst of inspiration.
Bursts of fox-hunting melody. --W. Irving.
2. Any brief, violent exertion or effort; a spurt; as, a
burst of speed.
3. A sudden opening, as of landscape; a stretch; an expanse.
[R.] ``A fine burst of country.'' --Jane Austen.
4. A rupture or hernia; a breach.
Bursten \Burst"en\,
p. p. of {Burst}, v. i. [Obs.]
Burster \Burst"er\ (b[^u]rst"[~e]r), n.
One that bursts.
Burstwort \Burst"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant ({Herniaria glabra}) supposed to be valuable for the
cure of hernia or rupture.
Burt \Burt\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Birt}. [Prov. Eng.]
Burthen \Bur"then\, n. & v. t.
See {Burden}. [Archaic]
Burton \Bur"ton\, n. [Cf. OE. & Prov. E. bort to press or indent
anything.] (Naut.)
A peculiar tackle, formed of two or more blocks, or pulleys,
the weight being suspended to a hook block in the bight of
the running part.
Bury \Bur"y\ (b[e^]r"r[y^]), n. [See 1st {Borough}.]
1. A borough; a manor; as, the Bury of St. Edmond's;
Note: used as a termination of names of places; as,
Canterbury, Shrewsbury.
2. A manor house; a castle. [Prov. Eng.]
To this very day, the chief house of a manor, or the
lord's seat, is called bury, in some parts of
England. --Miege.
Bury \Bur"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Burying}.] [OE. burien, birien, berien, AS. byrgan; akin to
beorgan to protect, OHG. bergan, G. bergen, Icel. bjarga, Sw.
berga, Dan. bierge, Goth. ba['i]rgan. [root]95. Cf.
{Burrow}.]
1. To cover out of sight, either by heaping something over,
or by placing within something, as earth, etc.; to conceal
by covering; to hide; as, to bury coals in ashes; to bury
the face in the hands.
And all their confidence Under the weight of
mountains buried deep. --Milton.
2. Specifically: To cover out of sight, as the body of a
deceased person, in a grave, a tomb, or the ocean; to
deposit (a corpse) in its resting place, with funeral
ceremonies; to inter; to inhume.
Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
--Matt. viii.
21.
I'll bury thee in a triumphant grave. --Shak.
3. To hide in oblivion; to put away finally; to abandon; as,
to bury strife.
Give me a bowl of wine In this I bury all
unkindness, Cassius. --Shak.
{Burying beetle} (Zo["o]l.), the general name of many species
of beetles, of the tribe {Necrophaga}; the sexton beetle;
-- so called from their habit of burying small dead
animals by digging away the earth beneath them. The
larv[ae] feed upon decaying flesh, and are useful
scavengers.
{To bury the hatchet}, to lay aside the instruments of war,
and make peace; -- a phrase used in allusion to the custom
observed by the North American Indians, of burying a
tomahawk when they conclude a peace.
Syn: To intomb; inter; inhume; inurn; hide; cover; conceal;
overwhelm; repress.
Burying ground \Bur"y*ing ground`\, Burying place \Bur"y*ing
place\ .
The ground or place for burying the dead; burial place.
Bus \Bus\, n. [Abbreviated from omnibus.]
An omnibus. [Colloq.]
Busby \Bus"by\ (b[u^]z"b[y^]), n.; pl. {Busbies} (b[i^]z).
(Mil.)
A military headdress or cap, used in the British army. It is
of fur, with a bag, of the same color as the facings of the
regiment, hanging from the top over the right shoulder.
Buscon \Bus"con\, n. [Sp., a searcher, fr. buscar to search.]
One who searches for ores; a prospector. [U.S.]
Bush \Bush\, n. [OE. bosch, busch, buysch, bosk, busk; akin to
D. bosch, OHG. busc, G. busch, Icel. b[=u]skr, b[=u]ski, Dan.
busk, Sw. buske, and also to LL. boscus, buscus, Pr. bosc,
It. bosco, Sp. & Pg. bosque, F. bois, OF. bos. Whether the
LL. or G. form is the original is uncertain; if the LL., it
is perh. from the same source as E. box a case. Cf. {Ambush},
{Boscage}, {Bouquet}, {Box} a case.]
1. A thicket, or place abounding in trees or shrubs; a wild
forest.
Note: This was the original sense of the word, as in the
Dutch bosch, a wood, and was so used by Chaucer. In
this sense it is extensively used in the British
colonies, especially at the Cape of Good Hope, and also
in Australia and Canada; as, to live or settle in the
bush.
2. A shrub; esp., a shrub with branches rising from or near
the root; a thick shrub or a cluster of shrubs.
To bind a bush of thorns among sweet-smelling
flowers. --Gascoigne.
3. A shrub cut off, or a shrublike branch of a tree; as,
bushes to support pea vines.
4. A shrub or branch, properly, a branch of ivy (as sacred to
Bacchus), hung out at vintners' doors, or as a tavern
sign; hence, a tavern sign, and symbolically, the tavern
itself.
If it be true that good wine needs no bush, 't is
true that a good play needs no epilogue. --Shak.
5. (Hunting) The tail, or brush, of a fox.
{To beat about the bush}, to approach anything in a
round-about manner, instead of coming directly to it; -- a
metaphor taken from hunting.
{Bush bean} (Bot.), a variety of bean which is low and
requires no support ({Phaseolus vulgaris}, variety
{nanus}). See {Bean}, 1.
{Bush buck}, or {Bush goat} (Zo["o]l.), a beautiful South
African antelope ({Tragelaphus sylvaticus}); -- so called
because found mainly in wooden localities. The name is
also applied to other species.
{Bush cat} (Zo["o]l.), the serval. See {Serval}.
{Bush chat} (Zo["o]l.), a bird of the genus {Pratincola}, of
the Thrush family.
{Bush dog}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Potto}.
{Bush hammer}. See {Bushhammer} in the Vocabulary.
{Bush harrow} (Agric.) See under {Harrow}.
{Bush hog} (Zo["o]l.), a South African wild hog
({Potamoch[oe]rus Africanus}); -- called also {bush pig},
and {water hog}.
{Bush master} (Zo["o]l.), a venomous snake ({Lachesis mutus})
of Guinea; -- called also {surucucu}.
{Bush pea} (Bot.), a variety of pea that needs to be bushed.
{Bush shrike} (Zo["o]l.), a bird of the genus {Thamnophilus},
and allied genera; -- called also {batarg}. Many species
inhabit tropical America.
{Bush tit} (Zo["o]l.), a small bird of the genus
{Psaltriparus}, allied to the titmouse. {P. minimus}
inhabits California.
Bush \Bush\, v. i.
To branch thickly in the manner of a bush. ``The bushing
alders.'' --Pope.
Bush \Bush\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bushed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bushing}.]
1. To set bushes for; to support with bushes; as, to bush
peas.
2. To use a bush harrow on (land), for covering seeds sown;
to harrow with a bush; as, to bush a piece of land; to
bush seeds into the ground.
Bush \Bush\, n. [D. bus a box, akin to E. box; or F. boucher to
plug.]
1. (Mech.) A lining for a hole to make it smaller; a thimble
or ring of metal or wood inserted in a plate or other part
of machinery to receive the wear of a pivot or arbor.
--Knight.
Note: In the larger machines, such a piece is called a box,
particularly in the United States.
2. (Gun.) A piece of copper, screwed into a gun, through
which the venthole is bored. --Farrow.
Bush \Bush\, v. t.
To furnish with a bush, or lining; as, to bush a pivot hole.
Bushboy \Bush"boy\, n.
See {Bushman}.
Bushel \Bush"el\, n. [OE. buschel, boischel, OF. boissel,
bussel, boistel, F. boisseau, LL. bustellus; dim. of bustia,
buxida (OF. boiste), fr. pyxida, acc. of L. pyxis box, Gr. ?.
Cf. {Box}.]
1. A dry measure, containing four pecks, eight gallons, or
thirty-two quarts.
Note: The Winchester bushel, formerly used in England,
contained 2150.42 cubic inches, being the volume of a
cylinder 181/2 inches in internal diameter and eight
inches in depth. The standard bushel measures, prepared
by the United States Government and distributed to the
States, hold each 77.6274 pounds of distilled water, at
39.8[deg] Fahr. and 30 inches atmospheric pressure,
being the equivalent of the Winchester bushel. The
imperial bushel now in use in England is larger than
the Winchester bushel, containing 2218.2 cubic inches,
or 80 pounds of water at 62[deg] Fahr.
2. A vessel of the capacity of a bushel, used in measuring; a
bushel measure.
Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or
under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick?
--Mark iv. 21.
3. A quantity that fills a bushel measure; as, a heap
containing ten bushels of apples.
Note: In the United States a large number of articles, bought
and sold by the bushel, are measured by weighing, the
number of pounds that make a bushel being determined by
State law or by local custom. For some articles, as
apples, potatoes, etc., heaped measure is required in
measuring a bushel.
4. A large indefinite quantity. [Colloq.]
The worthies of antiquity bought the rarest pictures
with bushels of gold, without counting the weight or
the number of the pieces. --Dryden.
5. The iron lining in the nave of a wheel. [Eng.] In the
United States it is called a box. See 4th {Bush}.
Bushelage \Bush"el*age\, n.
A duty payable on commodities by the bushel. [Eng.]
Bushelman \Bush"el*man\, n.
A tailor's assistant for repairing garments; -- called also
{busheler}. [Local, U.S.]
Bushet \Bush"et\, n. [See {Bosket}.]
A small bush.
Bushfighter \Bush"fight`er\, n.
One accustomed to bushfighting. --Parkman.
Bushfighting \Bush"fight`ing\, n.
Fighting in the bush, or from behind bushes, trees, or
thickets.
Bushhammer \Bush"ham`mer\, n.
A hammer with a head formed of a bundle of square bars, with
pyramidal points, arranged in rows, or a solid head with a
face cut into a number of rows of such points; -- used for
dressing stone.
Bushhammer \Bush"ham`mer\, v. t.
To dress with bushhammer; as, to bushhammer a block of
granite.
Bushiness \Bush"i*ness\, n.
The condition or quality of being bushy.
Bushing \Bush"ing\, n. [See 4th {Bush}.]
1. The operation of fitting bushes, or linings, into holes or
places where wear is to be received, or friction
diminished, as pivot holes, etc.
2. (Mech.) A bush or lining; -- sometimes called a {thimble}.
See 4th {Bush}.
Bushless \Bush"less\, a.
Free from bushes; bare.
O'er the long backs of the bushless downs. --Tennyson.
Bushman \Bush"man\, n.; pl. {Bushmen}. [Cf. D. boschman,
boschjesman. See 1st {Bush}.]
1. A woodsman; a settler in the bush.
2. (Ethnol.) One of a race of South African nomads, living
principally in the deserts, and not classified as allied
in race or language to any other people.
Bushment \Bush"ment\, n. [OE. busshement ambush, fr. bush.]
1. A thicket; a cluster of bushes. [Obs.] --Raleigh.
2. An ambuscade. [Obs.] --Sir T. More.
Bushranger \Bush"ran`ger\, n.
One who roams, or hides, among the bushes; especially, in
Australia, an escaped criminal living in the bush.
Bushwhacker \Bush"whack`er\, n.
1. One accustomed to beat about, or travel through, bushes.
[U.S.]
They were gallant bushwhackers, and hunters of
raccoons by moonlight. --W. Irving.
2. A guerrilla; a marauding assassin; one who pretends to be
a peaceful citizen, but secretly harasses a hostile force
or its sympathizers. [U.S.] --Farrow.
Bushwhacking \Bush"whack`ing\, n.
1. Traveling, or working a way, through bushes; pulling by
the bushes, as in hauling a boat along the bushy margin of
a stream. [U.S.] --T. Flint.
2. The crimes or warfare of bushwhackers. [U.S.]
Bushy \Bush"y\, a. [From 1st {Bush}.]
1. Thick and spreading, like a bush. ``Bushy eyebrows.''
--Irving.
2. Full of bushes; overgrowing with shrubs.
Dingle, or bushy dell, of this wild wood. --Milton.
Busily \Bus"i*ly\, adv.
In a busy manner.
Business \Busi"ness\, n.; pl. {Businesses}. [From {Busy}.]
1. That which busies one, or that which engages the time,
attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern
or interest, whether for a longer or shorter time;
constant employment; regular occupation; as, the business
of life; business before pleasure.
Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's
business? --Luke ii. 49.
2. Any particular occupation or employment engaged in for
livelihood or gain, as agriculture, trade, art, or a
profession. ``The business of instruction.'' --Prescott.
3. Financial dealings; buying and selling; traffic in
general; mercantile transactions.
It seldom happens that men of a studious turn
acquire any degree of reputation for their knowledge
of business. --Bp. Popteus.
4. That which one has to do or should do; special service,
duty, or mission.
The daughter of the King of France, On serious
business, craving quick despatch, Importunes
personal conference. --Shak.
What business has the tortoise among the clouds?
--L'Estrange.
5. Affair; concern; matter; -- used in an indefinite sense,
and modified by the connected words.
It was a gentle business, and becoming The action of
good women. --Shak.
Bestow Your needful counsel to our business. --Shak.
6. (Drama) The position, distribution, and order of persons
and properties on the stage of a theater, as determined by
the stage manager in rehearsal.
7. Care; anxiety; diligence. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{To do one's business}, to ruin one. [Colloq.] --Wycherley.
{To make (a thing) one's business}, to occupy one's self with
a thing as a special charge or duty. [Colloq.]
{To mean business}, to be earnest. [Colloq.]
Syn: Affairs; concern; transaction; matter; engagement;
employment; calling; occupation; trade; profession;
vocation; office; duty.
Businesslike \Busi"ness*like`\, a.
In the manner of one transacting business wisely and by right
methods.
Busk \Busk\ (b[u^]sk), n. [F. busc, perh. fr. the hypothetical
older form of E. bois wood, because the first busks were made
of wood. See {Bush}, and cf. OF. busche, F. b[^u]che, a piece
or log of wood, fr. the same root.]
A thin, elastic strip of metal, whalebone, wood, or other
material, worn in the front of a corset.
Her long slit sleeves, stiff busk, puff verdingall, Is
all that makes her thus angelical. --Marston.
Busk \Busk\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Busked} (b[u^]skt).] [OE.
busken, fr. Icel. b[=u]ask to make one's self ready,
rexlexive of b[=u]a to prepare, dwell. Cf. 8th {Bound}.]
1. To prepare; to make ready; to array; to dress. [Scot. &
Old Eng.]
Busk you, busk you, my bonny, bonny bride.
--Hamilton.
2. To go; to direct one's course. [Obs.]
Ye might have busked you to Huntly banks. --Skelton.
Busked \Busked\, a.
Wearing a busk. --Pollok.
Busket \Bus"ket\, n. [See {Bosket}, {Bouquet}.]
1. A small bush; also, a sprig or bouquet. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. A part of a garden devoted to shrubs. [R.]
Buskin \Bus"kin\, n. [Prob. from OF. brossequin, or D. broosken.
See {Brodekin}.]
1. A strong, protecting covering for the foot, coming some
distance up the leg.
The hunted red deer's undressed hide Their hairy
buskins well supplied. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A similar covering for the foot and leg, made with very
thick soles, to give an appearance of elevation to the
stature; -- worn by tragic actors in ancient Greece and
Rome. Used as a symbol of tragedy, or the tragic drama, as
distinguished from comedy.
Great Fletcher never treads in buskins here, No
greater Jonson dares in socks appear. --Dryden.
Buskined \Bus"kined\, a.
1. Wearing buskins.
Her buskined virgins traced the dewy lawn. --Pope.
2. Trodden by buskins; pertaining to tragedy. ``The buskined
stage.'' --Milton.
Busky \Bus"ky\, a.
See {Bosky}, and 1st {Bush}, n. --Shak.
Buss \Buss\, n. [OE. basse, fr. L. basium; cf. G. bus (Luther),
Prov. G. busserl, dim. of bus kiss, bussen to kiss, Sw. puss
kiss, pussa to kiss, W. & Gael. bus lip, mouth.]
A kiss; a rude or playful kiss; a smack. --Shak.
Buss \Buss\ (b[u^]s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bussed} (b[u^]st); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Bussing}.]
To kiss; esp. to kiss with a smack, or rudely. ``Nor bussed
the milking maid.'' --Tennyson.
Kissing and bussing differ both in this, We buss our
wantons, but our wives we kiss. --Herrick.
Buss \Buss\, n. [Cf. OF. busse, Pr. bus, LL. bussa, busa, G.
b["u]se, D. buis.] (Naut.)
A small strong vessel with two masts and two cabins; -- used
in the herring fishery.
The Dutch whalers and herring busses. --Macaulay.
Bust \Bust\ (b[u^]st), n. [F. buste, fr. It. busto; cf. LL.
busta, bustula, box, of the same origin as E. box a case;
cf., for the change of meaning, E. chest. See {Bushel}.]
1. A piece of sculpture representing the upper part of the
human figure, including the head, shoulders, and breast.
Ambition sighed: she found it vain to trust The
faithless column, and the crumbling bust. --Pope.
2. The portion of the human figure included between the head
and waist, whether in statuary or in the person; the chest
or thorax; the upper part of the trunk of the body.
Bustard \Bus"tard\ (b[u^]s"t[~e]rd), n. [OF. & Prov. F.
bistarde, F. outarde, from L. avis tarda, lit., slow bird.
--Plin. 10, 22; ``proxim[ae] iis sunt, quas Hispania aves
tardas appellat, Gr[ae]cia 'wti`das.''] (Zo["o]l.)
A bird of the genus {Otis}.
Note: The great or {bearded bustard} ({Otis tarda}) is the
largest game bird in Europe. It inhabits the temperate
regions of Europe and Asia, and was formerly common in
Great Britain. The {little bustard} ({O. tetrax})
inhabits eastern Europe and Morocco. Many other species
are known in Asia and Africa.
Buster \Bus"ter\ (b[u^]s"t[~e]r), n.
Something huge; a roistering blade; also, a spree. [Slang,
U.S.] --Bartlett.
Bustle \Bus"tle\ (b[u^]s"s'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Bustled}
(-s'ld); p. pr. & vb.n. {Bustling} (-sl[i^]ng).] [Cf. OE.
buskle, perh. fr. AS. bysig busy, bysg-ian to busy + the
verbal termination -le; or Icel. bustla to splash, bustle.]
To move noisily; to be rudely active; to move in a way to
cause agitation or disturbance; as, to bustle through a
crowd.
And leave the world for me to bustle in. --Shak.
Bustle \Bus"tle\, n.
Great stir; agitation; tumult from stirring or excitement.
A strange bustle and disturbance in the world. --South.
Bustle \Bus"tle\, n.
A kind of pad or cushion worn on the back below the waist, by
women, to give fullness to the skirts; -- called also
{bishop}, and {tournure}.
Bustler \Bus"tler\ (b[u^]s"sl[~e]r), n.
An active, stirring person.
Bustling \Bus"tling\ (b[u^]s"sl[i^]ng), a.
Agitated; noisy; tumultuous; characterized by confused
activity; as, a bustling crowd. ``A bustling wharf.''
--Hawthorne.
Busto \Bus"to\, n.; pl. {Bustoes}. [It.]
A bust; a statue.
With some antick bustoes in the niches. --Ashmole.
Busy \Bus"y\ (b[i^]z"z[y^]), a. [OE. busi, bisi, AS. bysig; akin
to D. bezig, LG. besig; cf. Skr. bh[=u]sh to be active,
busy.]
1. Engaged in some business; hard at work (either habitually
or only for the time being); occupied with serious
affairs; not idle nor at leisure; as, a busy merchant.
Sir, my mistress sends you word That she is busy,
and she can not come. --Shak.
2. Constantly at work; diligent; active.
Busy hammers closing rivets up. --Shak.
Religious motives . . . are so busy in the heart.
--Addison.
3. Crowded with business or activities; -- said of places and
times; as, a busy street.
To-morrow is a busy day. --Shak.
4. Officious; meddling; foolish active.
On meddling monkey, or on busy ape. --Shak.
5. Careful; anxious. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Syn: Diligent; industrious; assiduous; active; occupied;
engaged.
Busy \Bus"y\ (b[i^]z"z[y^]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Busied}
(b[i^]z"z[i^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Busying}.] [AS. bysgian.]
To make or keep busy; to employ; to engage or keep engaged;
to occupy; as, to busy one's self with books.
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds With foreign
quarrels. --Shak.
Busybody \Bus"y*bod`y\ (-b[o^]d`[y^]), n.; pl. {Busybodies}
(-b[o^]d`[i^]z).
One who officiously concerns himself with the affairs of
others; a meddling person.
And not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not. --1 Tim. v.
13.
But \But\ (b[u^]t), prep., adv. & conj. [OE. bute, buten, AS.
b[=u]tan, without, on the outside, except, besides; pref. be-
+ [=u]tan outward, without, fr. [=u]t out. Primarily,
b[=u]tan, as well as [=u]t, is an adverb. [root]198. See
{By}, {Out}; cf. {About}.]
1. Except with; unless with; without. [Obs.]
So insolent that he could not go but either spurning
equals or trampling on his inferiors. --Fuller.
Touch not the cat but a glove. --Motto of the
Mackintoshes.
2. Except; besides; save.
Who can it be, ye gods! but perjured Lycon? --E.
Smith.
Note: In this sense, but is often used with other particles;
as, but for, without, had it not been for. ``Uncreated
but for love divine.'' --Young.
3. Excepting or excluding the fact that; save that; were it
not that; unless; -- elliptical, for but that.
And but my noble Moor is true of mind . . . it were
enough to put him to ill thinking. --Shak.
4. Otherwise than that; that not; -- commonly, after a
negative, with that.
It cannot be but nature hath some director, of
infinite power, to guide her in all her ways.
--Hooker.
There is no question but the king of Spain will
reform most of the abuses. --Addison.
5. Only; solely; merely.
Observe but how their own principles combat one
another. --Milton.
If they kill us, we shall but die. --2 Kings vii.
4.
A formidable man but to his friends. --Dryden.
6. On the contrary; on the other hand; only; yet; still;
however; nevertheless; more; further; -- as connective of
sentences or clauses of a sentence, in a sense more or
less exceptive or adversative; as, the House of
Representatives passed the bill, but the Senate dissented;
our wants are many, but quite of another kind.
Now abideth faith hope, charity, these three; but
the greatest of these is charity. --1 Cor. xiii.
13.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the
lowly is wisdom. --Prov. xi. 2.
{All but}. See under {All}.
{But and if}, but if; an attempt on the part of King James's
translators of the Bible to express the conjunctive and
adversative force of the Greek ?.
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming; . . . the lord of that servant
will come in a day when he looketh not for him.
--Luke xii.
45, 46.
{But if}, unless. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
But this I read, that but if remedy Thou her afford,
full shortly I her dead shall see. --Spenser.
Syn: {But}, {However}, {Still}.
Usage: These conjunctions mark opposition in passing from one
thought or topic to another. But marks the opposition
with a medium degree of strength; as, this is not
winter, but it is almost as cold; he requested my
assistance, but I shall not aid him at present.
However is weaker, and throws the opposition (as it
were) into the background; as, this is not winter; it
is, however, almost as cold; he required my
assistance; at present, however, I shall not afford
him aid. The plan, however, is still under
consideration, and may yet be adopted. Still is
stronger than but, and marks the opposition more
emphatically; as, your arguments are weighty; still
they do not convince me. See {Except}, {However}.
Note: ``The chief error with but is to use it where and is
enough; an error springing from the tendency to use
strong words without sufficient occasion.'' --Bain.
But \But\, n. [Cf. {But}, prep., adv. & conj.]
The outer apartment or kitchen of a two-roomed house; --
opposed to {ben}, the inner room. [Scot.]
But \But\, n. [See 1st {But}.]
1. A limit; a boundary.
2. The end; esp. the larger or thicker end, or the blunt, in
distinction from the sharp, end. See 1st {Butt}.
{But end}, the larger or thicker end; as, the but end of a
log; the but end of a musket. See {Butt}, n.
But \But\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Butted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Butting}.]
See {Butt}, v., and {Abut}, v.
Butane \Bu"tane\, n. [L. butyrum butter. See {Butter}.] (Chem.)
An inflammable gaseous hydrocarbon, C4H10, of the marsh gas,
or paraffin, series.
Butcher \Butch"er\, n. [OE. bochere, bochier, OF. bochier, F.
boucher, orig., slaughterer of buck goats, fr. OF. boc, F.
bouc, a buck goat; of German or Celtic origin. See {Buck} the
animal.]
1. One who slaughters animals, or dresses their flesh for
market; one whose occupation it is to kill animals for
food.
2. A slaughterer; one who kills in large numbers, or with
unusual cruelty; one who causes needless loss of life, as
in battle. ``Butcher of an innocent child.'' --Shak.
{Butcher bird} (Zo["o]l.), a species of shrike of the genus
{Lanius}.
Note: The {Lanius excubitor} is the common butcher bird of
Europe. In England, the bearded tit is sometimes called
the {lesser butcher bird}. The American species are
{L.borealis}, or {northern butcher bird}, and {L.
Ludovicianus} or {loggerhead shrike}. The name butcher
bird is derived from its habit of suspending its prey
impaled upon thorns, after killing it.
{Butcher's meat}, such flesh of animals slaughtered for food
as is sold for that purpose by butchers, as beef, mutton,
lamb, and pork.
Butcher \Butch"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Butchered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Butchering}.]
1. To kill or slaughter (animals) for food, or for market;
as, to butcher hogs.
2. To murder, or kill, especially in an unusually bloody or
barbarous manner. --Macaulay.
[Ithocles] was murdered, rather butchered. --Ford.
Butchering \Butch"er*ing\, n.
1. The business of a butcher.
2. The act of slaughtering; the act of killing cruelly and
needlessly.
That dreadful butchering of one another. --Addison.
Butcherliness \Butch"er*li*ness\, n.
Butchery quality.
Butcherly \Butch"er*ly\, a.
Like a butcher; without compunction; savage; bloody; inhuman;
fell. ``The victim of a butcherly murder.'' --D. Webster.
What stratagems, how fell, how butcherly, This deadly
quarrel daily doth beget! --Shak.
Butcher's broom \Butch"er's broom`\ (Bot.)
A genus of plants ({Ruscus}); esp. {R. aculeatus}, which has
large red berries and leaflike branches. See {Cladophyll}.
Butchery \Butch"er*y\, n. [OE. bocherie shambles, fr. F.
boucherie. See {Butcher}, n.]
1. The business of a butcher. [Obs.]
2. Murder or manslaughter, esp. when committed with unusual
barbarity; great or cruel slaughter. --Shak.
The perpetration of human butchery. --Prescott.
3. A slaughterhouse; the shambles; a place where blood is
shed. [Obs.]
Like as an ox is hanged in the butchery. --Fabyan.
Syn: Murder; slaughter; carnage. See {Massacre}.
Butler \But"ler\, n. [OE. boteler, F. bouteillier a
bottle-bearer, a cupbearer, fr. LL. buticularius, fr.
buticula bottle. See {Bottle} a hollow vessel.]
An officer in a king's or a nobleman's household, whose
principal business it is to take charge of the liquors,
plate, etc.; the head servant in a large house.
The butler and the baker of the king of Egypt. --Gen.
xl. 5.
Your wine locked up, your butler strolled abroad.
--Pope.
Butlerage \But"ler*age\, n. (O. Eng. Law)
A duty of two shillings on every tun of wine imported into
England by merchant strangers; -- so called because paid to
the king's butler for the king. --Blackstone.
Butlership \But"ler*ship\, n.
The office of a butler.
Butment \But"ment\, n. [Abbreviation of {Abutment}.]
1. (Arch.) A buttress of an arch; the supporter, or that part
which joins it to the upright pier.
2. (Masonry) The mass of stone or solid work at the end of a
bridge, by which the extreme arches are sustained, or by
which the end of a bridge without arches is supported.
{Butment cheek} (Carp.), the part of a mortised timber
surrounding the mortise, and against which the shoulders
of the tenon bear. --Knight.
Butt \Butt\, But \But\, n. [F. but butt, aim (cf. butte knoll),
or bout, OF. bot, end, extremity, fr. boter, buter, to push,
butt, strike, F. bouter; of German origin; cf. OHG. b[=o]zan,
akin to E. beat. See {Beat}, v. t.]
1. A limit; a bound; a goal; the extreme bound; the end.
Here is my journey's end, here my butt And very sea
mark of my utmost sail. --Shak.
Note: As applied to land, the word is nearly synonymous with
mete, and signifies properly the end line or boundary;
the abuttal.
2. The thicker end of anything. See {But}.
3. A mark to be shot at; a target. --Sir W. Scott.
The groom his fellow groom at butts defies, And
bends his bow, and levels with his eyes. --Dryden.
4. A person at whom ridicule, jest, or contempt is directed;
as, the butt of the company.
I played a sentence or two at my butt, which I
thought very smart. --Addison.
5. A push, thrust, or sudden blow, given by the head of an
animal; as, the butt of a ram.
6. A thrust in fencing.
To prove who gave the fairer butt, John shows the
chalk on Robert's coat. --Prior.
7. A piece of land left unplowed at the end of a field.
The hay was growing upon headlands and butts in
cornfields. --Burrill.
8. (Mech.)
(a) A joint where the ends of two objects come squarely
together without scarfing or chamfering; -- also
called {butt joint}.
(b) The end of a connecting rod or other like piece, to
which the boxing is attached by the strap, cotter, and
gib.
(c) The portion of a half-coupling fastened to the end of
a hose.
9. (Shipbuilding) The joint where two planks in a strake
meet.
10. (Carp.) A kind of hinge used in hanging doors, etc.; --
so named because fastened on the edge of the door, which
butts against the casing, instead of on its face, like
the strap hinge; also called {butt hinge}.
11. (Leather Trade) The thickest and stoutest part of tanned
oxhides, used for soles of boots, harness, trunks.
12. The hut or shelter of the person who attends to the
targets in rifle practice.
{Butt chain} (Saddlery), a short chain attached to the end of
a tug.
{Butt end}. The thicker end of anything. See {But end}, under
2d {But}.
Amen; and make me die a good old man! That's the
butt end of a mother's blessing. --Shak.
{A butt's length}, the ordinary distance from the place of
shooting to the butt, or mark.
{Butts and bounds} (Conveyancing), abuttals and boundaries.
In lands of the ordinary rectangular shape, butts are the
lines at the ends (F. bouts), and bounds are those on the
sides, or sidings, as they were formerly termed.
--Burrill.
{Bead and butt}. See under {Bead}.
{Butt and butt}, joining end to end without overlapping, as
planks.
{Butt weld} (Mech.), a butt joint, made by welding together
the flat ends, or edges, of a piece of iron or steel, or
of separate pieces, without having them overlap. See
{Weld}.
{Full butt}, headfirst with full force. [Colloq.] ``The
corporal . . . ran full butt at the lieutenant.''
--Marryat.
Butt \Butt\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Butted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Butting}.] [OE. butten, OF. boter to push, F. bouter. See
{Butt} an end, and cf. {Boutade}.]
1. To join at the butt, end, or outward extremity; to
terminate; to be bounded; to abut. [Written also {but}.]
And Barnsdale there doth butt on Don's well-watered
ground. --Drayton.
2. To thrust the head forward; to strike by thrusting the
head forward, as an ox or a ram. [See {Butt}, n.]
A snow-white steer before thine altar led, Butts
with his threatening brows. --Dryden.
Butt \Butt\, v. t.
To strike by thrusting the head against; to strike with the
head.
Two harmless lambs are butting one the other. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Butt \Butt\, n. [F. botte, boute, LL. butta. Cf. {Bottle} a
hollow vessel.]
A large cask or vessel for wine or beer. It contains two
hogsheads.
Note: A wine butt contains 126 wine gallons (= 105 imperial
gallons, nearly); a beer butt 108 ale gallons (= about
110 imperial gallons).
Butt \Butt\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The common English flounder.
Butte \Butte\, n. [F. See {Butt} a bound.]
A detached low mountain, or high rising abruptly from the
general level of the surrounding plain; -- applied to
peculiar elevations in the Rocky Mountain region.
The creek . . . passes by two remarkable buttes of red
conglomerate. --Ruxton.
Butter \But"ter\ (b[u^]t"t[~e]r), n. [OE. botere, butter, AS.
butere, fr. L. butyrum, Gr. boy`tyron; either fr. boy`s ox,
cow + tyro`s cheese; or, perhaps, of Scythian origin. Cf.
{Cow}.]
1. An oily, unctuous substance obtained from cream or milk by
churning.
2. Any substance resembling butter in degree of consistence,
or other qualities, especially, in old chemistry, the
chlorides, as butter of antimony, sesquichloride of
antimony; also, certain concrete fat oils remaining nearly
solid at ordinary temperatures, as butter of cacao,
vegetable butter, shea butter.
{Butter and eggs} (Bot.), a name given to several plants
having flowers of two shades of yellow, as {Narcissus
incomparabilis}, and in the United States to the toadflax
({Linaria vulgaris}).
{Butter boat}, a small vessel for holding melted butter at
table.
{Butter flower}, the buttercup, a yellow flower.
{Butter print}, a piece of carved wood used to mark pats of
butter; -- called also {butter stamp}. --Locke.
{Butter tooth}, either of the two middle incisors of the
upper jaw.
{Butter tree} (Bot.), a tree of the genus {Bassia}, the seeds
of which yield a substance closely resembling butter. The
butter tree of India is the {B. butyracea}; that of Africa
is the Shea tree ({B. Parkii}). See {Shea tree}.
{Butter trier}, a tool used in sampling butter.
{Butter wife}, a woman who makes or sells butter; -- called
also {butter woman}. [Obs. or Archaic]
Butter \But"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buttered} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Buttering}.]
1. To cover or spread with butter.
I know what's what. I know on which side My bread is
buttered. --Ford.
2. To increase, as stakes, at every throw or every game.
[Cant] --Johnson.
Butter \Butt"er\, n.
One who, or that which, butts.
Butterball \But"ter*ball`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The buffel duck.
Butterbird \But"ter*bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The rice bunting or bobolink; -- so called in the island of
Jamaica.
Butterbump \But"ter*bump`\, n. [OE. buttur the bittern + 5th
bump.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European bittern. --Johnson.
Butterbur \But"ter*bur`\, n. (Bot.)
A broad-leaved plant ({Petasites vulgaris}) of the Composite
family, said to have been used in England for wrapping up
pats of butter.
Buttercup \But"ter*cup`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Ranunculus}, or crowfoot, particularly
{R. bulbosus}, with bright yellow flowers; -- called also
{butterflower}, {golden cup}, and {kingcup}. It is the
{cuckoobud} of Shakespeare.
Butter-fingered \But"ter-fin`gered\, a.
Apt to let things fall, or to let them slip away; slippery;
careless.
Butterfish \But"ter*fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A name given to several different fishes, in allusion to
their slippery coating of mucus, as the {Stromateus
triacanthus} of the Atlantic coast, the {Epinephelus
punctatus} of the southern coast, the rock eel, and the
kelpfish of New Zealand.
Butterfly \But"ter*fly`\, n.; pl. {Butterflies}. [Perh. from the
color of a yellow species. AS. buter-fl[=e]ge,
buttor-fle['o]ge; cf. G. butterfliege, D. botervlieg. See
{Butter}, and {Fly}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A general name for the numerous species of diurnal
Lepidoptera.
Note: [See Illust. under {Aphrodite}.]
{Asclepias butterfly}. See under {Asclepias}.
{Butterfly fish} (Zo["o]l.), the ocellated blenny ({Blennius
ocellaris}) of Europe. See {Blenny}. The term is also
applied to the flying gurnard.
{Butterfly shell} (Zo["o]l.), a shell of the genus {Voluta}.
{Butterfly valve} (Mech.), a kind of double clack valve,
consisting of two semicircular clappers or wings hinged to
a cross rib in the pump bucket. When open it somewhat
resembles a butterfly in shape.
Butterine \But"ter*ine\, n.
A substance prepared from animal fat with some other
ingredients intermixed, as an imitation of butter.
The manufacturers ship large quantities of
oleomargarine to England, Holland, and other countries,
to be manufactured into butter, which is sold as
butterine or suine. --Johnson's
Cyc.
Butteris \But"ter*is\, n. [The same word as buttress, noun, in a
different application, F. bouter to push.] (Far.)
A steel cutting instrument, with a long bent shank set in a
handle which rests against the shoulder of the operator. It
is operated by a thrust movement, and used in paring the
hoofs of horses.
Butterman \But"ter*man`\, n.; pl. {Buttermen}.
A man who makes or sells butter.
Buttermilk \But"ter*milk`\, n.
The milk that remains after the butter is separated from the
cream.
Butternut \But"ter*nut`\, n.
1. (Bot.) An American tree ({Juglans cinerea}) of the Walnut
family, and its edible fruit; -- so called from the oil
contained in the latter. Sometimes called {oil nut} and
{white walnut}.
2. (Bot.) The nut of the {Caryocar butyrosum} and {C.
nuciferum}, of S. America; -- called also {Souari nut}.
Butter-scotch \But"ter-scotch`\, n.
A kind of candy, mainly composed of sugar and butter.
[Colloq.] --Dickens.
Butterweed \But"ter*weed`\, n. (Bot.)
An annual composite plant of the Mississippi valley ({Senecio
lobatus}).
Butterweight \But"ter*weight`\, n.
Over weight. --Swift.
Note: Formerly it was a custom to give 18 ounces of butter
for a pound.
Butterwort \But"ter*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of low herbs ({Pinguicula}) having simple leaves
which secrete from their glandular upper surface a viscid
fluid, to which insects adhere, after which the margin
infolds and the insects are digested by the plant. The
species are found mostly in the North Temperate zone.
Buttery \But"ter*y\, a.
Having the qualities, consistence, or appearance, of butter.
Buttery \But"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Butteries}. [OE. botery, botry;
cf. LL. botaria wine vessel; also OE. botelerie, fr. F.
bouteillerie, fr. boutellie bottle. Not derived from butter.
See {Bottle} a hollow vessel, {Butt} a cask.]
1. An apartment in a house where butter, milk and other
provisions are kept.
All that need a cool and fresh temper, as cellars,
pantries, and butteries, to the north. --Sir H.
Wotton.
2. A room in some English colleges where liquors, fruit, and
refreshments are kept for sale to the students.
And the major Oxford kept the buttery bar. --E.
Hall.
3. A cellar in which butts of wine are kept. --Weale.
{Buttery hatch}, a half door between the buttery or kitchen
and the hall, in old mansions, over which provisions were
passed. --Wright.
Butt hinge \Butt" hinge`\
See 1st {Butt}, 10.
But-thorn \But"-thorn`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The common European starfish ({Asterias rubens}).
Butting \But"ting\, n.
An abuttal; a boundary.
Without buttings or boundings on any side. --Bp.
Beveridge.
Butting joint \But"ting joint`\
A joint between two pieces of timber or wood, at the end of
one or both, and either at right angles or oblique to the
grain, as the joints which the struts and braces form with
the truss posts; -- sometimes called abutting joint.
Butt joint \Butt" joint`\
A joint in which the edges or ends of the pieces united come
squarely together instead of overlapping. See 1st {Butt}, 8.
Buttock \But"tock\, n. [From {Butt} an end.]
1. The part at the back of the hip, which, in man, forms one
of the rounded protuberances on which he sits; the rump.
2. (Naut.) The convexity of a ship behind, under the stern.
--Mar. Dict.
Button \But"ton\, n. [OE. boton, botoun, F. bouton button, bud,
prop. something pushing out, fr. bouter to push. See {Butt}
an end.]
1. A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.
2. A catch, of various forms and materials, used to fasten
together the different parts of dress, by being attached
to one part, and passing through a slit, called a
buttonhole, in the other; -- used also for ornament.
3. A bud; a germ of a plant. --Shak.
4. A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated,
turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, as a
door.
5. A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a
crucible, after fusion.
{Button hook}, a hook for catching a button and drawing it
through a buttonhole, as in buttoning boots and gloves.
{Button shell} (Zo["o]l.), a small, univalve marine shell of
the genus {Rotella}.
{Button snakeroot}. (Bot.)
(a) The American composite genus {Liatris}, having rounded
buttonlike heads of flowers.
(b) An American umbelliferous plant with rigid, narrow
leaves, and flowers in dense heads.
{Button tree} (Bot.), a genus of trees ({Conocarpus}),
furnishing durable timber, mostly natives of the West
Indies.
{To hold by the button}, to detain in conversation to
weariness; to bore; to buttonhole.
Button \But"ton\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buttoned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Buttoning}.] [OE. botonen, OF. botoner, F. boutonner. See
{Button}, n.]
1. To fasten with a button or buttons; to inclose or make
secure with buttons; -- often followed by up.
He was a tall, fat, long-bodied man, buttoned up to
the throat in a tight green coat. --Dickens.
2. To dress or clothe. [Obs.] --Shak.
Button \But"ton\, v. i.
To be fastened by a button or buttons; as, the coat will not
button.
Buttonball \But"ton*ball`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Buttonwood}.
Buttonbush \But"ton*bush`\, n. (Bot.)
A shrub ({Cephalanthus occidentalis}) growing by the
waterside; -- so called from its globular head of flowers.
See {Capitulum}.
Buttonhole \But"ton*hole`\, n.
The hole or loop in which a button is caught.
Buttonhole \But"ton*hole`\, v. t.
To hold at the button or buttonhole; to detain in
conversation to weariness; to bore; as, he buttonholed me a
quarter of an hour.
Buttonmold \But"ton*mold`\, n.
A disk of bone, wood, or other material, which is made into a
button by covering it with cloth. [Written also
{buttonmould}.]
{Fossil buttonmolds}, joints of encrinites. See {Encrinite}.
Buttons \But"tons\, n.
A boy servant, or page, -- in allusion to the buttons on his
livery. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
Buttonweed \But"ton*weed`\, n. (Bot.)
The name of several plants of the genera {Spermacoce} and
{Diodia}, of the Madder family.
Buttonwood \But"ton*wood`\, n. (Bot.)
The {Platanus occidentalis}, or American plane tree, a large
tree, producing rough balls, from which it is named; --
called also {buttonball tree}, and, in some parts of the
United States, {sycamore}. The California buttonwood is {P.
racemosa}.
Buttony \But"ton*y\, a.
Ornamented with a large number of buttons. ``The buttony
boy.'' --Thackeray. ``My coat so blue and buttony.'' --W. S.
Gilbert.
Buttress \But"tress\, n. [OE. butrasse, boterace, fr. F. bouter
to push; cf. OF. bouteret (nom. sing. and acc. pl. bouterez)
buttress. See {Butt} an end, and cf. {Butteris}.]
1. (Arch.) A projecting mass of masonry, used for resisting
the thrust of an arch, or for ornament and symmetry.
Note: When an external projection is used merely to stiffen a
wall, it is a pier.
2. Anything which supports or strengthens. ``The ground
pillar and buttress of the good old cause of
nonconformity.'' --South.
{Flying buttress}. See {Flying buttress}.
Buttress \But"tress\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buttressed} (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Buttressing}.]
To support with a buttress; to prop; to brace firmly.
To set it upright again, and to prop and buttress it up
for duration. --Burke.
Butt shaft \Butt" shaft`\
An arrow without a barb, for shooting at butts; an arrow.
[Also {but shaft}.] --Shak.
Butt weld \Butt" weld`\
See Butt weld, under {Butt}.
Buttweld \Butt"weld`\, v. t.
To unite by a butt weld.
Butty \But"ty\, n. (Mining)
One who mines by contract, at so much per ton of coal or ore.
Butyl \Bu"tyl\, n. [L. butyrum butter + -yl. See {Butter}.]
(Chem.)
A compound radical, regarded as butane, less one atom of
hydrogen.
Butylene \Bu"ty*lene\, n. [From {Butyl}.] (Chem.)
Any one of three metameric hydrocarbons, {C4H8}, of the
ethylene series. They are gaseous or easily liquefiable.
Butyraceous \Bu`ty*ra"ceous\, a. [L. butyrum butter. See
{Butter}.]
Having the qualities of butter; resembling butter.
Butyrate \Bu"ty*rate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of butyric acid.
Butyric \Bu*tyr"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, butter.
{Butyric acid}, {C3H7.CO2H}, an acid found in butter; an
oily, limpid fluid, having the smell of rancid butter, and
an acrid taste, with a sweetish aftertaste, like that of
ether. There are two metameric butyric acids, called in
distinction the normal- and iso-butyric acid. The normal
butyric acid is the one common in rancid butter.
Butyrin \Bu"ty*rin\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
A butyrate of glycerin; a fat contained in small quantity in
milk, which helps to give to butter its peculiar flavor.
Butyrometer \Bu`ty*rom"e*ter\, n. [L. butyrum butter + -meter.]
An instrument for determining the amount of fatty matter or
butter contained in a sample of milk.
Butyrone \Bu"ty*rone\, n. [Butyric + -one.] (Chem.)
A liquid ketone obtained by heating calcium butyrate.
Butyrous \Bu"ty*rous\, a.
Butyraceous.
Buxeous \Bux"e*ous\, a. [L. buxeus, fr. buxus the box tree.]
Belonging to the box tree.
Buxine \Bux"ine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid obtained from the {Buxus sempervirens}, or common
box tree. It is identical with {bebeerine}; -- called also
{buxina}.
Buxom \Bux"om\, a. [OE. buxum, boxom, buhsum, pliable, obedient,
AS. b[=o]csum, b[=u]hsum (akin to D. buigzaam blexible, G.
biegsam); b[=u]gan to bow, bend + -sum, E. -some. See {Bow}
to bend, and {-some}.]
1. Yielding; pliable or compliant; ready to obey; obedient;
tractable; docile; meek; humble. [Obs.]
So wild a beast, so tame ytaught to be, And buxom to
his bands, is joy to see. --Spenser.
I submit myself unto this holy church of Christ, to
be ever buxom and obedient to the ordinance of it.
--Foxe.
2. Having the characteristics of health, vigor, and
comeliness, combined with a gay, lively manner; stout and
rosy; jolly; frolicsome.
A daughter fair, So buxom, blithe, and debonair.
--Milton.
A parcel of buxom bonny dames, that were laughing,
singing, dancing, and as merry as the day was long.
--Tatler.
-- {Bux"om*ly}, adv. -- {Bux"om*ness}, n.
Buy \Buy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bought}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Buying}.] [OE. buggen, buggen, bien, AS. bycgan, akin to OS.
buggean, Goth. bugjan.]
1. To acquire the ownership of (property) by giving an
accepted price or consideration therefor, or by agreeing
to do so; to acquire by the payment of a price or value;
to purchase; -- opposed to sell.
Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou
wilt sell thy necessaries. --B. Franklin.
2. To acquire or procure by something given or done in
exchange, literally or figuratively; to get, at a cost or
sacrifice; to buy pleasure with pain.
Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and
instruction, and understanding. --Prov. xxiii.
23.
{To buy again}. See {Againbuy}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{To buy off}.
(a) To influence to compliance; to cause to bend or yield
by some consideration; as, to buy off conscience.
(b) To detach by a consideration given; as, to buy off one
from a party.
{To buy out}
(a) To buy off, or detach from. --Shak.
(b) To purchase the share or shares of in a stock, fund,
or partnership, by which the seller is separated from
the company, and the purchaser takes his place; as, A
buys out B.
(c) To purchase the entire stock in trade and the good
will of a business.
{To buy in}, to purchase stock in any fund or partnership.
{To buy on credit}, to purchase, on a promise, in fact or in
law, to make payment at a future day.
{To buy the refusal} (of anything), to give a consideration
for the right of purchasing, at a fixed price, at a future
time.
Buy \Buy\, v. i.
To negotiate or treat about a purchase.
I will buy with you, sell with you. --Shak.
Buyer \Buy"er\, n.
One who buys; a purchaser.
Buz \Buz\, v. & n.
See {Buzz}. [Obs.]
Buzz \Buzz\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Buzzed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Buzzing}.] [An onomatop[oe]ia.]
To make a low, continuous, humming or sibilant sound, like
that made by bees with their wings. Hence: To utter a
murmuring sound; to speak with a low, humming voice.
Like a wasp is buzzed, and stung him. --Longfellow.
However these disturbers of our peace Buzz in the
people's ears. --Shak.
Buzz \Buzz\, v. t.
1. To sound forth by buzzing. --Shak.
2. To whisper; to communicate, as tales, in an under tone; to
spread, as report, by whispers, or secretly.
I will buzz abroad such prophecies That Edward shall
be fearful of his life. --Shak.
3. To talk to incessantly or confidentially in a low humming
voice. [Colloq.]
4. (Phonetics) To sound with a ``buzz''. --H. Sweet.
Buzz \Buzz\, n.
1. A continuous, humming noise, as of bees; a confused
murmur, as of general conversation in low tones, or of a
general expression of surprise or approbation. ``The
constant buzz of a fly.'' --Macaulay.
I found the whole room in a buzz of politics. --Addison.
There is a buzz all around regarding the sermon.
--Thackeray.
2. A whisper; a report spread secretly or cautiously.
There's a certain buzz Of a stolen marriage.
--Massinger.
3. (Phonetics) The audible friction of voice consonants. --H.
Sweet.
Buzzard \Buz"zard\ (b[u^]z"z[~e]rd), n.[O.E. busard, bosard, F.
busard, fr. buse, L. buteo, a kind of falcon or hawk.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to
the genus {Buteo} and related genera.
Note: The {Buteo vulgaris} is the common buzzard of Europe.
The American species (of which the most common are {B.
borealis}, {B. Pennsylvanicus}, and {B. lineatus}) are
usually called hen hawks. -- The rough-legged buzzard,
or bee hawk, of Europe ({Pernis apivorus}) feeds on
bees and their larv[ae], with other insects, and
reptiles. -- The moor buzzard of Europe is {Circus
[ae]ruginosus}. See {Turkey buzzard}, and {Carrion
buzzard}.
{Bald buzzard}, the fishhawk or osprey. See {Fishhawk}.
2. A blockhead; a dunce.
It is common, to a proverb, to call one who can not
be taught, or who continues obstinately ignorant, a
buzzard. --Goldsmith.
Buzzard \Buz"zard\, a.
Senseless; stupid. [R. & Obs.] --Milton.
Buzzardet \Buz"zard*et`\ (-[e^]t`), n. (Zo["o]l.)
A hawk resembling the buzzard, but with legs relatively
longer.
Buzzer \Buzz"er\ (b[u^]z"[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, buzzes; a whisperer; a talebearer.
And wants not buzzers to infect his ear With pestilent
speeches of his father's death. --Shak.
Buzzingly \Buzz"ing*ly\, adv.
In a buzzing manner; with a buzzing sound.
Buzzsaw \Buzz"saw`\
A circular saw; -- so called from the buzzing it makes when
running at full speed.
By \By\ (b[imac]), prep. [OE. bi, AS. b[=i], big, near to, by,
of, from, after, according to; akin to OS. & OFries. bi, be,
D. bij, OHG. b[=i], G. bei, Goth. bi, and perh. Gr. 'amfi`.
E. prefix be- is orig. the same word. [root]203. See pref.
{Be-}.]
1. In the neighborhood of; near or next to; not far from;
close to; along with; as, come and sit by me. [1913
Webster]
By foundation or by shady rivulet He sought them
both. --Milton.
2. On; along; in traversing. Compare 5.
Long labors both by sea and land he bore. --Dryden.
By land, by water, they renew the charge. --Pope.
3. Near to, while passing; hence, from one to the other side
of; past; as, to go by a church.
4. Used in specifying adjacent dimensions; as, a cabin twenty
feet by forty.
5. Against. [Obs.] --Tyndale [1. Cor. iv. 4].
6. With, as means, way, process, etc.; through means of; with
aid of; through; through the act or agency of; as, a city
is destroyed by fire; profit is made by commerce; to take
by force.
Note: To the meaning of by, as denoting means or agency,
belong, more or less closely, most of the following
uses of the word:
(a) It points out the author and producer; as,
``Waverley'', a novel by Sir W.Scott; a statue by
Canova; a sonata by Beethoven.
(b) In an oath or adjuration, it indicates the being or
thing appealed to as sanction; as, I affirm to you by
all that is sacred; he swears by his faith as a
Christian; no, by Heaven.
(c) According to; by direction, authority, or example of;
after; -- in such phrases as, it appears by his
account; ten o'clock by my watch; to live by rule; a
model to build by.
(d) At the rate of; according to the ratio or proportion
of; in the measure or quantity of; as, to sell cloth
by the yard, milk by the quart, eggs by the dozen,
meat by the pound; to board by the year.
(e) In comparison, it denotes the measure of excess or
deficiency; when anything is increased or diminished,
it indicates the measure of increase or diminution;
as, larger by a half; older by five years; to lessen
by a third.
(f) It expresses continuance or duration; during the
course of; within the period of; as, by day, by night.
(g) As soon as; not later than; near or at; -- used in
expressions of time; as, by this time the sun had
risen; he will be here by two o'clock.
Note: In boxing the compass, by indicates a pint nearer to,
or towards, the next cardinal point; as, north by east,
i.e., a point towards the east from the north;
northeast by east, i.e., on point nearer the east than
northeast is.
Note: With is used instead of by before the instrument with
which anything is done; as, to beat one with a stick;
the board was fastened by the carpenter with nails. But
there are many words which may be regarded as means or
processes, or, figuratively, as instruments; and
whether with or by shall be used with them is a matter
of arbitrary, and often, of unsettled usage; as, to a
reduce a town by famine; to consume stubble with fire;
he gained his purpose by flattery; he entertained them
with a story; he distressed us with or by a recital of
his sufferings. see {With}.
{By all means}, most assuredly; without fail; certainly.
{By and by}.
(a) Close together (of place). [Obs.] ``Two yonge knightes
liggyng [lying] by and by.'' --Chaucer.
(b) Immediately; at once. [Obs.] ``When . . . persecution
ariseth because of the word, by and by he is
offended.'' --Matt. xiii. 21.
(c) Presently; pretty soon; before long.
Note: In this phrase, by seems to be used in the sense of
nearness in time, and to be repeated for the sake of
emphasis, and thus to be equivalent to ``soon, and
soon,'' that is instantly; hence, -- less emphatically,
-- pretty soon, presently.
{By one's self}, with only one's self near; alone; solitary.
{By the bye}. See under {Bye}.
{By the head} (Naut.), having the bows lower than the stern;
-- said of a vessel when her head is lower in the water
than her stern. If her stern is lower, she is by the
stern.
{By the lee}, the situation of a vessel, going free, when she
has fallen off so much as to bring the wind round her
stern, and to take her sails aback on the other side.
{By the run}, to let go by the run, to let go altogether,
instead of slacking off.
{By the way}, by the bye; -- used to introduce an incidental
or secondary remark or subject.
{Day by day}, {One by one}, {Piece by piece}, etc., each day,
each one, each piece, etc., by itself singly or
separately; each severally.
{To come by}, to get possession of; to obtain.
{To do by}, to treat, to behave toward.
{To set by}, to value, to esteem.
{To stand by}, to aid, to support.
Note: The common phrase good-by is equivalent to farewell,
and would be better written good-bye, as it is a
corruption of God be with you (b'w'ye).
By \By\, adv.
1. Near; in the neighborhood; present; as, there was no
person by at the time.
2. Passing near; going past; past; beyond; as, the procession
has gone by; a bird flew by.
3. Aside; as, to lay by; to put by.
By \By\, a.
Out of the common path; aside; -- used in composition, giving
the meaning of something aside, secondary, or incidental, or
collateral matter, a thing private or avoiding notice; as,
by-line, by-place, by-play, by-street. It was formerly more
freely used in composition than it is now; as, by-business,
by-concernment, by-design, by-interest, etc.
Byard \By"ard\, n.
A piece of leather crossing the breast, used by the men who
drag sledges in coal mines.
By-bidder \By"-bid`der\, n.
One who bids at an auction in behalf of the auctioneer or
owner, for the purpose of running up the price of articles.
[U.S.]
By-blow \By"-blow`\, n.
1. A side or incidental blow; an accidental blow.
With their by-blows they did split the very stones
in pieces. --Bunyan.
2. An illegitimate child; a bastard.
The Aga speedily . . . brought her [his disgraced
slave] to court, together with her pretty by-blow,
the present Padre Ottomano. --Evelyn.
By-corner \By"-cor`ner\, n.
A private corner.
Britain being a by-corner, out of the road of the
world. --Fuller.
By-dependence \By"-de*pend`ence\, n.
An appendage; that which depends on something else, or is
distinct from the main dependence; an accessory. --Shak.
By-drinking \By"-drink`ing\, n.
A drinking between meals. [Obs.]
Bye \Bye\ (b[imac]), n.
1. A thing not directly aimed at; something which is a
secondary object of regard; an object by the way, etc.; as
in on or upon the bye, i. e., in passing; indirectly; by
implication. [Obs. except in the phrase by the bye.]
The Synod of Dort condemneth upon the bye even the
discipline of the Church of England. --Fuller.
2. (Cricket) A run made upon a missed ball; as, to steal a
bye. --T. Hughes.
{By the bye}, in passing; by way of digression; apropos to
the matter in hand. [Written also {by the by}.]
Bye \Bye\ (b[imac]) n. [AS. b[=y]; cf. Icel. byg[eth] dwelling,
byggja, b[=u]a, to dwell [root]97.]
1. A dwelling. --Gibson.
2. In certain games, a station or place of an individual
player. --Emerson.
By-election \By"-e*lec"tion\, n.
An election held by itself, not at the time of a general
election.
By-end \By"-end`\, n.
Private end or interest; secret purpose; selfish advantage.
[Written also {bye-end}.]
``Profit or some other by-end.'' --L'Estrange.
Bygone \By"gone`\ (b[imac]"g[o^]n`; 115), a.
Past; gone by. ``Bygone fooleries.'' --Shak.
Bygone \By"gone`\, n.
Something gone by or past; a past event. ``Let old bygones
be'' --Tennyson.
{Let bygones be bygones}, let the past be forgotten.
By-interest \By"-in`ter*est\, n.
Self-interest; private advantage. --Atterbury.
Byland \By"land\, n.
A peninsula. [Obs.]
Bylander \By"land*er\, n.
See {Bilander}. [Obs.]
By-lane \By"-lane`\ (b[imac]"-l[=a]n`), n.
A private lane, or one opening out of the usual road.
By-law \By"-law`\ (b[imac]"-l[add]`), n. [Cf. Sw. bylag, D.
bylov, Icel. b[=y]arl["o]g, fr. Sw. & Dan. by town, Icel.
b[ae]r, byr (fr. b[^u]a to dwell) + the word for law; hence,
a law for one town, a special law. Cf. {Birlaw} and see
{Law}.]
1. A local or subordinate law; a private law or regulation
made by a corporation for its own government.
There was likewise a law to restrain the by-laws, or
ordinances of corporations. --Bacon.
The law or institution; to which are added two
by-laws, as a comment upon the general law.
--Addison.
2. A law that is less important than a general law or
constitutional provision, and subsidiary to it; a rule
relating to a matter of detail; as, civic societies often
adopt a constitution and by-laws for the government of
their members. In this sense the word has probably been
influenced by by, meaning secondary or aside.
By-name \By"-name`\, n.
A nickname. --Camden.
Byname \By"name`\, v. t.
To give a nickname to. --Camden.
By-pass \By"-pass\, n. (Mech.)
A by-passage, for a pipe, or other channel, to divert
circulation from the usual course.
By-passage \By"-pas`sage\, n.
A passage different from the usual one; a byway.
By-past \By"-past\, a.
Past; gone by. ``By-past perils.'' --Shak.
Bypath \By"path`\, n.; pl. {Bypaths}.
A private path; an obscure way; indirect means.
God known, my son, By what bypaths, and indirect
crooked ways, I met this crown. --Shak.
By-place \By"-place`\, n.
A retired or private place.
Byplay \By"play\, n.
Action carried on aside, and commonly in dumb show, while the
main action proceeds.
By-product \By"-prod`uct\, n.
A secondary or additional product; something produced, as in
the course of a manufacture, in addition to the principal
product.
Byre \Byre\, n. [Cf, Icel. b["u]r pantry, Sw. bur cage, Dan.
buur, E. bower.]
A cow house. [N. of Eng. & Scot.]
By-respect \By"-re*spect`\ (b[imac]"r[-e]*sp[e^]kt`), n.
Private end or view; by-interest. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Byroad \By"road`\, n.
A private or obscure road. ``Through slippery byroads''
--Swift.
Byronic \By"ron`ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or in the style of, Lord Byron.
With despair and Byronic misanthropy. --Thackeray
By-room \By"-room`\, n.
A private room or apartment. ``Stand in some by-room''
--Shak.
Bysmottered \By*smot"ter*ed\ (b[-i]*sm[o^]t"t[~e]r*[e^]d), p.a.
[See {Besmut}.]
Bespotted with mud or dirt. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
By-speech \By"-speech`\, n.
An incidental or casual speech, not directly relating to the
point. ``To quote by-speeches.'' --Hooker.
By-spell \By"-spell`\, n. [AS. bigspell.]
A proverb. [Obs.]
Byss \Byss\, n.
See {Byssus}, n., 1.
Byssaceous \Bys*sa"ceous\, a. [From {Byssus}.] (Bot.)
Byssuslike; consisting of fine fibers or threads, as some
very delicate filamentous alg[ae].
Byssiferous \Bys*sif"er*ous\, a. [Byssus + -ferous.]
Bearing a byssus or tuft.
Byssin \Bys"sin\, n.
See {Byssus}, n., 1.
Byssine \Bys"sine\, a. [L. byssinus made of byssus, Gr.
by`ssinos See {Byssus}.]
Made of silk; having a silky or flaxlike appearance. --Coles.
Byssoid \Bys"soid\, a. [Byssus + -oid.]
Byssaceous.
Byssolite \Bys"so*lite\, n. [Gr.? See flax + -lite.] (Min.)
An olive-green fibrous variety of hornblende.
Byssus \Bys"sus\, n.; pl. E. {Byssuses}; L. {Byssi}.[L. byssus
fine flax, fine linen or cotton, Gr. by`ssos .]
1. A cloth of exceedingly fine texture, used by the ancients.
It is disputed whether it was of cotton, linen, or silk.
[Written also {byss} and {byssin}.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) A tuft of long, tough filaments which are
formed in a groove of the foot, and issue from between the
valves of certain bivalve mollusks, as the {Pinna} and
{Mytilus}, by which they attach themselves to rocks, etc.
3. (Bot.) An obsolete name for certain fungi composed of
slender threads.
4. Asbestus.
Bystander \By"stand`er\, n. [By + stander, equiv. to stander-by;
cf. AS. big-standan to stand by or near.]
One who stands near; a spectator; one who has no concern with
the business transacting.
He addressed the bystanders and scattered pamphlets
among them. --Palfrey.
Syn: Looker on; spectator; beholder; observer.
By-street \By"-street`\, n.
A separate, private, or obscure street; an out of the way or
cross street.
He seeks by-streets, and saves the expensive coach.
--Gay.
By-stroke \By"-stroke`\, n.
An accidental or a slyly given stroke.
By-turning \By"-turn`ing\, n.
An obscure road; a way turning from the main road. --Sir P.
Sidney.
By-view \By"-view`\, n.
A private or selfish view; self-interested aim or purpose.
No by-views of his own shall mislead him. --Atterbury.
By-walk \By"-walk`\, n.
A secluded or private walk.
He moves afterward in by-walks. --Dryden.
By-wash \By"-wash`\, n.
The outlet from a dam or reservoir; also, a cut to divert the
flow of water.
Byway \By"way`\, n.
A secluded, private, or obscure way; a path or road aside
from the main one. `` Take no byways.'' --Herbert.
By-wipe \By"-wipe`\, n.
A secret or side stroke, as of raillery or sarcasm. --Milton.
Byword \By"word`\, n. [AS. b["i]word; b["i], E. by + word.]
1. A common saying; a proverb; a saying that has a general
currency.
I knew a wise man that had it for a byword. --Bacon.
2. The object of a contemptuous saying.
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen. --Ps.
xliv. 14
Bywork \By"work\, n.
Work aside from regular work; subordinate or secondary
business.
Byzant \Byz"ant\, Byzantine \Byz"an*tine\ (-[a^]n"t[imac]n)
n.[OE. besant, besaunt, F. besant, fr. LL. Byzantius,
Byzantinus, fr. Byzantium.] (Numis.)
A gold coin, so called from being coined at Byzantium. {See
Bezant}.
Byzantian \By*zan"tian\ (b[i^]*z[a^]n"shan), a. & n.
See {Byzantine}.
Byzantine \By*zan"tine\ (b[i^]*z[a^]n"t[i^]n), a.
Of or pertaining to Byzantium. -- n. A native or inhabitant
of Byzantium, now Constantinople; sometimes, applied to an
inhabitant of the modern city of Constantinople. [ Written
also {Bizantine}.]
{Byzantine church}, the Eastern or Greek church, as
distinguished from the Western or Roman or Latin church.
See under {Greek}.
{Byzantine empire}, the Eastern Roman or Greek empire from a.
d. 364 or a. d. 395 to the capture of Constantinople by
the Turks, a. d. 1453.
{Byzantine historians}, historians and writers (Zonaras,
Procopius, etc.) who lived in the Byzantine empire. --P.
Cyc.
{Byzantine style} (Arch.), a style of architecture developed
in the Byzantine empire.
Note: Its leading forms are the round arch, the dome, the
pillar, the circle, and the cross. The capitals of the
pillars are of endless variety, and full of invention.
The mosque of St. Sophia, Constantinople, and the
church of St. Mark, Venice, are prominent examples of
Byzantine architecture.