# dictionary

word: Bellflower₂
definition:
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.]


word: Bellibone
definition:
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.


word: Bellical
definition:
Bellical

Bellic

{ Bel"lic (_;), Bel"li*cal (_;), }
a.
[L. bellicus. See Bellicose.]
Of or pertaining to war; warlike; martial.
[Obs.]
Bellic
Feltham.


word: Bellicose
definition:
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.


word: Bellied
definition:
Bellied

Bel"lied
(_;)
a.
Having (such) a belly; puffed out; -- used in composition; as, pot-bellied; shad-bellied.


word: Belligerency
definition:
Belligerency

Belligerence

{ Bel*lig"er*ence (_;), Bel*lig"er*en*cy (_;), }
n.
The quality of being belligerent.

2.
the act or state of being engaged in war or a warlike conflict; warfare.

Syn. -- hostilities.

3.
an aggressively hostile or warlike attitude or nature; a readiness to fight or offend, with little or no provocation.


word: Belligerent
definition:
Belligerent

Bel*lig"er*ent
(_;)
a.
[L. bellum war + gerens, -entis, waging, p. pr. of gerere to wage: cf. F. belligérant. See Bellicose, Jest.]
1.
Waging war; carrying on war.
Belligerent
E. Everett.

2.
Pertaining, or tending, to war; of or relating to belligerents; as, a belligerent tone; belligerent rights.


word: Belligerent₂
definition:
Belligerent

Bel*lig"er*ent
n.
A nation or state recognized as carrying on war; a person engaged in warfare.


word: Belling
definition:
Belling

Bell"ing
(_;)
n.
[From Bell to bellow.]
A bellowing, as of a deer in rutting time.
Johnson.


word: Bellipotent
definition:
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.


word: Bell jar
definition:
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.


word: Bellman
definition:
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.


word: Bell metal
definition:
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.


word: Bellow
definition:
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.


word: Bellows
definition:
Bellows

Bel"lows
(_;)
n. sing. & pl.
[OE. bely, below, belly, bellows, AS. bælg, bælig, 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.


word: Bellows fish
definition:
Bellows fish

Bel"lows fish`
(_;)
(Zool.)
A European fish (Centriscus scolopax), distinguished by a long tubular snout, like the pipe of a bellows; -- called also trumpet fish, and snipe fish.


word: Bell pepper
definition:
Bell pepper

Bell" pep`per
(_;)
(Bot.)
A species of Capsicum, or Guinea pepper (Capsicum annuum).  It is the red pepper of the gardens.


word: Bell process
definition:
Bell process

Bell process
(Iron Metal.)
The process of washing molten pig iron by adding iron oxide, proposed by I. Lowthian Bell of England about 1875.


word: bell-ringer
definition:
bell-ringer

bell-ringer
n.
1.
a person who rings church bells (as for summoning the congregation).

Syn. -- toller.

2.
someone who plays musical handbells.


word: bell-ringing
definition:
bell-ringing

bell-ringing
n.
playing a set of bells that are (usually) hung in a tower.

Syn. -- carillon, carillon playing.


word: Bell's palsy
definition:
Bell's palsy

Bell's palsy
Paralysis of the facial nerve, producing distortion of one side of the face.


word: Belluine
definition:
Belluine

Bel"lu*ine
(_;)
a.
[L. belluinus, fr. bellua beast.]
Pertaining to, or like, a beast; brutal.
[R.]

Animal and belluine life.
Atterbury.


word: Bellwether
definition:
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.


word: Bellwort
definition:
Bellwort

Bell"wort"
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
A genus of plants (Uvularia) with yellowish bell-shaped flowers.


word: Belly
definition:
Belly

Bel"ly
(bĕl"l&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Bellies (-lĭz).
[OE. bali, bely, AS. belg, bælg, bælig, bag, bellows, belly; akin to Icel. belgr bag, bellows, Sw. bälg, Dan. bælg, 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Belly₂
definition:
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.


word: Belly₃
definition:
Belly

Bel"ly
v. i.
To swell and become protuberant, like the belly; to bulge.

The bellying canvas strutted with the gale.
Dryden.


word: Bellyache₂
definition:
Bellyache

Bel"ly*ache`
(_;)
v. i.
to complain, especially in a whining or grumbling manner; to gripe.

Syn. -- gripe, whine, complain, moan, snivel, grumble, squawk.


word: bellyacher
definition:
bellyacher

bel"ly*ach`er
n.
a person who complains habitually, usually about everyday minor problems.

Syn. -- whiner, complainer, moaner, sniveler, crybaby, grumbler, squawker.


word: Bellyband
definition:
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.


word: belly button
definition:
belly button

bellybutton

bel"ly*but`ton, bel"ly but`ton
n.
The depression in the middle of the abdomen in humans left as a residue of the umbilical cord; the umbilicus; the navel{1}.


word: Bellycheat
definition:
Bellycheat

Bel"ly*cheat`
(_;)
n.
An apron or covering for the front of the person.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: Bellycheer
definition:
Bellycheer

Bel"ly*cheer`
(_;)
n.
[Perh. from F. belle chère.]
Good cheer; viands.
[Obs.]
Bellycheer
Rowlands.
bellycheer
Milton.


word: Bellycheer₂
definition:
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.


word: Bellyful
definition:
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.


word: Belly-god
definition:
Belly-god

Bel"ly-god`
(_;)
n.
One whose great pleasure it is to gratify his appetite; a glutton; an epicure.


word: belly-land
definition:
belly-land

bellyland

bellyland, belly-land
v.
to land on the underside without the landing gear; -- of airplanes.


word: belly up
definition:
belly up

bel"ly up`
v. i.
to approach (a counter) and stand in front of it; -- used mostly in the phrase belly up to the bar (i.e. to a counter in a saloon).


word: belly-up
definition:
belly-up

belly up

bel"ly up`, bel"ly-up`
a.
[from analogy to the position of a floating dead fish.]
defunct; bankrupt; -- used mostly of commercial organizations; often used in the phrase go belly-up, i. e. to go bankrupt.


word: Bel-Merodach
definition:
Bel-Merodach

Bel-Merodach
n.
1.
(Babylonian) the chief Babylonian god; his consort was Sarpanitu.

Syn. -- Marduk, Merodach, Baal Merodach.


word: Belock
definition:
Belock

Be*lock"
(be̝*l&obreve_;k")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belocked (be̝*l&obreve_;kt").]
[Pref. be- + lock: cf. AS. belūcan.]
To lock, or fasten as with a lock.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Belomancy
definition:
Belomancy

Bel"o*man`cy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;; _; arrow + _; a diviner: cf. F. bélomancie.]
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.


word: Belong
definition:
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.]
[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.
belong
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.


word: Belong₂
definition:
Belong

Be*long"
(_;)
v. t.
To be deserved by.
[Obs.]

More evils belong us than happen to us.
B. Jonson.


word: Belonging
definition:
Belonging

Be*long"ing
n.
[Commonly in the pl.]
1.
That which belongs to one; that which pertains to one; hence, goods or effects.
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.


word: Belonite
definition:
Belonite

Bel"o*nite
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; a needle.]
(Min.)
Minute acicular or dendritic crystalline forms sometimes observed in glassy volcanic rocks.


word: Belooche Beloochee
definition:
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.


word: Belove
definition:
Belove

Be*love"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beloved (_;).]
[OE. bilufien. See pref. Be-, and Love, v. t.]
To love.
[Obs.]
Wodroephe.


word: Beloved
definition:
Beloved

Be*loved"
(_;)
p. p. & a.
Greatly loved; dear to the heart.

Antony, so well beloved of Cæsar.
Shak.

This is my beloved Son.
Matt. iii. 17.


word: Below
definition:
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.
below
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.


word: Below₂
definition:
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.


word: Belsire
definition:
Belsire

Bel"sire`
(_;)
n.
[Pref. bel- + sire. Cf. Beldam.]
A grandfather, or ancestor.
belsir
[Obs.]
Drayton.


word: Belswagger
definition:
Belswagger

Bel"swag`ger
(_;)
n.
[Contr. from bellyswagger.]
A lewd man; also, a bully.
[Obs.]
Dryden.


word: Belt
definition:
Belt

Belt
(bĕlt)
n.
[AS. belt; akin to Icel. belti, Sw. bälte, Dan. bælte, 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.
[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.


word: Belt₂
definition:
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.


word: Beltane
definition:
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.


word: Belted
definition:
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.


word: Belting
definition:
Belting

Belt"ing
(_;)
n.
The material of which belts for machinery are made; also, belts, taken collectively.


word: beltless
definition:
beltless

belt"less
adj.
lacking a belt.
beltless jackets are in this season
belted

Syn. -- unbelted.


word: Beluga
definition:
Beluga

Be*lu"ga
(be̝*lū"gȧ)
n.
[Russ. bieluga a sort of large sturgeon, prop. white fish, fr. bieluii white.  The whale is now commonly called bieluka in Russian.]
1.
(Zool.)
A cetacean allied to the dolphins.

&hand_; 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.

2.
the sturgeon (Huso huso) native to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea; -- also called hausen.  It is valued for its roe, sold as caviar, and is also used for production of isinglass.  See also sturgeon.

3.
the caviar obtained from the beluga{2}; -- also called beluga caviar.  The caviar of the beluga is considered the finest sort, larger and of a taste superior to that obtained from other sturgeon.   See also sturgeon and caviar.


word: Belute
definition:
Belute

Be*lute"
(be̝*lūt")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beluted; p. pr. & vb. n. Beluting.]
[Pref. be- + L. lutum mud.]
To bespatter, as with mud.
[R.]
Sterne.


word: Belvedere
definition:
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.


word: Belzebuth
definition:
Belzebuth

Bel"ze*buth
(_;)
n.
[From Beelzebub.]
(Zool.)
A spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth) of Brazil.


word: Bema
definition:
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.


word: Bemaze
definition:
Bemaze

Be*maze
(_;)
v. t.
[OE. bimasen; pref. be- + masen to maze.]
To bewilder.

Intellects bemazed in endless doubt.
Cowper.


word: Bemeet
definition:
Bemeet

Be*meet"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bemet (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bemeeting.]
To meet.
[Obs.]

Our very loving sister, well bemet.
Shak.


word: Bemire
definition:
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.


word: Bemoan
definition:
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.


word: Bemoil
definition:
Bemoil

Be*moil"
(_;)
v. t.
[Pref. be- + moil, fr. F. mouiller to wet; but cf. also OE. bimolen to soil, fr. AS. māl spot: cf. E. mole.]
To soil or encumber with mire and dirt.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Bemol
definition:
Bemol

Be"mol
(bē"m&obreve_;l)
n.
[F. bémol, fr. bé &flat + mol soft.]
(Mus.)
The sign &flat; the same as B flat.
[Obs.]


word: Bemuffle
definition:
Bemuffle

Be*muf"fle
(_;)
v. t.
To cover as with a muffler; to wrap up.

Bemuffled with the externals of religion.
Sterne.


word: Bemuse
definition:
Bemuse

Be*muse"
(_;)
v. t.
To muddle, daze, or partially stupefy, as with liquor.

A parson much bemused in beer.
Pope.


word: Ben nut
definition:
Ben nut

Ben

{ Ben (_;), Ben" nut`  }
(_;)
[Ar. bān, name of the tree.]
(Bot.)
The seed of one or more species of moringa; as, oil of ben. See Moringa.


word: Ben
definition:
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.]


word: Ben₂
definition:
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.]


word: Bench
definition:
Bench

Bench
(_;)
n.
pl. Benches (_;).
[OE. bench, benk, AS. benc; akin to Sw. bänk, Dan bænk, 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.  See bench mark in the vocabulary. -- 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.


word: Bench₂
definition:
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.


word: Bencher
definition:
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.]


word: bench mark
definition:
bench mark

benchmark

benchmark, bench mark
(Surveying)
1.
Any permanent mark to which other levels may be referred.
such as
(a)
A horizontal mark at the water's edge with reference to which the height of tides and floods may be measured.
(b)
a surveyer's mark on a permanent object of predetermined position and elevation used as a reference point.

2.
something serving as a standard by which related items may be judged; as, his painting sets the benchmark of quality.

3.
a test or series of tests designed to compare the qualities or performance of different devices of the same type.  Certain sets of computer programs are much used as benchmarks for comparing the performance of different computers, especially by comparing the time it takes to complete a test.


word: Bench warrant
definition:
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.


word: Bend
definition:
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
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.
bend
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.


word: Bend₂
definition:
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.


word: Bend₃
definition:
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.


word: Bend₄
definition:
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.


word: Bender
definition:
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.]


word: Bendlet
definition:
Bendlet

Bend"let
(_;)
n.
[Bend + -let: cf. E. bandlet.]
(Her.)
A narrow bend, esp. one half the width of the bend.


word: Bendy
definition:
Bendy

Ben"dy
(_;)
a.
[From Bend a band.]
(Her.)
Divided into an even number of bends; -- said of a shield or its charge.
Cussans.


word: Bene₂
definition:
Bene

Be"ne
(_;)
n.
[AS. bēn.]
A prayer; boon.
[Archaic]

What is good for a bootless bene ?
Wordsworth.


word: Ben₄
definition:
Ben

Bene

{ &VerbarBene, Ben  }
(_;)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
A hoglike mammal of New Guinea (Porcula papuensis).


word: Beneath
definition:
Beneath

Be*neath"
(_;)
prep.
[OE. benethe, bineoðen, AS. beneoðan, benyðan; pref. be- + neoðan, nyðan, 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
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.


word: Beneath₂
definition:
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.


word: Benedicite
definition:
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.


word: Benedicite₂
definition:
Benedicite

Ben`e*dic"i*te
interj.
[See Benedicite, n.]
An exclamation corresponding to Bless you !.


word: Benedick
definition:
Benedick

Benedict

{ Ben"e*dict (_;), 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.


word: Benedict
definition:
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.


word: Benedictine₂
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Benediction
definition:
Benediction

Ben`e*dic"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. benedictio: cf. F. bénédiction. 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.

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.


word: Benedictionary
definition:
Benedictionary

Ben`e*dic"tion*a*ry
(_;)
n.
A collected series of benedictions.

The benedictionary of Bishop Athelwold.
G. Gurton's Needle.


word: Benedictory
definition:
Benedictory

Ben`e*dic"to*ry
(_;)
a.
Expressing wishes for good; as, a benedictory prayer.
Thackeray.


word: Benedictus
definition:
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.


word: Benefaction
definition:
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.


word: Benefactress
definition:
Benefactress

Ben`e*fac"tress
n.
A woman who confers a benefit.

His benefactress blushes at the deed.
Cowper.


word: Benefice
definition:
Benefice

Ben"e*fice
(_;)
n.
[F. bénéfice, 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.

&hand_; 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Benefice₂
definition:
Benefice

Ben"e*fice
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beneficed.]
To endow with a benefice.
[Commonly in the past participle.]


word: Beneficence
definition:
Beneficence

Be*nef"i*cence
(_;)
n.
[L. beneficentia, fr. beneficus: cf. F. bénéficence. 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.


word: Beneficent
definition:
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.


word: Beneficently
definition:
Beneficently

Be*nef"i*cent*ly
(be̝*nĕf"ĭ*sent*l&ybreve_;)
adv.
In a beneficent manner; with beneficence.


word: Beneficial
definition:
Beneficial

Ben`e*fi"cial
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. bénéficial, 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.]
beneficial
B. Jonson.


word: Beneficiary
definition:
Beneficiary

Ben`e*fi"ci*a*ry
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. bénéficiaire, 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.


word: Beneficiary₂
definition:
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.


word: Beneficiate
definition:
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.


word: Benefit
definition:
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.]
benefits
Shak.

Benefit of clergy. (Law) See under Clergy.


word: Benefit₂
definition:
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.


word: Benefit₃
definition:
Benefit

Ben"e*fit
v. i.
To gain advantage; to make improvement; to profit; as, he will benefit by the change.


word: Benefit society
definition:
Benefit society

Benefit society
A society or association formed for mutual insurance, as among tradesmen or in labor unions, to provide for relief in sickness, old age, and for the expenses of burial. Usually called friendly society in Great Britain.


word: Beneme
definition:
Beneme

Be*neme"
(_;)
v. t.
[AS. ben_;man. Cf. Benim.]
To deprive (of), or take away (from).
[Obs.]


word: Benempt
definition:
Benempt

Be*nempt"
(_;)
p. p.
of Bename.
1.
Promised; vowed.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

2.
Named; styled.
[Archaic]
Sir W. Scott.


word: Bene placito
definition:
Bene placito

Be`ne plac"i*to
(bē`ne̝ plăs"ĭ*to̝; It. bā`na̝ plä"che̝*to̝)
[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.


word: Benevolence
definition:
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.


word: Benevolent
definition:
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.


word: Bengal
definition:
Bengal

Ben*gal"
(_;)
prop. 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. (Zool.). See Tiger.


word: Bengalese
definition:
Bengalese

Ben`gal*ese"
(_;)
prop. a.
Of or pertaining to Bengal.
n. sing. & pl. A native or natives of Bengal.


word: Bengali₂
definition:
Bengali

Bengali
prop. adj.
1.
Of or pertaining to the Bengali language; as, Bengali poetry.

2.
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Bangladesh (formerly Bengal) or its inhabitants; as, Bengali hills.


word: benight
definition:
benight

be*night"
(be̝*nīt")
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.


word: Benign
definition:
Benign

Be*nign"
(_;)
a.
[OE. benigne, bening, OF. benigne, F. bénin, fem. bénigne, 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.


word: Benignant
definition:
Benignant

Be*nig"nant
(_;)
a.
[LL. benignans, p. pr. of benignare, from L. benignus. See Benign.]
Kind; gracious; favorable.
Be*nig"nant*ly, adv.


word: Benignity
definition:
Benignity

Be*nig"ni*ty
(_;)
n.
[OE. benignite, F. bénignité, OF. bénigneté, fr. L. benignitas. See Benign.]
1.
The quality of being benign; goodness; kindness; graciousness.
Benignity
Sir W. Scott.

2.
Mildness; gentleness.

The benignity or inclemency of the season.
Spectator.

3.
Salubrity; wholesome quality.
Wiseman.


word: Benim
definition:
Benim

Be*nim"
(_;)
v. t.
[AS. beniman. See Benumb, and cf. Nim.]
To take away.
[Obs.]

Ire . . . benimeth the man fro God.
Chaucer.


word: Beninese
definition:
Beninese

Beninese
adj.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Benin.
Beninese bronzes

Syn. -- Benin.


word: Benison
definition:
Benison

Ben"i*son
(_;)
n.
[OE. beneysun, benesoun, OF. beneï_;un, beneïson, 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.


word: Benjamite
definition:
Benjamite

Ben"ja*mite
(_;)
n.
A descendant of Benjamin; one of the tribe of Benjamin.
Judg. iii. 15.


word: Benne
definition:
Benne

Ben"ne
(_;)
n.
[Malay bijen.]
(Bot.)
The name of two plants (Sesamum orientale and Sesamum indicum), originally Asiatic; -- also called oil plant. From their seeds an oil is expressed, called benne oil or sesame oil, used mostly for making soap. In the southern United States the seeds are used in candy.
[Also spelled benni.]


word: Bennet
definition:
Bennet

Ben"net
(_;)
n.
[F. benoîte, 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.


word: Bennettitales
definition:
Bennettitales

Bennettitales
n.
an order of fossil gymnospermous plans of the Carboniferous.

Syn. -- order Bennettitales.


word: benni
definition:
benni

benni
n.
an East Indian annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum); the source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil.  Same as benne

Syn. -- sesame, benne, benny.


word: bennie
definition:
bennie

ben"nie
n.
a slang name for Benzedrine, a trademark for one brand of amphetamine; -- also used generically for any brand of amphetamine.
[slang]
[Also spelled benny.]

Syn. -- Benzedrine.


word: benny
definition:
benny

benny
n.
1.
same as benne or benni.

Syn. -- sesame, benne, benni, Sesamum indicum.

2.
same as bennie.


word: Bent₂
definition:
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.


word: Bent₃
definition:
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.


word: Bent₄
definition:
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.


word: Benthal
definition:
Benthal

Ben"thal
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; the depth of the sea.]
Relating to the deepest zone or region of the ocean.


word: Benthamism
definition:
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.


word: bentgrass
definition:
bentgrass

bentgrass
n.
grass for pastures and lawns esp bowling and putting greens.

Syn. -- bent, bent grass.


word: Benthic
definition:
Benthic

Ben"thic
(bĕn"thĭk)
a.
[fr. Gr. be`nqos depth of the sea.]
of, pertaining to, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water, especially referring to the ocean depths.


word: Benthos
definition:
Benthos

Ben"thos
(bĕn"th&obreve_;s)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. be`nqos depth of the sea.]
The bottom of the sea, esp. of the deep oceans;
hence
(Bot. & Zool.)
the fauna and flora of the sea bottom; -- opposed to plankton.


word: Benting time
definition:
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.


word: Benty
definition:
Benty

Bent"y
(bĕnt"&ybreve_;)
a.
1.
Abounding in bents, or the stalks of coarse, stiff, withered grass; as, benty fields.

2.
Resembling bent.
Holland.


word: Benumb
definition:
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.


word: Benumbed
definition:
Benumbed

Be*numbed"
(_;)
a.
Made torpid; numbed; stupefied; deadened; as, a benumbed body and mind.
Be*numbed"ness, n.


word: Benzal
definition:
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.


word: Benzamide
definition:
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.


word: Benzene
definition:
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.


word: benzenoid
definition:
benzenoid

benzenoid
adj.
(Chem.)
similar to benzene in structure or linkage; having an aromatic ring system.


word: Benzile
definition:
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.


word: Benzine
definition:
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.]

&hand_; The hydrocarbons of benzine proper are essentially of the marsh gas (paraffin) series, while benzene proper is the typical hydrocarbon of the aromatic series.


word: Benzoate
definition:
Benzoate

Ben"zo*ate
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. benzoate.]
(Chem.)
A salt formed by the union of benzoic acid with any salifiable base.


word: benzocaine
definition:
benzocaine

benzocaine
n.
a chemical substance obtainable as a white crystalline ester (H2N.C6H4.CO.O.C2H5) used as a local anesthetic.  Chemically, it is 4-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester.

Syn. -- ethyl p-aminobenzoate.


word: Benzoic
definition:
Benzoic

Ben*zo"ic
(bĕn*z&omacr"ĭk)
a.
[Cf. F. benzoïque.]
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.


word: Benzoin
definition:
Benzoin

Ben*zoin"
(bĕn*zoin")
n.
[Cf. F. benjoin, Sp. benjui, Pg. beijoin; all fr. Ar. lubān-jāwī incense form Sumatra (named Java in Arabic), the first syllable being lost. Cf. Benjamin.]
[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.


word: Benzoinated
definition:
Benzoinated

Ben*zoin"a*ted
(_;)
a.
(Med.)
Containing or impregnated with benzoin; as, benzoinated lard.


word: Benzol
definition:
Benzol

Benzole

{ Ben"zole 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Benzonaphtol
definition:
Benzonaphtol

Benzonaphthol

{ Ben`zo*naph"thol (?), n. Also Ben`zo*naph"tol  }
[Benzoin + naphthol.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline powder used as an intestinal antiseptic; beta-naphthol benzoate.


word: Benzosol
definition:
Benzosol

Ben"zo*sol
(?)
n.
(Pharm.)
Guaiacol benzoate, used as an intestinal antiseptic and as a substitute for creosote in phthisis. It is a colorless crystalline pewder.


word: Benzoyl
definition:
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.]


word: Benzyl
definition:
Benzyl

Ben"zyl
(_;)
n.
[Benzoic + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A compound radical, C6H5.CH2, related to toluene and benzoic acid; -- commonly used adjectively.


word: Bepaint
definition:
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.


word: Bepinch
definition:
Bepinch

Be*pinch"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bepinched (_;).]
To pinch, or mark with pinches.
Chapman.


word: Beplaster
definition:
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.


word: Bepommel
definition:
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.


word: Bequeath
definition:
Bequeath

Be*queath"
(be̝*kwē&thlig_;")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bequeathed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bequeathing.]
[OE. biquethen, AS. becweðan to say, affirm, bequeath; pref. be- + cweðan 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.


word: Bequeathment
definition:
Bequeathment

Be*queath"ment
(_;)
n.
The act of bequeathing, or the state of being bequeathed; a bequest.


word: Bequest
definition:
Bequest

Be*quest"
(_;)
n.
[OE. biquest, corrupted fr. bequide; pref. be- + AS. cwide a saying, becweðan 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.


word: Berain
definition:
Berain

Be*rain
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Berained (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beraining.]
To rain upon; to wet with rain.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Berate
definition:
Berate

Be*rate"
(be̝*rāt")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Berated; p. pr. & vb. n. Berating.]
[See 2nd rate, v. t..]
To rate or chide vehemently; to scold.
Holland.
Motley.


word: Berattle
definition:
Berattle

Be*rat"tle
(be̝*răt"t'l)
v. t.
To make rattle; to scold vociferously; to cry down.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Beray
definition:
Beray

Be*ray"
(be̝*rā")
v. t.
[Pref. be + ray to defile.]
To make foul; to soil; to defile.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Berbe
definition:
Berbe

Berbe
(bẽrb)
n.
[Cf. Berber, Barb a Barbary horse.]
(Zool.)
An African genet (Genetta pardina). See Genet.


word: Berber
definition:
Berber

Ber"ber
(bẽr"bẽr)
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.


word: Berberine
definition:
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.


word: Berceuse
definition:
Berceuse

Ber`ceuse"
(?)
n.
[F.]
(Mus.)
A vocal or instrumental composition of a soft tranquil character, having a lulling effect; a cradle song.


word: Bercy
definition:
Bercy

Ber"cy
n.
a sauce prepared from butter creamed with white wine, shallots, parsley and fish stock; -- also called Bercy sauce.

Syn. -- Bercy butter.


word: Berdash
definition:
Berdash

Ber"dash
(_;)
n.
A kind of neckcloth.
[Obs.]

A treatise against the cravat and berdash.
Steele.


word: Bereave
definition:
Bereave

Be*reave"
(be̝*rēv")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bereaved (be̝*rēvd"), Bereft (be̝*rĕft"); p. pr. & vb. n. Bereaving.]
[OE. bireven, AS. bereáfian. 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: bereaved
definition:
bereaved

be*reaved"
(be̝*rēv")
adj.
mourning due to the death of a loved one.

Syn. -- bereft, grief-stricken, grieving, mourning(prenominal), sorrowing(prenominal).


word: Bereavement
definition:
Bereavement

Be*reave"ment
(be̝*rēv"ment)
n.
The state of being bereaved; deprivation; esp., the loss of a relative by death.


word: Berenice's Hair
definition:
Berenice's Hair

Ber`e*ni"ce's Hair`
(?)
[See Berenice's Locks, in Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction.]
(Astron.)
See Coma Berenices, under Coma.


word: beret
definition:
beret

beret
n.
a cap made of soft cloth with no brim or bill, widening somewhat outward from a close-fitting headband to a flat top, which often has a button or tab in its center.


word: Berg
definition:
Berg

Berg
(_;)
n.
[√95. See Barrow hill, and cf. Iceberg.]
A large mass or hill, as of ice.

Glittering bergs of ice.
Tennyson.


word: bergall
definition:
bergall

ber"gall
(bẽr"g&asuml_;l)
n.
a small wrasse (Tautogolabrus adspersus), common in north Atantic coastal waters of the U. S.; -- also called the cunner.

Syn. -- cunner.


word: Bergamot
definition:
Bergamot

Ber"ga*mot
(bẽr"gȧ*m&obreve_;t)
n.
[F. bergamote, fr. It. bergamotta; prob. a corruption of Turk. beg armūdi 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).


word: Bergander
definition:
Bergander

Ber"gan*der
(_;)
n.
[Berg, for burrow + gander a male goose?  Cf. G. bergente, Dan. gravgaas.]
(Zool.)
A European duck (Anas tadorna). See Sheldrake.


word: Bergmeal
definition:
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.


word: Bergomask
definition:
Bergomask

Ber"go*mask
(_;)
n.
A rustic dance, so called in ridicule of the people of Bergamo, in Italy, once noted for their clownishness.


word: Bergschrund
definition:
Bergschrund

Berg"schrund`
(?)
n.
[G., lit., mountain gap.]
(Phys. Geog.)
The crevasse or series of crevasses, usually deep and often broad, frequently occurring near the head of a mountain glacier, about where the névé field joins the valley portion of the glacier.


word: Bergstock
definition:
Bergstock

Berg"stock`
(?)
n.
[G., lit., mountain stick.]
A long pole with a spike at the end, used in climbing mountains; an alpenstock.


word: Berhyme
definition:
Berhyme

Be*rhyme"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Berhymed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Berhyming.]
To mention in rhyme or verse; to rhyme about.
[Sometimes use depreciatively.]
Shak.


word: Beriberi
definition:
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.


word: Bering Sea Controversy
definition:
Bering Sea Controversy

Be"ring Sea Controversy
(?)
A controversy (1886 -- 93) between Great Britain and the United States as to the right of Canadians not licensed by the United States to carry on seal fishing in the Bering Sea, over which the United States claimed jurisdiction as a mare clausum. A court of arbitration, meeting in Paris in 1893, decided against the claim of the United States, but established regulations for the preservation of the fur seal.


word: Berkeleian
definition:
Berkeleian

Berke*le"ian
(bẽrk*lē"an)
a.
Of or relating to Bishop Berkeley or his system of idealism; as, Berkeleian philosophy.
Berke"ley*ism, n.


word: berkelium
definition:
berkelium

ber*ke"li*um
(bẽr*kē"le̝*ŭm)
n.
[from the city of Berkeley, California, location of the University of California campus where it was discovered.]
a chemical element of the transuranic series.  Chemical symbol Bk; atomic number 97; atomic weight 247.  It is a radioactive element, with no stable isotopes; the longest-lived isotope is of mass number 247.07, decaying by alpha-emission with a half-life of 1,400 years.  The isotope with atomic weight 249 has a half-life of 314 days, and was isolated in weighable quantities.

Syn. -- Bk.


word: Berlin₂
definition:
Berlin

Ber"lin
(_;)
n.
[The capital of Germany]
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.


word: Berme
definition:
Berme

Berm

{ Berm Berme  }
(_;)
n.
[F. berme, of German origin; cf. G. brame, bräme, 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.


word: Bermuda grass
definition:
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.


word: Bermuda lily
definition:
Bermuda lily

Ber*mu"da lil"y
(Bot.)
The large white lily (Lilium longiflorum eximium, syn. Lilium Harrisii) which is extensively cultivated in Bermuda.


word: Bermudan
definition:
Bermudan

Ber*mu"dan
adj.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Bermuda; as, Bermudan beaches.

2.
of or pertaining to Bermudans; as, The Bermudan hotel staff.


word: Bermudas
definition:
Bermudas

Bermudas
n.
a group of islands in the Atlantic off the Carolina coast; British colony; resort.

Syn. -- Bermuda.


word: Berna fly
definition:
Berna fly

Ber"na fly`
(_;)
(Zool.)
A Brazilian dipterous insect of the genus Trypeta, which lays its eggs in the nostrils or in wounds of man and beast, where the larvæ do great injury.


word: Bernardine
definition:
Bernardine

Ber"nar*dine
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, or to the Cistercian monks.
n. A Cistercian monk.


word: Bernese
definition:
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.


word: Bernicle
definition:
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 (Zool.), 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.


word: Beroe
definition:
Beroe

Ber"o*e
(_;)
n.
[L. Beroe, one of the Oceanidæ Gr. _;: cf. F. beroé.]
(Zool.)
A small, oval, transparent jellyfish, belonging to the Ctenophora.


word: Berretta
definition:
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.]


word: Berried
definition:
Berried

Ber"ried
(_;)
a.
Furnished with berries; consisting of a berry; baccate; as, a berried shrub.


word: Berry
definition:
Berry

Ber"ry
(_;)
n.
pl. Berries.
[OE. berie, AS. berie, berige; akin to D. bes, G. beere, OS. and OHG. beri, Icel. ber, Sw. bär, 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.


word: Berry₂
definition:
Berry

Ber"ry
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Berried (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Berrying.]
To bear or produce berries.


word: Berseem
definition:
Berseem

Ber*seem"
(?)
n.
[Ar. bershīm clover.]
An Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) extensively cultivated as a forage plant and soil-renewing crop in the alkaline soils of the Nile valley, and now introduced into the southwestern United States. It is more succulent than other clovers or than alfalfa. Called also Egyptian clover.


word: Berserker
definition:
Berserker

Berserk

{ Ber"serk (_;), 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.


word: Berserk
definition:
Berserk

Ber*serk"
(bẽr*sẽrk"; bẽr*zẽrk"; bẽr"sẽrk)
a.
[See berserk, n.]
frenzied; crazed; usually in predicate position.


word: Berth
definition:
Berth

Berth
(bẽrth)
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.
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.


word: Berth₂
definition:
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.


word: Bertha
definition:
Bertha

Ber"tha
(_;)
n.
[F. berthe, fr. Berthe, a woman's name.]
A kind of collar or cape worn by ladies.

Big Bertha (_;), n. a large cannon used by the German army during World War I.
[PJC]


word: Berthierite
definition:
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.


word: Berthing
definition:
Berthing

Berth"ing
(_;)
n.
(Naut.)
The planking outside of a vessel, above the sheer strake.
Smyth.


word: Bertillon system
definition:
Bertillon system

Ber`til`lon" sys"tem
(?)
[After Alphonse Bertillon, French anthropologist.]
A system for the identification of persons by a physical description based upon anthropometric measurements, notes of markings, deformities, color, impression of thumb lines, etc.


word: Bertram
definition:
Bertram

Ber"tram
(_;)
n.
[Corrupted fr. L. pyrethrum, Gr. _; a hot spicy plant, fr. _; fire.]
(Bot.)
Pellitory of Spain (Anacyclus pyrethrum).


word: Berycoid
definition:
Berycoid

Ber"y*coid
(bĕr"ĭ*koid)
a.
[NL. beryx, the name of the typical genus + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Berycidæ, a family of marine fishes.


word: Beryl
definition:
Beryl

Ber"yl
(bĕr"ĭl)
n.
[F. béryl, OF. beril, L. beryllus, Gr. bh`ryllos, prob. fr. Skr. vai&dsdot_;ūrya. 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 aluminum and 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.


word: Berylloid
definition:
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.


word: Besayle
definition:
Besayle

Besaile

Besaiel

{ Be*saiel", Be*saile", Be*sayle" (_;) }
n.
[OF. beseel, F. bisaïeul, 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.


word: Bescatter
definition:
Bescatter

Be*scat"ter
(_;)
v. t.
1.
To scatter over.

2.
To cover sparsely by scattering (something); to strew.
bescattered
Spenser.


word: Bescreen
definition:
Bescreen

Be*screen"
(_;)
v. t.
To cover with a screen, or as with a screen; to shelter; to conceal.
Shak.


word: Bescummer
definition:
Bescummer

Bescumber

{ Be*scum"ber (_;), Be*scum"mer (_;), }
v. t.
[Pref. be- + scumber, scummer.]
To discharge ordure or dung upon.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Besee
definition:
Besee

Be*see"
(_;)
v. t. & i.
[AS. beseón; pref. be- + _;eón to see.]
To see; to look; to mind.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.


word: Beseech
definition:
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.


word: Beseeching
definition:
Beseeching

Be*seech"ing
a.
Entreating urgently; imploring; as, a beseeching look.
Be*seech"ing*ly, adv. -- Be*seech"ing*ness, n.


word: Beseem
definition:
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.


word: Beseeming
definition:
Beseeming

Be*seem"ing
n.
1.
Appearance; look; garb.
[Obs.]

I . . .  did company these three in poor beseeming.
Shak.

2.
Comeliness.
Baret.


word: Beseeming₂
definition:
Beseeming

Be*seem"ing
a.
Becoming; suitable.
[Archaic]
Be*seem"ing*ly, adv. -- Be*seem"ing*ness, n.


word: Beseemly
definition:
Beseemly

Be*seem"ly
a.
Fit; suitable; becoming.
[Archaic]

In beseemly order sitten there.
Shenstone.


word: Beseen
definition:
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.


word: Beset
definition:
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
Milton.

Let thy troops beset our gates.
Addison.

3.
To set upon on all sides; to perplex; to harass; -- said of dangers, obstacles, etc.
beset
Milton.
Beset
Addison.
beset
Burke.

4.
To occupy; to employ; to use up.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Besetment
definition:
Besetment

Be*set"ment
(_;)
n.
The act of besetting, or the state of being beset; also, that which besets one, as a sin.
besetment
Kane.


word: Besetting
definition:
Besetting

Be*set"ting
a.
Habitually attacking, harassing, or pressing upon or about; as, a besetting sin.


word: Beshine
definition:
Beshine

Be*shine"
(be̝*shīn")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beshone; p. pr. & vb. n. Beshining.]
To shine upon; to illumine.


word: Beshow
definition:
Beshow

Be*show"
(_;)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
A large food fish (Anoplopoma fimbria) of the north Pacific coast; -- called also candlefish.


word: Beshrew
definition:
Beshrew

Be*shrew"
(_;)
v. t.
To curse; to execrate.

Beshrew me, but I love her heartily.
Shak.

&hand_; 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.


word: Beside
definition:
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
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.
[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.
 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.
[1913 Webster]
Only be patient till we have appeased
The multitude, beside themselves with fear. Shak.
[1913 Webster]
It is beside my present business to enlarge on this speculation. Locke.
[1913 Webster]
Besides this, there are persons in certain situations who are expected to be charitable. Bp. Porteus.
[1913 Webster]
And, besides, the Moor
May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril. Shak.
[1913 Webster]
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.


See Moreover.


word: Beside₂
definition:
Beside

Besides

{ Be*sides" (_;), 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 Cæsar dead.
Pope.

&hand_; These sentences may be considered as elliptical.


word: Besides
definition:
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.


word: Besiege
definition:
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.


word: Beslaver
definition:
Beslaver

Be*slav"er
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beslavered (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beslavering.]
To defile with slaver; to beslobber.


word: Beslobber
definition:
Beslobber

Be*slob"ber
(_;)
v. t.
To slobber on; to smear with spittle running from the mouth. Also Fig.: as, to beslobber with praise.


word: Besmear
definition:
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.


word: Besmirch
definition:
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.


word: Besmut
definition:
Besmut

Be*smut"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Besmutted; p. pr. & vb. n. Besmutting.]
[Pref. be- + smut: cf. AS. besmītan, and also OE. besmotren.]
To blacken with smut; to foul with soot.


word: Besnow
definition:
Besnow

Be*snow"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Besnowed (_;).]
[OE. bisnewen, AS. besnīwan; pref. be- + snīwan 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.


word: Besom
definition:
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.


word: Besom₂
definition:
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.


word: Besort
definition:
Besort

Be*sort"
(_;)
v. t.
To assort or be congruous with; to fit, or become.
[Obs.]

Such men as may besort your age.
Shak.


word: Besort₂
definition:
Besort

Be*sort"
n.
Befitting associates or attendants.
[Obs.]

With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding.
Shak.


word: Besot
definition:
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.


word: Besotted
definition:
Besotted

Be*sot"ted
a.
Made sottish, senseless, or infatuated; characterized by drunken stupidity, or by infatuation; stupefied.
Besotted
Sir W. Scott.
Be*sot"ted*ly, adv. -- Be*sot"ted*ness, n.
Milton.


word: Bespangle
definition:
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.


word: bespangled
definition:
bespangled

bespangled
adj.
covered with beads or jewels or sequins.

Syn. -- beaded, beady, bejeweled, bejewelled, gemmed, jeweled, jewelled, sequined, spangled, spangly.


word: Bespatter
definition:
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.


word: Bespeak
definition:
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.


word: Bespeak₃
definition:
Bespeak

Be*speak"
n.
A bespeaking. Among actors, a benefit (when a particular play is bespoken.)
bespeak
Dickens.


word: Bespeckle
definition:
Bespeckle

Be*spec"kle
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bespeckled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bespeckling.]
To mark with speckles or spots.
Milton.


word: Bespit
definition:
Bespit

Be*spit
(be̝*spĭt")
v. t.
[imp. Bespit; p. p. Bespit, Bespitten (-t'n); p. pr. & vb. n. Bespitting.]
To daub or soil with spittle.
Johnson.


word: bespoken
definition:
bespoken

be*spok"en
adj.
1.
same as made-to-order; -- of clothing.

Syn. -- bespoke, custom, made-to-order, tailored, tailor-made.

2.
bound by an agreement to become married to someone.

Syn. -- affianced, betrothed, engaged, pledged, promised(predicate).


word: Bespot
definition:
Bespot

Be*spot"
(be̝*sp&obreve_;t")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bespotted (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bespotting.]
To mark with spots, or as with spots.


word: Bespread
definition:
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.


word: Besprent
definition:
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.


word: Besprinkle
definition:
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.


word: Bessemer steel
definition:
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.


word: Best
definition:
Best

Best
(bĕst)
a.
superl
of
[AS. besta, best, contr. from betest, betst, betsta; akin to Goth. batists, OHG. pezzisto, G. best, beste, D. best, Icel. beztr, Dan. best, Sw. bäst. 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.


word: Best₂
definition:
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.


word: Best₃
definition:
Best

Best
adv.
superl.
Well
1.
In the highest degree; beyond all others.
best
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.


word: Bestar
definition:
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
W. Black.


word: Bestead
definition:
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.
[Only in p. p.]
Chaucer.

3.
To serve; to assist; to profit; to avail.
Milton.


word: Bestial
definition:
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.


word: Bestial₂
definition:
Bestial

Bes"tial
n.
A domestic animal; also collectively, cattle; as, other kinds of bestial.
[Scot.]


word: Bestiality
definition:
Bestiality

Bes*tial"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[F. bestialité.]
1.
The state or quality of being bestial.

2.
Unnatural connection with a beast.


word: Bestialize
definition:
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.


word: Bestiary
definition:
Bestiary

Bes"ti*a*ry
(?)
n.
[LL. bestiarium, fr. L. bestiarius pert. to beasts, fr. bestia beast: cf. F. bestiaire.]
A treatise on beasts; esp., one of the moralizing or allegorical beast tales written in the Middle Ages.

A bestiary . . . in itself one of the numerous mediæval renderings of the fantastic mystical Zoology.
Saintsbury.


word: Bestick
definition:
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.


word: Bestir
definition:
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.


word: Bestow
definition:
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.
bestowed
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.


word: Bestowment
definition:
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.


word: Bestraught
definition:
Bestraught

Be*straught"
(_;)
a.
[Pref. be- + straught; prob. here used for distraught.]
Out of one's senses; distracted; mad.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Bestrew
definition:
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.


word: Bestride
definition:
Bestride

Be*stride"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. Bestrode (_;), (Obs. or R.) Bestrid (_;); p. p. Bestridden (_;), Bestrid, Bestrode; p. pr. & vb. n. Bestriding.]
[AS. bestrīdan; pref. be- + strīdan 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.


word: Bestud
definition:
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.


word: Beswike
definition:
Beswike

Be*swike"
v. t.
[AS. beswīcan; be- + swīcan to deceive, entice; akin to OS. swīkan, OHG. swīhhan, Icel. svīkja.]
To lure; to cheat.
[Obs.]
Gower.


word: Bet
definition:
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.
bets
Goldsmith.


word: Bet₂
definition:
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.


word: Bet₄
definition:
Bet

Bet
a. & adv.
An early form of Better.
[Obs.]

To go bet, to go fast; to hurry. [Obs.] Chaucer.


word: Beta
definition:
Beta

Be"ta
(?)
n.
[Gr. bh^ta.]
The second letter of the Greek alphabet, B, β. See B, and cf. etymology of Alphabet.
Beta (B, β) is used variously for classifying, as: (a) (Astron.) To designate some bright star, usually the second brightest, of a constellation, as, β Aurigæ. (b) (Chem.) To distinguish one of two or more isomers; also, to indicate the position of substituting atoms or groups in certain compounds; as, β-naphthol. With acids, it commonly indicates that the substituent is in union with the carbon atom next to that to which the carboxyl group is attached.


word: Betacismus
definition:
Betacismus

Betacism

{ Be"ta*cism (?),  &VerbarBe`ta*cis"mus (?) }
n.
Excessive or extended use of the b sound in speech, due to conversion of other sounds into it, as through inability to distinguish them from  b, or because of difficulty in pronouncing them.


word: Betaine
definition:
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.


word: Betake
definition:
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.]


word: Beta rays
definition:
Beta rays

Be"ta rays
(?)
(Physics)
a form of ionizing radiation emitted by radioactive substances (such as radium), more penetrating than alpha rays, and consisting of negatively charged electrons. The electrons are the same kind of particle as those of cathode rays, but have much higher velocities (about 35,000 to 180,000 miles per second).  They are readily deflected by a magnetic or electric field.


word: betatron
definition:
betatron

be"ta*tron
n.
a type of particle accelerator which accelerates a continuous beam of electrons to high speeds by means of the electric field produced by changing magnetic flux.

Syn. -- induction accelerator.


word: Betaught
definition:
Betaught

Be*taught"
(be̝*t&asuml_;t")
a.
[p. p. of OE. bitechen, AS. bet&aemacr_;can, to assign, deliver. See Teach.]
Delivered; committed in trust.
[Obs.]


word: Beteela
definition:
Beteela

Be*tee"la
(_;)
n.
[Pg. beatilha.]
An East India muslin, formerly used for cravats, veils, etc.
[Obs.]


word: Beteem
definition:
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.


word: Betel
definition:
Betel

Be"tel
(bē"t'l)
n.
[Pg., fr. Tamil ve&tsdot_;&tsdot_;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.


word: Betelguese
definition:
Betelguese

Bet"el*guese
(bĕt"ĕl*jēz)
n.
[F. Bételgeuse, of Arabic origin.]
(Astron.)
A bright star of the first magnitude, near one shoulder of Orion.
[Written also Betelgeux and Betelgeuse.]


word: Betel nut
definition:
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.


word: Bete noire
definition:
Bete noire

Bête" noire"
(_;)
[Fr., lit. black beast.]
Something especially hated or dreaded; a bugbear.


word: Bethabara wood
definition:
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.


word: Bethel
definition:
Bethel

Beth"el
(bĕth"ĕl)
n.
[Heb. bēth-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.


word: Bethink
definition:
Bethink

Be*think"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bethought (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bethinking.]
[AS. beþencan; pref. be- + þencan 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.


word: Bethlehem
definition:
Bethlehem

Beth"le*hem
(_;)
n.
[Heb. bēth-lekhem house of food; bēth house + lekhem food, lākham 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.


word: Bethlemite
definition:
Bethlemite

Bethlehemite

{ Beth"le*hem*ite (_;), 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.


word: Bethump
definition:
Bethump

Be*thump"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bethumped (_;), or Bethumpt; p. pr. & vb. n. Bethumping.]
To beat or thump soundly.
Shak.


word: Betide
definition:
Betide

Be*tide"
(be̝*tīd")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Betided (_;), Obs. Betid (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Betiding.]
[OE. bitiden; pref. bi-, be- + tiden, fr. AS. tīdan, to happen, fr. tīd time. See Tide.]
To happen to; to befall; to come to ; as, woe betide the wanderer.

What will betide the few ?
Milton.


word: Betide₂
definition:
Betide

Be*tide"
v. i.
To come to pass; to happen; to occur.

A salve for any sore that may betide.
Shak.

&hand_; Shakespeare has used it with of. “What would betide of me ?”


word: Betimes
definition:
Betimes

Betime

{ Be*time" (_;), 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.


word: Betoken
definition:
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.


word: Beton
definition:
Beton

Bé`ton"
(_;)
n.
[F. béton, fr. L. bitumen bitumen.]
(Masonry)
The French name for concrete; hence, concrete made after the French fashion.


word: Betony
definition:
Betony

Bet"o*ny
(_;)
n.
pl. Betonies (_;).
[OE. betony, betany, F. betoine, fr. L. betonica, vettonica.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus Betonica (Linn.).

&hand_; The purple or wood betony (Betonica officinalis, Linn.) is common in Europe, being formerly used in medicine, and (according to Loudon) in dyeing wool a yellow color.


word: Betoss
definition:
Betoss

Be*toss
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Betossed (_;).]
To put in violent motion; to agitate; to disturb; to toss.
betossed
Shak.


word: Betrap
definition:
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.


word: Betray
definition:
Betray

Be*tray"
(be̝*trā")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Betrayed (-trād"); p. pr. & vb. n. Betraying.]
[OE. betraien, bitraien; pref. be- + OF. traïr 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.


word: Betrim
definition:
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.


word: Betroth
definition:
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.


word: Betrothal
definition:
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.
betrothal
Longfellow.


word: Betrothment
definition:
Betrothment

Be*troth"ment
(_;)
n.
The act of betrothing, or the state of being betrothed; betrothal.


word: Better
definition:
Better

Bet"ter
(_;)
a.
compar
[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.
[1913 Webster]
My dear, my better half (said he),
I find I must now leave thee. Sir P. Sidney.
[1913 Webster]
 -- To be better off, to be in a better condition. -- Had better. (See under Had). 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.
[1913 Webster]
By all that's holy, he had better starve
Than but once think this place becomes thee not. Shak.


word: Better₂
definition:
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.


word: Better₃
definition:
Better

Bet"ter
adv.
compar.
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.


word: Better₄
definition:
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.


word: bettering
definition:
bettering

bettering
adj.
changing for the better; -- antonym of worsening.
ameliorating(prenominal), ameliorative, amelioratory, meliorative


word: better-known
definition:
better-known

better-known
adj. prenom.
more familiar or renowned than the other of two.  Antonym of lesser-known.
the better known book of the two

Syn. -- better known(predicate).


word: better-looking
definition:
better-looking

better-looking
adj.
more pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion.
better-looking than her sister

Syn. -- fine-looking, good-looking, handsome, well-favored, well-favoured.


word: Betterment
definition:
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.


word: Betterness
definition:
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.


word: better-off
definition:
better-off

better-off
adj.
1.
being in a more prosperous condition.
better-off than his classmate
rich (vs. poor)
2.
in a more fortunate condition.
she would have been better off if she had stuck to her Bible

Syn. -- better off.


word: Bettong
definition:
Bettong

Bet"tong
(_;)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
A small, leaping Australian marsupial of the genus Bettongia; the jerboa kangaroo.


word: Bettongia
definition:
Bettongia

Bettongia
n.
a genus of marsupials including the jerboa kangaroo, the bettong.

Syn. -- genus Bettongia.


word: Betty
definition:
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.


word: Betulaceae
definition:
Betulaceae

Betulaceae
n.
1.
a natural family of monoecious trees and shrubs, including the  genera Betula; Alnus; Carpinus; Corylus; Ostrya; and Ostryopsis.

Syn. -- family Betulaceae, birch family.


word: Betulin
definition:
Betulin

Bet"u*lin
(_;)
n.
[L. betula birch tree.]
(Chem.)
a term originally applied to a substance obtained as a resin or tar by extraction from the outer bark of the common European white birch (Betula alba); now referring to the chemical compound (C30H50O2) having a cyclopentanophenanthrene ring system, which is the main constituent of that extract, and which may be obtained crystalline; -- called also birch camphor.
Watts.


word: Betumble
definition:
Betumble

Be*tum"ble
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Betumbled (_;).]
To throw into disorder; to tumble.
[R.]

From her betumbled couch she starteth.
Shak.


word: Between
definition:
Between

Be*tween"
(_;)
prep.
[OE. bytwene, bitweonen, AS. betweónan, betweónum; prefix be- by + a form fr. AS. twā 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.
 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.
[1913 Webster]
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.


word: Betwixt
definition:
Betwixt

Be*twixt"
(_;)
prep.
[OE. betwix, bitwix, rarely bitwixt, AS. betweox, betweohs, betweoh, betwīh; pref. be- by + a form fr. AS. twā 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.]


word: Beurre
definition:
Beurre

Beur*ré"
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. beurre butter.]
(Bot.)
A beurré (or buttery) pear, one with the meat soft and melting; -- used with a distinguishing word; as, Beurré d'Anjou; Beurré Clairgeau.


word: bevatron
definition:
bevatron

bev"a*tron
n.
a particle accelerator which is capable of accelerating protons up to 6 gigaeletron volts.


word: Bevel
definition:
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.


word: Bevel₂
definition:
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°. -- Bevel wheel, a cogwheel whose working face is oblique to the axis. Knight.


word: Bevel₃
definition:
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.


word: Bevel₄
definition:
Bevel

Bev"el
v. i.
To deviate or incline from an angle of 90°, as a surface; to slant.

Their houses are very ill built, the walls bevel.
Swift.


word: Bevelled
definition:
Bevelled

Beveled

{ Bev"eled, 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.


word: Bevel gear
definition:
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.


word: Bevelment
definition:
Bevelment

Bev"el*ment
(_;)
n.
(Min.)
The replacement of an edge by two similar planes, equally inclined to the including faces or adjacent planes.


word: Bever
definition:
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.


word: Beverage
definition:
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]


word: Bevile
definition:
Bevile

Bev"ile
(_;)
n.
[See Bevel.]
(Her.)
A chief broken or opening like a carpenter's bevel.
Encyc. Brit.


word: Bevilled
definition:
Bevilled

Beviled

{ Bev"iled, Bev"illed  }
(_;)
a.
(Her.)
Notched with an angle like that inclosed by a carpenter's bevel; -- said of a partition line of a shield.


word: Bevy
definition:
Bevy

Bev"y
(_;)
n.
pl. Bevies (_;).
[Perhaps orig. a drinking company, fr. OF. bevée (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.


word: Bewail
definition:
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.


word: Beware
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Beware₂
definition:
Beware

Be*ware"
(be̝*wâr")
v. t.
To avoid; to take care of; to have a care for.
[Obs.]
beware
Shak.

To wish them beware the son.
Milton.


word: Beweep
definition:
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.
beweeping
Drayton.


word: Bewhore
definition:
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.


word: Bewilder
definition:
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 lack of a plain path; to perplex with mazes; or in general, to perplex or confuse greatly.

Lost and bewildered in the fruitless search.
Addison.


word: Bewildering
definition:
Bewildering

Be*wil"der*ing
(_;)
a.
Causing bewilderment or great perplexity; as, bewildering difficulties.
Be*wil"der*ing*ly, adv.


word: Bewilderment
definition:
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.


word: Bewit
definition:
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.


word: Bewitch
definition:
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.


word: Bewitchery
definition:
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.


word: Bewitching
definition:
Bewitching

Be*witch"ing
a.
Having power to bewitch or fascinate; enchanting; captivating; charming.
Be*witch"ing*ly, adv. -- Be*witch"ing*ness, n.


word: Bewitchment
definition:
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.


word: Bewonder
definition:
Bewonder

Be*won"der
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bewondered (_;).]
1.
To fill with wonder.
[Obs.]

2.
To wonder at; to admire.
[Obs.]


word: Bewray₂
definition:
Bewray

Be*wray"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bewrayed (-rād"); p. pr. & vb. n. Bewraying.]
[OE. bewraien, biwreyen; pref. be- + AS. wrēgan to accuse, betray; akin to OS. wr&omacrgian, OHG. ruogēn, G. rügen, Icel. rægja, Goth. wr&omacrhjan 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.


word: Bewrayer
definition:
Bewrayer

Be*wray"er
(-ẽr)
n.
One who, or that which, bewrays; a revealer.
[Obs. or Archaic]
Addison.


word: Bewrought
definition:
Bewrought

Be*wrought"
(_;)
a.
[Pref. be- + wrought, p. p. of work, v. t. ]
Embroidered.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Bey
definition:
Bey

Bey
(bā)
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.


word: Beyond
definition:
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
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.


word: Beyond₂
definition:
Beyond

Be*yond"
(_;)
adv.
Further away; at a distance; yonder.

Lo, where beyond he lyeth languishing.
Spenser.


word: Bezant
definition:
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.


word: Bez-antler
definition:
Bez-antler

Bez`-ant"ler
(_;)
n.
[L. bis twice (OF. bes) + E. antler.]
The second branch of a stag's horn.


word: Bezel
definition:
Bezel

Bez"el
(bĕz"ĕl)
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.


word: Bezique
definition:
Bezique

Bé*zique"
(ba̝*zēk")
n.
[F. bésigue.]
A game at cards in which various combinations of cards in the hand, when declared, score points.


word: Bezoar
definition:
Bezoar

Be"zoar
(_;)
n.
[F. bézoard, fr. Ar. bāzahr, bādizahr, fr. Per. pād-zahr bezoar; pād 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.

&hand_; Two kinds were particularly esteemed, the Bezoar orientale of India, and the Bezoar occidentale of Peru.

Bezoar antelope. See Antelope. -- Bezoar goat (Zool.), the wild goat (Capra ægagrus). -- Bezoar mineral, an old preparation of oxide of antimony. Ure.


word: Bezoardic
definition:
Bezoardic

Bez`o*ar"dic
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. bézoardique, bézoartique.]
Pertaining to, or compounded with, bezoar.
n. A medicine containing bezoar.


word: Bezoartical
definition:
Bezoartical

Bezoartic

{ Bez`o*ar"tic (_;), Bez`o*ar"tic*al (_;), }
a.
[See Bezoardic.]
Having the qualities of an antidote, or of bezoar; healing.
[Obs.]


word: Bezonian
definition:
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.


word: Bezpopovtsy
definition:
Bezpopovtsy

Bez`po*pov"tsy
(?)
n.
[Russ.; bez without + popovtsy, a derivative of pop priest.]
A Russian sect. See Raskolnik.


word: Bezzle
definition:
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.]


word: B-girl
definition:
B-girl

B-girl
n.
1.
a woman employed by a bar to act as a companion to men customers.

Syn. -- bar girl.


word: Bhang
definition:
Bhang

Bhang
(_;)
n.
[Per. bang; cf. Skr. bhangā 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.


word: Bheestie
definition:
Bheestie

Bheesty

{ Bhees"ty, Bhees"tie (?) }
n.
[Written also bhistee, bhisti, etc.]
[Per. bihishtī lit., heavenly.]
A water carrier, as to a household or a regiment.
[India]


word: B-horizon
definition:
B-horizon

B-horizon
n.
that layer of soil in a well-developed soil lying immediately below the A-horizon, and which contains deposits of organic matter leached from surface soils.

Syn. -- B horizon.


word: Bhunder
definition:
Bhunder

Bhun"der
(_;)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
An Indian monkey (Macacus Rhesus), protected by the Hindus as sacred. See Rhesus.


word: Bhutanese₂
definition:
Bhutanese

Bhutanese
adj.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Bhutan.
Bhutanese Buddhists

Syn. -- Bhutani.


word: Bhutani
definition:
Bhutani

Bhutani
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to the Bhutani language or people.
Bhutani Buddhists

Syn. -- Bhutanese.

2.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Bhutan.
Bhutani mountains


word: Bi-
definition:
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.


word: Biacid
definition:
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.


word: Biacuminate
definition:
Biacuminate

Bi`a*cu"mi*nate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + acuminate.]
(Bot.)
Having points in two directions.


word: Biangulated
definition:
Biangulated

Biangulate

{ Bi*an"gu*late (_;), Bi*an"gu*la`ted (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + angulate, angulated.]
Biangular.


word: Biannual
definition:
Biannual

Bi*an"nu*al
(?)
a.
[Pref. bi- + annual.]
Occurring twice a year; half-yearly; semiannual.


word: Biantheriferous
definition:
Biantheriferous

Bi*an`ther*if"er*ous
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + antherigerous.]
(Bot.)
Having two anthers.


word: Biarticulate
definition:
Biarticulate

Bi`ar*tic"u*late
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + articulate.]
(Zool.)
Having, or consisting of, tow joints.


word: Bias
definition:
Bias

Bi"as
(bī"as)
n.
pl. Biases (-ĕz).
[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.


word: Bias₂
definition:
Bias

Bi"as
a.
1.
Inclined to one side; swelled on one side.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.


word: Bias₄
definition:
Bias

Bi"as
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Biased (bī"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.


word: Biauriculate
definition:
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. & Zool.)
Having two earlike projections at its base, as a leaf.


word: Biaxial
definition:
Biaxial

Biaxal

{ Bi*ax"al (_;), Bi*ax"i*al (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + axal, axial.]
(Opt.)
Having two axes; as, biaxial polarization; biaxial crystals.
Brewster.
Bi*ax"i*al*ly, adv.


word: Bib
definition:
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.
(Zool.)
An arctic fish (Gadus luscus), allied to the cod; -- called also pout and whiting pout.

3.
A bibcock.


word: Bibbe
definition:
Bibbe

Bib

{ Bib, Bibbe  }
(_;)
v. t.
[L. bibere. See Beverage, and cf. Imbibe.]
To drink; to tipple.
[Obs.]

This miller hath . . . bibbed ale.
Chaucer.


word: Bibasic
definition:
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.


word: Bibber
definition:
Bibber

Bib"ber
(_;)
n.
One given to drinking alcoholic beverages too freely; a tippler; -- chiefly used in composition; as, winebibber.


word: Bibbs
definition:
Bibbs

Bibbs
(bĭbz)
n. pl.
(Naut.)
Pieces of timber bolted to certain parts of a mast to support the trestletrees.


word: Bibelot
definition:
Bibelot

Bi`be*lot"
(?)
n.
[F.]
A small decorative object without practical utility.

Her pictures, her furniture, and her bibelots.
M. Crawford.


word: Bible
definition:
Bible

Bi"ble
(bī"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 Muslim Bible.

4.
Fig.
A book with an authoritative exposition of some topic, respected by many who are experts in the field; as, the astrologers' 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.


word: Bibler
definition:
Bibler

Bib"ler
(bĭb"lẽr)
n.
[See Bib, v. t.]
A great drinker; a tippler.
[Written also bibbler and bibbeler.]


word: Biblical
definition:
Biblical

Bib"li*cal
(bĭb"lĭ*kal)
a.
Pertaining to, or derived from, the Bible; as, biblical learning; biblical authority.


word: Biblicality
definition:
Biblicality

Bib`li*cal"i*ty
(-kăl"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
The quality of being biblical; a biblical subject.
[R.]


word: Biblicism
definition:
Biblicism

Bib"li*cism
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. biblicisme.]
Learning or literature relating to the Bible.
[R.]


word: Biblicist
definition:
Biblicist

Bib"li*cist
(_;)
n.
One skilled in the knowledge of the Bible; a demonstrator of religious truth by the Scriptures.


word: Bibliographer
definition:
Bibliographer

Bib`li*og"ra*pher
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; book + _; to write : cf. F. bibliographe.]
One who writes, or is versed in, bibliography.


word: Bibliographical
definition:
Bibliographical

Bibliographic

{ Bib`li*o*graph"ic (_;), 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.


word: Bibliography
definition:
Bibliography

Bib`li*og"ra*phy
(bĭb`lĭ*&obreve_;g"rȧ*f&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Bibliographies (_;).
[Gr. bibliografi`a: cf. F. bibliographie.]
1.
a history or description of books and manuscripts, with notices of the different editions, the times when they were printed, etc.

2.
a list of books or other printed works having some common theme, such as topic, period, author, or publisher.

3.
a list of the published (and sometimes unpublished) sources of information referred to in a scholarly discourse or other text, or used as reference materials for its preparation.

4.
the branch of library science dealing with the history and classification of books and other published materials.


word: Bibliolatrist
definition:
Bibliolatrist

Bibliolater

{ Bib`li*ol"a*ter (bĭb`lĭ*&obreve_;l"ȧ*tẽr), Bib`li*ol"a*trist (bĭb`lĭ*&obreve_;l"ȧ*trĭst), }
n.
[See. Bibliolatry.]
A worshiper of books; especially, a worshiper of the Bible; a believer in its verbal inspiration.
De Quincey.


word: Bibliolatry
definition:
Bibliolatry

Bib`li*ol"a*try
(bĭb`lĭ*&obreve_;l"ȧ*tr&ybreve_;)
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.


word: Bibliology
definition:
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.


word: Bibliomancy
definition:
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.


word: Bibliomania
definition:
Bibliomania

Bib`li*o*ma"ni*a
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; book + _; madness: cf. F. bibliomanie.]
A mania for acquiring books.


word: Bibliomaniac
definition:
Bibliomaniac

Bib`li*o*ma"ni*ac
(_;)
n.
One who has a mania for books.
a. Relating to a bibliomaniac.


word: Bibliomaniacal
definition:
Bibliomaniacal

Bib`li*o*ma*ni"ac*al
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to a passion for books; relating to a bibliomaniac.


word: Bibliopegic
definition:
Bibliopegic

Bib`li*o*peg"ic
(-pĕj"ĭk)
a.
[Gr. bibli`on book + phgny`naito make fast.]
Relating to the binding of books.
[R.]


word: Bibliopegistic
definition:
Bibliopegistic

Bib`li*op`e*gis"tic
(bĭb`lĭ*&obreve_;p`e̝*jĭs"tĭk)
a.
Pertaining to the art of binding books.
[R.]
Dibdin.


word: Bibliophile
definition:
Bibliophile

Bib"li*o*phile
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; book + _; to love: cf. F. bibliophile.]
A lover of books.


word: Bibliopole
definition:
Bibliopole

Bib"li*o*pole
(_;)
n.
[L. bibliopola, Gr. _;; _; book + _; to sell: cf. F. bibliopole.]
One who sells books.


word: Bibliopolar
definition:
Bibliopolar

Bibliopolic

{ Bib`li*o*pol"ic (_;), Bib`li*op"o*lar  }
(_;)
a.
[See Bibliopole.]
Of or pertaining to the sale of books.
Bibliopolic
Carlyle.


word: Bibliotaphist
definition:
Bibliotaphist

Bibliotaph

{ Bib"li*o*taph (_;), Bib`li*ot"a*phist (_;), }
n.
[Gr. _; book + _; a burial.]
One who hides away books, as in a tomb.
[R.]
Crabb.


word: Bibliothecal
definition:
Bibliothecal

Bib`li*o*the"cal
(_;)
a.
[L. bibliothecalis. See Bibliotheke.]
Belonging to a library.
Byrom.


word: Bibliothecary
definition:
Bibliothecary

Bib`li*oth"e*ca*ry
(_;)
n.
[L. bibliothecarius: cf. F. bibliothécaire.]
A librarian.
[Obs.]
Evelin.


word: Bibliotheke
definition:
Bibliotheke

Bib"li*o*theke
(_;)
n.
[L. bibliotheca, Gr. _;; _; book + _; a case, box, fr. _; to place: cf. F. bibliothèque.]
A library.
[Obs.]
Bale.


word: Biblist
definition:
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.


word: Bibracteate
definition:
Bibracteate

Bi*brac"te*ate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + bracteate.]
(Bot.)
Furnished with, or having, two bracts.


word: Bibulous
definition:
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.


word: Bibulously
definition:
Bibulously

Bib"u*lous*ly
adv.
In a bibulous manner; with profuse imbibition or absorption.
De Quincey.


word: Bicalcarate
definition:
Bicalcarate

Bi*cal"ca*rate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + calcarate.]
Having two spurs, as the wing or leg of a bird.


word: Bicallous
definition:
Bicallous

Bicallose

{ Bi*cal"lose (_;), Bi*cal"lous (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + callose, callous.]
(Bot.)
Having two callosities or hard spots.
Gray.


word: Bicameral
definition:
Bicameral

Bi*cam"er*al
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + camera.]
Consisting of, or including, two chambers, or legislative branches.
Bentham.


word: Bicapsular
definition:
Bicapsular

Bi*cap"su*lar
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + capsular: cf. F. bicapsulaire.]
(Bot.)
Having two capsules; as, a bicapsular pericarp.


word: Bicarbonate
definition:
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.


word: -retted
definition:
-retted

Bicarbureted

{Bi*car"bu*ret`ed or -ret`ted  }
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + carbureted.]
(Chem.)
Containing two atoms or equivalents of carbon in the molecule.
[Obs. or R.]


word: Bicarinate
definition:
Bicarinate

Bi*car"i*nate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + carinate.]
(Biol.)
Having two keel-like projections, as the upper palea of grasses.


word: Bicched
definition:
Bicched

Bic"ched
(_;)
a.
[Of unknown origin.]
Pecked; pitted; notched.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Bicched bones, pecked, or notched, bones; dice.


word: Bise
definition:
Bise

Bice

{ Bice, 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.


word: Bicentenary
definition:
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.


word: Bicentennial
definition:
Bicentennial

Bi`cen*ten"ni*al
a.
[Pref. bi- + centennial.]
1.
Consisting of two hundred years.

2.
Occurring every two hundred years.


word: Biceps
definition:
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.


word: Bichir
definition:
Bichir

Bi*chir"
(_;)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
A remarkable ganoid fish (Polypterus bichir) found in the Nile and other African rivers. See Brachioganoidei.


word: Bichloride
definition:
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.


word: Bichromate
definition:
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.


word: Bichromatize
definition:
Bichromatize

Bi*chro"ma*tize
(_;)
v. t.
To combine or treat with a bichromate, esp. with bichromate of potassium; as, bichromatized gelatine.


word: bicoloured
definition:
bicoloured

bichrome

bichrome bicoloured
adj.
1.
having two colors.

Syn. -- bicolor, bicolour, bicolored.


word: Bicipital
definition:
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.


word: Bicker
definition:
Bicker

Bick"er
n.
[See Beaker.]
A small wooden vessel made of staves and hoops, like a tub.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Bicker₂
definition:
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.


word: Bicker₃
definition:
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.


word: Bickern
definition:
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.


word: Bickford match
definition:
Bickford match

Bickford fuze

Bickford fuse

{ Bick"ford fuse or Bick"ford fuze, or Bickford match (?) }
A fuse used in blasting, consisting of a long cylinder of explosive material inclosed in a varnished wrapping of rope or hose. It burns from 2 to 4 feet a minute.


word: Bicolligate
definition:
Bicolligate

Bi*col"li*gate
(_;)
a.
[L. bis twice + colligatus, p. p. See Colligate, v. t. ]
(Zool.)
Having the anterior toes connected by a basal web.


word: Bicolored
definition:
Bicolored

Bicolor

{ Bi"col`or (_;), Bi"col`ored (_;), }
a.
[L. bicolor; bis twice + color color.]
Of two colors.


word: Biconcave
definition:
Biconcave

Bi*con"cave
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + concave.]
Concave on both sides; as, biconcave vertebræ.


word: Biconjugate
definition:
Biconjugate

Bi*con"ju*gate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + conjugate, a.]
(Bot.)
Twice paired, as when a petiole forks twice.
Gray.


word: Bicornous
definition:
Bicornous

Bicorned

Bicorn

{ Bi"corn (_;), Bi"corned (_;), Bi*cor"nous (_;), }
a.
[L. bicornis; bis twice + cornu horn: cf. F. bicorne. Cf. Bickern.]
Having two horns; two-horned; crescentlike.


word: Bicorporate
definition:
Bicorporate

Bi*cor"po*rate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + corporate.]
(Her.)
Double-bodied, as a lion having one head and two bodies.


word: Bicostate
definition:
Bicostate

Bi*cos"tate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + costate.]
(Bot.)
Having two principal ribs running longitudinally, as a leaf.


word: Bicrenate
definition:
Bicrenate

Bi*cre"nate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + crenate.]
(Bot.)
Twice crenated, as in the case of leaves whose crenatures are themselves crenate.


word: Bicrescentic
definition:
Bicrescentic

Bi`cres*cen"tic
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + crescent.]
Having the form of a double crescent.


word: Bicuspidate
definition:
Bicuspidate

Bicuspid

{ Bi*cus"pid (_;), 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.


word: Bicuspid
definition:
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.


word: Bicycle
definition:
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.


word: Bid
definition:
Bid

Bid
(bĭd)
v. t.
[imp. Bade (băd), 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. biðja, 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. beódan, to offer, command; akin to Icel. bj&omacrða, 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. budēti 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.” √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.]
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.


word: Bid₃
definition:
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.


word: Bid₄
definition:
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.


word: Bidale
definition:
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.]


word: Bidarka
definition:
Bidarka

Bidarkee

{ Bi*dar"kee (?), Bi*dar"ka (?) }
n.
[Russ. baidarka, dim. Cf. Baidar.]
A portable boat made of skins stretched on a frame.
[Alaska]
The Century.


word: Biddery ware
definition:
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.]


word: Bidding
definition:
Bidding

Bid"ding
n.
1.
Command; order; a proclamation or notifying.
bidding
Shak.

2.
The act or process of making bids; an offer; a proposal of a price, as at an auction.


word: Bidding prayer
definition:
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.


word: Bide
definition:
Bide

Bide
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Bided; p. pr. & vb. n. Biding.]
[OE. biden, AS. bīdan; akin to OHG. bītan, Goth. beidan, Icel. bī_;_;; 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.


word: Bide₂
definition:
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.


word: Bident
definition:
Bident

Bi"dent
(_;)
n.
[L. bidens, -entis, having two prongs; bis twice + dens a tooth.]
An instrument or weapon with two prongs.


word: Bidentate
definition:
Bidentate

Bi*den"tate
(_;)
a.
(Bot. & Zool.)
Having two teeth or two toothlike processes; two-toothed.


word: Bidet
definition:
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.


word: Bidigitate
definition:
Bidigitate

Bi*dig"i*tate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + digitate.]
Having two fingers or fingerlike projections.


word: Biela's comet
definition:
Biela's comet

Bie"la's com"et
(?)
(Astron.)
A periodic coment, discovered by Biela in 1826, which revolves around the sun in 6.6 years. The November meteors (Andromedes or Bielids) move in its orbit, and may be fragments of the comet.


word: Biennial
definition:
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.


word: Biennial₂
definition:
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.


word: Bier
definition:
Bier

Bier
(_;)
n.
[OE. bæe, beere, AS. b_;r, b_;re; akin to D. baar, OHG. bāra, 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.


word: Bierbalk
definition:
Bierbalk

Bier"balk`
(bēr"b&asuml_;k`)
n.
[See Bier, and Balk, n.]
A church road (e. g., a path across fields) for funerals.
[Obs.]
Homilies.


word: Beestings₂
definition:
Beestings

Biestings

{ Biest"ings, Beest"ings  }
(_;)
n. pl.
[OE. bestynge, AS. b&ymacr_;sting, fr. b&ymacr_;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).


word: Bifarious
definition:
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.


word: Biffin
definition:
Biffin

Bif"fin
(_;)
n.
[Cf. Beaufin.]
1.
A sort of apple peculiar to Norfolk, Eng.
[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.


word: Bifid
definition:
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.


word: Bifilar
definition:
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.


word: Biflagellate
definition:
Biflagellate

Bi`fla*gel"late
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + flagellate.]
Having two long, narrow, whiplike appendages.


word: Biflorous
definition:
Biflorous

Biflorate

{ Bi*flo"rate (_;), Bi*flo"rous (_;), }
a.
[L. bis twice + flos, floris, flower.]
(Bot.)
Bearing two flowers; two-flowered.


word: Bifocals
definition:
Bifocals

Bi"fo`cals
(?)
n. pl.
[Pref. bi-+ focal.]
eyeglasses whose lenses have two foci, allowing the wearer to see both far and nearby objects clearly.  The lenses are partitioned horizontally, the upper and lower parts having different focal lengths.


word: Bifoliolate
definition:
Bifoliolate

Bi*fo"li*o*late
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + foliolate.]
(Bot.)
Having two leaflets, as some compound leaves.


word: Biforate
definition:
Biforate

Bif"o*rate
(_;)
a.
[L. bis twice + foratus, p. p. of forare to bore or pierce.]
(Bot.)
Having two perforations.


word: Biforine
definition:
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 Araceæ. It has an opening at each end through which raphides, generated inside, are discharged.


word: Biform
definition:
Biform

Bi"form
(_;)
a.
[L. biformis; bis twice + forma shape: cf. F. biforme.]
Having two forms, bodies, or shapes.
Croxall.


word: Biforous
definition:
Biforous

Bif"o*rous
(_;)
a.
[L. biforis having two doors; bis twice, two + foris door.]
See Biforate.


word: Bifurcated
definition:
Bifurcated

Bifurcate

{ Bi*fur"cate (_;), Bi*fur"ca*ted (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + furcate.]
1.
Two-pronged; forked.

2.
divided into or made up of two parts.
socially bifurcated populations

Syn. -- chesty.


word: Bifurcation
definition:
Bifurcation

Bi`fur*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. bifurcation.]
A forking, or division into two branches.


word: Bifurcous
definition:
Bifurcous

Bi*fur"cous
(_;)
a.
[L. bifurcus; bis twice + furca fork.]
See Bifurcate, a.
[R.]
Coles.


word: Big
definition:
Big

Big
(bĭg)
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.
big
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Bigg
definition:
Bigg

Big

{ Big, 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.


word: Bigg₂
definition:
Bigg

Big

{ Big, 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.


word: Bigamy
definition:
Bigamy

Big"a*my
(_;)
n.
[OE. bigamie, fr. L. bigamus twice married; bis twice + Gr. _; marriage; prob. akin to Skt. jāmis 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Big Apple
definition:
Big Apple

Big Apple
(bĭg" ăp`p'l)
prop. n.
New York City; -- a nickname, usually written The Big Apple.


word: Bigaroon
definition:
Bigaroon

Bigarreau

{ Big`ar*reau" (_;), Big`a*roon" (_;), }
n.
[F. bigarreau, fr. bigarré variegated.]
(Bot.)
The large white-heart cherry.


word: big band
definition:
big band

big band
A band that is the size of an orchestra, usually playing mostly jazz or swing music.  The big band typically features both ensemble and solo playing, sometimes has a lead singer, and is often located in a night club where the patrons may dance to its music.  The big bands were popular from the late 1920's to the 1940's.  Contrasted with combo, which has fewer players.


word: big bang
definition:
big bang

big bang
n.
(Astron.)
The explosive event marking the beginning of the known universe, according to big bang theory; the beginning of time.
The big bang is likened to a massive explosion from a point containing all of the matter and energy of the beginning universe, which started the expansion and evolution of the universe which continues today.  The evidence for such an event includes the apparently expanding size of the present universe, and a background microwave radiation of about 3° Kelvin, equal to that predicted from mathematical models of such an explosive event.


word: big bang theory
definition:
big bang theory

big bang theory
n.
(Astronomy, Cosmology)
The theory that the known universe originated in an explosive event (the big bang) in which all of the matter and energy of the universe was contained in a single point and began to rapidly expand and evolve, starting as high-energy particles and radiation, and, as it cooled over time, evolving into ordinary subatomic particles, atoms, and then stars and galaxies.  According to this theory, the four-dimensional space-time continuum which we perceive as our universe continues to expand to the present time, but it is unknown whether the expansion will continue indefinitely or eventually stop or even reverse, possibly leading to a contraction to a single point sometimes referred to as the “big crunch”.  The competing “Steady-state Theory” gradually lost favor in the 1980's and 1990's.  See also big bang.


word: Big-bellied
definition:
Big-bellied

Big"-bel`lied
(_;)
a.
Having a great belly; as, a big-bellied man or flagon; advanced in pregnancy.


word: Big Board
definition:
Big Board

Big Board
(bĭg" bôrd`)
prop. n.
(Finance)
The New York Stock Exchange; -- a nickname often used in financial reporting.


word: bigeminate
definition:
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.


word: bigential
definition:
bigential

bi*gen"tial
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + L. gens, gentis, tribe.]
(Zool.)
Including two tribes or races of men.


word: Bigeye
definition:
Bigeye

Big"eye`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A fish of the genus Priacanthus, remarkable for the large size of the eye.


word: Biggin
definition:
Biggin

Big"gin
(_;)
n.
[F. béguin, prob. from the cap worn by the Béguines. Cf. Beguine, Biggon.]
A child's cap; a hood, or something worn on the head.

An old woman's biggin for a nightcap.
Massinger.


word: Biggin₂
definition:
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.


word: Biggonnet
definition:
Biggonnet

Biggon

{ Big"gon (_;), Big"gon*net (_;), }
n.
[F. béguin and OF. beguinet, dim of béguin. See Biggin a cap.]
A cap or hood with pieces covering the ears.


word: bighearted
definition:
bighearted

bighearted
adj.
given or giving freely.

Syn. -- big, bounteous, bountiful, freehanded, generous, handsome, giving, liberal, openhanded.


word: Bighorn
definition:
Bighorn

Big"horn`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
The Rocky Mountain sheep (Ovis montana or Caprovis montana); called also bighorn sheep.


word: Bight
definition:
Bight

Bight
(bīt)
n.
[OE. bi&yogh_;t a bending; cf. Sw. & Dan. bugt bend, bay; fr. AS. byht, fr. būgan. √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.


word: Bigly
definition:
Bigly

Big"ly
(_;)
adv.
[From Big, a.]
In a tumid, swelling, blustering manner; haughtily; violently.

He brawleth bigly.
Robynson (More's Utopia. )


word: Bignonia
definition:
Bignonia

Big*no"ni*a
(_;)
prop. n.
[Named from the Abbé Bignon.]
1.
(Bot.)
A large genus of American, mostly tropical, climbing shrubs, having compound leaves and showy somewhat tubular flowers.  Bignonia capreolata is the cross vine of the Southern United States.  The trumpet creeper (also called the trumpet vine), with large red tubular flowers, was formerly considered to be of this genus, but is now classified as Campsis radicans.

2.
any member of the family Bignoniaceae, including the bignonia{1}, catalpa, trumpet creeper, and princess tree.  They typically have brightly colored tubular (trumpet-shaped) flowers.


word: Bignoniaceae
definition:
Bignoniaceae

Bignoniaceae
n.
a natural family comprising the trees or shrubs or woody vines or herbs having gourdlike or capsular fruit; the are sometimes placed in the order Scrophulariales.

Syn. -- family Bignoniaceae.


word: Bignoniaceous
definition:
Bignoniaceous

Big*no`ni*a"ceous
(_;)
a.
(Bot.)
Of pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of which the trumpet flower (also called trumpet creeper and trumpet vine) is an example.


word: Bigot
definition:
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.


word: Bigoted
definition:
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
Byron.


word: Bigotry
definition:
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.


word: big-shouldered
definition:
big-shouldered

big-shouldered
adj.
having unusually large shoulders.
big-shouldered and heavy-armed

Syn. -- broad-shouldered, square-shouldered.


word: big-ticket
definition:
big-ticket

big-ticket
adj. prenom.
same as expensive, but in an absolute sense; -- referring to items of a type which are all expensive, such as automobiles, refrigerators, or large-screen television sets.
The roaring stock market led to an increase in the purchase of big-ticket items during the 1996 Christmas season.
cheap

Syn. -- costly, dear, high-priced, pricey, pricy.


word: Bigwig
definition:
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.


word: Bihydroguret
definition:
Bihydroguret

Bi`hy*drog"u*ret
(_;)
n.
[Pref. bi- + hydroguret.]
(Chem.)
A compound of two atoms of hydrogen with some other substance.
[Obs.]


word: Bijou
definition:
Bijou

Bi*jou"
(_;)
n.
pl. Bijoux (_;).
[F.; of uncertain origin.]
A trinket; a jewel; -- a word applied to anything small and of elegant workmanship.


word: Bijoutry
definition:
Bijoutry

Bi*jou"try
(_;)
n.
[F. bijouterie. See Bijou.]
Small articles of virtu, as jewelry, trinkets, etc.


word: Bijugate
definition:
Bijugate

Bij"u*gate
(_;)
a.
[L. bis twice + jugatus, p. p. of jugare to join.]
(Bot.)
Having two pairs, as of leaflets.


word: Bijugous
definition:
Bijugous

Bij"u*gous
(_;)
a.
[L. bijugus yoked two together; bis twice + jugum yoke, pair.]
(Bot.)
Bijugate.


word: Bike
definition:
Bike

Bike
(_;)
n.
[Ethymol. unknown.]
A nest of wild bees, wasps, or ants; a swarm.
[Scot.]
Sir W. Scott.


word: Bikh
definition:
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.


word: bilabial
definition:
bilabial

bi*la"bi*al
adj.
(Linguistics)
produced using both lips; -- said of a consonant.  As, bilabial fricatives.
See labial, adj. and bilabial, n.


word: bilabial₂
definition:
bilabial

bi*la"bi*al
n.
(Linguistics)
a consonant that is articulated using both lips, as p or b or w.


word: Bilabiate
definition:
Bilabiate

Bi*la"bi*ate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + labiate.]
(Bot.)
Having two lips, as the corols of certain flowers.


word: Bilamellated
definition:
Bilamellated

Bilamellate

{ Bi*lam"el*late (_;), 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.


word: Bilaminate
definition:
Bilaminate

Bilaminar

{ Bi*lam"i*nar (_;), Bi*lam"i*nate (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + laminar, laminate.]
Formed of, or having, two laminæ, or thin plates.


word: Bilander
definition:
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.


word: Bilateral
definition:
Bilateral

Bi*lat"er*al
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + lateral: cf. F. bilatéral.]
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.


word: Bilberry
definition:
Bilberry

Bil"ber*ry
(_;)
n.
pl. Bilberries (_;).
[Cf. Dan. böllebær bilberry, where bölle 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, Vaccinium cæspitosum and Vaccinium uliginosum.


word: Bilbo
definition:
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.


word: Bile
definition:
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.

&hand_; The ancients considered the bile to be the “humor” which caused irascibility.


word: Bile₂
definition:
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]


word: Bilection
definition:
Bilection

Bi*lec"tion
(_;)
n.
(Arch.)
That portion of a group of moldings which projects beyond the general surface of a panel; a bolection.


word: Bilestone
definition:
Bilestone

Bile"stone`
(_;)
n.
[Bile + stone.]
A gallstone, or biliary calculus. See Biliary.
E. Darwin.


word: Bilge
definition:
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.


word: Bilge₂
definition:
Bilge

Bilge
(bĭlj)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Bilged (bĭljd); 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.


word: Bilge₃
definition:
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.


word: Biliary
definition:
Biliary

Bil"ia*ry
(bĭl"yȧ*r&ybreve_;; 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.


word: Bilifuscin
definition:
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.


word: Bilimbing
definition:
Bilimbing

Bilimbi

{ &VerbarBi*lim"bi (_;), &VerbarBi*lim"bing (_;), }
n.
[Malay.]
The berries of two East Indian species of Averrhoa, of the Oxalideæ 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.]


word: Bilin
definition:
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.


word: Bilinear
definition:
Bilinear

Bi*lin"e*ar
(_;)
a.
(Math.)
Of, pertaining to, or included by, two lines; as, bilinear coördinates.


word: Bilingual
definition:
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.


word: Bilingualism
definition:
Bilingualism

Bi*lin"gual*ism
(_;)
n.
Quality of being bilingual.

The bilingualism of King's English.
Earle.


word: Bilinguous
definition:
Bilinguous

Bi*lin"guous
(_;)
a.
[L. bilinguis.]
Having two tongues, or speaking two languages.
[Obs.]


word: Bilious
definition:
Bilious

Bil"ious
(bĭl"yŭs)
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.
bilious
Macaulay.

Bilious temperament. See Temperament.


word: Biliprasin
definition:
Biliprasin

Bil`i*pra"sin
(_;)
n.
[L. bilis bile + prasinus green.]
(Physiol.)
A dark green pigment found in small quantity in human gallstones.


word: Bilirubin
definition:
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.


word: Biliteral
definition:
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.


word: Biliverdin
definition:
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.


word: Bilk
definition:
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.


word: Bilk₂
definition:
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.


word: Bill
definition:
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.


word: Bill₂
definition:
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.
bill
Shak.

To bill and coo, to interchange caresses; -- said of doves; also of demonstrative lovers. Thackeray.


word: Bill₄
definition:
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.


word: Bill₆
definition:
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.]

&hand_; 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.


word: Bill₇
definition:
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.


word: Billabong
definition:
Billabong

Bil"la*bong`
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
In Australia, a blind channel leading out from a river; -- sometimes called an anabranch. This is the sense of the word as used in the Public Works Department; but the term has also been locally applied to mere back-waters forming stagnant pools and to certain water channels arising from a source.


word: Billard
definition:
Billard

Bil"lard
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
An English fish, allied to the cod; the coalfish.
[Written also billet and billit.]


word: Billbug
definition:
Billbug

Billbeetle

{Bill`bee"tle (_;), or Bill"bug`  }
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A weevil or curculio of various species, as the corn weevil.  See Curculio.


word: Billboard
definition:
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.
especially,
A large board out of doors and visible to passers-by, on which the space is rented for advertising purposes; also, the advertising displayed on such a board.


word: Bill book
definition:
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.


word: Billed
definition:
Billed

Billed
(_;)
a.
Furnished with, or having, a bill, as a bird; -- used in composition; as, broad-billed.


word: Billet
definition:
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.
billet
Sterne.

2.
A ticket from a public officer directing soldiers at what house to lodge; as, a billet of residence.

3.
Quarters or place to which one is assigned, as by a billet or ticket; berth; position. Also used fig.
[Colloq.]

The men who cling to easy billets ashore.
Harper's Mag.

His shafts of satire fly straight to their billet, and there they rankle.
Pall Mall Mag.


word: Billet₂
definition:
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.


word: Billet₃
definition:
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.


word: Billet-doux
definition:
Billet-doux

Bil`let-doux"
(bĭl`la̝*dō")
n.
pl. Billets-doux (bĭl`la̝*dōz").
[F. billet note + doux sweet, L. dulcis.]
A love letter or note.

A lover chanting out a billet-doux.
Spectator.


word: Billethead
definition:
Billethead

Bil"let*head`
(bĭl"lĕt*hĕd)
n.
(Naut.)
A round piece of timber at the bow or stern of a whaleboat, around which the harpoon line is run out when the whale darts off.


word: Billfish
definition:
Billfish

Bill"fish`
(bĭl"fĭsh`)
n.
(Zool.)
A name applied to several distinct fishes
(a)
The garfish (Tylosurus longirostris, 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).


word: billfold
definition:
billfold

bill"fold`
(bĭl" f&omacrld`)
A small, thin, flat container, usually made of leather or imitation leather, having a pocket of a size just large enough to hold paper currency and folded over once to fit in the pocket of one's clothing; it is a type of wallet, but having fewer compartments than the typical wallet.


word: Billhead
definition:
Billhead

Bill"head`
(bĭl"hĕd)
n.
A printed form, used by merchants in making out bills or rendering accounts.


word: Bill holder
definition:
Bill holder

Bill" hold`er
(bĭl" h&omacrl`dẽr)
1.
A person who holds a bill or acceptance.

2.
A device by means of which bills, etc., are held.


word: Billhook
definition:
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.


word: Billiards
definition:
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.


word: Billingsgate
definition:
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.


word: Billion
definition:
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.


word: Billman
definition:
Billman

Bill"man
(_;)
n.
pl. Billmen (_;).
One who uses, or is armed with, a bill or hooked ax.
billman
Savile.


word: Billon
definition:
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.


word: Billot
definition:
Billot

Bil"lot
(_;)
n.
[F. billot, dim. of bille. See Billet a stick.]
Bullion in the bar or mass.


word: Billow
definition:
Billow

Bil"low
(_;)
n.
[Cf. Icel. bylgja billow, Dan. bölge, Sw. bölja; 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.


word: Billow₂
definition:
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.
billowing
Prior.


word: billowing
definition:
billowing

billowing
adj.
[p. pr. & vb. n. of billow, verb]
1.
rising in billows.
billowing smoke

2.
stormy; affected by storms; -- of weather, used prenominally.
calm

Syn. -- billowy, surging.


word: Billowy
definition:
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.


word: Billsticker
definition:
Billsticker

Billposter

{ Bill"post`er (_;), Bill"stick"er (_;), }
n.
One whose occupation is to post handbills or posters in public places.


word: Billy
definition:
Billy

Bil"ly
(_;)
n.
1.
A club; esp., a policeman's club.  Also called billy club

2.
(Wool Manuf.)
A slubbing or roving machine.


word: Billycock hat
definition:
Billycock hat

Billycock

{ Bil"ly*cock (?), n., or Bil"ly*cock hat` (?) }
[Perh. from bully + cock; that is, cocked like the hats of the bullies.]
A round, low-crowned felt hat; a wideawake.
billycocks
B. H. Chamberlain.

Little acquiesced, and Ransome disguised him in a beard, and a loose set of clothes, and a billicock hat.
Charles Reade.


word: billy club
definition:
billy club

billy club
n.
a policeman's club; a nightstick.

Syn. -- truncheon, nightstick, billy, billy club.


word: billyoh
definition:
billyoh

billyo

billyo, billyoh
n.
a large amount; British say "it rained like billyo" where Americans say "it rained like the devil".
[British]

Syn. -- billy-ho.


word: Bilobate
definition:
Bilobate

Bi*lo"bate
(bi̝*l&omacr"ba̝t or bī"lo̝*ba̝t)
a.
[Pref. bi- + lobate.]
Divided into two lobes or segments.


word: bilobated
definition:
bilobated

bilobated
adj.
1.
divided into two lobes.

Syn. -- bilobate.

2.
having two lobes; as, a bilobate leaf.

Syn. -- bilobate, bilobed.


word: Bilocation
definition:
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.


word: Bilocular
definition:
Bilocular

Bi*loc"u*lar
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + locular: cf. F. biloculaire.]
Divided into two cells or compartments; as, a bilocular pericarp.
Gray.


word: biloculate
definition:
biloculate

bi*loc"u*late
adj.
(Biol.)
divided into or containing two cells or chambers; as, having a biloculate capsule.

Syn. -- bilocular.


word: Bimana
definition:
Bimana

Bim"a*na
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL. See Bimanous.]
(Zool.)
Animals having two hands; -- a term applied by Cuvier to man as a special order of Mammalia.


word: Bimarginate
definition:
Bimarginate

Bi*mar"gin*ate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + marginate.]
Having a double margin, as certain shells.


word: Bimastism
definition:
Bimastism

Bi*mas"tism
(_;)
n.
[Pref. bi- + Gr. _; breast.]
(Anat.)
The condition of having two mammæ or teats.


word: Bimedial
definition:
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).


word: Bimembral
definition:
Bimembral

Bi*mem"bral
(_;)
a.
[L. bis twice + membrum member.]
(Gram.)
Having two members; as, a bimembral sentence.
J. W. Gibbs.


word: Bimestrial
definition:
Bimestrial

Bi*mes"tri*al
(_;)
a.
[L. bimestris; bis twice + mensis month.]
Continuing two months.
[R.]


word: Bimetallic
definition:
Bimetallic

Bi`me*tal"lic
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + metallic: cf. F. bimétallique.]
1.
Of or relating to, or using, a double metallic standard (as gold and silver) for a system of coins or currency.
[archaic]

2.
Composed of two different metals; formed of two parts, each of a different metal; as, bimetallic wire; bimetallic thermometer, etc.


word: Bimetallism
definition:
Bimetallism

Bi*met"al*lism
(_;)
n.
[F. bimétalisme.]
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.

&hand_; The words bimétallisme and monométallisme are due to M. Cernuschi [1869].
Littré.


word: bimillennium
definition:
bimillennium

bimillennium
n.
1.
a span of 2000 years.

Syn. -- bimillenary.

2.
the year 2000 a. d.


word: bimli
definition:
bimli

bimli
n.
a valuable fiber plant (Hibiscus cannabinus) of the East Indies now widespread in cultivation.

Syn. -- kenaf, kanaf, deccan hemp, bimli hemp, Indian hemp, Bombay hemp.


word: bimodal
definition:
bimodal

bimodal
adj.
(Statistics)
having or occurring with two modes{9}; having two maxima; -- of a curve or distribution.
unimodal


word: bimolecular
definition:
bimolecular

bi"mo*lec"u*lar
(?)
a.
[Pref. bi- + molecular.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, involving, or formed from, two molecules; as, a bimolecular reaction (a reaction between two molecules).


word: bimonthly
definition:
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.


word: Bimuscular
definition:
Bimuscular

Bi*mus"cu*lar
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + muscular.]
(Zool.)
Having two adductor muscles, as a bivalve mollusk.


word: Bin
definition:
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.


word: Bin₂
definition:
Bin

Bin
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Binned (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Binning.]
To put into a bin; as, to bin wine.


word: Binarseniate
definition:
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.


word: Binary
definition:
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.


word: Binary₂
definition:
Binary

Bi"na*ry
n.
That which is constituted of two figures, things, or parts; two; duality.
Fotherby.


word: Binbashi
definition:
Binbashi

Bin*bash"i
(?)
n.
[Turk., prop., chief of a thousand; bin thousand + bash head.]
(Mil.)
A major in the Turkish army.


word: Bind
definition:
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. √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.


word: Bind₂
definition:
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.


word: Bind₃
definition:
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.


word: Binder
definition:
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.

3.
a pair of stiff oblong covers, sometimes detachable, designed for insertion of paper pages to create a book-like document, such as in a loose-leaf binder.


word: Bindery
definition:
Bindery

Bind"er*y
(_;)
n.
A place where books, or other articles, are bound; a bookbinder's establishment.


word: Bindheimite
definition:
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.


word: Binding
definition:
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.


word: Binding₂
definition:
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.


word: Bindingness
definition:
Bindingness

Bind"ing*ness
n.
The condition or property of being binding; obligatory quality.
Coleridge.


word: Binding post
definition:
Binding post

Bind"ing post`
(Elec.)
A metallic post attached to electrical apparatus for convenience in making connections.


word: Binding screw
definition:
Binding screw

Bind"ing screw`
A set screw used to bind parts together, esp. one for making a connection in an electrical circuit.


word: Bindweed
definition:
Bindweed

Bind"weed`
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus Convolvulus; as, greater bindweed (Convolvulus Sepium); lesser bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis); the white bindweed, the blue bindweed, 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.


word: Bine
definition:
Bine

Bine
(_;)
n.
[Bind, cf. Woodbine.]
The winding or twining stem of a hop vine or other climbing plant.


word: Binervate
definition:
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.
(Zool.)
Having only two nerves, as the wings of some insects.


word: Bing
definition:
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.
bings
Burns.
bing
Surrey.
[Obs. or Dial. Eng. & Scot.]


word: bingo
definition:
bingo

bingo
n.
a game commonly used for low-stakes gambling, in which numbered balls or slips are drawn at random and players cover the correponding numbers on their cards, called Bingo cards, which have square arrangement of such numbers.  Each card has a different arrangement of the numbers, and the first player to cover all numbers in one row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) is the winner, usually announcing that fact by a cry of “Bingo!”
Variants of the game may require that all peripheral numbers are covered, to form a box, or other figure.  The numbers usually have one letter from the group “B”, “I”, “N”, “G”, and “O”, plus two digits.  The “cards” may be disposable sheets of paper on which the numbers are printed.

Syn. -- lotto, beano, keno.


word: Binnacle
definition:
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.


word: Binny
definition:
Binny

Bin"ny
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A large species of barbel (Barbus bynni), found in the Nile, and much esteemed for food.


word: Binocle
definition:
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.


word: Binocular
definition:
Binocular

Bin*oc"u*lar
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. binoculaire. See Binocle.]
1.
Having two eyes.
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.


word: Binomial
definition:
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.


word: Binomial₂
definition:
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.


word: Binotonous
definition:
Binotonous

Bi*not"o*nous
(_;)
a.
[L. bini two at a time + tonus, fr. Gr. _;, tone.]
Consisting of two notes; as, a binotonous cry.


word: Binoxalate
definition:
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.


word: Binucleate
definition:
Binucleate

Binuclear

{ Bi*nu"cle*ar (_;), Bi*nu"cle*ate (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + nuclear, nucleate.]
(Biol.)
Having two nuclei; as, binucleate cells.


word: bioactive
definition:
bioactive

bioactive
adj.
acting upon or influencing bodily functions; -- of chemical substances.

Syn. -- pharmacological.


word: bioassay
definition:
bioassay

bioassay
n.
appraisal of the biological activity of a substance by testing its effect on an organism.


word: Biocellate
definition:
Biocellate

Bi*oc"el*late
(_;)
a.
[L. bis twice + ocellatus. See Ocellated.]
(Zool.)
Having two ocelli (eyelike spots); -- said of a wing, etc.


word: biochemical₂
definition:
biochemical

bi`o*chem"ic*al
n.
a chemical substance produced by a living organism, or such a substance produced synthetically.


word: Biochemistry
definition:
Biochemistry

Bi`o*chem"is*try
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + E. chemistry.]
(Biol.)
The chemistry of living organisms; the chemistry of the processes incidental to, and characteristic of, life.


word: Biodynamical
definition:
Biodynamical

Biodynamic

{ Bi`o*dy*nam"ic (?), Bi`o*dy*nam"ic*al (?) }
a.
1.
(Biol.)
Of or pertaining to biodynamics, or the doctrine of vital forces or energy.

2.
of or pertaining to a method of farming that uses only organic fertilizers (rather than chemical fertilizers) and organic materials for improving the soil characteristics.


word: Biodynamics
definition:
Biodynamics

Bi`o*dy*nam"ics
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + E. dynamics.]
1.
(Biol.)
The doctrine of vital forces or energy.
[archaic]

2.
The branch of biology which treats of the active vital phenomena of organisms; -- opposed to biostatics.


word: bioengineering
definition:
bioengineering

bi`o*en*gin*eer"ing
n.
1.
biological science applied to the study the relation between workers and their environments.

Syn. -- ergonomics.

2.
the application of engineeering principles to solve problems in medicine, such as the design of artificial limbs or organs; -- called also biomedical engineering.

3.
the branch of engineering dealing with the application of biological processes to the solution of practical problems, such as the manufacture of products by fermentation, the production and use of enzymes for various purposes, the use of microorganisms in environmental cleanup, etc.; -- called also biotechnology.


word: biofeedback
definition:
biofeedback

bi`o*feed"back
n.
a training program in which a person is given information about physiological processes (heart rate or blood pressure) that is not normally available with the goal of gaining conscious control of them.


word: bioflavinoid
definition:
bioflavinoid

bi`o*flav"in*oid
n.
a vitamin that maintains the resistance of cell and capillary walls to permeation; -- called also vitamin P and citrin.


word: Biogeny
definition:
Biogeny

Biogenesis

{ Bi`o*gen"e*sis (_;), Bi*og"e*ny (_;), }
n.
[Gr. bi`os 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; -- called also biogeny; -- opposed to abiogenesis.
(b)
Life development generally.

2.
the production of a chemical compound by a living organism.

Syn. -- biosynthesis.


word: biogenic
definition:
biogenic

bi`o*gen"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. bi`os life + -gen + -ic.]
produced by living organisms; as, biogenic methane.


word: biogeny
definition:
biogeny

bi*og"en*y
n.
the production of living organisms from other living organisms; same as biogenesis{1}.


word: Biogeography
definition:
Biogeography

Bi`o*ge*og"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + E. geography.]
The branch of biology which deals with the geographical distribution of animals and plants. It includes both zoögeography and phytogeography.
Bi`o*ge`o*graph"ic (#), a. -- Bi`o*ge`o*graph"ic*al*ly (#), adv.


word: Biognosis
definition:
Biognosis

Bi`og*no"sis
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; life  + _; investigation.]
(Biol.)
The investigation of life.


word: Biograph
definition:
Biograph

Bi"o*graph
(?)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + -graph.]
1.
An animated picture machine for screen projection; a cinematograph.
[obsolescent]

2.
[Cf. Biography.]
A biographical sketch.
[Rare]


word: Biographer
definition:
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.


word: Biographical
definition:
Biographical

Biographic

{ Bi"o*graph"ic (_;), Bi`o*graph"ic*al (_;), }
a.
Of or pertaining to biography; containing biography.
Bi`o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.


word: Biography
definition:
Biography

Bi*og"ra*phy
(_;)
n.
pl. Biographies (_;).
[Gr. _;; bi`os life + _; to write: cf. F. biographie. See Graphic.]
1.
The written history of a person's life.

2.
Biographical writings in general.


word: Biological
definition:
Biological

Biologic

{ Bi`o*log"ic (_;), Bi`o*log"ic*al (_;), }
a.
1.
Of or relating to biology.
Bi`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

2.
related by blood; -- of parents and children; -- contrasted with adoptive, adopted, or foster; as, Mary was adopted directly from the maternity hospital and never met her biological mother.

Syn. -- biologic.


word: biologism
definition:
biologism

biologism
n.
use of biological principles in explaining human behavior, especially social behavior.


word: Biology
definition:
Biology

Bi*ol"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os 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.


word: Bioluminescence
definition:
Bioluminescence

Bi"o*lu`mi*nes"cence
(bī"o̝*lō`mĭ*nĕs"ens)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + luminescence.]
a type of luminescence produced by biological or biochemical processes, such as a glowworm glow or the action of luciferase on luciferin.  A well-known example is that of firefly luminescence.  See also luciferin.


word: Biolytic
definition:
Biolytic

Bi`o*lyt"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. bi`os life + _; to destroy.]
Relating to the destruction of life.


word: Biomagnetism
definition:
Biomagnetism

Bi`o*mag"net*ism
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + E. magnetism.]
1.
Animal magnetism.

2.
magnetic phenomena in living organisms.


word: Biometry
definition:
Biometry

Bi*om"e*try
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + -metry.]
Measurement of life; calculation of the probable duration of human life.


word: Biome
definition:
Biome

Bi"ome
(bī"&omacrm)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life.]
1.
(Ecology)
a specific type of complex ecological community characterized by specific environmental conditions and a distinctive group of plants and animals, maintained in a relatively stable equilibrium, such as a rain forest biome or prairie biome.

2.
a particular region which is a biome{1}.


word: biomedical
definition:
biomedical

bi"o*med`i*cal
Pertaining to the biological and physiological aspects of medicine.

2.
Of or pertaining to biomedicine.


word: biomedical engineering
definition:
biomedical engineering

bi"o*med`i*cal en`gin*eer"ing
n.
The application of engineeering principles to solve problems in medicine, such as the design of artificial limbs or organs; -- called also bioengineering.


word: biomedicine
definition:
biomedicine

bi"o*med`i*cine
n.
1.
The application of the principles and techniques of the natural sciences, especially biology, to investigate and solve problems in clinical medicine.

2.
The investigation of the effects of external environmental factors such as weightlessness on the human body.


word: Bion
definition:
Bion

Bi"on
(_;)
n.
[Gr. biw^n living, p. pr. of bioy^n to live.]
(Biol.)
The physiological individual, characterized by definiteness and independence of function, in distinction from the morphological individual or morphon.


word: Biophore
definition:
Biophore

Biophor

{ Bi"o*phor` Bi"o*phore` }
(bī"o̝*f&omacrr`)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + fo`ros bearing, fr. fe`rein to bear.]
(Biol.)
One of the smaller vital units of a cell, the bearer of vitality and heredity. See Pangen, in Supplement.


word: Biophotophone
definition:
Biophotophone

Bi`o*pho"to*phone
(?)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + photo + fwnh` sound, voice.]
An instrument combining a cinematograph and a phonograph so that the moving figures on the screen are accompanied by the appropriate sounds; -- an archaic term replaced by movie projector.
[archaic]


word: Bioplasm
definition:
Bioplasm

Bi"o*plasm
(bī"o̝*plăz'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.


word: Bioplast
definition:
Bioplast

Bi"o*plast
(-plăst)
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.


word: Biopsychical
definition:
Biopsychical

Biopsychic

{ Bi`o*psy"chic (?), Bi`o*psy"chic*al (?) }
a.
[Gr. bi`os life + psychic, -cal.]
Pertaining to psychical phenomena in their relation to the living organism or to the general phenomena of life.


word: bioreactor
definition:
bioreactor

bi`o*re*ac"tor
(_;)
n.
an apparatus in which a suspension of microorganisms in a liquid are used to perform chemical reactions, as in synthesis of pharmaceutical agents or the conversion of harmful waste to less harmful substances.  The reactor consists of a vessel to contain the suspension of microorganisms, plus a variety of attached devices used to control the reaction.


word: bioremediation
definition:
bioremediation

bi`o*re*me*di*a"tion
(_;)
n.
the branch of biotechnology that uses biological processes to overcome environmental problems.


word: Biorgan
definition:
Biorgan

Bi*or"gan
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + E. organ.]
(Biol.)
A physiological organ; a living organ; an organ endowed with function; -- distinguished from idorgan.


word: Bioscope
definition:
Bioscope

Bi"o*scope
(?)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + -scope.]
1.
A view of life; that which gives such a view.

Bagman's Bioscope: Various Views of Men and Manners. [Book Title.]
W. Bayley (1824).

2.
An animated picture machine for screen projection; a cinematograph (which see); an archaic term replaced by movie projector.
[archaic]

3.
a South African movie theater.


word: Biostatics
definition:
Biostatics

Bi`o*stat"ics
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + _;. See Statics.]
(Biol.)
The physical phenomena of organized bodies, in opposition to their organic or vital phenomena.


word: Biostatistics
definition:
Biostatistics

Bi`o*sta*tis"tics
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + E. statistics.]
(Biol.)
Vital statistics.


word: biosynthesis
definition:
biosynthesis

biosynthesis
n.
1.
production of a chemical compound by a living organism.

Syn. -- biogenesis.

2.
the production of chemical substances by use of reagents or enzymes derived from living organisms, in reactions modeled on those observed in living organisms.


word: biosystematics
definition:
biosystematics

biosystematics
n.
use of data (e. g. cytogenetic or biochemical) to assess taxonomic relations esp within an evolutionary framework.

Syn. -- biosystematy.


word: biosystematy
definition:
biosystematy

biosystematy
n.
use of data (e. g. cytogenetic or biochemical) to assess taxonomic relations especially within an evolutionary framework.

Syn. -- biosystematics.


word: biota
definition:
biota

bi*o"ta
n.
(bī*&omacr"tȧ)
all the plant and animal life of a particular region.

Syn. -- biology.


word: Biotaxy
definition:
Biotaxy

Bi"o*tax`y
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bi`os life + _; arrangement.]
(Biol.)
The classification of living organisms according to their structural character; taxonomy.


word: Biotic
definition:
Biotic

Bi*ot"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. biwtiko`s pert. to life.]
1.
(Biol.)
Relating to life; as, the biotic principle.

2.
produced by or caused by living things.


word: biotin
definition:
biotin

bi"o*tin
n.
a B vitamin (C10H16N2O3S) that aids in body growth; -- called also vitamin H and coenzyme R.  It functions as a coenzyme in many carboxylation reactions.
Biotin binds tightly to the substance avidin, found in raw egg-whites.  Rats or chick on a diet high in raw egg-white may develop skin lesions and retarded growth, which can be prevented by adding biotin to the diet.
[MI11]

Syn. -- .


word: Biotite
definition:
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.


word: biotope
definition:
biotope

biotope
n.
a region uniform in its environmental conditions and in the types of plants and animals living in it.


word: biotype
definition:
biotype

biotype
n.
1.
a group of organisms sharing the same genotype.

2.
the genotype shared by a biotype{1}.


word: biovular
definition:
biovular

biovular
adj.
derived from two separate ferilized ova; -- of twins; as, fraternal twins are biovular.  Antonym of identical.

Syn. -- fraternal.


word: Bipalmate
definition:
Bipalmate

Bi*pal"mate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + palmate.]
(Bot.)
Palmately branched, with the branches again palmated.


word: Biparietal
definition:
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.


word: Biparous
definition:
Biparous

Bip"a*rous
(_;)
a.
[L. bis twice + parere to bring forth.]
Bringing forth two at a birth.


word: Bipartible
definition:
Bipartible

Bi*part"i*ble
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. bipartible. See Bipartite.]
Capable of being divided into two parts.


word: Bipartient
definition:
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.


word: Bipartite
definition:
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.


word: Bipartition
definition:
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.


word: Bipectinated
definition:
Bipectinated

Bipectinate

{ Bi*pec"ti*nate (_;), Bi*pec"ti*na`ted (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + pectinate.]
(Biol.)
Having two margins toothed like a comb.


word: Biped
definition:
Biped

Bi"ped
(_;)
n.
[L. bipes; bis twice + pes, pedis, _;oot: cf. F. bipède.]
A two-footed animal, as man.


word: Biped₂
definition:
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.


word: Bipedal
definition:
Bipedal

Bip"e*dal
(_;)
a.
[L. bipedalis: cf. F. bipédal. See Biped, n.]
1.
Having two feet; biped.

2.
Pertaining to a biped.


word: Bipeltate
definition:
Bipeltate

Bi*pel"tate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + peltate.]
Having a shell or covering like a double shield.


word: Bipennated
definition:
Bipennated

Bipennate

{ Bi*pen"nate (_;), Bi*pen"na*ted (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + pennate: cf. L. bipennis. Cf. Bipinnate.]
Having two wings.
Bipennated
Derham.


word: Bipinnaria
definition:
Bipinnaria

Bi`pin*na"ri*a
(_;)
n.
[NL., fr. L. bis twice + pinna feather.]
(Zool.)
The larva of certain starfishes as developed in the free-swimming stage.


word: Bipinnated
definition:
Bipinnated

Bipinnate

{ Bi*pin"nate (_;), Bi*pin"na*ted (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + pinnate; cf. F. bipinné. Cf. Bipennate.]
Twice pinnate.


word: Bipinnatifid
definition:
Bipinnatifid

Bi`pin*nat"i*fid
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + pinnatifid.]
(Bot.)
Doubly pinnatifid.

A bipinnatifid leaf is a pinnatifid leaf having its segments or divisions also pinnatifid. The primary divisions are pinnæ and the secondary pinnules.


word: Biplane
definition:
Biplane

Bi"plane
(?)
n.
[Pref. bi- + plane.]
(Aëronautics)
An aëroplane with two main supporting surfaces one above the other.


word: Biplane₂
definition:
Biplane

Bi"plane
a.
(Aëronautics)
Having, or consisting of, two superposed planes, aërocurves, or the like; of or pertaining to a biplane; as, a biplane rudder.


word: Bipolar
definition:
Bipolar

Bi*po"lar
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + polar. Cf. Dipolar.]
Doubly polar; having two poles; as, a bipolar cell or corpuscle.


word: Bipontine
definition:
Bipontine

Bipont

{ Bi"pont (_;), Bi*pont"ine  }
(_;)
a.
(Bibliog.)
Relating to books printed at Deuxponts, or Bipontium (Zweibrücken), in Bavaria.


word: Biprism
definition:
Biprism

Bi"prism
(?)
n.
[Pref. bi- + prism.]
1.
A prism whose refracting angle is very nearly 180 degrees.

2.
A combination of two short rectangular glass prisms cemented together at their diagonal faces so as to form a cube; -- called also optical cube. It is used in one form of photometer.


word: Bipupillate
definition:
Bipupillate

Bi*pu"pil*late
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + pupil (of the eye).]
(Zool.)
Having an eyelike spot on the wing, with two dots within it of a different color, as in some butterflies.


word: Bipyramidal
definition:
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.


word: Biquadrate
definition:
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.


word: Biquadratic
definition:
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.


word: Biquintile
definition:
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.


word: biradial
definition:
biradial

biradial
adj.
showing both bilateral and radial symmetry.
some sea anemones are biradial.


word: Biradiated
definition:
Biradiated

Biradiate

{ Bi*ra"di*ate (_;), Bi*ra"di*a`ted (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + radiate.]
Having two rays; as, a biradiate fin.


word: Birch
definition:
Birch

Birch
(bẽrch)
n.
pl. Birches (-ĕz).
[OE. birche, birk, AS. birce, beorc; akin to Icel. björk, Sw. björk, Dan. birk, D. berk, OHG. piricha, MHG. birche, birke, G. birke, Russ. bereza, Pol. brzoza, Serv. breza, Skr. bhūrja. √254. Cf. 1st Birk.]
1.
A tree of several species, constituting the genus Betula; as, the white or common birch (Betula alba) (also called silver birch and lady birch); the dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa); the paper or canoe birch (Betula papyracea); the yellow birch (Betula lutea); the black or cherry birch (Betula lenta).

2.
The wood or timber of the birch.

3.
A birch twig or birch twigs, used for flogging.

&hand_; 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. (Zool.) 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 (Betula lenta), said to be identical with the oil of wintergreen, for which it is largely sold.


word: Birch₃
definition:
Birch

Birch
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Birched (bẽrcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Birching.]
To whip with a birch rod or twig; to flog.


word: Birchen
definition:
Birchen

Birch"en
(bẽrch"'n)
a.
Of or relating to birch.

He passed where Newark's stately tower
Looks out from Yarrow's birchen bower.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Bird
definition:
Bird

Bird
(bẽrd)
n.
[OE. brid, bred, bird, young bird, bird, AS. bridd young bird. √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.
(Zool.)
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 (Zool.), a wingless insect of the group Mallophaga, of which the genera and species are very numerous and mostly parasitic upon birds. -- Bird mite (Zool.), a small mite (genera Dermanyssus, Dermaleichus and allies) parasitic upon birds. The species are numerous. -- Bird of passage, a migratory bird. -- Bird spider (Zool.), a very large South American spider (Mygale avicularia). It is said sometimes to capture and kill small birds. -- Bird tick (Zool.), a dipterous insect parasitic upon birds (genus Ornithomyia, and allies), usually winged.


word: Bird₂
definition:
Bird

Bird
(bẽrd)
v. i.
1.
To catch or shoot birds.

2.
Hence: To seek for game or plunder; to thieve.
[R.]
B. Jonson.

3.
to watch birds, especially in their natural habitats, for enjoyment; to birdwatch.


word: Birdbolt
definition:
Birdbolt

Bird"bolt`
(_;)
n.
A short blunt arrow for killing birds without piercing them.
Hence:
Anything which smites without penetrating.
Shak.


word: birdbrain
definition:
birdbrain

bird"brain`
n.
1.
a person with confused ideas; incapable of serious thought.

Syn. -- addle-head, loon.


word: Birdcage
definition:
Birdcage

bird-cage

Bird cage

{ Bird" cage", bird-cage, or Bird"cage`  }
(_;)
n.
A cage for confining birds.


word: Birdcall
definition:
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.


word: Bird cherry
definition:
Bird cherry

Bird" cher`ry
(_;)
(Bot.)
A shrub (Prunus Padus ) found in Northern and Central Europe. It bears small black cherries.


word: Bird fancier
definition:
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.


word: Birdlime
definition:
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.

&hand_; Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.


word: Birdlime₂
definition:
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.


word: Bird of paradise
definition:
Bird of paradise

Bird" of par"a*dise
(_;)
(Zool.)
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.

&hand_; The Great emerald (Paradisea apoda) and the Lesser emerald (Paradisea minor) furnish many of the plumes used as ornaments by ladies; the Red bird of paradise is Paradisea rubra or Paradisea sanguinea; the Golden bird of paradise is Parotia aurea or Parotia sexsetacea; the King bird of paradise is Cincinnurus regius.
The name is also applied to the longer-billed birds of another related group (Epimachinæ) from the same region. The Twelve-wired bird of paradise (Seleucides alba) is one of these. See Paradise bird, and Note under Apod.


word: bird-on-the-wing
definition:
bird-on-the-wing

bird-on-the-wing
n.
a common trailing perennial milkwort of eastern North America (Polygala paucifolia), having leaves like wintergreen and usually rosy-purple flowers with winged sepals.

Syn. -- flowering wintergreen, gaywings, gay-wings, fringed polygala.


word: Bird pepper
definition:
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.


word: Birdseed
definition:
Birdseed

Bird"seed`
(_;)
n.
Canary seed, hemp, millet or other small seeds used for feeding caged birds.


word: Bird's-eye
definition:
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.


word: Bird's-eye₂
definition:
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.


word: Bird's-foot
definition:
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. Lotus corniculatas, with yellow flowers, is very common in Great Britain. (b) the related plant, Trigonella ornithopodioides, is also European.


word: Bird's-mouth
definition:
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.


word: Bird's-nest
definition:
Bird's-nest

Bird's nest

{ Bird's" nest`, or 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.

&hand_; The nests are found in caverns and fissures of cliffs on rocky coasts, and are composed in part of algæ. 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 (Neottia 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.


word: Bird's-nesting
definition:
Bird's-nesting

Bird's-nest`ing
(bẽrdz"nĕst`ĭng)
n.
Hunting for, or taking, birds' nests or their contents.


word: Birdwatch
definition:
Birdwatch

Bird"watch`
(bẽrd"w&obreve_;ch`)
v.
to watch birds, especially in their natural habitats, for enjoyment or as a hobby; to bird{3}.


word: Birdwatcher
definition:
Birdwatcher

Bird"watch`er
(bẽrd"wäch`ẽr)
n.
one who enjoys watching birds, especially to find and identify a variety of birds in their natural habitats; a birder{2}.


word: Bird-witted
definition:
Bird-witted

Bird"-wit`ted
(_;)
a.
Flighty; passing rapidly from one subject to another; not having the faculty of attention.
Bacon.


word: Birectangular
definition:
Birectangular

Bi`rec*tan"gu*lar
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + rectangular.]
Containing or having two right angles; as, a birectangular spherical triangle.


word: Bireme
definition:
Bireme

Bi"reme
(_;)
n.
[L. biremis; bis twice + remus oar: cf. F. birème.]
An ancient galley or vessel with two banks or tiers of oars.


word: Birl₂
definition:
Birl

Birl
(_;)
v. t. & i.
[AS. byrlian. √92.]
To pour (beer or wine); to ply with drink; to drink; to carouse.
[Obs. or Dial.]
Skelton.


word: Birlaw
definition:
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.]


word: Biro
definition:
Biro

Biro
n.
[from the name of the inventor.]
a pen with small metal ball as point of transfer of ink to paper;  same as ballpoint pen.

Syn. -- ballpoint, ballpoint pen, ballpen.


word: Birostrated
definition:
Birostrated

Birostrate

{ Bi*ros`trate (_;), 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.


word: Birr
definition:
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.


word: Birrus
definition:
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.


word: Birt
definition:
Birt

Birt
(bẽrt)
n.
[OE. byrte; cf. F. bertonneau. Cf. Bret, Burt.]
(Zool.)
A fish of the turbot kind; the brill.
[Written also burt, bret, or brut.]
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Birth
definition:
Birth

Birth
(bẽrth)
n.
[OE. burth, birth, AS. beorð, gebyrd, fr. beran to bear, bring forth; akin to D. geboorte, OHG. burt, giburt, G. geburt, Icel. burðr, Skr. bhrti bearing, supporting; cf. Ir. & Gael. beirthe born, brought forth. √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.
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.


word: birth control
definition:
birth control

birth control
n.
the act or process of deliberately limiting the number of one's children born, especially by preventing conception.
Conception may be prevented by ingesting medicines, using barriers such as condoms or spermicides during copulation, or by ligating or removing the reproductive organs.

Syn. -- birth prevention, family planning.


word: Birthday
definition:
Birthday

Birth"day`
(bẽrth"dā`)
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.


word: Birthday₂
definition:
Birthday

Birth"day`
a.
Of or pertaining to the day of birth, or its anniversary; as, birthday gifts or festivities.


word: Birthing
definition:
Birthing

Birth"ing
n.
1.
(Naut.)
Anything added to raise the sides of a ship.
Bailey.

2.
the act or process of giving birth.


word: Birthmark
definition:
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.


word: Birthnight
definition:
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.


word: Birthplace
definition:
Birthplace

Birth"place`
(_;)
n.
The town, city, or country, where a person is born; place of origin or birth, in its more general sense.
birthplace
Burns.


word: birthrate
definition:
birthrate

birth rate, birthrate
n.
the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; usually expressed as birthes per 1000 population per year.

Syn. -- fertility, fertility rate.


word: Birthright
definition:
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.


word: Birthroot
definition:
Birthroot

Birth"root`
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
An herbaceous plant (Trillium erectum), and its astringent rootstock, which is said to have medicinal properties.


word: Birthwort
definition:
Birthwort

Birth"wort`
(_;)
n.
A genus of herbs and shrubs (Aristolochia), reputed to have medicinal properties.


word: Bis
definition:
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.


word: Bisaccate
definition:
Bisaccate

Bi*sac"cate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + saccate.]
(Bot.)
Having two little bags, sacs, or pouches.


word: Biscayan
definition:
Biscayan

Bis*cay"an
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to Biscay in Spain.
n. A native or inhabitant of Biscay.


word: Biscotin
definition:
Biscotin

Bis"co*tin
(_;)
n.
[F. biscotin. See Biscuit.]
A confection made of flour, sugar, marmalade, and eggs; a sweet biscuit.


word: Biscuit
definition:
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.


word: Biscutate
definition:
Biscutate

Bi*scu"tate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + scutate.]
(Bot.)
Resembling two bucklers placed side by side.


word: Biscutella
definition:
Biscutella

Biscutella
n.
a genus off Eurasian herbs and small shrubs: buckler mustard.

Syn. -- genus Biscutella.


word: Bise₂
definition:
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.


word: Bisect
definition:
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.


word: Bisector
definition:
Bisector

Bi*sec"tor
(_;)
n.
One who, or that which, bisects; esp. (Geom.) a straight line which bisects an angle.


word: Bisectrix
definition:
Bisectrix

Bi*sec"trix
(_;)
n.
The line bisecting the angle between the optic axes of a biaxial crystal.


word: Bisegment
definition:
Bisegment

Bi*seg"ment
(_;)
n.
[Pref. bi- + segment.]
One of tow equal parts of a line, or other magnitude.


word: Biseriate
definition:
Biseriate

Biserial

{ Bi*se"ri*al (_;), Bi*se"ri*ate (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + serial, seriate.]
In two rows or series.


word: Biserrate
definition:
Biserrate

Bi*ser"rate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + serrate.]

1.
(Bot.)
Doubly serrate, or having the serratures serrate, as in some leaves.

2.
(Zool.)
Serrate on both sides, as some antennæ.


word: Bisetous
definition:
Bisetous

Bisetose

{ Bi*se"tose (_;), Bi*se"tous (_;), }
a.
[Pref. bi- + setose, setous.]
Having two bristles.


word: Bisexous
definition:
Bisexous

Bi*sex"ous
(_;)
a.
[L. bis twice + sexus sex: cf. F. bissexe.]
Bisexual.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Bisexual
definition:
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.


word: Bishkek
definition:
Bishkek

Bishkek
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of Kyrgyzstan.  Population (2000) = 631,000.


word: Bishop
definition:
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.


word: Bishop₂
definition:
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.


word: Bishop₃
definition:
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.

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.


word: Bishopric
definition:
Bishopric

Bish"op*ric
(_;)
n.
[AS. bisceoprīce; bisceop bishop + rīce 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.


word: Bishop's length
definition:
Bishop's length

Bish"op's length`
(_;)
A canvas for a portrait measuring 58 by 94 inches. The half bishop measures 45 by 56.


word: Bishop's-weed
definition:
Bishop's-weed

Bish"op's-weed`
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
An umbelliferous plant of the genus Ammi.
(b)
Goutweed (Ægopodium podagraria).


word: Bishop's-wort
definition:
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.


word: Bisilicate
definition:
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.


word: Bisk
definition:
Bisk

Bisk
(_;)
n.
[F. bisque.]
Soup or broth made by boiling several sorts of flesh together.
King.


word: Biskara button
definition:
Biskara button

Biskara boil

{ Bis"ka*ra boil`, Bis"ka*ra but"ton  }
[Named after the town Biskara, in Algeria.]
(Med.)
Same as Aleppo boil.


word: Bismer₂
definition:
Bismer

Bis"mer
(_;)
n.
1.
A rule steelyard.
[Scot.]

2.
(Zool.)
The fifteen-spined (Gasterosteus spinachia).


word: Bismillah
definition:
Bismillah

Bis*mil"lah
(_;)
interj.
[Arabic, in the name of God!]
An adjuration or exclamation common among the Muslims.
[Written also Bizmillah.]


word: Bismuth
definition:
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° 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Bismuthic
definition:
Bismuthic

Bis"muth*ic
(_;)
a.
(Chem.)
Of or pertaining to bismuth; containing bismuth, when this element has its higher valence; as, bismuthic oxide.


word: Bismuthinite
definition:
Bismuthinite

Bismuthine

{ Bis"muth*ine (_;), Bis"muth*in*ite (_;), }
n.
Native bismuth sulphide; -- sometimes called bismuthite.


word: Bismuthous
definition:
Bismuthous

Bis"muth*ous
(_;)
a.
Of, or containing, bismuth, when this element has its lower valence.


word: Bismuthyl
definition:
Bismuthyl

Bis"muth*yl`
(_;)
n.
(Min.)
Hydrous carbonate of bismuth, an earthy mineral of a dull white or yellowish color.
[Written also bismuthite.]


word: Bison
definition:
Bison

Bi"son
(bī"s&obreve_;n; 277)
n.
[L. bison, Gr. bi`swn, a wild ox; akin to OHG. wisunt, wisant, G. wisent, AS. wesend, Icel. vīsundr: cf. F. bison.]
(Zool.)
(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 by 1900 was restricted to very limited districts in the region of the Rocky Mountains, and was almost hunted to extinction.
Efforts at conservation of the American bison resulted in setting aside several reserves, and by 1990 a few stable herds were established, numbering from hundreds to thousands, roaming certain public areas, such as Yellowstone Park, some reserves in Canada, and some private reserves.  Some bison are kept as range animals for food, and the American bison has been bred with domestic cattle to form a cross called the beefalo.  The American bison is commonly (though improperly) called a buffalo; an image of the bison appeared on the inverse of the U. S. five-cent coin (nickel) from 1913 to 1937, and that coin was referred to as the buffalo nickel.


word: Bisque₂
definition:
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.


word: Bissau
definition:
Bissau

Bissau
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of Guinea-Bissau.  Population (2000) = 200,000.


word: Bissell truck
definition:
Bissell truck

Bis"sell truck
(?)
A truck for railroad rolling stock, consisting of two ordinary axle boxes sliding in guides attached to a triangular frame; -- called also pony truck.


word: Bissextile
definition:
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.


word: Bisson
definition:
Bisson

Bis"son
(_;)
a.
[OE. bisen, bisne, AS. bisen, prob. for bīs_;ne; bi by + s_;ne clear, akin to seón to see; clear when near, hence short-sighted. See See.]
Purblind; blinding.
[Obs.]
Bisson
Shak.


word: Bistre
definition:
Bistre

Bister

{ Bis"ter, 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.


word: Bistort
definition:
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.


word: Bistoury
definition:
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.


word: bistro
definition:
bistro

bistro
(bēs"tr&omacr; bĭs"tr&omacr)
n.
1.
a small informal restaurant, especially one serving alcoholic beverages.

2.
a nightclub.


word: Bisulcate
definition:
Bisulcate

Bi*sul"cate
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + sulcate.]

1.
Having two grooves or furrows.

2.
(Zool.)
Cloven; said of a foot or hoof.


word: Bisulphate
definition:
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.


word: Bisulphide
definition:
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.


word: Bisulphite
definition:
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.


word: Bit
definition:
Bit

Bit
(bĭt)
n.
[OE. bitt, bite, AS. bite, bite, fr. bītan 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.


word: Bit₃
definition:
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.


word: Bit₅
definition:
Bit

Bit
n.
[OE. bite, AS. bita, fr. bītan 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Bit₆
definition:
Bit

Bit
(Information theory, Computers)
[binary digit.]
n.
1.
The smallest unit of information, equivalent to a choice between two alternatives, as yes or no; on or off.  See also qubit.

2.
(Computers)
The physical representation of a bit of information in a computer memory or a data storage medium.  Within a computer circuit a bit may be represented by the state of a current or an electrical charge; in a magnetic storage medium it may be represented by the direction of magnetization; on a punched card or on paper tape it may be represented by the presence or absence of a hole at a particular point on the card or tape.

Bit my bit, piecemeal. Pope.


word: Bitangent
definition:
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.


word: Bitartrate
definition:
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.


word: Bitch
definition:
Bitch

Bitch
(bĭch)
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.

3.
an unpleasant, malicious, or offensive person.

4.
something difficult or unpleasant.
[slang]

5.
a complaint.
[slang]


word: Bite
definition:
Bite

Bite
(bīt)
v. t.
[imp. Bit (bĭt); p. p. Bitten (bĭt"t'n), Bit; p. pr. & vb. n. Biting.]
[OE. biten, AS. bītan; akin to D. bijten, OS. bītan, OHG. bīzan, G. beissen, Goth. beitan, Icel. bīta, Sw. bita, Dan. bide, L. findere to cleave, Skr. bhid to cleave. √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.
bite
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.


word: Bite₂
definition:
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.


word: Bite₃
definition:
Bite

Bite
n.
[OE. bite, bit, bitt, AS. bite bite, fr. bītan 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.


word: Biter
definition:
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.
biters
Camden.

2.
One who cheats; a sharper.
[Colloq.]
Spectator.


word: Biternate
definition:
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.


word: Biting in
definition:
Biting in

Bit"ing in"
(_;)
(Etching.)
The process of corroding or eating into metallic plates, by means of an acid. See Etch.
G. Francis.


word: Bitola
definition:
Bitola

Bitola
(?)
prop. n.
The second largest city of the Republic of Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), population 84,002 (2000).  It is also known as city of consuls. The city of Bitola is situated in Pelagonian flat, at the foot of Baba mountain. It was established by Slavs and it was given the slavic name Obitel - Bitola. It is assumed that the city got this name because of the many monasteries being built there.  Later, during the rule of Turks, the Turks called it Monastir and it was a significant administrative and military center with 12 consulates.  It managed to preserve the primacy of a leading city, especially in the XIX century when it rapidly grew to about 40.000 inhabitants. Bitola developed trading relations with Vienna, Paris, Leipzig, London and Thessalonika to the south. In that time Bitola exceeded Skopje, both in wealth and beauty.  During World War II it was destroyed by heavy bombing.  Bitola started to grow and develop economically only after liberation in 1945.  See also Macedonia{2}.
Goce Vasilevski


word: Bito tree
definition:
Bito tree

Bito

{ Bi"to (?), n., Bi"to tree`  }
[Etym. uncertain.]
(Bot.)
A small scrubby tree (Balanites Ægyptiaca) growing in dry regions of tropical Africa and Asia.

&hand_; The hard yellowish white wood is made into plows in Abyssinia; the bark is used in Farther India to stupefy fish; the ripe fruit is edible, when green it is an anthelmintic; the fermented juice is used as a beverage; the seeds yield a medicinal oil called zachun. The African name of the tree is hajilij.


word: Bitt₂
definition:
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.


word: Bitter
definition:
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.


word: Bitter₂
definition:
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. Cardamine 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.


word: bittercress
definition:
bittercress

bit"ter*cress
n.
any of various herbs of the genus Cardamine, having usually pinnate leaves and racemes of white, pink or purple flowers; cosmopolitan except in the Antarctic.

Syn. -- bitter cress.


word: Bittern
definition:
Bittern

Bit"tern
(_;)
n.
[OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. butor; of unknown origin.]
(Zool.)
A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species.

&hand_; 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 Botaurus lentiginosus, and is also called stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake-driver.

The name is applied to other related birds, as the least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun bittern.


word: Bittern₂
definition:
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.


word: Bitterness
definition:
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.


word: Bitternut
definition:
Bitternut

Bit"ter*nut"
n.
(Bot.)
The swamp hickory (Carya amara). Its thin-shelled nuts are bitter.


word: Bitterroot
definition:
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 Spæt'lum.


word: Bitters
definition:
Bitters

Bit"ters
(_;)
n. pl.
A liquor, generally spirituous in which a bitter herb, leaf, or root is steeped.


word: Bitter spar
definition:
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.


word: Bittersweet
definition:
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.


word: Bittersweet₂
definition:
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.


word: Bitterweed
definition:
Bitterweed

Bit"ter*weed`
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
A species of Ambrosia (Ambrosia artemisiæfolia); Roman worm wood.
Gray.


word: Bitterwood
definition:
Bitterwood

Bit"ter*wood`
(_;)
n.
A West Indian tree (Picræna excelsa) from the wood of which the bitter drug Jamaica quassia is obtained.


word: Bitterwort
definition:
Bitterwort

Bit"ter*wort`
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
The yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea), which has a very bitter taste.


word: Bittock
definition:
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.


word: Bitts
definition:
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.


word: Bitumen
definition:
Bitumen

Bi*tu"men
(_;)
n.
[L. bitumen: cf. F. bitume. Cf. Béton.]
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.


word: Bitumen process
definition:
Bitumen process

Bi*tu"men proc"ess
(Photog.)
Any process in which  advantage is taken of the fact that prepared bitumen is rendered insoluble by exposure to light, as in photolithography.


word: Bituminate
definition:
Bituminate

Bi*tu"mi*nate
(bĭ*tū"mĭ*nāt)
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
Feltham.


word: Bituminization
definition:
Bituminization

Bi*tu`mi*ni*za"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. bituminisation.]
The process of bituminizing.
Mantell.


word: Bituminize
definition:
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.


word: bituminoid
definition:
bituminoid

bi*tu"min*oid
adj.
of or pertaining to bitumen.
like a bitumenoid remark

Syn. -- bitumenoid.


word: Bituminous
definition:
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.


word: Biuret
definition:
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.


word: Bivalent
definition:
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.


word: Bivalve
definition:
Bivalve

Bi"valve
(_;)
n.
[F. bivalve; bi- (L. bis) + valve valve.]
1.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Bivalve₂
definition:
Bivalve

Bi"valve
(_;)
a.
[Pref. bi- + valve.]
(Zool. & Bot.)
Having two shells or valves which open and shut, as the oyster and certain seed vessels.


word: Bivector
definition:
Bivector

Bi*vec"tor
(_;)
n.
[Pref. bi- + vector.]
(Math.)
A term made up of the two parts _; + _;1 _;-1, where _; and _;1  are vectors.


word: Biventral
definition:
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.


word: Bivious
definition:
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.


word: Bivium
definition:
Bivium

Biv"i*um
(_;)
n.
[L., a place with two ways. See Bivious.]
(Zool.)
One side of an echinoderm, including a pair of ambulacra, in distinction from the opposite side (trivium), which includes three ambulacra.


word: Bivouac
definition:
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.


word: Bivouac₂
definition:
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.


word: Biweekly
definition:
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.


word: Bizarre
definition:
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.


word: Bizet
definition:
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.


word: bizonal
definition:
bizonal

bi*zon"al
adj.
relating to or concerned with the combined affairs of two administrative zones.
Bizonal currency was used in occupied Germany after World War II


word: Blab
definition:
Blab

Blab
(blăb)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blabbed (blăbd); 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; -- sometimes used with out.
Udall.

And yonder a vile physician blabbing
The case of his patient.
Tennyson.


word: Blab₂
definition:
Blab

Blab
v. i.
To talk thoughtlessly or without discretion; to tattle; to tell tales.

She must burst or blab.
Dryden.


word: Blab₃
definition:
Blab

Blab
n.
[OE. blabbe.]
One who blabs; a babbler; a telltale.
blab
Milton.

For who will open himself to a blab or a babbler.
Bacon.


word: blabbermouth
definition:
blabbermouth

blabbermouth
n.
someone who gossips indiscreetly.

Syn. -- blabber, tattletale, taleteller, talebearer, telltale.


word: blabbermouthed
definition:
blabbermouthed

blabbermouthed
adj.
1.
tending to talk excessively.

Syn. -- bigmouthed, blabby, talkative.

2.
prone to revealing secrets; -- of people.

Syn. -- leaky, talebearing(prenominal), tattling(prenominal).


word: Black
definition:
Black

Black
(blăk)
a.
[OE. blak, AS. blæc; akin to Icel. blakkr dark, swarthy, Sw. bläck ink, Dan. blæk, OHG. blach, LG. & D. blaken to burn with a black smoke. Not akin to AS. blāc, 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.
black
Black
black
Black
Shak.

4.
Expressing menace, or discontent; threatening; sullen; foreboding; as, to regard one with black looks.

&hand_; 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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), the common American bear (Ursus Americanus). -- Black beast. See Bête noire. -- Black beetle (Zool.), the common large cockroach (Blatta orientalis). -- Black bonnet (Zool.), the black-headed bunting (Embriza Schœniclus) of Europe. -- Black canker, a disease in turnips and other crops, produced by a species of caterpillar. -- Black cat (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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 Forest [a translation of G. Schwarzwald], a forest in Baden and Würtemburg, in Germany; a part of the ancient Hercynian forest. -- Black game, or Black grouse. (Zool.) 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 (Zool.), a fish of the Mississippi valley (Cycleptus elongatus), of the sucker family; the Missouri sucker. -- Black lemur (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), an American hawk (Buteo Harlani).


word: Black₃
definition:
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.


word: Black₄
definition:
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.


word: black-and-blue
definition:
black-and-blue

black and blue

black and blue, black-and-blue
adj.
discolored by or as if by bruising; -- of skin.
livid bruises

Syn. -- livid.


word: black and blue
definition:
black and blue

black and blue
n.
the dark color of a bruise in the flesh, which is accompanied with a mixture of blue.
black and blue
Hudibras.


word: black and white
definition:
black and white

black-and-white

black-and-white, black and white
n.
print or writing, especially the result of the printing process.

Syn. -- print.


word: black and white₂
definition:
black and white

black-and-white

black-and-white, black and white
adj.
(Photography, Imaging; Printing)
depicted only in black and white colors, or in shades of gray; also called monochromatic and monochrome; -- of images.  Opposite of color or in color, and contrasting with polychrome technicolor three-color; as, a black-and-white TV; black-and-white film; the movie “Schindler's List” was shot in black and white.

Syn. -- black and white, monochromatic, monochrome.


word: Black art
definition:
Black art

Black" art`
(_;)
The art practiced by conjurers and witches; necromancy; conjuration; magic.

&hand_; 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.


word: Blackball
definition:
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.


word: Blackball₂
definition:
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.


word: Blackband
definition:
Blackband

Black"band`
(_;)
n.
(Min.)
An earthy carbonate of iron containing considerable carbonaceous matter; -- valuable as an iron ore.


word: Black bass
definition:
Black bass

Black" bass`
(_;)
(Zool.)
1.
An edible, fresh-water fish of the United States, of the genus Micropterus.  The small-mouthed kind is Micropterus dolomieī; the large-mouthed is Micropterus salmoides.

2.
The sea bass. See Blackfish, 3.


word: Black belt
definition:
Black belt

Black" belt`
(blăk"bĕlt`)
n.
(Martial arts)
a comedy that treats of morbid, tragic, gloomy, or grotesque situations as a major element of the plot.


word: Blackberry
definition:
Blackberry

Black"ber*ry
(blăk"bĕr*r&ybreve_;)
n.
[OE. blakberye, AS. blæcberie; blæc black  + berie berry.]
The fruit of several species of bramble (Rubus); also, the plant itself. Rubus fruticosus is the blackberry of England; Rubus villosus and Rubus Canadensis are the high blackberry and low blackberry of the United States. There are also other kinds.


word: blackberry-lily
definition:
blackberry-lily

blackberry-lily
n.
garden plant whose capsule discloses when ripe a mass of seeds resembling a blackberry.

Syn. -- leopard lily, Belamcanda chinensis.


word: Blackbird
definition:
Blackbird

Black"bird
(blăk"bẽrd)
n.
(Zool.)
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 Agelæus phœniceus, or red-winged blackbird; the cowbird; the rusty grackle, etc. See Redwing.


word: Blackbird₂
definition:
Blackbird

Black"bird
n.
1.
Among slavers and pirates, a negro or Polynesian.
[Cant, pejorative]

2.
A native of any of the islands near Queensland; -- called also Kanaka.
[Australia, pejorative]


word: Blackbirding
definition:
Blackbirding

Black"bird*ing
n.
1.
The kidnaping of negroes or Polynesians to be sold as slaves.

2.
The act or practice of collecting natives of the islands near Queensland for service on the Queensland sugar plantations.
[Australia]


word: Blackboard
definition:
Blackboard

Black"board`
(blăk"b&omacrrd`)
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.  In late 20th century similar boards of a green slate as well as some colored white became common; wrioting on the slate bioards may be done with chalk, but writing on the white boards is done with colored pens, such as grease pens, which leaves a trace that can be easily erased.  The newer boards, usualy called chalkboards are nevertheless still sometimes referred to as blackboards.


word: Black book
definition:
Black book

Black" book`
(blăk" bŏk`)
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.

7.
A book containing a black list.

8.
A book kept by a single man, containing a list of women whom he calls occasionally for a social date; -- usually used in the phrase little black book.
[jocose]


word: Black box
definition:
Black box

Black" box`
(blăk"b&obreve_;ks`)
n.
1.
any electronic instrument or part of an instrument whose function is defined, but which is treated as a unit without consideration of the internal mechanisms; broadly, any device whose internal workings are considered as incomprehensible or mysterious by the user; as, to treat the meter as a black box and take its readings on faith.

2.
(aviation)
a device which maintains a record of cockpit conversations and the readings of many of the instruments on board an aircraft, continuously or at frequent time intervals during a flight.  It is of rugged design to withstand a violent crash, and is used to determine the causes of aircraft accidents.
They are often brightly colored to assist recovery, not actually black.


word: Black-browed
definition:
Black-browed

Black"-browed`
(blăk"broud`)
a.
Having black eyebrows. Hence: Gloomy; dismal; threatening; forbidding.
Shak. Dryden.


word: Blackburnian warbler
definition:
Blackburnian warbler

Black*bur"ni*an war"bler
(_;)
[Named from Mrs. Blackburn, an English lady.]
(Zool.)
A beautiful warbler of the United States (Dendroica Blackburniæ). The male is strongly marked with orange, yellow, and black on the head and neck, and has an orange-yellow breast.


word: Blackcap
definition:
Blackcap

Black"cap`
(-kăp`)
n.
1.
(Zool.)
(a)
A small European song bird (Sylvia atricapilla), with a black crown; the mock nightingale.
(b)
An American titmouse (Parus atricapillus); the chickadee.  Also called the black-cap chickadee.

2.
(Cookery)
An apple roasted till black, to be served in a dish of boiled custard.

3.
The black raspberry.


word: Blackcoat
definition:
Blackcoat

Black"coat`
(_;)
n.
A clergyman; -- familiarly so called, as a soldier is sometimes called a redcoat or a bluecoat.


word: Blackcock
definition:
Blackcock

Black"cock`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
The male of the European black grouse (Tetrao tetrix, Linn.); -- so called by sportsmen. The female is called gray hen. See Heath grouse.


word: Black comedy
definition:
Black comedy

Black" com`e*dy
(blăk" k&obreve_;m`ĕd*&ybreve_;)
n.
(Drama)
a comedy that treats of morbid, tragic, gloomy, or grotesque situations as a major element of the plot.


word: Black death
definition:
Black death

Black" death`
(_;)
A pestilence which ravaged Europe and Asia in the fourteenth century.


word: Blacken
definition:
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
South.

3.
To defame; to sully, as reputation; to make infamous; as, vice blackens the character.


word: Black-eyed Susan
definition:
Black-eyed Susan

Black"-eyed` Su"san
(Bot.)
(a)
The coneflower, or yellow daisy (Rudbeckia hirta).
(b)
The bladder ketmie.


word: Blackfeet
definition:
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.


word: Blackfish
definition:
Blackfish

Black"fish
(_;)
n.
1.
(Zool.)
A small kind of whale, of the genus Globicephalus, of several species. The most common is Globicephalus melas.  Also sometimes applied to other whales of larger size.

2.
(Zool.)
The tautog of New England (Tautoga).

3.
(Zool.)
The black sea bass (Centropristis atrarius) of the Atlantic coast. It is excellent food fish; -- locally called also black Harry.

4.
(Zool.)
A fish of southern Europe (Centrolophus pompilus) of the Mackerel family.

5.
(Zool.)
The female salmon in the spawning season.

&hand_; The name is locally applied to other fishes.


word: Black Flags
definition:
Black Flags

Black Flags
An organization composed originally of Chinese rebels that had been driven into Tonkin by the suppression of the Taiping rebellion, but later increased by bands of pirates and adventurers. It took a prominent part in fighting the French during their hostilities with Anam, 1873-85.


word: blackfly
definition:
blackfly

black fly

black fly, blackfly
(Zool.)
1.
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; -- called also buffalo gnat. The larvæ are aquatic.  It sucks the blood of birds as well as humans and other mammals.

2.
A black plant louse, as the bean aphis (Aphis fabæ), which infests e. g. beans and sugar beets; -- called also bean aphid.


word: Blackfoot
definition:
Blackfoot

Black"foot`
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to the Blackfeet; as, a Blackfoot Indian.
n. A Blackfoot Indian.


word: Black-footed ferret
definition:
Black-footed ferret

Black"-foot`ed fer"ret
(_;)
n.
a weasellike mammal (Mustela nigripes) inhabiting the western North American prairie, having dark feet, a dark-tipped tail, and a dark face on a yellowish-brown coat.  It is an endangered species.


word: Black friar
definition:
Black friar

Blackfriar

Black"fri`ar, Black" fri`ar
(blăk"frī`ẽr)
(Eccl.)
A friar of the Dominican order, so named because wearing the black mantle of the Dominicans; -- called also predicant and preaching friar; in France, Jacobin. Also, sometimes, a Benedictine.

Syn. -- Dominican.


word: Black Friday
definition:
Black Friday

Black Friday
Any Friday on which a public disaster has occurred, as: In England, December 6, 1745, when the news of the landing of the Pretender reached London, or May 11, 1866,  when a financial panic commenced.  In the United States, September 24, 1869, and September 18, 1873, on which financial panics began, and especially October 29, 1929, when a dramatic drop in stock prices contributed to the factors which began the great depression of the 1930's.

The last week of October 1929 remains forever imprinted in the American memory.
    It was, of course, the week of the Great Crash, the stock market collapse that signaled the collapse of the world economy and the Great Depression of the 1930s. From an all-time high of 381 in early September 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average drifted down to a level of 326 on October 22, then, in a series of traumatic selling waves, to 230 in the course of the following six trading days.
    The stock market's drop was far from over; it continued its sickening slide for nearly three more years, reaching an ultimate low of 41 in July 1932. But it was that last week of October 1929 that burned itself into the American consciousness.  After a decade of unprecedented boom and prosperity, there suddenly was panic, fear, a yawning gap in the American fabric. The party was over.
Wall street Journal, October 28, 1977


word: Blackguard
definition:
Blackguard

Black"guard
(blăg"gärd)
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.]


word: Blackguard₂
definition:
Blackguard

Black"guard`
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blackguarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Blackguarding.]
To revile or abuse in scurrilous language.
Southey.


word: Blackguardly
definition:
Blackguardly

Black"guard*ly
adv. & a.
In the manner of or resembling a blackguard; abusive; scurrilous; ruffianly.


word: black-haired
definition:
black-haired

black-haired
adj.
having black head hair; -- of people.

Syn. -- dark-haired, raven-haired.


word: Black Hamburg
definition:
Black Hamburg

Black Ham"burg
(?)
A sweet and juicy variety of European grape, of a dark purplish black color, much grown under glass in northern latitudes.


word: Black Hand
definition:
Black Hand

Black Hand
[A trans. of Sp. mano negra.]
1.
A Spanish anarchistic society, many of the members of which were imprisoned in 1883.

2.
A lawless or blackmailing secret society, esp. among Italians.
[U. S.]


word: black hole
definition:
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 (called the Black Hole of Calcutta), into which 146 English prisoners were thrust by the nabob Suraja Dowla on the night of June 20, 1765, 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.

2.
(Physics, Astron.)
An astronomical object whose mass is so condensed that the gravitational force does not allow anything, even light, to escape from its outer limit (the event horizon).  The existence of such objects was first proposed from theoretical considerations.  Because light cannot escape from such objects, they have not yet been detected with certainty (1998), but several "candidates" have been observed whose properties strongly suggest that they are black holes.  Some theorists suggest that the centers of many galaxies may have large black holes at their cores.  See also escape velocity.

3.
[from the astronomical black hole.]
a place into which things may enter, but can never emerge.
[Fig., Jocose]
black hole


word: blacking
definition:
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.


word: Black-jack
definition:
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.


word: Black lead
definition:
Black lead

Black` lead"
(_;)
Plumbago; graphite. It leaves a blackish mark somewhat like lead. See Graphite.


word: black-lead
definition:
black-lead

Blacklead

Black`lead", black-lead
v. t.
To coat or to polish with black lead (graphite).


word: Blackleg
definition:
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.]


word: Black letter
definition:
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.


word: Black-letter
definition:
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; -- compare red-letter.
Hence:
Unlucky; inauspicious.


word: Blacklist
definition:
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.


word: black lung disease
definition:
black lung disease

black lung

black lung black lung disease
(?)
n.
(Med.)
the popular name for a form of the chronic lung disease pneumoconiosis which is observed among coal miners, and is caused by the inhalation of coal dust.  It is thus named because of the black appearance of the lungs (pneumomelanosis) of those affected with the disease. See also the related condition anthracosis.


word: Blackly
definition:
Blackly

Black"ly
adv.
In a black manner; darkly, in color; gloomily; threateningly; atrociously.
blackly
Feltham.


word: Blackmail
definition:
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.


word: Blackmail₂
definition:
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.]


word: Blackmailer
definition:
Blackmailer

Black"mail`er
(_;)
n.
One who extorts, or endeavors to extort, money, by black mailing.


word: Blackmailing
definition:
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.


word: black market
definition:
black market

black market
n.
1.
the illicit buying and selling of goods, in violation of price controls, rationing, tax laws, prohibition of sale, etc.

2.
a place where such illegal commerce is conducted, or the entire system of such illicit commerce considered as a whole; as, the black market accounts for twenty percent of the Ukrainian economy.


word: black-market
definition:
black-market

black-market
adj.
distributed or sold illicitly.

Syn. -- bootleg, contraband, smuggled.


word: Black Monday
definition:
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.


word: Blackness
definition:
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.


word: blackout
definition:
blackout

blackout
n.
1.
a suspension of radio or tv broadcasting.

2.
any darkness resulting from the extinction of lights.

3.
the failure of electric power for a general region sufficient to extinguish all normal lighting.

Syn. -- brownout, dimout.

4.
a momentary loss of consciousness.

5.
partial or total loss of memory.
he has a total blackout for events of the evening

Syn. -- amnesia, memory loss.

6.
a period during which artificial lighting is forbidden, as in a city as a precaution against an air raid.

7.
(Theater)
the darkening of all stage lights, as at then end of a performance or between acts.

8.
suppression of information distribution; as, there was a blackout on news from the military for the first day of the Gulf War.

9.
the prohibition of the broadcasting of a sports event, such as a boxing match or football game, sometimes confined to one particular area.  It is usually done to encourage sales of tickets to the event.


word: black out₂
definition:
black out

black out
v. t.
1.
to cause to become black, such as a stage, a computer screen, or a city.

2.
to impose a blackout on (news or a sports event).

3.
to make (a written text) illegible by applying a black ink over it; to blot out.

4.
to suppress (a memory).


word: Blackpoll
definition:
Blackpoll

Black"poll`
(_;)
n.
[Black + poll head.]
(Zool.)
A warbler of the United States (Dendroica striata).


word: Black pudding
definition:
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.


word: Black Rod
definition:
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.


word: Blacks
definition:
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.


word: Blacksmith
definition:
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.
(Zool.)
A fish of the Pacific coast (Chromis punctipinnis, or Heliastes punctipinnis), of a blackish color.


word: Blacksnake
definition:
Blacksnake

Black snake

{ Black" snake` (snāk) or Black"snake  }
n.
(Zool.)
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.

&hand_; The name is also applied to various other black serpents, as Natrix atra of Jamaica.


word: Black Spanish
definition:
Black Spanish

Black Spanish
One of an old and well-known Mediterranean breed of domestic fowls with glossy black plumage, blue legs and feet, bright red comb and wattles, and white face. They are remarkable as egg layers.


word: Blackstrap
definition:
Blackstrap

Black"strap`
(-străp)
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.


word: Blacktail
definition:
Blacktail

Black"tail`
(_;)
n.
[Black + tail.]
1.
(Zool.)
A fish; the ruff or pope.

2.
(Zool.)
The black-tailed deer (Cervus Columbianus or Cariacus Columbianus) of California and Oregon; also, the mule deer of the Rocky Mountains. See Mule deer.


word: Blackthorn
definition:
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 Cratægus or hawthorn (Cratægus tomentosa).  Both are used for hedges.


word: black-tie
definition:
black-tie

black-tie
adj.
requiring semiformal evening clothes, e. g. a black bowtie and a tuxedo or dinner jacket for men, and a formal dress for women; contrasted with white-tie, for a fully formal occasion, and with informal, and casual.
a black-tie dinner

Syn. -- semi-formal, semiformal.


word: blacktop
definition:
blacktop

blacktop
n.
1.
a bituminous material used for providing a smooth paving to a road.

2.
the surface of a road paved with blacktop{1}.


word: blacktopped
definition:
blacktopped

blacktopped
adj.
paved with a bituminous material; -- of roads or paths; as, a blacktopped driveway.


word: Black vomit
definition:
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.


word: Blackwash
definition:
Blackwash

Black wash

{ Black" wash` (blăk"w&obreve_;sh) or 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.


word: Blackwater State
definition:
Blackwater State

Black"wa`ter State
Nebraska; -- a nickname alluding to the dark color of the water of its rivers, due to the presence of a black vegetable mold in the soil.


word: blackwater
definition:
blackwater

black"wa*ter
n.
any of several human or animal diseases characterized by dark urine resulting from rapid breakdown of red blood cells; -- used especially of blackwater fever, a severe form of malaria caused by the blood parasite Plasmodium falciparum.


word: Blackwood
definition:
Blackwood

Black"wood
(blăk"wŏd)
n.
A name given to several dark-colored timbers. The East Indian black wood is from the tree Dalbergia latifolia.
Balfour.


word: Blackwork
definition:
Blackwork

Black"work`
(_;)
n.
Work wrought by blacksmiths; -- so called in distinction from that wrought by whitesmiths.
Knight.


word: Bladder
definition:
Bladder

Blad"der
(blăd"dẽr)
n.
[OE. bladder, bleddre, AS. bl&aemacr_;dre, bl&aemacr_;ddre; akin to Icel. blaðra, SW. bläddra, Dan. blære, D. blaar, OHG. blātara the bladder in the body of animals, G. blatter blister, bustule; all fr. the same root as AS. blāwan, 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.
bladders
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 (Zool.), the larva of any species of tapeworm (Tænia), 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 Fucus vesiculosus) -- called also bladder tangle. See Wrack.


word: Bladder₂
definition:
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.


word: bladdernose
definition:
bladdernose

blad"der*nose
n.
a medium-sized blackish-gray seal (Cystophora cristata) with a large inflatable sac on the head; of Arctic-Atlantic waters.

Syn. -- hooded seal.


word: bladderpod
definition:
bladderpod

blad"der*pod
n.
1.
a North American wild lobelia (Lobelia inflata) having small blue flowers and inflated capsules formerly used as an antispasmodic.

Syn. -- Indian tobacco.

2.
any of a number of annual or perennial herbs with inflated seed pods; some are placed in the genus Lesquerella.

3.
any of several plants of the genus Physaria having racemose yellow flowers and inflated pods.

4.
any of several hairy North American herbs having yellow racemose flowers and inflated pods.


word: Bladderwort
definition:
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.


word: bladderwrack
definition:
bladderwrack

bladderwrack
n.
1.
similar to and found with black rockweed.

Syn. -- Ascophyllum nodosum.

2.
common black rockweed used in preparing kelp and as manure.

Syn. -- black rockweed, bladder fucus, tang, Fucus vesiculosus.


word: Blade
definition:
Blade

Blade
(blād)
n.
[OE. blade, blad, AS. blæd leaf; akin to OS., D., Dan., & Sw. blad, Icel. blað, OHG. blat, G. blatt, and perh. to L. folium, Gr. fy`llon. The root is prob. the same as that of AS. bl&omacrwan, 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.

8.
The flat part of the tongue immediately behind the tip, or point.

“Lower blade” implies, of course, the lower instead of the upper surface of the tongue.
H. Sweet.


word: Blade₃
definition:
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.


word: Bladed
definition:
Bladed

Blad"ed
(blād"ĕd)
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.


word: Bladefish
definition:
Bladefish

Blade"fish`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A long, thin, marine fish of Europe (Trichiurus lepturus); the ribbon fish.


word: Blaeberry
definition:
Blaeberry

Blæ"ber*ry
(_;)
n.
[Blæ + berry; akin to Icel blāber, Sw. bl_;bär, D. blaabær. Cf. Blueberry.]
The bilberry.
[North of Eng. & Scot.]


word: Blain
definition:
Blain

Blain
(blān)
n.
[OE. blein, bleyn, AS. blēgen; 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.


word: Blamable
definition:
Blamable

Blam"a*ble
(blām"ȧ*b'l)
a.
[Cf. F. blâmable.]
Deserving of censure; faulty; culpable; reprehensible; censurable; blameworthy.
Blam"a*ble*ness, n. -- Blam"a*bly (_;), adv.


word: Blame
definition:
Blame

Blame
(blām)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blamed (blāmd); p. pr. & vb. n. Blaming.]
[OE. blamen, F. blâmer, 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.


word: Blame₂
definition:
Blame

Blame
n.
[OE. blame, fr. F. blâme, OF. blasme, fr. blâmer, 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.


word: blameable
definition:
blameable

blame"a*ble
adj.
same as blameworthy.

Syn. -- blameworthy, blamable, blameful, censurable, culpable.


word: Blameful
definition:
Blameful

Blame"ful
(_;)
a.
1.
Faulty; meriting blame.
Shak.

2.
Attributing blame or fault; implying or conveying censure; faultfinding; censorious.
Chaucer.


word: Blameless
definition:
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.


word: Blameworthy
definition:
Blameworthy

Blame"wor`thy
(_;)
a.
Deserving blame; culpable; reprehensible.
Blame"wor`thi*ness, n.


word: Blanc
definition:
Blanc

Blanc
(bläN)
n.
[F., white.]
1.
A white cosmetic.

2.
A white sauce of fat, broth, and vegetables, used esp. for braised meat.


word: Blancard
definition:
Blancard

Blan"card
(blă&nsmacr_;"kẽrd)
n.
[F., fr. blanc white.]
A kind of linen cloth made in Normandy, the thread of which is partly blanched before it is woven.


word: Blanch
definition:
Blanch

Blanch
(blȧnch)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blanched (blȧncht); 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.


word: Blanch₂
definition:
Blanch

Blanch
(blȧnch)
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.


word: Blanch₃
definition:
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.


word: Blanch₄
definition:
Blanch

Blanch
v. i.
To use evasion.
[Obs.]

Books will speak plain, when counselors blanch.
Bacon.


word: Blanchard lathe
definition:
Blanchard lathe

Blan"chard lathe
(?)
[After Thomas Blanchard, American inventor.]
(Mach.)
A kind of wood-turning lathe for making noncircular and irregular forms, as felloes, gun stocks, lasts, spokes, etc., after a given pattern. The pattern and work rotate on parallel spindles in the same direction with the same speed, and the work is shaped by a rapidly rotating cutter whose position is varied by the pattern acting as a cam upon a follower wheel traversing slowly along the pattern.


word: Blancher
definition:
Blancher

Blanch"er
(blȧnch"ẽe)
n.
One who, or that which, blanches or whitens; esp., one who anneals and cleanses money; also, a chemical preparation for this purpose.


word: Blancher₂
definition:
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.


word: Blanch holding
definition:
Blanch holding

Blanch" hold`ing
(blȧnch" h&omacrld`ĭng)
(Scots Law)
A mode of tenure by the payment of a small duty in white rent (silver) or otherwise.


word: Blanchimeter
definition:
Blanchimeter

Blanch*im"e*ter
(blȧnch*ĭm"e̝*tẽr)
n.
[1st blanch + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring the bleaching power of chloride of lime and potash; a chlorometer.
Ure.


word: Blancmange
definition:
Blancmange

Blanc*mange"
(blä*mäNzh; 277)
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 milk, usually sweetened and flavored, and shaped in a mold.


word: Blancmanger
definition:
Blancmanger

Blanc*man"ger
(_;)
n.
[F. See Blancmange.]
A sort of fricassee with white sauce, variously made of capon, fish, etc.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Bland
definition:
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.
bland
Milton.

2.
Having soft and soothing qualities; not drastic or irritating; not stimulating; as, a bland oil; a bland diet.


word: Blandation
definition:
Blandation

Blan*da"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. L. blanditia, blandities, fr. blandus. See Bland.]
Flattery.
[Obs.]


word: Blandiloquence
definition:
Blandiloquence

Blan*dil"o*quence
(_;)
n.
[L. blandiloquentia; blandus mild + loqui to speak.]
Mild, flattering speech.


word: Blandiloquious
definition:
Blandiloquious

Blandiloquous

{ Blan*dil"o*quous (_;), Blan*di*lo"qui*ous (_;), }
a.
Fair-spoken; flattering.


word: Blandish
definition:
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.


word: Blandishment
definition:
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.


word: Blank
definition:
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
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.


word: Blank₂
definition:
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.


word: Blank₃
definition:
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.


word: Blanket
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Blanket₂
definition:
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.


word: Blanket clause
definition:
Blanket clause

Blan"ket clause`
(Law)
A clause, as in a blanket mortgage or policy, that includes a group or class of things, rather than a number mentioned individually and having the burden, loss, or the like, apportioned among them.


word: Blanketing
definition:
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.


word: Blanket policy
definition:
Blanket policy

Blanket mortgage

{ Blanket mortgage or Blanket policy  }
One that covers a group or class of things or properties instead of one or more things mentioned individually, as where a mortgage secures various debts as a group, or subjects a group or class of different pieces of property to one general lien.


word: Blanket stitch
definition:
Blanket stitch

Blanket stitch
A buttonhole stitch worked wide apart on the edge of material, as blankets, too thick to hem.


word: Blankly
definition:
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.


word: Blanquillo
definition:
Blanquillo

Blan*quil"lo
(_;)
n.
[Sp. blanquillo whitish.]
(Zool.)
A large fish of Florida and the W. Indies (Caulolatilus chrysops). It is red, marked with yellow.


word: Blare
definition:
Blare

Blare
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Blared (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Blaring.]
[OE. blaren, bloren, to cry, woop; cf. G. plärren 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.
blared
Tennyson.


word: Blare₂
definition:
Blare

Blare
v. t.
To cause to sound like the blare of a trumpet; to proclaim loudly.

To blare its own interpretation.
Tennyson.


word: Blare₃
definition:
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.


word: blaring
definition:
blaring

blar"ing
adj.
harshly or unpleasantly loud (in sound intensity); -- used mostly of electronic entertainment devices, such as TV, radio, or phonograph.


word: blarney
definition:
blarney

blar"ney
(blär"n&ybreve_;)
n.
[Blarney, a village and castle near Cork in Ireland.]
Smooth, wheedling talk; flattery.
[Colloq.]

Blarney stone, a stone in Blarney castle, Ireland (built in 1446), said to make those who kiss it proficient in the use of blarney. The origin of the stone is uncertain.  In order to kiss the Blarney stone, which is located in the side of the castle, one must be held upside-down by the feet and lowered into the proper position from an opening in an overhang in the parapet.  It is an experience eschewed by some tourists.


word: Blarney
definition:
Blarney

Blar"ney
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blarneyed (-nĭd); p. pr. & vb. n. Blarneying.]
To influence by blarney; to wheedle with smooth talk; to make or accomplish by blarney.
Blarneyed
Irving.

Had blarneyed his way from Long Island.
S. G. Goodrich.


word: Blase
definition:
Blase

Bla*sé"
(blȧ*za̝")
a.
[F., p. p. of blaser.]
1.
Having the sensibilities deadened by excess or frequency of enjoyment; sated or surfeited with pleasure; uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence; used up.

Syn. -- bored.

2.
very sophisticated; versed in the ways of the world.
the blase traveler refers to the ocean he has crossed as `the pond'

Syn. -- knowing, worldly.

3.
uninterested and attaching little importance; -- of attitudes toward duties.
a blase attitude about housecleaning

Syn. -- unconcerned.


word: Blaspheme
definition:
Blaspheme

Blas*pheme"
(blăs*fēm")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blasphemed (-fēmf"); p. pr. & vb. n. Blaspheming.]
[OE. blasfemēn, L. blasphemare, fr. Gr. blasfhmei^n: cf. F. blasphémer. 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.


word: Blaspheme₂
definition:
Blaspheme

Blas*pheme"
v. i.
To utter blasphemy.

He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness.
Mark iii. 29.


word: Blasphemer
definition:
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.


word: Blasphemous
definition:
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
Porteus.

Nor from the Holy One of Heaven
Refrained his tongue blasphemous.
Milton.

&hand_; Formerly this word was accented on the second syllable, as in the above example.


word: Blasphemy
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: -blast
definition:
-blast

-blast
(_;)
[Gr. blasto`s sprout, shoot.]
A suffix or terminal formative, used principally in biological terms, and signifying growth, formation; as, bioblast, epiblast, mesoblast, etc.


word: Blast
definition:
Blast

Blast
(blȧst)
n.
[AS. bl&aemacr_;st a puff of wind, a blowing; akin to Icel. blāstr, OHG. blāst, and fr. a verb akin to Icel. blāsa to blow, OHG. blâsan, Goth. blēsan (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.

&hand_; 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.
blasts
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.]


word: Blast₂
definition:
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.


word: Blast₃
definition:
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.


word: Blasted
definition:
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.


word: Blastema
definition:
Blastema

Blas*te"ma
(_;)
n.
pl. Blastemata (_;).
[Gr. bla`sthma bud, sprout.]
(Biol.)
The structureless, protoplasmic tissue of the embryo; the primitive basis of an organ yet unformed, from which it grows.


word: Blastematic
definition:
Blastematic

Blas`te*mat"ic
(_;)
a.
(Biol.)
Connected with, or proceeding from, the blastema; blastemal.


word: Blastide
definition:
Blastide

Blas"tide
(_;)
n.
[Gr.  blasto`s sprout, fr. _; to grow.]
(Biol.)
A small, clear space in the segments of the ovum, the precursor of the nucleus.


word: Blasting
definition:
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.


word: Blast lamp
definition:
Blast lamp

Blast lamp
A lamp provided with some arrangement for intensifying combustion by means of a blast.


word: Blastment
definition:
Blastment

Blast"ment
(_;)
n.
A sudden stroke or injury produced by some destructive cause.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Blastocarpous
definition:
Blastocarpous

Blas`to*car"pous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; sprout, germ + _; fruit.]
(Bot.)
Germinating inside the pericarp, as the mangrove.
Brande & C.


word: blastocoele
definition:
blastocoele

Blastocoele

blastocoel

blastocoel, Blas"to*cœle blastocoele
(_;)
n.
[Gr. blasto`s sprout + koi^los hollow.]
(Biol.)
The cavity inside a blastula; -- also called segmentation cavity.


word: Blastoderm
definition:
Blastoderm

Blas"to*derm
(_;)
n.
[Gr. blasto`s sprout + E. derm.]
(Embryology)
the early stage of an embryo after the first cleavages of the ovum; also, the layer of cells of which the early embryo is composed;
specifically:
(a)
the early embryo developing from a blastodisc, after the blastocoel has formed.
(b)
in an insect embryo, the layer of cells that surrounds the internal mass of the yolk.


word: Blastodermic
definition:
Blastodermic

Blastodermatic

{ Blas`to*der*mat"ic (_;), Blas`to*der"mic (_;), }
a.
Of or pertaining to the blastoderm.


word: blastodisc
definition:
blastodisc

blastodisc
n.
a disc-shaped layer of cells on the surface of the yolk mass of an egg (such as that of a bird) which develops to form the embryo.

Syn. -- germinal disc, germinal area.


word: blastoff
definition:
blastoff

blast"off`
n.
the launching of a rocket, especially of a spacecraft, under its own power.

Syn. -- rocket firing, rocket launching, shoot.


word: Blastogenesis
definition:
Blastogenesis

Blas`to*gen"e*sis
(_;)
n.
[Gr. blasto`s sprout + E. genesis.]
(Biol.)
Multiplication or increase by gemmation or budding.


word: Blastoidea
definition:
Blastoidea

Blas*toid"e*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. blasto`s sprout + -oid.]
(Zool.)
One of the divisions of Crinoidea found fossil in paleozoic rocks; pentremites. They are so named on account of their budlike form.


word: Blastomere
definition:
Blastomere

Blas"to*mere
(_;)
n.
[Gr. blasto`s sprout + -mere.]
(Biol.)
One of the segments first formed by the division of the ovum.
Balfour.


word: blastomycete
definition:
blastomycete

blastomycete
n.
any of various yeastlike budding fungi of the genus Blastomyces; -- they may cause disease in humans and other animals.


word: blastomycosis
definition:
blastomycosis

blastomycosis
n.
any of several fungal infections caused by blastomycetes; they are characterized by inflammatory lesions of skin and mucous membranes or internal organs.


word: Blastophoric
definition:
Blastophoric

Blastophoral

{ Blas`toph"o*ral (_;), Blas`to*phor"ic (_;), }
a.
Relating to the blastophore.


word: Blastophore
definition:
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.


word: Blastopore
definition:
Blastopore

Blas"to*pore
(_;)
n.
[Gr. blasto`s sprout + E. pore.]
(Biol.)
The pore or opening leading into the cavity of invagination, or archenteron.
[See Illust. of Invagination.]
Balfour.


word: Blastosphere
definition:
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.
[See Illust. of Invagination.]


word: Blastostyle
definition:
Blastostyle

Blas"to*style
(_;)
n.
[Gr. blasto`s sprout, bud + _; a pillar.]
(Zool.)
In certain hydroids, an imperfect zooid, whose special function is to produce medusoid buds. See Hydroidea, and Athecata.


word: Blast pipe
definition:
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.


word: Blastula
definition:
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.


word: Blat
definition:
Blat

Blat
(_;)
v. i.
To cry, as a calf or sheep; to bleat; to make a senseless noise; to talk inconsiderately.
[Low]


word: Blat₂
definition:
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.


word: Blatant
definition:
Blatant

Bla"tant
(_;)
a.
[Cf. Bleat.]
Bellowing, as a calf; bawling; brawling; clamoring; disagreeably clamorous; sounding loudly and harshly.
blatant
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.


word: blate₂
definition:
blate

blate
adj.
bashful; timid; sheepish; -- chiefly Scottish.

Syn. -- bashful, timid, sheepish.


word: Blather
definition:
Blather

Blath"er
(blă&thlig_;"ẽr)
v. i. & t.
[imp. & p. p. Blathered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Blathering.]
[Written also blether.]
[Icel. blaðra. Cf. Blatherskite.]
To talk foolishly, or nonsensically,  or concerning matters of no consequence.
G. Eliot.

Syn. -- babble, smatter, blether, blither.


word: Blather₂
definition:
Blather

Blath"er
n.
[Written also blether.]
Voluble, foolish, or nonsensical talk; -- often in the pl.
Hall Caine.


word: Blatherskite
definition:
Blatherskite

Blath"er*skite
(_;)
n.
A blustering, talkative fellow.
[Local slang, U. S.]
Barllett.


word: Blatter
definition:
Blatter

Blat"ter
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Blattered (_;).]
[L. blaterare to babble: cf. F. blatérer to bleat.]
To prate; to babble; to rail; to make a senseless noise; to patter.
[Archaic]
blattered
Jeffrey.

They procured . . . preachers to blatter against me, . . . so that they had place and time to belie me shamefully.
Latimer.


word: Blatteroon
definition:
Blatteroon

Blat`ter*oon"
(_;)
n.
[L. blatero, -onis.]
A senseless babbler or boaster.
[Obs.]
blatteroons
Howell.


word: Blay
definition:
Blay

Blay
(_;)
n.
[AS. bl_;ge, fr. bl_;c, bleak, white; akin to Icel. bleikja, OHG. bleicha, G. bleihe. See Bleak, n. & a.]
(Zool.)
A fish. See Bleak, n.


word: Blaze
definition:
Blaze

Blaze
(blāz)
n.
[OE. blase, AS. blæse, 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.
blaze
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.
blaze
blaze
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Blaze₂
definition:
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.]


word: Blaze₃
definition:
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.


word: Blaze₄
definition:
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.


word: Blazer₂
definition:
Blazer

Blaz"er
(?)
n.
1.
Anything that blazes or glows, as with heat or flame.

2.
A light jacket, usually of wool or silk and of a bright color, for wear at tennis, cricket, or other sport.

3.
The dish used when cooking directly over the flame of a chafing-dish lamp, or the coals of a brasier.


word: Blazing
definition:
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 Chamælirium luteum of the Lily family; Liatris squarrosa; and Aletris farinosa, called also colicroot and star grass.


word: blazing-star
definition:
blazing-star

blazing-star
n.
1.
any of various North American plants of the genus Liatris having racemes or panicles of small discoid flower heads.

Syn. -- blazing star, button snakeroot, gayfeather, snakeroot.


word: Blazon
definition:
Blazon

Bla"zon
(_;)
n.
[OE. blason, blasoun, shield, fr. F. blason coat of arms, OF. shield, from the root of AS. blæse 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.


word: Blazon₂
definition:
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.


word: Blazoner
definition:
Blazoner

Bla"zon*er
(_;)
n.
One who gives publicity, proclaims, or blazons; esp., one who blazons coats of arms; a herald.
Burke.


word: Blazonry
definition:
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.


word: Blea
definition:
Blea

Blea
(_;)
n.
The part of a tree which lies immediately under the bark; the alburnum or sapwood.


word: Bleach
definition:
Bleach

Bleach
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bleached (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bleaching.]
[OE. blakien, blechen, v. t. & v. i., AS. blācian, bl_;can, to grow pale; akin to Icel. bleikja, Sw. bleka, Dan. blege, D. bleeken, G. bleichen, AS. blāc 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.


word: Bleached
definition:
Bleached

Bleached
(_;)
a.
Whitened; make white.

Let their bleached bones, and blood's unbleaching stain,
Long mark the battlefield with hideous awe.
Byron.


word: Bleachery
definition:
Bleachery

Bleach"er*y
(_;)
n.
pl. Bleacheries (_;).
A place or an establishment where bleaching is done.


word: Bleaching
definition:
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.


word: Bleak
definition:
Bleak

Bleak
(blēk)
a.
[OE. blac, bleyke, bleche, AS. blāc, bl&aemacr_;c, pale, wan; akin to Icel.  bleikr, Sw. blek, Dan. bleg, OS. blēk, D. bleek, OHG. pleih, G.  bleich; all from the root of AS. blīcan to shine; akin to OHG. blīchen to shine; cf. L. flagrare to burn, Gr. fle`gein to burn, shine, Skr. bhrāj 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.


word: Bleak₂
definition:
Bleak

Bleak
n.
[From Bleak, a., cf. Blay.]
(Zool.)
A small European river fish (Leuciscus alburnus), of the family Cyprinidæ; the blay.
[Written also blick.]

&hand_; The silvery pigment lining the scales of the bleak is used in the manufacture of artificial pearls.
Baird.


word: Blear
definition:
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.


word: Blear₂
definition:
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.


word: Bleared
definition:
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.


word: Bleareye
definition:
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.


word: Blear-eyed
definition:
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.


word: bleary-eyed
definition:
bleary-eyed

bleary-eyed
adj.
having eyes sore or unfocused, due to weariness or excessive drinking; same as blear-eyed{1}.

Syn. -- blear, bleary.

2.
same as teary.
[R.]


word: Bleat
definition:
Bleat

Bleat
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Bleated; p. pr. & vb. n. Bleating.]
[OE. bleten, AS. bl_;tan; akin to D. blaten, bleeten, OHG. blāzan, plāzan; 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.


word: Bleat₂
definition:
Bleat

Bleat
n.
A plaintive cry of, or like that of, a sheep.

The bleat of fleecy sheep.
Chapman's Homer.


word: Bleater
definition:
Bleater

Bleat"er
(_;)
n.
One who bleats; a sheep.

In cold, stiff soils the bleaters oft complain
Of gouty ails.
Dyer.


word: Bleating
definition:
Bleating

Bleat"ing
a.
Crying as a sheep does.

Then came the shepherd back with his bleating flocks from the seaside.
Longfellow.


word: Bleb
definition:
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.


word: blebbed
definition:
blebbed

blebbed
adj.
marred by small bubbles or small particles of foreign material; -- of glass or quartzite.

Syn. -- blebby.


word: Blebby
definition:
Blebby

Bleb"by
(_;)
a.
Containing blebs, or characterized by blebs; as, blebby glass.

Syn. -- blebbed.


word: Blee
definition:
Blee

Blee
(_;)
n.
[AS. bleó, bleóh.]
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.


word: Bleed
definition:
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. blöda, Dan. blöde, 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.
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.


word: Bleed₂
definition:
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.]


word: Bleeder
definition:
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.


word: Bleeding
definition:
Bleeding

Bleed"ing
a.
Emitting, or appearing to emit, blood or sap, etc.; also, expressing anguish or compassion.


word: Bleeding₂
definition:
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.


word: bleep₂
definition:
bleep

bleep
v. t.
(Broadcasting)
to to obscure or replace (an offensive word or phrase) by substituting a beeping sound while broadcasting.

Syn. -- bleep out.


word: bleeping
definition:
bleeping

bleep"ing
adj.
damned.
Used as a euphemistic emphatic adjective to express displeasure, in place of damned, goddammed or stronger (more offensive) words.


word: Blemish
definition:
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. blêmir to grow pale, fr. OF. bleme, blesme, pale, wan, F. blême, prob. fr. Icel blāman the livid color of a wound, fr.  blār 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.


word: Blemish₂
definition:
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.


word: Blemishment
definition:
Blemishment

Blem"ish*ment
(_;)
n.
The state of being blemished; blemish; disgrace; damage; impairment.

For dread of blame and honor's blemishment.
Spenser.


word: Blench
definition:
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.


word: Blench₂
definition:
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.


word: Blench₃
definition:
Blench

Blench
n.
A looking aside or askance.
[Obs.]

These blenches gave my heart another youth.
Shak.


word: Blencher
definition:
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.


word: Blend
definition:
Blend

Blend
(blĕnd)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blended or Blent (blĕnt); 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.


word: Blend₂
definition:
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.


word: Blend₃
definition:
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.


word: Blend₄
definition:
Blend

Blend
v. t.
[AS. blendan, from blind blind. See Blind, a.]
To make blind, literally or figuratively; to dazzle; to deceive.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Blende
definition:
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.


word: blended
definition:
blended

blended
adj.
1.
combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable.  Antonym of unblended.
alloyed
emulsified
homogenized

Syn. -- mingled, commingled.

2.
homogeneous
heterogeneous


word: Blender
definition:
Blender

Blend"er
(_;)
n.
One who, or that which, blends; an instrument, as a brush, used in blending.
Specifically,
an electrical device with a rapidly rotating spindle to which a specially designed container can be attached, so that the contents of the container are agitated by rotating blades at adjustable speeds, permitting various degrees of homogenization of the contents.


word: Blending
definition:
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.


word: Blendwater
definition:
Blendwater

Blend"wa`ter
(_;)
n.
A distemper incident to cattle, in which their livers are affected.
Crabb.


word: Blenheim spaniel
definition:
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.


word: Blenniid
definition:
Blenniid

Blennioid

{ Blen"ni*oid (_;), Blen"ni*id (_;), }
a.
[Blenny + -oid]
(Zool.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the blennies.


word: Blennorrhea
definition:
Blennorrhea

Blen`nor*rhe"a
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; mucus + _; to flow.]
(Med.)
(a)
An inordinate secretion and discharge of mucus.
(b)
Gonorrhea.
Dunglison.


word: Blenny
definition:
Blenny

Blen"ny
(_;)
n.
pl. Blennies (_;).
[L. blennius, blendius, blendea, Gr. _;, fr. _; slime, mucus.]
(Zool.)
A marine fish of the genus Blennius or family Blenniidæ; -- so called from its coating of mucus. The species are numerous.


word: Blent
definition:
Blent

Blent
(_;)
imp. & p. p.
Blend
Mingled; mixed; blended; also, polluted; stained.

Rider and horse, friend, foe, in one red burial blent.
Byron.


word: Blepharitis
definition:
Blepharitis

Bleph`a*ri"tis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; eyelid + -ilis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the eyelids.
Bleph`a*rit"ic (#), a.


word: Blesbok
definition:
Blesbok

Bles"bok
(_;)
n.
[D., fr. bles a white spot on the forehead + bok buck.]
(Zool.)
A South African antelope (Alcelaphus albifrons), having a large white spot on the forehead.


word: Bless
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.
[1913 Webster]
To bless the doors from nightly harm. Milton.
[1913 Webster]
-- 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.


word: Blessed
definition:
Blessed

Bless"ed
(blĕs"ĕd)
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.
blessed
blessed
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.


word: Blessedly
definition:
Blessedly

Bless"ed*ly
adv.
Happily; fortunately; joyfully.

We shall blessedly meet again never to depart.
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Blessedness
definition:
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.


word: Blessing
definition:
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.


word: Blet
definition:
Blet

Blet
(_;)
n.
[F. blet, blette, a., soft from over ripeness.]
A form of decay in fruit which is overripe.


word: Blet₂
definition:
Blet

Blet
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Bletted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bletting.]
To decay internally when overripe; -- said of fruit.


word: Bletonism
definition:
Bletonism

Ble"ton*ism
(_;)
n.
The supposed faculty of perceiving subterraneous springs and currents by sensation; -- so called from one Bleton, of France.


word: blewit
definition:
blewit

blewit
n.
1.
an edible agaric (Tricholoma personatum) that is pale lilac when young.

Syn. -- blewits.


word: Bleyme
definition:
Bleyme

Bleyme
(_;)
n.
[F. bleime.]
(Far.)
An inflammation in the foot of a horse, between the sole and the bone.
[Obs.]


word: Blighia
definition:
Blighia

Blighia
n.
small genus of West African evergreen trees and shrubs bearing fleshy capsular three-seeded fruits edible when neither unripe nor overripe.

Syn. -- genus Blighia.


word: Blight
definition:
Blight

Blight
(blīt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Blighting.]
[Perh. contr. from AS. blīcettan 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.


word: Blight₃
definition:
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.
(Zool.)
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.]


word: Blimp
definition:
Blimp

Blimp
n.
[from Colonel Blimp, a fictional character]
any elderly pompous reactionary.

Syn. -- Colonel Blimp.

2.
a small nonrigid airship used for observation or as a barrage balloon.

Syn. -- sausage balloon, sausage.


word: blimpish
definition:
blimpish

blimpish
adj.
[from Colonel Blimp, a fictional character]
pompously ultraconservative and nationalistic.


word: Blin
definition:
Blin

Blin
(_;)
v. t. & i.
[OE. blinnen, AS. blinnan; pref. be- + linnan to cease.]
To stop; to cease; to desist.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: blin
definition:
blin

blin
n.
pl. blini, bliny or blinis.
[Russian.]
a thin buckwheat pancake made with yeast and usually filled with sour cream and folded over.  See also blini.


word: Blind
definition:
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 (Zool.), 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 Blank 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 (Zool.), a small, harmless, burrowing snake, of the family Typhlopidæ, 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.


word: Blind₂
definition:
Blind

Blind
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blinded; p. pr. & vb. n. Blinding.]
1.
To make blind; to deprive of sight or discernment.
blind
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.


word: Blind₃
definition:
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.


word: Blindage
definition:
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.


word: Blinder
definition:
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.


word: Blindfish
definition:
Blindfish

Blind"fish`
(_;)
n.
A small fish (Amblyopsis spelæus) destitute of eyes, found in the waters of the Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky. Related fishes from other caves take the same name.


word: Blindfold
definition:
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.


word: Blindfold₂
definition:
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.


word: blindfold
definition:
blindfold

blind"fold`
n.
a flexible object placed over the eyes to prevent seeing; usually a strip of cloth wrapped around the head so as to cover the eyes.


word: blindfolded
definition:
blindfolded

blind"fold*ed
adj.
having a blindfold placed over the eyes; -- done to prevent the wearer from seeing.

Syn. -- blindfold.


word: Blinding
definition:
Blinding

Blind"ing
a.
Making blind or as if blind; depriving of sight or of understanding; obscuring; as, blinding tears; blinding snow.


word: Blinding₂
definition:
Blinding

Blind"ing
n.
A thin coating of sand and fine gravel over a newly paved road. See Blind, v. t., 4.


word: Blindly
definition:
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.


word: Blind man's buff
definition:
Blind man's buff

Blindman's buff

Blind"man's buff", Blind" man's buff"
(_;)
[See Buff a buffet.]
A game in which one person is blindfolded, and tries to catch some one of the other players, 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.


word: Blindman's holiday
definition:
Blindman's holiday

Blind`man's hol"i*day
(_;)
The time between daylight and candle light.
[Humorous]


word: Blindness
definition:
Blindness

Blind"ness
(_;)
n.
State or condition of being blind, literally or figuratively.
Darwin.

Color blindness, inability to distinguish certain color. See Daltonism.


word: blindside
definition:
blindside

blindside
(_;)
v. t.
to attack a person from his blind side; metaphorically, to give a person an unpleasant suprise.
He had completed his plan to develop a new office building, but was blindsided by the sudden drop in real estate values.


word: Blindworm
definition:
Blindworm

Blind"worm`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
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.


word: blini
definition:
blini

bli"ni
(blē"nē; blĭ"nē)
n. pl.
sing. blin.
[Russian.]
Russian pancakes of buckwheat flour and yeast, sometimes made from white flour; they are usually served folded over, with caviar and sour cream on the inside; -- properly, it is a plural word (from the Russian plural of blin) but in America, often used as singular; thus the common plural blinis.

Syn. -- bliny, blinis.


word: blinks
definition:
blinks

blinks
(blĭ&nsmacr_;ks)
n.
a typ of small Indian lettuce (Montia lamprosperma) of northern regions.

Syn. -- blinking chickweed, water chickweed.


word: Blink
definition:
Blink

Blink
(blĭ&nsmacr_;k)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Blinked (blĭ&nsmacr_;kt); 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. blīcan to shine, E. bleak. √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.


word: Blink₂
definition:
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.


word: Blink₃
definition:
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.]


word: Blinkard
definition:
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.


word: Blinker
definition:
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.


word: blintze
definition:
blintze

blintz

blintz, blintze
n.
pl. blintzes.
[Yiddish blintze, fr. Byelorussian blinets, dimin. of Russ. blin.  See also blin and blini.]
(Jewish Cookery)
a thin wheat pancake folded around a filling (such as cheese or fruit) and sauteed, fried, or baked.


word: blip
definition:
blip

blip
n.
1.
(Radar)
a spot of light on a radar screen, showing the  position of a reflecting surface, such as an airplane or ship.
this sense is also used metaphorically to mean a barely perceptible object; , Kennedy's candidacy was a mere blip on Humphrey's radar screen until he won the West Virginia primary.  This is the probably origin of sense 3.

Syn. -- radar echo, radar target.

2.
a short upward or downward deviation from a trend line on a graph, especially in a plot of some variable, such as an economic variable, against time; as, a brief blip upward in the unemployment rate.

3.
something small or insignificant.

4.
a brief interruption in the continuity of a recorded or transmitted signal; as, there is a blip on my CD of Beethoven's ninth.


word: Bliss
definition:
Bliss

Bliss
(blĭs)
n.
pl. Blisses (blĭs"ĕz).
[OE. blis, blisse, AS. blis, blīðs, fr. blīðe 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.


word: Blissful
definition:
Blissful

Bliss"ful
(_;)
a.
Full of, characterized by, or causing, joy and felicity; happy in the highest degree.
Blissful
Milton.
Bliss"ful*ly, adv. -- Bliss"ful*ness, n.


word: Blissom
definition:
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.]


word: Blister
definition:
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 vesicatoria (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.


word: Blister₂
definition:
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.


word: Blister₃
definition:
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.


word: blistering
definition:
blistering

blistering
adj.
1.
harshly or corrosively critical in tone; -- of comments about people or their actions.
blistering criticism

Syn. -- acerb, acerbic, acid, bitter, caustic, scathing, venomous, virulent, vitriolic.

2.
intensely hot.
blistering sun

Syn. -- blistery.

3.
very fast; as, a blistering pace.

Syn. -- red-hot, scorching.


word: Blite
definition:
Blite

Blite
(blīt)
n.
[L. blitum, Gr. bli`ton.]
(Bot.)
A genus of herbs (Blitum) with a fleshy calyx. Blitum capitatum is the strawberry blite.


word: Blithe
definition:
Blithe

Blithe
(blī&thlig_;)
a.
[AS. blīðe blithe, kind; akin to Goth. bleiþs kind, Icel. blīðr mild, gentle, Dan. & Sw. blid gentle, D. blijd blithe, OHG. blīdi 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.


word: Blithesome
definition:
Blithesome

Blithe"some
(-sŭm)
a.
Cheery; gay; merry.

The blithesome sounds of wassail gay.
Sir W. Scott.


word: blitz
definition:
blitz

blitz
n.
1.
(football)
a quick move by defensive players toward the passer on the offensive team, as soon as the ball is snapped; -- it is used when the defensive teams assumes that a pass will be attempted, and risks allowing substantial gains by the offensive team if other plays are in fact planned.

Syn. -- safety linebacker blitzing.

2.
a rapid and violent military attack with intensive aerial bombardment.  Same as blitzkrieg

3.
any vigorous and intensive attack, bombardment, or assault, literally or figuratively; as, they used a blitz of television commercials to launch their new product; the German blitz on London.

3.
same as blitz chess.


word: blitzkrieg
definition:
blitzkrieg

blitz"krieg
(blĭtz"krēg)
n.
[German, blitz lightning + krieg war.]
an overwhelming all-out attack with infantry, armor, and air forces, especially by surprise against an unprepared enemy.


word: Blizzard
definition:
Blizzard

Bliz"zard
(blĭz"zẽrd)
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.]


word: Bloat
definition:
Bloat

Bloat
(bl&omacrt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bloated; p. pr. & vb. n. Bloating.]
[Cf. Icel. blotna to become soft, blautr soft, wet, Sw. blöt soft, blöta to soak; akin to G. bloss bare, and AS. bleát 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.


word: Bloat₂
definition:
Bloat

Bloat
v. i.
To grow turgid as by effusion of liquid in the cellular tissue; to puff out; to swell.
Arbuthnot.


word: Bloated
definition:
Bloated

Bloat"ed
(bl&omacrt"ĕd)
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.


word: Bloater
definition:
Bloater

Bloat"er
(-ẽr)
n.
[See Bloat, Blote.]
The common herring, esp. when of large size, smoked, and half dried; -- called also bloat herring.


word: Blob
definition:
Blob

Blob
(bl&obreve_;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.
(Zool.)
A small fresh-water fish (Uranidea Richardsoni); the miller's thumb.


word: Blobber
definition:
Blobber

Blob"ber
(bl&obreve_;b"bẽr)
n.
[See Blubber, Blub.]
A bubble; blubber.
[Low]
T. Carew.

Blobber lip, a thick, protruding lip.

His blobber lips and beetle brows commend.
Dryden.


word: Block
definition:
Block

Block
(bl&obreve_;k)
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; -- also called blockage;  as, a block in the way; a block in an artery; a block in a nerve; a block in a biochemical pathway.

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.

13.
In Australia, one of the large lots into which public land, when opened to settlers, is divided by the government surveyors.

14.
(Cricket)
(a)
The position of a player or bat when guarding the wicket.
(b)
A block hole.
(c)
The popping crease.
[R.]

15.
a number of individual items sold as a unit; as, a block of airline ticketes; a block of hotel rooms; a block of stock.

16.
the length of one side of a city block{5}, traversed along any side; as, to walk three blocks ahead and turn left at the corner.

17.
a halt in a mental process, especially one due to stress, memory lapse, confusion, etc.; as, a writer's block; to have a block in remembering a name.

18.
(computers)
a quantity of binary-encoded information transferred, or stored, as a unit to, from, or on a data storage device; as, to divide a disk into 512-byte blocks.

19.
(computers)
a number of locations in a random-access memory allocated to storage of specific data; as, to allocate a block of 1024 bytes for the stack.

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. -- Back blocks, Australian pastoral country which is remote from the seacoast or from a river.


word: Block₂
definition:
Block

Block
(bl&obreve_;k)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Blocked (bl&obreve_;kt); 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; to block an entrance.

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.

4.
to cause (any activity) to halt by creating an obstruction; as, to block a nerve impulse; to block a biochemical reaction with a drug.

To block out, to begin to reduce to shape; to mark out roughly; to lay out; to outline; as, to block out a plan.


word: Blockade
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.

3.
(physiology)
interference with transmission of a physiological signal, or a physiological reaction.

To raise a blockade. See under Raise.


word: Blockade₂
definition:
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
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.


word: blockaded
definition:
blockaded

blockaded
adj.
having access obstructed by emplacement of a barrier, or by threat of force.

Syn. -- barricaded, barred.


word: Block chain
definition:
Block chain

Block chain
(Mach.)
A chain in which the alternate links are broad blocks connected by thin side links pivoted to the ends of the blocks, used with sprocket wheels to transmit power, as in a bicycle.


word: blocked
definition:
blocked

blocked
adj.
1.
closed to traffic.
Traffic was blocked by an overturned tractor-trailor

Syn. -- out of use(predicate).

2.
at a complete standstill because of opposition of two unrelenting forces or factions.

Syn. -- deadlocked, stalemated.

3.
unusable because of some obstruction.


word: Blockhead
definition:
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.


word: Blockhouse
definition:
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.]


word: Blocking
definition:
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.


word: Blocking course
definition:
Blocking course

Block"ing course`
(_;)
(Arch.)
The finishing course of a wall showing above a cornice.


word: Blockish
definition:
Blockish

Block"ish
a.
Like a block; deficient in understanding; stupid; dull.
Blockish
Shak.
Block"ish*ly, adv. -- Block"ish*ness, n.


word: Block signal
definition:
Block signal

Block signal
(Railroads)
One of the danger signals or safety signals which guide the movement of trains in a block system. The signal is often so coupled with a switch that act of opening or closing the switch operates the signal also.


word: Block system
definition:
Block system

Block system
(Railroads)
A system by which the track is divided into short sections, as of three or four miles, and trains are so run by the guidance of electric, or combined electric and pneumatic, signals that no train enters a section or block until the preceding train has left it, as in absolute blocking, or that a train may be allowed to follow another into a block as long as it proceeds with excessive caution, as in permissive blocking.


word: Bloedite
definition:
Bloedite

Bloe"dite
(_;)
n.
[From the chemist Blöde.]
(Min.)
A hydrous sulphate of magnesium and sodium.


word: Blolly
definition:
Blolly

Blol"ly
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
A shrub or small tree of southern Florida and the West Indies (Pisonia obtusata) with smooth oval leaves and a hard, 10-ribbed fruit.
(b)
The rubiaceous shrub Chicocca racemosa, of the same region.


word: Blonket
definition:
Blonket

Bloncket

{ Blonc"ket, Blon"ket  }
(_;)
a.
[OF. blanquet whitish, dim. of blanc white. Cf. Blanket.]
Gray; bluish gray.
[Obs.]

Our bloncket liveries been all too sad.
Spenser.


word: Blonde
definition:
Blonde

Blond

{ Blond, 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.


word: Blonde₂
definition:
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.


word: Blond metal
definition:
Blond metal

Blond" met`al
(_;)
A variety of clay ironstone, in Staffordshire, England, used for making tools.


word: Blood
definition:
Blood

Blood
(blŭd)
n.
[OE. blod, blood, AS. bl&omacrd; akin to D. bloed, OHG. bluot, G. blut, Goth. bl&omacrþ, Icel. bl&omacrð, 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.

&hand_; 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.

&hand_; 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.

&hand_; 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.

&hand_; 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 (Zool.), 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 hæmoglobin of the red blood corpuscles; hæmatocrystallin. All blood does not yield blood crystals. -- Blood heat, heat equal to the temperature of human blood, or about 981/2 ° 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; toxæmia. -- 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.


