# dictionary

word: Bailer₂
definition:
Bailer

Bail"er
n.
1.
One who bails or lades.

2.
A utensil, as a bucket or cup, used in bailing; a machine for bailing water out of a pit.


word: Bailey
definition:
Bailey

Bai"ley
(_;)
n.
[The same word as bail line of palisades; cf. LL. ballium bailey, OF. bail, baille, a palisade, baillier to inclose, shut.]
1.
The outer wall of a feudal castle.
[Obs.]

2.
The space immediately within the outer wall of a castle or fortress.
[Obs.]

3.
A prison or court of justice; -- used in certain proper names; as, the Old Bailey in London; the New Bailey in Manchester.
[Eng.]
Oxf. Gloss.


word: Bailie
definition:
Bailie

Bail"ie
(_;)
n.
[See Bailiff.]
An officer in Scotland, whose office formerly corresponded to that of sheriff, but now corresponds to that of an English alderman.


word: Bailiff
definition:
Bailiff

Bail"iff
(bāl"ĭf)
n.
[OF. baillif, F. bailli, custodian, magistrate, fr. L. bajulus porter. See Bail to deliver.]

1.
Originally, a person put in charge of something; especially, a chief officer, magistrate, or keeper, as of a county, town, hundred, or castle; one to whom powers of custody or care are intrusted.
Abbott.

Lausanne is under the canton of Berne, governed by a bailiff sent every three years from the senate.
Addison.

2.
(Eng. Law)
A sheriff's deputy, appointed to make arrests, collect fines, summon juries, etc.

&hand_; In American law the term bailiff is seldom used except sometimes to signify a sheriff's officer or constable, or a party liable to account to another for the rent and profits of real estate.
Burrill.

3.
An overseer or under steward of an estate, who directs husbandry operations, collects rents, etc.
[Eng.]


word: Bailiwick
definition:
Bailiwick

Bail"i*wick
(_;)
n.
[Bailie, bailiff + wick a village.]
(Law)
The precincts within which a bailiff has jurisdiction; the limits of a bailiff's authority.


word: Bailment
definition:
Bailment

Bail"ment
(_;)
n.
1.
(Law)
The action of bailing a person accused.

Bailment . . . is the saving or delivery of a man out of prison before he hath satisfied the law.
Dalton.

2.
(Law)
A delivery of goods or money by one person to another in trust, for some special purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed.
Blackstone.

&hand_; In a general sense it is sometimes used as comprehending all duties in respect to property.
Story.


word: Bailpiece
definition:
Bailpiece

Bail"piece`
(_;)
n.
(Law)
A piece of parchment, or paper, containing a recognizance or bail bond.


word: Baily's beads
definition:
Baily's beads

Bai"ly's beads
(?)
(Astron.)
A row of bright spots observed in connection with total eclipses of the sun. Just before and after a total eclipse, the slender, unobscured crescent of the sun's disk appears momentarily like a row of bright spots resembling a string of beads. The phenomenon (first fully described by Francis Baily, 1774 -- 1844) is thought to be an effect of irradiation, and of inequalities of the moon's edge.


word: Bain
definition:
Bain

Bain
(bān; as F., băN)
n.
[F. bain, fr. L. balneum. Cf. Bagnio.]
A bath; a bagnio.
[Obs.]
Holland.


word: Bain-marie
definition:
Bain-marie

Bain`-ma`rie"
(_;)
n.
[F.]
A vessel for holding hot water in which another vessel may be heated without scorching its contents; -- used for warming or preparing food or pharmaceutical preparations.


word: Bairam
definition:
Bairam

Bai*ram"
(?)
n.
[Turk. baïrām.]
Either of two Muslim festivals, of which one (the Lesser Bairam) is held at the close of the fast called Ramadan, and the other (the Greater Bairam) seventy days after the fast.


word: Bairn
definition:
Bairn

Bairn
(bârn)
n.
[Scot. bairn, AS. bearn, fr. beran to bear; akin to Icel., OS., & Goth. barn. See Bear to support.]
A child.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

Has he not well provided for the bairn?
Beau. & Fl.


word: Baisemains
definition:
Baisemains

Baise"mains`
(_;)
n. pl.
[F., fr. baiser to kiss + mains hands.]
Respects; compliments.
[Obs.]


word: Bait
definition:
Bait

Bait
(bāt)
n.
[Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bāt food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. t.]
1.
Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.

2.
Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation.
Fairfax.

3.
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.

4.
A light or hasty luncheon.

Bait bug (Zool.), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura.


word: Bait₂
definition:
Bait

Bait
(bāt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n. Baiting.]
[OE. baiten, beitēn, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig., to cause to bite, fr. bīta.  √87.  See Bite.]

1.
To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.

2.
To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses.
Holland.

3.
To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.

A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm.
W. Irving.


word: Bait₃
definition:
Bait

Bait
(bāt)
v. i.
To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey.

Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
Milton.

My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket.
Evelyn.


word: Bait₄
definition:
Bait

Bait
(bāt)
v. i.
[F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap or flutter. See Batter, v. t.]
To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
bait
Shak.


word: Baize
definition:
Baize

Baize
(bāz)
n.
[For bayes, pl. fr. OF. baie; cf. F. bai bay-colored. See Bay a color.]
A coarse woolen stuff with a long nap; -- usually dyed in plain colors.

A new black baize waistcoat lined with silk.
Pepys.


word: Bajocco
definition:
Bajocco

Ba*joc"co
(_;)
n.
[It., fr. bajo brown, bay, from its color.]
A small copper coin formerly current in the Roman States, worth about a cent and a half.


word: Bake
definition:
Bake

Bake
(bāk)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Baked (bākt); p. pr. & vb. n. Baking.]
[AS. bacan; akin to D. bakken, OHG. bacchan, G. backen, Icel. & Sw. baka, Dan. bage, Gr. fw`gein to roast.]
1.
To prepare, as food, by cooking in a dry heat, either in an oven or under coals, or on heated stone or metal; as, to bake bread, meat, apples.

&hand_; Baking is the term usually applied to that method of cooking which exhausts the moisture in food more than roasting or broiling; but the distinction of meaning between roasting and baking is not always observed.

2.
To dry or harden (anything) by subjecting to heat, as, to bake bricks; the sun bakes the ground.

3.
To harden by cold.

The earth . . . is baked with frost.
Shak.

They bake their sides upon the cold, hard stone.
Spenser.


word: Bake₂
definition:
Bake

Bake
v. i.
1.
To do the work of baking something; as, she brews, washes, and bakes.
Shak.

2.
To be baked; to become dry and hard in heat; as, the bread bakes; the ground bakes in the hot sun.


word: baked
definition:
baked

baked
(bākt)
adj.
2.
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight.

Syn. -- adust, parched, scorched, sunbaked.

2.
cooked with dry heat in an oven; -- of bread and pastries.


word: Bakehouse
definition:
Bakehouse

Bake"house`
(bāk"hous`)
n.
[AS. bæchūs. See Bake, v. t., and House.]
A house for baking; a bakery.


word: Bakelite
definition:
Bakelite

Bakelite
n.
a thermosetting plastic used in electric insulators and for making plastic ware and telephone receivers etc.
[trademark]


word: Baked-meat
definition:
Baked-meat

Bakemeat

{ Bake"meat` (bāk"mēt`), Baked"-meat` (bākt"-), }
n.
A pie; baked food.
[Obs.]
Gen. xl. 17. Shak.


word: Baker
definition:
Baker

Bak"er
(_;)
n.
[AS. bæcere. See Bake, v. t.]
1.
One whose business it is to bake bread, biscuit, etc.

2.
A portable oven in which baking is done.
[U.S.]

A baker's dozen, thirteen. -- Baker foot, a distorted foot. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. -- Baker's itch, a rash on the back of the hand, caused by the irritating properties of yeast. -- Baker's salt, the subcarbonate of ammonia, sometimes used instead of soda, in making bread.


word: Baking
definition:
Baking

Bak"ing
n.
1.
The act or process of cooking in an oven, or of drying and hardening by heat or cold.

2.
The quantity baked at once; a batch; as, a baking of bread.

Baking powder, a substitute for yeast, usually consisting of an acid, a carbonate, and a little farinaceous matter.


word: baksheesh
definition:
baksheesh

baksheesh
n.
1.
A relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter).  Same as Backsheesh.

Syn. -- gratuity, tip, bakshish, bakshis, backsheesh.


word: bakshis
definition:
bakshis

bakshis
n.
1.
A relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter).  Same as Backsheesh.

Syn. -- gratuity, tip, baksheesh, bakshish, backsheesh.


word: bakshish
definition:
bakshish

bakshish
n.
1.
A relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter).  Same as Backsheesh.

Syn. -- gratuity, tip, baksheesh, bakshis, backsheesh.


word: Balaam
definition:
Balaam

Ba"laam
(_;)
n.
A paragraph describing something wonderful, used to fill out a newspaper column; -- an allusion to the miracle of Balaam's ass speaking.
Numb. xxii. 30.
[Cant]

Balaam basket or box (Print.), the receptacle for rejected articles. Blackw. Mag.


word: Balachong
definition:
Balachong

Bal"a*chong
(_;)
n.
[Malay bālachān.]
A condiment formed of small fishes or shrimps, pounded up with salt and spices, and then dried. It is much esteemed in China.


word: balaclava
definition:
balaclava

balaclava
n.
close-fitting and woolen and covers all of the head but the face.

Syn. -- balaclava helmet.


word: Balaeniceps
definition:
Balaeniceps

Balaeniceps
n.
type genus of the Balaenicipitidae: shoebills.

Syn. -- genus Balaeniceps.


word: Balaenicipitidae
definition:
Balaenicipitidae

Balaenicipitidae
n.
a family comprising the shoebills.

Syn. -- family Balaenicipitidae.


word: Balaenoidea
definition:
Balaenoidea

Bal`æ*noi"de*a
(_;)
n.
[NL., from L. balaena whale + -oid.]
(Zool.)
A division of the Cetacea, including the right whale and all other whales having the mouth fringed with baleen. See Baleen.


word: balalaika
definition:
balalaika

balalaika
n.
[Russian.]
a stringed instrument of Russian origin that has a triangular body and three strings.


word: Balance
definition:
Balance

Bal"ance
(băl"ans)
n.
[OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilanx, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice (akin to E. two) + lanx plate, scale.]
1.
An apparatus for weighing.

&hand_; In its simplest form, a balance consists of a beam or lever supported exactly in the middle, having two scales or basins of equal weight suspended from its extremities.  Another form is that of the Roman balance, our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended near one of its extremities, on the longer arm of which a counterpoise slides. The name is also given to other forms of apparatus for weighing bodies, as to the combinations of levers making up platform scales; and even to devices for weighing by the elasticity of a spring.

2.
Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.

A fair balance of the advantages on either side.
Atterbury.

3.
Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.

4.
The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.

And hung a bottle on each side
To make his balance true.
Cowper.

The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
Buckle.

English workmen completely lose their balance.
J. S. Mill.

5.
An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; -- also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account.
balance
Thackeray.

I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text.
J. Peile.

6.
(Horol.)
A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).

7.
(Astron.)
(a)
The constellation Libra.
(b)
The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.

8.
A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. t., 8.

Balance electrometer, a kind of balance, with a poised beam, which indicates, by weights suspended from one arm, the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces. Knight. -- Balance fish. (Zool.) See Hammerhead. -- Balance knife, a carving or table knife the handle of which overbalances the blade, and so keeps it from contact with the table. -- Balance of power (Politics), such an adjustment of power among sovereign states that no one state is in a position to interfere with the independence of the others; international equilibrium; also, the ability (of a state or a third party within a state) to control the relations between sovereign states or between dominant parties in a state. -- Balance sheet (Bookkeeping), a paper showing the balances of the open accounts of a business, the debit and credit balances footing up equally, if the system of accounts be complete and the balances correctly taken. -- Balance thermometer, a thermometer mounted as a balance so that the movement of the mercurial column changes the inclination of the tube.  With the aid of electrical or mechanical devices adapted to it, it is used for the automatic regulation of the temperature of rooms warmed artificially, and as a fire alarm. -- Balance of torsion. See Torsion Balance. -- Balance of trade (Pol. Econ.), an equilibrium between the money values of the exports and imports of a country; or more commonly, the amount required on one side or the other to make such an equilibrium. -- Balance valve, a valve whose surfaces are so arranged that the fluid pressure tending to seat, and that tending to unseat, the valve, are nearly in equilibrium; esp., a puppet valve which is made to operate easily by the admission of steam to both sides. See Puppet valve. -- Hydrostatic balance. See under Hydrostatic. -- To lay in balance, to put up as a pledge or security. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- To strike a balance, to find out the difference between the debit and credit sides of an account.


word: Balance₂
definition:
Balance

Bal"ance
(băl"ans)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Balanced (băl"anst); p. pr. & vb. n. Balancing (băl"an*sĭng).]
[From Balance, n.: cf. F. balancer.]
1.
To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.

2.
To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope.

3.
To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.

One expression . . . must check and balance another.
Kent.

4.
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.

Balance the good and evil of things.
L'Estrange.

5.
To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.

I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.
Addison.

6.
To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; -- said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account.

7.
To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books.

8.
(Dancing)
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.

9.
(Naut.)
To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.

Balanced valve. See Balance valve, under Balance, n.


word: Balance₃
definition:
Balance

Bal"ance
v. i.
1.
To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.

2.
To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.

He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice.
Locke.

3.
(Dancing)
To move toward a person or couple, and then back.


word: balanced
definition:
balanced

bal"anced
adj.
being in a state of proper balance or equilibrium; -- opposite of unbalanced.
the carefully balanced seesaw
a properly balanced symphony orchestra
a balanced assessment of intellectual and cultural history
a balanced blend of whiskeys
the educated man shows a balanced development of all his powers
counterbalanced, counter-balanced, counterpoised
well-balanced
poised
stable --- (maintaining equilibrium)


word: Balancement
definition:
Balancement

Bal"ance*ment
(_;)
n.
The act or result of balancing or adjusting; equipoise; even adjustment of forces.
[R.]
Darwin.


word: Balancer
definition:
Balancer

Bal"an*cer
(_;)
n.
1.
One who balances, or uses a balance.

2.
(Zool.)
In Diptera, the rudimentary posterior wing.


word: Balancereef
definition:
Balancereef

Bal"ance*reef`
(_;)
n.
(Naut.)
The last reef in a fore-and-aft sail, taken to steady the ship.


word: Balance wheel
definition:
Balance wheel

Bal"ance wheel`
(_;)
1.
(Horology)
(a)
A wheel which regulates the beats or pulses of a watch or chronometer, answering to the pendulum of a clock; -- often called simply a balance.
(b)
A ratchet-shaped scape wheel, which in some watches is acted upon by the axis of the balance wheel proper (in those watches called a balance).

2.
(Mach.)
A wheel which imparts regularity to the movements of any engine or machine; a fly wheel.


word: Balanite
definition:
Balanite

Bal"a*nite
(_;)
n.
[L. balanus acorn: cf. F. balanite.]
(Paleon.)
A fossil balanoid shell.


word: Balanoglossus
definition:
Balanoglossus

Bal`a*no*glos"sus
(_;)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. ba`lanos acorn + glw^ssa tongue.]
(Zool.)
A peculiar marine worm. See Enteropneusta, and Tornaria.


word: Balanoid
definition:
Balanoid

Bal"a*noid
(_;)
a.
[Gr. ba`lanos acorn + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Resembling an acorn; -- applied to a group of barnacles having shells shaped like acorns. See Acornshell, and Barnacle.


word: Balas ruby
definition:
Balas ruby

Bal"as ru`by
(_;)
[OE. bales, balais, F. balais, LL. balascus, fr. Ar. balakhsh, so called from Badakhshan, Balashan, or Balaxiam, a place in the neighborhood of Samarkand, where this ruby is found.]
(Min.)
A variety of spinel ruby, of a pale rose red, or inclining to orange. See Spinel.


word: Balata
definition:
Balata

Bal"a*ta
(?)
n.
[Sp., prob. fr. native name.]
1.
A West Indian sapotaceous tree (Bumelia retusa).

2.
The bully tree (Minusops globosa); also, its milky juice (balata gum), which when dried constitutes an elastic gum called chicle, or chicle gum.


word: Balaustine
definition:
Balaustine

Ba*laus"tine
(_;)
n.
[L. balaustium, Gr. balay`stion.]
(Bot.)
The pomegranate tree (Punica granatum).  The bark of the root, the rind of the fruit, and the flowers are used medicinally.


word: Balayeuse
definition:
Balayeuse

Ba`la`yeuse"
(?)
n.
[F., lit., a female sweeper.]
A protecting ruffle or frill, as of silk or lace, sewed close to the lower edge of a skirt on the inside.


word: Balbucinate
definition:
Balbucinate

Balbutiate

{ Bal*bu"ti*ate (_;), Bal*bu"ci*nate (_;), }
v. i.
[L. balbutire, fr. balbus stammering: cf. F. balbutier.]
To stammer.
[Obs.]


word: Balbuties
definition:
Balbuties

Bal*bu"ti*es
(_;)
n.
(Med.)
The defect of stammering; also, a kind of incomplete pronunciation.


word: Balcony
definition:
Balcony

Bal"co*ny
(băl"ko̝*n&ybreve_;; 277)
n.
pl. Balconies (băl"ko̝*nĭz).
[It. balcone; cf. It. balco, palco, scaffold, fr. OHG. balcho, palcho, beam, G. balken. See Balk beam.]
1.
(Arch.)
A platform projecting from the wall of a building, usually resting on brackets or consoles, and inclosed by a parapet; as, a balcony in front of a window. Also, a projecting gallery in places of amusement; as, the balcony in a theater.

2.
A projecting gallery once common at the stern of large ships.

&hand_; “The accent has shifted from the second to the first syllable within these twenty years.”
Smart (1836).


word: Bald
definition:
Bald

Bald
(b&asuml_;ld)
a.
[OE. balled, ballid, perh. the p. p. of ball to reduce to the roundness or smoothness of a ball, by removing hair. √85.  But cf. W. bali whiteness in a horse's forehead.]
1.
Destitute of the natural or common covering on the head or top, as of hair, feathers, foliage, trees, etc.; as, a bald head; a bald oak.

On the bald top of an eminence.
Wordsworth.

2.
Destitute of ornament; unadorned; bare; literal.

In the preface to his own bald translation.
Dryden.

3.
Undisguised.
Bald
Lowell.

4.
Destitute of dignity or value; paltry; mean.
[Obs.]

5.
(Bot.)
Destitute of a beard or awn; as, bald wheat.

6.
(Zool.)
(a)
Destitute of the natural covering.
(b)
Marked with a white spot on the head; bald-faced.

Bald buzzard (Zool.), the fishhawk or osprey. -- Bald coot (Zool.), a name of the European coot (Fulica atra), alluding to the bare patch on the front of the head.


word: Baldachin
definition:
Baldachin

Bal"da*chin
(_;)
n.
[LL. baldachinus, baldechinus, a canopy of rich silk carried over the host; fr. Bagdad, It. Baldacco, a city in Turkish Asia from whence these rich silks came: cf. It. baldacchino. Cf. Baudekin.]
1.
A rich brocade; baudekin.
[Obs.]

2.
(Arch.)
A structure in form of a canopy, sometimes supported by columns, and sometimes suspended from the roof or projecting from the wall; generally placed over an altar; as, the baldachin in St. Peter's.

3.
A portable canopy borne over shrines, etc., in procession.


word: Bald eagle
definition:
Bald eagle

Bald" ea"gle
(_;)
(Zool.)
The white-headed eagle (Haliæetus leucocephalus) of America. The young, until several years old, lack the white feathers on the head.

&hand_; The bald eagle is represented in the coat of arms, and on the coins, of the United States.


word: Balder
definition:
Balder

Bal"der
(b&asuml_;l"dẽr)
prop. n.
[Icel. Baldr, akin to E. bold.]
(Scan. Myth.)
The most beautiful and beloved of the gods; the god of peace; the son of Odin and Freya.
[Written also Baldur.]


word: Balderdash
definition:
Balderdash

Bal"der*dash
(_;)
n.
[Of uncertain origin: cf. Dan. balder noise, clatter, and E. dash; hence, perhaps, unmeaning noise, then hodgepodge, mixture; or W. baldorduss a prattling, baldordd, baldorddi, to prattle.]
1.
A worthless mixture, especially of liquors.

Indeed beer, by a mixture of wine, hath lost both name and nature, and is called balderdash.
Taylor (Drink and Welcome).

2.
Senseless jargon; ribaldry; nonsense; trash.


word: Balderdash₂
definition:
Balderdash

Bal"der*dash
(_;)
v. t.
To mix or adulterate, as liquors.

The wine merchants of Nice brew and balderdash, and even
mix it with pigeon's dung and quicklime.
Smollett.


word: Baldhead
definition:
Baldhead

Bald"head`
(_;)
n.
1.
A person whose head is bald.
2 Kings ii. 23.

2.
(Zool.)
A white-headed variety of pigeon.


word: bald-headed
definition:
bald-headed

baldheaded

bald"head`ed, bald"-head`ed
a.
Having a bald head; lacking hair on all or most of the scalp; -- alsp called bald and bald-pated; as, a bald-headed gentleman.


word: Baldness
definition:
Baldness

Bald"ness
n.
The state or condition of being bald; as, baldness of the head; baldness of style.

This gives to their syntax a peculiar character of simplicity and baldness.
W. D. Whitney.


word: Baldpate
definition:
Baldpate

Bald"pate`
(_;)
n.
1.
A baldheaded person.
Shak.

2.
(Zool.)
The American widgeon (Anas Americana).


word: Baldpated
definition:
Baldpated

Baldpate

{ Bald"pate` (_;), Bald"pat`ed (_;), }
a.
Destitute of hair on the head; baldheaded.
Shak.


word: Baldrib
definition:
Baldrib

Bald"rib`
(_;)
n.
A piece of pork cut lower down than the sparerib, and destitute of fat.
[Eng.]
Southey.


word: Baldric
definition:
Baldric

Bal"dric
(_;)
n.
[OE. baudric, bawdrik, through OF. (cf. F. baudrier and LL. baldringus, baldrellus), from OHG. balderich, cf. balz, palz, akin to E. belt. See Belt, n.]
A broad belt, sometimes richly ornamented, worn over one shoulder, across the breast, and under the opposite arm; it is used to support a sword or bugle by the left hip; less properly, any belt.
[Also spelt bawdrick and baldrick.]

A radiant baldric o'er his shoulder tied
Sustained the sword that glittered at his side.
Pope.


word: Bale
definition:
Bale

Bale
(bāl)
n.
[OE. bale, OF. bale, F. balle, LL. bala, fr. OHG. balla, palla, pallo, G. ball, balle, ballen, ball, round pack; cf. D. baal. Cf. Ball a round body.]
A bundle or package of goods in a cloth cover, and corded for storage or transportation; also, a bundle of straw, hay, etc., put up compactly for transportation.

Bale of dice, a pair of dice. [Obs.] B. Jonson.


word: Bale₂
definition:
Bale

Bale
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Baled (bāld); p. pr. & vb. n. Baling.]
To make up in a bale.
Goldsmith.


word: Bale₄
definition:
Bale

Bale
(bāl)
n.
[AS. bealo, bealu, balu; akin to OS. balu, OHG. balo, Icel. böl, Goth. balweins.]
1.
Misery; calamity; misfortune; sorrow.

Let now your bliss be turned into bale.
Spenser.

2.
Evil; an evil, pernicious influence; something causing great injury.
[Now chiefly poetic]


word: Balearic
definition:
Balearic

Bal`e*ar"ic
(băl`e̝*ăr"ĭk)
a.
[L. Balearicus, fr. Gr. baliarei^s the Balearic Islands.]
Of or pertaining to the isles of Majorca, Minorca, Ivica, etc., in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Valencia.

Balearic crane. (Zool.) See Crane.


word: Baleen
definition:
Baleen

Ba*leen"
(bȧ*lēn")
n.
[F. baleine whale and whalebone, L. balaena a whale; cf. Gr. fa`laina. ]
(Zool. & Com.)
Plates or blades of “whalebone,” from two to twelve feet long, and sometimes a foot wide, which in certain whales (Balænoidea) are attached side by side along the upper jaw, and form a fringelike sieve by which the food is retained in the mouth.


word: Balefire
definition:
Balefire

Bale"fire`
(bāl"fīr)
n.
[AS. b&aemacr_;lf&ymacr_;r the fire of the funeral pile; b&aemacr_;l fire, flame (akin to Icel. bāl, OSlav. bēlŭ, white, Gr. falo`s bright, white, Skr. bhāla brightness) + f&ymacr_;r, E. fire.]
A signal fire; an alarm fire.

Sweet Teviot! on thy silver tide
The glaring balefires blaze no more.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Baleful
definition:
Baleful

Bale"ful
(bāl"f&usdot_;l)
a.
[AS. bealoful. See Bale misery.]
1.
Full of deadly or pernicious influence; destructive.
Baleful
Shak.

Four infernal rivers that disgorge
Into the burning lake their baleful streams.
Milton.

2.
Full of grief or sorrow; woeful; sad.
[Archaic]


word: Balisaur
definition:
Balisaur

Bal"i*sa`ur
(băl"ĭ*sä`ōr)
n.
[Hind.]
(Zool.)
A badgerlike animal of India (Arctonyx collaris).


word: Balister
definition:
Balister

Bal"is*ter
(băl"ĭs*tẽr or bȧ*lĭs"tẽr)
n.
[OF. balestre. See Ballista.]
A crossbow.
[Obs.]
Blount.


word: Balistidae
definition:
Balistidae

Balistidae
n.
1.
a natural family comprising the triggerfishes.

Syn. -- family Balistidae.


word: Balistoid
definition:
Balistoid

Bal"is*toid
(_;)
a.
(Zool.)
Like a fish of the genus Balistes; of the family Balistidæ. See Filefish.


word: Balistraria
definition:
Balistraria

Bal`is*tra"ri*a
(_;)
n.
[LL.]
(Anc. Fort.)
A narrow opening, often cruciform, through which arrows might be discharged.
Parker.


word: Balize
definition:
Balize

Ba*lize"
(_;)
n.
[F. balise; cf. Sp. balisa.]
A pole or a frame raised as a sea beacon or a landmark.


word: Balk
definition:
Balk

Balk
(b&asuml_;k)
n.
[AS. balca beam, ridge; akin to Icel. bālkr partition, bjālki beam, OS. balko, G. balken; cf. Gael. balc ridge of earth between two furrows. Cf. Balcony, Balk, v. t., 3d Bulk.]
1.
A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.

Bad plowmen made balks of such ground.
Fuller.

2.
A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called “the balks.”

Tubs hanging in the balks.
Chaucer.

3.
(Mil.)
One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.

4.
A hindrance or disappointment; a check.

A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker.
South.

5.
A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.

6.
(Baseball)
A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball.  It is illegal and is penalized by allowing the runners on base to advance one base.

Balk line (Billiards), a line across a billiard table near one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table, parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game, called the balk line game.


word: Balk₂
definition:
Balk

Balk
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Balked (b&asuml_;kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Balking.]
[From Balk a beam; orig. to put a balk or beam in one's way, in order to stop or hinder. Cf., for sense 2, AS. on balcan legan to lay in heaps.]

1.
To leave or make balks in.
[Obs.]
Gower.

2.
To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.
[Obs.]

Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights,
Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see.
Shak.

3.
To omit, miss, or overlook by chance.
[Obs.]

4.
To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk.
[Obs. or Obsolescent]

By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked the inns.
Evelyn.

Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat.
Bp. Hall.

Nor doth he any creature balk,
But lays on all he meeteth.
Drayton.

5.
To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to thwart; as, to balk expectation.

They shall not balk my entrance.
Byron.


word: Balk₃
definition:
Balk

Balk
v. i.
1.
To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.
[Obs.]

In strifeful terms with him to balk.
Spenser.

2.
To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks.

&hand_; This has been regarded as an Americanism, but it occurs in Spenser's  “Faërie Queene,” Book IV., 10, xxv.

Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt,
Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt.

3.
(Baseball)
to commit a balk{6}; -- of a pitcher.


word: Balk₄
definition:
Balk

Balk
v. i.
[Prob. from D. balken to bray, bawl.]
To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.


word: Balkans
definition:
Balkans

Balkans
prop. n. pl.
1.
The countries occupying the Balkan Peninsula.

Syn. -- Balkan countries, Balkan nations, Balkan states.

2.
The Balkan mountains.


word: Balker₂
definition:
Balker

Balk"er
(_;)
n.
[See last Balk.]
A person who stands on a rock or eminence to espy the shoals of herring, etc., and to give notice to the men in boats which way they pass; a conder; a huer.


word: balkline
definition:
balkline

balkline
n.
1.
line across a billiard table behind which the cue balls are placed at the start of a game.

Syn. -- baulk line, string line.


word: Ball
definition:
Ball

Ball
(b&asuml_;l)
n.
[OE. bal, balle; akin to OHG. balla, palla, G. ball, Icel. böllr, ball; cf. F. balle. Cf. 1st Bale, n., Pallmall.]
1.
Any round or roundish body or mass; a sphere or globe; as, a ball of twine; a ball of snow.

2.
A spherical body of any substance or size used to play with, as by throwing, knocking, kicking, etc.

3.
A general name for games in which a ball is thrown, kicked, or knocked. See Baseball, and Football.

4.
Any solid spherical, cylindrical, or conical projectile of lead or iron, to be discharged from a firearm; as, a cannon ball; a rifle ball; -- often used collectively; as, powder and ball. Spherical balls for the smaller firearms are commonly called bullets.

5.
(Pyrotechnics & Mil.)
A flaming, roundish body shot into the air; a case filled with combustibles intended to burst and give light or set fire, or to produce smoke or stench; as, a fire ball; a stink ball.

6.
(Print.)
A leather-covered cushion, fastened to a handle called a ballstock; -- formerly used by printers for inking the form, but now superseded by the roller.

7.
A roundish protuberant portion of some part of the body; as, the ball of the thumb; the ball of the foot.

8.
(Far.)
A large pill, a form in which medicine is commonly given to horses; a bolus.
White.

9.
The globe or earth.
Pope.

Move round the dark terrestrial ball.
Addison.

10.
(Baseball)
A pitched ball, not struck at by the batter, which fails to pass over the home plate at a height not greater than the batter's shoulder nor less than his knee (i.e. it is outside the strike zone).  If the pitcher pitches four balls before three strikes are called, the batter advances to first base, and the action of pitching four balls is called a walk.

10.
a testicle; usually used in the plural.
[vulgar]

11.
pl.
courage; nerve.
[vulgar]

Ball and socket joint, a joint in which a ball moves within a socket, so as to admit of motion in every direction within certain limits. -- Ball bearings, a mechanical device for lessening the friction of axle bearings by means of small loose metal balls. -- Ball cartridge, a cartridge containing a ball, as distinguished from a blank cartridge, containing only powder. -- Ball cock, a faucet or valve which is opened or closed by the fall or rise of a ball floating in water at the end of a lever. -- Ball gudgeon, a pivot of a spherical form, which permits lateral deflection of the arbor or shaft, while retaining the pivot in its socket. Knight. -- Ball lever, the lever used in a ball cock. -- Ball of the eye, the eye itself, as distinguished from its lids and socket; -- formerly, the pupil of the eye. -- Ball valve (Mach.), a contrivance by which a ball, placed in a circular cup with a hole in its bottom, operates as a valve. -- Ball vein (Mining), a sort of iron ore, found in loose masses of a globular form, containing sparkling particles. -- Three balls, or Three golden balls, a pawnbroker's sign or shop.  -- on the ball alert; competent and knowledgeable.   -- to carry the ball to carry on the task; to assume the responsibility. -- to drop the ball to fail to perform as expected; to fail to live up to a responsibility.


word: Ball₂
definition:
Ball

Ball
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Balled (b&asuml_;ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Balling.]
To gather balls which cling to the feet, as of damp snow or clay; to gather into balls; as, the horse balls; the snow balls.


word: Ball₃
definition:
Ball

Ball
v. t.
1.
(Metal.)
To heat in a furnace and form into balls for rolling.

2.
To form or wind into a ball; as, to ball cotton.


word: Ball₄
definition:
Ball

Ball
n.
[F. bal, fr. OF. baler to dance, fr. LL. ballare.  Of uncertain origin; cf. Gr. ba`llein to toss or throw, or pa`llein, pa`llesqai, to leap, bound, balli`zein to dance, jump about; or cf. 1st Ball, n.]
1.
A social assembly for the purpose of dancing; -- usually applied to an occasion lavish or formal.

2.
A very enjoyable time; as, we had a ball at the wedding.


word: Ballad
definition:
Ballad

Bal"lad
(_;)
n.
[OE. balade, OF. balade, F. ballade, fr. Pr. ballada a dancing song, fr. ballare to dance; cf. It. ballata. See 2d Ball, n., and Ballet.]
A popular kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; as, the ballad of Chevy Chase; esp., a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.


word: Ballade
definition:
Ballade

Bal*lade"
(_;)
n.
[See Ballad, n.]
A form of French versification, sometimes imitated in English, in which three or four rhymes recur through three stanzas of eight or ten lines each, the stanzas concluding with a refrain, and the whole poem with an envoy.


word: Balladry
definition:
Balladry

Bal"lad*ry
(_;)
n.
[From Ballad, n.]
Ballad poems; the subject or style of ballads.
balladry
Drayton.


word: Ballahou
definition:
Ballahou

Ballahoo

{ Bal"la*hoo, Bal"la*hou  }
(băl"lȧ*hō)
n.
A fast-sailing schooner, used in the Bermudas and West Indies.


word: Ballarag
definition:
Ballarag

Bal"la*rag
(băl"lȧ*răg)
v. t.
[Corrupted fr. bullirag.]
To bully; to threaten.
[Low]
T. Warton.

Syn. -- bullirag; bullyrag.


word: Ballast
definition:
Ballast

Bal"last
(băl"last)
n.
[D. ballast; akin to Dan. baglast, ballast, OSw. barlast, Sw. ballast. The first part is perh. the same word as E. bare, adj.; the second is last a burden, and hence the meaning a bare, or mere, load. See Bare, a., and Last load.]
1.
(Naut.)
Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing.

2.
Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.

3.
Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.

4.
The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.

5.
Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.

It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.
Barrow.

Ballast engine, a steam engine used in excavating and for digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast. -- Ship in ballast, a ship carrying only ballast.


word: Ballast₂
definition:
Ballast

Bal"last
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ballasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ballasting.]
1.
To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.

2.
To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.

3.
To keep steady; to steady, morally.

'T is charity must ballast the heart.
Hammond.


word: Ballastage
definition:
Ballastage

Bal"last*age
(_;)
n.
(Law)
A toll paid for the privilege of taking up ballast in a port or harbor.


word: Ballet
definition:
Ballet

Bal"let`
(băl"la̝` or băl"lĕt; 277)
n.
[F., a dim. of bal dance. See 2d Ball, n.]
1.
An artistic dance performed as a theatrical entertainment, or an interlude, by a number of persons, usually women. Sometimes, a scene accompanied by pantomime and dancing.

2.
The company of persons who perform the ballet.

3.
(Mus.)
A light part song, or madrigal, with a fa la burden or chorus, -- most common with the Elizabethan madrigal composers; -- also spelled ballett.

4.
(Her.)
A bearing in coats of arms, representing one or more balls, which are denominated bezants, plates, etc., according to color.


word: ballet slipper
definition:
ballet slipper

ballet slipper
n.
a heelless slipper specifically designed to be worn by ballet dancers while dancing.


word: Ball-flower
definition:
Ball-flower

Ball"-flow`er
(_;)
n.
(Arch.)
An ornament resembling a ball placed in a circular flower, the petals of which form a cup round it, -- usually inserted in a hollow molding.


word: ball-hawking
definition:
ball-hawking

ball-hawking
adj.
(Baseball or basketball or football)
skilled in stealing the ball or robbing a batter of a hit; -- used of a Baseball or basketball or football player.
a ball-hawking center fielder


word: Ballista
definition:
Ballista

Bal*lis"ta
(_;)
n.
pl. Ballistæ (_;).
[L. ballista, balista, fr. Gr. ba`llein to throw.]
An ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow, used for hurling large missiles.


word: Ballister
definition:
Ballister

Bal"lis*ter
(băl"lĭs*tẽr or băl*lĭs"tẽr)
n.
[L. ballista. Cf. Balister.]
A crossbow.
[Obs.]


word: Ballistic
definition:
Ballistic

Bal*lis"tic
(_;)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to the ballista, or to the art of hurling stones or missile weapons by means of an engine.

2.
Pertaining to ballistics{2}, or to a projectile in a gravitational field.

3.
frenzied; very angry; -- used mostly in the phrase go ballistic.
[Colloq.]

Ballistic pendulum, an instrument consisting of a mass of wood or other material suspended as a pendulum, for measuring the force and velocity of projectiles by means of the arc through which their impact impels it.


word: ballistic missile
definition:
ballistic missile

bal*lis"tic mis`sile
(_;)
n.
A rocket-propelled missile of long range which is guided only during the powered portion of its flight, which usually takes only a small part of the total flight time; -- contrasted with guided missile.
Ballistic missiles are sometimes referred to by their range, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM).


word: Ballistics
definition:
Ballistics

Bal*lis"tics
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. balistique. See Ballista.]
The science or art of hurling missile weapons by the use of an engine.
Whewell.

2.
The science treating the motion of projectiles in flight, especially when they are in free fall within the earth's gravitational field.

3.
The study of the characteristics of a cartridge fired from a firearm, and of the processes occurring during the discharge of a firearm.

4.
The division within a police department which studies the characteristics of cartridges fired from a firearm; the ballistics department.  The characteristics of the weapons and bullets fired may be used as evidence in criminal investigations.


word: Ballistite
definition:
Ballistite

Bal"lis*tite
(?)
n.
[See Ballista.]
(Chem.)
A smokeless powder containing equal parts of soluble nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin.


word: Balloon
definition:
Balloon

Bal*loon"
(_;)
n.
[F. ballon, aug. of balle ball: cf. It. ballone. See 1st Ball, n., and cf. Pallone.]
1.
A bag made of silk or other light material, and filled with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float in the atmosphere; especially, one with a car attached for aërial navigation.

2.
(Arch.)
A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church, etc., as at St. Paul's, in London.
[R.]

3.
(Chem.)
A round vessel, usually with a short neck, to hold or receive whatever is distilled; a glass vessel of a spherical form.

4.
(Pyrotechnics)
A bomb or shell.
[Obs.]

5.
A game played with a large inflated ball.
[Obs.]

6.
(Engraving)
The outline inclosing words represented as coming from the mouth of a pictured figure.

Air balloon, a balloon for aërial navigation. -- Balloon frame (Carp.), a house frame constructed altogether of small timber. -- Balloon net, a variety of woven lace in which the weft threads are twisted in a peculiar manner around the warp.


word: Balloon₃
definition:
Balloon

Bal*loon"
v. i.
1.
To go up or voyage in a balloon.

2.
To expand, or puff out, like a balloon.


word: balloon fish
definition:
balloon fish

balloonfish

bal*loon"fish`, bal*loon" fish`
(_;)
(Zool.)
A fish of the genus Diodon (such as Diodon holocanthus) or the genus Tetraodon, having the power of distending its body by taking air or water into its dilatable esophagus.  It is similar to but smaller than the porcupinefish.  See Globefish, and Bur fish.


word: Ballooning
definition:
Ballooning

Bal*loon"ing
n.
1.
The art or practice of managing balloons or voyaging in them; the sport of riding in balloons.

balloonry (archaic)

2.
(Stock Exchange)
The process of temporarily raising the value of a stock, as by fictitious sales.
[U.S.]


word: Ballooning spider
definition:
Ballooning spider

Bal*loon"ing spi"der
(_;)
(Zool.)
A spider which has the habit of rising into the air.  Many kinds (esp. species of Lycosa) do this while young by ejecting threads of silk until the force of the wind upon them carries the spider aloft.


word: Balloonry
definition:
Balloonry

Bal*loon"ry
(_;)
n.
The art or practice of ascending in a balloon; an older term for ballooning.
[Archaic]


word: Ballot
definition:
Ballot

Bal"lot
(băl"lŭt)
n.
[F. ballotte, fr. It. ballotta. See Ball round body.]

1.
Originally, a ball used for secret voting. Hence: Any printed or written ticket used in voting.

2.
The act of secret voting, whether by balls, written or printed ballots or tickets, or by use of a voting machine; the system of voting secretly.

The insufficiency of the ballot.
Dickens.

3.
The whole number of votes cast at an election, or in a given territory or electoral district.

4.
the official list of candidates competing in an election.
There are no women on the ballot.

Ballot box, (a) a box for receiving ballots. (b) the act, process or system of voting secretly; same as ballot{2}. “The question will be resolved by the ballot box.”


word: Ballot₂
definition:
Ballot

Bal"lot
(băl"lŭt)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Balloted; p. pr. & vb. n. Balloting.]
[F. ballotter to toss, to ballot, or It. ballottare. See Ballot, n.]
To vote or decide by ballot; as, to ballot for a candidate.


word: Ballot₃
definition:
Ballot

Bal"lot
v. t.
To vote for or in opposition to.

None of the competitors arriving to a sufficient number of balls, they fell to ballot some others.
Sir H. Wotton.


word: Ballotade
definition:
Ballotade

Bal"lo*tade`
(băl"lo̝*täd` or băl"lo̝*tād`)
n.
[F. ballottade, fr. ballotter to toss. See Ballot, v. i.]
(Man.)
A leap of a horse, as between two pillars, or upon a straight line, so that when his four feet are in the air, he shows only the shoes of his hind feet, without jerking out.


word: Ballotage
definition:
Ballotage

Bal"lot*age
(?)
n.
[F. ballottage.]
In France, a second ballot taken after an indecisive first ballot to decide between two or several candidates; a runoff election.


word: ballpoint
definition:
ballpoint

ballpoint
n.
a pen which has a small metal ball as point of transfer of ink to paper, at the tip of a cylandrical and non-refillable reservoir of ink; -- short for ballpoint pen.

Syn. -- ballpoint pen, ballpen, Biro.


word: ball-shaped
definition:
ball-shaped

ball-shaped
adj.
shaped like a sphere.

Syn. -- global, globose, globular, orbicular, spheric, spherical.


word: balls-up
definition:
balls-up

balls-up
n.
something badly botched or muddled; a foul-up.
[British]

Syn. -- ballup, cockup, mess-up, foul-up.


word: bally
definition:
bally

bally
adj. prenom.
an informal intensifier.

Syn. -- blinking(prenominal), bloody(prenominal), crashing(prenominal), flaming(prenominal), fucking(prenominal)[vulgar].


word: ballyhoo
definition:
ballyhoo

bal"ly*hoo
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. ballyhooed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. ballyhooing (_;).]
to advertize or publicize noisily or blatantly.


word: ballyrag
definition:
ballyrag

ballyrag
v.
to be bossy towards; same as bullyrag.

Syn. -- strong-arm, bully, browbeat, bullyrag, bullirag, ballarag, boss around, hector, push around.


word: Balm
definition:
Balm

Balm
(bäm)
n.
[OE. baume, OF. bausme, basme, F. baume, L. balsamum balsam, from Gr. ba`lsamon; perhaps of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. bāsām. Cf. Balsam.]

1.
(Bot.)
An aromatic plant of the genus Melissa.

2.
The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs.
Dryden.

3.
Any fragrant ointment.
Shak.

4.
Anything that heals or that mitigates pain.
Balm
Mrs. Hemans.

Balm cricket (Zool.), the European cicada. Tennyson. -- Balm of Gilead (Bot.), a small evergreen African and Asiatic tree of the terebinthine family (Balsamodendron Gileadense). Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this tree is obtained the balm of Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca. This has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste, and a fragrant smell. It is valued as an unguent and cosmetic by the Turks. The fragrant herb Dracocephalum Canariense is familiarly called balm of Gilead, and so are the American trees, Populus balsamifera, variety candicans (balsam poplar), and Abies balsamea (balsam fir).


word: Balm₂
definition:
Balm

Balm
v. t.
To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
Hence:
To soothe; to mitigate.
[Archaic]
Shak.


word: Balmoral
definition:
Balmoral

Bal*mor"al
(_;)
n.
[From Balmoral Castle, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.]
1.
A long woolen petticoat, worn immediately under the dress.

2.
A kind of stout walking shoe, laced in front.

A man who uses his balmorals to tread on your toes.
George Eliot.


word: Balmy
definition:
Balmy

Balm"y
(_;)
a.
1.
Having the qualities of balm; odoriferous; aromatic; assuaging; soothing; refreshing; mild; as, balmy weather.
balmy
Tickell.

Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep!
Young.

2.
Producing balm.
balmy
Pope.

3.
Highly eccentric or crazy.
[Informal]

Syn. -- batty.


word: Balneation
definition:
Balneation

Bal`ne*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. balneare to bathe, fr. L. balneum bath.]
The act of bathing.
[R.]


word: Balneology
definition:
Balneology

Bal`ne*ol"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[L. balneum bath + -logy.]
A treatise on baths; the science of bathing.


word: balneotherapy
definition:
balneotherapy

bal`ne*o*ther"a*py
(_;)
n.
[L. balneum bath + Gr. qerapey`ein to heal.]
The treatment of disease by baths.


word: baloney
definition:
baloney

ba*lo"ney
(_;)
n.
1.
[Believed to be derived form balogna, but perhaps also influenced by blarney.]
nonsense; foolishness; bunk; -- also used as an interjection.
[Also spelled boloney.]
[slang]

No matter how thin you slice it, it's still baloney!
Al Smith.

2.
informal variant of bologna{2}, for bologna sausage.
[informal]


word: Balsa
definition:
Balsa

Bal"sa
(_;)
n.
[Sp. or Pg. balsa.]
(Naut.)
A raft or float, used principally on the Pacific coast of South America.


word: Balsam
definition:
Balsam

Bal"sam
(b&asuml_;l"sam)
n.
[L. balsamum the balsam tree or its resin, Gr. ba`lsamon. See Balm, n.]
1.
A resin containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil.

&hand_; The balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. A great variety of substances pass under this name, but the term is now usually restricted to resins which, in addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and cinnamic acid. Among the true balsams are the balm of Gilead, and the balsams of copaiba, Peru, and Tolu. There are also many pharmaceutical preparations and resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to which the name balsam has been given.

2.
(Bot.)
(a)
A species of tree (Abies balsamea).
(b)
An annual garden plant (Impatiens balsamina) with beautiful flowers; balsamine.

3.
Anything that heals, soothes, or restores.

Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood?
Tennyson.

Balsam apple (Bot.), an East Indian plant (Momordica balsamina), of the gourd family, with red or orange-yellow cucumber-shaped fruit of the size of a walnut, used as a vulnerary, and in liniments and poultices. -- Balsam fir (Bot.), the American coniferous tree, Abies balsamea, from which the useful Canada balsam is derived. -- Balsam of copaiba. See Copaiba. -- Balsam of Mecca, balm of Gilead. -- Balsam of Peru, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained from a Central American tree (Myroxylon Pereiræ and used as a stomachic and expectorant, and in the treatment of ulcers, etc. It was long supposed to be a product of Peru. -- Balsam of Tolu, a reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or solid balsam, obtained from a South American tree (Myroxylon toluiferum). It is highly fragrant, and is used as a stomachic and expectorant. -- Balsam tree, any tree from which balsam is obtained, esp. the Abies balsamea. -- Canada balsam, Balsam of fir, Canada turpentine, a yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by time and exposure, becomes a transparent solid mass. It is obtained from the balm of Gilead (or balsam) fir (Abies balsamea) by breaking the vesicles upon the trunk and branches. See Balm.


word: Balsam₂
definition:
Balsam

Bal"sam
(_;)
v. t.
To treat or anoint with balsam; to relieve, as with balsam; to render balsamic.


word: Balsamation
definition:
Balsamation

Bal`sam*a"tion
(b&asuml_;l`sam*ā"shŭn or băl`sam*ā"shŭn)
n.
1.
The act of imparting balsamic properties.

2.
The art or process of embalming.


word: Balsamical
definition:
Balsamical

Balsamic

{ Bal*sam"ic (b&asuml_;l*săm"ĭk or băl*săm"ĭk; 277), Bal*sam"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[Cf. F. balsamique.]
Having the qualities of balsam; containing, or resembling, balsam; soft; mitigative; soothing; restorative.


word: Balsamiferous
definition:
Balsamiferous

Bal`sam*if"er*ous
(b&asuml_;l`sam*ĭf"ẽr*ŭs or băl`sam*ĭf"ẽr*ŭs)
a.
[Balsam + -ferous.]
Producing balsam.


word: Balsaminaceae
definition:
Balsaminaceae

Balsaminaceae
n.
a natural family comprising the balsams, distinguished from the family Geraniaceae by the irregular flowers.

Syn. -- family Balsaminaceae, balsam family.


word: Balsamine
definition:
Balsamine

Bal"sam*ine
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. balsamine, fr. Gr. balsami`nh balsam plant.]
(Bot.)
The Impatiens balsamina, or garden balsam.


word: Balsamorhiza
definition:
Balsamorhiza

Balsamorhiza
n.
genus of coarse West American herbs with large roots containing an aromatic balsam.

Syn. -- genus Balsamorhiza.


word: balsamroot
definition:
balsamroot

balsamroot
n.
a plant of the genus Balsamorhiza having white-downy leaves in a basal rosette and yellow flowers and long balsam-scented taproots.


word: Balter
definition:
Balter

Bal"ter
(_;)
v. t.
[Etymol. uncertain. Cf. Bloodboltered.]
To stick together.
[Obs.]
Holland.


word: Baltic
definition:
Baltic

Bal"tic
(_;)
a.
[NL. mare Balticum, fr. L. balteus belt, from certain straits or channels surrounding its isles, called belts. See Belt.]
Of or pertaining to the sea which separates Norway and Sweden from Jutland, Denmark, and Germany; situated on the Baltic Sea.


word: Baltimore oriole
definition:
Baltimore oriole

Baltimore bird

{ Bal"ti*more bird` (_;), Bal"ti*more o"ri*ole (_;). }
(Zool.)
A common bird (Icterus galbula) of eastern and central America and Canada, named after Lord Baltimore, because its colors (black and orange red) are like those of his coat of arms; -- called also golden robin.  It winters in the American tropics.


word: Baluster
definition:
Baluster

Bal"us*ter
(_;)
n.
[F. balustre, It. balaustro, fr. L. balaustium the flower of the wild pomegranate, fr. Gr. balay`stion; -- so named from the similarity of form.]
(Arch.)
A small column or pilaster, used as a support to the rail of an open parapet, to guard the side of a staircase, or the front of a gallery.  See Balustrade.
[Corrupted into banister.]


word: Balustrade
definition:
Balustrade

Bal"us*trade`
(-trād`)
n.
[F. balustrade, It. balaustrata fr. balaustro. See Baluster.]
(Arch.)
A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, or the eaves of a building, or as a guard railing on a staircase; -- it serves as a guard to prevent people from falling.

Syn. -- bannister, banister, balusters, handrail, guard rail.


word: Balzac
definition:
Balzac

Balzac
n.
Honore de Balzac, a French novelist; b. 1799, d. 1850.
[Person]

Syn. -- Honore Balzac.


word: bam
definition:
bam

bam
(băm)
n.
[Prob. a contr. of bamboozle.]
An imposition; a cheat; a hoax.
Garrick.

To relieve the tedium, he kept plying them with all manner of bams.
Prof. Wilson.


word: Bambino
definition:
Bambino

Bam*bi"no
(bäm*bē"no̝)
n.
It. pl. -ni (#)
[It., a little boy, fr. bambo silly; cf. Gr. bambali`zein, bambai`nein, to chatter.]
1.
A child or baby; esp., a representation in art of the infant Christ wrapped in swaddling clothes.

2.
(Sports)
George Herman Ruth ("Babe" Ruth), the baseball player; -- usu. in the form “the bambino”.


word: Bambocciade
definition:
Bambocciade

Bam*boc`ci*ade"
(_;)
n.
[It. bambocciata, fr. Bamboccio a nickname of Peter Van Laer, a Dutch genre painter; properly, a child, simpleton, puppet, fr. bambo silly.]
(Paint.)
A representation of a grotesque scene from common or rustic life.


word: Bamboo
definition:
Bamboo

Bam*boo"
(băm*bō")
n.
[Malay bambu, mambu.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the family of grasses, and genus Bambusa, growing in tropical countries.

&hand_; The most useful species is Bambusa arundinacea, which has a woody, hollow, round, straight, jointed stem, and grows to the height of forty feet and upward. The flowers grow in large panicles, from the joints of the stalk, placed three in a parcel, close to their receptacles. Old stalks grow to five or six inches in diameter, and are so hard and durable as to be used for building, and for all sorts of furniture, for water pipes, and for poles to support palanquins. The smaller stalks are used for walking sticks, flutes, etc.


word: Bamboozle
definition:
Bamboozle

Bam*boo"zle
(băm*bō"z'l)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bamboozled (băm*bō"z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Bamboozling (băm*bō"zlĭng).]
[Said to be of Gipsy origin.]
To deceive by trickery; to cajole by confusing the senses; to hoax; to mystify; to humbug.
[Colloq.]
Addison.

What oriental tomfoolery is bamboozling you?
J. H. Newman.


word: Bamboozler
definition:
Bamboozler

Bam*boo"zler
(băm*bō"zlẽr)
n.
A swindler; one who deceives by trickery.
[Colloq.]
Arbuthnot.


word: Ban
definition:
Ban

Ban
(băn)
n.
A kind of fine muslin, made in the East Indies from the fiber of the banana leaf stalks.


word: Ban₂
definition:
Ban

Ban
(băn)
n.
[AS. bann command, edict; akin to D. ban, Icel. bann, Dan. band, OHG. ban, G. bann, a public proclamation, as of interdiction or excommunication, Gr. fa`nai to say, L. fari to speak, Skr. bhan to speak; cf. F. ban, LL. bannum, of G. origin. √86. Cf. Abandon, Fame.]
1.
A public proclamation or edict; a public order or notice, mandatory or prohibitory; a summons by public proclamation.

2.
(Feudal & Mil.)
A calling together of the king's (esp. the French king's) vassals for military service; also, the body of vassals thus assembled or summoned. In present usage, in France and Prussia, the most effective part of the population liable to military duty and not in the standing army.

3.
pl.
Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in church. See Banns (the common spelling in this sense).

4.
An interdiction, prohibition, or proscription.
ban
Milton.

5.
A curse or anathema.
ban
Shak.

6.
A pecuniary mulct or penalty laid upon a delinquent for offending against a ban; as, a mulct paid to a bishop by one guilty of sacrilege or other crimes.

Ban of the empire (German Hist.), an imperial interdict by which political rights and privileges, as those of a prince, city, or district, were taken away.


word: Ban₃
definition:
Ban

Ban
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Banned (bănd); p. pr. & vb. n. Banning.]
[OE. bannen, bannien, to summon, curse, AS. bannan to summon; akin to Dan. bande, forbande, to curse, Sw. banna to revile, bannas to curse. See Ban an edict, and cf. Banish.]
1.
To curse; to invoke evil upon.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
To forbid; to interdict.
Byron.


word: Ban₅
definition:
Ban

Ban
n.
[Serv. ban; cf. Russ. & Pol. pan a master, lord, Per. ban.]
An ancient title of the warden of the eastern marches of Hungary; now, a title of the viceroy of Croatia and Slavonia.


word: Banality
definition:
Banality

Ba*nal"i*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Banalities (_;).
[F. banalité. See Banal.]
Something commonplace, hackneyed, or trivial; the commonplace, in speech.

The highest things were thus brought down to the banalities of discourse.
J. Morley.


word: Banana
definition:
Banana

Ba*na"na
(bȧ*nä"nȧ; 277)
n.
[Sp. banana, name of the fruit.]
(Bot.)
A perennial herbaceous plant of almost treelike size (Musa sapientum); also, its edible fruit. See Musa.

&hand_; The banana has a soft, herbaceous stalk, with leaves of great length and breadth. The flowers grow in bunches, covered with a sheath of a green or purple color; the fruit is five or six inches long, and over an inch in diameter; the pulp is soft, and of a luscious taste, and is eaten either raw or cooked. This plant is a native of tropical countries, and furnishes an important article of food.

Banana bird (Zool.), a small American bird (Icterus leucopteryx), which feeds on the banana. -- Banana quit (Zool.), a small bird of tropical America, of the genus Certhiola, allied to the creepers.


word: Banana solution
definition:
Banana solution

Ba*na"na so*lu"tion
A solution used as a vehicle in applying bronze pigments. In addition to acetote, benzine, and a little pyroxylin, it contains amyl acetate, which gives it the odor of bananas.


word: Bank
definition:
Bank

Bancus

Banc

{ Banc (_;), &VerbarBan"cus (_;), Bank (_;), }
n.
[OF. banc, LL. bancus. See Bank, n.]
A bench; a high seat, or seat of distinction or judgment; a tribunal or court.

In banc, In banco (the ablative of bancus), In bank, in full court, or with full judicial authority; as, sittings in banc (distinguished from sittings at nisi prius).


word: Bancal
definition:
Bancal

Ban*cal"
(?)
n.
pl. -cales (#)
[Sp., fr. banca, banco, bench. Cf. Bench.]
An ornamental covering, as of carpet or leather, for a bench or form.


word: Banco
definition:
Banco

Ban"co
(_;)
n.
[It. See Bank.]
A bank, especially that of Venice.

&hand_; This term is used in some parts of Europe to indicate bank money, as distinguished from the current money, when this last has become depreciated.


word: Band
definition:
Band

Band
(bănd)
n.
[OE. band, bond, Icel. band; akin to G., Sw., & D. band, OHG. bant, Goth. bandi, Skr. bandha a binding, bandh to bind, for bhanda, bhandh, also to E. bend, bind.  In sense 7, at least, it is fr. F. bande, from OHG. bant.  √90.  See Bind, v. t., and cf. Bend, Bond, 1st Bandy.]
1.
A fillet, strap, or any narrow ligament with which a thing is encircled, or fastened, or by which a number of things are tied, bound together, or confined; a fetter.

Every one's bands were loosed.
Acts xvi. 26.

2.
(Arch.)
(a)
A continuous tablet, stripe, or series of ornaments, as of carved foliage, of color, or of brickwork, etc.
(b)
In Gothic architecture, the molding, or suite of moldings, which encircles the pillars and small shafts.

3.
That which serves as the means of union or connection between persons; a tie.
bands
Shak.

4.
A linen collar or ruff worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.

5.
pl.
Two strips of linen hanging from the neck in front as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress.

6.
A narrow strip of cloth or other material on any article of dress, to bind, strengthen, ornament, or complete it.
Band
Hood.

7.
A company of persons united in any common design, especially a body of armed men.

Troops of horsemen with his bands of foot.
Shak.

8.
A number of musicians who play together upon portable musical instruments, especially those making a loud sound, as certain wind instruments (trumpets, clarinets, etc.), and drums, or cymbals; as, a high school's marching band.

9.
(Bot.)
A space between elevated lines or ribs, as of the fruits of umbelliferous plants.

10.
(Zool.)
A stripe, streak, or other mark transverse to the axis of the body.

11.
(Mech.)
A belt or strap.

12.
A bond.
[Obs.]
band
Shak.

13.
Pledge; security.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

Band saw, a saw in the form of an endless steel belt, with teeth on one edge, running over wheels. -- 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: Band₂
definition:
Band

Band
(bănd)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Banded; p. pr. & vb. n. Banding.]
1.
To bind or tie with a band.

2.
To mark with a band.

3.
To unite in a troop, company, or confederacy.
Banded
Milton.

Banded architrave, Banded pier, Banded shaft, etc. (Arch.), an architrave, pier, shaft, etc., of which the regular profile is interrupted by blocks or projections crossing it at right angles.


word: Band₃
definition:
Band

Band
v. i.
To confederate for some common purpose; to unite; to conspire together.

Certain of the Jews banded together.
Acts xxiii. 12.


word: Bandage
definition:
Bandage

Band"age
(bănd"a̝j)
n.
[F. bandage, fr. bande. See Band.]
1.
A fillet or strip of woven material, used in dressing and binding up wounds, etc.

2.
Something resembling a bandage; that which is bound over or round something to cover, strengthen, or compress it; a ligature.

Zeal too had a place among the rest, with a bandage over her eyes.
Addison.


word: Bandage₂
definition:
Bandage

Band"age
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bandaged (bănd"a̝jd); p. pr. & vb. n. Bandaging (bănd"a̝*jĭng).]
To bind, dress, or cover, with a bandage; as, to bandage the eyes.


word: Band Aid
definition:
Band Aid

band-aid

Band-Aid

Band"-Aid`, band"-aid`, Band" Aid
(bănd"ād`)
n.
[from a Trademark.]
An adhesive bandage, composed of a short ribbon of cloth or plastic with an adhesive coating on one side, and having a patch of gauze at the center.  It is used to cover small cuts, abrasions, or blisters on the skin, and may be easily applied to and removed from the skin with no additional material.  Originally a trademark, the term has been popularly used generically.
[trademark]

2.
A hurried repair; a temporary fix for a minor problem.
The term has been used metaphorically to mean an ineffective cosmetic solution, when used on a serious problem.

Syn. -- quick fix, quickie, quicky.


word: Bandala
definition:
Bandala

Ban*da"la
(_;)
n.
A fabric made in Manila from the older leaf sheaths of the abaca (Musa textilis).


word: Bandana
definition:
Bandana

Bandanna

{ Ban*dan"na, Ban*dan"a  }
(_;)
n.
[Hind. bāndhnū a mode of dyeing in which the cloth is tied in different places so as to prevent the parts tied from receiving the dye. Cf. Band, n.]
1.
A species of silk or cotton handkerchief, having a uniformly dyed ground, usually of red or blue, with white or yellow figures of a circular, lozenge, or other simple form; -- it is often used as a neckerchief.  The term is also used for any large and brightly colored handkerchief.

2.
Hence:
Any scarf worn on the neck or head, usually of large size.

3.
A style of calico printing, in which white or bright spots are produced upon cloth previously dyed of a uniform red or dark color, by discharging portions of the color by chemical means, while the rest of the cloth is under pressure.
Ure.


word: Bandbox
definition:
Bandbox

Band"box`
(bănd"b&obreve_;ks`)
n.
A light box of pasteboard or thin wood, usually cylindrical, for holding ruffs (the bands of the 17th century), collars, caps, bonnets, etc.


word: Bandeau
definition:
Bandeau

Ban*deau"
(băn*d&omacr"; băn"d&omacr)
n.
pl. Bandeaux (băn*d&omacrz")
[F.]
A narrow band or fillet, as for the hair, part of a headdress, etc.

Around the edge of this cap was a stiff bandeau of leather.
Sir W. Scott.


word: bandelette
definition:
bandelette

Bandlet

Bandelet

{ Band"e*let (_;), Band"let, bandelette }
(_;)
n.
[F. bandelette, dim. of bande. See Band, n., and cf. Bendlet.]
(Arch.)
A small band or fillet; any little band or flat molding, compassing a column, like a ring, and usually at the top of the column; an annulet.
Gwilt.

Syn. -- annulet, bandelette, bandlet, square and rabbet.


word: Banderilla
definition:
Banderilla

Ban`de*ril"la
(?)
n.
[Sp., dim. of bandera banner. See Banner, and cf. Banderole.]
A barbed dart carrying a banderole which the banderillero thrusts into the neck or shoulder of the bull in a bullfight.


word: Banderillero
definition:
Banderillero

Ban`de*ril*le"ro
(?)
n.
[Sp.]
One who thrusts in the banderillas in bullfighting.
W. D. Howells.


word: Bandrol
definition:
Bandrol

Banderole

{ Band"e*role (_;), Band"rol  }
(_;)
n.
[F. banderole, dim. of bandière, bannière, banner; cf. It. banderuola a little banner. See Banner.]
A little banner, flag, or streamer.
[Written also bannerol.]

From the extremity of which fluttered a small banderole or streamer bearing a cross.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Bandicoot
definition:
Bandicoot

Ban"di*coot
(_;)
n.
[A corruption of the native name.]
(Zool.)
(a)
A species of very large rat (Mus giganteus), found in India and Ceylon. It does much injury to rice fields and gardens.
(b)
A ratlike marsupial animal (genus Perameles) of several species, found in Australia and Tasmania.


word: Banding plane
definition:
Banding plane

Band"ing plane`
(_;)
A plane used for cutting out grooves and inlaying strings and bands in straight and circular work.


word: Bandit
definition:
Bandit

Ban"dit
(băn"dĭt)
n.
pl. Bandits (băn"dĭts), or Banditti (băn*dĭt"tĭ).
[It. bandito outlaw, p. p. of bandire to proclaim, to banish, to proscribe, LL. bandire, bannire. See Ban an edict, and cf. Banish.]
An outlaw; a brigand.

No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer.
Milton.

&hand_; The plural banditti was formerly used as a collective noun.

Deerstealers are ever a desperate banditti.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Bandle
definition:
Bandle

Ban"dle
(_;)
n.
[Ir. bannlamh cubit, fr. bann a measure + lamh hand, arm.]
An Irish measure of two feet in length.


word: Bandog
definition:
Bandog

Ban"dog`
(băn"d&obreve_;g`; 115)
n.
[Band + dog, i.e., bound dog.]
A mastiff or other large and fierce dog, usually kept chained or tied up.

The keeper entered leading his bandog, a large bloodhound, tied in a leam, or band, from which he takes his name.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Bandolier
definition:
Bandolier

Bandoleer

{ Ban`do*leer", Ban`do*lier"  }
(_;)
n.
[F. bandoulière (cf. It. bandoliera, Sp. bandolera), fr. F. bande band, Sp. & It. banda. See Band, n.]
1.
A broad leather belt formerly worn by soldiers over the right shoulder and across the breast under the left arm.  Originally it was used for supporting the musket and twelve cases for charges, but later only as a cartridge belt.

2.
One of the leather or wooden cases in which the charges of powder were carried.
[Obs.]


word: Bandore
definition:
Bandore

Ban"dore
(_;)
n.
[Sp. bandurria, fr. L. pandura, pandurium, a musical instrument of three strings, fr. Gr. pandoy^ra a three-stringed musical instrument. Cf. Pandore, Banjo, Mandolin.]
A musical stringed instrument, similar in form to a guitar; a pandore.  It is now obsolete, but see  bandura.


word: bandura
definition:
bandura

ban*dur"a
(băn*dōr"ȧ)
n.
[See bandore.]
A traditional Ukrainian stringed musical instrument shaped like a lute, having many strings.


word: bandwagon
definition:
bandwagon

bandwagon
n.
1.
A popular trend that attracts growing support.
bandwagon

2.
A large ornate wagon for carrying a musical band.
bandwagon


word: bandwidth
definition:
bandwidth

band"width`
n.
The maximum rate of information transfer (measured in bits/second) that can be carried by a communication channel.
bandwidth


word: Bandy
definition:
Bandy

Ban"dy
(băn"d&ybreve_;)
n.
[Telugu ba&nsdot_;&dsdot_;i.]
A carriage or cart used in India, esp. one drawn by bullocks.


word: Bandy₂
definition:
Bandy

Ban"dy
n.
pl. Bandies (-dĭz).
[Cf. F. bandé, p. p. of bander to bind, to bend (a bow), to bandy, fr. bande. See Band, n.]
1.
A club bent at the lower part for striking a ball at play; a hockey stick.
Johnson.

2.
The game played with such a club; hockey; shinney; bandy ball.


word: Bandy₃
definition:
Bandy

Ban"dy
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bandied (băn"de̝d); p. pr. & vb. n. Bandying.]
1.
To beat to and fro, as a ball in playing at bandy.

Like tennis balls bandied and struck upon us . . . by rackets from without.
Cudworth.

2.
To give and receive reciprocally; to exchange.
bandy
Shak.

3.
To toss about, as from person to person; to circulate freely in a light manner; -- of ideas, facts, rumors, etc.

Let not obvious and known truth be bandied about in a disputation.
I. Watts.


word: Bandy₄
definition:
Bandy

Ban"dy
v. i.
To contend, as at some game in which each strives to drive the ball his own way.

Fit to bandy with thy lawless sons.
Shak.


word: Bandy₅
definition:
Bandy

Ban"dy
a.
Bent; crooked; curved laterally, esp. with the convex side outward; as, a bandy leg.


word: Bane
definition:
Bane

Bane
(bān)
n.
[OE. bane destruction, AS. bana murderer; akin to Icel. bani death, murderer, OHG. bana murder, bano murderer, Goth. banja stroke, wound, Gr. foney`s murderer, fo`nos murder, OIr. bath death, benim I strike. √31.]
1.
That which destroys life, esp. poison of a deadly quality.
[Obs.  except in combination, as in ratsbane, henbane, etc.]

2.
Destruction; death.
[Obs.]

The cup of deception spiced and tempered to their bane.
Milton.

3.
Any cause of ruin, or lasting injury; harm; woe.

Money, thou bane of bliss, and source of woe.
Herbert.

4.
A disease in sheep, commonly termed the rot.


word: Baneberry
definition:
Baneberry

Bane"ber`ry
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
A genus (Actæa) of plants, of the order Ranunculaceæ, native in the north temperate zone.  The red or white berries are poisonous.


word: Baneful
definition:
Baneful

Bane"ful
(_;)
a.
Having poisonous qualities; deadly; destructive; injurious; noxious; pernicious.
Baneful
Garth.
Baneful
Chapman.


word: Bang
definition:
Bang

Bang
(băng)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Banged; p. pr. & vb. n. Banging.]
[Icel. banga to hammer; akin to Dan. banke to beat, Sw. bångas to be impetuous, G. bengel club, clapper of a bell.]
1.
To beat, as with a club or cudgel; to treat with violence; to handle roughly.

The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks.
Shak.

2.
To beat or thump, or to cause (something) to hit or strike against another object, in such a way as to make a loud noise; as, to bang a drum or a piano; to bang a door (against the doorpost or casing) in shutting it.

3.
To have sexual intercourse with; to fuck; -- usually used with the male as a subject.  Considered vulgar or obscene.
[vulgar slang]


word: Bang₂
definition:
Bang

Bang
v. i.
1.
To make a loud noise, as if with a blow or succession of blows; as, the window blind banged and waked me; he was banging on the piano.

2.
To have sexual intercourse; to fuck.  Considered vulgar and obscene.
[vulgar slang]


word: Bang₃
definition:
Bang

Bang
n.
1.
A blow as with a club; a heavy blow.

Many a stiff thwack, many a bang.
Hudibras.

2.
The loud sound produced by a sudden concussion or explosion.

3.
A surge of pleasure; a thrill; -- usually used in the phrase get a bang out of; as, I always get a bang out of watching an ice skater do a quadruple jump.
[informal]

Syn. -- kick{5}.

4.
(Printing & Computers)
An exclamation point; -- used in verbal descriptions of text, in printing and in computer technology; as, his email address is tom bang stanford dot edu (i.e. tom!stanford.edu).
[slang]

5.
An instance of sexual intercourse; a fuck.  Considered vulgar and obscene.
[vulgar slang]


word: Bang₄
definition:
Bang

Bang
v. t.
To cut squarely across, as the tail of a horse, or the forelock of human beings; to cut (the hair).

His hair banged even with his eyebrows.
The Century Mag.


word: Bang₅
definition:
Bang

Bang
n.
The short, front hair combed down over the forehead, esp. when cut squarely across; a false front of hair similarly worn; -- usually used in the plural; as, her bangs came down almost to her eyes.

His hair cut in front like a young lady's bang.
W. D. Howells.


word: Bangkok
definition:
Bangkok

Bangkok
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of Thailand.  Population (2000) = 5,882,000.


word: Bangladesh
definition:
Bangladesh

Bangladesh
prop. n.
An independent Asian country on teh Bay of Bengal that was once part of India and then part of Pakistan (called East Pakistan).

Syn. -- Bangla Desh, East Pakistan.


word: Bangladeshi₂
definition:
Bangladeshi

Bangladeshi
prop. adj.
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Bangladesh.
Bangladeshi dialects

Syn. -- East Pakistani.


word: Bangle
definition:
Bangle

Ban"gle
(bă&nsmacr_;"g'l)
v. t.
[From 1st Bang.]
To waste by little and little; to fritter away.
[Obs.]


word: Bangle₂
definition:
Bangle

Ban"gle
n.
[Hind. bangrī bracelet, bangle.]
An ornamental circlet, of glass, gold, silver, or other material, worn mostly by women, upon the wrist or ankle; a ring bracelet.  It differs from other bracelets in being rigid and not articulated, in contrast to bracelets made of links.

Bangle ear, a loose hanging ear of a horse, like that of a spaniel.


word: Bangui
definition:
Bangui

Bangui
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of Central African Republic.  Population (2000) = 706,000.


word: Banian
definition:
Banian

Ban"ian
(băn"yan or băn*yăn"; 277)
n.
[Skr. banij merchant. The tree was so named by the English, because used as a market place by the merchants.]
1.
A Hindu trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer.
[Written also banyan.]

2.
A man's loose gown, like that worn by the Banians.

3.
(Bot.)
The Indian fig. See Banyan.

Banian days (Naut.), days in which the sailors have no flesh meat served out to them.  This use seems to be borrowed from the Banians or Banya race, who eat no flesh.


word: Banish
definition:
Banish

Ban"ish
(băn"ĭsh)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Banished (băn"ĭsht); p. pr. & vb. n. Banishing.]
[OF. banir, F. bannir, LL. bannire, fr. OHG. bannan to summon, fr. ban ban. See Ban an edict, and Finish, v. t.]
1.
To condemn to exile, or compel to leave one's country, by authority of the ruling power.
banish
Shak.

2.
To drive out, as from a home or familiar place; -- used with from and out of.

How the ancient Celtic tongue came to be banished from the Low Countries in Scotland.
Blair.

3.
To drive away; to compel to depart; to dispel.
Banish
Shak.


word: Banishment
definition:
Banishment

Ban"ish*ment
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. bannissement.]
The act of banishing, or the state of being banished.

He secured himself by the banishment of his enemies.
Johnson.

Round the wide world in banishment we roam.
Dryden.


word: Banister
definition:
Banister

Ban"is*ter
(_;)
n.
[A corruption of baluster.]
1.
A baluster.

2.
sing.
pl.
The balustrade of a staircase.  Formerly used in this sense mostly in the plural, now mostly in the singular.
[Also spelled bannister.]

He struggled to ascend the pulpit stairs, holding hard on the banisters. Sir W. Scott.


word: banjo
definition:
banjo

ban"jo
n.
[Formerly also banjore and banjer; corrupted from bandore, through negro slave pronunciation.]
A stringed musical instrument having a head and neck like the guitar, and a circular body like a tambourine.  It has five strings, and is played with the fingers and hands.


word: Bank₂
definition:
Bank

Bank
(bă&nsmacr_;k)
n.
[OE. banke; akin to E. bench, and prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. bakki. See Bench.]
1.
A mound, pile, or ridge of earth, raised above the surrounding level; hence, anything shaped like a mound or ridge of earth; as, a bank of clouds; a bank of snow.

They cast up a bank against the city.
2 Sam. xx. 15.

2.
A steep acclivity, as the slope of a hill, or the side of a ravine.

3.
The margin of a watercourse; the rising ground bordering a lake, river, or sea, or forming the edge of a cutting, or other hollow.

Tiber trembled underneath her banks.
Shak.

4.
An elevation, or rising ground, under the sea; a shoal, shelf, or shallow; as, the banks of Newfoundland.

5.
(Mining)
(a)
The face of the coal at which miners are working.
(b)
A deposit of ore or coal, worked by excavations above water level.
(c)
The ground at the top of a shaft; as, ores are brought to bank.

6.
(Aëronautics)
The lateral inclination of an aëroplane as it rounds a curve; as, a bank of 45° is easy; a bank of 90° is dangerous.

7.
A group or series of objects arranged near together; as, a bank of electric lamps, etc.

8.
The tilt of a roadway or railroad, at a curve in the road, designed to counteract centrifugal forces acting on vehicles moving rapiudly around the curve, thus reducing the danger of overturning during a turn.

Bank beaver (Zool.), the otter. [Local, U.S.] -- Bank swallow, a small American and European swallow (Clivicola riparia) that nests in a hole which it excavates in a bank.


word: Bank₃
definition:
Bank

Bank
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Banked(bă&nsmacr_;kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Banking.]
1.
To raise a mound or dike about; to inclose, defend, or fortify with a bank; to embank.
Banked
Holland.

2.
To heap or pile up; as, to bank sand.

3.
To pass by the banks of.
[Obs.]
Shak.

4.
(Engineering)
To build (a roadway or railroad) with an inclination at a curve in the road, so as to counteract centrifugal forces acting on vehicles moving rapiudly around the curve, thus reducing the danger of vehicles overturning at a curve; as, the raceway was steeply banked at the curves.

To bank a fire, To bank up a fire, to cover the coals or embers with ashes or cinders, thus keeping the fire low but alive.


word: Bank₄
definition:
Bank

Bank
n.
[Prob. fr. F. banc. Of German origin, and akin to E. bench. See Bench.]
1.
A bench, as for rowers in a galley; also, a tier of oars.

Placed on their banks, the lusty Trojan sweep
Neptune's smooth face, and cleave the yielding deep.
Waller.

2.
(Law)
(a)
The bench or seat upon which the judges sit.
(b)
The regular term of a court of law, or the full court sitting to hear arguments upon questions of law, as distinguished from a sitting at Nisi Prius, or a court held for jury trials. See Banc.
Burrill.

3.
(Printing)
A sort of table used by printers.

4.
(Music)
A bench, or row of keys belonging to a keyboard, as in an organ.
Knight.


word: Bank₅
definition:
Bank

Bank
n.
[F. banque, It. banca, orig. bench, table, counter, of German origin, and akin to E. bench; cf. G. bank bench, OHG. banch. See Bench, and cf. Banco, Beach.]
1.
An establishment for the custody, loan, exchange, or issue, of money, and for facilitating the transmission of funds by drafts or bills of exchange; an institution incorporated for performing one or more of such functions, or the stockholders (or their representatives, the directors), acting in their corporate capacity.

2.
The building or office used for banking purposes.

3.
A fund to be used in transacting business, especially a joint stock or capital.

Let it be no bank or common stock, but every man be master of his own money.
Bacon.

4.
(Gaming)
The sum of money or the checks which the dealer or banker has as a fund, from which to draw his stakes and pay his losses.

5.
In certain games, as dominos, a fund of pieces from which the players are allowed to draw; in Monopoly, the fund of money used to pay bonuses due to the players, or to which they pay fines.

6.
a place where something is stored and held available for future use;
specifically
an organization that stores biological products for medical needs; as, a blood bank, an organ bank, a sperm bank.

Bank credit, a credit by which a person who has given the required security to a bank has liberty to draw to a certain extent agreed upon. -- Bank of deposit, a bank which receives money for safe keeping. -- Bank of issue, a bank which issues its own notes payable to bearer.


word: Bank₇
definition:
Bank

Bank
v. i.
1.
To keep a bank; to carry on the business of a banker.

2.
To deposit money in a bank; to have an account with a banker.


word: Bank₈
definition:
Bank

Bank
v. i.
(Aëronautics)
To tilt sidewise in rounding a curve; -- said of a flying machine, an aërocurve, or the like.


word: Bank bill
definition:
Bank bill

Bank" bill`
(bă&nsmacr_;k" bĭl`)
1.
In America (and formerly in England), a promissory note of a bank payable to the bearer on demand, and used as currency; a bank note.

2.
In England, a note, or a bill of exchange, of a bank, payable to order, and usually at some future specified time. Such bills are negotiable, but form, in the strict sense of the term, no part of the currency.


word: Bank book
definition:
Bank book

Bank" book`
(bă&nsmacr_;k" bŏk`)
A book kept by a depositor, in which an officer of a bank enters the debits and credits of the depositor's account with the bank.


word: Bank discount
definition:
Bank discount

Bank discount
A sum equal to the interest at a given rate on the principal (face) of a bill or note from the time of discounting until it becomes due.


word: Banker
definition:
Banker

Bank"er
(bă&nsmacr_;k"ẽr)
n.
[See the nouns Bank and the verbs derived from them.]
1.
One who conducts the business of banking; one who, individually, or as a member of a company, keeps an establishment for the deposit or loan of money, or for traffic in money, bills of exchange, etc.

2.
A money changer.
[Obs.]

3.
The dealer, or one who keeps the bank in a gambling house.

4.
A vessel employed in the cod fishery on the banks of Newfoundland.
Crabb. J. Q. Adams.

5.
A ditcher; a drain digger.
[Prov. Eng.]

6.
The stone bench on which masons cut or square their work.
Weale.


word: Banking
definition:
Banking

Bank"ing
n.
The business of a bank or of a banker.

Banking house, an establishment or office in which, or a firm by whom, banking is done.


word: bank note
definition:
bank note

banknote

bank"note`, bank" note`
(bă&nsmacr_;k"n&omacrt`)
1.
A promissory note issued by a bank or banking company, payable to the bearer on demand.  See also sense 4.

&hand_; In the United States popularly called a bank bill.

2.
Formerly, a promissory note made by a banker, or banking company, payable to a specified person at a fixed date; a bank bill. See Bank bill, 2.
[Obs.]

3.
A promissory note payable at a bank.

4.
A promissory note issued by an authorized bank, payable to the bearer on demand and intended to circulate as government-authorized money; in the United States such notes may only be issued by a Federal Reserve Bank; as, he peeled off five one-thousand-zloty banknotes.

Syn. -- bill, note, government note, bank bill, banker's bill, bank note, Federal Reserve note, greenback.


word: bankroll
definition:
bankroll

bankroll
n.
1.
the money carried on one's person.
bankroll

Syn. -- roll, wad.

2.
one's total supply of money; funds.


word: bankroll₂
definition:
bankroll

bankroll
v. t.
To pay the costs of; as, Who will bankroll the restoration of the former East German economy?.


word: Bankrupt
definition:
Bankrupt

Bank"rupt
(_;)
n.
[F. banqueroute, fr. It. bancarotta bankruptcy; banca bank (fr. OHG. banch, G. bank, bench) + rotta broken, fr. L. ruptus, p. p. of rumpere to break.  At Florence, it is said, the bankrupt had his bench (i.e., money table) broken. See 1st Bank, and Rupture, n.]
1.
(Old Eng. Law)
A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors.
Blackstone.

2.
A trader who becomes unable to pay his debts; an insolvent trader; popularly, any person who is unable to pay his debts; an insolvent person.
M‘Culloch.

3.
(Law)
A person who, in accordance with the terms of a law relating to bankruptcy, has been judicially declared to be unable to meet his liabilities.

&hand_; In England, until the year 1861 none but a “trader” could be made a bankrupt; a non-trader failing to meet his liabilities being an “insolvent”.  But this distinction was abolished by the Bankruptcy Act of 1861.  The laws of 1841 and 1867 of the United States relating to bankruptcy applied this designation bankrupt to others besides those engaged in trade.


word: Bankrupt₂
definition:
Bankrupt

Bank"rupt
a.
1.
Being a bankrupt or in a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay, or legally discharged from paying, one's debts; as, a bankrupt merchant.

2.
Depleted of money; not having the means of meeting pecuniary liabilities; as, a bankrupt treasury.

3.
Relating to bankrupts and bankruptcy.

4.
Destitute of, or wholly wanting (something once possessed, or something one should possess).
Bankrupt
Sheridan.

Bankrupt law, a law by which the property of a person who is unable or unwilling to pay his debts may be taken and distributed to his creditors, and by which a person who has made a full surrender of his property, and is free from fraud, may be discharged from the legal obligation of his debts. See Insolvent, a.


word: Bankrupt₃
definition:
Bankrupt

Bank"rupt
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bankrupted; p. pr. & vb. n. Bankrupting.]
To make bankrupt; to bring financial ruin upon; to impoverish.


word: Bankruptcy
definition:
Bankruptcy

Bank"rupt*cy
(_;)
n.
pl. Bankruptcies (_;).
1.
The state of being actually or legally bankrupt.

2.
The act or process of becoming a bankrupt.

3.
Complete loss; -- followed by of.


word: Bank-sided
definition:
Bank-sided

Bank"-sid`ed
(_;)
a.
(Naut.)
Having sides inclining inwards, as a ship; -- opposed to wall-sided.


word: Banlieue
definition:
Banlieue

Ban"li*eue`
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. LL. bannum leucae, banleuca; bannum jurisdiction + leuca league.]
The territory without the walls, but within the legal limits, of a town or city.
Brande & C.


word: Banner
definition:
Banner

Ban"ner
(băn"nẽr)
n.
[OE. banere, OF. baniere, F. bannière, bandière, fr. LL. baneria, banderia, fr. bandum banner, fr. OHG. bant band, strip of cloth; cf. bindan to bind, Goth. bandwa, bandwo, a sign. See Band, n.]
1.
A kind of flag attached to a spear or pike by a crosspiece, and used by a chief as his standard in battle.

Hang out our banners on the outward walls.
Shak.

2.
A large piece of silk or other cloth, with a device or motto, extended on a crosspiece, and borne in a procession, or suspended in some conspicuous place.

3.
Any flag or standard; as, the star-spangled banner.

Banner fish (Zool.), a large fish of the genus Histiophorus, of the Swordfish family, having a broad bannerlike dorsal fin; the sailfish.  One species (Histiophorus Americanus) inhabits the North Atlantic.


word: Banneret
definition:
Banneret

Ban"ner*et
(_;)
n.
[OE. baneret, OF. baneret, F. banneret; properly a dim. of OF. baniere. See Banner.]

1.
Originally, a knight who led his vassals into the field under his own banner; -- commonly used as a title of rank.

2.
A title of rank, conferred for heroic deeds, and hence, an order of knighthood; also, the person bearing such title or rank.

&hand_; The usual mode of conferring the rank on the field of battle was by cutting or tearing off the point of the pennon or pointed flag on the spear of the candidate, thereby making it a banner.

3.
A civil officer in some Swiss cantons.

4.
A small banner.
Shak.


word: Bannerol
definition:
Bannerol

Ban"ner*ol
(_;)
n.
A banderole; esp. a banner displayed at a funeral procession and set over the tomb. See Banderole.


word: Bannock
definition:
Bannock

Ban"nock
(_;)
n.
[Gael. bonnach.]
A kind of cake or bread, in shape flat and roundish, commonly made of oatmeal or barley meal and baked on an iron plate, or griddle; -- used in Scotland and the northern counties of England.
Jamieson.

Bannock fluke, the turbot. [Scot.]


word: Bannockburn
definition:
Bannockburn

Bannockburn
prop. n.
A battle in which the Scots under Robert the Bruce defeated the English and assured the independence of Scotland.


word: Banns
definition:
Banns

Banns
(bănz)
n. pl.
[See Ban.]
Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in a church, or other place prescribed by law, in order that any person may object, if he knows of just cause why the marriage should not take place.


word: Banquet
definition:
Banquet

Ban"quet
(_;)
n.
[F., a feast, prop. a dim. of banc bench; cf. It. banchetto, dim. of banco a bench, counter. See Bank a bench, and cf. Banquette.]
1.
A feast; a sumptuous entertainment of eating and drinking; often, a complimentary or ceremonious feast, followed by speeches.

2.
A dessert; a course of sweetmeats; a sweetmeat or sweetmeats.
[Obs.]

We'll dine in the great room, but let the music
And banquet be prepared here.
Massinger.


word: Banquet₂
definition:
Banquet

Ban"quet
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Banqueted; p. pr. & vb. n. Banqueting.]
To treat with a banquet or sumptuous entertainment of food; to feast.

Just in time to banquet
The illustrious company assembled there.
Coleridge.


word: Banquet₃
definition:
Banquet

Ban"quet
v. i.
1.
To regale one's self with good eating and drinking; to feast.

Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets,
I would not taste thy treasonous offer.
Milton.

2.
To partake of a dessert after a feast.
[Obs.]

Where they did both sup and banquet.
Cavendish.


word: banqueting
definition:
banqueting

banqueting
n.
Eating an elaborate meal (often accompanied by entertainment).

Syn. -- feasting.


word: Banquette
definition:
Banquette

Ban*quette"
(?)
n.
A bench or seat for passengers on the top of a diligence or other public vehicle.

My brother-in-law . . . took refuge in the banquette.
Mrs. Howe.


word: Banquette₂
definition:
Banquette

Ban*quette"
(_;)
n.
[F. See Banquet, n.]
1.
(Fort.)
A raised way or foot bank, running along the inside of a parapet, on which musketeers stand to fire upon the enemy.

2.
(Arch.)
A narrow window seat; a raised shelf at the back or the top of a buffet or dresser.


word: Banshie
definition:
Banshie

Banshee

{ Ban"shee, Ban"shie (?) }
n.
[Gael. bean-shith fairy; Gael. & Ir. bean woman + Gael. sith fairy.]
(Celtic Folklore)
A supernatural being supposed to warn a family of the approaching death of one of its members, by wailing or singing in a mournful voice, as  under the windows of the house.


word: Banstickle
definition:
Banstickle

Ban"stic`kle
(_;)
n.
[OE. ban, bon, bone + stickle prickle, sting. See Bone, n., Stickleback.]
(Zool.)
A small fish, the three-spined stickleback.


word: Bantam
definition:
Bantam

Ban"tam
(_;)
n.
A variety of small barnyard fowl, with feathered legs, probably brought from Bantam, a district of Java.


word: Banter
definition:
Banter

Ban"ter
(băn"tẽr)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bantered (băn"tẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Bantering.]
[Prob. corrupted fr. F. badiner to joke, or perh. fr. E. bandy to beat to and fro. See Badinage, and cf. Barter fr. OF. barater.]

1.
To address playful good-natured ridicule to, -- the person addressed, or something pertaining to him, being the subject of the jesting; to rally; as, he bantered me about my credulity.

Hag-ridden by my own fancy all night, and then bantered on my haggard looks the next day.
W. Irving.

2.
To jest about; to ridicule in speaking of, as some trait, habit, characteristic, and the like.
[Archaic]

If they banter your regularity, order, and love of study, banter in return their neglect of them.
Chatham.

3.
To delude or trick, -- esp. by way of jest.
[Obs.]

We diverted ourselves with bantering several poor scholars with hopes of being at least his lordship's chaplain.
De Foe.

4.
To challenge or defy to a match.
[Colloq. Southern and Western U. S.]


word: Banter₂
definition:
Banter

Ban"ter
n.
The act of bantering; joking or jesting; humorous or good-humored raillery; pleasantry.

Part banter, part affection.
Tennyson.


word: Bantingism
definition:
Bantingism

Ban"ting*ism
(_;)
n.
A method of reducing corpulence by avoiding food containing much farinaceous, saccharine, or oily matter; -- so called from William Banting of London.


word: Bantling
definition:
Bantling

Bant"ling
(_;)
n.
[Prob. for bandling, from band, and meaning a child wrapped in swaddling bands; or cf. G. bäntling a bastard, fr. bank bench.  Cf. Bastard, n.]
A young or small child; an infant.
[Slightly contemptuous or depreciatory.]

In what out of the way corners genius produces her bantlings.
W. Irving.


word: Bantu
definition:
Bantu

Ban"tu
(?)
prop. n.
A member of one of the great family of Negroid tribes occupying equatorial and southern Africa.  These tribes include, as important divisions, the Kafirs, Damaras, Bechuanas, and many tribes whose names begin with Aba-, Ama-, Ba-, Ma-, Wa-, variants of the Bantu plural personal prefix Aba-, as in Ba-ntu, or Aba-ntu, itself a combination of this prefix with the syllable -ntu, a person; or as in Watusi.

2.
the family of languages spoken by the Bantu people (definition 1).


word: Bantu₂
definition:
Bantu

Ban"tu
adj.
1.
Of or pertaining to the Bantu language group Bantu (definition 2); as, Bantu languages.

2.
of or pertaining to the Bantu people (definition 1).
The Bantu population of Sierra Leone


word: Banyan
definition:
Banyan

Ban"yan
(băn"yan or băn*yăn")
n.
[See Banian.]
(Bot.)
A tree of the same genus as the common fig, and called the Indian fig (Ficus Indica), whose branches send shoots to the ground, which take root and become additional trunks, until it may be the tree covers some acres of ground and is able to shelter thousands of men.


word: Banzai
definition:
Banzai

Ban"zai"
(?)
interj.
[Jap. banzai, banzei, ten thousand years, forever.]
Lit., May you live ten thousand years; -- used in salutation of the emperor and as a battle cry.
[Japan]


word: Baobab
definition:
Baobab

Ba"o*bab
(bā"o̝*băb or bä"o̝*băb)
n.
[The native name.]
(Bot.)
A gigantic African tree (Adansonia digitata), also naturalized in India. See Adansonia.


word: Baphomet
definition:
Baphomet

Baph"o*met
(_;)
n.
[A corruption of Mahomet or Mohammed, the Arabian prophet: cf. Pr. Bafomet, OSp. Mafomat, OPg. Mafameda.]
An idol or symbolical figure which the Templars were accused of using in their mysterious rites.


word: Baptisia
definition:
Baptisia

Baptisia
prop. n.
A genus of North American plants with showy pealike flowers and an inflated pod.

Syn. -- genus Baptisia.


word: Baptism
definition:
Baptism

Bap"tism
(_;)
n.
[OE. baptim, baptem, OF. baptesme, batisme, F. baptême, L. baptisma, fr. Gr. ba`ptisma, fr. bapti`zein to baptize, fr. ba`ptein to dip in water, akin to baqy`s deep, Skr. gāh to dip, bathe, v. i.]
The act of baptizing; the application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ. This is performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring.


word: Baptismal
definition:
Baptismal

Bap*tis"mal
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. baptismal.]
Pertaining to baptism; as, baptismal vows.

Baptismal name, the Christian name, which is given at baptism.


word: Baptist
definition:
Baptist

Bap"tist
(băp"tĭst)
n.
[L. baptista, Gr. baptisth`s.]

1.
One who administers baptism; -- specifically applied to John, the forerunner of Christ.
Milton.

2.
One of a denomination of Christians who deny the validity of infant baptism and of sprinkling, and maintain that baptism should be administered to believers alone, and should be by immersion. See Anabaptist.

In doctrine the Baptists of this country [the United States] are Calvinistic, but with much freedom and moderation.
Amer. Cyc.

Freewill Baptists, a sect of Baptists who are Arminian in doctrine, and practice open communion. -- Seventh-day Baptists, a sect of Baptists who keep the seventh day of the week, or Saturday, as the Sabbath. See Sabbatarian. The Dunkers and Campbellites are also Baptists.


word: Baptistry
definition:
Baptistry

Baptistery

{ Bap"tis*ter*y (_;),Bap"tis*try  }
(_;)
n.
pl. Baptisteries (_;), Baptistries (_;).
[L. baptisterium, Gr. baptisth`rion: cf. F. baptistère.]
(Arch.)
(a)
In early times, a separate building, usually polygonal, used for baptismal services.  Small churches were often changed into baptisteries when larger churches were built near.
(b)
A part of a church containing a font and used for baptismal services.


word: Baptize
definition:
Baptize

Bap*tize"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Baptized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Baptizing.]
[F. baptiser, L. baptizare, fr. Gr. bapti`zein. See Baptism.]
1.
To administer the sacrament of baptism to.

2.
To christen (because a name is given to infants at their baptism); to give a name to; to name.

I'll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
Shak.

3.
To sanctify; to consecrate.


word: Bar
definition:
Bar

Bar
(bär)
n.
[OE. barre, F. barre, fr. LL. barra, W. bar the branch of a tree, bar, baren branch, Gael. & Ir. barra bar. √91.]
1.
A piece of wood, metal, or other material, long in proportion to its breadth or thickness, used as a lever and for various other purposes, but especially for a hindrance, obstruction, or fastening; as, the bars of a fence or gate; the bar of a door.

Thou shalt make bars of shittim wood.
Ex. xxvi. 26.

2.
An indefinite quantity of some substance, so shaped as to be long in proportion to its breadth and thickness; as, a bar of gold or of lead; a bar of soap.

3.
Anything which obstructs, hinders, or prevents; an obstruction; a barrier.

Must I new bars to my own joy create?
Dryden.

4.
A bank of sand, gravel, or other matter, esp. at the mouth of a river or harbor, obstructing navigation.

5.
Any railing that divides a room, or office, or hall of assembly, in order to reserve a space for those having special privileges; as, the bar of the House of Commons.

6.
(Law)
(a)
The railing that incloses the place which counsel occupy in courts of justice. Hence, the phrase at the bar of the court signifies in open court.
(b)
The place in court where prisoners are stationed for arraignment, trial, or sentence.
(c)
The whole body of lawyers licensed in a court or district; the legal profession.
(d)
A special plea constituting a sufficient answer to plaintiff's action.

7.
Any tribunal; as, the bar of public opinion; the bar of God.

8.
A barrier or counter, over which liquors and food are passed to customers; hence, the portion of the room behind the counter where liquors for sale are kept.

9.
(Her.)
An ordinary, like a fess but narrower, occupying only one fifth part of the field.

10.
A broad shaft, or band, or stripe; as, a bar of light; a bar of color.

11.
(Mus.)
A vertical line across the staff. Bars divide the staff into spaces which represent measures, and are themselves called measures.

&hand_; A double bar marks the end of a strain or main division of a movement, or of a whole piece of music; in psalmody, it marks the end of a line of poetry. The term bar is very often loosely used for measure, i.e., for such length of music, or of silence, as is included between one bar and the next; as, a passage of eight bars; two bars' rest.

12.
(Far.)
pl.
(a)
The space between the tusks and grinders in the upper jaw of a horse, in which the bit is placed.
(b)
The part of the crust of a horse's hoof which is bent inwards towards the frog at the heel on each side, and extends into the center of the sole.

13.
(Mining)
(a)
A drilling or tamping rod.
(b)
A vein or dike crossing a lode.

14.
(Arch.)
(a)
A gatehouse of a castle or fortified town.
(b)
A slender strip of wood which divides and supports the glass of a window; a sash bar.

Bar shoe (Far.), a kind of horseshoe having a bar across the usual opening at the heel, to protect a tender frog from injury. -- Bar shot, a double headed shot, consisting of a bar, with a ball or half ball at each end; -- formerly used for destroying the masts or rigging in naval combat. -- Bar sinister (Her.), a term popularly but erroneously used for baton, a mark of illegitimacy. See Baton. -- Bar tracery (Arch.), ornamental stonework resembling bars of iron twisted into the forms required. -- Blank bar (Law). See Blank. -- Case at bar (Law), a case presently before the court; a case under argument. -- In bar of, as a sufficient reason against; to prevent. -- Matter in bar, or Defence in bar, any matter which is a final defense in an action. -- Plea in bar, a plea which goes to bar or defeat the plaintiff's action absolutely and entirely. -- Trial at bar (Eng. Law), a trial before all the judges of one the superior courts of Westminster, or before a quorum representing the full court.


word: Bar₂
definition:
Bar

Bar
(bär)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Barred (bärd); p. pr. & vb. n. Barring.]
[ F. barrer. See Bar, n.]
1.
To fasten with a bar; as, to bar a door or gate.

2.
To restrict or confine, as if by a bar; to hinder; to obstruct; to prevent; to prohibit; as, to bar the entrance of evil; distance bars our intercourse; the statute bars my right; the right is barred by time; a release bars the plaintiff's recovery; -- sometimes with up.

He barely looked the idea in the face, and hastened to bar it in its dungeon.
Hawthorne.

3.
To except; to exclude by exception.

Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gauge me
By what we do to-night.
Shak.

4.
To cross with one or more stripes or lines.

For the sake of distinguishing the feet more clearly, I have barred them singly.
Burney.


word: Baraca
definition:
Baraca

Ba*ra"ca
(?)
n.
An international, interdenominational organization of Bible classes of young men; -- so named in allusion to the Hebrew word Berachah (Meaning blessing) occurring in 2 Chron. xx. 26 and 1 Chron. xii.


word: Barad
definition:
Barad

Bar"ad
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; weight.]
(Physics)
The pressure of one dyne per square centimeter; -- used as a unit of pressure.


word: Baresthesiometer
definition:
Baresthesiometer

Baraesthesiometer

{ Bar`æs*the`si*om"e*ter, Bar`es*the`si*om"e*ter (?) }
n.
[Gr. _; weight + æsthesiometer.]
(Physiol.)
An instrument for determining the delicacy of the sense of pressure.
Bar`æs*the`si*o*met"ric, Bar`es*the`si*o*met"ric (#), a.


word: Barb
definition:
Barb

Barb
(bärb)
n.
[F. barbe, fr. L. barba beard. See Beard, n.]
1.
Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it.

The barbel, so called by reason of his barbs, or wattles in his mouth.
Walton.

2.
A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners.
[Obs.]

3.
pl.
Paps, or little projections, of the mucous membrane, which mark the opening of the submaxillary glands under the tongue in horses and cattle.  The name is mostly applied when the barbs are inflamed and swollen.
[Written also barbel and barble.]

4.
The point that stands backward in an arrow, fishhook, etc., to prevent it from being easily extracted. Hence: Anything which stands out with a sharp point obliquely or crosswise to something else.
barbs
Ascham.

5.
A bit for a horse.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

6.
(Zool.)
One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather.

7.
(Zool.)
A southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; -- also improperly called whiting.

8.
(Bot.)
A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.


word: baranduki
definition:
baranduki

baranduki
n.
The terrestrial Siberian squirrel (Eutamius sibiricus).

Syn. -- baronduki, barunduki, burunduki, Eutamius asiaticus.


word: Barb₂
definition:
Barb

Barb
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Barbed (bärbd); p. pr. & vb. n. Barbing.]
1.
To shave or dress the beard of.
[Obs.]

2.
To clip; to mow.
[Obs.]
Marston.

3.
To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc.

But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire.
Milton.


word: Barb₃
definition:
Barb

Barb
n.
[F. barbe, fr. Barbarie.]
1.
The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.

2.
(Zool.)
A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.


word: Barbadoes
definition:
Barbadoes

Barbados

{ Bar*ba"dos or Bar*ba"does  }
(_;)
n.
A West Indian island, giving its name to a disease, to a cherry, etc.

Barbados cherry (Bot.), a genus of trees of the West Indies (Malpighia) with an agreeably acid fruit resembling a cherry. -- Barbados leg (Med.), a species of elephantiasis incident to hot climates. -- Barbados nuts, the seeds of the Jatropha curcas, a plant growing in South America and elsewhere. The seeds and their acrid oil are used in medicine as a purgative. See Physic nut.


word: Barbara
definition:
Barbara

Bar"ba*ra
(_;)
n.
[Coined by logicians.]
(Logic)
The first word in certain mnemonic lines which represent the various forms of the syllogism. It indicates a syllogism whose three propositions are universal affirmatives.
Whately.


word: Barbarea
definition:
Barbarea

Barbarea
n.
a genus of biennial or perennial herbs of north temperate regions: winter cress.

Syn. -- genus Barbarea..


word: Barbaresque
definition:
Barbaresque

Bar`ba*resque"
(_;)
a.
Barbaric in form or style; as, barbaresque architecture.
De Quincey.


word: Barbarian
definition:
Barbarian

Bar*ba"ri*an
(_;)
n.
[See Barbarous.]

1.
A foreigner.
[Historical]

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
1 Cor. xiv. 11.

2.
A man in a rude, savage, or uncivilized state.

3.
A person destitute of culture.
M. Arnold.

4.
A cruel, savage, brutal man; one destitute of pity or humanity.
barbarian
Philips.


word: Barbarian₂
definition:
Barbarian

Bar*ba"ri*an
a.
Of, or pertaining to, or resembling, barbarians; rude; uncivilized; barbarous; as, barbarian governments or nations.


word: Barbaric
definition:
Barbaric

Bar*bar"ic
(bär*băr"ĭk)
a.
[L. barbaricus foreign, barbaric, Gr. barbariko`s.]
1.
Of, or from, barbarian nations; foreign; -- often with reference to barbarous nations of east.
Barbaric
Milton.

2.
Of or pertaining to, or resembling, an uncivilized person or people; barbarous; barbarian; destitute of refinement.
barbaric
Sir W. Scott.


word: barbarisation
definition:
barbarisation

barbarisation
n.
the act or process of barbarizing; an act that makes people primitive and uncivilized.

Syn. -- barbarization.


word: Barbarism
definition:
Barbarism

Bar"ba*rism
(bär"bȧ*rĭz'm)
n.
[L. barbarismus, Gr. barbarismo`s; cf. F. barbarisme.]
1.
An uncivilized state or condition; rudeness of manners; ignorance of arts, learning, and literature; barbarousness.
Prescott.

2.
A barbarous, cruel, or brutal action; an outrage.

A heinous barbarism . . . against the honor of marriage.
Milton.

3.
An offense against purity of style or language; any form of speech contrary to the pure idioms of a particular language. See Solecism.

The Greeks were the first that branded a foreign term in any of their writers with the odious name of barbarism.
G. Campbell.


word: Barbarity
definition:
Barbarity

Bar*bar"i*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Barbarities (_;).
[From Barbarous.]
1.
The state or manner of a barbarian; lack of civilization.

2.
Cruelty; ferociousness; inhumanity.

Treating Christians with a barbarity which would have shocked the very Moslem.
Macaulay.

3.
A barbarous or cruel act.

4.
Barbarism; impurity of speech.
[Obs.]
Swift.


word: barbarization
definition:
barbarization

barbarization
n.
1.
the act or process of barbarizing; an act that makes people primitive and uncivilized.

Syn. -- barbarisation.


word: Barbarize
definition:
Barbarize

Bar"ba*rize
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Barbarized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Barbarizing (_;).]

1.
To become barbarous.

The Roman empire was barbarizing rapidly from the time of Trajan.
De Quincey.

2.
To adopt a foreign or barbarous mode of speech.

The ill habit . . . of wretched barbarizing against the Latin and Greek idiom, with their untutored Anglicisms.
Milton.


word: Barbarize₂
definition:
Barbarize

Bar"ba*rize
(_;)
v. t.
[Cf. F. barbariser, LL. barbarizare.]
To make barbarous.

The hideous changes which have barbarized France.
Burke.


word: Barbarous
definition:
Barbarous

Bar"ba*rous
(_;)
a.
[L. barbarus, Gr. ba`rbaros, strange, foreign; later, slavish, rude, ignorant; akin to L. balbus stammering, Skr. barbara stammering, outlandish. Cf. Brave, a.]
1.
Being in the state of a barbarian; uncivilized; rude; peopled with barbarians; as, a barbarous people; a barbarous country.

2.
Foreign; adapted to a barbaric taste.
[Obs.]

Barbarous gold.
Dryden.

3.
Cruel; ferocious; inhuman; merciless.

By their barbarous usage he died within a few days, to the grief of all that knew him.
Clarendon.

4.
Contrary to the pure idioms of a language.

A barbarous expression
G. Campbell.


word: Barbary
definition:
Barbary

Bar"ba*ry
(_;)
n.
[Fr. Ar. Barbar the people of Barbary.]
The countries on the north coast of Africa from Egypt to the Atlantic.
Hence:
A Barbary horse; a barb.
[Obs.]
Also,
a kind of pigeon.

Barbary ape (Zool.), an ape (Macacus innuus) of north Africa and Gibraltar Rock, being the only monkey inhabiting Europe.  It is very commonly trained by showmen.


word: barbasco
definition:
barbasco

barbasco
n.
a West Indian shrub or small tree (Jacquinia keyensis) having leathery saponaceous leaves and extremely hard wood.

Syn. -- joewood.


word: Barbastel
definition:
Barbastel

Bar"ba*stel`
(_;)
n.
[F. barbastelle.]
(Zool.)
A European bat (Barbastellus communis), with hairy lips.


word: Barbate
definition:
Barbate

Bar"bate
(_;)
a.
[L. barbatus, fr. barba beard. See Barb beard.]
(Bot.)
Bearded; beset with long and weak hairs.
Gray.


word: Barbecue
definition:
Barbecue

Bar"be*cue
(bä"be̝*kū)
n.
[In the language of the (Arawak or Taino) Indians of Guiana, barbacoa a frame on which all kinds of flesh and fish are roasted or smoke-dried.]
1.
a framework of metal or brick, usually with a grill on top, in which a fire is lighted and on which food is cooked, usually outdoors; -- also called a barbecue grill.

2.
A social entertainment, where people assemble, usually in the open air, at which a meal is prepared on a barbecue grill.

3.
A floor, on which coffee beans are sun-dried.

4.
A hog, ox, or other large animal roasted or broiled whole for a feast.


word: Barbecue₂
definition:
Barbecue

Bar"be*cue
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Barbecued (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Barbecuing.]
1.
To dry or cure by exposure on a frame or gridiron.

They use little or no salt, but barbecue their game and fish in the smoke.
Stedman.

2.
To roast or broil whole, as an ox or hog.

Send me, gods, a whole hog barbecued.
Pope.


word: barbecuing
definition:
barbecuing

barbecuing
n.
Roasting a large piece of meat on a grill or a revolving spit out of doors over an open fire.


word: Barbed
definition:
Barbed

Barbed
(bärbd or bärb"ĕd)
a.
[See 4th Barb.]
Accoutered with defensive armor; -- said of a horse. See Barded (which is the proper form.)
Sir W. Raleigh.


word: Barbed₂
definition:
Barbed

Barbed
a.
Furnished with a barb or barbs; as, a barbed arrow; barbed wire.

Barbed wire, a wire, or a strand of twisted wires, armed with barbs or sharp points. It is used for fences.


word: Barbel
definition:
Barbel

Bar"bel
(bär"bĕl)
n.
[OF. barbel, F. barbeau, dim. of L. barbus barbel, fr. barba beard. See 1st Barb.]

1.
(Zool.)
A slender tactile organ on the lips of certain fishes.

2.
(Zool.)
A large fresh-water fish (Barbus vulgaris) found in many European rivers. Its upper jaw is furnished with four barbels.

3.
pl.
Barbs or paps under the tongues of horses and cattle. See 1st Barb, 3.


word: barbell
definition:
barbell

bar"bell`
(bär"bĕl`)
n.
A bar to which heavy discs are attached at each end; -- it is used for weightlifting exercises.


word: Barbellate
definition:
Barbellate

Bar"bel*late
(bär"bĕl*la̝t)
a.
[See 1st Barb.]
(Bot.)
Having short, stiff hairs, often barbed at the point.
Gray.


word: Barbellulate
definition:
Barbellulate

Bar*bel"lu*late
(bär*bĕl"l&uuptack_;*la̝t)
a.
(Bot.)
Barbellate with diminutive hairs or barbs.


word: Barber
definition:
Barber

Bar"ber
(bär"bẽr)
n.
[OE. barbour, OF. barbeor, F. barbier, as if fr. an assumed L. barbator, fr. barba beard. See 1st Barb.]
One whose occupation it is to shave or trim the beard, and to cut and dress the hair of his patrons.

Barber's itch. See under Itch.

&hand_; Formerly the barber practiced some offices of surgery, such as letting blood and pulling teeth.  Hence such terms as barber surgeon (old form barber chirurgeon), barber surgery, etc.


word: Barber₂
definition:
Barber

Bar"ber
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Barbered (bär"bẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Barbering.]
To shave and dress the beard or hair of.
Shak.


word: Barber₃
definition:
Barber

Bar"ber
n.
(Meteor.)
A storm accompanied by driving ice spicules formed from sea water, esp. one occurring on the Gulf of St. Lawrence; -- so named from the cutting ice spicules.
[Canada]


word: barbers pole
definition:
barbers pole

barber pole

barber pole, barbers pole
n.
a pole with red and white spiral stripes; -- usually found outside a barbershop.
It is often electrically powered, so as to be turning when the barbershop is open for business and stationary when the shop is closed.  It symbolizes the practise of surgery, some aspects of which which used to be performed by barbers.


word: Barberry
definition:
Barberry

Bar"ber*ry
(_;)
n.
[OE. barbarin, barbere, OF. berbere.]
(Bot.)
A shrub of the genus Berberis, common along roadsides and in neglected fields.  Berberis vulgaris is the species best known; its oblong red berries are made into a preserve or sauce, and have been deemed efficacious in fluxes and fevers. The bark dyes a fine yellow, esp. the bark of the root.
[Also spelt berberry.]


word: barbershop
definition:
barbershop

barbershop
n.
a shop where a barber works, especially one where men can get their hair cut.


word: Barbet
definition:
Barbet

Bar"bet
(_;)
n.
[F. barbet, fr. barbe beard, long hair of certain animals. See Barb beard.]
(Zool.)
(a)
A variety of small dog, having long curly hair.
(b)
A bird of the family Bucconidæ, allied to the Cuckoos, having a large, conical beak swollen at the base, and bearded with five bunches of stiff bristles; the puff bird.  It inhabits tropical America and Africa.
(c)
A larva that feeds on aphids.


word: Barbette
definition:
Barbette

Bar*bette"
(_;)
n.
[F. Cf. Barbet.]
(Fort.)
A mound of earth or a platform in a fortification, on which guns are mounted to fire over the parapet.

En barbette, In barbette, said of guns when they are elevated so as to fire over the top of a parapet, and not through embrasures. -- Barbette gun, or Barbette battery, a single gun, or a number of guns, mounted in barbette, or partially protected by a parapet or turret. -- Barbette carriage, a gun carriage which elevates guns sufficiently to be in barbette. [See Illust. of Casemate.]


word: Barbacan₂
definition:
Barbacan

Barbican

{ Bar"bi*can (_;), Bar"ba*can  }
(_;)
n.
[OE. barbican, barbecan, F. barbacane, LL. barbacana, barbicana, of uncertain origin: cf. Ar. barbakh aqueduct, sewer. F. barbacane also means, an opening to let out water, loophole.]
1.
(Fort.)
A tower or advanced work defending the entrance to a castle or city, as at a gate or bridge. It was often large and strong, having a ditch and drawbridge of its own.

2.
An opening in the wall of a fortress, through which missiles were discharged upon an enemy.


word: Barbacanage₂
definition:
Barbacanage

Barbicanage

{ Bar"bi*can*age (_;), Bar"ba*can*age  }
(_;)
n.
[LL. barbicanagium. See Barbican.]
Money paid for the support of a barbican.
[Obs.]
Bouvier.


word: Barbicel
definition:
Barbicel

Bar"bi*cel
(_;)
n.
[NL. barbicella, dim. of L. barba. See 1st Barb.]
(Zool.)
One of the small hooklike processes on the barbules of feathers.


word: Barbiers
definition:
Barbiers

Bar"biers
(_;)
n.
(Med.)
A variety of paralysis, peculiar to India and the Malabar coast; -- considered by many to be the same as beriberi in a chronic form.


word: Barbiton
definition:
Barbiton

Bar"bi*ton
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. ba`rbiton.]
(Mus.)
An ancient Greek instrument resembling a lyre.


word: Barbituric acid
definition:
Barbituric acid

Bar`bi*tu"ric ac"id
(_;)
(Chem.)
A white, crystalline substance, CH2(CO.NH)2.CO, derived from alloxantin, also from malonic acid and urea, and regarded as a substituted urea.


word: Barbison school
definition:
Barbison school

Barbizon school

{ Bar`bi`zon" school, or Bar`bi`son" school, (?) }
(Painting)
A French school of the middle of the 19th century centering in the village of Barbizon near the forest of Fontainebleau. Its members went straight to nature in disregard of academic tradition, treating their subjects faithfully and with poetic feeling for color, light, and atmosphere. It is exemplified, esp. in landscapes, by Corot, Rousseau, Daubigny, Jules Dupré, and Diaz. Associated with them are certain painters of animals, as Troyon and Jaque, and of peasant life, as Millet and Jules Breton.


word: Barbule
definition:
Barbule

Bar"bule
(_;)
n.
[L. barbula, fr. barba beard.]

1.
A very minute barb or beard.
Booth.

2.
(Zool.)
One of the processes along the edges of the barbs of a feather, by which adjacent barbs interlock. See Feather.


word: Barcarolle
definition:
Barcarolle

Bar"ca*rolle
(_;)
n.
[F. barcarolle, fr. It. barcaruola, fr. barca bark, barge.]
(Mus.)
(a)
A popular song or melody sung by Venetian gondoliers.
(b)
A piece of music composed in imitation of such a song.


word: Barcon
definition:
Barcon

Bar"con
(bär"k&obreve_;n)
n.
[It. barcone, fr. barca a bark.]
A vessel for freight; -- used in the Mediterranean.


word: Bard
definition:
Bard

Bard
(bärd)
n.
[Of Celtic origin; cf. W. bardd, Arm. barz, Ir. & Gael. bard, and F. barde.]
1.
A professional poet and singer, as among the ancient Celts, whose occupation was to compose and sing verses in honor of the heroic achievements of princes and brave men.

2.
Hence: A poet; as, the bard of Avon.


word: Barde
definition:
Barde

Bard

{ Bard, Barde  }
(bärd)
n.
[F. barde, of doubtful origin.]

1.
A piece of defensive (or, sometimes, ornamental) armor for a horse's neck, breast, and flanks; a barb. [Often in the pl.]

2.
pl.
Defensive armor formerly worn by a man at arms.

3.
(Cookery)
A thin slice of fat bacon used to cover any meat or game.


word: Barded
definition:
Barded

Bard"ed
p. a.
[See Bard horse armor.]
1.
Accoutered with defensive armor; -- said of a horse.

2.
(Her.)
Wearing rich caparisons.

Fifteen hundred men . . . barded and richly trapped.
Stow.


word: Bardiglio
definition:
Bardiglio

Bar*di"glio
(bär*dēl"y&omacr)
n.
[It.]
An Italian marble of which the principal varieties occur in the neighborhood of Carrara and in Corsica. It commonly shows a dark gray or bluish ground traversed by veins.


word: Bare
definition:
Bare

Bare
(bâr)
a.
[OE. bar, bare, AS. bær; akin to D. & G. baar, OHG. par, Icel. berr, Sw. & Dan. bar, Oslav. bosŭ barefoot, Lith. basas; cf. Skr. bhās to shine. √85.]

1.
Without clothes or covering; stripped of the usual covering; naked; as, his body is bare; the trees are bare.

2.
With head uncovered; bareheaded.

When once thy foot enters the church, be bare.
Herbert.

3.
Without anything to cover up or conceal one's thoughts or actions; open to view; exposed.

Bare in thy guilt, how foul must thou appear !
Milton.

4.
Plain; simple; unadorned; without polish; bald; meager.
bare
Shak.

5.
Destitute; indigent; empty; unfurnished or scantily furnished; -- used with of  (rarely with in) before the thing wanting or taken away; as, a room bare of furniture.
bare
Dryden.

6.
Threadbare; much worn.

It appears by their bare liveries that they live by your bare words.
Shak.

7.
Mere; alone; unaccompanied by anything else; as, a bare majority.
bare
Addison.

Nor are men prevailed upon by bare words.
South.

Under bare poles (Naut.), having no sail set.


word: Bare₂
definition:
Bare

Bare
n.
1.
Surface; body; substance.
[R.]

You have touched the very bare of naked truth.
Marston.

2.
(Arch.)
That part of a roofing slate, shingle, tile, or metal plate, which is exposed to the weather.


word: Bare₃
definition:
Bare

Bare
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bared(bârd); p. pr. & vb. n. Baring.]
[AS. barian. See Bare, a.]
To strip off the covering of; to make bare; as, to bare the breast.


word: bare-assed
definition:
bare-assed

bare-ass

bare-ass (bâr"ăs`), bare-assed (bâr"ăst`),
adj.
completely naked.
[informal]

Syn. -- in the altogether, in the buff, in the raw, raw, peeled, naked as a jaybird, stark naked.


word: Bareback
definition:
Bareback

Bare"back`
(bâr"băk`)
adv.
On the bare back of a horse, without using a saddle; as, to ride bareback.


word: Barebone
definition:
Barebone

Bare"bone`
(bâr"b&omacrn`)
n.
A very lean person; one whose bones show through the skin.
Shak.


word: bare-bones
definition:
bare-bones

bare"-bones`
(bâr"b&omacrnz`)
a.
having only the absolute minimum necessary; having only the essential components.


word: bare-breasted
definition:
bare-breasted

bare-breasted
(bâr"brĕst`ĕd)
adj.
wearing no covering for the breasts or featuring such nudity.
bare-breasted beauties parading along the beach

Syn. -- braless, topless.


word: Barefaced
definition:
Barefaced

Bare"faced`
(bâr"fāst`)
a.
1.
With the face uncovered; not masked.
barefaced
Shak.

2.
Without concealment; undisguised.
Hence:
Shameless; audacious; as, a barefaced lie.
Barefaced
J. Baillie.


word: Barefacedness
definition:
Barefacedness

Bare"faced`ness
n.
The quality of being barefaced; shamelessness; assurance; audaciousness.


word: Barege
definition:
Barege

Ba*rége"
(_;)
n.
[F. barége, so called from Baréges, a town in the Pyrenees.]
A gauzelike fabric for ladies' dresses, veils, etc. of worsted, silk and worsted, or cotton and worsted.


word: Barehead
definition:
Barehead

Bareheaded

{ Bare"head`ed (_;), Bare"head  }
a. & adv.
Having the head uncovered; as, a bareheaded girl.


word: bare-legged
definition:
bare-legged

Barelegged

Bare"legged`, bare-legged
(_;)
a.
Having the legs bare.
bare-legged children on the beach


word: Barely
definition:
Barely

Bare"ly
adv.
1.
Without covering; nakedly.

2.
Without concealment or disguise.

3.
Merely; only.

R. For now his son is duke.
W. Barely in title, not in revenue.
Shak.

4.
But just; without any excess; with nothing to spare (of quantity, time, etc.); hence, scarcely; hardly; as, there was barely enough for all; he barely escaped.


word: Baresark
definition:
Baresark

Bare"sark
(_;)
n.
[Literally, bare sark or shirt.]
A Berserker, or Norse warrior who fought without armor, or shirt of mail. Hence, adverbially: Without shirt of mail or armor.


word: Bargain
definition:
Bargain

Bar"gain
(_;)
n.
[OE. bargayn, bargany, OF. bargaigne, bargagne, prob. from a supposed LL. barcaneum, fr. barca a boat which carries merchandise to the shore; hence, to traffic to and fro, to carry on commerce in general. See Bark a vessel. ]
1.
An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds himself to transfer the right to some property for a consideration, and the other party binds himself to receive the property and pay the consideration.

A contract is a bargain that is legally binding.
Wharton.

2.
An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge.

And whon your honors mean to solemnize
The bargain of your faith.
Shak.

3.
A purchase; also ( when not qualified), a gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase; as, to buy a thing at a bargain.

4.
The thing stipulated or purchased; also, anything bought cheap.

She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.
Shak.

Bargain and sale (Law), a species of conveyance, by which the bargainor contracts to convey the lands to the bargainee, and becomes by such contract a trustee for and seized to the use of the bargainee. The statute then completes the purchase; i. e., the bargain vests the use, and the statute vests the possession. Blackstone. -- Into the bargain, over and above what is stipulated; besides. -- To sell bargains, to make saucy (usually indelicate) repartees. [Obs.] Swift. -- To strike a bargain, to reach or ratify an agreement. “A bargain was struck.” Macaulay.


word: Bargain₂
definition:
Bargain

Bar"gain
v. i.
[OE. barganien, OF. bargaigner, F. barguigner, to hesitate, fr. LL. barcaniare. See Bargain, n.]
To make a bargain; to make a contract for the exchange of property or services; -- followed by with and for; as, to bargain with a farmer for a cow.

So worthless peasants bargain for their wives.
Shak.


word: Bargain₃
definition:
Bargain

Bar"gain
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bargained (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bargaining.]
To transfer for a consideration; to barter; to trade; as, to bargain one horse for another.

To bargain away, to dispose of in a bargain; -- usually with a sense of loss or disadvantage; as, to bargain away one's birthright.  “The heir . . . had somehow bargained away the estate.”  G. Eliot.


word: Bargainee
definition:
Bargainee

Bar`gain*ee"
(_;)
n.
[OF. bargaigné, p. p. See Bargain, v. i.]
(Law)
The party to a contract who receives, or agrees to receive, the property sold.
Blackstone.


word: Bargainor
definition:
Bargainor

Bar`gain*or"
(_;)
n.
(Law)
One who makes a bargain, or contracts with another; esp., one who sells, or contracts to sell, property to another.
Blackstone.


word: Barge
definition:
Barge

Barge
(_;)
n.
[OF. barge, F. berge, fr. LL. barca, for barica (not found), prob. fr. L. baris an Egyptian rowboat, fr. Gr. _;, prob. fr. Egyptian: cf. Coptic bari a boat. Cf. Bark a vessel.]
1.
A pleasure boat; a vessel or boat of state, elegantly furnished and decorated.

2.
A large, roomy boat for the conveyance of passengers or goods; as, a ship's barge; a charcoal barge.

3.
A large boat used by flag officers.

4.
A double-decked passenger or freight vessel, towed by a steamboat.
[U.S.]

5.
A large omnibus used for excursions.
[Local, U.S.]


word: Bargeboard
definition:
Bargeboard

Barge"board`
(_;)
n.
[Perh. corrup. of vergeboard; or cf. LL. bargus a kind of gallows.]
A vergeboard.


word: Bargecourse
definition:
Bargecourse

Barge"course`
(_;)
n.
[See Bargeboard.]
(Arch.)
A part of the tiling which projects beyond the principal rafters, in buildings where there is a gable.
Gwilt.


word: Bargemastter
definition:
Bargemastter

Barge"mast`ter
(_;)
n.
The proprietor or manager of a barge, or one of the crew of a barge.


word: Barghest
definition:
Barghest

Bar"ghest`
(_;)
n.
[Perh. G. berg mountain + geist demon, or bär a bear + geist.]
A goblin, in the shape of a large dog, portending misfortune.
[Also written barguest.]


word: Baric₂
definition:
Baric

Bar"ic
a.
[Gr. _; weight.]
(Physics)
Of or pertaining to weight, esp. to the weight or pressure of the atmosphere as measured by the barometer.


word: Barilla
definition:
Barilla

Ba*ril"la
(_;)
n.
[Sp. barrilla.]
1.
(Bot.)
A name given to several species of Salsola from which soda is made, by burning the barilla in heaps and lixiviating the ashes.

2.
(Com.)
(a)
The alkali produced from the plant, being an impure carbonate of soda, used for making soap, glass, etc., and for bleaching purposes.
(b)
Impure soda obtained from the ashes of any seashore plant, or kelp.
Ure.

Copper barilla (Min.), native copper in granular form mixed with sand, an ore brought from Bolivia; -- called also Barilla de cobre.


word: Barillet
definition:
Barillet

Bar"il*let
(_;)
n.
[F., dim. of baril barrel.]
A little cask, or something resembling one.
Smart.


word: Barite
definition:
Barite

Ba"rite
(_;)
n.
(Min.)
Native sulphate of barium, a mineral occurring in transparent, colorless, white to yellow crystals (generally tabular), also in granular form, and in compact massive forms resembling marble. It has a high specific gravity, and hence is often called heavy spar. It is a common mineral in metallic veins.


word: Barium
definition:
Barium

Ba"ri*um
(_;)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. bary`s heavy.]
(Chem.)
One of the elements, belonging to the alkaline earth group; a metal having a silver-white color, and melting at a very high temperature. It is difficult to obtain the pure metal, from the facility with which it becomes oxidized in the air. Atomic weight, 137.  Symbol, Ba. Its oxide called baryta.
[Rarely written barytum.]

&hand_; Some of the compounds of this element are remarkable for their high specific gravity, as the sulphate, called heavy spar, and the like. The oxide was called barote, by Guyton de Morveau, which name was changed by Lavoisier to baryta, whence the name of the metal.


word: Bard₃
definition:
Bard

Bard
(_;)
n.
[Akin to Dan. & Sw. bark, Icel. börkr, LG. & HG. borke.]
1.
The exterior covering of the trunk and branches of a tree; the rind.

2.
Specifically, Peruvian bark.

Bark bed. See Bark stove (below). -- Bark pit, a pit filled with bark and water, in which hides are steeped in tanning. -- Bark stove (Hort.), a glazed structure for keeping tropical plants, having a bed of tanner's bark (called a bark bed)  or other fermentable matter which produces a moist heat.


word: Bark
definition:
Bark

Bark
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Barked (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Barking.]
1.
To strip the bark from; to peel.

2.
To abrade or rub off any outer covering from; as to bark one's heel.

3.
To girdle. See Girdle, v. t., 3.

4.
To cover or inclose with bark, or as with bark; as, to bark the roof of a hut.


word: Bark₂
definition:
Bark

Bark
v. i.
[OE. berken, AS. beorcan; akin to Icel. berkja, and prob. to E. break.]
1.
To make a short, loud, explosive noise with the vocal organs; -- said of some animals, but especially of dogs.

2.
To make a clamor; to make importunate outcries.

They bark, and say the Scripture maketh heretics.
Tyndale.

Where there is the barking of the belly, there no other commands will be heard, much less obeyed.
Fuller.


word: Bark₃
definition:
Bark

Bark
n.
The short, loud, explosive sound uttered by a dog; a similar sound made by some other animals.


word: Barque
definition:
Barque

Bark

{ Bark, Barque  }
(_;)
n.
[F. barque, fr. Sp. or It. barca, fr. LL. barca for barica. See Barge.]

1.
Formerly, any small sailing vessel, as a pinnace, fishing smack, etc.; also, a rowing boat; a barge. Now applied poetically to a sailing vessel or boat of any kind.
Byron.

2.
(Naut.)
A three-masted vessel, having her foremast and mainmast square-rigged, and her mizzenmast schooner-rigged.


word: Bark beetle
definition:
Bark beetle

Bark" bee`tle
(_;)
(Zool.)
A small beetle of many species (family Scolytidæ), which in the larval state bores under or in the bark of trees, often doing great damage.


word: Barkentine
definition:
Barkentine

Bark"en*tine
(_;)
n.
[See Bark, n., a vessel.]
(Naut.)
A threemasted vessel, having the foremast square-rigged, and the others schooner-rigged. [Spelled also barquentine, barkantine, etc.] See Illust. in Append.


word: Barker
definition:
Barker

Bark"er
(_;)
n.
1.
An animal that barks; hence, any one who clamors unreasonably.

2.
One who stands at the doors of shops to urg_; passers by to make purchases.
[Cant, Eng.]

3.
A pistol.
[Slang]
Dickens.

4.
(Zool.)
The spotted redshank.


word: Barker's mill
definition:
Barker's mill

Bark"er's mill`
(_;)
[From Dr. Barker, the inventor.]
A machine, invented in the 17th century, worked by a form of reaction wheel. The water flows into a vertical tube and gushes from apertures in hollow horizontal arms, causing the machine to revolve on its axis.


word: Barking irons
definition:
Barking irons

Bark"ing i`rons
(_;)
1.
Instruments used in taking off the bark of trees.
Gardner.

2.
A pair of pistols.
[Slang]


word: Bark louse
definition:
Bark louse

Bark" louse`
(_;)
(Zool.)
An insect of the family Coccidæ, which infests the bark of trees and vines.

&hand_; The wingless females assume the shape of scales. The bark louse of the vine is Pulvinaria innumerabilis; that of the pear is Lecanium pyri. See Orange scale.


word: Barley
definition:
Barley

Bar"ley
(_;)
n.
[OE. barli, barlich, AS. bærlic; bere barley + līc (which is prob. the same as E. like, adj., or perh. a form of AS. leāc leek). AS. bere is akin to Icel, barr barley, Goth. barizeins made of barley, L. far spelt; cf. W. barlys barley, bara bread. _;92. Cf. Farina, 6th Bear.]
(Bot.)
A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus Hordeum, used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared beer, ale, and whisky.

Barley bird (Zool.), the siskin. -- Barley sugar, sugar boiled till it is brittle (formerly with a decoction of barley) and candied. -- Barley water, a decoction of barley, used in medicine, as a nutritive and demulcent.


word: Barleybreak
definition:
Barleybreak

Barleybrake

{ Bar"ley*brake` Bar"ley*break` }
(bär"l&ybreve_;*brāk`)
n.
An ancient rural game, commonly played round stacks of barley, or other grain, in which some of the party attempt to catch others who run from a goal.


word: Barley-bree
definition:
Barley-bree

Bar"ley-bree`
(-brē`)
n.
[Lit. barley broth. See Brew.]
Liquor made from barley; strong ale.
[Humorous]
[Scot.]
Burns.


word: Barleycorn
definition:
Barleycorn

Bar"ley*corn`
(_;)
n.
[See Corn.]
1.
A grain or “corn” of barley.

2.
Formerly , a measure of length, equal to the average length of a grain of barley; the third part of an inch.

John Barleycorn, a humorous personification of barley as the source of malt liquor or whisky.


word: Barm
definition:
Barm

Barm
(bärm)
n.
[OE. berme, AS. beorma; akin to Sw. bärma, G. bärme, and prob. L. fermentum. √93.]
Foam rising upon beer, or other malt liquors, when fermenting, and used as leaven in making bread and in brewing; yeast.
Shak.


word: Barm₂
definition:
Barm

Barm
n.
[OE. bearm, berm, barm, AS. bearm; akin to E. bear to support.]
The lap or bosom.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Barmaid
definition:
Barmaid

Bar"maid`
(_;)
n.
A girl or woman who attends the customers of a bar, as in a tavern or beershop.

A bouncing barmaid.
W. Irving.


word: Barmaster
definition:
Barmaster

Bar"mas`ter
(_;)
n.
[Berg + master: cf. G. Bergmeister.]
Formerly, a local judge among miners; now, an officer of the barmote.
[Eng.]


word: Barmecide
definition:
Barmecide

Bar"me*cide
(_;)
n.
[A prince of the Barmecide family, who, as related in the  “Arabian Nights' Tales”, pretended to set before the hungry Shacabac food, on which the latter pretended to feast.]
One who proffers some illusory advantage or benefit. Also used as an adj.: Barmecidal.
Barmecide
Dickens.


word: Barmote
definition:
Barmote

Bar"mote`
(bär"m&omacrt`)
n.
[Berg + mote meeting.]
A court held in Derbyshire, in England, for deciding controversies between miners.
Blount.


word: Barn
definition:
Barn

Barn
(bärn)
n.
[OE. bern, AS. berern, bern; bere barley + ern, ærn, a close place.  √92. See Barley.]
A covered building used chiefly for storing grain, hay, and other productions of a farm.  In the United States a part of the barn is often used for stables.

Barn owl (Zool.), an owl of Europe and America (Aluco flammeus, or Strix flammea), which frequents barns and other buildings. -- Barn swallow (Zool.), the common American swallow (Hirundo horreorum), which attaches its nest of mud to the beams and rafters of barns.


word: Barn₂
definition:
Barn

Barn
v. t.
To lay up in a barn.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Men . . . often barn up the chaff, and burn up the grain.
Fuller.


word: Barnabite
definition:
Barnabite

Bar"na*bite
(_;)
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
A member of a religious order, named from St. Barnabas.


word: Barnacle
definition:
Barnacle

Bar"na*cle
(_;)
n.
[Prob. from E. barnacle a kind of goose, which was popularly supposed to grow from this shellfish; but perh. from LL. bernacula for pernacula, dim. of perna ham, sea mussel; cf. Gr. pe`rna ham.  Cf. F. bernacle, barnacle, E. barnacle a goose; and Ir. bairneach, barneach, limpet.]
(Zool.)
Any cirriped crustacean adhering to rocks, floating timber, ships, etc., esp. (a) the sessile species (genus Balanus and allies), and (b) the stalked or goose barnacles (genus Lepas and allies). See Cirripedia, and Goose barnacle.

Barnacle eater (Zool.), the orange filefish. -- Barnacle scale (Zool.), a bark louse (Ceroplastes cirripediformis) of the orange and quince trees in Florida. The female scale curiously resembles a sessile barnacle in form.


word: Barnacle₃
definition:
Barnacle

Bar"na*cle
n.
[OE. bernak, bernacle; cf. OF. bernac, and Prov. F. (Berri) berniques, spectacles.]
1.
pl.
(Far.)
An instrument for pinching a horse's nose, and thus restraining him.
[Formerly used in the sing.]

The barnacles . . . give pain almost equal to that of the switch.
Youatt.

2.
pl.
Spectacles; -- so called from their resemblance to the barnacles used by farriers.
[Cant, Eng.]
Dickens.


word: Barnburner
definition:
Barnburner

Barn"burn`er
(?)
n.
[So called in allusion to the fable of the man who burned his barn in order to rid it of rats.]
1.
A member of the radical section of the Democratic party in New York, about the middle of the 19th century, which was hostile to extension of slavery, public debts, corporate privileges, etc., and supported Van Buren against Cass for president in 1848; -- opposed to Hunker.
[Political Cant, U. S.]

2.
an impressively successful or unusually good event.
[informal]
barnburner


word: barndoor
definition:
barndoor

barndoor
n.
An opaque adjustable flap on a lamp fixture; used in photography to cut off light from particular areas.


word: Barnstorm
definition:
Barnstorm

Barn"storm`
(?)
v. i. & t.
[Barn + storm, v.]
1.
To travel from place to place, making brief stops.

2.
To fly an airplane from place to place, usually at small airports, doing flying stunts or flying passengers for sightseeing, for the purpose of earning money.

3.
to tour the country to solicit votes.

Syn. -- whistlestop.


word: Barnstormer
definition:
Barnstormer

Barn"storm`er
(?)
n.
[Barn + storm, v.]
1.
An itinerant theatrical player who plays in barns when a theatre is lacking; hence, an inferior actor, or one who plays in the country away from the larger cities.
Barn"storm`ing, n. [Theatrical Cant]

2.
an aviator who flies an airplane from place to place, usually at small airports, doing flying stunts or flying passengers for sightseeing, for the purpose of earning money.  It was a practise common in the early days of aviation, but by late 20th century was seldom encountered.


word: Barocyclonometer
definition:
Barocyclonometer

Bar`o*cy`clon*om"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. ba`ros weight + cyclone + -meter.]
(Meteorol.)
An aneroid barometer for use with accompanying graphic diagrams and printed directions designed to aid mariners to interpret the indications of the barometer so as to determine the existence of a violent storm at a distance of several hundred miles.


word: Barogram
definition:
Barogram

Bar"o*gram
(?)
n.
[Gr. ba`ros weight + -gram.]
(Meteor.)
A tracing, usually made by the barograph, showing graphically the variations of atmospheric pressure for a given time.


word: Barograph
definition:
Barograph

Bar"o*graph
(bȧ*r&omacr"ko̝)
n.
[Gr. ba`ros weight + -graph.]
(Meteor.)
An instrument for recording automatically the variations of atmospheric pressure.


word: Baroko
definition:
Baroko

Ba*ro"ko
(_;)
n.
[A mnemonic word.]
(Logic)
A form or mode of syllogism of which the first proposition is a universal affirmative, and the other two are particular negatives.


word: Baromacrometer
definition:
Baromacrometer

Bar`o*ma*crom"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Gr. ba`ros weight + makro`s long + -meter.]
(Med.)
An instrument for ascertaining the weight and length of a newborn infant.


word: Barometer
definition:
Barometer

Ba*rom"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Gr. ba`ros weight + -meter: cf. F. baromètre.]
An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any ascent.

&hand_; The barometer was invented by Torricelli at Florence about 1643. It is made in its simplest form by filling a graduated glass tube about 34 inches long with mercury and inverting it in a cup containing mercury. The column of mercury in the tube descends until balanced by the weight of the atmosphere, and its rise or fall under varying conditions is a measure of the change in the atmospheric pressure. At the sea level its ordinary height is about 30 inches (760 millimeters). See Sympiesometer.
Nichol.

Aneroid barometer. See Aneroid barometer, under Aneroid. -- Marine barometer, a barometer with tube contracted at bottom to prevent rapid oscillations of the mercury, and suspended in gimbals from an arm or support on shipboard. -- Mountain barometer, a portable mercurial barometer with tripod support, and long scale, for measuring heights. -- Siphon barometer, a barometer having a tube bent like a hook with the longer leg closed at the top. The height of the mercury in the longer leg shows the pressure of the atmosphere. -- Wheel barometer, a barometer with recurved tube, and a float, from which a cord passes over a pulley and moves an index.


word: Barometrical
definition:
Barometrical

Barometric

{ Bar`o*met"ric (băr`o̝*mĕt"rĭk), Bar`o*met"ric*al (băr`o̝*mĕt"rĭ*kal), }
a.
Pertaining to the barometer; made or indicated by a barometer; as, barometric changes; barometrical observations.


word: Barometrically
definition:
Barometrically

Bar`o*met"ric*al*ly
adv.
By means of a barometer, or according to barometric observations.


word: Barometrograph
definition:
Barometrograph

Bar`o*met"ro*graph
(băr`o̝*mĕt"ro̝*grȧf)
n.
[Gr. ba`ros weight + me`tron measure + -graph.]
A form of barometer so constructed as to inscribe of itself upon paper a record of the variations of atmospheric pressure.


word: Barometz
definition:
Barometz

Bar"o*metz
(_;)
n.
[Cf. Russ. baranets' clubmoss.]
(Bot.)
The woolly-skinned rhizoma or rootstock of a fern (Dicksonia barometz), which, when specially prepared and inverted, somewhat resembles a lamb; -- called also Scythian lamb.


word: Baron
definition:
Baron

Bar"on
(_;)
n.
[OE. baron, barun, OF. baron, accus. of ber, F. baron, prob. fr. OHG. baro (not found) bearer, akin to E. bear to support; cf. O. Frisian bere, LL. baro, It. barone, Sp. varon. From the meaning bearer (of burdens) seem to have come the senses strong man, man (in distinction from woman), which is the oldest meaning in French, and lastly, nobleman. Cf. L. baro, simpleton. See Bear to support.]

1.
A title or degree of nobility; originally, the possessor of a fief, who had feudal tenants under him; in modern times, in France and Germany, a nobleman next in rank below a count; in England, a nobleman of the lowest grade in the House of Lords, being next below a viscount.

&hand_; “The tenants in chief from the Crown, who held lands of the annual value of four hundred pounds, were styled Barons; and it is to them, and not to the members of the lowest grade of the nobility (to whom the title at the present time belongs), that reference is made when we read of the Barons of the early days of England's history.  . . . Barons are addressed as ‘My Lord,' and are styled ‘Right Honorable.' All their sons and daughters are ‘Honorable.'”
Cussans.

2.
(Old Law)
A husband; as, baron and feme, husband and wife.
[R.]
Cowell.

Baron of beef, two sirloins not cut asunder at the backbone. -- Barons of the Cinque Ports, formerly members of the House of Commons, elected by the seven Cinque Ports, two for each port. -- Barons of the exchequer, the judges of the Court of Exchequer, one of the three ancient courts of England, now abolished.


word: Baronage
definition:
Baronage

Bar"on*age
(_;)
n.
[OE. barnage, baronage, OF. barnage, F. baronnage; cf. LL. baronagium.]

1.
The whole body of barons or peers.

The baronage of the kingdom.
Bp. Burnet.

2.
The dignity or rank of a baron.

3.
The land which gives title to a baron.
[Obs.]


word: baronduki
definition:
baronduki

baronduki
n.
same as baranduki; the terrestrial Siberian squirrel.

Syn. -- baranduki, barunduki, burunduki, Eutamius asiaticus, Eutamius sibiricus.


word: Baroness
definition:
Baroness

Bar"on*ess
(_;)
n.
A baron's wife; also, a lady who holds the baronial title in her own right; as, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts.


word: Baronet
definition:
Baronet

Bar"on*et
(_;)
n.
[Baron + -et.]
A dignity or degree of honor next below a baron and above a knight, having precedency of all orders of knights except those of the Garter.  It is the lowest degree of honor that is hereditary. The baronets are commoners.

&hand_; The order was founded by James I. in 1611, and is given by patent. The word, however, in the sense of a lesser baron, was in use long before. “Baronets have the title of 'Sir' prefixed to their Christian names; their surnames being followed by their dignity, usually abbreviated Bart.  Their wives are addressed as 'Lady' or 'Madam'. Their sons are possessed of no title beyond 'Esquire.'”
Cussans.


word: Baronetage
definition:
Baronetage

Bar"on*et*age
(_;)
n.
1.
State or rank of a baronet.

2.
The collective body of baronets.


word: Barong
definition:
Barong

Ba*rong"
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
A kind of cutting weapon similar to a cleaver, with a thick back and thin razorlike edge, used by the Moros of the Philippine Islands.


word: Barony
definition:
Barony

Bar"o*ny
(_;)
n.
pl. Baronies (_;).
[OF. baronie, F. baronnie, LL. baronia. See Baron.]
1.
The fee or domain of a baron; the lordship, dignity, or rank of a baron.

2.
In Ireland, a territorial division, corresponding nearly to the English hundred, and supposed to have been originally the district of a native chief.  There are 252 of these baronies.  In Scotland, an extensive freehold.  It may be held by a commoner.
Brande & C.


word: Baroque
definition:
Baroque

Ba*roque"
(_;)
a.
[F.; cf. It. barocco.]
(Arch.)
1.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, an artistic style common in the 17th century, characterized by the use of complex and elaborate ornamentation, curved rather than straight lines, and, in music a high degree of embellishment.

2.
Hence, overly complicated, or ornamented to excess; in bad taste; grotesque; odd.

3.
Irregular in form; -- said esp. of a pearl.


word: Baroscope
definition:
Baroscope

Bar"o*scope
(băr"o̝*sk&omacrp)
n.
[Gr. ba`ros weight + -scope:  cf. F. baroscope.]
Any instrument showing the changes in the weight of the atmosphere; also, less appropriately, any instrument that indicates or foreshadows changes of the weather, as a deep vial of liquid holding in suspension some substance which rises and falls with atmospheric changes.


word: Baroscopical
definition:
Baroscopical

Baroscopic

{ Bar`o*scop"ic (_;), Bar`o*scop"ic*al (_;), }
a.
Pertaining to, or determined by, the baroscope.


word: Barothermograph
definition:
Barothermograph

Bar`o*ther"mo*graph
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; weight + thermograph.]
An instrument for recording both pressure and temperature, as of the atmosphere.


word: Barouche
definition:
Barouche

Ba*rouche"
(_;)
n.
[G. barutsche, It. baroccio, biroccio, LL. barrotium, fr. L. birotus two-wheeled; bi- = bis twice + rota wheel.]
A four-wheeled carriage, with a falling top, a seat on the outside for the driver, and two double seats on the inside arranged so that the sitters on the front seat face those on the back seat.


word: Barpost
definition:
Barpost

Bar"post`
(_;)
n.
A post sunk in the ground to receive the bars closing a passage into a field.


word: Barracan
definition:
Barracan

Bar"ra*can
(_;)
n.
[F. baracan, bouracan (cf. Pr. barracan, It. baracane, Sp. barragan, Pg. barregana, LL. barracanus), fr. Ar. barrakān a kind of black gown, perh. fr. Per. barak a garment made of camel's hair.]
A thick, strong stuff, somewhat like camlet; -- still used for outer garments in the Levant.


word: Barrack
definition:
Barrack

Bar"rack
(_;)
n.
[F. baraque, fr. It. baracca (cf. Sp. barraca), from LL. barra bar. See Bar, n.]

1.
(Mil.)
A building for soldiers, especially when in garrison.  Commonly in the pl., originally meaning temporary huts, but now usually applied to a permanent structure or set of buildings.

He lodged in a miserable hut or barrack, composed of dry branches and thatched with straw.
Gibbon.

2.
A movable roof sliding on four posts, to cover hay, straw, etc.
[Local, U.S.]


word: Barraclade
definition:
Barraclade

Bar"ra*clade
(_;)
n.
[D. baar, OD. baer, naked, bare + kleed garment, i. e., cloth undressed or without nap.]
A home-made woolen blanket without nap.
[Local, New York]
Bartlett.


word: Barracoon
definition:
Barracoon

Bar"ra*coon`
(_;)
n.
[Sp. or Pg. barraca. See Barrack.]
A slave warehouse, or an inclosure where slaves are quartered temporarily.
Du Chaillu.


word: Barracouta
definition:
Barracouta

Barracuda

{ Bar`ra*cu"da (_;), Bar`ra*cou"ta (_;), }
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
Any of several voracious pikelike marine fishes allied to the gray mullets, constituting the genus Sphyræna and family Sphyrænidæ.  The great barracuda (Sphyræna barracuda) of the West Indies, Florida, etc., is often six feet or more long, and as dangerous as a shark.  In Cuba its flesh is reputed to be poisonous.  Sphyræna Argentea of the Pacific coast and Sphyræna sphyræna of Europe are smaller species, and are used as food.

&hand_; That of Europe and our Atlantic coast is Sphyræna spet (or Sphyræna vulgaris); a southern species is Sphyræna picuda; the Californian is Sphyræna argentea.

2.
(Zool.)
A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia and New Zealand (Thyrsites atun).


word: Barrage
definition:
Barrage

Bar"rage
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. barrer to bar, from barre bar.]
(Engin.)
An artificial bar or obstruction placed in a river or watercourse to increase the depth of water; as, the barrages of the Nile.


word: Barramundi
definition:
Barramundi

Bar`ra*mun"di
(?)
n.
[Written also barramunda.]
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
(a)
A remarkable Australian fresh-water ganoid fish of the genus Ceratodus.
(b)
An Australian river fish (Osteoglossum Leichhardtii).


word: Barranca
definition:
Barranca

Bar*ran"ca
(_;)
n.
[Sp.]
A ravine caused by heavy rains or a watercourse.
[Texas & N. Mex.]


word: Barrator
definition:
Barrator

Bar"ra*tor
(_;)
n.
[OE. baratour, OF. barateor deceiver, fr. OF. barater, bareter, to deceive, cheat, barter. See Barter, v. i.]
One guilty of barratry.


word: Barratrous
definition:
Barratrous

Bar"ra*trous
(_;)
a.
(Law)
Tainted with, or constituting, barratry.
Bar"ra*trous*ly, adv.
Kent.


word: Barratry
definition:
Barratry

Bar"ra*try
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. baraterie, LL. barataria. See Barrator, and cf. Bartery.]
1.
(Law)
The practice of exciting and encouraging lawsuits and quarrels.
[Also spelt barretry.]
Coke. Blackstone.

2.
(Mar. Law)
A fraudulent breach of duty or willful act of known illegality on the part of a master of a ship, in his character of master, or of the mariners, to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo, and without his consent. It includes every breach of trust committed with dishonest purpose, as by running away with the ship, sinking or deserting her, etc., or by embezzling the cargo.
Kent. Park.

3.
(Scots Law)
The crime of a judge who is influenced by bribery in pronouncing judgment.
Wharton.


word: Barred owl
definition:
Barred owl

Barred" owl"
(_;)
(Zool.)
A large American owl (Syrnium nebulosum); -- so called from the transverse bars of a dark brown color on the breast.


word: Barrel
definition:
Barrel

Bar"rel
(băr"rĕl)
n.
[OE. barel, F. baril, prob. fr. barre bar. Cf. Barricade.]
1.
A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads; as, a cracker barrel.  Sometimes applied to a similar cylindrical container made of metal, usually called a drum.

2.
The quantity which constitutes a full barrel.  This varies for different articles and also in different places for the same article, being regulated by custom or by law.  A barrel of wine is 311/2 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds.

3.
A solid drum, or a hollow cylinder or case; as, the barrel of a windlass; the barrel of a watch, within which the spring is coiled.

4.
A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is discharged.
Knight.

5.
A jar.
[Obs.]
1 Kings xvii. 12.

6.
(Zool.)
The hollow basal part of a feather.

Barrel bulk (Com.), a measure equal to five cubic feet, used in estimating capacity, as of a vessel for freight. -- Barrel drain (Arch.), a drain in the form of a cylindrical tube. -- Barrel of a boiler, the cylindrical part of a boiler, containing the flues. -- Barrel of the ear (Anat.), the tympanum, or tympanic cavity. -- Barrel organ, an instrument for producing music by the action of a revolving cylinder. -- Barrel vault. See under Vault.


word: Barrel₂
definition:
Barrel

Bar"rel
(băr"rĕl)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Barreled (-rĕld), or Barrelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Barreling, or Barrelling.]
To put or to pack in a barrel or barrels.


word: barrel cactus
definition:
barrel cactus

bar"rel cac"tus
(băr"rĕl kăk"tŭs)
n.
pl. barrel cacti (băr"rĕl kăk"tī)
any of several large cacti native to the southwestern U. S. and Mexico, having a short cylindrical form with deep vertical ribs and bearing sharp spines.  They are classed in the genera Ferocactus and Echinocactus.


word: Barrelled
definition:
Barrelled

Barreled

{ Bar"reled, Bar"relled  }
(_;)
a.
1.
Having a barrel; -- used in composition; as, a double-barreled gun.

2.
put in or stored in a barrel; ; as, barreled beer; -- opposite of unbarreled.

3.
tapered toward both ends; -- of an arrow.


word: barrelfish
definition:
barrelfish

barrelfish
n.
A blackish fish (Hyperglyphe perciformis) of New England waters.

Syn. -- black rudderfish.


word: Barrel process
definition:
Barrel process

Bar"rel proc"ess
(Metal.)
A process of extracting gold or silver by treating the ore in a revolving barrel, or drum, with mercury, chlorine, cyanide solution, or other reagent.


word: Barren
definition:
Barren

Bar"ren
(băr"ren)
a.
[OE. barein, OF. brehaing, fem. brehaigne, baraigne, F. bréhaigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. brékhañ, markhañ, sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents; Bisc. barau, baru, fasting.]
1.
Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; -- said of women and female animals.

She was barren of children.
Bp. Hall.

2.
Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; sterile.
Barren
Macaulay.

3.
Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty.

Brilliant but barren reveries.
Prescott.

Some schemes will appear barren of hints and matter.
Swift.

4.
Mentally dull; stupid.
Shak.

Barren flower, a flower which has only stamens without a pistil, or which has neither stamens nor pistils. -- Barren Grounds (Geog.), a vast tract in British America northward of the forest regions. -- Barren Ground bear (Zool.), a peculiar bear, inhabiting the Barren Grounds, now believed to be a variety of the brown bear of Europe. -- Barren Ground caribou (Zool.), a small reindeer (Rangifer Grœnlandicus) peculiar to the Barren Grounds and Greenland.


word: Barren₂
definition:
Barren

Bar"ren
n.
1.
A tract of barren land.

2.
pl.
Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees, but not timber; as, pine barrens; oak barrens. They are not necessarily sterile, and are often fertile.
[Amer.]
J. Pickering.


word: Barrenness
definition:
Barrenness

Bar"ren*ness
n.
The condition of being barren; sterility; unproductiveness.

A total barrenness of invention.
Dryden.


word: Barrenwort
definition:
Barrenwort

Bar"ren*wort`
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
An herbaceous plant of the Barberry family (Epimedium alpinum), having leaves that are bitter and said to be sudorific.


word: Barret
definition:
Barret

Bar"ret
(_;)
n.
[F. barrette, LL. barretum a cap. See Berretta, and cf. Biretta.]
A kind of cap formerly worn by soldiers; -- called also barret cap. Also, the flat cap worn by Roman Catholic ecclesiastics.


word: barretter
definition:
barretter

bar"ret*ter
(?)
n.
[OF. bareter to exchange. Cf. Barter.]
1.
(Electronics)
a resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (such as those arising from temperature fluctuations); a thermal cymoscope.
Syn. -- ballast resistor.

&hand_;  The original form consisted of an extremely fine platinum wire loop attached to terminals and inclosed in a small glass or silver bulb. It operates by increased resistance when subjected to the influence of an electric current. In a later variety, called the liquid barretter, wire is replace by a column of liquid in a very fine capillary tube.  A recent version has a resistor composed of an iron wire in a glass bulb containing hydrogen, with the temperature variation of resistance such that the current passing through it remains constant over a wide range of applied voltages.


word: Barricade
definition:
Barricade

Bar`ri*cade"
(_;)
n.
[F. barricade, fr. Sp. barricada, orig. a barring up with casks; fr. barrica cask, perh. fr. LL. barra bar. See Bar, n., and cf. Barrel, n.]

1.
(Mil.)
A fortification, made in haste, of trees, earth, palisades, wagons, or anything that will obstruct the progress or attack of an enemy. It is usually an obstruction formed in streets to block an enemy's access.

2.
Any bar, obstruction, or means of defense.

Such a barricade as would greatly annoy, or absolutely stop, the currents of the atmosphere.
Derham.


word: Barricade₂
definition:
Barricade

Bar`ri*cade"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Barricaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Barricading.]
[Cf. F. barricader. See Barricade, n.]
To fortify or close with a barricade or with barricades; to stop up, as a passage; to obstruct; as, the workmen barricaded the streets of Paris.

The further end whereof [a bridge] was barricaded with barrels.
Hakluyt.


word: Barrier
definition:
Barrier

Bar"ri*er
(_;)
n.
[OE. barrere, barere, F. barrière, fr. barre bar. See Bar, n.]
1.
(Fort.)
A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.

2.
A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country, commanding an avenue of approach.

3.
pl.
A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep back a crowd.

No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced into the lists.
Sir W. Scott.

4.
Any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack.
barriers
Hopkinson.

5.
Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.

'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice barrier!
Pope.

Barrier gate, a heavy gate to close the opening through a barrier. -- Barrier reef, a form of coral reef which runs in the general direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon channel more or less extensive. -- To fight at barriers, to fight with a barrier between, as a martial exercise. [Obs.]


word: Barrigudo
definition:
Barrigudo

Bar`ri*gu"do
(_;)
n.
[Native name, fr. Sp. barrigudo big-bellied.]
(Zool.)
A large, dark-colored, South American monkey, of the genus Lagothrix, having a long prehensile tail.


word: Barringout
definition:
Barringout

Bar`ring*out"
(_;)
n.
The act of closing the doors of a schoolroom against a schoolmaster; -- a boyish mode of rebellion in schools.
Swift.


word: Barrio
definition:
Barrio

Bar"ri*o
(?)
n.
pl. Barrios (#)
[Sp.]
In Spain and countries colonized by Spain, a village, ward, or district outside a town or city to whose jurisdiction it belongs; in Spanish-speaking areas of cities in the United States, it is a neighborhood, ward, or quarter inside a town.


word: Barrister
definition:
Barrister

Bar"ris*ter
(_;)
n.
[From Bar, n.]
Counselor at law; a counsel admitted to plead at the bar, and undertake the public trial of causes, as distinguished from an attorney or solicitor. See Attorney.
[Eng.]


word: Barroom
definition:
Barroom

Bar"room`
(_;)
n.
1.
A room containing a bar or counter at which liquors are sold.

2.
a commercial establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter.
Syn. -- bar-room, bar, saloon, ginmill, taproom.


word: Barrow
definition:
Barrow

Bar"row
(băr"ro̝)
n.
[OE. barow, fr. AS. beran to bear. See Bear to support, and cf. Bier.]
1.
A support having handles, and with or without a wheel, on which heavy or bulky things can be transported by hand. See Handbarrow, and Wheelbarrow.

2.
(Salt Works)
A wicker case, in which salt is put to drain.


word: Barrow₂
definition:
Barrow

Bar"row
(băr"ro̝)
n.
[OE. barow, bargh, AS. bearg, bearh; akin to Icel. börgr, OHG. barh, barug, G. barch.  √95.]
A hog, esp. a male hog castrated.
Holland.


word: Barrow₃
definition:
Barrow

Bar"row
n.
[OE. bergh, AS. beorg, beorh, hill, sepulchral mound; akin to G. berg mountain, Goth. bairgahei hill, hilly country, and perh. to Skr. b&rsdot_;hant high, OIr. brigh mountain.  Cf. Berg, Berry a mound, and Borough an incorporated town.]
1.
A large mound of earth or stones over the remains of the dead; a tumulus.

2.
(Mining)
A heap of rubbish, attle, etc.


word: Barrowist
definition:
Barrowist

Bar"row*ist
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Henry Barrowe, one of the founders of Independency or Congregationalism in England.  Barrowe was executed for nonconformity in 1593.


word: Barrulet
definition:
Barrulet

Bar"ru*let
(_;)
n.
[Dim. of bar, n.]
(Her.)
A diminutive of the bar, having one fourth its width.


word: Barse
definition:
Barse

Barse
(bärs)
n.
[AS. bears, bærs, akin to D. baars, G. bars, barsch. Cf. 1st Bass, n.]
The common perch. See 1st Bass.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: Barter
definition:
Barter

Bar"ter
(bär"tẽr)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Bartered (bär"tẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Bartering.]
[OE. bartren, OF. barater, bareter, to cheat, exchange, perh. fr. Gr. pra`ttein to do, deal (well or ill), use practices or tricks, or perh. fr. Celtic; cf. Ir. brath treachery, W. brad. Cf. Barrator.]
To traffic or trade, by exchanging one commodity for another, in distinction from a sale and purchase, in which money is paid for the commodities transferred; to truck.


word: Barter₂
definition:
Barter

Bar"ter
v. t.
To trade or exchange in the way of barter; to exchange (frequently for an unworthy consideration); to traffic; to truck; -- sometimes followed by away; as, to barter away goods or honor.


word: Barter₃
definition:
Barter

Bar"ter
n.
1.
The act or practice of trafficking by exchange of commodities; an exchange of goods.

The spirit of huckstering and barter.
Burke.

2.
The thing given in exchange.


word: Bartholomew tide
definition:
Bartholomew tide

Bar*thol"o*mew tide`
(_;)
Time of the festival of St. Bartholomew, August 24th.
Shak.


word: Bartizan
definition:
Bartizan

Bar"ti*zan`
(_;)
n.
[Cf. Brettice.]
(Arch.)
A small, overhanging structure for lookout or defense, usually projecting at an angle of a building or near an entrance gateway.


word: Bartlett
definition:
Bartlett

Bart"lett
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
A Bartlett pear, a favorite kind of pear, which originated in England about 1770, and was called Williams' Bonchrétien.  It was brought to America, and distributed by Mr. Enoch Bartlett, of Dorchester, Massachusetts.


word: Barton
definition:
Barton

Bar"ton
(bär"tŭn)
n.
[AS. beretūn courtyard, grange; bere barley + tūn an inclosure.]
1.
The demesne lands of a manor; also, the manor itself.
[Eng.]
Burton.

2.
A farmyard.
[Eng.]
Southey.


word: Barway
definition:
Barway

Bar"way`
(_;)
n.
A passage into a field or yard, closed by bars made to take out of the posts.


word: Barwood
definition:
Barwood

Bar"wood`
(bär"wŏd`)
n.
A red wood of a leguminous tree (Baphia nitida), from Angola and the Gabon in Africa.  It is used as a dyewood, and also for ramrods, violin bows and turner's work.


word: barycenter
definition:
barycenter

barycenter
n.
the point representing the mean position of the matter in a body.

Syn. -- centroid, center of mass.


word: Barycentric
definition:
Barycentric

Bar`y*cen"tric
(_;)
a.
[Gr. bary`s heavy + ke`ntron center.]
Of or pertaining to the center of gravity. See Barycentric calculus, under Calculus.


word: baryon
definition:
baryon

baryon
n.
1.
any of the elementary particles having a mass equal to or greater than that of a proton and that participate in strong interactions; a hadron with a baryon number of +1.

Syn. -- heavy particle.


word: Baryphony
definition:
Baryphony

Ba*ryph"o*ny
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bary`s heavy + fwnh` a sound, voice.]
(Med.)
Difficulty of speech.


word: Barysphere
definition:
Barysphere

Bar"y*sphere
(?)
n.
[Gr. bary`s heavy + sphere.]
(Geol.)
The heavy interior portion of the earth, within the lithosphere.


word: Baryta
definition:
Baryta

Ba*ry"ta
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bary`s heavy. Cf. Baria.]
(Chem.)
An oxide of barium (or barytum); a heavy earth with a specific gravity above 4.


word: Barytes
definition:
Barytes

Ba*ry"tes
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bary`s heavy:  cf. Gr. bary`ths heaviness, F. baryte.]
(Min.)
Barium sulphate, generally called heavy spar or barite. See Barite.


word: Baryto-calcite
definition:
Baryto-calcite

Ba*ry"to-cal"cite
(_;)
n.
[Baryta + calcite.]
(Min.)
A mineral of a white or gray color, occurring massive or crystallized. It is a compound of the carbonates of barium and calcium.


word: Baritone₂
definition:
Baritone

Barytone

{ Bar"y*tone, Bar"i*tone  }
(_;)
a.
[Gr. bary`tonos; bary`s heavy + to`nos tone.]
1.
(Mus.)
Grave and deep, as a kind of male voice.

2.
(Greek Gram.)
Not marked with an accent on the last syllable, the grave accent being understood.


word: Baritone₃
definition:
Baritone

Barytone

{ Bar"y*tone, Bar"i*tone  }
n.
[F. baryton: cf. It. baritono.]
1.
(Mus.)
(a)
A male voice, the compass of which partakes of the common bass and the tenor, but which does not descend as low as the one, nor rise as high as the other.
(b)
A person having a voice of such range.
(c)
The viola di gamba, now entirely disused.

2.
(Greek Gram.)
A word which has no accent marked on the last syllable, the grave accent being understood.


word: Basal
definition:
Basal

Ba"sal
(_;)
a.
Relating to, or forming, the base.

Basal cleavage. See under Cleavage. -- Basal plane (Crystallog.), a plane parallel to the lateral or horizontal axis.


word: Basal-nerved
definition:
Basal-nerved

Ba"sal-nerved`
(_;)
a.
(Bot.)
Having the nerves radiating from the base; -- said of leaves.


word: Basalt
definition:
Basalt

Ba*salt"
(_;)
n.
[L. basaltes (an African word), a dark and hard species of marble found in Ethiopia: cf. F. basalte.]
1.
(Geol.)
A rock of igneous origin, consisting of augite and triclinic feldspar, with grains of magnetic or titanic iron, and also bottle-green particles of olivine frequently disseminated.

&hand_; It is usually of a greenish black color, or of some dull brown shade, or black. It constitutes immense beds in some regions, and also occurs in veins or dikes cutting through other rocks. It has often a prismatic structure as at the Giant's Causeway, in Ireland, where the columns are as regular as if the work of art. It is a very tough and heavy rock, and is one of the best materials for macadamizing roads.

2.
An imitation, in pottery, of natural basalt; a kind of black porcelain.


word: Basaltic
definition:
Basaltic

Ba*salt"ic
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. basaltique.]
Pertaining to basalt; formed of, or containing, basalt; as basaltic lava.


word: Basanite
definition:
Basanite

Bas"a*nite
(_;)
n.
[L. basanites lapis, Gr. ba`sanos the touchstone: cf. F. basanite.]
(Min.)
Lydian stone, or black jasper, a variety of siliceous or flinty slate, of a grayish or bluish black color. It is employed to test the purity of gold, the amount of alloy being indicated by the color left on the stone when rubbed by the metal.


word: Basbleu
definition:
Basbleu

Bas`bleu"
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. bas stocking + bleu blue.]
A bluestocking; a literary woman.
[Somewhat derisive]


word: Bascinet
definition:
Bascinet

Bas"ci*net
(_;)
n.
[OE. bacinet, basnet, OF. bassinet, bacinet, F. bassinet, dim. of OF. bacin, F. bassin, a helmet in the form of a basin.]
A light helmet, at first open, but later made with a visor.
[Written also basinet, bassinet, basnet.]


word: Bascule
definition:
Bascule

Bas"cule
(băs"k&uuptack_;l)
n.
[F., a seesaw.]
In mechanics, an apparatus on the principle of the seesaw, in which one end rises as the other falls.

Bascule bridge, a counterpoise or balanced drawbridge, which is opened by sinking the counterpoise and thus lifting the footway into the air.


word: Base
definition:
Base

Base
(bās)
a.
[OE. bass, F. bas, low, fr. LL. bassus thick, fat, short, humble; cf. L. Bassus, a proper name, and W. bas shallow. Cf. Bass a part in music.]
1.
Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs.
[Archaic]
Shak.

2.
Low in place or position.
[Obs.]
Shak.

3.
Of humble birth; or low degree; lowly; mean.
[Archaic]
base
Bacon.

4.
Illegitimate by birth; bastard.
[Archaic]

Why bastard? wherefore base?
Shak.

5.
Of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and silver, the precious metals.

6.
Alloyed with inferior metal; debased; as, base coin; base bullion.

7.
Morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations.
base
Robynson (More's Utopia).
Base
Milton.

8.
Not classical or correct.
Base
Fuller.

9.
Deep or grave in sound; as, the base tone of a violin.
[In this sense, commonly written bass.]

10.
(Law)
Not held by honorable service; as, a base estate, one held by services not honorable; held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant.

Base fee, formerly, an estate held at the will of the lord; now, a qualified fee. See note under Fee, n., 4. -- Base metal. See under Metal.


word: Base₂
definition:
Base

Base
n.
[F. base, L. basis, fr. Gr. ba`sis a stepping, step, a base, pedestal, fr. bai`nein to go, step, akin to E. come. Cf. Basis, and see Come.]
1.
The bottom of anything, considered as its support, or that on which something rests for support; the foundation; as, the base of a statue.
base
Prescott.

2.
Fig.: The fundamental or essential part of a thing; the essential principle; a groundwork.

3.
(Arch.)
(a)
The lower part of a wall, pier, or column, when treated as a separate feature, usually in projection, or especially ornamented.
(b)
The lower part of a complete architectural design, as of a monument; also, the lower part of any elaborate piece of furniture or decoration.

4.
(Bot.)
That extremity of a leaf, fruit, etc., at which it is attached to its support.

5.
(Chem.)
The positive, or non-acid component of a salt; a substance which, combined with an acid, neutralizes the latter and forms a salt; -- applied also to the hydroxides of the positive elements or radicals, and to certain organic bodies resembling them in their property of forming salts with acids.

6.
(Pharmacy)
The chief ingredient in a compound.

7.
(Dyeing)
A substance used as a mordant.
Ure.

8.
(Fort.)
The exterior side of the polygon, or that imaginary line which connects the salient angles of two adjacent bastions.

9.
(Geom.)
The line or surface constituting that part of a figure on which it is supposed to stand.

10.
(Math.)
The number from which a mathematical table is constructed; as, the base of a system of logarithms.

11.
[See Base low.]
A low, or deep, sound. (Mus.) (a) The lowest part; the deepest male voice. (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, base.
[Now commonly written bass.]

The trebles squeak for fear, the bases roar.
Dryden.

12.
(Mil.)
A place or tract of country, protected by fortifications, or by natural advantages, from which the operations of an army proceed, forward movements are made, supplies are furnished, etc.

13.
(Mil.)
The smallest kind of cannon.
[Obs.]

14.
(Zool.)
That part of an organ by which it is attached to another more central organ.

15.
(Crystallog.)
The basal plane of a crystal.

16.
(Geol.)
The ground mass of a rock, especially if not distinctly crystalline.

17.
(Her.)
The lower part of the field. See Escutcheon.

18.
The housing of a horse.
[Obs.]

19.
pl.
A kind of skirt (often of velvet or brocade, but sometimes of mailed armor) which hung from the middle to about the knees, or lower.
[Obs.]

20.
The lower part of a robe or petticoat.
[Obs.]

21.
An apron.
[Obs.]
bases
Marston.

22.
The point or line from which a start is made; a starting place or a goal in various games.

To their appointed base they went.
Dryden.

23.
(Surv.)
A line in a survey which, being accurately determined in length and position, serves as the origin from which to compute the distances and positions of any points or objects connected with it by a system of triangles.
Lyman.

24.
A rustic play; -- called also prisoner's base, prison base, or bars.
base
Shak.

25.
(Baseball)
Any one of the four bounds which mark the circuit of the infield.

Altern base. See under Altern. -- Attic base. (Arch.) See under Attic. -- Base course. (Arch.) (a) The first or lower course of a foundation wall, made of large stones or a mass of concrete; -- called also foundation course. (b) The architectural member forming the transition between the basement and the wall above. -- Base hit (Baseball), a hit, by which the batsman, without any error on the part of his opponents, is able to reach the first base without being put out. -- Base line. (a) A main line taken as a base, as in surveying or in military operations. (b) A line traced round a cannon at the rear of the vent. -- Base plate, the foundation plate of heavy machinery, as of the steam engine; the bed plate. -- Base ring (Ordnance), a projecting band of metal around the breech, connected with the body of the gun by a concave molding. H. L. Scott.


word: Base₃
definition:
Base

Base
(bās)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Based (bāsd); p. pr. & vb. n. Basing.]
[From Base, n.]
To put on a base or basis; to lay the foundation of; to found, as an argument or conclusion; -- used with on or upon.
Bacon.


word: Base₄
definition:
Base

Base
v. t.
[See Base, a., and cf. Abase.]
1.
To abase; to let, or cast, down; to lower.
[Obs.]

If any . . . based his pike.
Sir T. North.

2.
To reduce the value of; to debase.
[Obs.]

Metals which we can not base.
Bacon.


word: Baseball
definition:
Baseball

Base"ball"
(_;)
n.
1.
A game of ball, so called from the bases or bounds (four in number) which designate the circuit which each player must endeavor to make after striking the ball.

2.
The ball used in this game.


word: Baseboard
definition:
Baseboard

Base"board
(_;)
n.
(Arch.)
A board, or other woodwork, carried round the walls of a room and touching the floor, to form a base and protect the plastering; -- also called washboard (in England), mopboard, and scrubboard.


word: Baseborn
definition:
Baseborn

Base"born`
(_;)
a.
1.
Born out of wedlock.
Gay.

2.
Born of low parentage.

3.
Vile; mean.
baseborn
Shak.


word: Base-burner
definition:
Base-burner

Base"-burn`er
(_;)
n.
A furnace or stove in which the fuel is contained in a hopper or chamber, and is fed to the fire as the lower stratum is consumed.


word: Base-court
definition:
Base-court

Base"-court`
(_;)
n.
[F. basse-cour. See Base, a., and Court, n.]
1.
The secondary, inferior, or rear courtyard of a large house; the outer court of a castle.

2.
(Law)
An inferior court of law, not of record.


word: Based
definition:
Based

Based
(bāsd)
p. p.
a.
1.
Having a base, or having as a base; supported; as, broad-based.

2.
[See Base, n., 18-21.]
Wearing, or protected by, bases.
[Obs.]
Based
E. Hall.


word: Basedow's disease
definition:
Basedow's disease

Ba"se*dow's dis*ease"
(_;)
[Named for Dr. Basedow, a German physician.]
(Med.)
A disease characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland, prominence of the eyeballs, and inordinate action of the heart; -- called also exophthalmic goiter.
Flint.


word: Baselard
definition:
Baselard

Bas"e*lard
(_;)
n.
[OF. baselarde, LL. basillardus.]
A short sword or dagger, worn in the fifteenth century.
[Written also baslard.]
Fairholt.


word: baseline
definition:
baseline

baseline
n.
1.
an imaginary line or standard by which things are measured or compared; as, they established a baseline for the budget.

2.
the back line at each end of a tennis court.

3.
(Baseball)
the lines between bases on a baseball field along which a baseball player must run while running the bases.

4.
a measurement that represents the value of a physical quantity (such as a voltage, or a level of radioactivity) in the absence of effects from other variables in a measurement, test or experiment; a control value.

5.
any horizontal line in a plot, graph, or diagram, or on a visual display in an electronic device, used as a reference point to which other values are referred.


word: Basely
definition:
Basely

Base"ly
adv.
1.
In a base manner; with despicable meanness; dishonorably; shamefully.

2.
Illegitimately; in bastardy.
[Archaic]
Knolles.


word: Basement
definition:
Basement

Base"ment
(bāsment)
n.
[F. soubassement. Of uncertain origin. Cf. Base, a., Bastion.]
(Arch.)
The outer wall of the ground story of a building, or of a part of that story, when treated as a distinct substructure.  (See Base, n., 3 (a).)  Hence: The rooms of a ground floor, collectively.

Basement membrane (Anat.), a delicate membrane composed of a single layer of flat cells, forming the substratum upon which, in many organs, the epithelioid cells are disposed.


word: Baseness
definition:
Baseness

Base"ness
(_;)
n.
The quality or condition of being base; degradation; vileness.

I once did hold it a baseness to write fair.
Shak.


word: base pair
definition:
base pair

base" pair`
(bās" pâr`)
n.
(Biochemistry, Genetics)
a unit of double-stranded DNA or RNA consisting of two complementary bases on opposing strands of the double-stranded polynucleotide, bound together by hydrogen bonds and other non-covalent chemical forces.  The bases comprising the base pairs are adenine, thymine, cytidine, and guanine.  In normal DNA, the base adenine on one strand of DNA pairs with thymine on the opposite strand, and cytosine on one strand pairs with guanine on the opposite strand.  The term base pair usually includes the sugar (ribose or deoxyribose) and the phosphate bound to each base to form a nucleotide unit.  One base pair is sometimes used as a unit of length or size for DNA, and in this usage is abbreviated bp; as, a 100-bp fragment of DNA.  A length of 1000 base pairs is a kilobase pair or kbp.


word: base price
definition:
base price

base" price`
(bās" prīs`)
n.
the initial price of something (goods or services) without the additional charges that may be added, such as handling or shipping charges, sales tax, optional equipment charges, etc.


word: Bash
definition:
Bash

Bash
(_;)
v. t. & i.
[OE. baschen, baissen. See Abash.]
To abash; to disconcert or be disconcerted or put out of countenance.
[Obs.]

His countenance was bold and bashed not.
Spenser.


word: Bash₂
definition:
Bash

Bash
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Bashing.]
[Perh. of imitative origin; or cf. Dan. baske to strike, bask a blow, Sw. basa to beat, bas a beating.]
To strike heavily; to beat; to crush.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Hall Caine.

Bash her open with a rock.
Kipling.


word: Bash₃
definition:
Bash

Bash
(?)
n.
1.
a forceful blow, especially one that does damage to its target.

2.
a elaborate or lively social gathering or party.


word: Bashaw
definition:
Bashaw

Ba*shaw"
(_;)
n.
[See Pasha.]
1.
A Turkish title of honor, now written pasha. See Pasha.

2.
Fig.: A magnate or grandee.

3.
(Zool.)
A very large siluroid fish (Leptops olivaris) of the Mississippi valley; -- also called goujon, mud cat, and yellow cat.


word: Bashful
definition:
Bashful

Bash"ful
(băsh"f&usdot_;l)
a.
[See Bash.]
1.
Abashed; daunted; dismayed.
[Obs.]

2.
Very modest, or modest to excess; constitutionally disposed to shrink from public notice; indicating extreme or excessive modesty; shy; as, a bashful person, action, expression.


word: Bashi-bazouk
definition:
Bashi-bazouk

Bash"i-ba*zouk"
(băsh"ĭ*bȧ*zōk")
n.
[Turkish, light-headed, a foolish fellow.]
A soldier belonging to the irregular troops of the Turkish army.


word: Basi-
definition:
Basi-

Ba"si-
(_;)
A combining form, especially in anatomical and botanical words, to indicate the base or position at or near a base; forming a base; as, basibranchials, the most ventral of the cartilages or bones of the branchial arches; basicranial, situated at the base of the cranium; basifacial, basitemporal, etc.


word: Basic
definition:
Basic

Ba"sic
(_;)
a.
1.
(Chem.)
(a)
Relating to a base; performing the office of a base in a salt.
(b)
Having the base in excess, or the amount of the base atomically greater than that of the acid, or exceeding in proportion that of the related neutral salt.
(c)
Apparently alkaline, as certain normal salts which exhibit alkaline reactions with test paper.

2.
(Min.)
Said of crystalline rocks which contain a relatively low percentage of silica, as basalt.

Basic salt (Chem.), a salt formed from a base or hydroxide by the partial replacement of its hydrogen by a negative or acid element or radical.


word: BASIC
definition:
BASIC

BASIC
n.
1.
(Computers)
[Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Iruction C.]
an artificial computer language with a relatively simplified instruction set.
Writing a program in BASIC or other higher computer languages is simpler than writing in assembly language.  See also programming language, FORTRAN.


word: Basicerite
definition:
Basicerite

Ba*sic"er*ite
(bȧ*sĭs"ẽr*&omacrt)
n.
[Basi- + Gr. ke`ras horn, antenna.]
(Zool.)
The second joint of the antennæ of crustaceans.


word: Basicity
definition:
Basicity

Ba*sic"i*ty
n.
(Chem.)
(a)
The quality or state of being a base.
(b)
The power of an acid to unite with one or more atoms or equivalents of a base, as indicated by the number of replaceable hydrogen atoms contained in the acid.


word: Basic process
definition:
Basic process

Ba"sic proc"ess
(Iron Metal.)
A Bessemer or open-hearth steel-making process in which a lining that is basic, or not siliceous, is used, and additions of basic material are made to the molten charge during treatment. Opposed to acid process, above. Called also Thomas process.


word: basics
definition:
basics

basics
n. pl.
1.
a statement of fundamental facts or principles.

Syn. -- ABC, ABC's, ABCs, rudiments.

2.
principles from which other truths can be derived; as, let's get down to basics.

Syn. -- fundamentals, fundamental principle, basic principle, bedrock.


word: Basic slag
definition:
Basic slag

Basic slag
A by-product from the manufacture of steel by the basic process, used as a fertilizer. It is rich in lime and contains 14 to 20 per cent of phosphoric acid. Called also Thomas slag, phosphatic slag, and odorless phosphate.


word: basidiomycete
definition:
basidiomycete

ba*sid`i*o*my"cete
n.
1.
any of various fungi of the subdivision Basidiomycota.

Syn. -- basidiomycetous fungi.


word: Basidiomycota
definition:
Basidiomycota

Ba*sid`i*o*my*co"ta
(?)
n. pl.
(Bot.)
[NL., fr. NL. & E. basidium + Gr. _;, _;, fungus.]
(Bot.)
A large subdivision of the kingdom Fungi coextensive with the phylum Basidiomycetes, characterized by having the spores borne on a basidium. It embraces those fungi best known to the public, such as mushrooms, toadstools, etc.  Among the classes of the Basidiomycota are: Gasteromycetes (puffballs); Tiliomycetes (comprising the orders Ustilaginales (smuts) and Uredinales (rusts)); and Hymenomycetes (mushrooms; toadstools; agarics; bracket fungi).
In the 1913 Webster, the Basidiomycetes were defined as "coördinate with the Ascomycetes", and other fungal phyla (the Zygomycota and Deuteromycota) were not mentioned.

Syn. -- Basidiomycota, subdivision Basidiomycota, subdivision Basidiomycotina.


word: Basidiospore
definition:
Basidiospore

Ba*sid"i*o*spore
(_;)
n.
[Basidium + spore.]
(Bot.)
A spore borne by a basidium.
Ba*sid`i*o*spor"ous (_;), a.


word: Basidium
definition:
Basidium

Ba*sid"i*um
(_;)
n.
[NL., dim. of Gr. ba`sis base.]
(Bot.)
A special oblong or pyriform cell, with slender branches, which bears the spores in that division of fungi called Basidiomycetes, of which the common mushroom is an example.


word: Basifugal
definition:
Basifugal

Ba*sif"u*gal
(_;)
a.
[Base,n.+ L. fugere to flee.]
(Bot.)
Tending or proceeding away from the base; as, a basifugal growth.


word: Basigynium
definition:
Basigynium

Ba`si*gyn"i*um
(_;)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. ba`sis base + gynh` woman.]
(Bot.)
The pedicel on which the ovary of certain flowers, as the passion flower, is seated; a carpophore or thecaphore.


word: Basihyal
definition:
Basihyal

Ba`si*hy"al
(_;)
a.
[Basi- + Gr. υ (the letter “upsilon”); from the shape.]
(Anat.)
Noting two small bones, forming the body of the inverted hyoid arch.


word: Basil
definition:
Basil

Bas"il
(băz"ĭl)
n.
[Cf. F. basile and E. Bezel.]
The slope or angle to which the cutting edge of a tool, as a plane, is ground.
Grier.


word: Basil₂
definition:
Basil

Bas"il
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Basiled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Basiling.]
To grind or form the edge of to an angle.
Moxon.


word: Basil₃
definition:
Basil

Bas"il
n.
[F. basilic, fr. L. basilicus royal, Gr. basiliko`s fr. basiley`s king.]
(Bot.)
The name given to several aromatic herbs of the Mint family, but chiefly to the common or sweet basil (Ocymum basilicum), and the bush basil, or lesser basil (Ocymum minimum), the leaves of which are used in cookery. The name is also given to several kinds of mountain mint (Pycnanthemum).

Basil thyme, a name given to the fragrant herbs Calamintha Acinos and Calamintha Nepeta. -- Wild basil, a plant (Calamintha clinopodium) of the Mint family.


word: Basil₄
definition:
Basil

Bas"il
(băz"ĭl)
n.
[Corrupt. from E. basan, F. basane, LL. basanium, bazana, fr. Ar. bithāna, prop., lining.]
The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.


word: Basilary
definition:
Basilary

Basilar

{ Bas"i*lar (_;), Bas"i*la*ry (_;), }
a.
[F. basilaire, fr. L. basis. See Base, n.]
1.
Relating to, or situated at, the base.

2.
Lower; inferior; applied to impulses or springs of action.
[R.]
Basilar
H. W. Beecher.


word: Basilical
definition:
Basilical

Basilic

{ Ba*sil"ic (_;), Ba*sil"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[See Basilica.]
1.
Royal; kingly; also, basilican.

2.
(Anat.)
Pertaining to certain parts, anciently supposed to have a specially important function in the animal economy, as the middle vein of the right arm.


word: Basilica
definition:
Basilica

Ba*sil"i*ca
(_;)
n.
pl. Basilicas (_;); sometimes Basilicæ (-sē).
[L. basilica, Gr. basilikh` (sc. o'iki`a or stoa` fr. basiliko`s royal, fr. basiley`s king.]
1.
Originally, the palace of a king; but afterward, an apartment provided in the houses of persons of importance, where assemblies were held for dispensing justice; and hence, any large hall used for this purpose.

2.
(Arch.)
(a)
A building used by the Romans as a place of public meeting, with court rooms, etc., attached.
(b)
A church building of the earlier centuries of Christianity, the plan of which was taken from the basilica of the Romans. The name is still applied to some churches by way of honorary distinction.


word: Basilica₂
definition:
Basilica

Ba*sil"i*ca
n.
A digest of the laws of Justinian, translated from the original Latin into Greek, by order of Basil I., in the ninth century.
P. Cyc.


word: Basilican
definition:
Basilican

Ba*sil"i*can
(_;)
a.
Of, relating to, or resembling, a basilica; basilical.

There can be no doubt that the first churches in Constantinople were in the basilican form.
Milman.


word: Basilicon
definition:
Basilicon

Ba*sil"i*con
(_;)
n.
[L. basilicon, Gr. basiliko`n neut. of basiliko`s: cf. F. basilicon. See Basilica.]
(Med.)
An ointment composed of wax, pitch, resin, and olive oil, lard, or other fatty substance.


word: Basilisk
definition:
Basilisk

Bas"i*lisk
(_;)
n.
[L. basiliscus, Gr. basili`skos little king, kind of serpent, dim. of basiley`s king; -- so named from some prominences on the head resembling a crown.]
1.
A fabulous serpent, or dragon. The ancients alleged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath, and even its look, was fatal. See Cockatrice.

Make me not sighted like the basilisk.
Shak.

2.
(Zool.)
A lizard of the genus Basiliscus, belonging to the family Iguanidæ.

&hand_; This genus is remarkable for a membranous bag rising above the occiput, which can be filled with air at pleasure; also for an elevated crest along the back, that can be raised or depressed at will.

3.
(Mil.)
A large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size.
[Obs.]


word: Basin
definition:
Basin

Ba"sin
(_;)
n.
[OF. bacin, F. bassin, LL. bacchinus, fr. bacca a water vessel, fr. L. bacca berry, in allusion to the round shape; or perh. fr. Celtic. Cf. Bac.]

1.
A hollow vessel or dish, to hold water for washing, and for various other uses.

2.
The quantity contained in a basin.

3.
A hollow vessel, of various forms and materials, used in the arts or manufactures, as that used by glass grinders for forming concave glasses, by hatters for molding a hat into shape, etc.

4.
A hollow place containing water, as a pond, a dock for ships, a little bay.
Pope

5.
(Physical Geog.)
(a)
A circular or oval valley, or depression of the surface of the ground, the lowest part of which is generally occupied by a lake, or traversed by a river.
(b)
The entire tract of country drained by a river, or sloping towards a sea or lake.

6.
(Geol.)
An isolated or circumscribed formation, particularly where the strata dip inward, on all sides, toward a center; -- especially applied to the coal formations, called coal basins or coal fields.


word: Basioccipital
definition:
Basioccipital

Ba`si*oc*cip"i*tal
(_;)
a.
[Basi- + occipital.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the bone in the base of the cranium, frequently forming a part of the occipital in the adult, but usually distinct in the young.
n. The basioccipital bone.


word: Basion
definition:
Basion

Ba"si*on
(_;)
n.
[Gr. ba`sis a base.]
(Anat.)
The middle of the anterior margin of the great foramen of the skull.


word: Basipodite
definition:
Basipodite

Ba*sip"o*dite
(_;)
n.
[Basi- + poy`s, podo`s, foot.]
(Anat.)
The basal joint of the legs of Crustacea.


word: Basipterygium
definition:
Basipterygium

Ba*sip`te*ryg"i*um
(_;)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. ba`sis a base + ptery`gion a fin.]
(Anat.)
A bar of cartilage at the base of the embryonic fins of some fishes. It develops into the metapterygium.
Ba*sip`ter*yg"i*al (_;), a.


word: Basipterygoid
definition:
Basipterygoid

Ba`sip*ter"y*goid
(_;)
a. & n.
[Basi- + pterygoid.]
(Anat.)
Applied to a protuberance of the base of the sphenoid bone.


word: Basis
definition:
Basis

Ba"sis
(bā"sĭs)
n.
pl. Bases (bā"sēz).
[L. basis, Gr. ba`sis. See Base, n.]
1.
The foundation of anything; that on which a thing rests.
Dryden.

2.
The pedestal of a column, pillar, or statue.
[Obs.]

If no basis bear my rising name.
Pope.

3.
The groundwork; the first or fundamental principle; that which supports.

The basis of public credit is good faith.
A. Hamilton.

4.
The principal component part of a thing.


word: Basisolute
definition:
Basisolute

Ba*sis"o*lute
(bȧ*sĭs"o̝*lūt)
a.
[Basi- + solute, a.]
(Bot.)
Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves.


word: Basisphenoidal
definition:
Basisphenoidal

Basisphenoid

{ Ba`si*sphe"noid (_;), Ba`si*sphe*noid"al (_;), }
a.
[Basi- + sphenoid.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to that part of the base of the cranium between the basioccipital and the presphenoid, which usually ossifies separately in the embryo or in the young, and becomes a part of the sphenoid in the adult.


word: Bask
definition:
Bask

Bask
(bȧsk)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Basked (bȧskt); p. pr. & vb. n. Basking.]
[OScand. baðask to bathe one's self, or perh. bakask to bake one's self, sk being reflexive. See Bath, n., Bake, v. t.]
To lie in warmth; to be exposed to genial heat.

Basks in the glare, and stems the tepid wave.
Goldsmith.


word: Bask₂
definition:
Bask

Bask
v. t.
To warm by continued exposure to heat; to warm with genial heat.

Basks at the fire his hairy strength.
Milton.


word: Basket
definition:
Basket

Bas"ket
(_;)
n.
[Of unknown origin. The modern Celtic words seem to be from the English.]
1.
A vessel made of osiers or other twigs, cane, rushes, splints, or other flexible material, interwoven.
baskets
Dyer.

2.
The contents of a basket; as much as a basket contains; as, a basket of peaches.

3.
(Arch.)
The bell or vase of the Corinthian capital.
[Improperly so used.]
Gwilt.

4.
The two back seats facing one another on the outside of a stagecoach.
[Eng.]
Goldsmith.

5.
A container shaped like a basket{1}, even if made of solid material rather than woven; -- the top is often, but not always, open and without a lid.

6.
a vessel suspended below a balloon, designed to carry people or measuring instruments for scientific research.
The earliest balloons designed to carry people often had small vessels of woven flexible vegetable materials to hold the passengers, which resembled large baskets{1}, from which the name was derived.

7.
(Basketball)
A goal{3} consisting of a short cylindrical net suspended from a circular rim, which itself is attached at about ten feet above floor level to a backboard, placed at the end of a basketball court.  In professional basketball, two such baskets are used,  one at each end of the court, and each team may score only by passing the ball though its own basket.  In informal games, only one such basket is often used.

8.
(Basketball)
An instance of scoring points by throwing the basketball through the basket; as, he threw four baskets in the first quarter; -- the ball must pass through the basket from above in order to score points.

Basket fish (Zool.), an ophiuran of the genus Astrophyton, having the arms much branched. See Astrophyton. -- Basket hilt, a hilt with a covering wrought like basketwork to protect the hand. Hudibras. Hence, Basket-hilted, a. -- Basket work, work consisting of plaited osiers or twigs. -- Basket worm (Zool.), a lepidopterous insect of the genus Thyridopteryx and allied genera, esp. Thyridopteryx ephemeræformis.  The larva makes and carries about a bag or basket-like case of silk and twigs, which it afterwards hangs up to shelter the pupa and wingless adult females.  -- collection basket, a small basket{1} mounted on the end of a pole, used in churches to collect donations from those attending a church service; -- the long pole allows the collector to hold the basket in front of those at the end of the pew, while the collector remains in the aisle. waste basket, a basket{4} used to hold waste matter, such as discarded paper, commonly shaped like a truncated cone, with the wide end open and at the top.  Vessels of other shapes, such as oblong containers, are also called waste baskets.


word: Basketball
definition:
Basketball

Bas"ket*ball`
n.
1.
A ball game, usually played indoors in an area called the basketball court, in which two opposing teams of five players each contest with each other to toss a large inflated ball (the basketball) into opposite goals (baskets) resembling baskets, each typically a cylindrical mesh suspended from a circular rim which is held ten feet above the court.  A goal scored by passing the basketball through the basket may count from one to three points, depending on the situation in which it was thrown.

Syn. -- basketball game.

2.
The inflatable ball used in the game of basketball.


word: Basking shark
definition:
Basking shark

Bask"ing shark`
(_;)
(Zool.)
One of the largest species of sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), so called from its habit of basking in the sun; the liver shark, or bone shark.  It inhabits the northern seas of Europe and America, and grows to a length of more than forty feet. It is a harmless species.


word: Basommatophora
definition:
Basommatophora

Ba*som`ma*toph"o*ra
(bȧ*s&obreve_;m`mȧ*t&obreve_;f"o̝*rȧ)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. ba`sis base + 'o`mma eye + fe`rein to bear.]
(Zool.)
A group of Pulmonifera having the eyes at the base of the tentacles, including the common pond snails.


word: Basque₂
definition:
Basque

Basque
(bȧsk)
n.
[F.]
1.
One of a race, of unknown origin, inhabiting a region on the Bay of Biscay in Spain and France.

2.
The language spoken by the Basque people.

3.
A part of a lady's dress, resembling a jacket with a short skirt; -- probably so called because this fashion of dress came from the Basques.


word: Basquish
definition:
Basquish

Basqu"ish
(_;)
a.
[F. Basque Biscayan: cf. G. Baskisch.]
Pertaining to the country, people, or language of Biscay; Basque
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Bas-relief
definition:
Bas-relief

Bas`-re*lief"
(_;)
n.
[F. bas-relief; bas low + relief raised work, relever to raise: cf. It. bassorilievo.]
Low relief; sculpture, the figures of which project less than half of their true proportions; -- called also bass-relief and basso-rilievo. See Alto-rilievo.


word: Bass
definition:
Bass

Bass
(bȧs)
n.
pl. Bass, and sometimes Basses (bȧs"ĕz).
[A corruption of barse.]
(Zool.)
1.
An edible, spiny-finned fish, esp. of the genera Roccus, Labrax, and related genera. There are many species.

&hand_; The common European bass is Labrax lupus. American species are: the striped bass (Roccus lineatus); white or silver bass of the lakes (Roccus chrysops); brass or yellow bass (Roccus interruptus).

2.
The two American fresh-water species of black bass (genus Micropterus). See Black bass.

3.
Species of Serranus, the sea bass and rock bass. See Sea bass.

4.
The southern, red, or channel bass (Sciæna ocellata). See Redfish.

&hand_; The name is also applied to many other fishes. See Calico bass, under Calico.


word: Bass₂
definition:
Bass

Bass
n.
[A corruption of bast.]
1.
(Bot.)
The linden or lime tree, sometimes wrongly called whitewood; also, its bark, which is used for making mats. See Bast.

2.
(Pron. _;)
A hassock or thick mat.


word: Bass₃
definition:
Bass

Bass
(bās)
n.
[F. basse, fr. bas low. See Base, a.]

1.
A bass, or deep, sound or tone.

2.
(Mus.)
(a)
The lowest part in a musical composition.
(b)
One who sings, or the instrument which plays, bass.
[Written also base.]

Thorough bass. See Thorough bass.


word: Bass₄
definition:
Bass

Bass
a.
Deep or grave in tone.

Bass clef (Mus.), the character placed at the beginning of the staff containing the bass part of a musical composition. [See Illust. under Clef.] -- Bass voice, a deep-sounding voice; a voice fitted for singing bass.


word: Bassariscidae
definition:
Bassariscidae

Bassariscidae
n.
a division of mammals, in some classifications considered a separate family.

Syn. -- subfamily Bassariscidae.


word: Bassariscus
definition:
Bassariscus

Bassariscus
n.
a genus comprising the cacomistles.  See bassarisk.

Syn. -- genus Bassariscus.


word: bassarisk
definition:
bassarisk

bassarisk
n.
A raccoonlike omnivorous mammal (Bassariscus astutus) of Mexico and southwestern U. S. having a long bushy tail with black and white rings.

Syn. -- cacomistle, cacomixle, coon cat, raccoon fox, ringtail, ring-tailed cat, civet cat, miner's cat.


word: Bass drum
definition:
Bass drum

Bass` drum"
(_;)
(Mus.)
The largest of the different kinds of drums, having two heads, and emitting a deep, grave sound. See Bass, a.


word: Basset
definition:
Basset

Bas"set
(băs"sĕt or băs*sĕt")
n.
[F. bassette, fr. It. bassetta.  Cf. Basso.]
A game at cards, resembling the modern faro, said to have been invented at Venice.

Some dress, some dance, some play, not to forget
Your piquet parties, and your dear basset.
Rowe.


word: Basset₂
definition:
Basset

Bas"set
(băs"sĕt)
a.
[Cf. OF. basset somewhat low, dim. of bas low.]
(Geol.)
Inclined upward; as, the basset edge of strata.
Lyell.


word: Basset₃
definition:
Basset

Bas"set
n.
(Geol.)
The edge of a geological stratum at the surface of the ground; the outcrop.


word: Basset₄
definition:
Basset

Bas"set
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Basseted; p. pr. & vb. n. Basseting.]
(Geol.)
To incline upward so as to appear at the surface; to crop out; as, a vein of coal bassets.


word: Basseterre
definition:
Basseterre

Basseterre
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis.  Population (2000) = 19,000.


word: Basset horn
definition:
Basset horn

Bas"set horn`
(băs"sĕt hôrn`)
[See Basset, a.]
(Mus.)
An instrument blown with a reed, and resembling a clarinet, but of much greater compass, embracing nearly four octaves; The corno di bassetto.


word: Basset hound
definition:
Basset hound

Bas"set hound`
(_;)
[F. basset.]
(Zool.)
A small kind of hound with a long body and short legs, used as an earth dog.


word: Basseting
definition:
Basseting

Bas"set*ing
n.
The upward direction of a vein in a mine; the emergence of a stratum at the surface.


word: Bassetto
definition:
Bassetto

Bas*set"to
(_;)
n.
[It., adj., somewhat low; n., counter tenor. See Basso.]
(Mus.)
A tenor or small bass viol.


word: Bassinet
definition:
Bassinet

Bas"si*net
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. bassinet, dim. of bassin. See Basin, and cf. Bascinet.]
1.
A wicker basket, with a covering or hood over one end, in which young children are placed as in a cradle.

2.
See Bascinet.
Lord Lytton.


word: Basso
definition:
Basso

Bas"so
(_;)
n.
[It., fr. LL. bassus. See Base, a.]
(Mus.)
(a)
The bass or lowest part; as, to sing basso.
(b)
One who sings the lowest part.
(c)
The double bass, or contrabasso.

&VerbarBasso continuo (_;). [It., bass continued.] (Mus.) A bass part written out continuously, while the other parts of the harmony are indicated by figures attached to the bass; continued bass.


word: Bassoon
definition:
Bassoon

Bas*soon"
(_;)
n.
[F. basson, fr. basse bass; or perh. fr. bas son low sound. See Bass a part in music. ]
(Mus.)
A wind instrument of the double reed kind, furnished with holes, which are stopped by the fingers, and by keys, as in flutes. It forms the natural bass to the oboe, clarinet, etc.

&hand_; Its compass comprehends three octaves. For convenience of carriage it is divided into two parts; whence it is also called a fagot.


word: Basso-relievo
definition:
Basso-relievo

Basso-rilievo

{ &VerbarBas"so-ri*lie"vo (_;), Bas"so-re*lie"vo  }
(_;)
n.
[It. basso-rilievo.]
Same as Bas-relief.


word: Bassorin
definition:
Bassorin

Bas"so*rin
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. bassorine.]
(Chem.)
A constituent part of a species of gum from Bassora, as also of gum tragacanth and some gum resins.  It is one of the amyloses.
Ure.


word: Bass viol
definition:
Bass viol

Bass" vi`ol
(_;)
(Mus.)
A stringed instrument of the viol family, used for playing bass. See 3d Bass, n., and Violoncello.


word: Basswood
definition:
Basswood

Bass"wood`
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
The bass (Tilia) or its wood; especially, Tilia Americana. See Bass, the lime tree.

All the bowls were made of basswood,
White and polished very smoothly.
Longfellow.


word: Bast
definition:
Bast

Bast
(_;)
n.
[AS. bæst; akin to Icel., Sw., Dan., D., & G. bast, of unknown origin. Cf. Bass the tree.]
1.
The inner fibrous bark of various plants; esp. of the lime tree; hence, matting, cordage, etc., made therefrom.

2.
A thick mat or hassock. See 2d Bass, 2.


word: Bastard
definition:
Bastard

Bas"tard
(_;)
n.
[OF. bastard, bastart, F. b_;tard, prob. fr. OF. bast, F. b_;t, a packsaddle used as a bed by the muleteers (fr. LL. bastum) + -ard. OF. fils de bast son of the packsaddle; as the muleteers were accustomed to use their saddles for beds in the inns. See Cervantes, “Don Quixote,” chap. 16; and cf. G. bankert, fr. bank bench.]
1.
A “natural” child; a child begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate child; one born of an illicit union.

&hand_; By the civil and canon laws, and by the laws of many of the United States, a bastard becomes a legitimate child by the intermarriage of the parents at any subsequent time. But by those of England, and of some states of the United States, a child, to be legitimate, must at least be born after the lawful marriage.
Kent. Blackstone.

2.
(Sugar Refining)
(a)
An inferior quality of soft brown sugar, obtained from the sirups that have already had several boilings.
(b)
A large size of mold, in which sugar is drained.

3.
A sweet Spanish wine like muscatel in flavor.

Brown bastard is your only drink.
Shak.

4.
A writing paper of a particular size. See Paper.


word: Bastard₂
definition:
Bastard

Bas"tard
(_;)
a.
1.
Begotten and born out of lawful matrimony; illegitimate. See Bastard, n., note.

2.
Lacking in genuineness; spurious; false; adulterate; -- applied to things which resemble those which are genuine, but are really not so.

That bastard self-love which is so vicious in itself, and productive of so many vices.
Barrow.

3.
Of an unusual or irregular make or proportion; as, a bastard musket; a bastard culverin.
[Obs.]

4.
(Print.)
Abbreviated, as the half title in a page preceding the full title page of a book.

Bastard ashlar (Arch.), stones for ashlar work, roughly squared at the quarry. -- Bastard file, a file intermediate between the coarsest and the second cut. -- Bastard type (Print.), type having the face of a larger or a smaller size than the body; e. g., a nonpareil face on a brevier body. -- Bastard wing (Zool.), three to five quill feathers on a small joint corresponding to the thumb in some mammalia; the alula.


word: bastardisation
definition:
bastardisation

bastardisation
n.
An act that debases or corrupts.
[chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- bastardization.


word: Bastardize
definition:
Bastardize

Bas"tard*ize
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bastardized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bastardizing.]
1.
To make or prove to be a bastard; to stigmatize as a bastard; to declare or decide legally to be illegitimate.

The law is so indulgent as not to bastardize the child, if born, though not begotten, in lawful wedlock.
Blackstone.

2.
To beget out of wedlock.
[R.]
Shak.

3.
to change something (for example, art forms) so that its value declines; to debase.

Syn. -- bastardise.


word: bastardized
definition:
bastardized

bastardized
adj.
(Arts)
deriving from more than one source or style.
impure (vs. pure) --- (combined with extraneous elements)


word: Bastardly
definition:
Bastardly

Bas"tard*ly
a.
Bastardlike; baseborn; spurious; corrupt.
[Obs.]
adv. In the manner of a bastard; spuriously. [Obs.]
Shak. Donne.


word: Bastardy
definition:
Bastardy

Bas"tar*dy
(_;)
n.
1.
The state of being a bastard; illegitimacy.

2.
The procreation of a bastard child.
Wharton.


word: Baste
definition:
Baste

Baste
(bāst)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Basted; p. pr. & vb. n. Basting.]
[Cf. Icel. beysta to strike, powder; Sw. basa to beat with a rod: perh. akin to E. beat.]
1.
To beat with a stick; to cudgel.

One man was basted by the keeper for carrying some people over on his back through the waters.
Pepys.

2.
(Cookery)
To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or fat on, as on meat in roasting.

3.
To mark with tar, as sheep.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Baste₂
definition:
Baste

Baste
v. t.
[OE. basten, OF. bastir, F. b_;tir, prob. fr. OHG. bestan to sew, MHG. besten to bind, fr. OHG. bast bast. See Bast.]
To sew loosely, or with long stitches; -- usually, that the work may be held in position until sewed more firmly.
Shak.


word: Bastille
definition:
Bastille

Bastile

{ Bas*tile" Bas*tille" }
(bȧs*tēl" or bȧs"te̝l; 277)
n.
[F. bastille fortress, OF. bastir to build, F. bâtir.]

1.
(Feud. Fort.)
A tower or an elevated work, used for the defense, or in the siege, of a fortified place.

The high bastiles . . . which overtopped the walls.
Holland.

2.
“The Bastille”, formerly a castle or fortress in Paris, used as a prison, especially for political offenders; hence, a rhetorical name for a prison.


word: Bastinado
definition:
Bastinado

Bas`ti*na"do
(_;)
n.
pl. Bastinadoes (_;).
[Sp. bastonada (cf. F. bastonnade), fr. baston (cf. F. bâton) a stick or staff. See Baston.]

1.
A blow with a stick or cudgel.

2.
A sound beating with a stick or cudgel. Specifically: A form of punishment among the Turks, Chinese, and others, consisting in beating an offender on the soles of his feet.


word: Bastinado₂
definition:
Bastinado

Bas`ti*na"do
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bastinadoed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bastinadoing.]
To beat with a stick or cudgel, especially on the soles of the feet.


word: basting
definition:
basting

basting
n.
1.
Loose temporary stitches.

Syn. -- baste, tacking.

2.
(Cookery)
The act or process of moistening a roast as it is cooking.


word: Bastion
definition:
Bastion

Bas"tion
(băs"chŭn; 106)
n.
[F. bastion (cf. It. bastione), fr. LL. bastire to build (cf. F. bâtir, It. bastire), perh. from the idea of support for a weight, and akin to Gr. basta`zein to lift, carry, and to E. baston, baton.]
(Fort.)
A work projecting outward from the main inclosure of a fortification, consisting of two faces and two flanks, and so constructed that it is able to defend by a flanking fire the adjacent curtain, or wall which extends from one bastion to another. Two adjacent bastions are connected by the curtain, which joins the flank of one with the adjacent flank of the other. The distance between the flanks of a bastion is called the gorge. A lunette is a detached bastion. See Ravelin.


word: Baston
definition:
Baston

Bas"ton
(băs"tŭn)
n.
[OF. baston, F. bâton, LL. basto. See Bastion, and cf. Baton, and 3d Batten.]

1.
A staff or cudgel.
[Obs.]
bastons
Holland.

2.
(Her.)
See Baton.

3.
An officer bearing a painted staff, who formerly was in attendance upon the king's court to take into custody persons committed by the court.
Mozley & W.


word: Basutos
definition:
Basutos

Ba*su"tos
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Basuto (_;).
(Ethnol.)
A warlike South African people of the Bantu stock, divided into many tribes, at one time subjected by the English. They formerly practiced cannibalism, but have now adopted many European customs.


word: Basyle
definition:
Basyle

Bas"yle
(băs"ĭl or bās"ĭl)
n.
[Gr. ba`sis base + "y`lh wood. See -yl.]
(Chem.)
A positive or nonacid constituent of compound, either elementary, or, if compound, performing the functions of an element.


word: Basylous
definition:
Basylous

Bas"y*lous
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to, or having the nature of, a basyle; electro-positive; basic; -- opposed to chlorous.
Graham.


word: Bat
definition:
Bat

Bat
(băt)
n.
[OE. batte, botte, AS. batt; perhaps fr. the Celtic; cf. Ir. bat, bata, stick, staff; but cf. also F. batte a beater (thing), wooden sword, battre to beat.]

1.
A large stick; a club; specifically, a piece of wood with one end thicker or broader than the other, used in playing baseball, cricket, etc.

2.
In badminton, tennis, and similar games, a racket.

3.
A sheet of cotton used for filling quilts or comfortables; batting.

4.
A part of a brick with one whole end; a brickbat.

5.
(Mining)
Shale or bituminous shale.
Kirwan.

6.
A stroke; a sharp blow.
[Colloq. or Slang]

7.
A stroke of work.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

8.
Rate of motion; speed.
[Colloq.]
bat
Pall Mall Mag.

9.
A spree; a jollification.
[Slang, U. S.]

10.
Manner; rate; condition; state of health.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

Bat bolt (Machinery), a bolt barbed or jagged at its butt or tang to make it hold the more firmly. Knight.


word: Bat₂
definition:
Bat

Bat
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Batted (băt"tĕd); p. pr. & vb. n. Batting.]
To strike or hit with a bat or a pole; to cudgel; to beat.
Holland.


word: Bat₃
definition:
Bat

Bat
v. i.
To use a bat, as in a game of baseball; when used with a numerical postmodifier it indicates a baseball player's performance (as a decimal) at bat; as, he batted .270 in 1993 (i.e. he got safe hits in 27 percent of his official turns at bat).


word: Bat₄
definition:
Bat

Bat
v. t. & i.
1.
To bate or flutter, as a hawk.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

2.
To wink.
[Local, U. S. & Prov Eng.]


word: Bat₅
definition:
Bat

Bat
n.
[Corrupt. from OE. back, backe, balke; cf. Dan. aften-bakke (aften evening), Sw. natt-backa (natt night), Icel. leðr-blaka (leðr leather), Icel. blaka to flutter.]
(Zool.)
One of the Chiroptera, an order of flying mammals, in which the wings are formed by a membrane stretched between the elongated fingers, legs, and tail. The common bats are small and insectivorous. See Chiroptera and Vampire.

Silent bats in drowsy clusters cling.
Goldsmith.

Bat tick (Zool.), a wingless, dipterous insect of the genus Nycteribia, parasitic on bats.


word: Batable
definition:
Batable

Bat"a*ble
(_;)
a.
[Abbrev. from debatable.]
Disputable.
[Obs.]

&hand_; The border land between England and Scotland, being formerly a subject of contention, was called batable or debatable ground.


word: Batardeau
definition:
Batardeau

Ba`tar*deau"
(_;)
n.
[F.]
1.
A cofferdam.
Brande & C.

2.
(Mil.)
A wall built across the ditch of a fortification, with a sluice gate to regulate the height of water in the ditch on both sides of the wall.


word: Batata
definition:
Batata

Batatas

{ &VerbarBa*ta"tas (_;), &VerbarBa*ta"ta (_;), }
n.
An aboriginal American name for the sweet potato (Ipomæa batatas).


word: Batavian
definition:
Batavian

Ba*ta"vi*an
(_;)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to the Batavi, an ancient Germanic tribe.

2.
Of or pertaining to Batavia or Holland; as, a Batavian legion.

Batavian Republic, the name given to Holland by the French after its conquest in 1795.


word: batboy
definition:
batboy

bat"boy`
(băt"boi`)
n.
(Baseball)
A boy who holds the bats and presents the bat to a batter when the batter is going to the batter's box to bat.  The batboy sometimes also keeps other team equipment.


word: Batch
definition:
Batch

Batch
(_;)
n.
[OE. bache, bacche, fr. AS. bacan to bake; cf. G. gebäck and D. baksel. See Bake, v. t.]

1.
The quantity of bread baked at one time.

2.
A quantity of anything produced at one operation; a group or collection of persons or things of the same kind; as, a batch of letters; the next batch of business.
batch
Lady M. W. Montagu.


word: Bate₂
definition:
Bate

Bate
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bated; p. pr. & vb. n. Bating.]
[From abate.]
1.
To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower.

He must either bate the laborer's wages, or not employ or not pay him.
Locke.

2.
To allow by way of abatement or deduction.

To whom he bates nothing of what he stood upon with the parliament.
South.

3.
To leave out; to except.
[Obs.]

Bate me the king, and, be he flesh and blood,
He lies that says it.
Beau. & Fl.

4.
To remove.
[Obs.]

About autumn bate the earth from about the roots of olives, and lay them bare.
Holland.

5.
To deprive of.
[Obs.]

When baseness is exalted, do not bate
The place its honor for the person's sake.
Herbert.


word: Bate₃
definition:
Bate

Bate
v. i.
1.
To remit or retrench a part; -- with of.

Abate thy speed, and I will bate of mine.
Dryden.

2.
To waste away.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Bate₆
definition:
Bate

Bate
v. i.
[F. battre des ailes to flutter. Cf. Bait to flutter.]
To flutter as a hawk; to bait.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Bate₈
definition:
Bate

Bate
n.
[Cf. Sw. beta maceration, soaking, G. beize, and E. bite.]
An alkaline solution consisting of the dung of certain animals; -- employed in the preparation of hides; grainer.
Knight.


word: Bateau
definition:
Bateau

Ba*teau"
(_;)
n.
pl. Bateaux (_;).
[F. bateau, LL. batellus, fr. battus, batus, boat, which agrees with AS. bāt boat: cf. W. bad boat. See Boat, n.]
A boat; esp. a flat-bottomed, clumsy boat used on the Canadian lakes and rivers.
[Written also, but less properly, batteau.]

Bateau bridge, a floating bridge supported by bateaux.


word: Batement
definition:
Batement

Bate"ment
(_;)
n.
[For Abatement. See 2d Bate.]
Abatement; diminution.
Moxon.

Batement light (Arch.), a window or one division of a window having vertical sides, but with the sill not horizontal, as where it follows the rake of a staircase.


word: Batfish
definition:
Batfish

Bat"fish`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A name given to several species of fishes:
(a)
The Malthe vespertilio of the Atlantic coast.
(b)
The flying gurnard of the Atlantic (Cephalacanthus spinarella).
(c)
The California batfish or sting ray (Myliobatis Californicus.)


word: Batfowling
definition:
Batfowling

Bat"fowl`ing
(_;)
n.
[From Bat a stick.]
A mode of catching birds at night, by holding a torch or other light, and beating the bush or perch where they roost. The birds, flying to the light, are caught with nets or otherwise.


word: Batful
definition:
Batful

Bat"ful
(băt"f&usdot_;l)
a.
[Icel. bati amelioration, batna to grow better; akin to AS. bet better. Goth. ga-batnan to profit.  √255.  Cf. Batten, v. i., Better.]
Rich; fertile.
[Obs.]
Batful
Drayton.


word: Bath
definition:
Bath

Bath
(bȧth; 61)
n.
pl. Baths (bȧ&thlig_;z).
[AS. bæð; akin to OS. & Icel. bað, Sw., Dan., D., & G. bad, and perh. to G. bähen to foment.]
1.
The act of exposing the body, or part of the body, for purposes of cleanliness, comfort, health, etc., to water, vapor, hot air, or the like; as, a cold or a hot bath; a medicated bath; a steam bath; a hip bath.

2.
Water or other liquid for bathing.

3.
A receptacle or place where persons may immerse or wash their bodies in water.

4.
A building containing an apartment or a series of apartments arranged for bathing.

Among the ancients, the public baths were of amazing extent and magnificence.
Gwilt.

5.
(Chem.)
A medium, as heated sand, ashes, steam, hot air, through which heat is applied to a body.

6.
(Photog.)
A solution in which plates or prints are immersed; also, the receptacle holding the solution.

&hand_; Bath is used adjectively or in combination, in an obvious sense of or for baths or bathing; as, bathroom, bath tub, bath keeper.

Douche bath. See Douche. -- Order of the Bath, a high order of British knighthood, composed of three classes, viz., knights grand cross, knights commanders, and knights companions, abbreviated thus: G. C. B., K. C. B., K. B. -- Russian bath, a kind of vapor bath which consists in a prolonged exposure of the body to the influence of the steam of water, followed by washings and shampooings. -- Turkish bath, a kind of bath in which a profuse perspiration is produced by hot air, after which the body is washed and shampooed. -- Bath house, a house used for the purpose of bathing; -- also a small house, near a bathing place, where a bather undresses and dresses.


word: Bath₂
definition:
Bath

Bath
(_;)
n.
[Heb.]
A Hebrew measure containing the tenth of a homer, or five gallons and three pints, as a measure for liquids; and two pecks and five quarts, as a dry measure.


word: Bath₃
definition:
Bath

Bath
(_;)
n.
A city in the west of England, resorted to for its hot springs, which has given its name to various objects.

Bath brick, a preparation of calcareous earth, in the form of a brick, used for cleaning knives, polished metal, etc. -- Bath chair, a kind of chair on wheels, as used by invalids at Bath. “People walked out, or drove out, or were pushed out in their Bath chairs.” Dickens. -- Bath metal, an alloy consisting of four and a half ounces of zinc and one pound of copper. -- Bath note, a folded writing paper, 8 1/2 by 14 inches. -- Bath stone, a species of limestone (oölite) found near Bath, used for building.


word: Bathe
definition:
Bathe

Bathe
(bā&thlig_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bathed (bā&thlig_;d); p. pr. & vb. n. Bathing.]
[OE. baðien, AS. baðian, fr. bæð bath. See 1st Bath, and cf. Bay to bathe.]
1.
To wash by immersion, as in a bath; to subject to a bath.

Chancing to bathe himself in the River Cydnus.
South.

2.
To lave; to wet.
bathed
T. Arnold.

3.
To moisten or suffuse with a liquid.

And let us bathe our hands in Cæsar's blood.
Shak.

4.
To apply water or some liquid medicament to; as, to bathe the eye with warm water or with sea water; to bathe one's forehead with camphor.

5.
To surround, or envelop, as water surrounds a person immersed.
bathe
Tennyson.
bathing
Longfellow.


word: Bathe₂
definition:
Bathe

Bathe
(_;)
v. i.
1.
To bathe one's self; to take a bath or baths.
bathe
Waller.

2.
To immerse or cover one's self, as in a bath.
bathe
Shak.
Bathe
Lloyd.

3.
To bask in the sun.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: bathhouse
definition:
bathhouse

bathhouse
n.
1.
a building containing dressing rooms for bathers.

Syn. -- bathing machine.

2.
a building containing public baths.

Syn. -- bagnio.


word: Bathing
definition:
Bathing

Bath"ing
(_;)
n.
Act of taking a bath or baths.

Bathing machine, a small room on wheels, to be driven into the water, for the convenience of bathers, who undress and dress therein.


word: batholite
definition:
batholite

batholite
n.
A large mass of intrusive igneous rock believed to have solidified deep within the earth.

Syn. -- batholith, pluton, plutonic rock.


word: batholith
definition:
batholith

bath"o*lith
(băth"o̝*lĭth)
n.
[Gr. baqo`s depth + -lith.]
A large mass of intrusive igneous rock believed to have solidified deep within the earth.

Syn. -- batholite, pluton, plutonic rock.


word: Bathometer
definition:
Bathometer

Ba*thom"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Gr. baqo`s depth + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring depths, esp. one for taking soundings without a sounding line.


word: Bathorse
definition:
Bathorse

Bat"horse`
(_;)
n.
[F. bât packsaddle (cheval de bât packhorse) + E. horse. See Bastard.]
A horse which carries an officer's baggage during a campaign.


word: Bathos
definition:
Bathos

Ba"thos
(bā"th&obreve_;s)
n.
[Gr. ba`qos depth, fr. baqy`s deep.]
(Rhet.)
A ludicrous descent from the elevated to the low, in writing or speech; anticlimax.


word: bathtub
definition:
bathtub

bath"tub
n.
A relatively large tub used to take a bath, usually a permanent fixture in a bathroom; it is an open container that is filled with water, in which a person immerses himself for the purpose of washing the body.

Syn. -- bath, tub.


word: Bathybius
definition:
Bathybius

Ba*thyb"i*us
(_;)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. baqy`s deep + bi`os life]
(Zool.)
A name given by Prof. Huxley to a gelatinous substance found in mud dredged from the Atlantic and preserved in alcohol.  He supposed that it was free living protoplasm, covering a large part of the ocean bed. It is now known that the substance is of chemical, not of organic, origin.


word: Bathyergidae
definition:
Bathyergidae

Bath`y*erg"id*ae
n.
a natural family inclusing the mole rats and sand rats.

Syn. -- family Bathyergidae.


word: Bathygraphic
definition:
Bathygraphic

Bath`y*graph"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. baqy`s deep + graphic.]
Descriptive of the ocean depth; as, a bathygraphic chart.


word: Bathymetrical
definition:
Bathymetrical

Bathymetric

{ Bath`y*met"ric (_;), Bath`y*met"ric*al (_;), }
a.
Pertaining to bathymetry; relating to the measurement of depths, especially of depths in the sea.
Bath`y*met"ric*al*ly, adv.


word: Bathymetry
definition:
Bathymetry

Ba*thym"e*try
(_;)
n.
[Gr. ba`qos depth + -metry.]
The art or science of sounding, or measuring depths in the sea.


word: bathyscaphe
definition:
bathyscaphe

bathyscaph

bath"y*scaph, bath"y*scaphe
n.
navigable deep diving vessel for underwater exploration.

Syn. -- bathyscape.


word: bathysphere
definition:
bathysphere

bath"y*sphere
n.
a spherical deep diving apparatus (lowered by a cable) for underwater exploration; it is constructed with a strong steel shell to withstand high pressures at the ocean bottom.


word: Batidaceae
definition:
Batidaceae

Batidaceae
n.
a natural family coextensive with genus Batis; the saltworts.

Syn. -- family Batidaceae, saltwort family.


word: batik
definition:
batik

batik
n.
1.
A dyed fabric with designs drawn on by applying a removable wax where the dye is not wanted.

2.
The method used to create a batik{1}; using wax to allow drawing or printing of designs on a fabric.


word: Bating
definition:
Bating

Bat"ing
(_;)
prep.
[Strictly p. pr. of Bate to abate.]
With the exception of; excepting.

We have little reason to think that they bring many ideas with them, bating some faint ideas of hunger and thirst.
Locke.


word: Batis
definition:
Batis

Batis
n.
A small genus of plants constituting the family Batidaceae: low straggling dioecious shrubs.

Syn. -- genus Batis.


word: Batiste
definition:
Batiste

Ba*tiste"
(_;)
n.
[F. batiste, from the name of the alleged first maker, Baptiste of Cambrai. Littré.]
Originally, cambric or lawn of fine linen; now applied also to cloth of similar texture made of cotton.


word: Batlet
definition:
Batlet

Bat"let
(_;)
n.
[Bat stick + -let.]
A short bat for beating clothes in washing them; -- called also batler, batling staff, batting staff.
Shak.


word: Batman
definition:
Batman

Bat"man
(băt"măn)
n.
[Turk. ba&tsdot_;man.]
A weight used in the East, varying according to the locality; in Turkey, the greater batman is about 157 pounds, the lesser only a fourth of this; at Aleppo and Smyrna, the batman is 17 pounds.
Simmonds.


word: Batman₂
definition:
Batman

Bat"man
(b&asuml_;"man or băt"man)
n.
pl. Batmen (băt"men).
[F. bât packsaddle + E. man. Cf. Bathorse.]
A man who has charge of a bathorse and his load.
Macaulay.


word: Batoidei
definition:
Batoidei

Ba*toi"de*i
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. ba`tos a kind of ray + -oid.]
(Zool.)
The division of fishes which includes the rays and skates.


word: Baton
definition:
Baton

Bat"on
(băt"ŭn, F. bä`tôN"; 277)
n.
[F. bâton. See Baston.]
1.
A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes; as, the baton of a field marshal; the baton of a conductor in musical performances.

He held the baton of command.
Prescott.

2.
(Her.)
An ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister as a mark of bastardy, and containing one fourth in breadth of the bend sinister; -- called also bastard bar. See Bend sinister.


word: Batrachia
definition:
Batrachia

Ba*tra"chi*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. batra`cheios belonging to a frog, fr. ba`trachos frog.]
(Zool.)
The order of amphibians which includes the frogs and toads; the Anura. Sometimes the word is used in a wider sense as equivalent to Amphibia.


word: Batrachoid
definition:
Batrachoid

Bat"ra*choid
(_;)
a.
[Batrachia + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Froglike. Specifically: Of or pertaining to the Batrachidæ, a family of marine fishes, including the toadfish. Some have poisonous dorsal spines.


word: Batrachomyomachy
definition:
Batrachomyomachy

Bat`ra*cho*my*om"a*chy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. batrachomyomachi`a; ba`trachos frog + my^s mouse + ma`chh battle.]
The battle between the frogs and mice; -- a Greek parody on the Iliad, of uncertain authorship.


word: Batrachophagous
definition:
Batrachophagous

Bat`ra*choph"a*gous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. ba`trachos frog + fagei^n to eat.]
Feeding on frogs.
Quart. Rev.


word: Batsman
definition:
Batsman

Bats"man
(_;)
n.
pl. Batsmen (_;).
The one who wields the bat in cricket, baseball, etc.; in baseball, the batsman is usually called the batter.


word: Batwing
definition:
Batwing

Bat's-wing

{Bat's"-wing" (_;) or Bat"wing  }
a.
Shaped like a bat's wing; as, a bat's-wing burner.


word: Batta
definition:
Batta

Bat"ta
(băt"tȧ)
n.
[Prob. through Pg. for Canarese bhatta rice in the husk.]
Extra pay; esp. an extra allowance to an English officer serving in India.
Whitworth.


word: Batta₂
definition:
Batta

Bat"ta
(băt"tȧ)
n.
[Hind. ba&tsdot_;&tsdot_;a.]
Rate of exchange; also, the discount on uncurrent coins.
[India]


word: Battable
definition:
Battable

Bat"ta*ble
(_;)
a.
[See Batful.]
Capable of cultivation; fertile; productive; fattening.
[Obs.]
Burton.


word: Battailant
definition:
Battailant

Bat"tail*ant
(_;)
a.
[F. bataillant, p. pr.  See Battle, v. i. ]
[Obs.]
Prepared for battle; combatant; warlike.
Spenser.
n. A combatant.
Shelton.


word: Battailous
definition:
Battailous

Bat"tail*ous
(_;)
a.
[OF. bataillos, fr. bataille. See Battle, n.]
Arrayed for battle; fit or eager for battle; warlike.
[Obs.]
battailous
Milton.


word: Battalia
definition:
Battalia

Bat*tal"ia
(băt*tāl"yȧ; 106)
n.
[LL. battalia battle, a body of troops. See Battle, n.]
1.
Order of battle; disposition or arrangement of troops (brigades, regiments, battalions, etc.), or of a naval force, for action.

A drawing up the armies in battalia.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
An army in battle array; also, the main battalia or body.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Battalion
definition:
Battalion

Bat*tal"ion
(băt*tăl"yŭn; 106)
n.
[F. bataillon, fr. It. battaglione. See Battalia.]
1.
A body of troops; esp. a body of troops or an army in battle array.
[archaic]
battalion
Milton.

2.
(Mil.)
An infantry command of two or more companies, which is the tactical unit of the infantry, or the smallest command which is self-supporting upon the battlefield, and also the unit in which the strength of the infantry of an army is expressed.

&hand_; In the United States army, since April 29, 1898, a battalion consists of four companies, and three battalions form a regiment. The term is also applied to two or more batteries of artillery combined into a single command.


word: Battel
definition:
Battel

Bat"tel
(_;)
n.
[Obs. form. of Battle.]
(Old Eng. Law)
A single combat; as, trial by battel. See Wager of battel, under Wager.


word: Battel₂
definition:
Battel

Bat"tel
n.
[Of uncertain etymology.]
Provisions ordered from the buttery; also, the charges for them; -- only in the pl., except when used adjectively.
[Univ. of Oxford, Eng.]


word: Battel₅
definition:
Battel

Bat"tel
a.
Fertile; fruitful; productive.
[Obs.]

A battel soil for grain, for pasture good.
Fairfax.


word: Battler
definition:
Battler

Batteler

{ Bat"tel*er (_;), Bat"tler  }
(_;)
n.
[See 2d Battel, n.]
A student at Oxford who is supplied with provisions from the buttery; formerly, one who paid for nothing but what he called for, answering nearly to a sizar at Cambridge.
Wright.


word: Batten
definition:
Batten

Bat"ten
(băt"t'n)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Battened (băt"t'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Battening.]
[See Batful.]
1.
To make fat by plenteous feeding; to fatten.
Battening
Milton.

2.
To fertilize or enrich, as land.


word: Batten₂
definition:
Batten

Bat"ten
v. i.
To grow fat; to grow fat in ease and luxury; to glut one's self.
Dryden.

The pampered monarch lay battening in ease.
Garth.

Skeptics, with a taste for carrion, who batten on the hideous facts in history, -- persecutions, inquisitions.
Emerson.


word: Batten₃
definition:
Batten

Bat"ten
n.
[F. bâton stick, staff. See Baton.]
A strip of sawed stuff, or a scantling;
as,
(a)
pl.
(Com. & Arch.)
Sawed timbers about 7 by 2 1/2 inches and not less than 6 feet long.
Brande & C.
(b)
(Naut.)
A strip of wood used in fastening the edges of a tarpaulin to the deck, also around masts to prevent chafing.
(c)
A long, thin strip used to strengthen a part, to cover a crack, etc.

Batten door (Arch.), a door made of boards of the whole length of the door, secured by battens nailed crosswise.


word: Batten₄
definition:
Batten

Bat"ten
v. t.
To furnish or fasten with battens.

To batten down, to fasten down with battens, as the tarpaulin over the hatches of a ship during a storm.


word: Batten₅
definition:
Batten

Bat"ten
n.
[F. battant. See Batter, v. t.]
The movable bar of a loom, which strikes home or closes the threads of a woof.


word: Battening
definition:
Battening

Bat"ten*ing
(_;)
n.
(Arch.)
Furring done with small pieces nailed directly upon the wall.


word: Batter
definition:
Batter

Bat"ter
(băt"tẽr)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Battered (băt"tẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Battering.]
[OE. bateren, OF. batre, F. battre, fr. LL. battere, for L. batuere to strike, beat; of unknown origin. Cf. Abate, Bate to abate.]

1.
To beat with successive blows; to beat repeatedly and with violence, so as to bruise, shatter, or demolish; as, to batter a wall or rampart.

2.
To wear or impair as if by beating or by hard usage.
battered
Pope.

3.
(Metallurgy)
To flatten (metal) by hammering, so as to compress it inwardly and spread it outwardly.


word: Batter₂
definition:
Batter

Bat"ter
n.
[OE. batere, batire; cf. OF. bateure, bature, a beating. See Batter, v. t.]
1.
A semi-liquid mixture of several ingredients, as, flour, eggs, milk, etc., beaten together and used in cookery.
King.

2.
Paste of clay or loam.
Holland.

3.
(Printing)
A bruise on the face of a plate or of type in the form.


word: Batter₃
definition:
Batter

Bat"ter
n.
A backward slope in the face of a wall or of a bank; receding slope.

Batter rule, an instrument consisting of a rule or frame, and a plumb line, by which the batter or slope of a wall is regulated in building.


word: Batter₅
definition:
Batter

Bat"ter
(băt"tẽr)
n.
The one who wields the bat in baseball; the one whose turn it is at bat; formerly called the batsman.


word: battered
definition:
battered

battered
adj.
1.
In deplorable condition; as, the battered old Ford station wagon.

Syn. -- beat-up, beaten-up, bedraggled, broken-down, dilapidated, ramshackle, tumble-down, unsound.

2.
Hit or pounded repeatedly and violently with heavy blows; as, a battered old car; antomyn of  unbattered.
buffeted
storm-tossed, tempest-tossed, tempest-tost, tempest-swept

3.
Damaged especially by hard usage.
his battered old hat

4.
beaten repeatedly; -- of people; as, a battered child; the battered woman syndrome; a battered wife.

Syn. -- beaten.


word: battering
definition:
battering

bat"ter*ing
n.
the act or process of subjecting to strong repeated blows.

Syn. -- banging.


word: Battering-ram
definition:
Battering-ram

Bat"ter*ing-ram`
(_;)
n.
1.
(Mil.)
An engine used in ancient times to beat down the walls of besieged places.

&hand_; It was a large beam, with a head of iron, which was sometimes made to resemble the head of a ram. It was suspended by ropes to a beam supported by posts, and so balanced as to swing backward and forward, and was impelled by men against the wall.
Grose.

2.
A blacksmith's hammer, suspended, and worked horizontally.


word: Battery
definition:
Battery

Bat"ter*y
(_;)
n.
pl. Batteries (_;).
[F. batterie, fr. battre. See Batter, v. t.]
1.
The act of battering or beating.

2.
(Law)
The unlawful beating of another. It includes every willful, angry and violent, or negligent touching of another's person or clothes, or anything attached to his person or held by him.

3.
(Mil.)
(a)
Any place where cannon or mortars are mounted, for attack or defense.
(b)
Two or more pieces of artillery in the field.
(c)
A company or division of artillery, including the gunners, guns, horses, and all equipments. In the United States, a battery of flying artillery consists usually of six guns.

Barbette battery. See Barbette. -- Battery d'enfilade, or Enfilading battery, one that sweeps the whole length of a line of troops or part of a work. -- Battery en écharpe, one that plays obliquely. -- Battery gun, a gun capable of firing a number of shots simultaneously or successively without stopping to load. -- Battery wagon, a wagon employed to transport the tools and materials for repair of the carriages, etc., of the battery. -- In battery, projecting, as a gun, into an embrasure or over a parapet in readiness for firing. -- Masked battery, a battery artificially concealed until required to open upon the enemy. -- Out of battery, or From battery, withdrawn, as a gun, to a position for loading.

4.
(Elec.)
(a)
A number of coated jars (Leyden jars) so connected that they may be charged and discharged simultaneously.
(b)
An apparatus for generating voltaic electricity.

&hand_; In the trough battery, copper and zinc plates, connected in pairs, divide the trough into cells, which are filled with an acid or oxidizing liquid; the effect is exhibited when wires connected with the two end-plates are brought together. In Daniell's battery, the metals are zinc and copper, the former in dilute sulphuric acid, or a solution of sulphate of zinc, the latter in a saturated solution of sulphate of copper. A modification of this is the common gravity battery, so called from the automatic action of the two fluids, which are separated by their specific gravities. In Grove's battery, platinum is the metal used with zinc; two fluids are used, one of them in a porous cell surrounded by the other. In Bunsen's or the carbon battery, the carbon of gas coke is substituted for the platinum of Grove's. In Leclanché's battery, the elements are zinc in a solution of ammonium chloride, and gas carbon surrounded with manganese dioxide in a porous cell. A secondary battery is a battery which usually has the two plates of the same kind, generally of lead, in dilute sulphuric acid, and which, when traversed by an electric current, becomes charged, and is then capable of giving a current of itself for a time, owing to chemical changes produced by the charging current. A storage battery is a kind of secondary battery used for accumulating and storing the energy of electrical charges or currents, usually by means of chemical work done by them; an accumulator.

5.
A number of similar machines or devices in position; an apparatus consisting of a set of similar parts; as, a battery of boilers, of retorts, condensers, etc.

6.
(Metallurgy)
A series of stamps operated by one motive power, for crushing ores containing the precious metals.
Knight.

7.
The box in which the stamps for crushing ore play up and down.

8.
(Baseball)
The pitcher and catcher together.


word: Batting
definition:
Batting

Bat"ting
(_;)
n.
1.
The act of one who bats; the management of a bat in playing games of ball.
Mason.

2.
Cotton in sheets, prepared for use in making quilts, etc.; as, cotton batting.


word: Battle₂
definition:
Battle

Bat"tle
n.
[OE. bataille, bataile, F. bataille battle, OF., battle, battalion, fr. L. battalia, battualia, the fighting and fencing exercises of soldiers and gladiators, fr. batuere to strike, beat. Cf. Battalia, 1st Battel, and see Batter, v. t. ]
1.
A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat.

2.
A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life.

The whole intellectual battle that had at its center the best poem of the best poet of that day.
H. Morley.

3.
A division of an army; a battalion.
[Obs.]

The king divided his army into three battles.
Bacon.

The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every action.
Robertson.

4.
The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia.
[Obs.]
Hayward.

&hand_; Battle is used adjectively or as the first part of a self-explaining compound; as, battle brand, a “brand” or sword used in battle; battle cry; battlefield; battle ground; battle array; battle song.

Battle piece, a painting, or a musical composition, representing a battle. -- Battle royal. (a) A fight between several gamecocks, where the one that stands longest is the victor. Grose. (b) A contest with fists or cudgels in which more than two are engaged; a mêlée. Thackeray. -- Drawn battle, one in which neither party gains the victory. -- To give battle, to attack an enemy. -- To join battle, to meet the attack; to engage in battle. -- Pitched battle, one in which the armies are previously drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the forces. -- Wager of battle. See under Wager, n.


word: Battle₃
definition:
Battle

Bat"tle
(băt"t'l)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Battled (-tl'd); p. pr. & vb. n. Battling.]
[F. batailler, fr. bataille. See Battle, n.]
To join in battle; to contend in fight; as, to battle over theories.

To meet in arms, and battle in the plain.
Prior.


word: Battle-axe
definition:
Battle-axe

Battle-ax

{ Bat"tle-ax` Bat"tle-axe` }
(-ăks`)
n.
(Mil.)
A kind of broadax formerly used as an offensive weapon.


word: battledoor
definition:
battledoor

bat"tle*door`
(_;)
n.
[OE. batyldour. A corrupted form of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. batallador a great combatant, he who has fought many battles, Pg. batalhador, Pr. batalhador, warrior, soldier, fr. L. battalia; or cf. Pr. batedor batlet, fr. batre to beat, fr. L. batuere. See Battle, n.]
1.
An instrument, with a handle and a flat part covered with parchment or crossed with catgut, used to strike a shuttlecock in play; also, the play of battledoor and shuttlecock.
[Also spelled battledore.]

2.
[OE. battleder.]
A child's hornbook.
[Obs.]
Halliwell.


word: battlefield
definition:
battlefield

bat"tle*field
n.
a region where a battle is fought.

Syn. -- battleground, field of battle, field.


word: battlefront
definition:
battlefront

bat"tle*front
n.
the line along which opposing armies face each other.

Syn. -- front, front line.


word: battleground
definition:
battleground

bat"tle*ground
n.
a region where a battle is fought; same as battlefield.

Syn. -- battlefield, field of battle, field.


word: battle-hardened
definition:
battle-hardened

battle-hardened
a.
Experienced in combat, and therefore more effective at fighting; -- used mostly of infantry troops; as, battle-hardened veterans.

Syn. -- combat-hardened, combat-tested.


word: Battlement
definition:
Battlement

Bat"tle*ment
(-ment)
n.
[OE. batelment; cf. OF. bataillement combat, fr. batailler, also OF. bastillier, bateillier, to fortify. Cf. Battle, n., Bastile, Bastion.]
(Arch.)
(a)
One of the solid upright parts of a parapet in ancient fortifications.
(b)
pl.
The whole parapet, consisting of alternate solids and open spaces. At first purely a military feature, afterwards copied on a smaller scale with decorative features, as for churches.


word: Battlemented
definition:
Battlemented

Bat"tle*ment*ed
(-mĕnt*ĕd)
a.
Having battlements.

A battlemented portal.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Battle range
definition:
Battle range

Bat"tle range`
(Mil.)
The range within which the fire of small arms is very destructive. With the magazine rifle, this is six hundred yards.


word: battleship
definition:
battleship

bat"tle*ship`
(Nav.)
[shortened from line-of-battle ship, i.e. the most heavily armored ship suited to be in  the front line of a naval battle.]
An armor-plated warship built of steel and heavily armed, generally having over ten thousand tons displacement, and intended to be fit to combat the heaviest enemy ships in line of battle; the most heavily armed and armored class of warship at any given time.


word: Battologize
definition:
Battologize

Bat*tol"o*gize
(băt*t&obreve_;l"lo̝*jīz)
v. t.
To keep repeating needlessly; to iterate.
Sir T. Herbert.


word: Battology
definition:
Battology

Bat*tol"o*gy
(băt*t&obreve_;l"lo̝*j&ybreve_;)
n.
[F. battologie, fr. Gr. battologi`a; ba`ttos; a stammerer + lo`gos speech.]
A needless repetition of words in speaking or writing.
Milton.


word: Battue
definition:
Battue

Bat"tue`
(_;)
n.
[F. battue, fr. battre to beat. See Batter, v. t., and cf. Battuta.]
(Hunting)
(a)
The act of beating the woods, bushes, etc., for game.
(b)
The game itself.
(c)
The wanton slaughter of game.
Howitt.


word: Battuta
definition:
Battuta

Bat*tu"ta
(_;)
n.
[It. battuta, fr. battere to beat.]
(Mus.)
The measuring of time by beating.


word: Batty
definition:
Batty

Bat"ty
(băt"t&ybreve_;)
a.
1.
Belonging to, or resembling, a bat.
Batty
Shak.

2.
Crazy; demented; loony; nuts; as, her constant gabbing is driving me batty.
[Colloq.]

Syn. -- bats.


word: Batule
definition:
Batule

Bat"ule
(băt"ūl or bȧ*tōl")
n.
A springboard in a circus or gymnasium; -- called also batule board.


word: Batz
definition:
Batz

Batz
(bäts)
n.
pl. Batzen (_;).
[Ger. batz, batze, batzen, a coin bearing the image of a bear, Ger. bätz, betz, bear.]
A small copper coin, with a mixture of silver, formerly current in some parts of Germany and Switzerland. It was worth about four cents.


word: Bauble
definition:
Bauble

Bau"ble
(b&asuml_;"b'l)
n.
[Cf. OF. baubel a child's plaything, F. babiole, It. babbola, LL. baubellum gem, jewel, L. babulus, a baburrus, foolish.]
1.
A trifling piece of finery; a gewgaw; that which is gay and showy without real value; a cheap, showy plaything.

The ineffective bauble of an Indian pagod.
Sheridan.

2.
The fool's club.
[Obs.]
fool's bauble
Nares.


word: baud
definition:
baud

baud
(b&asuml_;d or bôd)
n.
[Named after J. M. E. Baudot, a French inventor, died 1903.]
(Computers, telecommunications)
A unit of transmission speed for information conveyed over a digital communications channel, usually taken as equal to the number of bits of information transmitted per second.  The speed in bauds indicates the number of signalling events per second; however, since it is necessary in most cases to transmit control information along with the data, the data signalling rate may be smaller than the baud rate.


word: Baudekin
definition:
Baudekin

Bau"de*kin
(_;)
n.
[OE. bawdekin rich silk stuff, OF. baudequin. See Baldachin.]
The richest kind of stuff used in garments in the Middle Ages, the web being gold, and the woof silk, with embroidery; -- made originally at Baghdad.
[Spelt also baudkin, baudkyn, bawdekin, and baldakin.]
Nares.


word: Baume
definition:
Baume

Bau`mé"
(?)
a.
Designating or conforming to either of the scales used by the French chemist Antoine Baumé in the graduation of his hydrometers; of or relating to Baumé's scales or hydrometers.  There are two Baumé hydrometers.  One, which is used with liquids heavier than water, sinks to 0° in pure water, and to 15° in a 15 per cent salt solution; the other, for liquids lighter than water, sinks to 0° in a 10 per cent salt solution and to 10° in pure water.  In both cases the graduation, based on the distance between these fundamental points, is continued along the stem as far as desired.
Since all the degrees on a Baumé scale are thus equal in length, while those on a specific-gravity scale grow smaller as the density increases, there is no simple relation between degrees Baumé and specific gravity.  However, readings on Baumés scale may be approximately reduced to specific gravities by the following formulæ (x in each case being the reading on Baumé's scale): (a) for liquids heavier than water, sp. gr. = 144 ÷ (144 - x); (b) for liquids lighter than water, sp. gr. = 144 ÷ (134 + x).


word: Baunscheidtism
definition:
Baunscheidtism

Baun"scheidt*ism
(_;)
n.
[From the introducer, a German named Baunscheidt.]
(Med.)
A form of acupuncture, followed by the rubbing of the part with a stimulating fluid.


word: Beauxite
definition:
Beauxite

Bauxite

{ Baux"ite, Beaux"ite  }
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. Baux or Beaux, near Arles.]
(Min.)
A ferruginous hydrate of alumina.  It is the most commonly used ore for the preparation of aluminum and alumina.  It is also used for the lining of furnaces which are exposed to intense heat.


word: Bavarian
definition:
Bavarian

Ba*va"ri*an
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to Bavaria.
n. A native or an inhabitant of Bavaria.

Bavarian cream. See under Cream.


word: Bavaroy
definition:
Bavaroy

Bav"a*roy
(_;)
n.
[F. Bavarois Bavarian.]
A kind of cloak or surtout.
[Obs.]
Johnson.

Let the looped bavaroy the fop embrace.
Gay.


word: Bavin
definition:
Bavin

Bav"in
(băv"ĭn)
n.
[Cf. Gael. & Ir. baban tuft, tassel.]
1.
A fagot of brushwood, or other light combustible matter, for kindling fires; refuse of brushwood.
[Obs. or Dial. Eng.]

2.
Impure limestone.
[Prov. Eng.]
Wright.


word: Bawbee
definition:
Bawbee

Baw*bee"
(_;)
n.
[Perh. corrupt. fr. halfpenny.]
A halfpenny.
[Spelt also baubee.]
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]


word: Bawcock
definition:
Bawcock

Baw"cock
(_;)
n.
[From F. beau fine + E. cock (the bird); or more prob. fr. OF. baud bold, gay + E. cock. Cf. Bawd.]
A fine fellow; -- a term of endearment.
[Obs.]
bawcock
Shak.


word: Bawd
definition:
Bawd

Bawd
(_;)
n.
[OE. baude, OF. balt, baut, baude, bold, merry, perh. fr. OHG. bald bold; or fr. Celtic, cf. W. baw dirt. Cf. Bold, Bawdry.]
A person who keeps a house of prostitution, or procures women for a lewd purpose; a procurer or procuress; a lewd person; -- usually applied to a woman.


word: Bawdry
definition:
Bawdry

Bawd"ry
(_;)
n.
[OE. baudery, OF. bauderie, balderie, boldness, joy. See Bawd.]
1.
The practice of procuring women for the gratification of lust.

2.
Illicit intercourse; fornication.
Shak.

3.
Obscenity; filthy, unchaste language.
bawdry
Steele.


word: Bawdy
definition:
Bawdy

Bawd"y
a.
1.
Dirty; foul; -- said of clothes.
[Obs.]

It [a garment] is al bawdy and to-tore also.
Chaucer.

2.
Obscene; filthy; unchaste.
bawdy
Burke.


word: Bawl
definition:
Bawl

Bawl
(b&asuml_;l)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Bawled (b&asuml_;ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Bawling.]
[Icel. baula to low, bellow, as a cow; akin to Sw. böla; cf. AS bellan, G. bellen to bark, E. bellow, bull.]
1.
To cry out with a loud, full sound; to cry with vehemence, as in calling or exultation; to shout; to vociferate.

2.
To cry loudly, as a child from pain or vexation.


word: Bawl₂
definition:
Bawl

Bawl
v. t.
To proclaim with a loud voice, or by outcry, as a hawker or town-crier does.
Swift.


word: Bawn
definition:
Bawn

Bawn
(_;)
n.
[Ir. & Gael. babhun inclosure, bulwark.]
1.
An inclosure with mud or stone walls, for keeping cattle; a fortified inclosure.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

2.
A large house.
[Obs.]
Swift.


word: Bawrel
definition:
Bawrel

Baw"rel
(_;)
n.
[Cf. It. barletta a tree falcon, or hobby.]
A kind of hawk.
[Obs.]
Halliwell.


word: Bawson
definition:
Bawson

Bawsin

{ Baw"sin (_;), Baw"son (_;), }
n.
[OE. bawson, baucyne, badger (named from its color), OF. bauzan, bauçant, bauchant, spotted with white, pied; cf. It. balzano, F. balzan, a white-footed horse, It. balza border, trimming, fr. L. balteus belt, border, edge. Cf. Belt.]
1.
A badger.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.

2.
A large, unwieldy person.
[Obs.]
Nares.


word: Baxter
definition:
Baxter

Bax"ter
(_;)
n.
[OE. bakestre, bakistre, AS. bæcestre, prop. fem. of bæcere baker. See Baker.]
A baker; originally, a female baker.
[Old Eng. & Scotch]


word: Bay
definition:
Bay

Bay
(bā)
a.
[F. bai, fr. L. badius brown, chestnut-colored; -- used only of horses.]
Reddish brown; of the color of a chestnut; -- applied to the color of horses.

Bay cat (Zool.), a wild cat of Africa and the East Indies (Felis aurata). -- Bay lynx (Zool.), the common American lynx (Lynx lynx, formerly Felis rufa or Lynx rufa).


word: Bay₂
definition:
Bay

Bay
n.
[F. baie, fr. LL. baia. Of uncertain origin: cf. Ir. & Gael. badh or bagh bay, harbor, creek; Bisc. baia, baiya, harbor, and F. bayer to gape, open the mouth.]
1.
(Geog.)
An inlet of the sea, usually smaller than a gulf, but of the same general character.

&hand_; The name is not used with much precision, and is often applied to large tracts of water, around which the land forms a curve; as, Hudson's Bay.  The name is not restricted to tracts of water with a narrow entrance, but is used for any recess or inlet between capes or headlands; as, the Bay of Biscay.

2.
A small body of water set off from the main body; as a compartment containing water for a wheel; the portion of a canal just outside of the gates of a lock, etc.

3.
A recess or indentation shaped like a bay.

4.
A principal compartment of the walls, roof, or other part of a building, or of the whole building, as marked off by the buttresses, vaulting, mullions of a window, etc.; one of the main divisions of any structure, as the part of a bridge between two piers.

5.
A compartment in a barn, for depositing hay, or grain in the stalks.

6.
A kind of mahogany obtained from Campeachy Bay.

Sick bay, in vessels of war, that part of a deck appropriated to the use of the sick. Totten.


word: Bay₃
definition:
Bay

Bay
n.
[F. baie a berry, the fruit of the laurel and other trees, fr. L. baca, bacca, a small round fruit, a berry, akin to Lith. bapka laurel berry.]
1.
A berry, particularly of the laurel.
[Obs.]

2.
The laurel tree (Laurus nobilis). Hence, in the plural, an honorary garland or crown bestowed as a prize for victory or excellence, anciently made or consisting of branches of the laurel.

The patriot's honors and the poet's bays.
Trumbull.

3.
A tract covered with bay trees.
[Local, U. S.]

Bay leaf, the leaf of the bay tree (Laurus nobilis). It has a fragrant odor and an aromatic taste, and is used for flavoring in food.


word: Bay₄
definition:
Bay

Bay
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Bayed (bād); p. pr. & vb. n. Baying.]
[OE. bayen, abayen, OF. abaier, F. aboyer, to bark; of uncertain origin.]
To bark, as a dog with a deep voice does, at his game.

The hounds at nearer distance hoarsely bayed.
Dryden.


word: Bay₅
definition:
Bay

Bay
(_;)
v. t.
To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay; as, to bay the bear.
Shak.


word: Bay₆
definition:
Bay

Bay
(_;)
n.
[See Bay, v. i.]
1.
Deep-toned, prolonged barking.
bay
Cowper.

2.
[OE. bay, abay, OF. abai, F. aboi barking, pl. abois, prop. the extremity to which the stag is reduced when surrounded by the dogs, barking (aboyant); aux abois at bay.]
A state of being obliged to face an antagonist or a difficulty, when escape has become impossible.

Embolden'd by despair, he stood at bay.
Dryden.

The most terrible evils are just kept at bay by incessant efforts.
I. Taylor


word: Bayatte
definition:
Bayatte

Bayad

{ &VerbarBa*yad" (_;), Ba*yatte"  }
(_;)
n.
[Ar. bayad.]
(Zool.)
A large, edible, siluroid fish of the Nile, of two species (Bagrina bayad and Bagrina docmac).


word: Bayadere
definition:
Bayadere

Ba`ya*dere"
(_;)
n.
[F., from Pg. bailadeira a female dancer, bailar to dance.]
A female dancer in the East Indies.
[Written also bajadere.]


word: Bayamo
definition:
Bayamo

Ba*ya"mo
(?)
n.
(Meteor.)
A violent thunder squall occurring on the south coast of Cuba, esp. near Bayamo. The gusts, called bayamo winds, are modified foehn winds.


word: Bay-antler
definition:
Bay-antler

Bay"-ant`ler
(_;)
n.
[See Bez-Antler.]
(Zool.)
The second tine of a stag's horn. See under Antler.


word: Bayard
definition:
Bayard

Bay"ard
(_;)
n.
1.
[OF. bayard, baiart, bay horse; bai bay + -ard. See Bay, a., and -ard.]
Properly, a bay horse, but often any horse. Commonly in the phrase blind bayard, an old blind horse.

Blind bayard moves the mill.
Philips.

2.
[Cf. F. bayeur, fr. bayer to gape.]
A stupid, clownish fellow.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Bayberry
definition:
Bayberry

Bay"ber*ry
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
The fruit of the bay tree or Laurus nobilis.
(b)
A tree of the West Indies related to the myrtle (Pimenta acris).
(c)
The fruit of Myrica cerifera (wax myrtle); the shrub itself; -- called also candleberry tree.

Bayberry tallow, a fragrant green wax obtained from the bayberry or wax myrtle; -- called also myrtle wax.


word: Bayeux tapestry
definition:
Bayeux tapestry

Ba`yeux" tap"es*try
(?)
A piece of linen about 1 ft. 8 in. wide by 213 ft. long, covered with embroidery representing the incidents of William the Conqueror's expedition to England, preserved in the town museum of Bayeux in Normandy. It is probably of the 11th century, and is attributed by tradition to Matilda, the Conqueror's wife.


word: Bayman
definition:
Bayman

Bay"man
(?)
n.
(Nav.)
In the United States navy, a sick-bay nurse; -- now officially designated as hospital apprentice.


word: Bayonet
definition:
Bayonet

Bay"o*net
(_;)
n.
[F. bayonnette, baïonnette; -- so called, it is said, because the first bayonets were made at Bayonne.]

1.
(Mil.)
A pointed instrument of the dagger kind fitted on the muzzle of a musket or rifle, so as to give the soldier increased means of offense and defense.

&hand_; Originally, the bayonet was made with a handle, which required to be fitted into the bore of the musket after the soldier had fired.

2.
(Mach.)
A pin which plays in and out of holes made to receive it, and which thus serves to engage or disengage parts of the machinery.

Bayonet clutch. See Clutch. -- Bayonet joint, a form of coupling similar to that by which a bayonet is fixed on the barrel of a musket. Knight.  -- bayonet mount, (photography) a coupling mechanism for attaching removable lenses to the body of a camera, using a bayonet socket. -- bayonet socket, a coupling mechanism for attaching matching cylindrical parts to each other, where each of which has an arced L-shaped slot with the longer side perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, such that the slots slide inside each other.  There is also  usually a knoblike projection on the mount so that when the two parts to be connected are fully inserted in proper alignment, they are locked in place.  It is designed for rapid coupling and decoupling, requiring the turning of one part through only a small arc, in place of a screw-type arrangement, which requires several full turns.


word: Bayonet₂
definition:
Bayonet

Bay"o*net
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bayoneted; p. pr. & vb. n. Bayoneting.]
1.
To stab with a bayonet.

2.
To compel or drive by the bayonet.

To bayonet us into submission.
Burke.


word: Bayou
definition:
Bayou

Bay"ou
(_;)
n.
pl. Bayous (_;).
[North Am. Indian bayuk, in F. spelling bayouc, bayouque.]
An inlet from the Gulf of Mexico, from a lake, or from a large river, sometimes sluggish, sometimes without perceptible movement except from tide and wind.
[Southern U. S.]

A dark slender thread of a bayou moves loiteringly northeastward into a swamp of huge cypresses.
G. W. Cable.


word: Bay rum
definition:
Bay rum

Bay" rum"
(_;)
A fragrant liquid, used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.

&hand_; The original bay rum, from the West Indies, is prepared, it is believed, by distillation from the leaves of the bayberry (Myrcia acris). The bay rum of the Pharmacopœia (spirit of myrcia) is prepared from oil of myrcia (bayberry), oil of orange peel, oil of pimento, alcohol, and water.


word: Bay salt
definition:
Bay salt

Bay" salt`
(_;)
Salt which has been obtained from sea water, by evaporation in shallow pits or basins, by the heat of the sun; the large crystalline salt of commerce.
Bacon. Ure.


word: Bay State
definition:
Bay State

Bay State
Massachusetts, which had been called the Colony of Massachusetts Bay; -- a nickname.


word: Bay window
definition:
Bay window

Bay" win"dow
(_;)
1.
(Arch.)
A window forming a bay or recess in a room, and projecting outward from the wall, either in a rectangular, polygonal, or semicircular form; -- often corruptly called a bow window.

Syn. -- bay window, bow window, bow-window.

2.
a protruding abdomen.
[informal]

Syn. -- belly, paunch, pot, potbelly, corporation, tummy.


word: Bazar
definition:
Bazar

Bazaar

{ Ba*zaar" Ba*zar" }
(bȧ*zär")
n.
[Per. bāzar market.]
1.
In the East, an exchange, marketplace, or assemblage of shops where goods are exposed for sale.

2.
A spacious hall or suite of rooms for the sale of goods, as at a fair.

3.
A fair for the sale of fancy wares, toys, etc., commonly for a charitable purpose.
Macaulay.


word: B. C.
definition:
B. C.

BC

BC, B. C.
n.
before Christ; used in reckoning dates before the supposed year Christ was born, i.e. 1 a. d..


word: bdellium
definition:
bdellium

bdel"lium
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. bde`llion; cf. Heb. b'dolakh bdellium (in sense 1).]
1.
An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (Gen. ii. 12, and Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber found in Arabia.

2.
A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India, Persia, and Africa.

&hand_; Indian bdellium or false myrrh is an exudation from Balsamodendron Roxburghii. Other kinds are known as African bdellium, Sicilian bdellium, etc.


word: Bdelloidea
definition:
Bdelloidea

Bdel*loi"de*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. bde`lla leech + -oid.]
(Zool.)
The order of Annulata which includes the leeches. See Hirudinea.


word: Bdellometer
definition:
Bdellometer

Bdel*lom"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Gr. bde`lla leech + -meter.]
(Med.)
A cupping glass to which are attached a scarificator and an exhausting syringe.
Dunglison.


word: Bdellomorpha
definition:
Bdellomorpha

Bdel`lo*mor"pha
(_;)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. bde`lla leech + morfh` form.]
(Zool.)
An order of Nemertina, including the large leechlike worms (Malacobdella) often parasitic in clams.


word: Be
definition:
Be

Be
(bē)
v. i.
[imp. Was (w&obreve_;z); p. p. Been (bĭn); p. pr. & vb. n. Being.]
[OE. been, beon, AS. beón to be, beóm I am; akin to OHG. bim, pim, G. bin, I am, Gael. & Ir. bu was, W. bod to be, Lith. bu-ti, O. Slav. by-ti, to be, L. fu-i I have been, fu-turus about to be, fo-re to be about to be, and perh. to fieri to become, Gr. fy^nai to be born, to be, Skr. bhū to be.  This verb is defective, and the parts lacking are supplied by verbs from other roots, is, was, which have no radical connection with be. The various forms, am, are, is, was, were, etc., are considered grammatically as parts of the verb “to be”, which, with its conjugational forms, is often called the substantive verb.  √97.  Cf. Future, Physic.]
1.
To exist actually, or in the world of fact; to have existence.

To be contents his natural desire.
Pope.

To be, or not to be: that is the question.
Shak.

2.
To exist in a certain manner or relation, -- whether as a reality or as a product of thought; to exist as the subject of a certain predicate, that is, as having a certain attribute, or as belonging to a certain sort, or as identical with what is specified, -- a word or words for the predicate being annexed; as, to be happy; to be here; to be large, or strong; to be an animal; to be a hero; to be a nonentity; three and two are five; annihilation is the cessation of existence; that is the man.

3.
To take place; to happen; as, the meeting was on Thursday.

4.
To signify; to represent or symbolize; to answer to.

The field is the world.
Matt. xiii. 38.

The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Rev. i. 20.

&hand_; The verb to be (including the forms is, was, etc.) is used in forming the passive voice of other verbs; as, John has been struck by James. It is also used with the past participle of many intransitive verbs to express a state of the subject.  But have is now more commonly used as the auxiliary, though expressing a different sense; as, “Ye have come too late -- but ye are come. ” “The minstrel boy to the war is gone.”  The present and imperfect tenses form, with the infinitive, a particular future tense, which expresses necessity, duty, or purpose; as, government is to be supported; we are to pay our just debts; the deed is to be signed to-morrow.

Have or had been, followed by to, implies movement. “I have been to Paris.”  Sydney Smith. “Have you been to Franchard ?” R. L. Stevenson.

&hand_; Been, or ben, was anciently the plural of the indicative present. “Ye ben light of the world.” Wyclif, Matt. v. 14.  Afterwards be was used, as in our Bible: “They that be with us are more than they that be with them.” 2 Kings vi. 16. Ben was also the old infinitive: “To ben of such power.” R. of Gloucester. Be is used as a form of the present subjunctive: “But if it be a question of words and names.” Acts xviii. 15. But the indicative forms, is and are, with if, are more commonly used.

Be it so, a phrase of supposition, equivalent to suppose it to be so; or of permission, signifying let it be so. Shak. -- If so be, in case. -- To be from, to have come from; as, from what place are you?  I am from Chicago. -- To let be, to omit, or leave untouched; to let alone. “Let be, therefore, my vengeance to dissuade.”  Spenser.


word: Be-
definition:
Be-

Be-
[AS. be, and in accented form bī, akin to OS. be and bī, OHG. bi, pi, and pī, MHG. be and bī, G. be and bei, Goth. bi, and perh. Gr. 'amfi` about (cf. AS. beseón to look about). √203.  Cf. By, Amb-.]
A prefix, originally the same word as by;
(a)
To intensify the meaning; as, bespatter, bestir.
(b)
To render an intransitive verb transitive; as, befall (to fall upon); bespeak (to speak for).
(c)
To make the action of a verb particular or definite; as, beget (to get as offspring); beset (to set around).

It is joined with certain substantives, and a few adjectives, to form verbs; as, bedew, befriend, benight, besot; belate (to make late); belittle (to make little). It also occurs in certain nouns, adverbs, and prepositions, often with something of the force of the preposition by, or about; as, belief (believe), behalf, bequest (bequeath); because, before, beneath, beside, between.
    In some words the original force of be is obscured or lost; as, in become, begin, behave, behoove, belong.


word: Beach
definition:
Beach

Beach
(bēch)
n.
pl. Beaches (-ĕz).
[Cf. Sw. backe hill, Dan. bakke, Icel. bakki hill, bank.  Cf. Bank.]
1.
Pebbles, collectively; shingle.

2.
The shore of the sea, or of a lake, which is washed by the waves; especially, a sandy or pebbly shore; the strand.

Beach flea (Zool.), the common name of many species of amphipod Crustacea, of the family Orchestidæ, living on the sea beaches, and leaping like fleas. -- Beach grass (Bot.), a coarse grass (Ammophila arundinacea), growing on the sandy shores of lakes and seas, which, by its interlaced running rootstocks, binds the sand together, and resists the encroachment of the waves. -- Beach wagon, a light open wagon with two or more seats. -- Raised beach, an accumulation of water-worn stones, gravel, sand, and other shore deposits, above the present level of wave action, whether actually raised by elevation of the coast, as in Norway, or left by the receding waters, as in many lake and river regions.


word: Beach₂
definition:
Beach

Beach
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beached (bēcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Beaching.]
To run or drive (as a vessel or a boat) upon a beach; to strand; as, to beach a ship.


word: Beach comber
definition:
Beach comber

Beach" comb`er
(_;)
A long, curling wave rolling in from the ocean. See Comber.
[Amer., archaic]


word: beachcomber
definition:
beachcomber

beachcomber
[Written also beach-comber or beach comber.]
(Naut.)
1.
A vagrant seaman, usually of low character, who loiters about seaports, particularly on the shores and islands of the Pacific Ocean.

I was fortunate enough, however, to forgather with a Scotchman who was a beach-comber.
F. T. Bullen.

2.
a vagrant living on a beach.

3.
a person who searches along a beach for objects of value, such as lost objects or seashells.


word: Beached
definition:
Beached

Beached
(bēcht)
p. p. & a.
1.
Bordered by a beach.

The beached verge of the salt flood.
Shak.

2.
Driven on a beach; stranded; drawn up on a beach; as, the ship is beached.


word: beachhead
definition:
beachhead

beach"head`
n.
an area in hostile territory that has been occupied and is held to allow aditional troops and supplies to enter.

Syn. -- bridgehead, foothold.


word: beachlike
definition:
beachlike

beach"like`
adj.
having an extensive gently sloping area of sand or gravel; -- of a shore or shoreline.  Opposite of cliffy.
gravelly, pebbly, shingly

Syn. -- beachy.


word: Beachy
definition:
Beachy

Beach"y
(_;)
a.
Having a beach or beaches; formed by a beach or beaches; shingly.

The beachy girdle of the ocean.
Shak.


word: Beacon
definition:
Beacon

Bea"con
(bē"k'n)
n.
[OE. bekene, AS. beácen, bēcen; akin to OS. b&omacrkan, Fries. baken, beken, sign, signal, D. baak, OHG. bouhhan, G. bake; of unknown origin. Cf. Beckon.]
1.
A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.

No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar.
Gay.

2.
A signal, such as that from a lighthouse, or a conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners.

3.
A high hill near the shore.
[Prov. Eng.]

4.
That which gives notice of danger.

Modest doubt is called
The beacon of the wise.
Shak.

5.
(Navigation)
a radio transmitter which emits a characteristic signal indication its location, so that vehicles may determine their exact location by locating the beacon with a radio compass; -- also called radio beacon.

5.
[fig.]
that which provides guidance or inspiration; the Constitution has been a beacon for civil rights activists.

Beacon fire, a signal fire.


word: Beacon₂
definition:
Beacon

Bea"con
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beaconed (bē"k'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Beaconing.]
1.
To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.

That beacons the darkness of heaven.
Campbell.

2.
To furnish with a beacon or beacons.


word: Beaconage
definition:
Beaconage

Bea"con*age
(_;)
n.
Money paid for the maintenance of a beacon; also, beacons, collectively.


word: Bead
definition:
Bead

Bead
(bēd)
n.
[OE. bede prayer, prayer bead, AS. bed, gebed, prayer; akin to D. bede, G. bitte, AS. biddan, to ask, bid, G. bitten to ask, and perh. to Gr. pei`qein to persuade, L. fidere to trust.  Beads are used by the Roman Catholics to count their prayers, one bead being dropped down a string every time a prayer is said.  Cf. Sp. cuenta bead, fr. contar to count.  See Bid, in to bid beads, and Bide.]
1.
A prayer.
[Obs.]

2.
A little perforated ball, to be strung on a thread, and worn for ornament; or used in a rosary for counting prayers, as by Roman Catholics and Muslims, whence the phrases to tell beads, to be at one's beads, to bid beads, etc., meaning, to be at prayer.

3.
Any small globular body
(a)
A bubble in spirits.
(b)
A drop of sweat or other liquid.
beads
Wordsworth.
(c)
A small knob of metal on a firearm, used for taking aim (whence the expression to draw a bead, for, to take aim).
(d)
(Arch.)
A small molding of rounded surface, the section being usually an arc of a circle.  It may be continuous, or broken into short embossments.
(e)
(Chem.)
A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron, manganese, etc., before the blowpipe; as, the borax bead; the iron bead, etc.

Bead and butt (Carp.), framing in which the panels are flush, having beads stuck or run upon the two edges. Knight. -- Bead mold, a species of fungus or mold, the stems of which consist of single cells loosely jointed together so as to resemble a string of beads. [Written also bead mould.] -- Bead tool, a cutting tool, having an edge curved so as to make beads or beading. -- Bead tree (Bot.), a tree of the genus Melia, the best known species of which (Melia azedarach), has blue flowers which are very fragrant, and berries which are poisonous.


word: Bead₂
definition:
Bead

Bead
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Beading.]
To ornament with beads or beading.


word: beaded
definition:
beaded

beaded
adj.
1.
imp. & p. p. of bead, v. t. & i..

2.
covered with beads or jewels or sequins.

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

3.
appearing as if covered with beads; as, Her face was beaded with sweat.


word: Bedehouse
definition:
Bedehouse

Beadhouse

{ Bead"house`, Bede"house`  }
(_;)
n.
[OE. bede prayer + E. house. See Bead, n.]
An almshouse for poor people who pray daily for their benefactors.


word: Beading
definition:
Beading

Bead"ing
n.
1.
(Arch.)
Molding in imitation of beads.

2.
The beads or bead-forming quality of certain liquors; as, the beading of a brand of whisky.


word: Beadle
definition:
Beadle

Bea"dle
(_;)
n.
[OE. bedel, bidel, budel, OF. bedel, F. bedeau, fr. OHG. butil, putil, G. büttel, fr. OHG. biotan, G. bieten, to bid, confused with AS. bydel, the same word as OHG. butil. See. Bid, v.]
1.
A messenger or crier of a court; a servitor; one who cites or bids persons to appear and answer; -- called also an apparitor or summoner.

2.
An officer in a university, who precedes public processions of officers and students.
[Eng.]

&hand_; In this sense the archaic spellings bedel (Oxford) and bedell (Cambridge) are preserved.

3.
An inferior parish officer in England having a variety of duties, as the preservation of order in church service, the chastisement of petty offenders, etc.


word: Bead proof
definition:
Bead proof

Bead" proof`
(_;)
1.
Among distillers, a certain degree of strength in alcoholic liquor, as formerly ascertained by the floating or sinking of glass globules of different specific gravities thrown into it; now ascertained by more accurate meters.

2.
A degree of strength in alcoholic liquor as shown by beads or small bubbles remaining on its surface, or at the side of the glass, when shaken.


word: Beadroll
definition:
Beadroll

Bead"roll`
(_;)
n.
(R. C. Ch.)
A catalogue of persons, for the rest of whose souls a certain number of prayers are to be said or counted off on the beads of a chaplet; hence, a catalogue in general.

On Fame's eternal beadroll worthy to be filed.
Spenser.

It is quite startling, on going over the beadroll of English worthies, to find how few are directly represented in the male line.
Quart. Rev.


word: Bedesman
definition:
Bedesman

Beadsman

{ Beads"man, Bedes"man  }
(_;)
n.
pl. -men (_;).
A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray for the soul of its founder; an almsman.

Whereby ye shall bind me to be your poor beadsman for ever unto Almighty God.
Fuller.


word: Beadsnake
definition:
Beadsnake

Bead"snake`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A small poisonous snake of North America (Elaps fulvius), banded with yellow, red, and black.


word: Beady
definition:
Beady

Bead"y
(_;)
a.
1.
Resembling beads; small, round, and glistening.
Beady
Thackeray.

2.
Covered or ornamented with, or as with, beads.

3.
Characterized by beads; as, beady liquor.


word: Beagle
definition:
Beagle

Bea"gle
(_;)
n.
[OE. begele; perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. & Gael. beag small, little, W. bach. F. bigle is from English.]
1.
A small hound, or hunting dog, twelve to fifteen inches high, used in hunting hares and other small game.  See Illustration in Appendix.

2.
Fig.: A spy or detective; a constable.


word: Beak
definition:
Beak

Beak
(bēk)
n.
[OE. bek, F. bec, fr. Celtic; cf. Gael. & Ir. bac, bacc, hook, W. bach.]
1.
(Zool.)
(a)
The bill or nib of a bird, consisting of a horny sheath, covering the jaws.  The form varies much according to the food and habits of the bird, and is largely used in the classification of birds.
(b)
A similar bill in other animals, as the turtles.
(c)
The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects, and other invertebrates, as in the Hemiptera.
(d)
The upper or projecting part of the shell, near the hinge of a bivalve.
(e)
The prolongation of certain univalve shells containing the canal.

2.
Anything projecting or ending in a point, like a beak, as a promontory of land.
Carew.

3.
(Antiq.)
A beam, shod or armed at the end with a metal head or point, and projecting from the prow of an ancient galley, in order to pierce the vessel of an enemy; a beakhead.

4.
(Naut.)
That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.

5.
(Arch.)
A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off.

6.
(Bot.)
Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant.

7.
(Far.)
A toe clip. See Clip, n. (Far.).

8.
A magistrate or policeman.
[Slang, Eng.]


word: Beaked
definition:
Beaked

Beaked
(bēkt)
a.
1.
Having a beak or a beaklike point; beak-shaped.
beaked
Milton.

2.
(Biol.)
Furnished with a process or a mouth like a beak; rostrate.

Beaked whale (Zool.), a cetacean of the genus Hyperoodon; the bottlehead whale.


word: Beaker
definition:
Beaker

Beak"er
(bēk"ẽr)
n.
[OE. biker; akin to Icel. bikarr, Sw. bägare, Dan. baeger, G. becher, It. bicchiere; -- all fr. LL. bicarium, prob. fr. Gr. bi^kos wine jar, or perh. L. bacar wine vessel. Cf. Pitcher a jug.]
1.
A large drinking cup, with a wide mouth, supported on a foot or standard.

2.
An open-mouthed, thin glass vessel, having a projecting lip for pouring; -- used for holding solutions requiring heat.
Knight.


word: Beakhead
definition:
Beakhead

Beak"head`
(_;)
n.
1.
(Arch.)
An ornament used in rich Norman doorways, resembling a head with a beak.
Parker.

2.
(Naut.)
(a)
A small platform at the fore part of the upper deck of a vessel, which contains the water closets of the crew.
(b)
(Antiq.)
Same as Beak, 3.


word: Beakiron
definition:
Beakiron

Beak"i*ron
(_;)
n.
[From Bickern.]
A bickern; a bench anvil with a long beak, adapted to reach the interior surfaces of sheet metal ware; the horn of an anvil.


word: Beal₂
definition:
Beal

Beal
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Bealed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bealing.]
To gather matter; to swell and come to a head, as a pimple.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Beam
definition:
Beam

Beam
(bēm)
n.
[AS. beám beam, post, tree, ray of light; akin to OFries. bām tree, OS. b&omacrm, D. boom, OHG. boum, poum, G. baum, Icel. baðmr, Goth. bagms and Gr. fy^ma a growth, fy^nai to become, to be. Cf. L. radius staff, rod, spoke of a wheel, beam or ray, and G. strahl arrow, spoke of a wheel, ray or beam, flash of lightning.  √97.  See Be; cf. Boom a spar.]
1.
Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.

2.
One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building or ship.

The beams of a vessel are strong pieces of timber stretching across from side to side to support the decks.
Totten.

3.
The width of a vessel; as, one vessel is said to have more beam than another.

4.
The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended.

The doubtful beam long nods from side to side.
Pope.

5.
The principal stem or horn of a stag or other deer, which bears the antlers, or branches.

6.
The pole of a carriage.
[Poetic]
Dryden.

7.
A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving; also, the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven; one being called the fore beam, the other the back beam.

8.
The straight part or shank of an anchor.

9.
The main part of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it.

10.
(Steam Engine)
A heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft; -- called also working beam or walking beam.

11.
A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat.

How far that little candle throws his beams!
Shak.

12.
(Fig.)
A ray; a gleam; as, a beam of comfort.

Mercy with her genial beam.
Keble.

13.
One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk; -- called also beam feather.

Abaft the beam (Naut.), in an arc of the horizon between a line that crosses the ship at right angles, or in the direction of her beams, and that point of the compass toward which her stern is directed. -- Beam center (Mach.), the fulcrum or pin on which the working beam of an engine vibrates. -- Beam compass, an instrument consisting of a rod or beam, having sliding sockets that carry steel or pencil points; -- used for drawing or describing large circles. -- Beam engine, a steam engine having a working beam to transmit power, in distinction from one which has its piston rod attached directly to the crank of the wheel shaft. -- Before the beam (Naut.), in an arc of the horizon included between a line that crosses the ship at right angles and that point of the compass toward which the ship steers. -- On the beam, in a line with the beams, or at right angles with the keel. -- On the weather beam, on the side of a ship which faces the wind. -- To be on her beam ends, to incline, as a vessel, so much on one side that her beams approach a vertical position.


word: Beam₂
definition:
Beam

Beam
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beamed (bēmd); p. pr. & vb. n. Beaming.]
To send forth; to emit; -- followed ordinarily by forth; as, to beam forth light.


word: Beambird
definition:
Beambird

Beam"bird`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A small European flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola), so called because it often nests on a beam in a building.


word: Beamed
definition:
Beamed

Beamed
(_;)
a.
Furnished with beams, as the head of a stag.

Tost his beamed frontlet to the sky.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Beam tree
definition:
Beam tree

Beam" tree`
(_;)
[AS. beám a tree. See Beam.]
(Bot.)
A tree (Pyrus aria) related to the apple.


word: Beamy
definition:
Beamy

Beam"y
(_;)
a.
1.
Emitting beams of light; radiant; shining.
Beamy
Tickell.

2.
Resembling a beam in size and weight; massy.

His double-biting ax, and beamy spear.
Dryden.

3.
Having horns, or antlers.

Beamy stags in toils engage.
Dryden.


word: Bean
definition:
Bean

Bean
(bēn)
n.
[OE. bene, AS. beán; akin to D. boon, G. bohne, OHG. p&omacrna, Icel. baun, Dan. bönne, Sw. böna, and perh. to Russ. bob, L. faba.]
1.
(Bot.)
A name given to the seed of certain leguminous herbs, chiefly of the genera Faba, Phaseolus, and Dolichos; also, to the herbs.

&hand_; The origin and classification of many kinds are still doubtful.  Among true beans are: the black-eyed bean and China bean, included in Dolichos Sinensis; black Egyptian bean or hyacinth bean, Dolichos Lablab; the common haricot beans, kidney beans, string beans, and pole beans, all included in Phaseolus vulgaris; the lower bush bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, variety nanus; Lima bean, Phaseolus lunatus; Spanish bean and scarlet runner, Phaseolus multiflorus; Windsor bean, the common bean of England, Faba vulgaris.

2.
The popular name of other vegetable seeds or fruits, more or less resembling true beans.

Bean aphis (Zool.), a plant louse (Aphis fabæ) which infests the bean plant. -- Bean fly (Zool.), a fly found on bean flowers. -- Bean goose (Zool.), a species of goose (Anser segetum). -- Bean weevil (Zool.), a small weevil that in the larval state destroys beans.  The American species is Bruchus fabæ. -- Florida bean (Bot.), the seed of Mucuna urens, a West Indian plant. The seeds are washed up on the Florida shore, and are often polished and made into ornaments. -- Ignatius bean, or St. Ignatius's bean (Bot.), a species of Strychnos. -- Navy bean, the common dried white bean of commerce; probably so called because an important article of food in the navy. -- Pea bean, a very small and highly esteemed variety of the edible white bean; -- so called from its size. -- Sacred bean. See under Sacred. -- Screw bean. See under Screw. -- Sea bean. (a) Same as Florida bean. (b) A red bean of unknown species used for ornament. -- Tonquin bean, or Tonka bean, the fragrant seed of Dipteryx odorata, a leguminous tree. -- Vanilla bean. See under Vanilla.


word: beanbag
definition:
beanbag

bean"bag`
n.
a small cloth bag filled with dried beans; it is thrown from person to person in games.


word: Bean caper
definition:
Bean caper

Bean" ca`per
(Bot.)
A deciduous plant of warm climates, generally with fleshy leaves and flowers of a yellow or whitish yellow color, of the genus Zygophyllum.


word: beanie
definition:
beanie

beanie
n.
a small skullcap; formerly worn by schoolboys and college freshmen.

Syn. -- beany.


word: beano
definition:
beano

beano
n.
1.
a game in which numbered balls are drawn and random and players cover the correponding numbers on their cards.

Syn. -- lotto, bingo, keno.


word: Bean trefoil
definition:
Bean trefoil

Bean" tre"foil
(Bot.)
A leguminous shrub of southern Europe, with trifoliate leaves (Anagyris foetida).


word: Bear
definition:
Bear

Bear
(bâr)
v. t.
[imp. Bore (b&omacrr) (formerly Bare (bâr)); p. p. Born (bôrn), Borne (b&omacrrn); p. pr. & vb. n. Bearing.]
[OE. beren, AS. beran, beoran, to bear, carry, produce; akin to D. baren to bring forth, G. gebären, Goth. baíran to bear or carry, Icel. bera, Sw. bära, Dan. bære, OHG. beran, peran, L. ferre to bear, carry, produce, Gr. fe`rein, OSlav. brati to take, carry, OIr. berim I bear, Skr. bh&rsdot_; to bear.  √92.  Cf. Fertile.]
1.
To support or sustain; to hold up.

2.
To support and remove or carry; to convey.

I 'll bear your logs the while.
Shak.

3.
To conduct; to bring; -- said of persons.
[Obs.]

Bear them to my house.
Shak.

4.
To possess and use, as power; to exercise.

Every man should bear rule in his own house.
Esther i. 22.

5.
To sustain; to have on (written or inscribed, or as a mark), as, the tablet bears this inscription.

6.
To possess or carry, as a mark of authority or distinction; to wear; as, to bear a sword, badge, or name.

7.
To possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind; to entertain; to harbor
Dryden.

The ancient grudge I bear him.
Shak.

8.
To endure; to tolerate; to undergo; to suffer.

Should such a man, too fond to rule alone,
Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne.
Pope.

I cannot bear
The murmur of this lake to hear.
Shelley.

My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Gen. iv. 13.

9.
To gain or win.
[Obs.]

Some think to bear it by speaking a great word.
Bacon.

She was . . . found not guilty, through bearing of friends and bribing of the judge.
Latimer.

10.
To sustain, or be answerable for, as blame, expense, responsibility, etc.

He shall bear their iniquities.
Is. liii. 11.

Somewhat that will bear your charges.
Dryden.

11.
To render or give; to bring forward.
bear
Dryden.

12.
To carry on, or maintain; to have.
bearing
Locke.

13.
To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.

In all criminal cases the most favorable interpretation should be put on words that they can possibly bear.
Swift.

14.
To manage, wield, or direct.
bear
Shak.
To behave; to conduct.

Hath he borne himself penitently in prison?
Shak.

15.
To afford; to be to; to supply with.

His faithful dog shall bear him company.
Pope.

16.
To bring forth or produce; to yield; as, to bear apples; to bear children; to bear interest.

Here dwelt the man divine whom Samos bore.
Dryden.

&hand_; In the passive form of this verb, the best modern usage restricts the past participle born to the sense of brought forth, while borne is used in the other senses of the word. In the active form, borne alone is used as the past participle.

To bear down. (a) To force into a lower place; to carry down; to depress or sink. “His nose, . . . large as were the others, bore them down into insignificance.” Marryat. (b) To overthrow or crush by force; as, to bear down an enemy. -- To bear a hand. (a) To help; to give assistance. (b) (Naut.) To make haste; to be quick. -- To bear in hand, to keep (one) up in expectation, usually by promises never to be realized; to amuse by false pretenses; to delude. [Obs.]  “How you were borne in hand, how crossed.” Shak. -- To bear in mind, to remember. -- To bear off. (a) To restrain; to keep from approach. (b) (Naut.) To remove to a distance; to keep clear from rubbing against anything; as, to bear off a blow; to bear off a boat. (c) To gain; to carry off, as a prize. (d) (Backgammon) To remove from the backgammon board into the home when the position of the piece and the dice provide the proper opportunity; -- the goal of the game is to bear off all of one's men before the opponent. -- To bear one hard, to owe one a grudge. [Obs.]  “Cæsar doth bear me hard.” Shak. -- To bear out. (a) To maintain and support to the end; to defend to the last.  “Company only can bear a man out in an ill thing.” South. (b) To corroborate; to confirm. -- To bear up, to support; to keep from falling or sinking.  “Religious hope bears up the mind under sufferings.” Addison.


word: Bear₂
definition:
Bear

Bear
(bâr)
v. i.
1.
To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in opposition to barrenness.

This age to blossom, and the next to bear.
Dryden.

2.
To suffer, as in carrying a burden.

But man is born to bear.
Pope.

3.
To endure with patience; to be patient.

I can not, can not bear.
Dryden.

4.
To press; -- with on or upon, or against.

These men bear hard on the suspected party.
Addison.

5.
To take effect; to have influence or force; as, to bring matters to bear.

6.
To relate or refer; -- with on or upon; as, how does this bear on the question?

7.
To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect.

Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform.
Hawthorne.

8.
To be situated, as to the point of compass, with respect to something else; as, the land bears N. by E.

To bear against, to approach for attack or seizure; as, a lion bears against his prey. [Obs.] -- To bear away (Naut.), to change the course of a ship, and make her run before the wind. -- To bear back, to retreat.  “Bearing back from the blows of their sable antagonist.” Sir W. Scott. -- To bear down upon (Naut.), to approach from the windward side; as, the fleet bore down upon the enemy. -- To bear in with (Naut.), to run or tend toward; as, a ship bears in with the land. -- To bear off (Naut.), to steer away, as from land. -- To bear up. (a) To be supported; to have fortitude; to be firm; not to sink; as, to bear up under afflictions. (b) (Naut.) To put the helm up (or to windward) and so put the ship before the wind; to bear away. Hamersly. -- To bear upon (Mil.), to be pointed or situated so as to affect; to be pointed directly against, or so as to hit (the object); as, to bring or plant guns so as to bear upon a fort or a ship; the artillery bore upon the center. -- To bear up to, to tend or move toward; as, to bear up to one another. -- To bear with, to endure; to be indulgent to; to forbear to resent, oppose, or punish.


word: Bear₄
definition:
Bear

Bear
(bâr)
n.
[OE. bere, AS. bera; akin to D. beer, OHG. bero, pero, G. bär, Icel. & Sw. björn, and possibly to L. fera wild beast, Gr. fh`r beast, Skr. bhalla bear.]

1.
(Zool.)
Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the closely allied genera.  Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects.

The European brown bear (Ursus arctos), the white polar bear (Ursus maritimus), the grizzly bear (Ursus horribilis), the American black bear, and its variety the cinnamon bear (Ursus Americanus), the Syrian bear (Ursus Syriacus), and the sloth bear, are among the notable species.

2.
(Zool.)
An animal which has some resemblance to a bear in form or habits, but no real affinity; as, the woolly bear; ant bear; water bear; sea bear.

3.
(Astron.)
One of two constellations in the northern hemisphere, called respectively the Great Bear and the Lesser Bear, or Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

4.
Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person.

5.
(Stock Exchange)
A person who sells stocks or securities for future delivery in expectation of a fall in the market.

&hand_; The bears and bulls of the Stock Exchange, whose interest it is, the one to depress, and the other to raise, stocks, are said to be so called in allusion to the bear's habit of pulling down, and the bull's of tossing up.

6.
(Mach.)
A portable punching machine.

7.
(Naut.)
A block covered with coarse matting; -- used to scour the deck.

Australian bear. (Zool.) See Koala. -- Bear baiting, the sport of baiting bears with dogs. -- Bear caterpillar (Zool.), the hairy larva of a moth, esp. of the genus Euprepia. -- Bear garden. (a) A place where bears are kept for diversion or fighting. (b) Any place where riotous conduct is common or permitted. M. Arnold. -- Bear leader, one who leads about a performing bear for money; hence, a facetious term for one who takes charge of a young man on his travels.


word: Bear₅
definition:
Bear

Bear
v. t.
(Stock Exchange)
To endeavor to depress the price of, or prices in; as, to bear a railroad stock; to bear the market.


word: Bere
definition:
Bere

Bear

{ Bear, Bere  }
(bēr)
n.
[AS. bere. See Barley.]
(Bot.)
Barley; the six-rowed barley or the four-rowed barley, commonly the former (Hordeum hexastichon or Hordeum vulgare).
[Obs. except in North of Eng. and Scot.]


word: Bearberry
definition:
Bearberry

Bear"ber*ry
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
A trailing plant of the heath family (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), having leaves which are tonic and astringent, and glossy red berries of which bears are said to be fond.


word: bearcat
definition:
bearcat

bear"cat`
n.
an arboreal civet of Asia (Arctictis bintourong) having a long prehensile tail and shaggy black hair.

Syn. -- binturong.


word: Beard
definition:
Beard

Beard
(bērd)
n.
[OE. berd, AS. beard; akin to Fries. berd, D. baard, G. bart, Lith. barzda, OSlav. brada, Pol. broda, Russ. boroda, L. barba, W. barf. Cf. 1st Barb.]

1.
The hair that grows on the chin, lips, and adjacent parts of the human face, chiefly of male adults.

2.
(Zool.)
(a)
The long hairs about the face in animals, as in the goat.
(b)
The cluster of small feathers at the base of the beak in some birds
(c)
The appendages to the jaw in some Cetacea, and to the mouth or jaws of some fishes.
(d)
The byssus of certain shellfish, as the muscle.
(e)
The gills of some bivalves, as the oyster.
(f)
In insects, the hairs of the labial palpi of moths and butterflies.

3.
(Bot.)
Long or stiff hairs on a plant; the awn; as, the beard of grain.

4.
A barb or sharp point of an arrow or other instrument, projecting backward to prevent the head from being easily drawn out.

5.
That part of the under side of a horse's lower jaw which is above the chin, and bears the curb of a bridle.

6.
(Print.)
That part of a type which is between the shoulder of the shank and the face.

7.
An imposition; a trick.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Beard grass (Bot.), a coarse, perennial grass of different species of the genus Andropogon. -- To one's beard, to one's face; in open defiance.


word: Beard₂
definition:
Beard

Beard
(bērd)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bearded; p. pr. & vb. n. Bearding.]
1.
To take by the beard; to seize, pluck, or pull the beard of (a man), in anger or contempt.

2.
To oppose to the face; to set at defiance.

No admiral, bearded by these corrupt and dissolute minions of the palace, dared to do more than mutter something about a court martial.
Macaulay.

3.
To deprive of the gills; -- used only of oysters and similar shellfish.


word: Bearded
definition:
Bearded

Beard"ed
a.
Having a beard.
Bearded
Shak.
Bearded
Dryden.

Bearded vulture, Bearded eagle. (Zool.) See Lammergeir. -- Bearded tortoise. (Zool.) See Matamata.


word: Beardie
definition:
Beardie

Beard"ie
(bērd"&ybreve_;)
n.
[From Beard, n.]
(Zool.)
The bearded loach (Nemachilus barbatus) of Europe.
[Scot.]


word: Beardless
definition:
Beardless

Beard"less
a.
1.
Without a beard. Hence: Not having arrived at puberty or manhood; youthful.

2.
Destitute of an awn; as, beardless wheat.


word: beardown
definition:
beardown

bear"down
adj. prenom.
1.
devoting full strength and concentrated attention to.

Syn. -- determined.


word: Bearer
definition:
Bearer

Bear"er
(bâr"ẽr)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, bears, sustains, or carries.
Bearers
2 Chron. ii. 18.
bearer
Dryden.

2.
Specifically: One who assists in carrying a body to the grave; a pallbearer.
Milton.

3.
A palanquin carrier; also, a house servant.
[India]

4.
A tree or plant yielding fruit; as, a good bearer.

5.
(Com.)
One who holds a check, note, draft, or other order for the payment of money; as, pay to bearer.

6.
(Print.)
A strip of reglet or other furniture to bear off the impression from a blank page; also, a type or type-high piece of metal interspersed in blank parts to support the plate when it is shaved.


word: Bearing
definition:
Bearing

Bear"ing
(bâr"ĭng)
n.
1.
The manner in which one bears or conducts one's self; mien; behavior; carriage.

I know him by his bearing.
Shak.

2.
Patient endurance; suffering without complaint.

3.
The situation of one object, with respect to another, such situation being supposed to have a connection with the object, or influence upon it, or to be influenced by it; hence, relation; connection.

But of this frame, the bearings and the ties,
The strong connections, nice dependencies.
Pope.

4.
Purport; meaning; intended significance; aspect.

5.
The act, power, or time of producing or giving birth; as, a tree in full bearing; a tree past bearing.

[His mother] in travail of his bearing.
R. of Gloucester.

6.
(Arch.)
(a)
That part of any member of a building which rests upon its supports; as, a lintel or beam may have four inches of bearing upon the wall.
(b)
The portion of a support on which anything rests.
(c)
Improperly, the unsupported span; as, the beam has twenty feet of bearing between its supports.

7.
(Mach.)
(a)
The part of an axle or shaft in contact with its support, collar, or boxing; the journal.
(b)
The part of the support on which a journal rests and rotates.

8.
(Her.)
Any single emblem or charge in an escutcheon or coat of arms -- commonly in the pl.

A carriage covered with armorial bearings.
Thackeray.

9.
(Naut.)
(a)
The situation of a distant object, with regard to a ship's position, as on the bow, on the lee quarter, etc.; the direction or point of the compass in which an object is seen; as, the bearing of the cape was W. N. W.
(b)
pl.
The widest part of a vessel below the plank-sheer.
(c)
pl.
The line of flotation of a vessel when properly trimmed with cargo or ballast.

Ball bearings. See under Ball. -- To bring one to his bearings, to bring one to his senses. -- To lose one's bearings, to become bewildered. -- To take bearings, to ascertain by the compass the position of an object; to ascertain the relation of one object or place to another; to ascertain one's position by reference to landmarks or to the compass; hence (Fig.), to ascertain the condition of things when one is in trouble or perplexity.


word: Bearing cloth
definition:
Bearing cloth

Bear"ing cloth`
(bâr"ĭng kl&obreve_;th`; 115)
A cloth with which a child is covered when carried to be baptized.
Shak.


word: Bearing rein
definition:
Bearing rein

Bear"ing rein`
(_;)
A short rein looped over the check hook or the hames to keep the horse's head up; -- called in the United States a checkrein.


word: Bearing ring
definition:
Bearing ring

Bear"ing ring`
In a balloon, the braced wooden ring attached to the suspension ropes at the bottom, functionally analogous to the keel of a ship.


word: Bearish
definition:
Bearish

Bear"ish
a.
1.
Partaking of the qualities of a bear; resembling a bear in temper or manners.
Harris.

2.
(Stock market)
Fearful of or anticipating falling prices, as in the stock market; as, bearish sentiment inhibited buying.

3.
(Stock market)
Tending to cause prices to fall.
bearish

4.
Hence:
Pessimistic.


word: bear jam
definition:
bear jam

bear jam
(_;)
n.
A traffic jam caused by tourists stopping to look at bears near the road; -- a phenomenon once common in Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.
[Colloq.]


word: bear's-breeches
definition:
bear's-breeches

Bear's-breech

Bear's"-breech`, bear's"-breech`es
(_;)
n.
1.
(Bot.)
The English cow parsnip (Heracleum sphondylium)
Dr. Prior.

2.
a widely cultivated southern European acanthus (Acanthus mollis) with whitish purple-veined flowers.  See Acanthus, n., 1.

Syn. -- bear's breech, bear's-breech, bear's breeches, sea holly.


word: Bear's-ear
definition:
Bear's-ear

Bear's-ear`
(bârz"ēr`)
n.
(Bot.)
A kind of primrose (Primula auricula), so called from the shape of the leaf.


word: Bear's-foot
definition:
Bear's-foot

Bear's"-foot`
(-fŏt`)
n.
(Bot.)
A species of hellebore (Helleborus fœtidus), with digitate leaves. It has an offensive smell and acrid taste, and is a powerful emetic, cathartic, and anthelmintic.


word: Bearskin
definition:
Bearskin

Bear"skin`
(_;)
n.
1.
The skin of a bear.

2.
A coarse, shaggy, woolen cloth for overcoats.

3.
A cap made of bearskin, esp. one worn by soldiers.


word: Bear's-paw
definition:
Bear's-paw

Bear's"-paw`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A large bivalve shell of the East Indies (Hippopus maculatus), often used as an ornament.


word: Bear-trap dam
definition:
Bear-trap dam

Bear"-trap` dam
(Engin.)
A kind of movable dam, in one form consisting of two leaves resting against each other at the top when raised and folding down one over the other when lowered, for deepening shallow parts in a river.


word: Beast
definition:
Beast

Beast
(bēst)
n.
[OE. best, beste, OF. beste, F. bête, fr. L. bestia.]
1.
Any living creature; an animal; -- including man, insects, etc.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
Any four-footed animal, that may be used for labor, food, or sport; as, a beast of burden.

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.
Prov. xii. 10.

3.
any animal other than a human; -- opposed to man.

'Tain't a fit night out for man nor beast.

W. C. Fields.

4.
Fig.: A coarse, brutal, filthy, or degraded fellow.

5.
A game at cards similar to loo.
[Obs.]
Wright.

6.
A penalty at beast, omber, etc. Hence: To be beasted, to be beaten at beast, omber, etc.

Beast royal, the lion. [Obs.] Chaucer.


word: Beastly
definition:
Beastly

Beast"ly
(bēst"l&ybreve_;)
a.
1.
Pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of, a beast.

Beastly divinities and droves of gods.
Prior.

2.
Characterizing the nature of a beast; contrary to the nature and dignity of man; brutal; filthy.

The beastly vice of drinking to excess.
Swift.

3.
Abominable; as, beastly weather.
[Colloq. Eng.]


word: Beat
definition:
Beat

Beat
(bēt)
v. t.
[imp. Beat; p. p. Beat, Beaten (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beating.]
[OE. beaten, beten, AS. beátan; akin to Icel. bauta, OHG. b&omacrzan. Cf. 1st Butt, Button.]
1.
To strike repeatedly; to lay repeated blows upon; as, to beat one's breast; to beat iron so as to shape it; to beat grain, in order to force out the seeds; to beat eggs and sugar; to beat a drum.

Thou shalt beat some of it [spices] very small.
Ex. xxx. 36.

They did beat the gold into thin plates.
Ex. xxxix. 3.

2.
To punish by blows; to thrash.

3.
To scour or range over in hunting, accompanied with the noise made by striking bushes, etc., for the purpose of rousing game.

To beat the woods, and rouse the bounding prey.
Prior.

4.
To dash against, or strike, as with water or wind.

A frozen continent . . . beat with perpetual storms.
Milton.

5.
To tread, as a path.

Pass awful gulfs, and beat my painful way.
Blackmore.

6.
To overcome in a battle, contest, strife, race, game, etc.; to vanquish, defeat, or conquer; to surpass or be superior to.

He beat them in a bloody battle.
Prescott.

For loveliness, it would be hard to beat that.
M. Arnold.

7.
To cheat; to chouse; to swindle; to defraud; -- often with out.
[Colloq.]

8.
To exercise severely; to perplex; to trouble.

Why should any one . . . beat his head about the Latin grammar who does not intend to be a critic?
Locke.

9.
(Mil.)
To give the signal for, by beat of drum; to sound by beat of drum; as, to beat an alarm, a charge, a parley, a retreat; to beat the general, the reveille, the tattoo. See Alarm, Charge, Parley, etc.

10.
to baffle or stump; to defy the comprehension of (a person); as, it beats me why he would do that.

11.
to evade, avoid, or escape (blame, taxes, punishment); as, to beat the rap (be acquitted); to beat the sales tax by buying out of state.

To beat down, to haggle with (any one) to secure a lower price; to force down. [Colloq.] -- To beat into, to teach or instill, by repetition. -- To beat off, to repel or drive back. -- To beat out, to extend by hammering. -- To beat out of a thing, to cause to relinquish it, or give it up.  “Nor can anything beat their posterity out of it to this day.” South. -- To beat the dust. (Man.) (a) To take in too little ground with the fore legs, as a horse. (b) To perform curvets too precipitately or too low. -- To beat the hoof, to walk; to go on foot. -- To beat the wing, to flutter; to move with fluttering agitation. -- To beat time, to measure or regulate time in music by the motion of the hand or foot. -- To beat up, to attack suddenly; to alarm or disturb; as, to beat up an enemy's quarters.


word: Beat₂
definition:
Beat

Beat
v. i.
1.
To strike repeatedly; to inflict repeated blows; to knock vigorously or loudly.

The men of the city . . . beat at the door.
Judges. xix. 22.

2.
To move with pulsation or throbbing.

A thousand hearts beat happily.
Byron.

3.
To come or act with violence; to dash or fall with force; to strike anything, as rain, wind, and waves do.

Sees rolling tempests vainly beat below.
Dryden.

They [winds] beat at the crazy casement.
Longfellow.

The sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die.
Jonah iv. 8.

Public envy seemeth to beat chiefly upon ministers.
Bacon.

4.
To be in agitation or doubt.
[Poetic]

To still my beating mind.
Shak.

5.
(Naut.)
To make progress against the wind, by sailing in a zigzag line or traverse.

6.
To make a sound when struck; as, the drums beat.

7.
(Mil.)
To make a succession of strokes on a drum; as, the drummers beat to call soldiers to their quarters.

8.
(Acoustics & Mus.)
To sound with more or less rapid alternations of greater and less intensity, so as to produce a pulsating effect; -- said of instruments, tones, or vibrations, not perfectly in unison.

A beating wind (Naut.), a wind which necessitates tacking in order to make progress. -- To beat about, to try to find; to search by various means or ways. Addison. -- To beat about the bush, to approach a subject circuitously. -- To beat up and down (Hunting), to run first one way and then another; -- said of a stag. -- To beat up for recruits, to go diligently about in order to get helpers or participators in an enterprise. -- To beat the rap, to be acquitted of an accusation; -- especially, by some sly or deceptive means, rather than to be proven innocent.


word: Beat₃
definition:
Beat

Beat
(_;)
n.
1.
A stroke; a blow.

He, with a careless beat,
Struck out the mute creation at a heat.
Dryden.

2.
A recurring stroke; a throb; a pulsation; as, a beat of the heart; the beat of the pulse.

3.
(Mus.)
(a)
The rise or fall of the hand or foot, marking the divisions of time; a division of the measure so marked. In the rhythm of music the beat is the unit.
(b)
A transient grace note, struck immediately before the one it is intended to ornament.

4.
(Acoustics & Mus.)
A sudden swelling or reënforcement of a sound, recurring at regular intervals, and produced by the interference of sound waves of slightly different periods of vibrations; applied also, by analogy, to other kinds of wave motions; the pulsation or throbbing produced by the vibrating together of two tones not quite in unison. See Beat, v. i., 8.

5.
A round or course which is frequently gone over; as, a watchman's beat; analogously, for newspaper reporters, the subject or territory that they are assigned to cover; as, the Washington beat.

6.
A place of habitual or frequent resort.

7.
A cheat or swindler of the lowest grade; -- often emphasized by dead; as, a dead beat; also, deadbeat.
[Low]

Beat of drum (Mil.), a succession of strokes varied, in different ways, for particular purposes, as to regulate a march, to call soldiers to their arms or quarters, to direct an attack, or retreat, etc. -- Beat of a watch, or Beat of a clock, the stroke or sound made by the action of the escapement.  A clock is in beat or out of beat, according as the stroke is at equal or unequal intervals.


word: Beat₄
definition:
Beat

Beat
a.
Weary; tired; fatigued; exhausted.
[Colloq.]

Quite beat, and very much vexed and disappointed.
Dickens.


word: Beat₅
definition:
Beat

Beat
n.
1.
One that beats, or surpasses, another or others; as, the beat of him.
[Colloq.]

2.
The act of one that beats a person or thing
(a)
(Newspaper Cant)
The act of obtaining and publishing a piece of news by a newspaper before its competitors; also, the news itself; -- also called a scoop or exclusive.

It's a beat on the whole country.
Scribner's Mag.

Bears coming out of holes in the rocks at the last moment, when the beat is close to them.
Encyc. of Sport.


word: Beaten
definition:
Beaten

Beat"en
(bēt"'n; 95)
a.
1.
Made smooth by beating or treading; worn by use.
beaten
Milton.
Beaten
Shak.
beaten

2.
Vanquished; defeated; conquered; baffled.

3.
Exhausted; tired out.

4.
Become common or trite; as, a beaten phrase.
[Obs.]

5.
Tried; practiced.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: beaten-up
definition:
beaten-up

beaten-up
adj.
worn by use into a deplorable condition.
the beaten-up old Ford

Syn. -- battered, beat-up, bedraggled, broken-down, dilapidated, ramshackle, tumble-down, unsound.


word: Beater
definition:
Beater

Beat"er
(bēt"ẽr)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, beats.

2.
A person who beats up game for the hunters.
Black.


word: Beath
definition:
Beath

Beath
(bē&thlig_;)
v. t.
[AS. beðian to foment.]
To bathe; also, to dry or heat, as unseasoned wood.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Beatifical
definition:
Beatifical

Beatific

{ Be`a*tif"ic (_;), Be`a*tif"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[Cf. F. béatifique, L. beatificus. See Beatify.]
Having the power to impart or complete blissful enjoyment; blissful.
beatific
South.
Be`a*tif"ic*al*ly, adv.


word: Beatification
definition:
Beatification

Be*at`i*fi*ca"tion
(be̝*ăt`ĭ*fĭ*kā"shŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. béatification.]
The act of beatifying, or the state of being beatified; esp., in the R. C. Church, the act or process of ascertaining and declaring that a deceased person is one of “the blessed,” or has attained the second degree of sanctity, -- usually a stage in the process of canonization.
beatification
Jer. Taylor.


word: beatified
definition:
beatified

be*at"i*fied
(be̝*ăt"ĭ*fīd)
adj.
(Roman Catholic Church)
proclaimed one of the blessed and thus worthy of veneration.

Syn. -- blessed.


word: Beatify
definition:
Beatify

Be*at"i*fy
(be̝*ăt"ĭ*fī)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beatified (be̝*ăt"ĭ*fīd); p. pr. & vb. n. Beatifying.]
[L. beatificare; beatus happy (fr. beare to bless, akin to bonus good) + facere to make: cf. F. béatifier. See Bounty.]
1.
To pronounce or regard as happy, or supremely blessed, or as conferring happiness.

The common conceits and phrases that beatify wealth.
Barrow.

2.
To make happy; to bless with the completion of celestial enjoyment.
Beatified
Dryden.

3.
(R. C. Ch.)
To ascertain and declare, by a public process and decree, that a deceased person is one of “the blessed,” and is to be reverenced as such, though not canonized.


word: Beating
definition:
Beating

Beat"ing
(_;)
n.
1.
The act of striking or giving blows; punishment or chastisement by blows.

2.
Pulsation; throbbing; as, the beating of the heart.

3.
(Acoustics & Mus.)
Pulsative sounds. See Beat, n.

4.
(Naut.)
The process of sailing against the wind by tacks in zigzag direction.


word: Beatitude
definition:
Beatitude

Be*at"i*tude
(_;)
n.
[L. beatitudo: cf. F. béatitude. See Beatify.]
1.
Felicity of the highest kind; consummate bliss.

2.
Any one of the nine declarations (called the Beatitudes), made in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. v. 3-12), with regard to the blessedness of those who are distinguished by certain specified virtues.

3.
(R. C. Ch.)
Beatification.
Milman.


word: beat-up
definition:
beat-up

beat-up
adj.
same as beaten-up.

Syn. -- battered, beaten-up, bedraggled, broken-down, dilapidated, ramshackle, tumble-down, unsound.


word: Beau
definition:
Beau

Beau
(b&omacr)
n.
pl. F. Beaux (E. pron. b&omacrz), E. Beaus (b&omacrz).
[F., a fop, fr. beau fine, beautiful, fr. L. bellus pretty, fine, for bonulus, dim. of bonus good. See Bounty, and cf. Belle, Beauty.]
1.
A man who takes great care to dress in the latest fashion; a dandy.

2.
A man who escorts, or pays attentions to, a lady; an escort; a suitor or lover.


word: Beaufet
definition:
Beaufet

Beau"fet
(_;)
n.
[See Buffet.]
A niche, cupboard, or sideboard for plate, china, glass, etc.; a buffet.

A beaufet . . . filled with gold and silver vessels.
Prescott.


word: Beaufort's scale
definition:
Beaufort's scale

Beau"fort's scale`
(?)
(Meteor.)
A scale of wind force devised by Sir F. Beaufort, R. N., in 1805, in which the force is indicated by numbers from 0 to 12.

&hand_; The full scale is as follows: -- 0, calm; 1, light air; 2, light breeze; 3, gentle breeze; 4, moderate breeze; 5, fresh breeze; 6, strong breeze; 7, moderate gale; 8, fresh gale; 9, strong gale; 10, whole gale; 11, storm; 12, hurricane.


word: Beau ideal
definition:
Beau ideal

Beau" i*de"al
(b&omacr" i̝*dē"al; 277)
[F. beau beautiful + idéal ideal.]
A conception or image of consummate beauty, moral or physical, formed in the mind, free from all the deformities, defects, and blemishes seen in actual existence; an ideal or faultless standard or model.


word: Beau monde
definition:
Beau monde

Beau` monde"
(_;)
[F. beau fine + monde world.]
The fashionable world; people of fashion and gayety.
Prior.


word: Beaumontague
definition:
Beaumontague

Beau`mon"ta*gue
(?)
n.
A cement used in making joints, filling cracks, etc.  For iron, the principal constituents are iron borings and sal ammoniac; for wood, white lead or litharge, whiting, and linseed oil.


word: Beaupere
definition:
Beaupere

Beau"pere`
(_;)
n.
[F. beau pére; beau fair + pére father.]
1.
A father.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.

2.
A companion.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Beauseant
definition:
Beauseant

Beau`se`ant"
(_;)
n.
[F. beaucéant.]
The black and white standard of the Knights Templars.


word: Beauship
definition:
Beauship

Beau"ship
(_;)
n.
The state of being a beau; the personality of a beau.
[Jocular]
Dryden.


word: beaut
definition:
beaut

beaut
(būt)
n.
[From beauty.]
an outstanding example of its kind; as, when I make a mistake it's a beaut.

Syn. -- beauty.


word: Beauteous
definition:
Beauteous

Beau"te*ous
(bū"te̝*ŭs)
a.
Full of beauty; beautiful; very handsome.
[Mostly poetic]
Beau"te*ous*ly, adv. -- Beau"te*ous*ness, n.


word: Beautiful
definition:
Beautiful

Beau"ti*ful
(bū"tĭ*f&usdot_;l)
a.
Having the qualities which constitute beauty; pleasing to the sight or the mind.

A circle is more beautiful than a square; a square is more beautiful than a parallelogram.
Lord Kames.


word: Beautify
definition:
Beautify

Beau"ti*fy
(bū"tĭ*fī)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beautified (bū"tĭ*fī); p. pr. & vb. n. Beautifying.]
[Beauty + -fy.]
To make or render beautiful; to add beauty to; to adorn; to deck; to grace; to embellish.

The arts that beautify and polish life.
Burke.


word: Beauty
definition:
Beauty

Beau"ty
(bū"t&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Beauties (bū"tĭz).
[OE. beaute, beute, OF. beauté, biauté, Pr. beltat, F. beauté, fr. an assumed LL. bellitas, from L. bellus pretty. See Beau.]

1.
An assemblage of graces or properties pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the æsthetic faculty, or the moral sense.

Beauty consists of a certain composition of color and figure, causing delight in the beholder.
Locke.

The production of beauty by a multiplicity of symmetrical parts uniting in a consistent whole.
Wordsworth.

The old definition of beauty, in the Roman school, was, “multitude in unity;” and there is no doubt that such is the principle of beauty.
Coleridge.

2.
A particular grace, feature, ornament, or excellence; anything beautiful; as, the beauties of nature.

3.
A beautiful person, esp. a beautiful woman.

All the admired beauties of Verona.
Shak.

4.
Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion.
[Obs.]

She stained her hair yellow, which was then the beauty.
Jer. Taylor.

Beauty spot, a patch or spot placed on the face with intent to heighten beauty by contrast.


word: Beaver
definition:
Beaver

Bea"ver
(_;)
n.
[OE. bever, AS. beofer, befer; akin to D. bever, OHG. bibar, G. biber, Sw. bäfver, Dan. bæver, Lith. bebru, Russ. bobr', Gael. beabhar, Corn. befer, L. fiber, and Skr. babhrus large ichneumon; also as an adj., brown, the animal being probably named from its color.  √253. See Brown.]

1.
(Zool.)
An amphibious rodent, of the genus Castor.

&hand_; It has palmated hind feet, and a broad, flat tail. It is remarkable for its ingenuity in constructing its lodges or “houses,” and dams across streams.  It is valued for its fur, and for the material called castor, obtained from two small bags in the groin of the animal.  The European species is Castor fiber, and the American is generally considered a variety of this, although sometimes called Castor Canadensis.

2.
The fur of the beaver.

3.
A hat, formerly made of the fur of the beaver, but now usually of silk.

A brown beaver slouched over his eyes.
Prescott.

4.
Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woolen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats.

5.
A man's beard.

6.
The hair on a woman's pubic area; -- vulgar.
[vulgar slang]

7.
A woman; -- vulgar and offensive.
[vulgar slang]

8.
A person who works enthusiastically and diligently; -- used especially in the phrase eager beaver.
[informal]

Beaver rat (Zool.), an aquatic ratlike quadruped of Tasmania (Hydromys chrysogaster). -- Beaver skin, the furry skin of the beaver. -- Bank beaver. See under 1st Bank.


word: Beaver₂
definition:
Beaver

Bea"ver
n.
[OE. baviere, bauier, beavoir, bever; fr. F. bavière, fr. bave slaver, drivel, foam, OF., prattle, drivel, perh. orig. an imitative word. Bavière, according to Cotgrave, is the bib put before a (slavering) child.]
That piece of armor which protected the lower part of the face, whether forming a part of the helmet or fixed to the breastplate. It was so constructed (with joints or otherwise) that the wearer could raise or lower it to eat and drink.


word: Beaverteen
definition:
Beaverteen

Bea"ver*teen
(_;)
n.
A kind of fustian made of coarse twilled cotton, shorn after dyeing.
Simmonds.


word: Bebirine
definition:
Bebirine

Bebeerine

{ Be*bee"rine, or Be*bi"rine  }
(be̝*bē"rĭn or -rēn)
n.
(Chem.)
An alkaloid got from the bark of the bebeeru, or green heart of Guiana (Nectandra Rodiœi). It is a tonic, antiperiodic, and febrifuge, and is used in medicine as a substitute for quinine.
[Written also bibirine.]


word: bebeeru
definition:
bebeeru

be*bee"ru
(be̝*bē"r&usuml_;)
n.
[Written also bibiru.]
[Native name.]
(Bot.)
A tropical South American tree (Nectandra Rodiœi), the bark of which yields the alkaloid bebeerine, and the wood of which is known as green heart.


word: Bebloody
definition:
Bebloody

Beblood

{ Be*blood" (_;), Be*blood"y  }
(_;)
v. t.
To make bloody; to stain with blood.
[Obs.]
Sheldon.


word: Beblubber
definition:
Beblubber

Be*blub"ber
(_;)
v. t.
To make swollen and disfigured or sullied by weeping; as, her eyes or cheeks were beblubbered.


word: Bebung
definition:
Bebung

Be"bung
(?)
n.
[G., lit., a trembling.]
(Music)
A tremolo effect, such as that produced on the piano by vibratory repetition of a note with sustained use of the pedal.


word: Becalm
definition:
Becalm

Be*calm"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Becalmed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Becalming.]
1.
To render calm or quiet; to calm; to still; to appease.

Soft whispering airs . . . becalm the mind.
Philips.

2.
To keep from motion, or stop the progress of, by the stilling of the wind; as, the fleet was becalmed.


word: Becard
definition:
Becard

Bec"ard
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A South American bird of the flycatcher family. (Tityra inquisetor).


word: Because
definition:
Because

Be*cause"
(_;)
conj.
[OE. bycause; by + cause.]
1.
By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that.
Milton.

2.
In order that; that.
[Obs.]

And the multitude rebuked them because they should hold their peace.
Matt. xx. 31.

Because of, by reason of, on account of. [Prep. phrase.]

Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph. v. 6.


word: Beccabunga
definition:
Beccabunga

Bec`ca*bun"ga
(_;)
n.
[NL. (cf. It. beccabunga, G. bachbunge), fr. G. bach brook + bunge, OHG. bungo, bulb. See Beck a brook.]
See Brooklime.


word: Beccafico
definition:
Beccafico

Bec`ca*fi"co
(_;)
n.
pl. Beccaficos (_;).
[It., fr. beccare to peck + fico fig.]
(Zool.)
A small bird. (Silvia hortensis), which is highly prized by the Italians for the delicacy of its flesh in the autumn, when it has fed on figs, grapes, etc.


word: Becchi's test
definition:
Becchi's test

Bec"chi's test
(?)
[After E. Becchi, Italian chemist.]
(Chem.)
A qualitative test for cottonseed oil, based on the fact this oil imparts a maroon color to an alcoholic solution of silver nitrate.


word: Bechamel
definition:
Bechamel

Bech"a*mel
(_;)
n.
[F. béchamel, named from its inventor, Louis de Béchamel.]
(Cookery)
A rich, white sauce, prepared with butter and cream.


word: Bechance
definition:
Bechance

Be*chance"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. be- for by + chance.]
By chance; by accident.
[Obs.]
Grafton.


word: Bechance₂
definition:
Bechance

Be*chance"
v. t. & i.
To befall; to chance; to happen to.

God knows what hath bechanced them.
Shak.


word: Bechic
definition:
Bechic

Be"chic
(_;)
[L. bechicus, adj., for a cough, Gr. _;, fr. _; cough: cf. F. béchique.]
(Med.)
Pertaining to, or relieving, a cough.
Thomas.
n. A medicine for relieving coughs.
Quincy.


word: Bechuanas
definition:
Bechuanas

Bech`u*a"nas
(?)
n. pl.
A division of the Bantus, dwelling between the Orange and Zambezi rivers, supposed to be the most ancient Bantu population of South Africa. They are divided into totemic clans; they are intelligent and progressive.


word: Beck₂
definition:
Beck

Beck
n.
[OE. bek, AS. becc; akin to Icel. bekkr brook, OHG. pah, G. bach.]
A small brook.

The brooks, the becks, the rills.
Drayton.


word: Beck₄
definition:
Beck

Beck
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Becked (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Becking.]
[Contr. of beckon.]
To nod, or make a sign with the head or hand.
[Archaic]
Drayton.


word: Beck₅
definition:
Beck

Beck
v. t.
To notify or call by a nod, or a motion of the head or hand; to intimate a command to.
[Archaic]

When gold and silver becks me to come on.
Shak.


word: Beck₆
definition:
Beck

Beck
n.
A significant nod, or motion of the head or hand, esp. as a call or command.

They have troops of soldiers at their beck.
Shak.


word: Becket
definition:
Becket

Beck"et
(_;)
n.
[Cf. D. bek beak, and E. beak.]

1.
(Naut.)
A small grommet, or a ring or loop of rope or metal for holding things in position, as spars, ropes, etc.; also a bracket, a pocket, or a handle made of rope.

2.
A spade for digging turf.
[Prov. Eng.]
Wright.


word: Beckon
definition:
Beckon

Beck"on
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beckoned (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beckoning.]
To make a significant sign to; hence, to summon, as by a motion of the hand.

His distant friends, he beckons near.
Dryden.

It beckons you to go away with it.
Shak.


word: Beck's scale
definition:
Beck's scale

Beck's scale
(?)
A hydrometer scale on which the zero point corresponds to sp. gr. 1.00, and the 30°-point to sp. gr. 0.85. From these points the scale is extended both ways, all the degrees being of equal length.


word: Beclip
definition:
Beclip

Be*clip"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beclipped (_;).]
[AS. beclyppan; pref. be + clyppan to embrace.]
To embrace; to surround.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.


word: Becloud
definition:
Becloud

Be*cloud"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beclouded; p. pr. & vb. n. Beclouding.]
To cause obscurity or dimness to; to dim; to cloud.

If thou becloud the sunshine of thine eye.
Quarles.


word: Become
definition:
Become

Be*come"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. Became (_;); p. p. Become; p. pr. & vb. n. Becoming.]
[OE. bicumen, becumen, AS. becuman to come to, to happen; akin to D. bekomen, OHG.a piquëman, Goth. biquiman to come upon, G. bekommen to get, suit. See Be-, and Come.]
1.
To pass from one state to another; to enter into some state or condition, by a change from another state, or by assuming or receiving new properties or qualities, additional matter, or a new character.

The Lord God . . . breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Gen. ii. 7.

That error now which is become my crime.
Milton.

2.
To come; to get.
[Obs.]

But, madam, where is Warwick then become!
Shak.

To become of, to be the present state or place of; to be the fate of; to be the end of; to be the final or subsequent condition of.

What is then become of so huge a multitude?
Sir W. Raleigh.


word: Become₂
definition:
Become

Be*come"
v. t.
To suit or be suitable to; to be congruous with; to befit; to accord with, in character or circumstances; to be worthy of, or proper for; to cause to appear well; -- said of persons and things.

It becomes me so to speak of so excellent a poet.
Dryden.

I have known persons so anxious to have their dress become them, as to convert it, at length, into their proper self, and thus actually to become the dress.
Coleridge.


word: Becoming
definition:
Becoming

Be*com"ing
a.
Appropriate or fit; congruous; suitable; graceful; befitting.

A low and becoming tone.
Thackeray.

Formerly sometimes followed by of.

Such discourses as are becoming of them.
Dryden.


word: Becomingness
definition:
Becomingness

Be*com"ing*ness
n.
The quality of being becoming, appropriate, or fit; congruity; fitness.

The becomingness of human nature.
Grew.


word: Becquerel rays
definition:
Becquerel rays

Becque`rel" rays"
(?)
(Physics)
Radiations first observed by the French physicist Henri Becquerel, in working with uranium and its compounds. They consist of a mixture of alpha, beta, and gamma rays.


word: Becuiba nut
definition:
Becuiba nut

Becuiba

{ Be*cui"ba (?), n., Be*cui"ba nut` (?) }
[Native name.]
(Bot.)
The nut of the Brazilian tree Myristica Bicuhyba, which yields a medicinal balsam used for rheumatism.


word: Bed
definition:
Bed

Bed
(_;)
n.
[AS. bed, bedd; akin to OS. bed, D. bed, bedde, Icel. be_;r, Dan. bed, Sw. bädd, Goth. badi, OHG. betti, G. bett, bette, bed, beet a plat of ground; all of uncertain origin.]
1.
An article of furniture to sleep or take rest in or on; a couch. Specifically: A sack or mattress, filled with some soft material, in distinction from the bedstead on which it is placed (as, a feather bed), or this with the bedclothes added. In a general sense, any thing or place used for sleeping or reclining on or in, as a quantity of hay, straw, leaves, or twigs.

And made for him [a horse] a leafy bed.
Byron.

I wash, wring, brew, bake, . . . make the beds.
Shak.

In bed he slept not for my urging it.
Shak.

2.
(Used as the symbol of matrimony) Marriage.

George, the eldest son of his second bed.
Clarendon.

3.
A plat or level piece of ground in a garden, usually a little raised above the adjoining ground.
Beds
Milton.

4.
A mass or heap of anything arranged like a bed; as, a bed of ashes or coals.

5.
The bottom of a watercourse, or of any body of water; as, the bed of a river.

So sinks the daystar in the ocean bed.
Milton.

6.
(Geol.)
A layer or seam, or a horizontal stratum between layers; as, a bed of coal, iron, etc.

7.
(Gun.)
See Gun carriage, and Mortar bed.

8.
(Masonry)
(a)
The horizontal surface of a building stone; as, the upper and lower beds.
(b)
A course of stone or brick in a wall.
(c)
The place or material in which a block or brick is laid.
(d)
The lower surface of a brick, slate, or tile.
Knight.

9.
(Mech.)
The foundation or the more solid and fixed part or framing of a machine; or a part on which something is laid or supported; as, the bed of an engine.

10.
The superficial earthwork, or ballast, of a railroad.

11.
(Printing)
The flat part of the press, on which the form is laid.

&hand_; Bed is much used adjectively or in combination; as, bed key or bedkey; bed wrench or bedwrench; bedchamber; bedmaker, etc.

Bed of justice (French Hist.), the throne (F. lit bed) occupied by the king when sitting in one of his parliaments (judicial courts); hence, a session of a refractory parliament, at which the king was present for the purpose of causing his decrees to be registered. -- To be brought to bed, to be delivered of a child; -- often followed by of; as, to be brought to bed of a son. -- To make a bed, to prepare a bed; to arrange or put in order a bed and its bedding. -- From bed and board (Law), a phrase applied to a separation by partial divorce of man and wife, without dissolving the bonds of matrimony. If such a divorce (now commonly called a judicial separation) be granted at the instance of the wife, she may have alimony.


word: Bed₂
definition:
Bed

Bed
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedded; p. pr. & vb. n. Bedding.]
1.
To place in a bed.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

2.
To make partaker of one's bed; to cohabit with.

I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her.
Shak.

3.
To furnish with a bed or bedding.

4.
To plant or arrange in beds; to set, or cover, as in a bed of soft earth; as, to bed the roots of a plant in mold.

5.
To lay or put in any hollow place, or place of rest and security, surrounded or inclosed; to embed; to furnish with or place upon a bed or foundation; as, to bed a stone; it was bedded on a rock.

Among all chains or clusters of mountains where large bodies of still water are bedded.
Wordsworth.

6.
(Masonry)
To dress or prepare the surface of stone) so as to serve as a bed.

7.
To lay flat; to lay in order; to place in a horizontal or recumbent position.
Bedded
Shak.


word: Bedabble
definition:
Bedabble

Be*dab*ble
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedabbled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedabbling (_;).]
To dabble; to sprinkle or wet.
Shak.


word: Bedash
definition:
Bedash

Be*dash"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedashed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedashing.]
To wet by dashing or throwing water or other liquid upon; to bespatter.
bedashed
Shak.


word: Bedaub
definition:
Bedaub

Be*daub"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedaubed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedaubing.]
To daub over; to besmear or soil with anything thick and dirty.

Bedaub foul designs with a fair varnish.
Barrow.


word: bedaze
definition:
bedaze

be*daze"
v.
to cause to be senseless, groggy, or dizzy; cause to lose ability to respond normally; desensitize.

Syn. -- stun, daze.


word: Bedazzle
definition:
Bedazzle

Be*daz"zle
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedazzled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedazzling (_;).]
To dazzle or make dim by a strong light.
Bedazzled
Shak.


word: Bedbug
definition:
Bedbug

Bed"bug`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A wingless, bloodsucking, hemipterous insect (Cimex Lectularius), sometimes infesting houses and especially beds.  See Illustration in Appendix.


word: Bedchair
definition:
Bedchair

Bed"chair`
(_;)
n.
A chair with adjustable back, for the sick, to support them while sitting up in bed.


word: Bedchamber
definition:
Bedchamber

Bed"cham`ber
(_;)
n.
A chamber for a bed; an apartment form sleeping in.
Shak.

Lords of the bedchamber, eight officers of the royal household, all of noble families, who wait in turn a week each. [Eng.] -- Ladies of the bedchamber, eight ladies, all titled, holding a similar official position in the royal household, during the reign of a queen. [Eng.]


word: Bedded
definition:
Bedded

Bed"ded
(_;)
a.
Provided with a bed; as, double-bedded room; placed or arranged in a bed or beds.


word: bedder
definition:
bedder

bed"der
n.
an ornamental plant suitable for planting in a flowerbed.

Syn. -- bedding plant.


word: Bedding
definition:
Bedding

Bed"ding
(_;)
n.
[AS. bedding, beding. See Bed.]
1.
A bed and its furniture; the materials of a bed, whether for man or beast; bedclothes; litter.

2.
(Geol.)
The state or position of beds and layers.


word: Bede
definition:
Bede

Bede
(_;)
v. t.
[See Bid, v. t.]
To pray; also, to offer; to proffer.
[Obs.]
R. of Gloucester. Chaucer.


word: Bedeck
definition:
Bedeck

Be*deck"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedecked (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedecking.]
To deck, ornament, or adorn; to grace.

Bedecked with boughs, flowers, and garlands.
Pennant.


word: Bedegar
definition:
Bedegar

Bedeguar

{ &VerbarBed"e*guar, Bed"e*gar  }
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. Per. bād-āward, or bād-āwardag, prop., a kind of white thorn or thistle.]
A gall produced on rosebushes, esp. on the sweetbrier or eglantine, by a puncture from the ovipositor of a gallfly (Rhodites rosæ). It was once supposed to have medicinal properties.


word: Beden
definition:
Beden

Bed"en
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
The Abyssinian or Arabian ibex (Capra Nubiana). It is probably the wild goat of the Bible.


word: Bedevil
definition:
Bedevil

Be*dev"il
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedevilled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedeviling or Bedevilling.]
1.
To throw into utter disorder and confusion, as if by the agency of evil spirits; to bring under diabolical influence; to torment.

Bedeviled and used worse than St. Bartholomew.
Sterne.

2.
To spoil; to corrupt.
Wright.


word: Bedevilment
definition:
Bedevilment

Be*dev"il*ment
(_;)
n.
The state of being bedeviled; bewildering confusion; vexatious trouble.
[Colloq.]


word: Bedew
definition:
Bedew

Be*dew"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedewed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedewing.]
To moisten with dew, or as with dew.
bedew
Dryden.


word: Bedfellow
definition:
Bedfellow

Bed"fel`low
(_;)
n.
One who lies with another in the same bed; a person who shares one's couch.


word: Bedphere
definition:
Bedphere

Bedfere

{ Bed"fere` Bed"phere` }
(_;)
n.
[Bed + AS. fera a companion.]
A bedfellow.
[Obs.]
Chapman.


word: Bedight
definition:
Bedight

Be*dight"
(_;)
v. t.
[p. p. Bedight, Bedighted.]
To bedeck; to array or equip; to adorn.
[Archaic]
Milton.


word: Bedim
definition:
Bedim

Be*dim"
(be̝*dĭm")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedimmed (be̝*dĭmd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedimming.]
To make dim; to obscure or darken.
Shak.


word: Bedizen
definition:
Bedizen

Be*diz"en
(_;)
v. t.
To dress or adorn tawdrily or with false taste.

Remnants of tapestried hangings, . . . and shreds of pictures with which he had bedizened his tatters.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Bedizenment
definition:
Bedizenment

Be*diz"en*ment
(_;)
n.
That which bedizens; the act of dressing, or the state of being dressed, tawdrily.


word: Bedlam
definition:
Bedlam

Bed"lam
(_;)
n.
[See Bethlehem.]
1.
A place appropriated to the confinement and care of the insane; a madhouse.
Abp. Tillotson.

2.
An insane person; a lunatic; a madman.
[Obs.]

Let's get the bedlam to lead him.
Shak.

3.
Any place where uproar and confusion prevail.


word: Bed-moulding
definition:
Bed-moulding

Bed-molding

{ Bed"-mold`ing Bed"-mould`ing}
(bĕd"m&omacrld`ĭng)
n.
(Arch.)
The molding of a cornice immediately below the corona.
Oxf. Gloss.


word: Bedouin
definition:
Bedouin

Bed"ou*in
(_;)
n.
[F. bédouin, OF. béduin, fr. Ar. bedawī rural, living in the desert, fr. badw desert, fr. badā to live in the desert, to lead a nomadic life.]
One of the nomadic Arabs who live in tents, and are scattered over Arabia, Syria, and northern Africa, esp. in the deserts.
Bed"ou*in*ism (_;), n.


word: Bedpan
definition:
Bedpan

Bed"pan`
(_;)
n.
1.
A pan for warming beds.
Nares.

2.
A shallow chamber vessel, so constructed that it can be used by a sick person in bed.


word: Bedplate
definition:
Bedplate

Bedpiece

{ Bed"piece` (_;), Bed"plate` (_;), }
n.
(Mach.)
The foundation framing or piece, by which the other parts are supported and held in place; the bed; -- called also baseplate and soleplate.


word: Bedpost
definition:
Bedpost

Bed"post`
(_;)
n.
1.
One of the four standards that support a bedstead or the canopy over a bedstead.

2.
Anciently, a post or pin on each side of the bed to keep the clothes from falling off.  See Bedstaff.
Brewer.


word: Bedraggle
definition:
Bedraggle

Be*drag"gle
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedraggled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedraggling (_;).]
To draggle; to soil, as garments which, in walking, are suffered to drag in dust, mud, etc.
Swift.


word: Bedrench
definition:
Bedrench

Be*drench"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedrenched (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedrenching.]
To drench; to saturate with moisture; to soak.
Shak.


word: Bedridden
definition:
Bedridden

Bedrid

{ Bed"rid` (_;), Bed"rid`den (_;), }
a.
[OE. bedrede, AS. bedreda, bedrida; from bed, bedd, a bed or couch + ridda a rider; cf. OHG. pettiriso, G. bettrise. See Bed, n., and Ride, v. i. ]
Confined to the bed by sickness or infirmity.
bedrid
Shak.
bedridden
Macaulay.


word: Bedrite
definition:
Bedrite

Bedright

{ Bed"right` Bed"rite` }
(_;)
n.
[Bed + right, rite.]
The duty or privilege of the marriage bed.
Shak.


word: Bedroom
definition:
Bedroom

Bed"room
(_;)
n.
1.
A room or apartment intended or used for a bed; a lodging room.

2.
Room in a bed.
[In this sense preferably bed room.]

Then by your side no bed room me deny.
Shak.


word: Bedrop
definition:
Bedrop

Be*drop"
(_;)
v. t.
To sprinkle, as with drops.

The yellow carp, in scales bedropped with gold.
Pope.


word: Bed screw
definition:
Bed screw

Bed" screw`
(_;)
1.
(Naut.)
A form of jack screw for lifting large bodies, and assisting in launching.

2.
A long screw formerly used to fasten a bedpost to one of the adjacent side pieces.


word: bedsit
definition:
bedsit

bed"sit
n.
a furnished sitting room with sleeping accommodations (and some plumbing).

Syn. -- bedsitting room, bedsitter.


word: Bedsite
definition:
Bedsite

Bed"site`
(_;)
n.
A recess in a room for a bed.

Of the three bedrooms, two have fireplaces, and all are of fair size, with windows and bedsite well placed.
Quart. Rev.


word: bedsitter
definition:
bedsitter

bed"sit*ter
n.
a furnished sitting room with sleeping accommodations (and some plumbing).

Syn. -- bedsitting room, bedsit.


word: Bedsore
definition:
Bedsore

Bed"sore`
(_;)
n.
(Med.)
A sore on the back or hips caused by lying for a long time in bed.


word: Bedstaff
definition:
Bedstaff

Bed"staff`
(_;)
n.
pl. Bedstaves (_;).
“A wooden pin stuck anciently on the sides of the bedstead, to hold the clothes from slipping on either side.”
Johnson.

Hostess, accommodate us with a bedstaff.
B. Jonson.

Say there is no virtue in cudgels and bedstaves.
Brome.


word: Bedstock
definition:
Bedstock

Bed"stock
(_;)
n.
The front or the back part of the frame of a bedstead.
[Obs. or Dial. Eng.]


word: Bedstraw
definition:
Bedstraw

Bed"straw`
(_;)
n.
1.
Straw put into a bed.
Bacon.

2.
(Bot.)
A genus of slender herbs, usually with square stems, whorled leaves, and small white flowers.

Our Lady's bedstraw, which has yellow flowers, is Galium verum. -- White bedstraw is Galium mollugo.


word: Bedswerver
definition:
Bedswerver

Bed"swerv`er
(_;)
n.
One who swerves from and is unfaithful to the marriage vow.
[Poetic]
Shak.


word: Beduck
definition:
Beduck

Be*duck"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beducked (_;).]
To duck; to put the head under water; to immerse.
beducked
Spenser.


word: Bedung
definition:
Bedung

Be*dung"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedunged (_;).]
To cover with dung, as for manuring; to bedaub or defile, literally or figuratively.
Bp. Hall.


word: Bedwarf
definition:
Bedwarf

Be*dwarf"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedwarfed (_;).]
To make a dwarf of; to stunt or hinder the growth of; to dwarf.
Donne.


word: Bedye
definition:
Bedye

Be*dye"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bedyed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedyeing.]
To dye or stain.

Briton fields with Sarazin blood bedyed.
Spenser.


word: Bee₂
definition:
Bee

Bee
(bē)
n.
[AS. beó; akin to D. bij and bije, Icel. b&ymacr_;, Sw. & Dan. bi, OHG. pini, G. biene, and perh. Ir. beach, Lith. bitis, Skr. bha. √97.]
1.
(Zool.)
An insect of the order Hymenoptera, and family Apidæ (the honeybees), or family Andrenidæ (the solitary bees.) See Honeybee.

&hand_; There are many genera and species. The common honeybee (Apis mellifica) lives in swarms, each of which has its own queen, its males or drones, and its very numerous workers, which are barren females.  Besides the Apis mellifica there are other species and varieties of honeybees, as the Apis ligustica of Spain and Italy; the Apis Indica of India; the Apis fasciata of Egypt. The bumblebee is a species of Bombus. The tropical honeybees belong mostly to Melipoma and Trigona.

2.
A neighborly gathering of people who engage in united labor for the benefit of an individual or family; as, a quilting bee; a husking bee; a raising bee.
[U. S.]

The cellar . . . was dug by a bee in a single day.
S. G. Goodrich.

3.
pl.
[Prob. fr. AS. beáh ring, fr. b_;gan to bend. See 1st Bow.]
(Naut.)
Pieces of hard wood bolted to the sides of the bowsprit, to reeve the fore-topmast stays through; -- called also bee blocks.

Bee beetle (Zool.), a beetle (Trichodes apiarius) parasitic in beehives. -- Bee bird (Zool.), a bird that eats the honeybee, as the European flycatcher, and the American kingbird. -- Bee flower (Bot.), an orchidaceous plant of the genus Ophrys (Ophrys apifera), whose flowers have some resemblance to bees, flies, and other insects. -- Bee fly (Zool.), a two winged fly of the family Bombyliidæ. Some species, in the larval state, are parasitic upon bees. -- Bee garden, a garden or inclosure to set beehives in ; an apiary. Mortimer. -- Bee glue, a soft, unctuous matter, with which bees cement the combs to the hives, and close up the cells; -- called also propolis. -- Bee hawk (Zool.), the honey buzzard. -- Bee killer (Zool.), a large two-winged fly of the family Asilidæ (esp. Trupanea apivora) which feeds upon the honeybee. See Robber fly. -- Bee louse (Zool.), a minute, wingless, dipterous insect (Braula cæca) parasitic on hive bees. -- Bee martin (Zool.), the kingbird (Tyrannus Carolinensis) which occasionally feeds on bees. -- Bee moth (Zool.), a moth (Galleria cereana) whose larvæ feed on honeycomb, occasioning great damage in beehives. -- Bee wolf (Zool.), the larva of the bee beetle. See Illust. of Bee beetle. -- To have a bee in the head or To have a bee in the bonnet. (a) To be choleric. [Obs.] (b) To be restless or uneasy. B. Jonson. (c) To be full of fancies; to be a little crazy. “She's whiles crack-brained, and has a bee in her head.” Sir W. Scott.


word: bee balm
definition:
bee balm

beebalm

beebalm, bee balm
n.
1.
a perennial herb (Monarda fistulosa) of North America.

2.
a perennial aromatic herb of eastern North America (Monarda didyma)  having variously colored tubular flowers in dense showy heads.

Syn. -- bee balm, bergamot mint, oswego tea.

3.
a bushy perennial Old World mint, Melissa officinalis, having small white or yellowish flowers and fragrant lemon-flavored leaves; a garden escapee in northern Europe and North America.

Syn. -- lemon balm, garden balm, sweet balm, bee balm, Melissa officinalis.


word: Beebread
definition:
Beebread

Bee"bread`
(_;)
n.
A brown, bitter substance found in some of the cells of honeycomb. It is made chiefly from the pollen of flowers, which is collected by bees as food for their young.


word: Beech
definition:
Beech

Beech
(_;)
n.
pl. Beeches (_;).
[OE. beche, AS. b_;ce; akin to D. beuk, OHG. buocha, G. buche, Icel. beyki, Dan. bög, Sw. bok, Russ. buk, L. fagus, Gr. _; oak, _; to eat, Skr. bhaksh; the tree being named originally from the esculent fruit. See Book, and cf. 7th Buck, Buckwheat.]
(Bot.)
A tree of the genus Fagus.

&hand_; It grows to a large size, having a smooth bark and thick foliage, and bears an edible triangular nut, of which swine are fond. The Fagus sylvatica is the European species, and the Fagus ferruginea that of America.

Beech drops (Bot.), a parasitic plant which grows on the roots of beeches (Epiphegus Americana). -- Beech marten (Zool.), the stone marten of Europe (Mustela foina). -- Beech mast, the nuts of the beech, esp. as they lie under the trees, in autumn. -- Beech oil, oil expressed from the mast or nuts of the beech tree. -- Cooper beech, a variety of the European beech with copper-colored, shining leaves.


word: Beechen
definition:
Beechen

Beech"en
(_;)
a.
[AS. b_;cen.]
Consisting, or made, of the wood or bark of the beech; belonging to the beech.
beechen
Dryden.


word: Bee-eater
definition:
Bee-eater

Bee"-eat`er
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
(a)
A bird of the genus Merops, that feeds especially on bees. The European species (Merops apiaster) is remarkable for its brilliant colors.
(b)
An African bird of the genus Rhinopomastes.


word: Beef
definition:
Beef

Beef
(bēf)
n.
[OE. boef, befe, beef, OF. boef, buef, F. bœef, fr. L. bos, bovis, ox; akin to Gr. boy^s, Skr. g&omacr cow, and E. cow. See 2d Cow.]
1.
An animal of the genus Bos, especially the common species, Bos taurus, including the bull, cow, and ox, in their full grown state; esp., an ox or cow fattened for food.
[In this, which is the original sense, the word has a plural, beeves (bēvz).]

A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine.
Milton.

2.
The flesh of an ox, or cow, or of any adult bovine animal, when slaughtered for food.
[In this sense, the word has no plural.]
beef
Shak.

3.
Applied colloquially to human flesh.


word: Beef₂
definition:
Beef

Beef
(bēf)
a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, beef.

Beef tea, essence of beef, or strong beef broth.


word: beefalo
definition:
beefalo

beef"a*lo
(bē"fȧ*lo̝)
n.
a hardy breed of beef cattle derived as a cross between the American bison and domestic cattle, usually being genetically 3/8 bison and 5/8 domestic bovine; -- it yields leaner beef than conventional breeds.


word: Beefeater
definition:
Beefeater

Beef"eat`er
(bēf"ēt`ẽr)
n.
[Beef + eater; prob. one who eats another's beef, as his servant. Cf. AS. hlāf&aemacr_;ta servant, properly a loaf eater.]
1.
One who eats beef; hence, a large, fleshy person.

2.
One of the yeomen of the guard, in England.

3.
(Zool.)
An African bird of the genus Buphaga, which feeds on the larvæ of botflies hatched under the skin of oxen, antelopes, etc. Two species are known.


word: bee fly
definition:
bee fly

bee" fly`
(bē" flī`)
n.
any dipterous insect of the family Bombyliidae, which eat nectar and in some cases resemble bees.  Their larvae are parasitic on the larvae of bees and other insects.


word: Beefsteak
definition:
Beefsteak

Beef"steak`
(bēf"stāk)
n.
A steak of beef; a slice of beef broiled or suitable for broiling.


word: Beefwood
definition:
Beefwood

Beef"wood`
(_;)
n.
An Australian tree (Casuarina), and its red wood, used for cabinetwork; also, the trees Stenocarpus salignus of New South Wales, and Banksia compar of Queensland.


word: Beehive
definition:
Beehive

Bee"hive`
(_;)
n.
A hive for a swarm of bees. Also used figuratively.

&hand_; A common and typical form of beehive was a domeshaped inverted basket, whence certain ancient Irish and Scotch architectural remains are called beehive houses.


word: Bee line
definition:
Bee line

Bee" line`
(_;)
The shortest line from one place to another, like that of a bee to its hive when loaded with honey; an air line.
bee line
Kane.


word: Beelzebub
definition:
Beelzebub

Be*el"ze*bub
(_;)
n.
The title of a heathen deity to whom the Jews ascribed the sovereignty of the evil spirits; hence, the Devil or a devil. See Baal.


word: Been
definition:
Been

Been
(_;)
[OE. beon, ben, bin, p. p. of been, beon, to be. See Be.]
The past participle of Be. In old authors it is also the pr. tense plural of Be. See 1st Bee.

Assembled been a senate grave and stout.
Fairfax.


word: Beer
definition:
Beer

Beer
(_;)
n.
[OE. beor, ber, AS. beór; akin to Fries. biar, Icel. bj_;rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E. brew. √93, See Brew.]
1.
A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other substance to impart a bitter flavor.

&hand_; Beer has different names, as small beer, ale, porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its strength, or other qualities. See Ale.

2.
A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.

Small beer, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. “To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer.”  Shak.


word: beer belly
definition:
beer belly

beer" bel`ly
n.
a protruding potbelly caused by excessive drinking of beer.

Syn. -- beer gut.

In one of the less surprising revelations of the year,
researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and
colleagues have confirmed that excessive consumption of beer
can lead to the condition commonly known as beer belly.  At
the same time, however, they discovered that, beyond aesthetic
concerns, the condition may point to health hazards of a more
serious nature. In a comparison of beer drinkers and wine
drinkers, the scientists found that beer tends to build a
central paunch, or “potbelly”, while wine drinkers tend to
have narrower waists, even when the same amount of alcohol and
calories is consumed by both.
The Scientist -- December 11, 1995.


word: Beeswing
definition:
Beeswing

Bees"wing`
(_;)
n.
The second crust formed in port and some other wines after long keeping. It consists of pure, shining scales of tartar, supposed to resemble the wing of a bee.


word: Beet
definition:
Beet

Beet
(bēt)
n.
[AS. bete, from L. beta.]
1.
(Bot.)
A biennial plant of the genus Beta, which produces an edible root the first year and seed the second year.

2.
The root of plants of the genus Beta, different species and varieties of which are used for the table, for feeding stock, or in making sugar.

&hand_; There are many varieties of the common beet (Beta vulgaris). The Old “white beet”, cultivated for its edible leafstalks, is a distinct species (Beta Cicla).


word: Bete
definition:
Bete

Beete

{ Beete, Bete  }
(bēt)
v. t.
[AS. bētan to mend. See Better.]
1.
To mend; to repair.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
To renew or enkindle (a fire).
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Beethoven
definition:
Beethoven

Beethoven
n.
1.
Ludwig van Beethoven, a renowned German composer, born 1770, died 1827.

Syn. -- van Beethoven.

2.
the music of Beethoven.
He enjoyed Beethoven most of all.


word: Beetle
definition:
Beetle

Bee"tle
(bē"t'l)
n.
[OE. betel, AS. bītl, b_;tl, mallet, hammer, fr. beátan to beat. See Beat, v. t.]
1.
A heavy mallet, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc.

2.
A machine in which fabrics are subjected to a hammering process while passing over rollers, as in cotton mills; -- called also beetling machine.
Knight.


word: Beetle₂
definition:
Beetle

Bee"tle
(bē"t'l)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beetled (-t'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Beetling.]
1.
To beat with a heavy mallet.

2.
To finish by subjecting to a hammering process in a beetle or beetling machine; as, to beetle cotton goods.


word: Beetle₃
definition:
Beetle

Bee"tle
n.
[OE. bityl, bittle, AS. bītel, fr. bītan to bite. See Bite, v. t.]
Any insect of the order Coleoptera, having four wings, the outer pair being stiff cases for covering the others when they are folded up. See Coleoptera.

Beetle mite (Zool.), one of many species of mites, of the family Oribatidæ, parasitic on beetles. -- Black beetle, the common large black cockroach (Blatta orientalis).


word: Beetle₄
definition:
Beetle

Bee"tle
v. i.
[See Beetlebrowed.]
To extend over and beyond the base or support; to overhang; to jut.

To the dreadful summit of the cliff
That beetles o'er his base into the sea.
Shak.

Each beetling rampart, and each tower sublime.
Wordsworth.


word: Beetle-browed
definition:
Beetle-browed

Bee"tle-browed`
(_;)
[OE. bitelbrowed; cf. OE. bitel, adj., sharp, projecting, n., a beetle. See Beetle an insect.]
Having prominent, overhanging brows; hence, lowering or sullen.

&hand_; The earlier meaning was, “Having bushy or overhanging eyebrows.”


word: Beetlehead
definition:
Beetlehead

Bee"tle*head`
(_;)
n.
[Beetle a mallet + head.]

1.
A stupid fellow; a blockhead.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
(Zool.)
The black-bellied plover, or bullhead (Squatarola helvetica). See Plover.


word: Beetrave
definition:
Beetrave

Beet"rave`
(_;)
n.
[F. betterave; bette beet + rave radish.]
The common beet (Beta vulgaris).


word: Beeve
definition:
Beeve

Beeve
(_;)
n.
[Formed from beeves, pl. of beef.]
A beef; a beef creature.

They would knock down the first beeve they met with.
W. Irving.


word: Befall
definition:
Befall

Be*fall"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. Befell (_;); p. p. Befallen (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Befalling.]
[AS. befeallan; pref. be- + feallan to fall.]
To happen to.

I beseech your grace that I may know
The worst that may befall me.
Shak.


word: Befall₂
definition:
Befall

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

I have revealed . . . the discord which befell.
Milton.


word: Befit
definition:
Befit

Be*fit"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Befitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Befitting.]
To be suitable to; to suit; to become.

That name best befits thee.
Milton.


word: Befog
definition:
Befog

Be*fog"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Befogged (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Befogging (_;).]
1.
To involve in a fog; -- mostly as a participle or part. adj.

2.
Hence: To confuse; to mystify.


word: befogged
definition:
befogged

befogged
adj.
confused and vague; used especially of thinking.
a mind befogged with drink

Syn. -- addled, befuddled, muddled, muzzy, unclear, woolly, wooly, woolly-headed, wooly-minded.


word: Befool
definition:
Befool

Be*fool"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Befooled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Befooling.]
[OE. befolen; pref. be- + fol fool.]
1.
To fool; to delude or lead into error; to infatuate; to deceive.

This story . . . contrived to befool credulous men.
Fuller.

2.
To cause to behave like a fool; to make foolish.
befooling
G. Eliot.


word: Before
definition:
Before

Be*fore"
(_;)
prep.
[OE. beforen, biforen, before, AS. beforan; pref. be- + foran, fore, before. See Be-, and Fore.]
1.
In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.

His angel, who shall go
Before them in a cloud and pillar of fire.
Milton.

2.
Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that.

Before Abraham was, I am.
John viii. 58.

Before this treatise can become of use, two points are necessary.
Swift.

&hand_; Formerly before, in this sense, was followed by that. “Before that Philip called thee . . . I saw thee.”
John i. 48.

3.
An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.

The golden age . . . is before us.
Carlyle.

4.
Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than.

He that cometh after me is preferred before me.
John i. 15.

The eldest son is before the younger in succession.
Johnson.

5.
In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.

Abraham bowed down himself before the people.
Gen. xxiii. 12.

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord?
Micah vi. 6.

6.
Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.

If a suit be begun before an archdeacon.
Ayliffe.

7.
Open for; free of access to; in the power of.

The world was all before them where to choose.
Milton.

Before the mast (Naut.), as a common sailor, -- because the sailors live in the forecastle, forward of the foremast. -- Before the wind (Naut.), in the direction of the wind and by its impulse; having the wind aft.


word: Before₂
definition:
Before

Be*fore"
adv.
1.
On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; -- opposed to in the rear.

The battle was before and behind.
2 Chron. xiii. 14.

2.
In advance.
before
Shak.

3.
In time past; previously; already.

You tell me, mother, what I knew before.
Dryden.

4.
Earlier; sooner than; until then.

When the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before.
Shak.

&hand_; Before is often used in self-explaining compounds; as, before-cited, before-mentioned; beforesaid.


word: Beforehand
definition:
Beforehand

Be*fore"hand`
(_;)
adv.
[Before + hand.]

1.
In a state of anticipation ore preoccupation; in advance; -- often followed by with.

Agricola . . . resolves to be beforehand with the danger.
Milton.

The last cited author has been beforehand with me.
Addison.

2.
By way of preparation, or preliminary; previously; aforetime.

They may be taught beforehand the skill of speaking.
Hooker.


word: Beforehand₂
definition:
Beforehand

Be*fore"hand`
a.
In comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded.

Rich and much beforehand.
Bacon.


word: Beforetime
definition:
Beforetime

Be*fore"time`
(_;)
adv.
Formerly; aforetime.

[They] dwelt in their tents, as beforetime.
2 Kings xiii. 5.


word: Befoul
definition:
Befoul

Be*foul"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Befouled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Befouling.]
[Cf. AS. bef_;lan; pref. be- + f_;lan to foul. See Foul, a.]
1.
To make foul; to soil.

2.
To entangle or run against so as to impede motion.


word: Befriend
definition:
Befriend

Be*friend"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Befriended; p. pr. & vb. n. Befriending.]
To act as a friend to; to favor; to aid, benefit, or countenance.

By the darkness befriended.
Longfellow.


word: Befringe
definition:
Befringe

Be*fringe"
(_;)
v. t.
To furnish with a fringe; to form a fringe upon; to adorn as with fringe.
Fuller.


word: Befuddle
definition:
Befuddle

Be*fud"dle
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Befuddled (_;)]
To becloud and confuse, as with liquor.


word: befuddled
definition:
befuddled

befuddled
adj.
1.
dazed by alcoholic drink.
the wino's poor befuddled mind

Syn. -- stupefied.

2.
unclear in mind or intent; filled with bewilderment.

Syn. -- at sea, bemused, bewildered, confounded, confused, mazed, mixed-up.

3.
confused and vague; used especially of thinking.

Syn. -- addled, befogged, muddled, muzzy, unclear, woolly, wooly, woolly-headed, wooly-minded.


word: Beg
definition:
Beg

Beg
(_;)
n.
[Turk. beg, pronounced bay. Cf. Bey, Begum.]
A title of honor in Turkey and in some other parts of the East; a bey.


word: Beg₂
definition:
Beg

Beg
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Begged (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Begging.]
[OE. beggen, perh. fr. AS. bedecian (akin to Goth. bedagwa beggar), biddan to ask. (Cf. Bid, v. t.); or cf. beghard, beguin.]
1.
To ask earnestly for; to entreat or supplicate for; to beseech.

I do beg your good will in this case.
Shak.

[Joseph] begged the body of Jesus.
Matt. xxvii. 58.

Sometimes implying deferential and respectful, rather than earnest, asking; as, I beg your pardon; I beg leave to disagree with you.

2.
To ask for as a charity, esp. to ask for habitually or from house to house.

Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Ps. xxxvii. 25.

3.
To make petition to; to entreat; as, to beg a person to grant a favor.

4.
To take for granted; to assume without proof.

5.
(Old Law)
To ask to be appointed guardiln for, or to aso to havo a guardian appointed for.

Else some will beg thee, in the court of wards.
Harrington.

Hence: To beg (one) for a fool, to take him for a fool.

I beg to, is an elliptical expression for I beg leave to; as, I beg to inform you. -- To beg the question, to assume that which was to be proved in a discussion, instead of adducing the proof or sustaining the point by argument. -- To go a-begging, a figurative phrase to express the absence of demand for something which elsewhere brings a price; as, grapes are so plentiful there that they go a-begging.


word: Beg₃
definition:
Beg

Beg
v. i.
To ask alms or charity, especially to ask habitually by the wayside or from house to house; to live by asking alms.

I can not dig; to beg I am ashamed.
Luke xvi. 3.


word: Begem
definition:
Begem

Be*gem"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Begemmed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Begemming.]
To adorn with gems, or as with gems.

Begemmed with dewdrops.
Sir W. Scott.

Those lonely realms bright garden isles begem.
Shelley.


word: Beget
definition:
Beget

Be*get"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. Begot (_;), (Archaic) Begat (_;); p. p. Begot, Begotten (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Begetting.]
[OE. bigiten, bigeten, to get, beget, AS. begitan to get; pref. be- + gitan. See Get, v. t. ]
1.
To procreate, as a father or sire; to generate; -- commonly said of the father.

Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget.
Milton.

2.
To get (with child.)
[Obs.]
Shak.

3.
To produce as an effect; to cause to exist.

Love is begot by fancy.
Granville.


word: Beggar
definition:
Beggar

Beg"gar
(_;)
n.
[OE. beggere, fr. beg.]
1.
One who begs; one who asks or entreats earnestly, or with humility; a petitioner.

2.
One who makes it his business to ask alms.

3.
One who is dependent upon others for support; -- a contemptuous or sarcastic use.

4.
One who assumes in argument what he does not prove.
Abp. Tillotson.


word: Beggar₂
definition:
Beggar

Beg"gar
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beggared (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beggaring.]
1.
To reduce to beggary; to impoverish; as, he had beggared himself.
Milton.

2.
To cause to seem very poor and inadequate.

It beggared all description.
Shak.


word: beggar-lice
definition:
beggar-lice

beggar-lice
n.
1.
any of various Eurasian and North American plants having small prickly nutlets that stick to clothing.

Syn. -- beggar's lice, beggar's-lice, beggar lice.

2.
any of various tropical and subtropical plants having trifoliate leaves and rough sticky pod sections or loments.

Syn. -- tick trefoil, tick-trefoil, beggar's-lice.


word: Beggarly
definition:
Beggarly

Beg"gar*ly
(_;)
a.
1.
In the condition of, or like, a beggar; suitable for a beggar; extremely indigent; poverty-stricken; mean; poor; contemptible.
beggarly
South.
beggarly
Swift.
Beggarly
Gal. iv. 9.

2.
Produced or occasioned by beggary.
[Obs.]

Beggarly sins, that is, those sins which idleness and beggary usually betray men to; such as lying, flattery, stealing, and dissimulation.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Beggar's lice
definition:
Beggar's lice

Beg"gar's lice`
(_;)
(Bot.)
The prickly fruit or seed of certain plants (as some species of Echinospermum and Cynoglossum) which cling to the clothing of those who brush by them.


word: Beggar's ticks
definition:
Beggar's ticks

Beg"gar's ticks`
(_;)
The bur marigold (Bidens) and its achenes, which are armed with barbed awns, and adhere to clothing and fleeces with unpleasant tenacity; -- also called beggar-ticks.


word: beggar-ticks
definition:
beggar-ticks

beggar-ticks
n.
1.
the seed of bur marigolds.

Syn. -- spanish needles.

2.
any of several plants of the genus Bidens having yellow flowers and pricky fruits that cling to fur and clothing; -- also called beggar's-ticks.

Syn. -- bur marigold, burr marigold, beggar's-ticks, sticktight.


word: Beggary
definition:
Beggary

Beg"gar*y
(_;)
n.
[OE. beggerie. See Beggar, n.]
1.
The act of begging; the state of being a beggar; mendicancy; extreme poverty.

2.
Beggarly appearance.
[R.]

The freedom and the beggary of the old studio.
Thackeray.


word: Beguard
definition:
Beguard

Beghard

{ Be*ghard" Be*guard" }
(_;)
n.
[F. bégard, béguard; cf. G. beghard, LL. Beghardus, Begihardus, Begardus. Prob. from the root of beguine + -ard or -hard. See Beguine.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of an association of religious laymen living in imitation of the Beguines. They arose in the thirteenth century, were afterward subjected to much persecution, and were suppressed by Innocent X. in 1650.  Called also Beguins.


word: Begin
definition:
Begin

Be*gin"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Began (_;), Begun (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beginning (_;).]
[AS. beginnan (akin to OS. biginnan, D. & G. beginnen, OHG. biginnan, Goth., du-ginnan, Sw. begynna, Dan. begynde); pref. be- + an assumed ginnan. √31. See Gin to begin.]
1.
To have or commence an independent or first existence; to take rise; to commence.

Vast chain of being! which from God began.
Pope.

2.
To do the first act or the first part of an action; to enter upon or commence something new, as a new form or state of being, or course of action; to take the first step; to start.
began
Dryden.

When I begin, I will also make an end.
1 Sam. iii. 12.


word: Begin₂
definition:
Begin

Be*gin"
v. t.
1.
To enter on; to commence.

Ye nymphs of Solyma ! begin the song.
Pope.

2.
To trace or lay the foundation of; to make or place a beginning of.

The apostle begins our knowledge in the creatures, which leads us to the knowledge of God.
Locke.


word: Beginner
definition:
Beginner

Be*gin"ner
(_;)
n.
One who begins or originates anything. Specifically: A young or inexperienced practitioner or student; a tyro.

A sermon of a new beginner.
Swift.


word: Beginning
definition:
Beginning

Be*gin"ning
(_;)
n.
1.
The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Gen. i. 1.

2.
That which begins or originates something; the first cause; origin; source.

 I am . . . the beginning and the ending.
Rev. i. 8.

3.
That which is begun; a rudiment or element.

Mighty things from small beginnings grow.
Dryden.

4.
Enterprise.
beginnings
Shak.


word: Begird
definition:
Begird

Be*gird"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. Begirt (_;), Begirded; p. p. Begirt; p. pr. & vb. n. Begirding.]
[AS. begyrdan (akin to Goth. bigairdan); pref. be- + gyrdan to gird.]
1.
To bind with a band or girdle; to gird.

2.
To surround as with a band; to encompass.


word: Beglerbeg
definition:
Beglerbeg

Beg"ler*beg`
(_;)
n.
[Turk. beglerbeg, fr. beg, pl. begler. See Beg, n.]
The governor of a province of the Ottoman empire, next in dignity to the grand vizier.


word: Begnaw
definition:
Begnaw

Be*gnaw"
(_;)
v. t.
[p. p. Begnawed (_;), (R.) Begnawn (_;).]
[AS. begnagan; pref. be- + gnagan to gnaw.]
To gnaw; to eat away; to corrode.

The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul.
Shak.


word: Begod
definition:
Begod

Be*god"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Begodded.]
To exalt to the dignity of a god; to deify.
[Obs.]
Begodded
South.


word: Begohm
definition:
Begohm

Beg"ohm`
(?)
n.
(Elec.)
A unit of resistance equal to one billion ohms, or one thousand megohms.


word: Begone₂
definition:
Begone

Be*gone"
p. p.
[OE. begon, AS. bigān; pref. be- + gān to go.]
Surrounded; furnished; beset; environed (as in woe-begone).
[Obs.]
Gower. Chaucer.


word: Begonia
definition:
Begonia

Be*go"ni*a
(be̝*g&omacr"nĭ*ȧ)
n.
[From Michel Begon, a promoter of botany.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants, mostly of tropical America, many species of which are grown as ornamental plants. The leaves are curiously one-sided, and often exhibit brilliant colors.


word: Begoniaceae
definition:
Begoniaceae

Begoniaceae
n.
a natural family of monoecious succulent herbs or shrubs of tropical and warm regions especially America.

Syn. -- family Begoniaceae, begonia family.


word: Begrave
definition:
Begrave

Be*grave"
(_;)
v. t.
[Pref. be- + grave; akin to G. begraben, Goth. bigraban to dig a ditch around.]
To bury; also, to engrave.
[Obs.]
Gower.


word: Begrime
definition:
Begrime

Be*grime"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Begrimed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Begriming.]
To soil with grime or dirt deeply impressed or rubbed in.

Books falling to pieces and begrimed with dust.
Macaulay.


word: Begrudge
definition:
Begrudge

Be*grudge"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Begrudged (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Begrudging.]
To grudge; to envy the possession of.


word: begrudging
definition:
begrudging

begrudging
adj.
being given reluctantly or with displeasure.

Syn. -- envious, grudging.


word: Beguile
definition:
Beguile

Be*guile"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beguiled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beguiling.]
1.
To delude by guile, artifice, or craft; to deceive or impose on, as by a false statement; to lure.

The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Gen. iii. 13.

2.
To elude, or evade by craft; to foil.
[Obs.]

When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage.
Shak.

3.
To cause the time of to pass without notice; to relieve the tedium or weariness of; to while away; to divert.

Ballads . . . to beguile his incessant wayfaring.
W. Irving.


word: beguiled
definition:
beguiled

beguiled
adj.
filled with wonder and delight.

Syn. -- captivated, charmed, delighted, enthralled, entranced.


word: Beguinage
definition:
Beguinage

Be`gui`nage"
(_;)
n.
[F.]
A collection of small houses surrounded by a wall and occupied by a community of Beguines.


word: Beguine
definition:
Beguine

Be`guine"
(_;)
n.
[F. béguine; LL. beguina, beghina; fr. Lambert le Bègue (the Stammerer) the founder of the order. (Du Cange.)]
A woman belonging to one of the religious and charitable associations or communities in the Netherlands, and elsewhere, whose members live in beguinages and are not bound by perpetual vows.


word: Begum
definition:
Begum

Be"gum
(_;)
n.
[Per., fr. Turk., perh. properly queen mother, fr. Turk. beg (see Beg, n.) + Ar. umm mother.]
In the East Indies, a princess or lady of high rank.
Malcom.


word: Behalf
definition:
Behalf

Be*half"
(_;)
n.
[OE. on-behalve in the name of, bihalven by the side of, fr. AS. healf half, also side, part: akin to G. halb half, halber on account of. See Be-, and Half, n.]
Advantage; favor; stead; benefit; interest; profit; support; defense; vindication.

In behalf of his mistress's beauty.
Sir P. Sidney.

Against whom he had contracted some prejudice in behalf of his nation.
Clarendon.

In behalf of, in the interest of. -- On behalf of, on account of; on the part of.


word: Behave
definition:
Behave

Be*have"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Behaved (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Behaving.]
[AS. behabban to surround, restrain, detain (akin to G. gehaben (obs.) to have, sich gehaben to behave or carry one's self); pref. be- + habban to have. See Have, v. t. ]
1.
To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline; to handle; to restrain.
[Obs.]

He did behave his anger ere 't was spent.
Shak.

2.
To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; -- used reflexively.

Those that behaved themselves manfully.
2 Macc. ii. 21.


word: Behave₂
definition:
Behave

Be*have"
v. i.
To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to behave well or ill.

&hand_; This verb is often used colloquially without an adverb of manner; as, if he does not behave, he will be punished. It is also often applied to inanimate objects; as, the ship behaved splendidly.


word: Behavior
definition:
Behavior

Be*hav"ior
(_;)
n.
Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; mode of conducting one's self; conduct; deportment; carriage; -- used also of inanimate objects; as, the behavior of a ship in a storm; the behavior of the magnetic needle.

A gentleman that is very singular in his behavior.
Steele.

To be upon one's good behavior, To be put upon one's good behavior, to be in a state of trial, in which something important depends on propriety of conduct. -- During good behavior, while (or so long as) one conducts one's self with integrity and fidelity or with propriety.


word: behaviorism
definition:
behaviorism

behaviorism
n.
an approach to psychology that emphasizes observable measurable behavior.

Syn. -- behaviourism, behavioristic psychology, behaviouristic psychology.


word: behaviourism
definition:
behaviourism

behaviourism
n.
same as behaviorism.

Syn. -- behaviorism, behavioristic psychology, behaviouristic psychology.


word: behavioristic
definition:
behavioristic

behaviorist

behaviorist behavioristic
adj.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of behaviorists or behaviorism.


word: Behead
definition:
Behead

Be*head"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beheaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Beheading.]
[OE. bihefden, AS. beheáfdian; pref. be- + heáfod head. See Head.]
To sever the head from; to take off the head of.


word: Behemoth
definition:
Behemoth

Be"he*moth
(_;)
n.
[Heb. behem&omacrth, fr. Egyptian P-ehe-maut hippopotamus.]
1.
An animal, probably the hippopotamus, described in Job xl. 15-24.

2.
something of large size or great power.


word: Behn
definition:
Behn

Behen

{ Be"hen (_;), Behn  }
(_;)
n.
[Per. & Ar. bahman, behmen, an herb, whose leaves resemble ears of corn, saffron.]
(Bot.)
(a)
The Centaurea behen, or saw-leaved centaury.
(b)
The Cucubalus behen, or bladder campion, now called Silene inflata.
(c)
The Statice limonium, or sea lavender.


word: Behest
definition:
Behest

Be*hest"
(_;)
n.
[OE. biheste promise, command, AS. beh&aemacr_;s promise; pref. be- + h&aemacr_;s command. See Hest, Hight.]
1.
That which is willed or ordered; a command; a mandate; an injunction.

To do his master's high behest.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
A vow; a promise.
[Obs.]

The time is come that I should send it her, if I keep the behest that I have made.
Paston.


word: Behight
definition:
Behight

Be*hight"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. Behight; p. p. Behight, Behoten.]
[OE. bihaten, AS. behātan to vow, promise; pref. be- + hātan to call, command. See Hight, v.]
[Obs. in all its senses.]
1.
To promise; to vow.

Behight by vow unto the chaste Minerve.
Surrey.

2.
To give in trust; to commit; to intrust.

The keys are to thy hand behight.
Spenser.

3.
To adjudge; to assign by authority.

The second was to Triamond behight.
Spenser.

4.
To mean, or intend.

More than heart behighteth.
Mir. for Mag.

5.
To consider or esteem to be; to declare to be.

All the lookers-on him dead behight.
Spenser.

6.
To call; to name; to address.

Whom . . . he knew and thus behight.
Spenser.

7.
To command; to order.

He behight those gates to be unbarred.
Spenser.


word: Behind
definition:
Behind

Be*hind"
(_;)
prep.
[AS. behindan; pref. be- + hindan. See Hind, a.]
1.
On the side opposite the front or nearest part; on the back side of; at the back of; on the other side of; as, behind a door; behind a hill.

A tall Brabanter, behind whom I stood.
Bp. Hall.

2.
Left after the departure of, whether this be by removing to a distance or by death.

A small part of what he left behind him.
Pope.

3.
Left a distance by, in progress of improvement Hence: Inferior to in dignity, rank, knowledge, or excellence, or in any achievement.

I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2 Cor. xi. 5.


word: Behind₂
definition:
Behind

Be*hind"
adv.
1.
At the back part; in the rear.
behind
Milton.

2.
Toward the back part or rear; backward; as, to look behind.

3.
Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.

We can not be sure that there is no evidence behind.
Locke.

4.
Backward in time or order of succession; past.

Forgetting those things which are behind.
Phil. ii. 13.

5.
After the departure of another; as, to stay behind.

Leave not a rack behind.
Shak.


word: Behindhand
definition:
Behindhand

Be*hind"hand`
(_;)
adv. & a.
[Behind + hand.]

1.
In arrears financially; in a state where expenditures have exceeded the receipt of funds.

2.
In a state of backwardness, in respect to what is seasonable or appropriate, or as to what should have been accomplished; not equally forward with some other person or thing; dilatory; backward; late; tardy; as, behindhand in studies or in work.

In this also [dress] the country are very much behindhand.
Addison.


word: Behold
definition:
Behold

Be*hold"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beheld (_;) (p. p. formerly Beholden (_;), now used only as a p. a.); p. pr. & vb. n. Beholding.]
[OE. bihalden, biholden, AS. behealdan to hold, have in sight; pref. be- + healdan to hold, keep; akin to G. behalten to hold, keep. See Hold.]
To have in sight; to see clearly; to look at; to regard with the eyes.

When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Num. xxi. 9.

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John. i. 29.


word: Behold₂
definition:
Behold

Be*hold"
v. i.
To direct the eyes to, or fix them upon, an object; to look; to see.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, . . . a lamb as it had been slain.
Rev. v. 6.


word: Beholden
definition:
Beholden

Be*hold"en
(_;)
p. a.
[Old p. p. of behold, used in the primitive sense of the simple verb hold.]
Obliged; bound in gratitude; indebted.

But being so beholden to the Prince.
Tennyson.


word: Beholding
definition:
Beholding

Be*hold"ing
a.
Obliged; beholden.
[Obs.]

I was much bound and beholding to the right reverend father.
Robynson (More's Utopia).

So much hath Oxford been beholding to her nephews, or sister's children.
Fuller.


word: Behoof
definition:
Behoof

Be*hoof"
(_;)
n.
[OE. to bihove for the use of, AS. beh_;f advantage, a word implied in beh_;flīc necessary; akin to Sw. behof, Dan. behov, G. behuf, and E. heave, the root meaning to seize, hence the meanings “to hold, make use of.” See Heave, v. t.]
Advantage; profit; benefit; interest; use.

No mean recompense it brings
To your behoof.
Milton.


word: Behoove
definition:
Behoove

Be*hoove"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Behooved (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Behooving.]
[OE. bihoven, behoven, AS. beh_;fian to have need of, fr. beh_;f. See Behoof.]
To be necessary for; to be fit for; to be meet for, with respect to necessity, duty, or convenience; -- mostly used impersonally.

And thus it behooved Christ to suffer.
Luke xxiv. 46.


word: Behoove₂
definition:
Behoove

Be*hoove"
(_;)
v. i.
To be necessary, fit, or suitable; to befit; to belong as due.
Chaucer.


word: Behooveful
definition:
Behooveful

Be*hoove"ful
(_;)
a.
Advantageous; useful; profitable.
[Archaic]
Be*hoove"ful*ly, adv. -- Be*hoove"ful*ness, n. [Archaic]


word: Beijing
definition:
Beijing

Beijing
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of China.  Formerly called Peking.  Population (2000) = 12,033,000.


word: Beild
definition:
Beild

Beild
(_;)
n.
[Prob. from the same root as build, v. t.]
A place of shelter; protection; refuge.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
[Also written bield and beeld.]

The random beild o' clod or stane.
Burns.


word: Being
definition:
Being

Be"ing
(_;)
p. pr.
Be
Existing.

&hand_; Being was formerly used where we now use having. “Being to go to a ball in a few days.” Miss Edgeworth.

&hand_; In modern usage, is, are, was or were being, with a past participle following (as built, made, etc.) indicates the process toward the completed result expressed by the participle. The form is or was building, in this passive signification, is idiomatic, and, if free from ambiguity, is commonly preferable to the modern is or was being built. The last form of speech is, however, sufficiently authorized by approved writers. The older expression was is, or was, a-building or in building.

A man who is being strangled.
Lamb.

While the article on Burns was being written.
Froude.

Fresh experience is always being gained.
Jowett (Thucyd. )


word: Being₂
definition:
Being

Be"ing
n.
1.
Existence, as opposed to nonexistence; state or sphere of existence.

In Him we live, and move, and have our being.
Acts xvii. 28.

2.
That which exists in any form, whether it be material or spiritual, actual or ideal; living existence, as distinguished from a thing without life; as, a human being; spiritual beings.

What a sweet being is an honest mind !
Beau. & Fl.

A Being of infinite benevolence and power.
Wordsworth.

3.
Lifetime; mortal existence.
[Obs.]

Claudius, thou
Wast follower of his fortunes in his being.
Webster (1654).

4.
An abode; a cottage.
[Prov. Eng.]
Wright.

It was a relief to dismiss them [Sir Roger's servants] into little beings within my manor.
Steele.


word: Being₃
definition:
Being

Be"ing
adv.
Since; inasmuch as.
[Obs. or Colloq.]

And being you have
Declined his means, you have increased his malice.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Bejewel
definition:
Bejewel

Be*jew"el
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Bejeweled or Bejewelled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bejeweling or Bejewelling.]
To ornament with a jewel or with jewels; to spangle.
Bejeweled
Thackeray.


word: Bejuco
definition:
Bejuco

Be*ju"co
(?)
n.
[Sp., a reed or woody vine.]
Any climbing woody vine of the tropics with the habit of a  liane; in the Philippines, esp. any of various species of Calamus, the cane or rattan palm.


word: Bel
definition:
Bel

Bel
(_;)
n.
The Babylonian name of the god known among the Hebrews as Baal. See Baal.
Baruch vi. 41.


word: Bel₂
definition:
Bel

Bel
(bĕl)
n.
[Hind., fr. Skr. bilva.]
A thorny rutaceous tree (Ægle marmelos) of India, and its aromatic, orange-like fruit; -- called also Bengal quince, golden apple, wood apple. The fruit is used medicinally, and the rind yields a perfume and a yellow dye.


word: Belabor
definition:
Belabor

Be*la"bor
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belabored (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Belaboring.]
1.
To ply diligently; to work carefully upon.
belabored
Barrow.

2.
To beat soundly; to cudgel.

Ajax belabors there a harmless ox.
Dryden.


word: Bel-accoyle
definition:
Bel-accoyle

Bel`-ac*coyle"
(_;)
n.
[F. bel beautiful + accueil reception.]
A kind or favorable reception or salutation.
[Obs.]


word: Belace
definition:
Belace

Be*lace"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belaced (_;).]

1.
To fasten, as with a lace or cord.
[Obs.]

2.
To cover or adorn with lace.
[Obs.]
Beaumont.

3.
To beat with a strap. See Lace.
[Obs.]
Wright.


word: Belamour
definition:
Belamour

Bel"a*mour
(_;)
n.
[F. bel amour fair love.]
1.
A lover.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

2.
A flower, but of what kind is unknown.
[Obs.]

Her snowy brows, like budded belamours.
Spenser.


word: Belate
definition:
Belate

Be*late"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belated; p. pr. & vb. n. Belating.]
To retard or make too late.
Davenant.


word: Belated
definition:
Belated

Be*lat"ed
a.
Delayed beyond the usual time; too late; overtaken by night; benighted.
belated
Milton.
Be*lat"ed*ness, n.
Milton.


word: Belay
definition:
Belay

Be*lay"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belaid, Belayed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Belaying.]
[For senses 1 & 2, D. beleggen to cover, belay; akin to E. pref. be-, and lay to place: for sense 3, OE. beleggen, AS. belecgan. See pref. Be-, and Lay to place.]
1.
To lay on or cover; to adorn.
[Obs.]

Jacket . . . belayed with silver lace.
Spenser.

2.
(Naut.)
To make fast, as a rope, by taking several turns with it round a pin, cleat, or kevel.
Totten.

3.
To lie in wait for with a view to assault. Hence: to block up or obstruct.
[Obs.]
Dryden.

Belay thee! Stop.


word: Belaying pin
definition:
Belaying pin

Be*lay"ing pin`
(be̝*lā"ĭng pĭn`)
(Naut.)
A strong pin in the side of a vessel, or by the mast, round which ropes are wound when they are fastened or belayed.


word: bel canto
definition:
bel canto

bel canto
(bĕl kän"to̝)
n.
[It., beautiful singing.]
(Music)
a cantabile style of operatic singing characterized by purity and evenness of tone, and a precise but brilliant vocal technique displaying ease and agility.


word: Belch
definition:
Belch

Belch
(bĕlch; 224)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belched (bĕlch); p. pr. & vb. n. Belching.]
[OE. belken, AS. bealcan, akin to E. bellow. See Bellow, v. i.]
1.
To eject or throw up from the stomach with violence; to eruct.

I belched a hurricane of wind.
Swift.

2.
To eject violently from within; to cast forth; to emit; to give vent to; to vent.

Within the gates that now
Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame.
Milton.


word: Belch₂
definition:
Belch

Belch
v. i.
1.
To eject wind from the stomach through the mouth; to eructate.

2.
To issue with spasmodic force or noise.
Dryden.


word: Belch₃
definition:
Belch

Belch
n.
1.
The act of belching; also, that which is belched; an eructation.

2.
Malt liquor; -- vulgarly so called as causing eructation.
[Obs.]
Dennis.


word: Beldame
definition:
Beldame

Beldam

{ Bel"dam Bel"dame }
(_;)
n.
[Pref. bel-, denoting relationship + dame mother: cf. F. belledame fair lady, It. belladonna. See Belle, and Dame.]

1.
Grandmother; -- corresponding to belsire.

To show the beldam daughters of her daughter.
Shak.

2.
An old woman in general; especially, an ugly old woman; a hag.

Syn. -- hag, beldam, witch, crone.

Around the beldam all erect they hang.
Akenside.


word: Beleaguer
definition:
Beleaguer

Be*lea"guer
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Beleaguered (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beleaguering.]
[D. belegeren (akin to G. belagern, Sw. belägra, Dan. beleire); pref. be- = E. be- + leger bed, camp, army, akin to E. lair. See Lair.]
To surround with an army so as to preclude escape; to besiege; to blockade.

The wail of famine in beleaguered towns.
Longfellow.


word: Belecture
definition:
Belecture

Be*lec"ture
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belectured (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Belecturing.]
To vex with lectures; to lecture frequently.


word: Belemnite
definition:
Belemnite

Be*lem"nite
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; dart, fr. _; dart, fr. _; to throw: cf. F. bélemnite.]
(Paleon.)
A conical calcareous fossil, tapering to a point at the lower extremity, with a conical cavity at the other end, where it is ordinarily broken; but when perfect it contains a small chambered cone, called the phragmocone, prolonged, on one side, into a delicate concave blade; the thunderstone. It is the internal shell of a cephalopod related to the sepia, and belonging to an extinct family. The belemnites are found in rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous ages.
Bel*em*nit"ic, a.


word: Belemnoidea
definition:
Belemnoidea

Belemnoidea
n.
an order of extinct dibranchiate cephalopods related to the surviving spirulas.

Syn. -- order Belemnoidea.


word: Beleper
definition:
Beleper

Be*lep"er
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belepered (_;).]
To infect with leprosy.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: Bel-esprit
definition:
Bel-esprit

Bel"-es*prit"
(_;)
n.
pl. Beaux-esprits (_;).
[F., fine wit.]
A fine genius, or man of wit.
bel esprit
W. Irving.


word: Belfry
definition:
Belfry

Bel"fry
(_;)
n.
[OE. berfray movable tower used in sieges, OF. berfreit, berfroit, F. beffroi, fr. MHG. bervrit, bercvrit, G. bergfriede, fr. MHG. bergen to protect (G. bergen to conceal) + vride peace, protection, G. friede peace; in compounds often taken in the sense of security, or place of security; orig. therefore a place affording security. G. friede is akin to E. free. See Burg, and Free.]
1.
(Mil. Antiq.)
A movable tower erected by besiegers for purposes of attack and defense.

2.
A bell tower, usually attached to a church or other building, but sometimes separate; a campanile.

3.
A room in a tower in which a bell is or may be hung; or a cupola or turret for the same purpose.

4.
(Naut.)
The framing on which a bell is suspended.


word: Belgian block
definition:
Belgian block

Belgian block
An oblong, often nearly cubical, block of some tough stone, esp. granite, used as a material for street pavements. Its usual diameter is 5 to 7 inches.


word: Belgic
definition:
Belgic

Bel"gic
(_;)
a.
[L. Belgicus, fr. Belgae the Belgians.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the Belgæ, a German tribe who anciently possessed the country between the Rhine, the Seine, and the ocean.

How unlike their Belgic sires of old.
Goldsmith.

2.
Of or pertaining to the Netherlands or to Belgium.


word: Belgrade
definition:
Belgrade

Belgrade
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of Yugoslavia.  Population (2000) = 1,168,454.


word: Belgravian
definition:
Belgravian

Bel*gra"vi*an
(_;)
a.
Belonging to Belgravia (a fashionable quarter of London, around Pimlico), or to fashionable life; aristocratic.


word: Belial
definition:
Belial

Be"li*al
(_;)
n.
[Heb. beli ya'al; beli without + ya'al profit.]
An evil spirit; a wicked and unprincipled person; the personification of evil.

What concord hath Christ with Belia ?
2 Cor. vi. 15.

A son (or man) of Belial, a worthless, wicked, or thoroughly depraved person. 1 Sam. ii. 12.


word: Belie
definition:
Belie

Be*lie"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belied (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Belying (_;).]
[OE. bilien, bili_;en, AS. beleógan; pref. be- + leógan to lie. See Lie, n.]
1.
To show to be false; to convict of, or charge with, falsehood.

Their trembling hearts belie their boastful tongues.
Dryden.

2.
To give a false representation or account of.

Should I do so, I should belie my thoughts.
Shak.

3.
To tell lie about; to calumniate; to slander.

Thou dost belie him, Percy, thou dost belie him.
Shak.

4.
To mimic; to counterfeit.
[Obs.]
Dryden.

5.
To fill with lies.
[Obs.]
belie
Shak.


word: Belief
definition:
Belief

Be*lief"
(_;)
n.
[OE. bileafe, bileve; cf. AS. geleáfa. See Believe.]
1.
Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses.

Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance.
Reid.

2.
(Theol.)
A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith.

No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth.
Hooker.

3.
The thing believed; the object of belief.

Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men.
Bacon.

4.
A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed.

In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief was subject upon its first promulgation.
Hooker.

Ultimate belief, a first principle incapable of proof; an intuitive truth; an intuition. Sir W. Hamilton.


word: Believable
definition:
Believable

Be*liev"a*ble
(_;)
a.
Capable of being believed; credible.
Be*liev"a*ble*ness, n. -- Be*liev`a*bil"i*ty (_;), n.


word: Believe
definition:
Believe

Be*lieve"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Believed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Believing.]
[OE. bileven (with pref. be- for AS. ge-), fr. AS. gel_;fan, gel_;fan; akin to D. gelooven, OHG. gilouban, G. glauben, OS. gil_;bian, Goth. galaubjan, and Goth. liubs dear. See Lief, a., Leave, n.]
To exercise belief in; to credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of, upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by circumstances other than personal knowledge; to regard or accept as true; to place confidence in; to think; to consider; as, to believe a person, a statement, or a doctrine.

Our conqueror (whom I now
Of force believe almighty).
Milton.

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ?
Acts xxvi. 27.

Often followed by a dependent clause.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts viii. 37.


word: Believe₂
definition:
Believe

Be*lieve"
v. i.
1.
To have a firm persuasion, esp. of the truths of religion; to have a persuasion approaching to certainty; to exercise belief or faith.

Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mark ix. 24.

With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.
Rom. x. 10.

2.
To think; to suppose.

I will not believe so meanly of you.
Fielding.

To believe in. (a) To believe that the subject of the thought (if a person or thing) exists, or (if an event) that it has occurred, or will occur; -- as, to believe in the resurrection of the dead.  “She does not believe in Jupiter.” J. H. Newman. (b) To believe that the character, abilities, and purposes of a person are worthy of entire confidence; -- especially that his promises are wholly trustworthy. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” John xiv. 1. (c) To believe that the qualities or effects of an action or state are beneficial: as, to believe in sea bathing, or in abstinence from alcoholic beverages. -- To believe on, to accept implicitly as an object of religious trust or obedience; to have faith in.


word: Believer
definition:
Believer

Be*liev"er
(_;)
n.
1.
One who believes; one who is persuaded of the truth or reality of some doctrine, person, or thing.

2.
(Theol.)
One who gives credit to the truth of the Scriptures, as a revelation from God; a Christian; -- in a more restricted sense, one who receives Christ as his Savior, and accepts the way of salvation unfolded in the gospel.

Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Book of Com. Prayer.

3.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One who was admitted to all the rights of divine worship and instructed in all the mysteries of the Christian religion, in distinction from a catechumen, or one yet under instruction.


word: Belike
definition:
Belike

Be*like"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. be- (for by) + like.]
It is likely or probably; perhaps.
[Obs. or Archaic]
Be*like"ly, adv.

Belike, boy, then you are in love.
Shak.


word: Belittle
definition:
Belittle

Be*lit"tle
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belittled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Belittling.]
To make little or less in a moral sense; to speak of in a depreciatory or contemptuous way.
T. Jefferson.


word: Bell
definition:
Bell

Bell
(_;)
n.
[AS. belle, fr. bellan to bellow. See Bellow.]
1.
A hollow metallic vessel, usually shaped somewhat like a cup with a flaring mouth, containing a clapper or tongue, and giving forth a ringing sound on being struck.

&hand_; Bells have been made of various metals, but the best have always been, as now, of an alloy of copper and tin.

The Liberty Bell, the famous bell of the Philadelphia State House, which rang when the Continental Congress declared the Independence of the United States, in 1776. It had been cast in 1753, and upon it were the words “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.”

2.
A hollow perforated sphere of metal containing a loose ball which causes it to sound when moved.

3.
Anything in the form of a bell, as the cup or corol of a flower.
bell
Shak.

4.
(Arch.)
That part of the capital of a column included between the abacus and neck molding; also used for the naked core of nearly cylindrical shape, assumed to exist within the leafage of a capital.

5.
pl.
(Naut.)
The strikes of the bell which mark the time; or the time so designated.

&hand_; On shipboard, time is marked by a bell, which is struck eight times at 4, 8, and 12 o'clock. Half an hour after it has struck “eight bells” it is struck once, and at every succeeding half hour the number of strokes is increased by one, till at the end of the four hours, which constitute a watch, it is struck eight times.

To bear away the bell, to win the prize at a race where the prize was a bell; hence, to be superior in something. Fuller. -- To bear the bell, to be the first or leader; -- in allusion to the bellwether or a flock, or the leading animal of a team or drove, when wearing a bell. -- To curse by bell, book, and candle, a solemn form of excommunication used in the Roman Catholic church, the bell being tolled, the book of offices for the purpose being used, and three candles being extinguished with certain ceremonies. Nares. -- To lose the bell, to be worsted in a contest.  “In single fight he lost the bell.” Fairfax. -- To shake the bells, to move, give notice, or alarm. Shak.

&hand_; Bell is much used adjectively or in combinations; as, bell clapper; bell foundry; bell hanger; bell-mouthed; bell tower, etc., which, for the most part, are self-explaining.

Bell arch (Arch.), an arch of unusual form, following the curve of an ogee. -- Bell cage, or Bell carriage (Arch.), a timber frame constructed to carry one or more large bells. -- Bell cot (Arch.), a small or subsidiary construction, frequently corbeled out from the walls of a structure, and used to contain and support one or more bells. -- Bell deck (Arch.), the floor of a belfry made to serve as a roof to the rooms below. -- Bell founder, one whose occupation it is to found or cast bells. -- Bell foundry, or Bell foundery, a place where bells are founded or cast. -- Bell gable (Arch.), a small gable-shaped construction, pierced with one or more openings, and used to contain bells. -- Bell glass. See Bell jar. -- Bell hanger, a man who hangs or puts up bells. -- Bell pull, a cord, handle, or knob, connecting with a bell or bell wire, and which will ring the bell when pulled. Aytoun. -- Bell punch, a kind of conductor's punch which rings a bell when used. -- Bell ringer, one who rings a bell or bells, esp. one whose business it is to ring a church bell or chime, or a set of musical bells for public entertainment. -- Bell roof (Arch.), a roof shaped according to the general lines of a bell. -- Bell rope, a rope by which a church or other bell is rung. -- Bell tent, a circular conical-topped tent. -- Bell trap, a kind of bell shaped stench trap.


word: Bell₂
definition:
Bell

Bell
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Belled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Belling.]
To put a bell upon; as, to bell the cat.

2.
To make bell-mouthed; as, to bell a tube.


word: Bell₃
definition:
Bell

Bell
v. i.
To develop bells or corollas; to take the form of a bell; to blossom; as, hops bell.


word: Bell₅
definition:
Bell

Bell
v. i.
To call or bellow, as the deer in rutting time; to make a bellowing sound; to roar.

As loud as belleth wind in hell.
Chaucer.

The wild buck bells from ferny brake.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Belladonna
definition:
Belladonna

Bel`la*don"na
(_;)
n.
[It., literally fine lady; bella beautiful + donna lady.]
(Bot.)
(a)
An herbaceous European plant (Atropa belladonna) with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries. The whole plant and its fruit are very poisonous, and the root and leaves are used as powerful medicinal agents. Its properties are largely due to the alkaloid atropine which it contains. Called also deadly nightshade.
(b)
A species of Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna); the belladonna lily.


word: Bell animalcule
definition:
Bell animalcule

Bell" an`i*mal"cule
(_;)
(Zool.)
An infusorian of the family Vorticellidæ, common in fresh-water ponds.


word: Bellarmine
definition:
Bellarmine

Bel"lar*mine
(?)
n.
A stoneware jug of a pattern originated in the neighborhood of Cologne, Germany, in the 16th century. It has a bearded face or mask supposed to represent Cardinal Bellarmine, a leader in the Roman Catholic Counter Reformation, following the Reformation; -- called also graybeard, longbeard.


word: Bell bearer
definition:
Bell bearer

Bell" bear`er
(_;)
(Zool.)
A Brazilian leaf hopper (Bocydium tintinnabuliferum), remarkable for the four bell-shaped appendages of its thorax.


word: Bellbird
definition:
Bellbird

Bell"bird`
(_;)
n.
[So called from their notes.]
(Zool.)
(a)
A South and Central American bird of the genus Casmarhincos, and family Cotingidæ, of several species; the campanero.
(b)
The Myzantha melanophrys of Australia.


word: bell-bottom
definition:
bell-bottom

bell-bottomed

bell"-bot`tomed bell"-bot`tom
adj.
having legs that flare at the bottom; -- of trousers.
bell-bottomed trousers


word: bellbottoms
definition:
bellbottoms

bellbottoms
n.
trousers with legs that flare; commonly worn as part of a sailor's uniform; -- such absurdly wide hems were also fashionable in the 1960s.

Syn. -- bellbottom trousers.


word: bellboy
definition:
bellboy

bellboy
n.
someone employed as an errand boy and luggage carrier around hotels.

Syn. -- bellman, bellhop.


word: Bell crank
definition:
Bell crank

Bell" crank`
(_;)
A lever whose two arms form a right angle, or nearly a right angle, having its fulcrum at the apex of the angle. It is used in bell pulls and in changing the direction of bell wires at angles of rooms, etc., and also in machinery.


word: Belle
definition:
Belle

Belle
(bĕl)
n.
[F. belle, fem. of bel, beau, beautiful, fine. See Beau.]
A young lady of superior beauty and attractions; a handsome lady, or one who attracts notice in society; a fair lady.


word: Belleek ware
definition:
Belleek ware

Bel*leek" ware
(?)
A porcelainlike kind of decorative pottery with a high gloss, which is sometimes iridescent. A very fine kind is made at Belleek in Ireland.


word: Bellerophon
definition:
Bellerophon

Bel*ler"o*phon
(_;)
n.
(Paleon.)
A genus of fossil univalve shells, believed to belong to the Heteropoda, peculiar to the Paleozoic age.


word: Belles-lettres
definition:
Belles-lettres

Belles-let"tres
(_;)
n. pl.
[F.]
Polite or elegant literature; the humanities; -- used somewhat vaguely for literary works in which imagination and taste are predominant.


word: Belletristical
definition:
Belletristical

Belletristic

{ Bel`le*tris"tic (_;), Bel`le*tris"tic*al (_;), }
a.
Occupied with, or pertaining to, belles-lettres.
belletristic
M. Arnold.


word: Bellflower
definition:
Bellflower

Bell"flow`er
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus Campanula; -- so named from its bell-shaped flowers.


