6 letter word starting with b

by
Words Parts of Speech Meaning/Definition/Similar Words
baaing noun The bleating of a sheep.
baalim plural of Baal
babble verb i. To utter words indistinctly or unintelligibly; to utter inarticulate sounds; as a child babbles., To talk incoherently; to utter unmeaning words., To talk much; to chatter; to prate., To make a continuous murmuring noise, as shallow water running over stones., To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat, as words, in a childish way without understanding., To disclose by too free talk, as a secret., Idle talk; senseless prattle; gabble; twaddle., Inarticulate speech; constant or confused murmur.
babery noun Finery of a kind to please a child.
babian noun Alt. of Babion
babion noun A baboon.
babish adjective Like a babe; a childish; babyish.
babism noun The doctrine of a modern religious sect, which originated in Persia in 1843, being a mixture of Mohammedan, Christian, Jewish and Parsee elements.
babist noun A believer in Babism.
bablah noun The ring of the fruit of several East Indian species of acacia; neb-neb. It contains gallic acid and tannin, and is used for dyeing drab.
baboon noun One of the Old World Quadrumana, of the genera Cynocephalus and Papio; the dog-faced ape. Baboons have dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. They are mostly African. See Mandrill, and Chacma, and Drill an ape.
babies plural of Baby
babied imp. & past participle of Baby
backed imp. & past participle of Back, Having a back; fitted with a back; as, a backed electrotype or stereotype plate. Used in composition; as, broad-backed; hump-backed.
backer noun One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs a person or thing in a contest.
bacule noun See Bascule.
badder compar. of Bad, a.
badger noun An itinerant licensed dealer in commodities used for food; a hawker; a huckster; — formerly applied especially to one who bought grain in one place and sold it in another., A carnivorous quadruped of the genus Meles or of an allied genus. It is a burrowing animal, with short, thick legs, and long claws on the fore feet. One species (M. vulgaris), called also brock, inhabits the north of Europe and Asia; another species (Taxidea Americana / Labradorica) inhabits the northern parts of North America. See Teledu., A brush made of badgers’ hair, used by artists., To tease or annoy, as a badger when baited; to worry or irritate persistently., To beat down; to cheapen; to barter; to bargain.
badian noun An evergreen Chinese shrub of the Magnolia family (Illicium anisatum), and its aromatic seeds; Chinese anise; star anise.
baffle verb t. To cause to undergo a disgraceful punishment, as a recreant knight., To check by shifts and turns; to elude; to foil., To check by perplexing; to disconcert, frustrate, or defeat; to thwart., To practice deceit., To struggle against in vain; as, a ship baffles with the winds., A defeat by artifice, shifts, and turns; discomfiture.
bagged imp. & past participle of Bag
bagmen plural of Bagman
bagman noun A commercial traveler; one employed to solicit orders for manufacturers and tradesmen.
bagnio noun A house for bathing, sweating, etc.; — also, in Turkey, a prison for slaves., A brothel; a stew; a house of prostitution.
baguet noun Alt. of Baguette
bagwig noun A wig, in use in the 18th century, with the hair at the back of the head in a bag.
baigne verb i. To soak or drench.
bailed imp. & past participle of Bail
bailee noun The person to whom goods are committed in trust, and who has a temporary possession and a qualified property in them, for the purposes of the trust.
bailer noun See Bailor., One who bails or lades., A utensil, as a bucket or cup, used in bailing; a machine for bailing water out of a pit.
bailey noun The outer wall of a feudal castle., The space immediately within the outer wall of a castle or fortress., A prison or court of justice; — used in certain proper names; as, the Old Bailey in London; the New Bailey in Manchester.
bailie noun An officer in Scotland, whose office formerly corresponded to that of sheriff, but now corresponds to that of an English alderman.
bailor noun One who delivers goods or money to another in trust.
bairam noun The name of two Mohammedan festivals, of which one is held at the close of the fast called Ramadan, and the other seventy days after the fast.
baited imp. & past participle of Bait
baiter noun One who baits; a tormentor.
baking present participle & vb. noun of Bake, The act or process of cooking in an oven, or of drying and hardening by heat or cold., The quantity baked at once; a batch; as, a baking of bread.
bakery noun The trade of a baker., The place for baking bread; a bakehouse.
balaam noun A paragraph describing something wonderful, used to fill out a newspaper column; — an allusion to the miracle of Balaam’s ass speaking.
balcon noun A balcony.
balder noun The most beautiful and beloved of the gods; the god of peace; the son of Odin and Freya.
baldly adverb Nakedly; without reserve; inelegantly.
baling present participle & vb. noun of Bale
baleen noun Plates or blades of “whalebone,” from two to twelve feet long, and sometimes a foot wide, which in certain whales (Balaenoidea) are attached side by side along the upper jaw, and form a fringelike sieve by which the food is retained in the mouth.
balize noun A pole or a frame raised as a sea beacon or a landmark.
balked imp. & past participle of Balk
balker noun One who, or that which balks., 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.
balled imp. & past participle of Ball
ballad noun 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., To make or sing ballads., To make mention of in ballads.
ballet noun 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., The company of persons who perform the ballet., A light part song, or madrigal, with a fa la burden or chorus, — most common with the Elizabethan madrigal composers., A bearing in coats of arms, representing one or more balls, which are denominated bezants, plates, etc., according to color.
ballot noun Originally, a ball used for secret voting. Hence: Any printed or written ticket used in voting., The act of voting by balls or written or printed ballots or tickets; the system of voting secretly by balls or by tickets., The whole number of votes cast at an election, or in a given territory or electoral district., To vote or decide by ballot; as, to ballot for a candidate., To vote for or in opposition to.
ballow noun A cudgel.
balsam noun A resin containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil., A species of tree (Abies balsamea)., An annual garden plant (Impatiens balsamina) with beautiful flowers; balsamine., Anything that heals, soothes, or restores., To treat or anoint with balsam; to relieve, as with balsam; to render balsamic.
balter verb t. To stick together.
baltic adjective Of or pertaining to the sea which separates Norway and Sweden from Jutland, Denmark, and Germany; situated on the Baltic Sea.
bamboo noun A plant of the family of grasses, and genus Bambusa, growing in tropical countries., To flog with the bamboo.
banned imp. & past participle of Ban
banana noun A perennial herbaceous plant of almost treelike size (Musa sapientum); also, its edible fruit. See Musa.
bancus noun Alt. of Bank
banded imp. & past participle of Band
bander noun One banded with others.
bandit noun An outlaw; a brigand.
bandle noun An Irish measure of two feet in length.
bandog noun A mastiff or other large and fierce dog, usually kept chained or tied up.
bandon noun Disposal; control; license.
banged imp. & past participle of Bang
bangue noun See Bhang.
bangle verb t. To waste by little and little; to fritter away., An ornamental circlet, of glass, gold, silver, or other material, worn by women in India and Africa, and in some other countries, upon the wrist or ankle; a ring bracelet.
banian noun A Hindoo trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer., A man’s loose gown, like that worn by the Banians., The Indian fig. See Banyan.
banish verb t. To condemn to exile, or compel to leave one’s country, by authority of the ruling power., To drive out, as from a home or familiar place; — used with from and out of., To drive away; to compel to depart; to dispel.
banked imp. & past participle of Bank
banker noun 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., A money changer., The dealer, or one who keeps the bank in a gambling house., A vessel employed in the cod fishery on the banks of Newfoundland., A ditcher; a drain digger., The stone bench on which masons cut or square their work.
banner noun A kind of flag attached to a spear or pike by a crosspiece, and used by a chief as his standard in battle., 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., Any flag or standard; as, the star-spangled banner.
bantam noun A variety of small barnyard fowl, with feathered legs, probably brought from Bantam, a district of Java.
banter verb t. 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., To jest about; to ridicule in speaking of, as some trait, habit, characteristic, and the like., To delude or trick, — esp. by way of jest., To challenge or defy to a match., The act of bantering; joking or jesting; humorous or good-humored raillery; pleasantry.
banyan noun A tree of the same genus as the common fig, and called the Indian fig (Ficus Indica), whose branches send shoots to the ground, which take root and become additional trunks, until it may be the tree covers some acres of ground and is able to shelter thousands of men.
baobab noun A gigantic African tree (Adansonia digitata), also naturalized in India. See Adansonia.
barred imp. & past participle of Bar
barbed imp. & past participle of Barb, Accoutered with defensive armor; — said of a horse. See Barded ( which is the proper form.), Furnished with a barb or barbs; as, a barbed arrow; barbed wire.
barbel noun A slender tactile organ on the lips of certain fished., A large fresh-water fish ( Barbus vulgaris) found in many European rivers. Its upper jaw is furnished with four barbels., Barbs or paps under the tongued of horses and cattle. See 1st Barb, 3.
barber noun One whose occupation it is to shave or trim the beard, and to cut and dress the hair of his patrons., To shave and dress the beard or hair of.
barbet noun A variety of small dog, having long curly hair., A bird of the family Bucconidae, 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., A larva that feeds on aphides.
barble noun See Barbel.
barbre adjective Barbarian.
barcon noun A vessel for freight; — used in Mediterranean.
barded p.adjective Accoutered with defensive armor; — said of a horse., Wearing rich caparisons.
bardic adjective Of or pertaining to bards, or their poetry.
baring present participle & vb. noun of Bare
barege noun A gauzelike fabric for ladies’ dresses, veils, etc. of worsted, silk and worsted, or cotton and worsted.
barely adverb Without covering; nakedly., Without concealment or disguise., Merely; only., 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.
barful adjective Full of obstructions.
bargee noun A bargeman.
barger noun The manager of a barge.
barite noun 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.
barium noun 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.
barked imp. & past participle of Bark
barque noun 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., A three-masted vessel, having her foremast and mainmast square-rigged, and her mizzenmast schooner-rigged., Same as 3d Bark, n.
barken adjective Made of bark.
barker noun An animal that barks; hence, any one who clamors unreasonably., One who stands at the doors of shops to urg/ passers by to make purchases., A pistol., The spotted redshank., One who strips trees of their bark.
barley noun 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.
baroko noun A form or mode of syllogism of which the first proposition is a universal affirmative, and the other two are particular negative.
barony noun The fee or domain of a baron; the lordship, dignity, or rank of a baron., 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.
barras noun A resin, called also galipot.
barrel noun 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., 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 31/ gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds., 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., A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is discharged., A jar., The hollow basal part of a feather., To put or to pack in a barrel or barrels.
barren adjective Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; — said of women and female animals., Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; /rile., Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty., Mentally dull; stupid., A tract of barren land., 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.
barret noun A kind of cap formerly worn by soldiers; — called also barret cap. Also, the flat cap worn by Roman Catholic ecclesiastics.
barrow noun 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., A wicker case, in which salt is put to drain., A hog, esp. a male hog castrated., A large mound of earth or stones over the remains of the dead; a tumulus., A heap of rubbish, attle, etc.
barter verb i. 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., 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., The act or practice of trafficking by exchange of commodities; an exchange of goods., The thing given in exchange.
barton noun The demesne lands of a manor; also, the manor itself., A farmyard.
barway noun A passage into a field or yard, closed by bars made to take out of the posts.
baryta noun An oxide of barium (or barytum); a heavy earth with a specific gravity above 4.
basalt noun 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., An imitation, in pottery, of natural basalt; a kind of black porcelain.
basing present participle & vb. noun of Base
basely adverb In a base manner; with despicable meanness; dishonorably; shamefully., Illegitimately; in bastardy.
bashaw noun A Turkish title of honor, now written pasha. See Pasha., Fig.: A magnate or grandee., A very large siluroid fish (Leptops olivaris) of the Mississippi valley; — also called goujon, mud cat, and yellow cat.
basify verb t. To convert into a salifiable base.
basion noun The middle of the anterior margin of the great foramen of the skull.
basked imp. & past participle of Bask
basket noun A vessel made of osiers or other twigs, cane, rushes, splints, or other flexible material, interwoven., The contents of a basket; as much as a basket contains; as, a basket of peaches., The bell or vase of the Corinthian capital., The two back seats facing one another on the outside of a stagecoach., To put into a basket.
basnet noun Same as Bascinet.
basque adjective Pertaining to Biscay, its people, or their language., One of a race, of unknown origin, inhabiting a region on the Bay of Biscay in Spain and France., The language spoken by the Basque people., 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.
basses plural of Bass
bassaw noun See Bashaw.
basset noun A game at cards, resembling the modern faro, said to have been invented at Venice., Inclined upward; as, the basset edge of strata., The edge of a geological stratum at the surface of the ground; the outcrop., To inclined upward so as to appear at the surface; to crop out; as, a vein of coal bassets.
basted imp. & past participle of Baste
baston noun A staff or cudgel., See Baton., 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.
basyle noun A positive or nonacid constituent of compound, either elementary, or, if compound, performing the functions of an element.
batted imp. & past participle of Bat
batata noun An aboriginal American name for the sweet potato (Ipomaea batatas).
bating present participle & vb. noun of Bate, With the exception of; excepting.
bateau noun A boat; esp. a flat-bottomed, clumsy boat used on the Canadian lakes and rivers.
batful verb i. Rich; fertile.
bathed imp. & past participle of Bathe
bather noun One who bathes.
bathos noun A ludicrous descent from the elevated to the low, in writing or speech; anticlimax.
batlet noun A short bat for beating clothes in washing them; — called also batler, batling staff, batting staff.
batman noun 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., A man who has charge of a bathorse and his load.
batmen plural of Batman
batoon noun See Baton, and Baston.
battel noun A single combat; as, trial by battel. See Wager of battel, under Wager., Provisions ordered from the buttery; also, the charges for them; — only in the pl., except when used adjectively., To be supplied with provisions from the buttery., To make fertile., Fertile; fruitful; productive.
batten verb t. To make fat by plenteous feeding; to fatten., To fertilize or enrich, as land., To grow fat; to grow fat in ease and luxury; to glut one’s self., 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., To furnish or fasten with battens., The movable bar of a loom, which strikes home or closes the threads of a woof.
batter verb t. 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., To wear or impair as if by beating or by hard usage., To flatten (metal) by hammering, so as to compress it inwardly and spread it outwardly., A semi-liquid mixture of several ingredients, as, flour, eggs, milk, etc., beaten together and used in cookery., Paste of clay or loam., A bruise on the face of a plate or of type in the form., A backward slope in the face of a wall or of a bank; receding slope., To slope gently backward., One who wields a bat; a batsman.
battle adjective Fertile. See Battel, a., A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat., A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life., A division of an army; a battalion., The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia., To join in battle; to contend in fight; as, to battle over theories., To assail in battle; to fight.
batton noun See Batten, and Baton.
battue verb t. The act of beating the woods, bushes, etc., for game., The game itself., The wanton slaughter of game.
batule noun A springboard in a circus or gymnasium; — called also batule board.
batzen plural of Batz
baubee noun Same as Bawbee.
bauble noun A trifling piece of finery; a gewgaw; that which is gay and showy without real value; a cheap, showy plaything., The fool’s club.
bavian noun A baboon.
bawbee noun A halfpenny.
bawble noun A trinket. See Bauble.
bawdry noun The practice of procuring women for the gratification of lust., Illicit intercourse; fornication., Obscenity; filthy, unchaste language.
bawled imp. & past participle of Bawl
bawler noun One who bawls.
bawrel noun A kind of hawk.
bawsin noun Alt. of Bawson
bawson noun A badger., A large, unwieldy person.
baxter noun A baker; originally, a female baker.
baying present participle & vb. noun of Bay
bayard adjective Properly, a bay horse, but often any horse. Commonly in the phrase blind bayard, an old blind horse., A stupid, clownish fellow.
bayous plural of Bayou
bazaar noun Alt. of Bazar
beachy adjective Having a beach or beaches; formed by a beach or beaches; shingly.
beacon noun A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning., A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners., A high hill near the shore., That which gives notice of danger., To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine., To furnish with a beacon or beacons.
beaded imp. & past participle of Bead
beadle verb 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., An officer in a university, who precedes public processions of officers and students., 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.
beagle noun A small hound, or hunting dog, twelve to fifteen inches high, used in hunting hares and other small game. See Illustration in Appendix., Fig.: A spy or detective; a constable.
beaked adjective Having a beak or a beaklike point; beak-shaped., Furnished with a process or a mouth like a beak; rostrate.
beaker noun A large drinking cup, with a wide mouth, supported on a foot or standard., An open-mouthed, thin glass vessel, having a projecting lip for pouring; — used for holding solutions requiring heat.
bealed imp. & past participle of Beal
be-all noun The whole; all that is to be.
beamed imp. & past participle of Beam, Furnished with beams, as the head of a stag.
bearer noun One who, or that which, bears, sustains, or carries., Specifically: One who assists in carrying a body to the grave; a pallbearer., A palanquin carrier; also, a house servant., A tree or plant yielding fruit; as, a good bearer., One who holds a check, note, draft, or other order for the payment of money; as, pay to bearer., 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.
beaten of Beat, Made smooth by beating or treading; worn by use., Vanquished; conquered; baffled., Exhausted; tired out., Become common or trite; as, a beaten phrase., Tried; practiced.
beater noun One who, or that which, beats., A person who beats up game for the hunters.
beauty noun An assemblage or graces or properties pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the aesthetic faculty, or the moral sense., A particular grace, feature, ornament, or excellence; anything beautiful; as, the beauties of nature., A beautiful person, esp. a beautiful woman., Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion.
beaver noun An amphibious rodent, of the genus Castor., The fur of the beaver., A hat, formerly made of the fur of the beaver, but now usually of silk., Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woolen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats., 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.
beblot verb t. To blot; to stain.
becalm verb t. To render calm or quiet; to calm; to still; to appease., To keep from motion, or stop the progress of, by the stilling of the wind; as, the fleet was becalmed.
became imp. of Become., of Become
becard noun A South American bird of the flycatcher family. (Tityra inquisetor).
bechic Pertaining to, or relieving, a cough., A medicine for relieving coughs.
becked imp. & past participle of Beck
becker noun A European fish (Pagellus centrodontus); the sea bream or braise.
becket noun A small grommet, or a ring or loop of rope / metal for holding things in position, as spars, ropes, etc.; also a bracket, a pocket, or a handle made of rope., A spade for digging turf.
beckon verb t. To make a significant sign to; hence, to summon, as by a motion of the hand., A sign made without words; a beck.
beclap verb t. To catch; to grasp; to insnare.
beclip verb t. To embrace; to surround.
become past participle of Become, 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., To come; to get., 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.
becuna noun A fish of the Mediterranean (Sphyraena spet). See Barracuda.
becurl verb t. To curl; to adorn with curls.
bedded imp. & past participle of Bed, Provided with a bed; as, double-bedded room; placed or arranged in a bed or beds.
bedaff verb t. To make a daff or fool of.
bedash verb t. To wet by dashing or throwing water or other liquid upon; to bespatter.
bedaub verb t. To daub over; to besmear or soil with anything thick and dirty.
bedbug noun A wingless, bloodsucking, hemipterous insect (Cimex Lectularius), sometimes infesting houses and especially beds. See Illustration in Appendix.
bedeck verb t. To deck, ornament, or adorn; to grace.
bedell noun Same as Beadle.
bedewy adjective Moist with dew; dewy.
bedkey noun An instrument for tightening the parts of a bedstead.
bedlam noun A place appropriated to the confinement and care of the insane; a madhouse., An insane person; a lunatic; a madman., Any place where uproar and confusion prevail., Belonging to, or fit for, a madhouse.
bedote verb t. To cause to dote; to deceive.
bedpan noun A pan for warming beds., A shallow chamber vessel, so constructed that it can be used by a sick person in bed.
bedrid verb i. Alt. of Bedridden
bedrop verb t. To sprinkle, as with drops.
bedrug verb t. To drug abundantly or excessively.
beduck verb t. To duck; to put the head under water; to immerse.
beduin noun See Bedouin.
bedung verb t. To cover with dung, as for manuring; to bedaub or defile, literally or figuratively.
bedust verb t. To sprinkle, soil, or cover with dust.
bedyed imp. & past participle of Bedye
beechy adjective Of or relating to beeches.
beetle verb t. A heavy mallet, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc., A machine in which fabrics are subjected to a hammering process while passing over rollers, as in cotton mills; — called also beetling machine., To beat with a heavy mallet., To finish by subjecting to a hammering process in a beetle or beetling machine; as, to beetle cotton goods., 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., To extend over and beyond the base or support; to overhang; to jut.
beeves noun plural of Beef, the animal.
befell imp. of Befall
befall verb t. To happen to., To come to pass; to happen.
befool verb t. To fool; to delude or lead into error; to infatuate; to deceive., To cause to behave like a fool; to make foolish.
before preposition In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house., Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; — sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that., An advance of; farther onward, in place or time., Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than., In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing., Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of., Open for; free of access to; in the power of., On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; — opposed to in the rear., In advance., In time past; previously; already., Earlier; sooner than; until then.
befoul adjective To make foul; to soil., To entangle or run against so as to impede motion.
begged imp. & past participle of Beg
beggar noun One who begs; one who asks or entreats earnestly, or with humility; a petitioner., One who makes it his business to ask alms., One who is dependent upon others for support; — a contemptuous or sarcastic use., One who assumes in argument what he does not prove., To reduce to beggary; to impoverish; as, he had beggared himself., To cause to seem very poor and inadequate.
begilt of Begild
begild verb t. To gild.
begirt imp. of Begird, of Begird, To encompass; to begird.
begird verb t. To bind with a band or girdle; to gird., To surround as with a band; to encompass.
begnaw verb t. To gnaw; to eat away; to corrode.
begone interj. Go away; depart; get you gone., Surrounded; furnished; beset; environed (as in woe-begone).
begore verb t. To besmear with gore.
beguin noun See Beghard.
behalf noun Advantage; favor; stead; benefit; interest; profit; support; defense; vindication.
behave verb t. To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline; to handle; to restrain., To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; — used reflexively., To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one’s self; as, to behave well or ill.
behead verb t. To sever the head from; to take off the head of.
beheld imp. & p. p. of Behold., of Behold
behest noun That which is willed or ordered; a command; a mandate; an injunction., A vow; a promise., To vow.
behete verb t. See Behight.
behind adjective 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., Left after the departure of, whether this be by removing to a distance or by death., Left a distance by, in progress of improvement Hence: Inferior to in dignity, rank, knowledge, or excellence, or in any achievement., At the back part; in the rear., Toward the back part or rear; backward; as, to look behind., Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining., Backward in time or order of succession; past., After the departure of another; as, to stay behind., The backside; the rump.
behold verb t. To have in sight; to see clearly; to look at; to regard with the eyes., To direct the eyes to, or fix them upon, an object; to look; to see.
behoof verb t. Advantage; profit; benefit; interest; use.
behove verb and derivatives. See Behoove, &c.
behowl verb t. To howl at.
bejade verb t. To jade or tire.
bejape verb t. To jape; to laugh at; to deceive.
beknow verb t. To confess; to acknowledge.
belace verb t. To fasten, as with a lace or cord., To cover or adorn with lace., To beat with a strap. See Lace.
belamy noun Good friend; dear friend.
belate verb t. To retard or make too late.
belaud verb t. To laud or praise greatly.
belaid imp. & past participle of Belay
beldam noun Alt. of Beldame
beleft imp. & past participle of Beleave
belfry noun A movable tower erected by besiegers for purposes of attack and defense., A bell tower, usually attached to a church or other building, but sometimes separate; a campanile., A room in a tower in which a bell is or may be hung; or a cupola or turret for the same purpose., The framing on which a bell is suspended.
belgic adjective Of or pertaining to the Belgae, a German tribe who anciently possessed the country between the Rhine, the Seine, and the ocean., Of or pertaining to the Netherlands or to Belgium.
belial noun An evil spirit; a wicked and unprincipled person; the personification of evil.
belied imp. & past participle of Belie
belief noun 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., A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith., The thing believed; the object of belief., A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed.
belike adverb It is likely or probably; perhaps.
belime verb t. To besmear or insnare with birdlime.
belive adjective Forthwith; speedily; quickly.
belled imp. & past participle of Bell, Hung with a bell or bells.
bellic adjective Alt. of Bellical
bellon noun Lead colic.
bellow verb To make a hollow, loud noise, as an enraged bull., To bowl; to vociferate; to clamor., To roar; as the sea in a tempest, or as the wind when violent; to make a loud, hollow, continued sound., To emit with a loud voice; to shout; — used with out., A loud resounding outcry or noise, as of an enraged bull; a roar.
belock verb t. To lock, or fasten as with a lock.
belong verb i. To be the property of; as, Jamaica belongs to Great Britain., To be a part of, or connected with; to be appendant or related; to owe allegiance or service., To be the concern or proper business or function of; to appertain to., To be suitable for; to be due to., To be native to, or an inhabitant of; esp. to have a legal residence, settlement, or inhabitancy, whether by birth or operation of law, so as to be entitled to maintenance by the parish or town., To be deserved by.
belord verb t. To act the lord over., To address by the title of “lord”.
belove verb t. To love.
belowt verb t. To treat as a lout; to talk abusively to.
belted imp. & past participle of Belt, Encircled by, or secured with, a belt; as, a belted plaid; girt with a belt, as an honorary distinction; as, a belted knight; a belted earl., Marked with a band or circle; as, a belted stalk., Worn in, or suspended from, the belt.
beltin noun See Beltane.
beluga noun A cetacean allied to the dolphins.
belute verb t. To bespatter, as with mud.
bemask verb t. To mask; to conceal.
bemaul verb t. To maul or beat severely; to bruise.
bemaze verb t. To bewilder.
bemean verb t. To make mean; to lower.
bemeet verb t. To meet.
bemete verb t. To mete.
bemire verb t. To drag through, encumber with, or fix in, the mire; to soil by passing through mud or dirt.
bemist verb t. To envelop in mist.
bemoan verb t. To express deep grief for by moaning; to express sorrow for; to lament; to bewail; to pity or sympathize with.
bemock verb t. To mock; to ridicule.
bemoil verb t. To soil or encumber with mire and dirt.
bemuse verb t. To muddle, daze, or partially stupefy, as with liquor.
bename verb t. To promise; to name.
bended imp. & past participle of Bend
bender noun One who, or that which, bends., An instrument used for bending., A drunken spree., A sixpence.
beneme verb t. To deprive (of), or take away (from).
bengal noun A province in India, giving its name to various stuffs, animals, etc., A thin stuff, made of silk and hair, originally brought from Bengal., Striped gingham, originally brought from Bengal; Bengal stripes.
benign adjective Of a kind or gentle disposition; gracious; generous; favorable; benignant., Exhibiting or manifesting kindness, gentleness, favor, etc.; mild; kindly; salutary; wholesome., Of a mild type or character; as, a benign disease.
bennet adjective The common yellow-flowered avens of Europe (Geum urbanum); herb bennet. The name is sometimes given to other plants, as the hemlock, valerian, etc.
benumb adjective To make torpid; to deprive of sensation or sensibility; to stupefy; as, a hand or foot benumbed by cold.
benzal noun A compound radical, C6H5.CH, of the aromatic series, related to benzyl and benzoyl; — used adjectively or in combination.
benzol noun An impure benzene, used in the arts as a solvent, and for various other purposes. See Benzene.
benzyl noun A compound radical, C6H5.CH2, related to toluene and benzoic acid; — commonly used adjectively.
bepelt verb t. To pelt roundly.
berain verb t. To rain upon; to wet with rain.
berate verb t. To rate or chide vehemently; to scold.
berber noun A member of a race somewhat resembling the Arabs, but often classed as Hamitic, who were formerly the inhabitants of the whole of North Africa from the Mediterranean southward into the Sahara, and who still occupy a large part of that region; — called also Kabyles. Also, the language spoken by this people.
bereft of Bereave, imp. & p. p. of Bereave.
berime verb t. To berhyme.
berlin noun A four-wheeled carriage, having a sheltered seat behind the body and separate from it, invented in the 17th century, at Berlin., Fine worsted for fancy-work; zephyr worsted; — called also Berlin wool.
bertha noun A kind of collar or cape worn by ladies.
besant noun See Bezant.
beseek verb t. To beseech.
beseem verb t. Literally: To appear or seem (well, ill, best, etc.) for (one) to do or to have. Hence: To be fit, suitable, or proper for, or worthy of; to become; to befit., To seem; to appear; to be fitting.
beseen adjective Seen; appearing., Decked or adorned; clad., Accomplished; versed.
beshow noun A large food fish (Anoplopoma fimbria) of the north Pacific coast; — called also candlefish.
beshut verb t. To shut up or out.
beside noun At the side of; on one side of., Aside from; out of the regular course or order of; in a state of deviation from; out of., Over and above; distinct from; in addition to., On one side., More than that; over and above; not included in the number, or in what has been mentioned; moreover; in addition.
besmut verb t. To blacken with smut; to foul with soot.
besnow verb t. To scatter like snow; to cover thick, as with snow flakes., To cover with snow; to whiten with snow, or as with snow.
besort verb t. To assort or be congruous with; to fit, or become., Befitting associates or attendants.
bespew verb t. To soil or daub with spew; to vomit on.
bespit imp. of Bespit, of Bespit, To daub or soil with spittle.
bespot verb t. To mark with spots, or as with spots.
bestad imp. & past participle Beset; put in peril., of Bestead
bestar verb t. To sprinkle with, or as with, stars; to decorate with, or as with, stars; to bestud.
bested of Bestead
bestir verb t. To put into brisk or vigorous action; to move with life and vigor; — usually with the reciprocal pronoun.
bestow verb t. To lay up in store; to deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place; to put., To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some occupation., To expend, as money., To give or confer; to impart; — with on or upon., To give in marriage., To demean; to conduct; to behave; — followed by a reflexive pronoun.
bestud verb t. To set or adorn, as with studs or bosses; to set thickly; to stud; as, to bestud with stars.
betted of Bet
betook imp. of Betake, imp. of Betake.
betake verb t. To take or seize., To have recourse to; to apply; to resort; to go; — with a reflexive pronoun., To commend or intrust to; to commit to.
beteem adjective To give ; to bestow; to grant; to accord; to consent., To allow; to permit; to suffer.
bethel noun A place of worship; a hallowed spot., A chapel for dissenters., A house of worship for seamen.
betide verb t. To happen to; to befall; to come to ; as, woe betide the wanderer., To come to pass; to happen; to occur.
betime adverb Alt. of Betimes
betony noun A plant of the genus Betonica (Linn.).
betorn adjective Torn in pieces; tattered.
betoss verb t. To put in violent motion; to agitate; to disturb; to toss.
betrap verb t. To draw into, or catch in, a trap; to insnare; to circumvent., To put trappings on; to clothe; to deck.
betray verb t. To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or faithlessly; as, an officer betrayed the city., To prove faithless or treacherous to, as to a trust or one who trusts; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a person or a cause., To violate the confidence of, by disclosing a secret, or that which one is bound in honor not to make known., To disclose or discover, as something which prudence would conceal; to reveal unintentionally., To mislead; to expose to inconvenience not foreseen to lead into error or sin., To lead astray, as a maiden; to seduce (as under promise of marriage) and then abandon., To show or to indicate; — said of what is not obvious at first, or would otherwise be concealed.
betrim verb t. To set in order; to adorn; to deck, to embellish; to trim.
better adjective Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a better air., Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness, acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect., Greater in amount; larger; more., Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better., More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance; a better knowledge of the subject., Advantage, superiority, or victory; — usually with of; as, to get the better of an enemy., One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in merit, social standing, etc.; — usually in the plural., In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as, Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than recruits., More correctly or thoroughly., In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one better than another., More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten miles and better., To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of., To improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise., To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel., To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of., To become better; to improve., One who bets or lays a wager.
bettor noun One who bets; a better.
beurre noun A beurre (or buttery) pear, one with the meat soft and melting; — used with a distinguishing word; as, Beurre d’Anjou; Beurre Clairgeau.
bevile noun A chief broken or opening like a carpenter’s bevel.
bevies plural of Bevy
bewail verb t. To express deep sorrow for, as by wailing; to lament; to wail over., To express grief; to lament.
bewake verb t. & i. To keep watch over; to keep awake.
beware verb i. To be on one’s guard; to be cautious; to take care; — commonly followed by of or lest before the thing that is to be avoided., To have a special regard; to heed., To avoid; to take care of; to have a care for.
bewash verb t. To drench or souse with water.
bewept imp. & past participle of Beweep
beweep verb t. To weep over; to deplore; to bedew with tears., To weep.
bewrap verb t. To wrap up; to cover.
bewray verb t. To soil. See Beray., To expose; to reveal; to disclose; to betray.
beylic noun The territory ruled by a bey.
beyond preposition On the further side of; in the same direction as, and further on or away than., At a place or time not yet reached; before., Past, out of the reach or sphere of; further than; greater than; as, the patient was beyond medical aid; beyond one’s strength., In a degree or amount exceeding or surpassing; proceeding to a greater degree than; above, as in dignity, excellence, or quality of any kind., Further away; at a distance; yonder.
bezant noun A gold coin of Byzantium or Constantinople, varying in weight and value, usually (those current in England) between a sovereign and a half sovereign. There were also white or silver bezants., A circle in or, i. e., gold, representing the gold coin called bezant., A decoration of a flat surface, as of a band or belt, representing circular disks lapping one upon another.
bezoar noun A calculous concretion found in the intestines of certain ruminant animals (as the wild goat, the gazelle, and the Peruvian llama) formerly regarded as an unfailing antidote for poison, and a certain remedy for eruptive, pestilential, or putrid diseases. Hence: Any antidote or panacea.
bezzle verb t. To plunder; to waste in riot., To drink to excess; to revel.
biacid adjective Having two hydrogen atoms which can be replaced by negative atoms or radicals to form salts; — said of bases. See Diacid.
biases plural of Bias
biased imp. & past participle of Bias
biaxal adjective Alt. of Biaxial
bibber noun One given to drinking alcoholic beverages too freely; a tippler; — chiefly used in composition; as, winebibber.
bibler verb t. A great drinker; a tippler.
biceps noun A muscle having two heads or origins; — applied particularly to a flexor in the arm, and to another in the thigh.
bichir noun A remarkable ganoid fish (Polypterus bichir) found in the Nile and other African rivers. See Brachioganoidei.
bicker noun A small wooden vessel made of staves and hoops, like a tub., To skirmish; to exchange blows; to fight., To contend in petulant altercation; to wrangle., To move quickly and unsteadily, or with a pattering noise; to quiver; to be tremulous, like flame., A skirmish; an encounter., A fight with stones between two parties of boys., A wrangle; also, a noise,, as in angry contention.
bicorn adjective Alt. of Bicornous
bidden past participle of Bid, p. p. of Bid.
bidale noun An invitation of friends to drink ale at some poor man’s house, and there to contribute in charity for his relief.
bidder noun One who bids or offers a price.
biding present participle & vb. noun of Bide, Residence; habitation.
bident noun An instrument or weapon with two prongs.
biffin noun A sort of apple peculiar to Norfolk, Eng., A baked apple pressed down into a flat, round cake; a dried apple.
bifold adjective Twofold; double; of two kinds, degrees, etc.
biform adjective Having two forms, bodies, or shapes.
biforn preposition & adverb Before.
bigamy noun The offense of marrying one person when already legally married to another.
bigeye noun A fish of the genus Priacanthus, remarkable for the large size of the eye.
biggen verb t. & i. To make or become big; to enlarge.
bigger adjective compar. of Big.
biggin noun A child’s cap; a hood, or something worn on the head., A coffeepot with a strainer or perforated metallic vessel for holding the ground coffee, through which boiling water is poured; — so called from Mr. Biggin, the inventor., Alt. of Bigging
biggon noun Alt. of Biggonnet
bigwig adjective A person of consequence; as, the bigwigs of society.
bijoux plural of Bijou
bilalo noun A two-masted passenger boat or small vessel, used in the bay of Manila.
biland noun A byland.
bilged imp. & past participle of Bilge
bilked imp. & past participle of Bilk
billed imp. & past participle of Bill, Furnished with, or having, a bill, as a bird; — used in composition; as, broad-billed.
billet noun A small paper; a note; a short letter., A ticket from a public officer directing soldiers at what house to lodge; as, a billet of residence., To direct, by a ticket or note, where to lodge. Hence: To quarter, or place in lodgings, as soldiers in private houses., A small stick of wood, as for firewood., A short bar of metal, as of gold or iron., An ornament in Norman work, resembling a billet of wood either square or round., A strap which enters a buckle., A loop which receives the end of a buckled strap., A bearing in the form of an oblong rectangle.
billon noun An alloy of gold and silver with a large proportion of copper or other base metal, used in coinage.
billot noun Bullion in the bar or mass.
billow noun A great wave or surge of the sea or other water, caused usually by violent wind., A great wave or flood of anything., To surge; to rise and roll in waves or surges; to undulate.
bimana noun pl. Animals having two hands; — a term applied by Cuvier to man as a special order of Mammalia.
binned imp. & past participle of Bin
binary adjective Compounded or consisting of two things or parts; characterized by two (things)., That which is constituted of two figures, things, or parts; two; duality.
binate adjective Double; growing in pairs or couples.
binder noun One who binds; as, a binder of sheaves; one whose trade is to bind; as, a binder of books., Anything that binds, as a fillet, cord, rope, or band; a bandage; — esp. the principal piece of timber intended to bind together any building.
binous adjective Same as Binate.
biogen noun Bioplasm.
biotic adjective Relating to life; as, the biotic principle.
bipont adjective Alt. of Bipontine
birder noun A birdcatcher.
birdie noun A pretty or dear little bird; — a pet name.
bireme noun An ancient galley or vessel with two banks or tiers of oars.
birken verb t. To whip with a birch or rod., Birchen; as, birken groves.
birkie noun A lively or mettlesome fellow.
birlaw noun A law made by husbandmen respecting rural affairs; a rustic or local law or by-law.
birred imp. & past participle of Birr
birrus noun A coarse kind of thick woolen cloth, worn by the poor in the Middle Ages; also, a woolen cap or hood worn over the shoulders or over the head.
bisect verb t. To cut or divide into two parts., To divide into two equal parts.
biseye p. p. of Besee.
bishop noun A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or director., In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican or Protestant Episcopal churches, one ordained to the highest order of the ministry, superior to the priesthood, and generally claiming to be a successor of the Apostles. The bishop is usually the spiritual head or ruler of a diocese, bishopric, or see., In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of the highest church officers or superintendents., A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a representation of a bishop’s miter; — formerly called archer., A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons, and sugar., An old name for a woman’s bustle., To admit into the church by confirmation; to confirm; hence, to receive formally to favor., To make seem younger, by operating on the teeth; as, to bishop an old horse or his teeth.
bismer noun Shame; abuse., A rule steelyard., The fifteen-spined (Gasterosteus spinachia).
bisque noun Unglazed white porcelain., A point taken by the receiver of odds in the game of tennis; also, an extra innings allowed to a weaker player in croquet., A white soup made of crayfish.
bisson adjective Purblind; blinding.
bister noun Alt. of Bistre
bistre noun A dark brown pigment extracted from the soot of wood., See Bister.
bitted imp. & past participle of Bit
bitake verb t. To commend; to commit.
bitten past participle of Bite, p. p. of Bite., Terminating abruptly, as if bitten off; premorse.
biting present participle & vb. noun of Bite, That bites; sharp; cutting; sarcastic; caustic.
bitter noun AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts., Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes., Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day., Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant., Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach., Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable., Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters., To make bitter.
bitume noun Bitumen.
biuret noun A white, crystalline, nitrogenous substance, C2O2N3H5, formed by heating urea. It is intermediate between urea and cyanuric acid.
bivial adjective Of or relating to the bivium.
bivium noun One side of an echinoderm, including a pair of ambulacra, in distinction from the opposite side (trivium), which includes three ambulacra.
blacks noun pl. The name of a kind of in used in copperplate printing, prepared from the charred husks of the grape, and residue of the wine press., Soot flying in the air., Black garments, etc. See Black, n., 4.
bladed adjective Having a blade or blades; as, a two-bladed knife., Divested of blades; as, bladed corn., Composed of long and narrow plates, shaped like the blade of a knife.
blague noun Mendacious boasting; falsehood; humbug.
blamed imp. & past participle of Blame
blamer noun One who blames.
blanch adjective To take the color out of, and make white; to bleach; as, to blanch linen; age has blanched his hair., To bleach by excluding the light, as the stalks or leaves of plants, by earthing them up or tying them together., To make white by removing the skin of, as by scalding; as, to blanch almonds., To whiten, as the surface of meat, by plunging into boiling water and afterwards into cold, so as to harden the surface and retain the juices., To give a white luster to (silver, before stamping, in the process of coining.)., To cover (sheet iron) with a coating of tin., Fig.: To whiten; to give a favorable appearance to; to whitewash; to palliate., To grow or become white; as, his cheek blanched with fear; the rose blanches in the sun., To avoid, as from fear; to evade; to leave unnoticed., To cause to turn aside or back; as, to blanch a deer., To use evasion., Ore, not in masses, but mixed with other minerals.
blared imp. & past participle of Blare
blasty adjective Affected by blasts; gusty., Causing blast or injury.
blazed imp. & past participle of Blaze
blazer noun One who spreads reports or blazes matters abroad.
blazon noun A shield., An heraldic shield; a coat of arms, or a bearing on a coat of arms; armorial bearings., The art or act of describing or depicting heraldic bearings in the proper language or manner., Ostentatious display, either by words or other means; publication; show; description; record., To depict in colors; to display; to exhibit conspicuously; to publish or make public far and wide., To deck; to embellish; to adorn., To describe in proper terms (the figures of heraldic devices); also, to delineate (armorial bearings); to emblazon., To shine; to be conspicuous.
bleach adjective To make white, or whiter; to remove the color, or stains, from; to blanch; to whiten., To grow white or lose color; to whiten.
bleaky adjective Bleak.
bleary adjective Somewhat blear.
blebby adjective Containing blebs, or characterized by blebs; as, blebby glass.
blench verb i. To shrink; to start back; to draw back, from lack of courage or resolution; to flinch; to quail., To fly off; to turn aside., To baffle; to disconcert; to turn away; — also, to obstruct; to hinder., To draw back from; to deny from fear., A looking aside or askance., To grow or make pale.
blende noun A mineral, called also sphalerite, and by miners mock lead, false galena, and black-jack. It is a zinc sulphide, but often contains some iron. Its color is usually yellow, brown, or black, and its luster resinous., A general term for some minerals, chiefly metallic sulphides which have a somewhat brilliant but nonmetallic luster.
blenny noun A marine fish of the genus Blennius or family Blenniidae; — so called from its coating of mucus. The species are numerous.
bleyme noun An inflammation in the foot of a horse, between the sole and the bone.
blight verb t. To affect with blight; to blast; to prevent the growth and fertility of., Hence: To destroy the happiness of; to ruin; to mar essentially; to frustrate; as, to blight one’s prospects., To be affected by blight; to blast; as, this vine never blights., Mildew; decay; anything nipping or blasting; — applied as a general name to various injuries or diseases of plants, causing the whole or a part to wither, whether occasioned by insects, fungi, or atmospheric influences., The act of blighting, or the state of being blighted; a withering or mildewing, or a stoppage of growth in the whole or a part of a plant, etc., That which frustrates one’s plans or withers one’s hopes; that which impairs or destroys., A downy species of aphis, or plant louse, destructive to fruit trees, infesting both the roots and branches; — also applied to several other injurious insects., A rashlike eruption on the human skin.
blimbi noun Alt. of Blimbing
blinde noun See Blende.
blithe adjective Gay; merry; sprightly; joyous; glad; cheerful; as, a blithe spirit.
blonde verb t. Of a fair color; light-colored; as, blond hair; a blond complexion., A person of very fair complexion, with light hair and light blue eyes., A kind of silk lace originally of the color of raw silk, now sometimes dyed; — called also blond lace.
bloody adjective Containing or resembling blood; of the nature of blood; as, bloody excretions; bloody sweat., Smeared or stained with blood; as, bloody hands; a bloody handkerchief., Given, or tending, to the shedding of blood; having a cruel, savage disposition; murderous; cruel., Attended with, or involving, bloodshed; sanguinary; esp., marked by great slaughter or cruelty; as, a bloody battle., Infamous; contemptible; — variously used for mere emphasis or as a low epithet., To stain with blood.
bloomy adjective Full of bloom; flowery; flourishing with the vigor of youth; as, a bloomy spray., Covered with bloom, as fruit.
blooth noun Bloom; a blossoming.
blosmy adjective Blossomy.
blotch adjective A blot or spot, as of color or of ink; especially a large or irregular spot. Also Fig.; as, a moral blotch., A large pustule, or a coarse eruption.
bloted imp. & past participle of Blote
blouse noun A light, loose over-garment, like a smock frock, worn especially by workingmen in France; also, a loose coat of any material, as the undress uniform coat of the United States army.
blowen noun Alt. of Blowess
blower noun One who, or that which, blows., A device for producing a current of air; as: (a) A metal plate temporarily placed before the upper part of a grate or open fire. (b) A machine for producing an artificial blast or current of air by pressure, as for increasing the draft of a furnace, ventilating a building or shaft, cleansing gram, etc., A blowing out or excessive discharge of gas from a hole or fissure in a mine., The whale; — so called by seamen, from the circumstance of its spouting up a column of water., A small fish of the Atlantic coast (Tetrodon turgidus); the puffer., A braggart, or loud talker.
blowse noun See Blowze.
blowth noun A blossoming; a bloom.
blowze noun A ruddy, fat-faced woman; a wench.
blowzy adjective Coarse and ruddy-faced; fat and ruddy; high colored; frowzy.
bluing present participle & vb. noun of Blue, The act of rendering blue; as, the bluing of steel., Something to give a bluish tint, as indigo, or preparations used by washerwomen.
bluely adverb With a blue color.
bluets adjective A name given to several different species of plants having blue flowers, as the Houstonia coerulea, the Centaurea cyanus or bluebottle, and the Vaccinium angustifolium.
bluffy adjective Having bluffs, or bold, steep banks., Inclined to bo bluff; brusque.
bluish adjective Somewhat blue; as, bluish veins.
blunge verb t. To amalgamate and blend; to beat up or mix in water, as clay.
blurry adjective Full of blurs; blurred.
blushy adjective Like a blush; having the color of a blush; rosy.
boated imp. & past participle of Boat
bobbed imp. & past participle of Bob
bobber noun One who, or that which, bobs.
bobbin noun A small pin, or cylinder, formerly of bone, now most commonly of wood, used in the making of pillow lace. Each thread is wound on a separate bobbin which hangs down holding the thread at a slight tension., A spool or reel of various material and construction, with a head at one or both ends, and sometimes with a hole bored through its length by which it may be placed on a spindle or pivot. It is used to hold yarn or thread, as in spinning or warping machines, looms, sewing machines, etc., The little rounded piece of wood, at the end of a latch string, which is pulled to raise the latch., A fine cord or narrow braid., A cylindrical or spool-shaped coil or insulated wire, usually containing a core of soft iron which becomes magnetic when the wire is traversed by an electrical current.
bobfly noun The fly at the end of the leader; an end fly.
bockey noun A bowl or vessel made from a gourd.
boding present participle & vb. noun of Bode, Foreshowing; presaging; ominous., A prognostic; an omen; a foreboding.
bodged imp. & past participle of Bodge
bodian noun A large food fish (Diagramma lineatum), native of the East Indies.
bodice noun A kind of under waist stiffened with whalebone, etc., worn esp. by women; a corset; stays., A close-fitting outer waist or vest forming the upper part of a woman’s dress, or a portion of it.
bodied adjective Having a body; — usually in composition; as, able-bodied., of Body
bodily adjective Having a body or material form; physical; corporeal; consisting of matter., Of or pertaining to the body, in distinction from the mind., Real; actual; put in execution., Corporeally; in bodily form; united with a body or matter; in the body., In respect to, or so as to affect, the entire body or mass; entirely; all at once; completely; as, to carry away bodily. “Leapt bodily below.”
bodkin noun A dagger., An implement of steel, bone, ivory, etc., with a sharp point, for making holes by piercing; a /tiletto; an eyeleteer., A sharp tool, like an awl, used for picking /ut letters from a column or page in making corrections., A kind of needle with a large eye and a blunt point, for drawing tape, ribbon, etc., through a loop or a hem; a tape needle., A kind of pin used by women to fasten the hair., See Baudekin.
bodock noun The Osage orange.
bodies plural of Body
bogged imp. & past participle of Bog
boggle noun To stop or hesitate as if suddenly frightened, or in doubt, or impeded by unforeseen difficulties; to take alarm; to exhibit hesitancy and indecision., To do anything awkwardly or unskillfully., To play fast and loose; to dissemble., To embarrass with difficulties; to make a bungle or botch of.
bogies plural of Bogy
boiled imp. & past participle of Boil, Dressed or cooked by boiling; subjected to the action of a boiling liquid; as, boiled meat; a boiled dinner; boiled clothes.
boiler noun One who boils., A vessel in which any thing is boiled., A strong metallic vessel, usually of wrought iron plates riveted together, or a composite structure variously formed, in which steam is generated for driving engines, or for heating, cooking, or other purposes.
bolden verb t. To make bold; to encourage; to embolden.
boldly adverb In a bold manner.
bolero noun A Spanish dance, or the lively music which accompanies it.
bolete noun any fungus of the family Boletaceae.
bolide noun A kind of bright meteor; a bolis.
bolled imp. & past participle of Boll
bollen adjective See Boln, a., Swollen; puffed out.
bolted imp. & past participle of Bolt, of Bolt
boltel noun See Boultel.
bolter noun One who bolts; esp.: (a) A horse which starts suddenly aside. (b) A man who breaks away from his party., One who sifts flour or meal., An instrument or machine for separating bran from flour, or the coarser part of meal from the finer; a sieve., A kind of fishing line. See Boulter.
bombax noun A genus of trees, called also the silkcotton tree; also, a tree of the genus Bombax.
bombic adjective Pertaining to, or obtained from, the silkworm; as, bombic acid.
bombyx noun A genus of moths, which includes the silkworm moth. See Silkworm.
bonair adjective Gentle; courteous; complaisant; yielding.
bonbon noun Sugar confectionery; a sugarplum; hence, any dainty.
bonded imp. & past participle of Bond, Placed under, or covered by, a bond, as for the payment of duties, or for conformity to certain regulations.
bondar noun A small quadruped of Bengal (Paradoxurus bondar), allied to the genet; — called also musk cat.
bonder noun One who places goods under bond or in a bonded warehouse., A bonding stone or brick; a bondstone., A freeholder on a small scale.
bonduc noun See Nicker tree.
boning present participle & vb. noun of Bone, The clearing of bones from fish or meat., The manuring of land with bones., A method of leveling a line or surface by sighting along the tops of two or more straight edges, or a range of properly spaced poles. See 3d Bone, v. t.
bonify verb t. To convert into, or make, good.
bonito noun A large tropical fish (Orcynus pelamys) allied to the tunny. It is about three feet long, blue above, with four brown stripes on the sides. It is sometimes found on the American coast., The skipjack (Sarda Mediterranea) of the Atlantic, an important and abundant food fish on the coast of the United States, and (S. Chilensis) of the Pacific, and other related species. They are large and active fishes, of a blue color with black oblique stripes., The medregal (Seriola fasciata), an edible fish of the southern of the United States and the West Indies., The cobia or crab eater (Elacate canada), an edible fish of the Middle and Southern United States.
bonmot noun A witty repartee; a jest.
bonnet noun A headdress for men and boys; a cap., A soft, elastic, very durable cap, made of thick, seamless woolen stuff, and worn by men in Scotland., A covering for the head, worn by women, usually protecting more or less the back and sides of the head, but no part of the forehead. The shape of the bonnet varies greatly at different times; formerly the front part projected, and spread outward, like the mouth of a funnel., Anything resembling a bonnet in shape or use, A small defense work at a salient angle; or a part of a parapet elevated to screen the other part from enfilade fire., A metallic canopy, or projection, over an opening, as a fireplace, or a cowl or hood to increase the draught of a chimney, etc., A frame of wire netting over a locomotive chimney, to prevent escape of sparks., A roofing over the cage of a mine, to protect its occupants from objects falling down the shaft., In pumps, a metal covering for the openings in the valve chambers., An additional piece of canvas laced to the foot of a jib or foresail in moderate winds., The second stomach of a ruminating animal., An accomplice of a gambler, auctioneer, etc., who entices others to bet or to bid; a decoy., To take off the bonnet or cap as a mark of respect; to uncover.
bonnie adjective See Bonny, a.
boodle noun The whole collection or lot; caboodle., Money given in payment for votes or political influence; bribe money; swag.
boohoe verb i. To bawl; to cry loudly.
boohoo noun The sailfish; — called also woohoo.
booked imp. & past participle of Book, Registered., On the way; destined.
booker noun One who enters accounts or names, etc., in a book; a bookkeeper.
boomed imp. & past participle of Boom
boomer noun One who, or that which, booms., A North American rodent, so named because it is said to make a booming noise. See Sewellel., A large male kangaroo., One who works up a “boom”.
booser noun A toper; a guzzler. See Boozer.
booted imp. & past participle of Boot, of Boot, Wearing boots, especially boots with long tops, as for riding; as, a booted squire., Having an undivided, horny, bootlike covering; — said of the tarsus of some birds.
bootee noun A half boot or short boot.
bootes noun A northern constellation, containing the bright star Arcturus.
boothy noun See Bothy., A wooden hut or humble cot, esp. a rude hut or barrack for unmarried farm servants; a shepherd’s or hunter’s hut; a booth.
boozed imp. & past participle of Booze
boozer noun One who boozes; a toper; a guzzler of alcoholic liquors; a bouser.
bopeep noun The act of looking out suddenly, as from behind a screen, so as to startle some one (as by children in play), or of looking out and drawing suddenly back, as if frightened.
borage noun A mucilaginous plant of the genus Borago (B. officinalis), which is used, esp. in France, as a demulcent and diaphoretic.
borate noun A salt formed by the combination of boric acid with a base or positive radical.
bordar noun A villein who rendered menial service for his cottage; a cottier.
bordel noun Alt. of Bordello
border noun The outer part or edge of anything, as of a garment, a garden, etc.; margin; verge; brink., A boundary; a frontier of a state or of the settled part of a country; a frontier district., A strip or stripe arranged along or near the edge of something, as an ornament or finish., A narrow flower bed., To touch at the edge or boundary; to be contiguous or adjacent; — with on or upon as, Connecticut borders on Massachusetts., To approach; to come near to; to verge., To make a border for; to furnish with a border, as for ornament; as, to border a garment or a garden., To be, or to have, contiguous to; to touch, or be touched, as by a border; to be, or to have, near the limits or boundary; as, the region borders a forest, or is bordered on the north by a forest., To confine within bounds; to limit.
boring present participle & vb. noun of Bore, The act or process of one who, or that which, bores; as, the boring of cannon; the boring of piles and ship timbers by certain marine mollusks., A hole made by boring., The chips or fragments made by boring.
boreal adjective Northern; pertaining to the north, or to the north wind; as, a boreal bird; a boreal blast.
boreas noun The north wind; — usually a personification.
borele noun The smaller two-horned rhinoceros of South Africa (Atelodus bicornis).
boride noun A binary compound of boron with a more positive or basic element or radical; — formerly called boruret.
borrel noun Coarse woolen cloth; hence, coarse clothing; a garment., A kind of light stuff, of silk and wool., Ignorant, unlearned; belonging to the laity.
borrow verb t. To receive from another as a loan, with the implied or expressed intention of returning the identical article or its equivalent in kind; — the opposite of lend., To take (one or more) from the next higher denomination in order to add it to the next lower; — a term of subtraction when the figure of the subtrahend is larger than the corresponding one of the minuend., To copy or imitate; to adopt; as, to borrow the style, manner, or opinions of another., To feign or counterfeit., To receive; to take; to derive., Something deposited as security; a pledge; a surety; a hostage., The act of borrowing.
boshes plural of Bosh
bosket noun Alt. of Bosquet
bosomy adjective Characterized by recesses or sheltered hollows.
bosses plural of Boss
bossed imp. & past participle of Boss, Embossed; also, bossy.
bosset noun A rudimental antler of a young male of the red deer.
boston noun A game at cards, played by four persons, with two packs of fifty-two cards each; — said to be so called from Boston, Massachusetts, and to have been invented by officers of the French army in America during the Revolutionary war.
botany adjective & noun The science which treats of the structure of plants, the functions of their parts, their places of growth, their classification, and the terms which are employed in their description and denomination. See Plant., A book which treats of the science of botany.
botchy adjective Marked with botches; full of botches; poorly done.
botfly noun A dipterous insect of the family (Estridae, of many different species, some of which are particularly troublesome to domestic animals, as the horse, ox, and sheep, on which they deposit their eggs. A common species is one of the botflies of the horse (Gastrophilus equi), the larvae of which (bots) are taken into the stomach of the animal, where they live several months and pass through their larval states. In tropical America one species sometimes lives under the human skin, and another in the stomach. See Gadfly.
bother verb t. To annoy; to trouble; to worry; to perplex. See Pother., To feel care or anxiety; to make or take trouble; to be troublesome., One who, or that which, bothers; state of perplexity or annoyance; embarrassment; worry; disturbance; petty trouble; as, to be in a bother.
bothie noun Same as Bothy.
bottle noun A hollow vessel, usually of glass or earthenware (but formerly of leather), with a narrow neck or mouth, for holding liquids., The contents of a bottle; as much as a bottle contains; as, to drink a bottle of wine., Fig.: Intoxicating liquor; as, to drown one’s reason in the bottle., To put into bottles; to inclose in, or as in, a bottle or bottles; to keep or restrain as in a bottle; as, to bottle wine or porter; to bottle up one’s wrath., A bundle, esp. of hay.
bottom noun The lowest part of anything; the foot; as, the bottom of a tree or well; the bottom of a hill, a lane, or a page., The part of anything which is beneath the contents and supports them, as the part of a chair on which a person sits, the circular base or lower head of a cask or tub, or the plank floor of a ship’s hold; the under surface., That upon which anything rests or is founded, in a literal or a figurative sense; foundation; groundwork., The bed of a body of water, as of a river, lake, sea., The fundament; the buttocks., An abyss., Low land formed by alluvial deposits along a river; low-lying ground; a dale; a valley., The part of a ship which is ordinarily under water; hence, the vessel itself; a ship., Power of endurance; as, a horse of a good bottom., Dregs or grounds; lees; sediment., Of or pertaining to the bottom; fundamental; lowest; under; as, bottom rock; the bottom board of a wagon box; bottom prices., To found or build upon; to fix upon as a support; — followed by on or upon., To furnish with a bottom; as, to bottom a chair., To reach or get to the bottom of., To rest, as upon an ultimate support; to be based or grounded; — usually with on or upon., To reach or impinge against the bottom, so as to impede free action, as when the point of a cog strikes the bottom of a space between two other cogs, or a piston the end of a cylinder., A ball or skein of thread; a cocoon., To wind round something, as in making a ball of thread.
bouche noun Same as Bush, a lining., Same as Bush, to line., Alt. of Bouch
bouffe noun Comic opera. See Opera Bouffe.
bouged imp. & past participle of Bouge
bouget noun A charge representing a leather vessel for carrying water; — also called water bouget.
bought noun A flexure; a bend; a twist; a turn; a coil, as in a rope; as the boughts of a serpent., The part of a sling that contains the stone., imp. & p. p. of Buy., Purchased; bribed., of Buy
bougie noun A long, flexible instrument, that is, A long slender rod consisting of gelatin or some other substance that melts at the temperature of the body. It is impregnated with medicine, and designed for introduction into urethra, etc.
bounce verb i. To strike or thump, so as to rebound, or to make a sudden noise; a knock loudly., To leap or spring suddenly or unceremoniously; to bound; as, she bounced into the room., To boast; to talk big; to bluster., To drive against anything suddenly and violently; to bump; to thump., To cause to bound or rebound; sometimes, to toss., To eject violently, as from a room; to discharge unceremoniously, as from employment., To bully; to scold., A sudden leap or bound; a rebound., A heavy, sudden, and often noisy, blow or thump., An explosion, or the noise of one., Bluster; brag; untruthful boasting; audacious exaggeration; an impudent lie; a bouncer., A dogfish of Europe (Scyllium catulus)., With a sudden leap; suddenly.
bounty noun Goodness, kindness; virtue; worth., Liberality in bestowing gifts or favors; gracious or liberal giving; generosity; munificence., That which is given generously or liberally., A premium offered or given to induce men to enlist into the public service; or to encourage any branch of industry, as husbandry or manufactures.
bourne verb A stream or rivulet; a burn., A bound; a boundary; a limit. Hence: Point aimed at; goal.
bourse noun An exchange, or place where merchants, bankers, etc., meet for business at certain hours; esp., the Stock Exchange of Paris.
bouser noun A toper; a boozer.
bovate noun An oxgang, or as much land as an ox can plow in a year; an ancient measure of land, of indefinite quantity, but usually estimated at fifteen acres.
bovine adjective Of or pertaining to the genus Bos; relating to, or resembling, the ox or cow; oxlike; as, the bovine genus; a bovine antelope., Having qualities characteristic of oxen or cows; sluggish and patient; dull; as, a bovine temperament.
bowing present participle & vb. noun of Bow, of Bow, The act or art of managing the bow in playing on stringed instruments., In hatmaking, the act or process of separating and distributing the fur or hair by means of a bow, to prepare it for felting.
bowery adjective Shading, like a bower; full of bowers., A farm or plantation with its buildings., Characteristic of the street called the Bowery, in New York city; swaggering; flashy.
bowess noun Same as Bower.
bowfin noun A voracious ganoid fish (Amia calva) found in the fresh waters of the United States; the mudfish; — called also Johnny Grindle, and dogfish.
bowled imp. & past participle of Bowl
bowleg noun A crooked leg.
bowler noun One who plays at bowls, or who rolls the ball in cricket or any other game.
bowmen plural of Bowman
bowman noun A man who uses a bow; an archer., The man who rows the foremost oar in a boat; the bow oar.
bowtel noun See Boultel.
bowwow noun An onomatopoetic name for a dog or its bark., Onomatopoetic; as, the bowwow theory of language; a bowwow word.
bowyer noun An archer; one who uses bow., One who makes or sells bows.
boxing present participle & vb. noun of Box, The act of inclosing (anything) in a box, as for storage or transportation., Material used in making boxes or casings., Any boxlike inclosure or recess; a casing., The external case of thin material used to bring any member to a required form., The act of fighting with the fist; a combat with the fist; sparring.
boyard noun A member of a Russian aristocratic order abolished by Peter the Great. Also, one of a privileged class in Roumania.
boyaux plural of Boyau
boyaus plural of Boyau
boyish adjective Resembling a boy in a manners or opinions; belonging to a boy; childish; trifling; puerile.
boyism noun Boyhood., The nature of a boy; childishness.
braced imp. & past participle of Brace
bracer noun That which braces, binds, or makes firm; a band or bandage., A covering to protect the arm of the bowman from the vibration of the string; also, a brassart., A medicine, as an astringent or a tonic, which gives tension or tone to any part of the body.
bracky adjective Brackish.
bragly adverb In a manner to be bragged of; finely; proudly.
brahma noun The One First Cause; also, one of the triad of Hindoo gods. The triad consists of Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Siva, the Destroyer., A valuable variety of large, domestic fowl, peculiar in having the comb divided lengthwise into three parts, and the legs well feathered. There are two breeds, the dark or penciled, and the light; — called also Brahmapootra.
brainy adjective Having an active or vigorous mind.
braise noun Alt. of Braize, Alt. of Braize, To stew or broil in a covered kettle or pan.
braize noun A European marine fish (Pagrus vulgaris) allied to the American scup; the becker. The name is sometimes applied to the related species., Charcoal powder; breeze., Braised meat., See Braise.
bramin Alt. of Braminic
branch noun A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant., Any division extending like a branch; any arm or part connected with the main body of thing; ramification; as, the branch of an antler; the branch of a chandelier; a branch of a river; a branch of a railway., Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department., One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola., A line of family descent, in distinction from some other line or lines from the same stock; any descendant in such a line; as, the English branch of a family., A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters., Diverging from, or tributary to, a main stock, line, way, theme, etc.; as, a branch vein; a branch road or line; a branch topic; a branch store., To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify., To divide into separate parts or subdivision., To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in., To adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers, or twigs.
brandy noun A strong alcoholic liquor distilled from wine. The name is also given to spirit distilled from other liquors, and in the United States to that distilled from cider and peaches. In northern Europe, it is also applied to a spirit obtained from grain.
branks noun A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces., A scolding bridle, an instrument formerly used for correcting scolding women. It was an iron frame surrounding the head and having a triangular piece entering the mouth of the scold.
branny adjective Having the appearance of bran; consisting of or containing bran.
brasen adjective Same as Brazen.
brasse noun A spotted European fish of the genus Lucioperca, resembling a perch.
brassy adjective Of or pertaining to brass; having the nature, appearance, or hardness, of brass., Impudent; impudently bold.
braved imp. & past participle of Brave
brawny adjective Having large, strong muscles; muscular; fleshy; strong.
brayed imp. & past participle of Bray
brayer noun An implement for braying and spreading ink in hand printing., One that brays like an ass.
brazed imp. & past participle of Braze
brazen adjective Pertaining to, made of, or resembling, brass., Sounding harsh and loud, like resounding brass., Impudent; immodest; shameless; having a front like brass; as, a brazen countenance., To carry through impudently or shamelessly; as, to brazen the matter through.
breach noun The act of breaking, in a figurative sense., Specifically: A breaking or infraction of a law, or of any obligation or tie; violation; non-fulfillment; as, a breach of contract; a breach of promise., A gap or opening made made by breaking or battering, as in a wall or fortification; the space between the parts of a solid body rent by violence; a break; a rupture., A breaking of waters, as over a vessel; the waters themselves; surge; surf., A breaking up of amicable relations; rupture., A bruise; a wound., A hernia; a rupture., A breaking out upon; an assault., To make a breach or opening in; as, to breach the walls of a city., To break the water, as by leaping out; — said of a whale.
broken past participle of Break, Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish., Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a broken surface., Fractured; cracked; disunited; sundered; strained; apart; as, a broken reed; broken friendship., Made infirm or weak, by disease, age, or hardships., Subdued; humbled; contrite., Subjugated; trained for use, as a horse., Crushed and ruined as by something that destroys hope; blighted., Not carried into effect; not adhered to; violated; as, a broken promise, vow, or contract; a broken law., Ruined financially; incapable of redeeming promises made, or of paying debts incurred; as, a broken bank; a broken tradesman., Imperfectly spoken, as by a foreigner; as, broken English; imperfectly spoken on account of emotion; as, to say a few broken words at parting.
breast noun The fore part of the body, between the neck and the belly; the chest; as, the breast of a man or of a horse., Either one of the protuberant glands, situated on the front of the chest or thorax in the female of man and of some other mammalia, in which milk is secreted for the nourishment of the young; a mamma; a teat., Anything resembling the human breast, or bosom; the front or forward part of anything; as, a chimney breast; a plow breast; the breast of a hill., The face of a coal working., The front of a furnace., The seat of consciousness; the repository of thought and self-consciousness, or of secrets; the seat of the affections and passions; the heart., The power of singing; a musical voice; — so called, probably, from the connection of the voice with the lungs, which lie within the breast., To meet, with the breast; to struggle with or oppose manfully; as, to breast the storm or waves., A torus.
breath noun The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc., The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath., The power of respiration, and hence, life., Time to breathe; respite; pause., A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant., Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life., A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle., A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion., Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume., Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.
breede noun Breadth.
breech noun The lower part of the body behind; the buttocks., Breeches., The hinder part of anything; esp., the part of a cannon, or other firearm, behind the chamber., The external angle of knee timber, the inside of which is called the throat., To put into, or clothe with, breeches., To cover as with breeches., To fit or furnish with a breech; as, to breech a gun., To whip on the breech., To fasten with breeching.
breeze noun Alt. of Breeze fly, A light, gentle wind; a fresh, soft-blowing wind., An excited or ruffed state of feeling; a flurry of excitement; a disturbance; a quarrel; as, the discovery produced a breeze., Refuse left in the process of making coke or burning charcoal., Refuse coal, coal ashes, and cinders, used in the burning of bricks., To blow gently.
breezy adjective Characterized by, or having, breezes; airy., Fresh; brisk; full of life.
bregma noun The point of junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures of the skull.
brehon noun An ancient Irish or Scotch judge.
brenne verb t. & i. To burn.
breste verb t. & i. To burst.
breton adjective Of or relating to Brittany, or Bretagne, in France., A native or inhabitant of Brittany, or Bretagne, in France; also, the ancient language of Brittany; Armorican.
brevet noun A warrant from the government, granting a privilege, title, or dignity. [French usage]., A commission giving an officer higher rank than that for which he receives pay; an honorary promotion of an officer., To confer rank upon by brevet., Taking or conferring rank by brevet; as, a brevet colonel; a brevet commission.
brewed imp. & past participle of Brew
brewer noun One who brews; one whose occupation is to prepare malt liquors.
brewis noun Broth or pottage., Bread soaked in broth, drippings of roast meat, milk, or water and butter.
bribed imp. & past participle of Bribe
briber noun A thief., One who bribes, or pays for corrupt practices., That which bribes; a bribe.
bricky adjective Full of bricks; formed of bricks; resembling bricks or brick dust.
bridal noun Of or pertaining to a bride, or to wedding; nuptial; as, bridal ornaments; a bridal outfit; a bridal chamber., A nuptial festival or ceremony; a marriage.
bridge noun A structure, usually of wood, stone, brick, or iron, erected over a river or other water course, or over a chasm, railroad, etc., to make a passageway from one bank to the other., Anything supported at the ends, which serves to keep some other thing from resting upon the object spanned, as in engraving, watchmaking, etc., or which forms a platform or staging over which something passes or is conveyed., The small arch or bar at right angles to the strings of a violin, guitar, etc., serving of raise them and transmit their vibrations to the body of the instrument., A device to measure the resistance of a wire or other conductor forming part of an electric circuit., A low wall or vertical partition in the fire chamber of a furnace, for deflecting flame, etc.; — usually called a bridge wall., To build a bridge or bridges on or over; as, to bridge a river., To open or make a passage, as by a bridge., To find a way of getting over, as a difficulty; — generally with over.
bridle noun The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages., A restraint; a curb; a check., The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc., A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends, so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached to its middle., A mooring hawser., To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse., To restrain, guide, or govern, with, or as with, a bridle; to check, curb, or control; as, to bridle the passions; to bridle a muse., To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression of pride, scorn, or resentment; to assume a lofty manner; — usually with up.
briery adjective Full of briers; thorny., A place where briers grow.
brigge noun A bridge.
bright verb i. See Brite, v. i., Radiating or reflecting light; shedding or having much light; shining; luminous; not dark., Transmitting light; clear; transparent., Having qualities that render conspicuous or attractive, or that affect the mind as light does the eye; resplendent with charms; as, bright beauty., Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent., Sparkling with wit; lively; vivacious; shedding cheerfulness and joy around; cheerful; cheery., Illustrious; glorious., Manifest to the mind, as light is to the eyes; clear; evident; plain., Of brilliant color; of lively hue or appearance., Splendor; brightness., Brightly., To be or become overripe, as wheat, barley, or hops.
brigue noun A cabal, intrigue, faction, contention, strife, or quarrel., To contend for; to canvass; to solicit.
brills noun pl. The hair on the eyelids of a horse.
briony noun See Bryony.
briton adjective British., A native of Great Britain.
broach noun A spit., An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers., A tool of steel, generally tapering, and of a polygonal form, with from four to eight cutting edges, for smoothing or enlarging holes in metal; sometimes made smooth or without edges, as for burnishing pivot holes in watches; a reamer. The broach for gun barrels is commonly square and without taper., A straight tool with file teeth, made of steel, to be pressed through irregular holes in metal that cannot be dressed by revolving tools; a drift., A broad chisel for stonecutting., A spire rising from a tower., A clasp for fastening a garment. See Brooch., A spitlike start, on the head of a young stag., The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping., The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key., To spit; to pierce as with a spit., To tap; to pierce, as a cask, in order to draw the liquor. Hence: To let out; to shed, as blood., To open for the first time, as stores., To make public; to utter; to publish first; to put forth; to introduce as a topic of conversation., To cause to begin or break out., To shape roughly, as a block of stone, by chiseling with a coarse tool., To enlarge or dress (a hole), by using a broach.
broche adjective Woven with a figure; as, broche goods., See Broach, n.
brogan noun A stout, coarse shoe; a brogue.
brogue noun A stout, coarse shoe; a brogan., A dialectic pronunciation; esp. the Irish manner of pronouncing English.
broker verb t. One who transacts business for another; an agent., An agent employed to effect bargains and contracts, as a middleman or negotiator, between other persons, for a compensation commonly called brokerage. He takes no possession, as broker, of the subject matter of the negotiation. He generally contracts in the names of those who employ him, and not in his own., A dealer in money, notes, bills of exchange, etc., A dealer in secondhand goods., A pimp or procurer.
bromal noun An oily, colorless fluid, CBr3.COH, related to bromoform, as chloral is to chloroform, and obtained by the action of bromine on alcohol.
bromic adjective Of, pertaining to, or containing, bromine; — said of those compounds of bromine in which this element has a valence of five, or the next to its highest; as, bromic acid.
bronco noun Same as Broncho.
bronze adjective An alloy of copper and tin, to which small proportions of other metals, especially zinc, are sometimes added. It is hard and sonorous, and is used for statues, bells, cannon, etc., the proportions of the ingredients being varied to suit the particular purposes. The varieties containing the higher proportions of tin are brittle, as in bell metal and speculum metal., A statue, bust, etc., cast in bronze., A yellowish or reddish brown, the color of bronze; also, a pigment or powder for imitating bronze., Boldness; impudence; “brass.”, To give an appearance of bronze to, by a coating of bronze powder, or by other means; to make of the color of bronze; as, to bronze plaster casts; to bronze coins or medals., To make hard or unfeeling; to brazen.
bronzy adjective Like bronze.
brooch noun An ornament, in various forms, with a tongue, pin, or loop for attaching it to a garment; now worn at the breast by women; a breastpin. Formerly worn by men on the hat., A painting all of one color, as a sepia painting, or an India painting., To adorn as with a brooch.
broody adjective Inclined to brood.
broomy adjective Of or pertaining to broom; overgrowing with broom; resembling broom or a broom.
brotel adjective Brittle.
browed adjective Having (such) a brow; — used in composition; as, dark-browed, stern-browed.
browny adjective Brown or, somewhat brown.
browse noun The tender branches or twigs of trees and shrubs, fit for the food of cattle and other animals; green food., To eat or nibble off, as the tender branches of trees, shrubs, etc.; — said of cattle, sheep, deer, and some other animals., To feed on, as pasture; to pasture on; to graze., To feed on the tender branches or shoots of shrubs or trees, as do cattle, sheep, and deer., To pasture; to feed; to nibble.
bruang noun The Malayan sun bear.
bruise verb t. To injure, as by a blow or collision, without laceration; to contuse; as, to bruise one’s finger with a hammer; to bruise the bark of a tree with a stone; to bruise an apple by letting it fall., To break; as in a mortar; to bray, as minerals, roots, etc.; to crush., To fight with the fists; to box., An injury to the flesh of animals, or to plants, fruit, etc., with a blunt or heavy instrument, or by collision with some other body; a contusion; as, a bruise on the head; bruises on fruit.
brumal adjective Of or pertaining to winter.
brushy adjective Resembling a brush; shaggy; rough.
brutal adjective Of or pertaining to a brute; as, brutal nature., Like a brute; savage; cruel; inhuman; brutish; unfeeling; merciless; gross; as, brutal manners.
bryony noun The common name of several cucurbitaceous plants of the genus Bryonia. The root of B. alba (rough or white bryony) and of B. dioica is a strong, irritating cathartic.
bubale noun A large antelope (Alcelaphus bubalis) of Egypt and the Desert of Sahara, supposed by some to be the fallow deer of the Bible.
bubble noun A thin film of liquid inflated with air or gas; as, a soap bubble; bubbles on the surface of a river., A small quantity of air or gas within a liquid body; as, bubbles rising in champagne or aerated waters., A globule of air, or globular vacuum, in a transparent solid; as, bubbles in window glass, or in a lens., A small, hollow, floating bead or globe, formerly used for testing the strength of spirits., The globule of air in the spirit tube of a level., Anything that wants firmness or solidity; that which is more specious than real; a false show; a cheat or fraud; a delusive scheme; an empty project; a dishonest speculation; as, the South Sea bubble., A person deceived by an empty project; a gull., To rise in bubbles, as liquids when boiling or agitated; to contain bubbles., To run with a gurgling noise, as if forming bubbles; as, a bubbling stream., To sing with a gurgling or warbling sound.
bubbly adjective Abounding in bubbles; bubbling.
buboes plural of Bubo
buccal adjective Of or pertaining to the mouth or cheeks.
bucked imp. & past participle of Buck
bucker noun One who bucks ore., A broad-headed hammer used in bucking ore., A horse or mule that bucks.
bucket noun A vessel for drawing up water from a well, or for catching, holding, or carrying water, sap, or other liquids., A vessel (as a tub or scoop) for hoisting and conveying coal, ore, grain, etc., One of the receptacles on the rim of a water wheel into which the water rushes, causing the wheel to revolve; also, a float of a paddle wheel., The valved piston of a lifting pump.
buckie noun A large spiral marine shell, esp. the common whelk. See Buccinum.
buckle noun A device, usually of metal, consisting of a frame with one more movable tongues or catches, used for fastening things together, as parts of dress or harness, by means of a strap passing through the frame and pierced by the tongue., A distortion bulge, bend, or kink, as in a saw blade or a plate of sheet metal., A curl of hair, esp. a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also, the state of being curled., A contorted expression, as of the face., To fasten or confine with a buckle or buckles; as, to buckle a harness., To bend; to cause to kink, or to become distorted., To prepare for action; to apply with vigor and earnestness; — generally used reflexively., To join in marriage., To bend permanently; to become distorted; to bow; to curl; to kink., To bend out of a true vertical plane, as a wall., To yield; to give way; to cease opposing., To enter upon some labor or contest; to join in close fight; to struggle; to contend.
buckra noun A white man; — a term used by negroes of the African coast, West Indies, etc., White; white man’s; strong; good; as, buckra yam, a white yam.
budded imp. & past participle of Bud
buddha noun The title of an incarnation of self-abnegation, virtue, and wisdom, or a deified religious teacher of the Buddhists, esp. Gautama Siddartha or Sakya Sinha (or Muni), the founder of Buddhism.
buddle noun An apparatus, especially an inclined trough or vat, in which stamped ore is concentrated by subjecting it to the action of running water so as to wash out the lighter and less valuable portions., To wash ore in a buddle.
budged imp. & past participle of Budge
budger noun One who budges.
budget noun A bag or sack with its contents; hence, a stock or store; an accumulation; as, a budget of inventions., The annual financial statement which the British chancellor of the exchequer makes in the House of Commons. It comprehends a general view of the finances of the country, with the proposed plan of taxation for the ensuing year. The term is sometimes applied to a similar statement in other countries.
budlet noun A little bud springing from a parent bud.
buffer noun An elastic apparatus or fender, for deadening the jar caused by the collision of bodies; as, a buffer at the end of a railroad car., A pad or cushion forming the end of a fender, which receives the blow; — sometimes called buffing apparatus., One who polishes with a buff., A wheel for buffing; a buff., A good-humored, slow-witted fellow; — usually said of an elderly man.
buffet noun A cupboard or set of shelves, either movable or fixed at one side of a room, for the display of plate, china, etc., a sideboard., A counter for refreshments; a restaurant at a railroad station, or place of public gathering., A blow with the hand; a slap on the face; a cuff., A blow from any source, or that which affects like a blow, as the violence of winds or waves; a stroke; an adverse action; an affliction; a trial; adversity., A small stool; a stool for a buffet or counter., To strike with the hand or fist; to box; to beat; to cuff; to slap., To affect as with blows; to strike repeatedly; to strive with or contend against; as, to buffet the billows., To deaden the sound of (bells) by muffling the clapper., To exercise or play at boxing; to strike; to smite; to strive; to contend., To make one’s way by blows or struggling.
buffin noun A sort of coarse stuff; as, buffin gowns.
buffle noun The buffalo., To puzzle; to be at a loss.
bugger noun One guilty of buggery or unnatural vice; a sodomite., A wretch; — sometimes used humorously or in playful disparagement.
bugled adjective Ornamented with bugles.
bugler noun One who plays on a bugle.
bulbar adjective Of or pertaining to bulb; especially, in medicine, pertaining to the bulb of the spinal cord, or medulla oblongata; as, bulbar paralysis.
bulbed adjective Having a bulb; round-headed.
bulbel noun A separable bulb formed on some flowering plants.
bulbul noun The Persian nightingale (Pycnonotus jocosus). The name is also applied to several other Asiatic singing birds, of the family Timaliidae. The green bulbuls belong to the Chloropsis and allied genera.
bulged imp. & past participle of Bulge
bulimy noun A disease in which there is a perpetual and insatiable appetite for food; a diseased and voracious appetite.
bulked imp. & past participle of Bulk
bulker noun A person employed to ascertain the bulk or size of goods, in order to fix the amount of freight or dues payable on them.
bullae plural of Bulla
bulled adjective Swollen.
bullet noun A small ball., A missile, usually of lead, and round or elongated in form, to be discharged from a rifle, musket, pistol, or other small firearm., A cannon ball., The fetlock of a horse.
bullon noun A West Indian fish (Scarus Croicensis).
bultel noun A bolter or bolting cloth; also, bran.
bultow noun A trawl; a boulter; the mode of fishing with a boulter or spiller.
bummed imp. & past participle of Bum
bumble noun The bittern., To make a hollow or humming noise, like that of a bumblebee; to cry as a bittern.
bumkin noun A projecting beam or boom; as: (a) One projecting from each bow of a vessel, to haul the fore tack to, called a tack bumpkin. (b) One from each quarter, for the main-brace blocks, and called brace bumpkin. (c) A small outrigger over the stern of a boat, to extend the mizzen.
bummer noun An idle, worthless fellow, who is without any visible means of support; a dissipated sponger.
bumped imp. & past participle of Bump
bumper noun A cup or glass filled to the brim, or till the liquor runs over, particularly in drinking a health or toast., A covered house at a theater, etc., in honor of some favorite performer., That which bumps or causes a bump., Anything which resists or deadens a bump or shock; a buffer.
bunchy adjective Swelling out in bunches., Growing in bunches, or resembling a bunch; having tufts; as, the bird’s bunchy tail., Yielding irregularly; sometimes rich, sometimes poor; as, a bunchy mine.
bunkum noun Speech-making for the gratification of constituents, or to gain public applause; flattering talk for a selfish purpose; anything said for mere show., See Buncombe.
bunder noun A boat or raft used in the East Indies in the landing of passengers and goods.
bundle noun A number of things bound together, as by a cord or envelope, into a mass or package convenient for handling or conveyance; a loose package; a roll; as, a bundle of straw or of paper; a bundle of old clothes., To tie or bind in a bundle or roll., To send off abruptly or without ceremony., To prepare for departure; to set off in a hurry or without ceremony., To sleep on the same bed without undressing; — applied to the custom of a man and woman, especially lovers, thus sleeping.
bunged imp. & past participle of Bung
bungle verb i. To act or work in a clumsy, awkward manner., To make or mend clumsily; to manage awkwardly; to botch; — sometimes with up., A clumsy or awkward performance; a botch; a gross blunder.
bunion noun Same as Bunyon., An enlargement and inflammation of a small membranous sac (one of the bursae muscosae), usually occurring on the first joint of the great toe.
bunked imp. & past participle of Bunk
bunker noun A sort of chest or box, as in a window, the lid of which serves for a seat., A large bin or similar receptacle; as, a coal bunker.
bunter noun A woman who picks up rags in the streets; hence, a low, vulgar woman.
bunyon noun Alt. of Bunion
buoyed imp. & past participle of Buoy
burbot noun A fresh-water fish of the genus Lota, having on the nose two very small barbels, and a larger one on the chin.
burden noun That which is borne or carried; a load., That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive., The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry; as, a ship of a hundred tons burden., The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over the stream of tin., The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the charge of a blast furnace., A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as, a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds., A birth., To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a heavy load upon; to load., To oppress with anything grievous or trying; to overload; as, to burden a nation with taxes., To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable)., The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of each stanza; the chorus; refrain. Hence: That which is often repeated or which is dwelt upon; the main topic; as, the burden of a prayer., The drone of a bagpipe., A club.
burdon noun A pilgrim’s staff.
bureau noun Originally, a desk or writing table with drawers for papers., The place where such a bureau is used; an office where business requiring writing is transacted., Hence: A department of public business requiring a force of clerks; the body of officials in a department who labor under the direction of a chief., A chest of drawers for clothes, especially when made as an ornamental piece of furniture.
burgee noun A kind of small coat., A swallow-tailed flag; a distinguishing pennant, used by cutters, yachts, and merchant vessels.
burgoo noun A kind of oatmeal pudding, or thick gruel, used by seamen.
burhel noun Alt. of Burrhel
burial noun A grave; a tomb; a place of sepulture., The act of burying; depositing a dead body in the earth, in a tomb or vault, or in the water, usually with attendant ceremonies; sepulture; interment.
burier noun One who, or that which, buries.
burion noun The red-breasted house sparrow of California (Carpodacus frontalis); — called also crimson-fronted bullfinch.
burked imp. & past participle of Burke
burled imp. & past participle of Burl
burlap noun A coarse fabric, made of jute or hemp, used for bagging; also, a finer variety of similar material, used for curtains, etc.
burler noun One who burls or dresses cloth.
burman noun A member of the Burman family, one of the four great families Burmah; also, sometimes, any inhabitant of Burmah; a Burmese., Of or pertaining to the Burmans or to Burmah.
burned imp. & past participle of Burn, See Burnt., Burnished.
burner noun One who, or that which, burns or sets fire to anything., The part of a lamp, gas fixture, etc., where the flame is produced.
burnet noun A genus of perennial herbs (Poterium); especially, P.Sanguisorba, the common, or garden, burnet.
burnie noun A small brook.
burred imp. & past participle of Burr
burrel noun A sort of pear, called also the red butter pear, from its smooth, delicious, soft pulp., Same as Borrel.
burrow noun An incorporated town. See 1st Borough., A shelter; esp. a hole in the ground made by certain animals, as rabbits, for shelter and habitation., A heap or heaps of rubbish or refuse., A mound. See 3d Barrow, and Camp, n., 5., To excavate a hole to lodge in, as in the earth; to lodge in a hole excavated in the earth, as conies or rabbits., To lodge, or take refuge, in any deep or concealed place; to hide.
bursae plural of Bursa
bursal adjective Of or pertaining to a bursa or to bursae.
bursar noun A treasurer, or cash keeper; a purser; as, the bursar of a college, or of a monastery., A student to whom a stipend or bursary is paid for his complete or partial support.
bursch noun A youth; especially, a student in a german university.
burton noun A peculiar tackle, formed of two or more blocks, or pulleys, the weight being suspended to a hook block in the bight of the running part.
buried imp. & past participle of Bury
buscon noun One who searches for ores; a prospector.
bushed imp. & past participle of Bush
bushel noun A dry measure, containing four pecks, eight gallons, or thirty-two quarts., A vessel of the capacity of a bushel, used in measuring; a bushel measure., A quantity that fills a bushel measure; as, a heap containing ten bushels of apples., A large indefinite quantity., The iron lining in the nave of a wheel. [Eng.] In the United States it is called a box. See 4th Bush.
bushet noun A small bush.
busily adverb In a busy manner.
busked imp. & past participle of Busk, Wearing a busk.
busket noun A small bush; also, a sprig or bouquet., A part of a garden devoted to shrubs.
buskin noun A strong, protecting covering for the foot, coming some distance up the leg., A similar covering for the foot and leg, made with very thick soles, to give an appearance of elevation to the stature; — worn by tragic actors in ancient Greece and Rome. Used as a symbol of tragedy, or the tragic drama, as distinguished from comedy.
bussed imp. & past participle of Buss
buster noun Something huge; a roistering blade; also, a spree.
bustle verb i. To move noisily; to be rudely active; to move in a way to cause agitation or disturbance; as, to bustle through a crowd., Great stir; agitation; tumult from stirring or excitement., A kind of pad or cushion worn on the back below the waist, by women, to give fullness to the skirts; — called also bishop, and tournure.
busied imp. & past participle of Busy
butted imp. & past participle of But, of Butt
butane noun An inflammable gaseous hydrocarbon, C4H10, of the marsh gas, or paraffin, series.
butler noun An officer in a king’s or a nobleman’s household, whose principal business it is to take charge of the liquors, plate, etc.; the head servant in a large house.
butter noun An oily, unctuous substance obtained from cream or milk by churning., Any substance resembling butter in degree of consistence, or other qualities, especially, in old chemistry, the chlorides, as butter of antimony, sesquichloride of antimony; also, certain concrete fat oils remaining nearly solid at ordinary temperatures, as butter of cacao, vegetable butter, shea butter., To cover or spread with butter., To increase, as stakes, at every throw or every game., One who, or that which, butts.
button noun A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass., A catch, of various forms and materials, used to fasten together the different parts of dress, by being attached to one part, and passing through a slit, called a buttonhole, in the other; — used also for ornament., A bud; a germ of a plant., A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, as a door., A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a crucible, after fusion., To fasten with a button or buttons; to inclose or make secure with buttons; — often followed by up., To dress or clothe., To be fastened by a button or buttons; as, the coat will not button.
buxine noun An alkaloid obtained from the Buxus sempervirens, or common box tree. It is identical with bebeerine; — called also buxina.
buying present participle & vb. noun of Buy
buzzed imp. & past participle of Buzz
buzzer noun One who, or that which, buzzes; a whisperer; a talebearer.
by-end noun Private end or interest; secret purpose; selfish advantage.
bygone adjective Past; gone by., Something gone by or past; a past event.
byland noun A peninsula.
by-law noun A local or subordinate law; a private law or regulation made by a corporation for its own government., A law that is less important than a general law or constitutional provision, and subsidiary to it; a rule relating to a matter of detail; as, civic societies often adopt a constitution and by-laws for the government of their members. In this sense the word has probably been influenced by by, meaning secondary or aside.
byname verb t. To give a nickname to.
bypath noun A private path; an obscure way; indirect means.
byplay noun Action carried on aside, and commonly in dumb show, while the main action proceeds.
byroad noun A private or obscure road.
byssin noun See Byssus, n., 1.
byssus noun A cloth of exceedingly fine texture, used by the ancients. It is disputed whether it was of cotton, linen, or silk., A tuft of long, tough filaments which are formed in a groove of the foot, and issue from between the valves of certain bivalve mollusks, as the Pinna and Mytilus, by which they attach themselves to rocks, etc., An obsolete name for certain fungi composed of slender threads., Asbestus.
byword noun A common saying; a proverb; a saying that has a general currency., The object of a contemptuous saying.
bywork noun Work aside from regular work; subordinate or secondary business.
byzant noun Alt. of Byzantine