Bowie-knife.
Bowie-knife,bō′i-nīf,n.a dagger-knife with a blade about twelve inches long, carried in the southern states of America—so named from its inventor, ColonelBowie.
Bowl, bōl,n.a wooden ball used for rolling along the ground.—v.t.andv.i.to play at bowls: to roll along like a bowl: to throw a ball, as in cricket.—ns.Bowl′er, one who plays at bowls: one who bowls the ball in cricket;Bowl′ing, the act of playing at bowls, or of throwing a ball, as in cricket;Bowl′ing-al′ley, a long narrow covered place for bowling;Bowl′ing-green, a green or grassy plat kept smooth for bowling. [Fr.boule—L.bulla.]
Bowl, bōl,n.a basin for domestic use, esp. of earthenware or porcelain, nearly hemispherical in shape: a large punch-bowl, for brewing punch in: a round drinking-cup, rather wide than deep—hence 'the bowl,' 'the flowing bowl,' as synonyms for conviviality; the round hollow part of anything. [A.S.bolla. SeeBole.]
Bowlder, bōld′ėr,n.Same asBoulder.
Bowse.Same asBouse.
Bowsprit, bō′sprit,n.a strong spar projecting over the stem-head or bows of a sailing-ship, and also of a steamship when her stem is of the curved or cutwater description. [Dut.boegspriet.]
Box, boks,n.a tree remarkable for the hardness and smoothness of its wood—alsoBox-tree(Shak.): a case or receptacle for holding anything: the contents of a box: a small house or lodge, as ashooting-box, &c.: in a theatre, a small enclosure with several seats—the boxes= their occupants, the ladies: an old square pew or similar enclosure, as asentry-box,signal-box, &c.: the driver's seat on a carriage: the case in which the ship's compass is kept.—v.t.to put into or furnish with boxes: (slang) to overturn a watchman in his box.—ns.Box′-bed, a kind of bed once common in Scotch cottages, having its ends, sides, and roof of wood, and capable of being closed in front by two sliding panels;Box′-day, one of the Court of Session vacation days when papers ordered to be deposited in court must be lodged.—adj.Box′en, made of or like boxwood.—ns.Box′ing-day, in England, the day after Christmas, when boxes or presents are given;Box′-ī′ron, a hollow smoothing-iron which is heated by a heater put into it;Box′-keep′er, an attendant who opens the doors of boxes at theatres or other places of public amusement;Box′-lobb′y, the lobby leading to the boxes in a theatre;Box′wood, wood of the box-tree.—In the wrong box, in a false position, in a scrape.—To be in a box, to be in a fix;To box Harry, to take a beefsteak, mutton-chop, or bacon and eggs with tea or ale, instead of the regulation dinner of the commercial traveller;To box the compass, to name the 32 points in their order and backwards, hence to make a complete roundabout in any opinion. [A.S.box—L.buxus—Gr.pyxos, the tree,pyxis, a box.]
Box, boks,n.a blow on the head or ear with the hand.—v.t.to strike with the hand or fist.—v.i.to fight with the fists.—ns.Box′er;Box′ing, the act of fighting with the fists: a combat with the fists;Box′ing-glove, a padded glove worn in boxing.
Boxhaul, boks′hawl,v.t.to veer a ship sharp round on her heel, by putting the helm a-lee, bracing the head-yards flat aback, and hauling to windward the head-sheets.
Boy, boy,n.a male child: a lad: a young man generally, used for 'man' in Ireland and elsewhere: (Shak.) a camp-follower: (obs.) knave: a native servant in South India, China, a male negro slave or native labourer in the South Seas.—v.t.to play the boy.—n.Boy′hood.—adj.Boy′ish.—adv.Boy′ishly.—n.Boy′ishness.—Boy's love, a popular name for southernwood;Boy's play, trifling. [M. E.boi,boy; Fris.boi; Dut.boef, Ger.bube.]
Boyar, boy′är,n.an order of the old Russian aristocracy, holding the chief military and civil offices prior to the reforms of Peter the Great.
Boycott, boy′kot,v.t.to shut out from all social and commercial intercourse—a kind of secular excommunication. [From CaptainBoycottof County Mayo, who was so treated by his neighbours in Dec. 1880.]
Brabble, brab′bl,v.i.to babble or clamour: to brawl or wrangle.—n.(Shak.) a clamorous contest, a brawl: a quibble. [Dut.brabbelen, to stammer, to jabber.]
Braccio, brach′yo,n.an Italian measure of length, varying from half a yard to a yard:—pl.Braccia(brach-ya). [It., an arm.]
Carpenter's Brace: (a) the bit.
Brace, brās,n.anything that draws together and holds tightly: a bandage: a pair or couple: an instrument of wood or iron used by carpenters and metal-workers for turning boring tools: in printing, a mark connecting two or more words or lines (}): (pl.) straps for supporting the trousers: ropes for squaring or traversing horizontally the yards of a ship.—v.t.to tighten or strengthen, to give firmness to.—adj.Brac′ing, giving strength or tone. [O. Fr.brace(Fr.bras), the arm, power—L.brachium, Gr.brachiōn, the arm, as holding together.]
Brace, brās,v.t.(Spens.) to embrace, encompass.
Bracelet, brās′let,n.an ornament for the wrist. [Fr.; dim. of O. Fr.brac. SeeBrace.]
Brach, brach,n.a dog for the chase, a bitch-hound. [O. Fr.brachet, pl.brachès, dim. ofbrac—Low L.bracco, of Teut. origin.]
Brachial, brak′i-al,adj.belonging to the arm.—Brachial artery, the great arterial trunk supplying the upper extremity between the armpit and the elbow—the direct continuation of the axillary artery. [SeeBrace.]
Brachiopoda, brak-i-op′o-da,Brachiopods,brak′i-o-pods,n.pl.a class of shelled animals having certain affinities with worms and with Polyzoa, but less with molluscs, provided with two long arm-like processes arising from the sides of the mouth, probably respiratory, and certainly serving to waft little food particles to the mouth. [Gr.brachiōn, an arm, andpous,pod-os, a foot.]
Brachycephalic, brak-i-sef-al′ik (alsosef′-),Brachycephalous,brak-i-sef′al-us,adj.short-headed, applied in ethnology to skulls of which the breadth is at least four-fifths of the length—opp. toDolichocephalic.
Brachypterous, brak-ip′tėr-us,adj.lit. short-winged: having wings which, when folded, do not reach to the base of the tail. [Gr.brachys, short,pteron, a wing.]
Brack, brak,n.a flaw in cloth. [SeeBreak.]
Bracken, brak′en,n.fern. [SeeBrake.]
Bracket, brak′et,n.a support for something fastened to a wall, the ornamental metal pipe bearing gas-lamps, &c.: (pl.) in printing, the marks [ ] used to enclose one or more words: one of the side pieces of a gun-carriage, supporting the trunnions.—v.t.to support by brackets: to enclose by brackets: to group two names, as in an honour list, implying equality. [Fr.braguette; Sp.bragueta—L.braca,bracæ, breeches.]
Brackish, brak′ish,adj.saltish: applied to water mixed with salt or with sea-water.—n.Brack′ishness. [Dut.brak, brackish; prob. the same asbrak, refuse.]
Bract, brakt,n.an irregularly developed leaf at the base of the flower-stalk.—adjs.Brac′teal,Brac′teate,Bract′ed,Brac′teolate.—n.Brac′teole, a little bract at the base of the stalk of a single flower which is itself on a main stalk supporting several flowers.—adj.Bract′less, destitute of bracts. [L.bractea, a thin plate of metal, gold-leaf.]
Brad, brad,n.a small nail having a slight projection at the top on one side instead of a head.—n.Brad′awl, an awl to pierce holes. [Scot.brod, an instrument for pricking with; Ice.broddr, a pointed piece of iron.]
Bradypeptic, brad-i-pep′tik,adj.slow of digestion. [Gr.bradys, slow, andPeptic.]
Brae, brā,n.(Scot.) the slope above a river bank, a hill-slope. [Scand.brá.]
Brag, brag,v.i.to boast or bluster:—pr.p.brag′ging;pa.p.bragged.—n.a boast or boasting: the thing boasted of: a game at cards, very like poker.—adj.Brag′ging.—advs.Brag′gingly,Brag′ly(Spens.). [Most prob. Celt.; cf. W.bragio, to boast; Ir.bragaim. The Fr.braguer, to brag, andbragard, a braggart, are not the parents of the Eng. word.]
Braggadocio, brag-a-dō′shi-o,n.andadj.a braggart or boaster: empty boasting. [FromBraggadochio, a boastful character in Spenser'sFaerie Queene.]
Braggart, brag′art,adj.boastful.—n.a vain boaster.—n.Bragg′ardism(Shak.), boastfulness. [Fr.bragard, vain, bragging; prob. of Celt. origin; Diez prefers Scand., and quotes Sw.brak, Dan.brag, &c.]
Brahman, brä′man,Brahmin,brä′min,n.a person of the highest or priestly caste among the Hindus.—adjs.Brahman′ic,-al,Brahmin′ic,-al,Brah′minee, appropriated to the Brahmans.—ns.Brah′manism,Brah′minism, one of the religions of India, the worship of Brahma. [FromBrahma, the supreme post-Vedic Hindu deity.]
Braid, brād,v.t.to plait or entwine.—n.cord, or other texture made by plaiting.—p.adj.Braid′ed, plaited, embroidered, trimmed with braid.—n.Braid′ing, the act of making braids: embroidery with braid. [A.S.bregdan; Ice.bregða, to weave.]
Braid, brād,adj.(Shak.) dissembling, deceitful. [A.S.brægd, falsehood, frombregdan,brægd, to weave.]
Braid, brād,v.t.(Shak.) to upbraid, to reproach. [Prob. fromAbraid, orBraid(1).]
Braidism, brād′ism,n.mesmerism or hypnotism. [From Dr JamesBraid, who practised it about 1842.]
Brail, brāl,n.a piece of leather to bind up a hawk's wing: (pl.) the feathers about a hawk's rump: (naut.) one of the ropes used to truss up a sail.—v.t.to haul in, as a sail, by pulling upon the brails. [O. Fr.brail—L.bracale, a waist-belt for holding up the breeches—bracæ.]
Braille, brāl,n.andadj.a kind of type for the blind, having arbitrary signs consisting of varying combinations of six points arranged thus (Braille pattern), there being sixty-two possible combinations of these six points. [From LouisBraille, the inventor.]
Brain, brān,n.the term applied to that part of the central nervous system which in vertebrated animals is contained within the cranium or skull, and in the invertebrata, to the nervous ganglia near the head end of the body: the seat of the intellect and of sensation: the intellect.—v.t.to dash out the brains of: (Shak.) to conceive of.—n.Brain′-cor′al, the popular name of certain kinds of coral, so called from their general resemblance to a brain.—p.adj.Brained, having brains.—n.Brain′-fe′ver, a loose popular term which includes congestion of the brain and its membranes, delirium tremens, and inflammation of the brain substance itself.—adjs.Brain′ish(Shak.), brain-sick, hot-headed, furious;Brain′less, without brains or understanding: silly.—n.Brain′-pan, the skull.—adj.Brain′-sick, diseased in the understanding, deranged.—adv.Brain′sick′ly(Shak.).—n.Brain′-sick′ness. [A.S.brægn; Dut.brein, prov. Ger.bregen]
Braird, brārd,n.the first shoots of corn or other crop.—v.i.to appear above ground. [Orig.Scot.; A.S.brerd, the edge, andbrord, a point.]
Braise, brāz,v.t.to stew meat together with slices of bacon, &c., properly with a charcoal fire above and below the braising-pan.—p.adj.Braised. [Fr.braiser.]
Brake, brāk, obsolete,pa.t.ofBreak.
Brake, brāk,n.a fern: a place overgrown with ferns or briers; a thicket.—adj.Brak′y. [A doublet ofBracken; ety. dub.]
Brake, brāk,n.an instrument to break flax or hemp: a harrow: a contrivance for retarding by friction the speed of carriages, wagons, trains, or revolving drums.—adj.Brake′less, without a brake.—ns.Brake′man, the man whose business it is to manage the brake of a railway-train;Brake′-van, the carriage wherein the brake is worked;Brake′-wheel, the wheel to which a brake is applied. [From root ofBreak; cf. Dut.braak, a flax-brake.]
Brake, brāk,n.a handle, as of a pump: a lever for working a machine. [Prob. through O. Fr.brac, from L.brachium, an arm.]
Bramah-press, brä′ma-pres,n.a hydraulic press invented by JosephBramahof London (1748-1814), inventor also of theBramah-lock, &c.
Bramble, bram′bl,n.a wild prickly shrub bearing blackberries, a blackberry bush: any rough prickly shrub.—ns.Bram′ble-berr′y,Bram′ble-bush, a collection of brambles growing together;Bram′ble-finch,Bram′bling, a bird nearly allied to the chaffinch.—adj.Bram′bly. [A.S.brémel; Dut.braam, Ger.brom-beere.]
Brame, brām,n.(Spens.) sharp passion, longing. [It.brama.]
Bran, bran,n.the refuse of grain: the inner husks of corn sifted from the flour: the coarser part of anything.—n.Bran′fulness.—adj.Bran′ny. [O. Fr.bran, bran; prob. Celt.]
Brancard, brank′ard,n.a horse litter. [Fr.]
Branch, bransh,n.a shoot or arm-like limb of a tree: anything like a limb of a tree: any offshoot or subdivision, a section or department of a subject: any subordinate division of a business, &c., as a branch-bank or pawn-shop.—v.t.to divide into branches.—v.i.to spread out as a branch (without,off,from).—adj.Branched.—ns.Branch′er, a young hawk or other bird when it leaves the nest and begins to take to the branches;Branch′ery, branches collectively.—adjs.Branch′ing, furnished with or shooting out branches;Branch′less.—ns.Branch′let, a little branch;Branch′-pī′lot, one who holds the Trinity House certificate;Branch′-work, ornamental figured patterns.—adj.Branch′y.—Root and branch, thoroughly—used also adjectively, as in a 'root-and-branch' policy. [Fr.branche—Low L.branca, a beast's paw—L.brachium.]
Branchiæ, brangk′i-ē,n.pl.gills.—adjs.Branch′ial;Branch′iate, furnished with branchiæ.—n.Branchiop′oda, a sub-order of Crustaceans in the order with leaf-like feet (Phyllopods), to which the gills are attached. [L.—Gr.]
Brand, brand,n.a piece of wood burning or partly burned: a mark burned into anything with a hot iron: a trade-mark, made by burning or otherwise, as on casks: a particular sort of goods, from the trade-marks by which they are known, as cigars, &c.: a sword, so called from its glitter: a mark of infamy: a general name for the fungoid diseases or blights of grain crops—bunt,mildew,rust, andsmut.—v.t.to burn or mark with a hot iron: to fix a mark of infamy upon.—adj.Brand′ed.—n.Brand′er, a gridiron.—v.t.to cook on the gridiron, as beef-steaks.—p.adjs.Brand′ered,Brand′ering.—ns.Brand′ing-ī′ron,Brand′-ī′ron, an iron to brand with: a trivet or tripod to set a pot or kettle upon: (Spens.) a sword—alsoBrand′ise, a trivet;Brand′ling, a red worm used by anglers, found commonly in tan-pits.—adj.Brand′-new, quite new (as if newly from the fire).—n.Brand′reth, a stand of wood for a cask or hayrick, a rail round a well.—A brand from the burning, one snatched out of a pressing danger—from Amos, iv. 11. [A.S.brand,brond, from root ofBurn.]
Brandish, brand′ish,v.t.to wave or flourish as a brand or weapon.—n.a waving or flourish. [Fr.brandissant—brandir, from root ofBrand.]
Brandy, brand′i,n.an ardent spirit distilled from wine.—adj.Bran′died, heartened or strengthened with brandy.—n.Brand′y-pawnee′, brandy and water. [Formerlybrandwine—Dut.brandewijn—branden, to burn, to distil, andwijn, wine; cf. Ger.branntwein.]
Brangle, brang′l,v.i.(arch.) to wrangle, squabble.—n.(obs.) a brawl.—v.t.andv.i.Brand′le, to shake, cause to waver: to waver.—n.Brang′ling, disputing. [Prob. the two words are the same; Fr.branler.]
Brank, brangk,n.buckwheat. [Prob. Celt.; cf. L.brance, a Gallic name of a white kind of corn.]
Brank, brangk,v.i.to prance, toss the head: to strut or swagger.—adj.Brank′y(Scot.), showy. [Prob. a variant ofPrank.]
Branks
Branks, brangks,n.(seldom insing.) a scold's bridle, having a hinged iron framework to enclose the head and a bit or gag to fit into the mouth and compress the tongue. [Scot.; ety. very obscure; cf. M. E.bernak, whenceBarnacleandBrake; Ger.pranger, the pillory, Dut.prang, a fetter; the Gael.brangus,brangas, is most prob. borrowed.]
Brankursine, brangk′ur-sin,n.the plant Acanthus, called alsoBear's-breech. [Low L.branca,ursina, a bear's paw.]
Bran-new, bran′-nū,adj.corruption ofBrand-new.
Bransle, bran′sl,n.(obs.) a dance: a song for dance music. [Fr.]
Brant-goose.SeeBrent-goose.
Brantle, bran′tl,n.a kind of dance.
Brasero.Same asBrazier(q.v. underBraze).
Brash, brash,n.broken and angular fragments of rock which occasionally form the basement bed of alluvial deposits: fragments of crushed ice: clippings of hedges or trees.—adj.Brash′y. [Prob. Fr.brèche.]
Brash, brash,n.a slight attack of illness: an eructation or belching of acid water from the stomach—water-brash: a sudden burst of rain: (obs.) an attack.—v.t.to disturb. [Scot.; prob. onomatopœic.]
Brass, bräs,n.an alloy of copper and zinc: (fig.) impudence: money in cash: a monumental plate of brass inlaid on slabs of stone in the pavements of ancient churches.—n.pl.Brass′arts, the brass pieces which, in plate armour, protected the upper part of the arms, and united the shoulder and elbow pieces.—ns.Brass′-band, a band or company of musicians who perform on brass instruments;Brass′et, a casque or armour covering for the head: a helmet;Brass′found′er, a maker of articles in brass.—adjs.Brass′-paved(Spens.), durable, as if paved with brass;Brass′-vis′aged, brazen-faced, impudent.—n.Brass′y, a wooden golf-club with a brass sole.—adj.of or like brass: impudent: unfeeling: pitiless: harsh in tone. [A.S.braes; prob. related to Sw.brasa, fire.]
Brasserie, bras′er-ē,n.in France, any beer garden or saloon. [Fr.]
Brassica, bras′i-ka,n.the turnip and cabbage genus of Cruciferæ. [L.]
Brast.Same asBurst.
Brat, brat,n.a contemptuous name for a child, as in 'beggar's brat:' any over-garment of coarse cloth, a child's pinafore, an apron.—n.Brat′chet, a little brat—betterBrat′ling. [A.S.bratt; of Celtic origin, Old Ir.brat, a plaid, Gael.brat, an apron.]
Brattice, brat′is,n.a wooden partition, as in the shaft of a coal-pit, &c.—v.t.to line with wood the sides of a shaft, &c.—n.Bratt′ice-cloth, strong tarred cloth used in mines in place of wooden bratticing. [O. Fr.breteske—Low L.bretachia; prob. Teut.]
Brattling, brat′ling,n.a clattering noise: quarrel: tumult—alsoBrat′tle.—v.i.Brat′tle, to make a clattering noise. [Onomatopœic.]
Bravado, brav-ā′do, orbrav-ä′do,n.a display of bravery: a boastful threat: a swaggerer:—pl.Bravā′does.—v.i.to play the bravado. [Sp.bravada. SeeBrave.]
Brave, brāv,adj.daring, courageous: noble: finely dressed, showy, handsome (Scot.Braw): a general word for excellent, capital.—v.t.to meet boldly: to defy.—n.(obs.) a bully, a hired assassin: a brave soldier, esp. among the North American Indians: (arch.) bravado: (arch.) bravo.—adv.Brave′ly(Scot.Braw′ly), excellently, well.—n.Brav′ery, courage: heroism: finery, showy dress. [Fr.brave; It. and Sp.bravo; prob. from Celt., as in Bret.braga, to strut about, Gael.breagh, fine. SeeBrag.]
Bravo, bräv′o,n.a daring villain: a hired assassin:—pl.Bravoes(bräv′ōz). [It. and Sp.]
Bravo, bräv′o,interj.well done: excellent. [It.]
Bravura, bräv-ōōr′a,n.(mus.) a term applied to a florid air or song with difficult and rapid passages requiring great spirit and dash in execution. [It.]
Brawl, brawl,n.a noisy quarrel.—v.i.to quarrel noisily: to murmur or gurgle.—n.Brawl′ing, the act of quarrelling noisily.—adj.quarrelsome: noisy. [M. E.brallen, of doubtful origin; prob. cog. with Dut.brallen, Ger.prahlen, to boast.]
Brawl, brawl,n.a kind of French dance. [Fr.braule.]
Brawn, brawn,n.muscle, esp. of the arm or calf of the leg: thick flesh: muscular strength: a boar: a preparation of meat made from pig's head and ox-feet, cut up, boiled, and pickled.—adj.Brawned.—n.Brawn′iness, quality of being brawny: muscularity.—adj.Brawn′y, fleshy: muscular: strong. [O. Fr.braon, from Old Ger.brato, flesh (for roasting), Old Ger.brâto(Ger.braten), to roast.]
Braxy, brak′si,n.andadj.a Scotch name loosely used for several totally different disorders of sheep.—Braxy mutton, the flesh of a braxy sheep; also, generally, of any sheep that has died of disease or accident. [Prob. the original form isbracks, the sing. of which is a variant ofBreak.]
Bray, brā,v.t.to break, pound, or grind small, as in a mortar.—n.Bray′er, an instrument to grind or spread ink in printing. [O. Fr.breier(Fr.broyer); It.brigare.]
Bray, brā,n.the cry of the ass: any harsh grating sound.—v.i.to cry like an ass: to give forth harsh sounds, esp. of the trumpet.—ns.Bray′er, one who brays like an ass;Bray′ing, the noise of an ass: any harsh noise.—adj.making a harsh noise. [O. Fr.brai,brait;braire—Low L.bragire, prob. of Celt. origin.]
Braze, brāz,v.t.to solder with an alloy of brass and zinc.—adj.Brā′zen, of or belonging to brass: impudent.—v.t.to face or confront with impudence—as in 'to brazen it out.'—n.Brā′zen-face, one having a brazen or impudent face: one remarkable for impudence.—adj.Brā′zen-faced, impudent.—adv.Brā′zenly.—ns.Brā′zenness,Brā′zenry, effrontery;Brā′zier,Brā′sier, a pan for holding burning coals—alsoBras′ero;Brāz′ing, soldering. [O. Fr.braser, to burn; most prob. related toBrass.]
Brazier, brā′zi-ėr,n.one who works inBrass(q.v.).
Brazil, bra-zil′,n.usuallyBrazil′-wood, the hard reddish wood of an East Indian tree, known as sappan, used in dyeing.—n.Brazil′ian, a native of Brazil, in South America.—adj.belonging to Brazil.—n.Brazil′-nut, the edible seed of a large tree, native of Brazil. [O. Fr.bresil(Sp.brasil, It.brasile)—Low L.brasilium, a red dye-wood, brought from the East, itself prob. a corr. of some Oriental word. When a similar wood was discovered in South America the country became known asterra de brasil, land of red dye-wood, whenceBrasil, Brazil.]
Breach, brēch,n.a break or opening, as in the walls of a fortress: a breaking of law, &c., violation of contract, covenant, promise, &c.: a quarrel: a broken condition or part of anything, a break: a gap in a fortification—hence 'to stand in the breach,' often used figuratively: a break in a coast-line, bay, harbour, creek (Judges, v. 17).—v.t.to make a breach or opening in a wall, &c.—Breach of promise, often used simply for breach of promise of marriage;Breach of the peace, a violation of the public peace by riot or the like. [A.S.bryce,brice; related toBreak.]
Bread, bred,n.food made of flour or meal baked: food: livelihood.—ns.Bread′-bas′ket, a basket for holding bread: (slang) the stomach;Bread′-chip′per(Shak.), one who chips bread, an under-butler;Bread′-corn, corn of which bread is made.—n.pl.Bread′-crumbs, bread crumbled down for dressing dishes of fried fish, &c.—n.Bread′fruit-tree, a tree of the South Sea Islands, producing a fruit which, when roasted, forms a good substitute for bread;Bread′-nut, the fruit of a tree, a native of Jamaica, closely allied to the breadfruit-tree, which is used as bread when boiled or roasted;Bread′-room, an apartment in a ship's hold where the bread is kept;Bread′-root, a herbaceous perennial plant of North America, with a carrot-like root which is used as food;Bread′-stud′y, any branch of study taken up as a means of gaining a living;Bread′-stuff, the various kinds of grain or flour of which bread is made;Bread′-tree, a tree of South Africa which has a great deal of starch in its stem, and is used as bread by the natives;Bread′-win′ner, one who earns a living for a family.—Bread buttered on both sides, very fortunate circumstances.—To take the bread out of one's mouth, to deprive of the means of living. [A.S.bréad, prob. from a Teut. root meaning a fragment, like the Scot. and Norse country use of 'apiece,' for a bit of bread. The usual A.S. word washláf.]
Breaded, bred′ed,pa.p.(Spens.) =Braided.
Breadth, bredth,n.extent from side to side: width: a style in painting in which details are strictly subordinated to the harmony of the whole composition.—adv.Breadth′ways, broadside on. [A.S.brǽdu; Ger.briete. SeeBroad.]
Break, brāk,v.t.to part by force: to shatter: to crush: to tame, or wear out: to violate, or outrage, as a law, a bargain, &c.: to check by intercepting, as a fall: to interrupt, as silence, or the monotony of anything, or in 'to break one off a habit:' to make bankrupt: to degrade from rank, as an officer.—v.i.to part in two: to burst forth: to open or appear, as the morning: to become bankrupt: to crack or give way, as the voice: to dissolve, as frost: to collapse in foam, as a wave: to fall out, as with a friend:—pa.t.brōke;pa.p.brōk′en.—n.the state of being broken: an opening: a pause or interruption: (billiards) a consecutive series of successful strokes, also the number of points attained by such: the dawn.—ns.Break′age, the action of breaking, or its consequences: an interruption;Break′-down, a dance, vigorous rather than graceful, in which much noise is made by the feet of the one performer;Break′er, a wave broken on rocks or the shore.—adj.Break′-neck, likely to cause a broken neck.—ns.Break′-prom′ise,Break′-vow, one who makes a practice of breaking his promise or vow;Break′water, a barrier to break the force of the waves.—Break a jest, to utter a jest unexpectedly;Break a lance with, to enter into a contest with a rival;Break away, to go away abruptly, as from prison, &c.: to be scattered, as clouds after a storm;Break bulk, to open the hold and take out a portion of the cargo;Break cover, to burst forth from concealment, as a fox;Break down, to crush down or level: to collapse, to fail completely;Break forth, to burst out, issue;Break ground, to commence digging or excavation: to begin;Break in, to train to labour, as a horse;Break in,in upon, orinto, to enter violently or unexpectedly, to interpose abruptly in a conversation, &c.;Break loose, to extricate one's self forcibly: to break through all restraint;Break news, to make anything known, esp. of bad news, with caution and delicacy;Break off, to separate by breaking, put an end to;Break out, to appear suddenly: to break through all restraint;Break sheer(said of a ship riding at anchor), to be forced by wind or tide out of a position clear of the anchor;Break the heart, to destroy with grief;Break the ice(fig.), to get through first difficulties:Break up, to break open;Break upon the wheel, to punish by stretching a criminal on a wheel and breaking his bones;Break wind, to void wind from the stomach;Break with, to fail out, as friends may do. [A.S.brecan; Ger.brechen.]
Break,Brake, brāk,n.a large wagonette: a carriage frame, all wheels and no body, used in breaking in horses. [Break,v.t.]
Breaker, brāk′ėr,n.a small water-cask, used on shipboard. [Prob. a corr. of Sp.bareca, a barrel.]
Breakfast, brek′fast,n.a break or breaking of a fast: the first meal of the day.—v.i.to take breakfast.—v.t.to furnish with breakfast.—ns.Break′fasting, the act of taking breakfast: a party at breakfast;Break′fast-set, the china or other ware used at breakfast.
Bream, brēm,n.a small fresh-water fish nearly allied to the bleak: a family of sea-breams or Sparidæ. [O. Fr.bresme(Fr.brême)—Old Ger.brahsema(mod. Ger.brassen).]
Bream, brēm,v.t.to clean, as a ship's bottom, by burning off seaweed, shells, &c. [Prob. conn. withBroom, Dut.brem.]
Breare,Brere, brēr,n.(Spens.). Same asBrier.
Breast, brest,n.the forepart of the human body between the neck and the belly: one of the two mammary glands in women, forming soft protuberances on the chest: the corresponding part of any animal: (fig.) conscience, disposition, affections.—v.t.to bear the breast against: to oppose manfully: to mount.—n.Breast′-bone, the bone running down the middle of the breast, to which the first seven ribs are attached.—adv.Breast′-deep, deep, as up to the breast.—adj.Breast′ed, having a breast.—adv.Breast′-high, high as the breast—ns.Breast′-knot, a knot of ribbons worn on the breast;Breast′pin, an ornamental pin for the breast;Breast′plate, a plate or piece of armour for the breast: (B.) an embroidered square of linen worn on the breast of the Jewish high-priest, bearing twelve precious stones, each inscribed with the name of one of the tribes of Israel;Breast′-plough, a kind of spade for cutting turf, with a cross-bar against which the breast is pressed;Breast′rail, the upper rail of a breastwork;Breast′summer,Bres′summer, a summer or beam supporting the whole front of a building in the same way as a lintel supports the portion over an opening;Breast′-wall, a retaining wall;Breast′-wheel, a water-wheel which is turned by water delivered upon it at about half its height;Breast′work, a hastily constructed earthwork.—To make a clean breast of, to make a full confession. [A.S.bréost; Ger.brust, Dut.borst.]
Breath, breth,n.the air drawn into and then expelled from the lungs: power of breathing: life: the time occupied by once breathing: a very slight breeze.—adjs.Breath′ful(Spens.), full of breath or air, also full of scent or odour;Breath′less, out of breath: dead: excessively eager, as if holding one's breath from excitement.—n.Breath′lessness.—To catch the breath, to stop breathing for an instant;To spend one's breath, as in profitless talk;To take breath, to recover freedom of breathing;With bated breath, with breath restrained from reverence or fear. [A.S.brǽth; Ger.brodem, steam, breath.]
Breathe, brēth,v.i.to draw in and expel breath or air from the lungs: to take breath, to rest or pause: to live.—v.t.to draw in and expel from the lungs, as air: to infuse: to give out as breath: to utter by the breath or softly, to whisper: to express: to keep in breath, to exercise: to tire by some brisk exercise.—ns.Breath′er, one who breathes or lives: a spell of exercise;Breath′ing, the act of breathing: aspiration, secret prayer: respite.—adj.life-like.—ns.Breath′ing-time, time to breathe or rest;Breath′ing-while, time sufficient for drawing breath: any very short period.—To breathe again, to be relieved from an anxiety;To breathe freely, to be at ease;To breathe upon, to tarnish or soil. [SeeBreath.]
Breccia, brech′ya,n.a conglomerate rock composed of angular and unworn fragments, cemented together by lime or other mineral substance.—adj.Brecciated(brech′yāt-ed), noting rocks composed of breccia, [It.; cf. Fr.brèche, breach, flint pebble.]
Bred, bred,pa.t.andpa.p.ofBreed.
Brede, brēd,n.an obsolete form ofBraid.
Bree, brē,n.the eyebrow. [Still in Scot.; A.S.brǽw,bréaw; cf. Ger. (augen)braue.]
Bree, brē,n.the liquor in which anything has been boiled—barley-bree. [A.S.briw; cf. Ger.brei.]
Breech, brēch,n.the lower part of the body behind: the hinder part of anything, esp. of a gun.—v.t.to put into breeches: to flog.—adj.Breeched.—n.pl.Breeches(brich′ez), a garment worn by men on the lower limbs of the body, strictly, as distinguished from trousers, coming just below the knee, but often used generally for trousers—(Knee-breeches, see underKnee).—n.Breech′ing, a part of a horse's harness attached to the saddle, which comes round the breech and is hooked to the shafts: a strong rope attached to the breech of a gun to secure it to a ship's side.—adj.(Shak.) subject to whipping.—n.Breech′-load′er, a firearm loaded by introducing the charge at the breech instead of the muzzle.—Breeches Bible, a name often given to the Geneva Bible produced by the English Protestant exiles in 1560, so named from the rendering 'breeches' in Gen. iii. 7;Breeches part(theat.), a part in which a girl wears men's clothes.—To wear the breeches, (said of a wife), to usurp the authority of the husband: to be master. [A.S.bréc; found in all Teut. languages; cf. Ger.bruch, Dut.brock.]
Breed, brēd,v.t.to generate or bring forth: to train or bring up: to cause or occasion.—v.i.to be with young: to produce offspring: to be produced or brought forth:—pa.t.andpa.p.bred.—n.that which is bred, progeny or offspring: kind or race.—ns.Breed′-bate(Shak.), one who is constantly breeding or producing debate or strife;Breed′er, one who breeds or brings up;Breed′ing, act of producing: education or manners.—Breeding in-and-in, pairing of similar forms: marrying always among near relations. [A.S.brédan, to cherish, keep warm; Ger.brüten, to hatch.]
Breeks, brēks,n.pl.(Scot.) breeches, trousers.
Breer,Brere, brēr,v.i.(Scot.) to sprout.
Breeze, brēz,n.a gentle gale: a wind: a disturbance or quarrel: a whispered rumour.—adjs.Breeze′less, without a breeze: motionless;Breez′y, fanned with or subject to breezes.—To breeze up, to freshen into a breeze. [Old Sp.briza, It.brezza(Fr.brise, a cold wind).]
Breeze, brēz,n.(Shak.) the gadfly.—Also writtenBreese,Brize. [A.S.briosa.]
Bregma, breg′ma,n.the part of the skull where the frontal and the two parietal bones join—sometimes divided into the right and left bregmata.—adj.Bregmat′ic. [Gr.]
Brehon, brē′hon,n.an ancient Irish judge.—Brehon Laws, the name given by the English to the system of jurisprudence which prevailed among the native Irish from an early period till towards the middle of the 17th century. [Ir.breitheamh, pl.breitheamhuin.]
Breloque, bre-lok′,n.an ornament attached to a watch-chain. [Fr.]
Breme,Breem, brēm,adj.(Spens.) fiery, stern, boisterous, sharp. [Prob. related to A.S.bréman, to rage.]
Bren, bren,v.t.(Spens.) to burn.—pa.p.andadj.Brent. [SeeBurn.]
Brent, brent,adj.(Scot.) lofty: smooth, unwrinkled. [A.S.brant, steep; cog. with Ice.brattr.]
Brent-goose, brent′-gōōs,n.a small species of wild goose, having the head, neck, long wing feathers, and tail black, the belly white, the rest slaty-gray—it visits the British coasts in winter.—AlsoBrant′-goose, orBrent barnacle, and often confounded with the barnacle goose. [Prob.branded= brindled.]
Bressummer.Same asBreastsummer(q.v. underBreast).
Brethren,breth′ren,pl.ofBrother(q.v.).
Breton, bret′un,adj.belonging to Brittany orBretagne, in France.
Brettice.Same asBrattice.
Bretwalda, bret-wal′da,n.a title of supremacy applied by theAnglo-Saxon Chronicleto Egbert and seven earlier kings, whose superiority was more or less acknowledged by other kings. [Lit. 'Lord of theBritons,' or 'of Britain.']
Breve, brēv,n.a pope's letter: the longest note now used in music,Breve. [It.breve—L.brevis, short.]
Brevet, brev′et,n.a military commission entitling an officer to take rank above that for which he receives pay.—n.Brevet′cy, the condition of one holding brevet rank. [Fr.—L.brevis, short.]
Breviary, brēv′i-ar-i,n.book containing the daily service of the R.C. Church. [Fr.bréviaire—L.brevis, short.]
Breviate, brē′vi-āt,n.a short compendium: a lawyer's brief. [L.breviātus—breviāre, to shorten—brevis, short.]
Brevier, brev-ēr′,n.a small type between bourgeois and minion, originally used in printing breviaries.
Brevity, brev′it-i,n.shortness: conciseness. [L.brevitas—brevis, short.]
Brew, brōō,v.t.to prepare a liquor, as from malt and other materials: to contrive or plot.—v.i.to perform the operation of brewing ale or beer: to be gathering or forming.—ns.Brew′age, something brewed: mixed liquor;Brew′er, one who brews;Brew′ery,Brew′-house, a place for brewing;Brew′ing, the act of making liquor from malt: the quantity brewed at once;Brew′ster(now onlyScot.), a brewer. [A.S.bréowan; cf. Ger.brauen.]
Briar.Same asBrier(1).
Briarean, brī-ā′re-an,adj.relating toBriareus, a hundred-handed giant: hence many-handed. [Gr.—briaros, strong.]
Briar-root.SeeBrier(2).
Bribe, brīb,n.something given to influence unduly the judgment or corrupt the conduct: allurement.—v.t.to influence by a bribe: to gain over.—v.i.to practise bribery.—ns.Brib′er, one who bribes;Brib′ery, the act of giving or taking bribes;Brib′ery-oath, an oath taken by an elector that he has not been bribed. [O. Fr.bribe, a lump of bread; origin dub.]
Bric-à-brac, brik′a-brak,n.old curiosities, or other articles of value. [Acc. to Littré, formed after the phrasede bric et de broc, 'by hook and by crook.']
Brick, brik,n.an oblong or square piece of burned clay: a loaf of bread in the shape of a brick: (slang) a reliable friend, a good fellow.—v.t.to lay or pave with brick.—ns.Brick′bat, a piece of brick;Brick′clay, a clay used in making bricks;Brick′-dust, dust made by pounding bricks, a colour like that of brick-dust;Brick′-earth, earth used in making bricks;Brick′-field, a place where bricks are made;Brick′-kiln, a kiln in which bricks are burned;Brick′layer, one who lays or builds with bricks;Brick′laying;Brick′maker, one whose trade is to make bricks;Brick′-tea, tea pressed into cakes;Brick′-work, a structure formed of bricks.—Like a brick, with good-will. [Fr.brique, from root ofBreak.]
Brickle, brik′l,adj.(Spens.andScot.) apt to break: weak: troublesome. [Older form ofBrittle.]
Bricole, brik′el, orbrik-ōl′,n.an ancient engine for throwing stones: the rebound of a ball from the wall of a tennis-court, an indirect stroke. [Fr.—Low L.briccola.]
Bridal, brīd′al,n.a marriage feast: a wedding.—adj.belonging to a bride or a wedding: nuptial. [Bride, andAle, a feast.]
Bride, brīd,n.a woman about to be married: a woman newly married.—v.i.(Shak.) to act the bride.—ns.Bride′-ale(obs.)—Bridal, the ale-drinking at a marriage feast;Bride′-bed, the marriage bed;Bride′cake, the bride's cake, or cake distributed at a wedding;Bride′-cham′ber, a nuptial apartment;Bride′groom, a man about to be married: a man newly married;Bride′maid,Bride's′-maid,Bride′man,Bride's′-man, young unmarried people who attend the bride and bridegroom at a wedding. [A.S.brýd; Ice.brúdr, Ger.braut, a bride.]
Bridewell, brīd′wel,n.a house of correction: a gaol. [From a palace near StBride's Wellin London.]
Bridge, brij,n.a structure raised across a river, &c., or anything like such: the narrow raised platform whence the captain of a steamer gives directions: a thin upright piece of wood supporting the strings in a violin or similar instrument.—v.t.to build a bridge over.—n.Bridge′-head, a fortification covering the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy's position.—adj.Bridge′less, without a bridge.—n.Bridge′-of-boats, a bridge resting on boats moored abreast across a piece of water. [A.S.brycg; Ger.brucke, Ice.bryggja.]
Bridge, brich,n.a modification of whist in which the dealer does not turn up the last card, but has the option (which he may pass to his partner) of declaring which suit shall be trumps.
Bridle, brī′-dl,n.the apparatus on a horse's head, by which it is controlled: any curb or restraint: a gesture expressing pride or vanity.—v.t.to put on or manage by a bridle: to check or restrain.—v.i.to hold up the head proudly or affectedly.—ns.Brī′dle-hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding—the left hand;Brī′dle-path, a path or way for horsemen;Brī′dler, one who governs or restrains as by a bridle;Bri′dle-rein, the strap of a bridle.—To bridle up(at something), to take something amiss. [A.S.brídel; Old High Ger.brittel.]
Bridoon, brid′ōōn,n.the light snaffle usual in a military bridle, in addition to the ordinary bit, controlled by a separate rein. [Fr.bridon,bride, a bridle.]
Brief, brēf,n.a short account of a client's case for the instruction of counsel: a writ: a short statement of any kind.—adj.short: concise.—adj.Brief′less.—adv.Brief′ly.—n.Brief′ness.—In brief, in few words.—King's briefs, royal mandates ordering collections to be made in chapels for building churches, &c.;Papal brief, such documents as are issued without some of the solemnities proper to bulls.—The brief and the long(Shak.), the short and the long.—To be brief, to speak in a few words;To hold a brief, to be retained as counsel in a case;To take a brief, to undertake a case. [Fr.bref—L.brevis, short.]
Brier, brī′er,n.a prickly shrub: a common name for the wild rose: (Scot.) the thorn of the brier—alsoBrī′ar.—adjs.Brī′ery,Brī′ered, having briers. [A.S.brér.]
Brier,Briar,brī′ėr,n.the white heath, a shrub grown in France, from the root of which tobacco-pipes are made: a pipe of this wood. [Fr.bruyère, heath.]