BABIROUSSA; BABIRUSSA Bab`i*rous"sa, Bab`i*rus"sa (, n. Etym: [F. babiroussa, fr.Malay babi hog + r deer.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large hoglike quadruped (Sus, or Porcus, babirussa) of the East Indies, sometimes domesticated; the Indian hog. Its upper canine teeth or tusks are large and recurved.
BABISHBab"ish, a.
Defn: Like a babe; a childish; babyish. [R.] "Babish imbecility."Drayton.— Bab"ish*ly, adv.— Bab"ish*ness, n. [R.]
BABISM Bab"ism, n. Etym: [From Bab (Pers. bab a gate), the title assumed by the founder, Mirza Ali Mohammed.]
Defn: The doctrine of a modern religious sect, which originated inPersia in 1843, being a mixture of Mohammedan, Christian, Jewish andParsee elements.
BABISM; BABIISMBab"ism, Bab"i*ism, n.
Defn: The doctrine of a modern religious pantheistical sect in Persia, which was founded, about 1844, by Mirza Ali Mohammed ibn Rabhik (1820 — 1850), who assumed the title of Bab-ed-Din (Per., Gate of the Faith). Babism is a mixture of Mohammedan, Christian, Jewish, and Parsi elements. This doctrine forbids concubinage and polygamy, and frees women from many of the degradations imposed upon them among the orthodox Mohammedans. Mendicancy, the use of intoxicating liquors and drugs, and slave dealing, are forbidden; asceticism is discountenanced. —Bab"ist, n.
BABISTBab"ist, n.
Defn: A believer in Babism.
BABLAH Bab"lah, n. Etym: [Cf. Per. bab a species of mimosa yielding gum arabic.]
Defn: The ring of the fruit of several East Indian species of acacia; neb-neb. It contains gallic acid and tannin, and is used for dyeing drab.
BABOO; BABUBa"boo, Ba"bu, n. Etym: [Hind. bab ]
Defn: A Hindoo gentleman; native clerk who writes English; also, aHindoo title answering to Mr. or Esquire. Whitworth.
BABOON Bab*oon", n. Etym: [OE. babewin, baboin, fr.F. babouin, or LL. babewynus. Of unknown origin; cf. D. baviaan, G. pavian, baboon, F. babin lip of ape, dogs, etc., dial. G. bäppe mouth.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.
BABOONERYBab*oon"ery, n.
Defn: Baboonish behavior. Marryat.
BABOONISHBab*oon"ish, a.
Defn: Like a baboon.
BABUL; BABOOLBa*bul", Ba*bool", n. [See Bablah.] (Bot.)
Defn: Any one of several species of Acacia, esp. A. Arabica, which yelds a gum used as a substitute for true gum arabic.
In place of Putney's golden gorseThe sickly babul blooms.Kipling.
BABYBa"by, n.; pl. Babies. Etym: [Dim. of babe]
Defn: An infant or young child of either sex; a babe.
2. A small image of an infant; a doll. Babies in the eyes, the minute reflection which one sees of one's self in the eyes of another. She clung about his neck, gave him ten kisses, Toyed with his locks, looked babies in his eyes. Heywood.
BABYBa"by, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, an infant; young or little; as, baby swans. "Baby figure" Shak.
BABYBa"by, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Babied (p. pr. & vb. n.Babying.]
Defn: To treat like a young child; to keep dependent; to humor; to fondle. Young.
BABY FARMBa"by farm`.
Defn: A place where the nourishment and care of babies are offered for hire.
BABY FARMERBa"by farm`er.
Defn: One who keeps a baby farm.
BABY FARMINGBa"by farm`ing.
Defn: The business of keeping a baby farm.
BABYHOODBa"by*hood, n.
Defn: The state or period of infancy.
BABYHOUSEBa"by*house`, a.
Defn: A place for children's dolls and dolls' furniture. Swift.
BABYISHBa"by*ish, a.
Defn: Like a baby; childish; puerile; simple.— Ba"by*ish*ly, adv.— Ba"by*ish*ness, n.
BABYISMBa"by*ism, n.
1. The state of being a baby.
2. A babyish manner of acting or speaking.
BABY JUMPERBa"by jump`er.
Defn: A hoop suspended by an elastic strap, in which a young child may be held secure while amusing itself by jumping on the floor.
BABYLONIANBab`y*lo"ni*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the real or to the mystical Babylon, or to the ancient kingdom of Babylonia; Chaldean.
BABYLONIANBab`y*lo"ni*an, n.
1. An inhabitant of Babylonia (which included Chaldea); a Chaldean.
2. An astrologer; — so called because the Chaldeans were remarkable for the study of astrology.
BABYLONIC; BABYLONICALBab`y*lon"ic, Bab`y*lon"ic*al, a.
1. Pertaining to Babylon, or made there; as Babylonic garments,carpets, or hangings.
2. Tumultuous; disorderly. [Obs.] Sir J. Harrington.
BABYLONISHBab"y*lo`nish, n.
1. Of or pertaining to, or made in, Babylon or Babylonia. "A Babylonish garment." Josh. vii. 21.
2. Pertaining to the Babylon of Revelation xiv.8.
3. Pertaining to Rome and papal power. [Obs.] The . . . injurious nickname of Babylonish. Gape.
4. Confused; Babel-like.
BABYROUSSA; BABYRUSSABab`y*rous"sa, Bab`y*rus"sa, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Babyroussa.
BABYSHIPBa"by*ship, n.
Defn: The quality of being a baby; the personality of an infant.
BACBac, n. Etym: [F. See Back a vat]
1. A broad, flatbottomed ferryboat, usually worked by a rope.
2. A vat or cistern. See 1st Back.
BACCALAUREATE Bac"ca*lau"re*ate, n. Etym: [NL. baccalaureatus, fr.LL. baccalaureus a bachelor of arts, fr. baccalarius, but as if fr L. bacca lauri bayberry, from the practice of the bachelor's wearing a garland of bayberries. See Bachelor.]
1. The degree of bachelor of arts. (B.A. or A.B.), the first or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and colleges.
2. A baccalaureate sermon. [U.S.]
BACCALAUREATEBac`ca*lau"re*ate, a.
Defn: Pertaining to a bachelor of arts. Baccalaureate sermon, in some American colleges, a sermon delivered as a farewell discourse to a graduating class.
BACCARA; BACCARATBac`ca*ra", Bac`ca*rat", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A French game of cards, played by a banker and punters.
BACCARE; BACKAREBac*ca"re, Bac*ka"re, interj.
Defn: Stand back! give place! — a cant word of the Elizabethan writers, probably in ridicule of some person who pretended to a knowledge of Latin which he did not possess. Baccare! you are marvelous forward. Shak.
BACCATEBac"cate, a. Etym: [L. baccatus, fr. L. bacca berry.] (Bot.)
Defn: Pulpy throughout, like a berry; — said of fruits. Gray.
BACCATEDBac"ca*ted, a.
1. Having many berries.
2. Set or adorned with pearls. [Obs.]
BACCHANALBac"cha*nal, a. Etym: [L. Bacchanalis. See Bacchanalia.]
1. Relating to Bacchus or his festival.
2. Engaged in drunken revels; drunken and riotous or noisy.
BACCHANALBac"cha*nal, n.
1. A devotee of Bacchus; one who indulges in drunken revels; one who is noisy and riotous when intoxicated; a carouser. "Tipsy bacchanals." Shak.
2. pl.
Defn: The festival of Bacchus; the bacchanalia.
3. Drunken revelry; an orgy.
4. A song or dance in honor of Bacchus.
BACCHANALIABac`cha*na"li*a, n. pl. Etym: [L. Bacchanal a place devoted toBacchus; in the pl. Bacchanalia a feast of Bacchus, fr. Bacchus thegod of wine, Gr.
1. (Myth.)
Defn: A feast or an orgy in honor of Bacchus.
2. Hence: A drunken feast; drunken reveler.
BACCHANALIANBac`cha*na"li*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the festival of Bacchus; relating to or given to reveling and drunkenness. Even bacchanalian madness has its charms. Cowper.
BACCHANALIANBac`cha*na"li*an, n.
Defn: A bacchanal; a drunken reveler.
BACCHANALIANISMBac`cha*na"li*an*ism, n.
Defn: The practice of bacchanalians; bacchanals; drunken revelry.
BACCHANT Bac"chant, n.; pl. E. Bacchants, L. Bacchantes. Etym: [L. bacchans, - antis, p. pr. of bacchari to celebrate the festival of Bacchus.]
1. A priest of Bacchus.
2. A bacchanal; a reveler. Croly.
BACCHANTBac"chant, a.
Defn: Bacchanalian; fond of drunken revelry; wine-loving; reveling; carousing. Byron.
BACCHANTEBac"chante, n.; L. pl. Bacchantes.
1. A priestess of Bacchus.
2. A female bacchanal.
BACCHANTICBac*chan"tic, a.
Defn: Bacchanalian.
BACCHIC; BACCHICALBac"chic, Bac"chic*al, a. Etym: [L. Bacchicus, Gr.
Defn: Of or relating to Bacchus; hence, jovial, or riotous,with intoxication.
BACCHIUSBac*chi"us, n.; pl. Bacchii. Etym: [L. Bacchius pes, Gr. (Pros.)
Defn: A metrical foot composed of a short syllable and two long ones; according to some, two long and a short.
BACCHUSBac"chus, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Myth.)
Defn: The god of wine, son of Jupiter and Semele.
BACCIFEROUSBac*cif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. baccifer; bacca berry + ferre to bear]
Defn: Producing berries. " Bacciferous trees." Ray.
BACCIFORMBac"ci*form, a. Etym: [L. bacca berry + -form. ]
Defn: Having the form of a berry.
BACCIVOROUSBac*civ"o*rous, a. Etym: [L. bacca berry + varare to devour.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Eating, or subsisting on, berries; as, baccivorous birds.
BACEBace, n., a., & v.
Defn: See Base. [Obs.] Spenser.
BACHARACH; BACKARACKBach"a*rach, Back"a*rack, n.
Defn: A kind of wine made at Bacharach on the Rhine.
BACHELOR Bach"e*lor, n. Etym: [OF. bacheler young man, F. bachelier (cf.Pr. bacalar, Sp.bachiller, Pg. bacharel, It. baccalare), LL. baccalarius the tenant of a kind of farm called baccalaria, a soldier not old or rich enough to lead his retainers into battle with a banner, person of an inferior academical degree aspiring to a doctorate. In the latter sense, it was afterward changed to baccalaureus. See Baccalaureate, n.]
1. A man of any age who has not been married. As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound. W. Irving.
2. An unmarried woman. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
3. A person who has taken the first or lowest degree in the liberal arts, or in some branch of science, at a college or university; as, a bachelor of arts.
4. A knight who had no standard of his own, but fought under the standard of another in the field; often, a young knight.
5. In the companies of London tradesmen, one not yet admitted to wear the livery; a junior member. [Obs.]
6. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of bass, an edible fresh-water fish (Pomoxys annularis) of the southern United States.
BACHELORDOMBach"e*lor*dom, n.
Defn: The state of bachelorhood; the whole body of bachelors.
BACHELORHOODBach"e*lor*hood, n.
Defn: The state or condition of being a bachelor; bachelorship.
BACHELORISMBach"e*lor*ism, n.
Defn: Bachelorhood; also, a manner or peculiarity belonging to bachelors. W. Irving.
BACHELOR'S BUTTONBach"e*lor's but"ton
Defn: , (Bot.) A plant with flowers shaped like buttons; especially, several species of Ranunculus, and the cornflower (Centaures cyanus) and globe amaranth (Gomphrena).
Note: Bachelor's buttons, a name given to several flowers "from their similitude to the jagged cloathe buttons, anciently worne in this kingdom", according to Johnson's Gerarde, p.472 (1633); but by other writers ascribed to "a habit of country fellows to carry them in their pockets to divine their success with their sweethearts." Dr. Prior.
BACHELORSHIPBach"e*lor*ship, n.
Defn: The state of being a bachelor.
BACHELRYBach"el*ry, n. Etym: [OF. bachelerie.]
Defn: The body of young aspirants for knighthood. [Obs.] Chaucer.
BACILLARBa*cil"lar, a. Etym: [L. bacillum little staff.] (Biol.)
Defn: Shaped like a rod or staff.
BACILLARIAE Bac"il*la`ri*æ, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr.L. bacillum, dim. of baculum stick.] (Biol.)
Defn: See Diatom.
BACILLARYBac"il*la*ry, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to little rods; rod-shaped.
BACILLIFORMBa*cil"li*form, a. Etym: [L. bacillum little staff + -form.]
Defn: Rod-shaped.
BACILLUSBa*cil"lus, n.; pl. Bacilli (. Etym: [NL., for L. bacillum. SeeBacillarle.] (Biol.)
Defn: A variety of bacterium; a microscopic, rod-shaped vegetable organism.
BACKBack, n. Etym: [F. bac: cf. Arm. bak tray, bowl.]
1. A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc. Hop back, Jack back, the cistern which receives the infusion of malt and hops from the copper. — Wash back, a vat in which distillers ferment the wort to form wash. — Water back, a cistern to hold a supply of water; esp. a small cistern at the back of a stove, or a group of pipes set in the fire box of a stove or furnace, through which water circulates and is heated.
2. A ferryboat. See Bac, 1
BACK Back, n. Etym: [As bæc, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b flight. Cf. Bacon.]
1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster.
2. An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge. [The mountains] their broad bare backs upheave Into the clouds. Milton.
3. The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail. Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this, Gave me your hands, the backs and palms to kiss. Donne.
4. The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney.
5. The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village.
6. The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw.
7. A support or resource in reserve. This project Should have a back or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. Shak.
8. (Naut.)
Defn: The keel and keelson of a ship.
9. (Mining)
Defn: The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage.
10. A garment for the back; hence, clothing. A bak to walken inne by daylight. Chaucer. Behind one's back, when one is absent; without one's knowledge; as, to ridicule a person behind his back. — Full back, Half back, Quarter back (Football), players stationed behind those in the front line. — To be or lie on one's back, to be helpless. — To put, or get, one's back up, to assume an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when attacked.). [Colloq.] — To see the back of, to get rid of. — To turn the back, to go away; to flee. — To turn the back on one, to forsake or neglect him.
BACKBack, a.
1. Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements.
2. Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent.
3. Moving or operating backward; as, back action. Back charges, charges brought forward after an account has been made up. — Back filling (Arch.), the mass of materials used in filling up the space between two walls, or between the inner and outer faces of a wall, or upon the haunches of an arch or vault. — Back pressure. (Steam Engine) See under Pressure. — Back rest, a guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe, and placed in contact with the work, to steady it in turning. — Back slang, a kind of slang in which every word is written or pronounced backwards; as, nam for man. — Back stairs, stairs in the back part of a house; private stairs. Also used adjectively. See Back stairs, Backstairs, and Backstair, in the Vocabulary. — Back step (Mil.), the retrograde movement of a man or body of men, without changing front. — Back stream, a current running against the main current of a stream; an eddy. — To take the back track, to retrace one's steps; to retreat. [Colloq.]
BACKBack, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Backed (; p. pr. & vb. n. Backing.]
1. To get upon the back of; to mount. I will back him [a horse] straight. Shak.
2. To place or seat upon the back. [R.] Great Jupiter, upon his eagle backed, Appeared to me. Shak.
3. To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen.
4. To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books.
5. To adjoin behind; to be at the back of. A garden . . . with a vineyard backed. Shak. The chalk cliffs which back the beach. Huxley.
6. To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to indorse; as, to back a note or legal document.
7. To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or influence; as, to back a friend. "Parliament would be backed by the people." Macaulay. Have still found it necessary to back and fortify their laws with rewards and punishments. South. The mate backed the captain manfully. Blackw. Mag.
8. To bet on the success of; — as, to back a race horse. To back an anchor (Naut.), to lay down a small anchor ahead of a large one, the cable of the small one being fastened to the crown of the large one. — To back the field, in horse racing, to bet against a particular horse or horses, that some one of all the other horses, collectively designated "the field", will win. — To back the oars, to row backward with the oars. — To back a rope, to put on a preventer. — To back the sails, to arrange them so as to cause the ship to move astern. — To back up, to support; to sustain; as, to back up one's friends. — To back a warrant (Law), is for a justice of the peace, in the county where the warrant is to be executed, to sign or indorse a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend an offender. — To back water (Naut.), to reverse the action of the oars, paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship backward.
BACKBack, v. i.
1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; — used of the wind.
3. (Sporting)
Defn: To stand still behind another dog which has poined; — said of a dog. [Eng.] To back and fill, to manage the sails of a ship so that the wind strikes them alternately in front and behind, in order to keep the ship in the middle of a river or channel while the current or tide carries the vessel against the wind. Hence: (Fig.) To take opposite positions alternately; to assert and deny. [Colloq.] — To back out, To back down, to retreat or withdraw from a promise, engagement, or contest; to recede. [Colloq.] Cleon at first . . . was willing to go; but, finding that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to back out. Jowett (Thucyd. )
BACKBack, adv. Etym: [Shortened from aback.]
1. In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step back.
2. To the place from which one came; to the place or person from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something left behind; to go back to one's native place; to put a book back after reading it.
3. To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism.
4. ( Of time) In times past; ago. "Sixty or seventy years back." Gladstone.
5. Away from contact; by reverse movement. The angel of the Lord . . . came, and rolled back the stone from the door. Matt. xxvii. 2.
6. In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another.
7. In a state of restraint or hindrance. The Lord hath kept thee back from honor. Numb. xxiv. 11.
8. In return, repayment, or requital. What have I to give you back! Shak.
9. In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back0 the offensive words.
10. In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent. [Colloq.] Back and forth, backwards and forwards; to and fro. — To go back on, to turn back from; to abandon; to betray; as, to go back on a friend; to go back on one's professions. [Colloq.]
BACKARACKBack"a*rack, n.
Defn: See Bacharach.
BACKAREBac*ka"re, interj.
Defn: Same as Baccare.
BACKBANDBack"band`, n. Etym: [2nd back ,n.+ band.] (Saddlery)
Defn: The band which passes over the back of a horse and holds up the shafts of a carriage.
BACKBITEBack"bite`, v. i. Etym: [2nd back, n., + bite]
Defn: To wound by clandestine detraction; to censure meanly or spitefully (as absent person); to slander or speak evil of (one absent). Spenser.
BACKBITEBack"bite`, v. i.
Defn: To censure or revile the absent.They are arrant knaves, and will backbite. Shak.
BACKBITERBack"bit`er, n.
Defn: One who backbites; a secret calumniator or detractor.
BACKBITINGBack"bit`ing, n.
Defn: Secret slander; detraction.Backbiting, and bearing of false witness. Piers Plowman.
BACKBOARDBack"board`, n. Etym: [2nd back, n. + board.]
1. A board which supports the back wen one is sitting;
Note: specifically, the board athwart the after part of a boat.
2. A board serving as the back part of anything, as of a wagon.
3. A thin stuff used for the backs of framed pictures, mirrors, etc.
4. A board attached to the rim of a water wheel to prevent the water from running off the floats or paddies into the interior of the wheel. W. Nicholson.
5. A board worn across the back to give erectness to the figure. Thackeray.
BACKBONDBack"bond`, n. Etym: [Back, adv. + bond.] (Scots Law)
Defn: An instrument which, in conjunction with another making an absolute disposition, constitutes a trust.
BACKBONEBack"bone", n. Etym: [2d back,n.+ bone. ]
1. The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column.
2. Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a backbone. The lofty mountains on the north side compose the granitic axis, or backbone of the country. Darwin. We have now come to the backbone of our subject. Earle.
3. Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness. Shelley's thought never had any backbone. Shairp. To the backbone, through and through; thoroughly; entirely. "Staunch to the backbone." Lord Lytton.
BACKBONEDBack"boned", a.
Defn: Vertebrate.
BACKCASTBack"cast`, n. Etym: [Back, adv.+ cast.]
Defn: Anything which brings misfortune upon one, or causes failure in an effort or enterprise; a reverse. [Scot.]
BACK DOORBack" door".
Defn: A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect way.Atterbury.
BACKDOORBack"door", a.
Defn: Acting from behind and in concealment; as backdoor intrigues.
BACKDOWNBack"down`, n.
Defn: A receding or giving up; a complete surrender. [Colloq.]
BACKEDBacked, a.
Defn: Having a back; fitted with a back; as, a backed electrotype or stereotype plate. Used in composition; as, broad- backed; hump- backed.
BACKERBack"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs a person or thing in a contest.
BACKFALLBack"fall`, n. Etym: [2nd back ,n. + fall]
Defn: A fall or throw on the back in wrestling.
BACK FIRE Back fire. (a) A fire started ahead of a forest or prairie fire to burn only against the wind, so that when the two fires meet both must go out for lack of fuel. (b) A premature explosion in the cylinder of a gas or oil engine during the exhaust or the compression stroke, tending to drive the piston in a direction reverse to that in which it should travel; also, an explosion in the exhaust passages of such ah engine.
BACK-FIREBack"-fire`, v. i.
1. (Engin.)
Defn: To have or experience a back fire or back fires; — said of an internal-combustion engine.
2. Of a Bunsen or similar air-fed burner, to light so that the flame proceeds from the internal gas jet instead of from the external jet of mixed gas and air. — Back"-fir`ing, n.
BACKFRIENDBack"friend`, n. Etym: [Back,n.or adv. + friend]
Defn: A secret enemy. [Obs.] South.
BACKGAMMONBack"gam`mon, n. Etym: [Origin unknown; perhaps fr.Dan. bakke tray +E. game; or very likely the first part is from E.back, adv., and thegame is so called because the men are often set back.]
Defn: A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a "board" marked off into twenty-four spaces called "points". Each player has fifteen pieces, or "men", the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called tables. Backgammon board , a board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two "tables".
BACKGAMMONBack"gam`mon, v. i.
Defn: In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first "table".
BACKGROUNDBack"ground`, n. Etym: [Back, a. + ground.]
1. Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
2. (Paint.)
Defn: The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
Note: The distance in a picture is usually divided into foreground, middle distance, and background. Fairholt.
3. Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.
4. A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before MissTorry could produce this highly finished . . . performance. Mrs.Alexander.A husband somewhere in the background. Thackeray.
BACKHANDBack"hand`, n. Etym: [Back, adv. + hand.]
Defn: A kind of handwriting in which the downward slope of the letters is from left to right.
BACKHANDBack"hand`, a.
1. Sloping from left to right; — said of handwriting.
2. Backhanded; indirect; oblique. [R.]
BACKHANDEDBack"hand`ed, a.
1. With the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow.
2. Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded compliment.
3. Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, a backhanded letters.
BACKHANDEDNESSBack"hand`ed*ness, n.
Defn: State of being backhanded; the using of backhanded or indirect methods.
BACKHANDERBack"hand`er, n.
Defn: A backhanded blow.
BACKHEELBack"heel`, n. (Wrestling)
Defn: A method of tripping by getting the leg back of the opponent's heel on the outside and pulling forward while pushing his body back; a throw made in this way. — v. t.
Defn: To trip (a person) in this way.
BACKHOUSEBack"house`, n. Etym: [Back, a. + house.]
Defn: A building behind the main building. Specifically: A privy; a necessary.
BACKINGBack"ing, n.
1. The act of moving backward, or of putting or moving anything backward.
2. That which is behind, and forms the back of, anything, usually giving strength or stability.
3. Support or aid given to a person or cause.
4. (Bookbinding)
Defn: The preparation of the back of a book with glue, etc., before putting on the cover.
BACKJOINTBack"joint`, n. Etym: [Back , a. or adv. + joint.] (Arch.)
Defn: A rebate or chase in masonry left to receive a permanent slab or other filling.
BACKLASHBack"lash`, n. Etym: [Back , adv. + lash.] (Mech.)
Defn: The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.
BACKLESSBack"less, a.
Defn: Without a back.
BACKLOGBack"log`, n. Etym: [Back, a. + log.]
Defn: A large stick of wood, forming the of a fire on the hearth.[U.S.]There was first a backlog, from fifteen to four and twenty inches indiameter and five feet long, imbedded in the ashes. S. G. Goodrich.
BACKPIECE; BACKPLATEBack"piece`, Back"plate`, n. Etym: [Back,n.or a. + piece, plate. ]
Defn: A piece, or plate which forms the back of anything, or which covers the back; armor for the back.
BACKRACK; BACKRAGBack"rack, Back"rag, n.
Defn: See Bacharach.
BACKSBacks, n. pl.
Defn: Among leather dealers, the thickest and stoutest tanned hides.
BACKSAWBack"saw`, n. Etym: [2d back,n.+ saw.]
Defn: A saw (as a tenon saw) whose blade is stiffened by an added metallic back.
BACKSETBack"set`, n. Etym: [Back, adv. + set.]
1. A check; a relapse; a discouragement; a setback.
2. Whatever is thrown back in its course, as water. Slackwater, or the backset caused by the overflow. Harper's Mag.
BACKSETBack"set`, v. i.
Defn: To plow again, in the fall; — said of prairie land broken up in the spring. [Western U.S.]
BACKSETTLERBack"set"tler, n. Etym: [Back, a. + settler.]
Defn: One living in the back or outlying districts of a community.The English backsettlers of Leinster and Munster. Macaulay.
BACKSHEESH; BACKSHISH Back"sheesh`, Back"shish`, n. Etym: [Pers. bakhshish, fr. bakhshidan to give.]
Defn: In Egypt and the Turkish empire, a gratuity; a "tip".
BACKSIDEBack"side`, n. Etym: [Back, a. + side. ]
Defn: The hinder part, posteriors, or rump of a person or animal.
Note: Backside (one word) was formerly used of the rear part or side of any thing or place, but in such senses is now two words.
BACKSIGHTBack"sight`, n. Etym: [Back, adv. + sight. ] (Surv.)
Defn: The reading of the leveling staff in its unchanged position when the leveling instrument has been taken to a new position; a sight directed backwards to a station previously occupied. Cf. Foresight, n., 3.
BACKSLIDE Back`slide", v. i. [imp. Backslid; p.p. Backslidden, Backslid; p. pr. & vb. n. Backsliding. ] Etym: [Back , adv.+ slide.]
Defn: To slide back; to fall away; esp. to abandon gradually the faith and practice of a religion that has been professed.
BACKSLIDERBack"slid"er, n.
Defn: One who backslides.
BACKSLIDINGBack"slid"ing, a.
Defn: Slipping back; falling back into sin or error; sinning.Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord. Jer. iii. 14.
BACKSLIDINGBack"slid"ing, n.
Defn: The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or duty.Our backslidings are many. Jer. xiv. 7.
BACKSTAFFBack"staff`, n.
Defn: An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; — so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.
BACK STAIRSBack" stairs`.
Defn: Stairs in the back part of a house, as distinguished from the front stairs; hence, a private or indirect way.
BACKSTAIRS; BACKSTAIRBack"stairs`, Back"stair`, a.
Defn: Private; indirect; secret; intriguing; as if finding access bythe back stairs.A backstairs influence. Burke.Female caprice and backstairs influence. Trevelyan.
BACKSTAYBack"stay`, n. Etym: [Back, a. orn.+ stay.]
1. (Naut.)
Defn: A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast. [ Often used in the plural.]
2. A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.
BACKSTERBack"ster, n. Etym: [See Baxter.]
Defn: A backer. [Obs.]
BACKSTITCHBack"stitch`, n. Etym: [Back, adv. + stitch.]
Defn: A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end.
BACKSTITCHBack"stitch`, v. i.
Defn: To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam.
BACKSTOPBack"stop`, n.
1. In baseball, a fence, prop. at least 90 feet behind the home base, to stop the balls that pass the catcher; also, the catcher himself.
2. In rounders, the player who stands immediately behind the striking base.
3. In cricket, the longstop; also, the wicket keeper.
BACKSTRESSBack"stress, n.
Defn: A female baker. [Obs.]
BACKSWORDBack"sword`, n. Etym: [2d back,n.+ sword.]
1. A sword with one sharp edge.
2. In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called singlestick. Halliwell.
BACKWARD; BACKWARDSBack"ward, Back"wards, adv. Etym: [Back, adv. + -ward.]
1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.
2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.
3. On the back, or with the back downward. Thou wilt fall backward. Shak.
4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago. Some reigns backward. Locke.
5. By way of reflection; reflexively. Sir J. Davies.
6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin. The work went backward. Dryden.
7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards. We might have . . . beat them backward home. Shak.
BACKWARDBack"ward, a.
1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath. For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. Pope.
3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner." South.
4. Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.
6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.] And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. Byron.
BACKWARDBack"ward, n.
Defn: The state behind or past. [Obs.]In the dark backward and abysm of time. Shak.
BACKWARDBack"ward, v. i.
Defn: To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]
BACKWARDATIONBack`war*da"tion, n. Etym: [Backward, v.i.+ -ation.] (Stock Exchange)
Defn: The seller's postponement of delivery of stock or shares, with the consent of the buyer, upon payment of a premium to the latter; — also, the premium so paid. See Contango. Biddle.
BACKWARDLYBack"ward*ly, adv.
1. Reluctantly; slowly; aversely. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.
2. Perversely; ill.[Obs.] And does he think so backwardly of me Shak.
BACKWARDNESSBack"ward*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being backward.
BACKWASHBack"wash`, v. i.
Defn: To clean the oil from (wood) after combing.
BACKWATERBack"wa`ter, n. Etym: [Back, a. or adv. + -ward. ]
1. Water turned back in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current , or the flow of the tide, as in a sewer or river channel, or across a river bar.
2. An accumulation of water overflowing the low lands, caused by an obstruction.
3. Water thrown back by the turning of a waterwheel, or by the paddle wheels of a steamer.
BACKWOODSBack"woods", n. pl. Etym: [Back, a. + woods.]
Defn: The forests or partly cleared grounds on the frontiers.
BACKWOODSMANBack"woods"man, n.; pl. Backwoodsmen (.
Defn: A men living in the forest in or beyond the new settlements, especially on the western frontiers of the older portions of the United States. Fisher Ames.
BACKWORMBack"worm`, n. Etym: [2d back,n.+ worm. ]
Defn: A disease of hawks. See Filanders. Wright.
BACON Ba"con, n. Etym: [OF. bacon, fr. OHG. bacho, bahho, flitch of bacon, ham; akin to E. back. Cf. Back the back side.]
Defn: The back and sides of a pig salted and smoked; formerly, the flesh of a pig salted or fresh. Bacon beetle (Zoöl.), a beetle (Dermestes lardarius) which, especially in the larval state, feeds upon bacon, woolens, furs, etc. See Dermestes. — To save one's bacon, to save one's self or property from harm or less. [Colloq.]
BACONIANBa*co"ni*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon, or to his system of philosophy.Baconian method, the inductive method. See Induction.
BACTERIABac*te"ri*a, n.p.
Defn: See Bacterium.
BACTERIALBac*te"ri*al, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to bacteria.
BACTERICIDALBac*te"ri*ci`dal, a.
Defn: Destructive of bacteria.
BACTERICIDEBac*te"ri*cide, n. Etym: [Bacterium + L. caedere to kill] (Biol.)
Defn: Same as Germicide.
BACTERINBac"te*rin, n. (Med.)
Defn: A bacterial vaccine.
BACTERIOLOGICALBac*te"ri*o*log`ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to bacteriology; as, bacteriological studies.
BACTERIOLOGISTBac*te"ri*ol`o*gist, n.
Defn: One skilled in bacteriology.
BACTERIOLOGYBac*te"ri*ol`o*gy, n. Etym: [Bacterium + -logy. ] (Biol.)
Defn: The science relating to bacteria.
BACTERIOLYSISBac*te`ri*ol"y*sis, n. [NL.; fr. Gr. , , a staff + a loosing.]
1. Chemical decomposition brought about by bacteria without the addition of oxygen.
2. The destruction or dissolution of bacterial cells. — Bac*te`ri*o*lyt"ic (#), a.
BACTERIOSCOPICBac*te`ri*o*scop"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Relating to bacterioscopy; as, a bacterioscopic examination.
BACTERIOSCOPISTBac*te`ri*os"co*pist, n. (Biol.)
Defn: One skilled in bacterioscopic examinations.
BACTERIOSCOPYBac*te`ri*os"co*py, n. Etym: [Bacterium + -scopy ] (Biol.)
Defn: The application of a knowledge of bacteria for their detection and identification, as in the examination of polluted water.
BACTERIUMBac*te"ri*um, n.; pl. Bacteria. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr., , a staff: cf.F. bactérie. ] (Biol.)
Defn: A microscopic vegetable organism, belonging to the class Algæ, usually in the form of a jointed rodlike filament, and found in putrefying organic infusions. Bacteria are destitute of chlorophyll, and are the smallest of microscopic organisms. They are very widely diffused in nature, and multiply with marvelous rapidity, both by fission and by spores. Certain species are active agents in fermentation, while others appear to be the cause of certain infectious diseases. See Bacillus.
BACTEROID; BACTEROIDALBac"te*roid, Bac`te*roid"al, a. Etym: [Bacterium + -oid.] (Biol.)
Defn: Resembling bacteria; as, bacteroid particles.
BACTRIANBac"tri*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Bactria in Asia.— n.
Defn: A native of Bactria. Bactrian camel, the two-humped camel.
BACULEBac"ule, n. Etym: [F.] (Fort.)
Defn: See Bascule.
BACULINEBac"u*line, a. Etym: [L. baculum staff.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the rod or punishment with the rod.
BACULITEBac"u*lite, n. Etym: [L. baculune stick, staff; cf. F. baculite.](Paleon.)
Defn: A cephalopod of the extinct genus Baculites, found fossil in the Cretaceous rocks. It is like an uncoiled ammonite.
BACULOMETRYBac`u*lom"e*try, n. Etym: [L. baculum staff + -metry]
Defn: Measurement of distance or altitude by a staff or staffs.
BADBad, imp.
Defn: of Bid. Bade. [Obs.] Dryden.
BAD Bad, a. [Compar. Worse; superl. Worst. ] Etym: [Probably fr. AS. bæddel hermaphrodite; cf. bædling effeminate fellow.]
Defn: Wanting good qualities, whether physical or moral; injurious, hurtful, inconvenient, offensive, painful, unfavorable, or defective, either physically or morally; evil; vicious; wicked; — the opposite of good; as a bad man; bad conduct; bad habits; bad soil; bad health; bad crop; bad news.
Note: Sometimes used substantively.The strong antipathy of good to bad. Pope.
Syn. — Pernicious; deleterious; noxious; baneful; injurious; hurtful; evil; vile; wretched; corrupt; wicked; vicious; imperfect.
BADAUDBa`daud", n. [F.]
Defn: A person given to idle observation of everything, with wonder or astonishment; a credulous or gossipy idler.
A host of stories . . . dealing chiefly with the subject of his great wealth, an ever delightful topic to the badauds of Paris. Pall Mall Mag.
BADDERBad"der,
Defn: compar. of Bad, a. [Obs.] Chaucer.
BADDERLOCKSBad"der*locks, n. Etym: [Perh. for Balderlocks, fr. Balder theScandinavian deity.] (Bot.)
Defn: A large black seaweed (Alaria esculenta) sometimes eaten inEurope; — also called murlins, honeyware, and henware.
BADDISHBad"dish, a.
Defn: Somewhat bad; inferior. Jeffrey.
BADEBade.
Defn: A form of the pat tense of Bid.
BADGEBadge, n. Etym: [LL. bagea, bagia, sign, prob. of German origin; cf.AS. beág, beáh, bracelet, collar, crown, OS b in comp., AS. b to bow,bend, G. biegen. See Bow to bend.]
1. A distinctive mark, token, sign, or cognizance, worn on the person; as, the badge of a society; the badge of a policeman. "Tax gatherers, recognized by their official badges. " Prescott.
2. Something characteristic; a mark; a token. Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge. Shak.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.
BADGEBadge, v. t.
Defn: To mark or distinguish with a badge.
BADGELESSBadge"less, a.
Defn: Having no badge. Bp. Hall.
BADGER Badg"er, n. Etym: [Of uncertain origin; perh. fr. an old verb badge to lay up provisions to sell again.]
Defn: An itinerant licensed dealer in commodities used for food; a hawker; a huckster; — formerly applied especially to one who bought grain in one place and sold it in another. [Now dialectic, Eng.]
BADGER Badg"er, n. Etym: [OE. bageard, prob. fr. badge + -ard, in reference to the white mark on its forehead. See Badge,n.]
1. A carnivorous quadruped of the genus Meles or of an allied genus. It is a burrowing animal, with short, thick legs, and long claws on the fore feet. One species (M. vulgaris), called also brock, inhabits the north of Europe and Asia; another species (Taxidea Americana or Labradorica) inhabits the northern parts of North America. See Teledu.
2. A brush made of badgers' hair, used by artists. Badger dog. (Zoöl.) See Dachshund.
BADGERBadg"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Badgered (p. pr. & vb. n. Badgering.]Etym: [For sense 1, see 2d Badger; for 2, see 1st Badger.]
1. To tease or annoy, as a badger when baited; to worry or irritate persistently.
2. To beat down; to cheapen; to barter; to bargain.
BADGERERBadg"er*er, n.
1. One who badgers.
2. A kind of dog used in badger baiting.
BADGER GAMEBadg"er game.
Defn: The method of blackmailing by decoying a person into a compromising situation and extorting money by threats of exposure. [Cant]
BADGERINGBadg"er*ing, n.
1. The act of one who badgers.
2. The practice of buying wheat and other kinds of food in one place and selling them in another for a profit. [Prov. Eng.]
BADGER-LEGGEDBadg"er-legged`, a.
Defn: Having legs of unequal length, as the badger was thought to have. Shak.
BADGER STATEBadger State.
Defn: Wisconsin; — a nickname.
BADIAGABad`i*a"ga, n. Etym: [Russ. badiaga.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A fresh-water sponge (Spongilla), common in the north of Europe, the powder of which is used to take away the livid marks of bruises.
BADIANBa"di*an, n. Etym: [F.badiane, fr. Per. badian anise.] (Bot.)
Defn: An evergreen Chinese shrub of the Magnolia family (Illicium anisatum), and its aromatic seeds; Chinese anise; star anise.
BADIGEONBa*di"geon, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A cement or paste (as of plaster and freestone, or of sawdust and glue or lime) used by sculptors, builders, and workers in wood or stone, to fill holes, cover defects, or finish a surface.
BADINAGE Ba`di`nage", n. Etym: [F., fr. badiner to joke, OF. to trifle, be silly, fr. badin silly.]
Defn: Playful raillery; banter. "He . . . indulged himself only in an elegant badinage." Warburton.
BAD LANDSBad" lands".
Defn: Barren regions, especially in the western United States, where horizontal strata (Tertiary deposits) have been often eroded into fantastic forms, and much intersected by canons, and where lack of wood, water, and forage increases the difficulty of traversing the country, whence the name, first given by the Canadian French, Mauvaises Terres (bad lands).
BADLYBad"ly, adv.
Defn: In a bad manner; poorly; not well; unskillfully; imperfectly; unfortunately; grievously; so as to cause harm; disagreeably; seriously.
Note: Badly is often used colloquially for very much or very greatly, with words signifying to want or need.
BADMINTONBad"min*ton, n. Etym: [From the name of the seat of the Duke ofBeaufort in England.]
1. A game, similar to lawn tennis, played with shuttlecocks.
2. A preparation of claret, spiced and sweetened.
BADNESSBad"ness, n.
Defn: The state of being bad.
BAENOMEREBæ"no*mere, n. Etym: [Gr. to walk + -mere.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the somites (arthromeres) that make up the thorax ofArthropods. Packard.
BAENOPODBæ"no*pod, n. Etym: [Gr. -pod.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the thoracic legs of Arthropods.
BAENOSOMEBæ"no*some, n. Etym: [Gr. -some body.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The thorax of Arthropods. Packard.
BAETULUS Bæ"tu*lus, n.; pl. Bætuli (#). [L., fr. Gr. bai`tylos a sacred meteorite.] (Antiq.)
Defn: A meteorite, or similar rude stone artificially shaped, held sacred or worshiped as of divine origin.
All the evidence goes to prove that these menhirs are bætuli, i. e., traditional and elementary images of the deity. I. Gonino (Perrot & Chipiez).
BAFFBaff, n.
Defn: A blow; a stroke. [Scot.] H. Miller.
BAFFLE Baf"fle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Baffled (p. pr. & vb. n. Baffling (.] Etym: [Cf. Lowland Scotch bauchle to treat contemptuously, bauch tasteless, abashed, jaded, Icel. bagr uneasy, poor, or bagr, n., struggle, bægja to push, treat harshly, OF. beffler, beffer, to mock, deceive, dial. G. bäppe mouth, beffen to bark, chide.]
1. To cause to undergo a disgraceful punishment, as a recreant knight. [Obs.] He by the heels him hung upon a tree, And baffled so, that all which passed by The picture of his punishment might see. Spenser.
2. To check by shifts and turns; to elude; to foil. The art that baffles time's tyrannic claim. Cowper.
3. To check by perplexing; to disconcert, frustrate, or defeat; to thwart. "A baffled purpose." De Quincey. A suitable scripture ready to repel and baffle them all. South. Calculations so difficult as to have baffled, until within a . . . recent period, the most enlightened nations. Prescott. The mere intricacy of a question should not baffle us. Locke. Baffling wind (Naut.), one that frequently shifts from one point to another.
Syn.— To balk; thwart; foil; frustrate; defeat.
BAFFLEBaf"fle, v. i.
1. To practice deceit. [Obs.] Barrow.
2. To struggle against in vain; as, a ship baffles with the winds. [R.]
BAFFLEBaf"fle, n.
Defn: A defeat by artifice, shifts, and turns; discomfiture. [R.] "A baffle to philosophy." South.
BAFFLEMENTBaf"fle*ment, n.
Defn: The process or act of baffling, or of being baffled; frustration; check.
BAFFLERBaf"fler, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, baffles.
BAFFLINGBaf"fling, a.
Defn: Frustrating; discomfiting; disconcerting; as, bafflingcurrents, winds, tasks.— Bafflingly, adv.— Bafflingness, n.
BAFFYBaff"y (baf"y), n. [See Baff, v. t.] (Golf)
Defn: A short wooden club having a deeply concave face, seldom used.
BAFTBaft. n.
Defn: Same as Bafta.
BAFTABaf"ta, n. Etym: [Cf. Per. baft. woven, wrought.]
Defn: A coarse stuff, usually of cotton, originally made in India.Also, an imitation of this fabric made for export.
BAG Bag, n. Etym: [OE. bagge; cf. Icel. baggi, and also OF. bague, bundle, LL. baga.]
1. A sack or pouch, used for holding anything; as, a bag of meal or of money.
2. A sac, or dependent gland, in animal bodies, containing some fluid or other substance; as, the bag of poison in the mouth of some serpents; the bag of a cow.
3. A sort of silken purse formerly tied about men's hair behind, by way of ornament. [Obs.]
4. The quantity of game bagged.
5. (Com.)
Defn: A certain quantity of a commodity, such as it is customary to carry to market in a sack; as, a bag of pepper or hops; a bag of coffee. Bag and baggage, all that belongs to one. — To give one the bag, to disappoint him. [Obs.] Bunyan.
BAGBag, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bagged(p. pr. & vb. n. Bagging]
1. To put into a bag; as, to bag hops.
2. To seize, capture, or entrap; as, to bag an army; to bag game.
3. To furnish or load with a bag or with a well filled bag. A bee bagged with his honeyed venom. Dryden.
BAGBag, v. i.
1. To swell or hang down like a full bag; as, the skin bags from containing morbid matter.
2. To swell with arrogance. [Obs.] Chaucer.
3. To become pregnant. [Obs.] Warner. (Alb. Eng. ).
BAGASSEBa*gasse", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Sugar cane, as it
BAGATELLE Bag`a*telle", n. Etym: [F., fr. It. bagatella; cf. Prov. It. bagata trifle, OF. bague, Pr. bagua, bundle. See Bag, n.]
1. A trifle; a thing of no importance. Rich trifles, serious bagatelles. Prior.
2. A game played on an oblong board, having, at one end, cups or arches into or through which balls are to be driven by a rod held in the hand of the player.
BAGGAGE Bag"gage, n. Etym: [F. bagage, from OF. bague bungle. In senses 6 and 7 cf. F. bagasse a prostitute. See Bag, n.]
1. The clothes, tents, utensils, and provisions of an army.
Note: "The term itself is made to apply chiefly to articles of clothing and to small personal effects." Farrow.