BREWBrew, n.
Defn: The mixture formed by brewing; that which is brewed. Bacon.
BREWAGEBrew"age, n.
Defn: Malt liquor; drink brewed. "Some well-spiced brewage." Milton.A rich brewage, made of the best Spanish wine. Macaulay.
BREWERBrew"er, n.
Defn: One who brews; one whose occupation is to prepare malt liquors.
BREWERYBrew"er*y, n.
Defn: A brewhouse; the building and apparatus where brewing is carried on.
BREWHOUSEBrew"house`, n.
Defn: A house or building appropriated to brewing; a brewery.
BREWINGBrew"ing, n.
1. The act or process of preparing liquors which are brewed, as beer and ale.
2. The quantity brewed at once. A brewing of new beer, set by old beer. Bacon.
3. A mixing together. I am not able to avouch anything for certainty, such a brewing and sophistication of them they make. Holland.
4. (Naut.)
Defn: A gathering or forming of a storm or squall, indicated by thick, dark clouds.
BREWIS Brew"is, n. Etym: [OE. brewis, brouwys, browesse, brewet, OF. brouet, -s being the OF. ending of the nom. sing. and acc. pl.; dim. of OHG. brod. sq. root93. See Broth, and cf. Brose.]
1. Broth or pottage. [Obs.] Let them of their Bonner's "beef" and "broth" make what brewis they please for their credulous guests. Bp. Hall.
2. Bread soaked in broth, drippings of roast meat, milk, or water and butter.
BREWSTERITEBrews"ter*ite, n. Etym: [Named after Sir David Brewster.]
Defn: A rare zeolitic mineral occurring in white monoclinic crystals with pearly luster. It is a hydrous silicate of aluminia, baryta, and strontia.
BREZILINBrez"i*lin, n.
Defn: See Brazilin.
BRIARBri"ar, n.
Defn: Same as Brier.
BRIAREAN Bri*a"re*an, a. Etym: [L. Briareius, fr. Briareus a mythological hundred-handed giant, Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, Briareus, a giant fabled to have a hundred hands; hence, hundred-handed or many-handed.
BRIBABLEBrib"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being bribed.A more bribable class of electors. S. Edwards.
BRIBE Bribe, n. Etym: [F. bribe a lump of bread, scraps, leavings of meals (that are generally given to a beggar), LL. briba scrap of bread; cf. OF. briber, brifer, to eat gluttonously, to beg, and OHG. bilibi food.]
1. A gift begged; a present. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. A price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct of a judge, witness, voter, or other person in a position of trust. Undue reward for anything against justice is a bribe. Hobart.
3. That which seduces; seduction; allurement. Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave these everAkenside.
BRIBEBribe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Bribing.]
1. To rob or steal. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To give or promise a reward or consideration to (a judge, juror, legislator, voter, or other person in a position of trust) with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct; to induce or influence by a bribe; to give a bribe to. Neither is he worthy who bribes a man to vote against his conscience. F. W. Robertson.
3. To gain by a bribe; of induce as by a bribe.
BRIBEBribe, v. i.
1. To commit robbery or theft. [Obs.]
2. To give a bribe to a person; to pervert the judgment or corrupt the action of a person in a position of trust, by some gift or promise. An attempt to bribe, though unsuccessful, has been holden to be criminal, and the offender may be indicted. Bouvier. The bard may supplicate, but cannot bribe. Goldsmith.
BRIBELESSBribe"less, a.
Defn: Incapable of being bribed; free from bribes.From thence to heaven's bribeless hall. Sir W. Raleigh.
BRIBERBrib"er, n.
1. A thief. [Obs.] Lydgate.
2. One who bribes, or pays for corrupt practices.
3. That which bribes; a bribe. His service . . . were a sufficient briber for his life. Shak.
BRIBERY Brib"er*y, n.; pl. Briberies. Etym: [OE. brybery rascality, OF. briberie. See Bribe, n.]
1. Robbery; extortion. [Obs.]
2. The act or practice of giving or taking bribes; the act of influencing the official or political action of another by corrupt inducements. Bribery oath, an oath taken by a person that he has not been bribed as to voting. [Eng.]
BRIC-A BRAC; BRIC-A-BRAC; BRIC A BRACBric"-a brac`, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Miscellaneous curiosities and works of decorative art, considered collectively. A piece of bric-a-brac, any curious or antique article of virtu, as a piece of antiquated furniture or metal work, or an odd knickknack.
BRICKBrick, n. Etym: [OE. brik, F. brique; of Ger. origin; cf. AS. brice abreaking, fragment, Prov. E. brique piece, brique de pain, equiv. toAS. hlafes brice, fr. the root of E. break. See Break.]
1. A block or clay tempered with water, sand, etc., molded into a regular form, usually rectangular, and sun-dried, or burnt in a kiln, or in a heap or stack called a clamp. The Assyrians appear to have made much less use of bricks baked in the furnace than the Babylonians. Layard.
2. Bricks, collectively, as designating that kind of material; as, a load of brick; a thousand of brick. Some of Palladio's finest examples are of brick. Weale.
3. Any oblong rectangular mass; as, a brick of maple sugar; a penny brick (of bread).
4. A good fellow; a merry person; as, you 're a brick. [Slang] "He 's a dear little brick." Thackeray. To have a brick in one's hat, to be drunk. [Slang]
Note: Brick is used adjectively or in combination; as, brick wall; brick clay; brick color; brick red. Brick clay, clay suitable for, or used in making, bricks. — Brick dust, dust of pounded or broken bricks. — Brick earth, clay or earth suitable for, or used in making, bricks. — Brick loaf, a loaf of bread somewhat resembling a brick in shape. — Brick nogging (Arch.), rough brickwork used to fill in the spaces between the uprights of a wooden partition; brick filling. — Brick tea, tea leaves and young shoots, or refuse tea, steamed or mixed with fat, etc., and pressed into the form of bricks. It is used in Northern and Central Asia. S. W. Williams. — Brick trimmer (Arch.), a brick arch under a hearth, usually within the thickness of a wooden floor, to guard against accidents by fire. — Brick trowel. See Trowel. — Brick works, a place where bricks are made. — Bath brick. See under Bath, a city. — Pressed brick, bricks which, before burning, have been subjected to pressure, to free them from the imperfections of shape and texture which are common in molded bricks.
BRICKBrick, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bricked; p. pr. & vb. n. Bricking.]
1. To lay or pave with bricks; to surround, line, or construct with bricks.
2. To imitate or counterfeit a brick wall on, as by smearing plaster with red ocher, making the joints with an edge tool, and pointing them. To brick up, to fill up, inclose, or line, with brick.
BRICKBATBrick"bat`, n.
Defn: A piece or fragment of a brick. See Bat, 4. Bacon.
BRICKFIELDERBrick"field`er, n. [Australia]
1.
Defn: Orig., at Sydney, a cold and violent south or southwest wind, rising suddenly, and regularly preceded by a hot wind from the north; — now usually called southerly buster. It blew across the Brickfields, formerly so called, a district of Sydney, and carried clouds of dust into the city.
2. By confusion, a midsummer hot wind from the north.
BRICKKILNBrick"kiln`, n.
Defn: A kiln, or furnace, in which bricks are baked or burnt; or a pile of green bricks, laid loose, with arches underneath to receive the wood or fuel for burning them.
BRICKLAYERBrick"lay`er, n. Etym: [Brick + lay.]
Defn: One whose pccupation is to build with bricks. Bricklayer's itch. See under Itch.
BRICKLAYINGBrick"lay`ing, n.
Defn: The art of building with bricks, or of uniting them by cement or mortar into various forms; the act or occupation of laying bricks.
BRICKLE Bric"kle, a. Etym: [OE. brekil, brokel, bruchel, fr. AS. brecan, E. break. Cf. Brittle.]
Defn: Brittle; easily broken. [Obs. or Prov.] Spenser.As stubborn steel excels the brickle glass. Turbervile.
BRICKLENESSBric"kle*ness, n.
Defn: Brittleness. [Obs.]
BRICKMAKERBrick"mak`er, n.
Defn: One whose occupation is to make bricks.— Brick"mak*ing, n.
BRICKWORKBrick"work`, n.
1. Anything made of bricks. Niches in brickwork form the most difficult part of the bricklayer's art. Tomlinson.
2. The act of building with or laying bricks.
BRICKYBrick"y, a.
Defn: Full of bricks; formed of bricks; resembling bricks or brick dust. [R.] Spenser.
BRICKYARDBrick"yard`, n.
Defn: A place where bricks are made, especially an inclosed place.
BRICOLEBri*cole", n. Etym: [F.] (Mil.)
Defn: A kind of traces with hooks and rings, with which men drag and maneuver guns where horses can not be used.
BRIDBrid, n.
Defn: A bird. [Obs.] Chaucer.
BRIDALBrid"al, a. Etym: [From Bride. Cf. Bridal, n.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a bride, or to wedding; nuptial; as, bridal ornaments; a bridal outfit; a bridal chamber.
BRIDAL Brid"al, n. Etym: [OE. bridale, brudale, AS. br brideale, bridal feast. See Bride, and Ale, 2.]
Defn: A nuptia; festival or ceremony; a marriage. Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The bridal of the earth and sky. Herbert.
BRIDALTYBrid"al*ty, n.
Defn: Celebration of the nuptial feast. [Obs.] "In honor of this bridalty." B. Jonson.
BRIDEBride, n. Etym: [OE. bride, brid, brude, brud, burd, AS. br; akin toOFries. breid, OSax. br, D. bruid, OHG. pr, br, G. braut, Icel. br,Sw. & Dan. brud, Goth. br33s; cf. Armor. pried spouse, W. priawd amarried person.]
1. A woman newly married, or about to be married.Has by his own experience tried How much the wife is dearer than thebride. Lyttleton.I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Rev. xxi. 9.
2. Fig.: An object ardently loved. Bride of the sea, the city of Venice.
BRIDEBride, v. t.
Defn: To make a bride of. [Obs.]
BRIDE-ALEBride"-ale`, n. Etym: [See Bridal.]
Defn: A rustic wedding feast; a bridal. See Ale. The man that 's bid to bride-ale, if he ha' cake, And drink enough, he need not fear his stake. B. Jonson.
BRIDEBEDBride"bed`, n.
Defn: The marriage bed. [Poetic]
BRIDECAKEBride"cake`, n.
Defn: Rich or highly ornamented cake, to be distributed to the guests at a wedding, or sent to friends after the wedding.
BRIDECHAMBERBride"cham`ber, n.
Defn: The nuptial appartment. Matt. ix. 15.
BRIDEGROOMBride"groom`, n. Etym: [OE. bridegome, brudgume, AS. br (akin to OS.br, D. bruidegom, bruigom, OHG. pr, MHG. briutegome, G. bräutigam);AS. br bride + guma man, akin to Goth. guma, Icel. gumi, OHG. gomo,L. homo; the insertion of r being caused by confusion with groom. SeeBride, and cf. Groom, Homage.]
Defn: A man newly married, or just about to be married.
BRIDEKNOTBride"knot`, n.
Defn: A knot of ribbons worn by a guest at a wedding; a wedding favor. [Obs.]
BRIDEMAID; BRIDEMANBride"maid`, n., Bride"man (, n.
Defn: See Bridesmaid, Bridesman.
BRIDESMAIDBrides"maid`, n.
Defn: A female friend who attends on a bride at her wedding.
BRIDESMANBrides"man, n.; pl. Bridesmen (.
Defn: A male friend who attends upon a bridegroom and bride at their marriage; the "best man." Sir W. Scott.
BRIDESTAKEBride"stake`, n.
Defn: A stake or post set in the ground, for guests at a wedding todance round.Divide the broad bridecake Round about the bridestake. B. Jonson.
BRIDEWELLBride"well, n.
Defn: A house of correction for the confinement of disorderly persons; — so called from a hospital built in 1553 near St. Bride's (or Bridget's) well, in London, which was subsequently a penal workhouse.
BRIDGE Bridge, n. Etym: [OE. brig, brigge, brug, brugge, AS. brycg, bricg; akin to Fries. bregge, D. brug, OHG. bruccu, G. brücke, Icel. bryggja pier, bridge, Sw. brygga, Dan. brygge, and prob. Icel. br bridge, Sw. & Dan. bro bridge, pavement, and possibly to E. brow.]
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: 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.
4. (Elec.)
Defn: A device to measure the resistance of a wire or other conductor forming part of an electric circuit.
5. A low wall or vertical partition in the fire chamber of a furnace, for deflecting flame, etc.; — usually called a bridge wall. Aqueduct bridge. See Aqueduct. — Asses' bridge, Bascule bridge, Bateau bridge. See under Ass, Bascule, Bateau. — Bridge of a steamer (Naut.), a narrow platform across the deck, above the rail, for the convenience of the officer in charge of the ship; in paddlewheel vessels it connects the paddle boxes. — Bridge of the nose, the upper, bony part of the nose. — Cantalever bridge. See under Cantalever. — Draw bridge. See Drawbridge. — Flying bridge, a temporary bridge suspended or floating, as for the passage of armies; also, a floating structure connected by a cable with an anchor or pier up stream, and made to pass from bank to bank by the action of the current or other means. — Girder bridge or Truss bridge, a bridge formed by girders, or by trusses resting upon abutments or piers. — Lattice bridge, a bridge formed by lattice girders. — Pontoon bridge, Ponton bridge. See under Pontoon. — Skew bridge, a bridge built obliquely from bank to bank, as sometimes required in railway engineering. — Suspension bridge. See under Suspension. — Trestle bridge, a bridge formed of a series of short, simple girders resting on trestles. — Tubular bridge, a bridge in the form of a hollow trunk or rectangular tube, with cellular walls made of iron plates riveted together, as the Britannia bridge over the Menai Strait, and the Victoria bridge at Montreal. — Wheatstone's bridge (Elec.), a device for the measurement of resistances, so called because the balance between the resistances to be measured is indicated by the absence of a current in a certain wire forming a bridge or connection between two points of the apparatus; — invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone.
BRIDGEBridge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bridged (; p. pr. & vb. n. Bridging.]
1. To build a bridge or bridges on or over; as, to bridge a river. Their simple engineering bridged with felled trees the streams which could not be forded. Palfrey.
2. To open or make a passage, as by a bridge. Xerxes . . . over Hellespont Bridging his way, Europe with Asia joined. Milton.
3. To find a way of getting over, as a difficulty; — generally with over.
BRIDGEBOARDBridge"board`, n.
1. (Arch.)
Defn: A notched board to which the treads and risers of the steps of wooden stairs are fastened.
2. A board or plank used as a bridge.
BRIDGEHEADBridge"head`, n.
Defn: A fortification commanding the extremity of a bridge nearest the enemy, to insure the preservation and usefulness of the bridge, and prevent the enemy from crossing; a tête-de-pont.
BRIDGEING; BRIDGINGBridge"ing, Bridg"ing, n. (Arch.)
Defn: The system of bracing used between floor or other timbers to distribute the weight. Bridging joist. Same as Binding joist.
BRIDGELESSBridge"less, a.
Defn: Having no bridge; not bridged.
BRIDGEPOTBridge"pot`, n. (Mining)
Defn: The adjustable socket, or step, of a millstone spindle. Knight.
BRIDGETREEBridge"tree`, n. Etym: [Bridge + tree a beam.] (Mining)
Defn: The beam which supports the spindle socket of the runner in a grinding mill. Knight.
BRIDGE-WARDBridge"-ward`, n.
1. A bridge keeper; a warden or a guard for a bridge. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.
2. The principal ward of a key. Knight.
BRIDGEYBridge"y, a.
Defn: Full of bridges. [R.] Sherwood.
BRIDLE Bri"dle, n. Etym: [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. Bridoon.]
1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages.
2. A restraint; a curb; a check. I. Watts.
3. (Gun.)
Defn: The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the timbler, sear, etc.
4. (Naut.)(a) A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends, so thatanother rope, line, or chain may be attached to its middle.(b) A mooring hawser. Bowline bridle. See under Bowline.— Branches of a bridle. See under Branch.— Bridle cable (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle. See 4,above.— Bridle hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the lefthand.— Bridle path, Bridle way, a path or way for saddle horses and packhorses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles.— Bridle port (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow throughwhich hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are passed.— Bridle rein, a rein attached to the bit.— Bridle road. (a) Same as Bridle path. Lowell. (b) A road in apleasure park reserved for horseback exercise.— Bridle track, a bridle path.— Scolding bridle. See Branks, 2.
Syn.— A check; restrain.
BRIDLEBri"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bridled; p. pr. & vb. n. Bridling.]
1. To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse. He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. Drake.
2. 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. Addison. Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation. Burke.
Syn. — To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress; master; subdue.
BRIDLEBri"dle, v. i.
Defn: 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. "His bridling neck." Wordsworth. By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus. Tatler.
BRIDLE IRONBri"dle i`ron. (Arch.)
Defn: A strong flat bar of iron, so bent as to support, as in a stirrup, one end of a floor timber, etc., where no sufficient bearing can be had; — called also stirrup and hanger.
BRIDLERBri"dler, n.
Defn: One who bridles; one who restrains and governs, as with a bridle. Milton.
BRIDOONBri*doon", n. Etym: [F. bridon, from bride; of German origin. SeeBridle, n.] (Mil.)
Defn: The snaffle and rein of a military bridle, which acts independently of the bit, at the pleasure of the rider. It is used in connection with a curb bit, which has its own rein. Campbell.
BRIE CHEESEBrie" cheese".
Defn: A kind of soft French cream cheese; — so called from the district in France where it is made; —called also fromage de Brie.
BRIEF Brief, a. Etym: [OE. bref, F. brief, bref, fr. L. brevis; akin to Gr. barh to tear. Cf. Breve.]
1. Short in duration. How brief the life of man. Shak.
2. Concise; terse; succinct. The brief style is that which expresseth much in little. B. Jonson.
3. Rife; common; prevalent. [Prov. Eng.] In brief. See under Brief, n.
Syn. — Short; concise; succinct; summary; compendious; condensed; terse; curt; transistory; short-lived.
BRIEFBrief, adv.
1. Briefly. [Obs. or Poetic] Adam, faltering long, thus answered brief. Milton.
2. Soon; quickly. [Obs.] Shak.
BRIEFBrief, n. Etym: [See Brief, a., and cf. Breve.]
1. A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words.Bear this sealed brief, With winged hastle, to the lord marshal.Shak.And she told me In a sweet, verbal brief. Shak.
2. An epitome. Each woman is a brief of womankind. Overbury.
3. (Law)
Defn: An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied also to a statement of the heads or points of a law argument. It was not without some reference to it that I perused many a brief. Sir J. Stephen.
Note: In England, the brief is prepared by the attorney; in the United States, counsel generally make up their own briefs.
4. (Law)
Defn: A writ; a breve. See Breve, n., 2.
5. (Scots Law)
Defn: A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, commanding and authorizing that judge to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their verdict to pronounce sentence.
6. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose. [Eng.] Apostolical brief, a letter of the pope written on fine parchment in modern characters, subscribed by the secretary of briefs, dated "a die Nativitatis," i. e., "from the day of the Nativity," and sealed with the ring of the fisherman. It differs from a bull, in its parchment, written character, date, and seal. See Bull. — Brief of title, an abstract or abridgment of all the deeds and other papers constituting the chain of title to any real estate. — In brief, in a few words; in short; briefly. "Open the matter in brief." Shak.
BRIEFBrief, v. t.
Defn: To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.
BRIEFLESSBrief"less, a.
Defn: Having no brief; without clients; as, a briefless barrister.
BRIEFLYBrief"ly, adv.
Defn: Concisely; in few words.
BRIEFMANBrief"man, n.
1. One who makes a brief.
2. A copier of a manuscript.
BRIEFNESSBrief"ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being brief; brevity; conciseness in discourse or writing.
BRIER; BRIAR Bri"er, Bri"ar, n. Etym: [OE. brere, brer, AS. brer, brær; cf. Ir. briar prickle, thorn, brier, pin, Gael. preas bush, brier, W. prys, prysg.]
1. A plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles; especially, species of Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax.
2. Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings. The thorns and briers of reproof. Cowper. Brier root, the root of the southern Smilax laurifolia and S. Walleri; — used for tobacco pipes. — Cat brier, Green brier, several species of Smilax (S. rotundifolia, etc.) — Sweet brier (Rosa rubiginosa). See Sweetbrier. — Yellow brier, the Rosa Eglantina.
BRIEREDBri"ered, a.
Defn: Set with briers. Chatterton.
BRIERYBri"er*y, a.
Defn: Full of briers; thorny.
BRIERYBri"er*y, n.
Defn: A place where briers grow. Huloet.
BRIGBrig, n.
Defn: A bridge. [Scot.] Burns.
BRIGBrig, n. Etym: [Shortened from Brigantine.] (Naut.)
Defn: A two-masted, square-rigged vessel. Hermaphrodite brig, a two- masted vessel square-rigged forward and schooner-rigged aft. See Illustration in Appendix.
BRIGADEBri*gade", n. Etym: [F. brigade, fr. It. brigata troop, crew,brigade, originally, a contending troop, fr. briga trouble, quarrel.See Brigand.]
1. (Mil.)
Defn: A body of troops, whether cavalry, artillery, infantry, or mixed, consisting of two or more regiments, under the command of a brigadier general.
Note: Two or more brigades constitute a division, commanded by a major general; two or more divisions constitute an army corps, or corps d'armée. [U.S.]
2. Any body of persons organized for acting or marching together under authority; as, a fire brigade. Brigade inspector, an officer whose duty is to inspect troops in companies before they are mustered into service. — Brigade major, an officer who may be attached to a brigade to assist the brigadier in his duties.
BRIGADEBri*gade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brigaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Brigading.](Mil.)
Defn: To form into a brigade, or into brigades.
BRIGADIER GENERALBrig`a*dier" gen"er*al. Etym: [F. brigadier, fr. brigade.] (Mil.)
Defn: An officer in rank next above a colonel, and below a major general. He commands a brigade, and is sometimes called, by a shortening of his title, simple a brigadier.
BRIGAND Brig"and, n. Etym: [F. brigand, OF. brigant light-armed soldier, fr. LL. brigans light-armed soldier (cf. It. brigante.) fr. brigare to strive, contend, fr. briga quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break; cf. Goth. brikan to break, brakja strife. Cf. Brigue.]
1. A light-armed, irregular foot soldier. [Obs.]
2. A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter. Giving them not a little the air of brigands or banditti. Jeffery.
BRIGANDAGEBrig"and*age, n. Etym: [F. brigandage.]
Defn: Life and practice of brigands; highway robbery; plunder.
BRIGANDINE Brig"an*dine, n. Etym: [F. brigandine (cf. It. brigantina), fr. OF. brigant. See Brigand.]
Defn: A coast of armor for the body, consisting of scales or plates, sometimes overlapping each other, generally of metal, and sewed to linen or other material. It was worn in the Middle Ages. [Written also brigantine.] Jer. xlvi. 4. Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet, And brigandine of brass. Milton.
BRIGANDISHBrig"and*ish, a.
Defn: Like a brigand or freebooter; robberlike.
BRIGANDISMBrig"and*ism, n.
Defn: Brigandage.
BRIGANTINE Brig"an*tine, n. Etym: [F. brigantin, fr. It. brigantino, originally, a practical vessel. See Brigand, and cf. Brig]
1. A practical vessel. [Obs.]
2. A two-masted, square-rigged vessel, differing from a brig in that she does not carry a square mainsail.
3. See Brigandine.
BRIGGEBrig"ge, n.
Defn: A bridge. [Obs.] Chaucer.
BRIGHTBright, v. i.
Defn: See Brite, v. i.
BRIGHTBright, a. Etym: [OE. briht, AS. beorht, briht; akin to OS. berht,OHG. beraht, Icel. bjartr, Goth. baírhts. sq. root94.]
1. Radiating or reflecting light; shedding or having much light; shining; luminous; not dark. The sun was bright o'erhead. Longfellow. The earth was dark, but the heavens were bright. Drake. The public places were as bright as at noonday. Macaulay.
2. Transmitting light; clear; transparent. From the brightest wines He 'd turn abhorrent. Thomson.
3. Having qualities that render conspicuous or attractive, or that affect the mind as light does the eye; resplendent with charms; as, bright beauty. Bright as an angel new-dropped from the sky. Parnell.
4. Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent.
5. Sparkling with wit; lively; vivacious; shedding cheerfulness and joy around; cheerful; cheery. Be bright and jovial among your guests. Shak.
6. Illustrious; glorious. In the brightest annals of a female reign. Cotton.
7. Manifest to the mind, as light is to the eyes; clear; evident; plain. That he may with more ease, with brighter evidence, and with surer success, draw the bearner on. I. Watts.
8. Of brilliant color; of lively hue or appearance. Here the bright crocus and blue violet grew. Pope.
Note: Bright is used in composition in the sense of brilliant, clear, sunny, etc.; as, bright-eyed, bright-haired, bright-hued.
Syn. — Shining; splending; luminous; lustrous; brilliant; resplendent; effulgent; refulgent; radiant; sparkling; glittering; lucid; beamy; clear; transparent; illustrious; witty; clear; vivacious; sunny.
BRIGHTBright, n.
Defn: Splendor; brightness. [Poetic]Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear. Milton.
BRIGHTBright, adv.
Defn: Brightly. Chaucer.I say it is the moon that shines so bright. Shak.
BRIGHTENBright"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brightened; p. pr. & vb. n.Brightening.]
Note: [From Bright, a.]
1. To make bright or brighter; to make to shine; to increase the luster of; to give a brighter hue to.
2. To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to. The present queen would brighten her character, if she would exert her authority to instill virtues into her people. Swift.
3. To improve or relieve by dispelling gloom or removing that which obscures and darkens; to shed light upon; to make cheerful; as, to brighten one's prospects. An ecstasy, which mothers only feel, Plays round my heart and brightens all my sorrow. Philips.
4. To make acute or witty; to enliven. Johnson.
BRIGHTENBright"en, v. i. Etym: [AS. beorhtan.]
Defn: To grow bright, or more bright; to become less dark or gloomy; to clear up; to become bright or cheerful. And night shall brighten into day. N. Cotton. And, all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere world be past. Goldsmith.
BRIGHT-HARNESSEDBright"-har`nessed, a.
Defn: Having glittering armor. [Poetic] Milton.
BRIGHTLYBright"ly, adv.
1. Brilliantly; splendidly; with luster; as, brightly shining armor.
2. With lively intelligence; intelligently. Looking brightly into the mother's face. Hawthorne.
BRIGHTNESSBright"ness, n. Etym: [AS. beorhines. See Bright.]
1. The quality or state of being bright; splendor; luster; brilliancy; clearness. A sudden brightness in his face appear. Crabbe.
2. Acuteness (of the faculties); sharpness 9wit. The brightness of his parts . . . distinguished him. Prior.
Syn. — Splendor; luster; radiance; resplendence; brilliancy; effulgence; glory; clearness.
BRIGHT'S DISEASE Bright's" dis*ease". Etym: [From Dr. Bright of London, who first described it.] (Med.)
Defn: An affection of the kidneys, usually inflammatory in character, and distinguished by the occurrence of albumin and renal casts in the urine. Several varieties of Bright's disease are now recognized, differing in the part of the kidney involved, and in the intensity and course of the morbid process.
BRIGHTSOMEBright"some, a.
Defn: Bright; clear; luminous; brilliant. [R.] Marlowe.
BRIGOSEBri*gose", a. Etym: [LL. brigosus, It. brigoso. See Brigue, n.]
Defn: Contentious; quarrelsome. [Obs.] Puller.
BRIGUEBrigue, n. Etym: [F. brigue, fr. LL. briga quarrel. See Brigand.]
Defn: A cabal, intrigue, faction, contention, strife, or quarrel.[Obs.] Chesterfield.
BRIGUEBrigue, v. i. Etym: [F. briguer. See Brigue, n.]
Defn: To contend for; to canvass; to solicit. [Obs.] Bp. Hurd.
BRIKEBrike, n. Etym: [AS. brice.]
Defn: A breach; ruin; downfall; peril. [Obs.] Chaucer.
BRILL Brill, n. Etym: [Cf. Corn. brilli mackerel, fr. brith streaked, speckled.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A fish allied to the turbot (Rhombus levis), much esteemed inEngland for food; — called also bret, pearl, prill. See Bret.
BRILLANTEBril*lan"te, adv. Etym: [It. See Brilliant, a.] (Mus.)
Defn: In a gay, showy, and sparkling style.
BRILLIANCEBril"liance, n.
Defn: Brilliancy. Tennyson.
BRILLIANCYBril"lian*cy, n. Etym: [See Brilliant.]
Defn: The quality of being brilliant; splendor; glitter; great brighness, whether in a literal or figurative sense. With many readers brilliancy of style passes for affluence of thought. Longfellow.
BRILLIANT Bril"liant, a. Etym: [F. brillant, p. pr. of briller to shine or sparkle (cf. Pr. & Sp. brillar, It. brillare), fr. L. beryllus a precious stone of sea-green color, Prov. It. brill. See Beryl.]
1. Sparkling with luster; glittering; very bright; as, a brilliant star.
2. Distinguished by qualities which excite admiration; splended; shining; as, brilliant talents. Washington was more solicitous to avoid fatal mistakes than to perform brilliant exploits. Fisher Ames.
Syn.— See Shining.
BRILLIANTBril"liant, n. Etym: [F. brillant. See Brilliant, a.]
1. A diamond or other gem of the finest cut, formed into faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light, by which it is rendered nore brilliant. It has at the middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a bizet; below, it has a small face or collet, parallel to the table, connected with the gridle by a pavilion of elongated facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the surface, and is flat below. This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine. Pope.
2. (Print.)
Defn: The small size of type used in England printing.
Note: This line is printed in the type called Brilliant.
3. A kind of kotton goods, figured on the weaving.
BRILLIANTINEBril"lian*tine, n. [F. brillantine. See lst Brilliant.]
1. An oily composition used to make the hair glossy.
2. A dress fabric having a glossy finish on both sides, resembling alpaca but of superior quality.
BRILLIANTLYBril"liant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a brilliant manner.
BRILLIANTNESSBril"liant*ness, n.
Defn: Brilliancy; splendor; glitter.
BRILLS Brills, n. pl. Etym: [CF. G. brille spectacles, D. bril, fr. L. berillus. See Brilliant.]
Defn: The hair on the eyelids of a horse. Bailey.
BRIM Brim, n. Etym: [OE. brim, brimme, AS. brymme edge, border; akin to Icel. barmr, Sw. bräm, Dan. bræmme, G. brame, bräme. Possibly the same word as AS. brim surge, sea, and properly meaning, the line of surf at the border of the sea, and akin to L. fremere to roar, murmur. Cf. Breeze a fly.]
1. The rim, border, or upper sdge of a cup, dish, or any hollow vessel used for holding anything. Saw I that insect on this goblet's brim I would remove it with an anxious pity. Coleridge.
2. The edge or margin, as of a fountain, or of the water contained in it; the brink; border. The feet of the priest that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water. Josh. iii. 15.
3. The rim of a hat. Wordsworth.
BRIMBrim, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Brimmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Brimming.]
Defn: To be full to the brim. "The brimming stream." Milton. To brim over (literally or figuratively), to be so full that some of the contents flows over the brim; as, cup brimming over with wine; a man brimming over with fun.
BRIMBrim, v. t.
Defn: To fill to the brim, upper edge, or top.Arrange the board and brim the glass. Tennyson.
BRIMBrim, a.
Defn: Fierce; sharp; cold. See Breme. [Obs.]
BRIMFULBrim"ful, a.
Defn: Full to the brim; completely full; ready to overflow. "Her brimful eyes." Dryden.
BRIMLESSBrim"less, a.
Defn: Having no brim; as, brimless caps.
BRIMMEDBrimmed, a.
1. Having a brim; — usually in composition. "Broad-brimmed hat." Spectator.
2. Full to, or level with, the brim. Milton.
BRIMMERBrim"mer, n.
Defn: A brimful bowl; a bumper.
BRIMMINGBrim"ming, a.
Defn: Full to the brim; overflowing.
BRIMSTONEBrim"stone, n. Etym: [OE. brimston, bremston, bernston, brenston; cf.Icel. brennistein. See Burn, v. t., and Stone.]
Defn: Sulphur; See Sulphur.
BRIMSTONEBrim"stone, a.
Defn: Made of, or pertaining to, brimstone; as, brimstone matches.From his brimstone bed at break of day A-walking the devil has gone.Coleridge.
BRIMSTONYBrim"sto`ny, a.
Defn: Containing or resembling brimstone; sulphurous. B. Jonson.
BRINBrin, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: One of the radiating sticks of a fan. The outermost are larger and longer, and are called panaches. Knight.
BRINDED Brin"ded, a. Etym: [Cf. Icel. bröndottr brindled, fr. brandr brand; and OE. bernen, brinnen, to burn. See Brand, Burn.]
Defn: Of a gray or tawny color with streaks of darker hue; streaked; brindled. "Three brinded cows," Dryden. "The brinded cat." Shak.
BRINDLEBrin"dle, n. Etym: [See Brindled.]
1. The state of being brindled.
2. A brindled color; also, that which is brindled.
BRINDLEBrin"dle, a.
Defn: Brindled.
BRINDLEDBrin"dled, a. Etym: [A dim. form of brinded.]
Defn: Having dark streaks or spots on a gray or tawny ground; brinded. "With a brindled lion played." Churchill.
BRINE Brine, n. Etym: [AS. bryne a burning, salt liquor, brine, fr. brinnan, brynnan, to burn. See Burn.]
1. Water saturated or strongly inpregnated with salt; pickle; hence, any strong saline solution; also, the saline residue or strong mother liquor resulting from the evaporation of natural or artificial waters.
2. The ocean; the water of an ocean, sea, or salt lake. Not long beneath the whelming brine . . . he lay. Cowper.
3. Tears; — so called from their saltness. What a deal of brine Hath washed thy sallow cheecks for Rosaline! Shak. Brine fly (Zoöl.), a fly of the genus Ephydra, the larvæ of which live in artificial brines and in salt lakes. — Brine gauge, an instrument for measuring the saltness of a liquid. — Brine pan, a pit or pan of salt water, where salt is formed by cristallization. — Brine pit, a salt spring or well, from which water is taken to be boiled or evaporated for making salt. — Brine pump (Marine Engin.), a pump for changing the water in the boilers, so as to clear them of the brine which collects at the bottom. — Brine shrimp, Brine worm (Zoöl.), a phyllopod crustacean of the genus Artemia, inhabiting the strong brines of salt works and natural salt lakes. See Artemia. — Brine spring, a spring of salt water. — Leach brine (Saltmaking), brine which drops from granulated salt in drying, and is preserved to be boiled again.
BRINEBrine, v. t.
1. To steep or saturate in brine.
2. To sprinkle with salt or brine; as, to brine hay.
BRINGBring, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brought; p. pr. & vb. n. Bringing.] Etym:[OE. bringen, AS. bringan; akin to OS. brengian, D. brengen, Fries.brenga, OHG. bringan, G. bringen, Goth. briggan.]
1. To convey to the place where the speaker is or is to be; to bear from a more distant to a nearer place; to fetch. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread. 1 Kings xvii. 11. To France shall we convey you safe, And bring you back. Shak.
2. To cause the accession or obtaining of; to procure; to make to come; to produce; to draw to. There is nothing will bring you more honor . . . than to do what right in justice you may. Bacon.
3. To convey; to move; to carry or conduct. In distillation, the water . . . brings over with it some part of the oil of vitriol. Sir I. Newton.
4. To persuade; to induce; to draw; to lead; to guide. It seems so preposterous a thing . . . that they do not easily bring themselves to it. Locke. The nature of the things . . . would not suffer him to think otherwise, how, or whensoever, he is brought to reflect on them. Locke.
5. To produce in exchange; to sell for; to fetch; as, what does coal bring per ton To bring about, to bring to pass; to effect; to accomplish. — To bring back. (a) To recall. (b) To restore, as something borrowed, to its owner. — To bring by the lee (Naut.), to incline so rapidly to leeward of the course, when a ship sails large, as to bring the lee side suddenly to the windward, any by laying the sails aback, expose her to danger of upsetting. — To bring down. (a) To cause to come down. (b) To humble or abase; as, to bring down high looks. — To bring down the house, to cause tremendous applause. [Colloq.] — To bring forth. (a) To produce, as young fruit. (b) To bring to light; to make manifest. — To bring forward (a) To exhibit; to introduce; to produce to view. (b) To hasten; to promote; to forward. (c) To propose; to adduce; as, to bring forward arguments. — To bring home. (a) To bring to one's house. (b) To prove conclusively; as, to bring home a charge of treason. (c) To cause one to feel or appreciate by personal experience. (d) (Naut.) To lift of its place, as an anchor. — To bring in. (a) To fetch from without; to import. (b) To introduce, as a bill in a deliberative assembly. (c) To return or repot to, or lay before, a court or other body; to render; as, to bring in a verdict or a report. (d) To take to an appointed place of deposit or collection; as, to bring in provisions or money for a specified object. (e) To produce, as income. (f) To induce to join. — To bring off, to bear or convey away; to clear from condemnation; to cause to escape. — To bring on. (a) To cause to begin. (b) To originate or cause to exist; as, to bring on a disease. — To bring one on one's way, to accompany, guide, or attend one. — To bring out, to expose; to detect; to bring to light from concealment. — To bring over. (a) To fetch or bear across. (b) To convert by persuasion or other means; to cause to change sides or an opinion. — To bring to. (a) To resuscitate; to bring back to consciousness or life, as a fainting person. (b) (Naut.) To check the course of, as of a ship, by dropping the anchor, or by counterbracing the sails so as to keep her nearly stationary (she is then said to lie to). (c) To cause (a vessel) to lie to, as by firing across her course. (d) To apply a rope to the capstan. — To bring to light, to disclose; to discover; to make clear; to reveal. — To bring a sail to (Naut.), to bend it to the yard. — To bring to pass, to accomplish to effect. "Trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass." Ps. xxxvii. 5. — To bring under, to subdue; to restrain; to reduce to obedience. — To bring up. (a) To carry upward; to nurse; to rear; to educate. (b) To cause to stop suddenly. (c)
Note: [v. i. by dropping the reflexive pronoun] To stop suddenly; to come to a standstill. [Colloq.] — To bring up (any one) with a round turn, to cause (any one) to stop abruptly. [Colloq.] — To be brought to bed. See under Bed.
Syn. — To fetch; bear; carry; convey; transport; import; procure; produce; cause; adduce; induce.
BRINGERBring"er, n.
Defn: One who brings.Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news Hath but a losing office.Shak.Bringer in, one who, or that which, introduces.
BRININESSBrin"i*ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being briny; saltness; brinishness.
BRINISHBrin"ish, a.
Defn: Like brine; somewhat salt; saltish. "Brinish tears." Shak.
BRINISHNESSBrin"ish*ness, n.
Defn: State or quality of being brinish.
BRINJAREEBrin"ja*ree`, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A rough-haired East Indian variety of the greyhound.
BRINK Brink, n. Etym: [Dan. brink edge, verge; akin to Sw. brink declivity, hill, Icel. brekka; cf. LG. brink a grassy hill, W. bryn hill, bryncyn hillock.]
Defn: The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also Fig. "The brink of vice." Bp. Porteus. "The brink of ruin." Burke. The plashy brink of weedy lake. Bryant.
BRINYBrin"y, a. Etym: [From Brine.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to brine, or to the sea; partaking of the nature of brine; salt; as, a briny taste; the briny flood.
BRIOCHEBri`oche", n. [F.]
1. A light cake made with flour, butter, yeast, and eggs.
2. A knitted foot cushion.
BRIOLETTEBri`o*lette", n. [F.]
Defn: An oval or pearshaped diamond having its entire surface cut in triangular facets.
BRIONYBri"o*ny, n.
Defn: See Bryony. Tennyson.
BRIQUETTEBri*quette", n. [Also briquet.] [F., dim. of brique brick.]
1. A block of compacted coal dust, or peat, etc., for fuel.
2. A block of artificial stone in the form of a brick, used for paving; also, a molded sample of solidified cement or mortar for use as a test piece for showing the strength of the material.
BRISK Brisk, a. Etym: [Cf. W. brysg, fr. brys haste, Gael. briosg quick, lively, Ir. broisg a start, leap, jerk.]
1. Full of liveliness and activity; characterized by quickness of motion or action; lively; spirited; quick. Cheerily, boys; be brick awhile. Shak. Brick toil alternating with ready ease. Wordworth.
2. Full of spirit of life; effervescas, brick cider.
Syn. — Active; lively; agile; alert; nimble; quick; sprightly; vivacious; gay; spirited; animated.
BRISKBrisk, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Bricked; p. pr. & vb. n. Bricking.]
Defn: To make or become lively; to enliven; to animate; to take, or cause to take, an erect or bold attitude; — usually with up.
BRISKET Bris"ket, n. Etym: [OE. bruskette, OF. bruschet, F. bréchet, brichet; prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. brysced the breast of a slain animal, brisket, Corn. vrys breast, Armor. brusk, bruched, the front of the chest, Gael. brisgein the cartilaginous part of a bone.]
Defn: That part of the breast of an animal which extends from the fore legs back beneath the ribs; also applied to the fore part of a horse, from the shoulders to the bottom of the chest.
Note: [See Illust. of Beef.]
BRISKLYBrisk"ly, adv.
Defn: In a brisk manner; nimbly.
BRISKNESSBrisk"ness, n.
Defn: Liveliness; vigor in action; quickness; gayety; vivacity; effervescence.
BRISTLEBris"tle, n. Etym: [OE. bristel, brustel, AS. bristl, byrst; akin toD. borstel, OHG. burst, G. borste, Icel. burst, Sw. borst, and toSkr. bh edge, point, and prob, L. fastigium extremity, Gr. brush,burr, perh. to brad. sq. root96.]
1. A short, stiff, coarse hair, as on the back of swine.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A stiff, sharp, roundish hair. Gray.
BRISTLEBris"tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bristled; p. pr. & vb. n. Bristling.]
1. To erect the bristles of; to cause to stand up, as the bristles of an angry hog; — sometimes with up. Now for the bare-picked bone of majesty Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest. Shak. Boy, bristle thy courage up. Shak.
2. To fix a bristle to; as, to bristle a thread.
BRISTLEBris"tle, v. i.
1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles. His hair did bristle upon his head. Sir W. Scott.
2. To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing, thick and erect, like bristles. The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten thousand bayonets. Thackeray. Ports bristling with thousands of masts. Macaulay.
3. To show deflance or indignation. To bristle up, to show anger or deflance.
BRISTLE-POINTEDBris"tle-point`ed, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Terminating in a very fine, sharp point, as some leaves.
BRISTLE-SHAPEDBris"tle-shaped`, a.
Defn: Resembling a bristle in form; as, a bristle-shaped leaf.
BRISTLETAILBris"tle*tail`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An insect of the genera Lepisma, Campodea, etc., belonging to the Thysanura.
BRISTLINESSBris"tli*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of having bristles.
BRISTLYBris"tly, a.
Defn: THick set with bristles, or with hairs resembling bristles;rough.The leaves of the black mulberry are somewhat bristly. Bacon.
BRISTOLBris"tol, n.
Defn: A seaport city in the west of England. Bristol board, a kind of fine pasteboard, made with a smooth but usually unglazed surface. — Bristol brick, a brick of siliceous matter used for polishing cultery; — originally manufactured at Bristol. — Bristol stone, rock crystal, or brilliant crystals of quartz, found in the mountain limestone near Bristol, and used in making ornaments, vases, etc. When polished, it is called Bristol diamond.
BRISUREBri*sure", n. Etym: [F.]
1. (Fort.)
Defn: Any part of a rampart or parapet which deviates from the general direction.
2. (Her.)
Defn: A mark of cadency or difference.
BRIT; BRITT Brit, Britt, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The young of the common herring; also, a small species of herring; the sprat. (b) The minute marine animals (chiefly Entomostraca) upon which the right whales feed.
BRITANNIABri*tan"ni*a, n. Etym: [From L. Britannia Great Britain.]
Defn: A white-metal alloy of tin, antimony, bismuth, copper, etc. It somewhat resembles silver, and isused for table ware. Called also Britannia metal.
BRITANNICBri*tan"nic, a. Etym: [L. Britannicus, fr. Britannia Great Britain.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Great Britain; British; as, her BritannicMajesty.
BRITE; BRIGHTBrite, Bright, v. t.
Defn: To be or become overripe, as wheat, barley, or hops. [Prov.Eng.]
BRITICISMBrit"i*cism, n.
Defn: A word, phrase, or idiom peculiar to Great Britain; any manner of using a word or words that is peculiar to Great Britain.
BRITISHBrit"ish, a. Etym: [AS. Brittisc, Bryttisc.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; — sometimes restrict to the original inhabitants. British gum, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of about 600° Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum in stiffering goods. — British lion, the national emblem of Great Britain. — British seas, the four seas which surround Great Britain.
BRITISHBrit"ish, n. pl.
Defn: People of Great Britain.
BRITISHERBrit"ish*er, n.
Defn: An Englishman; a subject or inhabitant of Great Britain, esp. one in the British military or naval service. [Now used jocosely]
BRITONBrit"on, a. Etym: [AS. bryten Britain.]
Defn: British. [Obs.] Spenser.— n.
Defn: A native of Great Britain.
BRITTLEBrit"tle, a. Etym: [OE. britel, brutel, AS. bryttian to dispense, fr.breótan to break; akin to Icel. brytja, Sw. bryta, Dan. bryde. Cf.Brickle.]
Defn: Easily broken; apt to break; fragile; not tough or tenacious.Farewell, thou pretty, brittle piece Of fine-cut crystal. Cotton.Brittle silver ore, the mineral stephanite.
BRITTLELYBrit"tle*ly, adv.
Defn: In a brittle manner. Sherwood.
BRITTLENESSBrit"tle*ness, n.
Defn: Aptness to break; fragility.
BRITTLE STARBrit"tle star`.
Defn: Any species of ophiuran starfishes. See Ophiuroidea.
BRITZSKA Britz"ska, n. Etym: [Russ. britshka; cf. Pol. bryczka, dim. of bryka freight wagon.]
Defn: A long carriage, with a calash top, so constructed as to give space for reclining at night, when used on a journey.
BRIZEBrize, n.
Defn: The breeze fly. See Breeze. Shak.
BROACHBroach, n. Etym: [OE. broche, F. broche, fr. LL. brocca; prob. ofCeltic origin; cf. W. proc thrust, stab, Gael. brog awl. Cf. Brooch.]
1. A spit. [Obs.] He turned a broach that had worn a crown. Bacon.
2. An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers. [Prov. Eng.] Forby.
3. (Mech.) (a) 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. (b) 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.
4. (Masonry)
Defn: A broad chisel for stonecutting.
5. (Arch.)
Defn: A spire rising from a tower. [Local, Eng.]
6. A clasp for fastening a garment. See Brooch.
7. A spitlike start, on the head of a young stag.
8. The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping. Knight.
9. The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.
BROACHBroach, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Broached; p. pr. & vb. n. Broaching.]Etym: [F. brocher, fr. broche. See Broach, n.]
1. To spit; to pierce as with a spit. I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point. Shak.
2. To tap; to pierce, as a cask, in order to draw the liquor. Hence: To let out; to shed, as blood. Whereat with blade, with bloody blameful blade, He bravely broached his boiling bloody breast. Shak.
3. To open for the first time, as stores. You shall want neither weapons, victuals, nor aid; I will open the old armories, I will broach my store, and will bring forth my stores. Knolles.
4. To make public; to utter; to publish first; to put forth; to introduce as a topic of conversation. Those very opinions themselves had broached. Swift.
5. To cause to begin or break out. [Obs.] Shak.
6. (Masonry)
Defn: To shape roughly, as a block of stone, by chiseling with a coarse tool. [Scot. & North of Eng.]
7. To enlarge or dress (a hole), by using a broach. To broach to (Naut.), to incline suddenly to windward, so as to lay the sails aback, and expose the vessel to the danger of oversetting.
BROACHERBroach"er, n.
1. A spit; a broach. On five sharp broachers ranked, the roast they turned. Dryden.
2. One who broaches, opens, or utters; a first publisher or promoter. Some such broacher of heresy. Atterbury.
BROADBroad, a. [Compar. Broader; superl. Broadest.] Etym: [OE. brod, brad,AS. brad; akin to OS. bred, D. breed, G. breit, Icel. brei, Sw. &Dan. bred, Goth. braids. Cf. Breadth.]