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babygirlvanitas · 2 years

Note

definitely didnt accidentally click unfollo w instwad of ask. ,, sorry.

Both —adj. & pron. The two, not only one (both boys; both the boys; both of the boys; i like both). —adv. With equal truth in two cases (is both hot and dry). [old norse]

Bother —v. 1 trouble; worry, disturb. 2 (often foll. By about, with, or to + infin.) Take the time or trouble (didn't bother to tell me; shan't bother with dessert). —n. 1 a person or thing that bothers. B minor nuisance. 2 trouble, worry. —int. Expressing irritation. [irish bodhraim deafen]

Botheration n. & int. Colloq. = *bother n., int.

Bothersome adj. Causing bother.

Bottle —n. 1 container, esp. Glass or plastic, for storing liquid. 2 amount filling it. 3 baby's feeding-bottle. 4 = *hot-water bottle. 5 metal cylinder for liquefied gas. 6 slang courage. —v. (-ling) 1 put into, or preserve in, bottles or jars. 2 (foll. By up) conceal or restrain (esp. A feeling). hit the bottle slang drink heavily. [medieval latin: related to *butt4]

Bottle bank n. Place for depositing bottles for recycling.

Bottle-feed v. Feed (a baby) from a bottle as opposed to the breast.

Bottle green adj. & n. (as adj. Often hyphenated) dark green.

Bottleneck n. 1 narrow congested area, esp. On a road. 2 impeding thing.

Bottlenose dolphin n. Dolphin with a bottle-shaped snout.

Bottle party n. Party to which guests bring bottles of drink.

Bottom —n. 1 a lowest point or part. B base. C underneath part. D furthest or inmost part. 2 colloq. A buttocks. B seat of a chair etc. 3 a less honourable end of a table, class, etc. B person occupying this (he's bottom of the class). 4 ground below water. 5 basis or origin. 6 essential character. —adj. Lowest, last. —v. 1 put a bottom to (a chair etc.). 2 find the extent of. 3 touch the bottom or lowest point (of). at bottom basically. Be at the bottom of have caused. Bottom out reach the lowest level. Get to the bottom of fully investigate and explain. [old english]

Bottom drawer n. Linen etc. Stored by a woman for marriage.

Bottomless adj. 1 without a bottom. 2 inexhaustible.

Bottom line n. Colloq. Underlying truth; ultimate, esp. Financial, criterion.

Botulism n. Poisoning caused by a bacillus in badly preserved food. [latin botulus sausage]

Bouclé n. 1 looped or curled yarn (esp. Wool). 2 fabric made of this. [french, = curled]

Boudoir n. Woman's private room. [french bouder sulk]

Bouffant adj. (of a dress, hair, etc.) Puffed out. [french]

Bougainvillaea n. Tropical plant with large coloured bracts. [bougainville, name of a navigator]

Bough n. Main branch of a tree. [old english]

Bought past and past part. Of *buy.

Bouillon n. Clear broth. [french bouillir to boil]

Boulder n. Large smooth rock. [scandinavian]

Boule n. (also boules pronunc. Same) french form of bowls played on rough ground. [french]

Boulevard n. 1 broad tree-lined avenue. 2 esp. Us broad main road. [french from german]

Boult var. Of *bolt2. Boult var. Of *bolt2.

Bounce —v. (-cing) 1 (cause to) rebound. 2 slang (of a cheque) be returned by a bank when there are no funds to meet it. 3 (foll. By about, up, in, out, etc.) Jump, move, or rush boisterously. —n. 1 a rebound. B power of rebounding. 2 colloq. A swagger, self-confidence. B liveliness. bounce back recover well after a setback. bouncy adj. (-ier, -iest). [imitative]

Bouncer n. 1 slang doorman ejecting troublemakers from a dancehall, club, etc. 2 = *bumper 3.

Bouncing adj. (esp. Of a baby) big and healthy.

Bound1 —v. 1 spring, leap. 2 (of a ball etc.) Bounce. —n. 1 springy leap. 2 bounce. [french bondir from latin bombus hum]

Bound2 —n. (usu. In pl.) 1 limitation; restriction. 2 border, boundary. —v. 1 limit. 2 be the boundary of. out of bounds outside a permitted area. [french from medieval latin]

Bound3 adj. 1 (usu. Foll. By for) starting or having started (bound for stardom). 2 (in comb.) In a specified direction (northbound). [old norse, = ready]

Bound4 past and past part. Of *bind. bound to certain to (he's bound to come). Bound up with closely associated with.

Boundary n. (pl. -ies) 1 line marking the limits of an area etc. 2 cricket hit crossing the limits of the field, scoring 4 or 6 runs. [related to *bound2]

Bounden duty n. Formal solemn responsibility. [archaic past part. Of *bind]

Bounder n. Colloq. Cad.

Boundless adj. Unlimited.

Bounteous adj. Poet. = *bountiful. [french: related to *bounty]

Bountiful adj. 1 generous. 2 ample.

Bounty n. (pl. -ies) 1 generosity. 2 reward, esp. From the state. 3 gift. [french from latin bonus good]

Bouquet n. 1 bunch of flowers, esp. Professionally arranged. 2 scent of wine etc. 3 compliment. [french bois wood]

Bouquet garni n. (pl. Bouquets garnis) bunch or bag of herbs for seasoning.

Bourbon n. Us whisky from maize and rye. [bourbon county, kentucky]

Bourgeois often derog. —adj. 1 a conventionally middle-class. B materialistic. 2 capitalist. —n. (pl. Same) bourgeois person. [french]

Bourgeoisie n. 1 capitalist class. 2 middle class. [french]

Bourn n. Small stream. [var. Of *burn2]

Bourse n. 1 (bourse) paris stock exchange. 2 money-market. [french: related to *purse]

Bout n. 1 (often foll. By of) a spell (of work or activity). B attack (bout of flu). 2 wrestling- or boxing-match. [obsolete bought bending]

Boutique n. Small shop selling esp. Fashionable clothes. [french]

Bouzouki n. (pl. -s) greek form of mandolin. [modern greek]

Bovine adj. 1 of cattle. 2 stupid, dull. [latin bos ox]

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy see *bse.

Bow1 —n. 1 a slip-knot with a double loop. B ribbon etc. So tied. 2 curved piece of wood etc. With a string stretched across its ends, for shooting arrows. 3 rod with horsehair stretched along its length, for playing the violin etc. 4 shallow curve or bend; thing of this form. —v. (also absol.) Use a bow on (a violin etc.). [old english]

Bow2 —v. 1 incline the head or body, esp. In greeting or acknowledgement. 2 submit (bowed to the inevitable). 3 cause (the head etc.) To incline. —n. Act of bowing. bow and scrape toady. Bow down 1 bend or kneel esp. In submission or reverence. 2 make stoop; crush (bowed down by care). Bow out 1 exit (esp. Formally). 2 withdraw; retire. Take a bow acknowledge applause. [old english]

Bow3 n. 1 (often in pl.) Front end of a boat. 2 rower nearest this. [low german or dutch: related to *bough]

Bowdlerize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) expurgate (a book etc.). bowdlerization n. [bowdler, name of an expurgator of shakespeare]

Bowel n. 1 (often in pl.) = *intestine. 2 (in pl.) Innermost parts. [latin botulus sausage]

Bower n. 1 arbour; summer-house. 2 poet. Inner room. [old english, = dwelling]

Bowerbird n. Australasian bird, the male of which constructs elaborate runs. Bowie n. (in full bowie knife) a kind of long hunting-knife. [bowie, name of an american soldier]

Bowl1 n. 1 a usu. Round deep basin for food or liquid. B contents of a bowl. 2 hollow part of a tobacco-pipe, spoon, etc. bowlful n. (pl. -s). [old english]

Bowl2 —n. 1 hard heavy ball, made with a bias to run in a curve. 2 (in pl.; usu. Treated as sing.) Game played with these on grass. 3 spell or turn of bowling in cricket. —v. 1 a roll (a ball etc.). B play bowls. 2 (also absol.) Cricket etc. A deliver (a ball, over, etc.). B (often foll. By out) dismiss (a batsman) by knocking down the wicket with a ball. 3 (often foll. By along) go along rapidly. bowl out cricket etc. Dismiss (a batsman or a side). Bowl over 1 knock down. 2 colloq. Impress greatly, overwhelm. [latin bulla bubble]

Bow-legs n.pl. Bandy legs. bow-legged adj.

Bowler1 n. 1 cricket etc. Player who bowls. 2 bowls-player.

Bowler2 n. (in full bowler hat) man's hard round felt hat. [bowler, name of a hatter]

Bowline n. 1 rope from a ship's bow keeping the sail taut against the wind. 2 knot forming a non-slipping loop at the end of a rope.

Bowling n. The game of skittles, tenpin bowling, or bowls.

Bowling-alley n. 1 long enclosure for skittles or tenpin bowling. 2 building with these.

Bowling-green n. Lawn for playing bowls.

Bowman n. Archer.

Bowsprit n. Spar running forward from a ship's bow.

Bowstring n. String of an archer's bow.

Bow-tie n. Necktie in the form of a bow.

Bow-window n. Curved bay window.

Bow-wow —int. Imitation of a dog's bark. —n. Colloq. Dog. [imitative]

Box1 —n. 1 container, usu. Flat-sided and firm. 2 amount contained in a box. 3 compartment, e.g. In a theatre or lawcourt. 4 receptacle or kiosk for a special purpose (often in comb.: money box; telephone box). 5 facility at a newspaper office for receiving replies to an advertisement. 6 (prec. By the) colloq. Television. 7 enclosed area or space. 8 area of print enclosed by a border. 9 light shield for the genitals in cricket etc. 10 (prec. By the) football colloq. Penalty area. —v. 1 put in or provide with a box. 2 (foll. By in, up) confine. [latin buxis: related to *box3]

Box2 —v. 1 a take part in boxing. B fight (an opponent) at boxing. 2 slap (esp. A person's ears). —n. Hard slap, esp. On the ears. [origin unknown]

Box3 n. 1 small evergreen tree with dark green leaves. 2 its fine hard wood. [latin buxus, greek puxos]

Box and cox n. Two people sharing accommodation etc. In shifts. [names of characters in a play (1847)]

Box camera n. Simple box-shaped camera.

Boxer n. 1 person who boxes, esp. As a sport. 2 medium-size short-haired dog with a puglike face.

Boxer shorts n.pl. Men's loose underpants like shorts.

Box girder n. Hollow girder square in cross-section.

Boxing n. Fighting with the fists, esp. As a sport.

Boxing day n. First weekday after christmas. [from *box1, from the custom of giving christmas-boxes]

Boxing glove n. Each of a pair of heavily padded gloves worn in boxing.

Box junction n. Road area marked with a yellow grid, which a vehicle should enter only if its exit is clear.

Box number n. Number for replies to a private advertisement in a newspaper.

Box office n. Ticket-office at a theatre etc.

Box pleat n. Arrangement of parallel pleats folding in alternate directions.

Boxroom n. Small room for storing boxes, cases, etc.

Box spring n. Each of a set of vertical springs in a frame, e.g. In a mattress.

Boxwood n. = *box3 2.

Boxy adj. (-ier, -iest) cramped.

Boy —n. 1 male child, son. 2 young man. 3 male servant etc. —int. Expressing pleasure, surprise, etc. boyhood n. Boyish adj. [origin uncertain] Boycott —v. 1 refuse to have social or commercial relations with (a person, country, etc.). 2 refuse to handle (goods). —n. Such a refusal. [capt. Boycott, so treated from 1880]

Boyfriend n. Person's regular male companion or lover.

Boyo n. (pl. -s) welsh & ir. Colloq. (esp. As a form of address) boy, mate.

Boy scout n. = *scout n. 4.

Bp abbr. 1 boiling-point. 2 blood pressure. 3 before the present (era). 4 british petroleum. 5 british pharmacopoeia.

Bq abbr. Becquerel.

Br abbr. British rail.

Br symb. Bromine.

Bra n. Undergarment worn by women to support the breasts. [abbreviation]

Brace —n. 1 device that clamps or fastens tightly. 2 timber etc. Strengthening a framework. 3 (in pl.) Straps supporting trousers from the shoulders. 4 wire device for straightening the teeth. 5 (pl. Same) pair (esp. Of game). 6 rope for trimming a sail. 7 connecting mark { or } in printing. —v. (-cing) 1 make steady by supporting. 2 fasten tightly to make firm. 3 (esp. As bracing adj.) Invigorate, refresh. 4 (often refl.) Prepare for a difficulty, shock, etc. [latin bracchia arms]

Brace and bit n. Revolving tool for boring, with a d-shaped central handle.

Bracelet n. 1 ornamental band or chain worn on the wrist or arm. 2 slang handcuff.

Brachiosaurus n. (pl. -ruses) plant-eating dinosaur with forelegs longer than its hind legs. [latin from greek brakhion arm, sauros lizard]

Bracken n. 1 large coarse fern. 2 mass of these. [old norse]

Bracket —n. 1 (esp. Angled) support projecting from a vertical surface. 2 shelf fixed to a wall with this. 3 each of a pair of marks () [] {} enclosing words or figures. 4 group or classification (income bracket). —v. (-t-) 1 enclose in brackets. 2 group or classify together. [latin bracae breeches]

Brackish adj. (of water etc.) Slightly salty. [low german or dutch]

Bract n. Leaf-like and often brightly coloured part of a plant, growing before the flower. [latin bractea thin sheet]

Brad n. Thin flat nail with a head on only one side. [old norse]

Bradawl n. Small pointed tool for boring holes by hand.

Brae n. Scot. Hillside. [old norse]

Brag —v. (-gg-) talk boastfully. —n. 1 card-game like poker. 2 boastful statement or talk. [origin unknown]

Braggart —n. Boastful person. —adj. Boastful.

Brahma n. 1 hindu creator. 2 supreme divine hindu reality. [sanskrit, = creator]

Brahman n. (also brahman) (pl. -s) 1 (also brahmin) member of the highest or priestly hindu caste. 2 = *brahma 2. brahmanic adj. Brahmanism n.

Braid —n. 1 woven band as edging or trimming. 2 us plait of hair. —v. 1 us plait. 2 trim with braid. braiding n. [old english]

Braille —n. System of writing and printing for the blind, with patterns of raised dots. —v. (-ling) print or transcribe in braille. [braille, name of its inventor]

Brain —n. 1 organ of soft nervous tissue in the skull of vertebrates, the centre of sensation and of intellectual and nervous activity. 2 a colloq. Intelligent person. B (often in pl.) Intelligence. 3 (usu. In pl.; prec. By the) colloq. Cleverest person in a group; mastermind. 4 electronic device functioning like a brain. —v. 1 dash out the brains of. 2 colloq. Strike hard on the head. on the brain colloq. Obsessively in one's thoughts. [old english]

Brainchild n. Colloq. Person's clever idea or invention.

Brain death n. Irreversible brain damage causing the end of independent respiration, regarded as indicative of death. brain-dead adj.

Brain drain n. Colloq. Loss of skilled personnel by emigration.

Brainless adj. Foolish.

Brainpower n. Mental ability or intelligence.

Brainstorm n. 1 sudden mental disturbance. 2 colloq. Mental lapse. 3 us brainwave. 4 pooling of spontaneous ideas about a problem etc. brainstorming n. (in sense 4). Brains trust n. Group of experts answering questions, usu. Publicly and impromptu.

Brainwash v. Implant ideas or esp. Ideology into (a person) by repetition etc. brainwashing n.

Brainwave n. 1 (usu. In pl.) Electrical impulse in the brain. 2 colloq. Sudden bright idea.

Brainy adj. (-ier, -iest) intellectually clever.

Braise v. (-sing) stew slowly with a little liquid in a closed container. [french braise live coals]

Brake1 —n. 1 (often in pl.) Device for stopping or slowing a wheel, vehicle, etc. 2 thing that impedes. —v. (-king) 1 apply a brake. 2 slow or stop with a brake. [probably obsolete brake = curb]

Brake2 n. Large estate car. [var. Of *break]

Brake3 —n. 1 toothed instrument for crushing flax and hemp. 2 (in full brake harrow) heavy harrow. —v. (-king) crush (flax or hemp). [low german or dutch: related to *break]

Brake4 n. Thicket or clump of brushwood. [old english]

Brake drum n. Cylinder attached to a wheel, on which the brake shoes press to brake.

Brake horsepower n. Power of an engine measured by the force needed to brake it.

Brake lining n. Strip of fabric increasing the friction of a brake shoe.

Brake shoe n. Long curved block which presses on a brake drum to brake.

Bramble n. Wild thorny shrub, esp. The blackberry. brambly adj. [old english]

Brambling n. The speckled finch. [german: related to *bramble]

Bran n. Grain husks separated from flour. [french]

Branch —n. 1 limb of a tree or bough. 2 lateral extension or subdivision, esp. Of a river, road, or railway. 3 subdivision of a family, knowledge, etc. 4 local office etc. Of a large business. —v. (often foll. By off) 1 diverge. 2 divide into branches. branch out extend one's field of interest. [latin branca paw]

Brand —n. 1 a particular make of goods. B identifying trade mark, label, etc. 2 (usu. Foll. By of) characteristic kind (brand of humour). 3 identifying mark burned esp. On livestock. 4 iron used for this. 5 piece of burning or charred wood. 6 stigma; mark of disgrace. 7 poet. Torch. —v. 1 mark with a hot iron. 2 stigmatize (branded him a liar). 3 impress unforgettably. 4 assign a trademark etc. To. [old english]

Brandish v. Wave or flourish as a threat or display. [french from germanic]

Brand-new adj. Completely new.

Brandy n. (pl. -ies) strong alcoholic spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice. [dutch brandewijn]

Brandy butter n. Mixture of brandy, butter, and sugar.

Brandy-snap n. Crisp rolled gingerbread wafer usu. Filled with cream.

Bran-tub n. Lucky dip with prizes hidden in bran.

Brash adj. Vulgarly self-assertive; impudent. brashly adv. Brashness n. [dial.]

Brass —n. 1 yellow alloy of copper and zinc. 2 brass objects collectively. 3 brass wind instruments. 4 slang money. 5 brass memorial tablet. 6 colloq. Effrontery. —adj. Made of brass. brassed off slang fed up. [old english]

Brass band n. Band of brass instruments.

Brasserie n. Restaurant, orig. One serving beer with food. [french brasser brew]

Brassica n. Plant of the cabbage family. [latin, = cabbage]

Brassière n. = *bra. [french]

Brass monkey n. Coarse slang used in various phrases to indicate extreme cold.

Brass-rubbing n. 1 practice of taking impressions by rubbing heelball etc. Over paper laid on engraved brasses. 2 impression obtained by this.

Brass tacks n.pl. Slang essential details.

Brassy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 of or like brass. 2 impudent. 3 vulgarly showy. 4 loud and blaring.

Brat n. Usu. Derog. Child, esp. An ill-behaved one. [origin unknown]

Bravado n. Show of boldness. [spanish] Brave —adj. 1 able or ready to face and endure danger, disgrace, or pain. 2 formal splendid, spectacular. —n. American indian warrior. —v. (-ving) face bravely or defiantly. bravely adv. Braveness n. Bravery n. [ultimately latin barbarus barbarian]

Bravo —int. Expressing approval. —n. (pl. -s) cry of ‘bravo’. [french from italian]

Bravura n. 1 brilliance of execution. 2 (often attrib.) Passage of (esp. Vocal) music requiring brilliant technique. [italian]

Brawl —n. Noisy quarrel or fight. —v. 1 engage in a brawl. 2 (of a stream) run noisily. [provençal]

Brawn n. 1 muscular strength. 2 muscle; lean flesh. 3 jellied meat made from a pig's head. brawny adj. (-ier, -iest). [french from germanic]

Bray —n. 1 cry of a donkey. 2 harsh sound like this. —v. 1 make a bray. 2 utter harshly. [french braire]

Braze v. (-zing) solder with an alloy of brass and zinc. [french braser]

Brazen —adj. 1 shameless; insolent. 2 of or like brass. 3 harsh in sound. —v. (foll. By out) face or undergo defiantly (brazen it out). brazenly adv. [old english]

Brazier1 n. Metal pan or stand holding burning coals etc. [french: related to *braise]

Brazier2 n. Worker in brass. [probably from *brass]

Brazil n. 1 tall s. American tree. 2 (in full brazil nut) its large three-sided nut. [brazil in s. America]

Breach —n. 1 (often foll. By of) breaking or non-observation of a law, contract, etc. 2 breaking of relations; quarrel. 3 opening, gap. —v. 1 break through; make a gap in. 2 break (a law, contract, etc.). step into the breach help in a crisis, esp. As a replacement. [germanic: related to *break]

Breach of promise n. Breaking of a promise, esp. To marry.

Breach of the peace n. Crime of causing a public disturbance.

Bread —n. 1 baked dough of flour and water, usu. Leavened with yeast. 2 necessary food. 3 slang money. —v. Coat with breadcrumbs for cooking. [old english]

Bread and butter —n. One's livelihood. —attrib. Adj. (bread-and-butter) done or produced to earn a basic living.

Breadboard n. 1 board for cutting bread on. 2 board for making an experimental model of an electric circuit.

Breadcrumb n. Small fragment of bread, esp. (in pl.) For use in cooking.

Breadfruit n. 1 fruit which resembles new bread when roasted. 2 tropical evergreen tree bearing it.

Breadline n. Subsistence level (esp. On the breadline).

Bread sauce n. White sauce thickened with breadcrumbs.

Breadth n. 1 distance or measurement from side to side of a thing. 2 freedom from prejudice or intolerance. [old english: related to *broad]

Breadwinner n. Person who works to support a family.

Break —v. (past broke; past part. Broken) 1 a separate into pieces under a blow or strain; shatter. B make or become inoperative. C break a bone in or dislocate (part of the body). 2 a interrupt (broke our journey). B have an interval (broke for tea). 3 fail to keep (a law, promise, etc.). 4 a make or become subdued or weak; (cause to) yield; destroy. B weaken the effect of (a fall, blow, etc.). C = break in 3c. 5 surpass (a record). 6 (foll. By with) end a friendship with (a person etc.). 7 a be no longer subject to (a habit). B (foll. By of) free (a person) from a habit (broke them of their addiction). 8 reveal or be revealed (broke the news; story broke). 9 a (of fine weather) change suddenly. B (of waves) curl over and foam. C (of the day) dawn. D (of clouds) move apart. E (of a storm) begin violently. 10 electr. Disconnect (a circuit). 11 a (of the voice) change with emotion. B (of a boy's voice) change at puberty. 12 a (often foll. By up) divide (a set etc.). B change (a banknote etc.) For coins. 13 ruin financially (see also *broke adj.). 14 penetrate (e.g. A safe) by force. 15 decipher (a code). 16 make (a way, path, etc.) By force. 17 burst forth (sun broke through). 18 a (of troops) disperse in confusion. B rupture (ranks). 19 a (usu. Foll. Breakable —adj. Easily broken. —n. (esp. In pl.) Breakable thing.

Breakage n. 1 a broken thing. B damage caused by breaking. 2 act or instance of breaking.

Breakaway n. (often attrib.) Breaking away; secession (breakaway group).

Break-dancing n. Acrobatic style of street-dancing.

Breakdown n. 1 a mechanical failure. B loss of (esp. Mental) health. 2 collapse (breakdown of communication). 3 analysis (of statistics etc.).

Breaker n. 1 heavy breaking wave. 2 person or thing that breaks something, esp. Disused machinery.

Breakfast —n. First meal of the day. —v. Have breakfast.

Break-in n. Illegal forced entry, esp. With criminal intent.

Breaking and entering n. (formerly) the illegal entering of a building with intent to commit a felony.

Breaking-point n. Point of greatest strain.

Breakneck attrib. Adj. (of speed) dangerously fast. Break-out n. Forcible escape.

Breakthrough n. 1 major advance or discovery. 2 act of breaking through an obstacle etc.

Breakup n. 1 disintegration or collapse. 2 dispersal.

Breakwater n. Barrier breaking the force of waves.

Bream n. (pl. Same) 1 yellowish arch-backed freshwater fish. 2 (in full sea bream) similar marine fish. [french from germanic]

Breast —n. 1 a either of two milk-secreting organs on a woman's chest. B corresponding part of a man's body. 2 a chest. B corresponding part of an animal. 3 part of a garment that covers the breast. 4 breast as a source of nourishment or emotion. —v. 1 contend with. 2 reach the top of (a hill). make a clean breast of confess fully. [old english]

Breastbone n. Thin flat vertical bone in the chest between the ribs.

Breast-feed v. Feed (a baby) from the breast.

Breastplate n. Armour covering the breast.

Breast-stroke n. Swimming stroke made by extending both arms forward and sweeping them back.

Breastwork n. Low temporary defence or parapet.

Breath n. 1 a air drawn into or expelled from the lungs. B one respiration of air. C breath as perceived by the senses. 2 a slight movement of air. B whiff (of perfume etc.). 3 whisper, murmur (esp. Of scandal). catch one's breath 1 cease breathing momentarily in surprise etc. 2 rest to restore normal breathing. Hold one's breath cease breathing temporarily. Out of breath gasping for air, esp. After exercise. Take one's breath away surprise, delight, etc. Under one's breath in a whisper. [old english]

Breathalyser n. (also -lyzer) propr. Instrument for measuring alcohol levels in the breath exhaled into it. breathalyse v. (also -lyze) (-sing or -zing). [from *breath, *analyse]

Breathe v. (-thing) 1 draw air into and expel it from the lungs. 2 be or seem alive. 3 a utter or sound (esp. Quietly). B express (breathed defiance). 4 pause. 5 send out or take in (as if) with the breath (breathed new life into them; breathed whisky). 6 (of wine etc.) Be exposed to the air. breathe again (or freely) feel relief.

Breather n. 1 colloq. Brief pause for rest. 2 brief period in the fresh air.

Breathing-space n. Time to recover; pause.

Breathless adj. 1 panting, out of breath. 2 holding the breath. 3 still, windless. breathlessly adv.

Breathtaking adj. Astounding; awe-inspiring. breathtakingly adv.

Breath test n. Test with a breathalyser.

Bred past and past part. Of *breed.

Breech n. Back part of a rifle or gun barrel. [old english]

Breech birth n. (also breech delivery) delivery of a baby with the buttocks or feet foremost.

Breeches n.pl. Short trousers, esp. Fastened below the knee.

Breeches buoy n. Lifebuoy with canvas breeches for the user's legs.

Breed —v. (past and past part. Bred) 1 (of animals) produce young. 2 propagate; raise (animals). 3 yield; result in. 4 arise; spread. 5 bring up; train. 6 create (fissile material) by nuclear reaction. —n. 1 stock of similar animals or plants within a species, usu. Developed by deliberate selection. 2 race; lineage. 3 sort, kind. breeder n. [old english]

Breeder reactor n. Nuclear reactor creating surplus fissile material.

Breeding n. 1 raising of offspring; propagation. 2 social behaviour; ancestry.

Breeze1 —n. 1 gentle wind. 2 colloq. Quarrel. 3 esp. Us colloq. Easy task. —v. (-zing) (foll. By in, out, along, etc.) Colloq. Saunter casually. [probably spanish and portuguese briza]

Breeze2 n. Small cinders. [french: related to *braise]

Breeze-block n. Lightweight building block, esp. Of breeze mixed with sand and cement.

Breezy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 slightly windy. 2 colloq. Cheerful, light-hearted, casual.

Bren n. (in full bren gun) lightweight quick-firing machine-gun. [brno in czechoslovakia, enfield in england] Brent n. (in full brent-goose) small migratory goose. [origin unknown]

Brethren see *brother.

Breton —n. 1 native of brittany. 2 celtic language of brittany. —adj. Of brittany, its people, or language. [french, = *briton]

Breve n. 1 mus. Note twice the length of a semibreve. 2 mark ( ) indicating a short or unstressed vowel. [var. Of *brief]

Breviary n. (pl. -ies) book containing the roman catholic daily office. [latin: related to *brief]

Brevity n. 1 economy of expression; conciseness. 2 shortness (of time etc.). [anglo-french: related to *brief]

Brew —v. 1 a make (beer etc.) By infusion, boiling, and fermentation. B make (tea etc.) By infusion. 2 undergo these processes. 3 gather force; threaten (storm is brewing). 4 concoct (a plan etc.). —n. 1 liquid or amount brewed; concoction. 2 process of brewing. brew up make tea. brewer n. [old english]

Brewery n. (pl. -ies) factory for brewing beer etc.

Brew-up n. Instance of making tea.

Briar1 var. Of *brier1.

Briar2 var. Of *brier2.

Bribe —v. (-bing) (often foll. By to + infin.) Persuade to act improperly in one's favour by a gift of money etc. —n. Money or services offered in bribing. bribery n. [french briber beg]

Bric-à-brac n. (also bric-a-brac) cheap ornaments, trinkets, etc. [french]

Brick —n. 1 a small usu. Rectangular block of fired or sun-dried clay used in building. B material of this. 2 child's toy block. 3 brick-shaped thing. 4 slang generous or loyal person. —v. (foll. By in, up) close or block with brickwork. —adj. 1 built of brick (brick wall). 2 (also brick-red) dull red. [low german or dutch]

Brickbat n. 1 piece of brick, esp. As a missile. 2 insult.

Brickie n. Slang bricklayer.

Bricklayer n. Person who builds with bricks, esp. For a living. bricklaying n.

Brickwork n. Building or work in brick.

Brickyard n. Place where bricks are made.

Bridal adj. Of a bride or wedding. [old english]

Bride n. Woman on her wedding day and during the period just before and after it. [old english]

Bridegroom n. Man on his wedding day and during the period just before and after it. [old english]

Bridesmaid n. Girl or unmarried woman attending a bride at her wedding.

Bridge1 —n. 1 a structure providing a way across a river, road, railway, etc. B thing joining or connecting. 2 operational superstructure on a ship. 3 upper bony part of the nose. 4 piece of wood on a violin etc. Over which the strings are stretched. 5 = *bridgework. —v. (-ging) 1 be or make a bridge over. 2 reduce (a gap, deficiency, etc.). [old english]

Bridge2 n. Card-game derived from whist. [origin unknown]

Bridgehead n. Fortified position held on the enemy's side of a river etc.

Bridge roll n. Small soft bread roll.

Bridgework n. Dentistry dental structure covering a gap, joined to the teeth on either side.

Bridging loan n. Loan to cover the interval between buying a house etc. And selling another.

Bridle —n. 1 headgear for controlling a horse, including reins and bit. 2 restraining thing. —v. (-ling) 1 put a bridle on. 2 curb, restrain. 3 (often foll. By up) express anger, offence, etc., esp. By throwing up the head and drawing in the chin. [old english]

Bridle-path n. (also bridle-way) rough path for riders or walkers.

Brie n. A kind of soft cheese. [brie in n. France]

Brief —adj. 1 of short duration. 2 concise; abrupt, brusque. 3 scanty (brief skirt). —n. 1 (in pl.) Short pants. 2 a summary of a case drawn up for counsel. B piece of work for a barrister. 3 instructions for a task. 4 papal letter on discipline. —v. 1 instruct (a barrister) by brief. 2 inform or instruct in advance. hold a brief for argue in favour of. In brief to sum up. briefly adv. Briefness n. [latin brevis short]

Briefcase n. Flat document case. Brier1 n. (also briar) wild rose or other prickly bush. [old english]

Brier2 n. (also briar) 1 white heath of s. Europe. 2 tobacco pipe made from its root. [french bruyère]

Brig. Abbr. Brigadier.

Brig1 n. Two-masted square-rigged ship. [abbreviation of *brigantine]

Brig2 n. Scot. & n.engl. Bridge. [var. Of *bridge1]

Brigade n. 1 military unit, usu. Three battalions, as part of a division. 2 group organized for a special purpose. [italian briga strife]

Brigadier n. 1 officer commanding a brigade. 2 staff officer of similar standing.

Brigand n. Member of a robber band; bandit. brigandage n. [italian brigante: related to *brigade]

Brigantine n. Two-masted ship with a square-rigged foremast and a fore-and-aft rigged mainmast. [french or italian: related to *brigand]

Bright —adj. 1 emitting or reflecting much light; shining. 2 intense, vivid. 3 clever. 4 cheerful. —adv. Esp. Poet. Brightly. brightly adv. Brightness n. [old english]

Brighten v. Make or become brighter.

Bright's disease n. Kidney disease. [bright, name of a physician]

Brill1 n. (pl. Same) european flat-fish. [origin unknown]

Brill2 adj. Colloq. = *brilliant adj. 4. [abbreviation]

Brilliant —adj. 1 very bright; sparkling. 2 outstandingly talented. 3 showy. 4 colloq. Excellent. —n. Diamond of the finest cut with many facets. brilliance n. Brilliantly adv. [french briller shine, from italian]

Brilliantine n. Dressing for making the hair glossy. [french: related to *brilliant]

Brim —n. 1 edge or lip of a vessel. 2 projecting edge of a hat. —v. (-mm-) fill or be full to the brim. brim over overflow. [origin unknown]

Brim-full adj. (also brimful) filled to the brim.

Brimstone n. Archaic sulphur. [from *burn1, *stone]

Brindled adj. (esp. Of domestic animals) brown or tawny with streaks of another colour. [scandinavian]

Brine n. 1 water saturated or strongly impregnated with salt. 2 sea water. [old english]

Bring v. (past and past part. Brought) 1 come carrying; lead, accompany; convey. 2 cause or result in (war brings misery). 3 be sold for; produce as income. 4 a prefer (a charge). B initiate (legal action). 5 cause to become or to reach a state (brings me alive; cannot bring myself to agree). 6 adduce (evidence, an argument, etc.). bring about cause to happen. Bring back call to mind. Bring down 1 cause to fall. 2 lower (a price). Bring forth 1 give birth to. 2 cause. Bring forward 1 move to an earlier time. 2 transfer from the previous page or account. 3 draw attention to. Bring home to cause to realize fully. Bring the house down receive rapturous applause. Bring in 1 introduce. 2 yield as income or profit. Bring off achieve successfully. Bring on cause to happen, appear, or make progress. Bring out 1 emphasize; make evident. 2 publish. Bring over convert to one's own side. Bring round 1 restore to consciousness. 2 persuade. Bring through aid (a person) through adversity, esp. Illness. Bring to restore to consciousness (brought him to). Bring up 1 rear (a child). 2 vomit. 3 call attention to. 4 (absol.) Stop suddenly. [old english]

Bring-and-buy sale n. Charity sale at which people bring items for sale and buy those brought by others.

Brink n. 1 extreme edge of land before a precipice, river, etc. 2 furthest point before danger, discovery, etc. on the brink of about to experience or suffer; in imminent danger of. [old norse]

Brinkmanship n. Pursuit (esp. Habitual) of danger etc. To the brink of catastrophe.

Briny —adj. (-ier, -iest) of brine or the sea; salty. —n. (prec. By the) slang the sea.

Briquette n. Block of compressed coal-dust as fuel. [french diminutive: related to *brick]

Brisk —adj. 1 quick, lively, keen (brisk pace, trade). 2 enlivening (brisk wind). —v. (often foll. By up) make or grow brisk. briskly adv. Briskness n. [probably french *brusque] Brisket n. Animal's breast, esp. As a joint of meat. [french]

Brisling n. Small herring or sprat. [norwegian and danish]

Bristle —n. Short stiff hair, esp. One on an animal's back, used in brushes. —v. (-ling) 1 a (of hair) stand upright. B make (hair) do this. 2 show irritation. 3 (usu. Foll. By with) be covered or abundant (in). bristly adj. (-ier, -iest). [old english]

Brit n. Colloq. British person. [abbreviation]

Britannia n. Personification of britain, esp. As a helmeted woman with shield and trident. [latin]

Britannia metal n. Silvery alloy of tin, antimony, and copper.

Britannic adj. (esp. In his or her britannic majesty) of britain.

Briticism n. Idiom used only in britain. [after gallicism]

British —adj. Of great britain, the british commonwealth, or their people. —n. (prec. By the; treated as pl.) The british people. [old english]

British english n. English as used in great britain.

British legion n. = *royal british legion.

British summer time n. = *summer time.

British thermal unit n. Amount of heat needed to raise 1 lb of water through one degree fahrenheit, equivalent to 1.055 x 103 joules.

Briton n. 1 inhabitant of s. Britain before the roman conquest. 2 native or inhabitant of great britain. [latin britto -onis]

Brittle adj. Hard and fragile; apt to break. brittlely adv. (also brittly). [old english]

Brittle-bone disease n. = *osteoporosis.

Broach —v. 1 raise for discussion. 2 pierce (a cask) to draw liquor. 3 open and start using. —n. 1 bit for boring. 2 roasting-spit. [latin broccus projecting]

Broad —adj. 1 large in extent from one side to the other; wide. 2 in breadth (two metres broad). 3 extensive (broad acres). 4 full and clear (broad daylight). 5 explicit (broad hint). 6 general (broad intentions, facts). 7 tolerant, liberal (broad view). 8 coarse (broad humour). 9 markedly regional (broad scots). —n. 1 broad part (broad of the back). 2 us slang woman. 3 (the broads) large areas of water in e. Anglia, formed where rivers widen. broadly adv. Broadness n. [old english]

Broad bean n. 1 bean with large edible flat seeds. 2 one such seed.

Broadcast —v. (past and past part. Broadcast) 1 transmit by radio or television. 2 take part in such a transmission. 3 scatter (seed etc.). 4 disseminate (information) widely. —n. Radio or television programme or transmission. broadcaster n. Broadcasting n.

Broadcloth n. Fine cloth of wool, cotton, or silk.

Broaden v. Make or become broader.

Broad gauge n. Railway track with a wider than standard gauge.

Broad-leaved adj. (of a tree) deciduous and hard-timbered.

Broadloom adj. (esp. Of carpet) woven in broad widths.

Broad-minded adj. Tolerant, liberal.

Broadsheet n. 1 large-sized newspaper. 2 large sheet of paper printed on one side only.

Broadside n. 1 vigorous verbal attack. 2 simultaneous firing of all guns from one side of a ship. 3 side of a ship above the water between the bow and quarter. broadside on sideways on.

Broadsword n. Broad-bladed sword, for cutting rather than thrusting.

Brocade —n. Rich fabric woven with a raised pattern. —v. (-ding) weave in this way. [italian brocco twisted thread]

Broccoli n. Brassica with greenish flower-heads. [italian]

Brochure n. Pamphlet or booklet, esp. With descriptive information. [french brocher stitch]

Broderie anglaise n. Open embroidery on white linen etc. [french, = english embroidery]

Brogue1 n. 1 strong outdoor shoe with ornamental perforations. 2 rough shoe of untanned leather. [gaelic and irish brog from old norse]

Brogue2 n. Marked accent, esp. Irish. [perhaps related to *brogue1]

Broil v. Esp. Us 1 grill (meat). 2 make or become very hot, esp. From the sun. [french bruler burn] Broiler n. Young chicken for broiling or roasting.

Broke past of *break. —predic. Adj. Colloq. Having no money.

Broken past part. Of *break. —adj. 1 having been broken. 2 reduced to despair; beaten. 3 (of language) badly spoken, esp. By a foreigner. 4 interrupted (broken sleep).

Broken-down adj. 1 worn out by age, use, etc. 2 not functioning.

Broken-hearted adj. Overwhelmed with grief.

Broken home n. Family disrupted by divorce or separation.

Broker n. 1 agent; middleman. 2 member of the stock exchange dealing in stocks and shares. 3 official appointed to sell or appraise distrained goods. broking n. [anglo-french]

Usage in sense 2, brokers have officially been called broker-dealers in the uk since oct. 1986, and entitled to act as agents and principals in share dealings.

Brokerage n. Broker's fee or commission.

Brolly n. (pl. -ies) colloq. Umbrella. [abbreviation]

Bromide n. 1 any binary compound of bromine. 2 trite remark. 3 reproduction or proof on paper coated with silver bromide emulsion.

Bromine n. Poisonous liquid element with a choking smell. [greek bromos stink]

Bronchial adj. Of the bronchi (see *bronchus) or of the smaller tubes into which they divide.

Bronchitis n. Inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes.

Bronchus n. (pl. -chi) either of the two main divisions of the windpipe. [latin from greek]

Bronco n. (pl. -s) wild or half-tamed horse of the western us. [spanish, = rough]

Brontosaurus n. (pl. -ruses) large plant-eating dinosaur with a long whiplike tail. [greek bronte thunder, sauros lizard]

Bronze —n. 1 alloy of copper and tin. 2 its brownish colour. 3 thing of bronze, esp. A sculpture. —adj. Made of or coloured like bronze. —v. (-zing) make or become brown; tan. [french from italian]

Bronze age n. Archaeol. Period when weapons and tools were usu. Made of bronze.

Bronze medal n. Medal, usu. Awarded as third prize.

Brooch n. Ornamental hinged pin. [french broche: related to *broach]

Brood —n. 1 young of esp. A bird born or hatched at one time. 2 colloq. Children in a family. —v. 1 worry or ponder (esp. Resentfully). 2 (of a bird) sit on eggs to hatch them. [old english]

Broody adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 (of a hen) wanting to brood. 2 sullenly thoughtful. 3 colloq. (of a woman) wanting pregnancy.

Brook1 n. Small stream. [old english]

Brook2 v. (usu. With neg.) Literary tolerate, allow. [old english]

Broom n. 1 long-handled brush for sweeping. 2 shrub with bright yellow flowers. [old english]

Broomstick n. Handle of a broom.

Bros. Abbr. Brothers (esp. In the name of a firm).

Broth n. Thin soup of meat or fish stock. [old english]

Brothel n. Premises for prostitution. [originally = worthless fellow, from old english]

Brother n. 1 man or boy in relation to his siblings. 2 close male friend or associate. 3 (pl. Also brethren) a member of a male religious order, esp. A monk. B fellow christian etc. 4 fellow human being. brotherly adj. [old english]

Brother german see *german.

Brotherhood n. 1 relationship between brothers. 2 association of people with a common interest. 3 community of feeling between human beings.

Brother-in-law n. (pl. Brothers-in-law) 1 one's wife's or husband's brother. 2 one's sister's or sister-in-law's husband.

Brought past and past part. Of *bring.

Brouhaha n. Commotion; sensation. [french]

Brow n. 1 forehead. 2 eyebrow. 3 summit of a hill etc. 4 edge of a cliff etc. [old english]

Browbeat v. (past -beat; past part. -beaten) intimidate, bully.

Brown —adj. 1 having the colour of dark wood or rich soil. 2 dark-skinned or suntanned. 3 (of bread) made from wholemeal or wheatmeal flour. —n. 1 brown colour or pigment. 2 brown clothes or material. —v. Make or become brown. browned off colloq. Fed up, disheartened. Brown bear n. Large n. American brown bear.

Brown coal n. = *lignite.

Brownie n. 1 (in full brownie guide) junior guide. 2 (brownie) small square of chocolate cake with nuts. 3 (brownie) benevolent elf.

Brownie point n. Colloq. Notional mark awarded for good conduct etc.

Browning n. Additive to colour gravy.

Brown owl n. 1 any of various owls, esp. The tawny owl. 2 (brown owl) adult leader of brownie guides.

Brown rice n. Unpolished rice.

Brown sugar n. Unrefined or partially refined sugar.

Browse —v. (-sing) 1 read desultorily or look over goods for sale. 2 (often foll. By on) feed on leaves, twigs, etc. —n. 1 twigs, shoots, etc. As fodder. 2 act of browsing. [french brost bud]

Brucellosis n. Bacterial disease, esp. Of cattle. [sir d. Bruce, name of a physician]

Bruise —n. 1 discolouration of the skin caused esp. By a blow. 2 similar damage on a fruit etc. —v. (-sing) 1 a inflict a bruise on. B hurt mentally. 2 be susceptible to bruising. [originally = crush, from old english]

Bruiser n. Colloq. 1 large tough-looking person. 2 professional boxer.

Bruit v. (often foll. By abroad, about) spread (a report or rumour). [french, = noise]

Brunch n. Combined breakfast and lunch. [portmanteau word]

Brunette n. Woman with dark brown hair. [french diminutive]

Brunt n. Chief impact of an attack, task, etc. (esp. Bear the brunt of). [origin unknown]

Brush —n. 1 implement with bristles, hair, wire, etc. Set into a block, for cleaning, painting, arranging the hair, etc. 2 act of brushing. 3 (usu. Foll. By with) short esp. Unpleasant encounter. 4 fox's bushy tail. 5 piece of carbon or metal as an electrical contact esp. With a moving part. 6 = *brushwood 2. —v. 1 sweep, scrub, treat, or tidy with a brush. 2 remove or apply with a brush. 3 graze in passing. brush aside dismiss curtly or lightly. Brush off dismiss abruptly. Brush up 1 clean up or smarten. 2 revise (a subject). [french]

Brush-off n. Abrupt dismissal.

Brush-up n. Act of brushing up.

Brushwood n. 1 undergrowth, thicket. 2 cut or broken twigs etc.

Brushwork n. 1 use of the brush in painting. 2 painter's style in this.

Brusque adj. Abrupt or offhand. brusquely adv. Brusqueness n. [italian brusco sour]

Brussels sprout n. 1 brassica with small cabbage-like buds on a stem. 2 such a bud. [brussels in belgium]

Brutal adj. 1 savagely cruel. 2 harsh, merciless. brutality n. (pl. -ies). Brutally adv. [french: related to *brute]

Brutalize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) 1 make brutal. 2 treat brutally.

Brute —n. 1 a brutal or violent person. B colloq. Unpleasant person or difficult thing. 2 animal. —attrib. Adj. 1 unthinking (brute force). 2 cruel; stupid; sensual. brutish adj. Brutishly adv. Brutishness n. [latin brutus stupid]

Bryony n. (pl. -ies) climbing plant with red berries. [latin from greek]

Bs abbr. 1 bachelor of surgery. 2 british standard(s).

B.sc. Abbr. Bachelor of science.

Bse abbr. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a usu. Fatal cattle disease.

Bsi abbr. British standards institution.

Bst abbr. 1 british summer time. 2 bovine somatotrophin, a growth hormone added to cattle-feed to boost milk production.

Bt abbr. British telecom.

Bt. Abbr. Baronet.

B.th.u. Abbr. (also b.t.u., btu, b.th.u.) British thermal unit(s).

Bubble —n. 1 a thin sphere of liquid enclosing air etc. B air-filled cavity in a liquid or solidified liquid. 2 transparent domed canopy. 3 visionary or unrealistic project. —v. (-ling) 1 rise in or send up bubbles. 2 make the sound of boiling. bubble over (often foll. By with) be exuberant. [imitative] Bubble and squeak n. Cooked cabbage etc. Fried with cooked potatoes.

Bubble bath n. Foaming preparation for adding to bath water.

Bubble car n. Small domed car.

Bubble gum n. Chewing-gum that can be blown into bubbles.

Bubbly —adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 having or like bubbles. 2 exuberant. —n. Colloq. Champagne.

Bubo n. (pl. -es) inflamed swelling in the armpit or groin. [greek boubon groin]

Bubonic plague n. Contagious disease with buboes.

Buccaneer n. 1 pirate. 2 unscrupulous adventurer. buccaneering n. & adj. [french]

Buck1 —n. 1 male deer, hare, rabbit, etc. 2 archaic dandy. 3 (attrib.) Slang male. —v. 1 (of a horse) jump upwards with its back arched. 2 (usu. Foll. By off) throw (a rider) in this way. 3 (usu. Foll. By up) colloq. A cheer up. B hurry up; make an effort. [old english]

Buck2 n. Us slang dollar. [origin unknown]

Buck3 n. Slang (in poker) article placed before the next dealer. pass the buck colloq. Shift responsibility (to another). [origin unknown]

Bucket —n. 1 a round open container with a handle, for carrying or drawing water etc. B amount contained in this. 2 (in pl.) Colloq. Large quantities, esp. Of rain or tears. 3 scoop in a water wheel, dredger, etc. —v. (-t-) colloq. 1 (often foll. By down) (esp. Of rain) pour heavily. 2 (often foll. By along) move or drive fast or bumpily. [anglo-french]

Bucket seat n. Seat with a rounded back for one person, esp. In a car.

Bucket-shop n. 1 unregistered broking agency. 2 colloq. Travel agency specializing in cheap air tickets.

Buckle —n. Clasp with a hinged pin for securing a belt, strap, etc. —v. (-ling) 1 (often foll. By up, on, etc.) Fasten with a buckle. 2 (often foll. By up) (cause to) crumple under pressure. buckle down make a determined effort. [latin buccula cheek-strap]

Buckler n. Hist. Small round shield.

Buckram n. Coarse linen etc. Stiffened with paste etc. [french boquerant]

Buck's fizz n. Cocktail of champagne and orange juice. [buck's club in london]

Buckshee adj. & adv. Slang free of charge. [corruption of *baksheesh]

Buckshot n. Coarse lead shot.

Buckskin n. 1 leather from a buck's skin. 2 thick smooth cotton or woollen cloth.

Buckthorn n. Thorny shrub with berries formerly used as a purgative.

Buck-tooth n. Upper projecting tooth.

Buckwheat n. Seed of a plant related to rhubarb, used to make flour, or as an alternative to rice. [dutch, = beech-wheat]

Bucolic —adj. Of shepherds; rustic, pastoral. —n. (usu. In pl.) Pastoral poem or poetry. [greek boukolos herdsman]

Bud —n. 1 a knoblike shoot from which a stem, leaf, or flower develops. B flower or leaf not fully open. 2 asexual outgrowth from an organism separating to form a new individual. —v. (-dd-) 1 form buds. 2 begin to grow or develop (budding artist). 3 graft a bud of (a plant) on to another. [origin unknown]

Buddha n. 1 title of the indian philosopher gautama (5th c. Bc) and his successors. 2 sculpture etc. Of buddha. [sanskrit, = enlightened]

Buddhism n. Asian religion or philosophy founded by gautama buddha. buddhist n. & adj.

Buddleia n. Shrub with fragrant flowers attractive to butterflies. [buddle, name of a botanist]

Buddy —n. (pl. -ies) esp. Us colloq. Friend or mate. [perhaps from *brother]

Budge v. (-ging) (usu. With neg.) 1 move slightly. 2 (cause to) change an opinion. budge up (or over) make room for another person by moving. [french bouger]

Budgerigar n. Small parrot, often kept as a cage-bird. [aboriginal] Budget —n. 1 amount of money needed or available. 2 a (the budget) government's annual estimate or plan of revenue and expenditure. B similar estimate by a company etc. 3 (attrib.) Inexpensive. —v. (-t-) (often foll. By for) allow or arrange for in a budget. budgetary adj. [latin bulga bag]

Budgie n. Colloq. = *budgerigar. [abbreviation]

Buff —adj. Of a yellowish beige colour (buff envelope). —n. 1 this colour. 2 (in comb.) Colloq. Enthusiast (railway buff). 3 velvety dull-yellow ox-leather. —v. 1 polish (metal etc.). 2 make (leather) velvety. in the buff colloq. Naked. [originally = buffalo, from french buffle]

Buffalo n. (pl. Same or -es) 1 wild ox of africa or asia. 2 n. American bison. [greek boubalos ox]

Buffer1 n. 1 thing that deadens impact, esp. A device on a train or at the end of a track. 2 substance that maintains the constant acidity of a solution. 3 computing temporary memory area or queue for data. [imitative]

Buffer2 n. Slang silly or incompetent old man. [perhaps from *buffer1]

Buffer state n. Small state between two larger ones, regarded as reducing friction.

Buffet1 n. 1 room or counter where refreshments are sold. 2 self-service meal of several dishes set out at once. 3 also sideboard or recessed cupboard. [french, = stool]

Buffet2 —v. (-t-) 1 strike repeatedly. 2 contend with (waves etc.). —n. 1 blow, esp. Of the hand. 2 shock. [french diminutive of bufe blow]

Buffet car n. Railway coach serving refreshments.

Buffoon n. Clownish or stupid person. buffoonery n. [latin buffo clown]

Bug —n. 1 a any of various insects with mouthparts modified for piercing and sucking. B esp. Us small insect. 2 slang virus; infection. 3 slang concealed microphone. 4 slang error in a computer program or system etc. 5 slang obsession, enthusiasm, etc. —v. (-gg-) 1 slang conceal a microphone in. 2 slang annoy. [origin unknown]

Bugbear n. 1 cause of annoyance. 2 object of baseless fear. [bug = bogey]

Bugger coarse slang (except in sense 2 of n. And 3 of v.) —n. 1 a unpleasant or awkward person or thing. B person of a specified kind (clever bugger!). 2 person who commits buggery. —v. 1 as an exclamation of annoyance (bugger it!). 2 (often foll. By up) a ruin; spoil. B exhaust. 3 commit buggery with. —int. Expressing annoyance. bugger-all nothing. Bugger about (or around) (often foll. By with) mess about. Bugger off (often in imper.) Go away. [latin bulgarus bulgarian heretic]

Buggery n. 1 anal intercourse. 2 = *bestiality 2.

Buggy n. (pl. -ies) 1 small, sturdy, esp. Open, motor vehicle. 2 lightweight push-chair. 3 light, horse-drawn vehicle for one or two people. [origin unknown]

Bugle —n. Brass military instrument like a small trumpet. —v. (-ling) 1 sound a bugle. 2 sound (a call etc.) On a bugle. bugler n. [latin buculus young bull]

Bugloss n. Plant with bright blue tubular flowers, related to borage. [french buglosse from greek, = ox-tongued]

Build —v. (past and past part. Built) 1 construct or cause to be constructed. 2 a (often foll. By up) establish or develop (built the business up). B (often foll. By on) base (hopes, theories, etc.). 3 (as built adj.) Of specified build (sturdily built). —n. 1 physical proportions (slim build). 2 style of construction; make. build in incorporate. Build on add (an extension etc.). Build up 1 increase in size or strength. 2 praise; boost. 3 gradually become established. [old english]

Builder n. Person who builds, esp. A building contractor.

Building n. 1 permanent fixed structure e.g. A house, factory, or stable. 2 constructing of these.

Building society n. Public finance company paying interest to investors and lending capital for mortgages etc.

Build-up n. 1 favourable advance publicity. 2 gradual approach to a climax. 3 accumulation or increase.

Built past and past part. Of *build.

Built-in adj. Integral. Built-up adj. 1 (of a locality) densely developed. 2 increased in height etc. By addition. 3 made of prefabricated parts.

Bulb n. 1 a globular base of the stem of some plants, sending roots downwards and leaves upwards. B plant grown from this, e.g. A daffodil. 2 = *light-bulb. 3 object or part shaped like a bulb. [latin bulbus from greek, = onion]

Bulbous adj. Bulb-shaped; fat or bulging.

Bulge —n. 1 irregular swelling. 2 colloq. Temporary increase (baby bulge). —v. (-ging) swell outwards. bulgy adj. [latin bulga bag]

Bulimia n. (in full bulimia nervosa) disorder in which overeating alternates with self-induced vomiting, fasting, etc. [greek bous ox, limos hunger]

Bulk —n. 1 a size; magnitude (esp. Large). B large mass, body, etc. C large quantity. 2 (treated as pl. & usu. Prec. By the) greater part or number (the bulk of the applicants are women). 3 roughage. —v. 1 seem (in size or importance) (bulks large). 2 make (a book etc.) Thicker etc. in bulk in large quantities. [old norse]

Bulk buying n. Buying in quantity at a discount.

Bulkhead n. Upright partition in a ship, aircraft, etc.

Bulky adj. (-ier, -iest) awkwardly large. bulkiness n.

Bull1 n. 1 a uncastrated male bovine animal. B male of the whale, elephant, etc. 2 (the bull) zodiacal sign or constellation taurus. 3 bull's-eye of a target. 4 person who buys shares hoping to sell them at a profit. take the bull by the horns face danger or a challenge boldly. bullish adj. [old norse]

Bull2 n. Papal edict. [latin bulla seal]

Bull3 n. 1 slang a nonsense. B unnecessary routine tasks. 2 absurdly illogical statement. [origin unknown]

Bulldog n. 1 short-haired heavy-jowled sturdy dog. 2 tenacious and courageous person.

Bulldog clip n. Strong sprung clip for papers.

Bulldoze v. (-zing) 1 clear with a bulldozer. 2 colloq. A intimidate. B make (one's way) forcibly.

Bulldozer n. Powerful tractor with a broad vertical blade at the front for clearing ground.

Bullet n. Small pointed missile fired from a rifle, revolver, etc. [french diminutive of boule ball]

Bulletin n. 1 short official news report. 2 society's regular list of information etc. [italian diminutive: related to *bull2]

Bulletproof adj. Designed to protect from bullets.

Bullfight n. Public baiting, and usu. Killing, of bulls. bullfighter n. Bullfighting n.

Bullfinch n. Pink and black finch.

Bullfrog n. Large n. American frog with a booming croak.

Bull-headed n. Obstinate, blundering.

Bullion n. Gold or silver in bulk before coining, or valued by weight. [french: related to *boil1]

Bullock n. Castrated male of domestic cattle. [old english diminutive of *bull1]

Bullring n. Arena for bullfights.

Bull's-eye n. 1 centre of a target. 2 hard minty sweet. 3 hemispherical ship's window. 4 small circular window. 5 a hemispherical lens. B lantern with this. 6 boss of glass in a blown glass sheet.

Bullshit coarse slang —n. (often as int.) Nonsense; pretended knowledge. —v. (-tt-) talk nonsense or as if one has specialist knowledge (to). bullshitter n. [from *bull3]

Bull-terrier n. Cross between a bulldog and a terrier.

Bully1 —n. (pl. -ies) person coercing others by fear. —v. (-ies, -ied) persecute or oppress by force or threats. —int. (foll. By for) often iron. Expressing approval (bully for you). [dutch]

Bully2 (in full bully off) —n. (pl. -ies) start of play in hockey in which two opponents strike each other's sticks three times and then go for the ball. —v. (-ies, -ied) start play in this way. [origin unknown]

Bully3 n. (in full bully beef) corned beef. [french: related to *boil1]

Bulrush n. 1 a kind of tall rush. 2 bibl. Papyrus. [perhaps from *bull1 = coarse + *rush2]

Bulwark n. 1 defensive wall, esp. Of earth. 2 protecting person or thing. 3 (usu. In pl.) Ship's side above deck. [low german or dutch]

Bum1 n. Slang buttocks. [origin uncertain] Bum2 us slang —n. Loafer or tramp; dissolute person. —v. (-mm-) 1 (often foll. By around) loaf or wander around. 2 cadge. —attrib. Adj. Of poor quality. [german bummler loafer]

Bum-bag n. Slang small pouch worn on a belt round the waist or hips.

Bumble v. (-ling) 1 (foll. By on) speak in a rambling way. 2 (often as bumbling adj.) Be inept; blunder. [from *boom1]

Bumble-bee n. Large bee with a loud hum.

Bumf n. Colloq. Usu. Derog. Papers, documents. [abbreviation of bum-fodder = toilet-paper]

Bump —n. 1 dull-sounding blow or collision. 2 swelling or dent so caused. 3 uneven patch on a road etc. 4 prominence on the skull thought to indicate a mental faculty. —v. 1 a hit or come against with a bump. B (often foll. By against, into) collide. 2 (often foll. By against, on) hurt or damage by striking (bumped my head, the car). 3 (usu. Foll. By along) move along with jolts. —adv. With a bump; suddenly; violently. bump into colloq. Meet by chance. Bump off slang murder. Bump up colloq. Increase (prices etc.). bumpy adj. (-ier, -iest). [imitative]

Bumper n. 1 horizontal bar at the front or back of a motor vehicle, reducing damage in a collision. 2 (usu. Attrib.) Unusually large or fine example (bumper crop). 3 cricket ball rising high after pitching. 4 brim-full glass.

Bumper car n. = *dodgem.

Bumpkin n. Rustic or socially inept person. [dutch]

Bumptious adj. Offensively self-assertive or conceited. [from *bump, after fractious]

Bun n. 1 small sweet bread roll or cake, often with dried fruit. 2 hair coiled and pinned to the head. [origin unknown]

Bunch —n. 1 things gathered together. 2 collection; lot (best of the bunch). 3 colloq. Group; gang. —v. 1 make into a bunch; gather into close folds. 2 form into a group or crowd. [origin unknown]

Bundle —n. 1 things tied or fastened together. 2 set of nerve fibres etc. 3 slang large amount of money. —v. (-ling) 1 (usu. Foll. By up) tie or make into a bundle. 2 (usu. Foll. By into) throw or move carelessly. 3 (usu. Foll. By out, off, away, etc.) Send away hurriedly. be a bundle of nerves (or fun etc.) Be extremely nervous (or amusing etc.). Go a bundle on slang admire; like. [low german or dutch]

Bun fight n. Slang tea party.

Bung —n. Stopper, esp. For a cask. —v. 1 stop with a bung. 2 slang throw. bunged up blocked up. [dutch]

Bungalow n. One-storeyed house. [gujarati, = of bengal]

Bungee n. (in full bungee cord, rope) elasticated cord or rope used for securing baggage or in bungee jumping.

Bungee jumping n. Sport of jumping from a height while secured by a bungee from the ankles or a harness.

Bungle —v. (-ling) 1 mismanage or fail at (a task). 2 work badly or clumsily. —n. Bungled attempt or work. [imitative]

Bunion n. Swelling on the foot, esp. On the big toe. [french]

Bunk1 n. Shelflike bed against a wall, esp. In a ship. [origin unknown]

Bunk2 slang —v. (often foll. By off) play truant (from). —n. (in do a bunk) leave or abscond hurriedly. [origin unknown]

Bunk3 n. Slang nonsense, humbug. [shortening of *bunkum]

Bunk-bed n. Each of two or more tiered beds forming a unit.

Bunker n. 1 container for fuel. 2 reinforced underground shelter. 3 sandy hollow in a golf-course. [origin unknown]

Bunkum n. Nonsense, humbug. [buncombe in us]

Bunny n. (pl. -ies) 1 child's name for a rabbit. 2 (in full bunny girl) club hostess, waitress, etc., wearing rabbit ears and tail. [dial. Bun rabbit]

Bunsen burner n. Small adjustable gas burner used in a laboratory. [bunsen, name of a chemist]

Bunting1 n. Small bird related to the finches. [origin unknown]

Bunting2 n. 1 flags and other decorations. 2 loosely-woven fabric for these. [origin unknown] Bunting2 n. 1 flags and other decorations. 2 loosely-woven fabric for these. [origin unknown]

Buoy —n. 1 anchored float as a navigation mark etc. 2 lifebuoy. —v. 1 (usu. Foll. By up) a keep afloat. B encourage, uplift. 2 (often foll. By out) mark with a buoy. [dutch, perhaps from latin boia collar]

Buoyant adj. 1 able or apt to keep afloat. 2 resilient; exuberant. buoyancy n. [french or spanish: related to *buoy]

Bupa abbr. British united provident association, a private health insurance organization.

Bur n. 1 a prickly clinging seed-case or flower-head. B any plant having these. 2 clinging person. 3 var. Of *burr n. 2. [scandinavian]

Burble v. 1 talk ramblingly. 2 make a bubbling sound. [imitative]

Burbot n. (pl. Same) eel-like freshwater fish. [french]

Burden —n. 1 load, esp. A heavy one. 2 oppressive duty, expense, emotion, etc. 3 bearing of loads (beast of burden). 4 a refrain of a song. B chief theme of a speech, book, etc. —v. Load with a burden; oppress. burdensome adj. [old english: related to *birth]

Burden of proof n. Obligation to prove one's case.

Burdock n. Plant with prickly flowers and docklike leaves. [from *bur, *dock3]

Bureau n. (pl. -x or -s) 1 a desk with drawers and usu. An angled hinged top. B us chest of drawers. 2 a office or department for specific business. B government department. [french, originally = baize]

Bureaucracy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a government by central administration. B state etc. So governed. 2 government officials, esp. Regarded as oppressive and inflexible. 3 conduct typical of these.

Bureaucrat n. 1 official in a bureaucracy. 2 inflexible administrator. bureaucratic adj. Bureaucratically adv.

Buret n. (brit. Burette) graduated glass tube with an end-tap for measuring liquid in chemical analysis. [french]

Burette n. (us buret) graduated glass tube with an end-tap for measuring liquid in chemical analysis. [french]

Burgeon v. Literary grow rapidly; flourish. [latin burra wool]

Burger n. Colloq. Hamburger. [abbreviation]

Burgher n. Citizen of a continental town. [german or dutch]

Burglar n. Person who commits burglary. [anglo-french]

Burglary n. (pl. -ies) 1 illegal entry with intent to commit theft, do bodily harm, or do damage. 2 instance of this.

Usage before 1968 in english law, burglary was a crime under statute and common law; since 1968 it has been a statutory crime only; cf. *housebreaking.

Burgle v. (-ling) commit burglary (on).

Burgomaster n. Mayor of a dutch or flemish town. [dutch]

Burgundy n. (pl. -ies) 1 (also burgundy) a red or white wine from burgundy in e. France. B hist. Similar wine from elsewhere. 2 dark red colour of this.

Burial n. 1 a burying of a corpse. B funeral. 2 archaeol. Grave or its remains.

Burin n. 1 tool for engraving copper or wood. 2 archaeol. Chisel-pointed flint tool. [french]

Burk var. Of *berk.

Burlesque —n. 1 a comic imitation, parody. B this as a genre. 2 us variety show, esp. With striptease. —adj. Of or using burlesque. —v. (-ques, -qued, -quing) parody. [italian burla mockery]

Burly adj. (-ier, -iest) large and sturdy. [old english]

Burn1 —v. (past and past part. Burnt or burned) 1 (cause to) be consumed or destroyed by fire. 2 blaze or glow with fire. 3 (cause to) be injured or damaged by fire, heat, radiation, acid, etc. 4 use or be used as fuel etc. 5 char in cooking. 6 produce (a hole, mark, etc.) By fire or heat. 7 a heat (clay, chalk, etc.). B harden (bricks) by fire. 8 colour, tan, or parch with heat or light. 9 (be) put to death by fire. 10 cauterize, brand. 11 make, be, or feel hot, esp. Painfully. 12 (often foll. By with) (cause to) feel great emotion or passion (burn with shame). 13 slang drive fast. —n. Mark or injury caused by burning. burn one's boats (or bridges) commit oneself irrevocably. Burn the candle at both ends work etc. Excessively. Burn2 n. Scot. Brook. [old english]

Burner n. Part of a gas cooker, lamp, etc. That emits the flame.

Burning adj. 1 ardent, intense. 2 hotly discussed, vital, urgent.

Burning-glass n. Lens for concentrating the sun's rays to produce a flame.

Burnish v. Polish by rubbing. [french brunir from brun brown]

Burnous n. Arab or moorish hooded cloak. [arabic from greek]

Burn-out n. Exhaustion. burnt-out adj.

Burnt see *burn1.

Burnt ochre n. (also burnt sienna or umber) pigment darkened by burning.

Burnt offering n. Offering burnt on an altar as a sacrifice.

Burp colloq. —v. 1 belch. 2 make (a baby) belch. —n. Belch. [imitative]

Burr —n. 1 a whirring sound. B rough sounding of the letter r. 2 (also bur) a rough edge on metal or paper. B surgeon's or dentist's small drill. 3 var. Of *bur 1, 2. —v. Make a burr. [imitative]

Burrow —n. Hole or tunnel dug by a rabbit etc. As a dwelling or shelter. —v. 1 make a burrow. 2 make (a hole, one's way, etc.) (as) by digging. 3 (foll. By into) investigate, search. [apparently var. Of *borough]

Bursar n. 1 treasurer, esp. Of a college. 2 holder of a bursary. [medieval latin bursarius from bursa purse]

Bursary n. (pl. -ies) grant, esp. A scholarship. [medieval latin: related to *bursar]

Burst —v. (past and past part. Burst) 1 (cause to) break violently apart; open forcibly from within. 2 a (usu. Foll. By in, out) make one's way suddenly or by force. B break away from or through (river burst its banks). 3 be full to overflowing. 4 appear or come suddenly (burst into flame). 5 (foll. By into) suddenly begin to shed (tears) or utter. 6 seem about to burst from effort, excitement, etc. —n. 1 act of bursting. 2 sudden issue or outbreak (burst of flame; burst of applause). 3 sudden effort, spurt. burst out 1 suddenly begin (burst out laughing). 2 exclaim. [old english]

Burton n. go for a burton slang be lost, destroyed, or killed. [origin uncertain]

Bury v. (-ies, -ied) 1 place (a corpse) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea. 2 lose by death (buried two sons). 3 a put or hide under ground. B cover up; conceal. 4 consign to obscurity; forget. 5 (refl. Or passive) involve deeply (buried in a book). bury the hatchet cease to quarrel. [old english]

Bus —n. (pl. Buses or us busses) 1 large esp. Public passenger vehicle, usu. Travelling a fixed route. 2 colloq. Car, aeroplane, etc. —v. (buses or busses, bussed, bussing) 1 go by bus. 2 us transport by bus, esp. To aid racial integration. [abbreviation of *omnibus]

Busby n. (pl. -ies) tall fur hat worn by hussars etc. [origin unknown]

Bush1 n. 1 shrub or clump of shrubs. 2 thing like a bush, esp. A clump of hair. 3 (esp. In australia and africa) uncultivated area; woodland or forest. [old english and old norse] Bush2 —n. 1 metal lining for a hole enclosing a revolving shaft etc. 2 sleeve giving electrical insulation. —v. Fit with a bush. [dutch busse box]

Bush-baby n. (pl. -ies) small african lemur.

Bushed adj. Colloq. Tired out.

Bushel n. Measure of capacity for corn, fruit, etc. (8 gallons or 36.4 litres). [french]

Bushfire n. Forest or scrub fire often spreading widely.

Bushman n. 1 traveller or dweller in the australian bush. 2 (bushman) member or language of a s.african aboriginal people.

Bush telegraph n. Rapid spreading of information, rumour, etc.

Bushy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 growing thickly like a bush. 2 having many bushes.

Business n. 1 one's regular occupation or profession. 2 one's own concern. 3 task or duty. 4 serious work or activity. 5 (difficult or unpleasant) matter or affair. 6 thing(s) needing attention or discussion. 7 buying and selling; trade. 8 commercial firm. mind one's own business not meddle. [old english: related to *busy]

Businesslike adj. Efficient, systematic.

Businessman n. (fem. Businesswoman) man or woman engaged in trade or commerce.

Business park n. Area designed for commerce and light industry.

Business person n. Businessman or businesswoman.

Busk v. Perform esp. Music in the street etc. For tips. busker n. [obsolete busk peddle]

Bus lane n. Part of a road mainly for use by buses.

Busman n. Bus driver.

Busman's holiday n. Holiday spent in an activity similar to one's regular work.

Bus shelter n. Shelter beside a bus-stop.

Bus station n. Centre where buses depart and arrive.

Bus-stop n. 1 regular stopping-place of a bus. 2 sign marking this.

Bust1 n. 1 human chest, esp. Of a woman; bosom. 2 sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and chest. busty adj. (-ier, -iest). [french from italian]

Bust2 —v. (past and past part. Busted or bust) colloq. 1 break, burst. 2 a raid, search. B arrest. —adj. (also busted) 1 broken, burst. 2 bankrupt. bust up 1 collapse. 2 (esp. Of a married couple) separate. [var. Of *burst]

Bustard n. Large land bird that can run very fast. [latin avis tarda slow bird (‘slow’ unexplained)]

Buster n. Esp. Us slang mate; fellow. [from *bust2]

Bustier n. Strapless close-fitting bodice. [french]

Bustle1 —v. (-ling) 1 (often foll. By about) (cause to) move busily and energetically. 2 (as bustling adj.) Active, lively. —n. Excited or energetic activity. [perhaps from obsolete busk prepare]

Bustle2 n. Hist. Padding worn under a skirt to puff it out behind. [origin unknown]

Bust-up n. 1 quarrel. 2 collapse.

Busy —adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 occupied or engaged in work etc. 2 full of activity; fussy (busy evening, street; busy design). 3 esp. Us (of a telephone line) engaged. —v. (-ies, -ied) (often refl.) Keep busy; occupy. busily adv. [old english]

Busybody n. (pl. -ies) meddlesome person.

Busy lizzie n. Plant with abundant esp. Red, pink, or white flowers.

But —conj. 1 a nevertheless, however (tried but failed). B on the other hand; on the contrary (i am old but you are young). 2 except, otherwise than (cannot choose but do it; what could we do but run?). 3 without the result that (it never rains but it pours). —prep. Except; apart from; other than (all cried but me; nothing but trouble). —adv. 1 only; no more than; only just (we can but try; is but a child; had but arrived). 2 in emphatic repetition; definitely (would see nobody, but nobody). —rel. Pron. Who not; that not (not a man but feels pity). —n. Objection (ifs and buts). but for without the help or hindrance etc. Of (but for you i'd be rich). But one (or two etc.) Excluding one (or two etc.) From the number (next door but one; last but one). But then however (i won, but then i am older). [old english] Butane n. Gaseous alkane hydrocarbon, used in liquefied form as fuel. [from *butyl]

Butch adj. Slang masculine; tough-looking. [origin uncertain]

Butcher —n. 1 a person who deals in meat. B slaughterer. 2 brutal murderer. —v. 1 slaughter or cut up (an animal) for food. 2 kill wantonly or cruelly. 3 colloq. Ruin through incompetence. [french boc *buck1]

Butchery n. (pl. -ies) 1 needless or cruel slaughter (of people). 2 butcher's trade.

Butler n. Principal manservant of a household. [french bouteille bottle]

Butt1 —v. 1 push or strike with the head or horns. 2 (cause to) meet edge to edge. —n. 1 push with the head. 2 join of two edges. butt in interrupt, meddle. [french from germanic]

Butt2 n. 1 (often foll. By of) object of ridicule etc. 2 a mound behind a target. B (in pl.) Shooting-range. [french but goal]

Butt3 n. 1 thicker end, esp. Of a tool or weapon. 2 stub of a cigarette etc. 3 esp. Us slang buttocks. [dutch]

Butt4 n. Cask. [latin buttis]

Butter —n. 1 solidified churned cream, used as a spread and in cooking. 2 substance of similar texture (peanut butter). —v. Spread, cook, or serve with butter. butter up colloq. Flatter. [greek bouturon]

Butter-bean n. 1 flat, dried, white lima bean. 2 yellow-podded bean.

Butter-cream n. Mixture of butter, icing sugar, etc., as a filling etc. For a cake.

Buttercup n. Wild plant with yellow cup-shaped flowers.

Butterfat n. Essential fats of pure butter.

Butter-fingers n. Colloq. Person prone to drop things.

Butterfly n. (pl. -flies) 1 insect with four usu. Brightly coloured wings. 2 (in pl.) Colloq. Nervous sensation in the stomach.

Butterfly nut n. A kind of wing-nut.

Butterfly stroke n. Stroke in swimming, with arms raised and lifted forwards together.

Butter-icing n. = *butter-cream.

Buttermilk n. Liquid left after churning butter.

Butter muslin n. Thin loosely-woven cloth, orig. For wrapping butter.

Butterscotch n. Brittle toffee made from butter, brown sugar, etc.

Buttery1 n. (pl. -ies) food store, esp. In a college; snack-bar etc. [related to *butt4]

Buttery2 adj. Like or containing butter.

Buttock n. 1 each of the two fleshy protuberances at the rear of the human trunk. 2 corresponding part of an animal. [butt ridge]

Button —n. 1 small disc etc. Sewn to a garment as a fastener or worn as an ornament. 2 small round knob etc. Pressed to operate electronic equipment. —v. = button up 1. button up 1 fasten with buttons. 2 colloq. Complete satisfactorily. 3 colloq. Be silent. [french from germanic]

Buttonhole —n. 1 slit in cloth for a button. 2 flower etc. Worn in a lapel buttonhole. —v. (-ling) colloq. Accost and detain (a reluctant listener).

Button mushroom n. Young unopened mushroom.

Buttress —n. 1 projecting support built against a wall. 2 source of help etc. —v. (often foll. By up) 1 support with a buttress. 2 support by argument etc. (buttressed by facts). [related to *butt1]

Butty n. (pl. -ies) n.engl. Sandwich. [from *butter]

Butyl n. The univalent alkyl radical c4h9. [latin butyrum *butter] Buxom adj. (esp. Of a woman) plump and rosy; busty. [earlier = pliant: related to *bow2]

Buy —v. (buys, buying; past and past part. Bought) 1 a obtain for money etc. B serve to obtain (money can't buy happiness; the best that money can buy). 2 a procure by bribery etc. B bribe. 3 get by sacrifice etc. 4 slang believe in, accept. 5 be a buyer for a store etc. —n. Colloq. Purchase. buy in buy a stock of. Buy into pay for a share in (an enterprise). Buy off pay to get rid of. Buy oneself out obtain one's release (esp. From the armed services) by payment. Buy out pay (a person) for ownership, an interest, etc. Buy up 1 buy as much as possible of. 2 absorb (a firm etc.) By purchase. [old english]

Buyer n. 1 person employed to purchase stock for a large store etc. 2 purchaser, customer.

Buyer's market n. (also buyers' market) trading conditions favourable to buyers.

Buyout n. Purchase of a controlling share in a company etc.

Buzz —n. 1 hum of a bee etc. 2 sound of a buzzer. 3 a low murmur as of conversation. B stir; hurried activity (buzz of excitement). 4 slang telephone call. 5 slang thrill. —v. 1 hum. 2 a summon with a buzzer. B slang telephone. 3 a (often foll. By about) move busily. B (of a place) appear busy or full of excitement. buzz off slang go or hurry away. [imitative]

Buzzard n. Large bird of the hawk family. [latin buteo falcon]

Buzzer n. Electrical buzzing device as a signal.

heheh butt

#what a silly word #anon #long post #dic anon

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