Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 14

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Page 14 of 179

Belamour

Belamour, bel′a-mōōr, n. (Spens.) a gallant: a fair lady: a kind of flower. [Fr. bel amour, fair love.]

English · e-37683-2583 · brief source record

Belamy

Belamy, bel′a-mi, n. (Spens.) a good or intimate friend. [Fr. bel ami, fair friend.]

English · e-37683-2584 · brief source record

Belate

Belate, be-lāt′, v.t. to make late: to retard:—pr.p. belāt′ing; pa.p. belāt′ed.—p.adj. Belāt′ed, made too late: out of date: benighted.—n. Belāt′edness.

English · e-37683-2585

Belaud

Belaud, be-lawd′, v.t. to laud or praise highly.

English · e-37683-2586 · brief source record

Belay

Belay, be-lā′, v.t. (naut.) to fasten a running rope by coiling it round a cleat or Belay′ing-pin: to make fast: (Spens.) to lay ornament round anything.—Belay there (naut. slang), hold! that is enough. [A.S. belecgan; G

English · e-37683-2587

Belch

Belch, belch, belsh, v.t. to void wind from the stomach by the mouth: to eject violently: to cast up, as of the smoke from a volcano or a cannon.—n. eructation. [A.S. bealcian; Dut. balken.]

English · e-37683-2588

Belcher

Belcher, bel′sher, n. a neckerchief with dark-blue ground, mottled with white spots, each having a dark-blue spot in the centre. [From Jim Belcher, a famous English boxer.]

English · e-37683-2589

Beldam

Beldam, Beldame, bel′dam, n. an old woman, esp. an ugly one: a hag, a furious woman: (obs.) a grandmother. [Formed from dam, mother, and bel-, expressing relationship. Cf. belsire.]

English · e-37683-2590

Beleaguer

Beleaguer, be-lēg′ėr, v.t. to lay siege to.—n. Beleag′uerment. [Dut. belegeren, to besiege—be, and leger, camp. See Leaguer.]

English · e-37683-2591

Belee

Belee, be-lē′, v.t. (Shak.) to place on the lee-side of.

English · e-37683-2592 · brief source record

Belemnite

Belemnite, bel′em-nīt, n. a fossil pointed like a dart, being the internal shell of a genus of cephalopods, formerly known as Thunder-bolt, Thunder-stone, Elf-bolt. [Gr. belemnitēs—belemnon, a dart.]

English · e-37683-2593

Belfry

Belfry, bel′fri, n. the part of a steeple or tower in which bells are hung: a bell-tower, sometimes standing apart: a movable wooden tower, used in the Middle Ages in attacking a fortification.—adj. Bel′fried, having a b

English · e-37683-2594

Belgard

Belgard, bel-gärd′, n. (Spens.) fair or kind looks. [It. bel guardo, lovely look.]

English · e-37683-2595 · brief source record

Belgian

Belgian, bel′ji-an, adj. belonging to Belgium, a country of Europe.—n. a native of Belgium.

English · e-37683-2596 · brief source record

Belgic

Belgic, bel′jik, adj. pertaining to the Belgæ who anciently possessed Belgium, or to Belgium. [L. Belgicus—Belgæ, the Belgians.]

English · e-37683-2597

Belgravian

Belgravian, bel-grā′vi-an, adj. belonging to Belgravia (a fashionable part of London), or to fashionable life: aristocratic.

English · e-37683-2598

Belial

Belial, bēl′yal, n. a name for the devil, and, in Milton, for one of the fallen angels. Not a proper name in Old Test. [Heb. b’li-ya‛al, b’li, without ya‛al, usefulness.]

English · e-37683-2599

Belie

Belie, be-lī′, v.t. to give the lie to: to speak falsely of: to present in a false character: to counterfeit: to be false to: falsify: (Shak.) to fill with lies:—pr.p. bely′ing; pa.p. belīed′. [A.S. be, and Lie.]

English · e-37683-2600

Believe

Believe, be-lēv′, v.t. to regard as true: to trust in.—v.i. to be firmly persuaded of anything: to exercise faith (with in, on): to think or suppose.—n. Belief′, persuasion of the truth of anything: faith: the opinion or

English · e-37683-2601

Belike

Belike, be-līk′, adv. probably: perhaps. [A.S. pfx. be-, and Like.]

English · e-37683-2602 · brief source record

Belittle

Belittle, be-lit′l, v.t. to make small: to cause to appear small, to depreciate or disparage.—n. Belit′tlement.—adj. Belit′tling. [Pfx. be-, and Little.]

English · e-37683-2603

Belive

Belive, be-līv′, adv. (Scot.) with speed: soon, erelong. [M. E. bi life; be, bí, by, life, dat. of līf, life.]

English · e-37683-2604 · brief source record

Bell

Bell, bel, n. a hollow vessel of metal, which gives forth a ringing sound when struck by the tongue or clapper suspended inside—as in church-bell, hand-bell, alarm-bell, night-bell, marriage-bell, &c.: a corolla shaped l

English · e-37683-2605

Bell

Bell, bel, n. a bubble formed in a liquid. [Ety. dub.; cf. Dut. bel, a bubble in water, perh. from L. bulla, bubble in water.]

English · e-37683-2606

Bell

Bell, bel, v.i. to bellow, roar: to utter loudly.—n. the cry of a stag at rutting-time. [A.S. bellan, to roar; cf. Ger. bellen.]

English · e-37683-2607

Belladonna

Belladonna, bel′la-don-na, n. the deadly nightshade or dwale, all parts of which are narcotic and poisonous from the presence therein of the alkaloid atropia: the drug prepared from the foregoing. [It. bella donna, fair

English · e-37683-2608

Bellarmine

Bellarmine, bel′lar-mēn, n. a large stoneware drinking jug with a big belly and a narrow neck, decorated with a bearded face, originally that of Cardinal Bellarmine, made in mockery by the Dutch Protestants.

English · e-37683-2609

Belle

Belle, bel, n. a handsome woman: the chief beauty of a place: a fair lady generally. [Fr. belle—L. bella, bellus.]

English · e-37683-2610 · brief source record

Belles-lettres

Belles-lettres, bel-let′r, n.pl. polite or elegant literature, including poetry, fiction, criticism, æsthetics, &c.—ns. Bellet′rist, Bellet′trist.—adj. Belletris′tic. [Fr., lit. 'fine letters.']

English · e-37683-2611

Bellibone

Bellibone, bel′i-bōn, n. (Spens.) a beautiful and good woman.

English · e-37683-2612 · brief source record

Bellicose

Bellicose, bel′ik-ōs, adj. contentious, war-like.—adv. Bel′licosely.—n. Bellicos′ity. [L. bellicosus.]

English · e-37683-2613 · brief source record

Bellied

Bellied, bel′lid, p.adj. with a belly, esp. a big belly, pot-bellied: bulging: puffed out. [See Belly.]

English · e-37683-2614 · brief source record

Belligerent

Belligerent, bel-ij′ėr-ėnt, adj. carrying on regular war.—n. a party or person waging such.—n. Bellig′erency. [L. belligerant-em, belligerāre, to wage war.]

English · e-37683-2615

Bellona

Bellona, bel′lō-na, n. the Roman goddess of war—hence (fig.) a woman of great spirit and vigour.

English · e-37683-2616 · brief source record

Bellow

Bellow, bel′lō, v.i. to roar like a bull: to make any violent outcry, often with sense of contempt or ridicule: to shout aloud: to roar, as of cannon, the ocean, &c.—with objective, to give forth a loud sound.—n. the roa

English · e-37683-2617

Bellows

Bellows, bel′lōz, or bel′lus, n.pl. an instrument for producing a current of air so as to blow up a fire, either in a kitchen, a furnace, or a forge—or for producing the current of air by which the pipes and reeds of an

English · e-37683-2618

Belly

Belly, bel′li, n. the part of the body between the breast and the thighs, containing the bowels: the stomach, as the receptacle of the food: the bowels proper: the womb or uterus: the interior of anything: the bulging pa

English · e-37683-2619

Belomancy

Belomancy, bel′o-man-si, n. a kind of divination by means of arrows. [Gr. belos, a dart, manteia, divination.]

English · e-37683-2620 · brief source record

Belong

Belong, be-long′, v.i. to go along with: to pertain to: to be one's property: to be a part of, or appendage of, or in any way connected with: to be specially the business of: (U.S.) to be a native of, or have a residence

English · e-37683-2621

Beloved

Beloved, be-luvd′, or be-luv′ed, p.adj. much loved, very dear—often compounded with well-; best-, &c.—n. one who is much loved.—adj. Belov′ing (Shak.) = loving.

English · e-37683-2622

Below

Below, be-lō′, prep. beneath in place, rank, or quality: underneath: not worthy of.—adv. in a lower place: (fig.) on earth, or in hell, as opposed to heaven. [Pfx. be-, and adj. Low.]

English · e-37683-2623

Belt

Belt, belt, n. a girdle, zone, or band: such a piece, as of leather, worn by way of ornament, or given as a prize or badge of victory in wrestling or the like: a broad strip of anything, different in colour or material:

English · e-37683-2624

Beltane

Beltane, bel′tān, n. an ancient Celtic heathen festival, held in the beginning of May, when bonfires were lighted on the hills: the first day of May (O.S.)—one of the four old quarter-days of Scotland, the others being L

English · e-37683-2625

Beluga

Beluga, be-lōō′ga, n. the white whale, one of the dolphin family, closely allied to the narwhal, 12 to 16 feet long, of creamy-white colour, found in droves round Greenland and all over the Arctic seas: applied also to a

English · e-37683-2626

Belvedere

Belvedere, bel′ve-dēr, n. a pavilion or raised turret or lantern on the top of a house, open for the view, or to admit the cool evening breeze: a summer-house on an eminence in a park or garden. [It. belvedere; bel, beau

English · e-37683-2627

Bema

Bema, bē′ma, n. the tribune or rostrum from which Athenian orators made their speeches—hence the apse or chancel of a basilica. [Gr. bēma, a step.]

English · e-37683-2628

Bemad

Bemad, be-mad′, v.t. to madden.

English · e-37683-2629 · brief source record

Bemaul

Bemaul, be-mawl′, v.t. to maul thoroughly.

English · e-37683-2630 · brief source record

Bemazed

Bemazed, be-māzd′, p.adj. stupefied, bewildered.

English · e-37683-2631 · brief source record

Bembex

Bembex, bem′beks, n. a genus of solitary sand-wasps, with broad heads and very large eyes, noted for their making a loud buzz during their rapid flight. [Gr. bembix.]

English · e-37683-2632

Bemean

Bemean, be-mēn′, v.t. to make mean, to lower or debase: (obs.) to signify.

English · e-37683-2633 · brief source record

Bemire

Bemire, be-mīr′, v.t. to soil with mire.—p.adj. Bemired′.

English · e-37683-2634 · brief source record

Bemoan

Bemoan, be-mōn′, v.t. to lament: bewail: to pity.—v.i. to grieve.—ns. Bemoan′er; Bemoan′ing.

English · e-37683-2635 · brief source record

Bemock

Bemock, be-mok′, v.t. to mock at, to deride.

English · e-37683-2636 · brief source record

Bemoil

Bemoil, be-moil′, v.t. (Shak.) to bemire, to bedraggle.

English · e-37683-2637 · brief source record

Bemonster

Bemonster, be-mon′ster, v.t. to make monstrous: to regard or treat as a monster.

English · e-37683-2638 · brief source record

Bemouth

Bemouth, be-mowth′, v.i. to declaim, to overpraise.

English · e-37683-2639 · brief source record

Bemud

Bemud, be-mud′, v.t. to bespatter with mud: to confuse.

English · e-37683-2640 · brief source record

Bemuddle

Bemuddle, be-mud′l, v.t. to confuse or muddle completely.

English · e-37683-2641 · brief source record

Bemuffle

Bemuffle, be-muf′l, v.t. to wrap or muffle up completely.

English · e-37683-2642 · brief source record

Bemuse

Bemuse, be-mūz′, v.t. to put in confusion: stupefy.

English · e-37683-2643 · brief source record

Ben

Ben, ben, n. a mountain peak. [Gael. beann.]

English · e-37683-2644 · brief source record

Ben

Ben, ben, prep. and adv. in toward the inner apartment of a house.—n. the inner apartment of a house, as opposed to the But or kitchen through which one must generally pass first.—To be far ben with one, to be on terms o

English · e-37683-2645

Bench

Bench, bensh, n. a long seat or form with or without a back: a seat in a boat: a mechanic's work-table: a judge's seat: the body or assembly of judges: a tribunal: the dignity of holding an official seat, as the 'bench o

English · e-37683-2646

Bend

Bend, bend, v.t. to curve or bow: to make crooked: to turn or incline—mostly in passive, to be inclined to, towards, to be given to: to subdue: to direct to a certain point: to apply closely, to strain, to nerve one's se

English · e-37683-2647

Bend

Bend, bend, n. in leather, half a butt cut lengthwise.

English · e-37683-2648 · brief source record

Beneath

Beneath, be-nēth′, prep. under, or lower in place: inside of, behind: unworthy the dignity of, unbecoming. [A.S. bi-nathan.]

English · e-37683-2649

Benedicite

Benedicite, ben-ē-dis′i-te, n. the canticle beginning 'Benedicite omnia opera Domini' ('O all ye works of the Lord'), from the Apocryphal Song of the Three Holy Children—in the Anglican morning service an alternate to th

English · e-37683-2650

Benedict

Benedict, ben′e-dikt, n. a common name for a newly married man, esp. a bachelor who has long held out against marriage, but at last succumbed—from Benedick in Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing.—adj. blessed: benign.

English · e-37683-2651

Benedictine

Benedictine, ben-e-dik′tin, adj. pertaining to St Benedict or his monastic rule.—n. a Black Friar or monk of the order founded at Monte Cassino by St Benedict of Nursia (480-543), which became famous for its learning: a

English · e-37683-2652

Benediction

Benediction, ben-e-dik′shun, n. a solemn invocation of the divine blessing on men or things—a priestly benediction is defined by Romanists as a formula of imperative prayer which transmits a certain grace or virtue to th

English · e-37683-2653

Benefaction

Benefaction, ben-e-fak′shun, n. the act of doing good: a good deed done or benefit conferred: a grant or endowment.—n. Benefac′tor, one who gives a benefit to another, esp. one who leaves a legacy to some charitable or r

English · e-37683-2654

Benefice

Benefice, ben′e-fis, n. any kind of church promotion or dignity, esp. with cure of souls, such as rectories, vicarages, and other parochial cures, as distinguished from bishoprics, deaneries, cathedral preferments, &c.:

English · e-37683-2655

Beneficence

Beneficence, be-nef′i-sens, n. active goodness: kindness: charity: a beneficent gift.—n. Benefic′ency (obs.).—adjs. Benef′icent; Beneficen′tial.—adv. Benef′icently. [L. beneficentia.]

English · e-37683-2656

Beneficial

Beneficial, ben-e-fish′al, adj. useful; advantageous: (law) enjoying the usufruct of property.—adj. Benef′ic, of good influence astrologically: beneficent, kindly.—adv. Benefic′ially.—ns. Benefic′ialness; Benefic′iary, a

English · e-37683-2657

Benefit

Benefit, ben′e-fit, n. a kindness: a favour: any advantage, natural or other: a performance at a theatre, the proceeds of which go to one of the company.—v.t. to do good to.—v.i. to gain advantage (with from),—ns. Ben′ef

English · e-37683-2658

Benet

Benet, be-net′, v.t. to catch in a net, to ensnare.

English · e-37683-2659 · brief source record

Benet

Benet, ben′et, n. an exorcist, the third of the four lesser orders in the Roman Church. [Through Fr. from L. benedict-us, blessed.]

English · e-37683-2660

Benevolence

Benevolence, ben-ev′ol-ens, n. disposition to do good: an act of kindness: generosity: a gift of money, esp. for support of the poor: (Eng. hist.) a kind of forced loan or contribution, levied by kings without legal auth

English · e-37683-2661

Bengali

Bengali, ben-gaw′lē, adj. of or belonging to Bengal.—n. a native of Bengal: the language of Bengal.—n. Bengal′-light, a brilliant signal-light used at sea in a case of shipwreck, and in ordinary pyrotechny for illuminati

English · e-37683-2662

Benighted

Benighted, be-nīt′ed, adj. overtaken by night: involved in darkness, intellectual or moral: ignorant.—v.t. Benight′, to involve in such darkness: to cloud with disappointment.—ns. Benight′ening; Benight′er; Benight′ing;

English · e-37683-2663

Benign

Benign, ben-īn′, adj. favourable, esp. in astrology, as opposed to malign: gracious: kindly: (med.) of a mild type, as opposed to malignant: salubrious.—n. Benig′nancy, benignant quality.—adj. Benig′nant, kind: gracious:

English · e-37683-2664

Benison

Benison, ben′izn, n. benediction, blessing, esp. blessing of God. [O. Fr. beneiçun—L. benediction-em.]

English · e-37683-2665 · brief source record

Benitier

Benitier, bā-nē′tiā, n. the vase or vessel for holy water in R.C. churches, known in England as the holy-water font, vat, pot, stone, stock, or stoup. [Fr.—Low L. benedictarium—L. benedictus.]

English · e-37683-2666

Benjamin

Benjamin, ben′jä-min, n. a kind of overcoat formerly worn by men. [Suggested possibly by 'Joseph's coat.' The Gipsy béngari, 'waistcoat,' has been proposed as an etymon.]

English · e-37683-2667

Benjamin

Benjamin, ben′jä-min, n. gum benjamin, an essence made from benzoin.—n. Ben′jamin-tree, a North American aromatic shrub, with stimulant tonic bark and berries: the tree which yields benzoin—Styrax Benzoin. [A corr. of Be

English · e-37683-2668

Bennet

Bennet, ben′et, n. the herb Bennet or common avens (Geum urbanum), a yellow-flowered wayside plant throughout Europe. [Through Fr. from L. 'herba benedicta,' the flower being a protective against the devil.]

English · e-37683-2669

Bennet

Bennet, ben′et, n. the same as Bent, indeed an earlier form.

English · e-37683-2670 · brief source record

Bent

Bent, bent, pa.t. and pa.p. of Bend.

English · e-37683-2671 · brief source record

Bent

Bent, bent, n. leaning or bias: tendency: intention: natural inclination of the mind towards anything: the condition of being bent, curved form: (rare) slope or declivity: (Shak.) a cast, as of the eye: the extent to whi

English · e-37683-2672

Bent

Bent, bent, n. any stiff or wiry grass: the old dried stalks of grasses: a special genus (Agrostis) containing about sixty species of grasses, all slender and delicate in appearance, and some useful as pasture-grasses an

English · e-37683-2673

Benthamism

Benthamism, ben′tham-izm, n. a name applied to the social and political doctrines of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), whose leading principle is the doctrine of utility, that happiness is identical with pleasure, summed up in

English · e-37683-2674

Benumb

Benumb, be-num′, v.t. to make insensible or powerless: to stupefy (now chiefly of cold): to deaden the feelings: to paralyse generally.—p.adj. Benumbed′.—ns. Benumbed′ness, Benumb′ment. [Pfx. be- and Numb.]

English · e-37683-2675

Benzene

Benzene, ben′zēn, n. a compound of carbon and hydrogen, discovered by Faraday in 1825, in a tarry liquid resulting from the distillation of oil. It is found amongst the products of the destructive distillation of a great

English · e-37683-2676

Benzoin

Benzoin, ben′zō-in, or -zoin, n. gum benjamin, the aromatic and resinous juice of the Styrax Benzoin of Java and Sumatra. It is used in perfumery, in pastilles, and for incense, and its compound tincture yields Friar's B

English · e-37683-2677

Bepaint

Bepaint, be-pānt′, v.t. to paint over: to colour.

English · e-37683-2678 · brief source record

Bepat

Bepat, be-pat′, v.t. to pat frequently, to beat.

English · e-37683-2679 · brief source record

Bepatched

Bepatched, be-patcht′, p.adj. mended with patches: wearing patches on the face by way of adornment.

English · e-37683-2680 · brief source record

Bepearl

Bepearl, be-pėrl′, v.t. to cover over with pearls.

English · e-37683-2681 · brief source record

Bepelt

Bepelt, be-pėlt′, v.t. to pelt vigorously.

English · e-37683-2682 · brief source record

Bepepper

Bepepper, be-pep′ėr, v.t. to pelt with a rain of shot or of blows.

English · e-37683-2683 · brief source record

Bepester

Bepester, be-pest′ėr, v.t. to vex or pester greatly.

English · e-37683-2684 · brief source record

Bepity

Bepity, be-pit′i, v.t. to pity greatly.

English · e-37683-2685 · brief source record

Beplumed

Beplumed, be-plōōmd′, p.adj. adorned with feathers.

English · e-37683-2686 · brief source record

Bepommel

Bepommel, be-pom′el, v.t. to pommel soundly.

English · e-37683-2687 · brief source record

Bepowder

Bepowder, be-pow′dėr, v.t. to powder over.

English · e-37683-2688 · brief source record

Bepraise

Bepraise, be-prāz′, v.t. to praise extravagantly.

English · e-37683-2689 · brief source record

Beprose

Beprose, be-prōz′, v.t. to reduce to prose: to discuss in prose, and tediously.

English · e-37683-2690 · brief source record

Bepuff

Bepuff, be-puf′, v.t. to puff out: to praise beyond measure.

English · e-37683-2691 · brief source record

Bequeath

Bequeath, be-kwēth′, v.t. to leave personal property by will to another: to transmit to posterity, to leave behind: to commit or entrust to any one.—adj. Bequeath′able.—ns. Bequeath′al, Bequeath′ment. [A.S. becweðan; pfx

English · e-37683-2692

Bequest

Bequest, be-kwest′, n. act of bequeathing: that which is bequeathed, a legacy. [M. E. bi-queste—A.S. bi'-cwiss; bi'-, a form of pfx. be-, qithan, to say. See Quoth.]

English · e-37683-2693

Berate

Berate, be-rāt′, v.t. (U.S.) to scold or chide vigorously.

English · e-37683-2694 · brief source record

Berber

Berber, bėr′bėr, n. and adj. a member of one of the Hamitic tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions of Barbary and the northern portions of the Great Desert, originally occupying the whole southern coast of the Mediter

English · e-37683-2695

Bere

Bere, another spelling of Bear, barley (q.v.).

English · e-37683-2696 · brief source record

Berean

Berean, bē-rē′an, n. one of an extinct Scottish sect of the 18th century, named from the people of Berea (Acts, xvii. 11, who derived all knowledge of God from the Bible, but differed little from ordinary Calvinists.

English · e-37683-2697

Bereave

Bereave, be-rēv′, v.t. to rob a person of anything valued: to leave destitute:—pa.t. and pa.p. bereaved′—the latter also Bereft′.—adj. Bereaved′, robbed by death of some dear relative or friend.—n. Bereave′ment, the fact

English · e-37683-2698

Beret

Beret, Berret, bėr′et, n. a flat woollen cap worn by the Basques. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-2699 · brief source record

Berg

Berg, berg, n. a mass or mountain of ice.—ns. Berg′fall, the fall of a mountain rock; Berg′field, an expanse of ice covered with bergs. [See Iceberg.]

English · e-37683-2700

Bergamask

Bergamask, bėr′ga-mask, adj. of or pertaining to Bergamo, whose natives are clownish in manners and dialect.—n. a rustic dance of theirs.

English · e-37683-2701

Bergamot

Bergamot, bėr′ga-mot, n. a kind of citron whose aromatic rind yields the well-known oil of Bergamot, used in making pomades, fragrant essences, eau de Cologne, liqueurs, &c.: the essence so extracted. [From the town of B

English · e-37683-2702

Bergamot

Bergamot, bėr′ga-mot, n. a group of varieties of pear of fine flavour. [Fr.—It.—Turk. begarmūdi.]

English · e-37683-2703 · brief source record

Bergmehl

Bergmehl, bėrg′māl, n. a deposit of diatomaceous white earth or powder, that used in Norway to be mixed with flour and used as food. [Ger. 'mountain-flour.']

English · e-37683-2704

Beriberi

Beriberi, ber′i-ber-i, n. an Eastern disease marked by anæmia, paralysis, and dropsical symptoms. [Singh.]

English · e-37683-2705 · brief source record

Berkeleianism

Berkeleianism, berk′lē-an-izm, n. the philosophy of Bishop Berkeley (1685-1753), who maintained that the world we see and touch is not an abstract independent substance, of which conscious mind may be an effect, but is t

English · e-37683-2706

Berlin

Berlin, bėr′lin, n. an old-fashioned four-wheeled covered carriage, with a seat behind covered with a hood—also Ber′line.—Berlin blue, Prussian blue; Berlin wool, a fine dyed wool for worsted-work, knitting, &c.

English · e-37683-2707

Berm

Berm, bėrm, n. a ledge: esp. a fortification. [Fr. berme; Ger. berme.]

English · e-37683-2708 · brief source record

Bernardine

Bernardine, bėr′nard-in, adj. Cistercian. [From St Bernard of Clairvaux, founder of the order.]

English · e-37683-2709 · brief source record

Berob

Berob, be-rob′, v.t. (Spens.) to rob or plunder.

English · e-37683-2710 · brief source record

Berry

Berry, ber′i, n. a popular term for any small succulent fruit, but restricted in botanical language to simple fruits with pericarp succulent throughout, whether developed from superior (grape, potato, bitternut, belladon

English · e-37683-2711

Bersaglieri

Bersaglieri, bār-sal-yā′rē, n.pl. the riflemen or sharpshooters of the Italian army, first organised in the Sardinian army in 1836. [It.; pl. of bersagliere, bersaglio, a mark.]

English · e-37683-2712

Berserk

Berserk, -er, bėr′serk, -ėr, n. a Norse warrior whom the sight of the field of battle would fill with a frenzied and resistless fury—'the berserker rage.' [Ice. berserkr; Vigfusson explains the word as 'bear-sark,' and m

English · e-37683-2713

Berth

Berth, bėrth, n. a ship's station at anchor; a room or sleeping-place in a ship, a sleeping-carriage, &c.: any allotted or assigned place: a situation or place of employment, usually a comfortable one—even without such a

English · e-37683-2714

Beryl

Beryl, bėr′il, n. a precious stone resembling the emerald, but colourless, yellowish, greenish yellow or blue—its finer varieties are called precious beryl, and sometimes aquamarine. It has important uses as a magic crys

English · e-37683-2715

Besaint

Besaint, be-sānt′, v.t. to make a saint of.—pa.p. Besaint′ed, canonised: haunted with saints.

English · e-37683-2716 · brief source record

Bescatter

Bescatter, be-skat′ėr, v.t. to scatter over.

English · e-37683-2717 · brief source record

Bescrawl

Bescrawl, be-skrawl′, v.t. to scrawl or scribble over.

English · e-37683-2718 · brief source record

Bescreen

Bescreen, be-skrēn′, v.t. to screen: to overshadow.

English · e-37683-2719 · brief source record

Bescribble

Bescribble, be-skrib′l, v.t. to write in a scribbling hand: to scribble about or upon.

English · e-37683-2720 · brief source record

Beseech

Beseech, be-sēch′, v.t. to entreat, to implore (as a person, for a thing, or to do a thing): to ask or pray earnestly: to solicit—(Spens.) Beseeke′:—pa.t. and pa.p. besought′.—ns. Beseech′er; Beseech′ing.—adv. Beseech′in

English · e-37683-2721

Beseem

Beseem, be-sēm′, v.t. to be seemly or fit for: to become: to be fit for or worthy of: (Spens.) to become or appear.—ns. Beseem′ing, Beseem′ingness—adv. Beseem′ingly.

English · e-37683-2722

Beseen

Beseen, be-sēn′, pa.p. of good appearance, comely: well furnished (with well).—Besee′ is quite obsolete.

English · e-37683-2723 · brief source record

Beset

Beset, be-set′, v.t. to surround or set round with anything (now only in pa.p.): to surround with hostile intentions, to besiege: to occupy so as to allow none to go out or in: to assail, perplex, endanger, as by temptat

English · e-37683-2724

Beshadow

Beshadow, be-shad′ō, v.t. to cast a shadow over.

English · e-37683-2725 · brief source record

Beshame

Beshame, be-shām′, v.t. to put to shame.

English · e-37683-2726 · brief source record

Beshine

Beshine, be-shīn′, v.i. to light up.—p.adj. Beshone′.

English · e-37683-2727 · brief source record

Beshrew

Beshrew, be-shrōō′, v.t. to invoke evil upon, to curse—now only in such mild imprecations as 'beshrew me,' or 'thee'—prob. not imperative but elliptical, like '(I) thank you.' [Pfx. be-, and Shrew.]

English · e-37683-2728

Beside

Beside, be-sīd′, prep. and adv. by the side of, near: over and above (in this sense, now usually Besides′), distinct from: apart from, not falling within, as of a question, resolution, &c.—Beside the mark, away from the

English · e-37683-2729

Besides

Besides, be-sīdz′, prep. and adv. in addition, otherwise, aside: over and above, in addition to, away from. [Beside, with the s of the adv. gen.]

English · e-37683-2730

Besiege

Besiege, be-sēj′, v.t. to lay siege to: to beset with armed forces: to throng round.—n. Besieg′er.—adv. Besieg′ingly (rare), urgently.

English · e-37683-2731

Besigh

Besigh, be-sī′, v.t. to sigh over.

English · e-37683-2732 · brief source record

Besing

Besing, be-sing′, v.t. to celebrate in song.—p.adj. Besung′.

English · e-37683-2733 · brief source record

Besit

Besit, be-sit′, v.t. (obs.) to besiege: to sit well on, as clothes, to become.—p.adj. Besit′ting (Spens.), becoming.

English · e-37683-2734 · brief source record

Beslave

Beslave, be-slāv′, v.t. to make a slave of: to call slave.

English · e-37683-2735 · brief source record

Beslaver

Beslaver, be-slāv′ėr, v.t. to slaver or slobber upon: to cover with fulsome flattery.

English · e-37683-2736 · brief source record

Beslobber

Beslobber, be-slob′ėr, v.t. to besmear with the spittle running from one's mouth: to cover with drivelling kisses: to flatter fulsomely.—v.t. Beslub′ber, to bedaub or besmear.

English · e-37683-2737

Besmear

Besmear, be-smēr′, v.t. to smear over: to bedaub: to pollute.

English · e-37683-2738 · brief source record

Besmirch

Besmirch, be-smirch′, v.t. to soil, as with smoke or soot: to sully.—v.t. Besmutch′, to besmirch.

English · e-37683-2739 · brief source record

Besmut

Besmut, be-smut′, v.t. to blacken with soot.—p.adj. Besmut′ted.

English · e-37683-2740 · brief source record

Besogno

Besogno, Besonio. Same as Bezonian.

English · e-37683-2741 · brief source record

Besom

Besom, bē′zum, n. an implement for sweeping, a broom: any cleansing or purifying agent: (Scot.) a term of reproach for a woman.—ns. Bē′som-head, a blockhead; Bē′som-rid′er, a witch.—To jump the besom (see Broom). [A.S. b

English · e-37683-2742

Besort

Besort, be-sort′, v.t. (obs., Shak.) to match with, befit, become.—n. suitable company.

English · e-37683-2743 · brief source record

Besot

Besot, be-sot′, v.t. to make sottish, dull, or stupid: to make a sot of: to cause to dote on: to infatuate (with):—pr.p. besot′ting; pa.p. besot′ted.—p.adj. Besot′ted, infatuated.—adv. Besot′tedly.—n. Besot′tedness.

English · e-37683-2744

Besought

Besought, be-sawt′, pa.t. and pa.p. of Beseech.

English · e-37683-2745 · brief source record

Besouled

Besouled, be-sōld′, adj. endowed with a soul.

English · e-37683-2746 · brief source record

Bespangle

Bespangle, be-spang′gl, v.t. to adorn with spangles, or with anything sparkling or shining.

English · e-37683-2747 · brief source record

Bespate

Bespate, be-spāt′, p.adj. spit upon.

English · e-37683-2748 · brief source record

Bespatter

Bespatter, be-spat′ėr, v.t. to spatter or sprinkle with dirt or anything moist: to defame.

English · e-37683-2749 · brief source record

Bespeak

Bespeak, be-spēk′, v.t. to speak for or engage beforehand: to stipulate or ask for: to betoken.—v.i. (obs.) to speak:—pa.t. bespōke′; pa.p. bespōke′ and bespōk′en.—n. an actor's benefit, so called because the actor's fri

English · e-37683-2750

Bespeckle

Bespeckle, be-spek′l, v.t. to mark with speckles or spots.

English · e-37683-2751 · brief source record

Bespectacled

Bespectacled, be-spek′ta-kld, pa.p. having spectacles on.

English · e-37683-2752 · brief source record

Bespeed

Bespeed, be-spēd′, v.t. to help on.—p.adj. Besped′.

English · e-37683-2753 · brief source record

Bespice

Bespice, be-spīs′, v.t. (Shak.) to season with spice: to drug or poison.

English · e-37683-2754 · brief source record

Bespoke

Bespoke, be-spōk′, Bespoken, be-spōk′n, pa.p. of Bespeak, ordered, as boots, clothes, &c.

English · e-37683-2755 · brief source record

Bespot

Bespot, be-spot′, v.t. to cover with spots.—p.adj. Bespot′ted.—n. Bespot′tedness.

English · e-37683-2756 · brief source record

Bespout

Bespout, be-spowt′, v.t. to spout over: to declaim pompously.

English · e-37683-2757 · brief source record

Bespread

Bespread, be-spred′, v.t. to spread over: to cover:—pr.p. bespread′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. bespread′.

English · e-37683-2758 · brief source record

Besprent

Besprent, be-sprent′, pa.p. sprinkled over: scattered. [A.S. besprengan. See Sprinkle.]

English · e-37683-2759 · brief source record

Besprinkle

Besprinkle, be-spring′kl, v.t. to sprinkle over.

English · e-37683-2760 · brief source record

Bessemer

Bessemer, bes′ėm-ėr, adj. derived from the name of the inventor, Sir H. Bessemer, applied to steel for rails, tires, ship-plates, &c., prepared by the Bessemer process.

English · e-37683-2761

Best

Best, best, adj. (serves as superl. of Good) good in the highest degree: first: highest: most excellent.—n. one's utmost endeavour: the highest perfection.—adv. (superl. of Well) in the highest degree: in the best manner

English · e-37683-2762

Bestain

Bestain, be-stān′, v.t. to stain all over.

English · e-37683-2763 · brief source record

Bestead

Bestead, be-sted′, v.t. to help, relieve: to be of use to, to avail.—v.i. to profit, be advantageous.

English · e-37683-2764 · brief source record

Bestead

Bestead, Bested, be-sted′, p.adj. set about (with): beset (with by, of foes; with, of dangers, &c.): situated—usually with ill, hard, &c.

English · e-37683-2765

Bestial

Bestial, best′i-al, adj. like a beast: rude: brutally sensual.—n. (Scot.) a collective name for cattle.—v.t. Best′ialise, to make like a beast.—ns. Best′ialism, irrationality; Bestial′ity, beastliness: disgusting vice. [

English · e-37683-2766

Bestiary

Bestiary, best′i-ar-i, n. the name given to a class of books of great popularity in the Middle Ages, describing all the animals of creation, real or fabled, generally illustrated by drawings, and allegorised for edificat

English · e-37683-2767

Bestick

Bestick, be-stik′, v.t. to stick over, as with sharp points.

English · e-37683-2768 · brief source record

Bestill

Bestill, be-stil′, v.t. to make quiet, to hush.

English · e-37683-2769 · brief source record

Bestir

Bestir, be-stėr′, v.t. to put into lively action: arouse into activity: (refl.) to rouse one's self—p.adj. Bestir′ring.

English · e-37683-2770 · brief source record

Bestorm

Bestorm, be-storm′, v.t. to assail with storms or tumult.

English · e-37683-2771 · brief source record

Bestow

Bestow, be-stō′, v.t. to stow, place, or put by: to give or confer: to accommodate with quarters: to apply (with on and upon): (refl., Shak.) to acquit one's self.—ns. Bestow′al, act of bestowing: disposal; Bestow′er; Be

English · e-37683-2772

Bestraddle

Bestraddle, be-strad′dl, v.t. to bestride.

English · e-37683-2773 · brief source record

Bestraught

Bestraught, be-strawt′, adj. (obs.) distraught: distracted: mad. [Formed with pfx. be-, on the analogy of distraught—L. dis-tractus.]

English · e-37683-2774

Bestreak

Bestreak, be-strēk′, v.t. to overspread with streaks.

English · e-37683-2775 · brief source record

Bestrew

Bestrew, be-strōō′, v.t. to strew or scatter loosely over:—pa.p. bestrewed′, bestrōwn′, bestrewn′ (with).

English · e-37683-2776 · brief source record

Bestride

Bestride, be-strīd′, v.t. to stride over: to sit or stand across: to defend, protect, from the sense of standing over a fallen man to defend him:—pa.t. bestrid′, bestrōde′; pa.p. bestrid′, bestrid′den.

English · e-37683-2777

Bestuck

Bestuck, be-stuk′, pa.t. and pa.p. of Bestick, to stick about, adorn: to transfix.

English · e-37683-2778 · brief source record

Bestud

Bestud, be-stud′, v.t. to adorn as with studs, as the sky with stars.

English · e-37683-2779 · brief source record

Bet

Bet, bet, n. a wager: something staked to be lost or won on the result of a doubtful issue, as a horse-race, or the like.—v.t. and v.i. to lay or stake, as a bet:—pr.p. bet′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. bet or bet′ted.—ns. Bet′t

English · e-37683-2780

Betake

Betake, be-tāk′, v.t. to take one's self to, to go (with self): to apply or have recourse:—pa.t. betook′; pa.p. betāk′en.

English · e-37683-2781

Beteem

Beteem, be-tēm′, v.t. (Shak.) to grant, to suffer, to allow. [Most prob. from pfx. be-, and Teem.]

English · e-37683-2782 · brief source record

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