Bransle
Bransle, bran′sl, n. (obs.) a dance: a song for dance music. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-3383 · brief source recordHistorical source · 1908
Thomas Davidson (editor). Read this edition’s full extracted entries and its original proposals. Publication here preserves a source; it does not endorse every claim.
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Bransle, bran′sl, n. (obs.) a dance: a song for dance music. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-3383 · brief source recordBrant-goose. See Brent-goose.
English · e-37683-3384 · brief source recordBrantle, bran′tl, n. a kind of dance.
English · e-37683-3385 · brief source recordBrasero. Same as Brazier (q.v. under Braze).
English · e-37683-3386 · brief source recordBrash, brash, n. broken and angular fragments of rock which occasionally form the basement bed of alluvial deposits: fragments of crushed ice: clippings of hedges or trees.—adj. Brash′y. [Prob. Fr. brèche.]
English · e-37683-3387Brash, brash, n. a slight attack of illness: an eructation or belching of acid water from the stomach—water-brash: a sudden burst of rain: (obs.) an attack.—v.t. to disturb. [Scot.; prob. onomatopœic.]
English · e-37683-3388Brass, bräs, n. an alloy of copper and zinc: (fig.) impudence: money in cash: a monumental plate of brass inlaid on slabs of stone in the pavements of ancient churches.—n.pl. Brass′arts, the brass pieces which, in plate
English · e-37683-3389Brasserie, bras′er-ē, n. in France, any beer garden or saloon. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-3390 · brief source recordBrassica, bras′i-ka, n. the turnip and cabbage genus of Cruciferæ. [L.]
English · e-37683-3391 · brief source recordBrast. Same as Burst.
English · e-37683-3392 · brief source recordBrat, brat, n. a contemptuous name for a child, as in 'beggar's brat:' any over-garment of coarse cloth, a child's pinafore, an apron.—n. Brat′chet, a little brat—better Brat′ling. [A.S. bratt; of Celtic origin, Old Ir.
English · e-37683-3393Brattice, brat′is, n. a wooden partition, as in the shaft of a coal-pit, &c.—v.t. to line with wood the sides of a shaft, &c.—n. Bratt′ice-cloth, strong tarred cloth used in mines in place of wooden bratticing. [O. Fr. b
English · e-37683-3394Brattling, brat′ling, n. a clattering noise: quarrel: tumult—also Brat′tle.—v.i. Brat′tle, to make a clattering noise. [Onomatopœic.]
English · e-37683-3395Bravado, brav-ā′do, or brav-ä′do, n. a display of bravery: a boastful threat: a swaggerer:—pl. Bravā′does.—v.i. to play the bravado. [Sp. bravada. See Brave.]
English · e-37683-3396Brave, brāv, adj. daring, courageous: noble: finely dressed, showy, handsome (Scot. Braw): a general word for excellent, capital.—v.t. to meet boldly: to defy.—n. (obs.) a bully, a hired assassin: a brave soldier, esp. a
English · e-37683-3397Bravo, bräv′o, n. a daring villain: a hired assassin:—pl. Bravoes (bräv′ōz). [It. and Sp.]
English · e-37683-3398 · brief source recordBravo, bräv′o, interj. well done: excellent. [It.]
English · e-37683-3399 · brief source recordBravura, bräv-ōōr′a, n. (mus.) a term applied to a florid air or song with difficult and rapid passages requiring great spirit and dash in execution. [It.]
English · e-37683-3400Brawl, brawl, n. a noisy quarrel.—v.i. to quarrel noisily: to murmur or gurgle.—n. Brawl′ing, the act of quarrelling noisily.—adj. quarrelsome: noisy. [M. E. brallen, of doubtful origin; prob. cog. with Dut. brallen, Ger
English · e-37683-3401Brawl, brawl, n. a kind of French dance. [Fr. braule.]
English · e-37683-3402 · brief source recordBrawn, brawn, n. muscle, esp. of the arm or calf of the leg: thick flesh: muscular strength: a boar: a preparation of meat made from pig's head and ox-feet, cut up, boiled, and pickled.—adj. Brawned.—n. Brawn′iness, qual
English · e-37683-3403Braxy, brak′si, n. and adj. a Scotch name loosely used for several totally different disorders of sheep.—Braxy mutton, the flesh of a braxy sheep; also, generally, of any sheep that has died of disease or accident. [Prob
English · e-37683-3404Bray, brā, v.t. to break, pound, or grind small, as in a mortar.—n. Bray′er, an instrument to grind or spread ink in printing. [O. Fr. breier (Fr. broyer); It. brigare.]
English · e-37683-3405Bray, brā, n. the cry of the ass: any harsh grating sound.—v.i. to cry like an ass: to give forth harsh sounds, esp. of the trumpet.—ns. Bray′er, one who brays like an ass; Bray′ing, the noise of an ass: any harsh noise.
English · e-37683-3406Braze, brāz, v.t. to solder with an alloy of brass and zinc.—adj. Brā′zen, of or belonging to brass: impudent.—v.t. to face or confront with impudence—as in 'to brazen it out.'—n. Brā′zen-face, one having a brazen or imp
English · e-37683-3407Brazier, brā′zi-ėr, n. one who works in Brass (q.v.).
English · e-37683-3408 · brief source recordBrazil, bra-zil′, n. usually Brazil′-wood, the hard reddish wood of an East Indian tree, known as sappan, used in dyeing.—n. Brazil′ian, a native of Brazil, in South America.—adj. belonging to Brazil.—n. Brazil′-nut, the
English · e-37683-3409Breach, brēch, n. a break or opening, as in the walls of a fortress: a breaking of law, &c., violation of contract, covenant, promise, &c.: a quarrel: a broken condition or part of anything, a break: a gap in a fortifica
English · e-37683-3410Bread, bred, n. food made of flour or meal baked: food: livelihood.—ns. Bread′-bas′ket, a basket for holding bread: (slang) the stomach; Bread′-chip′per (Shak.), one who chips bread, an under-butler; Bread′-corn, corn of
English · e-37683-3411Breaded, bred′ed, pa.p. (Spens.) = Braided.
English · e-37683-3412 · brief source recordBreadth, bredth, n. extent from side to side: width: a style in painting in which details are strictly subordinated to the harmony of the whole composition.—adv. Breadth′ways, broadside on. [A.S. brǽdu; Ger. briete. See
English · e-37683-3413Break, brāk, v.t. to part by force: to shatter: to crush: to tame, or wear out: to violate, or outrage, as a law, a bargain, &c.: to check by intercepting, as a fall: to interrupt, as silence, or the monotony of anything
English · e-37683-3414Break, Brake, brāk, n. a large wagonette: a carriage frame, all wheels and no body, used in breaking in horses. [Break, v.t.]
English · e-37683-3415Breaker, brāk′ėr, n. a small water-cask, used on shipboard. [Prob. a corr. of Sp. bareca, a barrel.]
English · e-37683-3416 · brief source recordBreakfast, brek′fast, n. a break or breaking of a fast: the first meal of the day.—v.i. to take breakfast.—v.t. to furnish with breakfast.—ns. Break′fasting, the act of taking breakfast: a party at breakfast; Break′fast-
English · e-37683-3417Bream, brēm, n. a small fresh-water fish nearly allied to the bleak: a family of sea-breams or Sparidæ. [O. Fr. bresme (Fr. brême)—Old Ger. brahsema (mod. Ger. brassen).]
English · e-37683-3418Bream, brēm, v.t. to clean, as a ship's bottom, by burning off seaweed, shells, &c. [Prob. conn. with Broom, Dut. brem.]
English · e-37683-3419Breare, Brere, brēr, n. (Spens.). Same as Brier.
English · e-37683-3420 · brief source recordBreast, brest, n. the forepart of the human body between the neck and the belly: one of the two mammary glands in women, forming soft protuberances on the chest: the corresponding part of any animal: (fig.) conscience, d
English · e-37683-3421Breath, breth, n. the air drawn into and then expelled from the lungs: power of breathing: life: the time occupied by once breathing: a very slight breeze.—adjs. Breath′ful (Spens.), full of breath or air, also full of s
English · e-37683-3422Breathe, brēth, v.i. to draw in and expel breath or air from the lungs: to take breath, to rest or pause: to live.—v.t. to draw in and expel from the lungs, as air: to infuse: to give out as breath: to utter by the breat
English · e-37683-3423Breccia, brech′ya, n. a conglomerate rock composed of angular and unworn fragments, cemented together by lime or other mineral substance.—adj. Brecciated (brech′yāt-ed), noting rocks composed of breccia, [It.; cf. Fr. br
English · e-37683-3424Bred, bred, pa.t. and pa.p. of Breed.
English · e-37683-3425 · brief source recordBrede, brēd, n. an obsolete form of Braid.
English · e-37683-3426 · brief source recordBree, brē, n. the eyebrow. [Still in Scot.; A.S. brǽw, bréaw; cf. Ger. (augen)braue.]
English · e-37683-3427 · brief source recordBree, brē, n. the liquor in which anything has been boiled—barley-bree. [A.S. briw; cf. Ger. brei.]
English · e-37683-3428 · brief source recordBreech, brēch, n. the lower part of the body behind: the hinder part of anything, esp. of a gun.—v.t. to put into breeches: to flog.—adj. Breeched.—n.pl. Breeches (brich′ez), a garment worn by men on the lower limbs of t
English · e-37683-3429Breed, brēd, v.t. to generate or bring forth: to train or bring up: to cause or occasion.—v.i. to be with young: to produce offspring: to be produced or brought forth:—pa.t. and pa.p. bred.—n. that which is bred, progeny
English · e-37683-3430Breeks, brēks, n.pl. (Scot.) breeches, trousers.
English · e-37683-3431 · brief source recordBreer, Brere, brēr, v.i. (Scot.) to sprout.
English · e-37683-3432 · brief source recordBreeze, brēz, n. a gentle gale: a wind: a disturbance or quarrel: a whispered rumour.—adjs. Breeze′less, without a breeze: motionless; Breez′y, fanned with or subject to breezes.—To breeze up, to freshen into a breeze. [
English · e-37683-3433Breeze, brēz, n. (Shak.) the gadfly.—Also written Breese, Brize. [A.S. briosa.]
English · e-37683-3434 · brief source recordBregma, breg′ma, n. the part of the skull where the frontal and the two parietal bones join—sometimes divided into the right and left bregmata.—adj. Bregmat′ic. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-3435Brehon, brē′hon, n. an ancient Irish judge.—Brehon Laws, the name given by the English to the system of jurisprudence which prevailed among the native Irish from an early period till towards the middle of the 17th centur
English · e-37683-3436Breloque, bre-lok′, n. an ornament attached to a watch-chain. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-3437 · brief source recordBreme, Breem, brēm, adj. (Spens.) fiery, stern, boisterous, sharp. [Prob. related to A.S. bréman, to rage.]
English · e-37683-3438 · brief source recordBren, bren, v.t. (Spens.) to burn.—pa.p. and adj. Brent. [See Burn.]
English · e-37683-3439 · brief source recordBrent, brent, adj. (Scot.) lofty: smooth, unwrinkled. [A.S. brant, steep; cog. with Ice. brattr.]
English · e-37683-3440 · brief source recordBrent-goose, brent′-gōōs, n. a small species of wild goose, having the head, neck, long wing feathers, and tail black, the belly white, the rest slaty-gray—it visits the British coasts in winter.—Also Brant′-goose, or Br
English · e-37683-3441Bressummer. Same as Breastsummer (q.v. under Breast).
English · e-37683-3442 · brief source recordBrethren, breth′ren, pl. of Brother (q.v.).
English · e-37683-3443 · brief source recordBreton, bret′un, adj. belonging to Brittany or Bretagne, in France.
English · e-37683-3444 · brief source recordBrettice. Same as Brattice.
English · e-37683-3445 · brief source recordBretwalda, bret-wal′da, n. a title of supremacy applied by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to Egbert and seven earlier kings, whose superiority was more or less acknowledged by other kings. [Lit. 'Lord of the Britons,' or 'of
English · e-37683-3446Breve, brēv, n. a pope's letter: the longest note now used in music, [Image: Breve] . [It. breve—L. brevis, short.]
English · e-37683-3447 · brief source recordBrevet, brev′et, n. a military commission entitling an officer to take rank above that for which he receives pay.—n. Brevet′cy, the condition of one holding brevet rank. [Fr.—L. brevis, short.]
English · e-37683-3448Breviary, brēv′i-ar-i, n. book containing the daily service of the R.C. Church. [Fr. bréviaire—L. brevis, short.]
English · e-37683-3449 · brief source recordBreviate, brē′vi-āt, n. a short compendium: a lawyer's brief. [L. breviātus—breviāre, to shorten—brevis, short.]
English · e-37683-3450 · brief source recordBrevier, brev-ēr′, n. a small type between bourgeois and minion, originally used in printing breviaries.
English · e-37683-3451 · brief source recordBrevity, brev′it-i, n. shortness: conciseness. [L. brevitas—brevis, short.]
English · e-37683-3452 · brief source recordBrew, brōō, v.t. to prepare a liquor, as from malt and other materials: to contrive or plot.—v.i. to perform the operation of brewing ale or beer: to be gathering or forming.—ns. Brew′age, something brewed: mixed liquor;
English · e-37683-3453Briar. Same as Brier (1).
English · e-37683-3454 · brief source recordBriar-root. See Brier (2).
English · e-37683-3456 · brief source recordBriarean, brī-ā′re-an, adj. relating to Briareus, a hundred-handed giant: hence many-handed. [Gr.—briaros, strong.]
English · e-37683-3455 · brief source recordBribe, brīb, n. something given to influence unduly the judgment or corrupt the conduct: allurement.—v.t. to influence by a bribe: to gain over.—v.i. to practise bribery.—ns. Brib′er, one who bribes; Brib′ery, the act of
English · e-37683-3457Bric-à-brac, brik′a-brak, n. old curiosities, or other articles of value. [Acc. to Littré, formed after the phrase de bric et de broc, 'by hook and by crook.']
English · e-37683-3458Brick, brik, n. an oblong or square piece of burned clay: a loaf of bread in the shape of a brick: (slang) a reliable friend, a good fellow.—v.t. to lay or pave with brick.—ns. Brick′bat, a piece of brick; Brick′clay, a
English · e-37683-3459Brickle, brik′l, adj. (Spens. and Scot.) apt to break: weak: troublesome. [Older form of Brittle.]
English · e-37683-3460 · brief source recordBricole, brik′el, or brik-ōl′, n. an ancient engine for throwing stones: the rebound of a ball from the wall of a tennis-court, an indirect stroke. [Fr.—Low L. briccola.]
English · e-37683-3461Bridal, brīd′al, n. a marriage feast: a wedding.—adj. belonging to a bride or a wedding: nuptial. [Bride, and Ale, a feast.]
English · e-37683-3462Bride, brīd, n. a woman about to be married: a woman newly married.—v.i. (Shak.) to act the bride.—ns. Bride′-ale (obs.)—Bridal, the ale-drinking at a marriage feast; Bride′-bed, the marriage bed; Bride′cake, the bride's
English · e-37683-3463Bridewell, brīd′wel, n. a house of correction: a gaol. [From a palace near St Bride's Well in London.]
English · e-37683-3464 · brief source recordBridge, brij, n. a structure raised across a river, &c., or anything like such: the narrow raised platform whence the captain of a steamer gives directions: a thin upright piece of wood supporting the strings in a violin
English · e-37683-3465Bridge, brich, n. a modification of whist in which the dealer does not turn up the last card, but has the option (which he may pass to his partner) of declaring which suit shall be trumps.
English · e-37683-3466Bridle, brī′-dl, n. the apparatus on a horse's head, by which it is controlled: any curb or restraint: a gesture expressing pride or vanity.—v.t. to put on or manage by a bridle: to check or restrain.—v.i. to hold up the
English · e-37683-3467Bridoon, brid′ōōn, n. the light snaffle usual in a military bridle, in addition to the ordinary bit, controlled by a separate rein. [Fr. bridon, bride, a bridle.]
English · e-37683-3468Brief, brēf, n. a short account of a client's case for the instruction of counsel: a writ: a short statement of any kind.—adj. short: concise.—adj. Brief′less.—adv. Brief′ly.—n. Brief′ness.—In brief, in few words.—King's
English · e-37683-3469Brier, brī′er, n. a prickly shrub: a common name for the wild rose: (Scot.) the thorn of the brier—also Brī′ar.—adjs. Brī′ery, Brī′ered, having briers. [A.S. brér.]
English · e-37683-3470Brier, Briar, brī′ėr, n. the white heath, a shrub grown in France, from the root of which tobacco-pipes are made: a pipe of this wood. [Fr. bruyère, heath.]
English · e-37683-3471Brig, brig, n. a two-masted, square-rigged vessel. [Shortened from Brigantine.]
English · e-37683-3472 · brief source recordBrigade, brig-ād′, n. a body of troops consisting of two or more regiments of infantry or cavalry, and commanded by a general officer, two or more of which form a division: a band of people more or less organised.—v.t. t
English · e-37683-3473Brigand, brig′and, n. a robber or freebooter.—ns. Brig′andage, freebooting: plundering; Brig′andine, Brig′antine, a coat-of-mail, composed of linen or leather, with steel rings or plates sewed upon it. [Fr.—It. brigante—
English · e-37683-3474Brigantine, brig′an-tīn, n. a two-masted vessel, with the mainmast of a schooner and the foremast of a brig. [Fr. brigantin—It. brigantine, a pirate ship.]
English · e-37683-3475Bright, brīt, adj. shining: full of light: clear: beautiful: cheerful: clever: illustrious.—adv. (Shak.) brightly: clearly.—v.t. Bright′en, to make bright or brighter.—v.i. to grow bright or brighter: to clear up.—adv. B
English · e-37683-3476Bright's-disease, brīts′-diz-ēz′, n. a generic name for a group of diseases of the kidneys, which may be defined as comprising cases where structural changes in the kidneys, usually inflammatory, but without suppuration,
English · e-37683-3477Brigue, brig, v.i. to intrigue.—n. strife, intrigue.—n. Brigu′ing, canvassing. [Fr. brigue; derivation uncertain.]
English · e-37683-3478 · brief source recordBrill, bril, n. a fish of the same kind as the turbot, spotted with white. [Ety. unknown.]
English · e-37683-3479 · brief source recordBrilliant, bril′yant, adj. sparkling: glittering: splendid.—n. a diamond of the finest cut (as opposed to rose-cut or other patterns).—ns. Brill′iancy, Brill′iance.—adv. Brill′iantly.—n. Brill′iantness.[Fr. brillant, pr.
English · e-37683-3480Brim, brim, n. the margin or brink of a river or lake: the upper edge of a vessel: the rim of a hat.—v.t. to fill to the brim.—v.i. to be full to the brim:—pr.p. brim′ming; pa.p. brimmed.—adj. Brim′ful, full to the brim.
English · e-37683-3481Brimstone, brim′stōn, n. sulphur: (fig.) a virago.—Fire and brimstone! an ejaculation. [Lit. burning stone; from A.S. brýne, a burning—byrnan, to burn, and Stone; cf. Ger. bernstein.]
English · e-37683-3482Brinded, brin′ded, Brindled, brin′dld, adj. marked with spots or streaks.—n. Brin′dle, state of being brindled. [See Brand.]
English · e-37683-3483Brine, brīn, n. salt water: the sea.—ns. Brine′-pit, a pit or pan in which brine is evaporated, so as to form salt: a salt spring; Brine′-shrimp, a small crustacean.—adjs. Brin′ish, like brine: somewhat salt; Brin′y, per
English · e-37683-3484Bring, bring, v.t. to fetch: to carry: to procure: to occasion: to draw or lead:—pa.t. and pa.p. brought (brawt).—Bring about, to bring to pass, effect; Bring down, to humble; Bring forth, to give birth to, produce; Brin
English · e-37683-3485Brinjarry, brin-zhar′i, n. a travelling dealer in grain and salt in Southern India. [Hind. bānjāra.]
English · e-37683-3486 · brief source recordBrink, bringk, n. the edge or border of a steep place or of a river: (fig.) the very verge of time, at the very point of something—e.g. To be on the brink of death. [Dan. brink, declivity; Ice. bringa, a hillock.]
English · e-37683-3487Brio, brī′o, n. liveliness, vivacity. [It. brio.]
English · e-37683-3488 · brief source recordBrioche, bri-osh′, n. a sponge-cake. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-3489 · brief source recordBriony. Same as Bryony.
English · e-37683-3490 · brief source recordBriquette, bri-ket′, n. a brick-shaped block of coal formed from coal-dust. [Fr. briquette, dim. of brique, a Brick.]
English · e-37683-3491 · brief source recordBrisk, brisk, adj. full of life and spirit: active: sharp: effervescing, as liquors.—v.t. to enliven, freshen.—v.i. to cheer up.—adjs. Brisk′ish, Brisk′y, (Shak.).—adv. Brisk′ly.—n. Brisk′ness. [Dr Murray notes that the
English · e-37683-3492Brisket, brisk′et, n. the breast of an animal: the part of the breast next to the ribs. [Fr. brechet, brichet.]
English · e-37683-3493 · brief source recordBristle, bris′l, n. a short, stiff hair, as of swine.—v.i. to stand erect, as bristles.—v.t. to cover, as with bristles: to make bristly:—pr.p. bris′tling; pa.p. brist′led.—adj. Bristled (bris′ld), furnished with bristle
English · e-37683-3494Bristol-board, bris′tul-bōrd, n. a smooth pasteboard.—ns. Bris′tol-brick, an earthy material for scouring cutlery, like bath-brick; Bris′tol-dī′amond, a kind of crystal found near Bristol. [From the town of Bristol, in E
English · e-37683-3495Brisure, bri-zhūr′, n. (fort.) any part of a rampart or parapet which breaks off at an angle from the general direction: (her.) a variation of a coat-of-arms, showing the relation of a younger to the main line. [Fr.—bris
English · e-37683-3496Britannia-metal, brit-an′i-a-met′l, n. a metallic alloy largely used in the manufacture of spoons, &c.
English · e-37683-3497 · brief source recordBritannic, brit-an′ik, adj. pertaining to Britannia or Great Britain: British.—adj. British, in ethnography, Old Celtic as opposed to Anglo-Saxon: pertaining to Great Britain or its people—ns. Brit′isher, a British subje
English · e-37683-3498Brittle, brit′l, adj. apt to break: easily broken: frail.—ns. Britt′leness; Britt′le-stars, or Sand-stars, one of the classes of Echinodermata, including forms not far removed from starfishes. [A.S. bréotan, to break.]
English · e-37683-3499Britzka, Britzska, brits′ka, n. an open four-wheeled carriage with shutters to close at pleasure, and only one seat.—Also Britschka, Britska. [Polish bryczka, dim. of bryka, a wagon.]
English · e-37683-3500Broach, brōch, n. a tapering, pointed instrument, used chiefly for boring: a spit: a church spire.—v.t. to pierce as a cask, to tap: to open up or begin: to utter.—n. Broach′er, a broach or spit: one who broaches or utte
English · e-37683-3501Broad, brawd, adj. wide: large, free or open: outspoken: coarse, indelicate: of pronunciation, e.g. a broad accent.—advs. Broad, Broad′ly.—ns. Broad′-ar′row, a mark, thus ( [Image: Broad arrow] ), stamped on materials be
English · e-37683-3502Brobdingnagian, brob-ding-nā′ji-an, n. an inhabitant of the fabulous region of Brobdingnag in Gulliver's Travels, the people of which were of great stature—hence a gigantic person.—adj. gigantic.—adj. Brobdingnag′, immen
English · e-37683-3503Brocade, brok-ād′, n. a silk stuff on which figures are wrought.—adj. Brocad′ed, woven or worked in the manner of brocade: dressed in brocade. [It. broccato, Fr. brocart, from It. broccare, Fr. brocher, to prick, stitch;
English · e-37683-3504Brocage, brōk′āj, n. Obsolete spelling of Brokage (q.v. under Broker).
English · e-37683-3505 · brief source recordBrocard, brok′ärd, n. an elementary law or principle: a canon: (Fr.) a gibe. [Fr. brocard, Low L. brocarda, from Brocard or Burchard, Bishop of Worms, who published a book of ecclesiastical rules.]
English · e-37683-3506Broccoli, brok′o-li, n. a cultivated kind of cabbage resembling cauliflower, of which it is originally a hardy variety. [It.; pl. of broccolo, a sprout, dim. of brocco, a skewer, a shoot.]
English · e-37683-3507Broch, broh, n. the local name applied in the north of Scotland to the ancient dry-built circular castles, known also to the Gaelic-speaking people as duns, and to antiquaries as Pictish towers.—Also Brogh and Brough. [O
English · e-37683-3508Broch, brōch, obsolete spelling of Broach.
English · e-37683-3509 · brief source recordBrochure, bro-shōōr′, n. a pamphlet. [Lit. a small book stitched, Fr.—brocher, to stitch—broche, a needle. See Broach.]
English · e-37683-3510 · brief source recordBrock, brok, n. a badger—hence, from the smell, a dirty, stinking fellow.—adj. Brocked (Scot.), variegated, having a mixture of black and white. [From the Celt., as in Gael. broc, a badger, which is from Gael. breac, spe
English · e-37683-3511Brode, brōd, adv. (Spens.). Same as Abroad.
English · e-37683-3512 · brief source recordBrodekin, Brodkin, brōd′kin, n. a buskin. [Fr. brodequin.]
English · e-37683-3513 · brief source recordBrog, brog, n. a pointed steel instrument used for piercing holes: (Scot.) an awl.—v.t. to prick. [Ety. dub.; the Gael. brog; an awl, is prob. borrowed.]
English · e-37683-3514Brogue, brōg, n. a stout coarse shoe: a dialect or manner of pronunciation, esp. the Irish. [Ir. and Gael. brog, a shoe.]
English · e-37683-3515Broider, broid′ėr, Broidery, broid′ėr-i. Same as Embroider, Embroidery.—Broidered (B.) = Embroidered.
English · e-37683-3516 · brief source recordBroil, broil, n. a noisy quarrel: a confused disturbance—(Scot.) Brul′yie, Brul′zie.—n. Broil′er, one who stirs up broils. [Fr. brouiller, to trouble.]
English · e-37683-3517Broil, broil, v.t. to cook over hot coals: to grill.—v.i. to be greatly heated. [Ety. dub.]
English · e-37683-3518 · brief source recordBroke, brōk, pa.t. and old pa.p. of Break.—p.adj. Brok′en, rent asunder: infirm: humbled or crushed: dispersed, routed: altered in direction: shattered in estate or position: incomplete, fragmentary: uncertain.—adjs. Bro
English · e-37683-3519Broker, brōk′ėr, n. one employed to buy and sell for others: a second-hand dealer: a pander: a commissioner.—v.i. Broke, to bargain, negotiate: (Shak.) to act as a pander or go-between:—pr.p. brōk′ing; pa.p. brōked.—ns.
English · e-37683-3520Bromate. See Bromine.
English · e-37683-3521 · brief source recordBrome-grass, brōm′-gras, n. a kind of grass bearing a strong resemblance to oats. [Gr. brōmos, and bromos, grass.]
English · e-37683-3522 · brief source recordBromine, brōm′in, n. one of the elements, closely allied to chlorine, so called from its disagreeable smell.—adj. Brom′ic, pertaining to bromine.—ns. Brom′ate, a combination of bromic acid with a salifiable base; Brom′id
English · e-37683-3523Bronchiæ, brongk′i-ē, n.pl. a name given to the ramifications of the windpipe which carry air into the lungs.—adjs. Bronch′ic, Bronch′ial.—n. Bronchī′tis, inflammation of the bronchiæ. [L.—Gr. bronchia, the bronchial tub
English · e-37683-3524Broncho, Bronco, brong′ko, n. (U.S.) a half-tamed horse. [Sp. bronco, rough, sturdy.]
English · e-37683-3525 · brief source recordBrond. Same as Brand.
English · e-37683-3526 · brief source recordBronze, bronz, n. an alloy of copper and tin used in various ways since the most ancient times: anything cast in bronze: the colour of bronze: (fig.) impudence.—adj. made of bronze: coloured like bronze.—v.t. to give the
English · e-37683-3527Broo, brōō (mod. Scot.—vowel sounded like Ger. ü), n. (Scot.) broth. [Ety. dub.: prob. O. Fr. bro, breu, broth; prob conn. with Bree.]
English · e-37683-3528Brooch, brōch, n. an ornamental pin or instrument for fastening any article of dress, consisting for the most part either of a ring or disc, or of a semicircle, there being a pin in either case passing across it, fastene
English · e-37683-3529Brood, brōōd, v.t. to sit upon or cover in order to breed or hatch: to hatch: to cover, as with wings: to mature or foster with care: to meditate moodily upon.—v.i. to sit as a hen on eggs: to hover over: to think anxiou
English · e-37683-3530Brook, brōōk, n. a small stream.—ns. Brook′let, a little brook; Brook′lime, a species of speedwell found in ditches. [A.S. bróc, water breaking forth; Dut. broek, Ger. bruch.]
English · e-37683-3531Brook, brōōk, v.t. to enjoy: to bear or endure. [A.S. búrcan, to use, enjoy; Ger. brauchen, L. frui, fructus.]
English · e-37683-3532 · brief source recordBrool, brōōl, n. a deep murmur. [Ger. brüll, a roar.]
English · e-37683-3533 · brief source recordBroom, brōōm, n. a name given to a number of species of shrubs of the closely allied genera Cytisus, Genista, and Spartium: a besom made of its twigs.—v.t. to sweep with a broom.—ns. Broom′-corn, a species of plant resem
English · e-37683-3534Broose, brüz, n. (Scot.) a race at weddings in Scotland. [Derivation unknown.]
English · e-37683-3535 · brief source recordBrose, brōz, n. a simple and nutritious food, made by pouring boiling water or milk on oatmeal, seasoned with salt and butter.—Athole brose, a mixture of whisky and honey. [Scot.; O. Fr. broez.]
English · e-37683-3536Broth, broth, n. an infusion or decoction of vegetable and animal substances in water.—A broth of a boy (Irish), a first-rate fellow. [A.S. broth—bréowan, to brew. See Brew.]
English · e-37683-3537Brothel, broth′el, n. a house of ill-fame. [M. E. brothel—A. S. broð-en, ruined, bréðen, to go to ruin.]
English · e-37683-3538 · brief source recordBrother, bruth′ėr, n. a male born of the same parents: any one closely united with or resembling another; associated in common interests, occupation, &c.: a fellow-member of a religious order, a fellow-member of a guild,
English · e-37683-3539Brougham, brōō′am, or brōōm, n. a one-horse close carriage, either two or four wheeled, named after Lord Brougham (1778-1868).
English · e-37683-3540Brought, brawt, pa.t. and pa.p. of Bring.
English · e-37683-3541 · brief source recordBrow, brow, n. the eyebrow: the ridge over the eyes: the forehead: the edge of a hill: a gallery in a coalmine running across the face of the coal: (fig.) aspect, appearance.—v.t. Brow′beat, to bear down with stern looks
English · e-37683-3542Brown, brown, adj. of a dark or dusky colour, inclining to red or yellow: dark-complexioned: sunburnt.—n. a dark-reddish colour: (slang) a copper.—v.t. to make brown, or give a brown colour to: to roast brown.—ns. Brown′
English · e-37683-3543Brownie, brown′i, n. a kind of domestic spirit in the folklore of Scotland, represented as a good-humoured, drudging goblin, who attached himself to farmhouses, and occupied himself overnight in churning, thrashing corn,
English · e-37683-3544Brownist, brown′ist, n. one holding the Church principles of Robert Browne (1550-1633), which may be said to have given birth to the Independents or Congregationalists of England.
English · e-37683-3545Browse, browz, v.t. and v.i. to feed on the shoots or leaves of plants.—ns. Browse, Brows′ing, the shoots and leaves of plants: fodder: the action of the verb browse. [O. Fr. brouster (Fr. brouter)—broust, a sprout.]
English · e-37683-3546Browst, browst, n. (Scot.) a brewing. [Brew.]
English · e-37683-3547 · brief source recordBruckle, bruk′l, adj. (Scot.) liable to break, brittle. [A.S. brucol—brekan, to Break.]
English · e-37683-3548 · brief source recordBruin, brōō′in, n. a bear, so called from the name of the bear in the famous beast-epic Reynard the Fox, just as reynard and chanticleer have also passed from proper names into common names, often written without capital
English · e-37683-3549Bruise, brōōz, v.t. to crush by beating or pounding: to oppress: to box or fight with the fists: to ride recklessly in hunting, careless alike of horse and crops: to reduce to small fragments.—n. a wound made by anything
English · e-37683-3550Bruit, brōōt, n. noise: something noised abroad: a rumour or report.—v.t. to noise abroad: to report: to celebrate. [Fr. bruit—Fr. bruire; cf. Low L. brugītus; prob. imit.]
English · e-37683-3551Brulzie, bruilzie, brül′yi, n. Scotch and northern form of Broil.
English · e-37683-3552 · brief source recordBrumaire, brōōmār′, n. the second month in the French revolutionary calendar, extending from Oct. 22 to Nov. 20. [Fr. brume, fog—L. bruma, winter.]
English · e-37683-3553Brume, brōōm, n. fog.—adjs. Brum′al, relating to winter; Brum′ous, foggy, wintry. [L. bruma, winter, contr. from brevima, the shortest day.]
English · e-37683-3554Brummagem, brum′a-jem, adj. showy but worthless, sham, counterfeit. [From a popular pronunciation of Birmingham.]
English · e-37683-3555 · brief source recordBrunette, brōōn-et′, n. a girl with a brown or dark complexion. [Fr. dim. of brun, brown.]
English · e-37683-3556 · brief source recordBrunonian, brōō-no′ni-an, adj. relating to the system of medicine founded by Dr John Brown of Edinburgh (1736-88)—all diseases sthenic, those depending on an excess of excitement, or asthenic, those resulting from a defi
English · e-37683-3557Brunt, brunt, n. the shock of an onset or contest: the force of a blow: the chief stress or crisis of anything.—v.t. to bear the brunt of. [Ice. bruna, to advance like fire, is usually given; Dr Murray suggests that it m
English · e-37683-3558Brush, brush, n. an instrument for removing dust, usually made of bristles, twigs, feathers, or stiff grass stems: a kind of hair-pencil used by painters: a painter, one who uses the brush: brushwood: a skirmish or encou
English · e-37683-3559Brusque, brōōsk, adj. blunt, abrupt in manner, rude.—adv. Brusque′ly.—ns. Brusque′ness; Brusque′rie. [Fr. brusque; rude. See Brisk.]
English · e-37683-3560Brussels, brus′elz, n. contracted from Brussels-carpet, a kind of carpet in which the worsted threads are arranged in the warp, and are interwoven into a network of linen. Still, the bulk of the carpet consists of wool.—
English · e-37683-3561Brust, brust, pa.p. (Spens.). Same as Burst.
English · e-37683-3562 · brief source recordBrute, brōōt, adj. belonging to the lower animals: irrational: stupid: rude.—n. one of the lower animals.—adj. Brut′al, like a brute: unfeeling: inhuman.—v.t. Brut′alise, to make like a brute, to degrade.—v.i. to live li
English · e-37683-3563Brutus, brōō′tus, n. a kind of wig: a way of wearing the hair brushed back from the forehead, popular at the time of the French Revolution, when it was an affectation to admire the old Romans, as Brutus.
English · e-37683-3564Bryology, brī-ol′o-ji, n. the study of mosses. [Gr. bryon, moss, and logia—legein, to speak.]
English · e-37683-3565 · brief source recordBryony, brī′o-ni, n. a wild climbing plant, common in English hedgerows.—Black bryony, a climbing plant similar to bryony in habit and disposition, but which may be readily distinguished by its simple, entire, heart-shap
English · e-37683-3566Bryozoa, brī-ō-zō′a, n.pl. an old name for the Polyzoa, from their resemblance to mosses.
English · e-37683-3567 · brief source recordBrythonic, brīth-on′ik, adj. a name introduced by Prof. Rhys for the second of the two great divisions of Celtic ethnology. The Goidelic or Gadhelic group embraces Irish, Manx, and Gaelic; the Brythonic group, Welsh, Bre
English · e-37683-3568Bub, bub, n. (slang) strong drink.
English · e-37683-3569 · brief source recordBubalis, bū′bal-is, n. a genus in the Antelope division of hollow-horned, even-toed Ruminants, not to be confused with the genus Bubalus, the Buffalo. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-3570Bubble, bub′l, n. a bladder of water blown out with air: anything empty: a cheating scheme.—adj. unsubstantial, deceptive.—v.i. to rise in bubbles.—v.t. to cheat with bubble schemes:—pr.p. bubb′ling; pa.p. bubb′led.—adj.
English · e-37683-3571Bubo, bū′bo, n. an inflammatory swelling of the glands in the groin or armpit.—adj. Bubon′ic, accompanied by buboes.—n. Būb′ukle, a ridiculous word of Fluellen's for a red pimple, corrupted from bubo and carbuncle. [L.—G
English · e-37683-3572Buccal, buk′al, adj. pertaining to the cheek. [L.]
English · e-37683-3573 · brief source recordBuccaneer, Buccanier, buk-an-ēr′, n. one of the piratical adventurers in the West Indies during the 17th century, who plundered the Spaniards chiefly.—v.i. to act as a buccaneer.—n. Buccaneer′ing.—adj. Buccaneer′ish. [Fr
English · e-37683-3574Buccinator, buk-sin-ā′tor, n. the name of a flat muscle forming the wall of the cheek, assisting in mastication and in the blowing of wind-instruments.—adj. Buccinat′ory. [L.;—buccinare.]
English · e-37683-3575Bucentaur, bōō-sen′tawr, n. a mythical monster half man and half bull: the state barge of Venice used annually on Ascension Day in the ancient ceremony of the marriage of the state with the Adriatic. [It. bucentoro, usua
English · e-37683-3576Bucephalus, bū-sef′a-lus, n. the famous war-horse of Alexander the Great: a familiar name for a riding-horse. [Gr.; bous, ox, kephalē, head.]
English · e-37683-3577Buck, buk, n. the male of the deer, goat, hare, and rabbit—often used specifically of the male of the fallow-deer: a dashing young fellow.—v.i. (of a horse or mule—a Buck′jumper) to attempt to throw by a series of rapid
English · e-37683-3578Buck, buk, v.t. to soak or steep in lye, a process in bleaching.—n. lye in which clothes are bleached.—n. Buck′-bas′ket, a basket in which clothes are carried to be bucked. [Ety. obscure; M. E. bouken; cog. words are Ger
English · e-37683-3579Buckbean, buk′bēn, n. the marsh-trefoil, a plant common in bogs in Britain. [Corr. of Bogbean.]
English · e-37683-3580 · brief source recordBucket, buk′et, n. a vessel for drawing or holding water, &c.; one of the compartments on the circumference of a water-wheel, or one of the scoops of a dredging-machine: the leather socket for holding the whip in driving
English · e-37683-3581Buckie, buk′i, n. (Scot.) a shellfish such as the whelk: a refractory person. [Scot., prob. related somehow to L. buccinum, a shellfish.]
English · e-37683-3582A historical dictionary can preserve useful evidence and superseded analyses at the same time. These records retain their source identity; no parent edge, sound law, first-use date or confidence score is generated from a sentence’s position.
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