baa v. cry plaintively@n. the cry made by sheep
baas n. S African term for `boss'
baba n. a small cake leavened with yeast
babassu n. tall feather palm of northern Brazil with hard-shelled nuts yielding valuable oil and a kind of vegetable ivory
babbiting n. lining a surface or bearing with babbitt metal
babbitt v. line with a Babbitt metal@n. a alloy of tin with some copper and antimony; an anti-friction lining for bearings
babbitting n. lining a surface or bearing with babbitt metal
babble v. utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way; to talk foolishly; make a babbling, gurgling sound, as of water; divulge information or secrets; spill the beans@n. gibberish resembling the sounds of a baby
babbler n. any of various insectivorous Old World birds with a loud incessant song; in some classifications considered members of the family Muscicapidae
babbling n. gibberish resembling the sounds of a baby@adj. talking idly or incoherently; a babbling hospital inmate; continuous low murmuring sound; as especially of water: a babbling brook; making speech sounds; a babbling baby
babe n. a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
babel n. a confusion of voices and other sounds
babelike adj. like a baby especially in dependence; babelike innocence and dependence
babiroussa n. Indonesian wild pig with enormous curved canine teeth
babirusa n. Indonesian wild pig with enormous curved canine teeth
babirussa n. Indonesian wild pig with enormous curved canine teeth
baboo n. used as a Hindi courtesy title; equivalent to English `Mr'
baboon n. large terrestrial monkeys having doglike muzzles
baboonish adj. resembling a baboon
babu n. used as a Hindi courtesy title; equivalent to English `Mr'
babushka n. a kerchief for the head usually folded triangularly
baby adj. being or befitting or characteristic of an infant; baby rabbits; (of crops) harvested at an early stage of development@v. treat with excessive indulgence@n. a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
babyhood n. the early stage of growth or development; the earliest state of immaturity
babyish adj. characteristic of a baby; babyish tears and petulance
babyminder n. a woman who looks after babies in her own home while their parents are working
babysitter n. a person engaged to care for children when the parents are not home
babysitting n. the work of a baby sitter; caring for children when their parents are not home
bacca n. an indehiscent fruit derived from a single ovary having one or many seeds within a fleshy wall or pericarp: e.g. grape; tomato; cranberry
baccalaureate n. a farewell sermon to a graduating class at their commencement ceremonies; an academic degree conferred on someone who has successfully completed undergraduate studies
baccarat n. a card game played in casinos in which two or more punters gamble against the banker; the player wins who holds 2 or 3 cars that total closest to nine
baccate adj. resembling a berry; producing or bearing berries
bacchanal n. someone who engages in drinking bouts; a drunken reveller; a devotee of Bacchus; a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity@adj. used of riotously drunken merrymaking
bacchanalia n. a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
bacchanalian adj. used of riotously drunken merrymaking; a night of bacchanalian revelry
bacchant n. someone who engages in drinking bouts; a drunken reveller; a devotee of Bacchus; (Greek & Roman mythology) a priest or votary of Bacchus
bacchante n. (Greek & Roman mythology) a priestess or votary of Bacchus
bacchantic adj. of or relating to or resembling a bacchanalian reveler
bacchic adj. used of riotously drunken merrymaking
bacciferous adj. producing or bearing berries
baccilar adj. formed like a bacillus
baccivorous adj. feeding on berries
baccy n. leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
bach v. lead a bachelor's existence
bachelor v. lead a bachelor's existence@n. a man who has never been married; a knight of the lowest order; could display only a pennon
bachelorhood n. the time of a man's life prior to marriage; the state of being an unmarried man
bacillar adj. (biology) relating to or produced by or containing bacilli
bacillary adj. (biology) relating to or produced by or containing bacilli; formed like a bacillus
bacilli n. aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations
bacilliform adj. formed like a bacillus
bacillus n. aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations
bacitracin n. a polypeptide antibiotic of known chemical structure effective against several types of Gram-positive organisms; usually applied locally
back adv. in or to or toward a former location@adj. related to or located at the back; the back yard@v. be behind; support or vote for@n. the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
backache n. an ache localized in the back
backband n. a broad band that passes over the back of a horse and supports the shafts of a vehicle
backbench n. any of the seats occupied by backbenchers in the House of Commons of Great Britain
backbencher n. a member of the House of Commons of Great Britain who is not a party leader
backbend n. an acrobatic feat in which the trunk is bent backward from a standing position until the hands touch the floor
backbite v. say mean things
backbiter n. one who attacks the reputation of another by slander or libel
backblast n. backfire from a recoilless weapon
backboard n. a raised vertical board with basket attached; used to play basketball; a board used to support the back of someone or something
backbone n. a central cohesive source of support and stability; (informal) fortitude; the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; a computer network that connects other computer networks
backbreaking adj. characterized by toilsome effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
backchat n. light teasing repartee
backcloth n. scenery hung at back of stage
backcross v. mate a hybrid of the first generation with one of its parents
backdate v. make effective from an earlier date
backdown n. a retraction of a previously held position
backdrop n. scenery hung at back of stage
backed adj. having a back or backing, usually of a specified type; having backing; a claim backed up by strong evidence; (photography; of film) coated on the side opposite the emulsion with a substance to absorb light
backer n. invests in a theatrical production
backfield n. the offensive football players who line up behind the linemen
backfire v. have an unexpected and undesired effect; Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble@n. a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
backflow n. a flow that returns toward its source
backflowing n. a flow that returns toward its source
backgammon n. a board game for two players; pieces move according to throws of the dice
background v. move into the background@n. a person's social heritage: previous experience or training; he is a lawyer with a sports background; the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground
backgrounding n. the execution of low priority programs while higher priority programs are not using the processing system
backhand n. a return made with the back of the hand facing the direction of the stroke@v. hit a tennis ball backhand@adj. (of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke
backhanded adj. (of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke; roundabout or ambiguous; attacks from tht source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity
backhoe n. an excavator whose shovel bucket is attached to a hinged boom and is drawn backward to move earth
backing n. the act of providing approval and support; his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives; something forming a back that is added for strengthening; financial resources provided to make some project possible
backlash n. a movement back from an impact; an adverse reaction to some political or social occurrence; there was a backlash of intolerance@v. have an unexpected and undesired effect
backless adj. lacking a back; a stool is a backless and armless seat
backlog n. an accumulation of jobs not done or materials not processed that are yet to be dealt with; a large backlog of orders; large log at the back of a hearth fire@v. accumulate and create a backlog
backmost adj. located farthest to the rear
backpack n. a bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder@v. hike with a backpack
backpacking n. carrying something in a pack on the back; the backpacking of oxygen is essential for astronauts
backpedal v. pedal backwards, as on a bicycle; step backwards, in boxing; modify one' opinion, make it less strong
backplate n. plate armor protecting the back; worn as part of a cuirass
backrest n. a support that you can lean against while sitting
backroom n. the meeting place of a group of leaders who make their decisions via private negotiations
backsaw n. a handsaw stiffened by metal along upper edge
backscatter v. scatter (radiation) by the atoms of the medium through which it passes
backscratcher n. someone who is willing to trade favors or services for mutual advantage; a long-handled device for scratching your back
backseat n. a secondary or inferior position or status: tennis has had to take a backseat while his work is so demanding; a seat at the rear (especially the backseat of an automobile)
backsheesh n. a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)
backside n. the side of an object that is opposite its front; the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
backslap v. display excessive cordiality (towards)
backslide v. drop to a lower level; as in one's morals or standards
backslider n. someone who lapses into previous undesirable patterns of behavior
backsliding n. a failure to maintain a higher state
backspace v. hit the backspace key on a computer or typewriter keyboard; To erase, you must backspace
backspacer n. the typewriter key used for back spacing
backspin n. spin (usually of a moving ball) that retards or reverses the forward motion
backstage adv. out of view of the public; behind the scenes; Working backstage to gain political support for his proposal; in or to a backstage area of a theater@n. a stage area out of sight of the audience@adj. concealed from the public
backstair adj. secret and sly or sordid
backstairs adj. secret and sly or sordid; backstairs gossip@n. a second staircase at the rear of a building
backstay n. supports the back of something
backstitch v. do backstitches@n. overlapping stitch made by starting next stitch at middle of preceding one
backstop n. a fence or screen (as behind home plate in baseball)@v. act as a backstop, as in baseball
backstretch n. the side opposite the homestretch on a racecourse
backstroke n. a swimming stroke that resembles the crawl except the swimmer lies on his or her back
backswept adj. used of hair
backswimmer n. predaceous aquatic insect that swims on its back and may inflict painful bites
backsword n. broad blade; used for cutting rather than stabbing
backtalk n. an impudent or insolent rejoinder
backtrack v. retrace one's course
backup n. someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult); (computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device; he made a backup in case the original was accidentally damaged or erased
backward adv. at or to or toward or the back or rear; tripped when he stepped backward@adj. directed or facing toward the back or rear; a backward view; (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature
backwardness n. lack of normal development of intellectual capacities
backwards adv. at or to or toward or the back or rear; in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
backwash n. the flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller; the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event); the wave that spreads behind a boat as it moves forward
backwater n. any backward region that is isolated from the world and resists progress
backwoods n. a remote and undeveloped area@adj. inaccessible and sparsely populated
backwoodsman n. someone who lives on the frontier
backyard n. the grounds in back of a house
bacon n. back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried
bacteremia n. transient presence of bacteria (or other microorganisms) in the blood
bacteremic adj. of or relating to or having bacteremia
bacteria n. single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered plants
bacteriacide n. any chemical agent that destroys bacteria
bacteriaemia n. transient presence of bacteria (or other microorganisms) in the blood
bacterial adj. relating to or caused by bacteria; bacterial infection
bacterially adv. by bacteria; spreads bacterially
bactericidal adj. preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms
bactericide n. any chemical agent that destroys bacteria
bacteriemia n. transient presence of bacteria (or other microorganisms) in the blood
bacterioid adj. resembling bacteria
bacterioidal adj. resembling bacteria
bacteriologic adj. of or relating to bacteriology
bacteriological adj. of or relating to bacteriology
bacteriologist n. a biologist who studies bacteria
bacteriology n. the branch of medical science that studies bacteria in relation to disease
bacteriolysis n. dissolution or destruction of bacteria
bacteriolytic adj. of or relating to or causing bacteriolysis
bacteriophage n. virus parasitic in bacteria; multiplies within its host
bacteriophagic adj. of or relating to bacteriophages
bacteriophagous adj. of or relating to bacteriophages
bacteriostasis n. inhibition of the growth of bacteria
bacteriostat n. a chemical or biological material that inhibits bacterial growth
bacteriostatic adj. of or relating to or causing bacteriostasis
bacterise v. subject to the action of bacteria
bacterium n. single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered plants
bacterize v. subject to the action of bacteria
bacteroid adj. resembling bacteria@n. a rodlike bacterium of the genus Bacteroides; any of the rod-shaped or branched bacteria in the root nodules of nitrogen-fixing plants
bacteroidal adj. resembling bacteria
baculiform adj. formed like a bacillus
bad adj. having undesirable or negative qualities; a bad report card; very intense; a bad headache@adv. with great intensity@n. that which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency: take the bad with the good
baddeleyite n. a mineral consisting of zirconium oxide
bade past tense of bid
badge n. an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.); they checked everyone's badge before letting them in@v. put a badge on
badger v. annoy persistently; persuade through constant efforts@n. sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws widely distributed in the northern hemisphere
badgerer n. someone who tries to embarrass you with gibes and questions and objections
badgering n. the act of harassing someone
badinage n. frivolous banter
badlands n. deeply eroded barren land
badly adv. to a severe or serious degree; fingers so badly frozen they had to be amputated; (`ill' is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well; the car runs badly
badminton n. a game played on a court with light long-handled rackets used to volley a shuttlecock over a net
badmouth v. speak unfavorably about
badness n. that which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency; used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather; an attribute of mischievous children
baffle n. controls or directs flow of fluid or energy@v. be a mystery or bewildering to; to hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; check the emission of (sound)
baffled adj. perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment; used especially of feelings of defeat and discouragement@n. people who are frustrated and perplexed
bafflement n. confusion resulting from failure to understand
baffling adj. making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve; a baffling problem
bag n. a flexible container with a single opening; he stuffed his laundry into a large bag@v. capture or kill, as in hunting; bag a few pheasants; hang loosely, like an empty bag; bulge out; form a bulge outward; take unlawfully
bagascosis n. alveolitis caused by inhaling bagasse (sugarcane dust)
bagasse n. the dry dusty pulp that remains after juice is extracted from sugar cane or similar plants
bagassosis n. alveolitis caused by inhaling bagasse (sugarcane dust)
bagatelle n. a light piece of music for piano; something of little value or significance; (British) a table game in which short cues are used to knock balls into holes that are guarded by wooden pegs; penalties are incurred if the pegs are knocked over
bagel n. glazed yeast-raised doughnut-shaped roll with hard crust
bagful n. the quantity that a bag will hold
baggage n. used to carry belongings when traveling; a worthless or immoral woman
baggageman n. an attendant who takes care of baggage
bagger n. a worker who packs things into containers
bagging n. coarse fabric used for bags or sacks
baggy adj. not fitting closely; hanging loosely; baggy trousers
bagman n. a salesman who travels to call on customers; a racketeer assigned to collect or distribute payoff money
bagnio n. a building where prostitutes are available; a building containing public baths
bagpipe n. blow air into a bag and squeeze it out through pipes
bagpiper n. someone who plays the bagpipe
baguet n. narrow French stick loaf
baguette n. narrow French stick loaf
baht n. the basic unit of money in Thailand
bail v. deliver something in trust to somebody for a special purpose and for a limited period@n. (criminal law) money that must be forfeited by the bondsman if an accused person fails to appear in court for trial; the judge set bail at $10,000
bailable adj. admitting of bail; a bailable offense; eligible for bail; a bailable defendant
bailee n. the agent to whom property involved in a bailment is delivered
bailey n. the outer courtyard of a castle; the outer defensive wall that surrounds the outer courtyard of a castle
bailiff n. an officer of the court who is employed to execute writs and processes and make arrests etc.
bailiffship n. the office of bailiff
bailiwick n. one's special province or domain; territory, field, sphere
bailment n. the delivery of personal property in trust by the bailor to the bailee
bailor n. the person who delivers personal property (goods or money) in trust to the bailee in a bailment
bailsman n. one who gives bail for another
bairn n. (in Scotland) a child: son or daughter
bait v. harass with persistent criticism or carping; lure, entice, or entrap with bait; attack with dogs or set dogs upon@n. anything that serves as an enticement; something used to lure victim into danger
baiting n. harassment especially of a tethered animal
baiza n. 1,000 baiza equal 1 riyal-omani
baize n. a bright green fabric napped to resemble felt; used to cover gaming tables
bake n. cooking (bread) by dry heat in an oven@v. cook and make edible by putting in a hot oven; bake the potatoes; prepare with dry heat in an oven; bake a cake; heat by a natural force
bakeapple n. creeping raspberry of north temperate regions with yellow or orange berries
baked adj. dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; land lying baked in the heat; (of bread and pastries) cooked by dry heat (as in an oven); baked goods; hardened by subjecting to intense heat; baked bricks
baker n. someone who bakes commercially; someone who bakes bread or cake
bakery n. where bread and cakes are baked, and sometimes sold; creating bread or pastry in an oven
baking n. creating bread or pastry in an oven; cooking (bread) by dry heat in an oven@adj. as hot as if in an oven
baklava n. rich Middle Eastern cake made of thin layers of flaky pastry filled with nuts and honey
baksheesh n. a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)
bakshis n. a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)
bakshish n. a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)
balaclava n. close-fitting and woolen and covers all of the head but the face
balagan n. a word for chaos or fiasco borrowed from modern Hebrew (where it is a loan word from Russian); it was utter and complete balagan!
balalaika n. a stringed instrument that has triangular body and three strings
balance v. bring into balance or equilibrium; compute credits and debits of an account; hold or carry in equilibrium@n. a state of equilibrium; an amount on the credit side of an account
balanced adj. being in a state of proper balance or equilibrium; the carefully balanced seesaw; (accounting) total debits and credits are equal; the books looked balanced
balancer n. either of the club-like rudimentary hind wings of dipterous insects; used for maintaining equilibrium during flight
balancing n. getting two things to correspond
balanitis n. inflammation of the head of the penis
balanoposthitis n. inflammation of both the head of the penis and the foreskin
balas n. a pale rose-colored variety of the ruby spinel
balata n. when dried yields a hard substance used e.g. in golf balls; a hard-wooded tropical tree yielding balata gum and heavy red timber
balboa n. the basic unit of money in Panama; equal to 100 centesimos
balbriggan n. a cotton knit fabric used for underwear
balconied adj. having balconies or a balcony; the balconied houses of New Orleans
balcony n. an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium; a platform projecting from the wall of a building and surrounded by a balustrade or railing or parapet
bald adj. with no effort to conceal; without the natural or usual covering; a bald spot on the lawn; lacking hair on all or most of the scalp; a bald pate@v. grow bald; lose hair on one's head
baldachin n. ornamented canopy supported by columns or suspended from a roof or projected from a wall (as over an altar)
baldachino n. a canopylike structure over an altar
balderdash n. trivial nonsense
baldhead n. a person whose head is bald
balding adj. getting bald
baldly adv. in a bald manner; this book is, to put it baldly, an uneven work.
baldness n. the condition of having no hair (especially on the top of the head)
baldpate n. a person whose head is bald; American widgeon the male of which has a white crown
baldric n. a wide (ornamented) belt worn over the right shoulder to support a sword or bugle by the left hip
baldrick n. a wide (ornamented) belt worn over the right shoulder to support a sword or bugle by the left hip
baldy n. a person whose head is bald
bale v. make into a bale; bale hay@n. a large bundle bound for storage or transport
baleen n. a horny material from the upper jaws of certain whales; used as the ribs of fans or as stays in corsets
balefire n. a large outdoor fire
baleful adj. deadly or sinister; the Florida eagles have a fierce baleful look; threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments; a baleful look
balefully adv. in a baleful manner; she looked at him balefully
balefulness n. the quality or nature of being harmful or evil
balibago n. shrubby tree widely distributed along tropical shores; yields a light tough wood used for canoe outriggers and a fiber used for cordage and caulk; often cultivated for ornament
balk n. one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof; an illegal pitching motion while runners are on base@v. refuse to comply
balkanize v. divide a territory into small, hostile states
balked adj. used especially of feelings of defeat and discouragement
balkiness n. likely to stop abruptly and unexpectedly
balking adj. stopping short and refusing to go on; a balking 
balkline n. line across a billiard table behind which the cue balls are placed at the start of a game
balky adj. stopping short and refusing to go on; a balky mule
ball n. round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games; the ball travelled 90 mph on his serve; a solid ball shot by a musket; they had to carry a ramrod as well as powder and ball@v. form into a ball by winding, rolling, etc.
ballad n. a narrative song with a recurrent refrain; a narrative poem of popular origin
ballade n. a poem consisting of 3 stanzas and an envoy
balladeer n. a singer of popular ballads
ballast v. make steady with a ballast@n. used to stabilize a ship or airship
ballcarrier n. the football player carrying the ball in an offensive play
ballcock n. floating ball that controls level in a water tank
balldress n. (in England) a suit or dress for formal occasions
balled adj. formed or gathered into a ball; balled cotton
ballerina n. a female ballet dancer
ballet n. a theatrical representation of a story performed to music by ballet dancers; music written for a ballet
balletic adj. characteristic of or resembling or suitable for ballet
balletomane n. a ballet enthusiast
ballistic adj. relating to or characteristic of the motion of objects moving under their own momentum and the force of gravity; ballistic missile
ballistics n. the trajectory of an object in free flight; the science of flight dynamics
ballock n. one of the two male reproductive glands
balloon v. ride in a hot air balloon; become inflated@n. large tough non-rigid bag filled with gas or hot air; small thin inflatable rubber bag with narrow neck
balloonfish n. similar to but smaller than porcupinefish
ballooning n. flying in a balloon@adj. increasing or growing quickly like a balloon; ballooning prices caused a panic
balloonist n. someone who flies a balloon
ballot n. a document listing the alternatives that is used in voting; a choice that is made by voting@v. vote by ballot
balloting n. a choice that is made by voting
ballpark n. a facility in which ball games are played (especially baseball games); take me out to the ballpark
ballpen n. has a small metal ball as point of transfer of ink to paper
ballplayer n. an athlete who plays baseball
ballpoint n. has a small metal ball as point of transfer of ink to paper
ballroom n. large room used mainly for dancing
ballup n. (British) something badly botched or muddled
bally adj. (used of persons) informal intensifiers; what a bally (or blinking) nuisance
ballyhoo n. blatant or sensational promotion@v. advertize noisily or blatantly
ballyrag v. be bossy towards
balm n. any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing; used for healing or soothing
balmily adv. in a mildly insane manner
balmoral n. a brimless Scottish cap with a flat top
balmy adj. informal or slang terms for mentally irregular; mild and pleasant; balmy days and nights
baloney n. pretentious or silly talk or writing
balsa n. strong lightweight wood of the balsa tree used especially for floats; forest tree of lowland Central America having a strong very light wood; used for making floats and rafts and in crafts
balsam n. any seed plant yielding balsam; any of various fragrant oleoresins used in medicines and perfumes; a fragrant ointment containing a balsam resin
balsamic adj. of or relating to or containing balsam; a balsamic fragrance
balsamroot n. a plant of the genus Balsamorhiza having white-downy leaves in a basal rosettend yellow flowers and long balsam-scented taproots
balsamy adj. of or relating to or containing balsam
baluster n. one of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing
balusters n. at side of staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
balustrade n. at side of staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
bambino n. a young child
bamboo adj. made of bamboo; bamboo furniture@n. the hard woody stems of bamboo plants; used in construction and crafts and fishing poles; woody tropical grass having hollow woody stems; mature canes used for construction and furniture
bamboozle v. conceal one's true motives from esp. by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end
ban n. a decree that prohibits something; 100 bani equal 1 leu; an official prohibition@v. forbid the public distribution of; as of movies or newspapers; prohibit esp. by legal means or social pressure; ban from a place of residence, as for punishment
banal adj. obvious and dull; repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
banality n. a trite or obvious remark
banana n. any of several tropical and subtropical treelike herbs of the genus Musa having a terminal crown of large entire leaves and usually bearing hanging clusters of elongated fruits; elongated crescent-shaped yellow fruit with soft sweet flesh
banch n. (law) the seat for judges in a courtroom
band v. bind or tie together, as with a band@n. an unofficial association of people or groups; instrumentalists not including string players; a stripe of contrasting color; a strip or stripe of a contrasting color or material
bandage v. wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose; dress by covering or binding:; bandage an incision@n. a piece of soft material that protects an injured part of body
bandaged adj. covered or wrapped with a bandage; the bandaged wound on the back of his head
bandaging n. the act of applying a bandage
bandana n. large and brightly colored handkerchief; often used as a neckerchief
bandanna n. large and brightly colored handkerchief; often used as a neckerchief
bandbox n. a light cylindrical box for holding light articles of attire (especially hats)
bandeau n. worn by women to support their breasts
banded adj. identified with a band especially around a leg; kept watch for the return of their banded birds; marked with bands or strips of contrasting color or texture; a banded rock
bandelet n. molding in the form of a ring; at top of a column
bandelette n. molding in the form of a ring; at top of a column
banderilla n. a decorated dart that is implanted in the neck or shoulders of the bull during a bull fight
banderillero n. the bullfighter who implants decorated darts (banderillas) into the neck or shoulders of the bull during a bull fight
banderol n. a long narrow forked flag or streamer
banderole n. a long narrow forked flag or streamer
bandicoot n. any of various agile rat-like terrestrial marsupials of Australia and adjacent islands; insectivorous and herbivorous
banding n. a strip or stripe of a contrasting color or material
bandit n. an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
banditry n. the practice of plundering in gangs
bandleader n. the leader of a dance band
bandlet n. molding in the form of a ring; at top of a column
bandmaster n. the conductor of a band
bandoleer n. a broad cartridge belt worn over the shoulder by soldiers
bandolier n. a broad cartridge belt worn over the shoulder by soldiers
bandsaw n. a toothed metal band driven by two wheels
bandsman n. a player in a band (especially a military band)
bandstand n. a platform where a (brass) band can play in the open air
bandtail n. wild pigeon of western North America; often mistaken for the now extinct passenger pigeon
bandwagon n. a popular trend that attracts growing support; when they saw how things were going everybody jumped on the bandwagon; a large ornate wagon for carrying a musical band; the gaudy bandwagon led the circus parade
bandwidth n. a data transmission rate; the maximum amount of information (bits/second) that can be transmitted along a channel
bandy v. toss or strike a ball back and forth, as in tennis, hockey, etc.; exchange blows; discuss lightly@adj. have legs that curve outward at the knees
bane n. something causes misery or death; the bane of my life
baneberry n. a poisonous berry of a plant of the genus Actaea; a plant of the genus Actaea having acrid poisonous berries
baneful adj. exceedingly harmful; deadly or sinister
banefully adv. in a noxiously baneful way; this banefully poisoned climate
bang n. a vigorous blow; he got a bang on the head; a sudden very loud noise@adv. (informal) directly; he ran bang into the pole@v. strike violently; to produce a sharp often metallic explosive or percussive sound; close violently
banger n. British informal; a small explosive charge and fuse in a heavy paper casing
banging n. a continuing very loud noise; the act of subjecting to strong attack@adj. being or resembling the noise of things striking or bumping together repeatedly
bangle n. worn around the wrist for decoration; cheap showy jewelry or ornament or clothing
bangtail n. a horse bred for racing
banian n. East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks; a loose fitting jacket; originally worn in India
banish v. expel from a community or group; ban from a place of residence, as for punishment; expel, as if by official decree; drive away: banish bad thoughts
banishment n. the state of being banished or ostracized (excluded from society by general consent); the act of banishing someone
banister n. at side of staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
banjo n. a stringed instrument of the guitar family that has long neck and circular body
bank v. tip laterally; of boats and aircraft; enclose with a bank; bank roads; do business with a bank or keep an account at a bank@n. a financial institution that accepts deposits and channels the money into lending activities
bankable adj. guaranteed to bring a profit; without bankable stars the film script aroused no interest; acceptable to or at a bank; bankable funds
bankbook n. a record of deposits and withdrawals and interest held by depositors at certain banks
banker n. someone who owns or is an executive in a bank; the person in charge of the bank in a gambling game
banking n. engaging in the business of banking; transacting business with a bank
banknote n. a piece of paper money (especially one issued by a central bank)
bankroll v. provide with sufficient funds; finance; Who will bankroll the restoration of the former East German economy?@n. a roll of currency notes (often taken as the resources of a person or business etc.)
bankrupt adj. financially ruined; a bankrupt company@v. reduce to bankruptcy@n. someone who has insufficient assets to cover their debts
bankruptcy n. a state of complete lack of some abstract property; spiritual bankruptcy; inability to discharge all ones debts as they come due; a legal process intended to insure equality among the creditors of a corporation declared in bankruptcy
banksia n. any shrub or tree of the genus Banksia having alternate leathery leaves apetalous yellow flowers often in showy heads and conelike fruit with winged seeds
banned adj. forbidden by law
banner adj. unusually good; outstanding; a banner year for the company; of headlines; spanning the width of the page; banner headlines@n. long strip of cloth for decoration or advertising; a newspaper headline that runs across the full page
banneret n. a knight honored for valor; entitled to display a square banner and to hold higher command
bannerlike adv. like a banner; She waved her scarf at him bannerlike
banning n. an official prohibition
bannister n. at side of staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
bannock n. a flat bread made of oat or barley flour; common in New England and Scotland
banns n. a public announcement (in church) of a proposed marriage
banquet v. provide a feast or banquet for; partake in a feast or banquet@n. a ceremonial dinner party for many people; a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed: a banquet for the graduating seniors
banqueting n. eating an elaborate meal (often accompanied by entertainment)
banquette n. an upholstered bench
banshee n. (Irish folklore) a female spirit who wails to warn of impending death
bantam n. any of various small breeds@adj. very small
bantamweight adj. of a weight class of 112-118 lbs for boxers@n. weighs 115-126 pounds; weighs no more than 118 pounds
banteng n. wild ox of the Malay Archipelago
banter v. be silly or tease one another@n. light teasing repartee
bantering adj. cleverly amusing in tone; a bantering tone
banteringly adv. in a bantering fashion; he spoke to her banteringly
banting n. wild ox of the Malay Archipelago
bantling n. a young child
banyan n. East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks; a loose fitting jacket; originally worn in India
banzai n. a Japanese cheer of enthusiasm or triumph
baobab n. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and gourd-like fruit with edible pulp called monkey bread
bap n. (Scotland) a small loaf or roll of soft bread
baptise v. administer baptism to
baptism n. a Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth; most churches baptize infants but some insist on adult baptism
baptismal adj. of or relating to baptism; baptismal font
baptistery n. bowl for baptismal water
baptistry n. bowl for baptismal water
baptize v. administer baptism to
bar v. prevent from entering; keep out; render unsuitable for passage; expel, as if by official decree@n. a room where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter; a counter where you can purchase food or drink; a rigid piece of metal
baranduki n. terrestrial Siberian squirrel
barb v. provide with barbs; provide with barbs, as of fences, for example@n. an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect; the pointed part of barbed wire
barbacan n. a tower that is part of a defensive structure (such as a castle)
barbarian n. a member of an uncivilized people; a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement@adj. without civilizing influences; barbarian invaders
barbaric adj. without civilizing influences; barbaric practices; unrestrained and crudely rich; barbaric use of color or ornament
barbarisation n. an act that makes people primitive and uncivilized
barbarise v. make barbarous
barbarism n. a brutal barbarous savage act
barbarity n. the quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane; a brutal barbarous savage act
barbarization n. an act that makes people primitive and uncivilized
barbarize v. make barbarous
barbarous adj. (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering; a barbarous crime; primitive in customs and culture
barbarously adv. in a barbarous manner; they were barbarously murdered
barbarousness n. the quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane
barbasco n. West Indian shrub or small tree having leathery saponaceous leaves and extremely hard wood
barbate adj. having hair on the cheeks and chin
barbecue v. cook outdoors on a barbecue grill; let's barbecue that meat@n. meat that has been barbecued or grilled in a highly seasoned sauce; a cookout in which food is cooked over an open fire; especially a whole animal carcass roasted on a spit
barbecued adj. cooked over an outdoor grill
barbecuing n. roasting a large piece of meat on a revolving spit out of doors over an open fire
barbed adj. capable of wounding; a barbed compliment; having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.
barbel n. slender tactile process on the jaws of a fish
barbell n. a bar to which heavy discs are attached at each end; used in weightlifting
barbellate adj. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.
barber v. perform the services of a barber: cut the hair and/or beard of@n. a hairdresser who cuts hair and shaves beards as a trade
barberry n. any of numerous plants of the genus Berberis having prickly stems and yellow flowers followed by small red berries
barbershop n. a shop where men can get their hair cut
barbet n. small brightly colored stout-billed tropical bird having short weak wings
barbette n. (formerly) a mound earth inside a fort from which heavy gun can be fired over the parapet
barbican n. a tower that is part of a defensive structure (such as a castle)
barbital n. a barbiturate used as a hypnotic
barbitone n. a barbiturate used as a hypnotic
barbiturate n. organic compound having powerful soporific effect; overdose can be fatal
barbu n. found along western Atlantic coast
barcarole n. a boating song sung by Venetian gondoliers
barcarolle n. a boating song sung by Venetian gondoliers
bard v. put a caparison on; of horses@n. a lyric poet
bardic adj. being a bard or relating to a bard's poetry; bardic poetry
bardolatry n. idolization of William Shakespeare
bare v. lay bare; bare your breasts; make public; lay bare@adj. denuded of leaves; the bare branches of winter; completely unclothed; bare bodies; lacking in amplitude or quantity; a bare livelihood; without the natural or usual covering
bareback adj. riding without a saddle; a bareback rider@adv. without a saddle
barebacked adj. riding without a saddle@adv. without a saddle
bared adj. having the head uncovered; with bared head
barefaced adj. with no effort to conceal; a barefaced lie; unrestrained by convention or propriety; a barefaced hypocrite
barefacedly adv. without shame
barefoot adv. without shoes on; he chased her barefoot across the meadow@adj. without shoes; the barefoot boy
barefooted adj. without shoes@adv. without shoes on
barehanded adj. with bare hands; fought barehanded
bareheaded adj. having the head uncovered; caught bareheaded by the downpour
barelegged adj. having the legs uncovered by clothing; barelegged children on the beach
barely adv. by a small margin; they could barely hear the speaker; n a sparse or scanty way; a barely furnished room
bareness n. the state of being unclothed and exposed (especially of a part of the body); an extreme lack of furnishings or ornamentation
barf v. eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
bargain adj. offering goods or services at less than standard price or rate@v. haggle over the terms of an exchange; bargain@n. an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
bargainer n. someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
bargaining n. the negotiation of the terms of a transaction or agreement
barge n. a boat with a flat bottom for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)@v. push one's way; transport by barge on a body of water
bargee n. someone who operates a barge
bargello n. needlepoint stitch that produces zigzag lines
bargeman n. someone who operates a barge
baric adj. of or relating to or containing barium
barilla n. bushy plant of Old World salt marshes and sea beaches having prickly leaves; burned to produce a crude soda ash; Algerian plant formerly burned to obtain calcium carbonate
baring n. the removal of covering
barite n. a white or colorless mineral (BaSO4); the main source of barium
baritone n. a male singer; the second lowest adult male singing voice; the second lowest brass wind instrument@adj. lower in range than tenor and higher than bass; a baritone voice
barium n. a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group; found in barite
bark n. tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants; a noise resembling the bark of a dog; a sailing ship with 3 (or more) masts@v. speak in an unfriendly tone; cover with bark; remove the bark of a tree
barkeep n. an employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar
barkeeper n. an employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar
barker n. someone who stands in front of a show (as at a carnival) and gives a loud colorful sales talk to potential customers
barklouse n. any of several insects living on the bark of plants
barky adj. resembling the rough bark of a tree; the rattlesnake's barky scales
barley n. a grain of barley; cultivated since prehistoric times; grown for forage and grain
barleycorn n. a grain of barley; a grain of barley
barm n. a commercial leavening agent containing yeast cells; used to raise the dough in making bread and for fermenting beer or whiskey
barmaid n. a female bartender
barman n. an employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar
barmbrack n. (Irish) a rich currant cake or bun
barmy adj. informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
barn n. an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals; (physics) a unit of nuclear cross section
barnacle n. marine crustaceans with feathery food-catching appendages; free-swimming as larvae; as adults form a hard shell and live attached to submerged surfaces; European goose smaller than the brant; breeds in the far north
barnacled adj. covered with barnacles; the barnacled hull of a wrecked ship
barnburner n. someone who burns down a barn; (informal) a impressively successful event; the rock concert was a real barnburner
barndoor n. an opaque adjustable flap on a lamp fixture; used in photography to cut off light from particular areas
barnful n. the quantity that a barn will hold
barnstorm v. tour the country to solicit votes
barnstormer n. an actor who travels around the country presenting plays; a pilot who travels around the country giving exhibits of stunt flying and parachuting
barnyard n. a yard adjoining a barn
barograph n. a recording barometer; automatically records on paper the variations in atmospheric pressure
barographic adj. relating to or registered by a barograph
barometer n. an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
barometric adj. relating to or indicated by a barometer; barometric pressure
baron n. a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank; a British peer of the lowest rank; a very wealthy or powerful businessman: an oil baron
baronage n. the peers of a kingdom considered as a group
baronduki n. terrestrial Siberian squirrel
baroness n. a noblewoman who holds the rank of baron or who is the wife or widow of a baron
baronet n. a member of the British order of honor; ranks below a baron but above a knight; since he was a baronet he had to be addressed as Sir Henry Jones, Bart.
baronetcy n. the rank or dignity or position of a baronet or baroness; the title of a baron
barong n. a cleaverlike knife used in the Philippines
baronial adj. impressive in appearance; a baronial mansion
barony n. the estate of a baron; the rank or dignity or position of a baronet or baroness; the domain of a baron
baroque n. elaborate symmetrical ornamentation@adj. having elaborate symmetrical ornamentation
baroqueness n. elaborate symmetrical ornamentation
baroreceptor n. a sensory receptor that responds to pressure
barosaur n. 5-story-tall dinosaur
barosaurus n. 5-story-tall dinosaur
barouche n. a 4-wheeled carriage; has outside seat for the driver and facing inside seats for two couples and a folding top
barque n. a sailing ship with 3 (or more) masts
barrack n. a building used to house military personnel@v. urge on or encourage esp. by shouts; laugh or scoff at
barracking n. shouting to interrupt a speech with which you disagree
barracks n. sing or pl. a building or group of buildings for lodging soldiers
barracuda n. any voracious marine fish of the genus Sphyraena having an elongated cylindrical body and large mouth with projecting lower jaw and long strong teeth
barrage n. the rapid and continuous delivery of linguistic communication (spoken or written); the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target@v. attack with a barrage
barramunda n. large edible Australian lungfish having paddle-shaped fins
barratry n. the purchase or sale of office or preferment in church or state; a fraudulent breach of duty by the master or crew of a ship intended to harm the owner or cargo; the practice of inciting lawsuits or quarrels
barred adj. firmly fastened or secured against opening; preventing entry or exit or a course of action; barred doors
barrel v. put in barrels@n. through which bullet travels when gun is fired; a cylindrical container that holds liquids; a bulging cylindrical shape; hollow with flat ends; the quantity that a barrel (of any size) will hold
barreled adj. put in or stored in a barrel; barreled beer; (of an arrow) tapered toward both ends
barrelfish n. blackish fish of New England waters
barrelful n. the quantity that a barrel (of any size) will hold
barrelhouse n. a cheap drinking and dancing establishment
barrelled adj. put in or stored in a barrel; (of an arrow) tapered toward both ends
barrels n. the amount that many barrels might hold
barren n. an uninhabited wilderness that is worthless for cultivation@adj. without offspring; in some societies a barren woman is rejected by her tribesmen; not fertile or productive; a barren tree; providing no shelter or sustenance; barren lands
barrenness n. the state (usually of a woman) of having no children or being unable to have children; a condition yielding nothing of value
barrenwort n. slow-growing creeping plant with semi-evergreen leaves on erect wiry stems; used as ground cover
barrette n. a pin for holding women's hair in place
barretter n. a resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations)
barricade n. a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc.@v. render unsuitable for passage; barricade the streets
barricaded adj. preventing entry or exit or a course of action; a barricaded street
barricado v. block off with barricades
barrier n. a structure or object that impedes free movement; any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective; intolerance is a barrier to understanding
barring n. the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto
barrister n. a British lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law
barroom n. a room where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
barrow n. the quantity that a barrow will hold; (archeology) a heap of earth placed over prehistoric tombs; a cart for carrying small loads; has handles and one or more wheels
barrowful n. the quantity that a barrow will hold
bars n. gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden bars supported on uprights
bart n. a member of the British order of honor; ranks below a baron but above a knight
bartender n. an employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar
barter n. an equal exchange; we had no money so we hd to live by barter@v. haggle over the terms of an exchange; bargain; exchange goods
barterer n. a trader who exchanges goods and not money
bartlett n. juicy yellow pear
bartonia n. annual grown especially for its fragrant golden nocturnal flowers
barunduki n. terrestrial Siberian squirrel
barycenter n. (astronomy) the common center of mass around which two or more bodies revolve
barye n. the absolute unit of pressure equal to one dyne per square centimeter
baryon n. any of the elementary particles having a mass equal to or greater than that of a proton and that participate in strong interactions; a hadron with a baryon number of +1
baryta n. any of several compounds of barium
barytes n. a white or colorless mineral (BaSO4); the main source of barium
barytic adj. of or relating to or containing baryta
barytone n. a male singer
basal adj. (botany) especially of leaves; located at the base of a plant or stem; especially arising directly from the root or rootstock or a root-like stem; basal placentation; of elementary education; a basal reader; serving as or forming a base
basalt n. the commonest type of solidified lava; a dense dark gray fine-grained igneous rock composed chiefly of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene
basaltic adj. of or relating to or containing basalt
bascule n. a structure in which one end is counterbalanced by the other (as in a bascule bridge)
base adj. serving as or forming a base@n. installation from which a military force initiates operations; lowest supporting part of a structure; it was built on a base of solid rock; place that runner must touch before scoring@v. use as a basis for
baseball n. a game played with a bat and ball between two teams of 9 players; teams take turns at bat trying to score run; a ball used in playing baseball
baseboard n. a molding covering the joint formed by a wall and the floor
baseborn adj. of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense); baseborn wretches with dirty faces; (archaic) illegitimate
based adj. being derived from; usually followed by or : a film based on a best-selling novel; having a base; firmly based ice; having a basis; often used as combining terms; a soundly based argument
baseless adj. without a basis in reason or fact; baseless gossip
baseline n. an imaginary line or standard by which things are measured or compared; the established a baseline for the budget; the back line at each end of a tennis court; the lines a baseball player must follow while running the bases
basely adv. in a despicable, ignoble manner
basement n. the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage; the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture
baseness n. unworthiness by virtue of lacking higher values
basenji n. small smooth-haired breed of African origin having a tightly curled tail and the inability to bark
bash v. hit hard@n. a vigorous blow; he took a bash right in his face; an uproarious party
bashful adj. self-consciously timid; disposed to avoid notice; they considered themselves a tough outfit and weren't bashful about letting anybody know it; (`blate' is a Scottish term for bashful)
bashfully adv. in a shy or timid or bashful manner
bashfulness n. feeling embarrassed due to modesty
basic adj. pertaining to or constituting a base or basis; a basic fact; reduced to the simplest and most significant form possible without loss of generality; a basic story line@n. (usually plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
basically adv. at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature; He is basically dishonest
basics n. a statement of fundamental facts or principles; principles from which other truths can be derived; let's get down to basics
basidial adj. relating to or characterized by basidia
basidiocarp n. the fruiting body of a basidiomycete which bears its spores on special cells
basidiolichen n. a lichen in which the fungus component is a basidiomycete
basidiomycete n. any of various fungi of the subdivision Basidiomycota
basidiomycetous adj. (botany) pertaining to or characteristic of fungi of the class Basidiomycetes
basidiospore n. a sexually produced fungal spore borne on a basidium
basidiosporous adj. (botany) of or relating to or characterized by spores produced by basidia
basidium n. a small club-shaped structure typically bearing four basidiospores at the ends of minute projections; unique to basidiomycetes
basifixed adj. (botany) attached by its base (as certain anthers to their filaments or stalks)
basify v. turn basic and less acidic, of solutions and substances
basil n. any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum; leaves or the common basil; used fresh or dried
basilar adj. of or relating to or located at the base; the basilar membrane of the cochlea
basilary adj. of or relating to or located at the base
basileus n. a ruler of the eastern Roman Empire
basilica n. an early Christian church designed like a Roman basilica; or a Roman Catholic church or cathedral accorded certain privileges; the church was raised to the rank of basilica; a Roman building used for public administration
basilican adj. of or relating to or resembling a basilica
basilisk n. (classical mythology) a serpent (or lizard or dragon) able to kill with its breath or glance; ancient brass cannon; small crested arboreal lizard able to run on its hind legs; of tropical America
basin n. a bowl-shaped vessel for holding liquids; a concave shape with an open top; the quantity that a basin will hold; a natural depression in the surface of the land with a lake at the bottom of it; the basin of the Great Salt Lake
basinal adj. of or relating to a basin; basinal deposits
basined adj. enclosed in a basin
basinet n. a medieval steel helmet
basinful n. the quantity that a basin will hold
basipetal adj. (botany) of leaves or flowers; developing or opening in succession from apex to base
basis n. a relation that provides the foundation for something; or he worked on an interim basis; the fundamental assumptions underlying an explanation; the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture
bask v. derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in; be exposed
basket n. a container that is usually woven and has handles; the quantity contained in a basket; horizontal hoop with a net through which players try to throw the basketball; a score in basketball made by throwing the ball through the hoop
basketball n. a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the basketball through an elevated horizontal hoop; an inflated ball used in playing basketball
basketeer n. an athlete who plays basketball
basketful n. the quantity contained in a basket
basketmaker n. someone skilled in weaving baskets
basketry n. the craft of basket making
basketweaver n. someone skilled in weaving baskets
basophil n. a leukocyte with basophilic granules easily stained by basic stains
basophile n. a leukocyte with basophilic granules easily stained by basic stains
basophilia n. the tendency of cells to stain with basic dyes; cytoplasmic basophilia
basophilic adj. (biology) staining readily with basic dyes
bass n. the lowest part of the musical range; the lowest part in polyphonic music; an adult male singer with the lowest voice; flesh of lean-fleshed saltwater fish of the family Serranidae@adj. having or denoting a low vocal or instrumental range
bassarisk n. raccoon-like omnivorous mammal of Mexico and the southwestern United States having a long bushy tail with black and white rings
basset n. smooth-haired breed of hound with short legs and long ears@v. appear at the surface
bassine n. coarse leaf fiber from palmyra palms used in making brushes and brooms
bassinet n. a basket (usually hooded) used as a baby's bed; a perambulator that resembles a bassinet
basso n. an adult male singer with the lowest voice; the lowest adult male singing voice
bassoon n. a double-reed instrument; the tenor of the oboe family
bassoonist n. a musician who plays the bassoon
basswood n. soft light-colored wood of any of various linden trees; used in making crates and boxes and in carving and millwork
bast n. strong woody fibers obtained especially from the phloem of from various plants; (botany) tissue that conducts synthesized food substances (e.g., from leaves) to parts where needed; consists primarily of sieve tubes
bastard adj. born out of wedlock; fraudulent; having a misleading appearance@n. (obscene) insulting terms of address; the illegitimate offspring of unmarried parents
bastardisation n. an act that debases or corrupts
bastardise v. change something so that its value declines; for example, art forms
bastardization n. an act that debases or corrupts
bastardize v. change something so that its value declines; for example, art forms; declare a child to be illegitimate
bastardized adj. (fine arts) deriving from more than one source or style
bastardly adj. born out of wedlock
bastardy n. the status of being born to parents who were not married
baste v. cover with liquid before cooking; baste a roast; strike violently and repeatedly; sew together loosely, with large stitches; baste a hem@n. loose temporary stitches
bastinado n. a cudgel used to give someone a beating on the soles of the feet@v. beat somebody on the soles of the feet
basting n. loose temporary stitches; moistening a roast as it is cooking
bastion n. a group that defends a principle; a bastion against corruption; a stronghold into which people could go for shelter during a battle; projecting part of a rampart or other fortification
bastioned adj. secured with bastions or fortifications
bastnaesite n. a yellow-to-brown mineral that is a source of rare earth elements
bastnasite n. a yellow-to-brown mineral that is a source of rare earth elements
bat v. strike with, or as if with a baseball bat; wink briefly; bat one's eyelids; beat thoroughly in a competition or fight@n. an implement used in baseball by the batter
batch v. batch together; assemble or process as a batch@n. all the loaves of bread baked at the same time; (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent: a batch of letters; a collection of things or persons to be handled together
bate v. moderate or restrain; lessen the force of; flap the wings wildly or frantically; used of falcons; soak in a special solution to soften and remove chemicals used in previous treatments; bate hides and skins
bateau also batteau n. pl. bateaux; any of various small craft
bated adj. held back; we watched the daring feats of the acrobats with bated breath; diminished or moderated; our bated enthusiasm
batfish n. bottom-dweller of warm western Atlantic coastal waters having a flattened scaleless body that crawls about on fleshy pectoral and pelvic fins
batfowl v. catch birds by temporarily blinding them
bath n. a vessel in which something is immersed to maintain it at a constant temperature or to process or lubricate it; you soak your body in a bathtub; he has a good bath every morning@v. clean one's body by immersion into water
bathe n. the act of swimming; the Englishman said he had a good bathe@v. cleanse the entire body; bathe daily; suffuse with or as if with light; clean one's body by immersion into water
bather n. a person who travels through the water by swimming
bathetic adj. effusively or insincerely emotional; a bathetic novel
bathhouse n. a building containing dressing rooms for bathers; a building containing public baths
bathing n. immersing the body in water or sunshine; the act of washing yourself (or another person)
batholite n. large mass of intrusive igneous rock believed to have solidified deep within the earth
batholith n. large mass of intrusive igneous rock believed to have solidified deep within the earth
batholithic adj. (geology) of or relating to a batholith
batholitic adj. (geology) of or relating to a batholith
bathos n. triteness or triviality of style; insincere pathos; a change from a serious subject to a disappointing one
bathrobe n. a loose-fitting robe of towelling; worn after a bath or swim
bathroom n. a room (in a residence) containing a bath or shower and usually a washbasin and toilet; a room equipped with washing and toilet facilities
bathtub n. a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
bathyal adj. relating to ocean depths between 200 and 2000 meters (corresponds to the continental slope)
bathymetric adj. of or relating to measurements of the depths of oceans or lakes
bathymetrical adj. of or relating to measurements of the depths of oceans or lakes
bathymetry n. measuring the depths of the oceans
bathyscape n. navigable deep diving vessel for underwater exploration
bathyscaph n. navigable deep diving vessel for underwater exploration
bathyscaphe n. navigable deep diving vessel for underwater exploration
bathysphere n. spherical deep diving apparatus (lowered by a cable) for underwater exploration
batik v. dye with wax@n. a dyed fabric; a removable wax is used where the dye is not wanted
batiste n. a thin plain-weave cotton or linen fabric; used for shirts or dresses
batman n. an orderly assigned to serve a British military officer
baton n. used by a conductor to direct an orchestra; passed from runner to runner in a relay race
batrachian n. any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species@adj. (zoology) relating to frogs and toads
bats adj. informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
batsman n. a ballplayer who is batting
battalion n. an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies; a large indefinite number; a battalion of ants
batten v. furnish with battens; of ships; secure with battens; batten down a ship's hatches@n. fixed to something to hold it firm
batter n. a ballplayer who is batting; a flour mixture thin enough to pour or drop from a spoon@v. strike against forcefully; strike violently and repeatedly; make a dent or impression in
battercake n. a flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle
battered adj. damaged by blows or hard usage; a battered old car; damaged especially by hard usage; his battered old hat; beaten repeatedly with heavy blows; a battered child
battering n. the act of subjecting to strong attack
battery n. group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place; produces electricity; may have several primary or secondary cells arranged in parallel or series
batting n. (in baseball) the batter's attempt to get on base
battle v. battle or contend against in or as if in a battle@n. a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war; Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga; an energetic attempt to achieve something
battledore n. an ancient racket game
battlefield n. a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought
battlefront n. the line along which opposing armies face each other
battleful adj. having or showing a ready disposition to fight
battleground n. a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought
battlement n. a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns
battlemented adj. protected with battlements or parapets with indentations or embrasures for shooting through; (of a building) having turrets and battlements in the style of a castle
battler n. someone who fights (or is fighting)
battleship n. large and heavily armoured
battlesight n. an arrangement of sights that makes possible the rapid aiming of a firearm at short ranges
battlewagon n. large and heavily armoured
battue n. a hunt in which beaters force the game to flee in the direction of the hunter; indiscriminate slaughter
batty adj. informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
batwing n. one of a pair of swinging doors (as at the entrance to a western saloon)@adj. formed or shaped like a bat's wing; a dress with batwing sleeves
bauble n. a mock scepter carried by a court jester; cheap showy jewelry or ornament or clothing
baud n. (computer science) a data transmission rate (bits/second) for modems
baulk v. refuse to comply@n. one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
bauxite n. a clay-like mineral; the chief ore of aluminum; composed of aluminum oxides and aluminum hydroxides; used as an abrasive and catalyst
bauxitic adj. resembling or containing bauxite
bawbee n. an old Scottish coin of little value
bawd n. a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
bawdily adv. in a bawdy manner
bawdiness n. the trait of behaving in an obscene manner
bawdry n. lewd or obscene talk or writing;  it was smoking-room bawdry or
bawdy adj. humorously vulgar; bawdy songs@n. lewd or obscene talk or writing; or they published a collection of Elizabethan bawdy
bawdyhouse n. a building where prostitutes are available
bawl v. shout loudly and without restraint; make a raucous noise; cry loudly; Don't bawl in public!
bawling adj. crying out loudly; a bawling calf just separated from its mother@n. loud cries made while weeping
bay n. an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than an gulf; the sound of a hound on the scent@adj. (used of animals especially a horse) of a moderate reddish-brown color@v. utter in deep prolonged tones
baya n. common Indian weaverbird
bayberry n. West Indian tree; source of bay rum; deciduous aromatic shrub of eastern North America with gray-green wax-coated berries
bayonet v. stab or kill someone with a bayonet@n. a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
bayou n. a swampy arm or slow-moving outlet of a lake (term used mainly in Mississippi and Louisiana)
bazaar n. a shop where a variety of goods are sold; a street of small shops (especially in Orient); a sale of miscellany; often for charity; the church bazaar
bazar n. a street of small shops (especially in Orient); a shop where a variety of goods are sold
bazooka n. a portable rocket launcher used by infantrymen as an anti-tank weapon
bdellium n. aromatic gum resin; similar to myrrh
be v. have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); be identical to; be someone or something, as in; occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere; also for abstract situations and relations
beach v. land on a beach, as of watercraft@n. an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
beachcomber n. a vagrant living on a beach
beached adj. on a beach
beachhead n. an area in hostile territory that has been occupied and is held for further troops and supplies
beachlike adj. (of a shore or shoreline) having an extensive gently sloping area covered with sand or gravel or shingle down to the water line
beachwear n. clothing to be worn at a beach
beachy adj. (of a shore or shoreline) having an extensive gently sloping area covered with sand or gravel or shingle down to the water line
beacon n. a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance; a radio station that broadcasts a directional signal for navigational purposes; a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships@v. shine like a beacon
bead v. form into beads, as of water or sweat, for example; decorate by sewing beads onto; string together like beads@n. a small ball with a hole through the middle; a shape that is small and round; a beaded molding for edging or decorating furniture
beaded adj. covered with beads of liquid; a face beaded with sweat; covered with beads or jewels or sequins
beading n. ornamentation with beads; a beaded molding for edging or decorating furniture
beadle n. a minor parish official who serves as an usher and preserves order at services
beadlike adj. small and round and shiny like a shiny bead or button
beads n. beads threaded on a string
beadsman n. a person who is paid to pray for the soul of another
beadwork n. ornamentation with beads; a beaded molding for edging or decorating furniture
beady adj. small and round and shiny like a shiny bead or button; bright beady eyes; covered with beads or jewels or sequins
beagle n. a small short-legged smooth-coated breed of hound
beagling n. hunting rabbits with beagles
beak n. beaklike mouth of e.g. turtles; horny projecting jaws of a bird; (US) informal terms for the nose@v. hit lightly with a picking motion
beaked adj. having or resembling a beak
beaker n. made of glass or plastic; flat bottomed; used for chemistry; usually without a handle
beakless adj. not having a beak or bill
beaklike adj. resembling the beak of a bird; a grizzled man with a beaklike nose
beam n. a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides pilots in darkness or bad weather@v. smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression; emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light
beaming adj. cheerful and bright; a beaming smile; pleased and proud; beaming parents; radiating or as if radiating light; the beaming sun
beamish adj. smiling with happiness or optimism
beamy adj. broad in the beam; a beamy cargo ship; radiating or as if radiating light
bean n. any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae; any of various seeds or fruits suggestive of beans; any of various leguminous plants grown for their edible seeds and pods; informal terms for a human head
beanbag n. a small cloth bag filled with dried beans; thrown in games
beanball n. a baseball deliberately thrown at the batter's head
beaner n. a baseball deliberately thrown at the batter's head
beanfeast n. (British) an annual dinner party given by an employer for the employees
beanie n. a small skullcap; formerly worn by schoolboys and college freshmen
beano n. a game in which numbered balls are drawn and random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards
beanstalk n. stem of a bean plant
beany n. a small skullcap; formerly worn by schoolboys and college freshmen
bear v. have: bear a resemblance; give birth (to a newborn); put up with something or somebody unpleasant; I cannot bear his constant criticism@n. massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
bearable adj. capable of being borne though unpleasant
bearberry n. shrubby tree of United States Pacific coast; yields cascara sagrada; deciduous shrub of southeastern and central United States; chiefly evergreen subshrubs of northern to arctic areas
bearcat n. arboreal civet of Asia having a long prehensile tail and shaggy black hair
beard v. go along the rim, like a beard around the chin@n. the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face; a tuft or growth of hairs or bristles on certain plants such as iris or grasses; hairy growth on or near the face of certain mammals
bearded adj. having hair on the cheeks and chin; having a growth of hair-like awns; bearded wheatgrass
beardless adj. having no beard; lacking hair on the face
beardown adj. with full strength; his beardown performance in the exhibition game
bearer n. someone whose employment involves carrying something; a messenger who bears or presents; a bearer of good tidings; one of the mourners carrying the coffin at a funeral
bearing n. relevant relation or interconnection: those issues have no bearing on our situation; the direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies@adj. (of a structural member) withstanding a weight or strain
bearish adj. (stock market) expecting prices to fall
bearnaise n. hollandaise-like sauce made with white wine and tarragon and shallots instead of lemon juice
bearskin n. the pelt of a bear (sometimes used as a rug); tall; worn by some British soldiers on ceremonial occasions
bearwood n. shrubby tree of United States Pacific coast; yields cascara sagrada
beast n. a living organism characterized by voluntary movement; a cruelly rapacious person
beastliness n. the quality of being deliberately mean; (British) unpleasant nastiness; used especially of nasty weather
beastly adj. very unpleasant; hellish (or beastly) weather; resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility; beastly desires@adv. in a beastly manner; she behaved beastly toward her mother-in-law
beat adj. (informal) very tired@n. a regular route for a sentry or policeman; in the old days a policeman walked a beat and knew all his people by name@v. come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
beatable adj. susceptible to being defeated
beaten adj. decisively defeated in combat; beaten repeatedly with heavy blows; formed or made thin by hammering: beaten gold; much trodden and worn smooth or bare; did not stray from the beaten path
beater n. for beating dust out of carpets
beatific adj. experiencing or bestowing celestial joy; beatific peace; marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint; a beatific smile
beatification n. (Roman Catholic Church) the act of declaring that a deceased person lived a holy life and is worthy of public veneration; a first step toward canonization
beatified adj. Roman Catholic; proclaimed one of the blessed and thus worthy of veneration
beatify v. in the Catholic church; declare to be a saint
beating adj. expanding and contracting rhythmically as to the beating of the heart; oh my beating heart@n. the act of overcoming or outdoing; the act of inflicting corporal punishment with repeated blows
beatitude n. a state of supreme happiness
beatnik n. a member of the Beat Generation; a nonconformist in dress and behavior
beau n. a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman; a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
beaugregory n. blue-and-yellow damselfish of Bermuda Florida and West Indies
beaut n. an outstanding example of its kind; when I make a mistake it's a beaut
beauteous adj. poetic
beauteousness n. the quality of being good looking and attractive
beautician n. someone who works in a beauty parlor
beautification n. the act of making something more beautiful
beautiful adj. delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration; a beautiful child; aesthetically pleasing; (of weather) highly enjoyable; very pleasant; a beautiful evening
beautifully adv. in a beautiful manner; her face was beautifully made up
beautify v. make more beautiful; be beautiful to look at; make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; beautify yourself for the special day
beauty n. the qualities that give pleasure to the senses; a very attractive or seductive looking woman; an outstanding example of its kind
beaver v. work hard on something@n. the soft brown fur of the beaver; a full beard; a man's hat with a tall crown; usually covered with beaver or silk; a movable piece of armor on a medieval helmet used to protect the lower face
bebop v. dance the bebop@n. an early form of modern jazz (originating around 1940)
becalm v. make steady
becalmed adj. rendered motionless for lack of wind
because conj. for the reason that
bechamel n. milk thickened with a butter and flour roux
bechance v. become of; happen to; happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance; (Santayana)
becharm v. control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft; attract; cause to be enamored
beck n. a beckoning gesture
beckon v. signal with the hands or nod; appear inviting; summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture
becloud v. make less visible or unclear
become v. enter or assume a certain state or condition; undergo a change or development; come into existence; enhance the appearance of
becoming adj. according with custom or propriety; her becoming modesty; displaying or setting off to best advantage; a becoming new shade of rose
becomingly adv. in a becoming manner; she was becomingly dressed
becomingness n. the quality of being becoming
bed v. furnish with a bed; The inn keeper could bed all the new arrivals; put to bed; have sexual intercourse with@n. a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep; he sat on the edge of the bed; a plot of ground in which plants are growing
bedamn v. wish harm upon; put a curse on
bedaub v. spread or daub over
bedaubed adj. ornamented in a vulgar or showy fashion
bedaze v. overcome esp. with astonishment or disbelief
bedazzle v. to cause someone to lose clear vision, esp. from intense light
bedbug n. bug of temperate regions that infests esp. beds and feeds on human blood
bedchamber n. a room used primarily for sleeping
bedclothes n. covering that are used on a bed
bedcover n. decorative cover for a bed
bedded adj. (geology) deposited or arranged in horizontal layers; (combining form) having a bed or beds as specified
bedder n. an ornamental plant suitable for planting in a flowerbed
bedding n. covering that are used on a bed; material used to provide a bed for animals
bedeck v. decorate
bedecked adj. clothed or adorned with finery
bedesman n. a person who is paid to pray for the soul of another
bedevil v. annoy constantly; be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
bedevilment n. the act of harassing someone
bedew v. cover with drops, as with dew
bedewed adj. wet with dew
bedfast adj. confined to bed (by illness)
bedfellow n. a temporary associate; a person with whom you share a bed
bedframe n. the framework of a bed
bedground n. an area on which a drove of cattle or sheep can sleep for a night
bedight v. decorate
bedim v. make difficult to perceive by sight; make obscure or unclear
bedimmed adj. made dim or indistinct; a sun bedimmed by clouds
bedizen v. decorate tastelessly; dress up garishly and tastelessly
bedlam n. a state of extreme confusion and disorder
bedlamite n. an archaic term for a lunatic
bedless adj. without a bed; the cell was bedless
bedouin n. a nomadic Arab of the Arabian, Syrian, or North African deserts
bedpan n. a shallow vessel used by a bedridden patient for defecation and urination
bedpost n. any of 4 vertical supports at the corners of a bedstead
bedraggle v. make wet and dirty, as from rain
bedraggled adj. limp and soiled as if dragged in the mud; the beggar's bedraggled clothes; in deplorable condition; a street of bedraggled tenements
bedrid adj. confined to bed (by illness)
bedridden adj. confined to bed (by illness)
bedrock n. solid unweathered rock lying beneath surface deposits of soil; principles from which other truths can be derived
bedroll n. bedding rolled up for carrying
bedroom n. a room used primarily for sleeping
bedside n. space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person); the doctor stood at her bedside
bedsit n. a furnished sitting room with sleeping accommodations (and some plumbing)
bedsitter n. a furnished sitting room with sleeping accommodations (and some plumbing)
bedsore n. a chronic ulcer of the skin caused by prolonged pressure on it (as in bedridden patients)
bedspread n. decorative cover for a bed
bedspring n. (usually plural) one of the springs holding up the mattress of a bed
bedstead n. the framework of a bed
bedstraw n. any of several plants of the genus Galium
bedtime n. the time you go to bed
bee n. any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species; a social gathering to carry out some communal task or to hold competitions
beebalm n. perennial herb of North America; perennial aromatic herb of eastern North America having variously colored tubular flowers in dense showy heads
beebread n. a mixture of nectar and pollen prepared by worker bees and fed to larvae
beech n. any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth gray bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions
beechen adj. consisting of or made of wood of the beech tree
beechnut n. small sweet triangular nut of any of various beech trees
beechwood n. wood of any of various beech trees; used for flooring and containers and plywood and tool handles
beef n. cattle that are reared for their meat; meat from an adult domestic bovine; informal terms for objecting@v. complain
beefalo n. hardy breed of cattle resulting from crossing domestic cattle with the American buffalo; yields leaner beef than conventional breeds
beefburger n. a fried cake of minced beef served on a bun
beefeater n. officer in the (ceremonial) bodyguard of the British monarch
beefsteak n. a slice of beef usually cooked by broiling
beefwood n. a hard-wooded tropical tree yielding balata gum and heavy red timber; any of several heavy hard reddish chiefly tropical woods of the families Casuarinaceae and Proteaceae; some used for cabinetwork
beefy adj. muscular and heavily built; a beefy wrestler; (`buirdly' is a Scottish term; )
beehive n. any workplace where people are very busy; a natural habitation for bees; as in a hollow tree; a hairdo resembling a beehive; a man-made receptacle that houses a swarm of bees
beekeeper n. a farmer who keeps bees for their honey
beekeeping n. the cultivation of bees on a commercial scale for the production of honey
beeline n. the most direct route; he made a beeline for the bathroom
been past part of be
beep n. a short high tone produced as a signal or warning@v. make a loud noise
beer n. fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from malt and hops
beery adj. smelling of beer
beeswax v. cover with beeswax@n. a yellow to brown wax secreted by honeybees to build honeycombs
beet n. biennial Eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop; round red root vegetable
beetle adj. jutting or overhanging; beetle brows@v. be suspended over or hang over; beat with a beetle@n. insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings
beetleweed n. tufted evergreen perennial herb having spikes of tiny white flowers and glossy green round to heart-shaped leaves that become coppery to maroon or purplish in fall
beetling adj. jutting or overhanging
beetroot n. beet having a massively swollen red root; widely grown for human consumption; round red root vegetable
befall v. become of; happen to; He promised that no harm would befall her; happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance; (Santayana)
befit v. accord or comport with
befitting adj. appropriate to; behavior befitting a father
befittingly adv. in an appropriate manner
befog v. make less visible or unclear
befogged adj. stupefied by alcoholic drink; a mind befogged with drink
befool v. make a fool or dupe of; fool or hoax
befooling n. derision of someone or something as foolish or absurd or inconsistent
before adv. earlier in time; previously; I had known her before; at or in the front; with the cross of Jesus marching on before
beforehand adv. ahead of time; in anticipation; should have made reservatons beforehand@adj. being ahead of time or need; was beforehand with her report
befoul v. spot, stain, or pollute
befouled adj. made dirty or foul; a building befouled with soot
befoulment n. the state of being polluted
befriend v. become friends with
befuddle v. be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly; make stupid with alcohol
befuddled adj. stupefied by alcoholic drink; the wino's poor befuddled mind; perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment; confused and vague; used especially of thinking
befuddlement n. confusion resulting from failure to understand
beg v. call upon in supplication; entreat; I beg you to stop!; make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently; ask to obtain free, as of money
beget v. make children
begetter n. a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
beggar v. be beyond the resources of; reduce to beggary@n. a pauper who lives by begging
beggarly adj. marked by poverty befitting a beggar; a beggarly existence in the slums; used of sums of money; so small in amount as to deserve contempt
beggarman n. a man who is a beggar
beggarweed n. West Indian forage plant cultivated in southern United States as forage and to improve soil
beggarwoman n. a woman who is a beggar
beggary n. a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
begging n. a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
begild v. decorate with, or as if with, gold leaf or liquid gold
begin v. take the first step or steps in carrying out an action; have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense; get off the ground; set in motion, cause to start; begin a new chapter in your life; begin to speak or say; he began
beginner n. someone new to a field or activity; a person who founds or establishes some institution
beginning n. the event consisting of the start of something: the beginning of the war; the time at which something begins@adj. at a first stage of development; just becoming familiar with the rudiments or skills or routines; a beginning bodybuilder
begird v. encircle or bind
begone v. to go away; depart -- used especially in the imperative
begonia n. any of numerous plants of the genus Begonia grown for their attractive glossy asymmetrical leaves and colorful flowers in usually terminal cymes or racemes
begotten adj. (of offspring) generated by procreation; naturally begotten child
begrime v. make soiled, filthy, or dirty
begrimed adj. thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot; a miner's begrimed face
begrudge v. be envious of; set one's heart on; wish ill or allow unwillingly
begrudging adj. that feels envy of another's possessions
beguile v. influence by slyness; attract; cause to be enamored
beguiled adj. filled with wonder and delight
beguilement n. magnetic personal charm; an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations
beguiling adj. highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire; the voice was low and beguiling; misleading by means of pleasant or alluring methods; taken in by beguiling tales of overnight fortunes
beguine n. a vigorous popular dance of the islands of Saint Lucia and Martinique
begum n. a Muslim woman of high rank in India or Pakistan
behalf n. as the agent of or on someone's part; usually expressed as on behalf of rather than in behalf of: the guardian signed the contract on behalf of the minor child
behave v. behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; Don't behave like a fool; behave in a certain manner; behave well or properly; The children must learn to behave
behavior n. manner of acting or conducting oneself; the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances; the behavior of small particles can be studied in experiments; behavioral attributes
behavioral adj. of or relating to behavior; behavioral sciences
behaviorism n. an approach to psychology that emphasizes observable measurable behavior
behaviorist adj. of or relating to behaviorism@n. a psychologist who subscribes to behaviorism
behavioristic adj. of or relating to behaviorism; behavioristic psychology
behaviour n. the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances; behavioral attributes; (psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation
behavioural adj. of or relating to behavior
behaviourism n. an approach to psychology that emphasizes observable measurable behavior
behaviourist adj. of or relating to behaviorism@n. a psychologist who subscribes to behaviorism
behaviouristic adj. of or relating to behaviorism
behead v. cut the head of
beheaded adj. having had the head cut off; the beheaded prisoners
beheading n. execution by cutting off the victim's head; killing by cutting off the head
behemoth n. someone who is abnormally large; a person of exceptional importance and reputation
behest n. an authoritative command or request
behind n. the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on@adj. having the lower score or lagging position in a contest@adv. in or to or toward the rear; he followed behind; remaining in a place or condition that has been left or departed from
behindhand adv. in debt; a company that has been run behindhand for years@adj. behind schedule; was behindhand with the rent
behold v. see, as if for the first time
beholden adj. under a moral obligation to someone
beholder n. a person who becomes aware of through the senses
beholding n. perception by means of the eyes
behoof n. advantage, profit
behoove v. be appropriate or necessary
behove v. be appropriate or necessary
beige adj. of a light grayish-brown color@n. a very light brown
being n. the state or fact of existing: a point of view gradually coming into being; any living entity
beingness n. the state or fact of existing
bejewel v. decorate with jewels
bejeweled adj. covered with beads or jewels or sequins
bejewelled adj. covered with beads or jewels or sequins
bel n. a logarithmic unit of sound intensity equal to 10 decibels
belabor v. to work at or to absurd length: belabor the obvious; attack verbally with harsh criticism; beat soundly
belabour v. to work at or to absurd length; beat soundly; attack verbally with harsh criticism
belated adj. after the expected or usual time; delayed; a belated birthday card
belatedly adv. later than usual or than expected; I belatedly wished her a happy birthday
belay v. turn a rope round an object or person in order to secure it or him; fasten a boat to a bitt, pin, or cleat@n. something to which a mountain climber's rope can be secured
belch n. a reflex that expels wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth@v. expel gas from the stomach; become active and spew forth lava and rocks; of volcanoes
belching n. the forceful expulsion of something from inside; the belching of smoke from factory chimneys; a reflex that expels wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth
beldam n. an ugly evil-looking old woman; a woman of advanced age
beldame n. an ugly evil-looking old woman; a woman of advanced age
beleaguer v. annoy persistently; lay siege to
beleaguering n. the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
belemnite n. a conical calcareous fossil tapering to a point at one end and with a conical cavity at the other end containing (when unbroken) a small chambered phragmocone from the shell of any of numerous extinct cephalopods of the family Belemnitidae
belemnitic adj. of or relating to belemnites
belfry n. a bell tower; usually stands alone unattached to a building; a room (often at the top of a tower) where bells are hung
belie v. be in contradiction with; represent falsely
belief n. any cognitive content held as true; a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof; a vague idea in which some confidence is placed; it strengthened my belief in his sincerity
believability n. the quality of being believable or trustworthy
believable adj. capable of being believed
believably adv. in a believable manner; he acted believably sincere; easy to believe on the basis of available evidence
believe v. accept as true; take to be true; We didn't believe his stories from the War; judge or regard; look upon; judge; I believe her to be very smart; be confident about something; I believe that he will come back from the war
believer n. a supporter who accepts something as true; a person who has religious faith
believing n. the cognitive process that leads to convictions; seeing is believing
believingly adv. in a credulous manner
belike adv. with considerable certainty; without much doubt
belittle v. belittle; Don't belittle his influence; express a negative opinion of; lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of; don't belittle your colleagues
belittled adj. made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth)
belittling adj. tending to diminish or disparage; belittling comments@n. a belittling comment; the act of belittling
bell n. a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck; a push button at an outer door; the sound of a bell: saved by the bell@v. attach a bell to; bell cows
belladonna n. perennial Eurasian herb with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries; extensively grown in United States; roots and leaves yield atropine
bellarmine n. a fat-bellied stoneware drinking jug with a long neck; decorated with a caricature of Cardinal Bellarmine (17th century)
bellbird n. any of several tropical American birds of the genus Procnias having a bell-like call
bellbottoms n. trousers with legs that flare; worn by sailors; absurdly wide hems were fashionable in the 1960s
bellboy n. someone employed as an errand boy and luggage carrier around hotels
belle n. a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals; she was the belle of the ball
belletristic adj. written and regarded for aesthetic value rather than content
bellflower n. any of various plants of the genus Campanula having blue or white bell-shaped flowers
bellhop n. someone employed as an errand boy and luggage carrier around hotels
bellicose adj. having or showing a ready disposition to fight; bellicose young officers
bellied adj. having a belly; often used in combination; curving outward
belligerence n. hostile or warlike attitude or nature; a disposition to fight
belligerency n. hostile or warlike attitude or nature; acts of overt warfare
belligerent adj. characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight; a belligerent tone; engaged in war; belligerent (or warring) nations@n. someone who fights (or is fighting)
belligerently adv. in a belligerent hostile manner; he pushed her against the wall belligerently
belling n. a noisy mock serenade (made by banging pans and kettles) to a newly married couple
bellman n. someone employed as an errand boy and luggage carrier around hotels
bellow n. a very loud utterance; his bellow filled the hallway@v. shout loudly and without restraint; make a loud noise, as of animal
bellowing n. a very loud utterance
bellows n. a mechanical device that blows air onto a fire to make it burn more fiercely
bellpull n. a handle or cord that is pulled to ring a doorbell or a servant's bell etc.
bellwether n. someone who assumes leadership of a movement or activity; sheep that leads the herd often wearing a bell
bellwort n. any of various plants of the genus Uvularia having yellowish drooping bell-shaped flowers
belly v. swell out or bulge out@n. the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis; a protruding abdomen; the underpart of the body of certain vertebrates such as snakes or fish
bellyache v. complain@n. an ache localized in the stomach or abdominal region
bellyacher n. a person given to excessive complaints and crying
bellyband n. a cloth band that is worn around the waist (as on infants until the navel has healed); a strap around the belly of a draft animal holding the shafts of a wagon
bellybutton n. scar where the umbilical cord was attached
bellyful n. an undesirable overabundance: a bellyful of your complaints
bellying adj. curving outward
bellylaugh v. laugh a deep, hearty laugh
bellyless adj. lacking a prominent belly
belong v. be owned by; be in the possession of; originate (in); be suitable or acceptable; This student somehow doesn't belong; be in the right place or situation; Where do these books belong?
belonging n. happiness felt in a secure relationship; with his classmates he felt a sense of belonging
belongings n. any tangible possession that is owned by someone
beloved n. a beloved person; used as terms of endearment@adj. dearly loved
below adv. in or to a place that is lower; at a later place; see below; (in writing) see below; on a floor below; further down
belowground adj. under the level of the ground; belowground storage areas; underneath the ground; most of his friends are now belowground
belt v. sing loudly and forcefully; deliver a belt to@n. endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys; a band to tie or buckle around the body (usually at the waist); an elongated region where a specific condition is found
belted adj. having or provided with a belt; a belted dress
belting n. the material of which belts are made
beltless adj. lacking a belt
beluga n. valuable source of caviar and isinglass; found in Black and Caspian seas; small northern whale that is white when adult
belvedere n. densely branched Eurasian plant; foliage turns purple-red in autumn; a gazebo sited to command a fine view
bema n. area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing
bemire v. make soiled, filthy, or dirty
bemoan v. regret strongly
bemock v. treat with contempt
bemuse v. cause to be confused emotionally
bemused adj. deeply absorbed in thought; as distant and bemused as a professor listening to the prattling of his freshman class; perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment; obviously bemused by his questions
bemusement n. confusion resulting from failure to understand
ben n. (in Scotland or Ireland) a mountain or tall hill; they were climbing the ben
bench v. take out of a game; of players; exhibit on a bench@n. a long seat for more than one person; the seat on which reserve players sit during a game; a shelf of rock with steep slopes above and below; persons who administer justice
benchmark n. a standard by which something can be measured or judged; his painting sets the benchmark of quality; a surveyor's mark on a permanent object of predetermined position and elevation used as a reference point
bend n. a circular segment of a curve: a bend in the road; movement that causes the formation of a curve; curved segment; an angular shape made by folding@v. form a curve; change direction; cause to assume a crooked or angular form; bend the rod
bendability n. the property of being easily bent without breaking
bendable adj. capable of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking
benday v. reproduce by the Benday method
bended adj. used of the back and knees; stooped; on bended knee
bender n. an occasion for heavy drinking; a baseball thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approach the batter
bending adj. not remaining rigid or straight; tried to support his weight on a bending cane@n. movement that causes the formation of a curve; the property of being bent or deflected; the act of bending something
bends n. pain resulting from rapid change in pressure
beneath adv. in or to a place that is lower
benedick n. a newly married man (especially one who has long been a bachelor)
benedict n. a newly married man (especially one who has long been a bachelor)
benedictine n. a French liqueur originally made by Benedictine monks
benediction n. the act of praying for divine protection; a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
benedictive adj. expressing benediction
benedictory adj. expressing benediction
benefaction n. a contribution of money or assistance; an act intending or showing kindness and good will
benefactor n. a person who helps people or institutions
benefactress n. a woman benefactor
benefic adj. exerting a favorable or beneficent influence; a benefic star
benefice v. endow with a benefice@n. an endowed church office giving income to its holder
beneficed adj. having a benefice; a beneficed clergyman
beneficence n. doing good; feeling beneficent; the quality of being kind or helpful or generous
beneficent adj. doing or producing good; the most beneficent regime in history; doing or producing good; generous in assistance to the poor
beneficial adj. promoting or enhancing well-being; an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries; tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health; beneficial effects of a balanced diet
beneficially adv. in a beneficial manner; this medicine will act beneficially on you
beneficiary adj. having or arising from a benefice; a beneficiary baron@n. the recipient of funds or other benefits
beneficiation n. crushing and separating ore into valuable substances or waste by any of a variety of techniques
benefit v. derive benefit from; be beneficial for@n. financial assistance in time of need; something that aids or promotes well-being; a performance to raise money for a charitable cause
benevolence n. disposition to do good; an inclination to do kind or charitable acts; an act intending or showing kindness and good will
benevolent adj. doing or producing good; intending or showing kindness; a benevolent society; having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others; his benevolent smile; generous in providing aid to others
benevolently adv. in a benevolent manner; she looked on benevolently
benight v. overtake with darkness or night; envelop with social, intellectual, or moral darkness; make difficult to perceive by sight
benighted adj. overtaken by night or darkness; benighted (or nighted) travelers hurrying toward home; lacking enlightenment or knowledge or culture; this benighted country
benign adj. pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence; a benign smile; of disposition or manner; the benign ruler of millions
benignancy n. the quality of being kind and gentle
benignant adj. pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence; characterized by kindness and warm courtesy especially of a king to his subjects; our benignant king
benignantly adv. in a benign manner
benignity n. the quality of being kind and gentle
benignly adv. in a benign manner; this drug is benignly soporific
benison n. a spoken blessing
benjamin n. gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation
benne n. East Indian annual erect herb; source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil
bennet n. avens of Virginia having pale or greenish yellow flowers; North American white-flowered avens
benni n. East Indian annual erect herb; source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil
bennie n. (trademark) a form of amphetamine
benniseed n. small oval seeds of the sesame plant
benny n. East Indian annual erect herb; source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil
bent adj. altered from an originally straight condition; a bent wire; fixed in your purpose; bent on going to the theater; used of the back and knees@n. a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
bentgrass n. grass for pastures and lawns especially bowling and putting greens
benthal adj. of or relating to or happening on the bottom under a body of water
benthic adj. of or relating to or happening on the bottom under a body of water
benthonic adj. of or relating to or happening on the bottom under a body of water
benthos n. a region including the bottom of the sea and the littoral zones
bentonite n. an absorbent aluminum silicate clay formed from volcanic ash
bentonitic adj. of or relating to or containing bentonite
benumb v. make numb or insensitive
benumbed adj. lacking sensation; having lost or been caused to lose interest because of overexposure; the benumbed intellectual faculties can no longer respond
benweed n. widespread European weed having yellow daisylike flowers; sometimes an obnoxious weed and toxic to cattle if consumed in quantity
benzene n. a colorless liquid hydrocarbon; highly inflammable; carcinogenic
benzenoid adj. similar to benzene in structure or linkage
benzine n. a colorless liquid hydrocarbon; highly inflammable; carcinogenic
benzoate n. any salt or ester of benzoic acid
benzocaine n. a white crystalline ester used as a local anesthetic
benzodiazepine n. any of several similar lipophilic amines used as tranquilizers or sedatives or hypnotics or muscle relaxants; chronic use can lead to dependency
benzofuran n. a colorless oily compound extracted from coal tar and used in manufacturing synthetic resins
benzoic adj. containing or derived from benzoic acid or benzoin
benzoin n. gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation
benzol n. a colorless liquid hydrocarbon; highly inflammable; carcinogenic
benzyl n. the univalent radical derived from toluene
benzylic adj. (chemistry) relating to benzyl
bepaint v. dye with a color
beplastered adj. smeared thickly; often useed in combination; cheeks beplastered with cosmetics
bequeath v. leave or give by will
bequest n. (law) a gift of personal property by will
berate v. censure severely or angrily; is archaic
berating n. a severe rebuke; he deserved the berating that the coach gave him
berceuse n. a quiet song intended to lull a child to sleep
bereave v. deprive through death
bereaved adj. sorrowful through loss or deprivation
bereavement n. state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
bereft adj. unhappy in love; suffering from unrequited love; sorrowful through loss or deprivation; bereft of hope
beret n. with no brim or bill; made of soft cloth
berg n. a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier
bergall n. common in north Atlantic coastal waters of the United States
bergamot n. small tree with pear-shaped fruit whose oil is used in perfumery; Italy
bergenia n. any plant of the genus Bergenia; valued as an evergreen ground cover and for the spring blossoms
beriberi n. caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin B1)
berkelium n. a radioactive transuranic element; discovered by bombarding americium with helium
berlin n. a limousine with a glass partition between the front and back seats
beroe n. delicately iridescent thimble-shaped ctenophores
berried adj. producing or bearing berries
berry n. any of numerous small edible pulpy fruits either simple (grape; blueberry) or aggregate (blackberry; raspberry)@v. pick or gather berries
berrylike adj. resembling a berry
berserk adj. in a murderous frenzy as if possessed by a demon; berserk with grief
berth n. a job in an organization or hierarchy; a place where a craft can be made fast; a bed on a ship or train; usually in tiers@v. provide with a berth; secure in or as if in a berth; of ships
beryl n. the chief source of beryllium; colored transparent varieties are valued as gems
beryllium n. a light strong brittle gray toxic bivalent metallic element
beseech v. ask for or request earnestly
beseeching adj. begging
beseechingly adv. in a beseeching manner
beseem v. accord or comport with
beset v. annoy continually or chronically; to assail or attack on all sides:The lioness..beset by men and hounds. Pope; decorate or cover lavishly with gems
besetting adj. persistently present or assailing
beshrew v. wish harm upon; put a curse on
beside adv. archaic; besides; beside prep. by the side of; sit beside me; in addition to; beside being pretty, she's intelligent; other than; there's nobody here beside me
besides adv. making an additional point; anyway; in addition
besiege v. lay siege to
besieged adj. surrounded by hostile forces; the besieged town
besieger n. an enemy who lays siege to your position; an energetic petitioner
besieging n. the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
besmear v. spread or daub over
besmeared adj. smeared thickly; often useed in combination; paint-besmeared savage bodies
besmirch v. charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; smear so as to make dirty or stained
besmirched adj. especially of reputation
besom n. a broom made of twigs tied together on a long handle
besot v. make dull or stupid; to muddle with drunkenness or infatuation
besotted adj. slang for `drunk'
bespangle v. decorate with spangles; dot or sprinkle with sparkling or glittering objects
bespangled adj. covered with beads or jewels or sequins
bespatter v. spot, splash, or soil
bespattered adj. spattered or spotted with dirt or filth; often used in combination; dingy bespattered walls
bespeak v. be a signal for or a symptom of; express the need or desire for; ask for
bespeckle v. mark with small spots
bespectacled adj. wearing, or having the face adorned with, eyeglasses or an eyeglass; a bespectacled grandmother
besplashed adj. spattered or spotted with dirt or filth; often used in combination; a besplashed coach
bespoke adj. of clothing
bespoken adj. of clothing; pledged to be married
bespot v. mark with, or as if with, spots
besprent adj. sprinkled over; glistening grass besprent with raindrops
besprinkle v. scatter with liquid; wet lightly
best adv. in a most excellent way or manner; he played best after a couple of martinis@v. get the better of@n. the supreme effort one can make: they did their best@adj. (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities
bested adj. defeated in a competition
bestial adj. resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility; a bestial nature
bestialise v. make brutal and depraved; give animal-like qualities to
bestiality n. sexual activity between a person and an animal
bestialize v. make brutal and depraved; give animal-like qualities to
bestially adv. in an inhumane manner; she treated her husband bestially
bestiary n. a medieval book (usually illustrated) with allegorical and amusing descriptions of real and fabled animals
bestir v. become active
bestow v. grant a bestow; bestow an honor on someone; give as a gift; of a quality, as in
bestowal n. the act of conferring an honor or presenting a gift; a gift that is bestowed or conferred
bestowed adj. given formally or officially
bestowment n. a gift that is bestowed or conferred; the act of conferring an honor or presenting a gift
bestrew v. cover by strewing
bestride v. get on the back of
bestubbled adj. having a short growth of beard
bet v. maintain with or as if with a bet; I bet she will be there!; stake money on the outcome of an issue@n. the money risked on a gamble; the act of gambling; he did it on a bet
beta n. the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet
betake v. to cause (oneself) to go
betatron n. accelerates a continuous beam of electrons to high speeds by means of the electric field produced by changing magnetic flux
betel n. Asian pepper plant whose dried leaves are chewed with betel nut (seed of the betel palm) by southeast Asians
beth n. the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
bethel n. a house of worship (especially one for sailors)
bethink v. cause oneself to consider something; consider or ponder something carefully: She bethought her of their predicament.
betide v. become of; happen to
betimes adv. in good time; he awoke betimes that morning
betise n. a stupid mistake
betoken v. be a signal for or a symptom of; indicate by signs
betray v. reveal unintentionally; deliver to an enemy by treachery; disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake; be sexually unfaithful to one's partner in marriage; give away information about somebody; cause someone to believe an untruth
betrayal n. an act of deliberate betrayal; the quality of aiding an enemy
betrayer n. one who reveals confidential information in return for money; a person who says one thing and does another
betraying adj. revealing unintentionally; a betraying blush spread over her face
betroth v. give to, in marriage
betrothal n. a mutual promise to marry; the act of becoming betrothed or engaged
betrothed adj. pledged to be married@n. the person to whom you are engaged
better n. one having claim to precedence@adj. (comparative of `good') superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability@adv. comparative of `well'@v. surpass in excellence
bettering adj. changing for the better
betterment n. a change for the better; progress in development; an improvement that adds to the value of a property or facility; the act of relieving ills and changing for the better
betting adj. preoccupied with the pursuit of pleasure and especially games of chance; a betting man
bettong n. short-nosed rat kangaroo
bettor n. someone who bets
betulaceous adj. of or pertaining to or characteristic of trees of the birch family
betweeenbrain n. the posterior division of the forebrain; connects the cerebral hemispheres with the mesencephalon
between adv. in the interval; dancing all the dances with little rest between; in between; two houses with a tree between
betwixt adv. in the interval
bevatron n. a cyclotron that accelerates protons up to several billion electron volts
bevel n. two surfaces meeting at an angle different from 90 degrees@adj. having the slant of a bevel; a bevel edge@v. cut a bevel on; shape to a bevel
beveled adj. having the slant of a bevel
beverage n. any liquid suitable for drinking: may I take your beverage order?
bevy n. a group of girls or young women; a flock of quail
bewail v. regret strongly
beware v. be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to
bewhisker v. furnish with whiskers
bewhiskered adj. having hair on the cheeks and chin
bewilder v. be a mystery or bewildering to; cause to be confused emotionally
bewildered adj. perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment; bewildered and confused
bewilderedly adv. in a bewildered manner
bewildering adj. causing bafflement; the play was at the same time a bewildering and an exciting experience
bewilderingly adv. in a bewildering and confusing manner; her situation was bewilderingly unclear
bewilderment n. confusion resulting from failure to understand
bewitch v. attract; cause to be enamored; attract strongly, as if with a magnet; cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
bewitched adj. under a spell
bewitchery n. magnetic personal charm
bewitching adj. capturing interest as if by a spell; bewitching smile
bewitchingly adv. in a bewitching manner; she was bewitchingly beautiful
bewitchment n. a magical spell
bewray v. reveal unintentionally
bey n. (formerly) a title of respect for a man in Turkey or Egypt; the governor of a district or province in the Ottoman Empire
beyond adv. farther along in space or time or degree; through the valley and beyond; on the farther side from the observer; a pond with a hayfield beyond; in addition; agreed to provide essentials but nothing beyond
bezant n. a gold coin of the Byzantine Empire; widely circulated in Europe in the Middle Ages
bezel n. a sloping edge on a cutting tool
bezique n. a card game played with a 48-card pack (two of each suit for high cards); play resembles whist
bezoar n. a concretion found in animal intestines
bezzant n. a gold coin of the Byzantine Empire; widely circulated in Europe in the Middle Ages
bhang n. a preparation of the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant; much used in India
bialy n. flat crusty-bottomed onion roll
bialystoker n. flat crusty-bottomed onion roll
biannual adj. occurring or payable twice each year
biannually adv. twice a year; we hold our big sale biannually
bias v. give a bias to, as in a race; cause to be biased@adj. slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric; a bias fold@n. a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
biased adj. favoring one person or side over another; a biased account of the trial; excessively devoted to one faction
biaural adj. relating to or having or hearing with two ears
biauricular adj. relating to the two auditory openings; the biauricular diameter of the skull
biaxal adj. having two axes
biaxate adj. having two axes
biaxial adj. having two axes; biaxial crystals
bib n. top part; covering the chest; a napkin tied under the chin a child while eating@v. drink moderately but regularly
bibbed adj. having a bib; a bibbed apron
bibelot n. a small household ornament or decorative object
bible n. the sacred writings of the Christian religion; a book regarded as authoritative in its field
bibless adj. lacking a bib
biblical adj. of or pertaining to or contained in or in accordance with the Bible; biblical names; in keeping with the nature of the Bible or its times or people; biblical styles in writing
bibliographer n. someone trained in compiling bibliographies
bibliographic adj. relating to or dealing with bibliography
bibliographical adj. relating to or dealing with bibliography
bibliography n. a list of writings with time and place of publication (such as the writings of a single author or the works referred to in preparing a document etc.)
bibliolatrous adj. given to Bible-worship
bibliolatry n. worship of the Bible
bibliomania n. preoccupation with the acquisition and possession of books
bibliomaniacal adj. characteristic of or characterized by or noted for bibliomania
bibliophile n. someone who loves (and usually collects) books
bibliophilic adj. of or relating to bibliophiles
bibliopole n. a dealer in secondhand books (especially rare or curious books)
bibliopolic adj. of or relating to bibliopoles
bibliopolist n. a dealer in secondhand books (especially rare or curious books)
bibliothec n. a professional person trained in library science and engaged in library services
bibliotheca n. a collection of books
bibliothecal adj. of or relating to a library or bibliotheca
bibliothecarial adj. of or relating to a library or bibliotheca
bibliotic adj. of or relating to bibliotics
bibliotics n. the scientific study of documents and handwriting etc. especially to determine authorship or authenticity
bibliotist n. someone who engages in bibliotics
bibulous adj. given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol; a bibulous fellow
bicameral adj. composed of two legislative bodies; consisting of two chambers; the bicameral heart of a fish
bicapsular adj. (botany) divided into two capsules or having a two-part capsule
bicarbonate n. a salt of carbonic acid in which one hydrogen atom has been replaced; an acid carbonate
bicentenary n. the 200th anniversary@adj. of or relating to or completing a period of 200 years
bicentennial n. the 200th anniversary@adj. of or relating to or completing a period of 200 years; bicentennial celebration
bicentric adj. having two centers
bicephalous adj. resembling the new moon in shape
biceps n. any skeletal muscle having two origins (but especially the muscle that flexes the forearm)
bichloride n. a compound containing two chlorine atoms per molecule
bichromate n. a salt of the hypothetical dichromic acid
bichromated adj. treated or combined with bichromate
bichrome adj. having two colors
bicipital adj. having two heads or points of origin as a biceps
bicker n. petty quarrel@v. argue over petty things
bickering n. petty quarrel
bicolor adj. having two colors; a bicolor flower
bicolored adj. having two colors; a bicolored postage stamp
bicolour adj. having two colors
bicoloured adj. having two colors
biconcave adj. concave on both sides
biconvex adj. convex on both sides; lentil-shaped
bicorn adj. having two horns or horn-shaped parts@n. brim turned up to form two points
bicornate adj. having two horns or horn-shaped parts
bicorne n. brim turned up to form two points
bicorned adj. having two horns or horn-shaped parts
bicornuate adj. having two horns or horn-shaped parts; a bicornuate uterus
bicornuous adj. having two horns or horn-shaped parts
bicuspid n. a tooth having two cusps or points; located between the incisors and the molars@adj. having two cusps or points; bicuspid teeth
bicuspidate adj. having two cusps or points
bicycle n. has two wheels; moved by foot pedals@v. ride a bicycle
bicyclic adj. having molecules consisting of two fused rings
bicycling n. riding a bicycle
bicyclist n. a person who rides a bicycle
bicylindrical adj. having two cylindrical surfaces usually with parallel axes; certain lenses are bicylindrical
bid n. an authoritative direction or instruction to do something; an attempt to get something; he made a bid to gain attention@v. propose a payment; as at sales or auctions; invoke upon; bid farewell; ask for or request earnestly
biddable adj. willing to carry out the orders or wishes of another without protest; a gentle and biddable soul
bidder n. someone who makes an offer; someone who makes a bid at cards
bidding n. an authoritative direction or instruction to do something; a request to be present; they came at his bidding; (bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to contract to make
biddy n. adult female chicken; young bird esp. of domestic fowl
bide v. dwell (archaic)
bidentate adj. having toothlike projections that are themselves toothed
bidet n. for washing genitals and anal area
bidirectional adj. reactive or functioning or allowing movement in two usually opposite directions
biegnet n. very rich drop friedcake dusted with confectioners' sugar and served with lemon sauce or preserves
bield v. provide shelter for
biennial adj. occurring every second year; they met at biennial conventions; (botany) having a life cycle lasting two seasons; a biennial life cycle@n. a plant having a life cycle that normally takes two seasons from germination to death to complete
biennially adv. every two years; this festival takes places biennially
bier n. a coffin along with its stand; we followed the bier to the graveyard; a stand to support a corpse or a coffin prior to burial
biface adj. having two faces or fronts
bifacial adj. having two faces or fronts; the Roman Janus is bifacial
biff n. (boxing) a blow with the fist@v. strike with the fist
bifid adj. (botany) divided into two lobes; a bifid petal
bifilar adj. having or using two filaments; a bifilar suspension of a waving part of an instrument
biflagellate adj. having two flagella; a biflagellate zoospore
bifocal adj. (optics) having two foci; bifocal eyeglasses
bifocals n. pl. eyeglasses with lenses that have one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision
bifold adj. capable of being folded into two parts, as with doors that are hinged together
bifoliate adj. having two leaves
biform adj. having or combining two forms; a biform crystal
bifurcate adj. resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches@v. split or divide into two; divide into two branches
bifurcated adj. divided into or made up of two parts; socially bifurcated populations
bifurcation n. a division into two or more branches; splitting into two branches
big adj. above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent; set out for the big city@adv. extremely well; his performance went over big; in a boastful manner; he talked big all evening; on a grand scale; think big
bigamist n. someone who marries one person while already legally married to another
bigamous adj. of illegal marriage to a second person while legally married to a first
bigamy n. having more than one spouse at a time; the offense of having two or more wives or husbands living at the same time
bigarade n. any of various common orange trees yielding sour or bitter fruit; used as grafting stock
bigeminal adj. occurring in pairs; a bigeminal pulse
bigeneric adj. resulting from a cross between species of different genera
bigeye n. red fishes of American coastal tropical waters having very large eyes and rough scales
bigger adj. large or big relative to something else
biggest adj. greatest in size of those under consideration
biggin n. a child's tight-fitting cap; often ties under the chin
biggish adj. somewhat large
bighead n. any of various diseases of animals characterized by edema of the head and neck
bigheaded adj. used colloquially of one who is overly conceited or arrogant
bighearted adj. given or giving freely
bigheartedness n. the quality of being kind and generous
bighorn n. wild sheep of mountainous regions of western North America having massive curled horns
bight n. a bend in a coastline that forms an open bay; a bay formed by a bend (a bight) in the shoreline; the middle part of a slack rope (as distinguished from its ends)@v. fasten with a bight
bigmouthed adj. unwisely talking too much
bigness n. the property of having a relatively great size
bignoniaceous adj. of or pertaining to or characteristic of plants of the family Bignoniaceae
bignoniad n. any woody plant of the family Bignoniaceae
bigot n. a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own
bigoted adj. blindly and obstinately attached to some creed or opinion and intolerant toward others; a bigoted person
bigotry n. the intolerance and prejudice of a bigot
bigram n. a word that is written with two letters in an alphabetic writing system
bigwig n. the most important person in a group or undertaking
bijou n. a small and delicately worked piece@adj. small and elegant; bijou villas
bike n. a 2-wheeled motor vehicle; has two wheels; moved by foot pedals@v. ride a bicycle
bikini n. a woman's abbreviated two-piece bathing suit
bilabial adj. of or relating to or being a speech sound that is articulated using both lips; bilabial fricatives@n. a consonant that is articulated using both lips; /p/ or /b/ or /w/
bilabiate adj. (botany) having two lips; the corolla of a snapdragon is bilabiate
bilateral adj. having identical parts on each side of an axis; having two sides or parts
bilateralism n. the property of being symmetrical about a vertical plane
bilaterality n. the property of being symmetrical about a vertical plane
bilaterally adv. in a bilateral manner; they worked out an agreement bilaterally
bilberry n. erect European blueberry having solitary flowers and blue-black berries; erect blueberry of western United States having solitary flowers and somewhat sour berries; blue-black berries similar to American blueberries
bilby n. bandicoot with leathery ears like a rabbit
bile n. a digestive juice secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; aids in the digestion of fats
bilestone n. a calculus formed in the gall bladder or its ducts
bilge n. water accumulated in the bilge of a ship; where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom@v. cause to leak; as of vessels; take in water at the bilge; of vessels
bilges n. in a vessel with two hulls, an enclosed area between the frames at each side
bilgewater n. pretentious or silly talk or writing
bilgy adj. smelling like bilge water
bilharzia n. an infection with a parasite of the genus Schistosoma; common in the tropics and Far East; symptoms depend on the part of the body infected
bilharziasis n. an infection with a parasite of the genus Schistosoma; common in the tropics and Far East; symptoms depend on the part of the body infected
biliary adj. relating to or containing bile; relating to the bile ducts or the gallbladder
bilimbi n. East Indian evergreen tree bearing very acid fruit
bilinear adj. linear with respect to each of two variables or positions
bilingual adj. using or knowing two languages; bilingual education@n. a person who speaks two languages fluently
bilingually adv. in a bilingual manner; she grew up bilingually
bilious adj. relating to or containing bile; suffering from or suggesting a liver disorder or gastric distress; irritable as if suffering from indigestion
biliousness n. gastric distress caused by a disorder of the liver or gall bladder; a disposition to exhibit uncontrolled anger
bilirubin n. an orange-yellow pigment in the bile that forms as a product of hemoglobin; excess amounts in the blood produce the yellow appearance observed in jaundice
bilk v. cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money; to hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; evade payment to; escape, either physically or mentally
bill n. a statute in draft before it becomes law; they held a public hearing on the bill; a statement of money owed for goods or services; he paid his bill and left@v. demand payment; advertise esp. by posters or placards
billboard n. large outdoor signboard
billed adj. (combining form) having a beak or bill as specified; a thick-billed bird
billet v. provide housing for, of military personnel@n. for military personnel (especially in a private home)
billfish n. primitive predaceous North American fish covered with hard scales and having long jaws with needle-like teeth; giant warm-water game fish having a prolonged and rounded toothless upper jaw
billfold n. a case for holding paper money
billhead n. a printed form on which a commercial bill may be made out
billhook n. a long-handled saw with a curved blade
billiards n. any of several games played on rectangular cloth-covered table (with cushioned edges) in which long tapering cue sticks are used to propel ivory (or composition) balls
billing n. request for payment of a debt
billingsgate n. foul-mouthed or obscene abuse
billion n. (in Britain) the number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros; (in the United States) the number that is represented as a one followed by 9 zeros@adj. (U.S.) denoting a quantity consisting of one thousand million items or units
billions n. a very large indefinite number (usually hyperbole)
billionth adj. the ordinal number of one billion in counting order@n. (in the U.S.) position 1,000,000,000 in a countable series of things; one part in a billion
billow v. billow forth; as of smoke or waves; move with great difficulty; rise and move, as in waves or billows; become inflated@n. a large sea wave
billowing adj. moving in surges and billows and rolls; billowing smoke from burning houses; characterized by great swelling waves or surges; the restless billowing sea
billowy adj. characterized by great swelling waves or surges; billowy storm clouds
billy n. a policeman's club; male goat
billyo n. an unimaginably large amount; British say it rained like billyo where Americans say
billyoh n. an unimaginably large amount; British say where Americans say
billystick n. a policeman's club
bilobate adj. divided into two lobes; having two lobes; a bilobate leaf
bilobated adj. divided into two lobes; having two lobes
bilobed adj. divided into two lobes; having two lobes
bilocular adj. (biology) divided into or containing two cells or chambers; having a bilocular capsule
biloculate adj. (biology) divided into or containing two cells or chambers
bilsted n. a North American tree of the genus Liquidambar having prickly spherical fruit clusters and fragrant sap
biltong n. (S Africa) meat that is salted and cut into strips and dried in the sun
bimanual adj. requiring two hands or designed for two people; a machine designed for bimanual operation
bimbo n. a young woman indulged by rich and powerful older men
bimester n. a period of 2 months
bimestrial adj. occurring every two months; two months long; lasting two months
bimetal n. material made by bonding together sheets of two different metals@adj. formed of two different metals or alloys; especially in sheets bonded together
bimetallic adj. pertaining to a monetary system based on two metals; formed of two different metals or alloys; especially in sheets bonded together
bimetallism n. a monetary standard under which the basic unit of currency is defined by stated amounts of two metals (usually gold and silver) with values set at a predetermined ratio
bimetallist n. an advocate of bimetallism
bimetallistic adj. pertaining to a monetary system based on two metals; in a bimetallistic system both gold and silver can constitute legal tender
bimillenary n. a span of 2000 years
bimillenial adj. of or relating to a bimillennium
bimillennium n. a span of 2000 years
bimli n. valuable fiber plant of East Indies now widespread in cultivation
bimodal adj. (statistics) of a distribution; having or occurring with two modes
bimolecular adj. relating to or affecting two molecules
bimonthly adj. occurring twice a month; occurring every two months; bimonthly visits
bimorphemic adj. consisting of two morphemes; the bimorphemic word `rays'
bimotored adj. having two motors
bin n. a container; usually has a lid; the quantity contained in a bin@v. store in bins
binary n. a system of two stars that revolve around each other under their mutual gravitation@adj. of or pertaining to a number system have 2 as its base; a binary digit; consisting of two (units or components or elements or terms) or based on two
binate adj. growing in two parts or in pairs; binate leaves
binaural adj. relating to or having or hearing with two ears; binaural hearing
binaurally adv. in a binaural manner; the stimulus was presented binaurally
bind v. stick to firmly; create social or emotional ties; make fast; tie or secure, with or as if with a rope; The Chinese would bind the feet of their women@n. something that hinders as if with bonds
bindable adj. capable of being fastened or secured with a rope or bond
binder n. a machine that cuts grain and binds it in sheaves; something used to bind separate particles together or facilitate adhesion to a surface; holds loose papers or magazines; something used to tie
bindery n. a place where books are bound
binding n. the capacity to attract and hold something; strip sewn over or along an edge for reinforcement or decoration; the act of applying a bandage@adj. executed with proper legal authority; a binding contract; hindering freedom of movement
bindweed n. any of several vines of the genera Convolvulus and Calystegia having a twining habit
bine n. European twining plant whose flowers are used chiefly to flavor malt liquors; cultivated in America
binful n. the quantity contained in a bin
binge v. overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself@n. an occasion for heavy drinking
bingle n. the successful act of striking a baseball in such a way that the batter reaches base safely
bingo n. a game in which numbered balls are drawn and random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards
binnacle n. a nonmagnetic housing for a ship's compass (usually in front of the helm)
binocular adj. relating to both eyes; binocular vision@n. designed for simultaneous use by both eyes
binoculars n. designed for simultaneous use by both eyes
binomial n. a quantity expressed as a sum or difference of two terms@adj. relating to binomials; binomial expression; consisting of two names or terms; binomial nomenclature
binturong n. arboreal civet of Asia having a long prehensile tail and shaggy black hair
binuclear adj. biology; having two nuclei
binucleate adj. biology; having two nuclei
binucleated adj. biology; having two nuclei
bioassay v. subject to a bio-assay@n. appraisal of the biological activity of a substance by testing its effect on an organism
biocatalyst n. a biochemical catalyst such as an enzyme
biocatalytic adj. of or relating to biocatalysts
biochemical adj. of or relating to biochemistry; involving chemical processes in living organisms
biochemically adv. with respect to biochemistry; biochemically interesting phenomenon
biochemist n. someone with special training in biochemistry
biochemistry n. the organic chemistry of compounds and processes occuring in organisms
bioclimatic adj. of or concerned with the relations of climate and living organisms
bioclimatology n. the study of effects of climate on living organisms
biodegradable adj. capable of being decomposed by e.g. bacteria; a biodegradable detergent
bioelectricity n. electric phenomena in animals or plants
bioengineering n. the branch of engineering science in which biological science is used to study the relation between workers and their environments
biofeedback n. a training program in which a person is given information about physiological processes (heart rate or blood pressure) that is not normally available with the goal of gaining conscious control of them
bioflavinoid n. a vitamin that maintains the resistance of cell and capillary walls to permeation
biogenesis n. production of a chemical compound by a living organism; the production of living organisms from other living organisms
biogenetic adj. of or relating to the production of living organisms from other living organisms
biogenic adj. produced by living organisms or biological processes; fermentation is a biogenic process; essential for maintaining the fundamental life processes; sleep and food and water are among the biogenic needs of the organism
biogenous adj. producing or produced by living things
biogeny n. the production of living organisms from other living organisms
biogeographic adj. of or relating to or involved with biogeography
biogeographical adj. of or relating to or involved with biogeography
biogeography n. dealing with the geographical distribution of animals and plants
biographer n. someone who writes an account of another person's life
biographic adj. of or relating to or being biography
biographical adj. of or relating to or being biography; biographical data
biography n. an account of the series of events making up a person's life
biologic adj. pertaining to biology or to life and living things
biological adj. pertaining to biology or to life and living things; of parents and children; related by blood
biologically adv. with respect to biology; biologically related
biologism n. use of biological principles in explaining human especially social behavior
biologist n. a scientist who studies living organisms
biologistic adj. of or relating to biologism
biology n. the science that studies living organisms; characteristic life processes and phenomena of living organisms: the biology of viruses; all the plant and animal life of a particular region
bioluminescence n. luminescence produced by physiological processes (as in the firefly)
bioluminescent adj. (of living organisms) emitting light; fireflies are bioluminescent
biomass n. plant materials and animal waste used as fuel; the total mass of living matter in a given unit area
biomedical adj. relating to the activities and applications of science to clinical medicine; biomedical research laboratory
biomedicine n. the branch of medical science that applies biological and physiological principles to clinical practice; the branch of medical science that studies the ability of organisms to withstand environmental stress (as in space travel)
bionic adj. of or relating to bionics
bionics n. application of biological principals to the study and design of engineering systems (especially electronic systems)
bionomic adj. (biology) of or relating to the science of ecology
bionomical adj. (biology) of or relating to the science of ecology
bionomics n. the branch of biology concerned with the relations between organisms and their environment
biont n. a discrete unit of living matter
biophysicist n. a physicist who applies the methods of physics to biology
biophysics n. physics as applied to biological problems
biopsy n. examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease
bioremediation n. the branch of biotechnology that uses biological process to overcome environmental problems
bioscope n. a South African movie theater; a kind of early movie projector
biosynthesis n. production of a chemical compound by a living organism
biosynthetic adj. of or relating to biosynthesis
biosystematic adj. of or relating to biosystematics
biosystematics n. use of data (e.g. cytogenetic or biochemical) to assess taxonomic relations especially within an evolutionary framework
biosystematy n. use of data (e.g. cytogenetic or biochemical) to assess taxonomic relations especially within an evolutionary framework
biota n. all the plant and animal life of a particular region
biotechnology n. the branch of molecular biology that studies the use of microorganisms to perform specific industrial processes; biotechnology produced genetically altered bacteria that solved the problem
biotic adj. of or relating to living organisms
biotin n. a B vitamin that aids in body growth
biotite n. dark brown to black mica found in igneous and metamorphic rock
biotitic adj. relating to or involving biotite
biotype n. organisms sharing a specified genotype or the genotype (or peculiarities) so shared
biotypic adj. of or relating to a biotype
biovular adj. (of twins) derived from two separate fertilized ova; fraternal twins are biovular
biparental adj. involving or derived from 2 parents; biparental inheritance
biparous adj. producing two offspring at a time
bipartisan adj. supported by both sides
bipartite adj. divided into two portions almost to the base; involving two parties or elements; a bipartite agreement
bipartizan adj. supported by both sides
biped adj. having two feet@n. an animal with two feet
bipedal adj. having two feet
bipinnate adj. of a leaf shape; having doubly pinnate leaflets (as ferns)
bipinnatifid adj. pinnatifid with the segments also pinnatifid
biplane n. old fashioned; two wings one above the other
bipolar adj. having two poles
biprism n. for obtaining interference fringes
biquadrate n. an algebraic equation of the fourth degree
biquadratic adj. of or relating to the fourth power@n. an algebraic equation of the fourth degree; and equation of the fourth degree; a polynomial of the fourth degree
biracial adj. consisting of or combining two races; a biracial committee
biradial adj. showing both bilateral and radial symmetry; some sea anemones are biradial
biradially adv. in a biradial manner; biradially symmetrical
biramous adj. resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches; the biramous appendages of an arthropod
birch adj. consisting of or made of wood of the birch tree@n. hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood@v. whip with a birch twig
birchbark n. a canoe made with the bark of a birch tree
birchen adj. consisting of or made of wood of the birch tree
bird v. watch and study birds in their natural habitat@n. warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings; the flesh of a bird or fowl (wild or domestic) used as food; informal terms for a (young) woman
birdbath n. an ornamental basin (usually in a garden) for birds to bathe in
birdbrain n. a person with confused ideas; incapable of serious thought
birdcage n. a cage in which a bird is kept
birdcall n. the characteristic sound produced by a bird; a device for imitating a birdcall
birder n. a person who identifies and studies birds in their natural habitats
birdhouse n. a shelter for birds (especially pigeons)
birdie n. (in golf) a score of one stroke under par on a golf hole; a ball of cork or rubber with a crown of feathers; used to play badminton@v. to shoot in one stroke under par; in golf
birdlime n. a sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to capture small birds@v. spread birdlime on branches to catch birds; smear birdlime on twigs in order to catch birds
birdnest v. gather birdnests
birdnesting n. hunting for birds' nests to get the eggs
birdseed n. seeds for birds
birdsong n. the characteristic sound produced by a bird
birdwatch v. watch and study birds in their natural habitat
birefringence n. splitting a ray into two parallel rays polarized perpendicularly
birefringent adj. relating to or characterized by double refraction
biretta n. a stiff cap with ridges across the crown; worn by Roman Catholic clergy
birken adj. consisting of or made of wood of the birch tree
birl v. cause a floating log to rotate by treading; cause to spin
birle v. cause a floating log to rotate by treading
birling n. rotating a log rapidly in the water (as a competitive sport)
birr v. make a soft swishing sound, as of a motor working or wings flapping@n. the basic unit of money in Ethiopia; equal to 100 cents
birth n. the time when something begins (especially life); they divorced after the birth of the child or his election signaled the birth of a new age; the event of being born@v. give birth (to a newborn)
birthcontrol n. limiting the number of children born
birthday n. an anniversary of the day on which a person was born; the date on which a person was born
birthe v. give birth (to a newborn)
birthing adj. having to do with birth; a birthing center@n. the process of giving birth
birthmark n. a blemish on the skin formed before birth
birthplace n. the place where someone was born; where something originated or was nurtured in its early existence; the birthplace of civilization
birthrate n. the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 population per year
birthright n. a right or privilege that you are entitled to at birth; free public education is the birthright of every American child; an inheritance coming by right of birth (especially by primogeniture)
birthroot n. trillium of eastern North America having malodorous pink to purple flowers and an astringent root used in fold medicine especially to ease childbirth
birthstone n. a precious stone associated symbolically with the month of one's birth
birthwort n. creeping plant having curving flowers thought to resemble fetuses; native to Europe; naturalized Great Britain and eastern North America
biscuit n. small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda; any of various small flat sweet cakes (`biscuit' is the British term)
bise n. a dry cold north wind in SE France
bisect v. cut in half or cut in two; bisect a line
bisection n. dividing into two equal parts
bisectional adj. of or relating to bisection
biserrate adj. having serrated serrations; having double saw-teeth
bisexual n. a person who is sexually attracted to both men and women@adj. sexually attracted to both sexes; having an ambiguous sexual identity
bisexuality n. showing characteristics of both sexes; sexual activity with both men and women
bishop n. a clergyman having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers
bishopric n. the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop
bishopry n. the office of bishop
bismark n. a raised doughnut filled with jelly or jam
bismuth n. a heavy brittle diamagnetic trivalent metallic element (resembles arsenic and antimony chemically); usually recovered as a by-product from ores of other metals
bismuthal adj. of or relating to bismuth
bismuthic adj. containing bismuth (especially in the pentavalent state)
bison n. any of several large shaggy-maned humped bovids having large heads and short horns
bisontine adj. relating to or characteristic of bison
bisque n. a thick cream soup made from shellfish
bister n. a water-soluble brownish-yellow pigment made by boiling wood soot
bistered adj. colored with or as if with bister
bistre n. a water-soluble brownish-yellow pigment made by boiling wood soot
bistred adj. colored with or as if with bister
bistro n. a small informal restaurant; serves wine
bistroic adj. of or relating to or resembling a bistro
bisulcate adj. used of hooves
bit n. (British) a small quantity; a bit of paper; a small fragment of something broken off from the whole; a bit of rock caught him in the eye; an indefinitely short time; in just a bit; an instance of some kind@adj. injured by bites or stings
bitartrate n. an acid tartrate; a hydrogen tartrate
bitch v. say mean things@n. (slang) an unpleasant difficulty; this problem is a real bitch; a woman who is thoroughly disliked; she said her son thought Hilary was a bitch; informal terms for objecting; female of any member of the dog family
bitchery n. aggressive remarks and behavior like that of a spiteful malicious woman
bitchiness n. malevolence by virtue of being malicious or spiteful or nasty
bitchy adj. marked by or arising from malice
bite v. to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws; Gunny invariably tried to bite her; cause a sharp of stinging pain or discomfort@n. a wound resulting from biting; a small amount of solid food; a mouthful
biteplate n. a removable dental appliance that is worn in the palate for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
biter n. someone who bites
bitewing n. a dental X-ray film that can be held in place by the teeth during radiography
biting adj. capable of wounding; a biting aphorism; causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation; used especially of cold; a biting wind
bitingly adv. extremely and sharply
bitmap n. an image represented as a two dimensional array of brightness values for pixels
bitstock n. the stock of a tool used for turning a drilling bit
bitt n. a strong post on a wharf or quay around which to attach mooring lines; a strong post on the deck of a ship around which mooring lines can be attached@v. secure with a bitt; bitt the ship line
bitten adj. injured by bites or stings; her poor mosquito-bitten legs
bitter n. (British) dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops@v. make bitter@adj. marked by strong resentment or cynicism; bitter about the divorce; very difficult to accept or bear; the bitter truth@adv. extremely and sharply
bittercress n. any of various herbs of the genus Cardamine, having usually pinnate leaves and racemes of white, pink or purple flowers; cosmopolitan except Antarctic
bitterish adj. somewhat bitter
bitterly adv. in a resentful manner; she complained bitterly; indicating something hard to accept; he was bitterly disappointed; extremely and sharply; it was bitterly cold
bittern n. relatively small compact tawny-brown heron with nocturnal habits and a booming cry; found in marshes
bitterness n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will; a sharp and bitter manner; the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouth; the property of having a harsh unpleasant taste
bitternut n. hickory of the eastern United States having a leaves with 7 or 9 leaflets and thin-shelled very bitter nuts
bitterroot n. showy succulent ground-hugging plant of Rocky Mountains regions having deep to pale pink flowers and fleshy farinaceous roots; the Montana state flower
bitters n. alcoholic liquor flavored with bitter herbs and roots
bittersweet n. poisonous perennial Old World vine having violet flowers and oval coral-red berries; widespread weed in North America@adj. tinged with sadness; a movie with a bittersweet ending
bitterweed n. widespread European weed with spiny tongue-shaped leaves and yellow flowers; naturalized in United States
bitterwood n. handsome South American shrub or small tree having bright scarlet flowers and yielding a valuable fine-grained yellowish wood; yields the bitter drug quassia from its wood and bark; West Indian tree yielding the drug Jamaica quassia
bitthead n. the upper end of a bitt
bittie adj. used informally; very small
bitty adj. used informally; very small
bitumastic n. a protective coating of asphalt and filter used on structural metals that are exposed to weathering
bitumen n. any of various naturally occurring impure mixtures of hydrocarbons
bitumenoid adj. like bitumen
bituminize v. treat with bitumen
bituminoid adj. like bitumen
bituminous adj. resembling or containing bitumen; bituminous coal
bivalent adj. (chemistry) having a valence of two or having two valences; (genetics) used of homologous chromosomes associated in pairs in synapsis
bivalve adj. (zoology) used of mollusks having two shells (as clams etc.)@n. marine or freshwater mollusks having a soft body with platelike gills enclosed within two shells hinged together
bivalved adj. (zoology) used of mollusks having two shells (as clams etc.)
bivariate adj. (math) having two variables; bivariate binomial distribution
bivouac v. live in a tent@n. temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers; a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent
bivouacking n. the act of encamping and living in tents in a camp
biweekly adj. occurring every two weeks@adv. every two weeks
biyearly adj. occurring every second year; occurring or payable twice each year
biz n. informal terms for your occupation; she's in show biz
bizarre adj. conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual; restaurants of bizarre design--one like a hat, another like a rabbit
bizarreness n. strikingly out of the ordinary
bize n. a dry cold north wind in SE France
bizonal adj. relating to or concerned with the combined affairs of two administrative zones
blab v. divulge information or secrets; spill the beans
blabber v. speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
blabbermouth n. someone who gossips indiscreetly
blabbermouthed adj. unwisely talking too much; prone to communicate confidential information
blabby adj. unwisely talking too much
black v. make or become black@adj. being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness@n. the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
blackamoor n. a person with dark skin who comes from Africa (or whose ancestors came from Africa)
blackball n. the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto@v. expel from a community or group; vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
blackbeetle n. dark brown cockroach originally from orient now nearly cosmopolitan in distribution
blackberry v. pick or gather blackberries@n. large sweet black or very dark purple edible aggregate fruit of any of various bushes of the genus Rubus; bramble with sweet edible black or dark purple berries that usually do not separate from the receptacle
blackbird n. any bird of the family Icteridae whose male is black or predominantly black; common black European thrush
blackboard n. sheet of slate; for writing with chalk
blackbody n. a hypothetical object capable of absorbing all the electromagnetic radiation falling on it
blackbuck n. common Indian antelope with a dark back and spiral horns
blackcap n. raspberry native to eastern North America having black thimble-shaped fruit; small black-headed European gull; Chickadee having a dark crown; small brownish-gray warbler with a black crown
blackcock n. male black grouse
blackdamp n. the atmosphere in a mine following an explosion; high in carbon dioxide and incapable of supporting life
blacken v. make or become black; burn so as to affect color or taste
blackened adj. darkened by smoke; blackened rafters; (of the face) made black especially as with suffused blood
blackening n. changing to a darker color
blackface n. the makeup (usually burnt cork) used by a performer in order to imitate a Negro
blackfish n. large dark-colored food fish of the Atlantic coast of North America; female salmon that has recently spawned; small dark-colored whaled of United States Atlantic coast; the largest male acts as pilot or leader for the school
blackfly n. blackish aphid that infests e.g. beans and sugar beets; small blackish stout-bodied biting fly having aquatic larvae; sucks the blood of birds as well as humans and other mammals
blackguard v. subject to laughter or ridicule; use foul or abusive language towards@n. someone who is morally reprehensible
blackguardly adj. lacking principles or scruples; _ W.M. Thackaray
blackhead n. a black-tipped plug clogging a pore of the skin
blackheart n. any of various diseases in which the central tissues blacken; heart cherry with dark flesh and skin cherry
blacking n. a substance used to produce a shiny protective surface on footwear
blackish adj. somewhat black; blackish clouds
blackjack n. a common scrubby deciduous tree of central and southeastern United States having dark bark and broad 3-lobed (club-shaped) leaves; tends to form dense thickets@v. exert pressure on someone through threats
blacklead v. cover with graphite
blackleg n. someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike@v. take the place of work of someone on strike
blacklist n. a list of people who are out of favor@v. put on a blacklist so as to banish or cause to be boycotted
blackmail v. exert pressure on someone through threats; obtain through threats@n. extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information
blackmailer n. a criminal who extorts money from someone by threatening to expose embarrassing information about them
blackness n. the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white); total absence of light
blackout n. a suspension of radio or tv broadcasting; darkness resulting from the extinction of lights (as in a city invisible to enemy aircraft); the failure of electric power for a general region; a momentary loss of consciousness
blackpoll n. North American warbler having a black-and-white head
blackseed n. grass native to West Indies but common in southern United States having tufted wiry stems often infested with a dark fungus (Helminthosporum_ravenelii)
blacksmith n. a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil
blacksnake n. large harmless shiny black North American snake; blackish racer of the eastern United States that grows to six feet
blacktail n. mule deer of western Rocky Mountains
blackthorn n. a thorny Eurasian bush with plumlike fruits; erect and almost thornless American hawthorn with somewhat pear-shaped berries
blacktop v. coat with blacktop, as of a driveway@n. a black bituminous material used for paving roads or other areas; usually spread over crushed rock
blacktopped adj. surfaced with a bituminous material
blacktopping n. a black bituminous material used for paving roads or other areas; usually spread over crushed rock
blackwash v. bring (information) out of concealment; color with blackwash
blackwater n. any of several human or animal diseases characterized by dark urine resulting from rapid breakdown of red blood cells
blackwood n. very dark wood of any of several blackwood trees; any of several hardwood trees yielding very dark-colored wood
bladder n. a distensible membranous sac (usually containing liquid or gas); a bag that fills with air
bladderlike adj. resembling a bladder
bladdernose n. medium-sized blackish-gray seal with large inflatable sac on the head; of Arctic-Atlantic waters
bladderpod n. North American wild lobelia having small blue flowers and inflated capsules formerly used as an antispasmodic; annual or perennial herbs with inflated seed pods; some placed in genus Lesquerella
bladderwort n. any of numerous aquatic carnivorous plants of the genus Utricularia some of whose leaves are modified as small urn-shaped bladders that trap minute aquatic animals
bladderwrack n. similar to and found with black rockweed; common black rockweed used in preparing kelp and as manure
bladdery adj. resembling a bladder
blade n. especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole; a dashing young man; something long and thin resembling a blade of grass; a blade of lint on his suit; a cutting or thrusting weapon with a long blade
bladed adj. bearing or characterized by a blade or sword; often used in combination; he fought on, broken-bladed but unbowed; (botany) having a blade or blades; often used in combination; a single-bladed leaf
bladelike adj. shaped like a sword blade
blae adj. (Scot) bluish-black or gray-blue
blaeberry n. erect European blueberry having solitary flowers and blue-black berries
blah n. pompous or pretentious talk or writing
blahs n. (informal usage) a general feeling of boredom and dissatisfaction
blain n. an inflammatory swelling or sore
blamable adj. deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
blame n. an accusation that you are responsible for some lapse or misdeed; the police laid the blame on on the driver@adj. expletives used informally as intensifiers; a blame cold winter@v. put or pin the blame on
blameable adj. deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
blamed adj. expletives used informally as intensifiers; it's a blamed shame
blameful adj. deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
blameless adj. free of guilt; not subject to blame; has lived a blameless life
blamelessly adv. in an irreproachable and blameless manner; she had lived blamelessly until she met this man
blamelessness n. a state of innocence
blameworthiness n. a state of guilt
blameworthy adj. deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious; blameworthy if not criminal behavior
blanch v. turn pale, as if in fear; cook briefly; as of vegetables
blanched adj. ash-colored or anemic looking from illness or emotion; the invalid's blanched cheeks; (especially of plants) developed without chlorophyll by being deprived of light
blancmange n. sweet almond-flavored milk pudding thickened with gelatin or cornstarch; usually molded
blanco v. whiten with Blanco
bland adj. lacking either stimulating or irritating characteristics; a bland pudding; lacking taste or flavor or tang; a bland diet; lacking stimulating characteristics; uninteresting; a bland little drama
blandish v. praise somewhat dishonestly
blandishment n. flattery intended to persuade; the act of urging by means of teasing or flattery
blandly adv. in a bland manner; his blandly incompetent attempts
blandness n. the trait of exhibiting no personal embarrassment or concern; the blandness of his confession enraged the judge; lacking any distinctive or interesting taste property; smooth and gracious in manner
blank v. keep the opposing team from winning, in baseball@n. a blank character used to separate successive words in writing or printing; a substitute for a taboo word@adj. of a surface; not written or printed on; blank pages; void of expression
blanket v. cover as if with a blanket; as of snow@n. bedding that keeps a person warm in bed; anything that covers; there was a blanket of snow; a layer of lead surrounding the highly reactive core of a nuclear reactor@adj. broad in scope or content
blankly adv. in a blank manner; she stared at him blankly
blankness n. the state of being blank; void; emptiness
blanquillo n. important marine food fishes
blare v. make a strident sound; make a loud noise@n. a loud harsh or strident noise
blaring adj. unpleasantly loud and penetrating; the blaring noise of trumpets@n. a loud harsh or strident noise
blarney v. influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering@n. flattery designed to gain favor
blase adj. very sophisticated especially because of surfeit; versed in the ways of the world; the blase traveler refers to the ocean he has crossed as `the pond'; uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence; his blase indifference
blaspheme v. utter obscenities
blasphemer n. a person who speaks disrespectfully of sacred things
blasphemous adj. grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred; blasphemous rites of a witches' Sabbath; characterized by profanity or cursing; foul-mouthed and blasphemous
blasphemously adv. in a blasphemous manner; the sailors were cursing blasphemously
blasphemy n. blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred); blasphemous behavior
blast v. make a strident sound; She tended to blast when speaking into a microphone; hit hard; use explosives on@n. a long and hard-hit fly ball; a sudden very loud noise; a strong current of air; an explosion (as of dynamite)
blasted adj. made uninhabitable; shattered or torn up or torn apart violently as by e.g. wind or lightning or explosive; an old blasted apple tree; expletives used informally as intensifiers; he's a blasted idiot
blastema n. a mass of undifferentiated cells from with an organ or body part develops
blastemal adj. of or relating to blastemata
blastematic adj. of or relating to blastemata
blastemic adj. of or relating to blastemata
blasting adj. causing injury or blight; especially affecting with sudden violence or plague or ruin; the blasting effects of the intense cold on the budding fruit
blastocoel n. the cavity inside a blastula
blastocoelic adj. of or relating to a segmentation cavity
blastocyte n. an undifferentiated embryonic cell
blastoderm n. a layer of cells on the inside of the blastula
blastodermatic adj. of or relating to a blastoderm
blastodermic adj. of or relating to a blastoderm
blastodisc n. a layer of cells on the inside of the blastula
blastoff n. the launching of a missile or spacecraft to a specified destination
blastogenesis n. asexual reproduction by budding; theory that inherited characteristics are transmitted by germ plasm
blastogenetic adj. of or relating to blastogenesis
blastomere n. any cell resulting from cleavage of a fertilized egg
blastomeric adj. of or relating to a blastomere
blastomycete n. any of various yeastlike budding fungi of the genus Blastomyces; cause disease in humans and other animals
blastomycosis n. any of several infections of the skin or mucous membrane caused by Blastomyces
blastomycotic adj. of or relating to or characteristic of blastomycosis
blastoporal adj. of or relating to a blastopore
blastopore n. the opening into the archenteron
blastoporic adj. of or relating to a blastopore
blastosphere n. early stage of an embryo produced by cleavage of an ovum; a hollow sphere whose wall is composed of a single layer of cells
blastospheric adj. of or relating to a blastula
blastula n. early stage of an embryo produced by cleavage of an ovum; a hollow sphere whose wall is composed of a single layer of cells
blastular adj. of or relating to a blastula
blat v. cry plaintively
blatancy n. the property of being both obvious and offensive; the blatancy of his attempt to whitewash the crime was unforgivable
blatant adj. without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious; a blatant appeal to vanity; conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry; blatant radios
blatantly adv. in a blatant manner; they blatantly violated the laws
blate v. cry plaintively@adj. disposed to avoid notice; (`blate' is a Scottish term for bashful)
blather v. to talk foolishly@n. foolish gibberish
blathering adj. talking idly or incoherently; blithering (or blathering) idiot
blatherskite n. foolish gibberish
blaze n. a strong flame that burns brightly; the blaze spread rapidly; a cause of difficulty and suffering; noisy and unrestrained mischief; great brightness@v. shine brightly and intensively; shoot rapidly and repeatedly; burn brightly and intensely
blazer n. lightweight single-breasted jacket; often striped in the colors of a club or school
blazing n. a strong flame that burns brightly@adj. shining intensely; the blazing sun; lighted up by or as by fire or flame; blazing logs in the fireplace; without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious; a blazing indiscretion
blazon n. the official symbols of a family, state, etc.@v. decorate with heraldic arms
blazonry n. the official symbols of a family, state, etc.
bleach v. remove color from; make whiter or lighter; bleach the laundry@n. the whiteness that results from removing the color from something; a complete bleach usually requires several applications; an agent that makes things white or colorless
bleached adj. having lost freshness or brilliance of color; sun-bleached deck chairs; (used of color) artificially produced; not natural; a bleached blonde
bleachers n. an outdoor grandstand without a roof; patrons are exposed to the sun as linens are when they are bleached
bleak adj. offering little or no hope; prospects were bleak; providing no shelter or sustenance; the bleak treeless regions of the high Andes; unpleasantly cold and damp; bleak winds of the North Atlantic
bleakly adv. without hope; he wondered bleakly
bleakness n. a bleak and desolate atmosphere
blear adj. tired to the point of exhaustion@v. make dim or indistinct
bleary adj. tired to the point of exhaustion; indistinct or hazy in outline
bleat n. the sound of sheep or goats (or any sound resembling this)@v. talk whiningly; cry plaintively
bleb n. (pathology) an elevation of the skin filled with serous fluid
blebbed adj. (of glass or quartzite) marred by small bubbles or small particles of foreign material
blebby adj. covered with small blisters; (of glass or quartzite) marred by small bubbles or small particles of foreign material
bleed v. lose blood from one's body; draw blood; be diffused; of dyes and colors; drain of water; bleed the radiators
bleeder n. someone who has hemophilia and is subject to uncontrollable bleeding
bleeding n. flow of blood from ruptured blood vessels@adj. emitting or as if emitting blood; his bleeding wounds
bleep n. a short high tone produced as a signal or warning@v. emit a single short high-pitched signal, as of apparatus
blemish v. mar or spoil the appearance of; mar or impair with a flaw; add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective@n. a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)
blemished adj. marred by imperfections; having a blemish or flaw
blench v. turn pale, as if in fear
blend v. combine into one; blend the nuts and raising together; blend or harmonize; This flavor will blend with those in your dish; mix together different elements@n. an occurrence of thorough mixing
blende n. an ore that is the chief source of zinc; consists largely of zinc sulfide in crystalline form
blended adj. combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable
blender n. an electrically powered mixer with whirling blades that mix or chop or liquefy foods
blending n. the act of blending components together thoroughly; a gradation involving small or imperceptible differences between grades@adj. combining or mixing
blennioid n. elongated mostly scaleless marine fishes with large pectoral fins and reduced pelvic fins
blenny n. small usually scaleless fishes with comb-like teeth living about rocky shores; territorial and hole-dwelling
blepharitis n. inflammation of the eyelids characterized by redness and swelling and dried crusts
bless v. give a benediction to; confer prosperity or happiness on; make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate; render holy by means of religious rites
blessed adj. highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace); our blessed land; expletives used informally as intensifiers; not a blessed dime; Roman Catholic; proclaimed one of the blessed and thus worthy of veneration
blessedly adv. in a blessed manner
blessedness n. a state of supreme happiness
blessing n. the formal act of giving approval: he gave the project his blessing; a desirable state; a short prayer of thanks before a meal; a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection; the act of praying for divine protection
blest adj. highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
blether v. to talk foolishly@n. idle or foolish talk
bletia n. any of various orchids of the genus Bletia having pseudo-bulbs and erect leafless racemes of large purple or pink flowers
bleu n. cheese containing a blue mold
blew past tense of blow
blewits n. edible agaric that is pale lilac when young; has a smooth moist cap
blight n. a state or condition being blighted; any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting@v. cause to suffer a blight
blighted adj. affected by blight--anything that mars or events growth or prosperity; a blighted rose
blighter n. a persistently annoying person; a boy or man
blimp n. a small nonrigid airship used for observation or as a barrage balloon
blimpish adj. pompously ultraconservative and nationalistic
blind n. people who have severe visual impairments@adj. unable to see; unable or unwilling to perceive or understand; blind to a lover's faults; not based on reason on evidence; blind hatred@v. render unable to see
blinded adj. deprived of sight
blinder n. a leather eye-patch sewn to the side of the halter that prevents a horse from seeing something on either side
blindfold adj. wearing a blindfold@v. cover the eyes of someone to prevent him from seeing@n. a cloth used to cover the eyes
blindfolded adj. wearing a blindfold
blinding adj. shining intensely; blinding headlights
blindly adv. without seeing or looking; he felt around his desk blindly; without preparation or reflection; without a rational basis; they bought the car blindly
blindness n. lack of sight
blindworm n. small burrowing legless European lizard with tiny eyes; popularly believed to be blind; any of the small slender limbless burrowing wormlike amphibians of the order Gymnophiona; inhabit moist soil in tropical regions
blini n. Russian pancake of buckwheat flour and yeast; usually served with caviar and sour cream
blink n. a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly@v. briefly shut the eyes; The TV announcer never seems to blink; force to go away by blinking; blink away tears; gleam or glow intermittently
blinker v. put blinders on a horse@n. a light that flashes on and off; used as a signal or to send messages; a blinking light on a motor vehicle that indicates the direction in which the vehicle is about to turn
blinking adj. off-and-on; the blinking signal light; closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly; he stood blinking in the bright sunlight; (used of persons) informal intensifiers; what a bally (or blinking) nuisance
blinks n. small Indian lettuce of northern regions
blintz n. (Jewish) thin pancake folded around a filling and fried or baked
blintze n. (Jewish) thin pancake folded around a filling and fried or baked
bliny n. Russian pancake of buckwheat flour and yeast; usually served with caviar and sour cream
blip n. a radar echo displayed so as to show the position of a reflecting surface
bliss n. a state of extreme happiness
blissful adj. completely happy and contented; blissful young lovers
blissfully adv. in a blissful manner; he was blissfully unaware of the danger
blissfulness n. a state of extreme happiness
blister n. (pathology) an elevation of the skin filled with serous fluid@v. get blistery; scorch with words
blistered adj. (of skin) having blisters (swellings containing watery fluid) caused by burning or irritation; escaped from the fire with only a blistered hand
blistering adj. harsh or corrosive in tone; blistering criticism; hot enough to raise (or as if to raise) blisters; blistering sun; very fast; a blistering pace
blistery adj. hot enough to raise (or as if to raise) blisters; covered with small blisters
blithe adj. lacking or showing a lack of due concern; spoke with blithe ignorance of the true situation; carefree and happy and lighthearted; was loved for her blithe spirit
blithely adv. in a joyous manner
blitheness n. a feeling of spontaneous good spirits
blither v. to talk foolishly
blithering adj. talking idly or incoherently; blithering (or blathering) idiot
blithesome adj. carefree and happy and lighthearted; a merry blithesome nature
blitz n. (football) defensive players try to break through the offensive line; a rapid and violent military attack with intensive aerial bombardment@v. attack suddenly and without warning
blitzkrieg v. fight a quick and surprising war
blizzard n. a storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds
bloat v. become bloated or swollen or puff up; make bloated or swollen@n. swelling of the rumen or intestinal tract of domestic animals caused by excessive gas
bloated adj. abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas; hungry children with bloated stomachs
bloater n. large fatty herring lightly salted and briefly smoked
blob v. make a spot or mark onto@n. an indistinct shapeless form
bloc n. a group of countries in special alliance
block n. a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)@v. render unsuitable for passage; block the way; hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of; stop from happening or developing
blockade v. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of; render unsuitable for passage; obstruct access to; impose a blockade on@n. a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemy; prevents access or progress
blockaded adj. preventing entry or exit or a course of action; the blockaded harbor
blockading adj. blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbors; the blockading ships prevented delivery of munitions
blockage n. an obstruction in a pipe or tube; we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe; the act of blocking
blockbuster n. a large bomb used to demolish extensive areas
blocked adj. closed to traffic; the repaving results in many blocked streets; completely obstructed or closed off; the storm was responsible for many blocked roads and bridges
blocker n. a football player whose responsibility is to block players attempting to stop an offensive play
blockhead n. these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence
blockheaded adj. used informally
blockhouse n. a stronghold that is reinforced for protection from enemy fire; with apertures for defensive fire
blocking n. the act of blocking someone's path with your body (as in football)
blockish adj. resembling a block in shape
blocky adj. resembling a block in shape
bloke n. (informal) a man who is (usually) old and/or eccentric
blolly n. evergreen climbing shrub of southern Florida and West Indies grown for its racemes of fragrant white to creamy flowers followed by globose white succulent berries
blond adj. being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or gray eyes; blond Scandinavians@n. a person with fair skin and hair
blonde adj. being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or gray eyes@n. a person with fair skin and hair
blondness n. the property of having a naturally light complexion
blood v. smear with blood, as in a hunting initiation rite, where the face of a person is smeared with the blood of the kill@n. the fluid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped by the heart
bloodbath n. indiscriminate slaughter
bloodberry n. bushy houseplant having white to pale pink flowers followed by racemes of scarlet berries; tropical Americas
bloodcurdling adj. extremely alarming
blooded adj. of unmixed ancestry; full-blooded Natigve American; having blood of a certain type; used as a combining form; blue-blooded aristocracy
bloodguilt n. the state of being guilty of bloodshed and murder
bloodguilty adj. guilty of murder or bloodshed
bloodhound n. a breed of large powerful hound of European origin having very acute smell and used in tracking
bloodied adj. having been caused to bleed; a bloodied nose
bloodily adv. involving a great bloodshed
bloodleaf n. any plant of the genus Iresine having colored foliage
bloodless adj. destitute of blood or apparently so; free from blood or bloodshed; bloodless surgery; without vigor or zest or energy; an insipit and bloodless young man; devoid of human emotion or feeling; charts of bloodless economic indicators
bloodlessly adv. in a bloodless manner; without shedding blood; the coup disposed of the dictator bloodlessly
bloodletting n. formerly used as a treatment to reduce excess blood (one of the four humors of medieval medicine); indiscriminate slaughter
bloodline n. the descendants of one individual; ancestry of a purebred animal
bloodlust n. a desire for bloodshed
bloodmobile n. a motor vehicle equipped to collect blood donations
bloodroot n. perennial woodland native of North America having a red root and red sap and bearing a solitary lobed leave and white flower in early spring and having acrid emetic properties; rootstock used as a stimulant and expectorant
bloodshed n. the shedding of blood resulting in murder; indiscriminate slaughter
bloodshot adj. reddened as a result of locally congested blood vessels; inflamed; bloodshot eyes
bloodsport n. sport that involves killing animals (especially hunting)
bloodstain n. a discoloration caused by blood
bloodstained adj. covered with blood; a bloodstained shirt
bloodstock n. thoroughbred horses (collectively)
bloodstone n. green chalcedony with red spots that resemble blood
bloodstream n. the blood flowing through the circulatory system
bloodsucker n. carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end
bloodsucking adj. drawing blood from the body of another; a plague of bloodsucking insects; of plants or persons; having the nature or habits of a parasite or leech; living off another; bloodsucking blackmailer
bloodthirsty adj. marked by eagerness to resort to violence and bloodshed; bloodthirsty yells
bloodworm n. a segmented marine worm with bright red body; often used for bait
bloodwort n. any of various plants of the family Haemodoraceae; roots contain a deep red coloring matter
bloody adv. (intensifier) you are bloody right@v. cover with blood; bloody your hands@adj. having or covered with or accompanied by blood; a bloody nose; (used of persons) informal intensifiers; a bloody fool
bloom v. produce or yield flowers@n. the organic process of bearing flowers; you will stop all bloom if you let the flowers go to seed; reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts; the best time of youth
bloomers n. (usually in the plural) underpants worn by women; she was afraid that her bloomers might have been showing
blooming n. the organic process of bearing flowers@adj. in bloom; a field carpeted with blooming violets; having the pinkish flush of health
bloomless adj. producing or having no flowers or only unnoticeable ones
bloomy adj. abounding in or covered with flowers; a bloomy sunlit slope
blooper n. an embarrassing mistake
blossom n. reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts; the period of greatest prosperity or productivity@v. produce or yield flowers; develop or come to a promising stage
blossoming n. the process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
blossomy adj. abounding in or covered with flowers
blot n. a blemish made by dirt; an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; he made a huge blot on his copybook@v. dry (ink) with blotting paper; make a spot or mark onto
blotch v. mark with spots or blotches of different color or shades of color as if stained@n. an irregularly shaped spot
blotched adj. marked with irregularly shaped spots or blots
blotchy adj. marked with irregularly shaped spots or blots; marred by discolored spots or blotches; blotchy skin
blotter n. absorbent paper used to dry ink; the daily written record of events (as arrests) in a police station
blotto adj. slang for `drunk'
blouse n. a top worn by women
blow n. a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon; a blow on the head; an impact (as from a collision)@v. exhale hard; blow on the soup to cool it down; be blowing or storming; free of obstruction by blowing air through: blow one's nose
blowback n. the backward escape of unburned gunpowder after a shot
blowball n. any of several herbs of the genus Taraxacum having long tap roots and deeply notched leaves and bright yellow flowers followed by fluffy seed balls
blower n. a device that produces a current of air; a fan run by an electric motor; a mechanical device that blows air onto a fire to make it burn more fiercely
blowfish n. delicacy that is highly dangerous because of a potent nerve poison in ovaries and liver
blowfly n. large usually hairy metallic blue or green fly; lays eggs in carrion or dung or wounds
blowgun n. a tube through which darts can be shot by blowing
blowhard n. a very boastful and talkative person
blowhole n. the spiracle of a cetacean located far back on the skull; an opening for the escape of gas or air
blowing n. processing that involves blowing a gas
blowjob n. slang terms for fellatio
blowlamp n. a burner that produces a hot flame
blown adj. being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor; blown clouds of dust choked the riders; (of glass) formed by forcing air into a molten ball; blown glass; breathing laboriously or convulsively
blowout n. a gay festivity
blowpipe n. directs air or gas into a flame to concentrate heat; a tube through which darts can be shot by blowing
blowsy adj. used especially of women
blowtorch n. a burner that produces a hot flame
blowtube n. directs air or gas into a flame to concentrate heat; a tube through which darts can be shot by blowing
blowup n. a sudden very loud noise
blowy adj. abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes; blowy weather
blowzy adj. used especially of women
blubber adj. swollen with fat; blubber cheeks@v. cry or whine with snuffling; utter while crying@n. an insulating layer of fat under the skin of whales and other large marine mammals; used as a source of oil
blubbery adj. swollen with fat; a coarse blubbery individual
blucher n. a high shoe with laces over the tongue
bluchers n. a high shoe with laces over the tongue
bludgeon v. overcome or coerce as if by using a heavy club; strike with a club or a bludgeon@n. used as a weapon
blue v. turn blue@n. the color of the clear sky in the daytime; he had eyes of bright blue; blue clothing@adj. having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky; a blue flame
bluebell n. sometimes placed in genus Scilla; one of the most handsome prairie wildflowers laving large erect bell-shaped bluish flowers; of moist places in prairies and fields from eastern Colorado and Nebraska south to New Mexico and Texas
blueberry n. any of numerous shrubs of the genus Vaccinium bearing blueberries; sweet edible dark-blue berries of either low-growing or high-growing blueberry plants
bluebill n. diving ducks of North America having a bluish-gray bill
bluebird n. fruit-eating mostly brilliant blue songbird of the East Indies; blue North American songbird
bluebonnet n. low-growing annual herb of southwestern United States (Texas) having silky foliage and blue flowers
bluebottle n. an annual Eurasian plant cultivated in North America having showy heads of blue or purple or pink or white flowers; blowfly with iridescent blue body; makes a loud buzzing noise in flight
bluefin n. flesh of very large tuna; largest tuna; to 1500 pounds; of mostly temperate seas: feed in polar regions but breed in tropics
bluefish n. bluish warm-water marine food and game fish that follow schools of small fishes into shallow waters; fatty bluish flesh of bluefish
bluegill n. important edible sunfish of eastern and central United States
bluegrass n. a valuable pasture and lawn grass with bluish green stems
bluehead n. small Atlantic wrasse the male of which has a brilliant blue head
blueing n. used to whiten laundry or hair or give it a bluish tinge; a process that makes something blue (or bluish)
blueish adj. tinged with blue or purple from cold or contusion; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
bluejacket n. a serviceman in the navy
blueness n. the color of the clear sky in the daytime
bluenose n. one who advocates a rigorous moral code
bluepoint n. typically from Long Island; usually eaten raw; small edible oyster typically from the south shore of Long Island
blueprint v. make a blueprint of@n. something intended as a guide for making something else; a blueprint for a house; photographic print of plans or technical drawings etc.
blues n. a type of folk song that originated among Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century; has a melancholy sound from repeated used of blue notes; an informal term for a state of depression; he had a bad case of the blues
bluestem n. tall grass with smooth bluish leaf sheaths grown for hay in the United States
bluestocking n. a woman having literary or intellectual interests
bluestone n. bluish-gray sandstone used for paving and building
bluet n. a low American herb with dainty solitary bluish flowers
bluethroat n. songbird of northern Europe and Asia
bluetick n. a very fast American hound; white mottled with bluish gray
blueweed n. a coarse prickly European weed with spikes of blue flowers; naturalized in United States
bluewing n. American teal
bluff v. deceive an opponent in a card game by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand@adj. having a prominent and almost vertical front@n. a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
bluffer n. a person who tries to bluff other people
bluffly adv. in a blunt direct manner
bluffness n. good-natured frankness
bluing n. used to whiten laundry or hair or give it a bluish tinge; a process that makes something blue (or bluish)
bluish adj. having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky; tinged with blue or purple from cold or contusion
blunder n. an embarrassing mistake@v. commit a faux pas or fault; make a mess of, destroy or ruin; make an error
blunderbuss n. a short musket of wide bore with a flared muzzle
blunderer n. someone who makes mistakes because of incompetence
blunt adj. having a broad or rounded end; thick marks made by a blunt pencil; used of a knife or other blade@v. make less intense; make numb or insensitive; make dull or blunt, as of sharp edges or knives' blades; make less sharp; blunt the knives
blunted adj. made dull or blunt
bluntly adv. in a blunt direct manner; he spoke bluntly
bluntness n. the quality of being direct and outspoken; the bluntness of a Yorkshireman; without sharpness of edge or point
blur n. a hazy or indistinct representation; it happened so fast it was just a blur@v. become glassy; lose clear vision; to make less distinct or clear; make unclear, indistinct, or blurred; make a smudge on; soil by smudging; make dim or indistinct
blurb n. a promotional statement (as found on the dust jackets of books)
blurred adj. indistinct or hazy in outline; a landscape of blurred outlines; unclear in form or expression; the blurred aims of the group
blurriness n. the quality of being indistinct
blurry adj. indistinct or hazy in outline; the trees were just blurry shapes
blurt v. utter impulsively
blush n. a rosy color (especially in the cheeks) taken as a sign of good health@v. turn red, as if in embarrassment
blusher n. yellowish edible agaric that usually turns red when touched; a pink or red powder applied to the cheeks
blushful adj. having a red face from embarrassment or shame or agitation or emotional upset; her blushful beau; blush colored; blushful mists
blushing adj. having a red face from embarrassment or shame or agitation or emotional upset; the blushing boy was brought before the Principal
blushingly adv. while blushing; she stated her name blushingly
bluster v. blow hard; be gusty, as of wind; show off@n. noisy confusion and turbulence; he was awakened by the bluster of their preparations; a swaggering show of courage; a violent gusty wind
blusterer n. a person who causes trouble by speaking indiscreetly
blustering adj. blowing in loud and abrupt bursts; blustering (or blusterous) winds of Patagonia
blusterous adj. blowing in loud and abrupt bursts; blustering (or blusterous) winds of Patagonia
blustery adj. blowing in loud and abrupt bursts; a cold blustery day; noisily domineering; tending to browbeat others
bm n. a euphemism for defecation
boa n. a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur; any of several chiefly tropical constrictors with vestigial hind limbs
boar n. Old World wild swine having a narrow body and prominent tusks from which most domestic swine come; introduced in United States; an uncastrated male hog
board v. get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.); live and take one's meals (in a certain place)@n. a committee having supervisory powers; the board has seven members; a flat piece of material designed for a special purpose
boarder n. a tenant in someone's house; someone who forces their way aboard ship; a pupil who lives at school during term time
boarding n. the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft; a structure of boards
boardinghouse n. a private house that provides accommodations and meals for paying guests
boardroom n. a room where a committee meets (such as the board of directors of a company)
boards n. the boarding that surrounds an ice hockey rink
boardwalk n. a walkway made of wooden boards; usually at seaside
boarfish n. long-snouted fishes with large eyes; fish with a projecting snout
boarhound n. large hound used in hunting wild boars
boast v. show off; wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner@n. speaking of yourself in superlatives
boaster n. a very boastful and talkative person
boastful adj. exhibiting self-importance
boastfully adv. in a boastful manner
boastfulness n. outspoken conceit
boasting n. speaking of yourself in superlatives
boat v. ride in a boat on water@n. a small vessel for travel on water; a dish (often boat-shaped) for serving gravy or sauce
boatbill n. tropical American heron related to night herons
boatbuilder n. a person who builds boats
boater n. a stiff straw hat with a flat crown; someone who drives or rides in a boat
boathouse n. at edge of river or lake; used to store boats
boating n. water travel for pleasure
boatload n. the amount of cargo that can be held by a boat or ship or a freight car; he imported wine by the boatload
boatman n. someone who drives or rides in a boat
boatmanship n. skill in handling boats
boatswain n. a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
bob v. move up and down repeatedly; ride a bobsled; remove or shorten the tail of an animal; make a curtsy; usually done only by girls and women@n. a former monetary unit in Great Britain; a hair style for women and children; a short haircut all around
bobber n. a small float usually made of cork; attached to a fishing line
bobbin n. around which thread or tape or film or other flexible materials can be wound
bobble v. make a mess of, destroy or ruin
bobby n. an informal term for a British policeman
bobbysock n. a sock that reaches just above the ankle
bobbysocker n. an adolescent girl wearing bobby socks (common in the 1940s)
bobbysocks n. a sock that reaches just above the ankle
bobbysoxer n. an adolescent girl wearing bobby socks (common in the 1940s)
bobcat n. small lynx of North America
bobfloat n. a small float usually made of cork; attached to a fishing line
bobolink n. migratory American songbird
bobsled v. ride a bobsled@n. formerly two short sleds coupled together; a long racing sled (for 2 or more people) with a steering mechanism
bobsledding n. riding on a bobsled
bobsleigh n. formerly two short sleds coupled together; a long racing sled (for 2 or more people) with a steering mechanism
bobtail n. a short or shortened tail of certain animals; large sheepdog with a profuse shaggy blue-gray-and-white coat and short tail; believed to trace back to Roman occupation of Britain@adj. having a short or shortened tail; bobtail mare
bobtailed adj. having a short or shortened tail
bobwhite n. a popular North American game bird; named for its call
bocce n. Italian lawn bowling (played on a long narrow dirt court)
bocci n. Italian lawn bowling (played on a long narrow dirt court)
boccie n. Italian lawn bowling (played on a long narrow dirt court)
bocconia n. herb of China and Japan widely cultivated for its plumelike panicles of creamy white flowers; small Central American tree having loose racemes of purple-tinted green flowers
bock n. strong dark beer brewed in the fall and aged through the winter for spring consumption
bod n. alternative names for the body of a human being
bodacious adj. (regional informal) incorrigible; a bodacious gossip; unrestrained by convention or propriety
bode v. indicate by signs; These signs bode bad news
bodice n. part of a dress above the waist
bodied adj. having a body or a body of a specified kind; often used in combination; strong-bodied; possessing or existing in bodily form
bodiless adj. not having a material body; bodiless ghosts; having no trunk or main part; a bodiless head
bodily adj. of or relating to or belonging to the body; a bodily organ; affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit; bodily needs; having or relating to a physical material body; bodily existence@adv. in bodily form
boding n. a feeling of evil to come: a steadily escalating sense of foreboding
bodkin n. a dagger with a slender blade; formerly a long hairpin; usually with an ornamental head; a small sharp-pointed tool for punching holes in leather or fabric; a blunt needle for pulling ribbon through loops
body n. the entire physical structure of an organism (especially an animal or human being); he felt as if his whole body were on fire; body of a dead animal or person; they found the body in the lake@v. invest with or as with a body
bodybuilder n. someone who does special exercises to develop the musculature
bodybuilding n. exercise that builds muscles through tension
bodyguard n. someone who escorts and protects a prominent person; a group of men who escort and protect some important person
bodyless adj. having no trunk or main part
bodypaint v. apply paint to a body
bodywork n. the exterior body of a motor vehicle; the work of making or repairing vehicle bodies
boeuf n. meat from an adult domestic bovine
boffin n. (British slang) a scientist or technician engaged in military research
bog v. cause to slow down or get stuck; The vote would bog down the house; get stuck while doing something@n. wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation; has poorer drainage than a swamp
bogbean n. perennial plant of Europe and America having racemes of white or purplish flowers and intensely bitter trifoliate leaves; often rooting at water margin and spreading across the surface
bogey v. to shoot in one stroke over par; in golf@n. an evil spirit; (in golf) a score of one stroke over par on a golf hole; an unidentified (and possibly enemy) aircraft
bogeyman n. an imaginary monster used to frighten children
boggle v. startle with amazement or fear; hesitate when confronted with a problem, or when in doubt or fear; overcome with amazement
boggy adj. (of soil) soft and watery; the ground was boggy under foot
bogie n. an evil spirit; an unidentified (and possibly enemy) aircraft
bogmat n. having narrow flat sickle-shaped submerged fronds; North America
bogus adj. fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
bogy n. an unidentified (and possibly enemy) aircraft; an evil spirit
bohemian adj. unconventional in especially appearance and behavior; a bohemian life style
boil n. a painful sore with a hard pus-filled core@v. come to the boiling point and change from a liquid to vapor; cook in boiling liquid; boil potatoes; bring to, or maintain at, the boiling point, as of water and other liquids
boiled adj. cooked in hot water
boiler n. sealed vessel where water is converted to steam; a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
boilermaker n. whiskey with a beer chaser
boilerplate n. a standard formulation of legal documents or news stories; thick plate iron used in the production of boilers
boilersuit n. (British) a loose protective smock worn over ordinary clothing for dirty work
boiling adv. (informal) extremely@n. the application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas; cooking in a boiling liquid@adj. intensely stirred up especially by anger or resentment; he is boiling with anger; hot enough to boil
boisterous adj. noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline; a boisterous crowd; full of rough and exuberant animal spirits; boisterous practical jokes; violently agitated and turbulent; boisterous winds and waves
boisterously adv. in a carefree manner
boisterousness n. a turbulent and stormy state of the sea; the property of being noisy and lively and unrestrained
bola n. a cord fastened around the neck with an ornamental clasp and worn as a necktie; a rope with weights attached to the ends; is thrown to entangle the legs of an animal; of South American origin
bold adj. fearless and daring; bold settlers on some foreign shore; clear and distinct; bold handwriting; willing to take risks and try new things; having a prominent and almost vertical front; the bold face of the cliff
boldface n. a typeface with thick heavy lines@v. print in boldface
boldly adv. in a bold manner; we must tackle these tasks boldly
boldness n. the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger; the proposal required great boldness; impudent aggressiveness; I couldn't believe her boldness; the quality of standing out strongly and distinctly
bole n. a soft oily clay used as a pigment (especially a reddish brown pigment); the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
bolero n. music written in the rhythm of the bolero dance; a short jacket; worn mostly by women; a Spanish dance in triple time; accompanied by guitar and castanets; a Spanish dance in triple time accompanied by guitar and castanets
bolete n. any fungus of the family Boletaceae
bolide n. a very luminous meteor (sometimes exploding)
bolivar n. the basic unit of money in Venezuela; equal to 100 centimos
bolivia n. a form of canasta in which sequences can be melded
boliviano n. the basic unit of money in Bolivia; equal to 100 centavos
boll n. the rounded seed-bearing capsule of a cotton or flax plant
bollard n. a strong post on a wharf or quay around which to attach mooring lines
bollix v. make a mess of, destroy or ruin
bollock n. one of the two male reproductive glands; a pulley-block at the head of a topmast
bollocks v. make a mess of, destroy or ruin
bollworm n. any of various moth caterpillars that destroy cotton bolls
bolo n. a cord fastened around the neck with an ornamental clasp and worn as a necktie; long heavy and single-edged knife; of Philippine origin
bologna n. large smooth-textured smoked sausage of beef and veal and pork
bologram n. record or recording made by a bolometer
bolograph n. record or recording made by a bolometer
bolographic adj. of or relating to a bolograph
bolometer n. measures heat radiation; extremely sensitive
bolometric adj. of or relating to a bolometer
boloney n. pretentious or silly talk or writing
bolshevik adj. of or relating to Bolshevism
bolshevise v. make Communist or bring in accord with Communist principles
bolshevism n. a form of communism based on the writings of Marx and Lenin
bolshevize v. make Communist or bring in accord with Communist principles
bolshy adj. (British slang) obstreperous
bolster n. a pillow that is often put across a bed underneath the regular pillows@v. support; of morale, theories, etc.; prop up with a pillow or bolster; add padding to
bolt n. a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder@v. move or jump suddenly; secure or lock with a bolt; bolt the door; swallow hastily; run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along@adv. in a rigid manner
bolted adj. firmly fastened or secured against opening
bolti n. important food fish of the Nile and other rivers of Africa and Asia Minor
bolus n. a small round soft mass (as of chewed food); a large pill; used especially in veterinary medicine
bomb v. attack with bombs; fail to get a passing grade; throw bombs at@n. an explosive device fused to denote under specific conditions; strong sealed vessel for measuring heat of combustion; an event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual
bombard v. cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile; throw bombs at@n. a large shawm; the bass member of the shawm family
bombardier n. a noncommissioned officer in the British artillery; the member of a bomber crew responsible for using the bombsight and releasing the bombs on the target
bombardment n. the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target; an attack by dropping bombs
bombardon n. a bass tuba that coils over the shoulder of the musician; a large shawm; the bass member of the shawm family
bombast n. pompous or pretentious talk or writing
bombastic adj. ostentatiously lofty in style
bombastically adv. in a turgid manner; he lectured bombastically about his theories; in a grandiose manner; the building was bombastically spacious
bombazine n. a silk fabric in twill weave dyed black; a twilled fabric with silk warp and worsted filling
bomber n. a military aircraft that drops bombs during flight
bombilate v. make a buzzing sound
bombinate v. make a buzzing sound
bombing n. an attack by dropping bombs
bombproof adj. able to resist the explosive force of bombs and shells; bombproof shelter@n. a shelter (often underground) reinforced against bombing; used during air raids
bombshell n. an entertainer who has a sensational effect; she was a blonde bombshell; a shocking surprise; news of the attack came like a bombshell; an explosive bomb or artillery shell
bombsight n. a sighting device in an aircraft for aiming bombs
bombycid n. moderate-sized Asiatic moth whose larvae feed on mulberry leaves and produce silk
bonanza n. an especially rich vein of precious ore; a sudden happening that brings very good fortune
bonavist n. perennial twining vine of Old World tropics having trifoliate leaves and racemes of fragrant purple pealike flowers followed by maroon pods of edible seeds; grown as an ornamental and as a vegetable on the Indian subcontinent
bonbon n. a candy that usually has a center of fondant or fruit or nuts coated in chocolate
bond n. an electrical force linking atoms; an interest-bearing (or discounted) certificate of debt issued by a government or corporation in order to raise money@v. stick to firmly; create social or emotional ties; issue bonds on@adj. held in slavery
bondable adj. capable of being fastened or secured with a rope or bond; capable of holding together or cohering; as particles in a mass
bondage n. the state of being under the control of another person
bonded adj. secured by written agreement
bonderize v. coat steel with corrosion-prevention coat
bondholder n. a holder of bonds issued by a government or corporation
bonding n. a close personal relationship that forms between people (as between husband and wife or parent and child)
bondmaid n. a female bound to serve without wages; a female slave
bondman n. a male bound to serve without wages; a male slave
bondsman n. a male slave; someone who signs a bond as surety for someone else; a male bound to serve without wages
bondswoman n. someone who signs a bond as surety for someone else; a female bound to serve without wages; a female slave
bonduc n. handsome tree of central and eastern North America having large bipinnate leaves and green-white flowers followed by large woody brown pods whose seeds are used as a coffee substitute
bondwoman n. a female bound to serve without wages; a female slave
bone n. rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates; the porous calcified substance from which bones are made@adj. consisting of or made up of bone@v. study intensively, as before an exam
boned adj. having had the bones removed; a boned (or deboned) fish; (combining form) having bones as specified; his lanky long-boned body
bonefish n. slender silvery marine fish found in tropical mud flats and mangrove lagoons
bonehead n. these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence
boneheaded adj. used informally
boneless adj. being without a bone or bones; jellyfish are boneless
bonelet n. a small bone; especially one in the middle ear
bonelike adj. resembling bone; a bonelike tumor
bonemeal n. fertilizer made of ground bones
boner n. an embarrassing mistake
bones n. a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
boneset n. European herb having small white, pink or purple flowers; naturalized as a weed in North America; perennial herb of southeastern United States having white-rayed flower heads; formerly used as in folk medicine
bonesetter n. someone (not necessarily a licensed physician) who sets broken bones
boneshaker n. a vehicle that is dilapidated and uncomfortable; that old bike without rubber tires was a real boneshaker
boney adj. having bones especially many or prominent bones
bonfire n. a large outdoor fire
bong v. ring loudly and deeply, as of bells
bongo n. a small drum; played with the hands; large forest antelope of central Africa having a reddish-brown coat with white stripes and spiral horns
bonheur n. (French) happiness and good humor
bonhomie n. a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
boniness n. leanness (usually caused by starvation)
bonito n. flesh of mostly Pacific food fishes of the genus Sarda of the family Scombridae; related to but smaller than tuna; fish whose flesh is dried and flaked for Japanese cookery; may be same species as skipjack tuna
bonk v. have sexual intercourse with; (know is archaic); hit hard
bonkers adj. informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
bonnet n. a hat tied under the chin; hinged metal part that covers the engine@v. dress in a bonnet
bonnethead n. small harmless hammerhead having a spade-shaped head; abundant in bays and estuaries
bonnie adj. very pleasing to the eye
bonnily adv. in a bonny manner
bonny adj. very pleasing to the eye; my bonny lass
bonobo n. small chimpanzee of swamp forests in Zaire; a threatened species
bonsai n. a dwarfed ornamental tree or shrub grown in a tray or shallow pot
bonus n. anything that tends to arouse; an additional payment to employees as a means of increasing output
bonxie n. gull-like jaeger of northern seas
bony adj. very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold; emaciated bony hands; composed of or containing bone; having bones especially many or prominent bones; a bony shad fillet
bonzer adj. (Australian) remarkable or wonderful
boo n. a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt@v. show displeasure, as after a performance or speech
boob n. an ignorant or foolish person; either of two soft fleshy milk-secreting glandular organs on the chest of a woman@v. commit a faux pas or fault
booby n. an ignorant or foolish person; small tropical gannet having a bright bill or bright feet or both
boodle n. a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck)
booger n. an imaginary monster used to frighten children; dried nasal mucus
boogeyman n. an imaginary monster used to frighten children
boogie n. an instrumental version of the blues (especially for piano)
book v. engage for a performance; arrange for and reserve in advance; record a charge in a police register@n. a copy of a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together); I am reading a good book on economics
bookable adj. subject to being reserved or booked; all seats bookable in advance
bookbinder n. a worker whose trade is binding books
bookbinding n. the craft of binding books
bookcase n. a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books
bookclub n. a club that people join in order to buy selected books at reduced prices
bookdealer n. a dealer in books; a merchant who sells books
booked adj. reserved in advance
bookend n. a support placed at the end of a row of books to keep them upright (on a shelf or table)
booker n. someone who engages a person or company for performances
bookie n. a gambler who accepts and pays off bets (especially on horse races)
booking n. a job for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time; the act of reserving (a place or passage) or engaging the services of (a person or group): wondered who had made the booking
bookish adj. characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading; a bookish farmer who always had a book in his pocket
bookishness n. exaggerated studiousness
bookkeeper n. someone who records the transactions of a business
bookkeeping n. the activity of recording business transactions
booklet n. a small book usually having a paper cover
booklouse n. minute wingless psocopterous insects injurious to books and papers
booklover n. someone who loves (and usually collects) books
bookmaker n. a maker of books; someone who edits or publishes or binds books; a gambler who accepts and pays off bets (especially on horse races)
bookmark n. a marker (a piece of paper or ribbon) placed between the pages of a book to mark the reader's place
bookmarker n. a marker (a piece of paper or ribbon) placed between the pages of a book to mark the reader's place
bookmobile n. a van with shelves of books; serves as a mobile library or bookstore
bookplate n. a label identifying the owner of a book in which it is pasted
bookseller n. the proprietor of a bookstore
bookshelf n. a shelf on which to keep books
bookshop n. a shop where books are sold
bookstall n. a shop where books are sold
bookstore n. a shop where books are sold
bookworm n. a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit; someone who spends a great deal of time reading
boom v. make a resonant sound; as of artillery; hit hard; be the case that thunder is being heard; make a deep hollow sound; grow stronger@n. a deep prolonged loud noise; a state of economic prosperity; a sudden happening that brings very good fortune
boomer n. a member of the baby boom generation in the 1950s
boomerang n. (Australian) a curved piece of wood; when properly thrown will return to thrower; a miscalculation that recoils on its maker@v. return to the initial position from where it came; like a boomerang
booming adj. very lively and profitable; used of the voice
boomtown n. a town undergoing a sudden growth in economic activity and population
boon n. a desirable state; a spanking breeze is a boon to sailors@adj. very close and convivial; boon companions
boondocks n. a remote and undeveloped area
boondoggle v. do useless, wasteful, or trivial work
boondoggling n. a trivial, useless, or wasteful activity
boor n. a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement
boorish adj. ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance; was boorish and insensitive
boorishly adv. like a boor, he behaved boorishly at the party
boorishness n. the manner of a rude or insensitive person; inelegance by virtue of being an uncouth boor
boost n. the act of giving hope or support to someone; an increase in cost; the act of giving an upward push@v. increase; give a boost to; be beneficial to; The tax cut will boost the economy; contribute to the progress or growth of; increase or raise
booster n. a person who backs a politician or a team etc.; someone who is an active supporter and advocate; a thief who steals goods that are on display in a store; the first stage of a multistage rocket
boosters n. an amplifier for restoring the strength of a transmitted signal
boot v. kick; give a boot to; cause to load (an operating system) and start the initial processes@n. footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg; carries luggage or shopping or tools; an instrument of torture that is used to crush the foot and leg
bootblack n. a person who polishes shoes and boots
booted adj. wearing boots
bootee n. soft and wool; for babies
bootees n. soft and wool; for babies
booth n. a table (in a restaurant or bar) surrounded by two high-backed benches; small area set off by walls for special use; a small shop at a fair; for selling goods or entertainment
boothose n. protective stockings worn with or in place of boots
bootie n. soft and wool; for babies
booties n. soft and wool; for babies
bootjack n. has V-shaped notch for pulling off boots
bootlace n. a long lace for fastening boots
bootleg adj. distributed or sold illicitly@n. the part of a boot above the instep@v. sell illicit products such as drugs or alcohol; produce alcohol illegally
bootlegger n. someone who makes and sells illegal liquor
bootlegging n. the act of making of transporting alcoholic liquor for sale illegally; the Prohibition amendment made bootlegging profitable; the act of selling illegally or without permission; the bootlegging of video tapes is common in the Orient
bootless adj. unproductive of success
bootlick v. court favor by cringing or flattering
bootlicker n. someone who humbles himself as a sign of respect; who behaves as he had no self-respect
bootlicking adj. attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
bootmaker n. a maker of boots
bootstrap n. a strap that is looped and sewn to the top of a boot for pulling it on@v. help oneself, often through improvised means
booty n. goods or money obtained illegally
booyong n. large tree of Australasia
booze v. consume alcohol@n. distilled rather than fermented
boozer n. a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
boozing n. the act of drinking alcoholic beverages to excess
boozy adj. given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol; his boozy drinking companions
bop v. dance the bebop; hit hard@n. an early form of modern jazz (originating around 1940)
bopeep n. a game played with young children; you hide your face and suddenly reveal it as you say Boo!
boracic adj. of or relating to or derived from or containing boron
borage n. hairy blue-flowered European annual herb long used in herbal medicine and eaten raw as salad greens or cooked like spinach; leaves flavor sauces and punches; young leaves eaten in salads or cooked
borate n. a salt or ester of boric acid
borated adj. mixed or impregnated with borax
borax n. an ore of boron consisting of hydrated sodium borate; used as a flux or cleansing agent
bordelaise n. brown sauce with beef marrow and red wine
bordello n. a building where prostitutes are available
border v. extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle; form the boundary of; be contiguous to; enclose in or as if in a frame@n. a line that indicates a boundary; the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
bordered adj. having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term; black-bordered handkerchief
borderer n. an inhabitant of a border area (especially the border between Scotland and England)
bordering adj. having a common boundary or edge; touching
borderland n. the area on either side of a border or boundary
borderline n. a line that indicates a boundary@adj. of questionable or minimal quality; borderline grades
bore n. a person who evokes boredom; a high wave (often dangerous) caused by tidal flow (as by colliding tidal currents or in a narrow estuary); diameter of a tube or gun barrel@v. cause to be bored; drill a hole into
boreal adj. relating to or marked by qualities associated with the north wind; toward or located in the north; the boreal signs of the Zodiac; comprising or throughout far northern regions
boreas n. a wind from the north
borecole n. a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head
bored adj. tired of the world; bored with life; uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence; the bored gaze of the successful film star
boredom n. the feeling of being bored by something tedious
borer n. a drill for penetrating rock; any of various insects or larvae or mollusks that bore into wood
boric adj. of or relating to or derived from or containing boron; boric acid
boring n. the act of drilling; the act of drilling a hole in the earth in the hope of producing petroleum@adj. so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness; a boring evening with uninteresting people
boringly adv. in a tedious manner; boringly slow work
boringness n. extreme dullness
born adj. brought into existence; he was a child born of adultery; being so through innate qualities; a born musician
borne past part of bear
bornite n. a mineral consisting of sulfides of copper and iron that is found in copper deposits
boron n. a trivalent metalloid element; occurs both in a hard black crystal and in the form of a yellow or brown powder
boronic adj. of or relating to boron
borosilicate n. a salt of boric and silicic acids
borough n. one of the administrative divisions of a large city; an English town that forms the constituency of a member of Parliament
borrelia n. cause of e.g. European and African relapsing fever
borrow v. get temporarily; May I borrow your lawn mower?; take up and practice as one's own
borrower n. someone who receives something on the promise to return it or its equivalent
borrowing n. the appropriation (of ideas or words etc) from another source; the borrowing of ancient motifs was very apparent; obtaining funds from a lender
borsch n. a Russian soup usually containing beet juice as a foundation
borscht n. a Russian soup usually containing beet juice as a foundation
borsh n. a Russian soup usually containing beet juice as a foundation
borshch n. a Russian soup usually containing beet juice as a foundation
borsht n. a Russian soup usually containing beet juice as a foundation
bortsch n. a Russian soup usually containing beet juice as a foundation
borzoi n. tall fast-moving dog breed
bosc n. greenish-yellow pear
bosh n. pretentious or silly talk or writing
bosie n. a cricket ball bowled as if to break one way that actually breaks in the opposite way
boskopoid adj. belonging or relating to or resembling Boskop man
bosky adj. covered with or consisting of bushes or thickets; `bosky' is a literary term
bosom adj. very close in friendship or affection@n. (archaic) the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept; his bosom was bursting with the secret; a person's breast or chest@v. hide in one's bosom
bosomed adj. having a bosom as specified or having something likened to a bosom; usually used in compounds; full-bosomed women
bosomy adj. (of a woman's body) having pleasing curves
boson n. any particle that obeys Bose-Einstein statistics but not the Pauli exclusion principle; all nuclei with an even mass number are bosons
boss v. raise in a relief@adj. (of persons) highest in rank or authority or office; the boss man@n. a person who exercises control over workers; a person responsible for hiring workers; the boss hired three more men for the new job
bossism n. domination of a political organization by a party boss
bossy adj. offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power; a bossy way of ordering others around
bosun n. a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
bot n. botfly larva; typically develops inside the body of a horse or sheep or human
bota n. a wine bottle made of leather
botanic adj. of or relating to plants or botany
botanical adj. of or relating to plants or botany; botanical garden
botanise v. collect and study plants
botanist n. a biologist specializing in the study of plants
botanize v. collect and study plants
botany n. the branch of biology that studies plants
botch v. make a mess of, destroy or ruin@n. an embarrassing mistake
botched adj. spoiled through incompetence or clumsiness
botcher n. someone who makes mistakes because of incompetence
botchy adj. poorly done; a botchy piece of work
botfly n. stout-bodied hairy dipterous fly whose larvae are parasites on humans and other mammals
both adj. (used with count nouns) two considered together; the two; both girls are pretty
bother n. an angry disturbance; a spot of bother; something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness@v. take the trouble to do something; concern oneself; Don't bother, please; cause annoyance in; disturb, esp. by minor irritations
botheration n. the state of being bothered; something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness
bothered adj. caused to show discomposure
bothersome adj. causing irritation or annoyance; aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport
botonee adj. (of a heraldic cross) having a cluster of three buttons or knobs at the end of each arm
botonnee adj. (of a heraldic cross) having a cluster of three buttons or knobs at the end of each arm
botryoid adj. resembling a cluster of grapes in form
botryoidal adj. resembling a cluster of grapes in form
bottle v. store in bottles, as of liquids or gas; put into bottles; of liquids such a milk or water@n. glass or plastic vessel; cylindrical with a narrow neck; no handle; the quantity contained in a bottle
bottlebrush n. a cylindrical brush on a thin shaft that is used to clean bottles
bottlecap n. a cap that seals a bottle
bottlefeed v. feed (infants) with a bottle
bottleful n. the quantity contained in a bottle
bottlegrass n. European foxtail naturalized in North America; often a troublesome weed
bottleneck n. a narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel@v. slow down or impede by creating an obstruction; become narrow, like a bottleneck
bottlenose n. any of several dolphins with rounded forehead and well-developed beak; chiefly of North Atlantic and Mediterranean; North Atlantic beaked whale with a bulbous forehead
bottletree n. an Australian tree of the genus Brachychiton
bottom v. provide with a bottom or a seat, as of chairs@adj. situated at the bottom or lowest position; the bottom drawer; at the bottom; lowest or last; the bottom price; the lowest rank@n. the lower side of anything; the lowest part of anything
bottomed adj. having a bottom of a specified character
bottomland n. low-lying alluvial land near a river
bottomless adj. extremely deep; a bottomless pit; having no bottom; bottomless pajamas consisting simply of a long top opening down the front; having no apparent limits or bounds; a bottomless supply of money
bottomlessness n. the property of being very deep; without limit
bottommost adj. farthest down; bottommost shelf
botuliform adj. shaped like a sausage
botulin n. potent toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that causes botulism
botulinal adj. of or relating to or produced by the botulinus
botulinum n. anaerobic bacterium producing botulin the toxin that causes botulism
botulinus n. anaerobic bacterium producing botulin the toxin that causes botulism
botulism n. poisoning from ingesting botulin; affects the CNS
bouchee n. shell of puff paste
boucle n. a fabric of uneven yarn that has an uneven knobby effect
boudoir n. a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
bouffant adj. being puffed out; used of hair style or clothing; a bouffant skirt
bouffe n. opera with a happy ending and in which some of the text is spoken
bougainvillea n. any of several South American ornamental woody vines of the genus Bougainvillea having brilliant red or purple flower bracts; widely grown in warm regions
bough n. any of the larger branches of a tree
boughed adj. having or as if having limbs (especially limbs of a specified kind); (usually used in combination; ); having or covered with boughs or boughs as specified; often used in combination; heavy-boughed oaks
boughless adj. having no limbs; lack a bough or boughs
bought past tense of buy
boughten adj. purchased; not homemade; my boughten clothes
bouillabaisse n. highly seasoned Mediterranean soup or stew made of several kinds of fish and shellfish with tomatoes and onions or leeks and seasoned with saffron and garlic and herbs
bouillon n. a clear seasoned broth
boulder n. a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
bouldered adj. abounding in rocks or stones
bouldery adj. abounding in rocks or stones; bouldery beaches
boule n. an inlaid furniture decoration; tortoiseshell and yellow and white metal form scrolls in cabinetwork
boulevard n. a wide street or thoroughfare
boulle n. an inlaid furniture decoration; tortoiseshell and yellow and white metal form scrolls in cabinetwork
bounce v. spring back; spring away from an impact; hit something so that it bounces, as of a ball; move up and down repeatedly; come back after being refused; leap suddenly@n. the quality of a substance that is able to rebound
bouncer n. a person whose duty is to throw troublemakers out of a bar or public meeting
bounciness n. the quality of a substance that is able to rebound
bouncing adj. moving jerkily up and down; a bouncing ball; vigorously healthy; a bouncing baby; marked by lively action; a bouncing gait@n. rebounding from an impact (or series of impacts)
bouncy adj. rebounds readily; clean bouncy hair; marked by lively action; bouncy tunes
bound n. a line determining the limits of an area@v. move forward by leaps and bounds; form the boundary of; be contiguous to; place limits on; spring back@adj. confined by bonds; bound and gagged hostages
boundary n. the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something; a line determining the limits of an area; the greatest possible degree of something
bounded adj. having the limits or boundaries established
boundedness n. the quality of being finite
bounden adj. morally obligatory; my bounden duty
bounder n. someone who is morally reprehensible
bounderish adj. (of persons) lacking in refinement or grace
bounding adj. running with a series of small leaps; a hillside full of bounding goats
boundless adj. seemingly boundless in amount, number, degree, or especially extent; children with boundless energy
boundlessly adv. without bounds
boundlessness n. the quality of being infinite; without bound or limit
bounds n. the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something; the greatest possible degree of something: what he did was beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior
bounteous adj. given or giving freely; the bounteous goodness of God
bounteously adv. in a bountiful manner
bounteousness n. generosity evidenced by a willingness to give freely
bountied adj. rewarded or rewardable by a bounty; a bountied animal pelt
bountiful adj. given or giving freely; bountiful compliments; producing in abundance; the bountiful earth
bountifully adv. in a bountiful manner
bountifulness n. the property of copious abundance
bounty n. payment or reward (esp from a government) for acts such as catching criminals or killing predatory animals or enlisting in the military; the property of copious abundance; generosity evidenced by a willingness to give freely
bouquet n. an arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present; a pleasingly sweet olfactory property
bourbon n. distilled from a mash of corn and malt and rye and aged in charred oak barrels
bourdon n. a pipe of the bagpipe that is tuned to produce a single continuous tone
bourgeois n. engages in industrial commercial enterprise@adj. (according to Marxist thought) being of the property-owning class and exploitive of the working class; conforming to the standards and conventions of the middle class; a bourgeois mentality
bourgeoisie n. the social class between the lower and upper classes
bourgeon v. produce buds, branches, or germinate; of plants
bourguignon n. reduced red wine with onions and parsley and thyme and butter
bourn n. an archaic term for a boundary; an archaic term for a goal or destination
bourne n. an archaic term for a boundary; an archaic term for a goal or destination
bourse n. a European stock exchange
bourtree n. common black-fruited shrub or small tree of Europe and Asia; fruit used for wines and jellies
bouse v. haul with a tackle
boustrophedon n. an ancient writing system: having alternate lines written in opposite directions; literally
boustrophedonic adj. of or relating to writing alternate lines in opposite directions
bout n. (in sports) a period of play during which one team is on the offensive; a boxing match; a brief indulgence of your impulses
boutique n. a shop that sells women's clothes and jewelry
boutonniere n. a flower that is worn in a buttonhole
bovid n. hollow-horned ruminants@adj. of or relating to or belonging to the genus Bos (cattle)
bovine n. any of various members of the genus Bos@adj. of or relating to or belonging to the genus Bos (cattle); dull and slow-moving and stolid; like an ox; showed a bovine apathy
bow n. a knot with two loops and loose ends@adj. pertaining to the forward part of a vessel@v. bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head; submit or yield to another's wish or opinion
bowdlerisation n. the deletion of all passages considered to be indecent
bowdlerise v. edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
bowdlerization n. the deletion of all passages considered to be indecent
bowdlerize v. edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate; bowdlerize a novel
bowed adj. used especially of the head or upper back; (music) of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow; (architecture) forming or resembling an arch; have legs that curve outward at the knees; showing an excessively deferential manner
bowel n. the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
bowelless adj. ruthless in competition; bowelless readiness to take advantage
bowels n. the center of the Earth
bower v. enclose in a bower@n. supports climbing plants
bowerbird n. any of various birds of the Australian region whose males build ornamented structures resembling bowers in order to attract females
bowery adj. like a bower; leafy and shady; a bowery lane
bowfin n. primitive long-bodies carnivorous freshwater fish with a very long dorsal fin; found in sluggish waters of North America
bowfront adj. having an outward curving front; a bowfront dresser
bowhead n. large-mouthed arctic whale
bowing n. bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame; managing the bow in playing a stringed instrument; the violinist's bowing was excellent@adj. showing an excessively deferential manner
bowknot n. a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
bowl v. roll (a ball), as in bowling; go bowling@n. round and open at the top for holding liquids; a concave shape with an open top; round and open at the top for serving foods; the quantity contained in a bowl
bowlder n. a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
bowleg n. a leg bowed outward at the knee (or below the knee)@adj. have legs that curve outward at the knees
bowlegged adj. have legs that curve outward at the knees
bowler n. delivers the ball to the batsman in cricket; rolls balls down an alley at pins; round and black and hard with a narrow brim; worn by some British businessmen
bowlful n. the quantity contained in a bowl
bowline n. a loop knot that neither slips not jams
bowling n. the act of delivering a cricket ball to the batsman; a game in which balls are rolled at an object or group of objects with the aim of knocking them over; the playing of a game of tenpins or duckpins etc
bowls n. lawn bowling at a jack using biased wooden balls
bowman n. a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
bowse v. haul with a tackle
bowsprit n. a spar projecting from the bow of a vessel
bowstring n. the string of an archer's bow
box v. put into a box; box the gift, please; hit with the fist; I'll box your ears!; engage in a boxing match@n. usually rectangular container; may have a lid; he rummaged through a box of spare parts
boxberry n. creeping woody plant of eastern North America with shiny evergreen leaves and scarlet berries; spicy red berrylike fruit; source of wintergreen oil
boxcar n. with roof and sliding doors in the sides
boxcars n. (usually plural) when two dice are thrown and both come up showing six spots the result is called `boxcars'
boxed adj. enclosed in or set off by a border or box; boxed sections of the report; enclosed in or as if in a box; boxed cigars
boxer n. someone who fights with his fists for sport; a worker who packs things into containers; a breed of stocky medium-sized short-haired dog with a brindled coat and square-jawed muzzle developed in Germany
boxfish n. any of numerous small tropical fishes having body and head encased in bony plates
boxful n. the quantity contained in a box
boxing n. fighting with the fists; the enclosure of something in a box
boxlike adj. resembling a box in rectangularity
boxthorn n. any of various shrubs or vines of the genus Lycium with showy flowers and bright berries
boxwood n. very hard tough close-grained light yellow wood of the box especially the common box; used in delicate woodwork: musical instruments and inlays and engraving blocks; evergreen shrubs or small trees
boxy adj. resembling a box in rectangularity
boy n. a youthful male person; the baby was a boy; a friendly informal reference to a grown man; a male human offspring; his boy is taller than he is; offensive term for Black man; get out of my way boy
boycott n. a group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies@v. refuse to sponsor; refuse to do business with
boyfriend n. a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman; if I'd known he was her boyfriend I wouldn't have asked
boyhood n. the childhood of a boy
boyish adj. befitting or characteristic of a young boy; a boyish grin
boyishly adv. like a boy; he smiled boyishly at his fiancee
boyishness n. being characteristic of a boy
boylike adv. like a boy@adj. befitting or characteristic of a young boy
boysenberry n. cultivated hybrid bramble of California having large dark wine-red fruit with a raspberrylike flavor; large raspberry-flavored fruit; cross between blackberries and raspberries
boytrose adj. resembling a cluster of grapes in form
bra n. worn by women to support their breasts
brabble v. argue over petty things
brace n. a support that steadies or strengthens something else; he wore a brace on his knee; two items of the same kind@v. prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult; support or hold steady, as if with a brace
braced adj. positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger; he stood to attention with his shoulders braced; held up by braces or buttresses
bracelet n. a band of cloth or leather attached to a wristwatch and wrapped around the wrist; worn around the wrist for decoration
bracer n. a tonic or restorative (especially a drink of liquor)
braces n. an appliance that corrects dental irregularities
brachial adj. of or relating to an arm; brachial artery
brachiate adj. (botany) having widely spreading paired branches; maples are brachiate; (zoology) having arms or armlike appendages@v. swing from one hold to the next, as of some arboreal apes and monkeys
brachiation n. swinging by the arms from branch to branch
brachiopod adj. of or belonging to the phylum Brachiopoda@n. marine animal with bivalve shell having a pair of arms bearing tentacles for capturing food; found worldwide
brachiopodous adj. of or belonging to the phylum Brachiopoda
brachium n. (biology) a branching or armlike part of an animal
brachycephalic adj. having a short broad head with a cephalic index of over 80
brachycranal adj. having a short broad head with a cephalic index of over 80
brachycranic adj. having a short broad head with a cephalic index of over 80
brachydactylia n. abnormal shortness of fingers and toes
brachydactylic adj. having abnormally short finger or toes
brachydactylous adj. having abnormally short finger or toes
brachypterous adj. (especially of certain insects) having very short or rudimentary wings
brachytactyly n. abnormal shortness of fingers and toes
brachyuran n. typical crabs
brachyurous adj. of or belonging to the suborder Brachyura
bracing adj. imparting vitality and energy; the bracing mountain air@n. a structural member used to stiffen a framework
bracken n. fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions; large coarse fern often several feet high; essentially weed ferns; cosmopolitan
bracket n. a category falling within certain defined limits; either of two punctuation marks ([ or ]) used to enclose textual material@v. support with brackets, as of shelves, for example; place into brackets; Please bracket this remark
brackish adj. slightly salty; a brackish lagoon
brackishness n. the saltiness of water
bract n. a modified leaf or leaflike part just below and protecting an inflorescence
bracteal adj. pertaining to or resembling or functioning as a bract
bracteate adj. having bracts
bracted adj. having bracts
bracteolate adj. having bracteoles
bracteole n. a small bract
brad n. a small nail@v. fasten with brads
bradawl n. an awl for making small holes for brads or small screws
bradycardia n. abnormally slow heartbeat
brae n. (Scotland) a slope or hillside
brag n. an instance of boastful talk; his brag is worse than his fight@v. show off@adj. (informal) exceptionally good; his brag cornfield
braggadocio n. vain and empty boasting
braggart n. a very boastful and talkative person@adj. exhibiting self-importance
bragging adj. exhibiting self-importance@n. an instance of boastful talk
braggy adj. exhibiting self-importance
brahminic adj. of or relating to or characteristic of a Brahmin
brahminical adj. of or relating to or characteristic of a Brahmin
braid n. a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair; used to decorate clothes or curtains@v. make by braiding; decorate with braids or ribbons; braid a collar; form or weave into a braid or braids; braid hair
braided adj. adorned with braid; his braided collar
braiding n. used to decorate clothes or curtains
brail v. take in a sail with a brail; haul fish aboard with brails
braille v. transcribe in Braille
brain n. that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord; mental ability@v. hit on the head; kill by smashing someone's skull
braincase n. the part of the skull that encloses the brain
brainchild n. a product of your creative thinking and work
brainish adj. characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation; (`brainish' is archaic)
brainless adj. not using intelligence
brainpan n. the part of the skull that encloses the brain
brainpower n. mental ability
brainsick adj. affected with madness or insanity
brainstem n. the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongota and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus
brainstorm v. try to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it@n. the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation
brainwash v. persuade completely, often through coercion; submit to brainwashing; indoctrinate forcibly
brainwashed adj. subjected to intensive forced indoctrination resulting in the rejection of old beliefs and acceptance of new ones; brainwashed prisoners of war
brainwashing n. forcible indoctrination into a new set of attitudes and beliefs
brainwave n. (neurophysiology) rapid fluctuations of voltage between parts of the cerebral cortex that are detectable with an electroencephalograph; the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation
brainworker n. someone whose profession involves using his head to solve problems
brainy adj. having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence; some men dislike brainy women
braise v. cook in liquid; braise beef
braised adj. cooked by browning in fat and then simmering in a closed container
braising n. cooking slowly in fat in a closed pot with little moisture
brake n. used to slow or stop a vehicle; any of various ferns of the genus Pteris having pinnately compound leaves and including several popular houseplants; large coarse fern often several feet high@v. stop travelling by applying a brake
brakeman n. a railroad employee responsible for a train's brakes
brakes n. a combination of interacting parts that work to slow a motor vehicle
braky adj. covered with brambles and ferns and other undergrowth; abounding with bracken
braless adj. having the breasts uncovered or featuring such nudity
bramble n. any of various rough thorny shrubs or vines
brambling n. Eurasian finch
brambly adj. covered with brambles and ferns and other undergrowth
bran n. broken husks of the seeds of cereal grains that are separated from the flour by sifting; food prepared from the husks of cereal grains
branch n. an administrative division of some larger or more complex organization; a branch of Congress; a division of a stem, or secondary stem arising from the main stem of a plant@v. divide into two or more branches
branched adj. resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches; long branched hairs on its legson which pollen collects; having branches
branchia n. respiratory organ of aquatic animals that breathe oxygen dissolved in water
branchial adj. of or relating to gills (or to parts of the body derived from embryonic gills)
branchiate adj. provided with gills
branching n. the act of branching out or dividing into branches@adj. having branches; resembling the branches of a tree
branchiopod n. aquatic crustaceans typically having a carapace and many pairs of leaflike appendages used for swimming as well as respiration and feeding@adj. of or relating to or characteristic of the subclass Branchiopoda
branchiopodan n. aquatic crustaceans typically having a carapace and many pairs of leaflike appendages used for swimming as well as respiration and feeding@adj. of or relating to or characteristic of the subclass Branchiopoda
branchiopodous adj. of or relating to or characteristic of the subclass Branchiopoda
branchless adj. having no branches
branchlet n. small branch or division of a branch; usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
branchy adj. having many branches; a branchy tree trunk
brand v. burn with a branding iron to indicate ownership; of animals@n. a name given to a product or service; a recognizable kind; there's a new brand of hero in the movies now; identification mark on skin, made by burning
branded adj. (of goods and merchandise) marked or labeled by a distinctive word or symbol indicating exclusive rights; branded merchandise is that bearing a standard brand name; marked with a brand; branded cattle
branding n. the act of stigmatizing
brandish v. move or swing back and forth; exhibit aggressively@n. the act of waving
brandy n. distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice
brandyball n. a British candy flavored with brandy
brandysnap n. a gingersnap flavored with brandy
brant n. small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
brash adj. offensively bold; a brash newcomer disputed the age-old rules for admission to the club; presumptuously daring
brashly adv. in a brash cheeky manner; brashly, she asked for a rebate
brashness n. tasteless showiness; the trait of being rash and hasty
brasier n. large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times
brass n. an alloy of copper and zinc; a wind instrument that consists of a brass tube (usually of variable length) blown by means of a cup-shaped or funnel-shaped mouthpiece
brassard n. armor plate that protects the arm
brassavola n. any of various tropical American orchids with usually solitary fleshy leaves and showy white to green nocturnally fragrant blossoms solitary or in racemes of up to 7
brassbound adj. inflexibly entrenched and unchangeable; brassbound traditions; having trim or fittings of brass; a brassbound campaign chest
brasserie n. a small restaurant serving beer and wine as well as food; usually cheap
brassie n. formerly a golfing wood with a face more elevated that a driver but less than a spoon
brassiere n. worn by women to support their breasts
brasslike adj. resembling the sound of a brass instrument
brassy adj. resembling the sound of a brass instrument; tastelessly showy; unrestrained by convention or propriety
brat n. a very troublesome child
brattice v. supply with a brattice, to ventilate mines
brattish adj. (used of an ill-mannered child) impolitely unruly
brattle v. make a rattling sound
bratty adj. (used of an ill-mannered child) impolitely unruly
bratwurst n. a small pork sausage
bravado n. a swaggering show of courage
brave n. a North American Indian warrior@v. brave the dangers of; brave the natural elements; face or endure with courage@adj. possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
bravely adv. in a courageous manner; bravely he went into the burning house
bravery n. a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger of pain without showing fear; feeling no fear
braving n. taking the bull by the horns
bravo v. applaud with shouts of bravo or@n. a hired murderer; a cry of approval as from an audience at the end of great performance
bravura n. a florid brilliant musical style; self-assured brilliant performance
braw adj. brightly colored and showy; `braw' is a Scottish word
brawl v. to quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively@n. an uproarious party; a noisy fight in a crowd
brawler n. a fighter (especially one who participates in brawls)
brawling adj. disposed to loud disagreements and fighting
brawn n. muscular strength
brawny adj. possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
bray n. the cry of an ass@v. braying characteristic of donkeys; reduce to small pieces or particles by pounding or abrading; laugh loudly and harshly
braze v. solder together by using hard solder with a high melting point
brazen v. face with defiance or impudence; brazen it out@adj. unrestrained by convention or propriety; brazen arrogance; made of or resembling brass (as in color or hardness)
brazenly adv. in a brazen manner; he spoke brazenly
brazenness n. behavior marked by a bold defiance of the proprieties and lack of shame
brazier n. large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times
brazil n. three-sided tropical American nut with white oily meat and hard brown shell
brazilwood n. heavy wood of various brazilwood trees; used for violin bows and as dyewoods; tropical tree with prickly trunk; its heavy red wood yields a red dye and is used for cabinetry
breach v. act in disregard of laws and rules; make an opening or gap in@n. a failure to perform some promised act or obligation; an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification); a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
breached adj. forcibly broken through or opened up; the enemy poured through the breached line of defense
bread v. cover with bread crumbs, as of pork chops@n. food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked; informal terms for money
breadbasket n. an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion; a basket for serving bread
breadboard n. a wooden board on which dough is kneaded or bread is sliced
breadbox n. container used to keep bread or cake in
breadcrumb n. crumb of bread; used especially for coating or thickening
breadfruit n. native to Pacific Islands and having edible fruit with a texture like bread
breadline n. a queue of people waiting for free food
breadroot n. densely hairy perennial of central North America having edible tuberous roots
breadstick n. a crisp stick-shaped roll; often served with soup
breadstuff n. food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked; flour or meal or grain used in baking bread
breadth n. an ability to understand a broad range of topics; a teacher must have a breadth of knowledge of the subject; the extent of something from side to side
breadthways adv. in the direction of the breadth
breadthwise adv. in the direction of the breadth; cut the cloth breadthwise
breadwinner n. one whose earnings are the primary source of support for their dependents
break v. end prematurely; break a lucky streak; become separated into pieces or fragments; render inoperable or ineffective; ruin completely; destroy the integrity of@n. some occurrence that interrupts
breakability n. quality of being easily damaged or destroyed
breakable adj. capable of being broken or damaged; earthenware pottery is breakable@n. an article that is fragile and easily broken
breakableness n. the consistency of something that breaks under pressure
breakage n. the act of breaking something; the breakage was unavoidable
breakaway n. the act of breaking away or withdrawing from: there was a breakaway by the discontented members@adj. designed to break or tear or come apart easily; breakaway highway signposts
breakax n. West Indian timber tree having very hard wood
breakaxe n. West Indian timber tree having very hard wood
breakdown n. the act of disrupting an established order; a mental or physical breakdown; a cessation of normal operation; an analysis into mutually exclusive categories
breaker n. a quarry worker who splits off blocks of stone; waves breaking on the shore
breakers n. waves breaking on the shore
breakfast n. the first meal of the day (usually in the morning)@v. eat breakfast; provide breakfast for
breaking n. the act of breaking something@adj. (of waves) curling over and crashing into surf or spray: the breaking waves
breakneck adj. used of speed; a breakneck pace
breakout n. an escape from jail; the breakout was carefully planned
breakstone n. any of various plants of the genus Saxifraga
breakthrough n. a productive insight; making an important discovery; a penetration of an enemy's defense in depth and strength
breakup n. the termination of a relationship; coming apart
breakwater n. a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
bream v. clean a ship bottom with heat@n. flesh of any of various freshwater fishes of the families Centrarchidae of North America or Cyprinidae of Europe; flesh of any of various saltwater fishes of the families Sparidae or Bramidae
breast v. meet at breast level; reach the summit; confront bodily@n. the front part of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen; he beat his breast in anger; either of two soft fleshy milk-secreting glandular organs on the chest of a woman
breastbone n. the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs
breasted adj. having a breast or breasts; or breasts as specified; used chiefly in compounds; small-breasted
breastfeed v. of infants
breastless adj. without a breast
breastpin n. a decorative pin worn by women
breastplate n. armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass
breaststroke n. a swimming stroke; the arms are extended together in front of the head and swept back on either side accompanied by a frog kick
breastwork n. a low wall
breath n. the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing; he took a deep breath and dived into the pool; the air that is inhaled and exhaled in respiration; his sour breath offended her; a short respite
breathalyse v. test someone's alcohol level in his blood by means of a breathalyzer
breathalyser n. a device that measures alcohol content of a person's breath
breathalyze v. test someone's alcohol level in his blood by means of a breathalyzer
breathalyzer n. a device that measures alcohol content of a person's breath
breathe v. draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs; I can breathe better when the air is clean; be alive; impart as if by breathing; utter or tell; not breathe a word; manifest or evince; take a short breath; expel, as of gases and odors
breathed adj. having breath or breath as specified; usually used in combination; sweet-breathed; uttered without voice; could hardly hear her breathed plea, `Help me'
breather n. a short respite; retractable device containing intake and exhaust pipes; permits a submarine to stay submerged for extended periods of time
breathing adj. passing or able to pass air in and out of the lungs; something used in combination@n. the process of taking in oxygen from the air and releasing carbon dioxide
breathless adj. not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty; breathless at thought of what I had done; tending to cause suspension of regular breathing; a breathless flight; appearing dead; not breathing or having no perceptible pulse
breathlessly adv. in a breathless manner
breathtaking adj. tending to cause suspension of regular breathing; breathtaking adventure
breccia n. a rudaceous rock consisting of sharp fragments embedded in clay or sand
brecciate v. form into breccia; break into breccia, of rock
breech n. where bullets are loaded
breechblock n. a metal block in breech-loading firearms that is withdrawn to insert a cartridge and replaced to close the breech before firing
breechcloth n. covering for the loins
breechclout n. covering for the loins
breeched adj. dressed in trousers
breeches n. trousers ending above the knee
breed n. a special lineage; a breed of Americans; a special kind of domesticated animals within a species@v. call forth; copulate with a female, used esp. of horses; of plants or animals; have young; used of animals
breeder n. a person who breeds animals
breeding n. elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression; the result of good upbringing (especially knowledge of correct social behavior)@adj. producing offspring or set aside especially for producing offspring
breeze v. to proceed quickly and easily@n. a slight wind (usually refreshing); the breeze was cooled by the lake
breezeway n. a roofed open passage usually connecting two buildings (as a house and garage)
breezily adv. in a breezy manner
breeziness n. a mildly windy state of the air; a breezy liveliness; a delightful breeziness of manner
breezy adj. fresh and animated; her breezy nature; abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes
bregma n. junction of sagittal and coronal sutures at top of cranium
bregmatic adj. (anatomy) of or relating to the bregma of the skull
brent n. small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
brethren pl. of brother -- used especially in formal or solemn address
breve n. a diacritical mark (u-curved) placed over a vowel to indicate a short sound
brevet n. a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily (but without higher pay)@v. promote somebody by brevet, in the military
breviary n. (Roman Catholic Church) a book of prayers to be recited daily certain priests and members of religious orders
brevity n. the use of brief expressions; the attribute of being brief or fleeting
brew n. drink made by steeping and boiling and fermenting rather than distilling@v. prepare by brewing; of alcoholic beverages; sit or let sit in boiling water to extract the flavor
brewage n. drink made by steeping and boiling and fermenting rather than distilling
brewer n. someone who brews beer or ale from malt and hops and water; the owner or manager of a brewery
brewery n. a distillery where beer is brewed
brewing n. the production of malt beverages (as beer or ale) from malt and hops by grinding and boiling them and fermenting the result with yeast
briar n. Eurasian rose with prickly stems and fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers followed by scarlet hips
briard n. old French breed of large strong usually black dogs having a long tail and long wavy and slightly stiff coat
briarroot n. hard woody root of the briar Erica arborea
briarwood n. wood from the hard woody root of the briar Erica arborea; used to make tobacco pipes
briary adj. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.
bribable adj. capable of being corrupted
bribe n. payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment@v. make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence
briber n. someone who pays (or otherwise incites) you to commit a wrongful act
bribery n. the practice of offering something (usually money) in order to gain an illicit advantage
brick adj. paved with brick; follow the yellow brick road@n. rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material; a good fellow; helpful and trustworthy
brickbat n. a fragment of brick used as a weapon; blunt criticism
brickfield n. a place where bricks are made and sold
brickkiln n. a kiln for making bricks
bricklayer n. a craftsman skilled in building with bricks
bricklaying n. the craft of laying bricks
brickle adj. having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped; `brickle' and `brickly' are dialectal
brickly adj. having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped; `brickle' and `brickly' are dialectal
brickwork n. masonry done with bricks and mortar
brickyard n. a place where bricks are made and sold
bricole n. an ancient heavy war engine for hurling large stones
bridal n. archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast@adj. of or relating to a wedding; bridal procession; designed for a bride; bridal gown
bridalwreath n. shrub having copious small white flowers in spring
bride n. a woman who has recently been married; a woman participant in her own marriage ceremony
bridecake n. a rich cake with two or more tiers and covered with frosting and decorations; served at a wedding reception
bridegroom n. a man who has recently been married; a man participant in his own marriage ceremony
bridesmaid n. a woman who attends the bride at a wedding
bridge v. connect or reduce the distance between; make a bridge across; bridge a river; cross over on a bridge@n. allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
bridgeable adj. capable of being connected by a bridge or as if by a bridge
bridgehead n. an area in hostile territory that has been occupied and is held for further troops and supplies; a defensive post at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy
bridgework n. a denture anchored to teeth on either side of missing teeth
bridle v. put a bridle on; bridle horses; respond to the reins, as of horses@n. headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control; the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
bridoon n. a bit resembling a snaffle bit; used with a separate curb
brie n. soft creamy white cheese; milder than Camembert
brief v. give essential information to someone@n. a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case@adj. of short duration; a brief stay in the country; concise and succinct; covered the matter in a brief statement
briefcase n. with handle; for carrying papers or files or books
briefing n. giving detailed instructions, as for a military operation
briefless adj. of lawyers or barristers; lacking clients
briefly adv. for a short time; she visited him briefly; in a concise manner; in a few words; she replied briefly
briefness n. the temporal property of being very short; the attribute of being brief or fleeting
brier n. tangled mass of prickly plants; a thorny stem or twig; Eurasian rose with prickly stems and fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers followed by scarlet hips
brierpatch n. tangled mass of prickly plants
brierwood n. wood from the hard woody root of the briar Erica arborea; used to make tobacco pipes
briery adj. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.
brig n. two-masted vessel square-rigged on both masts; a penal institution (especially on board a ship)
brigade n. army unit smaller than a division@v. form a brigade; form or unite into a brigade
brigadier n. a general officer ranking below a major general
brigand n. an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
brigandine n. a medieval coat of mail consisting of metal rings sewn onto leather or cloth
brigantine n. two-masted vessel square-rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft rigged on the mainmast
bright adv. with brightness; the windows glowed jewel bright@adj. emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts; the sun was bright and hot; having striking color; bright greens; characterized by quickness and ease in learning
brighten v. make lighter or brighter; The paint will brighten the room; become clear; become brighter; become brighter
brightly adv. with brightness
brightness n. the location of a visual perception along the black-to-white continuum; intelligence as manifested in being quick and witty; the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light
brill n. European food fish
brilliance n. great brightness; the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand; unusual mental ability
brilliancy n. a quality that outshines the usual
brilliant adj. of surpassing excellence; a brilliant performance; having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence; a brilliant mind; characterized by or attended with brilliance or grandeur; the brilliant court life at Versailles
brilliantine n. a pomade to make the hair manageable and lustrous
brilliantly adv. with brightness; the stars shone brilliantly; in an extremely intelligent way; he solved the problem brilliantly
brim n. the top edge of a vessel; a rim that sticks outward from the crown@v. be completely full; fill as much as possible; brim a cup to good fellowship
brimful adj. filled to capacity; a brimful cup
brimfull adj. filled to capacity
brimless adj. without a brim; a brimless hat
brimming adj. filled to capacity; a child brimming over with curiosity
brimstone n. an old name for sulfur
brinded adj. having a gray or brown streak or a pattern or a patchy coloring; used especially of the patterned fur of cats
brindle adj. having a gray or brown streak or a pattern or a patchy coloring; used especially of the patterned fur of cats
brindled adj. having a gray or brown streak or a pattern or a patchy coloring; used especially of the patterned fur of cats
brine v. soak in brine@n. water containing salts; a strong solution of salt and water used for pickling
bring v. take something or somebody with oneself somewhere; also metaphorical, as in; cause to come into a particular state or condition:; bring water to the boiling point; cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; bring comments
bringing n. the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
brininess n. the relative proportion of salt in a solution
brinjal n. hairy upright herb native to southeastern Asia but widely cultivated for its large glossy edible fruit commonly used as a vegetable
brink n. a region marking a boundary; the edge of a steep place; the limit beyond which something happens or changes; on the brink of bankruptcy
brinkmanship n. the policy of pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster (to the limits of safety)
briny n. any very large body of (salt) water@adj. slightly salty; the briny deep
brio n. vivacity, spirit
brioche n. a light roll rich with eggs and butter and somewhat sweet
briony n. a tendril-bearing vine of the genus Bryonia having large leaves and small flowers and yielding acrid juice with emetic and purgative properties
briquet n. a block made from charcoal or coal dust and burned as fuel
briquette n. a block made from charcoal or coal dust and burned as fuel
brisance n. the shattering or crushing effect of a sudden release of energy as in an explosion
brisant adj. of or relating to the power (the shattering effect) of an explosive
brisk adj. quick and energetic; a brisk walk in the park; imparting vitality and energy; very active; doing a brisk business@v. become brisk
brisken v. become brisk
brisket n. a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest especially of beef
briskly adv. in a brisk manner; she walked briskly in the cold air
briskness n. liveliness and eagerness
brisling n. small fatty European fish; usually smoked or canned like sardines; small herring processed like a sardine
bristle n. a stiff course hair or filament; natural or synthetic; a stiff hair@v. be in a state of movement or action; rise up; of animals fur or hair; as in fear
bristled adj. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.
bristlegrass n. grasses of grasslands and woodlands having large gracefully arching spikes with long bristles beneath each spikelet
bristlelike adj. resembling a bristle
bristletail n. small wingless insect with a long bristlelike tail
bristling n. a small sardinelike herring
bristly adj. very irritable; bristly exchanges between the White House and the press; having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.; a horse with a short bristly mane
brit n. the young of a herring or sprat or similar fish; minute crustaceans forming food for right whales
britches n. informal term for breeches
britt n. the young of a herring or sprat or similar fish; minute crustaceans forming food for right whales
brittle adj. having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped; brittle bones; lacking warmth and generosity of spirit; a brittle and calculating woman@n. caramelized sugar cooled in thin sheets
brittlebush n. fragrant rounded shrub of southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico having brittle stems and small crowded blue-green leaves and yellow flowers; produces a resin used in incense and varnish and in folk medicine
brittleness n. firm but easily broken
brittlestar n. an animal resembling a starfish with fragile whiplike arms radiating from a small central disc
broach v. bring up a topic for discussion@n. a decorative pin worn by women
broached adj. of a cask or barrel
broad n. slang term for a woman@adj. having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other; a river two miles broad; broad in scope or content; an invention with broad applications; not detailed or specific
broadax n. a large ax with a broad cutting blade
broadaxe n. a large ax with a broad cutting blade
broadband adj. of or relating to or being a communications network in which the bandwidth can be divided and shared by multiple simultaneous signals (as for voice or data or video)
broadbean n. Old World upright plant grown especially for its large flat edible seeds but also as fodder
broadbill n. tropical American heron related to night herons; diving ducks of North America having a bluish-gray bill; freshwater duck of the northern hemisphere having a broad flat bill
broadcast v. broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television@n. message that is transmitted by radio or television@adv. so as to scatter or be distributed widely or in all directions@adj. made widely known especially by radio or television
broadcaster n. someone who broadcasts on radio or television; a mechanical device for scattering something (seed or fertilizer or sand etc.) in all directions
broadcasting n. a medium that disseminates via telecommunications; taking part in a radio or tv program
broadcloth n. a densely textured woolen fabric with a lustrous finish; a closely woven silk or synthetic fabric with a narrow crosswise rib
broaden v. make broader; broaden the road; extend in scope or range or area; broaden your horizon; vary in order to spread risk or to expand; become broader
broadening n. the act of making something wider; the action of making broader; the broadening of travel; an increase in width
broadleaf adj. having relatively broad rather than needle-like or scale-like leaves
broadloom adj. (of rugs or carpets) woven full width; a broadloom rug@n. a carpet woven on a wide loom to obviate the need for seams
broadly adv. without regard to specific details or exceptions; he interprets the law broadly; in a wide fashion; he smiled broadly
broadness n. the property of having width
broadnosed adj. having a broad flat-bridged nose
broadsheet n. an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
broadside adj. toward a full side@adv. with a side facing an object; the train hit the truck broadside@n. an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution@v. collide with the broad side of
broadsword n. broad blade; used for cutting rather than stabbing
broadtail n. the fur of a very young karakul lamb; hardy coarse-haired sheep of central Asia; lambs are valued for their soft curly black fur
broadwise adv. in the direction of the breadth
brocade n. thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern@v. weave a design into (textiles)
brocaded adj. embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery; brocaded silk
broccoli n. plant with dense clusters of tight green flower buds; branched green undeveloped flower heads
brochette n. a small spit; skewer
brochure n. a small book usually having a paper cover
brocket n. small South American deer with unbranched antlers; male red deer in its second year
brodiaea n. any of several plants of the genus Brodiaea having basal grasslike leaves and globose flower heads on leafless stems resembling those of genus Allium
brogan n. a thick and heavy shoe
brogue n. a thick and heavy shoe
broider v. decorate with needlework
broil v. cook under a broiler; broil fish; heat by a natural force@n. cooking by direct exposure to radiant heat (as over a fire or under a grill)
broiled adj. cooked by radiant heat (as over a grill)
broiler n. an oven or part of a stove used for broiling; flesh of a small young chicken not over 2 l/2 lb suitable for broiling
broiling n. cooking by direct exposure to radiant heat (as over a fire or under a grill)
broke adj. lacking funds
broken adj. physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split; or legally or emotionally destroyed; a broken mirror; not continuous in space, time, or sequence or varying abruptly; broken lines of defense
brokenhearted adj. full of sorrow
broker v. act as a broker@n. a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission
brokerage n. a stock broker's business; charges a fee to act as intermediary between buyer and seller; the business of a broker; charges a fee to arrange a contract between two parties; place where a broker conducts his business
brolly n. (British) colloquial terms for an umbrella
bromate v. react with bromine; treat with bromine
brome n. any of various woodland and meadow grasses of the genus Bromus; native to temperate regions
bromegrass n. any of various woodland and meadow grasses of the genus Bromus; native to temperate regions
bromeosin n. a red fluorescent dye resulting from the action of bromine on fluorescein; used in cosmetics and as a biological stain for studing cell structures
bromic adj. relating to or containing bromine (especially pentavalent bromine)
bromide n. any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; used as a sedative; a trite or obvious remark; sodium or potassium bromide
bromidic adj. given to uttering bromides; dull and tiresome but with pretensions of significance or originality; bromidic sermons
brominate v. react with bromine; treat with bromine
bromine n. a nonmetallic largely pentavalent heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens; found in sea water
bronc n. an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang
bronchial adj. relating to or associated with the bronchi; bronchial tubes
bronchiolar adj. of or relating to or involving bronchioles
bronchiole n. any of the smallest bronchial tubes; ending in alveoli
bronchiolitis n. inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchioles
bronchitic adj. suffering from or prone to bronchitis
bronchitis n. inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchial tubes
broncho n. an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang
bronchodilator n. a drug that relaxes and dilates the bronchial passageways and improves the passages of air into the lungs
bronchoscope n. a slender tubular instrument used to examine the bronchial tubes
bronchoscopic adj. of or relating to an instrument for examining the interior of the bronchi
bronchospasm n. a spasm of the bronchi that makes exhalation difficult and noisy; associated with asthma and bronchitis
bronchus n. either of the two main branches of the trachea
bronco n. an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang
brontosaur n. huge quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaur common in N. America in the late Jurassic
brontosaurus n. huge quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaur common in N. America in the late Jurassic
bronze adj. of the color of bronze@n. an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin@v. give the color and appearance of bronze to something;bronze baby shoes
bronzed adj. (of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun; a young bronzed Apollo
bronzy adj. of the color of bronze
brooch n. a decorative pin worn by women@v. fasten with or as if with a brooch
brood n. the young of an animal cared for at one time@adj. good at incubating eggs especially a fowl kept for that purpose@v. think moodily or anxiously about something; hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing; be in a huff
brooder n. a box designed to maintain a constant temperature by the use of a thermostat; used for chicks or premature infants
brooding n. sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body; persistent morbid meditation on a problem@adj. persistently or morbidly thoughtful; good at incubating eggs especially a fowl kept for that purpose
broodmare n. a female horse used for breeding
broody adj. physiologically ready to incubate eggs; a broody hen; persistently or morbidly thoughtful@n. a domestic hen ready to brood
brook v. put up with something or somebody unpleasant@n. a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
brooklet n. a small brook
brooklime n. European plant having low-lying stems with blue flowers often pink-flushed; sparsely naturalized in North America
brookweed n. American water pimpernel; water pimpernel of Europe to China
broom v. sweep with a broom or as if with a broom; finish with a broom@n. for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
broomcorn n. tall grasses grown for the elongated stiff-branched panicle used for brooms and brushes
broomstick n. the handle of a broom
broomweed n. annual of southwestern United States having rigid woody branches with sticky foliage and yellow flowers
broth n. liquid in which meat and vegetables are simmered; used as a basis for e.g. soups or sauces; a thin soup of meat or fish or vegetable stock
brothel n. a building where prostitutes are available
brother n. a male with the same parents as someone else; my brother still lives with our parents; a male person who is a fellow member (of a fraternity or religion of other group)@adj. being associated as a companion or associate
brotherhood n. the kinship relation between a male offspring and the siblings; people engaged in a particular occupation; the feeling that men should treat one another like brothers; an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
brotherlike adj. like or characteristic of or befitting a brother
brotherly adv. (archaic as adverb) in a brotherly manner@adj. like or characteristic of or befitting a brother; brotherly feelings
brotula n. deep-sea fishes
brougham n. light; pulled by a single horse; has no roof over the driver's seat
brought past tense of bring
brouhaha n. loud confused noise from many sources; a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits
brow n. the part of the face above the eyes; the arch of hair above each eye; the peak of a hill; the sun set behind the brow of distant hills
browallia n. any of several herbs of the genus Browallia cultivated for their blue or violet or white flowers
browbeat v. be bossy towards; discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
browbeaten adj. frightened into submission or compliance
brown v. fry in a pan until it changes color; brown the meat in the pan@adj. of a color similar to that of wood or earth@n. an orange of low brightness and saturation
browned adj. (of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
brownie n. (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous; square or bar of very rich chocolate cake usually with nuts
browning n. cooking to a brown crispiness over a fire or on a grill
brownish adj. of a color similar to that of wood or earth
brownness n. an orange of low brightness and saturation
brownout n. darkness resulting from the extinction of lights (as in a city invisible to enemy aircraft)
brownstone n. a reddish brown sandstone; used in buildings; a row house built of brownstone; reddish brown in color
browntail n. small brown-and_white European moth introduced into eastern United States; pest of various shade and fruit trees
browse v. shop around; not necessarily buying; feed as in a meadow or pasture; look around casually and randomly, as through files and directories on a computer; eat lightly, try different dishes@n. reading superficially or at random
browser n. a program used to view HTML documents
browsing n. reading superficially or at random; the act of feeding by continual nibbling
brucellosis n. contracted from meat or milk products from infected domestic animals; an infectious disease often resulting in abortion; transmittable to humans through contaminated milk
brucine n. a bitter alkaloid poison resembling strychnine and extracted from nux vomica
bruin n. a conventional name for a bear used in tales following usage in the old epic; large ferocious bear of Eurasia
bruise n. an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration@v. injure the underlying soft tissue of bone of
bruised adj. injured without breaking the skin; a cut forehead and bruised cheek; suffering from emotional injury; a bruised ego
bruiser n. someone who bullies weaker people
bruising adj. causing mental or emotional injury; a bruising experience; brutally forceful and compelling; protected from the bruising facts of battle
bruit v. tell or spread rumors
brumal adj. characteristic of or relating to winter; bears in brumal sleep
brumous adj. filled or abounding with fog or mist; a brumous October morning
brunch n. combination breakfast and lunch; usually served in late morning@v. eat brunch
brunet n. a person with dark (brown) hair@adj. marked by dark or relatively dark pigmentation of hair or skin or eyes
brunette n. a person with dark (brown) hair@adj. marked by dark or relatively dark pigmentation of hair or skin or eyes; a brunette beauty
brunt n. main force of a blow etc: bore the brunt of the attack
brush n. a dense growth of bushes; an implement that has hairs or bristles firmly set into a handle@v. rub with a brush, or as if with a brush; touch lightly and briefly; clean with a brush; sweep across or over; remove with or as if with a brush
brushed adj. touched lightly in passing; grazed against; of all the people brushed against in a normal day on a city street I remember not a one; (of hair or clothing) groomed with a brush; with shining hair neatly brushed
brushing n. the act of brushing your teeth; the act of brushing your hair
brushup n. practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory
brushwood n. the wood from bushes or small branches; they built a fire of brushwood; a dense growth of bushes
brushwork n. an artist's distinctive technique of applying paint with a brush
brushy adj. covered with or consisting of bushes or thickets; brushy undergrowth
brusk adj. marked by rude or peremptory shortness
brusque adj. marked by rude or peremptory shortness; try to cultivate a less brusque manner
brusquely adv. in a blunt direct manner
brusqueness n. an abrupt discourteous manner
brut adj. (of champagne) extremely dry
brutal adj. (of weapons or instruments) causing suffering and pain; brutal instruments of torture; (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering; brutal beatings
brutalisation n. an act that makes people cruel or lacking normal human qualities
brutalise v. treat brutally; make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman; become brutal
brutality n. the trait of extreme cruelty; a brutal barbarous savage act
brutalization n. an act that makes people cruel or lacking normal human qualities
brutalize v. treat brutally; make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman; become brutal
brutally adv. in a vicious manner
brute n. a cruelly rapacious person; a living organism characterized by voluntary movement@adj. resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility; brute force
brutish adj. resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility; a dull and brutish man
brutishly adv. in an inhumane manner
bryanthus n. procumblent Old World mat-forming evergreen shrub with racemes of pinkish-white 4-parted flowers
bryony n. a tendril-bearing vine of the genus Bryonia having large leaves and small flowers and yielding acrid juice with emetic and purgative properties
bryophyte n. any of numerous plants of the division Bryophyta
bryophytic adj. (botany) relating to plants of the division Bryophyta
bryozoan n. sessile aquatic animal forming mosslike colonies of small polyps each having a curved or circular ridge bearing tentacles; attach to stones or seaweed and reproduce by budding
bubaline adj. relating to or resembling a buffalo
bubble v. form produce, or emit bubbles, as of liquids or gases; make a babbling, gurgling sound, as of water; expel gas from the stomach@n. a hollow globule of gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide)
bubbler n. a public fountain to provide a jet of drinking water
bubbliness n. the property of giving off bubbles
bubbling adj. emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation; bubbling champagne; marked by high spirits or excitement
bubbly n. a white sparkling wine either produced in Champagne or resembling that produced there@adj. emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation; full of or showing high spirits; bright bubbly children
bubo n. a lymph node that is inflamed and swollen because of plague or gonorrhea or tuberculosis
bubonic adj. of or evidencing buboes
buccal adj. of or relating to or toward the cheek; lying within the mouth; a buccal gland; toward the inside of the cheek; the buccal aspect of the gum
buccaneer v. live like a buccaneer@n. someone who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea without having a commission from any sovereign nation
buccaneering n. robbery on the high seas; taking a ship away from the control of those who are legally entitled to it
buck adj. (of upper front teeth) projecting outward@v. to strive with determination; resist; buck the trend; move quickly and violently@n. a gymnastic horse without pommels and with one end elongated
buckaroo n. local names for a cowboy (`vaquero' is used especially in SW and C Texas; `buckaroo' is used especially in California)
buckbean n. perennial plant of Europe and America having racemes of white or purplish flowers and intensely bitter trifoliate leaves; often rooting at water margin and spreading across the surface
buckboard n. open 4-wheeled horse-drawn; has seat attached to a flexible board between the two axles
bucked adj. (of upper front teeth) projecting outward
bucket n. an open-topped and roughly cylindrical vessel; the quantity contained in a bucket@v. put into a bucket; carry in a bucket
bucketful n. the quantity contained in a bucket
buckeye n. the inedible nutlike seed of the horse chestnut; tree having palmate leaves and large clusters of white to red flowers followed by brown shiny inedible seeds
buckle v. fasten with a buckle or buckles; fold or collapse; bend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat@n. fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong; a shape distorted by twisting or folding
buckler n. armor carried on the arm to intercept blows
buckleya n. parasitic shrub of the eastern United States having opposite leaves and insignificant greenish flowers followed by oily dull-green olivelike fruits
buckram adj. rigidly formal; his prose has a buckram quality@n. a coarse cotton fabric stiffened with glue; used in bookbinding and to stiffen clothing@v. stiffen with or as with buckram; buckram the skirt
bucksaw n. a saw set in a deep often H-Shaped frame and used for sawing wood on a sawhorse
buckshee adj. (British) free of charge
buckshot n. small lead shot for shotgun shells
buckskin n. horse of a light yellowish dun color with dark mane and tail; a soft yellowish suede leather originally from deerskin but now usually from sheepskin
buckskins n. breeches made of buckskin
buckthorn n. a shrub or shrubby tree of the genus Rhamnus; fruits are source of yellow dyes or pigments; any shrub or small tree of the genus Bumelia; an Old World plantain with long narrow ribbed leaves widely established in temperate regions
bucktooth adj. having protruding upper front teeth@n. a large projecting front tooth
buckwheat n. or member of genus Fagopyrum; annual Asian plant with clusters of small pinkish white flowers and small edible triangular seeds which are used whole or ground into flour; grain ground into flour
bucolic n. a country person; a short descriptive poem of rural or pastoral life@adj. used of idealized country life; a pleasant bucolic scene; relating to shepherds or herdsmen or devoted to raising sheep or cattle
bud n. a partially opened flower; a swelling on a plant stem consisting of overlapping immature leaves or petals@v. develop buds, of plants; start to grow or develop
budding n. reproduction of some unicellular organisms by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent@adj. beginning to develop; a budding genius
buddleia n. tropical shrub having clusters of white or violet or yellow flowers
buddy n. a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
budge v. move very slightly
budgereegah n. small Australian parakeet usually light green with black and yellow markings in the wild but bred in many colors
budgerigar n. small Australian parakeet usually light green with black and yellow markings in the wild but bred in many colors
budgerygah n. small Australian parakeet usually light green with black and yellow markings in the wild but bred in many colors
budget n. a sum of money allocated for a particular purpose; the laboratory runs on a budget of a million a year; a summary of intended expenditures along with proposals for how to meet them@v. make a budget
budgetary adj. of or relating to a budget; budgetary considerations
budgie n. small Australian parakeet usually light green with black and yellow markings in the wild but bred in many colors
buff adj. of the color of buff leather@v. strike, beat repeatedly; as of wooden floors, for example@n. an ardent follower; a soft thick undyed leather from the skins of e.g. buffalo or oxen; informal; or; bare skin; in the buff
buffalo n. large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains; meat from an American bison; any of several Old World animals resembling oxen including, e.g., water buffalo; Cape buffalo@v. intimidate or overawe
buffalofish n. large carp-like North American fish; any of several large suckers of the Mississippi valley
buffer n. an ionic compound that resists changes in its pH; an inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track@v. add a buffer to; of solutions; protect from impact
buffet n. stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers; a meal set out on a buffet at which guests help themselves; usually inexpensive bar@v. strike against forcefully; strike, beat repeatedly
buffeted adj. pounded or hit repeatedly by storms or adversities
buffeting n. repeated heavy blows
bufflehead n. small North American diving duck; males have bushy head plumage
buffoon n. a rude or vulgar fool; a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
buffoonery n. acting like a clown or buffoon
buffoonish adj. like a clown; a buffoonish walk
bufo n. any toad of the genus Bufo
bug v. annoy persistently; tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information@n. general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate; a fault or defect in a system or machine; a small hidden microphone; for listening secretly
bugaboo n. an imaginary monster used to frighten children; a source of concern; the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them
bugbane n. North American plant having large leaves and yellowish green flowers growing in racemes; yields a toxic alkaloid used medicinally
bugbear n. an imaginary monster used to frighten children
bugged adj. having hidden electronic eavesdropping devices; even the car is bugged
bugger n. someone who engages in anal copulation (especially a male who engages in anal copulation with another male)@v. practice anal sex upon
buggery n. anal intercourse committed by a man with a man or woman
bugginess n. the state of having bugs
buggy n. a small lightweight carriage; drawn by a single horse@adj. informal or slang terms for mentally irregular; infested with bugs
bugle v. play on a bugle@n. without valves; used for military calls and fanfares; any of various low-growing annual or perennial evergreen herbs native to Eurasia; used for ground cover; a tubular glass or plastic bead sewn onto clothing for decoration
bugler n. someone who plays a bugle
bugleweed n. a mildly narcotic and astringent aromatic herb having small whitish flowers; eastern United States; any of various low-growing annual or perennial evergreen herbs native to Eurasia; used for ground cover
bugloss n. perennial or biennial herb cultivated for its delicate usually blue flowers; widespread European weed with spiny tongue-shaped leaves and yellow flowers; naturalized in United States
bugologist n. a zoologist who studies insects
buhl n. an inlaid furniture decoration; tortoiseshell and yellow and white metal form scrolls in cabinetwork
build n. constitution of the human body; alternative names for the body of a human being@v. make by combining materials and parts; form steadily; build or establish something abstract; build a reputation; improve the cleansing action of
builder n. a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action; someone who contracts for and supervises the construction of a building
building n. a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place; there was a three-story building on the corner@adj. increasing or having the power to increase especially in size or amount or degree
buildup n. the act of building up an accumulation
built adj. (used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness; the built liquid detergents; formed by fitting or joining components together
buirdly adj. muscular and heavily built; (`buirdly' is a Scottish term; a buirdly lad of twelve)
bulb n. a modified bud consisting of a thickened globular underground stem serving as a reproductive structure; a glass bulb containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated
bulbaceous adj. producing or growing from bulbs
bulbar adj. involving the medulla oblongata; bulbar paralysis
bulbed adj. having a bulb
bulbil n. small bulb or bulb-shaped growth arising from the leaf axil or in the place of flowers
bulblet n. small bulb or bulb-shaped growth arising from the leaf axil or in the place of flowers
bulbous adj. curving outward
bulbul n. nightingale spoken of in Persian poetry
bulge n. something that protrudes@v. swell or protrude outwards; bulge out; form a bulge outward; bulge outward; cause to bulge or swell outwards
bulghur n. (Turkey) parched crushed wheat
bulginess n. the property possessed by a rounded convexity
bulging adj. curving or bulging outward; curving outward
bulgur n. (Turkey) parched crushed wheat
bulgy adj. curving outward
bulk v. stick out or up@n. the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part; the bulk of the work is finished; the property of something that is great in magnitude@adj. large in quantity or volume
bulkhead n. a partition that divides a ship or plane into compartments
bulkiness n. an unwieldy largeness
bulky adj. of large size for its weight
bull n. uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle; a very large and strong man; he was a bull of a man; a ludicrously false statement@adj. characterized by rising prices; a bull market@v. push or force
bulla n. (pathology) an elevation of the skin filled with serous fluid; the round leaden seal affixed to a papal bull
bullace n. small wild or half-domesticated Eurasian plum bearing small ovoid fruit in clusters
bullate adj. (botany) of leaves; appearing puckered as if blistered
bullbat n. mainly nocturnal North American goatsucker
bullbrier n. a very prickly woody vine of the eastern United States growing in tangled masses having tough round stems with shiny leathery leaves and small greenish flowers followed by clusters of inedible shiny black berries
bulldog v. attack viciously and ferociously@adj. resembling or pertaining to a bulldog; A bulldog appearance; stubbornly unyielding@n. a sturdy thickset short-haired breed with a large head and strong undershot lower jaw
bulldoze v. flatten with or as if with a bulldozer
bulldozer n. large; powerful; large blade in front flattens areas of ground
bullet n. a projectile that is fired from a gun; a baseball thrown with maximum velocity
bullethead n. a head shaped like a bullet
bulletin n. a brief report especially an official statement issued for immediate publication or broadcast@v. make public by bulletin
bulletproof adj. not penetrable by bullets
bullfight n. a Spanish or Portuguese or Latin American spectacle; a matador baits and (usually) kills a bull in an arena before many spectators
bullfighter n. someone who fights bulls
bullfighting n. the activity at a bullfight
bullfinch n. common European finch mostly black and white with red throat and breast
bullfrog n. largest North American frog; highly aquatic with a deep-pitched voice
bullhead n. freshwater sculpin with a large flattened bony-plated head with hornlike spines; any of several common freshwater catfishes of the United States
bullheaded adj. obstinate and stupid
bullheadedness n. resolute adherence to your own ideas or desires
bullhorn n. a portable loudspeaker with built-in microphone and amplifier
bullied adj. frightened into submission or compliance
bullion n. a mass of precious metal (usually in the form of bars or ingots); gold or silver in bars or ingots
bullish adj. (stock market) expecting a rise in prices
bullnecked adj. having a thick short powerful neck
bullnose n. a small carpenter's plane with the cutting edge near the front
bullock n. young bull; castrated bull
bullocky adj. resembling a bullock in strength and power; thick bullocky shoulders
bullpen n. a place on a baseball field where relief pitchers can warm up during a game; a large cell where prisoners are confined together temporarily
bullring n. a stadium where bullfights take place
bullrush n. tall marsh plant with pokerlike seed heads that explode when mature shedding large quantities of down; its long flat leaves are used for making mats and chair seats; of North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa
bullshit n. a ludicrously false statement@v. talk through one's hat
bullshot n. vodka and beef bouillon or consomme
bullsnake n. any of several large harmless rodent-eating North American burrowing snakes
bullterrier n. short-haired terrier originated in England by crossing the bulldog with terriers
bully v. be bossy towards; discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate@n. a cruel and brutal fellow@adj. (informal) very good; a bully pulpit
bullyboy n. a swaggering tough; usually one acting as an agent of a political faction
bullying adj. noisily domineering; tending to browbeat others@n. the act of intimidating a weaker person to make them do something
bullyrag v. be bossy towards
bulrush n. tall marsh plant with pokerlike seed heads that explode when mature shedding large quantities of down; its long flat leaves are used for making mats and chair seats; of North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa
bulwark v. defend with a bulwark@n. an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes; a fence-like structure around a deck; a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
bulwarks n. a fence-like structure around a deck
bum v. ask for and get free; be a parasite@n. a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible; throw the bum out; a disreputable wanderer; person who does no work@adj. (informal) of very poor quality
bumble v. walk unsteadily
bumblebee n. robust hairy social bee of temperate regions
bumbler n. someone who makes mistakes because of incompetence
bumbling adj. not skillful in physical movement especially with the hands; a bumbling mechanic
bumboat n. a small boat that ferries supplies and commodities for sale to a larger ship at anchor
bump n. a lump on the body caused by a blow; something that protrudes@v. knock against with force or violence; come upon, as if by accident; meet with; dance erotically, as in bump and grind: dance with the pelvis thrust forward
bumper n. bars at either end of vehicle absorb shock and prevent damage@adj. extraordinarily abundant; a bumper crop
bumpiness n. the texture of a surface that has many bumps
bumpkin n. not very intelligent or interested in culture
bumpkinly adj. awkwardly simple and provincial; bumpkinly country boys
bumptious adj. offensively self-assertive
bumptiously adv. in a bumptious manner; he behaved rather bumptiously and offended the hostess
bumptiousness n. offensive assertiveness
bumpy adj. characterized by rough motion; a bumpy ride
bun n. small rounded bread either plain or sweet
bunce n. a sudden unexpected piece of good fortune
bunch v. form into a bunch; gather or cause to gather into a cluster@n. a thick grouping of similar things; a bunch of trees; an informal body of friends; any collection in its entirety
bunchberry n. creeping red-berried perennial herb distinguished by clustered leaf whorls at tips of shoots; Greenland to Alaska
bunched adj. occurring close together in bunches or clusters
bunchgrass n. any of various grasses of many genera that grow in tufts or clumps rather than forming a sod or mat; chiefly of western United States
bunchy adj. occurring close together in bunches or clusters
bunco v. deprive of by deceit@n. a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
buncombe n. a ludicrously false statement
bundle v. make into a bundle; gather or cause to gather into a cluster; compress into a wad; sleep fully clothed in the same bed with one's betrothed@n. a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
bundling n. a one-time custom during courtship of unmarried couples occupying the same bed without undressing; the act of binding something into a bundle; the act of shoving hastily; she complained about bundling the children off to school
bung n. used to close a hole in a barrel or flask@v. give a tip or gratuity to in return for a service, beyond the agreed-on compensation
bungaloid adj. characterized by bungalows; the bungaloid suburbs
bungalow n. a small one-storied house
bungee n. an elasticized rope
bunghole n. a hole in a barrel or cask; used to fill or empty it
bungle v. make a mess of, destroy or ruin; spoil by behaving clumsily or foolishly@n. an embarrassing mistake
bungled adj. spoiled through incompetence or clumsiness; a bungled job
bungler n. someone who makes mistakes because of incompetence
bunglesome adj. difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape; a load of bunglesome paraphernalia
bungling adj. showing lack of skill or aptitude; a bungling workman; not skillful in physical movement especially with the hands; a bungling performance
bunion n. a painful swelling of the bursa of the first joint of the big toe
bunk n. a long trough for feeding cattle; a bed on a ship or train; usually in tiers; a rough bed (as at a campsite); a ludicrously false statement; beds built one above the other@v. provide with a bunk; take to one's heels; cut and run
bunker v. hit a golf ball into a bunker; fill a ship's bunker with coal or oil; transfer cargo form a ship to a warehouse@n. a hazard on a golf course; a fortification of earth; mostly or entirely below ground
bunkmate n. someone who occupies the same sleeping quarters as yourself
bunko n. a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
bunkum n. a ludicrously false statement
bunny n. a young waitress in a night club whose costume includes a rabbit-tail and ears; (usually informal) especially a young rabbit
buns n. the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
bunsen n. a gas burner used in laboratories; has an air valve to regulate the mixture of gas and air
bunt n. the act of hitting a baseball lightly without swinging the bat; disease of wheat characterized by replacement of the grains with greasy masses of smelly smut spores@v. hit a ball in such a way so as to make it go a short distance
buntal n. fine white Philippine fiber from stalks of unopened leaves of talipot palms; used in making hats
bunter n. a batter who bunts
bunting n. a loosely woven fabric used for flags, etc.; any of numerous seed-eating songbirds of Europe or North America
buoy n. bright-colored; a float attached by rope to the seabed to mark channels in a harbor or underwater hazards@v. float on the surface of water; keep afloat; mark with a buoy
buoyancy n. cheerfulness that bubbles to the surface; the property of something weightless and insubstantial; irrepressible liveliness and good spirit
buoyant adj. tending to float on a liquid or rise in air or gas; buoyant balloons; characterized by liveliness and light-heartedness; buoyant spirits
buoyantly adv. in a cheerfully buoyant manner; we stepped out into the clear air buoyantly
bur v. remove the burrs from@n. seed vessel having hooks or prickles; small bit used in dentistry or surgery
burble v. make a babbling, gurgling sound, as of water
burbling adj. uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
burbly adj. uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm; a novel told in burbly panting tones
burbot n. elongate freshwater cod of northern Europe and Asia and North America having barbels around its mouth
burden v. weight down with a load; impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to@n. an onerous or difficult concern; the burden of responsibility; something to be borne or conveyed; the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
burdened adj. bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or responsibilities; she always felt burdened by the load of paper work; bearing a physically heavy weight or load; tree limbs burdened with ice
burdensome adj. not easily borne; wearing; the burdensome task of preparing the income tax return
burdensomeness n. unwelcome burdensome difficulty
burdock n. any of several erect biennial herbs of temperate Eurasia having stout taproots and producing burs
burdonless adj. not encumbered with a physical burden or load
bureau n. an administrative unit of government; furniture with drawers for keeping clothes
bureaucracy n. nonelective government officials
bureaucrat n. an official of a bureaucracy
bureaucratic adj. of or relating to or resembling a bureaucrat or bureaucracy; his bureaucratic behavior annoyed his colleagues
bureaucratism n. nonelective government officials
burette n. glass tube with a tap; used for titration
burg n. colloquial American term for a town; I've lived in this burg all my life
burgee n. a swallow-tailed flag used especially by ships for signals or identification
burgeon v. grow and flourish
burgess n. a citizen of an English borough
burgh n. a borough in Scotland
burgher n. a citizen of an English borough; a member of the middle class
burglar n. a thief who enters a building with intent to steal
burglarious adj. involving or resembling burglary; burglarious tools
burglarize v. commit a burglary; enter and rob a dwelling
burglarproof adj. secure against burglary
burglary n. entering a building at night with intent to commit a felony or to steal valuable property
burgle v. commit a burglary; enter and rob a dwelling
burgomaster n. a mayor of a municipality in Germany or Holland or Flanders or Austria
burgoo n. porridge made of rolled oats; a gathering at which burgoo stew is served; thick spicy stew of whatever meat and whatever vegetables are available; southern United States
burgrass n. a grass of the genus Cenchrus
burgrave n. a nobleman ruling a German castle and surrounding grounds by hereditary right; the military governor of a German town in the 12th and 13th centuries
burgundy n. a dark purplish red to blackish red
burial n. the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave; concealing something under the ground
buried adj. covered from view; her face buried (or hidden) in her hands; placed in a grave; the hastily buried corpses
burin n. a chisel of tempered steel with a sharp point; used for engraving
burke v. murder without leaving a trace on the body; get rid of, silence, or suppress; burke an issue
burked adj. suppressed quietly or indirectly
burl n. the wood cut from a tree burl or outgrowth; often used decoratively in veneer; a large rounded outgrowth on the trunk or branch of a tree; soft lump or unevenness in a yarn@v. remove the burls from cloth
burlap n. coarse jute fabric
burled adj. (of wood) have a pattern from the grain of a tree burl
burlesque adj. relating to or characteristic of a burlesque; burlesque theater@n. a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)@v. make a parody of
burly adj. muscular and heavily built; had a tall burly frame; (`buirdly' is a Scottish term; )
burn v. destroy by fire; shine intensely, as if with heat; undergo combustion; cause a sharp of stinging pain or discomfort; cause to burn; feel strong emotion, esp. anger or passion@n. pain that feels hot as if it were on fire
burnable adj. possible to burn
burned adj. having undergone oxidation: burned powder; injured by intense heat (as of fire or the sun); his cracked, black burned lips; treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
burner n. an apparatus for burning fuel (or refuse)
burning n. the act of burning something; the burning of leaves was prohibited by a town ordinance@adj. producing or having a painfully hot sensation; begged for water to soothe his burning throat; intensely hot
burnish v. make shiny; as of wooden floors, for example@n. the property of being smooth and shiny
burnished adj. made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow; a burnished brass knocker
burnoose n. a long hooded cloak woven of wool in one piece; worn by Arabs and Moors
burnous n. a long hooded cloak woven of wool in one piece; worn by Arabs and Moors
burnouse n. a long hooded cloak woven of wool in one piece; worn by Arabs and Moors
burnside n. beard grown down the side of a man's face in front of the ears (especially when the rest of the beard is shaved off)
burnt adj. ruined by overcooking; she served us underdone bacon and burnt buscuits; having undergone oxidation; treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point; burnt sienna; hardened by subjecting to intense heat
burnup n. (British slang) a high-speed motorcycle race on a public road; the amount of fuel used up (as in a nuclear reactor)
burp n. a reflex that expels wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth@v. expel gas from the stomach; In China it is polite to burp at the table
burping n. a reflex that expels wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth
burr v. remove the burrs from@n. seed vessel having hooks or prickles; rough edge left on a workpiece after drilling or cutting; rotary file for smoothing rough edges left on a workpiece; small bit used in dentistry or surgery
burrawong n. large attractive palmlike evergreen cycad of New South Wales; large attractive palmlike evergreen cycad of New South Wales
burred adj. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.; burred fruits
burrfish n. any of several fishes having rigid flattened spines
burrito n. (Mexico) a flour tortilla folded around a filling
burrlike adj. resembling a burr; especially in being prickly
burro n. small donkey used as a pack animal
burrow n. a hole in the ground made by an animal for shelter@v. move through by or as by digging; burrow through the forest
burry adj. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns etc.
bursa n. a small fluid-filled sac located between movable parts of the body especially at joints
bursal adj. relating to or affecting a bursa
bursar n. the treasurer at a college or university
bursary n. the treasury of a public institution or religious order
bursiform adj. shaped like a pouch
bursitis n. inflammation of a bursa; frequently in the shoulder
burst v. break open or apart suddenly@n. the act of exploding or bursting something; the burst of an atom bomb creates enormous radiation aloft@adj. suddenly and violently broken open especially from internal pressure
burster n. a quantity of explosive to be set off at one time
bursting adj. (of munitions) going off; bursting bombs
burthen n. a variant of `burden'@v. weight down with a load
burunduki n. terrestrial Siberian squirrel
bury v. cover from sight; place in a grave or tomb; place in the earth and cover with soil; enclose or envelop completely, as if by swallowing; embed deeply; dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
burying n. concealing something under the ground
bus n. a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport; he always rode the bus to work; an electrical conductor that makes a common connection between several circuits@v. send or move around by bus; ride in a bus
busbar n. an electrical conductor that makes a common connection between several circuits; the busbar in this computer can transmit data either way between any two components of the system
busboy n. a restaurant attendant who sets tables and assists waiters and clears away dirty dishes
busby n. tall; worn by some British soldiers on ceremonial occasions
bush n. a low woody perennial plant usually having several major branches; a large wilderness area; dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes; hair growing in the pubic area@v. provide with a bushing
bushbaby n. agile long-tailed nocturnal African lemur with dense woolly fur and large eyes and ears
bushbuck n. antelope with white markings like a harness and twisted horns
bushed adj. (informal) very tired; bushed after all that exercise
bushel v. restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken@n. a United States dry measure equal to 4 pecks or 2152.42 cubic inches; a British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 4 pecks
bushing n. a cylindrical metal lining used to reduce friction
bushman n. a dweller in the Australian bush country
bushtit n. active gray titmice of western North America
bushwhack v. wait in hiding to attack; live in the bush as a fugitive or as a guerilla; cut one's way through the woods or bush
bushwhacker n. a disparaging term for an unsophisticated person; a Confederate guerrilla during the American Civil War
bushwhacking adj. lying in ambush; bushwhacking guerrillas attacking from ambush
bushy adj. used of hair; thick and poorly groomed; bushy locks; resembling a bush in being thickly branched and spreading
busily adv. in a busy manner; they were busily engaged in buying souvenirs
business n. a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it; he bought his brother's business@adj. of or relating to or characteristic of trade or traders
businesslike adj. exhibiting methodical and systematic characteristics that would be useful in business; not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal
businessman n. a person engaged in commercial or industrial business (especially an owner or executive)
businessmen n. the body of individuals who manage businesses
businessperson n. engages in industrial commercial enterprise
businesswoman n. a female businessman
busker n. a person who entertains people for money in public places (as by singing or dancing)
buskin n. a boot reaching halfway up to the knee
busman n. someone who drives a bus
buss n. a caress with the lips@v. touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's moth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
bust v. ruin completely; make a sudden surprise attack on; separate or cause to separate abruptly; go to pieces@n. a complete failure; a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person; an occasion for heavy drinking@adj. lacking funds
bustard n. large heavy-bodied chiefly terrestrial game bird capable of powerful swift flight; classified with wading birds but frequents grassy steppes
busted adj. (used informally especially of bones) fractured; my arm is busted; suddenly and violently broken open especially from internal pressure; (`busted' is an informal term for `burst' as in a busted balloon)
buster n. a person born in the generation following the baby boom when the birth rate fell dramatically
bustle n. a rapid bustling commotion; a framework worn at the back below the waist for giving fullness to a woman's skirt@v. move or cause to move energetically or busily
bustling adj. full of energetic and noisy activity; a bustling city
busy v. keep busy with@adj. actively or fully engaged or occupied; busy with her work; overcrowded or cluttered with detail; a busy painting; intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner; busy about other people's business
busybodied adj. intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
busybody n. a person who meddles in the affairs of others
busyness n. the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity: they manifested all the busyness of a pack of beavers
busywork n. active work of little value; while he was waiting he filled the days with busywork
but adv. and nothing more; hopes that last but a moment
butacaine n. a white crystalline ester that is applied to mucous membranes as a local anesthetic
butadiene n. a gaseous hydrocarbon C4H6; used in making synthetic rubbers
butane n. occurs in natural gas; used in the manufacture of rubber and fuels
butanol n. a flammable alcohol derived from butanes and used for solvents
butat n. 100 bututs equal 1 dalasi
butch adj. used of men; markedly masculine in appearance or manner; pejorative synonym for lesbian@n. a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
butcher n. a retailer of meat; a brutal indiscriminate murderer; a person who slaughters or dresses meat for market; someone who makes mistakes because of incompetence@v. kill; used of animals, but also used for people to indicate brutality
butcherbird n. shrikes that impale their prey on thorns; large carnivorous Australian bird with the shrike-like habit of impaling prey on thorns
butchering n. the business of a butcher
butcherly adj. poorly done; accompanied by bloodshed
butchery n. a building where animals are butchered; the business of a butcher; the savage and excessive killing of people
butene n. any of three isomeric hydrocarbons C4H8; all used in making synthetic rubbers
buteonine adj. relating to or resembling a haw of the genus Buteo@n. any hawk of the genus Buteo
butler n. a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
butt v. lie adjacent to another@n. thick end of the handle; a victim of ridicule or pranks; the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on; an object set up for a marksman or archer to aim at
butte n. an isolated steep-sided hill
butter v. spread butter on, as of bread@n. an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use; a fighter who strikes the opponent with his head
butterball n. small North American diving duck; males have bushy head plumage
butterbean n. small flat green bean similar to lima beans
butterbur n. small Eurasian herb having broad leaves and lilac-pink rayless flowers; found in moist areas
buttercrunch n. lettuce with delicate and relatively crunchy leaves
buttercup n. any of various plants of the genus Ranunculus
butterfat n. the fatty substance of milk from which butter is made
butterfingered adj. not skillful in physical movement especially with the hands
butterfingers n. someone who drops things (especially one who cannot catch a ball)
butterfish n. any of numerous small flat Atlantic food fish having smooth skin; small marine fish with a short smooth-scaled compressed body and feeble spines; slippery scaleless food fish of North Atlantic coastal waters
butterflower n. any of various plants of the genus Ranunculus
butterfly n. diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings; a swimming stroke in which the arms are thrown forward together out of the water while the feet kick up and down
butterflyfish n. tropical fish with huge fanlike pectoral fins for underwater gliding; unrelated to searobins
buttermilk n. residue from making butter from sour raw milk; or pasteurized milk curdled by adding a culture
butternut n. North American walnut tree having light-brown wood and edible nuts; source of a light-brown dye; oily egg-shaped nut of an American tree of the walnut family
butterscotch n. a hard brittle candy made with butter and brown sugar
butterweed n. American ragwort with yellow flowers; any of several yellow-flowered plants of the genus Packer; often placed in genus Senecio
butterwort n. any of numerous carnivorous bog plants of the genus Pinguicula having showy purple or yellow or white flowers and a rosette of basal leaves coated with a sticky secretion to trap small insects
buttery n. a small room for storing foods or wines@adj. unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; buttery praise; resembling or containing or spread with butter
buttinsky n. a meddler who tends to butt in
buttock n. either of the buttocks
buttocks n. the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
button v. provide with buttons; button a shirt; fasten with buttons; button the dress@n. sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes; an electrical switch operated by pressing a button; any of various plant parts that resemble buttons
buttoned adj. furnished or closed with buttons or something buttonlike
buttonhole v. detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors@n. buttons are pushed through it
buttonhook n. a hook for pulling a button through a buttonhole
buttonlike adj. small and round and shiny like a shiny bead or button
buttonquail n. small quail-like terrestrial bird of southern Eurasia and North Africa that lacks a hind toe; classified with wading birds but inhabits grassy plains
buttonwood n. very large spreading plane tree of eastern and central North America to Mexico
buttony adj. small and round and shiny like a shiny bead or button; black buttony eyes; ornamented with many buttons
buttress n. usually or stone or brick; supports the wall of a building@v. make stronger or defensible; buttress your thesis
buttressed adj. held up by braces or buttresses
buttressing n. usually or stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
butut n. 100 bututs equal 1 dalasi
butylate v. introduce the butyl group into a chemical compound
butylene n. any of three isomeric hydrocarbons C4H8; all used in making synthetic rubbers
butyraceous adj. having the qualities of butter or yielding or containing a substance like butter
butyric adj. relating to or producing butyric acid
butyrin n. any of three glycerides of butyric acid
buxom adj. (of a woman's body) having pleasing curves; euphemisms for slightly fat
buxomly adv. in a curvaceous way
buxomness n. the bodily property of being attractively plump and vigorous and (of women) full bosomed
buy n. an advantageous purchase; the stock was a real buy at that price@v. obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction; make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence; acquire by trade or sacrifice or exchange
buyback n. purchasing back something previously sold
buyer n. a person who buys
buying n. the act of buying; buying equipment for the trip took several hours
buyout n. acquisition of a company by purchasing a controlling percentage of its stock
buzz v. make a buzzing sound; fly low; be noisy with activity; call with a buzzer@n. sound of rapid vibration: the buzz of a bee; a confusion of activity and gossip; the buzz of excitement was so great that a formal denial was issued
buzzard n. common in South and Central America and southern United States; the common European short-winged hawk
buzzer n. a push button at an outer door
buzzing adj. noisy like the sound of a bee
buzzword n. stock phrases that have become nonsense through endless repetition
by adj. minor or subordinate; `by' is often used in combination; a by (or bye) effect@adv. so as to pass a given point; in reserve; not for immediate use; put something by for her old age
bye adj. minor or subordinate; `by' is often used in combination; a by (or bye) effect@n. you advance to the next round in a tournament without playing an opponent; he had a bye in the first round; a farewell remark
byelaw n. a rule adopted by an organization for managing its internal affairs
bygone n. past events to be put aside@adj. well in the past; former; bygone days
bylaw n. a rule made by a local authority to regulate its own affairs
bypass n. takes traffic around the edge of a town@v. avoid something unpleasant or laborious; You cannot bypass these rules!
bypast adj. well in the past; former
bypath n. a side road little traveled (as in the countryside)
byplay n. incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic effect
byrnie n. a long (usually sleeveless) tunic of chain mail formerly worn as defensive armor
byroad n. a side road little traveled (as in the countryside)
byssus n. tuft of strong filaments by which e.g. a mussel makes itself fast to a fixed surface
bystander n. a nonparticipant spectator
byte n. a sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information
byway n. a side road little traveled (as in the countryside)
byword n. a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
byzant n. a gold coin of the Byzantine Empire; widely circulated in Europe in the Middle Ages
