bi ['bī] -n or adj

  1. bisexual

bi- -prefix

  1. two
    • bi lateral
  2. coming or occurring every two
    • bi centennial
  3. into two parts
    • bi sect
  4. twice : doubly : on both sides
    • bi convex
  5. coming or occurring two times
    • bi annual
  6. between, involving, or affecting two (specified) symmetrical parts
    • bi labial
  7. containing one (specified) constituent in double the proportion of the other constituent or in double the ordinary proportion
    • bi carbonate
  8. di-
    • bi phenyl
  9. life : living organisms or tissue
    • bio luminescence
    • bio sphere
  10. biographical
    • bio pic

Bi -symbol

  1. bismuth

BIA -abbr

  1. bachelor of industrial administration
  2. Bureau of Indian Affairs

bi·aly [bē-'a-lē] -n

  1. a flat breakfast roll that has a depressed center and is usu. covered with onion flakes

bi·an·nu·al [(,)bī-'an-yə(-wə)l] -adj, adv

  1. occurring twice a year
  2. biennial

bi·as ['bī-əs] -n

  1. a line diagonal to the grain of a fabric
  2. a line at a 45 degree angle to the selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for smoother fit
  3. a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green in lawn bowling
  4. the tendency of a bowl to swerve
  5. the impulse causing this tendency
  6. the swerve of the bowl
  7. bent, tendency
  8. an inclination of temperament or outlook
  9. a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice
  10. an instance of such prejudice
  11. deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates
  12. systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others
  13. a voltage applied to a device (as a transistor control electrode) to establish a reference level for operation
  14. a high-frequency voltage combined with an audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording

bias -adj, n

  1. diagonal, slanting used chiefly of fabrics and their cut
  2. diagonally
    • cut cloth bias
  3. awry
  4. to give a settled and often prejudiced outlook to
    • his background bias es him against foreigners
  5. to apply a slight negative or positive voltage to (as a transistor)

bi·asbelt·ed tire ['bī-əs-,bel-təd-] -n

  1. a pneumatic tire with a belt (as of steel or fiberglass) to help prevent punctures that is under the tread and on top of the plies of cords which form the tire's carcass and which are set diagonally to the center line of the tread

bias crime -n

  1. hate crime

bi·ased -adj

  1. exhibiting or characterized by bias
  2. prejudiced
  3. tending to yield one outcome more frequently than others in a statistical experiment
    • a biased coin
  4. having an expected value different from the quantity or parameter estimated
    • a biased estimate

bi·asply tire ['bī-əs-,plī-] -n

  1. a pneumatic tire having crossed plies of cords set diagonally to the center line of the tread

bias tape -n

  1. a narrow strip of cloth cut on the bias, folded, and used for finishing or decorating clothing

bi·ath·lete [bī-'ath-,lēt] -n

  1. an athlete who competes in a biathlon

bi·ath·lon [bī-'ath-lən, -,län] -n

  1. a composite athletic contest consisting of cross-country skiing and rifle sharpshooting

bi·ax·i·al [(,)bī-'ak-sē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. having or relating to two axes or optic axes
    • a biaxial crystal

bib ['bib] -vb

  1. drink
  2. a cloth or plastic shield tied under the chin to protect the clothes
  3. the part of an apron or of overalls extending above the waist
  4. a patch of differently colored feathers or fur immediately below the bill or chin of a bird or mammal
  5. Bible
  6. biblical

bib and tucker -n

  1. an outfit of clothing usu. used in the phrase best bib and tucker

bib·ber ['bi-bər] -n

  1. a person who regularly drinks alcoholic beverages

Bibb lettuce ['bib-] -n

  1. a butter lettuce of a variety that has a small head and dark green color called also Bibb

bi·be·lot ['bē-bə-,lō] -n

  1. a small household ornament or decorative object : trinket

bi·ble ['bī-bəl] -n

  1. the sacred scriptures of Christians comprising the Old Testament and the New Testament
  2. the sacred scriptures of some other religion (as Judaism)
  3. book
  4. a copy or an edition of the Bible
  5. a publication that is preeminent esp. in authoritativeness or wide readership
    • the fisherman's bible
    • the bible of the entertainment industry

Bible Belt -n

  1. an area chiefly in the southern U.S. whose inhabitants are believed to hold uncritical allegiance to the literal accuracy of the Bible
  2. an area characterized by ardent religious fundamentalism

Bible paper -n

  1. india paper

Bi·blethump·er ['bī-bəl-,thəm-pər] -n, adj

  1. an overzealous advocate of Christian fundamentalism

bibli- -comb form

  1. book
    • biblio logy

bib·li·cal ['bi-bli-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible
  2. suggestive of the Bible or Bible times

bib·li·cism ['bi-blə-,si-zəm] -n

  1. adherence to the letter of the Bible

bib·li·og·ra·pher [,bi-blē-'ä-grə-fər] -n

  1. an expert in bibliography
  2. a compiler of bibliographies

bib·li·og·ra·phy [,bi-blē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. the history, identification, or description of writings or publications
  2. a list often with descriptive or critical notes of writings relating to a particular subject, period, or author
  3. a list of works written by an author or printed by a publishing house
  4. the works or a list of the works referred to in a text or consulted by the author in its production

bib·li·ol·a·ter [,bi-blē-'ä-lə-tər] -n, adj

  1. one having excessive reverence for the letter of the Bible
  2. one overly devoted to books

bib·li·ol·o·gy [,bi-blē-'ä-lə-jē] -n

  1. the history and science of books as physical objects : bibliography
  2. the study of the theological doctrine of the Bible

bib·lio·ma·nia [,bi-blē-ə-'mā-nē-ə, -nyə] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. extreme preoccupation with collecting books

bib·li·op·e·gy [,bi-blē-'ä-pə-jē] -n, adj

  1. the art of binding books

bib·lio·phile ['bi-blē-ə-,fī(-ə)l] -n, adj

  1. a lover of books esp. for qualities of format
  2. a book collector

bib·li·o·pole ['bi-blē-ə-,pōl] -n

  1. a dealer esp. in rare or curious books

bib·lio·the·ca [,bi-blē-ə-'thē-kə] -n, adj

  1. a collection of books
  2. a list of books

bib·lio·ther·a·py [,bi-blē-ə-'ther-ə-pē, -'the-rə-] -n

  1. the use of reading materials for help in solving personal problems or for psychiatric therapy
  2. the reading materials so used

bib·u·lous ['bi-byə-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. highly absorbent
  2. fond of alcoholic beverages
  3. of, relating to, or marked by the consumption of alcoholic beverages

bi·cam·er·al [(,)bī-'kam-rəl, -'ka-mə-] -adj, n

  1. having, consisting of, or based on two legislative chambers
    • a bicameral legislature

bi·carb [(,)bī-'kärb, 'bī-,] -n

  1. sodium bicarbonate

bi·car·bon·ate [(,)bī-'kär-bə-,nāt, -nət] -n

  1. an acid carbonate

bicarbonate of soda

  1. sodium bicarbonate

bi·cen·te·na·ry [,bī-(,)sen-'te-nə-rē, (,)bī-'sen-tᵊn-,er-ē, ,bī-(,)sen-'tē-nə-rē] -n, adj

  1. bicentennial

bi·cen·ten·ni·al [,bī-(,)sen-'te-nē-əl] -n, adj

  1. a 200th anniversary or its celebration

bi·cep ['bī-,sep] -n

  1. biceps

bi·ceps ['bī-,seps] -n

  1. : a muscle having two heads: as
  2. the large flexor muscle of the front of the upper arm
  3. the large flexor muscle of the back of the upper leg

biceps bra·chii [-'brā-kē-,ī, -kē-,ē] -n

  1. biceps

biceps fe·mo·ris [-'fe-mə-rəs] -n

  1. biceps

bi·chlo·ride of mercury [(,)bī-'klȯr-,īd-]

  1. mercuric chloride

bi·chon fri·se [bē-,shōⁿ-frē-'zā] -n

  1. any of a breed of small sturdy dogs of Mediterranean origin having a thick wavy white coat

bi·chro·mate [(,)bī-'krō-,māt, 'bī-krō-] -n, adj

  1. a dichromate esp. of sodium or potassium

bi·chrome ['bī-,krōm] -adj

  1. two-colored

bi·cip·i·tal [bī-'si-pə-tᵊl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a biceps

bick·er ['bi-kər] -n

  1. petulant quarreling : altercation
  2. a sound of or as if of bickering

bicker ['bi-k(ə-)riŋ] -vi, n

  1. to engage in a petulant or petty quarrel
    • bicker ing over money
  2. to move with a rapidly repeated noise
    • a bicker ing stream
  3. quiver, flicker

bi·coast·al [(,)bī-'kōs-təl] -adj

  1. of or relating to or living or working on both the east and west coasts of the U.S.
    • a bicoastal couple

bi·col·ored ['bī-,kə-lərd] -adj, n

  1. two-colored

bi·com·po·nent [(,)bī-kəm-'pō-nənt, -käm-, -'käm-,] -adj

  1. being a fiber made of two polymers having slightly different physical properties so that the fiber has a permanent crimp and fabrics made from it have inherent bulk and stretchability

bi·con·cave [(,)bī-(,)kän-'kāv, -'kän-,] -adj, n

  1. concave on both sides

bi·con·di·tion·al [,bī-kən-'dish-nəl, -'di-shə-] -n

  1. a relation between two propositions that is true only when both propositions are simultaneously true or false

bi·con·vex [,bī-(,)kän-'veks, (,)bī-'kän-,] -adj, n

  1. convex on both sides

bi·corne ['bī-,kȯrn] -n

  1. cocked hat

bi·cul·tur·al [(,)bī-'kəl-chər-əl] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or including two distinct cultures
    • bicultural education

bi·cus·pid [(,)bī-'kəs-pəd] -adj

  1. having or ending in two points
    • bicuspid teeth

bicuspid -n

  1. a human premolar tooth

bicuspid valve -n

  1. mitral valve

bi·cy·cle ['bī-si-kəl, -,si- also -,sī-] -n

  1. a vehicle with two wheels tandem, handlebars for steering, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled
  2. a stationary exercise machine that resembles such a vehicle

bicycle [-k(ə-)liŋ] -vi, n

  1. to ride a bicycle

bicycle shorts -n pl

  1. tight-fitting shorts made usu. of spandex with inner lining or padding and worn chiefly by bicyclists

bi·cy·clic [(,)bī-'sī-klik, -'si-] -adj

  1. consisting of or arranged in two cycles
  2. containing two usu. fused rings in the structure of the molecule

bid ['bid] -vb, n

  1. beseech, entreat
  2. to issue an order to : tell
    • did as I was bid
  3. to request to come : invite
  4. to give expression to
    • bade a tearful farewell
  5. offer usu. used in the phrase to bid defiance
  6. to offer (a price) whether for payment or acceptance
  7. to make a bid of or in (a suit at cards)
  8. to make a bid
  9. the act of one who bids
  10. a statement of what one will give or take for something
  11. an offer of a price
  12. something offered as a bid
  13. an opportunity to bid
  14. invitation
  15. an announcement of what a cardplayer proposes to undertake
  16. the amount of such a bid
  17. a biddable bridge hand
  18. an attempt or effort to win, achieve, or attract
    • a bid for reelection
  19. twice a day

BID -abbr

  1. bachelor of industrial design

bid·da·ble ['bi-də-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. easily led, taught, or controlled : docile
  2. capable of being bid

bid·dy ['bi-dē] -n

  1. hen
  2. a young chicken

biddy -n

  1. a hired girl or cleaning woman
  2. woman
  3. an elderly woman

bide ['bīd] -vb, n

  1. to wait for used chiefly in the phrase bide one's time
  2. withstand
    • two men...might bide the winter storm -- W. C. Bryant
  3. to put up with : tolerate
  4. to continue in a state or condition
  5. to wait awhile : tarry
  6. to continue in a place : sojourn

bi·det [bi-'dā] -n

  1. a bathroom fixture used esp. for bathing the external genitals and the anal region

bi·di ['bē-dē] -n

  1. a small hand-rolled often flavored cigarette made chiefly in India

bi·di·a·lec·tal·ism [,bī-,dī-ə-'lek-tᵊl-,i-zəm] -n, adj

  1. facility in using two dialects of the same language
  2. the teaching of Standard English to pupils who normally use a nonstandard dialect

bi·di·rec·tion·al [,bī-də-'rek-shnəl, -dī-, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. involving, moving, or taking place in two usu. opposite directions
    • bidirectional flow
    • bidirectional replication of DNA

bi·don·ville [,bē-,dōⁿ-'vēl] -n

  1. a settlement of jerry-built dwellings on the outskirts of a city (as in France or No. Africa)

bid up -vt

  1. to raise the price of (as property at auction) by a succession of offers

BIE -abbr

  1. bachelor of industrial engineering

Bie·der·mei·er ['bē-dər-,mī(-ə)r] -adj

  1. of a style of unostentatious furniture and interior decoration popular esp. with the middle class in early 19th century Germany

bi·en·ni·al [(,)bī-'e-nē-əl] -adj, n, adv

  1. occurring every two years
  2. continuing or lasting for two years
  3. growing vegetatively during the first year and fruiting and dying during the second

bi·en·ni·um [bī-'e-nē-əm] -n

  1. a period of two years

bier ['bir] -n

  1. a framework for carrying
  2. a stand on which a corpse or coffin is placed
  3. a coffin together with its stand

bi·face ['bī-,fās] -n

  1. a bifacial stone tool

bi·fa·cial [(,)bī-'fā-shəl] -adj, adv

  1. having opposite sides or faces worked on to form an edge for cutting or scraping

biff ['bif] -n, vt

  1. whack, blow

bi·fid ['bī-,fid, -fəd] -adj

  1. divided into two equal lobes or parts by a median cleft
    • a bifid leaf

bi·fi·lar [(,)bī-'fī-lər] -adj, adv

  1. involving two threads or wires
    • bifilar suspension of a pendulum
  2. involving a single thread or wire doubled back upon itself
    • a bifilar resistor

bi·fla·gel·late [(,)bī-'fla-jə-lət, -,lāt; -flə-'je-lət] -adj

  1. having two flagella
    • biflagellate gametes

bi·fo·cal ['bī-,fō-kəl] -adj

  1. having two focal lengths
  2. having one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision
    • a bifocal eyeglass lens

bifocal -n

  1. eyeglasses with bifocal lenses
  2. a bifocal glass or lens

bi·fold ['bī-,fōld] -adj

  1. designed to fold twice
    • bifold doors
    • a bifold wallet

bi·func·tion·al [(,)bī-'fəŋ(k)-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. having two functions
  2. difunctional

bi·fur·cate ['bī-(,)fər-,kāt, bī-'fər-] -vb, adj

  1. to cause to divide into two branches or parts
  2. to divide into two branches or parts

bi·fur·ca·tion [,bī-(,)fər-'kā-shən] -n

  1. the point at which bifurcating occurs
  2. branch
  3. the act of bifurcating : the state of being bifurcated

big ['big] -adj, adv, n

  1. of great strength
  2. of great force
    • a big storm
  3. large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent
    • a big house
  4. large or great in quantity, number, or amount
    • a big fleet
  5. operating on a large scale
    • big government
  6. capital
  7. pregnant
  8. nearly ready to give birth
  9. full to bursting : swelling
    • big with rage
  10. full and resonant
  11. chief, preeminent
    • the big issue of the campaign
  12. outstandingly worthy or able
    • a truly big man
  13. of great importance or significance
    • the big moment
  14. imposing, pretentious
  15. marked by or given to boasting
    • big talk
  16. magnanimous, generous
    • was big about it
  17. popular
    • soft drinks are very big in Mexico -- Russ Leadabrand
  18. full-bodied and flavorful used of wine
  19. in a loud or declamatory manner
  20. in a boasting manner
    • talk big
  21. to a large amount or extent
    • won big
  22. on a large scale
    • think big
  23. hard
    • hits her forehand big
  24. an individual or organization of outstanding importance or power
  25. major league usu. used in pl.
    • playing in the big s

big·a·mous ['bi-gə-məs] -adj, adv

  1. guilty of bigamy
    • a bigamous man
  2. involving bigamy
    • a bigamous marriage

big·a·my ['bi-gə-mē] -n

  1. the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another

bi·ga·rade [,bē-gä-'räd] -n

  1. sour orange
  2. a brown sauce flavored with the juice and grated rind of oranges

big band -n

  1. a band that is larger than a combo and that usu. features a mixture of ensemble playing and solo improvisation typical of jazz or swing

big bang -n

  1. the cosmic explosion that marked the beginning of the universe according to the big bang theory

big bang theory -n

  1. a theory in astronomy: the universe originated billions of years ago in an explosion from a single point of nearly infinite energy density

big beat -n

  1. music (as rock) characterized by a heavy persistent beat

Big Ben [-'ben] -n

  1. a large bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London
  2. the tower that houses Big Ben
  3. the clock in the tower

big bluestem -n

  1. bluestem

bigbox ['big-,bäks] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being a large chain store having a boxlike structure

big boy -n

  1. big gun usu. used in pl.

big brother -n

  1. an older brother
  2. a man who serves as a companion, father figure, and role model for a boy
  3. the leader of an authoritarian state or movement
  4. an all-powerful government or organization monitoring and directing people's actions

Big Broth·er·ism [-'brə-thər-,i-zəm] -n

  1. authoritarian attempts at complete control (as of a person or a nation)

big brown bat -n

  1. an insectivorous medium-sized bat ( Eptesicus fuscus) having brownish fur that is found from southern Canada to northern South America and that often roosts in buildings

big buck -n

  1. a large sum of money usu. used in pl.
    • signed a contract for big bucks

big business -n

  1. an economic group consisting of large profit-making corporations esp. with regard to their influence on social or political policy
  2. a very profitable enterprise

big C -n

  1. cancer

big cheese -n

  1. boss, big gun

big crunch -n

  1. a hypothetical cosmological event in which all matter in the universe collapses to a singularity and which is posited to be a possible fate of the universe if the density of matter in it is sufficiently high

big daddy -n

  1. one preeminent esp. by reason of power, size, or seniority : one representing paternalistic authority

big deal -n

  1. something of special importance
    • what's the big deal ?
    sometimes used ironically as an interjection

Big Dipper -n

  1. the seven principal stars in the constellation of Ursa Major

bi·gem·i·ny [bī-'je-mə-nē] -n, adj

  1. the state of having a pulse characterized by two beats close together with a pause following each pair of beats

bi·ge·ner·ic [,bī-jə-'ner-ik, -ne-rik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving two genera
    • a bigeneric hybrid

big·eye ['big-,ī] -n

  1. any of several small widely distributed reddish to silvery bony fishes (genus Priacanthusof the family Priacanthidae) of tropical seas

bigeye tuna -n

  1. a large-eyed tuna ( Thunnus obesus) that has long pectoral fins and often a bluish stripe on the side and is found in warm ocean waters worldwide

big·foot ['big-,fu̇t] -n

  1. sasquatch
  2. big shot

big game -n

  1. relatively large animals sought or taken by hunting or fishing esp. for sport
  2. an important objective esp. when involving risk

big·ge·ty ['bi-gə-tē] -adj

  1. conceited, vain
  2. rudely self-important : impudent
    • never acted biggety in court, but she would bow her head only so low -- Claude Brown

big·gie ['bi-gē] -n

  1. one that is big and often important

big·gin ['bi-gən] -n

  1. building

biggin -n

  1. : cap:
  2. a child's cap
  3. nightcap

big·gish ['bi-gish] -adj

  1. somewhat big

big gun -n

  1. one having preeminent status or power in a field

big hair -n

  1. hair that is styled and teased to occupy an unusually large amount of space above and around the head

big·head ['big-,hed] -n, adj

  1. any of several diseases of animals marked by swelling about the head
  2. an exaggerated opinion of one's importance usu. used with the

big·heart·ed [-'här-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. generous, charitable

big·horn sheep ['big-,hȯrn-] -n

  1. a usu. grayish-brown wild sheep ( Ovis canadensis) of mountainous and desert regions of western No. America called also bighorn

big house -n

  1. penitentiary

bight ['bīt] -n

  1. a bend in a coast forming an open bay
  2. a bay formed by such a bend
  3. a slack part or loop in a rope

big league -n, adj

  1. major league
  2. big time often used in pl.

big lie -n

  1. a deliberate gross distortion of the truth used esp. as a propaganda tactic

big·mouthed ['big-,mau̇thd, 'big-,mau̇tht, 'big-'] -adj

  1. having a large mouth
  2. loudmouthed

big name -n, adj

  1. a performer or personage of top rank in popular recognition
    • a big name in the business world

big·no·nia [big-'nō-nē-ə] -n

  1. a woody evergreen vine ( Bignonia capreolataof the family Bignoniaceae, the bignonia family) of American and Japanese woody vines with compound leaves and tubular flowers

big·ot ['bi-gət] -n, adj, adv

  1. a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices
  2. one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance

big·ot·ry ['bi-gə-trē] -n

  1. the state of mind of a bigot
  2. acts or beliefs characteristic of a bigot

big picture -n

  1. the entire perspective on a situation or issue used with the

big science -n

  1. large-scale scientific research consisting of projects funded usu. by a national government or group of governments

big screen -n, adj

  1. the motion picture medium often as contrasted to television
    • a story adapted for the big screen

big shot ['big-,shät] -n

  1. a person of consequence or prominence

big stick -n

  1. threat esp. of military or political intervention

bigtick·et ['big-'ti-kət] -adj

  1. having a high price
    • the car was a bigticket item

bigtime ['big-,tīm] -adj

  1. relating to or involved in the big time
    • bigtime sports
  2. major
    • bigtime operators
  3. in a major or large-scale way
    • the new show bombed bigtime
  4. to a great extent or degree
    • owes me bigtime

big time [-,tīm] -n

  1. a high-paying vaudeville circuit requiring only two performances a day
  2. the top rank of an activity or enterprise

big toe -n

  1. the innermost and largest toe of the foot

big top -n

  1. the main tent of a circus
  2. circus

big tree -n

  1. giant sequoia

big wheel -n

  1. bigwig, big shot

big·wig ['big-,wig] -n

  1. an important person

Bi·ha·ri [bi-'här-ē] -n

  1. a group of Indo-Aryan languages (as Bhojpuri) spoken in Bihar, India, and adjacent areas
  2. a native or inhabitant of Bihar
  3. a Muslim born in Bihar who emigrated after the partition of India in 1947
  4. a descendant of such a person

bi·jec·tion [(,)bī-'jek-shən] -n, adj

  1. a mathematical function that is a one-to-one and onto mapping

bi·jou ['bē-,zhü] -n, adj

  1. a small dainty usu. ornamental piece of delicate workmanship : jewel
  2. something delicate, elegant, or highly prized

bi·jou·te·rie [bi-'zhü-tə-(,)rē] -n

  1. a collection of trinkets or ornaments : jewels
  2. decoration

bike ['bīk] -n

  1. a nest of wild bees, wasps, or hornets
  2. a crowd or swarm of people
  3. bicycle
  4. motorcycle
  5. motorbike
  6. stationary bicycle
  7. to ride a bike

bik·er ['bī-kər] -n

  1. bicyclist
  2. motorcyclist
  3. one who is a member of an organized club or gang

bike·way ['bīk-,wā] -n

  1. a thoroughfare for bicycles

bik·ie ['bī-kē] -n

  1. biker

bi·ki·ni [bə-'kē-nē] -n, adj

  1. a woman's scanty two-piece bathing suit
  2. a man's brief swimsuit
  3. a man's or woman's low-cut briefs

bikini wax -n

  1. a procedure for removing pubic hair from the skin near the edge of the bottom half of a bikini by applying hot wax, covering the wax with a cloth to which the wax and hair adhere, and then peeling it off quickly

bil -abbr

  1. billion

bi·la·bi·al [(,)bī-'lā-bē-əl] -adj

  1. produced with both lips

bilabial -n

  1. a bilabial consonant

bi·la·bi·ate [-bē-ət] -adj

  1. having two lips
    • a bilabiate corolla

bi·lat·er·al [(,)bī-'la-t(ə-)rəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. having two sides
  2. affecting reciprocally two nations or parties
    • a bilateral treaty
    • a bilateral trade agreement
  3. of, relating to, or affecting the right and left sides of the body or the right and left members of paired organs
    • bilateral nephrectomy
  4. having bilateral symmetry

bilateral symmetry -n

  1. symmetry in which similar anatomical parts are arranged on opposite sides of a median axis so that only one plane can divide the individual into essentially identical halves

bi·lay·er ['bī-,lā-ər, -,ler] -n, adj

  1. a film or membrane with two molecular layers
    • a bilayer of phospholipid molecules

bil·ber·ry ['bil-,ber-ē, -,be-rē] -n

  1. any of several ericaceous shrubs (genus Vaccinium) that resemble blueberries but have flowers which arise solitary or in very small clusters from axillary buds
  2. a Eurasian shrub ( Vaccinium myrtillus)
  3. the sweet edible fruit of the bilberry
  4. an extract of this fruit used in medicine

bil·bo ['bil-(,)bō] -n

  1. a long bar of iron with sliding shackles used to confine the feet of prisoners esp. on shipboard

bilbo ['bil-(,)bō] -n

  1. sword

bil·by ['bil-bē] -n

  1. either of two burrowing nocturnal bandicoots ( Macrotis lagotisand M. leucura) having a long tapered muzzle and large pointed ears called also rabbit-eared bandicoot

bil·dungs·ro·man ['bil-du̇ŋ(k)s-rō-,män, -du̇ŋz-] -n

  1. a novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character

bile ['bī(-ə)l] -n

  1. either of two humors associated in old physiology with irascibility and melancholy
  2. a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and passed into the duodenum where it aids esp. in the emulsification and absorption of fats
  3. inclination to anger
  4. acrimony, vitriol

bile acid -n

  1. any of several steroid acids (as cholic acid) of or derived from bile

bile duct -n

  1. a duct by which bile passes from the liver or gallbladder to the duodenum

bile salt -n

  1. a salt of bile acid
  2. a dry mixture of the principal salts of the gall of the ox used as a liver stimulant and as a laxative

bilev·el ['bī-'le-vəl] -adj

  1. having two levels of freight or passenger space
  2. having two floors with a ground-level entry situated between the floors

bilevel ['bī-,] -n

  1. a bi-level house

bilge ['bilj] -n

  1. the bulging part of a cask or barrel
  2. the part of the underwater body of a ship between the flat of the bottom and the vertical topsides
  3. the lowest point of a ship's inner hull
  4. stale or worthless remarks or ideas
  5. to become damaged in the bilge

bilge keel -n

  1. a projection like a fin extending from the hull near the turn of the bilge on either side to check rolling

bilge·wa·ter ['bilj-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n

  1. water that collects in the bilge of a ship

bil·har·zia [bil-'här-zē-ə; -'härt-sē-] -n, adj

  1. schistosomiasis
  2. schistosome

bil·har·zi·a·sis [,bil-,här-'zī-ə-səs; -,härt-'sī-] -n

  1. schistosomiasis

bil·i·ary ['bi-lē-,er-ē, -e-rē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or conveying bile
  2. affecting the bile-conveying structures

bi·lin·ear [(,)bī-'li-nē-ər] -adj

  1. linear with respect to each of two mathematical variables
  2. of or relating to an algebraic form each term of which involves one variable to the first degree from each of two sets of variables

bi·lin·gual [(,)bī-'liŋ-gwəl also -gyə-wəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. having or expressed in two languages
    • a bilingual document
    • an officially bilingual nation
  2. using or able to use two languages esp. with equal fluency
    • bilingual in English and Japanese
  3. of or relating to bilingual education

bilingual education -n

  1. education in an English-language school system in which students with little fluency in English are taught in both their native language and English

bi·lin·gual·ism [-gwə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. the ability to speak two languages
  2. the frequent use (as by a community) of two languages
  3. the political or institutional recognition of two languages

bi·lin·gual·i·ty [,bī-liŋ-'gwa-lə-tē] -n

  1. bilingualism

bil·ious ['bil-yəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. of or relating to bile
  2. marked by or suffering from liver dysfunction and esp. excessive secretion of bile
  3. appearing as if affected by a bilious disorder
  4. of or indicative of a peevish ill-natured disposition
  5. sickeningly unpleasant
    • with clapboards painted red and bilious yellow -- Sinclair Lewis

bil·i·ru·bin [,bi-li-'rü-bən, 'bi-li-,] -n

  1. a reddish-yellow water insoluble pigment occurring esp. in bile and blood and causing jaundice if accumulated in excess

bil·i·ver·din [-'vər-dᵊn, -,vər-] -n

  1. a green pigment that occurs in bile and is an intermediate in the degradation of hemoglobin heme groups to bilirubin

bilk ['bilk] -vt, n

  1. to block the free development of : frustrate
    • fate bilk s their hopes
  2. to cheat out of something valuable : defraud
  3. to evade payment of or to
    • bilk s his creditors
  4. to slip away from
    • bilk ed her pursuers
  5. an untrustworthy tricky individual : cheat

bill ['bil] -n

  1. the jaws of a bird together with their horny covering
  2. a mouthpart (as the beak of a turtle) that resembles a bird's bill
  3. the point of an anchor fluke
  4. the visor of a cap or hood
  5. to touch and rub bill to bill
  6. to caress affectionately
    • bill ing and cooing
  7. a weapon in use up to the 18th century that consists of a long staff ending in a hook-shaped blade
  8. billhook
  9. an itemized list or a statement of particulars (as a list of materials or of members of a ship's crew)
  10. a written document or note
  11. a formal petition
  12. an itemized account of the separate cost of goods sold, services performed, or work done : invoice
  13. an amount expended or owed
  14. a statement of charges for food or drink : check
  15. a written or printed advertisement posted or otherwise distributed to announce an event of interest to the public
  16. an announcement of a theatrical entertainment
  17. a programmed presentation (as a motion picture, play, or concert)
  18. a draft of a law presented to a legislature for enactment
  19. the law itself
    • the GI bill
  20. a declaration in writing stating a wrong a complainant has suffered from a defendant or stating a breach of law by some person
    • a bill of complaint
  21. a piece of paper money
  22. an individual or commercial note
    • bill s receivable
  23. one hundred dollars
  24. to enter in an accounting system : prepare a bill of (charges)
  25. to submit a bill of charges to
  26. to enter (as freight) in a waybill
  27. to issue a bill of lading to or for
  28. to announce (as a performance) esp. by posters or placards
  29. advertise, promote
    • the book is bill ed as a report -- P. G. Altbach

bil·la·bong ['bi-lə-,bȯŋ, -,bäŋ] -n

  1. a blind channel leading out from a river
  2. a usu. dry streambed that is filled seasonally
  3. a backwater forming a stagnant pool

bill·board ['bil-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a flat surface (as of a panel, wall, or fence) on which bills are posted
  2. a large panel designed to carry outdoor advertising

billboard -vt

  1. to promote by a conspicuous display on or as if on a billboard

bill·bug ['bil-,bəg] -n

  1. any of various weevils (as of the genus Sphenophorus) having larvae that eat the roots of cereal and other grasses

billed ['bild] -adj

  1. having a bill esp. of a specified kind usu. used in combination
    • spoon- billed

bill·er ['bi-lər] -n

  1. one that bills
  2. one that makes out bills

bil·let ['bi-lət] -n

  1. a brief letter : note
  2. an official order directing that a member of a military force be provided with board and lodging (as in a private home)
  3. quarters assigned by or as if by a billet
  4. position, job
    • a lucrative billet

billet -vt

  1. to assign lodging to (as soldiers) by or as if by a billet
  2. to serve with a billet
    • billet a householder
  3. a chunky piece of wood (as for firewood)
  4. cudgel
  5. a bar of metal
  6. a piece of semifinished iron or steel nearly square in section made by rolling an ingot or bloom
  7. a section of nonferrous metal ingot hot-worked by forging, rolling, or extrusion
  8. a nonferrous casting suitable for rolling or extrusion

bil·letdoux [,bi-lē-'dü, ,bi-(,)lā-] -n

  1. a love letter

bill·fish ['bil-,fish] -n

  1. a fish with long slender jaws
  2. any of various bony fishes (families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae) with an elongated tapering upper jaw including marlins, spearfishes, and sailfishes

bill·fold [-,fōld] -n

  1. a folding pocketbook for paper money : wallet

bill·hook [-,hu̇k] -n

  1. a cutting or pruning tool with a hooked blade

bil·liard ['bi(l)-yərd] -n

  1. used as an attributive form of billiards
    • a billiard ball

bil·liards [-yərdz] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. any of several games played on an oblong table by driving small balls against one another or into pockets with a cue
  2. a game in which one scores by causing a cue ball to hit in succession two object balls

bil·libi ['bi-lē-,bē, ,bi-lē-'] -n

  1. a soup of mussel stock, white wine, and cream served hot or cold

bill·ing ['bi-liŋ] -n

  1. advertising or public promotion (as of a product or personality)
  2. relative prominence of a name in such promotion
    • got top billing
  3. total amount of business or investments (as of an advertising agency) within a given period

bil·lings·gate ['bi-liŋz-,gāt, Brit usu -git] -n

  1. coarsely abusive language

bil·lion ['bi(l)-yən] -n, adj, adj or n

  1. a very large number

bil·lion·aire [,bi(l)-yə-'ner, 'bi(l)-yə-,] -n

  1. one whose wealth is estimated at a billion or more (as of dollars or pounds)

bill of attainder

  1. a legislative act that imposes punishment without a trial

bill of exchange

  1. an unconditional written order from one person to another to pay a specified sum of money to a designated person

bill of fare

  1. menu
  2. program

bill of goods

  1. a consignment of merchandise
  2. something intentionally misrepresented : something passed off in a deception or fraud often used in the phrase sell a bill of goods

bill of health

  1. a certificate given to the ship's master at the time of leaving port that indicates the state of health of a ship's company and of a port with regard to infectious diseases
  2. a usu. favorable report following an examination or investigation
    • gave the criticized textbook a clean bill of health

bill of indictment

  1. an indictment before it is found or ignored by the grand jury

bill of lading

  1. a document issued by a carrier that lists goods being shipped and specifies the terms of their transport

bill of particulars

  1. a detailed listing of charges or claims brought in a legal action or of a defendant's response or counterclaim

bill of rights

  1. a document containing a formal statement of rights
    • a patients' bill of rights
  2. a summary of fundamental rights and privileges guaranteed to a people against violation by the state used esp. of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution

bill of sale

  1. a formal instrument for the conveyance or transfer of title to goods and chattels

bil·lon ['bi-lən] -n

  1. gold or silver heavily alloyed with a less valuable metal
  2. an alloy of silver containing more than 50 percent of copper by weight

bil·low ['bi-(,)lō] -n, adj

  1. wave
  2. a great wave or surge of water
  3. a rolling mass (as of flame or smoke) that resembles a high wave

billow -vi

  1. to rise or roll in waves or surges
  2. to bulge or swell out (as through action of the wind)
  3. to cause to billow

bil·ly ['bi-lē] -n

  1. a metal or enamelware pail or pot with a lid and wire bail called also billycan

billy -n

  1. billy club
  2. billy goat

billy club -n

  1. a heavy usu. wooden club
  2. a police officer's club

bil·ly·cock ['bi-lē-,käk] -n

  1. derby

billy goat -n

  1. a male goat

bi·lobed ['bī-'lōbd] -adj

  1. divided into two lobes
    • a bilobed nucleus

bi·lo·ca·tion ['bī-lō-,kā-shən] -n

  1. the state of being or ability to be in two places at the same time

bil·tong ['bil-,tȯŋ, -,täŋ] -n

  1. jerked meat

bi·mah ['bē-mə] -n

  1. a raised platform in a synagogue from which the Torah is read

bi·man·u·al [(,)bī-'man-yə-wəl, -yəl] -adj, adv

  1. done with or requiring the use of both hands

bim·bette [,bim-'bet] -n

  1. an attractive but vacuous woman

bim·bo ['bim-(,)bō] -n

  1. man, woman
    • telling a thickheaded pitcher that the bimbo at the plate hasn't hit a curve in three seasons -- Jay Stuller
    used as a generalized term of disapproval esp. for an attractive but vacuous person
    • we didn't want a blond bimbo in that role...we wanted her to be smart -- Hugh Wilson
  2. tramp
    • evidence of how her hubby's been cheating on her with various bimbo s -- Dan Greenburg

bi·met·al ['bī-,me-tᵊl] -adj, n

  1. bimetallic

bi·me·tal·lic [,bī-mə-'ta-lik] -adj, n

  1. relating to, based on, or using bimetallism
  2. composed of two different metals often used of devices having a part in which two metals that expand differently are bonded together

bi·met·al·lism [(,)bī-'me-tᵊl-,i-zəm] -n, adj

  1. the use of two metals (as gold and silver) jointly as a monetary standard with both constituting legal tender at a predetermined ratio

bi·mil·le·na·ry [(,)bī-'mi-lə-,ner-ē, -,ne-rē, ,bī-mə-'le-nə-rē] -n, adj

  1. a period of 2000 years
  2. a 2000th anniversary

bi·mod·al [(,)bī-'mō-dᵊl] -adj, n

  1. having or relating to two modes
  2. having or occurring with two statistical modes

bi·mo·lec·u·lar [,bī-mə-'le-kyə-lər] -adj, adv

  1. relating to or formed from two molecules
  2. being two molecules thick
    • bimolecular lipid layers

bi·month·ly [(,)bī-'mən(t)th-lē] -adj

  1. occurring every two months
  2. occurring twice a month : semimonthly

bimonthly -adv

  1. once every two months
  2. twice a month
  3. a bimonthly publication

bi·mor·phe·mic [,bī-mȯr-'fē-mik] -adj

  1. consisting of two morphemes

bin ['bin] -n

  1. a box, frame, crib, or enclosed place used for storage
  2. to put into a bin

bin- -prefix

  1. bi-
    • bin aural

bi·na·rism ['bī-nə-,riz-əm] -n

  1. a mode of thought predicated on stable oppositions (as good and evil or male and female) that is seen in post-structuralist analysis as an inadequate approach to areas of difference
  2. a specific dichotomy subscribed to or reinforced in such thought
    • the binarism of West and East

bi·na·ry ['bī-nə-rē, -,ner-ē, -,ne-rē] -n

  1. : something made of or based on two things or parts: as
  2. binary star
  3. a binary number system

binary -adj

  1. compounded or consisting of or marked by two things or parts
  2. duple used of measure or rhythm
  3. having two musical subjects or two complementary sections
  4. relating to, being, or belonging to a system of numbers having 2 as its base
    • the binary digits 0 and 1
  5. involving a choice or condition of two alternatives (as on-off or yes-no)
  6. composed of two chemical elements, an element and a radical that acts as an element, or two such radicals
  7. utilizing two harmless ingredients that upon combining form a lethal substance (as a gas)
    • binary weapons
  8. relating two logical or mathematical elements
    • a binary operation
  9. of or relating to the use of stable oppositions (as good and evil) to analyze a subject or create a structural model
    • the binary opposition of male and female -- Joan W. Scott

binary fission -n

  1. reproduction of a cell by division into two approximately equal parts
    • the binary fission of protozoans

binary star -n

  1. a system of two stars that revolve around each other under their mutual gravitation

binary system -n

  1. binary star
  2. a similar system containing bodies (as black holes) other than stars

bi·na·tion·al [(,)bī-'na-sh(ə-)nəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to two nations
    • a binational board of directors

bin·au·ral [(,)bī-'nȯr-əl, (,)bi-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or involving two or both ears
  2. stereophonic

bind ['bīnd] -vb

  1. to make secure by tying
  2. to confine, restrain, or restrict as if with bonds
  3. to put under an obligation
    • bind s himself with an oath
  4. to constrain with legal authority
  5. to wrap around with something so as to enclose or cover
  6. bandage
  7. to fasten round about
  8. to tie together (as stocks of wheat)
  9. to cause to stick together
  10. to take up and hold (as by chemical forces) : combine with
  11. constipate
  12. to make a firm commitment for
    • a handshake bind s the deal
  13. to protect, strengthen, or decorate by a band or binding
  14. to apply the parts of the cover to (a book)
  15. to set at work as an apprentice : indenture
  16. to cause to have an emotional attachment
  17. to fasten together
    • a pin bound the ends of the scarf
  18. to form a cohesive mass
  19. to combine or be taken up esp. by chemical action
    • antibody bind s to a specific antigen
  20. to hamper free movement or natural action
  21. to become hindered from free operation
  22. to exert a restraining or compelling effect
    • a promise that bind s
  23. something that binds
  24. the act of binding : the state of being bound
  25. a place where binding occurs
  26. tie
  27. a position or situation in which one is hampered, constrained, or prevented from free movement or action

bind·er ['bīn-dər] -n

  1. a person or machine that binds something (as books)
  2. something used in binding
  3. a usu. detachable cover (as for holding sheets of paper)
  4. something (as tar or cement) that produces or promotes cohesion in loosely assembled substances
  5. a temporary insurance contract that provides coverage until the policy is issued
  6. something (as money) given in earnest
  7. the agreement arrived at
  8. a tobacco leaf wrapped between the filler and wrapper of a cigar

bind·ery ['bīn-d(ə-)rē] -n

  1. a place where books are bound

bind·ing ['bīn-diŋ] -n

  1. the action of one that binds
  2. : a material or device used to bind: as
  3. the cover and materials that hold a book together
  4. a narrow fabric used to finish raw edges
  5. a set of ski fastenings for holding the boot firm on the ski

binding [-diŋ-lē] -adj, adv, n

  1. that binds
  2. imposing an obligation

binding energy -n

  1. the energy required to break up a molecule, atom, or atomic nucleus completely into its constituent particles

bin·dle ['bin-dᵊl] -n

  1. a bundle of clothes or bedding

bindle stiff -n

  1. hobo
  2. one who carries his clothes or bedding in a bundle

bind off -vt

  1. to cast off in knitting

bind over -vt

  1. to put under a bond to do something (as appear in court)

bind·weed ['bīnd-,wēd] -n

  1. any of various twining plants (esp. genus Convolvulusof the morning-glory family) that mat or interlace with plants among which they grow

bine ['bīn] -n

  1. a twining stem or flexible shoot (as of the hop)
  2. a plant (as woodbine) whose shoots are bines

bi·ner ['bē-nər] -n

  1. carabiner

Bi·netSi·mon scale [bi-,nā-sē-'mōⁿ-] -n

  1. an intelligence test consisting orig. of tasks graded from the level of the average 3-year-old to that of the average 12-year-old but later extended in range

bing cherry ['biŋ-] -n

  1. a widely cultivated large sweet cherry having glossy dark red skin and firm juicy flesh

binge ['binj] -n

  1. a drunken revel : spree
  2. an unrestrained and often excessive indulgence
    • a buying binge
  3. an act of excessive or compulsive consumption (as of food)
  4. a social gathering : party
  5. to go on a binge

bin·go ['biŋ-(,)gō] -interj

  1. used to announce an unexpected event or instantaneous result
  2. used to announce a winning position in bingo
  3. used to express endorsement of a correct assertion

bingo -n

  1. a game of chance played with cards having numbered squares corresponding to numbered balls drawn at random and won by covering five such squares in a row
  2. a social gathering at which bingo is played

bin·na·cle ['bi-ni-kəl] -n

  1. a housing for a ship's compass and a lamp

bi·nocs [bə-'näks] -n pl

  1. binoculars

bin·oc·u·lar [bī-'nä-kyə-lər, bə-] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes
  2. a binocular optical instrument
  3. a handheld optical instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing device and usu. having prisms to increase magnifying ability usu. used in pl.

bi·no·mi·al [bī-'nō-mē-əl] -n, adj, adv

  1. a mathematical expression consisting of two terms connected by a plus sign or minus sign
  2. a biological species name consisting of two terms

binomial coefficient -n

  1. a coefficient of a term in the expansion of the binomial ( x y) n according to the binomial theorem

binomial distribution -n

  1. a probability function each of whose values gives the probability that an outcome with constant probability of occurrence in a statistical experiment will occur a given number of times in a succession of repetitions of the experiment

binomial nomenclature -n

  1. a system of nomenclature in which each species of animal or plant receives a name of two terms of which the first identifies the genus to which it belongs and the second the species itself

binomial theorem -n

  1. a theorem that specifies the expansion of a binomial of the form ( x y) n as the sum of n 1 terms of which the general term is of the form where k takes on values from 0 to n

bint ['bint] -n

  1. girl, woman

bi·nu·cle·ate [(,)bī-'nü-klē-ət also -'nyü-] -adj

  1. having two cellular nuclei
    • binucleate hepatocytes

bio ['bī-(,)ō] -n

  1. a biography or biographical sketch

bio·acous·tics [,bī-(,)ō-ə-'kü-stiks] -n pl but sing in constr, n

  1. a branch of science concerned with the production of sound by and its effects on living organisms

bio·ac·tive [,bī-ō-'ak-tiv] -adj, n

  1. having an effect on a living organism
    • bioactive molecules

bio·as·say [,bī-(,)ō-'a-,sā, -a-'sā] -n, vt

  1. determination of the relative strength of a substance (as a drug) by comparing its effect on a test organism with that of a standard preparation

bio·avail·abil·i·ty [-ə-,vā-lə-'bi-lə-tē] -n, adj

  1. the degree and rate at which a substance (as a drug) is absorbed into a living system or is made available at the site of physiological activity

bio·be·hav·ior·al [-bi-'hā-vyə-rəl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving the interaction of behavior and biological processes

bio·cat·a·lyst [-'ka-tə-ləst] -n, adj

  1. a catalyst (as an enzyme) of biological origin

bio·ce·no·sis [,bī-ō-sə-'nō-səs] -n

  1. an ecological community esp. when forming a self-regulating unit

bio·cen·tric [-'sen-trik] -adj, n

  1. considering all forms of life as having intrinsic value

bio·chem·i·cal [,bī-ō-'ke-mi-kəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to biochemistry
  2. characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms
    • a biochemical defect in the brain

biochemical oxygen demand -n

  1. the oxygen used in meeting the metabolic needs of aerobic microorganisms in water rich in organic matter (as water polluted with sewage)

bio·chem·is·try [,bī-ō-'ke-mə-strē] -n

  1. chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in organisms
  2. the chemical characteristics and reactions of a particular living organism or biological substance (as chlorophyll)
    • a change in the patient's biochemistry

bio·chip ['bī-ō-,chip] -n

  1. a hypothetical computer logic circuit or storage device in which the physical or chemical properties of large biological molecules (as proteins) are used to process information
  2. microarray

bio·cid·al [,bī-ə-'sī-dᵊl] -adj

  1. destructive to life

bio·cide ['bī-ə-,sīd] -n

  1. a substance (as DDT) that is destructive to many different organisms

bio·cli·mat·ic [,bī-ō-klī-'ma-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the relations of climate and living matter
    • bioclimatic adaptations

bio·com·pat·i·bil·i·ty [-kəm-,pa-tə-'bi-lə-tē] -n, adj

  1. compatibility with living tissue or a living system by not being toxic, injurious, or physiologically reactive and not causing immunological rejection

bio·con·tain·ment [-kən-'tān-mənt] -n

  1. the containment of extremely pathogenic organisms (as viruses) usu. by isolation in secure facilities to prevent their accidental release esp. during scientific research

bio·con·trol [,bī-ō-kən-'trōl] -n

  1. biological control

bio·con·ver·sion [,bī-(,)ō-kən-'vər-zhən, -shən] -n

  1. the conversion of organic materials (as wastes) into an energy source (as methane) by processes (as fermentation) involving living organisms

bio·de·fense [,bī-(,)ō-di-'fen(t)s] -n

  1. the means or methods of preventing, detecting, or managing an attack involving biological weapons

bio·de·grad·able [-di-'grā-də-bəl] -adj, n, vb

  1. capable of being broken down esp. into innocuous products by the action of living things (as microorganisms)
    • biodegradable trash bags

bio·de·te·ri·o·ra·tion [-di-,tir-ē-ə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. the breakdown of materials by microbial action

bio·die·sel [-'dē-zəl, -səl] -n

  1. a fuel that is similar to diesel fuel and is derived from usu. vegetable sources (as soybean oil)

bio·di·ver·si·ty [-də-'vər-sə-tē, -dī-] -n, adj

  1. biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals

bio·dy·nam·ic [-di-'na-mik, -dī-] -adj, n pl but sing in constr

  1. of or relating to a system of farming that uses only organic materials for fertilizing and soil conditioning

bio·elec·tric [-i-'lek-trik] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to electric phenomena in living organisms

bio·en·er·get·ics [-,e-nər-'je-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj

  1. the biology of energy transformations and energy exchanges (as in photosynthesis) within and between living things and their environments
  2. a system of physical and psychological therapy that is held to increase well-being by releasing blocked physical and psychic energy

bio·en·gi·neer [-,en-jə-'nir] -vt, n

  1. to modify or produce by bioengineering
    • bioengineer ed insulin

bio·en·gi·neer·ing [-,en-jə-'nir-iŋ] -n

  1. biological or medical application of engineering principles or engineering equipment called also biomedical engineering
  2. the application of biological techniques (as genetic recombination) to create modified versions of organisms (as crops)
  3. genetic engineering

bio·equiv·a·lence [-i'kwiv-lən(t)s, -'kwi-və-] -n, adj

  1. the property wherein two drugs with identical active ingredients or two different dosage forms of the same drug possess similar bioavailability and produce the same effect at the site of physiological activity

bio·eth·ics [-'e-thiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj, n

  1. a discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research and applications esp. in medicine

bio·feed·back [-'fēd-,bak] -n

  1. the technique of making unconscious or involuntary bodily processes (as heartbeats or brain waves) perceptible to the senses (as by the use of an oscilloscope) in order to manipulate them by conscious mental control

bio·film [-'film] -n

  1. a thin usu. resistant layer of microorganisms (as bacteria) that form on and coat various surfaces

bio·fla·vo·noid [-'flā-və-,nȯid] -n

  1. any of various biologically active flavonoids (as hesperidin and quercetin) derived from plants and found esp. in fruits and vegetables (as citrus fruits)

bio·foul·ing [-'fau̇-liŋ] -n

  1. the gradual accumulation of waterborne organisms (as bacteria and protozoa) on the surfaces of engineering structures in water that contributes to corrosion of the structures and to a decrease in the efficiency of moving parts

bio·fu·el [-'fyü(-ə)l] -n

  1. a fuel (as wood or ethanol) composed of or produced from biological raw materials

biog -abbr

  1. biographer; biographical; biography

bio·gas ['bī-ō-,gas] -n

  1. a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the bacterial decomposition of organic wastes and used as a fuel

bio·gen·e·sis [,bī-ō-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj, adv

  1. the development of life from preexisting life
  2. the synthesis of chemical compounds or structures in the living organism

biogenetic law -n

  1. the theory of ontogenetic recapitulation

bio·gen·ic [-'je-nik] -adj

  1. produced by living organisms
    • biogenic methane formation

bio·geo·chem·i·cal [-,jē-ə-'ke-mi-kəl] -n

  1. of or relating to the partitioning and cycling of chemical elements and compounds between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem

bio·ge·og·ra·phy [-jē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. a science that deals with the geographical distribution of animals and plants

bi·og·ra·phee [bī-,ä-grə-'fē also bē-] -n

  1. a person about whom a biography is written

bi·og·ra·pher [-'ä-grə-fər] -n

  1. a writer of a biography

bio·graph·i·cal [,bī-ə-'gra-fi-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or constituting biography
  2. consisting of biographies
    • a biographical dictionary
  3. relating to a list briefly identifying persons
    • biographical notes

bi·og·ra·phy [bī-'ä-grə-fē also bē-] -n

  1. a usu. written history of a person's life
  2. biographical writings as a whole
  3. an account of the life of something (as an animal, a coin, or a building)

bio·haz·ard ['bī-ō-,ha-zərd] -n, adj

  1. a biological agent or condition that is a hazard to humans or the environment
  2. a hazard posed by such an agent or condition

bio·in·for·mat·ics [,bī-ō-in-fər-'ma-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj

  1. the collection, classification, storage, and analysis of biochemical and biological information using computers esp. as applied to molecular genetics and genomics

biol -abbr

  1. biologic; biological; biologist; biology

bi·o·log·ic [,bī-ə-'lä-jik] -n

  1. a biological product (as a vaccine or blood serum) used in medicine

biological [-ji-k(ə-)lē] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to biology or to life and living processes
  2. used in or produced by applied biology
  3. connected by direct genetic relationship rather than by adoption or marriage
    • her biological father

biological clock -n

  1. an inherent timing mechanism in a living system that is inferred to exist in order to explain the timing or periodicity of various behaviors and physiological states and processes

biological control -n

  1. the reduction in numbers or elimination of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the introduction of parasites or diseases)
  2. an agent used in biological control

biological oxygen demand -n

  1. biochemical oxygen demand

biological warfare -n

  1. warfare involving the use of biological weapons
  2. warfare involving the use of herbicides

biological weapon -n

  1. a harmful biological agent (as a pathogenic microorganism or a neurotoxin) used as a weapon to cause death or disease usu. on a large scale

bi·ol·o·gism [bī-'ä-lə-,ji-zəm] -n, adj

  1. the use of biological explanations in the analysis of social situations

bi·ol·o·gy [bī-'ä-lə-jē] -n

  1. a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and vital processes
  2. the plant and animal life of a region or environment
  3. the life processes esp. of an organism or group
  4. ecology

bio·lu·mi·nes·cence [,bī-ō-,lü-mə-'ne-sᵊn(t)s] -n, adj

  1. the emission of light from living organisms
  2. the light so produced

bio·mark·er ['bī-ō-,mär-kər] -n

  1. a distinctive biological or biologically derived indicator (as a metabolite) of a process, event, or condition (as aging, disease, or oil formation)

bio·mass ['bī-ō-,mas] -n

  1. the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)
  2. plant materials and animal waste used esp. as a source of fuel

bio·ma·te·ri·al [,bī-ō-mə-'tir-ē-əl] -n

  1. a natural or synthetic material (as a metal or polymer) that is suitable for introduction into living tissue esp. as part of a medical device (as an artificial joint)

bio·math·e·mat·ics [-,ma-thə-'ma-tiks, -math-'ma-] -n pl but usu sing in constr, adj, n

  1. mathematics of special use in biology and medicine

bi·ome ['bī-,ōm] -n

  1. a major ecological community type (as tropical rain forest, grassland, or desert)

bio·me·chan·ics ['bī-ō-mə-'ka-niks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, adv

  1. the mechanics of biological and esp. muscular activity (as in locomotion or exercise)
  2. the scientific study of this

bio·med·i·cal [,bī-ō-'me-di-kəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to biomedicine
  2. of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical science

biomedical engineering -n

  1. bioengineering

bio·med·i·cine [-'me-də-sən, Brit usu -'med-sən] -n

  1. medicine based on the application of the principles of the natural sciences and esp. biology and biochemistry

bio·me·te·o·rol·o·gy [-,mē-tē-ə-'rä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. a science that deals with the relationship between living things and atmospheric phenomena

bio·met·ric [,bī-ō-'me-trik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or utilizing biometrics or biometry

biometrics [-'me-triks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. biometry
  2. the measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioral characteristics (as fingerprint or voice patterns) esp. as a means of verifying personal identity

bi·om·e·try [bī-'ä-mə-trē] -n

  1. the statistical analysis of biological observations and phenomena

bio·mi·met·ics [,bī-ō-mə-'me-tiks, -mī-] -n pl but sing in constr, adj

  1. the study of the formation, structure, or function of biologically produced substances and materials (as enzymes or silk) and biological mechanisms and processes (as protein synthesis or photosynthesis) esp. for the purpose of synthesizing similar products by artificial mechanisms which mimic natural ones

bio·min·er·al·i·za·tion [-,min-rə-lə-'zā-shən, -,mi-nə-] -n

  1. the formation or accumulation of minerals by organisms esp. into biological tissues or structures (as bones, teeth, and shells)

bio·mol·e·cule [,bī-ō-'mä-li-,kyül] -n, adj

  1. an organic molecule and esp. a macromolecule (as a protein or nucleic acid) in living organisms

bio·mor·phic [,bī-ō-'mȯr-fik] -adj

  1. resembling or suggesting the forms of living organisms
    • biomorphic sculptures
    • biomorphic images

bi·on·ic [bī-'ä-nik] -adj

  1. of or relating to bionics
  2. having normal biological capability or performance enhanced by or as if by electronic or electromechanical devices

bi·on·ics [bī-'ä-niks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a science concerned with the application of data about the functioning of biological systems to the solution of engineering problems

bi·o·nom·ics [,bī-ə-'nä-miks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj

  1. ecology

bio·pes·ti·cide [,bī-ō-'pes-tə-,sīd] -n

  1. a pesticide consisting of naturally occurring or genetically engineered microorganisms (as bacteria)

bio·phar·ma·ceu·ti·cal [,bī-ō-,fär-mə-'sü-ti-kəl] -n, adj

  1. a pharmaceutical derived from biological sources and esp. one produced by biotechnology

bio·phil·ia [,bī-ō-'fi-lē-ə, -'fēl-yə] -n

  1. a hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature

bio·phys·ics [,bī-ō-'fi-ziks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, n

  1. a branch of science concerned with the application of physical principles and methods to biological problems

bio·pic ['bī-(,)ō-,pik] -n

  1. a biographical movie

bio·poly·mer [,bī-ō-'pä-lə-mər] -n

  1. a polymeric substance (as a protein or polysaccharide) formed in a biological system

bio·pros·pect [-'prä-,spekt] -vt, n

  1. to search for substances that are produced by living organisms and may be of medicinal or commercial value

bi·op·sy ['bī-,äp-sē] -n, vt

  1. the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body

bio·psy·chol·o·gy [,bī-ō-sī-'kä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. psychobiology

bio·re·ac·tor [,bī-ō-rē-'ak-tər] -n

  1. a device or apparatus in which living organisms and esp. bacteria synthesize useful substances (as interferon) or break down harmful ones (as in sewage)

bio·re·gion ['bī-ō-,rē-jən] -n, adj

  1. a region whose limits are naturally defined by topographic and biological features (as mountain ranges and ecosystems)

bio·re·gion·al·ism [,bī-ō-'rēj-nə-,li-zəm, -'rē-jə-nᵊl-i-] -n, n or adj

  1. an environmentalist movement to make political boundaries coincide with bioregions

bio·re·me·di·a·tion [-ri-,mē-dē-'ā-shən] -n

  1. the treatment of pollutants or waste (as in an oil spill, contaminated groundwater, or an industrial process) by the use of microorganisms (as bacteria) that break down the undesirable substances

bio·rhythm ['bī-ō-,ri-thəm] -n, adj

  1. an innately determined rhythmic biological process or function (as sleep behavior)
  2. the internal mechanism that determines such a process or function

BIOS -abbr

  1. Basic Input/Output System

bio·safe·ty [,bī-ō-'sāf-tē] -n

  1. safety with respect to the effects of biological research on humans and the environment

bio·sci·ence [-'sī-ən(t)s] -n, adj

  1. biology
  2. life science

bio·se·cu·ri·ty [,bī-(,)ō-si-'kyu̇r-ə-tē] -n

  1. security from exposure to harmful biological agents
  2. measures taken to ensure this security

bio·sen·sor [-'sen-,sȯr, -'sen(t)-sər] -n

  1. a device that monitors and transmits information about a life process
  2. a device consisting of a biological component (as an enzyme or bacterium) that reacts with a target substance and a signal-generating electrochemical component that detects the resulting products or by-products

bio·so·cial [,bī-ō-'sō-shəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or concerned with the interaction of the biological aspects and social relationships of living organisms
    • biosocial science

bio·sol·id ['bī-ō-,sä-ləd] -n

  1. solid organic matter recovered from a sewage treatment process and used esp. as fertilizer usu. used in pl.

bio·sphere ['bī-ə-,sfir] -n, adj

  1. the part of the world in which life can exist
  2. living organisms together with their environment

bio·sta·tis·tics [,bī-ō-stə-'tis-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj, n

  1. statistics applied to the analysis of biological data

bio·stra·tig·ra·phy [-strə-'ti-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. the identification of fossils found within sedimentary rock strata as a method of determining the relative geologic age of the rock
  2. the branch of paleontology involving such identification
  3. the arrangement of fossils in rock strata

bio·syn·the·sis [-'sin(t)-thə-səs] -n, adj, adv

  1. the production of a chemical compound by a living organism

bio·sys·te·mat·ics [-,sis-tə-'ma-tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, n

  1. taxonomy esp. as based on cytogenetics and genetics

bi·o·ta [bī-'ō-tə] -n

  1. the flora and fauna of a region

bio·tech ['bī-ō-,tek] -n

  1. biotechnology

bio·tech·ni·cal [,bī-ō-'tek-ni-kəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to biotechnology

bio·tech·nol·o·gy [,bī-ō-tek-'nä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv

  1. the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usu. commercial products (as pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains, or novel pharmaceuticals)
  2. any of various applications of biological science used in such manipulation
  3. ergonomics

bio·te·lem·e·try [-tə-'le-mə-trē] -n, adj

  1. the remote detection and measurement of a human or animal function, activity, or condition (as heart rate or body temperature)

bio·ter·ror [-'ter-ər, -'te-rər] -n

  1. bioterrorism

bio·ter·ror·ism [-'ter-ər-,i-zəm, -ə-,ri-] -n, adj or n

  1. terrorism involving the use of biological weapons

bi·ot·ic [bī-'ä-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or caused by living organisms
    • biotic diversity

biotic potential -n

  1. the inherent capacity of an organism or species to reproduce and survive

bi·o·tin ['bī-ə-tən] -n

  1. a colorless crystalline growth vitamin C 10H 16N 2O 3S of the vitamin B complex found esp. in yeast, liver, and egg yolk

bi·o·tite ['bī-ə-,tīt] -n, adj

  1. a generally black or dark green form of mica that is a constituent of crystalline rocks and consists of a silicate of iron, magnesium, potassium, and aluminum

bio·tope ['bī-ə-,tōp] -n

  1. a region uniform in environmental conditions and in its populations of animals and plants for which it is the habitat

bio·tox·in ['bī-ō-,täk-sən] -n

  1. a toxic substance of biological origin

bio·trans·for·ma·tion ['bī-ō-,tran(t)s-fər-'mā-shən, -,fȯr-] -n

  1. the transformation of chemical compounds within a living system

bio·tur·ba·tion [,bī-ō-tər-'bā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the restructuring of sedimentary deposits (as in a lake bottom or seabed) by moving organisms (as worms and burrowing clams)

bio·type [-,tīp] -n, adj

  1. the organisms sharing a specified genotype
  2. the genotype shared or its distinguishing peculiarity

bio·war·fare [,bī-ō-'wȯr-,fer] -n

  1. biological warfare

bio·weap·on ['bī-ō-,we-pən] -n

  1. biological weapon

bi·pa·ren·tal [,bī-pə-'ren-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, involving, or derived from two parents

bi·par·ti·san [(,)bī-'pär-tə-zən, -sən, -,zan, chiefly Brit ,bī-,pär-tə-'zan] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or involving members of two parties
  2. marked by or involving cooperation, agreement, and compromise between two major political parties

bi·par·tite [(,)bī-'pär-,tīt] -adj, adv, n

  1. being in two parts
  2. having a correspondent part for each of two parties
  3. shared by two
  4. divided into two parts almost to the base
    • a bipartite leaf

bi·ped ['bī-,ped] -n, adj, adv

  1. a two-footed animal

bi·ped·al·ism [(,)bī-'pe-dᵊl-,i-zəm] -n

  1. the condition of having two feet or of using only two feet for locomotion

bi·pe·dal·i·ty [,bī-pə-'da-lə-tē] -n

  1. bipedalism

bi·phas·ic [(,)bī-'fā-zik] -adj

  1. having two phases

bi·phe·nyl [(,)bī-'fe-nᵊl, -'fē-] -n

  1. a white crystalline hydrocarbon C 6H 5C 6H 5used esp. as a heat-transfer medium and in organic synthesis
  2. a derivative of biphenyl

bi·pin·nate [-'pi-,nāt] -adj, adv

  1. twice pinnate

bi·plane ['bī-,plān] -n

  1. an aircraft with two main supporting surfaces usu. placed one above the other

bi·pod ['bī-,päd] -n

  1. a 2-legged support

bi·po·lar [(,)bī-'pō-lər] -adj, n, vt

  1. having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or views
  2. having or involving the use of two poles or polarities
  3. relating to, being, or using a transistor in which both electrons and holes are utilized as charge carriers
  4. relating to, associated with, or occurring in both polar regions
    • bipolar species of birds
  5. being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder

bipolar disorder -n

  1. any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized usu. by alternating episodes of depression and mania called also manic depression manic-depressive illness

bi·pro·pel·lant [,bī-prə-'pe-lənt] -n

  1. a rocket propellant consisting of separate fuel and oxidizer that come together only in a combustion chamber

bi·pyr·a·mid [(,)bī-'pir-ə-mid] -n, adj

  1. a crystal consisting of two identical pyramids base to base

bi·qua·drat·ic [,bī-kwä-'dra-tik] -adj or n

  1. quartic

bi·ra·cial [(,)bī-'rā-shəl] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or involving members of two races

bi·ra·di·al [(,)bī-'rā-dē-əl] -adj

  1. having both bilateral and radial symmetry

bi·rad·i·cal [-'ra-di-kəl] -n

  1. a free radical or compound with two unpaired electrons

bi·ra·mous [(,)bī-'rā-məs] -adj

  1. having two branches

birch ['bərch] -n, adj

  1. any of a genus ( Betulaof the family Betulaceae, the birch family) of monoecious deciduous usu. short-lived trees or shrubs having simple petioled leaves and typically a layered membranous outer bark that peels readily
  2. the hard pale close-grained wood of a birch
  3. a birch rod or bundle of twigs for flogging
  4. to beat with or as if with a birch : whip

Birch·er ['bər-chər] -n, n or adj

  1. a member or adherent of the John Birch Society

bird ['bərd] -n, adj

  1. the young of a feathered vertebrate
  2. any of a class (Aves) of warm-blooded vertebrates distinguished by having the body more or less completely covered with feathers and the forelimbs modified as wings
  3. a game bird
  4. clay pigeon
  5. fellow
  6. a peculiar person
  7. girl
  8. shuttlecock
  9. a hissing or jeering sound expressive of disapproval
  10. dismissal from employment
  11. a thin piece of meat rolled up with stuffing and cooked
  12. a man-made object (as an aircraft, rocket, or satellite) that resembles a bird esp. by flying or being aloft
  13. an obscene gesture of contempt made by pointing the middle finger upward while keeping the other fingers down usu. used with the called also finger
  14. birdie
  15. to observe or identify wild birds in their habitats

bird·bath ['bərd-,bath, -,bäth] -n

  1. a usu. ornamental basin set up for birds to bathe in

bird·brain [-,brān] -n, adj

  1. a stupid person
  2. scatterbrain

bird·cage [-,kāj] -n

  1. a cage for confining birds

bird·call [-,kȯl] -n

  1. a device for imitating the cry of a bird
  2. the note or cry of a bird
  3. a sound imitative of it

bird colonel -n

  1. colonel

birddog ['bərd-,dȯg] -vi

  1. to watch closely
  2. to seek out : follow, detect

bird dog -n

  1. a gundog trained to hunt or retrieve birds
  2. one (as a canvasser or talent scout) who seeks out something for another
  3. one who steals another's date

birddog·ging [-,dȯ-giŋ] -n

  1. the stealing of another's date (as at a party)
  2. the action of one that bird-dogs

bird·er ['bər-dər] -n

  1. a catcher or hunter of birds esp. for market
  2. a person who birds

bird flu -n

  1. avian influenza
  2. severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus that have produced epidemics in domestic birds esp. in Asia with sporadic associated human infections

bird·house ['bərd-,hau̇s] -n

  1. an artificial nesting site for birds
  2. aviary

bird·ie ['bər-dē] -n

  1. a little bird
  2. a golf score of one stroke less than par on a hole

birdie -vt

  1. to score a birdie on

bird·life ['bərd-,līf] -n

  1. avifauna

bird·lime ['bərd-,līm] -n, vt

  1. a sticky substance usu. made from the bark of a holly ( Ilex aquifolium) that is smeared on twigs to snare small birds
  2. something that ensnares

bird louse -n

  1. biting louse

bird·man ['bərd-mən, esp for 1 also -,man] -n

  1. a person who deals with birds
  2. a person who flies (as in an aircraft)

birdofparadise -n

  1. an ornamental plant ( Strelitzia reginaeof the family Strelitziaceae) native to southern Africa that has scapes terminating in a horizontal bract from which emerges an upright flower having three orange or yellow sepals and three irregular blue petals

bird of paradise

  1. any of numerous brilliantly colored plumed oscine birds (family Paradisaeidae) chiefly of New Guinea and neighboring islands

bird of passage

  1. a migratory bird
  2. a person who leads a wandering or unsettled life

bird of prey

  1. a carnivorous bird (as a hawk, falcon, or vulture) that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion

bird pepper -n

  1. chiltepin

bird·seed ['bərd-,sēd] -n

  1. a mixture of seeds (as of hemp, millet, and sunflowers) used for feeding caged and wild birds

bird'seye ['bərdz-,ī] -n

  1. any of numerous plants with small bright-colored flowers
  2. a speedwell ( Veronica chamaedrys)
  3. an allover pattern for textiles consisting of a small diamond with a center dot
  4. a fabric woven with this pattern
  5. a small spot in wood surrounded with an ellipse of concentric fibers
  6. marked with spots resembling birds' eyes
  7. having or involving a bird's-eye view
    • bird'seye perspective

bird'seye maple -n

  1. wood of the sugar maple having a wavy grain that causes markings resembling eyes

bird'seye view -n

  1. a view from a high angle as if seen by a bird in flight
  2. an overall or cursory look at something

bird'sfoot trefoil ['bərdz-,fu̇t-] -n

  1. a yellow-flowered European herb ( Lotus corniculatus) of the legume family that has claw-shaped pods and is widely grown for forage and for erosion control

bird'sfoot violet -n

  1. a common violet ( Viola pedata) of the eastern U.S. with deeply cleft leaves and pale blue to purple flowers

bird'snest fern ['bərdz-,nest-] -n

  1. a large epiphytic spleenwort ( Asplenium nidus) of tropical Asia and Polynesia that has large lance-shaped leaves and is often grown as a houseplant

bird's nest soup -n

  1. a soup made with the nest of a swiftlet (esp. Collocalia fuciphaga) that builds it using a glutinous secretion from its salivary glands

bird·song ['bərd-,sȯŋ] -n

  1. the song of one or more birds

birdwatch ['bərd-,wäch] -vi

  1. bird

birdwatch·er ['bərd-,wä-chər] -n, vi

  1. birder

bi·re·frin·gence [,bī-ri-'frin-jən(t)s] -n, adj

  1. the refraction of light in an anisotropic material (as calcite) in two slightly different directions to form two rays

bi·reme ['bī-,rēm] -n

  1. a galley with two banks of oars used esp. by the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians

bi·ret·ta [bə-'re-tə] -n

  1. a square cap with three ridges on top worn by clergymen esp. of the Roman Catholic Church

birk ['birk] -n

  1. birch

birk·ie ['bir-kē, 'bər-] -n

  1. a lively smart assertive person
  2. fellow, boy

birl ['bər(-ə)l, Scot also 'bir(-ə)l] -vi

  1. carouse
  2. spin
  3. to cause (a floating log) to rotate by treading
  4. to progress by whirling

Bir·man ['bər-mən] -n

  1. a long-haired domestic cat of a breed originating in Burma (Myanmar) and resembling the Siamese in eye color and coat pattern but much stockier in build with paws symmetrically marked with white

Bi·ro ['bī-(,)rō] -trademark

  1. used for a ballpoint pen

birse ['birs, 'bərs] -n

  1. a bristle or tuft of bristles
  2. anger

birth ['bərth] -n

  1. the emergence of a new individual from the body of its parent
  2. the act or process of bringing forth young from the womb
  3. a state resulting from being born esp. at a particular time or place
    • a Southerner by birth
  4. lineage, extraction
    • marriage between equals in birth
  5. high or noble birth
  6. one that is born
  7. beginning, start
    • the birth of an idea
  8. to bring forth
  9. to give rise to : originate
  10. to give birth to
  11. to bring forth or be brought forth as a child or young
  12. biological
    • his birth mother

birth canal -n

  1. the channel formed by the cervix, vagina, and vulva through which the fetus passes during birth

birth certificate -n

  1. a copy of an official record of a person's date and place of birth and parentage

birth control -n

  1. control of the number of children born esp. by preventing or lessening the frequency of conception : contraception
  2. contraceptive devices or preparations

birth control pill -n

  1. any of various preparations that usu. contain a combination of a progestin (as norethindrone) and an estrogen (as ethinyl estradiol), are taken orally esp. on a daily basis, and act as contraceptives typically preventing ovulation by suppressing secretion of gonadotropins (as luteinizing hormone) called also oral contraceptive

birth·day ['bərth-,dā] -n

  1. the day of a person's birth
  2. a day of origin
  3. an anniversary of a birth
    • her 21st birthday

birthday suit -n

  1. unclothed skin : nakedness

birth defect -n

  1. a physical or biochemical defect that is present at birth and may be inherited or environmentally induced

birthing room -n

  1. a comfortably furnished hospital room where both labor and delivery take place and in which the baby usu. remains during the hospital stay

birth·mark ['bərth-,märk] -n

  1. an unusual mark or blemish on the skin at birth : nevus

birth pang -n

  1. one of the regularly recurrent pains that are characteristic of childbirth usu. used in pl.
  2. disorder and distress incident esp. to a major social change

birth·place ['bərth-,plās] -n

  1. place of birth or origin

birth·rate ['bərth-,rāt] -n

  1. the ratio between births and individuals in a specified population and time

birth·right ['bərth-,rīt] -n

  1. a right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth

birth·root ['bərth-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n

  1. any of several trilliums with astringent roots used in folk medicine

birth·stone ['bərth-,stōn] -n

  1. a gemstone associated symbolically with the month of one's birth

birth·wort [-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n

  1. any of several herbs or woody vines (genus Aristolochiaof the family Aristolochiaceae, the birthwort family) with aromatic roots used in folk medicine to aid childbirth

bis ['bis] -adv

  1. again used in music as a direction to repeat
  2. twice

Bisayan [və-'sī-ən] -n

(variant of Visayan)

  1. a member of any of several peoples in the Visayan Islands, Philippines
  2. the group of Austronesian languages of the Bisayans

bis·cot·to [bi-'skät-ō] -n

  1. a crisp cookie or biscuit of Italian origin that is flavored usu. with anise and filberts or almonds usu. used in pl.

bis·cuit ['bis-kət] -n, adj

  1. : any of various hard or crisp dry baked products: as
  2. cracker
  3. cookie
  4. a small quick bread made from dough that has been rolled out and cut or dropped from a spoon
  5. earthenware or porcelain after the first firing and before glazing
  6. a light grayish-yellowish brown
  7. a grayish yellow

bi·sect ['bī-,sekt, bī-'] -vb, n, adj, adv

  1. to divide into two usu. equal parts
  2. cross, intersect

bi·sec·tor ['bī-,sek-tər, bī-'] -n

  1. one that bisects
  2. a straight line that bisects an angle or a line segment

bi·sex·u·al [(,)bī-'sek-sh(ə-)wəl, -shəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. possessing characters of both sexes : hermaphroditic
  2. of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward both sexes
  3. of, relating to, or involving both sexes

bish·op ['bi-shəp] -n

  1. : one having spiritual or ecclesiastical supervision: as
  2. an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyman ranking above a priest, having authority to ordain and confirm, and typically governing a diocese
  3. any of various Protestant clerical officials who superintend other clergy
  4. a Mormon high priest presiding over a ward or over all other bishops and over the Aaronic priesthood
  5. either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to move diagonally across any number of adjoining unoccupied squares
  6. mulled port wine flavored with roasted oranges and cloves

bish·op·ric ['bi-shə-(,)prik] -n

  1. diocese
  2. the office of bishop
  3. the administrative body of a Mormon ward consisting of a bishop and two high priests as counselors

Bishops' Bible -n

  1. an officially commissioned English translation of the Bible published in 1568

bis·muth ['biz-məth] -n, adj

  1. a heavy brittle grayish-white chiefly trivalent metallic element that is chemically like arsenic and antimony and that is used in alloys and pharmaceuticals

bismuth sub·sa·lic·y·late [-,səb-sə-'li-sə-,lāt] -n

  1. a drug C 7H 5BiO 4taken orally to relieve diarrhea, nausea, and indigestion

bi·son ['bī-sᵊn, -zᵊn] -n, adj

  1. : any of several large shaggy-maned usu. gregarious recent or extinct bovine mammals (genus Bison) having a large head with short horns and heavy forequarters surmounted by a large fleshy hump: as
  2. wisent
  3. buffalo

bis·phos·pho·nate [,bis-'fäs-fə-,nāt] -n

  1. any of a group of drugs that slow the breakdown of bone by osteoclasts

bisque ['bisk] -n

  1. a thick cream soup made with shellfish or game
  2. a cream soup of pureed vegetables
  3. ice cream containing powdered nuts or macaroons
  4. : odds allowed an inferior player: as
  5. a point taken when desired in a set of tennis
  6. an extra turn in croquet
  7. one or more strokes off a golf score
  8. biscuit
  9. unglazed china that is not to be glazed but is hard-fired and vitreous

bi·state ['bī-,stāt] -adj

  1. of or relating to two states

bis·ter ['bis-tər] -n, adj

  1. a yellowish-brown to dark brown pigment used in art
  2. a grayish to yellowish brown

bis·tort ['bis-,tȯrt, bis-'] -n

  1. any of several polygonums
  2. a Eurasian perennial herb ( Polygonum bistorta) with twisted roots used as astringents

bis·tro ['bēs-(,)trō, 'bis-] -n

  1. a small or unpretentious restaurant
  2. a small bar or tavern
  3. nightclub

bi·sul·fate [(,)bī-'səl-,fāt] -n

  1. an acid sulfate

bi·sul·fide [-,fīd] -n

  1. disulfide

bi·sul·fite [-,fīt] -n

  1. an acid sulfite

biswing ['bī-'swiŋ] -adj

  1. made with a pleat or gusset at the back of the arms
    • biswing jacket

bit ['bit] -n

  1. the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool
  2. a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed
  3. the jaws of tongs or pincers
  4. : something bitten or held with the teeth:
  5. the usu. steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse
  6. the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder
  7. something that curbs or restrains
  8. the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers
  9. to put a bit in the mouth of (a horse)
  10. to control as if with a bit
  11. to form a bit on (a key)
  12. a small quantity of food
  13. a small delicacy
  14. a small piece or quantity of some material thing
  15. a small coin
  16. a unit of value equal to of a dollar
  17. : something small or unimportant of its kind: as
  18. a brief period : while
    • wait a bit longer
  19. an indefinite usu. small degree, extent, or amount
    • a bit of a rascal
    • every bit as powerful
  20. a small part usu. with spoken lines in a theatrical performance
  21. a usu. short theatrical routine
  22. the aggregate of items, situations, or activities appropriate to a given style, genre, or role
    • rejected the whole bit about love-marriage-motherhood -- Vance Packard
  23. a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (as yesor no, onor off)
  24. the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data

bi·tar·trate [(,)bī-'tär-,trāt] -n

  1. an acid tartrate

bitch ['bich] -n

  1. the female of the dog or some other carnivorous mammals
  2. a lewd or immoral woman
  3. a malicious, spiteful, or overbearing woman sometimes used as a generalized term of abuse
  4. something that is extremely difficult, objectionable, or unpleasant
  5. complaint
  6. spoil, botch
    • bitch ed up their lives
  7. cheat, double-cross
  8. to complain of or about
  9. complain

bitch·ery ['bi-chə-rē] -n

  1. malicious, spiteful, or overbearing behavior
  2. an instance of such behavior

bitch goddess -n

  1. success
  2. material or worldly success

bitch·in' ['bi-chən] -adj

  1. remarkably bad : detestable
    • of all the bitchin' luck
  2. remarkably good or cool
    • a bitchin' car

bitchy ['bi-chē] -adj, adv, n

  1. characterized by malicious, spiteful, or arrogant behavior

bite ['bīt] -vb, n

  1. to seize esp. with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound
  2. to wound, pierce, or sting esp. with a fang or a proboscis
  3. to cut or pierce with or as if with an edged weapon
  4. to cause sharp pain or stinging discomfort to
  5. to take hold of
  6. to take in : cheat
  7. to bite or have the habit of biting something
  8. to cut, pierce, or take hold
  9. to cause irritation or smarting
  10. corrode
  11. to take a bait
  12. to respond so as to be caught (as by a trick)
  13. to accept a suggestion or an offer
    • offered them a deal but they wouldn't bite
  14. to take or maintain a firm hold
  15. to produce a negative effect
    • the recession began to bite
  16. to be objectionable or extremely bad in quality : stink, suck
  17. the act of biting
  18. the manner of biting
  19. occlusion
  20. : food: as
  21. the amount of food taken at a bite : morsel
  22. a small amount of food : snack
    • have a bite to eat
  23. cheat, trick
  24. sharper
  25. a wound made by biting
  26. the hold or grip by which friction is created or purchase is obtained
  27. a surface that creates friction or is brought into contact with another for the purpose of obtaining a hold
  28. a keen incisive quality
  29. a sharp penetrating effect
  30. a single exposure of an etcher's plate to the corrosive action of acid
  31. an amount taken usu. in one operation for one purpose : share
  32. sound bite

bite plate -n

  1. : a removable usu. plastic dental appliance used in orthodontics and prosthodontics: as
  2. a device worn in the upper or lower jaw and used esp. to reposition the jaw or prevent bruxism
  3. retainer

bitesize ['bīt-,sīz] -adj

  1. of a size that can be eaten in one bite
    • bitesize pieces of chicken
  2. being or made small or brief esp. so as to be easily manageable
    • bitesize tasks
    • bitesize essays

bite·wing ['bīt-,wiŋ] -n

  1. a dental X-ray film designed to show the crowns of the upper and lower teeth simultaneously

bit·ing ['bī-tiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. having the power to bite
    • a biting wind
  2. able to grip and impress deeply
    • a biting wit

biting louse -n

  1. any of numerous wingless insects (order Mallophaga) that are parasitic esp. on birds called also bird louse

biting midge -n

  1. any of a family (Ceratopogonidae) of tiny biting dipteran flies of which some are vectors of filarial worms

bit·map ['bit-,map] -n

  1. an array of binary data representing a bitmapped image or display
  2. a file containing such data
  3. a bitmapped image or display

bit·mapped ['bit-,mapt] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a digital image or display for which an array of binary data specifies the value of each pixel
    • bitmapped graphics

bit·stock ['bit-,stäk] -n

  1. brace

bit·sy ['bit-sē] -adj

  1. tiny

bitt ['bit] -n

  1. a post or pair of posts fixed on the deck of a ship for securing lines
  2. bollard
  3. to make (a cable) fast about a bitt

bit·ter ['bi-tər] -adj, adv, n

  1. being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops
  2. distasteful or distressing to the mind : galling
    • a bitter sense of shame
  3. : marked by intensity or severity:
  4. accompanied by severe pain or suffering
    • a bitter death
  5. being relentlessly determined : vehement
    • a bitter partisan
  6. exhibiting intense animosity
    • bitter enemies
  7. harshly reproachful
    • bitter complaints
  8. marked by cynicism and rancor
    • bitter contempt
  9. intensely unpleasant esp. in coldness or rawness
    • a bitter wind
  10. expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret
    • bitter tears

bitter -n

  1. bitter quality
  2. a usu. alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used esp. in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic
  3. a very dry heavily hopped ale
  4. to make bitter
    • bitter ed ale
  5. to a bitter degree
    • it's bitter cold

bitter almond -n

  1. an almond with a bitter taste that contains amygdalin
  2. a tree ( Prunus dulcis amara) producing bitter almonds

bit·ter·brush ['bi-tər-,brəsh] -n

  1. a much-branched shrub ( Purshia tridentata) of the rose family that grows in arid western No. America, that has 3-lobed leaves and yellow flowers, and is valuable for forage

bitter cress -n

  1. any of a genus ( Cardamine) of herbs of the mustard family that produce flat pods and wingless seeds

bitter end [,bi-tər-'en-dər] -n

  1. the last extremity however painful or calamitous
  2. the inboard end of a ship's anchoring cable

bit·tern ['bi-tərn] -n

  1. any of various small or medium-sized usu. secretive herons (esp. genera Botaurusand Ixobrychus)

bittern -n

  1. the bitter water solution of salts that remains after sodium chloride has crystallized out of a brine

bitter orange -n

  1. sour orange

bit·ter·root ['bi-tə(r)-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n

  1. a succulent herb ( Lewisia rediviva) of the purslane family that grows in western No. America and has starchy roots and pink or white flowers

bit·ter·sweet ['bi-tər-,swēt] -n

  1. something that is bittersweet
  2. pleasure alloyed with pain
  3. a poisonous Eurasian woody vine ( Solanum dulcamara) of the nightshade family that has purple flowers and oval reddish berries and is naturalized in No. America
  4. a No. American poisonous woody vine ( Celastrus scandens) of the staff-tree family having clusters of small greenish flowers succeeded by yellow capsules that open when ripe and disclose the scarlet aril

bittersweet -adj, adv, n

  1. being at once bitter and sweet
  2. pleasant but including or marked by elements of suffering or regret
    • a bittersweet ballad
  3. of or relating to a prepared chocolate containing little sugar

bit·ter·weed ['bi-tər-,wēd] -n

  1. : any of several American plants containing a bitter substance: as
  2. : either of two ragweeds:
  3. a low-growing common ragweed ( Ambrosia artemissiifolia)
  4. horseweed
  5. an annual yellow-flowered sneezeweed ( Helenium amarumsyn. H. tenuifolium)
  6. an erect annual composite herb ( Hymenoxys odorata) of the southwestern U.S. that has yellow flowers and is poisonous to livestock

bit·tock ['bi-tək] -n

  1. a little bit

bit·ty ['bi-tē] -adj

  1. made up of or containing bits
  2. not cohesive or flowing

bitty -adj

  1. small, tiny
    • a little bitty room

bi·tu·men [bə-'tyü-mən, bī-, -'tü-, esp Brit also 'bit-yə-] -n, vt

  1. an asphalt of Asia Minor used in ancient times as a cement and mortar
  2. any of various mixtures of hydrocarbons (as tar) often together with their nonmetallic derivatives that occur naturally or are obtained as residues after heat-refining natural substances (as petroleum)
  3. such a mixture soluble in carbon disulfide

bi·tu·mi·nous [bə-'tyü-mə-nəs, bī-, -'tü-] -adj

  1. containing or impregnated with bitumen
  2. of or relating to bituminous coal

bituminous coal -n

  1. a coal that when heated yields considerable volatile bituminous matter called also soft coal

bi·unique [,bī-yu̇-'nēk, -yü-] -adj, n

  1. being a correspondence between two sets that is one-to-one in both directions

bi·va·lent [(,)bī-'vā-lənt, 'bī-və-] -adj

  1. divalent
  2. associated in pairs in synapsis

bivalent -n

  1. a pair of synaptic chromosomes

bi·valve ['bī-,valv] -adj

  1. being or having a shell composed of two valves

bivalve -n

  1. any of a class (Bivalvia syn. Pelecypoda) of typically marine mollusks (as clams, oysters, or scallops) that have a 2-valved hinged shell, are usu. filter feeders, and lack a distinct head

bi·var·i·ate [(,)bī-'ver-ē-ət, -'va-rē-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving two variables
    • a bivariate frequency distribution

biv·ouac ['bi-və-,wak, 'biv-,wak] -n

  1. a usu. temporary encampment under little or no shelter
  2. encampment usu. for a night
  3. a temporary or casual shelter or lodging

bivouac -vb

  1. to make a bivouac : camp
  2. to take shelter often temporarily
  3. to provide temporary quarters for
    • they were bivouacked in the gym during the storm

bi·week·ly [(,)bī-'wē-klē] -adj, adv

  1. occurring twice a week
  2. occurring every two weeks : fortnightly

biweekly -n

  1. a publication issued every two weeks
  2. semiweekly

bi·year·ly [(,)bī-'yir-lē] -adj

  1. biannual
  2. biennial

biz ['biz] -n

  1. business

bi·zarre [bə-'zär] -adj, adv, n

  1. : strikingly out of the ordinary: as
  2. odd, extravagant, or eccentric in style or mode
  3. involving sensational contrasts or incongruities

bizarre -n

  1. a flower with atypical striped marking

bi·zar·re·rie [bi-,zär-ə-'rē] -n

  1. a bizarre quality
  2. something bizarre

bi·zar·ro [bə-'zär-ō] -adj, n

  1. characterized by a bizarre, fantastic, or unconventional approach

bi·zon·al [(,)bī-'zō-nᵊl] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to the affairs of a zone governed or administered by two powers acting together