br -abbr
- branch
- brass
- brown
Br -abbr
- Britain; British
- bromine
BR -abbr
- bedroom
- bills receivable
bra ['brä] -n, adj
- brassiere
brab·ble ['bra-bəl] -vi, n
- squabble
brace ['brās] -vb
- to fasten tightly : bind
- to prepare for use by making taut
- prepare, steel
- brace yourself for the shock
- invigorate, freshen
- to turn (a sail yard) by means of a brace
- to furnish or support with a brace
- heavily braced against the wind
- to make stronger : reinforce
- to put or plant firmly
- brace s his foot in the stirrup
- to waylay esp. with demands or questions
- to take heart used with up
- to get ready (as for an attack)
- something (as a clasp) that connects or fastens
- two of a kind : pair
- a crank-shaped instrument for turning a bit
- : something that transmits, directs, resists, or supports weight or pressure: as
- a diagonal piece of structural material that serves to strengthen something (as a framework)
- a rope rove through a block at the end of a ship's yard to swing it horizontally
- suspenders
- an appliance for supporting a body part
- an orthodontic appliance usu. of metallic wire that is used esp. to exert pressure to straighten misaligned teeth
- one of two marks used to connect words or items to be considered together
- one of these marks connecting two or more musical staffs carrying parts to be performed simultaneously
- bracket
- a position of rigid attention
- something that arouses energy or strengthens morale
brace·let ['brās-lət] -n
- an ornamental band or chain worn around the wrist
- something (as handcuffs) resembling a bracelet
bra·cer ['brā-sər] -n
- an arm or wrist protector esp. for use by an archer
brac·er ['brā-sər] -n
- one that braces, binds, or makes firm
- a drink (as of liquor) taken as a stimulant
bra·ce·ro [brä-'ser-(,)ō, -'se-(,)rō] -n
- a Mexican laborer admitted to the U.S. esp. for seasonal contract labor in agriculture
brace root -n
- prop root
brachi- -comb form
- arm
- brachial and
bra·chi·al ['brā-kē-əl] -adj
- of, relating to, or situated in the arm or an armlike process
- the brachial artery of the upper arm
brachial plexus -n
- a network of nerves lying mostly in the armpit and supplying nerves to the chest, shoulder, and arm
bra·chi·ate ['brā-kē-,āt] -vi, n
- to progress by swinging from hold to hold by the arms
bra·chio·ce·phal·ic artery [,brā-kē-(,)ō-sə-'fa-lik-] -n
- a short artery that arises from the arch of the aorta and divides into the carotid and subclavian arteries of the right side called also innominate artery
brachiocephalic vein -n
- either of two large veins that occur one on each side of the neck, receive blood from the head and neck, and unite to form the superior vena cava called also innominate vein
bra·chio·pod ['brā-kē-ə-,päd] -n, adj
- any of a phylum (Brachiopoda) of marine invertebrates with bivalve shells within which is a pair of arms bearing tentacles by which a current of water is made to bring microscopic food to the mouth called also lampshell
brach·i·o·saur ['bra-kē-ō-,sȯr] -n
- any of a genus ( Brachiosaurus) of very large sauropod dinosaurs of the late Jurassic period having a massive body, a very long neck, and forelegs longer than hind legs
brachy- -comb form
- short
brachy·ce·phal·ic [,bra-ki-sə-'fa-lik] -adj, n
- short-headed or broad-headed with a cephalic index of over 80
bra·chyp·ter·ous [bra-'kip-tə-rəs] -adj
- having rudimentary or abnormally small wings
brachy·ther·a·py [,bra-ki-'ther-ə-pē, -'the-rə-] -n
- radiotherapy in which the source of radiation is placed (as by implantation) in or close to the area being treated
brac·ing ['brā-siŋ] -adj, adv
- giving strength, vigor, or freshness
bra·ci·o·la [,brä-chē-'ō-lə, -'chō-lə] -n
- a thin slice of meat wrapped around a seasoned filling and often cooked in wine
brack·en ['bra-kən] -n
- a large coarse fern
- a nearly cosmopolitan brake ( Pteridium aquilinum) found in most tropical and temperate regions
- a growth of brakes
brack·et ['bra-kət] -n
- an overhanging member that projects from a structure (as a wall) and is usu. designed to support a vertical load or to strengthen an angle
- a fixture (as for holding a lamp) projecting from a wall or column
- one of a pair of marks used in writing and printing to enclose matter or in mathematics and logic as signs of aggregation called also square bracket
- one of the pair of marks used to enclose matter called also angle bracket
- parenthesis
- brace
- a section of a continuously numbered or graded series (as age ranges or income levels)
- a pairing of opponents in an elimination tournament
bracket -vt
- to place within or as if within brackets
- editorial comments are bracket ed
- news stories bracket ed by commercials
- to eliminate from consideration
- to extend around so as to encompass : include
- test pressures...which bracket virtually the entire range of passenger-car tire pressures -- Consumer Reports
- to furnish or fasten with brackets
- to put in the same category or group
- bracket ed in a tie for third
- to get the range on (a target) by firing over and short
- to establish the limits of
- bracket ed the problem neatly
- to take photographs of at more than one exposure in order to ensure that the desired exposure is obtained
bracket creep -n
- movement into a higher tax bracket as a result of income rises intended to offset the effects of inflation
brack·et·ed ['bra-kə-təd] -adj
- joined to the stroke by a curved line
bracket fungus -n
- a basidiomycete that forms shelflike sporophores
brack·ish ['bra-kish] -adj, n
- somewhat salty
- not appealing to the taste
- repulsive
brac·o·nid ['bra-kə-(,)nid] -n, adj
- any of a large family (Braconidae) of ichneumon wasps
bract ['brakt] -n, adj
- a leaf from the axil of which a flower or floral axis arises
- a leaf borne on a floral axis
- one subtending a flower or flower cluster
brac·te·ole ['brak-tē-,ōl] -n
- a small bract esp. on a floral axis
brad ['brad] -n
- a thin nail of the same thickness throughout but tapering in width and having a slight projection at the top of one side instead of a head
- a slender wire nail with a small barrel-shaped head
- to fasten with brads
brad·awl ['brad-,ȯl] -n
- an awl with chisel edge used to make holes for brads or screws
brady- -comb form
- slow
bra·dy·car·dia [,brā-di-'kär-dē-ə also ,bra-] -n
- relatively slow heart action
bra·dy·ki·nin [-'kī-nən] -n
- a kinin that is formed locally in injured tissue, acts in vasodilation of small arterioles, is considered to play a part in inflammatory processes, and is composed of a chain of nine amino acid residues
brae ['brā] -n
- a hillside esp. along a river
brag ['brag] -n
- a pompous or boastful statement
- arrogant talk or manner : cockiness
- braggart
- to talk boastfully
- always bragging about his success
- to assert boastfully
- first-rate
brag·ga·do·cio [,bra-gə-'dō-sē-,ō, -shē-, -chē-, -(,)shō, -(,)chō] -n
- braggart
- empty boasting
- arrogant pretension : cockiness
brag·gart ['bra-gərt] -n, adj
- a loud arrogant boaster
bragging rights -n
- entitlement to boast about something
Brah·ma ['brä-mə] -n
- the creator god of the Hindu sacred triad
- the ultimate ground of all being in Hinduism
- brahman
Brah·man ['brä-mən; 2 is 'brā-, 'brä-, 'bra-] -n, adj
- a Hindu of the highest caste traditionally assigned to the priesthood
- brahma
- any of an Indian breed of humped cattle : zebu
- a large vigorous heat- and tick-resistant usu. silvery-gray animal developed in the southern U.S. from the zebu and now used chiefly for crossbreeding
- a person of high social standing and cultivated intellect and taste
Brah·man·ism ['brä-mə-,ni-zəm] -n
- orthodox Hinduism adhering to the pantheism of the Vedas and to the ancient sacrifices and family ceremonies
braid ['brād] -vt, n
- to make from braids
- to form (three or more strands) into a braid
- to do up (the hair) by interweaving three or more strands
- mix, intermingle
- to ornament esp. with ribbon or braid
- a length of braided hair
- a cord or ribbon having usu. three or more component strands forming a regular diagonal pattern down its length
- a narrow fabric of intertwined threads used esp. for trimming
- high-ranking naval officers
braid·ed ['brā-dəd] -adj
- made by intertwining three or more strands
- ornamented with braid
- forming an interlacing network of channels
braid·ing ['brā-diŋ] -n
- something made of braided material
brail ['brāl] -n
- a rope fastened to the leech of a sail and used for hauling the sail up or in
- a dip net with which fish are hauled aboard a boat from a purse seine or trap
- to take in (a sail) by the brails
- to hoist (fish) by means of a brail
braille ['brā(ə)l] -n, vt
- a system of writing for the blind that uses characters made up of raised dots
braille·writ·er [-,rī-tər] -n
- a machine for writing braille
brain ['brān] -n
- the portion of the vertebrate central nervous system enclosed in the skull and continuous with the spinal cord through the foramen magnum that is composed of neurons and supporting and nutritive structures (as glia) and that integrates sensory information from inside and outside the body in controlling autonomic function (as heartbeat and respiration), in coordinating and directing correlated motor responses, and in the process of learning
- a nervous center in invertebrates comparable in position and function to the vertebrate brain
- intellect, mind
- intellectual endowment : intelligence often used in pl.
- plenty of brain s in that family
- a very intelligent or intellectual person
- the chief planner within a group usu. used in pl.
- she's the brain s behind their success
- something that performs the functions of a brain
- an automatic device (as a computer) for control or computation
- to kill by smashing the skull
- to hit on the head
brain attack -n
- stroke
brain·case ['brān-,kās] -n
- the cranium enclosing the brain
brain·child [-,chī(-ə)ld] -n
- a product of one's creative effort
brain coral -n
- a massive reef-building coral (as genus Diploria) having the surface covered by ridges and furrows
braindead ['brān-,ded] -adj
- characterized by brain death
- lacking intelligence or vitality
brain death -n
- final cessation of activity in the central nervous system esp. as indicated by a flat electroencephalogram for a predetermined length of time
brain drain -n
- the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usu. for better pay or living conditions
brained ['brānd] -adj
- having a brain of a specified kind used in combination
brain freeze -n
- a sudden shooting pain in the head caused by ingesting very cold food (as ice cream) or drink
brain hormone -n
- a hormone that is secreted by neurosecretory cells of the insect brain and that stimulates the prothoracic glands to secrete ecdysone
- any of various hormones (as serotonin) produced in or acting on the vertebrate brain or central nervous system not usu. used technically
brain·i·ac ['brā-nē-,ak] -n
- a very intelligent person
brain·ish ['brā-nish] -adj
- impetuous, hotheaded
- and in this brainish apprehension kills the unseen good old man -- Shak.
brain·less ['brān-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- devoid of intelligence : stupid
brain·pan ['brān-,pan] -n
- braincase
brainpick·ing [-,pi-kiŋ] -n
- the act of gathering information from another's mind
brain·pow·er [-,pau̇(-ə)r] -n
- intellectual ability
- people with developed intellectual ability
brain·sick [-,sik] -adj, adv
- mentally disordered
- arising from mental disorder
brain stem -n
- the part of the brain composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata and connecting the spinal cord with the forebrain and cerebrum
brain·storm [-,stȯrm] -n
- a violent transient fit of insanity
- a sudden bright idea
- a harebrained idea
brain·storm·ing [-,stȯr-miŋ] -n, vb
- a group problem-solving technique that involves the spontaneous contribution of ideas from all members of the group
- the mulling over of ideas by one or more individuals in an attempt to devise or find a solution to a problem
brains trust -n
- brain trust
brain·teas·er [-,tē-zər] -n
- something (as a puzzle) that demands mental effort and acuity for its solution
brain trust [-,trəs-tər] -n
- a group of official or unofficial advisers concerned esp. with planning and strategy
brain·wash·ing ['brān-,wȯ-shiŋ, -,wä-] -n, vt
- a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas
- persuasion by propaganda or salesmanship
brain wave -n
- brainstorm
- rhythmic fluctuations of voltage between parts of the brain resulting in the flow of an electric current
- a current produced by brain waves
brainy ['brā-nē] -adj, n
- having or showing a well-developed intellect : intelligent
braise ['brāz] -vt
- to cook slowly in fat and little moisture in a closed pot
- an item of braised food
brake ['brāk] -vb
(variant of break)
- to separate into parts with suddenness or violence
- fracture
- rupture
- to cut into and turn over the surface of
- to render inoperable
- violate, transgress
- to invalidate (a will) by action at law
- to force entry into
- to burst and force a way through
- to escape by force from
- to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through
- break a trail through the woods
- to disrupt the order or compactness of
- to make ineffective as a binding force
- to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy
- used starvation to break the enemy
- to crush the spirit of
- brutal methods broke the prisoner
- : to make tractable or submissive: as
- to train (an animal) to adjust to the service or convenience of humans
- inure, accustom
- to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity
- broken by his struggle for power
- to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt
- interrupt, suspend
- break the silence with a cry
- to open and bring about suspension of operation
- break an electric circuit
- to destroy unity or completeness of
- break a dining room set by buying a chair
- to change the appearance of uniformity of
- a dormer break s the level roof
- to split the surface of
- to cause to discontinue a habit
- tried to break him of smoking
- to make known : tell
- break the bad news gently
- to bring to attention or prominence initially
- radio stations break ing new musicians
- to ruin financially
- to reduce in rank
- broken from sergeant to private
- to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide
- to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations
- to use as the denomination in paying a bill
- didn't want to break a 20 bill
often used with into, up, or down - to check the speed, force, or intensity of
- the bushes will break his fall
- without break ing her stride
- to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes
- to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of
- news likely to break the market sharply
- exceed, surpass
- to score less than (a specified total)
- a golfer trying to break 90
- to win against (an opponent's service) in tennis
- to make (a run) in football by getting past defenders
- to open the action of (a breechloader)
- to find an explanation or solution for : solve
- the detective broke the case
- to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)
- to demonstrate the falsity of
- to ruin the prospects of
- could make or break her career
- to produce visibly
- to escape with sudden forceful effort
- the attacker broke from the throng
- to come into being by or as if by bursting forth
- to effect a penetration
- break through security lines
- to emerge through the surface of the water
- to start abruptly
- to become known or published
- to make a sudden dash
- to separate after a clinch in boxing
- to achieve initial success in usu. a sudden or striking way
- her song broke nationally
- to begin a race
- to come apart or split into pieces : fragment, shatter
- the cup broke when it fell
- to open spontaneously or by pressure from within
- to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam
- to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period
- to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity
- a voice break ing with emotion
- to become fair : clear
- to make the opening shot of a game of pool
- to end a relationship, connection, or agreement usu. used with with or from
- to give way in disorderly retreat
- to swerve suddenly
- to curve from a straight path
- a pitch that break s away from the batter
- to fail in health, strength, vitality, resolve, or control
- may break under questioning
- to become inoperative because of damage, wear, or strain
- to fail to keep a prescribed gait used of a horse
- to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume
- transportation stocks may break sharply
- happen, develop
- for the team to succeed, everything has to break right
- to win against an opponent's service in tennis
- to divide into classes, categories, or types usu. used with into
- the rose is broken into several varieties
- to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint
- to separate during churning into liquid and fat
- an act or action of breaking
- the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards
- a condition produced by or as if by breaking : gap
- a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit
- the action or act of breaking in, out, or forth
- : a place or situation at which a break occurs: as
- the place at which a word is divided esp. at the end of a line of print or writing
- the point or location at which waves break for surfing
- : an interruption in continuity: as
- a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment
- an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface
- a respite from work, school, or duty
- relief from annoyance often used to express exasperation or irritation in phrases like give me a break
- a planned interruption in a radio or television program
- a break for the commercial
- deviation of a pitched baseball from a straight line
- fault, dislocation
- failure of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait
- an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or quality
- the action or an instance of breaking service in tennis
- a usu. solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music
- dash, rush
- a base runner making a break for home
- fast break
- a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values
- the start of a race
- the act of separating after a clinch in boxing
- a stroke of luck and esp. of good luck
- a favorable or opportune situation : chance
- waiting for a big break in show business
- favorable consideration or treatment
- a rupture in previously agreeable relations
- a break between the two countries
- an abrupt split or difference with something previously adhered to or followed
- a sharp break with tradition
- breakdown
brake·man ['brāk-mən] -n
- a freight or passenger train crew member who inspects the train and assists the conductor
- the member of a bobsled team who operates the brake
bram·ble ['bram-bəl] -n, adj
- any of a genus ( Rubus) of usu. prickly shrubs of the rose family including the raspberries and blackberries
- the fruit of a bramble
- a rough prickly shrub or vine
bran ['bran] -n
- the edible broken seed coats of cereal grain separated from the flour or meal by sifting or bolting
branch ['branch] -n, adj
- a natural subdivision of a plant stem
- a secondary shoot or stem (as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree)
- : something that extends from or enters into a main body or source: as
- a stream that flows into another usu. larger stream : tributary
- creek
- a side road or way
- a slender projection (as the tine of an antler)
- a distinctive part of a mathematical curve
- a part of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision
- : a part of a complex body: as
- a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor
- an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas
- pathology is a branch of medicine
- a division of an organization
- a separate but dependent part of a central organization
- the neighborhood branch of the city library
- a language group less inclusive than a family
- the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family
- to put forth branches : ramify
- to spring out (as from a main stem) : diverge
- to be an outgrowth used with from
- poetry that branch ed from religious prose
- to extend activities usu. used with out
- the business is branch ing out
- to follow one of two or more branches (as in a computer program)
- to ornament with designs of branches
- to divide up : section
bran·chi·al ['braŋ-kē-əl] -adj
- of, relating to, or supplying the gills or associated structures or their embryonic precursors
bran·chio·pod ['braŋ-kē-ə-,päd] -n, adj
- any of a group (Branchiopoda) of small usu. freshwater crustaceans (as fairy shrimp or water fleas) with usu. many pairs of setae-bearing appendages
branch·let ['branch-lət] -n
- a small usu. terminal branch
branch·line [-,līn] -n
- a secondary line usu. of a railroad
branch water -n
- plain water
brand ['brand] -n
- a charred piece of wood
- firebrand
- something (as lightning) that resembles a firebrand
- sword
- a mark made by burning with a hot iron to attest manufacture or quality or to designate ownership
- a printed mark made for similar purposes : trademark
- a mark put on criminals with a hot iron
- a mark of disgrace : stigma
- a class of goods identified by name as the product of a single firm or manufacturer : make
- a characteristic or distinctive kind
- a lively brand of theater
- brand name
- a tool used to produce a brand
- to mark with a brand
- to mark with disapproval : stigmatize
- to impress indelibly
- brand the lesson on his mind
brand·ed ['bran-dəd] -adj
- having a brand name
brand·ing ['bran-diŋ] -n
- the promoting of a product or service by identifying it with a particular brand
bran·dish ['bran-dish] -vt
- to shake or wave (as a weapon) menacingly
- to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner
brandish -n
- an act or instance of brandishing
brandname ['bran(d)-'nām] -adj
- of or relating to a brand name
- having a well-known and usu. highly regarded or marketable name
- the...party lacks brandname guests or good food -- Ryan Lizza
brand name -n
- an arbitrarily adopted name that is given by a manufacturer or merchant to an article or service to distinguish it as produced or sold by that manufacturer or merchant and that may be used and protected as a trademark
- one having a well-known and usu. highly regarded or marketable name
brandnew [-'nü, -'nyü] -adj
- conspicuously new and unused
- recently introduced
- a brandnew executive officer
bran·dy ['bran-dē] -n
- an alcoholic beverage distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice
brandy -vt
- to flavor, blend, or preserve with brandy
bran·ni·gan ['bra-ni-gən] -n
- a drinking spree
- squabble
brant ['brant] -n
- a small goose ( Branta bernicla) about the size of a mallard having a black head, neck, and chest
brash ['brash] -adj, adv, n
- brittle
- heedless of the consequences : audacious
- done in haste without regard for consequences : rash
- full of fresh raw vitality
- uninhibitedly energetic or demonstrative : bumptious
- lacking restraint and discernment : tactless
- aggressively self-assertive : impudent
- brash to the point of arrogance
- piercingly sharp : harsh
- marked by vivid contrast : bold
- a mass of fragments (as of ice)
brass ['bras] -n, adj
- an alloy consisting essentially of copper and zinc in variable proportions
- the brass instruments of an orchestra or band often used in pl.
- a usu. brass memorial tablet
- bright metal fittings, utensils, or ornaments
- empty cartridge shells
- brazen self-assurance : gall
- high-ranking members of the military
- persons in high positions (as in a business or the government)
bras·sard [brə-'särd, 'bra-,] -n
- armor for protecting the arm
- a cloth band worn around the upper arm usu. bearing an identifying mark
brass band -n
- a band consisting chiefly or solely of brass and percussion instruments
brass·bound ['bras-,bau̇nd, -'bau̇nd] -adj
- having trim made of brass or a metal resembling brass
- tradition-bound and opinionated
- making no concessions : inflexible
- brazen, presumptuous
brass collar Democrat -n
- a conservative Democrat esp. in the south who votes the straight Democratic ticket
bras·se·rie [,bras-'rē, ,bra-sə-] -n
- an informal usu. French restaurant serving simple hearty food
brass hat -n
- a member of the brass
bras·si·ca ['bra-si-kə] -n
- any of a large genus ( Brassica) of Old World temperate-zone herbs (as broccoli and cabbage) of the mustard family with cylindrical pods
bras·siere [brə-'zir also ,bra-sē-'er] -n
- a woman's undergarment to cover and support the breasts
brass instrument -n
- any of a group of wind instruments (as a French horn, trombone, trumpet, or tuba) that is usu. characterized by a long cylindrical or conical metal tube commonly curved two or more times and ending in a flared bell, that produces tones by the vibrations of the player's lips against a usu. cup-shaped mouthpiece, and that usu. has valves or a slide by which the player may produce all the tones within the instrument's range
brass knuckles -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- knuckle
brass ring -n
- a rich opportunity : prize
brass tacks -n pl
- details of immediate practical importance usu. used in the phrase get down to brass tacks
brassy ['bra-sē] -adj, adv, n
- shamelessly bold
- obstreperous
- resembling brass esp. in color
- resembling the sound of a brass instrument
brat ['brat] -n, adj
- child
- an ill-mannered annoying child
- an ill-mannered immature person
- the child of a career military person
- the child of a person whose career is in a specified and typically unusual field
brat·tice ['bra-təs, 'bra-tish] -n, vt
- an often temporary partition of planks or cloth used esp. to control mine ventilation
brat·tle ['bra-tᵊl] -n
- clatter, scamper
brattle -vi
- to make a clattering or rattling sound
brat·wurst ['brät-(,)wərst also 'brat- also -,vu̇(r)st; sometimes -,vu̇sht] -n
- fresh pork sausage for frying
braun·schweig·er ['brau̇n-,shwī-gər, -,shvī- also 'brän-] -n
- smoked liverwurst
bra·va ['brä-(,)vä, brä-'vä] -n
- bravo used interjectionally in applauding a woman
bra·va·do [brə-'vä-(,)dō] -n
- blustering swaggering conduct
- a pretense of bravery
- the quality or state of being foolhardy
brave ['brāv] -adj, adv
- having or showing courage
- making a fine show : colorful
- brave banners flying in the wind
- excellent, splendid
- the brave fire I soon had going -- J. F. Dobie
- to face or endure with courage
- to make showy
- to make a brave show
- bravado
- one who is brave
- an American Indian warrior
- bully, assassin
brave new world -n
- a future world, situation, or development
- a recent development or recently changed situation
brav·ery ['brāv-rē, 'brā-və-] -n
- the quality or state of being brave : courage
- fine clothes
- showy display
bra·vo ['brä-(,)vō] -n
- villain, desperado
- a hired assassin
- a shout of approval often used interjectionally in applauding a performance
- to applaud by shouts of bravo
Bra·vo ['brä-(,)vō]
- a communications code word for the letter b
bra·vu·ra [brə-'vyu̇r-ə, brä-, -'vu̇r-] -n
- a musical passage requiring exceptional agility and technical skill in execution
- a florid brilliant style
- a show of daring or brilliance
bravura -adj
- marked by a dazzling display of skill
- ornate, showy
braw ['brȯ, 'brä] -adj
- good, fine
- well dressed
brawl ['brȯl] -vi, n
- to quarrel or fight noisily : wrangle
- to make a loud confused noise
- a noisy quarrel or fight
- a loud tumultuous noise
brawly ['brȯ-lē] -adj
- inclined to brawl
- characterized by brawls or brawling
brawn ['brȯn] -n
- the flesh of a boar
- headcheese
- full strong muscles
- muscular strength
brawny ['brȯ-nē] -adj, adv, n
- muscular
- strong, powerful
- being swollen and hard
bray ['brā] -vb, n
- to utter the characteristic loud harsh cry of a donkey
- to utter a sound like a donkey's
- to utter or play loudly or harshly
- to crush or grind fine
- to spread thin
bray·er ['brā-ər] -n
- a printer's hand inking roller
Braz -abbr
- Brazil; Brazilian
braze ['brāz] -vt
- harden
- to solder with a nonferrous alloy having a lower melting point than the metals being joined
bra·zen ['brā-zᵊn] -adj, adv, n
- made of brass
- sounding harsh and loud like struck brass
- of the color of polished brass
- marked by contemptuous boldness
- a brazen disregard for the rules
brazen ['brāz-niŋ, 'brā-zᵊn-iŋ] -vt
- to face with defiance or impudence usu. used in the phrase brazen it out
bra·zenfaced ['brā-zᵊn-,fāst] -adj
- marked by insolence and bold disrespect
bra·zier ['brā-zhər] -n
- one who works in brass
brazier -n
- a pan for holding burning coals
- a utensil in which food is exposed to heat through a wire grill
Bra·zil nut [brə-'zil-] -n
- a tall So. American tree ( Bertholletia excelsaof the family Lecythidaceae) that bears large globular capsules each containing several closely packed roughly triangular oily edible nuts
- its nut
bra·zil·wood [brə-'zil-,wu̇d] -n
- the heavy wood of any of various tropical leguminous trees (esp. genus Caesalpinia) that is used esp. as red and purple dyewood and in violin bows, gun stocks, and cabinetwork
BRE -abbr
- bachelor of religious education
- business reply envelope
breach ['brēch] -n
- infraction or violation of a law, obligation, tie, or standard
- a broken, ruptured, or torn condition or area
- a gap (as in a wall) made by battering
- a break in accustomed friendly relations
- a temporary gap in continuity : hiatus
- a leap esp. of a whale out of water
- to make a breach in
- break, violate
- to leap out of water
breach of promise
- violation of a promise esp. to marry
bread ['bred] -n, adj
- a usu. baked and leavened food made of a mixture whose basic constituent is flour or meal
- food, sustenance
- livelihood
- earns his bread as a laborer
- money
- to cover with bread crumbs
breadandbutter -adj
- being as basic as the earning of one's livelihood
- reliable
- our breadandbutter repertoire
- dependable as a source of income
- a company's breadandbutter products
- sent or given as thanks for hospitality
bread and butter -n
- a means of sustenance or livelihood
bread and circuses -n pl
- a palliative offered esp. to avert potential discontent
bread·bas·ket ['bred-,bas-kət] -n
- stomach
- a major cereal-producing region
bread·board ['bred-,bȯrd] -n
- a board on which dough is kneaded or bread cut
- a board on which mounted components are breadboarded
breadboard -vt
- to make an experimental arrangement of (as an electronic circuit or a mechanical system) to test feasibility
bread·fruit ['bred-,früt] -n
- a round starchy usu. seedless fruit that resembles bread in color and texture when baked
- a tall tropical evergreen tree ( Artocarpus altilis) of the mulberry family that bears this fruit
bread·line [-,līn] -n
- a line of people waiting to receive free food
bread mold -n
- any of various molds found esp. on bread
- a rhizopus ( Rhizopus nigricanssyn. R. stolonifer)
bread·stuff [-,stəf] -n
- a cereal product (as grain or flour)
- bread
breadth ['bretth, 'bredth, ÷'breth] -n, adv or adj
- distance from side to side : width
- something of full width
- comprehensive quality : scope
- the breadth of his learning
- liberality of views or taste
bread·win·ner ['bred-,wi-nər] -n
- a means (as a tool or craft) of livelihood
- a member of a family whose wages supply its livelihood
break ['brāk] -vb
- to separate into parts with suddenness or violence
- fracture
- rupture
- to cut into and turn over the surface of
- to render inoperable
- violate, transgress
- to invalidate (a will) by action at law
- to force entry into
- to burst and force a way through
- to escape by force from
- to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through
- break a trail through the woods
- to disrupt the order or compactness of
- to make ineffective as a binding force
- to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy
- used starvation to break the enemy
- to crush the spirit of
- brutal methods broke the prisoner
- : to make tractable or submissive: as
- to train (an animal) to adjust to the service or convenience of humans
- inure, accustom
- to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity
- broken by his struggle for power
- to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt
- interrupt, suspend
- break the silence with a cry
- to open and bring about suspension of operation
- break an electric circuit
- to destroy unity or completeness of
- break a dining room set by buying a chair
- to change the appearance of uniformity of
- a dormer break s the level roof
- to split the surface of
- to cause to discontinue a habit
- tried to break him of smoking
- to make known : tell
- break the bad news gently
- to bring to attention or prominence initially
- radio stations break ing new musicians
- to ruin financially
- to reduce in rank
- broken from sergeant to private
- to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide
- to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations
- to use as the denomination in paying a bill
- didn't want to break a 20 bill
often used with into, up, or down - to check the speed, force, or intensity of
- the bushes will break his fall
- without break ing her stride
- to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes
- to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of
- news likely to break the market sharply
- exceed, surpass
- to score less than (a specified total)
- a golfer trying to break 90
- to win against (an opponent's service) in tennis
- to make (a run) in football by getting past defenders
- to open the action of (a breechloader)
- to find an explanation or solution for : solve
- the detective broke the case
- to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)
- to demonstrate the falsity of
- to ruin the prospects of
- could make or break her career
- to produce visibly
- to escape with sudden forceful effort
- the attacker broke from the throng
- to come into being by or as if by bursting forth
- to effect a penetration
- break through security lines
- to emerge through the surface of the water
- to start abruptly
- to become known or published
- to make a sudden dash
- to separate after a clinch in boxing
- to achieve initial success in usu. a sudden or striking way
- her song broke nationally
- to begin a race
- to come apart or split into pieces : fragment, shatter
- the cup broke when it fell
- to open spontaneously or by pressure from within
- to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam
- to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period
- to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity
- a voice break ing with emotion
- to become fair : clear
- to make the opening shot of a game of pool
- to end a relationship, connection, or agreement usu. used with with or from
- to give way in disorderly retreat
- to swerve suddenly
- to curve from a straight path
- a pitch that break s away from the batter
- to fail in health, strength, vitality, resolve, or control
- may break under questioning
- to become inoperative because of damage, wear, or strain
- to fail to keep a prescribed gait used of a horse
- to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume
- transportation stocks may break sharply
- happen, develop
- for the team to succeed, everything has to break right
- to win against an opponent's service in tennis
- to divide into classes, categories, or types usu. used with into
- the rose is broken into several varieties
- to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint
- to separate during churning into liquid and fat
- an act or action of breaking
- the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards
- a condition produced by or as if by breaking : gap
- a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit
- the action or act of breaking in, out, or forth
- : a place or situation at which a break occurs: as
- the place at which a word is divided esp. at the end of a line of print or writing
- the point or location at which waves break for surfing
- : an interruption in continuity: as
- a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment
- an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface
- a respite from work, school, or duty
- relief from annoyance often used to express exasperation or irritation in phrases like give me a break
- a planned interruption in a radio or television program
- a break for the commercial
- deviation of a pitched baseball from a straight line
- fault, dislocation
- failure of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait
- an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or quality
- the action or an instance of breaking service in tennis
- a usu. solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music
- dash, rush
- a base runner making a break for home
- fast break
- a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values
- the start of a race
- the act of separating after a clinch in boxing
- a stroke of luck and esp. of good luck
- a favorable or opportune situation : chance
- waiting for a big break in show business
- favorable consideration or treatment
- a rupture in previously agreeable relations
- a break between the two countries
- an abrupt split or difference with something previously adhered to or followed
- a sharp break with tradition
- breakdown
break·able ['brā-kə-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being broken
break·age ['brā-kij] -n
- loss due to things broken
- the action or an instance of breaking
- a quantity broken
break·away ['brā-kə-,wā] -n
- one that breaks away
- a departure from or rejection of (as a group or tradition)
- a play (as in hockey) in which an offensive player breaks free of the defenders and rushes toward the goal
- a sudden acceleration by one or more bicyclists pulling away from the pack in a race
- an object made to shatter or collapse under pressure or impact
breakaway -adj
- favoring independence from an affiliation : seceding
- a breakaway faction formed a new party
- made to break, shatter, or bend easily
- breakaway road signs for highway safety
- of, relating to, or resulting from a breakaway
- allowing or having an ability to execute a breakaway
break away -vi
- to detach oneself esp. from a group : get away
- to depart from former or accustomed ways
- to pull away with a burst of speed
break beat -n
- a repetitive drum pattern in hip-hop and dance music
- music based on break beats
break·bone fever ['brāk-'bōn-] -n
- dengue
break dancing ['brāk-,dan(t)s] -n, vb
- dancing in which solo dancers perform acrobatics that involve touching various parts of the body (as the back or head) to the ground
break·down ['brāk-,dau̇n] -n
- : the action or result of breaking down: as
- a failure to function
- failure to progress or have effect : disintegration
- a breakdown of negotiations
- a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
- the process of decomposing
- division into categories : classification
- an account analyzed into categories
- a fast shuffling dance
- music for such a dance
break down -vt
- to cause to fall or collapse by breaking or shattering
- to make ineffective
- break down legal barriers
- to divide into parts or categories
- to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose
- to take apart esp. for storage or shipment and for later reassembling
- to stop functioning because of breakage or wear
- to become inoperative or ineffective : fail
- to fail in strength or vitality
- to succumb to mental or emotional stress
- to lose one's resolve : give in
- finally broke down and bought a computer
- to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint
- to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision
- the statistics break down like this
- to undergo decomposition
break·er ['brā-kər] -n
- one that breaks
- a machine or plant for breaking rocks or coal
- one who breaks up ships or cars for salvage
- a device for opening a circuit
- circuit breaker
- a wave breaking into foam (as against the shore)
brea·ker ['brā-kər] -n
- a small water cask
break·even ['brāk-'ē-vən] -n
- the point at which cost and income are equal and there is neither profit nor loss
- a financial result reflecting neither profit nor loss
breakeven ['brāk-'ē-vən] -adj
- having equal cost and income
break·fast ['brek-fəst] -n, vb
- the first meal of the day esp. when taken in the morning
- the food prepared for a breakfast
break·front ['brāk-,frənt] -n
- a large cabinet or bookcase whose center section projects beyond the flanking end sections
breakin ['brāk-,in] -n
- the act or action of breaking in
- a rash of breakin s at the new apartment house
- a performance or a series of performances serving as a trial run
- an initial period of operation during which working parts begin to function efficiently
break in -vi
- to enter something (as a building or computer system) without consent or by force
- intrude
- break in upon his privacy
- to interrupt a conversation
- to start in an activity or enterprise
- breaking in as a cub reporter
- to accustom to a certain activity or occurrence
- to overcome the stiffness or newness of
breaking and entering -n
- the act of forcing or otherwise gaining unlawful passage into and entering another's building
breaking point -n
- the point at which a person gives way under stress
- the point at which a situation becomes critical
- the point at which something loses force or validity
- stretch the rules to the breaking point
break·neck ['brāk-'nek] -adj
- very fast or dangerous
break off -vi
- to stop abruptly
- break off in the middle of a sentence
- to become detached
- branches that broke off in the storm
- to end a relationship
- broke off with his business partner
- discontinue
- break off diplomatic relations
- to remove by or as if by breaking
- broke off a chunk of bread
break·out ['brāk-,au̇t] -n
- a violent or forceful break from a restraining condition or situation
- a military attack to break from encirclement
breakout -adj
- being or relating to a sudden or smashing success esp. in comparison to previous efforts
break out -vi
- to develop or emerge with suddenness or force
- to become covered
- to become affected with a skin eruption
- to make a break from a restraining condition or situation
- to make ready for action or use
- break out the tents and make camp
- to produce for consumption
- break out a bottle of champagne
- to display flying and unfurled
- to separate from a mass of data
- break out newsstand sales
break point -n
- a situation in tennis in which the receiving player can win the game by scoring the next point
- the point so scored
break·through ['brāk-,thrü] -n
- an offensive thrust that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line in warfare
- an act or instance of breaking through an obstacle
- a sudden advance esp. in knowledge or technique
- a person's first notable success
break through -vi
- to make a breakthrough
break·up ['brāk-,əp] -n
- an act or instance of breaking up
- the breaking, melting, and loosening of ice in the spring
break up -vi
- to cease to exist as a unified whole : disperse
- their partnership broke up
- to end a romance
- to lose morale, composure, or resolution
- to become abandoned to laughter
- breaks up completely, laughing himself into a coughing fit -- Gene Williams
- to break into pieces
- to bring to an end
- to do away with : destroy
- to disrupt the continuity or flow of
- decompose
- to cause to laugh heartily
breakup value -n
- the value esp. of shares of stock of a corporation liquidating its assets
break·wa·ter ['brāk-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n
- an offshore structure (as a wall) protecting a harbor or beach from the force of waves
bream ['brim, 'brēm] -n
- a bronze-colored European freshwater cyprinid fish ( Abramis brama)
- any of various related fishes
- any of various marine fish (family Sparidae) related to the porgy called also sea bream
- any of various freshwater sunfishes ( Lepomisand related genera)
- bluegill
- to clean (a ship's bottom) by heating and scraping
breast ['brest] -n, adj
- either of the pair of mammary glands extending from the front of the chest in pubescent and adult human females and some other mammals
- either of the analogous but rudimentary organs of the male chest esp. when enlarged
- the fore or ventral part of the body between the neck and the abdomen
- the part of an article of clothing covering the breast
- the seat of emotion and thought : bosom
- something (as a front, swelling, or curving part) resembling a breast
- face
- to contend with resolutely : confront
- climb, ascend
- to thrust the chest against
- the sprinter breast ed the tape
breastbeat·ing ['bres(t)-,bē-tiŋ] -n
- noisy demonstrative protestation (as of grief, anger, or self-recrimination)
breast·bone ['bres(t)-,bōn] -n
- sternum
breast drill -n
- a portable drill with a plate that is pressed by the breast in forcing the drill against the work
breastfeed ['brest-,fēd] -vt
- to feed (a baby) from a mother's breast
- to breast-feed a baby
breast·plate ['bres(t)-,plāt] -n
- a usu. metal plate worn as defensive armor for the breast
- a vestment worn in ancient times by a Jewish high priest and set with 12 gems bearing the names of the tribes of Israel
- a piece against which a worker's breast is pressed in operating a tool (as a breast drill)
breast·stroke ['bres(t)-,strōk] -n
- a swimming stroke executed in a prone position by coordinating a kick in which the legs are brought forward with the knees together and the feet are turned outward and whipped back with a glide and a backward sweeping movement of the arms
breast·work ['brest-,wərk] -n
- a temporary fortification
breath ['breth] -n
- air filled with a fragrance or odor
- a slight indication : suggestion
- the faintest breath of scandal
- the faculty of breathing
- recovering his breath after the race
- an act of breathing
- fought to the last breath
- opportunity or time to breathe : respite
- a slight breeze
- air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
- something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing
- inhalation
- a spoken sound : utterance
- spirit, animation
breath·able ['brē-thə-bəl] -adj, n
- suitable for breathing
- allowing air to pass through : porous
- a breathable synthetic fabric
Breath·a·ly·zer ['bre-thə-,lī-zər] -trademark
- used for a device that is used to determine the alcohol content of a breath sample
breathe ['brēth] -vb
- to draw air into and expel it from the lungs : respire
- to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processes
- to inhale and exhale freely
- live
- to emit a fragrance or aura
- to become perceptible : be expressed
- a personality that breathe s and that distinguishes his work -- Bennett Schiff
- to pause and rest before continuing
- to blow softly
- to feel free of restraint
- to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air
- to permit passage of air or vapor
- to use air to support combustion
- to send out by exhaling
- to instill by or as if by breathing
- breathe new life into the movement
- to give rest from exertion to
- to take in in breathing
- breathe the scent of pines
- to inhale and exhale
- utter, express
- don't breathe a word of it to anyone
- to make manifest : evince
- the novel breathe s despair
breathed ['bretht] -adj
- having breath esp. of a specified kind usu. used in combination
- voiceless
breath·er ['brē-thər] -n
- one that breathes
- a break in activity for rest or relief
- a small vent in an otherwise airtight enclosure
breath·ing ['brē-thiŋ] -n
- either of the marks and used in writing Greek to indicate aspiration or its absence
breathing space -n
- some time in which to recover, get organized, or get going called also breathing room breathing spell
breathing tube -n
- a tube inserted (as through the nose or mouth) into the trachea to maintain an unobstructed passageway esp. to deliver oxygen or anesthesia to the lungs
breath·less ['breth-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- not breathing
- dead
- panting or gasping for breath
- gripped with emotion
- breathless in anticipation
- intense, gripping
- very rapid or strenuous
- marked by intense or unremitting activity
- oppressive because of no fresh air or breeze
breath·tak·ing ['breth-,tā-kiŋ] -adj, adv
- making one out of breath
- exciting, thrilling
- very great : astonishing
- his breathtaking ignorance
breathy ['bre-thē] -adj, adv, n
- characterized or accompanied by or as if by the audible passage of breath
brec·cia ['bre-ch(ē-)ə] -n
- a rock composed of sharp fragments embedded in a fine-grained matrix (as sand or clay)
brec·ci·ate ['bre-chē-,āt] -vt, n
- to form (rock) into breccia
- to break (rock) into fragments
brede ['brēd] -n
- embroidery
bredinthebone ['bre-dᵊn-thə-,bōn] -adj
- deep-rooted
- inveterate
breech ['brēch] -n
- short pants covering the hips and thighs and fitting snugly at the lower edges at or just below the knee
- pants
- the hind end of the body : buttocks
- breech presentation
- a fetus that is presented breech first
- the part of a firearm at the rear of the barrel
breech·block ['brēch-,bläk] -n
- the block in breech-loading firearms that closes the rear of the barrel against the force of the charge and prevents gases from escaping
breech·cloth ['brēch-,klȯth, 'brich-] -n
- loincloth
breech·clout [-,klau̇t] -n
- loincloth
breech delivery -n
- delivery of a fetus by breech presentation called also breech birth
breech·es buoy ['brē-chəz- also 'bri-] -n
- a canvas seat in the form of breeches hung from a life buoy running on a hawser and used to haul persons from one ship to another or from ship to shore esp. in rescue operations
breech·ing ['brē-chiŋ, 'bri-] -n
- the part of a harness that passes around the rump of a draft animal
- the short coarse wool on the rump and hind legs of a sheep or goat
- the hair on the corresponding part of a dog
breech·load·er ['brēch-'lō-dər] -n, adj
- a firearm that loads at the breech
breech presentation -n
- presentation of the fetus in which the breech is the first part to appear at the uterine cervix
breed ['brēd] -vb
- to produce (offspring) by hatching or gestation
- beget
- produce, engender
- despair often breed s violence
- to propagate (plants or animals) sexually and usu. under controlled conditions
- bred several strains of corn together to produce a superior variety
- bring up, nurture
- born and bred in the country
- to inculcate by training
- breed good manners into one's children
- mate
- to mate with : inseminate
- impregnate
- to produce (a fissionable element) by bombarding a nonfissionable element with neutrons from a radioactive element
- to produce offspring by sexual union
- copulate, mate
- to propagate animals or plants
- a group of usu. domesticated animals or plants presumably related by descent from common ancestors and visibly similar in most characters
- a number of persons of the same stock
- class, kind
breed·er ['brē-dər] -n
- : one that breeds: as
- an animal or plant kept for propagation
- one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism
- a nuclear reactor designed to produce more fissionable material than it uses as fuel called also breeder reactor
breed·ing -n
- the action or process of bearing or generating
- ancestry
- education
- she had her breeding at my father's charge -- Shak.
- training in or observance of the proprieties
- the sexual propagation of plants or animals
breeding ground -n
- the place to which animals go to breed
- a place or set of circumstances suitable for or favorable to growth and development
- hurricane breeding grounds
breeks ['brēks, 'briks] -n pl
- breeches
breeze ['brēz] -n, adj
- a light gentle wind
- a wind of from 4 to 31 miles (6 to 50 kilometers) an hour
- something easily done : cinch
- to move swiftly and airily
- breezed past the protesters
- to make progress quickly and easily
- residue from the making of coke or charcoal
breeze·way ['brēz-,wā] -n
- a roofed often open passage connecting two buildings (as a house and garage) or halves of a building
breezy ['brē-zē] -adj, adv, n
- swept by breezes
- briskly informal
- airy, nonchalant
breg·ma ['breg-mə] -n
- the point of junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures of the skull
brems·strah·lung ['brem(p)-,shträ-ləŋ] -n
- the electromagnetic radiation produced by the sudden retardation of a charged particle in an intense electric field (as of an atomic nucleus)
- the process that produces such radiation
brent goose ['brent-] -n
- brant
breth·ren ['breth-rən; 'bre-thə-, -thərn]
- used chiefly in formal or solemn address or in referring to the members of a profession, society, or sect
Brethren -n pl
- members of various sects originating chiefly in 18th century German Pietism
- dunkers
Bret·on ['bre-tᵊn] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of Brittany
- the Celtic language of the Breton people
breve ['brēv, 'brev] -n
- a note equivalent to two whole notes
- a curved mark used to indicate a short vowel or a short or unstressed syllable
bre·vet [bri-'vet, chiefly Brit 'bre-vit] -n
- a commission giving a military officer higher nominal rank than that for which pay is received
brevet -vt
- to confer rank upon by brevet
bre·via·ry ['brē-və-rē, -vyə-, -vē-,er-ē, -,e-rē also 'bre-] -n
- a book of the prayers, hymns, psalms, and readings for the canonical hours
- divine office
- a brief summary
brev·i·ty ['bre-və-tē] -n
- shortness of duration
- shortness or conciseness of expression
brew ['brü] -vb, n
- to prepare (as beer or ale) by steeping, boiling, and fermentation or by infusion and fermentation
- to bring about : foment
- contrive
- to prepare (as tea) by infusion in hot water
- to brew beer or ale
- to be in the process of forming
- a brewed beverage (as beer)
- a serving of a brewed beverage
- something produced by or as if by brewing
- the process of brewing
brew·age ['brü-ij] -n
- brew
- brew
brewer's yeast -n
- a yeast used or suitable for use in brewing
- the dried pulverized cells of such a yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae) used esp. as a source of B-complex vitamins
brew·ery ['brü-ə-rē, 'bru̇(-ə)r-ē] -n
- a plant where malt liquors are produced
brew·mas·ter ['brü-,mas-tər] -n
- a person who supervises the brewing process of malt liquors
brew·pub ['brü-,pəb] -n
- a restaurant that sells beverages brewed on the premises
brew·ski ['brü-skē] -n
- beer
bri·ar ['brī(-ə)r] -n, adj
- a plant (as a rose, blackberry, or greenbrier) having a usu. woody and thorny or prickly stem
- a mass or twig of these
briar -n
- a tobacco pipe made from the root or stem of a European heath ( Erica arborea)
bri·ard [brē-'är(d)] -n
- any of an old French breed of large long-coated sheepdogs
bribe ['brīb] -n
- money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust
- something that serves to induce or influence
- to induce or influence by or as if by bribery
- to practice bribery
brib·ery ['brī-b(ə-)rē] -n
- the act or practice of giving or taking a bribe
bricabrac ['bri-kə-,brak] -n
- a miscellaneous collection of small articles commonly of ornamental or sentimental value : curios
- something suggesting bric-a-brac esp. in extraneous decorative quality
brick ['brik] -n
- a handy-sized unit of building or paving material typically being rectangular and about 2 3 8 inches (57 95 203 millimeters) and of moist clay hardened by heat
- a good-hearted person
- a rectangular compressed mass (as of ice cream)
- a semisoft cheese with numerous small holes, smooth texture, and often mild flavor
- gaffe, blunder used esp. in the phrase drop a brick
- a badly missed shot in basketball
- to close, face, or pave with bricks usu. used with up, in, or over
brickandmortar -adj
- relating to or being a traditional business serving customers in a building as contrasted to an online business
brick·bat ['brik-,bat] -n
- a fragment of a hard material (as a brick)
- one used as a missile
- an uncomplimentary remark
brick·field [-,fēld] -n
- brickyard
brick·lay·er ['brik-,lā-ər, -,ler] -n
- a person who lays brick
brick·le ['bri-kəl] -adj
- brittle
brick red -n
- a moderate reddish brown
brick wall -n
- a wall made of brick
- an immovable block or obstruction
- the plan ran into a brick wall
brick·work ['brik-,wərk] -n
- work of or with bricks and mortar
brick·yard [-,yärd] -n
- a place where bricks are made
bri·co·lage [,brē-kō-'läzh, ,bri-] -n
- construction (as of a sculpture or a structure of ideas) achieved by using whatever comes to hand
- something constructed in this way
brid·al ['brī-dᵊl] -n
- a marriage festival or ceremony
bridal -adj
- of or relating to a bride or a wedding : nuptial
- intended for a newly married couple
bridal wreath -n
- a spirea ( Spiraea prunifolia) widely grown for its umbels of small white flowers borne in spring
bride ['brīd] -n
- a woman just married or about to be married
bride·groom ['brīd-,grüm, -,gru̇m] -n
- a man just married or about to be married
brideprice ['brīd-,prīs] -n
- a payment given by or in behalf of a prospective husband to the bride's family in many cultures
brides·maid ['brīdz-,mād] -n
- a woman who is an attendant of a bride
- one that finishes just behind the winner
bride·well ['brīd-,wel, -wəl] -n
- prison
bridge ['brij] -n, adj
- a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle
- a time, place, or means of connection or transition
- : something resembling a bridge in form or function: as
- the upper bony part of the nose
- the part of a pair of glasses that rests upon it
- a piece raising the strings of a musical instrument
- the forward part of a ship's superstructure from which the ship is navigated
- gantry
- the hand as a rest for a billiards or pool cue
- a device used as a cue rest
- a musical passage linking two sections of a composition
- a partial denture anchored to adjacent teeth
- a connection (as an atom or group of atoms) that joins two different parts of a molecule (as opposite sides of a ring)
- an electrical instrument or network for measuring or comparing resistances, inductances, capacitances, or impedances by comparing the ratio of two opposing voltages to a known ratio
- to make a bridge over or across
- to join by a bridge
- to provide with a bridge
- any of various card games for usu. four players in two partnerships that bid for the right to declare a trump suit, seek to win tricks equal to the final bid, and play with the hand of declarer's partner exposed and played by declarer
- contract bridge
bridge·head [-,hed] -n
- a fortification protecting the end of a bridge nearest an enemy
- an area around the end of a bridge
- an advanced position seized in hostile territory
bridge loan -n
- a short-term loan used to finance an enterprise, investment, or government pending the receipt of other funds
bridge·work [-,wərk] -n
- dental bridges
bri·dle ['brī-dᵊl] -n
- the headgear with which a horse is governed and which carries a bit and reins
- a length of line or cable attached to two parts of something to spread the force of a pull
- rigging on a kite for attaching line
- curb, restraint
- set a bridle on his power
bridle ['brīd-liŋ, 'brī-dᵊl-iŋ] -vb
- to put a bridle on
- to restrain, check, or control with or as if with a bridle
- to show hostility or resentment (as to an affront to one's pride or dignity) esp. by drawing back the head and chin
bridle path -n
- a trail suitable for horseback riding
Brie ['brē] -n
- a soft surface-ripened cheese with a whitish rind and a pale yellow interior
brief ['brēf] -adj, n
- short in duration, extent, or length
- concise
- curt, abrupt
- an official letter or mandate
- a papal letter less formal than a bull
- a specific instruction or responsibility
- his brief was to strengthen the army
- a concise article
- synopsis, summary
- a concise statement of a client's case made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law
- an outline of an argument
- a formal outline esp. in law that sets forth the main contentions with supporting statements or evidence
- short snug pants or underpants
- to make an abstract or abridgment of
- to give final precise instructions to
- to coach thoroughly in advance
- to give essential information to
- to discuss (as a military operation) in a briefing
brief·case ['brēf-,kās] -n
- a flat flexible case for carrying papers or books
brief·ing ['brē-fiŋ] -n
- an act or instance of giving precise instructions or essential information
brief·ly ['brē-flē] -adv
- in a brief way
- in brief
- the food, briefly, was awful
- for a short time
brier ['brī(-ə)r] -n, adj
(variant of briar)
- a plant (as a rose, blackberry, or greenbrier) having a usu. woody and thorny or prickly stem
- a mass or twig of these
brig ['brig] -n
- a 2-masted square-rigged ship
- a place (as on a ship) for temporary confinement of offenders in the U.S. Navy
- guardhouse, prison
- brigade; brigadier
bri·gade [bri-'gād] -n
- a large body of troops
- a tactical and administrative unit composed of a headquarters, one or more units of infantry or armor, and supporting units
- a group of people organized for special activity
brigade -vt
- to form or unite into a brigade
brig·a·dier [,bri-gə-'dir] -n
- an officer in the British army commanding a brigade and ranking immediately below a major general
- brigadier general
brigadier general -n
- a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps who ranks above a colonel and whose insignia is one star
Brig·a·doon [,bri-gə-'dün] -n
- a place that is idyllic, unaffected by time, or remote from reality
brig·and ['bri-gənd] -n
- one who lives by plunder usu. as a member of a band : bandit
brig·an·dine ['bri-gən-,dēn] -n
- medieval body armor of scales or plates
brig·an·tine ['bri-gən-,tēn] -n
- a 2-masted sailing ship that is square-rigged except for a fore-and-aft mainsail
Brig Gen -abbr
- brigadier general
bright ['brīt] -adj, adv
- radiating or reflecting light : shining, sparkling
- sunny
- radiant with happiness
- illustrious, glorious
- bright est star of the opera
- beautiful
- of high saturation or lightness
- lively, cheerful
- be bright and jovial among your guests -- Shak.
- intelligent, clever
- auspicious, promising
- bright prospects for the future
- a bright color usu. used in pl.
- rich earth tones and crisp bright s -- Patricia Peterson
bright·en ['brī-tᵊn] -vb, n
- to become bright or brighter
- to make bright or brighter
- the gift brighten ed my day
brightline ['brīt-,līn] -adj
- providing an unambiguous criterion or guideline esp. in law
bright·ness -n
- the quality or state of being bright
- an instance of such a quality or state
- luminance
- the attribute of light-source colors by which emitted light is ordered continuously from light to dark in correlation with its intensity
Bright's disease ['brīts-] -n
- any of several kidney diseases marked esp. by albumin in the urine
bright·work ['brīt-,wərk] -n
- polished or plated metalwork
- varnished woodwork on a boat
brill ['bril] -n
- a European flatfish ( Scophthalmus rhombussyn. Bothus rhombusof the family Bothidae)
- turbot
bril·liance ['bril-yən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being brilliant
bril·lian·cy [-yən(t)-sē] -n
- brilliance
- an instance of brilliance
bril·liant ['bril-yənt] -adj, adv
- very bright : glittering
- striking, distinctive
- distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness
brilliant -n
- a gem (as a diamond) cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to have special brilliance
bril·lian·tine ['bril-yən-,tēn] -n
- a light lustrous fabric that is similar to alpaca and is woven usu. with a cotton warp and mohair or worsted filling
- a preparation for making hair glossy
brim ['brim] -n, adj
- an upper or outer margin : verge
- the upper surface of a body of water
- the edge or rim of a hollow vessel, a natural depression, or a cavity
- the projecting rim of a hat
- to fill to the brim
- to be or become full often to overflowing
- to reach or overflow a brim
brim·ful ['brim-'fu̇l, -,fu̇l] -adj
- full to the brim : ready to overflow
brimmed ['brimd] -adj
- having a brim of a specified nature used in combination
brim·mer ['bri-mər] -n
- a brimming cup or glass
brim·stone ['brim-,stōn] -n
- sulfur
brind·ed ['brin-dəd] -adj
- brindled
brin·dle ['brin-dᵊl] -n
- a brindled color
- a brindled animal
brin·dled [-dᵊld] -adj
- having obscure dark streaks or flecks on a usu. gray or tawny ground
brine ['brīn] -n
- water saturated or strongly impregnated with common salt
- a strong saline solution (as of calcium chloride)
- the water of a sea or salt lake
- to treat (as by steeping) with brine
Bri·nell hardness [brə-'nel-] -n
- the hardness of a metal or alloy measured by hydraulically pressing a hard ball under a standard load into the specimen
Brinell hardness number -n
- a number expressing Brinell hardness and denoting the load applied in testing in kilograms divided by the spherical area of indentation produced in the specimen in square millimeters called also Brinell number
brine shrimp -n
- any of a genus ( Artemia) of branchiopod crustaceans that can exist in strongly saline environments
bring ['briŋ] -vb, n
- to convey, lead, carry, or cause to come along with one toward the place from which the action is being regarded
- : to cause to be, act, or move in a special way: as
- attract
- her screams brought the neighbors
- persuade, induce
- force, compel
- to cause to come into a particular state or condition
- escort, accompany
- to bear as an attribute or characteristic
- bring s years of experience to the position
- : to cause to exist or occur: as
- to be the occasion of
- to result in
- the drug brought immediate relief
- institute
- adduce
- prefer
- to procure in exchange : sell for
- yield, produce
bring about -vt
- to cause to take place : effect
bring around -vt
- to restore to consciousness : revive
- persuade
bring·down ['briŋ-,dau̇n] -n
- comedown, letdown
bring down -vt
- to cause to fall by or as if by shooting
- to carry (a total) forward
bring in -vt
- include, introduce
- to produce as profit or return
- to enable (a base runner) to reach home plate by hitting the ball
- to report to a court
- the jury brought in a verdict
- to cause (as an oil well) to be productive
- to win tricks with the cards of (a long suit) in bridge
- earn
bring off -vt
- to cause to escape : rescue
- to carry to a successful conclusion : achieve, accomplish
bring on -vt
- to cause to appear or occur
bring out -vt
- to make apparent
- to effectively develop (as a quality)
- to present to the public
- to introduce formally to society
- utter
bring to -vt
- to cause (a boat) to lie to or come to a standstill
- to restore to consciousness : revive
bring up -vt
- to bring (a person) to maturity through nurturing care and education
- to cause to stop suddenly
- to bring to attention : introduce
- vomit
- to stop suddenly
brink ['briŋk] -n
- edge
- the edge at the top of a steep place
- a bank esp. of a river
- the point of onset : verge
- the threshold of danger
brink·man·ship ['briŋk-mən-,ship] -n
- the art or practice of pushing a dangerous situation or confrontation to the limit of safety esp. to force a desired outcome
briny ['brī-nē] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or resembling brine or the sea : salty
brio ['brē-(,)ō] -n
- enthusiastic vigor : vivacity, verve
bri·oche [brē-'ōsh, -'ȯsh] -n
- light slightly sweet bread made with a rich yeast dough
bri·o·lette [,brē-ə-'let] -n
- an oval or pear-shaped gemstone cut in triangular facets
bri·quette [bri-'ket] -n, vt
- a compacted often brick-shaped mass of usu. fine material
bris ['bris] -n
- the Jewish rite of circumcision
brisk ['brisk] -adj, adv, n
- keenly alert : lively
- pleasingly tangy
- fresh, invigorating
- sharp in tone or manner
- energetic, quick
- marked by much activity
- to make brisk
- to become brisk usu. used with up
bris·ket ['bris-kət] -n
- the breast or lower chest of a quadruped animal
- a cut of beef from the brisket
bris·ling ['briz-liŋ, 'bris-] -n
- sprat
bris·tle ['bri-səl] -n, adj
- a short stiff coarse hair or filament
bristle ['bris-liŋ, 'bri-sə-] -vb
- to furnish with bristles
- to make bristly : ruffle
- to rise and stand stiffly erect
- to raise the bristles (as in anger)
- to take on an aggressively defensive attitude (as in response to a slight or criticism)
- he bristled at the accusations of corruption
- to be full of or covered with esp. something suggestive of bristles
- roofs bristled with chimneys
- to be full of something specified
- book bristle s with detail and irony -- W. J. Broad
bris·tle·cone pine ['bri-səl-,kōn-] -n
- either of two pines ( Pinus longaevaand P. aristata) of the western U.S. that include the oldest living trees called also bristlecone
bris·tle·tail [-,tāl] -n
- any of various primitive wingless insects (order Thysanura syn. Archaeognatha) with three slender caudal bristles
bris·tly ['bris-lē, 'bri-sə-] -adj
- thickly set with bristles
- consisting of or resembling bristles
- inclined to or showing aggressiveness or anger
bris·tol board ['bris-tᵊl-] -n
- a cardboard with a smooth surface suitable esp. for artwork called also bristol
Bristol fashion -adj
- being in good order : shipshape
brit ['brit] -n
- minute marine animals (as crustaceans and pteropods) on which right whales feed
Brit ['brit] -n
- briton
- Britain; British
Bri·tan·nia metal [bri-'tan-yə-, -'ta-nē-ə-] -n
- a silver-white alloy largely of tin, antimony, and copper that is similar to pewter
Bri·tan·nic [bri-'ta-nik] -adj
- british
britch·es ['bri-chəz] -n pl
- breeches, trousers
Brit·i·cism ['bri-tə-,si-zəm] -n
- a characteristic feature of British English
Brit·ish ['bri-tish] -n, adj
- the Celtic language of the ancient Britons
- british english
- the people of Great Britain or the Commonwealth of Nations
British English -n
- the native language of most inhabitants of England
- English characteristic of England and clearly distinguishable from that used elsewhere (as in the U.S. or Australia)
Brit·ish·er ['bri-ti-shər] -n
- briton
British thermal unit -n
- the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at a specified temperature (as 39F)
Brit Mi·lah ['brit-mē-'lä, -'mē-(,)lä] -n
- bris
Brit·on ['bri-tᵊn] -n
- a member of one of the peoples inhabiting Britain prior to the Anglo-Saxon invasions
- a native or subject of Great Britain
- englishman
Brit·ta·ny ['bri-tə-nē] -n
- any of a breed of medium-sized pointers of French origin that resemble the spaniels in appearance called also Brittany spaniel
brit·tle ['bri-tᵊl] -adj, adv, n
- easily broken, cracked, or snapped
- easily disrupted, overthrown, or damaged : frail
- perishable, mortal
- transitory, evanescent
- easily hurt or offended : sensitive
- sharp
- the brittle staccato of snare drums
- lacking warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit : cold
- affected with or being a form of type 1 diabetes characterized by large and unpredictable fluctuations in blood glucose level
brittle -n
- a candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts spread in thin sheets
brit·tle·bush ['bri-tᵊl-,bu̇sh] -n
- any of a genus ( Encelia) of composite plants having brittle stems
- a perennial desert shrub ( E. farinosa) of the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico with yellow flowers blooming above dense usu. grayish-green foliage
brittle star -n
- any of a class or subclass (Ophiuroidea) of echinoderms that have slender flexible arms distinct from the central disk
Brit·ton·ic [bri-'tä-nik] -adj
- brythonic
Brix ['briks] -adj
- of or relating to a Brix scale
Brix scale -n
- a hydrometer scale for sugar solutions so graduated that its readings at a specified temperature represent percentages by weight of sugar in the solution called also Brix
brl -abbr
- barrel
bro ['brō] -n
- brother
- soul brother often used informally as a term of address
broach ['brōch] -n
- brooch
- : any of various pointed or tapered tools, implements, or parts: as
- a spit for roasting meat
- a tool for tapping casks
- a cutting tool for removing material from metal or plastic to shape an outside surface or a hole
- to pierce (as a cask) in order to draw the contents
- to open for the first time
- to open up or break into (as a mine or stores)
- to shape or enlarge (a hole) with a broach
- to make known for the first time
- to open up (a subject) for discussion
- to break the surface from below
- to veer or yaw dangerously so as to lie broadside to the waves often used with to
broad ['brȯd] -adj, adv, n
- having ample extent from side to side or between limits
- having a specified extension from side to side
- made the path 10 feet broad
- extending far and wide : spacious
- open, full
- plain, obvious
- dialectal esp. in pronunciation
- : marked by lack of restraint, delicacy, or subtlety:
- outspoken
- coarse, risque
- open used specif. of a pronounced as in father
- liberal, tolerant
- widely applicable or applied : general
- relating to the main or essential points
- in a broad manner : fully
- an expansion of a river often used in pl.
- woman
broad arrow -n
- an arrow with a flat barbed head
- a mark shaped like a broad arrow that identifies government property including clothing formerly worn by convicts
broad·ax ['brȯd-,aks] -n
- a large ax with a broad blade
broad·band ['brȯd-,band] -adj, n
- operating at, responsive to, or comprising a wide band of frequencies
- a broadband radio antenna
- of, relating to, or being a high-speed communications network and esp. one in which a frequency range is divided into multiple independent channels for simultaneous transmission of signals (as voice, data, or video)
broad bean -n
- the large flat edible seed of an Old World upright vetch ( Vicia faba)
- this plant widely grown for its seeds and as fodder called also fava bean
broadbrush ['brȯd-,brəsh] -adj
- general, nonspecific
broad·cast ['brȯd-,kast] -adj
- cast or scattered in all directions
- made public by means of radio or television
- of or relating to radio or television broadcasting
broadcast -vb, n
- to scatter or sow (as seed) over a broad area
- to make widely known
- to transmit or make public by means of radio or television
- to transmit a broadcast
- to speak or perform on a broadcast program
- to or over a broad area
- the act of transmitting sound or images by radio or television
- a single radio or television program
Broad Church -adj
- of or relating to a liberal party in the Anglican communion esp. in the later 19th century
broad·cloth ['brȯd-,klȯth] -n
- a twilled napped woolen or worsted fabric with smooth lustrous face and dense texture
- a fabric usu. of cotton, silk, or rayon made in plain and rib weaves with soft semigloss finish
broad·en ['brȯ-dᵊn] -vb
- to make broader
- to become broad
broadgauge ['brȯd-'gāj] -adj
- wide in area or scope
- comprehensive in outlook, range, or capability
broad jump -n
- long jump
broadleaved [-'lēvd] -adj
- having broad leaves
- having leaves that are not needles
- composed of broad-leaved plants
broad·loom [-,lüm] -adj
- woven on a wide loom
- so woven in solid color
broadloom -n
- a broadloom carpet
broadmind·ed ['brȯd-'mīn-dəd, -,mīn-] -adj, adv, n
- tolerant of varied views
- inclined to condone minor departures from conventional behavior
broad·scale [-,skāl] -adj
- broad in extent, range, or effect
broad·sheet [-,shēt] -n
- broadside
- a newspaper with pages of a size larger than those of a tabloid
broad·side [-,sīd] -n
- a sizable sheet of paper printed on one side
- a sheet printed on one or both sides and folded
- something (as a ballad) printed on a broadside
- the side of a ship above the waterline
- all the guns on one side of a ship
- their simultaneous discharge
- a volley of abuse or denunciation
- a broad or unbroken surface
broadside -adj
- directed or placed broadside
- with the side forward or toward a given point : sideways
- directly from the side
- the car was hit broadside
- in one volley
- at random
- to hit broadside
broadspectrum -adj
- effective against a wide range of organisms (as insects or bacteria)
- a broadspectrum antibiotic
broad·sword ['brȯd-,sȯrd] -n
- a large heavy sword with a broad blade for cutting rather than thrusting
broad·tail [-,tāl] -n
- karakul
- the pelt of a premature or newborn Karakul lamb having a flat and wavy appearance resembling moire silk
Broad·way ['brȯd-,wā, -'wā] -n, adj
- the New York commercial theater and amusement world
- playhouses located in the area between the Avenue of the Americas and Ninth Avenue and from W. 41st Street to W. 53d Street
Brob·ding·nag·ian [,bräb-diŋ-'na-gē-ən, -dig-'na-] -adj, n
- marked by tremendous size
bro·cade [brō-'kād] -n, vt, adj
- a rich silk fabric with raised patterns in gold and silver
- a fabric characterized by raised designs
Bro·ca's area ['brō-kəz-] -n
- a brain center associated with the motor control of speech and usu. located in the left side of the frontal lobe
broc·a·telle [,brä-kə-'tel] -n
- a stiff decorating fabric with patterns in high relief
broc·co·li ['brä-kə-lē, 'brä-klē] -n
- a large hardy cauliflower
- : either of two garden vegetable plants closely related to the cabbage:
- one with a thick central stem and a compact head of dense usu. green florets that is classified with the cauliflower
- one ( Brassica oleracea italica) with slender stems and usu. green or purple florets not arranged in a central head
- the stems and immature florets of broccoli used as food
broccoli rabe [-,räb] -n
- a garden brassica ( Brassica rapa ruvo) that is related to the turnip and produces edible leafy branching stalks and compact clusters of yellow florets called also broccoli raab -rab, -rab rapini
bro·chette [brō-'shet] -n
- skewer
- food broiled on a skewer
bro·chure [brō-'shu̇r, Brit esp 'brō-,] -n
- pamphlet, booklet
- one containing descriptive or advertising material
brock ['bräk] -n
- badger
brock·age ['brä-kij] -n
- an imperfectly minted coin
brock·et ['brä-kət] -n
- any of several small deer (genus Mazama) of Central and So. America with unbranched antlers
bro·gan ['brō-gən, -,gan; brō-'gan] -n
- a heavy shoe
- a coarse work shoe reaching to the ankle
brogue ['brōg] -n
- a stout coarse shoe worn formerly in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands
- a heavy shoe often with a hobnailed sole : brogan
- a stout oxford shoe with perforations and usu. a wing tip
- a dialect or regional pronunciation
- an Irish accent
broi·der ['brȯi-dər] -vt, n
- embroider
broil ['brȯi(-ə)l] -vb
- to cook by direct exposure to radiant heat : grill
- to be subjected to great or oppressive heat
- the act or state of broiling
- brawl
- embroil
- a noisy disturbance : tumult
- brawl
- a tavern row...widens into a general broil -- J. R. Green
broil·er ['brȯi-lər] -n
- one that broils
- a bird fit for broiling
- a chicken that is younger and smaller than a roaster
broil·ing ['brȯi(-ə)-liŋ] -adj
- extremely hot
broke ['brāk] -vb
(variant of break)
- to separate into parts with suddenness or violence
- fracture
- rupture
- to cut into and turn over the surface of
- to render inoperable
- violate, transgress
- to invalidate (a will) by action at law
- to force entry into
- to burst and force a way through
- to escape by force from
- to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through
- break a trail through the woods
- to disrupt the order or compactness of
- to make ineffective as a binding force
- to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy
- used starvation to break the enemy
- to crush the spirit of
- brutal methods broke the prisoner
- : to make tractable or submissive: as
- to train (an animal) to adjust to the service or convenience of humans
- inure, accustom
- to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity
- broken by his struggle for power
- to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt
- interrupt, suspend
- break the silence with a cry
- to open and bring about suspension of operation
- break an electric circuit
- to destroy unity or completeness of
- break a dining room set by buying a chair
- to change the appearance of uniformity of
- a dormer break s the level roof
- to split the surface of
- to cause to discontinue a habit
- tried to break him of smoking
- to make known : tell
- break the bad news gently
- to bring to attention or prominence initially
- radio stations break ing new musicians
- to ruin financially
- to reduce in rank
- broken from sergeant to private
- to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide
- to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations
- to use as the denomination in paying a bill
- didn't want to break a 20 bill
often used with into, up, or down - to check the speed, force, or intensity of
- the bushes will break his fall
- without break ing her stride
- to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes
- to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of
- news likely to break the market sharply
- exceed, surpass
- to score less than (a specified total)
- a golfer trying to break 90
- to win against (an opponent's service) in tennis
- to make (a run) in football by getting past defenders
- to open the action of (a breechloader)
- to find an explanation or solution for : solve
- the detective broke the case
- to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)
- to demonstrate the falsity of
- to ruin the prospects of
- could make or break her career
- to produce visibly
- to escape with sudden forceful effort
- the attacker broke from the throng
- to come into being by or as if by bursting forth
- to effect a penetration
- break through security lines
- to emerge through the surface of the water
- to start abruptly
- to become known or published
- to make a sudden dash
- to separate after a clinch in boxing
- to achieve initial success in usu. a sudden or striking way
- her song broke nationally
- to begin a race
- to come apart or split into pieces : fragment, shatter
- the cup broke when it fell
- to open spontaneously or by pressure from within
- to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam
- to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period
- to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity
- a voice break ing with emotion
- to become fair : clear
- to make the opening shot of a game of pool
- to end a relationship, connection, or agreement usu. used with with or from
- to give way in disorderly retreat
- to swerve suddenly
- to curve from a straight path
- a pitch that break s away from the batter
- to fail in health, strength, vitality, resolve, or control
- may break under questioning
- to become inoperative because of damage, wear, or strain
- to fail to keep a prescribed gait used of a horse
- to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume
- transportation stocks may break sharply
- happen, develop
- for the team to succeed, everything has to break right
- to win against an opponent's service in tennis
- to divide into classes, categories, or types usu. used with into
- the rose is broken into several varieties
- to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint
- to separate during churning into liquid and fat
- an act or action of breaking
- the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards
- a condition produced by or as if by breaking : gap
- a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit
- the action or act of breaking in, out, or forth
- : a place or situation at which a break occurs: as
- the place at which a word is divided esp. at the end of a line of print or writing
- the point or location at which waves break for surfing
- : an interruption in continuity: as
- a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment
- an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface
- a respite from work, school, or duty
- relief from annoyance often used to express exasperation or irritation in phrases like give me a break
- a planned interruption in a radio or television program
- a break for the commercial
- deviation of a pitched baseball from a straight line
- fault, dislocation
- failure of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait
- an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or quality
- the action or an instance of breaking service in tennis
- a usu. solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music
- dash, rush
- a base runner making a break for home
- fast break
- a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values
- the start of a race
- the act of separating after a clinch in boxing
- a stroke of luck and esp. of good luck
- a favorable or opportune situation : chance
- waiting for a big break in show business
- favorable consideration or treatment
- a rupture in previously agreeable relations
- a break between the two countries
- an abrupt split or difference with something previously adhered to or followed
- a sharp break with tradition
- breakdown
bro·ken ['brō-kən] -adj, adv, n
- violently separated into parts : shattered
- : damaged or altered by breaking: as
- having undergone or been subjected to fracture
- being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles
- violated by transgression
- discontinuous, interrupted
- disrupted by change
- having an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern esp. from virus infection
- made weak or infirm
- subdued completely : crushed, sorrowful
- bankrupt
- reduced in rank
- cut off : disconnected
- imperfectly spoken or written
- not complete or full
- disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent
- children from broken homes
brokendown -adj
- worn-out, debilitated
bro·kenfield [-,fēld] -adj
- characterized by or making quick changes in direction to avoid widely scattered tacklers
- a halfback known for brokenfield running
bro·ken·heart·ed [-'här-təd] -adj
- overcome by grief or despair
bro·kenwind·ed [-'win-dəd] -adj
- affected with or as if with heaves
bro·ker ['brō-kər] -n, vb
- : one who acts as an intermediary: as
- an agent who arranges marriages
- an agent who negotiates contracts of purchase and sale (as of real estate, commodities, or securities)
- power broker
- one who sells or distributes something
bro·ker·age ['brō-k(ə-)rij] -n
- the business or establishment of a broker
- a broker's fee or commission
bro·kered [-kərd] -adj
- arranged or controlled by brokers and esp. power brokers
- a brokered political convention
bro·king [-kiŋ] -n
- the business of a broker : brokerage
brol·ly ['brä-lē] -n
- umbrella
brom- -comb form
- bromine
bro·mate ['brō-,māt] -n
- a salt of bromic acid
brome·grass ['brōm-,gras] -n
- any of a large genus ( Bromus) of tall grasses often having drooping spikelets called also brome
bro·me·lain ['brō-mə-lən, -,lān] -n
- a protease obtained esp. from the pineapple
bro·me·li·ad [brō-'mē-lē-,ad] -n
- any of the chiefly tropical American usu. epiphytic plants comprising the pineapple family and including Spanish moss and various ornamentals
bro·mic acid ['brō-mik-] -n
- an unstable strongly oxidizing acid HBrO 3known only in solution or in the form of its salts
bro·mide ['brō-,mīd] -n
- a binary compound of bromine with another element or a radical including some (as potassium bromide) used as sedatives
- a commonplace or tiresome person : bore
- a commonplace or hackneyed statement or notion
bro·mid·ic [brō-'mi-dik] -adj
- lacking in originality : trite
bro·mi·nate ['brō-mə-,nāt] -vt, n
- to treat or cause to combine with bromine or a compound of bromine
bro·mine ['brō-,mēn] -n
- a nonmetallic halogen element that is isolated as a deep red corrosive toxic volatile liquid of disagreeable odor
bro·mo ['brō-(,)mō] -n
- a dose of a proprietary effervescent headache remedy and antacid
bro·mo·crip·tine [,brō-mō-'krip-,tēn, -tən] -n
- a polypeptide ergot derivative C 32H 40BrN 5O 5that mimics the activity of dopamine in inhibiting prolactin secretion
bro·mo·ura·cil [,brō-mō-'yu̇r-ə-,sil, -səl] -n
- a mutagenic uracil derivative C 4H 3N 2O 2Br that is an analog of thymine and pairs readily with adenine and sometimes with guanine
brom·thy·mol blue [,brōm-'thī-,mȯl-] -n
- a dye derived from thymol that is an acid-base indicator called also bro*mo*thy*mol blue bro-mo-thi-ml-
bronc ['bräŋk] -n
- an unbroken or imperfectly broken range horse of western No. America
- mustang
bronch- -comb form
- bronchial tube : bronchial
bronchi- -comb form
- bronchial tubes
bron·chi·al ['bräŋ-kē-əl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to the bronchi or their ramifications in the lungs
bronchial asthma -n
- asthma resulting from spasmodic contraction of bronchial muscles
bronchial tube -n
- a primary bronchus or any of its branches
bron·chi·ec·ta·sis [,bräŋ-kē-'ek-tə-səs] -n
- a chronic dilatation of bronchi or bronchioles
bron·chi·ole ['bräŋ-kē-,ōl] -n, adj
- a minute thin-walled branch of a bronchus
bron·chi·ol·i·tis [,bräŋ-kē-ō-'lī-təs] -n
- inflammation of the bronchioles
bron·chi·tis [brän-'kī-təs, bräŋ-] -n, adj
- acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes
- a disease marked by this
bron·cho·di·la·tor [,bräŋ-(,)kō-dī-'lā-tər, -'dī-,] -n, adj
- a drug that relaxes bronchial muscle resulting in expansion of the bronchial air passages
bron·cho·gen·ic [,bräŋ-kə-'je-nik] -adj
- of, relating to, or arising in or by way of the air passages of the lungs
bron·cho·pneu·mo·nia [,bräŋ-(,)kō-n(y)u̇-'mō-nyə, -n(y)ü] -n
- pneumonia involving many relatively small areas of lung tissue
bron·cho·scope ['bräŋ-kə-,skōp] -n, adj
- a usu. flexible endoscope for inspecting or passing instruments into the bronchi (as to obtain tissue for biopsy)
bron·cho·spasm ['bräŋ-kə-,spa-zəm] -n, adj
- constriction of the air passages of the lung (as in asthma) by spasmodic contraction of the bronchial muscles
bron·chus ['bräŋ-kəs] -n
- either of the two primary divisions of the trachea that lead respectively into the right and the left lung
- bronchial tube
bron·co ['bräŋ-(,)kō] -n
- bronc
bron·co·bust·er [-,bəs-tər] -n
- one who breaks wild horses to the saddle
bron·to·sau·rus [,brän-tə-'sȯr-əs] -n
- any of a genus ( Apatosaurussyn. Brontosaurus) of large sauropod dinosaurs of the Jurassic called also apatosaurus
Bronx cheer ['bräŋ(k)s-] -n
- raspberry
bronze ['bränz] -vt, n
- to give the appearance of bronze to
- tan
- an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements
- any of various copper-base alloys with little or no tin
- a sculpture or artifact of bronze
- a moderate yellowish brown
- a bronze medal awarded as the third prize in a competition
Bronze Age -n
- the period of ancient human culture characterized by the use of bronze that began between 4000 and 3000 b.c.and ended with the advent of the Iron Age
Bronze Star -n
- a U.S. military decoration awarded for valor or for meritorious service not involving aerial flights called also Bronze Star Medal
bronz·ing -n
- a bronze coloring or discoloration (as of leaves)
brooch ['brōch also 'brüch] -n
- an ornament that is held by a pin or clasp and is worn at or near the neck
brood ['brüd] -n
- the young of an animal or a family of young
- the young (as of a bird or insect) hatched or cared for at one time
- a group having a common nature or origin
- the children of a family
- kept for breeding
- to sit on or incubate (eggs)
- to produce by or as if by incubation : hatch
- to cover (young) with the wings
- to think anxiously or gloomily about : ponder
- to brood eggs or young
- to sit quietly and thoughtfully : meditate
- hover, loom
- to dwell gloomily on a subject
- to be in a state of depression
brood·er ['brü-dər] -n
- one that broods
- a heated structure used for raising young fowl
brood·mare ['brüd-,mer] -n
- a mare kept for breeding
broody ['brü-dē] -adj, n
- being in a state of readiness to brood eggs that is characterized by cessation of laying and by marked changes in behavior and physiology
- given or conducive to introspection : contemplative, moody
brook ['bru̇k] -n
- creek
- to stand for : tolerate
- he would brook no interference with his plans
brook·ie ['bru̇-kē] -n
- brook trout
brook·ite ['bru̇-,kīt] -n
- titanium dioxide TiO 2occurring as a mineral in orthorhombic crystals commonly translucent brown or opaque brown to black
brook·let ['bru̇-klət] -n
- a small brook
Brook·lyn·ese [,bru̇-klə-'nēz, -'nēs] -n
- the vernacular speech of greater New York City and environs
brook trout -n
- the common speckled cold-water char ( Salvelinus fontinalis) of No. America
broom ['brüm, 'bru̇m] -n
- any of various leguminous shrubs (esp. genera Cytisusand Genista) with long slender branches, small leaves, and usu. showy yellow flowers
- scotch broom
- a bundle of firm stiff twigs or fibers bound together on a long handle esp. for sweeping
- to sweep with or as if with a broom
- to finish (as a concrete surface) by means of a broom
broom·ball [-,bȯl] -n
- a variation of ice hockey played on ice without skates and with brooms and a soccer ball used instead of sticks and a puck
broom·corn [-,kȯrn] -n
- any of several tall cultivated sorghums having stiff-branched panicles used in brooms and brushes
broom·rape [-,rāp] -n
- any of a genus ( Orobancheof the family Orobanchaceae, the broomrape family) of herbs that have leaves modified to scales and that grow as parasites on the roots of other plants
broom·stick [-,stik] -n
- the long thin handle of a broom
bros ['brō] -n
(variant of bro)
- brother
- soul brother often used informally as a term of address
brose ['brōz] -n
- a chiefly Scottish dish made with a boiling liquid and meal
broth ['brȯth] -n
- liquid in which meat, fish, cereal grains, or vegetables have been cooked : stock
- a fluid culture medium
broth·el ['brä-thəl, 'brȯ- also -thəl] -n
- bordello
broth·er ['brə-thər] -n
- a male who has the same parents as another or one parent in common with another
- one related to another by common ties or interests
- a fellow member used as a title for ministers in some evangelical denominations
- one of a type similar to another
- kinsman
- one who shares with another a common national or racial origin
- soul brother
- a member of a congregation of men not in holy orders and usu. in hospital or school work
- a member of a men's religious order who is not preparing for or is not ready for holy orders
broth·er·hood ['brə-thər-,hu̇d] -n
- the quality or state of being brothers
- fellowship, alliance
- an association (as a labor union or monastic society) for a particular purpose
- the whole body of persons engaged in a business or profession
broth·erinlaw ['brə-thər-ən-,lȯ, 'brəth-rən-, 'brə-thərn-] -n
- the brother of one's spouse
- the husband of one's sister
- the husband of one's spouse's sister
broth·er·ly ['brə-thər-lē] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to brothers
- natural or becoming to brothers : affectionate
brougham ['brü(-ə)m, 'brō(-ə)m] -n
- a light closed horse-drawn carriage with the driver outside in front
brought ['briŋ] -vb, n
(variant of bring)
- to convey, lead, carry, or cause to come along with one toward the place from which the action is being regarded
- : to cause to be, act, or move in a special way: as
- attract
- her screams brought the neighbors
- persuade, induce
- force, compel
- to cause to come into a particular state or condition
- escort, accompany
- to bear as an attribute or characteristic
- bring s years of experience to the position
- : to cause to exist or occur: as
- to be the occasion of
- to result in
- the drug brought immediate relief
- institute
- adduce
- prefer
- to procure in exchange : sell for
- yield, produce
brou·ha·ha ['brü-,hä-,hä, ,brü-,hä-'hä, brü-'hä-,hä] -n
- hubbub, uproar
brow ['brau̇] -n
- eyebrow
- forehead
- the projecting upper part or margin of a steep place
- expression, mien
- gangplank
bro·wal·lia [brə-'wä-lē-ə] -n
- any of a genus ( Browallia) of tropical American herbs of the nightshade family cultivated for their blue, violet, or white flowers
brow·beat ['brau̇-,bēt] -vt
- to intimidate or disconcert by a stern manner or arrogant speech : bully
browed ['brau̇d] -adj
- having brows of a specified nature used in combination
brown ['brau̇n] -adj
- of the color brown
- of dark or tanned complexion
- any of a group of colors between red and yellow in hue, of medium to low lightness, and of moderate to low saturation
- a brown-skinned person
- brown trout
- to become brown
- to make brown
brown alga -n
- any of a division (Phaeophyta) of variable mostly marine algae with chlorophyll masked by brown pigment
brown bagging ['brau̇n-,bag] -n, vb or adj
- the practice of carrying (as to work) one's lunch usu. in a brown paper bag
- the practice of carrying a bottle of liquor into a restaurant or club where setups are available
brown bear -n
- any of several bears predominantly brown in color that are usu. considered a single species ( Ursus arctos) including the grizzly bear and that formerly inhabited western No. America from the barrens of Alaska to northern Mexico and much of Europe and Asia but are now much restricted in range
brown Bet·ty [-'be-tē] -n
- a baked pudding of apples, bread crumbs, and spices
brown bread [-,bred] -n
- bread made of whole wheat flour
- a dark brown steamed bread made usu. of cornmeal, white or whole wheat flours, molasses, soda, and milk or water
brown coal -n
- lignite
brown dwarf -n
- a celestial object that is much smaller than a normal star and has insufficient mass to sustain nuclear fusion but that is hot enough to radiate energy esp. at infrared wavelengths
brown earth -n
- any of a group of intrazonal soils developed in temperate humid regions under deciduous forests and characterized by a dark brown mull horizon that grades through lighter colored soil
browneyed Su·san ['brau̇-,nīd-'sü-zᵊn] -n
- a dark-centered coneflower ( Rudbeckia triloba) of eastern No. America often having tripartite lower leaves
brown fat -n
- a mammalian heat-producing tissue occurring esp. in human fetuses and newborn infants and in hibernating animals called also brown adipose tissue
brown·field ['brau̇n-,fē(ə)ld] -n
- a tract of land that has been developed for industrial purposes, polluted, and then abandoned
brownheaded cowbird ['brau̇n-,he-dəd-] -n
- cowbird
Brown·ian motion ['brau̇-nē-ən-] -n
- a random movement of microscopic particles suspended in liquids or gases resulting from the impact of molecules of the surrounding medium called also Brownian movement
brown·ie ['brau̇-nē] -n
- a legendary good-natured elf that performs helpful services at night
- a member of a program of the Girl Scouts for girls in the first through third grades in school
- a small square or rectangle of rich usu. chocolate cake often containing nuts
brownie point -n
- a credit regarded as earned esp. by currying favor (as with a superior)
Brow·ning automatic rifle ['brau̇-niŋ-] -n
- a .30 caliber gas-operated air-cooled magazine-fed automatic rifle often provided with a rest for the barrel
Browning machine gun -n
- a .30 or .50 caliber recoil-operated air- or water-cooled machine gun fed by a cartridge belt
brown lung -n
- byssinosis
brown·nose ['brau̇(n)-,nōz] -vt, n
- to ingratiate oneself with : curry favor with
brown·out ['brau̇-,nau̇t] -n
- a period of reduced voltage of electricity caused esp. by high demand and resulting in reduced illumination
brown pelican -n
- a pelican ( Pelecanus occidentalis) of American coasts that has a brownish body and a chiefly white or white with yellow head
brown rat -n
- a common domestic rat ( Rattus norvegicus) that has been introduced worldwide called also Norway rat
brown recluse spider -n
- a venomous spider ( Loxosceles reclusa) esp. of the southern and central U.S. that has a violin-shaped mark on the cephalothorax and produces a dangerous cytotoxin which can cause necrotic lesions
brown rice -n
- hulled but unpolished rice that retains most of the bran layers, endosperm, and germ
brown rot -n
- a disease of stone fruits (as peaches) caused by a fungus (genus Moniliniaand esp. M. fructicola)
brown sauce -n
- a sauce consisting typically of stock thickened with flour browned in fat
brown·shirt ['brau̇n-,shərt] -n
- nazi
- storm trooper
brown·stone [-,stōn] -n
- a reddish-brown sandstone used for building
- a dwelling faced with brownstone
brown study -n
- a state of serious absorption or abstraction
brown sugar -n
- soft sugar whose crystals are covered by a film of refined dark syrup
Brown Swiss -n
- any of a breed of large hardy brown dairy cattle originating in Switzerland
browntail moth ['brau̇n-,tāl-] -n
- a European tussock moth ( Euproctis chrysorrhoea) introduced in the U.S. and having larvae which feed on foliage and have hairs irritating to the skin
brown tree snake -n
- a large venomous arboreal colubrid snake ( Boiga irregularis) of northern Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands that has been accidentally introduced into other areas (as Guam)
brown trout -n
- a speckled European trout ( Salmo trutta) widely introduced as a game fish
brow·ridge ['brau̇-,rij] -n
- a prominence of the frontal bone above the eye caused by the projection of the frontal air sinuses
browse ['brau̇z] -vb, adj
- to consume as browse
- graze
- to look over casually : skim
- to access (a network) by means of a browser
- to feed on or as if on browse
- graze
- to skim through a book reading passages that catch the eye
- to look over or through an aggregate of things casually esp. in search of something of interest
- tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs used by animals for food
- an act or instance of browsing
brows·er ['brau̇-zər] -n
- one that browses
- a computer program used for accessing sites or information on a network (as the World Wide Web)
bru·cel·la [brü-'se-lə] -n
- any of a genus ( Brucella) of nonmotile pleomorphic bacteria that cause disease in humans and domestic animals
bru·cel·lo·sis [,brü-sə-'lō-səs] -n
- infection with or disease caused by brucellae
bru·cine ['brü-,sēn] -n
- a poisonous alkaloid C 23H 26N 2O 4found with strychnine esp. in nux vomica
bru·in ['brü-ən] -n
- bear
bruise ['brüz] -vb
- disable
- batter, dent
- to inflict a bruise on : contuse
- to break down (as leaves or berries) by pounding : crush
- wound, injure
- to inflict psychological hurt on
- to inflict a bruise
- to undergo bruising
- an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin : contusion
- a similar injury to plant tissue
- abrasion, scratch
- an injury esp. to the feelings
bruis·er ['brü-zər] -n
- a big husky man
bruising -adj
- arduous, taxing
- a long and bruising courtroom battle
bruit -n
- noise, din
- report, rumor
- any of several generally abnormal sounds heard on auscultation
- report, rumor usu. used with about
- word of his imminent dismissal was bruit ed about
bru·mal ['brü-məl] -adj
- indicative of or occurring in the winter
brum·by ['brəm-bē] -n
- a wild or unbroken horse
brume ['brüm] -n, adj
- mist, fog
brum·ma·gem ['brə-mi-jəm] -adj, n
- spurious
- cheaply showy : tawdry
brunch ['brənch] -n
- a meal usu. taken late in the morning that combines a late breakfast and an early lunch
bru·net [brü-'net] -n
- a person having brown or black hair and often a relatively dark complexion spelled brunet when used of a boy or man and usu. brunette when used of a girl or woman
brunet -adj
- of a dark brown or black color
- having brunet hair spelled brunet when used of a boy or man and usu. brunette when used of a girl or woman
brung ['briŋ] -vb, n
(variant of bring)
- to convey, lead, carry, or cause to come along with one toward the place from which the action is being regarded
- : to cause to be, act, or move in a special way: as
- attract
- her screams brought the neighbors
- persuade, induce
- force, compel
- to cause to come into a particular state or condition
- escort, accompany
- to bear as an attribute or characteristic
- bring s years of experience to the position
- : to cause to exist or occur: as
- to be the occasion of
- to result in
- the drug brought immediate relief
- institute
- adduce
- prefer
- to procure in exchange : sell for
- yield, produce
Brun·hild ['brün-,hilt] -n
- a queen in Germanic legend won by Siegfried for Gunther
Bruns·wick stew ['brənz-(,)wik-] -n
- a stew made of vegetables and usu. two meats (as chicken and squirrel)
brunt ['brənt] -n
- the principal force, shock, or stress (as of an attack)
- the greater part : burden
bru·schet·ta [brü-'she-tə, -'ske-] -n
- thick slices of bread grilled, rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil, often topped with tomatoes and herbs, and usu. served as an appetizer
brush ['brəsh] -n
- brushwood
- scrub vegetation
- land covered with scrub vegetation
- a device composed of bristles typically set into a handle and used esp. for sweeping, smoothing, scrubbing, or painting
- : something resembling a brush: as
- a bushy tail
- a feather tuft worn on a hat
- an electrical conductor that makes sliding contact between a stationary and a moving part (as of a generator or a motor)
- an act of brushing
- a quick light touch or momentary contact in passing
- to apply a brush to
- to apply with a brush
- to remove with passing strokes (as of a brush)
- to dispose of in an offhand way : dismiss
- to pass lightly over or across : touch gently against in passing
- a brief encounter or skirmish
- to move lightly or heedlessly
- brush ed past the well-wishers waiting to greet him
brush·abil·i·ty [,brə-shə-'bi-lə-tē] -n
- ease of application with a brush
brush·back ['brəsh-,bak] -n, vt
- a pitch intentionally thrown near the batter's head or body in baseball
brush border -n
- a stria of microvilli on the plasma membrane of an epithelial cell (as in a kidney tubule) that is specialized for absorption
brush cut -n
- crew cut
brush discharge -n
- a faintly luminous relatively slow electrical discharge having no spark
brushed ['brəsht] -adj
- finished with a nap
- polished but not shiny
brush·fire ['brəsh-,fī(-ə)r] -adj
- involving mobilization only on a small and local scale
brush fire -n
- a fire involving low-growing plants (as scrub and brush)
- a minor conflict or crisis
- putting out political brush fires
brush·land [-,land] -n
- an area covered with brush growth
brushoff [-,ȯf] -n
- a quietly curt or disdainful dismissal
brush·stroke [-,strōk] -n
- the configuration given to paint by contact with the bristles of a brush
- the paint left on a surface by a single application of a brush or palette knife often used figuratively to describe the quality esp. of a narrative or description
- a story told in broad brushstroke s
brush up ['brəsh-,əp] -vt, n
- to improve or polish as if by brushing
- to renew one's skill in
- to refresh one's memory : renew one's skill
brush·wood ['brəsh-,wu̇d] -n
- wood of small branches esp. when cut or broken
- a thicket of shrubs and small trees
brush·work [-,wərk] -n
- work done with a brush (as in painting)
- the characteristic work of an artist using a brush
brushy ['brə-shē] -adj
- covered with or abounding in brush or brushwood
- shaggy, rough
brusque ['brəsk] -adj, adv, n
- markedly short and abrupt
- blunt in manner or speech often to the point of ungracious harshness
brus·que·rie [,brəs-kə-'rē] -n
- abruptness of manner
Brus·sels carpet ['brə-səlz-] -n
- a carpet made of colored worsted yarns first fixed in a foundation web of strong linen thread and then drawn up in loops to form the pattern
Brussels griffon -n
- any of a breed of short-faced compact rough- or smooth-coated toy dogs of Belgian origin called also griffon
Brussels lace -n
- any of various fine needlepoint or bobbin laces with floral designs made orig. in or near Brussels
- a machine-made net of hexagonal mesh
brus·sels sprout ['brə-səl-] -n
- a plant ( Brassica oleracea gemmifera) of the mustard family that bears small edible green heads on its stem
- any of the edible green heads borne on brussels sprouts usu. used in pl.
brut ['brüt, 'brᵫt] -adj, n
- very dry
- being the driest made by the producer
bru·tal ['brü-tᵊl] -adj, adv
- typical of beasts : animal
- : befitting a brute: as
- grossly ruthless or unfeeling
- cruel, cold-blooded
- harsh, severe
- unpleasantly accurate and incisive
- very bad or unpleasant
bru·tal·ise ['brü-tᵊl-,īz] -vt, n
(variant of brutalize)
- to make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman
- temperaments brutalized by poverty and disease
- to treat brutally
- an accord not to brutalize prisoners of war
bru·tal·i·ty [brü-'ta-lə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being brutal
- a brutal act or course of action
bru·tal·ize ['brü-tᵊl-,īz] -vt, n
- to make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman
- temperaments brutalized by poverty and disease
- to treat brutally
- an accord not to brutalize prisoners of war
brute ['brüt] -adj
- of or relating to beasts
- the ways of the brute world
- inanimate
- : characteristic of an animal in quality, action, or instinct: as
- cruel, savage
- not working by reason
- purely physical
- unrelievedly harsh
- beast
- a brutal person
brut·ish ['brü-tish] -adj, adv, n
- resembling, befitting, or typical of a brute or beast
- lived a short and brutish life as a slave
- strongly and grossly sensual
- showing little intelligence or sensibility
- a brutish lack of understanding
brux·ism ['brək-,si-zəm] -n
- the habit of unconsciously gritting or grinding the teeth esp. in situations of stress or during sleep
Bryn·hild ['brin-,hild] -n
- a Valkyrie who is waked from an enchanted sleep by Sigurd and later has him killed when he forgets her
bry·ol·o·gy [brī-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- moss life or biology
- a branch of botany that deals with the bryophytes
bry·o·ny ['brī-ə-nē] -n
- any of a genus ( Bryonia) of tendril-bearing vines of the gourd family with large leaves and red or black fruit
bryo·phyl·lum [,brī-ə-'fi-ləm] -n
- kalanchoe
bryo·phyte ['brī-ə-,fīt] -n, adj
- any of a division (Bryophyta) of nonflowering plants comprising the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts
bryo·zo·an [,brī-ə-'zō-ən] -n, adj
- any of a phylum (Bryozoa) of aquatic mostly marine invertebrate animals that reproduce by budding and usu. form permanently attached branched or mossy colonies
Bry·thon·ic [bri-'thä-nik] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of the division of the Celtic languages that includes Welsh, Cornish, and Breton
Brythonic -n
- the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages