be ['bē] -vb
- to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize
- January is the first month
- to have identity with
- the first person I met was my brother
- to constitute the same class as
- to have a specified qualification or characterization
- to belong to the class of used regularly in senses 1a through 1e as the copula of simple predication
- to have an objective existence : have reality or actuality : live
- to have, maintain, or occupy a place, situation, or position
- to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted used only in infinitive form
- to take place : occur
- the concert was last night
- to come or go
- has already been and gone
- has never been to the circus
- belong, befall
- used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive-voice auxiliary
- used as the auxiliary of the present participle in progressive tenses expressing continuous action
- used with the past participle of some intransitive verbs as an auxiliary forming archaic perfect tenses
- Christ is risen from the dead -- 1 Cor 15:20(DV)
- used with the infinitive with to to express futurity, arrangement in advance, or obligation
- I am to interview him today
Be -symbol
- beryllium
- Baume
BE -abbr
- bachelor of education
- bachelor of engineering
- bill of exchange
- Black English
be- -prefix
- on : around : over
- to a great or greater degree : thoroughly
- excessively : ostentatiously in intensive verbs formed from simple verbs and in adjectives based on adjectives ending in -ed
- about : to : at : upon : against : across
- make : cause to be : treat as
- call or dub esp. excessively
- affect, afflict, treat, provide, or cover with esp. excessively
beach ['bēch] -n
- shore pebbles : shingle
- a shore of a body of water covered by sand, gravel, or larger rock fragments
- a seashore area
- to run or drive ashore
- to strand on or as if on a beach
beach ball -n
- a large inflated ball for use at the beach
beach·boy [-,bȯi] -n
- a male beach attendant (as at a club or hotel)
beach buggy -n
- dune buggy
beach·comb·er ['bēch-,kō-mər] -n, vb
- a white man living as a drifter or loafer esp. on the islands of the So. Pacific
- a person who searches along a shore (as for salable refuse or for seashells)
beach flea -n
- sand flea
beach·front ['bēch-,frənt] -n
- a strip of land that fronts a beach
beach·go·er [-,gō-ər] -n
- a person who frequently goes to the beach
beach grass -n
- any of several tough strongly rooted grasses that grow on exposed sandy shores
- any of a genus ( Ammophila) of rhizomatous perennials widely planted to bind sandy slopes
beach·head ['bēch-,hed] -n
- an area on a hostile shore occupied to secure further landing of troops and supplies
- foothold
beach pea -n
- a wild pea ( Lathyrus japonicussyn. L. maritimus) having tough roots and purple flowers that is found along sandy shores
beach plum -n
- a shrubby plum ( Prunus maritima) having white flowers and growing chiefly along the northeastern coast of No. America
- its edible usu. dark purple fruit that is used esp. in preserves
beach·side ['bēch-,sīd] -adj
- located at a beach
beach towel -n
- a very large usu. brightly colored towel designed for use at the beach
beach·wear [-,wer] -n
- clothing for wear at a beach
beachy ['bē-chē] -adj
- covered with pebbles or shingle
- characterized by beaches
bea·con ['bē-kən] -n
- a signal fire commonly on a hill, tower, or pole
- a lighthouse or other signal for guidance
- a radio transmitter emitting signals for guidance of aircraft
- a source of light or inspiration
beacon -vi
- to shine as a beacon
- to furnish with a beacon
bead ['bēd] -n
- prayer usu. used in pl.
- a series of prayers and meditations made with a rosary
- a small piece of material pierced for threading on a string or wire (as in a rosary)
- rosary
- a necklace of beads or pearls
- : a small ball-shaped body: as
- a drop of sweat or blood
- a bubble formed in or on a beverage
- a small metal knob on a firearm used as a front sight
- a blob or a line of weld metal
- a projecting rim, band, or molding
- a precise knowledge or understanding used in such phrases as get a bead on
- to furnish, adorn, or cover with beads or beading
- to string together like beads
- to form into a bead
bead·ing -n
- a beaded molding
- material or a part or a piece consisting of a bead
- an openwork trimming
- beadwork
bea·dle ['bē-dᵊl] -n
- a minor parish official whose duties include ushering and preserving order at services and sometimes civil functions
bead·roll ['bēd-,rōl] -n
- a list of names : catalog
- rosary
beads·man ['bēdz-mən] -n
- one who prays for another
bead·work ['bēd-,wərk] -n
- ornamental work in beads
- joinery beading
beady ['bē-dē] -adj, adv
- resembling beads
- small, round, and shiny with interest or greed
- marked by bubbles or beads
bea·gle ['bē-gəl] -n
- any of a breed of small short-legged smooth-coated often black, white, and tan hounds
beak ['bēk] -n, adj
- the bill of a bird
- a strong short broad bill
- the elongated sucking mouth of some insects (as the true bugs)
- any of various rigid projecting mouth structures (as of a turtle)
- the human nose
- : a pointed structure or formation:
- a metal-pointed beam projecting from the bow esp. of an ancient galley for piercing an enemy ship
- the spout of a vessel
- a continuous slight architectural projection ending in an arris
- a process suggesting the beak of a bird
- magistrate
- headmaster
beaked whale -n
- any of a widely distributed family (Ziphiidae) of medium-sized toothed whales that have an elongated snout and a small dorsal fin
bea·ker ['bē-kər] -n
- a large drinking cup that has a wide mouth and is sometimes supported on a standard
- a deep widemouthed thin-walled vessel usu. with a lip for pouring that is used esp. in science laboratories
beall and endall ['bē-,ȯl-ən(d)-'end-,ȯl] -n
- prime cause : essential element
- totality
beam ['bēm] -n
- a long piece of heavy often squared timber suitable for use in construction
- a wood or metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp is wound
- the part of a plow to which handles, standard, and coulter are attached
- the bar of a balance from which scales hang
- one of the principal horizontal supporting members (as of a building or ship)
- a steel beam supporting a floor
- boom, spar
- the extreme width of a ship at the widest part
- an oscillating lever on a central axis receiving motion at one end from an engine connecting rod and transmitting it at the other
- a ray or shaft of light
- a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons)
- a constant directional radio signal transmitted for the guidance of pilots
- the course indicated by a radio beam
- the main stem of a deer's antler
- the width of the buttocks
- to emit in beams or as a beam
- to support with beams
- to transmit esp. by satellite : broadcast
- to transmit (data) electronically
- to direct to a particular audience
- to send out beams of light
- to smile with joy
beamends ['bēm-'en(d)z] -n pl
- the ends of a ship's beams
beam·ish ['bē-mish] -adj, adv
- beaming and bright with optimism, promise, or achievement
beam sea -n
- a sea whose surface motion is approximately at a right angle to the course of a vessel
beam splitter -n
- a mirror or prism or a combination of the two that is used to divide a beam of radiation into two or more parts
beamy ['bē-mē] -adj
- emitting beams of light : radiant
- broad in the beam
bean ['bēn] -n
- broad bean
- the seed of any of various erect or climbing plants (as of the genera Phaseolusand Vigna) of the legume family other than the broad bean
- a plant bearing beans
- an immature bean pod used as a vegetable
- a valueless item
- the least amount
- didn't know bean s about it
- any of various seeds or fruits that resemble beans or bean pods
- a plant producing these
- exuberance used in the phrase full of beans
- nonsense, bunkum used in the phrase full of beans
- head, brain
- a protuberance on the upper mandible of waterfowl
- to strike (a person) on the head with an object
bean·bag ['bēn-,bag] -n
- a cloth bag partially filled typically with dried beans and used as a toy
- any of various pellet-filled bags used as furniture (as a chair) or household articles (as an ashtray base)
bean·ball [-,bȯl] -n
- a pitch thrown at a batter's head
bean counter -n
- a person involved in corporate or government financial decisions and esp. one reluctant to spend money
bean curd -n
- tofu
bean·ery ['bēn-rē, 'bē-nə-] -n
- restaurant
bean·ie ['bē-nē] -n
- a small round tight-fitting skullcap
beano ['bē-(,)nō] -n
- a noisy festive celebration
- bingo
bean·pole ['bēn-,pō(ə)l] -n
- a pole up which bean vines may climb
- a tall thin person
bean sprouts -n pl
- the sprouts of bean seeds esp. of the mung bean used as a vegetable
bean thread -n
- cellophane noodle
bear ['ber] -n, adj
- any of a family (Ursidae of the order Carnivora) of large heavy mammals of America and Eurasia that have long shaggy hair, rudimentary tails, and plantigrade feet and feed largely on fruit, plant matter, and insects as well as on flesh
- a surly, uncouth, burly, or shambling person
- a tall, friendly bear of a man
- one that sells securities or commodities in expectation of a price decline
- something difficult to do or deal with
- the oven is a bear to clean
- to move while holding up and supporting
- to be equipped or furnished with
- behave, conduct
- to have as a feature or characteristic
- bear s a likeness to her grandmother
- to give as testimony
- to have as an identification
- to hold in the mind or emotions
- disseminate
- lead, escort
- render, give
- to give birth to
- to produce as yield
- to permit growth of
- contain
- to support the weight of : sustain
- to accept or allow oneself to be subjected to esp. without giving way
- I can't bear seeing you cry
- to call for as suitable or essential
- to hold above, on top, or aloft
- to admit of : allow
- assume, accept
- thrust, press
- to produce fruit : yield
- to force one's way
- to extend in a direction indicated or implied
- to be situated : lie
- to become directed
- to go or incline in an indicated direction
- to support a weight or strain often used with up
- to exert influence or force
- apply, pertain often used with on or upon
- facts bear ing on the question
bear·able ['ber-ə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being borne
bear·bait·ing ['ber-,bā-tiŋ] -n
- the practice of setting dogs on a chained bear
bear·ber·ry [-,ber-ē, -,be-rē] -n
- a trailing evergreen plant ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) of the heath family with astringent foliage and red berries
bear claw -n
- a filled pastry that is cut and fanned to resemble a bear's foot
beard ['bird] -n, adj
- the hair that grows on a man's face often excluding the mustache
- a hairy or bristly appendage or tuft
- front
- to confront and oppose with boldness, resolution, and often effrontery : defy
- to furnish with a beard
bearded collie -n
- any of a breed of large herding dogs of Scottish origin that have a long rough coat and drooping ears
bearded iris -n
- any of numerous wild or cultivated irises with a growth of short hairs on each fall
bearded seal -n
- a large arctic hair seal ( Erignathus barbatus) with a tuft of long whiskers on each side of the muzzle
bear down -vt
- overcome, overwhelm
- to exert full strength and concentrated attention
beard·tongue ['bird-,təŋ] -n
- penstemon
bear·er ['ber-ər] -n
- : one that bears: as
- porter
- a plant yielding fruit
- pallbearer
- one holding a check, draft, bond, or other order for payment esp. if marked payable to bearer often used attributively
bear grass -n
- any of several plants (genera Yucca, Nolina,or Xerophyllum) of the lily or agave families chiefly of the southern and western U.S. with foliage resembling coarse blades of grass
bearhug ['ber-,həg] -vt
- to embrace in a bear hug
bear hug -n
- a rough tight embrace
bear·ing -n
- the manner in which one bears or comports oneself
- the act, power, or time of bringing forth offspring or fruit
- a product of bearing : crop
- an object, surface, or point that supports
- a machine part in which another part (as a journal or pin) turns or slides
- a figure borne on a heraldic field
- pressure, thrust
- the situation or horizontal direction of one point with respect to another or to the compass
- a determination of position
- comprehension of one's position, environment, or situation
- relation, connection
- purport
- the part of a structural member that rests on its supports
bearing rein -n
- checkrein
bear·ish ['ber-ish] -adj, adv, n
- resembling a bear in build or in roughness, gruffness, or surliness
- marked by, tending to cause, or fearful of falling prices (as in a stock market)
- pessimistic
bear market -n
- a market in which securities or commodities are persistently declining in value
be·ar·naise sauce ['bā-är-,nāz-, -ər-; 'ber-] -n
- a sauce of egg yolks and butter flavored with shallots, wine, vinegar, and seasonings
bear out -vt
- confirm, substantiate
- a theory borne out by data
bear·skin ['ber-,skin] -n
- an article made of the skin of a bear
- a military hat made of the skin of a bear
bear up -vt
- support, encourage
- to summon up courage, resolution, or strength
- bearing up under the strain
beast ['bēst] -n
- a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and an invertebrate
- a lower animal as distinguished from a human being
- an animal as distinguished from a plant
- an animal under human control
- a contemptible person
- something formidably difficult to control or deal with
beast epic -n
- a poem with epic conventions in which animals speak and act like human beings
beast fable -n
- a usu. didactic prose or verse fable in which animals speak and act like human beings
beast·ie ['bē-stē] -n
- beast, animal, critter
beastings ['bē-stiŋz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
(variant of beestings)
- the colostrum esp. of a cow
beast·ly ['bēst-lē] -adj, n
- bestial
- abominable, disagreeable
beastly -adv
- very
beast of burden
- an animal employed to carry heavy loads or to perform other heavy work (as pulling a plow)
beat ['bēt] -vb, adj
- : to strike repeatedly:
- to hit repeatedly so as to inflict pain often used with up
- to walk on : tread
- beat the pavement looking for work
- to strike directly against forcefully and repeatedly : dash against
- to flap or thrash at vigorously
- to strike at in order to rouse game
- to range over in or as if in quest of game
- to mix by stirring : whip often used with up
- to strike repeatedly in order to produce music or a signal
- to drive or force by blows
- to pound into a powder, paste, or pulp
- to make by repeated treading or driving over
- to dislodge by repeated hitting
- beat dust from the carpet
- to lodge securely by repeated striking
- beat a stake into the ground
- to shape by beating
- beat swords into plowshares
- to flatten thin by blows
- to sound or express esp. by drumbeat
- to cause to strike or flap repeatedly
- a bird beat ing its wings
- overcome, defeat
- surpass often used with out
- to prevail despite
- bewilder, baffle
- it beat s me how she does it
- fatigue, exhaust
- to leave dispirited, irresolute, or hopeless
- cheat, swindle
- to act ahead of usu. so as to forestall
- to report a news item in advance of
- to come or arrive before
- circumvent
- to outmaneuver (a defender) and get free
- to score against (a goalkeeper)
- to indicate by beating
- to become forcefully impelled : dash
- to glare or strike with oppressive intensity
- to sustain distracting activity
- to beat a drum
- pulsate, throb
- tick
- to sound upon being struck
- to strike repeated blows
- to strike the air : flap
- to strike cover in order to rouse game
- to range or scour for or as if for game
- to progress with much difficulty
- to sail to windward by a series of tacks
- a single stroke or blow esp. in a series
- pulsation, tick
- a sound produced by or as if by beating
- a driving impact or force
- one swing of the pendulum or balance of a timepiece
- a regularly traversed round
- a group of news sources that a reporter covers regularly
- a metrical or rhythmic stress in poetry or music or the rhythmic effect of these stresses
- the tempo indicated (as by a conductor) to a musical performer
- the pronounced rhythm that is the characteristic driving force in some types of music (as jazz or rock)
- rock
- one that excels
- I've never seen the beat of it
- the reporting of a news story ahead of competitors
- deadbeat
- an act of beating to windward
- one of the reaches so traversed : tack
- each of the pulsations of amplitude produced by the union of sound or radio waves or electric currents having different frequencies
- an accented stroke (as of one leg or foot against the other) in dancing
- moment
- waited a beat before responding
- being in a state of exhaustion : exhausted
- sapped of resolution or morale
- of, relating to, or being beatniks
- beatnik
beat·en ['bē-tᵊn] -adj
- hammered into a desired shape
- much trodden and worn smooth
- familiar
- being in a state of exhaustion : exhausted
beaten biscuit -n
- a biscuit whose dough is lightened by beating and folding
beat·er ['bē-tər] -n
- : one that beats: as
- eggbeater
- a rotary blade attached to an electric mixer
- drumstick
- one who strikes bushes or other cover to rouse game
- a dilapidated old automobile : clunker
be·atif·ic [,bē-ə-'ti-fik] -adj, adv
- of, possessing, or imparting beatitude
- having a blissful appearance
beatific vision -n
- the direct knowledge of God enjoyed by the blessed in heaven
be·at·i·fy [bē-'a-tə-,fī] -vt, n
- to make supremely happy
- to declare to have attained the blessedness of heaven and authorize the title Blessed and limited public religious honor
beat·ing ['bē-tiŋ] -n
- an act of striking with repeated blows so as to injure or damage
- the injury or damage thus inflicted
- pulsation
- defeat, setback
beating reed -n
- a reed in a musical instrument that vibrates against the edges of an air opening (as in a clarinet or organ pipe) to which it is attached
be·at·i·tude [bē-'a-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- a state of utmost bliss
- used as a title for a primate esp. of an Eastern church
- any of the declarations made in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:311) beginning in the AV Blessed are
beat·nik ['bēt-nik] -n
- a person who participated in a social movement of the 1950s and early 1960s which stressed artistic self-expression and the rejection of the mores of conventional society
- a usu. young and artistic person who rejects the mores of conventional society
beat off -vt
- repel
- masturbate used of a male
beat out -vt
- to make or perform by or as if by beating
- to mark or accompany by beating
- to turn (a routine ground ball or a bunt) into a hit in baseball by fast running to first base
Be·atrice [,bā-ä-'trē-(,)chā, 'bē-ə-trəs] -n
- a Florentine woman idealized in Dante's Vita Nuovaand Divina Commedia
beatup ['bēt-,əp, -'əp] -adj
- dilapidated, shabby
beau ['bō] -n
- dandy
- boyfriend
Beau Brum·mell ['bō-'brə-məl] -n
- dandy
beau·coup ['bō-(,)kü] -adj
- great in quantity or amount : many, much
Beau·fort scale ['bō-fərt-] -n
- a scale in which the force of the wind is indicated by numbers from 0 to 12
beau geste [bō-'zhest] -n
- a graceful or magnanimous gesture
- an ingratiating conciliatory gesture
beau ide·al [,bō-ī-'dē(-ə)l, ,bō-,ē-dā-'äl] -n
- the perfect type or model
Beau·jo·lais [,bō-zhō-'lā, -zhə-] -n
- a light fruity red burgundy wine made from the Gamay grape
Beaujolais nouveau -n
- a Beaujolais wine that is released shortly after a grape harvest and is sold for immediate consumption
beau monde [bō-'mänd, -mōⁿd] -n
- the world of high society and fashion
beaut ['byüt] -n
- beauty
- excellent
beau·te·ous ['byü-tē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- beautiful
beau·ti·cian [byü-'ti-shən] -n
- cosmetologist
beau·ti·ful ['byü-ti-fəl] -adj, adv, n
- having qualities of beauty : exciting aesthetic pleasure
- generally pleasing : excellent
beautiful people -n pl
- wealthy or famous people whose lifestyle is usu. expensive and well-publicized
beau·ti·fy ['byü-tə-,fī] -vb, n
- to make beautiful or add beauty to : embellish
- to grow beautiful
beau·ty ['byü-tē] -n
- the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit : loveliness
- a beautiful person or thing
- a beautiful woman
- a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality
- a brilliant, extreme, or egregious example or instance
- that mistake was a beauty
- bottom
beau·ty·ber·ry [-,ber-ē, -,be-rē] -n
- any of a genus ( Callicarpa) of deciduous shrubs and trees of the vervain family that bear dense clusters of small usu. purple berries and are often cultivated as ornamentals
beauty bush -n
- a Chinese shrub ( Kolkwitzia amabilis) of the honeysuckle family with pinkish flowers and bristly fruit
beauty contest -n
- an assemblage of girls or women at which judges select the most beautiful called also beauty pageant
- a presidential primary election in which the popular vote does not determine the number of convention delegates a candidate receives
beauty part -n
- the most desirable or beneficial aspect of something
beauty queen -n
- a beautiful and glamorous woman or girl
- a winner of a beauty contest
beauty shop -n
- an establishment or department where hairdressing, facials, and manicures are done called also beauty parlor beauty salon
beauty spot -n
- patch
- nevus
beaux arts ['bō-'zär] -n pl
- fine arts
- characterized by the use of historic forms, rich decorative detail, and a tendency toward monumental conception in architecture
bea·ver ['bē-vər] -n
- either of two large semiaquatic herbivorous rodents comprising a family (Castoridae including Castor canadensisof No. America and C. fiberof Eurasia), having webbed hind feet and a broad flat scaly tail, and constructing dams and partially submerged lodges
- the fur or pelt of the beaver
- a hat made of beaver fur or a fabric imitation
- silk hat
- a heavy fabric of felted wool or of cotton napped on both sides
- the pudenda of a woman
beaver -n
- a piece of armor protecting the lower part of the face
- a helmet visor
- to work energetically
- beaver ing away at the problem
bea·ver·board ['bē-vər-,bȯrd] -n
- a fiberboard used for partitions and ceilings
bea·ver·tail [-,tāl] -n
- a low-growing prickly pear cactus ( Opuntia basilaris) of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico having large usu. pink or red flowers
be·bop ['bē-,bäp] -n
- bop
BEC -abbr
- Bureau of Employees' Compensation
be·calm [bi-'kä(l)m] -vt
- to keep motionless by lack of wind
- to stop the progress of
- to make calm : soothe
be·cause [bi-'kȯz, -'kəz, -'kȯs, bē-] -conj
- for the reason that : since
- rested because he was tired
- the fact that : that
- the reason I haven't been fired is because my boss hasn't got round to it yet -- E. B. White
because of -prep
- by reason of : on account of
be·cha·mel [,bā-shə-'mel] -n
- a rich white sauce
be·chance [bi-'chan(t)s, bē-] -vb
- befall
bechedemer [,besh-də-'mer, ,bāsh-] -n
- trepang
- any of several English-based pidgins spoken on islands of the western Pacific
beck ['bek] -n
- creek
- beckon
- bow, curtsy
- a beckoning gesture
- summons, bidding
Beck·er muscular dystrophy ['be-kər-] -n
- a less severe form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy marked by later onset and slower progression of the disease called also Becker's muscular dystrophy -krz-
beck·et ['be-kət] -n
- : a device for holding something in place: as
- a grommet or a loop of rope with a knot at one end to catch in an eye at the other
- a ring of rope or metal
- a loop of rope (as for a handle)
beck·on ['be-kᵊn] -vb, n
- to summon or signal typically with a wave or nod
- to appear inviting : attract
- to beckon to
be·cloud [bi-'klau̇d, bē-] -vt
- to obscure with or as if with a cloud
- to prevent clear perception or realization of : muddle
- prejudices that becloud his judgment
be·come [bi-'kəm, bē-] -vb
- to come into existence
- to come to be
- to undergo change or development
- to be suitable to
- seriousness becoming the occasion
- to be becoming to
be·com·ing [-'kə-miŋ] -adj, adv
- suitable, fitting
- attractively suitable
bed ['bed] -n
- a piece of furniture on or in which to lie and sleep
- a place of sex relations
- marital relationship
- close association : cahoots
- a legislator in bed with lobbyists
- a place for sleeping
- sleep
- a time for sleeping
- a mattress filled with soft material
- bedstead
- the equipment and services needed to care for one hospitalized patient or hotel guest
- : a flat or level surface: as
- a plot of ground prepared for plants
- the plants grown in such a plot
- the bottom of a body of water
- an area of sea bottom supporting a heavy growth of a particular organism
- a supporting surface or structure : foundation
- layer, stratum
- the place or material in which a block or brick is laid
- the lower surface of a brick, slate, or tile
- a mass or heap resembling a bed
- served on a bed of lettuce
- to find or make sleeping accommodations usu. used with down
- to go to bed usu. used with down
- to form a layer
- to lie flat or flush
- to furnish with a bed or bedding : settle in sleeping quarters often used with down
- to put, take, or send to bed
- embed
- to plant or arrange in beds
- base, establish
- to lay flat or in a layer
- to make a bed in or of
- to have sexual intercourse with
BEd -abbr
- bachelor of education
be·dab·ble [bi-'da-bəl, bē-] -vt
- to wet or soil by dabbling
bedandbreakfast -n
- an establishment (as an inn) offering lodging and breakfast
be·daub [bi-'dȯb, -'däb, bē-] -vt
- to daub over : besmear
- to ornament with vulgar excess
be·daz·zle [bi-'da-zəl, bē-] -vt, n
- to confuse by a strong light : dazzle
- to impress forcefully : enchant
bed·bug ['bed-,bəg] -n
- a wingless bloodsucking hemipterous bug ( Cimex lectularius) sometimes infesting houses and esp. beds and feeding on human blood
bed·cham·ber [-,chām-bər] -n
- bedroom
bed check -n
- a night inspection to check the presence of persons (as soldiers) required by regulations to be in bed or in quarters
bed·clothes ['bed-,klō(th)z] -n pl
- the covering (as sheets and blankets) used on a bed
bed·cov·er [-,kə-vər] -n
- bedspread
- bedclothes usu. used in pl.
bed·ded ['be-dəd] -adj
- having a bed or beds of a specified kind or number used in combination
bed·der ['be-dər] -n
- a bedding plant
- a person who makes up beds
bed·ding ['be-diŋ] -n
- bedclothes
- a bottom layer : foundation
- material to provide a bed for livestock
- stratification
bedding -adj
- suitable for planting in large groups in flower beds to produce a mass display
be·deck [bi-'dek, bē-] -vt
- to clothe with finery : deck
- decorate
be·dev·il [bi-'de-vəl, bē-] -vt, n
- to possess with or as if with a devil
- to cause distress : trouble
- to change for the worse : spoil
- to confuse utterly : bewilder
be·dew [bi-'dü, -'dyü, bē-] -vt
- to wet with or as if with dew
bed·fast ['bed-,fast] -adj
- bedridden
bed·fel·low [-,fe-(,)lō] -n
- one who shares a bed with another
- associate, ally
Bed·ford cord ['bed-fərd-] -n
- a clothing fabric with lengthwise ribs that resembles corduroy
- the weave used in making this fabric
bedhop ['bed-,häp] -vi
- sleep around
be·dight [bi-'dīt, bē-] -vt
- equip, array
be·dim [bi-'dim, bē-] -vt
- to make less bright
- to make indistinct : obscure
Bed·i·vere ['be-də-,vir] -n
- a knight of the Round Table
be·di·zen [bi-'dī-zᵊn, -'di-, bē-] -vt, n
- to dress or adorn gaudily
bed·lam ['bed-ləm] -n, adj
- madman, lunatic
- a lunatic asylum
- a place, scene, or state of uproar and confusion
bed·lam·ite ['bed-lə-,mīt] -n, adj
- madman, lunatic
Bed·ling·ton terrier ['bed-liŋ-tən-] -n
- a swift lightly built terrier of English origin with a long narrow head, arched back, and usu. curly coat called also Bedlington
bed·mate ['bed-,māt] -n
- one who shares one's bed
- a sexual partner
bed molding -n
- the molding of a cornice below the corona and above the frieze
- a molding below a deep projection
bed of roses
- a place or situation of agreeable ease
bed·ou·in ['be-də-wən, -dü-ən, 'bed-wən] -n
- a nomadic Arab of the Arabian, Syrian, or No. African deserts
bed·pan ['bed-,pan] -n
- a shallow vessel used by a bedridden person for urination or defecation
bed·plate [-,plāt] -n
- a plate or framing used as a support
bed·post [-,pōst] -n
- the usu. turned or carved post of a bed
be·drag·gle [bi-'dra-gəl] -vt
- to wet thoroughly
be·drag·gled [bi-'dra-gəld; bē-] -adj
- left wet and limp by or as if by rain
- soiled and stained by or as if by trailing in mud
- dilapidated
bed rest -n
- confinement of a sick person to bed
bed·rid·den ['bed-,ri-dᵊn] -adj
- confined (as by illness) to bed
bed·rock [-'räk, -,räk] -n
- the solid rock underlying unconsolidated surface materials (as soil)
- lowest point : nadir
- basis
- solidly fundamental, basic, or reliable
- traditional bedrock values
bed·roll [-,rōl] -n
- bedding rolled up for carrying
bed·room [-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n, adj
- a room furnished with a bed and intended primarily for sleeping
- dealing with, suggestive of, or inviting sexual relations
- inhabited or used by commuters
Beds -abbr
- Bedfordshire
bed·sheet ['bed-,shēt] -n
- an oblong piece of usu. cotton or linen cloth used as an article of bedding
bed·side ['bed-,sīd] -n
- the side of a bed : a place beside a bed
bedside -adj
- of, relating to, or conducted at the bedside
- suitable for reading in bed
bedside manner -n
- the manner that a physician assumes toward patients
bedsit·ter ['bed-,si-tər] -n
- a one-room apartment serving as both bedroom and sitting room called also bedsit bed-sitting-room
bed·sore ['bed-,sȯr] -n
- an ulceration of tissue deprived of adequate blood supply by prolonged pressure called also decubitus ulcer
bed·spread [-,spred] -n
- a usu. ornamental cloth cover for a bed
bed·spring [-,spriŋ] -n
- a spring supporting a mattress
bed·stead ['bed-,sted] -n
- the framework of a bed
bed·straw [-,strȯ] -n
- any of a genus ( Galium) of herbs of the madder family having squarish stems, whorled leaves, and small flowers
bed table -n
- an adjustable table used (as for eating or writing) by a person in bed
- a small table beside a bed
bed·time [-,tīm] -n
- a time for going to bed
bedtime story -n
- a story read or recounted to someone (as a child) at bedtime
be·du ['be-(,)dü] -n
- bedouin
bed warmer -n
- a covered pan containing hot coals used to warm a bed
bedwet·ting [-,we-tiŋ] -n
- enuresis esp. when occurring in bed during sleep
bee ['bē] -n, adj
- honeybee
- any of numerous hymenopterous insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps esp. in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey
- an eccentric notion : fancy
- the letter b
- a gathering of people for a specific purpose
BEE -abbr
- bachelor of electrical engineering
bee balm -n
- any of several monardas
- oswego tea
- lemon balm
bee·bread ['bē-,bred] -n
- bitter yellowish-brown pollen stored up in honeycomb cells and used mixed with honey by bees as food
beech ['bēch] -n, adj
- any of a genus ( Fagusof the family Fagaceae, the beech family) of hardwood trees with smooth gray bark and small edible nuts
- its wood
beech·drops ['bēch-,dräps] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a plant ( Epifagus virginiana) of the broomrape family parasitic on the roots of beeches
beech·nut [-,nət] -n
- the nut of the beech
beeeat·er ['bē-,ē-tər] -n
- any of a family (Meropidae) of brightly colored slender-billed insectivorous chiefly tropical Old World birds
beef ['bēf] -n
- the flesh of an adult domestic bovine (as a steer or cow) used as food
- an ox, cow, or bull in a full-grown or nearly full-grown state
- a steer or cow fattened for food
- a dressed carcass of a beef animal
- muscular flesh : brawn
- complaint
- to increase or add substance, strength, or power to usu. used with up
- money to beef up its staff of professional economists -- John Fischer
- complain
- always beef ing about something
beef·a·lo ['bē-fə-,lō] -n
- any of a breed of beef cattle developed in the U.S. that is genetically No. American bison and domestic bovine
beef·cake ['bēf-,kāk] -n
- a usu. photographic display of muscular male physiques
- a man of the type featured in such a display or such men in general
beef cattle -n pl
- cattle developed primarily for the efficient production of meat and marked by capacity for rapid growth, heavy well-fleshed body, and stocky build
beef·eat·er ['bēf-,ē-tər] -n
- yeoman of the guard
bee fly -n
- any of a family (Bombyliidae) of dipteran flies many of which resemble bees
beef·steak ['bēf-,stāk] -n
- a steak of beef usu. from the hindquarter
beefsteak tomato -n
- a very large globe-shaped red tomato with dense flesh
beef Stro·ga·noff [-'strȯ-gə-,nȯf, -'strō-] -n
- beef sliced thin and cooked in a sour-cream sauce
beef Wel·ling·ton [-'we-liŋ-tən] -n
- a fillet of beef covered with pate de foie gras and baked in a casing of pastry
beef·wood ['bēf-,wu̇d] -n
- the hard heavy reddish wood of any of various chiefly tropical trees (as the Australian pine)
- australian pine
beefy ['bē-fē] -adj
- heavily and powerfully built
- substantial, sturdy
- of or suggesting beef
- full of beef
bee·hive ['bē-,hīv] -n, adj
- hive
- : something resembling a hive for bees: as
- a scene of crowded activity
- a woman's hairdo that is conical in shape
beehive oven -n
- an arched oven used esp. for baking food and formerly for coking coal
bee·keep·er [-,kē-pər] -n
- a person who raises bees
bee·line [-,līn] -n
- a straight direct course
beeline -vi
- to go quickly in a straight direct course
Beel·ze·bub [bē-'el-zi-,bəb, 'bēl-zi-, 'bel-] -n
- devil
- a fallen angel in Milton's Paradise Lostranking next to Satan
been ['bē] -vb
(variant of be)
- to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize
- January is the first month
- to have identity with
- the first person I met was my brother
- to constitute the same class as
- to have a specified qualification or characterization
- to belong to the class of used regularly in senses 1a through 1e as the copula of simple predication
- to have an objective existence : have reality or actuality : live
- to have, maintain, or occupy a place, situation, or position
- to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted used only in infinitive form
- to take place : occur
- the concert was last night
- to come or go
- has already been and gone
- has never been to the circus
- belong, befall
- used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive-voice auxiliary
- used as the auxiliary of the present participle in progressive tenses expressing continuous action
- used with the past participle of some intransitive verbs as an auxiliary forming archaic perfect tenses
- Christ is risen from the dead -- 1 Cor 15:20(DV)
- used with the infinitive with to to express futurity, arrangement in advance, or obligation
- I am to interview him today
beep ['bēp] -n
- a short usu. high-pitched sound (as from a horn or an electronic device) that serves as a signal or warning
- to cause (as a horn) to sound
- to sound a horn
- to make a beep
beep·er ['bē-pər] -n
- pager
- one that beeps
beer ['bir] -n
- an alcoholic beverage usu. made from malted cereal grain (as barley), flavored with hops, and brewed by slow fermentation
- a carbonated nonalcoholic or a fermented slightly alcoholic beverage with flavoring from roots or other plant parts
- fermented mash
- a drink of beer
beer and skittles -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a situation of agreeable ease
- won't be all beer and skittles
beer belly ['bir-,be-lēd] -n, adj
- potbelly
beery ['bir-ē] -adj
- smelling or tasting of beer
- affected or caused by beer
bee's knees -n
- a highly admired person or thing : cat's meow
bees·tings ['bē-stiŋz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- the colostrum esp. of a cow
beestung ['bē-,stəŋ] -adj
- having a red puffy appearance as if from being stung by a bee
bees·wax ['bēz-,waks] -n
- wax
beet ['bēt] -n
- a biennial garden plant ( Beta vulgaris) of the goosefoot family that includes several cultivars (as Swiss chard and sugar beet) and that has thick edible leaves with long petioles and often swollen purplish-red roots
- its root used esp. as a vegetable, as a source of sugar, or for forage
beet armyworm -n
- an armyworm ( Spodoptera exigua) that typically eats the foliage of beets, alfalfa, and vegetables
bee·tle ['bē-tᵊl] -n
- any of an order (Coleoptera) of insects having four wings of which the outer pair are modified into stiff elytra that protect the inner pair when at rest
- any of various insects resembling a beetle
beetle ['bē-tᵊl-iŋ] -vi
- to scurry like a beetle
- editors beetled around the office
- a heavy wooden hammering or ramming instrument
- a wooden pestle or bat for domestic tasks
- being prominent and overhanging
- project, jut
- to scale the beetling crags -- R. L. Stevenson
beet leafhopper -n
- a leafhopper ( Circulifer tenellus) that transmits curly top virus to sugar beets and other garden plants
bee tree -n
- a hollow tree in which honeybees nest
beet·root ['bēt-,rüt] -n
- a beet grown for its edible usu. red root
- the root
beeves ['bēf] -n
(variant of beef)
- the flesh of an adult domestic bovine (as a steer or cow) used as food
- an ox, cow, or bull in a full-grown or nearly full-grown state
- a steer or cow fattened for food
- a dressed carcass of a beef animal
- muscular flesh : brawn
- complaint
- to increase or add substance, strength, or power to usu. used with up
- money to beef up its staff of professional economists -- John Fischer
- complain
- always beef ing about something
bee·yard ['bē-,yärd] -n
- apiary
bef -abbr
- before
BEF -abbr
- British Expeditionary Force
be·fall [bi-'fȯl, bē-] -vb
- to happen esp. as if by fate
- to happen to
- the fate that befell them
be·fit [bi-'fit, bē-] -vt
- to be proper or becoming to
- clothing that befit s the occasion
be·fit·ting [-'fi-tiŋ] -adj, adv
- suitable, appropriate
- proper, decent
be·fog [bi-'fȯg, -'fäg, bē-] -vt
- confuse
- fog, obscure
be·fool [bi-'fül, bē-] -vt
- to make a fool of
- delude, deceive
be·fore [bi-'fȯr, bē-] -adv or adj
- in advance : ahead
- at an earlier time : previously
before -prep
- forward of : in front of
- in the presence of
- speaking before the conference
- under the jurisdiction or consideration of
- the case before the court
- at the disposal of
- the great sums placed before him
- in store for
- got the whole summer before you
- preceding in time : earlier than
- in a higher or more important position than
- put quantity before quality
- earlier than the time that
- sooner or quicker than
- I'll be done before you know it
- so that...do not
- get out of there before you get dirty
- until the time that
- miles to go before I sleep -- Robert Frost
- or else...not
- must be convicted before he can be removed from office
- or else
- get out of here before I call a cop
- rather or sooner than
- would starve before he'd steal
be·fore·hand [bi-'fȯr-,hand, bē-] -adv or adj
- in anticipation
- in advance
- ahead of time : early
before long -adv
- in the near future : soon
be·fore·time [-,tīm] -adv
- formerly
be·foul [bi-'fau̇(-ə)l, bē-] -vt
- to make foul (as with dirt or waste)
- sully, soil, besmirch
- scandal befoul ed his reputation
be·friend [bi-'frend] -vt
- to become or act as a friend to
be·fud·dle [bi-'fə-dᵊl, bē-] -vt, n
- to muddle or stupefy with or as if with drink
- confuse, perplex
beg ['beg] -vb
- to ask for as a charity
- to ask earnestly for : entreat
- to require as necessary or appropriate
- evade, sidestep
- to ask for alms
- to ask earnestly
- begin; beginning
be·get [bi-'get, bē-] -vt, n
- to procreate as the father : sire
- to produce esp. as an effect or outgrowth
beg·gar ['be-gər] -n
- one that begs
- a person who lives by asking for gifts
- pauper
- fellow
beggar ['be-gə-riŋ] -vt
- to reduce to beggary
- to exceed the resources or abilities of : defy
- so outrageous as to beggar belief
beg·gar·ly ['be-gər-lē] -adj, n
- contemptibly mean, scant, petty, or paltry
- befitting or resembling a beggar
- marked by extreme poverty
beggarmyneighbour -adj
- beggar-thy-neighbor
beg·gar'slice ['be-gərz-,līs] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- any of various plants (as of the genera Hackeliaand Cynoglossumof the borage family) with prickly or adhesive fruits
- one of these fruits
beggarthyneighbor -adj
- relating to or being an action or policy that produces gains for one group at the expense of another
- followed beggarthyneighbor policies in imposing taxes
beg·garticks ['be-gər-,tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- bur marigold
- its prickly achenes
- beggar's-lice
beg·gar·weed ['be-gər-,wēd] -n
- any of various plants (as knotgrass or dodder) that grow in waste ground
- any of several tick trefoils (genus Desmodium)
- a West Indian forage plant ( D. tortuosum) cultivated in the southern U.S.
beg·gary ['be-gə-rē] -n
- poverty, penury
- the class of beggars
- the practice of begging
be·gin [bi-'gin, bē-] -vb
- to do the first part of an action : go into the first part of a process : start
- to come into existence : arise
- to have a starting point
- to do or succeed in the least degree
- I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am
- to set about the activity of : start
- to bring into being : found
- originate, invent
be·gin·ner [bi-'gi-nər, bē-] -n
- one that begins something
- an inexperienced person
be·gin·ning [bi-'gi-niŋ, bē-] -n
- the point at which something begins : start
- the first part
- origin, source
- a rudimentary stage or early period usu. used in pl.
beginning -adj
- just starting out
- being first or the first part
- introductory
beginning rhyme -n
- rhyme at the beginning of successive lines of verse
- alliteration
be·gird [bi-'gərd, bē-] -vt
- gird
- surround, encompass
be·glam·our [bi-'gla-mər, bē-] -vt
- to impress or deceive with glamour
beg off ['beg-,ȯf] -vi, n
- to ask to be excused from something
- to ask or gain permission to be excused from
- begged off attending the party
be·gog·gled [bi-'gä-gᵊld, bē-] -adj
- wearing goggles
- a helmeted begoggled motorcycle rider
be·gone [bi-'gȯn, -'gän, bē-] -vi
- to go away : depart used esp. in the imperative
be·go·nia [bi-'gōn-yə] -n
- any of a large genus ( Begoniaof the family Begoniaceae, the begonia family) of tropical or subtropical herbs and shrubs that have asymmetrical leaves and are widely cultivated as ornamentals
be·gor·ra [bi-'gȯr-ə, -'gär-] -interj
- used as a mild usu. jocular oath
be·grime [bi-'grīm, bē-] -vt
- to make dirty with grime
- sully, corrupt
be·grudge [bi-'grəj, bē-] -vt, n, adv
- to give or concede reluctantly or with displeasure
- begrudge d the weeks spent away from home
- to look upon with disapproval
- begrudge their rivals' success
be·guile [bi-'gī(-ə)l, bē-] -vb, n, adv
- to lead by deception
- hoodwink
- to while away esp. by some agreeable occupation
- divert
- to engage the interest of by or as if by guile
- to deceive by wiles
be·guine ['bā-,gēn, ,bā-'] -n
- a member of one of various ascetic and philanthropic communities of women not under vows founded chiefly in the Netherlands in the 13th century
- a vigorous popular dance of the islands of Saint Lucia and Martinique that somewhat resembles the rumba
be·gum ['bā-gəm, 'bē-] -n
- a Muslim woman of high rank (as in India or Pakistan)
be·half [bi-'haf, -'häf, bē-] -n
- interest, benefit
- support, defense
be·have [bi-'hāv, bē-] -vb, n
- to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way
- to conduct (oneself) in a proper manner
- to act, function, or react in a particular way
- to conduct oneself properly
be·hav·ior [bi-'hā-vyər, bē-] -n, adj, adv
- the manner of conducting oneself
- anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation
- the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
- the way in which someone behaves
- an instance of such behavior
- the way in which something functions or operates
behavioral science -n
- a branch of science (as psychology, sociology, or anthropology) that deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior in society
be·hav·ior·ism [bi-'hā-vyə-,ri-zəm, bē-] -n, adj
- a school of psychology that takes the objective evidence of behavior (as measured responses to stimuli) as the only concern of its research and the only basis of its theory without reference to conscious experience
be·hav·ior·ist [-vyə-rist] -n, adj
- a person who advocates or practices behaviorism
- a person who specializes in the study of behavior
behavior modification -n
- psychotherapy that is concerned with the treatment (as by desensitization or aversion therapy) of observable behaviors rather than underlying psychological processes and that applies principles of learning to substitute desirable responses for undesirable ones (as phobias or obsessions) called also behavioral therapy behavior therapy
be·hav·iour [bi-'hā-vyər, bē-] -n, adj, adv
(variant of behavior)
- the manner of conducting oneself
- anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation
- the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
- the way in which someone behaves
- an instance of such behavior
- the way in which something functions or operates
be·head [bi-'hed, bē-] -vt
- to cut off the head of : decapitate
be·he·moth [bi-'hē-məth, 'bē-ə-məth, -,mäth, -,mȯth] -n
- a mighty animal described in Job 40:1524 as an example of the power of God
- something of monstrous size, power, or appearance
be·hest [bi-'hest, bē-] -n
- an authoritative order : command
- an urgent prompting
- called at the behest of my friends
be·hind [bi-'hīnd, bē-] -adv or adj
- in the place or situation that is being or has been departed from
- in, to, or toward the back
- later in time
- in a secondary or inferior position
- in arrears
- slow
- still to come
behind -prep
- in or to a place or situation in back of or to the rear of
- used as a function word to indicate something that screens an observer
- the sun went behind a cloud
- following in order
- used as a function word to indicate backwardness, delay, or deficiency
- lagged behind last year's sales
- in the background of
- the conditions behind the strike
- out of the mind or consideration of
- put our troubles behind us
- beyond in depth or time
- the story behind the story
- go back behind St. Augustine
- in support of : on the side of
- solidly behind the candidate
- with the support of
- won 10 behind brilliant pitching
be·hind ['bē-,hīnd; bi-'hīnd, bē-] -n
- buttocks often used as a euphemism for ass in idiomatic expressions
- get your behind over here
be·hind·hand [bi-'hīnd-,hand, bē-] -adj
- being in arrears
- being in an inferior position
- being behind schedule
behindthescenes -adj
- being or working out of public view or in secret
- behindthescenes lobbying for more money
- revealing or reporting the hidden workings
- a behindthescenes account
- a behindthescenes glimpse
be·hold [bi-'hōld, bē-] -vb, n
- to perceive through sight or apprehension : see
- to gaze upon : observe
- used in the imperative esp. to call attention
be·hold·en [bi-'hōl-dən, bē-] -adj
- being under obligation for a favor or gift : indebted
be·hoof [bi-'hüf, bē-] -n
- advantage, profit
be·hoove [bi-'hüv, bē-] -vb
- to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for
- to be necessary, fit, or proper
be·hove [bi-'hüv, bē-] -vb
(variant of behoove)
- to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for
- to be necessary, fit, or proper
beige ['bāzh] -n, adj
- cloth made of natural undyed wool
- a variable color averaging light grayish-yellowish brown
- a pale to grayish yellow
- of the color beige
- lacking distinction : vanilla
bei·gnet [,bān-'yā, ,ben-] -n
- fritter
- a light square doughnut usu. sprinkled with powdered sugar
be·ing ['bē(-i)ŋ] -n
- the quality or state of having existence
- something conceivable as existing
- something that actually exists
- the totality of existing things
- conscious existence : life
- the qualities that constitute an existent thing : essence
- personality
- a living thing
- person
being -adj
- present used in the phrase for the time being
- since, because usu. used with as, as how, or that
Be·ja ['bā-jə] -n
- a member of a pastoral people living between the Nile and the Red Sea
- the Cushitic language of the Beja people
be·jab·bers [bi-'ja-bərz] -interj
- bejesus
be·je·sus [bi-'jē-zəs, -'jā-, -zəz] -interj
- used as a mild oath used as a noun for emphasis
- scares the bejesus out of me
be·jew·eled [bi-'jü-əld, -'jüld, bē- also -'ju̇(ə)ld] -adj
- ornamented with or as if with jewels
bel ['bel] -n
- ten decibels
be·la·bor [bi-'lā-bər, bē-] -vt
- to attack verbally
- to beat soundly
- to explain or insist on excessively
be·la·bour [bi-'lā-bər, bē-] -vt
(variant of belabor)
- to attack verbally
- to beat soundly
- to explain or insist on excessively
Be·la·rus·ian [,b(y)e-lä-'rü-sē-ən, ,b(y)ā-] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of Belarus
- the Slavic language of the Belarusians
be·lat·ed [bi-'lā-təd, bē-] -adj, adv, n
- delayed beyond the usual time
- existing or appearing past the normal or proper time
be·laud [bi-'lȯd, bē-] -vt
- to praise usu. to excess
be·lay [bi-'lā, bē-] -vb, n
- to secure (as a rope) by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt
- to make fast
- stop
- to secure (a person) at the end of a rope
- to secure (a rope) to a person or object
- to be made fast
- stop, quit used in the imperative
- to make a line fast by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt
belay -n
- the securing of a person or a safety rope to an anchor point (as during mountain climbing)
- a method of so securing a person or rope
- something (as a projection of rock) to which a person or rope is anchored
bel can·to [bel-'kän-(,)tō, -'kan-] -n
- operatic singing originating in 17th century and 18th century Italy and stressing ease, purity, and evenness of tone production and an agile and precise vocal technique
belch ['belch] -vb, n
- to expel gas suddenly from the stomach through the mouth
- to erupt, explode, or detonate violently
- to issue forth spasmodically : gush
- to eject or emit violently
- to expel (gas) from the stomach suddenly : eruct
bel·dam ['bel-dəm] -n
- an old woman
be·lea·guer [bi-'lē-gər, bē-] -vt, n
- besiege
- trouble, harass
- an economically beleaguer ed city
bel·em·nite ['be-ləm-,nīt] -n
- any of various extinct cephalopods (order Belemnoidea) that had large often bullet-shaped internal shells and were esp. abundant in the Mesozoic era
bel·fry ['bel-frē] -n
- a bell tower
- one surmounting or attached to another structure
- a room or framework for enclosing a bell
- head
Belg -abbr
- Belgian; Belgium
Bel·gae ['bel-,gī, -,jē] -n pl, adj
- a people occupying parts of northern Gaul and Britain in Caesar's time
Bel·gian ['bel-jən] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of Belgium
- any of a breed of heavy muscular usu. roan or chestnut draft horses developed in Belgium
Belgian endive -n
- the developing crown of chicory when blanched for use as a vegetable or in salads by growing in darkness or semidarkness called also endive witloof
Belgian hare -n
- any of a breed of slender chestnut-colored domestic rabbits
Belgian Ma·li·nois [-,ma-lən-'wä] -n
- any of a breed of working dogs closely related to the Belgian sheepdog and having relatively short straight fawn or reddish-brown hair with black tips and a dense undercoat called also Malinois
Belgian sheepdog -n
- any of a breed of hardy dogs developed in Belgium esp. for herding sheep and having abundant long straight black hair with a dense undercoat
Belgian Ter·vu·ren [-(,)tər-'vyu̇r-ən, -ter-] -n
- any of a breed of working dogs closely related to the Belgian sheepdog and having abundant long straight fawn or reddish-brown hair with black tips and a dense undercoat
Belgian waffle -n
- a waffle having large depressions that is usu. topped with fruit and whipped cream
Be·lial ['bē-lē-əl, 'bēl-yəl] -n
- a biblical name of the devil or one of the fiends
- one of the fallen angels in Milton's Paradise Lost
be·lie [bi-'lī, bē-] -vt, n
- to give a false impression of
- to present an appearance not in agreement with
- to show (something) to be false or wrong
- to run counter to : contradict
- disguise
be·lief [bə-'lēf] -n
- a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing
- something believed
- a tenet or body of tenets held by a group
- conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon esp. when based on examination of evidence
be·liev·able [-'lē-və-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being believed esp. as within the range of known possibility or probability
be·lieve [bə-'lēv] -vb, n
- to have a firm religious faith
- to accept as true, genuine, or real
- to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something
- to hold an opinion : think
- to consider to be true or honest
- you wouldn't believe how long it took
- to accept the word or evidence of
- to hold as an opinion : suppose
- I believe it will rain soon
be·like [bi-'līk] -adv
- most likely : probably
be·lit·tle [bi-'li-tᵊl, bē-] -vt, n
- to speak slightingly of : disparage
- to cause (a person or thing) to seem little or less
be·live [bi-'līv] -adv
- in due time : by and by
bell ['bel] -n
- a hollow metallic device that gives off a reverberating sound when struck
- doorbell
- the sounding of a bell as a signal
- a stroke of a bell (as on shipboard) to indicate the time
- the time so indicated
- a half hour period of a watch on shipboard indicated by the strokes of a bellbelow
- : something having the form of a bell: as
- the corolla of a flower
- a bell-shaped organ or part (as the umbrella of a jellyfish or the dewlap of a moose)
- the part of the capital of a column between the abacus and neck molding
- the flared end of a wind instrument
- a percussion instrument consisting of metal bars or tubes that when struck give out tones resembling bells usu. used in pl.
- glockenspiel
- to provide with a bell
- to flare the end of (as a tube) into the shape of a bell
- to take the form of a bell : flare
- to make a resonant bellowing or baying sound
- the wild buck bell s from ferny brake -- Sir Walter Scott
- bellow, roar
bel·la·don·na [,be-lə-'dä-nə] -n
- an Old World poisonous plant ( Atropa belladonna) of the nightshade family having purple or green bell-shaped flowers, glossy black berries, and root and leaves that yield atropine called also deadly nightshade
- a medicinal extract (as atropine) from the belladonna plant
belladonna lily -n
- amaryllis
bell·bird ['bel-,bərd] -n
- any of various birds (as flycatchers of the genus Procniasand the honeyeater of the genus Anthornis) whose notes suggest the sound of a bell
bellbot·toms ['bel-'bä-təmz] -n pl, adj
- pants with wide flaring bottoms
bell·boy ['bel-,bȯi] -n
- bellhop
bell buoy -n
- a buoy with a bell rung by the action of the waves
bell captain -n
- captain
bell curve -n
- normal curve
belle ['bel] -n
- a popular and attractive girl or woman
- a girl or woman whose charm and beauty make her a favorite
Bel·leek [bə-'lēk] -n
- a very thin translucent porcelain with a lustrous pearly glaze produced in Ireland called also Belleek china Belleek ware
belle epoque ['bel-ā-'pȯk] -n
- a period of high artistic or cultural development
- such a period in fin de siecle France
Bel·ler·o·phon [bə-'ler-ə-fən, -,fän] -n
- a legendary Greek hero noted for killing the Chimera
belles let·tres [bel-letrᵊ] -n pl but sing in constr
- literature that is an end in itself and not merely informative
- light, entertaining, and often sophisticated literature
bel·le·trist [bel-'le-trist] -n, adj
- a writer of belles lettres
bell·flow·er ['bel-,flau̇(-ə)r] -n
- any of a genus ( Campanulaof the family Campanulaceae, the bellflower family) of widely cultivated herbs having alternate leaves and usu. showy bell-shaped flowers
bell·hop [-,häp] -n
- a hotel or club employee who escorts guests to rooms, assists them with luggage, and runs errands
bel·li·cose ['be-li-,kōs] -adj, n
- favoring or inclined to start quarrels or wars
bel·lied ['be-lēd] -adj
- having a belly of a specified kind used in combination
bel·lig·er·ence [bə-'lij-rən(t)s, -'li-jə-] -n
- an aggressive or truculent attitude, atmosphere, or disposition
bel·lig·er·en·cy [-rən(t)-sē] -n
- the state of being at war or in conflict
- the status of a legally recognized belligerent state or nation
- belligerence
bel·lig·er·ent [-rənt] -adj, n, adv
- waging war
- belonging to or recognized as a state at war and protected by and subject to the laws of war
- inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness
Bel·li·ni [be-'lē-nē, bə-] -n
- a cocktail of champagne and usu. peach juice
bell jar -n
- a bell-shaped usu. glass vessel designed to cover objects or to contain gases or a vacuum
bellly·ra ['bel-'lī-rə] -n
- a glockenspiel mounted in a portable lyre-shaped frame and used esp. in marching bands
bell·man ['bel-mən] -n
- a man (as a town crier) who rings a bell
- bellhop
bell metal -n
- bronze that consists usu. of three to four parts of copper to one of tin and that is used for making bells
Bel·lo·na [bə-'lō-nə] -n
- the Roman goddess of war
bel·low ['be-(,)lō] -vb, n
- to make the loud deep hollow sound characteristic of a bull
- to shout in a deep voice
- bawl
bel·lows ['be-(,)lōz, -ləz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- an instrument or machine that by alternate expansion and contraction draws in air through a valve or orifice and expels it through a tube
- any of various other blowers
- lungs
- the pleated expansible part in a camera
- a metallic or plastic flexible and expansible vessel
bell pepper -n
- sweet pepper
- a large bell-shaped sweet pepper
bell·pull ['bel-,pu̇l] -n
- a handle or knob attached to a cord by which one rings a bell
- the cord itself
bell push -n
- a button that is pushed to ring a bell
bells and whistles -n pl
- items or features that are useful or decorative but not essential : frills
bellshaped ['bel-,shāpt] -adj
- shaped like a bell
- relating to or being a normal curve or a normal distribution
Bell's palsy ['belz-] -n
- paralysis of the facial nerve producing distortion on one side of the face
bell tower -n
- a tower that supports or shelters a bell
bell·weth·er ['bel-'we-thər, -,we-] -n
- one that takes the lead or initiative : leader
- an indicator of trends
bell·wort ['bel-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n
- any of a small genus ( Uvularia) of herbs of the lily family with yellow bell-shaped flowers
bel·ly ['be-lē] -n
- abdomen
- potbelly
- the stomach and its adjuncts
- the undersurface of an animal's body
- hide from this part
- womb, uterus
- an internal cavity : interior
- appetite for food
- a surface or object curved or rounded like a human belly
- the enlarged fleshy body of a muscle
- the part of a sail that swells out when filled with wind
- gut
belly -vb
- to cause to swell or fill out
- swell, fill
- to slide or crawl on one's belly
- belly-land
bel·ly·ache ['be-lē-,āk] -n
- pain in the abdomen and esp. in the stomach : stomachache
bellyache -vi, n
- to complain whiningly or peevishly : find fault
bel·ly·band ['be-lē-,band] -n
- : a band around or across the belly: as
- girth
- band
belly button -n
- the human navel
belly dance -n, vi
- a usu. solo dance emphasizing movements of the belly
belly flop -n, vi
- a dive (as into water or in coasting prone on a sled) in which the front of the body strikes flat against another surface called also belly flopper
bel·ly·ful ['be-lē-,fu̇l] -n
- an excessive amount
bel·lyland [-,land] -vi, n
- to land an airplane on its undersurface without use of landing gear
belly laugh -n
- a deep hearty laugh
bel·lyup [-'əp] -adj
- hopelessly ruined or defeated
- bankrupt
- the business went bellyup
belly up -vi
- to move close or next to
be·lon [bā-'lōn, -'lōⁿ] -n
- european flat
- a European flat oyster of coastal waters of northwestern France
be·long [bi-'lȯŋ, bē-] -vb
- to be suitable, appropriate, or advantageous
- a dictionary belong s in every home
- to be in a proper situation
- a man of his ability belong s in teaching
- to be the property of a person or thing used with to
- to be attached or bound by birth, allegiance, or dependency usu. used with to
- they belong to their homeland
- to be a member of a club, organization, or set usu. used with to
- she belong s to a country club
- to be an attribute, part, adjunct, or function of a person or thing
- nuts and bolts belong to a car
- to be properly classified
- ought, must
be·long·ing [-'lȯŋ-iŋ] -n
- possession usu. used in pl.
- close or intimate relationship
Belo·rus·sian [,be-lō-'rə-shən, ,bye-] -n, adj
- belarusian
be·loved [bi-'ləvd, -'lə-vəd, bē-] -adj, n
- dearly loved : dear to the heart
be·low [bi-'lō] -adv
- in or to a lower place
- on earth
- in or to Hades or hell
- on or to a lower floor or deck
- in, to, at, or by a lower rank or number
- below zero
- the temperature was 20 below
- lower on the same page or on a following page
- under the surface of the water
below -prep
- lower in place, rank, or value than : under
- down river from
- south of
- inferior to (as in rank)
- not suitable to the rank of : beneath
- something that is below
- written or discussed lower on the same page or on a following page
be·low·decks [bi-,lō-'deks; -'lō-,deks] -adv
- inside or into the superstructure of a boat : down to a lower deck
be·low·ground [-'grau̇nd; -,grau̇nd] -adv or adj
- beneath the surface of the earth
Bel·shaz·zar [bel-'sha-zər] -n
- a son of Nebuchadnezzar and king of Babylon in the book of Daniel
belt ['belt] -n, adj
- a strip of flexible material worn esp. around the waist as an item of clothing or a means of carrying something (as tools)
- a similar article worn as a corset or for protection or safety or as a symbol of distinction
- a continuous band of tough flexible material for transmitting motion and power or conveying materials
- an area characterized by some distinctive feature (as of culture, habitation, geology, or life forms)
- one suited to a particular crop
- asteroid belt
- beltway
- to encircle or fasten with a belt
- to strap on
- to beat with or as if with a belt : thrash
- strike, hit
- to mark with a band
- to sing in a forceful manner or style
- belt ing out popular songs
- to drink quickly
- belt ed down a shot of whisky
- to move or act in a speedy, vigorous, or violent manner
- to sing loudly
- a jarring blow : whack
- drink
Bel·tane ['bel-,tān, -tin] -n
- the Celtic May Day festival
belted kingfisher -n
- a No. American kingfisher ( Ceryle alcyonsyn. Megaceryle alcyon) that is slate blue above and white below with a slate-blue breast band and an additional chestnut-colored band in the female
belt·er ['bel-tər] -n
- a singer with a powerful voice
belt·ing ['bel-tiŋ] -n
- belts
- material for belts
belttight·en·ing ['belt-,tīt-niŋ, -,tī-tᵊn-iŋ] -n
- a reduction in spending
belt up -vi
- shut up
belt·way ['belt-,wā] -n
- a highway skirting an urban area
- the political and social world of Washington, D.C., viewed esp. as insular and exclusive
- understanding better than Beltway insiders what really interests voters -- L. I. Barrett
be·lu·ga [bə-'lü-gə] -n
- a large white sturgeon ( Huso husosyn. Acipenser huso) of the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and their tributaries
- caviar processed from beluga roe
- a toothed whale ( Delphinapterus leucas) of arctic and subarctic waters having a fusiform body that is about 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 5.0 meters) long and white when mature called also white whale
bel·ve·dere ['bel-və-,dir] -n
- a structure (as a cupola or a summerhouse) designed to command a view
BEM -abbr
- bachelor of engineering of mines
- British Empire Medal
be·ma ['bē-mə] -n
- the usu. raised part of an Eastern church containing the altar
- bimah
Bem·ba ['bem-bə] -n
- a member of a primarily agricultural Bantu-speaking people of northeastern Zambia
- a Bantu language of the Bemba people
be·med·aled [bi-'me-dᵊld, bē-] -adj
- wearing or decorated with medals
be·mire [bi-'mīr, bē-] -vt
- to soil with mud or dirt
- to drag through or sink in mire
be·moan [bi-'mōn, bē-] -vt
- to express deep grief or distress over
- to regard with displeasure, disapproval, or regret
be·mock [bi-'mäk, -'mȯk] -vt
- mock
be·muse [bi-'myüz, bē-] -vt, adv, n
- to make confused : puzzle, bewilder
- to occupy the attention of : distract, absorb
- to cause to have feelings of wry or tolerant amusement
- seems truly bemused that people beyond his circle in Seattle would be interested in his ruminations -- Ruth B. Smith
ben ['ben] -adv
- within
- within
- the inner room or parlor of a 2-room cottage
BenceJones protein ['ben(t)s-'jōnz-] -n
- a polypeptide composed of one or two antibody light chains that is found esp. in the urine of persons affected with multiple myeloma
bench ['bench] -n
- a long seat for two or more persons
- a thwart in a boat
- a seat on which the members of an athletic team await a turn or opportunity to play
- the reserve players on a team
- a reserve force
- the seat where a judge sits in court
- the place where justice is administered : court
- the office or dignity of a judge
- sat on the bench for 20 years
- the persons who sit as judges
- the office or dignity of an official
- a seat for an official
- the officials occupying a bench
- a long worktable
- laboratory
- a table forming part of a machine
- : terrace, shelf: as
- a former wave-cut shore of a sea or lake or floodplain of a river
- a shelf or ridge formed in working an open excavation on more than one level
- a compartmented platform on which dogs or cats are kept at a show when not being judged
- to furnish with benches
- to seat on a bench
- to remove from or keep out of a game
- to remove from use or from a position
- to remove from the starting lineup
- to exhibit (dogs or cats) to the public on a bench
- to lift (a weight) in a bench press
- to form a bench by natural processes
bench·er ['ben-chər] -n
- one who sits on or presides at a bench
bench jockey -n
- benchwarmer
- one who rides members of the opposing team from the bench
bench·land ['bench-,land] -n
- bench
bench·mark ['bench-,märk] -n
- a mark on a permanent object indicating elevation and serving as a reference in topographic surveys and tidal observations
- a point of reference from which measurements may be made
- something that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged
- a standardized problem or test that serves as a basis for evaluation or comparison (as of computer system performance)
benchmark -vt
- to study (as a competitor's product or business practices) in order to improve the performance of one's own company
bench press -n, vt
- a lift or exercise in which a weight is raised by extending the arms upward while lying on a bench
bench seat -n
- a seat in an automotive vehicle that extends the full width of the passenger section
bench·top ['bench-,täp] -adj
- suitable (as in size or configuration) for convenient use on a laboratory workbench
bench·warm·er ['bench-,wȯr-mər] -n
- a reserve player on an athletic team
bench warrant -n
- a warrant issued by a presiding judge or by a court against a person guilty of contempt or indicted for a crime
bend ['bend] -vb, adj
- to constrain or strain to tension by curving
- to turn or force from straight or even to curved or angular
- to force from a proper shape
- to force back to an original straight or even condition
- fasten
- to cause to turn from a straight course : deflect
- to guide or turn toward : direct
- incline, dispose
- to adapt to one's purpose : distort
- to direct strenuously or with interest : apply
- to make submissive : subdue
- to curve out of a straight line or position
- to incline the body in token of submission
- to apply oneself vigorously
- incline, tend
- compromise
- the act or process of bending : the state of being bent
- : something that is bent: as
- a curved part of a path (as of a stream or road)
- wale usu. used in pl.
- the painful manifestations (as joint pain) of decompression sickness
- decompression sickness usu. used with the
- a diagonal band that runs from the dexter chief to the sinister base on a heraldic shield
- a knot by which one rope is fastened to another or to some object
ben·day ['ben-'dā] -adj, vt
- involving a process for adding shaded or tinted areas made up of dots for reproduction by line engraving
bend·er ['ben-dər] -n
- one that bends
- spree
- hungover after a weekend bender
bend sinister -n
- a diagonal band that runs from the sinister chief to the dexter base on a heraldic shield
bendy ['ben-dē] -adj
- flexible, pliable
be·neath [bi-'nēth, bē-] -adv
- in or to a lower position : below
- the mountains and the towns beneath
- directly under : underneath
beneath -prep
- in or to a lower position than : below
- directly under
- the ground beneath her feet
- at the foot of
- not suitable to the rank of : unworthy of
- under the control, pressure, or influence of
- the chair sagged beneath his weight
- concealed by : under the guise of
- a warm heart beneath a gruff manner
ben·e·dict ['be-nə-,dikt] -n
- a newly married man who has long been a bachelor
Ben·e·dic·tine [,be-nə-'dik-tən, -,tēn] -n, adj
- a monk or a nun of one of the congregations following the rule of St. Benedict and devoted esp. to scholarship and liturgical worship
bene·dic·tion [,be-nə-'dik-shən] -n
- the invocation of a blessing
- the short blessing with which public worship is concluded
- something that promotes goodness or well-being
- a Roman Catholic or Anglo-Catholic devotion including the exposition of the eucharistic Host in the monstrance and the blessing of the people with it
- an expression of good wishes
bene·dic·to·ry [-'dik-t(ə-)rē] -adj
- of or expressing benediction
Ben·e·dict's solution ['be-nə-,dik(t)s-] -n
- a blue solution containing a carbonate, citrate, and sulfate which yields a red, yellow, or orange precipitate upon warming with a sugar (as glucose) that is a reducing agent
Ben·e·dic·tus [,be-nə-'dik-təs] -n
- a canticle from Lk 1:68 beginning Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
- a canticle from Mt 21:9 beginning Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord
ben·e·fac·tion [,be-nə-'fak-shən] -n
- the act of benefiting
- a benefit conferred
- a charitable donation
ben·e·fac·tor ['be-nə-,fak-tər] -n
- one that confers a benefit
- one that makes a gift or bequest
ben·e·fac·tress ['be-nə-,fak-tris] -n
- a woman who is a benefactor
be·nef·ic [bə-'ne-fik] -adj
- beneficent
ben·e·fice ['be-nə-fəs] -n, vt
- an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attached
- a feudal estate in lands : fief
be·nef·i·cence [bə-'ne-fə-sən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being beneficent
- benefaction
be·nef·i·cent [-sənt] -adj, adv
- doing or producing good
- performing acts of kindness and charity
- beneficial
ben·e·fi·cial [,be-nə-'fi-shəl] -adj, adv, n
- conferring benefits : conducive to personal or social well-being
- receiving or entitling one to receive advantage, use, or benefit
beneficials -n pl
- organisms (as ladybugs, lacewings, and bacteria) that feed on or parasitize pests of crops, gardens, and turf
ben·e·fi·cia·ry [,be-nə-'fi-shē-,er-ē, -e-rē, -'fi-sh(ə-)rē] -n, adj
- one that benefits from something
- the person designated to receive the income of a trust estate
- the person named (as in an insurance policy) to receive proceeds or benefits
ben·e·fi·ci·a·tion [,be-nə-,fi-shē-'ā-shən] -n, vt
- the treatment of raw material (as iron ore) to improve physical or chemical properties esp. in preparation for smelting
ben·e·fit ['be-nə-,fit] -n
- an act of kindness : benefaction
- something that promotes well-being : advantage
- useful aid : help
- financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment
- a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy
- a service (as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salary
- an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause
benefit [-,fi-təd] -vb, n
- to be useful or profitable to
- to receive benefit
- has benefit ed from his experience
benefit of clergy
- clerical exemption from trial in a civil court
- the ministration or sanction of the church
be·nev·o·lence [bə-'nev-lən(t)s, -'ne-və-] -n
- disposition to do good
- an act of kindness
- a generous gift
- a compulsory levy by certain English kings with no other authority than the claim of prerogative
be·nev·o·lent [-lənt] -adj, adv, n
- marked by or disposed to doing good
- organized for the purpose of doing good
- marked by or suggestive of goodwill
Ben·gali [ben-'gȯ-lē, beŋ-, -'gä-] -n, adj
- a native or resident of Bengal
- the modern Indo-Aryan language of Bengal
ben·ga·line ['beŋ-gə-,lēn] -n
- a fabric with a crosswise rib made from textile fibers (as rayon, nylon, cotton, or wool) often in combination
Ben·gal light ['ben-,gȯl-, ,beŋ-, -,gäl-, -gəl-] -n
- a usu. blue light or flare used formerly esp. for signaling and illumination
Bengal tiger -n
- a tiger ( Panthera tigris tigris) occurring esp. in India
BEngr -abbr
- bachelor of engineering
BEngS -abbr
- bachelor of engineering science
be·night·ed [bi-'nī-təd, bē-] -adj, adv, n
- overtaken by darkness or night
- existing in a state of intellectual, moral, or social darkness : unenlightened
be·nign [bi-'nīn] -adj, n, adv
- of a gentle disposition : gracious
- showing kindness and gentleness
- favorable, wholesome
- of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life
- not becoming cancerous
- having no significant effect : harmless
be·nig·nan·cy [bi-'nig-nən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being benignant or benign
be·nig·nant [-nənt] -adj, adv
- serenely mild and kindly : benign
- favorable, beneficial
benign neglect -n
- an attitude or policy of ignoring an often delicate or undesirable situation that one is held to be responsible for dealing with
benign prostatic hyperplasia -n
- enlargement of the prostate gland caused by a benign overgrowth of chiefly glandular tissue that occurs esp. in some men over 50 years old and that tends to obstruct urination by constricting the urethra abbr. BPH called also benign prostatic hypertrophy
ben·i·son ['be-nə-sən, -zən] -n
- blessing, benediction
Ben·ja·min ['ben-jə-mən] -n
- a son of Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel
ben·ne ['be-nē] -n
- sesame
ben·ny ['be-nē] -n
- amphetamine
- a tablet of amphetamine taken as a stimulant
ben·o·myl ['be-nə-,mil] -n
- a derivative C 14H 18N 4O 3of carbamate and benzimidazole used esp. as a systemic agricultural fungicide
bent ['bent] -n
- unenclosed grassland
- a reedy grass
- a stalk of stiff coarse grass
- bent grass
- changed by bending out of an orig. straight or even condition
- strongly inclined : determined usu. used with on
- different from the normal or usual
- dishonest, corrupt
- a strong inclination or interest : bias
- a special inclination or capacity : talent
- capacity of endurance
- a transverse framework (as in a bridge) to carry lateral as well as vertical loads
bent grass -n
- any of a genus ( Agrostis) of grasses including important chiefly perennial and rhizomatous pasture and lawn grasses with fine velvety or wiry herbage
Ben·tham·ism ['ben(t)-thə-,mi-zəm] -n, n or adj
- the utilitarian philosophy of Jeremy Bentham and his followers
ben·thic ['ben(t)-thik] -adj
- of, relating to, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water
- of, relating to, or occurring in the depths of the ocean
ben·thon·ic [ben-'thä-nik] -adj
- benthic
ben·thos ['ben-,thäs] -n
- organisms that live on or in the bottom of a body of water
ben·ton·ite ['ben-tə-,nīt] -n, adj
- an absorptive and colloidal clay used esp. as a sealing agent or suspending agent (as of drugs)
ben tro·va·to [,ben-trō-'vä-(,)tō] -adj
- characteristic or appropriate even if not true
bent·wood ['bent-,wu̇d] -adj, n
- made of wood that is bent rather than cut into shape
be·numb [bi-'nəm, bē-] -vt
- to make inactive : deaden
- to make numb esp. by cold
benz- -comb form
- related to benzene or benzoic acid
benz·al·de·hyde [ben-'zal-də-,hīd] -n
- a colorless nontoxic aromatic liquid C 6H 5CHO found in essential oils (as in peach kernels) and used in flavoring and perfumery, in pharmaceuticals, and in synthesis of dyes
benz·an·thra·cene [ben-'zan(t)-thrə-,sēn] -n
- a crystalline carcinogenic cyclic hydrocarbon C 18H 12that is found in small amounts in coal tar
Ben·ze·drine ['ben-zə-,drēn] -n
- a preparation of the sulfate of amphetamine (C 9H 13N) 2H 2SO 4formerly used in medicine
ben·zene ['ben-,zēn, ben-'] -n, adj or n
- a colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C 6H 6used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel
benzene hexa·chlo·ride [-,hek-sə-'klȯr-,īd] -n
- bhc
benzene ring -n
- a structural arrangement of atoms in benzene and other aromatic compounds that consists of a planar symmetrical hexagon of six carbon atoms which derives added stability from the delocalization of certain bonding electrons over the entire ring
ben·zi·dine ['ben-zə-,dēn] -n
- a crystalline diamine base C 12H 12N 2prepared from nitrobenzene and used esp. in making dyes
benz·imid·azole [,ben-,zi-mə-'da-,zōl, ,ben-zə-'mi-də-,zōl] -n
- a crystalline base C 7H 6N 2used esp. to inhibit the growth of various viruses, parasitic worms, or fungi
- one of its derivatives
ben·zine ['ben-,zēn, ben-'] -n
- any of various volatile flammable petroleum distillates used esp. as solvents or as motor fuels
ben·zo·ate ['ben-zə-,wāt, -zō-,āt] -n
- a salt or ester of benzoic acid
ben·zo·caine ['ben-zə-,kān] -n
- a white crystalline ester C 9H 11NO 2used as a local anesthetic
ben·zo·di·az·e·pine [,ben-zō-dī-'a-zə-,pēn] -n
- any of a group of aromatic lipophilic amines (as diazepam and chlordiazepoxide) used esp. as tranquilizers
ben·zo·ic acid [ben-'zō-ik-] -n
- a white crystalline acid C 6H 5COOH found naturally (as in benzoin or in cranberries) or made synthetically and used esp. as a preservative of foods, in medicine, and in organic synthesis
ben·zo·in ['ben-zə-wən, -zō-, -,wēn; -,zȯin] -n
- a hard fragrant yellowish balsamic resin from trees (genus Styrax) of southeastern Asia used esp. as a fixative in perfumes, as incense, and in medicine as an expectorant and skin protectant
- a white crystalline hydroxy ketone C 14H 12O 2made from benzaldehyde
ben·zo·phe·none [,ben-zō-fi-'nōn, -'fē-,nōn] -n
- a colorless crystalline ketone C 13H 10O used esp. as a perfume fixative and in sunscreens
- a derivative of benzophenone
ben·zo·py·rene [,ben-zō-'pī-,rēn, -pī-'rēn] -n
- a yellow crystalline carcinogenic hydrocarbon C 20H 12found in coal tar called also benzo[a]pyrene
ben·zo·qui·none [,ben-zō-kwi-'nōn, -'kwi-,] -n
- quinone
ben·zo·yl ['ben-zə-,wil, -zō-,il, -,zȯil] -n
- the acyl radical of benzoic acid
benzoyl peroxide -n
- a white crystalline compound C 14H 10O 4used in bleaching and in medicine esp. in the treatment of acne
ben·zyl ['ben-,zēl, -zəl] -n, adj
- a monovalent radical C 6H 5CH 2 derived from toluene
Be·o·wulf ['bā-ə-,wu̇lf] -n, adj
- a legendary Geatish warrior and hero of the Old English poem Beowulf
be·paint [bi-'pānt] -vt
- tinge
be·queath [bi-'kwēth, -'kwēth, bē-] -vt, n
- to give or leave by will used esp. of personal property
- to hand down : transmit
be·quest [bi-'kwest, bē-] -n
- the act of bequeathing
- something bequeathed : legacy
be·rate [bi-'rāt, bē-] -vt
- to scold or condemn vehemently and at length
Ber·ber ['bər-bər] -n
- a member of any of various peoples living in northern Africa west of Tripoli
- a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family comprising languages spoken by various peoples of northern Africa and the Sahara (as the Tuaregs and the Kabyles)
- any one of the Berber languages
ber·ber·ine ['bər-bə-,rēn] -n
- a bitter crystalline yellow alkaloid C 20H 19NO 5obtained from the roots of various plants (as barberry) and used in medicine esp. for its antimicrobial properties
ber·ber·is ['bər-bər-əs] -n
- barberry
ber·ceuse [ber-'sœz, -'süz] -n
- a musical composition usu. in time that resembles a lullaby
- lullaby
ber·dache [bər-'dash] -n
- an American Indian who assumes the dress, social status, and role of the opposite sex
be·reave [bi-'rēv, bē-] -vt
- to deprive of something usu. used with of
- madam, you have bereft me of all words -- Shak.
- to take away (a valued or necessary possession) esp. by force
be·reaved [bi-'rēvd, bē-] -adj
- suffering the death of a loved one
bereaved -n
- one who is bereaved
be·reave·ment [bi-'rēv-mənt, bē-] -n
- the state or fact of being bereaved
- the loss of a loved one by death
be·reft [-'reft] -adj
- deprived or robbed of the possession or use of something usu. used with of
- both players are instantly bereft of their poise -- A. E. Wier
- lacking something needed, wanted, or expected used with of
- the book is...completely bereft of an index -- Times Lit. Supp.
- bereaved
be·ret [bə-'rā] -n
- a visorless usu. woolen cap with a tight headband and a soft full flat top
berg ['bərg] -n
- iceberg
ber·ga·mot ['bər-gə-,mät] -n
- a pear-shaped orange of a Mediterranean tree ( Citrus aurantium bergamia) having a rind that yields an essential oil used esp. in perfumery
- this oil
- any of several mints (genus Monarda)
ber·gere [ber-'zher, bər-] -n
- an upholstered armchair of an 18th century style having an exposed wood frame
be·rib·boned [bi-'ri-bənd, bē-] -adj
- adorned with ribbons
beri·beri ['ber-ē-'ber-ē, 'be-rē-'be-rē] -n
- a deficiency disease marked by inflammatory or degenerative changes of the nerves, digestive system, and heart and caused by a lack of or inability to assimilate thiamine
berk ['bərk] -n
- fool
Berke·le·ian ['bär-klē-ən, 'bər-; bär-', ,bər-'] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or suggestive of Bishop Berkeley or his system of philosophical idealism
berke·li·um ['bər-klē-əm] -n
- a radioactive metallic element produced artificially (as by bombarding americium 241 with alpha particles)
Berk·shire ['bərk-,shir, -shər] -n
- any of a breed of medium-sized black swine with white markings
berm ['bərm] -n
- a narrow shelf, path, or ledge typically at the top or bottom of a slope
- a mound or wall of earth or sand
- the shoulder of a road
Ber·mu·da bag [(,)bər-'myü-də-, esp Southern -'mü-də-] -n
- a round or oval-shaped handbag with a wooden handle and removable cloth covers
Bermuda grass -n
- a creeping stoloniferous southern European grass ( Cynodon dactylon) often used as a lawn and pasture grass
Bermuda onion -n
- a large flattened onion that has a mild flavor and yellow, white, or red skin
Bermuda rig -n
- marconi rig
Ber·mu·das [(,)bər-'myü-dəz, esp Southern -'mü-dəz] -n pl
- bermuda shorts
Bermuda shorts -n pl
- knee-length walking shorts
Ber·nese mountain dog ['bər-,nēz-, -,nēs-] -n
- any of a breed of large powerful long-coated black dogs of Swiss origin that have tan and white markings and were developed as draft animals
Ber·noul·li's principle [bər-'nü-lēz-, ,ber-,nü-'lēz-] -n
- a principle in hydrodynamics: the pressure in a stream of fluid is reduced as the speed of the flow is increased
Ber·noul·li trial [bər-'nü-lē-, ,ber-,nü-'lē-] -n
- one of the repetitions of a statistical experiment having exactly two mutually exclusive outcomes each with a constant probability of occurrence
ber·ried ['ber-ēd, 'be-rēd] -adj
- having or covered with berries
- bearing eggs
ber·ry ['ber-ē, 'be-rē] -n
- a pulpy and usu. edible fruit (as a strawberry, raspberry, or checkerberry) of small size irrespective of its structure
- a simple fruit (as a grape, blueberry, tomato, or cucumber) with a pulpy or fleshy pericarp
- the dry seed of some plants (as wheat)
- an egg of a fish or lobster
berry -vi
- to bear or produce berries
- to gather or seek berries
ber·ry·like ['ber-ē-,līk, 'be-rē-] -adj
- resembling a berry esp. in size or structure
- being small and rounded : coccoid
ber·seem [(,)bər-'sēm] -n
- a succulent annual clover ( Trifolium alexandrinum) cultivated as a forage plant and green-manure crop esp. in the alkaline soils of the Nile valley and in the southwestern U.S. called also Egyptian clover
ber·serk [bə(r)-'sərk, ,bər-, -'zərk; 'bər-,] -n
- an ancient Scandinavian warrior frenzied in battle and held to be invulnerable
- one whose actions are recklessly defiant
berserk -adj, adv
- frenzied, crazed usu. used in the phrase go berserk
- sinister ravings of an imagination gone berserk -- John Gruen
berth ['bərth] -n
- sufficient distance for maneuvering a ship
- an amount of distance maintained for safety
- give the fire a wide berth
- the place where a ship lies when at anchor or at a wharf
- a space for an automotive vehicle at rest
- a place to sit or sleep esp. on a ship or vehicle : accommodation
- a billet on a ship
- job, position, place
- a starting berth on the team
- to bring into a berth
- to allot a berth to
- to come into a berth
ber·tha ['bər-thə] -n
- a wide round collar covering the shoulders
Ber·til·lon system ['bər-tᵊl-,än-, 'ber-tē-,yōⁿ-] -n
- a system for identifying persons based on bodily measurements, photographs, and notation of data (as markings, color, and thumb line impressions)
ber·yl ['ber-əl, 'be-rəl] -n
- a mineral consisting of a silicate of beryllium and aluminum of great hardness that occurs in colorless hexagonal prisms when pure and in various colors (as green, blue, yellow, or pink) when not pure, that is valued as a source of gems, and that is the principal source of beryllium
be·ryl·li·um [bə-'ri-lē-əm] -n
- a steel-gray light strong brittle toxic divalent metallic element used chiefly as a hardening agent in alloys
be·seech [bi-'sēch, bē-] -vb, adv
- to beg for urgently or anxiously
- to request earnestly : implore
- to make supplication
be·seem [bi-'sēm] -vi
- to be fitting or becoming
- to be suitable to : befit
be·set [bi-'set, bē-] -vt, n
- to set or stud with or as if with ornaments
- trouble, harass
- inflation beset s the economy
- to set upon : assail
- the settlers were beset by savages
- to hem in : surround
be·set·ting -adj
- constantly present or attacking : obsessive
be·shrew [bi-'shrü, bē-, esp Southern -'srü] -vt
- curse
be·side [bi-'sīd, bē-] -prep
- by the side of
- in comparison with
- on a par with
- besides
- not relevant to
beside -adv
- nearby
- besides
be·sides [bi-'sīdz, bē-] -prep
- other than, except
- together with
- a decision that, besides being practical, is morally right
besides -adv
- as well : also
- moreover, furthermore
- else
be·siege [bi-'sēj, bē-] -vt, n
- to surround with armed forces
- to press with requests : importune
- to cause worry or distress to : beset
be·smear [bi-'smir, bē-] -vt
- smear
be·smirch [bi-'smərch, bē-] -vt
- sully, soil
be·som ['bē-zəm] -n
- broom
- one made of twigs
besom pocket -n
- a pocket with a welted slit opening
be·sot [bi-'sät, bē-] -vt, adv
- infatuate
- to make dull or stupid
- to muddle with drunkenness
be·spat·ter [bi-'spa-tər, bē-] -vt
- spatter
be·speak [bi-'spēk, bē-] -vt
- to hire, engage, or claim beforehand
- to speak to esp. with formality : address
- request
- indicate, signify
- her performance bespeak s considerable practice
- to show beforehand : foretell
be·spec·ta·cled [bi-'spek-(,)ti-kəld, bē-] -adj
- wearing spectacles
be·spoke [bi-'spōk, bē-] -adj
- custom-made
- dealing in or producing custom-made articles
- engaged
be·sprent [bi-'sprent] -adj
- sprinkled over
be·sprin·kle [bi-'spriŋ-kəl, bē-] -vt
- sprinkle
Bes·sel function ['be-səl-] -n
- one of a class of transcendental functions expressible as infinite series and occurring in the solution of the differential equation
Bes·se·mer process ['be-sə-mər-] -n
- a process of making steel from pig iron by burning out carbon and other impurities by means of a blast of air forced through the molten metal
best ['best] -adj
- excelling all others
- most productive of good : offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction
- what is the best thing to do
- most, largest
- it rained for the best part of their vacation
- in the best way : to greatest advantage
- some things are best left unsaid
- most
- those best able will provide needed support
- the best state or part
- one that is best
- the greatest degree of good or excellence
- one's maximum effort
- a best performance or achievement
- best clothes
- to get the better of : outdo
- had best
bestball ['bes(t)-'bȯl] -adj
- relating to or being a golf match in which one player competes against the best individual score of two or more players for each hole
- four-ball
best boy -n
- the chief assistant to the gaffer in motion-picture or television production
bestcase ['bes(t)-'kās] -adj
- being, relating to, or based on a projection of future events that assumes only the best possible circumstances
be·stead [bi-'sted] -adj
- situated
bestead -vt
- help
- to be useful to : avail
bes·tial ['bes-chəl, 'besh-, 'bēs-, 'bēsh-] -adj, vt, adv
- of or relating to beasts
- resembling a beast
- lacking intelligence or reason
- marked by base or inhuman instincts or desires : brutal
bes·ti·al·i·ty [,bes-chē-'a-lə-tē, ,besh-, ,bēs-, ,bēsh-] -n
- the condition or status of a lower animal
- display or gratification of bestial traits or impulses
- sexual relations between a human being and a lower animal
bes·ti·ary ['bes-chē-,er-ē, -,e-rē, 'besh-, 'bēs-, 'bēsh-] -n
- a medieval allegorical or moralizing work on the appearance and habits of real or imaginary animals
- a collection of descriptions or representations of real or imaginary animals
- an array of real humans or literary characters often having symbolic significance
- an unusual or whimsical collection
- a truly astounding bestiary of airplane designs -- Peter Garrison
be·stir [bi-'stər, bē-] -vt
- to rouse to action : get going
best man -n
- the principal groomsman at a wedding
be·stow [bi-'stō, bē-] -vt, n
- to put to use : apply
- bestow ed his spare time on study
- to put in a particular or appropriate place : stow
- to provide with quarters : put up
- to convey as a gift usu. used with on or upon
be·strew [bi-'strü, bē-] -vt
- strew
- to lie scattered over
be·stride [bi-'strīd, bē-] -vt
- to ride, sit, or stand astride : straddle
- to tower over : dominate
- the bloated bureaucracy that bestride s us all -- Edward Ney
- to stride across
best sell·er ['bes(t)-'se-lər] -n, adj
- an article (as a book) whose sales are among the highest of its class
bet ['bet] -n
- something that is laid, staked, or pledged typically between two parties on the outcome of a contest or a contingent issue : wager often used figuratively in such phrases as all bets are off to stress the uncertainty of an outcome
- the act of giving such a pledge
- something to wager on
- a choice made by consideration of probabilities
- your best bet is the back road
- to stake on the outcome of an issue or the performance of a contestant
- to be able to be sure that usu. used in the expression you bet
- to maintain with or as if with a bet
- to make a bet with
- to make a bet on
- to lay a bet
- between
be·ta ['bā-tə, chiefly Brit 'bē-] -n
- the 2d letter of the Greek alphabet
- beta particle
- a measure of the risk potential of a stock or an investment portfolio expressed as a ratio of the stock's or portfolio's volatility to the volatility of the market as a whole
- a nearly complete prototype of a product (as software)
beta -adj
- second in position in the structure of an organic molecule from a particular group or atom often used in combination symbol
be·taad·ren·er·gic [-,a-drə-'nər-jik] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a beta-receptor
- betaadrenergic blocking action
be·taam·y·loid [-'a-mə-,lȯid] -n
- an amyloid that is derived from a larger precursor protein and is the primary component of plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease
be·tablock·er [-,blä-kər] -n, adj
- any of a class of drugs (as propranolol) that decrease the rate and force of heart contractions and lower high blood pressure by blocking the activity of beta-receptors
be·tacar·o·tene [-'ker-ə-,tēn, -'ka-rə-] -n
- an isomer of carotene found in dark green and dark yellow vegetables and fruits
beta cell -n
- any of the insulin-secreting pancreatic cells in the islets of Langerhans
beta decay -n
- a radioactive nuclear transformation governed by the weak force in which a nucleon (as a neutron) changes into a nucleon (as a proton) of the other type with the emission of either an electron and an antineutrino or a positron and a neutrino
be·taen·dor·phin [-en-'dȯr-fən] -n
- an endorphin of the pituitary gland having a much greater analgesic potency than morphine
beta globulin -n
- any of several globulins of plasma or serum that have at alkaline pH electrophoretic mobilities intermediate between those of the alpha globulins and gamma globulins
betaglu·can [-'glü-,kan, -kən] -n
- any of several polysaccharides consisting of glucose units and including one found in endosperm cell walls of cereal grains (as barley and oats)
be·ta·ine ['bē-tə-,ēn] -n
- a sweet crystalline quaternary ammonium salt C 5H 11NO 2obtained esp. from sugar beets
- its hydrate or its hydrochloride
beta interferon -n
- an interferon produced esp. by fibroblasts that is used in a form obtained from recombinant DNA esp. in the treatment of multiple sclerosis marked by recurrent attacks alternating with periods of remission
be·take [bi-'tāk] -vt
- commit
- to cause (oneself) to go
be·talac·ta·mase ['bā-tə-'lak-tə-,mās, -,māz] -n
- an enzyme found esp. in staphylococcal bacteria that inactivates the penicillins by hydrolyzing them
be·taox·i·da·tion ['bā-tə-,äk-sə-'dā-shən] -n
- stepwise catabolism of fatty acids in which two-carbon fragments are successively removed from the carboxyl end of the chain
beta particle -n
- a high-speed electron
- one emitted by a radioactive nucleus in beta decay
beta ray -n
- beta particle
- a stream of beta particles called also beta radiation
be·tare·cep·tor ['bā-tə-ri-'sep-tər] -n
- any of a group of receptors that are present on cell surfaces of some effector organs and tissues innervated by the sympathetic nervous system and that mediate certain physiological responses (as vasodilation, relaxation of bronchial and uterine smooth muscle, and increased heart rate) when bound by specific adrenergic agents
beta test -n, vt
- a field test of the beta version of a product (as software) esp. by testers outside the company developing it that is conducted prior to commercial release
be·tathal·as·se·mia [-,tha-lə-'sē-mē-ə] -n
- thalassemia in which the longer hemoglobin chain is affected and which comprises Cooley's anemia in the homozygous condition and thalassemia minor in the heterozygous condition
be·ta·tron ['bā-tə-,trän] -n
- an accelerator in which electrons are propelled by the inductive action of a rapidly varying magnetic field
beta wave -n
- an electrical rhythm of the brain with a frequency of 13 to 30 cycles per second that is associated with normal conscious waking experience called also beta beta rhythm
be·tel ['bē-tᵊl] -n
- a climbing pepper ( Piper betle) of southeastern Asia whose leaves are chewed together with betel nut and mineral lime as a stimulant masticatory
Be·tel·geuse ['bē-tᵊl-,jüs, 'be-, -,jüz] -n
- a variable red supergiant star of the first magnitude near the eastern shoulder of Orion
betel nut -n
- the astringent seed of the betel palm
betel palm -n
- an Asian pinnate-leaved palm ( Areca catechu) that has an orange-colored drupe with an outer fibrous husk
bete noire [,bet-'nwär, ,bāt-] -n
- a person or thing strongly detested or avoided : bugbear
beth ['bāth, 'bāt, 'bās] -n
- the 2d letter of the Hebrew alphabet
beth·el ['be-thəl] -n
- a hallowed spot
- a chapel for Nonconformists
- a place of worship for seamen
be·think [bi-'thiŋk, bē-] -vt
- remember, recall
- to cause (oneself) to be reminded
- to cause (oneself) to consider
be·tide [bi-'tīd, bē-] -vi
- to happen esp. as if by fate
- to happen to : befall used chiefly in the phrase woe betide
be·times [bi-'tīmz, bē-] -adv
- in good time : early
- in a short time : speedily
- at times : occasionally
be·tise [bā-'tēz] -n
- an act of foolishness or stupidity
- lack of good sense : stupidity
be·to·ken [bi-'tō-kən, bē-] -vt
- to typify beforehand : presage
- to give evidence of : show
be·tray [bi-'trā, bē-] -vb, n
- to lead astray
- seduce
- to deliver to an enemy by treachery
- to fail or desert esp. in time of need
- to reveal unintentionally
- betray one's true feelings
- show, indicate
- to disclose in violation of confidence
- to prove false
be·troth [bi-'trōth, -'trȯth, bē-] -vt
- to promise to marry
- to give in marriage
be·troth·al [-'trō-thəl, -'trȯ-, -thəl] -n
- the act of betrothing or fact of being betrothed
- a mutual promise or contract for a future marriage
be·trothed [bi-'trōthd, -'trȯtht] -n
- the person to whom one is betrothed
bet·ta ['be-tə] -n
- any of a genus ( Bettaof the family Anabantidae) of small brilliantly colored long-finned freshwater bony fishes of southeastern Asia
- siamese fighting fish
bet·ter ['be-tər] -adj
- greater than half
- for the better part of an hour
- improved in health or mental attitude
- more attractive, favorable, or commendable
- more advantageous or effective
- improved in accuracy or performance
better -vt
- : to make better: as
- to make more tolerable or acceptable
- trying to better the lot of slum dwellers
- to make more complete or perfect
- looked forward to better ing her acquaintance with the new neighbors
- to surpass in excellence : excel
- to become better
- in a more excellent manner
- to greater advantage : preferably
- some things are better left unsaid
- to a higher or greater degree
- he knows the story better than you do
- more
- it is better than nine miles to the next town
- something better
- I expected better from them
- a superior esp. in merit or rank
- was respectful of his better s
- advantage, victory
- had better
better half -n
- spouse
bet·ter·ment ['be-tər-mənt] -n
- a making or becoming better
- an improvement that adds to the value of a property or facility
bet·teroff [,be-tə-'rȯf] -adj
- being in comfortable economic circumstances
- the betteroff people live in the older section of town
- being in a more advantageous position
betting shop -n
- a shop where bets are taken
bet·tor ['be-tər] -n
- one that bets
be·tween [bi-'twēn, bē-] -prep
- by the common action of : jointly engaging
- shared the work between the two of them
- talks between the three -- Time
- in common to : shared by
- divided between his four grandchildren
- in the time, space, or interval that separates
- in intermediate relation to
- from one to another of
- air service between Miami and Chicago
- serving to connect or unite in a relationship (as difference, likeness, or proportion)
- a one-to-one correspondence between sets
- setting apart
- the line between fact and fancy
- in preference for one or the other of
- had no difficulty deciding between the two
- in point of comparison of
- not much to choose between the two coats
- in confidence restricted to
- a secret between you and me
- taking together the combined effect of
- between work and family life, they have no time for hobbies
between -adv
- in an intermediate space or interval
be·tween·ness [-nəs] -n
- the quality or state of being between two others in an ordered mathematical set
be·tween·times [-,tīmz] -adv
- at or during intervals
be·tween·whiles [-,hwī(-ə)lz, -,wī(-ə)lz] -adv
- betweentimes
be·twixt [bi-'twikst, bē-] -adv or prep
- between
betwixt and between -adv or adj
- in a midway position : neither one thing nor the other
Beu·lah ['byü-lə] -n
- an idyllic land near the end of life's journey in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress
beurre blanc ['bər-'bläⁿ] -n
- a seasoned butter sauce (as for fish) flavored with white wine, shallots, and vinegar or lemon juice
beurre ma·nie [-män-'yā] -n
- flour and butter kneaded together used as a thickener in sauces
beurre noir [-'nwär] -n
- butter heated until brown or black and often flavored with vinegar or lemon juice
BeV -abbr
- billion electron volts
BEV -abbr
- Black English vernacular
bev·el ['be-vəl] -adj
- oblique, beveled
bevel -n
- an instrument consisting of two rules or arms jointed together and opening to any angle for drawing angles or adjusting surfaces to be cut at an angle
- the angle that one surface or line makes with another when they are not at right angles
- the slant of such a surface or line
- the part of printing type extending from face to shoulder
- to cut or shape to a bevel
- incline, slant
bevel gear -n
- either of a pair of toothed wheels whose working surfaces are inclined to nonparallel axes
bev·er·age ['bev-rij, 'be-və-] -n
- a drinkable liquid
bevy ['be-vē] -n
- a large group or collection
- a group of animals and esp. quail
be·wail [bi-'wā(ə)l] -vt
- to wail over
- to express deep sorrow for usu. by wailing and lamentation
be·ware [bi-'wer, bē-] -vb
- to be on one's guard
- to take care of
- to be wary of
- we must...beware the exceedingly tenuous generalization -- Matthew Lipman
be·whis·kered [-'hwis-kərd, -'wis-] -adj
- having whiskers
be·wigged [bi-'wigd, bē-] -adj
- wearing a wig
be·wil·der [bi-'wil-dər, bē-] -vt, adv, n
- to cause to lose one's bearings
- to perplex or confuse esp. by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or considerations
be·wil·der·ment [-dər-mənt] -n
- the quality or state of being bewildered
- a bewildering tangle or confusion
be·witch [bi-'wich, bē-] -vt, n, adv
- to influence or affect esp. injuriously by witchcraft
- to cast a spell over
- to attract as if by the power of witchcraft : enchant, fascinate
- to bewitch someone or something
be·witch·ment [-'wich-mənt] -n
- the act or power of bewitching
- a spell that bewitches
- the state of being bewitched
be·wray [bi-'rā] -vt
- divulge, betray
bey ['bā] -n
- a provincial governor in the Ottoman Empire
- the former native ruler of Tunis or Tunisia
- used as a courtesy title in Turkey and Egypt
be·yond [bē-'änd] -adv
- on or to the farther side : farther
- in addition : besides
beyond -prep
- on or to the farther side of : at a greater distance than
- out of the reach or sphere of
- a task beyond his strength
- in a degree or amount surpassing
- out of the comprehension of
- his reasoning is beyond me
- in addition to : besides
- doing work beyond his regular duties
- something that lies beyond
- something that lies outside the scope of ordinary experience
- hereafter
be·zant ['be-zᵊnt, bə-'zant] -n
- solidus
- a flat disk used in architectural ornament
be·zel ['bē-zəl, 'be-] -n
- a rim that holds a transparent covering (as on a watch, clock, or headlight) or that is rotatable and has special markings (as on a watch)
- the oblique side or face of a cut gem
- the upper faceted portion of a brilliant projecting from the setting
- a usu. metal rim of a piece of jewelry in which an ornament (as a gem) is set
be·zique [bə-'zēk] -n
- a card game similar to pinochle that is played with a pack of 64 cards
be·zoar ['bē-,zȯr] -n
- any of various calculi found chiefly in the gastrointestinal organs and formerly believed to possess magical properties called also bezoar stone