BO -abbr
- back order
- best offer
- body odor
- box office
- branch office
- buyer's option
boa ['bō-ə] -n
- any of a family (Boidae) of large snakes that kill by constriction and that includes the boa constrictor, anaconda, and python
- a long fluffy scarf
boa constrictor -n
- a tropical American boa ( Boa constrictorsyn. Constrictor constrictor) that is light brown barred or mottled with darker brown and reaches a length of 10 feet (3 meters) or more
- boa
boar ['bȯr] -n, adj
- an uncastrated male swine
- the male of any of several mammals (as a guinea pig)
- wild boar
board ['bȯrd] -n, adj
- border, edge
- the side of a ship
- a piece of sawed lumber of little thickness and a length greatly exceeding its width
- stage
- skis
- table
- a table spread with a meal
- daily meals esp. when furnished for pay
- a table at which a council or magistrates sit
- a group of persons having managerial, supervisory, investigatory, or advisory powers
- an examination given by an examining board often used in pl.
- league, association
- the exposed hands of all the players in a stud poker game
- an exposed dummy hand in bridge
- : a flat usu. rectangular piece of material (as wood) designed for a special purpose: as
- springboard
- surfboard
- backboard
- a rebound in basketball
- a surface, frame, or device for posting notices
- blackboard
- switchboard
- cardboard
- the stiff foundation piece for the side of a book cover
- a securities or commodities exchange
- the low wooden wall enclosing a hockey rink
- a sheet of insulating material carrying circuit elements and terminals so that it can be inserted in an electronic apparatus (as a computer)
- bulletin board
- to come up against or alongside (a ship) usu. to attack
- accost, address
- to go aboard (as a ship, train, airplane, or bus)
- to put aboard
- an airliner board ing passengers
- to cover or seal off with boards
- to provide with regular meals and often also lodging usu. for compensation
- to check (a player) into the boards in hockey
- to receive meals or lodging
- to live at a boarding school
board·er ['bȯr-dər] -n
- one that boards
- one that is provided with regular meals or regular meals and lodging
- a person who rides a snowboard : snowboarder
board foot -n
- a unit of quantity for lumber equal to the volume of a board 12 12 1 inches abbr. bd ft
board game -n
- a game of strategy (as checkers, chess, or backgammon) played by moving pieces on a board
board·ing·house ['bȯr-diŋ-,hau̇s] -n
- a lodging house at which meals are provided
boarding school -n
- a school that provides meals and lodging
board·man ['bȯrd-,man, esp for 2 -mən] -n
- a member of a board
- one who works at a board
board of trade
- a British governmental department concerned with commerce and industry
- a commodities exchange
board·room ['bȯrd-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n
- a room that is designated for meetings of a board
board·sail·ing [-,sā-liŋ] -n
- windsurfing
board·walk [-,wȯk] -n
- a walk constructed of planking
- a walk constructed along a beach
boart ['bȯrt] -n
(variant of bort)
- imperfectly crystallized diamond or diamond fragments used as an abrasive
boast ['bōst] -n, adj, adv
- the act or an instance of boasting : brag
- a cause for pride
- to puff oneself up in speech : speak vaingloriously
- glory, exult
- to speak of or assert with excessive pride
- to possess and often call attention to (something that is a source of pride)
- have, contain
- a room boast ing no more than a desk and a chair
- to shape (stone) roughly in sculpture and stonecutting as a preliminary to finer work
boat ['bōt] -n, adj
- a small vessel for travel on water
- ship
- a boat-shaped container, utensil, or device
- to place in or bring into a boat
- to go by boat
boat·build·er [-,bil-dər] -n
- one that builds boats
boat·er ['bō-tər] -n
- one who travels in a boat
- a stiff hat usu. made of braided straw with a brim, hatband, and flat crown
boat hook -n
- a pole-handled hook with a point or knob on the back used esp. to pull or push a boat, raft, or log into place
boat·house [-,hau̇s] -n
- a building to house and protect boats
boat·load ['bōt-,lōd] -n
- a load that fills a boat
- an indefinitely large number
boat·man ['bōt-mən] -n
- a man who works on, deals in, or operates boats
boat·neck ['bōt-,nek] -n
- a wide neckline that extends toward the tips of the shoulders
boat people -n pl
- refugees fleeing by boat
boat shoe -n
- a low-cut shoe with a slip-resistant sole
boat·swain ['bō-sᵊn] -n
- a petty officer on a merchant ship having charge of hull maintenance and related work
- a naval warrant officer in charge of the hull and all related equipment
boat train -n
- an express train for transporting passengers between a port and a city
boat·yard ['bōt-,yärd] -n
- a yard where boats are built, repaired, and stored and often sold or rented
bob ['bäb] -vb
- to strike with a quick light blow : rap
- to move up and down in a short quick movement
- to polish with a bob : buff
- to move up and down briefly or repeatedly
- to emerge, arise, or appear suddenly or unexpectedly
- to nod or curtsy briefly
- to try to seize a suspended or floating object with the teeth
- a short quick down-and-up motion
- any of several folk dances
- a blow or tap esp. with the fist
- a modification of the order in change ringing
- a method of change ringing using a bob
- a small polishing wheel of solid felt or leather with rounded edges
- deceive, cheat
- to take by fraud : filch
- bunch, cluster
- nosegay
- a knob, knot, twist, or curl esp. of ribbons, yarn, or hair
- a short haircut on a woman or child
- float
- a hanging ball or weight (as on a plumb line)
- trifle
- to cut shorter : crop
- to cut (hair) in the style of a bob
- shilling
- bobsled
bob·ber ['bä-bər] -n
- one that bobs
bobber -n
- a person who rides or races on a bobsled
bob·bery ['bä-b(ə-)rē] -n
- hubbub
bob·bin ['bä-bən] -n
- a cylinder or spindle on which yarn or thread is wound (as in a sewing machine)
- any of various small round devices on which threads are wound for working handmade lace
- a coil of insulated wire
- the reel it is wound on
- a cotton cord formerly used by dressmakers for piping
bob·bi·net ['bä-bə-,net] -n
- a machine-made net of cotton, silk, or nylon usu. with hexagonal mesh
bob·ble ['bä-bəl] -vb
- bob
- fumble
bobble -n
- a repeated bobbing movement
- a small ball of fabric
- one in a series used on an edging
- error, mistake
- a mishandling of the ball in baseball or football
bob·ble·head doll ['bä-bəl-,hed-] -n
- a doll having a head that makes repeated bobbing movements
bob·by ['bä-bē] -n
- police officer
bobby pin -n
- a flat wire hairpin with prongs that press close together
bobby socks -n pl
- girls' socks reaching above the ankle
bob·bysox·er [-,säk-sər] -n
- an adolescent girl
bob·cat ['bäb-,kat] -n
- a common No. American lynx ( Lynx rufus) reddish in base color with dark markings
bo·beche [bō-'besh, -'bāsh] -n
- a usu. glass collar on a candle socket to catch drippings or on a candlestick or chandelier to hold suspended glass prisms
bo·bo ['bō-(,)bō] -n
- a member of a social class of well-to-do professionals who espouse bohemian values and lead bourgeois lives
bob·o·link ['bä-bə-,liŋk] -n
- an American migratory songbird ( Dolichonyx oryzivorus) with the breeding male chiefly black
bob·sled ['bäb-,sled] -n, vi
- a short sled usu. used as one of a pair joined by a coupling
- a large usu. metal sled used in racing and equipped with two pairs of runners in tandem, a long seat for two or more people, a steering wheel, and a hand brake
bob·sled·ding [-,sle-diŋ] -n
- the act, skill, or sport of riding or racing on a bobsled
bob·stay ['bäb-,stā] -n
- a stay to hold a ship's bowsprit down
bob·tail ['bäb-,tāl] -n, adj
- a bobbed tail
- a horse, dog, or cat with a bobbed or very short tail
- old english sheepdog
- something curtailed
bob veal ['bäb-] -n
- the veal of a very young or unborn calf
bob·white ['bäb-'hwīt, -'wīt] -n
- any of a genus ( Colinus) of quail
- a popular game bird ( C. virginianus) of eastern and central No. America having mottled chiefly reddish-brown plumage
bo·cac·cio [bə-'kä-chē-,ō, -chō] -n
- a large rockfish ( Sebastes paucispinis) of the Pacific coast locally important as a market fish
boc·cie ['bä-chē] -n
- a game of Italian origin similar to lawn bowling played on a long narrow usu. dirt court
bock ['bäk] -n
- a strong dark rich beer usu. sold in the early spring
bod ['bäd] -n
- fellow, guy
- body
BOD -abbr
- biochemical oxygen demand
- biological oxygen demand
bo·da·cious [bō-'dā-shəs] -adj, adv
- outright, unmistakable
- remarkable, noteworthy
- sexy, voluptuous
bode ['bōd] -vt
- to announce beforehand : foretell
- to indicate by signs : presage
bode ['bīd] -vb, n
(variant of bide)
- to wait for used chiefly in the phrase bide one's time
- withstand
- two men...might bide the winter storm -- W. C. Bryant
- to put up with : tolerate
- to continue in a state or condition
- to wait awhile : tarry
- to continue in a place : sojourn
bo·de·ga [bō-'dā-gə] -n
- a storehouse for maturing wine
- wineshop
- bar
- barroom
- a usu. small grocery store in an urban area
- one specializing in Hispanic groceries
bode·ment ['bōd-mənt] -n
- omen
- prediction
bo·dhi·satt·va [,bō-di-'sət-və, -'sät-] -n
- a being that compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others and is worshipped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism
bodh·ran ['bȯ-(,)rän, -rən] -n
- a shallow handheld Irish drum
bod·ice ['bä-dəs] -n
- the upper part of a woman's dress
- corset, stays
bodice ripper -n
- a historical or Gothic romance typically featuring scenes in which the heroine is subjected to violence
bod·ied ['bä-dēd] -adj
- having a body of a specified kind used in combination
bodi·less ['bä-di-ləs, 'bä-dᵊl-əs] -adj
- having no body
bodi·ly ['bä-dᵊl-ē] -adj
- having a body : physical
- of or relating to the body
bodily -adv
- in the flesh
- as a whole : altogether
bod·ing ['bō-diŋ] -n
- foreboding
bod·kin ['bäd-kən] -n
- dagger, stiletto
- a sharp slender instrument for making holes in cloth
- an ornamental hairpin shaped like a stiletto
- a blunt needle with a large eye for drawing tape or ribbon through a loop or hem
body ['bä-dē] -n
- the main part of a plant or animal body esp. as distinguished from limbs and head : trunk
- : the main, central, or principal part: as
- the nave of a church
- the bed or box of a vehicle on or in which the load is placed
- the enclosed or partly enclosed part of an automobile
- : the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead: as
- the material part or nature of a human being
- a dead organism : corpse
- a human being : person
- a mass of matter distinct from other masses
- something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing
- a sensible object in physical space
- aggregate, quantity
- the part of a garment covering the body or trunk
- the main part of a literary or journalistic work : text
- the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument
- : a group of persons or things: as
- a fighting unit : force
- a group of individuals organized for some purpose
- fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine)
- viscosity, consistency used esp. of oils and grease
- denseness, fullness, or firmness of texture
- fullness or resonance of a musical tone
- to give form or shape to : embody
- represent, symbolize usu. used with forth
body bag -n
- a large zippered bag (as of rubber or vinyl) in which a human corpse is placed esp. for transportation
body blow -n
- a blow to the body
- a damaging or deeply felt blow
body·board ['bä-dē-,bȯrd] -n, vi
- a short surfboard on which the rider lies prone
body·build·ing [-,bil-diŋ] -n
- the developing of the body through exercise and diet
- the developing of the physique for competitive exhibition
body cavity -n
- a cavity in an animal body
- coelom
bodycen·tered ['bä-dē-,sen-tərd] -adj
- relating to or being a crystal space lattice in which each cubic unit cell has an atom at its center and at each vertex
body check ['bä-dē-,chek] -n, vt
- a blocking of an opposing player with the body (as in ice hockey or lacrosse)
body clock -n
- the internal mechanisms that schedule periodic bodily functions and activities usu. not used technically
body corporate -n
- corporation
body count -n
- a count of the bodies of killed enemy soldiers
- the number of persons involved in a particular activity
body double -n
- a double who takes the place of an actor esp. in scenes calling for nudity
body English -n
- bodily motions made in a usu. unconscious effort to influence the progress of a propelled object (as a ball)
body·guard ['bä-dē-,gärd] -n
- a usu. armed attendant or group of attendants whose duty is to protect a person
body language -n
- the gestures, movements, and mannerisms by which a person or animal communicates with others
body louse -n
- a louse feeding primarily on the body
- a sucking louse ( Pediculus humanus humanus) feeding on the body and living in the clothing of humans called also cootie
body mass index -n
- a measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters
body mechanics -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- systematic exercises designed esp. to develop coordination, endurance, and poise
body piercing -n
- the practice or an instance of adorning the body with jewelry or ornamentation that penetrates the flesh
body politic -n
- a group of persons politically organized under a single governmental authority
- corporation
- a people considered as a collective unit
body shirt -n
- a close-fitting shirt or blouse
- a woman's close-fitting top made with a sewn-in or snapped crotch
body shop -n
- a shop where automotive bodies are made or repaired
body snatcher -n
- one who steals corpses from graves
body stocking -n
- a usu. sheer close-fitting one-piece garment for the torso that often has sleeves and legs
body·suit ['bä-dē-,süt] -n
- a close-fitting one-piece garment for the torso
body·surf ['bä-dē-,sərf] -vi, n
- to ride on a wave without a surfboard by planing on the chest and stomach
body wall -n
- the external surface of the animal body consisting of ectoderm and mesoderm and enclosing the body cavity
body·wash ['bä-dē-,wȯsh, -,wäsh] -n
- a liquid product for cleansing the body
body·work ['bä-dē-,wərk] -n
- a vehicle body
- the act or process of making or repairing vehicle bodies
- therapeutic touching or manipulation of the body by using specialized techniques
body wrap -n
- a body treatment involving the application of usu. oils or gels followed by a wrapping of the body with a sheet
boehm·ite ['bā-,mīt, 'bə(r)-] -n
- a mineral consisting of an orthorhombic form of aluminum oxide and hydroxide AlO(OH) found in bauxite
Boer ['bȯr, 'bu̇r] -n
- a South African of Dutch or Huguenot descent
boff ['bäf] -vt
- to have sexual intercourse with
- a hearty laugh
- a gag or line that produces a hearty laugh
- something that is conspicuously successful : hit
bof·fin ['bä-fən] -n
- a scientific expert
- one involved in technological research
bof·fo ['bä-(,)fō] -adj
- extremely successful : sensational
bof·fo·la [bä-'fō-lə] -n
- boff
Bo·fors gun ['bō-,fȯrz-, 'bü-] -n
- a double-barreled automatic antiaircraft gun
bog ['bäg, 'bȯg] -n, adj
- wet spongy ground
- a poorly drained usu. acid area rich in accumulated plant material, frequently surrounding a body of open water, and having a characteristic flora (as of sedges, heaths, and sphagnum)
- to cause to sink into or as if into a bog : impede, mire usu. used with down
- to become impeded or stuck usu. used with down
- lavatory
bo·gart ['bō-,gärt] -vt
- bully
- to use or consume without sharing
bog asphodel -n
- either of two bog herbs ( Narthecium ossifragumof Europe and N. americanumof the U.S.) of the lily family
bo·gey -n
- specter, phantom
- a source of fear, perplexity, or harassment
- an average golfer's score used as a standard for a particular hole or course
- one stroke over par on a hole in golf
- a numerical standard of performance set up as a mark to be aimed at esp. in competition
- an unidentified aircraft
- one not positively identified as friendly and so assumed to be hostile
- to shoot (a hole in golf) in one over par
bo·gey·man ['bu̇-gē-,man, 'bō-, 'bü-, 'bu̇-gər-] -n
- a monstrous imaginary figure used in threatening children
- a terrifying or dreaded person or thing : bugbear
bog·gle ['bä-gəl] -vb, n
- to start with fright or amazement : be overwhelmed
- the mind boggle s at the research needed
- to hesitate because of doubt, fear, or scruples
- mishandle, bungle
- to overwhelm with wonder or bewilderment
bo·gie ['bō-gē] -n
- a low strongly built cart
- a swiveling railway truck
- the driving-wheel assembly consisting of the rear four wheels of a 6-wheel automotive truck
- a small supporting or aligning wheel (as on the inside perimeter of a tank tread)
bo·gle ['bō-gəl] -n
- goblin, specter
- an object of fear or loathing
Bo·go·mil [,bə-gə-'mēl] -n
- a member of a medieval Bulgarian sect holding that God has two sons, the rebellious Satan and the obedient Jesus
bo·gus ['bō-gəs] -adj, adv, n
- not genuine : counterfeit, sham
bo·hea [bō-'hē] -n
- a black tea
bo·he·mia [bō-'hē-mē-ə] -n
- a community of bohemians : the world of bohemians
Bo·he·mi·an [-mē-ən] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of Bohemia
- the group of Czech dialects used in Bohemia
- vagabond, wanderer
- gypsy
- a person (as a writer or an artist) living an unconventional life usu. in a colony with others
Bohemian Brethren -n pl
- a Christian body originating in Bohemia in 1467 and forming a parent body of the Moravian Church
bo·he·mi·an·ism [bō-'hē-mē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n
- the unconventional way of life of bohemians
bo·ho ['bō-hō] -n, adj
- bohemian
Bohr effect ['bȯr-] -n
- the decrease in the oxygen affinity of a respiratory pigment (as hemoglobin) in response to decreased blood pH resulting from increased carbon dioxide concentration in the blood
bohr·i·um ['bȯr-ē-əm] -n
- a short-lived radioactive element produced artificially
Bohr theory -n
- a theory in early quantum physics: an atom consists of a positively charged nucleus about which revolves one or more electrons of quantized energy
bo·hunk ['bō-,həŋk] -n
- a person of central European descent or birth
boil ['bȯi(-ə)l] -vb, adj
- to come to the boiling point
- to generate bubbles of vapor when heated used of a liquid
- to cook in boiling water
- to become agitated : seethe
- to be moved, excited, or stirred up
- to rush headlong
- to burst forth
- to undergo the action of a boiling liquid
- to subject to the action of a boiling liquid
- to heat to the boiling point
- to form or separate (as sugar or salt) by boiling
- a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus
- the act or state of boiling
- a swirling upheaval (as of water)
- a boiled dish of seafood, vegetables, and seasonings
- a gathering at which this dish is served
boil down -vt
- to reduce in bulk by boiling
- condense, summarize
- to undergo reduction in bulk by boiling
- to be equivalent in summary : amount
- his speech boiled down to a plea for more money
- to reduce ultimately
- your choices boil down to three
boil·er ['bȯi-lər] -n
- one that boils
- a vessel used for boiling
- the part of a steam generator in which water is converted into steam and which consists usu. of metal shells and tubes
- a tank in which water is heated or hot water is stored
boil·er·mak·er ['bȯi-lər-,mā-kər] -n
- a worker who makes, assembles, or repairs boilers
- whiskey with a beer chaser
boil·er·plate [-,plāt] -n
- syndicated material supplied esp. to weekly newspapers in matrix or plate form
- standardized text
- formulaic or hackneyed language
- tightly packed icy snow
boiler room -n
- a room in which a boiler is located
- a room equipped with telephones used for making high-pressure usu. fraudulent sales pitches
boil·er·suit [-,süt] -n
- coverall
boil·ing ['bȯi(-ə)-liŋ] -adj
- heated to the boiling point
- torrid
- intensely agitated
boiling -adv
- to an extreme degree : very
boiling point -n
- the temperature at which a liquid boils
- the point at which a person becomes uncontrollably angry
- the point of crisis : head
- matters had reached the boiling point
boil over ['bȯi(-ə)l-,ō-vər] -vi, n
- to overflow while boiling
- to become so incensed as to lose one's temper
boink ['bȯiŋk] -vt
- to copulate with
bois d'arc ['bō-,dä(r)k, dial also 'bwä-, 'bȯr-] -n
- osage orange
- its wood
boi·se·rie [,bwä-zə-'rē] -n
- a panel or paneling of carved wood
bois·ter·ous ['bȯi-st(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv, n
- coarse
- durable, strong
- massive
- noisily turbulent : rowdy
- marked by or expressive of exuberance and high spirits
- stormy, tumultuous
boite ['bwät] -n
- nightclub
bok choy ['bäk-'chȯi] -n
- a Chinese cabbage ( Brassica rapa chinensis) forming an open head with long white stalks and green leaves
Bo·kha·ra [bō-'kär-ə] -n
- an Oriental rug characterized by fine knotting and a design of usu. three rows of octagonal medallions
Bok·ml ['bu̇k-,mȯl, 'bōk-] -n
- a literary form of Norwegian developed by the gradual reform of written Danish
bo·la ['bō-lə] -n
- a cord with weights attached to the ends for throwing at and entangling an animal
bold ['bōld] -adj, adv, n
- fearless before danger : intrepid
- showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit
- impudent, presumptuous
- assured, confident
- sheer, steep
- adventurous, free
- standing out prominently
- being or set in boldface
- boldface
bold·face ['bōl(d)-,fās] -n
- a heavy-faced type
- printing in boldface
boldfaced ['bōl(d)-'fāst] -adj
- bold in manner or conduct : impudent
- being or set in boldface
bole ['bōl] -n
- trunk
bo·le·ro [bə-'ler-(,)ō, -'le-rō] -n
- a Spanish dance characterized by sharp turns, stamping of the feet, and sudden pauses in a position with one arm arched over the head
- music in time for a bolero
- a loose waist-length jacket open at the front
bo·lete [bō-'lēt] -n
- any of a family (Boletaceae) of fleshy stalked pore fungi that usu. grow on the ground in wooded areas
- boletus
bo·le·tus [bō-'lē-təs] -n
- any of a genus ( Boletus) of boletes (as a porcini) some of which are poisonous and others edible
bo·lide ['bō-,līd, -lid] -n
- a large meteor : fireball
- one that explodes
boll ['bōl] -n
- the pod or capsule of a plant (as cotton)
bol·lard ['bä-lərd, Brit also -,lärd] -n
- a post of metal or wood on a wharf around which to fasten mooring lines
- bitt
- any of a series of short posts set at intervals to delimit an area (as a traffic island) or to exclude vehicles
bol·lix ['bä-liks] -vt, n
- to throw into disorder
- bungle usu. used with up
bol·locks ['bä-ləks] -n pl
- testicles
- nonsense
boll weevil -n
- a usu. grayish or brown weevil ( Anthonomus grandis grandis) that feeds on the squares and bolls of the cotton plant
boll·worm ['bōl-,wərm] -n
- corn earworm
- any of several other moths that feed on cotton bolls as larvae
Bol·ly·wood ['bä-lē-,wu̇d] -n
- the motion-picture industry in India
bo·lo ['bō-(,)lō] -n
- a long heavy single-edged knife of Philippine origin used to cut vegetation and as a weapon
bo·lo·gna [bə-'lō-nē also -nyə, -nə] -n
- a large smoked sausage of beef, veal, and pork
- a sausage made (as of turkey) to resemble bologna
Bo·lo·gnese [,bō-lə-'n(y)ēz, -'n(y)āz, -'n(y)ēs, -'n(y)ās; -'n(y)ā-zē, -sē] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of Bologna, Italy
- being or prepared with tomato sauce flavored with meat
bo·lom·e·ter [bō-'lä-mə-tər] -n, adj, adv
- a very sensitive thermometer whose electrical resistance varies with temperature and which is used in the detection and measurement of feeble thermal radiation and is esp. adapted to the study of infrared spectra
bo·lo tie ['bō-lō-] -n
- a cord fastened around the neck with an ornamental clasp and worn as a necktie called also bolo
Bol·she·vik ['bōl-shə-,vik, 'bȯl-, 'bäl-, -,vēk] -n, adj
- a member of the extremist wing of the Russian Social Democratic party that seized power in Russia by the Revolution of November 1917
- communist
bol·she·vism ['bōl-shə-,vi-zəm, 'bȯl-, 'bäl-] -n
- the doctrine or program of the Bolsheviks advocating violent overthrow of capitalism
- Russian communism
Bol·she·vist [-vist] -n or adj
- bolshevik
bol·she·vize [-,vīz] -vt, n
- to make Bolshevist
bol·shie ['bōl-shē, 'bȯl-, 'bäl-] -n or adj
- bolshevik
- refusing to obey or help : defiant and uncooperative
bol·ster ['bōl-stər] -n
- a long pillow or cushion
- a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing
bolster [-st(ə-)riŋ] -vt, n
- to support with or as if with a bolster : reinforce
- to give a boost to
- news that bolster ed his spirits
bolt ['bōlt] -n
- a shaft or missile designed to be shot from a crossbow or catapult
- a short stout usu. blunt-headed arrow
- a lightning stroke
- thunderbolt
- a wood or metal bar or rod used to fasten a door
- the part of a lock that is shot or withdrawn by the key
- a roll of cloth or wallpaper of specified length
- a metal rod or pin for fastening objects together that usu. has a head at one end and a screw thread at the other and is secured by a nut
- a block of timber to be sawed or cut
- a short round section of a log
- a metal cylinder that drives the cartridge into the chamber of a firearm, locks the breech, and usu. contains the firing pin and extractor
- to move suddenly or nervously : start
- to move or proceed rapidly : dash
- to dart off or away : flee
- to break away from control or a set course
- to break away from or oppose one's previous affiliation (as with a political party or sports team)
- to produce seed prematurely
- shoot, discharge
- flush, start
- to say impulsively : blurt
- to secure with a bolt
- to attach or fasten with bolts
- to eat hastily or without chewing
- to break away from or refuse to support (as a political party)
- in an erect or straight-backed position : rigidly
- directly, straight
- the act or an instance of bolting
- to sift (as flour) usu. through fine-meshed cloth
- sift
boltac·tion ['bōlt-'ak-shən] -adj
- loaded by means of a manually operated bolt
bolt·er ['bōl-tər] -n
- : one that bolts: as
- a horse given to running away
- a voter who bolts from a political party
bolt from the blue
- a complete surprise : something totally unexpected called also bolt out of the blue
bolthole ['bōlt-,hōl] -n
- a place of escape or refuge
bolt·rope ['bōlt-,rōp] -n
- a strong rope stitched to the edges of a sail to strengthen it
bo·lus ['bō-ləs] -n
- : a rounded mass: as
- a large pill
- a soft mass of chewed food
- a dose of a substance (as a drug) given intravenously
- a large dose of a substance given by injection for the purpose of rapidly achieving the needed therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream
bomb ['bäm] -n
- an explosive device fused to detonate under specified conditions
- atomic bomb
- nuclear weapons in general usu. used with the
- : a vessel for compressed gases: as
- a pressure vessel for conducting chemical experiments
- a container for an aerosol (as an insecticide) : spray can
- a rounded mass of lava exploded from a volcano
- a lead-lined container for radioactive material
- failure, flop
- a large sum of money
- a great success : hit
- one that is striking or extraordinary used with the
- their new album is the bomb
- a long pass in football
- a very long shot (as in basketball)
- home run
- something unexpected and unpleasant often used with drop
- dropped a bomb with her resignation
- to attack with or as if with bombs : bombard
- to defeat decisively
- to hit (as a baseball or a golf shot) very hard
- to fall flat : fail
- to move rapidly
bom·bard ['bäm-,bärd] -n
- a late medieval cannon used to hurl large stones
- to attack esp. with artillery or bombers
- to assail vigorously or persistently (as with questions)
- to subject to the impact of rapidly moving particles (as electrons)
bom·bar·dier [,bäm-bə-'dir, -bər-] -n
- artilleryman
- a noncommissioned officer in the British artillery
- a bomber-crew member who releases the bombs
bom·bar·don ['bäm-bər-,dōn, bäm-'bär-dᵊn] -n
- a bass tuba
- the bass member of the shawm family
bom·bast ['bäm-,bast] -n
- pretentious inflated speech or writing
bom·bas·tic [bäm-'bas-tik] -adj, adv
- marked by or given to bombast : pompous, overblown
bom·ba·zine [,bäm-bə-'zēn] -n
- a twilled fabric with silk warp and worsted filling
- a silk fabric in twill weave dyed black
bombe ['bäm, 'bōⁿ(m)b] -n
- a frozen dessert usu. containing ice cream and formed in layers in a mold
bom·be [(,)bäm-'bā, (,)bōⁿ-] -adj
- having outward curving lines usu. used of furniture
bombed ['bämd] -adj
- affected by alcohol or drugs : drunk, high
bombedout ['bämd-,au̇t, -'au̇t] -adj
- destroyed by bombing
- extremely dilapidated or run-down
- a bombedout inner-city neighborhood
bomb·er ['bä-mər] -n
- one that bombs
- an airplane designed for bombing
- bomber jacket
- a skilled long-distance shooter in basketball
bomber jacket -n
- a zippered usu. leather jacket with front pockets and knitted cuffs and waistband
bom·bi·nate ['bäm-bə-,nāt] -vi, n
- buzz, drone
bomb·let ['bäm-lət] -n
- a small bomb
- one of the many small bombs that make up a cluster bomb
bomb·proof ['bäm-,prüf] -adj
- safe from the force of bombs
- extremely sturdy or durable
bomb·shell ['bäm-,shel] -n
- bomb
- one that is stunning, amazing, or devastating
- the book was a political bombshell
bomb·sight [-,sīt] -n
- a sighting device for aiming bombs
bo·na fide ['bō-nə-,fīd, 'bä-; ,bō-nə-'fī-dē, -'fī-də] -adj
- made in good faith without fraud or deceit
- a bona fide offer to buy a farm
- made with earnest intent : sincere
- neither specious nor counterfeit : genuine
bo·na fi·des [,bō-nə-'fī-,dēz, ÷'bō-nə-,fīdz] -n
- good faith : sincerity
- the fact of being genuine often pl. in constr.
- evidence of one's good faith or genuineness often pl. in constr.
- evidence of one's qualifications or achievements often pl. in constr.
bo·nan·za [bə-'nan-zə] -n
- an exceptionally large and rich mineral deposit (as of an ore, precious metal, or petroleum)
- something that is very valuable, profitable, or rewarding
- a very large amount
- extravaganza
- channels planning all-day viewing bonanza s -- William Borders
Bo·na·part·ism ['bō-nə-,pär-,ti-zəm] -n, n or adj
- support of the French emperors Napoleon I, Napoleon III, or their dynasty
- a political movement associated chiefly with authoritarian rule usu. by a military leader ostensibly supported by a popular mandate
bon·bon ['bän-,bän] -n
- a candy with chocolate or fondant coating and fondant center that sometimes contains fruits and nuts
- something that is pleasing in a light or frivolous way
bond ['bänd] -n
- something that binds or restrains : fetter
- a binding agreement : covenant
- a band or cord used to tie something
- a material or device for binding
- an attractive force that holds together the atoms, ions, or groups of atoms in a molecule or crystal
- an adhesive, cementing material, or fusible ingredient that combines, unites, or strengthens
- a uniting or binding element or force : tie
- an obligation made binding by a money forfeit
- the amount of the money guarantee
- one who acts as bail or surety
- an interest-bearing certificate of public or private indebtedness
- an insurance agreement pledging surety for financial loss caused to another by the act or default of a third person or by some contingency over which the third person may have no control
- the systematic lapping of brick in a wall
- the state of goods made, stored, or transported under the care of bonded agencies until the duties or taxes on them are paid
- a 100-proof straight whiskey aged at least four years under government supervision before being bottled called also bonded whiskey
- bond paper
- to lap (as brick) for solidity of construction
- to secure payment of duties and taxes on (goods) by giving a bond
- to convert into a debt secured by bonds
- to provide a bond for or cause to provide such a bond
- to cause to adhere firmly
- to embed in a matrix
- to hold together in a molecule or crystal by chemical bonds
- to hold together or solidify by or as if by means of a bond or binder
- to form a close relationship esp. through frequent association
- the new mother bond ed with her child
- bound in slavery
bond·age ['bän-dij] -n
- the tenure or service of a villein, serf, or slave
- : a state of being bound usu. by compulsion (as of law or mastery): as
- captivity, serfdom
- servitude or subjugation to a controlling person or force
- young people in bondage to drugs
- sadomasochistic sexual practices involving the physical restraint of one partner
bond·ed ['bän-dəd] -adj
- composed of two or more layers of the same or different fabrics held together by an adhesive
bond·hold·er ['bänd-,hōl-dər] -n
- one that holds a government or corporation bond
bond·ing ['bän-diŋ] -n
- the formation of a close relationship (as between a mother and child or between a person and an animal) esp. through frequent or constant association
- the attaching of a material (as porcelain) to a tooth surface esp. for cosmetic purposes
bond·maid ['bän(d)-,mād] -n
- a female bond servant
bond·man ['bän(d)-mən] -n
- slave, serf
bond paper -n
- a durable paper orig. used for documents
bond servant -n
- one bound to service without wages
- slave
bonds·man ['bän(d)z-mən] -n
- one who assumes the responsibility of a bond : surety
bondsman ['bän(d)-mən] -n
(variant of bondman)
- slave, serf
bond·stone ['bän(d)-,stōn] -n
- a stone long enough to extend through the full thickness of a wall to bind it together
bond·wom·an ['bänd-,wu̇-mən] -n
- a female slave
bone ['bōn] -n, adj
- one of the hard parts of the skeleton of a vertebrate
- any of various hard animal substances or structures (as baleen or ivory) akin to or resembling bone
- the hard largely calcareous connective tissue of which the adult skeleton of most vertebrates is chiefly composed
- essence, core
- the most deeply ingrained part : heart usu. used in pl.
- knew in his bone s that it was wrong
- skeleton
- body
- corpse
- the basic design or framework (as of a play or novel)
- matter, subject
- thin bars of bone, ivory, or wood held in pairs between the fingers and used to produce musical rhythms
- a strip of material (as whalebone or steel) used to stiffen a garment (as a corset)
- dice
- something that is designed to placate : sop
- a light beige
- inclination
- hadn't a political bone in his body -- John Hersey
- dollar
- to remove the bones from
- to provide (a garment) with stays
- to rub (as a boot or baseball bat) with something hard (as a piece of bone) in order to smooth the surface
- to study hard : grind
- bone through medical school
- extremely, very
- totally
bone ash -n
- the white porous residue chiefly of tribasic calcium phosphate from bones calcined in air used esp. in making pottery and glass and in cleaning jewelry
bone black -n
- the black residue chiefly of tribasic calcium phosphate and carbon from bones calcined in closed vessels used esp. as a pigment or as a decolorizing adsorbent in sugar manufacturing called also bone char
bonechill·ing ['bōn-,chi-liŋ] -adj
- intensely cold
- penetrating, disturbing, or intense in emotional or physical effect
bone china -n
- translucent white china made with bone ash or calcium phosphate and characterized by whiteness
bonedry ['bōn-'drī] -adj
- very dry
- dry
bone·fish ['bōn-,fish] -n
- a slender silvery small-scaled fish ( Albula vulpes) that is a notable sport and food fish of warm seas
- ladyfish
bone·head [-,hed] -n, adj
- a stupid person : numskull
bonehead -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of a bonehead : performed in a stupid or clumsy manner
- the shortstop made a bonehead play
- being a college course for students lacking fundamental skills
bone marrow -n
- : a soft highly vascular modified connective tissue that occupies the cavities of most bones and occurs in two forms:
- one that is yellowish, consists chiefly of fat cells, and is found esp. in the cavities of long bones
- one that is reddish, is the chief site of blood cell formation, and occurs in the normal adult in cancellous tissue esp. of certain flat bones called also red marrow
bone·meal ['bōn-,mēl] -n
- crushed or ground bone used esp. as fertilizer or feed
bon·er ['bō-nər] -n
- one that bones
- a clumsy or stupid mistake
- howler
- an erect penis
bone·set ['bōn-,set] -n
- any of several composite herbs (genus Eupatorium)
- a perennial ( E. perfoliatum) of central and eastern No. America with opposite perfoliate leaves and white-rayed flower heads used in folk medicine
bone·set·ter [-,se-tər] -n
- a person who sets broken or dislocated bones usu. without being a licensed physician
bone up -vi
- to try to master necessary information quickly : cram
- to renew one's skill or refresh one's memory
- boned up on the speech just before giving it
bone·yard [-,yärd] -n
- cemetery
- a place where worn-out or damaged objects (as cars) are collected to await disposal
bon·fire ['bän-,fī(-ə)r] -n
- a large fire built in the open air
bong ['bäŋ, 'bȯŋ] -n, vb
- the deep resonant sound esp. of a bell
- a simple water pipe consisting of a bottle or vertical tube partially filled with a liquid (as water or liqueur) and a smaller offset tube ending in a bowl
bon·go ['bäŋ-(,)gō, 'bȯŋ-] -n
- one of a pair of small connected drums of different sizes and pitches played with the hands
bongo -n
- an African antelope ( Tragelaphus eurycerussyn. Boocerus euryceros) that is chestnut red with narrow white vertical stripes and is found in forests from Sierra Leone to Kenya
bon·ho·mie [,bä-nə-'mē, ,bō-] -n, adj
- good-natured easy friendliness
bo·ni·a·to [,bō-nē-'ä-tō] -n
- a sweet potato having white dry flesh with little sweetness that is usu. grown in subtropical regions
bon·i·face ['bä-nə-fəs, -,fās] -n
- the proprietor of a hotel, nightclub, or restaurant
bo·ni·to [bə-'nē-(,)tō, -'nē-tə] -n
- any of several scombroid fishes (esp. genera Sardaand Euthynnus) intermediate between the smaller mackerels and the larger tunas
bonk ['bäŋk, 'bȯŋk] -vt
- hit
- bonk ed him over the head
bon·kers ['bäŋ-kərz, 'bȯŋ-] -adj
- crazy, mad
- fans went bonkers when their team won
bon mot [bōⁿ-'mō] -n
- a clever remark : witticism
bonne ['bȯn] -n
- a French nursemaid or maidservant
bon·net ['bä-nət] -n
- a man's or boy's cap
- a brimless Scottish cap of seamless woolen fabric
- a cloth or straw hat tied under the chin and worn by women and children
- an automobile hood
- a metal covering or cowl (as for a fireplace, valve chamber, or ventilator)
bonnet -vt
- to provide with or dress in a bonnet
bon·ny ['bä-nē] -adj, adv
- attractive, fair
- fine, excellent
bon·ny·clab·ber ['bä-nē-,kla-bər] -n
- clabber
bo·no·bo [bə-'nō-bō; 'bä-nə-bō, -nō-] -n
- a rare anthropoid ape ( Pan paniscus) that has a more slender build and longer limbs than the related common chimpanzee ( P. troglodytes) and that inhabits a small geographic region in equatorial Africa south of the Congo River called also pygmy chimpanzee
bon·sai [(,)bōn-'sī, 'bōn-,, 'bän-, also 'bän-,zī] -n
- a potted plant (as a tree) dwarfed (as by pruning) and trained to an artistic shape
- the art of growing such a plant
bon·spiel ['bän-,spēl] -n
- a match or tournament between curling clubs
bon ton [(,)bän-'tän, 'bän-,] -n
- fashionable manner or style
- the fashionable or proper thing
- high society
bo·nus ['bō-nəs] -n
- : something in addition to what is expected or strictly due: as
- money or an equivalent given in addition to an employee's usual compensation
- a premium (as of stock) given by a corporation to a purchaser of its securities, to a promoter, or to an employee
- a government payment to war veterans
- a sum in excess of salary given an athlete for signing with a team
bon vi·vant [,bän-vē-'vänt, ,bōⁿ-vē-'väⁿ] -n
- a person having cultivated, refined, and sociable tastes esp. with respect to food and drink
bon voy·age [,bōⁿ-,vȯi-'äzh, ,bän-; ,bōⁿ-,vwī-'äzh, -,vwä-'yäzh] -n
- farewell often used interjectionally
bony ['bō-nē] -adj
- consisting of bone
- resembling bone
- full of bones
- having prominent bones
- skinny, scrawny
- barren, lean
bony fish -n
- any of a major taxon (class Osteichthyes or superclass Teleostomi) comprising fishes (as sturgeons, eels, mackerels, and sunfish) with a bony rather than a cartilaginous skeleton called also teleost
bonze ['bänz] -n
- a Buddhist monk
boo ['bü] -interj
- used to express contempt or disapproval or to startle or frighten
- a shout of disapproval or contempt
- any utterance at all usu. used in negative constructions
- to deride esp. by uttering a prolonged boo
- to express disapproval of by booing
- the crowd boo ed the referee
boob ['büb] -n, adj
- a stupid awkward person : simpleton
- boor, philistine
- mistake, blunder
- goof
- breast
boo·bird ['bü-,bərd] -n
- a home fan at a sporting event who boos one or more members of the home team
boob·oi·sie [,büb-,wä-'zē] -n
- the general public regarded as consisting of boobs
booboo ['bü-(,)bü] -n
- a usu. trivial injury (as a bruise or scratch) used esp. by or of a child
- mistake, blunder
boob tube -n
- television
boo·by ['bü-bē] -n
- an awkward foolish person : dope
- any of several tropical seabirds (genus Sula) of the gannet family
- breast
booby hatch -n
- a raised framework with a sliding cover over a small hatch on a ship
- a psychiatric hospital
booby prize -n
- an award for the poorest performance in a game or competition
- an acknowledgment of notable inferiority
booby trap -n, vt
- a trap for the unwary or unsuspecting : pitfall
- a concealed explosive device contrived to go off when some harmless-looking object is touched
boo·dle ['bü-dᵊl] -n
- a collection or lot of persons : caboodle
- bribe money
- a large amount esp. of money
boog·er ['bu̇-gər, 'bü-] -n
- bogeyman
- a piece of dried nasal mucus
boo·gey·man ['bu̇-gē-,man, 'bü-] -n
- bogeyman
boo·gie ['bu̇-gē, 'bü-] -n
- boogie-woogie
- earthy and strongly rhythmic rock music conducive to dancing
- a period of or occasion for dancing to this music
boogie ['bu̇-gē, 'bü-] -vi
- to dance to rock music
- revel, party
- to move quickly
- to get going
boo·giewoo·gie [,bu̇-gē-'wu̇-gē, ,bü-gē-'wü-gē] -n
- a percussive style of playing blues on the piano characterized by a steady rhythmic ground bass of eighth notes in quadruple time and a series of improvised melodic variations
boo·jum ['bü-jəm] -n
- a tall spiny long-lived desert tree ( Fouquieria columnarissyn. Idria columnaris) native to northwestern Mexico and related to the ocotillo
book ['bu̇k] -n
- a set of written sheets of skin or paper or tablets of wood or ivory
- a set of written, printed, or blank sheets bound together into a volume
- a long written or printed literary composition
- a major division of a treatise or literary work
- a record of a business's financial transactions or financial condition often used in pl.
- magazine
- e-book
- bible
- something that yields knowledge or understanding
- her face was an open book
- the total available knowledge and experience that can be brought to bear on a task or problem
- tried every trick in the book
- inside information or analysis
- the book on him is that he can't hit a curveball
- the standards or authority relevant in a situation
- all the charges that can be made against an accused person
- a position from which one must answer for certain acts : account
- libretto
- the script of a play
- a book of arrangements for a musician or dance orchestra : musical repertory
- a packet of items bound together like a book
- bookmaker
- the bets registered by a bookmaker
- the business or activity of giving odds and taking bets
- the number of tricks a cardplayer or side must win before any trick can have scoring value
- derived from books and not from practical experience
- shown by books of account
- to register (as a name) for some future activity or condition (as to engage transportation or reserve lodgings)
- he was book ed to sail on Monday
- to schedule engagements for
- to set aside time for
- to reserve in advance
- book two seats at the theater
- to enter charges against in a police register
- to note the name or number of (as a soccer player) for a serious infraction of the rules
- to make a reservation
- book through your travel agent
- to register in a hotel usu. used with in
- leave, go
- to depart quickly
book·bind·ing ['bu̇k-,bīn-diŋ] -n
- the art or trade of binding books
- the binding of a book
book·case [-,kās] -n
- a piece of furniture consisting of shelves to hold books
book club -n
- an organization that ships selected books to members usu. on a regular schedule and often at discount prices
- a group of people who meet regularly to discuss books they are reading
book·end [-,end] -n
- a support placed at the end of a row of books
book·ie ['bu̇-kē] -n
- bookmaker
book·ing ['bu̇-kiŋ] -n
- the act of one that books
- an engagement or scheduled performance
- reservation
booking office -n
- a ticket office
- one in a railroad station
book·ish ['bu̇-kish] -adj, adv, n
- of or relating to books
- fond of books and reading
- inclined to rely on book knowledge
- literary and formal as opposed to colloquial and informal
- given to literary or scholarly pursuits
- affectedly learned
book·keep·er ['bu̇k-,kē-pər] -n
- a person who records the accounts or transactions of a business
book·let ['bu̇k-lət] -n
- a little book
- pamphlet
book louse -n
- any of various tiny usu. wingless insects (order Psocoptera and esp. genus Liposcelis) that feed on organic matter (as paper) and usu. inhabit damp areas
book lung -n
- a saccular breathing organ in many arachnids containing thin folds of membrane arranged like the leaves of a book
book·mak·er ['bu̇k-,mā-kər] -n
- a printer, binder, or designer of books
- a person who determines odds and receives and pays off bets
book·man [-mən] -n
- a person who has a love of books and esp. of reading
- a person who is involved in the writing, publishing, or selling of books
book·mark [-,märk] -n
- a marker for finding a place in a book
- a menu entry or icon on a computer that is usu. created by the user and that serves as a shortcut to a previously viewed location (as an Internet site)
bookmark -vt
- to create a computer bookmark for
bookmatch [-,mach] -vt
- to match the grains of (as two sheets of veneer) so that one sheet seems to be the mirror image of the other
book·mo·bile ['bu̇k-mō-,bēl] -n
- a truck that serves as a traveling library
Book of Common Prayer
- the service book of the Anglican Communion
book off -vi
- to notify an employer that one is not reporting for work (as because of sickness)
book·plate ['bu̇k-,plāt] -n
- a book owner's identification label that is usu. pasted to the inside front cover of a book
book·sell·er ['bu̇k-,se-lər] -n
- one that sells books
- the proprietor of a bookstore
book·shelf [-,shelf] -n
- an open shelf for holding books
book·shop [-,shäp] -n
- bookstore
book·stall [-,stȯl] -n
- a stall where books are sold
- newsstand
book·store [-,stȯr] -n
- a place of business where books are the main item offered for sale called also bookshop
book value -n
- : the value of something as shown on bookkeeping records as distinguished from market value:
- the value of an asset equal to cost minus depreciation
- the value of a corporation's stock equal to its book value minus its liabilities
book·worm ['bu̇k-,wərm] -n
- a person unusually devoted to reading and study
Bool·ean ['bü-lē-ən] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a logical combinatorial system (as Boolean algebra) that represents symbolically relationships (as those implied by the logical operators AND, OR, and NOT) between entities (as sets, propositions, or on-off computer circuit elements)
- Boolean search strategy for information retrieval
Boolean algebra -n
- an algebraic system that consists of a set closed under two binary operations and that can be described by any of various systems of postulates all of which can be deduced from the postulates that each operation is commutative, that each operation is distributive over the other, that an identity element exists for each operation, and that for every element in the set there exists another element which when combined with the first under either one of the operations yields the identity element of the other operation
boom ['büm] -vb
- to make a deep hollow sound
- to increase in importance, popularity, or esteem
- to experience a sudden rapid growth and expansion usu. with an increase in prices
- to develop rapidly in population and importance
- California boom ed when gold was discovered there
- to increase greatly in size or number
- to cause to resound often used with out
- his voice boom s out the lyrics
- to cause a rapid growth or increase of : boost
- to hit or kick forcefully
- a booming sound or cry often used interjectionally to indicate suddenness
- : a rapid expansion or increase: as
- a general movement in support of a candidate for office
- rapid settlement and development of a town or district
- a rapid widespread expansion of economic activity
- an upsurge in activity, interest, or popularity
- a long spar used to extend the foot of a sail
- a chain or line of connected floating timbers extended across a river, lake, or harbor (as to obstruct passage or catch floating objects)
- a temporary floating barrier used to contain an oil spill
- a long beam projecting from the mast of a derrick to support or guide cargo
- a long more or less horizontal supporting arm or brace (as for holding a microphone or for supporting an antenna)
- a spar or outrigger connecting the tail surfaces and the main supporting structure of an aircraft
boom box -n
- a usu. large portable stereophonic radio and tape or CD player
boom·er -n
- one that booms
- one that joins a rush of settlers to a boom area
- a transient worker (as a bridge builder)
- a person born during a baby boom : baby boomer
boo·mer·ang ['bü-mə-,raŋ] -n, vi
- a bent or angular throwing club typically flat on one side and rounded on the other so that it soars or curves in flight
- one designed to return near the thrower
- an act or utterance that backfires on its originator
boom·ing ['bü-miŋ] -adj
- making a loud deep sound
- forcefully or powerfully executed
boom·let ['büm-lət] -n
- a small boom
- a sudden increase in business activity
boom·town ['büm-,tau̇n] -n
- a town enjoying a business and population boom
boomy ['bü-mē] -adj
- of, relating to, or characterized by an economic boom
- having an excessive accentuation on the tones of lower pitch in reproduced sound
boon ['bün] -n
- benefit, favor
- one that is given in answer to a request
- a timely benefit : blessing
- favorable
- convivial
boon·docks ['bün-,däks] -n pl
- rough country filled with dense brush
- a rural area : sticks
boon·dog·gle ['bün-,dä-gəl, -,dȯ-] -n, vi
- a braided cord worn by Boy Scouts as a neckerchief slide, hatband, or ornament
- a wasteful or impractical project or activity often involving graft
boon·ies ['bü-nēz] -n pl
- boondocks
boor ['bu̇r] -n
- peasant
- a rude or insensitive person
boor·ish ['bu̇r-ish] -adj, adv, n
- resembling or befitting a boor (as in crude insensitivity)
boost ['büst] -vb
- to push or shove up from below
- increase, raise
- plans to boost production
- an extra holiday to boost morale
- to promote the cause or interests of : plug
- a campaign to boost the new fashions
- to raise the voltage of or across (an electric circuit)
- steal, shoplift
- shoplift
- a push upward
- an act that brings help or encouragement : assist
- an increase in amount
boost·er ['bü-stər] -n
- : one that boosts: as
- an enthusiastic supporter
- an auxiliary device for increasing force, power, pressure, or effectiveness
- shoplifter
- a radio-frequency amplifier for a radio or television receiving set
- the first stage of a multistage rocket providing thrust for the launching and the initial part of the flight
- a substance that increases the effectiveness of a medicament
- booster shot
boost·er·ism [-stər-,i-zəm] -n
- the activities and attitudes characteristic of boosters
booster seat -n
- a seat used to elevate a sitting child
booster shot -n
- a supplementary dose of an immunizing agent called also booster booster dose
boot ['büt] -n
- deliverance
- something to equalize a trade
- avail
- avail, profit
- a fitted covering (as of leather or rubber) for the foot and usu. reaching above the ankle
- an instrument of torture used to crush the leg and foot
- something that resembles or is likened to a boot
- an enclosing or protective casing or sheath (as for a rifle or over an electrical or mechanical connection)
- a navy or marine corps recruit undergoing basic training
- an automobile trunk
- a kick with the foot
- summary dismissal used with the
- momentary pleasure or enjoyment : bang
- got a big boot out of the joke
- a sheath enclosing the inflorescence
- denver boot
- to put boots on
- kick
- to eject or discharge summarily often used with out
- was boot ed out of office
- to make an error on (a grounder in baseball)
- botch
- to ride (a horse) in a race
- boot ed home three winners
- to load (a program) into a computer from a disk
- to start or ready for use esp. by booting a program often used with up
- to become loaded into a computer's memory from a disk
- the program boot s automatically
- to become ready for use esp. by booting a program
- the computer boot s quickly
often used with up - booty, plunder
boot·black ['büt-,blak] -n
- one who shines shoes
boot camp -n
- a navy or marine corps camp for basic training
- a disciplinary facility or program in which young offenders are forced to participate in a rigidly structured routine
boot·ed ['bü-təd] -adj
- wearing boots
boo·tee [bü-'tē, of infants' footwear 'bü-tē] -n
- a usu. ankle-length boot, slipper, or sock
- an infant's knitted or crocheted sock
Bo·o·tes [bō-'ō-tēz] -n
- a northern constellation containing the bright star Arcturus
booth ['büth, esp Brit 'büth] -n
- a temporary shelter for livestock or field workers
- a stall or stand (as at a fair) for the sale or exhibition of goods
- a small enclosure affording privacy for one person at a time
- a small enclosure that isolates its occupant esp. from patrons or customers
- an isolated enclosure used in sound recording or in broadcasting
- a restaurant seating arrangement consisting of a table between two high-back benches
bootie [bü-'tē, of infants' footwear 'bü-tē] -n
(variant of bootee)
- a usu. ankle-length boot, slipper, or sock
- an infant's knitted or crocheted sock
boot·jack ['büt-,jak] -n
- a device (as with a V-shaped notch) used for pulling off boots
boot·lace [-,lās] -n
- shoelace
boot·leg [-,leg, -,lāg] -n, adj
- the upper part of a boot
- : something bootlegged: as
- moonshine
- an unauthorized audio or video recording
- a football play in which the quarterback fakes a handoff, hides the ball against his hip, and rolls out
bootleg -vt, n
- to carry (alcoholic liquor) on one's person illegally
- to manufacture, sell, or transport for sale (alcoholic liquor) illegally
- to produce, reproduce, or distribute illicitly or without authorization
- smuggle
- to engage in bootlegging
- to run a bootleg play in football
boot·less ['büt-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- useless, unprofitable
boot·lick [-,lik] -vt, n
- to try to gain favor with through a servile or obsequious manner
- to act obsequiously
boots ['büts] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a servant who shines shoes esp. in a hotel
boot·strap ['büt-,strap] -n
- a looped strap sewed at the side or the rear top of a boot to help in pulling it on
- unaided efforts often used in the phrase by one's own bootstraps
bootstrap -adj
- designed to function independently of outside direction : capable of using one internal function or process to control another
- a bootstrap operation to load a computer
- carried out with minimum resources or advantages : self-reliant
- to promote or develop by initiative and effort with little or no assistance
- bootstrapped herself to the top
boo·ty ['bü-tē] -n
- plunder taken (as in war)
- plunder taken on land as distinguished from prizes taken at sea
- a rich gain or prize
booty ['bü-tē] -n
- buttocks
booze ['büz] -vi
- to drink intoxicating liquor esp. to excess often used in the phrase booze it up
- intoxicating drink
- hard liquor
booze·hound ['büz-,hau̇nd] -n
- boozer, drunk
booz·er ['bü-zər] -n
- a person who boozes : drunk
- a drinking place : pub
bop ['bäp] -vt
- hit, sock
- a blow (as with the fist or a club) that strikes a person
- jazz characterized by harmonic complexity, convoluted melodic lines, and constant shifting of accent and often played at very rapid tempos
- jive
- to go quickly or unceremoniously : pop
- bop into the corner store
often used with off - to dance or shuffle along to or as if to bop music
bo·peep [(,)bō-'pēp] -n
- peekaboo
BOQ -abbr
- bachelor officers' quarters
bor -abbr
- borough
bo·ra ['bȯr-ə] -n
- a violent cold northerly wind of the Adriatic
bo·rac·ic acid [bə-'ra-sik-] -n
- boric acid
bor·age ['bȯr-ij, 'bär-] -n
- a coarse hairy blue-flowered European herb ( Borago officinalisof the family Boraginaceae, the borage family) used medicinally and in salads
bo·rane ['bȯr-,ān] -n
- a compound of boron and hydrogen
- a compound BH 3known only in the form of its derivatives
- a derivative of borane
bo·rate [-,āt] -n
- a salt or ester of a boric acid
bo·rat·ed [-,ā-təd] -adj
- mixed or impregnated with borax or boric acid
bo·rax ['bȯr-,aks, -əks] -n
- a white crystalline compound that consists of a hydrated sodium borate Na 2B 4O 710H 2O, that occurs as a mineral or is prepared from other minerals, and that is used esp. as a flux, cleansing agent, and water softener, as a preservative, and as a fireproofing agent
borax -n
- cheap shoddy merchandise
bor·bo·ryg·mus [,bȯr-bə-'rig-məs] -n
- intestinal rumbling caused by moving gas
Bor·deaux [bȯr-'dō] -n
- white or red wine of the Bordeaux region of France
- claret
bor·deaux mixture [bȯr-'dō-, 'bȯr-,] -n
- a fungicide made by reaction of copper sulfate, lime, and water
bor·de·laise sauce ['bȯr-dᵊl-'āz-] -n
- a sauce consisting of stock thickened with roux and flavored typically with red wine and shallots
bor·del·lo [bȯr-'de-(,)lō] -n
- a building in which prostitutes are available
bor·der ['bȯr-dər] -n, adj
- an outer part or edge
- an ornamental design at the edge of a fabric or rug
- a narrow bed of planted ground along the edge of a garden or walk
- boundary
- crossed the border into Italy
- a plain or decorative margin around printed matter
border ['bȯr-d(ə-)riŋ] -vb, n
- to put a border on
- to touch at the edge or boundary : bound
- border s the city on the south
- to lie on the border
- the U.S. border s on Canada
- to approach the nature of a specified thing : verge
- border s on the ridiculous
border collie -n
- any of a breed of medium-sized sheepdogs of British origin noted for their herding abilities
bor·de·reau [,bȯr-də-'rō] -n
- a detailed note or memorandum of account
- one containing an enumeration of documents
bor·der·land ['bȯr-dər-,land] -n
- territory at or near a border
- fringe
- lives on the borderland of society
- a vague intermediate state or region
- the borderland between fantasy and reality
bor·der·line [-,līn] -adj, n
- being in an intermediate position or state : not fully classifiable as one thing or its opposite
- a borderline state between waking and sleeping
- not quite up to, typical of, or as severe as what is usual, standard, or expected
- characterized by psychological instability in several areas (as interpersonal relations, behavior, and identity) but only with brief or no psychotic episodes
- a borderline personality disorder
- situated at or near a border
borderline -adv
- almost, nearly
border terrier -n
- any of a breed of small terriers of British origin having a harsh dense coat and close undercoat
bor·dure ['bȯr-jər] -n
- a border on a heraldic shield
bore ['bȯr] -vb
- to pierce with a turning or twisting movement of a tool
- to make (as a cylindrical hole) by boring or digging away material
- to make a hole by or as if by boring
- to sink a mine shaft or well
- to make one's way steadily esp. against resistance
- we bored through the jostling crowd
- a usu. cylindrical hole made by or as if by boring
- a borehole drilled esp. to make an artesian well
- the long usu. cylindrical hollow part of something (as a tube or gun barrel)
- the inner surface of a hollow cylindrical object
- : the size of a bore: as
- the interior diameter of a gun barrel
- gauge
- the diameter of an engine cylinder
bore ['ber] -n, adj
(variant of bear)
- 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
bo·re·al ['bȯr-ē-əl] -adj
- of, relating to, or located in northern regions
- of, relating to, or comprising the northern biotic area characterized esp. by dominance of coniferous forests
Bo·re·as [-ē-əs] -n
- the Greek god of the north wind
- the north wind personified
bore·dom ['bȯr-dəm] -n
- the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest
bo·reen [bȯr-'ēn] -n
- a narrow country lane
bore·hole ['bȯr-,hōl] -n
- : a hole bored or drilled in the earth: as
- an exploratory well
- a small-diameter well drilled esp. to obtain water
bor·er ['bȯr-ər] -n
- a tool used for boring
- shipworm
- an insect that bores in the woody parts of plants
bore·scope ['bȯr-,skōp] -n
- an optical device (as a prism or optical fiber) used to inspect an inaccessible space (as an engine cylinder)
bo·ric acid ['bȯr-ik-] -n
- a white crystalline acid B(OH) 3obtained from its salts and used esp. as a weak antiseptic and fire-retardant
bo·ride ['bȯr-,īd] -n
- a binary compound of boron with a more electropositive element or radical
bor·ing ['bȯr-iŋ] -adj, adv, n
- causing boredom : tiresome
born ['bȯrn] -adj
- brought forth by or as if by birth
- native usu. used in combination
- deriving or resulting from usu. used in combination
- having from birth specified qualities
- being in specified circumstances from birth
- destined from or as if from birth
bornagain [-ə-'gen, -'gin, -'gān] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a usu. Christian person who has made a renewed or confirmed commitment of faith esp. after an intense religious experience
- having returned to or newly adopted an activity, a conviction, or a persona esp. with a proselytizing zeal
borne ['ber] -n, adj
(variant of bear)
- 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
bor·ne·ol ['bȯr-nē-,ȯl, -,ōl] -n
- a crystalline cyclic alcohol C 10H 17OH that occurs in two enantiomeric forms, is found in essential oils, and is used esp. in perfumery
born·ite ['bȯr-,nīt] -n
- a brittle metallic-looking mineral that consists of a sulfide of copper and iron and is a valuable copper ore
boro- -comb form
- boron
bo·ro·hy·dride [,bȯr-ō-'hī-,drīd] -n
- the anion BH 4 of boron and hydrogen that is used esp. as a reducing agent and as a source of hydrogen atoms
- any of various compounds (as of metals) containing the borohydride anion
bo·ron ['bȯr-,än] -n, adj
- a trivalent metalloid element found in nature only in combination and used esp. in glass and detergents
boron carbide -n
- a refractory shiny black crystalline compound B 4C that is one of the hardest known materials and is used esp. in abrasives and as a structural reinforcing material
bo·ro·sil·i·cate [,bȯr-ō-'si-lə-,kāt, -'si-li-kət] -n
- a silicate containing boron in the anion and occurring naturally
- borosilicate glass
borosilicate glass -n
- a silicate glass that is composed of at least five percent oxide of boron and is used esp. in heat-resistant glassware
bor·ough ['bər-(,)ō, 'bə-(,)rō] -n
- a medieval fortified group of houses forming a town with special duties and privileges
- a town or urban constituency in Great Britain that sends a member to Parliament
- an urban area in Great Britain incorporated for purposes of self-government
- a municipal corporation proper in some states (as New Jersey and Minnesota) corresponding to the incorporated town or village of the other states
- one of the five constituent political divisions of New York City
- a civil division of the state of Alaska corresponding to a county in most other states
borough English -n
- a custom formerly existing in parts of England by which the lands of an intestate descended to the youngest son
borough hall -n
- the chief administrative building of a borough
bor·row ['bär-(,)ō, 'bȯr-] -vb, n
- to receive with the implied or expressed intention of returning the same or an equivalent
- to borrow (money) with the intention of returning the same plus interest
- to appropriate for one's own use
- derive, adopt
- to take (one) from a digit of the minuend in arithmetical subtraction in order to add as 10 to the digit holding the next lower place
- to adopt into one language from another
- lend
- to borrow something
bor·rowed time -n
- an uncertain and usu. uncontrolled postponement of something inevitable used with living on
bor·row·ing ['bär-ə-wiŋ, 'bȯr-] -n
- something borrowed
- a word or phrase adopted from one language into another
borrow pit -n
- an excavated area where material has been dug for use as fill at another location
Bors ['bȯrz] -n
- a knight of the Round Table and nephew of Lancelot
borscht ['bȯrsh(t)] -n
- a soup made primarily of beets and served hot or cold often with sour cream
borscht belt -n
- borscht circuit
borscht circuit -n
- the theaters and nightclubs associated with the Jewish summer resorts in the Catskills
Bor·stal ['bȯr-stᵊl] -n
- reformatory
bort ['bȯrt] -n
- imperfectly crystallized diamond or diamond fragments used as an abrasive
bor·zoi ['bȯr-,zȯi] -n
- any of a breed of large dogs developed in Russia esp. for pursuing wolves that have a long silky usu. white coat with darker markings called also Russian wolfhound
Bosc ['bäsk] -n
- a pear with firm flesh and brown or dark yellow skin
bos·cage ['bäs-kij] -n
- a growth of trees or shrubs : thicket
bosh ['bäsh] -n
- foolish talk or activity : nonsense often used interjectionally
bosk ['bäsk] -n
- a small wooded area
bosky ['bäs-kē] -adj
- having abundant trees or shrubs
- of or relating to a woods
bos·om ['bu̇-zəm also 'bü-] -n
- the human chest and esp. the front part of the chest
- hugged the child to his bosom
- a woman's breasts regarded esp. as a single feature
- a woman with an ample bosom
- breast
- the chest conceived of as the seat of the emotions and intimate feelings
- a story you will take to your bosom
- the security and intimacy of or like that of being hugged to someone's bosom
- the part of a garment that covers the chest or the breasts
bosom -vt
- embrace
- to enclose or carry in the bosom
- close, intimate
bos·omed [-zəmd] -adj
- having a bosom of a specified kind used in combination
bos·omy ['bu̇-zə-mē also 'bü-] -adj
- swelling upward or outward
- having prominent breasts
bo·son ['bō-,sän, -,zän] -n, adj
- a particle (as a photon or meson) whose spin is zero or an integral number
bos·quet ['bäs-kət] -n
- thicket
boss ['bäs, 'bȯs] -n
- a protuberant part or body
- a boss on an animal's horn
- a raised ornamentation : stud
- an ornamental projecting block used in architecture
- a soft pad used in ceramics and glassmaking
- the hub of a propeller
- to ornament with bosses : emboss
- to treat (as the surface of porcelain) with a boss
- a person who exercises control or authority
- one who directs or supervises workers
- a politician who controls votes in a party organization or dictates appointments or legislative measures
- excellent, first-rate
- to act as boss of
- to give usu. arbitrary orders to usu. used with around
- cow, calf
bos·sa no·va [,bä-sə-'nō-və] -n
- popular music of Brazilian origin that is rhythmically related to the samba but with complex harmonies and improvised jazzlike passages
- a dance performed to bossa nova music
boss man -n
- boss
bossy ['bä-sē, 'bȯ-] -adj
- marked by a swelling or roundness
- marked by bosses : studded
- cow, calf
- inclined to domineer : dictatorial
Bos·ton ['bȯs-tən] -n
- a variation of whist played with two decks of cards
- a dance somewhat like a waltz
Boston cream pie -n
- a round cake that is split and filled with a custard or cream filling and usu. frosted with chocolate
Boston fern -n
- a luxuriant fern ( Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis) often with drooping much-divided fronds
Boston ivy -n
- a woody Asian vine ( Parthenocissus tricuspidata) of the grape family typically having 3-lobed leaves
Boston lettuce -n
- butter lettuce of a variety that is larger than the closely related Bibb lettuce
Boston marriage -n
- a long-term loving relationship between two women
Boston rocker -n
- a wooden rocking chair with a high spindle back, a decorative top panel, and a seat and arms that curve down at the front
Boston terrier -n
- any of a breed of small smooth-coated terriers originating as a cross of the bulldog and bullterrier and being brindled or black with white markings called also Boston bull
bosun ['bō-sᵊn] -n
(variant of boatswain)
- a petty officer on a merchant ship having charge of hull maintenance and related work
- a naval warrant officer in charge of the hull and all related equipment
Bos·well ['bäz-,wel, -wəl] -n, adj, vb
- a person who records in detail the life of a usu. famous contemporary
bot ['bät] -n
- the larva of a botfly
- one infesting the horse
- botanical; botanist; botany
- bottle
- bottom
- bought
- robot
bo·ta ['bō-tə] -n
- a leather bottle (as for wine)
botan -abbr
- botanical
bo·tan·i·ca [bə-'ta-ni-kə] -n
- a shop that deals in herbs and charms used esp. by adherents of Santeria
bo·tan·i·cal [bə-'ta-ni-kəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to plants or botany
- derived from plants
- species
botanical -n
- a plant part or extract used esp. in skin and hair care products
- a medicinal preparation derived from a plant
botanical garden [bə-'ta-nik-] -n
- a garden often with greenhouses for the culture, study, and exhibition of special plants called also bo*tan*ic garden b-ta-nik-
bot·an·ise ['bä-tə-,nīz] -vb, n
(variant of botanize)
- to collect plants for botanical investigation
- to study plants esp. on a field trip
- to explore for botanical purposes
bot·a·nize ['bä-tə-,nīz] -vb, n
- to collect plants for botanical investigation
- to study plants esp. on a field trip
- to explore for botanical purposes
bot·a·ny ['bä-tə-nē, 'bät-nē] -n
- a branch of biology dealing with plant life
- plant life
- the properties and life phenomena exhibited by a plant, plant type, or plant group
- a botanical treatise or study
- a particular system of botany
botch ['bäch] -n
- an inflammatory sore
- to foul up hopelessly often used with up
- to put together in a makeshift way
- something that is botched : mess
- patchwork, hodgepodge
bot·fly ['bät-,flī] -n
- any of various stout dipteran flies (family Oestridae) with larvae parasitic in cavities or tissues of various mammals including humans
both ['bōth] -pron, pl in constr
- the one as well as the other
- used as a function word to indicate and stress the inclusion of each of two or more things specified by coordinated words, phrases, or clauses
- prized both for its beauty and for its utility
- he...who loveth well both man and bird and beast -- S. T. Coleridge
- being the two : affecting or involving the one and the other
both·er ['bä-thər] -vb
- to annoy esp. by petty provocation : irk
- to intrude upon : pester
- to cause to be somewhat anxious or concerned
- my stomach is bother ing me
often used interjectionally - to become concerned
- wouldn't bother with details
- to take pains : take the trouble
bother -n
- a state of petty discomfort, annoyance, or worry
- something that causes petty annoyance or worry
- fuss
both·er·ation [,bä-thə-'rā-shən] -n
- the act of bothering : the state of being bothered
- something that bothers often used interjectionally
both·er·some ['bä-thər-səm] -adj
- causing bother : vexing
bo·thy ['bä-thē, 'bō-] -n
- hut
bot·o·nee [,bä-tᵊn-'ā] -adj
- having a cluster of three balls or knobs at the end of each arm
Botox ['bō-,täks] -trademark
- used for a preparation of botulinum toxin
bo tree ['bō-] -n
- pipal
bot·ry·oi·dal [,bä-trē-'ȯi-dᵊl] -adj
- having the form of a bunch of grapes
bo·try·tis [bō-'trī-təs] -n
- any of a genus ( Botrytis) of imperfect fungi having botryoidal conidia and including several serious plant pathogens
bot·tle ['bä-tᵊl] -n
- a rigid or semirigid container typically of glass or plastic having a comparatively narrow neck or mouth and usu. no handle
- a usu. bottle-shaped container made of skin for storing a liquid
- the quantity held by a bottle
- intoxicating drink : the practice of drinking
- slipped deeper and deeper into the bottle -- Anne Bernays
- liquid food (as milk) used in place of mother's milk
- mettle, courage
bottle ['bä-tᵊl-iŋ, 'bät-liŋ] -vt, n
- to confine as if in a bottle : restrain usu. used with up
- to put or keep in a position or situation that makes free activity, progress, or escape difficult or impossible usu. used with up
- bottle up legislation in committee
- to put into or as if into a bottle
- wished she could bottle their energy
bottle blond -n
- a person whose hair has been bleached blond
bot·tle·brush ['bä-tᵊl-,brəsh] -n
- any of a genus ( Callistemon) of Australian trees and shrubs of the myrtle family widely cultivated in warm regions esp. for their spikes of brightly colored flowers
bottle club -n
- a club serving patrons previously purchased or reserved alcoholic drinks after normal legal closing hours
bottled gas -n
- gas under pressure in portable cylinders
bot·tlefeed ['bä-tᵊl-,fēd] -vt
- to feed (as an infant) with a bottle
bottle gourd -n
- a common cultivated gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria) having a variably shaped fruit with a hard shell that is sometimes used as a container
bottle green -n
- a dark green
bot·tle·neck ['bä-tᵊl-,nek] -adj
- narrow
bottleneck -n
- a narrow route
- a point of traffic congestion
- someone or something that retards or halts free movement and progress
- impasse
- a dramatic reduction in the size of a population (as of a species) that results in a decrease in genetic variation
- a style of guitar playing in which glissando effects are produced by sliding an object (as a knife blade or the neck of a bottle) along the strings called also bottleneck guitar
- to slow or halt by causing a bottleneck
bot·tlenosed dolphin ['bä-tᵊl-,nōz-] -n
- bottlenose dolphin
bottlenose dolphin -n
- a relatively small stout-bodied chiefly gray toothed whale ( Tursiops truncatus) with a prominent beak and falcate dorsal fin
bot·tling ['bä-tᵊl-iŋ, 'bät-liŋ] -n
- a beverage and esp. a wine that is bottled at a particular time
bot·tom ['bä-təm] -n, adj
- the underside of something
- a surface (as the seat of a chair) designed to support something resting on it used figuratively in phrases like the bottom dropped out to describe a sudden collapse or downturn
- lost millions when the bottom dropped out of the stock market
- the posterior end of the trunk : buttocks, rump
- the surface on which a body of water lies
- the part of a ship's hull lying below the water
- boat, ship
- the lowest part or place
- the remotest or inmost point
- the lowest or last place in point of precedence
- started work at the bottom
- the part of a garment worn on the lower part of the body
- the pants of pajamas usu. used in pl.
- the last half of an inning of baseball
- the bass or baritone instruments of a band
- bottomland usu. used in pl.
- basis, source
- trying to get to the bottom of these rumors
- capacity (as of a horse) to endure strain
- a foundation color applied to textile fibers before dyeing
- a fundamental quark that accounts for the existence and lifetime of upsilon particles and has an electric charge of and a measured energy of approximately 5 GeV
- the flavor characterizing this particle
bottom -vt, n
- to furnish with a bottom
- to provide a foundation for
- to bring to the bottom
- to get to the bottom of
- to become based
- to reach the bottom
- to reach a point where a decline is halted or reversed usu. used with out
- the team bottomed out in last place
- of, relating to, or situated at the bottom
- frequenting the bottom
bot·tomfeed·er ['bä-təm-,fē-dər] -n, adj
- a fish that feeds at the bottom
- one that is of the lowest status or rank
- an opportunist who seeks quick profit usu. at the expense of others or from their misfortune
bot·tomfish·ing [-,fi-shiŋ] -n
- the practice of making purchases (as of stocks) when prices appear to be at their lowest point
bot·tom·land ['bä-təm-,land] -n
- low-lying land along a watercourse often used in pl.
bot·tom·less [-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- having no bottom
- extremely deep
- impossible to comprehend : unfathomable
- boundless, unlimited
- nude
- featuring nude entertainers
bot·tomline ['bä-təm-,līn] -adj, n
- concerned only with cost or profits
- pragmatic, realistic
bottom line -n
- the essential or salient point : crux
- the primary or most important consideration
- the line at the bottom of a financial report that shows the net profit or loss
- financial considerations (as cost or profit or loss)
- the final result
bot·tom·most ['bä-tə(m)-,mōst] -adj
- situated at the very bottom : lowest, deepest
- last
- the bottommost part of the day -- Alfred Kazin
- most basic
- the bottommost problems facing the world
bottom round -n
- meat (as steak) from the outer part of a round of beef
bot·tomup ['bä-təm-'əp] -adj
- progressing upward from the lowest levels (as of a stratified organization or system)
bot·u·lin ['bä-chə-lən] -n
- botulinum toxin
bot·u·li·num [,bä-chə-'lī-nəm] -n, adj
- a spore-forming bacterium ( Clostridium botulinum) that secretes botulinum toxin
botulinum toxin -n
- a neurotoxin formed by botulinum that causes botulism and that is injected in a purified form for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes (as to treat blepharospasm and reduce wrinkles)
bot·u·lism ['bä-chə-,li-zəm] -n
- an acute paralytic disease caused by botulinum toxin esp. in food
bou·bou ['bü-,bü] -n
- a long flowing garment worn in parts of Africa
bou·chee [bü-'shā] -n
- a small patty shell usu. containing a creamed filling
bou·cle [bü-'klā] -n
- an uneven yarn of three plies one of which forms loops at intervals
- a fabric of boucle yarn
bou·din [bü-'dan, -'daⁿ] -n
- blood sausage
- a spicy Cajun sausage containing rice and meat (as pork) or seafood
bou·doir ['bü-,dwär, 'bu̇-, ,bü-', ,bu̇-'] -n
- a woman's dressing room, bedroom, or private sitting room
bouf·fant [bü-'fänt, 'bü-,] -adj
- puffed out
bou·gain·vil·lea [,bü-gən-'vil-yə, ,bō-, ,bu̇-, -'vē-ə] -n
- any of a genus ( Bougainvillaea) of the four-o'clock family of ornamental tropical American woody vines and shrubs with brilliant purple or red floral bracts
bough ['bau̇] -n, adj
- a branch of a tree
- a main branch
bought ['bī] -vb, n
(variant of buy)
- to acquire possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of by payment esp. of money : purchase
- to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice
- they bought peace with their freedom
- redeem
- bribe, hire
- to be the purchasing equivalent of
- the dollar buy s less today than it used to
- accept, believe often used with into
- to make a purchase
- something of value at a favorable price
- bargain
- it's a real buy at that price
- an act of buying : purchase
bought·en ['bȯ-tᵊn] -adj
- bought
- the only boughten carpet in the region -- H. W. Thompson
bou·gie ['bü-,zhē, -,jē] -n
- a wax candle
- a tapering cylindrical instrument for introduction into a tubular passage of the body
- suppository
bouil·la·baisse [,bü-yə-'bās, -'bāz, 'bü-yə-,, -,bāz] -n
- a highly seasoned fish stew made with at least two kinds of fish
- potpourri
bouil·lon ['bü(l)-,yän, 'bu̇(l)-; 'bu̇l-yən; 'bü-,yōⁿ] -n
- a clear seasoned soup made usu. from lean beef
- broth
bouillon cube -n
- a cube of evaporated meat extract
boul·der ['bōl-dər] -n, adj
- a detached and rounded or much-worn mass of rock
boul·der·ing [-d(ə-)riŋ] -n, vi
- the sport of rock climbing on large boulders or low cliffs
bou·le ['bü-(,)lē, bü-'lā] -n
- a legislative council of ancient Greece consisting first of an aristocratic advisory body and later of a representative senate
boule ['bül] -n
- a synthetically formed mass (as of sapphire) with the atomic structure of a single crystal
bou·le·vard ['bu̇-lə-,värd, 'bü- also 'bə-] -n
- a broad often landscaped thoroughfare
bou·le·vard·ier [,bu̇-lə-,vär-'dyā, ,bü-, -'dir] -n
- a frequenter of the Parisian boulevards
- man-about-town
bou·le·ver·se·ment [bül-ver-sə-mäⁿ] -n
- reversal
- a violent disturbance : disorder
boulle ['bül, 'byül] -n
- inlaid decoration of tortoiseshell, yellow metal, and white metal in cabinetwork
bounce ['bau̇n(t)s] -vb
- beat, bump
- to cause to rebound or be reflected
- bounce a light ray off a reflector
- dismiss, fire
- to expel precipitately from a place
- to eliminate from a competition by defeating
- was bounced from the tournament in the first round
- to issue (a check) drawn on an account with insufficient funds
- to present (as an idea) to another person to elicit comments or to gain approval usu. used with off
- to rebound or reflect after striking a surface (as the ground)
- to recover from a blow or a defeat quickly usu. used with back
- to be returned by a bank because of insufficient funds in a checking account
- to leap suddenly : bound
- to walk with springing steps
- to hit a baseball so that it hits the ground before it reaches an infielder
- a sudden leap or bound
- rebound
- bluster
- verve, liveliness
bounc·er ['bau̇n(t)-sər] -n
- : one that bounces: as
- one employed to restrain or eject disorderly persons
- a bouncing ground ball
bounc·ing [-siŋ] -adj, adv
- lively, animated
- enjoying good health : robust
bouncing bet [-'bet] -n
- a European perennial herb ( Saponaria officinalis) of the pink family that is widely naturalized in the U.S. and has pink or white flowers and leaves which yield a detergent when bruised called also soapwort
bouncy ['bau̇n(t)-sē] -adj, adv
- buoyant, exuberant
- resilient
- marked by or producing bounces
bound ['bau̇nd] -adj
- ready
- intending to go : going
- a limiting line : boundary usu. used in pl.
- something that limits or restrains
- beyond the bound s of decency
- borderland
- the land within certain bounds
- a number greater than or equal to every number in a set (as the range of a function)
- a number less than or equal to every number in a set
bound ['bīnd] -vb
(variant of bind)
- to make secure by tying
- to confine, restrain, or restrict as if with bonds
- to put under an obligation
- bind s himself with an oath
- to constrain with legal authority
- to wrap around with something so as to enclose or cover
- bandage
- to fasten round about
- to tie together (as stocks of wheat)
- to cause to stick together
- to take up and hold (as by chemical forces) : combine with
- constipate
- to make a firm commitment for
- a handshake bind s the deal
- to protect, strengthen, or decorate by a band or binding
- to apply the parts of the cover to (a book)
- to set at work as an apprentice : indenture
- to cause to have an emotional attachment
- to fasten together
- a pin bound the ends of the scarf
- to form a cohesive mass
- to combine or be taken up esp. by chemical action
- antibody bind s to a specific antigen
- to hamper free movement or natural action
- to become hindered from free operation
- to exert a restraining or compelling effect
- something that binds
- the act of binding : the state of being bound
- a place where binding occurs
- tie
- a position or situation in which one is hampered, constrained, or prevented from free movement or action
bound·ary ['bau̇n-d(ə-)rē] -n, adj
- something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent
boundary layer -n
- a region of retarded fluid near the surface of a body which moves through a fluid or past which a fluid moves
bound·ed ['bau̇n-dəd] -adj
- having a mathematical bound or bounds
- a set bounded above by 25 and bounded below by 10
bound·ed·ness ['bau̇n-dəd-nəs] -n
- the quality or state of being bounded
bound·en ['bau̇n-dən] -adj
- being under obligation : beholden
- made obligatory : binding
bound·er [-dər] -n, adj
- one that bounds
- a man of objectionable social behavior : cad
bound·less ['bau̇n(d)-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- having no boundaries : vast
bound up -adj
- closely involved or associated usu. used with with
- his life was bound up with the town's history
boun·te·ous ['bau̇n-tē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- giving or disposed to give freely
- liberally bestowed
boun·tied ['bau̇n-tēd] -adj
- having the benefit of a bounty
- rewarded or rewardable by a bounty
boun·ti·ful ['bau̇n-ti-fəl] -adj, adv, n
- liberal in bestowing gifts or favors
- given or provided abundantly
boun·ty ['bau̇n-tē] -n
- something that is given generously
- liberality in giving : generosity
- yield esp. of a crop
- : a reward, premium, or subsidy esp. when offered or given by a government: as
- an extra allowance to induce entry into the armed services
- a grant to encourage an industry
- a payment to encourage the destruction of noxious animals
- a payment for the capture of or assistance in the capture of an outlaw
bounty hunter -n
- one who tracks down and captures outlaws for whom a reward is offered
- one who hunts predatory animals for the reward offered
bou·quet [bō-'kā, bü-] -n
- flowers picked and fastened together in a bunch : nosegay
- medley
- compliment
- a distinctive and characteristic fragrance (as of wine)
- a subtle aroma or quality (as of an artistic performance)
bou·quet gar·ni [-gär-'nē] -n
- an herb mixture that is either tied together or enclosed in a porous container and is cooked with a dish but removed before serving
bour·bon ['bu̇r-bən, 'bȯr-; usu 'bər- in sense 3] -n
- a member of a French family founded in 1272 to which belong the rulers of France from 1589 to 1793 and from 1814 to 1830, of Spain from 1700 to 1808, from 1814 to 1868, from 1875 to 1931, and from 1975, of Naples from 1735 to 1805, and of the Two Sicilies from 1815 to 1860
- a rose ( Rosa borboniana) of upright growth with shining leaves, prickly branches, and clustered large flowers
- a whiskey distilled from a mash made up of not less than 51 percent corn plus malt and rye
- a person who clings obstinately to old social and political ideas
- an extremely conservative member of the U.S. Democratic party usu. from the South
bourg ['bu̇r(g)] -n
- : town, village: as
- one neighboring a castle
- a market town
bour·geois ['bu̇rzh-,wä also 'bu̇zh- or 'büzh- or bu̇rzh-'] -adj, n, vb
- of, relating to, or characteristic of the townsman or of the social middle class
- marked by a concern for material interests and respectability and a tendency toward mediocrity
- dominated by commercial and industrial interests : capitalistic
bourgeois [-,wä(z), -'wä(z)] -n
- burgher
- a middle-class person
- a person with social behavior and political views held to be influenced by private-property interest : capitalist
- bourgeoisie
bour·geoise ['bu̇rzh-,wäz also 'bu̇zh- or 'büzh- or bu̇rzh-'] -n
- a woman of the middle class
bour·geoi·sie [,bu̇(r)zh-,wä-'zē] -n
- middle class
- members of the middle class
- a social order dominated by bourgeois
bourgeon ['bər-jən] -vi
(variant of burgeon)
- to send forth new growth (as buds or branches) : sprout
- bloom
- to grow and expand rapidly : flourish
bour·gui·gnonne [,bu̇r-gēn-'yȯn] -adj
- prepared or served in the manner of Burgundy (as with a sauce made with red wine)
bourn ['bȯrn, 'bu̇rn] -n
- stream, brook
bourne -n
- boundary, limit
- goal, destination
bour·ree [bu̇-'rā, 'bü-,] -n
- a 17th century French dance usu. in quick duple time
- a musical composition with the rhythm of this dance
- pas de bourree
bour·ride [bu̇-'rēd, bə-] -n
- a fish stew similar to bouillabaisse that is usu. thickened with egg yolks and strongly flavored with garlic
bourse ['bu̇rs] -n
- exchange
- a European stock exchange
- a sale of numismatic or philatelic items on tables (as at a convention)
bou·stro·phe·don [,bü-strə-'fē-,dän, -dᵊn] -n, adj or adv, adj
- the writing of alternate lines in opposite directions (as from left to right and from right to left)
bout ['bau̇t] -n
- : a spell of activity: as
- an athletic match (as of boxing)
- outbreak, attack
- session
bou·tique [bü-'tēk] -n, adj
- a small fashionable shop
- a small shop within a large department store
- a small company that offers highly specialized services or products
- an independent investment boutique
bou·ton·niere [,bü-tᵊn-'ir, ,bü-tən-'yer] -n
- a flower or bouquet worn in a buttonhole
Bou·vi·er des Flan·dres [,bü-vē-,ā-də-'flan-dərz, -'fläⁿdrᵊ] -n
- any of a breed of large powerfully built rough-coated dogs of Belgian origin used esp. for herding and in guard work called also Bouvier
bou·zou·ki [bü-'zü-kē] -n
- a long-necked stringed instrument of Greek origin that resembles a mandolin
bo·vid ['bō-vəd] -n
- any of a family (Bovidae) of ruminants that have hollow unbranched permanently attached horns present in usu. both sexes and that include antelopes, oxen, sheep, and goats
bo·vine ['bō-,vīn, -,vēn] -adj, adv, n
- of, relating to, or resembling bovines and esp. the ox or cow
- having qualities (as placidity or dullness) characteristic of oxen or cows
bovine -n
- any of a subfamily (Bovinae) of bovids including oxen, bison, buffalo, and their close relatives
bovine spongiform encephalopathy -n
- a fatal prion disease of cattle that affects the nervous system, resembles or is identical to scrapie of sheep and goats, and is prob. transmitted by infected tissue in food abbr. BSE called also mad cow disease
bow ['bau̇] -vb
- to cease from competition or resistance : submit, yield
- refusing to bow to the inevitable -- John O'Hara
- to suffer defeat
- to bend the head, body, or knee in reverence, submission, or shame
- to incline the head or body in salutation or assent or to acknowledge applause
- debut
- the play will bow next month
- to cause to incline
- to incline (as the head) esp. in respect or submission
- to crush with a heavy burden
- to express by bowing
- to usher in or out with a bow
- a bending of the head or body in respect, submission, assent, or salutation
- a show of respect or submission
- something bent into a simple curve
- rainbow
- a weapon that is made of a strip of flexible material (as wood) with a cord connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent and that is used to propel an arrow
- archer
- a metal ring or loop forming a handle (as of a key)
- a knot formed by doubling a ribbon or string into two or more loops
- bow tie
- a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses
- the sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
- a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used in playing an instrument of the viol or violin family
- a stroke of such a bow
- to bend into a curve
- to play a stringed musical instrument with a bow
- to cause to bend into a curve
- to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow
- the forward part of a ship often used in pl.
- bowman
Bow bells ['bō-] -n pl
- the bells of the Church of St. Mary-le-Bow in London
bowd·ler·ise ['bōd-lə-,rīz, 'bau̇d-] -vt, n
(variant of bowdlerize)
- to expurgate (as a book) by omitting or modifying parts considered vulgar
- to modify by abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content
bowd·ler·ize ['bōd-lə-,rīz, 'bau̇d-] -vt, n
- to expurgate (as a book) by omitting or modifying parts considered vulgar
- to modify by abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content
bowed ['bau̇d] -adj
- bent downward and forward
- listened with bowed heads
- having the back and head inclined
- furnished with or shaped like a bow
bow·el ['bau̇(-ə)l] -n, adj
- intestine, gut
- one of the divisions of the intestines usu. used in pl. except in medical use
- the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage usu. used in pl.
- the interior parts
- the deep or remote parts
bow·er ['bau̇(-ə)r] -n, adj
- an attractive dwelling or retreat
- a lady's private apartment in a medieval hall or castle
- a shelter (as in a garden) made with tree boughs or vines twined together : arbor
bower -vt
- embower, enclose
- an anchor carried at the bow of a ship
bow·er·bird ['bau̇(-ə)r-,bərd] -n
- any of a family (Ptilonorhynchidae) of passerine birds of Australia and New Guinea in which the male builds a chamber or passage arched over with twigs and grasses, often adorned with bright-colored objects, and used esp. to attract the female
bow·ery ['bau̇(-ə)r-ē] -n
- a colonial Dutch plantation or farm
- a city district known for cheap bars and derelicts
bow·fin ['bō-,fin] -n
- a predaceous dull-green iridescent No. American freshwater fish ( Amia calva) that is the only surviving member of an order (Amiiformes) dating back to the Jurassic
bow·front [-,frənt] -adj
- having an outward curving front
- having a bow window in front
bow·head whale [-,hed-] -n
- a baleen whale ( Balaena mysticetus) of arctic and subarctic seas called also bowhead
bow·ie knife ['bü-ē-, 'bō-] -n
- a stout single-edged hunting knife with part of the back edge curved concavely to a point and sharpened
bow·ing ['bō-iŋ] -n
- the technique or manner of managing the bow in playing a stringed musical instrument
bow·knot ['bō-,nät] -n
- a knot with decorative loops
bowl ['bōl] -n, adj
- a concave usu. nearly hemispherical vessel
- a drinking vessel (as for wine)
- the contents of a bowl
- : a bowl-shaped or concave part: as
- the hollow of a spoon or tobacco pipe
- the receptacle of a toilet
- a natural formation or geographical region shaped like a bowl
- a bowl-shaped structure
- an athletic stadium
- a postseason football game between specially invited teams
- a ball (as of lignum vitae) weighted or shaped to give it a bias when rolled in lawn bowling
- lawn bowling
- a delivery of the ball in bowling
- a cylindrical roller or drum (as for a machine)
- to participate in a game of bowling
- to roll a ball in bowling
- to travel smoothly and rapidly (as in a wheeled vehicle)
- to roll (a ball) in bowling
- to complete by bowling
- to score by bowling
- to strike with a swiftly moving object
bowlder ['bōl-dər] -n, adj
(variant of boulder)
- a detached and rounded or much-worn mass of rock
bow·leg ['bō-,leg, -,lāg, 'bō-'] -n, adj
- a leg bowed outward at or below the knee
bowl·er ['bō-lər] -n
- a person who bowls
- the player who delivers the ball to the batsman in cricket
bow·ler ['bō-lər] -n
- derby
bow·line ['bō-lən, -,līn] -n
- a rope used to keep the weather edge of a square sail taut forward
- a knot used to form a loop that neither slips nor jams
bowl·ing ['bō-liŋ] -n
- any of several games in which balls are rolled on a green or down an alley at an object or group of objects
bowl over -vt
- to take unawares
- impress
bow·man ['bō-mən] -n
- archer
- a boatman, oarsman, or paddler stationed in the front of a boat
Bow·man's capsule ['bō-mənz-] -n
- a thin membranous double-walled capsule surrounding the glomerulus of a vertebrate nephron
bow out -vi
- retire, withdraw
- lose
- bowed out in the first round of the tournament
bow saw ['bō-] -n
- a saw having a narrow blade held under tension by a light bow-shaped frame
bowse ['bau̇z] -vb
- to haul by means of a tackle
- to bowse something
bow shock ['bau̇-] -n
- the shock wave formed by the collision of a stellar wind with another medium (as the magnetosphere of a planet)
bow·sprit ['bau̇-,sprit, Brit usu 'bō-] -n
- a large spar projecting forward from the stem of a ship
bow·string ['bō-,striŋ] -n
- a waxed or sized cord joining the ends of a shooting bow
bowstring hemp -n
- any of various Asian and African sansevierias
- its soft tough leaf fiber used esp. in cordage
bow tie ['bō-] -n
- a short necktie tied in a bowknot
- something (as pasta) resembling a bow tie in shape
bow window ['bō-] -n
- a usu. curved bay window
bow·wow ['bau̇-,wau̇, bau̇-'] -n
- the bark of a dog
- dog
- noisy clamor
- arrogant dogmatic manner
bow·yer ['bō-yər] -n
- a maker of shooting bows
box ['bäks] -n
- an evergreen shrub or small tree (genus Buxusof the family Buxaceae, the box family) with opposite entire leaves and capsular fruits
- a widely cultivated shrub ( B. sempervirens) used for hedges, borders, and topiary figures
- : a rigid typically rectangular container with or without a cover: as
- an open cargo container of a vehicle
- coffin
- the contents of a box esp. as a measure of quantity
- : a box or boxlike container and its contents: as
- a gift in a box
- an automobile transmission
- television
- a signaling apparatus
- a usu. self-contained piece of electronic equipment
- boom box
- : an often small space, compartment, or enclosure: as
- an enclosed group of seats for spectators (as in a theater or stadium)
- a driver's seat on a carriage or coach
- a cell for holding mail
- box stall
- penalty box
- : a usu. rectangular space that is frequently outlined or demarcated on a surface: as
- any of six spaces on a baseball diamond where the batter, coaches, pitcher, and catcher stand
- a space on a page for printed matter or in which to make a mark
- predicament, fix
- a cubical building
- the limitations of conventionality
- trying to think outside the box
- to enclose in or as if in a box
- to hem in (as an opponent) usu. used with in, out, or up
- a punch or slap esp. on the ear
- to hit (as the ears) with the hand
- to engage in boxing with
- to fight with the fists : engage in boxing
- to name the 32 points of (the compass) in their order used figuratively in the phrase box the compass to describe making a complete reversal
box·board ['bäks-,bȯrd] -n
- cardboard used for making boxes and cartons
box camera -n
- a box-shaped camera with a simple lens and rotary shutter
box·car ['bäks-,kär] -n
- a roofed freight car usu. with sliding doors in the sides
boxcar -adj
- very large
- the judge awarded her a boxcar figure
box coat -n
- a heavy overcoat formerly worn for driving
- a loose coat usu. fitted at the shoulders
box cutter -n
- a small cutting tool that is designed for opening cardboard boxes and typically consists of a retractable razor blade in a thin metal sheath
box elder -n
- a rapidly growing No. American maple ( Acer negundo) with compound leaves
box·er ['bäk-sər] -n
- a person who engages in the sport of boxing
- boxer shorts
boxer -n
- one that makes boxes or packs things in boxes
- any of a German breed of compact medium-sized dogs with a short usu. fawn or brindled coat
Box·er ['bäk-sər] -n
- a member of a Chinese secret society that in 1900 attempted by violence to drive foreigners out of China and to force Chinese converts to renounce Christianity
boxer shorts -n pl
- men's underwear shorts characterized by loose fit
box·ing ['bäk-siŋ] -n
- the art of attack and defense with the fists practiced as a sport
boxing -n
- an act of enclosing in a box
- a boxlike enclosure : casing
- material used for boxes and casings
Boxing Day -n
- the first weekday after Christmas observed as a legal holiday in parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and marked by the giving of Christmas boxes to service workers (as postal workers)
boxing glove -n
- one of a pair of leather mittens heavily padded on the back and worn in boxing
box jellyfish -n
- sea wasp
box kite -n
- a tailless kite consisting of two or more open-ended connected boxes
box lunch -n
- a lunch packed in a container (as a box)
box office -n
- an office (as in a theater) where tickets of admission are sold
- income from ticket sales (as for a film)
- the ability (as of a show) to attract ticket buyers
- something that enhances that ability
- any publicity is good box office
box pleat -n
- a pleat made by forming two folded edges one facing right and the other left
box score -n
- a printed score of a game (as baseball) giving the names and positions of the players and a record of the play arranged in tabular form
- total count : summary
box seat -n
- box
- a seat in a box (as in a theater or grandstand)
- a position favorable for viewing something
box social -n
- a fund-raising affair at which box lunches are auctioned to the highest bidder
box spring -n
- a bedspring that consists of spiral springs attached to a foundation and enclosed in a cloth-covered frame
box stall -n
- an individual enclosure within a barn or stable in which an animal may move about freely without a restraining device
box·thorn ['bäks-,thȯrn] -n
- matrimony vine
box turtle -n
- any of several No. American land turtles (genus Terrapene) capable of withdrawing into their shell and closing it by hinged joints in the lower half called also box tortoise
box·wood ['bäks-,wu̇d] -n
- the close-grained heavy hard tough wood of the box (genus Buxus)
- a wood of similar properties
- a tree producing boxwood
boxy ['bäk-sē] -adj, n
- resembling a box
boy ['bȯi] -n, adj, adv
- a male servant
- a male child from birth to adulthood
- son
- an immature male
- separate the men from the boy s
- sweetheart, beau
- one native to a given place
- fellow, person
- used interjectionally to express intensity of feeling
bo·yar [bō-'yär] -n
- a member of a Russian aristocratic order next in rank below the ruling princes until its abolition by Peter the Great
boy·chick ['bȯi-,chik] -n
- a young man : boy
boy·cott ['bȯi-,kät] -vt, n
- to engage in a concerted refusal to have dealings with (as a person, store, or organization) usu. to express disapproval or to force acceptance of certain conditions
boy·friend ['bȯi-,frend] -n
- a male friend
- a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic or sexual relationship
Boyle's law ['bȯi(-ə)lz-] -n
- a statement in physics: the volume of a gas at constant temperature varies inversely with the pressure exerted on it
boyo ['bȯi-(,)ō] -n
- boy, lad
Boy Scout -n
- a member of any of various national scouting programs (as the Boy Scouts of America) for boys usu. 11 to 17 years of age
- a person whose values or actions are characteristic of a Boy Scout
boy·sen·ber·ry ['bȯi-zᵊn-,ber-ē, -be-rē, -sᵊn-, -zᵊm-] -n
- a large reddish black fruit with a raspberry flavor
- the trailing hybrid bramble yielding this fruit and developed by crossing several blackberries and raspberries
boy toy -n
- a usu. young man considered as an object of sexual desire
boy wonder -n
- a young man of noteworthy achievements
bo·zo ['bō-(,)zō] -n
- a foolish or incompetent person