bi ['bī] -n or adj
- bisexual
bi- -prefix
- two
- coming or occurring every two
- into two parts
- twice : doubly : on both sides
- coming or occurring two times
- between, involving, or affecting two (specified) symmetrical parts
- containing one (specified) constituent in double the proportion of the other constituent or in double the ordinary proportion
- di-
- life : living organisms or tissue
- biographical
Bi -symbol
- bismuth
BIA -abbr
- bachelor of industrial administration
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
bi·aly [bē-'a-lē] -n
- a flat breakfast roll that has a depressed center and is usu. covered with onion flakes
bi·an·nu·al [(,)bī-'an-yə(-wə)l] -adj, adv
- occurring twice a year
- biennial
bi·as ['bī-əs] -n
- a line diagonal to the grain of a fabric
- a line at a 45 degree angle to the selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for smoother fit
- a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green in lawn bowling
- the tendency of a bowl to swerve
- the impulse causing this tendency
- the swerve of the bowl
- bent, tendency
- an inclination of temperament or outlook
- a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice
- an instance of such prejudice
- deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates
- systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others
- a voltage applied to a device (as a transistor control electrode) to establish a reference level for operation
- a high-frequency voltage combined with an audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording
bias -adj, n
- diagonal, slanting used chiefly of fabrics and their cut
- diagonally
- awry
- to give a settled and often prejudiced outlook to
- his background bias es him against foreigners
- to apply a slight negative or positive voltage to (as a transistor)
bi·asbelt·ed tire ['bī-əs-,bel-təd-] -n
- a pneumatic tire with a belt (as of steel or fiberglass) to help prevent punctures that is under the tread and on top of the plies of cords which form the tire's carcass and which are set diagonally to the center line of the tread
bias crime -n
- hate crime
bi·ased -adj
- exhibiting or characterized by bias
- prejudiced
- tending to yield one outcome more frequently than others in a statistical experiment
- having an expected value different from the quantity or parameter estimated
bi·asply tire ['bī-əs-,plī-] -n
- a pneumatic tire having crossed plies of cords set diagonally to the center line of the tread
bias tape -n
- a narrow strip of cloth cut on the bias, folded, and used for finishing or decorating clothing
bi·ath·lete [bī-'ath-,lēt] -n
- an athlete who competes in a biathlon
bi·ath·lon [bī-'ath-lən, -,län] -n
- a composite athletic contest consisting of cross-country skiing and rifle sharpshooting
bi·ax·i·al [(,)bī-'ak-sē-əl] -adj, adv
- having or relating to two axes or optic axes
bib ['bib] -vb
- drink
- a cloth or plastic shield tied under the chin to protect the clothes
- the part of an apron or of overalls extending above the waist
- a patch of differently colored feathers or fur immediately below the bill or chin of a bird or mammal
- Bible
- biblical
bib and tucker -n
- an outfit of clothing usu. used in the phrase best bib and tucker
bib·ber ['bi-bər] -n
- a person who regularly drinks alcoholic beverages
Bibb lettuce ['bib-] -n
- a butter lettuce of a variety that has a small head and dark green color called also Bibb
bi·be·lot ['bē-bə-,lō] -n
- a small household ornament or decorative object : trinket
bi·ble ['bī-bəl] -n
- the sacred scriptures of Christians comprising the Old Testament and the New Testament
- the sacred scriptures of some other religion (as Judaism)
- book
- a copy or an edition of the Bible
- a publication that is preeminent esp. in authoritativeness or wide readership
- the bible of the entertainment industry
Bible Belt -n
- an area chiefly in the southern U.S. whose inhabitants are believed to hold uncritical allegiance to the literal accuracy of the Bible
- an area characterized by ardent religious fundamentalism
Bible paper -n
- india paper
Bi·blethump·er ['bī-bəl-,thəm-pər] -n, adj
- an overzealous advocate of Christian fundamentalism
bibli- -comb form
- book
bib·li·cal ['bi-bli-kəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible
- suggestive of the Bible or Bible times
bib·li·cism ['bi-blə-,si-zəm] -n
- adherence to the letter of the Bible
bib·li·og·ra·pher [,bi-blē-'ä-grə-fər] -n
- an expert in bibliography
- a compiler of bibliographies
bib·li·og·ra·phy [,bi-blē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv
- the history, identification, or description of writings or publications
- a list often with descriptive or critical notes of writings relating to a particular subject, period, or author
- a list of works written by an author or printed by a publishing house
- the works or a list of the works referred to in a text or consulted by the author in its production
bib·li·ol·a·ter [,bi-blē-'ä-lə-tər] -n, adj
- one having excessive reverence for the letter of the Bible
- one overly devoted to books
bib·li·ol·o·gy [,bi-blē-'ä-lə-jē] -n
- the history and science of books as physical objects : bibliography
- the study of the theological doctrine of the Bible
bib·lio·ma·nia [,bi-blē-ə-'mā-nē-ə, -nyə] -n, n or adj, adj
- extreme preoccupation with collecting books
bib·li·op·e·gy [,bi-blē-'ä-pə-jē] -n, adj
- the art of binding books
bib·lio·phile ['bi-blē-ə-,fī(-ə)l] -n, adj
- a lover of books esp. for qualities of format
- a book collector
bib·li·o·pole ['bi-blē-ə-,pōl] -n
- a dealer esp. in rare or curious books
bib·lio·the·ca [,bi-blē-ə-'thē-kə] -n, adj
- a collection of books
- a list of books
bib·lio·ther·a·py [,bi-blē-ə-'ther-ə-pē, -'the-rə-] -n
- the use of reading materials for help in solving personal problems or for psychiatric therapy
- the reading materials so used
bib·u·lous ['bi-byə-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- highly absorbent
- fond of alcoholic beverages
- of, relating to, or marked by the consumption of alcoholic beverages
bi·cam·er·al [(,)bī-'kam-rəl, -'ka-mə-] -adj, n
- having, consisting of, or based on two legislative chambers
bi·carb [(,)bī-'kärb, 'bī-,] -n
- sodium bicarbonate
bi·car·bon·ate [(,)bī-'kär-bə-,nāt, -nət] -n
- an acid carbonate
bicarbonate of soda
- sodium bicarbonate
bi·cen·te·na·ry [,bī-(,)sen-'te-nə-rē, (,)bī-'sen-tᵊn-,er-ē, ,bī-(,)sen-'tē-nə-rē] -n, adj
- bicentennial
bi·cen·ten·ni·al [,bī-(,)sen-'te-nē-əl] -n, adj
- a 200th anniversary or its celebration
bi·cep ['bī-,sep] -n
- biceps
bi·ceps ['bī-,seps] -n
- : a muscle having two heads: as
- the large flexor muscle of the front of the upper arm
- the large flexor muscle of the back of the upper leg
biceps bra·chii [-'brā-kē-,ī, -kē-,ē] -n
- biceps
biceps fe·mo·ris [-'fe-mə-rəs] -n
- biceps
bi·chlo·ride of mercury [(,)bī-'klȯr-,īd-]
- mercuric chloride
bi·chon fri·se [bē-,shōⁿ-frē-'zā] -n
- any of a breed of small sturdy dogs of Mediterranean origin having a thick wavy white coat
bi·chro·mate [(,)bī-'krō-,māt, 'bī-krō-] -n, adj
- a dichromate esp. of sodium or potassium
bi·chrome ['bī-,krōm] -adj
- two-colored
bi·cip·i·tal [bī-'si-pə-tᵊl] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a biceps
bick·er ['bi-kər] -n
- petulant quarreling : altercation
- a sound of or as if of bickering
bicker ['bi-k(ə-)riŋ] -vi, n
- to engage in a petulant or petty quarrel
- to move with a rapidly repeated noise
- quiver, flicker
bi·coast·al [(,)bī-'kōs-təl] -adj
- of or relating to or living or working on both the east and west coasts of the U.S.
bi·col·ored ['bī-,kə-lərd] -adj, n
- two-colored
bi·com·po·nent [(,)bī-kəm-'pō-nənt, -käm-, -'käm-,] -adj
- being a fiber made of two polymers having slightly different physical properties so that the fiber has a permanent crimp and fabrics made from it have inherent bulk and stretchability
bi·con·cave [(,)bī-(,)kän-'kāv, -'kän-,] -adj, n
- concave on both sides
bi·con·di·tion·al [,bī-kən-'dish-nəl, -'di-shə-] -n
- a relation between two propositions that is true only when both propositions are simultaneously true or false
bi·con·vex [,bī-(,)kän-'veks, (,)bī-'kän-,] -adj, n
- convex on both sides
bi·corne ['bī-,kȯrn] -n
- cocked hat
bi·cul·tur·al [(,)bī-'kəl-chər-əl] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or including two distinct cultures
bi·cus·pid [(,)bī-'kəs-pəd] -adj
- having or ending in two points
bicuspid -n
- a human premolar tooth
bicuspid valve -n
- mitral valve
bi·cy·cle ['bī-si-kəl, -,si- also -,sī-] -n
- a vehicle with two wheels tandem, handlebars for steering, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled
- a stationary exercise machine that resembles such a vehicle
bicycle [-k(ə-)liŋ] -vi, n
- to ride a bicycle
bicycle shorts -n pl
- tight-fitting shorts made usu. of spandex with inner lining or padding and worn chiefly by bicyclists
bi·cy·clic [(,)bī-'sī-klik, -'si-] -adj
- consisting of or arranged in two cycles
- containing two usu. fused rings in the structure of the molecule
bid ['bid] -vb, n
- beseech, entreat
- to issue an order to : tell
- to request to come : invite
- to give expression to
- offer usu. used in the phrase to bid defiance
- to offer (a price) whether for payment or acceptance
- to make a bid of or in (a suit at cards)
- to make a bid
- the act of one who bids
- a statement of what one will give or take for something
- an offer of a price
- something offered as a bid
- an opportunity to bid
- invitation
- an announcement of what a cardplayer proposes to undertake
- the amount of such a bid
- a biddable bridge hand
- an attempt or effort to win, achieve, or attract
- twice a day
BID -abbr
- bachelor of industrial design
bid·da·ble ['bi-də-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- easily led, taught, or controlled : docile
- capable of being bid
bid·dy ['bi-dē] -n
- hen
- a young chicken
biddy -n
- a hired girl or cleaning woman
- woman
- an elderly woman
bide ['bīd] -vb, n
- 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
bi·det [bi-'dā] -n
- a bathroom fixture used esp. for bathing the external genitals and the anal region
bi·di ['bē-dē] -n
- a small hand-rolled often flavored cigarette made chiefly in India
bi·di·a·lec·tal·ism [,bī-,dī-ə-'lek-tᵊl-,i-zəm] -n, adj
- facility in using two dialects of the same language
- the teaching of Standard English to pupils who normally use a nonstandard dialect
bi·di·rec·tion·al [,bī-də-'rek-shnəl, -dī-, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- involving, moving, or taking place in two usu. opposite directions
- bidirectional replication of DNA
bi·don·ville [,bē-,dōⁿ-'vēl] -n
- a settlement of jerry-built dwellings on the outskirts of a city (as in France or No. Africa)
bid up -vt
- to raise the price of (as property at auction) by a succession of offers
BIE -abbr
- bachelor of industrial engineering
Bie·der·mei·er ['bē-dər-,mī(-ə)r] -adj
- of a style of unostentatious furniture and interior decoration popular esp. with the middle class in early 19th century Germany
bi·en·ni·al [(,)bī-'e-nē-əl] -adj, n, adv
- occurring every two years
- continuing or lasting for two years
- growing vegetatively during the first year and fruiting and dying during the second
bi·en·ni·um [bī-'e-nē-əm] -n
- a period of two years
bier ['bir] -n
- a framework for carrying
- a stand on which a corpse or coffin is placed
- a coffin together with its stand
bi·face ['bī-,fās] -n
- a bifacial stone tool
bi·fa·cial [(,)bī-'fā-shəl] -adj, adv
- having opposite sides or faces worked on to form an edge for cutting or scraping
biff ['bif] -n, vt
- whack, blow
bi·fid ['bī-,fid, -fəd] -adj
- divided into two equal lobes or parts by a median cleft
bi·fi·lar [(,)bī-'fī-lər] -adj, adv
- involving two threads or wires
- bifilar suspension of a pendulum
- involving a single thread or wire doubled back upon itself
bi·fla·gel·late [(,)bī-'fla-jə-lət, -,lāt; -flə-'je-lət] -adj
- having two flagella
bi·fo·cal ['bī-,fō-kəl] -adj
- having two focal lengths
- having one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision
bifocal -n
- eyeglasses with bifocal lenses
- a bifocal glass or lens
bi·fold ['bī-,fōld] -adj
- designed to fold twice
bi·func·tion·al [(,)bī-'fəŋ(k)-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj
- having two functions
- difunctional
bi·fur·cate ['bī-(,)fər-,kāt, bī-'fər-] -vb, adj
- to cause to divide into two branches or parts
- to divide into two branches or parts
bi·fur·ca·tion [,bī-(,)fər-'kā-shən] -n
- the point at which bifurcating occurs
- branch
- the act of bifurcating : the state of being bifurcated
big ['big] -adj, adv, n
- of great strength
- of great force
- large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent
- large or great in quantity, number, or amount
- operating on a large scale
- capital
- pregnant
- nearly ready to give birth
- full to bursting : swelling
- full and resonant
- chief, preeminent
- the big issue of the campaign
- outstandingly worthy or able
- of great importance or significance
- imposing, pretentious
- marked by or given to boasting
- magnanimous, generous
- popular
- soft drinks are very big in Mexico -- Russ Leadabrand
- full-bodied and flavorful used of wine
- in a loud or declamatory manner
- in a boasting manner
- to a large amount or extent
- on a large scale
- hard
- an individual or organization of outstanding importance or power
- major league usu. used in pl.
big·a·mous ['bi-gə-məs] -adj, adv
- guilty of bigamy
- involving bigamy
big·a·my ['bi-gə-mē] -n
- the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another
bi·ga·rade [,bē-gä-'räd] -n
- sour orange
- a brown sauce flavored with the juice and grated rind of oranges
big band -n
- a band that is larger than a combo and that usu. features a mixture of ensemble playing and solo improvisation typical of jazz or swing
big bang -n
- the cosmic explosion that marked the beginning of the universe according to the big bang theory
big bang theory -n
- a theory in astronomy: the universe originated billions of years ago in an explosion from a single point of nearly infinite energy density
big beat -n
- music (as rock) characterized by a heavy persistent beat
Big Ben [-'ben] -n
- a large bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London
- the tower that houses Big Ben
- the clock in the tower
big bluestem -n
- bluestem
bigbox ['big-,bäks] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or being a large chain store having a boxlike structure
big boy -n
- big gun usu. used in pl.
big brother -n
- an older brother
- a man who serves as a companion, father figure, and role model for a boy
- the leader of an authoritarian state or movement
- an all-powerful government or organization monitoring and directing people's actions
Big Broth·er·ism [-'brə-thər-,i-zəm] -n
- authoritarian attempts at complete control (as of a person or a nation)
big brown bat -n
- an insectivorous medium-sized bat ( Eptesicus fuscus) having brownish fur that is found from southern Canada to northern South America and that often roosts in buildings
big buck -n
- a large sum of money usu. used in pl.
- signed a contract for big bucks
big business -n
- an economic group consisting of large profit-making corporations esp. with regard to their influence on social or political policy
- a very profitable enterprise
big C -n
- cancer
big cheese -n
- boss, big gun
big crunch -n
- a hypothetical cosmological event in which all matter in the universe collapses to a singularity and which is posited to be a possible fate of the universe if the density of matter in it is sufficiently high
big daddy -n
- one preeminent esp. by reason of power, size, or seniority : one representing paternalistic authority
big deal -n
- something of special importance sometimes used ironically as an interjection
Big Dipper -n
- the seven principal stars in the constellation of Ursa Major
bi·gem·i·ny [bī-'je-mə-nē] -n, adj
- the state of having a pulse characterized by two beats close together with a pause following each pair of beats
bi·ge·ner·ic [,bī-jə-'ner-ik, -ne-rik] -adj
- of, relating to, or involving two genera
big·eye ['big-,ī] -n
- any of several small widely distributed reddish to silvery bony fishes (genus Priacanthusof the family Priacanthidae) of tropical seas
bigeye tuna -n
- a large-eyed tuna ( Thunnus obesus) that has long pectoral fins and often a bluish stripe on the side and is found in warm ocean waters worldwide
big·foot ['big-,fu̇t] -n
- sasquatch
- big shot
big game -n
- relatively large animals sought or taken by hunting or fishing esp. for sport
- an important objective esp. when involving risk
big·ge·ty ['bi-gə-tē] -adj
- conceited, vain
- rudely self-important : impudent
- never acted biggety in court, but she would bow her head only so low -- Claude Brown
big·gie ['bi-gē] -n
- one that is big and often important
big·gin ['bi-gən] -n
- building
biggin -n
- : cap:
- a child's cap
- nightcap
big·gish ['bi-gish] -adj
- somewhat big
big gun -n
- one having preeminent status or power in a field
big hair -n
- hair that is styled and teased to occupy an unusually large amount of space above and around the head
big·head ['big-,hed] -n, adj
- any of several diseases of animals marked by swelling about the head
- an exaggerated opinion of one's importance usu. used with the
big·heart·ed [-'här-təd] -adj, adv, n
- generous, charitable
big·horn sheep ['big-,hȯrn-] -n
- a usu. grayish-brown wild sheep ( Ovis canadensis) of mountainous and desert regions of western No. America called also bighorn
big house -n
- penitentiary
bight ['bīt] -n
- a bend in a coast forming an open bay
- a bay formed by such a bend
- a slack part or loop in a rope
big league -n, adj
- major league
- big time often used in pl.
big lie -n
- a deliberate gross distortion of the truth used esp. as a propaganda tactic
big·mouthed ['big-,mau̇thd, 'big-,mau̇tht, 'big-'] -adj
- having a large mouth
- loudmouthed
big name -n, adj
- a performer or personage of top rank in popular recognition
- a big name in the business world
big·no·nia [big-'nō-nē-ə] -n
- a woody evergreen vine ( Bignonia capreolataof the family Bignoniaceae, the bignonia family) of American and Japanese woody vines with compound leaves and tubular flowers
big·ot ['bi-gət] -n, adj, adv
- a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices
- one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance
big·ot·ry ['bi-gə-trē] -n
- the state of mind of a bigot
- acts or beliefs characteristic of a bigot
big picture -n
- the entire perspective on a situation or issue used with the
big science -n
- large-scale scientific research consisting of projects funded usu. by a national government or group of governments
big screen -n, adj
- the motion picture medium often as contrasted to television
- a story adapted for the big screen
big shot ['big-,shät] -n
- a person of consequence or prominence
big stick -n
- threat esp. of military or political intervention
bigtick·et ['big-'ti-kət] -adj
- having a high price
- the car was a bigticket item
bigtime ['big-,tīm] -adj
- relating to or involved in the big time
- major
- in a major or large-scale way
- the new show bombed bigtime
- to a great extent or degree
big time [-,tīm] -n
- a high-paying vaudeville circuit requiring only two performances a day
- the top rank of an activity or enterprise
big toe -n
- the innermost and largest toe of the foot
big top -n
- the main tent of a circus
- circus
big tree -n
- giant sequoia
big wheel -n
- bigwig, big shot
big·wig ['big-,wig] -n
- an important person
Bi·ha·ri [bi-'här-ē] -n
- a group of Indo-Aryan languages (as Bhojpuri) spoken in Bihar, India, and adjacent areas
- a native or inhabitant of Bihar
- a Muslim born in Bihar who emigrated after the partition of India in 1947
- a descendant of such a person
bi·jec·tion [(,)bī-'jek-shən] -n, adj
- a mathematical function that is a one-to-one and onto mapping
bi·jou ['bē-,zhü] -n, adj
- a small dainty usu. ornamental piece of delicate workmanship : jewel
- something delicate, elegant, or highly prized
bi·jou·te·rie [bi-'zhü-tə-(,)rē] -n
- a collection of trinkets or ornaments : jewels
- decoration
bike ['bīk] -n
- a nest of wild bees, wasps, or hornets
- a crowd or swarm of people
- bicycle
- motorcycle
- motorbike
- stationary bicycle
- to ride a bike
bik·er ['bī-kər] -n
- bicyclist
- motorcyclist
- one who is a member of an organized club or gang
bike·way ['bīk-,wā] -n
- a thoroughfare for bicycles
bik·ie ['bī-kē] -n
- biker
bi·ki·ni [bə-'kē-nē] -n, adj
- a woman's scanty two-piece bathing suit
- a man's brief swimsuit
- a man's or woman's low-cut briefs
bikini wax -n
- a procedure for removing pubic hair from the skin near the edge of the bottom half of a bikini by applying hot wax, covering the wax with a cloth to which the wax and hair adhere, and then peeling it off quickly
bil -abbr
- billion
bi·la·bi·al [(,)bī-'lā-bē-əl] -adj
- produced with both lips
bilabial -n
- a bilabial consonant
bi·la·bi·ate [-bē-ət] -adj
- having two lips
bi·lat·er·al [(,)bī-'la-t(ə-)rəl] -adj, n, adv
- having two sides
- affecting reciprocally two nations or parties
- a bilateral trade agreement
- of, relating to, or affecting the right and left sides of the body or the right and left members of paired organs
- having bilateral symmetry
bilateral symmetry -n
- symmetry in which similar anatomical parts are arranged on opposite sides of a median axis so that only one plane can divide the individual into essentially identical halves
bi·lay·er ['bī-,lā-ər, -,ler] -n, adj
- a film or membrane with two molecular layers
- a bilayer of phospholipid molecules
bil·ber·ry ['bil-,ber-ē, -,be-rē] -n
- any of several ericaceous shrubs (genus Vaccinium) that resemble blueberries but have flowers which arise solitary or in very small clusters from axillary buds
- a Eurasian shrub ( Vaccinium myrtillus)
- the sweet edible fruit of the bilberry
- an extract of this fruit used in medicine
bil·bo ['bil-(,)bō] -n
- a long bar of iron with sliding shackles used to confine the feet of prisoners esp. on shipboard
bilbo ['bil-(,)bō] -n
- sword
bil·by ['bil-bē] -n
- either of two burrowing nocturnal bandicoots ( Macrotis lagotisand M. leucura) having a long tapered muzzle and large pointed ears called also rabbit-eared bandicoot
bil·dungs·ro·man ['bil-du̇ŋ(k)s-rō-,män, -du̇ŋz-] -n
- a novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character
bile ['bī(-ə)l] -n
- either of two humors associated in old physiology with irascibility and melancholy
- a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and passed into the duodenum where it aids esp. in the emulsification and absorption of fats
- inclination to anger
- acrimony, vitriol
bile acid -n
- any of several steroid acids (as cholic acid) of or derived from bile
bile duct -n
- a duct by which bile passes from the liver or gallbladder to the duodenum
bile salt -n
- a salt of bile acid
- a dry mixture of the principal salts of the gall of the ox used as a liver stimulant and as a laxative
bilev·el ['bī-'le-vəl] -adj
- having two levels of freight or passenger space
- having two floors with a ground-level entry situated between the floors
bilevel ['bī-,] -n
- a bi-level house
bilge ['bilj] -n
- the bulging part of a cask or barrel
- the part of the underwater body of a ship between the flat of the bottom and the vertical topsides
- the lowest point of a ship's inner hull
- stale or worthless remarks or ideas
- to become damaged in the bilge
bilge keel -n
- a projection like a fin extending from the hull near the turn of the bilge on either side to check rolling
bilge·wa·ter ['bilj-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n
- water that collects in the bilge of a ship
bil·har·zia [bil-'här-zē-ə; -'härt-sē-] -n, adj
- schistosomiasis
- schistosome
bil·har·zi·a·sis [,bil-,här-'zī-ə-səs; -,härt-'sī-] -n
- schistosomiasis
bil·i·ary ['bi-lē-,er-ē, -e-rē] -adj
- of, relating to, or conveying bile
- affecting the bile-conveying structures
bi·lin·ear [(,)bī-'li-nē-ər] -adj
- linear with respect to each of two mathematical variables
- of or relating to an algebraic form each term of which involves one variable to the first degree from each of two sets of variables
bi·lin·gual [(,)bī-'liŋ-gwəl also -gyə-wəl] -adj, n, adv
- having or expressed in two languages
- an officially bilingual nation
- using or able to use two languages esp. with equal fluency
- bilingual in English and Japanese
- of or relating to bilingual education
bilingual education -n
- education in an English-language school system in which students with little fluency in English are taught in both their native language and English
bi·lin·gual·ism [-gwə-,li-zəm] -n
- the ability to speak two languages
- the frequent use (as by a community) of two languages
- the political or institutional recognition of two languages
bi·lin·gual·i·ty [,bī-liŋ-'gwa-lə-tē] -n
- bilingualism
bil·ious ['bil-yəs] -adj, adv, n
- of or relating to bile
- marked by or suffering from liver dysfunction and esp. excessive secretion of bile
- appearing as if affected by a bilious disorder
- of or indicative of a peevish ill-natured disposition
- sickeningly unpleasant
- with clapboards painted red and bilious yellow -- Sinclair Lewis
bil·i·ru·bin [,bi-li-'rü-bən, 'bi-li-,] -n
- a reddish-yellow water insoluble pigment occurring esp. in bile and blood and causing jaundice if accumulated in excess
bil·i·ver·din [-'vər-dᵊn, -,vər-] -n
- a green pigment that occurs in bile and is an intermediate in the degradation of hemoglobin heme groups to bilirubin
bilk ['bilk] -vt, n
- to block the free development of : frustrate
- to cheat out of something valuable : defraud
- to evade payment of or to
- to slip away from
- an untrustworthy tricky individual : cheat
bill ['bil] -n
- the jaws of a bird together with their horny covering
- a mouthpart (as the beak of a turtle) that resembles a bird's bill
- the point of an anchor fluke
- the visor of a cap or hood
- to touch and rub bill to bill
- to caress affectionately
- a weapon in use up to the 18th century that consists of a long staff ending in a hook-shaped blade
- billhook
- an itemized list or a statement of particulars (as a list of materials or of members of a ship's crew)
- a written document or note
- a formal petition
- an itemized account of the separate cost of goods sold, services performed, or work done : invoice
- an amount expended or owed
- a statement of charges for food or drink : check
- a written or printed advertisement posted or otherwise distributed to announce an event of interest to the public
- an announcement of a theatrical entertainment
- a programmed presentation (as a motion picture, play, or concert)
- a draft of a law presented to a legislature for enactment
- the law itself
- a declaration in writing stating a wrong a complainant has suffered from a defendant or stating a breach of law by some person
- a piece of paper money
- an individual or commercial note
- one hundred dollars
- to enter in an accounting system : prepare a bill of (charges)
- to submit a bill of charges to
- to enter (as freight) in a waybill
- to issue a bill of lading to or for
- to announce (as a performance) esp. by posters or placards
- advertise, promote
- the book is bill ed as a report -- P. G. Altbach
bil·la·bong ['bi-lə-,bȯŋ, -,bäŋ] -n
- a blind channel leading out from a river
- a usu. dry streambed that is filled seasonally
- a backwater forming a stagnant pool
bill·board ['bil-,bȯrd] -n
- a flat surface (as of a panel, wall, or fence) on which bills are posted
- a large panel designed to carry outdoor advertising
billboard -vt
- to promote by a conspicuous display on or as if on a billboard
bill·bug ['bil-,bəg] -n
- any of various weevils (as of the genus Sphenophorus) having larvae that eat the roots of cereal and other grasses
billed ['bild] -adj
- having a bill esp. of a specified kind usu. used in combination
bill·er ['bi-lər] -n
- one that bills
- one that makes out bills
bil·let ['bi-lət] -n
- a brief letter : note
- an official order directing that a member of a military force be provided with board and lodging (as in a private home)
- quarters assigned by or as if by a billet
- position, job
billet -vt
- to assign lodging to (as soldiers) by or as if by a billet
- to serve with a billet
- a chunky piece of wood (as for firewood)
- cudgel
- a bar of metal
- a piece of semifinished iron or steel nearly square in section made by rolling an ingot or bloom
- a section of nonferrous metal ingot hot-worked by forging, rolling, or extrusion
- a nonferrous casting suitable for rolling or extrusion
bil·letdoux [,bi-lē-'dü, ,bi-(,)lā-] -n
- a love letter
bill·fish ['bil-,fish] -n
- a fish with long slender jaws
- any of various bony fishes (families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae) with an elongated tapering upper jaw including marlins, spearfishes, and sailfishes
bill·fold [-,fōld] -n
- a folding pocketbook for paper money : wallet
bill·hook [-,hu̇k] -n
- a cutting or pruning tool with a hooked blade
bil·liard ['bi(l)-yərd] -n
- used as an attributive form of billiards
bil·liards [-yərdz] -n pl but sing in constr
- any of several games played on an oblong table by driving small balls against one another or into pockets with a cue
- a game in which one scores by causing a cue ball to hit in succession two object balls
bil·libi ['bi-lē-,bē, ,bi-lē-'] -n
- a soup of mussel stock, white wine, and cream served hot or cold
bill·ing ['bi-liŋ] -n
- advertising or public promotion (as of a product or personality)
- relative prominence of a name in such promotion
- total amount of business or investments (as of an advertising agency) within a given period
bil·lings·gate ['bi-liŋz-,gāt, Brit usu -git] -n
- coarsely abusive language
bil·lion ['bi(l)-yən] -n, adj, adj or n
- a very large number
bil·lion·aire [,bi(l)-yə-'ner, 'bi(l)-yə-,] -n
- one whose wealth is estimated at a billion or more (as of dollars or pounds)
bill of attainder
- a legislative act that imposes punishment without a trial
bill of exchange
- an unconditional written order from one person to another to pay a specified sum of money to a designated person
bill of fare
- menu
- program
bill of goods
- a consignment of merchandise
- something intentionally misrepresented : something passed off in a deception or fraud often used in the phrase sell a bill of goods
bill of health
- a certificate given to the ship's master at the time of leaving port that indicates the state of health of a ship's company and of a port with regard to infectious diseases
- a usu. favorable report following an examination or investigation
- gave the criticized textbook a clean bill of health
bill of indictment
- an indictment before it is found or ignored by the grand jury
bill of lading
- a document issued by a carrier that lists goods being shipped and specifies the terms of their transport
bill of particulars
- a detailed listing of charges or claims brought in a legal action or of a defendant's response or counterclaim
bill of rights
- a document containing a formal statement of rights
- a patients' bill of rights
- a summary of fundamental rights and privileges guaranteed to a people against violation by the state used esp. of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution
bill of sale
- a formal instrument for the conveyance or transfer of title to goods and chattels
bil·lon ['bi-lən] -n
- gold or silver heavily alloyed with a less valuable metal
- an alloy of silver containing more than 50 percent of copper by weight
bil·low ['bi-(,)lō] -n, adj
- wave
- a great wave or surge of water
- a rolling mass (as of flame or smoke) that resembles a high wave
billow -vi
- to rise or roll in waves or surges
- to bulge or swell out (as through action of the wind)
- to cause to billow
bil·ly ['bi-lē] -n
- a metal or enamelware pail or pot with a lid and wire bail called also billycan
billy -n
- billy club
- billy goat
billy club -n
- a heavy usu. wooden club
- a police officer's club
bil·ly·cock ['bi-lē-,käk] -n
- derby
billy goat -n
- a male goat
bi·lobed ['bī-'lōbd] -adj
- divided into two lobes
bi·lo·ca·tion ['bī-lō-,kā-shən] -n
- the state of being or ability to be in two places at the same time
bil·tong ['bil-,tȯŋ, -,täŋ] -n
- jerked meat
bi·mah ['bē-mə] -n
- a raised platform in a synagogue from which the Torah is read
bi·man·u·al [(,)bī-'man-yə-wəl, -yəl] -adj, adv
- done with or requiring the use of both hands
bim·bette [,bim-'bet] -n
- an attractive but vacuous woman
bim·bo ['bim-(,)bō] -n
- man, woman
- telling a thickheaded pitcher that the bimbo at the plate hasn't hit a curve in three seasons -- Jay Stuller
used as a generalized term of disapproval esp. for an attractive but vacuous person - we didn't want a blond bimbo in that role...we wanted her to be smart -- Hugh Wilson
- tramp
- evidence of how her hubby's been cheating on her with various bimbo s -- Dan Greenburg
bi·met·al ['bī-,me-tᵊl] -adj, n
- bimetallic
bi·me·tal·lic [,bī-mə-'ta-lik] -adj, n
- relating to, based on, or using bimetallism
- composed of two different metals often used of devices having a part in which two metals that expand differently are bonded together
bi·met·al·lism [(,)bī-'me-tᵊl-,i-zəm] -n, adj
- the use of two metals (as gold and silver) jointly as a monetary standard with both constituting legal tender at a predetermined ratio
bi·mil·le·na·ry [(,)bī-'mi-lə-,ner-ē, -,ne-rē, ,bī-mə-'le-nə-rē] -n, adj
- a period of 2000 years
- a 2000th anniversary
bi·mod·al [(,)bī-'mō-dᵊl] -adj, n
- having or relating to two modes
- having or occurring with two statistical modes
bi·mo·lec·u·lar [,bī-mə-'le-kyə-lər] -adj, adv
- relating to or formed from two molecules
- being two molecules thick
bi·month·ly [(,)bī-'mən(t)th-lē] -adj
- occurring every two months
- occurring twice a month : semimonthly
bimonthly -adv
- once every two months
- twice a month
- a bimonthly publication
bi·mor·phe·mic [,bī-mȯr-'fē-mik] -adj
- consisting of two morphemes
bin ['bin] -n
- a box, frame, crib, or enclosed place used for storage
- to put into a bin
bin- -prefix
- bi-
bi·na·rism ['bī-nə-,riz-əm] -n
- a mode of thought predicated on stable oppositions (as good and evil or male and female) that is seen in post-structuralist analysis as an inadequate approach to areas of difference
- a specific dichotomy subscribed to or reinforced in such thought
- the binarism of West and East
bi·na·ry ['bī-nə-rē, -,ner-ē, -,ne-rē] -n
- : something made of or based on two things or parts: as
- binary star
- a binary number system
binary -adj
- compounded or consisting of or marked by two things or parts
- duple used of measure or rhythm
- having two musical subjects or two complementary sections
- relating to, being, or belonging to a system of numbers having 2 as its base
- the binary digits 0 and 1
- involving a choice or condition of two alternatives (as on-off or yes-no)
- composed of two chemical elements, an element and a radical that acts as an element, or two such radicals
- utilizing two harmless ingredients that upon combining form a lethal substance (as a gas)
- relating two logical or mathematical elements
- of or relating to the use of stable oppositions (as good and evil) to analyze a subject or create a structural model
- the binary opposition of male and female -- Joan W. Scott
binary fission -n
- reproduction of a cell by division into two approximately equal parts
- the binary fission of protozoans
binary star -n
- a system of two stars that revolve around each other under their mutual gravitation
binary system -n
- binary star
- a similar system containing bodies (as black holes) other than stars
bi·na·tion·al [(,)bī-'na-sh(ə-)nəl] -adj
- of or relating to two nations
- a binational board of directors
bin·au·ral [(,)bī-'nȯr-əl, (,)bi-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or involving two or both ears
- stereophonic
bind ['bīnd] -vb
- 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
bind·er ['bīn-dər] -n
- a person or machine that binds something (as books)
- something used in binding
- a usu. detachable cover (as for holding sheets of paper)
- something (as tar or cement) that produces or promotes cohesion in loosely assembled substances
- a temporary insurance contract that provides coverage until the policy is issued
- something (as money) given in earnest
- the agreement arrived at
- a tobacco leaf wrapped between the filler and wrapper of a cigar
bind·ery ['bīn-d(ə-)rē] -n
- a place where books are bound
bind·ing ['bīn-diŋ] -n
- the action of one that binds
- : a material or device used to bind: as
- the cover and materials that hold a book together
- a narrow fabric used to finish raw edges
- a set of ski fastenings for holding the boot firm on the ski
binding [-diŋ-lē] -adj, adv, n
- that binds
- imposing an obligation
binding energy -n
- the energy required to break up a molecule, atom, or atomic nucleus completely into its constituent particles
bin·dle ['bin-dᵊl] -n
- a bundle of clothes or bedding
bindle stiff -n
- hobo
- one who carries his clothes or bedding in a bundle
bind off -vt
- to cast off in knitting
bind over -vt
- to put under a bond to do something (as appear in court)
bind·weed ['bīnd-,wēd] -n
- any of various twining plants (esp. genus Convolvulusof the morning-glory family) that mat or interlace with plants among which they grow
bine ['bīn] -n
- a twining stem or flexible shoot (as of the hop)
- a plant (as woodbine) whose shoots are bines
bi·ner ['bē-nər] -n
- carabiner
Bi·netSi·mon scale [bi-,nā-sē-'mōⁿ-] -n
- an intelligence test consisting orig. of tasks graded from the level of the average 3-year-old to that of the average 12-year-old but later extended in range
bing cherry ['biŋ-] -n
- a widely cultivated large sweet cherry having glossy dark red skin and firm juicy flesh
binge ['binj] -n
- a drunken revel : spree
- an unrestrained and often excessive indulgence
- an act of excessive or compulsive consumption (as of food)
- a social gathering : party
- to go on a binge
bin·go ['biŋ-(,)gō] -interj
- used to announce an unexpected event or instantaneous result
- used to announce a winning position in bingo
- used to express endorsement of a correct assertion
bingo -n
- a game of chance played with cards having numbered squares corresponding to numbered balls drawn at random and won by covering five such squares in a row
- a social gathering at which bingo is played
bin·na·cle ['bi-ni-kəl] -n
- a housing for a ship's compass and a lamp
bi·nocs [bə-'näks] -n pl
- binoculars
bin·oc·u·lar [bī-'nä-kyə-lər, bə-] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes
- a binocular optical instrument
- a handheld optical instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing device and usu. having prisms to increase magnifying ability usu. used in pl.
bi·no·mi·al [bī-'nō-mē-əl] -n, adj, adv
- a mathematical expression consisting of two terms connected by a plus sign or minus sign
- a biological species name consisting of two terms
binomial coefficient -n
- a coefficient of a term in the expansion of the binomial ( x y) n according to the binomial theorem
binomial distribution -n
- a probability function each of whose values gives the probability that an outcome with constant probability of occurrence in a statistical experiment will occur a given number of times in a succession of repetitions of the experiment
binomial nomenclature -n
- a system of nomenclature in which each species of animal or plant receives a name of two terms of which the first identifies the genus to which it belongs and the second the species itself
binomial theorem -n
- a theorem that specifies the expansion of a binomial of the form ( x y) n as the sum of n 1 terms of which the general term is of the form
bint ['bint] -n
- girl, woman
bi·nu·cle·ate [(,)bī-'nü-klē-ət also -'nyü-] -adj
- having two cellular nuclei
bio ['bī-(,)ō] -n
- a biography or biographical sketch
bio·acous·tics [,bī-(,)ō-ə-'kü-stiks] -n pl but sing in constr, n
- a branch of science concerned with the production of sound by and its effects on living organisms
bio·ac·tive [,bī-ō-'ak-tiv] -adj, n
- having an effect on a living organism
bio·as·say [,bī-(,)ō-'a-,sā, -a-'sā] -n, vt
- determination of the relative strength of a substance (as a drug) by comparing its effect on a test organism with that of a standard preparation
bio·avail·abil·i·ty [-ə-,vā-lə-'bi-lə-tē] -n, adj
- the degree and rate at which a substance (as a drug) is absorbed into a living system or is made available at the site of physiological activity
bio·be·hav·ior·al [-bi-'hā-vyə-rəl] -adj
- of, relating to, or involving the interaction of behavior and biological processes
bio·cat·a·lyst [-'ka-tə-ləst] -n, adj
- a catalyst (as an enzyme) of biological origin
bio·ce·no·sis [,bī-ō-sə-'nō-səs] -n
- an ecological community esp. when forming a self-regulating unit
bio·cen·tric [-'sen-trik] -adj, n
- considering all forms of life as having intrinsic value
bio·chem·i·cal [,bī-ō-'ke-mi-kəl] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to biochemistry
- characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms
- a biochemical defect in the brain
biochemical oxygen demand -n
- the oxygen used in meeting the metabolic needs of aerobic microorganisms in water rich in organic matter (as water polluted with sewage)
bio·chem·is·try [,bī-ō-'ke-mə-strē] -n
- chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in organisms
- the chemical characteristics and reactions of a particular living organism or biological substance (as chlorophyll)
- a change in the patient's biochemistry
bio·chip ['bī-ō-,chip] -n
- a hypothetical computer logic circuit or storage device in which the physical or chemical properties of large biological molecules (as proteins) are used to process information
- microarray
bio·cid·al [,bī-ə-'sī-dᵊl] -adj
- destructive to life
bio·cide ['bī-ə-,sīd] -n
- a substance (as DDT) that is destructive to many different organisms
bio·cli·mat·ic [,bī-ō-klī-'ma-tik] -adj
- of or relating to the relations of climate and living matter
bio·com·pat·i·bil·i·ty [-kəm-,pa-tə-'bi-lə-tē] -n, adj
- compatibility with living tissue or a living system by not being toxic, injurious, or physiologically reactive and not causing immunological rejection
bio·con·tain·ment [-kən-'tān-mənt] -n
- the containment of extremely pathogenic organisms (as viruses) usu. by isolation in secure facilities to prevent their accidental release esp. during scientific research
bio·con·trol [,bī-ō-kən-'trōl] -n
- biological control
bio·con·ver·sion [,bī-(,)ō-kən-'vər-zhən, -shən] -n
- the conversion of organic materials (as wastes) into an energy source (as methane) by processes (as fermentation) involving living organisms
bio·de·fense [,bī-(,)ō-di-'fen(t)s] -n
- the means or methods of preventing, detecting, or managing an attack involving biological weapons
bio·de·grad·able [-di-'grā-də-bəl] -adj, n, vb
- capable of being broken down esp. into innocuous products by the action of living things (as microorganisms)
bio·de·te·ri·o·ra·tion [-di-,tir-ē-ə-'rā-shən] -n
- the breakdown of materials by microbial action
bio·die·sel [-'dē-zəl, -səl] -n
- a fuel that is similar to diesel fuel and is derived from usu. vegetable sources (as soybean oil)
bio·di·ver·si·ty [-də-'vər-sə-tē, -dī-] -n, adj
- biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals
bio·dy·nam·ic [-di-'na-mik, -dī-] -adj, n pl but sing in constr
- of or relating to a system of farming that uses only organic materials for fertilizing and soil conditioning
bio·elec·tric [-i-'lek-trik] -adj, n
- of or relating to electric phenomena in living organisms
bio·en·er·get·ics [-,e-nər-'je-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- the biology of energy transformations and energy exchanges (as in photosynthesis) within and between living things and their environments
- a system of physical and psychological therapy that is held to increase well-being by releasing blocked physical and psychic energy
bio·en·gi·neer [-,en-jə-'nir] -vt, n
- to modify or produce by bioengineering
bio·en·gi·neer·ing [-,en-jə-'nir-iŋ] -n
- biological or medical application of engineering principles or engineering equipment called also biomedical engineering
- the application of biological techniques (as genetic recombination) to create modified versions of organisms (as crops)
- genetic engineering
bio·equiv·a·lence [-i'kwiv-lən(t)s, -'kwi-və-] -n, adj
- the property wherein two drugs with identical active ingredients or two different dosage forms of the same drug possess similar bioavailability and produce the same effect at the site of physiological activity
bio·eth·ics [-'e-thiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj, n
- a discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research and applications esp. in medicine
bio·feed·back [-'fēd-,bak] -n
- the technique of making unconscious or involuntary bodily processes (as heartbeats or brain waves) perceptible to the senses (as by the use of an oscilloscope) in order to manipulate them by conscious mental control
bio·film [-'film] -n
- a thin usu. resistant layer of microorganisms (as bacteria) that form on and coat various surfaces
bio·fla·vo·noid [-'flā-və-,nȯid] -n
- any of various biologically active flavonoids (as hesperidin and quercetin) derived from plants and found esp. in fruits and vegetables (as citrus fruits)
bio·foul·ing [-'fau̇-liŋ] -n
- the gradual accumulation of waterborne organisms (as bacteria and protozoa) on the surfaces of engineering structures in water that contributes to corrosion of the structures and to a decrease in the efficiency of moving parts
bio·fu·el [-'fyü(-ə)l] -n
- a fuel (as wood or ethanol) composed of or produced from biological raw materials
biog -abbr
- biographer; biographical; biography
bio·gas ['bī-ō-,gas] -n
- a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the bacterial decomposition of organic wastes and used as a fuel
bio·gen·e·sis [,bī-ō-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj, adv
- the development of life from preexisting life
- the synthesis of chemical compounds or structures in the living organism
biogenetic law -n
- the theory of ontogenetic recapitulation
bio·gen·ic [-'je-nik] -adj
- produced by living organisms
- biogenic methane formation
bio·geo·chem·i·cal [-,jē-ə-'ke-mi-kəl] -n
- of or relating to the partitioning and cycling of chemical elements and compounds between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem
bio·ge·og·ra·phy [-jē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj
- a science that deals with the geographical distribution of animals and plants
bi·og·ra·phee [bī-,ä-grə-'fē also bē-] -n
- a person about whom a biography is written
bi·og·ra·pher [-'ä-grə-fər] -n
- a writer of a biography
bio·graph·i·cal [,bī-ə-'gra-fi-kəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or constituting biography
- consisting of biographies
- a biographical dictionary
- relating to a list briefly identifying persons
bi·og·ra·phy [bī-'ä-grə-fē also bē-] -n
- a usu. written history of a person's life
- biographical writings as a whole
- an account of the life of something (as an animal, a coin, or a building)
bio·haz·ard ['bī-ō-,ha-zərd] -n, adj
- a biological agent or condition that is a hazard to humans or the environment
- a hazard posed by such an agent or condition
bio·in·for·mat·ics [,bī-ō-in-fər-'ma-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- the collection, classification, storage, and analysis of biochemical and biological information using computers esp. as applied to molecular genetics and genomics
biol -abbr
- biologic; biological; biologist; biology
bi·o·log·ic [,bī-ə-'lä-jik] -n
- a biological product (as a vaccine or blood serum) used in medicine
biological [-ji-k(ə-)lē] -adj, adv
- of or relating to biology or to life and living processes
- used in or produced by applied biology
- connected by direct genetic relationship rather than by adoption or marriage
biological clock -n
- an inherent timing mechanism in a living system that is inferred to exist in order to explain the timing or periodicity of various behaviors and physiological states and processes
biological control -n
- the reduction in numbers or elimination of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the introduction of parasites or diseases)
- an agent used in biological control
biological oxygen demand -n
- biochemical oxygen demand
biological warfare -n
- warfare involving the use of biological weapons
- warfare involving the use of herbicides
biological weapon -n
- a harmful biological agent (as a pathogenic microorganism or a neurotoxin) used as a weapon to cause death or disease usu. on a large scale
bi·ol·o·gism [bī-'ä-lə-,ji-zəm] -n, adj
- the use of biological explanations in the analysis of social situations
bi·ol·o·gy [bī-'ä-lə-jē] -n
- a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and vital processes
- the plant and animal life of a region or environment
- the life processes esp. of an organism or group
- ecology
bio·lu·mi·nes·cence [,bī-ō-,lü-mə-'ne-sᵊn(t)s] -n, adj
- the emission of light from living organisms
- the light so produced
bio·mark·er ['bī-ō-,mär-kər] -n
- a distinctive biological or biologically derived indicator (as a metabolite) of a process, event, or condition (as aging, disease, or oil formation)
bio·mass ['bī-ō-,mas] -n
- the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)
- plant materials and animal waste used esp. as a source of fuel
bio·ma·te·ri·al [,bī-ō-mə-'tir-ē-əl] -n
- a natural or synthetic material (as a metal or polymer) that is suitable for introduction into living tissue esp. as part of a medical device (as an artificial joint)
bio·math·e·mat·ics [-,ma-thə-'ma-tiks, -math-'ma-] -n pl but usu sing in constr, adj, n
- mathematics of special use in biology and medicine
bi·ome ['bī-,ōm] -n
- a major ecological community type (as tropical rain forest, grassland, or desert)
bio·me·chan·ics ['bī-ō-mə-'ka-niks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, adv
- the mechanics of biological and esp. muscular activity (as in locomotion or exercise)
- the scientific study of this
bio·med·i·cal [,bī-ō-'me-di-kəl] -adj
- of or relating to biomedicine
- of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical science
biomedical engineering -n
- bioengineering
bio·med·i·cine [-'me-də-sən, Brit usu -'med-sən] -n
- medicine based on the application of the principles of the natural sciences and esp. biology and biochemistry
bio·me·te·o·rol·o·gy [-,mē-tē-ə-'rä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- a science that deals with the relationship between living things and atmospheric phenomena
bio·met·ric [,bī-ō-'me-trik] -adj
- of, relating to, or utilizing biometrics or biometry
biometrics [-'me-triks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- biometry
- the measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioral characteristics (as fingerprint or voice patterns) esp. as a means of verifying personal identity
bi·om·e·try [bī-'ä-mə-trē] -n
- the statistical analysis of biological observations and phenomena
bio·mi·met·ics [,bī-ō-mə-'me-tiks, -mī-] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- the study of the formation, structure, or function of biologically produced substances and materials (as enzymes or silk) and biological mechanisms and processes (as protein synthesis or photosynthesis) esp. for the purpose of synthesizing similar products by artificial mechanisms which mimic natural ones
bio·min·er·al·i·za·tion [-,min-rə-lə-'zā-shən, -,mi-nə-] -n
- the formation or accumulation of minerals by organisms esp. into biological tissues or structures (as bones, teeth, and shells)
bio·mol·e·cule [,bī-ō-'mä-li-,kyül] -n, adj
- an organic molecule and esp. a macromolecule (as a protein or nucleic acid) in living organisms
bio·mor·phic [,bī-ō-'mȯr-fik] -adj
- resembling or suggesting the forms of living organisms
bi·on·ic [bī-'ä-nik] -adj
- of or relating to bionics
- having normal biological capability or performance enhanced by or as if by electronic or electromechanical devices
bi·on·ics [bī-'ä-niks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a science concerned with the application of data about the functioning of biological systems to the solution of engineering problems
bi·o·nom·ics [,bī-ə-'nä-miks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj
- ecology
bio·pes·ti·cide [,bī-ō-'pes-tə-,sīd] -n
- a pesticide consisting of naturally occurring or genetically engineered microorganisms (as bacteria)
bio·phar·ma·ceu·ti·cal [,bī-ō-,fär-mə-'sü-ti-kəl] -n, adj
- a pharmaceutical derived from biological sources and esp. one produced by biotechnology
bio·phil·ia [,bī-ō-'fi-lē-ə, -'fēl-yə] -n
- a hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature
bio·phys·ics [,bī-ō-'fi-ziks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, n
- a branch of science concerned with the application of physical principles and methods to biological problems
bio·pic ['bī-(,)ō-,pik] -n
- a biographical movie
bio·poly·mer [,bī-ō-'pä-lə-mər] -n
- a polymeric substance (as a protein or polysaccharide) formed in a biological system
bio·pros·pect [-'prä-,spekt] -vt, n
- to search for substances that are produced by living organisms and may be of medicinal or commercial value
bi·op·sy ['bī-,äp-sē] -n, vt
- the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
bio·psy·chol·o·gy [,bī-ō-sī-'kä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- psychobiology
bio·re·ac·tor [,bī-ō-rē-'ak-tər] -n
- a device or apparatus in which living organisms and esp. bacteria synthesize useful substances (as interferon) or break down harmful ones (as in sewage)
bio·re·gion ['bī-ō-,rē-jən] -n, adj
- a region whose limits are naturally defined by topographic and biological features (as mountain ranges and ecosystems)
bio·re·gion·al·ism [,bī-ō-'rēj-nə-,li-zəm, -'rē-jə-nᵊl-i-] -n, n or adj
- an environmentalist movement to make political boundaries coincide with bioregions
bio·re·me·di·a·tion [-ri-,mē-dē-'ā-shən] -n
- the treatment of pollutants or waste (as in an oil spill, contaminated groundwater, or an industrial process) by the use of microorganisms (as bacteria) that break down the undesirable substances
bio·rhythm ['bī-ō-,ri-thəm] -n, adj
- an innately determined rhythmic biological process or function (as sleep behavior)
- the internal mechanism that determines such a process or function
BIOS -abbr
- Basic Input/Output System
bio·safe·ty [,bī-ō-'sāf-tē] -n
- safety with respect to the effects of biological research on humans and the environment
bio·sci·ence [-'sī-ən(t)s] -n, adj
- biology
- life science
bio·se·cu·ri·ty [,bī-(,)ō-si-'kyu̇r-ə-tē] -n
- security from exposure to harmful biological agents
- measures taken to ensure this security
bio·sen·sor [-'sen-,sȯr, -'sen(t)-sər] -n
- a device that monitors and transmits information about a life process
- a device consisting of a biological component (as an enzyme or bacterium) that reacts with a target substance and a signal-generating electrochemical component that detects the resulting products or by-products
bio·so·cial [,bī-ō-'sō-shəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or concerned with the interaction of the biological aspects and social relationships of living organisms
bio·sol·id ['bī-ō-,sä-ləd] -n
- solid organic matter recovered from a sewage treatment process and used esp. as fertilizer usu. used in pl.
bio·sphere ['bī-ə-,sfir] -n, adj
- the part of the world in which life can exist
- living organisms together with their environment
bio·sta·tis·tics [,bī-ō-stə-'tis-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj, n
- statistics applied to the analysis of biological data
bio·stra·tig·ra·phy [-strə-'ti-grə-fē] -n, adj
- the identification of fossils found within sedimentary rock strata as a method of determining the relative geologic age of the rock
- the branch of paleontology involving such identification
- the arrangement of fossils in rock strata
bio·syn·the·sis [-'sin(t)-thə-səs] -n, adj, adv
- the production of a chemical compound by a living organism
bio·sys·te·mat·ics [-,sis-tə-'ma-tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, n
- taxonomy esp. as based on cytogenetics and genetics
bi·o·ta [bī-'ō-tə] -n
- the flora and fauna of a region
bio·tech ['bī-ō-,tek] -n
- biotechnology
bio·tech·ni·cal [,bī-ō-'tek-ni-kəl] -adj
- of or relating to biotechnology
bio·tech·nol·o·gy [,bī-ō-tek-'nä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv
- the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usu. commercial products (as pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains, or novel pharmaceuticals)
- any of various applications of biological science used in such manipulation
- ergonomics
bio·te·lem·e·try [-tə-'le-mə-trē] -n, adj
- the remote detection and measurement of a human or animal function, activity, or condition (as heart rate or body temperature)
bio·ter·ror [-'ter-ər, -'te-rər] -n
- bioterrorism
bio·ter·ror·ism [-'ter-ər-,i-zəm, -ə-,ri-] -n, adj or n
- terrorism involving the use of biological weapons
bi·ot·ic [bī-'ä-tik] -adj
- of, relating to, or caused by living organisms
biotic potential -n
- the inherent capacity of an organism or species to reproduce and survive
bi·o·tin ['bī-ə-tən] -n
- a colorless crystalline growth vitamin C 10H 16N 2O 3S of the vitamin B complex found esp. in yeast, liver, and egg yolk
bi·o·tite ['bī-ə-,tīt] -n, adj
- a generally black or dark green form of mica that is a constituent of crystalline rocks and consists of a silicate of iron, magnesium, potassium, and aluminum
bio·tope ['bī-ə-,tōp] -n
- a region uniform in environmental conditions and in its populations of animals and plants for which it is the habitat
bio·tox·in ['bī-ō-,täk-sən] -n
- a toxic substance of biological origin
bio·trans·for·ma·tion ['bī-ō-,tran(t)s-fər-'mā-shən, -,fȯr-] -n
- the transformation of chemical compounds within a living system
bio·tur·ba·tion [,bī-ō-tər-'bā-shən] -n, adj
- the restructuring of sedimentary deposits (as in a lake bottom or seabed) by moving organisms (as worms and burrowing clams)
bio·type [-,tīp] -n, adj
- the organisms sharing a specified genotype
- the genotype shared or its distinguishing peculiarity
bio·war·fare [,bī-ō-'wȯr-,fer] -n
- biological warfare
bio·weap·on ['bī-ō-,we-pən] -n
- biological weapon
bi·pa·ren·tal [,bī-pə-'ren-tᵊl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, involving, or derived from two parents
bi·par·ti·san [(,)bī-'pär-tə-zən, -sən, -,zan, chiefly Brit ,bī-,pär-tə-'zan] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or involving members of two parties
- marked by or involving cooperation, agreement, and compromise between two major political parties
bi·par·tite [(,)bī-'pär-,tīt] -adj, adv, n
- being in two parts
- having a correspondent part for each of two parties
- shared by two
- divided into two parts almost to the base
bi·ped ['bī-,ped] -n, adj, adv
- a two-footed animal
bi·ped·al·ism [(,)bī-'pe-dᵊl-,i-zəm] -n
- the condition of having two feet or of using only two feet for locomotion
bi·pe·dal·i·ty [,bī-pə-'da-lə-tē] -n
- bipedalism
bi·phas·ic [(,)bī-'fā-zik] -adj
- having two phases
bi·phe·nyl [(,)bī-'fe-nᵊl, -'fē-] -n
- a white crystalline hydrocarbon C 6H 5C 6H 5used esp. as a heat-transfer medium and in organic synthesis
- a derivative of biphenyl
bi·pin·nate [-'pi-,nāt] -adj, adv
- twice pinnate
bi·plane ['bī-,plān] -n
- an aircraft with two main supporting surfaces usu. placed one above the other
bi·pod ['bī-,päd] -n
- a 2-legged support
bi·po·lar [(,)bī-'pō-lər] -adj, n, vt
- having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or views
- having or involving the use of two poles or polarities
- relating to, being, or using a transistor in which both electrons and holes are utilized as charge carriers
- relating to, associated with, or occurring in both polar regions
- being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder
bipolar disorder -n
- any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized usu. by alternating episodes of depression and mania called also manic depression manic-depressive illness
bi·pro·pel·lant [,bī-prə-'pe-lənt] -n
- a rocket propellant consisting of separate fuel and oxidizer that come together only in a combustion chamber
bi·pyr·a·mid [(,)bī-'pir-ə-mid] -n, adj
- a crystal consisting of two identical pyramids base to base
bi·qua·drat·ic [,bī-kwä-'dra-tik] -adj or n
- quartic
bi·ra·cial [(,)bī-'rā-shəl] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or involving members of two races
bi·ra·di·al [(,)bī-'rā-dē-əl] -adj
- having both bilateral and radial symmetry
bi·rad·i·cal [-'ra-di-kəl] -n
- a free radical or compound with two unpaired electrons
bi·ra·mous [(,)bī-'rā-məs] -adj
- having two branches
birch ['bərch] -n, adj
- any of a genus ( Betulaof the family Betulaceae, the birch family) of monoecious deciduous usu. short-lived trees or shrubs having simple petioled leaves and typically a layered membranous outer bark that peels readily
- the hard pale close-grained wood of a birch
- a birch rod or bundle of twigs for flogging
- to beat with or as if with a birch : whip
Birch·er ['bər-chər] -n, n or adj
- a member or adherent of the John Birch Society
bird ['bərd] -n, adj
- the young of a feathered vertebrate
- any of a class (Aves) of warm-blooded vertebrates distinguished by having the body more or less completely covered with feathers and the forelimbs modified as wings
- a game bird
- clay pigeon
- fellow
- a peculiar person
- girl
- shuttlecock
- a hissing or jeering sound expressive of disapproval
- dismissal from employment
- a thin piece of meat rolled up with stuffing and cooked
- a man-made object (as an aircraft, rocket, or satellite) that resembles a bird esp. by flying or being aloft
- an obscene gesture of contempt made by pointing the middle finger upward while keeping the other fingers down usu. used with the called also finger
- birdie
- to observe or identify wild birds in their habitats
bird·bath ['bərd-,bath, -,bäth] -n
- a usu. ornamental basin set up for birds to bathe in
bird·brain [-,brān] -n, adj
- a stupid person
- scatterbrain
bird·cage [-,kāj] -n
- a cage for confining birds
bird·call [-,kȯl] -n
- a device for imitating the cry of a bird
- the note or cry of a bird
- a sound imitative of it
bird colonel -n
- colonel
birddog ['bərd-,dȯg] -vi
- to watch closely
- to seek out : follow, detect
bird dog -n
- a gundog trained to hunt or retrieve birds
- one (as a canvasser or talent scout) who seeks out something for another
- one who steals another's date
birddog·ging [-,dȯ-giŋ] -n
- the stealing of another's date (as at a party)
- the action of one that bird-dogs
bird·er ['bər-dər] -n
- a catcher or hunter of birds esp. for market
- a person who birds
bird flu -n
- avian influenza
- severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus that have produced epidemics in domestic birds esp. in Asia with sporadic associated human infections
bird·house ['bərd-,hau̇s] -n
- an artificial nesting site for birds
- aviary
bird·ie ['bər-dē] -n
- a little bird
- a golf score of one stroke less than par on a hole
birdie -vt
- to score a birdie on
bird·life ['bərd-,līf] -n
- avifauna
bird·lime ['bərd-,līm] -n, vt
- a sticky substance usu. made from the bark of a holly ( Ilex aquifolium) that is smeared on twigs to snare small birds
- something that ensnares
bird louse -n
- biting louse
bird·man ['bərd-mən, esp for 1 also -,man] -n
- a person who deals with birds
- a person who flies (as in an aircraft)
birdofparadise -n
- an ornamental plant ( Strelitzia reginaeof the family Strelitziaceae) native to southern Africa that has scapes terminating in a horizontal bract from which emerges an upright flower having three orange or yellow sepals and three irregular blue petals
bird of paradise
- any of numerous brilliantly colored plumed oscine birds (family Paradisaeidae) chiefly of New Guinea and neighboring islands
bird of passage
- a migratory bird
- a person who leads a wandering or unsettled life
bird of prey
- a carnivorous bird (as a hawk, falcon, or vulture) that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion
bird pepper -n
- chiltepin
bird·seed ['bərd-,sēd] -n
- a mixture of seeds (as of hemp, millet, and sunflowers) used for feeding caged and wild birds
bird'seye ['bərdz-,ī] -n
- any of numerous plants with small bright-colored flowers
- a speedwell ( Veronica chamaedrys)
- an allover pattern for textiles consisting of a small diamond with a center dot
- a fabric woven with this pattern
- a small spot in wood surrounded with an ellipse of concentric fibers
- marked with spots resembling birds' eyes
- having or involving a bird's-eye view
bird'seye maple -n
- wood of the sugar maple having a wavy grain that causes markings resembling eyes
bird'seye view -n
- a view from a high angle as if seen by a bird in flight
- an overall or cursory look at something
bird'sfoot trefoil ['bərdz-,fu̇t-] -n
- a yellow-flowered European herb ( Lotus corniculatus) of the legume family that has claw-shaped pods and is widely grown for forage and for erosion control
bird'sfoot violet -n
- a common violet ( Viola pedata) of the eastern U.S. with deeply cleft leaves and pale blue to purple flowers
bird'snest fern ['bərdz-,nest-] -n
- a large epiphytic spleenwort ( Asplenium nidus) of tropical Asia and Polynesia that has large lance-shaped leaves and is often grown as a houseplant
bird's nest soup -n
- a soup made with the nest of a swiftlet (esp. Collocalia fuciphaga) that builds it using a glutinous secretion from its salivary glands
bird·song ['bərd-,sȯŋ] -n
- the song of one or more birds
birdwatch ['bərd-,wäch] -vi
- bird
birdwatch·er ['bərd-,wä-chər] -n, vi
- birder
bi·re·frin·gence [,bī-ri-'frin-jən(t)s] -n, adj
- the refraction of light in an anisotropic material (as calcite) in two slightly different directions to form two rays
bi·reme ['bī-,rēm] -n
- a galley with two banks of oars used esp. by the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians
bi·ret·ta [bə-'re-tə] -n
- a square cap with three ridges on top worn by clergymen esp. of the Roman Catholic Church
birk ['birk] -n
- birch
birk·ie ['bir-kē, 'bər-] -n
- a lively smart assertive person
- fellow, boy
birl ['bər(-ə)l, Scot also 'bir(-ə)l] -vi
- carouse
- spin
- to cause (a floating log) to rotate by treading
- to progress by whirling
Bir·man ['bər-mən] -n
- a long-haired domestic cat of a breed originating in Burma (Myanmar) and resembling the Siamese in eye color and coat pattern but much stockier in build with paws symmetrically marked with white
Bi·ro ['bī-(,)rō] -trademark
- used for a ballpoint pen
birse ['birs, 'bərs] -n
- a bristle or tuft of bristles
- anger
birth ['bərth] -n
- the emergence of a new individual from the body of its parent
- the act or process of bringing forth young from the womb
- a state resulting from being born esp. at a particular time or place
- lineage, extraction
- marriage between equals in birth
- high or noble birth
- one that is born
- beginning, start
- to bring forth
- to give rise to : originate
- to give birth to
- to bring forth or be brought forth as a child or young
- biological
birth canal -n
- the channel formed by the cervix, vagina, and vulva through which the fetus passes during birth
birth certificate -n
- a copy of an official record of a person's date and place of birth and parentage
birth control -n
- control of the number of children born esp. by preventing or lessening the frequency of conception : contraception
- contraceptive devices or preparations
birth control pill -n
- any of various preparations that usu. contain a combination of a progestin (as norethindrone) and an estrogen (as ethinyl estradiol), are taken orally esp. on a daily basis, and act as contraceptives typically preventing ovulation by suppressing secretion of gonadotropins (as luteinizing hormone) called also oral contraceptive
birth·day ['bərth-,dā] -n
- the day of a person's birth
- a day of origin
- an anniversary of a birth
birthday suit -n
- unclothed skin : nakedness
birth defect -n
- a physical or biochemical defect that is present at birth and may be inherited or environmentally induced
birthing room -n
- a comfortably furnished hospital room where both labor and delivery take place and in which the baby usu. remains during the hospital stay
birth·mark ['bərth-,märk] -n
- an unusual mark or blemish on the skin at birth : nevus
birth pang -n
- one of the regularly recurrent pains that are characteristic of childbirth usu. used in pl.
- disorder and distress incident esp. to a major social change
birth·place ['bərth-,plās] -n
- place of birth or origin
birth·rate ['bərth-,rāt] -n
- the ratio between births and individuals in a specified population and time
birth·right ['bərth-,rīt] -n
- a right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth
birth·root ['bərth-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n
- any of several trilliums with astringent roots used in folk medicine
birth·stone ['bərth-,stōn] -n
- a gemstone associated symbolically with the month of one's birth
birth·wort [-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n
- any of several herbs or woody vines (genus Aristolochiaof the family Aristolochiaceae, the birthwort family) with aromatic roots used in folk medicine to aid childbirth
bis ['bis] -adv
- again used in music as a direction to repeat
- twice
Bisayan [və-'sī-ən] -n
(variant of Visayan)
- a member of any of several peoples in the Visayan Islands, Philippines
- the group of Austronesian languages of the Bisayans
bis·cot·to [bi-'skät-ō] -n
- a crisp cookie or biscuit of Italian origin that is flavored usu. with anise and filberts or almonds usu. used in pl.
bis·cuit ['bis-kət] -n, adj
- : any of various hard or crisp dry baked products: as
- cracker
- cookie
- a small quick bread made from dough that has been rolled out and cut or dropped from a spoon
- earthenware or porcelain after the first firing and before glazing
- a light grayish-yellowish brown
- a grayish yellow
bi·sect ['bī-,sekt, bī-'] -vb, n, adj, adv
- to divide into two usu. equal parts
- cross, intersect
bi·sec·tor ['bī-,sek-tər, bī-'] -n
- one that bisects
- a straight line that bisects an angle or a line segment
bi·sex·u·al [(,)bī-'sek-sh(ə-)wəl, -shəl] -adj, n, adv
- possessing characters of both sexes : hermaphroditic
- of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward both sexes
- of, relating to, or involving both sexes
bish·op ['bi-shəp] -n
- : one having spiritual or ecclesiastical supervision: as
- an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyman ranking above a priest, having authority to ordain and confirm, and typically governing a diocese
- any of various Protestant clerical officials who superintend other clergy
- a Mormon high priest presiding over a ward or over all other bishops and over the Aaronic priesthood
- either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to move diagonally across any number of adjoining unoccupied squares
- mulled port wine flavored with roasted oranges and cloves
bish·op·ric ['bi-shə-(,)prik] -n
- diocese
- the office of bishop
- the administrative body of a Mormon ward consisting of a bishop and two high priests as counselors
Bishops' Bible -n
- an officially commissioned English translation of the Bible published in 1568
bis·muth ['biz-məth] -n, adj
- a heavy brittle grayish-white chiefly trivalent metallic element that is chemically like arsenic and antimony and that is used in alloys and pharmaceuticals
bismuth sub·sa·lic·y·late [-,səb-sə-'li-sə-,lāt] -n
- a drug C 7H 5BiO 4taken orally to relieve diarrhea, nausea, and indigestion
bi·son ['bī-sᵊn, -zᵊn] -n, adj
- : any of several large shaggy-maned usu. gregarious recent or extinct bovine mammals (genus Bison) having a large head with short horns and heavy forequarters surmounted by a large fleshy hump: as
- wisent
- buffalo
bis·phos·pho·nate [,bis-'fäs-fə-,nāt] -n
- any of a group of drugs that slow the breakdown of bone by osteoclasts
bisque ['bisk] -n
- a thick cream soup made with shellfish or game
- a cream soup of pureed vegetables
- ice cream containing powdered nuts or macaroons
- : odds allowed an inferior player: as
- a point taken when desired in a set of tennis
- an extra turn in croquet
- one or more strokes off a golf score
- biscuit
- unglazed china that is not to be glazed but is hard-fired and vitreous
bi·state ['bī-,stāt] -adj
- of or relating to two states
bis·ter ['bis-tər] -n, adj
- a yellowish-brown to dark brown pigment used in art
- a grayish to yellowish brown
bis·tort ['bis-,tȯrt, bis-'] -n
- any of several polygonums
- a Eurasian perennial herb ( Polygonum bistorta) with twisted roots used as astringents
bis·tro ['bēs-(,)trō, 'bis-] -n
- a small or unpretentious restaurant
- a small bar or tavern
- nightclub
bi·sul·fate [(,)bī-'səl-,fāt] -n
- an acid sulfate
bi·sul·fide [-,fīd] -n
- disulfide
bi·sul·fite [-,fīt] -n
- an acid sulfite
biswing ['bī-'swiŋ] -adj
- made with a pleat or gusset at the back of the arms
bit ['bit] -n
- the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool
- a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed
- the jaws of tongs or pincers
- : something bitten or held with the teeth:
- the usu. steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse
- the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder
- something that curbs or restrains
- the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers
- to put a bit in the mouth of (a horse)
- to control as if with a bit
- to form a bit on (a key)
- a small quantity of food
- a small delicacy
- a small piece or quantity of some material thing
- a small coin
- a unit of value equal to of a dollar
- : something small or unimportant of its kind: as
- a brief period : while
- an indefinite usu. small degree, extent, or amount
- a small part usu. with spoken lines in a theatrical performance
- a usu. short theatrical routine
- the aggregate of items, situations, or activities appropriate to a given style, genre, or role
- rejected the whole bit about love-marriage-motherhood -- Vance Packard
- a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (as yesor no, onor off)
- the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data
bi·tar·trate [(,)bī-'tär-,trāt] -n
- an acid tartrate
bitch ['bich] -n
- the female of the dog or some other carnivorous mammals
- a lewd or immoral woman
- a malicious, spiteful, or overbearing woman sometimes used as a generalized term of abuse
- something that is extremely difficult, objectionable, or unpleasant
- complaint
- spoil, botch
- cheat, double-cross
- to complain of or about
- complain
bitch·ery ['bi-chə-rē] -n
- malicious, spiteful, or overbearing behavior
- an instance of such behavior
bitch goddess -n
- success
- material or worldly success
bitch·in' ['bi-chən] -adj
- remarkably bad : detestable
- remarkably good or cool
bitchy ['bi-chē] -adj, adv, n
- characterized by malicious, spiteful, or arrogant behavior
bite ['bīt] -vb, n
- to seize esp. with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound
- to wound, pierce, or sting esp. with a fang or a proboscis
- to cut or pierce with or as if with an edged weapon
- to cause sharp pain or stinging discomfort to
- to take hold of
- to take in : cheat
- to bite or have the habit of biting something
- to cut, pierce, or take hold
- to cause irritation or smarting
- corrode
- to take a bait
- to respond so as to be caught (as by a trick)
- to accept a suggestion or an offer
- offered them a deal but they wouldn't bite
- to take or maintain a firm hold
- to produce a negative effect
- the recession began to bite
- to be objectionable or extremely bad in quality : stink, suck
- the act of biting
- the manner of biting
- occlusion
- : food: as
- the amount of food taken at a bite : morsel
- a small amount of food : snack
- cheat, trick
- sharper
- a wound made by biting
- the hold or grip by which friction is created or purchase is obtained
- a surface that creates friction or is brought into contact with another for the purpose of obtaining a hold
- a keen incisive quality
- a sharp penetrating effect
- a single exposure of an etcher's plate to the corrosive action of acid
- an amount taken usu. in one operation for one purpose : share
- sound bite
bite plate -n
- : a removable usu. plastic dental appliance used in orthodontics and prosthodontics: as
- a device worn in the upper or lower jaw and used esp. to reposition the jaw or prevent bruxism
- retainer
bitesize ['bīt-,sīz] -adj
- of a size that can be eaten in one bite
- bitesize pieces of chicken
- being or made small or brief esp. so as to be easily manageable
bite·wing ['bīt-,wiŋ] -n
- a dental X-ray film designed to show the crowns of the upper and lower teeth simultaneously
bit·ing ['bī-tiŋ] -adj, adv
- having the power to bite
- able to grip and impress deeply
biting louse -n
- any of numerous wingless insects (order Mallophaga) that are parasitic esp. on birds called also bird louse
biting midge -n
- any of a family (Ceratopogonidae) of tiny biting dipteran flies of which some are vectors of filarial worms
bit·map ['bit-,map] -n
- an array of binary data representing a bitmapped image or display
- a file containing such data
- a bitmapped image or display
bit·mapped ['bit-,mapt] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a digital image or display for which an array of binary data specifies the value of each pixel
bit·stock ['bit-,stäk] -n
- brace
bit·sy ['bit-sē] -adj
- tiny
bitt ['bit] -n
- a post or pair of posts fixed on the deck of a ship for securing lines
- bollard
- to make (a cable) fast about a bitt
bit·ter ['bi-tər] -adj, adv, n
- being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops
- distasteful or distressing to the mind : galling
- : marked by intensity or severity:
- accompanied by severe pain or suffering
- being relentlessly determined : vehement
- exhibiting intense animosity
- harshly reproachful
- marked by cynicism and rancor
- intensely unpleasant esp. in coldness or rawness
- expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret
bitter -n
- bitter quality
- a usu. alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used esp. in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic
- a very dry heavily hopped ale
- to make bitter
- to a bitter degree
bitter almond -n
- an almond with a bitter taste that contains amygdalin
- a tree ( Prunus dulcis amara) producing bitter almonds
bit·ter·brush ['bi-tər-,brəsh] -n
- a much-branched shrub ( Purshia tridentata) of the rose family that grows in arid western No. America, that has 3-lobed leaves and yellow flowers, and is valuable for forage
bitter cress -n
- any of a genus ( Cardamine) of herbs of the mustard family that produce flat pods and wingless seeds
bitter end [,bi-tər-'en-dər] -n
- the last extremity however painful or calamitous
- the inboard end of a ship's anchoring cable
bit·tern ['bi-tərn] -n
- any of various small or medium-sized usu. secretive herons (esp. genera Botaurusand Ixobrychus)
bittern -n
- the bitter water solution of salts that remains after sodium chloride has crystallized out of a brine
bitter orange -n
- sour orange
bit·ter·root ['bi-tə(r)-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n
- a succulent herb ( Lewisia rediviva) of the purslane family that grows in western No. America and has starchy roots and pink or white flowers
bit·ter·sweet ['bi-tər-,swēt] -n
- something that is bittersweet
- pleasure alloyed with pain
- a poisonous Eurasian woody vine ( Solanum dulcamara) of the nightshade family that has purple flowers and oval reddish berries and is naturalized in No. America
- a No. American poisonous woody vine ( Celastrus scandens) of the staff-tree family having clusters of small greenish flowers succeeded by yellow capsules that open when ripe and disclose the scarlet aril
bittersweet -adj, adv, n
- being at once bitter and sweet
- pleasant but including or marked by elements of suffering or regret
- of or relating to a prepared chocolate containing little sugar
bit·ter·weed ['bi-tər-,wēd] -n
- : any of several American plants containing a bitter substance: as
- : either of two ragweeds:
- a low-growing common ragweed ( Ambrosia artemissiifolia)
- horseweed
- an annual yellow-flowered sneezeweed ( Helenium amarumsyn. H. tenuifolium)
- an erect annual composite herb ( Hymenoxys odorata) of the southwestern U.S. that has yellow flowers and is poisonous to livestock
bit·tock ['bi-tək] -n
- a little bit
bit·ty ['bi-tē] -adj
- made up of or containing bits
- not cohesive or flowing
bitty -adj
- small, tiny
bi·tu·men [bə-'tyü-mən, bī-, -'tü-, esp Brit also 'bit-yə-] -n, vt
- an asphalt of Asia Minor used in ancient times as a cement and mortar
- any of various mixtures of hydrocarbons (as tar) often together with their nonmetallic derivatives that occur naturally or are obtained as residues after heat-refining natural substances (as petroleum)
- such a mixture soluble in carbon disulfide
bi·tu·mi·nous [bə-'tyü-mə-nəs, bī-, -'tü-] -adj
- containing or impregnated with bitumen
- of or relating to bituminous coal
bituminous coal -n
- a coal that when heated yields considerable volatile bituminous matter called also soft coal
bi·unique [,bī-yu̇-'nēk, -yü-] -adj, n
- being a correspondence between two sets that is one-to-one in both directions
bi·va·lent [(,)bī-'vā-lənt, 'bī-və-] -adj
- divalent
- associated in pairs in synapsis
bivalent -n
- a pair of synaptic chromosomes
bi·valve ['bī-,valv] -adj
- being or having a shell composed of two valves
bivalve -n
- any of a class (Bivalvia syn. Pelecypoda) of typically marine mollusks (as clams, oysters, or scallops) that have a 2-valved hinged shell, are usu. filter feeders, and lack a distinct head
bi·var·i·ate [(,)bī-'ver-ē-ət, -'va-rē-] -adj
- of, relating to, or involving two variables
- a bivariate frequency distribution
biv·ouac ['bi-və-,wak, 'biv-,wak] -n
- a usu. temporary encampment under little or no shelter
- encampment usu. for a night
- a temporary or casual shelter or lodging
bivouac -vb
- to make a bivouac : camp
- to take shelter often temporarily
- to provide temporary quarters for
- they were bivouacked in the gym during the storm
bi·week·ly [(,)bī-'wē-klē] -adj, adv
- occurring twice a week
- occurring every two weeks : fortnightly
biweekly -n
- a publication issued every two weeks
- semiweekly
bi·year·ly [(,)bī-'yir-lē] -adj
- biannual
- biennial
biz ['biz] -n
- business
bi·zarre [bə-'zär] -adj, adv, n
- : strikingly out of the ordinary: as
- odd, extravagant, or eccentric in style or mode
- involving sensational contrasts or incongruities
bizarre -n
- a flower with atypical striped marking
bi·zar·re·rie [bi-,zär-ə-'rē] -n
- a bizarre quality
- something bizarre
bi·zar·ro [bə-'zär-ō] -adj, n
- characterized by a bizarre, fantastic, or unconventional approach
bi·zon·al [(,)bī-'zō-nᵊl] -adj, n
- of or relating to the affairs of a zone governed or administered by two powers acting together