B B (?) is the second letter of the English alphabet. (See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 196,220.) It is etymologically related to p , v , f , w and m , letters representing sounds having a close organic affinity to its own sound; as in Eng. bursar and purser; Eng. bear and Lat. pear; Eng. silver and Ger. silber; Lat. cubitum and It. gomito; Eng. seven, Anglo-Saxon seofon, Ger. sieben, Lat. septem, Gr.ptan. The form of letter B is Roman, from Greek B (Beta), of Semitic origin. The small b was formed by gradual change from the capital B. NOTE: In Mu sic, B is the nominal of the seventh tone in the model major scale (the scale of C major ), or of the second tone in it's relative minor scale (that of A minor ) . Bb stands for B flat, the tone a half step , or semitone, lower than B. In German, B stands for our Bb, while our B natural is called H (pronounced h\'84). Ba Ba (?), v. i. [Cf. OF. baer to open mouth, F. baer.] To kiss. [Obs.] Chaucer. Baa Baa (?), v. i. [Cf. G. b\'84en; an imitative word.] To cry baa, or bleat as a sheep. He treble baas for help, but none can get. Sir P. Sidney. Baa Baa (?), n.; pl. Baas. [Cf. G. b\'84.] The cry or bleating of a sheep; a bleat. Baaing Baa"ing, n. The bleating of a sheep. Marryat. Baal Ba"al (?), n.; Heb. pl. Baalim (. [Heb. ba'al lord.] 1. (Myth.) The supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations. NOTE: &hand; Th e na me of this god occurs in the Old Testament and elsewhere with qualifying epithets subjoined, answering to the different ideas of his character; as, Baal-berith (the Covenant Baal), Baal-zebub (Baal of the fly). 2. pl. The whole class of divinities to whom the name Baal was applied. Judges x. 6. Baalism Ba"al*ism (?), n. Worship of Baal; idolatry. Baalist, Baalite Ba"al*ist (?), Ba"al*ite (?), n. A worshiper of Baal; a devotee of any false religion; an idolater. Baba Ba"ba (?), n. [F.] A kind of plum cake. Babbitt Bab"bitt (?), v. t. To line with Babbitt metal. Babbitt metal Bab"bitt met`al (?). [From the inventor, Isaac Babbitt of Massachusetts.] A soft white alloy of variable composition (as a nine parts of tin to one of copper, or of fifty parts of tin to five of antimony and one of copper) used in bearings to diminish friction. Babble Bab"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Babbled (p. pr. & vb. n. Babbling.] [Cf.LG. babbeln, D. babbelen, G. bappeln, bappern, F. babiller, It. babbolare; prob. orig., to keep saying ba, imitative of a child learning to talk.] 1. To utter words indistinctly or unintelligibly; to utter inarticulate sounds; as a child babbles. 2. To talk incoherently; to utter unmeaning words. 3. To talk much; to chatter; to prate. 4. To make a continuous murmuring noise, as shallow water running over stones. In every babbling he finds a friend. Wordsworth. NOTE: &hand; Ho unds ar e sa id to babble, or to be babbling, when they are too noisy after having found a good scent. Syn. -- To prate; prattle; chatter; gossip. Babble Bab"ble, v. i. 1. To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat,as words, in a childish way without understanding. These [words] he used to babble in all companies. Arbuthnot. 2. To disclose by too free talk, as a secret. Babble Bab"ble, n. 1. Idle talk; senseless prattle; gabble; twaddle. "This is mere moral babble." Milton. 2. Inarticulate speech; constant or confused murmur. The babble of our young children. Darwin. The babble of the stream. Tennyson. Babblement Bab"ble*ment (?), n. Babble. Hawthorne. Babbler Bab"bler (?), n. 1. An idle talker; an irrational prater; a teller of secrets. Great babblers, or talkers, are not fit for trust. L'Estrange. 2. A hound too noisy on finding a good scent. 3. (Zo\'94l.) A name given to any one of family (Timalin\'91) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering note. Babblery Bab"ble*ry (?), n. Babble. [Obs.] Sir T. More Babe Babe (?), n. [Cf. Ir. bab, baban, W. baban, maban.] 1. An infant; a young child of either sex; a baby. 2. A doll for children. Spenser. Babehood Babe"hood (?), n. Babyhood. [R.] Udall. Babel Ba"bel (?), n. [Heb. B\'bebel, the name of the capital of Babylonia; in Genesis associated with the idea of "confusion"] 1. The city and tower in the land of Shinar, where the confusion of languages took place. Therefore is the name of it called Babel. Gen. xi. 9. 2. Hence: A place or scene of noise and confusion; a confused mixture of sounds, as of voices or languages. That babel of strange heathen languages. Hammond. The grinding babel of the street. R. L. Stevenson. Babery Bab"er*y (?), n. [Perh. orig. for baboonery. Cf. Baboon, and also Babe.] Finery of a kind to please a child. [Obs.] "Painted babery." Sir P. Sidney. Babian, Babion Ba"bi*an (?), Ba"bi*on (?), n. [See Baboon] A baboon. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Babillard Bab"il*lard (?), n. [F., a babbler.] (Zo\'94l.) The lesser whitethroat of Europe; -- called also babbling warbler. Babingtonite Bab"ing*ton*ite (?), n. [From Dr. Babbington.] (Min.) A mineral occurring in triclinic crystals approaching pyroxene in angle, and of a greenish black color. It is a silicate of iron, manganese, and lime. Babiroussa, Babirussa Bab`i*rous"sa, Bab`i*rus"sa (, n. [F. babiroussa, fr.Malay b\'beb\'c6 hog + r deer.] (Zo\'94l.) A large hoglike quadruped (Sus, or Porcus, babirussa) of the East Indies, sometimes domesticated; the Indian hog. Its upper canine teeth or tusks are large and recurved. Babish Bab"ish (?), a. Like a babe; a childish; babyish. [R.] "Babish imbecility." Drayton. -- Bab"ish*ly, adv. -- Bab"ish*ness, n. [R.] Babism Bab"ism (?), n. [From Bab (Pers. bab a gate), the title assumed by the founder, Mirza Ali Mohammed.] The doctrine of a modern religious sect, which originated in Persia in 1843, being a mixture of Mohammedan, Christian, Jewish and Parsee elements. Babist Bab"ist, n. A believer in Babism. Bablah Bab"lah (?), n. [Cf. Per. bab a species of mimosa yielding gum arabic.] The ring of the fruit of several East Indian species of acacia; neb-neb. It contains gallic acid and tannin, and is used for dyeing drab. Baboo, Babu Ba"boo, Ba"bu (?), n. [Hind. b\'beb ] A Hindoo gentleman; native clerk who writes English; also, a Hindoo title answering to Mr. or Esquire. Whitworth. Baboon Bab*oon" (?), n. [OE. babewin, baboin, fr.F. babouin, or LL. babewynus. Of unknown origin; cf. D. baviaan, G. pavian, baboon, F. babin lip of ape, dogs, etc., dial. G. b\'84ppe mouth.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the Old World Quadrumana, of the genera Cynocephalus and Papio; the dog-faced ape. Baboons have dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. They are mostly African. See Mandrill, and Chacma, and Drill an ape. Baboonery Bab*oon"ery (?), n. Baboonish behavior. Marryat. Baboonish Bab*oon"ish, a. Like a baboon. Baby Ba"by (?), n.; pl. Babies. [Dim. of babe] An infant or young child of either sex; a babe. 2. A small image of an infant; a doll. Babies in the eyes, the minute reflection which one sees of one's self in the eyes of another. She clung about his neck, gave him ten kisses, Toyed with his locks, looked babies in his eyes. Heywood. Baby Ba"by, a. Pertaining to, or resembling, an infant; young or little; as, baby swans. "Baby figure" Shak. Baby Ba"by, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Babied (p. pr. & vb. n.Babying.] To treat like a young child; to keep dependent; to humor; to fondle. Young. Baby farm Ba"by farm` (?). A place where the nourishment and care of babies are offered for hire. Baby farmer Ba"by farm`er (?). One who keeps a baby farm. Baby farming Ba"by farm`ing. The business of keeping a baby farm. Babyhood Ba"by*hood (?), n. The state or period of infancy. Babyhouse Ba"by*house` (?), a. A place for children's dolls and dolls' furniture. Swift. Babyish Ba"by*ish, a. Like a baby; childish; puerile; simple. -- Ba"by*ish*ly, adv. -- Ba"by*ish*ness, n. Babyism Ba"by*ism (?), n. 1. The state of being a baby. 2. A babyish manner of acting or speaking. Baby jumper Ba"by jump`er (?). A hoop suspended by an elastic strap, in which a young child may be held secure while amusing itself by jumping on the floor. Babylonian Bab`y*lo"ni*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to the real or to the mystical Babylon, or to the ancient kingdom of Babylonia; Chaldean. Babylonian Bab`y*lo"ni*an, n. 1. An inhabitant of Babylonia (which included Chaldea); a Chaldean. 2. An astrologer; -- so called because the Chaldeans were remarkable for the study of astrology. Babylonic, Babylonical Bab`y*lon"ic (?), Bab`y*lon"ic*al (?), a. 1. Pertaining to Babylon, or made there; as Babylonic garments,carpets, or hangings. 2. Tumultuous; disorderly. [Obs.] Sir J. Harrington. Babylonish Bab"y*lo`nish (?), n. 1. Of or pertaining to, or made in, Babylon or Babylonia. "A Babylonish garment." Josh. vii. 21. 2. Pertaining to the Babylon of Revelation xiv.8. 3. Pertaining to Rome and papal power. [Obs.] The . . . injurious nickname of Babylonish. Gape. 4. Confused; Babel-like. Babyroussa, Babyrussa Bab`y*rous"sa, Bab`y*rus"sa (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Babyroussa. Babyship Ba"by*ship (?), n. The quality of being a baby; the personality of an infant. Bac Bac (?), n. [F. See Back a vat] 1. A broad, flatbottomed ferryboat, usually worked by a rope. 2. A vat or cistern. See 1st Back. Baccalaureate Bac"ca*lau"re*ate (?), n. [NL. baccalaureatus, fr.LL. baccalaureus a bachelor of arts, fr. baccalarius, but as if fr L. bacca lauri bayberry, from the practice of the bachelor's wearing a garland of bayberries. See Bachelor.] 1. The degree of bachelor of arts. (B.A. or A.B.), the first or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and colleges. 2. A baccalaureate sermon. [U.S.] Baccalaureate Bac`ca*lau"re*ate, a. Pertaining to a bachelor of arts. Baccalaureate sermon, in some American colleges, a sermon delivered as a farewell discourse to a graduating class. Baccara, Baccarat Bac`ca*ra", Bac`ca*rat" (?), n. [F.] A French game of cards, played by a banker and punters. Baccare, Backare Bac*ca"re, Bac*ka"re (?), interj. Stand back! give place! -- a cant word of the Elizabethan writers, probably in ridicule of some person who pretended to a knowledge of Latin which he did not possess. Baccare! you are marvelous forward. Shak. Baccate Bac"cate (?), a. [L. baccatus, fr. L. bacca berry.] (Bot.) Pulpy throughout, like a berry; -- said of fruits. Gray. Baccated Bac"ca*ted (?), a. 1. Having many berries. 2. Set or adorned with pearls. [Obs.] Bacchanal Bac"cha*nal (?), a. [L. Bacchanalis. See Bacchanalia.] 1. Relating to Bacchus or his festival. 2. Engaged in drunken revels; drunken and riotous or noisy. Bacchanal Bac"cha*nal (?), n. 1. A devotee of Bacchus; one who indulges in drunken revels; one who is noisy and riotous when intoxicated; a carouser. "Tipsy bacchanals." Shak. 2. pl. The festival of Bacchus; the bacchanalia. 3. Drunken revelry; an orgy. 4. A song or dance in honor of Bacchus. Bacchanalia Bac`cha*na"li*a (?), n. pl. [L. Bacchanal a place devoted to Bacchus; in the pl. Bacchanalia a feast of Bacchus, fr. Bacchus the god of wine, Gr. 1. (Myth.) A feast or an orgy in honor of Bacchus. 2. Hence: A drunken feast; drunken reveler. Bacchanalian Bac`cha*na"li*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to the festival of Bacchus; relating to or given to reveling and drunkenness. Even bacchanalian madness has its charms. Cowper. Bacahanalian Bac`aha*na"li*an, n. A bacchanal; a drunken reveler. Bacchanalianism Bac`cha*na"li*an*ism (?), n. The practice of bacchanalians; bacchanals; drunken revelry. Bacchant Bac"chant (?), n.; pl. E. Bacchants, L. Bacchantes. [L. bacchans, -antis, p. pr. of bacchari to celebrate the festival of Bacchus.] 1. A priest of Bacchus. 2. A bacchanal; a reveler. Croly. Bacchant Bac"chant, a. Bacchanalian; fond of drunken revelry; wine-loving; reveling; carousing. Byron. Bacchante Bac"chante (?), n.; L. pl. Bacchantes. 1. A priestess of Bacchus. 2. A female bacchanal. Bacchantic Bac*chan"tic (?), a. Bacchanalian. Bacchic, Bacchical Bac"chic (?), Bac"chic*al (?), a. [L. Bacchicus, Gr. Of or relating to Bacchus; hence, jovial, or riotous,with intoxication. Bacchius Bac*chi"us (?), n.; pl. Bacchii. [L. Bacchius pes, Gr. (Pros.) A metrical foot composed of a short syllable and two long ones; according to some, two long and a short. Bacchus Bac"chus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. (Myth.) The god of wine, son of Jupiter and Semele. Bacciferous Bac*cif"er*ous (?), a. [L. baccifer; bacca berry + ferre to bear] Producing berries. " Bacciferous trees." Ray. Bacciform Bac"ci*form (?), a. [L. bacca berry + -form. ] Having the form of a berry. Baccivorous Bac*civ"o*rous (?), a. [L. bacca berry + varare to devour.] (Zo\'94l.) Eating, or subsisting on, berries; as, baccivorous birds. Bace Bace (?), n., a., & v. See Base. [Obs.] Spenser. Bacharach, Backarack Bach"a*rach, Back"a*rack (?), n. A kind of wine made at Bacharach on the Rhine. Bacheelor Bache"e*lor (?), n. [OF. bacheler young man, F. bachelier (cf.Pr. bacalar, Sp.bachiller, Pg. bacharel, It. baccalare), LL. baccalarius the tenant of a kind of farm called baccalaria, a soldier not old or rich enough to lead his retainers into battle with a banner, person of an inferior academical degree aspiring to a doctorate. In the latter sense, it was afterward changed to baccalaureus. See Baccalaureate, n.] 1. A man of any age who has not been married. As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound. W. Irving. 2. An unmarried woman. [Obs.] B. Jonson. <-- p. 110 --> 3. A person who has taken the first or lowest degree in the liberal arts, or in some branch of science, at a college or university; as, a bachelor of arts. 4. A knight who had no standard of his own, but fought under the standard of another in the field; often, a young knight. 5. In the companies of London tradesmen, one not yet admitted to wear the livery; a junior member. [Obs.] 6. (Zo\'94l.) A kind of bass, an edible fresh-water fish (Pomoxys annularis) of the southern United States. Bachelordom Bach"e*lor*dom (?), n. The state of bachelorhood; the whole body of bachelors. Bachelorhood Bach"e*lor*hood (?), n. The state or condition of being a bachelor; bachelorship. Bachelorism Bach"e*lor*ism (?), n. Bachelorhood; also, a manner or peculiarity belonging to bachelors. W. Irving. Bachelor's button Bach"e*lor's but"ton (?), (Bot.) A plant with flowers shaped like buttons; especially, several species of Ranunculus, and the cornflower (Centaures cyanus) and globe amaranth (Gomphrena). NOTE: &hand; Ba chelor's bu ttons, a name given to several flowers "from their similitude to the jagged cloathe buttons, anciently worne in this kingdom", according to Johnson's Gerarde, p.472 (1633); but by other writers ascribed to "a habit of country fellows to carry them in their pockets to divine their success with their sweethearts." Dr. Prior. Bachelorship Bach"e*lor*ship, n. The state of being a bachelor. Bachelry Bach"el*ry (?), n. [OF. bachelerie.] The body of young aspirants for knighthood. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bacillar Ba*cil"lar (?), a. [L. bacillum little staff.] (Biol.) Shaped like a rod or staff. Bacillari\'91 Bac"il*la`ri*\'91 (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.L. bacillum, dim. of baculum stick.] (Biol.) See Diatom. Bacillary Bac"il*la*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to little rods; rod-shaped. Bacilliform Ba*cil"li*form (?), a. [L. bacillum little staff + -form.] Rod-shaped. Bacillus Ba*cil"lus (?), n.; pl. Bacilli (. [NL., for L. bacillum. See Bacillarle.] (Biol.) A variety of bacterium; a microscopic, rod-shaped vegetable organism. Back Back (?), n. [F. bac: cf. Arm. bak tray, bowl.] 1. A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc. Hop back, Jack back, the cistern which receives the infusion of malt and hops from the copper. -- Wash back, a vat in which distillers ferment the wort to form wash. -- Water back, a cistern to hold a supply of water; esp. a small cistern at the back of a stove, or a group of pipes set in the fire box of a stove or furnace, through which water circulates and is heated. 2. A ferryboat. See Bac, 1 Back Back (?), n. [As b\'91c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b flight. Cf. Bacon.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster. 2. An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge. [The mountains] their broad bare backs upheave Into the clouds. Milton. 3. The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail. Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this, Gave me your hands, the backs and palms to kiss. Donne. 4. The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney. 5. The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village. 6. The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw. 7. A support or resource in reserve. This project Should have a back or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. Shak. 8. (Naut.) The keel and keelson of a ship. 9. (Mining) The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage. 10. A garment for the back; hence, clothing. A bak to walken inne by daylight. Chaucer. Behind one's back, when one is absent; without one's knowledge; as, to ridicule a person behind his back. -- Full back, Half back, Quarter back (Football), players stationed behind those in the front line. -- To be or lie on one's back, to be helpless. -- To put, or get, one's back up, to assume an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when attacked.). [Colloq.] -- To see the back of, to get rid of. -- To turn the back, to go away; to flee. -- To turn the back on one, to forsake or neglect him. Back Back, a. 1. Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements. 2. Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent. 3. Moving or operating backward; as, back action. Back charges, charges brought forward after an account has been made up. -- Back filling (Arch.), the mass of materials used in filling up the space between two walls, or between the inner and outer faces of a wall, or upon the haunches of an arch or vault. -- Back pressure. (Steam Engine) See under Pressure. -- Back rest, a guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe, and placed in contact with the work, to steady it in turning. -- Back slang, a kind of slang in which every word is written or pronounced backwards; as, nam for man. -- Back stairs, stairs in the back part of a house; private stairs. Also used adjectively. See Back stairs, Backstairs, and Backstair, in the Vocabulary. -- Back step (Mil.), the retrograde movement of a man or body of men, without changing front. -- Back stream, a current running against the main current of a stream; an eddy. -- To take the back track, to retrace one's steps; to retreat. [Colloq.] Back Back (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Backed (; p. pr. & vb. n. Backing.] 1. To get upon the back of; to mount. I will back him [a horse] straight. Shak. 2. To place or seat upon the back. [R.] Great Jupiter, upon his eagle backed, Appeared to me. Shak. 3. To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen. 4. To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books. 5. To adjoin behind; to be at the back of. A garden . . . with a vineyard backed. Shak. The chalk cliffs which back the beach. Huxley. 6. To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to indorse; as, to back a note or legal document. 7. To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or influence; as, to back a friend. "Parliament would be backed by the people." Macaulay. Have still found it necessary to back and fortify their laws with rewards and punishments. South. The mate backed the captain manfully. Blackw. Mag. 8. To bet on the success of; -- as, to back a race horse. To back an anchor (Naut.), to lay down a small anchor ahead of a large one, the cable of the small one being fastened to the crown of the large one. -- To back the field, in horse racing, to bet against a particular horse or horses, that some one of all the other horses, collectively designated "the field", will win. -- To back the oars, to row backward with the oars. -- To back a rope, to put on a preventer. -- To back the sails, to arrange them so as to cause the ship to move astern. -- To back up, to support; to sustain; as, to back up one's friends. -- To back a warrant (Law), is for a justice of the peace, in the county where the warrant is to be executed, to sign or indorse a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend an offender. -- To back water (Naut.), to reverse the action of the oars, paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship backward. Back Back, v. i. 1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. 2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; -- used of the wind. 3. (Sporting) To stand still behind another dog which has poined; -- said of a dog. [Eng.] To back and fill, to manage the sails of a ship so that the wind strikes them alternately in front and behind, in order to keep the ship in the middle of a river or channel while the current or tide carries the vessel against the wind. Hence: (Fig.) To take opposite positions alternately; to assert and deny. [Colloq.] -- To back out, To back down, to retreat or withdraw from a promise, engagement, or contest; to recede. [Colloq.] Cleon at first . . . was willing to go; but, finding that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to back out. Jowett (Thucyd. ) Back Back, adv. [Shortened from aback.] 1. In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step back. 2. To the place from which one came; to the place or person from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something left behind; to go back to one's native place; to put a book back after reading it. 3. To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism. 4. ( Of time) In times past; ago. "Sixty or seventy years back." Gladstone. 5. Away from contact; by reverse movement. The angel of the Lord . . . came, and rolled back the stone from the door. Matt. xxvii. 2. 6. In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another. 7. In a state of restraint or hindrance. The Lord hath kept thee back from honor. Numb. xxiv. 11. 8. In return, repayment, or requital. What have I to give you back! Shak. 9. In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back0 the offensive words. 10. In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent. [Colloq.] Back and forth, backwards and forwards; to and fro. -- To go back on, to turn back from; to abandon; to betray; as, to go back on a friend; to go back on one's professions. [Colloq.] Backarack Back"a*rack (?), n. See Bacharach. Backare Bac*ka"re (?), interj. Same as Baccare. Backband Back"band` (?), n. [2nd back ,n.+ band.] (Saddlery) The band which passes over the back of a horse and holds up the shafts of a carriage. Backbite Back"bite`, v. i. [2nd back, n., + bite] To wound by clandestine detraction; to censure meanly or spitefully (as absent person); to slander or speak evil of (one absent). Spenser. Backbite Back"bite`, v. i. To censure or revile the absent. They are arrant knaves, and will backbite. Shak. Backbiter Back"bit`er (?), n. One who backbites; a secret calumniator or detractor. Backbiting Back"bit`ing (?), n. Secret slander; detraction. Backbiting, and bearing of false witness. Piers Plowman. Backboard Back"board` (?), n. [2nd back, n. + board.] 1. A board which supports the back wen one is sitting; NOTE: specifically, the board athwart the after part of a boat. 2. A board serving as the back part of anything, as of a wagon. 3. A thin stuff used for the backs of framed pictures, mirrors, etc. 4. A board attached to the rim of a water wheel to prevent the water from running off the floats or paddies into the interior of the wheel. W. Nicholson. 5. A board worn across the back to give erectness to the figure. Thackeray. Backbond Back"bond` (?), n. [Back, adv. + bond.] (Scots Law) An instrument which, in conjunction with another making an absolute disposition, constitutes a trust. Backbone Back"bone", n. [2d back,n.+ bone. ] 1. The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column. 2. Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a backbone. The lofty mountains on the north side compose the granitic axis, or backbone of the country. Darwin. We have now come to the backbone of our subject. Earle. 3. Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness. Shelley's thought never had any backbone. Shairp. To the backbone, through and through; thoroughly; entirely. "Staunch to the backbone." Lord Lytton. Backboned Back"boned" (?), a. Vertebrate. Backcast Back"cast` (?), n. [Back, adv.+ cast.] Anything which brings misfortune upon one, or causes failure in an effort or enterprise; a reverse. [Scot.] Back door Back" door" (?). A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect way. Atterbury. Backdoor Back"door", a. Acting from behind and in concealment; as backdoor intrigues. Backdown Back"down` (?), n. A receding or giving up; a complete surrender. [Colloq.] Backed Backed (?), a. Having a back; fitted with a back; as, a backed electrotype or stereotype plate. Used in composition; as, broad- backed; hump-backed. Backer Back"er (?), n. One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs a person or thing in a contest. Backfall Back"fall` (?), n. [2nd back ,n. + fall] A fall or throw on the back in wrestling. Backfriend Back"friend` (?), n. [Back,n.or adv. + friend] A secret enemy. [Obs.] South. Backgammon Back"gam`mon (?), n. [Origin unknown; perhaps fr.Dan. bakke tray + E. game; or very likely the first part is from E.back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are often set back.] A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a "board" marked off into twenty-four spaces called "points". Each player has fifteen pieces, or "men", the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called tables. Backgammon board , a board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two "tables". Backgammon Back"gam`mon, v. i. In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first "table". Background Back"ground` (?), n. [Back, a. + ground.] 1. Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front. 2. (Paint.) The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures. NOTE: &hand; Th e di stance in a pi cture is usually divided into foreground, middle distance, and background. Fairholt. 3. Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings. 4. A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight. I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished . . . performance. Mrs. Alexander. A husband somewhere in the background. Thackeray. Backhand Back"hand` (?), n. [Back, adv. + hand.] A kind of handwriting in which the downward slope of the letters is from left to right. Backhand Back"hand`, a. 1. Sloping from left to right; -- said of handwriting. 2. Backhanded; indirect; oblique. [R.] Backhanded Back"hand`ed, a. 1. With the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow. 2. Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded compliment. 3. Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, a backhanded letters. Backhandedness Back"hand`ed*ness, n. State of being backhanded; the using of backhanded or indirect methods. Backhander Back"hand`er (?), n. A backhanded blow. Backhouse Back"house` (?), n. [Back, a. + house.] A building behind the main building. Specifically: A privy; a necessary. Backing Back"ing, n. 1. The act of moving backward, or of putting or moving anything backward. 2. That which is behind, and forms the back of, anything, usually giving strength or stability. 3. Support or aid given to a person or cause. 4. (Bookbinding) The preparation of the back of a book with glue, etc., before putting on the cover. Backjoint Back"joint` (?), n. [Back , a. or adv. + joint.] (Arch.) A rebate or chase in masonry left to receive a permanent slab or other filling. Backlash Back"lash` (?), n. [Back , adv. + lash.] (Mech.) The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion. Backless Back"less, a. Without a back. Backlog Back"log` (?), n. [Back, a. + log.] A large stick of wood, forming the of a fire on the hearth. [U.S.] There was first a backlog, from fifteen to four and twenty inches in diameter and five feet long, imbedded in the ashes. S. G. Goodrich. Backpiece, Backplate Back"piece` (?), Back"plate` (?), n. [Back,n.or a. + piece, plate. ] A piece, or plate which forms the back of anything, or which covers the back; armor for the back. <-- p. 111 --> Backrack, Backrag Back"rack (?), Back"rag (?), n. See Bacharach. Backs Backs (?), n. pl. Among leather dealers, the thickest and stoutest tanned hides. Backsaw Back"saw` (?), n. [2d back,n.+ saw.] A saw (as a tenon saw) whose blade is stiffened by an added metallic back. Backset Back"set` (?), n. [Back, adv. + set.] 1. A check; a relapse; a discouragement; a setback. 2. Whatever is thrown back in its course, as water. Slackwater, or the backset caused by the overflow. Harper's Mag. Backset Back"set`, v. i. To plow again, in the fall; -- said of prairie land broken up in the spring. [Western U.S.] Backsettler Back"set"tler (?), n. [Back, a. + settler.] One living in the back or outlying districts of a community. The English backsettlers of Leinster and Munster. Macaulay. Backsheesh, Backshish Back"sheesh`, Back"shish` (?), n. [Pers. bakhsh\'c6sh, fr. bakhsh\'c6dan to give.] In Egypt and the Turkish empire, a gratuity; a "tip". Backside Back"side` (?), n. [Back, a. + side. ] The hinder part, posteriors, or rump of a person or animal. NOTE: &hand; Backside (one word) was formerly used of the rear part or side of any thing or place, but in such senses is now two words. Backsight Back"sight` (?), n. [Back, adv. + sight. ] (Surv.) The reading of the leveling staff in its unchanged position when the leveling instrument has been taken to a new position; a sight directed backwards to a station previously occupied. Cf. Foresight, n., 3. Backslide Back`slide" (?), v. i. [imp. Backslid (?); p.p. Backslidden (?), Backslid; p. pr. & vb. n. Backsliding. ] [Back , adv.+ slide.] To slide back; to fall away; esp. to abandon gradually the faith and practice of a religion that has been professed. Backslider Back"slid"er (?), n. One who backslides. Backsliding Back"slid"ing, a. Slipping back; falling back into sin or error; sinning. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord. Jer. iii. 14. Backsliding Back"slid"ing, n. The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or duty. Our backslidings are many. Jer. xiv. 7. Backstaff Back"staff` (?), n. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed. Back stairs Back" stairs`. Stairs in the back part of a house, as distinguished from the front stairs; hence, a private or indirect way. Backstairs, Backstair Back"stairs`, Back"stair`, a. Private; indirect; secret; intriguing; as if finding access by the back stairs. A backstairs influence. Burke. Female caprice and backstairs influence. Trevelyan. Backstay Back"stay` (?), n. [Back, a. orn.+ stay.] 1. (Naut.) A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast. [ Often used in the plural.] 2. A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion. Backster Back"ster (?), n. [See Baxter.] A backer. [Obs.] Backstitch Back"stitch` (?), n. [Back, adv. + stitch.] A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end. Backstitch Back"stitch`, v. i. To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam. Backstress Back"stress (?), n. A female baker. [Obs.] Backsword Back"sword` (?), n. [2d back,n.+ sword.] 1. A sword with one sharp edge. 2. In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called singlestick. Halliwell. Backward, Backwards Back"ward (?), Back"wards (?), adv. [Back, adv. + -ward.] 1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward. 2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward. 3. On the back, or with the back downward. Thou wilt fall backward. Shak. 4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago. Some reigns backward. Locke. 5. By way of reflection; reflexively. Sir J. Davies. 6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin. The work went backward. Dryden. 7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards. We might have . . . beat them backward home. Shak. Backward Back"ward, a. 1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances. 2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath. For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. Pope. 3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner." South. 4. Late or behindhand; as, a backward season. 5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state. 6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.] And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. Byron. Backward Back"ward, n. The state behind or past. [Obs.] In the dark backward and abysm of time. Shak. Backward Back"ward, v. i. To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.] Backwardation Back`war*da"tion (?), n. [Backward, v.i.+ -ation.] (Stock Exchange) The seller's postponement of delivery of stock or shares, with the consent of the buyer, upon payment of a premium to the latter; -- also, the premium so paid. See Contango. Biddle. Backwardly Back"ward*ly (?), adv. 1. Reluctantly; slowly; aversely. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney. 2. Perversely; ill.[Obs.] And does he think so backwardly of me? Shak. Backwardness Back"ward*ness, n. The state of being backward. Backwash Back"wash` (?), v. i. To clean the oil from (wood) after combing. Backwater Back"wa`ter (?), n. [Back, a. or adv. + -ward. ] 1. Water turned back in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current , or the flow of the tide, as in a sewer or river channel, or across a river bar. 2. An accumulation of water overflowing the low lands, caused by an obstruction. 3. Water thrown back by the turning of a waterwheel, or by the paddle wheels of a steamer. Backwoods Back"woods" (?), n. pl. [Back, a. + woods.] The forests or partly cleared grounds on the frontiers. Backwoodsman Back"woods"man (?), n.; pl. Backwoodsmen (. A men living in the forest in or beyond the new settlements, especially on the western frontiers of the older portions of the United States. Fisher Ames. Backworm Back"worm` (?), n. [2d back,n.+ worm. ] A disease of hawks. See Filanders. Wright. Bacon Ba"con (?), n. [OF. bacon, fr. OHG. bacho, bahho, flitch of bacon, ham; akin to E. back. Cf. Back the back side.] The back and sides of a pig salted and smoked; formerly, the flesh of a pig salted or fresh. Bacon beetle (Zo\'94l.), a beetle (Dermestes lardarius) which, especially in the larval state, feeds upon bacon, woolens, furs, etc. See Dermestes. -- To save one's bacon, to save one's self or property from harm or less. [Colloq.] Baconian Ba*co"ni*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon, or to his system of philosophy. Baconian method, the inductive method. See Induction. Bacteria Bac*te"ri*a (?), n.p. See Bacterium. Bacterial Bac*te"ri*al (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to bacteria. Bactericidal Bac*te"ri*ci`dal (?), a. Destructive of bacteria. Bactericide Bac*te"ri*cide (?), n. [Bacterium + L. caedere to kill] (Biol.) Same as Germicide. Bacteriological Bac*te"ri*o*log`ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to bacteriology; as, bacteriological studies. Bacteriologist Bac*te"ri*ol`o*gist, n. One skilled in bacteriology. Bacteriology Bac*te"ri*ol`o*gy (?), n. [Bacterium + -logy. ] (Biol.) The science relating to bacteria. Bacterioscopic Bac*te`ri*o*scop"ic (?), a. (Biol.) Relating to bacterioscopy; as, a bacterioscopic examination. Bacterioscopist Bac*te`ri*os"co*pist (?), n. (Biol.) One skilled in bacterioscopic examinations. Bacterioscopy Bac*te`ri*os"co*py (?), n. [Bacterium + -scopy ] (Biol.) The application of a knowledge of bacteria for their detection and identification, as in the examination of polluted water. Bacterium Bac*te"ri*um (?), n.; pl. Bacteria (#). [NL., fr. Gr., , a staff: cf. F. bact\'82rie. ] (Biol.) A microscopic vegetable organism, belonging to the class Alg\'91, usually in the form of a jointed rodlike filament, and found in putrefying organic infusions. Bacteria are destitute of chlorophyll, and are the smallest of microscopic organisms. They are very widely diffused in nature, and multiply with marvelous rapidity, both by fission and by spores. Certain species are active agents in fermentation, while others appear to be the cause of certain infectious diseases. See Bacillus. Bacteroid, Bacteroidal Bac"te*roid (?), Bac`te*roid"al (?), a. [Bacterium + -oid.] (Biol.) Resembling bacteria; as, bacteroid particles. Bactrian Bac"tri*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Bactria in Asia. -- n. A native of Bactria. Bactrian camel, the two-humped camel. Bacule Bac"ule (?), n. [F.] (Fort.) See Bascule. Baculine Bac"u*line (?), a. [L. baculum staff.] Of or pertaining to the rod or punishment with the rod. Baculite Bac"u*lite (?), n. [L. baculune stick, staff; cf. F. baculite.] (Paleon.) A cephalopod of the extinct genus Baculites, found fossil in the Cretaceous rocks. It is like an uncoiled ammonite. Baculometry Bac`u*lom"e*try (?), n. [L. baculum staff + -metry] Measurement of distance or altitude by a staff or staffs. Bad Bad (?), imp. of Bid. Bade. [Obs.] Dryden. Bad Bad (?), a. [Compar. Worse (?); superl. Worst (?). ] [Probably fr. AS. b\'91ddel hermaphrodite; cf. b\'91dling effeminate fellow.] Wanting good qualities, whether physical or moral; injurious, hurtful, inconvenient, offensive, painful, unfavorable, or defective, either physically or morally; evil; vicious; wicked; -- the opposite of good; as a bad man; bad conduct; bad habits; bad soil; bad health; bad crop; bad news. NOTE: Sometimes used substantively. The strong antipathy of good to bad. Pope. Syn. -- Pernicious; deleterious; noxious; baneful; injurious; hurtful; evil; vile; wretched; corrupt; wicked; vicious; imperfect. Badder Bad"der (?), compar. of Bad, a. [Obs.] Chaucer. Badderlocks Bad"der*locks (?), n. [Perh. for Balderlocks, fr. Balder the Scandinavian deity.] (Bot.) A large black seaweed (Alaria esculenta) sometimes eaten in Europe; -- also called murlins, honeyware, and henware. Baddish Bad"dish, a. Somewhat bad; inferior. Jeffrey. Bade Bade (?). A form of the pat tense of Bid. Badge Badge (?), n. [LL. bagea, bagia, sign, prob. of German origin; cf. AS. be\'a0g, be\'a0h, bracelet, collar, crown, OS b in comp., AS. b to bow, bend, G. biegen. See Bow to bend.] 1. A distinctive mark, token, sign, or cognizance, worn on the person; as, the badge of a society; the badge of a policeman. "Tax gatherers, recognized by their official badges. " Prescott. 2. Something characteristic; a mark; a token. Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge. Shak. 3. (Naut.) A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one. Badge Badge (?), v. t. To mark or distinguish with a badge. Badgeless Badge"less, a. Having no badge. Bp. Hall. Badger Badg"er (?), n. [Of uncertain origin; perh. fr. an old verb badge to lay up provisions to sell again.] An itinerant licensed dealer in commodities used for food; a hawker; a huckster; -- formerly applied especially to one who bought grain in one place and sold it in another. [Now dialectic, Eng.] Badger Badg"er, n. [OE. bageard, prob. fr. badge + -ard, in reference to the white mark on its forehead. See Badge,n.] 1. A carnivorous quadruped of the genus Meles or of an allied genus. It is a burrowing animal, with short, thick legs, and long claws on the fore feet. One species (M. vulgaris), called also brock, inhabits the north of Europe and Asia; another species (Taxidea Americana or Labradorica) inhabits the northern parts of North America. See Teledu. 2. A brush made of badgers' hair, used by artists. Badger dog. (Zo\'94l.) See Dachshund. Badger Badg"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Badgered (p. pr. & vb. n. Badgering.] [For sense 1, see 2d Badger; for 2, see 1st Badger.] 1. To tease or annoy, as a badger when baited; to worry or irritate persistently. 2. To beat down; to cheapen; to barter; to bargain. Badgerer Badg"er*er (?), n. 1. One who badgers. 2. A kind of dog used in badger baiting. Badgering Badg"er*ing, n. 1. The act of one who badgers. 2. The practice of buying wheat and other kinds of food in one place and selling them in another for a profit. [Prov. Eng.] Badger-legged Badg"er-legged` (?), a. Having legs of unequal length, as the badger was thought to have. Shak. Badiaga Bad`i*a"ga (?), n. [Russ. badiaga.] (Zo\'94l.) A fresh-water sponge (Spongilla), common in the north of Europe, the powder of which is used to take away the livid marks of bruises. Badian Ba"di*an (?), n. [F.badiane, fr. Per. b\'bedi\'ben anise.] (Bot.) An evergreen Chinese shrub of the Magnolia family (Illicium anisatum), and its aromatic seeds; Chinese anise; star anise. Badigeon Ba*di"geon (?), n. [F.] A cement or paste (as of plaster and freestone, or of sawdust and glue or lime) used by sculptors, builders, and workers in wood or stone, to fill holes, cover defects, or finish a surface. Badinage Ba`di`nage" (?), n. [F., fr. badiner to joke, OF. to trifle, be silly, fr. badin silly.] Playful raillery; banter. "He . . . indulged himself only in an elegant badinage." Warburton. Bad lands Bad" lands" (?). Barren regions, especially in the western United States, where horizontal strata (Tertiary deposits) have been often eroded into fantastic forms, and much intersected by canons, and where lack of wood, water, and forage increases the difficulty of traversing the country, whence the name, first given by the Canadian French, Mauvaises Terres (bad lands). Badly Bad"ly, adv. In a bad manner; poorly; not well; unskillfully; imperfectly; unfortunately; grievously; so as to cause harm; disagreeably; seriously. NOTE: &hand; Badly is often used colloquially for very much or very greatly, with words signifying to want or need. Badminton Bad"min*ton (?), n. [From the name of the seat of the Duke of Beaufort in England.] 1. A game, similar to lawn tennis, played with shuttlecocks. 2. A preparation of claret, spiced and sweetened. Badness Bad"ness, n. The state of being bad. B\'91nomere B\'91"no*mere (?), n. [Gr. to walk + -mere.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the somites (arthromeres) that make up the thorax of Arthropods. Packard. B\'91nopod B\'91"no*pod (?), n. [Gr. -pod.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the thoracic legs of Arthropods. B\'91nosome B\'91"no*some (?), n. [Gr. -some body.] (Zo\'94l.) The thorax of Arthropods. Packard. Baff Baff (?), n. A blow; a stroke. [Scot.] H. Miller. Baffle Baf"fle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Baffled (p. pr. & vb. n. Baffling (.] [Cf. Lowland Scotch bauchle to treat contemptuously, bauch tasteless, abashed, jaded, Icel. b\'begr uneasy, poor, or b\'begr, n., struggle, b\'91gja to push, treat harshly, OF. beffler, beffer, to mock, deceive, dial. G. b\'84ppe mouth, beffen to bark, chide.] 1. To cause to undergo a disgraceful punishment, as a recreant knight. [Obs.] He by the heels him hung upon a tree, And baffled so, that all which passed by The picture of his punishment might see. Spenser. 2. To check by shifts and turns; to elude; to foil. The art that baffles time's tyrannic claim. Cowper. 3. To check by perplexing; to disconcert, frustrate, or defeat; to thwart. "A baffled purpose." De Quincey. A suitable scripture ready to repel and baffle them all. South. Calculations so difficult as to have baffled, until within a . . . recent period, the most enlightened nations. Prescott. The mere intricacy of a question should not baffle us. Locke. Baffling wind (Naut.), one that frequently shifts from one point to another. Syn. -- To balk; thwart; foil; frustrate; defeat. Baffle Baf"fle, v. i. 1. To practice deceit. [Obs.] Barrow. 2. To struggle against in vain; as, a ship baffles with the winds. [R.] Baffle Baf"fle, n. A defeat by artifice, shifts, and turns; discomfiture. [R.] "A baffle to philosophy." South. Bafflement Baf"fle*ment (?), n. The process or act of baffling, or of being baffled; frustration; check. Baffler Baf"fler (?), n. One who, or that which, baffles. <-- p. 112 --> Baffling Baf"fling (?), a. Frustrating; discomfiting; disconcerting; as, baffling currents, winds, tasks. -- Bafflingly, adv. -- Bafflingness, n. Baft Baft (?). n. Same as Bafta. Bafta Baf"ta (?), n. [Cf. Per. baft. woven, wrought.] A coarse stuff, usually of cotton, originally made in India. Also, an imitation of this fabric made for export. Bag Bag (?), n. [OE. bagge; cf. Icel. baggi, and also OF. bague, bundle, LL. baga.] 1. A sack or pouch, used for holding anything; as, a bag of meal or of money. 2. A sac, or dependent gland, in animal bodies, containing some fluid or other substance; as, the bag of poison in the mouth of some serpents; the bag of a cow. 3. A sort of silken purse formerly tied about men's hair behind, by way of ornament. [Obs.] 4. The quantity of game bagged. 5. (Com.) A certain quantity of a commodity, such as it is customary to carry to market in a sack; as, a bag of pepper or hops; a bag of coffee. Bag and baggage, all that belongs to one. -- To give one the bag, to disappoint him. [Obs.] Bunyan. Bag Bag, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bagged(p. pr. & vb. n. Bagging] 1. To put into a bag; as, to bag hops. 2. To seize, capture, or entrap; as, to bag an army; to bag game. 3. To furnish or load with a bag or with a well filled bag. A bee bagged with his honeyed venom. Dryden. Bag Bag, v. i. 1. To swell or hang down like a full bag; as, the skin bags from containing morbid matter. 2. To swell with arrogance. [Obs.] Chaucer. 3. To become pregnant. [Obs.] Warner. (Alb. Eng. ). Bagasse Ba*gasse" (?), n. [F.] Sugar cane, as it Bagatelle Bag`a*telle" (?), n. [F., fr. It. bagatella; cf. Prov. It. bagata trifle, OF. bague, Pr. bagua, bundle. See Bag, n.] 1. A trifle; a thing of no importance. Rich trifles, serious bagatelles. Prior. 2. A game played on an oblong board, having, at one end, cups or arches into or through which balls are to be driven by a rod held in the hand of the player. Baggage Bag"gage (?), n. [F. bagage, from OF. bague bungle. In senses 6 and 7 cf. F. bagasse a prostitute. See Bag, n.] 1. The clothes, tents, utensils, and provisions of an army. NOTE: &hand; "T he term itself is made to apply chiefly to articles of clothing and to small personal effects." Farrow. 2. The trunks, valises, satchels, etc., which a traveler carries with him on a journey; luggage. The baronet's baggage on the roof of the coach. Thackeray. We saw our baggage following below. Johnson. NOTE: &hand; The English usually call this luggage. 3. Purulent matter. [Obs.] Barrough. 4. Trashy talk. [Obs.] Ascham. 5. A man of bad character. [Obs.] Holland. 6. A woman of loose morals; a prostitute. A disreputable, daring, laughing, painted French baggage. Thackeray. 7. A romping, saucy girl. [Playful] Goldsmith. Baggage master Bag"gage mas`ter (?). One who has charge of the baggage at a railway station or upon a line of public travel. [U.S.] Baggager Bag"ga*ger (?), n. One who takes care of baggage; a camp follower. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh. Baggala Bag"ga*la (?), n. [Ar. "fem. of baghl a mule." Balfour.] (Naut.) A two-masted Arab or Indian trading vessel, used in Indian Ocean. Baggily Bag"gi*ly (?), adv. In a loose, baggy way. Bagging Bag"ging, n. 1. Cloth or other material for bags. 2. The act of putting anything into, or as into, a bag. 3. The act of swelling; swelling. Bagging Bag"ging, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] Reaping peas, beans, wheat, etc., with a chopping stroke. [Eng.] Baggy Bag"gy (?), a. Resembling a bag; loose or puffed out, or pendent, like a bag; flabby; as, baggy trousers; baggy cheeks. Bagman Bag"man (?), n.; pl. Bagmen (. A commercial traveler; one employed to solicit orders for manufacturers and tradesmen. Thackeray. Bag net Bag" net` (?). A bag-shaped net for catching fish. Bagnio Bagn"io (?), n. [It. bagno, fr. L. balneum. Cf. Bain.] 1. A house for bathing, sweating, etc.; -- also, in Turkey, a prison for slaves. [Obs.] 2. A brothel; a stew; a house of prostitution. Bagpipe Bag"pipe (?), n. A musical wind instrument, now used chiefly in the Highlands of Scotland. NOTE: &hand; It co nsists of a leather bag, which receives the air by a tube that is stopped by a valve; and three sounding pipes, into which the air is pressed by the performer. Two of these pipes produce fixed tones, namely, the bass, or key tone, and its fifth, and form together what is called the drone; the third, or chanter, gives the melody. Bagpipe Bag"pipe, v. t. To make to look like a bagpipe. To bagpipe the mizzen (Naut.), to lay it aback by bringing the sheet to the mizzen rigging. Totten. Bagpiper Bag"pip`er (?), n. One who plays on a bagpipe; a piper. Shak. Bagreef Bag"reef` (?), n. [Bag + reef.] (Naut.) The lower reef of fore and aft sails; also, the upper reef of topsails. Ham. Nav. Encyc. Bague Bague (?), n. [F., a ring] (Arch.) The annular molding or group of moldings dividing a long shaft or clustered column into two or more parts. Baguet, Baguette Ba*guet", Ba*guette" (?), n. [F. baguette, prop. a rodbacchetta, fr. L. baculum, baculu stick, staff.] 1. (Arch.) A small molding, like the astragal, but smaller; a bead. 2. (Zo\'94l) One of the minute bodies seen in the divided nucleoli of some Infusoria after conjugation. Bagwig Bag"wig" (?), n. A wig, in use in the 18th century, with the hair at the back of the head in a bag. Bagworm Bag"worm` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) One of several lepidopterous insects which construct, in the larval state, a baglike case which they carry about for protection. One species (Plat\'d2ceticus Gloveri) feeds on the orange tree. See Basket worm. Bah Bah (?), interj. An exclamation expressive of extreme contempt. Twenty-five years ago the vile ejaculation, Bah! was utterly unknown to the English public. De Quincey. Bahar Ba*har" (?), n. [Ar. bah\'ber, from bahara to charge with a load.] A weight used in certain parts of the East Indies, varying considerably in different localities, the range being from 223 to 625 pounds. Baigne Baigne (?), v. i. [F. baigner to bathe, fr. L. balneum bath.] To soak or drench. [Obs.] Bail Bail (?), n. [F. baille a bucket, pail; cf. LL. bacula, dim. of bacca a sort of vessel. Cf. Bac.] A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat. [Obs.] The bail of a canoe . . . made of a human skull. Capt. Cook. Bail Bail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bailed (p. pr. & vb. n. Bailing.] 1. To lade; to dip and throw; -- usually with out; as, to bail water out of a boat. Buckets . . . to bail out the water. Capt. J. Smith. 2. To dip or lade water from; -- often with out to express completeness; as, to bail a boat. By the help of a small bucket and our hats we bailed her out. R. H. Dana, Jr. Bail Bail, v. [OF. bailler to give, to deliver, fr. L. bajulare to bear a burden, keep in custody, fr. bajulus 1. To deliver; to release. [Obs.] Ne none there was to rescue her, ne none to bail. Spenser. 2. (Law) (a) To set free, or deliver from arrest, or out of custody, on the undertaking of some other person or persons that he or they will be responsible for the appearance, at a certain day and place, of the person bailed. NOTE: &hand; Th e wo rd is applied to the magistrate or the surety. The magistrate bails (but admits to bail is commoner) a man when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment upon bond given with sureties. The surety bails a person when he procures his release from arrest by giving bond for his appearance. Blackstone. (b) To deliver, as goods in trust, for some special object or purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the part of the bailee, or person intrusted; as, to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail goods to a carrier. Blackstone. Kent. Bail Bail, n. [OF. bail guardian, administrator, fr. L. bajulus. See Bail to deliver.] 1. Custody; keeping. [Obs.] Silly Faunus now within their bail. Spenser. 2. (Law) (a) The person or persons who procure the release of a prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from imprisonment, by becoming surely for his appearance in court. The bail must be real, substantial bondsmen. Blackstone. A. and B. were bail to the arrest in a suit at law. Kent. (b) The security given for the appearance of a prisoner in order to obtain his release from custody of the officer; as, the man is out on bail; to go bail for any one. Excessive bail ought not to be required. Blackstone. Bail Bail, n. [OE. beyl; cf. Dan. b\'94ile an bending, ring, hoop, Sw. b\'94gel, bygel, and Icel. beyla hump, swelling, akin to E. bow to bend.] 1. The arched handle of a kettle, pail, or similar vessel, usually movable. Forby. 2. A half hoop for supporting the cover of a carrier's wagon, awning of a boat, etc. Bail Bail, n. [OF. bail, baille. See Bailey.] 1. (Usually pl.) A line of palisades serving as an exterior defense. [Written also bayle.] [Obs.] 2. The outer wall of a feudal castle. Hence: The space inclosed by it; the outer court. Holinshed. 3. A certain limit within a forest. [Eng.] 4. A division for the stalls of an open stable. 5. (Cricket) The top or cross piece ( or either of the two cross pieces) of the wicket. Bailable Bail"a*ble (?), a. 1. Having the right or privilege of being admitted to bail, upon bond with sureties; -- used of persons. "He's bailable, I'm sure." Ford. 2. Admitting of bail; as, a bailable offense. 3. That can be delivered in trust; as, bailable goods. Bail bond Bail" bond` (?). (Law) (a) A bond or obligation given by a prisoner and his surety, to insure the prisoner's appearance in court, at the return of the writ. (b) Special bail in court to abide the judgment. Bouvier. Bailee Bail`ee" (?), n. [OF. baill\'82, p.p. of bailler. See Bail to deliver.] (Law) The person to whom goods are committed in trust, and who has a temporary possession and a qualified property in them, for the purposes of the trust. Blackstone. NOTE: &hand; In penal statutes the word includes those who receive goods for another in good faith. Wharton. Bailer Bail"er (?), n. (Law) See Bailor. Bailer Bail"er, n. 1. One who bails or lades. 2. A utensil, as a bucket or cup, used in bailing; a machine for bailing water out of a pit. Bailey Bai"ley (?), n. [The same word as bail line of palisades; cf. LL. ballium bailey, OF. bail, baille, a palisade, baillier to inclose, shut.] 1. The outer wall of a feudal castle. [Obs.] 2. The space immediately within the outer wall of a castle or fortress. [Obs.] 3. A prison or court of justice; -- used in certain proper names; as, the Old Bailey in London; the New Bailey in Manchester. [Eng.] Oxf. Gloss. Bailie Bail"ie (?), n. [See Bailiff.] An officer in Scotland, whose office formerly corresponded to that of sheriff, but now corresponds to that of an English alderman. Bailiff Bail"iff (?), n. [OF. baillif, F. bailli, custodiabajulus porter. See Bail to deliver.] 1. Originally, a person put in charge of something especially, a chief officer, magistrate, or keeper, as of a county, town, hundred, or castle; one to whom power Abbott. Lausanne is under the canton of Berne, governed by a bailiff sent every three years from the senate. Addison. 2. (Eng. Law) A sheriff's deputy, appointed to make arrests, collect fines, summon juries, etc. NOTE: &hand; In American law the term bailiff is seldom used except sometimes to signify a sheriff's officer or constable, or a party liable to account to another for the rent and profits of real estate. Burrill. 3. An overseer or under steward of an estate, who directs husbandry operations, collects rents, etc. [Eng.] Bailiffwick Bail"iff*wick (?), n. See Bailiwick. [Obs.] Bailiwick Bail"i*wick (?), n. [Bailie, bailiff + wick a village.] (Law) The precincts within which a bailiff has jurisdiction; the limits of a bailiff's authority. Baillie Bail"lie (?), n. 1. Bailiff. [Obs.] 2. Same as Bailie. [Scot.] Bailment Bail"ment (?), n. 1. (Law) The action of bailing a person accused. Bailment . . . is the saving or delivery of a man out of prison before he hath satisfied the law. Dalton. 2. (Law) A delivery of goods or money by one person to another in trust, for some special purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed. Blackstone. NOTE: &hand; In a ge neral se nse it is so metimes us ed as comprehending all duties in respect to property. Story. Bailor Bail`or" (?), n. (Law) One who delivers goods or money to another in trust. Bailpiece Bail"piece` (?), n. (Law) A piece of parchment, or paper, containing a recognizance or bail bond. Bain Bain (?), n. [F. bain, fr. L. balneum. Cf. Bagnio.] A bath; a bagnio. [Obs.] Holland. Bain-marie Bain`-ma`rie" (?), n. [F.] A vessel for holding hot water in which another vessel may be heated without scorching its contents; -- used for warming or preparing food or pharmaceutical preparations. Bairam Bai"ram (?), n. [Turk. ba\'8br\'bem.] The name of two Mohammedan festivals, of which one is held at the close of the fast called Ramadan, and the other seventy days after the fast. Bairn Bairn (?), n. [Scot. bairn, AS. bearn, fr. beran to bear; akin to Icel., OS., &Goth. barn. See Bear to support.] A child. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Has he not well provided for the bairn ! Beau. & Fl. Baisemains Baise"mains` (?), n. pl. [F., fr. baiser to kiss + mains hands.] Respects; compliments. [Obs.] Bait Bait (?), n. [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. b\'bet food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. i.] 1. Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net. 2. Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. Fairfax. 3. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment. 4. A light or hasty luncheon. Bait bug (Zo\'94l), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura. Bait Bait, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n. Baiting.] [OE. baiten, beit, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig. to cause to bite, fr. b\'c6ta. &root;87. See Bite.] 1. To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull. 2. To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses. Holland. 3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook. A crooked pin . . . bailed with a vile earthworm. W. Irving. Bait Bait, v. i. To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey. Evil news rides post, while good news baits. Milton. My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting aEvelyn. Bait Bait, v. i. [F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap oBatter, v. i.] To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey. "Kites that bait and beat." Shak. Baiter Bait"er (?), n. One who baits; a tormentor. Baize Baize (?), n. [For bayes, pl. fr. OF. baie; cf. F. bai bay-colored. See Bay a color.] A coarse woolen stuff with a long nap; -- usually dyed in plain colors. A new black baize waistcoat lined with silk. Pepys. Bajocco Ba*joc"co (?), n. [It., fr. bajo brown, bay, from its color.] A small cooper coin formerly current in the Roman States, worth about a cent and a half. Bake Bake (?), v. t. [imp.& p. p. Baked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Baking.] [AS. bacan; akin to D. bakken, OHG. bacchan, G. backen, Icel. & Sw. baca, Dan. bage, Gr. 1. To prepare, as food, by cooking in a dry heat, either in an oven or under coals, or on heated stone or metal; as, to bake bread, meat, apples. NOTE: &hand; Ba king is the term usually applied to that method of cooking which exhausts the moisture in food more than roasting or broiling; but the distinction of meaning between roasting and baking is not always observed. 2. To dry or harden (anything) by subjecting to heat, as, to bake bricks; the sun bakes the ground. 3. To harden by cold. The earth . . . is baked with frost. Shak. They bake their sides upon the cold, hard stone. Spenser. Bake Bake, v. i. 1. To do the work of baking something; as, she brews, washes, and bakes. Shak. 2. To be baked; to become dry and hard in heat; as, the bread bakes; the ground bakes in the hot sun. Bake Bake, n. The process, or result, of baking. Bakehouse Bake"house` (?), n. [AS. b\'91ch. See Bak, v. i., and House.] A house for baking; a bakery. <-- p. 113 --> Bakemeat, Baked-meat Bake"meat` (?), Baked"-meat` (?), n. A pie; baked food. [Obs.] Gen. xl. 17. Shak. Baken Bak"en (?), p. p. of Bake. [Obs. or. Archaic] Baker Bak"er (?), n. [AS. b\'91cere. See Bake, v. i.] 1. One whose business it is to bake bread, biscuit, etc. 2. A portable oven in which baking is done. [U.S.] A baker's dozen, thirteen. -- Baker foot, a distorted foot. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. -- Baker's itch, a rash on the back of the hand, caused by the irritating properties of yeast. -- Baker's salt, the subcarbonate of ammonia, sometimes used instead of soda, in making bread. Baker-legged Bak"er-legged` (?), a. Having legs that bend inward at the knees. Bakery Bak"er*y (?), n. 1. The trade of a baker. [R.] 2. The place for baking bread; a bakehouse. Baking Bak"ing, n. 1. The act or process of cooking in an oven, or of drying and hardening by heat or cold. 2. The quantity baked at once; a batch; as, a baking of bread. Baking powder, a substitute for yeast, usually consisting of an acid, a carbonate, and a little farinaceous matter. Bakingly Bak"ing*ly, adv. In a hot or baking manner. Bakistre Bak"is*tre (?), n. [See Baxter.] A baker. [Obs.] Chaucer. Baksheesh, Bakshish Bak"sheesh`, Bak"shish` (?), n. Same as Backsheesh. Balaam Ba"laam (?), n. A paragraph describing something wonderful, used to fill out a newspaper column; -- an allusion to the miracle of Balaam's ass speaking. Numb. xxii. 30. [Cant] Balaam basket or box (Print.), the receptacle for rejected articles. Blackw. Mag. Balachong Bal"a*chong (?), n. [Malay b\'belach\'ben.] A condiment formed of small fishes or shrimps, pounded up with salt and spices, and then dried. It is much esteemed in China. Bal\'91noidea Bal`\'91*noi"de*a (?), n. [NL., from L. balaena whale + -oid.] (Zo\'94l) A division of the Cetacea, including the right whale and all other whales having the mouth fringed with baleen. See Baleen. Balance Bal"ance (?), n. [OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilan, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice (akin to E. two) + lanx plate, scale.] 1. An apparatus for weighing. NOTE: &hand; In its simplest form, a balance consists of a beam or lever supported exactly in the middle, having two scales or basins of equal weight suspended from its extremities. Another form is that of the Roman balance, our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended near one of its extremities, on the longer arm of which a counterpoise slides. The name is also given to other forms of apparatus for weighing bodies, as to the combinations of levers making up platform scales; and even to devices for weighing by the elasticity of a spring. 2. Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate. A fair balance of the advantages on either side. Atterbury. 3. Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales. 4. The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness. And hung a bottle on each side To make his balance true. Cowper. The order and balance of the country were destroyed. Buckle. English workmen completely lose their balance. J. S. Mill. 5. An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; -- also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account. " A balance at the banker's. " Thackeray. I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text. J. Peile. 6. (Horol.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary). 7. (Astron.) (a) The constellation Libra. (b) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September. 8. A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. i., S. Balance electrometer, a kind of balance, with a poised beam, which indicates, by weights suspended from one arm, the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces. Knight. -- Balance fish. (Zo\'94l) See Hammerhead. -- Balance knife, a carving or table knife the handle of which overbalances the blade, and so keeps it from contact with the table. -- Balance of power. (Politics), such an adjustment of power among sovereign states that no one state is in a position to interfere with the independence of the others; international equilibrium; also, the ability ( of a state or a third party within a state) to control the relations between sovereign states or between dominant parties in a state. -- Balance sheet (Bookkeeping), a paper showing the balances of the open accounts of a business, the debit and credit balances footing up equally, if the system of accounts be complete and the balances correctly taken. -- Balance thermometer, a thermometer mounted as a balance so that the movement of the mercurial column changes the indication of the tube. With the aid of electrical or mechanical devices adapted to it, it is used for the automatic regulation of the temperature of rooms warmed artificially, and as a fire alarm. -- Balance of torsion. See Torsion Balance. -- Balance of trade (Pol. Econ.), an equilibrium between the money values of the exports and imports of a country; or more commonly, the amount required on one side or the other to make such an equilibrium. -- Balance valve, a valve whose surfaces are so arranged that the fluid pressure tending to seat, and that tending to unseat the valve, are nearly in equilibrium; esp., a puppet valve which is made to operate easily by the admission of steam to both sides. See Puppet valve. -- Hydrostatic balance. See under Hydrostatic. -- To lay in balance, to put up as a pledge or security. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- To strike a balance, to find out the difference between the debit and credit sides of an account. Balance Bal"ance (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Balanced (p. pr. & vb. n. Balancing ( [From Balance, n.: cf. F. balancer. ] 1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance. 2. To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope. 3. To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize. One expression . . . must check and balance another. Kent. 4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate. Balance the good and evil of things. L'Estrange. 5. To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them. I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker. Addison. 6. To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; -- said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account. 7. To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books. 8. (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners. 9. (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail. Balanced valve. See Balance valve, under Balance, n. Syn. -- To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize; equalize. Balance Bal"ance, v. i. 1. To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance. 2. To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate. He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice. Locke. 3. (Dancing) To move toward a person or couple, and then back. Balanceable Bal"ance*a*ble (?), a. Such as can be balanced. Balancement Bal"ance*ment (?), n. The act or result of balancing or adjusting; equipoise; even adjustment of forces. [R.] Darwin. Balancer Bal"an*cer (?), n. 1. One who balances, or uses a balance. 2. (Zo\'94l.) In Diptera, the rudimentary posterior wing. Balancereef Bal"ance*reef` (?), n. (Naut.) The last reef in a fore-and-aft sail, taken to steady the ship. Balance wheel Bal"ance wheel` (?). 1. (Horology) (a) A wheel which regulates the beats or pulses of a watch or chronometer, answering to the pendulum of a clock; -- often called simply a balance. (b) A ratchet-shaped scape wheel, which in some watches is acted upon by the axis of the balance wheel proper (in those watches called a balance). 2. (Mach.) A wheel which imparts regularity to the movements of any engine or machine; a fly wheel. Balaniferous Bal`a*nif"er*ous (?), a. [L. balanus acorn + -ferous.] Bearing or producing acorns. Balanite Bal"a*nite (?), n. [L. balanus acorn: cf. F. balanite.] (Paleon.) A fossil balanoid shell. Balanoglossus Bal`a*no*glos"sus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l) A peculiar marine worm. See Enteropneusta, and Tornaria. Balanoid Bal"a*noid (?), a. [Gr. -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) Resembling an acorn; -- applied to a group of barnacles having shells shaped like acorns. See Acornshell, and Barnacle. Balas ruby Bal"as ru`by (?). [OE. bales, balais, F. balais, LL. balascus, fr. Ar. balakhsh, so called from Badakhshan, Balashan, or Balaxiam, a place in the neighborhood of Samarcand, where this ruby is found.] (Min.) A variety of spinel ruby, of a pale rose red, or inclining to orange. See Spinel. Balaustine Ba*laus"tine (?), n. [L. balaustium, Gr. (Bot.) The pomegranate tree (Punica granatum). The bark of the root, the rind of the fruit, and the flowers are used medicinally. Balbutiate, Balbucinate Bal*bu"ti*ate (?), Bal*bu"ci*nate (?), v. i. [L. balbutire, fr. balbus stammering: cf. F. balbutier.] To stammer. [Obs.] Balbuties Bal*bu"ti*es (?), n. (Med.) The defect of stammering; also, a kind of incomplete pronunciation. Balcon Bal"con (?), n. A balcony. [Obs.] Pepys. Balconied Bal"co*nied (?), a. Having balconies. Balcony Bal"co*ny (?), n.; pl. Balconies (#). [It. balcone; cf. It. balco, palco, scaffold, fr. OHG. balcho, pa, beam, G. balken. See Balk beam.] 1. (Arch.) A platform projecting from the wall of a building, usually resting on brackets or consoles, and inclosed by a parapet; as, a balcony in front of a window. Also, a projecting gallery in places of amusement; as, the balcony in a theater. 2. A projecting gallery once common at the stern of large ships. NOTE: &hand; "T he ac cent has shifted from the second to the first syllable within these twenty years." Smart (1836). Bald Bald (?), a. [OE. balled, ballid, perh. the p.p. of ball to reduce to the roundness or smoothness of a ball, by removing hair. &root;85. But cf. W. bali whiteness in a horse's forehead.] 1. Destitute of the natural or common covering on the head or top, as of hair, feathers, foliage, trees, etc.; as, a bald head; a bald oak. On the bald top of an eminence. Wordsworth. 2. Destitute of ornament; unadorned; bare; literal. In the preface to his own bald translation. Dryden. 3. Undisguised. " Bald egotism." Lowell. 4. Destitute of dignity or value; paltry; mean. [Obs.] 5. (Bot.) Destitute of a beard or awn; as, bald wheat. 6. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Destitute of the natural covering. (b) Marked with a white spot on the head; bald-faced. Bald buzzard (Zo\'94l.), the fishhawk or osprey. -- Bald coot (Zo\'94l.), a name of the European coot (Fulica atra), alluding to the bare patch on the front of the head. Baldachin Bal"da*chin (?), n. [LL. baldachinus, baldechinus, a canopy of rich silk carried over the host; fr. Bagdad, It. Baldacco, a city in Turkish Asia from whence these rich silks came: cf. It. baldacchino. Cf. Baudekin.] 1. A rich brocade; baudekin. [Obs.] 2. (Arch.) A structure in form of a canopy, sometimes supported by columns, and sometimes suspended from the roof or projecting from the wall; generally placed over an altar; as, the baldachin in St. Peter's. 3. A portable canopy borne over shrines, etc., in procession. [Written also baldachino, baldaquin, etc.] Bald eagle Bald" ea"gle (?). (Zo\'94l.) The white-headed eagle (Hali\'91etus leucocephalus) of America. The young, until several years old, lack the white feathers on the head. NOTE: &hand; The bald eagle is represented in the coat of arms, and on the coins, of the United States. Balder Bal"der (?), n. [Icel. Baldr, akin to E. bold.] (Scan. Myth.) The most beautiful and beloved of the gods; the god of peace; the son of Odin and Freya. [Written also Baldur.] Balderdash Bal"der*dash (?), n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. Dan. balder noise, clatter, and E. dash; hence, perhaps, unmeaning noise, then hodgepodge, mixture; or W. baldorduss a prattling, baldordd, baldorddi, to prattle.] 1. A worthless mixture, especially of liquors. Indeed beer, by a mixture of wine, hath lost both name and nature, and is called balderdash. Taylor (Drink and Welcome). 2. Senseless jargon; ribaldry; nonsense; trash. Balderdash Bal"der*dash (?), v. t. To mix or adulterate, as liquors. The wine merchants of Nice brew and balderdash, and even mix it with pigeon's dung and quicklime. Smollett. Bald-faced Bald"-faced` (?), a. Having a white face or a white mark on the face, as a stag. Baldhead Bald"head` (?), n. 1. A person whose head is bald. 2 Kings ii. 23. 2. (Zo\'94l.) A white-headed variety of pigeon. Baldheaded Bald"head`ed, a. Having a bald head. Baldly Bald"ly, adv. Nakedly; without reserve; inelegantly. Baldness Bald"ness, n. The state or condition of being bald; as, baldness of the head; baldness of style. This gives to their syntax a peculiar character of simplicity and baldness. W. D. Whitney. Baldpate Bald"pate` (?), n. 1. A baldheaded person. Shak. 2. (Zo\'94l.) The American widgeon (Anas Americana). Baldpate, Baldpated Bald"pate` (?), Bald"pat`ed (?), a. Destitute of hair on the head; baldheaded. Shak. Baldrib Bald"rib` (?), n. A piece of pork cut lower down than the sparerib, and destitute of fat. [Eng.] Southey. Baldric Bal"dric (?), n. [OE. baudric, bawdrik, through OF. (cf. F. baudrier and LL. baldringus, baldrellus), from OHG. balderich, cf. balz, palz, akin to E. belt. See Belt, n.] A broad belt, sometimes richly ornamented, worn over one shoulder, across the breast, and under the opposite arm; less properly, any belt. [Also spelt bawdrick.] A radiant baldric o'er his shoulder tied Sustained the sword that glittered at his side. Pope. Baldwin Bald"win (?), n. (Bot.) A kind of reddish, moderately acid, winter apple. [U.S.] Bale Bale (?), n. [OE. bale, OF. bale, F. balle, LL. bala, fr. OHG. balla, palla, pallo, G. ball, balle, ballen, ball round pack; cf. D. baal. Cf. Ball a round body.] A bundle or package of goods in a cloth cover, and corded for storage or transportation; also, a bundle of straw Bale of dice, a pair of dice. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Bale Bale, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baled (p. pr. & vb. n. Baling.] To make up in a bale. Goldsmith. Bale Bale, v. t. See Bail, v. t., to lade. <-- p. 114 --> Bale Bale (?), n. [AS. bealo, bealu, balu; akin to OS. , OHG. balo, Icel. b\'94l, Goth. balweins.] 1. Misery; Let now your bliss be turned into bale. Spenser. 2. Evil; an evil, pernicious influence; something causing great injury. [Now chiefly poetic] Balearic Bal`e*ar"ic (?), a. [L. Balearicus, fr. Gr. the Balearic Islands.] Of or pertaining to the isles of Majorca, Minorca, Ivica, etc., in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Valencia. Balearic crane. (Zo\'94l.) See Crane. Baleen Ba*leen" (?), n. [F. baleine whale and whalibone, L. balaena a whale; cf. Gr. . ] (Zo\'94l. & Com.) Plates or blades of "whalebone," from two to twelve feet long, and sometimes a foot wide, which in certain whales (Bal\'91noidea) are attached side by side along the upper jaw, and form a fringelike sieve by which the food is retained in the mouth. Balefire Bale"fire` (?), n. [AS. b the fire of the b fire, flame (akin to Icel. b\'bel, OSlav. b, white, Gr. bright, white, Skr. bh\'bela brightness) + f, E. fire.] A signal fire; an alarm fire. Sweet Teviot! on thy silver tide The glaring balefires blaze no more. Sir W. Scott. Baleful Bale"ful (?), a. [AS. bealoful. See Bale misery.] 1. Full of deadly or pernicious influence; destructive. "Baleful enemies." Shak. Four infernal rivers that disgorge Into the burning lake their baleful streams. Milton. 2. Full of grief or sorrow; woeful; sad. [Archaic] Balefully Bale"ful*ly, adv. In a baleful manner; perniciously. Balefulness Bale"ful*ness, n. The quality or state of being baleful. Balisaur Bal"i*sa`ur (?), n. [Hind.] (Zo\'94l.) A badgerlike animal of India (Arcionyx collaris). Balister Bal"is*ter (?), n. [OF. balestre. See Ballista.] A crossbow. [Obs.] Blount. Balistoid Bal"is*toid (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Like a fish of the genus Balistes; of the family Balistid\'91. See Filefish. Balistraria Bal`is*tra"ri*a (?), n. [LL.] (Anc. Fort.) A narrow opening, often cruciform, through which arrows might be discharged. Balize Ba*lize" (?), n. [F. balise; cf. Sp. balisa.] A pole or a frame raised as a sea beacon or a landmark. Balk Balk (?), n. [AS. balca beam, ridge; akin to Icel. b\'belkr partition, bj\'belki beam, OS. balko, G. balken; cf. Gael. balc ridge of earth between two furrows. Cf. Balcony, Balk, v. i., 3d Bulk.] 1. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside. Bad plowmen made balks of such ground. Fuller. 2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called "the balks." Tubs hanging in the balks. Chaucer. 3. (Mil.) One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge. 4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check. A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker. South. 5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure. 6. (Baseball) A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball. Balk line (Billiards), a line across a billiard table near one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table, parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game, called the balk line game. Balk Balk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Balked (p. pr. & vb. n. Balking.] [From Balk a beam; orig. to put a balk or beam in one's way, in order to stop or hinder. Cf., for sense 2, AS. on balcan legan to lay in heaps.] 1. To leave or make balks in. [Obs.] Gower. 2. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles. [Obs.] Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights, Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see. Shak. 3. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance. [Obs.] 4. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk. [Obs. or Obsolescent] By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked the Evelyn. Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat. Bp. Hall. Nor doth he any creature balk, But lays on all he meeteth. Drayton. 5. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to as, to balk expectation. They shall not balk my entrance. Byron. Balk Balk, v. i. 1. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition. [Obs.] In strifeful terms with him to balk. Spenser. 2. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks. NOTE: &hand; Th is ha s be en re garded as an Americanism, but it occurs in Spenser's "Fa\'89rie Queene," Book IV., 10, xxv. Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt, Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt. Balk Balk, v. i. [Prob. from D. balken to bray, bawl.] To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring. Balker Balk"er (?), n. [See 2d Balk.] One who, or that which balks. Balker Balk"er (?), n. [See last Balk.] A person who stands on a rock or eminence to espy the shoals of herring, etc., and to give notice to the men in boats which way they pass; a conder; a huer. Baleingly Bale"ing*ly, adv. In manner to balk or frustrate. Balkish Balk"ish, a. Uneven; ridgy. [R.] Holinshed. Balky Balk"y (?), a. Apt to balk; as, a balky horse. Ball Ball (?), n. [OE. bal, balle; akin to OHG. balla, palla, G. ball, Icel. b\'94llr, ball; cf. F. balle. Cf. 1st Bale, n., Pallmall.] 1. Any round or roundish body or mass; a sphere or globe; as, a ball of twine; a ball of snow. 2. A spherical body of any substance or size used to play with, as by throwing, knocking, kicking, etc. 3. A general name for games in which a ball is thrown, kicked, or knocked. See Baseball, and Football. 4. Any solid spherical, cylindrical, or conical projectile of lead or iron, to be discharged from a firearm; as, a cannon ball; a rifball ; -- often used collectively; as, powder and ball. Spherical balls for the smaller firearms are commonly called bullets. 5. (Pirotechnics & Mil.) A flaming, roundish body shot into the air; a case filled with combustibles intended to burst and give light or set fire, or to produce smoke or stench; as, a fire ball; a stink ball. 6. (Print.) A leather-covered cushion, fastened to a handle called a ballstock; -- formerly used by printers for inking the form, but now superseded by the roller. 7. A roundish protuberant portion of some part of the body; as, the ball of the thumb; the ball of the foot. 8. (Far.) A large pill, a form in which medicine is commonly given to horses; a bolus. White. 9. The globe or earth. Pope. Move round the dark terrestrial ball. Addison. Ball and socket joint, a joint in which a ball moves within a socket, so as to admit of motion in every direction within certain limits. -- Ball bearings, a mechanical device for lessening the friction of axle bearings by means of small loose metal balls. -- Ball cartridge, a cartridge containing a ball, as distinguished from a blank cartridge, containing only powder. -- Ball cock, a faucet or valve which is opened or closed by the fall or rise of a ball floating in water at the end of a lever. -- Ball gudgeon, a pivot of a spherical form, which permits lateral deflection of the arbor or shaft, while retaining the pivot in its socket. Knight. -- Ball lever, the lever used in a ball cock. -- Ball of the eye, the eye itself, as distinguished from its lids and socket; -- formerly, the pupil of the eye. -- Ball valve (Mach.), a contrivance by which a ball, placed in a circular cup with a hole in its bottom, operates as a valve. -- Ball vein (Mining), a sort of iron ore, found in loose masses of a globular form, containing sparkling particles. -- Three balls, or Three golden balls, a pawnbroker's sign or shop. Syn. -- See Globe. Ball Ball, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Balled (p. pr. & vb. n. Balling.] To gather balls which cling to the feet, as of damp snow or clay; to gather into balls; as, the horse balls; the snow balls. Ball Ball, v. t. 1. (Metal.) To heat in a furnace and form into balls for rolling. 2. To form or wind into a ball; as, to ball cotton. Ball Ball, n. [F. bal, fr. OF. baler to dance, fr. LL. ballare. Of uncertain origin; cf. Gr. to toss or throw, or , , to leap, bound, to dance, jump about; or cf. 1st Ball, n.] A social assembly for the purpose of dancing. Ballad Bal"lad (?), n. [OE. balade, OF. balade, F. ballade, fr. Pr. ballada a dancing song, fr. ballare to dance; cf. It. ballata. See 2d Ball, n., and Ballet.] A popular kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; as, the ballad of Chevy Chase; esp., a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas. Ballad Bal"lad, v. i. To make or sing ballads. [Obs.] Ballad Bal"lad, v. t. To make mention of in ballads. [Obs.] Ballade Bal*lade" (?), n. [See Ballad, n.] A form of French versification, sometimes imitated in English, in which three or four rhymes recur through three stanzas of eight or ten lines each, the stanzas concluding with a refrain, and the whole poem with an envoy. Ballader Bal"lad*er (?), n. A writer of ballads. Ballad monger Bal"lad mon`ger (?). [See Monger.] A seller or maker of ballads; a poetaster. Shak. Balladry Bal"lad*ry (?), n. [From Ballad, n. ] Ballad poems; the subject or style of ballads. "Base balladry is so beloved." Drayton. Ballahoo, Ballahou Bal"la*hoo, Bal"la*hou (?), n. A fast-sailing schooner, used in the Bermudas and West Indies. Ballarag Bal"la*rag (?), v. i. [Corrupted fr. bullirag.] To bully; to threaten. [Low] T. Warton. Ballast Bal"last (?), n. [D. ballast; akin to Dan. baglast, ballast, OSw. barlast, Sw. ballast. The first part is perh. the same word as E. bare, adj.; the second is last a burden, and hence the meaning a bare, or mere, load. See Bare, a., and Last load.] 1. (Naut.) Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing. 2. Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness. 3. Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid. 4. The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete. 5. Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security. It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity. Barrow. Ballast engine, a steam engine used in excavating and for digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast. -- Ship in ballast, a ship carring only ballast. Ballast Bal"last, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ballasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ballasting.] 1. To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold. 2. To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid. 3. To keep steady; to steady, morally. 'T is charity must ballast the heart. Hammond. Ballastage Bal"last*age (?), n. (Law) A toll paid for the privilege of taking up ballast in a port or harbor. Ballasting Bal"last*ing, n. That which is used for steadying anything; ballast. Ballatry Bal"la*try (?), n. See Balladry. [Obs.] Milton. Ballet Bal"let` (?), n. [F., a dim. of bal dance. See 2d Ball, n.] 1. An artistic dance performed as a theatrical entertainment, or an interlude, by a number of persons, usually women. Sometimes, a scene accompanied by pantomime and dancing. 2. The company of persons who perform the ballet. 3. (Mus.) A light part song, or madrigal, with a fa la burden or chorus, -- most common with the Elizabethan madrigal composers. 4. (Her.) A bearing in coats of arms, representing one or more balls, which are denominated bezants, plates, etc., according to color. Ball-flower Ball"-flow`er (?), n. (Arch.) An ornament resembling a ball placed in a circular flower, the petals of which form a cup round it, -- usually inserted in a hollow molding. Ballista Bal*lis"ta (?), n.; pl. Ballist (#). [L. ballista, balista, fr. Gr. to throw.] An ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow, used for hurling large missiles. Ballister Bal"lis*ter (?), n. [L. ballista. Cf. Balister.] A crossbow. [Obs.] Ballistic Bal*lis"tic (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to the ballista, or to the art of hurling stones or missile weapons by means of an engine. 2. Pertaining to projection, or to a projectile. Ballistic pendulum, an instrument consisting of a mass of wood or other material suspended as a pendulum, for measuring the force and velocity of projectiles by means of the arc through which their impact impels it. Ballistics Bal*lis"tics (?), n. [Cf. F. balistique. See Ballista.] The science or art of hurling missile weapons by the use of an engine. Whewell. Ballium Bal"li*um (?), n. [LL.] See Bailey. Balloon Bal*loon" (?), n. [F. ballon, aug. of balle ball: cf. It. ballone. See 1st Ball, n., and cf. Pallone.] 1. A bag made of silk or other light material, and filled with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float in the atmosphere; especially, one with a car attached for a\'89rial navigation. 2. (Arch.) A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church, etc., as at St. Paul's, in London. [R.] 3. (Chem.) A round vessel, usually with a short neck, to hold or receive whatever is distilled; a glass vessel of a spherical form. 4. (Pyrotechnics) A bomb or shell. [Obs.] 5. A game played with a large inf [Obs.] 6. (Engraving) The outline inclosing words represented as coming from the mouth of a pictured figure. Air balloon, a balloon for a\'89rial navigation. -- Balloon frame (Carp.), a house frame constructed altogether of small timber. -- Balloon net, a variety of woven lace in which the weft threads are twisted in a peculiar manner around the warp. Balloon Bal*loon", v. t. To take up in, or as if in, a balloon. Balloon Bal*loon", v. i. 1. To go up or voyage in a balloon. 2. To expand, or puff out, like a balloon. Ballooned Bal*looned" (?), a. Swelled out like a balloon. Ballooner Bal*loon"er (?), n. One who goes up in a balloon; an a\'89ronaut. Balloon fish Bal*loon" fish` (?). (Zo\'94l.) A fish of the genus Diodon or the genus Tetraodon, having the power of distending its body by taking air or water into its dilatable esophagus. See Globefish, and Bur fish. Ballooning Bal*loon"ing, n. 1. The art or practice of managing balloons or voyaging in them. 2. (Stock Exchange) The process of temporarily raising the value of a stock, as by fictitious sales. [U.S.] Ballooning spider Bal*loon"ing spi"der (?). (Zo\'94l.) A spider which has the habit of rising into the air. Many kinds ( esp. species of Lycosa) do this while young by ejecting threads of silk until the force of the wind upon them carries the spider aloft. Balloonist Bal*loon"ist, n. An a\'89ronaut. Balloonry Bal*loon"ry (?), n. The art or practice of ascending in a balloon; a\'89ronautics. Ballot Bal"lot (?), n. [F. ballotte, fr. It. ballotta. See Ball round body.] 1. Originally, a ball used for secret voting. Hence: Any printed or written ticket used in voting. 2. The act of voting by balls or written or printed ballots or tickets; the system of voting secretly by balls or by tickets. The insufficiency of the ballot. Dickens. <-- p. 115 --> 3. The whole number of votes cast at an election, or in a given territory or electoral district. Ballot box, a box for receiving ballots. Ballot Bal"lot (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Balloted; p. pr. & vb. n. Balloting.] [F. ballotter to toss, to ballot, or It. ballottare. See Ballot, n.] To vote or decide by ballot; as, to ballot for a candidate. Ballot Bal"lot, v. t. To vote for or in opposition to. None of the competitors arriving to a sufficient number of balls, they fell to ballot some others. Sir H. Wotton. Ballotade Bal"lo*tade` (?), n. [F. ballottade, fr. ballotter to toss. See Ballot, v. i.] (Man.) A leap of a horse, as between two pillars, or upon a straight line, so that when his four feet are in the air, he shows only the shoes of his hind feet, without jerking out. Ballotation Bal`lo*ta"tion (?), n. Voting by ballot. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton. Balloter Bal"lot*er (?), n. One who votes by ballot. Ballotin Bal"lo*tin (?), n. [F.] An officer who has charge of a ballot box. [Obs.] Harrington. Ballow Bal"low (?), n. A cudgel. [Obs.] Shak. Ballproof Ball"proof` (?), a. Incapable of being penetrated by balls from firearms. Ballroom Ball"room` (, n. A room for balls or dancing. Balm Balm (?), n. [OE. baume, OF. bausme, basme, F. baume, L. balsamum balsam, from Gr. ; perhaps of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. b\'bes\'bem. Cf. Balsam.] 1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus Melissa. 2. The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs. Dryden. 3. Any fragrant ointment. Shak. 4. Anything that heals or that mitigates pain. "Balm for each ill." Mrs. Hemans. Balm cricket (Zo\'94l.), the European cicada. Tennyson. -- Balm of Gilead (Bot.), a small evergreen African and Asiatic tree of the terebinthine family (Balsamodendron Gileadense). Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this tree is obtained the balm of Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca. This has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste, and a fragrant smell. It is valued as an unguent and cosmetic by the Turks. The fragrant herb Dracocephalum Canariense is familiarly called balm of Gilead, and so are the American trees, Populus balsamifera, variety candicans (balsam poplar), and Abies balsamea (balsam fir). Balm Balm, v. i. To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal. Hence: To soothe; to mitigate. [Archaic] Shak. Balmify Balm"i*fy (?), v. t. [Balm + -fy.] To render balmy. [Obs.] Cheyne. Balmily Balm"i*ly, adv. In a balmy manner. Coleridge. Balmoral Bal*mor"al (?), n. [From Balmoral Castle, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.] 1. A long woolen petticoat, worn immediately under the dress. 2. A kind of stout walking shoe, laced in front. A man who uses his balmorals to tread on your toes. George Eliot. Balmy Balm"y (?), a. 1. Having the qualities of balm; odoriferous; aromatic; assuaging; soothing; refreshing; mild. "The balmy breeze." Tickell. Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep ! Young. 2. Producing balm. "The balmy tree." Pope. Syn. -- Fragrant; sweet-scented; odorous; spicy. Balneal Bal"ne*al (?), a. [L. balneum bath.] Of or pertaining to a bath. Howell. Balneary Bal"ne*a*ry (?), n. [L. balnearium, fr. balneum bath.] A bathing room. Sir T. Browne. Balneation Bal`ne*a"tion (?), n. [LL. balneare to bathe, fr. L. balneum bath.] The act of bathing. [R.] Balneatory Bal"ne*a*to*ry (?), a. [L. balneatorius.] Belonging to a bath. [Obs.] Balneography Bal`ne*og"ra*phy (?), n. [L. balneum bath + -graphy.] A description of baths. Balneology Bal`ne*ol"o*gy (?), n. [L. balneum bath + -logy.] A treatise on baths; the science of bathing. Balneotherapy Bal`ne*o*ther"a*py (?), n. [L. balneum bath + Gr. to heal.] The treatment of disease by baths. Balotade Bal"o*tade` (?), n. See Ballotade. Balsa Bal"sa (?), n. [Sp. or Pg. balsa.] (Naut.) A raft or float, used principally on the Pacific coast of South America. Balsam Bal"sam (?), n. [L. balsamum the balsam tree or its resin, Gr. . See Balm, n.] 1. A resin containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil. NOTE: &hand; Th e balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. A great variety of substances pass under this name, but the term is now usually restricted to resins which, in addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and cinnamic acid. Among the true balsams are the balm of Gilead, and the balsams of copaiba, Peru, and Tolu. There are also many pharmaceutical preparations and resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to which the name balsam has been given. 2. (Bot.) (a) A species of tree (Abies balsamea). (b) An annual garden plant (Impatiens balsamina) with beautiful flowers; balsamine. 3. Anything that heals, soothes, or restores. Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood? Tennyson. Balsam apple (Bot.), an East Indian plant ( Momordica balsamina), of the gourd family, with red or orange-yellow cucumber-shaped fruit of the size of a walnut, used as a vulnerary, and in liniments and poultices. -- Balsam fir (Bot.), the American coniferous tree, Abies balsamea, from which the useful Canada balsam is derived. -- Balsam of copaiba. See Copaiba. -- Balsam of Mecca, balm of Gilead. -- Balsam of Peru, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained from a Central American tree ( Myroxylon Pereir\'91 and used as a stomachic and expectorant, and in the treatment of ulcers, etc. It was long supposed to be a product of Peru. -- Balsam of Tolu, a reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or solid balsam, obtained from a South American tree ( Myxoxylon toluiferum.). It is highly fragrant, and is used as a stomachic and expectorant. -- Balsam tree, any tree from which balsam is obtained, esp. the Abies balsamea. -- Canada balsam, Balsam of fir, Canada turpentine, a yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by time and exposure, becomes a transparent solid mass. It is obtained from the balm of Gilead (or balsam) fir (Abies balsamea) by breaking the vesicles upon the trunk and branches. See Balm. Balsam Bal"sam (?), v. t. To treat or anoint with balsam; to relieve, as with balsam; to render balsamic. Balsamation Bal`sam*a"tion (?), n. 1. The act of imparting balsamic properties. 2. The art or process of embalming. Balsamic, Balsamical Bal*sam"ic (?), Bal*sam"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. balsamique.] Having the qualities of balsam; containing, or resembling, balsam; soft; mitigative; soothing; restorative. Balsamiferous Bal`sam*if"er*ous (?), a. [Balsam + -ferous.] Producing balsam. Balsamine Bal"sam*ine (?), n. [Cf. F. balsamine, fr. Gr. balsam plant.] (Bot.) The Impatiens balsamina, or garden balsam. Balsamous Bal"sam*ous (?), a. Having the quality of balsam; containing balsam. "A balsamous substance." Sterne. Balter Bal"ter (?), v. t. [Etymol. uncertain. Cf. Bloodboltered.] To stick together.[Obs.] Holland. Baltic Bal"tic (?), a. [NL. mare Balticum, fr. L. balteus belt, from certain straits or channels surrounding its isles, called belts. See Belt.] Of or pertaining to the sea which separates Norway and Sweden from Jutland, Denmark, and Germany; situated on the Baltic Sea. Baltimore bird. Baltimore oriole Bal"ti*more bird` (?). Bal"ti*more o"ri*ole (?). (Zo\'94l.) A common American bird (Icterus galbula), named after Lord Baltimore, because its colors (black and orange red) are like those of his coat of arms; -- called also golden robin. Baluster Bal"us*ter (?), n. [F. balustre, It. balaustro, fr. L. balaustium the flower of the wild pomegranate, fr. Gr. ; -- so named from the similarity of form.] (Arch.) A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building. Bam Bam (?), n. [Prob. a contr. of bamboozle.] An imposition; a cheat; a hoax. Garrick. To relieve the tediumbams. Prof. Wilson. Bam Bam, v. t. To cheat; to wheedle. [Slang] Foote. Bambino Bam*bi"no (?), n. [It., a little boy, fr. bambo silly; cf. Gr. , , to chatter.] A child or baby; esp., a representation in art of the infant Christ wrapped in swaddling clothes. Bambocciade Bam*boc`ci*ade" (?), n. [It. bambocciata, fr. Bamboccio a nickname of Peter Van Laer, a Dutch genre painter; properly, a child, simpleton, puppet, fr. bambo silly.] (Paint.) A representation of a grotesque scene from common or rustic life. Bamboo Bam*boo" (?), n. [Malay bambu, mambu.] (Bot.) A plant of the family of grasses, and genus Bambusa, growing in tropical countries. NOTE: &hand; Th e most useful species is Bambusa arundinacea, which has a woody, hollow, round, straight, jointed stem, and grows to the height of forty feet and upward. The flowers grow in large panicles, from the joints of the stalk, placed three in a parcel, close to their receptacles. Old stalks grow to five or six inches in diameter, and are so hard and durable as to be used for building, and for all sorts of furniture, for water pipes, and for poles to support palanquins. The smaller stalks are used for walking sticks, flutes, etc. Bamboo Bam*boo", v. t. To flog with the bamboo. Bamboozle Bam*boo"zle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bamboozled (p. pr. & vb. n. Bamboozling ( [Said to be of Gipsy origin.] To deceive by trickery; to cajole by confusing the senses; to hoax; to mystify; to humbug. [Colloq.] Addison. What oriental tomfoolery is bamboozling you? J. H. Newman. Bamboozler Bam*boo"zler (?), n. A swindler; one who deceives by trickery. [Colloq.] Arbuthnot. Ban Ban (?), n. [AS. bann command, edict; akin to D. ban, Icel. bann, Dan. band, OHG. ban, G. bann, a public proclamation, as of interdiction or excommunication, Gr. to say, L. fari to speak, Skr. bhan to speak; cf. F. ban, LL. bannum, of G. origin. Abandon, Fame.] 1. A public proclamation or edict; a public order or notice, mandatory or prohibitory; a summons by public proclamation. 2. (Feudal & Mil.) A calling together of the king's (esp. the French king's) vassals for military service; also, the body of vassals thus assembled or summoned. In present usage, in France and Prussia, the most effective part of the population liable to military duty and not in the standing army. 3. pl. Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in church. See Banns (the common spelling in this sense). 4. An interdiction, prohibition, or proscription. "Under ban to touch." Milton. 5. A curse or anathema. "Hecate's ban." Shak. 6. A pecuniary mulct or penalty laid upon a delinquent for offending against a ban; as, a mulct paid to a bishop by one guilty of sacrilege or other crimes. Ban of the empire (German Hist.), an imperial interdict by which political rights and privileges, as those of a prince, city, or district, were taken away. Ban Ban, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Banned (p. pr. & vb. n. Banning.] [OE. bannen, bannien, to summon, curse, AS. bannan to summon; akin to Dan. bande, forbande, to curse, Sw. banna to revile, bannas to curse. See Ban an edict, and cf. Banish.] 1. To curse; to invoke evil upon. Sir W. Scott. 2. To forbid; to interdict. Byron. Ban Ban, v. i. To curse; to swear. [Obs.] Spenser. Ban Ban, n. [Serv. ban; cf. Russ. & Pol. pan a masterban.] An ancient title of the warden of the eastern marches of Hungary; now, a title of the viceroy of Croatia and Slavonia. Banal Ban"al (?), a. [F., fr. ban an ordinance.] Commonplace; trivial; hackneyed; trite. Banality Ba*nal"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Banalities (#). [F. banalit\'82. See Banal.] Something commonplace, hackneyed, or trivial; the commonplace, in speech. The highest things were thus brought down to the banalities of discourse. J. Morley. Banana Ba*na"na (?), n. [Sp. banana, name of the fruit.] (Bot.) A perennial herbaceous plant of almost treelike size (Musa sapientum); also, its edible fruit. See Musa. NOTE: &hand; Th e ba nana has a soft, herbaceous stalk, with leaves of great length and breadth. The flowers grow in bunches, covered with a sheath of a green or purple color; the fruit is five or six inches long, and over an inch in diameter; the pulp is soft, and of a luscious taste, and is eaten either raw or cooked. This plant is a native of tropical countries, and furnishes an important article of food. Banana bird (Zo\'94l.), a small American bird (Icterus leucopteryx), which feeds on the banana. -- Banana quit (Zo\'94l.), a small bird of tropical America, of the genus Certhiola, allied to the creepers. Banat Ban"at (?), n. [Cf. F. & G. banat. See Ban a warden.] The territory governed by a ban. Banc, Bancus, Bank Banc (?), Ban"cus (?), Bank (?), n. [OF. banc, LL. bancus. See Bank, n.] A bench; a high seat, or seat of distinction or judgment; a tribunal or court. In banc, In banco (the ablative of bancus), In bank, in full court, or with full judicial authority; as, sittings in banc (distinguished from sittings at nisi prius). Banco Ban"co (?), n. [It. See Bank.] A bank, especially that of Venice. NOTE: &hand; T his term is used in some parts of Europe to indicate bank money, as distinguished from the current money, when this last has become depreciated. Band Band (?), n. [OE. band, bond, Icel. band; akin to G., Sw., & D. band, OHG. bant, Goth. banti, Skr. bandha a binding, bandh to bind, for bhanda, bhandh, also to E. bend, bind. In sense 7, at least, it is fr. F. bande, from OHG. bant. Bind, v. t., and cf. Bend, Bond, 1st Bandy.] 1. A fillet, strap, or any narrow ligament with which a thing is encircled, or fastened, or by which a number of things are tied, bound together, or confined; a fetter. Every one's bands were loosed. Acis xvi 26. 2. (Arch.) (a) A continuous tablet, stripe, or series of ornaments, as of carved foliage, of color, or of brickwork, etc. (b) In Gothic architecture, the molding, or suite of moldings, which encircles the pillars and small shafts. 3. That which serves as the means of union or connection between persons; a tie. "To join in Hymen's bands." Shak. 4. A linen collar or ruff worn in the 16th and 17th centuries. 5. pl. Two strips of linen hanging from the neck in front as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress. 6. A narrow strip of cloth or other material on any article of dress, to bind, strengthen, ornament, or complete it. "Band and gusset and seam." Hood. <-- p. 116 --> 7. A company of persons united in any common design, especially a body of armed men. Troops of horsemen with his bands of foot. Shak. 8. A number of musicians who play together upon portable musical instruments, especially those making a loud sound, as certain wind instruments (trumpets, clarinets, etc.), and drums, or cymbals. 9. (Bot.) A space between elevated lines or ribs, as of the fruits of umbelliferous plants. 10. (Zo\'94l.) A stripe, streak, or other mark transverse to the axis of the body. 11. (Mech.) A belt or strap. 12. A bond [Obs.] "Thy oath and band." Shak. 13. Pledge; security. [Obs.] Spenser. Band saw, a saw in the form of an endless steel belt, with teeth on one edge, running over wheels. Band Band (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Banded; p. pr. & vb. n. Banding.] 1. To bind or tie with a band. 2. To mark with a band. 3. To unite in a troop, company, or confederacy. "Banded against his throne." Milton. Banded architrave, pier, shaft, etc. (Arch.), an architrave, pier, etc., of which the regular profile is interrupted by blocks or projections crossing it at right angles. Band Band, v. i. To confederate for some common purpose; to unite; to conspire together. Certain of the Jews banded together. Acts xxiii. 12. Band Band, v. t. To bandy; to drive away. [Obs.] Band Band, imp. of Bind. [Obs.] Bandage Band"age (?), n. [F. bandage, fr. bande. See Band.] 1. A fillet or strip of woven material, used in dressing and binding up wounds, etc. 2. Something resembling a bandage; that which is bound over or round something to cover, strengthen, or compress it; a ligature. Zeal too had a place among the rest, with a bandage over her eyes. Addison. Bandage Band"age, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bandaged (p. pr. & vb. n. Bandaging ( To bind, dress, or cover, with a bandage; as, to bandage the eyes. Bandala Ban*da"la (?), n. A fabric made in Manilla from the older leaf sheaths of the abaca (Musa textilis). Bandanna, Bandana Ban*dan"na, Ban*dan"a (?), n. [Hind. b\'bendhn a mode of dyeing in which the cloth is tied in different places so as to prevent the parts tied from receiving the dye. Cf. Band, n.] 1. A species of silk or cotton handkerchief, having a uniformly dyed ground, usually of red or blue, with white or yellow figures of a circular, lozenge, or other simple form. 2. A style of calico printing, in which white or bright spots are produced upon cloth previously dyed of a uniform red or dark color, by discharging portions of the color by chemical means, while the rest of the cloth is under pressure. Ure. Bandbox Band"box` (?), n. A light box of pasteboard or thin wood, usually cylindrical, for holding ruffs (the bands of the 17th century), collars, caps, bonnets, etc. Bandeau Ban"deau (?), n.; pl. Bandeaux (#). [F.] A narrow band or fillet; a part of a head-dress. Around the edge of this cap was a stiff bandeau of leather. Sir W. Scott. Bandelet, Bandlet Band"e*let (?), Band"let (?), n. [F. bandelette, dim. of bande. See Band, n., and ch. Bendlet.] (Arch.) A small band or fillet; any little band or flat molding, compassing a column, like a ring. Gwilt. Bander Band"er (?), n. One banded with others. [R.] Banderole, Bandrol Band"e*role (?), Band"rol (?), n. [F. banderole, dim. of bandi\'8are, banni\'8are, banner; cf. It. banderuola a little banner. See Banner.] A little banner, flag, or streamer. [Written also bannerol.] From the extremity of which fluttered a small banderole or streamer bearing a cross. Sir W. Scott. Band fish Band" fish` (?). (Zo\'94l.) A small red fish of the genus Cepola; the ribbon fish. Bandicoot Ban"di*coot (?), n. [A corruption of the native name.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A species of very large rat (Mus giganteus), found in India and Ceylon. It does much injury to rice fields and gardens. (b) A ratlike marsupial animal (genus Perameles) of several species, found in Australia and Tasmania. Banding plane Band"ing plane` (?). A plane used for cutting out grooves and inlaying strings and bands in straight and circular work. Bandit Ban"dit (?), n.; pl.Bandits (#), OR Banditti (#). [It. bandito outlaw, p.p. of bandire to proclaim, to banish, to proscribe, LL. bandire, bannire. See Ban an edict, and cf. Banish.] An outlaw; a brigand. No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer. Milton. NOTE: &hand; Th e plural banditti was formerly used as a collective noun. Deerstealers are ever a desperate banditti. Sir W. Scott. Bandle Ban"dle (?), n. [Ir. bannlamh cubit, fr. bann a measure + lamh hand, arm.] An Irish measure of two feet in length. Bandlet Band"let (?), n. Same as Bandelet. Bandmaster Band"mas`ter (?), n. The conductor of a musical band. Bandog Ban"dog` (?), n. [Band + dog, i.e., bound dog.] A mastiff or other large and fierce dog, usually kept chained or tied up. The keeper entered leading his bandog, a large bloodhound, tied in a leam, or band, from which he takes his name. Sir W. Scott. Bandoleer, Bandolier Ban`do*leer", Ban`do*lier" (?), n. [F. bandouli\'8are (cf.It. bandoliera, Sp.bandolera), fr.F. bande band, Sp.&It. banda. See Band, n.] 1. A broad leather belt formerly worn by soldiers over the right shoulder and across the breast under the left arm. Originally it was used for supporting the musket and twelve cases for charges, but later only as a cartridge belt. 2. One of the leather or wooden cases in which the charges of powder were carried. [Obs.] Bandoline Ban"do*line (?), n. [Perh. allied to band.] A glutinous pomatum for the fair. Bandon Ban"don (?), n. [OF. bandon. See Abandon.] Disposal; control; license. [Obs.] Rom. of R. Bandore Ban"dore (?), n. [Sp. bandurria, fr. L. pandura, pandurium, a musical instrument of three strings, fr. Gr. . Cf. Pandore, Banjo, Mandolin.] A musical stringed instrument, similar in form to a guitar; a pandore. Bandrol Band"rol (?), n. Same as Banderole. Bandy Ban"dy (?), n. [Telugu bandi.] A carriage or cart used in India, esp. one drawn by bullocks. Bandy Ban"dy, n.; pl. Bandies (. [Cf. F. band\'82, p.p. of bander to bind, to bend (a bow), to bandy, fr. bande. See Band, n.] 1. A club bent at the lower part for striking a ball at play; a hockey stick. Johnson. 2. The game played with such a club; hockey; shinney; bandy ball. Bandy Ban"dy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bandied (p. pr. & vb. n. Bandying.] 1. To beat to and fro, as a ball in playing at bandy. Like tennis balls bandied and struck upon us . . . by rackets from without. Cudworth. 2. To give and receive reciprocally; to exchange. "To bandy hasty words." Shak. 3. To toss about, as from man to man; to agitate. Let not obvious and known truth be bandied about in a disputation. I. Watts. Bandy Ban"dy, v. i. To content, as at some game in which each strives to drive the ball his own way. Fit to bandy with thy lawless sons. Shak. Bandy Ban"dy, a. Bent; crooked; curved laterally, esp. with the convex side outward; as, a bandy leg. Bandy-legged Ban"dy-legged` (?), a. Having crooked legs. Bane Bane (?), n. [OE. bane destruction, AS. bana murderer; akin to Icel. bani death, murderer, OHG. bana murder, bano murderer, murder, OIr. bath death, benim I strike. 1. That which destroys life, esp. poison of a deadly quality. [Obs. except in combination, as in ratsbane, henbane, etc.] 2. Destruction; death. [Obs.] The cup of deception spiced and tempered to their bane. Milton. 3. Any cause of ruin, or lasting injury; harm; woe. Money, thou bane of bliss, and source of woe. Herbert. 4. A disease in sheep, commonly termed the rot. Syn. -- Poison; ruin; destruction; injury; pest. Bane Bane, v. t. To be the bane of; to ruin. [Obs.] Fuller. Baneberry Bane"ber`ry (?), n. (Bot.) A genus (Act\'91a) of plants, of the order Ranunculace\'91, native in the north temperate zone. The red or white berries are poisonous. Baneful Bane"ful (?), a. Having poisonous qualities; deadly; destructive; injurious; noxious; pernicious. "Baneful hemlock." Garth. "Baneful wrath." Chapman. -- Bane"ful*ly, adv. --Bane"ful*ness, n. Banewort Bane"wort (?), n. (Bot.) Deadly nightshade. Bang Bang (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Banged; p. pr. & vb. n. Banging.] [Icel. banga to hammer; akin to Dan. banke to beat, Sw.b\'86ngas to be impetuous, G. bengel club, clapper of a bell.] 1. To beat, as with a club or cudgel; to treat with violence; to handle roughly. The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks. Shak. 2. To beat or thump, or to cause ( something) to hit or strike against another object, in such a way as to make a loud noise; as, to bang a drum or a piano; to bang a door (against the doorpost or casing) in shutting it. Bang Bang, v. i. To make a loud noise, as if with a blow or succession of blows; as, the window blind banged and waked me; he was banging on the piano. Bang Bang, n. 1. A blow as with a club; a heavy blow. Many a stiff thwack, many a bang. Hudibras. 2. The sound produced by a sudden concussion. Bang Bang, v. t. To cut squarely across, as the tail of a hors, or the forelock of human beings; to cut (the hair). His hair banged even with his eyebrows. The Century Mag. Bang Bang, n. The short, front hair combed down over the forehead, esp. when cut squarely across; a false front of hair similarly worn. His hair cut in front like a young lady's bang. W. D. Howells. Bang, Bangue Bang, Bangue (?), n. See Bhang. Banging Bang"ing, a. Huge; great in size. [Colloq.] Forby. Bangle Ban"gle (?), v. t. [From 1st Bang.] To waste by little and little; to fritter away. [Obs.] Bangle Ban"gle, n. [Hind. bangr\'c6 bracelet, bangle.] An ornamental circlet, of glass, gold, silver, or other material, worn by women in India and Africa, and in some other countries, upon the wrist or ankle; a ring bracelet. Bangle ear, a loose hanging ear of a horse, like that of a spaniel. Banian Ban"ian (?), n. [Skr. banij merchant. The tree was so named by the English, because used as a market place by the merchants.] 1. A Hindoo trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer. [Written also banyan.] 2. A man's loose gown, like that worn by the Banians. 3. (Bot.) The Indian fig. See Banyan. Banian days (Naut.), days in which the sailors have no flesh meat served out to them. This use seems to be borrowed from the Banians or Banya race, who eat no flesh. Banish Ban"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Banished(p. pr. & vb. n. Banishing.] [OF. banir, F. bannir, LL. bannire, fr. OHG. bannan to summon, fr. ban ban. See Ban an edict, and Finish, v. t.] 1. To condemn to exile, or compel to leave one's country, by authority of the ruling power. "We banish you our territories." Shak. 2. To drive out, as from a home or familiar place; -- used with from and out of. How the ancient Celtic tongue came to be banished from the Low Countries in Scotland. Blair. 3. To drive away; to compel to depart; to dispel. "Banish all offense." Shak. Syn. -- To Banish, Exile, Expel. The idea of a coercive removal from a place is common to these terms. A man is banished when he is forced by the government of a country (be he a foreigner or a native) to leave its borders. A man is exiled when he is driven into banishment from his native country and home. Thus to exile is to banish, but to banish is not always to exile. To expel is to eject or banish, summarily or authoritatively, and usually under circumstances of disgrace; as, to expel from a college; expelled from decent society. Banisher Ban"ish*er (?), n. One who banishes. Banishment Ban"ish*ment (?), n. [Cf. F. bannissement.] The act of banishing, or the state of being banished. He secured himself by the banishment of his enemies. Johnson. Round the wide world in banishment we roam. Dryden. Syn. -- Expatriation; ostracism; expulsion; proscription; exile; outlawry. Banister Ban"is*ter (?), n. [Formerly also banjore and banjer; corrupted from bandore, through negro slave pronunciation.] A stringed musical instrument having a head and neck like the guitar, and its body like a tambourine. It has five strings, and is played with the fingers and hands. Bank Bank (?), n. [OE. banke; akin to E. bench, and prob. of Scand. origin.; cf. Icel. bakki. See Bench.] 1. A mound, pile, or ridge of earth, raised above the surrounding level; hence, anything shaped like a mound or ridge of earth; as, a bank of clouds; a bank of snow. They cast up a bank against the city. 2 Sam. xx. 15. 2. A steep acclivity, as the slope of a hill, or the side of a ravine. 3. The margin of a watercourse; the rising ground bordering a lake, river, or sea, or forming the edge of a cutting, or other hollow. Tiber trembled underneath her banks. Shak. 4. An elevation, or rising ground, under the sea; a shoal, shelf, or shallow; as, the banks of Newfoundland. 5. (Mining) (a) The face of the coal at which miners are working. (b) A deposit of ore or coal, worked by excavations above water level. (c) The ground at the top of a shaft; as, ores are brought to bank. Bank beaver (Zo\'94l.), the otter. [Local, U.S.] -- Bank swallow, a small American and European swallow (Clivicola riparia) that nests in a hole which it excavates in a bank. Bank Bank, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Banked(p. pr. & vb. n. Banking.] 1. To raise a mound or dike about; to inclose, defend, or fortify with a bank; to embank. "Banked well with earth." Holland. 2. To heap or pile up; as, to bank sand. 3. To pass by the banks of. [Obs.] Shak. To bank a fire, To bank up a fire, to cover the coals or embers with ashes or cinders, thus keeping the fire low but alive. Bank Bank, n. [Prob. fr. F. banc. Of German origin, and akin to E. bench. See Bench.] 1. A bench, as for rowers in a galley; also, a tier of oars. Placed on their banks, the lusty Trojan sweep Neptune's smooth face, and cleave the yielding deep. Waller. 2. (Law) (a) The bench or seat upon which the judges sit. (b) The regular term of a court of law, or the full court sitting to hear arguments upon questions of law, as distinguished from a sitting at Nisi Prius, or a court held for jury trials. See Banc. Burrill. 3. (Printing) A sort of table used by printers. 4. (Music) A bench, or row of keys belonging to a keyboard, as in an organ. Knight. Bank Bank, n. [F. banque, It. banca, orig. bench, table, counter, of German origin, and akin to E. bench; cf. G. bank bench, OHG. banch. See Bench, and cf. Banco, Beach.] 1. An establishment for the custody, loan, exchange, or issue, of money, and for facilitating the transmission of funds by drafts or bills of exchange; an institution incorporated for performing one or more of such functions, or the stockholders (or their representatives, the directors), acting in their corporate capacity. 2. The building or office used for banking purposes. 3. A fund from deposits or contributions, to be used in transacting business; a joint stock or capital. [Obs.] Let it be no bank or common stock, but every man be master of his own money. Bacon. 4. (Gaming) The sum of money or the checks which the dealer or banker has as a fund, from which to draw his stakes and pay his losses. 5. In certain games, as dominos, a fund of pieces from which the players are allowed to draw. Bank credit, a credit by which a person who has give -- Bank of deposit, a bank which receives money for safe keeping. -- Bank of issue, a bank which issues its own notes payable to bearer. Bank Bank, v. t. To deposit in a bank. Bank Bank, v. i. 1. To keep a bank; to carry on the business of a banker. <-- p. 117 --> 2. To deposit money in a bank; to have an account with a banker. Bankable Bank"a*ble (?), a. Receivable at a bank. Bank bill Bank" bill` (?). 1. In America (and formerly in England), a promissory note of a bank payable to the bearer on demand, and used as currency; a bank note. 2. In England, a note, or a bill of exchange, of a bank, payable to order, and usually at some future specified time. Such bills are negotiable, but form, in the strict sense of the term, no part of the currency. Bank book Bank" book` (?). A book kept by a depositor, in which an officer of a bank enters the debits and credits of the depositor's account with the bank. Banker Bank"er (?), n.[See the nouns Bank and the verbs derived from them.] 1. One who conducts the business of banking; one who, individually, or as a member of a company, keeps an establishment for the deposit or loan of money, or for traffic in money, bills of exchange, etc. 2. A money changer. [Obs.] 3. The dealer, or one who keeps the bank in a gambling house. 4. A vessel employed in the cod fishery on the banks of Newfoundland. Grabb. J. Q. Adams. 5. A ditcher; a drain digger. [Prov. Eng.] 6. The stone bench on which masons cut or square their work. Weale. Bankeress Bank"er*ess (?), n. A female banker. Thackeray. Banking Bank"ing, n. The business of a bank or of a banker. Banking house, an establishment or office in which, or a firm by whom, banking is done. Bank note Bank" note` (?). 1. A promissory note issued by a bank or banking company, payable to bearer on demand. NOTE: &hand; In the United States popularly called a bank bill. 2. Formerly, a promissory note made by a banker, or banking company, payable to a specified person at a fixed date; a bank bill. See Bank bill, 2. [Obs.] 3. A promissory note payable at a bank. Bankrupt Bank"rupt (?), n. [F. banqueroute, fr. It. bancarotta bankruptcy; banca bank (fr. OHG. banch, G. bank, bench) + rotta broken, fr. L. ruptus, p.p. of rumpere to break. At Florence, it is said, the bankrupt had his bench ( i.e., money table) broken. See 1st Bank, and Rupture, n.] 1. (Old Eng. Low) A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors. Blackstone. 2. A trader who becomes unable to pay his debts; an insolvent trader; popularly, any person who is unable to pay his debts; an insolvent person. M 3. (Law) A person who, in accordance with the terms of a law relating to bankruptcy, has been judicially declared to be unable to meet his liabilities. NOTE: &hand; In En gland, un til the year 1861 none but a "trader" could be made a bankrupt; a non-trader failing to meet his liabilities being an "insolvent". But this distinction was abolished by the Bankruptcy Act of 1861. The laws of 1841 and 1867 of the United States relating to bankruptcy applied this designation bankrupt to others besides those engaged in trade. Bankrupt Bank"rupt, a. 1. Being a bankrupt or in a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay, or legally discharged from paying, one's debts; as, a bankrupt merchant. 2. Depleted of money; not having the means of meeting pecuniary liabilities; as, a bankrupt treasury. 3. Relating to bankrupts and bankruptcy. 4. Destitute of, or wholly wanting (something once possessed, or something one should possess). "Bankrupt in gratitude." Sheridan. Bankrupt law, a law by which the property of a person who is unable or unwilling to pay his debts may be taken and distributed to his creditors, and by which a person who has made a full surrender of his property, and is free from fraud, may be discharged from the legal obligation of his debts. See Insolvent, a. Bankrupt Bank"rupt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bankrupted; p. pr. & vb. n. Bankrupting.] To make bankrupt; to bring financial ruin upon; to impoverish. Bankruptcy Bank"rupt*cy (?), n.; pl. Bankruptcies( 1. The state of being actually or legally bankrupt. 2. The act or process of becoming a bankrupt. 3. Complete loss; -- followed by of. Bankside Bank"side` (?), n. The slope of a bank, especially of the bank of a steam. Bank-sided Bank"-sid`ed (?), a. (Naut.) Having sides inclining inwards, as a ship; -- opposed to wall-sided. Bank swallow Bank" swal"low (?). See under 1st Bank, n. Banlieue Ban"li*eue` (?), n. [F., fr. LL. bannum leucae, banleuca; bannum jurisdiction + leuca league.] The territory without the walls, but within the legal limits, of a town or city. Brande & C. Banner Ban"ner (?), n. [OE. banere, OF. baniere, F. banni\'8are, bandi\'8are, fr. LL. baniera, banderia, fr. bandum banner, fr. OHG. bant band, strip of cloth; cf. bindan to bind, Goth. bandwa, bandwo, a sign. See Band, n.] 1. A kind of flag attached to a spear or pike by a crosspiece, and used by a chief as his standard in battle. Hang out our banners on the outward walls. Shak. 2. A large piece of silk or other cloth, with a device or motto, extended on a crosspiece, and borne in a procession, or suspended in some conspicuous place. 3. Any flag or standard; as, the star-spangled banner. Banner fish (Zo\'94l.), a large fish of the genus Histiophorus, of the Swordfish family, having a broad bannerlike dorsal fin; the sailfish. One species (H. Americanus) inhabits the North Atlantic. Bannered Ban"nered (?), a. bannered host." Milton. Banneret Ban"ner*et (?), n.[OE. baneret, OF. baneret, F. banneret; properly a dim. of OF. baniere. See Banner.] 1. Originally, a knight who led his vassals into the field under his own banner; -- commonly used as a title of rank. 2. A title of rank, conferred for heroic deeds, and hence, an order of knighthood; also, the person bearing such title or rank. NOTE: &hand; Th e usual mode of conferring the rank on the field of battle was by cutting or tearing off the point of the pennon or pointed flag on the spear of the candidate, thereby making it a banner. 3. A civil officer in some Swiss cantons. 4. A small banner. Shak. Bannerol Ban"ner*ol (?), n. A banderole; esp. a banner displayed at a funeral procession and set over the tomb. See Banderole. Bannition Ban*ni"tion (?), n. [LL. bannitio. See Banish.] The act of expulsion.[Obs.] Abp. Laud. Bannock Ban"nock (?), n. [Gael. bonnach.] A kind of cake or bread, in shape flat and roundish, commonly made of oatmeal or barley meal and baked on an iron plate, or griddle; -- used in Scotland and the northern counties of England. Jamieson. Bannock fluke, the turbot. [Scot.] Banns Banns (?), n. pl. [See Ban.] Notice of a proposed marriage, proclaimed in a church, or other place prescribed by law, in order that any person may object, if he knows of just cause why the marriage should not take place. Banquet Ban"quet (?), n. [F., a feast, prop. a dim. of banc bench; cf. It. banchetto, dim. of banco a bench, counter. See Bank a bench, and cf. Banquette.] 1. A feast; a sumptuous entertainment of eating and drinking; often, a complimentary or ceremonious feast, followed by speeches. 2. A dessert; a course of sweetmeats; a sweetmeat or sweetmeats. [Obs.] We'll dine in the great room, but let the music And banquet be prepared here. Massinger. Banquet Ban"quet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Banqueted; p. pr. & vb. n. Banqueting.] To treat with a banquet or sumptuous entertainment of food; to feast. Just in time to banquet The illustrious company assembled there. Coleridge. Banquet Ban"quet, v.i. 1. To regale one's self with good eating and drinking; to feast. Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, I would not taste thy treasonous offer. Milton. 2. To partake of a dessert after a feast. [Obs.] Where they did both sup and banquet. Cavendish. Banquetter Ban"quet*ter (?), n. One who banquets; one who feasts or makes feasts. Banquette Ban*quette" (?), n. [F. See Banquet, n.] 1. (Fort.) A raised way or foot bank, running along the inside of a parapet, on which musketeers stand to fire upon the enemy. 2. (Arch.) A narrow window seat; a raised shelf at the back or the top of a buffet or dresser. Banshee, Banshie Ban"shee, Ban"shie (?), n. [Gael. bean-shith fairy; Gael. & Ir. bean woman + Gael. sith fairy.] A supernatural being supposed by the Irish and Scotch peasantry to warn a family of the speedy death of one of its members, by wailing or singing in a mournful voice under the windows of the house. Banstickle Ban"stic`kle (?), n. [OE. ban, bon, bone + stickle prickle, sting. See Bone, n., Stickleback.] (Zo\'94l.) A small fish, the three-spined stickleback. Bantam Ban"tam (?), n. A variety of small barnyard fowl, with feathered legs, probably brought from Bantam, a district of Java. Bantam work Ban"tam work`. Carved and painted work in imitation of Japan ware. Banteng Ban"teng (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The wild ox of Java (Bibos Banteng). Banter Ban"ter (?), v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bantered(p. pr. & vb. n. Bantering.] [Prob. corrupted fr. F. badiner to joke, or perh. fr. E. bandy to beat to and fro. See Badinage, and cf. Barter fr. OF. barater.] 1. To address playful good-natured ridicule to, -- the person addressed, or something pertaining to him, being the subject of the jesting; to rally; as, he bantered me about my credulity. Hag-ridden by my own fancy all night, and then bantered on my haggard looks the next day. W. Irving. 2. To jest about; to ridicule in speaking of, as some trait, habit, characteristic, and the like. [Archaic] If they banter your regularity, order, and love of study, banter in return their neglect of them. Chatham. 3. To delude or trick, -- esp. by way of jest. [Obs.] We diverted ourselves with bantering several poor scholars with hopes of being at least his lordship's chaplain. De Foe. 4. To challenge or defy to a match. [Colloq. Southern and Western U.S.] Banter Ban"ter, n. The act of bantering; joking or jesting; humorous or good-humored raillery; pleasantry. Part banter, part affection. Tennyson. Banterer Ban"ter*er (?), n. One who banters or rallies. Bantingism Ban"ting*ism (?), n. A method of reducing corpulence by avoiding food containing much farinaceous, saccharine, or oily matter; -- so called from William Banting of London. Bantling Bant"ling (?), n. [Prob. for bandling, from band, and meaning a child wrapped in swaddling bands; or cf. G. b\'84ntling a bastard, fr. bank bench. Cf. Bastard, n.] A young or small child; an infant. [Slightly contemptuous or depreciatory.] In what out of the way corners genius produces her bantlings. W. Irving. Banxring Banx"ring (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) An East Indian insectivorous mammal of the genus Tupaia. Banyan Ban"yan (?), n. [See Banian.] (Bot.) A tree of the same genus as the common fig, and called the Indian fig (Ficus Indica), whose branches send shoots to the ground, which take root and become additional trunks, until it may be the tree covers some acres of ground and is able to shelter thousands of men. Baobab Ba"o*bab (?), n. [The native name.] (Bot.) A gigantic African tree (Adansonia digitata), also naturalized in India. See Adansonia. Baphomet Baph"o*met (?), n.[A corruption of Mahomet or Mohammed, the Arabian prophet: cf. Pr. Bafomet, OSp. Mafomat, OPg. Mafameda.] An idol or symbolical figure which the Templars were accused of using in their mysterious rites. Baptism Bap"tism (?), n. [OE. baptim, baptem, OE. baptesme, batisme, F. bapt\'88me, L. baptisma, fr. Gr. , fr. to baptize, fr. to dip in water, akin to deep, Skr. g\'beh to dip, bathe, v. i.] The act of baptizing; the application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ. This is performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring. Baptismal Bap*tis"mal (?), a. [Cf. F. baptismal.] Pertaining to baptism; as, baptismal vows. Baptismal name, the Christian name, which is given at baptism. Baptismally Bap*tis"mal*ly, adv. In a baptismal manner. Baptist Bap"tist (?), n. [L. baptista, G. ] 1. One who administers baptism; -- specifically applied to John, the forerunner of Christ. Milton. 2. One of a denomination of Christians who deny the validity of infant baptism and of sprinkling, and maintain that baptism should be administered to believers alone, and should be by immersion. See Anabaptist. NOTE: In do ctrine the Baptists of this country [the United States] are Calvinistic, but with much freedom and moderation. Amer. Cyc. Freewill Baptists, a sect of Baptists who are Arminian in doctrine, and practice open communion. -- Seventh-day Baptists, a sect of Baptists who keep the seventh day of the week, or Saturday, as the Sabbath. See Sabbatarian. The Dunkers and Campbellites are also Baptists. Baptistery,Baptistry Bap"tis*ter*y (?),Bap"tis*try (?), n.; pl. Baptisteries (, -tries (. [L. baptisterium, Gr. : cf. F. baptist\'8are.] (Arch.) (a) In early times, a separate building, usually polygonal, used for baptismal services. Small churches were often changed into baptisteries when larger churches were built near. (b) A part of a church containing a font and used for baptismal services. Baptistic Bap*tis"tic (?), a. [Gr. ] Of or for baptism; baptismal. Baptistical Bap*tis"tic*al (?), a. Baptistic. [R.] Baptizable Bap*tiz"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being baptized; fit to be baptized. Baxter. Baptization Bap`ti*za"tion (?), n. Baptism. [Obs.] Their baptizations were null. Jer. Taylor. Baptize Bap*tize" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baptized (; p. pr. & vb. n.>/pos> Baptizing.] [F. baptiser, L. baptizare, fr.Gr. . See Baptism.] 1. To administer the sacrament of baptism to. 2. To christen ( because a name is given to infants at their baptism); to give a name to; to name. I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Shak. 3. To sanctify; to consecrate. Baptizement Bap*tize"ment (?), n. The act of baptizing.[R.] Baptizer Bap*tiz"er (?), n. One who baptizes. Bar Bar (?), n. [OE. barre, F. barre, fr. LL. barra, W. bar the branch of a tree, bar, baren branch, Gael. & Ir. barra bar. 1. A piece of wood, metal, or other material, long in proportion to its breadth or thickness, used as a lever and for various other purposes, but especially for a hindrance, obstruction, or fastening; as, the bars of a fence or gate; the bar of a door. Thou shalt make bars of shittim wood. Ex. xxvi. 26. 2. An indefinite quantity of some substance, so shaped as to be long in proportion to its breadth and thickness; as, a bar of gold or of lead; a bar of soap. 3. Anything which obstructs, hinders, or prevents; an obstruction; a barrier. Must I new bars to my own joy create? Dryden. <-- p. 118 --> 4. A bank of sand, gravel, or other matter, esp. at the mouth of a river or harbor, obstructing navigation. 5. Any railing that divides a room, or office, or hall of assembly, in order to reserve a space for those having special privileges; as, the bar of the House of Commons. 6. (Law) (a) The railing that incloses the place which counsel occupy in courts of justice. Hence, the phrase at the bar of the court signifies in open court. (b) The place in court where prisoners are stationed for arraignment, trial, or sentence. (c) The whole body of lawyers licensed in a court or district; the legal profession. (d) A special plea constituting a sufficient answer to plaintiff's action. 7. Any tribunal; as, the bar of public opinion; the bar of God. 8. A barrier or counter, over which liquors and food are passed to customers; hence, the portion of the room behind the counter where liquors for sale are kept. 9. (Her.) An ordinary, like a fess but narrower, occupying only one fifth part of the field. 10. A broad shaft, or band, or stripe; as, a bar of light; a bar of color. 11. (Mus.) A vertical line across the staff. Bars divide the staff into spaces which represent measures, and are themselves called measures. NOTE: &hand; A do uble ba r ma rks th e en d of a strain or main division of a movement, or of a whole piece of music; in psalmody, it marks the end of a line of poetry. The term bar is very often loosely used for measure, i.e., for such length of music, or of silence, as is included between one bar and the next; as, a passage of eight bars; two bars' rest. 12. (Far.) pl. (a) The space between the tusks and grinders in the upper jaw of a horse, in which the bit is placed. (b) The part of the crust of a horse's hoof which is bent inwards towards the frog at the heel on each side, and extends into the center of the sole. 13. (Mining) (a) A drilling or tamping rod. (b) A vein or dike crossing a lode. 14. (Arch.) (a) A gatehouse of a castle or fortified town. (b) A slender strip of wood which divides and supports the glass of a window; a sash bar. Bar shoe (Far.), a kind of horseshoe having a bar across the usual opening at the heel, to protect a tender frog from injury. -- Bar shot, a double headed shot, consisting of a bar, with a ball or half ball at each end; -- formerly used for destroying the masts or rigging in naval combat. -- Bar sinister (Her.), a term popularly but erroneously used for baton, a mark of illegitimacy. See Baton. -- Bar tracery (Arch.), ornamental stonework resembling bars of iron twisted into the forms required. -- Blank bar (Law). See Blank. -- Case at bar (Law), a case presently before the court; a case under argument. -- In bar of, as a sufficient reason against; to prevent. -- Matter in bar, or Defence in bar, a plea which is a final defense in an action. -- Plea in bar, a plea which goes to bar or defeat the plaintiff's action absolutely and entirely. -- Trial at bar (Eng. Law), a trial before all the judges of one the superior courts of Westminster, or before a quorum representing the full court. Bar Bar (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barred (p. pr. & vb. n. Barring.] [ F. barrer. See Bar, n.] 1. To fasten with a bar; as, to bar a door or gate. 2. To restrict or confine, as if by a bar; to hinder; to obstruct; to prevent; to prohibit; as, to bar the entrance of evil; distance bars our intercourse; the statute bars my right; the right is barred by time; a release bars the plaintiff's recovery; -- sometimes with up. He barely looked the idea in the face, and hastened to bar it in its dungeon. Hawthorne. 3. To except; to exclude by exception. Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gauge me By what we do to-night. Shak. 4. To cross with one or more stripes or lines. For the sake of distinguishing the feet more clearly, I have barred them singly. Burney. Barb Barb (?), n. [F. barbe, fr. L. barba beard. See Beard, n.] 1. Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it. The barbel, so called by reason of his barbs, or wattles in his mouth. Walton. 2. A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners. [Obs.] 3. pl. Paps, or little projections, of the mucous membrane, which mark the opening of the submaxillary glands under the tongue in horses and cattle. The name is mostly applied when the barbs are inflamed and swollen. [Written also barbel and barble.] 4. The point that stands backward in an arrow, fishhook, etc., to prevent it from being easily extracted. Hence: Anything which stands out with a sharp point obliquely or crosswise to something else. "Having two barbs or points." Ascham. 5. A bit for a horse. [Obs.] Spenser. 6. (Zo\'94l.) One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather. 7. (Zo\'94l.) A southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; -- also improperly called whiting. 8. (Bot.) A hair or bristle ending in a double hook. Barb Barb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barbed (p. pr. & vb. n. Barbing.] 1. To shave or dress the beard of. [Obs.] 2. To clip; to mow. [Obs.] Marston. 3. To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc. But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire. Milton. Barb Barb, n. [F. barbe, fr. Barbarie.] 1. The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduces from Barbary into Spain by the Moors. 2. (Zo\'94l.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary. Barb Barb, n. [Corrupted fr. bard.] Armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1. Barbacan Bar"ba*can (?), n. See Barbican. Barbacanage Bar"ba*can*age (?), n. See Barbicanage. Barbadian Bar*ba"di*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Barbados. -- n. A native of Barbados. Barbados OR Barbadoes Bar*ba"dos OR Bar*ba"does (?), n. A West Indian island, giving its name to a disease, to a cherry, etc. Barbados cherry (Bot.), a genus of trees of the West Indies (Malpighia) with an agreeably acid fruit resembling a cherry. -- Barbados leg (Med.), a species of elephantiasis incident to hot climates. -- Barbados nuts, the seeds of the Jatropha curcas, a plant growing in South America and elsewhere. The seeds and their acrid oil are used in medicine as a purgative. See Physic nut. Barbara Bar"ba*ra (?), n. [Coined by logicians.] (Logic) The first word in certain mnemonic lines which represent the various forms of the syllogism. It indicates a syllogism whose three propositions are universal affirmatives. Whately. Barbaresque Bar`ba*resque" (?), a. Barbaric in form or style; as, barbaresque architecture. De Quincey. Barbarian Bar*ba"ri*an (?), n. [See Barbarous.] 1. A foreigner. [Historical] Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 2. A man in a rule, savage, or uncivilized state. 3. A person destitute of culture. M. Arnold. 4. A cruel, savage, brutal man; one destitute of pity or humanity. "Thou fell barbarian." Philips. Barbarian Bar*ba"ri*an, a. Of, or pertaining to, or resembling, barbarians; rude; uncivilized; barbarous; as, barbarian governments or nations. Barbaic Bar*ba"ic (?), a. [L. barbaricus foreign, barbaric, Gr. .] 1. Of, or from, barbarian nations; foreign; -- often with reference to barbarous nations of east. "Barbaric pearl and gold." Milton. 2. Of or pertaining to, or resembling, an uncivilized person or people; barbarous; barbarian; destitute of refinement. "Wild, barbaric music." Sir W. Scott. Barbarism Bar"ba*rism (?), n. [L. barbarismus, Gr.; cf. F. barbarisme.] 1. An uncivilized state or condition; rudeness of manners; ignorance of arts, learning, and literature; barbarousness. Prescott. 2. A barbarous, cruel, or brutal action; an outrage. A heinous barbarism . . . against the honor of marriage. Milton. 3. An offense against purity of style or language; any form of speech contrary to the pure idioms of a particular language. See Solecism. The Greeks were the first that branded a foreign term in any of their writers with the odious name of barbarism. G. Campbell. Barbarity Bar*bar"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Barbarities (#). [From Barbarous.] The state or manner of a barbarian; lack of civilization. 2. Cruelty; ferociousness; inhumanity. Treating Christians with a barbarity which would have shocked the very Moslem. Macaulay. 3. A barbarous or cruel act. 4. Barbarism; impurity of speech. [Obs.] Swift. Barbarize Bar"ba*rize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Barbarized (; p. pr. & vb. n. Barbarizing (.] 1. To become barbarous. The Roman empire was barbarizing rapidly from the time of Trajan. De Quincey. 2. To adopt a foreign or barbarous mode of speech. The ill habit . . . of wretched barbarizing against the Latin and Greek idiom, with their untutored Anglicisms. Milton. Barbarize Bar"ba*rize (?), v. t. [Cf. F. barbariser, LL. barbarizare.] To make barbarous. The hideous changes which have barbarized France. Burke. Barbarous Bar"ba*rous (?), a. [L. barbarus, Gr. , strange, foreign; later, slavish, rude, ignorant; akin to L. balbus stammering, Skr. barbara stammering, outlandish. Cf. Brave, a.] 1. Being in the state of a barbarian; uncivilized; rude; peopled with barbarians; as, a barbarous people; a barbarous country. 2. Foreign; adapted to a barbaric taste.[Obs.] Barbarous gold. Dryden. 3. Cruel; ferocious; inhuman; merciless. By their barbarous usage he died within a few days, to the grief of all that knew him. Clarendon. 4. Contrary to the pure idioms of a language. A barbarous expression G. Campbell. Syn. -- Uncivilized; unlettered; uncultivated; untutored; ignorant; merciless; brutal. See Ferocious. Barbarously Bar"ba*rous*ly, adv. In a barbarous manner. Barbarousness Bar"ba*rous*ness, n. The quality or state of being barbarous; barbarity; barbarism. Barbary Bar"ba*ry (?), n. [Fr. Ar. Barbar the people of Barbary.] The countries on the north coast of Africa from Egypt to the Atlantic. Hence: A Barbary horse; a barb. [Obs.] Also, a kind of pigeon. Barbary ape (Zo\'94l.), an ape (Macacus innus) of north Africa and Gibraltar Rock, being the only monkey inhabiting Europe. It is very commonly trained by showmen. Barbastel Bar"ba*stel` (?), n. [F. barbastelle.] (Zo\'94l.) A European bat (Barbastellus communis), with hairy lips. Barbate Bar"bate (?), a. [L. barbatus, fr. barba beard. See Barb beard.] (Bot.) Bearded; beset with long and weak hairs. Barbated Bar"ba*ted (?), a. Having barbed points. A dart uncommonly barbated. T. Warton. Barbecue Bar"be*cue (?), n. [In the language of Indians of Guiana, a frame on which all kinds of flesh and fish are roasted or smoke-dried.] 1. A hog, ox, or other large animal roasted or broiled whole for a feast. 2. A social entertainment, where many people assemble, usually in the open air, at which one or more large animals are roasted or broiled whole. 3. A floor, on which coffee beans are sun-dried. Barbecue Bar"be*cue (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barbecued (; p. pr. & vb. n. Barbecuing.] 1. To dry or cure by exposure on a frame or gridiron. They use little or no salt, but barbecue their game and fish in the smoke. Stedman. 2. To roast or broil whole, as an ox or hog. Send me, gods, a whole hog barbecued. Pope. Barbed Barbed (?), a. [See 4th Bare.] Accoutered with defensive armor; -- said of a horse. See Barded ( which is the proper form.) Sir W. Raleigh. Barbed Barbed, a. Furnished with a barb or barbs; as, a barbed arrow; barbed wire. Barbed wire, a wire, or a strand of twisted wires, armed with barbs or sharp points. It is used for fences. Barbel Bar"bel (?), n.[OE. barbel, F. barbeau, dim. of L. barbus barbel, fr. barba beard. See 1st Barb.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) A slender tactile organ on the lips of certain fished. 2. (Zo\'94l.) A large fresh-water fish ( Barbus vulgaris) found in many European rivers. Its upper jaw is furnished with four barbels. 3. pl. Barbs or paps under the tongued of horses and cattle. See 1st Barb, 3. Barbellate Bar"bel*late (?), a. [See 1st Barb.] (Bot.) Having short, stiff hairs, often barbed at the point. Gray. Barbellulate Bar*bel"lu*late (?), a. (Bot.) Barbellate with diminutive hairs or barbs. Barber Bar"ber (?), n. [OE. barbour, OF. barbeor, F. barbier, as if fr. an assumed L. barbator, fr. barba beard. See 1st Barb.] One whose occupation it is to shave or trim the beard, and to cut and dress the hair of his patrons. Barber's itch. See under Itch. NOTE: &hand; Formerly the barber practiced some offices of surgery, such as letting blood and pulling teeth. Hence such terms as barber surgeon ( old form barber chirurgeon), barber surgery, etc. Barber Bar"ber, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barbered (p. pr. & vb. n. Barbering.] To shave and dress the beard or hair of. Shak. Barber fish Bar"ber fish. (Zo\'94l.) See Surgeon fish. Barbermonger Bar"ber*mon`ger (?), n. A fop. [Obs.] Barberry Bar"ber*ry (?), n. [OE. barbarin, barbere, OF. berbere.] (Bot.) A shrub of the genus Berberis, common along roadsides and in neglected fields. B. vulgaris is the species best known; its oblong red berries are made into a preserve or sauce, and have been deemed efficacious in fluxes and fevers. The bark dyes a fine yellow, esp. the bark of the root. [Also spelt berberry.] Barbet Bar"bet (?), n. [F. barbet, fr.barbe beard, long hair of certain animals. See Barb beard.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A variety of small dog, having long curly hair. (b) A bird of the family Bucconid\'91, allied to the Cuckoos, having a large, conical beak swollen at the base, and bearded with five bunches of stiff bristles; the puff bird. It inhabits tropical America and Africa. (c) A larva that feeds on aphides. Barbette Bar*bette" (?), n. [F. Cf. Barbet.] (Fort.) A mound of earth or a platform in a fortification, on which guns are mounted to fire over the parapet. En barbette, In barbette, said of guns when they are elevated so as to fire over the top of a parapet, and not through embrasures. -- Barbette gun, or Barbette battery, a single gun, or a number of guns, mounted in barbette, or partially protected by a parapet or turret. -- Barbette carriage, a gun carriage which elevates guns sufficiently to be in barbette. [See Illust. of Casemate.] Barbican, Barbacan Bar"bi*can (?), Bar"ba*can (?), n. [OE. barbican, barbecan, F. barbacane, LL. barbacana, barbicana, of uncertain origin: cf. Ar. barbakh aqueduct, sewer. F. barbacane also means, an opening to let out water, loophole.] 1. ( Fort.) A tower or advanced work defending the entrance to a castle or city, as at a gate or bridge. It was often large and strong, having a ditch and drawbridge of its own. 2. An opening in the wall of a fortress, through which missiles were discharged upon an enemy. Barbicanage, Barbacanage Bar"bi*can*age (?), Bar"ba*can*age (?), n. [LL. barbicanagium. See Barbican.] Money paid for the support of a barbican. [Obs.] Barbicel Bar"bi*cel (?), n. [NL. barbicella, dim. of L. barba. See 1st Barb.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the small hooklike processes on the barbules of feathers. Barbiers Bar"biers (?), n. (Med.) A variety of paralysis, peculiar to India and the Malabar coast; -- considered by many to be the same as beriberi in chronic form. Barbigerous Bar*big"er*ous (?), a. [L. barba a beard + gerous.] Having a beard; bearded; hairy. Barbiton Bar"bi*ton (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. .] (Mus.) An ancient Greek instrument resembling a lyre. Barbituric acid Bar`bi*tu"ric ac"id (?). (Chem.) A white, crystalline substance, <-- p. 119 --> Barble Bar"ble (?), n. See Barbel. Barbotine Bar"bo*tine (?), n. [F.] A paste of clay used in decorating coarse pottery in relief. Barbre Bar"bre (?), a. Barbarian. [Obs.] Chaucer. Barbule Bar"bule (?), n. [L. barbula, fr. barba beard.] 1. A very minute barb or beard. Booth. 2. (Zo\'94l.) One of the processes along the edges of the barbs of a feather, by which adjacent barbs interlock. See Feather. Barcarolle Bar"ca*rolle (?), n. [F. barcarolle, fr. It. barcaruola, fr. barca bark, barge.] (Mus.) (a) A popular song or melody sung by Venetian gondoliers. (b) A piece of music composed in imitation of such a song. Barcon Bar"con (?), n. [It. barcone, fr. barca a bark.] A vessel for freight; -- used in Mediterranean. Bard Bard (?), n. [Of Celtic origin; cf. W. bardd, Arm. barz, Ir. & Gael. bard, and F. barde.] 1. A professional poet and singer, as among the ancient Celts, whose occupation was to compose and sing verses in honor of the heroic achievements of princes and brave men. 2. Hence: A poet; as, the bard of Avon. Bard, Barde Bard, Barde (?), n. [F. barde, of doubtful origin.] 1. A piece of defensive (or, sometimes, ornamental) armor for a horse's neck, breast, and flanks; a barb. [Often in the pl.] 2. pl. Defensive armor formerly worn by a man at arms. 3. (Cookery) A thin slice of fat bacon used to cover any meat or game. Bard Bard, v. t. (Cookery) To cover (meat or game) with a thin slice of fat bacon. Barded Bard"ed, p.a. [See Bard horse armor.] 1. Accoutered with defensive armor; -- said of a horse. 2. (Her.) Wearing rich caparisons. Fifteen hundred men . . . barded and richly trapped. Stow. Bardic Bard"ic, a. Of or pertaining to bards, or their poetry. "The bardic lays of ancient Greece." G. P. Marsh. Bardish Bard"ish, a. Pertaining to, or written by, a bard or bards. "Bardish impostures." Selden. Bardism Bard"ism (?), n. The system of bards; the learning and maxims of bards. Bardling Bard"ling (?), n. An inferior bard. J. Cunningham. Bardship Bard"ship, n. The state of being a bard. Bare Bare (?), a. [OE. bar, bare, AS. b\'91r; akin to D. & G. baar, OHG. par, Icel. berr, Sw. & Dan. bar, OSlav. bos barefoot, Lith. basas; cf. Skr. bh\'bes to shine 1. Without clothes or covering; stripped of the usual covering; naked; as, his body is bare; the trees are bare. 2. With head uncovered; bareheaded. When once thy foot enters the church, be bare. Herbert. 3. Without anything to cover up or conceal one's thoughts or actions; open to view; exposed. Bare in thy guilt, how foul must thou appear ! Milton. 4. Plain; simple; unadorned; without polish; bald; meager. "Uttering bare truth." Shak. 5. Destitute; indigent; empty; unfurnished or scantily furnished; -- used with of (rarely with in) before the thing wanting or taken away; as, a room bare of furniture. "A bare treasury." Dryden. 6. Threadbare; much worn. It appears by their bare liveries that they live by your bare words. Shak. 7. Mere; alone; unaccompanied by anything else; as, a bare majority. "The bare necessaries of life." Addison. Nor are men prevailed upon by bare of naked truth. South. Under bare poles (Naut.), having no sail set. Bare Bare, n. 1. Surface; body; substance. [R.] You have touched the very bare of naked truth. Marston. 2. (Arch.) That part of a roofing slate, shingle, tile, or metal plate, which is exposed to the weather. Bare Bare, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bared(p. pr. & vb. n. Baring.] [AS. barian. See Bare, a.] To strip off the covering of; to make bare; as, to bare the breast. Bare Bare. Bore; the old preterit of Bear, v. Bareback Bare"back` (?), adv. On the bare back of a horse, without using a saddle; as, to ride bareback. Barebacked Bare"backed` (?), a. Having the back uncovered; as, a barebacked horse. Barebone Bare"bone` (?), n. A very lean person; one whose bones show through the skin. Shak. Barefaced Bare"faced` (?), a. 1. With the face uncovered; not masked. "You will play barefaced." Shak. 2. Without concealment; undisguised. Hence: Shameless; audacious. "Barefaced treason." J. Baillie. Barefacedly Bare"faced`ly, adv. Openly; shamelessly. Locke. Barefacedness Bare"faced`ness, n. The quality of being barefaced; shamelessness; assurance; audaciousness. Barefoot Bare"foot (?), a. & adv. With the feet bare; without shoes or stockings. Barefooted Bare"foot`ed, a. Having the feet bare. Bar\'82ge Ba*r\'82ge" (?), n. [F. bar\'82ge, so called from Bar\'82ges, a town in the Pyrenees.] A gauzelike fabric for ladies' dresses, veils, etc. of worsted, silk and worsted, or cotton and worsted. Barehanded Bare"hand`ed (?), n. Having bare hands. Bareheaded, Barehead Bare"head`ed (?), Bare"head, a. & adv. Having the head uncovered; as, a bareheaded girl. Barelegged Bare"legged` (?), a. Having the legs bare. Barely Bare"ly, adv. 1. Without covering; nakedly. 2. Without concealment or disguise. 3. Merely; only. R. For now his son is duke. W. Barely in title, not in revenue. Shak. 4. But just; without any excess; with nothing to spare ( of quantity, time, etc.); hence, scarcely; hardly; as, there was barely enough for all; he barely escaped. Barenecked Bare"necked` (?), a. Having the neck bare. Bareness Bare"ness, n. The state of being bare. Baresark Bare"sark (?), n. [Literally, bare sark or shirt.] A Berserker, or Norse warrior who fought without armor, or shirt of mail. Hence, adverbially: Without shirt of mail or armor. Barfish Bar"fish` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Calico bass. Barful Bar"ful (?), a. Full of obstructions. [Obs.] Shak. Bargain Bar"gain (?), n. [OE. bargayn, bargany, OF. bargaigne, bargagne, prob. from a supposed LL. barcaneum, fr. barca a boat which carries merchandise to the shore; hence, to traffic to and fro, to carry on commerce in general. See Bark a vessel. ] 1. An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds himself to transfer the right to some property for a consideration, and the other party binds himself to receive the property and pay the consideration. A contract is a bargain that is legally binding. Wharton. 2. An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge. And whon your honors mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith. Shak. 3. A purchase; also ( when not qualified), a gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase; as, to buy a thing at a bargain. 4. The thing stipulated or purchased; also, anything bought cheap. She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. Shak. Bargain and sale (Law), a species of conveyance, by which the bargainor contracts to convey the lands to the bargainee, and becomes by such contract a trustee for and seized to the use of the bargainee. The statute then completes the purchase; i.e., the bargain vests the use, and the statute vests the possession. Blackstone. -- Into the bargain, over and above what is stipulated; besides. -- To sell bargains, to make saucy ( usually indelicate) repartees. [Obs.] Swift. -- To strike a bargain, to reach or ratify an agreement. "A bargain was struck." Macaulay. Syn. -- Contract; stipulation; purchase; engagement. Bargain Bar"gain, v. i. [OE. barganien, OF. bargaigner, F. barguigner, to hesitate, fr. LL. barcaniare. See Bargain, n.] To make a bargain; to make a contract for the exchange of property or services; -- followed by with and for; as, to bargain with a farmer for a cow. So worthless peasants bargain for their wives. Shak. Bargain Bar"gain, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bargained (p. pr. & vb. n. Bargaining.] To transfer for a consideration; to barter; to trade; as, to bargain one horse for another. To bargain away, to dispose of in a bargain; -- usually with a sense of loss or disadvantage; as, to bargain away one's birthright. "The heir . . . had somehow bargained away the estate." G. Eliot. Barfainee Bar`fain*ee" (?), n. [OF. bargaign\'82, p.p. See Bargain, v. i.] (Law) The party to a contract who receives, or agrees to receive, the property sold. Blackstone. Bargainer Bar"gain*er (?), n. One who makes a bargain; -- sometimes in the sense of bargainor. Bargainor Bar`gain*or" (?), n. (Law) One who makes a bargain, or contracts with another; esp., one who sells, or contracts to sell, property to another. Blackstone. Barge Barge (?), n. [OF. barge, F. berge, fr. LL. barca, for barica (not found), prob. fr. L. baris an Egyptian rowboat, fr. Gr. , prob. fr. Egyptian: cf. Coptic bari a boat. Cf. Bark a vessel.] 1. A pleasure boat; a vessel or boat of state, elegantly furnished and decorated. 2. A large, roomy boat for the conveyance of passengers or goods; as, a ship's barge; a charcoal barge. 3. A large boat used by flag officers. 4. A double-decked passenger or freight vessel, towed by a steamboat. [U.S.] 5. A large omnibus used for excursions. [Local, U.S.] Bargeboard Barge"board` (?), n. [Perh. corrup. of vergeboard; or cf. LL. bargus a kind of gallows.] A vergeboard. Bargecourse Barge"course` (?), n. [See Bargeboard.] (Arch.) A part of the tiling which projects beyond the principal rafters, in buildings where there is a gable. Gwilt. Bargee Bar*gee" (?), n. A bargeman. [Eng.] Bargeman Barge"man (?), n. The man who manages a barge, or one of the crew of a barge. Bargemastter Barge"mast`ter (?), n. The proprietor or manager of a barge, or one of the crew of a barge. Barger Bar"ger (?), n. The manager of a barge. [Obs.] Barghest Bar"ghest` (?), n. [Perh. G. berg mountain + geist demon, or b\'84r a bear + geist.] A goblin, in the shape of a large dog, portending misfortune. [Also written barguest.] Baria Ba"ri*a (?), n. [Cf. Barium.] (Chem.) Baryta. Baric Bar"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to barium; as, baric oxide. Baric Bar"ic, a. [Gr. weight.] (Physics) Of or pertaining to weight, esp. to the weight or pressure of the atmosphere as measured by the barometer. Barilla Ba*ril"la (?), n. [Sp. barrilla.] 1. (Bot.) A name given to several species of Salsola from which soda is made, by burning the barilla in heaps and lixiviating the ashes. 2. (Com.) (a) The alkali produced from the plant, being an impure carbonate of soda, used for making soap, glass, etc., and for bleaching purposes. (b) Impure soda obtained from the ashes of any seashore plant, or kelp. Ure. Copper barilla (Min.), native copper in granular form mixed with sand, an ore brought from Bolivia; -- called also Barilla de cobre. Barillet Bar"il*let (?), n. [F., dim. of baril barrel.] A little cask, or something resembling one. Smart. Bar iron Bar" i`ron (?). See under Iron. Barite Ba"rite (?), n. (Min.) Native sulphate of barium, a mineral occurring in transparent, colorless, white to yellow crystals (generally tabular), also in granular form, and in compact massive forms resembling marble. It has a high specific gravity, and hence is often called heavy spar. It is a common mineral in metallic veins. Baritone Bar"i*tone (?), a. & n. See Barytone. Barium Ba"ri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. bary`s heavy.] (Chem.) One of the elements, belonging to the alkaline earth group; a metal having a silver-white color, and melting at a very high temperature. It is difficult to obtain the pure metal, from the facility with which it becomes oxidized in the air. Atomic weight, 137. Symbol, Ba. Its oxide called baryta. [Rarely written barytum.] NOTE: &hand; So me of the compounds of this element are remarkable for their high specific gravity, as the sulphate, called heavy spar, and the like. The oxide was called barote, by Guyton de Morveau, which name was changed by Lavoisier to baryta, whence the name of the metal. Bard Bard (?), n. [Akin to Dan. & Sw. bark, Icel. b\'94rkr, LG. & HG. borke.] 1. The exterior covering of the trunk and branches of a tree; the rind. 2. Specifically, Peruvian bark. Bark bed. See Bark stove (below). -- Bark pit, a pit filled with bark and water, in which hides are steeped in tanning. -- Bark stove (Hort.), a glazed structure for keeping tropical plants, having a bed of tanner's bark (called a bark bed) or other fermentable matter which produces a moist heat. Bark Bark, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barked (p. pr. & vb. n. Barking.] 1. To strip the bark from; to peel. 2. To abrade or rub off any outer covering from; as to bark one's heel. 3. To girdle. See Girdle, v. t., 3. 4. To cover or inclose with bark, or as with bark; as, to bark the roof of a hut. Bark Bark, v. i. [OE. berken, AS. beorcan; akin to Icel. berkja, and prob. to E. break.] 1. To make a short, loud, explosive noise with the vocal organs; -- said of some animals, but especially of dogs. 2. To make a clamor; to make importunate outcries. They bark, and say the Scripture maketh heretics. Tyndale. Where there is the barking of the belly, there no other commands will be heard, much less obeyed. Fuller. Bark Bark, n. The short, loud, explosive sound uttered by a dog; a similar sound made by some other animals. Bark, Barque Bark, Barque (?), n. [F. barque, fr. Sp. or It. barca, fr. LL. barca for barica. See Barge.] 1. Formerly, any small sailing vessel, as a pinnace, fishing smack, etc.; also, a rowing boat; a barge. Now applied poetically to a sailing vessel or boat of any kind. Byron. 2. (Naut.) A three-masted vessel, having her foremast and mainmast squarerigged, and her mizzenmast schooner-rigged. Barkantine Bark"an*tine (?), n. Same as Barkentine. Bark beetle Bark" bee`tle (?). (Zo\'94l.) A small beetle of many species (family Scolytid\'91), which in the larval state bores under or in the bark of trees, often doing great damage. Barkbound Bark"bound` (?), a. Prevented from growing, by having the bark too firm or close. Barkeeper Bar"keep`er (?), n. One who keeps or tends a bar for the sale of liquors. Barken Bark"en (?), a. Made of bark. [Poetic] Whittier. Barkentine Bark"en*tine (?), n. [See Bark, n., a vessel.] (Naut.) A threemasted vessel, having the foremast square-rigged, and the others schooner-rigged. [Spelled also barquentine, barkantine, etc.] See Illust. in Append. Barker Bark"er (?), n. 1. An animal that barks; hence, any one who clamors unreasonably. 2. One who stands at the doors of shops to urg [Cant, Eng.] 3. A pistol. [Slang] Dickens. 4. (Zo\'94l.) The spotted redshank. Barker Bark"er, n. One who strips trees of their bark. Barker's mill Bark"er's mill` (?). [From Dr. Barker, the inventor.] A machine, invented in the 17th century, worked by a form of reaction wheel. The water flows into a vertical tube and gushes from apertures in hollow horizontal arms, causing the machine to revolve on its axis. Barkery Bark"er*y (?), n. A tanhouse. Barking irons Bark"ing i`rons (?). 1. Instruments used in taking off the bark of trees. Gardner. 2. A pair of pistols. [Slang] Barkless Bark"less, a. Destitute of bark. Bark louse Bark" louse` (?). (Zo\'94l.) An insect of the family Coccid\'91, which infests the bark of trees and vines. NOTE: &hand; Th e wi ngless females assume the shape of scales. The bark louse of vine is Pulvinaria innumerabilis; that of the pear is Lecanium pyri. See Orange scale. Barky Bark"y (?), a. Covered with, or containing, bark. "The barky fingers of the elm." Shak. Barley Bar"ley (?), n. [OE. barli, barlich, AS. b\'91rlic; bere barley + l\'c6c (which is prob. the same as E. like, adj., or perh. a form of AS. le\'bec leek). AS. bere is akin to Icel, barr barley, Goth. barizeins made of barley, L. far spelt; cf. W. barlys barley, bara bread. Farina, 6th Bear.] (Bot.) A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus Hordeum, used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared beer, ale, and whisky. <-- p. 120 --> Barley bird (Zo\'94l.), the siskin. -- Barley sugar, sugar boiled till it is brittle (formerly with a decoction of barley) and candied. -- Barley water, a decoction of barley, used in medicine, as a nutritive and demulcent. Barleybrake Barleybreak Bar"ley*brake` Bar"ley*break` (?), n. An ancient rural game, commonly played round stacks of barley, or other grain, in which some of the party attempt to catch others who run from a goal. Barley-bree Bar"ley-bree` (?), n. [Lit. barley broth. See Brew.] Liquor made from barley; strong ale. [Humorous] [Scot.] Burns. Barleycorn Bar"ley*corn` (?), n. [See Corn.] 1. A grain or "corn" of barley. 2. Formerly , a measure of length, equal to the average length of a grain of barley; the third part of an inch. John Barleycorn, a humorous personification of barley as the source of malt liquor or whisky. Barm Barm (?), n. [OE. berme, AS. beorma; akin to Sw. b\'84rma, G. b\'84rme, and prob. L. fermenium. \'fb93.] Foam rising upon beer, or other malt liquors, when fermenting, and used as leaven in making bread and in brewing; yeast. Shak. Barm Barm, n. [OE. bearm, berm, barm, AS. beorma; akin to E. bear to support.] The lap or bosom. [Obs.] Chaucer. Barmaid Bar"maid` (?), n. A girl or woman who attends the customers of a bar, as in a tavern or beershop. A bouncing barmaid. W. Irving. Barmaster Bar"mas`ter (?), n. [Berg + master: cf. G. Bergmeister.] Formerly, a local judge among miners; now, an officer of the barmote. [Eng.] Barmcloth Barm"cloth` (?), n. Apron. [Obs.] Chaucer. Barmecidal Bar"me*ci`dal (?), a. [See Barmecide.] Unreal; illusory. "A sort of Barmecidal feast." Hood. Barmecide Bar"me*cide (?), n. [A prince of the Barmecide family, who, as related in the "Arabian Nights' Tales", pretended to set before the hungry Shacabac food, on which the latter pretended to feast.] One who proffers some illusory advantage or benefit. Also used as an adj.: Barmecidal. "A Barmecide feast." Dickens. Barmote Bar"mote` (?), n. [Barg + mote meeting.] A court held in Derbyshire, in England, for deciding controversies between miners. Blount. Balmy Balm"y (?), a. Full of barm or froth; in a ferment. "Barmy beer." Dryden. Barn Barn (?), n. [OE. bern, AS. berern, bern; bere barley + ern, \'91rn, a close place. Barley.] A covered building used chiefly for storing grain, hay, and other productions of a farm. In the United States a part of the barn is often used for stables. Barn owl (Zo\'94l.), an owl of Europe and America (Aluco flammeus, or Strix flammea), which frequents barns and other buildings. -- Barn swallow (Zo\'94l.), the common American swallow (Hirundo horreorum), which attaches its nest of mud to the beams and rafters of barns. Barn Barn, v. t. To lay up in a barn. [Obs.] Shak. Men . . . often barn up the chaff, and burn up the grain. Fuller. Barn Barn, n. A child. [Obs.] See Bairn. Barnabite Bar"na*bite (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.) A member of a religious order, named from St. Barnabas. Barnacle Bar"na*cle (?), n. [Prob. from E. barnacle a kind of goose, which was popularly supposed to grow from this shellfish; but perh. from LL. bernacula for pernacula, dim. of perna ham, sea mussel; cf. Gr. ham Cf. F. bernacle, barnacle, E. barnacle a goose; and Ir. bairneach, barneach, limpet.] (Zo\'94l.) Any cirriped crustacean adhering to rocks, floating timber, ships, etc., esp. (a) the sessile species (genus Balanus and allies), and (b) the stalked or goose barnacles (genus Lepas and allies). See Cirripedia, and Goose barnacle. Barnacle eater (Zo\'94l.), the orange filefish. -- Barnacle scale (Zo\'94l.), a bark louse (Ceroplastes cirripediformis) of the orange and quince trees in Florida. The female scale curiously resembles a sessile barnacle in form. Barnacle Bar"na*cle, n. [See Bernicle.] A bernicle goose. Barnacle Bar"na*cle, n. [OE. bernak, bernacle; cf. OF. bernac, and Prov. F. (Berri) berniques, spectacles.] 1. pl. (Far.) An instrument for pinching a horse's nose, and thus restraining him. NOTE: [Formerly used in the sing.] The barnacles . . . give pain almost equal to that of the switch. Youatt. 2. pl. Spectacles; -- so called from their resemblance to the barnacles used by farriers. [Cant, Eng.] Dickens. Barnyard Barn"yard` (?), n. A yard belonging to a barn. Barocco Ba*roc"co (?), a. [It.] (Arch.) See Baroque. Barograph Bar"o*graph (?), n. [Gr. weight + -graph.] (Meteor.) An instrument for recording automatically the variations of atmospheric pressure. Baroko Ba*ro"ko (?), n. [A mnemonic word.] (Logic) A form or mode of syllogism of which the first proposition is a universal affirmative, and the other two are particular negative. Barology Ba*rol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. weight + -logy.] The science of weight or gravity. Baromacrometer Bar`o*ma*crom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. weight + long + -meter.] (Med.) An instrument for ascertaining the weight and length of a newborn infant. Barometer Ba*rom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. weight + -meter: cf. F. barom\'8atre.] An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any ascent. NOTE: &hand; Th e ba rometer was invented by Torricelli at Florence about 1643. It is made in its simplest form by filling a graduated glass tube about 34 inches long with mercury and inverting it in a cup containing mercury. The column of mercury in the tube descends until balanced by the weight of the atmosphere, and its rise or fall under varying conditions is a measure of the change in the atmospheric pressure. At the sea level its ordinary height is about 30 inches (760 millimeters). See Sympiesometer. Nichol. Aneroid barometer. See Aneroid barometer, under Aneroid. -- Marine barometer, a barometer with tube contracted at bottom to prevent rapid oscillations of the mercury, and suspended in gimbals from an arm or support on shipboard. -- Mountain barometer, a portable mercurial barometer with tripod support, and long scale, for measuring heights. -- Siphon barometer, a barometer having a tube bent like a hook with the longer leg closed at the top. The height of the mercury in the longer leg shows the pressure of the atmosphere. -- Wheel barometer, a barometer with recurved tube, and a float, from which a cord passes over a pulley and moves an index. Barometric, Barometrical Bar`o*met"ric (?), Bar`o*met"ric*al (?), a. Pertaining to the barometer; made or indicated by a barometer; as, barometric changes; barometrical observations. Barometrically Bar`o*met"ric*al*ly, adv. By means of a barometer, or according to barometric observations. Barometrograph Bar`o*met"ro*graph (?), n. [Gr. weight + measure + -graph.] A form of barometer so constructed as to inscribe of itself upon paper a record of the variations of atmospheric pressure. Barometry Ba*rom"e*try (?), n. The art or process of making barometrical measurements. Barometz Bar"o*metz (?), n. [Cf. Russ. baranets' clubmoss.] (Bot.) The woolly-skinned rhizoma or rootstock of a fern (Dicksonia barometz), which, when specially prepared and inverted, somewhat resembles a lamb; -- called also Scythian lamb. Baron Bar"on (?), n. [OE. baron, barun, OF. baron, accus. of ber, F. baron, prob. fr. OHG. baro (not found) bearer, akin to E. bear to support; cf. O. Frisian bere, LL. baro, It. barone, Sp. varon. From the meaning bearer (of burdens) seem to have come the senses strong man, man (in distinction from woman), which is the oldest meaning in French, and lastly, nobleman. Cf. L. baro, simpleton. See Bear to support.] 1. A title or degree of nobility; originally, the possessor of a fief, who had feudal tenants under him; in modern times, in France and Germany, a nobleman next in rank below a count; in England, a nobleman of the lowest grade in the House of Lords, being next below a viscount. NOTE: &hand; "T he te nants in chief from the Crown, who held lands of the annual value of four hundred pounds, were styled Barons; and it is to them, and not to the members of the lowest grade of the nobility (to whom the title at the present time belongs), that reference is made when we read of the Barons of the early days of England's history . . . . Barons are addressed as 'My Lord,' and are styled 'Right Honorable.' All their sons and daughters 'Honorable.'" Cussans. 2. (Old Law) A husband; as, baron and feme, husband and wife. [R.] Cowell. Baron of beef, two sirloins not cut asunder at the backbone. -- Barons of the Cinque Ports, formerly members of the House of Commons, elected by the seven Cinque Ports, two for each port. -- Baron of the exchequer, the judges of the Court of Exchequer, one of the three ancient courts of England, now abolished. Baronage Bar"on*age (?), n. [OE. barnage, baronage, OF.barnage, F. baronnage; cf. LL. baronagium.] 1. The whole body of barons or peers. The baronage of the kingdom. Bp. Burnet. 2. The dignity or rank of a baron. 3. The land which gives title to a baron. [Obs.] Baroness Bar"on*ess (?), n. A baron's wife; also, a lady who holds the baronial title in her own right; as, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts. Baronet Bar"on*et (?), n. [Baron + -et.] A dignity or degree of honor next below a baron and above a knight, having precedency of all orders of knights except those of the Garter. It is the lowest degree of honor that is hereditary. The baronets are commoners. NOTE: &hand; Th e or der wa s fo unded by James I. in 1611, and is given by patent. The word, however, in the sense of a lesser baron, was in use long before. "Baronets have the title of 'Sir' prefixed to their Christian names; their surnames being followed by their dignity, usually abbreviated Bart. Their wives are addressed as 'Lady' or 'Madam'. Their sons are possessed of no title beyond 'Esquire.'" Cussans. Baronetage Bar"on*et*age (?), n. 1. State or rank of a baronet. 2. The collective body of baronets. Baronetcy Bar"on*et*cy (?), n. The rank or patent of a baronet. Baronial Ba*ro"ni*al (?), a. Pertaining to a baron or a barony. "Baronial tenure." Hallam. Barony Bar"o*ny (?), n.; pl. Baronies (. [OF. baronie, F. baronnie, LL. baronia. See Baron.] 1. The fee or domain of a baron; the lordship, dignity, or rank of a baron. 2. In Ireland, a territorial division, corresponding nearly to the English hundred, and supposed to have been originally the district of a native chief. There are 252 of these baronies. In Scotland, an extensive freehold. It may be held by a commoner. Brande & C. Baroque Ba*roque" (?), a. [F.; cf. It. barocco.] (Arch.) In bad taste; grotesque; odd. Baroscope Bar"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. weight + -scope: cf. F. baroscope.] Any instrument showing the changes in the weight of the atmosphere; also, less appropriately, any instrument that indicates -or foreshadows changes of the weather, as a deep vial of liquid holding in suspension some substance which rises and falls with atmospheric changes. Baroscopic, Baroscopical Bar`o*scop"ic (?), Bar`o*scop"ic*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or determined by, the baroscope. Barouche Ba*rouche" (?), n. [G. barutsche, It. baroccio, biroccio, LL. barrotium, fr. L. birotus two-wheeled; bi=bis twice + rota wheel.] A four-wheeled carriage, with a falling top, a seat on the outside for the driver, and two double seats on the inside arranged so that the sitters on the front seat face those on the back seat. Barouchet Ba`rou*chet" (?), n. A kind of light barouche. Barpost Bar"post` (?), n. A post sunk in the ground to receive the bars closing a passage into a field. Barque Barque (?), n. Same as 3d Bark, n. Barracan Bar"ra*can (?), n. [F. baracan, bouracan (cf. Pr. barracan, It. baracane, Sp. barragan, Pg. barregana, LL. barracanus), fr. Ar. barrak\'ben a kind of black gown, perh. fr. Per. barak a garment made of camel's hair.] A thick, strong stuff, somewhat like camlet; -- still used for outer garments in the Levant. Barrack Bar"rack (?), n. [F. baraque, fr. It. baracca (cf. Sp. barraca), from LL. barra bar. See Bar, n.] 1. (Mil.) A building for soldiers, especially when in garrison. Commonly in the pl., originally meaning temporary huts, but now usually applied to a permanent structure or set of buildings. He lodged in a miserable hut or barrack, composed of dry branches and thatched with straw. Gibbon. 2. A movable roof sliding on four posts, to cover hay, straw, etc. [Local, U.S.] Barrack Bar"rack, v. t. To supply with barracks; to establish in barracks; as, to barrack troops. Barrack Bar"rack, v. i. To live or lodge in barracks. Barraclade Bar"ra*clade (?), n. [D. baar, OD. baer, naked, bare + kleed garment, i.e., cloth undressed or without nap.] A home-made woolen blanket without nap. [Local, New York] Bartlett. Barracoon Bar"ra*coon` (?), n. [Sp. or Pg. barraca. See Barrack.] A slave warehouse, or an inclosure where slaves are quartered temporarily. Du Chaillu. Barracuda, Barracouata Bar`ra*cu"da (?), Bar`ra*cou"ata (?), n. 1. (Zo\'94l.) A voracious pikelike, marine fish, of the genus Sphyr\'91na, sometimes used as food. NOTE: &hand; Th at of Europe and our Atlantic coast is Sphyr\'91na spet (or S. vulgaris); a southern species is S. picuda; the Californian is S. argentea. 2. (Zo\'94l.) A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia and New Zealand (Thyrsites atun). Barrage Bar"rage (?), n. [F., fr. barrer to bar, from barre bar.] (Engin.) An artificial bar or obstruction placed in a river or water course to increase the depth of water; as, the barrages of the Nile. Barranca Bar*ran"ca (?), n. [Sp.] A ravine caused by heavy rains or a watercourse. [Texas & N. Mex.] Barras Bar"ras (?), n. [F.] A resin, called also galipot. Barrator Bar"ra*tor (?), n. [OE. baratour, OF. barateor deceiver, fr. OF. barater, bareter, to deceive, cheat, barter. See Barter, v. i.] One guilty of barratry. Barratrous Bar"ra*trous (?), (Law) Tainter with, or constituting, barratry. -- Bar"ra*trous*ly, adv. Kent. Barratry Bar"ra*try (?), n. [Cf. F. baraterie, LL. barataria. See Barrator, and cf. Bartery.] 1. (Law) The practice of exciting and encouraging lawsuits and quarrels. [Also spelt barretry.] Coke. Blackstone. 2. (Mar. Law) A fraudulent breach of duty or willful act of known illegality on the part of a master of a ship, in his character of master, or of the mariners, to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo, and without his consent. It includes every breach of trust committed with dishonest purpose, as by running away with the ship, sinking or deserting her, etc., or by embezzling the cargo. Kent. Part. 3. (Scots Law) The crime of a judge who is influenced by bribery in pronouncing judgment. Wharton. Barred owl Barred" owl" (?). (Zo\'94l.) A large American owl (Syrnium nebulosum); -- so called from the transverse bars of a dark brown color on the breast. Barrel Bar"rel (?), n.[OE. barel, F. baril, prob. fr. barre bar. Cf. Barricade.] 1. A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads. 2. The quantity which constitutes a full barrel. This varies for different articles and also in different places for the same article, being regulated by custom or by law. A barrel of wine is 31 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds. 3. A solid drum, or a hollow cylinder or case; as, the barrel of a windlass; the barrel of a watch, within which the spring is coiled. <-- p. 121 --> 4. A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is discharged. Knight. 5. A jar. [Obs.] 1 Kings xvii. 12. 6. (Zo\'94l.) The hollow basal part of a feather. Barrel bulk (Com.), a measure equal to five cubic feet, used in estimating capacity, as of a vessel for freight. -- Barrel drain (Arch.), a drain in the form of a cylindrical tube. -- Barrel of a boiler, the cylindrical part of a boiler, containing the flues. -- Barrel of the ear (Anat.), the tympanum, or tympanic cavity. -- Barrel organ, an instrument for producing music by the action of a revolving cylinder. -- Barrel vault. See under Vault. Barrel Bar"rel (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barreled (Barrelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Barreling, or Barrelling.] To put or to pack in a barrel or barrels. Barreled, Barrelled Bar"reled, Bar"relled (?), a. Having a barrel; -- used in composition; as, a double-barreled gun. Barren Bar"ren (?), a. [OE. barein, OF. brehaing, brehaigne, baraigne, F. br\'82haigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. br\'82kha, markha, sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents; Bisc. barau, baru, fasting.] 1. Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; -- She was barren of children. Bp. Hall. 2. Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; "Barren mountain tracts." Macaulay. 3. Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty. Brilliant but barren reveries. Prescott. Some schemes will appear barren of hints and matter. Swift. 4. Mentally dull; stupid. Shak. Barren flower, a flower which has only stamens without a pistil, or which as neither stamens nor pistils. -- Barren Grounds (Geog.), a vast tract in British America northward of the forest regions. -- Barren Ground bear (Zo\'94l.), a peculiar bear, inhabiting the Barren Grounds, now believed to be a variety of the brown bear of Europe. -- Barren Ground caribou (Zo\'94l.), a small reindeer (Rangifer Gr\'d2nlandicus) peculiar to the Barren Grounds and Greenland. Barren Bar"ren, n. 1. A tract of barren land. 2. pl. Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees, but not timber; as, pine barrens; oak barrens. They are not necessarily sterile, and are often fertile. [Amer.] J. Pickering. Barrenly Bar"ren*ly, adv. Unfruitfully; unproductively. Barrenness Bar"ren*ness, n. The condition of being barren; sterility; unproductiveness. A total barrenness of invention. Dryden. Barrenwort Bar"ren*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) An herbaceous plant of the Barberry family (Epimedium alpinum), having leaves that are bitter and said to be sudorific. Barret Bar"ret (?), n. [F. barrette, LL. barretum a cap. See Berretta, and cf. Biretta.] A kind of cap formerly worn by soldiers; -- called also barret cap. Also, the flat cap worn by Roman Catholic ecclesiastics. Barricade Bar`ri*cade" (?), n. [F. barricade, fr. Sp. barricada, orig. a barring up with casks; fr. barrica cask, perh. fr. LL. barra bar. See Bar, n., and cf. Barrel, n.] 1. (Mil.) A fortification, made in haste, of trees, earth, palisades, wagons, or anything that will obstruct the progress or attack of an enemy. It is usually an obstruction formed in streets to block an enemy's access. 2. Any bar, obstruction, or means of defense. Such a barricade as would greatly annoy, or absolutely stop, the currents of the atmosphere. Derham. Barricade Bar`ri*cade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barricaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Barricading.] [Cf. F. barricader. See Barricade, n.] To fortify or close with a barricade or with barricades; to stop up, as a passage; to obstruct; as, the workmen barricaded the streets of Paris. The further end whereof [a bridge] was barricaded with barrels. Hakluyt. Barricader Bar`ri*cad"er (?), n. One who constructs barricades. Barricado Bar`ri*ca"do (?), n. & v. t. See Barricade. Shak. Barrier Bar"ri*er (?), n. [OE. barrere, barere, F. barri\'8are, fr. barre bar. See Bar, n.] 1. (Fort.) A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy. 2. A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country, commanding an avenue of approach. 3. pl. A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep back a crowd. No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced into the lists. Sir W. Scott. 4. An any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack. "Constitutional barriers." Hopkinson. 5. Any limit or boundary; a line of separation. 'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice barrier ! Pope. Barrier gate, a heavy gate to close the opening through a barrier. -- Barrier reef, a form of coral reef which runs in the general direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon channel more or less extensive. -- To fight at barriers, to fight with a barrier between, as a martial exercise. [Obs.] Barrigudo Bar`ri*gu"do (?), n. [Native name, fr. Sp. barrigudo big-bellied.] (Zo\'94l.) A large, dark-colored, South American monkey, of the genus Lagothrix, having a long prehensile tail. Barringout Bar`ring*out" (?), n. The act of closing the doors of a schoolroom against a schoolmaster; -- a boyish mode of rebellion in schools. Swift. Barrister Bar"ris*ter (?), n. [From Bar, n.] Counselor at law; a counsel admitted to plead at the bar, and undertake the public trial of causes, as distinguished from an attorney or solicitor. See Attorney. [Eng.] Barroom Bar"room` (?), n. A room containing a bar or counter at which liquors are sold. Barrow Bar"row (?), n. [OE. barow, fr. AS. beran to bear. See Bear to support, and cf. Bier.] 1. A support having handles, and with or without a wheel, on which heavy or bulky things can be transported by hand. See Handbarrow, and Wheelbarrow. 2. (Salt Works) A wicker case, in which salt is put to drain. Barrow Bar"row (?), n. [OE. barow, bargh, AS. bearg, bearh; akin to Icel. b\'94rgr, OHG. barh, barug, G. barch. A hog, esp. a male hog castrated. Holland. Barrow Bar"row, n. [OE. bergh, AS. beorg, beorh, hill, sepulchral mound; akin to G. berg mountain, Goth. bairgahei hill, hilly country, and perh. to Skr. b high, OIr. brigh mountain. Cf. Berg, Berry a mound, and Borough an incorporated town.] 1. A large mound of earth or stones over the remains of the dead; a tumulus. 2. (Mining) A heap of rubbish, attle, etc. Barrowist Bar"row*ist, n. (Eccl. Hist.) A follower of Henry Barrowe, one of the founders of Independency or Congregationalism in England. Barrowe was executed for nonconformity in 1953. Barrulet Bar"ru*let (?), n. [Dim. of bar, n.] (Her.) A diminutive of the bar, having one fourth its width. Barruly Bar"ru*ly (?), a. (Her.) Traversed by barrulets or small bars; -- said of the field. Barry Bar"ry (?), a. (Her.), Divided into bars; -- said of the field. Barse Barse (?), n. [AS. bears, b\'91rs, akin to D. baars, G. bars, barsch. Cf. 1st Bass, n.] The common perch. See 1st Bass. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. Bartender Bar"tend`er (?), n. A barkeeper. Barter Bar"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bartered (p. pr. & vb. n. Bartering.] [OE. bartren, OF. barater, bareter, to cheat, exchange, perh. fr. Gr. to do, deal (well or ill), use practices or tricks, or perh. fr. Celtic; cf. Ir. brath treachery, W. brad. Cf. Barrator.] To traffic or trade, by exchanging one commodity for another, in distinction from a sale and purchase, in which money is paid for the commodities transferred; to truck. Barter Bar"ter, v. t. To trade or exchange in the way of barter; to exchange (frequently for an unworthy consideration); to traffic; to truck; -- sometimes followed by away; as, to barter away goods or honor. Barter Bar"ter, n. 1. The act or practice of trafficking by exchange of commodities; an exchange of goods. The spirit of huckstering and barter. Burke. 2. The thing given in exchange. Syn. -- Exchange; dealing; traffic; trade; truck. Barterer Bar"ter*er (?), n. One who barters. Bartery Bar"ter*y (?), n. Barter. [Obs.] Camden. Barth Barth (?), n. [Etymol. unknown.] A place of shelter for cattle. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. Bartholomew tide Bar*thol"o*mew tide` (?). Time of the festival of St. Bartholomew, August 24th. Shak. Bartizan Bar"ti*zan` (?), n. [Cf. Brettice.] (Arch.) A small, overhanging structure for lookout or defense, usually projecting at an angle of a building or near an entrance gateway. Bartlett Bart"lett (?), n. (Bot.) A Bartlett pear, a favorite kind of pear, which originated in England about 1770, and was called Williams' Bonchr\'82tien. It was brought to America, and distributed by Mr. Enoch Bartlett, of Dorchester, Massachusetts. Barton Bar"ton (?), n. [AS. beret courtyard, grange; bere barley + t an inclosure. ] 1. The demesne lands of a manor; also, the manor itself. [Eng.] Burton. 2. A farmyard. [Eng.] Southey. Bartram Bar"tram (?), n. (Bot.) See Bertram. Johnson. Barway Bar"way` (?), n. A passage into a field or yard, closed by bars made to take out of the posts. Barwise Bar"wise` (?), adv. (Her.) Horizontally. Barwood Bar"wood` (?), n. A red wood of a leguminous tree (Baphia nitida), from Angola and the Gaboon in Africa. It is used as a dyewood, and also for ramrods, violin bows and turner's work. Barycentric Bar`y*cen"tric (?), a. [Gr. heavy + center.] Of or pertaining to the center of gravity. See Barycentric calculus, under Calculus. Baryphony Ba*ryph"o*ny (?), n. [Gr. heavy + a sound voice.] (Med.) Difficulty of speech. Baryta Ba*ry"ta (?), n. [Gr. heavy. Cf. Baria.] (Chem.) An oxide of barium (or barytum); a heavy earth with a specific gravity above 4. Barytes Ba*ry"tes (?), n. [Gr. heavy: cf. Gr. heaviness, F. baryte.] (Min.) Barium sulphate, generally called heavy spar or barite. See Barite. Barytic Ba*ryt"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to baryta. Baryto-calcite Ba*ry"to-cal"cite (?), n. [Baryta + calcite.] (Min.) A mineral of a white or gray color, occurring massive or crystallized. It is a compound of the carbonates of barium and calcium. Barytone, Baritone Bar"y*tone, Bar"i*tone (?), a. [Gr. ; heavy + tone.] 1. (Mus.) Grave and deep, as a kind of male voice. 2. (Greek Gram.) Not marked with an accent on the last syllable, the grave accent being understood. Barytone, Baritone Bar"y*tone, Bar"i*tone, n. [F. baryton: cf. It. baritono.] 1. (Mus.) (a) A male voice, the compass of which partakes of the common bass and the tenor, but which does not descend as low as the one, nor rise as high as the other. (b) A person having a voice of such range. (c) The viola di gamba, now entirely disused. 2. (Greek Gram.) A word which has no accent marked on the last syllable, the grave accent being understood. Barytum Ba*ry"tum (?), n. [NL.] (Chem.) The metal barium. See Barium. [R.] Basal Ba"sal (?), a. Relating to, or forming, the base. Basal cleavage. See under Cleavage. -- Basal plane (Crystallog.), one parallel to the lateral or horizontal axis. Basal-nerved Ba"sal-nerved` (?), a. (Bot.) Having the nerves radiating from the base; -- said of leaves. Basalt Ba*salt" (?), n. [N. basaltes (an African word), a dark and hard species of marble found in Ethiopia: cf. F. basalte.] 1. (Geol.) A rock of igneous origin, consisting of augite and triclinic feldspar, with grains of magnetic or titanic iron, and also bottle-green particles of olivine frequently disseminated. NOTE: &hand; It is us ually of a greenish black color, or of some dull brown shade, or black. It constitutes immense beds in some regions, and also occurs in veins or dikes cutting through other rocks. It has often a prismatic structure as at the Giant's Causeway, in Ireland, where the columns are as regular as if the work of art. It is a very tough and heavy rock, and is one of the best materials for macadamizing roads. 2. An imitation, in pottery, of natural basalt; a kind of black porcelain. Basaltic Ba*salt"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. basaltique.] Pertaining to basalt; formed of, or containing, basalt; as basaltic lava. Basaltiform Ba*salt"i*form (?), a. [Basalt + -form.] In the form of basalt; columnar. Basaltoid Ba*salt"oid (?), a. [Basalt + -oid.] Formed like basalt; basaltiform. Basan Bas"an (?), n. Same as Basil, a sheepskin. Basanite Bas"a*nite (?), n. [L. basanites lapis, Gr. the touchstone: cf. F. basanite.] (Min.) Lydian stone, or black jasper, a variety of siliceous or flinty slate, of a grayish or bluish black color. It is employed to test the purity of gold, the amount of alloy being indicated by the color left on the stone when rubbed by the metal. Basbleu Bas`bleu" (?), n. [F., fr. bas stocking + bleu blue.] A bluestocking; a literary woman. [Somewhat derisive] Bascinet Bas"ci*net (?), n. [OE. bacinet, basnet, OF. bassinet, bacinet, F. bassinet, dim. of OF. bacin, F. bassin, a helmet in the form of a basin.] A light helmet, at first open, but later made with a visor. [Written also basinet, bassinet, basnet.] Bascule Bas"cule (?), n. [F., a seesaw.] In mechanics an apparatus on the principle of the seesaw, in which one end rises as the other falls. Bascule bridge, a counterpoise or balanced drawbridge, which is opened by sinking the counterpoise and thus lifting the footway into the air. Base Base (?), a. [OE. bass, F. bas, low, fr. LL. bassus thick, fat, short, humble; cf. L. Bassus, a proper name, and W. bas shallow. Cf. Bass a part in music.] 1. Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs. [Archaic] Shak. 2. Low in place or position. [Obs.] Shak. 3. Of humble birth; or low degree; lowly; mean. [Archaic] "A pleasant and base swain." Bacon. 4. Illegitimate by birth; bastard. [Archaic] Why bastard? wherefore base? Shak. 5. Of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and silver, the precious metals. 6. Alloyed with inferior metal; debased; as, base coin; base bullion. 7. Morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations. "A cruel act of a base and a cowardish mind." Robynson (More's Utopia). "Base ingratitude." Milton. 8. Not classical or correct. "Base Latin." Fuller. 9. Deep or grave in sound; as, the base tone of a violin. [In this sense, commonly written bass.] 10. (Law) Not held by honorable service; as, a base estate, one held by services not honorable; held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant. Base fee, formerly, an estate held at the will of the lord; now, a qualified fee. See note under Fee, n., 4. -- Base metal. See under Metal. Syn. -- Dishonorable; worthless; ignoble; low-minded; infamous; sordid; degraded. -- Base, Vile, Mean. These words, as expressing moral qualities, are here arranged in the order of their strength, the strongest being placed first. Base marks a high degree of moral turpitude; vile and mean denote, in different degrees, the want of what is valuable or worthy of esteem. What is base excites our abhorrence; what is vile provokes our disgust or indignation; what is mean awakens contempt. Base is opposed to high-minded; vile, to noble; mean, to liberal or generous. Ingratitude is base; sycophancy is vile; undue compliances are mean. Base Base, n. [F. base, L. basis, fr. Gr. a stepping step, a base, pedestal, fr. to go, step, akin to E. come. Cf. Basis, and see Come.] 1. The bottom of anything, considered as its support, or that on which something rests for support; the foundation; as, the base of a statue. "The base of mighty mountains." Prescott. 2. Fig.: The fundamental or essential part of a thing; the essential principle; a groundwork. 3. (Arch.) (a) The lower part of a wall, pier, or column, when treated as a separate feature, usually in projection, or especially ornamented. (b) The lower part of a complete architectural design, as of a monument; also, the lower part of any elaborate piece of furniture or decoration. 4. (Bot.) That extremity of a leaf, fruit, etc., at which it is attached to its support. <-- p. 122 --> 5. (Chem.) The positive, or non-acid component of a salt; a substance which, combined with an acid, neutralizes the latter and forms a salt; -- applied also to the hydroxides of the positive elements or radicals, and to certain organic bodies resembling them in their property of forming salts with acids. 6. (Pharmacy) The chief ingredient in a compound. 7. (Dyeing) A substance used as a mordant. Ure. 8. (Fort.) The exterior side of the polygon, or that imaginary line which connects the salient angles of two adjacent bastions. 9. (Geom.) The line or surface constituting that part of a figure on which it is supposed to stand. 10. (Math.) The number from which a mathematical table is constructed; as, the base of a system of logarithms. 11. [See Base low.] A low, or deep, sound. (Mus.) (a) The lowest part; the deepest male voice. (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, base. [Now commonly written bass.] The trebles squeak for fear, the bases roar. Dryden. 12. (Mil.) A place or tract of country, protected by fortifications, or by natural advantages, from which the operations of an army proceed, forward movements are made, supplies are furnished, etc. 13. (Mil.) The smallest kind of cannon. [Obs.] 14. (Zo\'94l.) That part of an organ by which it is attached to another more central organ. 15. (Crystallog.) The basal plane of a crystal. 16. (Geol.) The ground mass of a rock, especially if not distinctly crystalline. 17. (Her.) The lower part of the field. See Escutcheon. 18. The housing of a horse. [Obs.] 19. pl. A kind of skirt ( often of velvet or brocade, but sometimes of mailed armor) which hung from the middle to about the knees, or lower. [Obs.] 20. The lower part of a robe or petticoat. [Obs.] 21. An apron. [Obs.] "Bakers in their linen bases." Marston. 22. The point or line from which a start is made; a starting place or a goal in various games. To their appointed base they went. Dryden. 23. (Surv.) A line in a survey which, being accurately determined in length and position, serves as the origin from which to compute the distances and positions of any points or objects connected with it by a system of triangles. Lyman. 24. A rustic play; -- called also prisoner's base, prison base, or bars. "To run the country base." Shak. 25. (Baseball) Any one of the four bounds which mark the circuit of the infield. Altern base. See under Altern. -- Attic base. (Arch.) See under Attic. -- Base course. (Arch.) (a) The first or lower course of a foundation wall, made of large stones of a mass of concrete; -- called also foundation course. (b) The architectural member forming the transition between the basement and the wall above. -- Base hit (Baseball), a hit, by which the batsman, without any error on the part of his opponents, is able to reach the first base without being put out. -- Base line. (a) A main line taken as a base, as in surveying or in military operations. (b) A line traced round a cannon at the rear of the vent. -- Base plate, the foundation plate of heavy machinery, as of the steam engine; the bed plate. -- Base ring (Ordnance), a projecting band of metal around the breech, connected with the body of the gun by a concave molding. H. L. Scott. Base Base (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Based (p. pr. & vb. n. Basing.] [From Base, n.] To put on a base or basis; to lay the foundation of; to found, as an argument or conclusion; -- used with on or upon. Bacon. Base Base, v. t. [See Base, a., and cf. Abase.] 1. To abase; to let, or cast, down; to lower. [Obs.] If any . . . based his pike. Sir T. North. 2. To reduce the value of; to debase. [Obs.] Metals which we can not base. Bacon. Baseball Base"ball" (?), n. 1. A game of ball, so called from the bases or bounds ( four in number) which designate the circuit which each player must endeavor to make after striking the ball. 2. The ball used in this game. Baseboard Base"board (?), n. (Arch.) A board, or other woodwork, carried round the walls of a room and touching the floor, to form a base and protect the plastering; -- also called washboard (in England), mopboard, and scrubboard. Baseborn Base"born` (?), a. 1. Born out of wedlock. Gay. 2. Born of low parentage. 3. Vile; mean. "Thy baseborn heart." Shak. Base-burner Base"-burn`er (?), n. A furnace or stove in which the fuel is contained in a hopper or chamber, and is fed to the fire as the lower stratum is consumed. Base-court Base"-court` (?), n. [F. basse-cour. See Base, a., and Court, n.] 1. The secondary, inferior, or rear courtyard of a large house; the outer court of a castle. 2. (Law) An inferior court of law, not of record. Based Based (?), p. p. & a. 1. Having a base, or having as a base; supported; as, broad-based. 2. [See Base, n., 18-21.] Wearing, or protected by, bases. [Obs.] "Based in lawny velvet." E. Hall. Basedow's disease Ba"se*dow's dis*ease" (?). [Named for Dr. Basedow, a German physician.] (Med.) A disease characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland, prominence of the eyeballs, and inordinate action of the heart; -- called also exophthalmic goiter. Flint. Baselard Bas"e*lard (?), n. [OF. baselarde, LL. basillardus.] A short sword or dagger, worn in the fifteenth century. [Written also baslard.] Fairholt. Baseless Base"less, a. Without a base; having no foundation or support. "The baseless fabric of this vision." Shak. Basely Base"ly, adv. 1. In a base manner; with despicable meanness; dishonorably; shamefully. 2. Illegitimately; in bastardy. [Archaic] Knolles. Basement Base"ment (?), n. [F. soubassement. Of uncertain origin. Cf. Base, a., Bastion.] (Arch.) The outer wall of the ground story of a building, or of a part of that story, when treated as a distinct substructure. ( See Base, n., 3 (a).) Hence: The rooms of a ground floor, collectively. Basement membrane (Anat.), a delicate membrane composed of a single layer of flat cells, forming the substratum upon which, in many organs, the epithelioid cells are disposed. Baseness Base"ness (?), n. The quality or condition of being base; degradation; vileness. I once did hold it a baseness to write fair. Shak. Basenet Bas"e*net (?), n. See Bascinet. [Obs.] Base viol Base" vi`ol (?). See Bass viol. Bash Bash (?), v. t. & i. [OE. baschen, baissen. See Abash.] To abash; to disconcert or be disconcerted or put out of countenance. [Obs.] His countenance was bold and bashed not. Spenser. Bashaw Ba*shaw" (?), n. [See Pasha.] 1. A Turkish title of honor, now written pasha. See Pasha. 2. Fig.: A magnate or grandee. 3. (Zo\'94l.) A very large siluroid fish (Leptops olivaris) of the Mississippi valley; -- also called goujon, mud cat, and yellow cat. Bashful Bash"ful (?), a. [See Bash.] 1. Abashed; daunted; dismayed. [Obs.] 2. Very modest, or modest excess; constitutionally disposed to shrink from public notice; indicating extreme or excessive modesty; shy; as, a bashful person, action, expression. Syn. -- Diffident; retiring; reserved; shamefaced; sheepish. Bashfully Bash"ful*ly, adv. In a bashful manner. Bashfulness Bash"ful*ness, n. The quality of being bashful. Syn. -- Bashfulness, Modesty, Diffidence, Shyness. Modesty arises from a low estimate of ourselves; bashfulness is an abashment or agitation of the spirits at coming into contact with others; diffidence is produced by an undue degree of self-distrust; shyness usually arises from an excessive self-consciousness, and a painful impression that every one is looking at us. Modesty of deportment is becoming at all; bashfulness often gives rise to mistakes and blundering; diffidence is society frequently makes a man a burden to himself; shyness usually produces a reserve or distance which is often mistaken for haughtiness. Bashi-bazouk Bash"i-ba*zouk" (?), n. [Turkish, light-headed, a foolish fellow.] A soldier belonging to the irregular troops of the Turkish army. Bashless Bash"less, a. Shameless; unblushing. [Obs.] Spenser. Bashyle Bas"hyle (?), n. (Chem.) See Basyle. Basi- Ba"si- (?). A combining form, especially in anatomical and botanical words, to indicate the base or position at or near a base; forming a base; as, basibranchials, the most ventral of the cartilages or bones of the branchial arches; basicranial, situated at the base of the cranium; basifacial, basitemporal, etc. Basic Ba"sic (?), a. 1. (Chem.) (a) Relating to a base; performing the office of a base in a salt. (b) Having the base in excess, or the amount of the base atomically greater than that of the acid, or exceeding in proportion that of the related neutral salt. (c) Apparently alkaline, as certain normal salts which exhibit alkaline reactions with test paper. 2. (Min.) Said of crystalline rocks which contain a relatively low percentage of silica, as basalt. Basic salt (Chem.), a salt formed from a base or hydroxide by the partial replacement of its hydrogen by a negative or acid element or radical. Basicerite Ba*sic"er*ite (?), n. [Basi- + Gr. horn, antenna.] (Zo\'94l.) The second joint of the antenn\'91 of crustaceans. Basicity Ba*sic"i*ty, n. (Chem.) (a) The quality or state of being a base. (b) The power of an acid to unite with one or more atoms or equivalents of a base, as indicated by the number of replaceable hydrogen atoms contained in the acid. Basidiospore Ba*sid"i*o*spore (?), n. [Basidium + spore.] (Bot.) A spore borne by a basidium. -- Ba*sid`i*o*spor"ous (, a. Basidium Ba*sid"i*um (?), n. [NL., dim. of Gr. base.] (Bot.) A special oblong or pyriform cell, with slender branches, which bears the spores in that division of fungi called Basidiomycetes, of which the common mushroom is an example. Basifier Ba"si*fi`er (?), n. (Chem.) That which converts into a salifiable base. Basifugal Ba*sif"u*gal (?), a. [Base,n.+ L. fugere to flee.] (Bot.) Tending or proceeding away from the base; as, a basifugal growth. Basify Ba"si*fy (?), v. t. [Base + -fy.] (Chem.) To convert into a salifiable base. Basigynium Ba`si*gyn"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. base + woman.] (Bot.) The pedicel on which the ovary of certain flowers, as the passion flower, is seated; a carpophore or thecaphore. Basihyal Ba`si*hy"al (?), a. [Basi- + Gr. (Anat.) Noting two small bones, forming the body of the inverted hyoid arch. Basihyoid Ba`si*hy"oid (?), n. [Basi- + hyoid.] (Anat.) The central tongue bone. Basil Bas"il (?), n. [Cf. F. basile and E. Bezel.] The slope or angle to which the cutting edge of a tool, as a plane, is ground. Grier. Basil Bas"il, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Basiled (p. pr. & vb. n. Basiling.] To grind or form the edge of to an angle. Moxon. Basil Bas"il, n. [F. basilic, fr. L. badilicus royal, Gr. , fr. king.] (Bot.) The name given to several aromatic herbs of the Mint family, but chiefly to the common or sweet basil (Ocymum basilicum), and the bush basil, or lesser basil (O. minimum), the leaves of which are used in cookery. The name is also given to several kinds of mountain mint (Pycnanthemum). Basil thyme, a name given to the fragrant herbs Calamintha Acinos and C. Nepeta. -- Wild basil, a plant (Calamintha clinopodium) of the Mint family. Basil Bas"il (?), n. [Corrupt. from E. basan, F. basane, LL. basanium, bazana, fr. Ar. bith\'bena, prop., lining.] The skin of a sheep tanned with bark. Basilar, Basilary Bas"i*lar (?), Bas"i*la*ry (?), a. [F. basilaire, fr. L. basis. See Base, n.] 1. Relating to, or situated at, the base. 2. Lower; inferior; applied to impulses or springs of action. [R.] "Basilar instincts." H. W. Beecher. Basilic Ba*sil"ic (?), n. [F. basilique.] Basilica. Basilic, Basilical Ba*sil"ic (?), Ba*sil"ic*al (?), a. [See Basilica.] 1. Royal; kingly; also, basilican. 2. (Anat.) Pertaining to certain parts, anciently supposed to have a specially important function in the animal economy, as the middle vein of the right arm. Basilica Ba*sil"i*ca (?), n.; pl. Basilicas (#); sometimes Basilic (#). [L. basilica, Gr. ( sc. , or ) fr. royal, fr. .] Originally, the place of a king; but afterward, an apartment provided in the houses of persons of importance, where assemblies were held for dispensing justice; and hence, any large hall used for this purpose. 2. (Arch.) (a) A building used by the Romans as a place of public meeting, with court rooms, etc., attached. (b) A church building of the earlier centuries of Christianity, the plan of which was taken from the basilica of the Romans. The name is still applied to some churches by way of honorary distinction. Basilica Ba*sil"i*ca, n. A digest of the laws of Justinian, translated from the original Latin into Greek, by order of Basil I., in the ninth century. P. Cyc. Basilican Ba*sil"i*can (?), a. Of, relating to, or resembling, a basilica; basilical. There can be no doubt that the first churches in Constantinople were in the basilican form. Milman. Basilicok Ba*sil"i*cok (?), n. [OF. basilicoc.] The basilisk. [Obs.] Chaucer Basilicon Ba*sil"i*con (?), n. [L. basilicon, Gr. , neut. of : cf. F. basilicon. See Basilica.] (Med.) An ointment composed of wax, pitch, resin, and olive oil, lard, or other fatty substance. Basilisk Bas"i*lisk (?), n. [L. basiliscus, Gr. little king, kind of serpent, dim. of king; -- so named from some prominences on the head resembling a crown.] 1. A fabulous serpent, or dragon. The ancients alleged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath, and even its look, was fatal. See Cockatrice. Make me not sighted like the basilisk. Shak. 2. (Zo\'94l.) A lizard of the genus Basiliscus, belonging to the family Iguanid\'91. NOTE: &hand; Th is ge nus is remarkable for a membranous bag rising above the occiput, which can be filled with air at pleasure; also for an elevated crest along the back, that can be raised or depressed at will. 3. (Mil.) A large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size. [Obs.] Basin Ba"sin (?), n. [OF. bacin, F. bassin, LL. bacchinus, fr. bacca a water vessel, fr. L. bacca berry, in allusion to the round shape; or perh. fr. Celtic. Cf. Bac.] 1. A hollow vessel or dish, to hold water for washing, and for various other uses. 2. The quantity contained in a basin. 3. A hollow vessel, of various forms and materials, used in the arts or manufactures, as that used by glass grinders for forming concave glasses, by hatters for molding a hat into shape, etc. 4. A hollow place containing water, as a pond, a dock for ships, a little bay. 5. (Physical Geog.) (a) A circular or oval valley, or depression of the surface of the ground, the lowest part of which is generally occupied by a lake, or traversed by a river. (b) The entire tract of country drained by a river, or sloping towards a sea or lake. 6. (Geol.) An isolated or circumscribed formation, particularly where the strata dip inward, on all sides, toward a center; -- especially applied to the coal formations, called coal basins or coal fields. Basined Ba"sined (?), a. Inclosed in a basin. "Basined rivers." Young. Basinet Bas"i*net (?), n. Same as Bascinet. Basioccipital Ba`si*oc*cip"i*tal (?), a. [Basi- + occipital.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the bone in the base of the cranium, frequently forming a part of the occipital in the adult, but usually distinct in the young. -- n. The basioccipital bone. Basion Ba"si*on (?), n. [Gr. a base.] (Anat.) The middle of the anterior margin of the great foramen of the skull. Basipodite Ba*sip"o*dite (?), n. [Basi- + , , foot.] (Anat.) The basal joint of the legs of Crustacea. Basipterygium Ba*sip`te*ryg"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. a base + a fin.] (Anat.) A bar of cartilage at the base of the embryonic fins of some fishes. It develops into the metapterygium. -- Ba*sip`ter*yg"i*al (, a. Basipterygoid Ba`sip*ter"y*goid (?), a. & n. [Basi- + pierygoid.] (Anat.) Applied to a protuberance of the base of the sphenoid bone. Basis Ba"sis (?), n.; pl. Bases (#). [L. basis, Gr. . See Base, n.] 1. The foundation of anything; that on which a thing rests. Dryden. 2. The pedestal of a column, pillar, or statue. [Obs.] If no basis bear my rising name. Pope. <-- p. 123 --> 3. The ground work the first or fundamental principle; that which supports. The basis of public credit is good faith. A. Hamilton. 4. The principal component part of a thing. Basisolute Ba*sis"o*lute (?), a. [Basi- + solute, a.] (Bot.) Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves. Basisphenoid, Basisphenoidal Ba`si*sphe"noid (?), Ba`si*sphe*noid"al (?), a. [Basi- + spheroid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to that part of the base of the cranium between the basioccipital and the presphenoid, which usually ossifies separately in the embryo or in the young, and becomes a part of the sphenoid in the adult. Basisphenoid Ba`si*sphe"noid, n. (Anat.) The basisphenoid bone. Bask Bask, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Basked (p. pr. & vb. n. Basking.] [ OScand. ba to bathe one's self, or perh. bakask to bake one's self, sk being reflexive. See Bath, n., Bake, v. t.] To lie in warmth; to be exposed to genial heat. Basks in the glare, and stems the tepid wave. Goldsmith. Bask Bask, v. t. To warm by continued exposure to heat; to warm with genial heat. Basks at the fire his hairy strength. Milton. Basket Bas"ket (?), n. [Of unknown origin. The modern Celtic words seem to be from the English.] 1. A vessel made of osiers or other twigs, cane, rushes, splints, or other flexible material, interwoven. "Rude baskets . . . woven of the flexile willow." Dyer. 2. The contents of a basket; as much as a basket contains; as, a basket of peaches. 3. (Arch.) The bell or vase of the Corinthian capital. [Improperly so used.] Gwilt. 4. The two back seats facing one another on the outside of a stagecoach. [Eng.] Goldsmith. Basket fish (Zo\'94l.), an ophiuran of the genus Astrophyton, having the arms much branched. See Astrophyton. -- Basket hilt, a hilt with a covering wrought like basketwork to protect the hand. Hudibras. Hence, Baskethilted, a. -- Basket work, work consisting of plaited osiers or twigs. -- Basket worm (Zo\'94l.), a lepidopterous insect of the genus Thyridopteryx and allied genera, esp. T. ephemer\'91formis. The larva makes and carries about a bag or basket-like case of silk and twigs, which it afterwards hangs up to shelter the pupa and wingless adult females. Basket Bas"ket, v. t. To put into a basket. [R.] Basketful Bas"ket*ful (?), n.; pl. Basketfuls (. As much as a basket will contain. Basketry Bas"ket*ry (?), n. The art of making baskets; also, baskets, taken collectively. Basking shark Bask"ing shark` (?). (Zo\'94l.) One of the largest species of sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), so called from its habit of basking in the sun; the liver shark, or bone shark. It inhabits the northern seas of Europe and America, and grows to a length of more than forty feet. It is a harmless species. Basnet Bas"net (?), n. Same as Bascinet. Basommatophora Ba*som`ma*toph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. base + eye + to bear.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of Pulmonifera having the eyes at the base of the tentacles, including the common pond snails. Bason Ba"son (?), n. A basin. [Obs. or Special form] Basque Basque (?), a. [F.] Pertaining to Biscay, its people, or their language. Basque Basque (?), n. [F.] 1. One of a race, of unknown origin, inhabiting a region on the Bay of Biscay in Spain and France. 2. The language spoken by the Basque people. 3. A part of a lady's dress, resembling a jacket with a short skirt; -- probably so called because this fashion of dress came from the Basques. Basquish Basqu"ish (?), a. [F. Basque Biscayan: cf. G. Baskisch.] Pertaining to the country, people, or language of Biscay; Basque [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. Bas-relief Bas`-re*lief" (?), n. [F. bas-relief; bas law + relief raised work, relever to raise: cf. It. bassorilievo.] Low relief; sculpture, the figures of which project less than half of their true proportions; -- called also bassrelief and basso-rilievo. See Alto-rilievo. Bass Bass (?), n.; pl. Bass, and sometimes Basses (#). [A corruption of barse.] (Zo\'94l.) 1. An edible, spiny-finned fish, esp. of the genera Roccus, Labrax, and related genera. There are many species. NOTE: &hand; Th e co mmon Eu ropean ba ss is Labrax lupus. American species are: the striped bass (Roccus lineatus); white or silver bass of the lakes. (R. chrysops); brass or yellow bass (R. interruptus). 2. The two American fresh-water species of black bass (genus Micropterus). See Black bass. 3. Species of Serranus, the sea bass and rock bass. See Sea bass. 4. The southern, red, or channel bass (Sci\'91na ocellata). See Redfish. NOTE: &hand; Th e na me is al so applied to many other fishes. See Calico bass, under Calico. Bass Bass, n. [A corruption of bast.] 1. (Bot.) The linden or lime tree, sometimes wrongly called whitewood; also, its bark, which is used for making mats. See Bast. 2. (Pron. A hassock or thick mat. Bass Bass (?), n. [F. basse, fr. bas low. See Base, a.] 1. A bass, or deep, sound or tone. 2. (Mus.) (a) The lowest part in a musical composition. (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, bass. [Written also base.] Thorough bass. See Thorough bass. Bass Bass, a. Deep or grave in tone. Bass clef (Mus.), the character placed at the beginning of the staff containing the bass part of a musical composition. [See Illust. under Clef.] -- Bass voice, a deepsounding voice; a voice fitted for singing bass. Bass Bass, v. t. To sound in a deep tone. [R.] Shak. Bassa, Bassaw Bas"sa (?), Bas*saw" (?), n. See Bashaw. Bass drum Bass` drum" (?). (Mus.) The largest of the different kinds of drums, having two heads, and emitting a deep, grave sound. See Bass, a. Basset Bas"set (?), n. [F. bassette, fr.It. bassetta. Cf. Basso.] A game at cards, resembling the modern faro, said to have been invented at Venice. Some dress, some dance, some play, not to forget Your piquet parties, and your dear basset. Rowe. Basset Bas"set (?), a. [Cf. OF. basset somewhat low, dim. of bas low.] (Geol.) Inclined upward; as, the basset edge of strata. Lyell. Basset Bas"set, n. (Geol.) The edge of a geological stratum at the surface of the ground; the outcrop. Basset Bas"set, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Basseted; p. pr. & vb. n. Basseting.] (Geol.) To inclined upward so as to appear at the surface; to crop out; as, a vein of coal bassets. Basset horn Bas"set horn` (?). [See Basset, a.] (Mus.) An instrument blown with a reed, and resembling a clarinet, but of much greater compass, embracing nearly four octaves. Basset hound Bas"set hound` (?). [F. basset.] (Zo\'94l.) A small kind of hound with a long body and short legs, used as an earth dog. Basseting Bas"set*ing, n. The upward direction of a vein in a mine; the emergence of a stratum at the surface. Bassetto Bas*set"to (?), n. [It., adj., somewhat low; n., counter tenor. See Basso.] (Mus.) A tenor or small bass viol. Bass horn Bass" horn" (?). (Mus.) A modification of the bassoon, much deeper in tone. Bassinet Bas"si*net (?), n. [Cf. F. bassinet, dim. of bassin. See Basin, and cf. Bascinet.] 1. A wicker basket, with a covering or hood over one end, in which young children are placed as in a cradle. 2. See Bascinet. Lord Lytton. Basso Bas"so (?), n. [It., fr. LL. bassus. See Base, a.] (Mus.) (a) The bass or lowest part; as, to sing basso. (b) One who sings the lowest part. (c) The double bass, or contrabasso. Basso continuo (. [It., bass continued.] (Mus.) A bass part written out continuously, while the other parts of the harmony are indicated by figures attached to the bass; continued bass. Bassock Bas"sock (?), n. A hassock. See 2d Bass, 2. Bassoon Bas*soon" (?), n. [F. basson, fr. basse bass; or perh. fr. bas son low sound. See Bass a part in music. ] (Mus.) A wind instrument of the double reed kind, furnished with holes, which are stopped by the fingers, and by keys, as in flutes. It forms the natural bass to the oboe, clarinet, etc. NOTE: &hand; Its compass comprehends three octaves. For convenience of carriage it is divided into two parts; whence it is also called a fagot. Bassoonist Bas*soon"ist, n. A performer on the bassoon. Busby. Basso-rilievo, Basso-relievo Bas"so-ri*lie"vo (?), Bas"so-re*lie"vo (?), n. [It. basso-rilievo.] Same as Bas-relief. Bassorin Bas"so*rin (?), n. [Cf. F. bassorine.] (Chem.) A constituent part of a species of gum from Bassora, as also of gum tragacanth and some gum resins. It is one of the amyloses. Ure. Bass-relief Bass"-re*lief` (?), n. Some as Bas-relief. Bass viol Bass" vi`ol (?). (Mus.) A stringed instrument of the viol family, used for playing bass. See 3d Bass, n., and Violoncello. Basswood Bass"wood` (?), n. (Bot.) The bass (Tilia) or its wood; especially, T. Americana. See Bass, the lime tree. All the bowls were made of basswood, White and polished very smoothly. Longfellow. Bast Bast (?), n. [AS. b\'91st; akin to Icel., Sw., Dan., D., & G. bast, of unknown origin. Cf. Bass the tree.] 1. The inner fibrous bark of various plants; esp. of the lime tree; hence, matting, cordage, etc., made therefrom. 2. A thick mat or hassock. See 2d Bass, 2. Basta Bas"ta (?), interj. [It.] Enough; stop. Shak. Bastard Bas"tard (?), n. [OF. bastard, bastart, F. b, prob. fr. OF. bast, F. b, a packsaddle used as a bed by the muleteers (fr. LL. bastum) + -ard. OF. fils de bast son of the packsaddle; as the muleteers were accustomed to use their saddles for beds in the inns. See Cervantes, "Don Quixote," chap. 16; and cf.G. bankert, fr. bank bench.] 1. A "natural" child; a child begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate child; one born of an illicit union. NOTE: &hand; By th e civil and canon laws, and by the laws of many of the United States, a bastard becomes a legitimate child by the intermarriage of the parents at any subsequent time. But by those of England, and of some states of the United States, a child, to be legitimate, must at least be born after the lawful marriage. Kent. Blackstone. 2. (Sugar Refining) (a) An inferior quality of soft brown sugar, obtained from the sirups that (b) A large size of mold, in which sugar is drained. 3. A sweet Spanish wine like muscadel in flavor. Brown bastard is your only drink. Shak. 4. A writing paper of a particular size. See Paper. Bastard Bas"tard (?), a. 1. Begotten and born out of lawful matrimony; illegitimate. See Bastard, n., note. 2. Lacking in genuineness; spurious; false; adulterate; -- applied to things which resemble those which are genuine, but are really not so. That bastard self-love which is so vicious in itself, and productive of so many vices. Barrow. 3. Of an unusual make or proportion; as, a bastard musket; a bastard culverin. [Obs.] 4. (Print.) Abbreviated, as the half title in a page preceding the full title page of a book. Bastard ashlar (Arch.), stones for ashlar work, roughly squared at the quarry. -- Bastard file, a file intermediate between the coarsest and the second cut. -- Bastard type (Print.), type having the face of a larger or a smaller size than the body; e.g., a nonpareil face on a brevier body. -- Bastard wing (Zo\'94l.), three to five quill feathers on a small joint corresponding to the thumb in some mam malia; the alula. Bastard Bas"tard, v. t. To bastardize. [Obs.] Bacon. Bastardism Bas"tard*ism (?), n. The state of being a bastard; bastardy. Bastardize Bas"tard*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bastardized (p. pr. & vb. n. Bastardizing.] 1. To make or prove to be a bastard; to stigmatize as a bastard; to declare or decide legally to be illegitimate. The law is so indulgent as not to bastardize the child, if born, though not begotten, in lawful wedlock. Blackstone. 2. To beget out of wedlock. [R.] Shak. Bastardly Bas"tard*ly, a. Bastardlike; baseborn; spuripous; corrupt. [Obs.] -- adv. In the manner of a bastard; spuriously. [Obs.] Shak. Donne. Bastardy Bas"tar*dy (?), n. 1. The state of being a bastard; illegitimacy. 2. The procreation of a bastard child. Wharton. Baste Baste (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Basted; p. pr. & vb. n. Basting.] [Cf. Icel. beysta to strike, powder; Sw. basa to beat with a rod: perh. akin to E. beat.] 1. To beat with a stick; to cudgel. One man was basted by the keeper for carrying some people over on his back through the waters. Pepys. 2. (Cookery) To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or fat on, as on meat in roasting. 3. To mark with tar, as sheep. [Prov. Eng.] Baste Baste, v. t. [OE. basten, OF. bastir, F. b, prob. fr. OHG. bestan to sew, MHG. besten to bind, fr. OHG. bast bast. See Bast.] To sew loosely, or with long stitches; -- usually, that the work may be held in position until sewed more firmly. Shak. Bastile Bastille Bas*tile" Bas*tille" (?), n. [F. bastille fortress, OF. bastir to build, F. b.] 1. (Feud. Fort.) A tower or an elevated work, used for the defense, or in the siege, of a fortified place. The high bastiles . . . which overtopped the walls. Holland. 2. "The Bastille", formerly a castle or fortress in Paris, used as a prison, especially for political offenders; hence, a rhetorical name for a prison. Bastinade Bas`ti*nade" (?), n. See Bastinado, n. Bastinade Bas`ti*nade", v. t. To bastinado. [Archaic] Bastinado Bas`ti*na"do (?), n.; pl. Bastinadoes (#). [Sp. bastonada (cf. F. bastonnade), fr. baston (cf. F. b) a stick or staff. See Baston.] 1. A blow with a stick or cudgel. 2. A sound beating with a stick or cudgel. Specifically: A form of punishment among the Turks, Chinese, and others, consisting in beating an offender on the soles of his feet. Bastinado Bas`ti*na"do, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bastinadoes (; p. pr. & vb. n. Bastinadoing.] To beat with a stick or cudgel, especially on the soles of the feet. Bastion Bas"tion (?), n. [F. bastion (cf. It. bastione), fr. LL. bastire to build (cf. F. b, It. bastire), perh. from the idea of support for a weight, and akin to Gr. to lift, carry, and to E. baston, baton.] (Fort.) A work projecting outward from the main inclosure of a fortification, consisting of two faces and two flanks, and so constructed that it is able to defend by a flanking fire the adjacent curtain, or wall which extends from one bastion to another. Two adjacent bastions are connected by the curtain, which joins the flank of one with the adjacent flank of the other. The distance between the flanks of a bastion is called the gorge. A lunette is a detached bastion. See Ravelin. Bastioned Bas"tioned (?), a. Furnished with a bastion; having bastions. <-- p. 124 --> Basto Bas"to (?), n. [Sp.] The ace of clubs in qua Pope. Baston Bas"ton (?), n. [OF. baston, F. b, LL. basto. See Bastion, and cf. Baton, and 3d Batten.] 1. A staff or cudgel. [Obs.] "To fight with blunt bastons." Holland. 2. (Her.) See Baton. 3. An officer bearing a painted staff, who formerly was in attendance upon the king's court to take into custody persons committed by the court. Mozley & W. Basyle Bas"yle (?), n. [Gr. base + wood. See -yl.] (Chem.) A positive or nonacid constituent of compound, either elementary, or, if compound, performing the functions of an element. Basylous Bas"y*lous (?), a. Pertaining to, or having the nature of, a basyle; electro-positive; basic; -- opposed to chlorous. Graham. Bat Bat (?), n. [OE. batte, botte, AS. batt; perhaps fr. the Celtic; cf. Ir. bat, bata, stick, staff; but cf. also F. batte a beater (thing), wooden sword, battre to beat.] 1. A large stick; a club; specifically, a piece of wood with one end thicker or broader than the other, used in playing baseball, cricket, etc. 2. (Mining) Shale or bituminous shale. Kirwan. 3. A sheet of cotton used for filling quilts or comfortables; batting. 4. A part of a brick with one whole end. Bat bolt (Machinery), a bolt barbed or jagged at its butt or tang to make it hold the more firmly. Knight. Bat Bat, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Batted (p. pr. & vb. n. Batting.] To strike or hit with a bat or a pole; to cudgel; to beat. Holland. Bat Bat, v. i. To use a bat, as in a game of baseball. Bat Bat, n. [Corrupt. from OE. back, backe, balke; cf. Dan. aften-bakke]/> (aften evening), Sw. natt-backa]/> (natt night), Icel. le (le leather), Icel. blaka to flutter.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the Cheiroptera, an order of flying mammals, in which the wings are formed by a membrane stretched between the elongated fingers, legs, and tail. The common bats are small and insectivorous. See Cheiroptera and Vampire. Bat tick (Zo\'94l.), a wingless, dipterous insect of the genus Nycteribia, parasitic on bats. Batable Bat"a*ble (?), a. [Abbrev. from debatable.] Disputable. [Obs.] NOTE: &hand; Th e bo rder la nd between England and Scotland, being formerly a subject of contention, was called batable or debatable ground. Batailled Bat"ailled (?), a. Embattled. [Obs.] Chaucer. Batardeau Ba`tar*deau" (?), n. [F.] 1. A cofferdam. Brande & C. 2. (Mil.) A wall built across the ditch of a fortification, with a sluice gate to regulate the height of water in the ditch on both sides of the wall. Batatas, Batata Ba*ta"tas (?), Ba*ta"ta (?), n. An aboriginal American name for the sweet potato (Ipom\'91a batatas). Batavian Ba*ta"vi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to (a) the Batavi, an ancient Germanic tribe; or to (b) as, a Batavian legion. Batavian Republic, the name given to Holland by the French after its conquest in 1795. Batavian Ba*ta"vi*an, n. A native or inhabitant of Batavia or Holland. [R.] Bancroft. Batch Batch (?), n. [OE. bache, bacche, fr. AS. bacan to bake; cf. G. geb\'84ck and D. baksel. See Bake, v. t.] 1. The quantity of bread baked at one time. 2. A quantity of anything produced at one operation; a group or collection of persons or things of the same kind; as, a batch of letters; the next batch of business. "A new batch of Lords." Lady M. W. Montagu. Bate Bate (?), n. [Prob. abbrev. from debate.] Strife; contention. [Obs.] Shak. Bate Bate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bated; p. pr. & vb. n. Bating.] [From abate.] 1. To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower. He must either bate the laborer's wages, or not employ or not pay him. Locke. 2. To allow by way of abatement or deduction. To whom he bates nothing or what he stood upon with the parliament. South. 3. To leave out; to except. [Obs.] Bate me the king, and, be he flesh and blood. He lies that says it. Beau. & Fl. 4. To remove. [Obs.] About autumn bate the earth from about the roots of olives, and lay them bare. Holland. 5. To deprive of. [Obs.] When baseness is exalted, do not bate The place its honor for the person's sake. Herbert. Bate Bate, v. i. 1. To remit or retrench a part; -- with of. Abate thy speed, and I will bate of mine. Dryden. 2. To waste away. [Obs.] Shak. Bate Bate (?), v. t. To attack; to bait. [Obs.] Spenser. Bate Bate, imp. of Bite. [Obs.] Spenser. Bate Bate, v. i. [F. battre des ailes to flutter. Cf. Bait to flutter.] To flutter as a hawk; to bait. [Obs.] Bacon. Bate Bate, n. (Jewish Antiq.) See 2d Bath. Bate Bate, n. [Cf. Sw. beta maceration, soaking, G. beize, and E. bite.] An alkaline solution consisting of the dung of certain animals; -- employed in the preparation of hides; grainer. Knight. Bate Bate, v. t. To steep in bate, as hides, in the manufacture of leather. Bateau Ba*teau" (?), n.; pl. Bateaux (#). [F. bateau, LL. batellus, fr. battus, batus, boa, which agrees with AS. b\'bet boat: cf. W. bad boat. See Boat, n.] A boat; esp. a flat-bottomed, clumsy boat used on the Canadian lakes and rivers. [Written also, but less properly, batteau.] Bateau bridge, a floating bridge supported by bateaux. Bated Bat"ed (?), a. Reduced; lowered; restrained; as, to speak with bated breath. Macaulay. Bateful Bate"ful (?), a. Exciting contention; contentious. [Obs.] "It did bateful question frame. " Sidney. Bateless Bate"less, a. Not to be abated. [Obs.] Shak. Batement Bate"ment (?), n. [For Abatement. See 2d Bate.] Abatement; diminution. Moxon. Batement light (Arch.), a window or one division of a window having vertical sides, but with the sill not horizontal, as where it follows the rake of a staircase. Batfish Bat"fish` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A name given to several species of fishes: (a) The Malthe vespertilio of the Atlantic coast. (b) The flying gurnard of the Atlantic (Cephalacanthus spinarella). (c) The California batfish or sting ray (Myliobatis Californicus.) Batfowler Bat"fowl`er (?), n. One who practices or finds sport in batfowling. Batfowling Bat"fowl`ing (?), n. [From Bat a stick.] A mode of catching birds at night, by holding a torch or other light, and beating the bush or perch where they roost. The birds, flying to the light, are caught with nets or otherwise. Batful Bat"ful (?), a. [Icel. bati amelioration, batna to grow better; akin to AS. bet better. Goth. ga-batnan to profit. Batten, v. i., Better.] Rich; fertile. [Obs.] "Batful valleys." Drayton. Bath Bath (?), n.; pl. Baths (#). [AS. b\'91; akin to OS. & Icel. ba, Sw., Dan., D., & G. bad, and perh. to G. b\'84hen to foment.] 1. The act of exposing the body, or part of the body, for purposes of cleanliness, comfort, health, etc., to water, vapor, hot air, or the like; as, a cold or a hot bath; a medicated bath; a steam bath; a hip bath. 2. Water or other liquid for bathing. 3. A receptacle or place where persons may immerse or wash their bodies in water. 4. A building containing an apartment or a series of apartments arranged for bathing. Among the ancients, the public baths were of amazing extent and magnificence. Gwilt. 5. (Chem.) A medium, as heated sand, ashes, steam, hot air, through which heat is applied to a body. 6. (Photog.) A solution in which plates or prints are immersed; also, the receptacle holding the solution. NOTE: &hand; Ba th is us ed ad jectively or in combination, in an obvious sense of or for baths or bathing; as, bathroom, bath tub, bath keeper. Douche bath. See Douche. -- Order of the Bath, a high order of British knighthood, composed of three classes, viz., knights grand cross, knights commanders, and knights companions, abbreviated thus: G. C. B., K. C. B., K. B. -- Russian bath, a kind of vapor bath which consists in a prolonged exposure of the body to the influence of the steam of water, followed by washings and shampooings. -- Turkish bath, a kind of bath in which a profuse perspiration is produced by hot air, after which the body is washed and shampooed. -- Bath house, a house used for the purpose of bathing; -- also a small house, near a bathing place, where a bather undresses and dresses. Bath Bath (?), n. [Heb.] A Hebrew measure containing the tenth of a homer, or five gallons and three pints, as a measure for liquids; and two pecks and five quarts, as a dry measure. Bath Bath (?), n. A city in the west of England, resorted to for its hot springs, which has given its name to various objects. Bath brick, a preparation of calcareous earth, in the form of a brick, used for cleaning knives, polished metal, etc. -- Bath chair, a kind of chair on wheels, as used by invalids at Bath. "People walked out, or drove out, or were pushed out in their Bath chairs." Dickens. -- Bath metal, an alloy consisting of four and a half ounces of zinc and one pound of copper. -- Bath note, a folded writing paper, 8 1/2 by 14 inches. -- Bath stone, a species of limestone (o\'94lite) found near Bath, used for building. Bathe Bathe (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bathed (p. pr. & vb. n. Bathing.] [OE. ba, AS. ba, fr. b\'91 bath. See 1st Bath, and cf. Bay to bathe.] 1. To wash by immersion, as in a bath; to subject to a bath. Chancing to bathe himself in the River Cydnus. South. 2. To lave; to wet. "The lake which bathed the foot of the Alban mountain." T. Arnold. 3. To moisten or suffuse with a liquid. And let us bathe our hands in C\'91sar's blood. Shak. 4. To apply water or some liquid medicament to; as, to bathe the eye with warm water or with sea water; to bathe one's forehead with camphor. 5. To surround, or envelop, as water surrounds a person immersed. "The rosy shadows bathe me. " Tennyson. "The bright sunshine bathing all the world." Longfellow. Bathe Bathe (?), v. i. 1. To bathe one's self; to take a bath or baths. "They bathe in summer." Waller. 2. To immerse or cover one's self, as in a bath. "To bathe in fiery floods." Shak. "Bathe in the dimples of her cheek." Lloyd. 3. To bask in the sun. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bathe Bathe, n. The immersion of the body in water; as to take one's usual bathe. Edin. Rev. Bather Bath"er (?), n. One who bathes. Bathetic Ba*thet"ic (?), a. Having the character of bathos. [R.] Bathing Bath"ing (?), n. Act of taking a bath or baths. Bathing machine, a small room on wheels, to be driven into the water, for the convenience of bathers, who undress and dress therein. Bathmism Bath"mism (?), n. See Vital force. Bathometer Ba*thom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. depth + -meter.] An instrument for measuring depths, esp. one for taking soundings without a sounding line. Bathorse Bat"horse` (?), n. [F. b packsaddle (cheval de b packhorse) + E. horse. See Bastard.] A horse which carries an officer's baggage during a campaign. Bathos Ba"thos (?), n. [Gr. depth, fr. deep.] (Rhet.) A ludicrous descent from the elevated to the low, in writing or speech; anticlimax. Bathybius Ba*thyb"i*us (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. deep + life] (Zo\'94l.) A name given by Prof. Huxley to a gelatinous substance found in mud dredged from the Atlantic and preserved in alcohol. He supposed that it was free living protoplasm, covering a large part of the ocean bed. It is now known that the substance is of chemical, not of organic, origin. Bathymetric, Bathymetrical Bath`y*met"ric (?), Bath`y*met"ric*al (?), a. Pertaining to bathymetry; relating to the measurement of depths, especially of depths in the sea. Bathymetry Ba*thym"e*try (?), n. [Gr. depth + -metry.] The art or science of sounding, or measuring depths in the sea. Bating Bat"ing (?), prep. [Strictly p. pr. of Bat to abate.] With the exception of; excepting. We have little reason to think that they bring many ideas with them, bating some faint ideas of hunger and thirst. Locke. Batiste Ba*tiste" (?), n. [F. batiste, from the name of the alleged first maker, Baptiste of Cambrai. Littr\'82.] Originally, cambric or lawn of fine linen; now applied also to cloth of similar texture made of cotton. Batlet Bat"let (?), n. [Bat stick + -let.] A short bat for beating clothes in washing them; -- called also batler, batling staff, batting staff. Shak. Batman Bat"man (?), n. [Turk. batman.] A weight used in the East, varying according to the locality; in Turkey, the greater batman is about 157 pounds, the lesser only a fourth of this; at Aleppo and Smyrna, the batman is 17 pounds. Simmonds. Batman Bat"man (?), n.; pl. Batmen (#). [F. b packsaddle + E. man. Cf. Bathorse.] A man who has charge of a bathorse and his load. Macaulay. Batoidei Ba*toi"de*i (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. a kind of ray + -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) The division of fishes which includes the rays and skates. Baton Bat"on (?), n. [F. b. See Baston.] 1. A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes; as, the baton of a field marshal; the baton of a conductor in musical performances. He held the baton of command. Prescott. 2. (Her.) An ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister as a mark of bastardy, and containing one fourth in breadth of the bend sinister; -- called also bastard bar. See Bend sinister. Batoon Ba*toon" (?), n. See Baton, and Baston. Bat printing Bat" print`ing (?). (Ceramics) A mode of printing on glazed ware. Batrachia Ba*tra"chi*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. belonging to a frog, fr. frog.] (Zo\'94l.) The order of amphibians which includes the frogs and toads; the Anura. Sometimes the word is used in a wider sense as equivalent to Amphibia. Batrachian Ba*tra"chi*an (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to the Batrachia. -- n. One of the Batrachia. Batrachoid Bat"ra*choid (?), a. [Batrachia + -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) Froglike. Specifically: Of or pertaining to the Batrachid\'91, a family of marine fishes, including the toadfish. Some have poisonous dorsal spines. Batrachomyomachy Bat`ra*cho*my*om"a*chy (?), n. [Gr. ; frog + mouse + battle.] The battle between the frogs and mice; -- a Greek parody on the Iliad, of uncertain authorship. Batrachophagous Bat`ra*choph"a*gous (?), a. [Gr. frog + to eat.] Feeding on frogs. Quart. Rev. Batsman Bats"man (?), n.; pl. Batsmen (. The one who wields the bat in cricket, baseball, etc. <-- in baseball, usu. called the batter. --> Bat's-wing or Batwing Bat's"-wing" (?) or Bat"wing, a. Shaped like a bat's wing; as, a bat's-wing burner. Batta Bat"ta (?), n. [Prob. through Pg. for Canarese bhatta rice in the husk.] Extra pay; esp. an extra allowance to an English officer serving in India. Whitworth. <-- p. 125 --> Batta Bat"ta (?), n. [Hind. ba.] Rate of exchange; also, the discount on uncurrent coins. [India] Battable Bat"ta*ble (?), a. [See Batful.] Capable of culti [Obs.] Burton. Battailant Bat"tail*ant (?), a. [F. bataillant, p. pr. See Battle, v. i. ] [Obs.] Prepared for battle; combatant; warlike. Spenser. -- n. A combatant. Shelton. Battailous Bat"tail*ous (?), a. [OF. bataillos, fr. bataille. See Battle, n.] Arrayed for battle; fit or eager for battle; warlike. [Obs.] "In battailous aspect." Milton. Battalia Bat*tal"ia (?), n. [LL. battalia battle, a body of troops. See Battle, n.] 1. Order of battle; disposition or arrangement of troops (brigades, regiments, battalions, etc.), or of a naval force, for action. A drawing up the armies in battalia. Jer. Taylor. 2. An army in battle array; also, the main battalia or body. [Obs.] Shak. Battalion Bat*tal"ion (?), n. [F. bataillon, fr. It. battaglione. See Battalia.] 1. A body of troops; esp. a body of troops or an army in battle array. "The whole battalion views." Milton. 2. (Mil.) A regiment, or two or more companies of a regiment, esp. when assembled for drill or battle. Battalion Bat*tal"ion (?), v. t. To form into battalions. [R.] Battel Bat"tel (?), n. [Obs. form. of Battle.] (Old Eng. Law) A single combat; as, trial by battel. See Wager of battel, under Wager. Battel Bat"tel, n. [Of uncertain etymology.] Provisions ordered from the buttery; also, the charges for them; -- only in the pl., except when used adjectively. [Univ. of Oxford, Eng.] Battel Bat"tel, v. i. To be supplied with provisions from the buttery. [Univ. of Oxford, Eng.] Battel Bat"tel, v. t. [Cf. Batful, Batten, v. i.] To make fertile. [Obs.] "To battel barren land." Ray. Battel Bat"tel, a. Fertile; fruitful; productive. [Obs.] A battel soil for grain, for pasture good. Fairfax. Batteler, Battler Bat"tel*er (?), Bat"tler (?), n. [See 2d Battel, n.] A student at Oxford who is supplied with provisions from the buttery; formerly, one who paid for nothing but what he called for, answering nearly to a sizar at Cambridge. Wright. Batten Bat"ten (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Battened (p. pr. & vb. n. Battening.] [See Batful.] 1. To make fat by plenteous feeding; to fatten. "Battening our flocks." Milton. 2. To fertilize or enrich, as land. Batten Bat"ten, v. i. To grow fat; to grow fat in ease and luxury; to glut one's self. Dryden. The pampered monarch lay battening in ease. Garth. Skeptics, with a taste for carrion, who batten on the hideous facts in history, -- persecutions, inquisitions. Emerson. Batten Bat"ten, n . [F. b stick, staff. See Baton.] A strip of sawed stuff, or a scantling; as, (a) pl. (Com. & Arch.) Sawed timbers about 7 by 2 1/2 inches and not less than 6 feet long. Brande & C. (b) (Naut.) A strip of wood used in fastening the edges of a tarpaulin to the deck, also around masts to prevent chafing. (c) A long, thin strip used to strengthen a part, to cover a crack, etc. Batten door (Arch.), a door made of boards of the whole length of the door, secured by battens nailed crosswise. Batten Bat"ten, v. t. To furnish or fasten with battens. To batten down, to fasten down with battens, as the tarpaulin over the hatches of a ship during a storm. Batten Bat"ten, n. [F. battant. See Batter, v. t.] The movable bar of a loom, which strikes home or closes the threads of a woof. Battening Bat"ten*ing (?), n. (Arch.) Furring done with small pieces nailed directly upon the wall. Batter Bat"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Battered (; p. pr. & vb. n. Battering.] [OE. bateren, OF. batre, F. battre, fr. LL. battere, for L. batuere to strike, beat; of unknown origin. Cf. Abate, Bate to abate.] 1. To beat with successive blows; to beat repeatedly and with violence, so as to bruise, shatter, or demolish; as, to batter a wall or rampart. 2. To wear or impair as if by beating or by hard usage. "Each battered jade." Pope. 3. (Metallurgy) To flatten (metal) by hammering, so as to compress it inwardly and spread it outwardly. Batter Bat"ter, n. [OE. batere, batire; cf. OF. bateure, bature, a beating. See Batter, v. t.] 1. A semi-liquid mixture of several ingredients, as, flour, eggs, milk, etc. , beaten together and used in cookery. King. 2. Paste of clay or loam. Holland. 3. (Printing) A bruise on the face of a plate or of type in the form. Batter Bat"ter, n. A backward slope in the face of a wall or of a bank; receding slope. Batter rule, an instrument consisting of a rule or frame, and a plumb line, by which the batter or slope of a wall is regulated in building. Batter Bat"ter, v. i. (Arch.) To slope gently backward. Batter Bat"ter, n. One who wields a bat; a batsman. Batterer Bat"ter*er (?), n. One who, or that which, batters. Battering-ram Bat"ter*ing-ram` (?), n. 1. (Mil.) An engine used in ancient times to beat down the walls of besieged places. NOTE: &hand; It wa s a large beam, with a head of iron, which was sometimes made to resemble the head of a ram. It was suspended by ropes t a beam supported by posts, and so balanced as to swing backward and forward, and was impelled by men against the wall. Grose. 2. A blacksmith's hammer, suspended, and worked horizontally. Battering train Bat"ter*ing train` (?). (Mil.) A train of artillery for siege operations. Battery Bat"ter*y (?), n.; pl. Batteries (#). [F. batterie, fr. battre. See Batter, v. t.] 1. The act of battering or beating. 2. (Law) The unlawful beating of another. It includes every willful, angry and violent, or negligent touching of another's person or clothes, or anything attached to his person or held by him. 3. (Mil.) (a) Any place where cannon or mortars are mounted, for attack or defense. (b) Two or more pieces of artillery in the field. (c) A company or division of artillery, including the gunners, guns, horses, and all equipments. In the United States, a battery of flying artillery consists usually of six guns. Barbette battery. See Barbette. -- Battery d'enfilade, or Enfilading battery, one that sweeps the whole length of a line of troops or part of a work. -- Battery en \'82charpe, one that plays obliquely. -- Battery gun, a gun capable of firing a number, of shots simultaneously or successively without stopping to load. -- Battery wagon, a wagon employed to transport the tools and materials for repair of the carriages, etc., of the battery. -- In battery, projecting, as a gun, into an embrasure or over a parapet in readiness for firing. -- Masked battery, a battery artificially concealed until required to open upon the enemy. -- Out of battery, or From battery, withdrawn, as a gun, to a position for loading. 4. (Elec.) (a) A number of coated jars (Leyden jars) so connected that they may be charged and discharged simultaneously. (b) An apparatus for generating voltaic electricity. NOTE: &hand; In th e tr ough ba ttery, co pper an d zi nc pl ates, connected in pairs, divide the trough into cells, which are filled with an acid or oxidizing liquid; the effect is exhibited when wires connected with the two end-plates are brought together. In Daniell's battery, the metals are zinc and copper, the former in dilute sulphuric acid, or a solution of sulphate of zinc, the latter in a saturated solution of sulphate of copper. A modification of this is the common gravity battery, so called from the automatic action of the two fluids, which are separated by their specific gravities. In Grove's battery, platinum is the metal used with zinc; two fluids are used, one of them in a porous cell surrounded by the other. In Bunsen's or the carbon battery, the carbon of gas coke is substituted for the platinum of Grove's. In Leclanch\'82's battery, the elements are zinc in a solution of ammonium chloride, and gas carbon surrounded with manganese dioxide in a porous cell. A secondary battery is a battery which usually has the two plates of the same kind, generally of lead, in dilute sulphuric acid, and which, when traversed by an electric current, becomes charged, and is then capable of giving a current of itself for a time, owing to chemical changes produced by the charging current. A storage battery is a kind of secondary battery used for accumulating and storing the energy of electrical charges or currents, usually by means of chemical work done by them; an accumulator. 5. A number of similar machines or devices in position; an apparatus consisting of a set of similar parts; as, a battery of boilers, of retorts, condensers, etc. 6. (Metallurgy) A series of stamps operated by one motive power, for crushing ores containing the precious metals. Knight. 7. The box in which the stamps for crushing ore play up and down. 8. (Baseball) The pitcher and catcher together. Batting Bat"ting (?), n. 1. The act of one who bats; the management of a bat in playing games of ball. Mason. 2. Cotton in sheets, prepared for use in making quilts, etc.; as, cotton batting. Battle Bat"tle (?), a. Fertile. See Battel, a. [Obs.] Battle Bat"tle, n. [OE. bataille, bataile, F. bataille battle, OF., battle, battalion, fr. L. battalia, battualia, the fighting and fencing exercises of soldiers and gladiators, fr. batuere to strike, beat. Cf. Battalia, 1st Battel, and see Batter, v. t. ] 1. A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat. 2. A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life. The whole intellectual battle that had at its center the best poem of the best poet of that day. H. Morley. 3. A division of an army; a battalion. [Obs.] The king divided his army into three battles. Bacon. The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every action. Robertson. 4. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia. [Obs.] Hayward. NOTE: &hand; Ba ttle is used adjectively or as the first part of a self-explaining compound; as, battle brand, a "brand" or sword used in battle; battle cry; battlefield; battle ground; battlearray; battle song. Battle piece, a painting, or a musical composition, representing a battle. -- Battle royal. (a) A fight between several gamecocks, where the one that stands longest is the victor. Grose. (b) A contest with fists or cudgels in which more than two are engaged; a m\'88l\'82e. Thackeray. -- Drawn battle, one in which neither party gains the victory. -- To give battle, to attack an enemy. -- To join battle, to meet the attack; to engage in battle. -- Pitched battle, one in which the armies are previously drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the forces. -- Wager of battle. See under Wager, n. Syn. -- Conflict; encounter; contest; action. Battle, Combat, Fight, Engagement. These words agree in denoting a close encounter between contending parties. Fight is a word of less dignity than the others. Except in poetry, it is more naturally applied to the encounter of a few individuals, and more commonly an accidental one; as, a street fight. A combat is a close encounter, whether between few or many, and is usually premeditated. A battle is commonly more general and prolonged. An engagement supposes large numbers on each side, engaged or intermingled in the conflict. Battle Bat"tle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Battled (p. pr. & vb. n. Battling.] [F. batailler, fr. bataille. See Battle, n.] To join in battle; to contend in fight; as, to battle over theories. To meet in arms, and battle in the plain. Prior. Battle Bat"tle, v. t. To assail in battle; to fight. Battle-ax Battle-axe Bat"tle-ax` Bat"tle-axe` (?), n. (Mil.) A kind of broadax formerly used as an offensive weapon. Battled Bat"tled (?), p. p. Embattled. [Poetic] Tennyson. Battledoor Bat"tle*door` (?), n. [OE. batyldour. A corrupted form of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. batallador a great combatant, he who has fought many battles, Pg. batalhador, Pr. batalhador, warrior, soldier, fr. L. battalia; or cf. Pr. batedor batlet, fr. batre to beat, fr. L. batuere. See Battle, n.] 1. An instrument, with a handle and a flat part covered with parchment or crossed with catgut, used to strike a shuttlecock in play; also, the play of battledoor and shuttlecock. 2. [OE. battleder.] A child's hornbook. [Obs.] Halliwell. Battlement Bat"tle*ment (?), n. [OE. batelment; cf. OF. bataillement combat, fr. batailler, also OF. bastillier, bateillier, to fortify. Cf. Battle, n., Bastile, Bastion.] (Arch.) (a) One of the solid upright parts of a parapet in ancient fortifications. (b) pl. The whole parapet, consisting of alternate solids and open spaces. At first purely a military feature, afterwards copied on a smaller scale with decorative features, as for churches. Battlemented Bat"tle*ment*ed (?), a. Having battlements. A battlemented portal. Sir W. Scott. Battologist Bat*tol"o*gist (?), n. One who battologizes. Battologize Bat*tol"o*gize (?), v. t. To keep repeating needlessly; to iterate. Sir T. Herbert. Battology Bat*tol"o*gy (?), n. [F. battologie, fr. Gr. ; a stammerer + speech.] A needless repetition of words in speaking or writing. Milton. Batton Bat"ton (?), n. See Batten, and Baton. Battue Bat"tue` (?), n. [F. battue, fr. battre to beat. See Batter, v. t., and cf. Battuta.] (Hunting) (a) The act of beating the woods, bushes, etc., for game. (b) The game itself. (c) The wanton slaughter of game. Howitt. Batture Bat`ture" (?), n. [F., fr. battre to beat. ] An elevated river bed or sea bed. Battuta Bat*tu"ta (?), n. [It. battuta, fr. battere to beat.] (Mus.) The measuring of time by beating. Batty Bat"ty (?), a. Belonging to, or resembling, a bat. "Batty wings." Shak. Batule Bat"ule (?), n. A springboard in a circus or gymnasium; -- called also batule board. Batz Batz (?), n.; pl. Batzen (#). [Ger. batz, batze, batzen, a coin bearing the image of a bear, Ger. b\'84tz, betz, bear.] A small copper coin, with a mixture of silver, formerly current in some parts of Germany and Switzerland. It was worth about four cents. Baubee Bau*bee" (?), n. Same as Bawbee. Bauble Bau"ble (?), n. [Cf. OF. baubel a child's plaything, F. babiole, It. babbola, LL. baubellum gem, jewel, L. babulus,a baburrus, foolish.] 1. A trifling piece of finery; a gewgaw; that which is gay and showy without real value; a cheap, showy plaything. The ineffective bauble of an Indian pagod. Sheridan. 2. The fool's club. [Obs.] "A fool's bauble was a short stick with a head ornamented with an ass's ears fantastically carved upon it." Nares. Baubling Bau"bling (?), a. See Bawbling. [Obs.] Baudekin Bau"de*kin (?), n. [OE. bawdekin rich silk stuff, OF. baudequin. See Baldachin.] The richest kind of stuff used in garments in the Middle Ages, the web being gold, and the woof silk, with embroidery : -- made originally at Bagdad. [Spelt also baudkin, baudkyn, bawdekin, and baldakin.] Nares. Baudrick Bau"drick (?), n. A belt. See Baldric. Bauk, Baulk Bauk, Baulk (?), n. & v. See Balk. Baunscheidtism Baun"scheidt*ism (?), n. [From the introducer, a German named Baunscheidt.] (Med.) A form of acupuncture, followed by the rubbing of the part with a stimulating fluid. Bauxite, Beauxite Baux"ite, Beaux"ite (?),n. [F., fr. Baux or Beaux, near Arles.] (Min.) A ferruginous hydrate of alumina. It is largely used in the preparation of aluminium and alumina, and for the lining of furnaces which are exposed to intense heat. Bavarian Ba*va"ri*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Bavaria. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of Bavaria. Bavarian cream. See under Cream. Bavaroy Bav"a*roy (?), n. [F. Bavarois Bavarian.] A kind of cloak or surtout. [Obs.] Johnson. Let the looped bavaroy the fop embrace. Gay. <-- p. 126 --> Bavian Ba"vi*an (?), n. [See Baboon.] A baboon. Bavin Bav"in (?), n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. baban tuft, tassel.] 1. A fagot of brushwood, or other light combustible matter, for kindling fires; refuse of brushwood. [Obs. or Dial. Eng.] 2. Impure limestone. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. Bawbee Baw*bee" (?), n. [Perh. corrupt. fr. halfpenny.] A halfpenny. [Spelt also baubee.] [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Bawble Baw"ble (?), n. A trinket. See Bauble. Bawbling Baw"bling, a. Insignificant; contemptible. [Obs.] Bawcock Baw"cock (?), n. [From F. beau fine + E. cock (the bird); or more prob. fr. OF. baud bold, gay + E. cock. Cf. Bawd.] A fine fellow; -- a term of endearment. [Obs.] "How now, my bawcock ?" Shak. Bawd Bawd (?), n. [OE. baude, OF. balt, baut, baude, bold, merry, perh. fr. OHG. bald bold; or fr. Celtic, cf. W. baw dirt. Cf. Bold, Bawdry.] A person who keeps a house of prostitution, or procures women for a lewd purpose; a procurer or procuress; a lewd person; -- usually applied to a woman. Bawd Bawd, v. i. To procure women for lewd purposes. Bawdily Bawd"i*ly (?), adv. Obscenely; lewdly. Bawdiness Bawd"i*ness, n. Obscenity; lewdness. Bawdrick Bawd"rick (?), n. A belt. See Baldric. Bawdry Bawd"ry (?), n. [OE. baudery, OF. bauderie, balderie, boldness, joy. See Bawd.] 1. The practice of procuring women for the gratification of lust. 2. Illicit intercourse; fornication. Shak. 3. Obscenity; filthy, unchaste language. "The pert style of the pit bawdry." Steele. Bawdy Bawd"y, a. 1. Dirty; foul; -- said of clothes. [Obs.] It [a garment] is al bawdy and to-tore also. Chaucer. 2. Obscene; filthy; unchaste. "A bawdy story." Burke. Bawdyhouse Baw"dy*house` (?), n. A house of prostitution; a house of ill fame; a brothel. Bawhorse Baw"horse` (?), n. Same as Bathorse. Bawl Bawl (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bawled (p. pr. & vb. n. Bawling.] [Icel. baula to low, bellow, as a cow; akin to Sw. b\'94la; cf. AS bellan, G. bellen to bark, E. bellow, bull.] 1. To cry out with a loud, full sound; to cry with vehemence, as in calling or exultation; to shout; to vociferate. 2. To cry loudly, as a child from pain or vexation. Bawl Bawl, v. t. To proclaim with a loud voice, or by outcry, as a hawker or town-crier does. Swift. Bawl Bawl, n. A loud, prolonged cry; an outcry. Bawler Bawl"er (?), n. One who bawls. Bawn Bawn (?), n. [Ir. & Gael. babhun inclosure, bulwark.] 1. An inclosure with mud or stone walls, for keeping cattle; a fortified inclosure. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. A large house. [Obs.] Swift. Bawrel Baw"rel (?), n. [Cf. It. barletta a tree falcon, or hobby.] A kind of hawk. [Obs.] Halliwell. Bawsin, Bawson Baw"sin (?), Baw"son (?), n. [OE. bawson, baucyne, badger (named from its color), OF. bauzan, baucant, bauchant, spotted with white, pied; cf. It. balzano, F. balzan, a white-footed horse, It. balza border, trimming, fr. L. balteus belt, border, edge. Cf. Belt.] 1. A badger. [Obs.] B. Jonson. 2. A large, unwieldy person. [Obs.] Nares. Baxter Bax"ter (?), n. [OE. bakestre, bakistre, AS. b\'91cestre, prop. fem. of b\'91cere baker. See Baker.] A baker; originally, a female baker. [Old Eng. & Scotch] Bay Bay (?), a. [F. bai, fr. L. badius brown, chestnutcolored; -- used only of horses.] Reddish brown; of the color of a chestnut; -- applied to the color of horses. Bay cat (Zo\'94l.), a wild cat of Africa and the East Indies (Felis aurata). -- Bay lynx (Zo\'94l.), the common American lynx (Felis, or Lynx, rufa). Bay Bay, n. [F. baie, fr. LL. baia. Of uncertain origin: cf. Ir. & Gael. badh or bagh bay harbor, creek; Bisc. baia, baiya, harbor, and F. bayer to gape, open the mouth.] 1. (Geol.) An inlet of the sea, usually smaller than a gulf, but of the same general character. NOTE: &hand; The name is not used with much precision, and is often applied to large tracts of water, around which the land forms a curve; as, Hudson's Bay. The name is not restricted to tracts of water with a narrow entrance, but is used foe any recess or inlet between capes or headlands; as, the Bay of Biscay. 2. A small body of water set off from the main body; as a compartment containing water for a wheel; the portion of a canal just outside of the gates of a lock, etc. 3. A recess or indentation shaped like a bay. 4. A principal compartment of the walls, roof, or other part of a building, or of the whole building, as marked off by the buttresses, vaulting, mullions of a window, etc.; one of the main divisions of any structure, as the part of a bridge between two piers. 5. A compartment in a barn, for depositing hay, or grain in the stalks. 6. A kind of mahogany obtained from Campeachy Bay. Sick bay, in vessels of war, that part of a deck appropriated to the use of the sick. Totten. Bay Bay, n. [F. baie a berry, the fruit of the laurel and other trees, fr. L. baca, bacca, a small round fruit, a berry, akin to Lith. bapka laurel berry.] 1. A berry, particularly of the laurel. [Obs.] 2. The laurel tree (Laurus nobilis). Hence, in the plural, an honorary garland or crown bestowed as a prize for victory or excellence, anciently made or consisting of branches of the laurel. The patriot's honors and the poet's bays. Trumbull. 3. A tract covered with bay trees. [Local, U. S.] Bay leaf, the leaf of the bay tree (Laurus nobilis). It has a fragrant odor and an aromatic taste. Bay Bay, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bayed (p. pr. & vb. n. Baying.] [ OE. bayen, abayen, OF. abaier, F. aboyer, to bark; of uncertain origin.] To bark, as a dog with a deep voice does, at his game. The hounds at nearer distance hoarsely bayed. Dryden. Bay Bay (?), v. t. To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay; as, to bay the bear. Shak. Bay Bay (?), n. [See Bay, v. i.] 1. Deep-toned, prolonged barking. "The bay of curs." Cowper. 2. [OE. bay, abay, OF. abai, F. aboi barking, pl. abois, prop. the extremity to which the stag is reduced when surrounded by the dogs, barking (aboyant); aux abois at bay.] A state of being obliged to face an antagonist or a difficulty, when escape has become impossible. Embolden'd by despair, he stood at bay. Dryden. The most terrible evils are just kept at bay by incessant efforts. I. Taylor Bay Bay, v. t. [Cf. OE. b\'91wen to bathe, and G. b\'84hen to foment.] To bathe. [Obs.] Spenser. Bay Bay, n. A bank or dam to keep back water. Bay Bay, v. t. To dam, as water; -- with up or back. Baya Ba"ya (?), n. [Native name.] (Zo\'94l.) The East Indian weaver bird (Ploceus Philippinus). Bayad, Bayatte Ba*yad" (?), Ba*yatte" (?), n. [Ar. bayad.] (Zo\'94l.) A large, edible, siluroid fish of the Nile, of two species (Bagrina bayad and B. docmac). Bayadere Ba`ya*dere" (?), n. [F., from Pg. bailadeira a female dancer, bailar to dance.] A female dancer in the East Indies. [Written also bajadere.] Bay-antler Bay"-ant`ler (?), n. [See Bez-Antler.] (Zo\'94l.) The second tine of a stag's horn. See under Antler. Bayard Bay"ard (?), n. 1. [OF. bayard, baiart, bay horse; bai bay + -ard. See Bay, a., and -ard.] Properly, a bay horse, but often any horse. Commonly in the phrase blind bayard, an old blind horse. Blind bayard moves the mill. Philips. 2. [Cf. F. bayeur, fr. bayer to gape.] A stupid, clownish fellow. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Bayardly Bay"ard*ly, a. Blind; stupid. [Obs.] "A formal and bayardly round of duties." Goodman. Bayberry Bay"ber*ry (?), n. (Bot.) (a) The fruit of the bay tree or Laurus nobilis. (b) A tree of the West Indies related to the myrtle (Pimenta acris). (c) The fruit of Myrica cerifera (wax myrtle); the shrub itself; -- called also candleberry tree. Bayberry tallow, a fragrant green wax obtained from the bayberry or wax myrtle; -- called also myrtle wax. Baybolt Bay"bolt` (?), n. A bolt with a barbed shank. Bayed Bayed (?), a. Having a bay or bays. "The large bayed barn." Drayton. Bay ice Bay" ice` (?). See under Ice. Bay leaf Bay" leaf` (?). See under 3d Bay. Bayonet Bay"o*net (?), n. [F. bayonnette, ba\'8bonnette; -- so called, it is said, because the first bayonets were made at Bayonne.] 1. (Mil.) A pointed instrument of the dagger kind fitted on the muzzle of a musket or rifle, so as to give the soldier increased means of offense and defense. NOTE: &hand; Or iginally, the bayonet was made with a handle, which required to be fitted into the bore of the musket after the soldier had fired. 2. (Mach.) A pin which plays in and out of holes made to receive it, and which thus serves to engage or disengage parts of the machinery. Bayonet clutch. See Clutch. -- Bayonet joint, a form of coupling similar to that by which a bayonet is fixed on the barrel of a musket. Knight. Bayonet Bay"o*net, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bayoneted; p. pr. & vb. n. Bayoneting.] 1. To stab with a bayonet. 2. To compel or drive by the bayonet. To bayonet us into submission. Burke. Bayou Bay"ou (?), n.; pl. Bayous (. [North Am. Indian bayuk, in F. spelling bayouc, bayouque.] An inlet from the Gulf of Mexico, from a lake, or from a large river, sometimes sluggish, sometimes without perceptible movement except from tide and wind. [Southern U. S.] A dark slender thread of a bayou moves loiteringly northeastward into a swamp of huge cypresses. G. W. Cable. Bay rum Bay" rum" (?). A fragrant liquid, used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. NOTE: &hand; Th e or iginal ba y ru m, fr om th e We st In dies, is prepared, it is believed, by distillation from the leaves of the bayberry (Myrcia acris). The bay rum of the Pharmacop\'d2ia (spirit of myrcia) is prepared from oil of myrcia (bayberry), oil of orange peel, oil of pimento, alcohol, and water. Bays, Bayze Bays, Bayze (?), n. See Baize. [Obs.] Bay salt Bay" salt` (?). Salt which has been obtained from sea water, by evaporation in shallow pits or basins, by the heat of the sun; the large crystalline salt of commerce. Bacon. Ure. Bay tree Bay" tree`. A species of laurel. (Laurus nobilis). Bay window Bay" win"dow (?). (Arch.) A window forming a bay or recess in a room, and projecting outward from the wall, either in a rectangular, polygonal, or semicircular form; -- often corruptly called a bow window. Bay yarn Bay" yarn` (?). Woolen yarn. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. Bazaar Bazar Ba*zaar" Ba*zar" (?), n. [Per. b\'bezar market.] 1. In the East, an exchange, marketplace, or assemblage of shops where goods are exposed for sale. 2. A spacious hall or suite of rooms for the sale of goods, as at a fair. 3. A fair for the sale of fancy wares, toys, etc., commonly for a charitable objects. Macaulay. Bdellium Bdel"lium (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. ; cf. Heb. b'dolakh bdellium (in sense 1).] 1. An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (Gen. ii. 12, and Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber found in Arabia. 2. A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India, Persia, and Africa. NOTE: &hand; In dian bd ellium or false myrrh is an exudation from Balsamodendron Roxb. Other kinds are known as African, Sicilian, etc. Bdelloidea Bdel*loi"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. leech + -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) The order of Annulata which includes the leeches. See Hirudinea. Bdellometer Bdel*lom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. leech + -meter.] (Med.) A cupping glass to which are attached a scarificator and an exhausting syringe. Dunglison. Bdellomorpha Bdel`lo*mor"pha (?),n. [NL., fr. Gr. leech + form.] (Zo\'94l.) An order of Nemertina, including the large leechlike worms (Malacobdella) often parasitic in clams. Be Be (?), v. i. [imp. Was (?); p. p. Been (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Being.] [OE. been, beon, AS. be\'a2n to be, be\'a2m I am; akin to OHG. bim, pim, G. bin, I am, Gael. & Ir. bu was, W. bod to be, Lith. bu-ti, O. Slav. by-ti, to be, L. fu-i I have been, fu-turus about to be, fo-re to be about to be, and perh to fieri to become, Gr. to be born, to be, Skr. bh to be. This verb is defective, and the parts lacking are supplied by verbs from other roots, is, was, which have no radical connection with be. The various forms, am, are, is, was, were, etc., are considered grammatically as parts of the verb "to be", which, with its conjugational forms, is often called the substantive verb. Future, Physic.] 1. To exist actually, or in the world of fact; to have ex To be contents his natural desire. Pope. To be, or not to be: that is the question. Shak. 2. To exist in a certain manner or relation, -- whether as a reality or as a product of thought; to exist as the subject of a certain predicate, that is, as having a certain attribute, or as belonging to a certain sort, or as identical with what is specified, -- a word or words for the predicate being annexed; as, to be happy; to be here; to be large, or strong; to be an animal; to be a hero; to be a nonentity; three and two are five; annihilation is the cessation of existence; that is the man. 3. To take place; to happen; as, the meeting was on Thursday. 4. To signify; to represent or symbolize; to answer to. The field is the world. Matt. xiii. 38. The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Rev. i. 20. NOTE: &hand; Th e verb to be (including the forms is, was, etc.) is used in forming the passive voice of other verbs; as, John has been struck by James. It is also used with the past participle of many intransitive verbs to express a state of the subject. But have is now more commonly used as the auxiliary, though expressing a different sense; as, "Ye have come too late -- but ye are come. " "The minstrel boy to the war is gone." The present and imperfect tenses form, with the infinitive, a particular future tense, which expresses necessity, duty, or purpose; as, government is to be supported; we are to pay our just debts; the deed is to be signed to-morrow. NOTE: Have or ha d been, followed by to, implies movement. "I have been to Paris." Sydney Smith. "Have you been to Franchard ?" R. L. Stevenson. NOTE: &hand; Be en, or be n, wa s an ciently th e pl ural of th e indicative present. "Ye ben light of the world." Wyclif, Matt. v. 14. Afterwards be was used, as in our Bible: "They that be with us are more than they that be with them." 2 Kings vi. 16. Ben was also the old infinitive: "To ben of such power." R. of Gloucester. Be is used as a form of the present subjunctive: "But if it be a question of words and names." Acts xviii. 15. But the indicative forms, is and are, with if, are more commonly used. Be it so, a phrase of supposition, equivalent to suppose it to be so; or of permission, signifying let it be so. Shak. -- If so be, in case. -- To be from, to have come from; as, from what place are you ? I am from Chicago. -- To let be, to omit, or leave untouched; to let alone. "Let be, therefore, my vengeance to dissuade." Spenser. Syn. -- To be, Exist. The verb to be, except in a few rare case, like that of Shakespeare's "To be, or not to be", is used simply as a copula, to connect a subject with its predicate; as, man is mortal; the soul is immortal. The verb to exist is never properly used as a mere copula, but points to things that stand forth, or have a substantive being; as, when the soul is freed from all corporeal alliance, then it truly exists. It is not, therefore, properly synonymous with to be when used as a copula, though occasionally made so by some writers for the sake of variety; as in the phrase "there exists [is] no reason for laying new taxes." We may, indeed, say, "a friendship has long existed between them," instead of saying, "there has long been a friendship between them;" but in this case, exist is not a mere copula. It is used in its appropriate sense to mark the friendship as having been long in existence. Be Be*. [AS. be, and in accented form b\'c6, akin to OS. be and b\'c6, OHG. bi, pi, and p\'c6, MHG. be and b\'c6, G. be and bei, Goth. bi, and perh. Gr. about (cf. AS. bese\'a2n to look about). By, Amb-.] A prefix, originally the same word as by; joined with verbs, it serves: (a) To intensify the meaning; as, bespatter, bestir. (b) To render an intransitive verb transitive; as, befall (to fall upon); bespeak (to speak for). (c) To make the action of a verb particular or definite; as, beget (to get as offspring); beset (to set around). NOTE: It is joined with certain substantives, and a few adjectives, to form verbs; as, bedew, befriend, benight, besot; belate (to make late); belittle (to make little). It also occurs in certain nouns, adverbs, and prepositions, often with something of the force of the preposition by, or about; as, belief (believe), behalf, bequest (bequeath); because, before, beneath, beside, between. In some words the original force of be is obscured or lost; as, in become, begin, behave, behoove, belong. <-- p. 127 --> Beach Beach (?), n.; pl. Beaches (. [Cf. Sw. backe hill, Dan. bakke, Icel. bakki hill, bank. Cf. Bank.] 1. Pebbles, collectively; shingle. 2. The shore of the sea, or of a lake, which is washed by the waves; especially, a sandy or pebbly shore; the strand. Beach flea (Zo\'94l.), the common name of many species of amphipod Crustacea, of the family Orchestid\'91, living on the sea beaches, and leaping like fleas. -- Beach grass (Bot.), a coarse grass (Ammophila arundinacea), growing on the sandy shores of lakes and seas, which, by its interlaced running rootstocks, binds the sand together, and resists the encroachment of the waves. -- Beach wagon, a light open wagon with two or more seats. -- Raised beach, an accumulation of water-worn stones, gravel, sand, and other shore deposits, above the present level of wave action, whether actually raised by elevation of the coast, as in Norway, or left by the receding waters, as in many lake and river regions. Beach Beach, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beached (p. pr. & vb. n. Beaching.] To run or drive (as a vessel or a boat) upon a beach; to strand; as, to beach a ship. Beach comber Beach" comb`er (?). A long, curling wave rolling in from the ocean. See Comber. [Amer.] Beached Beached (?), p. p. & a. 1. Bordered by a beach. The beached verge of the salt flood. Shak. 2. Driven on a beach; stranded; drawn up on a beach; as, the ship is beached. Beachy Beach"y (?), a. Having a beach or beaches; formed by a beach or beaches; shingly. The beachy girdle of the ocean. Shak. Beacon Bea"con (?), n. [OE. bekene, AS. be\'a0cen, b; akin to OS. b, Fries. baken, beken, sign, signal, D. baak, OHG. bouhhan, G. bake; of unknown origin. Cf. Beckon.] 1. A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning. No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar. Gay. 2. A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners. 3. A high hill near the shore. [Prov. Eng.] 4. That which gives notice of danger. Modest doubt is called The beacon of the wise. Shak. Beacon fire, a signal fire. Beacon Bea"con, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beaconed (p. pr. & vb. n. Beaconing.] 1. To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine. That beacons the darkness of heaven. Campbell. 2. To furnish with a beacon or beacons. Beaconage Bea"con*age (?), n. Money paid for the maintenance of a beacon; also, beacons, collectively. Beaconless Bea"con*less, a. Having no beacon. Bead Bead (?), n. [OE. bede prayer, prayer bead, AS. bed, gebed, prayer; akin to D. bede, G. bitte, AS. biddan, to ask, bid, G. bitten to ask, and perh. to Gr. to persuade, L. fidere to trust. Beads are used by the Roman Catholics to count their prayers, one bead being dropped down a string every time a prayer is said. Cf. Sp. cuenta bead, fr. contar to count. See Bid, in to bid beads, and Bide.] 1. A prayer. [Obs.] 2. A little perforated ball, to be strung on a thread, and worn for ornament; or used in a rosary for counting prayers, as by Roman Catholics and Mohammedans, whence the phrases to tell beads, to at one's beads, to bid beads, etc., meaning, to be at prayer. 3. Any small globular body; as, (a) A bubble in spirits. (b) A drop of sweat or other liquid. "Cold beads of midnight dew." Wordsworth. (c) A small knob of metal on a firearm, used for taking aim (whence the expression to draw a bead, for, to take aim). (d) (Arch.) A small molding of rounded surface, the section being usually an arc of a circle. It may be continuous, or broken into short embossments. (e) (Chem.) A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron, manganese, etc., before the blowpipe; as, the borax bead; the iron bead, etc. Bead and butt (Carp.), framing in which the panels are flush, having beads stuck or run upon the two edges. Knight. -- Beat mold, a species of fungus or mold, the stems of which consist of single cells loosely jointed together so as to resemble a string of beads. [Written also bead mould.] -- Bead tool, a cutting tool, having an edge curved so as to make beads or beading. -- Bead tree (Bot.), a tree of the genus Melia, the best known species of which (M. azedarach), has blue flowers which are very fragrant, and berries which are poisonous. Bead Bead, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Beading.] To ornament with beads or beading. Bead Bead, v. i. To form beadlike bubbles. Beadhouse, Bedehouse Bead"house`, Bede"house` (?), n. [OE. bede prayer + E. house. See Bead, n.] An almshouse for poor people who pray daily for their benefactors. Beading Bead"ing, n. 1. (Arch.) Molding in imitation of beads. 2. The beads or bead-forming quality of certain liquors; as, the beading of a brand of whisky. Beadle Bea"dle (?), n. [OE. bedel, bidel, budel, OF. bedel, F. bedeau, fr. OHG. butil, putil, G. b\'81ttel, fr. OHG. biotan, G. bieten, to bid, confused with AS. bydel, the same word as OHG. butil. See. Bid, v.] 1. A messenger or crier of a court; a servitor; one who cites or bids persons to appear and answer; -- called also an apparitor or summoner. 2. An officer in a university, who precedes public processions of officers and students. [Eng.] NOTE: &hand; In this sense the archaic spellings bedel (Oxford) and bedell (Cambridge) are preserved. 3. An inferior parish officer in England having a variety of duties, as the preservation of order in church service, the chastisement of petty offenders, etc. Beadlery Bea"dle*ry (?), n. Office or jurisdiction of a beadle. Beadleship Bea"dle*ship, n. The state of being, or the personality of, a beadle. A. Wood. Bead proof Bead" proof` (?). 1. Among distillers, a certain degree of strength in alcoholic liquor, as formerly ascertained by the floating or sinking of glass globules of different specific gravities thrown into it; now ascertained by more accurate meters. 2. A degree of strength in alcoholic liquor as shown by beads or small bubbles remaining on its surface, or at the side of the glass, when shaken. Beadroll Bead"roll` (?), n. (R. C. Ch.) A catalogue of persons, for the rest of whose souls a certain number of prayers are to be said or counted off on the beads of a chaplet; hence, a catalogue in general. On Fame's eternal beadroll worthy to be field. Spenser. It is quite startling, on going over the beadroll of English worthies, to find how few are directly represented in the male line. Quart. Rev. Beadsman, Bedesman Beads"man, Bedes"man (?), n.; pl. -men (. A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray for the soul of its founder; an almsman. Whereby ye shall bind me to be your poor beadsman for ever unto Almighty God. Fuller. Beadsnake Bead"snake` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A small poisonous snake of North America (Elaps fulvius), banded with yellow, red, and black. Beadswoman, Bedeswoman Beads"wom`an, Bedes"wom`an (?), n.; pl. -women (. Fem. of Beadsman. Beadwork Bead"work` (?), n. Ornamental work in beads. Beady Bead"y (?), a. 1. Resembling beads; small, round, and glistening. "Beady eyes." Thackeray. 2. Covered or ornamented with, or as with, beads. 3. Characterized by beads; as, beady liquor. Beagle Bea"gle (?), n. [OE. begele; perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. & Gael. beag small, little, W. bach. F. bigle is from English.] 1. A small hound, or hunting dog, twelve to fifteen inches high, used in hunting hares and other small game. See Illustration in Appendix. 2. Fig.: A spy or detective; a constable. Beak Beak (?), n. [OE. bek, F. bec, fr. Celtic; cf. Gael. & Ir. bac, bacc, hook, W. bach.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The bill or nib of a bird, consisting of a horny sheath, covering the jaws. The form varied much according to the food and habits of the bird, and is largely used in the classification of birds. (b) A similar bill in other animals, as the turtles. (c) The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects, and other invertebrates, as in the Hemiptera. (d) The upper or projecting part of the shell, near the hinge of a bivalve. (e) The prolongation of certain univalve shells containing the canal. 2. Anything projecting or ending in a point, like a beak, as a promontory of land. Carew. 3. (Antiq.) A beam, shod or armed at the end with a metal head or point, and projecting from the prow of an ancient galley, in order to pierce the vessel of an enemy; a beakhead. 4. (Naut.) That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee. 5. (Arch.) A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off. 6. (Bot.) Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant. 7. (Far.) A toe clip. See Clip, n. (Far.). 8. A magistrate or policeman. [Slang, Eng.] Beaked Beaked (?), a. 1. Having a beak or a beaklike point; beak-shaped. "Each beaked promontory." Milton. 2. (Biol.) Furnished with a process or a mouth like a beak; rostrate. Beaked whale (Zo\'94l.), a cetacean of the genus Hyperoodon; the bottlehead whale. Beaker Beak"er (?), n. [OE. biker; akin to Icel. bikarr, Sw. b\'84gare, Dan. baeger, G. becher, It. bicchiere; -- all fr. LL. bicarium, prob. fr. Gr. wine jar, or perh. L. bacar wine vessel. Cf. Pitcher a jug.] 1. A large drinking cup, with a wide mouth, supported on a foot or standard. 2. An open-mouthed, thin glass vessel, having a projecting lip for pouring; -- used for holding solutions requiring heat. Knight. Beakhead Beak"head` (?), n. 1. (Arch.) An ornament used in rich Norman doorways, resembling a head with a beak. Parker. 2. (Naut.) (a) A small platform at the fore part of the upper deck of a vessel, which contains the water closets of the crew. (b) (Antiq.) Same as Beak, 3. Beakiron Beak"i*ron (?), n. [From Bickern.] A bickern; a bench anvil with a long beak, adapted to reach the interior surface of sheet metal ware; the horn of an anvil. Beal Beal (, n. [See Boil a tumor.] (Med.) A small inflammatory tumor; a pustule. [Prov. Eng.] Beal Beal, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bealed (; p. pr & vb. n. Bealing.] To gather matter; to swell and come to a head, as a pimple. [Prov. Eng.] Be-all Be"-all` (?), n. The whole; all that is to be. [Poetic] Shak. Beam Beam (?), n. [AS. be\'a0m beam, post, tree, ray of light; akin to OFries. b\'bem tree, OS. b, D. boom, OHG. boum, poum, G. baum, Icel. ba, Goth. bahms and Gr. a growth, to become, to be. Cf. L. radius staff, rod, spoke of a wheel, beam or ray, and G. strahl arrow, spoke of a wheel, ray or beam, flash of lightning. Be; cf. Boom a spar.] 1. Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use. 2. One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building or ship. The beams of a vessel are strong pieces of timber stretching across from side to side to support the decks. Totten. 3. The width of a vessel; as, one vessel is said to have more beam than another. 4. The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended. The doubtful beam long nods from side to side. Pope. 5. The principal stem or horn of a stag or other deer, which bears the antlers, or branches. 6. The pole of a carriage. [Poetic] Dryden. 7. A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving; also, the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven; one being called the fore beam, the other the back beam. 8. The straight part or shank of an anchor. 9. The main part of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it. 10. (Steam Engine) A heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft; -- called also working beam or walking beam. 11. A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat. How far that little candle throws his beams ! Shak. 12. Fig.: A ray; a gleam; as, a beam of comfort. Mercy with her genial beam. Keble. 13. One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk; -- called also beam feather. Abaft the beam (Naut.), in an arc of the horizon between a line that crosses the ship at right angles, or in the direction of her beams, and that point of the compass toward which her stern is directed. -- Beam center (Mach.), the fulcrum or pin on which the working beam of an engine vibrates. -- Beam compass, an instrument consisting of a rod or beam, having sliding sockets that carry steel or pencil points; -- used for drawing or describing large circles. -- Beam engine, a steam engine having a working beam to transmit power, in distinction from one which has its piston rod attached directly to the crank of the wheel shaft. -- Before the beam (Naut.), in an arc of the horizon included between a line that crosses the ship at right angles and that point of the compass toward which the ship steers. -- On the beam , in a line with the beams, or at right angled with the keel. -- On the weather beam, on the side of a ship which faces the wind. -- To be on her beam ends, to incline, as a vessel, so much on one side that her beams approach a vertical position. Beam Beam, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beamed (p. pr. & vb. n. Beaming.] To send forth; to emit; -- followed ordinarily by forth; as, to beam forth light. Beam Beam, v. i. To emit beams of light. He beamed, the daystar of the rising age. Trumbull. Beambird Beam"bird` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A small European flycatcher (Muscicapa gricola), so called because it often nests on a beam in a building. Beamed Beamed (?), a. Furnished with beams, as the head of a stag. Tost his beamed frontlet to the sky. Sir W. Scott. Beamful Beam"ful (?), a. Beamy; radiant. Beamily Beam"i*ly (?), adv. In a beaming manner. Beaminess Beam"i*ness, n. The state of being beamy. Beaming Beam"ing, a. Emitting beams; radiant. Beamingly Beam"ing*ly, adv. In a beaming manner; radiantly. Beamless Beam"less, a. 1. Not having a beam. 2. Not emitting light. Beamlet Beam"let (?), n. A small beam of light. Beam tree Beam" tree` (?). [AS. be\'a0m a tree. See Beam.] (Bot.) A tree (Pyrus aria) related to the apple. Beamy Beam"y (?), a. 1. Emitting beams of light; radiant; shining. "Beamy gold." Tickell. _________________________________________________________________ Page 128 2. Resembling a beam in size and weight; massy. His double-biting ax, and beamy spear. Dryden. 3. Having horns, or antlers. Beamy stags in toils engage. Dryden. Bean Bean (?), n. [OE. bene, AS.be\'a0n; akin to D. boon, G. bohne, OHG. p, Icel. baun, Dan. b\'94nne, Sw. b\'94na, and perh. to Russ. bob, L. faba.] 1. (Bot.) A name given to the seed of certain leguminous herbs, chiefly of the genera Faba, Phaseolus, and Dolichos; also, to the herbs. NOTE: &hand; Th e origin and classification of many kinds are still doubtful. Among true beans are: the black-eyed bean and China bean, included in Dolichos Sinensis; black Egyptian bean or hyacinth bean, D. Lablab; the common haricot beans, kidney beans, string beans, and pole beans, all included in Phaseolus vulgaris; the lower bush bean, Ph. vulgaris, variety nanus; Lima bean, Ph. lunatus; Spanish bean and scarlet runner, Ph. maltiflorus; Windsor bean, the common bean of England, Faba vulgaris. As an article of food beans are classed with vegetables. 2. The popular name of other vegetable seeds or fruits, more or less resembling true beans. Bean aphis (Zo\'94l.), a plant louse (Aphis fab\'91) which infests the bean plant. -- Bean fly (Zo\'94l.), a fly found on bean flowers. -- Bean goose (Zo\'94l.), a species of goose (Anser segetum). -- Bean weevil (Zo\'94l.), a small weevil that in the larval state destroys beans. The American species in Bruchus fab\'91. -- Florida bean (Bot.), the seed of Mucuna urens, a West Indian plant. The seeds are washed up on the Florida shore, and are often polished and made into ornaments. -- Ignatius bean, or St. Ignatius's bean (Bot.), a species of Strychnos. -- Navy bean, the common dried white bean of commerce; probably so called because an important article of food in the navy. -- Pea bean, a very small and highly esteemed variety of the edible white bean; -- so called from its size. -- Sacred bean. See under Sacred. -- Screw bean. See under Screw. -- Sea bean. (a) Same as Florida bean. (b) A red bean of unknown species used for ornament. -- Tonquin bean, or Tonka bean, the fragrant seed of Dipteryx odorata, a leguminous tree. -- Vanilla bean. See under Vanilla. Bean caper Bean" ca`per. (Bot.) A deciduous plant of warm climates, generally with fleshy leaves and flowers of a yellow or whitish yellow color, of the genus Zygophyllum. Bean trefoil Bean" tre"foil. (Bot.) A leguminous shrub of southern Europe, with trifoliate leaves (Anagyris f\'d2tida). Bear Bear (?), v. t. [imp. Bore (?) (formerly Bare (); p. p. Born (?), Borne (p. pr. & vb. n. Bearing.] [OE. beren, AS. beran, beoran, to bear, carry, produce; akin to D. baren to bring forth, G. geb\'84ren, Goth. ba\'a1ran to bear or carry, Icel. bera, Sw. b\'84ra, Dan. b\'91re, OHG. beran, peran, L. ferre to bear, carry, produce, Gr. , OSlav brati to take, carry, OIr. berim I bear, Skr. bh to bear. &root;92. Cf. Fertile.] 1. To support or sustain; to hold up. 2. To support and remove or carry; to convey. I 'll bear your logs the while. Shak. 3. To conduct; to bring; -- said of persons. [Obs.] Bear them to my house. Shak. 4. To possess and use, as power; to exercise. Every man should bear rule in his own house. Esther i. 22. 5. To sustain; to have on (written or inscribed, or as a mark), as, the tablet bears this inscription. 6. To possess or carry, as a mark of authority or distinction; to wear; as, to bear a sword, badge, or name. 7. To possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind; to entertain; to harbor Dryden. The ancient grudge I bear him. Shak. 8. To endure; to tolerate; to undergo; to suffer. Should such a man, too fond to rule alone, Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne. Pope. I cannot bear The murmur of this lake to hear. Shelley. My punishment is greater than I can bear. Gen. iv. 13. 9. To gain or win. [Obs.] Some think to bear it by speaking a great word. Bacon. She was . . . found not guilty, through bearing of friends and bribing of the judge. Latimer. 10. To sustain, or be answerable for, as blame, expense, responsibility, etc. He shall bear their iniquities. Is. liii. 11. Somewhat that will bear your charges. Dryden. 11. To render or give; to bring forward. "Your testimony bear" Dryden. 12. To carry on, or maintain; to have. "The credit of bearing a part in the conversation." Locke. 13. To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change. In all criminal cases the most favorable interpretation should be put on words that they can possibly bear. Swift. 14. To manage, wield, or direct. "Thus must thou thy body bear." Shak. Hence: To behave; to conduct. Hath he borne himself penitently in prison ? Shak. 15. To afford; to be to ; to supply with. bear him company. Pope. 16. To bring forth or produce; to yield; as, to bear apples; to bear children; to bear interest. Here dwelt the man divine whom Samos bore. Dryden. NOTE: &hand; In th e pa ssive fo rm of this verb, the best modern usage restricts the past participle born to the sense of brought forth, while borne is used in the other senses of the word. In the active form, borne alone is used as the past participle. To bear down. (a) To force into a lower place; to carry down; to depress or sink. "His nose, . . . large as were the others, bore them down into insignificance." Marryat. (b) To overthrow or crush by force; as, to bear down an enemy. -- To bear a hand. (a) To help; to give assistance. (b) (Naut.) To make haste; to be quick. -- To bear in hand, to keep (one) up in expectation, usually by promises never to be realized; to amuse by false pretenses; to delude. [Obs.] "How you were borne in hand, how crossed." Shak. -- To bear in mind, to remember. -- To bear off. (a) To restrain; to keep from approach. (b) (Naut.) To remove to a distance; to keep clear from rubbing against anything; as, to bear off a blow; to bear off a boat. (c) To gain; to carry off, as a prize. -- To bear one hard, to owe one a grudge. [Obs.] "C\'91sar doth bear me hard." Shak. -- To bear out. (a) To maintain and support to the end; to defend to the last. "Company only can bear a man out in an ill thing." South. (b) To corroborate; to confirm. -- To bear up, to support; to keep from falling or sinking. "Religious hope bears up the mind under sufferings." Addison. Syn. -- To uphold; sustain; maintain; support; undergo; suffer; endure; tolerate; carry; convey; transport; waft. Bear Bear (?), v. i. 1. To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in opposition to barrenness. This age to blossom, and the next to bear. Dryden. 2. To suffer, as in carrying a burden. But man is born to bear. Pope. 3. To endure with patience; to be patient. I can not, can not bear. Dryden. 4. To press; -- with on or upon, or against. These men bear hard on the suspected party. Addison. 5. To take effect; to have influence or force; as, to bring matters to bear. 6. To relate or refer; -- with on or upon; as, how does this bear on the question? 7. To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect. Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform. Hawthorne. 8. To be situated, as to the point of compass, with respect to something else; as, the land bears N. by E. To bear against, to approach for attack or seizure; as, a lion bears against his prey. [Obs.] -- To bear away (Naut.), to change the course of a ship, and make her run before the wind. -- To bear back, to retreat. "Bearing back from the blows of their sable antagonist." Sir W. Scott. -- To bear down upon (Naut.), to approach from the windward side; as, the fleet bore down upon the enemy. -- To bear in with (Naut.), to run or tend toward; as, a ship bears in with the land. -- To bear off (Naut.), to steer away, as from land. -- To bear up. (a) To be supported; to have fortitude; to be firm; not to sink; as, to bear up under afflictions. (b) (Naut.) To put the helm up (or to windward) and so put the ship before the wind; to bear away. Hamersly. -- To bear upon (Mil.), to be pointed or situated so as to affect; to be pointed directly against, or so as to hit (the object); as, to bring or plant guns so as to bear upon a fort or a ship; the artillery bore upon the center. -- To bear up to, to tend or move toward; as, to bear up to one another. -- To bear with, to endure; to be indulgent to; to forbear to resent, oppose, or punish. Bear Bear (?), n. A bier. [Obs.] Spenser. Bear Bear (?), n. [OE. bere, AS. bera; akin to D. beer, OHG. bero, pero, G. b\'84r, Icel. & Sw. bj\'94rn, and possibly to L. fera wild beast, Gr. beast, Skr. bhalla bear.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects. NOTE: The European brown bear (U. arctos), the white polar bear (U. maritimus), the grizzly bear (U. horribilis), the American black bear, and its variety the cinnamon bear (U. Americanus), the Syrian bear (Ursus Syriacus), and the sloth bear, are among the notable species. 2. (Zo\'94l.) An animal which has some resemblance to a bear in form or habits, but no real affinity; as, the woolly bear; ant bear; water bear; sea bear. 3. (Astron.) One of two constellations in the northern hemisphere, called respectively the Great Bear and the Lesser Bear, or Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. 4. Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person. 5. (Stock Exchange) A person who sells stocks or securities for future delivery in expectation of a fall in the market. NOTE: &hand; Th e be ars an d bu lls of th e Stock Exchange, whose interest it is, the one to depress, and the other to raise, stocks, are said to be so called in allusion to the bear's habit of pulling down, and the bull's of tossing up. 6. (Mach.) A portable punching machine. 7. (Naut.) A block covered with coarse matting; -- used to scour the deck. Australian bear. (Zo\'94l.) See Koala. -- Bear baiting, the sport of baiting bears with dogs. -- Bear caterpillar (Zo\'94l.), the hairy larva of a moth, esp. of the genus Euprepia. -- Bear garden. (a) A place where bears are kept for diversion or fighting. (b) Any place where riotous conduct is common or permitted. M. Arnold. -- Bear leader, one who leads about a performing bear for money; hence, a facetious term for one who takes charge of a young man on his travels. Bear Bear, v. t. (Stock Exchange) To endeavor to depress the price of, or prices in; as, to bear a railroad stock; to bear the market. Bear, Bere Bear, Bere (?), n. [AS. bere. See Barley.] (Bot.) Barley; the six-rowed barley or the four-rowed barley, commonly the former (Hord. vulgare). [Obs. except in North of Eng. and Scot.] Bearable Bear"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being borne or endured; tolerable. -- Bear"a*bly, adv. Bearberry Bear"ber*ry (?), n. (Bot.) A trailing plant of the heath family (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), having leaves which are tonic and astringent, and glossy red berries of which bears are said to be fond. Bearbind Bear"bind` (?), n. (Bot.) The bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Beard Beard (?), n. [OE. berd, AS. beard; akin to Fries. berd, D. baard, G. bart, Lith. barzda, OSlav. brada, Pol. broda, Russ. boroda, L. barba, W. barf. Cf. 1st Barb.] 1. The hair that grows on the chin, lips, and adjacent parts of the human face, chiefly of male adults. 2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The long hairs about the face in animals, as in the goat. (b) The cluster of small feathers at the base of the beak in some birds (c) The appendages to the jaw in some Cetacea, and to the mouth or jaws of some fishes. (d) The byssus of certain shellfish, as the muscle. (e) The gills of some bivalves, as the oyster. (f) In insects, the hairs of the labial palpi of moths and butterflies. 3. (Bot.) Long or stiff hairs on a plant; the awn; as, the beard of grain. 4. A barb or sharp point of an arrow or other instrument, projecting backward to prevent the head from being easily drawn out. 5. That part of the under side of a horse's lower jaw which is above the chin, and bears the curb of a bridle. 6. (Print.) That part of a type which is between the shoulder of the shank and the face. 7. An imposition; a trick. [Obs.] Chaucer. Beard grass (Bot.), a coarse, perennial grass of different species of the genus Andropogon. -- To one's beard, to one's face; in open defiance. Beard Beard (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bearded; p. pr. & vb. n. Bearding.] 1. To take by the beard; to seize, pluck, or pull the beard of (a man), in anger or contempt. 2. To oppose to the gills; to set at defiance. No admiral, bearded by three corrupt and dissolute minions of the palace, dared to do more than mutter something about a court martial. Macaulay. 3. To deprive of the gills; -- used only of oysters and similar shellfish. Bearded Beard"ed, a. Having a beard. "Bearded fellow." Shak. "Bearded grain." Dryden. Bearded vulture, Bearded eagle. (Zo\'94l.) See Lammergeir. -- Bearded tortoise. (Zo\'94l.) See Matamata. Beardie Beard"ie (?), n. [From Beard, n.] (Zo\'94l.) The bearded loach (Nemachilus barbatus) of Europe. [Scot.] Beardless Beard"less, a. 1. Without a beard. Hence: Not having arrived at puberty or manhood; youthful. 2. Destitute of an awn; as, beardless wheat. Beardlessness Beard"less*ness, n. The state or quality of being destitute of beard. Bearer Bear"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, bears, sustains, or carries. "Bearers of burdens." 2 Chron. ii. 18. "The bearer of unhappy news." Dryden. 2. Specifically: One who assists in carrying a body to the grave; a pallbearer. Milton. 3. A palanquin carrier; also, a house servant. [India] 4. A tree or plant yielding fruit; as, a good bearer. 5. (Com.) One who holds a check, note, draft, or other order for the payment of money; as, pay to bearer. 6. (Print.) A strip of reglet or other furniture to bear off the impression from a blank page; also, a type or type-high piece of metal interspersed in blank parts to support the plate when it is shaved. Bearherd Bear"herd` (?), n. A man who tends a bear. Bearhound Bear"hound` (?), n. A hound for baiting or hunting bears. Car Bearing Bear"ing (?), n. 1. The manner in which one bears or conducts one's self; mien; behavior; carriage. I know him by his bearing. Shak. 2. Patient endurance; suffering without complaint. 3. The situation of one object, with respect to another, such situation being supposed to have a connection with the object, or influence upon it, or to be influenced by it; hence, relation; connection. But of this frame, the bearings and the ties, The strong connections, nice dependencies. Pope. 4. Purport; meaning; intended significance; aspect. 5. The act, power, or time of producing or giving birth; as, a tree in full bearing; a tree past bearing. [His mother] in travail of his bearing. R. of Gloucester. 6. (Arch.) (a) That part of any member of a building which rests upon its supports; as, a lintel or beam may have four inches of bearing upon the wall. (b) The portion of a support on which anything rests. (c) Improperly, the unsupported span; as, the beam has twenty feet of bearing between its supports. 7. (Mach.) (a) The part of an axle or shaft in contact with its support, collar, or boxing; the journal. (b) The part of the support on which a journal rests and rotates. 8. (Her.) Any single emblem or charge in an escutcheon or coat of arms -- commonly in the pl. A carriage covered with armorial bearings. Thackeray. 9. (Naut.) (a) The situation of a distant object, with regard to a ship's position, as on the bow, on the lee quarter, etc.; the direction or point of the compass in which an object is seen; as, the bearing of the cape was W. N. W. (b) pl. The widest part of a vessel below the plank-sheer. (c) pl. The line of flotation of a vessel when properly trimmed with cargo or ballast. Ball bearings. See under Ball. -- To bring one to his bearings, to bring one to his senses. -- To lose one's bearings, to become bewildered. -- To take bearings, to ascertain by the compass the position of an object; to ascertain the relation of one object or place to another; to ascertain one's position by reference to landmarks or to the compass; hence (Fig.), to ascertain the condition of things when one is in trouble or perplexity. Syn. -- Deportment; gesture; mien; behavior; manner; carriage; demeanor; port; conduct; direction; relation; tendency; influence. Bearing cloth Bear"ing cloth` (?). A cloth with which a child is covered when carried to be baptized. Shak. Bearing rein Bear"ing rein` (?). A short rein looped over the check hook or the hames to keep the horse's head up; -- called in the United States a checkrein. Bearish Bear"ish, a. Partaking of the qualities of a bear; resembling a bear in temper or manners. Harris. Bearishness Bear"ish*ness, n. Behavior like that of a bear. Bearn Bearn (?), n. See Bairn. [Obs.] Bear's-breech Bear's"-breech` (?), n. (Bot.) (a) See Acanthus, n., 1. (b) The English cow parsnip (Heracleum sphondylium) Dr. Prior. _________________________________________________________________ Page 129 Bear's-ear Bear's-ear` (?), n. (Bot.) A kind of primrose (Primula auricula), so called from the shape of the leaf. Bear's-foot Bear's"-foot` (?), n. (Bot.) A species of hellebore (Helleborus f\'d2tidus), with digitate leaves. It has an offensive smell and acrid taste, and is a powerful emetic, cathartic, and anthelmintic. Bearskin Bear"skin` (?), n. 1. The skin of a bear. 2. A coarse, shaggy, woolen cloth for overcoats. 3. A cap made of bearskin, esp. one worn by soldiers. Bear's-paw Bear's"-paw` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A large bivalve shell of the East Indies (Hippopus maculatus), often used as an ornament. Bearward Bear"ward` (?), n. [Bear + ward a keeper.] A keeper of bears. See Bearherd. [R.] Shak. Beast Beast (?), n. [OE. best, beste, OF. beste, F. b\'88te, fr. L. bestia.] 1. Any living creature; an animal; -- including man, insects, etc. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. Any four-footed animal, that may be used for labor, food, or sport; as, a beast of burden. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast. Prov. xii. 10. 3. As opposed to man: Any irrational animal. 4. Fig.: A coarse, brutal, filthy, or degraded fellow. 5. A game at cards similar to loo. [Obs.] Wright. 6. A penalty at beast, omber, etc. Hence: To be beasted, to be beaten at beast, omber, etc. Beast royal, the lion. [Obs.] Chaucer. Syn. -- Beast, Brute. When we use these words in a figurative sense, as applicable to human beings, we think of beasts as mere animals governed by animal appetite; and of brutes as being destitute of reason or moral feeling, and governed by unrestrained passion. Hence we speak of beastly appetites; beastly indulgences, etc.; and of brutal manners; brutal inhumanity; brutal ferocity. So, also, we say of a drunkard, that he first made himself a beast, and then treated his family like a brute. Beasthood Beast"hood (?), n. State or nature of a beast. Beastings Beast"ings (?), n. pl. See Biestings. Beastlihead Beast"li*head (?), n. [Beastly + -head state.] Beastliness. [Obs.] Spenser. Beastlike Beast"like" (?), a. Like a beast. Beastliness Beast"li*ness, n. The state or quality of being beastly. Beastly Beast"ly (?), a. 1. Pertaining to, or having the form, nature, or habits of, a beast. Beastly divinities and droves of gods. Prior. 2. Characterizing the nature of a beast; contrary to the nature and dignity of man; brutal; filthy. The beastly vice of drinking to excess. Swift. 3. Abominable; as, beastly weather. [Colloq. Eng.] Syn. -- Bestial; brutish; irrational; sensual; degrading. Beat Beat (?), v. t. [imp. Beat; p. p. Beat, Beaten (; p. pr. & vb. n. Beating.] [OE. beaten, beten, AS. be\'a0tan; akin to Icel. bauta, OHG. b. Cf. 1st Butt, Button.] 1. To strike repeatedly; to lay repeated blows upon; as, to beat one's breast; to beat iron so as to shape it; to beat grain, in order to force out the seeds; to beat eggs and sugar; to beat a drum. Thou shalt beat some of it [spices] very small. Ex. xxx. 36. They did beat the gold into thin plates. Ex. xxxix. 3. 2. To punish by blows; to thrash. 3. To scour or range over in hunting, accompanied with the noise made by striking bushes, etc., for the purpose of rousing game. To beat the woods, and rouse the bounding prey. Prior. 4. To dash against, or strike, as with water or wind. A frozen continent . . . beat with perpetual storms. Milton. 5. To tread, as a path. Pass awful gulfs, and beat my painful way. Blackmore. 6. To overcome in a battle, contest, strife, race, game, etc.; to vanquish or conquer; to surpass. He beat them in a bloody battle. Prescott. For loveliness, it would be hard to beat that. M. Arnold. 7. To cheat; to chouse; to swindle; to defraud; -- often with out. [Colloq.] 8. To exercise severely; to perplex; to trouble. Why should any one . . . beat his head about the Latin grammar who does not intend to be a critic? Locke. 9. (Mil.) To give the signal for, by beat of drum; to sound by beat of drum; as, to beat an alarm, a charge, a parley, a retreat; to beat the general, the reveille, the tattoo. See Alarm, Charge, Parley, etc. To beat down, to haggle with (any one) to secure a lower price; to force down. [Colloq.] -- To beat into, to teach or instill, by repetition. -- To beat off, to repel or drive back. -- To beat out, to extend by hammering. -- To beat out of a thing, to cause to relinquish it, or give it up. "Nor can anything beat their posterity out of it to this day." South. -- To beat the dust. (Man.) (a) To take in too little ground with the fore legs, as a horse. (b) To perform curvets too precipitately or too low. -- To beat the hoof, to walk; to go on foot. -- To beat the wing, to flutter; to move with fluttering agitation. -- To beat time, to measure or regulate time in music by the motion of the hand or foot. -- To beat up, to attack suddenly; to alarm or disturb; as, to beat up an enemy's quarters. Syn. -- To strike; pound; bang; buffet; maul; drub; thump; baste; thwack; thrash; pommel; cudgel; belabor; conquer; defeat; vanquish; overcome. Beat Beat, v. i. 1. To strike repeatedly; to inflict repeated blaows; to knock vigorously or loudly. The men of the city . . . beat at the door. Judges. xix. 22. 2. To move with pulsation or throbbing. A thousand hearts beat happily. Byron. 3. To come or act with violence; to dash or fall with force; to strike anything, as, rain, wind, and waves do. Sees rolling tempests vainly beat below. Dryden. They [winds] beat at the crazy casement. Longfellow. The sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wisbed in himself to die. Jonah iv. 8. Public envy seemeth to beat chiefly upon ministers. Bacon. 4. To be in agitation or doubt. [Poetic] To still my beating mind. Shak . 5. (Naut.) To make progress against the wind, by sailing in a zigzag line or traverse. 6. To make a sound when struck; as, the drums beat. 7. (Mil.) To make a succession of strokes on a drum; as, the drummers beat to call soldiers to their quarters. 8. (Acoustics & Mus.) To sound with more or less rapid alternations of greater and less intensity, so as to produce a pulsating effect; -- said of instruments, tones, or vibrations, not perfectly in unison. A beating wind (Naut.), a wind which necessitates tacking in order to make progress. -- To beat about, to try to find; to search by various means or ways. Addison. -- To beat about the bush, to approach a subject circuitously. -- To beat up and down (Hunting), to run first one way and then another; -- said of a stag. -- To beat up for recruits, to go diligently about in order to get helpers or participators in an enterprise. Beat Beat (?), n. 1. A stroke; a blow. He, with a careless beat, Struck out the mute creation at a heat. Dryden. 2. A recurring stroke; a throb; a pulsation; as, a beat of the heart; the beat of the pulse. 3. (Mus.) (a) The rise or fall of the hand or foot, marking the divisions of time; a division of the measure so marked. In the rhythm of music the beat is the unit. (b) A transient grace note, struck immediately before the one it is intended to ornament. 4. (Acoustics & Mus.) A sudden swelling or re\'89nforcement of a sound, recurring at regular intervals, and produced by the interference of sound waves of slightly different periods of vibrations; applied also, by analogy, to other kinds of wave motions; the pulsation or throbbing produced by the vibrating together of two tones not quite in unison. See Beat, v. i., 8. 5. A round or course which is frequently gone over; as, a watchman's beat. 6. A place of habitual or frequent resort. 7. A cheat or swindler of the lowest grade; -- often emphasized by dead; as, a dead beat. [Low] Beat of drum (Mil.), a succession of strokes varied, in different ways, for particular purposes, as to regulate a march, to call soldiers to their arms or quarters, to direct an attack, or retreat, etc. -- Beat of a watch, OR clock, the stroke or sound made by the action of the escapement. A clock is in beat or out of beat, according as the strokes is at equal or unequal intervals. Beat Beat, a. Weary; tired; fatigued; exhausted. [Colloq.] Quite beat, and very much vexed and disappointed. Dickens. Beaten Beat"en (?), a. 1. Made smooth by beating or treading; worn by use. "A broad and beaten way." Milton. "Beaten gold." Shak. 2. Vanquished; conquered; baffled. 3. Exhausted; tired out. 4. Become common or trite; as, a beaten phrase. [Obs.] 5. Tried; practiced. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. Beater Beat"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, beats. 2. A person who beats up game for the hunters. Black. Beath Beath (?), v. t. [AS. be to foment.] To bathe; also, to dry or heat, as unseasoned wood. [Obs.] Spenser. Beatific, Beatifical Be`a*tif"ic (?), Be`a*tif"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. b\'82atifique, L. beatificus. See Beatify.] Having the power to impart or complete blissful enjoyment; blissful. "The beatific vision." South. -- Be`a*tif"ic*al*ly, adv. Beatificate Be`a*tif"i*cate (?), v. t. To beatify. [Obs.] Fuller. Beatification Be*at`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. b\'82atification.] The act of beatifying, or the state of being beatified; esp., in the R. C. Church, the act or process of ascertaining and declaring that a deceased person is one of "the blessed," or has attained the second degree of sanctity, -- usually a stage in the process of canonization. "The beatification of his spirit." Jer. Taylor. Beatify Be*at"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beatified (p. pr. & vb. n. Beatifying.] [L. beatificare; beatus happy (fr. beare to bless, akin to bonus good) + facere to make: cf. F. b\'82atifier. See Bounty.] 1. To pronounce or regard as happy, or supremely blessed, or as conferring happiness. The common conceits and phrases that beatify wealth. Barrow. 2. To make happy; to bless with the completion of celestial enjoyment. "Beatified spirits." Dryden. 3. (R. C. Ch.) To ascertain and declare, by a public process and decree, that a deceased person is one of "the blessed" and is to be reverenced as such, though not canonized. Beating Beat"ing (?), n. 1. The act of striking or giving blows; punishment or chastisement by blows. 2. Pulsation; throbbing; as, the beating of the heart. 3. (Acoustics & Mus.) Pulsative sounds. See Beat, n. 4. (Naut.) The process of sailing against the wind by tacks in zigzag direction. Beatitude Be*at"i*tude (?), n. [L. beatitudo: cf. F. b\'82atitude. See Beatify.] 1. Felicity of the highest kind; consummate bliss. 2. Any one of the nine declarations (called the Beatitudes), made in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. v. 3-12), with regard to the blessedness of those who are distinguished by certain specified virtues. 3. (R. C. Ch.) Beatification. Milman. Syn. -- Blessedness; felicity; happiness. Beau Beau (?), n.; pl. F. Beaux (E. pron. b), E. Beaus (#). [F., a fop, fr. beau fine, beautiful, fr. L. bellus pretty, fine, for bonulus, dim. of bonus good. See Bounty, and cf. Belle, Beauty.] 1. A man who takes great care to dress in the latest fashion; a dandy. 2. A man who escorts, or pays attentions to, a lady; an escort; a lover. Beaucatcher Beau"catch`er (?), n. A small flat curl worn on the temple by women. [Humorous] Beaufet Beau"fet (?), n. [See Buffet.] A niche, cupboard, or sideboard for plate, china, glass, etc.; a buffet. A beaufet . . . filled with gold and silver vessels. Prescott. Beaufin Beau"fin (?), n. See Biffin. Wright. Beau ideal Beau" i*de"al (?). [F. beau beautiful + id\'82al ideal.] A conception or image of consummate beauty, moral or physical, formed in the mind, free from all the deformities, defects, and blemishes seen in actual existence; an ideal or faultless standard or model. Beauish Beau"ish (?), n. Like a beau; characteristic of a beau; foppish; fine. "A beauish young spark." Byrom. Beau monde Beau` monde" (?). [F. beau fine + monde world.] The fashionable world; people of fashion and gayety. Prior. Beaupere Beau"pere` (?), n. [F. beau p\'82re; beau fair + p\'82re father.] 1. A father. [Obs.] Wyclif. 2. A companion. [Obs.] Spenser. Beauseant Beau`se`ant" (?), n. [F. beauc\'82ant.] The black and white standard of the Knights Templars. Beauship Beau"ship (?), n. The state of being a beau; the personality of a beau. [Jocular] Dryden. Beauteous Beau"te*ous (?), a. Full of beauty; beautiful; very handsome. [Mostly poetic] -- Beau"te*ous*ly, adv. -- Beau"te*ous*ness, n. Beautied Beau"tied (?), p. a. Beautiful; embellished. [Poetic] Shak. Beautifier Beau"ti*fi`er (?), n. One who, or that which, beautifies or makes beautiful. Beautiful Beau"ti*ful (?), a. Having the qualities which constitute beauty; pleasing to the sight or the mind. A circle is more beautiful than a square; a square is more beautiful than a parallelogram. Lord Kames. Syn. -- Handsome; elegant; lovely; fair; charming; graceful; pretty; delightful. See Fine. -- Beau"ti*ful*ly, adv. -- Beau"ti*ful*ness, n. Beautify Beau"ti*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beautified (p. pr. & vb. n. Beautifying.] [Beauty + -fy.] To make or render beautiful; to add beauty to; to adorn; to deck; to grace; to embellish. The arts that beautify and polish life. Burke. Syn. -- To adorn; grace; ornament; deck; decorate. Beautify Beau"ti*fy, v. i. To become beautiful; to advance in beauty. Addison. Beautiless Beau"ti*less, a. Destitute of beauty. Hammond. Beauty Beau"ty (?), n.; pl. Beauties (#). [OE. beaute, beute, OF. beaut\'82, biaut\'82, Pr. beltat, F. beaut\'82, fr. an assumed LL. bellitas, from L. bellus pretty. See Beau.] 1. An assemblage or graces or properties pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the \'91sthetic faculty, or the moral sense. Beauty consists of a certain composition of color and figure, causing delight in the beholder. Locke. The production of beauty by a multiplicity of symmetrical parts uniting in a consistent whole. Wordsworth. The old definition of beauty, in the Roman school, was, "multitude in unity;" and there is no doubt that such is the principle of beauty. Coleridge. 2. A particular grace, feature, ornament, or excellence; anything beautiful; as, the beauties of nature. 3. A beautiful person, esp. a beautiful woman. All the admired beauties of Verona. Shak. 4. Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion. [Obs.] She stained her hair yellow, which was then the beauty. Jer. Taylor. Beauty spot, a patch or spot placed on the face with intent to heighten beauty by contrast. Beaux Beaux (?), n., pl. of Beau. Beauxite Beaux"ite (?), n. (Min.) See Bauxite. Beaver Bea"ver (?), n. [OE. bever, AS. beofer, befer; akin to D. bever, OHG. bibar, G. biber, Sw. b\'84fver, Dan. b\'91ver, Lith. bebru, Russ. bobr', Gael. beabhar, Corn. befer, L. fiber, and Skr. babhrus large ichneumon; also as an adj., brown, the animal being probably named from its color. Brown.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) An amphibious rodent, of the genus Castor. NOTE: &hand; It has palmated hind feet, and a broad, flat tail. It is remarkable for its ingenuity in constructing its valued for its fur, and for the material called castor, obtained from two small bags in the groin of the animal. The European species is Castor fiber, and the American is generally considered a variety of this, although sometimes called Castor Canadensis. 2. The fur of the beaver. 3. A hat, formerly made of the fur of the beaver, but now usually of silk. A brown beaver slouched over his eyes. Prescott. 4. Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woolen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats. Beaver rat (Zo\'94l.), an aquatic ratlike quadruped of Tasmania (Hydromys chrysogaster). -- Beaver skin, the furry skin of the beaver. -- Bank beaver. See under 1st Bank. Beaver Bea"ver, n. [OE. baviere, bauier, beavoir, bever; fr. F. bavi\'8are, fr. bave slaver, drivel, foam, OF., prattle, drivel, perh. orig. an imitative word. Bavi\'8are, according to Cotgrave, is the bib put before a (slavering) child.] That piece of armor which protected the lower part of the face, whether forming a part of the helmet or fixed to the breastplate. It was so constructed (with joints or otherwise) that the wearer could raise or lower it to eat and drink. Beavered Bea"vered (?), a. Covered with, or wearing, a beaver or hat. "His beavered brow." Pope. Beaverteen Bea"ver*teen (?), n. A kind of fustian made of coarse twilled cotton, shorn after dyeing. Simmonds. _________________________________________________________________ Page 130 Bebeerine, OR Bebirine Be*bee"rine, OR Be*bi"rine (?), n. (Chem.) An alkaloid got from the bark of the bebeeru, or green heart of Guiana (Nectandra Rodi\'d2i). It is a tonic, antiperiodic, and febrifuge, and is used in medicine as a substitute for quinine. [Written also bibirine.] Bebleed Be*bleed" (?), v. t. To make bloody; to stain with blood. [Obs.] Chaucer. Beblood, Bebloody Be*blood" (?), Be*blood"y (?), v. t. To make bloody; to stain with blood. [Obs.] Sheldon. Beblot Be*blot" (?), v. t. To blot; to stain. Chaucer. Beblubber Be*blub"ber (?), v. t. To make swollen and disfigured or sullied by weeping; as, her eyes or cheeks were beblubbered. Becalm Be*calm" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Becalmed (p. pr. & vb. n. Becalming.] 1. To render calm or quiet; to calm; to still; to appease. Soft whispering airs . . . becalm the mind. Philips. 2. To keep from motion, or stop the progress of, by the stilling of the wind; as, the fleet was becalmed. Became Be*came" (?), imp. of Become. Becard Bec"ard (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A South American bird of the flycatcher family. (Tityra inquisetor). Because Be*cause" (?), conj. [OE. bycause; by + cause.] 1. By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that. Milton. 2. In order that; that. [Obs.] And the multitude rebuked them because they should hold their peace. Matt. xx. 31. Because of, by reason of, on account of. [Prep. phrase.] Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Eph. v. 6. Syn, -- Because, For, Since, As, Inasmuch As. These particles are used, in certain connections, to assign the reason of a thing, or that "on account of" which it is or takes place. Because (by cause) is the strongest and most emphatic; as, I hid myself because I was afraid. For is not quite so strong; as, in Shakespeare, "I hate him, for he is a Christian." Since is less formal and more incidental than because; as, I will do it since you request me. It more commonly begins a sentence; as, Since your decision is made, I will say no more. As is still more incidental than since, and points to some existing fact by way of assigning a reason. Thus we say, as I knew him to be out of town, I did not call. Inasmuch as seems to carry with it a kind of qualification which does not belong to the rest. Thus, if we say, I am ready to accept your proposal, inasmuch as I believe it is the best you can offer, we mean, it is only with this understanding that we can accept it. Beccabunga Bec`ca*bun"ga (?), n. [NL. (cf. It. beccabunga, G. bachbunge), fr. G. bach brook + bunge, OHG. bungo, bulb. See Beck a brook.] See Brooklime. Beccafico Bec`ca*fi"co (?), n.; pl. Beccaficos (. [It., fr. beccare to peck + fico fig.] (Zo\'94l.) A small bird. (Silvia hortensis), which is highly prized by the Italians for the delicacy of its flesh in the autumn, when it has fed on figs, grapes, etc. Bachamel Bach"a*mel (?), n. [F. b\'82chamel, named from its inventor, Louis de B\'82chamel.] (Cookery) A rich, white sauce, prepared with butter and cream. Bechance Be*chance" (?), adv. [Pref. be- for by + chance.] By chance; by accident. [Obs.] Grafton. Bechance Be*chance", v. t. & i. To befall; to chance; to happen to. God knows what hath bechanced them. Shak. Becharm Be*charm" (?), v. t. To charm; to captivate. B\'88che de mer B\'88che` de mer" (?). [F., lit., a sea spade.] (Zo\'94l.) The trepang. Bechic Be"chic (?), a. [L. bechicus, adj., for a cough, Gr. , fr. cough: cf. F. b\'82chique.] (Med.) Pertaining to, or relieving, a cough. Thomas. -- n. A medicine for relieving coughs. Quincy. Beck Beck (?), n. See Beak. [Obs.] Spenser. Beck Beck, n. [OE. bek, AS. becc; akin to Icel. bekkr brook, OHG. pah, G. bach.] A small brook. The brooks, the becks, the rills. Drayton. Beck Beck, n. A vat. See Back. Beck Beck, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Becked (; p. pr. & vb. n. Becking.] [Contr. of beckon.] To nod, or make a sign with the head or hand. [Archaic] Drayton. Beck Beck, v. t. To notify or call by a nod, or a motion of the head or hand; to intimate a command to. [Archaic] When gold and silver becks me to come on. Shak. Beck Beck, n. A significant nod, or motion of the head or hand, esp. as a call or command. They have troops of soldiers at their beck. Shak. Becker Beck"er (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A European fish (Pagellus centrodontus); the sea bream or braise. Becket Beck"et (?), n. [Cf. D. bek beak, and E. beak.] 1. (Naut.) A small grommet, or a ring or loop of rope 2. A spade for digging turf. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. Beckon Beck"on, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beckoned (p. pr. & vb. n. Beckoning.] To make a significant sign to; hence, to summon, as by a motion of the hand. His distant friends, he beckons near. Dryden. It beckons you to go away with it. Shak. Beckon Beck"on, n. A sign made without words; a beck. "At the first beckon." Bolingbroke. Beclap Be*clap (?), v. t. [OE. biclappen.] To catch; to grasp; to insnare. [Obs.] Chaucer. Beclip Be*clip" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beclipped ( [AS. beclyppan; pref. be + clyppan to embrace.] To embrace; to surround. [Obs.] Wyclif. Becloud Be*cloud" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beclouded; p. pr. & vb. n. Beclouding.] To cause obscurity or dimness to; to dim; to cloud. If thou becloud the sunshine of thine eye. Quarles. Become Be*come" (?), v. i. [imp. Became (?); p. p. Become; p. pr. & vb. n. Becoming.] [OE. bicumen, becumen, AS. becuman to come to, to happen; akin to D. bekomen, OHG.a piqu\'89man, Goth. biquiman to come upon, G. bekommen to get, suit. See Be-, and Come.] 1. To pass from one state to another; to enter into some state or condition, by a change from another state, or by assuming or receiving new properties or qualities, additional matter, or a new character. The Lord God . . . breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Gen. ii. 7. That error now which is become my crime. Milton. 2. To come; to get. [Obs.] But, madam, where is Warwick then become! Shak. To become of, to be the present state or place of; to be the fate of; to be the end of; to be the final or subsequent condition of. What is then become of so huge a multitude? Sir W. Raleigh. Become Be*come", v. t. To suit or be suitable to; to be congruous with; to befit; to accord with, in character or circumstances; to be worthy of, or proper for; to cause to appear well; -- said of persons and things. It becomes me so to speak of so excellent a poet. Dryden. I have known persons so anxious to have their dress become them, as to convert it, at length, into their proper self, and thus actually to become the dress. Coleridge. Becomed Be*com"ed (?), a. Proper; decorous. [Obs.] And gave him what becomed love I might. Shak. Becoming Be*com"ing, a. Appropriate or fit; congruous; suitable; graceful; befitting. A low and becoming tone. Thackeray. NOTE: Formerly sometimes followed by of. Such discourses as are becoming of them. Dryden. Syn. -- Seemly; comely; decorous; decent; proper. Becoming Be*com"ing, n. That which is becoming or appropriate. [Obs.] Becomingly Be*com"ing*ly, adv. In a becoming manner. Becomingness Be*com"ing*ness, n. The quality of being becoming, appropriate, or fit; congruity; fitness. The becomingness of human nature. Grew. Becripple Be*crip"ple (?), v. t. To make a cripple of; to cripple; to lame. [R.] Dr. H. More. Becuna Be*cu"na (?), n. [Sp.] (Zo\'94l.) A fish of the Mediterranean (Sphyr\'91na spet). See Barracuda. Becurl Be*curl" (?), v. t. To curl; to adorn with curls. Bed Bed (?), n. [AS. bed, bedd; akin to OS. bed, D. bed, bedde, Icel. be, Dan. bed, Sw. b\'84dd, Goth. badi, OHG. betti, G. bett, bette, bed, beet a plat of ground; all of uncertain origin.] 1. An article of furniture to sleep or take rest in or on; a couch. Specifically: A sack or mattress, filled with some soft material, in distinction from the bedstead on which it is placed (as, a feather bed), or this with the bedclothes added. In a general sense, any thing or place used for sleeping or reclining on or in, as a quantity of hay, straw, leaves, or twigs. And made for him [a horse] a leafy bed. Byron. I wash, wring, brew, bake, . . . make the beds. Shak. In bed he slept not for my urging it. Shak. 2. (Used as the symbol of matrimony) Marriage. George, the eldest son of his second bed. Clarendon. 3. A plat or level piece of ground in a garden, usually a little raised above the adjoining ground. "Beds of hyacinth and roses." Milton. 4. A mass or heap of anything arranged like a bed; as, a bed of ashes or coals. 5. The bottom of a watercourse, or of any body of water; as, the bed of a river. So sinks the daystar in the ocean bed. Milton. 6. (Geol.) A layer or seam, or a horizontal stratum between layers; as, a bed of coal, iron, etc. 7. (Gun.) See Gun carriage, and Mortar bed. 8. (Masonry) (a) The horizontal surface of a building stone; as, the upper and lower beds. (b) A course of stone or brick in a wall. (c) The place or material in which a block or brick is laid. (d) The lower surface of a brick, slate, or tile. Knight. 9. (Mech.) The foundation or the more solid and fixed part or framing of a machine; or a part on which something is laid or supported; as, the bed of an engine. 10. The superficial earthwork, or ballast, of a railroad. 11. (Printing) The flat part of the press, on which the form is laid. NOTE: &hand; Be d is mu ch used adjectively or in combination; as, bed key or bedkey; bed wrench or bedwrench; bedchamber; bedmaker, etc. Bed of justice (French Hist.), the throne (F. lit bed) occupied by the king when sitting in one of his parliaments (judicial courts); hence, a session of a refractory parliament, at which the king was present for the purpose of causing his decrees to be registered. -- To be brought to bed, to be delivered of a child; -- often followed by of; as, to be brought to bed of a son. -- To make a bed, to prepare a bed; to arrange or put in order a bed and its bedding. -- From bed and board (Law), a phrase applied to a separation by partial divorce of man and wife, without dissolving the bonds of matrimony. If such a divorce (now commonly called a judicial separation) be granted at the instance of the wife, she may have alimony. Bed Bed, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedded; p. pr. & vb. n. Bedding.] 1. To place in a bed. [Obs.] Bacon. 2. To make partaker of one's bed; to cohabit with. I'll to the Tuscan wars, and never bed her. Shak. 3. To furnish with a bed or bedding. 4. To plant or arrange in beds; to set, or cover, as in a bed of soft earth; as, to bed the roots of a plant in mold. 5. To lay or put in any hollow place, or place of rest and security, surrounded or inclosed; to embed; to furnish with or place upon a bed or foundation; as, to bed a stone; it was bedded on a rock. Among all chains or clusters of mountains where large bodies of still water are bedded. Wordsworth. 6. (Masonry) To dress or prepare the surface of stone) so as to serve as a bed. 7. To lay flat; to lay in order; to place in a horizontal or recumbent position. "Bedded hair." Shak. Bed Bed (?), v. i. To go to bed; to cohabit. If he be married, and bed with his wife. Wiseman. Bedabble Be*dab*ble (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedabbled (; p. pr. & vb. n. Bedabbling (.] To dabble; to sprinkle or wet. Shak. Bedaff Be*daff" (?), v. t. To make a daff or fool of. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bedagat Bed"a*gat (?), n. The sacred books of the Buddhists in Burmah. Malcom. Bedaggle Be*dag"gle (?), v. t. To daggle. Bedash Be*dash" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedashed (p. pr. & vb. n. Bedashing.] To wet by dashing or throwing water or other liquid upon; to bespatter. "Trees bedashed with rain." Shak. Bedaub Be*daub" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedaubed (p. pr. & vb. n. Bedaubing.] To daub over; to besmear or soil with anything thick and dirty. Bedaub foul designs with a fair varnish. Barrow. Bedazzle Be*daz"zle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedazzled (p. pr. & vb. n. Bedazzling ( To dazzle or make dim by a strong light. "Bedazzled with the sun." Shak. Bedbug Bed"bug` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A wingless, bloodsucking, hemipterous insect (Cimex Lectularius), sometimes infesting houses and especially beds. See Illustration in Appendix. Bedchair Bed"chair` (?), n. A chair with adjustable back, for the sick, to support them while sitting up in bed. Bedchamber Bed"cham`ber (?), n. A chamber for a bed; an apartment form sleeping in. Shak. Lords of the bedchamber, eight officers of the royal household, all of noble families, who wait in turn a week each. [Eng.] -- Ladies of the bedchamber, eight ladies, all titled, holding a similar official position in the royal household, during the reign of a queen. [Eng.] Bedclothes Bed"clothes` (?), n. pl. Blankets, sheets, coverlets, etc., for a bed. Shak. Bedcord Bed"cord` (?), n. A cord or rope interwoven in a bedstead so as to support the bed. Bedded Bed"ded (?), a. Provided with a bed; as, double-bedded room; placed or arranged in a bed or beds. Bedding Bed"ding (?), n. [AS. bedding, beding. See Bed.] 1. A bed and its furniture; the materials of a bed, whether for man or beast; bedclothes; litter. 2. (Geol.) The state or position of beds and layers. Bede Bede (?), v. t. [See Bid, v. t.] To pray; also, to offer; to proffer. [Obs.] R. of Gloucester. Chaucer. Bede Bede, n. (Mining) A kind of pickax. Bedeck Be*deck" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedecked (p. pr. & vb. n. Bedecking.] To deck, ornament, or adorn; to grace. Bedecked with boughs, flowers, and garlands. Pennant. Bedeguar, Bedegar Bed"e*guar, Bed"e*gar (?), n. [F., fr. Per. b\'bed-\'beward, or b\'bed-\'bewardag, prop., a kind of white thorn or thistle.] A gall produced on rosebushes, esp. on the sweetbrier or eglantine, by a puncture from the ovipositor of a gallfly (Rhodites ros\'91). It was once supposed to have medicinal properties. Bedehouse Bede"house` (?),n.Same as Beadhouse. Bedel, Bedell Be"del, Be"dell (?),n.Same as Beadle. Bedelry Be"del*ry (?), n. Beadleship. [Obs.] Blount. Beden Bed"en (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The Abyssinian or Arabian ibex (Capra Nubiana). It is probably the wild goat of the Bible. Bedesman Bedes"man (?), n. Same as Beadsman. [Obs.] Bedevil Be*dev"il (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedevilled (p. pr. & vb. n. Bedeviling or Bedevilling.] 1. To throw into utter disorder and confusion, as if by the agency of evil spirits; to bring under diabolical influence; to torment. Bedeviled and used worse than St. Bartholomew. Sterne. 2. To spoil; to corrupt. Wright. Bedevilment Be*dev"il*ment (?), n. The state of being bedeviled; bewildering confusion; vexatious trouble. [Colloq.] Bedew Be*dew" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedewed (p. pr. & vb. n. Bedewing.] To moisten with dew, or as with dew. "Falling tears his face bedew." Dryden. Bedewer Be*dew"er (?), n. One who, or that which, bedews. Bedewy Be*dew"y (?), a. Moist with dew; dewy. [Obs.] Night with her bedewy wings. A. Brewer. Bedfellow Bed"fel`low (?), n. One who lies with another in the same bed; a person who shares one's couch. Bedfere Bedphere Bed"fere` Bed"phere` (?), n. [Bed + AS. fera a companion.] A bedfellow. [Obs.] Chapman. Bedgown Bed"gown` (?), n. A nightgown. Bedight Be*dight" (?), v. t. [p. p. Bedight, Bedighted.] To bedeck; to array or equip; to adorn. [Archaic] Milton. Bedim Be*dim" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedimmed (p. pr. & vb. n. Bedimming.] To make dim; to obscure or darken. Shak. Bedizen Be*diz"en (?), v. t. To dress or adorn tawdrily or with false taste. Remnants of tapestried hangings, . . . and shreds of pictures with which he had bedizened his tatters. Sir W. Scott. Bedizenment Be*diz"en*ment (?), n. That which bedizens; the act of dressing, or the state of being dressed, tawdrily. Bedkey Bed"key` (?), n. An instrument for tightening the parts of a bedstead. Bedlam Bed"lam (?), n. [See Bethlehem.] 1. A place appropriated to the confinement and care of the insane; a madhouse. Abp. Tillotson. 2. An insane person; a lunatic; a madman. [Obs.] Let's get the bedlam to lead him. Shak. 3. Any place where uproar and confusion prevail. Bedlam Bed"lam, a. Belonging to, or fit for, a madhouse. "The bedlam, brainsick duchess." Shak. Bedlamite Bed"lam*ite (?), n. An inhabitant of a madhouse; a madman. "Raving bedlamites." Beattie. Bedmaker Bed"mak`er (?), n. One who makes beds. _________________________________________________________________ Page 131 Bed-molding Bed"-mold`ing Bed"-mould`ing (?), n. (Arch.) The molding of a cornice immediately below the corona. Oxf. Gloss. Bedote Be*dote" (?), v. t. To cause to dote; to deceive. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bedouin Bed"ou*in (?), n. [F. b\'82douin, OF. b\'82duin, fr. Ar. bedaw\'c6 rural, living in the desert, fr. badw desert, fr. bad\'be to live in the desert, to lead a nomadic life.] One of the nomadic Arabs who live in tents, and are scattered over Arabia, Syria, and northern Africa, esp. in the deserts. -- Bed"ou*in*ism (, n. Bedouin Bed"ou*in, a. Pertaining to the Bedouins; nomad. Bedpan Bed"pan` (?), n. 1. A pan for warming beds. Nares. 2. A shallow chamber vessel, so constructed that it can be used by a sick person in bed. Bedphere Bed"phere` (?), n. See Bedfere. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Bedpiece, Bedplate Bed"piece` (?), Bed"plate` (?), n. (Mach.) The foundation framing or piece, by which the other parts are supported and held in place; the bed; -- called also baseplate and soleplate. Bedpost Bed"post` (?), n. 1. One of the four standards that support a bedstead or the canopy over a bedstead. 2. Anciently, a post or pin on each side of the bed to keep the clothes from falling off. See Bedstaff. Brewer. Bedquilt Bed"quilt` (?), n. A quilt for a bed; a coverlet. Bedrabble Be*drab"ble (?), v. t. To befoul with rain and mud; to drabble. Bedraggle Be*drag"gle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedraggled (; p. pr. & vb. n. Bedraggling (.] To draggle; to soil, as garments which, in walking, are suffered to drag in dust, mud, etc. Swift. Bedrench Be*drench" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedrenched (p. pr. & vb. n. Bedrenching.] To drench; to saturate with moisture; to soak. Shak. Bedribble Be*drib"ble (?), v. t. To dribble upon. Bedrid, Bedridden Bed"rid` (?), Bed"rid`den (?), a. [OE. bedrede, AS. bedreda, bedrida; from bed, bedd, a bed or couch + ridda a rider; cf. OHG. pettiriso, G. bettrise. See Bed, n., and Ride, v. i. ] Confined to the bed by sickness or infirmity. "Her decrepit, sick, and bedrid father." Shak. "The estate of a bedridden old gentleman." Macaulay. Bedright Bedrite Bed"right` Bed"rite` (?), n. [Bed + right, rite.] The duty or privilege of the marriage bed. Shak. Bedrizzle Be*driz"zle (?), v. t. To drizzle upon. Bed rock Bed" rock" (?). (Mining) The solid rock underlying superficial formations. Also Fig. Bedroom Bed"room (?), n. 1. A room or apartment intended or used for a bed; a lodging room. 2. Room in a bed. NOTE: [In this sense preferably bed room.] Then by your side no bed room me deny. Shak. Bedrop Be*drop" (?), v. t. To sprinkle, as with drops. The yellow carp, in scales bedropped with gold. Pope. Bedrug Be*drug" (?), v. t. To drug abundantly or excessively. Bed screw Bed" screw` (?). 1. (Naut.) A form of jack screw for lifting large bodies, and assisting in launching. 2. A long screw formerly used to fasten a bedpost to one of the adjacent side pieces. Bedside Bed"side` (?), n. The side of a bed. Bedsite Bed"site` (?), n. A recess in a room for a bed. Of the three bedrooms, two have fireplaces, and all are of fair size, with windows and bedsite well placed. Quart. Rev. Bedsore Bed"sore` (?), n. (Med.) A sore on the back or hips caused by lying for a long time in bed. Bedspread Bed"spread` (?), n. A bedquilt; a counterpane; a coverlet. [U. S.] Bedstaff Bed"staff` (?), n.; pl. Bedstaves (. "A wooden pin stuck anciently on the sides of the bedstead, to hold the clothes from slipping on either side." Johnson. Hostess, accommodate us with a bedstaff. B. Jonson. Say there is no virtue in cudgels and bedstaves. Brome. Bedstead Bed"stead (?), n. [Bed + stead a frame.] A framework for supporting a bed. Bed steps Bed" steps` (?). Steps for mounting a bed of unusual height. Bedstock Bed"stock (?), n. The front or the back part of the frame of a bedstead. [Obs. or Dial. Eng.] Bedstraw Bed"straw` (?), n. 1. Straw put into a bed. Bacon. 2. (Bot.) A genus of slender herbs, usually with square stems, whorled leaves, and small white flowers. Our Lady's bedstraw, which has yellow flowers, is Galium verum. -- White bedstraw is G. mollugo. Bedswerver Bed"swerv`er (?), n. One who swerves from and is unfaithful to the marriage vow. [Poetic] Shak. Bedtick Bed"tick` (?), n. A tick or bag made of cloth, used for inclosing the materials of a bed. Bedtime Bed"time` (?), n. The time to go to bed. Shak. Beduck Be*duck" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beducked (.] To duck; to put the head under water; to immerse. "Deep himself beducked." Spenser. Beduin Bed"uin (?), n. See Bedouin. Bedung Be*dung" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedunged (#).] To cover with dung, as for manuring; to bedaub or defile, literally or figuratively. Bp. Hall. Bedust Be*dust" (?), v. t. To sprinkle, soil, or cover with dust. Sherwood. Bedward Bed"ward (?), adv. Towards bed. Bedwarf Be*dwarf" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedwarfed (#).] To make a dwarf of; to stunt or hinder the growth of; to dwarf. Donne. Bedye Be*dye" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bedyed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedyeing.] To dye or stain. Briton fields with Sarazin blood bedyed. Spenser. Bee Bee (?), p. p. of Be; -- used for been. [Obs.] Spenser. Bee Bee (?), n. [AS. be\'a2; akin to D. bij and bije, Icel. b, Sw. & Dan. bi, OHG. pini, G. biene, and perh. Ir. beach, Lith. bitis, Skr. bha. &root;97.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) An insect of the order Hymenoptera, and family Apid\'91 (the honeybees), or family Andrenid\'91 (the solitary bees.) See Honeybee. NOTE: &hand; There are many genera and species. The common honeybee (Apis mellifica) lives in swarms, each of which has its own queen, its males or drones, and its very numerous workers, which are barren females. Besides the A. mellifica there are other species and varieties of honeybees, as the A. ligustica of Spain and Italy; the A. Indica of India; the A. fasciata of Egypt. The bumblebee is a species of Bombus. The tropical honeybees belong mostly to Melipoma and Trigona. 2. A neighborly gathering of people who engage in united labor for the benefit of an individual or family; as, a quilting bee; a husking bee; a raising bee. [U. S.] The cellar . . . was dug by a bee in a single day. S. G. Goodrich. 3. pl. [Prob. fr. AS. be\'a0h ring, fr. b to bend. See 1st Bow.] (Naut.) Pieces of hard wood bolted to the sides of the bowsprit, to reeve the fore-topmast stays through; -- called also bee blocks. Bee beetle (Zo\'94l.), a beetle (Trichodes apiarius) parasitic in beehives. -- Bee bird (Zo\'94l.), a bird that eats the honeybee, as the European flycatcher, and the American kingbird. -- Bee flower (Bot.), an orchidaceous plant of the genus Ophrys (O. apifera), whose flowers have some resemblance to bees, flies, and other insects. -- Bee fly (Zo\'94l.), a two winged fly of the family Bombyliid\'91. Some species, in the larval state, are parasitic upon bees. -- Bee garden, a garden or inclosure to set beehives in ; an apiary. Mortimer. -- Bee glue, a soft, unctuous matter, with which bees cement the combs to the hives, and close up the cells; -- called also propolis. -- Bee hawk (Zo\'94l.), the honey buzzard. -- Bee killer (Zo\'94l.), a large two-winged fly of the family Asilid\'91 (esp. Trupanea apivora) which feeds upon the honeybee. See Robber fly. -- Bee louse (Zo\'94l.), a minute, wingless, dipterous insect (Braula c\'91ca) parasitic on hive bees. -- Bee martin (Zo\'94l.), the kingbird (Tyrannus Carolinensis) which occasionally feeds on bees. -- Bee moth (Zo\'94l.), a moth (Galleria cereana) whose larv\'91 feed on honeycomb, occasioning great damage in beehives. -- Bee wolf (Zo\'94l.), the larva of the bee beetle. See Illust. of Bee beetle. -- To have a bee in the head OR in the bonnet. (a) To be choleric. [Obs.] (b) To be restless or uneasy. B. Jonson. (c) To be full of fancies; to be a little crazy. "She's whiles crack-brained, and has a bee in her head." Sir W. Scott. Beebread Bee"bread` (?), n. A brown, bitter substance found in some of the cells of honeycomb. It is made chiefly from the pollen of flowers, which is collected by bees as food for their young. Beech Beech (?), n.; pl. Beeches (#). [OE. beche, AS. b; akin to D. beuk, OHG. buocha, G. buche, Icel. beyki, Dan. b\'94g, Sw. bok, Russ. buk, L. fagus, Gr. oak, to eat, Skr. bhaksh; the tree being named originally from the esculent fruit. See Book, and cf. 7th Buck, Buckwheat.] (Bot.) A tree of the genus Fagus. NOTE: &hand; It gr ows to a large size, having a smooth bark and thick foliage, and bears an edible triangular nut, of which swine are fond. The Fagus sylvatica is the European species, and the F. ferruginea that of America. Beech drops (Bot.), a parasitic plant which grows on the roots of beeches (Epiphegus Americana). -- Beech marten (Zo\'94l.), the stone marten of Europe (Mustela foina). -- Beech mast, the nuts of the beech, esp. as they lie under the trees, in autumn. -- Beech oil, oil expressed from the mast or nuts of the beech tree. -- Cooper beech, a variety of the European beech with copper-colored, shining leaves. Beechen Beech"en (?), a. [AS. b.] Consisting, or made, of the wood or bark of the beech; belonging to the beech. "Plain beechen vessels." Dryden. Beechnut Beech"nut` (?), n. The nut of the beech tree. Beech tree Beech" tree` (?). The beech. Beechy Beech"y (?), a. Of or relating to beeches. Bee-eater Bee"-eat`er (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A bird of the genus Merops, that feeds on bees. The European species (M. apiaster) is remarkable for its brilliant colors. (b) An African bird of the genus Rhinopomastes. Beef Beef (?), n. [OE. boef, befe, beef, OF. boef, buef, F. b, fr. L. bos, bovis, ox; akin to Gr. , Skr. g cow, and E. cow. See 2d Cow.] 1. An animal of the genus Bos, especially the common species, B. taurus, including the bull, cow, and ox, in their full grown state; esp., an ox or cow fattened for food. NOTE: [In this, which is the original sense, the word has a plural, beeves (.] A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine. Milton. 2. The flesh of an ox, or cow, or of any adult bovine animal, when slaughtered for food. NOTE: [In this sense, the word has no plural.] "Great meals of beef." Shak. 3. Applied colloquially to human flesh. Beef Beef (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or resembling, beef. Beef tea, essence of beef, or strong beef broth. Beefeater Beef"eat`er (?), n. [Beef + eater; prob. one who eats another's beef, as his servant. Cf. AS. hl\'bef servant, properly a loaf eater.] 1. One who eats beef; hence, a large, fleshy person. 2. One of the yeomen of the guard, in England. 3. (Zo\'94l.) An African bird of the genus Buphaga, which feeds on the larv\'91 of botflies hatched under the skin of oxen, antelopes, etc. Two species are known. Beefsteak Beef"steak` (?), n. A steak of beef; a slice of beef broiled or suitable for broiling. Beef-witted Beef"-wit`ted (?), n. Stupid; dull. Shak. Beefwood Beef"wood` (?), n. An Australian tree (Casuarina), and its red wood, used for cabinetwork; also, the trees Stenocarpus salignus of New South Wales, and Banksia compar of Queensland. Beefy Beef"y, a. Having much beef; of the nature of beef; resembling beef; fleshy. Beehive Bee"hive` (?), n. A hive for a swarm of bees. Also used figuratively. NOTE: &hand; A common and typical form of beehive was a domeshaped inverted basket, whence certain ancient Irish and Scotch architectural remains are called beehive houses. Beehouse Bee"house` (?), n. A house for bees; an apiary. Bee larkspur Bee" lark`spur (?). (Bot.) See Larkspur. Beeld Beeld (?), n. Same as Beild. Fairfax. Bee line Bee" line` (?). The shortest line from one place to another, like that of a bee to its hive when loaded with honey; an air line. "A bee line for the brig." Kane. Beelzebub Be*el"ze*bub (?), n. The title of a heathen deity to whom the Jews ascribed the sovereignty of the evil spirits; hence, the Devil or a devil. See Baal. Beem Beem (?), n. [AS. b, b.] A trumpet. [Obs.] Beemaster Bee"mas`ter (?), n. One who keeps bees. Been Been (?). [OE. beon, ben, bin, p. p. of been, beon, to be. See Be.] The past participle of Be. In old authors it is also the pr. tense plural of Be. See 1st Bee. Assembled been a senate grave and stout. Fairfax. Beer Beer (?), n. [OE. beor, ber, AS. be\'a2r; akin to Fries. biar, Icel. bj, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E. brew. \'fb93, See Brew.] 1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other substance to impart a bitter flavor. NOTE: &hand; Be er has different names, as small beer, ale, porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its strength, or other qualities. See Ale. 2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc. Small beer, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. "To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer." Shak. Beeregar Beer"e*gar (?), n. [Beer + eager.] Sour beer. [Obs.] Beerhouse Beer"house` (?), n. A house where malt liquors are sold; an alehouse. Beeriness Beer"i*ness (?), n. Beery condition. Beery Beer"y (?), a. Of or resembling beer; affected by beer; maudlin. Beestings Beest"ings (?), n. Same as Biestings. Beeswax Bees"wax` (?), n. The wax secreted by bees, and of which their cells are constructed. Beeswing Bees"wing` (?), n. The second crust formed in port and some other wines after long keeping. It consists of pure, shining scales of tartar, supposed to resemble the wing of a bee. Beet Beet (?), n. [AS. bete, from L. beta.] 1. (Bot.) A biennial plant of the genus Beta, which produces an edible root the first year and seed the second year. 2. The root of plants of the genus Beta, different species and varieties of which are used for the table, for feeding stock, or in making sugar. NOTE: &hand; Th ere ar e ma ny va rieties of the common beet (Beta vulgaris). The Old "white beet", cultivated for its edible leafstalks, is a distinct species (Beta Cicla). Beete, Bete Beete, Bete (?), v. t. [AS. b to mend. See Better.] 1. To mend; to repair. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. To renew or enkindle (a fire). [Obs.] Chaucer. Beetle Bee"tle (?), n. [OE. betel, AS. b\'c6tl, b, mallet, hammer, fr. be\'a0tan to beat. See Beat, v. t.] 1. A heavy mallet, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc. 2. A machine in which fabrics are subjected to a hammering process while passing over rollers, as in cotton mills; -- called also beetling machine. Knight. _________________________________________________________________ Page 132 Beetle Bee"tle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beetled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Beetling.] 1. To beat with a heavy mallet. 2. To finish by subjecting to a hammering process in a beetle or beetling machine; as, to beetle cotton goods. Beetle Bee"tle, n. [OE. bityl, bittle, AS. b, fr. b to bite. See Bite, v. t.] Any insect of the order Coleoptera, having four wings, the outer pair being stiff cases for covering the others when they are folded up. See Coleoptera. Beetle mite (Zo\'94l.), one of many species of mites, of the family Oribatid\'91, parasitic on beetles. -- Black beetle, the common large black cockroach (Blatta orientalis). Beetle Bee"tle, v. i. [See Beetlebrowed.] To extend over and beyond the base or support; to overhang; to jut. To the dreadful summit of the cliff That beetles o'er his base into the sea. Shak. Each beetling rampart, and each tower sublime. Wordsworth. Beetle brow Bee"tle brow` (?). An overhanging brow. Beetle-browed Bee"tle-browed` (?), a. [OE. bitelbrowed; cf. OE. bitel, adj., sharp, projecting, n., a beetle. See Beetle an insect.] Having prominent, overhanging brows; hence, lowering or sullen. NOTE: &hand; Th e earlier meaning was, "Having bushy or overhanging eyebrows." Beetlehead Bee"tle*head` (?), n. [Beetle a mallet + head.] 1. A stupid fellow; a blockhead. Sir W. Scott. 2. (Zo\'94l.) The black-bellied plover, or bullhead (Squatarola helvetica). See Plover. Beetle-headed Bee"tle-head`ed (?), a. Dull; stupid. Shak. Beetlestock Bee"tle*stock` (?), n. The handle of a beetle. Beet radish Beet" rad`ish (?). Same as Beetrave. Beetrave Beet"rave` (?), n. [F. betterave; bette beet + rave radish.] The common beet (Beta vulgaris). Beeve Beeve (?), n. [Formed from beeves, pl. of beef.] A beef; a beef creature. They would knock down the first beeve they met with. W. Irving. Beeves Beeves (?), n.; plural of Beef, the animal. Befall Be*fall" (?), v. t. [imp. Befell (?); p. p. Befallen (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Befalling.] [AS. befeallan; pref. be- + feallan to fall.] To happen to. I beseech your grace that I may know The worst that may befall me. Shak. Befall Be*fall", v. i. To come to pass; to happen. I have revealed . . . the discord which befell. Milton. Befit Be*fit" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Befitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Befitting.] To be suitable to; to suit; to become. That name best befits thee. Milton. Befitting Be*fit"ting, a. Suitable; proper; becoming; fitting. Befittingly Be*fit"ting*ly, adv. In a befitting manner; suitably. Beflatter Be*flat"ter (?), v. t. To flatter excessively. Beflower Be*flow"er (?), v. t. To besprinkle or scatter over with, or as with, flowers. Hobbes. Befog Be*fog" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Befogged (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Befogging (#).] 1. To involve in a fog; -- mostly as a participle or part. adj. 2. Hence: To confuse; to mystify. Befool Be*fool" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Befooled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Befooling.] [OE. befolen; pref. be- + fol fool.] 1. To fool; to delude or lead into error; to infatuate; to deceive. This story . . . contrived to befool credulous men. Fuller. 2. To cause to behave like a fool; to make foolish. "Some befooling drug." G. Eliot. Before Be*fore" (?), prep. [OE. beforen, biforen, before, AS. beforan; pref. be- + foran, fore, before. See Be-, and Fore.] 1. In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house. His angel, who shall go Before them in a cloud and pillar of fire. Milton. 2. Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that. Before Abraham was, I am. John viii. 58. Before this treatise can become of use, two points are necessary. Swift. NOTE: &hand; Fo rmerly before, in this sense, was followed by that. "Before that Philip called thee . . . I saw thee." John i. 48. 3. An advance of; farther onward, in place or time. The golden age . . . is before us. Carlyle. 4. Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than. He that cometh after me is preferred before me. John i. 15. The eldest son is before the younger in succession. Johnson. 5. In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing. Abraham bowed down himself before the people. Gen. xxiii. 12. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord? Micah vi. 6. 6. Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of. If a suit be begun before an archdeacon. Ayliffe. 7. Open for; free of access to; in the power of. The world was all before them where to choose. Milton. Before the mast (Naut.), as a common sailor, -- because the sailors live in the forecastle, forward of the foremast. -- Before the wind (Naut.), in the direction of the wind and by its impulse; having the wind aft. Before Be*fore", adv. 1. On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; -- opposed to in the rear. The battle was before and behind. 2 Chron. xiii. 14. 2. In advance. "I come before to tell you." Shak. 3. In time past; previously; already. You tell me, mother, what I knew before. Dryden. 4. Earlier; sooner than; until then. When the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before. Shak. NOTE: &hand; Before is often used in self-explaining compounds; as, before-cited, before-mentioned; beforesaid. Beforehand Be*fore"hand` (?), adv. [Before + hand.] 1. In a state of anticipation ore preoccupation; in advance; -- often followed by with. Agricola . . . resolves to be beforehand with the danger. Milton. The last cited author has been beforehand with me. Addison. 2. By way of preparation, or preliminary; previously; aforetime. They may be taught beforehand the skill of speaking. Hooker. Beforehand Be*fore"hand`, a. In comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded. Rich and much beforehand. Bacon. Beforetime Be*fore"time` (?), adv. Formerly; aforetime. [They] dwelt in their tents, as beforetime. 2 Kings xiii. 5. Befortune Be*for"tune (?), v. t. To befall. [Poetic] I wish all good befortune you. Shak. Befoul Be*foul" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Befouled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Befouling.] [Cf. AS. bef; pref. be- + f to foul. See Foul, a.] 1. To make foul; to soil. 2. To entangle or run against so as to impede motion. Befriend Be*friend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Befriended; p. pr. & vb. n. Befriending.] To act as a friend to; to favor; to aid, benefit, or countenance. By the darkness befriended. Longfellow. Befriendment Be*friend"ment (?), n. Act of befriending. [R.] Befrill Be*frill" (?), v. t. To furnish or deck with a frill. Befringe Be*fringe" (?), v. t. To furnish with a fringe; to form a fringe upon; to adorn as with fringe. Fuller. Befuddle Be*fud"dle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Befuddled (#)] To becloud and confuse, as with liquor. Beg Beg (?), n. [Turk. beg, pronounced bay. Cf. Bey, Begum.] A title of honor in Turkey and in some other parts of the East; a bey. Beg Beg (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Begged (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Begging.] [OE. beggen, perh. fr. AS. bedecian (akin to Goth. bedagwa beggar), biddan to ask. (Cf. Bid, v. t.); or cf. beghard, beguin.] 1. To ask earnestly for; to entreat or supplicate for; to beseech. I do beg your good will in this case. Shak. [Joseph] begged the body of Jesus. Matt. xxvii. 58. NOTE: Sometimes im plying de ferential an d respectful, rather than earnest, asking; as, I beg your pardon; I beg leave to disagree with you. 2. To ask for as a charity, esp. to ask for habitually or from house to house. Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Ps. xxxvii. 25. 3. To make petition to; to entreat; as, to beg a person to grant a favor. 4. To take for granted; to assume without proof. 5. (Old Law) To ask to be appointed guardian for, or to ask to have a guardian appointed for. Else some will beg thee, in the court of wards. Harrington. Hence: To beg (one) for a fool, to take him for a fool. I beg to, is an elliptical expression for I beg leave to; as, I beg to inform you. -- To bag the question, to assume that which was to be proved in a discussion, instead of adducing the proof or sustaining the point by argument. -- To go a-begging, a figurative phrase to express the absence of demand for something which elsewhere brings a price; as, grapes are so plentiful there that they go a-begging. Syn. -- To Beg, Ask, Request. To ask (not in the sense of inquiring) is the generic term which embraces all these words. To request is only a polite mode of asking. To beg, in its original sense, was to ask with earnestness, and implied submission, or at least deference. At present, however, in polite life, beg has dropped its original meaning, and has taken the place of both ask and request, on the ground of its expressing more of deference and respect. Thus, we beg a person's acceptance of a present; we beg him to favor us with his company; a tradesman begs to announce the arrival of new goods, etc. Crabb remarks that, according to present usage, "we can never talk of asking a person's acceptance of a thing, or of asking him to do us a favor." This can be more truly said of usage in England than in America. Beg Beg, v. i. To ask alms or charity, especially to ask habitually by the wayside or from house to house; to live by asking alms. I can not dig; to beg I am ashamed. Luke xvi. 3. Bega Be"ga (?), n. See Bigha. Begem Be*gem" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Begemmed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Begemming.] To adorn with gems, or as with gems. Begemmed with dewdrops. Sir W. Scott. Those lonely realms bright garden isles begem. Shelley. Beget Be*get" (?), v. t. [imp. Begot (?), (Archaic) Begat (; p. p. Begot, Begotten (; p. pr. & vb. n. Begetting.] [OE. bigiten, bigeten, to get, beget, AS. begitan to get; pref. be- + gitan. See Get, v. t. ] 1. To procreate, as a father or sire; to generate; -- commonly said of the father. Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget. Milton. 2. To get (with child.) [Obs.] Shak. 3. To produce as an effect; to cause to exist. Love is begot by fancy. Granville. Begetter Be*get"ter (?), n. One who begets; a father. Beggable Beg"ga*ble (?), a. Capable of being begged. Beggar Beg"gar (?), n. [OE. beggere, fr. beg.] 1. One who begs; one who asks or entreats earnestly, or with humility; a petitioner. 2. One who makes it his business to ask alms. 3. One who is dependent upon others for support; -- a contemptuous or sarcastic use. 4. One who assumes in argument what he does not prove. Abp. Tillotson. Beggar Beg"gar, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beggared (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Beggaring.] 1. To reduce to beggary; to impoverish; as, he had beggared himself. Milton. 2. To cause to seem very poor and inadequate. It beggared all description. Shak. Beggarhood Beg"gar*hood (?), n. The condition of being a beggar; also, the class of beggars. Beggarism Beg"gar*ism (?), n. Beggary. [R.] Beggarliness Beg"gar*li*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being beggarly; meanness. Beggarly Beg"gar*ly (?), a. 1. In the condition of, or like, a beggar; suitable for a beggar; extremely indigent; poverty-stricken; mean; poor; contemptible. "A bankrupt, beggarly fellow." South. "A beggarly fellowship." Swift. "Beggarly elements." Gal. iv. 9. 2. Produced or occasioned by beggary. [Obs.] Beggarly sins, that is, those sins which idleness and beggary usually betray men to; such as lying, flattery, stealing, and dissimulation. Jer. Taylor. Beggarly Beg"gar*ly, adv. In an indigent, mean, or despicable manner; in the manner of a beggar. Beggar's lice Beg"gar's lice` (?). (Bot.) The prickly fruit or seed of certain plants (as some species of Echinospermum and Cynoglossum) which cling to the clothing of those who brush by them. Beggar's ticks Beg"gar's ticks` (?). The bur marigold (Bidens) and its achenes, which are armed with barbed awns, and adhere to clothing and fleeces with unpleasant tenacity. Beggary Beg"gar*y (?), n. [OE. beggerie. See Beggar, n.] 1. The act of begging; the state of being a beggar; mendicancy; extreme poverty. 2. Beggarly appearance. [R.] The freedom and the beggary of the old studio. Thackeray. Syn. -- Indigence; want; penury; mendicancy. Beggary Beg"gar*y, a. Beggarly. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Beggestere Beg"ge*stere (?), n. [Beg + -ster.] A beggar. [Obs.] Chaucer. Beghard Beguard Be*ghard" Be*guard" (?), n. [F. b\'82gard, b\'82guard; cf. G. beghard, LL. Beghardus, Begihardus, Begardus. Prob. from the root of beguine + -ard or -hard. See Beguine.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of an association of religious laymen living in imitation of the Beguines. They arose in the thirteenth century, were afterward subjected to much persecution, and were suppressed by Innocent X. in 1650. Called also Beguins. Begild Be*gild" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Begilded or Begilt (#).] To gild. B. Jonson. Begin Be*gin" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Began (#), Begun (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Beginning (#).] [AS. beginnan (akin to OS. biginnan, D. & G. beginnen, OHG. biginnan, Goth., du-ginnan, Sw. begynna, Dan. begynde); pref. be- + an assumed ginnan. &root;31. See Gin to begin.] 1. To have or commence an independent or first existence; to take rise; to commence. Vast chain of being! which from God began. Pope. 2. To do the first act or the first part of an action; to enter upon or commence something new, as a new form or state of being, or course of action; to take the first step; to start. "Tears began to flow." Dryden. When I begin, I will also make an end. 1 Sam. iii. 12. Begin Be*gin", v. t. 1. To enter on; to commence. Ye nymphs of Solyma ! begin the song. Pope. 2. To trace or lay the foundation of; to make or place a beginning of. The apostle begins our knowledge in the creatures, which leads us to the knowledge of God. Locke. Syn. -- To commence; originate; set about; start. Begin Be*gin", n. Beginning. [Poetic & Obs.] Spenser. Beginner Be*gin"ner (?), n. One who begins or originates anything. Specifically: A young or inexperienced practitioner or student; a tyro. A sermon of a new beginner. Swift. Beginning Be*gin"ning (?), n. 1. The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Gen. i. 1. 2. That which begins or originates something; the first cause; origin; source. I am . . . the beginning and the ending. Rev. i. 8. 3. That which is begun; a rudiment or element. Mighty things from small beginnings grow. Dryden. 4. Enterprise. "To hinder our beginnings." Shak. Syn. -- Inception; prelude; opening; threshold; origin; outset; foundation. Begird Be*gird" (?), v. t. [imp. Begirt (?), Begirded; p. p. Begirt; p. pr. & vb. n. Begirding.] [AS. begyrdan (akin to Goth. bigairdan); pref. be- + gyrdan to gird.] 1. To bind with a band or girdle; to gird. 2. To surround as with a band; to encompass. Begirdle Be*gir"dle (?), v. t. To surround as with a girdle. Begirt Be*girt" (?), v. t. To encompass; to begird. Milton. Beglerbeg Beg"ler*beg` (?), n. [Turk. beglerbeg, fr. beg, pl. begler. See Beg, n.] The governor of a province of the Ottoman empire, next in dignity to the grand vizier. Begnaw Be*gnaw" (?), v. t. [p. p. Begnawed (?), (R.) Begnawn (.] [AS. begnagan; pref. be- + gnagan to gnaw.] To gnaw; to eat away; to corrode. The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul. Shak. Begod Be*god" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Begodded.] To exalt to the dignity of a god; to deify. [Obs.] "Begodded saints." South. Begone Be*gone" (?), interj. [Be, v. i. + gone, p. p.] Go away; depart; get you gone. Begone Be*gone", p. p. [OE. begon, AS. big\'ben; pref. be- + g\'ben to go.] Surrounded; furnished; beset; environed (as in woe-begone). [Obs.] Gower. Chaucer. Begonia Be*go"ni*a (?), n. [From Michel Begon, a promoter of botany.] (Bot.) A genus of plants, mostly of tropical America, many species of which are grown as ornamental plants. The leaves are curiously one-sided, and often exhibit brilliant colors. _________________________________________________________________ Page 133 Begore Be*gore" (?), v. t. To besmear with gore. Begot Be*got" (?), imp. & p. p. of Beget. Begotten Be*got"ten (?), p. p. of Beget. Begrave Be*grave" (?), v. t. [Pref. be- + grave; akin to G. begraben, Goth. bigraban to dig a ditch around.] To bury; also, to engrave. [Obs.] Gower. Begrease Be*grease" (?), v. t. To soil or daub with grease or other oily matter. Begrime Be*grime" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Begrimed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Begriming.] To soil with grime or dirt deeply impressed or rubbed in. Books falling to pieces and begrimed with dust. Macaulay. Begrimer Be*grim"er (?), n. One who, or that which, begrimes. Begrudge Be*grudge" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Begrudged (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Begrudging.] To grudge; to envy the possession of. Beguile Be*guile" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beguiled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Beguiling.] 1. To delude by guile, artifice, or craft; to deceive or impose on, as by a false statement; to lure. The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. Gen. iii. 13. 2. To elude, or evade by craft; to foil. [Obs.] When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage. Shak. 3. To cause the time of to pass without notice; to relieve the tedium or weariness of; to while away; to divert. Ballads . . . to beguile his incessant wayfaring. W. Irving. Syn. -- To delude; deceive; cheat; insnare; mislead; amuse; divert; entertain. Beguilement Be*guile"ment (?), n. The act of beguiling, or the state of being beguiled. Beguiler Be*guil"er (?), n. One who, or that which, beguiles. Beguiling Be*guil"ing, a. Alluring by guile; deluding; misleading; diverting. -- Be*guil"ing*ly, adv. Beguin Be`guin" (?), n. [F.] See Beghard. Beguinage Be`gui`nage" (?), n. [F.] A collection of small houses surrounded by a wall and occupied by a community of Beguines. Beguine Be`guine" (?), n. [F. b\'82guine; LL. beguina, beghina; fr. Lambert le B\'8ague (the Stammerer) the founder of the order. (Du Cange.)] A woman belonging to one of the religious and charitable associations or communities in the Netherlands, and elsewhere, whose members live in beguinages and are not bound by perpetual vows. Begum Be"gum (?), n. [Per., fr. Turk., perh. properly queen mother, fr. Turk. beg (see Beg, n.) + Ar. umm mother.] In the East Indies, a princess or lady of high rank. Malcom. Begun Be*gun" (?), p. p. of Begin. Behalf Be*half" (?), n. [OE. on-behalve in the name of, bihalven by the side of, fr. AS. healf half, also side, part: akin to G. halb half, halber on account of. See Be-, and Half, n.] Advantage; favor; stead; benefit; interest; profit; support; defense; vindication. In behalf of his mistress's beauty. Sir P. Sidney. Against whom he had contracted some prejudice in behalf of his nation. Clarendon. In behalf of, in the interest of. -- On behalf of, on account of; on the part of. Behappen Be*hap"pen (?), v. t. To happen to. [Obs.] Behave Be*have" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Behaved (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Behaving.] [AS. behabban to surround, restrain, detain (akin to G. gehaben (obs.) to have, sich gehaben to behave or carry one's self); pref. be- + habban to have. See Have, v. t. ] 1. To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline; to handle; to restrain. [Obs.] He did behave his anger ere 't was spent. Shak. 2. To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; -- used reflexively. Those that behaved themselves manfully. 2 Macc. ii. 21. Behave Be*have", v. i. To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to behave well or ill. NOTE: &hand; This verb is often used colloquially without an adverb of manner; as, if he does not behave, he will be punished. It is also often applied to inanimate objects; as, the ship behaved splendidly. Behavior Be*hav"ior (?), n. Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; mode of conducting one's self; conduct; deportment; carriage; -- used also of inanimate objects; as, the behavior of a ship in a storm; the behavior of the magnetic needle. A gentleman that is very singular in his behavior. Steele. To be upon one's good behavior, To be put upon one's good behavior, to be in a state of trial, in which something important depends on propriety of conduct. -- During good behavior, while (or so long as) one conducts one's self with integrity and fidelity or with propriety. Syn. -- Bearing; demeanor; manner. -- Behavior, Conduct. Behavior is the mode in which we have or bear ourselves in the presence of others or toward them; conduct is the mode of our carrying ourselves forward in the concerns of life. Behavior respects our manner of acting in particular cases; conduct refers to the general tenor of our actions. We may say of soldiers, that their conduct had been praiseworthy during the whole campaign, and their behavior admirable in every instance when they met the enemy. Behead Be*head" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beheaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Beheading.] [OE. bihefden, AS. behe\'a0fdian; pref. be- + he\'a0fod head. See Head.] To sever the head from; to take off the head of. Beheadal Be*head"al (?),n.Beheading. [Modern] Beheld Be*held" (?), imp. & p. p. of Behold. Behemoth Be"he*moth (?), n. [Heb. behem, fr. Egyptian P-ehe-maut hippopotamus.] An animal, probably the hippopotamus, described in Job xl. 15-24. Behen, Behn Be"hen (?), Behn (?), n. [Per. & Ar. bahman, behmen, an herb, whose leaves resemble ears of corn, saffron.] (Bot.) (a) The Centaurea behen, or saw-leaved centaury. (b) The Cucubalus behen, or bladder campion, now called Silene inflata. (c) The Statice limonium, or sea lavender. Behest Be*hest" (?), n. [OE. biheste promise, command, AS. beh promise; pref. be- + h command. See Hest, Hight.] 1. That which is willed or ordered; a command; a mandate; an injunction. To do his master's high behest. Sir W. Scott. 2. A vow; a promise. [Obs.] The time is come that I should send it her, if I keep the behest that I have made. Paston. Behest Be*hest", v. t. To vow. [Obs.] Paston. Behete Be*hete" (?), v. t. See Behight. [Obs.] Chaucer. Behight Be*hight" (?), v. t. [imp. Behight; p. p. Behight, Behoten.] [OE. bihaten, AS. beh\'betan to vow, promise; pref. be- + h\'betan to call, command. See Hight, v.] [Obs. in all its senses.] 1. To promise; to vow. Behight by vow unto the chaste Minerve. Surrey. 2. To give in trust; to commit; to intrust. The keys are to thy hand behight. Spenser. 3. To adjudge; to assign by authority. The second was to Triamond behight. Spenser. 4. To mean, or intend. More than heart behighteth. Mir. for Mag. 5. To consider or esteem to be; to declare to be. All the lookers-on him dead behight. Spenser. 6. To call; to name; to address. Whom . . . he knew and thus behight. Spenser. 7. To command; to order. He behight those gates to be unbarred. Spenser. Behight Be*hight", n. A vow; a promise. [Obs.] Surrey. Behind Be*hind" (?), prep. [AS. behindan; pref. be- + hindan. See Hind, a.] 1. On the side opposite the front or nearest part; on the back side of; at the back of; on the other side of; as, behind a door; behind a hill. A tall Brabanter, behind whom I stood. Bp. Hall. 2. Left after the departure of, whether this be by removing to a distance or by death. A small part of what he left behind him. Pope. 3. Left a distance by, in progress of improvement Hence: Inferior to in dignity, rank, knowledge, or excellence, or in any achievement. I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 2 Cor. xi. 5. Behind Be*hind", adv. 1. At the back part; in the rear. "I shall not lag behind." Milton. 2. Toward the back part or rear; backward; as, to look behind. 3. Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining. We can not be sure that there is no evidence behind. Locke. 4. Backward in time or order of succession; past. Forgetting those things which are behind. Phil. ii. 13. 5. After the departure of another; as, to stay behind. Leave not a rack behind. Shak. Behind Be*hind", n. The backside; the rump. [Low] Behindhand Be*hind"hand` (?), adv. & a. [Behind + hand.] 1. In arrears financially; in a state where expenditures have exceeded the receipt of funds. 2. In a state of backwardness, in respect to what is seasonable or appropriate, or as to what should have been accomplished; not equally forward with some other person or thing; dilatory; backward; late; tardy; as, behindhand in studies or in work. In this also [dress] the country are very much behindhand. Addison. Behither Be*hith"er (?), prep. On this side of. [Obs.] Two miles behither Clifden. Evelyn. Behold Be*hold" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beheld ( (p. p. formerly Beholden (, now used only as a p. a.); p. pr. & vb. n. Beholding.] [OE. bihalden, biholden, AS. behealdan to hold, have in sight; pref. be- + healdan to hold, keep; akin to G. behalten to hold, keep. See Hold.] To have in sight; to see clearly; to look at; to regard with the eyes. When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Num. xxi. 9. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John. i. 29. Syn. -- To scan; gaze; regard; descry; view; discern. Behold Be*hold", v. i. To direct the eyes to, or fix them upon, an object; to look; to see. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, . . . a lamb as it had been slain. Rev. v. 6. Beholden Be*hold"en (?), p. a. [Old p. p. of behold, used in the primitive sense of the simple verb hold.] Obliged; bound in gratitude; indebted. But being so beholden to the Prince. Tennyson. Beholder Be*hold"er (?), n. One who beholds; a spectator. Beholding Be*hold"ing, a. Obliged; beholden. [Obs.] I was much bound and beholding to the right reverend father. Robynson (More's Utopia). So much hath Oxford been beholding to her nephews, or sister's children. Fuller. Beholding Be*hold"ing, n. The act of seeing; sight; also, that which is beheld. Shak. Beholdingness Be*hold"ing*ness, n., The state of being obliged or beholden. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney. Behoof Be*hoof" (?), n. [OE. to bihove for the use of, AS. beh advantage, a word implied in beh necessary; akin to Sw. behof, Dan. behov, G. behuf, and E. heave, the root meaning to seize, hence the meanings "to hold, make use of." See Heave, v. t.] Advantage; profit; benefit; interest; use. No mean recompense it brings To your behoof. Milton. Behoovable Be*hoov"a*ble (?), a. Supplying need; profitable; advantageous. [Obs.] Udall. Behoove Be*hoove" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Behooved (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Behooving.] [OE. bihoven, behoven, AS. beh to have need of, fr. beh. See Behoof.] To be necessary for; to be fit for; to be meet for, with respect to necessity, duty, or convenience; -- mostly used impersonally. And thus it behooved Christ to suffer. Luke xxiv. 46. [Also written behove.] Behoove Be*hoove" (?), v. i. To be necessary, fit, or suitable; to befit; to belong as due. Chaucer. Behoove Be*hoove", n. Advantage; behoof. [Obs.] It shall not be to his behoove. Gower. Behooveful Be*hoove"ful (?), a. Advantageous; useful; profitable. [Archaic] -- Be*hoove"ful*ly, adv. -- Be*hoove"ful*ness, n. [Archaic] Behove Be*hove" (?), v., and derivatives. See Behoove, & c. Behovely Be*hove"ly, a. & adv. Useful, or usefully. [Obs.] Behowl Be*howl" (?), v. t. To howl at. [Obs.] The wolf behowls the moon. Shak. Beige Beige (?), n. [F.] Debeige. Beild Beild (?), n. [Prob. from the same root as build, v. t.] A place of shelter; protection; refuge. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] [Also written bield and beeld.] The random beild o' clod or stane. Burns. Being Be"ing (?), p. pr. from Be. Existing. NOTE: &hand; Be ing wa s fo rmerly us ed wh ere we now use having. "Being to go to a ball in a few days." Miss Edgeworth. NOTE: &hand; In mo dern us age, is, are, was or were being, with a past participle following (as built, made, etc.) indicates the process toward the completed result expressed by the participle. The form is or was building, in this passive signification, is idiomatic, and, if free from ambiguity, is commonly preferable to the modern is or was being built. The last form of speech is, however, sufficiently authorized by approved writers. The older expression was is, or was, a-building or in building. A man who is being strangled. Lamb. While the article on Burns was being written. Froude. Fresh experience is always being gained. Jowett (Thucyd. ) Being Be"ing, n. 1. Existence, as opposed to nonexistence; state or sphere of existence. In Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts xvii. 28. 2. That which exists in any form, whether it be material or spiritual, actual or ideal; living existence, as distinguished from a thing without life; as, a human being; spiritual beings. What a sweet being is an honest mind ! Beau. & Fl. A Being of infinite benevolence and power. Wordsworth. 3. Lifetime; mortal existence. [Obs.] Claudius, thou Wast follower of his fortunes in his being. Webster (1654). 4. An abode; a cottage. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. It was a relief to dismiss them [Sir Roger's servants] into little beings within my manor. Steele. Being Be"ing, adv. Since; inasmuch as. [Obs. or Colloq.] And being you have Declined his means, you have increased his malice. Beau. & Fl. Bejade Be*jade" (?), v. t. To jade or tire. [Obs.] Milton. Bejape Be*jape" (?), v. t. To jape; to laugh at; to deceive. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bejaundice Be*jaun"dice (?), v. t. To infect with jaundice. Bejewel Be*jew"el (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bejeweled or Bejewelled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bejeweling or Bejewelling.] To ornament with a jewel or with jewels; to spangle. "Bejeweled hands." Thackeray. Bejumble Be*jum"ble (?), v. t. To jumble together. Bekah Be"kah (?), n. [Heb.] Half a shekel. Beknave Be*knave" (?), v. t. To call knave. [Obs.] Pope. Beknow Be*know" (?), v. t. To confess; to acknowledge. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bel Bel (?), n. The Babylonian name of the god known among the Hebrews as Baal. See Baal. Baruch vi. 41. Belabor Be*la"bor (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belabored (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Belaboring.] 1. To ply diligently; to work carefully upon. "If the earth is belabored with culture, it yieldeth corn." Barrow. 2. To beat soundly; to cudgel. Ajax belabors there a harmless ox. Dryden. Bel-accoyle Bel`-ac*coyle" (?), n. [F. bel beautiful + accueil reception.] A kind or favorable reception or salutation. [Obs.] Belace Be*lace" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belaced (#).] 1. To fasten, as with a lace or cord. [Obs.] 2. To cover or adorn with lace. [Obs.] Beaumont. 3. To beat with a strap. See Lace. [Obs.] Wright. Belam Be*lam" (?), v. t. [See Lam.] To beat or bang. [Prov. & Low, Eng.] Todd. Belamour Bel"a*mour (?), n. [F. bel amour fair love.] 1. A lover. [Obs.] Spenser. 2. A flower, but of what kind is unknown. [Obs.] Her snowy brows, like budded belamours. Spenser. Belamy Bel"a*my (?), n. [F. bel ami fair friend.] Good friend; dear friend. [Obs.] Chaucer. Belate Be*late" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belated; p. pr. & vb. n. Belating.] To retard or make too late. Davenant. Belated Be*lat"ed, a. Delayed beyond the usual time; too late; overtaken by night; benighted. "Some belated peasant." Milton. -- Be*lat"ed*ness, n. Milton. Belaud Be*laud" (?), v. t. To laud or praise greatly. Belay Be*lay" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belaid, Belayed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Belaying.] [For senses 1 & 2, D. beleggen to cover, belay; akin to E. pref. be-, and lay to place: for sense 3, OE. beleggen, AS. belecgan. See pref. Be-, and Lay to place.] 1. To lay on or cover; to adorn. [Obs.] Jacket . . . belayed with silver lace. Spenser. 2. (Naut.) To make fast, as a rope, by taking several turns with it round a pin, cleat, or kevel. Totten. 3. To lie in wait for with a view to assault. Hence: to block up or obstruct. [Obs.] Dryden. Belay thee! Stop. _________________________________________________________________ Page 134 Belaying pin Be*lay"ing pin` (?). (Naut.) A strong pin in the side of a vessel, or by the mast, round which ropes are wound when they are fastened or belayed. Belch Belch (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belched (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Belching.] [OE. belken, AS. bealcan, akin to E. bellow. See Bellow, v. i.] 1. To eject or throw up from the stomach with violence; to eruct. I belched a hurricane of wind. Swift. 2. To eject violently from within; to cast forth; to emit; to give vent to; to vent. Within the gates that now Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame. Milton. Belch Belch, v. i. 1. To eject wind from the stomach through the mouth; to eructate. 2. To issue with spasmodic force or noise. Dryden. Belch Belch, n. 1. The act of belching; also, that which is belched; an eructation. 2. Malt liquor; -- vulgarly so called as causing eructation. [Obs.] Dennis. Belcher Belch"er (?), n. One who, or that which, belches. Beldam Beldame Bel"dam Bel"dame (?), n. [Pref. bel-, denoting relationship + dame mother: cf. F. belledame fair lady, It. belladonna. See Belle, and Dame.] 1. Grandmother; -- corresponding to belsire. To show the beldam daughters of her daughter. Shak. 2. An old woman in general; especially, an ugly old woman; a hag. Around the beldam all erect they hang. Akenside. Beleaguer Be*lea"guer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beleaguered (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Beleaguering.] [D. belegeren (akin to G. belagern, Sw. bel\'84gra, Dan. beleire); pref. be- = E. be- + leger bed, camp, army, akin to E. lair. See Lair.] To surround with an army so as to preclude escape; to besiege; to blockade. The wail of famine in beleaguered towns. Longfellow. Syn. -- To block up; environ; invest; encompass. Beleaguerer Be*lea"guer*er (?), n. One who beleaguers. Beleave Be*leave" (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Beleft (#).] To leave or to be left. [Obs.] May. Belecture Be*lec"ture (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belectured (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Belecturing.] To vex with lectures; to lecture frequently. Belee Be*lee" (?), v. t. To place under the lee, or unfavorably to the wind. Shak. Belemnite Be*lem"nite (?), n. [Gr. dart, fr. dart, fr. to throw: cf. F. b\'82lemnite.] (Paleon.) A conical calcareous fossil, tapering to a point at the lower extremity, with a conical cavity at the other end, where it is ordinarily broken; but when perfect it contains a small chambered cone, called the phragmocone, prolonged, on one side, into a delicate concave blade; the thunderstone. It is the internal shell of a cephalopod related to the sepia, and belonging to an extinct family. The belemnites are found in rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous ages. -- Bel*em*nit"ic, a. Beleper Be*lep"er (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belepered (#).] To infect with leprosy. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. Bel-esprit Bel"-es*prit" (?), n.; pl. Beaux-esprits (#). [F., fine wit.] A fine genius, or man of wit. "A man of letters and a bel esprit." W. Irving. Belfry Bel"fry (?), n. [OE. berfray movable tower used in sieges, OF. berfreit, berfroit, F. beffroi, fr. MHG. bervrit, bercvrit, G. bergfriede, fr. MHG. bergen to protect (G. bergen to conceal) + vride peace, protection, G. friede peace; in compounds often taken in the sense of security, or place of security; orig. therefore a place affording security. G. friede is akin to E. free. See Burg, and Free.] 1. (Mil. Antiq.) A movable tower erected by besiegers for purposes of attack and defense. 2. A bell tower, usually attached to a church or other building, but sometimes separate; a campanile. 3. A room in a tower in which a bell is or may be hung; or a cupola or turret for the same purpose. 4. (Naut.) The framing on which a bell is suspended. Belgard Bel*gard" (?), n. [It. bel guardo.] A sweet or loving look. [Obs.] Spenser. Belgian Bel"gi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Belgium. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Belgium. Belgic Bel"gic (?), a. [L. Belgicus, fr. Belgae the Belgians.] 1. Of or pertaining to the Belg\'91, a German tribe who anciently possessed the country between the Rhine, the Seine, and the ocean. How unlike their Belgic sires of old. Goldsmith. 2. Of or pertaining to the Netherlands or to Belgium. Belgravian Bel*gra"vi*an (?), a. Belonging to Belgravia (a fashionable quarter of London, around Pimlico), or to fashionable life; aristocratic. Belial Be"li*al (?), n. [Heb. beli ya'al; beli without + ya'al profit.] An evil spirit; a wicked and unprincipled person; the personification of evil. What concord hath Christ with Belia ? 2 Cor. vi. 15. A son (or man) of Belial, a worthless, wicked, or thoroughly depraved person. 1 Sam. ii. 12. Belibel Be*li"bel (?), v. t. [See Libel, v. t. ] To libel or traduce; to calumniate. Fuller. Belie Be*lie" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belied (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Belying (#).] [OE. bilien, bili, AS. bele\'a2gan; pref. be- + le\'a2gan to lie. See Lie, n.] 1. To show to be false; to convict of, or charge with, falsehood. Their trembling hearts belie their boastful tongues. Dryden. 2. To give a false representation or account of. Should I do so, I should belie my thoughts. Shak. 3. To tell lie about; to calumniate; to slander. Thou dost belie him, Percy, thou dost belie him. Shak. 4. To mimic; to counterfeit. [Obs.] Dryden. 5. To fill with lies. [Obs.] "The breath of slander doth belie all corners of the world." Shak. Belief Be*lief" (?), n. [OE. bileafe, bileve; cf. AS. gele\'a0fa. See Believe.] 1. Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses. Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance. Reid. 2. (Theol.) A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith. No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth. Hooker. 3. The thing believed; the object of belief. Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men. Bacon. 4. A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed. In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief was subject upon its first promulgation. Hooker. Ultimate belief, a first principle incapable of proof; an intuitive truth; an intuition. Sir W. Hamilton. Syn. -- Credence; trust; reliance; assurance; opinion. Beliefful Be*lief"ful (?), a. Having belief or faith. Believable Be*liev"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being believed; credible. -- Be*liev"a*ble*ness, n. -- Be*liev`a*bil"i*ty (, n. Believe Be*lieve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Believed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Believing.] [OE. bileven (with pref. be- for AS. ge-), fr. AS. gel, gel; akin to D. gelooven, OHG. gilouban, G. glauben, OS. gil, Goth. galaubjan, and Goth. liubs dear. See Lief, a., Leave, n.] To exercise belief in; to credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of, upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by circumstances other than personal knowledge; to regard or accept as true; to place confidence in; to think; to consider; as, to believe a person, a statement, or a doctrine. Our conqueror (whom I now Of force believe almighty). Milton. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ? Acts xxvi. Often followed by a dependent clause. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts viii. 37. Syn. -- See Expect. Believe Be*lieve", v. i. 1. To have a firm persuasion, esp. of the truths of religion; to have a persuasion approaching to certainty; to exercise belief or faith. Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark ix. 24. With the heart man believeth unto righteousness. Rom. x. 10. 2. To think; to suppose. I will not believe so meanly of you. Fielding. To believe in. (a) To believe that the subject of the thought (if a person or thing) exists, or (if an event) that it has occurred, or will occur; -- as, to believe in the resurrection of the dead. "She does not believe in Jupiter." J. H. Newman. (b) To believe that the character, abilities, and purposes of a person are worthy of entire confidence; -- especially that his promises are wholly trustworthy. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." John xiv. 1. (c) To believe that the qualities or effects of an action or state are beneficial: as, to believe in sea bathing, or in abstinence from alcoholic beverages. -- To believe on, to accept implicitly as an object of religious trust or obedience; to have faith in. Believer Be*liev"er (?), n. 1. One who believes; one who is persuaded of the truth or reality of some doctrine, person, or thing. 2. (Theol.) One who gives credit to the truth of the Scriptures, as a revelation from God; a Christian; -- in a more restricted sense, one who receives Christ as his Savior, and accepts the way of salvation unfolded in the gospel. Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Book of Com. Prayer. 3. (Eccl. Hist.) One who was admitted to all the rights of divine worship and instructed in all the mysteries of the Christian religion, in distinction from a catechumen, or one yet under instruction. Believing Be*liev"ing, a. That believes; having belief. -- Be*liev"ing*ly, adv. Belight Be*light" (?), v. t. To illuminate. [Obs.] Cowley. Belike Be*like" (?), adv. [Pref. be- (for by) + like.] It is likely or probably; perhaps. [Obs. or Archaic] -- Be*like"ly, adv. Belike, boy, then you are in love. Shak. Belime Be*lime" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belimed (#).] To besmear or insnare with birdlime. Belittle Be*lit"tle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belittled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Belittling.] To make little or less in a moral sense; to speak of in a depreciatory or contemptuous way. T. Jefferson. Belive Be*live" (?), adv. [Cf. Live, a.] Forthwith; speedily; quickly. [Obs.] Chaucer. Belk Belk (?), v. t. [See Belch.] To vomit. [Obs.] Bell Bell (?), n. [AS. belle, fr. bellan to bellow. See Bellow.] 1. A hollow metallic vessel, usually shaped somewhat like a cup with a flaring mouth, containing a clapper or tongue, and giving forth a ringing sound on being struck. NOTE: &hand; Be lls ha ve been made of various metals, but the best have always been, as now, of an alloy of copper and tin. The Liberty Bell, the famous bell of the Philadelphia State House, which rang when the Continental Congress declared the Independence of the United States, in 1776. It had been cast in 1753, and upon it were the words "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants thereof." 2. A hollow perforated sphere of metal containing a loose ball which causes it to sound when moved. 3. Anything in the form of a bell, as the cup or corol of a flower. "In a cowslip's bell I lie." Shak. 4. (Arch.) That part of the capital of a column included between the abacus and neck molding; also used for the naked core of nearly cylindrical shape, assumed to exist within the leafage of a capital. 5. pl. (Naut.) The strikes of the bell which mark the time; or the time so designated. NOTE: &hand; On sh ipboard, ti me is ma rked by a bell, which is struck eight times at 4, 8, and 12 o'clock. Half an hour after it has struck "eight bells" it is struck once, and at every succeeding half hour the number of strokes is increased by one, till at the end of the four hours, which constitute a watch, it is struck eight times. To bear away the bell, to win the prize at a race where the prize was a bell; hence, to be superior in something. Fuller. -- To bear the bell, to be the first or leader; -- in allusion to the bellwether or a flock, or the leading animal of a team or drove, when wearing a bell. -- To curse by bell, book, and candle, a solemn form of excommunication used in the Roman Catholic church, the bell being tolled, the book of offices for the purpose being used, and three candles being extinguished with certain ceremonies. Nares. -- To lose the bell, to be worsted in a contest. "In single fight he lost the bell." Fairfax. -- To shake the bells, to move, give notice, or alarm. Shak. NOTE: &hand; Be ll is much used adjectively or in combinations; as, bell clapper; bell foundry; bell hanger; bell-mouthed; bell tower, etc., which, for the most part, are self-explaining. Bell arch (Arch.), an arch of unusual form, following the curve of an ogee. -- Bell cage, or Bell carriage (Arch.), a timber frame constructed to carry one or more large bells. -- Bell cot (Arch.), a small or subsidiary construction, frequently corbeled out from the walls of a structure, and used to contain and support one or more bells. -- Bell deck (Arch.), the floor of a belfry made to serve as a roof to the rooms below. -- Bell founder, one whose occupation it is to found or cast bells. -- Bell foundry, or Bell foundery, a place where bells are founded or cast. -- Bell gable (Arch.), a small gable-shaped construction, pierced with one or more openings, and used to contain bells. -- Bell glass. See Bell jar. -- Bell hanger, a man who hangs or puts up bells. -- Bell pull, a cord, handle, or knob, connecting with a bell or bell wire, and which will ring the bell when pulled. Aytoun. -- Bell punch, a kind of conductor's punch which rings a bell when used. -- Bell ringer, one who rings a bell or bells, esp. one whose business it is to ring a church bell or chime, or a set of musical bells for public entertainment. -- Bell roof (Arch.), a roof shaped according to the general lines of a bell. -- Bell rope, a rope by which a church or other bell is rung. -- Bell tent, a circular conical-topped tent. -- Bell trap, a kind of bell shaped stench trap. Bell Bell (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Belling.] To put a bell upon; as, to bell the cat. 2. To make bell-mouthed; as, to bell a tube. Bell Bell, v. i. To develop bells or corollas; to take the form of a bell; to blossom; as, hops bell. Bell Bell, v. t. [AS. bellan. See Bellow.] To utter by bellowing. [Obs.] Bell Bell, v. i. To call or bellow, as the deer in rutting time; to make a bellowing sound; to roar. As loud as belleth wind in hell. Chaucer. The wild buck bells from ferny brake. Sir W. Scott. Belladonna Bel`la*don"na (?), n. [It., literally fine lady; bella beautiful + donna lady.] (Bot.) (a) An herbaceous European plant (Atropa belladonna) with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries. The whole plant and its fruit are very poisonous, and the root and leaves are used as powerful medicinal agents. Its properties are largely due to the alkaloid atropine which it contains. Called also deadly nightshade. (b) A species of Amaryllis (A. belladonna); the belladonna lily. Bell animalcule Bell" an`i*mal"cule (?). (Zo\'94l.) An infusorian of the family Vorticellid\'91, common in fresh-water ponds. Bell bearer Bell" bear`er (?). (Zo\'94l.) A Brazilian leaf hopper (Bocydium tintinnabuliferum), remarkable for the four bell-shaped appendages of its thorax. Bellbird Bell"bird` (?), n. [So called from their notes.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A South American bird of the genus Casmarhincos, and family Cotingid\'91, of several species; the campanero. (b) The Myzantha melanophrys of Australia. Bell crank Bell" crank` (?). A lever whose two arms form a right angle, or nearly a right angle, having its fulcrum at the apex of the angle. It is used in bell pulls and in changing the direction of bell wires at angles of rooms, etc., and also in machinery. _________________________________________________________________ Page 135 Belle Belle (?), n. [F. belle, fem. of bel, beau, beautiful, fine. See Beau.] A young lady of superior beauty and attractions; a handsome lady, or one who attracts notice in society; a fair lady. Belled Belled (?), a. Hung with a bell or bells. Belle-lettrist Belle-let"trist (?), n. One versed in belleslettres. Bellerophon Bel*ler"o*phon (?), n. (Paleon.) A genus of fossil univalve shells, believed to belong to the Heteropoda, peculiar to the Paleozoic age. Belles-lettres Belles-let"tres (?), n. pl. [F.] Polite or elegant literature; the humanities; -- used somewhat vaguely for literary works in which imagination and taste are predominant. Belletristic, Belletristical Bel`le*tris"tic (?), Bel`le*tris"tic*al (?), a. Occupied with, or pertaining to, belles-lettres. "An unlearned, belletristic trifler." M. Arnold. Bell-faced Bell"-faced` (?), a. Having the striking surface convex; -- said of hammers. Bellflower Bell"flow`er (?), n. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Campanula; -- so named from its bell-shaped flowers. Bellflower Bell"flow`er, n. [F. bellefleur, lit., beautiful flower.] A kind of apple. The yellow bellflower is a large, yellow winter apple. [Written also bellefleur.] Bellibone Bel"li*bone (?), n. [F. belle et bonne, beautiful and good.] A woman excelling both in beauty and goodness; a fair maid. [Obs.] Spenser. Bellic, Bellical Bel"lic (?), Bel"li*cal (?), a. [L. bellicus. See Bellicose.] Of or pertaining to war; warlike; martial. [Obs.] "Bellic C\'91sar." Feltham. Bellicose Bel"li*cose` (?), a. [L. bellicosus, fr. bellicus of war, fr. bellum war. See Duel.] Inclined to war or contention; warlike; pugnacious. Arnold was, in fact, in a bellicose vein. W. Irving. Bellicosely Bel"li*cose`ly, adv. In a bellicose manner. Bellicous Bel"li*cous (?), a. Bellicose. [Obs.] Bellied Bel"lied (?), a. Having (such) a belly; puffed out; -- used in composition; as, pot-bellied; shad-bellied. Belligerence, Belligerency Bel*lig"er*ence (?), Bel*lig"er*en*cy (?), n. The quality of being belligerent; act or state of making war; warfare. Belligerent Bel*lig"er*ent (?), a. [L. bellum war + gerens, -entis, waging, p. pr. of gerere to wage: cf. F. bellig\'82rant. See Bellicose, Jest.] 1. Waging war; carrying on war. "Belligerent powers." E. Everett. 2. Pertaining, or tending, to war; of or relating to belligerents; as, a belligerent tone; belligerent rights. Belligerent Bel*lig"er*ent, n. A nation or state recognized as carrying on war; a person engaged in warfare. Belligerently Bel*lig"er*ent*ly, adv. In a belligerent manner; hostilely. Belling Bell"ing (?), n. [From Bell to bellow.] A bellowing, as of a deer in rutting time. Johnson. Bellipotent Bel*lip"o*tent (?), a. [L. bellipotens; bellum war + potens powerful, p. pr. of posse to be able.] Mighty in war; armipotent. [R.] Blount. Bell jar Bell" jar` (?). (Phys.) A glass vessel, varying in size, open at the bottom and closed at the top like a bell, and having a knob or handle at the top for lifting it. It is used for a great variety of purposes; as, with the air pump, and for holding gases, also for keeping the dust from articles exposed to view. Bellman Bell"man (?), n. A man who rings a bell, especially to give notice of anything in the streets. Formerly, also, a night watchman who called the hours. Milton. Bell metal Bell" met`al (?). A hard alloy or bronze, consisting usually of about three parts of copper to one of tin; -- used for making bells. Bell metal ore, a sulphide of tin, copper, and iron; the mineral stannite. Bell-mouthed Bell"-mouthed` (?), a. Expanding at the mouth; as, a bell-mouthed gun. Byron. Bellon Bel"lon (?), n. Lead colic. Bellona Bel*lo"na (?), n. [L., from bellum war.] (Rom. Myth.) The goddess of war. Bellow Bel"low (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bellowed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Bellowing.] [OE. belwen, belowen, AS. bylgean, fr. bellan; akin to G. bellen, and perh. to L. flere to weep, OSlav. bleja to bleat, Lith. balsas voice. Cf. Bell, n. & v., Bawl, Bull.] 1. To make a hollow, loud noise, as an enraged bull. 2. To bowl; to vociferate; to clamor. Dryden. 3. To roar; as the sea in a tempest, or as the wind when violent; to make a loud, hollow, continued sound. The bellowing voice of boiling seas. Dryden. Bellow Bel"low, v. t. To emit with a loud voice; to shout; -- used with out. "Would bellow out a laugh." Dryden. Bellow Bel"low, n. A loud resounding outcry or noise, as of an enraged bull; a roar. Bellower Bel"low*er (?), n. One who, or that which, bellows. Bellows Bel"lows (?), n. sing. & pl. [OE. bely, below, belly, bellows, AS. b\'91lg, b\'91lig, bag, bellows, belly. Bellows is prop. a pl. and the orig. sense is bag. See Belly.] An instrument, utensil, or machine, which, by alternate expansion and contraction, or by rise and fall of the top, draws in air through a valve and expels it through a tube for various purposes, as blowing fires, ventilating mines, or filling the pipes of an organ with wind. Bellows camera, in photography, a form of camera, which can be drawn out like an accordion or bellows. -- Hydrostatic bellows. See Hydrostatic. -- A pair of bellows, the ordinary household instrument for blowing fires, consisting of two nearly heart-shaped boards with handles, connected by leather, and having a valve and tube. Bellows fish Bel"lows fish` (?). (Zo\'94l.) A European fish (Centriscus scolopax), distinguished by a long tubular snout, like the pipe of a bellows; -- called also trumpet fish, and snipe fish. Bell pepper Bell" pep`per (?). (Bot.) A species of Capsicum, or Guinea pepper (C. annuum). It is the red pepper of the gardens. Bell-shaped Bell"-shaped` (?), a. Having the shape of a widemouthed bell; campanulate. Belluine Bel"lu*ine (?), a. [L. belluinus, fr. bellua beast.] Pertaining to, or like, a beast; brutal. [R.] Animal and belluine life. Atterbury. Bellwether Bell"weth`er (?), n. 1. A wether, or sheep, which leads the flock, with a bell on his neck. 2. Hence: A leader. [Contemptuous] Swift. Bellwort Bell"wort" (?), n. (Bot.) A genus of plants (Uvularia) with yellowish bell-shaped flowers. Belly Bel"ly (?), n.; pl. Bellies (#). [OE. bali, bely, AS. belg, b\'91lg, b\'91lig, bag, bellows, belly; akin to Icel. belgr bag, bellows, Sw. b\'84lg, Dan. b\'91lg, D. & G. balg, cf. W. bol the paunch or belly, dim. boly, Ir. bolg. Cf. Bellows, Follicle, Fool, Bilge.] 1. That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to the thighs, and contains the bowels, or intestines; the abdomen. NOTE: &hand; Fo rmerly all the splanchnic or visceral cavities were called bellies; -- the lower belly being the abdomen; the middle belly, the thorax; and the upper belly, the head. Dunglison. 2. The under part of the body of animals, corresponding to the human belly. Underneath the belly of their steeds. Shak. 3. The womb. [Obs.] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee. Jer. i. 5. 4. The part of anything which resembles the human belly in protuberance or in cavity; the innermost part; as, the belly of a flask, muscle, sail, ship. Out of the belly of hell cried I. Jonah ii. 2. 5. (Arch.) The hollow part of a curved or bent timber, the convex part of which is the back. Belly doublet, a doublet of the 16th century, hanging down so as to cover the belly. Shak. -- Belly fretting, the chafing of a horse's belly with a girth. Johnson. -- Belly timber, food. [Ludicrous] Prior. -- Belly worm, a worm that breeds or lives in the belly (stomach or intestines). Johnson. Belly Bel"ly, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bellied (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bellying.] To cause to swell out; to fill. [R.] Your breath of full consent bellied his sails. Shak. Belly Bel"ly, v. i. To swell and become protuberant, like the belly; to bulge. The bellying canvas strutted with the gale. Dryden. Bellyache Bel"ly*ache` (?), n. Pain in the bowels; colic. Bellyband Bel"ly*band` (?), n. 1. A band that passes under the belly of a horse and holds the saddle or harness in place; a girth. 2. A band of flannel or other cloth about the belly. 3. (Naut.) A band of canvas, to strengthen a sail. Bellybound Bel"ly*bound` (, a. Costive; constipated. Bellycheat Bel"ly*cheat` (?), n. An apron or covering for the front of the person. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. Bellycheer Bel"ly*cheer` (?), n. [Perh. from F. belle ch\'8are.] Good cheer; viands. [Obs.] "Bellycheer and banquets." Rowlands. "Loaves and bellycheer." Milton. Bellycheer Bel"ly*cheer`, v. i. To revel; to feast. [Obs.] A pack of clergymen [assembled] by themselves to bellycheer in their presumptuous Sion. Milton. Bellyful Bel"ly*ful (?), n. As much as satisfies the appetite. Hence: A great abundance; more than enough. Lloyd. King James told his son that he would have his bellyful of parliamentary impeachments. Johnson. Belly-god Bel"ly-god` (?), n. One whose great pleasure it is to gratify his appetite; a glutton; an epicure. Belly-pinched Bel"ly-pinched` (?), a. Pinched with hunger; starved. "The belly-pinched wolf." Shak. Belock Be*lock" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belocked (#).] [Pref. be- + lock: cf. AS. bel.] To lock, or fasten as with a lock. [Obs.] Shak. Belomancy Bel"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. ; arrow + a diviner: cf. F. b\'82lomancie.] A kind of divination anciently practiced by means of marked arrows drawn at random from a bag or quiver, the marks on the arrows drawn being supposed to foreshow the future. Encyc. Brit. Belong Be*long" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Belonged (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Belonging.] [OE. belongen (akin to D. belangen to concern, G. belangen to attain to, to concern); pref. be- + longen to desire. See Long, v. i.] NOTE: [Usually construed with to.] 1. To be the property of; as, Jamaica belongs to Great Britain. 2. To be a part of, or connected with; to be appendant or related; to owe allegiance or service. A desert place belonging to . . . Bethsaids. Luke ix. 10. The mighty men which belonged to David. 1 Kings i. 8. 3. To be the concern or proper business or function of; to appertain to. "Do not interpretations belong to God ?" Gen. xl. 8. 4. To be suitable for; to be due to. Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age. Heb. v. 14. No blame belongs to thee. Shak. 5. To be native to, or an inhabitant of; esp. to have a legal residence, settlement, or inhabitancy, whether by birth or operation of law, so as to be entitled to maintenance by the parish or town. Bastards also are settled in the parishes to which the mothers belong. Blackstone. Belong Be*long" (?), v. t. To be deserved by. [Obs.] More evils belong us than happen to us. B. Jonson. Belonging Be*long"ing, n. [Commonly in the pl.] 1. That which belongs to one; that which pertains to one; hence, goods or effects. "Thyself and thy belongings." Shak. 2. That which is connected with a principal or greater thing; an appendage; an appurtenance. 3. Family; relations; household. [Colloq.] Few persons of her ladyship's belongings stopped, before they did her bidding, to ask her reasons. Thackeray. Belonite Bel"o*nite (?), n. [Gr. a needle.] (Min.) Minute acicular or dendritic crystalline forms sometimes observed in glassy volcanic rocks. Belooche Beloochee Bel*oo"che Bel*oo"chee (?), a. Of or pertaining to Beloochistan, or to its inhabitants. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of Beloochistan. Belord Be*lord" (?), v. t. 1. To act the lord over. 2. To address by the title of "lord". Belove Be*love" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beloved (#).] [OE. bilufien. See pref. Be-, and Love, v. t.] To love. [Obs.] Wodroephe. Beloved Be*loved" (?), p. p. & a. Greatly loved; dear to the heart. Antony, so well beloved of C\'91sar. Shak. This is my beloved Son. Matt. iii. 17. Beloved Be*lov"ed (?), n. One greatly loved. My beloved is mine, and I am his. Cant. ii. 16. Below Be*low" (?), prep. [Pref. be- by + low.] 1. Under, or lower in place; beneath not so high; as, below the moon; below the knee. Shak. 2. Inferior to in rank, excellence, dignity, value, amount, price, etc.; lower in quality. "One degree below kings." Addison. 3. Unworthy of; unbefitting; beneath. They beheld, with a just loathing and disdain, . . . how below all history the persons and their actions were. Milton. Who thinks no fact below his regard. Hallam. Syn. -- Underneath; under; beneath. Below Be*low", adv. 1. In a lower place, with respect to any object; in a lower room; beneath. Lord Marmion waits below. Sir W. Scott. 2. On the earth, as opposed to the heavens. The fairest child of Jove below. Prior. 3. In hell, or the regions of the dead. What businesss brought him to the realms below. Dryden. 4. In court or tribunal of inferior jurisdiction; as, at the trial below. Wheaton. 5. In some part or page following. Belowt Be*lowt" (?), v. t. To treat as a lout; to talk abusively to. [Obs.] Camden. Belsire Bel"sire` (?), n. [Pref. bel- + sire. Cf. Beldam.] A grandfather, or ancestor. "His great belsire Brute." [Obs.] Drayton. Belswagger Bel"swag`ger (?), n. [Contr. from bellyswagger.] A lewd man; also, a bully. [Obs.] Dryden. Belt Belt (?), n. [AS. belt; akin to Icel. belti, Sw. b\'84lte, Dan. b\'91lte, OHG. balz, L. balteus, Ir. & Gael. balt bo 1. That which engirdles a person or thing; a band or girdle; as, a lady's belt; a sword belt. The shining belt with gold inlaid. Dryden. 2. That which restrains or confines as a girdle. He cannot buckle his distempered cause Within the belt of rule. Shak. 3. Anything that resembles a belt, or that encircles or crosses like a belt; a strip or stripe; as, a belt of trees; a belt of sand. 4. (Arch.) Same as Band, n., 2. A very broad band is more properly termed a belt. 5. (Astron.) One of certain girdles or zones on the surface of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, supposed to be of the nature of clouds. 6. (Geog.) A narrow passage or strait; as, the Great Belt and the Lesser Belt, leading to the Baltic Sea. 7. (Her.) A token or badge of knightly rank. 8. (Mech.) A band of leather, or other flexible substance, passing around two wheels, and communicating motion from one to the other. NOTE: [See Illust. of Pulley.] 9. (Nat. Hist.) A band or stripe, as of color, round any organ; or any circular ridge or series of ridges. Belt lacing, thongs used for lacing together the ends of machine belting. Belt Belt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belted; p. pr. & vb. n. Belting.] To encircle with, or as with, a belt; to encompass; to surround. A coarse black robe belted round the waist. C. Reade. They belt him round with hearts undaunted. Wordsworth. 2. To shear, as the buttocks and tails of sheep. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. Beltane Bel"tane (?), n. [Gael. bealltainn, bealltuinn.] 1. The first day of May (Old Style). The quarter-days anciently in Scotland were Hallowmas, Candlemas, Beltane, and Lammas. New English Dict. 2. A festival of the heathen Celts on the first day of May, in the observance of which great bonfires were kindled. It still exists in a modified form in some parts of Scotland and Ireland. Belted Belt"ed (?), a. 1. Encircled by, or secured with, a belt; as, a belted plaid; girt with a belt, as an honorary distinction; as, a belted knight; a belted earl. 2. Marked with a band or circle; as, a belted stalk. 3. Worn in, or suspended from, the belt. Three men with belted brands. Sir W. Scott. Belted cattle, cattle originally from Dutch stock, having a broad band of white round the middle, while the rest of the body is black; -- called also blanketed cattle. Beltein, Beltin Bel"tein (?), Bel"tin (?), n. See Beltane. Belting Belt"ing (?), n. The material of which belts for machinery are made; also, belts, taken collectively. _________________________________________________________________ Page 136 Beluga Be*lu"ga (?), n. [Russ. bieluga a sort of large sturgeon, prop. white fish, fr. bieluii white.] (Zo\'94l.) A cetacean allied to the dolphins. NOTE: &hand; Th e no rthern be luga (Delphinapterus catodon) is the white whale and white fish of the whalers. It grows to be from twelve to eighteen feet long. Belute Be*lute" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beluted; p. pr. & vb. n. Beluting.] [Pref. be- + L. lutum mud.] To bespatter, as with mud. [R.] Sterne. Belvedere Bel`ve*dere" (?), n. [It., fr. bello, bel, beautiful + vedere to see.] (Arch.) A small building, or a part of a building, more or less open, constructed in a place commanding a fine prospect. Belzebuth Bel"ze*buth (?), n. [From Beelzebub.] (Zo\'94l.) A spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth) of Brazil. Bema Be"ma (?), n. [Gr. step, platform.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A platform from which speakers addressed an assembly. Mitford. 2. (Arch.) (a) That part of an early Christian church which was reserved for the higher clergy; the inner or eastern part of the chancel. (b) Erroneously: A pulpit. Bemad Be*mad" (?), v. t. To make mad. [Obs.] Fuller. Bemangle Be*man"gle (?), v. t. To mangle; to tear asunder. [R.] Beaumont. Bemask Be*mask" (?), v. t. To mask; to conceal. Bemaster Be*mas"ter (?), v. t. To master thoroughly. Bemaul Be*maul" (?), v. t. To maul or beat severely; to bruise. "In order to bemaul Yorick." Sterne. Bemaze Be*maze (?), v. t. [OE. bimasen; pref. be- + masen to maze.] To bewilder. Intellects bemazed in endless doubt. Cowper. Bemean Be*mean" (?), v. t. To make mean; to lower. C. Reade. Bemeet Be*meet" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bemet (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bemeeting.] To meet. [Obs.] Our very loving sister, well bemet. Shak. Bemete Be*mete" (?), v. t. To mete. [Obs.] Shak. Bemingle Be*min"gle (?), v. t. To mingle; to mix. Bemire Be*mire" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bemired (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bemiring.] To drag through, encumber with, or fix in, the mire; to soil by passing through mud or dirt. Bemired and benighted in the dog. Burke. Bemist Be*mist" (?), v. t. To envelop in mist. [Obs.] Bemoan Be*moan" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bemoaned (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bemoaning.] [OE. bimenen, AS. bem; pref. be- + m to moan. See Moan.] To express deep grief for by moaning; to express sorrow for; to lament; to bewail; to pity or sympathize with. Implores their pity, and his pain bemoans. Dryden. Syn. -- See Deplore. Bemoaner Be*moan"er (?), n. One who bemoans. Bemock Be*mock" (?), v. t. To mock; to ridicule. Bemock the modest moon. Shak. Bemoil Be*moil" (?), v. t. [Pref. be- + moil, fr. F. mouiller to wet; but cf. also OE. bimolen to soil, fr. AS. m\'bel spot: cf. E. mole.] To soil or encumber with mire and dirt. [Obs.] Shak. Bemol Be"mol (?), n. [F. b\'82mol, fr. b\'82 soft.] (Mus.) The sign [Obs.] Bemonster Be*mon"ster (?), v. t. To make monstrous or like a monster. [Obs.] Shak. Bemourn Be*mourn" (?), v. t. To mourn over. Wyclif. Bemuddle Be*mud"dle (?), v. t. To muddle; to stupefy or bewilder; to confuse. Bemuffle Be*muf"fle (?), v. t. To cover as with a muffler; to wrap up. Bemuffled with the externals of religion. Sterne. Bemuse Be*muse" (?), v. t. To muddle, daze, or partially stupefy, as with liquor. A parson much bemused in beer. Pope. Ben, Ben nut Ben (?), Ben" nut` (?). [Ar. b\'ben, name of the tree.] (Bot.) The seed of one or more species of moringa; as, oil of ben. See Moringa. Ben Ben, adv. & prep. [AS. binnan; pref. be- by + innan within, in in.] Within; in; in or into the interior; toward the inner apartment. [Scot.] Ben Ben, n. [See Ben, adv.] The inner or principal room in a hut or house of two rooms; -- opposed to but, the outer apartment. [Scot.] Ben Ben. An old form of the pl. indic. pr. of Be. [Obs.] Bename Be*name" (?), v. t. [p. p. Benamed, Benempt.] To promise; to name. [Obs.] Bench Bench (?), n.; pl. Benches (#). [OE. bench, benk, AS. benc; akin to Sw. b\'84nk, Dan b\'91nk, Icel. bekkr, OS., D., & G. bank. Cf. Bank, Beach.] 1. A long seat, differing from a stool in its greater length. Mossy benches supplied the place of chairs. Sir W. Scott. 2. A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a carpenter's bench. 3. The seat where judges sit in court. To pluck down justice from your awful bench. Shak. 4. The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion of the full bench. See King's Bench. 5. A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; -- so named because the animals are usually placed on benches or raised platforms. 6. A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or river. Bench mark (Leveling), one of a number of marks along a line of survey, affixed to permanent objects, to show where leveling staffs were placed. -- Bench of bishops, the whole body of English prelates assembled in council. -- Bench plane, any plane used by carpenters and joiners for working a flat surface, as jack planes, long planes. -- Bench show, an exhibition of dogs. -- Bench table (Arch.), a projecting course at the base of a building, or round a pillar, sufficient to form a seat. Bench Bench (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Benched (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Benching.] 1. To furnish with benches. 'T was benched with turf. Dryden. Stately theaters benched crescentwise. Tennyson. 2. To place on a bench or seat of honor. Whom I . . . have benched and reared to worship. Shak. Bench Bench, v. i. To sit on a seat of justice. [R.] Shak. Bencher Bench"er (?), n. 1. (Eng. Law) One of the senior and governing members of an Inn of Court. 2. An alderman of a corporation. [Eng.] Ashmole. 3. A member of a court or council. [Obs.] Shak.