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babygirlvanitas · 2 years

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Bidet n. Low basin for sitting on to wash the genital area. [french, = pony]

Biennial —adj. Lasting, or recurring every, two years. —n. Plant that grows from seed one year and flowers and dies the following. [latin annus year]

Bier n. Movable frame on which a coffin or corpse rests. [old english]

Biff slang —n. Sharp blow. —v. Strike (a person). [imitative]

Bifid adj. Divided by a deep cleft into two parts. [latin findo cleave]

Bifocal —adj. Having two focuses, esp. Of a lens with a part for distant and a part for near vision. —n. (in pl.) Bifocal spectacles.

Bifurcate —v. (-ting) fork. —adj. Forked; branched. bifurcation n. [latin furca fork]

Big —adj. (bigger, biggest) 1 a of considerable size, amount, intensity, etc. B of a large or the largest size (big toe). 2 important (my big day). 3 adult, elder (big sister). 4 colloq. A boastful (big words). B often iron. Generous (big of him). C ambitious (big ideas). 5 (usu. Foll. By with) advanced in pregnancy (big with child). —adv. Colloq. Impressively or grandly (think big). in a big way colloq. With great enthusiasm, display, etc. biggish adj. [origin unknown]

Bigamy n. (pl. -ies) crime of marrying while still married to another person. bigamist n. Bigamous adj. [greek gamos marriage]

Big apple n. Us slang new york city.

Big bang theory n. Theory that the universe began with the explosion of dense matter.

Big brother n. Supposedly benevolent watchful dictator.

Big end n. (in a vehicle) end of the connecting-rod, encircling the crankpin.

Big-head n. Colloq. Conceited person. big-headed adj.

Big-hearted adj. Generous.

Bight n. 1 bay, inlet, etc. 2 loop of rope. [old english]

Big money n. Large amounts of money.

Big noise n. (also big shot) colloq. = *bigwig.

Bigot n. Obstinate believer who is intolerant of others. bigoted adj. Bigotry n. [french]

Big stick n. Colloq. Display of force.

Big time n. (prec. By the) slang success, esp. In show business. big-timer n.

Big top n. Main tent in a circus.

Big wheel n. Ferris wheel.

Bigwig n. Colloq. Important person.

Bijou —n. (pl. -x pronunc. Same) jewel; trinket. —attrib. Adj. (bijou) small and elegant. [french]

Bike colloq. —n. Bicycle or motor cycle. —v. (-king) ride a bike. biker n. [abbreviation]

Bikini n. (pl. -s) two-piece swimsuit for women. [bikini, pacific atoll]

Bilateral adj. 1 of, on, or with two sides. 2 affecting or between two parties, countries, etc. bilaterally adv.

Bilberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 hardy n. European shrub of heaths and mountains. 2 its small dark-blue edible berry. [scandinavian]

Bile n. 1 bitter digestive fluid secreted by the liver. 2 bad temper; peevish anger. [latin bilis]

Bilge n. 1 a the almost flat part of a ship's bottom. B (in full bilge-water) filthy water that collects there. 2 slang nonsense. [probably var. Of *bulge] Bilharzia n. Chronic tropical disease caused by a parasitic flatworm. [bilharz, name of a physician]

Biliary adj. Of the bile. [french: related to *bile]

Bilingual —adj. 1 able to speak two languages. 2 spoken or written in two languages. —n. Bilingual person. bilingualism n. [latin lingua tongue]

Bilious adj. 1 affected by a disorder of the bile. 2 bad-tempered. [latin: related to *bile]

Bilk v. Slang 1 cheat. 2 elude. 3 avoid paying (a creditor or debt). [origin uncertain]

Bill n. Slang = *old bill. [diminutive of william]

Bill1 —n. 1 statement of charges for goods or services. 2 draft of a proposed law. 3 poster, placard. 4 programme of entertainment. 5 us banknote. —v. 1 send a statement of charges to. 2 put in the programme; announce. 3 (foll. By as) advertise as. [medieval latin bulla seal]

Bill2 —n. 1 bird's beak. 2 narrow promontory. —v. (of doves etc.) Stroke bills. bill and coo exchange caresses. [old english]

Bill3 n. 1 hist. Weapon with a hooked blade. 2 = *billhook. [old english]

Billabong n. (in australia) backwater of a river. [aboriginal]

Billboard n. Large outdoor advertising hoarding.

Billet1 —n. 1 a place where troops etc. Are lodged. B order to provide this. 2 colloq. Job. —v. (-t-) (usu. Foll. By on, in, at) quarter (soldiers etc.). [anglo-french diminutive of *bill1]

Billet2 n. 1 thick piece of firewood. 2 small metal bar. [french diminutive of bille tree-trunk]

Billet-doux n. (pl. Billets-doux) often joc. Love-letter. [french, = sweet note]

Billhook n. Pruning tool with a hooked blade.

Billiards n. 1 game played on a table, with three balls struck with cues. 2 (billiard) (in comb.) Used in billiards (billiard-ball). [french: related to *billet2]

Billion adj. & n. (pl. Same or (in sense 3) -s) 1 a thousand million (109). 2 (now less often) a million million (1012). 3 (in pl.) Colloq. A very large number (billions of years). billionth adj. & n. [french]

Billionaire n. Person who has over a billion pounds, dollars, etc. [after *millionaire]

Bill of exchange n. Written order to pay a sum of money on a given date to the drawer or to a named payee.

Bill of fare n. Menu.

Bill of lading n. Detailed list of a ship's cargo.

Billow —n. 1 wave. 2 any large mass. —v. Rise, fill, or surge in billows. billowy adj. [old norse]

Billposter n. (also billsticker) person who pastes up advertisements on hoardings.

Billy1 n. (pl. -ies) (in full billycan) austral. Tin or enamel outdoor cooking-pot. [perhaps from aboriginal billa water]

Billy2 n. (pl. -ies) (in full billy-goat) male goat. [from the name billy]

Bimbo n. (pl. -s or -es) slang usu. Derog. Attractive but unintelligent young woman. [italian, = little child]

Bimetallic adj. Using or made of two metals. [french]

Bin n. Large receptacle for rubbish or storage. [old english]

Binary —adj. 1 of two parts, dual. 2 of the binary system. —n. (pl. -ies) 1 something having two parts. 2 binary number. [latin bini two together]

Binary star n. System of two stars orbiting each other.

Binary system n. System using the digits 0 and 1 to code information, esp. In computing.

Binaural adj. 1 of or used with both ears. 2 (of sound) recorded using two microphones and usu. Transmitted separately to the two ears. [from *bi-, *aural]

Bind —v. (past and past part. Bound) 1 tie or fasten tightly. 2 restrain forcibly. 3 (cause to) cohere. 4 compel; impose a duty on. 5 a edge with braid etc. B fasten (the pages of a book) in a cover. 6 constipate. 7 ratify (a bargain, agreement, etc.). 8 (often foll. By up) bandage. —n. Colloq. Nuisance; restriction. bind over law order (a person) to do something, esp. Keep the peace. [old english]

Binder n. 1 cover for loose papers etc. 2 substance that binds things together. 3 hist. Reaping-machine that binds grain into sheaves. 4 bookbinder.

Bindery n. (pl. -ies) bookbinder's workshop.

Binding —n. Thing that binds, esp. The covers, glue, etc., of a book. —adj. Obligatory.

Bindweed n. 1 convolvulus. 2 honeysuckle or other climber.

Bine n. 1 twisting stem of a climbing plant, esp. The hop. 2 flexible shoot. [dial. Form of *bind]

Bin end n. One of the last bottles from a bin of wine, usu. Sold at a reduced price.

Binge slang —n. Bout of excessive eating, drinking, etc.; spree. —v. (-ging) indulge in a binge. [probably dial., = soak]

Bingo n. Gambling game in which each player has a card with numbers to be marked off as they are called. [origin uncertain]

Bin-liner n. Bag for lining a rubbish bin.

Binman n. Colloq. Dustman.

Binnacle n. Case for a ship's compass. [latin habitaculum dwelling]

Binocular adj. For both eyes. [latin bini two together, oculus eye]

Binoculars n.pl. Instrument with a lens for each eye, for viewing distant objects.

Binomial —n. Algebraic expression of the sum or the difference of two terms. —adj. Of two terms. [greek nomos part]

Binomial theorem n. Formula for finding any power of a binomial.

Bint n. Slang, usu. Offens. Girl or woman. [arabic]

Bio- comb. Form 1 life (biography). 2 biological; of living things. [greek bios life]

Biochemistry n. The study of the chemistry of living organisms. biochemical adj. Biochemist n.

Biodegradable adj. Capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.

Bioengineering n. 1 the application of engineering techniques to biological processes. 2 the use of artificial tissues, organs, etc. To replace parts of the body, e.g. Artificial limbs, pacemakers, etc.

Biogenesis n. 1 hypothesis that a living organism arises only from a similar living organism. 2 synthesis of substances by living organisms.

Biography n. (pl. -ies) 1 account of a person's life, written usu. By another. 2 these as a literary genre. biographer n. Biographical adj. [french: related to *bio-]

Biological adj. Of biology or living organisms. biologically adv.

Biological clock n. Innate mechanism controlling an organism's rhythmic physiological activities.

Biological warfare n. Use of toxins or micro-organisms against an enemy.

Biology n. The study of living organisms. biologist n. [german: related to *bio-]

Bionic adj. Having electronically operated body parts or the resulting superhuman powers. [from *bio- after *electronic]

Bionics n.pl. (treated as sing.) The study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms.

Biophysics n.pl. (treated as sing.) Science of the application of the laws of physics to biological phenomena. biophysical adj. Biophysicist n.

Biopsy n. (pl. -ies) examination of severed tissue for diagnosis. [greek bios life, opsis sight]

Biorhythm n. Any recurring biological cycle thought to affect one's physical or mental state.

Biosphere n. Regions of the earth's crust and atmosphere occupied by living things. [german: related to *bio-]

Biosynthesis n. Production of organic molecules by living organisms. biosynthetic adj.

Biotechnology n. Branch of technology exploiting biological processes, esp. Using micro-organisms, in industry, medicine, etc.

Biotin n. Vitamin of the b complex, found in egg-yolk, liver, and yeast. [greek bios life]

Bipartisan adj. Of or involving two parties.

Bipartite adj. 1 of two parts. 2 shared by or involving two parties. [latin bipartio divide in two]

Biped —n. Two-footed animal. —adj. Two-footed. bipedal adj. [latin bipes -edis]

Biplane n. Aeroplane with two sets of wings, one above the other.

Bipolar adj. Having two poles or extremities.

Birch —n. 1 tree with pale hard wood and thin peeling bark, bearing catkins. 2 bundle of birch twigs used for flogging. —v. Beat with a birch. [old english]

Bird n. 1 two-legged feathered winged vertebrate, egg-laying and usu. Able to fly. 2 slang young woman. 3 slang person. 4 slang prison; prison sentence. a bird in the hand something secured or certain. The birds and the bees euphem. Sexual activity and reproduction. Birds of a feather similar people. For the birds colloq. Trivial, uninteresting. Get the bird slang be rejected, esp. By an audience. [old english]

Bird-bath n. Basin with water for birds to bathe in.

Birdbrain n. Colloq. Stupid or flighty person. birdbrained adj.

Birdcage n. Cage for birds.

Birdie n. 1 colloq. Little bird. 2 golf hole played in one under par.

Birdlime n. Sticky substance spread to trap birds.

Bird-nesting n. Hunting for birds' eggs.

Bird of paradise n. Bird, the male of which has brilliant plumage.

Bird of passage n. 1 migrant. 2 habitual traveller.

Bird of prey n. Bird which hunts animals for food.

Birdseed n. Blend of seeds for caged birds.

Bird's-eye view n. Detached view from above.

Birdsong n. Musical cry of birds.

Bird table n. Platform on which food for birds is placed.

Bird-watcher n. Person who observes wild birds as a hobby. bird-watching n.

Biretta n. Square usu. Black cap worn by roman catholic priests. [latin birrus cape]

Biro n. (pl. -s) propr. A kind of ball-point pen. [biró, name of its inventor]

Birth n. 1 emergence of a baby or young from its mother's body. 2 beginning (birth of civilization). 3 a ancestry (of noble birth). B high or noble birth; inherited position. give birth to 1 produce (young). 2 be the cause of. [old norse]

Birth certificate n. Official document detailing a person's birth.

Birth control n. Contraception.

Birthday n. 1 day on which one was born. 2 anniversary of this.

Birthing pool n. Large bath for giving birth in.

Birthmark n. Unusual coloured mark on one's body at or from birth.

Birthplace n. Place where one was born.

Birth rate n. Number of live births per thousand of population per year.

Birthright n. Inherited, esp. Property, rights.

Birthstone n. Gem popularly associated with the month of one's birth.

Biscuit n. 1 flat thin unleavened cake, usu. Crisp and sweet. 2 fired unglazed pottery. 3 light brown colour. [latin bis twice, coquo cook]

Bisect v. Divide into two (strictly, equal) parts. bisection n. Bisector n. [from *bi-, latin seco sect- cut]

Bisexual —adj. 1 feeling or involving sexual attraction to people of both sexes. 2 hermaphrodite. —n. Bisexual person. bisexuality n.

Bishop n. 1 senior clergyman in charge of a diocese. 2 mitre-shaped chess piece. [greek episkopos overseer]

Bishopric n. Office or diocese of a bishop.

Bismuth n. 1 reddish-white metallic element used in alloys etc. 2 compound of it used medicinally. [german]

Bison n. (pl. Same) wild hump-backed ox of europe or n. America. [latin from germanic]

Bisque1 n. Rich soup, esp. Of lobster. [french]

Bisque2 n. Advantage of one free point or stroke in certain games. [french]

Bisque3 n. = *biscuit 2.

Bister n. (brit. Bistre) brownish pigment from wood soot. [french]

Bistre n. (us bister) brownish pigment from wood soot. [french]

Bistro n. (pl. -s) small informal restaurant. [french] Bit1 n. 1 small piece or quantity. 2 (prec. By a) fair amount (sold quite a bit). 3 often colloq. Short or small time, distance, or amount (wait a bit; move up a bit; a bit tired; a bit of an idiot). bit by bit gradually. Do one's bit colloq. Make a useful contribution. [old english]

Bit2 past of *bite.

Bit3 n. 1 metal mouthpiece of a bridle. 2 tool or piece for boring or drilling. 3 cutting or gripping part of a plane, pincers, etc. [old english]

Bit4 n. Computing unit of information expressed as a choice between two possibilities. [binary digit]

Bitch —n. 1 female dog or other canine animal. 2 slang offens. Spiteful woman. 3 slang unpleasant or difficult thing. —v. 1 speak scathingly or spitefully. 2 complain. [old english]

Bitchy adj. (-ier, -iest) slang spiteful. bitchily adv. Bitchiness n.

Bite —v. (-ting; past bit; past part. Bitten) 1 cut or puncture with the teeth. 2 (foll. By off, away, etc.) Detach thus. 3 (of an insect etc.) Sting. 4 (of a wheel etc.) Grip, penetrate. 5 accept bait or an inducement. 6 be harsh in effect, esp. Intentionally. 7 (in passive) a swindle. B (foll. By by, with, etc.) Be infected by (enthusiasm etc.). 8 colloq. Worry, perturb. 9 cause smarting pain (biting wind). 10 be sharp or effective (biting wit). 11 (foll. By at) snap at. —n. 1 act of biting. 2 wound etc. Made by biting. 3 a mouthful of food. B snack. 4 taking of bait by a fish. 5 pungency (esp. Of flavour). 6 incisiveness, sharpness. 7 position of the teeth when the jaws are closed. bite the dust slang die. Bite a person's head off colloq. Respond angrily. Bite one's lip repress emotion etc. [old english]

Bit on the side n. Slang sexual relationship involving infidelity.

Bit part n. Minor role.

Bitter —adj. 1 having a sharp pungent taste; not sweet. 2 causing, showing, or feeling mental pain or resentment (bitter memories). 3 a harsh; virulent (bitter animosity). B piercingly cold. —n. 1 beer flavoured with hops and tasting slightly bitter. 2 (in pl.) Liquor flavoured esp. With wormwood, used in cocktails. to the bitter end to the very end in spite of difficulties. bitterly adv. Bitterness n. [old english]

Bittern n. Wading bird of the heron family. [french butor from latin butio]

Bitter-sweet —adj. Sweet with a bitter aftertaste. —n. 1 such sweetness. 2 = *woody nightshade.

Bitty adj. (-ier, -iest) made up of bits; scrappy.

Bitumen n. Tarlike mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. [latin]

Bituminous adj. Of or like bitumen.

Bituminous coal n. Coal burning with a smoky flame.

Bivalve —n. Aquatic mollusc with a hinged double shell, e.g. The oyster and mussel. —adj. With such a shell.

Bivouac —n. Temporary open encampment without tents. —v. (-ck-) make, or camp in, a bivouac. [french, probably from german]

Biz n. Colloq. Business. [abbreviation]

Bizarre adj. Strange; eccentric; grotesque. [french]

Bk symb. Berkelium.

Bl abbr. British library.

Blab v. (-bb-) 1 talk foolishly or indiscreetly. 2 reveal (a secret etc.); confess. [imitative]

Blabber —n. (also blabbermouth) person who blabs. —v. (often foll. By on) talk foolishly or inconsequentially.

Black —adj. 1 reflecting no light, colourless from lack of light (like coal or soot); completely dark. 2 (black) of the human group with dark-coloured skin, esp. African. 3 (of the sky etc.) Heavily overcast. 4 angry; gloomy (black look, mood). 5 implying disgrace etc. (in his black books). 6 wicked, sinister, deadly. 7 portending trouble (things look black). 8 comic but sinister (black comedy). 9 (of tea or coffee) without milk. 10 (of industrial labour or its products) boycotted, esp. By a trade union, in a strike etc. —n. 1 black colour or pigment. 2 black clothes or material (dressed in black). 3 a (in a game) black piece, ball, etc. B player of this. 4 credit side of an account (in the black).

Black and blue adj. Bruised.

Black and white —n. Writing or printing (in black and white). —adj. 1 (of a film etc.) Monochrome. 2 consisting of extremes only, oversimplified.

Black art n. = *black magic.

Blackball v. Reject (a candidate) in a ballot.

Black beetle n. The common cockroach.

Black belt n. 1 highest grade of proficiency in judo, karate, etc. 2 holder of this grade, entitled to wear a black belt.

Blackberry n. (pl. -ies) black fleshy edible fruit of the bramble.

Blackbird n. Common thrush of which the male is black with an orange beak.

Blackboard n. Board with a smooth dark surface for writing on with chalk.

Black box n. Flight-recorder.

Blackcap n. Small warbler, the male of which has a black-topped head.

Black country n. (prec. By the) industrial area of the midlands.

Blackcurrant n. 1 cultivated flowering shrub. 2 its small dark edible berry.

Black death n. (prec. By the) 14th-c. Plague in europe.

Black economy n. Unofficial and untaxed trade.

Blacken v. 1 make or become black or dark. 2 defame, slander.

Black eye n. Bruised skin around the eye.

Black flag n. Flag of piracy.

Blackfly n. 1 dark coloured thrips or aphid. 2 these collectively.

Black forest gateau n. Chocolate sponge with cherries and whipped cream.

Black friar n. Dominican friar.

Blackguard n. Villain, scoundrel. blackguardly adj. [originally = menial]

Blackhead n. Black-topped pimple on the skin.

Black hole n. Region of space from which matter and radiation cannot escape.

Black ice n. Thin hard transparent ice on a road etc.

Blacking n. Black polish, esp. For shoes.

Blackjack n. = *pontoon1.

Blacklead n. Graphite.

Blackleg —n. Derog. Person refusing to join a strike etc. —v. (-gg-) act as a blackleg.

Blacklist —n. List of people in disfavour etc. —v. Put on a blacklist.

Black magic n. Magic supposed to invoke evil spirits.

Blackmail —n. 1 a extortion of payment in return for silence. B payment so extorted. 2 use of threats or moral pressure. —v. 1 (try to) extort money etc. From by blackmail. 2 threaten, coerce. blackmailer n. [obsolete mail rent]

Black maria n. Slang police van.

Black mark n. Mark of discredit.

Black market n. Illicit trade in rationed, prohibited, or scarce commodities. black marketeer n.

Black mass n. Travesty of the mass, in worship of satan.

Blackout n. 1 temporary loss of consciousness or memory. 2 loss of electric power, radio reception, etc. 3 compulsory darkness as a precaution against air raids. 4 temporary suppression of news. 5 sudden darkening of a theatre stage.

Black pepper n. Pepper made by grinding the whole dried pepper berry including the outer husk.

Black power n. Movement for black rights and political power.

Black pudding n. Sausage of pork, dried pig's blood, suet, etc.

Black rod n. Principal usher of the house of lords etc. Black sheep n. Colloq. Member of a family, group, etc. Regarded as a disgrace or failure.

Blackshirt n. Hist.member of a fascist organization.

Blacksmith n. Smith who works in iron.

Black spot n. 1 place of danger or trouble. 2 plant disease producing black spots.

Black tea n. Tea that is fully fermented before drying.

Blackthorn n. Thorny shrub bearing white blossom and sloes.

Black tie n. 1 black bow-tie worn with a dinner jacket. 2 colloq. Man's formal evening dress.

Black velvet n. Mixture of stout and champagne.

Black watch n. (prec. By the) royal highland regiment.

Black widow n. Venomous spider of which the female devours the male.

Bladder n. 1 a sac in some animals, esp. That holding urine. B this adapted for various uses. 2 inflated blister in seaweed etc. [old english]

Bladderwrack n. Brown seaweed with air bladders.

Blade n. 1 cutting part of a knife etc. 2 flattened part of an oar, propeller, etc. 3 a flat narrow leaf of grass etc. B broad thin part of a leaf. 4 flat bone, e.g. In the shoulder. [old english]

Blame —v. (-ming) 1 assign fault or responsibility to. 2 (foll. By on) fix responsibility for (an error etc.) On (blamed it on his brother). —n. 1 responsibility for an error etc. 2 blaming or attributing of responsibility (got all the blame). be to blame be responsible; deserve censure. blameable adj. Blameless adj. Blameworthy adj. [french: related to *blaspheme]

Blanch v. 1 make or become white or pale. 2 a peel (almonds etc.) By scalding. B immerse (vegetables etc.) Briefly in boiling water. 3 whiten (a plant) by depriving it of light. [french: related to *blank]

Blancmange n. Sweet opaque jelly of flavoured cornflour and milk. [french, = white food]

Bland adj. 1 a mild, not irritating. B tasteless; insipid. 2 gentle in manner; suave. blandly adv. Blandness n. [latin blandus smooth]

Blandish v. Flatter; coax. blandishment n. (usu. In pl.). [latin: related to *bland]

Blank —adj. 1 a (of paper) not written or printed on. B (of a document) with spaces left for a signature or details. 2 a empty (blank space). B unrelieved (blank wall). 3 a without interest, result, or expression (blank face). B having (temporarily) no knowledge etc. (mind went blank). 4 complete (a blank refusal; blank despair). —n. 1 a unfilled space, esp. In a document. B document having blank spaces. 2 (in full blank cartridge) cartridge containing gunpowder but no bullet. 3 dash written instead of a word or letter. —v. (usu. Foll. By off, out) screen, obscure. draw a blank get no response; fail. blankly adv. Blankness n. [french blanc white, from germanic]

Blank cheque n. 1 cheque left for the payee to fill in. 2 colloq. Unlimited freedom of action.

Blanket —n. 1 large esp. Woollen sheet used as a bed-covering etc. 2 thick covering mass or layer. —attrib. Adj. Covering everything; inclusive. —v. (-t-) 1 cover. 2 stifle, suppress. [french: related to *blank]

Blanket bath n. Body wash given to a bedridden patient.

Blanket stitch n. Stitch used to finish the edges of a blanket etc.

Blank verse n. Unrhymed verse, esp. Iambic pentameters.

Blare —v. (-ring) 1 sound or utter loudly. 2 make the sound of a trumpet. —n. Blaring sound. [low german or dutch, imitative]

Blarney —n. Cajoling talk; flattery. —v. (-eys, -eyed) flatter, cajole. [blarney, castle near cork]

Blasé adj. Bored or indifferent through over-familiarity. [french]

Blaspheme v. (-ming) 1 use religious names irreverently; treat a religious or sacred subject irreverently. 2 talk irreverently about; use blasphemy against. [greek blasphemeo]

Blasphemy n. (pl. -ies) 1 irreverent talk or treatment of a religious or sacred thing. 2 instance of this. blasphemous adj. Blast —n. 1 strong gust of air. 2 a explosion. B destructive wave of air from this. 3 loud note from a wind instrument, car horn, etc. 4 colloq. Severe reprimand. —v. 1 blow up with explosives. 2 wither, blight (blasted oak; blasted her hopes). 3 (cause to) make a loud noise. —int. Expressing annoyance. at full blast colloq. At maximum volume, speed, etc. Blast off take off from a launching site. [old english]

Blasted colloq. —attrib. Adj. Damned; annoying. —adv. Damned; extremely.

Blast-furnace n. Smelting furnace into which hot air is driven.

Blast-off n. Launching of a rocket etc.

Blatant adj. 1 flagrant, unashamed. 2 loudly obtrusive. blatantly adv. [coined by spenser]

Blather (also blether) —n. Foolish talk. —v. Talk foolishly. [old norse]

Blaze1 —n. 1 bright flame or fire. 2 violent outburst (of passion etc.). 3 brilliant display (blaze of scarlet, of glory). —v. (-zing) 1 burn or shine brightly or fiercely. 2 be consumed with anger, excitement, etc. blaze away (often foll. By at) 1 shoot continuously. 2 work vigorously. [old english, = torch]

Blaze2 —n. 1 white mark on an animal's face. 2 mark cut on a tree, esp. To show a route. —v. (-zing) mark (a tree or a path) with blazes. blaze a trail show the way for others. [origin uncertain]

Blazer n. Jacket without matching trousers, esp. Lightweight and often part of a uniform. [from *blaze1]

Blazon —v. 1 proclaim (esp. Blazon abroad). 2 heraldry describe or paint (arms). —n. Heraldry shield or coat of arms. blazonment n. Blazonry n. [french, originally = shield]

Bleach —v. Whiten in sunlight or by a chemical process. —n. Bleaching substance or process. [old english]

Bleak adj. 1 exposed, windswept. 2 dreary, grim. [old norse]

Bleary adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 dim; blurred. 2 indistinct. [low german]

Bleary-eyed adj. Having dim sight.

Bleat —v. 1 (of a sheep, goat, or calf) make a wavering cry. 2 (often foll. By out) speak or say plaintively. —n. Bleating cry. [old english]

Bleed —v. (past and past part. Bled) 1 emit blood. 2 draw blood from surgically. 3 colloq. Extort money from. 4 (often foll. By for) suffer wounds or violent death. 5 a emit sap. B (of dye) come out in water. 6 empty (a system) of excess air or fluid. —n. Act of bleeding. one's heart bleeds usu. Iron. One is very sorrowful. [old english]

Bleeder n. Coarse slang unpleasant or contemptible person.

Bleeding adj. & adv. Coarse slang expressing annoyance or antipathy.

Bleep —n. Intermittent high-pitched electronic sound. —v. 1 make a bleep. 2 summon with a bleeper. [imitative]

Bleeper n. Small electronic device bleeping to contact the carrier.

Blemish —n. Flaw, defect, or stain. —v. Spoil, mark, or stain. [french]

Blench v. Flinch, quail. [old english]

Blend —v. 1 mix together as required. 2 become one. 3 (often foll. By with, in) mingle; mix thoroughly. 4 (esp. Of colours) merge imperceptibly; harmonize. —n. Mixture. [old norse]

Blender n. Machine for liquidizing, chopping, or puréeing food.

Blenny n. (pl. -ies) small spiny-finned scaleless marine fish. [greek blennos mucus]

Bless v. (past and past part. Blessed, poet. Blest) 1 ask god to look favourably on, esp. By making the sign of the cross over. 2 consecrate (food etc.). 3 glorify (god). 4 attribute one's good luck to (stars etc.); thank. 5 (usu. In passive) make happy or successful (blessed with children). bless me (or my soul) exclamation of surprise etc. Bless you! Exclamation of endearment, gratitude, etc., or to a person who has just sneezed. [old english]

Blessed adj. (also poet. Blest) 1 holy. 2 euphem. Cursed (blessed nuisance!). 3 rc ch. Beatified. blessedness n.

Blessing n. 1 invocation of (esp. Divine) favour. 2 grace said at a meal. 3 benefit.

Blether var. Of *blather.

Blew past of *blow1. Blether var. Of *blather.

Blew past of *blow1.

Blight —n. 1 plant disease caused by insects etc. 2 such an insect etc. 3 harmful or destructive force. 4 ugly urban area. —v. 1 affect with blight. 2 harm, destroy. 3 spoil. [origin unknown]

Blighter n. Colloq. Contemptible or annoying person.

Blighty n. Mil. Slang england; home. [hindustani, = foreign]

Blimey int. Coarse slang expression of surprise, contempt, etc. [(god) blind me!]

Blimp n. 1 (also (colonel) blimp) reactionary person. 2 small non-rigid airship. 3 soundproof cover for a cine-camera. [origin uncertain]

Blind —adj. 1 lacking the power of sight. 2 a without adequate foresight, discernment, or information (blind effort). B (often foll. By to) unwilling or unable to appreciate a factor etc. (blind to argument). 3 not governed by purpose or reason (blind forces). 4 reckless (blind hitting). 5 a concealed (blind ditch). B closed at one end. 6 (of flying) using instruments only. 7 cookery (of a flan case etc.) Baked without a filling. —v. 1 deprive of sight. 2 rob of judgement; deceive; overawe. 3 slang go recklessly. —n. 1 screen for a window; awning. 2 thing used to hide the truth. 3 obstruction to sight or light. —adv. Blindly. blindly adv. Blindness n. [old english]

Blind alley n. 1 alley closed at one end. 2 futile course.

Blind date n. Colloq. Date between two people who have not previously met.

Blind drunk adj. Colloq. Extremely drunk.

Blindfold —v. Cover the eyes of (a person) with a tied cloth etc. —n. Cloth etc. So used. —adj. & adv. 1 with eyes covered. 2 without due care. [originally blindfelled = struck blind]

Blind man's buff n. Game in which a blindfold player tries to catch others.

Blind spot n. 1 point on the retina insensitive to light. 2 area where vision or understanding is lacking.

Blindworm n. = *slow-worm.

Blink —v. 1 shut and open the eyes quickly. 2 (often foll. By back) prevent (tears) by blinking. 3 shine unsteadily, flicker. —n. 1 act of blinking. 2 momentary gleam or glimpse. blink at 1 look at while blinking. 2 ignore, shirk. On the blink slang not working properly; out of order. [dutch, var. Of *blench]

Blinker —n. 1 (usu. In pl.) Each of two screens on a bridle preventing lateral vision. 2 device that blinks. —v. 1 obscure with blinkers. 2 (as blinkered adj.) Having narrow and prejudiced views.

Blinking adj. & adv. Slang expressing annoyance etc. (it's blinking stupid).

Blip —n. 1 minor deviation or error. 2 quick popping sound. 3 small image on a radar screen. —v. (-pp-) make a blip. [imitative]

Bliss n. 1 perfect joy. 2 being in heaven. blissful adj. Blissfully adv. [old english]

Blister —n. 1 small bubble on the skin filled with watery fluid and caused by heat or friction. 2 similar swelling on plastic, wood, etc. —v. 1 come up in blisters. 2 raise a blister on. 3 attack sharply. [origin uncertain]

Blithe adj. 1 cheerful, happy. 2 careless, casual. blithely adv. [old english]

Blithering attrib. Adj. Colloq. Hopeless; contemptible (esp. In blithering idiot). [blither, var. Of *blather]

Blitt. Abbr. Bachelor of letters. [latin baccalaureus litterarum]

Blitz colloq. —n. 1 a intensive or sudden (esp. Aerial) attack. B intensive period of work etc. (must have a blitz on this room). 2 (the blitz) german air raids on london in 1940. —v. Inflict a blitz on. [abbreviation of *blitzkrieg]

Blitzkrieg n. Intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory. [german, = lightning war]

Blizzard n. Severe snowstorm. [origin unknown]

Bloat v. 1 inflate, swell. 2 (as bloated adj.) Inflated with pride, wealth, or food. 3 cure (a herring) by salting and smoking lightly. [old norse]

Bloater n. Bloated herring.

Blob n. Small drop or spot. [imitative] Bloc n. Group of governments etc. Sharing a common purpose. [french: related to *block]

Block —n. 1 solid piece of hard material, esp. Stone or wood. 2 this as a base for chopping etc., as a stand, or for mounting a horse from. 3 a large building, esp. When subdivided. B group of buildings between streets. 4 obstruction. 5 two or more pulleys mounted in a case. 6 piece of wood or metal engraved for printing. 7 slang head. 8 (often attrib.) Number of things as a unit, e.g. Shares, theatre seats (block booking). 9 sheets of paper glued along one edge. —v. 1 a (often foll. By up) obstruct. B impede. 2 restrict the use of. 3 cricket stop (a ball) with a bat defensively. block in 1 sketch roughly; plan. 2 confine. Block out 1 shut out (light, noise, a memory, view, etc.). 2 sketch roughly; plan. Block up confine; enclose. [low german or dutch]

Blockade —n. Surrounding or blocking of a place by an enemy to prevent entry and exit. —v. (-ding) subject to a blockade.

Blockage n. Obstruction.

Block and tackle n. System of pulleys and ropes, esp. For lifting.

Blockbuster n. Slang 1 thing of great power, esp. A very successful film, book, etc. 2 highly destructive bomb.

Block capitals n.pl. (also block letters) letters printed without serifs, or written with each letter separate and in capitals.

Blockhead n. Stupid person.

Blockhouse n. 1 reinforced concrete shelter. 2 hist. Small fort of timber.

Block vote n. Vote proportional in power to the number of people a delegate represents.

Bloke n. Slang man, fellow. [shelta]

Blond (of a woman usu. Blonde) —adj. (of a person, hair, or complexion) light-coloured, fair. —n. Blond person. [latin blondus yellow]

Blood —n. 1 usu. Red fluid circulating in the arteries and veins of animals. 2 bloodshed, esp. Killing. 3 passion, temperament. 4 race, descent, parentage (of the same blood). 5 relationship; relations (blood is thicker than water). 6 dandy. —v. 1 give (a hound) a first taste of blood. 2 initiate (a person). in one's blood inherent in one's character. [old english]

Blood bank n. Store of blood for transfusion.

Blood bath n. Massacre.

Blood count n. Number of corpuscles in a specific amount of blood.

Blood-curdling adj. Horrifying.

Blood donor n. Person giving blood for transfusion.

Blood group n. Any of the types of human blood.

Blood-heat n. Normal human temperature, about 37 °c or 98.4 °f.

Bloodhound n. Large keen-scented dog used in tracking.

Bloodless adj. 1 without blood or bloodshed. 2 unemotional. 3 pale. 4 feeble.

Blood-letting n. Surgical removal of blood.

Blood-money n. 1 money paid as compensation for a death. 2 money paid to a killer.

Blood orange n. Red-fleshed orange.

Blood-poisoning n. Diseased condition caused by micro-organisms in the blood.

Blood pressure n. Pressure of the blood in the arteries etc., measured for diagnosis.

Blood relation n. (also blood relative) relative by birth.

Bloodshed n. Killing.

Bloodshot adj. (of an eyeball) inflamed.

Blood sport n. Sport involving the killing or wounding of animals.

Bloodstain n. Stain caused by blood. bloodstained adj.

Bloodstream n. Blood in circulation.

Bloodsucker n. 1 leech. 2 extortioner. bloodsucking adj.

Blood sugar n. Amount of glucose in the blood.

Blood test n. Examination of blood, esp. For diagnosis.

Bloodthirsty adj. (-ier, -iest) eager for bloodshed.

Blood-vessel n. Vein, artery, or capillary carrying blood.

Bloody —adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 of, like, running with, or smeared with blood. 2 a involving bloodshed. B bloodthirsty, cruel. 3 coarse slang expressing annoyance or antipathy, or as an intensifier (bloody fool; a bloody sight better). 4 red. —adv. Coarse slang as an intensifier (bloody awful). —v. (-ies, -ied) stain with blood.

Bloody mary n. Mixture of vodka and tomato juice. Bloody-minded adj. Colloq. Deliberately uncooperative.

Bloom —n. 1 a flower, esp. Cultivated. B state of flowering (in bloom). 2 one's prime (in full bloom). 3 a healthy glow of the complexion. B fine powder on fresh fruit and leaves. —v. 1 bear flowers; be in flower. 2 be in one's prime; flourish. [old norse]

Bloomer1 n. 1 slang blunder. 2 plant that blooms in a specified way.

Bloomer2 n. Long loaf with diagonal marks. [origin uncertain]

Bloomers n.pl. 1 women's long loose knickers. 2 hist. Women's loose knee-length trousers. [mrs a. Bloomer, name of the originator]

Blooming —adj. 1 flourishing; healthy. 2 slang an intensifier (blooming miracle). —adv. Slang an intensifier (blooming difficult).

Blossom —n. 1 flower or mass of flowers, esp. Of a fruit-tree. 2 promising stage (blossom of youth). —v. 1 open into flower. 2 mature, thrive. [old english]

Blot —n. 1 spot or stain of ink etc. 2 disgraceful act or quality. 3 blemish. —v. (-tt-) 1 make a blot on, stain. 2 dry with blotting-paper. blot one's copybook damage one's reputation. Blot out 1 obliterate. 2 obscure (a view, sound, etc.). [probably scandinavian]

Blotch —n. 1 discoloured or inflamed patch on the skin. 2 irregular patch of colour. —v. Cover with blotches. blotchy adj. (-ier, -iest). [obsolete plotch, *blot]

Blotter n. Pad of blotting-paper.

Blotting-paper n. Absorbent paper for drying wet ink.

Blotto adj. Slang very drunk. [origin uncertain]

Blouse —n. 1 woman's garment like a shirt. 2 upper part of a military uniform. —v. (-sing) make (a bodice etc.) Full like a blouse. [french]

Blouson n. Short blouse-shaped jacket. [french]

Blow1 —v. (past blew; past part. Blown) 1 direct a current of air (at) esp. From the mouth. 2 drive or be driven by blowing (blew the door open). 3 (esp. Of the wind) move rapidly. 4 expel by breathing (blew smoke). 5 sound or be sounded by blowing. 6 (past part. Blowed) slang (esp. In imper.) Curse, confound (i'm blowed if i know; blow it!). 7 clear (the nose) by blowing. 8 puff, pant. 9 slang depart suddenly (from). 10 shatter etc. By an explosion. 11 make or shape (glass or a bubble) by blowing. 12 a melt from overloading (the fuse has blown). B break or burst suddenly. 13 (of a whale) eject air and water. 14 break into with explosives. 15 slang a squander (blew £20). B bungle (an opportunity etc.). C reveal (a secret etc.). —n. 1 act of blowing. 2 a gust of wind or air. B exposure to fresh air. be blowed if one will colloq. Be unwilling to. Blow a gasket slang lose one's temper. Blow hot and cold colloq. Vacillate. Blow in 1 break inwards by an explosion. 2 colloq. Arrive unexpectedly. Blow a person's mind slang cause to have hallucinations etc.; astound. Blow off 1 escape or allow (steam etc.) To escape forcibly. 2 slang break wind noisily. Blow out 1 extinguish by blowing. 2 send outwards by an explosion. Blow over (of trouble etc.) Fade away. Blow one's top colloq. Explode in rage. Blow up 1 explode. 2 colloq. Rebuke strongly. 3 inflate (a tyre etc.). 4 colloq. A enlarge (a photograph). B exaggerate. 5 colloq. Arise, happen. 6 colloq. Lose one's temper. [old english]

Blow2 n. 1 hard stroke with a hand or weapon. 2 sudden shock or misfortune. [origin unknown]

Blow-by-blow attrib. Adj. (of a narrative etc.) Detailed.

Blow-dry —v. Arrange (the hair) while drying it. —n. Act of doing this.

Blower n. 1 device for blowing. 2 colloq. Telephone.

Blowfly n. Bluebottle.

Blow-hole n. 1 nostril of a whale. 2 hole (esp. In ice) for breathing or fishing through. 3 vent for air, smoke, etc.

Blow-job n. Coarse slang instance of fellatio or cunnilingus.

Blowlamp n. Device with a very hot flame for burning off paint, plumbing, etc.

Blown past part. Of *blow1.

Blow-out n. Colloq. 1 burst tyre. 2 melted fuse. 3 huge meal. Blowpipe n. 1 tube for blowing air through, esp. To intensify a flame or to blow glass. 2 tube for propelling poisoned darts etc. By blowing.

Blowtorch n. Us = *blowlamp.

Blow-up n. 1 colloq. Enlargement (of a photograph etc.). 2 explosion.

Blowy adj. (-ier, -iest) windy.

Blowzy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 coarse-looking; red-faced. 2 slovenly. [obsolete blowze beggar's wench]

Blub v. (-bb-) slang sob. [shortening of *blubber]

Blubber —n. Whale fat. —v. 1 sob loudly. 2 sob out (words). —adj. Swollen, thick. [probably imitative]

Bludgeon —n. Heavy club. —v. 1 beat with this. 2 coerce. [origin unknown]

Blue —adj. (bluer, bluest) 1 having the colour of a clear sky. 2 sad, depressed. 3 pornographic (a blue film). 4 politically conservative. —n. 1 blue colour or pigment. 2 blue clothes or material (dressed in blue). 3 person who represents a university in a sport, esp. Oxford or cambridge. 4 conservative party supporter. —v. (blues, blued, bluing or blueing) 1 make blue. 2 slang squander. once in a blue moon very rarely. Out of the blue unexpectedly. [french from germanic]

Blue baby n. Baby with a blue complexion due to a congenital heart defect.

Bluebell n. Woodland plant with bell-shaped blue flowers.

Blueberry n. (pl. -ies) small blue-black edible fruit of various plants.

Blue blood n. Noble birth.

Blue book n. Report issued by parliament or the privy council.

Bluebottle n. Large buzzing fly; blowfly.

Blue cheese n. Cheese with veins of blue mould.

blood curdling ! thats a fun one !!

#anon #long post #dic anon

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