List of Abbreviations Used in This Dictionary

Brake, brāk, n. a handle, as of a pump: a lever for working a machine. [Prob. through O. Fr. brac, from L. brachium, an arm.]

Bramah-press, brä′ma-pres, n. a hydraulic press invented by Joseph Bramah of London (1748-1814), inventor also of the Bramah-lock, &c.

Bramble, bram′bl, n. a wild prickly shrub bearing blackberries, a blackberry bush: any rough prickly shrub.—ns. Bram′ble-berr′y, Bram′ble-bush, a collection of brambles growing together; Bram′ble-finch, Bram′bling, a bird nearly allied to the chaffinch.—adj. Bram′bly. [A.S. brémel; Dut. braam, Ger. brom-beere.]

Brame, brām, n. (Spens.) sharp passion, longing. [It. brama.]

Bran, bran, n. the refuse of grain: the inner husks of corn sifted from the flour: the coarser part of anything.—n. Bran′fulness.—adj. Bran′ny. [O. Fr. bran, bran; prob. Celt.]

Brancard, brank′ard, n. a horse litter. [Fr.]

Branch, bransh, n. a shoot or arm-like limb of a tree: anything like a limb of a tree: any offshoot or subdivision, a section or department of a subject: any subordinate division of a business, &c., as a branch-bank or pawn-shop.—v.t. to divide into branches.—v.i. to spread out as a branch (with out, off, from).—adj. Branched.—ns. Branch′er, a young hawk or other bird when it leaves the nest and begins to take to the branches; Branch′ery, branches collectively.—adjs. Branch′ing, furnished with or shooting out branches; Branch′less.—ns. Branch′let, a little branch; Branch′-pī′lot, one who holds the Trinity House certificate; Branch′-work, ornamental figured patterns.—adj. Branch′y.—Root and branch, thoroughly—used also adjectively, as in a 'root-and-branch' policy. [Fr. branche—Low L. branca, a beast's paw—L. brachium.]

Branchiæ, brangk′i-ē, n.pl. gills.—adjs. Branch′ial; Branch′iate, furnished with branchiæ.—n. Branchiop′oda, a sub-order of Crustaceans in the order with leaf-like feet (Phyllopods), to which the gills are attached. [L.—Gr.]

Brand, brand, n. a piece of wood burning or partly burned: a mark burned into anything with a hot iron: a trade-mark, made by burning or otherwise, as on casks: a particular sort of goods, from the trade-marks by which they are known, as cigars, &c.: a sword, so called from its glitter: a mark of infamy: a general name for the fungoid diseases or blights of grain crops—bunt, mildew, rust, and smut.—v.t. to burn or mark with a hot iron: to fix a mark of infamy upon.—adj. Brand′ed.—n. Brand′er, a gridiron.—v.t. to cook on the gridiron, as beef-steaks.—p.adjs. Brand′ered, Brand′ering.—ns. Brand′ing-ī′ron, Brand′-ī′ron, an iron to brand with: a trivet or tripod to set a pot or kettle upon: (Spens.) a sword—also Brand′ise, a trivet; Brand′ling, a red worm used by anglers, found commonly in tan-pits.—adj. Brand′-new, quite new (as if newly from the fire).—n. Brand′reth, a stand of wood for a cask or hayrick, a rail round a well.—A brand from the burning, one snatched out of a pressing danger—from Amos, iv. 11. [A.S. brand, brond, from root of Burn.]

Brandish, brand′ish, v.t. to wave or flourish as a brand or weapon.—n. a waving or flourish. [Fr. brandissant—brandir, from root of Brand.]

Brandy, brand′i, n. an ardent spirit distilled from wine.—adj. Bran′died, heartened or strengthened with brandy.—n. Brand′y-pawnee′, brandy and water. [Formerly brandwine—Dut. brandewijn—branden, to burn, to distil, and wijn, wine; cf. Ger. branntwein.]

Brangle, brang′l, v.i. (arch.) to wrangle, squabble.—n. (obs.) a brawl.—v.t. and v.i. Brand′le, to shake, cause to waver: to waver.—n. Brang′ling, disputing. [Prob. the two words are the same; Fr. branler.]

Brank, brangk, n. buckwheat. [Prob. Celt.; cf. L. brance, a Gallic name of a white kind of corn.]

Brank, brangk, v.i. to prance, toss the head: to strut or swagger.—adj. Brank′y (Scot.), showy. [Prob. a variant of Prank.]

Branks, brangks, n. (seldom in sing.) a scold's bridle, having a hinged iron framework to enclose the head and a bit or gag to fit into the mouth and compress the tongue. [Scot.; ety. very obscure; cf. M. E. bernak, whence Barnacle and Brake; Ger. pranger, the pillory, Dut. prang, a fetter; the Gael. brangus, brangas, is most prob. borrowed.]

Brankursine, brangk′ur-sin, n. the plant Acanthus, called also Bear's-breech. [Low L. branca, ursina, a bear's paw.]

Bran-new, bran′-nū, adj. corruption of Brand-new.

Bransle, bran′sl, n. (obs.) a dance: a song for dance music. [Fr.]

Brant-goose. See Brent-goose.

Brantle, bran′tl, n. a kind of dance.

Brasero. Same as Brazier (q.v. under Braze).

Brash, brash, n. broken and angular fragments of rock which occasionally form the basement bed of alluvial deposits: fragments of crushed ice: clippings of hedges or trees.—adj. Brash′y. [Prob. Fr. brèche.]

Brash, brash, n. a slight attack of illness: an eructation or belching of acid water from the stomach—water-brash: a sudden burst of rain: (obs.) an attack.—v.t. to disturb. [Scot.; prob. onomatopœic.]

Brass, bräs, n. an alloy of copper and zinc: (fig.) impudence: money in cash: a monumental plate of brass inlaid on slabs of stone in the pavements of ancient churches.—n.pl. Brass′arts, the brass pieces which, in plate armour, protected the upper part of the arms, and united the shoulder and elbow pieces.—ns. Brass′-band, a band or company of musicians who perform on brass instruments; Brass′et, a casque or armour covering for the head: a helmet; Brass′found′er, a maker of articles in brass.—adjs. Brass′-paved (Spens.), durable, as if paved with brass; Brass′-vis′aged, brazen-faced, impudent.—n. Brass′y, a wooden golf-club with a brass sole.—adj. of or like brass: impudent: unfeeling: pitiless: harsh in tone. [A.S. braes; prob. related to Sw. brasa, fire.]

Brasserie, bras′er-ē, n. in France, any beer garden or saloon. [Fr.]

Brassica, bras′i-ka, n. the turnip and cabbage genus of Cruciferæ. [L.]

Brast. Same as Burst.

Brat, brat, n. a contemptuous name for a child, as in 'beggar's brat:' any over-garment of coarse cloth, a child's pinafore, an apron.—n. Brat′chet, a little brat—better Brat′ling. [A.S. bratt; of Celtic origin, Old Ir. brat, a plaid, Gael. brat, an apron.]

Brattice, brat′is, n. a wooden partition, as in the shaft of a coal-pit, &c.—v.t. to line with wood the sides of a shaft, &c.—n. Bratt′ice-cloth, strong tarred cloth used in mines in place of wooden bratticing. [O. Fr. breteske—Low L. bretachia; prob. Teut.]

Brattling, brat′ling, n. a clattering noise: quarrel: tumult—also Brat′tle.—v.i. Brat′tle, to make a clattering noise. [Onomatopœic.]

Bravado, brav-ā′do, or brav-ä′do, n. a display of bravery: a boastful threat: a swaggerer:—pl. Bravā′does.—v.i. to play the bravado. [Sp. bravada. See Brave.]

Brave, brāv, adj. daring, courageous: noble: finely dressed, showy, handsome (Scot. Braw): a general word for excellent, capital.—v.t. to meet boldly: to defy.—n. (obs.) a bully, a hired assassin: a brave soldier, esp. among the North American Indians: (arch.) bravado: (arch.) bravo.—adv. Brave′ly (Scot. Braw′ly), excellently, well.—n. Brav′ery, courage: heroism: finery, showy dress. [Fr. brave; It. and Sp. bravo; prob. from Celt., as in Bret. braga, to strut about, Gael. breagh, fine. See Brag.]

Bravo, bräv′o, n. a daring villain: a hired assassin:—pl. Bravoes (bräv′ōz). [It. and Sp.]

Bravo, bräv′o, interj. well done: excellent. [It.]

Bravura, bräv-ōōr′a, n. (mus.) a term applied to a florid air or song with difficult and rapid passages requiring great spirit and dash in execution. [It.]

Brawl, brawl, n. a noisy quarrel.—v.i. to quarrel noisily: to murmur or gurgle.—n. Brawl′ing, the act of quarrelling noisily.—adj. quarrelsome: noisy. [M. E. brallen, of doubtful origin; prob. cog. with Dut. brallen, Ger. prahlen, to boast.]

Brawl, brawl, n. a kind of French dance. [Fr. braule.]

Brawn, brawn, n. muscle, esp. of the arm or calf of the leg: thick flesh: muscular strength: a boar: a preparation of meat made from pig's head and ox-feet, cut up, boiled, and pickled.—adj. Brawned.—n. Brawn′iness, quality of being brawny: muscularity.—adj. Brawn′y, fleshy: muscular: strong. [O. Fr. braon, from Old Ger. brato, flesh (for roasting), Old Ger. brâto (Ger. braten), to roast.]

Braxy, brak′si, n. and adj. a Scotch name loosely used for several totally different disorders of sheep.—Braxy mutton, the flesh of a braxy sheep; also, generally, of any sheep that has died of disease or accident. [Prob. the original form is bracks, the sing. of which is a variant of Break.]

Bray, brā, v.t. to break, pound, or grind small, as in a mortar.—n. Bray′er, an instrument to grind or spread ink in printing. [O. Fr. breier (Fr. broyer); It. brigare.]

Bray, brā, n. the cry of the ass: any harsh grating sound.—v.i. to cry like an ass: to give forth harsh sounds, esp. of the trumpet.—ns. Bray′er, one who brays like an ass; Bray′ing, the noise of an ass: any harsh noise.—adj. making a harsh noise. [O. Fr. brai, brait; braire—Low L. bragire, prob. of Celt. origin.]

Braze, brāz, v.t. to solder with an alloy of brass and zinc.—adj. Brā′zen, of or belonging to brass: impudent.—v.t. to face or confront with impudence—as in 'to brazen it out.'—n. Brā′zen-face, one having a brazen or impudent face: one remarkable for impudence.—adj. Brā′zen-faced, impudent.—adv. Brā′zenly.—ns. Brā′zenness, Brā′zenry, effrontery; Brā′zier, Brā′sier, a pan for holding burning coals—also Bras′ero; Brāz′ing, soldering. [O. Fr. braser, to burn; most prob. related to Brass.]

Brazier, brā′zi-ėr, n. one who works in Brass (q.v.).

Brazil, bra-zil′, n. usually Brazil′-wood, the hard reddish wood of an East Indian tree, known as sappan, used in dyeing.—n. Brazil′ian, a native of Brazil, in South America.—adj. belonging to Brazil.—n. Brazil′-nut, the edible seed of a large tree, native of Brazil. [O. Fr. bresil (Sp. brasil, It. brasile)—Low L. brasilium, a red dye-wood, brought from the East, itself prob. a corr. of some Oriental word. When a similar wood was discovered in South America the country became known as terra de brasil, land of red dye-wood, whence Brasil, Brazil.]

Breach, brēch, n. a break or opening, as in the walls of a fortress: a breaking of law, &c., violation of contract, covenant, promise, &c.: a quarrel: a broken condition or part of anything, a break: a gap in a fortification—hence 'to stand in the breach,' often used figuratively: a break in a coast-line, bay, harbour, creek (Judges, v. 17).—v.t. to make a breach or opening in a wall, &c.—Breach of promise, often used simply for breach of promise of marriage; Breach of the peace, a violation of the public peace by riot or the like. [A.S. bryce, brice; related to Break.]

Bread, bred, n. food made of flour or meal baked: food: livelihood.—ns. Bread′-bas′ket, a basket for holding bread: (slang) the stomach; Bread′-chip′per (Shak.), one who chips bread, an under-butler; Bread′-corn, corn of which bread is made.—n.pl. Bread′-crumbs, bread crumbled down for dressing dishes of fried fish, &c.—n. Bread′fruit-tree, a tree of the South Sea Islands, producing a fruit which, when roasted, forms a good substitute for bread; Bread′-nut, the fruit of a tree, a native of Jamaica, closely allied to the breadfruit-tree, which is used as bread when boiled or roasted; Bread′-room, an apartment in a ship's hold where the bread is kept; Bread′-root, a herbaceous perennial plant of North America, with a carrot-like root which is used as food; Bread′-stud′y, any branch of study taken up as a means of gaining a living; Bread′-stuff, the various kinds of grain or flour of which bread is made; Bread′-tree, a tree of South Africa which has a great deal of starch in its stem, and is used as bread by the natives; Bread′-win′ner, one who earns a living for a family.—Bread buttered on both sides, very fortunate circumstances.—To take the bread out of one's mouth, to deprive of the means of living. [A.S. bréad, prob. from a Teut. root meaning a fragment, like the Scot. and Norse country use of 'a piece,' for a bit of bread. The usual A.S. word was hláf.]

Breaded, bred′ed, pa.p. (Spens.) = Braided.

Breadth, bredth, n. extent from side to side: width: a style in painting in which details are strictly subordinated to the harmony of the whole composition.—adv. Breadth′ways, broadside on. [A.S. brǽdu; Ger. briete. See Broad.]

Break, brāk, v.t. to part by force: to shatter: to crush: to tame, or wear out: to violate, or outrage, as a law, a bargain, &c.: to check by intercepting, as a fall: to interrupt, as silence, or the monotony of anything, or in 'to break one off a habit:' to make bankrupt: to degrade from rank, as an officer.—v.i. to part in two: to burst forth: to open or appear, as the morning: to become bankrupt: to crack or give way, as the voice: to dissolve, as frost: to collapse in foam, as a wave: to fall out, as with a friend:—pa.t. brōke; pa.p. brōk′en.—n. the state of being broken: an opening: a pause or interruption: (billiards) a consecutive series of successful strokes, also the number of points attained by such: the dawn.—ns. Break′age, the action of breaking, or its consequences: an interruption; Break′-down, a dance, vigorous rather than graceful, in which much noise is made by the feet of the one performer; Break′er, a wave broken on rocks or the shore.—adj. Break′-neck, likely to cause a broken neck.—ns. Break′-prom′ise, Break′-vow, one who makes a practice of breaking his promise or vow; Break′water, a barrier to break the force of the waves.—Break a jest, to utter a jest unexpectedly; Break a lance with, to enter into a contest with a rival; Break away, to go away abruptly, as from prison, &c.: to be scattered, as clouds after a storm; Break bulk, to open the hold and take out a portion of the cargo; Break cover, to burst forth from concealment, as a fox; Break down, to crush down or level: to collapse, to fail completely; Break forth, to burst out, issue; Break ground, to commence digging or excavation: to begin; Break in, to train to labour, as a horse; Break in, in upon, or into, to enter violently or unexpectedly, to interpose abruptly in a conversation, &c.; Break loose, to extricate one's self forcibly: to break through all restraint; Break news, to make anything known, esp. of bad news, with caution and delicacy; Break off, to separate by breaking, put an end to; Break out, to appear suddenly: to break through all restraint; Break sheer (said of a ship riding at anchor), to be forced by wind or tide out of a position clear of the anchor; Break the heart, to destroy with grief; Break the ice (fig.), to get through first difficulties: Break up, to break open; Break upon the wheel, to punish by stretching a criminal on a wheel and breaking his bones; Break wind, to void wind from the stomach; Break with, to fail out, as friends may do. [A.S. brecan; Ger. brechen.]

Break, Brake, brāk, n. a large wagonette: a carriage frame, all wheels and no body, used in breaking in horses. [Break, v.t.]

Breaker, brāk′ėr, n. a small water-cask, used on shipboard. [Prob. a corr. of Sp. bareca, a barrel.]

Breakfast, brek′fast, n. a break or breaking of a fast: the first meal of the day.—v.i. to take breakfast.—v.t. to furnish with breakfast.—ns. Break′fasting, the act of taking breakfast: a party at breakfast; Break′fast-set, the china or other ware used at breakfast.

Bream, brēm, n. a small fresh-water fish nearly allied to the bleak: a family of sea-breams or Sparidæ. [O. Fr. bresme (Fr. brême)—Old Ger. brahsema (mod. Ger. brassen).]

Bream, brēm, v.t. to clean, as a ship's bottom, by burning off seaweed, shells, &c. [Prob. conn. with Broom, Dut. brem.]

Breare, Brere, brēr, n. (Spens.). Same as Brier.

Breast, brest, n. the forepart of the human body between the neck and the belly: one of the two mammary glands in women, forming soft protuberances on the chest: the corresponding part of any animal: (fig.) conscience, disposition, affections.—v.t. to bear the breast against: to oppose manfully: to mount.—n. Breast′-bone, the bone running down the middle of the breast, to which the first seven ribs are attached.—adv. Breast′-deep, deep, as up to the breast.—adj. Breast′ed, having a breast.—adv. Breast′-high, high as the breast—ns. Breast′-knot, a knot of ribbons worn on the breast; Breast′pin, an ornamental pin for the breast; Breast′plate, a plate or piece of armour for the breast: (B.) an embroidered square of linen worn on the breast of the Jewish high-priest, bearing twelve precious stones, each inscribed with the name of one of the tribes of Israel; Breast′-plough, a kind of spade for cutting turf, with a cross-bar against which the breast is pressed; Breast′rail, the upper rail of a breastwork; Breast′summer, Bres′summer, a summer or beam supporting the whole front of a building in the same way as a lintel supports the portion over an opening; Breast′-wall, a retaining wall; Breast′-wheel, a water-wheel which is turned by water delivered upon it at about half its height; Breast′work, a hastily constructed earthwork.—To make a clean breast of, to make a full confession. [A.S. bréost; Ger. brust, Dut. borst.]

Breath, breth, n. the air drawn into and then expelled from the lungs: power of breathing: life: the time occupied by once breathing: a very slight breeze.—adjs. Breath′ful (Spens.), full of breath or air, also full of scent or odour; Breath′less, out of breath: dead: excessively eager, as if holding one's breath from excitement.—n. Breath′lessness.—To catch the breath, to stop breathing for an instant; To spend one's breath, as in profitless talk; To take breath, to recover freedom of breathing; With bated breath, with breath restrained from reverence or fear. [A.S. brǽth; Ger. brodem, steam, breath.]

Breathe, brēth, v.i. to draw in and expel breath or air from the lungs: to take breath, to rest or pause: to live.—v.t. to draw in and expel from the lungs, as air: to infuse: to give out as breath: to utter by the breath or softly, to whisper: to express: to keep in breath, to exercise: to tire by some brisk exercise.—ns. Breath′er, one who breathes or lives: a spell of exercise; Breath′ing, the act of breathing: aspiration, secret prayer: respite.—adj. life-like.—ns. Breath′ing-time, time to breathe or rest; Breath′ing-while, time sufficient for drawing breath: any very short period.—To breathe again, to be relieved from an anxiety; To breathe freely, to be at ease; To breathe upon, to tarnish or soil. [See Breath.]

Breccia, brech′ya, n. a conglomerate rock composed of angular and unworn fragments, cemented together by lime or other mineral substance.—adj. Brecciated (brech′yāt-ed), noting rocks composed of breccia, [It.; cf. Fr. brèche, breach, flint pebble.]

Bred, bred, pa.t. and pa.p. of Breed.

Brede, brēd, n. an obsolete form of Braid.

Bree, brē, n. the eyebrow. [Still in Scot.; A.S. brǽw, bréaw; cf. Ger. (augen)braue.]

Bree, brē, n. the liquor in which anything has been boiled—barley-bree. [A.S. briw; cf. Ger. brei.]

Breech, brēch, n. the lower part of the body behind: the hinder part of anything, esp. of a gun.—v.t. to put into breeches: to flog.—adj. Breeched.—n.pl. Breeches (brich′ez), a garment worn by men on the lower limbs of the body, strictly, as distinguished from trousers, coming just below the knee, but often used generally for trousers—(Knee-breeches, see under Knee).—n. Breech′ing, a part of a horse's harness attached to the saddle, which comes round the breech and is hooked to the shafts: a strong rope attached to the breech of a gun to secure it to a ship's side.—adj. (Shak.) subject to whipping.—n. Breech′-load′er, a firearm loaded by introducing the charge at the breech instead of the muzzle.—Breeches Bible, a name often given to the Geneva Bible produced by the English Protestant exiles in 1560, so named from the rendering 'breeches' in Gen. iii. 7; Breeches part (theat.), a part in which a girl wears men's clothes.—To wear the breeches, (said of a wife), to usurp the authority of the husband: to be master. [A.S. bréc; found in all Teut. languages; cf. Ger. bruch, Dut. brock.]

Breed, brēd, v.t. to generate or bring forth: to train or bring up: to cause or occasion.—v.i. to be with young: to produce offspring: to be produced or brought forth:—pa.t. and pa.p. bred.—n. that which is bred, progeny or offspring: kind or race.—ns. Breed′-bate (Shak.), one who is constantly breeding or producing debate or strife; Breed′er, one who breeds or brings up; Breed′ing, act of producing: education or manners.—Breeding in-and-in, pairing of similar forms: marrying always among near relations. [A.S. brédan, to cherish, keep warm; Ger. brüten, to hatch.]

Breeks, brēks, n.pl. (Scot.) breeches, trousers.

Breer, Brere, brēr, v.i. (Scot.) to sprout.

Breeze, brēz, n. a gentle gale: a wind: a disturbance or quarrel: a whispered rumour.—adjs. Breeze′less, without a breeze: motionless; Breez′y, fanned with or subject to breezes.—To breeze up, to freshen into a breeze. [Old Sp. briza, It. brezza (Fr. brise, a cold wind).]

Breeze, brēz, n. (Shak.) the gadfly.—Also written Breese, Brize. [A.S. briosa.]

Bregma, breg′ma, n. the part of the skull where the frontal and the two parietal bones join—sometimes divided into the right and left bregmata.—adj. Bregmat′ic. [Gr.]

Brehon, brē′hon, n. an ancient Irish judge.—Brehon Laws, the name given by the English to the system of jurisprudence which prevailed among the native Irish from an early period till towards the middle of the 17th century. [Ir. breitheamh, pl. breitheamhuin.]

Breloque, bre-lok′, n. an ornament attached to a watch-chain. [Fr.]

Breme, Breem, brēm, adj. (Spens.) fiery, stern, boisterous, sharp. [Prob. related to A.S. bréman, to rage.]

Bren, bren, v.t. (Spens.) to burn.—pa.p. and adj. Brent. [See Burn.]

Brent, brent, adj. (Scot.) lofty: smooth, unwrinkled. [A.S. brant, steep; cog. with Ice. brattr.]

Brent-goose, brent′-gōōs, n. a small species of wild goose, having the head, neck, long wing feathers, and tail black, the belly white, the rest slaty-gray—it visits the British coasts in winter.—Also Brant′-goose, or Brent barnacle, and often confounded with the barnacle goose. [Prob. branded = brindled.]

Bressummer. Same as Breastsummer (q.v. under Breast).

Brethren, breth′ren, pl. of Brother (q.v.).

Breton, bret′un, adj. belonging to Brittany or Bretagne, in France.

Brettice. Same as Brattice.

Bretwalda, bret-wal′da, n. a title of supremacy applied by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to Egbert and seven earlier kings, whose superiority was more or less acknowledged by other kings. [Lit. 'Lord of the Britons,' or 'of Britain.']

Breve, brēv, n. a pope's letter: the longest note now used in music, Breve. [It. breve—L. brevis, short.]

Brevet, brev′et, n. a military commission entitling an officer to take rank above that for which he receives pay.—n. Brevet′cy, the condition of one holding brevet rank. [Fr.—L. brevis, short.]

Breviary, brēv′i-ar-i, n. book containing the daily service of the R.C. Church. [Fr. bréviaire—L. brevis, short.]

Breviate, brē′vi-āt, n. a short compendium: a lawyer's brief. [L. breviātus—breviāre, to shorten—brevis, short.]

Brevier, brev-ēr′, n. a small type between bourgeois and minion, originally used in printing breviaries.

Brevity, brev′it-i, n. shortness: conciseness. [L. brevitas—brevis, short.]

Brew, brōō, v.t. to prepare a liquor, as from malt and other materials: to contrive or plot.—v.i. to perform the operation of brewing ale or beer: to be gathering or forming.—ns. Brew′age, something brewed: mixed liquor; Brew′er, one who brews; Brew′ery, Brew′-house, a place for brewing; Brew′ing, the act of making liquor from malt: the quantity brewed at once; Brew′ster (now only Scot.), a brewer. [A.S. bréowan; cf. Ger. brauen.]

Briar. Same as Brier (1).

Briarean, brī-ā′re-an, adj. relating to Briareus, a hundred-handed giant: hence many-handed. [Gr.—briaros, strong.]

Briar-root. See Brier (2).

Bribe, brīb, n. something given to influence unduly the judgment or corrupt the conduct: allurement.—v.t. to influence by a bribe: to gain over.—v.i. to practise bribery.—ns. Brib′er, one who bribes; Brib′ery, the act of giving or taking bribes; Brib′ery-oath, an oath taken by an elector that he has not been bribed. [O. Fr. bribe, a lump of bread; origin dub.]

Bric-à-brac, brik′a-brak, n. old curiosities, or other articles of value. [Acc. to Littré, formed after the phrase de bric et de broc, 'by hook and by crook.']

Brick, brik, n. an oblong or square piece of burned clay: a loaf of bread in the shape of a brick: (slang) a reliable friend, a good fellow.—v.t. to lay or pave with brick.—ns. Brick′bat, a piece of brick; Brick′clay, a clay used in making bricks; Brick′-dust, dust made by pounding bricks, a colour like that of brick-dust; Brick′-earth, earth used in making bricks; Brick′-field, a place where bricks are made; Brick′-kiln, a kiln in which bricks are burned; Brick′layer, one who lays or builds with bricks; Brick′laying; Brick′maker, one whose trade is to make bricks; Brick′-tea, tea pressed into cakes; Brick′-work, a structure formed of bricks.—Like a brick, with good-will. [Fr. brique, from root of Break.]

Brickle, brik′l, adj. (Spens. and Scot.) apt to break: weak: troublesome. [Older form of Brittle.]

Bricole, brik′el, or brik-ōl′, n. an ancient engine for throwing stones: the rebound of a ball from the wall of a tennis-court, an indirect stroke. [Fr.—Low L. briccola.]

Bridal, brīd′al, n. a marriage feast: a wedding.—adj. belonging to a bride or a wedding: nuptial. [Bride, and Ale, a feast.]

Bride, brīd, n. a woman about to be married: a woman newly married.—v.i. (Shak.) to act the bride.—ns. Bride′-ale (obs.)—Bridal, the ale-drinking at a marriage feast; Bride′-bed, the marriage bed; Bride′cake, the bride's cake, or cake distributed at a wedding; Bride′-cham′ber, a nuptial apartment; Bride′groom, a man about to be married: a man newly married; Bride′maid, Bride's′-maid, Bride′man, Bride's′-man, young unmarried people who attend the bride and bridegroom at a wedding. [A.S. brýd; Ice. brúdr, Ger. braut, a bride.]

Bridewell, brīd′wel, n. a house of correction: a gaol. [From a palace near St Bride's Well in London.]

Bridge, brij, n. a structure raised across a river, &c., or anything like such: the narrow raised platform whence the captain of a steamer gives directions: a thin upright piece of wood supporting the strings in a violin or similar instrument.—v.t. to build a bridge over.—n. Bridge′-head, a fortification covering the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy's position.—adj. Bridge′less, without a bridge.—n. Bridge′-of-boats, a bridge resting on boats moored abreast across a piece of water. [A.S. brycg; Ger. brucke, Ice. bryggja.]

Bridge, brich, n. a modification of whist in which the dealer does not turn up the last card, but has the option (which he may pass to his partner) of declaring which suit shall be trumps.

Bridle, brī′-dl, n. the apparatus on a horse's head, by which it is controlled: any curb or restraint: a gesture expressing pride or vanity.—v.t. to put on or manage by a bridle: to check or restrain.—v.i. to hold up the head proudly or affectedly.—ns. Brī′dle-hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding—the left hand; Brī′dle-path, a path or way for horsemen; Brī′dler, one who governs or restrains as by a bridle; Bri′dle-rein, the strap of a bridle.—To bridle up (at something), to take something amiss. [A.S. brídel; Old High Ger. brittel.]

Bridoon, brid′ōōn, n. the light snaffle usual in a military bridle, in addition to the ordinary bit, controlled by a separate rein. [Fr. bridon, bride, a bridle.]

Brief, brēf, n. a short account of a client's case for the instruction of counsel: a writ: a short statement of any kind.—adj. short: concise.—adj. Brief′less.—adv. Brief′ly.—n. Brief′ness.—In brief, in few words.—King's briefs, royal mandates ordering collections to be made in chapels for building churches, &c.; Papal brief, such documents as are issued without some of the solemnities proper to bulls.—The brief and the long (Shak.), the short and the long.—To be brief, to speak in a few words; To hold a brief, to be retained as counsel in a case; To take a brief, to undertake a case. [Fr. bref—L. brevis, short.]

Brier, brī′er, n. a prickly shrub: a common name for the wild rose: (Scot.) the thorn of the brier—also Brī′ar.—adjs. Brī′ery, Brī′ered, having briers. [A.S. brér.]

Brier, Briar, brī′ėr, n. the white heath, a shrub grown in France, from the root of which tobacco-pipes are made: a pipe of this wood. [Fr. bruyère, heath.]

Brig, brig, n. a two-masted, square-rigged vessel. [Shortened from Brigantine.]

Brigade, brig-ād′, n. a body of troops consisting of two or more regiments of infantry or cavalry, and commanded by a general officer, two or more of which form a division: a band of people more or less organised.—v.t. to form into brigades.—ns. Brigade′-mā′jor, a staff-officer attached to a brigade; Brigadier′, Brigadier′-gen′eral, a general officer of the lowest grade, who has command of a brigade. [Fr. brigade—It. brigata—Low L. briga, strife.]

Brigand, brig′and, n. a robber or freebooter.—ns. Brig′andage, freebooting: plundering; Brig′andine, Brig′antine, a coat-of-mail, composed of linen or leather, with steel rings or plates sewed upon it. [Fr.—It. brigante—briga, strife.]

Brigantine, brig′an-tīn, n. a two-masted vessel, with the mainmast of a schooner and the foremast of a brig. [Fr. brigantin—It. brigantine, a pirate ship.]

Bright, brīt, adj. shining: full of light: clear: beautiful: cheerful: clever: illustrious.—adv. (Shak.) brightly: clearly.—v.t. Bright′en, to make bright or brighter.—v.i. to grow bright or brighter: to clear up.—adv. Bright′ly.—n. Bright′ness.—adj. Bright′some, bright: brilliant. [A.S. beorht; cog. with Goth. bairhts, clear, L. flagr-āre, to flame.]

Bright's-disease, brīts′-diz-ēz′, n. a generic name for a group of diseases of the kidneys, which may be defined as comprising cases where structural changes in the kidneys, usually inflammatory, but without suppuration, lead to the presence of albumen in the urine. [From Dr Richard Bright (1789-1858).]

Brigue, brig, v.i. to intrigue.—n. strife, intrigue.—n. Brigu′ing, canvassing. [Fr. brigue; derivation uncertain.]

Brill, bril, n. a fish of the same kind as the turbot, spotted with white. [Ety. unknown.]

Brilliant, bril′yant, adj. sparkling: glittering: splendid.—n. a diamond of the finest cut (as opposed to rose-cut or other patterns).—ns. Brill′iancy, Brill′iance.—adv. Brill′iantly.—n. Brill′iantness.[Fr. brillant, pr.p. of briller, to shine, which, like Ger. brille, an eyeglass, is from Low L. beryllus, a beryl.]

Brim, brim, n. the margin or brink of a river or lake: the upper edge of a vessel: the rim of a hat.—v.t. to fill to the brim.—v.i. to be full to the brim:—pr.p. brim′ming; pa.p. brimmed.—adj. Brim′ful, full to the brim.—n. Brim′fulness (Shak.), fullness to the top.—adjs. Brim′less, without a brim; Brimmed, brimful: having a brim—used in composition.—n. Brim′mer, a bowl full to the brim or top.—adj. Brim′ming. [M. E. brymme—bremman, to roar.]

Brimstone, brim′stōn, n. sulphur: (fig.) a virago.—Fire and brimstone! an ejaculation. [Lit. burning stone; from A.S. brýne, a burning—byrnan, to burn, and Stone; cf. Ger. bernstein.]

Brinded, brin′ded, Brindled, brin′dld, adj. marked with spots or streaks.—n. Brin′dle, state of being brindled. [See Brand.]

Brine, brīn, n. salt water: the sea.—ns. Brine′-pit, a pit or pan in which brine is evaporated, so as to form salt: a salt spring; Brine′-shrimp, a small crustacean.—adjs. Brin′ish, like brine: somewhat salt; Brin′y, pertaining to brine or to the sea: salt.—The briny (slang), the sea. [A.S. brýne, a burning; applied to salt liquor, from its burning, biting quality.]

Bring, bring, v.t. to fetch: to carry: to procure: to occasion: to draw or lead:—pa.t. and pa.p. brought (brawt).—Bring about, to bring to pass, effect; Bring down, to humble; Bring forth, to give birth to, produce; Bring home, to prove, to impress; Bring in, to introduce; Bring off, to bring away, as by a boat from a ship, to rescue; Bring on, to cause to advance; Bring out, to express: to produce before the public, as a book, a play, a subscription: to introduce a young woman formally into so-called society; Bring over, to convert; Bring round, to restore from illness; Bring to, to check the course of, as a ship, by trimming the sails so as to counteract each other; Bring under, to subdue; Bring up, to rear or educate. [A.S. bringan, to carry, to bring; allied perh. to Bear.]

Brinjarry, brin-zhar′i, n. a travelling dealer in grain and salt in Southern India. [Hind. bānjāra.]

Brink, bringk, n. the edge or border of a steep place or of a river: (fig.) the very verge of time, at the very point of something—e.g. To be on the brink of death. [Dan. brink, declivity; Ice. bringa, a hillock.]

Brio, brī′o, n. liveliness, vivacity. [It. brio.]

Brioche, bri-osh′, n. a sponge-cake. [Fr.]

Briony. Same as Bryony.

Briquette, bri-ket′, n. a brick-shaped block of coal formed from coal-dust. [Fr. briquette, dim. of brique, a Brick.]

Brisk, brisk, adj. full of life and spirit: active: sharp: effervescing, as liquors.—v.t. to enliven, freshen.—v.i. to cheer up.—adjs. Brisk′ish, Brisk′y, (Shak.).—adv. Brisk′ly.—n. Brisk′ness. [Dr Murray notes that the word is first found in the end of the 16th century; prob. W. brysg, swift of foot; cf. Gael. brisg, Ir. briosg.]

Brisket, brisk′et, n. the breast of an animal: the part of the breast next to the ribs. [Fr. brechet, brichet.]

Bristle, bris′l, n. a short, stiff hair, as of swine.—v.i. to stand erect, as bristles.—v.t. to cover, as with bristles: to make bristly:—pr.p. bris′tling; pa.p. brist′led.—adj. Bristled (bris′ld), furnished with bristles.—n. Brist′liness.—adj. Brist′ly, set with bristles: rough.—To set up one's bristles, to show temper. [A.S. byrst; Scot. birse; cog. with Ger. borste, Ice. burst.]

Bristol-board, bris′tul-bōrd, n. a smooth pasteboard.—ns. Bris′tol-brick, an earthy material for scouring cutlery, like bath-brick; Bris′tol-dī′amond, a kind of crystal found near Bristol. [From the town of Bristol, in England.]

Brisure, bri-zhūr′, n. (fort.) any part of a rampart or parapet which breaks off at an angle from the general direction: (her.) a variation of a coat-of-arms, showing the relation of a younger to the main line. [Fr.—briser, to break.]

Britannia-metal, brit-an′i-a-met′l, n. a metallic alloy largely used in the manufacture of spoons, &c.

Britannic, brit-an′ik, adj. pertaining to Britannia or Great Britain: British.—adj. British, in ethnography, Old Celtic as opposed to Anglo-Saxon: pertaining to Great Britain or its people—ns. Brit′isher, a British subject (Amer.); Brit′on, a native of Britain.

Brittle, brit′l, adj. apt to break: easily broken: frail.—ns. Britt′leness; Britt′le-stars, or Sand-stars, one of the classes of Echinodermata, including forms not far removed from starfishes. [A.S. bréotan, to break.]

Britzka, Britzska, brits′ka, n. an open four-wheeled carriage with shutters to close at pleasure, and only one seat.—Also Britschka, Britska. [Polish bryczka, dim. of bryka, a wagon.]

Broach, brōch, n. a tapering, pointed instrument, used chiefly for boring: a spit: a church spire.—v.t. to pierce as a cask, to tap: to open up or begin: to utter.—n. Broach′er, a broach or spit: one who broaches or utters.—To broach the admiral, to steal some liquor from a cask while being carried by rail or otherwise, or when in store; To broach to, to turn a ship to windward. [Fr. brocher, to pierce, broche, an iron pin—L. brocchus, a projecting tooth.]

Broad, brawd, adj. wide: large, free or open: outspoken: coarse, indelicate: of pronunciation, e.g. a broad accent.—advs. Broad, Broad′ly.—ns. Broad′-ar′row, a mark, thus (Broad arrow), stamped on materials belonging to Government; Broad′-brim, a hat with a broad brim, such as those worn by Quakers: (coll.) a Quaker.—adj. Broad′cast, scattered or sown abroad by the hand: dispersed widely.—adv. by throwing at large from the hand, only in phrases, as, 'to scatter broadcast,' &c.—v.t. to scatter freely.—n. Broad′cloth, a fine kind of woollen fulled cloth, used for men's garments.—v.t. Broad′en, to make broad or broader.—v.i. to grow broad or extend in breadth.—adj. Broad′-eyed (Shak.), having a wide or extended survey.—ns. Broad′-gauge (see Gauge); Broad′ness.—n.pl. Broads, lake-like expansions of rivers.—ns. Broad′side, the side of a ship: all the guns on one side of a ship of war, or their simultaneous discharge: a sheet of paper printed on one side, otherwise named Broad′sheet; Broad′sword, a cutting sword with a broad blade: a man armed with such a sword.—Broad Church, a party within the Church of England which advocates a broad and liberal interpretation of dogmatic definitions and creed subscription—the name was first used in 1833 by W. J. Conybeare. [A.S. brád, Goth. braids.]

Brobdingnagian, brob-ding-nā′ji-an, n. an inhabitant of the fabulous region of Brobdingnag in Gulliver's Travels, the people of which were of great stature—hence a gigantic person.—adj. gigantic.—adj. Brobdingnag′, immense.

Brocade, brok-ād′, n. a silk stuff on which figures are wrought.—adj. Brocad′ed, woven or worked in the manner of brocade: dressed in brocade. [It. broccato, Fr. brocart, from It. broccare, Fr. brocher, to prick, stitch; from root of Broach.]

Brocage, brōk′āj, n. Obsolete spelling of Brokage (q.v. under Broker).

Brocard, brok′ärd, n. an elementary law or principle: a canon: (Fr.) a gibe. [Fr. brocard, Low L. brocarda, from Brocard or Burchard, Bishop of Worms, who published a book of ecclesiastical rules.]

Broccoli, brok′o-li, n. a cultivated kind of cabbage resembling cauliflower, of which it is originally a hardy variety. [It.; pl. of broccolo, a sprout, dim. of brocco, a skewer, a shoot.]

Broch, broh, n. the local name applied in the north of Scotland to the ancient dry-built circular castles, known also to the Gaelic-speaking people as duns, and to antiquaries as Pictish towers.—Also Brogh and Brough. [Old Norse borg; A.S. burh.]

Broch, brōch, obsolete spelling of Broach.

Brochure, bro-shōōr′, n. a pamphlet. [Lit. a small book stitched, Fr.—brocher, to stitch—broche, a needle. See Broach.]

Brock, brok, n. a badger—hence, from the smell, a dirty, stinking fellow.—adj. Brocked (Scot.), variegated, having a mixture of black and white. [From the Celt., as in Gael. broc, a badger, which is from Gael. breac, speckled.]