B - Bachelor

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B.

B (bē) 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. ferre; Eng. silver and Ger. silber; Lat. cubitum and It. gomito; Eng. seven, Anglo-Saxon seofon, Ger. sieben, Lat. septem, Gr.epta, Sanskrit saptan. The form of letter B is Roman, from the Greek B (Beta), of Semitic origin. The small b was formed by gradual change from the capital B.
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In (Music), 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). B♭ stands for B flat, the tone a half step, or semitone, lower than B. In German, B stands for our B♭, while our B natural is called H (pronounced hä).
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B-52 n. A large long-range bomber airplane of the U. S. military aircraft fleet; B- stands for bomber. It has the capability of delivering nuclear weapons.
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Ba (bä), v. t. [Cf. OF. baer to open the mouth, F. bayer.] To kiss. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Baa (bä), v. i. [Cf. G. bäen; an imitative word.] To cry baa, or bleat as a sheep.
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He treble baas for help, but none can get. Sir P. Sidney.
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Baa (bä), n.; pl. Baas (bäz). [Cf. G. bä.] The cry or bleating of a sheep; a bleat.
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Baaing, n. The bleating of a sheep. Marryat.
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Baal (bā�l), n.; Heb. pl. Baalim (-ĭm). [Heb. ba'al lord.] 1. (Myth.) The supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations.
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☞ The name 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).
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2. pl. The whole class of divinities to whom the name Baal was applied. Judges x. 6.
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Baalism (-ĭz'm), n. Worship of Baal; idolatry.
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{ Baalist (�), Baalite (�), } n. A worshiper of Baal; a devotee of any false religion; an idolater.
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Bab (?), n. [Per.] Lit., gate; -- a title given to the founder of Babism, and taken from that of Bab-ud-Din, assumed by him.
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Baba (�), n. [F.] A kind of plum cake.
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babassu n. 1. a tall feather palm of northern Brazil (Orbignya barbosiana) with hard-shelled nuts yielding a valuable oil ( Coloq. babassu oil ) and a kind of vegetable ivory.
Syn. -- babassu palm, coco de macao, Orbignya phalerata, Orbignya spesiosa, Orbignya martiana.
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babbiting, babbitting n. lining a surface or bearing with babbitt metal.
Syn. -- babbitting
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Babbitt (�), v. t. To line with Babbitt metal.
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Babbitt metal (�). [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.
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Babble (băbb'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Babbled (băbb'ld); 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.
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2. To talk incoherently; to utter unmeaning words.
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3. To talk much; to chatter; to prate.
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4. To make a continuous murmuring noise, as shallow water running over stones.
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In every babbling brook he finds a friend. Wordsworth.
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☞ Hounds are said to babble, or to be babbling, when they are too noisy after having found a good scent.
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Syn. -- To prate; prattle; chatter; gossip.
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Babble, v. t. 1. To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat, as words, in a childish way without understanding.
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These [words] he used to babble in all companies. Arbuthnot.
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2. To disclose by too free talk, as a secret.
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Babble, n. 1. Idle talk; senseless prattle; gabble; twaddle. “This is mere moral babble.” Milton.
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2. Inarticulate speech; constant or confused murmur.
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The babble of our young children. Darwin.
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The babble of the stream. Tennyson.
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Babblement (�), n. Babble. Hawthorne.
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Babbler (�), n. 1. An idle talker; an irrational prater; a teller of secrets.
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Great babblers, or talkers, are not fit for trust. L'Estrange.
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2. A hound too noisy on finding a good scent.
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3. (Zoöl.) A name given to any one of a family (Timalinæ) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering note.
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Babblery (�), n. Babble. [Obs.] Sir T. More.
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Babe (�), n. [Cf. Ir. bab, baban, W. baban, maban.]
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1. An infant; a young child of either sex; a baby.
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2. A doll for children. Spenser.
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Babehood (�), n. Babyhood. [R.] Udall.
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Babel (�), n. [Heb. Bābel, 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.
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Therefore is the name of it called Babel. Gen. xi. 9.
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2. Hence: A place or scene of noise and confusion; a confused mixture of sounds, as of voices or languages.
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That babel of strange heathen languages. Hammond.
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The grinding babel of the street. R. L. Stevenson.
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Babery (�), n. [Perh. orig. for baboonery. Cf. , and also .] Finery of a kind to please a child. [Obs.] “Painted babery.” Sir P. Sidney.
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{ Babian (�), Babion } (�), n. [See .] A baboon. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
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Babillard (�), n. [F., a babbler.] (Zoöl.) The lesser whitethroat of Europe; -- called also babbling warbler.
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Babingtonite (�), 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.
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{ Babiroussa, Babirussa} (�), n. [F. babiroussa, fr. Malay bābī hog + rūsa deer.] (Zoöl.) A large hoglike quadruped (Sus babirussa, syn. Porcus babirussa) of the East Indies, sometimes domesticated; the Indian hog. Its upper canine teeth or tusks are large and recurved.
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Babish (�), a. Like a babe; a childish; babyish. [R.] “Babish imbecility.” Drayton. -- Babishly, adv. -- Babishness, n. [R.]
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{ Babism (?), Babiism (?) }, n. The doctrine of a modern religious pantheistical sect in Persia, which was founded, about 1844, by Mirza Ali Mohammed ibn Rabhik (1820 -- 1850), who assumed the title of Bab-ed-Din (Per., Gate of the Faith). Babism is a mixture of Mohammedan, Christian, Jewish, and Parsi elements. This doctrine forbids concubinage and polygamy, and frees women from many of the degradations imposed upon them among the orthodox Mohammedans. Mendicancy, the use of intoxicating liquors and drugs, and slave dealing, are forbidden; asceticism is discountenanced. -- Babist, n.
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Babist, n. A believer in Babism.
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Bablah (�), n. [Cf. Per. babūl a species of mimosa yielding gum arabic.] The rind of the fruit of several East Indian species of acacia; neb-neb. It contains gallic acid and tannin, and is used for dyeing drab.
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{ Baboo, Babu } (bäb�), n. [Hind. bābū.] A Hindu gentleman; a native clerk who writes English; also, a Hindu title equivalent to the English Mr. or Esquire. Whitworth.
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Baboon (�), n. [OE. babewin, baboin, fr. F. babouin, or LL. babewynus. Of unknown origin; cf. D. baviaan, G. pavian, baboon, F. babine lip of ape, dogs, etc., dial. G. bäppe mouth.] (Zoöl.) 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 , and , and an ape.
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Baboonery (�), n. Baboonish behavior. Marryat.
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Baboonish, a. Like a baboon.
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{ Babul, Babool (?) }, n. [See .] (Bot.) Any one of several species of Acacia, esp. Acacia Arabica, which yelds a gum used as a substitute for true gum arabic.
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In place of Putney's golden gorse
The sickly babul blooms. Kipling.
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Baby (bāb�), n.; pl. Babies (-bĭz). [Dim. of babe.] An infant or young child of either sex; a babe.
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2. A small image of an infant; a doll.
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Coloq. Babies in the eyes , the minute reflection which one sees of one's self in the eyes of another.
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She clung about his neck, gave him ten kisses,
Toyed with his locks, looked babies in his eyes. Heywood.
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Baby, a. Pertaining to, or resembling, an infant; young or little; as, baby swans. “Baby figure” Shak.
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Baby, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Babied (bābēd); p. pr. & vb. n. Babying.] To treat like a young child; to keep dependent; to humor; to fondle. Young.
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baby-blue-eyes n. 1. delicate California annual having blue flowers marked with dark spots.
Syn. -- baby blue-eyes, Nemophila menziesii
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baby-faced adj. 1. having a face resembling that of a baby
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Baby farm (�). A place where the nourishment and care of babies are offered for hire.
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Baby farmer (�). One who keeps a baby farm.
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Baby farming. The business of keeping a baby farm.
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Babyhood (�), n. The state or period of infancy.
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Babyhouse (�), n. A place for children's dolls and dolls' furniture. Swift.
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Babyish, a. Like a baby; childish; puerile; simple. -- Babyishly, adv. -- Babyishness, n.
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Babyism (�), n. 1. The state of being a baby.
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2. A babyish manner of acting or speaking.
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Baby jumper (�). A hoop suspended by an elastic strap, in which a young child may be held secure while amusing itself by jumping on the floor.
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Babylonian (�), a. Of or pertaining to the real or to the mystical Babylon, or to the ancient kingdom of Babylonia; Chaldean.
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Babylonian, prop. n. 1. An inhabitant of Babylonia (which included Chaldea); a Chaldean.
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2. An astrologer; -- so called because the Chaldeans were remarkable for the study of astrology.
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{ Babylonic (�), Babylonical (�), } a. 1. Pertaining to Babylon, or made there; as, Babylonic garments, carpets, or hangings.
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2. Tumultuous; disorderly. [Obs.] Sir J. Harrington.
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Babylonish (�), a. 1. Of or pertaining to, or made in, Babylon or Babylonia. “A Babylonish garment.” Josh. vii. 21.
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2. Pertaining to the Babylon of Revelation xiv. 8.
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3. Pertaining to Rome and papal power. [Obs.]
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The . . . injurious nickname of Babylonish. Gage.
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4. Confused; Babel-like.
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{ Babyroussa, Babyrussa } (�), n. (Zoöl.) See .
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Babyship (�), n. The quality of being a baby; the personality of an infant.
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baby-sit v. act as a baby-sitter
Syn. -- babysit, sit
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babysitter, baby-sitter n. A person engaged to care for children when the parents are not home.
Syn. -- sitter
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babysitting n. the work of a baby sitter; caring for children when their parents are not home.
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baby-walker n. a framework on small wheels or casters designed to support small children while they are learning to walk, and usually having a fabric support that permits the child to sit. Called also walker and go-cart.
Syn. -- walker, go-cart
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Bac (�), n. [F. See a vat.] 1. A broad, flat-bottomed ferryboat, usually worked by a rope.
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2. A vat or cistern. See 1st .
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bacca n. 1. an indehiscent fruit derived from a single ovary having one or many seeds within a fleshy wall or pericarp: e. g. grape; tomato; cranberry.
Syn. -- simple fruit
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Baccalaureate (�), 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 .] 1. The degree of bachelor of arts (B.A. or A.B.), the first or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and colleges.
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2. A baccalaureate sermon. [U.S.]
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Baccalaureate, a. Pertaining to a bachelor of arts.
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Coloq. Baccalaureate sermon , in some American colleges, a sermon delivered as a farewell discourse to a graduating class.
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{ Baccara, Baccarat } (�), n. [F.] A French game of cards, played by a banker and punters.
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{ Baccare, Backare } (�), 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.
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Baccare! you are marvelous forward. Shak.
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Baccate (�), a. [L. baccatus, fr. L. bacca berry.] (Bot.) Pulpy throughout, like a berry; -- said of fruits. Gray.
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Baccated (�), a. 1. Having many berries.
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2. Set or adorned with pearls. [Obs.]
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Bacchanal (�), a. [L. Bacchanalis. See .] 1. Relating to Bacchus or his festival.
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2. Engaged in drunken revels; drunken and riotous or noisy.
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Bacchanal (băkkȧn�l), 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.
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2. pl. The festival of Bacchus; the bacchanalia.
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3. Drunken revelry; an orgy.
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4. A song or a dance in honor of Bacchus.
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Bacchanalia (băkkȧnālĭȧ), n. pl. [L. Bacchanal a place devoted to Bacchus; in the pl. Bacchanalia a feast of Bacchus, fr. Bacchus the god of wine, Gr. Bakchos.]
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1. (Myth.) A feast or an orgy in honor of Bacchus.
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2. Hence: A drunken feast; drunken revels; an orgy.
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Bacchanalian (băkkȧnālĭ�n; 106), a. Of or pertaining to the festival of Bacchus; relating to or given to reveling and drunkenness.
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Even bacchanalian madness has its charms. Cowper.
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Bacchanalian, n. A bacchanal; a drunken reveler.
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Bacchanalianism (�), n. The practice of bacchanalians; bacchanals; drunken revelry.
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Bacchant (�), n.; pl. E. Bacchants, L. Bacchantes. [L. bacchans, -antis, p. pr. of bacchari to celebrate the festival of Bacchus.] 1. A priest of Bacchus.
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2. A bacchanal; a reveler. Croly.
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Bacchant, a. Bacchanalian; fond of drunken revelry; wine-loving; reveling; carousing. Byron.
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Bacchante (�), n.; L. pl. Bacchantes. 1. A priestess of Bacchus.
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2. A female bacchanal.
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Bacchantic (�), a. Bacchanalian.
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{ Bacchic (�), Bacchical (�) }, a. [L. Bacchicus, Gr. Bakchikos.] Of or relating to Bacchus; hence, jovial, or riotous, with intoxication; riotously drunken; -- used of revelrous gatherings.
Syn. -- bacchanalian, bacchanal, bibulous, carousing, drunken(prenominal), orgiastic, riotous
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Bacchius (�), n.; pl. Bacchii (�). [L. Bacchius pes, Gr. o Bakchei^os (sc. poys foot).] (Pros.) A metrical foot composed of a short syllable and two long ones; according to some, two long and a short.
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Bacchus (�), n. [L., fr. Gr. Bakchos.] (Myth.) The god of wine, son of Jupiter and Semele.
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Bacciferous (�), a. [L. baccifer; bacca berry + ferre to bear.] Producing berries. “ Bacciferous trees.” Ray.
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Bacciform (�), a. [L. bacca berry + -form.] Having the form of a berry.
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Baccivorous (�), a. [L. bacca berry + vorare to devour.] (Zoöl.) Eating, or subsisting on, berries; as, baccivorous birds.
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Bace (�), n., a., & v. See . [Obs.] Spenser.
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{Bacharach, Backarack } (�), n. A kind of wine made at Bacharach on the Rhine.
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Bachelor (băch�lẽr), 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, a person of an inferior academical degree aspiring to a doctorate. In the latter sense, it was afterward changed to baccalaureus. See , n.] 1. A man of any age who has not been married.
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As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound. W. Irving.
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2. An unmarried woman. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
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