Baffling - Bakelite

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Baffling (băfflĭng), a. Frustrating; discomfiting; disconcerting; as, baffling currents, winds, tasks. -- Bafflingly, adv. -- Bafflingness, n.
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Baffy (bȧf�), n. [See , v. t.] (Golf) A short wooden club having a deeply concave face, seldom used.
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Baft (băft). n. Same as .
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Bafta (băftȧ), n. [Cf. Per. baft woven, wrought.] A coarse stuff, usually of cotton, originally made in India. Also, an imitation of this fabric made for export.
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Bag (băg), n. [OE. bagge; cf. Icel. baggi, and also OF. bague, bundle, LL. baga.] 1. A sack or pouch, used for holding anything; as, a bag of meal or of money.
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2. A sac, or dependent gland, in animal bodies, containing some fluid or other substance; as, the bag of poison in the mouth of some serpents; the bag of a cow.
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3. A sort of silken purse formerly tied about men's hair behind, by way of ornament. [Obs.]
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4. The quantity of game bagged.
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5. (Com.) A certain quantity of a commodity, such as it is customary to carry to market in a sack; as, a bag of pepper or hops; a bag of coffee.
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Coloq. Bag and baggage , all that belongs to one. -- Coloq. To give one the bag , to disappoint him. [Obs.] Bunyan.
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Bag, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bagged (băgd); p. pr. & vb. n. Bagging] 1. To put into a bag; as, to bag hops.
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2. To seize, capture, or entrap; as, to bag an army; to bag game.
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3. To furnish or load with a bag or with a well filled bag.
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A bee bagged with his honeyed venom. Dryden.
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Bag, v. i. 1. To swell or hang down like a full bag; as, the skin bags from containing morbid matter.
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2. To swell with arrogance. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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3. To become pregnant. [Obs.] Warner. (Alb. Eng.).
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Bagasse (bȧgăs), n. [F.] Sugar cane, as it comes crushed from the mill. It is then dried and used as fuel. Also extended to the refuse of beetroot sugar.
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Bagatelle (băgȧtĕl), n. [F., fr. It. bagatella; cf. Prov. It. bagata trifle, OF. bague, Pr. bagua, bundle. See , n.] 1. A trifle; a thing of no importance.
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Rich trifles, serious bagatelles. Prior.
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2. A game played on an oblong board, having, at one end, cups or arches into or through which balls are to be driven by a rod held in the hand of the player.
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bagel (bāg'l), n. [Yiddish beygl, prob. fr. dial. G. Beugel. RHUD] a glazed leavened doughnut-shaped roll with a hard crust. A similar roll in Russia is called a bublik.
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bagful (băgfụl), n. The quantity that a bag will hold; as, he ate a bagful of popcorn.
Syn. -- bag.
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baggage (băgg�j), n. [F. bagage, from OF. bague bundle. In senses 6 and 7 cf. F. bagasse a prostitute. See , n.] 1. The clothes, tents, utensils, and provisions of an army.
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☞ “The term itself is made to apply chiefly to articles of clothing and to small personal effects.” Farrow.
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2. The trunks, valises, satchels, etc., which a traveler carries with him on a journey; luggage.
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The baronet's baggage on the roof of the coach. Thackeray.
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We saw our baggage following below. Johnson.
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☞ The English usually call this luggage.
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3. Purulent matter. [Obs.] Barrough.
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4. Trashy talk. [Obs.] Ascham.
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5. A man of bad character. [Obs.] Holland.
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6. A woman of loose morals; a prostitute.
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A disreputable, daring, laughing, painted French baggage. Thackeray.
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7. A romping, saucy girl. [Playful] Goldsmith.
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Baggage master (�). One who has charge of the baggage at a railway station or upon a line of public travel. [U.S.]
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Baggager (�), n. One who takes care of baggage; a camp follower. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
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Baggala (�), n. [Ar. “fem. of baghl a mule.” Balfour.] (Naut.) A two-masted Arab or Indian trading vessel, used in the Indian Ocean.
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Baggily (�), adv. In a loose, baggy way.
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Bagging, n. 1. Cloth or other material for bags.
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2. The act of putting anything into, or as into, a bag.
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3. The act of swelling; swelling.
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Bagging, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] Reaping peas, beans, wheat, etc., with a chopping stroke. [Eng.]
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Baggy (�), a. Resembling a bag; loose or puffed out, or pendent, like a bag; flabby; as, baggy trousers; baggy cheeks.
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Bag lady (�), n. a homeless woman who carries all her possessions with her in bags.
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Bagman (�), n.; pl. Bagmen (�). A commercial traveler; one employed to solicit orders for manufacturers and tradesmen. Thackeray.
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Bag net (băg nĕt), n. A bag-shaped net for catching fish.
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Bagnio (�), n. [It. bagno, fr. L. balneum. Cf. .] 1. A house for bathing, sweating, etc.; -- also, in Turkey, a prison for slaves. [Obs.]
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2. A brothel; a stew; a house of prostitution.
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Bagpipe (�), n. A musical wind instrument, now used chiefly in the Highlands of Scotland.
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☞ It consists of a leather bag, which receives the air by a tube that is stopped by a valve; and three sounding pipes, into which the air is pressed by the performer. Two of these pipes produce fixed tones, namely, the bass, or key tone, and its fifth, and form together what is called the drone; the third, or chanter, gives the melody.
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Bagpipe, v. t. To make to look like a bagpipe.
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Coloq. To bagpipe the mizzen (Naut.), to lay it aback by bringing the sheet to the mizzen rigging. Totten.
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Bagpiper (�), n. One who plays on a bagpipe; a piper. Shak.
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Bagreef (�), n. [Bag + reef.] (Naut.) The lower reef of fore and aft sails; also, the upper reef of topsails. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
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Bague (�), n. [F., a ring] (Arch.) The annular molding or group of moldings dividing a long shaft or clustered column into two or more parts.
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{ Baguet, Baguette } (�), n. [F. baguette, prop. a rod� It. bacchetta, fr. L. baculum, baculu� stick, staff.] 1. (Arch.) A small molding, like the astragal, but smaller; a bead.
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2. (Zoöl) One of the minute bodies seen in the divided nucleoli of some Infusoria after conjugation.
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Bagwig (�), n. A wig, in use in the 18th century, with the hair at the back of the head in a bag.
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Bagworm (�), n. (Zoöl.) One of several lepidopterous insects which construct, in the larval state, a baglike case which they carry about for protection. One species (Platœceticus Gloveri) feeds on the orange tree. See .
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Bah (�), interj. An exclamation expressive of extreme contempt.
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Twenty-five years ago the vile ejaculation, Bah! was utterly unknown to the English public. De Quincey.
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{ Bahadur Bahaudur } (?), n. [Written also bahawder.] [Hind. bahādur hero, champion.] A title of respect or honor given to European officers in East Indian state papers, and colloquially, and among the natives, to distinguished officials and other important personages.
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Bahai (bȧhī), n.; pl. (-hīz). A member of the sect of the Babis consisting of the adherents of Baha (Mirza Husain Ali, entitled “Baha 'u 'llah,” or, “the Splendor of God”), the elder half brother of Mirza Yahya of Nur, who succeeded the Bab as the head of the Babists. Baha in 1863 declared himself the supreme prophet of the sect, and became its recognized head. There are upwards of 20,000 Bahais in the United States.
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Bahaism (?), n. The religious tenets or practices of the Bahais.
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Bahar (�), n. [Ar. bahār, from bahara to charge with a load.] A weight used in certain parts of the East Indies, varying considerably in different localities, the range being from 223 to 625 pounds.
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Bahrain n. 1. an island in the Persian Gulf.
Syn. -- Bahrein.
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2. an island country in the Persian Gulf.
Syn. -- Bahrein.
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Bahraini n. 1. a native or inhabitant of Bahrain.
Syn. -- Bahreini.
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Bahraini adj. 1. of or pertaining to Bahrain (definition 2). The Bahraini ruling families
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2. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Bahrain. Bahraini beaches.
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Bahrein n. an island in the Persian Gulf; same as .
Syn. -- Bahrain.
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2. an island country in the Persian Gulf.
Syn. -- Bahrain.
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Bahreini n. a native or inhabitant of Bahrain.
Syn. -- Bahraini.
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Bai, Baic n. a language spoken in the Dali region of Yunnan.
Syn. -- Baic.
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Baigne (bān), v. t. [F. baigner to bathe, fr. L. balneum bath.] To soak or drench. [Obs.] Carew.
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Baignoire (?), n. [Written also baignoir.] [F., lit., bath tub.] A box of the lowest tier in a theater. Du Maurier.
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Bail (bāl), n. [F. baille a bucket, pail; cf. LL. bacula, dim. of bacca a sort of vessel. Cf. .] A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat. [Obs.]
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The bail of a canoe . . . made of a human skull. Capt. Cook.
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Bail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bailed (bāld); p. pr. & vb. n. Bailing.] 1. To lade; to dip and throw; -- usually with out; as, to bail water out of a boat.
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Buckets . . . to bail out the water. Capt. J. Smith.
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2. To dip or lade water from; -- often with out to express completeness; as, to bail a boat.
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By the help of a small bucket and our hats we bailed her out. R. H. Dana, Jr.
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Bail, v. t. [OF. bailler to give, to deliver, fr. L. bajulare to bear a burden, keep in custody, fr. bajulus he who bears burdens.] 1. To deliver; to release. [Obs.]
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Ne none there was to rescue her, ne none to bail. Spenser.
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2. (Law) (a) To set free, or deliver from arrest, or out of custody, on the undertaking of some other person or persons that he or they will be responsible for the appearance, at a certain day and place, of the person bailed.
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☞ The word is applied to the magistrate or the surety. The magistrate bails (but admits to bail is commoner) a man when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment upon bond given with sureties. The surety bails a person when he procures his release from arrest by giving bond for his appearance. Blackstone.
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(b) To deliver, as goods in trust, for some special object or purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the part of the bailee, or person intrusted; as, to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail goods to a carrier. Blackstone. Kent.
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Bail, n. [OF. bail guardian, administrator, fr. L. bajulus. See to deliver.] 1. Custody; keeping. [Obs.]
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Silly Faunus now within their bail. Spenser.
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2. (Law) (a) The person or persons who procure the release of a prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from imprisonment, by becoming surety for his appearance in court.
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The bail must be real, substantial bondsmen. Blackstone.
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A. and B. were bail to the arrest in a suit at law. Kent.
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(b) The security given for the appearance of a prisoner in order to obtain his release from custody of the officer; as, the man is out on bail; to go bail for any one.
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Excessive bail ought not to be required. Blackstone.
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Bail, n. [OE. beyl; cf. Dan. böile a bending, ring, hoop, Sw. bögel, bygel, and Icel. beyla hump, swelling, akin to E. bow to bend.] 1. The arched handle of a kettle, pail, or similar vessel, usually movable. Forby.
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2. A half hoop for supporting the cover of a carrier's wagon, awning of a boat, etc.
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Bail, n. [OF. bail, baille. See .] 1. (Usually pl.) A line of palisades serving as an exterior defense. [Written also bayle.] [Obs.]
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2. The outer wall of a feudal castle. Hence: The space inclosed by it; the outer court. Holinshed.
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3. A certain limit within a forest. [Eng.]
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4. A division for the stalls of an open stable.
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5. (Cricket) The top or cross piece (or either of the two cross pieces) of the wicket.
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Bailable (�), a. 1. Having the right or privilege of being admitted to bail, upon bond with sureties; -- used of persons. “He's bailable, I'm sure.” Ford.
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2. Admitting of bail; as, a bailable offense.
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3. That can be delivered in trust; as, bailable goods.
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Bail bond (bāl bŏnd). (Law) (a) A bond or obligation given by a prisoner and his surety, to insure the prisoner's appearance in court, at the return of the writ. (b) Special bail in court to abide the judgment. Bouvier.
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Bailee (bālē), n. [OF. baillé, p. p. of bailler. See to deliver.] (Law) The person to whom goods are committed in trust, and who has a temporary possession and a qualified property in them, for the purposes of the trust. Blackstone.
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☞ In penal statutes the word includes those who receive goods for another in good faith. Wharton.
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Bailer (�), n. (Law) See .
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Bailer, n. 1. One who bails or lades.
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2. A utensil, as a bucket or cup, used in bailing; a machine for bailing water out of a pit.
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Bailey (�), n. [The same word as bail line of palisades; cf. LL. ballium bailey, OF. bail, baille, a palisade, baillier to inclose, shut.] 1. The outer wall of a feudal castle. [Obs.]
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2. The space immediately within the outer wall of a castle or fortress. [Obs.]
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3. A prison or court of justice; -- used in certain proper names; as, the Old Bailey in London; the New Bailey in Manchester. [Eng.] Oxf. Gloss.
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Bailie (�), n. [See .] An officer in Scotland, whose office formerly corresponded to that of sheriff, but now corresponds to that of an English alderman.
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Bailiff (bālĭf), n. [OF. baillif, F. bailli, custodian, magistrate, fr. L. bajulus porter. See to deliver.]
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1. Originally, a person put in charge of something; especially, a chief officer, magistrate, or keeper, as of a county, town, hundred, or castle; one to whom powers of custody or care are intrusted. Abbott.
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Lausanne is under the canton of Berne, governed by a bailiff sent every three years from the senate. Addison.
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2. (Eng. Law) A sheriff's deputy, appointed to make arrests, collect fines, summon juries, etc.
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☞ In American law the term bailiff is seldom used except sometimes to signify a sheriff's officer or constable, or a party liable to account to another for the rent and profits of real estate. Burrill.
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3. An overseer or under steward of an estate, who directs husbandry operations, collects rents, etc. [Eng.]
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Bailiffwick (�), n. See . [Obs.]
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Bailiwick (�), n. [Bailie, bailiff + wick a village.] (Law) The precincts within which a bailiff has jurisdiction; the limits of a bailiff's authority.
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Baillie (�), n. 1. Bailiff. [Obs.]
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2. Same as . [Scot.]
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Bailment (�), n. 1. (Law) The action of bailing a person accused.
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Bailment . . . is the saving or delivery of a man out of prison before he hath satisfied the law. Dalton.
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2. (Law) A delivery of goods or money by one person to another in trust, for some special purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed. Blackstone.
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☞ In a general sense it is sometimes used as comprehending all duties in respect to property. Story.
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Bailor (�), n. (Law) One who delivers goods or money to another in trust.
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Bailpiece (�), n. (Law) A piece of parchment, or paper, containing a recognizance or bail bond.
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Baily's beads (?). (Astron.) A row of bright spots observed in connection with total eclipses of the sun. Just before and after a total eclipse, the slender, unobscured crescent of the sun's disk appears momentarily like a row of bright spots resembling a string of beads. The phenomenon (first fully described by Francis Baily, 1774 -- 1844) is thought to be an effect of irradiation, and of inequalities of the moon's edge.
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Bain (bān; as F., băN), n. [F. bain, fr. L. balneum. Cf. .] A bath; a bagnio. [Obs.] Holland.
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Bain-marie (�), n. [F.] A vessel for holding hot water in which another vessel may be heated without scorching its contents; -- used for warming or preparing food or pharmaceutical preparations.
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Bairam (?), n. [Turk. baïrām.] Either of two Mohammedan festivals, of which one (the Lesser Bairam) is held at the close of the fast called Ramadan, and the other (the Greater Bairam) seventy days after the fast.
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Bairn (bârn), n. [Scot. bairn, AS. bearn, fr. beran to bear; akin to Icel., OS., & Goth. barn. See to support.] A child. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
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Has he not well provided for the bairn? Beau. & Fl.
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Baisemains (�), n. pl. [F., fr. baiser to kiss + mains hands.] Respects; compliments. [Obs.]
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Bait (bāt), n. [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bāt food, Sw. bete. See , v. t.] 1. Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.
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2. Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. Fairfax.
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3. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
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4. A light or hasty luncheon.
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Coloq. Bait bug (Zoöl.), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See .
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Bait (bāt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n. Baiting.] [OE. baiten, beitēn, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig., to cause to bite, fr. bīta. √87. See .]
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1. To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.
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2. To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses. Holland.
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3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
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A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm. W. Irving.
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Bait (bāt), v. i. To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey.
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Evil news rides post, while good news baits. Milton.
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My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket. Evelyn.
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Bait (bāt), v. i. [F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap or flutter. See , v. t.] To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey. “Kites that bait and beat.” Shak.
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Baiter (bātẽr), n. One who baits; a tormentor.
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baiting (bātĭng), n. harassment, especially of a tethered animal.
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Baize (bāz), n. [For bayes, pl. fr. OF. baie; cf. F. bai bay-colored. See a color.] A coarse woolen stuff with a long nap; -- usually dyed in plain colors.
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A new black baize waistcoat lined with silk. Pepys.
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Bajocco (�), n. [It., fr. bajo brown, bay, from its color.] A small copper coin formerly current in the Roman States, worth about a cent and a half.
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Bake (bāk), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baked (bākt); p. pr. & vb. n. Baking.] [AS. bacan; akin to D. bakken, OHG. bacchan, G. backen, Icel. & Sw. baka, Dan. bage, Gr. fwgein to roast.] 1. To prepare, as food, by cooking in a dry heat, either in an oven or under coals, or on heated stone or metal; as, to bake bread, meat, apples.
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☞ Baking is the term usually applied to that method of cooking which exhausts the moisture in food more than roasting or broiling; but the distinction of meaning between roasting and baking is not always observed.
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2. To dry or harden (anything) by subjecting to heat, as, to bake bricks; the sun bakes the ground.
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3. To harden by cold.
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The earth . . . is baked with frost. Shak.
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They bake their sides upon the cold, hard stone. Spenser.
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Bake, v. i. 1. To do the work of baking something; as, she brews, washes, and bakes. Shak.
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2. To be baked; to become dry and hard in heat; as, the bread bakes; the ground bakes in the hot sun.
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Bake, n. The process, or result, of baking.
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baked (bākt), adj. 2. dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight.
Syn. -- adust, parched, scorched, sunbaked.
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2. cooked with dry heat in an oven; -- of bread and pastries.
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Bakehouse (bākhous), n. [AS. bæchūs. See , v. t., and .] A house for baking; a bakery.
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Bakelite n. a thermosetting plastic used in electric insulators and for making plastic ware and telephone receivers etc. [trademark]
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