Birdwatch - bisontine

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3. (Bot.) An orchideous plant with matted roots, of the genus Neottia (Neottia nidus-avis).
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Coloq. Bird's-nest pudding , a pudding containing apples whose cores have been replaced by sugar. -- Coloq. Yellow bird's nest , a plant, the Monotropa hypopitys.
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Bird's-nesting (bẽrdznĕstĭng), n. Hunting for, or taking, birds' nests or their contents.
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Bird's-tongue (�), n. (Bot.) The knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare).
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Birdwatch (bẽrdwŏch), v. to watch birds, especially in their natural habitats, for enjoyment or as a hobby; to .
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Birdwatcher (bẽrdwächẽr), n. one who enjoys watching birds, especially to find and identify a variety of birds in their natural habitats; a birder{2}.
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Bird-witted (�), a. Flighty; passing rapidly from one subject to another; not having the faculty of attention. Bacon.
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Birdwoman (?), n. An airwoman; an aviatress. [Colloq.]
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Birectangular (�), a. [Pref. bi- + rectangular.] Containing or having two right angles; as, a birectangular spherical triangle.
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Bireme (�), n. [L. biremis; bis twice + remus oar: cf. F. birème.] An ancient galley or vessel with two banks or tiers of oars.
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Biretta (�), n. Same as .
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Birgander (�), n. See .
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Birk (�), n. [See , n.] A birch tree. [Prov. Eng.] “The silver birk.” Tennyson.
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Birk, n. (Zoöl.) A small European minnow (Leuciscus phoxinus).
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Birken (�), v. t. [From 1st .] To whip with a birch or rod. [Obs.]
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Birken, a. Birchen; as, birken groves. Burns.
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Birkie (�), n. A lively or mettlesome fellow. [Jocular, Scot.] Burns.
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Birl (�), v. t. & i. To revolve or cause to revolve; to spin. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
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Birl (�), v. t. & i. [AS. byrlian. √92.] To pour (beer or wine); to ply with drink; to drink; to carouse. [Obs. or Dial.] Skelton.
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Birlaw (�), n. [See .] (Law) A law made by husbandmen respecting rural affairs; a rustic or local law or by-law. [Written also byrlaw, birlie, birley.]
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Birmingham n. 1. a city in Alabama.
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2. a city in England.
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Biro n. [from the name of the inventor.] a pen with small metal ball as point of transfer of ink to paper; same as .
Syn. -- ballpoint, ballpoint pen, ballpen.
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{ Birostrate (�), Birostrated (�), } a. [Pref. bi- + rostrate.] Having a double beak, or two processes resembling beaks.
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The capsule is bilocular and birostrated. Ed. Encyc.
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Birr (�), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Birred (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Birring.] [Cf. OE. bur, bir, wind, storm wind, fr. Icel. byrr wind. Perh. imitative.] To make, or move with, a whirring noise, as of wheels in motion.
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Birr, n. 1. A whirring sound, as of a spinning wheel.
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2. A rush or impetus; force.
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Birrus (�), n. [LL., fr. L. birrus a kind of cloak. See .] A coarse kind of thick woolen cloth, worn by the poor in the Middle Ages; also, a woolen cap or hood worn over the shoulders or over the head.
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Birse (�), n. A bristle or bristles. [Scot.]
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Birt (bẽrt), n. [OE. byrte; cf. F. bertonneau. Cf. , .] (Zoöl.) A fish of the turbot kind; the brill. [Written also burt, bret, or brut.] [Prov. Eng.]
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Birth (bẽrth), n. [OE. burth, birth, AS. beorð, gebyrd, fr. beran to bear, bring forth; akin to D. geboorte, OHG. burt, giburt, G. geburt, Icel. burðr, Skr. bhrti bearing, supporting; cf. Ir. & Gael. beirthe born, brought forth. √92. See 1st , and cf. .] 1. The act or fact of coming into life, or of being born; -- generally applied to human beings; as, the birth of a son.
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2. Lineage; extraction; descent; sometimes, high birth; noble extraction.
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Elected without reference to birth, but solely for qualifications. Prescott.
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3. The condition to which a person is born; natural state or position; inherited disposition or tendency.
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A foe by birth to Troy's unhappy name. Dryden.
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4. The act of bringing forth; as, she had two children at a birth. “At her next birth.” Milton.
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5. That which is born; that which is produced, whether animal or vegetable.
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Poets are far rarer births than kings. B. Jonson.
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Others hatch their eggs and tend the birth till it is able to shift for itself. Addison.
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6. Origin; beginning; as, the birth of an empire.
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Coloq. New birth (Theol.), regeneration, or the commencement of a religious life.
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Syn. -- Parentage; extraction; lineage; race; family.
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Birth, n. See . [Obs.] De Foe.
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birth control n. the act or process of deliberately limiting the number of one's children born, especially by preventing conception. Conception may be prevented by ingesting medicines, using barriers such as condoms or spermicides during copulation, or by ligating or removing the reproductive organs.
Syn. -- birth prevention, family planning.
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Birthday (bẽrthdā), n. 1. The day in which any person is born; day of origin or commencement.
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Those barbarous ages past, succeeded next
The birthday of invention. Cowper.
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2. The day of the month in which a person was born, in whatever succeeding year it may recur; the anniversary of one's birth.
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This is my birthday; as this very day
Was Cassius born. Shak.
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Birthday, a. Of or pertaining to the day of birth, or its anniversary; as, birthday gifts or festivities.
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Birthdom (�), n. [Birth + -dom.] The land of one's birth; one's inheritance. [R.] Shak.
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birthe v. to give birth to.
Syn. -- give birth, deliver, bear, birth, have.
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Birthing, n. 1. (Naut.) Anything added to raise the sides of a ship. Bailey.
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2. the act or process of giving birth.
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Birthless, a. Of mean extraction. [R.] Sir W. Scott.
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Birthmark (�), n. Some peculiar mark or blemish on the body at birth.
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Most part of this noble lineage carried upon their body for a natural birthmark, . . . a snake. Sir T. North.
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Birthnight (�), n. The night in which a person is born; the anniversary of that night in succeeding years.
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The angelic song in Bethlehem field,
On thy birthnight, that sung thee Savior born. Milton.
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Birthplace (�), n. The town, city, or country, where a person is born; place of origin or birth, in its more general sense. “The birthplace of valor.” Burns.
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birth rate, birthrate n. the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; usually expressed as birthes per 1000 population per year.
Syn. -- fertility, fertility rate.
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Birthright (�), n. Any right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth, such as an estate descendible by law to an heir, or civil liberty under a free constitution; esp. the rights or inheritance of the first born.
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Lest there be any . . . profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Heb. xii. 16.
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Birthroot (�), n. (Bot.) An herbaceous plant (Trillium erectum), and its astringent rootstock, which is said to have medicinal properties.
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Birthwort (�), n. A genus of herbs and shrubs (Aristolochia), reputed to have medicinal properties.
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Bis (�), adv. [L. bis twice, for duis, fr. root of duo two. See , and cf. .] Twice; -- a word showing that something is, or is to be, repeated; as a passage of music, or an item in accounts.
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Bis-, pref. A form of , sometimes used before s, c, or a vowel.
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Bisa antelope (�). (Zoöl.) See .
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Bisaccate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + saccate.] (Bot.) Having two little bags, sacs, or pouches.
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Biscayan (�), a. Of or pertaining to Biscay in Spain. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Biscay.
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Biscotin (�), n. [F. biscotin. See .] A confection made of flour, sugar, marmalade, and eggs; a sweet biscuit.
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Biscuit (�), n. [F. biscuit (cf. It. biscotto, Sp. bizcocho, Pg. biscouto), fr. L. bis twice + coctus, p. p. of coquere to cook, bake. See , and cf. a kind of porcelain.] 1. A kind of unraised bread, of many varieties, plain, sweet, or fancy, formed into flat cakes, and bakes hard; as, ship biscuit.
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According to military practice, the bread or biscuit of the Romans was twice prepared in the oven. Gibbon.
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2. A small loaf or cake of bread, raised and shortened, or made light with soda or baking powder. Usually a number are baked in the same pan, forming a sheet or card.
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3. Earthen ware or porcelain which has undergone the first baking, before it is subjected to the glazing.
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4. (Sculp.) A species of white, unglazed porcelain, in which vases, figures, and groups are formed in miniature.
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Coloq. Meat biscuit , an alimentary preparation consisting of matters extracted from meat by boiling, or of meat ground fine and combined with flour, so as to form biscuits.
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Biscutate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + scutate.] (Bot.) Resembling two bucklers placed side by side.
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Biscutella n. a genus off Eurasian herbs and small shrubs: buckler mustard.
Syn. -- genus Biscutella.
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Bise (�), n. [F.] A cold north wind which prevails on the northern coasts of the Mediterranean and in Switzerland, etc.; -- nearly the same as the mistral.
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Bise (�), n. (Paint.) See .
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Bisect (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bisected; p. pr. & vb. n. Bisecting.] [L. bis twice + secare, sectum, to cut.] 1. To cut or divide into two parts.
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2. (Geom.) To divide into two equal parts.
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Bisection (�), n. [Cf. F. bissection.] Division into two parts, esp. two equal parts.
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Bisector (�), n. One who, or that which, bisects; esp. (Geom.) a straight line which bisects an angle.
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Bisectrix (�), n. The line bisecting the angle between the optic axes of a biaxial crystal.
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Bisegment (�), n. [Pref. bi- + segment.] One of tow equal parts of a line, or other magnitude.
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Biseptate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + septate.] With two partitions or septa. Gray.
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{ Biserial (�), Biseriate (�), } a. [Pref. bi- + serial, seriate.] In two rows or series.
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Biserrate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + serrate.]
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1. (Bot.) Doubly serrate, or having the serratures serrate, as in some leaves.
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2. (Zoöl.) Serrate on both sides, as some antennæ.
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{ Bisetose (�), Bisetous (�), } a. [Pref. bi- + setose, setous.] Having two bristles.
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Bisexous (�), a. [L. bis twice + sexus sex: cf. F. bissexe.] Bisexual. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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Bisexual (�), a. [Pref. bi- + sexual.] (Biol.) Of both sexes; hermaphrodite; as a flower with stamens and pistil, or an animal having ovaries and testes.
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Bisexuous (�), a. Bisexual.
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Biseye (�), p. p. of . [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Coloq. Evil biseye , ill looking. [Obs.]
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Bish (�), n. Same as .
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Bishop (�), n. [OE. bischop, biscop, bisceop, AS. bisceop, biscop, L. episcopus overseer, superintendent, bishop, fr. Gr. �, � over + � inspector, fr. root of �, �, to look to, perh. akin to L. specere to look at. See , and cf. .]
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1. A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or director.
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Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Pet. ii. 25.
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It is a fact now generally recognized by theologians of all shades of opinion, that in the language of the New Testament the same officer in the church is called indifferently “bishop” ( � ) and “elder” or “presbyter.” J. B. Lightfoot.
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2. In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican or Protestant Episcopal churches, one ordained to the highest order of the ministry, superior to the priesthood, and generally claiming to be a successor of the Apostles. The bishop is usually the spiritual head or ruler of a diocese, bishopric, or see.
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Coloq. Bishop in partibus [infidelium] (R. C. Ch.), a bishop of a see which does not actually exist; one who has the office of bishop, without especial jurisdiction. Shipley. -- Coloq. Titular bishop (R. C. Ch.), a term officially substituted in 1882 for bishop in partibus. -- Coloq. Bench of Bishops . See under .
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3. In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of the highest church officers or superintendents.
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4. A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called archer.
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5. A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons, and sugar. Swift.
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6. An old name for a woman's bustle. [U. S.]
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If, by her bishop, or her “grace” alone,
A genuine lady, or a church, is known. Saxe.
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Bishop, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bishoped (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Bishoping.] To admit into the church by confirmation; to confirm; hence, to receive formally to favor.
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Bishop (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bishoped (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Bishoping.] [From the name of the scoundrel who first practiced it. Youatt.] (Far.) To make seem younger, by operating on the teeth; as, to bishop an old horse or his teeth.
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The plan adopted is to cut off all the nippers with a saw to the proper length, and then with a cutting instrument the operator scoops out an oval cavity in the corner nippers, which is afterwards burnt with a hot iron until it is black. J. H. Walsh.
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Bishopdom (�), n. Jurisdiction of a bishop; episcopate. “Divine right of bishopdom.” Milton.
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Bishoplike (�), a. Resembling a bishop; belonging to a bishop. Fulke.
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Bishoply, a. Bishoplike; episcopal. [Obs.]
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Bishoply, adv. In the manner of a bishop. [Obs.]
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Bishopric (�), n. [AS. bisceoprīce; bisceop bishop + rīce dominion. See .] 1. A diocese; the district over which the jurisdiction of a bishop extends.
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2. The office of a spiritual overseer, as of an apostle, bishop, or presbyter. Acts i. 20.
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Bishop's cap (�). (Bot.) A plant of the genus Mitella; miterwort. Longfellow.
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Bishop sleeve (�). A wide sleeve, once worn by women.
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Bishop's length (�). A canvas for a portrait measuring 58 by 94 inches. The half bishop measures 45 by 56.
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Bishop-stool (�), n. A bishop's seat or see.
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Bishop's-weed (�), n. (Bot.) (a) An umbelliferous plant of the genus Ammi. (b) Goutweed (Ægopodium podagraria).
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Bishop's-wort (�), n. (Bot.) Wood betony (Stachys betonica); also, the plant called fennel flower (Nigella Damascena), or devil-in-a-bush.
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Bisie (�), v. t. To busy; to employ. [Obs.]
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Bisilicate (�), n. (Min. Chem.) A salt of metasilicic acid; -- so called because the ratio of the oxygen of the silica to the oxygen of the base is as two to one. The bisilicates include many of the most common and important minerals.
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Bisk (�), n. [F. bisque.] Soup or broth made by boiling several sorts of flesh together. King.
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Bisk, n. [F. bisque.] (Tennis) See .
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{ Biskara boil, Biskara button }. [Named after the town Biskara, in Algeria.] (Med.) Same as Aleppo boil.
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{ Bismare (�), Bismer } (�), n. [AS. bismer.] Shame; abuse. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Bismer (�), n. 1. A rule steelyard. [Scot.]
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2. (Zoöl.) The fifteen-spined (Gasterosteus spinachia).
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Bismillah (�), interj. [Arabic, in the name of God!] An adjuration or exclamation common among the Mohammedans. [Written also Bizmillah.]
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Bismite (�), n. (Min.) Bismuth trioxide, or bismuth ocher.
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Bismuth (�), n. [Ger. bismuth, wismuth: cf. F. bismuth.] (Chem.) One of the elements; a metal of a reddish white color, crystallizing in rhombohedrons. It is somewhat harder than lead, and rather brittle; masses show broad cleavage surfaces when broken across. It melts at 507° Fahr., being easily fused in the flame of a candle. It is found in a native state, and as a constituent of some minerals. Specific gravity 9.8. Atomic weight 207.5. Symbol Bi.
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☞ Chemically, bismuth (with arsenic and antimony is intermediate between the metals and nonmetals; it is used in thermo-electric piles, and as an alloy with lead and tin in the fusible alloy or metal. Bismuth is the most diamagnetic substance known.
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Coloq. Bismuth glance , bismuth sulphide; bismuthinite. -- Coloq. Bismuth ocher , a native bismuth oxide; bismite.
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Bismuthal (�), a. Containing bismuth.
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Bismuthic (�), a. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to bismuth; containing bismuth, when this element has its higher valence; as, bismuthic oxide.
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Bismuthiferous (�), a. [Bismuth + -ferous.] Containing bismuth.
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{ Bismuthine (�), Bismuthinite (�), } n. Native bismuth sulphide; -- sometimes called bismuthite.
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Bismuthous (�), a. Of, or containing, bismuth, when this element has its lower valence.
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Bismuthyl (�), n. (Min.) Hydrous carbonate of bismuth, an earthy mineral of a dull white or yellowish color. [Written also bismuthite.]
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Bison (bīsŏn; 277), n. [L. bison, Gr. biswn, a wild ox; akin to OHG. wisunt, wisant, G. wisent, AS. wesend, Icel. vīsundr: cf. F. bison.] (Zoöl.) (a) The aurochs or European bison. (b) The American bison buffalo (Bison Americanus), a large, gregarious bovine quadruped with shaggy mane and short black horns, which formerly roamed in herds over most of the temperate portion of North America, but by 1900 was restricted to very limited districts in the region of the Rocky Mountains, and was almost hunted to extinction. Efforts at conservation of the American bison resulted in setting aside several reserves, and by 1990 a few stable herds were established, numbering from hundreds to thousands, roaming certain public areas, such as Yellowstone Park, some reserves in Canada, and some private reserves. Some bison are kept as range animals for food, and the American bison has been bred with domestic cattle to form a cross called the . The American bison is commonly (though improperly) called a buffalo; an image of the bison appeared on the inverse of the U. S. five-cent coin (nickel) from to 1937, and that coin was referred to as the .
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bisontine (bīsŏntīn) adj. of, relating to, or characteristic of bison.
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