Front matter (continued 12)
Reading edition
<— p. 173 —>
Box¶en (?), a. Made of boxwood; pertaining to, or resembling, the box (Buxus). [R.] The faded hue of sapless boxen leaves. Dryden. Box¶er (?),n. One who packs boxes. Box¶er ,n. One who boxes; a pugilist. Box¶fish·ÿ(?), n. (Zo”l.) The trunkfish. Box¶haul· (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Boxhauled (?).] (Naut.) To put (a vessel) on the other tack by veering her short round on her heel; Ð so called from the circumstance of bracing the head yards abox (i. e., sharp aback, on the wind). Totten. Box¶haul·ing, n. (Naut.) A method of going from one tack to another. See Boxhaul. Box¶ing, n. 1. The act of inclosing (anything) in a box, as for storage or transportation. 2. Material used in making boxes or casings. 3. Any boxlike inclosure or recess; a casing. 4. (Arch.) The external case of thin material used to bring any member to a required form. Box¶ing, n. The act of fighting with the fist; a combat with the fist; sparring. Blackstone. Boxing glove, a large padded mitten or glove used in sparring for exercise or amusement. Box¶Ði·ronÿ(?), n. A hollow smoothing iron containing a heater within. Box¶keep·er (?), n. An attendant at a theater who has charge of the boxes. Box¶thorn· (?), n. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Lycium, esp. Lycium barbarum. Box¶wood· (?), n. The wood of the box (Buxus). Boy (?), n. [Cf. D. boef, Fries. boi, boy; akin to G. bube, Icel. bofi rouge.] A male child, from birth to the age of puberty; a lad; hence, a son. My only boy fell by the side of great Dundee. Sir W. Scott. µBoy is often used as a term of comradeship, as in college, or in the army or navy. In the plural used colloquially of members of an assosiaton, fraternity, or party. Boy bishop, a boy (usually a chorister) elected bishop, in old Christian sports, and invested with robes and other insignia. He practiced a kind of mimicry of the ceremonies in which the bishop usually officiated. The Old Boy, the Devil. [Slang] Ð Yellow boys, guineas. [Slang, Eng.] Ð Boy's love, a popular English name of Southernwood (Artemisia abrotonum);) Ð called also lad's love. Ð Boy's play, childish amusements; anything trifling. Boy, v. t. To act as a boy; Ð in allusion to the former practice of boys acting women's parts on the stage. I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness. Shak. BoÐyar¶ (?), BoÐyard¶ (?), n. [Russ. boi rin'.] A member of a Russian aristocratic order abolished by Peter the Great. Also, one of a privileged class in Roumania. µ English writers sometimes call Russian landed proprietors boyars. Ø Boy¶au (?), n.; pl. Boyaux or Boyaus (?). [F. boyau gut, a long and narrow place, and (of trenches) a branch. See Bowel.] (Fort.) A winding or zigzag trench forming a path or communication from one siegework to another, to a magazine, etc. Boy¶cott· (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Boycotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Boycotting.] [From Captain Boycott, a land agent in Mayo, Ireland, so treated in 1880.] To combine against (a landlord, tradesman, employer, or other person), to withhold social or business relations from him, and to deter other from holding such relations; to subject to a boycott. Boy¶cott, n. The process, fact, or pressure of boycotting; a combining to withhold or prevent dealing or social intercourse with a tradesman, employer, etc.; social and business interdiction for the purpose of coercion. Boy¶cott·er (?), n. A participant in boycotting. Boy¶cottÐism (?), n. Methods of boycotters. Boy¶deÐkin (?), n. A dagger; a bodkin. [Obs.] Boy¶er (?), n. [D. boeijer; Ð so called because these vessels were employed for laying the boeijen, or buoys: cf. F. boyer. See Buoy.] (Naut.) A Flemish sloop with a castle at each end. Sir W. Raleigh. Boy¶hood (?), n. [Boy + Ðhood.] The state of being a boy; the time during which one is a boy. Hood. Boy¶ish, a. Resembling a boy in a manners or opinions; belonging to a boy; childish; trifling; puerile. A boyish, odd conceit. Baillie. Boy¶ishÐly, adv. In a boyish manner; like a boy. Boy¶ishÐness, n. The manners or behavior of a boy. Boy¶ism (?), n 1. Boyhood. [Obs.] T.Warton. 2. The nature of a boy; childishness. Dryden. Boyle's¶ law·ÿ(?). See under Law. Ø Bo¶za (?), n. [See Bosa.] An acidulated fermented drink of the Arabs and Egyptians, made from millet seed and various astringent substances; also, an intoxicating beverage made from hemp seed, darnel meal, and water. [Written also bosa, bozah, bouza.] BraÐbant¶ine (?), a. Pertaining to Brabant, an ancient province of the Netherlands. Brab¶ble (?), v.i. [D. brabbelen to talk confusedly. ?95. Cf. Blab, Babble.] To clamor; to contest noisily. [R.] Brab¶ble, n. A broil; a noisy contest; a wrangle. This petty brabble will undo us all. Shak. Brab¶bleÐment (?), n. A brabble. [r.] Holland. Brab¶blerÿ3, n. A clamorous, quarrelsome, noisy fellow; a wrangler. [R] Shak. Brac¶cate (?), a.[L. bracatus wearing breeches, fr. bracae breeches.] (Zo”l.) Furnished with feathers which conceal the feet. Brace (?), n. [OF. brace, brasse, the two arms, embrace, fathom, F. brasse fathom, fr. L. bracchia the arms (stretched out), pl. of bracchium arm; cf. Gr. ?.] 1. That which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly; a bandage or a prop. 2. A cord, ligament, or rod, for producing or maintaining tension, as a cord on the side of a drum. The little bones of the ear drum do in straining and relaxing it as the braces of the war drum do in that. Derham. 3. The state of being braced or tight; tension. The laxness of the tympanum, when it has lost its brace or tension. Holder. 4. (Arch. & Engin.) A piece of material used to transmit, or change the direction of, weight or pressure; any one of the pieces, in a frame or truss, which divide the structure into triangular parts. It may act as a tie, or as a strut, and serves to prevent distortion of the structure, and transverse strains in its members. A boiler brace is a diagonal stay, connecting the head with the shell. 5. (Print.) A vertical curved line connecting two or more words or lines, which are to be taken together; thus, boll, bowl; or, in music, used to connect staves. 6. (Naut.) A rope reeved through a block at the end of a yard, by which the yard is moved horizontally; also, a rudder gudgeon. 7. (Mech.) A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock. 8. A pair; a couple; as, a brace of ducks; now rarely applied to persons, except familiarly or with some contempt. ½A brace of greyhounds.¸ Shak. He is said to have shot…fifty brace of pheasants. Addison. A brace of brethren, both bishops, both eminent for learning and religion, now appeared in the church. Fuller. But you, my brace of lords. Shak. 9. pl. Straps or bands to sustain trousers; suspenders. I embroidered for you a beautiful pair of braces. Thackeray. 10. Harness; warlike preparation. [Obs.] For that it stands not in such warlike brace. Shak. 11. Armor for the arm; vantbrace. 12. (Mining) The mouth of a shaft. [Cornwall] Angle brace. See under Angle. Braceÿ(?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Braced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bracing.] 1. To furnish with braces; to support; to prop; as, to brace a beam in a building. 2. To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves. And welcome war to brace her drums. Campbell. 3. To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly. The women of China, by bracing and binding them from their infancy, have very little feet. Locke. Some who spurs had first braced on. Sir W. Scott. 4. To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly; as, he braced himself against the crowd. A sturdy lance in his right hand he braced. Fairfax. 5. (Naut.) To move around by means of braces; as, to brace the yards. To brace about (Naut.), to turn (a yard) round for the contrary tack. ÐTo brace a yard (Naut.), to move it horizontally by means of a brace. Ð To brace in (Naut.), to turn (a yard) by hauling in the weather brace. Ð To brace one's self, to call up one's energies. ½He braced himself for an effort which he was little able to make.¸ J.D.Forbes.Ð To brace to (Naut.), to turn (a yard) by checking or easing off the lee brace, and hauling in the weather one, to assist in tacking. Ð To brace up (Naut.), to bring (a yard) nearer the direction of the keel by hauling in the lee brace. Ð To brace up sharp (Naut.), to turn (a yard) as far forward as the rigging will permit. Brace, v.i. To get tone or vigor; to rouse one's energies; Ðwith up. [Colloq.] Brace¶let (?), n. [F. bracelet, dim. of OF. bracel armlet, prop. little arm, dim. of bras arm, fr. L. bracchium. See Brace,n.] 1. An ornamental band or ring, for the wrist or the arm; in modern times, an ornament encircling the wrist, worn by women or girls. 2. A piece of defensive armor for the arm. Johnson. Bra¶cer (?), n. 1. That which braces, binds, or makes firm; a band or bandage. 2. A covering to protect the arm of the bowman from the vibration of the string; also, a brassart. Chaucer. 3. A medicine, as an astringent or a tonic, which gives tension or tone to any part of the body. Johnson. Brach (?), n. [OE. brache a kind of scenting hound or setting dog, OF. brache, ? braque, fr. OHG. braccho, G. bracke; possibly akin to E. fragrant, fr. L. fragrare to smell.] A bitch of the hound kind. Shak. Ø BrachÐel¶yÐtra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. (?) short + ? a covering.] (Zo”l.) A group of beetles having short elytra, as the rove beetles. ØBrach¶iÐa (?), n. pl. See Brachium. Brach¶iÐal (?) or (?), a. [L. brachialis (bracchÐ), from bracchium (bracchÐ) arm: cf. F. brachial.] 1. (Anat.) Pertaining or belonging to the arm; as, the brachial artery; the brachial nerve. 2. Of the nature of an arm; resembling an arm. Ø Brach·iÐa¶ta (?), n. pl. [See Brachiate.] (Zo”l.) A division of the Crinoidea, including those furnished with long jointed arms. See Crinoidea. Brach¶iÐateÿ(?), a. [L. brachiatus (bracchÐ) with boughs or branches like arms, from brackium (bracchÐ) arm.] (Bot.) Having branches in pairs, decussated, all nearly horizontal, and each pair at right angles with the next, as in the maple and lilac. Brach·iÐog¶aÐnoid (?), n. One of the Brachioganoidei. Ø Brach·iÐoÐgaÐnoid¶eÐi (?), n. pl.[NL., from L. brachium (bracchÐ) arm + NL. ganoidei.] (Zo”l.) An order of ganoid fishes of which the bichir of Africa is a living example. See Crossopterygii. Ø Brach·iÐoÐla¶riÐaÿ(?), n. pl. [ NL., fr. L. brachiolum (bracchÐ), dim. of brachium (bracchÐ) arm.] (Zo”l.) A peculiar early larval stage of certain starfishes, having a bilateral structure, and swimming by means of bands of vibrating cilia. Brach¶iÐoÐpodÿ(?), n. [Cf.F. brachiopode.] (Zo”l.) One of the Brachiopoda, or its shell. Ø Brach·iÐop¶oÐda (?), n. [NL., from Gr. ? arm + Ðpoda.] (Zo”l.) A class of Molluscoidea having a symmetrical bivalve shell, often attached by a fleshy peduncle. µ Within the shell is a pair of ½arms,¸ often long and spirally coiled, bearing rows of ciliated tentacles by which a current of water is made to flow into the mantle cavity, bringing the microscopic food to the mouth between the bases of the arms. The shell is both opened and closed by special muscles. They form two orders; Lyopoma, in which the shell is thin, and without a distinct hinge, as in Lingula; and Arthropoma, in which the firm calcareous shell has a regular hinge, as in Rhynchonella. See Arthropomata. Ø Brach¶iÐum (?), n.; pl. Bracchiaÿ(?). [L. brachium or bracchium, arm.] (Anat.) The upper arm; the segment of the fore limb between the shoulder and the elbow. Brach¶manÿ(?), n. [L. Brachmanae, pl., Gr. ?.] See Brahman. [Obs.] Brach·yÐcat·aÐlec¶ticÿ(?), n. [Gr. ?; ? short + ? to leave off; cf. ? incomplete.] (Gr.& Last. Pros.) A verse wanting two syllables at its termination. Brach·yÐceÐphal¶ic (?), Brach·yÐceph¶aÐlous (?)}, a. [Gr. ? short + ? head.] (Anat.) Having the skull short in proportion to its breadth; shortheaded; Ð in distinction from dolichocephalic. Brach·yÐceph¶aÐly (?), Brach·yÐceph¶aÐlism (?)}, n. [Cf. F. Brachyc‚phalie]. (Anat.) The state or condition of being brachycephalic; shortness of head. BraÐchyc¶erÐal (?), a. [Gr. ? short + ? horn.] (Zo”l.) Having short antenn‘, as certain insects. Brach·yÐdiÐag¶oÐnal (?), a. [Gr. ? short + E. diagonal.] Pertaining to the shorter diagonal, as of a rhombic prism. Brachydiagonal axis, the shorter lateral axis of an orthorhombic crystal. Brach·yÐdiÐag¶oÐnal, n. The shorter of the diagonals in a rhombic prism. Brach·yÐdomeÿ(?), n. [Gr. ? short + E. dome.] (Crystallog.) A dome parallel to the shorter lateral axis. See Dome. BraÐchyg¶raÐpher (?), n. A writer in short hand; a stenographer. He asked the brachygrapher whether he wrote the notes of the sermon. Gayton. BraÐchyg¶raÐphyÿ(?), n. [Gr. ? short + Ðgraphy: cf. F. brachygraphie.] Stenograhy. B.Jonson. BraÐchyl¶oÐgyÿ(?), n. [Gr. ? :? short + ? discourse: cf. F. brachylogie.] ( Rhet.) Conciseness of expression; brevity. Brach·yÐpin¶aÐcoid (?), n. [Gr. ? short + E. pinacoid.] (Crytallog.) A plane of an orthorhombic crystal which is parallel both to the vertical axis and to the shorter lateral (brachydiagonal) axis. Ø BraÐchyp¶teÐraÿ(?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? shortÐwinged; short + ? feather, wing.] (Zo”l.) A group of Coleoptera having short wings; the rove beetles. Ø BraÐchyp¶teÐres (?), n.pl. [NL. See Brachyptera. ] (Zo”l.) A group of birds, including auks, divers, and penguins. BraÐchyp¶terÐous (?), a. [Gr. ? :cf. F. brachyptŠre.] (Zo”l.) Having short wings. BraÐchys¶toÐchrone (?), n. [Incorrect for brachistochrone, fr. Gr. ? shortest (superl. of ? short) + ? time : cf. F. brachistochrone. ] (Math.) A curve, in which a body, starting from a given point, and descending solely by the force of gravity, will reach another given point in a shorter time than it could by any other path. This curve of quickest descent, as it is sometimes called, is, in a vacuum, the same as the cycloid. Brach¶yÐty·pous (?), a. [Gr. ? short + ? stamp, form.] (Min.) Of a short form. Ø Brach·yÐu¶raÿ(?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? short + ? tail.] (Zo”l.) A group of decapod Crustacea, including the common crabs, characterized by a small and short abdomen, which is bent up beneath the large cephaloÐthorax. [Also spelt Brachyoura.] See Crab, and Illustration in Appendix. Brach·yÐu¶ralÿ(?), Brach·yÐu¶rous (?)}, a. [Cf. F. brachyure.] (Zo”l.) Of or pertaining to the Brachyura. Brach·yÐu¶ran (?), n. One of the Brachyura. Bra¶cing (?), a. Imparting strength or tone; strengthening; invigorating; as, a bracing north wind. Bra¶cing (?), n. 1. The act of strengthening, supporting, or propping, with a brace or braces; the state of being braced. 2. (Engin.) Any system of braces; braces, collectively; as, the bracing of a truss.
<— p. 174 —>
Brack (?), n. [Cf.D. braak, Dan. br‘k, a breaking, Sw. & Isel. brak a crackling, creaking. Cf. Breach.] An opening caused by the parting of any solid body; a crack or breach; a flaw. Stain or brack in her sweet reputation. J.Fletcher. Brack, n. [D. brak, adj., salt; cf. LG. wrak refuse, G. brack.] Salt or brackish water. [Obs.] Drayton. Brack¶en (?), n. [OE. braken, AS. bracce. See 2d Brake, n.] A brake or fern. Sir W.Scott. Brack¶et (?), n. [Cf.OF. braguette codpiece, F. brayette, Sp. bragueta, also a projecting mold in architecture; dim. fr.L. bracae breeches; cf. also, OF. bracon beam, prop, support; of unknown origin. Cf. Breeches.] 1. (Arch.) An architectural member, plain or ornamental, projecting from a wall or pier, to support weight falling outside of the same; also, a decorative feature seeming to discharge such an office. µ This is the more general word. See Brace, Cantalever, Console, Corbel, Strut. 2. (Engin. & Mech.) A piece or combination of pieces, usually triangular in general shape, projecting from, or fastened to, a wall, or other surface, to support heavy bodies or to strengthen angles. 3. (Naut.) A shot, crooked timber, resembling a knee, used as a support. 4. (Mil.) The cheek or side of an ordnance carriage. 5. (Print.) One of two characters [ ]?, used to inclose a reference, explanation, or note, or a part to be excluded from a sentence, to indicate an interpolation, to rectify a mistake, or to supply an omission, and for certain other purposes; Ð called also crotchet. 6. A gas fixture or lamp holder projecting from the face of a wall, column, or the like. Bracket light, a gas fixture or a lamp attached to a wall, column, etc. Brack¶et, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Bracketed; p.pr. & vb.n. Bracketing] To place within brackets; to connect by brackets; to furnish with brackets. Brack¶etÏing, n. (Arch.) A series or group of brackets; brackets, collectively. Brack¶ish (?), a. [See Brack salt water.] Saltish, or salt in a moderate degree, as water in saline soil. Springs in deserts found seem sweet, all brackish though they be. Byron. Brack¶ishÏness, n. The quality or state of being brackish, or somewhat salt. Brack¶y (?), a. Brackish. Drayton. Bract (?), n. [See Bractea.] (Bot.) (a) A leaf, usually smaller than the true leaves of a plant, from the axil of which a flower stalk arises. (b) Any modified leaf, or scale, on a flower stalk or at the base of a flower. µ Bracts are often inconspicuous, but sometimes large and showy, or highly colored, as in many cactaceous plants. The spathes of aroid plants are conspicuous forms of bracts. ØBrac¶teÏa (?), n. [L., a thin plate of metal or wood, gold foil.] (Bot.) A bract. Brac¶teÏal (?), a. [Cf.F. bract‚al.] Having the nature or appearance of a bract. Brac¶teÏate (?), a. [Cf.L. bracteatus covered with gold plate.] (Bot.) Having a bract or bracts. Bract¶ed (?), a. (Bot.) Furnished with bracts. Brac¶teÏoÏlate (?), a. (Bot.) Furnished with bracteoles or bractlets. Brac¶teÏole (?), n. [L. bracteola, dim. of bractea. See Bractea.] (Bot.) Same as Bractlet. Bract¶less, a. (Bot.) Destitute of bracts. Bract¶let (?), n. [Bract + Ðlet] (Bot.) A bract on the stalk of a single flower, which is itself on a main stalk that support several flowers. Gray. Brad (?), n. [Cf.OE. brod, Dan. braad prick, sting, brodde ice spur, frost nail, Sw. brodd frost nail, Icel. broddr any pointed piece of iron or stell; akin to AS. brord point, spire of grass, and perh. to E. bristle. See Bristle, n.] A thin nail, usually small, with a slight projection at the top on one side instead of a head; also, a small wire nail, with a flat circular head; sometimes, a small, tapering, squareÐbodied finishing nail, with a countersunk head. Brad¶ awl· (?). A straight awl with chisel edge, used to make holes for brads, etc. Weale. BraÏdoon¶ (?), n. Same as Bridoon. ØBrae (?), n. [See Bray a hill.] A hillside; a slope; a bank; a hill. [Scot.] Burns. Brag (?), v.i. [imp. & p. p. Bragged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bragging.] [OE. braggen to resound, blow, boast (cf. F. braguer to lead a merry life, flaunt, boast, OF. brague merriment), from Icel. braka to creak, brak noise, fr. the same root as E. break; properly then, to make a noise, boast. ?95.] To talk about one's self, or things pertaining to one's self, in a manner intended to excite admiration, envy, or wonder; to talk boastfully; to boast; Ð often followed by of; as, to brag of one's exploits, courage, or money, or of the great things one intends to do. Coinceit, more rich in matter than in words, Brags of his substance, not of ornament. Shak. Syn. Ð To swagger; boast; vapor; bluster; vaunt; flourish; talk big. Brag, v.t. To boast of. [Obs.] Shak. Brag, n. 1. A boast or boasting; bragging; ostentatious pretense or self glorification. C‘sar … made not here his brag Of ½came,¸ and ½saw,¸ and ½overcame.¸ Shak. 2. The thing which is boasted of. Beauty is Nature's brag. Milton. 3. A game at cards similar to bluff. Chesterfield. Brag (?), a. [See Brag, v.i.] Brisk; full of spirits; boasting; pretentious; conceited. [Arhaic] A brag young fellow. B.Jonson. Brag, adv. Proudly; boastfully. [Obs.] Fuller. Brag·gaÏdo¶cio (?), n. [From Braggadocchio, a boastful character in Spenser's ½Fa‰rie Queene.¸] 1. A braggart; a boaster; a swaggerer. Dryden. 2. Empty boasting; mere brag; pretension. Brag¶gardÏism (?), n. [See Braggart.] Boastfulness; act of bragging. Shak. Brag¶gart (?), n. [OF. bragard flaunting, vain, bragging. See Brag, v.i.] A boaster. O, I could play the woman with mine eyes, And braggart with my tongue. Shak. Brag¶gart, a. Boastful.Ð Brag¶gartÏly, adv. Brag¶ger (?), n. One who brags; a boaster. Brag¶get (?), n. [OE. braket, bragot, fr. W. bragawd, bragod, fr. brag malt.] A liquor made of ale and honey fermented, with spices, etc. [Obs.] B.Jonson.
Brag¶ging·ly (?), adv. Boastingly. Brag¶less, a. Without bragging. [R.] Shak. Brag¶ly, adv. In a manner to be bragged of; finely; proudly. [Obs.] Spenser. Brah¶ma (?), n. [See Brahman.] 1. (Hindoo Myth.) The One First Cause; also, one of the triad of Hindoo gods. The triad consists of Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Siva, the Destroyer. µ According to the Hindoo religious books, Brahma (with the final a short), or Brahm, is the Divine Essence, the One First Cause, the All in All, while the personal gods, Brahm (with the final a long), Vishnu, and Siva, are emanations or manifestations of Brahma the Divine Essence. 2. (Zo”l.) A valuable variety of large, domestic fowl, peculiar in having the comb divided lengthwise into three parts, and the legs well feathered. There are two breeds, the dark or penciled, and the light; Ð called also Brahmapootra. Brah¶man (?), Brah¶min (?), } n.; pl. Brahmans, Brahmins. [Skr. Br¾hmana (cf. Brahman 0worship, holiness; the God Brahma, also Brahman): cf. F. Brahmane, Brachmane, Bramine, L. Brachmanae, Ðmanes, Ðmani, pl., Gr. ?, pl.] A person of the highest or sacerdotal caste among the Hindoos. Brahman bull (Zo”l.), the male of a variety of the zebu, or Indian ox, considered sacred by the Hindoos. Brah¶manÏess (?), n. A Brahmani. Brah¶manÏi (?), n. [Fem. of Brahman.] Any Brahman woman. [Written also Brahmanee.] BrahÏman¶ic (?), ÏicÏal (?), BrahÏmin¶Ïic (?),ÏicÏal (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Brahmans or to their doctrines and worship. Brah¶manÏism (?), Brah¶minÏism (?), } n. The religion or system of doctrines of the Brahmans; the religion of Brahma. Brah¶manÏist (?), Brah¶minÏist (?), } n. An adherent of the religion of the Brahmans. Brah¶moÏism (?), n. The religious system of BrahmoÐsomaj. Balfour.
Brah·moÐsoÏmaj¶ (?), n. [Bengalese, a wor?hiping assembly.] A modern reforming theistic sect among the Hindos. [Written also BrahmaÐsamaj.] Braid (?), v.t. [imp. &. p.p. Braided; p. pr. & vb. n. Braiding.] [ OE. braiden, breiden, to pull, reach, braid, AS. bregdan to move to and fro, to weave; akin. to Icel. breg?a, D. breiden to knit, OS. bregdan to weave, OHG. brettan to brandish. Cf. Broid.] 1. To weave, interlace, or entwine together, as three or more strands or threads; to form into a braid; to plait. Braid your locks with rosy twine. Milton. 2. To mingle, or to bring to a uniformly soft consistence, by beating, rubbing, or straining, as in some culinary operations. 3. To reproach. [Obs.] See Upbraid. Shak. Braid (?), n. 1. A plait, band, or narrow fabric formed by intertwining or weaving together different strands. A braid of hair composed of two different colors twined together. Scott. 2. A narrow fabric, as of wool, silk, or linen, used for binding, trimming, or ornamenting dresses, etc. Braid, n. [Cf.Icel. breg?a to move quickly.] 1. A quick motion; a start. [Obs.] Sackville. 2. A fancy; freak; caprice. [Obs.] R.Hyrde. Braid v.i. To start; to awake. [Obs.] Chaucer. Braid, a. [AS. br‘d, bred, deceit; akin to Icel. brag? trick, AS. bredan, bregdan, to braid, knit, (hence) to knit a net, to draw into a net, i.e., to deceive. See Braid, v.t.] Deceitful. [Obs.] Since Frenchmen are so braid, Marry that will, I live and die a maid. Shak. Braid¶ing, n. 1. The act of making or using braids. 2. Braids, collectively; trimming. A gentleman enveloped in mustachios, whiskers, fur collars, and braiding. Thackeray. Brail (?), n. [OE. brayle furling rope, OF. braiol a band placed around the breeches, fr.F. braies, pl., breeches, fr.L. braca, bracae, breeches, a Gallic word; cf. Arm. bragez. Cf. Breeches.] 1. (Falconry) A thong of soft leather to bind up a hawk's wing. 2. pl. (Naut.) Ropes passing through pulleys, and used to haul in or up the leeches, bottoms, or corners of sails, preparatory to furling. 3. A stock at each end of a seine to keep it stretched. Brail, v.t. (Naut.) To haul up by the brails; Ð used with up; as, to brail up a sail. Brain (?), n. [OE. brain, brein, AS. bragen, br‘gen; akin to LG. br„gen, bregen, D. brein, and perh. to Gr. ?, the upper part of head, if ? =? ? 95.] 1. (Anat.) The whitish mass of soft matter (the center of the nervous system, and the seat of consciousness and volition) which is inclosed in the cartilaginous or bony cranium of vertebrate animals. It is simply the anterior termination of the spinal cord, and is developed from three embryonic vesicles, whose cavities are connected with the central canal of the cord; the cavities of the vesicles become the central cavities, or ventricles, and the walls thicken unequally and become the three segments, the foreÐ, midÐ, and hindÐbrain. µ In the brain of man the cerebral lobes, or largest part of the forebrain, are enormously developed so as to overhang the cerebellum, the great lobe of the hindbrain, and completely cover the lobes of the midbrain. The surface of the cerebrum is divided into irregular ridges, or convolutions, separated by grooves (the soÐcalled fissures and sulci), and the two hemispheres are connected at the bottom of the longitudinal fissure by a great transverse band of nervous matter, the corpus callosum, while the two halves of the cerebellum are connected on the under side of the brain by the bridge, or pons Varolii. 2. (Zo”l.) The anterior or cephalic ganglion in insects and other invertebrates. 3. The organ or seat of intellect; hence, the understanding. ½ My brain is too dull.¸ Sir W.Scott. µ In this sense, often used in the plural. 4. The affections; fancy; imagination. [R.] Shak. To have on the brain, to have constantly in one's thoughts, as a sort of monomania. [Low] Brain box or case, the bony on cartilaginous case inclosing the brain. Ð Brain coral, Brain stone coral (Zo”l), a massive reefÐbuilding coral having the surface covered by ridges separated by furrows so as to resemble somewhat the surface of the brain, esp. such corals of the genera M‘andrina and Diploria. Ð Brain fag (Med.), brain weariness. See Cerebropathy.Ð Brain fever (Med.), fever in which the brain is specially affected; any acute cerebral affection attended by fever. Ð Brain sand, calcareous matter found in the pineal gland. Brain (?), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Brained (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Braining.] 1. To dash out the brains of; to kill by beating out the brains. Hence, Fig.: To destroy; to put an end to; to defeat. There thou mayst brain him. Shak. It was the swift celerity of the death … That brained my purpose. Shak.
2. To conceive; to understand. [Obs.] ?T is still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen Tongue, and brain not. Shak. Brained (?), p.a. Supplied with brains. If th' other two be brained like us. Shak. Brain¶ish, a. HotÐheaded; furious. [R.] Shak. Brain¶less, a. Without understanding; silly; thougthless; witless. Ð Brain¶lessÏness, n. Brain¶pan· (?), n. [Brain + pan.] The bones which inclose the brain; the skull; the cranium. Brain¶sick· (?), a. Disordered in the understanding; giddy; thoughtless. Ð Brain¶sickÏness, a. Brain¶sick·ly, adv. In a brainsick manner. Brain¶y (?), a. Having an active or vigorous mind. [Colloq.] Braise, Braize (?), n. [So called from its iridescent colors.] (Zo”l.) A European marine fish (Pagrus vulgaris) allied to the American scup; the becker. The name is sometimes applied to the related species. [Also written brazier.] Braise, Braize, n. [F.] 1. Charcoal powder; breeze. 2. (Cookery) Braised meat. Braise, v.t. [F. braiser, fr. braise coals.] (Cookery) To stew or broil in a covered kettle or pan. A braising kettle has a deep cover which holds coals; consequently the cooking is done from above, as well as below. Mrs. Henderson.
Brais¶er (?), n. A kettle or pan for braising. Brait (?), n. [Cf.W. braith variegated, Ir. breath, breagh, fine, comely.] A rough diamond. Braize (?), n. See Braise. Brake (?), imp. of Break. [Arhaic] Tennyson. Brake, n. [OE. brake fern; cf. AS. bracce fern, LG. brake willow bush, Da. bregne fern, G. brach fallow; prob. orig. the growth on rough, broken ground, fr. the root of E. break. See Break, v.t., cf. Bracken, and 2d Brake, n.] 1. (Bot.) A fern of the genus Pteris, esp. the P. aquilina, common in almost all countries. It has solitary stems dividing into three principal branches. Less properly: Any fern. 2. A thicket; a place overgrown with shrubs and brambles, with undergrowth and ferns, or with canes. Rounds rising hillocks, brakes obscure and rough, To shelter thee from tempest and from rain. Shak. He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone. Sir W.Scott. Cane brake, a thicket of canes. See Canebrake.
<— p. 175 —>
Brake (?), n. [OE. brake; cf. LG. brake an instrument for breaking flax, G. breche, fr. the root of E. break. See Break, v. t., and cf. Breach.] 1. An instrument or machine to break or bruise the woody part of flax or hemp so that it may be separated from the fiber. 2. An extended handle by means of which a number of men can unite in working a pump, as in a fire engine. 3. A baker's kneading though. Johnson. 4. A sharp bit or snaffle. Pampered jades…which need nor break nor bit. Gascoigne. 5. A frame for confining a refractory horse while the smith is shoeing him; also, an inclosure to restrain cattle, horses, etc. A horse… which Philip had bought… and because of his fierceness kept him within a brake of iron bars. J. Brende. 6. That part of a carriage, as of a movable battery, or engine, which enables it to turn. 7. (Mil.) An ancient engine of war analogous to the crossbow and ballista. 8. (Agric.) A large, heavy harrow for breaking clods after plowing; a drag. 9. A piece of mechanism for retarding or stopping motion by friction, as of a carriage or railway car, by the pressure of rubbers against the wheels, or of clogs or ratchets against the track or roadway, or of a pivoted lever against a wheel or drum in a machine. 10. (Engin.) An apparatus for testing the power of a steam engine, or other motor, by weighing the amount of friction that the motor will overcome; a friction brake. 11. A cart or carriage without a body, used in breaking in horses. 12. An ancient instrument of torture. Holinshed. Air brake. See Air brake, in the Vocabulary. Ð Brake beam or Brake bar, the beam that connects the brake blocks of opposite wheels. Ð Brake block. (a) The part of a brake holding the brake shoe. (b) A brake shoe. Ð Brake shoe or Brake rubber, the part of a brake against which the wheel rubs. Ð Brake wheel, a wheel on the platform or top of a car by which brakes are operated. Ð Continuous brake . See under Continuous. Brake¶man (?), n.; pl. Brakemen (?). 1. (Railroads) A man in charge of a brake or brakes. 2. (Mining) The man in charge of the winding (or hoisting) engine for a mine. Brak¶y (?), a. Full of brakes; abounding with brambles, shrubs, or ferns; rough; thorny. In the woods and braky glens. W.Browne. Bra¶ma (?), n. See Brahma. Bra¶mah press· (?). A hydrostatic press of immense power, invented by Joseph Bramah of London. See under Hydrostatic. Bram¶ble (?), n. [OE. brembil, AS.br?mbel, br?mbel (akin to OHG. bramal), fr. the same root as E. broom, As. br?m. See Broom.] 1. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Rubus, including the raspberry and blackberry. Hence: Any rough, prickly shrub. The thorny brambles, and embracing bushes. Shak. 2. (Zo”l.) The brambling or bramble finch. Bram¶ble bush· (?). (Bot.) The bramble, or a collection of brambles growing together. He jumped into a bramble bush And scratched out both his eyes. Mother Goose. Bram¶bled (?), a. Overgrown with brambles. Forlorn she sits upon the brambled floor. T.Warton. Bram¶ble net· (?). A net to catch birds. Bram¶bling (?), n. [OE. bramline. See Bramble, n.] (Zo”l.) The European mountain finch (Fringilla montifringilla); Ð called also bramble finch and bramble. Bram¶bly (?), a. Pertaining to, resembling, or full of, brambles. ½In brambly wildernesses.¸ Tennyson. Brame (?), n. [Cf. Breme.] Sharp passion; vexation. [Obs.] HeartÐburning brame. Spenser. Bra¶min (?), BraÏmin¶ic (?), etc. See Brahman, Brachmanic, etc. Bran (?), n. [OE. bren, bran, OF. bren, F. bran, from Celtic; cf. Armor. brenn, Ir. bran, bran, chaff.] 1. The broken coat of the seed of wheat, rye, or other cereal grain, separated from the flour or meal by sifting or bolting; the coarse, chaffy part of ground grain. 2. (Zo”l.) The European carrion crow. Bran¶card (?), n. [F.] A litter on which a person may be carried. [Obs.] Coigrave. Branch (?), n.; pl. Branchesÿ(?). [OE. braunche, F. branche, fr. LL. branca claw of a bird or beast of prey; cf. Armor. brank branch, bough.] 1. (Bot.) A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant. 2. Any division extending like a branch; any arm or part connected with the main body of thing; ramification; as, the branch of an antler; the branch of a chandelier; a branch of a river; a branch of a railway. Most of the branches , or streams, were dried up. W.Irving. 3. Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department. ½Branches of knowledge.¸ Prescott. It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. Shak. 4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola. 5. A line of family descent, in distinction from some other line or lines from the same stock; any descendant in such a line; as, the English branch of a family. His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock. Carew. 6. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters. Branches of a bridle, two pieces of bent iron, which bear the bit, the cross chains, and the curb. Ð Branch herring. See Alewife.Ð Root and branch , totally, wholly. Syn. Ð Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig. Branch (?), a. Diverging from, or tributary to, a main stock, line, way, theme, etc.; as, a branch vein; a branch road or line; a branch topic; a branch store. Branch, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Branchedÿ(?); p .pr. & vb. n. Branching.] 1. To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify. 2. To divide into separate parts or subdivision. To branch off, to form a branch or a separate part; to diverge. Ð To branch out, to speak diffusively; to extend one's discourse to other topics than the main one; also, to enlarge the scope of one's business, etc. To branch out into a long disputation. Spectator. Branch, v. t. 1. To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in. 2. To adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers, or twigs. The train whereof loose far behind her strayed, Branched with gold and pearl, most richly wrought. Spenser. Branch¶er (?), n. 1. That which shoots forth branches; one who shows growth in various directions. 2. (Falconry) A young hawk when it begins to leave the nest and take to the branches. Branch¶erÏy (?), n. A system of branches. Ø Bran¶chiÏa (?), n.; pl. Branchi?ÿ(?). [L., fr. Gr. ?, pl. of ?.] (Anat.) A gill; a respiratory organ for breathing the air contained in water, such as many aquatic and semiaquatic animals have. Bran¶chiÏal (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to branchi‘ or gills. Branchial arches, the bony or cartilaginous arches which support the gills on each side of the throat of fishes and amphibians. See Illustration in Appendix. Ð Branchial clefts, the openings between the branchial arches through which water passes. Bran¶chiÏate (?), a. (Anat.) Furnished with branchi‘; as branchiate segments. BranÏchif¶erÏous (?), a. (Anat.) Having gills; branchiate; as, branchiferous gastropods. Branch¶iÏness (?), n. Fullness of branches. Branch¶ing, a. Furnished with branches; shooting our branches; extending in a branch or branches. Shaded with branching palm. Milton. Branch¶ing, n. The act or state of separation into branches; division into branches; a division or branch. The sciences, with their numerous branchings. L.Watts. Ø Bran·chiÏoÏgasÏtrop¶oÏda (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? gill + E. gastropoda.] (Zo”l.) Those Gastropoda that breathe by branchi‘, including the Prosobranchiata and Opisthobranchiata. Bran·chiÏom¶erÏism (?), n. [Gr. ? gill + Ðmere.] (Anat.) The state of being made up of branchiate segments. R. Wiedersheim. Bran¶chiÏoÏpod (?), n. One of the Branchiopoda. Ø Bran¶chiÏoÏpoda (?), n. pl. [Gr. ? gill + Ðpoda: cf. F. branchiopode.] (Zo”l.) An order of Entomostraca; Ð so named from the feet of branchiopods having been supposed to perform the function of gills. It includes the freshÐwater genera Branchipus, Apus, and Limnadia, and the genus Artemia found in salt lakes. It is also called Phyllopoda. See Phyllopoda, Cladocera. It is sometimes used in a broader sense. Bran·chiÏos¶teÏgal (?), a. [Gr. ? gill + ? to cover: cf. F. branchiostŠge.] (Anat.) Pertaining to the membrane covering the gills of fishes. Ð n. (Anat.) A branchiostegal ray. See Illustration of Branchial arches in Appendix. µ This term was formerly applied to a group of fishes having boneless branchi‘. But the arrangement was artificial, and has been rejected. Bran·chiÏos¶tege (?), (Anat.) The branchiostegal membrane. See Illustration in Appendix. Bran·chiÏos¶teÏgous (?), a. (Anat.) Branchiostegal. Ø Bran·chiÏos¶toÏma (?), n. [NL., fr., Gr. ? gill + ? mouth.] (Zo”l.) The lancelet. See Amphioxus. Ø Bran¶chiÏu¶ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr., Gr. ? gill + ? tail.] (Zo”l.) A group of Entomostraca, with suctorial mouths, including species parasitic on fishes, as the carp lice (Argulus). Branch¶less (?), a. Destitude of branches or shoots; without any valuable product; barren; naked. Branch¶let (?), n. [Branch + Ðlet.] A little branch; a twig. Branch¶ pi·lot (?). A pilot who has a branch or commission, as from Trinity House, England, for special navigation. Branch¶y (?), a. Full of branches; having wideÐspreading branches; consisting of branches. Beneath thy branchy bowers of thickest gloom. J.Scott. Brand (?), n. [OE. brand, brond, AS. brand brond brand, sword, from byrnan, beornan, to burn; akin to D., Dan., Sw., & G. brand brand, Icel. brandr a brand, blade of a sword. ?32. See Burn, v. t., and cf. Brandish.] 1. A burning piece of wood; or a stick or piece of wood partly burnt, whether burning or after the fire is extinct. Snatching a live brand from a wigwam, Mason threw it on a matted roof. Palfrey. 2. A sword, so called from its glittering or flashing brightness. [Poetic] Tennyson. Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand. Milton. 3. A mark made by burning with a hot iron, as upon a cask, to designate the quality, manufacturer, etc., of the contents, or upon an animal, to designate ownership; Ð also, a mark for a similar purpose made in any other way, as with a stencil. Hence, figurately: Quality; kind; grade; as, a good brand of flour. 4. A mark put upon criminals with a hot iron. Hence: Any mark of infamy or vice; a stigma. The brand of private vice. Channing. 5. An instrument to brand with; a branding iron. 6. (Bot.) Any minute fungus which produces a burnt appearance in plants. The brands are of many species and several genera of the order Puccini‘i. Brand (?), v.t [imp. & p.p. Branded; p. pr. & vb. n. Branding.]. 1. To burn a distinctive mark into or upon with a hot iron, to indicate quality, ownership, etc., or to mark as infamous (as a convict). 2. To put an actual distinctive mark upon in any other way, as with a stencil, to show quality of contents, name of manufacture, etc. 3. Fig.: To fix a mark of infamy, or a stigma, upon. The Inquisition branded its victims with infamy. Prescott. There were the enormities, branded and condemned by the first and most natural verdict of common humanity. South. 4. To mark or impress indelibly, as with a hot iron. As if it were branded on my mind. Geo. Eliot. Brand¶er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, brands; a branding iron. 2. A gridiron. [Scot.] Brand¶ goose· (?). [Prob. fr. 1st brand + goose: cf. Sw. brandg†s. Cf. Brant.] (Zo”l.) A species of wild goose (Branta bernicla) usually called in America brant. See Brant. Bran¶died (?), a. Mingled with brandy; made stronger by the addition of brandy; flavored or treated with brandy; as, brandied peaches. Brand¶ing i·Ïron (?). An iron to brand with. Brand¶ i·ron. 1. A branding iron. 2. A trivet to set a pot on. Huloet. 3. The horizontal bar of an andiron. Bran¶dish (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Brandishedÿ(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Brandishing.] [OE. braundisen, F. brandir, fr. brand a sword, fr. OHG. brant brand. See Brand, n.] 1. To move or wave, as a weapon; to raise and move in various directions; to shake or flourish. The quivering lance which he brandished bright. Drake. 2. To play with; to flourish; as, to brandish syllogisms. Bran¶dish, n. A flourish, as with a weapon, whip, etc. ½Brandishes of the fan.¸ Tailer. Bran¶dishÐer (?), n. One who brandishes. Bran¶dle (?), v. t. & i. [F. brandiller.] To shake; to totter. [Obs.] Brand¶ling (?), Brand¶lin (?) }, n. (Zo”l.) Same as Branlin, fish and worm. Brand¶Ðnew¶ (?), a. [See Brand, and cf. Brannew.] Quite new; bright as if fresh from the forge. Brand¶ spore· (?). (Bot.) One of several spores growing in a series or chain, and produced by one of the fungi called brand. Bran¶dy (?), n.; pl. Brandiesÿ(?). [From older brandywine, brandwine, fr. D. brandewijn, fr. p. p. of branden to burn, distill + wijn wine, akin to G. branntwein. See Brand.] A strong alcoholic liquor distilled from wine. The name is also given to spirit distilled from other liquors, and in the United States to that distilled from cider and peaches. In northern Europe, it is also applied to a spirit obtained from grain. Brandy fruit, fruit preserved in brandy and sugar. Bran¶dyÏwine· (?), n. Brandy. [Obs.] Wiseman. Bran¶gle (?), n. [Prov. E. brangled confused, entangled, Scot. brangle to shake, menace; probably a variant of wrangle, confused with brawl. ?95.] A wrangle; a squabble; a noisy contest or dispute. [R.] A brangle between him and his neighbor. Swift. Bran¶gle, v.i [imp. & p. p. Brangledÿ(?); p.pr. & vb. n. Branglingÿ(?).] To wrangle; to dispute contentiously; to squabble. [R.] Bran¶gleÏment (?), n. Wrangle; brangle. [Obs.] Bran¶gler (?), n. A quarrelsome person. Bran¶gling (?), n. A quarrel. [R.] Whitlock. Brank (?), n. [Prov. of Celtic origin; cf. L. brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.] Buckwheat. [Local, Eng.] Halliwell. Brank, Branks,} n. [Cf. Gael. brangus, brangas, a sort of pillory, Ir. brancas halter, or D. pranger fetter.] 1. A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Jamieson. 2. A scolding bridle, an instrument formerly used for correcting scolding women.It was an iron frame surrounding the head and heaving a triangular piece entering the mouth of the scold. Brank, v. i. 1. To hold up and toss the head; Ð applied to horses as spurning the bit. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] 2. To prance; to caper. [Scot.] Jamieson. Brank¶urÏsine (?), n. [F. brancÐursine, branchÐursine, fr. LL. branca claw + L. ursinus belonging to a bear (fr. ursus bear), i .e., bear's claw, because its leaves resemble the claws of a bear. Cf. Branch.] (Bot.) Bear'sÐbreech, or Acanthus. Bran¶lin (?), n. [Scot. branlie fr. brand.] (Zo”l.) A young salmon or parr, in the stage in which it has transverse black bands, as if burned by a gridiron. Bran¶lin, n. [See Brand.] A small red worm or larva, used as bait for small freshÐwater fish; Ð so called from its red color. Bran¶Ðnew¶ (?), a. See BrandÐnew. Bran¶ny (?), a. Having the appearance of bran; consisting of or containing bran. Wiseman. Bran¶sle (?), n. [See Brawl a dance.] A brawl or dance. [Obs.] Spenser.
<— p. 176 —>
Brant (?), n. [Cf.Brand goose, Brent, Brenicle.] (Zo”l.) A species of wild goose (Branta bernicla)Ð called also brent and brand goose. The name is also applied to other related species. Brant, a. [See Brent.] Steep. [Prov. Eng.] Bran¶tail· (?), n. (Zo”l.) The European redstart; Ð so called from the red color of its tail. Brant¶Ïfox· (?), n. [For brandÐfox; cf. G. brandfuchs, Sw. bradr„f. So called from its yellowish brown and somewhat black color. See Brand.] (Zo”l.) A kind of fox found in Sweden (Vulpes alopex), smaller than the common fox (V. vulgaris), but probably a variety of it. Bran¶uÏlar (?), a. Relating to the brain; cerebral. I.Taylor. Bra¶sen (?), a. Same as Brazen. Brash (?), a. [Cf. Gael. bras or G. barsch harsh, sharp, tart, impetuous, D. barsch, Sw. & Dan. barsk.] Hasty in temper; impetuous. Grose. Brash, a. [Cf. Amer. bresk, brusk, fragile, brittle.] Brittle, as wood or vegetables. [Colloq., U. S.] Bartlett. Brash, n. [See Brash brittle.] 1. A rash or eruption; a sudden or transient fit of sickness. 2. Refuse boughs of trees; also, the clippings of hedges. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. 3. (Geol.) Broken and angular fragments of rocks underlying alluvial deposits. Lyell. 4. Broken fragments of ice. Kane. Water brash (Med.), an affection characterized by a spasmodic pain or hot sensation in the stomach with a rising of watery liquid into the mouth; pyrosis. Ð Weaning brash (Med.), a severe form of diarrhea which sometimes attacks children just weaned. Bra¶sier, Bra¶zier (?), n. [OE. brasiere, F. braise live coals. See Brass.] An artificer who works in brass. Franklin. Bra¶sier, Bra¶zier, n. [F. brasier, brais¡er, fr. braise live coals. See Brass.] A pan for holding burning coals. Brass (?), n.; pl. Brasses (?). [OE. bras, bres, AS. br‘s; akin to Icel. bras cement, solder, brasa to harden by fire, and to E. braze, brazen. Cf. 1st & 2d Braze.] 1. An alloy (usually yellow) of copper and zinc, in variable proportion, but often containing two parts of copper to one part of zinc. It sometimes contains tin, and rarely other metals. 2. (Mach.) A journal bearing, so called because frequently made of brass. A brass is often lined with a softer metal, when the latter is generally called a white metal lining. See Axle box, Journal Box, and Bearing. 3. Coin made of copper, brass, or bronze. [Obs.] Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey. Matt. x. 9. 4. Impudence; a brazen face. [Colloq.] 5. pl. Utensils, ornaments, or other articles of brass. The very scullion who cleans the brasses. Hopkinson. 6. A brass plate engraved with a figure or device. Specifically, one used as a memorial to the dead, and generally having the portrait, coat of arms, etc. 7. pl. (Mining) Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the color of which is near to that of brass. µ The word brass as used in Sculpture language is a translation for copper or some kind of bronze. µ Brass is often used adjectively or in selfÐexplaining compounds; as, brass button, brass kettle, brass founder, brass foundry or brassfoundry. Brass band (Mus.), a band of musicians who play upon wind instruments made of brass, as trumpets, cornets, etc. Ð Brass foil, Brass leaf, brass made into very thin sheets; Ð called also Dutch gold. Bras¶sage (?), n. {F.] A sum formerly levied to pay the expense of coinage; Ð now called seigniorage. Bras¶sart (?), n. [F. brassard, fr. bras arm. See Brace, n.] Armor for the arm; Ð generally used for the whole arm from the shoulder to the wrist, and consisting, in the 15th and 16th centuries, of many parts. Brasse (?), n. [Perh. a transposition of barse; but cf. LG. brasse the bream, G. brassen Cf. Bream.] (Zo”l.) A spotted European fish of the genus Lucioperca, resembling a perch. Bras¶sets (?), n. See Brassart. Ø Bras¶siÏca (?), n. [L., cabbage.] (Bot.) A genus of plants embracing several species ad varieties differing much in appearance and qualities: such as the common cabbage (B. oleracea), broccoli, cauliflowers, etc.; the wild turnip (B. campestris); the common turnip (B. rapa); the rape of coleseed (B. napus), etc. Bras·siÏca¶ceous (?), a. [L. brassica cabbage.] (Bot.) Related to, or resembling, the cabbage, or plants of the Cabbage family. Brass¶iÏness (?), n. The state, conditions, or quality of being brassy. [Colloq.] Brass¶Ïvis¶aged (?), a. Impudent; bold. Brass¶y (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to brass; having the nature, appearance, or hardness, of brass. 2. Impudent; impudently bold. [Colloq.] Brast (?), v. t. & i. [See Burst.] To burst. [Obs.] And both his y‰n braste out of his face. Chaucer. Dreadfull furies which their chains have brast. Spenser. Brat (?), n. [OE. bratt coarse garnment, AS. bratt cloak, fr. the Celtic; cf. W. brat clout, rag, Gael. brat cloak, apron, raf, Ir. brat cloak; properly then, a child's bib or clout; hence, a child.] 1. A coarse garnment or cloak; also, coarse clothing, in general. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. A coarse kind of apron for keeping the clothes clean; a bib. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Wright. 3. A child; an offspring; Ð formerly used in a good sense, but now usually in a contemptuous sense. ½This brat is none of mine.¸ Shak. ½A beggar's brat.¸ Swift. O Israel? O household of the Lord? O Abraham's brats? O brood of blessed seed? Gascoigne. 4. The young of an animal. [Obs.] L'Estrange. Brat (?), n. (Mining) A thin bed of coal mixed with pyrites or carbonate of lime. Ø Brat¶sche (?), n. [G., fr. It. viola da braccio viola held on the arm.] The tenor viola, or viola. Brat¶tice (?), n. [See Brettice.] (Mining) (a) A wall of separation in a shaft or gallery used for ventilation. (b) Planking to support a roof or wall. Brat¶tishÏing (?), n. 1. See Brattice, n. 2. (Arch.) Carved openwork, as of a shrine, battlement, or parapet. Braun¶ite (?), n. (Min.) A native oxide of manganese, of dark brownish black color. It was named from a Mr. Braun of Gotha. BraÏvade¶ (?), n. Bravado. [Obs.] Fanshawe. BraÏva¶do (?), n., pl. Bravadoesÿ(?). [Sp. bravada, bravata, boast, brag: cf. F. bravade. See Brave.] Boastful and threatening behavior; a boastful menace. In spite of our host's bravado. Irving. Brave (?), a. [Compar. Braver; superl. Bravest.] [F. brave, It. or Sp. bravo, (orig.) fierce, wild, savage, prob. from. L. barbarus. See Barbarous, and cf. Bravo.] 1. Bold; courageous; daring; intrepid; Ð opposed to cowardly; as, a brave man; a brave act. 2. Having any sort of superiority or excellence; Ð especially such as in conspicuous. [Obs. or Archaic as applied to material things.] Iron is a brave commodity where wood aboundeth. Bacon. It being a brave day, I walked to Whitehall. Pepys. 3. Making a fine show or display. [Archaic] Wear my dagger with the braver grace. Shak. For I have gold, and therefore will be brave. In silks I'll rattle it of every color. Robert Greene. Frog and lizard in holiday coats And turtle brave in his golden spots. Emerson. Syn. Ð Courageous; gallant; daring; valiant; valorous; bold; heroic; intrepid; fearless; dauntless; magnanimous; highÐspirited; stoutÐhearted. See Gallant. Brave (?), n. 1. A brave person; one who is daring. The starÐspangled banner, O,long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. F.S.Key. 2. Specifically, an Indian warrior. 3. A man daring beyond discretion; a bully. Hot braves like thee may fight. Dryden. 4. A challenge; a defiance; bravado. [Obs.] Demetrius, thou dost overween in all; And so in this, to bear me down with braves. Shak. Brave, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bravedÿ(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Braving.] 1. To encounter with courage and fortitude; to set at defiance; to defy; to dare. These I can brave, but those I can not bear. Dryden. 2. To adorn; to make fine or showy. [Obs.] Thou [a tailor whom Grunio was browbeating] hast braved meny men; brave not me; I'll neither be faced or braved. Shak.] Brave¶ly (?), adv. 1. In a brave manner; courageously; gallantly; valiantly; splendidly; nobly. 2. Finely; gaudily; gayly; showily. And [she] decked herself bravely to allure the eyes of all men that should see her. Judith. x. 4. 3. Well; thrivingly; prosperously. [Colloq.] Brave¶ness, n. The quality of state or being brave. Brav¶erÏy (?), n. [Cf. F. braverie.] 1. The quality of being brave; fearless; intrepidity. Remember, sir, my liege, … The natural bravery of your isle. Shak. 2. The act of braving; defiance; bravado. [Obs.] Reform, then, without bravery or scandal of former times and persons. 3. Splendor; magnificence; showy appearance; ostentation; fine dress. With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery. Shak. Like a stately ship… With all her bravery on, and tackle trim. Milton. 4. A showy person; a fine gentleman; a beau. [Obs.] A man that is the bravery of his age. Beau. & Fl. Syn. Ð Courage; heroism; interpidity; gallantry; valor; fearlessness; dauntlessness; hardihood; manfulness. See Courage, and Heroism. Brav¶ing (?), n. A bravado; a boast. With so proud a strain Of threats and bravings. Chapman. Brav¶ingÏly (?), adv. In a defiant manner. Bra¶vo (?), n.; pl. Bravoesÿ(?). [I. See Brave, a.] A daring villain; a bandit; one who sets law at defiance; a professional assassin or murderer. Safe from detection, seize the unwary prey. And stab, like bravoes, all who come this way. Churchill. Bra¶vo (?), interj. [It. See Brave.] Well done? excellent? an exclamation expressive of applause. Ø BraÏvu¶ra (?), n. [It., (properly) bravery, spirit, from bravo. See Brave.] (Mus.) A florid, brilliant style of music, written for effect, to show the range and flexibility of a singer's voice, or the technical force and skill of a performer; virtuoso music. Aria di bravura (?) [It.], a florid air demanding brilliant execution. Brawl (?), v. i. [imp. & p.p. Brawled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Brawling.] [OE. braulen to quarrel, boast, brallen to cry, make a noise; cf. LG. brallen to brag, MHG. pr?ulen, G. prahlen, F. brailler to cry, shout, Pr. brailar, braillar, W. bragal to vociferate, brag, Armor. bragal to romp, to strut, W. broliaw to brag, brawl boast. ?95.] 1. To quarrel noisily and outrageously. Let a man that is a man consider that he is a fool that brawleth openly with his wife. Golden Boke. 2. To complain loudly; to scold. 3. To make a loud confused noise, as the water of a rapid stream running over stones. Where the brook brawls along the painful road. Wordsworth. Syn. Ð To wrangle; squabble; contend. Brawl (?), n. A noisy quarrel; loud, angry contention; a wrangle; a tumult; as, a drunken brawl. His sports were hindered by the brawls. Shak. Syn. Ð Noise; quarrel; uproar; row; tumult. Brawl¶er (?), n. One that brawls; wrangler. Common brawlers (Law), one who disturbs a neighborhood by brawling (and is therefore indictable at common law as a nuisance). Wharton. Brawl¶ing, a. 1. Quarreling; quarrelsome; noisy. She is an irksome brawling scold. Shak. 2. Making a loud confused noise. See Brawl, v. i., 3. A brawling stream. J.S. Shairp. Brawl¶ingÏly, adv. In a brawling manner. Brawn (?), n. [OF. braon fleshy part, muscle, fr. HG. br?to flesh, G. braten roast meat; akin to Icel. br?? flesh, food of beasts, AS. br?de roast meat, br?dan to roast, G. braten, and possibly to E. breed.] 1. A muscle; flesh. [Obs.] Formed well of brawns and of bones. Chaucer. 2. Full, strong muscles, esp. of the arm or leg, muscular strength; a protuberant muscular part of the body; sometimes, the arm. Brawn without brains is thine. Dryden. It was ordained that murderers should be brent on the brawn of the left hand. E. Hall. And in my vantbrace put this withered brawn. Shak. 3. The flesh of a boar; also, the salted and prepared flesh of a boar. The best age for the boar is from two to five years, at which time it is best to geld him, or sell him for brawn. Mortimer. 4. A boar. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. Brawned (?), a. Brawny; strong; muscular. [Obs.] Spenser. Brawn¶er (?), n. A boor killed for the table. Brawn¶iÏness (?), n. The quality or state of being brawny. Brawn¶y (?), a. Having large, strong muscles; muscular; fleshy; strong. ½Brawny limbs.¸ W.Irving. Syn. Ð Muscular; fleshy; strong; bulky; sinewy; athletic; stalwart; powerful; robust. Brax¶y (?), n. [Cf. AS. breac rheum, broc sickness, Ir. bracha corruption. Jamieson.] 1. A disease of sheep. The term is variously applied in different localities. [Scot.] 2. A diseased sheep, or its mutton. Bray (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Braying.] [OE. brayen, OF. breier, F. broyer to pound, grind, fr. OHG. brehhan to break. See Break.] To pound, beat, rub, or grind small or fine. Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar, … yet will not his foolishness depart from him. Prov. xxvii. 22. Bray, v. i. [ OE brayen, F. braire to bray, OF. braire to cry, fr. LL. bragire to whinny; perh. fr. the Celtic and akin to E. break; or perh. of imitative origin.] 1. To utter a loud, harsh cry, as an ass. Laugh, and they Return it louder than an ass can bray. Dryden. 2. To make a harsh, grating, or discordant noise. Heard ye the din of battle bray? Gray. Bray, v. t. To make or utter with a loud, discordant, or harsh and grating sound. Arms on armor clashing, brayed Horrible discord. MIlton. And varying notes the war pipes brayed. Sir W.Scott. Bray, n. The harsh cry of an ass; also, any harsh, grating, or discordant sound. The bray and roar of multitudinous London. Jerrold. Bray, n. [OE. braye, brey, brew, eyebrow, brow of a hill, hill, bank, Scot. bra, brae, bray, fr. AS. br?w eyebrow, influenced by the allied Icel. br? eyebrow, bank, also akin to AS. br? yebrow. See Brow.] A bank; the slope of a hill; a hill. See Brae, which is now the usual spelling. [North of Eng. & Scot.] Fairfax. Bray¶er (?), n. An implement for braying and spreading ink in hand printing. Bray¶er, n. One that brays like an ass. Pope. Bray¶ing, a. Making a harsh noise; blaring, ½Braying trumpets.¸ Shak. Braze (?), v. i.[imp. & p. p. Brazedÿ(?); p. pr & vb. n. Brazing.][F. braser to solder, fr. Icel. brasa to harden by fire. Cf. Brass.] 1. To solder with hard solder, esp. with an alloy of copper and zinc; as, to braze the seams of a copper pipe. 2. To harden. ½Now I am brazes to it.¸ Shak. Braze (?), v. t. [AS. br‘sian, fr. br‘s brass. See Brass.] To cover or ornament with brass. Chapman. Bra¶zen (?), a.[OE. brasen, AS. br‘sen. See Brass.] 1. Pertaining to, made of, or resembling, brass. 2. Sounding harsh and loud, like resounding brass. 3. Impudent; immodest; shameless; having a front like brass; as, a brazen countenance. Brazen age. (a) (Muth.) The age of war and lawlessness which succeeded the silver age. (b) (Arch‘ol.)ÿSee under Bronze. Ð Brazen sea (Jewish Antiq.), a large laver of brass, placed in Solomon's temple for the use of the priests. Bra¶zen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brazened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Brazening.] To carry through impudently or shamelessly; as, to brazen the matter through. Sabina brazened it out before Mrs. Wygram, but inwardly she was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect. W.Black. Bra¶zenÏbrowed· (?), a. Shamelessly impudent. Sir T.Browne. Bra¶zenÏface· (?), n. An impudent of shameless person. ½Well said, brazenface; hold it out.¸ Shak. Bra¶zenÏfaced· (?), a. Impudent; shameless. Bra¶zenÏly (?), adv. In a bold, impudent manner.
<— p. 177 —>
Bra¶zenÏness (?), n. The quality or state of being brazen. Johnson. Bra¶zier (?), n. Same as Brasier. ØBraz·iÏlet¶to (?), n. [Cf. Pg. & Sp. brasilete, It. brasiletto.] See Brazil wood. BraÏzil¶ian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Brasil. Ð n. A native or an inhabitant of Brazil. Brazilian pebble. See Pebble, n., 2. Braz¶iÏlin (?), n. [Cf. F. br‚siline. See Brazil.] (Chem.) A substance contained in both Brazil wood and Sapan wood, from which it is extracted as a yellow crystalline substance which is white when pure. It is colored intensely red by alkalies. [Written also brezilin.] BraÏzil¶ nut· (?). (Bot.) An oily, threeÐsided nut, the seed of the Bertholletia excelsa; the cream nut. µ From eighteen to twentyÐfour of the seed or ½nuts¸ grow in a hard and nearly globular shell. BraÏzil¶ wood· (?). [OE. brasil, LL. brasile (cf. Pg. & Sp. brasil, Pr. bresil, Pr. bresil); perh. from Sp. or Pg. brasa a live coal (cf. Braze, Brasier); or Ar. vars plant for dyeing red or yellow. This name was given to the wood from its color; and it is said that King Emanuel, of Portugal, gave the name Brazil to the country in South America on account of its producing this wood.] 1. The wood of the oriental C‘salpinia Sapan; Ð so called before the discovery of America. 2. A very heavy wood of a reddish color, imported from Brazil and other tropical countries, for cabinetÐwork, and for dyeing. The best is the heartwood of C‘salpinia echinata, a leguminous tree; but other trees also yield it. An interior sort comes from Jamaica, the timber of C. Braziliensis and C. crista. This is often distinguished as Braziletto , but the better kind is also frequently so named. Breach (?), n. [OE. breke, breche, AS. brice, gebrice, gebrece (in comp.), fr. brecan to break; akin to Dan. br‘k, MHG. breche, gap, breach. See Break, and cf. Brake (the instrument), Brack a break]. 1. The act of breaking, in a figurative sense. 2. Specifically: A breaking or infraction of a law, or of any obligation or tie; violation; nonÐfulfillment; as a breach of contract; a breach of promise. 3. A gap or opening made made by breaking or battering, as in a wall or fortification; the space between the parts of a solid body rent by violence; a break; a rupture. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. Shak. 4. A breaking of waters, as over a vessel; the waters themselves; surge; surf. The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. 2 Sam. v. 20? A clear breach implies that the waves roll over the vessel without breaking. Ð A clean breach implies that everything on deck is swept away. Ham. Nav. Encyc. 5. A breaking up of amicable relations; rupture. There's fallen between him and my lord An unkind breach. Shak. 6. A bruise; a wound. Breach for breach, eye for eye. Lev. xxiv.20? 7. (Med.) A hernia; a rupture. 8. A breaking out upon; an assault. The Lord had made a breach upon Uzza. 1.Chron.xiii.11? Breach of falth, a breaking, or a failure to keep, an expressed or implied promise; a betrayal of confidence or trust. Ð Breach of peace, disorderly conduct, disturbing the public peace. Ð Breach of privilege, an act or default in violation of the privilege or either house of Parliament, of Congress, or of a State legislature, as, for instance, by false swearing before a committee. Mozley. Abbott. Ð Breach of promise, violation of one's plighted word, esp. of a promise to marry. Ð Breach of trust, violation of one's duty or faith in a matter entrusted to one. Syn. Ð Rent; cleft; chasm; rift; aperture; gap; break; disruption; fracture; rupture; infraction; infringement; violation; quarrel; dispute; contention; difference; misunderstanding. Breach, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Breached (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Breaching.] To make a breach or opening in; as, to breach the walls of a city. Breach, v. i. To break the water, as by leaping out; Ð said of a whale. Breach¶y (?),a. Apt to break fences or to break out of pasture; unruly; as, breachy cattle. Bread (?), v. t. [AS. br‘dan to make broad, to spread. See Broad, a.] To spread. [Obs.] Ray. Bread (?), n. [AS. bre d; akin to OFries. br¾d, OS. br?d, D. brood, G. brod, brot, Icel. brau?, Sw. & Dan. br”d. The root is probably that of E. brew. ? See Brew.] 1. An article of food made from flour or meal by moistening, kneading, and baking. µ Raised bread is made with yeast, salt, and sometimes a little butter or lard, and is mixed with warm milk or water to form the dough, which, after kneading, is given time to rise before baking. Ð Cream of tartar bread is raised by the action of an alkaline carbonate or bicarbonate (as saleratus or ammonium bicarbonate) and cream of tartar (acid tartrate of potassium) or some acid. ÐUnleavened bread is usually mixed with water and salt only. A‰rated bread. See under A?rated. Bread and butter (fig.), means of living. Ð Brown bread, Indian bread, Graham bread, Rye and Indian bread. See Brown bread, under Brown. Ð Bread tree. See Breadfruit. 2. Food; sustenance; support of life, in general. Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11? Bread, v. t. (Cookery) To cover with bread crumbs, preparatory to cooking; as, breaded cutlets. Bread¶bas·ket (?), n. The stomach. [Humorous] S. Foote. Bread¶corn· (?). Corn of grain of which bread is made, as wheat, rye, etc. Bread¶ed, a. Braided [Obs.] Spenser. Bread¶en (?), a. Made of bread. [R.] Bread¶fruit· (?), n. (Bot.) 1. The fruit of a tree (Artocarpus incisa) found in the islands of the Pacific, esp. the South Sea islands. It is of a roundish form, from four to six or seven inches in diameter, and, when baked, somewhat resembles bread, and is eaten as food, whence the name. 2. (Bot.) The tree itself, which is one of considerable size, with large, lobed leaves. Cloth is made from the bark, and the timber is used for many purposes. Called also breadfruit tree and bread tree. Bread¶less, a. Without bread; destitude of food. Plump peers and breadless bards alike are dull. P.Whitehead. Bread·root¶ (?), n. (Bot.) The root of a leguminous plant (Psoralea esculenta), found near the Rocky Mountains. It is usually oval in form, and abounds in farinaceous matter, affording sweet and palatable food. µ It is the Pomme blanche of Canadian voyageurs. Bread¶stuff (?), n. Grain, flour, or meal of which bread is made. Breadth (?), n. [OE. brede, breede, whence later bredette, AS. br?du, fr. br¾d broad. See Broad, a.] 1. Distance from side to side of any surface or thing; measure across, or at right angles to the length; width. 42. (Fine Arts) The quality of having the colors and shadows broad and massive, and the arrangement of objects such as to avoid to great multiplicity of details, producing an impression of largeness and simple grandeur; Ð called also breadth of effect. Breadth of coloring is a prominent character in the painting of all great masters. Weale. Breadth¶less, a. Without breadth. Breadth¶ways (?), ads. Breadthwise. Whewell. Breadth¶wise (?), ads. In the direction of the breadth. Breadth¶win·ner (?), n. The member of a family whose labor supplies the food of the family; one who works for his living. H. Spencer. Breakÿ(?), v. t. [imp. broke (?), (Obs. Brake); p.p. Broken (?), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel.braka to creak, Sw. braka, br„kka to crack, Dan. br‘kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. Shak. 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. Katharine, break thy mind to me. Shak. 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. Out, out, hyena ? these are thy wonted arts… To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. Milton 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. Shak. 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. Prescott. 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. An old man, broken with the storms of state. Shak. 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. Dryden. 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; Ð with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. ½To break a colt.¸ Spenser. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? Shak. 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. Dryden. 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. I see a great officer broken. Swift. With prepositions or adverbs: Ð To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. Ð To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. ÐTo break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit.Ð To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig.(b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. ½Break off thy sins by righteousness.¸ Dan. iv.27. Ð To break open, to open by breaking. ½Open the door, or I will break it open.¸ Shak. Ð To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. Ð To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. Ð To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. Ð To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). ½Break up this capon.¸ Shak. ½Break up your fallow ground.¸ Jer. iv. 3? (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. ½Break up the court.¸ Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] With an immediate object: Ð To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. Ð To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars.ÐTo break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. Ð To break a deer or stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. Ð To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. Ð To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. Ð To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. Ð To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. Ð To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. Ð To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. Ð To break a jest, to utter a jest. ½Patroclus…the livelong day break scurril jests.¸ Shak. Ð To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. Ð To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. Ð To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. Ð To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] Ð To break a path, road, etc., too open a way through obstacles by force or labor. Ð To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; Ð a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. Ð To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. Syn. Ð To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. Break (?), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. Math. ix. 17.? 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. The day begins to break, and night is fied. Shak. And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. Wordswoorth. 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. Shak. 5. To open up. to be scattered; t be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. At length the darkness begins to break. Macawlay. 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman ? he droops apace. Swift. 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. Bacn. 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrowÐspirited. Collier. With prepositions or adverbs: Ð To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. Fear me not, man; I will not break away. Shak. ÐTo break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking. He had broken down almost at the outset. Thackeray. Ð To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. ½Then shall thy light break forth as the morning.¸ Isa. lviii. 8; Ð often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. ½Break forth into singing, ye mountains.¸ Isa. xliv. 23. Ð To break from, to go away from abruptly. This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. Dryden. Ð To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. Ð To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. ½This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him.¸ Milton. Ð To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. ½Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?¸ Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. Ð To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. ½Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so.¸ Shak. Ð To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. Ð To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. ½For in the wilderness
<— p. 178 —>
shall waters break out, and stream in the desert.¸ Isa. xxxv. 6
(b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; Ð said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; Ð said of a patient. Ð To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. Ð To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse.½The company breaks up.¸ I.Watts. Ð To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. Ð To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. ½It can not be the Volsces dare break with us.¸ Shak. Ð ½If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether.¸ Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak [Obs.] ½I will break with her and with her father.¸ Shak. Break (?), n. [See Break, v. t., and cf. Brake (the instrument), Breach, Brack a crack.] 1. An opening made by fracture or disruption. 2. An interruption of continuity; change of direction; as , a break in a wall; a break in the deck of a ship. Specifically: (a) (Arch.) A projection or recess from the face of a building. (b) (Elec.) An opening or displacement in the circuit, interrupting the electrical current. 3. An interruption; a pause; as, a break in friendship; a break in the conversation. 4. An interruption in continuity in writing or printing, as where there is an omission, an unfilled line, etc. All modern trash is Set forth with numerous breaks and dashes. Swift. 5. The first appearing, as of light in the morning; the dawn; as, the break of day; the break of dawn. 6. A large fourÐwheeled carriage, having a straight body and calash top, with the driver's seat in front and the footman's behind. 7. A device for checking motion, or for measuring friction. See Brake, n. 9 & 10. 8. (Teleg.) See Commutator. Break¶aÏble (?), a. Capable of being broken. Break¶age (?), n. 1. The act of breaking; a break; a breaking; also, articles broken. 2. An allowance or compensation for things broken accidentally, as in transportation or use. Break¶bone· fe·ver (?). (Med.) See Dengue. Break¶Ïcir·cuit (?), n.(Elec.) A key or other device for breaking an electrical circuit. Break¶down· (?), n. 1. The act or result of breaking down, as of a carriage; downfall. 2. (a) A noisy, rapid, shuffling dance engaged in competitively by a number of persons or pairs in succession, as among the colored people of the Southern United States, and so called, perhaps, because the exercise is continued until most of those who take part in it break down. (b) Any rude, noisy dance performed by shuffling the feet, usually by one person at a time. [U.S.] Don't clear out when the quadrilles are over, for we are going to have a breakdown to wind up with. New Eng. Tales. Break¶er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, breaks. I'll be no breaker of the law. Shak. 2. Specifically: A machine for breaking rocks, or for breaking coal at the mines; also, the building in which such a machine is placed. 3. (Naut.) A small water cask. Totten. 4. A wave breaking into foam against the shore, or against a sand bank, or a rock or reef near the surface. The breakers were right beneath her bows. Longfellow. Break¶fast (?), n. [Break + fast.] 1. The first meal in the day, or that which is eaten at the first meal. A sorry breakfast for my lord protector. Shak. 2. A meal after fasting, or food in general. The wolves will get a breakfast by my death. Dryden. Break¶fast, v. i. [imp. & p. p. breakfasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Breakfasting.] To break one's fast in the morning; too eat the first meal in the day. First, sir, I read, and then I breakfast. Prior. Break¶fast, v. t. To furnish with breakfast. Milton. Break¶man (?), n. See Brakeman. Break¶neck· (?), n. 1. A fall that breaks the neck. 2. A steep place endangering the neck. Break¶neck· (?), a. Producing danger of a broken neck; as, breakneck speed. Break¶Ïup· (?), n. Disruption; a separation and dispersion of the parts or members; as, a breakÐup of an assembly or dinner party; a breakÐup of the government. Break¶wa·ter (?), n. Any structure or contrivance, as a mole, or a wall at the mouth of a harbor, to break the force of waves, and afford protection from their violence. Breamÿ(?), n. [OE. breme, brem, F. brˆme, OF. bresme, of German origin; cf. OHG. brahsema, brahsina, OLG. bressemo, G. brassen. Cf. Brasse.] 1. (Zo”l) A European freshÐwater cyprinoid fish of the genus Abramis, little valued as food. Several species are known. 2. (Zo”l) An American freshÐwater fish, of various species of Pomotis and allied genera, which are also called sunfishes and pondfishes. See Pondfish. 3. (Zo”l) A marine sparoid fish of the genus Pagellus, and allied genera. See Sea Bream. Bream, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Breamed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaming.] [Cf. Broom, and G. ein schiff brennen.] (Naut.) To clean, as a ship's bottom of adherent shells, seaweed, etc., by the application of fire and scraping. Breast (?), n. [OE. brest, breost, As. bre¢st; akin to Icel. brj?st, Sw. br”st, Dan. bryst, Goth. brusts, OS. briost, D. borst, G. brust.] 1. The fore part of the body, between the neck and the belly; the chest; as, the breast of a man or of a horse. 2. Either one of the protuberant glands, situated on the front of the chest or thorax in the female of man and of some other mammalia, in which milk is secreted for the nourishment of the young; a mammma; a teat. My brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother. Cant. viii. 1. 3. Anything resembling the human breast, or bosom; the front or forward part of anything; as, a chimney breast; a plow breast; the breast of a hill. Mountains on whose barren breast The laboring clouds do often rest. Milton. 4. (Mining) (a) The face of a coal working. (b) The front of a furnace. 5. The seat of consciousness; the repository of thought and selfÐconsciousness, or of secrets; the seat of the affections and passions; the heart. He has a loyal breast. Shak. 6. The power of singing; a musical voice; Ð so called, probably, from the connection of the voice with the lungs, which lie within the breast. [Obs.] By my troth, the fool has an excellent breast. Shak. Breast drill, a portable drilling machine, provided with a breastplate, for forcing the drill against the work. Ð Breast pang. See Angina pectoris, under Angina. Ð To make a clean breast, to disclose the secrets which weigh upon one; to make full confession. Breast, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Breasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Breasted.] To meet, with the breast; to struggle with or oppose manfully; as, to breast the storm or waves. The court breasted the popular current by sustaining the demurrer. Wirt. To breast up a hedge, to cut the face of it on one side so as to lay bare the principal upright stems of the plants. Breast¶band· (?), n. A band for the breast. Specifically: (Naut.) A band of canvas, or a rope, fastened at both ends to the rigging, to support the man who heaves the lead in sounding. Breast¶beam· (?), n. (Mach.) The front transverse beam of a locomotive. Breast¶bone· (?), n. The bone of the breast; the sternum. Breast¶Ïdeep· (?), a. Deep as from the breast to the feet; as high as the breast. See him breastÐdeep in earth, and famish him. Shak. Breast¶ed, a. Having a breast; Ð used in composition with qualifying words, in either a literal or a metaphorical sense; as, a singleÐbreasted coat. The close minister is buttoned up, and the brave officer openÐbreasted, on these occasions. Spectator. Breast¶fast· (?), n. (Naut.) A large rope to fasten the midship part of a ship to a wharf, or to another vessel. Breast¶height· (?), n. The interior slope of a fortification, against which the garnison lean in firing. Breast¶Ïhigh· (?), a. High as the breast. Breast¶hook·ÿ(?), n. (Naut.) A thick piece of timber in the form of a knee, placed across the stem of a ship to strengthen the fore part and unite the bows on each side. Totten. Breast¶ing, n. (Mach.) The curved channel in which a breast wheel turns. It is closely adapted to the curve of the wheel through about a quarter of its circumference, and prevents the escape of the water until it has spent its force upon the wheel. See Breast wheel. Breast¶knot· (?), n. A pin worn of the breast for a fastening, or for ornament; a brooch. Breast¶plate· (?), n. 1. A plate of metal covering the breast as defensive armor. Before his old rusty breastplate could be scoured, and his cracked headpiece mended. Swift. 2. A piece against which the workman presses his breast in operating a breast drill, or other similar tool. 3. A strap that runs across a horse's breast. Ash. 4. (Jewish Antiq.) A part of the vestment of the high priest, worn upon the front of the ephod. It was a double piece of richly embroidered stuff, a span square, set with twelve precious stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. See Ephod. Breat¶plow·, Breast¶plough· (?), n. A kind of plow, driven by the breast of the workman; Ð used to cut or pare turf. Breast¶rall· (?), n. The upper rail of any parapet of ordinary height, as of a balcony; the railing of a quarterÐdeck, etc. Breast¶rope·(?), n. See Breastband. Breast¶sum·merÿ3, n. (Arch.) A summer or girder extending across a building flush with, and supporting, the upper part of a front or external wall; a long lintel; a girder; Ð used principally above shop windows. [Written also brestsummer and bressummer.] Breast¶wheel·ÿ(?), n. A water wheel, on which the stream of water strikes neither so high as in the overshot wheel, nor so low as in the undershot, but generally at about half the height of the wheel, being kept in contact with it by the breasting. The water acts on the float boards partly by impulse, partly by its weight. Breast¶work· (?), n. 1. (Fort.) A defensive work of moderate height, hastily thrown up, of earth or other material. 2. (Naut.) A railing on the quarterÐdeck and forecastle. Breathÿ(?), n. [OE. breth, breeth, AS. br?? odor, scent, breath; cf. OHG. br¾dam steam, vapor, breath, G. brodem, and possibly E. Brawn, and Breed.] 1. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration, air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc. Melted as breath into the wind. Shak. 2. The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath. 3. The power of respiration, and hence, life. Hood. Thou takest away their breath, they die. Ps. civ. 29. 4. Time to breathe; respite; pause. Give me some breath, some little pause. Shak. 5. A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant. He smiles and he frowns in a breath. Dryden. 6. Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life. The earthquake voice of victory, To thee the breath of life. Byron. 7. A single word; the slightest effort; a triffle. A breath can make them, as a breath has made. Goldsmith. 8. A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion. Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea, When not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface. Addison. 9. Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume. Tennison. The breath of flowers. Bacon. 10. Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration. An after dinner's breath. Shak. Out of breath, breathless, exhausted; breathing with difficulty. Ð Under one's breath, in low tones. Breath¶aÏbleÿ(?), a. Such as can be breathed. Breath¶aÏbleÏness, n. State of being breathable. Breathe (?),v. i. [imp. & p. p Breathed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Breathing.] [From Breath.] 1. To respire; to inhale and exhale air; hence;, to live. ½I am in health, I breathe.¸ Shak. Breathes there a man with soul so dead? Sir W. Scott. 2. To take breath; to rest from action. Well? breathe awhile, and then to it again? Shak. 3. To pass like breath; noiselessly or gently; to exhale; to emanate; to blow gently. The air breathes upon us here most sweetly. Shak. There breathes a living fragrance from the shore. Byron. Breathe, v. t. 1. To inhale and exhale in the process of respiration; to respire. To view the light of heaven, and breathe the vital air. Dryden. 2. To inject by breathing; to infuse; Ð with into. Able to breathe life into a stone. Shak. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Gen. ii. 7. 3. To emit or utter by the breath; to utter softly; to whisper; as, to breathe a vow. He softly breathed thy name. Dryden. Or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse, A mother's curse, on her revolting son. Shak. 4. To exhale; to emit, as breath; as, the flowers breathe odors or perfumes. 5. To express; to manifest; to give forth. Others articles breathe the same severe spirit. Milner. 6. To act upon by the breath; to cause to sound by breathing. ½They breathe the flute.¸ Prior. 7. To promote free respiration in; to exercise. And every man should beat thee. I think thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee. Shak. 8. To suffer to take breath, or recover the natural breathing; to rest; as, to breathe a horse. A moment breathed his panting steed. Sir W. Scott. 9. To put out of breath; to exhaust. Mr. Tulkinghorn arrives in his turret room, a little breathed by the journey up. Dickens. 10. (Phonetics) To utter without vocality, as the nonvocal consonants. The same sound may be pronounces either breathed, voiced, or whispered. H. Sweet. Breathed elements, being already voiceless, remain unchanged [in whispering]. H. Sweet. To breathe again, to take breath; to feel a sense of relief, as from danger, responsibility, or press of business. Ð To breathe one's last, to die; to expire. Ð To breathe a vein, to open a vein; to let blood. Dryden. Breath¶erÿ(?), n. 1. One who breathes. Hence: (a) One who lives.(b) One who utters. (c) One who animates or inspires. 2. That which puts one out of breath, as violent exercise. [Colloq.] Breath¶ful (?), a. Full of breath; full of odor; fragrant. [Obs.] Breath¶ingÿ(?), n. 1. Respiration; the act of inhaling and exhaling air. Subject to a difficulty of breathing. Melmoth. 2. Air in gentle motion. 3. Any gentle influence or operation; inspiration; as, the breathings of the Spirit. 4. Aspiration; secret prayer. ½Earnest desires and breathings after that blessed state.¸ Tillotson. 5. Exercising; promotion of respiration. Here is a lady that wants breathing too; And I have heard, you knights of Tyre Are excellent in making ladies trip. Shak. 6. Utterance; communication or publicity by words. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose. Shak. 7. Breathing place; vent. Dryden. 8. Stop; pause; delay. You shake the head at so long a breathing. Shak. 9. Also, in a wider sense, the sound caused by the
<— p. 179 —>
? friction of the outgoing breath in the throat, mouth, etc., when the glottis is wide open; aspiration; the sound expressed by the letter h. 10. (Gr. Gram.) A mark to indicate aspiration or its absence. See Rough breathing, Smooth breathing, below. Breathing place. (a) A pause. ½That c‘sura, or breathing place, in the midst of the verse.¸ Sir P.Sidney. (b) A vent. Ð Breathing time, pause; relaxation. Bp. Hall. Ð Breathing while, time sufficient for drawing breath; a short time. Shak. Ð Rough breathing (spiritus asper) (?). See 2d Asper, n. Ð Smooth breathing (spiritus lenis), a mark (') indicating the absence of the sound of h, as in ? (ienai). Breath¶less (?), a. 1. Spent with labor or violent action; out of breath. 2. Not breathing; holdingÿthe breath, on account of fear, expectation, or intense interest; attended with a holding of the breath; as, breathless attention. But breathless, as we grow when feeling most. Byron. 3. Dead; as, a breathless body. Breath¶lessÏly, adv. In a breathless manner. Breath¶lessÏness, n. The state of being breathless or out of breath. ØBrec¶cia (?), n. [It., breach, pebble, fragments of stone, fr. F. brŠche; of German origin. See Breach.] (Geol.) A rock composed of angular fragments either of the same mineral or of different minerals, etc., united by a cement, and commonly presenting a variety of colors. Bone breccia, a breccia containing bones, usually fragmentary. Ð Coin breccia, a breccia containing coins. Brec¶ciÏa·ted (?), a. Consisting of angular fragments cemented together; resembling breccia in appearance. The brecciated appearance of many specimens [of meteorites]. H.A.Newton. Bred (?), imp. & p.p. of Breed. Bred out, degenerated. ½The strain of man's bred out into baboon and monkey.¸ Shak. Ð Bred to arms. See under Arms. Ð Well bred. (a) Of a good family; having a good pedigree. ½A gentleman well bred and of good name.¸ Shak. [Obs., except as applied to domestic animals.] (b) Well brought up, as shown in having good manners; cultivated; refined; polite. Brede, or Breede (?), n. Breadth. [Obs.] Chaucer. Brede (?), n. [See Braid woven cord.] A braid. [R.] Half lapped in glowing gauze and golden brede. Tennyson. Breech (?), n. [See Breeches.] 1. The lower part of the body behind; the buttocks. 2. Breeches. [Obs.] Shak. 3. The hinder part of anything; esp., the part of a cannon, or other firearm, behind the chamber. 4. (Naut.) The external angle of knee timber, the inside of which is called the throat. Breech, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Breeched (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Breeching (?).] 1. To put into, or clothe with, breeches. A great man … anxious to know whether the blacksmith's ?oungest boy was breeched. Macaulay. 2. To cover as with breeches. [Poetic] THeir daggers unmannerly breeched with gore. Shak. 3. To fit or furnish with a breech; as, to breech a gun. 4. To whip on the breech. [Obs.] Had not a courteous serving man conveyed me away, whilst he went to fetch whips, I think, in my conscience, he would have breeched me. Old Play. 5. To fasten with breeching. Breech¶block (?), n. The movable piece which closes the breech of a breechÐloading firearm, and resists the backward force of the discharge. It is withdrawn for the insertion of a cartridge, and closed again before the gun is fired. Breech¶cloth· (?), n. A cloth worn aroundÿthe breech. Breech¶es (?), n. pl. [OE. brech, brek, AS. brÇk, pl. of brÓc breech, breeches; akin to Icel. brÓk breeches, ODan. brog, D. broek, G. bruch; cf. L. bracae, braccae, which is of Celtic origin. Cf. Brail.] 1. A garment worn by men, covering the hips and thighs; smallclothes. His jacket was red, and his breeches were blue. Coleridge. 2. Trousers; pantaloons. [Colloq.] Breeches buoy, in the lifeÐsaving service, a pair of canvas breeches depending from an annular or beltlike life buoy which is usually of cork. This contrivance, inclosing the person to be rescued, is hung by short ropes from a block which runs upon the hawser stretched from the ship to the shore, and is drawn to land by hauling lines. Ð Breeches pipe, a forked pipe forming two branches united at one end. Ð Knee breeches, breeches coming to the knee, and buckled or fastened there; smallclothes. Ð To wear the breeches, to usurp the authority of the husband; Ð said of a wife. [Colloq.] Breech¶ing (?), n. 1. A whipping on the breech, or the act of whipping on the breech. I view the prince with Aristarchus' eyes, Whose looks were as a breeching to a boy. Marlowe. 2. That part of a harness which passes round the breech of a horse, enabling him to hold back a vehicle. 3. (Naut.) A strong rope rove through the cascabel of a cannon and secured to ringbolts in the ship's side, to limit the recoil of the gun when it is discharged. 4. The sheet iron casing at the end of boilers to convey the smoke from the flues to the smokestack. Breech¶load·er (?), n. A firearm which receives its load at the breech. For cavalry, the revolver and breechloader will supersede the saber. Rep. Sec. War (1860). Breech¶Ðload·ing, a. Receiving the charge at the breech instead of at the muzzle. Breech¶ pin· (?), Breech¶ screw· (?). A strong iron or steel plug screwed into the breech of a musket or other firearm, to close the bottom of the bore. Breech¶ sight· (?). A device attached to the breech of a firearm, to guide the eye, in conjunction with the front sight, in taking aim. Breed (?), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Bred (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Breeding.] [OE. breden, AS. brÇdanÿto nourish, cherish, keep warm, from brÓd brood; akin to D. broedenÿto brood, OHG. bruoten, G. brten. See Brood.] 1. To produce as offspring; to bring forth; to bear; to procreate; to generate; to beget; to hatch. Yet every mother breeds not sons alike. Shak. If the sun breed maggots in a dead dog. Shak. 2. To take care of in infancy, and through the age of youth; to bring up; to nurse and foster. To bring thee forth with pain, with care to breed. Dryden. Born and bred on the verge of the wilderness. Everett. 3. To educate; to instruct; to form by education; to train; Ð sometimes followed by up. But no care was taken to breed him a Protestant. Bp. Burnet. His farm may not remove his children too far from him, or the trade he breeds them up in. Locke. 4. To engender; to cause; to occasion; to originate; to produce; as, to breed a storm; to breed disease. Lest the place And my quaint habits breed astonishment. Milton. 5. To give birth to; to be the native place of; as, a pond breeds fish; a northern country breeds stout men. 6. To raise, as any kind of stock. 7. To produce or obtain by any natural process. [Obs.] Children would breed their teeth with less danger. Locke. Syn. - To engender; generate; beget; produce; hatch; originate; bring up; nourish; train; instruct. Breed, v.i. 1. To bear and nourish young; to reproduce or multiply itself; to be pregnant. That they breed abundantly in the earth. Gen.viii.17. The mother had never bred before. Carpenter. Ant. Is your gold and silver ewes and rams? Shy. I can not tell. I make it breed as fast. Shak. 2. To be formed in the parent or dam; to be generated, or to grow, as young before birth. 3. To have birth; to be produced or multiplied. Heavens rain grace On that which breeds between them. Shak. 4. To raise a breed; to get progeny. The kind of animal which you wish to breed from. Gardner. To breed in and in,ÿto breed from animals of the same stock that are closely related. Breed, n. 1. A race or variety of men or other animals (or of plants), perpetuating its special or distinctive characteristics by inheritance. Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed. Shak. Greyhounds of the best breed. Carpenter. 2. Class; sort; kind; Ð of men, things, or qualities. Are these the breed of wits so wondered at? Shak. This courtesy is not of the right breed. Shak. 3. A number produced at once; a brood. [Obs.] µ Breed is usually applied to domestic animals; species or variety to wild animals and to plants; and race to men. Breed¶bate (?), n. One who breeds or originates quarrels. [Obs.] ½No telltale nor no breedbate.¸ Shak. Breed¶er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, breeds, produces, brings up, etc. She was a great breeder. Dr. A.Carlyle. Italy and Rome have been the best breeders of worthy men. Ascham. 2. A cause. ½The breeder of my sorrow.¸ Shak. Breed¶ing (?), n. 1. The act or process of generating or bearing. 2. The raising or improving of any kind of domestic animals; as, farmers should pay attention to breeding. 3. Nurture; education; formation of manners. She had her breeding at my father's charge. Shak. 4. Deportment or behavior in the external offices and decorums of social life; manners; knowledge of, or training in, the ceremonies, or polite observances of society. Delicacy of breeding, or that polite deference and respect which civility obliges us either to express or counterfeit towards the persons with whom we converse. Hume. 5. Descent; pedigree; extraction. [Obs.] Honest gentlemen, I know not your breeding. Shak. Close breeding, In and in breeding, breeding from a male and female from the same parentage. Ð Cross breeding, breeding from a male and female of different lineage. Ð Good breeding, politeness; genteel deportment. Syn. - Education; instruction; nurture; training; manners. See Education. Breeze (?), n., Breeze¶ fly· (?). [OE. brese, AS. bri¢sa; perh. akin to OHG. brimissa, G. breme, bremse, D. brems, which are akin to G. brummen to growl, buzz, grumble, L. fremereÿto murmur; cf. G. brausen, Sw. brusa, Dan. bruse, to roar, rush.] (Zo”l.) A fly of various species, of the family Tabanid‘, noted for buzzing about animals, and tormenting them by sucking their blood; Ð called also horsefly, and gadfly. They are among the largest of twoÐwinged or dipterous insects. The name is also given to different species of botflies. [Written also breese and brize.] Breeze, n. [F. brise; akin to It. brezza breeze, Sp. briza, brisa, a breeze from northeast, Pg. briza northeast wind; of uncertain origin; cf. F. bise, Pr. bisa, OHG. bisa, north wind, Arm. biz northeast wind.] 1. A light, gentle wind; a fresh, softÐblowing wind. Into a gradual calm the breezes sink. Wordsworth. 2. An excited or ruffed state of feeling; a flurry of excitement; a disturbance; a quarrel; as, the discovery produced a breeze. [Colloq.] Land breeze, a wind blowing from the land, generally at night. Ð Sea breeze, a breeze or wind blowing, generally in the daytime, from the sea. Breeze (?), n. [F. braise cinders, live coals. See Brasier.] 1. Refuse left in the process of making coke or burning charcoal. 2. (Brickmaking) Refuse coal, coal ashes, and cinders, used in the burning of bricks. Breeze, v.i. To blow gently. [R.] J.Barlow. To breeze upÿ(Naut.), to blow with increasing freshness. Breeze¶less, a. Motionless; destitute of breezes. A stagnant, breezeless air becalms my soul. Shenstone. Breez¶iÏness (?), n. State of being breezy. Breez¶y (?), a. 1. Characterized by, or having, breezes; airy. ½A breezy day in May.¸ Coleridge. 'Mid lawns and shades by breezy rivulets fanned. Wordsworth. 2. Fresh; brisk; full of life. [Colloq.] ØBreg¶ma (?), n. [Gr. ? the front part of the head: cf. F. bregma.] (Anat.) The point of junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures of the skull. BregÏmat¶ic (?), a. (Anat.) Pertaining to the bregma. Bre¶hon (?), n. [Ir. breitheamh judge.] An ancient Irish or Scotch judge. Brehon laws, the ancient Irish laws, Ð unwritten, like the common law of England. They were abolished by statute of Edward III. Breme (?), a. [OE. breme, brime, fierce, impetuous, glorious, AS. brÇme, br?me, famous. Cf. Brim, a.] 1. Fierce; sharp; severe; cruel. [Obs.] Spenser. From the septentrion cold, in the breme freezing air. Drayton. 2. Famous; renowned; well known. Wright. [Written also brim and brimme.] Bren (?), Bren¶ne (?), } v.t. & i. [imp. & p.p. Brent (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Brenning.] [See Burn.] To burn. [Obs.] Chaucer. Consuming fire brent his shearing house or stall. W.Browne. Bren, n. Bran. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bren¶nage (?), n. [OF. brenage; cf. LL. brennagium, brenagium.ÿSee Bran.] (Old Eng. Law) A tribute which tenants paid to their lord, in lieu of bran, which they were obliged to furnish for his hounds. Bren¶ningÏly, adv. Burningly; ardently. [Obs.] Brent (?), Brant (?), a. [AS. brant; akin to Dan. brat, Icel. brattr, steep.] 1. Steep; high. [Obs.] Grapes grow on the brant rocks so wonderfully that ye will marvel how any man dare climb up to them. Ascham. 2. Smooth; unwrinkled. [Scot.] Your bonnie brow was brent. Burns. Brent, imp. & p.p. of Bren. Burnt. [Obs.] Brent, n. [Cf. Brant.] A brant. See Brant. Breq¶uet chain· (?). A watchÐguard. Brere (?), n. A brier. [Archaic] Chaucer. Brest (?), 3d sing.pr. for Bursteth. [Obs.] Brest, Breast (?), n. (Arch.) A torus. [Obs.] Bres¶te (?), v.t. & i. [imp. Brast; p.p. Brusten, Borsten, Bursten.] To burst. [Obs.] Chaucer. Brest¶sum·mer (?), n. See Breastsummer. Bret (?), n. (Zo”l.) See Birt. Bret¶ful (?), a. [OE. also brerdful, fr. brerd top, brim, AS. brerd.] Brimful. [Obs.] Chaucer. Breth¶ren (?), n.; pl. of Brother. µ This form of the plural is used, for the most part, in solemn address, and in speaking of religious sects or fraternities, or their members. Bret¶on (?), a. [F. breton.] Of or relating to Brittany, or Bretagne, in France. Ð n. A native or inhabitant of Brittany, or Bretagne, in France; also, the ancient language of Brittany; Armorican. Brett (?), n. Same as Britzska. Bret¶tice (?), n.; pl. Brettices (?). [OE. bretasce, bretage, parapet, OF. bretesche wooden tower, F. bretŠche, LL. breteschia, bertresca, prob. fr. OHG. bret, G. brett board; akin to E. board. See Board, n., and cf. Bartizan.] The wooden boarding used in supporting the roofs and walls of coal mines. See Brattice. Bret¶walÏda (?), n. [AS. Bretwalda, br?ten walda, a powerful ruler.] (Eng. Hist.) The official title applied to that one of the AngloÐSaxon chieftains who was chosen by the other chiefs to lead them in their warfare against the British tribes. Brande & C. Bret¶zel (?), n. [G.] See Pretzel. Breve (?), n. [It. & (in sense 2) LL. breve, fr. L. brevis short. See Brief.] 1. (Mus.) A note or character of time, equivalent to two semibreves or four minims. When dotted, it is equal to three semibreves. It was formerly of a square figure (as thus: ? ), but is now made oval, with a line perpendicular to the staff on each of its sides; Ð formerly much used for choir service. Moore. 2. (Law) Any writ or precept under seal, issued out of any court. 3. (Print.) A curved mark [?] used commonly to indicate the short quantity of a vowel. 4. (Zo”l.) The great ant thrush of Sumatra (Pitta gigas), which has a very short tail. BreÏvet¶ (?), n. [F. brevet, LL. brevetum, fr. L. brevis short. See Brief.] 1. A warrant from the government, granting a privilege, title, or dignity. [French usage]. 2. (Mil.) A commission giving an officer higher rank than that for which he receives pay; an honorary promotion of an officer. µ In the United States army, rank by brevet is conferred, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for ½gallant actions or meritorious services.¸ A brevet rank gives no right of command in the particular corps to which the officer brevetted belongs, and can be exercised only by special assignment of the President, or on court martial, and detachments composed of different corps, with pay of the brevet rank when on such duty.