Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages)

by Noah Webster

(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.

<— p. 180 —>

<— p. 180 —>

BreÏvet¶ (?), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Brevetted (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Brevetting.] (Mil.) To confer rank upon by brevet.
BreÏvet¶, a. (Mil.) Taking or conferring rank by brevet; as, a brevet colonel; a brevet commission.
BreÏvet¶cy (?), n.; pl. Brevetcies (?). (Mil.)ÿThe rank or conditionÿof a brevet officer.
Bre¶viÏaÏry (?), n.; pl. Breviaries (?). [F. br‚viarie, L. breviarium summary, abridgment, neut. noun fr. breviarius abridged, fr. brevis short. See Brief, and cf. Brevier.] 1. An abridgment; a compend; an epitome; a brief account or summary.
A book entitled the abridgment or breviary of those roots that are to be cut up or gathered.
Holland.
2. A book containing the daily public or canonical prayers of the Roman Catholic or of the Greek Church for the seven canonical hours, namely, matins and lauds, the first, third, sixth, and ninth hours, vespers, and compline; Ð distinguishedÿfrom the missal.
Bre¶viÏate (?), n. [L. breviatus, p.p. of breviareÿto shorten, brevis short.] 1. A short compend; a summary; a brief statement.
I omit in this breviate to rehearse.
Hakluyt.
The same little breviates of infidelity have … been published and dispersed with great activity.
Bp. Porteus.
2. A lawyer's brief. [R.]
Hudibras.
Bre¶viÏate (?), v.t. To abbreviate. [Obs.]
Bre¶viÏaÏture (?), n. An abbreviature; an abbreviation. [Obs.]
Johnson.
BreÏvier¶ (?), n. [Prob. from being originally used in printing a breviary. See Breviary.] (Print.) A size of type between bourgeous and minion.
µ This line is printed in brevier type. ?
BreÏvil¶oÏquence (?), n. [L. breviloquentia.] A brief and pertinent mode of speaking. [R.]
Brev¶iÏped (?), a. [L. brevis short + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. br‚vipŠde.] (Zo”l.) Having short legs. Ð n. A breviped bird.
Brev¶iÏpen (?), n. [L. brevis short + penna wing: cf. F. br‚vipenne.] (Zo”l.) A brevipennate bird.
Brev·iÏpen¶nate (?), a. [L. brevis short + E. pennate.] (Zo”l.) ShortÐwinged; Ð applied to birds which can not fly, owing to their short wings, as the ostrich, cassowary, and emu.
Brev·iÏros¶tral (?), Brev·iÏros¶trate (?), } a. [L. brevis short + E. rostral, rostrate.] (Zo”l.) ShortÐbilled; having aÿshort beak.
Brev¶iÏty (?), n.; pl. Brevities (?). [L. brevitas, fr. brevis short: cf. F. briŠvit‚. See Brief.] 1. Shortness of duration; briefness of time; as, the brevity of human life.
2. Contraction into few words; conciseness.
Brevity is the soul of wit.
Shak.
This argument is stated by St. John with his usual elegant brevity and simplicity.
Bp. Porteus.
Syn. - Shortness; conciseness; succinctness; terseness.
Brew (?), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Brewed (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Brewing.] [OE. brewen, AS. bre¢wan; akin to D. brouwen, OHG. priuwan, MHG. briuwen, br?wen, G. brauen, Icel. brugga, Sw. brygga, Dan. brygge, and perh. to L. defrutum must boiled down, Gr. ? (for ??) a kind of beer. The original meaning seems to have been to prepare by heat. û93.ÿCf. Broth, Bread.] 1. To boil or seethe; to cook. [Obs.]
2. To prepare, as beer or other liquor, from malt and hops, or from other materials, by steeping, boiling, and fermentation. ½She brews good ale.¸
Shak.
3. To prepare by steeping and mingling; to concoct.
Go, brew me a pottle of sack finely.
Shak.
4. To foment or prepare, as by brewing; to contrive; to plot; to concoct; to hatch; as, to brew mischief.
Hence with thy brewed enchantments, foul deceiver!
Milton.
Brew (?), v.i. 1. To attend to the business, or go through the processes, of brewing or making beer.
I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour.
Shak.
2. To be in a state of preparation; to be mixing, forming, or gathering; as, a storm brews in the west.
There is some ill aÐbrewing towards my rest.
Shak.
Brew (?), n. The mixture formed by brewing; that which is brewed.
Bacon.
Brew¶age (?), n. Malt liquor; drink brewed. ½Some wellÐspiced brewage.¸
Milton.
A rich brewage, made of the best Spanish wine.
Macaulay.
Brew¶er (?), n. One who brews; one whose occupation is to prepare malt liquors.
Brew¶erÏy (?), n. A brewhouse; the building and apparatus where brewing is carried on.
Brew¶house· (?), n. A house or building appropriated to brewing; a brewery.
Brew¶ing (?), n. 1. The act or process of preparing liquors which are brewed, as beer and ale.
2. The quantity brewed at once.
A brewing of new beer, set by old beer.
Bacon.
3. A mixing together.
I am not able to avouch anything for certainty, such a brewing and sophistication of them they make.
Holland.
4. (Naut.) A gathering or formingÿof a storm or squall, indicated by thick, dark clouds.
Brew¶is (?), n. [OE. brewis, brouwys, browesse, brewet, OF. brouet, Ïs being the OF. ending of the nom. sing. and acc. pl.; dim. of OHG. brod. û93. See Broth, and cf. Brose.] 1. Broth or pottage. [Obs.]
Let them of their Bonner's ½beef¸ and ½broth¸ make what brewis they please for their credulous guests.
Bp. Hall.
2. Bread soaked in broth, drippings of roast meat, milk, or water and butter.
Brews¶terÏite (?), n. [Named after Sir David Brewster.] A rare zeolitic mineral occurring in white monolitic crystals with pearly luster. It is a hydrous silicate of aluminia, baryta, and strontia.
Brez¶iÏlin (?), n. See Brazilin.
Bri¶ar (?), n. Same as Brier.
BriÏa¶reÏan (?), a. [L. Briareius, fr. Briareus a mythological hundredÐhanded giant, Gr. ?, fr. ? strong.] Pertaining to, or resembling, Briareus, a giant fabled to have a hundred hands; hence, hundredÐhanded or manyÐhanded.
Brib¶aÏble (?), a. Capable of being bribed.
A more bribable class of electors.
S.Edwards.
Bribe (?), n. [F. bribe a lump of bread, scraps, leavings of meals (that are generally given to a beggar), LL. briba scrap of bread; cf. OF. briber, brifer, to eat gluttonously, to beg, and OHG. bilibi food.] 1. A gift begged; a present. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. A price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct of a judge, witness, voter, or other person in a position of trust.
Undue rewardÿfor anything against justice is a bribe.
Hobart.
3. That which seduces; seduction; allurement.
Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave these ever?blooming sweets.
Akenside.
Bribe, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Bribed (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Bribing.] 1. To rob or steal. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. To give or promise a reward or consideration to (a judge, juror, legislator, voter, or other person in a position of trust) with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct; to induce or influence by a bribe; to give a bribe to.
Neither is he worthy who bribes a man to vote against his conscience.
F.W.Robertson.
3. To gain by a bribe; of induce as by a bribe.
Bribe, v.i. 1. To commit robbery or theft. [Obs.]
2. To give a bribe to a person; to pervert the judgment or corrupt the action of a person in a position of trust, by some gift or promise.
An attempt to bribe, though unsuccessful, has been holden to be criminal, and the offender may be indicted.
Bouvier.
The bard may supplicate, but cannot bribe.
Goldsmith.
Bribe¶less, a. Incapable of being bribed; free from bribes.
From thence to heaven's bribeless hall.
Sir W.Raleigh.
Bribe¶er (?), n. 1. A thief. [Obs.]
Lydgate.
2. One who bribes, or pays for corrupt practices.
3. That which bribes; a bribe.
His service … were a sufficient briber for his life.
Shak.
Bribe¶erÏy (?), n.; pl. Briberies (?). [OE. brybery rascality, OF. briberie. See Bribe, n.] 1. Robbery; extortion. [Obs.]
2. The act or practice of giving or taking bribes; the act of influencing the official or political action of another by corrupt inducements.
Bribery oath, an oath taken by a person that he has not been bribed as to voting. [Eng.]
Bric¶Ða brac· (?), n. [F.] Miscellaneous curiosities and works of decorative art, considered collectively.
A piece of bricÐaÐbrac, any curious or antique article of virtu, as a piece of antiquated furniture or metal work, or an odd knickknack.
Brick (?), n. [OE. brik, F. brique; of Ger. origin; cf. AS. brice a breaking, fragment, Prov. E. brique piece, brique de pain, equiv. to AS. hl¾fes brice, fr. the root of E. break. See Break.] 1. A block or clay tempered with water, sand, etc., molded into a regular form, usually rectangular, and sunÐdried, or burnt in a kiln, or in a heap or stack called a clamp.
The Assyrians appear to have made much less use of bricks baked in the furnace than the Babylonians.
Layard.
2. Bricks, collectively, as designating that kind of material; as, a load of brick; a thousand of brick.
Some of Palladio's finest examples are of brick.
Weale.
3. Any oblong rectangular mass; as, a brick of maple sugar; a penny brick (of bread).
4. A good fellow; a merry person; as, you 're a brick. [Slang] ½He 's a dear little brick.¸
Thackeray.
To have a brick in one's hat, to be drunk. [Slang]
µ Brick is used adjectively or in combination; as, brick wall; brick clay; brick color; brick red.
Brick clay, clay suitable for, or used in making, bricks. Ð Brick dust, dust of pounded or broken bricks. Ð Brick earth, clay or earth suitable for, or used in making, bricks. Ð Brick loaf, a loaf of bread somewhat resembling a brick in shape. Ð Brick noggingÿ(Arch.), rough brickwork used to fill in the spaces between the uprights of a wooden partition; brick filling. Ð Brick tea, tea leaves and young shoots, or refuse tea, steamed or mixed with fat, etc., and pressed into the form of bricks. It is used in Northern and Central Asia. S.W.Williams. Ð Brick trimmer (Arch.), a brick arch under a hearth, usually within the thickness of a wooden floor, to guard against accidents by fire. Ð Brick trowel. See Trowel. Ð Brick works, a place where bricks are made. Ð Bath brick. See under Bath, a city. Ð Pressed brick, bricks which, before burning, have been subjected to pressure, to free them from the imperfections of shape and texture which are common in molded bricks.
Brick, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Bricked (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Bricking.] 1. To lay or pave with bricks; to surround, line, or construct with bricks.
2. To imitate or counterfeit a brick wall on, as by smearing plaster with red ocher, making the joints with an edge tool, and pointing them.
To brick up, to fill up, inclose, or line, with brick.
Brick¶bat· (?), n. A piece or fragment of a brick. See Bat, 4.
Bacon.
Brick¶kiln· (?), n. A kiln, or furnace, in which bricks are baked or burnt; or a pile of green bricks, laid loose, with arches underneath to receive the wood or fuel for burning them.
Brick¶lay·er (?), n. [Brick + lay.] One whose pccupation is to build with bricks.
Bricklayer's itch. See under Itch.
Brick¶lay·ing, n. The art of building with bricks, or of uniting them by cement or mortar into various forms; the act or occupation of laying bricks.
Bric¶kle (?), a. [OE. brekil, brokel, bruchel, fr. AS. brecan, E. break. Cf. Brittle.] Brittle; easily broken. [Obs. or Prov.]
Spenser.
As stubborn steel excels the brickle glass.
Turbervile.
Bric¶kleÏness, n. Brittleness. [Obs.]
Brick¶mak·er (?), n. One whose occupation is to make bricks. Ð Brick¶makÏing, n.
Brick¶work· (?), n. 1. Anything made of bricks.
Niches in brickwork form the most difficult part of the bricklayer's art.
Tomlinson.
2. The act of building with or laying bricks.
Brick¶y (?), a. Full of bricks; formed of bricks; resembling bricks or brick dust. [R.]
Spenser.
Brick¶yard· (?), n. A place where bricks are made, especially an inclosed place.
ØBriÏcole¶ (?), n. [F.] (Mil.) A kind of traces with hooks and rings, with which men drag and maneuver guns where horses can not be used.
Brid (?), n. A bird. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Brid¶al (?), a. [From Bride. Cf. Bridal, n.] Of or pertaining to a bride, or to wedding; nuptial; as, bridal ornaments; a bridal outfit; a bridal chamber.
Brid¶al, n. [OE. bridale, brudale, AS. br?dealo brideale, bridal feast. See Bride, and Ale, 2.] A nuptia; festival or ceremony; a marriage.
Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky.
Herbert.
Brid¶alÏty (?), n. Celebration of the nuptial feast. [Obs.] ½In honor of this bridalty.¸
B.Jonson.
Bride (?), n. [OE. bride, brid, brude, brud, burd, AS. br?d; akin to OFries. breid, OSax. br?d, D. bruid, OHG. pr?t, br?t, G. braut, Icel. br??r, Sw. & Dan. brud, Goth. br33s; cf. Armor. pried spouse, W. priawd a married person.] 1. A woman newly married, or about to be married.
Has by his own experience tried
How much the wife is dearer than the bride.
Lyttleton.
I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
Rev.xxi.9.
2. Fig.: An object ardently loved.
Bride of the sea, the city of Venice.
Bride, v.t. To make a bride of. [Obs.]
Bride¶Ïale· (?), n. [See Bridal.] A rustic wedding feast; a bridal. See Ale.
The man that 's bid to brideÐale, if he ha' cake,
And drink enough, he need not fear his stake.
B.Jonson.
Bride¶bed· (?), n. The marriage bed. [Poetic]
Bride¶cake· (?), n. Rich or highly ornamented cake, to be distributed to the guests at a wedding, or sent to friends after the wedding.
Bride¶cham·ber (?), n. The nuptial appartment.
Matt.ix.15.
Bride¶groom· (?), n. [OE. bridegome, brudgume, AS. br?dguma (akin to OS. br?digumo, D. bruidegom, bruigom, OHG. pr?tigomo, MHG. briutegome, G. br„utigam); AS. br?dÿbride + guma man, akin to Goth. guma, Icel. gumi, OHG. gomo, L. homo; the insertion of r being caused by confusion with groom. See Bride, and cf. Groom, Homage.] A man newly married, or just about to be married.
Bride¶knot· (?), n. A knot of ribbons worn by a guest at a wedding; a wedding favor. [Obs.]
Bride¶maid· (?), n., Bride¶man (?), n. See Bridesmaid, Bridesman.
Brides¶maid· (?), n. A female friend who attends on a bride at her wedding.
Brides¶man (?), n.; pl. Bridesmen (?). A male friend who attends upon a bridegroom and bride at their marriage; the ½best man.¸
Sir W.Scott.
Bride¶stake· (?), n. A stake or post set in the ground, for guests at a wedding to dance round.
Divide the broad bridecake
Round about the bridestake.
B.Jonson.
Bride¶well (?), n. A house of correction for the confinement of disorderly persons; Ð so called from a hospital built in 1553 near St. Bride's (or Bridget's) well, in London, which was subsequently a penal workhouse.
Bridge (?), n. [OE. brig, brigge, brug, brugge, AS. brycg, bricg; akin to Fries. bregge, D. brug, OHG. bruccu, G. brcke, Icel. bryggja pier, bridge, Sw. brygga, Dan. brygge, and prob. Icel. br?ÿbridge, Sw. & Dan. broÿbridge, pavement, and possibly to E. brow.] 1. A structure, usually of wood, stone, brick, or iron, erected over a river or other water course, or over a chasm, railroad, etc., to make a passageway from one bank to the other.
2. Anything supported at the ends, which serves to keep some other thing from resting upon the object spanned, as in engraving, watchmaking, etc., or which forms a platform or staging over which something passes or is conveyed.
3. (Mus.) The small arch or bar at right angles to the strings of a violin, guitar, etc., serving of raise them and transmit their vibrations to the body of the instrument.
4. (Elec.) A device to measure the resistance of a wire or other conductor forming part of an electric circuit.
5. A low wall or vertical partition in the fire chamber of a furnace, for deflecting flame, etc.; Ð usually called a bridge wall.
Aqueduct bridge. See Aqueduct. Ð Asses' bridge, Bascule bridge, Bateau bridge. See under Ass, Bascule, Bateau. Ð Bridge of a steamerÿ(Naut.), a narrow platform across the deck, above the rail, for the convenience of the officer in charge of the ship; in paddlewheel vessels it connects the paddle boxes. Ð Bridge of the nose, the upper, bony part of the nose. Ð Cantalever bridge. See under Cantalever. Ð Draw bridge. See Drawbridge. Ð Flying bridge, a temporary bridge suspended or floating, as for the passage of armies; also, a floating structure connected by a cable with an anchor or pier up stream, and made to pass from bank to bank by the action of the current or other means. Ð Girder bridgeÿor Truss bridge, a bridge formed by girders, or by trusses resting upon abutments or piers. Ð Lattice bridge, a bridge formed by lattice girders. Ð Pontoon bridge, Ponton bridge. See under Pontoon. Ð Skew bridge, a bridge built obliquely from bank to bank, as sometimes required in railway engineering. Ð Suspension bridge. See under Suspension. Ð Trestle bridge, a bridge formed of a series of short, simple girders resting on trestles. Ð Tubular bridge, a bridge in the form of a hollow trunk or rectangular tube, with cellular walls made of iron plates riveted together, as the Britannia bridge over the Menai Strait, and the Victoria bridge at Montreal. Ð Wheatstone's bridge (Elec.), a device for the measurement of resistances, so called because the balance between the resistances to be measured is indicated by the absence of a current in a certain wire forming a bridge or connection between two points of the apparatus; Ð invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone.

<— p. 181 —>

Bridge (?), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Bridged (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Bridging.] 1. To build a bridge or bridges on or over; as, to bridge a river. Their simple engineering bridged with felled trees the streams which could not be forded. Palfrey. 2. To open or make a passage, as by a bridge. Xerxes … over Hellespont Bridging his way, Europe with Asia joined. Milton. 3. To find a way of getting over, as a difficulty; Ð generally with over. Bridge¶board· (?), n. 1. (Arch.) A notched board to which the treads and risers of the steps of wooden stairs are fastened. 2. A board or plank used as a bridge. Bridge¶head· (?), n. A fortification commanding the extremity of a bridge nearest the enemy, to insure the preservation and usefulness of the bridge, and prevent the enemy from crossing; a tˆteÐdeÐpont. Bridge¶less, a. Having no bridge; not bridged. Bridge¶pot· (?), n. (Mining) The adjustable socket, or step, of a millstone spindle. Knight. Bridge¶tree· (?), n. [Bridge + tree a beam.] (Mining) The beam which supports the spindle socket of the runner in a grinding mill. Knight. Bridge¶Ðward· (?), n. 1. Aÿbridge keeper; a warden or a guard for a bridge. [Obs.] Sir W.Scott. 2. The principal ward of a key. Knight. Bridge¶ing (?), n. (Arch.) The system of bracing used between floor or other timbers to distribute the weight. Bridging joist. Same as Binding joist. Bridge¶y (?), a. Full of bridges. [R.] Sherwood. Bri¶dle (?), n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. Bridoon.] 1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages. 2. A restraint; a curb; a check. I.Watts. 3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the timbler, sear, etc. 4. (Naut.) (a) A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends, so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached to its middle. (b) A mooring hawser. Bowline bridle. See under Bowline. Ð Branches of a bridle. See under Branch. Ð Bridle cable (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle. See 4, above. Ð Bridle hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the left hand. Ð Bridle path, Bridle way, a path or way for saddle horses and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles. Ð Bridle port (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are passed. Ð Bridle rein, a rein attached to the bit. Ð Bridle road. (a) Same as Bridle path. Lowell. (b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback exercise. Ð Bridle track, a bridle path. Ð Scolding bridle. See Branks, 2. Syn. - A check; restrain. Bri¶dle, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Bridled (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Bridling (?).] 1. To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse. He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. Drake. 2. To restrain, guide, or govern, with, or as with, a bridle; to check, curb, or control; as, to bridle the passions; to bridle a muse. Addison. Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation. Burke. Syn. - To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress; master; subdue. Bri¶dle, v.i. To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression of pride, scorn, or resentment; to assume a lofty manner; Ð usually with up. ½His bridling neck.¸ Wordsworth. By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus. Tatler. Bri¶dle i·ron (?). (Arch.) A strong flat bar of iron, so bent as to support, as in a stirrup, one end of a floor timber, etc., where no sufficient bearing can be had; Ð called also stirrupÿand hanger. Bri¶dler (?), n. One who bridles; one who restrains and governs, as with a bridle. Milton. BriÏdoon¶ (?), n. [F. bridon, from bride; of German origin. See Bridle, n.] (Mil.) The snaffle and rein of a military bridle, which acts independently of the bit, at the pleasure of the rider. It is used in connection with a curb bit, which has its own rein. Campbell. Brief (?), a. [OE. bref, F. brief, bref, fr. L. brevis; akin to Gr. ? short, and perh. to Skr. barhÿto tear. Cf. Breve.] 1. Short in duration. How brief the life of man. Shak. 2. Concise; terse; succinct. The brief style is that which expresseth much in little. B.Jonson. 3. Rife; common; prevalent. [Prov. Eng.] In brief. See under Brief, n. Syn. - Short; concise; succinct; summary; compenduous; condensed; terse; curt; transistory; shortÐlived. Brief, adv. 1. Briefly. [Obs. or Poetic] Adam, faltering long, thus answered brief. Milton. 2. Soon; quickly. [Obs.] Shak. Brief (?), n. [See Brief, a., and cf. Breve.] 1. A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words. Bear this sealed brief, With winged hastle, to the lord marshal. Shak. And she told me In a sweet, verbal brief. Shak. 2. An epitome. Each woman is a briefÿof womankind. Overbury. 3. (Law) An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied also to a statement of the heads or points of a law argument. It was not without some reference to it that I perused many a brief. Sir J.Stephen. µ In England, the brief is prepared by the attorney; in the United States, counsel generally make up their own briefs. 4. (Law) A writ; a breve. See Breve, n., 2. 5. (Scots Law) A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, commanding and authorizing that judge to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their verdict to pronounce sentence. 6. A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose. [Eng.] Apostolical brief, a letter of the pope written on fine parchment in modern characters, subscribed by the secretary of briefs, dated ½a die Nativitatis,¸ i.e., ½from the day of the Nativity,¸ and sealed with the ring of the fisherman. It differs from a bull, in its parchment, written character, date, and seal. See Bull. Ð Brief of title, an abstract or abridgment of all the deeds and other papers constituting the chain of title to any real estate. Ð In brief, in a few words; in short; briefly. ½Open the matter in brief.¸ Shak. Brief, v.t. To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings. Brief¶less (?), a. Having no brief; without clients; as, a briefless barrister. Brief¶ly (?), adv. Concisely; in few words. Brief¶man (?), n. 1. One who makes a brief. 2. A copier of a manuscript. Brief¶ness (?), n. The quality of being brief; brevity; conciseness in discourse or writing. Bri¶er, Bri¶ar (?), n. [OE. brere, brer, AS. brÇr, br‘r; cf. Ir. briar prickle, thorn, brier, pin, Gael. preas bush, brier, W. prys, prysg.] 1. A plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles; especially, species of Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax. 2. Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings. The thorns and briers of reproof. Cowper. Brier root, the root of the southern Smilax laurifolia and S. Walleri; Ð used for tobacco pipes. Ð Cat brier, Green brier, several species of Smilax (S. rotundifolia, etc.) Ð Sweet brier (Rosa rubiginosa). See Sweetbrier. Ð Yellow brier, the Rosa Eglantina. Bri¶ered (?), a. Set with briers. Chatterton. Bri¶erÏy (?), a. Full of briers; thorny. Bri¶erÏy, n. A place where briers grow. Huloet. Brig (?), n. A bridge. [Scot.] Burns. Brig, n. [Shortened from Brigantine.] (Naut.) A twoÐmasted, squareÐrigged vessel. Hermaphrodite brig, a twoÐmasted vessel squareÐrigged forward and schoonerÐrigged aft. See Illustration in Appendix. BriÏgade¶ (?), n. [F. brigade, fr. It. brigata troop, crew, brigade, originally, a contending troop, fr. briga trouble, quarrel. See Brigand.] 1. (Mil.) A body of troops, whether cavalry, artillery, infantry, or mixed, consisting of two or more regiments, under the command of a brigadier general. µ Two or more brigades constitute a division, commanded by a major general; two or more divisions constitute an army corps, or corps d'arm‚e. [U.S.] 2. Any body of persons organized for actingÿor marching together under authority; as, a fire brigade. Brigade inspector, an officer whose duty is to inspect troops in companies before they are mustered into service. Ð Brigade major, an officer who may be attached to a brigade to assist the brigadier in his duties. BriÏgade¶, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Brigaded; p.pr. & vb.n. Brigading.] (Mil.) To form into a brigade, or into brigades. Brig·aÏdier¶ gen¶erÏal (?). [F. brigadier, fr. brigade.] (Mil.) An officer in rank next above a colonel, and below a major general. He commands a brigade, and is sometimes called, by a shortening of his title, simple a brigadier. Brig¶and (?), n. [F. brigand, OF. brigant lightÐarmed soldier, fr. LL. brigans lightÐarmed soldier (cf. It. brigante.) fr. brigare to strive, contend, fr. briga quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break; cf. Goth. brikanÿto break, brakja strife. Cf. Brigue.] 1. A lightÐarmed, irregular foot soldier. [Obs.] 2. A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter. Giving them not a little the air of brigands or banditti. Jeffery. Brig¶andÏage (?), n. [F. brigandage.] Life and practice of brigands; highway robbery; plunder. Brig¶anÏdine (?), n. [F. brigandine (cf. It. brigantina), fr. OF. brigant. See Brigand.] A coast of armor for the body, consistingÿof scales or plates, sometimes overlappingÿeach other, generally of metal, and sewed to linen or other material. It was worn in the Middle Ages. [Written also brigantine.] Jer.xlvi.4. Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet, And brigandine of brass. Milton. Brig¶andÏish (?), a. Like a brigand or freebooter; robberlike. Brig¶andÏism (?), n. Brigandage. Brig¶anÏtine (?), n. [F. brigantin, fr. It. brigantino, originally, a practical vessel. See Brigand, and cf. Brig] 1. A practical vessel. [Obs.] 2. A twoÐmasted, squareÐrigged vessel, differing from a brig in that she does not carry a square mainsail. 3. See Brigandine. Brig¶ge (?), n. A bridge. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bright (?), v.i. See Brite, v.i. Bright (?), a. [OE. briht, AS. beorht, briht; akin to OS. berht, OHG. beraht, Icel. bjartr, Goth. ba¡rhts. û94.] 1. Radiating or reflecting light; shedding or having much light; shining; luminous; not dark. The sun was bright o'erhead. Longfellow. The earth was dark, but the heavens were bright. Drake. The public places were as bright as at noonday. Macaulay. 2. Transmitting light; clear; transparent. From the brightest wines He 'd turn abhorrent. Thomson. 3. Having qualities that render conspicuous or attractive, or that affect the mind as light does the eye; resplendent with charms; as, bright beauty. Bright as an angel newÐdropped from the sky. Parnell. 4. Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent. 5. Sparkling with wit; lively; vivacious; shedding cheerfulness and joy around; cheerful; cheery. Be bright and jovial among your guests. Shak. 6. Illustrious; glorious. In the brightest annals of a female reign. Cotton. 7. Manifest to the mind, as light is to the eyes; clear; evident; plain. That he may with more ease, with brighter evidence, and with surer success, draw the bearner on. I.Watts. 8. Of brilliant color; of lively hue or appearance. Here the bright crocus and blue violet grew. Pope. µ Bright is used in composition in the sense of brilliant, clear, sunny, etc.; as, brightÐeyed, brightÐhaired, brightÐhued. Syn. - Shining; splending; luminous; lustrous; brilliant; resplendent; effulgent; refulgent; radiant; sparkling; glittering; lucid; beamy; clear; transparent; illustrious; witty; clear; vivacious; sunny. Bright, n. Splendor; brightness. [Poetic] Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear. Milton. Bright, adv. Brightly. Chaucer. I say it is the moon that shines so bright. Shak. Bright¶en, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Brightened (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Brightening.] From Bright, a.] 1. To make bright or brighter; to make to shine; to increase the luster of; to give a brighter hue to. 2. To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to. The present queen would brighten her character, if she would exert her authority to instill virtues into her people. Swift. 3. To improve or relieve by dispelling gloom or removing that which obscures and darkens; to shed light upon; to make cheerful; as, to brighten one's prospects. An ecstasy, which mothers only feel, Plays round my heart and brightens all my sorrow. Philips. 4. To make acute or witty; to enliven. Johnson. Bright¶en, v.i. [AS. beorhtan.] To grow bright, or more bright; to become less dark or gloomy; to clear up; to become bright or cheerful. And night shall brighten into day. N.Cotton. And, all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere world be past. Goldsmith. Bright¶Ðhar·nessed (?), a. Having glittering armor. [Poetic] Milton. Bright¶ly, adv. 1. Brilliantly; splendidly; with luster; as, brightly shining armor. 2. With lively intelligence; intelligently. Looking brightly into the mother's face. Hawthorne. Bright¶ness, n. [AS. beorhines. See Bright.] 1. The quality or state of being bright; splendor; luster; brilliancy; clearness. A sudden brightness in his face appear. Crabbe. 2. Acutenessÿ(of the faculties); sharpness 9wit. The brightness of his parts … distinguished him. Prior. Syn. - Splendor; luster; radiance; resplendence; brilliancy; effulgence; glory; clearness. Bright's¶ disÏease¶ (?). [From Dr. Bright of London, who first described it.] (Med.) An affection of the kidneys, usually inflammatory in character, and distinguished by the occurrence of albumin and renal casts in the urine. Several varieties of Bright's disease are now recognized, differing in the part of the kidney involved, and in the intensity and course of the morbid process. Bright¶some (?), a. Bright; clear; luminous; brilliant. [R.] Marlowe. BriÏgose¶ (?), a. [LL. brigosus, It. brigoso. See Brigue, n.] Contentious; quarrelsome. [Obs.] Puller. Brigue (?), n. [F. brigue, fr. LL. briga quarrel. See Brigand.] A cabal, intrigue, faction, contention, strife, or quarrel. [Obs.] Chesterfield. Brigue, v.i. [F. briguer. See Brigue, n.] To contend for; to canvass; to solicit. [Obs.] Bp. Hurd. Brike (?), n. [AS. brice.] A breach; ruin; downfall; peril. [Obs.] Chaucer. Brill (?), n. [Cf. Corn. brilli mackerel, fr. brith streaked, speckled.] (Zo”l.) A fish allied to the turbot (Rhombus levis), much esteemed in England for food; Ð called also bret, pearl, prill. See Bret. ØBrilÏlan¶te (?), adv. [It. See Brilliant, a.] (Mus.) In a gay, showy, and sparkling style. Bril¶lance (?), n. Brilliancy. Tennyson. Bril¶lanÏcy (?), n. [See Brilliant.] The quality of being brilliant; splendor; glitter; great brighness, whether in a literal or figurative sense. With many readers brilliancy of style passes for affluence of thought. Longfellow.

<— p. 182 —>

Bril¶liant (?), a. [F. brillant, p.pr. of brillerÿto shine or sparkle (cf. Pr. & Sp. brillar, It. brillare), fr. L. beryllus a precious stone of seaÐgreen color, Prov. It. brill. See Beryl.] 1. Sparklingÿwith luster; glittering; very bright; as, a brilliant star.
2. Distinguished by qualities which excite admiration; splended; shining; as, brilliant talents.
Washington was more solicitous to avoid fatal mistakes than to perform brilliant exploits.
Fisher Ames.
Syn. - See Shining.
Bril¶liant, n. [F. brillant. See Brilliant, a.] 1. A diamond or other gem of the finest cut, formed into faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light, by which it is rendered nore brilliant. It has at the middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a bizet; below, it has a small face or collet, parallel to the table, connected with the gridle by a pavilion of elongated facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the surface, and is flat below.
This snuffbox Ð on the hinge see brilliants shine.
Pope.
2. (Print.) The small size of type used in England printing.
µ This line is printed in the type called Brilliant. ??
3. A kind of kotton goods, figured on the weaving.
Bril¶liantÏly, adv. In a brilliant manner.
Bril¶liantÏness, n. Brilliancy; splendor; glitter.
Brills (?), n. pl. [CF. G. brille spectacles, D. bril, fr. L. berillus. See Brilliant.] The hair on the eyelids of a horse.
Bailey.
Brim (?), n. [OE. brim, brimme, AS. brymme edge, border; akin to Icel. barmr, Sw. br„m, Dan. br‘mme, G. brame, br„me. Possibly the same word as AS. brim surge, sea, and properly meaning, the line of surf at the border of the sea, and akin to L. fremere to roar, murmur. Cf. Breeze a fly.] 1. The rim, border, or upper sdge of a cup, dish, or any hollow vessel used for holding anything.
Saw I that insect on this goblet's brim
I would remove it with an anxious pity.
Coleridge.
2. The edgeÿor margin, as of a fountain, or of the water contained in it; the brink; border.
The feet of the priest that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water.
Josh.iii.15.
3. The rim of a hat.
Wordsworth.
Brim, v.i. [imp. & p.p. Brimmed (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Brimming.] To be full to the brim. ½The brimming stream.¸
Milton.
To brim over (literally or figuratively), to be so full that some of the contents flows over the brim; as, cup brimming overÿwith wine; a man brimming over with fun.
Brim, v.t. To fill to the brim, upper edge, or top.
Arrange the board and brim the glass.
Tennyson.
Brim, a. Fierce; sharp; cold. See Breme. [Obs.]
Brim¶ful (?), a. Full to the brim; completely full; ready to overflow. ½Her brimful eyes.¸
Dryden.
Brim¶less, a. Having no brim; as, brimless caps.
Brimmed (?), a. 1. Having a brim; Ð usually in composition. ½BroadÐbrimmed hat.¸
Spectator.
2. Full to, or level with, the brim.
Milton.
Brim¶mer (?), n. A brimful bowl; a bumper.
Brim¶ming, a. Full to the brim; overflowing.
Brim¶stone (?), n. [OE. brimston, bremston, bernston, brenston; cf. Icel. brennistein. See Burn, v.t., and Stone.] Sulphur; See Sulphur.
Brim¶stone, a. Made of, or pertaining to, brimstone; as, brimstone matches.
From his brimstone bed at break of day
AÐwalking the devil has gone.
Coleridge.
Brim¶sto·ny (?), a. Containing or resembling brimstone; sulphurous.
B.Jonson.
Brin (?), n. [F.] One of the radiating sticks of a fan. The outermost are larger and longer, and are called panaches.
Knight.
Brin¶ded (?), a. [Cf. Icel. br”ndÓttr brindled, fr. brandr brand; and OE. bernen, brinnen, to burn. See Brand, Burn.] Of a gray or tawny color with streaks of darker hue; streaked; brindled. ½Three brinded cows,¸ Dryden. ½The brinded cat.¸ Shak.
Brin¶dle (?), n. [See Brindled.] 1. The state of being brindled.
2. A brindled color; also, that which is brindled.
Brin¶dle, a. Brindled.
Brin¶dled (?), a. [A dim. form of brinded.] Having dark streaks or spots on a gray or tawny ground; brinded. ½With a brindled lion played.¸
Churchill.
Brine (?), n. [AS. bryne a burning, salt liquor, brine, fr. brinnan, brynnan, to burn. See Burn.] 1. Water saturated or strongly inpregnated with salt; pickle; hence, any strong saline solution; also, the saline residue or strong mother liquor resultingÿfrom the evaporation of natural or artificial waters.
2. The ocean; the water of an ocean, sea, or salt lake.
Not long beneath the whelming brine … he lay.
Cowper.
3. Tears; Ð so called from their saltness.
What a deal of brine
Hath washed thy sallow cheecks for
Rosaline!
Shak.
Brine flyÿ(Zo”l.), a fly of the genus Ephydra, the larv‘ of which live in artificial brines and in salt lakes. Ð Brine gauge, an instrument for measuring the saltnessÿof a liquid. Ð Brine pan, a pit or pan of salt water, where salt is formed by cristallization. Ð Brine pit, a salt spring or well, from which water is taken to be boiled or evaporated for making salt. Ð Brine pump (Marine Engin.), a pump for changing the water in the boilers, so as to clear them of the brine which collects at the bottom. Ð Brine shrimp, Brine wormÿ(Zo”l.), a phyllopod crustacean of the genus Artemia, inhabiting the strong brines of salt works and natural salt lakes. See Artemia. Ð Brine spring, a spring of salt water. Ð Leach brine (Saltmaking), brineÿwhich drops from granulated salt in drying, and is preserved to be boiled again.
Brine (?), v.t. 1. To steep or saturate in brine.
2. To sprinkle with salt or brine; as, to brine hay.
Bring (?), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Brought (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Bringing.] [OE. bringen, AS. bringan; akin to OS. brengian, D. brengen, Fries. brenga, OHG. bringan, G. bringen, Goth. briggan.] 1. To convey to the place where the speaker is or is to be; to bear from a more distant to a nearer place; to fetch.
And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread.
1 Kings xvii.11.
To France shall we convey you safe,
And bring you back.
Shak.
2. To cause the accession or obtaining of; to procure; to make to come; to produce; to draw to.
There is nothing will bring you more honor … than to do what right in justice you may.
Bacon.
3. To convey; to move; to carry or conduct.
In distillation, the water … brings over with it some part of the oil of vitriol.
Sir I.Newton.
4. To persuade; to induce; to draw; to lead; to guide.
It seems so preposterous a thing … that they do not easily bring themselves to it.
Locke.
The nature of the things … would not suffer him to think otherwise, how, or whensoever, he is brought to reflect on them.
Locke.
5. To produce in exchange; to sell for; to fetch; as, what does coal bring per ton?
To bring about, to bring to pass; to effect; to accomplish. Ð To bring back. (a) To recall. (b) To restore, as something borrowed, to its owner. Ð To bring by the lee (Naut.), to incline so rapidly to leeward of the course, when a ship sails large, as to bring the lee side suddenly to the windward, any by laying the sails aback, expose her to danger of upsetting. Ð To bringÿdown. (a) To cause to come down. (b) To humble or abase; as, to bring down high looks. Ð To bring down the house, to cause tremendous applause. [Colloq.] Ð To bring forth. (a) To produce, as young fruit. (b) To bring to light; to make manifest. Ð To bring forward (a) To exhibit; to introduce; to produce to view. (b) To hasten; to promote; to forward. (c) To propose; to adduce; as, to bring forward arguments. Ð Toÿbring home. (a) To bring to one's house. (b) To prove conclusively; as, to bring home a charge of treason. (c) To cause one to feel or appreciate by personal experience. (d) (Naut.) To lift of its place, as an anchor. Ð To bring in. (a) To fetch from without; to import. (b) To introduce, as a bill in a deliberative assembly. (c) To return or repot to, or lay before, a court or other body; to render; as, to bring in a verdict or a report. (d) To take to an appointed place of deposit or collection; as, to bring in provisions or money for a specified object. (e) To produce, as income. (f) To induce to join. Ð To bring off, to bear or convey away; to clear from condemnation; to cause to escape. Ð To bring on. (a) To cause to begin. (b) To originate or cause to exist; as, to bring on a disease. Ð Toÿbring one on one's way, to accompany, guide, or attend one. Ð Toÿbring out, to expose; to detect; to bring to light from concealment. Ð To bring over. (a) To fetch or bear across. (b) To convert by persuasion or other means; to cause to change sides or an opinion. Ð Toÿbring to. (a) To resuscitate; to bring back to consciousnessÿor life, as a fainting person. (b) (Naut.) To check the course of, as of a ship, by dropping the anchor, or by counterbracing the sails so as to keep her nearly stationary (she is then said to lie to). (c) To cause (a vessel) to lie to, as by firing across her course. (d) To apply a rope to the capstan. Ð To bring to light, to disclose; to discover; to make clear; to reveal. Ð To bring a sail to (Naut.), to bend it to the yard. Ð Toÿbring to pass, to accomplish to effect. ½Trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.¸ Ps. xxxvii.5. Ð Toÿbring under, to subdue; to restrain; to reduce to obedience. Ð Toÿbring up. (a) To carry upward; to nurse; to rear; to educate. (b) To cause to stop suddenly. (c) [v.i. by dropping the reflexive pronoun] To stop suddenly; to come to a standstill. [Colloq.] Ð To bring up (any one) with a round turn, to cause (any one) to stop abruptly. [Colloq.] Ð Toÿbe brought to bed. See under Bed.
Syn. - To fetch; bear; carry; convey; transport; import; procure; produce; cause; adduce; induce.
Bring¶er (?), n. One who brings.
Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news
Hath but a losing office.
Shak.
Bringer in, one who, or that which, introduces.
Brin¶iÏness (?), n. The state or quality of being briny; saltness; brinishness.
Brin¶ish (?), a. Like brine; somewhat salt; saltish. ½Brinish tears.¸
Shak.
Brin¶ishÏness, n. State or quality of being brinish.
ØBrin¶jaÏree· (?), n. [Native name.] (Zo”l.) A roughÐhaired East Indian variety of the greyhound.
Brink (?), n. [Dan. brink edge, verge; akin to Sw. brink declivity, hill, Icel. brekka; cf. LG. brink a grassy hill, W. bryn hill, bryncyn hillock.] The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also Fig. ½The brink of vice.¸ Bp. Porteus. ½The brink of ruin.¸ Burke.
The plashy brink of weedy lake.
Bryant.
Brin¶y (?), a. [From Brine.] Of or pertaining to brine, or to the sea; partaking of the nature of brine; salt; as, a briny taste; the briny flood.
Bri¶oÏny (?), n. See Bryony.
Tennyson.
Brisk (?), a. [Cf. W. brysg, fr. brys haste, Gael. briosg quick, lively, Ir. broisg a start, leap, jerk.] 1. Full of livelinessÿand activity; characterized by quickness of motion or action; lively; spirited; quick.
Cheerily, boys; be brick awhile.
Shak.
Brick toil alternating with ready ease.
Wordworth.
2. Full of spirit of life; effervesc?ng, as liquors; sparkling; as, brick cider.
Syn. - Active; lively; agile; alert; nimble; quick; sprightly; vivacious; gay; spirited; animated.
Brisk (?), v.t. & i. [imp. & p.p. Bricked (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Bricking.] To make or become lively; to enliven; to animate; to take, or cause to take, an erect or bold attitude; Ð usually with up.
Bris¶ket (?), n. [OE. bruskette, OF. bruschet, F. br‚chet, brichet; prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. bryscedÿthe breast of a slain animal, brisket, Corn. vrys breast, Armor. brusk, bruched, the front of the chest, Gael. brisgein the cartilaginous part of a bone.] That part of the breast of an animal which extends from the fore legs back beneath the ribs; also applied to the fore part of a horse, from the shoulders to the bottom of the chest. [See Illust. of Beef.]
Brisk¶ly (?), adv. In a brisk manner; nimbly.
Brisk¶ness, n. Liveliness; vigor in action; quickness; gayety; vivacity; effervescence.
Bris¶tle (?), n. [OE. bristel, brustel, AS. bristl, byrst; akin to D. borstel, OHG. burst, G. borste, Icel. burst, Sw. borst, and to Skr. bh?shti edge, point, and prob, L. fastigium extremity, Gr. ? stern of a ship, and E. brush, burr, perh. to brad. û96.] 1. A short, stiff, coarse hair, as on the back of swine.
2. (Bot.) A stiff, sharp, roundish hair.
Gray.
Bris¶tle, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Bristled (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Bristling (?).] 1. To erect the bristles of; to cause to stand up, as the bristles of an angry hog; Ð sometimes with up.
Now for the bareÐpicked bone of majesty
Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest.
Shak.
Boy, bristle thy courage up.
Shak.
2. To fix a bristle to; as, to bristle a thread.
Bris¶tle, v.i. 1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles.
His hair did bristle upon his head.
Sir W.Scott.
2. To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing, thick and erect, like bristles.
The hill of L? Haye Sainte bristling with ten thousand bayonets.
Thackeray.
Ports bristling with thousands of masts.
Macaulay.
3. To show deflance or indignation.
To bristle up, to show anger or deflance.
Bris¶tleÐpoint·ed (?), a. (Bot.) Terminating in a very fine, sharp point, as some leaves.
Bris¶tleÐshaped· (?), a. Resembling a bristle in form; as, a bristleÐshaped leaf.
Bris¶tleÐtail· (?), n. (Zo”l.) An insect of the genera Lepisma, Campodea, etc., belonging to the Thysanura.
Bris¶tliÏness (?), n. The quality or state of having bristles.
Bris¶tly (?), a. THick set with bristles, or with hairs resembling bristles; rough.
The leaves of the black mulberry are somewhat bristly.
Bacon.
Bris¶tol (?), n. A seaport city in the west of England.
Bristol board, a kind of fine pasteboard, made with a smooth but usually unglazed surface. Ð Bristol brick, a brick of siliceous matter used for polishing cultery; Ð originally manufactured at Bristol. Ð Bristol stone, rock crystal, or brilliant crystals of quartz, found in the mountain limestone near Bristol, and used in making ornaments, vases, etc. When polished, it is called Bristol diamond.
BriÏsure¶ (?), n. [F.] 1. (Fort.) Any part of a rampart or parapet which deviates from the general direction.
2. (Her.) A mark of cadency or difference.
Brit, Britt (?), n. (Zo”l.) (a) The young of the common herring; also, a small species of herring; the sprat. (b) The minute marine animals (chiefly Entomostraca) upon which the right whales feed.
BriÏtan¶niÏa (?), n. [From L. Britannia Great Britain.] A whiteÐmetal alloy of tin, antimony, bismuth, copper, etc. It somewhat resembles silver, and isused for table ware. Called also Britannia metal.
BriÏtan¶nic (?), a. [L. Britannicus, fr. Britannia Great Britain.] Of or pertaining to Great Britain; British; as, her Britannic Majesty.
Brite, Bright (?), v.t. To be or become overripe, as wheat, barley, or hops. [Prov. Eng.]
Brit¶iÏcism (?), n. A word, phrase, or idiom peculiar to Great Britain; any manner of using a word or words that is peculiar to Great Britain.
Brit¶ish (?), a. [AS. Brittisc, Bryttisc.] Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; Ð sometimes restrict to the original inhabitants.
British gum, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of about 600ø Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum in stiffering goods. Ð British lion, the national emblem of Great Britain. Ð British seas, the four seas which surround Great Britain.
Brit¶ish, n. pl. People of Great Britain.
Brit¶ishÏer, n. An Englishman; a subjectÿor inhabitant of Great Britain, esp. one in the British military or naval service. [Now used jocosely]
Brit¶on (?), a. [AS. bryten Britain.] British. [Obs.] Spenser.Ð n. A native of Great Britain.
Brit¶tle (?), a. [OE. britel, brutel, AS. bryttian to dispense, fr. bre¢tanÿto break; akin to Icel. brytja, Sw. bryta, Dan. bryde. Cf. Brickle.] Easily broken; apt to break; fragile; not tough or tenacious<— contrast to flexible; usually hard —>.
Farewell, thou pretty, brittle piece
Of fineÐcut crystal.
Cotton.
Brittle silver ore, the mineral stephanite.
Brit¶tleÏly, adv. In a brittle manner.
Sherwood.
Brit¶tleÏness, n. Aptness to break; fragility.