Boomerang, bōōm′e-rang, n. a hard-wood missile used by the natives of Australia, shaped like the segment of a circle, and so balanced that when thrown to a distance it returns towards the thrower. [Australian.]
Boon, bōōn, n. a petition: a gift or favour. [Ice. bôn, a prayer; A.S. ben.]
Boon, bōōn, adj. gay, merry, or kind. [Fr. bon—L. bonus, good.]
Boor, bōōr, n. a countryman, a peasant: a Dutch colonist in South Africa: a coarse or awkward person.—adj. Boor′ish, like a boor: awkward or rude.—adv. Boor′ishly.—n. Boor′ishness. [Dut. boer; Ger. bauer. The A.S. gebúr, a farmer, may explain the East Anglian bor, neighbour, as a form of address.]
Boord, an obsolete form of Board.
Boose. See Bouse.
Boot, bōōt, n. a covering for the foot and lower part of the leg generally made of leather: an infamous instrument of judicial torture, in which the legs were forced into a strong case and wedges driven in until bone, muscle, and marrow were crushed together—also Boot′ikin: a box or receptacle in a coach.—v.t. to put on boots.—n. Boot′-clos′er, one who closes the upper leathers of boots.—pa.p. Boot′ed, having boots on, equipped for riding.—ns. Boot′-hook, an instrument for pulling on long boots; Boot′hose (Shak.), hose or stockings used in place of boots; Boot′-jack, an instrument for taking off boots; Boot′lace, a lace for fastening boots; Boot′-last, Boot′-tree, the last or wooden mould on which boots or shoes are made or stretched to keep their shape.—adj. Boot′less, without boots: referring also, as in Tennyson's metaphorical use, 'wedded to a bootless calf,' to the ancient custom at a marriage by proxy of the quasi bridegroom putting one unbooted leg into the bride's bed.—n. Boots, the servant at an inn who cleans the boots, runs messages, &c.—in combination, as Lazyboots, Slyboots.—Boot and saddle (a corr. of Fr. bouteselle, place saddle), the signal to cavalry to mount.—Like old boots (slang), vigorously, heartily.—Six feet in his boots, quite six feet high.—To die in his boots, to be cut off in the midst of health, as by the rope; To have one's heart in one's boots, to be in a state of extreme terror. [O. Fr. bote (mod. botte)—Low L. botta, bota, of dubious origin.]
Boot, bōōt, v.t. to profit or advantage.—n. advantage: profit: any reparation or compensation paid, like the man-bote of old English law: (Shak.) booty.—adj. Boot′less, without boot or profit: useless.—adv. Boot′lessly.—n. Boot′lessness.—To boot, in addition; To make boot of (Shak.), to make profit of. [A.S. bót, compensation, amends, whence betan, to amend, to make Better.]
Bootes, bo-ō′tez, n. a northern constellation beside the Great Bear, containing the bright star Arcturus. [Gr.; an ox-driver.]