Bribe, brīb, n. something given to influence unduly the judgment or corrupt the conduct: allurement.—v.t. to influence by a bribe: to gain over.—v.i. to practise bribery.—ns. Brib′er, one who bribes; Brib′ery, the act of giving or taking bribes; Brib′ery-oath, an oath taken by an elector that he has not been bribed. [O. Fr. bribe, a lump of bread; origin dub.]
Bric-à-brac, brik′a-brak, n. old curiosities, or other articles of value. [Acc. to Littré, formed after the phrase de bric et de broc, 'by hook and by crook.']
Brick, brik, n. an oblong or square piece of burned clay: a loaf of bread in the shape of a brick: (slang) a reliable friend, a good fellow.—v.t. to lay or pave with brick.—ns. Brick′bat, a piece of brick; Brick′clay, a clay used in making bricks; Brick′-dust, dust made by pounding bricks, a colour like that of brick-dust; Brick′-earth, earth used in making bricks; Brick′-field, a place where bricks are made; Brick′-kiln, a kiln in which bricks are burned; Brick′layer, one who lays or builds with bricks; Brick′laying; Brick′maker, one whose trade is to make bricks; Brick′-tea, tea pressed into cakes; Brick′-work, a structure formed of bricks.—Like a brick, with good-will. [Fr. brique, from root of Break.]
Brickle, brik′l, adj. (Spens. and Scot.) apt to break: weak: troublesome. [Older form of Brittle.]
Bricole, brik′el, or brik-ōl′, n. an ancient engine for throwing stones: the rebound of a ball from the wall of a tennis-court, an indirect stroke. [Fr.—Low L. briccola.]
Bridal, brīd′al, n. a marriage feast: a wedding.—adj. belonging to a bride or a wedding: nuptial. [Bride, and Ale, a feast.]
Bride, brīd, n. a woman about to be married: a woman newly married.—v.i. (Shak.) to act the bride.—ns. Bride′-ale (obs.)—Bridal, the ale-drinking at a marriage feast; Bride′-bed, the marriage bed; Bride′cake, the bride's cake, or cake distributed at a wedding; Bride′-cham′ber, a nuptial apartment; Bride′groom, a man about to be married: a man newly married; Bride′maid, Bride's′-maid, Bride′man, Bride's′-man, young unmarried people who attend the bride and bridegroom at a wedding. [A.S. brýd; Ice. brúdr, Ger. braut, a bride.]
Bridewell, brīd′wel, n. a house of correction: a gaol. [From a palace near St Bride's Well in London.]
Bridge, brij, n. a structure raised across a river, &c., or anything like such: the narrow raised platform whence the captain of a steamer gives directions: a thin upright piece of wood supporting the strings in a violin or similar instrument.—v.t. to build a bridge over.—n. Bridge′-head, a fortification covering the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy's position.—adj. Bridge′less, without a bridge.—n. Bridge′-of-boats, a bridge resting on boats moored abreast across a piece of water. [A.S. brycg; Ger. brucke, Ice. bryggja.]
Bridge, brich, n. a modification of whist in which the dealer does not turn up the last card, but has the option (which he may pass to his partner) of declaring which suit shall be trumps.