Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter B - Page 82

Bridging (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bridge

Bridge (v. t.) To build a bridge or bridges on or over; as, to bridge a river.

Bridge (v. t.) To open or make a passage, as by a bridge.

Bridge (v. t.) To find a way of getting over, as a difficulty; -- generally with over.

Bridgeboard (n.) A notched board to which the treads and risers of the steps of wooden stairs are fastened.

Bridgeboard (n.) A board or plank used as a bridge.

Bridgehead (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 tete-de-pont.

Bridgeless (a.) Having no bridge; not bridged.

Bridgepot (n.) The adjustable socket, or step, of a millstone spindle.

Bridgetree (n.) The beam which supports the spindle socket of the runner in a grinding mill.

Bridge-ward (n.) A bridge keeper; a warden or a guard for a bridge.

Bridge-ward (n.) The principal ward of a key.

Bridgeing (n.) The system of bracing used between floor or other timbers to distribute the weight.

Bridgey (a.) Full of bridges.

Bridle (n.) The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages.

Bridle (n.) A restraint; a curb; a check.

Bridle (n.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.

Bridle (n.) 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.

Bridle (n.) A mooring hawser.

Bridled (imp. & p. p.) of Bridle

Bridling (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bridle

Bridle (v. t.) To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.

Bridle (v. t.) 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.

Bridle (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; -- usually with up.

Bridle iron () 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; -- called also stirrup and hanger.

Bridler (n.) One who bridles; one who restrains and governs, as with a bridle.

Bridoon (n.) 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.

Brief (a.) Short in duration.

Brief (a.) Concise; terse; succinct.

Brief (a.) Rife; common; prevalent.

Brief (adv.) Briefly.

Brief (adv.) Soon; quickly.

Brief (a.) A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words.

Brief (a.) An epitome.

Brief (a.) 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.

Brief (a.) A writ; a breve. See Breve, n., 2.

Brief (n.) 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.

Brief (n.) A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.

Brief (v. t.) To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.

Briefless (a.) Having no brief; without clients; as, a briefless barrister.

Briefly (adv.) Concisely; in few words.

Briefman (n.) One who makes a brief.

Briefman (n.) A copier of a manuscript.

Briefness (n.) The quality of being brief; brevity; conciseness in discourse or writing.

Brier (n.) Alt. of Briar

Briar (n.) A plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles; especially, species of Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax.

Briar (n.) Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.

Briered (a.) Set with briers.

Briery (a.) Full of briers; thorny.

Briery (n.) A place where briers grow.

Brig (n.) A bridge.

Brig (n.) A two-masted, square-rigged vessel.

Brigade (n.) A body of troops, whether cavalry, artillery, infantry, or mixed, consisting of two or more regiments, under the command of a brigadier general.

Brigade (n.) Any body of persons organized for acting or marching together under authority; as, a fire brigade.

Brigaded (imp. & p. p.) of Brigade

Brigading (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Brigade

Brigade (v. t.) To form into a brigade, or into brigades.

Brigadier general () 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.

Brigand (n.) A light-armed, irregular foot soldier.

Brigand (n.) 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.

Brigandage (n.) Life and practice of brigands; highway robbery; plunder.

Brigandine (n.) A coast of armor for the body, consisting of scales or plates, sometimes overlapping each other, generally of metal, and sewed to linen or other material. It was worn in the Middle Ages.

Brigandish (a.) Like a brigand or freebooter; robberlike.

Brigandism (n.) Brigandage.

Brigantine (n.) A practical vessel.

Brigantine (n.) A two-masted, square-rigged vessel, differing from a brig in that she does not carry a square mainsail.

Brigantine (n.) See Brigandine.

Brigge (n.) A bridge.

Bright (v. i.) See Brite, v. i.

Bright (a.) Radiating or reflecting light; shedding or having much light; shining; luminous; not dark.

Bright (a.) Transmitting light; clear; transparent.

Bright (a.) Having qualities that render conspicuous or attractive, or that affect the mind as light does the eye; resplendent with charms; as, bright beauty.

Bright (a.) Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent.

Bright (a.) Sparkling with wit; lively; vivacious; shedding cheerfulness and joy around; cheerful; cheery.

Bright (a.) Illustrious; glorious.

Bright (a.) Manifest to the mind, as light is to the eyes; clear; evident; plain.

Bright (a.) Of brilliant color; of lively hue or appearance.

Bright (n.) Splendor; brightness.

Bright (adv.) Brightly.

Brightened (imp. & p. p.) of Brighten

Brightening (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Brighten

Brighten (a.) To make bright or brighter; to make to shine; to increase the luster of; to give a brighter hue to.

Brighten (a.) To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to.

Brighten (a.) 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.

Brighten (a.) To make acute or witty; to enliven.

Brighten (v. i.) To grow bright, or more bright; to become less dark or gloomy; to clear up; to become bright or cheerful.

Bright-harnessed (a.) Having glittering armor.

Brightly (adv.) Brilliantly; splendidly; with luster; as, brightly shining armor.

Brightly (adv.) With lively intelligence; intelligently.

Brightness (n.) The quality or state of being bright; splendor; luster; brilliancy; clearness.

Brightness (n.) Acuteness (of the faculties); sharpness 9wit.

Bright's disease () 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.

Brightsome (a.) Bright; clear; luminous; brilliant.

Brigose (n.) Contentious; quarrelsome.

Brigue (n.) A cabal, intrigue, faction, contention, strife, or quarrel.

Brigue (n.) To contend for; to canvass; to solicit.

Brike (n.) A breach; ruin; downfall; peril.

Brill (n.) A fish allied to the turbot (Rhombus levis), much esteemed in England for food; -- called also bret, pearl, prill. See Bret.

Brillante (a.) In a gay, showy, and sparkling style.

Brillance (n.) Brilliancy.

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