B Flashcards
(268 cards)
0
Q
backdate
A
(v) to declare that (a thing) is to be regarded as valid from some date in the past.
1
Q
backbiting
A
(n) spiteful talk, especially about a person who is not present.
2
Q
backlash
A
(n) a violent and usually hostile reaction to some event.
3
Q
backlog
A
(n) arrears of work.
4
Q
backtrack
A
(v)1. To go back the same way that one came. 2. To back down from an argument or policy, to reverse one’s previous action.
5
Q
backwater
A
(n)1. A stretch of stagnant water joining a stream. 2. A place unaffected by progress or new ideas.
6
Q
bail (1), (3)
A
(1) (n)1. Money or property pledged as security that a person accused if a crime will return, if he is released temporarily, to stand trial. 2. Permission for a person’s release on such security. (v)1. To obtain or allow the release of (a person) on bail. 2. To relieve by financial help in an emergency, (they wanted us to bail the firm out). Out on bail: released after bail is pledged.
(2) (v) to scoop out (water) that had entered a boat, to clear (a boat) in this way.
7
Q
baize
A
(n) thick woollen green cloth, used for covering tables or doors.
8
Q
balderdash
A
(n) nonsense.
9
Q
bale out
A
(v) to make a parachute descent from an aircraft in an emergency.
10
Q
baleful
A
(adj) menacing, destructive, (a baleful influence). Balefully (adv).
11
Q
ballast
A
(n) heavy material placed in a ship’s hold to improve its stability; (the ship is in ballast), laden with ballast only.
12
Q
ballistic
A
(adj) of projectiles such as bullets and missiles. Ballistics (pl. n.): the scientific study of projectiles or of firearms.
13
Q
ballot
A
(n)1. A paper or token used in voting. 2. Voting by means of such papers etc. (v) (balloted, balloting)1. To vote by ballot. 2. To cause to do this, (balloting their members.)
14
Q
ballyhoo
A
(n) extravagant or misleading publicity.
15
Q
balmy
A
(adj) 1. Like balm, fragrant. 2. Soft and warm, (balmy air).
16
Q
balustrade
A
(n) a row of short posts or pillars supporting a rail or stone coping round a balcony or terrace.
17
Q
bamboozle
A
(v)(slang)1. To mystify. 2. To trick.
18
Q
bandy
A
(v) (bandied, bandying) to pass to and fro, (the story was bandied about;) (bandy words), exchange remarks in quarrelling.
19
Q
bane
A
(n) a cause of trouble or misery or anxiety. Baneful (adj), banefully (adv).
20
Q
bangle
A
(n) a bracelet of rigid material.
21
Q
banish
A
(v)1. To condemn to exile. 2. To dismiss from one’s presence or one’s mind, (banish care). Banishment (n).
22
Q
banter
A
(n) good-humoured teasing. (v) to joke in a good-humoured way.
23
Q
barb
A
(n)1. The backward-pointing part of an arrowhead or fish-hook etc. that makes it difficult to withdraw from what it has pierced. 2. A wounding remark.
24
barbaric
(adj) suitable for barbarians (uncivilised people), rough and wild. Barbarically (adv).
25
bard
(n)1. A Celtic minstrel. 2. (formal) a poet; (the Bard of Avon), Shakespeare.
26
Barry
(adj)(slang) crazy.
27
barnacle
(n) a kind of shellfish that attaches itself to objects under water.
28
barometer
(n) an instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, us for forecasting the weather. Barometric (adj).
29
barracks
(n) a large building or group of buildings for soldiers to live in.
30
barrage
(n)1. An artificial barrier, especially one damming a river. 2. A heavy continuous bombardment by artillery. 3. A rapid fire of questions, etc.
31
barre
(n) a horizontal bar used by dancers to steady themselves while exercising.
32
barren
(adj)1. Not fertile enough to produce crops, (barren land). 2. Not producing fruits or seeds, (a barren tree). 3. Unable to have young ones. Barrenness (n).
33
barricade
(n) a barrier, especially one hastily erected as a defence. (v) to block or defend with a barricade.
34
barter
(n) to trade by exchanging goods, etc. for other goods, not for money. (n) trading by exchange.
35
bashful
(adj) shy and self-conscious. Bashfully (adv), bashfulness (n).
36
bask
(v)1. To expose oneself comfortably to a pleasant warmth. 2. To enjoy someone's approval.
37
bastion
(n)1. A projecting part of a fortification. 2. A fortified place near hostile territory. 3. Something serving as a stronghold, (a bastion of democracy).
38
bated
(adj) lessened. With bated breath: with breath held anxiously.
39
batten (1)
(1)(n) a strip of wood or metal fastening or holding something in place. (v) to fasten with battens.
40
battery
(n)1. A group of big guns on land or on a warship. 2. An artillery unit of guns, men and vehicles. 3. A set of similar or connected units of equipment, or of cages for poultry, etc. 4. An electric cell or group of cells supplying current. 5. Unlawful blows or a menacing touch.
41
bauble
(n) a showy but valueless ornament.
42
baulk
(v)1. To shirk, to jib at, (baulked the problem; the horse baulked at the fence). 2. To frustrate, (was baulked of his prey). (n)1. A roughly-square timber beam. 2. A stumbling block, a hindrance.
43
bawdy
(adj) humorous in a coarse or indecent way. Bawdily (adv), bawdiness (n).
44
at bay
(v) forced to face attackers and showing defiance in a desperate situation. Hold at bay: to ward off.
45
bayonet
(n) a dagger-like blade that can be fixe to the muzzle of a rifle and used in hand-to-hand fighting. (v) (bayoneted, bayoneting) to stab with a bayonet.
46
bazaar
(n)1. A series of shops or stalls in an Oriental country. 2. A large shop selling a variety of cheap goods. 3. A sale of goods to raise funds.
47
beady
(adj) like beads; (beady eyes), small and bright. Beadily (adv).
48
beam (n)
(n)1. A long piece of squared timber or other solid material, supported at both ends and carrying the weight of part of a building or other structure 2. A ship's breadth at its widest part. 3. The crosspiece of a balance, from which the scales hang. 4. A ray or steam of light or other radiation, a radio signal used to direct the course of an aircraft. 5. A bright look, a radiant smile.
49
bearing
(n)1. Deportment, behaviour, (soldierly bearing). 2. Relationship, relevance, (it has no bearing on this problem). 3. A compass direction; (get one's bearings), find out where one is by recognising landmarks, etc. 4. A device reducing friction in a part of a machine where another part turns. 5. A heraldic emblem.
50
beatific
(adj) showing great happiness, (a beatific smile).
51
beckon
(v) (beckoned, beckoning) to signal or summon by a gesture.
52
becoming
(adj) giving a pleasing appearance or effect, suitable. Becomingly (adv).
53
bedevil
(v) (bedevilled, bedevilling) to afflict, to cause frequent problems to.
54
bedfellow
(n)1. A person who shares one's bed. 2. An associate; (it makes strange bedfellows), obliges unlikely people to associate together.
55
bedlam
(n) uproar
56
bedouin
(n) (pl. bedouin) a member of an Arab people living in tents in the desert.
57
bedraggled
(adj) hanging in a limp untidy way, especially when wet.
58
bedridden
(n) confined to bed through illness or weakness, especially permanently.
59
bedrock
(n)1. Solid rock beneath loose soil. 2. Basic facts or principles.
60
beefy
(adj) having a solid muscular body. Beefiness (n).
61
befall
(v) (befell, befallen, befalling) (formal) to happen, to happen to.
62
befit
(v) (befitted, befitting) to be fit and suitable for.
63
beget
(v) (begot, begotten, begetting)1. To be the father of. 2. To give rise to, (war begets misery and ruin).
64
begrudge
(v) to grudge.
65
beguile
(v) 1. to deceive. 2. To win the attention or interest of, to amuse. Beguilement (n).
66
behest
(n) (formal) a command.
67
beholden
(adj) owing thanks, (we do not want to be beholden to anybody).
68
belch
(v)1. To send out wind from the stomach noisily through the mouth. 2. To send out from an opening or funnel, to gush. (n) an act or sound of belching.
69
beleaguer
(v) to besiege.
70
belittle
(v) to imply that (a thing) is unimportant or of little value.
71
bellicose
(adj) eager to fight.
72
belligerent
(adj)1. Waging a war, (the belligerent nations). 2. Aggressive, showing eagerness to fight, (a belligerent reply). Belligerently (adv), belligerence (n) belligerency (n).
73
bellows
(pl. n)1. An apparatus for driving air into or through something; (a pair of bellows), two-handled bellows for blowing air into a fire. 2. A device or part that can be expanded or flattened in a series of folds.
74
bemused
(adj)1. Bewildered. 2. Lost in thought.
75
benefactor
(n) a person who gives financial or other help. Benefactress (n).
76
beneficiary
(n) a person who receives a benefit, one who is left a legacy under someone's will.
77
benevolent
(adj) 1. wishing to do good to others, kindly and helpful. 2. charitable, (a benevolent fund). Benevolently (adv), benevolence (n).
78
benign
(adj)1. Kindly. 2. Mild and gentle in its effect; (a benign tumour), one that is not malignant. Benignly (adv).
79
bequeath
(v) to leave as a legacy.
80
bequest
(n) a legacy.
81
bereave
(v) to deprive, especially of a relative, by death; (the bereaved husband), the man whose wife died. Bereavement (n).
82
bereft
(adj) deprived; (bereft of reason), driven mad.
83
berserk
(adj) frenzied. Go berserk: to go into an uncontrollable and destructive rage.
84
berth
(n)1. A bunk or sleeping-place in a ship or train. 2. A place for a ship to swing at anchor or tie up at a wharf. (v) to moor at a berth. Give a wide berth to: to keep at a safe distance from.
85
beseech
(v) (besought, beseeching) to implore.
86
beset
(v) (beset, besetting) to hem in, to surround; (the temptations that beset people), that face them on all sides.
87
besiege
(v)1. To lay siege to. 2. To crowd round with requests or questions. Besieger (n).
88
bestial
(adj) of or like a beast, savage. Bestiality (n).
89
bestow
(v) to present as a gift. Bestowal (n).
90
betroth
(v)(formal) to engage with a promise to marry. Betrothal (n).
91
bevy
(n) a company, a large group.
92
bewilder
(v) to puzzle, to confuse, (the questions bewildered him). Bewilderment (n).
93
bewitch
(v)1. To put under a magic spell. 2. To delight very much.
94
biannual
(adj) appearing or happening twice a year. Biannually (adv).
95
bicentenary
(n) a 200th anniversary.
96
bicker
(v) to quarrel constantly about unimportant things.
97
bidding
(n) a command. Do a person's bidding: to do what he commands.
98
bide
(v) to wait. Bide one's time: to wait for a good opportunity.
99
biennial
(adj)1. Lasting or living for two years. 2. Happening every second year. (n) a plant that lives for two years, flowering and dying in the second.
100
bigot
(n) a person who holds an opinion or belief obstinately and is intolerant towards those who do not.
101
bigoted
(adj) narrow-minded and intolerant.
102
bigwig
(n)(informal) an important person.
103
billow
(n) a great wave. (v) to rise or roll like waves, (smoke billowed forth).
104
bimonthly
(adj)1. Happening every second month. 2. Happening twice a month.
105
binary
(adj)1. Of a pair or pairs. 2. (of a chemical compound) composed of two elements. 3. (of a mathematical operation) performed on two numbers.
106
binge
(n)(slang) a spree, eating and drinking and making merry.
107
biodegradable
(adj) able to be broken down by bacteria in the environment, (some plastics are not biodegradable).
108
biography
(n) the story of a person's life written by someone other than himself. Biographical (adv).
109
birthright
(n) a privilege or property to which a person has a right through being born into a particular family (especially as the eldest son) or country.
110
bitch
(n)1. A female dog, fox, or wolf. 2. (informal) a spiteful woman.
111
biting
(adj)1. Causing a smarting pain, (a biting wind). 2. (of remarks) sharp and critical.
112
bitumen
(n) a black sticky substance obtained from petroleum, us for covering roads etc. Bituminous (adj).
113
bivouac
(n) a temporary camp without tents or other cover. (v)(bivouacked, bivouacking) to camp in a bivouac.
114
blab
(v) (blabbed, blabbing) to talk indiscreetly, to let out a secret.
115
blackmail
(v) to demand payment or action from (a person) by threats especially of revealing a discreditable secret. (n) the crime of demanding payment in this way, the money itself. Blackmailer (n).
116
black-out
(n)1. A period of darkness when no light must be shown. 2. The putting out or covering of all lights. 3. Temporary loss of consciousness or sight or memory. 4. Prevention of the release of information, (a news black-out).
117
blacksmith
(n) a smith who works in iron.
118
bland
(adj)1. Mild in flavours (bland foods). 2. Gentle and casual in manner, not irritating or stimulating. Blandly (adv), blandness (n).
119
blare
(n) a harsh loud sound like that of a trumpet. (v) to make such a sound.
120
blasé
(adj) bored or unimpressed by things because one has already experienced or seen them so often.
121
blasphemy
(n) contemptuous or irreverent talk about God and sacred things. Blasphemous (adj), blasphemously (adv).
122
blatant
(adj) attracting attention in a very obvious way; (a blatant lie), very obvious and unashamed. Blatantly (adv).
123
bleak
(adj) cold and cheerless; (the future looks bleak), unpromising. Bleakly (adv), bleakness (n).
124
bleary
(adj) watery and seeing indistinctly, (bleary eyes).
125
bleat
(n) the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf. (v)1. To make this cry. 2. To speak or say plaintively.
126
blemish
(n) a flaw or defect that spoils the perfection of something. (v) to spoil with a blemish.
127
blight
(n)1. A disease that withers plants. 2. 2. A fungus or insect causing this diseases. 3. A malignant influence. 4. An unsightly area. (v)1. To affect with blight. 2. To spoil.
128
blinker
(v) to obstruct the sight or understanding of.
129
blithe
(adj) casual and carefree. Blithely (adv).
130
blitz
(n) a violent attack, especially from aircraft. (v) to attack or damage in a blitz.
131
bloated
(adj) swollen with fat or gas or liquid.
132
bloc
(n) a group of parties or countries who unite to support a particular interest.
133
blockade
(n) the blocking of access to a place in order to prevent the entry of goods etc. (v) to set up a blockade of.
134
blood-bath
(n) a massacre.
135
blood-curdling
(adj) horrifying.
136
bloodshed
(n) the killing or wounding of people.
137
bloodshot
(adj)(of eyes) red from dilated veins.
138
bloodthirsty
(adj) eager for bloodshed
139
blubber
(n)1. Whale fat. 2. (v) to weep noisily
140
bludgeon
(n) a short stick with a thickened end, used as a weapon. (v)1. To strike with a bludgeon. 2. To compel forcefully.
141
blue-collar worker
A manual or industrial worker.
142
blueprint
(n)1. Blue photographic print of building plans. 2. A detailed plan or scheme.
143
bluff
1. (adj)1. With a broad steep front, (a bluff headland). 2. Abrupt, frank, and hearty in manner. (n) a bluff headland or cliff. Bluffness (n).
2. (v) to deceive someone by making a pretence especially of strength. (n)bluffing, a threat intended to get results without being carried out.
144
blunder
(v)1. To move clumsily and uncertainly. 2. To make a blunder. (n) a mistake made especially through ignorance or carelessness. Blunderer (n).
145
blurb
(n) a description of something praising it eg. in advertising matter.
146
blurt
(v) to utter abruptly or tactlessly, (blurted it out).
147
bluster
(v)1. To be windy, to blow in gusts. 2. To talk aggressively, especially with empty threats. (n) such talk. Blustery (adj).
148
boa
(n)1. A large non-poisonous South American snake that kills its prey by crushing it. Boa constrictor: a Brazilian species of boa.
149
boarding-school
(n) a school in which pupils receive board and lodging.
150
boardroom
(n) a room whee the meetings of the board of a company etc. are held.
151
bode
(v) to be a sign of, to promise, (it boded well for their future).
152
bodice
(n) the upper part of a woman's dress, down to the waist.
153
bog
(n) an area of ground that is permanently wet and spongy, formed of decayed plants, etc. (v) (bogged, bogging) to be stuck fast in wet ground, to cause to be stuck and unable to make progress.
154
bogus
(adj) sham, counterfeit.
155
bogeyman
(n) an imaginary man feared by children, especially in the dark.
156
Bohemian
(adj)1. Of Bohemia, a province of Czechoslovakia. 2. Very informal in one's way of living.
157
boil (1)
(n) an inflamed swelling under the skin, producing pus.
158
boil down
(informal) to express or be expressed in fewer words.
159
boisterous
(adj) 1. Windy, (boisterous weather). 2. Noisy and cheerful, (boisterous children). Boisterously (adv).
160
baloney / boloney
(n) (slang) nonsense.
161
bolster
(n) a long under-pillow for the head of a bed. (v) to support, to prop.
162
bombastic
(adj) speaking pompously, using pompous words.
163
bombshell
(n) something that comes as a great surprise and shock.
164
bonanza
(n) a source of sudden great wealth or luck, a windfall.
165
bondage
(n) slavery, captivity.
166
have a bone to pick
to have something to argue or complain about.
167
make no bones about
to raise no objection to, to speak frankly about.
168
to the bone
thoroughly, completely.
169
bonkers
(adj) (slang) crazy.
170
bonnet
(n)1. A hat with strings that tie under the chin. 2. A Scotch cap. 3. A hinged cover over the engine etc. of a motor vehicle.
171
booby trap
a hidden trap rigged up for a practical joke; a hidden bins placed so that it will explode when some apparently harmless object is touched or moved. (v) to place a booby- trap in or on.
172
by the book
in accordance with the correct procedure.
173
bookish
(adj) fond of reading.
174
boon
(n) a benefit.
175
boor
(n) an ill-mannered person. Boorish (adj), boorishly (adv), boorishness (n).
176
booty
(n) loot.
177
booze
(v) (informal) to drink alcohol, especially in large quantities. (n)(informal)1. Alcoholic drink. 2. A drinking spree; (on the booze), boozing. Boozy (adj), boozer (n).
178
bore (2)
(v) 1. To make (a hole or well etc.) with a revolving tool or by digging out soil. 2. To pierce or penetrate in this way. (n)1. The hollow inside of a gun barrel or engine cylinder, its diameter. 2. A hole make by boring. Borer (n).
179
bosom friend
one who is dear and close.
180
get to the bottom of
to find out the cause or origin of
181
bottomless
(adj) extremely deep; (a bottomless purse), an inexhaustible supply of money.
182
bough
(n) a large branch coming from the trunk of a tree.
183
boulevard
(n) a wide street, often with trees on each side.
184
bound (3)
(adj) going or heading towards, (bound for Spain); (northbound traffic).
185
bountiful
(adj) 1. Giving generously. 2. Abundant.
186
bounty
(n)1. Generosity in giving. 2. A generous gift. 3. A reward or payment given as an inducement.
187
bout
(n)1. A period of exercise or work or illness. 2. A boxing contest.
188
bovine
(adj)1. Of or like an ox. 2. Dull and stupid.
189
boycott
(v) to refuse to have anything to do with; (boycotted the goods), refused to handle or buy them. (n) boycotting, treatment of this kind.
190
bracing
(adj) invigorating, stimulating.
191
bracken
(n) a large fern that grows on waste land, a mass of such ferns.
192
brackish
(adj) slightly salty, (brackish water).
193
brag
(v) (bragged, bragging) to boast.
194
brainwash
(v) to force (a person) to reject old beliefs and accept new ones by subjecting him to great mental pressure.
195
brainwave
(n)1. An electrical impulse in the brain. 2. A sudden bright idea.
196
brainy
(adj) (brainier, brainiest) clever, intelligent.
197
bramble
(n) a rough shrub with long prickly shoots, the blackberry.
198
brandish
(v) to wave (a thing) in display or threateningly.
199
brash
(adj)1. Vulgarly self-assertive. 2. reckless. Brashly (adv), brashness (n).
200
bravado
(n) a show of boldness.
201
brawl
(n) a noisy quarrel or fight. (v) to take part in a quarrel.
202
brawn
(n)1. Muscular strength. 2. Meat from a pig's or calf's head boiled, chopped, and pressed in a mould.
203
bray
(n) the cry of a donkey, a sound like this. (v) to make this cry or sound.
204
brazen
(adj)1. Made of brass, like brass. 2. Shameless, impudent. (v) brazen it out: to behave, after doing wrong, as if one has nothing to be ashamed of.
205
breach
(n)1. The breaking or neglect of a rule or agreement etc. 2. An estrangement. 3. A broken place, a gap. (v) to break through, to make a gap in. Step into the breach: to give help in a crisis.
206
breakthrough
(n) a major advance in knowledge.
207
breathalyser
(n) a device that measures the amount of alcohol in a person's breath as he breathes out.
208
breathtaking
(adj) very exciting, spectacular.
209
breeches
(pl n) trousers reaching to just below the knee, worn for riding or as part of court costume etc.
210
brethren
(pl n)(old use) brothers
211
brevity
(n) shortness, briefness.
212
brew
(v)1. To make (beer) by boiling and fermentation, to make (tea) by infusion. 2. To be being prepared in this way, (the tea is brewing). 3. To bring about, to develop, (trouble is brewing). (n)1. Liquid made by brewing. 2. An amount brewed.
213
bribe
(n) something offered in order to influence a person to act in favour of the giver. (v) to persuade by a bribe. Bribery (n).
214
bric-a-brac
(n) odd item of furniture, ornaments etc, of no great value.
215
brigade
(n) 1. An army unit forming part of a division. 2. A group of people organised for a particular purpose.
216
brigand
(n) a member of a band of robbers.
217
brimstone
(n)(old use) sulphur
218
brine
(n) salt water
219
brink
(n) 1. The edge of a steep place or of a stretch of water. 2. the verge, the edge of something unknown or dangerous or exciting.
220
brinkmanship
(n) the art of pursuing a dangerous policy to the brink of war etc. before stopping.
221
bristle (v)
(v)1. (of an animal) to raise the bristles in anger or fear. 2. To show indignation. 3. To be thickly set with bristles. Bristle with: to be full of, (the plan bristled with difficulties).
222
brittle
(adj) hard but easily broken. (n) a brittle sweet made of nuts and melted sugar. Brittly (adv), brittleness (n).
223
broach
(v)1. To make a hole in and draw out liquid. 2. To begin a discussion of, (broached the topic).
224
broadside
(n)1. The firing of all guns on one side of a ship. 2. A strong attack in words.
225
brocade
(n) fabric woven with raised patterns. Brocaded (adj).
226
broody
(adj)1. (of a hen) wanting to brood. 2. Thoughtful and depressed.
227
brothel
(n) a house where women work as prostitutes.
228
brouhaha
(n) a commotion.
229
browbeat
(v) browbeat, browbeaten, browbeating) to intimidate.
230
brunette
(n) a woman with darkish skin and/or hair.
231
brunt
(n) the chief stress or strain, (bore the brunt of the attack).
232
brusque
(adj) curt and offhand in manner. Brusquely (adv), brusqueness (n).
233
brutal
(adj) very cruel, merciless. Brutally (adv), brutality (n).
234
brute
(n)1. An animal other than man. 2. A brutal person; (brute force), cruel and unthinking force. 3. (informal) an unpleasant or difficult person or thing. Brutish (adj).
235
buccaneer
(n) a pirate, an unscrupulous adventurer.
236
buck (1)
(n) the male of a deer, hare, or rabbit (v)1. (of a horse) to jump with the back arched. 2. (slang) to resist or oppose, (bucking the system). Buck up: (slang) to make haste; to make or become more cheerful.
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bucolic
(adj) characteristic of country life.
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buff
(n)1. Strong velvety dull-yellow leather. 2. The colour of this. 3. The bare skin, (stripped to the buff). 4. (Amer. informal) an enthusiast, (camera buffs). (adj) dull yellow. (v) to polish with soft material.
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buffer
(n)1. Something that lessens the effect of an impact, a device for this purpose on a railway engine or at the end of a track. 2. (slang) a fellow. (v) to act as a buffer to. Buffer state: a small country between two powerful ones, thought to reduce the chance of war between these.
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buffet (2)
(n) a blow, especially with the hand. (v) (buffeted, buffeting) to give a buffet to.
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bugbear
(n) something feared or disliked.
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bulbous
(adj)1. Growing from a bulb. 2. Shaped like a bulb.
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bullion
(n) gold or silver in bulk or bars, before coining or manufacture.
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bulwark
(n)1. A walk of earth built as a defence. 2. Something that acts as a protection or defence. Bulwarks: (pl n) a ship's side above the level of the deck.
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bumpkin
(n) a country person with awkward manners.
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bungle
(v) to spoil by lack of skill, to tackle clumsily and without success. (n) a bungled attempt.
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bunting (2)
(n) 1. Flags and streamers for decorating streets and buildings. 2. A loosely-woven fabric used for making these.
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bureau
(n)(pl. bureaus) 1. A writing desk with drawers. 2. An office or department, (a travel bureau).
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bureaucracy
(n)1. Government by State officials not by elected representatives. 2. These officials. 3. Excessive official routine, especially because there are too many offices or departments.
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burgeon
(v) to begin to grow rapidly.
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burnish
(v) to polish by rubbing.
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bursar
(n)1. A person who manages the finances and other business of a school or college. 2. A student who holds a bursary.
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bury the hatchet
to cease quarrelling and become friendly.
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busker
(n) an entertainer who performs in the street.
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bust (2)
(v) (busted or bust, busting) (slang) to burst; (the business went bust), became bankrupt.
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butch
(adj)(slang) strongly masculine.
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butt (v)
(v)1. To push with the head like a ram or goat. 2. To meet or place edge to edge, (the strips should be butted against each other, not overlapping). Butt in: to interrupt, to meddle.
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have butterflies in the stomach
(informal) to feel nervous tremors.
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buttress
(n)1. A support built against a wall. 2. A thing that supports or reinforces something. (v) to prop up.
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buxom
(adj) plump and healthy-looking.
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buy up
To buy all or as much as possible of.
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by-election
(n) election of an MP to fill a vacancy in the House of Commons (UK) caused by the death or resignation of a member.
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bygones
(pl n) things belonging to the past; (let bygones be bygones), forgive and forget past offences.
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by-law
(n) a law or regulation made by a local authority or by a company.
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byway
(n) a by-road (a minor road).
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byword
(n)1. A person or thing spoken of as a notable example, (the firm became a byword for mismanagement). 2. A familiar saying.
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Byzantine
(adj)1. Of Byzantium or the eastern Roman Empire. 2. Complicated, underhand.
