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beseech vb -seeching, -sought or -seeched to ask earnestly; begbeset vb -setting, -set 1 to trouble or harass constantly 2 to surround or attack from all sidesbeside prep 1 next to; at, by, or to the side of ◇ SYNONYMS: next to, near, close to, neighbouring, alongside, adjacent to, at the side of, abreast of 2 as compared with 3 away from: beside the point 4 beside oneself overwhelmed; overwrought: beside oneself with grief ◇ SYNONYMS beside yourself: distraught, desperate, distressed, frantic, frenzied, unhinged, overwrought ▸ adv 5 at, by, to, or along the side of something or someonebesides adv 1 in addition ◇ SYNONYMS: also, too, further, otherwise, in addition, as well, moreover, furthermore ▸ prep 2 apart from; even considering ◇ SYNONYMS: apart from, barring, excepting, other than, excluding, as well (as), in addition to, over and above ▸ conj 3 anyway; moreoverbesiege vb -sieging, -sieged 1 to surround with military forces to bring about surrender ◇ SYNONYMS: surround, enclose, blockade, encircle, hem in, shut in, lay siege to 2 to hem in ◇ SYNONYMS: surround, enclose, blockade, encircle, hem in, shut in, lay siege to 3 to overwhelm, as with requests ◇ SYNONYMS: harass, harry, plague, hound, hassle (informal), badger, pesterbesotted adj 1 having an irrational passion for a person or thing 2 stupefied with alcoholbesought vb a past of beseechbespeak vb -speaking, -spoke, -spoken or -spoke 1 to indicate or suggest: imitation bespeaks admiration 2 to engage or ask for in advance: she was bespoke to a family in the townbespoke adj (chiefly Brit) 1 (esp. of a suit) made to the customer's specifications 2 making or selling such suits: a bespoke tailorbest adj 1 the superlative of good 2 most excellent of a particular group, category, etc. ◇ SYNONYMS: finest, leading, supreme, principal, foremost, pre-eminent, unsurpassed, most accomplished 3 most suitable, desirable, etc. ▸ adv 4 the superlative of well 5 in a manner surpassing all others; most attractively, etc. ◇ SYNONYMS: most highly, most fully, most deeply ▸ n 6 the best the most outstanding or excellent person, thing, or group in a category ◇ SYNONYMS the best: the finest, the pick, the flower, the cream, the elite, the crème de la crème 7 the utmost effort: I did my best 8 a person's finest clothes 9 at best A in the most favourable interpretation B under the most favourable conditions 10 for the best A for an ultimately good outcome B with good intentions 11 get the best of to defeat or outwit 12 make the best of to cope as well as possible with ▸ vb 13 to defeatbestial adj 1 brutal or savage 2 of or relating to a beastbestiality n, pl -ties 1 brutal behaviour, character, or action 2 sexual activity between a person and an animalbestir vb -stirring, -stirred to cause (oneself) to become activebest man n the male attendant of the bridegroom at a weddingbestow vb to present (a gift) or confer (an honour) ◇ SYNONYMS: present, give, award, grant, commit, hand out, lavish, impart > bestowal nbestride vb -striding, -strode, -stridden to have or put a leg on either side ofbestseller n a book or other product that has sold in great numbers > bestselling adjbet n 1 the act of staking a sum of money or other stake on the outcome of an event ◇ SYNONYMS: gamble, risk, stake, venture, speculation, flutter (informal), punt (chiefly Brit), wager 2 the stake risked 3 a course of action: your best bet is to go by train 4 (informal) an opinion: my bet is that you've been up to no good ▸ vb betting, bet or betted 5 to make or place a bet with (someone) 6 to stake (money, etc.) in a bet ◇ SYNONYMS: gamble, chance, stake, venture, hazard, speculate, wager, risk money 7 (informal) to predict (a certain outcome): I bet she doesn't turn up 8 you bet (informal) of coursebetel (bee-tl) n an Asian climbing plant, the leaves and nuts of which can be chewedbête noire (bet nwahr) n, pl bêtes noires a person or thing that one particularly dislikes or dreadsbetide vb -tiding, -tided to happen or happen to: woe betide us if we're not ready on timebetoken vb to indicate; signifybetray vb 1 to hand over or expose (one's nation, friend, etc.) treacherously to an enemy ◇ SYNONYMS: be disloyal to, dob in (Austral slang), double-cross (informal), stab in the back, be unfaithful to, inform on or against 2 to disclose (a secret or confidence) treacherously ◇ SYNONYMS: give away, reveal, expose, disclose, uncover, divulge, unmask, let slip 3 to reveal unintentionally: his singing voice betrays his origins > betrayal n > betrayer nbetrothed (old-fashioned) adj 1 engaged to be married ▸ n 2 the person to whom one is engagedbetter adj 1 the comparative of good 2 more excellent than others ◇ SYNONYMS: superior, finer, higher-quality, surpassing, preferable, more desirable 3 more suitable, attractive, etc. ◇ SYNONYMS: superior, finer, higher-quality, surpassing, preferable, more desirable 4 improved or fully recovered in health ◇ SYNONYMS: well, stronger, recovering, cured, fully recovered, on the mend (informal) 5 the better part of a large part of ▸ adv 6 the comparative of well 7 in a more excellent manner ◇ SYNONYMS: in a more excellent manner, more effectively, more attractively, more advantageously, more competently, in a superior way 8 in or to a greater degree ◇ SYNONYMS: to a greater degree, more completely, more thoroughly 9 better off in more favourable circumstances, esp. financially 10 had better would be sensible, etc. to: I had better be off ▸ n 11 the better something that is the more excellent, useful, etc. of two such things 12 betters people who are one's superiors, esp. in social standing 13 get the better of to defeat or outwit ▸ vb 14 to improve uponbetween prep 1 at a point intermediate to two other points in space, time, etc. ◇ SYNONYMS: amidst, among, mid, in the middle of, betwixt 2 in combination; together: between them, they saved enough money to buy a car 3 confined to: between you and me 4 indicating a linking relation or comparison 5 indicating alternatives, strictly only two alternatives ▸ adv also in between 6 between one specified thing and anotherbetwixt prep, adv 1 (archaic) between 2 betwixt and between in an intermediate or indecisive positionbevel n 1 a slanting edge ▸ vb -elling, -elled (US) -eling, -eled 2 to be inclined; slope 3 to cut a bevel on (a piece of timber, etc.)beverage n any drink other than water ◇ SYNONYMS: drink, liquid, liquor, refreshmentbevy n, pl bevies a flock; a groupbewail vb to express great sorrow over; lamentbeware vb -waring, -wared (often foll. by of) to be wary (of); be on one's guard (against) ◇ SYNONYMS: be careful, look out, watch out, be wary, be cautious, take heed, guard against somethingbewilder vb to confuse utterly; puzzle ◇ SYNONYMS: confound, confuse, puzzle, baffle, perplex, mystify, flummox, bemuse > bewildering adj > bewilderment nbewitch vb 1 to attract and fascinate 2 to cast a spell over > bewitching adjbeyond prep 1 at or to a point on the other side of: beyond those hills ◇ SYNONYMS: on the other side of 2 outside the limits or scope of ◇ SYNONYMS: past ▸ adv 3 at or to the other or far side of something 4 outside the limits of something ▸ n 5 the beyond the unknown, esp. life after deathBF or bf 1 best friend 2 boyfriendbi- combining form 1 having two: bifocal 2 occurring or lasting for two: biennial 3 on both sides, directions, etc.: bilateral 4 occurring twice during: biweekly 5 (chem) A denoting a compound containing two identical cyclical hydrocarbon systems: biphenyl B indicating an acid salt of a dibasic acid: sodium bicarbonatebiannual adj occurring twice a year > biannually advbias n 1 mental tendency, esp. prejudice ◇ SYNONYMS: prejudice, leaning, tendency, inclination, favouritism, partiality 2 a diagonal cut across the weave of a fabric 3 (bowls) a bulge or weight inside one side of a bowl that causes it to roll in a curve ▸ vb -asing, -ased or -assing, -assed 4 to cause to have a bias; prejudice ◇ SYNONYMS: influence, colour, weight, prejudice, distort, sway, warp, slant > biased or biassed adjbib n 1 a piece of cloth or plastic worn to protect a very young child's clothes while eating 2 the upper front part of some aprons, dungarees, etc.Bible n 1 the Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and New Testaments 2 bible a book regarded as authoritative: this guide has long been regarded as the hill walkers' bible > biblical adjbibliography n, pl -phies 1 a list of books on a subject or by a particular author 2 a list of sources used in a book, etc. 3 the study of the history, etc. of literary material > bibliographer nbibliophile n a person who collects or is fond of booksbibulous adj (literary) addicted to alcoholbicarbonate n a salt of carbonic acidbicarbonate of soda n sodium bicarbonate used as medicine or a raising agent in bakingbicentenary or (US) bicentennial adj 1 marking a 200th anniversary ▸ n, pl -naries 2 a 200th anniversarybiceps n, pl -ceps (anatomy) a muscle with two origins, esp. the muscle that flexes the forearmbicker vb to argue over petty matters; squabblebicycle n 1 a vehicle with a metal frame and two wheels, one behind the other, pedalled by the rider ▸ vb -cling, -cled 2 to ride a bicyclebid vb bidding, bad, bade or bid, bidden or bid 1 to offer (an amount) in an attempt to buy something ◇ SYNONYMS: make an offer, offer, propose, submit, tender, proffer 2 to say (a greeting): to bid farewell ◇ SYNONYMS: wish, say, call, tell, greet 3 to order: do as you are bid! ◇ SYNONYMS: tell, ask, order, require, direct, command, instruct 4 (bridge, etc.) to declare how many tricks one expects to make ▸ n 5 A an offer of a specified amount ◇ SYNONYMS: offer, price, amount, advance, proposal, sum, tender B the price offered ◇ SYNONYMS: offer, price, amount, advance, proposal, sum, tender 6 A the quoting by a seller of a price B the price quoted 7 an attempt, esp. to attain power ◇ SYNONYMS: attempt, try, effort, go (informal), shot (informal), stab (informal), crack (informal) 8 (bridge, etc.) the number of tricks a player undertakes to make > bidder nbiddable adj obedientbidding n 1 an order or command: she had done his bidding ◇ SYNONYMS: order, request, command, instruction, summons, beck and call 2 an invitation; summons: he knew to knock and wait for bidding before he entered 3 the bids in an auction, card game, etc.biddy-bid or biddy-biddy n, pl -bids or -biddies (NZ) a low-growing plant with hooked burrsbide vb biding, bided or bode, bided 1 (archaic, or dialect) to remain 2 bide one's time to wait patiently for an opportunitybidet (bee-day) n a small low basin for washing the genital areabiennial adj 1 occurring every two years ▸ n 2 a plant that completes its life cycle in two yearsbier n a stand on which a corpse or a coffin rests before burialbifocals pl n a pair of spectacles with bifocal lensesbig adj bigger, biggest 1 of great or considerable size, weight, number, or capacity ◇ SYNONYMS: large, great, huge, massive, vast, enormous, substantial, extensive, supersize 2 having great significance; important ◇ SYNONYMS: important, significant, urgent, far-reaching 3 important through having power, wealth, etc. ◇ SYNONYMS: powerful, important, prominent, dominant, influential, eminent, skookum (Canad) 4 A elder: my big brother ◇ SYNONYMS: grown-up, adult, grown, mature, elder, full-grown B grown-up ◇ SYNONYMS: grown-up, adult, grown, mature, elder, full-grown 5 generous: that's very big of you ◇ SYNONYMS: generous, good, noble, gracious, benevolent, altruistic, unselfish, magnanimous 6 extravagant; boastful: big talk 7 too big for one's boots conceited; unduly self-confident 8 in an advanced stage of pregnancy: big with child 9 in a big way in a very grand or enthusiastic way ▸ adv (informal) 10 boastfully; pretentiously: he talks big 11 on a grand scale: think bigbigamy n the crime of marrying a person while still legally married to someone else > bigamist n > bigamous adjbighead n (informal) a conceited person > big-headed adjbigot n a person who is intolerant, esp. regarding religion, politics, or race > bigoted adj > bigotry nbig shot n (informal) an important personbijou (bee-zhoo) n, pl -joux (-zhooz) 1 something small and delicately worked ▸ adj 2 small but tasteful: a bijou residencebike n (informal) a bicycle or motorcyclebikini n a woman's brief two-piece swimming costumebilateral adj affecting or undertaken by two parties; mutualbilberry n, pl -ries a blue or blackish edible berry that grows on a shrubbilby n, pl -bies an Australian marsupial with long pointed ears and grey furbile n 1 a greenish fluid secreted by the liver to aid digestion of fats 2 irritability or peevishnessbilge n 1 (informal) nonsense 2 (naut) the bottom of a ship's hull 3 the dirty water that collects in a ship's bilgebilingual adj 1 able to speak two languages 2 expressed in two languages > bilingualism nbilious adj 1 nauseous; sick: a bilious attack 2 (informal) bad-tempered; irritable: the regime's most persistent and bilious critic 3 (of a colour) harsh and offensivebill1 n 1 a statement of money owed for goods or services supplied ◇ SYNONYMS: charges, rate, costs, score, account, statement, reckoning, expense 2 a draft of a proposed new law presented to a law-making body ◇ SYNONYMS: act of parliament, measure, proposal, piece of legislation, projected law 3 a printed notice or advertisement ◇ SYNONYMS: advertisement, notice, poster, leaflet, bulletin, circular, handout, placard 4 (US & Canad) a piece of paper money; note 5 any list of items, events, etc., such as a theatre programme ◇ SYNONYMS: list, listing, programme, card, schedule, agenda, catalogue, inventory ▸ vb 6 to send or present an account for payment to (a person) ◇ SYNONYMS: charge, debit, invoice, send a statement to, send an invoice to 7 to advertise by posters ◇ SYNONYMS: advertise, post, announce, promote, plug (informal), tout, publicize, give advance notice of 8 to schedule as a future programme: next week they will discuss what are billed as new ideas for economic reform 9 fit or fill the bill (informal) to be suitable or adequatebill2 n 1 the projecting jaws of a bird; beak ◇ SYNONYMS: beak, nib, neb (archaic, dialect), mandible ▸ vb 2 bill and coo (of lovers) to kiss and whisper amorouslybillabong n (Austral) a pool in the bed of a stream with an interrupted water flowbillboard n a hoardingbillet vb -leting, -leted 1 to assign a lodging to (a soldier) ▸ n 2 accommodation, esp. for a soldier, in civilian lodgings 3 (Austral & NZ) a person who is billetedbillet-doux (bill-ee-doo) n, pl billets-doux (bill-ee-dooz) (old-fashioned, or humorous) a love letterbillhook n a tool with a hooked blade, used for chopping, etc.billiards n a game in which a long cue is used to propel balls on a tablebillion n, pl -lions or -lion 1 one thousand million: 1 000 000 000 or 109 2 (in Britain, originally) one million million: 1 000 000 000 000 or 1012 3 (often pl, informal) an extremely large but unspecified number: billions of dollars > billionth adj, nbillow n 1 a large sea wave 2 a swelling or surging mass, as of smoke or sound ▸ vb 3 to rise up or swell out > billowing adj, n > billowy adjbilly or billycan n, pl -lies or -lycans a metal can or pot for boiling water, etc. over a campfirebiltong n (S African) strips of meat dried and cured in the sunbimbo n, pl -bos (informal, offensive) an attractive but empty-headed young womanbin n 1 a container for rubbish, etc. 2 a large container for storing something in bulk, such as coal, grain, or bottled wine ▸ vb binning, binned 3 to put in a rubbish bin: I bin my junk mail without reading itbinary (bine-a-ree) adj 1 composed of two parts 2 (maths, computers) of or expressed in a system with two as its base 3 (chem) containing atoms of two different elements ▸ n, pl -ries 4 something composed of two partsbind vb binding, bound 1 to make secure, such as with a rope ◇ SYNONYMS: tie, join, stick, secure, wrap, knot, strap, lash 2 to unite with emotional ties or commitment 3 to place (someone) under legal or moral obligation ◇ SYNONYMS: oblige, make, force, require, engage, compel, constrain, necessitate 4 to place under certain constraints: bound by the rules 5 to stick together or cause to stick: egg binds fat and flour 6 to enclose and fasten (the pages of a book) between covers 7 to provide (a garment) with an edging 8 (foll. by up) to bandage ▸ n 9 (informal) a difficult or annoying situation ◇ SYNONYMS: nuisance, inconvenience, hassle (informal), drag (informal), spot (informal), difficulty, bore, dilemma, uphill (S African)binder n 1 a firm cover for holding loose sheets of paper together 2 a person who binds books 3 something used to fasten or tie, such as rope or twine 4 (obsolete) a machine for cutting and binding grain into sheavesbinding n 1 anything that binds or fastens 2 the covering of a book ▸ adj 3 imposing an obligation or duty ◇ SYNONYMS: compulsory, necessary, mandatory, obligatory, irrevocable, unalterable, indissolublebindweed n a plant that twines around a supportbinge n (informal) 1 a bout of excessive eating or drinking ◇ SYNONYMS: bout, spell, fling, feast, stint, spree, orgy, bender (informal) 2 excessive indulgence in anythingbingo n a gambling game in which numbers called out are covered by players on their individual cards. The first to cover a given arrangement is the winnerbinoculars pl n an optical instrument for use with both eyes, consisting of two small telescopes joined togetherbinomial n 1 a mathematical expression consisting of two terms, such as 3x + 2y ▸ adj 2 referring to two names or termsbio- combining form 1 indicating life or living organisms: biogenesis 2 indicating a human life or career: biographybiochemistry n the study of the chemical compounds, reactions, etc. occurring in living organisms > biochemical adj > biochemist nbiodegradable adj (of sewage and packaging) capable of being decomposed by natural means > biodegradability nbiodiesel n a biofuel intended for use in diesel enginesbiodiversity n the existence of a wide variety of plant and animal species in their natural environmentsbiofuel n fuel derived from renewable biological resourcesbiography n, pl -phies 1 an account of a person's life by another person ◇ SYNONYMS: life story, life, record, account, profile, memoir, CV, curriculum vitae 2 such accounts collectively > biographer n > biographical adjbiological adj 1 of or relating to biology 2 (of a detergent) containing enzymes that remove natural stains, such as blood or grass > biologically advbiology n the study of living organisms > biologist nbiometric adj relating to the analysis of biological data using mathematical and statistical methods, esp. for purposes of identification: biometric passportbionic adj 1 of or relating to bionics 2 (in science fiction) having physical functions augmented by electronic equipmentbiopsy n, pl -sies examination of tissue from a living body to determine the cause or extent of a diseasebiosphere n the part of the earth's surface and atmosphere inhabited by living thingsbiotechnology n the use of microorganisms, such as cells or bacteria, in industry and technologybioterrorism n the use of viruses, bacteria, etc. by terrorists > bioterrorist nbiped (bye-ped) n 1 any animal with two feet ▸ adj also bipedal 2 having two feetbiplane n an aeroplane with two sets of wings, one above the otherbipolar adj 1 having two poles 2 having two extremes 3 (psychiatry) having bipolar disorder > bipolarity nbipolar disorder n (psychiatry) a condition characterized by an alternation between extreme euphoria and deep depressionbirch n 1 a tree with thin peeling bark and hard close-grained wood 2 the birch a bundle of birch twigs or a birch rod used, esp. formerly, for flogging offenders ▸ vb 3 to flog with the birchbird n 1 a two-legged creature with feathers and wings, which lays eggs and can usually fly. RELATED ADJECTIVE: avian ◇ SYNONYMS: feathered friend, fowl, songbird 2 (Brit slang, sometimes offensive) a girl or young woman 3 (informal) a person: he's a rare bird 4 a bird in the hand something definite or certain 5 birds of a feather people with the same ideas or interests 6 kill two birds with one stone to accomplish two things with one actionbird flu n a form of influenza occurring in poultry caused by a virus capable of spreading to humansbirdie n 1 (informal) a bird 2 (golf) a score of one stroke under par for a holebiretta n (RC Church) a stiff square clerical capBiro n, pl -ros (trademark) a kind of ballpoint penbirth n 1 the process of bearing young; childbirth ◇ SYNONYMS: childbirth, delivery, nativity, parturition 2 the act of being born 3 the beginning of something; origin 4 ancestry: of noble birth ◇ SYNONYMS: ancestry, stock, blood, background, breeding, pedigree, lineage, parentage 5 give birth to A to bear (offspring) B to produce or originate (an idea, plan, etc.)birth control n limitation of child-bearing by means of contraceptionbirthday n 1 an anniversary of the day of one's birth 2 the day on which a person was bornbirthmark n a blemish on the skin formed before birthbirthright n privileges or possessions that a person has or is believed to be entitled to as soon as he or she is bornbiscuit n 1 a small flat dry sweet or plain cake 2 porcelain that has been fired but not glazed ▸ adj 3 pale brown or yellowish-greybisect vb 1 (maths) to divide into two equal parts 2 to cut or split into two > bisection nbisexual adj 1 sexually or romantically attracted by both men and women 2 showing characteristics of both sexes ▸ n 3 a bisexual person > bisexuality nbishop n 1 a member of the clergy having spiritual and administrative powers over a diocese 2 a chess piece capable of moving diagonallybishopric n the see, diocese, or office of a bishopbismuth n (chem) a brittle pinkish-white metallic element. Some compounds are used in alloys and in medicine. SYMBOL: Bibison n, pl -son an animal of the cattle family with a massive head, shaggy forequarters, and a humped backbisque n a thick rich soup made from shellfishbistro n, pl -tros a small restaurantbit1 n 1 a small piece, portion, or quantity ◇ SYNONYMS: slice, fragment, crumb, morsel 2 a short time or distance 3 a bit rather; somewhat: a bit stupid 4 a bit of rather: a bit of a fool 5 bit by bit gradually 6 do one's bit to make one's expected contributionbit2 n 1 a metal mouthpiece on a bridle for controlling a horse ◇ SYNONYMS: curb, check, brake, restraint, snaffle 2 a cutting or drilling tool, part, or head in a brace, drill, etc.bit3 vb the past tense of bitebit4 n (maths, computers) 1 a single digit of binary notation, represented either by 0 or by 1 2 the smallest unit of information, indicating the presence or absence of a single featurebitch n 1 a female dog, fox, or wolf 2 (derogatory, slang) a malicious or spiteful woman 3 (informal) a difficult situation or problem ▸ vb 4 (informal) to complain; grumblebitchy adj bitchier, bitchiest (informal) spiteful or malicious > bitchiness nbite vb biting, bit, bitten 1 to grip, cut off, or tear with the teeth or jaws ◇ SYNONYMS: nip, cut, tear, wound, snap, pierce, pinch, chew 2 (of animals or insects) to injure by puncturing (the skin) with the teeth or fangs ◇ SYNONYMS: nip, cut, tear, wound, snap, pierce, pinch, chew 3 (of corrosive material) to eat away or into 4 to smart or cause to smart; sting 5 (angling) (of a fish) to take the bait or lure 6 to take firm hold of or act effectively upon: turn the screw till it bites the wood 7 (slang) to annoy or worry: what's biting her? ▸ n 8 the act of biting 9 a thing or amount bitten off 10 a wound or sting inflicted by biting ◇ SYNONYMS: wound, sting, pinch, nip, prick 11 (angling) an attempt by a fish to take the bait or lure 12 a snack ◇ SYNONYMS: snack, food, piece, taste, refreshment, mouthful, morsel, titbit 13 a stinging or smarting sensation > biter nbiting adj 1 piercing; keen: a biting wind ◇ SYNONYMS: piercing, cutting, sharp, frozen, harsh, penetrating, arctic (informal), icy 2 sarcastic; incisive ◇ SYNONYMS: sarcastic, cutting, stinging, scathing, acrimonious, incisive, virulent, causticbitter adj 1 having an unpalatable harsh taste, as the peel of an orange ◇ SYNONYMS: sour, sharp, acid, harsh, tart, astringent, acrid, unsweetened 2 showing or caused by hostility or resentment ◇ SYNONYMS: resentful, angry, offended, sour, sore, acrimonious, sullen, miffed (informal) 3 difficult to accept: a bitter blow 4 sarcastic: bitter words 5 bitingly cold: a bitter night ◇ SYNONYMS: freezing, biting, severe, intense, raw, fierce, chill, stinging ▸ n 6 (Brit) beer with a slightly bitter taste > bitterly adv > bitterness nbittern n a large wading marsh bird with a booming callbitumen n a sticky or solid substance that occurs naturally in asphalt and tar and is used in road surfacing > bituminous adjbivalve n 1 a sea creature, such as an oyster or mussel, that has a shell consisting of two hinged valves and breathes through gills ▸ adj 2 of these molluscsbivouac n 1 a temporary camp, as used by soldiers or mountaineers ▸ vb -acking, -acked 2 to make a temporary campbizarre adj odd or unusual, esp. in an interesting or amusing way ◇ SYNONYMS: strange, unusual, extraordinary, fantastic, weird, peculiar, eccentric, ludicrous, daggy (Austral & NZ informal)blab vb blabbing, blabbed to divulge (secrets) indiscreetlyblack adj 1 having no hue, owing to the absorption of all or almost all light; of the colour of coal ◇ SYNONYMS: dark, raven, ebony, sable, jet, dusky, pitch-black, swarthy 2 without light 3 without hope; gloomy: the future looked black ◇ SYNONYMS: gloomy, sad, depressing, grim, bleak, hopeless, dismal, ominous 4 dirty or soiled 5 angry or resentful: black looks ◇ SYNONYMS: angry, cross, furious, hostile, sour, menacing, moody, resentful 6 unpleasant in a cynical or macabre manner: black comedy 7 (of coffee or tea) without milk or cream 8 wicked or harmful: a black lie ◇ SYNONYMS: wicked, bad, evil, corrupt, vicious, immoral, depraved, villainous ▸ n 9 the darkest colour; the colour of coal 10 a dye or pigment producing this colour 11 black clothing, worn esp. in mourning: she was in black, as though in mourning 12 complete darkness: the black of the night 13 in the black in credit or without debt ▸ vb 14 same as blacken 15 to polish (shoes or boots) with blacking 16 (Brit & Austral & NZ) (of trade unionists) to organize a boycott of (specified goods, work, etc.) ▸ See also blackout > blackness n > blackish adjBlack adj 1 (of a person) belonging to a race of people with dark skins 2 of or relating to a Black person or Black people ▸ n 3 (sometimes offensive) a member of a race of people with dark skinsblackball1 vb 1 to vote against 2 to exclude (someone) from a group, etc.blackball2 n (NZ) a hard boiled sweet with black-and-white stripesblackberry n, pl -ries a small blackish edible fruit that grows on a woody bush with thorny stems. Also called: brambleBlackBerry n, pl -ries (trademark) a brand of smartphoneblackbird n a common European thrush, the male of which has black plumage and a yellow billblackboard n a hard or rigid surface made of a smooth usually dark substance, used for writing or drawing on with chalk, esp. in teachingblackcurrant n a very small blackish edible fruit that grows in bunches on a bushblacken vb 1 to make or become black or dirty 2 to damage (someone's reputation); discredit: they planned to blacken my father's nameblackguard (blag-gard) n an unprincipled contemptible personblackhead n 1 a black-tipped plug of fatty matter clogging a pore of the skin 2 a bird with black plumage on the headblackleg n (Brit) 1 a person who continues to work or does another's job during a strike ▸ vb -legging, -legged 2 to refuse to join a strikeblacklist n 1 a list of people or organizations considered untrustworthy or disloyal ▸ vb 2 to put (someone) on a blacklistblack magic n magic used for evil purposesblackmail n 1 the act of attempting to obtain money by threatening to reveal shameful information ◇ SYNONYMS: threat, intimidation, ransom, extortion, hush money (slang) 2 the use of unfair pressure in an attempt to influence someone ◇ SYNONYMS: threat, intimidation, ransom, extortion, hush money (slang) ▸ vb 3 to obtain or attempt to obtain money by intimidation ◇ SYNONYMS: threaten, squeeze, compel, intimidate, coerce, dragoon, extort, hold to ransom 4 to attempt to influence (a person) by unfair pressure ◇ SYNONYMS: threaten, squeeze, compel, intimidate, coerce, dragoon, extort, hold to ransom > blackmailer nblack market n a place or a system for buying or selling goods or currencies illegally, esp. in violation of controls or rationing > black marketeer nblackout n 1 (in wartime) the putting out or hiding of all lights as a precaution against a night air attack 2 a momentary loss of consciousness, vision, or memory 3 a temporary electrical power failure 4 the prevention of information broadcasts: a news blackout ▸ vb black out 5 to put out (lights) 6 to lose vision, consciousness, or memory temporarily 7 to stop (news, a television programme, etc.) from being broadcastblack sheep n a person who is regarded as a disgrace or failure by his or her family or peer groupblacksmith n a person who works iron with a furnace, anvil, and hammerblack spot n 1 a place on a road where accidents frequently occur 2 an area where a particular situation is exceptionally bad: an unemployment black spotbladder n 1 (anatomy) a membranous sac, usually containing liquid, esp. the urinary bladder 2 a hollow bag made of leather, etc. which becomes round when filled with air or liquid 3 a hollow saclike part in certain plants, such as seaweed > bladdery adjblade n 1 the part of a sharp weapon, tool, or knife, that forms the cutting edge 2 the thin flattish part of a propeller, oar, or fan 3 the flattened part of a leaf, sepal, or petal 4 the long narrow leaf of a grass or related plantblame vb blaming, blamed 1 to consider (someone) responsible for: I blame her for the failure ◇ SYNONYMS: hold responsible, accuse, denounce, indict, impeach, incriminate, impute 2 (foll. by on) to put responsibility for (something) on (someone): she blames the failure on me ◇ SYNONYMS: attribute to, credit to, assign to, put down to, impute to 3 be to blame to be at fault ▸ n 4 responsibility for something that is wrong: they must take the blame for the failure ◇ SYNONYMS: responsibility, liability, accountability, onus, culpability, answerability 5 an expression of condemnation: analysts lay the blame on party activists > blamable or blameable adj > blameless adjblameworthy adj deserving blame > blameworthiness nblanch vb 1 to whiten 2 to become pale, as with sickness or fear 3 to prepare (meat or vegetables) by plunging them in boiling water 4 to cause (celery, chicory, etc.) to grow white from lack of lightblancmange (blam-monzh) n a jelly-like dessert of milk, stiffened usually with cornflourbland adj 1 dull and uninteresting: the bland predictability of the film ◇ SYNONYMS: dull, boring, plain, flat, dreary, run-of-the-mill, uninspiring, humdrum 2 (of food, drink, etc.) flavourless ◇ SYNONYMS: tasteless, insipid, flavourless, thin 3 smooth in manner: he looked at his visitor with a bland smile > blandly advblandishments pl n flattery intended to coax or cajoleblank adj 1 (of a writing surface) not written on ◇ SYNONYMS: unmarked, white, clear, clean, empty, plain, bare, void 2 (of a form, etc.) with spaces left for details to be filled in ◇ SYNONYMS: unmarked, white, clear, clean, empty, plain, bare, void 3 without ornament or break: a blank wall ◇ SYNONYMS: unmarked, white, clear, clean, empty, plain, bare, void 4 empty or void: a blank space ◇ SYNONYMS: unmarked, white, clear, clean, empty, plain, bare, void 5 showing no interest or expression: a blank look ◇ SYNONYMS: expressionless, empty, vague, vacant, deadpan, impassive, poker-faced (informal) 6 lacking ideas or inspiration: his mind went blank ▸ n 7 an empty space ◇ SYNONYMS: empty space, space, gap 8 an empty space for writing in ◇ SYNONYMS: empty space, space, gap 9 the condition of not understanding: my mind went a complete blank ◇ SYNONYMS: void, vacuum, vacancy, emptiness, nothingness 10 a mark, often a dash, in place of a word 11 draw a blank to get no results from something ▸ vb 12 (foll. by out) to cross out, blot, or obscure 13 blank something out to refuse to think about something; clear something from one's mind 14 (slang) to ignore: the crowd blanked her for the first four numbers > blankly advblanket n 1 a large piece of thick cloth for use as a bed covering ◇ SYNONYMS: cover, rug, coverlet 2 a concealing cover, as of smoke, leaves, or snow ◇ SYNONYMS: covering, sheet, coat, layer, carpet, cloak, mantle, thickness ▸ adj 3 applying to or covering a wide group or variety of people, conditions, situations, etc.: a blanket ban on all supporters travelling to away matches ▸ vb -keting, -keted 4 to cover as if with a blanket ◇ SYNONYMS: coat, cover, hide, mask, conceal, obscure, cloak 5 to cover a wide area of; give blanket coverage toblank verse n unrhymed verseblare vb blaring, blared 1 to sound loudly and harshly 2 to proclaim loudly: the newspaper headlines blared the news ▸ n 3 a loud harsh noiseblarney n flattering talkblasé (blah-zay) adj indifferent or bored, esp. through familiarityblaspheme vb -pheming, -phemed 1 to speak disrespectfully of (God or sacred things) 2 to utter curses > blasphemer nblasphemy n, pl -mies behaviour or language that shows disrespect for God or sacred things > blasphemous adjblast n 1 an explosion, such as that caused by dynamite ◇ SYNONYMS: explosion, crash, burst, discharge, eruption, detonation 2 the charge used in a single explosion 3 a sudden strong gust of wind or air ◇ SYNONYMS: gust, rush, storm, breeze, puff, gale, tempest (literary), squall 4 a sudden loud sound, such as that made by a trumpet ◇ SYNONYMS: blare, blow, scream, trumpet, wail, resound, clamour, toot 5 a violent verbal outburst, esp. critical 6 (slang) a very enjoyable or thrilling experience: the party was a blast 7 at full blast at maximum speed, volume, etc. ▸ interj 8 (slang) an exclamation of annoyance ▸ vb 9 to blow up (a rock, tunnel, etc.) with explosives ◇ SYNONYMS: blow up, bomb, destroy, burst, ruin, break up, explode, shatter 10 to make or cause to make a loud harsh noise 11 to criticize severelyblastoff n 1 the launching of a rocket under its own power ▸ vb blast off 2 (of a rocket) to be launchedblatant (blay-tant) adj 1 glaringly obvious: a blatant lie ◇ SYNONYMS: obvious, clear, plain, evident, glaring, manifest, noticeable, conspicuous 2 offensively noticeable: their blatant disregard for my feelings > blatantly advblaze1 n 1 a strong fire or flame ◇ SYNONYMS: inferno, fire, flames, bonfire, combustion, conflagration 2 a very bright light or glare ◇ SYNONYMS: flash, glow, glitter, flare, glare, gleam, brilliance, radiance 3 an outburst (of passion, patriotism, etc.) ▸ vb blazing, blazed 4 to burn fiercely ◇ SYNONYMS: burn, glow, flare, be on fire, go up in flames, be ablaze, fire, flame 5 to shine brightly ◇ SYNONYMS: shine, flash, beam, glow, flare, glare, gleam, radiate 6 to become stirred, as with anger or excitement 7 blaze away to shoot continuouslyblaze2 n 1 a mark, usually indicating a path, made on a tree 2 a light-coloured marking on the face of an animal ▸ vb blazing, blazed 3 to mark (a tree, path, etc.) with a blaze 4 blaze a trail to explore new territories, areas of knowledge, etc.blazer n a fairly lightweight jacket, often in the colours of a sports club, school, etc.blazon vb 1 to proclaim publicly: the newspaper photographs were blazoned on the front pages 2 (heraldry) to describe or colour (heraldic arms) conventionally ▸ n 3 (heraldry) a coat of armsbleach vb 1 to make or become white or colourless by exposure to sunlight, or by the action of chemical agents ◇ SYNONYMS: lighten, wash out, blanch, whiten ▸ n 2 a bleaching agentbleak adj 1 exposed and barren ◇ SYNONYMS: exposed, empty, bare, barren, desolate, windswept, weather-beaten, unsheltered 2 cold and raw ◇ SYNONYMS: stormy, severe, rough, harsh, tempestuous, intemperate 3 offering little hope; dismal: a bleak future ◇ SYNONYMS: dismal, dark, depressing, grim, discouraging, gloomy, hopeless, dreary > bleakly adv > bleakness nbleary adj blearier, bleariest 1 with eyes dimmed, by tears or tiredness: a few bleary hacks 2 indistinct or unclear > blearily advbleat vb 1 (of a sheep, goat, or calf) to utter its plaintive cry 2 to whine ▸ n 3 the characteristic cry of sheep, goats, and calves 4 a weak complaint or whinebleed vb bleeding, bled 1 to lose or emit blood ◇ SYNONYMS: lose blood, flow, gush, spurt, shed blood 2 to remove or draw blood from (a person or animal) 3 (of plants) to exude (sap or resin), esp. from a cut 4 (informal) to obtain money, etc. from (someone), esp. by extortion ◇ SYNONYMS: extort, milk, squeeze, drain, exhaust, fleece 5 to draw liquid or gas from (a container or enclosed system) 6 my heart bleeds for you I am sorry for you: often used ironicallybleep n 1 a short high-pitched signal made by an electronic device 2 same as bleeper ▸ vb 3 to make a bleeping signal 4 to call (someone) by means of a bleeperbleeper n a small portable radio receiver that makes a bleeping signalblemish n 1 a defect; flaw; stain ▸ vb 2 to spoil or tarnishblench vb to shy away, as in fearblend vb 1 to mix or mingle (components) ◇ SYNONYMS: mix, join, combine, compound, merge, unite, mingle, amalgamate 2 to mix (different varieties of tea, whisky, etc.) 3 to look good together; harmonize ◇ SYNONYMS: go well, match, fit, suit, go with, correspond, complement, coordinate 4 (esp. of colours) to shade gradually into each other ▸ n 5 a mixture produced by blending ◇ SYNONYMS: mixture, mix, combination, compound, brew, union, synthesis, alloyblender n an electrical kitchen appliance for pureeing vegetables, etc.bless vb blessing, blessed or blest 1 to make holy by means of a religious rite ◇ SYNONYMS: sanctify, dedicate, ordain, exalt, anoint, consecrate, hallow 2 to give honour or glory to (a person or thing) as holy 3 to call upon God to protect ◇ SYNONYMS: sanctify, dedicate, ordain, exalt, anoint, consecrate, hallow 4 to worship or adore (God) 5 be blessed with to be endowed with: she is blessed with immense energy 6 bless me! an exclamation of surprise 7 bless you! said to a person who has just sneezedblessed adj 1 made holy ◇ SYNONYMS: holy, sacred, divine, adored, revered, hallowed, sanctified, beatified 2 (RC Church) (of a person) beatified by the pope 3 bringing great happiness or good fortune: he was blessed with good looks 4 (euphemistic) damned: I'm blessed if I knowblessing n 1 the act of invoking divine protection or aid ◇ SYNONYMS: benediction, grace, dedication, thanksgiving, invocation, commendation, consecration, benison 2 approval; good wishes ◇ SYNONYMS: approval, backing, support, agreement, favour, sanction, permission, leave 3 a happy eventblether (Scot) vb 1 to speak foolishly at length ▸ n 2 foolish talk 3 a person who blethersblew vb the past tense of blowblight n 1 a person or thing that spoils or prevents growth ◇ SYNONYMS: curse, suffering, evil, corruption, pollution, plague (informal), hardship, woe 2 any plant disease characterized by withering and shrivelling without rotting ◇ SYNONYMS: disease, pest, fungus, mildew, infestation, pestilence, canker 3 a fungus or insect that causes blight in plants ◇ SYNONYMS: disease, pest, fungus, mildew, infestation, pestilence, canker 4 an ugly urban district ▸ vb 5 to cause to suffer a blight ◇ SYNONYMS: frustrate, destroy, ruin, crush, mar, dash, wreck, spoil, crool or cruel (Austral slang) 6 to frustrate or disappoint: blighted love 7 to destroy: the event blighted her lifeblighter n (Brit & Austral & NZ informal) a despicable or irritating person or thingblimp n 1 a small nonrigid airship 2 (films) a soundproof cover fixed over a camera during shootingblind adj 1 unable to see ◇ SYNONYMS: sightless, unsighted, unseeing, visionless 2 unable or unwilling to understand: she is blind to his faults ◇ SYNONYMS: unaware of, unconscious of, ignorant of, indifferent to, insensitive to, oblivious of, unconcerned about, inconsiderate of 3 not determined by reason: blind hatred ◇ SYNONYMS: unquestioning, prejudiced, wholesale, indiscriminate, uncritical, unreasoning, undiscriminating 4 acting or performed without control or preparation 5 done without being able to see, relying on instruments for information 6 hidden from sight: a blind corner 7 closed at one end: a blind alley 8 completely lacking awareness or consciousness: a blind stupor 9 having no openings: a blind wall ▸ adv 10 without being able to see ahead or using only instruments: flying blind 11 without adequate information: we bought the house blind 12 blind drunk (informal) very drunk ▸ vb 13 to deprive of sight permanently or temporarily 14 to deprive of good sense, reason, or judgment 15 to darken; conceal 16 to overwhelm by showing detailed knowledge: he tried to blind us with science ▸ n 17 a shade for a window 18 any obstruction or hindrance to sight, light, or air 19 a person, action, or thing that serves to deceive or conceal the truth > blinding adj > blindly adv > blindness nblindfold vb 1 to prevent (a person or animal) from seeing by covering the eyes ▸ n 2 a piece of cloth used to cover the eyes ▸ adj, adv 3 having the eyes covered with a clothblink vb 1 to close and immediately reopen (the eyes), usually involuntarily ◇ SYNONYMS: flutter, wink, bat 2 to shine intermittently or unsteadily ◇ SYNONYMS: flash, flicker, wink, shimmer, twinkle, glimmer ▸ n 3 the act or an instance of blinking 4 a glance; glimpse 5 on the blink (slang) not working properly ◇ SYNONYMS on the blink: not working (properly), faulty, defective, playing up, out of action, malfunctioning, out of orderblinkers pl n (Brit & Austral) leather side pieces attached to a horse's bridle to prevent sideways visionblip n 1 a repetitive sound, such as the kind produced by an electronic device 2 the spot of light on a radar screen indicating the position of an object 3 a temporary irregularity in the performance of somethingbliss n 1 perfect happiness; serene joy ◇ SYNONYMS: joy, ecstasy, euphoria, rapture, nirvana, felicity, gladness, blissfulness 2 the joy of heaven ◇ SYNONYMS: beatitude, blessedness > blissful adj > blissfully advblister n 1 a small bubble on the skin filled with a watery fluid ◇ SYNONYMS: sore, boil, swelling, cyst, pimple, carbuncle, pustule 2 a swelling containing air or liquid, such as on a painted surface ▸ vb 3 to have or cause to have blisters 4 to attack verbally with great scorn > blistering adjblithe adj 1 heedless; casual and indifferent 2 very happy or cheerful > blithely advblitz n 1 a violent and sustained attack by enemy aircraft ◇ SYNONYMS: attack, strike, assault, raid, offensive, onslaught, bombardment, bombing campaign 2 any intensive attack or concerted effort ▸ vb 3 to attack suddenly and intensivelyblizzard n a blinding storm of wind and snowbloat vb 1 to cause to swell, as with a liquid or air 2 to cause to be puffed up, as with conceit 3 to cure (fish, esp. herring) by half drying in smoke > bloated adjbloater n (Brit) a herring that has been salted in brine, smoked, and curedblob n 1 a soft mass or drop 2 a spot of colour, ink, etc. 3 an indistinct or shapeless form or objectbloc n a group of people or countries combined by a common interest ◇ SYNONYMS: group, union, league, alliance, coalition, axisblock n 1 a large solid piece of wood, stone, etc. ◇ SYNONYMS: piece, bar, mass, brick, lump, chunk, hunk, ingot 2 such a piece on which particular tasks may be done, as chopping, cutting, etc. 3 a large building of offices, flats, etc. 4 a group of buildings in a city bounded by intersecting streets on each side 5 an obstruction or hindrance: a writer with a block ◇ SYNONYMS: obstruction, bar, barrier, obstacle, impediment, hindrance 6 one of a set of wooden or plastic cubes as a child's toy 7 (slang) a person's head 8 a piece of wood, metal, etc. engraved for printing 9 a casing housing one or more freely rotating pulleys 10 a quantity considered as a single unit ▸ vb 11 to obstruct or impede by introducing an obstacle: lorry drivers had blocked the routes to Paris ◇ SYNONYMS: obstruct, close, stop, plug, choke, clog, stop up, bung up (informal) 12 to impede, retard, or prevent (an action or procedure) 13 to stamp (a title or design) on (a book cover, etc.) 14 (cricket) to play (a ball) defensively > blockage nblockade n 1 (military) the closing off of a port or region to prevent the passage of goods ◇ SYNONYMS: stoppage, block, barrier, restriction, obstacle, barricade, obstruction, impediment ▸ vb -ading, -aded 2 to impose a blockade onblockhead n a stupid person > blockheaded adjblockie n (Austral) an owner of a small property, esp. a farmblock letter n a plain capital letter. Also called: block capitalblog n 1 a journal written online and accessible to users of the internet. Full name: weblog ▸ vb blogging, blogged 2 to write a blog > blogger n > blogging nblogosphere n (informal) a collective term for the weblogs on the internetbloke n (Brit & Austral & NZ informal) a man ◇ SYNONYMS: man, person, individual, character (informal), guy (informal), fellow (old-fashioned), chap > blokeish or blokey adjblonde or (masc) blond adj 1 (of hair) fair ◇ SYNONYMS: fair, light, flaxen 2 (of a person) having fair hair and a light complexion ◇ SYNONYMS: fair-haired, golden-haired, tow-headed ▸ n 3 a person having light-coloured hair and skin > blondeness or (masc) blondness nblood n 1 a reddish fluid in vertebrates that is pumped by the heart through the arteries and veins. RELATED ADJECTIVE: haemal ◇ SYNONYMS: lifeblood, gore, vital fluid 2 bloodshed, esp. when resulting in murder: they were responsible for the spilling of blood throughout the country 3 lifeblood 4 relationship through being of the same family, race, or kind; kinship ◇ SYNONYMS: family, relations, birth, descent, extraction, ancestry, lineage, kinship 5 the blood royal or noble descent: a prince of the blood 6 flesh and blood A near kindred or kinship, esp. that between a parent and child B human nature: it's more than flesh and blood can stand 7 in one's blood as a natural or inherited characteristic or talent 8 newcomers viewed as an invigorating force: new blood 9 in cold blood showing no passion; ruthlessly 10 make one's blood boil to cause one to be angry or indignant 11 make one's blood run cold to fill one with horror ▸ vb 12 (hunting) to cause (young hounds) to taste the blood of a freshly killed quarry 13 to initiate (a person) to war or huntingblood bath n a massacrebloodhound n a large hound, formerly used in tracking and police workbloodless adj 1 without blood: bloodless surgery 2 conducted without violence: a bloodless coup 3 anaemic-looking; pale 4 lacking vitality; lifeless: the bloodless ambience of supermarketsbloodshed n slaughter; killing ◇ SYNONYMS: killing, murder, massacre, slaughter, slaying, carnage, butchery, blood-lettingbloodshot adj (of an eye) inflamedblood sport n any sport involving the killing of an animalbloodstream n the flow of blood through the vessels of a living bodybloodsucker n 1 an animal that sucks blood, esp. a leech 2 (informal) a person who preys upon another person, esp. by extorting moneybloodthirsty adj -thirstier, -thirstiest taking pleasure in bloodshed or violencebloody adj bloodier, bloodiest 1 covered with blood ◇ SYNONYMS: bloodstained, raw, bleeding, blood-soaked, blood-spattered 2 marked by much killing and bloodshed: a bloody war 3 cruel or murderous: a bloody tyrant ◇ SYNONYMS: cruel, fierce, savage, brutal, vicious, ferocious, cut-throat, warlike ▸ adj, adv 4 (slang) extreme or extremely: a bloody fool; a bloody good idea ▸ vb bloodies, bloodying, bloodied 5 to stain with bloodbloody-minded adj (Brit & NZ informal) deliberately obstructive and unhelpfulbloom n 1 a blossom on a flowering plant ◇ SYNONYMS: flower, bud, blossom 2 the state or period when flowers open 3 a healthy or flourishing condition; prime ◇ SYNONYMS: prime, flower, beauty, height, peak, flourishing, heyday, zenith 4 a youthful or healthy glow ◇ SYNONYMS: glow, freshness, lustre, radiance 5 a fine whitish coating on the surface of fruits or leaves ▸ vb 6 (of flowers) to open ◇ SYNONYMS: flower, blossom, open, bud 7 to bear flowers 8 to flourish or grow ◇ SYNONYMS: succeed, flourish, thrive, prosper, fare well 9 to be in a healthy, glowing conditionbloomer n (Brit informal) a stupid mistake; blunderbloomers pl n 1 (informal) women's baggy knickers 2 (formerly) loose trousers gathered at the knee, worn by womenblossom n 1 the flower or flowers of a plant, esp. producing edible fruit ◇ SYNONYMS: flower, bloom, bud, efflorescence, floret 2 the period of flowering ▸ vb 3 (of plants) to flower ◇ SYNONYMS: flower, bloom, bud 4 to come to a promising stage ◇ SYNONYMS: succeed, progress, thrive, flourish, prosper