Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 266 results in 266 entries
1. aback, adv. View full entry OE
...In a backward direction; to or towards the rear; back. Also fig. and in extended use: from the scene of action, away, to a distance; to a former place or...
2. action, v. View full entry 1734
...trans. To bring a legal action against. Now chiefly Caribbean....
3. a door, adv. View full entry 1533
...At the door; of the door. Only with preceding adverb, as in a door, out a door, etc. Cf. adoorsat doordoor1out of door...
4. advantage, v. View full entry ?1459
...trans. To profit, benefit (a person or thing); to advance, promote; to be of advantage to. Cf. disadvantage...
5. advantageously, adv. View full entry 1562
...In an advantageous manner; beneficially, profitably; favourably....
6. alarm, v. View full entry 1485
...trans. (refl.). To ready and equip oneself for battle. Cf. alarmed1. Obs....
7. all fours, n. View full entry a1375
...on (also upon) all fours: (of a person) on hands and knees; (of an animal) on all four legs rather than just the hind ones. Hence from (to, :...
8. already, adj. and adv. View full entry c1275
...As predicate or complement. Fully prepared or ready. Obs....
9. baby, n. and adj. View full entry c1400
...A very young child, esp. one not yet able to walk and dependent on the care of others; an infant. Also applied to an unborn child. Formerly also: †a child...
10. bad eye, n. View full entry 1629
...to look upon with a bad eye and variants: to take a dim view of; to look askance at or disapprove of....
11. bad-john, n. View full entry 1935
...A ruffian; a hooligan or miscreant....
12. bad mind, n. and adj. View full entry 1593
...An evil or suspicious mind. Now rare....
13. bad-minded, adj. View full entry 1588
...Evil, suspicious; malicious, spiteful; cynical....
14. bad-talk, v. View full entry 1938
...trans. To speak badly of, disparage; to speak maliciously about (a person who is absent). Cf. bad-mouth...
15. ˈbald-head, n. View full entry 1535
...One who has a bald head; also attrib.; transf. a kind of pigeon....
16. balm, n.2 View full entry 1897
...A faith-healing ceremony typically involving drumming, dancing, and ritual feasting; a herbal bath or other treatment administered during this. Also: the practice of performing such ceremonies or treatments. Cf. Pocomania...
17. bashment, n.2 View full entry 1996
...An event or party, esp. one featuring dancehall reggae or ragga music. Also (now usually): an up-tempo style of popular music derived from dancehall reggae and ragga, but with a...
18. batty, n.2 View full entry 1935
...A person's buttocks; the backside. Also: the posterior of a bird or other animal (rare)....
19. bayberry, n. View full entry 1578
...The fruit of the bay-tree....
20. big, v.2 View full entry 1884
...trans.Eng. regional. To enlarge; (fig.) to magnify, inflate. Now rare....
