Chapter XI: Part 11

BEAUTY, b[=u]'ti, _n._ a pleasing combination of qualities in a person or object: a particular grace or excellence: a beautiful person, esp. a woman, also applied collectively to the beautiful women of a special place: (_pl._) beautiful passages or extracts from the poets.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to make beautiful.--_adj._ BEAU'TEOUS, full of beauty: fair: handsome.--_adv._ BEAU'TEOUSLY.--_ns._ BEAU'TEOUSNESS; BEAU'TIFIER, one who or that which beautifies or makes beautiful.--_adj._ BEAU'TIFUL, fair: with qualities that give delight to the senses, esp. the eye and ear, or which awaken admiration in the mind.--_adv._ BEAU'TIFULLY.--_v.t._ BEAU'TIFY, to make beautiful: to grace: to adorn.--_v.i._ (_rare_) to become beautiful, or more beautiful.--_ns._ BEAU'TY-SLEEP, the sleep before midnight, considered the most refreshing; BEAU'TY-SPOT, a patch placed on the face to heighten or draw attention to a woman's beauty; a foil, or anything that emphasises beauty by contrast. [O. Fr. _biaute_ (Fr. _beauté_)--Low L. _bellitat-em_--L. _bellus_.]

BEAUXITE. See BAUXITE.

BEAVER, b[=e]v'[.e]r, _n._ an amphibious rodent quadruped valuable for its fur: the fur of the beaver: a hat made of the beaver's fur: a hat: a glove of beaver fur.--_adj._ BEAV'ERISH (_Carlyle_), like a beaver, merely instinctive.--_n._ BEAV'ERY, a place where beavers are kept. [A.S. _befer_, _beofor_; Dut. _bever_, Ger. _biber_, Gael, _beabhar_, L. _fiber_.]

BEAVER, b[=e]v'[.e]r, _n._ in medieval armour, the covering for the lower part of the face, the visor being that for the upper part--later the movable beaver was confounded with the visor.--_adj._ BEAV'ERED. [So called from a fancied likeness to a child's bib. O. Fr. _bavière_, from _bave_, slaver.]

BEBEERU, b[=e]-b[=e]'r[=oo], _n._ the native name of the green-heart tree of Guiana.--_n._ BEBEERINE (b[=e]-b[=e]'rin), an alkaloid yielded by it, and used as a substitute for quinine.

BEBLUBBERED, be-blub'[.e]rd, _p.adj._ disfigured by weeping [Pfx. _be-_, and BLUBBER.]

BECALL, be-kawl', _v.t._ to call names, miscall.

BECALM, be-käm', _v.t._ to make calm, still, or quiet.--_p.adj._ BECALMED', motionless from want of wind. [Pfx. _be-_, and CALM.]

BECAME, be-k[=a]m', _pa.t._ of BECOME.

BECAUSE, be-kawz', _adv._ and _conj._ because of: for the reason that: on account of: for (followed by _of_). [Prep. _by_, and CAUSE.]

BECCAFICO, bek-a-f[=e]'ko, _n._ a small bird of the family of Sylviadæ or Warblers, considered a delicacy by the Italians:--_pl._ BECCAFI'COES. [It., from _beccare_ to peck, and _fico_, a fig.]

BECHANCE, be-chans', _v.t._ to happen by chance: to befall--_adv._ by chance: accidentally. [A.S. _be-_, by, and CHANCE.]

BECHARM, be-chärm', _v.t._ to charm: to enchant.

BÊCHE-DE-MER, b[=a]sh'-d[.e]-m[=a]r, _n._ the trepang or sea-slug, a species of Holothuria, much esteemed in China as a food delicacy. [Fr.]

BECK, bek, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as BEAK.

BECK, bek, _n._ a brook. [Ice. _bekkr_; Ger. _bach_.]

BECK, bek, _n._ a sign with the finger or head: a nod: (_Scot._) a gesture of salutation.--_v.i._ to make such a sign.--_v.t._ to call by a nod.--AT ONE'S BECK, subject to one's will. [A contr. of BECKON.]

BECKET, bek'et, _n._ (_naut._) a loop of rope having a knot at one end and an eye at the other: a large hook, or a wooden bracket used to keep loose tackle or spars in a convenient place. [Prob. Dut. _bogt_, _bocht_, a 'bend' of rope.]

BECKON, bek'n, _v.t._ to nod or make a sign to. [A.S. _bíecnan_--_béacn_, a sign. See BEACON.]

BECLOUD, be-klowd', _v.t._ to obscure by clouds: to dim.

BECOME, be-kum', _v.i._ to pass from one state to another: to come to be: to be the fate or end of (followed by _of_).--_v.t._ to suit or befit, to grace or adorn fittingly (with _dat._ object):--_pa.t._ bec[=a]me'; _pa.p._ become'.--_adj._ BECOM'ING, suitable to: graceful.--_adv._ BECOM'INGLY.--_n._ BECOM'INGNESS. [A.S. _becuman_. See COME.]

BECURL, be-kurl', _v.t._ to curl.

BED, bed, _n._ a couch or place to sleep on: a plot in a garden: a place in which anything rests, in carpentry, architecture, &c.: conjugal union, the marriage-bed, matrimonial rights and duties: the channel of a river: (_geol._) a layer or stratum.--_v.t._ to place in bed, as a couple after a wedding: to provide a bed, or to make a bed, for: to sow or plant: to lay in layers.--_v.i._ to cohabit or use the same bed with another:--_pr.p._ bed'ding; _pa.p._ bed'ded.--_ns._ BED'CHAMBER (see BED'ROOM); BED'DING, a collective name for the mattress, bed-clothes, &c., also litter for cattle.--_adj._ BED'FAST, confined to bed.--_ns._ BED'FELLOW, a sharer of the same bed; BED'MAKER, the name at Cambridge and elsewhere for those who make the beds and sweep the rooms in college; BED'-OF-HON'OUR, the grave of a soldier who has fallen in battle; BED'-OF-JUS'TICE (Fr. _lit. de justice_), the king's throne in the Parlement of Paris, also a sitting at which the king was present, chiefly for the registration of his own decrees; BED'PLATE (_mech._), the foundation plate of an engine, lathe, &c.; BED'POST, a post forming an angle of a bedstead, often in former days high enough to support a canopy; BED'PRESSER (_Shak._), a heavy, lazy fellow.--_adjs._ BED'RID, BED'RIDDEN, confined to bed by age or sickness: worn out.--_ns._ BED'RIGHT (_Shak._), the privilege of the marriage-bed; BED'ROCK, the solid rock underneath superficial formations; BED'ROOM, a room in which there is a bed: a sleeping apartment--_Bedchamber_ was the earlier form.--_n.pl._ BED'-SORES, painful ulcers that often arise in a long confinement to bed, esp. over the bony prominences of the body--the lower parts of the spine, the haunch bones, the heel, and the elbow.--_ns._ BED'-STAFF, a staff or stick formerly used about a bed, in old times a handy weapon, whence perhaps the phrase, 'in the twinkling of a bed-staff;' BED'STEAD, a frame for supporting a bed; BED'STRAW, the name applied to a genus of the Rubiaceæ, of which eleven species are found in England, the most familiar our Lady's Bedstraw, or Yellow Bedstraw (_Galium verum_), sometimes called Cheese Rennet from its property of curdling milk; BED'SWERVER (_Shak._), one who is false to his marriage vow; BED'TICK, the case in which feathers, hair, chaff, &c. are put for bedding.--_adv._ BED'WARD, in the direction of bed: towards bedtime.--_n._ BED'WORK (_Shak._), work easily performed, as if done in bed.--BED AND BOARD, food and lodging: full connubial relations; BED OF DOWN, or ROSES, any easy or comfortable place.--LORDS OF THE BEDCHAMBER, twelve officers in the British royal household who wait in turn upon the sovereign's person; in the reign of a queen the office is performed by ladies.--TO BE BROUGHT TO BED, to be confined in child-birth (with _of_); TO KEEP ONE'S BED, to remain in bed; TO LIE IN THE BED ONE HAS MADE, to have to accept the consequences of one's own conduct; TO MAKE A BED, to put a bed in order after it has been used. [A.S. _bed_; Ger. _bett_, Ice. _bedr_.]

BEDABBLE, be-dab'l, _v.t._ to dabble or wet. [Pfx. _be-_, and DABBLE.]

BEDAD, be-dad', _interj._ an Irish minced oath, from _begad_ = by God.

BEDAGGLE, be-dag'l, _v.t._ to soil by dragging along the wet ground.

BEDARKEN, be-dark'n, _v.t._ to cover with darkness.

BEDASH, be-dash', _v.t._ to bespatter with water.

BEDAUB, be-dawb', _v.t._ to daub over or smear with any dirty matter.

BEDAZZLE, be-daz'l, _v.t._ to dazzle or overpower by any strong light.--_pa.p._ BEDAZ'ZLED, BEDAZED', stupefied, besotted.--_n._ BEDAZ'ZLEMENT.

BEDE. Same as BEAD, a prayer.

BEDEAFEN, be-def'n, _v.t._ to make deaf: to stun.

BEDECK, be-dek', _v.t._ to deck or ornament.

BEDEGUAR, bed'e-gar, _n._ a soft spongy gall found on the branches of some species of roses, esp. the sweet-brier, called also the sweet-brier sponge. [Through Fr. from Pers. and Ar. _b[=a]d[=a]-war_, lit. 'wind-brought.']

BEDEL, b[=e]'dl, BEDELL, be-del', archaic forms of BEADLE (q.v.), still used at Oxford and Cambridge.

BEDESMAN. Same as BEADSMAN (q.v. under BEAD).

BEDEVIL, be-dev'il, _v.t._ to throw into confusion: to 'play the devil' with: to torment: to treat with devilish malignity.--_pass._ to be possessed of a devil, to be devil-rid.--_n._ BEDEV'ILMENT.

BEDEW, be-d[=u]', _v.t._ to moisten gently, as with dew.

BEDIGHT, be-d[=i]t', _adj._ (_poet._) adorned. [Pfx. _be-_, and DIGHT.]

BEDIM, be-dim', _v.t._ to make dim or dark.--_pa.p._ BEDIMMED'.

BEDIZEN, be-d[=i]z'n, _v.t._ to dress gaudily.--_adj._ BEDIZ'ENED.--_n._ BEDIZ'ENMENT.

BEDLAM, bed'lam, _n._ an asylum for lunatics: a madhouse: a place of uproar.--_adj._ fit for a madhouse.--_ns._ BED'LAMISM, anything characteristic of madness; BED'LAMITE, a madman. [Corrupted from _Bethlehem_ (St Mary of Bethlehem), the name of a priory in London, afterwards converted into a madhouse.]

BEDOUIN, bed'[=oo]-in, _n._ the name given to those Arabs who live in tents and lead a nomadic life. [Fr.--Ar. _b[=a]d[=a]win_, dwellers in the desert.]

BEDRAGGLE, be-drag'l, _v.t._ to soil by dragging in the wet or dirt--most common, the _p.adj._ BEDRAG'GLED. [See DRAGGLE.]

BEDRAL, bed'ral, _n._ a beadle.--Also BED'ERAL. [A Scand. form of BEADLE.]

BEDRENCH, be-drensh', _v.t._ to drench or wet thoroughly.

BEDROP, be-drop', _v.t._ to drop upon.--_pa.p._ BEDROPT', sprinkled as with drops: strewn.

BEDUCK, be-duk', _v.t._ to duck or plunge under water.

BEDUIN, a form of BEDOUIN.

BEDUNG, be-dung', _v.t._ to manure: to befoul with dung.

BEDUST, be-dust', _v.t._ to cover with dust.

BEDWARF, be-dwawrf', _v.t._ to make dwarfish.

BEDYE, be-d[=i]', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to dye or stain.

BEE, b[=e], _n._ a four-winged insect that makes honey: (_U.S._) a gathering of persons to unite their labour for the benefit of one individual or family, or for some joint amusement or exercise, as 'a quilting bee,' 'a husking bee,' 'a spelling bee' (from the bee's habit of combined labour).--Compound words are BEE'-FLOW'ER, BEE'-GAR'DEN, BEE'-HOUSE, BEE'-MAS'TER.--_ns._ BEE'-BREAD, the pollen of flowers collected by bees as food for their young; BEE'-EAT'ER, a brightly-plumaged family of birds nearly allied to the kingfisher, which feeds on bees; BEE'-GLUE, the soft glutinous matter by which bees fix their combs to the hive; BEE'HIVE, a case or box in which bees are kept, of straw-work, wood, &c.--Scotch _Bee-skep_.--_adj._ shaped like a beehive, dome-shaped.--_ns._ BEE'-LINE, the most direct road from one point to another, like the honey-laden bee's way home to the hive; BEE'-MOTH, a species of moth whose larvæ are very destructive to young bees; BEES'WAX, the wax secreted by bees, and used by them in constructing their cells.--_v.t._ to polish with beeswax.--_n._ BEES'WING, a filmy crust of tartar formed in port and some other wines after long keeping.--_adj._ BEES'WINGED, so old as to show beeswing.--A BEE IN ONE'S BONNET, a whimsical or crazy fancy on some point. [A. S. _béo_; Ger. _biene_.]

BEECH, b[=e]ch, _n._ a common forest tree with smooth silvery-looking bark and small edible nuts.--_adj._ BEECH'EN.--_ns._ BEECH'-MAST, the mast or nuts of the beech-tree, which yield a valuable oil; BEECH'-OIL, oil expressed from the nuts of the beech-tree. [A.S. _bóece_, _béce_; Ger. _buche_, L. _fagus_, Gr. _ph[=e]gos_--from root of _phag-ein_, to eat.]

BEEF, b[=e]f, _n._ the flesh of an ox or cow:--_pl._ BEEVES, used in original sense, oxen.--_adj._ consisting of beef.--_ns._ BEEF'-EAT'ER (b[=e]f'-[=e]t'[.e]r), a popular name for a yeoman of the sovereign's guard, also of the warders of the Tower of London [the obvious ety. is the right one, there being no such form as _buffetier_, connected with _buffet_, a sideboard, as often stated]; BEEF'INESS; BEEF'STEAK, a thick slice of beef for broiling or frying; BEEF'TEA, a stimulating rather than nutritious food for invalids, being the juice of beef strained off, after simmering chopped beef in water.--_adjs._ BEEF'-WIT'TED, BEEF'-BRAINED, dull or heavy in wits: stupid.--_n._ BEEF'-WOOD, an Australian wood, of reddish colour, used in cabinetwork.--_adj._ BEEF'Y, like beef, fleshy, stolid. [O. Fr. _boef_ (Fr. _boeuf_)--L. _bos_, _bovis_; cf. Gr. _bous_, Gael. _bò_, Sans. _go_, A.S. _cú_.]

BEELZEBUB, b[=e]-el'ze-bub, _n._ the name under which the Philistines at Ekron worshipped their god _Baal_ or _Bel_: (_New Test._) the prince of the evil spirits. [Heb. _ba'al z'b[=u]b_, fly-lord.]

BEEN, b[=e]n, _pa.p._ of BE.

BEENAH, b[=e]'na, _n._ a primitive form of marriage (the name taken from Ceylon) in which the man goes to live with his wife's family--he is an unimportant person in the family, and the children are not counted his, but belong to the family and kindred of the wife.

BEER, b[=e]r, _n._ an alcoholic beverage made by fermentation from malted barley flavoured with hops. It was anciently distinguished from ale by being hopped; now _beer_ is the generic name of malt liquor, including ale and porter.--_ns._ BEER'-EN'GINE, BEER'-PUMP, a machine for drawing beer up from the casks to the bar; BEER'-HOUSE, a house where beer or malt liquors are sold; BEER'INESS; BEER'-MON'EY, money given to soldiers in the British army, in lieu of beer and spirits.--_adj._ BEER'Y, of or affected by beer.--BEER AND SKITTLES, a phrase used vaguely for Bohemian pleasures, from a simple form supposed to be a rustic ideal.--BITTER BEER = pale ale, a highly hopped beer made from the very finest selected malt and hops; MILD or SWEET ale being of greater gravity or strength, and comparatively lightly hopped; BLACK BEER, a kind of beer made at Danzig, black and syrupy; SMALL BEER, weak beer, hence trifling things, as in the familiar phrase, 'to think no small beer of one's self.' [A.S. _béor_; Ger. and Dut. _bier_, Ice. _bjorr_.]

BEESTINGS, b[=e]st'ingz, _n._ the first milk drawn from a cow after calving. [A.S. _býsting_, _béost_; Ger. and Dut. _biest_.]

BEET, b[=e]t, _n._ a plant with a carrot-shaped succulent root, eaten as food, from which sugar is extracted.--_ns._ BEET'-FLY, a two-winged insect, which deposits its eggs on beet or mangel-wurzel, and whose larvæ are injurious to the plant; BEET'ROOT, the root of the beet plant. [A.S. _béte_ (Fr. _bette_)--L. _b[=e]ta_.]

BEET, BETE, b[=e]t, _v.t._ (_obs._ except _dial._) to improve, mend, to kindle a fire, to rouse. [A.S. _bóetan_, _bétan_; cf. _bót_, BOOT.]

BEETLE, b[=e]'tl, _n._ an order of insects technically known as Coleoptera, usually with four wings, the front pair forming hard and horny covers for those behind, which alone are used in flight.--The BLACK BEETLE or cockroach is not a true beetle. [M.E. _bityl_--A.S. _bitula_, _bitela_, _bítan_, to bite.]

BEETLE, b[=e]'tl, _n._ a heavy wooden mallet used for driving wedges, crushing or beating down paving-stones, or the like: a wooden pestle-shaped utensil for mashing potatoes, beating linen, &c.--_n._ BEE'TLE-HEAD, a heavy, stupid fellow.--_adj._ BEE'TLE-HEAD'ED. [A.S. _bíetel_; cog. with _béatan_, to beat.]

BEETLE-BROWED, b[=e]'tl-browd, _adj._ with overhanging or prominent brow: scowling.--_v.i._ BEE'TLE, to jut, to hang over--first used by Shakespeare.--_n._ BEET'LING.--_p.adj._ jutting out: prominent: overhanging. [Dr Murray notes that the word is first found in the compound _bitel_-browed, in the 14th century, and favours the explanation, 'with eyebrows like a beetle's'--i.e. projecting eyebrows. See BEETLE (1).]

BEEVES, b[=e]vz, _n.pl._ cattle, oxen. [See BEEF.]

BEFALL, be-fawl', _v.t._ to fall or happen to: to occur to.--_v.i._ to happen or come to pass: (_Spens._) to fall in one's way:--_pr.p._ befall'ing; _pa.t._ befell'; _pa.p._ befall'en. [A.S. _befeallan_. See FALL.]

BEFANA, BEFFANA, be-fä'na, _n._ an Epiphany present or gift--a corruption of _Epiphania_, which name in Italy has become personified for children as a toy-bringing witch or fairy called _La Befana_.

BEFIT, be-fit', _v.t._ to fit, or be suitable to: to be proper to, or right for:--_pr.p._ befit'ting; _pa.p._ befit'ted.--_adj._ BEFIT'TING.--_adv._ BEFIT'TINGLY. [Pfx. _be-_, and FIT.]

BEFLOWER, be-flow'[.e]r, _v.t._ to cover or besprinkle with flowers.

BEFOAM, be-f[=o]m', _v.t._ to bespatter or cover with foam.

BEFOGGED, be-fogd', _adj._ enveloped in fog: confused.

BEFOOL, be-f[=oo]l', _v.t._ to make a fool of, or deceive: to treat as a fool.

BEFORE, be-f[=o]r', _prep._ in front of (_time_ or _place_): in presence or sight of (_Before_ God): under the cognisance of, as in before the court, the magistrate, or the house: previous to: in preference to: superior to.--_adv._ in front: sooner than hitherto.--_conj._ previous to the time when (often with _that_).--_advs._ BEFORE'HAND, before the time: by way of preparation; BEFORE'TIME, in former time.--TO BE BEFOREHAND WITH, to forestall in any action. [A.S. _beforan_. See FORE.]

BEFORTUNE, be-for't[=u]n, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to happen to, to befall.

BEFOUL, be-fowl', _v.t._ to make foul: to soil.

BEFRIEND, be-frend', _v.t._ to act as a friend to: to favour.

BEFRINGE, be-frinj', _v.t._ to adorn with fringes.

BEG. Same as BEY.

BEG, beg, _v.i._ to ask alms or charity, esp. habitually (with _of_, _from_; _for_, of the thing asked).--_v.t._ to ask earnestly: to beseech: to pray: to take for granted what ought to have been proved, esp. in the phrase in logic, 'to beg the question'--the fallacy of the _Petitio Principii_:--_pr.p._ beg'ging; _pa.p._ begged.--_n._ BEG'GAR, one who begs: one who lives by begging: a mean fellow, a poor fellow--often used with a playful and even affectionate sense.--_v.t._ to reduce to beggary: to exhaust or impoverish: (_fig._) to go beyond the resources of, as of description.--_ns._ BEG'GARDOM, the fraternity of beggars; BEG'GARLINESS.--_adj._ BEGGARLY, poor: mean: worthless.--_adv._ meanly.--_ns._ BEG'GAR-MY-NEIGH'BOUR, a game at cards which goes on till one of the players has gained all the other's cards; BEG'GARY, extreme poverty.--_adv._ BEG'GINGLY.--TO BEG OFF, to obtain another's release through entreaty, to seek that one's self may be relieved of some penalty or liability.--TO GO A-BEGGING, to be in want of a purchaser, or of a person to fill it (of a situation, &c.). [The ety. is very obscure; the words _beg_ and _beggar_ first appear in the 13th century, and Dr Murray thinks the most likely derivation is from the O. Fr. _begart_, _begard_, and _begar_ (L. _beghardus_ = _beghard_), or its synonym _beguine_ and derivative verb _beguigner_, _beguiner_, to act the beguin. The _Beghards_ or _Beguines_ were a lay mendicant order, and in the 13th century mendicants calling themselves by these names swarmed over Western Europe.]

BEGAD, be-gad', _interj._ a minced oath, softened from 'By God.'

BEGAN, b[=e]-gan', _pa.t._ of BEGIN.

BEGEM, be-jem', _v.t._ to adorn, as with gems.

BEGET, be-get', _v.t._ to produce or cause: to generate: to produce as an effect, to cause:--_pr.p._ beget'ting; _pa.t._ begat', begot'; _pa.p._ begot', begot'ten.--_n._ BEGET'TER, one who begets: a father: the agent that occasions or originates anything. [A.S. _begitan_, to acquire. See GET.]

BEGHARD. See BEG.

BEGIFT, be-gift', _v.t._ to present with gifts.

BEGILD, be-gild', _v.t._ to gild: to cover or overlay with gold-leaf.

BEGIN, be-gin', _v.i._ to take rise: to enter on something new: to commence.--_v.t._ to enter on: to commence (with _at_, _with_, _upon_):--_pr.p._ begin'ning; _pa.t._ began'; _pa.p._ begun'.--_ns._ BEGIN'NER, one who begins: one who is beginning to learn or practise anything; BEGIN'NING, origin or commencement: rudiments--(_Spens._) BEGINNE'.--_adj._ BEGIN'NINGLESS. [A.S. _beginnan_ (more usually _onginnan_), from _be_, and _ginnan_, to begin.]

BEGIRD, be-gird', _v.t._ to gird or bind with a girdle; to surround or encompass (_with_):--_pa.t._ begirt', begird'ed; _pa.p._ begirt'. [A.S. _begyrdan_. See GIRD.]

BEGLERBEG, b[.e]g'l[.e]r-b[.e]g, _n._ the governor of a Turkish province, in rank next to the grand vizier. [Turk., lit. 'bey of beys.']

BEGLOOM, be-gl[=oo]m', _v.t._ to render gloomy.

BEGNAW, be-naw', _v.t._ to gnaw or bite, to eat away.

BEGONE, be-gon', _interj._ lit. be gone! be off! get away! In WOE'-BEGONE', beset with woe, we have the _pa.p._ of A.S. _begán_, to go round, to beset.

BEGONIA, be-g[=o]n'ya, _n._ a genus of plants cultivated in our greenhouses for their pink flowers and their remarkable unequal-sided and often coloured leaves--'Elephant's Ears,' 'Angel's Wings.' [Named from the botanist Michel _Begon_, 1638-1710.]

BEGORED, be-g[=o]rd', _adj._ (_Spens._) besmeared with gore.

BEGOT, be-got', BEGOTTEN, be-got'n, _pa.p._ of BEGET.

BEGRIME, be-gr[=i]m', _v.t._ to grime or soil deeply.

BEGRUDGE, be-gruj', _v.t._ to grudge: to envy any one the possession of.

BEGUILE, be-g[=i]l', _v.t._ to cheat or deceive: to divert attention from anything tedious or painful: to divert or amuse: to wile any one into some course.--_ns._ BEGUILE'MENT; BEGUIL'ER.--_adv._ BEGUIL'INGLY. [See GUILE.]

BEGUINES, beg'in (see BEG).--_n._ BEGUINAGE (beg'in-[=a]j), an establishment for _Beguines_.

BEGUM, b[=e]'gum, _n._ a Hindu princess or lady of rank. [Urdu _begam_.]

BEGUN, be-gun', _pa.p._ of BEGIN.

BEHALF, be-häf', _n._ favour or benefit: cause: sake, account: part--only in phrases 'on,' 'in behalf of,' 'on his behalf.' [M. E. _behalve_--A.S. _be healfe_, by the side. See HALF.]

BEHAPPEN, be-hap'n, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to happen to.

BEHAVE, be-h[=a]v', _v.t._ to bear or carry, to conduct (with _self_).--_v.i._ to conduct one's self, also to conduct one's self well: to act.--_n._ BEHAVIOUR (be-h[=a]v'yür), conduct: manners or deportment, esp. good manners: general course of life: treatment of others.--TO BE UPON ONE'S BEHAVIOUR, to be placed where one's best behaviour is politic or necessary. [Formed, according to Dr Murray, in 15th century from _be-_ and HAVE; apparently unconnected with A.S. _behabban_.]

BEHEAD, be-hed', _v.t._ to cut off the head.--_ns._ BEHEAD'AL (_rare_); BEHEAD'ING, the act of cutting off the head.

BEHELD, be-held', _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of BEHOLD.

BEHEMOTH, b[=e]'he-moth, _n._ an animal described in the book of Job, usually taken to be the hippopotamus. [Either the pl. of Heb. _behêmâh_, a beast, or a Hebraistic form of the Egyptian _p-ehe-mout_, 'water-ox.']

BEHEST, be-hest', _n._ command: charge. [A.S. _beh['æ]s_, a promise. See HEST.]

BEHIGHT, be-h[=i]t', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to promise, to entrust, to speak to, to command, to reckon or esteem to be:--_pr.p._ beh[=i]ght'ing; _pa.t._ beh[=o]te'; _pa.p._ beh[=i]ght.--_n._ (_obs._) a vow, a promise. [A.S. _behátan_, _be-_, and _hátan_, to call.]

BEHIND, be-h[=i]nd', _prep._ at the back of (_place_, or as _support_): remaining after or coming after (_time_, _rank_, _order_): inferior to, or not so far advanced as.--_adv._ at the back, in the rear: backward: past.--_adj._ or _adv._ BEHIND'HAND, being behind: tardy, or in arrears of debt, &c.: clandestine. [A.S. _behindan_; Ger. _hinten_. See HIND.]

BEHOLD, be-h[=o]ld', _v.t._ to look upon: to contemplate.--_v.i._ to look: to fix the attention:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ beheld'.--_imper._ or _interj._ see! lo! observe!--_adj._ BEHOLD'EN, bound in gratitude: obliged (with _to_).--_n._ BEHOLD'ER, one who beholds: an onlooker.--_adj._ BEHOLD'ING (_Shak._), beholden.--_n._ (_Shak._) sight, contemplation. [A.S. _behealdan_, to hold, observe--pfx. _be-_, and _healdan_, to hold.]

BEHOOF, be-h[=oo]f', _n._ benefit: convenience (with _to_, _for_, _on_).

BEHOT, BEHOTE (_Spens._) _pa.t._ of BEHIGHT.

BEHOVE, BEHOOVE, be-h[=oo]v, _v.t._ to be fit, right, or necessary for--now only used impersonally with _it_.--_adj._ BEHOVE'FUL, useful: profitable.--_adv._ BEHOVE'FULLY (_obs._). [M. E. _behóf_, dat. behove; A.S. _behófian_, to be fit, to stand in need of.]

BEHOWL, be-howl', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to howl at. Warburton first suggested this as an emendation for 'behold' in _Midsummer Night's Dream_, V. 379.

BEIGE, b[=a]zh, _n._ a woollen fabric made of undyed wool. [Fr.]

BEIN, b[=e]n, _adj._ and _adv._ (_Scot._) comfortable: well off: well found: (_slang_) good.--_n._ BEIN'NESS. [M. E. _bene_, of dubious origin; the derivation has been sought in Scand. _beinn_, or in L. _bene_, Fr. _bien_.]

BEING, b[=e]'ing, _n._ existence: substance: essence: any person or thing existing.--_adj._ B[=E]'ING, existing, present.--_adj._ B[=E]'INGLESS.--_n._ B[=E]'INGNESS. [From the _pr.p._ of BE.]

BEINKED, b[=e]-inkt', _p.adj._ smeared with ink.

BEJADE, be-j[=a]d', _v.t._ (_obs._) to tire out.

BEJAN, b[=e]'jan, _n._ a freshman at the universities of Aberdeen and St Andrews, and formerly in several continental universities. [Fr. _bejaune_, a novice, from _bec jaune_, 'yellow beak,' a term used for a nestling or unfledged bird.]

BEJESUIT, be-j[.e]z'[=u]-it, _v.t._ to initiate or seduce into Jesuitism.

BEJEWEL, be-j[=oo]'[.e]l, _v.t._ to deck with jewels.

BEKAH, b[=e]'ka, _n._ (_B._) a half-shekel (4.39 drs. avoir.). [Heb.]

BEKISS, be-kis', _v.t._ to cover with kisses.

BEKNAVE, be-n[=a]v', _v.t._ to call or treat as a knave.

BEKNOWN, b[=e]-n[=o]n', _p.adj._ known, acquainted.

BELABOUR, be-l[=a]'bur, _v.t._ to beat soundly.

BEL-ACCOYLE, bel-ak-koil', _n._ (_Spens._) favourable or kind reception. [O. Fr. _bel acoil_, fair welcome. See ACCOIL.]

BELACE, be-l[=a]s', _v.t._ to adorn with lace.

BELAMOUR, bel'a-m[=oo]r, _n._ (_Spens._) a gallant: a fair lady: a kind of flower. [Fr. _bel amour_, fair love.]

BELAMY, bel'a-mi, _n._ (_Spens._) a good or intimate friend. [Fr. _bel ami_, fair friend.]

BELATE, be-l[=a]t', _v.t._ to make late: to retard:--_pr.p._ bel[=a]t'ing; _pa.p._ bel[=a]t'ed.--_p.adj._ BEL[=A]T'ED, made too late: out of date: benighted.--_n._ BEL[=A]T'EDNESS.

BELAUD, be-lawd', _v.t._ to laud or praise highly.

BELAY, be-l[=a]', _v.t._ (_naut._) to fasten a running rope by coiling it round a cleat or BELAY'ING-PIN: to make fast: (_Spens._) to lay ornament round anything.--BELAY THERE (_naut. slang_), hold! that is enough. [A.S. _belecgan_; Ger. _belegen_, Dut. _beleggen_. See LAY.]

BELCH, belch, belsh, _v.t._ to void wind from the stomach by the mouth: to eject violently: to cast up, as of the smoke from a volcano or a cannon.--_n._ eructation. [A.S. _bealcian_; Dut. _balken_.]

BELCHER, bel'sher, _n._ a neckerchief with dark-blue ground, mottled with white spots, each having a dark-blue spot in the centre. [From Jim _Belcher_, a famous English boxer.]

BELDAM, BELDAME, bel'dam, _n._ an old woman, esp. an ugly one: a hag, a furious woman: (_obs._) a grandmother. [Formed from _dam_, mother, and _bel-_, expressing relationship. Cf. _belsire_.]

BELEAGUER, be-l[=e]g'[.e]r, _v.t._ to lay siege to.--_n._ BELEAG'UERMENT. [Dut. _belegeren_, to besiege--_be_, and _leger_, camp. See LEAGUER.]

BELEE, be-l[=e]', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to place on the lee-side of.

BELEMNITE, bel'em-n[=i]t, _n._ a fossil pointed like a dart, being the internal shell of a genus of cephalopods, formerly known as _Thunder-bolt_, _Thunder-stone_, _Elf-bolt_. [Gr. _belemnit[=e]s_--_belemnon_, a dart.]

BELFRY, bel'fri, _n._ the part of a steeple or tower in which bells are hung: a bell-tower, sometimes standing apart: a movable wooden tower, used in the Middle Ages in attacking a fortification.--_adj._ BEL'FRIED, having a belfry. [Orig. and properly a watch-tower, from O. Fr. _berfroi_--Mid. High Ger. _berchfrit_--_frid_, _frit_, a tower, _bergan_, to protect.]

BELGARD, bel-gärd', _n._ (_Spens._) fair or kind looks. [It. _bel guardo_, lovely look.]

BELGIAN, bel'ji-an, _adj._ belonging to _Belgium_, a country of Europe.--_n._ a native of Belgium.

BELGIC, bel'jik, _adj._ pertaining to the _Belgæ_ who anciently possessed Belgium, or to _Belgium_. [L. _Belgicus_--_Belgæ_, the Belgians.]

BELGRAVIAN, bel-gr[=a]'vi-an, _adj._ belonging to _Belgravia_ (a fashionable part of London), or to fashionable life: aristocratic.

BELIAL, b[=e]l'yal, _n._ a name for the devil, and, in Milton, for one of the fallen angels. Not a proper name in Old Test. [Heb. _b'li-ya`al_, _b'li_, without _ya`al_, usefulness.]

BELIE, be-l[=i]', _v.t._ to give the lie to: to speak falsely of: to present in a false character: to counterfeit: to be false to: falsify: (_Shak._) to fill with lies:--_pr.p._ bely'ing; _pa.p._ bel[=i]ed'. [A.S. _be_, and LIE.]

BELIEVE, be-l[=e]v', _v.t._ to regard as true: to trust in.--_v.i._ to be firmly persuaded of anything: to exercise faith (with _in_, _on_): to think or suppose.--_n._ BELIEF', persuasion of the truth of anything: faith: the opinion or doctrine believed: intuition, natural judgment (as used by some philosophers).--_adjs._ BELIEF'LESS; BELIEV'ABLE, that may be believed.--_n._ BELIEV'ER, one who believes: a professor of Christianity.--_p.adj._ BELIEV'ING, trustful.--_adv._ BELIEV'INGLY.--THE BELIEF (_arch._), the Apostles' Creed.--TO MAKE BELIEVE, to pretend. [M. E. _bileven_--_bi-_, _be-_, and _leven_. Murray says that _believe_ is an erroneous spelling of the 17th century, prob. after _relieve_. The A.S. form _geléfan_ survived to the 14th century; the present compound, which superseded it, appears in the 12th century.]

BELIKE, be-l[=i]k', _adv._ probably: perhaps. [A.S. pfx. _be-_, and LIKE.]

BELITTLE, be-lit'l, _v.t._ to make small: to cause to appear small, to depreciate or disparage.--_n._ BELIT'TLEMENT.--_adj._ BELIT'TLING. [Pfx. _be-_, and LITTLE.]

BELIVE, be-l[=i]v', _adv._ (_Scot._) with speed: soon, erelong. [M. E. _bi life_; _be_, _bí_, by, _life_, dat. of _l[=i]f_, life.]

BELL, bel, _n._ a hollow vessel of metal, which gives forth a ringing sound when struck by the tongue or clapper suspended inside--as in _church-bell_, _hand-bell_, _alarm-bell_, _night-bell_, _marriage-bell_, &c.: a corolla shaped like a bell: the body of a Corinthian or composite capital, without the surrounding foliage: anything bell-shaped, as in _diving-bell_, _bell-glass_, the _bell_ or outward-turned orifice of a trumpet, &c.: a bell rung to tell the hour: (_naut._) the bell struck on shipboard every half-hour as many times as there are half-hours of the watch elapsed--'two bells,' 'three bells,' &c., meaning that there are two or three half-hours past; the watch of four hours is eight bells.--_v.t._ to furnish with a bell, esp. in TO BELL THE CAT, to take the leading part in any hazardous movement, from the ancient fable of the mice who proposed to hang a warning bell round the cat's neck.--_ns._ BELL'COTE (_archit._), an ornamental structure made to contain one or two bells, and often crowned by a small spire; BELL'-CRANK, a rectangular lever in the form of a crank, used for changing the direction of bell-wires; BELL'-FOUND'ER, one who founds or casts bells; BELL'-GLASS, a bell-shaped glass for sheltering flowers; BELL'-HANG'ER, one who hangs and repairs bells; BELL'MAN, one who rings a bell, esp. on the streets, before making public announcements: a town-crier; BELL'-MET'AL, the metal of which bells are made--an alloy of copper and tin; BELL'-PUNCH, a hand-punch containing a signal-bell, used for punching a hole in a ticket in order to keep a record of the number of fares taken; BELL'-RING'ER, one whose business it is to ring a bell on stated occasions: a performer with musical hand-bells; BELL'-ROPE, the rope by which a bell is rung.--_adj._ BELL'-SHAPED.--_ns._ BELL'-TOW'ER, a tower built to contain one or more bells, a campanile; BELL'-TUR'RET, a turret containing a bell-chamber, usually crowned with a spire; BELL'-WETH'ER, the leading sheep of a flock, on whose neck a bell is hung: (_fig._) any loud, turbulent fellow, esp. the leader of a mob.--BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE, a phrase popularly used in reference to a form of excommunication ending with the words, 'Do to [shut] the book, quench the candle, ring the bell.'--TO BEAR or CARRY OFF THE BELL, to have or to gain the first place. [A.S. _belle_; cog. with Dut. _bel_.]

BELL, bel, _n._ a bubble formed in a liquid. [Ety. dub.; cf. Dut. _bel_, a bubble in water, perh. from L. _bulla_, bubble in water.]

BELL, bel, _v.i._ to bellow, roar: to utter loudly.--_n._ the cry of a stag at rutting-time. [A.S. _bellan_, to roar; cf. Ger. _bellen_.]

BELLADONNA, bel'la-don-na, _n._ the deadly nightshade or dwale, all parts of which are narcotic and poisonous from the presence therein of the alkaloid atropia: the drug prepared from the foregoing. [It. _bella donna_, fair lady; one property of belladonna is to enlarge the pupil, and so add a brilliance to the eyes.]

BELLARMINE, bel'lar-m[=e]n, _n._ a large stoneware drinking jug with a big belly and a narrow neck, decorated with a bearded face, originally that of Cardinal _Bellarmine_, made in mockery by the Dutch Protestants.

BELLE, bel, _n._ a handsome woman: the chief beauty of a place: a fair lady generally. [Fr. _belle_--L. _bella_, _bellus_.]

BELLES-LETTRES, bel-let'r, _n.pl._ polite or elegant literature, including poetry, fiction, criticism, æsthetics, &c.--_ns._ BELLET'RIST, BELLET'TRIST.--_adj._ BELLETRIS'TIC. [Fr., lit. 'fine letters.']

BELLIBONE, bel'i-b[=o]n, _n._ (_Spens._) a beautiful and good woman.

BELLICOSE, bel'ik-[=o]s, _adj._ contentious, war-like.--_adv._ BEL'LICOSELY.--_n._ BELLICOS'ITY. [L. _bellicosus_.]

BELLIED, bel'lid, _p.adj._ with a belly, esp. a big belly, pot-bellied: bulging: puffed out. [See BELLY.]

BELLIGERENT, bel-ij'[.e]r-[.e]nt, _adj._ carrying on regular war.--_n._ a party or person waging such.--_n._ BELLIG'ERENCY. [L. _belligerant-em_, _belliger[=a]re_, to wage war.]

BELLONA, bel'l[=o]-na, _n._ the Roman goddess of war--hence (_fig._) a woman of great spirit and vigour.

BELLOW, bel'l[=o], _v.i._ to roar like a bull: to make any violent outcry, often with sense of contempt or ridicule: to shout aloud: to roar, as of cannon, the ocean, &c.--with objective, to give forth a loud sound.--_n._ the roar of a bull: any deep sound or cry. [M. E. _belwen_; there is an A.S. _bellan_, to roar.]

BELLOWS, bel'l[=o]z, or bel'lus, _n.pl._ an instrument for producing a current of air so as to blow up a fire, either in a kitchen, a furnace, or a forge--or for producing the current of air by which the pipes and reeds of an organ are sounded: (_fig._) that which fans the fire of hatred, jealousy, &c.: the lungs. [Same as BELLY (q.v.); now used only in _pl._, the sing. not having survived the 15th century.]

BELLY, bel'li, _n._ the part of the body between the breast and the thighs, containing the bowels: the stomach, as the receptacle of the food: the bowels proper: the womb or uterus: the interior of anything: the bulging part of anything, as a bottle, or any concave or hollow surface, as of a sail: the inner or lower surface of anything, as opposed to the _back_, as of a violin, &c.--_adj._ ventral, abdominal: (_theol._) belonging to the flesh, carnal.--_v.i._ to swell or bulge out.--_ns._ BEL'LY-BAND, a saddle-girth: a band fastened to the shafts of a vehicle, and passing under the belly of the horse drawing it; BEL'LYFUL, a sufficiency; BEL'LY-GOD, one who makes a god of his belly, a glutton.--_p.adj._ BEL'LYING.--_n._ BEL'LY-TIM'BER, provisions. [M. E. _bali_, _bely_--A.S. _bælig_, _belig_; _bælg_, _belg_, bag.]

BELOMANCY, bel'o-man-si, _n._ a kind of divination by means of arrows. [Gr. _belos_, a dart, _manteia_, divination.]

BELONG, be-long', _v.i._ to go along with: to pertain to: to be one's property: to be a part of, or appendage of, or in any way connected with: to be specially the business of: (_U.S._) to be a native of, or have a residence in.--_n.pl._ BELONG'INGS, circumstances or relations of any person: possessions: persons connected, relatives: accessories. [_Bi-_, _be-longen_, intens. of _longen_, with pfx. _be-_. See LONG.]

BELOVED, be-luvd', or be-luv'ed, _p.adj._ much loved, very dear--often compounded with _well-_; _best-_, &c.--_n._ one who is much loved.--_adj._ BELOV'ING (_Shak._) = loving.

BELOW, be-l[=o]', _prep._ beneath in place, rank, or quality: underneath: not worthy of.--_adv._ in a lower place: (_fig._) on earth, or in hell, as opposed to heaven. [Pfx. _be-_, and adj. LOW.]

BELT, belt, _n._ a girdle, zone, or band: such a piece, as of leather, worn by way of ornament, or given as a prize or badge of victory in wrestling or the like: a broad strip of anything, different in colour or material: that which confines or restrains: (_geog._) a strait.--_v.t._ to surround with a belt, or to invest formally with such, as in knighting a man: to encircle: to thrash with a belt.--_p.adj._ BELT'ED, wearing a belt, of a knight: marked with a belt, as the 'belted kingfisher.'--_n._ BELT'ING, flexible belts for the transmission of motion in machinery, made of leather, indiarubber, &c.--as in _chainbelt_, _crossed belt_, _endless belt_, &c.; a thrashing.--TO HOLD THE BELT, to hold the championship in wrestling, boxing, or the like. [A.S. _belt_; Ice. _belti_, Gael. _balt_, L. _balteus_.]

BELTANE, bel't[=a]n, _n._ an ancient Celtic heathen festival, held in the beginning of May, when bonfires were lighted on the hills: the first day of May (O.S.)--one of the four old quarter-days of Scotland, the others being Lammas, Hallowmas, and Candlemas.--_adj._ in _Beltane_ games, &c. [Gael. _bealltainn_, _beilteine_; usually explained as 'Beal's fire,' _Beal_ being a supposed Celtic deity who has been courageously identified with the Baal or Bel of the Phoenicians and other Semitic peoples, and Gael. _teine_, fire. But even this last is doubtful.]

BELUGA, be-l[=oo]'ga, _n._ the white whale, one of the dolphin family, closely allied to the narwhal, 12 to 16 feet long, of creamy-white colour, found in droves round Greenland and all over the Arctic seas: applied also to a great Russian sturgeon--the _Acipenser Huso_. [Russ.]

BELVEDERE, bel've-d[=e]r, _n._ a pavilion or raised turret or lantern on the top of a house, open for the view, or to admit the cool evening breeze: a summer-house on an eminence in a park or garden. [It. _belvedere_; _bel_, beautiful, _vedere_, a view.]

BEMA, b[=e]'ma, _n._ the tribune or rostrum from which Athenian orators made their speeches--hence the apse or chancel of a basilica. [Gr. _b[=e]ma_, a step.]

BEMAD, be-mad', _v.t._ to madden.

BEMAUL, be-mawl', _v.t._ to maul thoroughly.

BEMAZED, be-m[=a]zd', _p.adj._ stupefied, bewildered.

BEMBEX, bem'beks, _n._ a genus of solitary sand-wasps, with broad heads and very large eyes, noted for their making a loud buzz during their rapid flight. [Gr. _bembix_.]

BEMEAN, be-m[=e]n', _v.t._ to make mean, to lower or debase: (_obs._) to signify.

BEMIRE, be-m[=i]r', _v.t._ to soil with mire.--_p.adj._ BEMIRED'.

BEMOAN, be-m[=o]n', _v.t._ to lament: bewail: to pity.--_v.i._ to grieve.--_ns._ BEMOAN'ER; BEMOAN'ING.

BEMOCK, be-mok', _v.t._ to mock at, to deride.

BEMOIL, be-moil', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to bemire, to bedraggle.

BEMONSTER, be-mon'ster, _v.t._ to make monstrous: to regard or treat as a monster.

BEMOUTH, be-mowth', _v.i._ to declaim, to overpraise.

BEMUD, be-mud', _v.t._ to bespatter with mud: to confuse.

BEMUDDLE, be-mud'l, _v.t._ to confuse or muddle completely.

BEMUFFLE, be-muf'l, _v.t._ to wrap or muffle up completely.

BEMUSE, be-m[=u]z', _v.t._ to put in confusion: stupefy.

BEN, ben, _n._ a mountain peak. [Gael. _beann_.]

BEN, ben, _prep._ and _adv._ in toward the inner apartment of a house.--_n._ the inner apartment of a house, as opposed to the _But_ or kitchen through which one must generally pass first.--TO BE FAR BEN WITH ONE, to be on terms of great intimacy or friendship with; TO LIVE BUT AND BEN, to live respectively in these rooms, in close neighbourhood with any one. [M. E. _binne_--A.S. _binnan_, within.]

BENCH, bensh, _n._ a long seat or form with or without a back: a seat in a boat: a mechanic's work-table: a judge's seat: the body or assembly of judges: a tribunal: the dignity of holding an official seat, as the 'bench of bishops,' the 'civic bench.'--_v.t._ to place on or furnish with benches.--_ns._ BENCH'ER, a senior member of an inn of court; BENCH'ERSHIP; BENCH'-MARK, a surveyor's mark cut on a rock, gatepost, wall, or the like, into which a crooked iron is set so as to form a bench or temporary support for the levelling instrument; BENCH'-WAR'RANT, one issued by a judge rather than a justice or magistrate. [A.S. _benc_; cog. with Ger. and Dut. _bank_.]

BEND, bend, _v.t._ to curve or bow: to make crooked: to turn or incline--mostly in passive, to be inclined _to_, _towards_, to be given _to_: to subdue: to direct to a certain point: to apply closely, to strain, to nerve one's self to: (_naut._) to tie, fasten, make fast.--_v.i._ to be crooked or curved: to incline in any direction: to stoop: to lean: to bow in submission (with _to_, _before_, _towards_):--_pa.p._ bend'ed or bent.--_n._ a curve or crook: the bent part of anything; (_her._) one of the nine ordinaries, consisting of the space contained between two parallel lines crossing the shield diagonally from dexter chief to sinister base. It is said to occupy a fifth part of the shield unless charged, when it occupies a third part--its diminutives are the _Bendlet_, _Cotise_, and _Ribbon_.--BEND SINISTER, an occasionally occurring variety of the bend, drawn from sinister chief to dexter base. [Old Eng. _bendan_.]

BEND, bend, _n._ in leather, half a butt cut lengthwise.

BENEATH, be-n[=e]th', _prep._ under, or lower in place: inside of, behind: unworthy the dignity of, unbecoming. [A.S. _bi-nathan_.]

BENEDICITE, ben-[=e]-dis'i-te, _n._ the canticle beginning _'Benedicite_ omnia opera Domini' ('O all ye works of the Lord'), from the Apocryphal _Song of the Three Holy Children_--in the Anglican morning service an alternate to the _Te Deum_: the blessing before a repast.

BENEDICT, ben'e-dikt, _n._ a common name for a newly married man, esp. a bachelor who has long held out against marriage, but at last succumbed--from _Benedick_ in Shakespeare's _Much Ado about Nothing_.--_adj._ blessed: benign.

BENEDICTINE, ben-e-dik'tin, _adj._ pertaining to St Benedict or his monastic rule.--_n._ a Black Friar or monk of the order founded at Monte Cassino by St _Benedict_ of Nursia (480-543), which became famous for its learning: a cordial or liqueur resembling Chartreuse, distilled at Fécamp in Normandy--once distilled by Benedictine monks.

BENEDICTION, ben-e-dik'shun, _n._ a solemn invocation of the divine blessing on men or things--a priestly benediction is defined by Romanists as a formula of imperative prayer which transmits a certain grace or virtue to the object over which it is pronounced: a brief and popular service in the Romish Church, consisting of certain canticles and antiphons sung in presence of the host, and concluding with the priest making the sign of the cross over the people with the monstrance, and giving in silence the benediction of the most holy sacrament.--_adj._ BENEDICT'ORY.--_n._ BENEDICT'US, the canticle of Zacharias (Luke, i. 68-79), used in the Roman service of matin-lauds, and occurring after the second lesson in Anglican matins.--_p.adj._ BENEDIGHT' (_Longfellow_), blessed.--APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION, that given in 2 Cor. xiii. 14.

BENEFACTION, ben-e-fak'shun, _n._ the act of doing good: a good deed done or benefit conferred: a grant or endowment.--_n._ BENEFAC'TOR, one who gives a benefit to another, esp. one who leaves a legacy to some charitable or religious institution, a patron:--_fem._ BENEFAC'TRESS.--_adj._ BENEFAC'TORY. [L. _benefaction-em_.]

BENEFICE, ben'e-fis, _n._ any kind of church promotion or dignity, esp. with cure of souls, such as rectories, vicarages, and other parochial cures, as distinguished from bishoprics, deaneries, cathedral preferments, &c.: an ecclesiastical living.--_adj._ BEN'EFICED, possessed of a benefice. [Through Fr. from L. _beneficium_.]

BENEFICENCE, be-nef'i-sens, _n._ active goodness: kindness: charity: a beneficent gift.--_n._ BENEFIC'ENCY (_obs._).--_adjs._ BENEF'ICENT; BENEFICEN'TIAL.--_adv._ BENEF'ICENTLY. [L. _beneficentia_.]

BENEFICIAL, ben-e-fish'al, _adj._ useful; advantageous: (_law_) enjoying the usufruct of property.--_adj._ BENEF'IC, of good influence astrologically: beneficent, kindly.--_adv._ BENEFIC'IALLY.--_ns._ BENEFIC'IALNESS; BENEFIC'IARY, a legal term to denote a person who enjoys, or has the prospect of enjoying, any interest or estate held in trust by others. [L. _beneficium_.]

BENEFIT, ben'e-fit, _n._ a kindness: a favour: any advantage, natural or other: a performance at a theatre, the proceeds of which go to one of the company.--_v.t._ to do good to.--_v.i._ to gain advantage (with _from_),--_ns._ BEN'EFIT-OF-CLER'GY, in old English law, the exemption of the persons of ecclesiastics from criminal process before a secular judge, they being responsible only to their ordinary. This privilege, at first limited to those in actual orders, was in 1350 extended to all manner of clerks, and in later practice to all who could read, whether of clergy or laity; BEN'EFIT-OF-IN'VENTORY (_Scots law_), a legal privilege whereby an heir secured himself against unlimited liability for his ancestor, by giving up within the _annus deliberandi_ an inventory of his heritage or real estate, to the extent of which alone was the heir liable.--BENEFIT SOCIETIES, associations for mutual benefit chiefly among the labouring classes, better known as _Friendly societies_. [M. E. _benfet_, through Fr. from L. _benefactum_.]

BENET, be-net', _v.t._ to catch in a net, to ensnare.

BENET, ben'et, _n._ an exorcist, the third of the four lesser orders in the Roman Church. [Through Fr. from L. _benedict-us_, blessed.]

BENEVOLENCE, ben-ev'ol-ens, _n._ disposition to do good: an act of kindness: generosity: a gift of money, esp. for support of the poor: (_Eng. hist._) a kind of forced loan or contribution, levied by kings without legal authority, first so called under Edward IV. in 1473.--_adj._ BENEV'OLENT, charitable, generous, well disposed to.--_adv._ BENEV'OLENTLY. [Through Fr. from L. _benevolentia_.]

BENGALI, ben-gaw'l[=e], _adj._ of or belonging to _Bengal_.--_n._ a native of Bengal: the language of Bengal.--_n._ BENGAL'-LIGHT, a brilliant signal-light used at sea in a case of shipwreck, and in ordinary pyrotechny for illuminating a district of country--prepared from nitre, sulphur, and the black sulphide of antimony.

BENIGHTED, be-n[=i]t'ed, _adj._ overtaken by night: involved in darkness, intellectual or moral: ignorant.--_v.t._ BENIGHT', to involve in such darkness: to cloud with disappointment.--_ns._ BENIGHT'ENING; BENIGHT'ER; BENIGHT'ING; BENIGHT'MENT. [Pfx. _be-_ and NIGHT.]

BENIGN, ben-[=i]n', _adj._ favourable, esp. in astrology, as opposed to _malign_: gracious: kindly: (_med._) of a mild type, as opposed to malignant: salubrious.--_n._ BENIG'NANCY, benignant quality.--_adj._ BENIG'NANT, kind: gracious: beneficial.--_adv._ BENIG'NANTLY.--_n._ BENIG'NITY, goodness of disposition: kindness: graciousness: favourable circumstances--of climate, weather, disease, planets.--_adv._ BENIGN'LY. [O. Fr. _benigne_--L. _benignus_, for _benigenus_; _bene_, well, _genus_, born.]

BENISON, ben'izn, _n._ benediction, blessing, esp. blessing of God. [O. Fr. _beneiçun_--L. _benediction-em_.]

BENITIER, b[=a]-n[=e]'ti[=a], _n._ the vase or vessel for holy water in R.C. churches, known in England as the holy-water font, vat, pot, stone, stock, or stoup. [Fr.--Low L. _benedictarium_--L. _benedictus_.]

BENJAMIN, ben'jä-min, _n._ a kind of overcoat formerly worn by men. [Suggested possibly by 'Joseph's coat.' The Gipsy _béngari_, 'waistcoat,' has been proposed as an etymon.]

BENJAMIN, ben'jä-min, _n._ gum benjamin, an essence made from benzoin.--_n._ BEN'JAMIN-TREE, a North American aromatic shrub, with stimulant tonic bark and berries: the tree which yields benzoin--_Styrax Benzoin_. [A corr. of BENZOIN.]

BENNET, ben'et, _n._ the herb Bennet or common avens (_Geum urbanum_), a yellow-flowered wayside plant throughout Europe. [Through Fr. from L. 'herba _benedicta_,' the flower being a protective against the devil.]

BENNET, ben'et, _n._ the same as BENT, indeed an earlier form.

BENT, bent, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of BEND.

BENT, bent, _n._ leaning or bias: tendency: intention: natural inclination of the mind towards anything: the condition of being bent, curved form: (_rare_) slope or declivity: (_Shak._) a cast, as of the eye: the extent to which a bow may be bent--degree of tension, capacity of endurance, as in the phrase 'to the top of one's bent' = to the full measure of one's inclination. [See BEND.]

BENT, bent, _n._ any stiff or wiry grass: the old dried stalks of grasses: a special genus (_Agrostis_) containing about sixty species of grasses, all slender and delicate in appearance, and some useful as pasture-grasses and for hay: a place covered with such, a heath: a hillside.--Often BENT'-GRASS.--BEN'NET is a variant, a name applied to the wild barley-grass.--_adj._ BENT'Y.--TO TAKE TO THE BENT (_Scot._), to fly to the moors, to escape from some danger by flight. [A.S. _beonet_, found in place-names, as _Beonetléah_, Bentley; the history is obscure, but the word is doubtless Teut.; cf. Ger. _binse_.]

BENTHAMISM, ben'tham-izm, _n._ a name applied to the social and political doctrines of Jeremy _Bentham_ (1748-1832), whose leading principle is the doctrine of utility, that happiness is identical with pleasure, summed up in Priestley's famous phrase, 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number.'

BENUMB, be-num', _v.t._ to make insensible or powerless: to stupefy (now chiefly of _cold_): to deaden the feelings: to paralyse generally.--_p.adj._ BENUMBED'.--_ns._ BENUMBED'NESS, BENUMB'MENT. [Pfx. _be-_ and NUMB.]

BENZENE, ben'z[=e]n, _n._ a compound of carbon and hydrogen, discovered by Faraday in 1825, in a tarry liquid resulting from the distillation of oil. It is found amongst the products of the destructive distillation of a great many organic bodies, but the most abundant source is coal-tar. It must not be confounded with _benzine_ or _benzoyl_, which names have at different times been used for benzene.--BEN'ZINE is the name given to a distillate from American petroleum, which is much used as a substitute for turpentine, and for dissolving oils and fats; BEN'ZOYL is the commercial name applied to a mixture of substances, including benzene and its homologues.--BEN'ZOL is synonymous with benzene, while BEN'ZOLINE is a name applied to benzine and impure benzene indiscriminately.

BENZOIN, ben'z[=o]-in, or -zoin, _n._ gum benjamin, the aromatic and resinous juice of the _Styrax Benzoin_ of Java and Sumatra. It is used in perfumery, in pastilles, and for incense, and its compound tincture yields Friar's Balsam or Jesuit's Drops, and is used in making court-plaster. [In the 16th century, BENJOIN. Most prob. through It. from Ar. _lub[=a]n j[=a]w[=i]_, frankincense of Java, Sumatra, &c.]

BEPAINT, be-p[=a]nt', _v.t._ to paint over: to colour.

BEPAT, be-pat', _v.t._ to pat frequently, to beat.

BEPATCHED, be-patcht', _p.adj._ mended with patches: wearing patches on the face by way of adornment.

BEPEARL, be-p[.e]rl', _v.t._ to cover over with pearls.

BEPELT, be-p[.e]lt', _v.t._ to pelt vigorously.

BEPEPPER, be-pep'[.e]r, _v.t._ to pelt with a rain of shot or of blows.

BEPESTER, be-pest'[.e]r, _v.t._ to vex or pester greatly.

BEPITY, be-pit'i, _v.t._ to pity greatly.

BEPLUMED, be-pl[=oo]md', _p.adj._ adorned with feathers.

BEPOMMEL, be-pom'el, _v.t._ to pommel soundly.

BEPOWDER, be-pow'd[.e]r, _v.t._ to powder over.

BEPRAISE, be-pr[=a]z', _v.t._ to praise extravagantly.

BEPROSE, be-pr[=o]z', _v.t._ to reduce to prose: to discuss in prose, and tediously.

BEPUFF, be-puf', _v.t._ to puff out: to praise beyond measure.

BEQUEATH, be-kw[=e]th', _v.t._ to leave personal property by will to another: to transmit to posterity, to leave behind: to commit or entrust to any one.--_adj._ BEQUEATH'ABLE.--_ns._ BEQUEATH'AL, BEQUEATH'MENT. [A.S. _becweðan_; pfx. _be-_,and _cweðan_, to say. See QUOTH.]

BEQUEST, be-kwest', _n._ act of bequeathing: that which is bequeathed, a legacy. [M. E. _bi-queste_--A.S. _bi'-cwiss_; _bi'-_, a form of pfx. _be-_, _qithan_, to say. See QUOTH.]

BERATE, be-r[=a]t', _v.t._ (_U.S._) to scold or chide vigorously.

BERBER, b[.e]r'b[.e]r, _n._ and _adj._ a member of one of the Hamitic tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions of Barbary and the northern portions of the Great Desert, originally occupying the whole southern coast of the Mediterranean: the language spoken by the Berbers. [Derived by Barth either from the name of their supposed ancestor, _Ber_, which we recognise in the L. A_-fer_, an African; or from the Gr. and L. term _Barbari_.]

BERE, another spelling of BEAR, barley (q.v.).

BEREAN, b[=e]-r[=e]'an, _n._ one of an extinct Scottish sect of the 18th century, named from the people of _Berea_ (Acts, xvii. 11, who derived all knowledge of God from the Bible, but differed little from ordinary Calvinists.

BEREAVE, be-r[=e]v', _v.t._ to rob a person of anything valued: to leave destitute:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ bereaved'--the latter also BEREFT'.--_adj._ BEREAVED', robbed by death of some dear relative or friend.--_n._ BEREAVE'MENT, the fact or state of being so bereaved. [A.S. _beréafian_, to plunder. See REAVE.]

BERET, BERRET, b[.e]r'et, _n._ a flat woollen cap worn by the Basques. [Fr.]

BERG, berg, _n._ a mass or mountain of ice.--_ns._ BERG'FALL, the fall of a mountain rock; BERG'FIELD, an expanse of ice covered with bergs. [See ICEBERG.]

BERGAMASK, b[.e]r'ga-mask, _adj._ of or pertaining to _Bergamo_, whose natives are clownish in manners and dialect.--_n._ a rustic dance of theirs.

BERGAMOT, b[.e]r'ga-mot, _n._ a kind of citron whose aromatic rind yields the well-known oil of Bergamot, used in making pomades, fragrant essences, eau de Cologne, liqueurs, &c.: the essence so extracted. [From the town of _Bergamo_.]

BERGAMOT, b[.e]r'ga-mot, _n._ a group of varieties of pear of fine flavour. [Fr.--It.--Turk. _begarm[=u]di_.]

BERGMEHL, b[.e]rg'm[=a]l, _n._ a deposit of diatomaceous white earth or powder, that used in Norway to be mixed with flour and used as food. [Ger. 'mountain-flour.']

BERIBERI, ber'i-ber-i, _n._ an Eastern disease marked by anæmia, paralysis, and dropsical symptoms. [Singh.]

BERKELEIANISM, berk'l[=e]-an-izm, _n._ the philosophy of Bishop _Berkeley_ (1685-1753), who maintained that the world we see and touch is not an abstract independent substance, of which conscious mind may be an effect, but is the very world which is presented to our senses, and which depends for its actuality on being perceived.--_adj._ and _n._ BERKELEI'AN.

BERLIN, b[.e]r'lin, _n._ an old-fashioned four-wheeled covered carriage, with a seat behind covered with a hood--also BER'LINE.--BERLIN BLUE, Prussian blue; BERLIN WOOL, a fine dyed wool for worsted-work, knitting, &c.

BERM, b[.e]rm, _n._ a ledge: esp. a fortification. [Fr. _berme_; Ger. _berme_.]

BERNARDINE, b[.e]r'nard-in, _adj._ Cistercian. [From St _Bernard_ of Clairvaux, founder of the order.]

BEROB, be-rob', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to rob or plunder.

BERRY, ber'i, _n._ a popular term for any small succulent fruit, but restricted in botanical language to simple fruits with pericarp succulent throughout, whether developed from superior (grape, potato, bitternut, belladonna, bryony, asparagus, tomato), or more commonly inferior ovary (gooseberry, currant, barberry, bilberry, &c.)--thus, strictly, the strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, are not berries.--_v.i._ to come into berry, to swell.--_adj._ BER'RIED, bearing berries. [A.S. _berie_.]

BERSAGLIERI, b[=a]r-sal-y[=a]'r[=e], _n.pl._ the riflemen or sharpshooters of the Italian army, first organised in the Sardinian army in 1836. [It.; pl. of _bersagliere_, _bersaglio_, a mark.]

BERSERK, -ER, b[.e]r'serk, -[.e]r, _n._ a Norse warrior whom the sight of the field of battle would fill with a frenzied and resistless fury--'the berserker rage.' [Ice. _berserkr_; Vigfusson explains the word as 'bear-sark,' and most probably a reference to the uncanny Werewolf superstition is involved.]

BERTH, b[.e]rth, _n._ a ship's station at anchor; a room or sleeping-place in a ship, a sleeping-carriage, &c.: any allotted or assigned place: a situation or place of employment, usually a comfortable one--even without such a qualifying adjective as 'a snug berth.'--_v.t._ to moor a ship: to furnish with a berth.--TO GIVE A WIDE BERTH TO, to keep well away from generally. [A doublet of BIRTH; from BEAR.]

BERYL, b[.e]r'il, _n._ a precious stone resembling the emerald, but colourless, yellowish, greenish yellow or blue--its finer varieties are called precious beryl, and sometimes aquamarine. It has important uses as a magic crystal in which the future becomes visible.--_adj._ beryl-like in colour. [O. Fr. _beryl_--L. _beryllus_--Gr. _b[=e]ryllos_.]

BESAINT, be-s[=a]nt', _v.t._ to make a saint of.--_pa.p._ BESAINT'ED, canonised: haunted with saints.

BESCATTER, be-skat'[.e]r, _v.t._ to scatter over.

BESCRAWL, be-skrawl', _v.t._ to scrawl or scribble over.

BESCREEN, be-skr[=e]n', _v.t._ to screen: to overshadow.

BESCRIBBLE, be-skrib'l, _v.t._ to write in a scribbling hand: to scribble about or upon.

BESEECH, be-s[=e]ch', _v.t._ to entreat, to implore (as a person, _for_ a thing, or _to do_ a thing): to ask or pray earnestly: to solicit--(_Spens._) BESEEKE':--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ besought'.--_ns._ BESEECH'ER; BESEECH'ING.--_adv._ BESEECH'INGLY.--_ns._ BESEECH'INGNESS; BESEECH'MENT. [Pfx. _be-_, and M. E. _sechen_, to SEEK.]

BESEEM, be-s[=e]m', _v.t._ to be seemly or fit for: to become: to be fit for or worthy of: (_Spens._) to become or appear.--_ns._ BESEEM'ING, BESEEM'INGNESS--_adv._ BESEEM'INGLY.

BESEEN, be-s[=e]n', _pa.p._ of good appearance, comely: well furnished (with _well_).--BESEE' is quite obsolete.

BESET, be-set', _v.t._ to surround or set round with anything (now only in _pa.p._): to surround with hostile intentions, to besiege: to occupy so as to allow none to go out or in: to assail, perplex, endanger, as by temptations, obstacles, &c.:--_pr.p._ beset'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ beset'.--_ns._ BESET'MENT; BESET'TER.--_p.adj._ BESET'TING, that besets, as in 'besetting sin.'

BESHADOW, be-shad'[=o], _v.t._ to cast a shadow over.

BESHAME, be-sh[=a]m', _v.t._ to put to shame.

BESHINE, be-sh[=i]n', _v.i._ to light up.--_p.adj._ BESHONE'.

BESHREW, be-shr[=oo]', _v.t._ to invoke evil upon, to curse--now only in such mild imprecations as 'beshrew me,' or 'thee'--prob. not imperative but elliptical, like '(I) thank you.' [Pfx. _be-_, and SHREW.]

BESIDE, be-s[=i]d', _prep._ and _adv._ by the side of, near: over and above (in this sense, now usually BESIDES'), distinct from: apart from, not falling within, as of a question, resolution, &c.--BESIDE THE MARK, away from the mark aimed at, irrelevant.--TO BE BESIDE ONE'S SELF, to be out of one's senses. [M. E. _bi siden_--A.S. _be si'dan_, by the side (dat.).]

BESIDES, be-s[=i]dz', _prep._ and _adv._ in addition, otherwise, aside: over and above, in addition to, away from. [BESIDE, with the _s_ of the _adv._ gen.]

BESIEGE, be-s[=e]j', _v.t._ to lay siege to: to beset with armed forces: to throng round.--_n._ BESIEG'ER.--_adv._ BESIEG'INGLY (_rare_), urgently.

BESIGH, be-s[=i]', _v.t._ to sigh over.

BESING, be-sing', _v.t._ to celebrate in song.--_p.adj._ BESUNG'.

BESIT, be-sit', _v.t._ (_obs._) to besiege: to sit well on, as clothes, to become.--_p.adj._ BESIT'TING (_Spens._), becoming.

BESLAVE, be-sl[=a]v', _v.t._ to make a slave of: to call slave.

BESLAVER, be-sl[=a]v'[.e]r, _v.t._ to slaver or slobber upon: to cover with fulsome flattery.

BESLOBBER, be-slob'[.e]r, _v.t._ to besmear with the spittle running from one's mouth: to cover with drivelling kisses: to flatter fulsomely.--_v.t._ BESLUB'BER, to bedaub or besmear.

BESMEAR, be-sm[=e]r', _v.t._ to smear over: to bedaub: to pollute.

BESMIRCH, be-smirch', _v.t._ to soil, as with smoke or soot: to sully.--_v.t._ BESMUTCH', to besmirch.

BESMUT, be-smut', _v.t._ to blacken with soot.--_p.adj._ BESMUT'TED.

BESOGNO, BESONIO. Same as BEZONIAN.

BESOM, b[=e]'zum, _n._ an implement for sweeping, a broom: any cleansing or purifying agent: (_Scot._) a term of reproach for a woman.--_ns._ B[=E]'SOM-HEAD, a blockhead; B[=E]'SOM-RID'ER, a witch.--TO JUMP THE BESOM (see BROOM). [A.S. _besema_, _besma_; a common Teut. word; Ger. _besen_, Dut. _bezem_.]