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All Words Glossary Glossary of Printing Terms beginning with letter B Browse the Printing Glossary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  backbone noun (plural: backbones) set of bones which connected make up the spine and spinal column and run down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals. any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure Before automobiles, railroads were a of commerce. courage, fortitude, or strength He would make a good manager, if he had a little more .       backspace noun  the key on a typewriter that moves the head one position backwards (computing) a keyboard key used for removing a character behind the cursor, and moving the cursor one position backwards verb (backspac, ing) (computing) to remove a character behind a cursor (computing) to move a magnetic tape to a previous block       bail noun (plural: bails) Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial. Release from imprisonment on payment of such money. The person providing such payment. (Cricket) One of the two wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps to form a wicket. A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc. Furniture, Normaly curved handle suspended between sockets as a drawer pull. verb  To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail. To release a person under such guarantee. (nautical) To remove water from a boat by scooping it out. (slang): To leave or not attend. I'm going to on this afternoon's meeting.       band noun  A strip of material wrapped around things to hold them together. A strip along the spine of a book where the pages are attached. A group of musicians, especially (a) wind and percussion players, or (b) rock musicians. A type of orchestra originally playing janissary music; i.e. marching band. A group of people loosely united for a common purpose (a band of thieves). (physics) A part of radio spectrum. (physics) A group of energy levels in a solid state material. Valence band, conduction band. (Canadian English) A group of aboriginals that has official recognition as an organized unit by the federal government of Canada. verb  (intransitive) To group together for a common purpose. To fasten together with a band. (ornithology) To fasten an identifying band around (a bird's) leg.       bar noun  A solid, more or less rigid object with a uniform cross-section smaller than its length. (metallurgy) a solid metal object with uniform (round, square, hexagonal, octagonal or rectangular) cross-section, whose smallest dimension is .25 inch or greater (US), a piece of thinner material being called a strip. Ancient Sparta used iron s instead of handy coins in more valuable alloi, to physically disencourage the use of money A cuboid piece of any solid commodity. bar of chocolate bar of soap A long, narrow drawn or printed rectangle, cuboid or cylinder, especially as used in a bar code or a bar chart. A business licensed to sell intoxicating beverages for consumption on the premises, or the premises themselves; public house. The counter of such a premises A similar device or simply a closet containing alcoholic beverages in a private house or a hotel room. An official order or pronouncement that prohibits some activity. (computing, whimsical, derived from fubar) Used to stand for some unspecified entity, usually a second entity following foo. Suppose we have two objects, foo and bar (legal: the Bar) Short for the Bar Exam, the legal licensing exam. He's studying hard to pass the Bar this time; he's failed it twice before. (British: the Bar) A collective term for barristers. (British: the Bar) (loosely) The profession of barristers. (music) A vertical line across a musical staff dividing written music into sections, typically of equal durational value. (music) One of these musical sections. (soccer) The crossbar An addition to a military medal, on account of a subsequent act A linear shoaling landform feature within a body of water. (nautical) A ridge or succession of ridges of sand or other substance, especially a formation extending across the mouth of a river or harbor or off a beach, and which may obstruct navigation. (FM 55-501). (heraldry) One of the ordinary, ordinaries in heraldry. See wikipedia article on the topic: (w, Ordinary (heraldry)) verb (bars, barring, barred, barred) (transitive) To obstruct the passage of (someone or something). (transitive) To prohibit. I couldn't get into the nightclub because I had been barred (transitive) To lock or bolt with a bar. bar the door       bastard noun  An illegitimate person. (baby, child, or adult) (informal) : A child that does not know his father. Previously used as a title. (as in William the Bastard). (vulgar referring to a man) A wrong-doer; a sod. (vulgar referring to a man) A contemptible, inconsiderate, overly or arrogantly rude, or spiteful person. See asshole. (context, often, humorous) A man, a fellow. (as in lucky bastard, poor bastard) (informal) : A problem or situation extremely difficult or unpleasant to deal with. Life can be a real . Derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin; The architecture was a kind of suggesting Gothic but not true Gothic" A mongrel. A cross between different breeds, groups, or varieties. A coarse-grade steel file; also : bastard file. A long, straight, narrow sword, with an undecorated hilt.       beak noun  A rigid structure projecting from the front of a bird's face, used for pecking, grooming and for eating food. A similar structure forming the jaws of an octopus. (nautical) The metal point fixed on the bows of a war galley, used as a ram. (slang) A justice of-peace, or magistrate. Also a judge or chairman who presides in court. He's up before the beak again tomorrow. I clapp'd my peepers full of tears, and so the old beak set me free; I began to weep, and the judge set me free. (slang) The human nose, especially one that is large and pointed.       bed noun  A piece of furniture, usually flat and soft, to sleep on. A prepared spot to spend the night in, as in camping bed. A garden plot, as in "bed of roses". The bottom of a lake or other body of water, as in "sea bed". An area where a large number of oysters, mussels, or other sessile shellfish is found. A flat surface or layer on which something else is to be placed, as a "bed of lettuce". A deposit of ore, coal etc. A shaped piece of timber to hold a cask clear of a ship, ship"s floor. verb (bed, d, ed) To go to a sleeping bed. To put oneself to sleep. To settle, as machinery. To set in a soft matrix, as paving stones in sand, or tiles in cement. To set out plants in a garden bed. (Slang) To have sexual intercourse.       bevel noun  An edge that is canted, one that is not a 90 degree angle.       bind noun  A troublesome situation; a problem; a predicament or quandary. verb (binds, binding, bound or rarely bounden) To connect To couple To put together in a cover, as of books (computing) to associate an identifier with a value; to associate a variable name with the content of a storage location       bindery noun (binder, ies) A factory where books are bound.       binding noun  An item (usually rope, tape, or string) used to hold two or more things together. The spine of a book where the pages are held together. (sewing) A finishing on a seam or hem of a garment (complang) The association of an identifier with a value. (complang) The association of a variable name with a storage location's content. verb  (present participle of, bind) adjective  Assigning something that one will be held to. This contract is a legally binding agreement.       bleed verb (bleeds, bleeding, bled) (intransitive) Of an animal, to lose blood through an injured blood vessel. To remove air bubbles from a pipe containing fluids.       blind noun  A covering for a window to keep out light. The covering may be made of cloth or of narrow slats that can block light or allow it to pass. Any device intended to conceal or hide; as, a duck blind. (baseball) (slang) An 1800s baseball term meaning no score. (poker) A forced bet (poker) A player who is or was forced to make a bet verb  (transitive) To make temporarily or permanently blind. The light was so bright that for a moment he was blinded. Don't wave that pencil in my face - do you want to blind me? adjective (blinder, blindest) (notcomparable) Of a person or animal, unable to see. 1883: w:Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Louis Stevenson, w:Treasure Island, Treasure Island : He was plainly , for he tapped before him with a stick, and wore a great green shade over his eyes and nose... (comparable) fail, Failing to see, acknowledge, perceive. The lovers were to each other"s faults. (notcomparable) Of a place, having little or no visibility; as, a blind corner. (notcomparable) close, Closed at one end; having a dead end; as, a blind hole, a blind alley. (notcomparable) Without opening; as, a blind wall. adverb  In three card brag, without looking at the cards dealt.       block noun  A substantial, often approximately cuboid, piece of any substance. A of ice. A of stone. A cuboid of wood, plastic or other material used as a base on which to cut something. Anne Boleyn placed her head on the and awaited her execution. A group of urban lots of property, several acres in extent, not crossed by public streets I'm going for a walk around the . A group of buildings in a city or town, demarcated by streets. A of flats. The distance from one street to another in a city that is built (approximately) to a grid pattern. The place you are looking for is two long blocks east and one short north. (slang) The human head. I'll knock your off. A set of sheets (of paper) joined together at one end. A of 100 tickets. (computing) A logical data storage unit containing one ore more physical sector, sectors (see cluster). (context, rigging) A case with one or more sheaves/pulleys, used with ropes to increase or redirect force, for example, as part of the rigging of a sailing ship. (chemistry) A portion of a macromolecule, comprising many units, that has at least one feature not present in adjacent portions. Something that prevents something from passing (see blockage). There's a in the pipe that means the water can't get through. (sports) An action to interfere with the movement of an opposing player or of the object of play (ball, puck). (Cricket) A shot played by holding he bat vertically in the path of the ball, so that it loses momentum and drops to the ground. (volleyball) A defensive play by one or more players meant to deflect a spiked ball back to the hitter"s court. (WikiSaurus?-link, head) verb  (transitive) To fill (something) so that it is not possible to pass. The pipe is blocked. (transitive) To prevent (something or someone) from passing. You're blocking the road - I can't get through. (transitive) To prevent (something from happening or someone from doing something). His plan to take over the business was blocked by the boss. (transitive) The act of impeding an opponent in sports. He blocked the basketball player's shot. The offensive lineman, offensive linemen tried to the blitz. (transitive, theater) To specify the positions and movements of the actors. It was very difficult to this scene convincingly. (transitive, Cricket) To hit with a block. (intransitive, Cricket) To play a block shot.       blue noun (wikipedia, Blue, Blue (colour)) (colorbox, blue) The colour of the clear sky or the deep sea, between green and violet in the visible spectrum, and one of the primary additive colours for transmitted light; the colour obtained by subtracting red and green from white light using magenta and cyan filters. (context, snooker) One of the colour balls used in snooker with a value of 5 points. verb (blues, blueing or bluing, blued) (transitive) To make . (transitive) (context, Metallurgy) To treat the surface of steel so that it is passivated chemically and becomes more resistant to rust. See Wikipedia article on bluing steel: (w, bluing (steel)) (intransitive) To turn . adjective (blu, er) Of the colour blue. (colloquial)(nautical) depressed, Depressed, melancholic, sad. The phrase "feeling blue" was coined from a custom among old deepwater ships to fly blue flags or have a blue band painted along the hull if the vessel lost a captain or officers during a voyage. (colloquial)(context, entertainment) pornographic, Pornographic. (US, politics) Of states or other political entities, tending to vote for the Democratic Party. Many of the traditionally states are on the east and west coasts. Congress turned in the mid-term elections. (rfv-sense) (US, politics) Of or pertaining to the Democratic Party. a advertisement (astronomy) of the higher-frequency region of the part of the electromagnetic spectrum which is relevant in the specific observation.       blueline noun  A reproduction of the material submitted for printing, computer-generated or printed from film, provided to the customer for approval before the material is printed.       blueprint noun  (context, architecture, engineering): A type of paper-based reproduction usually of a technical drawing documenting an architecture or an engineering design. (colloquial): Detailed, drawn plans of the technical details of a building etc. A detailed plan of action verb  To make a blueprint for. The architect blueprinted the renovation plan once the client had signed off. To make a detailed operational plan for. They blueprinted every aspect of the first phase of the operation.       body noun (bodies) The physical structure of a human or animal seen as one single organism. I saw them walking from a distance, their bodies strangely angular in the dawn light. The fleshly or corporeal nature of a human, as opposed to the spirit or soul. The is driven by desires, but the soul is at peace. A corpse. Her was found at four o'clock, just two hours after the murder. The torso, the main structure of a human or animal frame excluding the extremity, extremities (limbs, head, tail). The boxer took a blow to the . The largest or most important part of anything, as distinct from its appendages or accessory, accessories. The bumpers and front tyres were ruined, but the of the car was in remarkable shape. (archaic) The section of a dress extending from the neck to the waist, excluding the arms. Penny was in the scullery, pressing the of her new dress. An organisation, company or other authoritative group. The local train operating company is the managing for this section of track. A group of men or people having a common purpose or opinion; a mass. I was escorted from the building by a of armed security guards. A unified collection of details, knowledge or information. We have now amassed a of evidence which points to one conclusion. Any physical object or material thing. All bodies are held together by internal forces. Substance; physical presence. We have given to what was just a vague idea. Comparative viscosity, solidity or substance (in wine, colours etc.). The rioja, sadly, lacked . (programming) The code of a subroutine, contrasted to its signature and parameters.W:Subroutine, W       bold verb  To make a selected portion of text have a typeface with thicker and heavier strokes. adjective (wikipedia, bold, bold (typography)) courageous, Courageous, daring. 2005, w:Plato, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. w:Stephanus pagination, 239c. : It would be extraordinarily of me to give it a try after seeing what has happened to you. (context, of a typeface) having thicker strokes than the ordinary form of the typeface The last word of this sentence is . presumptuous. 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 9. : even the boldest and most affirmative philosophy, that has ever attempted to impose its crude dictates and principles on mankind.       bolt noun  A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body, partially or completely threaded, and a larger head; it is inserted into an unthreaded hole (unlike a screw) up to the head, and a nut is threaded on the other end. A slide, sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism. A bar of wood or metal dropped in hooks on a door and adjoining walls, or between the two sides of a double door, to prevent the door(s) from being forced open. A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a round in a gun. A shaft or missile intended to be shot from a crossbow or a catapult, especially a short, stout, blunt-headed arrow. A lightning spark, i.e. lightning bolt: a bolt from the blue. A large roll of material, e.g. fabric: a bolt of cloth. (nautical) The standard measurement of length of canvas for use at sea; 39 yards verb  To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt. Bolt the vice to the bench. To secure a door by locking or barring it. Bolt the door. To accelerate suddenly. The horse bolted. To escape. Of a plant, to grow quickly; to go to seed. Lettuce and spinach will as the weather warms up.       bond noun  Evidence of a long-term debt, by which the bond issuer (the borrower) is obliged to pay interest when due, and repay the principal at maturity, as specified on the face of the bond certificate. The rights of the holder are specified in the bond indenture, which contains the legal terms and conditions under which the bond was issued. Bonds are available in two forms: registered bonds, and bearer bonds. A documentary obligation to pay a sum or to perform a contract; a debenture. Many say that government and corporate bonds are a good investment to balance against a portfolio consisting primarily of stocks. A physical connection which binds, a band; often plural. The prisoner was brought before the tribunal in iron bonds. An emotional link, connection or union. They had grown up as friends and neighbors, and not even vastly differing political views could break the of their friendship. (context, chemistry) A link or force between neighbouring atoms in a molecule. Organic chemistry primarily consists of the study of carbon bonds, in their many variations. A binding agreement, a covenant. Herbert resented his wife for subjecting him to the bonds of matrimony; he claimed they had gotten married while drunk. A sum of money paid as bail or surety. The bailiff released the prisoner as soon as the was posted. Any constraining or cementing force or material. A of superglue adhered the teacups to the ceiling, much to the consternation of the cafe owners. (context, construction) In building, a specific pattern of bricklaying. In Scotland, a mortgage. verb  (transitive) To connect, secure or tie with a bond; to bind. The gargantuan ape was bonded in iron chains and carted onto the stage. (transitive) To cause to adhere (one material with another). The children bonded their snapshots to the scrapbook pages with mucilage. (context, transitive, chemistry) To form a chemical compound with. Under unusual conditions, even gold can be made to bond with other elements. (transitive) To guarantee or secure a financial risk. The contractor was bonded with a local underwriter. To form a friendship or emotional connection. The men had bonded while serving together in Vietnam. (transitive) To put in a bonded warehouse. (context, transitive, construction) To lay bricks in a specific pattern. (context, transitive, electricity) To make a reliable electrical connection between two conductors (or any pieces of metal that may potentially become conductors). A house's distribution panel should always be bonded to the grounding rods via a panel bond.       boss noun  A person in charge of a business or company. Chat turned to whisper when the entered the conference room. A person who oversees and directs the work of others; a supervisor; someone who fires people. My complains that I'm always late to work. A leader, the head of an organized group or team. They named him because he had good leadership skills. The head of a political party in a given region or district. He is the Republican in Kentucky. (context, mechanical) A protrusion, frequently a cylinder of material that extends beyond a hole. (architecture) A knob or projection, usually at the intersection of ribs in a vault. a hassock or footrest the strengthened area at the centre of a shield to the hand grip, which is attached to the rear of the boss. The boss is frequently made of metal even when the remainder of the shield is of wood or leather verb (boss, es) To exercise authoritative control; to lord over; to boss around; to tell someone what to do, often repeatedly. You aren't my father. You can't me around!. (rare) To decorate with bosses; to emboss. adjective  (slang) of excellent quality, first-rate       bowl noun  A roughly hemispherical container used to hold, mix or present food, such as salad, fruit or soup, or other items. As much as is held by a bowl. You can't have any more soup - you've had three bowls already. The ball rolled by players in the game of lawn bowls. (also pudding bowl or bowl cut) A haircut in which straight hair is cut at an even height around the edges, forming a bowl shape. A round crater (or similar) in the ground. The action of bowling a ball. (in plural bowls but used with a singular verb) The game of lawn bowls. (American football) an important annual game, such as the Orange Bowl, the Rose Bowl, or the Superbowl verb  (transitive) To roll or throw (a ball) in the correct manner in cricket and similar games and sports. (intransitive) To throw the ball (in cricket and similar games and sports).       bracket noun  Item attached to a wall to hold up a shelf. Generically any of "(", ")", "", "", "{", "}", and, in the area of computer languages, "<", ">". "(" and ")" specifically, the other forms above requiring adjectives for disambiguation. (Technical) "" and "" specifically - opposed to the other forms which have their own technical names. (sports) printed diagram of games in a tournament prediction of the outcome of games in a tournament, used for betting purposes one of several ranges of numbers tax bracket, age bracket verb  To bound on both sides, to surround as enclosing with brackets. I tried to hit the bullseye by first bracketing it with two shots and then splitting the difference with my third, but I missed.       bray noun  The cry of an ass or donkey. verb  Of a donkey, to make its cry. Whenever I walked by, that donkey brayed at me.       brayer noun  A small hand roller used to spread ink thinly and evenly in hand printing.       break noun  (countable) An instance of breaking something into two pieces. The femur has a clean and so should heal easily. (countable) A physical space that open up, opens up in something or between two things. The sun came out in a in the clouds. (countable) A rest or pause, usually from work. Let"s take a five-minute . (countable) (tennis) (tennis) A game won by the receive, receiving player or players (in case of a double). (countable) (context, billiards) The first shot in a game of billiards (countable) (context, snooker) The number of points scored by one player in one visit to the table (countable) (surfing) Place where waves break (ie. pitch or spill forward creating white water). 2005: The final in the Greenmount area is Kirra Point. &mdash; coolangatta.net http://www.coolangatta.net/coolangatta/surfbreaks.html verb (breaks, breaking, broke, broken) (intransitive) To end up in two or more pieces that can't easily be reassembled. If the vase falls to the floor, it might . (intransitive) (medicine) Of a bone, to crack or fracture through a sudden physical strain, such as a collision. Don't slip and your leg. (intransitive) To stop functioning properly or altogether. Don't the fridge with your tools. (intransitive) To interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily. Let's for lunch. (intransitive) (tennis) To win a game as receiver. (intransitive) (context, sports, billiards, snooker, pool) To make the first shot. Is it your or my turn to ? (transitive) To cause to end up in two or more pieces. I am going to your mask. (transitive) (medicine) (ergative) Of a bone, to cause to crack under physical strain. Don't try to his neck. (transitive) (medicine) (ergative) Of a bone, to fracture accidentally. Don't your fingers playing basketball. (transitive) (ergative) To cause to malfunction or stop working altogether. Did you two the trolley by racing with it? (transitive) To cause a person or animal to lose his/her/its will, usually obtained by means of torture. You have to an elephant before you can use it as an animal of burden. America has used many forms of torture to their POWs. (transitive) To do that which is forbidden by (a rule or rules). When you go to Vancouver, promise me you won't the law. (transitive) (gaming slang) To design or use a powerful (yet legal) strategy that unbalances the game in a player's favor. Letting white have three extra queens would chess. (transitive) (media) (ergative) to disclose or make known an item of news etc       brilliant noun  a finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, having many facets 1891: "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable which sparkled upon his finger. " Arthur Conan Doyle, "A Case Of Identity" (Norton 2005 p.76) adjective  shining brightly the brilliant lights along the promenade (context, of a colour) both light and saturated butterflies with brilliant blue wings (context, of a voice or sound) having a sharp, clear tone of surpassing excellence (primarily UK usage) The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant. magnificent or wonderful (primarily UK usage) highly intelligent She is a brilliant scientist.       broke verb  (simple past of, break) (context, archaic, or, poetic) (past participle of, break) 1999 October 3, J. Stewart Burns, "Mars University", Futurama, season 2, episode 2, Fox Broadcasting Company : Guenther: I guess the hat must have my fall. (nautical) The sentence of a court martial which deprived an officer of his commission' He was and rendered unfit to serve His Majesty at sea. adjective  (colloquial) lack, Lacking money; bankrupt (colloquial) broken, Broken.       Broken proper noun  (pejorative) A politcally incorrect, alternative, name for Torres Strait Creole.       bullet noun  A projectile, usually of metal, shot from a gun at high speed. (colloquial) An entire round of unfired ammunition for a firearm, including the projectile, the cartridge casing, the explosive charge, etc. The ammunition for a sling or slingshot. A printed symbol in the form of a solid circle, ", often used for marking items in a list. (slang) One year of prison time (slang) An ace (the playing card).       burnish verb (burnishs, burnishing, burnished) (transitive) To make smooth or shiny by rubbing; to polish; to shine. In pottery, a stone is sometimes used to a pot before firing, giving it a smooth, shiny look.       Browse the Dictionary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  Find:   Words Starting With:   Words Ending With:   Words Containing:   Words That Match:    Translate Into:    Dutch   French   German    Italian   Spanish     Show 51015202550100250500 results per page.

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