BALLAST, bal'last, _n._ heavy matter employed to give a ship sufficient
immersion in the water, to insure her safe sailing with spread canvas, when
her cargo and equipment are too light: that which renders anything
steady.--_v.t._ to load with ballast: to make or keep steady: (_Shak._)
load.--_n._ BAL'LAST-HEAV'ER. [Probably the Old Sw. _barlast_--_bar_, bare,
and _last_, load, the mere load.]
BALLERINA, bal-ler-[=e]n'a, _n._ a female dancer:--_pl._ BALLERINE
(bal-ler-in'), BALLERIN'AS. [It.]
BALLET, bal'l[=a], _n._ a theatrical exhibition composed of dancing,
posturing, and pantomimic action: (_obs._) a dance. [Fr.; dim. of _bal_, a
dance.]
BALLISTA, BALISTA, bal-lis'ta, _n._ a Roman military engine in the form of
a crossbow, which, like the _catapulta_ and the _onager_, propelled large
and heavy missiles, chiefly through the reaction of a tightly twisted rope,
or else by a violent movement of levers.--_adj._ BALLIS'TIC,
projectile.--_ns._ BALLIS'TIC-PEN'DULUM, an instrument for ascertaining the
velocity of military projectiles; BALLIS'TITE, an improved kind of
gunpowder. [L.--Gr. _ballein_, to throw.]
BALLIUM, bal'li-um, _n._ the Low L. form of BAILEY.
BALLOON, bal-l[=oo]n', _n._ an inflated air-tight envelope of paper or
silk, constructed to float in the air and carry a considerable weight when
filled with heated air or light gas: anything inflated, empty: (_obs._) a
game played with a large inflated ball.--_v.i._ to ascend in a balloon: to
puff out like a balloon.--_n._ BALLOON'IST, an aeronaut. [It. _ballone_,
augmentative of _balla_, ball.]
BALLOT, bal'ut, _n._ a little ball or ticket used in voting: a method of
secret voting by putting a ball or ticket into an urn or box.--_v.i._ to
vote by ballot: to select by secret voting (with _for_): draw lots
for:--_pr.p._ bal'loting; _pa.p._ bal'loted.--_ns._ BAL'LOTAGE, in France,
the second ballot to decide which of two candidates has come nearest to the
legal majority; BAL'LOT-BOX, a box to receive balls or tickets when voting
by ballot. [It. _ballotta_, dim. of _balla_, ball. See BALL.]
BALM, bäm, _n._ an aromatic substance: a fragrant and healing ointment:
aromatic fragrance: anything that heals or soothes pain: a tree yielding
balm: name of some fragrant garden herbs.--_v.t._ (_arch._) to embalm:
(_Shak._) to anoint with fragrant oil: (_arch._) to soothe.--_n._
BALM'INESS.--_adj._ BALM'Y, fragrant: mild and soothing: bearing
balm.--BALM, or BALSAM, OF GILEAD, the resin of the tree _Balsamodendron
Gileadense_, formerly esteemed as an antiseptic, the name originating in
the belief that this is the substance mentioned in the Bible as found in
Gilead, and called in the English translation 'balm.' [O. Fr. _basme_--L.
_balsamum_. See BALSAM.]
BALM-CRICKET, bäm'-krik'et, _n._ (_Tennyson_) a cicada. [Ger. _baum_, a
tree, and CRICKET.]
BALMORAL, bal-mor'al, _n._ a kind of Scotch cap: a figured woollen
petticoat: a kind of boot lacing in front.
BALNEOLOGY, bal-ne-ol'o-ji, _n._ the scientific study of bathing and of
mineral springs. [L. _balneum_, bath.]
BALSAM, bawl'sam, _n._ the common name of a genus of succulent herbaceous
plants: a resinous oily substance generally supposed to be derived from a
species of Balsamodendron, early famous in the East for its fragrance and
medicinal virtues: (_fig._) any healing agent.--_v.t._ to heal: (_rare_)
embalm.--_adjs._ BALSAM'IC, BAL'SAMOUS, having the qualities of balsam:
soothing; BALSAMIF'EROUS, producing balsam; BAL'SAMY, fragrant.--CANADA
BALSAM, a kind of turpentine obtained from the Balm of Gilead fir. [L.
_balsamum_--Gr. _balsamon_; prob. of Semitic origin.]
BALTIMORE, bal'tim-[=o]r, _n._ a finch-like perching bird of the starling
family, very common in North America, called also _Baltimore oriole_,
_Fire-bird_, &c. [From Lord _Baltimore_, whose livery was orange and
black--its colour.]
[Illustration]
BALUSTER, bal'ust-[.e]r, _n._ a small pillar used as a support to the rail
of a staircase, &c.--_adj._ BAL'USTERED.--_n._ BAL'USTRADE, a row of
balusters joined by a rail, forming an ornamental parapet to a balcony, &c.
[Fr. _balustre_--Low L. _balaustium_--Gr. _balaustion_, the flower of the
pomegranate; from the similarity of form.]
BAM, bam, _n._ a slang word for a hoax: a false tale.--_v.t._ to cheat or
hoax. [See BAMBOOZLE.]
BAMBINO, bam-bi'no, _n._ a term in art descriptive of the child Jesus, esp.
of the swaddled figure of the infant Saviour exhibited at Christmas in
Catholic churches. [It., dim. of _bambo_.]
BAMBOO, bam-b[=oo]', _n._ a gigantic Indian reed or grass, with
hollow-jointed stem, and of hard texture. [Malay _bambu_.]
BAMBOOZLE, bam-b[=oo]'zl, _v.t._ to deceive: to confound or mystify.--_n._
BAMBOO'ZLEMENT. [Of cant origin--but not Gipsy; first appears about 1700.]
BAN, ban, _n._ a proclamation: sentence of banishment: outlawry:
anathematisation: a denunciation: a curse.--_v.t._ (_arch._) to curse:
(_prov._) to chide or rail upon: to anathematise: to proscribe. [A.S.
_bannan_, to summon; the noun _bann_ does not appear in A.S. (which has
_gebann_), but is a common Teut. word, as in Old High Ger. and Scand.
_bann_. The O. Fr. _ban_ and Low L. _bannum_ are of the same origin.]
BAN, ban, _n._ the governor of a BANAT, an old name for the military
divisions on the eastern boundaries of the Hungarian kingdom.--_ns._
BANATE, BANNAT. [Pers. _b[=a]n_, lord.]
BANAL, b[=a]n'al, or ban'al, _adj._ commonplace, trivial.--_n._ BANAL'ITY,
triviality. [Fr.]
BANANA, ba-nä'na, _n._ a gigantic herbaceous plant, remarkable for its
nutritious fruit. [Sp. or Port. _banana_, from the native name in Guinea.]
BANBURY, ban'ber-i, _n._ a kind of cake made at _Banbury_, a town in
Oxfordshire.
BANCO, bang'ko, _n._ a commercial term meaning the standard money in which
a bank keeps its accounts, as distinguished from the current money of the
place.--IN BANCO, applied to the sittings of a superior court of common law
as a full court distinguished from sittings at Nisi Prius or on circuit.
[It. See BANK.]
BAND, band, _n._ that by which loose things are held together: (_fig._) a
moral bond of restraint or of obligation: a tie or connecting piece:
(_pl._) shackles, bonds, fetters (_B._): (_arch._) an agreement or promise
given: (_arch._) security given: (_Spens._) a pledge. [M. E. _band_,
_bond_; A.S. _bend_, from _bindan_, to bind. See BIND.]
BAND, band, _n._ a strip of cloth, or the like, to bind round anything, as
a hat-band, waist-band, &c.: a stripe crossing a surface distinguished by
its colour or appearance: the neck-band or collar of a shirt, also the
collar or ruff worn by both sexes in the 17th century (termed a
falling-band later, when turned down over the shoulders): (_pl._) the pair
of linen strips hanging down in front from the collar, worn by some
Protestant clergymen and by English barristers.--_n._ BAND'AGE, a strip or
swathe of cloth used by surgeons to keep a part of the body at rest, to
apply pressure, or to retain dressings or apparatus in position--the two
chief varieties, the roller and the triangular handkerchief bandage: a
piece of cloth used to blindfold the eyes.--_v.t._ to bind with such.--_n._
BAND'BOX, a light kind of box for holding bands, caps, millinery,
&c.--_p.adj._ BAND'ED, fastened as with a band: striped with bands:
leagued, allied.--_ns._ BAND'FISH, a name given to various kinds of fish
with long, thin, flat bodies; BAND'SAW, an endless saw, consisting of a
toothed steel belt; BAND'STER, one who binds the sheaves after the reapers.
[M. E. _bande_--O. Fr. _bande_, of Teut. origin; cf. A.S. _bindan_; Ger.
_binde_, a band, Eng. BIND.]
BAND, band, _n._ a number of persons bound together for any common purpose:
a troop of conspirators, confederates, &c.: a body of musicians, the
company of musicians attached to a particular regiment in the army:
(_Scot._) band = bond.--_v.t._ to bind together.--_v.i._ to associate,
assemble, confederate.--_ns._ BAND'MASTER, the leader of a band of
musicians; BANDS'MAN, a member of a band of musicians; BAND'-STAND, a
platform for accommodating a band of musicians.--BAND OF HOPE, an
association of young persons--often mere infants--pledged to lifelong
abstinence from alcoholic drinks--first instituted about 1847. [Fr.
_bande_, of Teut. origin; cf. BEND, BIND.]
BAND, band, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to ban or banish.
BAND, an obsolete _pa.t._ of BIND.
BANDANA, BANDANNA, ban-dan'a, _n._ a kind of silk or cotton coloured
handkerchief, with a pattern of spots or diamond prints, originally from
India. [Hind. _bandhn[=u]_, the mode of dyeing these, _b[=a]ndh_, a cord.]
BANDEAU, ban'd[=o], _n._ a fillet or narrow band worn by women to bind
their hair:--_pl._ BAN'DEAUX. [Fr.]
BANDELET, band'e-let, _n._ (_archit._) a small flat moulding or fillet
surrounding a column. [Fr. _bandelette_.]
BANDELIER, ban-de-l[=e]r', _n._ a form of BANDOLEER.
BANDEROL, BANDEROLE, ban'de-r[=o]l, _n._ a small banner or streamer, as
that borne on the shaft of a lance: (_archit._) a flat band with an
inscription common in Renaissance buildings. [Fr.]
BANDICOOT, ban'di-k[=oo]t, _n._ a genus of insectivorous marsupials found
in Australia: the largest species of rat, found in India and Ceylon, called
also _Malabar rat_ and _Pig-rat_. [Telegu _pandikokku_, pig-rat.]
BANDIED. See BANDY.
BANDIT, ban'dit, _n._ an outlaw: a robber:--_pl._ BAN'DITS, BANDITT'I. [It.
_bandito_--Low L. _bannire_, _bandire_, to proclaim. See BAN.]
BANDOG, ban'dog, _n._ a dog tied up as a watch-dog, or because of its
ferocity. [BAND, fastening, and DOG.]
BANDOLEER, BANDOLIER, ban-do-l[=e]r', _n._ a leathern belt worn by
musketeers, to which their ammunition was fixed. [O. Fr.
_bandouillere_--It. _bandoliera_, _banda_, a band.]
BANDOLINE, ban'do-lin, _n._ a gummy substance used for stiffening the hair
and keeping it in shape. [Prob. from BAND.]
BANDORE, ban-d[=o]r', _n._ a musical instrument like a guitar, with three
or more strings. [Sp. _bandurria_, Fr. _mandore_; L. _pandura_, Gr.
_pandoura_.]
BANDROL, band'r[=o]l, _n._ Same as BANDEROL.
BANDS, of clergymen and barristers. See BAND (2).
BANDY, ban'di, _n._ a club bent at the end for striking a ball: a game at
ball with such a club (_bandy-ball_ = _hockey_).--_v.t._ to beat to and fro
as with a bandy: to toss from one to another (as words _with_ any one) = to
discuss or debate; to give and take blows or reproaches: (_Shak._) to
fight, strive:--_pa.p._ ban'died.--_n._ BAN'DYING.--_adj._ BAN'DY-LEGGED,
having bandy or crooked legs. [Fr. _bander_, perh. conn. with _bande_, a
side.]
BANE, b[=a]n, _n._ destruction: death: mischief: poison.--_v.t._ (_arch._)
to harm, to poison.--_adj._ BANE'FUL, destructive.--_adv._
BANE'FULLY.--_n._ BANE'FULNESS. [A.S. _bana_, a murderer; Ice. _bani_,
death.]
BANG, bang, _n._ a heavy blow: a sudden loud noise: an explosion.--_v.t._
to beat: to strike violently: to slam, as a door: to make a loud noise: to
beat or surpass, to bounce upon.--_interj._ BANG, used with verbs like
'go,' &c., and in such a phrase as 'bang off.'--_p.adj._ BANG'ING, dealing
blows: overwhelming.--_adj._ BANG'-UP (_slang_), in the height of style or
fashion.--_n._ BANG'STER (_prov._), a braggart, a victor. [Scand. _banga_,
to hammer; cf. Ger. _bengel_, a cudgel.]
BANG, bang, _n._ a woman's hair cut square across the brow.--_p.adj._
BANGED, wearing the hair in such a way.--_n._ BANG'-TAIL, a horse's tail
with the end squared. [An Americanism, doubtless from the phrase 'bang
off.']
BANG. Same as BHANG.
BANGLE, bang'gl, _n._ a ring, bracelet, or anklet.--_adj._ BAN'GLED,
adorned with such. [Hind. _bangr[=i]_.]
BANIAN, BANYAN, ban'yan, _n._ an Indian tree of the fig family, remarkable
for its vast rooting branches: a Hindu trader, esp. from Guzerat, sometimes
loosely applied to all Hindus in Western Asia: a loose flannel jacket or
gown worn in India.--BANIAN DAYS, a sailor's phrase, meaning days on which
no meat is served out, hence days of short commons generally, from the
abstinence from flesh of the Banian merchants. [Port. _banian_, perh.
through Ar. _bany[=a]n_, from Hind. _banya_--Sans. _vanij_, a merchant.]
BANISH, ban'ish, _v.t._ to condemn to exile: to drive away: to expel (with
_from_, _out of_).--_n._ BAN'ISHMENT, exile. [Fr. _bannir_--Low L.
_bannire_, to proclaim. See BAN.]
BANISTER, ban'ist[.e]r, _n._ a corr. of BALUSTER.
BANJO, ban'jo, _n._ a musical instrument of the guitar kind, played with
the fingers, but without frets to guide the stopping, having a long neck, a
body of stretched parchment like a drum, and from five to nine catgut
strings. [Corr. of Fr. _bandore_ or _pandore_--L. _pandura_--Gr.
_pandoura_.]
BANK, bangk, _n._ a mound or ridge of earth: the earthy margin of a river,
lake, &c.: the raised edge of a road, railway cutting, &c.: (_min._) the
surface at the pit-mouth, as in banksman: rising ground in the sea.--_v.t._
to enclose with a bank: to deposit or pile up: to make up a fire by
covering it with a heap of fuel so pressed down as to remain a long time
burning slowly--_banked fires_.--_n._ BANKS'MAN, an overseer at a
pit-mouth.--FROM BANK TO BANK, from the time the collier begins to descend
the pit for his spell of work till he reaches the top again. [M. E.
_banke_, of Scand. origin; cog. with BANK, BENCH.]
BANK, bangk, _n._ a bench in a galley: a tier or rank of oars: the bench on
which judges sat. [O. Fr. _banc_, of Teut. origin, cog. with the foregoing
word.]
BANK, bangk, _n._ a place where money is deposited: an institution for the
keeping, lending, and exchanging, &c. of money: in games of hazard, the
money the proprietor, who plays against all the others, has before
him.--_v.t._ to deposit in a bank, as money.--_ns._ BANK'-[=A]'GENT, the
head of a branch bank; BANK'-BILL, a bill drawn by one bank upon another,
payable at a future date, or on demand; BANK'-CHEQUE, an order to pay
issued upon a bank; BANK'ER, one who keeps a bank: one employed in banking
business:--_fem._ BANK'ERESS; BANK'-HOL'IDAY, a day on which banks are
legally closed, bills falling due on these being payable the following day;
BANK'ING, the business of a banker.--_adj._ pertaining to a bank.--_ns._
BANK'-NOTE, a note issued by a bank, which passes as money, being payable
to bearer on demand; BANK'-PAP'ER, bank-notes in circulation; BANK'-STOCK,
a share or shares in the capital stock of a bank; BRANCH'-BANK, a branch
office of a bank; SAV'INGS-BANK, one intended originally to develop a
spirit of saving amongst the poor.--BANK ANNUITIES, the consolidated three
per cent. annuities--British Government funds.--BANK OF ISSUE, one that
issues its own notes, or promises to pay; JOINT-STOCK BANK, one of which
the capital is subscribed by a large number of shareholders; PRIVATE BANK,
one carried on by any number of persons less than ten.--TO BREAK THE BANK,
to win, as in faro, from the management a certain sum which has been fixed
upon as the limit the bank is willing to lose on any one day; TO PLAY
AGAINST THE BANK, to take the risks of a game against the manager who holds
the bank, as at rouge-et-noir, &c. [Fr. _banque_, of Teut. origin, cog.
with two foregoing words.]
BANKRUPT, bangk'rupt, _n._ one who breaks or fails in business; an
insolvent person.--_adj._ insolvent: destitute (with _of_).--_n._
BANK'RUPTCY, the state of being or act of becoming bankrupt. [Fr.
_banque-route_, It. _banca rotta_.]
BANKSIA, bangk'sia, _n._ a genus of Australian shrubs, named in honour of
Sir Joseph Banks (1744-1820).
BANNER, ban'[.e]r, _n._ a military standard: a flag or ensign bearing some
device, as in processions, &c.--_adj._ BAN'NERED, furnished with banners.
[O. Fr. _banere_--Low L. _bandum_, _bannum_; cog. with BAND and BIND.]
BANNERET, ban'[.e]r-et, _n._ a higher class of knight, inferior to a baron.
[Fr. dim. of BANNER.]
BANNEROL, ban'[.e]r-ol, _n._ Same as BANDEROL.