BROOM, br[=oo]m, _n._ a name given to a number of species of shrubs of the
closely allied genera Cytisus, Genista, and Spartium: a besom made of its
twigs.--_v.t._ to sweep with a broom.--_ns._ BROOM'-CORN, a species of
plant resembling maize, cultivated for its seed and its spikes, of which
brooms are made; BROOM'-RAPE, a parasitic plant found adhering to the root
of broom, clover, &c.; BROOM'STAFF, BROOM'STICK, the staff or handle of a
broom.--_adj._ BROOM'Y, abounding in or consisting of broom.--TO MARRY OVER
THE BROOMSTICK, or TO JUMP THE BESOM, to go through an irregular form of
marriage, in which both jump over a broomstick. [A.S. _bróm_; Ger. _bram_.]
BROOSE, brüz, _n._ (_Scot._) a race at weddings in Scotland. [Derivation
unknown.]
BROSE, br[=o]z, _n._ a simple and nutritious food, made by pouring boiling
water or milk on oatmeal, seasoned with salt and butter.--ATHOLE BROSE, a
mixture of whisky and honey. [Scot.; O. Fr. _broez_.]
BROTH, broth, _n._ an infusion or decoction of vegetable and animal
substances in water.--A BROTH OF A BOY (_Irish_), a first-rate fellow.
[A.S. _broth_--_bréowan_, to brew. See BREW.]
BROTHEL, broth'el, _n._ a house of ill-fame. [M. E. _brothel_--A. S.
_broð-en_, ruined, _bréðen_, to go to ruin.]
BROTHER, bruth'[.e]r, _n._ a male born of the same parents: any one closely
united with or resembling another; associated in common interests,
occupation, &c.: a fellow-member of a religious order, a fellow-member of a
guild, &c.: a fellow-creature, fellow-citizen, a co-religionist: (_B._) a
kinsman: _pl._ BROTH'ERS and BRETH'REN, the latter esp. used in the sense
of fellow-membership of guilds, religious communities, &c., and is a name
given to certain sections of the Church of Christ, as Christian Brethren,
Moravian Brethren, Plymouth Brethren, &c.--_ns._ BROTH'ER-GER'MAN, a
brother having the same father and mother, in contradistinction to a
_half-brother_, by one parent only; BROTH'ERHOOD, the state of being a
brother: an association of men for any purpose; BROTH'ER-IN-LAW, the
brother of a husband or wife: a sister's husband.--_adjs._ BROTH'ER-LIKE,
BROTH'ERLY, like a brother: kind: affectionate.--_n._ BROTH'ERLINESS, state
of being brotherly: kindness. [A.S. _broðor_; cog. with Ger. _bruder_,
Gael. _brathair_, Fr. _frère_, L. _frater_, Sans. _bhrátar_.]
BROUGHAM, br[=oo]'am, or br[=oo]m, _n._ a one-horse close carriage, either
two or four wheeled, named after Lord _Brougham_ (1778-1868).
BROUGHT, brawt, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of BRING.
BROW, brow, _n._ the eyebrow: the ridge over the eyes: the forehead: the
edge of a hill: a gallery in a coalmine running across the face of the
coal: (_fig._) aspect, appearance.--_v.t._ BROW'BEAT, to bear down with
stern looks or speech: to bully.--_adjs._ BROW'-BOUND, having the brow
bound as with a crown: crowned; BROW'LESS, without shame. [A.S. _brú_; Ice.
_brün_.]
BROWN, brown, _adj._ of a dark or dusky colour, inclining to red or yellow:
dark-complexioned: sunburnt.--_n._ a dark-reddish colour: (_slang_) a
copper.--_v.t._ to make brown, or give a brown colour to: to roast
brown.--_ns._ BROWN'-BESS, the old British flint-lock musket--from the
brown walnut stock; BROWN'-BILL, a foot-soldier's or watchman's halbert,
painted brown; BROWN'-BREAD, bread of a brown colour, made of unbolted
flour; BROWN'-COAL, commonly called _Lignite_, an imperfect kind of coal
which exhibits more of its woody structure than ordinary coal;
BROWN'-GEORGE, a hard biscuit: a brown earthen vessel; BROWN'ING, the
process of imparting a brown colour to iron articles: a preparation for
giving a brown colour to gravy, &c., or for dressing brown leather.--_adj._
BROWN'ISH.--_ns._ BROWN'NESS; BROWN'-P[=A]'PER, coarse and strong paper
used chiefly for wrapping; BROWN'-SPAR, a name given to certain varieties
of dolomite or magnesian limestone, distinguished by their brownish colour;
BROWN'-STOUT, a kind of porter; BROWN'-STUD'Y, gloomy reverie:
absent-mindedness.--_adj._ BROWN'Y (_Shak._), of a brown colour.--TO DO
BROWN (_slang_), to do thoroughly, to deceive or take in completely. [A.S.
_brún_; Dut. _bruin_, Ger. _braun_.]
BROWNIE, brown'i, _n._ a kind of domestic spirit in the folklore of
Scotland, represented as a good-humoured, drudging goblin, who attached
himself to farmhouses, and occupied himself overnight in churning,
thrashing corn, and the like. [_Brown._]
BROWNIST, brown'ist, _n._ one holding the Church principles of Robert
_Browne_ (1550-1633), which may be said to have given birth to the
Independents or Congregationalists of England.
BROWSE, browz, _v.t._ and _v.i._ to feed on the shoots or leaves of
plants.--_ns._ BROWSE, BROWS'ING, the shoots and leaves of plants: fodder:
the action of the verb browse. [O. Fr. _brouster_ (Fr.
_brouter_)--_broust_, a sprout.]