Part 30

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_.]

BESORT, be-sort', _v.t._ (_obs._, _Shak._) to match with, befit, become.--_n._ suitable company.

BESOT, be-sot', _v.t._ to make sottish, dull, or stupid: to make a sot of: to cause to dote on: to infatuate (_with_):--_pr.p._ besot'ting; _pa.p._ besot'ted.--_p.adj._ BESOT'TED, infatuated.--_adv._ BESOT'TEDLY.--_n._ BESOT'TEDNESS.

BESOUGHT, be-sawt', _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of BESEECH.

BESOULED, be-s[=o]ld', _adj._ endowed with a soul.

BESPANGLE, be-spang'gl, _v.t._ to adorn with spangles, or with anything sparkling or shining.

BESPATE, be-sp[=a]t', _p.adj._ spit upon.

BESPATTER, be-spat'[.e]r, _v.t._ to spatter or sprinkle with dirt or anything moist: to defame.

BESPEAK, be-sp[=e]k', _v.t._ to speak for or engage beforehand: to stipulate or ask for: to betoken.--_v.i._ (_obs._) to speak:--_pa.t._ besp[=o]ke'; _pa.p._ besp[=o]ke' and besp[=o]k'en.--_n._ an actor's benefit, so called because the actor's friends and patrons bespeak or choose the piece to be performed that night.

BESPECKLE, be-spek'l, _v.t._ to mark with speckles or spots.

BESPECTACLED, be-spek'ta-kld, _pa.p._ having spectacles on.

BESPEED, be-sp[=e]d', _v.t._ to help on.--_p.adj._ BESPED'.

BESPICE, be-sp[=i]s', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to season with spice: to drug or poison.

BESPOKE, be-sp[=o]k', BESPOKEN, be-sp[=o]k'n, _pa.p._ of BESPEAK, ordered, as boots, clothes, &c.

BESPOT, be-spot', _v.t._ to cover with spots.--_p.adj._ BESPOT'TED.--_n._ BESPOT'TEDNESS.

BESPOUT, be-spowt', _v.t._ to spout over: to declaim pompously.

BESPREAD, be-spred', _v.t._ to spread over: to cover:--_pr.p._ bespread'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ bespread'.

BESPRENT, be-sprent', _pa.p._ sprinkled over: scattered. [A.S. _besprengan_. See SPRINKLE.]

BESPRINKLE, be-spring'kl, _v.t._ to sprinkle over.

BESSEMER, bes'[.e]m-[.e]r, _adj._ derived from the name of the inventor, Sir H. _Bessemer_, applied to steel for rails, tires, ship-plates, &c., prepared by the Bessemer process.

BEST, best, _adj._ (serves as _superl._ of GOOD) good in the highest degree: first: highest: most excellent.--_n._ one's utmost endeavour: the highest perfection.--_adv._ (_superl._ of WELL) in the highest degree: in the best manner.--_v.t._ (_coll._) to get the better of.--BEST MAN and BEST MAID, the groomsman and bridesmaid at a wedding.--AT THE BEST, or AT BEST, in the best possible way, at most after every allowance is made; FOR THE BEST, with the best intentions; I WERE BEST = it were best _for me_.--TO HAVE THE BEST OF IT, to gain the advantage in a contest; TO MAKE THE BEST OF ONE'S WAY, to go by the best possible road; TO PUT ONE'S BEST FOOT FOREMOST, to do the best, or to make the best show, one can. [A.S. _betst_, _betest_. See BETTER.]

BESTAIN, be-st[=a]n', _v.t._ to stain all over.

BESTEAD, be-sted', _v.t._ to help, relieve: to be of use to, to avail.--_v.i._ to profit, be advantageous.

BESTEAD, BESTED, be-sted', _p.adj._ set about (_with_): beset (with _by_, of foes; _with_, of dangers, &c.): situated--usually with _ill_, _hard_, &c.

BESTIAL, best'i-al, _adj._ like a beast: rude: brutally sensual.--_n._ (_Scot._) a collective name for cattle.--_v.t._ BEST'IALISE, to make like a beast.--_ns._ BEST'IALISM, irrationality; BESTIAL'ITY, beastliness: disgusting vice. [L. _bestialis_. See BEAST.]

BESTIARY, best'i-ar-i, _n._ the name given to a class of books of great popularity in the Middle Ages, describing all the animals of creation, real or fabled, generally illustrated by drawings, and allegorised for edification. [Low L. _bestiarium_, a menagerie.]

BESTICK, be-stik', _v.t._ to stick over, as with sharp points.

BESTILL, be-stil', _v.t._ to make quiet, to hush.

BESTIR, be-st[.e]r', _v.t._ to put into lively action: arouse into activity: (_refl._) to rouse one's self--_p.adj._ BESTIR'RING.

BESTORM, be-storm', _v.t._ to assail with storms or tumult.

BESTOW, be-st[=o]', _v.t._ to stow, place, or put by: to give or confer: to accommodate with quarters: to apply (with _on_ and _upon_): (_refl._, _Shak._) to acquit one's self.--_ns._ BESTOW'AL, act of bestowing: disposal; BESTOW'ER; BESTOW'MENT.

BESTRADDLE, be-strad'dl, _v.t._ to bestride.

BESTRAUGHT, be-strawt', _adj._ (_obs._) distraught: distracted: mad. [Formed with pfx. _be-_, on the analogy of _distraught_--L. _dis-tractus_.]

BESTREAK, be-str[=e]k', _v.t._ to overspread with streaks.

BESTREW, be-str[=oo]', _v.t._ to strew or scatter loosely over:--_pa.p._ bestrewed', bestr[=o]wn', bestrewn' (_with_).

BESTRIDE, be-str[=i]d', _v.t._ to stride over: to sit or stand across: to defend, protect, from the sense of standing over a fallen man to defend him:--_pa.t._ bestrid', bestr[=o]de'; _pa.p._ bestrid', bestrid'den.

BESTUCK, be-stuk', _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of BESTICK, to stick about, adorn: to transfix.

BESTUD, be-stud', _v.t._ to adorn as with studs, as the sky with stars.

BET, bet, _n._ a wager: something staked to be lost or won on the result of a doubtful issue, as a horse-race, or the like.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to lay or stake, as a bet:--_pr.p._ bet'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ bet or bet'ted.--_ns._ BET'TER, one who bets--also BET'TOR; BET'TING, act of betting or proposing a wager.--AN EVEN BET, an equal chance.--YOU BET, in American slang, certainly. [Prob. shortened from the noun ABET.]

BETAKE, be-t[=a]k', _v.t._ to take one's self to, to go (with _self_): to apply or have recourse:--_pa.t._ betook'; _pa.p._ bet[=a]k'en.

BETEEM, be-t[=e]m', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to grant, to suffer, to allow. [Most prob. from pfx. _be-_, and TEEM.]

BETEL, b[=e]'tl, _n._ the betel-nut, or nut of the areca palm, with lime and the leaves of the Betel-Pepper, chewed by the Malays as a stimulant. [Through Port. from Malay _vettila_.]

BETHANKIT, be-thank'it, Scotch for 'God be thanked.'

BETHEL, beth'el, _n._ a hallowed spot, a name applied by some Methodists to their places of worship: an old ship fitted up in a port as a place of worship for sailors. [Heb. _B[=e]th-[=e]l_, house of God.]

BETHINK, be-thingk', _v.t._ to think on or call to mind: to recollect (generally followed by a reflective pronoun and _of_): to propose to one's self.--_v.i._ to consider:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ bethought (be-thawt'). [A.S. _bithencan_; cf. Ger. _bedenken_. See THINK.]

BETHRALL, be-thrawl', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to enslave.

BETHUMB, be-thum', _v.t._ to mark with the thumbs:--_pa.p._ bethumbed'.

BETHUMP, be-thump', _v.t._ to thump or beat soundly.

BETHWACK, be-thwak', _v.t._ to thrash soundly.

BETIDE, be-t[=i]d', _v.i._ to happen to, to befall--in third person, and often impersonally, with dative object, now little used save in phrase, 'woe betide!': (_rare_) to betoken:--_pa.p._ (_Shak._) BETID'. [See TIDE.]

BETIME, be-t[=i]m', _v.i._ (_Shak._) to betide.

BETIMES, be-t[=i]mz', _adv._ in good time: early: seasonably: speedily. [Pfx. _be-_, and TIME, with _adv._ gen. _-s_; like _besides_ from beside.]

BETITLE, be-t[=i]'tl, _v.t._ to give a name to.

BETOIL, be-toil', _v.t._ to weary with toil.

BETOKEN, be-t[=o]'kn, _v.t._ to show by a sign: to foreshow. [See TOKEN.]

BETONY, bet'on-i, _n._ a common British labiate plant growing in woods, of great repute in ancient and medieval medicine, used to dye wool yellow. [Fr.--L. _betonica_, _vettonica_.]

BETOOK, be-took', _pa.t._ of BETAKE.

BETOSSED, be-tost', _pa.p._ (_Shak._) agitated.

BETRAY, be-tr[=a]', _v.t._ to give up treacherously: to disclose in breach of trust: to let go basely or weakly: to deceive the innocent and trustful, to seduce: to discover or show: to show signs of.--_ns._ BETRAY'AL, act of betraying; BETRAY'ER, a traitor, the seducer of a trustful girl. [Pfx. _be-_, and O. Fr. _traïr_ (Fr. _trahir_)--L. _trad[)e]re_, to deliver up.]

BETRIM, be-trim', _v.t._ to trim or set in order, to deck, to dress.

BETRODDEN, be-trod'n, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of BETREAD', to tread over or walk upon.

BETROTH, be-troth', _v.t._ to contract or promise in order to marriage: to affiance: (_obs._) to pledge one's self to any cause.--_ns._ BETROTH'AL, BETROTH'MENT, an agreement or contract with a view to marriage. [Pfx. _be-_, and TROTH or TRUTH.]

BETTER, bet'[.e]r, _adj._ (serves as _comp._ of GOOD) good in a greater degree: preferable: improved: more suitable: larger: kinder: stronger in health.--_adv._ (_comp._ of WELL) well in a greater degree: more fully or completely: over or more than: with greater advantage: (_pl._) superiors.--_v.t._ to make better (also reflexively, to better one's self), to improve: to benefit: also with intransitive sense, to grow better.--_p.adjs._ BET'TERED, improved, amended; BET'TERING, improving.--_ns._ BET'TERING, BET'TERMENT, BET'TERNESS.--_adj._ BET'TERMOST.--BETTER HALF, a jocose term for a wife, once applied seriously to either wife or husband, and even the soul as opposed to the body.--I HAD BETTER = I should hold it better to--the original construction having been a dative pronoun.--TO BE BETTER OFF, to be in superior circumstances; TO BE BETTER THAN ONE'S SELF, to do more than one had promised; TO GET THE BETTER OF, to gain the advantage over. [A.S. _bet_ (adv.), _betera_, better; Goth. _batiza_, Ger. _besser_. Prob. cog. with BOOT.]

BETTY, bet'ti, _n._ a man who troubles himself with the women's work in a household: a _slang_ name for a burglar's jemmy or _jenny_. [_Betty_, _Bet_, familiar abbrev. of _Elizabeth_.]

BETUMBLED, be-tum'bld, _adj._ (_Shak._) tumbled or disordered.

BETUTOR, be-t[=u]'tor, _v.t._ to tutor or instruct.

BETWEEN, be-tw[=e]n', BETWIXT, be-twikst', _prep._ in the middle of two, of space, time, or degree: in the middle or intermediate space, to defend or separate: expressing reciprocal relation from one to another: by the joint action of two or more persons.--_ns._ BETWEEN'-DECKS, the space between any two decks of a ship; BETWEEN'ITY (_rare_), state of being between.--_prep._ BETWEEN'-WHILES, at intervals.--BETWEEN OURSELVES, in confidence; BETWIXT AND BETWEEN, in a middling position.--TO GO BETWEEN, to act as a mediator. [A.S. _betwéonum_ _betweónan_--_be_, and _twegen_, _twa_, two, twain.]

BEVEL, bev'el, _n._ a slant or inclination of a surface: an instrument opening like a pair of compasses, and adjustable for measuring angles.--_adj._ having the form of a bevel: slanting.--_v.t._ to form with a bevel or slant:--_pr.p._ bev'elling; _pa.p._ bev'elled.--_ns._ BEV'EL-GEAR, BEV'EL-WHEELS (_mech._), wheels working on each other in different planes, the cogs of the wheels being bevelled or at oblique angles to the shafts.--_p.adj._ BEV'ELLED, cut to an oblique angle, sloped off. [Fr. _biveau_, an instrument for measuring angles; orig. unknown.]

BEVER, an obsolete form of BEAVER.

BEVERAGE, bev'[.e]r-[=a]j, _n._ drink: a mixture of cider and water: any agreeable liquor for drinking.--_n._ BE'VER, a small repast between meals: (_obs._) a time for drinking.--_v.i._ to take such a repast. [O. Fr. _bevrage_ (Fr. _breuvage_), _beivre_--L. _bibere_, to drink.]

BEVY, bev'i, _n._ a brood or flock of birds, esp. of quails: a company, esp. of ladies. [M. E. _bevey_, prob. the same as O. Fr. _bevee_, _buvee_, drink, It. _bevuta_, a draught; the transference of sense being perh. from a drink or a drinking-bout to a drinking-party.]

BEWAIL, be-w[=a]l', _v.t._ to lament: to mourn loudly over (esp. the dead).--_v.i._ to utter lamentations.--_adjs._ BEWAIL'ABLE, BEWAIL'ING. [See WAIL.]

BEWARE, be-w[=a]r', _v.i._ to be on one's guard: to be suspicious of danger: to take care (with _of_; with clause--_lest_, _that_, _not_, _how_). [From the words _be_ and _ware_ run together. See WARY.]

BEWEEP, be-w[=e]p', _v.t._ to weep over, to lament.--_p.adj._ BEWEPT', disfigured by weeping.

BEWELTERED, be-wel't[.e]rd, _p.adj._ besmeared by weltering in blood. [Pfx. _be-_, and WELTER.]

BEWET, be-wet', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to wet or moisten.

BEWIG, be-wig', to cover with a wig.--_p.adj._ BEWIGGED'.

BEWILDER, be-wil'd[.e]r, _v.t._ to perplex or lead astray.--_p.adj._ BEWIL'DERED, lost, confused in mind, trackless.--_adj._ BEWIL'DERING.--_adv._ BEWIL'DERINGLY.--_n._ BEWIL'DERMENT, confusion, mental confusion: perplexity. [Pfx. _be-_, and prov. Eng. _wildern_, a wilderness.]

BEWITCH, be-wich', _v.t._ to affect by witchcraft (mostly malignantly): to fascinate or charm.--_ns._ BEWITCH'ERY, BEWITCH'MENT.--_adj._ BEWITCH'ING, charming, enchanting.--_adv._ BEWITCH'INGLY.

BEWRAY, be-r[=a]', _v.t._ (_B._) to accuse: to point out: to betray or divulge unintentionally. [M. E. _bewreien_, _be-_, and A.S. _wrégan_, to accuse.]

BEY, b[=a], _n._ a Turkish governor of a town or province. [Turk. _beg_, pronounced _b[=a]_, a governor.]

BEYOND, be-yond', _prep._ on the farther side of: farther onward than: out of reach of: past in time: above, superior to.--BEYOND MEASURE, excessively; BEYOND SEAS, abroad; THE BACK OF BEYOND (_De Quincey_, &c.), a humorous phrase for any place a great way off; TO BE BEYOND ONE, to pass his comprehension; TO GO BEYOND, to surpass: to circumvent: (_B._, _Shak._) to overreach. [A.S. _begeondan_--pfx. _be-_, and _geond_, across, beyond. See YON.]

BEZANT, be-zant', or bez'ant, _n._ a gold coin, first struck at _Byzantium_ or Constantinople: (_her._) a small circle or, like a gold coin.

BEZEL, bez'l, _n._ the part of the setting of a precious stone which encloses it: the oblique side or face of a cut gem: the grooved flange or rim in which a watch-glass is set: the slope at the edge of a chisel or plane (usually BAS'IL). [From an O. Fr. word represented by mod. Fr. _biseau_; its ult. origin uncertain.]

BEZIQUE, be-z[=e]k', _n._ a game at cards for two, three, or four persons, played with two to four packs, from which cards with from two to six pips have been removed. The name _Bezique_ itself is applied to the combination of the knave of diamonds and queen of spades. [Fr. _besigue_, of obscure origin.]

BEZOAR, b[=e]'z[=o]r, _n._ a stony concretion found in the stomachs of goats, antelopes, llamas, chamois, &c., formerly esteemed an antidote to all poisons. [Through Sp. _bezaar_ and Ar. _b[=a]zahr_, from Pers. _p[=a]d-zahr_, counter-poison, _zahr_, poison.]

BEZONIAN, be-z[=o]'ni-an, _n._ (_Shak._) a beggar, a low fellow. [It. _bisogno_; Sp. _bisoño_, Fr. _bisogne_.]

BEZZLE, bez'l, _v.i._ (_obs._) to drink hard: to squander:--_pr.p._ bezz'ling; _pa.p._ bezz'led. [O. Fr. _besiler_. See EMBEZZLE.]

BHANG, bang, _n._ the native name for the Indian preparation of hemp which is smoked or swallowed for its narcotic and intoxicating qualities--in Arabic known as _hashish_. [See ASSASSIN. Hind. _bh[=a]ng_; Pers. _bang_; Sans. _bhang[=a]_.]

BIAS, b[=i]'as, _n._ a bulge or greater weight on one side of a bowl (in the game of bowling), making it slope or turn to one side: a slant or leaning to one side: a one-sided inclination of the mind, prejudice: any special influence that sways the mind.--_v.t._ to cause to turn to one side: to prejudice or prepossess:--_pa.p._ b[=i]'ased or b[=i]'assed.--_ns._ B[=I]'AS-DRAW'ING (_Shak._), a turn awry; B[=I]'ASING, a bias or inclination to one side. [Fr. _biais_, of dubious origin; Diez suggests L. _bifax_, _bifacem_, two-faced.]

BIAXAL, b[=i]-aks'al, _adj._ having two optic axes.--Also BIAXIAL. [L. _bi-_, and AXIAL.]

BIB, bib, _n._ a cloth put under an infant's chin: a similar article of dress for adults, worn over the breast or above the apron.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to drink, to tipple.--_adj._ B[=I]B[=A]'CIOUS.--_ns._ BIB[=A]'TION, tippling; BIB'BER, a tippler: chiefly used in composition as (_B._) wine-bibber. [M. E. _bibben_, most prob. from L. _bib-[)e]re_, to drink.]

BIB, bib, _n._ a fish of the same genus as the cod and haddock, also called the _Pout_.

BIBBLE-BABBLE, bib'bl-bab'bl, _n._ (_Shak._) idle talk. [Reduplication of BABBLE.]

BIBLE, b[=i]'bl, _n._ the sacred writings of the Christian Church, consisting of the Old and New Testaments.--_adj._ BIB'LICAL, of or relating to the Bible: scriptural.--_adv._ BIB'LICALLY.--_ns._ BIB'LICISM, biblical doctrine, learning, or literature; BIB'LICIST, B[=I]B'LIST, one versed in biblical learning: one who makes Scripture the sole rule of faith. [Fr.--Low L. _biblia_, fem. sing., earlier neut. pl., from Gr. _ta biblia_, lit. 'the books,' esp. the canonical books of Scripture, _biblion_, a book, dim. of _biblos_, papyrus, paper.]

BIBLIOGRAPHY, bib-li-og'raf-i, _n._ the description or knowledge of books, in regard to their authors, subjects, editions, and history.--_n._ BIBLIOG'RAPHER, one versed in bibliography or the history of books.--_adj._ BIBLIOGRAPH'IC. [Gr. _biblion_, a book, _graphia_, description.]

BIBLIOLATRY, bib-li-ol'at-ri, _n._ superstitious reverence for the Bible.--_ns._ BIBLIOL'ATRIST, BIBLIOL'ATER, one given to bibliolatry. [Gr. _biblion_, a book, _latreia_, worship.]

BIBLIOLOGY, bib-li-ol'[=o]-ji, _n._ an account of books: biblical literature, or theology. [Gr. _biblion_, a book, _logos_, discourse.]