Bridesmaid
Brides″maid′ (�), n. A female friend who attends on a bride at her wedding.
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Webster's Dictionary 1913
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, C. & G. Merriam Co., 1913.
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Bridesman
Brides″man (�), n.; pl.Bridesmen (�). A male friend who attends upon a bridegroom and bride at their marriage; the “best man.” Sir W. Scott.
Bridestake
Bride″stake′ (�), n. A stake or post set in the ground, for guests at a wedding to dance round.Divide the broad bridecakeRound about the bridestake.B. Jonson.
Bridewell
Bride″well (�), n. A house of correction for the confinement of disorderly persons; — so called from a hospital built in 1553 near St. Bride's (orBridget's) well, in London, whi...
Bridge
Bridge (�), n. [OE. brig, brigge, brug, brugge, AS. brycg, bricg; akin to Fries. bregge, D. brug, OHG. brucca, G. brücke, Icel. bryggja pier, bridge, Sw. brygga, Dan. brygge, an...
Bridge (2)
Bridge (brĭj), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Bridged (brĭjd); p. pr. & vb. n.Bridging.] 1. To build a bridge or bridges on or over; as, to bridge a river.Their simple engineering bridged w...
Bridge (3)
Bridge, n. A card game resembling whist. The trump, if any, is determined by the dealer or his partner, the value of each trick taken over six being: for “no trumps” 12, hearts ...
Bridge-ward
Bridge″–ward′ (�), n. 1. A bridge keeper; a warden or a guard for a bridge. Sir W. Scott.2. The principal ward of a key. Knight.
Bridgeboard
Bridge″board′ (�), n. 1. (Arch.) A notched board to which the treads and risers of the steps of wooden stairs are fastened.2. A board or plank used as a bridge.
Bridgehead
Bridge″head′ (�), n. A fortification commanding the extremity of a bridge nearest the enemy, to insure the preservation and usefulness of the bridge, and prevent the enemy from ...
Bridgeless
Bridge″less, a. Having no bridge; not bridged.
Bridgepot
Bridge″pot′ (�), n.(Mining) The adjustable socket, or step, of a millstone spindle. Knight.
Bridgetree
Bridge″tree′ (�), n. [Bridge + tree a beam.] (Mining) The beam which supports the spindle socket of the runner in a grinding mill. Knight.
Bridging
Bridg″ing (�), n.(Arch.) The system of bracing used between floor or other timbers to distribute the weight.Bridging joist. Same as Binding joist.
Bridgy
Bridg″y (�), a. Full of bridges. Sherwood.
Bridle
Bri″dle (�), n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. Bridoon.] 1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and re...
Bridle (2)
Bri″dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Bridled (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Bridling (�).] 1. To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.He bridled her mouth with a silkwee...
Bridle (3)
Bri″dle, v. i. To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression of pride, scorn, or resentment; to assume a lofty manner; — usually with up. “His bridling neck.” Word...
Bridle iron
Bri″dle i′ron (�). (Arch.) A strong flat bar of iron, so bent as to support, as in a stirrup, one end of a floor timber, etc., where no sufficient bearing can be had; — called a...
Bridler
Bri″dler (�), n. One who bridles; one who restrains and governs, as with a bridle. Milton.
Bridoon
Bri‐doon″ (�), n. [F. bridon, from bride; of German origin. See Bridle, n.] (Mil.) The snaffle and rein of a military bridle, which acts independently of the bit, at the pleasur...
Brie cheese
Brie″ cheese″ (?). A kind of soft French cream cheese; — so called from the district in France where it is made; — called also fromage de Brie.
Brief
Brief (�), a. [OE. bref, F. brief, bref, fr. L. brevis; akin to Gr. � short, and perh. to Skr. barh to tear. Cf. Breve.] 1. Short in duration.How brief the life of man.Shak.2. C...
Brief (2)
Brief, adv. 1. Briefly.Adam, faltering long, thus answered brief.Milton.2. Soon; quickly. Shak.
Brief (3)
Brief (brēf), n. [See Brief, a., and cf. Breve.] 1. A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words.Bear this sealed brief,With winged hastle, to the lord marshal.Sh...
Brief (4)
Brief, v. t. To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.
Briefless
Brief″less (�), a. Having no brief; without clients; as, a briefless barrister.