The painted scenery at the back of a stage; the backdrop.
backhoe
backhoe
noun
(chiefly US, Canada, Australia) A multi-purpose tractor with a front-mounted loading bucket and a rear-mounted digging bucket. The tractor combines a front-end loader/loader and an excavator/digger.
A piece of excavating equipment consisting of a digging bucket or scoop on the end of an articulated arm, drawn backwards to move earth. Used in excavator/digger and backhoe tractors.
verb
To excavate using such equipment.
backhoes
backhoes
noun
plural of backhoe
backhooker
backhouse
backhouse
noun
(US, Canada, euphemistic) An outhouse: an outbuilding used as a lavatory.
(now dialect) An outbuilding behind the main building.
backhouses
backhouses
noun
plural of backhouse
bakehouse
bakehouse
noun
(UK dialectal) Bakery.
A building or an apartment used for the preparing and baking of bread and other baked goods.
A building principally containing ovens.
bakehouses
bakehouses
noun
plural of bakehouse
bakeshop
bakeshop
noun
A shop where baked goods are made and sold.
bakeshops
bakeshops
noun
plural of bakeshop
bandhook
bashibazouk
bashibazouk
noun
Alternative spelling of bashi-bazouk
bathkol
bathukolpian
bathukolpian
adj
Alternative spelling of bathykolpian
bathukolpic
bathukolpic
adj
(rare) Deep-bosomed.
bathyplankton
bathyplankton
noun
(biology) plankton living in the bathyal zone
benchwork
benchwork
noun
the structure supporting a model railway layout
work performed at a workbench
beothuk
beothuk
Noun
A member of one of the historical aboriginal peoples of Canada.
Proper noun
The extinct language of these people.
beothukan
berakoth
berakoth
noun
plural of berakah
bhokra
bibliotheke
bibliotheke
noun
Alternative form of bibliotheque
bikhaconitine
bikhaconitine
noun
(organic chemistry) An alkaloid found in bikh (Aconitum spicatum).
billhook
billhook
noun
(ornithology) Written as bill hook: a sharply pointed spike growing from the tip of the upper mandible of the hatchlings of honeyguides, used to destroy the eggs and kill the chicks of the host species.
(weaponry) A medieval polearm, fitted to a long handle, sometimes with an L-shaped tine or a spike protruding from the side or the end of the blade for tackling the opponent; a bill
An agricultural implement often with a curved or hooked end to the blade used for pruning or cutting thick, woody plants.
Written as bill hook: a spiked hook used in offices and shops for hanging bills or other small papers such as receipts.
Written as bill-hook: a part of the knotting mechanism in a reaper-binder or baler (agricultural machinery).
verb
To use a billhook
billhooks
billhooks
noun
plural of billhook
birkhoff
bishoplike
bishoplike
adj
Resembling, or pertaining to a bishop.
blackthorn
blackthorn
noun
A large shrub or small tree, Prunus spinosa, that is native to Europe, western Asia, and north Africa. It has a dark bark and bears thorns.
A stick or staff taken from this tree.
blackthorns
blackthorns
noun
plural of blackthorn
blagoveshchensk
bleachworks
bleachworks
noun
A factory that manufactures bleach.
blockhead
blockhead
noun
(colloquial) A stupid person.
A sideshow performer who hammers nails or similar items through his or her nostril into the nasal cavity; human blockhead.
verb
(rare) To behave in a stupid manner.
To perform as a human blockhead.
blockheaded
blockheaded
adj
Resembling a blockhead; stupid
verb
simple past tense and past participle of blockhead
blockheadedly
blockheadedly
adv
In a blockheaded way.
blockheadedness
blockheadedness
noun
The state or condition of being blockheaded.
blockheadish
blockheadish
adj
stupid
blockheadishness
blockheadism
blockheadism
noun
The character or behaviour of a blockhead; stupidity.
blockheads
blockheads
noun
plural of blockhead
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of blockhead
blockhole
blockhole
noun
(by extension) The approximate place where the toe of the bat touches the pitch when a batsman is taking guard.
(cricket) A small depression in the pitch caused by batsmen tapping their bats on the point where they have taken block.
blockholer
blockhouse
blockhouse
noun
(dated) A temporary wooden fortification with a projecting upper story.
A reinforced building from which to control hazardous operations, such as an explosion or a rocket launch.
A sturdy military fortification, often of concrete, with gunports.
blockhouses
blockhouses
noun
plural of blockhouse
blockish
blockish
adj
Lacking understanding; stupid; obtuse; dull.
Like a block in shape or nature; coming across as a block.
Rude; clumsy; rough.
blockishly
blockishness
blockishness
noun
The state or quality of being blockish.
blockship
blockship
noun
(nautical) A vessel that is deliberately sunk in order to block a waterway (to prevent it being used by an enemy)
bluestockingish
bluestockingish
adj
Like a bluestocking, or scholarly woman.
boathook
boathook
noun
(by extension) A pole or rod with such a hook at one end.
A hook attached to a pole used for pulling or pushing boats, rafts, logs or other objects to or from the side of a boat.
bodycheck
bodycheck
noun
Alternative spelling of body check
bodychecked
bodychecked
verb
simple past tense and past participle of bodycheck
bodychecking
bodychecking
verb
present participle of bodycheck
boehike
boghazkeui
boghazkoy
bohorok
bohunk
bohunk
noun
(Canada, US, derogatory) A brawny or coarse person.
(Canada, US, ethnic slur) An immigrant from Central Europe, Eastern Europe, or the Balkans, especially one who is regarded as vain, aggressively masculine, and socially unsophisticated.
bohunks
bohunks
noun
plural of bohunk
bokchito
bokhara
bokharan
bokoshe
bolshevik
bolshevik
noun
Alternative form of Bolshevik
bolsheviki
bolshevikian
bolshevikism
bolsheviks
bolsheviks
noun
plural of bolshevik
boneshaker
boneshaker
noun
A velocipede (the bicycle of the late 1860s).
Something jolty.
bookholder
bookholder
noun
(obsolete) A prompter at a theatre.
A support for a book, holding it open for reading or copying.
bookhood
bookhood
noun
Knowledge of books; scholarship.
The state or dignity of a book.
bookish
bookish
adj
Characterized by a method of expression generally found in books.
Fond of reading or studying, especially said of someone lacking social skills as a result.
bookishly
bookishly
adv
In a bookish manner.
bookishness
bookishness
noun
The property of being bookish.
booksellerish
booksellerish
adj
(rare) Characteristic of a bookseller.
bookshelf
bookshelf
noun
A shelf or shelves for storing books for easy visual reference.
bookshelfs
bookshelves
bookshelves
noun
plural of bookshelf
bookshop
bookshop
noun
A shop that sells books.
bookshops
bookshops
noun
plural of bookshop
bookwright
bookwright
noun
A writer of books; an author.
boschbok
boschboks
boschboks
noun
plural of boschbok
boschvark
boshbok
boshbok
noun
Alternative form of bushbuck
boshboks
boshvark
boshvarks
botchka
botchwork
botchwork
noun
Inferior and shoddy work.
bothlike
bottonhook
bourkha
boychick
boychick
noun
Alternative form of boychik
boychicks
boychicks
noun
plural of boychick
boychik
boychik
noun
(chiefly Jewish) Term of endearment for a young boy, or a young man.
(chiefly Jewish) Term of endearment for any special male with whom one is familiar.
boychiks
boychiks
noun
plural of boychik
brahmaloka
breakthrough
breakthrough
adj
(immunology) Involving the contraction of a disease by a person with a decreased susceptibility, such as a person who has been vaccinated to help prevent that disease.
(medicine) The emergence or one or more symptoms of a condition despite medication or other medical treatment.
Characterized by major progress or overcoming some obstacle.
noun
(construction) The penetration of a separating wall or the remaining distance to an adjacent hollow (a crosscut in mining) or between two parts of a tunnel build from both ends; knockthrough.
(military) An advance through and past enemy lines.
(sports) The penetration of the opposition's defence.
Any major progress; such as a great innovation or discovery that overcomes a significant obstacle.
breakthroughes
breakthroughs
breakthroughs
noun
plural of breakthrough
breasthook
breasthook
noun
(nautical) A horizontal timber fitted in the bows of a ship to add strength and to connect the sides to the stem.
brecknockshire
brecknockshire
Proper noun
An inland traditional county of Wales, bordered by Monmouthshire, Herefordshire, Radnorshire, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire and Glamorganshire.
breechblock
breechblock
noun
(firearms) The metal block that closes the breech of a breech-loading gun after insertion of the cartridge.
breechblocks
breechblocks
noun
plural of breechblock
breshkovsky
brickhood
brightwork
brightwork
noun
Polished metal fixtures, especially aboard a boat.
The varnished or oiled wood trim aboard a boat.
brightworks
brightworks
noun
plural of brightwork
brockish
brockish
adj
(obsolete) beastly; brutal
brokenhearted
brokenhearted
adj
Grieved and disappointed, especially with the loss of a beloved person or thing, such as the repudiation of a romantic relationship.
brokenheartedly
brokenheartedly
adv
In a brokenhearted manner.
brokenheartedness
brokenheartedness
noun
The quality of being brokenhearted.
brokership
brokership
noun
The role or position of a broker.
brookesmith
brookhaven
brookhaven
Proper noun
Any of several towns and cities in the United States and Canada:
a city in Mississippi, USA, and the county seat of Named after Brookhaven, New York.
brookhouse
brookshire
broomshank
brothellike
brothellike
adj
Resembling or characteristic of a brothel.
brotherlike
brotherlike
adj
Resembling or characteristic of a brother.
brushwork
brushwork
noun
(painting) The technique or practice of applying and manipulating paint (usually oil or gouache) in a painting.
bucketshop
bucketshop
noun
Alternative spelling of bucket shop
buckhannon
buckhannon
Proper noun
a city in West Virginia, USA
buckholts
buckhorn
buckhorn
noun
A horn of a buck.
The royal fern, Osmunda regalis.
buckhound
buckhound
noun
(UK) A hound for deer hunting.
buckhounds
buckhounds
noun
plural of buckhound
buckshot
buckshot
noun
(chiefly US) Lead shot used in shotgun cartridges, made of larger pellets than birdshot and suitable for hunting larger game. [from 18th c.]
buckshots
buckshots
noun
plural of buckshot
buckthorn
buckthorn
noun
Hippophae (family Elaeagnaceae), the sea buckthorn.
also genus Frangula, especially Frangula alnus, the alder buckthorn.
especially genus Rhamnus,
especially the common buckthorn or purging buckthorn; Rhamnus cathartica.
bucktooth
bucktooth
noun
An upper tooth that protrudes further than the bottom teeth.
bucktoothed
bucktoothed
adj
Having buckteeth
bucktooths
buhlwork
buhlwork
noun
(woodworking) Alternative form of buhl work
buhlworks
bunkhouse
bunkhouse
noun
A building providing sleeping quarters for workers or guests, especially in a rural setting.
bunkhouses
bunkhouses
noun
plural of bunkhouse
buttonhook
buttonhook
noun
(American football) A play in which the receiver runs straight downfield, then turns back toward the line of scrimmage.
(sewing) A hook used to pull thread through the holes of a button.
A hook for pulling the buttons of gloves and shoes through the buttonholes.
verb
(American football) To perform the buttonhook play.
buttonhooked
buttonhooked
verb
simple past tense and past participle of buttonhook
buttonhooks
buttonhooks
noun
plural of buttonhook
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of buttonhook
cashbook
cashbook
noun
A book used to record amounts of money received or paid out.
cashbooks
cashbooks
noun
plural of cashbook
chabouk
chabouk
noun
Alternative form of chabuk
chabouks
chabouks
noun
plural of chabouk
chakobu
chalkboard
chalkboard
noun
A slate or enamel board for writing on with chalk; a predecessor to a whiteboard.
verb
To write or draw on a chalkboard.
chalkboards
chalkboards
noun
plural of chalkboard
chapbook
chapbook
noun
A small book, usually made from a single sheet, folded several times, containing poems, ballads or religious tracts