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Letter B
Starts with B
210
General Vocab
9th Grade
10/11/2009

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Cards

Term
babble
Definition
chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N.
Term
bacchanal
Definition
noisy party with a lot of drinking
Term
bacchanalia
Definition
the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus
Term
bacchanalian
Definition
drunken
Term
backslide
Definition
revert (to bad habits); N. reverter
Term
backwards
Definition
and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
Term
badger
Definition
pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal
Term
badinage
Definition
teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
Term
baffle
Definition
frustrate; perplex
Term
bait
Definition
harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals
Term
baleful
Definition
evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look
Term
balk
Definition
stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
Term
ballast
Definition
heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast
Term
balm
Definition
something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees
Term
balmy
Definition
soft and mild (of air); fragrant
Term
banal
Definition
hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed
Term
bandy
Definition
discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with
Term
bane
Definition
posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous
Term
bank
Definition
heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning
Term
bantering
Definition
joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter
Term
bar
Definition
railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister
Term
barb
Definition
sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark
Term
bard
Definition
poet
Term
barefaced
Definition
shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
Term
bargain
Definition
agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power
Term
baroque
Definition
highly ornate
Term
barrage
Definition
barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism
Term
barrister
Definition
counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar
Term
barterer
Definition
trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money
Term
base
Definition
contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron
Term
bask
Definition
luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
Term
bastard
Definition
illegitimate child
Term
bastion
Definition
stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
Term
bate
Definition
let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
Term
battalion
Definition
army unit made up of four or more companies
Term
bauble
Definition
trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
Term
bawdy
Definition
indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd
Term
bearing
Definition
deportment; connection
Term
beatific
Definition
giving or showing bliss; blissful
Term
beatitude
Definition
blessedness; state of great happiness
Term
bedizen
Definition
dress with vulgar finery
Term
bedraggle
Definition
wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled
Term
beeline
Definition
direct quick route
Term
befuddle
Definition
confuse thoroughly
Term
beget
Definition
father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
Term
begrudge
Definition
envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success.
Term
beguile
Definition
deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile
Term
behemoth
Definition
huge creature; something of monstrous size or power
Term
beholden
Definition
obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude
Term
behoove(behove)
Definition
be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.
Term
belabor
Definition
harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically
Term
belated
Definition
delayed
Term
beleaguer
Definition
besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset
Term
belie
Definition
contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.
Term
belittle
Definition
disparage; depreciate
Term
bellicose
Definition
warlike
Term
belligerent
Definition
quarrelsome
Term
bemoan
Definition
lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of
Term
bemused
Definition
confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
Term
benediction
Definition
blessing
Term
benefactor
Definition
gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose
Term
beneficent
Definition
kindly; doing good
Term
beneficial
Definition
helpful; useful; advantageous
Term
beneficiary
Definition
person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
Term
benefit
Definition
advantage; anything that brings helpl, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits
Term
benevolent
Definition
generous; charitable; having a wish to do good
Term
benign
Definition
kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor
Term
benison
Definition
blessing
Term
bent
Definition
determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination
Term
bequeath
Definition
leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest
Term
berate
Definition
scold strongly
Term
bereaved
Definition
deprived of (someone beloved through death)
Term
bereavement
Definition
state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
Term
bereft
Definition
deprived of (something valuable); lacking
Term
berserk
Definition
mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited
Term
beseech
Definition
beg; plead with
Term
beset
Definition
harass or trouble from all directions; hem in
Term
besiege
Definition
surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
Term
besmirch
Definition
soil; defile; make dirty
Term
bestial
Definition
beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel
Term
bestow
Definition
confer
Term
betoken
Definition
signify; indicate; be a sign of
Term
betray
Definition
be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.
Term
betroth
Definition
become engaged to marry
Term
bevy
Definition
large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets
Term
beware
Definition
be cautious (of)
Term
bewitch
Definition
cast a spell over; captivate completely
Term
bicameral
Definition
two-chambered as a legislative body
Term
bicker
Definition
quarrel
Term
bid
Definition
command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; Ex. bid for freedom
Term
biennial
Definition
every two years
Term
bifurcated
Definition
divided into two branches; forked
Term
bigot
Definition
one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)
Term
bigotry
Definition
stubborn intolerance
Term
bilious
Definition
suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
Term
bilk
Definition
swindle; cheat
Term
billow
Definition
large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows
Term
billowing
Definition
swelling out in waves; surging
Term
biting
Definition
sharply painful to the body or mind; Ex. biting wind/remarks
Term
bitter
Definition
having a sharp biting taste; ¾´; causing sharp pain to the body or mind; filled with resentment, disappointment, or other unpleasant feelings; Ex. bitter wind/sorrow/tears
Term
bivouac
Definition
temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
Term
bizarre
Definition
fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional
Term
blackball
Definition
vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote
Term
blanch
Definition
bleach; whiten; make white or pale
Term
bland
Definition
soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence
Term
blandishment
Definition
flattery
Term
blare
Definition
loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light
Term
blase
Definition
bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored
Term
blasphemy
Definition
irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege
Term
blatant
Definition
extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy
Term
bleak
Definition
cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing
Term
blemish
Definition
mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished
Term
blight
Definition
plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy
Term
blighted
Definition
suffering from a disease; destroyed
Term
bliss
Definition
complete happiness; ADJ. blissful
Term
blithe(blithesome)
Definition
gay; joyous
Term
bloated
Definition
(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air
Term
blotch
Definition
spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
Term
blowhard
Definition
talkative boaster; braggart
Term
bludgeon
Definition
club; heavy-headed weapon; V.
Term
blue
Definition
gloomy; depressed
Term
blues
Definition
state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
Term
bluff
Definition
pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured
Term
blunder
Definition
error; stupid mistake
Term
blunt
Definition
having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
Term
blurt
Definition
utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement
Term
blush
Definition
become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); become red or rosy; N.
Term
bluster
Definition
blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale
Term
bode
Definition
foreshadow; portend
Term
bog
Definition
soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud
Term
bogus
Definition
counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview
Term
Bohemian
Definition
unconventional (in an artistic way)
Term
boisterous
Definition
violent; rough; noisy
Term
bolster
Definition
support; reinforce
Term
bolt
Definition
door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a | door); gobble down
Term
bombardment
Definition
attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard
Term
bombast
Definition
grandiloquent, pompous speech
Term
bombastic
Definition
pompous; using inflated language
Term
bookish
Definition
fond of books and reading
Term
boon
Definition
blessing; benefit; something very helpful
Term
boor
Definition
rude, insensitive person
Term
boorish
Definition
rude; insensitive
Term
boost
Definition
lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase
Term
botch
Definition
mismanage; blow
Term
bouillon
Definition
clear beef (or meat) soup
Term
bound
Definition
leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to
Term
bountiful
Definition
generous; graciously generous; showing bounty
Term
bourgeois
Definition
middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
Term
bout
Definition
match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
Term
bovine
Definition
cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
Term
bowdlerize
Definition
expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
Term
brackish
Definition
somewhat saline
Term
brag
Definition
boast
Term
braggadocio
Definition
boasting
Term
braggart
Definition
boaster; bragger
Term
braid
Definition
plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)
Term
brand
Definition
trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
Term
brandish
Definition
wave around (a weapon); flourish
Term
bravado
Definition
swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery
Term
brave
Definition
face courageously; Ex. brave the storm
Term
brawl
Definition
noisy quarrel
Term
brawn
Definition
human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness
Term
brawny
Definition
muscular; having well-developed muscles
Term
brazen
Definition
insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence
Term
breach
Definition
breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V.
Term
breadth
Definition
width; extent
Term
breed
Definition
produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant
Term
brevity
Definition
conciseness; shortness of duration
Term
bridle
Definition
harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger
Term
brim
Definition
uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the brim
Term
brindled
Definition
tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
Term
brink
Definition
edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon
Term
brisk
Definition
quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor
Term
bristle
Definition
short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly
Term
bristling
Definition
rising like bristles; showing irritation
Term
brittle
Definition
hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation
Term
broach
Definition
introduce as a subject; moot; open up
Term
brocade
Definition
rich, figured(patterned) fabric
Term
brochure
Definition
pamphlet
Term
broil
Definition
cook by direct heat; N.
Term
bromide
Definition
platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
Term
brooch
Definition
ornamental clasp; pin
Term
brood
Definition
sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time
Term
brook
Definition
tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
Term
browbeat
Definition
bully; intimidate
Term
browse
Definition
graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually
Term
bruise
Definition
injure without breaking the skin; N.
Term
brunt
Definition
main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument
Term
brusque
Definition
blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice
Term
buccaneer
Definition
pirate
Term
bucolic
Definition
rustic; pastoral
Term
buffet
Definition
strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that's been set
Term
buffoon
Definition
stupid person; clown
Term
buffoonery
Definition
clowning
Term
bugaboo
Definition
bugbear; object of baseless terror
Term
bulge
Definition
protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude
Term
bulk
Definition
size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size
Term
bullion
Definition
gold and silver in the form of bars
Term
bully
Definition
one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.
Term
bulwark
Definition
strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
Term
bump
Definition
hit or knock against with force; N.
Term
bungle
Definition
mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
Term
buoyant
Definition
able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market
Term
bureaucracy
Definition
overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic
Term
burgeon
Definition
grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon
Term
burlesque
Definition
give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
Term
burnish
Definition
make shiny by rubbing; polish
Term
bust
Definition
piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster
Term
buttress
Definition
support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress
Term
buxom
Definition
full-bosomed; plump; jolly
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