'B' definitions:

Definition of 'B'

From: WordNet
noun
Aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil [syn: bacillus, B]
noun
Originally thought to be a single vitamin but now separated into several B vitamins [syn: B-complex vitamin, B complex, vitamin B complex, vitamin B, B vitamin, B]
noun
A trivalent metalloid element; occurs both in a hard black crystal and in the form of a yellow or brown powder [syn: boron, B, atomic number 5]
noun
A logarithmic unit of sound intensity equal to 10 decibels [syn: Bel, B]
noun
(physics) a unit of nuclear cross section; the effective circular area that one particle presents to another as a target for an encounter [syn: barn, b]
noun
The 2nd letter of the Roman alphabet [syn: B, b]
noun
The blood group whose red cells carry the B antigen [syn: B, type B, group B]

Definition of 'B'

From: GCIDE
  • B \B\ (b[=e]) is the second letter of the English alphabet. (See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 196, 220.) It is etymologically related to p, v, f, w, and m, letters representing sounds having a close organic affinity to its own sound; as in Eng. bursar and purser; Eng. bear and Lat. ferre; Eng. silver and Ger. silber; Lat. cubitum and It. gomito; Eng. seven, Anglo-Saxon seofon, Ger. sieben, Lat. septem, Gr."epta`, Sanskrit saptan. The form of letter B is Roman, from the Greek B (Beta), of Semitic origin. The small b was formed by gradual change from the capital B. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: In (Music), B is the nominal of the seventh tone in the model major scale (the scale of C major), or of the second tone in it's relative minor scale (that of A minor). B[flat] stands for B flat, the tone a half step, or semitone, lower than B. In German, B stands for our B[flat], while our B natural is called H (pronounced h[aum]). [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Infinitive \In*fin"i*tive\, n. [L. infinitivus: cf. F. infinitif. See Infinite.] Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined. [1913 Webster]
  • Infinitive mood (Gram.), that form of the verb which merely names the action, and performs the office of a verbal noun. Some grammarians make two forms in English: (a) The simple form, as, speak, go, hear, before which to is commonly placed, as, to speak; to go; to hear. (b) The form of the imperfect participle, called the infinitive in -ing; as, going is as easy as standing. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could, would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare, do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go; you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly employed in expressing purpose. See Gerund, 2. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was confounded with the present participle in -ende, or -inde (later -inge). [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Labial \La"bi*al\, n.
  • 1. (Phonetics) A letter or character representing an articulation or sound formed or uttered chiefly with the lips, as b, p, w. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Mus.) An organ pipe that is furnished with lips; a flue pipe. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Zool.) One of the scales which border the mouth of a fish or reptile. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Legate \Leg"ate\ (l[e^]g"[asl]t), n. [OE. legat, L. legatus, fr. legare to send with a commission or charge, to depute, fr. lex, legis, law: cf. F. l['e]gat, It. legato. See Legal.]
  • 1. An ambassador or envoy. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. An ecclesiastic representing the pope and invested with the authority of the Holy See. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Legates are of three kinds: (a) Legates a latere, now always cardinals. They are called ordinary or extraordinary legates, the former governing provinces, and the latter class being sent to foreign countries on extraordinary occasions. (b) Legati missi, who correspond to the ambassadors of temporal governments. (c) Legati nati, or legates by virtue of their office, as the archbishops of Salzburg and Prague. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Rom. Hist.) (a) An official assistant given to a general or to the governor of a province. (b) Under the emperors, a governor sent to a province. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Libration \Li*bra"tion\ (l[-i]*br[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [L. libratio: cf. F. libration.]
  • 1. The act or state of librating. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Astron.) A real or apparent libratory motion, like that of a balance before coming to rest. [1913 Webster]
  • Libration of the moon, any one of those small periodical changes in the position of the moon's surface relatively to the earth, in consequence of which narrow portions at opposite limbs become visible or invisible alternately. It receives different names according to the manner in which it takes place; as: (a) Libration in longitude, that which, depending on the place of the moon in its elliptic orbit, causes small portions near the eastern and western borders alternately to appear and disappear each month. (b) Libration in latitude, that which depends on the varying position of the moon's axis in respect to the spectator, causing the alternate appearance and disappearance of either pole. (c) Diurnal or parallactic libration, that which brings into view on the upper limb, at rising and setting, some parts not in the average visible hemisphere. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Respiration \Res`pi*ra"tion\ (r?s`p?*r?"sh?n), n. [L. respiratio: cf. F. respiration. See Respire.]
  • 1. The act of respiring or breathing again, or catching one's breath. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Relief from toil or suffering: rest. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • Till the day Appear of respiration to the just And vengeance to the wicked. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Interval; intermission. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Physiol.) The act of resping or breathing; the act of taking in and giving out air; the aggregate of those processes bu which oxygen is introduced into the system, and carbon dioxide, or carbonic acid, removed. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Respiration in the higher animals is divided into: (a) Internal respiration, or the interchange of oxygen and carbonic acid between the cells of the body and the bathing them, which in one sense is a process of nutrition. (b) External respiration, or the gaseous interchange taking place in the special respiratory organs, the lungs. This constitutes respiration proper. --Gamgee. [1913 Webster] In the respiration of plants oxygen is likewise absorbed and carbonic acid exhaled, but in the light this process is obscured by another process which goes on with more vigor, in which the plant inhales and absorbs carbonic acid and exhales free oxygen. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Monkey \Mon"key\, n.; pl. Monkeys. [Cf. OIt. monicchio, It. monnino, dim. of monna an ape, also dame, mistress, contr. fr. madonna. See Madonna.]
  • 1. (Zool.) (a) In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana, including apes, baboons, and lemurs. (b) Any species of Quadrumana, except the lemurs. (c) Any one of numerous species of Quadrumana (esp. such as have a long tail and prehensile feet) exclusive of apes and baboons. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The monkeys are often divided into three groups: (a) Catarrhines, or Simidae. These have an oblong head, with the oblique flat nostrils near together. Some have no tail, as the apes. All these are natives of the Old World. (b) Platyrhines, or Cebidae. These have a round head, with a broad nasal septum, so that the nostrils are wide apart and directed downward. The tail is often prehensile, and the thumb is short and not opposable. These are natives of the New World. (c) Strepsorhines, or Lemuroidea. These have a pointed head with curved nostrils. They are natives of Southern Asia, Africa, and Madagascar. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a mischievous child. [1913 Webster]
  • This is the monkey's own giving out; she is persuaded I will marry her. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century. [1913 Webster]
  • Monkey boat. (Naut.) (a) A small boat used in docks. (b) A half-decked boat used on the River Thames.
  • Monkey block (Naut.), a small single block strapped with a swivel. --R. H. Dana, Jr.
  • Monkey flower (Bot.), a plant of the genus Mimulus; -- so called from the appearance of its gaping corolla. --Gray.
  • Monkey gaff (Naut.), a light gaff attached to the topmast for the better display of signals at sea.
  • Monkey jacket, a short closely fitting jacket, worn by sailors.
  • Monkey rail (Naut.), a second and lighter rail raised about six inches above the quarter rail of a ship.
  • Monkey shine, monkey trick. [Slang, U.S.]
  • Monkey trick, a mischievous prank. --Saintsbury.
  • Monkey wheel. See Gin block, under 5th Gin. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Motion \Mo"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to move. See Move.]
  • 1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; -- opposed to rest. [1913 Webster]
  • Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace attends thee, and each word, each motion, forms. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Power of, or capacity for, motion. [1913 Webster]
  • Devoid of sense and motion. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Direction of movement; course; tendency; as, the motion of the planets is from west to east. [1913 Webster]
  • In our proper motion we ascend. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Change in the relative position of the parts of anything; action of a machine with respect to the relative movement of its parts. [1913 Webster]
  • This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its motion. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity. [1913 Webster]
  • Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from God. --South. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. A proposal or suggestion looking to action or progress; esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly; as, a motion to adjourn. [1913 Webster]
  • Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. (Law) An application made to a court or judge orally in open court. Its object is to obtain an order or rule directing some act to be done in favor of the applicant. --Mozley & W. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. (Mus.) Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in the same part or in groups of parts. [1913 Webster]
  • The independent motions of different parts sounding together constitute counterpoint. --Grove. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale. Contrary motion is that when parts move in opposite directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique motion is that when one part is stationary while another moves. Similar or direct motion is that when parts move in the same direction. [1913 Webster]
  • 9. A puppet show or puppet. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • What motion's this? the model of Nineveh? --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Motion, in mechanics, may be simple or compound.
  • Simple motions are: (a) straight translation, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. (b) Simple rotation, which may be either continuous or reciprocating, and when reciprocating is called oscillating. (c) Helical, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating.
  • Compound motion consists of combinations of any of the simple motions. [1913 Webster]
  • Center of motion, Harmonic motion, etc. See under Center, Harmonic, etc.
  • Motion block (Steam Engine), a crosshead.
  • Perpetual motion (Mech.), an incessant motion conceived to be attainable by a machine supplying its own motive forces independently of any action from without. According to the law of conservation of energy, such perpetual motion is impossible, and no device has yet been built that is capable of perpetual motion. [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • Syn: See Movement. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Mute \Mute\, n.
  • 1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause. Specifically: (a) One who, from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use articulate language; a deaf-mute. (b) A person employed by undertakers at a funeral. (c) A person whose part in a play does not require him to speak. (d) Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is selected for his place because he can not speak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Phon.) A letter which represents no sound; a silent letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k, t. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Mus.) A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument, in order to deaden or soften the tone. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Ferment \Fer"ment\, n. [L. fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2), perh. for fervimentum, fr. fervere to be boiling hot, boil, ferment: cf. F. ferment. Cf. 1st Barm, Fervent.]
  • 1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or fermenting beer. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Ferments are of two kinds: (a) Formed or organized ferments. (b) Unorganized or structureless ferments. The latter are now called enzymes and were formerly called soluble ferments or chemical ferments. Ferments of the first class are as a rule simple microscopic vegetable organisms, and the fermentations which they engender are due to their growth and development; as, the acetic ferment, the {butyric ferment}, etc. See Fermentation. Ferments of the second class, on the other hand, are chemical substances; as a rule they are proteins soluble in glycerin and precipitated by alcohol. In action they are catalytic and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples are pepsin of the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia, and disease of malt. Before 1960 the term "ferment" to mean "enzyme" fell out of use. Enzymes are now known to be globular proteins, capable of catalyzing a wide variety of chemical reactions, not merely hydrolytic. The full set of enzymes causing production of ethyl alcohol from sugar has been identified and individually purified and studied. See enzyme. [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • 2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation. [1913 Webster]
  • Subdue and cool the ferment of desire. --Rogers. [1913 Webster]
  • the nation is in a ferment. --Walpole. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • Down to the lowest lees the ferment ran. --Thomson. [1913 Webster]
  • ferment oils, volatile oils produced by the fermentation of plants, and not originally contained in them. These were the quintessences of the alchemists. --Ure. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'b'

From: GCIDE
  • Gastropoda \Gas*trop"o*da\, n. pl., [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, stomach + -poda.] (Zool.) One of the classes of Mollusca, of great extent. It includes most of the marine spiral shells, and the land and fresh-water snails. They generally creep by means of a flat, muscular disk, or foot, on the ventral side of the body. The head usually bears one or two pairs of tentacles. See Mollusca. [Written also Gasteropoda.] [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The Gastropoda are divided into three subclasses; viz.: (a) The Streptoneura or Dioecia, including the Pectinibranchiata, Rhipidoglossa, Docoglossa, and Heteropoda. (b) The Euthyneura, including the Pulmonata and Opisthobranchia. (c) The Amphineura, including the Polyplacophora and Aplacophora. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'B'