Search the Dictionary

A division of the Bantus, dwelling between the Orange and Zambezi rivers, supposed to be the most ancient Bantu population of South Africa. They are divided into totemic clans; they are intelligent and progressive.

ives, and close up the cells; -- called also propolis. -- Bee hawk (Zoöl.), the honey buzzard. -- Bee killer (Zoöl.), a large two-winged fly of the family Asilidæ (esp. Trupanea apivora) which feeds upon the honeybee. See Robber fly. -- Bee louse (Zoöl.), a minute, wingless, dipterous insect (Braula cæca) parasitic…

Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of. If a suit be begun before an archdeacon. Ayliffe.

The Myzantha melanophrys of Australia.

The song of Zacharias at the birth of John the Baptist (Luke i. 68); -- so named from the first word of the Latin version.

See Bezant.

Having two axes; as, biaxial polarization. Brewster. -- Bi*ax"i*al*ly, adv.

A kind of divination, performed by selecting passages of Scripture at hazard, and drawing from them indications concerning future events.

An organization composed originally of Chinese rebels that had been driven into Tonkin by the suppression of the Taiping rebellion, but later increased by bands of pirates and adventurers. It took a prominent part in fighting the French during their hostilities with Anam, 1873-85.

A small, burrowing, snakelike, limbless lizard (Anguis fragilis), with minute eyes, popularly believed to be blind; the slowworm; -- formerly a name for the adder. Newts and blindworms do no wrong. Shak.

The distinctive badge of certain temperance or total abstinence organizations, as of the Blue ribbon Army. -- Blue ruin, utter ruin; also, gin. [Eng. Slang] Carlyle. -- Blue spar (Min.), azure spar; lazulite. See Lazulite. -- Blue thrush (Zoöl.), a European and Asiatic thrush (Petrocossyphus cyaneas). -- Blue verdi…

A drink, used in the East. See Boza.

Orig., a member of the "Boy Scouts," an organization of boys founded in 1908, by Sir R. S. S. Baden-Powell, to promote good citizenship by creating in them a spirit of civic duty and of usefulness to others, by stimulating their interest in wholesome mental, moral, industrial, and physical activities, etc. Hence, a mem…

A winding or zigzag trench forming a path or communication from one siegework to another, to a magazine, etc.

herefore will be brave. In silks I'll rattle it of every color. Robert Greene. Frog and lizard in holiday coats And turtle brave in his golden spots. Emerson.

A breaking out upon; an assault. The Lord had made a breach upon Uzza. 1. Chron. xiii. 11 Breach of falth, a breaking, or a failure to keep, an expressed or implied promise; a betrayal of confidence or trust. -- Breach of peace, disorderly conduct, disturbing the public peace. -- Breach of privilege, an act or defaul…

of a liquid. -- Brine pan, a pit or pan of salt water, where salt is formed by cristallization. -- Brine pit, a salt spring or well, from which water is taken to be boiled or evaporated for making salt. -- Brine pump (Marine Engin.), a pump for changing the water in the boilers, so as to clear them of the brine whi…

A bird of the genus Emberiza, or of an allied genus, related to the finches and sparrows (family Fringillidæ).

The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of each stanza; the chorus; refrain. Hence: That which is often repeated or which is dwelt upon; the main topic; as, the burden of a prayer. I would sing my song without a burden. Shak.

students formed (the original one at Jena in 1815) to support liberal ideas, or the organization formed by the affiliation of the local bodies. The organization was suppressed by the government in 1819, but was secretly revived, and is now openly maintained as a social organization, the restrictive laws having been rep…