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about to be married. Has by his own experience tried How much the wife is dearer than the bride. Lyttleton. I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Rev. xxi. 9.

A rustic wedding feast; a bridal. See Ale. The man that 's bid to bride-ale, if he ha' cake, And drink enough, he need not fear his stake. B. Jonson.

The marriage bed. [Poetic]

Rich or highly ornamented cake, to be distributed to the guests at a wedding, or sent to friends after the wedding.

The nuptial appartment. Matt. ix. 15.

A man newly married, or just about to be married.

A knot of ribbons worn by a guest at a wedding; a wedding favor. [Obs.]

See Bridesmaid, Bridesman.

A female friend who attends on a bride at her wedding.

A male friend who attends upon a bridegroom and bride at their marriage; the "best man." Sir W. Scott.

stake or post set in the ground, for guests at a wedding to dance round. Divide the broad bridecake Round about the bridestake. B. Jonson.

he confinement of disorderly persons; -- so called from a hospital built in 1553 near St. Bride's (or Bridget's) well, in London, which was subsequently a penal workhouse.

Of or pertaining to the islands called Hebrides, west of Scotland. -- n.

o lessen; to diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge power or rights. "The bridegroom . . . abridged his visit." Smollett. She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state to necessity. Fuller.

o single fight. Dryden. The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the noise of the bridegroom's coming. Jer. Taylor.

ornaments; to embellish; to set off to advantage; to render pleasing or attractive. As a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isa. lxi. 10. At church, with meek and unaffected grace, His looks adorned the venerable place. Goldsmith.

ton. I 'll put myself in poor and mean attire. Shak. Can a maid forget her ornament, or a bride her attire Jer. ii. 32.

Of or pertaining to a bride, or to wedding; nuptial; as, bridal ornaments; a bridal outfit; a bridal chamber.

to make ready; to array; to dress. [Scot. & Old Eng.] Busk you, busk you, my bonny, bonny bride. Hamilton.

ust be squares. -- House of correction, a house where disorderly persons are confined; a bridewell. -- Under correction, subject to correction; admitting the possibility of error.