To prepare oneself for something difficult, unpleasant, or challenging that is about to happen. It can also mean to physically support or strengthen something to prevent it from moving or collapsing.
A large, coarse fern that often grows in dense thickets on moorland and in woodlands. It is a hardy plant that turns golden-brown in autumn and provides significant ground cover for wildlife.
A tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired. It consists of patterns of raised dots that are felt with the fingertips to represent letters and numbers.
An original idea, plan, or creation that is the product of one person's creative thinking and effort. It is often used to attribute a successful project or invention to its primary originator.
In a medical sense, it refers to the complete and irreversible cessation of all brain activity. Informally, it is used to describe a person who is acting extremely stupidly or someone who is exhausted and unable to think clearly.
Brainpower refers to the intellectual capacity or mental energy required for thinking, learning, and solving complex problems. It can describe an individual's intelligence or the collective mental resources of a group or organization.
A prickly, scrambling shrub belonging to the rose family, typically producing blackberries or raspberries. It often grows in dense, tangled thickets that are difficult to pass through without getting caught on the thorns.
Describes a voice or sound produced with a noticeable amount of audible air, often sounding soft or whispered. In linguistics and music, it refers to a specific phonation where the vocal folds do not close completely during vibration.
To break or fail to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct. It can also refer to the physical act of breaking through a wall, barrier, or defense.
Describes weather that is pleasantly windy with light gusts of air. It can also describe a person's demeanor or a style of writing that is relaxed, confident, and informal.
A brewer is a person or a company that manufactures beer on a commercial or hobbyist scale. The role involves managing the fermentation process, selecting ingredients like malt and hops, and overseeing the production of various alcoholic malt beverages.
Bribery is the illegal act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value as a means of influencing the actions of an individual in a position of trust. It is commonly associated with corruption and used to gain an unfair advantage in legal, political, or business matters.
The professional craft or activity of building walls and structures by systematically arranging bricks with mortar. It involves specialized techniques to ensure that structures are level, stable, and aesthetically aligned.
A bridal is a wedding feast or a marriage ceremony. In modern usage, the word is most frequently encountered as an adjective, but as a noun, it specifically refers to the celebration or festival surrounding a marriage.
A bridesmaid is a female friend or relative who attends to the bride during a wedding ceremony. Her role involves supporting the bride with preparations and participating in the wedding procession.
A bridle is a piece of equipment, including headgear, a bit, and reins, used to control a horse. In a broader or academic sense, it refers to anything that restrains, curbs, or controls an action or impulse.
Describing something used for or relating to a meeting or document that provides essential information or instructions. It typically refers to materials or sessions intended to prepare someone for a specific task or situation.
To confine or imprison an individual, typically within a ship's place of detention or a military jail. In academic and historical contexts, it refers to the formal act of maritime incarceration used to maintain discipline at sea.
To make something more full of light or more colorful, or to become more hopeful and happy. It is frequently used both literally regarding physical illumination and figuratively regarding emotional states or outlooks.
Brilliance refers to exceptional intelligence, talent, or skill in a particular field. It can also describe an intense brightness or vividness of light and color.
Describes a container or space that is filled to the very top edge. Figuratively, it refers to a person or thing that is overflowing with a particular quality, emotion, or characteristic.
Describes an animal, such as a dog or cow, having a coat color that is brownish or tawny with streaks or spots of a darker color. It refers specifically to a subtle striped or flecked pattern rather than bold spots.
A rich, light, and slightly sweet bread of French origin that contains a high proportion of butter and eggs. It is frequently used for gourmet burger buns, French toast, or as a standalone breakfast pastry.
To perform an action in a quick, energetic, and active manner. It suggests a pace that is fast but efficient, often implying a sense of purpose or healthiness.
Acting or speaking in an abrupt, blunt, and often somewhat rude or impatient manner. It describes behavior that skips social pleasantries in a way that can seem dismissive or unfriendly.
Brutality refers to behavior that is very cruel, violent, or heartless. It is often used to describe physical violence or the quality of being savage and insensitive to the suffering of others.
In a manner that is extremely cruel, harsh, or direct without regard for feelings or consequences. It is commonly used to describe physical violence, severe weather conditions, or an uncompromising level of honesty.
Describes something, particularly music or fashion, that is bright, upbeat, and intentionally simple or shallow. It usually targets a young audience and is characterized by its catchy, sweet, and disposable nature.
To resist, oppose, or refuse to comply with a trend, authority, or system. In an academic or formal context, it specifically refers to going against a prevailing theory or statistical pattern.
Buckshot refers to large lead pellets used in shotgun shells, specifically designed for hunting large game like deer. Unlike a single bullet, it scatters into multiple projectiles upon being fired, covering a wider area.
Describes someone or something that is beginning to develop or show signs of promise and future success in a specific field or activity. It is frequently used to characterize young people or new ideas that are in their early, hopeful stages of growth.
To rub a surface with a soft material or a specialized tool to make it smooth, clean, and shiny. Metaphorically, it can mean to refine or improve a piece of work or a skill until it is polished and professional.
A bugbear is a persistent source of irritation, fear, or anxiety. It often refers to a particular problem or pet peeve that someone finds uniquely annoying or difficult to resolve.
A builder is a person or company that constructs or repairs buildings and structures. Metaphorically, it refers to a person, tool, or process that creates, develops, or strengthens abstract concepts such as character, wealth, or academic skills.
To swell or take on a rounded, bulb-like shape; in horticulture, it refers to the process where a plant develops a bulbous base. It describes the physical expansion of an object into a spherical or curved form, often used in technical or botanical contexts.
