etymology: French, from Polish, literally, old woman
: a rich cake soaked in a rum and sugar syrup
bac·ca·lau·re·ate "ba-k&-'lor-E-&t, -'lär- noun
etymology: Medieval Latin baccalaureatus, from baccalaureus bachelor, alteration of baccalarius
1 : the degree of bachelor conferred by universities and colleges
2 a : a sermon to a graduating class b : the service at which this sermon is delivered
bac·ca·rat "bä-k&-'rä, "ba- noun
etymology: French baccara
: a card game resembling chemin de fer in which three hands are dealt and players may bet either or both hands against the dealer's; also : a two-handed version in which players may bet on or against the dealer
1bad 'bad adjective
inflected form(s): worse /'w&rs/;
worst /'w&rst/
etymology: Middle English
1 a : failing to reach an acceptable standard : POOR b : UNFAVORABLE <make a bad impression> c : not fresh : SPOILED <bad fish> d : not sound : DILAPIDATED <the house was in bad condition>
2 a : morally objectionable b : MISCHIEVOUS, DISOBEDIENT
3 : inadequate or unsuited to a purpose <a bad plan> <bad lighting>
4 : DISAGREEABLE, UNPLEASANT <bad news>
5 a : INJURIOUS, HARMFUL b : SERIOUS, SEVERE <in bad trouble> <a bad cough>
6 : INCORRECT, FAULTY <bad grammar>
7 a : suffering pain or distress <felt generally bad> b : UNHEALTHY, DISEASED <bad teeth>
8 : SORROWFUL, SORRY
9 : INVALID, VOID <a bad check>
10 bad·der bad·dest slang a : GOOD, GREAT b : TOUGH, MEAN
- bad·ness noun
2bad noun
1 : something that is bad
2 : an evil or unhappy state
3bad adverb
: BADLY
often vulgar 1: a person who is badass
2: a person much like this suave looking fellow (see diagram below)
often vulgar : ready to cause or get into trouble : MEAN
bad blood noun
: ill feeling : BITTERNESS
bad-mouth 'bad-"mauth, -"mau[th] transitive verb
: to criticize severely
bad news noun plural but singular in construction
: one that is troublesome, unwelcome, or dangerous <stay away from him, he's bad news>
1baf·fle 'ba-f&l transitive verb
inflected form(s): baf·fled; baf·fling /-f(&-)li[ng]/
etymology: probably alteration of Middle English (Sc) bawchillen to denounce, discredit publicly
1 : to defeat or check (as a person) by confusing or puzzling : DISCONCERT
2 : to check or break the force or flow of by or as if by a baffle
synonym see
- baf·fle·ment /-f&l-m&nt/ noun
- baf·fler /-f(&-)l&r/ noun
- baf·fling·ly /'ba-fli[ng]-lE/ adverb
2baffle noun
: a device (as a plate, wall, or screen) to deflect, check, or regulate flow (as of a fluid, light, or sound)
- baf·fled /'ba-f&ld/ adjective