bristle

short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly

bristling

rising like bristles; showing irritation

brittle

hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation

broach

introduce as a subject; moot; open up

brocade

rich, figured(patterned) fabric

brochure

pamphlet

broil

cook by direct heat; N.

bromide

platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement

brooch

ornamental clasp; pin

brood

sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time

brook

tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream

browbeat

bully; intimidate

browse

graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually

bruise

injure without breaking the skin; N.

brunt

main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument

brusque

blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice

buccaneer

pirate

bucolic

rustic; pastoral

buffet

strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that’s been set

buffoon

stupid person; clown

buffoonery

clowning

bugaboo

bugbear; object of baseless terror

bulge

protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude

bulk

size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size

bullion

gold and silver in the form of bars

bully

one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.

bulwark

strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends

bump

hit or knock against with force; N.

bungle

mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior

buoyant

able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market

bureaucracy

overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic

burgeon

grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon

burlesque

give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly

burnish

make shiny by rubbing; polish

bust

piece of sculpture showing a person’s head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster

buttress

support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress

buxom

full-bosomed; plump; jolly