Part 20

BALAAM, b[=a]'lam, _n._ a prophet who strives to mislead, like Balaam in Numb. xxii.-xxiv.: unimportant paragraphs kept in readiness to fill up a newspaper.--_ns._ B[=A]'LAAM-BOX, or -BAS'KET, a place in which paragraphs such as the foregoing are kept in readiness; B[=A]'LAAMITE.--_adj._ B[=A]LAAMIT'ICAL.

BALANCE, bal'ans, _n._ an instrument for weighing, usually formed of two dishes or scales hanging from a beam supported in the middle: act of weighing two things: equality or just proportion of weight or power, as the balance of power: the sum required to make the two sides of an account equal, hence the surplus, or the sum due on an account: what is needed to produce equilibrium, a counterpoise: (_watchmaking_) a contrivance which regulates the speed of a clock or watch.--_v.t._ to weigh in a balance: to counterpoise: to compare: to settle, as an account, to examine and test accounts in book-keeping, to make the debtor and creditor sides of an account agree.--_v.i._ to have equal weight or power, &c.: to hesitate or fluctuate.--_p.adj._ BAL'ANCED, poised so as to preserve equilibrium: well arranged, stable.--_ns._ BAL'ANCER, an acrobat; BAL'ANCE-SHEET, a sheet of paper showing a summary and balance of accounts; BAL'ANCE-WHEEL, a wheel in a watch or chronometer which regulates the beat or rate. [Fr.--L. _bilanx_, having two scales--_bis_, double, _lanx_, _lancis_, a dish or scale.]

BALANUS. See ACORN-SHELL.

BALAS, bal'as, _n._ a variety of the spinel ruby. [O. Fr. _balais_ (It. _balascio_)--Low L. _balascus_--Pers. _Badakhsh[=a]n_, a place near Samarcand where they are found.]

BALATA, bal'a-ta, _n._ the gum of the bullet or bully tree of South America, used as a substitute for gutta-percha in insulating telegraph-wires.

BALBUTIENT, bal-b[=u]'shi-ent, _adj._ stammering. [L. _balbutiens_--_balb[=u]t[=i]re_, to stutter.]

BALCONY, balk'on-i (18th c., bal-k[=o]'ni), _n._ a stage or platform projecting from the wall of a building within or without, supported by pillars or consoles, and surrounded with a balustrade or railing: in theatres, usually the gallery immediately above the dress circle.--_n._ BAL'CONETTE, a miniature balcony.--_adj._ BAL'CONIED. [It. _balc[=o]ne_--_balco_, of Teut. origin; Old High Ger. _balcho_ (Ger. _balken_), Eng. BALK.]

BALD, bawld, _adj._ without hair (feathers, &c.) on the head (or on other parts of the body): bare, unadorned, destitute of literary grace: paltry, trivial: undisguised.--_ns._ BALD'-COOT, popular name for the coot, from its pure white wide frontal plate: a monk--also BALD'ICOOT; BALD'-EA'GLE, a common but inaccurate name for the American white-headed eagle, used as the national emblem.--_adj._ BALD'-FACED, having white on the face, as a horse.--_n._ BALD'HEAD, a person bald on the head.--_adjs._ BALD'-HEADED; BALD'ISH, somewhat bald.--_adv._ BALD'LY.--_ns._ BALD'NESS; BALD'PATE, one destitute of hair: a kind of wild-duck.--_adjs._ BALD'PATE, BALD'PATED, destitute of hair. [Orig. 'shining,' 'white,' Ir. and Gael. _b[`a]l_, 'white' spot; but perh. conn. with _ball_ in the sense of 'rounded,' whence 'smooth,' 'hairless.']

BALDACHIN, bal'da-kin, _n._ silk brocade: a canopy, either supported on pillars, or fastened to the wall, over a throne, pulpit, or altar, &c.: in R.C. processions, a canopy borne over the priest who carries the Host. [It. _baldacchino_, Fr. _baldaquin_, a canopy, from It. _Baldacco_, Bagdad, whence was brought the stuff of which they were made.]

BALDERDASH, bawl'd[.e]r-dash, _n._ idle senseless talk: anything jumbled together without judgment: obscene language or writing. [Ety. dub.; but cf. the prov. Eng. _balder_, to use coarse language, Dut. _balderen_, to roar. Some adduce Welsh _baldorrdus_--_baldordd_, idle noisy talk.]

BALDMONEY, bawld'mun-i, _n._ popular name for several kinds of Gentian. [Ety. quite unknown.]

BALDRICK, bawld'rik, _n._ a warrior's belt or shoulder-sash: (_Spens._) the zodiac, being regarded as a gem-studded belt. [O. Fr. _baldrei_ (Mid. High Ger. _balderich_, girdle)--Low L. _baldringus_, perh. from L. _balteus_.]

BALE, b[=a]l, _n._ a bundle, or package of goods: (_obs._) the set of dice for any special game.--_v.t._ to make into bales. [M. E. _bale_, perh. from O. Fr. _bale_--Old High Ger. _balla_, _palla_, ball. See BALL.]

BALE, b[=a]l, _v.t._ to throw out water [See BAIL.]

BALE, b[=a]l, _n._ evil, injury, mischief: misery: woe.--_adj._ BALE'FUL, full of misery, destructive: full of sorrow, sad.--_adv._ BALE'FULLY.--_n._ BALE'FULNESS.--BLISS AND BALE are often alliteratively opposed; also BOOT AND BALE. [A.S. _bealu_; Old High Ger. _balo_; Ice. _b[:o]l_.]

BALE, b[=a]l, _n._ (_arch._--_Morris_) a fire, funeral pyre: (_Scot._) a beacon-fire.--_n._ BALE'-FIRE, a blazing fire: a beacon-fire: a bonfire. Spenser confounds with BALE, woe. [A.S. _bael_; Scand. _b['a]l_; cog. with Gr. _phalos_, bright. See BELTANE.]

BALEEN, b[=a]-l[=e]n', _n._ the whalebone of commerce. [Fr.--L. _balaena_, whale.]

[Illustration]

BALISTRARIA, bal-is-tr[=a]r'i-a, _n._ an aperture or loophole in the wall of a fortification through which crossbowmen might discharge their bolts.--_n._ BAL'ISTER (_obs._), name for an arbalester or crossbowman, also an arbalest or crossbow itself. [Low L. _ballistrarius_, _balistra_, a variant form of _ballista_, a crossbow.]

BALK, BAULK, bawk, _n._ a ridge left unploughed, intentionally or through carelessness: (_obs._) an omission: squared timber: a tie-beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall, esp. when laid so as to form a loft, 'the balks:' (_obs._) the beam of a balance: the rope by which fishing-nets are fastened together: a hindrance or disappointment.--_v.t._ to ignore, pass over: refuse: avoid: let slip: to check, disappoint, or elude: to meet arguments with objections.--_v.i._ to swerve, pull up: (_Spens._) lie out of the way.--_n._ BALK'-LINE, in billiards, a line drawn across the table 28-1/2 inches from the face of the bottom cushion--a ball is said to be in balk when within this space. [A.S. _balca_, ridge; Old High Ger. _balcho_.]

BALL, bawl, _n._ anything round: any celestial body, esp. the 'globe:' the golden orb borne with the sceptre as the emblem of sovereignty: a globular body to play with in tennis, football, golf, billiards, &c.: any rounded protuberant part of the body: a bullet, or any missile thrown from an engine of war: a rounded mass of anything: a throw or delivery of the ball at cricket: a well-known game played with a ball.--_v.i._ to gather itself into a ball, become clogged.--_ns._ BALL'-CART'RIDGE, a cartridge containing both powder and ball [BALL and CARTRIDGE]; BALL'-COCK, the stopcock of a cistern, attached to one end of a lever, at the other end of which is a hollow metal ball which rises and falls with the [Illustration] water, thus regulating the supply; BALL'-FLOW'ER, an ornament of the decorated style of Gothic architecture, resembling a ball placed in a circular flower.--_adj._ BALL'-PROOF, proof against balls discharged from firearms.--BALL AND SOCKET, a joint formed of a ball partly enclosed in a cup, thus insuring great strength; BALL OF THE EYE, the eye within the lids and socket.--NO BALL, a ball unfairly bowled.--THREE GOLDEN or BRASS BALLS, the sign of a pawnbroker.--TO HAVE THE BALL AT ONE'S FEET, to have a thing in one's power; TO KEEP THE BALL UP or ROLLING, to keep from flagging; TO TAKE UP THE BALL, to take one's turn in anything.--WIDE BALL, one out of the batsman's reach. [M. E. _bal_, Scand. _b[:o]llr_; cog. with Old High Ger. _ballo_, _pallo_.]

BALL, bawl, _n._ an entertainment of dancing.--_n._ BALL'ROOM.--TO OPEN THE BALL, to begin the dancing, to begin operations. [O. Fr. _bal_, _baller_, to dance--Low L. _ballare_, referred by some to Gr. _ballizein_.]

BALLAD, bal'lad, _n._ a simple spirited narrative poem in short stanzas of two or four lines, in which a story is told in straightforward verse, often with great elaborateness and detail in incident, but always with graphic simplicity and force--a sort of minor epic: a simple song, usually of a romantic or sentimental nature, in two or more verses, each sung to the same melody, as in the so-called Ballad Concerts: any popular song, often scurrilous.--_ns._ BAL'LADIST, a writer or singer of ballads; BAL'LAD-MONGER, a dealer in ballads. [Fr. _ballade_, from _ballare_, to dance, being orig. a song sung to the rhythmic movement of a dancing chorus--a dramatic poem sung or acted in the dance, of which a shadow survives in the ring-songs of our children.]

BALLADE, ba-lad', _n._ a poem of one or more terns or triplets of seven or eight lined stanzas, each ending with the same line as refrain, and usually an envoy: now frequently used of any poem in stanzas of equal length.--BALLADE ROYAL, stanzas of seven or eight lines of ten syllables--called also _Rime_ or _Rhythm royal_. [An earlier spelling of BALLAD.]

BALLADINE, bal'a-d[=e]n, _n._ a female public dancer. [Fr.]

BALLAST, bal'last, _n._ heavy matter employed to give a ship sufficient immersion in the water, to insure her safe sailing with spread canvas, when her cargo and equipment are too light: that which renders anything steady.--_v.t._ to load with ballast: to make or keep steady: (_Shak._) load.--_n._ BAL'LAST-HEAV'ER. [Probably the Old Sw. _barlast_--_bar_, bare, and _last_, load, the mere load.]

BALLERINA, bal-ler-[=e]n'a, _n._ a female dancer:--_pl._ BALLERINE (bal-ler-in'), BALLERIN'AS. [It.]

BALLET, bal'l[=a], _n._ a theatrical exhibition composed of dancing, posturing, and pantomimic action: (_obs._) a dance. [Fr.; dim. of _bal_, a dance.]

BALLISTA, BALISTA, bal-lis'ta, _n._ a Roman military engine in the form of a crossbow, which, like the _catapulta_ and the _onager_, propelled large and heavy missiles, chiefly through the reaction of a tightly twisted rope, or else by a violent movement of levers.--_adj._ BALLIS'TIC, projectile.--_ns._ BALLIS'TIC-PEN'DULUM, an instrument for ascertaining the velocity of military projectiles; BALLIS'TITE, an improved kind of gunpowder. [L.--Gr. _ballein_, to throw.]

BALLIUM, bal'li-um, _n._ the Low L. form of BAILEY.

BALLOON, bal-l[=oo]n', _n._ an inflated air-tight envelope of paper or silk, constructed to float in the air and carry a considerable weight when filled with heated air or light gas: anything inflated, empty: (_obs._) a game played with a large inflated ball.--_v.i._ to ascend in a balloon: to puff out like a balloon.--_n._ BALLOON'IST, an aeronaut. [It. _ballone_, augmentative of _balla_, ball.]

BALLOT, bal'ut, _n._ a little ball or ticket used in voting: a method of secret voting by putting a ball or ticket into an urn or box.--_v.i._ to vote by ballot: to select by secret voting (with _for_): draw lots for:--_pr.p._ bal'loting; _pa.p._ bal'loted.--_ns._ BAL'LOTAGE, in France, the second ballot to decide which of two candidates has come nearest to the legal majority; BAL'LOT-BOX, a box to receive balls or tickets when voting by ballot. [It. _ballotta_, dim. of _balla_, ball. See BALL.]

BALM, b[:a]m, _n._ an aromatic substance: a fragrant and healing ointment: aromatic fragrance: anything that heals or soothes pain: a tree yielding balm: name of some fragrant garden herbs.--_v.t._ (_arch._) to embalm: (_Shak._) to anoint with fragrant oil: (_arch._) to soothe.--_n._ BALM'INESS.--_adj._ BALM'Y, fragrant: mild and soothing: bearing balm.--BALM, or BALSAM, OF GILEAD, the resin of the tree _Balsamodendron Gileadense_, formerly esteemed as an antiseptic, the name originating in the belief that this is the substance mentioned in the Bible as found in Gilead, and called in the English translation 'balm.' [O. Fr. _basme_--L. _balsamum_. See BALSAM.]

BALM-CRICKET, b[:a]m'-krik'et, _n._ (_Tennyson_) a cicada. [Ger. _baum_, a tree, and CRICKET.]

BALMORAL, bal-mor'al, _n._ a kind of Scotch cap: a figured woollen petticoat: a kind of boot lacing in front.

BALNEOLOGY, bal-ne-ol'o-ji, _n._ the scientific study of bathing and of mineral springs. [L. _balneum_, bath.]

BALSAM, bawl'sam, _n._ the common name of a genus of succulent herbaceous plants: a resinous oily substance generally supposed to be derived from a species of Balsamodendron, early famous in the East for its fragrance and medicinal virtues: (_fig._) any healing agent.--_v.t._ to heal: (_rare_) embalm.--_adjs._ BALSAM'IC, BAL'SAMOUS, having the qualities of balsam: soothing; BALSAMIF'EROUS, producing balsam; BAL'SAMY, fragrant.--CANADA BALSAM, a kind of turpentine obtained from the Balm of Gilead fir. [L. _balsamum_--Gr. _balsamon_; prob. of Semitic origin.]

BALTIMORE, bal'tim-[=o]r, _n._ a finch-like perching bird of the starling family, very common in North America, called also _Baltimore oriole_, _Fire-bird_, &c. [From Lord _Baltimore_, whose livery was orange and black--its colour.]

[Illustration]

BALUSTER, bal'ust-[.e]r, _n._ a small pillar used as a support to the rail of a staircase, &c.--_adj._ BAL'USTERED.--_n._ BAL'USTRADE, a row of balusters joined by a rail, forming an ornamental parapet to a balcony, &c. [Fr. _balustre_--Low L. _balaustium_--Gr. _balaustion_, the flower of the pomegranate; from the similarity of form.]

BAM, bam, _n._ a slang word for a hoax: a false tale.--_v.t._ to cheat or hoax. [See BAMBOOZLE.]

BAMBINO, bam-bi'no, _n._ a term in art descriptive of the child Jesus, esp. of the swaddled figure of the infant Saviour exhibited at Christmas in Catholic churches. [It., dim. of _bambo_.]

BAMBOO, bam-b[=oo]', _n._ a gigantic Indian reed or grass, with hollow-jointed stem, and of hard texture. [Malay _bambu_.]

BAMBOOZLE, bam-b[=oo]'zl, _v.t._ to deceive: to confound or mystify.--_n._ BAMBOO'ZLEMENT. [Of cant origin--but not Gipsy; first appears about 1700.]

BAN, ban, _n._ a proclamation: sentence of banishment: outlawry: anathematisation: a denunciation: a curse.--_v.t._ (_arch._) to curse: (_prov._) to chide or rail upon: to anathematise: to proscribe. [A.S. _bannan_, to summon; the noun _bann_ does not appear in A.S. (which has _gebann_), but is a common Teut. word, as in Old High Ger. and Scand. _bann_. The O. Fr. _ban_ and Low L. _bannum_ are of the same origin.]

BAN, ban, _n._ the governor of a BANAT, an old name for the military divisions on the eastern boundaries of the Hungarian kingdom.--_ns._ BANATE, BANNAT. [Pers. _b[=a]n_, lord.]

BANAL, b[=a]n'al, or ban'al, _adj._ commonplace, trivial.--_n._ BANAL'ITY, triviality. [Fr.]

BANANA, ba-n[:a]'na, _n._ a gigantic herbaceous plant, remarkable for its nutritious fruit. [Sp. or Port. _banana_, from the native name in Guinea.]

BANBURY, ban'ber-i, _n._ a kind of cake made at _Banbury_, a town in Oxfordshire.

BANCO, bang'ko, _n._ a commercial term meaning the standard money in which a bank keeps its accounts, as distinguished from the current money of the place.--IN BANCO, applied to the sittings of a superior court of common law as a full court distinguished from sittings at Nisi Prius or on circuit. [It. See BANK.]

BAND, band, _n._ that by which loose things are held together: (_fig._) a moral bond of restraint or of obligation: a tie or connecting piece: (_pl._) shackles, bonds, fetters (_B._): (_arch._) an agreement or promise given: (_arch._) security given: (_Spens._) a pledge. [M. E. _band_, _bond_; A.S. _bend_, from _bindan_, to bind. See BIND.]

BAND, band, _n._ a strip of cloth, or the like, to bind round anything, as a hat-band, waist-band, &c.: a stripe crossing a surface distinguished by its colour or appearance: the neck-band or collar of a shirt, also the collar or ruff worn by both sexes in the 17th century (termed a falling-band later, when turned down over the shoulders): (_pl._) the pair of linen strips hanging down in front from the collar, worn by some Protestant clergymen and by English barristers.--_n._ BAND'AGE, a strip or swathe of cloth used by surgeons to keep a part of the body at rest, to apply pressure, or to retain dressings or apparatus in position--the two chief varieties, the roller and the triangular handkerchief bandage: a piece of cloth used to blindfold the eyes.--_v.t._ to bind with such.--_n._ BAND'BOX, a light kind of box for holding bands, caps, millinery, &c.--_p.adj._ BAND'ED, fastened as with a band: striped with bands: leagued, allied.--_ns._ BAND'FISH, a name given to various kinds of fish with long, thin, flat bodies; BAND'SAW, an endless saw, consisting of a toothed steel belt; BAND'STER, one who binds the sheaves after the reapers. [M. E. _bande_--O. Fr. _bande_, of Teut. origin; cf. A.S. _bindan_; Ger. _binde_, a band, Eng. BIND.]

BAND, band, _n._ a number of persons bound together for any common purpose: a troop of conspirators, confederates, &c.: a body of musicians, the company of musicians attached to a particular regiment in the army: (_Scot._) band = bond.--_v.t._ to bind together.--_v.i._ to associate, assemble, confederate.--_ns._ BAND'MASTER, the leader of a band of musicians; BANDS'MAN, a member of a band of musicians; BAND'-STAND, a platform for accommodating a band of musicians.--BAND OF HOPE, an association of young persons--often mere infants--pledged to lifelong abstinence from alcoholic drinks--first instituted about 1847. [Fr. _bande_, of Teut. origin; cf. BEND, BIND.]

BAND, band, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to ban or banish.

BAND, an obsolete _pa.t._ of BIND.

BANDANA, BANDANNA, ban-dan'a, _n._ a kind of silk or cotton coloured handkerchief, with a pattern of spots or diamond prints, originally from India. [Hind. _bandhn[=u]_, the mode of dyeing these, _b[=a]ndh_, a cord.]

BANDEAU, ban'd[=o], _n._ a fillet or narrow band worn by women to bind their hair:--_pl._ BAN'DEAUX. [Fr.]

BANDELET, band'e-let, _n._ (_archit._) a small flat moulding or fillet surrounding a column. [Fr. _bandelette_.]

BANDELIER, ban-de-l[=e]r', _n._ a form of BANDOLEER.

BANDEROL, BANDEROLE, ban'de-r[=o]l, _n._ a small banner or streamer, as that borne on the shaft of a lance: (_archit._) a flat band with an inscription common in Renaissance buildings. [Fr.]

BANDICOOT, ban'di-k[=oo]t, _n._ a genus of insectivorous marsupials found in Australia: the largest species of rat, found in India and Ceylon, called also _Malabar rat_ and _Pig-rat_. [Telegu _pandikokku_, pig-rat.]

BANDIED. See BANDY.

BANDIT, ban'dit, _n._ an outlaw: a robber:--_pl._ BAN'DITS, BANDITT'I. [It. _bandito_--Low L. _bannire_, _bandire_, to proclaim. See BAN.]

BANDOG, ban'dog, _n._ a dog tied up as a watch-dog, or because of its ferocity. [BAND, fastening, and DOG.]

BANDOLEER, BANDOLIER, ban-do-l[=e]r', _n._ a leathern belt worn by musketeers, to which their ammunition was fixed. [O. Fr. _bandouillere_--It. _bandoliera_, _banda_, a band.]

BANDOLINE, ban'do-lin, _n._ a gummy substance used for stiffening the hair and keeping it in shape. [Prob. from BAND.]

BANDORE, ban-d[=o]r', _n._ a musical instrument like a guitar, with three or more strings. [Sp. _bandurria_, Fr. _mandore_; L. _pandura_, Gr. _pandoura_.]

BANDROL, band'r[=o]l, _n._ Same as BANDEROL.

BANDS, of clergymen and barristers. See BAND (2).

BANDY, ban'di, _n._ a club bent at the end for striking a ball: a game at ball with such a club (_bandy-ball_ = _hockey_).--_v.t._ to beat to and fro as with a bandy: to toss from one to another (as words _with_ any one) = to discuss or debate; to give and take blows or reproaches: (_Shak._) to fight, strive:--_pa.p._ ban'died.--_n._ BAN'DYING.--_adj._ BAN'DY-LEGGED, having bandy or crooked legs. [Fr. _bander_, perh. conn. with _bande_, a side.]

BANE, b[=a]n, _n._ destruction: death: mischief: poison.--_v.t._ (_arch._) to harm, to poison.--_adj._ BANE'FUL, destructive.--_adv._ BANE'FULLY.--_n._ BANE'FULNESS. [A.S. _bana_, a murderer; Ice. _bani_, death.]

BANG, bang, _n._ a heavy blow: a sudden loud noise: an explosion.--_v.t._ to beat: to strike violently: to slam, as a door: to make a loud noise: to beat or surpass, to bounce upon.--_interj._ BANG, used with verbs like 'go,' &c., and in such a phrase as 'bang off.'--_p.adj._ BANG'ING, dealing blows: overwhelming.--_adj._ BANG'-UP (_slang_), in the height of style or fashion.--_n._ BANG'STER (_prov._), a braggart, a victor. [Scand. _banga_, to hammer; cf. Ger. _bengel_, a cudgel.]

BANG, bang, _n._ a woman's hair cut square across the brow.--_p.adj._ BANGED, wearing the hair in such a way.--_n._ BANG'-TAIL, a horse's tail with the end squared. [An Americanism, doubtless from the phrase 'bang off.']

BANG. Same as BHANG.

BANGLE, bang'gl, _n._ a ring, bracelet, or anklet.--_adj._ BAN'GLED, adorned with such. [Hind. _bangr[=i]_.]

BANIAN, BANYAN, ban'yan, _n._ an Indian tree of the fig family, remarkable for its vast rooting branches: a Hindu trader, esp. from Guzerat, sometimes loosely applied to all Hindus in Western Asia: a loose flannel jacket or gown worn in India.--BANIAN DAYS, a sailor's phrase, meaning days on which no meat is served out, hence days of short commons generally, from the abstinence from flesh of the Banian merchants. [Port. _banian_, perh. through Ar. _bany[=a]n_, from Hind. _banya_--Sans. _vanij_, a merchant.]

BANISH, ban'ish, _v.t._ to condemn to exile: to drive away: to expel (with _from_, _out of_).--_n._ BAN'ISHMENT, exile. [Fr. _bannir_--Low L. _bannire_, to proclaim. See BAN.]

BANISTER, ban'ist[.e]r, _n._ a corr. of BALUSTER.

BANJO, ban'jo, _n._ a musical instrument of the guitar kind, played with the fingers, but without frets to guide the stopping, having a long neck, a body of stretched parchment like a drum, and from five to nine catgut strings. [Corr. of Fr. _bandore_ or _pandore_--L. _pandura_--Gr. _pandoura_.]

BANK, bangk, _n._ a mound or ridge of earth: the earthy margin of a river, lake, &c.: the raised edge of a road, railway cutting, &c.: (_min._) the surface at the pit-mouth, as in banksman: rising ground in the sea.--_v.t._ to enclose with a bank: to deposit or pile up: to make up a fire by covering it with a heap of fuel so pressed down as to remain a long time burning slowly--_banked fires_.--_n._ BANKS'MAN, an overseer at a pit-mouth.--FROM BANK TO BANK, from the time the collier begins to descend the pit for his spell of work till he reaches the top again. [M. E. _banke_, of Scand. origin; cog. with BANK, BENCH.]

BANK, bangk, _n._ a bench in a galley: a tier or rank of oars: the bench on which judges sat. [O. Fr. _banc_, of Teut. origin, cog. with the foregoing word.]

BANK, bangk, _n._ a place where money is deposited: an institution for the keeping, lending, and exchanging, &c. of money: in games of hazard, the money the proprietor, who plays against all the others, has before him.--_v.t._ to deposit in a bank, as money.--_ns._ BANK'-[=A]'GENT, the head of a branch bank; BANK'-BILL, a bill drawn by one bank upon another, payable at a future date, or on demand; BANK'-CHEQUE, an order to pay issued upon a bank; BANK'ER, one who keeps a bank: one employed in banking business:--_fem._ BANK'ERESS; BANK'-HOL'IDAY, a day on which banks are legally closed, bills falling due on these being payable the following day; BANK'ING, the business of a banker.--_adj._ pertaining to a bank.--_ns._ BANK'-NOTE, a note issued by a bank, which passes as money, being payable to bearer on demand; BANK'-PAP'ER, bank-notes in circulation; BANK'-STOCK, a share or shares in the capital stock of a bank; BRANCH'-BANK, a branch office of a bank; SAV'INGS-BANK, one intended originally to develop a spirit of saving amongst the poor.--BANK ANNUITIES, the consolidated three per cent. annuities--British Government funds.--BANK OF ISSUE, one that issues its own notes, or promises to pay; JOINT-STOCK BANK, one of which the capital is subscribed by a large number of shareholders; PRIVATE BANK, one carried on by any number of persons less than ten.--TO BREAK THE BANK, to win, as in faro, from the management a certain sum which has been fixed upon as the limit the bank is willing to lose on any one day; TO PLAY AGAINST THE BANK, to take the risks of a game against the manager who holds the bank, as at rouge-et-noir, &c. [Fr. _banque_, of Teut. origin, cog. with two foregoing words.]

BANKRUPT, bangk'rupt, _n._ one who breaks or fails in business; an insolvent person.--_adj._ insolvent: destitute (with _of_).--_n._ BANK'RUPTCY, the state of being or act of becoming bankrupt. [Fr. _banque-route_, It. _banca rotta_.]

BANKSIA, bangk'sia, _n._ a genus of Australian shrubs, named in honour of Sir Joseph Banks (1744-1820).

BANNER, ban'[.e]r, _n._ a military standard: a flag or ensign bearing some device, as in processions, &c.--_adj._ BAN'NERED, furnished with banners. [O. Fr. _banere_--Low L. _bandum_, _bannum_; cog. with BAND and BIND.]

BANNERET, ban'[.e]r-et, _n._ a higher class of knight, inferior to a baron. [Fr. dim. of BANNER.]

BANNEROL, ban'[.e]r-ol, _n._ Same as BANDEROL.

BANNING, ban'ning, _n._ cursing. [See BAN.]

BANNOCK, ban'nok, _n._ a flat home-made cake of oatmeal, barley, or pease-meal. [Gael. _bannach_.]

BANNS, banz, _n.pl._ a proclamation of marriage.--TO FORBID THE BANNS, to make formal objection to a projected marriage. [From BAN.]

BANQUET, bangk'wet, _n._ a feast: any rich treat or entertainment: a course of sweetmeats, fruit, and wine, separately, or after the principal meal--still used in the Scotch phrase, 'a cake and wine banquet.'--_v.t._ to give a feast to.--_v.i._ to fare sumptuously.--_ns._ BANQ'UETER, BANQ'UETEER; BANQ'UETING; BANQ'UETING-HOUSE. [Fr.;--_banc_, bench, like It. _banchetto_, from _banco_.]

BANQUETTE, bang-ket', _n._ a raised way inside a parapet; the long seat behind the driver in a French diligence. [Fr.; It. _banchetta_, dim. of _banca_, seat.]

BANSHEE, ban'sh[=e], _n._ a female fairy in Ireland and elsewhere, who makes herself known by wailings and shrieks before a death in the

## particular family to which she is attached. [Ir. _bean s['i]dhe_, Old Ir.

_ben s['i]de_, woman of the fairies.]

BANTAM, ban'tam, _n._ a small variety of the common domestic fowl, supposed to be named from _Bantam_ in Java, notable for courage.--_adj._ of bantam-breed: little and combative.