Part 27

BILLINGSGATE, bil'ingz-g[=a]t, _n._ foul and abusive language like that once familiar to the ear at _Billingsgate_ (the great fish-market of London).

BILLION, bil'yun, _n._ a million or thousand thousand of millions (1,000,000,000,000); or, according to the French method of numeration, one thousand millions (1,000,000,000). [L. _bi-_, twice, and MILLION.]

BILLON, bil'on, _n._ base metal: esp. an alloy of silver with copper, tin, or the like. [Fr., from same root as BILLET.]

BILLOW, bil'[=o], _n._ a great wave of the sea swelled by the wind: (_poet._) a wave, the sea.--_v.i._ to roll in large waves.--_adjs._ BILL'OWED, BILL'OWY. [Scand.; Ice. _bylgja_; Sw. _b[:o]lja_, Dan. _b[:o]lge_, a wave. See BILGE, BULGE.]

BILLY, BILLIE, bil'i, _n._ a comrade, a companion-in-arms: an Australian bushman's boiling-pan or tea-pot:--_pl._ BILL'IES.--_n._ BILL'Y-GOAT, a he-goat. [Prob. from _Bill_, a familiar abbrev. of William.]

BILLYBOY, bil'i-boi, _n._ a bluff-bowed one-masted trading-vessel. [Prob. conn. with BILANDER.]

BILLYCOCK, bil'i-kok, _n._ a man's low-crowned felt hat. [From _bully-cocked_, i.e. cocked like the bullies.]

BILOBED, b[=i]'l[=o]bd, BILOBULAR, b[=i]-lob'[=u]-lar, _adj._ having two lobes. [L. _bi-_, twice, and _lobe_, a LOBULE.]

BILOCATION, b[=i]-lok-[=a]'shun, _n._ the power of being in two places at the same time. [Coined from _bi-_, twice, and LOCATION.]

BILOCULAR, b[=i]-lok'[=u]-lar, _adj._ divided into two cells. [L. _bi-_, twice, and L. _loculus_, dim. of _locus_, place.]

BIMANA, b[=i]m'an-a, or bim'an-a, _n._ a term used by Blumenbach, Cuvier, &c., to describe the human species in contrast to other mammals--now rarely used, men and monkeys being now zoologically united in the old Linnaean order--Primates.--_adj._ B[=I]'MANOUS.

BIMENSAL, b[=i]-mens'al, _adj._ happening once in two months: bimonthly.--_adj._ BIMES'TRIAL, of two months' duration. [L. _bi-_, and _mensis_, a month.]

BIMETALLISM, b[=i]-met'al-izm, _n._ the name given to a monetary system in which gold and silver are on precisely the same footing as regards mintage and legal tender.--_adj._ BIMETAL'LIC, adapted to that standard.--_n._ and _adj._ BIMET'ALLIST. [A recent coinage, from Gr. _bi-_, double, and METAL.]

BIMONTHLY, b[=i]-munth'li, _adj._ once in two months; also twice a month. [L. _bi-_, two, and MONTH.]

BIN, bin, _n._ a place for storing corn, wine. [A.S. _binn_, a manger.]

BIN, bin, (_Shak._) used for BE and BEEN.

BINARY, b[=i]'nar-i, _adj._ composed of two: twofold.--_adjs._ B[=I]'NATE, growing in pairs: double; BINAUR'AL, having two ears: needing the use of both ears.--BINARY SCALE (_math._), the scale of notation whose radix or base is 2 (instead of 10); BINARY THEORY (_chem._), that which assumes all salts to contain merely two substances, either both simple, or one simple and the other a compound playing the part of a simple body. [L. _binarius_--_bini_, two by two--_bis_, twice.]

BIND, b[=i]nd, _v.t._ to tie or fasten together with a band (with _to_, _upon_): to encircle round (with _about_, _with_): to sew a border on: to tie up or bandage a limb, or the like: to fasten together (the leaves of a book) and put a cover on: to lay under obligation to answer a charge: to oblige by oath or promise _to_ or _from_ an action: to restrain, to make fast any one--also of disease, a magic spell, a passion, &c.: to hold or cement firmly: to render hard.--_v.i._ to produce constipation:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ bound.--_n._ a stalk of hops, so called from its twining or binding itself round a pole or tree: the indurated clay of coal-mines: (_mus._) the tie for grouping notes together.--_ns._ BIND'ER, one who binds, as books or sheaves: an attachment to a reaping-machine for tying the bundles of grain cut and thrown off, a reaping-machine provided with such; BIND'ERY (U.S.), a bookbinder's establishment.--_adj._ BIND'ING, restraining: obligatory.--_n._ the act of binding: anything that binds: the covering of a book.--_ns._ BIND'WEED, the convolvulus, a genus of plants, so called from their twining or binding; BINE, the slender stem of a climbing plant.--I DARE or WILL BE BOUND, I will be responsible for the statement. [A.S. _bindan_; cog. with Ger. _binden_, Sans. _bandh_.]

BINERVATE, b[=i]-n[.e]rv'[=a]t, _adj._ (_bot._) applied to leaves that have two ribs or nerves: (_entom._) having the wings supported by two nerves. [L. _bi-_, _bis_, twice, and NERVE.]

BING, bing, _n._ a heap or pile, often applied like BIN. [Scand.]

BINGO, bing'[=o], _n._ a familiar name for brandy. [Prob. B, and STINGO.]

BINK, bingk, _n._ a Scotch form of BENCH.

BINNACLE, bin'a-kl, _n._ (_naut._) the box in which on shipboard the compass is kept. [Formerly _bittacle_--Port. _bit['a]cola_--L. _habitaculum_, a dwelling-place--_habit-[=a]re_, to dwell.]

BINOCLE, bin'o-kl, _n._ a telescope through which an object can be viewed with both eyes at the same time.--_adj._ BINOC'ULAR, having two eyes: suitable for two eyes.--_adv._ BINOC'ULARLY. [L. _bini_, two by two, _oculus_, an eye.]

BINOMIAL, b[=i]-n[=o]m'i-al, _adj._ and _n._ (_alg._) a quantity consisting of two terms or parts, as _a_+b.--BINOMIAL THEOREM, a series of analytical formulae by which any power of a binomial can be expressed and developed. [L. _bi-_, _bis_, twice, and _nomen_, a name, a term.]

BINTURONG, bin't[=u]-rong, _n._ the native name for an Indian prehensile-tailed carnivore, akin to the civet.

BIO-, b[=i]'[=o], a prefix from Gr. _bios_, life, used in many scientific words to express having organic life.--_adj._ BIOBIBLIOGRAPH'ICAL, dealing with the life and writings of any one.--_n._ B[=I]'OBLAST, a formative cell, a minute mass of bioplasm or protoplasm about to become a definite cell.--_adj._ BIODYNAM'ICAL.--_ns._ BIODYNAM'ICS, that part of biology which deals with vital force; BIOGENESIS (-jen'e-sis), the process of natural generation of life from life, as opposed to spontaneous generation, or abiogenesis.--_adj._ BIOGENET'IC.--_ns._ BIOG'ENIST; BIOG'ENY; BIOMAG'NETISM, animal magnetism; BIOM'ETRY, the measurement or calculation of the probable duration of life; B[=I]'OPLASM, the germinal matter of all living beings.

BIOGRAPH, b[=i]'o-graf, _n._ a name sometimes applied to a form of the zoetrope contrived so as to exhibit the successive movements of a living body, thus simulating life. [Gr. _bios_, life, _graphein_, to write, describe.]

BIOGRAPHY, b[=i]-og'raf-i, _n._ a written account or history of the life of an individual: the art of writing such accounts.--_n._ BIOG'RAPHER, one who writes biography.--_adjs._ BIOGRAPH'IC, -AL.--_adv._ BIOGRAPH'ICALLY. [Gr. _bios_, life, _graphein_, to write.]

BIOLOGY, b[=i]-ol'oj-i, _n._ the science that treats of life or of organised beings, which seeks to classify and generalise the multitude of phenomena presented by and peculiar to the living world.--_adj._ BIOLOG'ICAL.--_adv._ BIOLOG'ICALLY.--_n._ BIOLO'GIST, one who studies biology. [Gr. _bios_, life, _logos_, a discourse.]

BIOTAXY, b[=i]'[=o]-tak-si, _n._ classification according to the sum of the morphological character. [Gr. _bios_, life, and TAXIS.]

BIOTIC, b[=i]-ot'ik, _adj._ pertaining to life. [Gr. _bios_, life.]

BIPAROUS, bip'ar-us, _adj._ bearing two at a birth. [L. _bis_, twice, _par-[)e]re_, to bring forth.]

BIPARTITE, bi'part-[=i]t, or b[=i]-p[:a]rt'[=i]t, _adj._ divided into two like parts.--_n._ BIPARTI'TION, the act of dividing into two corresponding parts. [L. _bi-_, _bis_, twice, _partitus_, divided--_part-[=i]re_, to divide.]

BIPED, b[=i]'ped, _n._ an animal with two feet.--_adjs._ B[=I]'PED, B[=I]'PEDAL, having two feet. [L. _bipes_--_bi-_, _bis_, twice, _ped-em_, foot.]

BIPENNATE, b[=i]-pen'[=a]t, BIPENNATED, b[=i]-pen'[=a]t-ed, _adj._ having two wings. [L. _bi-_, and PENNATE.]

BIPENNIS, b[=i]-pen'nis, _n._ an axe with two blades, one on each side of the handle, usually seen depicted in the hands of the Amazons. [L.--_bis_, twice, _penna_, wing.]

BIPETALOUS, b[=i]-pet'al-us, _adj._ having two petals or flower-leaves. [L. _bi-_, twice, and PETAL.]

BIPINNATE, b[=i]-pin'n[=a]t, _adj._ doubly pinnate. [L. _bi-_, twice, and PINNATE.]

BIQUADRATIC, b[=i]-kwod-rat'ik, _n._ a quantity twice squared, or raised to the fourth power.--BIQUADRATIC EQUATION, an equation with one unknown quantity raised to the fourth power; BIQUADRATIC ROOT, the square root of the square root of a number. [L. _bi-_ twice, and _quadratus_, squared.]

BIQUINTILE, b[=i]-kwin'til, _n._ (_astron._) the aspect of planets when they are twice the fifth part (144 degrees) of a great circle from each other. [L. _bi-_, twice, _quintus_, the fifth.]

BIRCH, b[.e]rch, _n._ a hardy forest-tree, with smooth, white bark and very durable wood: a rod for punishment, consisting of a birch twig or twigs.--_adjs._ BIRCH, BIRCH'EN, made of birch. [A.S. _berc_, _bierce_; Ice. _bj[:o]rk_, Sans. _bh[=u]rja_.]

BIRD, b[.e]rd, _n._ a general name for feathered animals.--_v.i._ to catch or snare birds.--_ns._ BIRD'-BOLT (_Shak._), a short thick bolt or arrow with a blunted point, used for killing birds without piercing them; BIRD'-CAGE, a cage or box made of wire and wood for holding birds; BIRD'-CALL, an instrument used by fowlers to call or allure birds to them, by imitating their notes; BIRD'-CATCH'ER, one who catches birds: a fowler; BIRD'-CATCH'ING, the art or practice of catching birds; BIRD'-CHER'RY, a bush bearing an astringent wild-fruit in drupes.--_adj._ BIRD'-EYED, having eyes quick of sight, like those of a bird: quick-sighted.--_ns._ BIRD'-FAN'CIER, one who has a fancy for rearing birds: one who keeps birds for sale; BIRD'ING (_Shak._), catching birds by means of hawks trained for the purpose; BIRD'ING-PIECE, a fowling-piece; BIRD'-LIME, a sticky substance used for catching birds; BIRD'-OF-PAR'ADISE, a kind of Eastern bird with splendid plumage; BIRD'S'-EYE, a kind of tobacco; BIRD'S'-NEST, the nest in which a bird lays her eggs and hatches her young; BIRD'-SP[=I]'DER, a species of large spiders which prey on small birds, found in Brazil.--_adj._ BIRD'-WIT'TED, flighty: incapable of sustained attention.--BIRD'S-EYE VIEW, a general view from above, as if by a bird on the wing, a representation of such, a general view or r['e]sum['e] of a subject; BIRD'S-FOOT TREFOIL, the popular name of several leguminous plants, having clusters of cylindrical pods resembling a bird's foot.--A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME, I heard in a way I will not reveal. [A.S. _brid_, the young of a bird, a bird: either from root of BREED (_bredan_, to breed) or of BIRTH (_beran_, to bear).]

BIREME, b[=i]'r[=e]m, _n._ an ancient vessel with two rows of oars. [Fr.--L. _biremis_--_bi-_, twice, and _remus_, an oar.]

[Illustration]

BIRETTA, bir-et'a, _n._ a square cap worn by clergy--by priests, black; bishops, purple; cardinals, red. [It. _berretta_--Low L. _birretum_, a cap.]

BIRK, b[.e]rk, _n._ Scotch and prov. Eng. for BIRCH.--_adj._ BIRK'EN (_Scot._), birchen.

BIRKIE, birk'i, _n._ a strutting or swaggering fellow: a fellow generally.--_adj._ active. [_Scot._ A dubious connection with Scand. _berkja_, to bark, boast, has been suggested.]

BIRL, birl, _v.t._ to spin anything round: to throw down a coin as one's share in a joint contribution.--_v.i._ to whirl round. [_Scot._, an onomatopoeic word.]

BIRLE, birl, _v.t._ and _v.i._ (_Scot._) to ply with drink: to carouse.--_ns._ BIRL'ER (_Cumberland_); BIRL'ING, the act of drawing liquor. [A.S. _byrelian_, _byrele_, a cup-bearer, _beran_, to bear.]

BIRLINN, bir'lin, _n._ a chief's barge in the Western Isles. [Gael.]

BIRMINGHAMISE, bir'ming-ham-[=i]z, _v.t._ to make up artificially. [See BRUMMAGEM.]

BIROSTRATE, b[=i]-ros'tr[=a]t, _adj._ having a double beak. [L. _bi-_, twice, and _rostratus_, beaked--_rostrum_, a beak.]

BIRR, bir, _n._ impetus: a violent push: stress in pronunciation: any sharp whirring sound. [_Scot._; Ice. _byrr_, a favouring wind.]

BIRSE, birs, _n._ bristle.--_adj._ BIRS'Y.--TO LICK THE BIRSE, to draw a hog's bristle through the mouth--part of the ceremony of citizenship in Selkirk; TO SET UP ONE'S BIRSE, to rouse the wrath of, from the habit of animals bristling up when enraged. [Scot.; A.S. _byrst_.]

BIRSLE, birs'l, _v.t._ to scorch, to toast. [Scot.]

BIRTH, b[.e]rth, _n._ a ship's station at anchor. [Same as BERTH.]

BIRTH, b[.e]rth, _n._ the act of bearing or bringing forth: the offspring born: dignity of family: origin.--_n._ BIRTH'DAY, the day on which one is born, or the anniversary of that day.--_adj._ relating to the day of one's birth.--_ns._ BIRTH'DAY-BOOK, a book in diary form, in which the birthdays of one's friends are entered in their autographs; BIRTH'DOM (_Shak._), birthright; BIRTH'-MARK, a peculiar mark on one's body at birth; BIRTH'NIGHT, the night on which one is born, or the anniversary of that night; BIRTH'PLACE, the place of one's birth; BIRTH'RIGHT, the right or privilege to which one is entitled by birth: native rights.--_adj._ BIRTH'-STRANG'LED (_Shak._), strangled in birth.--_n._ BIRTH'-WORT, a genus of perennial plants, formerly used medicinally in cases of difficult parturition. [M. E. _birThe_, prob. Scand.; cf. Goth, _ga-baurThs_, Ger. _ge-burt_.]

BIS, bis, _adv._ twice: (_mus._) a direction that a passage is to be repeated [L.].--_n._ B[=I]SEG'MENT, a segment of a line or figure cut into two equal parts.--_adjs._ B[=I]SER'RATE (_bot._), doubly serrate; B[=I]SEX'UAL, of both sexes: (_bot._) applied to flowers which contain both stamens and pistils within the same envelope.

BISCAYAN, bis'k[=a]-an, _adj._ and _n._ of or pertaining to the Basque province of _Biscay_ in Spain, or its people: Basque generally: a long heavy musket, or the bullet fired by such.

BISCUIT, bis'kit, _n._ hard dry bread in small cakes: a kind of unglazed earthenware. [O. Fr. _bescoit_ (mod. _biscuit_)--L. _bis_, twice, _coqu[)e]re_, _coctum_, to cook or bake.]

BISE, b[=e]z, _n._ a cold north or north-east wind prevalent at certain seasons in Switzerland and neighbouring parts of France and Italy. [Fr.]

BISECT, b[=i]-sekt', _v.t._ to cut into two equal parts.--_n._ BISEC'TION. [L. _bi_, twice, and _sec[=a]re_, _sectum_, to cut.]

BISERIAL, b[=i]-s[=e]'ri-al, _adj._ arranged in two series or rows. [L. _bi-_, and SERIES.]

BISHOP, bish'op, _n._ in the Western and Eastern Churches, and in the Anglican communion, a clergyman consecrated for the spiritual direction of a diocese, under an archbishop, and over the priests or presbyters and deacons: a spiritual overseer in the early Christian Church, whether of a local church or of a number of churches--the terms _bishop_ [Gr. _episcopos_] and _presbyter_ [Gr. _presbyteros_] are used interchangeably in the New Testament for the officers who direct the discipline and administer the affairs of a single congregation--the differentiation in function and dignity is, however, well marked by the end of the 2d century: one of the pieces or men in chess, from the upper part being carved into the shape of a bishop's mitre (formerly the _archer_): a wholesome hot drink compounded of red wine (claret, Burgundy, &c.) poured warm or cold upon ripe bitter oranges, sugared and spiced to taste.--_v.t._ (_jocularly_) to play the bishop, to confirm: to supply with bishops: to let milk or the like burn while cooking.--_ns._ BISH'OPESS, a she-bishop, a bishop's wife; BISH'OPRIC, the office and jurisdiction of a bishop: a diocese--also BISH'OPDOM.--BISHOP IN PARTIBUS (see PARTIBUS). [A.S. _biscop_--L. _episcopus_--Gr. _episcopos_, an overseer--_epi_, upon, _skop-ein_, to view.]

BISK. See BISQUE (1).

BISMAR, bis'mar, _n._ a kind of steelyard still used in Orkney. [Dan. _bismer_.]

BISMILLAH, bis-mil'a, _interj._ in the name of Allah or God--a common Mohammedan exclamation. [Ar.]

BISMUTH, biz'muth, _n._ a brittle metal of a reddish-white colour used in the arts and in medicine. [Ger. _bismuth_, _wissmuth_; origin unknown.]

BISON, b[=i]'son, or bis'on, _n._ a large wild animal like the bull, found in Lithuania, the Caucasus, &c., with shaggy hair and a fatty hump on its shoulders.--The American 'buffalo' is also a bison. [From L. pl. _bisontes_, prob. of Teut. origin; cf. Old High Ger. _wisunt_, A.S. _wesend_.]

BISQUE, bisk, _n._ a rich soup made of meat or fish slowly stewed and seasoned, crayfish soup.--Also BISK. [Fr.]

BISQUE, bisk, _n._ pottery that has undergone the first firing before being glazed. [See BISCUIT.]

BISQUE, bisk, _n._ a term at tennis for the odds given by one player to another, in allowing him to score one point once during the set--a means of equalising a strong and a weak player. [Fr.]

BISSEXTILE, bis-sext'il, _n._ leap-year.--_adj._ containing the BISSEXT (L. _bissextus_), or extra day which the Julian calendar inserts in leap-year--the sixth before the kalends of March, 24th February. [L. _bis_, twice, and _sextus_, sixth.]

BISSON, bis'son, _adj._ (_Shak._) blind, blinding. [A.S. _b['i]sene_, blind.]

BISTORT, bis'tort, _n._ a perennial plant with astringent properties (_Polygonum bistorta_), so named from its twisted roots, called also _Snakeweed_ and _Adder's Wort_. [Fr.--L. _bistorta_; _bis_, twice, _torta_, twisted.]

BISTOURY, bis't[=oo]r-i, _n._ a narrow surgical knife for making incisions, having a straight, convex, or concave edge. [Fr.]

BISTRE, BISTER, bis't[.e]r, _n._ a pigment of a warm brown colour made from the soot of wood, esp. beechwood.--_adj._ BIS'TRED. [Fr. _bistr['e]_; origin unknown.]

BISULCATE, b[=i]-sul'k[=a]t, _adj._ (_zool._) cloven-footed. [L. _bi-_, twice, _sulcus_, a furrow.]

BISULPHATE, b[=i]-sul'f[=a]t, _n._ a salt of sulphuric acid, in which one-half of the hydrogen of the acid is replaced by a metal. [L. _bi-_, twice, and SULPHATE.]

BIT, bit, _n._ a bite, a morsel: a small piece: the smallest degree: a small tool for boring (see BRACE): the part of the bridle which the horse holds in his mouth (see BRIDLE)--hence, TO TAKE THE BIT IN HIS TEETH, to be beyond restraint.--_v.t._ to put the bit in the mouth; to curb or restrain:--_pr.p._ bit'ting; _pa.p._ bit'ted.--BIT BY BIT, piecemeal, gradually. [From BITE.]

BITCH, bich, _n._ the female of the dog, wolf, and fox. [A.S. _bicce_; Ice. _bikkja_.]

BITE, b[=i]t, _v.t._ to seize or tear with the teeth: to sting or pain: to wound by reproach: to deceive, or take in--now only passive:--_pa.t._ bit; _pa.p._ bit or bit'ten.--_n._ a grasp by the teeth: a nibble at the bait by a fish: something bitten off: a mouthful.--_v.t._ BITE'-IN, to eat out the lines of an etching with acid: to repress.--_n._ BIT'ER, one who bites: a fish apt to take the bait: a cheat.--_n._ and _adj._ BIT'ING.--TO BITE THE DUST, to fall, to die; TO BITE THE THUMB, to express defiance by putting the thumbnail into the mouth and knocking it against the teeth. [A.S. _b['i]tan_; Goth. _beitan_, Ice. _bita_, Ger. _beissen_.]

BITT, bit, _v.t._ (_naut._) to fasten round the BITTS (q.v.).

BITTACLE. Same as BINNACLE.

BITTER, bit'[.e]r, _adj._ biting or acrid to the taste: sharp: painful.--_n._ any substance having a bitter taste.--_adj._ BITT'ERISH.--_adv._ BITT'ERLY.--_n._ BITT'ERNESS.--_n.pl._ BITT'ERS, a liquid prepared from bitter herbs or roots, and used as a stomachic.--_n._ BITT'ER-SWEET, the Woody Nightshade, a slender, climbing hedge-plant, having red poisonous berries, said to be named from its root, when chewed, having first a bitter, then a sweet taste: (_Shak._) an apple that has a compound taste of sweet and bitter: a mixture of sweet and bitter. [A.S. _b['i]tan_, to bite.]

BITTER (_Spens._), used for BITTERN.

BITTERN, bit'[.e]rn, _n._ a bird of the heron family, said to have been named from the resemblance of its voice to the lowing of a bull. [M. E. _bittour_--Fr.--Low L. _butorius_ (_bos_, _taurus_).]

BITTERN, bit'[.e]rn, _n._ an oily liquid remaining in salt-works after the crystallisation of the salt, and used in the manufacture of Epsom salts.

BITTOR, BITTOUR, bit'tur, _n._ (_Dryden_) the bird BITTERN.

BITTS, bits, _n._ a frame in the forepart of a ship round which the cables are passed when the vessel rides at anchor.

BITUMEN, bi-t[=u]'men, or bit'yu-men, _n._ a name applied to various inflammable mineral substances, as naphtha, petroleum, asphaltum.--_v.t._ BIT[=U]'MINATE, to mix with or make into bitumen--also BIT[=U]'MINISE.--_adjs._ BIT[=U]'MINOUS, BIT[=U]MED' (_Shak._), impregnated with bitumen. [L.]

BIVALVE, b[=i]'valv, _n._ an animal having a shell in two valves or parts, like the oyster: a seed-vessel of like kind.--_adj._ having two valves.--_adj._ BIVALV'ULAR. [L. _bi-_, twice, _valva_, a valve.]

BIVIOUS, biv'i-us, _adj._ leading two, or different, ways. [L. _bivius_--_bi-_, twice, _via_, a way.]

BIVOUAC, biv'[=oo]-ak, _n._ the resting at night of soldiers in the open air, instead of under cover in camp.--_v.i._ to pass the night in the open air:--_pr.p._ biv'ouacking; _pa.p._ biv'ouacked. [Fr.--Ger. _beiwacht_, to watch beside--_bei_ by, _wachen_, to watch.]

BI-WEEKLY, b[=i]'-w[=e]k'li, _adj._ properly, occurring once in two weeks, but usually twice in every week. [L. _bi-_, twice, and WEEK.]

BIZARRE, bi-z[:a]r', _adj._ odd: fantastic: extravagant.--_n._ BIZAR'RERIE. [Fr.--Sp. _bizarro_, high-spirited; acc. to Littr['e], adapted from Basque _bizarre_, the beard.]

BIZCACHA. See VISCACHA.

BLAB, blab, _v.i._ to talk much: to tell tales.--_v.t._ to tell what ought to be kept secret (with _out_, _forth_):--_pr.p._ blab'bing; _pa.p._ blabbed.--_n._ an open-mouthed person, a tattler: tattling.--_n._ BLAB'BER, one who blabs. [M. E. _blabbe_, a chatterer, also BLABBER, to babble, with which cf. Norse _blabbra_, Ger. _plappern_.]