Dictionary: BREF – BRIZ

• BREFFITS
n. 1861 Eng. dial. – a fidgety, restless person; a term applied to a child when in a state of breathless anxiety
 
• BREKKER
n. 1889 Brit. sl., orig. university usage – breakfast
 
• BREKKIE;  BREKKY
n. 1904 Brit. sl., orig. children’s usage – breakfast
 
• BRELLA
n. 1914 Amer. dial. – an umbrella
 
• BRELLY
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – an umbrella
 
• BRENTH
n. 1927 Amer. dial. – width or breadth
 
• BRER RABBIT FENCE
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – a fence made of split logs
 
• BRETHEL
n. c1440 obs. – a worthless fellow; a good-for-nothing wretch; a miserable wretch
 
• BREVILOQUENT
adj. 1865 – given to concise speaking; laconic
 
• BREW
n. 1934 sl., chiefly Sc. – orig. the Employment Exchange; hence, unemployment benefit
 
• BREWER’S DROOP
n. 1970 sl., orig. Aust. – temporary impotence as a result of drinking excessive amount of alcohol, esp. beer
 
• BREWER’S GOITRE
n. 1953 Aust. sl. – a paunch developed by drinking too much beer
 
• BREW-HA
n. Bk1998 sl. – beer
 
• BREW IN A BOTTLE AND BAKE IN A WALLET
vb. c1540 – ? to attempt enterprises beyond one’s means
 
• BREWPUB
n. Bk1998 sl. – a bar/restaurant where beer is brewed on the premises
 
• BREWSKI;  BREWSKY
n. 1960s Amer. sl. – beer
 
• BREW-UP
n. 1944 sl. – the making of tea
vb. 1916 sl. – (usually as ‘brew up’) to make tea
 
• BRIAR HOPPER
n. 1940 Amer. dial. – a poor farmer or worker; a rustic
 
• BRIBBLE-BRABBLE
adj. 1665 obs. – chattering, garrulous; quarrelling
n. 1868 obs. – vain chatter or wrangling; quarrelling
 
• BRIBBLES
n. Bk1898 Ireland – nonsensical talk
 
• BRICK
n. 1. 1840 sl. or colloq. – a good fellow; one whom one approves for his genuine good qualities; a reliable person
n. 2. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a term of disparagement
n. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something beautiful or attractive  
n. 4. Bk1942 Amer. college sl. – an attractive girl
n. 5. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
vb. 20C teen & high school sl. – to be scared
 
• BRICK-DUSTER
n. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – a dust storm, a kind of whirlwind frequent in Australia during the summer time
 
• BRICKETY
adj. 1868 Amer. dial. – arrogant, insolent, uppity; restless, aggressive; headstrong, stubborn, forward, restless; overbearing
 
• BRICKFIELDER
n. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – a dust storm, a kind of whirlwind frequent in Australia during the summer time
 
• BRICKIE
n. 1880 sl. – a bricklayer
 
• BRICKISH
adj. 1856 sl. – jolly, fine
 
• BRICKLE
adj. 1. c1460 obs. – frail, weak
adj. 2. 1468 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial. – liable to break, easily broken; fragile, brittle
adj. 3. 1568 obs. – delicate, ticklish; requiring cautious handling
adj. 4. 1872 Eng. & Amer. dial. – changeable, uncertain; fickle, not trustworthy   
adj. 5. 19C Eng. dial. – of sheep and cattle: given to break fences
adj. 6. 1902 Amer. dial. – eager, keen, industrious, ambitious
vb. 1936 Amer. dial. – to flake or peel because of brittleness
 
• BRICKLE AS A PIE CRUST
adj. 1969 Amer. dial. – brittle, easily broken
 
• BRICKLY
adj. 1837 Amer. dial. – brittle; easily broken; crisp
 
• BRICK OF A LOOKER
n. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something beautiful or attractive
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – an attractive young woman
 
• BRICKTOP
n. 1856 Amer. dial. – a person with red hair; the head of hair itself
 
• BRICK-TOPPED
adj. 1912 Amer. dial. – red-headed
 
• BRICKY
adj. 1. 1864 – like a ‘brick’ or good fellow
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
n. 1880 sl. – a bricklayer
 
• BRICKYARD BLONDE
n. c1950 Amer. dial. – a woman with red hair
 
• BRIDE
n. 1935 Brit. sl. – a woman; a young woman; a girlfriend
vb. 1940 Amer. dial. – to marry
 
• BRIDEMAID
n. 1851 Amer. dial. – a bridesmaid
 
• BRIDGE LIFTER
n. 1940 Amer. dial. – a heavy rain
 
• BRIDGE MONKEY
n. 1968 Amer logging usage – a logger’s name for a bridge builder
 
• BRIDLEWISE
adj. 1. 1840 Amer. dial. – of a horse: trained to respond to the reins and bridle
adj. 2. 1898 Amer. dial. – of a person: obedient
 
• BRIE
n. 1939 Amer. dial. – gravy, juice
 
• BRIEF
adj. 1. 1722 Amer. dial. – prevalent, widespread; esp. said of a communicable disease
adj. 2. 1872 Amer. dial. arch. – of wind: strong, prevalent
adj. 3. 1893 African-American usage – nice, elegant
adj. 4. 1952 Amer. dial. – poorly, not well
n. 1977 Brit. sl. – an accused person’s solicitor or barrister
 
• BRIER BABY
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – an illegitimate child
 
• BRIERBERRY
n. 1795 Amer. dial. – a blackberry
 
• BRIER HEISTER
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a poor farmer or worker; a rustic
 
• BRIER HOPPER
n. 1940 Amer. dial. – a poor farmer or worker; a rustic
 
• BRIERPATCH
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – illegally made whisky
 
• BRIERPATCH KID
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – an illegitimate child
 
• BRIGATY
adj. 1880 Amer. dial. – arrogant, insolent, uppity; restless, aggressive; headstrong, stubborn, forward, restless; overbearing
 
• BRIGETTY
adj. 1895 Amer. dial. – arrogant, insolent, uppity; restless, aggressive; headstrong, stubborn, forward, restless; overbearing
 
• BRIGGIT AROUND
vb. 1981 Amer. dial. – to act forward or recklessly
 
• BRIGGITY
adj. 1911 Amer. dial. – arrogant, insolent, uppity; restless, aggressive; headstrong, stubborn, forward, restless; overbearing
 
• BRIGGLE
vb. 1889 Amer. dial. – to fuss about ineffectively; to busy oneself without purpose; to potter
 
• BRIGGLER
n. 1930 Amer. dial. – one who attempts but never finishes anything; a trifler
 
• BRIGGOTY
adj. 1952 Amer. dial. – arrogant, insolent, uppity; restless, aggressive; headstrong, stubborn, forward, restless; overbearing
 
• BRIGHAMITE
n. 1878 US – a follower of Brigham Young; a Mormon
 
• BRIGHAM YOUNG
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a bigamist
 
• BRIGHT
adj. 1. 1831 Amer. dial., now chiefly African-American – of a Black person: having light-coloured skin
adj. 2. 1860 – hopeful, encouraging, cheering
n. 1917 Amer. dial. – polish
 
• BRIGHT AS A NEW PIN
adj. 1893 sl. – first-class
 
• BRIGHT-EYED
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – drunk
 
• BRIGHT-EYED AND BUSHY-TAILED
adj. 1936 colloq., orig. US – keen, confident, and alert
 
• BRIGHT-EYES
n. 1921 Amer. dial. – wild violet
 
• BRIGHT IN ONE’S BOOKS
adj. 1906 Amer. dial. – good at learning
 
• BRIGHT IN THE EYE
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – drunk
 
• BRIGHT-LIGHT FELLOW
n. World War II Amer. sl. – one who requests repeated leaves; i.e., one who seeks the bright lights and good times of the city
 
• BRIGHTON (PIER)
adj. 1960 UK rhyming sl. for ‘queer’ (Brighton Pier) – of a man: homosexual
vb. 1998 UK rhyming sl. – to disappear
 
• BRIGHTON ROCK
n. 1992 UK rhyming sl. for ‘cock’ – the penis
 
• BRIGHTS
n. 1969 US sl. – white socks
 
• BRIGHT-SKIN
adj. 1911 Amer. dial., now chiefly African-American – of a Black person: having light-coloured skin
 
• BRIGHT-SKINNED
adj. 1970 Amer. dial., now chiefly African-American – of a Black person: having light-coloured skin
 
• BRIGHT SPARK
n. 1. 1974 sl. – a knowledgeable, witty, or clever person; used ironically or sarcastically
n. 2. 2002 NZ sl. – a cheerful, energetic person
 
• BRIGHT SPOT
n. 1997 – in oil drilling: an area that has indications of a productive field (US sl.)
 
• BRIGITY
adj. 1898 – arrogant, insolent, uppity; restless, aggressive; headstrong, stubborn, forward, restless; overbearing (Amer. dial.)
 
• BRIGOUS
adj. 1387 – quarrelsome, contentious; tending to lead to strife or disagreement, disputable, factious → obs.
 
• BRIGUE
vb. 1580 – to intrigue; to solicit by underhand means (Sc.)
 
• BRILL
adj. 1981 – excellent, wonderful (UK sl.)
 
• BRILLIANT
adj. 1971 sl. – excellent
 
• BRIMBORION
n. 1653 – a thing without value or use; anything worthless; a trifling object kept as a charm or gewgaw, a trifle; trash, nonsense
 
• BRIME
vb. 1893 – of the sea: to be phosphorescent
 
• BRIMSTONE
n. 1751 – a virago, a scold
 
• BRIMSTONE BUSTER
n. 1939 Amer. dial. – a ranting preacher who threatens sinners with hellfire
 
• BRIMSTONY
adj. 1885 – subject to passion or strong emotion; fiery
 
• BRIMSY
adj. 1950 Amer. dial. – extreme, intense
 
• BRINDLE COW
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – chocolate milk
 
• BRINDLY
adj. 1949 Amer. dial. – brindled
 
• BRINDLY CAT
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a cat with fur of mixed colours
 
• BRINEY
n. 1831 colloq. – the sea
 
• BRING
vb. 1843 Amer. dial. – to give birth to; to assist at the birth of
 
• BRING A BONE
vb. c1965 Amer. dial. – to spread a rumour or story
 
• BRING AN ABBEY TO A GRANGE
vb. Bk1909 sl. – to squander
 
• BRING-AND-SHARE
n. 1970 Amer. dial. – a potluck dinner
 
• BRING A NOBLE TO NINEPENCE
vb. Bk1921 sl. – to squander
 
• BRING ASS TO GET ASS
vb. 1959 Amer. sl. – to risk one’s own well-being in order to defeat someone else
 
• BRING DOWN
n. 1950s Amer. sl. – a depressing person or event
vb. 1950s Amer. sl. – to depress
 
• BRING DOWN TO ONE’S MARROWBONES
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
 
• BRING-‘EM-NEAR
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a telescope
 
• BRINGER
n. 1. 1851 Amer. dial. – an extreme instance of something, such as cold weather, punishment, etc.
n. 2. 1880 Amer. dial. – a name given to an animal, implying fierceness or high spirits
 
• BRING HADDOCK TO PADDOCK
vb. 1546 obs. – to spend or lose everything; to come to destitution
 
• BRING HOGS TO A FAIR MARKET
vb. 17C colloq. – to do well; to make a profit
 
• BRING HOME THE BACON
vb. 1909 Amer. sl. – to earn wages, esp. as the head of a household; to make a profit; broadly, to succeed in an endeavour; to achieve success
 
• BRING MUD
vb. 1928 African-American sl. – to cause trouble
 
• BRING OFF
vb. 20C sl. – to cause to have an orgasm
 
• BRING ON
vb. 20C – to cause sexual excitement in, stimulate  
 
• BRING ONE’S EGGS TO A BAD MARKET
vb. 1809 – to suffer the failure of one’s schemes
 
• BRING ONE’S HOGS TO A BAD MARKET
vb. a1616 – to suffer the failure of one’s schemes
 
• BRING ONE TO THE EARTH
vb. 1387 obs. – to bury
 
• BRING ON THE CARPET
vb. Bk1891 sl. – to bring up or forward
 
• BRING PIGS TO A FAIR MARKET
vb. 17C colloq. – to do well; to make a profit
 
• BRING PIGS TO A FINE MARKET
vb. 17C colloq. – to do well; to make a profit
 
• BRING SOMEONE A GUTSER
vb. 1910s Aust. sl. – to engineer someone’s downfall
 
• BRING THE HOUSE DOWN
vb. 1754 – to provoke or receive a general enthusiastic burst of applause
 
• BRING THE NOISE
vb. 1972 Amer. sl. – to have a wild party or good time; to play music
 
• BRING TO A BEARING
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to call to account; to be forced to accept responsibility for something
 
• BRING TO BOOK
vb. 1786 – to call to account
 
• BRING TO THE HAMMER
vb. 1828 – to sell by auction
 
• BRING TO THE LADDER
vb. 1594 obs. – to hang (ladder = the steps to a gallows)
 
• BRING UP
vb. 1719 colloq. – to vomit
 
• BRING UP SHORT
vb. 1874 – to make stop suddenly
 
• BRING UP THE REAR
vb. 1613 – to come last
 
• BRING YOUR ARSE TO AN ANCHOR
phr. 1788 sl. – sit down
 
• BRINJER
n. 1. 1892 Amer. dial. – a name given to an animal, implying fierceness or high spirits
n. 2. 1950 Amer. dial. – an extreme instance of something, such as cold weather, punishment, etc.
 
• BRINJING
adv. 1950 Amer. dial. – extremely, intensely
 
• BRINKIE
n. 19C Sc. – a comely person of a lively disposition
 
• BRINNY
n. 20C Aust. children’s sl. – a stone, esp. when thrown
 
• THE BRINY
n. 1865 colloq. – the ocean, the sea
 
• BRIO
n. 1731 – liveliness, vivacity, spirit
 
• BRISKEN
vb. 1799 – to make brisk or lively
 
• BRISKET
n. 1942 Amer. dial. – the human breast or chest
 
• BRISK UP
vb. 1939 Amer. dial. – of the wind: to increase in strength
 
• BRISKY
adj. 1590 – brisk, lively, active, energetic
 
• BRISSEL-COCK
n. c1565 Sc. obs. – a fowl conjectured to be the turkey
 
• BRISSO
n. 20C Aust. sl. – an abbreviation of Brisbane; a person lives in Brisbane
 
• BRISTLY
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – hot-tempered
 
• BRISTOL-MILK
n. 17C jocular usage – sherry
 
• BRISTOLS
n. 1961 Brit., short for “Bristol cities” rhyming sl. for ‘titties” – a woman’s breasts
 
• BRIT
n. 1901 sl., now mainly US – a British person
 
• BRITANNICIZE
vb. 1887 – to make Britannic or British in form or character
 
• BRITCH
n. 1899 Amer. dial. – the breech of a gun
 
• BRITCHCLOUT
n. 1912 Amer. dial. – a diaper
 
• BRITCHES
n. 1. 1867 Amer. dial. – trousers, pants
n. 2. 1908 Amer. dial. – underwear
n. 3. 1950 Amer. dial. – baby’s diapers
 
• BRITCHES TO SEW BUTTONS ON
phr. 1965 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
 
• BRITCHIN’
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – trousers
 
• BRITCHING
n. 1930 Amer. dial. – a spanking administered with paddle on breech (buttocks)
 
• BRITCHIN’S
n. 1926 Amer. dial. – a baby’s diaper
 
• BRITCHLESS
adj. 1952 Amer. dial. – of a man: not “wearing the breeches” but being dominated by a woman; henpecked
 
• BRITCH-LOADER
n. 1923 Amer. dial. – a shotgun
 
• BRITISH BULLDOG
n. 20C – a team game of chasing in which as the members of one team are caught, they join the other team
 
• BRITISHER
n. 1815 arch. – a native or citizen of Britain
 
• BRITONESS
n. 1591 rare, literary usage – a female citizen of the United Kingdom
 
• BRITTLY
adj. 1967 Amer. dial. – brittle, easily broken
 
• BRITTS
n. 1945 Aust. rhyming sl. for ‘shits’ – fear