B's Flashcards
baas
noun OFFENSIVE•SOUTH AFRICAN
noun: baas; plural noun: baases
a supervisor or employer, especially a white man in charge of colored or black people.
“Baas O’Brien”
bane
a cause of great distress or annoyance.
“The telephone was the bane of my life”
barrier
something that prevents movement
benevolent
well-meaning and kindly.
“he was something of a benevolent despot (ruler)”
bicameral
having two legislative chamber
biennial
every two years
bigamy
a legal crime of having more than one spouse
borstal
a custodial institution for young offenders.
Origin
early 20th century: named after the village of Borstal in southern England, where the first of these was established.
breach
breaking of rule or agreement
broach
bring up for discussion
raise (a difficult subject) for discussion.
“he broached the subject he had been avoiding all evening”
brusque
abrupt or offhand in speech or manner.
“she could be brusque and impatient”
buffer
devise against deadening impact
a person or thing that reduces a shock or that forms a barrier between incompatible or antagonistic people or things.
“Family and friends can provide a buffer against stress”
burgeon
begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.
“manufacturers are keen to cash in on the burgeoning demand”
bastion
stronghold; fortress,
Mrs. Garrett’s classroom is a bastion of banality; that is, it’s a place where originality seldom if ever makes its way inside.
Beget
to give birth to; to create; to lead to
Those who lie should be creative and have good memories, since one lie often begets another lie, which begets another.
