bear

1. 1

   A large, generally omnivorous mammal (a few species are purely carnivorous or herbivorous) of the family Ursidae; having shaggy fur, a very small tail, and flat feet.countableuncountable

2. 2

   A large, generally omnivorous mammal (a few species are purely carnivorous or herbivorous) of the family Ursidae; having shaggy fur, a very small tail, and flat feet.; The meat of this animal.uncountable

   • We had barbecued bear for dinner.
3. 3

   A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person.countablefigurativelyuncountable

   • One evening about this time, when his Lordship did me the honour to sup at my lodgings with Dr. Robertson and several other men of literary distinction, he regretted that Johnson had not been educated with more refinement, and lived more in
4. 4

   An investor who sells commodities, securities, or futures in anticipation of a fall in prices.countableuncountable

   • This accompt has been made to appear a bull accompt, i.e. that the bulls cannot take their stock. The fact is the reverse; it is a bear accompt, but the bears, unable to deliver their stock, have conjointly banged the market, and pocketed t
5. 5

   A state policeman (short for Smokey Bear).UScountableslang

   • 'The bear's pulling somebody off there at 74,' reported someone else.
   • He was listening for reports of Kojaks with Kodaks, or bear sightings (cop alerts) at his front door (ahead of him), especially plain wrappers (unmarked police cars) parked at specific yardsticks (mile-markers) taking pictures […]
6. 6

   A large, hairy man, especially one who is homosexual.countableslanguncountable

   • Bears are usually hunky, chunky types reminiscent of railroad engineers and former football greats.
   • Bear sought by masculine white male, 30, 5'8", 165 lbs, for weekly safe encounter. I'm in a long-term relationship and seek outside fun. You: tall, masculine, over 200 lbs, discreet, moustache.
7. 7

   A koala (bear).Australiacountableuncountable

   • Bunyip Bluegum was a tidy bear, he objected to whisker soup[.]
8. 8

   A portable punching machine.countableuncountable

9. 9

   A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.countableuncountable

10. 10

    The fifteenth Lenormand card.countableuncountable

syn. bruin · ursid · bear

1. 1

   To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in.transitive

   • to bear a railroad stock
   • to bear the market

1. 1

   Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.not-comparable

   • The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.

1. 1

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.transitive

   • They came bearing gifts.
   • Judging from the look on his face, he wasn't bearing good news.
2. 2

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To carry (weapons, flags or symbols of rank, office, etc.) upon one's person, especially visibly; to be equipped with (weapons, etc.).transitive

   • the right to bear arms
3. 3

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To wear (garments, pieces of jewellery, etc.).transitive

   • The queen bore the royal scepter and crown as she processed into the hall.
4. 4

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To carry (offspring in the womb), to be pregnant (with).intransitiveraretransitive

   • The scan showed that the ewe was bearing twins.
5. 5

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To have or display (a mark or other feature).transitive

   • She still bears the scars from a cycling accident.
   • The stone bears a short inscription.
6. 6

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To display (a particular heraldic device) on a shield or coat of arms; to be entitled to wear or use (a heraldic device) as a coat of arms.transitive

   • The shield bore a red cross.
7. 7

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To present or exhibit (a particular outward appearance); to have (a certain look).transitive

   • He bore the look of a defeated man.
8. 8

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To have (a name, title, or designation).transitive

   • The school still bears the name of its founder.
9. 9

   To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To possess or enjoy (recognition, renown, a reputation, etc.); to have (a particular price, value, or worth).transitive

   • The dictator bears a terrible reputation for cruelty.
10. 10

    To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.; To have (interest or a specified rate of interest) stipulated in its terms.transitiveusually

    • The bond bears a fixed interest rate of 3.5%.

1. 1

   Alternative spelling of bere (“barley”).alt-ofalternativeuncountable

   • There are several plots of those species of barley called big, which is six-rowed barley; or bear, which is four-rowed, cultivated.
   • Your Horses are Getting Pease Straw, and looking very well. The 2 Stacks of Bear formerly mentioned as Put in by Mr Bookless is not fully dressed as yet so that I cannot say at present what Quantity they may Produce .

syn. bear · bruin · ursid

1. 1

   Alternative spelling of bere (“pillowcase”).alt-ofalternativeuncountable

   • I give to my Grand Child Lidea Carpenter the Coverlid that her mother spun and my pillow bear and a pint Cup & my great Pott that belongs to the Pott and Trammels.

syn. bear · bruin · ursid