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bull1 definition

bull (bo̵ol)

noun

  1. the adult male of any bovine animal, as the ox, buffalo, etc.
  2. the adult male of certain other large animals, as the elephant, elk, moose, walrus, whale, etc.
  3. a person who buys stocks or securities in the expectation that their prices will rise, or who seeks to bring about such a rise, in order to sell them at a profit
  4. a person regarded as like a bull in size, strength, etc.
  5. a bulldog
  6. Slang a policeman or detective
  7. Slang bullshit

Etymology: ME bole < OE bula, a steer; akin to ON boli, Ger bulle < IE base *bhel-: see ball

transitive verb

  1. ☆ to make (one's way) with driving force
  2. Slang to bluff, as with insincere talk

intransitive verb

Slang to talk foolishly, insincerely, etc.

adjective

  1. male
  2. like a bull in size, strength, etc.
  3. rising in price a bull market
bull Idioms

shoot the bull

Slang to talk idly

take the bull by the horns

to deal boldly with a danger or difficulty

the Bull

Taurus, the constellation and second sign of the zodiac
bull2 definition

bull (bo̵ol)

noun

  1. bulla (sense )
  2. an official document, edict, or decree, esp. one from the pope

Etymology: ME & OFr bulle < LL bulla, a seal < L, anything round, knob, bubble: for IE base see big

bull3 definition

bull (bo̵ol)

noun

a ludicrously illogical or incongruous mistake in statement (Ex.: I'm glad I hate onions because if I liked onions, I'd eat them, and I can't stand onions)

Etymology: < ? ME bul, trickery, lie

bull4 definition

bull

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Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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