noun pl. bullies
- a person who hurts, frightens, or tyrannizes over those who are smaller or weaker
- Brit., Dialectal a companion or comrade
- Archaic a pimp
- Archaic a hired cutthroat or thug
- Archaic a fine fellow
Origin:
orig., sweetheart < Du boel, lover, brother < MHG buole (Ger buhle), lover, prob. orig. dim. of bruder, brother; later infl. by bull
transitive verb bullied, bullying
to hurt, frighten, or tyrannize over, as a bully does; browbeat