bullying

Variant of bully

bully definition

bully (bo̵ol′ē)

noun pl. bullies -·lies

  1. a person who hurts, frightens, or tyrannizes over those who are smaller or weaker
  2. Brit., Dialectal a companion or comrade
  3. Archaic a pimp
  4. Archaic a hired cutthroat or thug
  5. Archaic a fine fellow

Etymology: orig., sweetheart < Du boel, lover, brother < MHG buole (Ger buhle), lover, prob. orig. dim. of bruder, brother; later infl. by bull

transitive verb bullied -·lied, bullying -·ly·ing

to hurt, frighten, or tyrannize over, as a bully does; browbeat

intransitive verb

to behave like a bully

adjective

  1. dashing, hearty, or jolly my bully lad
  2. ☆ Informal fine; very good

interjection

Informal good; well done

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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