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bush1 definition

bush (bo̵os̸h)

noun

  1. a woody plant having many stems branching out low instead of one main stem or trunk; shrub
  2. a thicket of shrubs
  3. anything resembling a bush; esp.,
    1. a thickly furred tail
    2. Slang a beard
  4. Etymology: < Colonial Du bosch, bush

    shrubby woodland or uncleared country, esp. wild or unsettled frontier country: usually with the
    1. a branch of ivy as a symbol for wine, formerly used on tavern signboards
    2. Obsolete a tavern

Etymology: ME < OE busc (in place names) < WGmc *busk-; ME busk, bosk < ML boscus < Frank busk, of same WGmc orig.

intransitive verb

to grow thickly or spread out like a bush

transitive verb

to decorate, cover, or surround with bushes

adjective

Etymology: see bush league

Slang unprofessional, cheap, petty, etc.
bush Idioms

beat around the bush

to talk around a subject without getting to the point

the bushes

Slang rural or small-town districts
bush2 definition

bush (bo̵os̸h)

noun

Etymology: MDu busse, box < ML buxis: see box

transitive verb

to fit with a bushing
Bush definition

Bush (bo̵os̸h)

  1. Bush, George (Herbert Walker) 1924-; 41st president of the U.S. (1989-93)
  2. Bush, George W(alker) 1946-; 43d president of the U.S. (2001-): son of George
  3. (bo̵os̸h)
    Bush, Vannevar (və nēvär) 1890-1974; U.S. electrical engineer & administrator

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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Related Discussions (2)
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Bush's solecisms174 years ago
beating about the bush76 years ago

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