Emily Dickinson Lexicon

B,

is the second letter, and the first articulation, or consonant, in the English, as in the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and most other alphabets. In the Ethiopic, it is the ninth letter, and its shape is that of a hut. Perhaps from this or other like figure, it received its Hebrew name, beth, a house. It is a mute and a labial, being formed by pressing the whole length of the lips together, as in pronouncing eb. It is less perfectly mute than p, as may be perceived by pronouncing the syllables ab and ap. It is convertible, 1st, with p, as in the Celtic, ben or pen, a mountain; in the English, beak and peak, beck and peck; 2d, with v, as in the German, silber for silver; and in Spanish, b and v are used indifferently; 3d, with f, as in bore and perforo; Eng. bear, L. fero; in the Celtic bun, bunadh, bunait, stock, origin, foundation; English, found; L. fundamentum; with the Gr. φ, as Bilip, for Φιλιππος; 4th, with v and w; as, Ir. fior, L. verus; fear, vir; Ir. buiac, the wick of a candle. The Greek B is always pronounced like the English V, and the Russian B corresponds with the Greek. In composition, the letter B is changed into p before the letter p; as in opprimo, from ob and premo; oppono, from ob and pono; into f, before f, as in offero, from ob and fero; into c before c, as in occido, from ob and cado, and cædo. As a numeral, B was used by the Hebrews and Greeks, as now by the Arabians, for 2; by the Romans for 300, and with a dash over it thus, {B with super-macron} for 3000. B is used also as an abbreviation; thus B. A. stand for bachelor of arts; B. L. for bachelor of laws; B. D. for bachelor of divinity; B. F. before the decrees of the old Romans, for bonum factum. In music, B stands for the tone above A; B♭, for B flat, or the semitone major above A. B also stands for base, and B. C. for basso continuo, or thorough base.

B,

Coarse; homespun; rustic. 1374/1407 Within his Russet Lips russet, n. [see russet, adj.] A kind of apple of a russet color and rough skin. 188/239 And skip the Russet – on the tree russetly, adv. [see russet, adj.] With a russet color; in a russet state. 946/1115 And Kingdoms, like the Orchard / Flit Russetly away Russian, proper adj. [medieval L. < Russ. Rusi, Russia; prob. < Swedish Rossi, red.] Northern; from the tribe of Norsemen who settled in Russia; [fig.] cold; freezing; severe; [metaphor] dressed in fur to counteract the winter weather. 942v/921v I admonish Thee // Blanket Wealthier the Neighbor / We so new bestow … Wilt Thou, [Russian] Snow? rust, n. [OE.] The oxide of a metal; a substance composed of oxygen combined with a metal, and forming a rough coat on its surface. All metals except rhodium, gold and platinum are liable to rust. 997/1010 An Elemental Rust – / Ruin is formal – Devil's work rustic (-s), n. [L. rūstic-us < rūs, the country.] An inhabitant of the country; a clown. 373/575 And the surprised Air / Rustics – wear – / Summoned – unexpectedly rustle, v. [Imitative.] Bustle, hustle. 389/547 The Neighbors rustle in and out – / The Doctor – drives away rustling, n. [see rustle, v.] A quick succession of small sounds, as a brushing among dry leaves or straw. 27/18 Quick! A Sharper rustling! / And this linnet flew! rusty, adj. [OE rústi , see rust, n.] Covered or affected with rust; as, a rusty knife or sword. 1203/1273 Her faded [rusty] Ammunition / Might yet reply. rut, n. [Origin obscure.] A deep furrow or track made in the ground, by the passage of a wheeled vehicle or vehicles. 1075/1121 Across a Farm or through a Rut / Debates if it will go ruthless, adj. [ME reuδe < rewen, compassionate + -less.] Cruel; pitiless; barbarous; insensible to the miseries of others. 104/158 From accent harsh, or ruthless word – / Feeling as if their pillow heard, / Though stone!

B,

Reed-like plant; long-stemmed plant of the genus Juncus that grows near water. 1281/1258 like a Pool / That lets it's Rushes grow rush, n². [see rush, v.] Flurry; stir; surge; sudden flow; rapid movement; [fig.] flush; blush; flow of color. 1463/1489 A rush of Cochineal – / And every Blossom … Adjusts it's tumbled Head rush (-ed, -es), v. [AFr russher.] Move forward; drive on rapidly; go forth impetuously. 266/297 the Sunset … Where it rose – or wither it rushes – / These – are the Western Mystery! russet, adj. [OFr 'red'.]

B,

In arithmetic and algebra, a determinate mode prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result. 545/646 Adorning all the Rule – / 'Tis mostly Slate and Pencil rule (-s), v. [OFr riuler < L. rēgulāre, to regulate.] To govern the movements of things; to conduct; to manage; to control. 285/256 The ode familiar – rules the Noon – / The Buttercup's, my Whim for Bloom ruler, n. [see rule, v.] One that governs, whether emperor, king, pope or governor; any one that exercises supreme power over others. 637/701 Baseless Emperor – Ruler of Nought rum, n. [Origin obscure.] Spirit distilled from cane juice; or the scummings of the juice from the boiling – house, or from the treacle or melasses which drains from sugar, or from dunder, the lees of former distillations. 1226/1220 And an Afterward of Rum – / Not a Tomorrow to know its name rumble (-s), v. [ME romblen, onomatopoetic origin.] To make a low, heavy continued sound; as thunder rumbles at a distance, but when near, its sound is sharp and rattling. 1581/1665 And rumbles, though torrid Noons / Have lain their missiles by rumor (-'s), n. [OFr < L. 'noise, din.']

B,

One who disseminates rumors. 1576/1627 The Rumor's Gate was shut so tight rumored, verbal adj. [L.] Told among the people; reported 1606/1632 For rumored Springs – / She does not ask for Noon rune, n. [OE rún, whisper, secret counsel.] Written character; alphabetic sign; letter carved on bark or a branch in Germanic divination ceremonies; language and letters of the ancient Goths. 526/402 So whether it be Rune, or whether it be none run (-ing, -s, ran), v. [OE.]

B,

Continue; proceed; carry on; move rapidly; pass by steadily. 8/42 Wherever runs the breathless sun … There is it's victory!

B,

Destruction; fall; overthrow; defeat; that change of anything which destroys it, or extremely defeats its object, or unfits it for use. 1123/1187 The Ruin was within rule, n. [OFr riule < L. rēgula, straight stick, bar, ruler, pattern.]

B,

Neophyte; imperfect member; one not fully formed. 943/890 A Citizen [rudiment] of Paradise

B,

Rosy; healthy; having good blood circulation. 611/442 Aglow – All ruddy – with the Light

B,

Red wine. 334/380 Depths of Ruby, undrained, / Hid, Lip, for Thee ruddy (ruddier), adj. [OE.]

B,

Power; authority; sovereignty. 235/250 Grant me – that day – the royalty – / To intercede – for Thee “ rub (-bed), v. [ME rubben.] Wipe; clean; polish; scour; apply friction; put pressure on. 970/836 Death's large – Democratic fingers / Rub away the Brand rubbers, n. [see rub, v.] Overshoes or galoshes made of caoutchouc (rubber). ruby, adj. [see ruby, n.] Red; carmine-colored. 204/233 Some Ruby Trousers hurried on ruby (-'s, rubies), n. [OFr rubi.]

B,

Majestic; glorious; kingly. 595/507 Enabled by his Royal Dress – / Myself distinguished God “

B,

Shine; dawn; send out rays. 216/124 Worlds scoop their Arcs – / And Firmaments – row rowdy, adj. [origin obscure.] Bully; ruffian; trouble-maker; one having boisterous conduct; rough and disorderly creature; [fig.] loud one. 1591/1620 The Bobolink is gone – / The Rowdy of the Meadow rower, n. [see row, v¹.]

B,

Wait outside of; stay close to; stand near to; gather in the area of. 335/528 The Shiverers round Farmer's doors – / For whose reluctant Crumb – / We stipulate rouse, v. [Originally a technical term in hawking and hunting, precise origin obscure.] Excite. 1281/1258 Yet even this shall rouse itself route (-s), n. [Fr. route < L. rupta, fem. of ruptus, broken.] Course; way; road. 1513/1561 Her travels daily be / By routes of ecstasy routine, adj. [see route, n.] Habit; duty; repetitive pattern; customary behavior; standard procedure; mechanical action. 1196/1238 To make Routine a Stimulus / Remember it can cease row (- s), n. [OE ráw, variant of ræʹw.]

B,

Around; in the same area. 137/95 Butterflies … Cruising round the purple line – / Have a system of aesthetics.

B,

Vicissitudes of succession; course by which officers leave their places and are succeeded by others. 839/942 Failless as the fair rotation rouge, adj. [Fr. rouge < L. rubeum, related to ruber] Red. 221/265 It can't be “Dying”! / It's too Rouge rough (-est), adj. [OE rúh.] Tempestuous; stormy. 768/493 At a Window facing West – / Roughest Air – was good round (-er), adj. [OFr rund- < L. rotundus related to rota, wheel.] Circular; spheric. 380/642 Her face be rounder than the Moon round, adv. [see round, adj.]

B,

Phrase. “Round and round”: around; about; in circles; in a circular motion. 10/61 My Wheel is in the dark … it's dripping feet / Go round and round. round, n. [Fr. rond or absolute uses of round, adj.]

B,

Season; cycle; time period; [fig.] reign; rule. 313/283 I should have been … Too lifted – for the scant degree / Of Life's penurious Round round, prep. [see round, adj. and around, prep.]

B,

Course; journey; progression; steady movement toward a goal; [fig.] life; continued course of existence after death. 279/338 I am ready to go! … Held fast in Everlasting Race rack, n. [OE reccan; related to Ger. rackbank, rack for drawing wire, stretching leather, or inflicting torture.] (webplay: bones, fly, mind, sky, torture). Instrument of torture; medieval stretching machine used for punishment; [fig.] extreme pain; physical agony; bodily torment; suffering of the flesh; [metaphor] trial; difficulty; adversity; affliction. 384/649 No Rack can torture me – / My Soul – at liberty – / Behind this mortal Bone rack (-ed), v. [see rack, n.] (webplay: anguish, strain). Torture; torment; stretch; strain; pull to the limits of capacity. 497/366 He strained my faith … Racked – with suspense – Not a nerve failed! racket, n. [Probably onomatopoetic.] Noise; blare; clamor; disagreeably loud sound. 486/473 I never spoke – unless addressed … The Racket shamed me so raffle, v. [Fr. rafler, sweep away.] (webplay: hazards). Bet; gamble; wager; place high stakes; cast dice in attempt to win a prize; engage in a game of chance. 139/89 Wilt thou toss again? … Imps in eager caucus / Raffle for my soul! raft, n. [ON rapt-r, rafter.] (webplay: away). Pontoon; floating transport; lightweight craft; [fig.] current; puff; gust; breeze. 661/1056 “But just to be a Bee” / Opon a Raft of Air / And row in Nowhere all Day long rafter (-s), n. [OE ræfter; see raft; NW says rafter, cover.] (webplay: building, roof).

B,

Support; [fig.] foundation; basis; tangible evidence; logical confirmation; reasonable grounds for belief. 1481/1512 The way Hope builds his House / It is not with a … Rafter … But only Pinnacle

B,

Fence; barrier; series of posts connected by crossbeams designed to mark and protect a burial site. 876/852 It was a Grave – yet … Enclosed 'twas not – of Rail raiment, n. [Aphetic form of arrayment < OFr areer, array; see array; NW says Norman araer, to array, apparel.] (webplay: clothing).

B, [Fig.]

fabric; cloth; material; essence; substance. 1371/1414 How fits his Umber Coat … Combined without a seam / Like Raiment of a Dream – // Who spun the Auburn Cloth? rain (-s), n. [OE regn.] (webplay: cloud, drops, eyes, God, heaven, shower, tempest, water).

B, [Fig.]

tears; drops of water falling from the eyes. 1426/1444 The pretty Rain from those sweet Eaves / Her unintending Eyes – Took her … By innocent Surprise

B, [Fig.]

beautiful blooming colors of approaching spring. 64/162 Some Rainbow – coming from the Fair … I confidently see! … From some old Fortress on the Sun / Baronial Bees march

B,

Grow; cultivate; produce; propagate. 681/862 On the Bleakness of my Lot / Bloom I strove to raise