Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BROAD, a. [brawd; Sax. brad; Sw. bred; D. breed; Ger. breit; Dan. breed, broad; Arm. brudi, brudein, to publish. This word and spread seem to be formed on the root רדד, or רדה, to open, extend, spread; in Syr. to go, L. gradior; a root of extensive use.]

1. Wide; extended in breadth, or from side to side, as distinguished from long, or extended from end to end. It is opposed to narrow; as, a broad street; a broad table. – Dryden. Temple.
2. Wide; extensive; vast; as, the broad expanse of ocean.
3. Large; as, a broad mixture of falsehood. – Locke.
4. Open; clear; not covered, confined, or concealed; as, in broad sunshine.
5. Gross; coarse; as, broad mirth; broad nonsense. – Pope. Dryden.
6. Plain; tending to obscenity; as, a broad comment. – Dryden.
7. Bold; not delicate; not reserved; as, broad words. – Shak.
8. Comprehensive. It may be urged that the words in the constitution are broad enough to include the case. – D. Daggett, Wheaton's Rep. Broad as long, equal upon the whole. – L'Estrange.