28540 words found
B'nai B'rith is a Jewish service and fraternal organization founded in the 19th century. The term is Hebrew in origin, literally meaning “sons of the covenant.” It is used as a proper noun to refer to the organization and is pronounced as a proper name in English, with attention to Hebrew phonology within an Anglophone context.
BKS Iyengar refers to Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, a renowned Indian yoga teacher and founder of Iyengar Yoga. The name is typically used as a proper noun to identify his lineage, philosophy, and instructional tradition, and is often invoked in discussions of yoga practice, pedagogy, and historical influence in modern yoga.
Ba'ath is a noun referring to a political party (and related movements) founded on Ba'athist ideology that emphasizes Arab unity and modernization. In common usage it names the party in several Middle Eastern countries, most notably the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. The term signals a specific political identity and historical context, often tied to a surname or organization rather than general descriptors.
Baal is a proper noun referring to a Canaanite deity. In modern usage, it appears as a name for gods in various ancient and fictional contexts. It is pronounced with two syllables, starting with a stressed long vowel and ending with a dark, open 'l' sound; the term is often treated as a borrowed religious name and can carry ceremonial or scholarly connotations in discussion.
Baba Ganoush is a smooth, smoky Levantine dip made from roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. It’s typically served as an appetizer with bread and fresh vegetables. The term blends a respectful “baba” (father/elder) with “ganoush” from Turkish roots, conveying a traditional, rustic dish in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Babar is a proper noun used as a name, most notably identified with the fictional elephant ruler from the French-Bangla animated universe. It also functions as a surname or given name in certain cultures. In pronunciation, it is typically treated as two syllables with the emphasis on the first: BA-bar.
Babe is a noun used affectionately for a young woman or girl, often as a term of endearment, or more broadly as a slang form meaning a sweet, desirable person. It can also refer to a very young child informally. In context, tone ranges from playful to casual, and it may carry dating or familial undertones depending on usage and region.
Babesiosis is a rare tick-borne parasitic disease caused by Babesia parasites that infect red blood cells. It typically presents with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, and fatigue, and can be severe in vulnerable individuals. The term derives from Babesia, the parasite genus, with the -osis suffix indicating a medical condition or disease state.
Baboon is a large Old World primate with a long snout and a robust body, typically found in Africa or Arabia. As a noun, it refers to the animal itself, and in informal usage it can jokingly describe someone perceived as rude or foolish. The word is common in zoological contexts and everyday speech alike.
Babur is a male given name of Central Asian origin, famously borne by the founder of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. In modern usage, the name appears in historical texts and contemporary discussions of Mughal history, as well as in biographical references. It is pronounced with three syllables in many languages, though some contexts anglicize it subtly depending on regional phonology.
Babushka is a noun meaning a grandmother, especially in Russian or Slavic contexts; in English usage it often refers to a grandmotherly figure or a traditional matriarch. The term also appears as a stereotype in fashion and culture. It can be used affectionately or humorously, sometimes with diminutive variants like baba or babushka hat in reference to headwear.
A common noun for a very young human; also used affectionately or informally to refer to one's infant offspring or to an object or concept associated with infancy. In speech, the word often carries a sense of warmth or tenderness and is frequently embedded in phrases like 'baby steps' or 'baby talk.' The term is monosyllabic in rapid speech but commonly appears in two syllables when stressed in phrases.
Babylon is a proper noun referring to the ancient Mesopotamian city, renowned historically as a major cultural and political center. In modern usage it also conveys the idea of a grand, populous city or a place of opulence and decadence. The term appears in literature and scholarship, and appears in expressions like “Babylon the Great.”
Babylonian (adj.) relating to ancient Babylon, its people, culture, or period. It denotes something characteristic of Babylon or resembling its sophisticated civilization. In academic contexts it often describes literature, archaeology, or historical perspectives connected to Mesopotamian antiquity and its early empires.
Bacardi is a famous multinational brand of rum. As a proper noun, it denotes the company and its products; in casual speech it may also refer to the brand name itself. The word is pronounced with a light, crisp first syllable and a clear final-syllable stress, typically treated as two syllables in English pronunciation.
Baccalaureate (noun) refers to an academic degree or the ceremony/completion associated with earning that degree, typically a bachelor’s level credential or an honors program. It can denote the institution conferring the degree or the body of studies leading to graduation. The term is also used for a high school graduation or a collective degree‑granting event in some countries.
A stylized Latin title combining the words for a bachelor’s degree (baccalaureus) and knowledge (scientiae), often used humorously or academically to denote a person holding or claiming that credential. As a proper noun, it may appear in formal or ironic contexts and is pronounced with Latin-influenced stress patterns. Overall, it conveys scholarly attainment and Latin flair in naming.
Baccarat is a noun referring to a popular card game of chance, usually played in casinos. It involves fixed betting on either the Player or Bank hand, with a relatively simple set of rules. The term is also used to designate the casino table where such games take place. The word is rarely capitalized beyond proper names and titles in gaming contexts.
Bacchae is a proper noun referring to the female followers of Dionysus in ancient Greek drama, most notably the Theban tragedy The Bacchae. The term also designates the Dionysian cult or its adherents. In scholarly or literary contexts, it appears as the title or subject of discussion about ritual frenzy and divine ecstasy. It is plural in form but often treated as a collective noun in English usage.
Bacchanal is a noun referring to a wild, drunken celebration or an orgiastic revelry, often with music and dancing. It can denote such a festive, riotous atmosphere, or, historically, the rites of Bacchus/Dionysus. The term carries a sense of unrestrained enjoyment and revelry, sometimes with a connotation of excess.
Bachelor (noun) refers to a man who is not married, or historically, a man seeking a wife; it can also denote an unmarried man as a status or role. In education, it denotes an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s degree). The term carries social implications about age, marriage plans, and life stage, with varying connotations in formal and informal speech.
Bacilli is the plural of bacillus, referring to rod-shaped bacteria. In biology and medicine, the term denotes multiple single-celled prokaryotes that are typically cylindrical or oval, sometimes causing infections. The word is used in scientific contexts, literature, and clinical discussions to describe this bacterial form.
