| boss | To ornament with bosses; to stud. Origin: OE. Bocen, fr. OF. Bocier. See the preceding word. Origin: OE. Boce, bose, boche, OF. Boce, boche, bosse, F. Bosse, of G. Origin; cf. OHG. Bozo tuft, bunch, OHG. Bozan, MHG. Bozen, to beat. See Beat, and cf. Botch a swelling. 1. Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a knoblike process; as, a boss of wood. 2. A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection of a shield. See Umbilicus. 3. A projecting ornament placed at the intersection of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in other situations. 4. [Cf. D. Bus box, Dan. Bosse] A wooden vessel for the mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. 5. <mechanics> The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another. A swage or die used for shaping metals. 6. A head or reservoir of water. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| bosselated | Marked by numerous bosses or rounded protuberances. Origin: Fr. Bosseler, to emboss (05 Mar 2000) |
| bosselation | 1. A boss. 2. A condition in which one or more bosses, or rounded protuberances, are present. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bosset | <zoology> A rudimental antler of a young male of the red deer. Origin: Cf. Boss a stud. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| bossism | The rule or practices of bosses, especially. Political bosses. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |