| blackboard | A broad board painted black, or any black surface on which writing, drawing, or the working of mathematical problems can be done with chalk or crayons. It is much used in schools. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| blackburnian warbler | <zoology> A beautiful warbler of the United States (Dendroica Blackburniae). The male is strongly marked with orange, yellow, and black on the head and neck, and has an orange-yellow breast. Origin: Named from Mrs. Blackburn, an English lady. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blackcap | 1. <zoology> A small European song bird (Sylvia atricapilla), with a black crown; the mock nightingale. An American titmouse (Parus atricapillus); the chickadee. 2. An apple roasted till black, to be served in a dish of boiled custard. 3. The black raspberry. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blackcock | <zoology> The male of the European black grouse (Tetrao tetrix, Linn); so called by sportsmen. The female is called gray hen. See Heath grouse. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Blackfan, Kenneth | <person> U.S. Physician, 1883-1941. See: Diamond-Blackfan anaemia, Diamond-Blackfan syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| blackfeet | <ethnology> A tribe of North American Indians formerly inhabiting the country from the upper Missouri River to the Saskatchewan, but now much reduced in numbers. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blackfin | <zoology> See Bluefin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blackfish | 1. <zoology> A small kind of whale, of the genus Globicephalus, of several species. The most common is G. Melas. Also sometimes applied to other whales of larger size. 2. <zoology> The tautog of new England (Tautoga). 3. <zoology> The black sea bass (Centropristis atrarius) of the Atlantic coast. It is excellent food fish; locally called also black Harry. 4. <zoology> A fish of southern Europe (Centrolophus pompilus) of the Mackerel family. 5. <zoology> The female salmon in the spawning season. The name is locally applied to other fishes. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blackhead | <zoology> The scaup duck. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blackheart | A heart-shaped cherry with a very dark-coloured skin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blackleg | 1. A notorious gambler. 2. A disease among calves and sheep, characterised by a settling of gelatinous matter in the legs, and sometimes in the neck. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blackout | 1. Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased blood flow to the brain. 2. Momentary loss of consciousness as an absence. 3. Temporary loss of vision, without alteration of consciousness, due to positive (normal) g (gravity) forces; caused by temporary decreased blood flow in the central retinal artery, and seen mostly in aviators. 4. A transient episode that occurs during a state of intense intoxication (alcoholic blackout) for which the person has no recall, although not unconscious (as observed by others). (05 Mar 2000) |
| blackpoll | <zoology> A warbler of the United States (Dendroica striata). Origin: Black + poll head. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| blacks | An ethnic group belonging to the negroid race. (12 Dec 1998) |
| blacksmith | 1. A smith who works in iron with a forge, and makes iron utensils, horseshoes, etc. " The blacksmith may forge what he pleases." (Howell) 2. <zoology> A fish of the Pacific coast (Chromis, or Heliastes, punctipinnis), of a blackish colour. Origin: Black (in allusion to the colour of the metal) + smith. Cf. Whitesmith. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |