bul·ly
1 (bŏŏĺē)
[Possibly from Middle Dutch boele, sweetheart, probably alteration of broeder, brother.]
noun: pl., -lies.
- A person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people.
- A hired ruffian; a thug.
- A pimp.
- Archaic A fine person.
- Archaic A sweetheart.
verb: -lied, -ly·ing, -lies.
transitive verb
- To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner. See synonyms at intimidate
- To make (one's way) aggressively.
intransitive verb
- To behave like a bully.
- To force one's way aggressively or by intimidation: “They bully into line at the gas pump” (Martin Gottfried)
adjective
- Excellent; splendid: did a bully job of persuading the members.
interjection
- Used to express approval: Bully for you!
bul·ly
2 (bŏŏĺē)
[Perhaps French bouilli, boiled meat, label on canned beef, from past participle of bouillir, to boil, from Old French boilir; see boil1.]
noun
- Canned or pickled beef. Also called bully beef