14-letter words containing r, i, b, g
- big brotherism — paternalistic authoritarianism that seeks to supply the needs and regulate the conduct of people.
- big government — a form of government characterized by high taxation and public spending and centralization of political power
- big red switch — (jargon) (BRS) IBM jargon for the power switch on a computer, especially the "Emergency Pull" switch on an IBM mainframe or the power switch on an IBM PC where it really is large and red. "This [email protected]%$% bitty box is hung again; time to hit the Big Red Switch." It is alleged that the emergency pull switch on an IBM 360/91 actually fired a non-conducting bolt into the main power feed; the BRSes on more recent mainframes physically drop a block into place so that they can't be pushed back in. People get fired for pulling them, especially inappropriately (see also molly-guard). Compare power cycle, three-finger salute, 120 reset; see also scram switch.
- bildungsromane — a type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist.
- bill of rights — A Bill of Rights is a written list of citizens' rights which is usually part of the constitution of a country.
- binary package — (software) An archive file that contains all files and directories that must be installed in order to make a working installation of the program(s) included in the package, and the maintainer scripts necessary for the installation. A binary package is usually specific to a certain platform, in contrast to a source package.
- binding energy — the energy that must be supplied to a stable nucleus before it can undergo fission. It is equal to the mass defect
- binding rafter — a timber for supporting rafters between their extremities, as a purlin.
- binding strake — a very strong, heavy strake of planking, especially one next to a sheer strake.
- binge drinking — Binge drinking is the consumption of large amounts of alcohol within a short period of time.
- bioarchaeology — the branch of archaeology that deals with the remains of living things
- biodegradation — to decay and become absorbed by the environment: toys that will biodegrade when they're discarded.
- bioengineering — People sometimes use bioengineering to talk about genetic engineering.
- biometeorology — the study of the effect of weather conditions on living organisms
- bioprospecting — searching for plant or animal species for use as a source of commercially exploitable products, such as medicinal drugs
- bioregionalism — the conviction that environmental and social policies should be determined by the bioregion rather than economics or politics
- bioregionalist — someone who believes in bioregionalism
- birdcage clock — lantern clock.
- birthing chair — a chair constructed to allow a woman in labour to give birth in a sitting position
- birthing stool — a stool constructed to allow a woman in labour to give birth in a sitting position
- biscuit-firing — the first firing given to pottery, before it is glazed
- blade-shearing — the shearing of sheep using hand shears
- bleeding heart — If you describe someone as a bleeding heart, you are criticizing them for being sympathetic towards people who are poor and suffering, without doing anything practical to help.
- blessed virgin — the Virgin Mary
- blind register — (in the United Kingdom) a list of those who are blind and are therefore entitled to financial and other benefits
- blind staggers — the staggers
- block printing — printing from hand engraved or carved blocks of wood or linoleum
- blood grouping — the ascertainment of a person's blood group
- blood-curdling — A blood-curdling sound or story is very frightening and horrible.
- blotting paper — Blotting paper is thick soft paper that you use for soaking up and drying ink on a piece of paper.
- boarding house — A boarding house is a house which people pay to stay in for a short time.
- boarding party — group of officers or sailors who board a ship
- bobbin turning — turning of furniture legs, stretchers, etc., to resemble a continuous row of bobbins.
- bodice-ripping — A bodice-ripping film or novel is one which is set in the past and which includes a lot of sex scenes. You use this word especially if you do not think it is very good and is just intended to entertain people.
- borders region — a former local government region in S Scotland, formed in 1975 from Berwick, Peebles, Roxburgh, Selkirk, and part of Midlothian; replaced in 1996 by Scottish Borders council area
- boring machine — a machine that bores holes, tunnels, etc
- borrowing rate — the interest rate at which money may be borrowed, esp an official rate set by a central bank
- botanic garden — a place in which plants are grown, studied, and exhibited
- bottle turning — the turning of the legs of chairs, tables, etc., in manufacturing to give certain sections an ornamental, bottlelike form.
- bowling crease — a line marked at the wicket, over which a bowler must not advance fully before delivering the ball
- bowstring hemp — a hemplike fibre obtained from the sansevieria
- boy-meets-girl — conventionally or trivially romantic
- brachydiagonal — the shorter lateral axis of a rhombic prism
- branchiostegal — of or relating to the operculum covering the gill slits of fish
- brass farthing — something of little or no value
- braunschweiger — a smoked liver sausage, named after the city of Braunschweig
- brazing solder — an alloy of copper and zinc for joining two metal surfaces by melting the alloy so that it forms a thin layer between the surfaces
- breaking point — If something or someone has reached breaking point, they have so many problems or difficulties that they can no longer cope with them, and may soon collapse or be unable to continue.
- breast-beating — public or ostentatious expression of guilt, remorse, or sorrow
- breast-feeding — to nurse (a baby) at the breast; suckle.