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Search results for 'bear':

bear1 verb (past tense bore, past participle borne or (in sense 7b) born, present participle bearing) 1 to support or sustain (a weight or load). 2 to take or accept • bear the blame. 3 to put up with or tolerate something or someone. 4 a to allow; to be fit or suitable for something • It doesn't bear thinking about; b to stand up to or be capable of withstanding something • will not bear close scrutiny. 5 to bring or take something with one; to carry • bearing gifts. 6 to produce • bear fruit. 7 a to give birth to (a child or offspring) • She bore three children; b in the passive using past participle born • He was born in 1990; c in the past tense using past participle borne • Has she borne children?; d in the passive using past participle borne, followed by by and the mother's name • a child borne by Mary; e with a direct and an indirect object to give birth to (the child of a man) • She bore him a son. 8 to carry something in one's thought or memory • bearing grudges. 9 to have • bears no resemblance to his father. 10 to show or be marked by something • Her cheeks bore the traces of tears. 11 intrans to turn slightly in a given direction • bear left. 12 to behave • bear oneself well. bear fruit to be productive; to bring results. bring something to bear to apply or exert (especially pressure or influence), or bring something into operation.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon beran to carry or support.

bear down on or upon someone or something to move threateningly towards them or it • saw a lorry bearing down on them.

bear on something to affect, concern or relate to it • How does the new evidence bear on this case?

bear someone or something out to support or confirm them or it • The evidence bears out my original suspicions • My colleagues will bear me out on this.

bear up to remain strong or brave, etc under strain or difficult circumstances • How is Jo bearing up after the accident?

bear with someone to be patient with them • Bear with me while I check this.

bear2 noun (bears or bear) 1 any of various large carnivorous animals with a heavily built body covered with thick fur, short powerful limbs, small eyes and ears, strong claws and a short tail. Also in compounds • brown bear • polar bear; 2 a rough ill-mannered person. 3 a teddy bear. 4 stock exchange someone who sells shares, hoping to buy them back later at a much lower price. Compare lame duck 4, bull1 noun 4. verb (beared, bearing) stock exchange 1 to act as a bear (sense 4 above). 2 to lower the price of (a stock) or to depress (a market) by selling speculatively. bearish adj 1 said of a person: like a bear in behaviour and manners; bad-tempered and rough. 2 stock exchange causing or linked with a fall in prices. like a bear with a sore head colloq said of a person: exceptionally touchy and bad-tempered.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon bera.