Origin of boss
1
1640–50,
Americanism; < Dutch
baas master, foreman
SYNONYMS FOR boss
Words nearby boss
bosomed,
bosomy,
boson,
bosporus,
bosquet,
boss,
boss around,
boss cocky,
boss screen,
boss-eyed,
bossa nova
Definition for boss (2 of 4)
boss
2
[ baws, bos ]
/ bɔs, bɒs /
noun
verb (used with object)
Origin of boss
2
1250–1300; Middle English
boce < Anglo-French: lump, growth, boil; Old French < Vulgar Latin
*bottia, of uncertain origin
Definition for boss (3 of 4)
boss
3
[ bos, baws ]
/ bɒs, bɔs /
noun
a familiar name for a calf or cow.
Origin of boss
3
1790–1800,
Americanism; compare dial. (SW England)
borse, boss, buss six-month-old calf
Definition for boss (4 of 4)
boss
4
[ bos ]
/ bɒs /
adjective Scot.
hollow; empty.
Origin of boss
4
First recorded in 1505–15; of obscure origin
Example sentences from the Web for boss
British Dictionary definitions for boss (1 of 4)
boss
1
/ (bɒs) informal /
noun
a person in charge of or employing others
mainly US
a professional politician who controls a party machine or political organization, often using devious or illegal methods
verb
to employ, supervise, or be in charge of
(usually foll by around or about)
to be domineering or overbearing towards (others)
adjective
slang
excellent; fine
a boss hand at carpentry; that's boss!
Word Origin for boss
C19: from Dutch
baas master; probably related to Old High German
basa aunt, Frisian
baes master
British Dictionary definitions for boss (2 of 4)
boss
2
/ (bɒs) /
noun
a knob, stud, or other circular rounded protuberance, esp an ornamental one on a vault, a ceiling, or a shield
biology
any of various protuberances or swellings in plants and animals
- an area of increased thickness, usually cylindrical, that strengthens or provides room for a locating device on a shaft, hub of a wheel, etc
- a similar projection around a hole in a casting or fabricated component
an exposed rounded mass of igneous or metamorphic rock, esp the uppermost part of an underlying batholith
verb (tr)
to ornament with bosses; emboss
Word Origin for boss
C13: from Old French
boce, from Vulgar Latin
bottia (unattested); related to Italian
bozza metal knob, swelling
British Dictionary definitions for boss (3 of 4)
boss
3
bossy
/ (bɒs) /
noun plural bosses or bossies
a calf or cow
Word Origin for boss
C19: from dialect
buss calf, perhaps ultimately from Latin
bōs cow, ox
British Dictionary definitions for boss (4 of 4)
BOSS
/ (bɒs) /
n acronym for (formerly)
Bureau of State Security; a branch of the South African security police
Medical definitions for boss
boss
[ bôs ]
n.
A circumscribed rounded swelling; a protuberance.
The prominence of a kyphosis or humpback.