Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

2 VERB [usu passive] If you say that something is ballyhooed , you mean that there is a lot of excitement about it and people are claiming that it is very good. You use this word especially when you think the thing is not as exciting or good as people say. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [be V -ed] The power of red wine to counteract high cholesterol has been ballyhooed in the press. □ [V -ed] …the much-ballyhooed new Star Wars movie.

balm /bɑː m/ (balms )

1 N‑VAR Balm is a sweet-smelling oil that is obtained from some tropical trees and used to make creams that heal wounds or reduce pain.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] If you refer to something as balm , you mean that it makes you feel better. [APPROVAL ] □  The place is balm to the soul.

balmy /bɑː mi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Balmy weather is fairly warm and pleasant. □  …a balmy summer's evening.

ba|lo|ney /bəloʊ ni/ N‑UNCOUNT If you say that an idea or statement is baloney , you disapprove of it and think it is foolish or wrong. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □  That's a load of baloney.

bal|sa /bɔː lsə/ N‑UNCOUNT Balsa or balsa wood is a very light wood from a South American tree.

bal|sam /bɔː lsəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Balsam is a sweet-smelling oil that is obtained from certain trees or bushes and used to make medicines and perfumes.

bal|sam|ic vin|egar /bɔːlsæ m I k v I n I gə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Balsamic vinegar is a type of vinegar which tastes sweet and is made from grape juice.

bal|ti /bɔː lti/ (baltis ) N‑VAR A balti is a vegetable or meat dish of Indian origin which is cooked and served in a bowl-shaped pan.

bal|us|trade /bæ ləstre I d, [AM ] -stre I d/ (balustrades ) N‑COUNT A balustrade is a railing or wall on a balcony or staircase.

bam|boo /bæmbuː / (bamboos ) N‑VAR Bamboo is a tall tropical plant with hard, hollow stems. The young shoots of the plant can be eaten and the stems are used to make furniture. □  …huts with walls of bamboo. □  …bamboo shoots.

bam|boo|zle /bæmbuː z ^ə l/ (bamboozles , bamboozling , bamboozled ) VERB To bamboozle someone means to confuse and often trick them. □ [V n + into ] He bamboozled Mercer into defeat. □ [be V -ed] He was bamboozled by con men.

ban ◆◆◇ /bæ n/ (bans , banning , banned )

1 VERB To ban something means to state officially that it must not be done, shown, or used. □ [V n] It was decided to ban smoking in all offices later this year. □ [V -ed] …a banned substance. ●  ban|ning (bannings ) N‑VAR □  No reason was given for the banning of the magazine. □  Opposition groups see the bannings as the latest stage of a government clampdown.

2 N‑COUNT A ban is an official ruling that something must not be done, shown, or used. □ [+ on ] The General also lifted a ban on political parties.

3 VERB If you are banned from doing something, you are officially prevented from doing it. □ [be V -ed + from ] He was banned from driving for three years. [Also V n]

ba|nal /bənɑː l, -næ l/ ADJ If you describe something as banal , you do not like it because you think that it is so ordinary that it is not at all effective or interesting. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  Bland, banal music tinkled discreetly from hidden loudspeakers. ● N‑SING You can refer to banal things as the banal . □  The allegations ranged from the banal to the bizarre. ●  ba|nal|ity /bənæ l I ti/ (banalities ) N‑VAR □  …the banality of life. □  Neil's ability to utter banalities never ceased to amaze me. WORD HISTORY banal

In Old French, the word banal referred to the mill or bakery that was owned by the local lord and that all his tenants had to use. The word came to mean 'common to everyone' and from that, 'commonplace' or 'ordinary'.

ba|na|na /bənɑː nə, -næ n-/ (bananas )

1 N‑VAR Bananas are long curved fruit with yellow skins. □  …a bunch of bananas.