boss¹ (bôs, bŏs)
n.

1. 1. An employer or a supervisor.
   2. One who makes decisions or exercises authority.
2. A professional politician who controls a party or a political machine.

v., bossed, boss·ing, boss·es.

v.tr.

1. To supervise or control. See synonyms at supervise.
2. To give orders to, especially in an arrogant or domineering manner: bossing us around.

v.intr.
To be or act as a supervisor or controlling element.

adj. Slang
First-rate; topnotch.

[Dutch baas, master.]

boss² (bôs, bŏs)
n.

1. A circular protuberance or knoblike swelling, as on the horns of certain animals.
2. A raised area used as ornamentation.
3. Architecture. A raised ornament, such as one at the intersection of the ribs in a vaulted roof.
4. 1. An enlarged part of a shaft to which another shaft is coupled or to which a wheel or gear is keyed.
   2. A hub, especially of a propeller.

tr.v., bossed, boss·ing, boss·es.
To emboss.

[Middle English boce, from Old French.]

boss³ (bôs, bŏs)
n.
A cow or calf.

[Perhaps ultimately from Latin bōs. See bovine.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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