bul·ly¹ (bʊl'ē)
n., pl., -lies.

1. A person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people.
2. A hired ruffian; a thug.
3. A pimp.
4. Archaic. A fine person.
5. Archaic. A sweetheart.

v., -lied, -ly·ing, -lies.

v.tr.

1. To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner. See synonyms at intimidate.
2. To make (one's way) aggressively.

v.intr.

1. To behave like a bully.
2. To force one's way aggressively or by intimidation: "They bully into line at the gas pump" (Martin Gottfried).

adj.
Excellent; splendid: did a bully job of persuading the members.

interj.
Used to express approval: Bully for you!

[Possibly from Middle Dutch boele, sweetheart, probably alteration of broeder, brother.]

bul·ly² (bʊl'ē)
n.
Canned or pickled beef. Also called bully beef.

[Perhaps French bouilli, boiled meat, label on canned beef, from past participle of bouillir, to boil, from Old French boilir. See boil¹.]

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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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