adj. & n.
adj. 1 of or relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or to its people or language. 2 of the British Commonwealth or (formerly) the British Empire (British subject).
n. 1 (prec. by the; treated as pl.) the British people. 2 US = British English. British English English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere. British Legion = Royal British Legion. British summer time = summer time (see SUMMER(1)). British thermal unit see THERMAL. Britishness n.
[ OE Brettisc etc. f. Bret f. L Britto or OCelt. ]