[bear] n, pl bears often attrib [ME bere, fr. OE bera; akin to OE brun brown--more at brown] (bef. 12c) 1 or pl bear : any of a family (Ursidae of the order Carnivora) of large heavy mammals of America and Eurasia that have long shaggy hair, rudimentary tails, and plantigrade feet and feed largely on fruit and insects as well as on flesh
2: a surly, uncouth, or shambling person 3 [prob. fr. the proverb about selling the bearskin before catching the bear]: one that sells securities or commodities in expectation of a price decline--compare bull -- bear.like adj
[2]bear vb bore ; borne also born ; bear.ing [ME beren to carry, bring forth, fr. OE beran; akin to OHG beran to carry, L ferre, Gk pherein] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move while holding up and supporting b: to be equipped or furnished with c: behave, conduct "~ing himself well" d: to have as a feature or characteristic e: to give as testimony "~ false witness" f: to have as an identification "bore the name of John" g: to hold in the mind h: disseminate i: lead, escort j: render, give
2. a: to give birth to b: to produce as yield c (1): to permit growth of (2): contain "oil-bearing shale" 3 a: to support the weight of: sustain b: to put up with esp. without giving way "couldn't ~ the pain" c: to call for as suitable or essential "it ~s watching" d: to hold above, on top, or aloft e: to admit of: allow f: assume, accept
4: thrust, press ~ vi 1: to produce fruit: yield
2. a: to force one's way b: to extend in a direction indicated or implied c: to be situated: lie d: to become directed e: to go or incline in an indicated direction
3: to support a weight or strain--often used with up
4. a: to exert influence or force b: apply, pertain syn bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand mean to put up with something trying or painful. bear usu. implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking "forced to bear a tragic loss". suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing "suffering many insults". endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties "endured years of rejection". abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest "cannot abide their rudeness". tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful "refused to tolerate such treatment". stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching "unable to stand teasing". -- bear a hand : to join in and help out -- bear arms 1: to carry or possess arms
2: to serve as a soldier -- bear fruit : to come to satisfying fruition, production, or development -- bear in mind : to think of esp. as a warning: remember -- bear with : to be indulgent, patient, or forbearing with