[board] n [ME bord piece of sawed lumber, border, ship's side, fr. OE; akin to OHG bort ship's side] (bef. 12c) 1 obs: border, edge
2: the side of a ship 3 a: a piece of sawed lumber of little thickness and a length greatly exceeding its width b pl: stage 2a(2)
4. a archaic: table 3a b: a table spread with a meal c: daily meals esp. when furnished for pay d: a table at which a council or magistrates sit e (1): a group of persons having managerial, supervisory, investigatory, or advisory powers "~ of directors" "~ of examiners" (2): an examination given by an examining board--often used in pl. "pass the medical ~s" f: league, association g (1): the exposed hands of all the players in a stud poker game (2): an exposed dummy hand in bridge
5. a: a flat usu. rectangular piece of material (as wood) designed for a special purpose: as (1): springboard 1 (2): surfboard b: backboard; also: a rebound in basketball c: a surface, frame, or device for posting notices d: blackboard e: switchboard
6. a: paperboard b: the stiff foundation piece for the side of a book cover 7: a securities or commodities exchange
8. pl: the low wooden wall enclosing a hockey rink 9: a sheet of insulating material carrying circuit elements and terminals so that it can be inserted in an electronic apparatus (as a computer) -- board.like adj -- across the board : so as to include or affect all classes or categories "cut spending across the board"; also: in all areas or respects "considered an average player across the board" -- on board : aboard
[2]board vt (15c) 1 archaic: to come up against or alongside (a ship) usu. to attack
2: accost, address 3 a: to go aboard (as a ship, train, airplane, or bus) b: to put aboard "an airliner ~ing passengers"
4: to cover with boards "~ up a window"
5: to provide with regular meals and often also lodging usu. for compensation
6: to check with a board check ~ vi: to take one's meals usu. as a paying customer