~ 1
■ noun an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something.
■ verb try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions.
Phrases
call someone's ~
1》 challenge someone to carry out a stated intention, in the expectation of being able to expose it as a pretence.
2》 (in poker or brag) make an opponent show their hand in order to reveal that its value is weaker than their heavy betting suggests.
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
C17 (in the sense 'blindfold, hoodwink'): from Du. ~en 'brag', or bluf 'bragging'.
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~ 2
■ adjective good-naturedly frank and direct.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
C18 (in the sense 'surly'): figurative use of ~ 3 .
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~ 3
■ noun
1》 a steep cliff, bank, or promontory.
2》 Canadian a grove or clump of trees.
■ adjective (of a cliff or a ship's bows) having a vertical or steep broad front.
Origin
C17 (in naut. use): of unknown origin.