BEAR


Meaning of BEAR in English

I. ˈber noun

( plural bears )

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English bere, from Old English bera; akin to Old English brūn brown — more at brown

Date: before 12th century

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, plant matter, and insects as well as on flesh

2. : a surly, uncouth, burly, or shambling person

a tall, friendly bear of a man

3.

[probably from the proverb about selling the bearskin before catching the bear ]

: one that sells securities or commodities in expectation of a price decline — compare bull

4. : something difficult to do or deal with

the oven is a bear to clean

• bear·like -ˌlīk adjective

II. verb

( bore ˈbȯr ; borne also born ˈbȯrn ; bear·ing )

Etymology: Middle English beren to carry, bring forth, from Old English beran; akin to Old High German beran to carry, Latin ferre, Greek pherein

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb

1.

a. : to move while holding up and supporting

b. : to be equipped or furnished with

c. : behave , conduct

bear ing himself well

d. : to have as a feature or characteristic

bear s a likeness to her grandmother

e. : to give as testimony

bear false witness

f. : to have as an identification

bore the name of John

g. : to hold in the mind or emotions

bear malice

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 accept or allow oneself to be subjected to especially without giving way

couldn't bear the pain

I can't bear seeing you cry

c. : to call for as suitable or essential

it bear s watching

d. : to hold above, on top, or aloft

e. : to admit of : allow

f. : assume , accept

4. : thrust , press

intransitive verb

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 — often used with on or upon

facts bear ing on the question

- bear a hand

- bear arms

- bear fruit

- bear in mind

- bear with

Synonyms:

bear , suffer , endure , abide , tolerate , stand mean to put up with something trying or painful. bear usually 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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.