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