I. ˈbig adjective
( bigger ; biggest )
Etymology: Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect bugge important man — more at boast
1.
a. obsolete : of great physical strength : powerful in body
Sir Launcelot was big and strong again — Thomas Malory
b. : of great force or vehemence : violent
farewell the big wars that make ambition virtue — Shakespeare
— now used only of natural phenomena
the night of the big blow
2. : large 4a:
a. : large in physical dimensions, bulk, or mass
a big bag of potatoes
the big white house on the hill
b. : of great extent
a big tract of open country
c. : large in magnitude
a big change from our simple country life
also : large in quantity, number, or amount
a big fleet
d. : formed or conducted on a large scale
big government
a big merchandising combine
e. : having the largeness of — used chiefly in the comparative
a little fish scarcely bigger than a mosquito larva
3. : full:
a. : pregnant ; especially : nearly ready to give birth — usually used with with
a white heifer big with calf
b. : full to bursting : filled , brimming, swelling , teeming — usually used with with
eyes big with tears
big with rage
no period bigger with opportunity for the daring man
c. of the voice : full and resonant
4. : conspicuous or noteworthy in some respect:
a. : chief , leading , preeminent
the big issue of this campaign
the big shopping center is on 10th Avenue
b. : notorious , bad — used especially in the superlative
the biggest rascal on two feet
c. : outstanding , prominent
a big banker
especially : outstandingly worthy or able
a truly big man
the bigger they are the harder they fall
d. : of importance, moment, or significance : impressive
the big moment of his life
a big piece of news
e. : imposing , high-sounding , pretentious
such big words to put abroad such petty thoughts
often : boastful , pompous , threatening
his big words were never backed by deeds
f. : having or showing greatness of spirit : magnanimous , generous
a heart big enough to hold no grudges
he can be trusted to do the big thing
•
- too big for one's breeches
II. adverb
1. : to a large amount or extent : largely
pay big for a privilege
I eat big in the mornings
2. : in a big manner : to a marked degree:
a. slang : so as to bring notable success or advantage
if the new line goes big he should clean up a fortune
: with pronounced effect
the only one to score big was George S. Kaufman — Time
b. : pompously , pretentiously
to talk big
c. : bravely , courageously
taking his losses big
3. dialect : very , extremely
big rich
big lazy
III. transitive verb
( bigged ; bigged ; bigging ; bigs )
chiefly Midland : impregnate : make pregnant
IV. noun
( -s )
: an individual or organization of outstanding importance or power
competition with the bigs of the aviation industry
V. transitive verb
( bigged ; bigged ; bigging ; bigs )
Etymology: Middle English biggen to build, dwell, inhabit, from Old Norse byggja; akin to Old English bēon to be — more at be
dialect Britain : build , construct , erect
big a new house
VI. noun
: major league 1a — usually used in plural
a chance to play in the bigs