— bubbleless , adj. — bubblelike , adj. — bubblingly , adv.
/bub"euhl/ , n. , v. , bubbled, bubbling .
n.
1. a nearly spherical body of gas contained in a liquid.
2. a small globule of gas in a thin liquid envelope.
3. a globule of air or gas, or a globular vacuum, contained in a solid.
4. anything that lacks firmness, substance, or permanence; an illusion or delusion.
5. an inflated speculation, esp. if fraudulent: The real-estate bubble ruined many investors.
6. the act or sound of bubbling.
7. a spherical or nearly spherical canopy or shelter; dome: The bombing plane bristled with machine-gun bubbles. A network of radar bubbles stretches across northern Canada.
8. a domelike structure, usually of inflated plastic, used to enclose a swimming pool, tennis court, etc.
9. Informal. a protected, exempt, or unique area, industry, etc.: The oasis is a bubble of green in the middle of the desert.
10. an area that can be defended, protected, patrolled, etc., or that comes under one's jurisdiction: The carrier fleet's bubble includes the Hawaiian Islands.
11. a sudden, small, temporary change or divergence from a trend: In May there was a bubble in car sales, with three percent more being sold than last year.
v.i.
12. to form, produce, or release bubbles; effervesce.
13. to flow or spout with a gurgling noise; gurgle.
14. to boil: The tea bubbled in the pot.
15. to speak, move, issue forth, or exist in a lively, sparkling manner; exude cheer: The play bubbled with songs and dances.
16. to seethe or stir, as with excitement: His mind bubbles with plans and schemes.
v.t.
17. to cause to bubble; make bubbles in.
18. Archaic. to cheat; deceive; swindle.
19. bubble over , to become lively: The last time I saw her she was bubbling over with enthusiasm.
[ 1350-1400; ME bobel (n.); c. MD bobbel, MLG bubbele, SW bubbla ]