bully

ˈbʊli

3 definitions

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#1·1d ago

A hired thug.

Besides, bullies seldom execute the threats they deal in; and men of trick and cunning are not always men of desperate resolves.

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#2·1d ago

A noisy, blustering, tyrannical person, more insolent than courageous; one who is threatening and quarrelsome.

I noticed you being a bully towards people with disabilities.

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#3·1d ago

A person who is intentionally physically or emotionally cruel to others, especially to those whom they perceive as being vulnerable or of less power or privilege.

A playground bully pushed a girl off the swing.

Origin: From 1530, as a term of endearment, probably a diminutive () of , from , brother; lover, from , from (compare , (whence ), , Bōlla, diminutive of brother, father. Compare also . More at boy. The term acquired a negative connotation during the 17th century; first ‘noisy, blustering fellow’ then ‘a person who is cruel to others’. Possibly influenced by male cattle or via the ‘prostitute's minder’ sense. The positive senses are dated, but survive in phrases such as bully pulpit. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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