| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Bully. | | |
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To overbear with words. A bully is a blustering menacer. (Anglo-Saxon, bulgian, to bellow like a bull.) | 1 |
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It is often used, without any mixture of reproof, as a term of endearment, as:— | 2 |
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“O sweet bully Bottom.”—Midsummer Night’s Dream, iv. 4. |
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“Bless thee, bully doctor.”—Merry Wives of Windsor, ii. 3. |
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