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\ ˈbȯs , ˈbäs \

Definition of boss (Entry 1 of 6) 1 : a person who exercises control or authority union bosses a mafia boss specifically : one who directs or supervises workers asking your boss for a raise 2 politics : one who controls votes in a party organization or dictates appointments or legislative measures standing up to the party bosses

\ ˈbȯs , ˈbäs \

bossed ; bossing ; bosses

Definition of boss (Entry 2 of 6) transitive verb 1 : to give usually arbitrary orders to — usually used with around Quit bossing me around. 2 : to exercise control or authority over : to act as boss (see need someone to boss that job to exercise control or authority overto act as boss (see boss entry 1 ) of

boss adjective

\ ˈbȯs \

Definition of boss (Entry 3 of 6) slang : excellent , first-rate a boss new rock band

\ ˈbäs , ˈbȯs \

Definition of boss (Entry 4 of 6) 1 a : a raised : stud a raised ornamentation (as on a belt or shield) b : an ornamental projecting block used in architecture c : a a boss of granite a boss on an animal's horn protuberant part or body 2 : a soft pad used in ceramics and glassmaking 3 : the hub of a propeller

\ ˈbäs , ˈbȯs \

bossed ; bossing ; bosses

Definition of boss (Entry 5 of 6) transitive verb 1 : to embellish (something, such as a belt or shield) with a raised decoration : to ornament with bosses (see : emboss a bossed book cover to embellish (something, such as a belt or shield) with a raised decorationto ornament with bosses (see boss entry 4 2 : to treat (something, such as the surface of porcelain) with a boss

\ ˈbȯs , ˈbäs \

Definition of boss (Entry 6 of 6) : cow , calf

Illustration of boss Noun (2) In the meaning defined above

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Other Words from boss Noun (1) bossdom \ ˈbȯs-​dəm , ˈbäs-​ \ noun bossism \ ˈbȯ-​ˌsi-​zəm , ˈbä-​ \ noun

Did You Know? The Dutch settlements in North America all came under English rule in the 1660s and 1670s, but Dutch continued to be spoken in the region long afterward. In American English, the lexical heritage of the Dutch colonies includes dope, stoop (meaning “porch”), and Santa Claus. Perhaps the most pervasive Dutch loanword is boss, from the Dutch baas, meaning “master.” The word first appears in the form boss in 1806, used by Washington Irving. Part of its success seems to have resulted from an American aversion to master, which was common in British use.

Examples of boss in a Sentence Adjective a boss new rock band that's a really boss stereo you've got

First Known Use of boss Noun (1) 1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb (1) 1856, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Adjective 1836, in the meaning defined above Noun (2) 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c Verb (2) 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun (3) 1790, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for boss Noun (1), Verb (1), and Adjective Dutch baas master Noun (2) and Verb (2) Middle English boce, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *bottia Noun (3) English dialect, young cow

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