boss (bos)

[E. dial., perhaps a var. of equiv. ba 2, q. v.; but ef. D. bos, a bundle, as of straw.] A ha ock; a ba . bo (bōs), a. [Also written bos, bois; origin obscure.] Hollow; empty: as, "his thick bo head," Ramsay, Poems, I. 285. [Scotch.] The quality of being bo y or in relief: app applied especially to sculpture and ornament: as, “a pleasant bo ine ," Ruskin, Aratra Pentelici, i. § 21. bo ing (bos'ing), n. [Verbal n. of bo 1, v.] 1. In ceram., the proce by which a surface of color is made level and uniform. This is done by first laying on a coat of boiled oil, usually with a camel's hair brush, upon which the color is deposited, generally by being dusted from cotton-wool. The coat of oil is then made perfectly uniform and smooth by means of a leather bo . Also called ground - laying. 2. The film of boiled oil thus spread over earthenware to hold the coloring materials. bo ism (bos'izm), n. [ The vote of Pennsylvania would be worse than doubtful if bo ism . were found to be still the potential force. The American , VI. 38. bo ivet (bos'iv), a. [ bo u , hump-backed.] Crooked; deformed: as, "a bo ive birth," Osborne , Advice to his Son, р. 70 (1658). bo yl (bos'i), a . [ bo 1 + -yl.] 1. Furnished or ornamented with a bo or bo es. His head reclining on his bo y shield. Pope , Iliad, x. 173. 2. Projecting in the round; boldly prominent, as if composed of bo es: said of sculpture, etc. Cornice or frieze with bo y sculptures graven. Milton, P. L., i. 716. bo (bos), n. and a. [A word derived from the Dutch settlers in New York; Dan. bas, mas up a very steep hill. Hall i well. [Prov. Eng. ter), = OHG. bas a = MHG. base, f., aunt, G. base, f., cousin (dial. also aunt, niece), appar. ult. identical with G. wase = LG. wase, f., cousin, aunt. The word, in the masc., seems to have meant 'kinsman, cousin,' and to have been used especially as ref. to the master of the household, the chief 'kinsman,' in fact or by courtesy, of the inmates.] I. n. 1. A master. Specifically (a) One who employs or superintends workmen; a head man, foreman, or manager: as, the bo es have decided to cut down wages. [U. S.] The actions of the superintendent, or bo , very often tended to widen the breach between employer and employee. N. A. Rev. , CXLII. 503. The line looked at its prostrate champion, and then at the new bo standing there, cool and brave, and not afraid of a regiment of sledge-hammers. T. Winthrop, Love and Skates, (b) In U. S. politics, an influential politician who uses the machinery of a party for private ends, or for the advantage of a ring or clique; a profe ional politician having paramount local influence. 2. The chief; the master; the champion; the best or leading person or thing. [Colloq., U.S.] II. a . Chief; master; hence, first-rate: as, a bo mason; a bo player. [Colloq., U. S.] bo 6 (bos), v . t. [ bo the house. [Slang, U. S.] - To bo it, to act the master. - To bo one around or about, to order one about; control one's actions or movements. [Colloq., U. S.]