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8 dictionary results for: build
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
build
[bild] Pronunciation Key verb, built or (Archaic
) build·ed; build·ing; noun
—Related forms
[bild] Pronunciation Key verb, built or (Archaic
) build·ed; build·ing; noun –verb (used with object)
–verb (used without object)
–noun
—Verb phrases
| 1. | to construct (esp. something complex) by assembling and joining parts or materials: to build a house. |
| 2. | to establish, increase, or strengthen (often fol. by up): to build a business; to build up one's hopes. |
| 3. | to mold, form, or create: to build boys into men. |
| 4. | to base; found: a relationship built on trust. |
| 5. | Games.
|
| 6. | to engage in the art, practice, or business of building. |
| 7. | to form or construct a plan, system of thought, etc. (usually fol. by on or upon): He built on the philosophies of the past. |
| 8. | to increase or develop toward a maximum, as of intensity, tempo, or magnitude (often fol. by up): The drama builds steadily toward a climax. |
| 9. | the physical structure, esp. of a person; physique; figure: He had a strong build. |
| 10. | the manner or form of construction: The house was of modern build. |
| 11. | Masonry.
|
| 12. | build in or into, to build or incorporate as part of something else: to build in bookcases between the windows; an allowance for travel expenses built into the budget. |
| 13. | build up,
|
[Origin: bef. 1150; ME bilden, OE byldan, deriv. of bold, var. of botl dwelling, house
]
] —Related forms
build·a·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| build
(bĭld) Pronunciation Key
v. built (bĭlt), build·ing, builds v. tr.
v. intr.
n.
Phrasal Verb(s): build in/into To construct or include as an integral part of: a wall with shelving that was built in; build stability into the economy. build on/upon To use as a basis or foundation: We must build on our recent success. build up
Idiom(s): build on sand To provide with an unstable foundation: Having bought only high-risk stocks, my portfolio was built on sand. [Middle English bilden, from Old English byldan; see bheuə- in Indo-European roots.] |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
build
build
O.E. byldan "construct a house," verb form of bold "house," from P.Gmc. *buthlam, from PIE base *bhu- "dwell." Rare in O.E., in M.E. it won out over more common O.E. timbran. Modern spelling is unexplained. Building "a structure" is from 1297. Built-in is from 1898; well-built in reference to a woman is from 1871.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| build | |
noun | |
| 1. | constitution of the human body [syn: physique] |
| 2. | alternative names for the body of a human being; "Leonardo studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" |
verb | |
| 1. | make by combining materials and parts; "this little pig made his house out of straw"; "Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer" [syn: construct] |
| 2. | form or accumulate steadily; "Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly"; "Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border" [syn: build up] |
| 3. | build or establish something abstract; "build a reputation" |
| 4. | improve the cleansing action of; "build detergents" |
| 5. | order, supervise, or finance the construction of; "The government is building new schools in this state" |
| 6. | give form to, according to a plan; "build a modern nation"; "build a million-dollar business" |
| 7. | be engaged in building; "These architects build in interesting and new styles" |
| 8. | found or ground; "build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation" |
| 9. | bolster or strengthen; "We worked up courage"; "build up confidence"; "ramp up security in the airports" [syn: build up] |
| 10. | develop and grow; "Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera" |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This
build
In addition to the idioms beginning with build, also see light (build) a fire under. Also see under built.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Build
Build\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Built; p. pr. & vb. n. Building. The regular imp. & p. p. Builded is antiquated.] [OE. bulden, bilden, AS. byldan to build, fr. bold house; cf. Icel. b[=o]l farm, abode, Dan. bol small farm, OSw. bol, b["o]le, house, dwelling, fr. root of Icel. b?a to dwell; akin to E. be, bower, boor. [root]97.]1. To erect or construct, as an edifice or fabric of any kind; to form by uniting materials into a regular structure; to fabricate; to make; to raise. Nor aught availed him now To have built in heaven high towers. --Milton. 2. To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or produce by using appropriate means. Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks. --Shak. 3. To increase and strengthen; to increase the power and stability of; to settle, or establish, and preserve; -- frequently with up; as, to build up one's constitution. I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up. --Acts xx. 32. Syn: To erect; construct; raise; found; frame.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Build
Build\, v. i. 1. To exercise the art, or practice the business, of building. 2. To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground one's self or one's hopes or opinions upon something deemed reliable; to rely; as, to build on the opinions or advice of others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Build
Build\, n. Form or mode of construction; general figure; make; as, the build of a ship.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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