Big \Big\ (b[i^]g), a. [Compar. Bigger; superl. Biggest.]
[Perh. from Celtic; cf. W. beichiog, beichiawg, pregnant,
with child, fr. baich burden, Arm. beac'h; or cf. OE. bygly,
Icel. biggiligr, (properly) habitable; (then) magnigicent,
excellent, fr. OE. biggen, Icel. byggja, to dwell, build,
akin to E. be.]
1. Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of
great size; large. "He's too big to go in there." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. Great with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth
or produce; -- often figuratively.
[1913 Webster]
[Day] big with the fate of Cato and of Rome.
--Addison.
[1913 Webster]
3. Having greatness, fullness, importance, inflation,
distention, etc., whether in a good or a bad sense; as, a
big heart; a big voice; big looks; to look big. As applied
to looks, it indicates haughtiness or pride.
[1913 Webster]
God hath not in heaven a bigger argument. --Jer.
Taylor.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Big is often used in self-explaining compounds; as,
big-boned; big-sounding; big-named; big-voiced.
[1913 Webster]
To talk big, to talk loudly, arrogantly, or pretentiously.
[1913 Webster]
I talked big to them at first. --De Foe.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Bulky; large; great; massive; gross.
[1913 Webster] Big
|