Category:Boss

Boss, n.; pl. Bosses. Etym: [OE. boce, bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin; cf. OHG. bozo tuft, bunch, OHG. bozan, MHG. bôzen, to beat. See Beat, and cf. Botch a swelling.]

1. Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a knoblike process; as, a boss of wood.

2. A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection of a shield. See Umbilicus.

3. (Arch.)

Defn: A projecting ornament placed at the intersection of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in other situations.

4. Etym: [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. bösse.]

Defn: A wooden vessel for the mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. Gwilt.

5. (Mech.) (a) The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another. (b) A swage or die used for shaping metals.

6. A head or reservoir of water. [Obs.]

Boss Boss, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bossed; p. pr. & vb. n. Bossing.] Etym: [OE. bocen, fr. OF. bocier. See the preceding word.]

Defn: To ornament with bosses; to stud. See Bosses.

Boss Boss, n. Etym: [D. baas master.]

Defn: A master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a political dictator. [Slang, U. S.]