Category:Bubble

Bub"ble, n. Etym: [Cf. D. bobbel, Dan. boble, Sw. bubbla. Cf. Blob, n.]

1. A thin film of liquid inflated with air or gas; as, a soap bubble; bubbles on the surface of a river. Beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow, Like bubbles in a late disturbed stream. Shak.

2. A small quantity of air or gas within a liquid body; as, bubbles rising in champagne or aërated waters.

3. A globule of air, or globular vacuum, in a transparent solid; as, bubbles in window glass, or in a lens.

4. A small, hollow, floating bead or globe, formerly used for testing the strength of spirits.

5. The globule of air in the spirit tube of a level.

6. Anything that wants firmness or solidity; that which is more specious than real; a false show; a cheat or fraud; a delusive scheme; an empty project; a dishonest speculation; as, the South Sea bubble. Then a soldier. . . Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth. Shak.

7. A person deceived by an empty project; a gull. [Obs.] "Ganny's a cheat, and I'm a bubble." Prior.

Bubble Bub"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bubbled (p. pr. & vb. n. Bubbling (.] Etym: [Cf. D. bobbelen, Dan. boble. See Bubble, n.]

1. To rise in bubbles, as liquids when boiling or agitated; to contain bubbles. The milk that bubbled in the pail. Tennyson.

2. To run with a gurdling noise, as if forming bubbles; as, a bubbling stream. Pope.

3. To sing with a gurgling or warbling sound. At mine ear Bubbled the nightingale and heeded not. Tennyson.