Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH-der.
Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰwer-der.
Proto-Germanic *berô
Proto-West Germanic *berō
Old English bera
Middle English bere
English bear
From Middle English bere, from Old English bera, from Proto-West Germanic *berō, from Proto-Germanic *berô (“bear”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- (“brown”).
Cognates
Cognate with North Frisian beer (“bear”), Saterland Frisian Boar, Boare (“bear”), West Frisian bear (“bear”), Cimbrian and Mòcheno per (“bear”), Dutch beer (“bear”), German Bär (“bear”), German Low German Boor (“bear”), Limburgish baer, Béër (“bear”), Luxembourgish Bier (“bear”), Vilamovian baor, bar (“bear”), West Flemish beir (“bear”), Yiddish בער (ber, “bear”), Danish, Faroese, and Norwegian Bokmål bjørn (“bear”), Icelandic and Swedish björn (“bear”), Norwegian Nynorsk bjøinn, bjønn, bjørn (“bear”), Gothic *𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰 (*baira, “bear”); also Latin fiber (“beaver”), Greek φρύνος (frýnos, “toad”), Latvian bērs (“bay, brown”), Lithuanian bėras (“bay, reddish brown”), Belarusian бабёр (babjór, “beaver”), Bulgarian бобър (bobăr, “beaver”), Czech bobr (“beaver”), Macedonian дабар (dabar, “beaver”), Polish bober, bóbr (“beaver”) Russian бобёр (bobjór), бобр (bobr, “beaver”), Serbo-Croatian да̀бар, dàbar (“beaver”), Slovak bobor (“beaver”), Slovene bober (“beaver”), Ukrainian бобе́р (bobér, “beaver”), Armenian բորենի (boreni, “hyena”), Avestan 𐬠𐬀𐬡𐬭𐬀 (baβra, “beaver”), Northern Kurdish bor (“grey”), Ossetian бур (bur, “yellow”), Persian بور (bur, “blonde, fair; bay, reddish brown; brown”), Yaghnobi вур (vur, “brown”), Sanskrit बभ्रु (babhru, “ichneumon, mongoose”).
etymology notes
This is generally taken to be from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- (“shining, brown”) (compare Tocharian A parno, Tocharian B perne (“radiant, luminous”), Lithuanian bė́ras (“brown”)), related to brown, bruin, and beaver.
On this theory, the Germanic languages replaced the older name of the bear, *h₂ŕ̥tḱos, with the epithet "brown one", presumably due to taboo avoidance; compare Russian медве́дь (medvédʹ, “bear”, literally “honey-eater”).
However, Ringe (2006:106) doubts the existence of a root *bʰer- meaning "brown" ("an actual PIE word of [the requisite] shape and meaning is not recoverable") and suggests that a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰwer- (“wild animal”) "should therefore perhaps be preferred", implying a Germanic merger of *ǵʰw and *gʷʰ (*gʷʰ may sometimes result in Germanic *b, perhaps e.g. in *bidjaną, but it also seems to have given the g in gun and the w in warm).
Meanings
(not-comparable, qualifier:investments) Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.
The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.
sv björn (finance: characterized by falling prices) · fi lasku- (finance: characterized by falling prices) · de Baisse (finance: characterized by falling prices) · da bjørn (finance: characterized by falling prices)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH-der.
Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰwer-der.
Proto-Germanic *berô
Proto-West Germanic *berō
Old English bera
Middle English bere
English bear
From Middle English bere, from Old English bera, from Proto-West Germanic *berō, from Proto-Germanic *berô (“bear”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- (“brown”).
Cognates
Cognate with North Frisian beer (“bear”), Saterland Frisian Boar, Boare (“bear”), West Frisian bear (“bear”), Cimbrian and Mòcheno per (“bear”), Dutch beer (“bear”), German Bär (“bear”), German Low German Boor (“bear”), Limburgish baer, Béër (“bear”), Luxembourgish Bier (“bear”), Vilamovian baor, bar (“bear”), West Flemish beir (“bear”), Yiddish בער (ber, “bear”), Danish, Faroese, and Norwegian Bokmål bjørn (“bear”), Icelandic and Swedish björn (“bear”), Norwegian Nynorsk bjøinn, bjønn, bjørn (“bear”), Gothic *𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰 (*baira, “bear”); also Latin fiber (“beaver”), Greek φρύνος (frýnos, “toad”), Latvian bērs (“bay, brown”), Lithuanian bėras (“bay, reddish brown”), Belarusian бабёр (babjór, “beaver”), Bulgarian бобър (bobăr, “beaver”), Czech bobr (“beaver”), Macedonian дабар (dabar, “beaver”), Polish bober, bóbr (“beaver”) Russian бобёр (bobjór), бобр (bobr, “beaver”), Serbo-Croatian да̀бар, dàbar (“beaver”), Slovak bobor (“beaver”), Slovene bober (“beaver”), Ukrainian бобе́р (bobér, “beaver”), Armenian բորենի (boreni, “hyena”), Avestan 𐬠𐬀𐬡𐬭𐬀 (baβra, “beaver”), Northern Kurdish bor (“grey”), Ossetian бур (bur, “yellow”), Persian بور (bur, “blonde, fair; bay, reddish brown; brown”), Yaghnobi вур (vur, “brown”), Sanskrit बभ्रु (babhru, “ichneumon, mongoose”).
etymology notes
This is generally taken to be from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- (“shining, brown”) (compare Tocharian A parno, Tocharian B perne (“radiant, luminous”), Lithuanian bė́ras (“brown”)), related to brown, bruin, and beaver.
On this theory, the Germanic languages replaced the older name of the bear, *h₂ŕ̥tḱos, with the epithet "brown one", presumably due to taboo avoidance; compare Russian медве́дь (medvédʹ, “bear”, literally “honey-eater”).
However, Ringe (2006:106) doubts the existence of a root *bʰer- meaning "brown" ("an actual PIE word of [the requisite] shape and meaning is not recoverable") and suggests that a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰwer- (“wild animal”) "should therefore perhaps be preferred", implying a Germanic merger of *ǵʰw and *gʷʰ (*gʷʰ may sometimes result in Germanic *b, perhaps e.g. in *bidjaną, but it also seems to have given the g in gun and the w in warm).
Meanings
(countable, uncountable) A large, generally omnivorous mammal (a few species are purely carnivorous or herbivorous) of the family Ursidae; having shaggy fur, a very small tail, and flat feet.
(uncountable) A large, generally omnivorous mammal (a few species are purely carnivorous or herbivorous) of the family Ursidae; having shaggy fur, a very small tail, and flat feet. ▸ The meat of this animal.
We had barbecued bear for dinner.
(countable, figuratively, uncountable) A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person.
One evening about this time, when his Lordship did me the honour to sup at my lodgings with Dr. Robertson and several other men of literary distinction, he regretted that Johnson had not been educated with more refinement, and lived more in polished society. 'No, no, my Lord, (said Signor Baretti,) do with him what you would, he would always have been a bear.' 1791, James Boswell, Life of Johnson:
(countable, uncountable) An investor who sells commodities, securities, or futures in anticipation of a fall in prices.
This accompt has been made to appear a bull accompt, i.e. that the bulls cannot take their stock. The fact is the reverse; it is a bear accompt, but the bears, unable to deliver their stock, have conjointly banged the market, and pocketed the tickets, to defeat the rise and loss that would have ensued to them by their buying on a rising price on the accompt day […] 1821, Bank of England, The Bank - The Stock Exchange - The Bankers ..., page 64:
(US, countable, qualifier:CB radio, slang, uncountable) A state policeman (short for Smokey Bear).
By the time we got into Tulsa Town
We had eighty-five trucks in all
But there's a roadblock up on the cloverleaf
And them bears was wall-to-wall.
Yeah, them smokies is thick as bugs on a bumper
They even had a bear in the air.
I says, "Callin' all trucks, this here's the Duck.
We about to go a-huntin' bear." 1975, “Convoy”, in C.W. McCall, Chip Davis (lyrics), Black Bear Road, performed by C. W. McCall:
He was listening for reports of Kojaks with Kodaks, or bear sightings (cop alerts) at his front door (ahead of him), especially plain wrappers (unmarked police cars) parked at specific yardsticks (mile-markers) taking pictures […] 2015, Matt Cashion, Last Words of the Holy Ghost, page 85:
'The bear's pulling somebody off there at 74,' reported someone else. 1976 June, CB Magazine, Oklahoma City: Communications Publication Corporation, June 40/3:
(countable, slang, uncountable) A large, hairy man, especially one who is homosexual.
Bear sought by masculine white male, 30, 5'8", 165 lbs, for weekly safe encounter. I'm in a long-term relationship and seek outside fun. You: tall, masculine, over 200 lbs, discreet, moustache. 1990 December 9, “Personal advertisement”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 21, page 12:
There are numerous social organizations for bears in most parts of the United States. Lesbians don't have such prominent sexual subcultures as gay men, although, as just mentioned, some lesbians are into BDSM practices. 2006, Simon LeVay, Sharon McBride Valente, Human sexuality:
Bears are usually hunky, chunky types reminiscent of railroad engineers and former football greats. [1979 July 26, George Mazzei, “Who's Who in the Zoo?: A Glossary of Gay Animals”, in Robert I. McQueen, editor, The Advocate, number 272, Liberation Publications, →ISSN, archived from the original on 18 Apr 2014, page 42:
I have everything it takes to be a bear: broad shoulders, full beard, semibald pate, and lots of body hair. But I don't want to be a fetish. 2004 April 27, Richard Goldstein, “Why I'm Not a Bear”, in The Advocate, number 913, page 72:
(Australia, countable, uncountable) A koala (bear).
Bunyip Bluegum was a tidy bear, he objected to whisker soup[.] 1918, Norman Lindsay, The Magic Pudding, page 8:
(countable, uncountable) A portable punching machine.
(countable, uncountable) A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.
(countable, uncountable) The fifteenth Lenormand card.
(US, colloquial, countable, uncountable) Something difficult or tiresome; a burden or chore.
That window can be a bear to open.
"This was a real bear to refinish. You can't believe how hard it was right here to get a thousand years of crud out of this carving." 2014, Joe Buda, Pilgrims' Passage: Into a New Millennium; Rebuilding the Past:
itl массу (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sl medvedka (large mammal of family Ursidae) · crj ᑳᑰᔥ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · iba jugam (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mk мечка (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sea bah woow (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ain エペㇾ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sea samiiw (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sa भल्लूक (large mammal of family Ursidae) · akk 𒊍 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hi रीछ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · de Baissier (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · ta கரடி (large hairy man) · ru ми́шка (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tr ayı (large hairy man) · mhn per (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sc ùssulu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · krl leveiočču (large mammal of family Ursidae) · uli beer (large mammal of family Ursidae) · frr Beer (large mammal of family Ursidae) · arc ܕܒܐ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mny bayuang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · he דּוֹב (large hairy man) · cwg sĕlabas (large mammal of family Ursidae) · my ဝက်ဝံ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · koi ош (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sl medved (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bqi خرس (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pnt άρκον (large mammal of family Ursidae) · eve накат (large mammal of family Ursidae) · xnt paukúnawaw (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rue медве́дз (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cwg labas (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gld нанги (large mammal of family Ursidae) · otk 𐰑𐰍 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fr ours (large hairy man) · ro moș Martin (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ka დათვი (large hairy man) · iba akup (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tly خرس (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kw arth (large mammal of family Ursidae) · vro kahr (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ru медве́дь (large mammal of family Ursidae) · stq Boar (large mammal of family Ursidae) · osx bero (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mtq củ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lmo urs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · shs kenkéknem (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tew kay (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sv surkart (rough, unmannerly, uncouth person) · rm ursa (large mammal of family Ursidae) · dar синка (large mammal of family Ursidae) · duu sheui (large mammal of family Ursidae) · njo-jgl shirem (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ay jukumari (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ddo зе (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tce shä́r (Aishihik) (large mammal of family Ursidae) · xsr དོམ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hrx Bärin (large mammal of family Ursidae) · su biruang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · got 𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ms beruang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ba айыу (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sea berwòk (large mammal of family Ursidae) · an onso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ude мафа (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ru медве́дица (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cs medvěd (large mammal of family Ursidae) · frr baar (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pa ਰਿਛ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · wao cʰíca (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ii ꊈ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lo ໝີ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · vot karu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · vep kondi (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kbd мыщэ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · alt айу (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mfe lours (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mel buweang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · yrk-for апы (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gin зе (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sw dubu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · li baer (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kca-nor мойпәр (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lra igoh (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kw ors (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mnq kawip (large mammal of family Ursidae) · oaa бојо (large mammal of family Ursidae) · iu ᐊᑎᖅᐳᖅ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pt ursa (large mammal of family Ursidae) · uga 𐎄𐎁 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · krc айыу (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sc ursu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hop jhoonaw (large mammal of family Ursidae) · chr ᏲᏅ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mww dais (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ky аюу (large mammal of family Ursidae) · wam mosq (large mammal of family Ursidae) · niv ӄʼотр̌ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pac apơng (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sva და̈შდვ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nap urzo (large mammal of family Ursidae) · twy biang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ti ድቢ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kpv ош (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bbl ჩა (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tli xóots (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mrj мӧскӓ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · he דֹּב (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lad lonso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ks ہاپُتھ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ovd byönn (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ttm shra (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mns-nor во̄рто̄лно̄йка (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nl bear (large hairy man) · br arzh (large mammal of family Ursidae) · eo urso (large hairy man) · arz دبَّة (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rgn órs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cjm ꨌꨈꨭꨥ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · avd پورسوغ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ycl hhe (large mammal of family Ursidae) · vec orso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tgb boluot (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cku nita (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sga art (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kns kawap (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kmc meel (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cmn 熊 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · es oso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tus uhčíhręʔ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bn ভালুক (large mammal of family Ursidae) · min bibeh (large mammal of family Ursidae) · evn хомоты (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sjd та̄лл (large mammal of family Ursidae) · arz دبّ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · io urso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · umu maxkw (large mammal of family Ursidae) · niv чхыф (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ik iggabri (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kcg a̱bya (large mammal of family Ursidae) · et karu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · eo urso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · yi בער (large mammal of family Ursidae) · paw kuruks (large mammal of family Ursidae) · zza esı (large mammal of family Ursidae) · id beruang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · plz bauang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kyh vírusur (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ttt xürs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kac tsap (large mammal of family Ursidae) · se guovža (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ani сей (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ps خرس (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mi pea (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sq ariu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · apj shash (large mammal of family Ursidae) · so oorso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ota آیی (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cv упа (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pl niedźwiedź (large mammal of family Ursidae) · non bjǫrn (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bal مم (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fi karhu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · yai хирс (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ady мышъэ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · clt cavaw (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cu медвѣдь (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ace cagèë (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sv baissespekulant (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · de Bär (large hairy man) · hi भालो (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pms ors (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sgh йӯрх̌ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ain カムイ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mrc maxwet (large mammal of family Ursidae) · apw shash (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bxd vɛ̃⁵⁵ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nhn tlacamayeh (large mammal of family Ursidae) · iba makup (large mammal of family Ursidae) · te ఎలుగు (large mammal of family Ursidae) · be мядзве́дзь (large mammal of family Ursidae) · grc ἄρκος (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sv björn (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lzz მთუთი (large mammal of family Ursidae) · puc buwie (large mammal of family Ursidae) · is björn (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sah эһэ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · uk ведмі́дь (large mammal of family Ursidae) · za mui (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ast osu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · he דּוֹב (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ckv tumay (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hit 𒄯𒁖𒂵𒀸 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tr ayı (large mammal of family Ursidae) · xke bohang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bg мечо́к (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bbc gompul (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ga béar (large mammal of family Ursidae) · btq kemol (large mammal of family Ursidae) · crj ᒪᔅᒄ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · la ursa (large mammal of family Ursidae) · chp sas (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sa ऋक्ष (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sh mèdvedica (large mammal of family Ursidae) · evn амака (large mammal of family Ursidae) · dbj patut (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mic mui'n (large mammal of family Ursidae) · frp ors (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ml കരടി (large mammal of family Ursidae) · am ድብ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ja 熊 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ug ئېيىق (large mammal of family Ursidae) · es bajista (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · hi भालू (large mammal of family Ursidae) · av ци (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kqr boowang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nv shash (large hairy man) · pkc 金馬 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · abq мшвы́ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rm urs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · apw tsét'soyé (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fi kontio (large mammal of family Ursidae) · af beer (large mammal of family Ursidae) · btq klabas/tlabas (Batek Deq, Jedek) (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ur بھالُوک (large mammal of family Ursidae) · or ଭାଲୁ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sac mahkwa (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ang bera (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ood judumi (large mammal of family Ursidae) · vec bero (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nso bêrê (large mammal of family Ursidae) · xmf თუნთი (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mt ors (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pwn cumay (large mammal of family Ursidae) · es maleante (rough, unmannerly, uncouth person) · sq ari (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tli s'eek (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kyi bĕlufiĕ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · min baribeh (large mammal of family Ursidae) · vi gấu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fy bear (large mammal of family Ursidae) · li beer (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sne buang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kdr ajuv (large mammal of family Ursidae) · km ខ្លាឃ្មុំ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lt lokys (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ur رِیچھ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ro urs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · az ayı (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ksk wasábe (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ik akjaq (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fi karhu (large hairy man) · si වලසා (large mammal of family Ursidae) · zza hes (diq) (large mammal of family Ursidae) · alq makwa (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bts gipul (large mammal of family Ursidae) · zza hes (diq) (large hairy man) · ik iyyabriq (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ssm kaweep (large mammal of family Ursidae) · shy abubaz (large mammal of family Ursidae) · yue 熊人 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lmo ors (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gl oso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bho भालू (large mammal of family Ursidae) · te ఎలుగుబంటి (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kjh аба (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ain イソ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · inz xus (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mzn ارش (large mammal of family Ursidae) · haw pea (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hov bohang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kxd baruang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ar دُبَّة (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ab амшә (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gdo сиᵸгьи (large mammal of family Ursidae) · dun bibang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sh мѐдведица (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kap сиᵸ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cho nita (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cjs аба (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ari kuuNUx (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hy արջ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sd کڻندو (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kpy кайӈын (large mammal of family Ursidae) · de Bär (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ca ós (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kmr hirç (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bcl oso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · el άρκτος (large mammal of family Ursidae) · knx nompok (large mammal of family Ursidae) · otw mko (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ne भालु (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cjs азығ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ckt кэйӈын (large mammal of family Ursidae) · jv bruwang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · co orsu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rm uorsa (large mammal of family Ursidae) · dlg эбэкээ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gag ayı (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gsw Bar (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ce ча (large mammal of family Ursidae) · coo mɛχaɬ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nl beer (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lo ຫມີ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mny wayuang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ium jiepv (large mammal of family Ursidae) · abl gemul (large mammal of family Ursidae) · szy tumay (large mammal of family Ursidae) · jhi kawip (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mcg máeni (large mammal of family Ursidae) · krl kondii (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sh мѐдвједица (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mr अस्वल (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bua баабгай (large mammal of family Ursidae) · arp wox (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ary دب (large mammal of family Ursidae) · xh ibhere (large mammal of family Ursidae) · te ఎలుగ్గొడ్డు (large mammal of family Ursidae) · abe awasos (large mammal of family Ursidae) · wa oûsse (large mammal of family Ursidae) · qu ukumari (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bll ǫti (large mammal of family Ursidae) · se bierdna (large mammal of family Ursidae) · alq mosq (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nl berin (large mammal of family Ursidae) · su ontohod (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ca bear (large hairy man) · orv медвѣдь (large mammal of family Ursidae) · inh ча (large mammal of family Ursidae) · szl niedźwiydź (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ps بالو (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tmo kĕtebong (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ckt умӄы (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bg ме́чка (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kaa ayıw (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pt urso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rom hirč (large mammal of family Ursidae) · uz ayiq (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tyv адыг (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mns-nor во̄рто̄лнут (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rsk медведжица (large mammal of family Ursidae) · el αρκούδα (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nhv uxu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cmn 魋 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tgb bawang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sv brumbjörn (rough, unmannerly, uncouth person) · qua wasá (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gd mathan (large mammal of family Ursidae) · puc buwaye (large mammal of family Ursidae) · liv okš (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ykg хайчиэтэгэ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ket ӄой (large mammal of family Ursidae) · crh ayuv (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nuk čums, čims (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ru медве́дь (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · yue 熊 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · duw biakng (large mammal of family Ursidae) · stq Boar (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pl niedźwiedzica (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sh мѐдвед (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rm urs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · arc דבא (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sh mèdvjedica (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mn баавгай (large mammal of family Ursidae) · frr beer (large mammal of family Ursidae) · oj ᒪᒃᐗ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tin сӣᵸ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nxq ggvq (large mammal of family Ursidae) · aht sos (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mg orsa (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bve belwiang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mga mathgamain (large mammal of family Ursidae) · okm 곰〯 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mxd wahagung (large mammal of family Ursidae) · es policía estatal (US: state policeman) · ckb ورچ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · knx egoh (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sh medo (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ar دُبّ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hsb mjedwjedź (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nds Boor (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pni bohang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nv ditłʼoii (large hairy man) · ru медвежо́нок (large mammal of family Ursidae) · krc айю (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ht lous (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kim иресаӈ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · frp ourse (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mnc ᠯᡝᡶᡠ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fur ors (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ro speculant (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · wym baor (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lld lors (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fo bjørn (large mammal of family Ursidae) · dng щүн (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fa خرس (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mrw barowang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · es úrsido (large mammal of family Ursidae) · de Bärin (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hu maci (large hairy man) · dz དོམ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kim ирезаӈ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ceb oso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sms kuõbǯǯ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sk medveď (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cy arth (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kn ಕರಡಿ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ksk míⁿcho (large mammal of family Ursidae) · krl mötti (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hrx Bäer (large mammal of family Ursidae) · djo buakng (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mns-nor ню̄рум ӯй (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ga mathúin (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sh mèdved (large mammal of family Ursidae) · unm màxkw (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ltg luocs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · min biruang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ka დათვი (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ks ہاپٕژ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · grc ἄρκτος (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tt аю (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ro ursoaică (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mwl urso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · zza heş (diq) (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sma bïerne (large mammal of family Ursidae) · lkt matȟó (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mdf офта (large mammal of family Ursidae) · enh богля (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hu medve (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ko 곰 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · hak 熊 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sh мѐдвјед (large mammal of family Ursidae) · jv barong (large mammal of family Ursidae) · udm гондыр (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rom rishni (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sea bah òòs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · twf kə́ona (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nnt winquipim (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fi karhu (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · lij orso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · as ভালুক (large mammal of family Ursidae) · mt debb (large mammal of family Ursidae) · chy náhkohe (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gu રીંછ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pl miś (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pcd ors (large mammal of family Ursidae) · it orso (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pt baixista (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · sh mèdvjed (large mammal of family Ursidae) · roa-tar orse (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nv shash (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pot mko (large mammal of family Ursidae) · csb miedzwiédz (large mammal of family Ursidae) · puc buwe (large mammal of family Ursidae) · esu carayak (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fr baissier (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · frr koarn (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fi mesikämmen (hypocorism) (large mammal of family Ursidae) · os арс (large mammal of family Ursidae) · aqc ххамс (large mammal of family Ursidae) · pap ber (large mammal of family Ursidae) · crl ᒋᔖᔮᒄ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sit-cai kʰv̩⁵⁵ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kum аюв (large mammal of family Ursidae) · akz nita (large mammal of family Ursidae) · de Baissespekulant (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · lv lācis (large mammal of family Ursidae) · szc mol (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nan-hbl 熊 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rup ursã (large mammal of family Ursidae) · cdo 熊 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · gld мапа (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bo དོམ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fr ours (rough, unmannerly, uncouth person) · xpq awáhsohs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rsk медведз (large mammal of family Ursidae) · bdr jurub (large mammal of family Ursidae) · yur chyer'ery' (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sv bitvarg (rough, unmannerly, uncouth person) · yrk-tun вӑрк (large mammal of family Ursidae) · osa 𐓷𐓘𐓮𐓘́𐓬𐓟 (wasápe) (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ja 熊 (large hairy man) · vi đầu cơ giá xuống (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · fit karhuu (large mammal of family Ursidae) · kpy умӄа (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ro jucător la bursă (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · egl aurs (large mammal of family Ursidae) · wuu 熊 (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nio ӈарка (large mammal of family Ursidae) · tab швеъ (large mammal of family Ursidae) · dsb mjadwjeź (large mammal of family Ursidae) · ta கரடி (large mammal of family Ursidae) · nog аюв (large mammal of family Ursidae) · sne buank (large mammal of family Ursidae) · fi metsäläinen (rough, unmannerly, uncouth person) · hu besszre játszó tőzsdéző (investor who sells in anticipation of falling prices) · rir buakng (large mammal of family Ursidae) · rej bu'ang (large mammal of family Ursidae) · dru cumay (large mammal of family Ursidae)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH-der.
Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰwer-der.
Proto-Germanic *berô
Proto-West Germanic *berō
Old English bera
Middle English bere
English bear
From Middle English bere, from Old English bera, from Proto-West Germanic *berō, from Proto-Germanic *berô (“bear”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- (“brown”).
Cognates
Cognate with North Frisian beer (“bear”), Saterland Frisian Boar, Boare (“bear”), West Frisian bear (“bear”), Cimbrian and Mòcheno per (“bear”), Dutch beer (“bear”), German Bär (“bear”), German Low German Boor (“bear”), Limburgish baer, Béër (“bear”), Luxembourgish Bier (“bear”), Vilamovian baor, bar (“bear”), West Flemish beir (“bear”), Yiddish בער (ber, “bear”), Danish, Faroese, and Norwegian Bokmål bjørn (“bear”), Icelandic and Swedish björn (“bear”), Norwegian Nynorsk bjøinn, bjønn, bjørn (“bear”), Gothic *𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰 (*baira, “bear”); also Latin fiber (“beaver”), Greek φρύνος (frýnos, “toad”), Latvian bērs (“bay, brown”), Lithuanian bėras (“bay, reddish brown”), Belarusian бабёр (babjór, “beaver”), Bulgarian бобър (bobăr, “beaver”), Czech bobr (“beaver”), Macedonian дабар (dabar, “beaver”), Polish bober, bóbr (“beaver”) Russian бобёр (bobjór), бобр (bobr, “beaver”), Serbo-Croatian да̀бар, dàbar (“beaver”), Slovak bobor (“beaver”), Slovene bober (“beaver”), Ukrainian бобе́р (bobér, “beaver”), Armenian բորենի (boreni, “hyena”), Avestan 𐬠𐬀𐬡𐬭𐬀 (baβra, “beaver”), Northern Kurdish bor (“grey”), Ossetian бур (bur, “yellow”), Persian بور (bur, “blonde, fair; bay, reddish brown; brown”), Yaghnobi вур (vur, “brown”), Sanskrit बभ्रु (babhru, “ichneumon, mongoose”).
etymology notes
This is generally taken to be from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- (“shining, brown”) (compare Tocharian A parno, Tocharian B perne (“radiant, luminous”), Lithuanian bė́ras (“brown”)), related to brown, bruin, and beaver.
On this theory, the Germanic languages replaced the older name of the bear, *h₂ŕ̥tḱos, with the epithet "brown one", presumably due to taboo avoidance; compare Russian медве́дь (medvédʹ, “bear”, literally “honey-eater”).
However, Ringe (2006:106) doubts the existence of a root *bʰer- meaning "brown" ("an actual PIE word of [the requisite] shape and meaning is not recoverable") and suggests that a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰwer- (“wild animal”) "should therefore perhaps be preferred", implying a Germanic merger of *ǵʰw and *gʷʰ (*gʷʰ may sometimes result in Germanic *b, perhaps e.g. in *bidjaną, but it also seems to have given the g in gun and the w in warm).
Meanings
(transitive) To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in.
to bear the market
to bear a railroad stock
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
bears
Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres
lexicographic
bearing
Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
beared
Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
beared
Tense=Past
lexicographic
beare
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
bear en · VERB · etymology 2
Pronunciation
Etymology
From Middle English beren (“carry, bring forth”), from Old English beran (“to carry, bear, bring”), from Proto-West Germanic *beran, from Proto-Germanic *beraną, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti, from *bʰer- (“to bear, carry”).
Akin to Old High German beran (“carry”), Dutch baren, Danish bære, Norwegian Bokmål bære, Norwegian Nynorsk bera, German gebären, Gothic 𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰𐌽 (bairan), Sanskrit भरति (bharati), Latin ferō, and Ancient Greek φέρω (phérō), Albanian bie (“to bring, to bear”), Russian брать (bratʹ, “to take”), Persian بردن (bordan, “to take, to carry”).
Meanings
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.
what the market will bear
I'll bear your logs the while. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road. 1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, “The Tutor's Daughter”, in Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion, page 266:
They came bearing gifts.
The little boat bore us to our destination.
Judging from the look on his face, he wasn't bearing good news.
This plant's light and fluffy seeds may be borne by the wind to remote islands.
They surged about her, caught her up and bore her. 1954 March, Ray Bradbury, “All Summer in a Day”, in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, volume 6, number 3, page 122:
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To carry (weapons, flags or symbols of rank, office, etc.) upon one's person, especially visibly; to be equipped with (weapons, etc.).
the right to bear arms
Master Shake: […] so that I too may be able to bet on the sporting event where the guy did jailtime for bringing the gun into the club. / Carl: Hey ey ey, watch it. He got a constitutional right to bear arms...in a dance club. 2012 July 29, Dave Willis, Matt Maiellaro, “Bookie” (06:14 from the start), in Aqua Teen Hunger Force, season 9, episode 6, spoken by Master Shake and Carl (Dana Snyder and Dave Willis):
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To wear (garments, pieces of jewellery, etc.).
The queen bore the royal scepter and crown as she processed into the hall.
(intransitive, of a woman or female animal, rare, transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To carry (offspring in the womb), to be pregnant (with).
The scan showed that the ewe was bearing twins.
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To have or display (a mark or other feature).
This bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
The stone bears a short inscription.
She still bears the scars from a cycling accident.
[…] male stag-beetles often bear wounds from the huge mandibles of other males. 1859 November 24, Charles Darwin, “Natural Selection”, in On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, […], London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 88:
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To display (a particular heraldic device) on a shield or coat of arms; to be entitled to wear or use (a heraldic device) as a coat of arms.
The shield bore a red cross.
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To present or exhibit (a particular outward appearance); to have (a certain look).
The body was unclothed, and bore the appearance of being washed up by the sea. 1930, Essex Chronicle, 18 April 9/5:
He bore the look of a defeated man.
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To have (a name, title, or designation).
[…] imitations that bear the same name as the things […] 2005, Plato, translated by Lesley Brown, Sophist, page 234b:
Heinrich Olbers described the paradox that bears his name in 1823. 2013, D. Goldberg, Universe in Rearview Mirror, iii. 99:
The school still bears the name of its founder.
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To possess or enjoy (recognition, renown, a reputation, etc.); to have (a particular price, value, or worth).
The dictator bears a terrible reputation for cruelty.
(of an investment, qualifier:loan, transitive, usually) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To have (interest or a specified rate of interest) stipulated in its terms.
The bond bears a fixed interest rate of 3.5%.
(of a person or animal, transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To have (an appendage, organ, etc.) as part of the body; (of a part of the body) to have (an appendage).
Only the male Indian elephant bears tusks.
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To carry or hold in the mind; to experience, entertain, harbour (an idea, feeling, or emotion).
to bear a grudge, to bear ill will
the ancient grudge I bear him c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
(rare, transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To feel and show (respect, reverence, loyalty, etc.) to, towards, or unto a person or thing.
The brothers had always borne one another respect.
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To possess inherently (a quality, attribute, power, or capacity); to have and display as an essential characteristic.
to bear life
(of a thing, transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To have (a relation, correspondence, etc.) to something else.
The punishment bears no relation to the crime.
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To give (written or oral testimony or evidence); (figurative) to provide or constitute (evidence or proof), give witness.
His achievements bear testimony to his ability.
The jury could see he was bearing false witness.
(transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To have (a certain meaning, intent, or effect).
This word no longer bears its original meaning.
Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform. 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, a Romance, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, →OCLC:
(reflexive, transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To behave or conduct (oneself).
She bore herself well throughout the ordeal.
Thus must thou thy body bear. c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]:
(rare, transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To possess and use, to exercise (power or influence); to hold (an office, rank, or position).
Every man should bear rule in his own house. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Esther 1:22:
(intransitive, obsolete, transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To carry a burden or burdens.
(obsolete, rare, transitive) To carry or convey, literally or figuratively. ▸ To take or bring (a person) with oneself; to conduct.
Bear them to my house. c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
(transitive) To support, sustain, or endure. ▸ To support or sustain; to hold up.
This stone bears most of the weight.
(qualifier:now transitive outside certain set patterns such as 'bear with'; formerly also intransitive; now transitive outside certain set patterns such as 'bear with'; formerly also intransitive) To support, sustain, or endure. ▸ To endure or withstand (hardship, scrutiny, etc.); to tolerate; to be patient (with).
Please bear with me as I try to find the book you need.
Man is born to bear. 1715–1720, Homer, “Book XXIV”, in Alexander Pope, transl., The Iliad of Homer, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC:
The pain is too much for me to bear.
Events that might cause suffering in others may be borne without complaint by someone who believes that the disease is part of his or her family identity and hence inevitable. Even diseases for which no heritable basis is known may be borne easily by a person because others in the family have been similarly afflicted. 1982 March 18, Eric J. Cassel[l], “The Nature of Suffering and the Goals of Medicine”, in The New England Journal of Medicine, volume 306, number 11, →DOI, page 642:
It doesn’t bear thinking about.
I would never move to Texas — I can't bear heat.
I cannot, cannot bear; ’tis past , ’tis done; / Perish this impious , this detested son; […] 1700, John Dryden, “Meleager and Atalanta”, in The poetical works, volume 4, William Pickering, published 1852, page 169:
[…] We are fools and slight;
We mock thee when we do not fear:
But help thy foolish ones to bear;
Help thy vain worlds to bear thy light. 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Prologue”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC:
There's this fear deep inside of me / Like there's something I cannot see / And it's coming after me / It's hard to bear 2024, Jackie Evancho, “Behind My Eyes”, in Solla:
This reasoning will not bear much analysis.
(transitive) To support, sustain, or endure. ▸ To sustain, or be answerable for (blame, expense, responsibility, etc.).
What have you gotten there under your arm, Daughter? somewhat, I hope, that will bear your Charges in your Pilgrimage. 1753, John Dryden, The Spanish Friar: or, the Double Discovery, Tonson and Draper, p. 64:
He shall bear their iniquities. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Isaiah 53:11:
The hirer must bear the cost of any repairs.
(transitive) To support, sustain, or endure. ▸ To admit or be capable of (a meaning); to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
In all criminal cases the most favourable interpretation should be put on words that they can possibly bear. 1724, Drapier's Letters, Jonathan Swift:
(transitive) To support, sustain, or endure. ▸ To warrant, justify the need for.
This storm definitely bears monitoring.
An unusually high percentage of the hundreds of gay men who participated in the experimental trials for this vaccine (1978-1980) developed AIDS. Since these trials occurred at about the same time as the first AIDS cases in the same cities […] a possible connection at least bears careful study. 1989 August 19, Bob Lederer, “Hiding Behind HIV”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 6, page 10:
(transitive) To support, keep up, or maintain. ▸ To afford, to be something to someone, to supply with something.
[…] admitted to that equal sky, / His faithful dog shall bear him company. 1732–4, Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man, Longmans, Green & Co, 1879, p. 10
(transitive) To support, keep up, or maintain. ▸ To carry on, or maintain; to have.
[…] and he finds the Pleasure, and Credit of bearing a Part in the Conversation, and of having his Reasons sometimes approved and hearken'd to. 1693, John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, § 98:
(intransitive, qualifier:upon; or against; upon; or against, usually, with-on) To press or impinge upon. ▸ To push, thrust, press.
The rope has frayed where it bears on the rim of the wheel.
These men therefore bear hard upon the suspected party. 1711 September 24 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “THURSDAY, September 14, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 170; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:
(figuratively, intransitive) To press or impinge upon. ▸ To take effect; to have influence or force; to be relevant.
How does this bear on the question?
to bring arguments to bear
(intransitive, qualifier:usually with on or upon) To press or impinge upon. ▸ Of a weapon, to be aimed at an enemy or other target.
2012, Ronald D. Utt, Ships of Oak, Guns of Iron
Constitution's gun crews crossed the deck to the already loaded larboard guns as Bainbridge wore the ship around on a larboard tack and recrossed his path in a rare double raking action to bring her guns to bear again on Java's damaged stern.
The cannons were wheeled around to bear upon the advancing troops.
(ditransitive, transitive) To produce, yield, give birth to. ▸ To give birth to (someone or something) (may take the father of the direct object as an indirect object).
In Troy she becomes Paris’ wife, bearing him several children, all of whom die in infancy.
The powerful Bene Gesserit sisterhood for ninety generations has been manipulating bloodlines to produce the Kwisatz Haderach, a superbeing. On Caladan, Jessica, a member of the sisterhood and the bound concubine of Duke Leto Atreides, had been ordered to bear only daughters. Because of her love for the duke, she disobeyed and gave birth to a son: Paul, Paul Atreides. 1984, 10:44 from the start, in Dune (Science Fiction), spoken by Princess Irulan, →OCLC:
The twins were borne by an Italian mother.
(intransitive, transitive, uncommon) To produce, yield, give birth to. ▸ To produce or yield something, such as fruit or crops.
Betwixt two seasons comes th' auspicious air, / This age to blossom, and the next to bear. 1688, John Dryden, Britannia Rediviva:
This year our apple trees bore a good crop of fruit.
(intransitive) To be, or head, in a specific direction or azimuth (from somewhere).
Carry on past the church and then bear left at the junction.
Great Falls bears north of Bozeman.
By my readings, we're bearing due south, so we should turn about ten degrees east.
(obsolete, transitive) To gain or win.
Some think to bear it by speaking a great word. 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Seeming Wise”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
She was […] found not guilty, through bearing of friends and bribing of the judge. April 5, 1549, Hugh Latimer, The Fifth Sermon Preached Before King Edward (probably not in original spelling)
nl dragen (to support or sustain) · ceb bitbit (to carry) · nb føre (to be equipped with) · de leiden (to tolerate, to put up with) · cu носити (to carry) · ckb بەرگرتن (to produce or yield) · gd fuiling (to tolerate, to put up with) · pt portar (to be equipped with) · gd giùlain (to carry) · mi tāweka (to carry) · got 𐍆𐍂𐌰𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰𐌽 (to endure with patience; to be patient) · fi kantaa (to wear or display) · de erbringen (to produce or yield) · ro declara (to declare as testimony) · fi tuoda (to conduct; to bring) · ln meme (to carry) · mi pīkau (to carry) · bn সওয়া (to tolerate, to put up with) · fi voittaa (to gain or win) · hu eltűr (to endure with patience; to be patient) · bg но́ся (to be equipped with) · la fero (to be equipped with) · sa धरति (to carry) · sv tåla (to tolerate, to put up with) · mns-nor а̄лмта̄луӈкве (to carry) · sv bära (to be equipped with) · koi нуны (to carry) · ro suferi (to suffer, as in carrying a burden) · el φέρω (to carry) · lo ແບກ (to carry) · da tåle (to tolerate, to put up with) · ast carrapetar (to carry) · eo elteni (to support or sustain) · sq mbaj (to carry) · ru свиде́тельствовать (to declare as testimony) · de ausgerüstet sein mit (to be equipped with) · yi אונטערהאַלטן (to support or sustain) · tt йөртергә (to carry) · ru выноси́ть (to tolerate, to put up with) · udm нуыны (to carry) · ceb ba (to carry) · fa بُرْدَن (to carry) · fi olla (to wear or display) · nl volhouden (to endure with patience; to be patient) · id membawa (to carry) · hu nyújt (to afford; to be something to; to supply with) · hu hordoz (to support or sustain) · ar حَمَلَ (to carry) · ru держа́ть (to possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind) · nl ondergaan (to tolerate, to put up with) · ru носи́ть (to be equipped with) · ota گوتورمك (to endure with patience; to be patient) · ru напра́виться (to be in a specific direction) · de ertragen (to tolerate, to put up with) · sq përmba (to be equipped with) · ca portar (to carry) · mi kawe (to carry) · es portar (to be equipped with) · fi painostaa (to press) · cs snést (to tolerate, to put up with) · mi tauteka (to carry) · mi amoamo (to carry) · ceb yayong (to carry) · da bære (to be in a specific direction) · it portare (to be equipped with) · ht pote (to carry) · pt aguentar (to tolerate, to put up with) · fi kantaa (to support or sustain) · fur puartâ (to carry) · de uushalte (to tolerate, to put up with) · la ferō (to support or sustain) · zh 帶 /带 (to carry) · de erdulden (to endure with patience; to be patient) · fr porter (to be equipped with) · sh но̀сити (to carry) · mrw baoa (to carry) · mnc ᡩᠣᠰᠣᠮᠪᡳ (to tolerate, to put up with) · ru вы́нести (to tolerate, to put up with) · hu terem (to produce or yield) · hi सहना (to tolerate, to put up with) · uk витри́мувати (to tolerate, to put up with) · gl soportar (to tolerate, to put up with) · ga iompair (to tolerate, to put up with) · mi hāpai (to carry) · grc φέρω (to carry) · pl cierpieć (to tolerate, to put up with) · be не́сці (to carry) · de aushalten (to tolerate, to put up with) · es soportar (to support or sustain) · ro suporta (to tolerate, to put up with) · sq përmban (to have a certain meaning, intent, or effect) · zom puo (to carry) · fi kestää (to endure with patience; to be patient) · bg понасям (to tolerate, to put up with) · vi bế (to carry) · da mod (to be in a specific direction) · nl afleggen (to declare as testimony) · sk niesť (to carry) · ceb alsa (to carry) · hu eltűr (to tolerate, to put up with) · fi kantaa (to produce or yield) · ro duce (to carry) · grc αἴρω (to carry) · ast tener (to support or sustain) · hu bír (to be equipped with) · es carrear (disused) (to carry) · uk носи́ти (to carry) · de aussagen (to declare as testimony) · ro da rod (to produce or yield) · ast pasar (to tolerate, to put up with) · nl dragen (to carry) · ceb kalib-ay (to carry) · om baachuu (to carry) · cu нести (to carry) · ru подде́рживать (to support or sustain) · sv frambringa (to produce or yield) · de tragen (to wear or display) · lv nest (to carry) · fi sietää (to tolerate, to put up with) · ja 持って行く (to carry) · la veho (to be equipped with) · da understøtte (to support or sustain) · hu tűr (to tolerate, to put up with) · lmo portà (to be equipped with) · gd beir (to carry) · sq dëshmoj (to declare as testimony) · es acarrear (to tolerate, to put up with) · nb føre (to declare as testimony) · ro purta (to carry) · mi waha (to carry) · la portō (to carry) · ceb paak (to carry) · de hegen (to possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind) · de sein mit (to be equipped with) · vi chịu (to tolerate, to put up with) · la tolerō (to tolerate, to put up with) · tk ýetirmek (to carry) · de ausgestattet sein mit (to wear or display) · pt suportar (to tolerate, to put up with) · bg свиде́телствам (to declare as testimony) · nl uitgerust zijn met (to be equipped with) · ky алып баруу (to carry) · gl aturar (to tolerate, to put up with) · sv uthärda (to tolerate, to put up with) · tr götürmek (to carry) · es aguantar (to endure with patience; to be patient) · id bawa (to carry) · th แบก (to carry) · no tåle (to tolerate, to put up with) · ru нести́ (to carry) · mi koromaki (to tolerate, to put up with) · de tragen (to be equipped with) · ky көтөрүп баруу (to carry) · lo ຖື (to carry) · mi mātika (to carry) · pdt droagen (to carry) · el κουβαλάω (to carry) · ar اِحْتَمَلَ (to tolerate, to put up with) · hu hordoz (to carry) · ru носи́ть (to carry) · vi dẫn chứng (to declare as testimony) · ceb sip-it (to carry) · hu elvisel (to tolerate, to put up with) · ca suportar (to endure with patience; to be patient) · egy E9-w-h-a:D40 (to carry) · gl apandar (to tolerate, to put up with) · nl dragen (to be equipped with) · pt atestar (to declare as testimony) · fi sisältää (to have a certain meaning, intent, or effect) · hu visz (to carry) · ro tolera (to tolerate, to put up with) · te మోయుట (to carry) · so sidaasho (to carry) · hu tart (to support or sustain) · oc portar (to be equipped with) · pl zeznawać (to declare as testimony) · ru терпе́ть (to endure with patience; to be patient) · fi pitää sisällään (to have a certain meaning, intent, or effect) · ms membawa (to carry) · es atestiguar (to declare as testimony) · my ဆောင် (to carry) · fi antaa todistus (to declare as testimony) · sk ležať (to be in a specific direction) · mi hikihiki (to carry) · tg бурдан (to carry) · sv inneha (to be equipped with) · es llevar (to carry) · hu elvisel (to endure with patience; to be patient) · fi liittyä (to relate or refer) · de bezeugen (to declare as testimony) · sk zniesť (to tolerate, to put up with) · sk nosiť (to be equipped with) · ru роди́ть (to produce or yield) · ast llevar (to carry) · da bære (to carry) · ja 耐える (to tolerate, to put up with) · da udstå (to tolerate, to put up with) · sk niesť (to wear or display) · no utstå (to tolerate, to put up with) · ru направля́ться (to be in a specific direction) · de tragen (to carry) · ro se îndrepta (to be in a specific direction) · bn সহ্য করা (to tolerate, to put up with) · la veho (to carry) · fi kestää (to tolerate, to put up with) · vi vác (to be equipped with) · msk baba (to carry) · nl verdragen (to suffer, as in carrying a burden) · fi kärsiä (to suffer, as in carrying a burden) · sq përmbahem (to manage, wield, or direct; to behave or conduct oneself) · he סבל (to tolerate, to put up with) · nn bera (to carry) · ast arrascar (to endure with patience; to be patient) · ko 견디다 (to tolerate, to put up with) · de sich gedulden (to endure with patience; to be patient) · ln tomba (to carry) · ceb sung-ay (to carry) · da vidne (to declare as testimony) · nl dragen (to produce or yield) · hu kibír (to tolerate, to put up with) · ur لے جانا (to carry) · oc sosténer (to support or sustain) · ga iompair (to carry) · fi kantaa (to possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind) · mi amo (to carry) · sk smerovať (to be in a specific direction) · got 𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰𐌽 (to carry) · la creo (to produce or yield) · da bære (to be equipped with) · ru терпе́ть (to tolerate, to put up with) · th ถือ (to carry) · be насі́ць (to carry) · kk көтеріп жүру (to carry) · ota گوتورمك (to tolerate, to put up with) · no bære fram (to produce or yield) · fr supporter (to endure with patience; to be patient) · nl gelegen zijn (to be in a specific direction) · de liegen (to be in a specific direction) · pl nosić (to carry) · hu található (to be in a specific direction) · es llevar (to be equipped with) · nl uitgerust zijn met (to wear or display) · sh nòsiti (to carry) · fi tulla voimaan (to take effect; to have influence or force) · pl znieść (to tolerate, to put up with) · mk но́си (to be equipped with) · fr supporter (to tolerate, to put up with) · hu van (to be in a specific direction) · de sich betragen (to manage, wield, or direct; to behave or conduct oneself) · fi ylläpitää (to carry on, or maintain) · fi hallita itsensä (to manage, wield, or direct; to behave or conduct oneself) · fi toimittaa (to afford; to be something to; to supply with) · fr soutenir (to support or sustain) · mi pakihere (to carry) · ru переноси́ть (to endure with patience; to be patient) · gd fulaing (to tolerate, to put up with) · pt criar (to produce or yield) · sk vydržať (to tolerate, to put up with) · et kandma (to carry) · el μεταφέρω (to carry) · oc portar (to carry) · zh 運 /运 (to carry) · bg изтърпявам (to endure with patience; to be patient) · la fero (to carry) · txb käl- (to tolerate, to put up with) · pt carregar (to carry) · ko 나르다 (to carry) · kk алып жүру (to carry) · nl dragen (to suffer, as in carrying a burden) · da frembringe (to produce or yield) · it portare (to carry) · ceb baba (to carry) · ro căra (to carry) · es acarrear (to carry) · cs nosit (to be equipped with) · bg давам (to produce or yield) · pl znosić (to tolerate, to put up with) · ro suporta (to support or sustain) · ps وړل (to carry) · fi kestää (to manage, wield, or direct; to behave or conduct oneself) · fr tolérer (to tolerate, to put up with) · vi mang (to carry) · mi koromaki (to endure with patience; to be patient) · pt gerar (to produce or yield) · osx beran (to carry) · nl verdragen (to endure with patience; to be patient) · pt portar (to carry) · mn авч явах (to carry) · ceb kaba (to carry) · fi päättää (to possess and use power) · sv bära (to produce or yield) · cs nést (to carry) · ceb pas-an (to carry) · hu visel (to be equipped with) · mk но́си (to carry) · kmr birên (to carry) · fi kantaa (to be equipped with) · lo ຂົນ (to carry) · mi tauapo (to carry) · es sostener (to support or sustain) · vec portar (to carry) · sl nositi (to carry) · zh 忍受 (to tolerate, to put up with) · km ដឹក (to carry) · nb bære (to be equipped with) · oc suportar (to support or sustain) · bg ра́ждам (to produce or yield) · nl torsen (to carry) · ceb lukdo (to carry) · ka ატარებს (to carry) · sk nosiť (to carry) · ceb antos (to suffer, as in carrying a burden) · grc φέρω (to support or sustain) · es resistir (to tolerate, to put up with) · uz olib bormoq (to carry) · ht sipòte (to tolerate, to put up with) · sl prenašati (to tolerate, to put up with) · mi pikau (to carry) · eo toleri (to tolerate, to put up with) · lol tomba (to carry) · lt nešti (to carry) · pt levar (to carry) · ar شال (to carry) · uk вино́сити (to tolerate, to put up with) · de tragen (to produce or yield) · lt kęsti (to tolerate, to put up with) · es aguantar (to tolerate, to put up with) · nl verduren (to endure with patience; to be patient) · mrw akot (to carry) · ceb bayong (to carry) · cs snášet (to tolerate, to put up with) · fi kantaa (to sustain, or be answerable for) · nl verdragen (to tolerate, to put up with) · kab arew (to produce or yield) · is bera (to carry) · hy տանել (to carry) · sa भरति (to carry) · tr katlanmak (to tolerate, to put up with) · th ขน (to carry) · fi pitää (to afford; to be something to; to supply with) · vi hướng về (to be in a specific direction) · uk нести́ (to carry) · hu esik (to be in a specific direction) · mi kauhoa (to carry) · dlm portur (to carry) · he נָשָׂא (to carry) · ja 運ぶ (to carry) · fa بُرْدَن (to carry) · uz koʻtarib bormoq (to carry) · ceb daka (to carry) · fr supporter (to support or sustain) · pl nosić (to be equipped with) · no bære mot (to be in a specific direction) · uk наро́джувати (to produce or yield) · zh 攜帶 /携带 (to carry) · pt suportar (to support or sustain) · da bære (to produce or yield) · pt aguentar (to endure with patience; to be patient) · ja 耐え忍ぶ (to tolerate, to put up with) · az daşımaq (to carry) · de ertragen (to endure with patience; to be patient) · de ertragen (to support or sustain) · fi tuottaa (to produce or yield) · da føre (to be equipped with) · bg прена́сям (to carry) · ast sofitar (to support or sustain) · hi सहना (to endure with patience; to be patient) · ast aguantar (to tolerate, to put up with) · lt nešioti (to carry) · mi tautito (to carry) · gl abicar (to be in a specific direction) · bg издържам (to tolerate, to put up with) · ru рожда́ть (to produce or yield) · hu hord (to carry) · bni meme (to carry) · es soportar (to tolerate, to put up with) · txb pär- (to carry) · txb käl- (to endure with patience; to be patient) · de tragen (to suffer, as in carrying a burden) · vi vác (to carry) · ca suportar (to tolerate, to put up with) · de ausgerüstet sein mit (to wear or display) · zza berdiş (to carry) · de aufweisen (to wear or display) · nb bære (to carry) · fi todistaa (to declare as testimony) · ceb kugos (to carry) · vi sinh sản (to produce or yield) · uk терпі́ти (to tolerate, to put up with) · zh 攜 /携 (to carry) · he סָחַב (to carry) · hu tűr (to endure with patience; to be patient) · hi ले जाना (to carry) · it sopportare (to tolerate, to put up with) · la suffero (to tolerate, to put up with) · fr porter (to carry) · msk akot (to carry) · sl nositi (to be equipped with) · de ausstehen (to tolerate, to put up with) · ceb sagakay (to carry) · ru вы́терпеть (to tolerate, to put up with) · vi ẵm (to carry) · he סָחַב (to be equipped with) · es bancar (to endure with patience; to be patient) · zh 忍耐 (to tolerate, to put up with) · mk све́дочи (to declare as testimony) · hu fekszik (to be in a specific direction) · tk geçirmek (to carry) · ang ætberan (to carry) · sv bära (to carry) · ast aguantar (to endure with patience; to be patient) · la habeo (to tolerate, to put up with) · es bancar (to tolerate, to put up with) · de ertragen (to suffer, as in carrying a burden) · de erdulden (to tolerate, to put up with) · fi kantaa (to carry) · ru нести́ (to be equipped with) · fi olla jossakin suunnassa (to be in a specific direction) · ang beran (to carry) · bg но́ся (to carry) · ist portà (to carry) · sk niesť (to support or sustain) · ro aduce (to carry) · be не́сьці (to carry) · es soportar (to endure with patience; to be patient) · sv vittna (to declare as testimony)
bear en · NOUN · etymology 3
Pronunciation
/bɪə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/bɪɚ/ (General-American)
Etymology
Meanings
(alt-of, alternative, uncountable) Alternative spelling of bere (“barley”).
Your Horses are Getting Pease Straw, and looking very well. The 2 Stacks of Bear formerly mentioned as Put in by Mr Bookless is not fully dressed as yet so that I cannot say at present what Quantity they may Produce . 1802-1816, Papers on Sutherland Estate Management, published in 1972, Scottish History Society, Publications
Bigg or bear, with four grains on the ear, was the kind of barley. 1818, Reports Agric., Marshall, I. 191:
There are several plots of those species of barley called big, which is six-rowed barley; or bear, which is four-rowed, cultivated. 1800, Tuke, Agric., 119
Two stacks of beare, of xx boules, 1895, Whittingham Vale, Dixon, section 130:
[…] one wheat stack, one half-stack of corn, and a little hay, all standing in the barnyard; four stacks of bear in the barn, about three bolls of bear lying on the barn floor, two stacks of corn in the barn, […] 1908, Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, page 151:
From Middle English bere (“pillowcase”), of obscure origin, but compare Old English hlēorbera (“cheek-cover”). Possibly cognate to Low German büre, whence German Bühre, which in turn has been compared to French bure.
Meanings
(alt-of, alternative, uncountable) Alternative spelling of bere (“pillowcase”).
[…] a man's eyes played him false, sitting him before tables proper with damask and pewter, leading him to fall into beds gracious with small and large feather beds for softness and pillowed luxuriously under pretty checked linen pillow bears. 1941, Minnie Hite Moody, Long Meadows, page 71:
1641.—14 yards of femble cloth, 12s. ; 8 yards of linen, 6s. 8d. ; 20 yards of harden, 10s. ; 5 linen sheets, 1l. ; 7 linen pillow bears, 8s. ; 2 femble sheets and a line hard sheet, 10s. ; 3 linen towels, 4s. ; 6 lin curtains and a vallance, 12s. ; […] 1858, Journal of the Statistical Society of London, page 409:
And, according to this, one of my Neighbours made a Bag, like a Pillow-bear, of the ordinary six-penny yard Cloth, and boiled his Hops in it half an Hour; then he took them out, and put in another Bag of the like Quantity of fresh Hops, […] 1742, William Ellis, The London and Country Brewer … Fourth Edition, page 36:
ij payer of schete, ij pelows wt the berys, 1850, Samuel Tymms, Wills and Inventories from the Registers of the Commissary of Bury St. Edmunds and the Archdeacon of Sudbury, page 116:
I give to my Grand Child Lidea Carpenter the Coverlid that her mother spun and my pillow bear and a pint Cup & my great Pott that belongs to the Pott and Trammels. 1905, Emily Wilder Leavitt, Palmer Groups: John Melvin of Charlestown and Concord, Mass. and His Descendants ; Gathered and Arranged for Mr. Lowell Mason Palmer of New York, page 24