Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰā-
Proto-Germanic *bō-?
Proto-Germanic *baswô
Proto-West Germanic *baswō
Old Dutch *baso
Middle Dutch baes
Dutch baasbor.
English boss
Borrowed from Dutch baas, from Middle Dutch baes (“master of a household, friend”), from Old Dutch *baso (“uncle, kinsman”), from Proto-West Germanic *baswō, from Proto-Germanic *baswô (“uncle”), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *ba-, *bō- (“father, older male relative”), source also of the English terms babe, boy, bub, bully. Cognate with Middle Low German bās (“supervisor, foreman”), Old Frisian bas (“master”), hence Saterland Frisian Boas (“boss”), Old High German basa (“father's sister, cousin”), hence German Base (“aunt, cousin”).
Originally a term of respect used to address an older relative. Later, in New Amsterdam, it began to mean a person in charge who is not a master.
The video game sense is borrowed from Japanese ボス (bosu), borrowed from English boss.
Meanings
(Canada, US, qualifier:Liverpool, slang) Of excellent quality, first-rate.
That is a boss Zefron poster.
Boy 2: He's the neatest looking guy on TV!
Boy 3: I'll say!
Boy 1: He sure is!
Boy 3: Boy, the way he talks is really boss! 1966 February 17, Dennis Whitcomb, “Zombo” (7:35 from the start), in The Munsters, season 2, episode 22:
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰā-
Proto-Germanic *bō-?
Proto-Germanic *baswô
Proto-West Germanic *baswō
Old Dutch *baso
Middle Dutch baes
Dutch baasbor.
English boss
Borrowed from Dutch baas, from Middle Dutch baes (“master of a household, friend”), from Old Dutch *baso (“uncle, kinsman”), from Proto-West Germanic *baswō, from Proto-Germanic *baswô (“uncle”), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *ba-, *bō- (“father, older male relative”), source also of the English terms babe, boy, bub, bully. Cognate with Middle Low German bās (“supervisor, foreman”), Old Frisian bas (“master”), hence Saterland Frisian Boas (“boss”), Old High German basa (“father's sister, cousin”), hence German Base (“aunt, cousin”).
Originally a term of respect used to address an older relative. Later, in New Amsterdam, it began to mean a person in charge who is not a master.
The video game sense is borrowed from Japanese ボス (bosu), borrowed from English boss.
Meanings
One who is in charge of something. ▸ One who oversees and directs the work of others; a supervisor.
The boss of the company was going to Spain for work.
We have some vindictive people as bosses, and you don’t want to be the target of their wrath. 2018 February 18, Dawn Pine, “Strategies for Dealing with a Bad Boss”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), archived from the original on 01 Oct 2020:
Rule Number Two: Always treat the boss as if he's blind and stupid. 2000 February 5, Douglas Watkinson et al., “Beyond the Grave”, in Midsomer Murders:
One who is in charge of something. ▸ A person in charge of a business or company.
Chat turned to whisper when the boss entered the conference room.
My boss complains that I'm always late to work.
"Our Boss has resigned!" said Joe Chandler slowly, impressively.
"No! Not the Commissioner o’ Police?" exclaimed Bunting. 1913, Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes, The Lodger:
One who is in charge of something. ▸ A leader, the head of an organized group or team.
They named him boss because he had good leadership skills.
One who is in charge of something. ▸ The head of a political party in a given region or district.
He is the Republican boss in Kentucky.
(Australia) One who is in charge of something. ▸ The male owner or man in charge of a large rural property.
Above all, she must not tell the boss of any little irregularity she may see. 1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 5:
(humorous) One who is in charge of something. ▸ One's wife.
There's no olive oil; will sunflower oil do? — I'll have to run that by the boss.
(India, Multicultural-London-English, Philippines, especially, informal) One who is in charge of something. ▸ A term of address to a man, especially a customer; sometimes also to a friend or acquaintance of equal standing.
Good to see you, boss.
An enemy, often at the end of a level, that is particularly challenging and must be beaten in order to progress.
Cuphead built a reputation for difficulty before release, but its boss battles are mostly about recognizing patterns than getting lucky against unfair bosses. Watching players ace their way through the game’s bosses is a spellbinding reminder that even tough games can be defeated easily with hard work. 2017 October 2, Heather Alexandra, “Cuphead Player Beats Bosses Without Taking A Single Hit”, in Kotaku, archived from the original on 18 Feb 2018:
bossly (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossware (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · show someone who's boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · mini-boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · show who's the boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss battle (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bosswoman (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · straw boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · you're the boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · pit boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · one's own boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss eye (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossism (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss-eyed (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss boy (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossdom (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · fire boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · midboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · teach who's boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss fight (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · who died and made you boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossocracy (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · walking boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss-ship (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · teach someone who's the boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss key (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · pannikin boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossful (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · grandboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · superboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss button (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bosslet (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · antiboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossless (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · underboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · pit-boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · teach who's the boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss rush (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · meet the new boss, same as the old boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossy (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bosshood (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossling (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossnapping (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · like a boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossfight (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · overboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · party boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss bitch (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossman (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss up (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · boss head (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · deboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · Boss of the Plains (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · bossish (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · miniboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · final boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · girlboss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1)) · show who's boss (Terms derived from boss (noun, etymology 1))
be кіраўні́к (supervisor) · fi loppuvastus (enemy in video game) · th หัวหน้า (leader, head of an organised team) · be галава́ (supervisor) · sl šefica (person in charge) · ar مُدِيرَة (supervisor) · eo mastro (leader, head of an organised team) · bg бос (enemy in video game) · fr patron (supervisor) · ny bwana (person in charge) · pl szefowa (person in charge) · fr patron (person in charge) · ka მეთვალყურე (supervisor) · bg работода́тел (person in charge) · de Chefin (person in charge) · mk раководителка (leader, head of an organised team) · fr chef (supervisor) · ota رئیس (person in charge) · mk шефица (supervisor) · hu fő ellenség (enemy in video game) · ca superior (supervisor) · th บอส (leader, head of an organised team) · hi मालिक (person in charge) · yue 波士 (person in charge) · th หัวหน้า (head of a political party) · ro boss (enemy in video game) · et ülemus (person in charge) · ru босс (enemy in video game) · eo estro (supervisor) · fa-ira کارْفَرْما (person in charge) · yue 主管 (supervisor) · gv ard-ghooinney (person in charge) · ru отец (term of address to a man) · el αρχηγός (head of a political party) · uk керівни́к (supervisor) · es jefe (person in charge) · la dominus (supervisor) · geh Wiet (supervisor) · mi pāhi (person in charge) · fi johtaja (leader, head of an organised team) · es patrono (supervisor) · pt chefe (person in charge) · ca cap (person in charge) · ka უფროსი (person in charge) · ru босс (person in charge) · yue 大佬 (enemy in video game) · oc capa (person in charge) · ar رَئِيس (supervisor) · pdt Bauss (person in charge) · hu főnök (supervisor) · uk керівни́ця (supervisor) · es jefe (enemy in video game) · sw bwana (person in charge) · it principale (supervisor) · he בּוֹסִית (person in charge) · ro șefă (person in charge) · ur مالِک (supervisor) · lv vadītājs (supervisor) · ja 上司 (person in charge) · cmn 老闆 /老板 (person in charge) · th หัวหน้า (supervisor) · ar مُدِير (supervisor) · ga bas (person in charge) · ka ზედამხედველი (supervisor) · bal سروک (person in charge) · bg ше́фка (supervisor) · oj ogimaa (person in charge) · ko 상관 (supervisor) · pt líder (head of a political party) · ka ლიდერი (head of a political party) · zro akamínu (person in charge) · izh päänikka (supervisor) · be нача́льнiк (person in charge) · hu főnöknő (supervisor) · th นาย (supervisor) · oc cap (person in charge) · pt chefe (term of address to a man) · pl szef (term of address to a man) · ka შეფი (supervisor) · cmn 老闆 /老板 (supervisor) · ar رَئِيسَة (supervisor) · ru нача́льник (supervisor) · bg ли́дер (head of a political party) · mk шеф (supervisor) · fr chef (leader, head of an organised team) · ru руководи́тель (leader, head of an organised team) · ko 상사 (supervisor) · el αφεντικό (person in charge) · ar مُدِيرَة (person in charge) · fr chef (term of address to a man) · cmn 領導 /领导 (leader, head of an organised team) · cmn 大佬 (head of a political party) · cmn 老怪 (enemy in video game) · ru руководи́тель (supervisor) · izh päänikka (person in charge) · tr amir (person in charge) · gv ard-er (supervisor) · jra khua (person in charge) · fr patron (leader, head of an organised team) · bal سروک (supervisor) · gv ard-ghooinney (supervisor) · tg сардор (person in charge) · lt viršininkas (person in charge) · ka ხელმძღვანელი (leader, head of an organised team) · gd ceannard (leader, head of an organised team) · eo ĉefo (person in charge) · fur cap (person in charge) · rm schef (person in charge) · sv bas (supervisor) · bg работода́телка (person in charge) · nb boss (enemy in video game) · gl xefe (person in charge) · es capo (leader, head of an organised team) · vi thủ trưởng (supervisor) · ca patró (leader, head of an organised team) · sq shef (person in charge) · ms bos (person in charge) · oc cap (supervisor) · pt chefe (enemy in video game) · apw nantʼán (person in charge) · pt chefe (supervisor) · sk šéfka (person in charge) · ko 보스 (person in charge) · eo estro (enemy in video game) · km ចាងហ្វាង (person in charge) · nl baas (person in charge) · ia chef (person in charge) · fr patron (term of address to a man) · he בּוֹס (supervisor) · pl boss (enemy in video game) · vi sếp (person in charge) · tr patron (person in charge) · mk раководител (leader, head of an organised team) · lv vadītājs (person in charge) · lo ຕົ້ນ (supervisor) · lt vadõvas (person in charge) · la dominus (head of a political party) · yue 事頭 /事头 (supervisor) · es patrón (supervisor) · fr chef (person in charge) · nv bíhólníihii (person in charge) · ca cap (leader, head of an organised team) · be бос (supervisor) · ota قوجه (person in charge) · be кіраўні́ца (supervisor) · ka უფროსი (supervisor) · nl baas (supervisor) · be нача́льнiца (person in charge) · fi johtaja (person in charge) · ru шеф (person in charge) · lt viršininkė (person in charge) · gd ceannard (supervisor) · fa-ira مُدیر (person in charge) · uk нача́льник (person in charge) · pt capataz (supervisor) · nl bazin (person in charge) · ru босс (supervisor) · gv ard-er (person in charge) · ale tukux̂ (person in charge) · la dominus (leader, head of an organised team) · es jefe (supervisor) · th นาย (person in charge) · lt vadovė (person in charge) · de Chef (supervisor) · ru руководи́тельница (supervisor) · ru патро́н (supervisor) · fi johtaja (head of a political party) · th เจ้านาย (person in charge) · pl naczelnik (person in charge) · sv chef (supervisor) · bg нача́лница (person in charge) · km ចៅហ្វាយ (person in charge) · et ülemus (supervisor) · et boss (person in charge) · fr boss (enemy in video game) · gd ceannard (head of a political party) · he בּוֹסִית (supervisor) · ota رئیس (leader, head of an organised team) · yue 老闆 /老板 (person in charge) · da chef (person in charge) · ast xefe (person in charge) · uk шеф (person in charge) · rm scheffa (person in charge) · fi pomo (person in charge) · is stjóri (person in charge) · ar رَئِيس (person in charge) · fi pomovastus (enemy in video game) · ru нача́льница (person in charge) · mia aahkohkinkia (supervisor) · de Boss (enemy in video game) · id bos (person in charge) · bg нача́лничка (person in charge) · ro șef (person in charge) · el αρχηγός (leader, head of an organised team) · mk раководителка (supervisor) · ru руководи́тельница (leader, head of an organised team) · pl szef (supervisor) · ru шеф (supervisor) · quc rajaw (person in charge) · hu főnök (person in charge) · bg шеф (person in charge) · ru ли́дер (head of a political party) · la dominus (person in charge) · lt vadovė (supervisor) · ar مُدِير (person in charge) · uk нача́льниця (person in charge) · be нача́льнік (supervisor) · nan-hbl 頭家 /头家 (person in charge) · la ipsimus (person in charge) · tg мудир (supervisor) · yue 老細 /老细 (supervisor) · bg ше́фка (person in charge) · fi pomo (leader, head of an organised team) · ru нача́льник (person in charge) · it padrone (person in charge) · uk бос (supervisor) · he בּוֹס (person in charge) · el επιστάτης (supervisor) · oc patron (person in charge) · mk лидер (head of a political party) · sv boss (supervisor) · sv förman (supervisor) · ja 長 (person in charge) · it capo (person in charge) · ko 상사 (person in charge) · fa-ira مُدیر (supervisor) · gv ard-ghooinney (leader, head of an organised team) · pt chefão (enemy in video game) · lo ນາຽ (supervisor) · sh gȁzda (person in charge) · uk голова́ (supervisor) · el προϊστάμενος (supervisor) · ja 上司 (supervisor) · ur مالِک (person in charge) · ota قوجه (leader, head of an organised team) · apw nantʼán (supervisor) · oj ogimaa (leader, head of an organised team) · tr şef (person in charge) · ja ボス (person in charge) · fa-ira رَئیس (supervisor) · yue 老細 /老世 /老细 (person in charge) · izh päämees (person in charge) · uz rahbar (person in charge) · zro akamínu (supervisor) · tr müdür (person in charge) · gd ceannard (person in charge) · ar رَئِيسَة (person in charge) · cs šéfka (person in charge) · bg ръководи́тел (leader, head of an organised team) · cmn 主管 (supervisor) · gl xefa (person in charge) · cmn 主管 (person in charge) · pl szefowa (supervisor) · mk шефе (term of address to a man) · bg шефе (term of address to a man) · ka ხელმძღვანელი (person in charge) · gv ard-er (leader, head of an organised team) · bg водител (head of a political party) · bg ръководи́тел (supervisor) · pl kierowniczka (supervisor) · de Endgegner (enemy in video game) · uz boshliq (person in charge) · th นายจ้าง (supervisor) · cmn 頭兒 /头儿 (leader, head of an organised team) · la ipsimus (supervisor) · it capo (supervisor) · fi pomo (supervisor) · mk раководителка (person in charge) · be нача́льніца (supervisor) · mk кралица (enemy in video game) · nl opzichter (supervisor) · ja ボス (enemy in video game) · be шэф (supervisor) · be шэф (person in charge) · cs šéf (person in charge) · apw nantʼán (head of a political party) · vi ông chủ (supervisor) · eo mastro (supervisor) · bg ръководи́телка (leader, head of an organised team) · it boss (enemy in video game) · lt viršininkas (supervisor) · sv chef (person in charge) · la ipsima (person in charge) · km មេ (enemy in video game) · el αφεντικό (supervisor) · crh baş (head of a political party) · ca patró (person in charge) · uk шеф (supervisor) · es jefa (supervisor) · nb sjef (person in charge) · cmn 關底 /关底 (enemy in video game) · lv vadītāja (supervisor) · de Chef (person in charge) · lt šefas (person in charge) · ko 보스 (enemy in video game) · lv vadītāja (person in charge) · lt vadõvas (supervisor) · hi मालिक (supervisor) · sh га̏зда (person in charge) · th นายงาน (supervisor) · km ចាងហ្វាង (supervisor) · de Chefin (supervisor) · sl šef (person in charge) · bg ръководи́телка (supervisor) · la dominus (term of address to a man) · pl brygadzista (supervisor) · ca cap (supervisor) · ru шеф (term of address to a man) · pt guardião (enemy in video game) · cmn 頭目 /头目 (enemy in video game) · ka შეფი (person in charge) · tr patron (leader, head of an organised team) · ka ბოსი (supervisor) · la ipsima (supervisor) · ka ხელმძღვანელი (supervisor) · pl szef (person in charge) · th บอส (supervisor) · nl chef (person in charge) · bg шеф (supervisor) · uk нача́льниця (supervisor) · lo ເຈົ້ານາຍ (person in charge) · yue 老闆 /老板 (supervisor) · pl kierownik (supervisor) · pl naczelniczka (person in charge) · uz sardor (person in charge) · ga bas (supervisor) · bg нача́лник (person in charge) · mk раководител (person in charge) · sk šéf (person in charge) · lv šefs (person in charge) · km ចៅហ្វាយ (supervisor) · vi trùm (enemy in video game) · th บอส (enemy in video game) · hy վերակացու (supervisor) · sv boss (enemy in video game) · ru нача́льница (supervisor) · uk нача́льник (supervisor) · nl eindbaas (enemy in video game) · eo ĉefulo (person in charge) · izh päämees (supervisor) · pt supervisor (supervisor) · fi vastus (enemy in video game) · nl baas (enemy in video game) · lt viršininkė (supervisor) · tg мудир (person in charge) · cmn boss (enemy in video game) · cmn 領隊 /领队 (leader, head of an organised team) · ka ბოსი (person in charge) · pdt Bauss (supervisor) · es jefa (person in charge) · la domina (person in charge) · crh baş (person in charge) · mk раководител (supervisor) · ru вождь (head of a political party)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰā-
Proto-Germanic *bō-?
Proto-Germanic *baswô
Proto-West Germanic *baswō
Old Dutch *baso
Middle Dutch baes
Dutch baasbor.
English boss
Borrowed from Dutch baas, from Middle Dutch baes (“master of a household, friend”), from Old Dutch *baso (“uncle, kinsman”), from Proto-West Germanic *baswō, from Proto-Germanic *baswô (“uncle”), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *ba-, *bō- (“father, older male relative”), source also of the English terms babe, boy, bub, bully. Cognate with Middle Low German bās (“supervisor, foreman”), Old Frisian bas (“master”), hence Saterland Frisian Boas (“boss”), Old High German basa (“father's sister, cousin”), hence German Base (“aunt, cousin”).
Originally a term of respect used to address an older relative. Later, in New Amsterdam, it began to mean a person in charge who is not a master.
The video game sense is borrowed from Japanese ボス (bosu), borrowed from English boss.
Meanings
(transitive) To exercise authoritative control over; to tell (someone) what to do, often repeatedly.
Clarke was undoubtedly made to change things and for spells, the Czechs bossed the game. Scotland's midfield was nullified, Dykes struggled to hold the ball up while, barring a small handful of forays by Robertson, there was a distinct lack of width from the Scots. 2021 June 14, Scott Mullen, “Scotland 0-2 Czech Republic”, in BBC Sport:
His sisters bossed him and spoiled him. All their lives he was to go on being their little brother, who could do no wrong, because he was the baby; [...] 1932, Lorine Pruette, The Parent and the Happy Child, page 76:
She bossed him, and he's never gotten over it. She still orders him around, and instead of telling her to go soak her head, he just says 'Yes, ma'am' as weak as a newborn jellyfish [...] 1967, Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, The purloined paperweight, page 90:
For if, on the one hand, I bossed him and showed him what to do and how to do it, [...] 1980, Jean Toomer, The wayward and the seeking: a collection of writings by Jean Toomer, page 40:
By YOU last night’s journey was actually bossed / Without you, I’m certain, we’d all have been lost. 1931, Robert L. May, Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Montgomery Ward (publisher)
it comandare (to exercise authority over (someone)) · fi komennella (to exercise authority over (someone)) · da hundse (to exercise authority over (someone)) · bg разпореждам се (to exercise authority over (someone)) · es mandar (to exercise authority over (someone)) · ru ука́зывать (to exercise authority over (someone)) · es bosear (to exercise authority over (someone)) · ru распоряжа́ться (to exercise authority over (someone)) · fi pomottaa (to exercise authority over (someone)) · es dirigir (to exercise authority over (someone)) · cmn 督責 /督责 (to exercise authority over (someone)) · ru кома́ндовать (to exercise authority over (someone)) · sv bossa (to exercise authority over (someone)) · da koste (to exercise authority over (someone))
From Middle English bos, bose, boce, from Old French boce (“lump, bulge, protuberance, knot”), from Frankish *bottja, from Proto-Germanic *bautaną (“to hit, strike, beat”). Doublet of beat; see there for more.
Meanings
A lump, protuberance, or swelling in an animal, person or object. ▸ A lump-like mass of rock, especially one projecting through a stratum of different rock.
A lump, protuberance, or swelling in an animal, person or object. ▸ A convex protuberance in hammered work, especially the rounded projection in the centre of a shield.
A lump, protuberance, or swelling in an animal, person or object. ▸ A protrusion; frequently a cylinder of material that extends beyond a hole.
The seargent […] screwing a bipod into the threaded boss on the underside of the barrel would kill these animals […] 1985, Cormac McCarthy, chapter IV, in Blood Meridian […] , →OCLC:
To the upper part of the frame a chain is attached, and if the screw shaft be drawn back out of the boss, the square frame may be hove up by carrying the chain to a winch—the sliding block maintaining the frame in the perpendicular position. 1846, editorial staff, “Maudslay's Improvements in propelling Machinery”, in Scientific American (1), volume 2, number 13, page 100:
A lump, protuberance, or swelling in an animal, person or object. ▸ A knob or projection, usually at the intersection of ribs in a vault.
A lump, protuberance, or swelling in an animal, person or object. ▸ A roughly cut stone set in place for later carving.
A target block, made of foam but historically made of hay bales, to which a target face is attached.
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.
Boss, a short trough for holding water, when tiling the roof 1842, Peter Nicholson, The Mechanic's Companion:
de Sockel (mechanics: protrusion) · bg издатина (mechanics: protrusion) · nb boss (mechanics: protrusion) · it bugna (architecture: knob or protrusion) · de Hängezapfen (architecture: knob or protrusion) · de Kragen (mechanics: protrusion) · pl umbo (projection in centre of shield) · ga mol (projection in centre of shield) · bg розетка (architecture: knob or protrusion) · de Schlußstein (architecture: knob or protrusion) · ga mol (mechanics: protrusion) · nb bøssing (mechanics: protrusion) · de Stulp (mechanics: protrusion) · pl brosza (architecture: knob or protrusion) · ca botó (mechanics: protrusion) · de Überstand (mechanics: protrusion) · la umbō (projection in centre of shield) · ru вы́ступ (mechanics: protrusion) · ota گوبك (projection in centre of shield) · bg изпъкналост (mechanics: protrusion) · de Buckel (projection in centre of shield) · fr clé de voûte (architecture: knob or protrusion) · de Knoten (architecture: knob or protrusion) · bg умбо (projection in centre of shield) · it umbone (projection in centre of shield) · de Bund (mechanics: protrusion) · es botón (mechanics: protrusion) · de Schlussstein (architecture: knob or protrusion) · pt bossa (projection in centre of shield) · pt umbo (projection in centre of shield) · bg релеф (architecture: knob or protrusion) · de Abhängling (architecture: knob or protrusion) · es tetón (mechanics: protrusion) · de Knauf (architecture: knob or protrusion) · wlm bogel (projection in centre of shield) · de Vorsprung (mechanics: protrusion) · es umbo (projection in centre of shield) · ang randbēag (projection in centre of shield) · cy bogail (projection in centre of shield)
From Middle English bos, bose, boce, from Old French boce (“lump, bulge, protuberance, knot”), from Frankish *bottja, from Proto-Germanic *bautaną (“to hit, strike, beat”). Doublet of beat; see there for more.
(obsolete) A hassock or small seat, especially made from a bundle of straw.
All were waiting : uncle Charles, who sat far away in the shadow of the window, Dante and Mr Casey, who sat in the easy chairs at either side of the hearth, Stephen, seated on a chair between them, his feet resting on a toasting boss. 1916, James Joyce, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Macmillan Press Ltd, paperback, section 36: