| 释义 |
bring, v.|brɪŋ|
Pa. tense and Pa. pple. brought |brɔːt|. Forms: inf. 1 bringan, brengan, 2–5 bringen, 3–6 bringe, bryngen, 4–6 brynge, 4–7 bryng, 4– bring, (3 bringhe, brynke, 3–4 brengen, 4–5 breng, 5 bryngyn). pa. tense 1–3 bróhte, 2 brochte, 3 broȝte, brouhte, 4 brouȝt(e, broȝt, broht, browȝt, browghte, (brohut), 4–6 broughte, 4–7 broght, 5 browte, 4– brought, (6 brohute, Spenser braught, 6– Sc. brocht, 9 dial. brong, brung). pa. pple. 1–4 bróht, 3 broucht, 3–4 ybroȝt, ibrouȝt, 4 brout, browt, browht, brouȝt, brouht, 4–5 broȝt, (brouth), 4–6 broght, ybrought, 5 ibrowghte, (bryght), 5–6 browght, broughte, 4– brought, (6 browte, ibrout, browth, 6– Sc. brocht, 9 dial. brung).
[Common Teut.: OE. bring-an, bręngean (pa. tense bróhte, pple. bróht), corresp. to OFris. branga, bringa, OS. brengian, bringan (MDu. brenghen, Du. brengen), OHG. bringan (MHG. and mod.G. bringen), Goth. briggan (= bringan), pa. tense brâhta, pple. brâhts. Beside the type bring-an, the Saxon group has also *brangjan, bręngian, bręngean, bręngan, app. after þankjan; from bringan, OE. had also a rare strong pa. pple. brungen (mod. dial. brung), to which later dialects have added a strong pa. tense, so as to conjugate, bring, brang, brung. The stem is not known outside of Teutonic.]
I. Simply.
1. To cause to come along with oneself; to fetch. It includes ‘lead’ or ‘conduct’ (F. amener) as well as ‘carry’ (F. apporter); it implies motion towards the place where the speaker or auditor is, or is supposed to be, being in sense the causal of come; motion in the opposite direction is expressed by take (Fr. emmener, emporter).
a. by carrying or bearing in one's hand, etc.
c950Lindisf. Gosp. John ii. 8 Dæleð nu & brengeð ðæm aldormen. c1175Lamb. Hom. 101 Ða ileafullen brohton heore gersum. c1200Trin. Coll. Hom. 47 Hie brohte þat child mid hire in to þe temple. a1225Ancr. R. 114 Ne brouhten heo him to presente ne win, ne ale, ne water. a1300Cursor M. 21588 To rome men suld a-noþer [del of cros] breng. 1340Ayenb. 211 Þe messager þet none lettres ne brengþ. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 14 They solde theyr possessyons, and brought the pryce therof. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 16, I..shall in Triumph come From conquer'd Greece, and bring her Trophies home. 1728Pope Dunciad ii. 383 The ponderous books two gentle readers bring. 1839Thirlwall Greece I. 335 He was to bring his shield home, or to be borne upon it. 1885H. O. Forbes Nat. Wand. iii. viii. 258 The flotsam harvest which the river was continually bringing down.
b. by leading, conducting, propelling, etc.
a1000Beowulf 1829 (Gr.) Ic ðe þusenda þeᵹna bringe. c1175Cott. Hom. 221 God þa hine brohte into paradis. c1250Gen. & Ex. 737 Ðu fare..to a lond ic ðe sall bringen hin. a1300Cursor M. 3832 His doghtur yonder..Bringand his beistes till þe well. Ibid. 5182 Ha yee broght him wit you hider? 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W.) 38 b, Brynge me here y⊇ wyldest bull that is. 1565–73Cooper Lat. Dict., Subducere naues, to draw or bring ships to land. 1631Heywood Fair Maid W. i. iii. i, There's a prize Brought into Falmouth Road. 1747Carte Hist. Eng. I. 192 These two princes, bringing with them a number of their vassals. 1884Black Jud. Shaks. xxxiii, The horses were now brought round. 1885H. O. Forbes Nat. Wand. iii. viii. 258 At length a bend of the river brought me in sight of the European..quarter of the city.
c. as by an attractive force.
c1300Beket 488 The Kynges coronement that so moche folc ibroȝte there. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 644 What Buis'ness brought thee to my dark Abode? 1857Buckle Civiliz. xiv. 844 For mere purposes of social enjoyment men were brought into contact, who..had nothing in common. Mod. What brings him here?
d. Colloq. phr. to bring home the bacon (fig.): to succeed in an undertaking; to achieve success.
1924Wodehouse Ukridge viii, It may be that my bit will turn out to be just the trifle that brings home the bacon. 1928Daily Express 10 Aug. 3/5 If I fail to ‘bring home the bacon’ I will give {pstlg}10 to any charity selected by your ladyship. 1946P. Larkin Jill 33 The College takes a number of fellows like him to keep up the tone..but they look to us to bring home t' bacon.
†2. To convoy, escort, accompany (a person) on his way. Obs. exc. dial.
c1450Merlin i. 20 He brought the on wey hider-warde a grete part. 1599Shakes. Much Ado iii. ii. 3 Ile bring you thither my Lord, if you'l vouchsafe me. 1611Tourneur Ath. Trag. ii. ii. 48 The skie is dark; we'll bring you o'er the fields. 1611Bible Gen. xviii. 16 Abraham went with them, to bring them on the way. 1862Barnes Rhymes Dorset Dial. I. 18 note, To bring woone gwain: to bring one going; to bring one on his way.
3. a. to bring an answer, bring word, bring tidings, etc.
a1000Genesis 651 (Bosw.) He ða bysene from Gode brungen hæfde. a1300Cursor M. 3965 Þe messagers him broght answar. Ibid. 17920 Comen am I..Bodeworde of him for to bryng. c1440Syr Gener. 2195 They brought hym word ayenward thei were comyng. a1500Adam Bel 441 in Ritson A.P.P. 22 He shall you breng worde agayn. 1590Shakes. Com. Err. iv. iii. 37, I brought you worde an houre since that the Barke Expedition put forth to night. 1651Proc. in Parl. No. 83. 1274 Advt., The party that brings tidings of him. 1864Tennyson Sea Dreams 258 She brought strange news.
†b. ellipt. = bring word, report. Obs.
1602Shakes. Ham. v. ii. 204 Young Osric, who brings back to him, that you attend him in the hall. 1606― Ant. & Cl. iv. xiii. 10 Hence Mardian, And bring me how he takes my death to th' Monument.
4. fig., and in such expressions as to bring tears into the eyes, bring a blush to the cheek, etc.
a1000Metr. Boeth. xi. 59 Winter bringeð weder unᵹemet cald. c1200Trin. Coll. Hom. 258 He mai blisse bringe. 1382Wyclif Jer. xlv. 5 Y shal bringe euel vp on eche flesh, seith the Lord. 1535Coverdale Ps. xlv[i]. 8 What destruccions he hath brought vpon y⊇ earth. 1752Johnson Rambl. No. 207 ⁋2 Every hour brings additions. 1849Thackeray Pendennis cxxxiv, Those lines..brought tears into the Duchess's eyes. 1850Tennyson In Mem. ii, The seasons bring the flower again, And bring the firstling to the flock. 1871Morley Voltaire (1886) 21 To persuade us that the occasion invariably brings the leader whom its conditions require.
b. of things or actions bringing their results or consequences: To cause one to have, to procure.
c1450Merlin xiv. 229 A thynge that brought hym more mys-ese. 1577Hanmer Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619) 273 A pillar resembling the forme of a crosse..bringing great admiration to the beholders. 1580Baret Alv. B 1302 Liberall studies bring refuge and comfort in aduersitie. 1598Shakes. Merry W. v. v. 243 Cursed houres Which forced marriage would have brought vpon her. 1736Butler Anal. i. iii, Rashness..and wilful folly, bringing after them many inconveniences and sufferings. 1832Tennyson Miller's Dau. 229 The loss that brought us pain.
†5. To deduce, derive, infer. Obs.
1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, ii. v. 77 Whereas hee From Iohn of Gaunt doth bring his Pedigree. 1605Camden Rem. (1637) 73 Hadrian, Lat... Gesner bringeth it from the Greeke Ἁδρὸς, Grosse or wealthy. 1692Ray Disc. iii. v. (1732) 376, I shall bring them from higher or more remote causes. 1713Swift Cadenus & V. Wks. 1755 III. ii. 12 Conclusions..From premisses erroneous brought.
6. a. To prefer or lay (a charge or accusation); to institute, set on foot (an action at law); to advance, adduce (a statement or argument).
c1000Ags. G., John xviii. 29 Hwylce wrohte bringe ᵹe onᵹean þysne man. 1382Wyclif ibid. What accusing brynge ȝe aȝens this man? 1574tr. Littleton's Ten., A write of right that a man bringeth. 1663Pepys Diary 14 June, Sir J. Minnes brought many fine expressions of Chaucer. 1715Burnet Own Time II, The story he had sworn against the queen: which he brought only to make it probable that Wakeman..was in it. 1767Blackstone Comm. II. 197 If he..puts in his claim and brings his action within a reasonable time. 1768Ibid. III. iii. 121 An indictment may be brought as well as an action. 1802M. Edgeworth Mor. Tales (1816) I. xiii. 104 Arguments..brought by his companions in their..master's justification. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 316 He brings a wonderful accusation against me.
b. to bring home: see home.
1795Nelson in Nicolas Disp. II. 104, I..demand..that the person..do fully, and expressly bring home his charge. 1871R. H. Hutton Ess. (1877) I. 34 The import of his action is brought home to him with the most vivid conviction.
7. a. = bring forth: to give birth to, bear. b. = bring in: to produce, yield, ‘fetch’.
1523Fitzherb. Husb. §66 The damme of the calfe shall..brynge an other by the same time of the yere. 1535Coverdale Habb. iii. 17 The londe shall bringe no corne. 1664Butler Hud. ii. i. 466 What is Worth in any thing But so much money as 'twill bring? 1779Johnson Waller, L.P. 224 Written when she had brought many children. 1795Southey Joan of Arc ii. 141 At one birth She brought the brethren. 1831J. M. Peck Guide for Emigrants 47 The bottoms..will bring three or four crops of corn without manure. 1834Encycl. Metrop. XXII. 365/2 They [sc. ferrets] breed twice a year, bringing five or six at a time. 1843Amer. Pioneer II. 172 The moose is an animal similar to the deer... They usually bring two young at a time.
c. to bring into the world: to give birth to.
1607Shakes. Cor. v. iii. 125 Thy Mothers wombe That brought thee to this world. 1848S. Bamford Early Days i, I was brought into the world on the 28th February.
8. fig. To cause to come from, into, out of, to, etc. a certain state or condition, or to be or do something; to cause to become.
Especially with prepositional and other phrases which are used also with come and be, and other verbs, most of which will be found under the n. or other word in question.
a. with on, in (obs.), into:
as to bring in good estate, debt, a plight; in dread, fear, in or on sleep (later a-sleep; see e.); in doubt, in hate, in question, in wit; on day (= to light), in or on life's day (= to life); into bands, difficulties, trouble; into action, harmony, contact, shape, etc.
1297R. Glouc. 491 The King adde Normandie in god stat ibrouȝt al. a1300Cursor M. 615 In bale he broght vs and in care. 1387Trevisa Higden II. 403 Pelias brouȝte Iason in witte [suadet Jasoni] for to fette þe goldene flees. 1398― Barth. De P.R. vi. iv. (1495) 191 Nouryces brynge the chyldren softely..on slepe. c1400Destr. Troy 13804 He was drecchit in a dreame, & in dred broght. 1535Coverdale Judg. Contents xvi, Dalila..bryngeth him in dotage. 1551–6Robinson tr. More's Utop. (Arb.) 33 You shall bryng your selfe in very good case. 1593Hooker Eccl. Pol. i. x. §9 To bring themselves into hatred. 1596Spenser F.Q. vi. xii. xxxix, Yet none of them could ever bring him into band. 1602W. Watson Decacordon 260 Brought many of them into bands and other great dangers. 1736Butler Anal. i. iv, Persons..by a course of vice, bring themselves into new difficulties. 1818Cruise Digest II. 402 It hath formerly been attempted to be brought in question. 1854H. Vicars in Memorials viii. 162 Every thought brought into obedience to him. 1863E. Neale Anal. Th. & Nat. 191 All others, with which it is brought into accordance.
b. with from, of, out of:
as † to bring of, out of, life or life's day (formerly o lifes dawe, o dawe, adaw, corruptly on daw: cf. adaw v.) = to kill; out of order, shape, tune; out of patience, temper.
a1300Cursor M. 1072 Wid murther he broght his broþer o lijf. Ibid. 5096 Þis hunger tide þat sal bath mani man and wijf..bring o þair lijf. Ibid 7808 Þat i suld him bring o dau [Fairf. on liues dawe]. Ibid. p. 990 Resurr. 356 We wend þat he alle Israel of woo suld haf broght. c1305Jud. Iscariot in E.E.P. (1862) 109 Ȝut were his fader betere habbe ibroȝt him of dawe. ― St. Kenelm 93 ibid. 50 If heo miȝte bringe þat child of lyfdawe. 1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccxxvi. 301 They were discomfyted, and brought out of ordre by force of armes. 1530Palsgr. 469/1 His great crammyng in of meate hath brought him out of shape. Ibid. 468/2, I can bring hym out of pacyence with the waggyng of a strawe. 1533Elyot Cast. Helth (1541) 62 They bringe a man from the use of reason. 1600Shakes. A.Y.L. iii. ii. 262 Thou bring'st me out of tune.
c. with to:
as to bring to a close, end, head, issue, pitch; to bearings, cure, rights; to death, hardness, idleness, mischief, nought, obedience, shame; to account, book, hand, light, trial; to mind, reason, recollection, remembrance; to bed (see bed 6 c); to oneself (= to one's senses).
c1175Lamb. Hom. 103 Þan men..to deþe bringeð. c1230Hali Meid. 15 Þat ti wil were ibroht to werke. 1297R. Glouc. 376 Þat hii nere to ssame ybroȝt. a1300Cursor M. 12759 His sermon Þat mani man broght to resun. Ibid. 20122 Þe seke brouȝte she to bedde [Cott. broght to þair bedd]. c1305St. Lucy in E.E.P. (1862) 101 Dame Entice hire moder..þat hire to womman brouȝte. c1340Ayenb. 128 Þe holy gost..þe seneȝere..brengþ ayen to him-zelue. c1374Chaucer Boeth. iii. ii. 99 Alle thinges ben referred and browht to nowht. c1440Promp. Parv. 51 Brynge to mynde, reminiscor. 1530Palsgr. 468/2 He fell in so great a swoune that we all had ynoughe a do to bring hym to hym selfe. Ibid. 470/1 Tyme bringeth the truthe to lyght. 1535Coverdale Mark viii. 26 He was brought to right againe & sawe all clearly. 1611Bible Pref. 1 Certaine worthy men haue been brought to vntimely death. 1624Massinger Renegado i. iii, Are you amazed? I'll bring you to yourself. 1651Proc. Parl. No. 88. 1343 All things now seem to bee brought to a good head. 1711Addison Spect. No. 89 ⁋1 He hoped that matters would have been long since brought to an Issue. 1715De Foe Fam. Instruct. i. vii. (1841) I. 136 You will never bring me to your beck. 1749Fielding Tom Jones ii. iv, Mrs. Partridge was, at length..brought to herself. 1767Blackstone Comm. II. 89 Lest..the guardian should have received the value, and not brought it to account. 1806Canning Fragm. Oration 4 I'm like a young lady just bringing to bed. 1839Thirlwall Greece VII. lvi. 161 The prosecutors brought Demosthenes to trial first. 1865Dickens Mut. Fr. iii. xv, I'll bring this young man to book. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 430 There is no greater pleasure than to have Socrates brought to my recollection. 1882Stevenson Men & B. (1886) 58 Jean was brought to bed of twins.
d. with under, upon:
as to bring under the hand of, under foot; upon one's knees, etc.
1535Coverdale Judg. iii. 30 Thus were the Moabites broughte vnder the hande of the children of Israel. 1552Huloet, Bryng vnder obeysaunce or subiection. 1618Bolton Florus (1636) 121 Antiochus thus brought under⁓foot. 1652Proc. Parliament No. 34. 2078, I hope a short time will bring them all upon their knees.
e. with adjs. and their equivalents:
as to bring acquainted, low; formerly also at one, clean, faulty, etc.
c1386Chaucer Knt.'s T. 253 Oure lynage..That is so lowe y-brought by tyrannye. a1400Morte Arth. 1093, I..was of blysse i-browghte alle bare. 1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xii. 11 To the entent that he shuld bryng hym on that case fauty. c1530― Arth. Lyt. Bryt (1814) 365 He brought aslepe who so ever he touched. 1534― Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) G g vj b, I shall bryng thee at one with the Senate. 1668Shadwell Sullen Lov. i. i, I'll..bring you acquainted with this Lady. 1677Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 202 If you have not at first brought your Work clean. 1681R. Knox Hist. Ceylon Pref., He will bring you acquainted with the Inhabitants. 1703Savage Lett. Antients xlv. 110 The Distemper..which brought you so low. 1870Lowell Study Wind. 93 Bringing men acquainted with every humor of fortune.
f. with subord. clause (obs.) or inf.:
as to bring to be, bear, boil, to bring to pass (= bring about, cause to happen).
c1175Lamb. Hom. 17 Bide for him..þet crist hine bringe þet he icherre from þan uuelnesse. a1300Cursor M. 1578 Was nan þam moght bring to reclaim. 1535Coverdale Wisd. x. 11 Wyszdome..brought to passe the thinges that he wente aboute. 1583Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. 100 If it could be brought to passe. 1690Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) II. 70 Our men brought some of our guns to bear. 1719De Foe Crusoe (1840) I. viii. 136, I brought the plank to be about three inches thick. 1756C. Lucas Ess. Waters I. 85 It is..harder to bring the heavy acid of vitriol to boil.
9. To cause (a person or oneself) to come (to a certain course of action, etc.); to induce, persuade, prevail upon.
1611Bible Pref. 1 Certaine..could not be brought for a long time to give way to good Letters. 1666Pepys Diary (1879) IV. 29 All children love fruit, and none brought to flesh, but against their wills at first. 1701W. Wotton Hist. Rome Commod. i. 196 She could not bring her self to give Crispina the Precedence. 1839Thirlwall Greece I. 209 They could not bring themselves to believe, that etc. 1846D. Jerrold Chron. Clovernook Wks. 1864 IV. 412 A woman may be brought to forgive bigamy, but not a joke.
10. Naut. To cause to come or go into a certain position or direction; chiefly in phrases: to bring by the board (see board n. 12 b); bring by the lee (see lee); bring to the wind (see wind).
1695Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) III. 437 The French..had his main mast brought by the board before he struck. 1719De Foe Crusoe (1858) 200 Her main-mast and fore-mast were brought by the board, that is to say, broken short off. 1836Marryat Midsh. Easy xix, Gascoigne went to the helm, brought the boat up to the wind. 1858Merc. Mar. Mag. V. 293, I was awoke by the ship being brought to the wind.
II. Combined with adverbs. (See also sense 1, and the adverbs, for the non-specialized combinations.)
11. bring about.
a. To cause to happen, bring to pass, occasion, accomplish, effect.
c1450Merlin i. 7 The deuell was right gladde that he hadde brought this a-bouten. 1480Caxton Chron. Eng. cciv. 186 Yf that thyng myght be brought aboute. 1530Palsgr. 466/1, I bringe aboute my purpose. 1641J. Jackson True Evang. T. i. 12 To bring his ends, and designes about. 1753World No. 20. 107 Another proof of what people of fashion may bring about. 1848Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 239 He..had borne a chief part in bringing about the marriage. 1876J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. I. i. iii. 139 The atrocities of the Greeks brought about a retaliation from the Latins.
†b. To cause to come round or make a complete revolution; to complete. Obs.
1588Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 808 There stay vntill the twelue Celestiall Signes Haue brought about their annuall reckoning. 1593― 3 Hen. VI, ii. v. 27 How many Houres brings about the Day.
c. To turn round; also fig. to reverse, convert.
1677Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 181 A thin String..would not so well bring heavy Work about. 1694Echard Plautus 152 He [Jove] knows each man that's perjur'd, or bribes his Judge to gain his cause; upon which, he brings it about i' th' upper Court. a1745Swift Excell. New Song, Now my new benefactors have brought me about. 1841Catlin N. Amer. Ind. (1844) II. liii. 152, I had brought it [a canoe] about with a master hand.
d. To restore to consciousness, or to health, = bring round, a.
1854Dickens Hard T. (Tauchn.) 66 That will bring him about or nothing will.
12. bring again.
a. See sense 1 and again.
†b. To restore to consciousness. Obs. Cf. to bring about, round, to.
1636Ariana 177 The rest..laboured to bring mee againe, and by force of remedies I opened my eyes. Ibid. 320 They brought her againe with water they threw upon her.
13. bring away.
a. See sense 1 and away.
†b. To extricate, detach, free, deliver. Obs.
a1300Cursor M. 16246 For þi stat þou aght to spek: to bring þi self a-wai.
14. bring back.
To cause to return (to a place or state); to restore, recover, recall.
1662Bk. Com. Prayer, Chas. Martyr, Yet didst thou..at length by a wonderful providence bring him back. 1861Earl Stanhope Life W. Pitt I. i. 42, I trust the country air will bring back her strength. 1864Longfellow Wayside Inn, Interl. to Torquem, This brings back to me a tale. 1886Burton tr. Arab. Nts. (abr. ed.) I. 286, I..went out after him, and brought him back secretly to the city.
15. bring down.
a. To cause to fall to the ground; to overthrow; to kill or wound (a flying bird, or other animal). Also with aircraft as obj.
a1300Cursor M. 63 Ar he sua brathly don be broght. 1535Coverdale Baruch v. 7 God is purposed to brynge downe all stoute mountaynes. 1768S. Bentley River Dove 9 The Partridge, here oft as it flies, The Sportsman brings down with his Gun. 1798Miller in Nicolas Disp. Nelson (1846) VII. p. clv, Zealous..raked the Guerrier, brought down her foremast. 1917‘Contact’ Airman's Outings 23 Perhaps a German machine had been brought down. Ibid. 178 To ‘bring down’..an enemy was extremely difficult.
b. To cause (punishment, judgements, etc.) to alight on, upon.
1662Bk. Com. Prayer, Chas. Martyr, The crying sins of this Nation, which brought down this heavy judgement upon us. 1865Times 2 Jan., To bring down on themselves the hostility of the most powerful maritime State.
c. fig. To lower, humble, abase.
1535Coverdale Ps. xvii[i]. 27 Thou shalt..bringe downe the hye lokes of the proud. 1768Sterne Sent. Journ. (1778) II. 21, I could not bring down my mind to think of it. 1875H. E. Manning Mission H. Ghost x. 279 Every thing that could be used to bring down his great constancy.
d. To reduce, lessen, lower (price); to simplify.
1596Shakes. Merch. V. i. iii. 45 He lends out money gratis, and brings downe The rate of vsance here with vs in Venice. 1651Proc. Parliament No. 94. 1450 Which I hope will bring down the price of corn there. 1719Swift To Yng. Clergyman Wks. 1755 II. ii. 5 Terms brought down to the capacity of the hearer. 1748Smollett Rod. Rand. xii. 27 At last however she was brought down to five, which he paid.
e. To continue (information, etc.) to a later date (cf. bring up k).
1881Daily Tel. 27 Dec., The annual abstract..brings down the information to June, 1881. 1885Bookseller July 648/2 Information accurate and brought down to date.
f. to bring down the house, gallery, etc.: to evoke such demonstrative applause as threatens or suggests the downfall of the building.
1754World II. No. 76. 125 His apprehension that your statues will bring the house down. 1870Lowell Study Wind. 384 Every sentence brought down the house, as I never saw one brought down before. 1884Symonds Shaks. Predecess. x. §x. 403 The interview..must have brought down the gallery.
16. bring forth.
a. To produce, give birth to, bring into being, bear, yield (offspring; fruit, flowers, etc.; natural products; products, effects, results).
c1200Ormin 1937 Þær brohhte ȝho þatt wasstme forþ Off all unnwemmedd wambe. a1225Ancr. R. 134 Bringen vorð briddes. 1388Wyclif Ps. ciii. 14 And thou bringist forth hei to beestis. c1440Gesta Rom. (1878) 233 He had weddid to wyf a yonge gentilwoman, the whiche conseyuid, and browte forthe a faire sone. c1440Promp. Parv. 51 Brynge forthe frute, fructifico. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 47 b, Y⊇ tree neuer bryngeth forth floures ne fruytes, but fyrst it has borne & brought forth leues. 1535Coverdale Wisd. xix. 10 The grounde brought forth flyes in steade of catell. 1553Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 8 Places most apte to bring forth gold, spices, and precious stones. c1600Shakes. Sonn. xxxviii, Let him bring forth Eternal numbers to outlive long date. 1605― Macb. i. vii. 72 Bring forth Men-Children onely. 1615–68W. Lawson New Orchard 49 Young Heifers bring not forth Calves so fair..as when they be come to be old kine. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 123 He never thought of what the future might bring forth.
†b. To bring up, rear, breed (animals). Obs.
c1305St. Kenelm 135 in E.E.P. (1862) 51 His norice þat him hadde ifed, & mid hire mulc forth ibroȝt. c1400Mandeville 72 The Sarazines bryngen forthe no Pigges. c1430Syr Gener. 879 From a childe she him forth broght.
†c. To utter, express; to put forth, adduce, advance. Obs.
a1300Cursor M. 12138 To bring forth sli talking. 1382Wyclif Ecclus. xx. 29 A wys man in wrdis shal bringe forth hymself. c1440Promp. Parv. 51 Bryngyn forthe or shewyn forthe, profero. 1532More Confut. Tindale Wks. 475/2 The places of Scripture whiche Helvidius broughte furth for the contrarye. 1606Shakes. Tr. & Cr. i. iii. 242 If that he prais'd himselfe, bring the praise forth. 1611Bible Isa. xli. 21 Bring foorth your strong reasons.
†d. To bring to light, or public view. Obs.
a1225Ancr. R. 144 Euerich idel word bið þer ibrouht forð. 1599Shakes. Hen. V Prol. 10 On this vnworthy Scaffold to bring forth So great an Obiect. 1601― All's Well v. iii. 151 To bring forth this discou'rie. 1605― Macb. iii. iv. 125 Augures and vnderstood Relations haue..brought forth The secret'st man of Blood. 1606― Ant. & Cl. v. ii. 219 The quicke Comedians Extemporally will stage vs..Anthony Shall be brought drunken forth.
17. bring forward.
a. See sense 1 and forward.
b. Building. See quot.
1823P. Nicholson Pract. Build. 417 Bringing forward is a term applied to priming and painting new wood added to old work, or old work which has been repaired, so that the whole shall appear alike when finished.
c. Book-keeping. To carry on a sum from the bottom of one folio to the top of another where the account is continued.
Mod. A clerkly error in the amount brought forward.
18. bring in.
a. See sense 1 and in adv.b. To introduce (customs, etc.).
c1384Wyclif De Eccl. Sel. Wks. III. 345 To assente wiþ suche falseheed bringiþ in ofte heresies. 1611Bible 2 Peter ii. 1 False teachers..who priuily shall bring in damnable heresies. 1690Locke Govt. i. vi. §58 Manners, brought in and continued amongst them. 1753World No. 10 Near two years ago the popish calendar was brought in.
c. To bring (money) into the purse or pocket.
1538Bale Thre Lawes 1199 Thys crede wyll brynge in moneye. a1716South (J.) The sole measure of all his courtesies is..what revenue they will bring him in. 1814Lett. fr. England II. xxxviii. 83 And by the time they are seven or eight years old bring in money. 1855Costello Stories fr. Screen 85 ‘What does it bring you in?’ says she.
†d. To introduce, place (a person) in a position or station. Obs.
1604Shakes. Oth. iii. i. 53 He..needs no other Suitor, but his likings to bring you in againe. 1676Hatton Corr. (1878) 123 If his designe had succeeded of bringing in Sr Edward Deering. 1709–10Steele Tatler (J.) Since he could not have a seat among them himself, he would bring in one who had more merit.
e. To introduce (an action into a court of law or a bill into Parliament).
1602Manningham Diary 16 Dec., I brought in a moot with John Bramston. 1652Proc. Parliament No. 144. 2266 A day was appointed to bring in the Act. 1848Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 121 He learned that a law, such as he wished to see passed, would not even be brought in. 1876Trevelyan Macaulay II. ix. 133 Sergeant Talfourd brought in a measure devised with the object of extending the term of Copyright in a book to sixty years.
f. To introduce (into consideration, discussion); to adduce (by way of illustration, argument, etc.).
1602Shakes. Lear iii. vi. 37 I'll see their trial first. Bring in the evidence. 1631Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 122, I will bring in for example the Bells of the Parish Church of Winington. a1745Swift (J.) Quotations are best brought in, to confirm some opinion controverted. 1847L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. I. iv. 87 Providence is..to be brought in, humbly, when man comes to the end of his own humble endeavours.
†g. = bring on; to lead to, cause. Obs.
1586Cogan Haven Health (1636) 98 Which..sometime bringeth in fevers.
†h. To reduce to allegiance, or submission. Obs.
1596Spenser State Irel. (J.) Such a strong power of men, as should perforce bring in all that rebellious rout.
i. See quot.
1753Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v., Bringing in a horse, in the manege, is the keeping down his nose, when he boars, and tosses it up to the wind. A horse is brought in by a strong hard branch.
j. Of a jury: To bring in a verdict, hence colloq. to ‘find’ as ‘The jury brought him in guilty.’ Also ellipt. and transf.
1684[see verdict n. 2]. 1804Sporting Mag. XXV. 127/2 The jury..brought in a verdict for the plaintiff. 1841T. Hood in New Monthly Mag. LXI. 272 The Jury debated from twelve till three What the verdict ought to be And they brought it in as Felo de Se, ‘Because her own Leg had killed her!’ 1865Meredith Rhoda Fleming xviii, He's mad... There ain't a doubt as t'what the doctors 'd bring him in... Lunatic's the word! 1905Conan Doyle Return of Sherlock Holmes 385 The coroner's jury brought in the obvious ‘Wilful murder’. 1931D. L. Sayers Five Red Herrings xxix. 351 ‘If the jury are sensible people, they'll bring it in self-defence or justifiable homicide.’.. They brought it in manslaughter. 1938‘N. Blake’ Beast must Die i. 12 A verdict of manslaughter was brought in against some person or persons unknown. 1960‘J. Bell’ Well-Known Face xiv. 149 And Mrs. Prentice, too? The jury brought that in suicide.
k. = to bring to (see 25 f).
1860J. Cargill Otago, N.Z. 29 Open land is covered with either fern or grass,..and is easily brought in. 1860Ruskin in Cornhill Mag. Nov. 561 Bringing in of waste lands. 1950N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. Oct. 371/1 Swedes and turnips..their usefulness as feed for dairy cows and in the bringing in of new land.
19. bring off.
a. To bring away from (a position or condition); esp. by boat from a ship, wreck, the shore.
1656H. More Antid. Ath. ii. ix. (1712) 68 That thence the atheist may be the more easily brought off to the acknowledgement of the existence of a God. 1676Hobbes Iliad ii. 183 Thus he the People brings Off from their purpose. 1701Lond. Gaz. No. 3770/3 A Granadier..swam over the River and brought off a Ferryboat. 1840R. Dana Bef. Mast xxv. 79 Going ashore..to bring off the Captain.
b. To deliver, rescue, acquit. arch.
[1297R. Glouc. 379 Ȝyf God me wole grace sende, Vorto make my chyrchegon, & bringe me of þys bende. c1300Harrow. Hell 61 Y shal the bringe of helle pyne.] 1606Shakes. Tr. & Cr. v. vi. 25 Ile be tane too, Or bring him off. 1699Bentley Phal. 237 It will not bring Phalaris off; unless his Advocate can shew, etc. 1715De Foe Fam. Instruct. i. iv. (1841) I. 84, I cannot tell what you will say then to bring yourself off. 1751Chesterfield Lett. III. cclxx. 237. 1863 Mrs. C. Clarke Shaks. Char. xvi. 391 The injuring party..is brought off triumphantly.
†c. To demonstrate, establish clearly. Obs.
1674N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 37 To bring it but cleverly off, how ten thousand years between should not be time between.
d. To carry to a successful issue; to achieve.
1928Sat. Rev. 27 Oct. 550/2 Theorizing about anything so personal..seems a forlorn endeavour; but Mr. Beresford has brought it off. 1936Discovery Aug. 241/1 He strains forward..and..brings off one of his special ‘stunts’ of marksmanship. 1952M. Laski Village ii. 40 They each hoped to goodness Daisy could bring it off.
20. bring on.
a. To lead forward or on, conduct (Obs.); to cause to advance, advance the growth of.
c1230Hali Meid. 17 Þe stude & te time þat mahten bringe þe on mis for to donne. 1602Shakes. Ham. iii. i. 9 When we would bring him on to some Confession of his true state. 1606― Ant. & Cl. iii. ii. 44 The Aprill's in her eyes, it is Loues spring, And these the showers to bring it on. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. i. ii. ii. vi. (1651) 88 Voluntary idleness..gently brings on like a siren, a shooing horn, or some sphinx to this irrevocable gulf. 1629Parkinson Paradisus 25 According to..the temper of the climate..to bring them on earlier or later, as it doth with all other fruits. 1847Dickens Dombey xiv. 132 But he said..that study would do much... ‘Bring him on, Cornelia! Bring him on!’ 1848Thackeray Van. Fair lii. 464 Briggs was a capital mistress for him, and had brought him on..famously in English. 1932A. J. Worrall Eng. Idioms ix. 61 His trainer brought on the horse in fine style.
b. To produce, cause (illness, a state of things).
1671Milton Samson 373 These evils..I myself have brought them on. 1766Goldsm Vic. W. xviii, This..might have brought on a relapse. 1814Wordsw. Excursion i. 609 And poverty brought on a pettish mood And a sore temper. 1817Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. v. 167 A battle was brought on. Mod. A cold which brought on influenza.
c. To bring into formal consideration or discussion, introduce.
1715Burnet Own Time II. 197 Why must an attainder be brought on? 1878Seeley Stein III. 322 Metternich announced his intention of bringing on the subject.
d. techn. To fasten, fix, join, weld together.
1691T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. 22 The Workmen were bringing on an ordinary Straits-sheathing with Wood upon one of his small Ships. 1852A. Ryland Assay Gold & S. 97 He found that the spoon and ladle were not made in one piece..but that the parts bearing the marks were ‘inserted’, or ‘brought on’.
e. To produce (a play, etc.) on the stage. (Quot. 1768 is perh. sense 20 a.)
1768A. Dow Let. 16 July in Corresp. D. Garrick (1831) I. 306, I think it very unnecessary to submit the tragedy to any man's judgment but yours. Take it with you to the country; make your objections: if they can with facility be removed, I shall request the favour of you to bring it on. 1932A. J. Worrall Eng. Idioms ix. 61 Mr. Blank is bringing on his show at His Majesty's [Theatre].
f. To bring forward or into action; spec. in Cricket, to put (someone) on to bowl. So in U.S. colloq. phr. bring on your bears, a defiant challenge to an adversary to do his worst.
1860Baily's Monthly Mag. Sept. 429 Hayward and Parr were then brought on [as bowlers]. 1886Chicago Tribune 13 Sept. 4/3 Bring On Your Bears. What with offensive Ministers and erratic Consuls,..burden after burden of trouble has been laid upon Secretary Bayard's shoulders. Ibid., He can request England or Canada..to bring on their bears. 1904P. F. Warner Recov. Ashes xiii. 261 Arnold was brought on, and in his first over clean bowled Duff. 1954Wodehouse & Bolton Bring on the Girls i. 11 He says: ‘Bring on the girls!’ It is the panacea that never fails... The impresario has his way. The girls are brought on.
21. bring out. (See also sense 1 and out.)
†a. To separate or detach (any one) from; to deprive, do (any one) out of. Obs.
c1400Destr. Troy 8633 And the lede with a launse out of lyue broght. a1450Knt. de la Tour (1868) 65 To bringe hem oute of her good name. 1462Paston Lett. 456 II. 108, I have bought salt and other thyngs, whiche hathe brought me out of myche sylvir. 1623Lisle ælfric on O. & N.T. Pref. 11 To bring the people out of love with the..Bible.
†b. To produce, yield. Obs.
1545R. Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 93 The grounde is plentifull..whiche..bryngeth out corne. 1607Shakes. Timon iv. iii. 188 Enseare thy Fertile and Conceptious wombe, Let it no more bring out ingratefull man.
c. To express, utter.
1665Boyle Occas. Refl. iv. xv. (1675) 257 Any thing, how contrary soever to Piety, or right Reason..if Men can bring it out..neatly wrapt up in Raillery.
d. To bring into clearness, distinctness, or prominence; to develop and display (talent).
1605Shakes. Lear v. iii. 163 That haue I done, And more, much more, the time will bring it out. a1700Dryden (J.), These.. as they boldly press, Bring out his crimes, and force him to confess. 1823J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 39 The exact kind of preparation which is calculated to bring out the writing. 1832Athenæum 389 If the talent does exist..such will be the only way to bring it out. 1874Helps Soc. Press. i. 3 The moon..brought out the river and adjacent buildings resplendently. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 76 The antagonism of the two characters is still more clearly brought out.
e. To introduce (a young lady) formally into ‘society’; to announce (a company, a foreign loan, or the like) for public subscription.
1790Loiterer 23 Jan. 12 A young woman seldom did well who was brought out before she was eighteen. 1823Byron Juan xii. xxxi, [They] Begg'd to bring up the little girl, and ‘out’, For that's the phrase that settles all things now, Meaning a virgin's first blush at a rout. Mod. That loan was brought out by Messrs. Baring in 1852.
f. To produce before the public; to place upon the stage (a play or opera); to publish (a book).
1818Byron in Moore Life (1838) 376 They have brought out Fazio with great and deserved success at Covent Garden. 1851Illust. Lond. News 354 ‘Robert le Diable’ was originally brought out by Meyerbeer. 1878Morley Diderot 164 It was resolved to bring out the ten volumes..in a single issue. 1882C. Pebody Eng. Journalism xx. 148 Proposed that he should bring out an evening paper.
g. To exhibit, shew. (With complement.)
1705Arbuthnot Measure, Weights, &c. (L.) But those experiments bring out the denarius heavier.
h. to bring out one's bat (in Cricket) = to carry it (out) (see carry v. 53 c).
1833J. Mitford in Gentl. Mag. Sept. 236/1 Tom [Walker] scored the amazing number of 95 runs in his first innings, and brought his bat out with him. 1870Times 15 July 12/5 Mr. Green..brought out his bat with the total at 198.
22. bring over. (See also sense 1 and over.)
To influence to come to one's own side or party (from an opposite one); to convert.
1724–5Swift Wks. (1841) II. 23 By these..means, he soon brought over both parties to him. 1771Goldsm. Hist. Eng. II. 221 The house of commons was brought over to second his request. 1848Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 347 Able to bring over a great body of his disciples to the royal side. 1878R. B. Smith Carthage 283 In vain, however did he attempt..to bring over Cumæ, Naples, and Puteoli.
23. bring round. (See also sense 1 and round.)
a. To restore (a person) from a fainting-fit or an attack of illness.
1834‘A Virginian’ Kentuckian in New York I. vi. 94 You want something to make your blood circulate: a small taste or two would soon bring you round. 1864Tennyson En. Ard. 842 Dead!.. I warrant, man, that we shall bring you round.
b. To complete a set of changes in bell-ringing.
1883Birmingh. Daily Post 19 Oct. 7 A peal of..grandsire majors which was successfully rung and brought round in capital style, in four hours and fifty-five minutes.
c. To persuade; to convert to an opinion.
1862Trollope Rachel Ray I. xiii. 259 Don't you think you could say something civil to Mr. Tappitt, so as to—to bring him round again? 1889Bridges Feast of Bacchus iv. 1055 You've got..your father Brought nicely round: and all through my good management. 1932A. J. Worrall Eng. Idioms ix. 62 With some difficulty I brought him round to my way of thinking.
24. bring through. (See sense 1 and through.)
spec. To treat successfully through the stages of an illness.
Mod. The doctor hopes to be able to bring him through.
25. bring to.
a. Naut. (trans.) To fasten, tie, bend.
1681Lond. Gaz. No. 1666/4 In the night they mended their Rigging, brought new Sails to the Yards. 1867Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Bring-to, to bend, as to bring-to a sail to the yard.
b. To cause (a ship) to come to a standstill.
1753Scots Mag. Aug. 415/2 A guarda costa..fired a gun to bring them to. 1769Falconer Dict. Marine (1789), To Bring to, in navigation, to check the course of a ship..by arranging the sails in such a manner that they shall counteract each other. 1803Nelson in Nicolas Disp. (1845) V. 81 At 6.30 brought to the Vrow Agneta, Dutch Brig.
c. intr. (for refl. or absol.) Of a ship or her crew: To come to a standstill; transf. to stop, ‘pull up’.
1697Lond. Gaz. No. 3287/3 The 5 French brought to a Stern. 1709Ibid. 4521/2 They came within Random shot, and then brought to. 1748Anson Voy. (ed. 4) i. iv. 49 The Commodore made a signal for the ships to bring to. 1790Beatson Nav. & Mil. Mem. 278 Near 3 in the afternoon, when she brought to. 1845Darwin Voy. Nat. vii. (1879) 136 We brought to in a narrow arm of the river. 1861Hughes Tom Brown Oxf. II. i. 4 Here let us bring to..and try to get acquainted with the outside of the place before the good folk are about.
†d. trans. To cause to acquiesce or be complaisant. Obs.
1748Richardson Clarissa xvi. I. 93 Proud spirits may be brought to. 1749Fielding Tom Jones xviii. xii, I was forced to use a little fatherly authority to bring her to.
e. To restore to consciousness or to health. Cf. 8 c. bring to oneself.
1789Burns Ep. Dr. Blacklock, I ken'd it still your wee bit jauntie Wad bring ye to. 1844G. R. Gleig Lt. Dragoon v. (1856) 45 Our lieutenant..fainted..The French guard brought him to by shaking. 1850Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xxxiii. 299 ‘I'll bring her to!’ said the driver with a brutal grin. ‘I'll give her something better than camphire!’
f. To bring (land) into good condition. U.S.
1814in Amer. Speech (1947) XXII. 273 To bring to a piece of land—to bring it into a state of cultivation, or rather perhaps into a state fit for cultivation. 1838H. Colman Rep. Agric. Mass. 77 One of these gentlemen..has found this sort of land after it was thus ‘brought to’ extremely favorable to the growth of rye.
bring together: see sense 1 and together.
26. bring under. To bring into subjection, subdue.
1563Homilies ii. Repentance iii. (1859) 548 Who will bring me under for my works? 1597Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. xlii. §3 Either yielding through fear, or brought under with penury. 1618Bolton Florus i. xi. (1636) 31 Lucius Quinctius chiefly brought them under. 1705Stanhope Paraphr. III. 40 That, which brought under the Reluctancies of Humane Nature. a1834Moore Minstrel Boy, The foe-man's chain Could not bring his proud soul under.
27. bring up.
a. To bring into a higher position; to elevate, raise, rear, build up; to raise to a point or amount, etc. See senses of up.
1297R. Glouc. 369 Þe abbey of Came..he rerde in Normandye..He broȝte vp mony oþer hous of relygyon al so. 1477Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 142 Yf he see that fortune raise and bring up som other of lower degre. 1611Shakes. Wint. T. iv. iv. 544 Your discontenting Father, striue to qualifie And bring him vp to liking. 1677Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 141 The next Work the Carpenter has to do, is to bring up the Stairs. Ibid. 129 The Celler-Walls to be brought up by a Brick-layer with Brick. 1885Sir E. Kay in Law Times' Rep. LII. 370/1 The [amount] to which the undivided profit would be brought up.
b. To rear from childhood; to educate, breed.
1483Caxton G. de la Tour F vij, The child whiche hadde be secretely nourisshed and brought up cam to his enherytaunce. 1511–2Act 3 Hen. VIII, iii. §1 To enduce and lern theym and bryng them uppe in shotyng. 1588A. King Canisius' Catech. 50 Fosterit, teachit, and brocht vp in continuall exercise. 1611Bible Isa. i. 2, I haue nourished and brought vp children. 1711Addison Spect. No. 105 ⁋4 A Man who has been brought up among Books. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 122 The doctrines in which he had been brought up. 1879Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV. 70/1 The ordinary farmer brings up a lot of calves every year.
c. To introduce to general notice; to bring into vogue. ? Obs.
1483Caxton G. de la Tour D vij b, To hasty in takynge ony newe thynges brought up. 1530Palsgr. 470/2 He hath brought up a newe custome..To bringe up newe lawes is a perlous worke. 1693W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. 284 She brings up a fashion grown out of use. 1741Richardson Pamela, The Torture is not used in England, and I hope you won't bring it up.
†d. To raise, originate, give utterance to (a report), etc. Obs.
1535Coverdale Numb. xiii. 32 And of the lande that they had searched, they brought vp an euell reporte amonge the children of Israel. 1611Ibid. xiv. 36 Bringing vp a slander vpon the land.
e. To bring into the presence of authority; to bring before a tribunal, or for examination.
1823J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 64 Being brought up..to answer at Bow-street office. 1865Reader 8 July 30 Candidates would be expected to bring up so many books of Scott. 1885Law Times LXXIX. 139/1 A writ of certiorari to bring up an order made by the justices.
f. Naut. To bring to anchor, or to a standstill.
1820Blackw. Mag. VIII. 317, I was all at once..as the sailors say, brought up by an invisible fence. 1840R. Dana Bef. Mast xxv. 80 They let go the other anchor..and brought the vessel up.
g. intr. To come to anchor; hence, to come to a stand, to stop, ‘pull up’.
1769Falconer Dict. Marine (1789) To Bring-up, a provincial phrase peculiar to the seamen in the coal-trade, signifying to anchor. 1790Beatson Nav. & Mil. Mem. 321 The Rippon..brought up against the Morne Rouge Battery. 1856Kane Arct. Exp. I. xxix. 386 At last the floe brought up against the rocks. 1858Sears Athan. iv. 32 Expect when they die to..bring up at some good place. 1884Anstey Giant's Robe vi, Mr. Lightowler brought up sharply opposite the end of an inclined covered staircase..where they left the dog-cart.
h. To bring under notice or consideration; to recall to notice (a by-gone matter).
1875Jowett Plato I. 212 If I had said anything last year, I suppose that you would bring that up..Are you such an old fool..that you bring up now what I said at first? Mod. ‘I am glad the matter has been brought up.’
i. To develop, produce.
1823J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 169 Chromate of potash..brings up a yellow colour.
j. To vomit. (colloq.)
1719Defoe Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe 200 Then I grew sick, and reached to vomit, but could not; for I had nothing in my Stomach to bring up. Ibid. 201 My Stomach loathed the Sugar, and brought it all up again. 1746T. Tomkyns tr. Lamotte's Gen. Treat. Midwifry ii. xxi. 213 A little cough, which kept encreasing till it brought up a little purulent spittle. 1945M. Dickens Thursday Afternoons viii. 234 Hoping that Ugly [sc. a dog] would manage to swallow whatever it was he had taken before he brought it up.
k. to bring up arrears, lost ground, etc.
1788Dibdin Mus. Tour xii. 43 By way of clearing my ground, or, as the Sailors call it, bringing up lee-way. 1859Jephson Brittany viii. 131 The afternoon was spent in bringing up my arrears of correspondence. 1865E. Burritt Walk Land's E. 445 Bringing up a long arrearage of writing. Mod. Has the narrative been brought up to date?
l. bring up the rear (arrear): see rear.
m. To lead (troops, etc.) to the scene of action.
1885U. S. Grant Pers. Mem. I. 415 The troops from Corinth were brought up in time to repel the threatened movement without a battle.
▸ to bring off v. trans. slang. To masturbate (a person); to cause to reach orgasm, esp. by masturbation. Freq. refl. Cf. off adv. 2b.
1916H. N. Cary Slang of Venery I. 122 To bring down (or off) by hand, to masturbate. 1928D. H. Lawrence Lady Chatterley's Lover xiv. 244 Then there's the hard sort, that are the devil to bring off at all, and bring themselves off, like my wife. 1972‘J. W. Wells’ Come fly with Us 156 He told me to masturbate in the phone booth, to..bring myself off. 1988J. McInerny Story of my Life ii. 25 Dean brings me off with his hand but it's just not the same, I want more, I don't want to stop. 2002G. Duncan I, Lucifer (2003) 36 She's already brought herself off against one of Jimmeny's nailed marble feet, ostensibly dusting the statue's armpits.
▸ trans. colloq. (chiefly U.S.). In imper.bring it on: expressing confidence that one is equal to a challenge, or a desire for an opportunity to prove one's worth; ‘Try me!’ ‘Do your worst!’
1980Washington Post 16 Mar. k1/1, ‘I could save Chrysler if I had to,’ he says, his half-smile becoming a playful taunt. Bring it on, he seems to say. 1989N.Y. Times (Nexis) 10 Dec. 44/1, I thought, how extreme. I would never go that far. Now I say to Patsy: Bring it on. 1996E. Danticat Krik? Krak! 179 ‘I have a riddle for you. Can you handle it?’ he would ask. ‘Bring it on. Try me.’ 2002Time 30 June 57/3 At..Belmont..the speed horses..will be gunning for War Emblem, hoping to grind him down. Bring it on, says Baffert. |