close or pocket borough

A borough, esp before 1832, whose parliamentary representation was in the nomination of some person

county borough

Until 1974, a borough (by Acts of 1888, 1926, 1958, respectively above 50000, 75000 and 100000 inhabitants) with some of the attributes of a county

pocket borough see close borough above.

rotten borough

One of the boroughs, all abolished in 1832, which still returned members to parliament although the constituency had disappeared

pocket /pokˈit/

noun

1. A little pouch or bag, esp one fitted in or attached to a garment or a snooker table or the cover of a book
2. A cavity
3. A rock cavity filled with ore, veinstone, etc
4. A portion of the atmosphere differing in pressure or other condition from its surroundings
5. A small isolated area or patch, as of military resistance, unemployment, etc
6. The innermost compartment of a pound-net
7. One's personal stock of money
8. A bag of wool, etc, containing about 1/2 sack
9. The area behind the offensive linemen (American football)

adjective

1. For the pocket
2. Of a small size

transitive verb (pockˈeting; pockˈeted)

1. To put in one's pocket or a pocket
2. To receive and keep for oneself, to accept (a cash prize payment, etc)
3. To appropriate
4. To take stealthily
5. To conceal
6. To enclose
7. To hem in
8. To play into a pocket (snooker, etc)

intransitive verb

To form a pocket

pockˈetful noun (pl pockˈet-fuls)

As much as a pocket will hold

pockˈetless adjective

pocket battleship noun

A small battleship, built to specifications limited by treaty, etc

pocket bike same as minimoto (see under mini-).

pockˈetbook noun

1. A notebook
2. A wallet for papers or money carried in the pocket
3. A small book for the pocket
4. A handbag (US)

pocket borough see under borough

pockˈet-comb noun

A hair-comb small enough for carrying in the pocket

pockˈet-glass noun

A small mirror for carrying in the pocket

pocket gopher noun

An American burrowing rodent, the pouched rat

pockˈet-handkˈerchief noun

A handkerchief for carrying in the pocket

pockˈet-hole noun

The opening in a garment giving access to a pocket

pocket knife noun

A knife with one or more blades folding into the handle, for carrying in the pocket

pocket money noun

1. Money carried for occasional expenses
2. An allowance, esp to a child

pocket mouse noun

A small rodent of the genus Perognathus, native to the N American desert

pockˈet-picking noun

The act or practice of picking other people's pockets

pockˈet-piece noun

A coin carried to bring luck

pockˈet-pisˈtol noun

1. A pistol for carrying in the pocket
2. A small travelling flask for liquor

pockˈet-sized adjective

Small enough for the pocket

pocket veto noun (US)

A President's indirect veto of a bill passed by Congress, done by delaying its signing until the legislative session is over

have deep pockets

To have access to extensive financial resources

in one's pocket

1. Under one's control or influence
2. Very close to one

in (or out of) pocket

1. With or without money
2. The richer or the poorer by a transaction (outˈ-of-pockˈet adjective of expenses, etc, paid in cash)

line one's pockets

To make or take money dishonestly from business entrusted to one

pick a person's pocket

To steal from his or her pocket

pocket an insult, affront, etc

To submit to or put up with it without protest

pocket one's pride

To humble oneself to accept a situation