HyperDic: britain

English > 1 sense of the word Britain:
NOUNlocationBritain, United Kingdom, UK, U.K., United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Great Britaina monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles
Britain > pronunciation
Soundsbrih'tahn
RhymesAachen ... Zukerman: 2572 rhymes with ahn...
English > Britain: 1 sense > noun 1, location
MeaningA monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; 'Great Britain' is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom.
SynonymsUnited Kingdom, UK, U.K., United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Great Britain
Instance ofkingdomA country with a king as head of state
Member ofEuropean Union, EU, European Community, EC, European Economic Community, EEC, Common Market, EuropeAn international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation / cooperation among its members
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATOAn international organization created in 1949 by the North Atlantic Treaty for purposes of collective security
Part ofBritish IslesGreat Britain and Ireland and adjacent islands in the north Atlantic
PartsEnglandA division of the United Kingdom
Northern IrelandA division of the United Kingdom located on the northern part of the island of Ireland
ScotlandOne of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Wales, Cymru, CambriaOne of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Region ofAnglo-SaxonA person of Anglo-Saxon (especially British) descent whose native tongue is English and whose culture is strongly influenced by English culture as in WASP for 'White Anglo-Saxon Protestant'
Bachelor of Medicine, MB(a British degree) a bachelor's degree in medicine / medicine
Battle of BritainThe prolonged bombardment of British cities by the German Luftwaffe during World War II and the aerial combat that accompanied it
Boxing DayFirst weekday after Christmas
British CabinetThe senior ministers of the British government
Brummagemcheap and showy
Central Intelligence Machinery, CIMThe United Kingdom's central unit for the tasking and coordination and funding of intelligence and security agencies
Chief ConstableThe head of the police force in a county (or similar area)
Christmas boxA present given at Christmas for services during the year
Christmas cakeA rich fruitcake (usually covered with icing and marzipan) and eaten at Christmas
Civil ListA sum of money voted by British Parliament each year for the expenses of the British royal family
Colonel Blimp, BlimpAny elderly pompous reactionary ultranationalistic person (after the cartoon character created by Sir David Low)
Crown landLand that belongs to the Crown
Eccles cakeA flat round cake of sweetened pastry filled with dried fruit
ElastoplastAn elastic adhesive bandage for covering cuts or wounds
Esquire, EsqA title of respect for a member of the English gentry ranking just below a knight
Fabianismsocialism / socialism to be established by gradual reforms within the law
Fanny Adamsnautical term for tinned meat
Great Britain, GBAn island comprising England and Scotland and Wales
GuyAn effigy of Guy Fawkes that is burned on a bonfire on Guy Fawkes Day
Guy Fawkes Dayday for the celebration of the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot
High CommissionAn embassy of one British Commonwealth country to another
Higher National Diploma, HNDA diploma given for vocational training that prepares the student for a career in a particular area
Highway CodeThe code of rules governing the use of public roads
Home CountiesThe English counties surrounding London into which Greater London has expanded
Hooray HenryA lively and ineffectual upper-class young man
Inland Revenue, IRA board of the British government that administers and collects major direct taxes
L-plateA square plate bearing the letter L that is attached to both ends of a car to indicate that the driver is a learner
Lady, noblewoman, peeressA woman of the peerage in Britain
Liberal Democrat PartyA political party in Great Britain
Lord Chancellor, Lord High ChancellorThe highest officer of the Crown who is head of the judiciary and who presides in the House of Lords
MOT, MOT test, Ministry of Transportation testA compulsory annual test of older motor vehicles for safety and exhaust fumes
Magna Carta, Magna Charta, The Great CharterThe royal charter of political rights given to rebellious English barons by King John in 1215
MaundyA public ceremony on Maundy Thursday when the monarch distributes Maundy money
Maundy moneyspecially minted silver coins that are distributed by the British sovereign on Maundy Thursday
National Trust, NTAn organization concerned to preserve historic monuments and buildings and places of historical interest or natural beauty
November 5anniversary of the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot
Open UniversityA British university that is open to people without formal academic qualifications and where teaching is by correspondence or broadcasting or summer school
Ordnance SurveyThe official cartography agency of the British government
Oxbridgegeneral term for an ancient and prestigious and privileged university (especially Oxford University or Cambridge University)
Premium BondA government bond that bears no interest or capital gains but enters the holder into lotteries
RediffusionA system for distributing radio or tv programs
Remembrance Day, Remembrance Sunday, Poppy DayThe Sunday nearest to November 11 when those who died in World War I and World War II are commemorated
Rhine wine, Rhenish, hockAny of several white wines from the Rhine River valley in Germany ('hock' is British usage)
Secret Intelligence Service, MI, Military Intelligence Section 6The government agency in the United Kingdom that is responsible / responsible for internal security and counterintelligence overseas
Security Service, MI, Military Intelligence Section 5The government agency in the United Kingdom that is responsible / responsible for internal security and counterintelligence on British territory
SirA title used before the name of knight or baronet
Special Air Service, SASA specialist regiment of the British army that is trained in commando techniques of warfare and used in clandestine operations (especially against terrorist groups)
Special BranchA government police department dealing with political security
Sten gunA lightweight British submachine gun
Ted, Teddy boyA tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes
Thatcherism(England) the political policy of Margaret Thatcher
ThatcheriteAn advocate of Thatcherism
Victoria plumA large red plum served as dessert
Victoria sandwich, Victoria spongeA cake consisting of two layers of sponge cake with a jelly filling in between
WykehamistA student enrolled in (or graduated from) Winchester College
action replaythe immediate rebroadcast of some action (especially sports action) that has been recorded on videotape
admass(chiefly British) the segment of the public that is easily influenced by mass media
admiraltyThe department in charge of the navy (as in Great Britain)
aggro(informal British usage) aggravation or aggression
al-MuhajirounA hard-line extremist Islamic group in Great Britain who support / support bin Laden and other terrorist groups
all-mainsUsed of a radio receiver that is adaptable to all voltages
approAn informal British abbreviation of approval
argy-bargy, argle-bargleA verbal / verbal / verbal dispute
arterial roadA major or main route
assuranceA British term for some kinds of insurance
backbenchAny of the seats occupied by backbenchers in the House of Commons
backbencherA member of the House of Commons who is not a party leader
bagatelle, bar billiardsA table game in which short cues are used to knock balls into holes that are guarded by wooden pegs
baking traya cooking utensil consisting of a flat rectangular metal sheet used for baking cookies or biscuits / biscuits
ballup, balls-up, cockup, mess-upSomething badly botched or muddled
banger(British informal) pork sausage
barA heating element in an electric fire
base rateThe interest rate set by the Bank of England for lending to other banks
beadleA minor parish official who serves a ceremonial function
beanfeastAn annual dinner party given by an employer for the employees
beastlinessunpleasant nastiness
berkA stupid person who is easy to take advantage of
betting shopA licensed bookmaker's shop that is not at the race track
billiondenoting a quantity consisting of one million million items or units in Great Britain
billion, one million million, 1000000000000The number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros
bin linerA plastic bag used to line a trash or garbage bin
bitterEnglish term for a dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops (usually on draft)
bloody-minded, cantankerousstubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
boffin(British slang) a scientist or technician engaged in military research
bolshy, stroppyobstreperous
book tokenA gift voucher that can be exchanged for books / books costing up to an amount given on the voucher
bootBritish term for the luggage compartment in a car
boss-eyed(British informal) cross-eyed
bottle bankA place where bottles can be deposited for recycling
bubble and squeakleftover cabbage fried with cooked potatoes and sometimes meat
bucksheefree of charge
bugger all, fuck all, Fanny Adams, sweet Fanny AdamsLittle or nothing at all
bumf, bumphreading materials (documents, written information) that you must read and deal with but that you think are extremely boring
bunfight, bun-fight(Briticism) a grand formal party on an important occasion
burnupA high-speed motorcycle race on a public road
buttoned-up(British colloquial) not inclined to conversation
buttyA sandwich
caffinformal British term for a cafe
call centrea center equipped to handle a large volume of telephone calls (especially for taking orders or serving customers)
cantylively and brisk
capitalfirst-rate
car boot sale, boot saleAn outdoor sale at which people sell things from the trunk of their car
carriagewayOne of the two sides of a motorway where traffic travels in one direction only usually in two or three lanes
carry-over, carry-forwardThe accumulated and undivided profits / profits of a corporation after provision has been made for dividends and reserves
carry the canaccept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions
castor sugar, caster sugarVery finely granulated sugar that was formerly sprinkled from a castor
cattle cakeA concentrated feed for cattle
centimetrea metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter
centrea building dedicated to a particular activity
centre, nerve centrea cluster of nerve cells governing a specific bodily process
centrethe choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
centre, centre of attentionthe object upon which interest and attention focuses
centrethe sweet central portion of a piece of candy that is enclosed in chocolate or some other covering
centrea point equidistant from the ends of a line or the extremities of a figure
centrean area that is approximately central within some larger / larger region
centrea place where some particular activity is concentrated
centredirect one's attention on something
centremove into the center
centre bita bit with a sharp center point for guidance and two side cutters
centre of buoyancy, centre of immersion(physics) the center of mass of the immersed part of ship or other floating object
centre of curvaturethe center of the circle of curvature
centre of flotationthe center of gravity of a floating object
centre of gravitythe point within something at which gravity can be considered to act
centre of masspoint representing the mean position of the matter in a body
centre spreadthe spread at the center of a magazine
centre stagethe central area on a theater stage
centre stagea position of prominence or importance
centreboarda retractable fin keel used on sailboats to prevent drifting to leeward
centrefolda magazine center spread
centrepiecesomething placed at the center of something else (as on a table)
centrepiecethe central or most important feature
certAn absolute certainty
chancellorThe honorary or titular head of a university / university
chipolataA small thin sausage
chipsstrips of potato fried in deep fat
chuffedVery pleased
city centrethe central part of a city
clangerA conspicuous mistake whose effects seem to reverberate
clapped outWorn from age or heavy use and no longer able to operate (of cars or machines or people)
class list, honours listA list issued by examiners that categorizes students according to the class of honours they achieved in their degree examinations
clawbackFinding a way to take money back from people that they were given in another way
clearwayA road on which you are not allowed to stop (unless you have a breakdown)
clever Dick, clever clogsAn intellectual who is ostentatiously and irritatingly knowledgeable
climbing frameA framework of bars or logs for children to climb on
clotted cream, Devonshire creamThick cream made from scalded milk
clunchhardened clay
cobblersA man's testicles (from Cockney rhyming slang
cobblersnonsense
coinerA maker of counterfeit coins
colour supplement(British) a magazine that is printed in color and circulated with a newspaper (especially on weekends)
commissionaireA uniformed doorman
common roomA sitting room (usually at school or university)
concentrebring into focus or alignment
conkinformal term for the nose
conservancyA commission with jurisdiction over fisheries and navigation in a port or river
constable, police constableA police officer of the lowest rank
convenerThe member of a group whose duty it is to convene meetings
cookie, cooky, biscuitAny of various small flat sweet cakes ('biscuit' is the British term)
costingcost accounting
cottage pieA dish of minced meat topped with mashed potatoes
council taxA tax levied on households by local authorities
countenance, physiognomy, phiz, visage, kisser, smiler, mugThe human face ('kisser' and 'smiler' and 'mug' are informal terms for 'face' and 'phiz' is British)
countinghouseOffice used by the accountants of a business
county(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
county councilThe elected governing body of a county
county town, shire townThe town or city that is the seat of government for a shire
crick, kink, rick, wrickA painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back ('rick' and 'wrick' are British)
croftA small farm worked by a crofter
crossbenchAny of the seats in the House of Commons used by members who do not vote regularly with either the government or the Opposition
crossbencherA member of the House of Commons who does not vote regularly with either the government or the Opposition
cubic centimetrea metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a liter
cubic decimetrea metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions
cubic kilometrea unit of capacity equal to the volume of a cube one kilometer on each edge
cubic metrea metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 1000 liters
cubic millimetrea metric measure of volume or capacity equal to a cube 1 millimeter on each edge
cuppa, cupperA cup of tea
current accounta bank account against which the depositor can draw checks that are payable on demand
daleAn open river valley (in a hilly area)
dead centrethe position of a crank when it is in line with the connecting rod and not exerting torque
decametre, dekametrea metric unit of length equal to ten meters
decimetrea metric unit of length equal to one tenth of a meter
dekkoBritish slang for a look
delfAn excavation
dervdiesel oil used in cars and lorries with diesel engines
detention centrea large cell where prisoners (people awaiting trial or sentence or refugees or illegal immigrants) are confined together temporarily
dickey, dickie, dicky, dickey-seat, dickie-seat, dicky-seatA small third seat in the back of an old-fashioned two-seater
dicky, dickey(British informal) faulty
dinky(British informal) pretty and neat
direct-grant schoolformerly a school that charged tuition fees and also received government grants in return for admitting certain non-paying students who were nominated by the local authorities
dishy(informal British) sexually attractive
divvyshort / short for dividend
dixieA large metal pot (12 gallon camp kettle) for cooking
doddleAn easy task
dog's breakfast, dog's dinnerA poor job
doorknob, doorhandleA knob used to release the catch when opening a door (often called 'doorhandle' in Great Britain)
double DutchAn incomprehensible talk
double firstA first-class honours degree in two subjects
eleven-plus, 11-plus(formerly in Britain) an examination taken by 11 and 12 year old students to select suitable candidates for grammar school
epicentrethe point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake
estate of the realm, estate, the three estatesA major social class or order of persons regarded collectively as part of the body politic of the country (especially in the United Kingdom) and formerly possessing distinct political rights
ex-directory(of telephone numbers) not listed in the telephone directory
facer(a dated Briticism) a serious difficulty with which one is suddenly faced
fairy lightA small colored light used for decoration (especially at Christmas)
fare-stageA section along the route of a bus for which the fare is the same
fasciainstrument panel on an automobile or airplane containing dials and controls
femtometrea metric unit of length equal to one quadrillionth of a meter
figure of eighta two-dimensionsal figure having the shape of the number eight
fire watcher(during World War II in Britain) someone whose duty was to watch for fires caused by bombs dropped from the air
fire watching(during World War II in Britain) watching for fires started by bombs that dropped from the sky
first, first-class honours degreeAn honours degree of the highest class
first estate, Lords SpiritualThe clergy in France and the heads of the church in Britain
fish sliceA food turner with a broad blade used for turning or serving fish or other food that is cooked in a frying pan
fivesA game / game resembling handball
fleapitAn old shabby movie theater
flitA secret move (to avoid paying debts)
fly(British informal) not to be deceived / deceived or hoodwinked
footplateThe platform in the cab of a locomotive on which the engineer stands to operate the controls
free houseA public house that is not controlled by a brewery and so is free to sell different brands of beer and ale
front benchAny of the front seats in the House of Commons that are reserved for ministers or former ministers
frontbencherA member of the House of Commons who is a minister in the government or who holds an official position in an opposition party
fruit machineA coin-operated gambling machine that produces random combinations of symbols (usually pictures of different fruits) on rotating dials
fruitererA person who sells fruit
fug(British informal) an airless smoky smelly atmosphere
fuggy(British informal) poorly ventilated
gammy(British informal) sore or lame
gamp, brollycolloquial terms for an umbrella
gardenThe usual or familiar type
gaudy(Britain) a celebratory reunion feast or entertainment held a college
geninformal term for information
giro, giro chequeA check given by the British government to someone who is unemployed
giro accountAn account at a post office that can be used in similar ways to an account at a bank
glebe houseA parsonage (especially one provided for the holder of a benefice)
go-slowA form of protest by workers in which they deliberately slow down in order to cause problem from their employers
gobA lump of slimy stuff
gobsmackedutterly astounded
green paperA preliminary report of government proposals that is published in order to stimulate / stimulate discussion
greengrocerA grocer who sells fresh fruits and vegetables
greengroceryA greengrocer's grocery store
greengrocerygroceries sold by a greengrocer
groovy, swagger(British informal) very chic
grottyVery unpleasant or offensive
groundnut oilan oil from peanuts
guest nightAn evening when members of a club or college can bring their friends as guests
gun roommilitary quarters of midshipmen and junior officers on a British warship
gutter pressPress that engages in sensational journalism (especially concerning the private lives of public figures)
guvnor(British slang) boss
gymslipA sleeveless tunic worn by English girls as part of a school uniform
hair slideA decorative hinged clip that girls and women put in their hair to hold it in place
half-termA short vacation about halfway through a school term
hall of residenceA university dormitory
hard cheesebad luck
hard shoulderA paved strip beside a motorway (for stopping in emergencies)
hasty puddingsweetened porridge made of tapioca or flour or oatmeal cooked quickly in milk or water
headshipThe position of headmaster or headmistress
heath, heathlandA tract of level wasteland
hectometrea metric unit of length equal to 100 meters
high teaSubstantial early evening meal including tea
highroad, trunk roadA highway
hire-purchase, never-neverinstallment plan
home-farmA farm that supplies the needs of a large estate of establishment
home helpA person hired to help in another's home (especially one employed by a local authority to help the infirm with domestic work)
honours, honours degreeA university / university degree with honors
hornpipeA British solo dance performed by sailors / sailors
hosiery, hosesocks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)
hot pot, hotpotA stew of meat and potatoes cooked in a tightly covered pot
housing estateA residential area where the houses were all planned and built at the same time
human-centredmarked by humanistic values and devotion to human welfare
hypermarketA huge supermarket (usually built on the outskirts of a town)
identity paradea line of persons arranged by police for inspection or identification
inch, inA unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
indentAn order for goods to be exported or imported
inquiry agentA private detective
intern, interne, houseman, medical internAn advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised / supervised practical experience ('houseman' is a British term)
invigilationKeeping watch over examination candidates to prevent cheating
invigilatorsomeone who watches examination candidates to prevent cheating
ironmongeryThe merchandise that is sold in an ironmonger's shop
jiggered(British informal expletive) surprised
jobcentreA government office in a town where information about available jobs is displayed and where unemployment benefits are administered
jollyA happy party
judder, shakeshake or vibrate rapidly and intensively
jumped-up(British informal) upstart
jumpera crocheted / crocheted or knitted garment covering the upper part of the body
justiciar, justiciaryformerly a high judicial officer
kedgereeA dish of rice and hard-boiled eggs and cooked flaked fish
kerb crawlersomeone who drives slowly along the curb seeking sex from prostitutes or other women
kilometrea metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters (or 0.621371 miles)
kilometres per hourthe ratio of the distance traveled (in kilometers) to the time spent traveling (in hours)
kipsleep
knackered, drainedVery tired
knock-on effectA secondary or incidental effect
land agentA person who administers a landed estate
lastA unit of capacity for grain equal to 80 bushels
lemon curd, lemon cheeseA conserve with a thick consistency
lidoA recreational facility including a swimming pool for water sports
lie-inA long stay in bed in the morning
life officelife assurance office
limited company, Ltd., Ld.A company that is organized to give its owners limited liability
linendraperA retail dealer in yard goods
local authorityAn administrative unit of local government
lodgesmall house at the entrance to the grounds of a country mansion
lollipop lady, lollipop womanA woman hired to help children cross a road safely near a school
long-datedOf a gilt-edged security
lucky dipA game / game in which prizes (e.g., candies or coins) are concealed in a container and for a small sum a player can draw one out at random
lucky dipA selection or decision purely at random
ludoA simple board game in which players move counters according to the throw of dice
lumber roomA storeroom in a house where odds and ends can be stored (especially furniture)
macintosh, mackintosh, mac, mackA waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
made-upHaving been paved
majorOf the elder of two boys with the same family name
mankyinferior and worthless
mateinformal term for a friend of the same sex
meat safeA safe for storing meat
medium waveA radio wave with a wavelength between 100 and 1000 meters (a frequency between 300 kilohertz and 3000 kilohertz)
mercerA dealer in textiles (especially silks)
mereA small pond of standing water
metacentre(shipbuilding) the point of intersection between two vertical lines, one line through the center of buoyancy of the hull of a ship in equilibrium and the other line through the center of buoyancy of the hull when the ship is inclined to one side
metrerhythm as given by division into parts of equal duration
metrethe basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
metresticka rule one meter long (usually marked off in centimeters and millimeters)
mewsstreet lined with buildings that were originally / originally private stables but have been remodeled as dwellings
milk floatA van (typically powered by electricity) with an open side that is used to deliver milk to houses
milliardA billion
millimetrea metric unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter
minicabA minicar used as a taxicab
minicarA car that is even smaller than a subcompact car
ministerThe job of a head of a government department
minorOf the younger of two boys with the same family name
minsterAny of certain cathedrals and large churches
moan indefinitely short time
modA British teenager or young adult in the 1960s
mod conmodern convenience
muffin manformerly an itinerant peddler of muffins
myriametrea metric unit of length equal to 10,000 meters
nanYour grandmother
nan, nannathe mother of your father or mother
nanometre, micromillimetrea metric unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter
nark, copper's narkAn informer or spy working for the police
nearsideThe side of a vehicle nearest the kerb
nerve centrea center that provides information and control
new townA planned urban community created in a rural or undeveloped area and designed to be self-sufficient with its own housing and education and commerce and recreation / recreation
newsreader, news readersomeone who reads out broadcast news bulletin
nick(British slang) a prison
niff, pongAn unpleasant smell
niffy(British informal) malodorous
no-go areaAn area that is dangerous or impossible to enter or to which entry is forbidden
noddleAn informal British expression for head / head or mind / mind
non-Unot characteristic of the upper classes especially in language / language use
nosh-upA large satisfying meal
nouscommon sense
office-bearerThe person who holds an office
outfittersomeone who sells men's clothes
outportA subsidiary port built in deeper water than the original port (but usually farther from the center of trade)
overall, boilersuit, boilers suitA loose protective coverall or smock worn over ordinary clothing for dirty work
pale aleAn amber colored ale brewed with pale malts
panda carA police cruiser
pannikinA small pan or cup (usually of tin)
pantechniconA large moving van (especially one used for moving furniture)
pantoAn abbreviation of pantomime
parka, windbreaker, windcheater, anorakA kind of heavy jacket ('windcheater' is a British term)
parkyappreciably or disagreeably cold
parliamentA legislative assembly in certain countries
parliamentary agentA person who is employed to look after the affairs of businesses that are affected by legislation of the British Parliament
paternosterA type of lift having a chain of open compartments that move continually in an endless loop so that (agile) passengers can step on or off at each floor
patrialA person who has the right to be considered legally a British citizen (by virtue of the birth of a parent or grandparent)
pawkyCunning and sly
pease puddingA pudding made with strained split peas mixed with egg
peckishSomewhat hungry
peerA nobleman (duke or marquis or earl or viscount / viscount or baron) who is a member of the British peerage
peer of the realmA peer who is entitled to sit in the House of Lords
pelican crossingAn acronym for pedestrian light control
peppercorn rentVery low or nominal rent
perambulationA walk around a territory (a parish or manor or forest etc.) in order to officially assert and record its boundaries
perch, rod, poleA linear measure of 16.5 feet
picometrea metric unit of length equal to one trillionth of a meter
pillar boxA red pillar-shaped letter box
piss-upVulgar expression for a bout of heavy drinking
pitchA vendor's position (especially on the sidewalk)
placeman, placeseekerA disparaging term for an appointee
plain flourflour that does not contain a raising agent
plaint(United Kingdom) a written statement of the grounds of complaint / complaint made to court of law asking for the grievance to be redressed
playbox, play-boxA box for a child's toys and personal things (especially at a boarding school)
plimsollA light gym shoe with a rubber / rubber sole and a canvas top
plonkA cheap wine of inferior / inferior quality
ploughman's lunchA meal consisting of a sandwich of bread and cheese and a salad
plugholeA hole into which a plug fits (especially a hole where water drains away)
po-facedhumorless and disapproving
point, power pointA wall socket
point dutyThe control of traffic by a policeman stationed at an intersection
pointsmanA policeman stationed at an intersection to direct traffic
polonyAnother name for Bologna sausage
poncea man who is effeminate in his manner and fussy in the way he dresses
pony-trekkingA sport in which people ride across country on ponies
poor ratesA local tax for the relief of the poor
pork butcherA vendor of pork and products made from pork
post-freePostpaid
pot plantA plant suitable for growing in a flowerpot (especially indoors)
potboy, potmanA worker in an inn or public house who serves customers and does various chores
potted(British informal) summarized or abridged
potty(British informal) trivial
poverty trapA situation in which an increase / increase / increase in income results in a loss of benefits so that you are no better off
prangA crash involving a car or plane
preceptor, donteacher at a university or college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford)
privy councilAn advisory council to a ruler (especially to the British Crown)
public house, pub, saloon, pothouse, gin mill, taphousetavern consisting of a building with a bar / bar and public rooms
public schoolprivate independent secondary school in Great Britain supported by endowment and tuition
publican, tavern keeperThe keeper of a public house
pudding, pud(British) the dessert course of a meal ('pud' is used informally)
pull-in, pull-upA roadside cafe especially for lorry drivers
punch-upA fistfight
punnetA small light basket used as a measure for fruits
push-bikeA bicycle that must be pedaled
quadrillionThe number that is represented as a one followed by 24 zeros
quarterA quarter of a hundredweight (28 pounds)
quarter dayA Christian holy day
quarterlightcar window consisting of a small pivoted glass vent in the door of a car
question master, quizmasterThe host or chairman of a radio or tv quiz show or panel game / game
question timeA period during a parliamentary session when members of British Parliament may ask questions of the ministers
race meetingA regular occasion on which a number of horse races are held on the same track
racing circuit, circuitA racetrack for automobile races
ragA boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)
rag, rag weekA week at British universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities / charities
rag dayA day on which university students hold a rag
rankerAn enlisted / enlisted soldier who serves in the ranks of the armed forces
rankerA commissioned officer who has been promoted from enlisted / enlisted status
ratability, rateabilityThe state of being liable to assessment / assessment or taxation
ratable, rateableliable to payment of locally assessed property taxes
ratables, rateablesProperty that provides tax income for local governments
ratepayerA person who pays local rates (especially a householder)
ratesA local tax on property (usually used in the plural)
rave-upA raucous gathering
recorderA barrister or solicitor who serves as part-time judge in towns or boroughs
red-brick, redbrickOf or relating to British universities founded in the late 19th century or the 20th century
redbrick university(British informal) a provincial British university of relatively recent founding
redcapA member of the military police in Britain
refresherA fee (in addition to that marked on the brief) paid to counsel in a case that lasts more than one day
remitthe topic that a person, committee, or piece of research is expected to deal with or has authority to deal with
removersomeone who works for a company that moves furniture
rent-rebateA rebate on rent given by a local government authority
returning officerThe official in each electorate who holds the election and returns the results
ring road, ringwaya highway that encircles an urban area so that traffic does not have to pass through the center
rippingvery good
rock salmonAny of several coarse fishes (such as dogfish or wolffish) when used as food
rockerA teenager or young adult in the 1960s who wore leather jackets and rode motorcycles
roly-poly, roly-poly puddingpudding made of suet pastry spread with jam or fruit and rolled ... / rolled up and baked or steamed
ropey, ropy(British informal) very poor in quality
rotaA roster of names showing the order in which people should perform certain duties
rowing boatA rowboat
royal charterA charter granted by the sovereign (especially in Great Britain)
rub upA review that refreshes your memory
rugby, rugby football, ruggerA form of football played with an oval ball
rusticationtemporary dismissal of a student from a university / university
salad creamA creamy salad dressing resembling mayonnaise
sandboyA young peddler of sand
sandpita plaything consisting of a pile of sand or a box filled with sand for children to play in
sanitary towela disposable absorbent pad (trade name Kotex)
saveloyA ready-cooked and highly seasoned pork sausage
scrimshank(British military language) avoid work
scrimshankerA shirker
scrumpyStrong cider (as made in western England)
scrutineer, canvassersomeone who examines votes at an election
sculleryA small room (in large old British houses) next to the kitchen
secateurssmall pruning shears with a spring that holds the handles open and a single blade that closes against a flat surface
second estate, Lords TemporalThe nobility in France and the peerage in Britain
select committeeA parliamentary committee appointed for some special purpose
self-centredlimited to or caring only about yourself and your own needs
sell-by dateA date stamped on perishable produce indicating the date by which it should be sold
settlerA clerk in a betting shop who calculates the winnings
shadow cabinetA group of senior members of the political party that is out of power
sheepwalk, sheeprunfarm devoted to raising sheep
shireA former administrative district of England
shirty, snorty(British informal) ill-tempered or annoyed
shooting brakeAnother name for a station wagon
shop assistanta salesperson in a store
shopping centremercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops representing leading merchandisers
short-datedOf a gilt-edged security
shoulder flashSomething worn on the shoulder of a military uniform as an emblem of a division / division etc.
shovel board, shove-halfpenny, shove-ha'pennyA game / game in which coins or discs are slid by hand across a board toward a mark
shuftiA quick look around (originally / originally military slang)
sick benefit, sickness benefitmoney paid (by the government) to someone who is too ill to work
signal towera building from which signals are sent to control the movements of railway trains
simnelA fruitcake (sometimes covered with almond paste) eaten at mid-Lent or Easter or Christmas
sixpence, tannerA small coin of the United Kingdom worth six pennies
sixth-formerA student in the sixth form
skid lidA crash helmet
skidpanA paved surface on which cars can be made to skid so that drivers can practice controlling them
skiffleA style of popular music in the 1950s
skiffle groupA band of musicians who play skiffle
skivvy, slaveyA female domestic servant who does all kinds of menial work
slate clubA group of people who save money in a common fund for a specific purpose (usually distributed at Christmas)
slip coach, slip carriageA railway car at the end of the train
slop basin, slop bowlA bowl into which the dregs of teacups and coffee cups are emptied at the table
slopseller, slop-sellerA dealer in cheap ready-made clothing
smallholderA person owning or renting a smallholding
smallholdingA piece of land under 50 acres that is sold or let to someone for cultivation
snogging(British informal) cuddle and kiss
snorterSomething outstandingly difficult
sodan informal British term for a youth or man
speech dayAn annual day in the schools when speeches are made and prizes are distributed
spiffingexcellent or splendid
spinneyA copse that shelters game
spivA person without employment who makes money by various dubious schemes
spotted dickA suet pudding containing currants / currants
spring oniona young / young onion before the bulb has enlarged
sprogA child
sprogA new military recruit
square-bashingDrill on a barracks square
square metrea centare is 1/100th of an are
squireAn English country landowner
stallseating in the forward part of the main level of a theater
starkers(British informal) stark naked
stately homeA mansion that is (or formerly was) occupied by an aristocratic family
stipendiary, stipendiary magistrate(United Kingdom) a paid magistrate (appointed by the Home Secretary) dealing with police cases
stockbroker beltA wealthy residential suburb
stockjobberOne who deals only with brokers or other jobbers
stoneAn avoirdupois unit used to measure the weight of a human body
stone breakersomeone who breaks up stone
storm centrethe central area or place of lowest barometric pressure within a storm
storm centrea center of trouble or disturbance
storm coneA canvas cone hoisted to warn of high winds
strongroomA burglarproof and fireproof room in which valuables are kept
sublieutenantAn officer ranking next below a lieutenant
subtopiamonotonous urban sprawl of standardized buildings
suet puddingA sweet or savory pudding made with suet and steamed or boiled
suffragetteA woman advocate of women's right to vote (especially a militant advocate in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the 20th century)
sundownerA drink taken at sundown
supergrass, grassA police informer who implicates many people
supplementary benefit, social assistance, national assistancebenefits paid to bring incomes up to minimum levels established by law
supremoThe most important person in an organization
surgeryA room where a doctor or dentist can be consulted
surgical spiritmethylated spirit used in the practice of medicine (especially for cleansing the skin before injections or before surgery)
swingeingsevere
swizBritish slang for a swindle
takeout, take-awayOf or involving food to be taken and eaten off the premises
tallymanOne who sells goods on the installment plan
tannoyA loudspeaker
tartA pastry cup with a filling of fruit or custard and no top crust
tea, afternoon tea, teatimeA light midafternoon meal of tea and sandwiches or cakes
teacake, tea biscuitFlat semisweet cookie or biscuit usually served with tea
tearawayA reckless / reckless and impetuous person
teashop, teahouse, tearoom, tea parlor, tea parlourA restaurant where tea and light meals are available
tenpenceA decimal coin worth ten pennies
terraceA row of houses built in a similar style and having common dividing walls (or the street on which they face)
terraced houseA house that is part of a terrace
third estate, CommonsThe common people
threepenceformer cupronickel coin of the United Kingdom equal to three pennies
ticktackSystem of signalling by hand signs used by bookmakers at racetracks
tinpotinferior (especially of a country's leadership)
tipsy cakeA trifle soaked in wine and decorated with almonds and candied fruit
titferA hat (Cockney rhyming slang
todA unit of weight for wool equal to about 28 pounds
todAlone and on your own
toffee-nosedsnobbish
toilet bag, sponge bagA waterproof bag for holding bathrooms items (soap and toothpaste etc.) when you are travelling
tombolaA lottery in which tickets are drawn from a revolving drum
top-flight, top-hole, toppingexcellent
top-upAn amount needed to restore something to its former level
tout, ticket toutsomeone who buys tickets to an event in order to resell them at a profit
town gascoal gas manufactured for domestic and industrial use
towneetownsman unacquainted with country life especially a slick and flashy male city dweller
tradTraditional jazz as revived in the 1950s
training collegeA school providing training for a special field or profession
tram, tramcara wheeled vehicle that runs on rails and is propelled by electricity
treacle, golden syrupA pale cane syrup
trillionOne quintillion in Great Britain
trillion, one million million millionThe number that is represented as a one followed by 18 zeros
tuckeatables (especially sweets / sweets)
tuck boxA box for storing eatables (especially at boarding school)
tuck shopA candy store in Great Britain
u(chiefly British) of or appropriate to the upper classes especially in language / language use
underfeltA carpet pad of thick felt
unratablenot subject to locally assessed property taxes
vacinformal term for vacation
valuersomeone who assesses the monetary worth of possessions
van(Great Britain) a closed railroad car that carries baggage or freight
vegedible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant
vergeA grass border along a road
victualer, victuallerAn innkeeper (especially British)
villadetached or semidetached suburban house
visual display unit, VDU(British) British term for video display
wallyA silly and inept person
washbasin, handbasin, washbowl, lavabo, wash-hand basinA basin for washing the hands ('wash-hand basin' is a British expression)
water-rateRate per quarter for water from a public supply
wealdAn area of open or forested country
whacked(British informal) exhausted or worn out
whacking(British informal) enormous
wheeze(Briticism) a clever or amusing scheme or trick
wherry, Norfolk wherrySailing barge used especially in East Anglia
whip-round(British) solicitation of money usually for a benevolent purpose
whist driveA progressive whist party
whitefishAny market fish--edible saltwater fish or shellfish--except herring
whole wheat flour, graham flour, graham, whole meal flourflour made by grinding the entire wheat berry including the bran
winceyA plain or twilled fabric of wool and cotton used especially for warm shirts or skirts and pajamas
winceyettecotton flannelette with a nap on both sides
wog(offensive British slang) term used by the British to refer to people of color from Africa or Asia
wooden spoonA booby prize consisting of a spoon made of wood
workhouseA poorhouse where able-bodied poor are compelled to labor
works council(chiefly Brit) a council representing employer and employees of a plant or business to discuss working conditions etc
year dotAs long ago as anyone can remember
zebra crossingstreet crossing where pedestrians have right of way
zizzA nap
zizzA buzzing or whizzing / whizzing sound
NarrowerBlightyA slang term for Great Britain used by British troops serving abroad
SpanishGran Bretaña, Reino, Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte, Reino Unido de la Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte, Reino Unido, United Kingdom
CatalanGran Bretanya, Regne Unit de Gran Bretanya i Irlanda del Nord, Regne Unit de la Gran Bretanya i Irlanda del Nord, Regne Unit
AdjectivesBritannicof Britain

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