Collins English-English Dictionary

boss [bɒs]

1. 1. n [Spoken] a person in charge of or employing others

2. 2. n [chiefly US] a professional politician who controls a party machine or political organization, often using devious or illegal methods

3. 3. vb to employ, supervise, or be in charge of

4. 4. vb [usually foll by around or about] to be domineering or overbearing towards (others)

5. 5. adj [Slang] excellent; fine

   a boss hand at carpentry

   that's boss!

6. 6. adj [Etymology] C19: from Dutch baas master; probably related to Old High German basa aunt, Frisian baes master

boss [bɒs]

1. 1. n a knob, stud, or other circular rounded protuberance, esp an ornamental one on a vault, a ceiling, or a shield

2. 2. n [Biology] any of various protuberances or swellings in plants and animals

3. 3. n an area of increased thickness, usually cylindrical, that strengthens or provides room for a locating device on a shaft, hub of a wheel, etc

4. 4. n a similar projection around a hole in a casting or fabricated component

5. 5. n an exposed rounded mass of igneous or metamorphic rock, esp the uppermost part of an underlying batholith

6. 6. vt. [tr] to ornament with bosses; emboss

7. 7. vt. [Etymology] C13: from Old French boce, from Vulgar Latin bottia (unattested); related to Italian bozza metal knob, swelling

boss [bɒs]

1. 1. n a calf or cow

2. 2. n [Etymology] C19: from dialect buss calf, perhaps ultimately from Latin bos cow, ox