Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Boss?

\Boss\ (b[o^]s; 115), n.; pl. {Bosses} (-[e^]z). [OE. boce, bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin; cf. OHG. b[=o]zo tuft, bunch, OHG. b[=o]zan, MHG. b[^o]zen, to beat. See {Beat}, and cf. {Botch} a swelling.] 1. Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a knoblike process; as, a boss of wood. 2. A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection of a shield. See {Umbilicus}. 3. (Arch.) A projecting ornament placed at the intersection of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in other situations. 4. [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. b["o]sse.] A wooden vessel for the mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. --Gwilt. 5. (Mech.) (a) The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another. (b) A swage or die used for shaping metals. 6. A head or reservoir of water. [Obs.]
\Boss\ (b[o^]s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bossed} (b[o^]st); p. pr. & vb. n. {Bossing}.] [OE. bocen, fr. OF. bocier. See the preceding word.] To ornament with bosses; to stud.
\Boss\, n. [D. baas master.] A master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a political dictator. [Slang, U. S.]