n.; pl. Bosses [ OE. boce, bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin; cf. OHG. bōzo tuft, bunch, OHG. bōzan, MHG. bôzen, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Arch.) A projecting ornament placed at the intersection of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in other situations. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. [ Cf. D. bus box, Dan. bösse. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A head or reservoir of water. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bossed p. pr. & vb. n. Bossing. ] [ OE. bocen, fr. OF. bocier. See the preceding word. ] To ornament with bosses; to stud. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ D. baas master. ] A master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a political dictator. [ Slang, U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. bossage, fr. bosse. See Boss a stud. ] 1. (Arch.) A stone in a building, left rough and projecting, to be afterward carved into shape. Gwilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) Rustic work, consisting of stones which seem to advance beyond the level of the building, by reason of indentures or channels left in the joinings. Gwilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Embossed; also, bossy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Boss a stud. ] (Zool.) A rudimental antler of a young male of the red deer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The rule or practices of bosses, esp. political bosses. [ Slang, U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Ornamented with bosses; studded. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Dim. fr. Prov. E. boss in boss-calf, buss-calf, for boose-calf, prop., a calf kept in the stall. See 1st Boose. ] A cow or calf; -- familiarly so called. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To separate from the bosom. [ R. ] Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Embossed p. pr. & vb. n. Embossing. ] [ Pref. em- (L. in) + boss: cf. OF. embosser to swell in bunches. ] 1. To raise the surface of into bosses or protuberances; particularly, to ornament with raised work. [ 1913 Webster ]

Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To raise in relief from a surface, as an ornament, a head on a coin, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then o'er the lofty gate his art embossed
Androgeo's death. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Exhibiting flowers in their natural color embossed upon a purple ground. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Etymology uncertain. ] To make to foam at the mouth, like a hunted animal. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. Pr. & Sp. emboscar, It. imboscare, F. embusquer, and E. imbosk. ] 1. To hide or conceal in a thicket; to imbosk; to inclose, shelter, or shroud in a wood. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In the Arabian woods embossed. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To surround; to ensheath; to immerse; to beset. [ 1913 Webster ]

A knight her met in mighty arms embossed. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To seek the bushy forest; to hide in the woods. [ Obs. ] S. Butler. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Formed or covered with bosses or raised figures. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having a part projecting like the boss of a shield. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Swollen; protuberant. [ Obs. ] “An embossed carbuncle.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who embosses. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of forming bosses or raised figures, or the state of being so formed. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A bosslike prominence; figure in relief; raised work; jut; protuberance; esp., a combination of raised surfaces having a decorative effect. “The embossment of the figure.” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. See Emboss. [ 1913 Webster ]