Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Boss
Boss
(bŏs; 115)
, Noun.
pl.
Bosses
(-ĕz)
. 1.
Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a knoblike process;
as, a
. boss
of wood2.
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. 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.
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
(bŏs)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Bossed
(bŏst)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Bossing
.] [OE.
bocen
, fr. OF. bocier
. See the preceding word.] To ornament with bosses; to stud.
Boss
,Noun.
[D.
baas
master.] A master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a political dictator.
[Slang, U. S.]