English

Proper noun

Bovril ‎(uncountable)

1. A brand of beef extract made in the UK.
   • 1860 William Makepeace Thackeray, The Cornhill Magazine:

     The conversation had turned to pictures, and some of those on the walls were being admired by the guests, most of whom showed by their remarks that they saw little difference between a water colour and an advertisement for Bovril.

   • 2005 Harold Strachan, Make A Skyf, Man!:

     We mix up at the stainless steel kitchen sink under the shelves with all the jars of jam and bottles of Bovril and butter and stuff this infinitesimal minute wee tiny quantity of ammonium nitrate with about a snuff pinch of aluminium powder . . .

Derived terms

• bovrilise, bovrilize

Related terms

• Bos