basher
nounMetalworking
One who bashes something, figuratively or literally.
Entries starting with B
623 entries.
basic ignition timing
nounAutomotive
The position of the crankshaft in relation to the top dead center when the piston is located at the top of the compression stroke.
basic process
nameMetalworking
A Bessemer process or open-hearth steel-making process in which a lining that is basic, or not siliceous, is used, and additions of basic material are made to the molten charge during treatment.
basis
The difference between the cash price a dealer pays to a farmer for his produce and an agreed reference price, which is usually the futures price at which the given crop is trading at a commodity exchange.
basseting
The upward direction of a vein in a mine.
bastard
adjectiveIndustrial printing
Abbreviated, as the half title in a page preceding the full title page of a book.
bastard type
A type having the face of a larger or smaller size than the body.
baste up
To prepare or treat a fabric by basting (to sew with long or loose stitches).
basting
nounManufacturing
The use of long or loose stitches; the act by which something is basted.
batch up
verbManufacturing
To line up multiple tasks to be executed at once in order to improve efficiency.
batching plant
Usually a set of equipment assembled for the purpose of mixing concrete from raw materials, typically sand or gravel, cement, and water, but some are used for asphalt.
batsman
An officer who used a pair of hand-held bats to signal to aircraft as they came in to land on the flight deck.
batten
nounCarpentry
A plank or strip of wood, or several of such strips arranged side by side, used in construction to hold members of a structure together, to provide a fixing point, to strengthen, or to prevent warping.
battening
nounConstruction
Synonym of batten (“strip of wood used to hold things together or provide a fixing point”).
batter
verbMetalworking
To flatten (metal) by hammering, so as to compress it inwardly and spread it outwardly.
batter rule
nounConstruction
An instrument consisting of a (normally wooden) rule or frame, and a plumb line, by which the batter (slope) of a wall is regulated.
battery
A device used to power electric devices, consisting of one or more electrically connected electrochemical cells or (archaically) electrostatic cells.
battery cage
A small cage in which a hen is kept to lay eggs.
battery cell
A unit that chemically stores energy, consisting of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte.
battery charger
A device that stores energy in a battery by running an electric current through it.
battery electric multiple unit
An electrically driven multiple unit or railcar whose energy is derived from rechargeable batteries driving the traction motors.
battery pack
A set of batteries or battery cells connected together to deliver a certain voltage, capacity, or power density, often with an integrated battery management system.
battery-backed
adjectiveIndustrial electronics
Of a device, using a battery to maintain operation when not powered by the main electrical supply (e.g. during a blackout).
batting
Cotton, wool, silk or synthetic material used to stuff the inside of a mattress, quilt etc.
battle
adjectiveAgricultural equipment
Of grass or pasture: nutritious to cattle or sheep; fattening, nourishing.
baud
A unit of data transmission symbol rate; the number of signalling events per second.
bay platform
nounRail equipment
A platform that can be accessed by trains from only one end; a dead-end platform.
BBC
Initialism of bumper to back of cab.
BBS
Initialism of bulletin board system or bulletin board service.
BBW
nounAutomotive
Initialism of brake-by-wire.
BCD
Initialism of binary-coded decimal.
BCM
nounConstruction
Initialism of bank cubic meter, a measure of the original volume of excavated material as it was in the ground, prior to removal.
beaconing
A continuous signaling of error conditions on a LAN, or small packets on a wireless LAN (WLAN).
bead
nounWoodworking
A decorative, convex, rounded profile (often a half-circle) cut into an edge or surface of wood, typically defined by a narrow, deep channel called a quirk.
bead breaker
A tool or device used to separate the bead from a tire rim.
beam
In steam engines, a heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft.
beamsplitting
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Describes the optics of a beam splitter
beamwork
A tin working where the lode was followed by digging down from the surface.
bean shot
nounMetallurgy
Refined copper that has been cast into small, pelletlike drops by pouring molten copper into water.
bean stitch
A large, thick running stitch produced by stitching several times at the same point.
bean-shot copper
nounMetallurgy
Copper that has been melted and poured into cold water.
beanie
nounManufacturing
A cap that fits the head closely, usually knitted from wool.
bear
A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.
beard
That part of a type which is between the shoulder of the shank and the face.
bearded
Ellipsis of bearded iris.
bearded iris
Any species or cultivar of the bearded rhizomatous irises of the section Iris subg. Iris sect. Iris, especially Iris × germanica.
bearer
A type or type-high piece of metal interspersed in blank parts to support the plate when it is shaved.
bearing
A mechanical device that supports another part or reduces friction.
beartrap
nounAutomotive
A radar trap used by police to catch speeders.
beat
To sail to windward using a series of alternate tacks across the wind.
beat up
A tree planted later than others in a plantation.
beater
A weaving tool designed to push the weft yarn securely into place. It contains the comb-like insert reed and is sometimes a part of the loom.
becket
A loop of thread, typically braided, attached at each end to a jacket. Used to pass through the brooch bar of medals to affix them to the jacket without damaging it.
bed
nounManufacturing
A horizontal layer or surface.
bed of nails
A device for testing a chip, consisting of an array of spring-loaded pins.
bedding
The temporary planting of fast-growing plants into flower beds to create colourful, temporary, seasonal displays, during spring, summer or winter.
bedrock
The solid rock found at some depth below the ground surface.
bedside
nounAutomotive
Any of the side panels of the bed of a truck.
bee
Any of the pieces of hard wood bolted to the sides of the bowsprit, to reeve the fore-topmast stays through.
bee vacuum
A suction device somewhat like a vacuum cleaner, used to capture swarms of bees.