Dictionary
bub•ble
Pronunciation: (bub'ul), [key]
—n., v., -bled, -bling.
—
n.
1. a nearly spherical body of gas contained in a liquid.
2. a small globule of gas in a thin liquid envelope.
3. a globule of air or gas, or a globular vacuum, contained in a solid.
4. anything that lacks firmness, substance, or permanence; an illusion or delusion.
5. an inflated speculation, esp. if fraudulent:
The real-estate bubble ruined many investors.
6. the act or sound of bubbling.
7. a spherical or nearly spherical canopy or shelter; dome:
The bombing plane bristled with machine-gun bubbles. A network of radar bubbles stretches across northern Canada.
8. a domelike structure, usually of inflated plastic, used to enclose a swimming pool, tennis court, etc.
9. Informal.a protected, exempt, or unique area, industry, etc.:
The oasis is a bubble of green in the middle of the desert.
10. an area that can be defended, protected, patrolled, etc., or that comes under one's jurisdiction:
The carrier fleet's bubble includes the Hawaiian Islands.
11. a sudden, small, temporary change or divergence from a trend:
In May there was a bubble in car sales, with three percent more being sold than last year.
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v.i.
1. to form, produce, or release bubbles; effervesce.
2. to flow or spout with a gurgling noise; gurgle.
3. to boil:
The tea bubbled in the pot.
4. to speak, move, issue forth, or exist in a lively, sparkling manner; exude cheer:
The play bubbled with songs and dances.
5. to seethe or stir, as with excitement:
His mind bubbles with plans and schemes.
—
v.t.
1. to cause to bubble; make bubbles in.
2. Archaic.to cheat; deceive; swindle.
3. bubble over, to become lively:
The last time I saw her she was bubbling over with enthusiasm. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
