Bullets


a small metal projectile, part of a cartridge, for firing from small arms.
a cartridge.
a small ball.
Printing. a heavy dot for marking paragraphs or otherwise calling attention to or itemizing particular sections of text, especially in display advertising.
Cards. an ace.
to move swiftly.
bite the bullet, to force oneself to perform a painful, difficult task or to endure an unpleasant situation:
We’ll just have to bite the bullet and pay higher taxes.
Contemporary Examples

Ty Carter Awarded Medal of Honor David Eisler, Jake Tapper August 30, 2013
Leave Iran to the Iranians Leslie H. Gelb June 20, 2009
‘The Finish’: Mark Bowden on the Hunt for Osama bin Laden Doug Stanton October 14, 2012
Ty Carter Awarded Medal of Honor David Eisler, Jake Tapper August 30, 2013
I Heard About the Latest Crazed Shooter While I Watched the World Cup with Guys He Almost Killed Daniel Genis June 30, 2014

Historical Examples

The First Capture Harry Castlemon
Way of the Lawless Max Brand
The Orphan Clarence E. Mulford
In the Midst of Alarms Robert Barr
Washed Ashore W.H.G. Kingston

noun

a small metallic missile enclosed in a cartridge, used as the projectile of a gun, rifle, etc
the entire cartridge

something resembling a bullet, esp in shape or effect
(stock exchange) a fixed interest security with a single maturity date
(commerce) a security that offers a fixed interest and matures on a fixed date
(commerce)

the final repayment of a loan that repays the whole of the sum borrowed, as interim payments have been for interest only
(as modifier): a bullet loan

(Brit, slang) dismissal, sometimes without notice (esp in the phrases get or give the bullet)
(printing) See centred dot
bite the bullet, See bite (sense 14)
n.

Beans
Peas, esp chickpeas and cowpeas (1900s+ Prison & Navy)

An ace (1807+ Card games)
Money; dollars (1900+ Underworld)
A rivet (WWII aircraft workers)
Anything thrown or hit so as to travel very fast, esp a baseball: He’s throwing bullets out there (1940s+)
A record rising very fast on the popularity charts (1970s+ Recording industry)
A one-year prison sentence; boffo (1990s+ Police)

see:

bite the bullet
sweat bullets

Read Also:

  • Bulletwood

    noun the wood of a tropical American sapotaceous tree, Manilkara bidentata, widely used for construction due to its durability and toughness

  • Bullfest

    bullfest

  • Bullhead-rail

    noun (railways) a rail having a cross section with a bulbous top and bottom, the top being larger Now largely superseded by flat-bottomed rail

  • Bullhockey

    bullhockey

  • Bullied

    a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people. Archaic. a man hired to do violence. Obsolete. a pimp; procurer. Obsolete. good friend; good fellow. Obsolete. sweetheart; darling. to act the bully toward; intimidate; domineer. to be loudly arrogant and overbearing. Informal. fine; excellent; very good. dashing; jovial; high-spirited. Informal. […]


Disclaimer: Bullets definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.