bulliest

as inunmarred
as ingood

Word Origin & History

1530s, originally "sweetheart," applied to either sex, from Dutch boel "lover; brother," probably a diminutive of Middle Dutch broeder "brother" (cf. Middle High German buole "brother," source of German Buhle "lover;" see brother (n.)).

Meaning deteriorated 17c. through "fine fellow" and "blusterer" to "harasser of the weak" (1680s, from bully-ruffian, 1650s). Perhaps this was by influence of bull (n.1), but a connecting sense between "lover" and "ruffian" may be in "protector of a prostitute," which was one sense of bully (though not specifically attested until 1706). The expression meaning "worthy, jolly, admirable" (especially in 1864 U.S. slang bully for you!) is first attested 1680s, and preserves an earlier, positive sense of the word.

Example Sentences for bulliest

"I'll give you the bulliest shine you ever had," said the ragamuffin.

His nerve all through was the bulliest thing you ever saw, Uncle Bill.

And the one in this book was the bulliest fighter of the lot.

"Annie's the bulliest maid we ever had," Bobby had returned appreciatively.

It is for meabout the bulliest fun I ever had in my life, said young Kent.

"This is the bulliest game I ever seen" was his ecstatic remark.

It was the bulliest sort of a game, and a pleasant afternoon, too, but one passenger was no more than mildly interested.

But I'm going to introduce to you the midshipman who knocked the mast out of the yacht, the bulliest shot I've ever seen.

“I know a place in town where they sell the bulliest sodas and sundaes,” cried Jimsy suddenly.

He'd sit on the side porch with his pipe and Bismarck—he was an old collie—and he did tell the bulliest yarns.

bulliest

Synonyms for bulliest