Bear
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern Hemisphere and partially in the Southern Hemisphere. Bears are found on the continents of North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Common characteristics of modern bears include large bodies with stocky legs, long snouts, small rounded ears, shaggy hair, plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws, and short tails.
While the polar bear is mostly carnivorous, and the giant panda feeds almost entirely on bamboo, the remaining six species are omnivorous with varied diets. With the exception of courting individuals and mothers with their young, bears are typically solitary animals. They may be diurnal or nocturnal and have an excellent sense of smell. Despite their heavy build and awkward gait, they are adept runners, climbers, and swimmers. Bears use shelters, such as caves and logs, as their dens; most species occupy their dens during the winter for a long period of hibernation, up to 100 days.
Bears have been hunted since prehistoric times for their meat and fur; they have been used for bear-baiting and other forms of entertainment, such as being made to dance. With their powerful physical presence, they play a prominent role in the arts, mythology, and other cultural aspects of various human societies. In modern times, bears have come under pressure through encroachment on their habitats and illegal trade in bear parts, including the Asian bile bear market. The IUCN lists six bear species as vulnerable or endangered, and even least concern species, such as the brown bear, are at risk of extirpation in certain countries. The poaching and international trade of these most threatened populations are prohibited, but still ongoing.
Bear (noun)
A large omnivorous mammal, related to the dog and raccoon, having shaggy hair, a very small tail, and flat feet; a member of family Ursidae.
Bear (noun)
A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person. 1579
Bear (noun)
An investor who sells commodities, securities{{,}} or futures in anticipation of a fall in prices. 1744
Bear (noun)
A state policeman short for smokey bear. 1970s
Bear (noun)
A large, hairy man, especially one who is homosexual. 1990
Bear (noun)
A portable punching machine.
Bear (noun)
A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.
Bear (noun)
The fifteenth Lenormand card.
Bear (noun)
Something difficult or tiresome; a burden or chore.
“That window can be a bear to open.”
Bear (verb)
To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in.
“to bear a railroad stock”
“to bear the market”
Bear (verb)
To support or sustain; to hold up.
“This stone bears most of the weight.”
Bear (verb)
To carry something.
Bear (verb)
To be equipped with (something).
“the right to bear arms”
Bear (verb)
To wear or display.
“The shield bore a red cross.”
Bear (verb)
To declare as testimony.
“The jury could see he was bearing false witness.”
Bear (verb)
To put up with something.
“I would never move to Texas—I can’t bear heat.”
“Please bear with me as I try to find the book you need.”
Bear (verb)
To give birth to someone or something may take the father of the direct object as an indirect object.
“In Troy she becomes Paris’ wife, bearing him several children, all of whom die in infancy.”
Bear (verb)
To produce or yield something, such as fruit or crops.
Bear (verb)
To be, or head, in a specific direction or azimuth (from somewhere).
“The harbour bears north by northeast.”
“By my readings, we’re bearing due south, so we should turn about ten degrees east.”
“Great Falls bears north of Bozeman.”
“We are bearing toward the north side of the island.”
Bear (verb)
To veer slightly in one direction (left or right, usually at a fork in the road)
Bear (verb)
To suffer, as in carrying a burden.
Bear (verb)
To endure with patience; to be patient.
Bear (verb)
To press.
Bear (verb)
Of a weapon, to be aimed at an enemy or other target.
Bear (verb)
To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect.
Bear (verb)
To conduct; to bring (a person).
Bear (verb)
To possess and use (power, etc.); to exercise.
Bear (verb)
To possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind; to entertain; to harbour.
Bear (verb)
To gain or win.
Bear (verb)
To sustain, or be answerable for (blame, expense, responsibility, etc.).
Bear (verb)
To carry on, or maintain; to have.
Bear (verb)
To admit or be capable of (a meaning); to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
Bear (verb)
To behave or conduct (oneself).
Bear (verb)
To afford; to be (something) to; to supply with.
Bear (adjective)
Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.
“The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.”
Dear (adjective)
High in price; expensive.
“The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed.”
Dear (adjective)
Loved; lovable.
Dear (adjective)
Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
“Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow.”
Dear (adjective)
Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
“The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!”
Dear (adjective)
A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
“Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays:nb….”
Dear (adjective)
A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
“My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!”
Dear (adjective)
An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior.
“My dear boy, if your grades don’t pick up I won’t bounce you on but over my knee!”
Dear (adjective)
Noble.
Dear (adjective)
Severe, or severely affected; sore.
Dear (adjective)
Fierce.
“The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear.”
Dear (noun)
A very kind, loving person.
“My cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures.”
Dear (noun)
A beloved person
Dear (verb)
To endear.
Dear (adverb)
dearly; at a high price
Dear (adjective)
regarded with deep affection
“he is very dear to me”
“a dear friend”
Dear (adjective)
used in speech as a polite or affectionate form of address
“Martin, my dear fellow”
Dear (adjective)
used in the polite form of address at the start of a letter.
Dear (adjective)
endearing; sweet
“a dear little puppy”
Dear (adjective)
expensive
“five pounds—that’s a bit dear!”
Dear (noun)
used as an affectionate or friendly form of address
“don’t you worry, dear”
Dear (noun)
a sweet or endearing person
“Harry’s a dear”
Dear (adverb)
at a high cost
“they buy property cheaply and sell dear”
Dear (interjection)
used in expressions of surprise, dismay, or sympathy
“oh dear, I’ve upset you”
Bear Illustrations
