1. (Zoöl.) Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade Carnivora,
but they live largely on fruit and insects.
The European brown bear the white polar bear (U. maritimus), the grizzly bear the American black bear,
and its variety the cinnamon bear the Syrian bear and the sloth bear, are among the notable species.
2. (Zoöl.) An animal which has some resemblance to a bear in form or habits, but no real affinity; as, the
woolly bear; ant bear; water bear; sea bear.
3. (Astron.) One of two constellations in the northern hemisphere, called respectively the Great Bear
and the Lesser Bear, or Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
4. Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person.
5. (Stock Exchange) A person who sells stocks or securities for future delivery in expectation of a fall
in the market.
The bears and bulls of the Stock Exchange, whose interest it is, the one to depress, and the other to
raise, stocks, are said to be so called in allusion to the bear's habit of pulling down, and the bull's of
tossing up.
6. (Mach.) A portable punching machine.
7. (Naut.) A block covered with coarse matting; — used to scour the deck.
Australian bear. (Zoöl.) See Koala. — Bear baiting, the sport of baiting bears with dogs. — Bear
caterpillar (Zoöl.), the hairy larva of a moth, esp. of the genus Euprepia. — Bear garden. (a) A
place where bears are kept for diversion or fighting. (b) Any place where riotous conduct is common
or permitted. M. Arnold. — Bear leader, one who leads about a performing bear for money; hence, a
facetious term for one who takes charge of a young man on his travels.
Bear
(Bear), v. t. (Stock Exchange) To endeavor to depress the price of, or prices in; as, to bear a
railroad stock; to bear the market.
Bear
(Bear, Bere) n. [AS. bere. See Barley.] (Bot.) Barley; the six-rowed barley or the four-rowed
barley, commonly the former (Hordeum hexastichon or H. vulgare). [Obs. except in North of Eng. and
Scot.]
Bearable
(Bear"a*ble) a. Capable of being borne or endured; tolerable. — Bear"a*bly, adv.
Bearberry
(Bear"ber*ry) n. (Bot.) A trailing plant of the heath family having leaves which are tonic and
astringent, and glossy red berries of which bears are said to be fond.
