Chapter Bipartition to Birth of B by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Bipyramidal
(Bi`py*ram"i*dal) a. [Pref. bi- + pyramidal.] Consisting of two pyramids placed base to base; having a pyramid at each of the extremities of a prism, as in quartz crystals.

Biquadrate
(Bi*quad"rate) n. [Pref. bi- + quadrate.] (Math.) The fourth power, or the square of the square. Thus 4x4=16, the square of 4, and 16x16=256, the biquadrate of 4.

Biquadratic
(Bi`quad*rat"ic) a. [Pref. bi- + quadratic: cf. F. biquadratique.] (Math.) Of or pertaining to the biquadrate, or fourth power.

Biquadratic equation (Alg.), an equation of the fourth degree, or an equation in some term of which the unknown quantity is raised to the fourth power. — Biquadratic root of a number, the square root of the square root of that number. Thus the square root of 81 is 9, and the square root of 9 is 3, which is the biquadratic root of 81. Hutton.

Biquadratic
(Bi`quad*rat"ic), n. (Math.) (a) A biquadrate. (b) A biquadratic equation.

Biquintile
(Bi*quin"tile) n. [Pref. bi- + quintile: cf. F. biquintile.] (Astron.) An aspect of the planets when they are distant from each other by twice the fifth part of a great circle — that is, twice 72 degrees.

Biradiate
(Bi*ra"di*ate Bi*ra"di*a`ted) a. [Pref. bi- + radiate.] Having two rays; as, a biradiate fin.

Biramous
(Bi*ra"mous) a. [Pref. bi- + ramous.] (Biol.) Having, or consisting of, two branches.

Birch
(Birch) n.; pl. Birches [OE. birche, birk, AS. birce, beorc; akin to Icel. björk, Sw. björk, Dan. birk, D. berk, OHG. piricha, MHG. birche, birke, G. birke, Russ. bereza, Pol. brzoza, Serv. breza, Skr. bhurja. &radic254. Cf. 1st Birk.]

1. A tree of several species, constituting the genus Betula; as, the white or common birch (B. alba) (also called silver birch and lady birch); the dwarf birch (B. glandulosa); the paper or canoe birch (B. papyracea); the yellow birch (B. lutea); the black or cherry birch

2. The wood or timber of the birch.

3. A birch twig or birch twigs, used for flogging.

The twigs of the common European birch being tough and slender, were formerly much used for rods in schools. They were also made into brooms.

The threatening twigs of birch.
Shak.

4. A birch-bark canoe.

Birch of Jamaica, a species (Bursera gummifera) of turpentine tree. — Birch partridge. (Zoöl.) See Ruffed grouse. — Birch wine, wine made of the spring sap of the birch. — Oil of birch. (a) An oil obtained from the bark of the common European birch (Betula alba), and used in the preparation of genuine (and sometimes of the imitation) Russia leather, to which it gives its peculiar odor. (b) An oil prepared from the black birch (B. lenta), said to be identical with the oil of wintergreen, for which it is largely sold.

Birch
(Birch), a. Of or pertaining to the birch; birchen.

Birch
(Birch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Birched (bercht); p. pr. & vb. n. Birching.] To whip with a birch rod or twig; to flog.