bullet

[bool-it]

noun

1. a small metal projectile, part of a cartridge, for firing from small arms.

2. a cartridge.

3. a small ball.

4. Printing.,  a heavy dot for marking paragraphs or otherwise calling attention to or itemizing particular sections of text, especially in display advertising.

5. Cards.,  an ace.

verb (used without object)

bulleted, bulleting 

1. to move swiftly.

bullet

/ ˈbʊlɪt /

noun

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

   2. the entire cartridge

2. something resembling a bullet, esp in shape or effect

3. stock exchange a fixed interest security with a single maturity date

4. commerce a security that offers a fixed interest and matures on a fixed date

5. commerce

   1. the final repayment of a loan that repays the whole of the sum borrowed, as interim payments have been for interest only

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bullet loan

6. slang,  dismissal, sometimes without notice (esp in the phrases get or give the bullet )

7. printing See centred dot

8. See bite

Other Word Forms

• bullet-like adjective
• bulletless adjective
• bulletlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullet¹

1550–60; < Middle French boullette, equivalent to boulle ball ( bowl ² ) + -ette -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullet¹

C16: from French boulette , diminutive of boule ball; see _bowl ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

see bite the bullet; sweat bullets.

Example Sentences

Her bullet missed, thanks to the quick reflexes of a former Marine standing next to her.

From Los Angeles Times

Friends of the Jahn’s told the independent journalist Ken Klippenstein that they did not believe the inscription on the bullet could be sincere given what they know about him.

From Salon

According to news agencies, police fired bullets and tear gas which injured dozens of protesters.

From BBC

The violence is large, state-like and looming, and when it bears down on an individual, it’s as impersonal as a bullet.

From Los Angeles Times

After 23 months of war, it now lies in ruins, pockmarked by craters, with burned-out wards and bullet holes.

From BBC

Related Words

• ammunition 
• ball 
• cartridge 
• pellet 
• projectile 
• rocket 
• round 
• shot 
• slug