Part 1226

<hw>Blun"der*buss</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Either fr. <ets>blunder</ets> + D. <ets>bus</ets> tube, box, akin to G. <ets>b\'81chse</ets> box, gun, E. <ets>box</ets>; or corrupted fr. D. <ets>donderbus</ets> (literally) thunder box, gun, musket.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A short gun or firearm, with a large bore, capable of holding a number of balls, and intended to do execution without exact aim.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A stupid, blundering fellow.</def>

<h1>Blunderer</h1> <Xpage=159>

<hw>Blun"der*er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who is apt to blunder.</def>

<h1>Blunderhead</h1> <Xpage=159>

<hw>Blun"der*head`</hw> <tt>(<?/)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <mark>[Blunder + head.]</mark> <def>A stupid, blundering fellow.</def>

<h1>Blundering</h1> <Xpage=159>

<hw>Blun"der*ing</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Characterized by blunders.</def>

<h1>Blunderingly</h1> <Xpage=159>

<hw>Blun"der*ing*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a blundering manner.</def>

<h1>Blunge</h1> <Xpage=159>

<hw>Blunge</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <def>To amalgamate and blend; to beat up or mix in water, as clay.</def>

<h1>Blunger</h1> <Xpage=159>

<hw>Blun"ger</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Corrupted from <ets>plunger</ets>.]</ety> <def>A wooden blade with a cross handle, used for mi<?/ing the clay in potteries; a plunger.</def>

<i>Tomlinson.</i>

<h1>Blunging</h1> <Xpage=159>

<hw>Blun"ging</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The process of mixing clay in potteries with a blunger.</def>

<i>Tomlinson.</i>

<h1>Blunt</h1> <Xpage=159>

<hw>Blunt</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. Prov. G. <ets>bludde</ets> a dull or blunt knife, Dan. <ets>blunde</ets> to sleep, Sw. & Icel. <ets>blunda</ets>; or perh. akin to E. <ets>blind</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Having a thick edge or point, as an instrument; dull; not sharp.</def>

<blockquote>The murderous knife was dull and <b>blunt</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Dull in understanding; slow of discernment; stupid; -- opposed to <i>acute</i>.</def>

<blockquote>His wits are not so <b>blunt</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Abrupt in address; plain; unceremonious; wanting the forms of civility; rough in manners or speech.</def> "Hiding his bitter jests in <i>blunt</i> behavior." "A plain, <i>blunt</i> man."

<i>Shak.</i>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Hard to impress or penetrate.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<blockquote>I find my heart hardened and <b>blunt</b> to new impressions. <i>Pope.</i></blockquote>

<note>&hand; <i>Blunt</i> is much used in composition, as <i>blunt-</i>edged, <i>blunt-</i>sighted, <i>blunt-</i>spoken.</note>