Bear baiting

Bear Bear (b[^a]r), n. [OE. bere, AS. bera; akin to D. beer, OHG. bero, pero, G. b["a]r, Icel. & Sw. bj["o]rn, and possibly to L. fera wild beast, Gr. fh`r beast, Skr. bhalla bear.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of the genus {Ursus}, and of the closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade {Carnivora}, but they live largely on fruit and insects. [1913 Webster]

Note: The European brown bear ({Ursus arctos}), the white polar bear ({Ursus maritimus}), the grizzly bear ({Ursus horribilis}), the American black bear, and its variety the cinnamon bear ({Ursus Americanus}), the Syrian bear ({Ursus Syriacus}), and the sloth bear, are among the notable species. [1913 Webster]

2. (Zo["o]l.) 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. [1913 Webster]

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}. [1913 Webster]

4. Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person. [1913 Webster]

5. (Stock Exchange) A person who sells stocks or securities for future delivery in expectation of a fall in the market. [1913 Webster]

Note: 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. [1913 Webster]

6. (Mach.) A portable punching machine. [1913 Webster]

7. (Naut.) A block covered with coarse matting; -- used to scour the deck. [1913 Webster]

{Australian bear}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Koala}.

{Bear baiting}, the sport of baiting bears with dogs.

{Bear caterpillar} (Zo["o]l.), 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. [1913 Webster]