- To bear down upon
- Bear Bear (b[^a]r), v. i.
1. To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in opposition to
barrenness.
[1913 Webster]
This age to blossom, and the next to bear. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
2. To suffer, as in carrying a burden. [1913 Webster]
But man is born to bear. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
3. To endure with patience; to be patient. [1913 Webster]
I can not, can not bear. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
4. To press; -- with on or upon, or against. [1913 Webster]
These men bear hard on the suspected party. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
5. To take effect; to have influence or force; as, to bring matters to bear. [1913 Webster]
6. To relate or refer; -- with on or upon; as, how does this bear on the question? [1913 Webster]
7. To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect. [1913 Webster]
Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform. --Hawthorne. [1913 Webster]
8. To be situated, as to the point of compass, with respect to something else; as, the land bears N. by E. [1913 Webster]
{To bear against}, to approach for attack or seizure; as, a lion bears against his prey. [Obs.]
{To bear away} (Naut.), to change the course of a ship, and make her run before the wind.
{To bear back}, to retreat. ``Bearing back from the blows of their sable antagonist.'' --Sir W. Scott.
{To bear down upon} (Naut.), to approach from the windward side; as, the fleet bore down upon the enemy.
{To bear in with} (Naut.), to run or tend toward; as, a ship bears in with the land.
{To bear off} (Naut.), to steer away, as from land.
{To bear up}. (a) To be supported; to have fortitude; to be firm; not to sink; as, to bear up under afflictions. (b) (Naut.) To put the helm up (or to windward) and so put the ship before the wind; to bear away. --Hamersly.
{To bear upon} (Mil.), to be pointed or situated so as to affect; to be pointed directly against, or so as to hit (the object); as, to bring or plant guns so as to bear upon a fort or a ship; the artillery bore upon the center.
{To bear up to}, to tend or move toward; as, to bear up to one another.
{To bear with}, to endure; to be indulgent to; to forbear to resent, oppose, or punish. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.