4 entries under this word
n. [Perhaps from bull, the pope's letter, in which he threatened and blustered, or corrupted from burly, boisterous. Cf. O. Eng. bully, to boil.] A noisy, blustering fellow, more insolent than courageous; a quarrelsome person. The blustering bully, in our neighboring streets, Scorns to attack the female whom he meets. Prior.
a. Jovial; merry. [Low.] “Bless thee, bully doctor.” Shak.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. BULLIED; p. pr. & vb. n. BULLYING.] To insult with noise and blustering menaces; to act the part of a bully toward.
For the last fortnight there have been prodigious shoals of volunteers gone over to bully the French, upon hearing the peace was just signing. Tatler.
Synonyms—To bluster; swagger; vapor; crow; hector; domineer.
To be noisy and quarrelsome. Johnson.