Bosses

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Boss \Boss\ (b[o^]s; 115), n.; pl. {Bosses} (-[e^]z). [OE. boce,
     bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin;
     cf. OHG. b[=o]zo tuft, bunch, OHG. b[=o]zan, MHG. b[^o]zen,
     to beat. See {Beat}, and cf. {Botch} a swelling.]
     1. Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a
        knoblike process; as, a boss of wood.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different
        material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a
        buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection
        of a shield. See {Umbilicus}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Arch.) A projecting ornament placed at the intersection
        of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in
        other situations.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. b["o]sse.] A wooden vessel for the
        mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the
        laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. --Gwilt.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. (Mech.)
        (a) The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is
            keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another.
        (b) A swage or die used for shaping metals.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     6. A head or reservoir of water. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Bosses
     the projecting parts of a shield (Job 15:26). The Hebrew word
     thus rendered means anything convex or arched, and hence the
     back, as of animals.