from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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]