bullet

[ bool-it ]

noun

1. a small metal projectile, part of a cartridge, for firing from small arms.
2. a cartridge.
3. a small ball.
4. Printing. a heavy dot for marking paragraphs or otherwise calling attention to or itemizing particular sections of text, especially in display advertising.
5. Cards. an ace.

verb (used without object)

, bul·let·ed, bul·let·ing.

1. to move swiftly.

bullet

/ ˈbʊlɪt /

noun

1. 1. a small metallic missile enclosed in a cartridge, used as the projectile of a gun, rifle, etc
   2. the entire cartridge
2. something resembling a bullet, esp in shape or effect
3. stock exchange a fixed interest security with a single maturity date
4. commerce a security that offers a fixed interest and matures on a fixed date
5. commerce
   1. the final repayment of a loan that repays the whole of the sum borrowed, as interim payments have been for interest only
   2. ( as modifier )

      a bullet loan

6. slang.
   dismissal, sometimes without notice (esp in the phrases get or give the bullet )
7. printing See centred dot
8. bite the bullet
   See bite

Derived Forms

• ˈbullet-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• bullet·less adjective
• bullet·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullet¹

1550–60; < Middle French boullette, equivalent to boulle ball ( bowl ² ) + -ette -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullet¹

C16: from French boulette , diminutive of boule ball; see bowl ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. bite the bullet, to force oneself to perform a painful, difficult task or to endure an unpleasant situation:

   We'll just have to bite the bullet and pay higher taxes.

More idioms and phrases containing bullet

see bite the bullet ; sweat bullets .

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, a belief that home hardening is a silver bullet could incentivize cities and residents to keep building in dangerous, wildfire-prone regions.

From Los Angeles Times

What I would remind immigrant activists is that the Latino backlash against Proposition 187 was never the silver bullet against xenophobia that too many people made it out to be — and it was frankly hijacked by Democrats.

From Los Angeles Times

Unverified video of the incident shared on social media appeared to show several bullet holes on the inside of the aircraft, where the crew sit during take-off and landing.

From BBC

Not everyone, however, is confident that AI is a silver bullet for the troubled moderation sector.

From BBC

The most recent was in August, when a bullet grazed his back while he was with his partner, who was also injured.

From BBC

Related Words

• ammunition
• ball
• cartridge
• pellet
• projectile
• rocket
• round
• shot
• slug