bulldoze English · revision 2100

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbʊldəʊz/ ''(UK)''; /ˈbʊldoʊz/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(Barnhart 1995)^(RHWU) It is usually explained as [[bull]] and an altered form of [[dose]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) from ''bulldose'' “a severe beating” (1876), a dose fit for a bull.^(Etymonline)^(AHD) Random House thinks this explanation is probably mistaken.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To intimidate by violence (1876, American English).^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word arose during the disorderly presidential election of 1876, when it was used of the beating and intimidation of black voters in the South.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Wiktionary) A ''bulldozer'' was at first a person who intimidated by violence (1876);^(Barnhart 1995) the name passed to the ground-clearing machine in 1930.^(Barnhart 1995) Senses about clearing land with such a machine (from 1942) were formed back from ''bulldozer''.^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) Figurative use, to force one's way ruthlessly, follows by 1948.^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1876 – ''bulldose'', a severe beating.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1876 – verb, to intimidate by violence.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1930 – ''bulldozer'', the machine.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1942 – to clear ground with a bulldozer.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1948 – figurative, to force through ruthlessly.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To clear, dig up, level or move with a bulldozer.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To coerce or intimidate, as with threats; to bully.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To force through or proceed insensitively or ruthlessly.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To demolish or do away with.^(AHD)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bulldozer]]

+ * [[bull]]

+ * [[dose]]

+ * [[bullwhip]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}