bugle1
/ˈbjuːɡ(ə)l
/noun
(also bugle-horn) A brass instrument like a small trumpet, typically without valves or keys and used for military signals: the bugle sounded the charge [as modifier]: a bugle call...
- This military role was later assumed by the bugle or trumpet in the west.
- Deployed in open order, often across broken terrain and beyond the immediate supervision of their commanders, the manoeuvres of these soldiers were controlled by signals relayed by bugles and horns.
- The ability to play only notes of the harmonic series is the characteristic feature of such simple instruments as the bugle or posthorn.
verb [no object]
1Sound a bugle.In fact, in response to George's protests, the first confederate, Henry Longshackle, began bugling even more loudly....
- Until the mid-1800s, the best technology was shouting, bugling, or messengers on foot or on horseback.
- All day long, upon the grass-grown ramparts of the town practising soldiers trumpeted and bugled; all day long, down in angles of dry trenches, practising soldiers drummed and drummed.
1.1 [with object] Sound (a note or call) on a bugle: he bugled a warning...
- Sharp notes fill the afternoon like gun smoke as Mr. Fish bugles the students back on the bus.
- Gunga Din was climbing the tower to bugle a warning and the Scottish bagpipers were on the way.
- Thanks to the sailor who bugled a tune for the group as well as the several songs we heard over the radio.
Derivatives
bugler
/ noun ...- Yesterday, the Fife stadium resounded to a new tune within the bugler's repertoire, the strains of the French national anthem being heard in deference to the inspired double signing during the week of two players from France.
- A second bugler, about 100 yards down the road, picked up the tune.
- All members of the branch wish to extend their thanks to everyone who helped in any way, and especially the members of the Boys' Brigade (1st Kendal Company) and to the buglers and cadets of the Kendal Sea Cadets.
Origin
Middle English: via Old French from Latin buculus, diminutive of bos 'ox'. The early English sense was 'wild ox', hence the compound bugle-horn, denoting the horn of an ox used to give signals, originally in hunting.
The early English sense was ‘wild ox’, hence the compound bugle-horn for the horn of an ox used to give signals, originally during hunting. The word comes via Old French from Latin būculus, ‘little ox’ from bōs ‘ox’.
Rhymes
bugle2
/ˈbjuːɡ(ə)l/noun [mass noun]
A creeping Eurasian plant of the mint family, with blue flowers held on upright stems.
- Genus Ajuga, family Labiatae: several species, especially the common A. reptans.
- Primrose, cowslip, lady's mantle, bugle, thrift, clustered bellflower are widely available in garden centres, but are all natives.
- We found some, but not the great swathes that we had hoped for, although we were rewarded by plenty of patches of bluebells, drifts of wood anemones, a glade with masses of milkmaids and lots of primroses, cowslips and violas and bugle.
Origin
Middle English: from late Latin bugula.
bugle3
/ˈbjuːɡ(ə)l/noun
An ornamental tube-shaped glass or plastic bead sewn on to clothing.Sophie's more casual outfit consists of a black Powerline stretch sleeveless top, Kismet's own label sarong, and an orange, multi-strand bugle bead bracelet....
- Towering stilettos from Sergio Rossi or Diego Dolcini are studded with Swarovski crystals, bugle beads or paillettes, often on luxurious fabrics such as satin or even alpaca.
- She believes in shimmer in bridal wear and embellishes the line with bugle beads, gold thread, sequins, embroidery, weave and print to create an almost futuristic look.
Origin
Late 16th century: of unknown origin.