bubble: Meaning and Definition of

bub•ble

Pronunciation: (bub'ul), [key]
— n., v., -bled, -bling.
—n.
  1. a nearly spherical body of gas contained in a liquid.
  2. a small globule of gas in a thin liquid envelope.
  3. a globule of air or gas, or a globular vacuum, contained in a solid.
  4. anything that lacks firmness, substance, or permanence; an illusion or delusion.
  5. an inflated speculation, esp. if fraudulent: The real-estate bubble ruined many investors.
  6. the act or sound of bubbling.
  7. a spherical or nearly spherical canopy or shelter; dome: The bombing plane bristled with machine-gun bubbles. A network of radar bubbles stretches across northern Canada.
  8. a domelike structure, usually of inflated plastic, used to enclose a swimming pool, tennis court, etc.
  9. a protected, exempt, or unique area, industry, etc.: The oasis is a bubble of green in the middle of the desert.
  10. an area that can be defended, protected, patrolled, etc., or that comes under one's jurisdiction: The carrier fleet's bubble includes the Hawaiian Islands.
  11. a sudden, small, temporary change or divergence from a trend: In May there was a bubble in car sales, with three percent more being sold than last year.
—v.i.
  1. to form, produce, or release bubbles; effervesce.
  2. to flow or spout with a gurgling noise; gurgle.
  3. to boil: The tea bubbled in the pot.
  4. to speak, move, issue forth, or exist in a lively, sparkling manner; exude cheer: The play bubbled with songs and dances.
  5. to seethe or stir, as with excitement: His mind bubbles with plans and schemes.
—v.t.
  1. to cause to bubble; make bubbles in.
  2. to cheat; deceive; swindle.
  3. to become lively: The last time I saw her she was bubbling over with enthusiasm.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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