big

I. adjective (bigger; biggest) Etymology: Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect bugge important man Date: 14th century 1. a. obsolete of great strength b. of great force <

a big storm

> 2. a. large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent <

a big house

>; also large or great in quantity, number, or amount <

a big fleet

> b. operating on a large scale <

big government

> c. capital 1 3. a. pregnant; especially nearly ready to give birth b. full to bursting ; swelling <

big with rage

> c. of the voice full and resonant 4. a. chief, preeminent <

the big issue of the campaign

> b. outstandingly worthy or able <

a truly big man

> c. of great importance or significance <

the big moment

> d. imposing, pretentious; also marked by or given to boasting <

big talk

> e. magnanimous, generous <

was big about it

> 5. popular <

soft drinks are very big in Mexico — Russ Leadabrand

> 6. full-bodied and flavorful — used of wine • bigly adverb • bigness noun II. adverb Date: 1807 1. in a loud or declamatory manner; also in a boasting manner <

talk big

> 2. a. to a large amount or extent <

won big

> <

lost big

> b. on a large scale <

think big

> <

worry big

> 3. hard <

hits her forehand big

> III. noun Date: 1965 an individual or organization of outstanding importance or power; especially major league — usually used in plural <

playing in the bigs

>