Main Entry: ¹bul·ly

Pronunciation: \ˈbu̇-lē, ˈbə-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural bullies

Etymology: probably from Middle Dutch boele lover; akin to Middle Low German bōle lover, Middle High German buole

Date: 1538

1 archaic a : sweetheart b : a fine chap
2 a : a blustering browbeating person; especially : one habitually cruel to others who are weaker b : pimp
3 : a hired ruffian