Bubble

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbÊŒb.É™l/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒbÉ™l

Origin

Partly imitative, also influenced by burble.

Full definition of bubble

Noun

1. A spherically contained volume of air or other gas, especially one made from soapy liquid.
2. A small spherical cavity in a solid material.bubbles in window glass, or in a lens
3. Anything resembling a hollow sphere.
4. (economics) A period of intense speculation in a market, causing prices to rise quickly to irrational levels as the metaphorical bubble expands, and then fall even more quickly as the bubble bursts (eg the South Sea Bubble).
5. (obsolete) Someone who has been ‘bubbled’ or fooled; a dupe.
• PriorGranny's a cheat, and I'm a bubble.
• 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1979, p. 15:For no woman, sure, will plead the passion of love for an excuse. This would be to own herself the mere tool and bubble of the man.
6. (figurative) The emotional and/or physical atmosphere in which the subject is immersed; circumstances, ambience.
• 2012, June 3, Nathan Rabin, TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Mr. Plow” (season 4, episode 9; originally aired 11/19/1992), He’s wrapped up snugly in a cozy bubble of self-regard, talking for his own sake more than anyone else’s.
• 2011, January 23, Alistair Magowan, Blackburn 2 - 0 West Brom, Thomas, so often West Brom's most positive attacker down their left side and up against Salgado, twice almost burst the bubble of excitement around the ground but he had two efforts superbly saved by Robinson.
7. (Cockney rhyming slang) a Greek (also: bubble and squeak)
8. A small, hollow, floating bead or globe, formerly used for testing the strength of spirits.
9. The globule of air in the spirit tube of a level.
10. Anything lacking firmness or solidity; a cheat or fraud; an empty project.
• ShakespeareThen a soldier ...
  Seeking the bubble reputation
  Even in the cannon's mouth.

Related terms

Verb

1. (intransitive) To produce bubbles, to rise up in bubbles (such in foods cooking).
2. (transitive, archaic) To cheat, delude.
• 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1973, p. 443:No, no, friend, I shall never be bubbled out of my religion in hopes only of keeping my place under another government ...
• AddisonShe has bubbled him out of his youth.
• SterneThe great Locke, who was seldom outwitted by false sounds, was nevertheless bubbled here.
3. (intransitive, Scotland and Northern England) To cry, weep.

Derived terms

• bubble over
• bubble up