Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - bold

~ adj 1 »PERSON/ACTION« not afraid of taking risks and making difficult decisions  (a bold leader | It's a bold venture starting a business these days.) 2 »MANNER/APPEARANCE« so confident or determined that you sometimes offend people  (as bold as brass (=very confident and not showing enough respect))  (He came in here, as bold as brass, and asked if he could have his money back.) 3 »COLOURS/SHAPES« very strong or bright so that you notice them  (bold geometric shapes) 4 »LINES/WRITING« written or drawn in a very clear way  (a bold hand (=bold writing))  (Her letter was written in a bold sloping hand.) 5 in bold (type) printed in letters that are darker and thicker than ordinary printed letters  (The numbers in this dictionary are in bold type.) 6 make so bold as to do sth formal to do something that other people feel is rude or not acceptable  (One of the staff made so bold as to ask what the director's salary was.) 7 if I may be so bold spoken formal used when asking someone a question, to show that you hope it will not offend them  (And what, if I may be so bold, is the meaning of this note?) - boldly adv - boldness n