Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - big

 I. adjective  (~ger; ~gest)  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 ~ storm  2.  a. large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent a ~ house; also large or great in quantity, number, or amount a ~ fleet  b. operating on a large scale ~ government  c. capital 1  3.  a. pregnant; especially nearly ready to give birth  b. full to bursting ; swelling ~ with rage  c. of the voice full and resonant  4.  a. chief, preeminent the ~ issue of the campaign  b. outstandingly worthy or able a truly ~ man  c. of great importance or significance the ~ moment  d. imposing, pretentious; also marked by or given to boasting ~ talk  e. magnanimous, generous was ~ about it  5. popular soft drinks are very ~ in Mexico — Russ Leadabrand  6. full-bodied and flavorful — used of wine  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun  II. adverb  Date: 1807  1. in a loud or declamatory manner; also in a boasting manner talk ~  2.  a. to a large amount or extent won ~ lost ~  b. on a large scale think ~ worry ~  3. hard hits her forehand ~  III. noun  Date: 1965 an individual or organization of outstanding importance or power; especially major league — usually used in plural playing in the ~s