̈ɪbɔ:d n. & v. --n. 1 a a flat
thin piece of
sawn timber, usu. long
and narrow. b a piece of
material resembling
this,
made from compressed fibres. c a thin
slab of
wood or a
similar substance,
often with a
covering, used
for any of
various purposes (chessboard; ironing-board; notice-board). d
thick stiff card used in bookbinding. 2
the provision of
regular meals, usu. with
accommodation, for
payment. 3
archaic a
table spread for a meal. 4 the directors of a
company; any
other specially constituted
administrative body, e.g. a
committee or
group of councillors, examiners, etc. 5 (in pl.) the
stage of a
theatre (cf.
tread the boards). 6 Naut. the
side of a
ship. --v. 1 tr. a go on board (a ship,
train,
aircraft, etc.). b force one's
way on board (a ship etc.) in
attack. 2 a intr.
receive regular meals, or (esp. of a schoolchild) meals and
lodging, for payment. b tr. (often foll. by out)
arrange accommodation
away from
home for (esp. a child). c tr.
provide (a
lodger etc.) with regular meals. 3 tr. (usu. foll. by up)
cover with boards; seal or close. øboard-game a game played on a board. board of
trade US a
chamber of
commerce. go by the board be neglected, omitted, or discarded. on board on or on to a ship, aircraft,
oil rig, etc.
take on board
consider (a
new idea etc.). [OE bord f. Gmc]
