broad

adj. & n.
—adj.
1 large in extent from one side to the other; wide.
2 (following a measurement) in breadth (2 metres broad).
3 spacious or extensive (broad acres; a broad plain).
4 full and clear (broad daylight).
5 explicit, unmistakable (broad hint).
6 general; not taking account of detail (broad intentions; a broad inquiry; in the broadest sense of the word).
7 chief or principal (the broad facts).
8 tolerant, liberal (take a broad view).
9 somewhat coarse (broad humour).
10 (of speech) markedly regional (broad Scots).
—n.
1 the broad part of something (broad of the back).
2 US sl. a young woman.
3 (the Broads) large areas of fresh water in E. Anglia, formed where rivers widen.
Phrases and idioms:
broad arrow see ARROW. broad bean
1 a kind of bean, Vicia faba, with pods containing large edible flat seeds.
2 one of these seeds. Broad Church a group within the Anglican Church favouring a liberal interpretation of doctrine. broad gauge a railway track with a gauge wider than the standard one. broad-leaved (of a tree) deciduous and hard-timbered. broad pennant a short swallow-tailed pennant distinguishing the commodore's ship in a squadron. broad spectrum (of a medicinal substance) effective against a large variety of micro-organisms.
Derivatives:
broadness n. broadways adv. broadwise adv.
Etymology: OE brad f. Gmc