12-letter words containing a, l, n
- ballanwrasse — a slow-growing fish (Labrus bergylta) found in rocky waters
- ballast line — the level to which a vessel is immersed when in ballast.
- ballet blanc — a ballet in which the ballerinas' skirts are white.
- balletomanes — Plural form of balletomane.
- balletomania — passionate enthusiasm for ballet
- ballhandling — skill in handling the ball
- balloon loan — a loan in respect of which interest and capital are paid off in instalments at irregular intervals
- balloon sail — a large light bellying sail used in light winds
- balloon seat — (on some 18th-century chairs) a seat having an outline resembling that of a bell.
- balloon tire — a wide, deep-walled pneumatic tire with relatively low air pressure to lessen the shock of bumps
- balloon tyre — a pneumatic tyre containing air at a relatively low pressure and having a wide tread
- balloon vine — a tropical tendril-climbing sapindaceous plant, Cardiospermum halicacabum, cultivated for its ornamental balloon-like seed capsules
- ballottement — a technique of feeling for a movable object in the body, esp confirmation of pregnancy by feeling the rebound of the fetus following a quick digital tap on the wall of the uterus
- banalization — the process of becoming or making something banal
- banana label — (jargon) The labels used on the sides of macrotape reels, so called because they were shaped roughly like blunt-ended bananas. This term, like macrotapes themselves, is obsolete.
- banana split — A banana split is a kind of dessert. It consists of a banana cut in half along its length, with ice cream, nuts, and sauce on top.
- banderillero — a bullfighter's assistant who sticks banderillas into the bull
- bandy-legged — bow-legged
- bank balance — Your bank balance is the amount of money that you have in your bank account at a particular time.
- bank holiday — A bank holiday is a public holiday.
- bank swallow — a swallow, Riparia riparia, of the Northern Hemisphere, that nests in tunnels dug in sand or clay banks.
- banks island — an island of N Canada, in the Northwest Territories: the westernmost island of the Arctic Archipelago. Area: about 67 340 sq km (26 000 sq miles)
- banner cloud — a plume-shaped cloud extending downwind from an isolated mountain peak. Also called cloud banner. Compare cap cloud (def 1).
- barcalounger — a type of reclinable armchair with an extendable footrest
- bare-knuckle — without boxing gloves
- bargain sale — an event at which goods are sold at low prices, usually to clear old stocks
- barn swallow — the US and Canadian name for the common swallow, Hirundo rustica
- barranquilla — a port in N Colombia, on the Magdalena River. Pop: 1 918 000 (2005 est)
- barrel organ — A barrel organ is a large machine that plays music when you turn the handle on the side. Barrel organs used to be played in the street to entertain people.
- base bullion — smelted lead containing impurities, as gold, silver, or zinc, that are later removed.
- baselessness — The state or quality of being baseless.
- basementless — without a basement
- basilic vein — a large vein situated on the inner side of the arm
- batten plate — (in structural design) a horizontal rectangular plate that is used to connect pairs of steel sections by being riveted or welded across them to form a composite section
- battle wagon — a battleship.
- battlefronts — Plural form of battlefront.
- battleground — A battleground is the same as a battlefield.
- battlemented — Furnished with battlements, as the ramparts of a city or castle.
- battlewagons — Plural form of battlewagon.
- bayonet bulb — an electric light bulb which is inserted into the socket against spring pressure and turned so that pins on its side engage in slots in the socket
- be on a roll — to have a series of successes; go from success to success
- beacon light — a light signal for shipping
- beaconsfield — a town in SE England, in Buckinghamshire. Pop: 12 292 (2001)
- bead molding — bead (def 12).
- beam balance — a piece of apparatus used for artistic gymnastics
- bearableness — The characteristic of being bearable.
- bearing pile — a foundation pile that supports weight vertically
- bearing rail — a transverse rail carrying a drawer or drawers.
- bearing wall — any of the walls supporting a floor or the roof of a building.
- beauty salon — A beauty salon is the same as a beauty parlour.