bel

n. [ from Alexander Graham Bell. ] a unit of sound intensity equal to ten decibels. [ PJC ]

n. [ Hind., fr. Skr. bilva. ] A thorny rutaceous tree (Ægle marmelos) of India, and its aromatic, orange-like fruit; -- called also Bengal quince, golden apple, wood apple. The fruit is used medicinally, and the rind yields a perfume and a yellow dye. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Belabored p. pr. & vb. n. Belaboring. ] 1. To ply diligently; to work carefully upon. “If the earth is belabored with culture, it yieldeth corn.” Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To beat soundly; to cudgel. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ajax belabors there a harmless ox. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. bel beautiful + accueil reception. ] A kind or favorable reception or salutation. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Belaced ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To fasten, as with a lace or cord. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cover or adorn with lace. [ Obs. ] Beaumont. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To beat with a strap. See Lace. [ Obs. ] Wright. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Lam. ] To beat or bang. [ Prov. & Low, Eng. ] Todd. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. bel amour fair love. ] 1. A lover. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A flower, but of what kind is unknown. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Her snowy brows, like budded belamours. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. bel ami fair friend. ] Good friend; dear friend. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]