Bois"ter*ous (?), a. [OE. boistous; of uncertain origin; cf. W. bwyst wild, savage, wildness, ferocity, bwystus ferocious.] 1. Rough or rude; unbending; unyielding; strong; powerful. [Obs.] "Boisterous sword." "Boisterous hand."
Shak.
2. Exhibiting tumultuous violence and fury; acting with noisy turbulence; violent; rough; stormy.
The waters swell before a boisterous storm.
Shak.
The brute and boisterous force of violent men.
Milton.
3. Noisy; rough; turbulent; as, boisterous mirth; boisterous behavior.
I like not that loud, boisterous man.
Addison.
4. Vehement; excessive. [R.]
The heat becomes too powerful and boisterous for them.
Woodward.
Syn. -- Loud; roaring; violent; stormy; turbulent; furious; tumultuous; noisy; impetuous; vehement.
© Webster 1913. |