big a Cp OED ~ a 2 'forceful, violent' obs for sense 1; cp DC ~ house (1910-) for comb in sense 3.
   1 Of the sea, rough with heavy waves or swell.
   1940 DOYLE (ed) 27 "A Great Big Sea": A great big sea hove in the Harbour, / And hove right up in Keoughs' Parlour. P 63-65 There's a big sea on today. P 187-73 Fishermen say, 'There's a big tumble up' to describe the long rolling waves that occur after a breeze from the Atlantic.
   2 Phr big lot: most, the majority.
   1977 Inuit Land Use 255 You only get about one of every 100 [harp seals] that goes north, that comes in here. The big lot of them going on... I think the big lot goes on out in the deep water.
   be big in oneself: to be swollen with pride,
   puffed up in oneself.
   P 53-68 Big in his self: proud. 1976 GUY 18 We should be down on our knees givin' tanks every minute, I says, if we wuzzen't so big in ourselves.
   3 Comb big beachy bird: purple sandpiper (Erolia maritima) (1959) MCATEE 32).
   big blackhead: greater scaup (Aythya marila) (1959 MCATEE 13).
   big house: principal dwelling from which agent directs commercial operations in Labrador settlement.
   1861 DE BOILIEU 108-9 Should any one of the crew absent himself from home on Christmas-eve, a deputation from the remainder is sent in search of him, and when found—even should he be enjoying himself at the big house or the cooperage—he is unceremoniously told to return to his home. 1917 Christmas Bells 15 One forenoon the signal was hoisted in the 'big house' window that my presence was needed.
   big ice: an extensive, close-packed icefield.
   1924 ENGLAND 113 If dey pans on big ice, mabbe de men has to drag de sculps fer miles.
   big planter: see PLANTER 2.
   1923 CHAFE 16 The principal trader of each Harbor, locally called the 'Big Planter.'
   big salt water duck: American common eider (Somateria mollissima dresseri) (1876 HOWLEY 65).
   big squid: see SQUID.

Go Back