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bul·let

(blĭt)

a. A usually metal projectile in the shape of a pointed cylinder or a ball that is expelled from a firearm, especially a rifle or handgun.

b. Such a projectile in a metal casing; a cartridge.

2. An object resembling a projectile in shape, action, or effect.

3. Printing A heavy dot (·) used to highlight a particular passage.

[French boulette, diminutive of boule, ball, from Old French, from Latin bulla.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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