Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Origin: bully 'lover, someone who controls a prostitute' (16-19 centuries), probably from Dutch boel 'lover'

bully

1 noun
     
bul‧ly1 plural bullies [countable]
someone who uses their strength or power to frighten or hurt someone who is weaker:
Bullies are often cowards.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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