bubble

bubble [bub′əl]

n.

[ME bobel, of echoic orig., as in MDu bubbel]

1. a very thin film of liquid forming a ball around air or gas [soap bubbles]

2. a tiny ball of air or gas in a liquid or solid, as in carbonated water, glass, etc.

3. anything shaped like a bubble, sphere, or hemisphere, as a plastic or glass dome

4.

a) anything that is ephemeral or insubstantial

b) any idea, scheme, etc. that seems plausible at first but quickly shows itself to be worthless or misleading

5. the act, process, or sound of bubbling

vi.

bubbled, bubbling [ME bobelen]

1. to make bubbles; rise in bubbles; boil; foam; effervesce

2. to make a boiling or gurgling sound

vt.

1. to form bubbles in; make bubble

☆ 2. Informal to cause (a baby) to burp

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bubble over

1. to overflow, as boiling liquid

2. to be unrestrained in expressing one's enthusiasm, zest, etc.

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☆ on the bubble

Informal in a situation in which the outcome is uncertain but already in the process of being determined or decided