Meaning

(chiefly historical) Someone who handles and keeps bears, especially for use in public entertainments such as bearbaiting or dancing displays; a bearward..

Definitions by Sense

1. (chiefly historical) Someone who handles and keeps bears, especially for use in public entertainments such as bearbaiting or dancing displays; a bearward.
2. Someone acting as a chaperone and tutor to a wealthy young man travelling abroad, especially in Europe.
3. A captor; also, a guard, a jailer.

Example Sentences

So!—you have really undertaken the delightful office of bear-leader—becauſe the brother of your Geraldine cannot take care of himſelf— […]

They pounced upon the stray nobility, and seized young lords travelling with their bear leaders.

[…] Nick, if you please, was pronounced delicate, and led a series of tutors a fine dance until his mother decided he was old enough for the Grand Tour and sent him off with a bear-leader like some young regency lordling.

In 1775 Lord Herbert [George Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke] toured Switzerland with his bearleader William Coxe (1747–1828).

My bear-leaders were considerably surprised with my firmness, but seemed to think it beneath them to contest with me the principles I delivered. […] They left me abruptly; having first ordered an old man, the father of the landlady, to stay in the room with me while they were absent.

Word Forms

• bearleaders
• bear-leader
• bear leader

Synonyms for bear leader

Related Words

When Should You Use Bear leader?

Use bear leader when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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