Webster's English Dictionary

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bearing

bear.ing n 1: the manner in which one bears or comports oneself : CARRIAGE, 
   MBEHAVIOR 2a: the act, power, or time of bringing forth offspring or fruit  
   2b: a product of bearing : CROP  3: PRESSURE, THRUST  4a: an object, 
   surface, or point that supports  4b: a machine part in which a journal, 
   pin, or other part turns  5: a charge in a coat of arms  6a: the situation 
   or direction of one point with respect to another or to t he compass 6b: a 
   determination of position  pl  6c: comprehension of one's position, 
   environment, or situation  6d: RELATION, CONNECTION; also : PURPORT  7: the 
   part of a structural member that rests upon its supports ER, CARRIAGE mean 
   the way in which a person outwardly manifests his personality or attitude. 
   BEARING is the most general of these words but now usu. implies 
   characteristic posture; DEPORTMENT suggests actions or behavior as formed 
   by breeding or training; DEMEANOR suggests one's attitude toward others as 
   expressed in outward behavior; MIEN is a literary term referring both to 
   bearing and demeanor; MANNER implies characteristic or customary way of 
   moving and gesturing and addressing others; CARRIAGE applies chiefly to 
   habitual posture in standing or walking SYN syn BEARING, DEPORTMENT, 
   DEMEANOR, MIEN, MANN