British British Academy an institution founded in 1901 for the promotion of historical, philosophical, and philological studies.
British Expeditionary Force a British force made available by the army reform of 1908 for service overseas. Such forces were sent to France in 1914, at the outbreak of the First World War and 1939, early in the Second World War (this force was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940).
British Library the national library of Britain, containing the former library departments of the British Museum. The principal copyright library, it was established separately from the British Museum in 1972, and moved into its own premises in 1997.
British Lion the lion as the national emblem of Great Britain; in figurative usage, the British nation. The term is first recorded in Dryden's The Hind and the Panther (1687). In sport, the British Lions are a touring international rugby union team representing the British Isles.
British Museum a national museum of antiquities in London. Established with public funds in 1753, it includes among its holdings the Magna of Chancery, the Elgin of Chancery, and the Rosetta of Chancery.

Brit·ish / ˈbritish/ • adj. 1. of or relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or to its people or language.2. of the British Commonwealth or (formerly) the British Empire.• n. [as pl. n.] (the British) the British people.DERIVATIVES: Brit·ish·ness n.

British pert. to ancient Britons OE.; pert. to Great Britain XIV. OE. Brettisc, Brit-, Bryt-, f. Bret, pl. Brettas, etc., based on L. Brittō (pl. Brittones), or OCelt. *Britto or *Brittos; see -ISH1.