| big brother n. 1. An older brother. 2. A man who assumes the role of an older brother, as by providing guidance or protection. 3. a. also Big Brother An omnipresent, seemingly benevolent figure representing the oppressive control over individual lives exerted by an authoritarian government. b. A state, organization, or leader regarded in this manner. [Sense 3, after Big Brother, a character in the novel 1984 by George Orwell.] big  -brother·ly (b gbr   r-l ) adj. & adv. |
Big Brother
n
1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a person, organization, etc., that exercises total dictatorial control
2. (Communication Arts / Broadcasting) a television gameshow format in which a small number of people living in accomodation sealed off from the outside world are constantly monitored by TV cameras. Viewers vote each week to expel a person from the group until there is only one person left, who wins a cash prize
[after a character in the novel 1984 (1949) by English writer George Orwell (1903-1950)]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | Big Brother - an authoritarian leader and invader of privacy authoritarian, dictator - a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner; "my boss is a dictator who makes everyone work overtime" |
| 2. | big brother - an older brother blood brother, brother - a male with the same parents as someone else; "my brother still lives with our parents" |
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