a. 1. Partaking of the qualities of a bear; resembling a bear in temper or manners. Harris. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Stock market) Fearful of or anticipating falling prices, as in the stock market; as, bearish sentiment inhibited buying. [ PJC ]
3. (Stock market) Tending to cause prices to fall. “bearish news about inflation caused a sharp drop in the Dow.” [ PJC ]
4. Hence: Pessimistic. [ PJC ]
n. Behavior like that of a bear. [ 1913 Webster ]