Ultraviolet spectra of intermediate resolution have been obtained withCopernicusof twelve objects classified as Be or shell stars, and an additional 19 dwarfs of spectral classes B0-B4. Some of these spectra show marked asymmetries in certain resonance lines, especially the Si iv doublet at λ 1400 Å, indicating the presence of outflowing material with maximum velocities of nearly 1000 km s−1. Direct evidence for mass loss at these velocities is seen for the first time in dwarf stars as late as

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... 1.5. Later than B0.5, the only survey objects showing this phenomenon are Be stars. Among the stars considered there is a correlation between the presence of mass-loss effects and projected rotational velocity, suggesting that the UV flux from B1-B3 dwarfs is sufficient to drive high-velocity stellar winds only if rotation reduces the effective gravity near the equator. The role of mass-loss in producing the Be star phenomenon and the effects of rotation on mass loss are discussed.