beak

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A rigid structure projecting from the front of a bird's face, used for pecking, grooming,…

   A rigid structure projecting from the front of a bird's face, used for pecking, grooming, foraging, carrying items, eating food, etc.

2. 2

   A similar pointed structure forming the nose and mouth of various animals, such as…

   A similar pointed structure forming the nose and mouth of various animals, such as turtles, platypuses, whales, etc.

3. 3

   The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects and other invertebrates, as in the…

   The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects and other invertebrates, as in the Hemiptera.

4. ›+ 17 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      The upper or projecting part of the shell, near the hinge of a bivalve.

   2. 5

      The prolongation of certain univalve shells containing the canal.

   3. 6

      Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a…

      Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant.

   4. 7

      Anything projecting or ending in a point like a beak, such as a promontory of land.

      • At the townes end, Cuddenbeak, an ancient house of the Bishops, from a well aduanced Promontory, which intituled it Beak
   5. 8

      A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet

      A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off.

   6. 9

      A toe clip.

   7. 10

      That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported…

      That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.

      • Holonyms: bow, stem, forestem, prow, prore < ship < vessel
   8. 11

      A beam, shod or armed at the end with a metal head or point, and projecting from the prow…

      A beam, shod or armed at the end with a metal head or point, and projecting from the prow of an ancient galley, used as a ram to pierce the vessel of an enemy.

      • Holonyms: bow, stem, forestem, prow, prore < ship < vessel
   9. 12

      Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Libythea, notable for the beak-like…

      Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Libythea, notable for the beak-like elongation on their heads.

   10. 13

       A person's nose, especially one that is large and pointed.

       • "You mind your own business, curse you!" growled Silas. "I've told you before now not to push that long, sheeny beak of yours into my affairs. If you was a man I'd know better how to speak to you."
   11. 14

       A person's mouth.

       • Shut your beak!
       • 'Did you think that bloody question up by yourself, pal?' Seánie snapped, and the guy opened and closed his beak a few times — I suppose he must have been surprised that a priest would talk like that.
       • Typical Yankee detractor, nize your beak.
   12. 15

       Cocaine.

   13. 16

       To strike with the beak.

   14. 17

       To seize with the beak.

   15. 18

       To play truant.

       • Knew the Jampot well. I spent many an afternoon while I was beaking school in that fine establishment.
       • I was living at home at her age, by and large doing what my parents told me, apart from beaking school.
   16. 19

       A justice of the peace

       A justice of the peace; a magistrate.

       • They take up men, Dick, for going about in women's clothes, and vice versaw, I suppose. You'll bail me, old fellaa, if I have to make my bow to the beak, won't you?
       • Harry looked rather bulky, you know, Tom, and the slop (policeman) says, 'Hallo, what you got here?' and by [blank] he took us both before the beak.
       • Thus does history repeat itself, and that foolish beak, with Tom Linden before him, was but Felix judging Paul.
   17. 20

       A schoolmaster (originally, at Eton).

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