beak
/biːk/
Frequency: 3.30 in modern English
Meaning
noun
A rigid structure projecting from the front of a bird's face, used for pecking, grooming, foraging, carrying items, eating food, etc.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A similar pointed structure forming the nose and mouth of various animals, such as turtles, platypuses, whales, etc.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects and other invertebrates, as in the Hemiptera.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Anything projecting or ending in a point like a beak, such as a promontory of land.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "At the townes end, Cuddenbeak, an ancient house of the Bishops, from a well aduanced Promontory, which intituled it Beak"
- "Holonyms: bow, stem, forestem, prow, prore < ship < vessel"
- ""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.""
- "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."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- British English: /biːk/