■ noun
1》 an edible kidney-shaped seed growing in long pods on certain leguminous plants.
2》 a leguminous plant bearing ~s in pods. [ Phaseolus and other genera: numerous species.]
3》 the hard seed of coffee, cocoa, and certain other plants.
4》 ( N. Amer. also ~s ) [with negative ] informal a very small amount or nothing at all.
5》 informal, dated a person's head.
■ verb informal, chiefly N. Amer. hit on the head.
Phrases
full of ~s informal lively; in high spirits.
old ~ Brit. informal, dated a friendly form of address.
Origin
OE bēan , of Gmc origin.