n.
Pronunciation: ' b ē k
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English bec, from Anglo-French, from Latin beccus, of Gaulish origin
Date: 13th century
1 a : the bill of a bird especially : a strong short broad bill b (1) : the elongated sucking mouth of some insects (as the true bugs) (2) : any of various rigid projecting mouth structures (as of a turtle) c : the human nose
2 : a pointed structure or formation: a : a metal-pointed beam projecting from the bow especially of an ancient galley for piercing an enemy ship b : the spout of a vessel c : a continuous slight architectural projection ending in an arris ― see MOLDING illustration d : a process suggesting the beak of a bird
3 chiefly British a : MAGISTRATE b : HEADMASTER
– beaked \ ' b ē kt \ adjective
– beaky \ ' b ē -k ē \ adjective