I. ˈbēn noun
Etymology: Middle English bene, from Old English bēan; akin to Old High German bōna bean
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : broad bean
b. : the seed of any of various erect or climbing plants (as of the genera Phaseolus and Vigna ) of the legume family other than the broad bean
c. : a plant bearing beans
d. : an immature bean pod used as a vegetable
2.
a. : a valueless item
b. plural : the least amount
didn't know bean s about it
3. : any of various seeds or fruits that resemble beans or bean pods
coffee bean s
also : a plant producing these
4.
a. plural : exuberance — used in the phrase full of beans
b. plural : nonsense , bunkum — used in the phrase full of beans
5. : head , brain
6. : a protuberance on the upper mandible of waterfowl — see duck illustration
II. transitive verb
Date: 1910
: to strike (a person) on the head with an object