[bean] n [ME bene, fr. OE bean; akin to OHG bona bean] (bef. 12c) 1 a: broad bean b: the seed of any of various erect or climbing leguminous plants (esp. genera Phaseolus, Dolichos, and Vigna) 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 pl: the least amount "didn't know ~s about it"
3: any of various seeds or fruits that resemble beans or bean pods; also: a plant producing these
4. a pl: exuberance--used in the phrase full of beans b pl: nonsense, bunkum--used in the phrase full of beans
5: head, brain
6: a protuberance on the upper mandible of waterfowl--see duck illustration
[2]bean vt (1910): to strike (a person) on the head with an object