I. ˈbēf noun
( plural beefs -ēfs ; or beeves -ēvz ; also beef ; see numbered senses )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French buef ox, beef, from Latin bov-, bos head of cattle — more at cow
1. : the flesh of a steer, cow, or other adult bovine animal when killed for food
2.
a. plural beeves also beefs or beef : an ox, cow, or bull in a full-grown or nearly full-grown state ; especially : a steer or cow fattened for food
beeves of quality — P.A. Rollins
Texan beefs were loaded in the Abilene yards — R.A. Billington
a herd of beef — E.C.Abbott & Helena Smith
b. plural beeves also beefs : the dressed carcass of a beef animal
beeves hanging in the slaughterhouse
c. : beef animals
growing beef on the range
3.
a. : muscular flesh : brawn , weight : bulky strength
a heavyweight wrestler with a great deal of beef
b. : strength and power
an engine with added beef
c. : argument , quarrel , brawl , fight
4. plural beefs
[from the verb]
a. slang : protest , objection : grievance or ground for complaint : point at issue
beefs and grumbling by disappointed contestants — Bennett Cerf
b. slang : complaint , accusation : criminal charge
parole officer said he was going straight — no beefs anywhere — Thurston Scott
[s]beef.jpg[/s] [
beef 2b: A wholesale cuts: 1 shank, 2 round with rump and shank cut off, 3 rump, 4 sirloin, 5 short loin, 6 flank, 7 rib, 8 chuck, 9 plate, 10 brisket, 11 shank; B retail cuts: a heel pot roast, b round steak, c rump roast, d sirloin steak, e pinbone steak, f short ribs, g porterhouse, h T-bone, i club steak, j flank steak, k rib roast, l blade rib roast, m plate, n brisket, o crosscut shank, p arm pot roast, q boneless neck, r blade roast
]
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to add weight, strength, force, or power to — usually used with up
de-emphasize their navy and beef up their army — Fortune
the inspector general's office would be beefed up with additional investigators — Time
2. : to fatten or kill (a beef animal) for food
intransitive verb
1. : to complain, object, or protest often angrily or emphatically
seamen can always find something to beef about — S.E.Morison
2. slang : to make a complaint
b. : to inform or give evidence
if the mark beefs and goes to the police — D.W.Maurer
Synonyms: see complain
III. adjective
1. : of, from, or relating to the ox kind
beef blood
beef serum
2. : raised for or suitable for beef
a beef animal