— beanlike , adj.
/been/ , n.
1. the edible nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, esp. of the genus Phaseolus.
2. a plant producing such seeds.
3. the pod of such a plant, esp. when immature and eaten as a vegetable.
4. any of various other beanlike seeds or plants, as the coffee bean.
5. Slang.
a. a person's head.
b. a coin or a bank note considered as a coin: I can't pay for the ticket, I don't have a bean in my jeans.
6. Brit. Informal. a minimum amount of money: They've been disinherited and now haven't a bean.
7. beans , Informal. the slightest amount: He doesn't know beans about navigation.
8. full of beans , Informal.
a. energetic; vigorously active; vital: He is still full of beans at 95.
b. stupid; erroneous; misinformed.
9. spill the beans , Informal. to disclose a secret, either accidentally or imprudently, thereby ruining a surprise or plan: He spilled the beans, and she knew all about the party in advance.
v.t.
10. Slang. to hit on the head, esp. with a baseball.
interj.
11. beans , (used to express disbelief, annoyance, etc.).
[ bef. 950; ME bene, OE bean; c. ON baun, OFris bane, D boon, OS, OHG bona (G Bohne ), prob. babno, c. Russ bob, L faba bhabh- ]