ben 1
/ben/ , Scot.
n.
1. the inner or back room of a two-room cottage, esp. when used as a combined parlor and bedroom.
adv., prep.
2. within; inside.
adj.
3. inside; inner.
[ 1400-50; late ME (Scots); as adv., unexplained var. of late ME bin, ME binne, OE binnan (c. OFris binna, MD, G binnen ), equiv. to bi- BE- + innan within (cf. IN) ]
ben 2
/ben/ , n.
the seed of a tropical tree, Moringa pterygosperma, that yields an oil (ben oil) used in manufacturing cosmetics and lubricating delicate machinery. Cf. horseradish tree .
[ 1550-60; ban ]
ben 3
/ben/ , n. Scot., Irish.
a mountain peak; high hill: Ben Nevis.
[ 1780-90; beann peak ]
ben 4
/ben/ , n. ( often cap. )
son of (used esp. in Hebrew and Arabic names): Moses ben Maimon.