📖 B — The English dictionary · page 16

beechwood — Everyday, meaning 1: A wood or forest made of beech trees.↗ Example: We picnicked in a beechwood in May.↗ · The path ran through the beechwood into the sunlight.↗ · Squirrels hid nuts in the beechwood.↗

beef — Everyday, meaning 1: The meat from a cow, bull or ox.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (slang) A complaint or a quarrel with someone (What's your beef?↗ He has beef with me).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (informal) Muscle or strength.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To beef up: to make something stronger or bigger.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (informal) To beef: to complain.↗ Example: We had roast beef for Sunday lunch.↗ · Beef comes from cows.↗ · The burger is made of minced beef.↗ · What's your beef with me?↗ (slang)↗ · The two rappers have had beef for ages.↗ (slang)↗ · The team beefed up its defence.↗ · Stop beefing about the homework!↗ (informal)↗ · I hate cow-beef; it is not tender enough for me.↗ · and threescore and twelve thousand beeves, (Torah NUM.31.33, JPS 1917)↗ · and thirty and six thousand beeves, (Torah NUM.31.44, JPS 1917)↗ · And the beeves were thirty and six thousand, of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve.↗ (Torah NUM.31.38, JPS 1917)↗

beehive — Everyday, meaning 1: A box or other structure where bees live and make honey.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A hairstyle piled high on the head.↗ Example: The beekeeper opened the beehive carefully.↗ · There are thousands of bees in one beehive.↗ · Honey is stored in the beehive in wax cells.↗ · The classroom was as busy as a beehive.↗ · Do not poke a beehive.↗ · Her grandmother once wore her hair in a beehive.↗ · ‘In my youth, when I was an old man, we had a quantity of beehives.↗

beekeeper — Everyday, meaning 1: A person who keeps bees in hives to collect honey and wax.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Someone who looks after bees as a hobby or job.↗ Example: The beekeeper wore a white suit and a veil.↗ · Our neighbour is a beekeeper with three hives.↗ · The beekeeper used smoke to calm the bees.↗ · Beekeepers collect honey in late summer.↗ · A beekeeper showed our class how bees build combs.↗ · The beekeeper sold jars of honey at the market.↗

beep — Everyday, meaning 1: A beep is a short, high sound made by a machine, like a microwave, a car horn or a phone.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To beep means to make this sound, or to sound a car horn.↗ Example: The microwave beeped when the popcorn was ready.↗ · Dad beeped the horn to say goodbye.↗ · Please leave a message after the beep.↗ · The smoke alarm keeps beeping.↗ · My watch beeps every hour.↗ · The scanner beeped at the checkout.↗ · The truck beeps when it reverses.↗

beer — Everyday, meaning 1: An alcoholic drink for adults, made from grain (usually barley) and hops, fizzy and often golden or brown; it is not for children.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A glass, can or bottle of this drink: «He ordered a beer.».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: In some drink names that have no alcohol, like «root beer» or «ginger beer», which children can drink.↗ Example: Dad had one beer at the barbecue and then switched to water.↗ · Beer is made from barley, water, hops and yeast.↗ · You must be an adult to buy beer.↗ · Ginger beer is a fizzy soft drink that children can have.↗ · Root beer is popular in the USA and has no alcohol.↗ · The pub has a beer garden with a play area.↗ · People should never drive after drinking beer.↗ · In the story, the farmer brewed beer in a big wooden barrel.↗ · And he went up from thence to Beer-sheba.↗ (Torah GEN.26.23, JPS 1917)↗ · And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.↗ (Torah GEN.28.10, JPS 1917)↗ · Therefore the name of the city is Beer-sheba unto this day.↗ (Torah GEN.26.33, JPS 1917)↗ · and Hazar-shual, and Beer-sheba, and Biziothiah; (Prophets JOS.15.28, JPS 1917)↗ · And they dwelt at Beer-sheba, and Moladah, and Hazar-shual; (Writings 1CH.4.28, JPS 1917)↗ · and in Hazar-shual, and in Beer-sheba and the towns thereof; (Writings NEH.11.27, JPS 1917)↗

beeswax — Everyday, meaning 1: The yellow wax that honeybees make to build their honeycomb.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: This wax used to make candles, polish, crayons and lip balm.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (US, informal) In «none of your beeswax», a playful way to say «none of your business».↗ Example: Bees build their honeycomb out of beeswax.↗ · We made candles from beeswax in craft club.↗ · Mum polishes the old table with beeswax.↗ · "What's in the box?" "↗ None of your beeswax!"↗ · My sandwich is wrapped in a beeswax wrap instead of plastic.↗ · Beeswax melts if you leave it in the sun.↗

beet — Everyday, meaning 1: A beet is a round dark red vegetable that grows under the ground; in the UK it is called beetroot.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Sugar beet is a pale kind of beet that sugar is made from.↗ Example: The farmer grew 40 beets.↗ · Each bag holds 6 beets.↗ · She bought 2 kg of beets.↗ · There are 3 rows of beets with 15 in each row.↗ · Beets grow under the ground like carrots.↗ · The beet soup was bright red.↗ · Much of our sugar comes from sugar beet.↗ · He went as red as a beet when he forgot his lines.↗

beethoven — Everyday, meaning 1: (a name) Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), a German composer, one of the most famous in history; he kept writing music even after he became deaf.↗ Example: Beethoven wrote nine symphonies.↗ · I'm learning «Für Elise» by Beethoven on the piano.↗ · Beethoven went deaf but kept composing.↗ · The orchestra played Beethoven's Fifth.↗ · Our class listened to the «Ode to Joy» by Beethoven.↗ · In the film, Beethoven is a huge, messy dog.↗

beetle — Everyday, meaning 1: A beetle is an insect with a hard shiny back.↗ Like all insects it has 6 legs.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The hard back is really a pair of wing cases that cover thin wings, so most beetles can fly.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: There are more kinds of beetle than of any other animal.↗ Example: A beetle has 6 legs.↗ · Spiders and beetles have 54 legs in all.↗ · Tom found 7 beetles in the garden.↗ · How many legs do 4 beetles have?↗ · A ladybird is a kind of beetle.↗ · We went on a bug hunt and found three beetles under a log.↗ · The dung beetle rolls a ball of dung.↗ · The beetle opened its shell and flew away.↗ · The Beetle smote upon the drum.↗

beetroot — Everyday, meaning 1: Beetroot is a round, dark red root vegetable that grows under the ground.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Beetroot is also used to describe a deep red colour, especially a red face.↗ Example: We grew beetroot in the school garden.↗ · Beetroot juice stained my shirt.↗ · He went as red as a beetroot when everyone sang to him.↗ · Grandma makes beetroot soup.↗ · Do you want beetroot on your burger?↗ · Beetroot is sweet when it is roasted.↗

beeves — Early Modern English, meaning 1: Cattle, especially cows and oxen.↗ Example: and threescore and twelve thousand beeves,↗ (Torah NUM.31.33, JPS 1917) · and thirty and six thousand beeves,↗ (Torah NUM.31.44, JPS 1917) · And the beeves were thirty and six thousand, of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve.↗ (Torah NUM.31.38, JPS 1917)

befall — Everyday, meaning 1: To happen to someone, often something bad: «If you do ill, ill will befall you.».↗ Example: Bad luck befell the farmer's sheep.↗ · Be careful, or harm may befall you.↗ · What will befall us if we stay here?↗ · But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said: 'Lest peradventure harm befall him.'↗ (Torah GEN.42.4, JPS 1917)↗ · and if ye take this one also from me, and harm befall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.↗ (Torah GEN.44.29, JPS 1917)↗ · And Jacob called unto his sons, and said: 'Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the end of days.↗ (Torah GEN.49.1, JPS 1917)↗ · Shall evil befall a city, and the LORD hath not done it?↗ (Prophets AMO.3.6, JPS 1917)↗ · There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.↗ (Writings PSA.91.10, JPS 1917)↗ · There shall no mischief befall the righteous; but the wicked are filled with evil.↗ (Writings PRO.12.21, JPS 1917)↗

befit — Everyday, meaning 1: To be right and suitable for someone: «treated as befits your rank» means treated as is right for their rank.↗ Example: Her gown befits a queen.↗ · Dress as befits a king.↗ · Such a reward befits a brave hero.↗

befitting — Everyday, meaning 1: Right and suitable for a person or an occasion: a dress befitting a bride.↗ Example: He wore a coat befitting a prince.↗ · The king gave a befitting welcome.↗ · Speak in a manner befitting a lady.↗

befool — Everyday, meaning 1: To fool or trick someone, so that they look foolish.↗ Example: The clever fox befooled the wolf.↗ · Do not let anyone befool you.↗ · He befooled the guards and walked out.↗

before — Everyday, meaning 1: Before means earlier than something else: before lunch.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Before means at an earlier time, in the past.↗ e.g. I have been here before.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Before can mean in front of: the number before 10 is 9; she stood before the class.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (casual) «Before you know it» means very soon; «before long» means soon.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (rough) «Before I …» in a threat warns of what will happen: «Get out before I lose my temper.».↗ Everyday, meaning 6: (formal) The exam voice says «prior to», «previously», «antecedent to», «in advance of», «hitherto», «preceding».↗ Example: First, a little revision of what we learned before: Adding within 20.↗ · Test: 60 of 60 right (before the lesson: 0 of 60).↗ · Before lunch Jake had 15 marbles.↗ · Ann had 8 coins before she found 4 more.↗ · Wash your hands before you eat.↗ · What number comes before 20?↗ · I have never seen a whale before.↗ · Brush your teeth before bed.↗ · You'll be grown up before you know it.↗ · put it back before mum sees, she'll kill us↗ · Get off my bike before I count to three!↗ · Prior to the transaction, Jake was in possession of 15 marbles; state the integer immediately preceding 15.↗ · "I have never seen you before."↗ · And none shall appear before Me empty.↗ (Torah EXO.34.20, JPS 1917)↗ · Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.↗ (Torah EXO.20.3, JPS 1917)↗ · And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.↗ (Torah NUM.27.5, JPS 1917)↗ · Who can stand before His indignation?↗ (Prophets NAM.1.6, JPS 1917)↗ · 'Shall mortal man be just before God?↗ (Writings JOB.4.17, JPS 1917)↗ · And I charged Baruch before them, saying: (Prophets JER.32.13, JPS 1917)↗

beforehand — Everyday, meaning 1: Beforehand means earlier, before something else happens, often to get ready.↗ Example: Wash your hands beforehand.↗ · Tell your parents beforehand where you are going.↗ · I made a prediction beforehand.↗ · We practised beforehand so the play went well.↗ · Go to the toilet beforehand, because the trip is long.↗ · She had 20 marbles beforehand and 14 afterwards, so she lost 6.↗ · Read the questions beforehand.↗ · If you can't come, let us know beforehand.↗ · Vasilissa went into her little closet, set before the doll a supper which she had provided beforehand, and said:↗ · Who hath given Me anything beforehand, that I should repay him?↗ (Writings JOB.41.3, JPS 1917)↗ · Therefore I fled beforehand unto Tarshish; for I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and compassionate, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy, and repentest Thee of the evil.↗ (Prophets JON.4.2, JPS 1917)↗

befriend — Everyday, meaning 1: To become a friend to someone, especially someone who is new, lonely or needs help.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To make friends with an animal so it trusts you.↗ Example: Maya befriended the new girl on her first day.↗ · The lonely old man was befriended by a little dog.↗ · We befriended a robin that came to our window every morning.↗ · Be careful if a stranger online tries to befriend you.↗ · He befriended a boy who sat alone at lunch.↗ · The children befriended the shy horse with carrots.↗ · In the story, the mouse befriends the lion.↗ · "I was going to befriend you, and you repay me by trying to kill me.↗

beg — Everyday, meaning 1: To ask someone very strongly, again and again, for something you want a lot.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To ask strangers for money or food because you are poor.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Of a dog: to sit up with its front paws raised, hoping for food or a treat.↗ Example: We begged Mum to let us stay up for the fireworks.↗ · The dog begged for a piece of my sandwich.↗ · "Please, please, please," she begged.↗ · A man was begging for coins outside the station.↗ · The prisoner begged for mercy.↗ · I beg your pardon — I didn't hear you.↗ · He begged his friend not to tell the teacher.↗ · Our puppy has learned to sit up and beg.↗ · "Spare me!" begged the poor Mouse.↗ · Let his children be vagabonds, and beg; and let them seek their bread out of their desolate places.↗ (Writings PSA.109.10, JPS 1917)↗ · The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.↗ (Writings PRO.20.4, JPS 1917)↗

beget — Everyday, meaning 1: To become the father of a child; in old tales, to produce children or new things.↗ Example: The old king begot seven sons.↗ · Gods in the tales begot heroes.↗ · Greed often begets trouble.↗ · Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be thine; for they shall go into captivity.↗ (Torah DEU.28.41, JPS 1917)↗ · And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.↗ (Torah GEN.17.20, JPS 1917)↗ · If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth to a brother any of these things, (Prophets EZK.18.10, JPS 1917)↗ · Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins, which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like, (Prophets EZK.18.14, JPS 1917)↗ · And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, whom thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be officers in the palace of the king of Babylon.'↗ (Prophets 2KI.20.18, JPS 1917)↗