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beach·head noun : a small area on an enemy-held shore occupied in the initial stages of an invasion

bea·con noun 1 : a signal fire

2 : a guiding or warning signal (as a lighthouse)

3 : a radio transmitter emitting signals for guidance of aircraft

1bead noun [ORIGIN: ME bede prayer, prayer bead, fr. OE bed, gebed prayer]

1 plural : a series of prayers and meditations made with a rosary

2 : a small piece of material pierced for threading on a line (as in a rosary)

3 : a small globular body

4 : a narrow projecting rim or band

— bead·ing noun

— beady adjective

2bead verb : to form into a bead

bea·dle noun : a usu. English parish officer whose duties include keeping order in church

bea·gle noun : a small short-legged smooth-coated hound

beak noun : the bill of a bird and esp. of a bird of prey; also : a pointed projecting part

— beaked adjective

bea·ker noun 1 : a large widemouthed drinking cup

2 : a widemouthed thin-walled laboratory vessel

1beam noun 1 : a large long piece of timber or metal

2 : the bar of a balance from which the scales hang

3 : the breadth of a ship at its widest part

4 : a ray or shaft of light

5 : a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X-rays) or particles (as electrons)

6 : a constant radio signal transmitted for the guidance of pilots; also : the course indicated by this signal

2beam verb 1 : to send out light

2 : to aim (a broadcast) by directional antennas

3 : to smile with joy

beam·ing adjective 1 : marked by, emitting, or reflecting strong or clear rays of light

2 : marked by or expressive of extreme and unreserved joy, happiness, or satisfaction

Synonyms

[1] bright, brilliant, incandescent, luminous, shiny—more at BRIGHT

[2] aglow, glowing, radiant, sunny—more at RADIANT

1bean noun : the edible seed borne in pods by some leguminous plants; also : a plant or a pod bearing these

2bean verb : to strike on the head with an object

bean·bag noun : a cloth bag partially filled typically with dried beans and used as a toy

bean·ball noun : a pitch thrown at a batter's head

bean curd noun : TOFU

bean·ie noun : a small round tight-fitting skullcap

beano noun, plural beanos : BINGO

1bear noun, plural bears 1 or pl bear : any of a family of large heavy mammals with shaggy hair and small tails

2 : a gruff or sullen person

3 : one who sells (as securities) in expectation of a price decline

Synonyms

complainer, crab, crank, grouch, grumbler, whiner—more at GROUCH

2bear verb bore ; borne also born ; bear·ing 1 : to move while supporting : CARRY

2 : to be equipped with

3 : to give as testimony <~ witness to the facts of the case>

4 : to give birth to; also : PRODUCE, YIELD

5 a : to support (as a weight or structure)

b : to accept or allow oneself to be subject to : take on or endure <~ pain>

6 : to go in an indicated direction <~ to the right>

7 : to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way : CONDUCT

8 : to hold in the mind or emotions

9 : to exert pressure or influence

10 : to have relevance or a valid connection : PERTAIN — often used with on or upon

— bear·er noun

Synonyms

[1] carry, cart, convey, ferry, haul, lug, pack, tote, transport—more at CARRY

[5a] bolster, brace, buttress, carry, prop, shore, stay, support, uphold—more at SUPPORT

[5b] accept, assume, shoulder, take over, undertake—more at ASSUME

[5b] abide, brook, countenance, endure, meet, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, take, tolerate; also accept, allow, permit, suffer, swallow

[8] cherish, entertain, harbor, have, hold, nurse—more at HARBOR

usually bear on [10] appertain, apply, pertain, refer, relate—more at APPLY

bear·able adjective : capable of being borne

Synonyms

endurable, sufferable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable; also livable

Antonyms

insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable, unsupportable