beak
beak Lexical Profile
beak Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The hard, pointed, horny projecting anatomical structure forming the jaws and mouth of a bird, or a similar anatomical structure in turtles, cephalopods, and certain insects.
"The woodpecker used its strong, chisel-like beak to drill into the tree bark in search of insects."
A person's nose, especially when large, hooked, or prominent (informal).
"He had a prominent, aquiline beak that gave his profile a striking appearance."
A projecting spout, lip, or pointed tip of a vessel, laboratory beaker, or ancient warship.
"The chemist carefully poured the solution down a glass rod held against the beak of the vessel."
British A magistrate, judge, or school headmaster (British slang).
"The young offender was nervous about appearing before the local beak on Monday morning."
• Rhymes for beak
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 13th century from Old French bec, which comes from Late Latin beccus, a word of Gaulish (Celtic) origin attested by the Roman historian Suetonius.