Main Entry:

beak

Pronunciation:

\ˈbēk\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English bec, from Anglo-French, from Latin beccus, of Gaulish origin

Date:

13th century

1 a: the bill of a bird ; especially : a strong short broad bill b (1): the elongated sucking mouth of some insects (as the true bugs) (2): any of various rigid projecting mouth structures (as of a turtle) c: the human nose2: a pointed structure or formation: a: a metal-pointed beam projecting from the bow especially of an ancient galley for piercing an enemy ship b: the spout of a vessel c: a continuous slight architectural projection ending in an arris — see molding illustration d: a process suggesting the beak of a bird 3chiefly British a: magistrate b: headmaster

— beaked \ˈbēkt\ adjective

— beaky \ˈbē-kē\ adjective