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 nose
2 : 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
3 chiefly British a : magistrate b : headmaster

— beaked \ˈbēkt\ adjective

— beaky \ˈbē-kē\ adjective