Main Entry:

¹bean

Pronunciation:

\ˈbēn\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English bene, from Old English bēan; akin to Old High German bōna bean

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: broad bean b: the seed of any of various erect or climbing plants (as of the genera Phaseolus and Vigna) of the legume family other than the broad bean c: a plant bearing beans d: an immature bean pod used as a vegetable2 a: a valueless item bplural : the least amount <didn't know beans about it>3: any of various seeds or fruits that resemble beans or bean pods <coffee beans> ; also : a plant producing these4 aplural : exuberance —used in the phrase full of beans bplural : nonsense, bunkum —used in the phrase full of beans5: head, brain6: a protuberance on the upper mandible of waterfowl — see duck illustration