Part 580

Bee" lark`spur (&?;). (Bot.) See Larkspur.

Beeld (&?;), n. Same as Beild. Fairfax.

Bee" line` (&?;). The shortest line from one place to another, like that of a bee to its hive when loaded with honey; an air line. "A bee line for the brig." Kane.

Be*el"ze*bub (&?;), n. The title of a heathen deity to whom the Jews ascribed the sovereignty of the evil spirits; hence, the Devil or a devil. See Baal.

Beem (bm), n. [AS. bme, bme.] A trumpet. [Obs.]

Bee"mas`ter (&?;), n. One who keeps bees.

Been (&?;). [OE. beon, ben, bin, p. p. of been, beon, to be. See Be.] The past participle of Be. In old authors it is also the pr. tense plural of Be. See 1st Bee.

Assembled been a senate grave and stout. Fairfax.

Beer (&?;), n. [OE. beor, ber, AS. beór; akin to Fries. biar, Icel. bj&?;rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E. brew. √93, See Brew.] 1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other substance to impart a bitter flavor.

Beer has different names, as small beer, ale, porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its strength, or other qualities. See Ale.

2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.

Small beer, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. "To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer." Shak.

Beer"e*gar (&?;), n. [Beer + eager.] Sour beer. [Obs.]

Beer"house` (&?;), n. A house where malt liquors are sold; an alehouse.

Beer"i*ness (&?;), n. Beery condition.

Beer"y (&?;), a. Of or resembling beer; affected by beer; maudlin.

Beest"ings (&?;), n. Same as Biestings.

Bees"wax` (&?;), n. The wax secreted by bees, and of which their cells are constructed.

Bees"wing` (&?;), n. The second crust formed in port and some other wines after long keeping. It consists of pure, shining scales of tartar, supposed to resemble the wing of a bee.

Beet (bt), n. [AS. bete, from L. beta.] 1. (Bot.) A biennial plant of the genus Beta, which produces an edible root the first year and seed the second year.

2. The root of plants of the genus Beta, different species and varieties of which are used for the table, for feeding stock, or in making sugar.

There are many varieties of the common beet (Beta vulgaris). The Old "white beet", cultivated for its edible leafstalks, is a distinct species (Beta Cicla).

{ Beete, Bete } (bt), v. t. [AS. btan to mend. See Better.] 1. To mend; to repair. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. To renew or enkindle (a fire). [Obs.] Chaucer.

Bee"tle (b"t'l), n. [OE. betel, AS. btl, b&?;tl, mallet, hammer, fr. beátan to beat. See Beat, v. t.] 1. A heavy mallet, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc.

2. A machine in which fabrics are subjected to a hammering process while passing over rollers, as in cotton mills; -- called also beetling machine. Knight.

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Bee"tle (b"t'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beetled (-t'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Beetling.] 1. To beat with a heavy mallet.