bean

¹bean

noun \ˈbēn\

Definition of BEAN

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 vegetable

2

a : a valueless item b plural : 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 these

4

a plural : exuberance —used in the phrase full of beans b plural : nonsense, bunkum —used in the phrase full of beans

5

: head, brain

6

: a protuberance on the upper mandible of waterfowl — see duck illustration

Examples of BEAN

1. We ate rice and beans for dinner.
2. We're growing tomatoes and beans in our garden this year.

Origin of BEAN

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BEAN

Synonyms: head, block [slang], dome, mazard (or mazzard) [chiefly dialect], nob, noddle, noggin, noodle, nut [slang], pate, poll

Antonyms: lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity

Related Words: cranium, crown, scalp, skull; occiput

Near Antonyms: indolence, laziness; debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, impotency, infirmity, powerlessness, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, weakness; enervation, exhaustion, inanition, prostration

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with BEAN

clean, dean, Dean, Deane, dene, e'en, gene, glean, green, jean, keen, lean, lien, mean, mesne, mien, peen, preen, quean, queen, scene, screen, sheen, shin, sin, spean, spleen, teen, tween, wean, ween, wheen, yean