Beak
The beak, bill, or rostrum is an external anatomical structure of birds that is used for eating and for preening, manipulating objects, killing prey, fighting, probing for food, courtship and feeding young. The terms beak and rostrum are also used to refer to a similar mouth part in some dicynodonts, Ornithischians, cephalopods, cetaceans, billfishes, pufferfishes, turtles, Anuran tadpoles and sirens.
Although beaks vary significantly in size, shape, color and texture, they share a similar underlying structure. Two bony projections—the upper and lower mandibles—are covered with a thin keratinized layer of epidermis known as the rhamphotheca. In most species, two holes known as nares lead to the respiratory system.
Beak (noun)
Anatomical uses.
Beak (noun)
A rigid structure projecting from the front of a bird’s face, used for pecking, grooming and for eating food.
Beak (noun)
A similar structure forming the jaws of an octopus, turtle, etc.
Beak (noun)
The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects and other invertebrates, as in the Hemiptera.
Beak (noun)
The upper or projecting part of the shell, near the hinge of a bivalve.
Beak (noun)
The prolongation of certain univalve shells containing the canal.
Beak (noun)
Figurative uses.
Beak (noun)
Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant.
Beak (noun)
Anything projecting or ending in a point like a beak, such as a promontory of land.
Beak (noun)
A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off.
Beak (noun)
A toe clip.
Beak (noun)
That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.
Beak (noun)
Colloquial uses.
Beak (noun)
A armed at the end with a metal head or point, and projecting from the prow of an ancient galley, used as a ram to pierce the vessel of an enemy; a beakhead.
Beak (noun)
The human nose, especially one that is large and pointed.
Beak (verb)
Strike with the beak.
Beak (verb)
Seize with the beak.
Beak (verb)
To play truant.
Bill (noun)
Any of various bladed or pointed hand weapons, originally designating an Anglo-Saxon sword, and later a weapon of infantry, especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, commonly consisting of a broad, heavy, double-edged, hook-shaped blade, with a short pike at the back and another at the top, attached to the end of a long staff.
Bill (noun)
A cutting instrument, with hook-shaped point, and fitted with a handle, used in pruning, etc.; a billhook.
Bill (noun)
Somebody armed with a bill; a billman.
Bill (noun)
A pickaxe, or mattock.
Bill (noun)
The extremity of the arm of an anchor; the point of or beyond the fluke (also called the peak).
Bill (noun)
The beak of a bird, especially when small or flattish; sometimes also used with reference to a platypus, turtle, or other animal.
Bill (noun)
A beak-like projection, especially a promontory.
Bill (noun)
Of a cap or brim or peak, serving as a shade to keep sun off the face and out of the eyes.
Bill (noun)
A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)
Bill (noun)
A document, originally sealed; a formal statement or official memorandum. (Now obsolete except with certain qualifying words; bill of health, bill of sale etc.)
Bill (noun)
A draft of a law, presented to a legislature for enactment; a proposed or projected law.
Bill (noun)
A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong the complainant has suffered from the defendant, or a fault committed by some person against a law.
Bill (noun)
A piece of paper money; a banknote.
Bill (noun)
A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, with the price or charge; an invoice.
Bill (noun)
A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away, to advertise something, as a lecture, a play, or the sale of goods
“placard|poster|handbill”
Bill (noun)
A writing binding the signer or signers to pay a certain sum at a future day or on demand, with or without interest, as may be stated in the document. A bill of exchange. In the United States, it is usually called a note, a note of hand, or a promissory note.
Bill (noun)
A set of items presented together.
Bill (verb)
To dig, chop, etc., with a bill.
Bill (verb)
To peck.
Bill (verb)
To stroke bill against bill, with reference to doves; to caress in fondness.
Bill (verb)
To advertise by a bill or public notice.
Bill (verb)
To charge; to send a bill to.
Beak (noun)
a bird’s horny projecting jaws; a bill
“a parent bird with a caterpillar in its beak”
Beak (noun)
the horny projecting jaw of animals other than birds, for example a turtle or squid.
Beak (noun)
a person’s nose
“she can’t wait to stick her beak in”
Beak (noun)
a projection at the prow of an ancient warship, typically shaped to resemble the head of a bird or other animal, used to pierce the hulls of enemy ships.
Beak (noun)
a magistrate or a schoolmaster.