beak
B1Neutral to informal (depending on sense)
Definition
Meaning
The hard, pointed, often curved part of a bird's face, used for eating, preening, and sometimes attacking.
Any similar projecting structure on an animal; a person's nose, especially a large or hooked one (informal, often humorous); a magistrate or schoolmaster (British slang, dated); the projecting spout of a vessel.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core meaning is zoological and neutral. When referring to a person's nose, it is informal and can be mildly derogatory or humorous. The British slang for a magistrate or judge is old-fashioned, originating from the 19th century and now rarely used.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The informal sense 'a person's nose' is common in both. The slang meaning 'a magistrate, judge, or schoolmaster' is exclusively British (and dated).
Connotations
In both varieties, 'beak' for a nose is informal and often implies a prominent, hooked shape. The British slang term carries a connotation of authority and is archaic.
Frequency
The bird part is equally common. The 'nose' sense is moderately common informal slang in both. The 'magistrate' sense is very rare and antiquated, found mainly in historical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [bird] has a [adjective] beak.The [bird] [verb, e.g., pecked, probed] with its beak.It used its beak to [verb, e.g., crack, tear].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beak to beak”
- “wet one's beak (to take a share, especially of profits, often illicit)”
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
Used in biological/zoological contexts to describe avian anatomy.
Everyday
Common when talking about birds; informal for a prominent nose.
Technical
Ornithology: the horny projecting jaws of a bird.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bird beaked at the seed.
- He got beaked by the angry goose.
American English
- The woodpecker beaked the tree bark.
- The falcon beaked its prey.
adjective
British English
- It had a beak-like protrusion.
- He gave a beaky smile.
American English
- She has a distinctly beak-shaped nose.
- The tool's beaky end is for prying.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The parrot has a red beak.
- The duck uses its beak to eat.
- An eagle uses its sharp, hooked beak to tear meat.
- He has a big beak, just like his grandfather.
- The toucan's enormous beak is surprisingly light due to its hollow structure.
- In the old novel, the thief was hauled before the beak for sentencing.
- The study focused on the biomechanics of the raptor's beak as a tool for dismemberment.
- His satirical cartoons always exaggerated the politician's prominent beak.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PEAK on a mountain – a BEAK is like a peak on a bird's face.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A BEAK (from dated slang: 'the beak' sent you to prison). A PROMINENT NOSE IS A BEAK.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating the informal 'nose' sense with the neutral Russian for nose 'нос'. Use more descriptive or humorous terms like 'клюв' only in very informal, jocular contexts.
- The bird's 'клюв' is correctly translated as 'beak' or 'bill'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'beak' for a human mouth (incorrect).
- Confusing 'beak' (hard) with 'lips' (soft) on a bird.
- Overusing the informal 'nose' sense in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'beak' be considered outdated British slang?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In general usage, they are synonyms. However, 'beak' often implies a more pointed, hooked shape (eagle, parrot), while 'bill' is often used for broader, flatter shapes (duck, swan). 'Bill' is more common in scientific names (e.g., spoonbill).
It is informal and can be mildly rude or teasing, depending on context and tone. It's best used humorously among friends and avoided in formal situations or with strangers.
Yes, though it's less common. It means to strike or peck with a beak, e.g., 'The goose beaked my hand.'
No, it is very dated (19th/early 20th century) and archaic. You might encounter it in historical novels or films, but not in contemporary speech.
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