bean
- pronunciation:
- bin
- parts of speech:
- noun, transitive verb
- phrases:
- full of beans, spill the beans
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the edible seed or seed pod of several types of leguminous plants.
|
| definition 2: |
any of various types of leguminous or bean-bearing plants.
|
| definition 3: |
any other beanlike seed or object.
coffee beans |
| definition 4: |
(informal) one's head.
|
| related words: |
head |
| phrase: |
full of beans |
| phrase: |
spill the beans |
|
|
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
beaned, beaning, beans |
| definition: |
(informal) to strike on the head with an airborne object, esp. a baseball.
|
| derivation: |
beanlike (adj.) |
The phrase
full of beans was first used in the 1800s. Racehorses were fed beans to make them more lively.