beefn.
/biːf/, U.S. /bif/ 1. The flesh of an ox, bull, or cow, used as food. Often preceded by words indicating the exact part of the animal, e.g. sirloin, ribs of beef, etc. sea-beef n. beef pickled for use at sea.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > beef > [noun]
beefa1300
ox beef1584
a1300 K. Alis. 5248 To mete was greithed beef and motoun.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1849 Fair bouf wel sode.
c1386 G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale 176 Bet than olde boef is tendre vel.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 28 Byffe, flesche [v.r. beff].
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 27 Fresshe brothe of þe befe.
1541 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) ii. i. 16 b Biefe is better digested than a chykens legge.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Beafe, bubula.
1606 T. Dekker Newes from Hell sig. D2v More stale then Sea-beefe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. iii. 23 What say you to a peece of Beefe and Mustard? View more context for this quotation
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 191 Powdered Bief is a most excellent bait to catch an Eele. View more context for this quotation
1662 S. Pepys Diary 29 May (1970) III. 95 We have cakes and powdered beef and ale.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 269. ¶8 I have always a Piece of cold Beef and a Mince-Pye upon the Table.
1818 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. V. 302 They dine..upon good roast-beef and port.
1876 G. J. Whyte-Melville Katerfelto xx. 228 ‘What can we have for supper?’ ‘Aitch-bone of beef, my lord.’
2. transferred.
a. Applied to other kinds of flesh or food.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > [noun]
meateOE
eatOE
foodOE
fodderOE
dietc1230
gista1290
victual1303
victualsa1375
preya1382
feedinga1398
pasturea1398
viancea1400
viandsc1400
livingc1405
meatingc1425
vitalyc1440
vianda1450
cates1461
vivers1536
viandry1542
viander1543
gut-matter1549
peck1567
belly-cheer1579
appast1580
manchet1583
chat1584
belly-metal1590
repasture1598
cibaries1599
belly-timber1607
belly-cheat1608
peckage1610
victuallage1622
keeping1644
vivresa1650
crib1652
prog1655
grub1659
beef1661
fooding1663
teething1673
eatablea1687
sunket1686
yam1788
chow-chow1795
keep1801
feed1818
grubbing1819
patter1824
ninyam1826
nyam1828
grubbery1831
tack1834
kai1845
mungaree1846
scoff1846
foodstuff1847
chuck1850
muckamuck1852
tuck1857
tucker1858
hash1865
nosh1873
jock1879
cake flour1881
chow1886
nosebag1888
stodge1890
food aid1900
tackle1900
munga1907
scarf1932
grubber1959
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια 233 Ling..is counted the beefe of the Sea.
1868 B. J. Lossing Hudson (new ed.) 145 The Sturgeon..are sold in such quantities in Albany, that they have been called, in derision, ‘Albany beef.’
b. colloquial. = ‘Flesh’ (of men). Also, strength, muscular power; effort. Cf. beef v. 2, beefy adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun]
hightOE
workOE
business1340
afforcinga1398
enforce1487
effort1490
contention1583
heave and shove1600
luctation1651
struggle1706
pingle1728
exertion1777
bother1823
brainstorming1839
beef1851
go-go-go1934
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > [noun]
mighteOE
avelOE
mainOE
strengthOE
strengthOE
virtuec1330
forcea1375
birr1382
valure1440
firmitude?1541
thews1566
iron1695
invalescence1755
physicals1824
beef1851
the world > life > the body > bodily substance > flesh > [noun]
fleshc1000
lirec1000
quick flesha1382
pulp?a1425
substance?a1425
meat1829
beef1851
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick lxxxi. 393 Oh, do pile on the beef... Oh! my lads, do spring.
1862 Cork Examiner 28 Mar. Chelmsford stood higher in the leg, and showed less beef about him.
1863 Cornhill Mag. Feb. 177 Useful at the heavy hauling of braces, &c.—where plenty of ‘beef’ is required.
1968 R. M. Patterson Finlay's River 25 We on the other hand, were paddling our canoe and putting all the beef we could behind it.
c. Slang phr. beef to the heel(s): of a person: massive, bulky, brawny.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily height > tallness > [adjective] > and broad
massya1382
stout1390
burlyc1400
corporalc1475
massive1485
poisy1538
big-made1566
chopping1566
grossa1578
large-bodied1577
weighty1581
burly-boned1590
mastya1593
lumbering1593
giantisha1635
gigantic1651
mastiff1668
large-made1725
lusty1777
bowerly1794
squelching1854
beef to the heel(s)1867
hefty1867
1867 R. Broughton Cometh up as Flower I. xviii. 294 Dolly was not a fine person, as they say, at all; not beef to the heels, by any means.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. iv. [Calypso] 63 We did great biz yesterday. Fair day and all the beef to the heels were in.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xiii. [Nausicaa] 355 Transparent stockings, stretched to breaking point. Not like..the one in Grafton street. White. Wow! Beef to the heel.
1958 A. Wall Queen's English xxxi. 110 ‘Beef’ and ‘beefy’ are not complimentary terms, and ‘beef to the heels’ is even less so.
3. An ox; any animal of the ox kind; esp. a fattened beast, or its carcase.figurative.1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. iii. 178 O my sweet beoffe, I must still bee good angel to thee. View more context for this quotation
a. Usually in plural. archaic or technical.
ΚΠ
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1095 Hit mote bothe drink and ete..Beues flesch, and drink the brotht.
1475 Bk. Noblesse 68 Grete providence of vitaille of cornys, of larde, and beoffes.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. fjv/2 Grete oxen and buefs slayn.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cccxciii. 675 Mo than xx. thousande beastes, swyne, beufes, kene, and moutons.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. iii. 166 As flesh of Muttons, Beefes, or Goates. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Lev. xxii. 21 A free will offring in beeues or sheepe. View more context for this quotation
1669 J. Worlidge Systema Agriculturæ (1681) 170 Our Beves yield much Butter, Cheese..and Meat.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. vii. 323 One half in Money, and the other half in good Beefs.
1780 T. Jefferson Corr. in Wks. (1859) I. 252 To collect beeves in our southern counties.
1861 T. E. May Constit. Hist. Eng. (1863) I. iv. 192 The supply of beeves and grain for his household.
1884 in Glasgow Her. 5 Jan. 5/2 All the beefs that are ready for shipping.
b. Also in singular. (Now chiefly U.S.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > subfamily Bovinae (bovine) > [noun]
oxeOE
bullock1535
beef1583
bovine1845
Murray grey1963
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun]
neateOE
oxeOE
rother beast1375
nolt1437
beef1583
beeve1847
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > subfamily Bovinae (bovine) > [noun] > fattened
beef1583
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun] > fattened or bred for slaughter
martc1330
beefing1466
beef1583
beefer1660
beef animal1838
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. E1 Whereas they pay a certeine price for a fat beefe.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 420 If either a bœufe or mutton be rubbed with salt.
1609 Bible (Douay) I. Deut. xiv. 5 The pygargue, the wilde beefe, the cameloparde.
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. ii. v. §5. 164 Either to a Beef, or a Sheep, or a Wolf.
1758 in Essex Inst. Hist. Coll. (1881) XVIII. 93 Six men..put under Guard on suspicion of killing a young Beef and 2 Calves.
1775 S. Johnson Journey W. Islands 262 When a beef was killed for the house.
1828 Richmond Inquirer 29 Aug. 4/2 So little was the faith of those who knew him, he could not be trusted for a beef.
1844 Mrs. Houstoun Texas & Gulf of Mexico II. 180 The cook went on shore and ‘shot a beef.’
1878 Southern Hist. Soc. Papers VI. 212 Behind these came a beef, driven by soldiers... The beef was immediately shot at and butchered.
1904 J. H. Claiborne Seventy-five Years Old Virginia 289 A beef..was driven up and shot.
c. collective. Cattle. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun] > oxen or cattle
rothereOE
neateOE
orfOE
erf1154
nowtsc1175
field beasta1382
nolt1437
cattle1555
neat cattle1619
chattel1627
beefc1706
horned cattle1781
cows1869
bullamacow1887
beeves-
c1706 Voy. Maryland in Amer. Hist. Rev. (1907) 12 329 They have fatt Beefe and fatt Porke Comes home to their Doores without giving 'em any Corne.
a1839 J. Buel Farmer's Compan. (1840) 318/2 The fattening of beef.
1907 S. E. White Arizona Nights (U.K. ed.) ii. 30 We was just gettin' back from drivin' some beef up to the troops.
4. A protest, (ground for) complaint, grievance. slang (originally U.S.). Cf. beef v. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > state of complaining > [noun] > a complaint
plainta1275
groinc1374
complaintc1385
murmura1393
grutchc1460
plainc1475
yammer?a1513
puling?1529
objecting1552
obmurmuration1571
regratea1586
repine1593
grumblinga1616
grumble1623
dissatisfactionc1640
obmurmuring1642
rumbling1842
natter1866
grouch1895
beef1900
holler1901
squawk1909
moan1911
yip1911
grouse1918
gripe1934
crib1943
bitch1945
drip1945
kvetch1957
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > state of complaining > [noun] > cause or ground of complaint
gravament1537
complaint1732
beef1900
pet peeve1909
grouse1918
1900 G. Ade Fables in Slang 80 He made a Horrible Beef because he couldn't get Loaf Sugar for his Coffee.
1931 D. Runyon Guys & Dolls (1932) iv. 79 To round himself up with his ever-loving wife in case of a beef from her over keeping the baby out in the night air.
1942 P. G. Wodehouse Money in Bank xii. 112 'What's your beef about taking thirty per?'... 'Not so nice as ninety per.'
1945 Daily Express 22 May 2/6 The beef is, Why should every battle we fight have to be a ‘Battle of Britain’?
1949 [see beefcake n. at Compounds 2]. Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a.
beef animal n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun] > fattened or bred for slaughter
martc1330
beefing1466
beef1583
beefer1660
beef animal1838
1838 H. Colman 1st Rep. Agric. Mass. (Mass. Agric. Surv.) 73 They agree to pay 32 cents. for the offal of every beef animal there slaughtered.
beef-boat n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > trading vessel > cargo vessel > [noun] > carrying food or water
water ship1653
paddy boat1698
pippiner1725
ark1809
beef-boat1836
forage-boat1848
fruiter1860
fruit-clipper1864
oranger1880
1836 F. Marryat Snarleyyow xii, in Metropolitan May 10 He jumped into the beef boat to go on board of the cutter.
beef-bone n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > beef > [noun] > bone
beef-bone1739
1739 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. lxxxvi. 292 It seemed..to be the Scale of a Beef-bone.
1820 W. Scott Abbot II. iv. 106 Such bare beef-bones, such a shouldering at the buttery-hatch.
beef-cattle n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun] > fattened or bred for slaughter > collectively
flesh16..
fat-ware1601
beef-cattle1758
feeders1790
Angus1810
beeves-
1758 T. Walker Let. 14 Aug. in Proc. Amer. Antiquarian Soc. (1932) XLI. 130 Five Hundred Beef Cattle are to set off tomorrow.
1789 G. Washington Diaries IV. 21 Four droves of Beef Cattle for the new York Market.
1831 J. M. Peck Guide for Emigrants 169 The amount of beef cattle that Illinois is capable of producing.
1899 Scribner's Mag. 25 116/2 We passed a herd of fine beef cattle on their way to Santiago.
beef-collops n.
ΚΠ
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering III. v. 93 A plate of beef collops.
beef-fat n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fat or oil > [noun] > dripping or skimming
flotc1400
flotessec1440
dripping1463
range1469
kitchen-feec1485
kitchen stuff1565
kitchen-gain1589
gag1820
beef-fat1836
fond1965
1836–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. II. 233/1 The elain of beef fat is colourless.
beef-flick n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > beef > [noun] > other cuts or parts
tild1342
ox foota1398
oxtaila1425
neat's foot?c1450
beef-flick1462
sticking piece1469
ox-tonguea1475
aitch-bone1486
fore-crop?1523
sirloin1525
mouse-piece1530
ox-cheek1592
neat's tongue1600
clod1601
sticking place1601
skink1631
neck beef1640
round1660
ox-heart1677
runner1688
sticking draught1688
brisket-beef1697
griskin1699
sey1719
chuck1723
shin1736
gravy beef1747
baron of beef1755
prime rib1759
rump and dozen1778
mouse buttock1818
slifta1825
nine holes1825
spauld-piece1828
trembling-piece1833
shoulder-lyar1844
butt1845
plate1854
plate-rand1854
undercut1859
silver-side1861
bed1864
wing rib1883
roll1884
strip-loin1884
hind1892
topside1896
rib-eye1926
buttock meat1966
onglet1982
1462 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1855) II. 261 Iiij. bakon-fliks, ij. beffe-fliks.
beef-house n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating place > [noun] > eating-house or restaurant > other eating-houses
ordinary1590
chop-house1699
porterhouse?1730
steak house1762
beef-house1807
rotisserie1825
fish-shop1826
supper tavern1841
supper house1855
supper room1858
grill-room1883
teetotum1891
grill1896
bar and grill1903
corner-house1912
bistro1922
roadhouse1922
hot doggery1923
rosticceria1930
dinette1940
British Restaurant1941
drive-through1949
drive-up1956
sobaya1958
carvery1962
ouzeri1964
crêperie1967
steak restaurant1970
sushiya1970
steak bar1971
buka1972
kopitiam1979
bukateria1980
churrascaria1981
parrilla1981
Indian1982
theme pub1983
parrillada1984
restobar1992
1807 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life II. xix. 211 Taking your dinner from an a-la-mode beef-house.
beef-market n.
beef-merchant n.
beef-net n.
beef-pot n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > equipment for food preparation > cooking vessel or pot > [noun] > pot for specific food
beef-potc1500
porridge pot1578
loblolly-pot1637
stock-pot1845
tatie pot1871
couscoussier1953
c1500 Lyfe Roberte Deuyll 880 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 253 Robert toke a quycke Catte..And threwe her quycke into the beefe potte.
1702 R. Neve Apopiroscopy i. 14 As big as an ordinary Beef-Pot.
beef-shop n.
beef-steer n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bull > [noun] > castrated or bullock > raised or not fit for beef
pigmeater1879
beef-steer1880
1880 Victorian Rev. 2 Feb. 665 The production of cheap beef steers.
beef-suet n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fat or oil > [noun] > suet
sueta1325
rough suet1653
beef-suet1853
1853 Q. Rev. Mar. 397 An equal quantity of melted beef-suet.
b.
beef-boiler n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > equipment for food preparation > cooking vessel or pot > [noun] > pan > saucepan or stewpan
goose-pan1420
saucepot1516
stupnet1560
beef-boiler1611
chafern1613
stupan1617
stewpot1629
saucepan1639
stewpan1653
casserole1725
goblet1739
double boiler1879
double saucepan1880
cassolette1898
cassoulet1940
saucier1978
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Archimarmitonerastique..or Arch-frequenter of the Cloyster beefe-pot, or beefe-boyler.
beef-eating n.
beef-grower n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping of cattle > [noun] > keeper of cattle
beastman1311
breeder1531
cowman1593
rearer1611
bull-ward1614
cowgirl1753
ranchero1825
cattle-breeder1827
rancher1836
estanciero1845
ranchman1854
cattle king1874
beef-grower1880
cow-man1924
1880 Victorian Rev. 2 Feb. 670 For the American beef-grower to fatten their beef cattle.
beef-making n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > subfamily Bovinae (bovine) > [noun] > fattened > beef-production
beef-making1881
1881 Gentleman's Mag. Jan. 67 They [wild cattle] are..illbred, and averse to beef-making.
beef-roaster n.
c.
beef-faced adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > types of face > [adjective]
flatc1400
hardc1400
low-cheeredc1400
large?a1425
ruscledc1440
well-visagedc1440
platter-faced1533
well-faced1534
full-faced1543
fair-faced1553
bright-faceda1560
crab-faced1563
crab-snouted1563
crab-tree-faced1563
long-visaged1584
owlya1586
wainscot-faced1588
flaberkin1592
rough-hewn1593
angel-faced1594
round-faced1594
crab-favoured1596
rugged1596
weasel-faced1596
rough-faced1598
half-faced1600
chitty1601
lenten-faced1604
broad-faced1607
dog-faced1607
weaselled-faced1607
wry-faced1607
maid-faced1610
warp-faced1611
ill-faceda1616
lean-faceda1616
old-faceda1616
moon-faced1619
monkey-faced1620
chitty-face1622
chitty-faceda1627
lean-chapt1629
antic-faced1635
bloat-faced1638
bacon-facea1640
blue-faced1640
hatchet-faced1648
grave1650
lean-jawed1679
smock-faced1684
lean-visaged1686
flaber1687
baby-faced1692
splatter-faced1707
chubby1722
puggy1722
block-faced1751
haggard-looking1756
long-faced1762
haggardly1763
fresh-faced1766
dough-faced1773
pudding-faced1777
baby-featured1780
fat-faced1782
haggard1787
weazen-face1794
keen1798
ferret-like1801
lean-cheeked1812
mulberry-faced1812
open-faced1813
open-countenanced1819
chiselled1821
hatchety1821
misfeatured1822
terse1824
weazen-faced1824
mahogany-faced1825
clock-faced1827
sharp1832
sensual1833
beef-faced1838
weaselly1838
ferret-faced1840
sensuous1843
rat-faced1844
recedent1849
neat-faced1850
cherubimical1854
pinch-faced1859
cherubic1860
frownya1861
receding1866
weak1882
misfeaturing1885
platopic1885
platyopic1885
pro-opic1885
wind-splitting1890
falcon-face1891
blunt-featured1916
bun-faced1927
fish-faced1963
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist I. xiv. 227 I know a friend who's got a beef-faced boy.
C2. Special combinations: See also beefeater n., beef-steak n., beef-wood n.† beef-brained adj. Obsolete thick-headed, stupid.† beef-brewis n. Obsolete broth made from beef.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > [adjective]
sloweOE
stuntc960
dullOE
hardOE
stuntlyc1000
sotc1050
dillc1175
dulta1225
simplea1325
heavy1340
astonedc1374
sheepishc1380
dull-witteda1387
lourd1390
steerishc1411
ass-likea1425
brainless?a1439
deafc1440
sluggishc1450
short-witted1477
obtuse1509
peakish1519
wearish1519
deaf, or dumb as a beetle1520
doileda1522
gross1526
headlessa1530
stulty1532
ass-headed1533
pot-headed1533
stupid?1541
sheep's head1542
doltish1543
dumpish1545
assish1548
blockish1548
slow-witted1548
blockheaded1549
surd1551
dull-headed1552
hammer-headed1552
skit-brained?1553
buzzardly1561
witless1562
log-headeda1566
assy1566
sottish1566
dastardly1567
stupidious1567
beetle-headed1570
calvish1570
bluntish1578
cod's-headed1578
grout-headed1578
bedaft1579
dull-pated1580
blate1581
buzzard-like1581
long-eared1582
dullard1583
woodena1586
duncical1588
leaden-headed1589
buzzard1592
dorbellical1592
dunstical1592
heavy-headeda1593
shallow-brained1592
blunt-witted1594
mossy1597
Bœotian1598
clay-brained1598
fat1598
fat-witted1598
knotty-pated1598
stupidous1598
wit-lost1599
barren1600
duncifiedc1600
lourdish1600
stockish1600
thick1600
booby1603
leaden-pated1603
partless1603
thin-headed1603
leaden-skulledc1604
blockhead1606
frost-brained1606
ram-headed1608
beef-witted1609
insulse1609
leaden-spirited1609
asininec1610
clumse1611
blockheadly1612
wattle-headed1613
flata1616
logger-headeda1616
puppy-headeda1616
shallow-patedc1616
thick-brained1619
half-headed1621
buzzard-blinda1625
beef-brained1628
toom-headed1629
thick-witted1634
woollen-witted1635
squirrel-headed1637
clod-pated1639
lean-souled1639
muddy-headed1642
leaden-witteda1645
as sad as any mallet1645
under-headed1646
fat-headed1647
half-witted1647
insipid1651
insulsate1652
soft-headed1653
thick-skulleda1657
muddish1658
non-intelligent1659
whey-brained1660
sap-headed1665
timber-headed1666
leather-headeda1668
out of (one's) tree1669
boobily1673
thoughtless1673
lourdly1674
logger1675
unintelligenta1676
Bœotic1678
chicken-brained1678
under-witted1683
loggerhead1684
dunderheaded1692
unintelligible1694
buffle-headed1697
crassicc1700
numbskulled1707
crassous1708
doddy-polled1708
haggis-headed1715
niddy-noddy1722
muzzy1723
pudding-headed1726
sumphish1728
pitcher-souleda1739
duncey1743
hebete1743
chuckheaded1756
dumb1756
duncely1757
imbecile1766
mutton-headed1768
chuckle-headed1770
jobbernowl1770
dowfarta1774
boobyish1778
wittol1780
staumrel1787
opaquec1789
stoopid1791
mud-headed1793
borné1795
muzzy-headed1798
nog-headed1800
thick-headed1801
gypit1804
duncish1805
lightweight1809
numbskull1814
tup-headed1816
chuckle-pate1820
unintellectuala1821
dense1822
ninnyish1822
dunch1825
fozy1825
potato-headed1826
beef-headed1828
donkeyish1831
blockheadish1833
pinheaded1837
squirrel-minded1837
pumpkin-headed1838
tomfoolish1838
dundering1840
chicken-headed1842
like a bump on a log1842
ninny-minded1849
numbheadeda1852
nincompoopish1852
suet-brained1852
dolly1853
mullet-headed1853
sodden1853
fiddle-headed1854
numb1854
bovine1855
logy1859
crass1861
unsmart1861
off his chump1864
wooden-headed1865
stupe1866
lean-minded1867
duffing1869
cretinous1871
doddering1871
thick-head1873
doddling1874
stupido1879
boneheaded1883
woolly-headed1883
leaden-natured1889
suet-headed1890
sam-sodden1891
dopey1896
turnip-headed1898
bonehead1903
wool-witted1905
peanut-headed1906
peanut-brained1907
dilly1909
torpid-minded1909
retardate1912
nitwitted1917
meat-headed1918
mug1922
cloth-headed1925
loopy1925
nitwit1928
lame-brained1929
dead from the neck up1930
simpy1932
nail-headed1936
square-headed1936
dingbats1937
pinhead1939
dim-witted1940
pea-brained1942
clueless1943
lobotomized1943
retarded1949
pointy-headed1950
clottish1952
like a stunned mullet1953
silly (or crazy) as a two-bob watch1954
out to lunch1955
pin-brained1958
dozy1959
eejity1964
out of one's tiny mind1965
doofus1967
twitty1967
twittish1969
twatty1975
twattish1976
blur1977
dof1979
goofus1981
dickheaded1991
dickish1991
numpty1992
cockish1996
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. x. sig. L5v A Beefe-brain'd-fellow (that had onely impudence enough to shew himselfe a foole).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > soup or pottage > [noun] > beef soup
browet1399
skink1541
beef-broth1702
cooley1767
beef-brewis1820
rubaboo1821
oxtail soup1834
1820 W. Scott Abbot I. xiv. 292 The monks..are merriest..when they sup beef-brewis for lenten-kail.
beef-broth n. Obsolete
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > soup or pottage > [noun] > beef soup
browet1399
skink1541
beef-broth1702
cooley1767
beef-brewis1820
rubaboo1821
oxtail soup1834
1702 R. Neve Apopiroscopy i. 26 Supply it with the Fat of Powder'd Beef-broth.
beefburger n. /ˈbiːfbɜːɡə(r)/ [burger n.] a hamburger, (originally U.S.).
/ˈbiːfbɜːɡə(r)/ [burger n.] a hamburger, (originally U.S.).ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > meat dishes > [noun] > hamburger
quarter-pounder1847
Hamburg steak1884
Hamburger1889
Salisbury steak1897
cheeseburgerc1930
nutburger1934
Wimpy1935
burger1939
lamburger1939
beefburger1940
sausage-burger1942
Sloppy Joe1942
turtleburger1946
mooseburger1948
jumboburger1959
Big Mac1969
soy burger1973
slider1974
soya burger1974
1940 in Amer. Speech 15 452/1 Hamburgers are out, beefburgers are in!
1959 Observer 8 Nov. 3/5 We can expect the kind of hamburger proliferation that exists in America, with beefburgers, eggburgers, [etc.].
beefcake n. /ˈbiːfkeɪk/ [humorous, after cheesecake n.] slang (originally U.S.) (a display of) sturdy masculine physique.
/ˈbiːfkeɪk/ [humorous, after cheesecake n.] slang (originally U.S.) (a display of) sturdy masculine physique.ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person > beautiful person > beautiful man or boy
Cupidc1381
narcissusc1385
Ganymede?1566
Adonis?1571
Greek goda1910
beefcake1949
1949 in Amer. Speech (1954) 29 282 Alan Ladd has a beef—about ‘beefcake’, the new Hollywood trend toward exposing the male chest.
1954 Sunday Pictorial 18 Apr. 15/1 I learned that beefcake was bunk because one of my jobs in the circus was lacing the strongman's shoes.
1963 Guardian 29 June 5/4 The other poster..shows Albert Finney in a beefcake pose with his shirt slit to the navel.
beef chit n. Nautical slang a menu.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > menu > [noun]
billet1577
fillet1587
bill of farea1640
carte1818
menu1830
beef chit1911
me-and-you1932
1911 ‘Guns’ et al. Middle Watch Musings 54 The Commander (having failed to arouse the Wardroom Waiters from their lethargy; sitting for five minutes without being offered the beef chit).
1962 John o' London's 14 June 571/1 The beef chit, or [wardroom] menu.
beef-dairy adj. applied to a cross between beef and dairy cattle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > breeds of ox > [adjective] > of miscellaneous breeds of ox
belted1582
West Highland1761
Dunlop1793
middle-horned1796
East Friesian1856
Podolian1879
criollo1893
Simmental1906
beef-dairy1960
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 16 Feb. 15/1 Beef-dairy crosses include crosses between beef breeds and Friesians or Dairy Shorthorns.
beef essence n. (see quot. 1890).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > substances for food preparation > [noun] > beef extract
beef essence1853
Liebig1869
Bovril1886
beef-extract1890
meat cube1951
1853 R. Dunglison Med. Lexicon (ed. 9) Beef essence.
1890 J. S. Billings National Med. Dict. I Beef essence, cooked juice of beef, prepared by introducing lean beef in small pieces into a bottle, and subjecting it to heat of a boiling water-bath for an hour.
beef-extract n. an extract of the soluble fibrin of beef.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > substances for food preparation > [noun] > beef extract
beef essence1853
Liebig1869
Bovril1886
beef-extract1890
meat cube1951
1890 W. James Princ. Psychol. II. xxiii. 380 The stimulating effects of tobacco, smoke, alcohol, beef-extract (which is innutritious), etc. etc., may be partly due to a dynamogenic action of this sort.
1894 G. M. Gould Dict. Med. Beef-extract, the soluble fibrin of lean meat partly desiccated.
beef-fed adj. fed on beef; esp. as an epithet for a typical Englishman.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > [adjective] > fed on specific food
brawn-fed1567
haggis-fed1786
blubber-fed1835
pap-fed1873
beefish1887
beef-fed1903
1903 R. Kipling Five Nations 78 And beef-fed zealots threaten in To Buddha and Kamakura.
1903 ‘A. McNeill’ Egregious Eng. (ed. 3) viii. 79 A beef-fed army and a beef-fed navy are what Englishmen believe they get for their money.
1934 E. H. W. Meyerstein Let. 3 Apr. (1959) 159 Of course you (i.e. beef-fed materialistic Englishman (woman)) can argue.
beef-ham n. beef cured in the same fashion as a ham, by salting, smoking, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > beef > [noun] > cured beef
jerkin beef1612
beef-ham1815
mess1855
pastrami1899
jerkin1954
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 45 A huge piece of cold beef-ham.
beef-head n. a thick-head, a block-head.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > stupid person, dolt, blockhead > [noun]
asseOE
sotc1000
beastc1225
long-ear?a1300
stock1303
buzzard1377
mis-feelinga1382
dasarta1400
stonea1400
dasiberd14..
dottlec1400
doddypoll1401
dastardc1440
dotterel1440
dullardc1440
wantwit1449
jobardc1475
nollc1475
assheada1500
mulea1500
dull-pate15..
peak1509
dulbert?a1513
doddy-patec1525
noddypolla1529
hammer-head1532
dull-head?1534
capon1542
dolt1543
blockhead1549
cod's head1549
mome1550
grout-head1551
gander1553
skit-brains?1553
blocka1556
calfa1556
tomfool1565
dunce1567
druggard1569
cobble1570
dummel1570
Essex calf1573
jolthead1573
hardhead1576
beetle-head1577
dor-head1577
groutnoll1578
grosshead1580
thickskin1582
noddyship?1589
jobbernowl1592
beetle-brain1593
Dorbel1593
oatmeal-groat1594
loggerhead1595
block-pate1598
cittern-head1598
noddypoop1598
dorbellist1599
numps1599
dor1601
stump1602
ram-head1605
look-like-a-goose1606
ruff1606
clod1607
turf1607
asinego1609
clot-poll1609
doddiea1611
druggle1611
duncecomb1612
ox-head1613
clod-polla1616
dulman1615
jolterhead1620
bullhead1624
dunderwhelpa1625
dunderhead1630
macaroona1631
clod-patea1635
clota1637
dildo1638
clot-pate1640
stupid1640
clod-head1644
stub1644
simpletonian1652
bottle-head1654
Bœotiana1657
vappe1657
lackwit1668
cudden1673
plant-animal1673
dolt-head1679
cabbage head1682
put1688
a piece of wood1691
ouphe1694
dunderpate1697
numbskull1697
leather-head1699
nocky1699
Tom Cony1699
mopus1700
bluff-head1703
clod skull1707
dunny1709
dowf1722
stupe1722
gamphrel1729
gobbin?1746
duncehead1749
half-wit1755
thick-skull1755
jackass1756
woollen-head1756
numbhead1757
beef-head1775
granny1776
stupid-head1792
stunpolla1794
timber-head1794
wether heada1796
dummy1796
noghead1800
staumrel1802
muttonhead1803
num1807
dummkopf1809
tumphya1813
cod's head and shoulders1820
stoopid1823
thick-head1824
gype1825
stob1825
stookiea1828
woodenhead1831
ning-nong1832
log-head1834
fat-head1835
dunderheadism1836
turnip1837
mudhead1838
donkey1840
stupex1843
cabbage1844
morepork1845
lubber-head1847
slowpoke1847
stupiditarian1850
pudding-head1851
cod's head and shoulders1852
putty head1853
moke1855
mullet-head1855
pothead1855
mug1857
thick1857
boodle1862
meathead1863
missing link1863
half-baked1866
lunk1867
turnip-head1869
rummy1872
pumpkin-head1876
tattie1879
chump1883
dully1883
cretin1884
lunkhead1884
mopstick1886
dumbhead1887
peanut head1891
pie-face1891
doughbakea1895
butt-head1896
pinhead1896
cheesehead1900
nyamps1900
box head1902
bonehead1903
chickenhead1903
thickwit1904
cluck1906
boob1907
John1908
mooch1910
nitwit1910
dikkop1913
goop1914
goofus1916
rumdum1916
bone dome1917
moron1917
oik1917
jabroni1919
dumb-bell1920
knob1920
goon1921
dimwit1922
ivory dome1923
stone jug1923
dingleberry1924
gimp1924
bird brain1926
jughead1926
cloth-head1927
dumb1928
gazook1928
mouldwarp1928
ding-dong1929
stupido1929
mook1930
sparrow-brain1930
knobhead1931
dip1932
drip1932
epsilon1932
bohunkus1933
Nimrod1933
dumbass1934
zombie1936
pea-brain1938
knot-head1940
schlump1941
jarhead1942
Joe Soap1943
knuckle-head1944
nong1944
lame-brain1945
gobshite1946
rock-head1947
potato head1948
jerko1949
turkey1951
momo1953
poop-head1955
a right one1958
bam1959
nong-nong1959
dickhead1960
dumbo1960
Herbert1960
lamer1961
bampot1962
dipshit1963
bamstick1965
doofus1965
dick1966
pillock1967
zipperhead1967
dipstick1968
thickie1968
poephol1969
yo-yo1970
doof1971
cockhead1972
nully1973
thicko1976
wazzock1976
motorhead1979
mouth-breather1979
no-brainer1979
jerkwad1980
woodentop1981
dickwad1983
dough ball1983
dickweed1984
bawheid1985
numpty1985
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
knob-end1989
Muppet1989
dingus1997
dicksack1999
eight ball-
1775 Ld. Cavendish in Burke's Corr. (1844) II. 86 The petition..should be framed so as to..draw off some of the beef-heads who are disposed against it.
beef-headed adj. = beef-brained adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > [adjective]
sloweOE
stuntc960
dullOE
hardOE
stuntlyc1000
sotc1050
dillc1175
dulta1225
simplea1325
heavy1340
astonedc1374
sheepishc1380
dull-witteda1387
lourd1390
steerishc1411
ass-likea1425
brainless?a1439
deafc1440
sluggishc1450
short-witted1477
obtuse1509
peakish1519
wearish1519
deaf, or dumb as a beetle1520
doileda1522
gross1526
headlessa1530
stulty1532
ass-headed1533
pot-headed1533
stupid?1541
sheep's head1542
doltish1543
dumpish1545
assish1548
blockish1548
slow-witted1548
blockheaded1549
surd1551
dull-headed1552
hammer-headed1552
skit-brained?1553
buzzardly1561
witless1562
log-headeda1566
assy1566
sottish1566
dastardly1567
stupidious1567
beetle-headed1570
calvish1570
bluntish1578
cod's-headed1578
grout-headed1578
bedaft1579
dull-pated1580
blate1581
buzzard-like1581
long-eared1582
dullard1583
woodena1586
duncical1588
leaden-headed1589
buzzard1592
dorbellical1592
dunstical1592
heavy-headeda1593
shallow-brained1592
blunt-witted1594
mossy1597
Bœotian1598
clay-brained1598
fat1598
fat-witted1598
knotty-pated1598
stupidous1598
wit-lost1599
barren1600
duncifiedc1600
lourdish1600
stockish1600
thick1600
booby1603
leaden-pated1603
partless1603
thin-headed1603
leaden-skulledc1604
blockhead1606
frost-brained1606
ram-headed1608
beef-witted1609
insulse1609
leaden-spirited1609
asininec1610
clumse1611
blockheadly1612
wattle-headed1613
flata1616
logger-headeda1616
puppy-headeda1616
shallow-patedc1616
thick-brained1619
half-headed1621
buzzard-blinda1625
beef-brained1628
toom-headed1629
thick-witted1634
woollen-witted1635
squirrel-headed1637
clod-pated1639
lean-souled1639
muddy-headed1642
leaden-witteda1645
as sad as any mallet1645
under-headed1646
fat-headed1647
half-witted1647
insipid1651
insulsate1652
soft-headed1653
thick-skulleda1657
muddish1658
non-intelligent1659
whey-brained1660
sap-headed1665
timber-headed1666
leather-headeda1668
out of (one's) tree1669
boobily1673
thoughtless1673
lourdly1674
logger1675
unintelligenta1676
Bœotic1678
chicken-brained1678
under-witted1683
loggerhead1684
dunderheaded1692
unintelligible1694
buffle-headed1697
crassicc1700
numbskulled1707
crassous1708
doddy-polled1708
haggis-headed1715
niddy-noddy1722
muzzy1723
pudding-headed1726
sumphish1728
pitcher-souleda1739
duncey1743
hebete1743
chuckheaded1756
dumb1756
duncely1757
imbecile1766
mutton-headed1768
chuckle-headed1770
jobbernowl1770
dowfarta1774
boobyish1778
wittol1780
staumrel1787
opaquec1789
stoopid1791
mud-headed1793
borné1795
muzzy-headed1798
nog-headed1800
thick-headed1801
gypit1804
duncish1805
lightweight1809
numbskull1814
tup-headed1816
chuckle-pate1820
unintellectuala1821
dense1822
ninnyish1822
dunch1825
fozy1825
potato-headed1826
beef-headed1828
donkeyish1831
blockheadish1833
pinheaded1837
squirrel-minded1837
pumpkin-headed1838
tomfoolish1838
dundering1840
chicken-headed1842
like a bump on a log1842
ninny-minded1849
numbheadeda1852
nincompoopish1852
suet-brained1852
dolly1853
mullet-headed1853
sodden1853
fiddle-headed1854
numb1854
bovine1855
logy1859
crass1861
unsmart1861
off his chump1864
wooden-headed1865
stupe1866
lean-minded1867
duffing1869
cretinous1871
doddering1871
thick-head1873
doddling1874
stupido1879
boneheaded1883
woolly-headed1883
leaden-natured1889
suet-headed1890
sam-sodden1891
dopey1896
turnip-headed1898
bonehead1903
wool-witted1905
peanut-headed1906
peanut-brained1907
dilly1909
torpid-minded1909
retardate1912
nitwitted1917
meat-headed1918
mug1922
cloth-headed1925
loopy1925
nitwit1928
lame-brained1929
dead from the neck up1930
simpy1932
nail-headed1936
square-headed1936
dingbats1937
pinhead1939
dim-witted1940
pea-brained1942
clueless1943
lobotomized1943
retarded1949
pointy-headed1950
clottish1952
like a stunned mullet1953
silly (or crazy) as a two-bob watch1954
out to lunch1955
pin-brained1958
dozy1959
eejity1964
out of one's tiny mind1965
doofus1967
twitty1967
twittish1969
twatty1975
twattish1976
blur1977
dof1979
goofus1981
dickheaded1991
dickish1991
numpty1992
cockish1996
1828 A. Royall Black Bk. II. 114 Such a great beef-headed fellow as you editor of a paper.
1900 E. Terry Let. 28 Jan. (1931) 372 The war—and the disgrace of it (beef-headed Buller's doings).
beef-measles n. a parasitic disease, which sometimes attacks cattle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of cattle > [noun] > parasitic disorders
beef-measles1884
1884 Internat. Health Exhib. Official Catal. 20/1 Drawings of..Beef Measles and the Beef-tapeworm.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
beef stroganof n. (also beef stroganoff) = stroganoff n.
beef-tapeworm n. Tænia mediocancellata.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > phylum Platyhelminthes > [noun] > class Cestodes > genus Taenia > member of
beef-tapeworm1884
1884 Internat. Health Exhib. Official Catal. 20/1 Drawings of..Beef Measles and the Beef-tapeworm.
beef-tea n. the juice of beef extracted by prolonged simmering in a very little water, used as a nutritious food for invalids.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > soup or pottage > gruel or broth for invalids > [noun]
gruel1362
water gruel?c1450
cullisc1460
chicken brothc1540
coulis1603
barley-milk1607
maize-cream1626
chicken water1684
barley-cream1694
thin gruel1699
viper-broth1702
wangracea1733
barley-gruel1769
beef-tea1783
conjee1789
Revalenta1848
skink1880
toast-water1905
1783 Med. Communications 1 140 She was ordered beef-tea.
1861 F. Nightingale Notes on Nursing (new ed.) 52 A small quantity of beef tea added to other articles of food makes them more nourishing.
1870 J. R. Lowell My Study Windows 91 He gives us the very beef-tea of history, nourishing and even palatable enough.
beef trip n. Naval slang (a) a routine trip in the ship's boat assigned to bring the meat ration from the shore; (b) an escort of food ships in convoy in the 1914–18 war.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > operations or manoeuvres > [noun] > convoying or escorting
waftage1558
wafting1559
convoy1600
beef trip1919
society > travel > travel by water > [noun] > a voyage > conveying food
beef trip1919
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > navy > a naval force or fleet > [noun] > squad or crew for special duty > escort of food ships in convoy
beef trip1919
1919 ‘Taffrail’ H.M.S. Anonymous vii. §2. 139 We called it the ‘Beef trip’ because in some remote fashion it reminded us of our midshipman days, when, in charge of the ‘blood boat’ we left our ships..to bring off from the shore the fresh meat which would..be served out to the ship's company.
1919 ‘Taffrail’ H.M.S. Anonymous vii. §2. 142 In spite of all precautions on our part the German flotillas from Zeebrugge..might altogether have put a stop to the ‘beef trip’ carried on under their very noses.
1919 ‘Taffrail’ H.M.S. Anonymous vii. §3. 152 The ‘beef trip’ was over. Yet another consignment of margarine and Dutch cheeses had been brought into the United Kingdom.
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 21 On the beef trip, a Navy term in the War, used of the vessels carrying meat to the Grand Fleet at Scapa.
beef-witted adj. (= beef-brained adj.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > [adjective]
sloweOE
stuntc960
dullOE
hardOE
stuntlyc1000
sotc1050
dillc1175
dulta1225
simplea1325
heavy1340
astonedc1374
sheepishc1380
dull-witteda1387
lourd1390
steerishc1411
ass-likea1425
brainless?a1439
deafc1440
sluggishc1450
short-witted1477
obtuse1509
peakish1519
wearish1519
deaf, or dumb as a beetle1520
doileda1522
gross1526
headlessa1530
stulty1532
ass-headed1533
pot-headed1533
stupid?1541
sheep's head1542
doltish1543
dumpish1545
assish1548
blockish1548
slow-witted1548
blockheaded1549
surd1551
dull-headed1552
hammer-headed1552
skit-brained?1553
buzzardly1561
witless1562
log-headeda1566
assy1566
sottish1566
dastardly1567
stupidious1567
beetle-headed1570
calvish1570
bluntish1578
cod's-headed1578
grout-headed1578
bedaft1579
dull-pated1580
blate1581
buzzard-like1581
long-eared1582
dullard1583
woodena1586
duncical1588
leaden-headed1589
buzzard1592
dorbellical1592
dunstical1592
heavy-headeda1593
shallow-brained1592
blunt-witted1594
mossy1597
Bœotian1598
clay-brained1598
fat1598
fat-witted1598
knotty-pated1598
stupidous1598
wit-lost1599
barren1600
duncifiedc1600
lourdish1600
stockish1600
thick1600
booby1603
leaden-pated1603
partless1603
thin-headed1603
leaden-skulledc1604
blockhead1606
frost-brained1606
ram-headed1608
beef-witted1609
insulse1609
leaden-spirited1609
asininec1610
clumse1611
blockheadly1612
wattle-headed1613
flata1616
logger-headeda1616
puppy-headeda1616
shallow-patedc1616
thick-brained1619
half-headed1621
buzzard-blinda1625
beef-brained1628
toom-headed1629
thick-witted1634
woollen-witted1635
squirrel-headed1637
clod-pated1639
lean-souled1639
muddy-headed1642
leaden-witteda1645
as sad as any mallet1645
under-headed1646
fat-headed1647
half-witted1647
insipid1651
insulsate1652
soft-headed1653
thick-skulleda1657
muddish1658
non-intelligent1659
whey-brained1660
sap-headed1665
timber-headed1666
leather-headeda1668
out of (one's) tree1669
boobily1673
thoughtless1673
lourdly1674
logger1675
unintelligenta1676
Bœotic1678
chicken-brained1678
under-witted1683
loggerhead1684
dunderheaded1692
unintelligible1694
buffle-headed1697
crassicc1700
numbskulled1707
crassous1708
doddy-polled1708
haggis-headed1715
niddy-noddy1722
muzzy1723
pudding-headed1726
sumphish1728
pitcher-souleda1739
duncey1743
hebete1743
chuckheaded1756
dumb1756
duncely1757
imbecile1766
mutton-headed1768
chuckle-headed1770
jobbernowl1770
dowfarta1774
boobyish1778
wittol1780
staumrel1787
opaquec1789
stoopid1791
mud-headed1793
borné1795
muzzy-headed1798
nog-headed1800
thick-headed1801
gypit1804
duncish1805
lightweight1809
numbskull1814
tup-headed1816
chuckle-pate1820
unintellectuala1821
dense1822
ninnyish1822
dunch1825
fozy1825
potato-headed1826
beef-headed1828
donkeyish1831
blockheadish1833
pinheaded1837
squirrel-minded1837
pumpkin-headed1838
tomfoolish1838
dundering1840
chicken-headed1842
like a bump on a log1842
ninny-minded1849
numbheadeda1852
nincompoopish1852
suet-brained1852
dolly1853
mullet-headed1853
sodden1853
fiddle-headed1854
numb1854
bovine1855
logy1859
crass1861
unsmart1861
off his chump1864
wooden-headed1865
stupe1866
lean-minded1867
duffing1869
cretinous1871
doddering1871
thick-head1873
doddling1874
stupido1879
boneheaded1883
woolly-headed1883
leaden-natured1889
suet-headed1890
sam-sodden1891
dopey1896
turnip-headed1898
bonehead1903
wool-witted1905
peanut-headed1906
peanut-brained1907
dilly1909
torpid-minded1909
retardate1912
nitwitted1917
meat-headed1918
mug1922
cloth-headed1925
loopy1925
nitwit1928
lame-brained1929
dead from the neck up1930
simpy1932
nail-headed1936
square-headed1936
dingbats1937
pinhead1939
dim-witted1940
pea-brained1942
clueless1943
lobotomized1943
retarded1949
pointy-headed1950
clottish1952
like a stunned mullet1953
silly (or crazy) as a two-bob watch1954
out to lunch1955
pin-brained1958
dozy1959
eejity1964
out of one's tiny mind1965
doofus1967
twitty1967
twittish1969
twatty1975
twattish1976
blur1977
dof1979
goofus1981
dickheaded1991
dickish1991
numpty1992
cockish1996
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. i. 13 Thou mongrell beefe witted Lord. View more context for this quotation
beef-wittedness n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > [noun]
hardnessOE
stuntnessc1000
sotshipc1050
witlessnessa1100
sotheada1200
dullness1398
bluntness1483
slowness1495
grossnessa1530
stupidity?1541
assishness?1548
dastardness1552
lourderie1555
dastardliness1556
blockishness1561
doltishness1569
sottage1569
sheepishness1574
doltry1581
sottishness1589
doltage1593
dorbellism1593
grout-headry1600
opacity1611
duncery1615
dunstery1615
stupidness1619
hebetude1621
insulsity1623
unintelligence1634
obtuseness1648
jobbernowlism1652
dullery1653
non-intelligence1653
blockheadishness1656
crassness1664
blockheadedness1716
stolidness1727
blockheadism1753
numbskullity1779
nincompoophood1791
duncishness1805
numbskullism1806
foziness1821
noodledum1821
obtusity1823
soft-headedness1823
noodledom1827
duncehood1829
dunderheadedness1830
sumphishness1830
asininity1831
dunderheadism1836
stockishness1837
dullardness1840
fat-headedness1840
stupor1845
duncedom1847
misintelligence1848
nincompoopery1850
wooden-headedness1850
dumminess1852
jolterheadedness1852
ninnyship1852
donkeyism1855
dumbness1860
beef-wittedness1863
crassitude1865
donkeyhood1869
slow-wittedness1869
chuckle-headedness1880
leatherheadedness1880
pinheadedness1884
numbskulledness1885
donkeydom1889
thickheadedness1889
density1894
moronism1922
nitwittedness1931
nitwittery1931
noodleness1931
dopiness1942
squirrel-headedness1955
nincompoopism1957
dim-wittedness1960
clottishness1961
1863 Reader 22 Aug. This British bull-neckedness, this British beef-wittedness.
Draft additions June 2007
U.S. slang. A criminal charge or conviction; (also) a prison sentence.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > sentence or term of
time1790
lagging1819
stretch1821
model1845
birdlime1857
penal1864
prison sentence1867
rap1870
bit1871
spot1895
hard time1896
sleep1911
jolt1912
bird1924
fall1926
beef1928
trick1933
porridge1950
custodial sentence1951
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > accusation, allegation, or indictment > [noun]
wrayingc1000
indictment1303
accusationa1382
information1387
appeaching1401
allegeancea1430
supposal1429
accuse?a1439
appealing1440
ditingc1440
indictingc1440
detection1471
cusing1488
indictament1523
arraigning1533
denouncement1544
arraignment1549
raignment1570
delation1578
denunciation1588
prosecution1590
accusement1596
inditure1614
aggravation1626
arraign1638
delating1820
billing1884
beef1928
1928 Amer. Mercury May 81 I'm ditched for fifteen flat—an' on a bum beef!
1967 M. Braly On the Yard 9 You've already beat this yard long enough to wear out two murder beefs and a bag of robberies.
1990 J. Welch Indian Lawyer 13 A forty-year beef reduced to thirty by Sentence Review.
2006 S. Turow in N.Y. Times Mag. 4 June 35/1 He has a required court appearance on a pending case to be sure he hasn't skipped bail. ‘What kind of beef?’ Murph asks.
Draft additions December 2003
beef tomato n. British a tomato of a large, firm, irregularly shaped variety; cf. beefsteak tomato n. at beef-steak n. Additions.
ΚΠ
1981 Times 6 June 2/5 Dutch growers have been quicker to start producing beef tomatoes—large, irregular shaped fleshy fruits derived from the French variety Marmande.
1995 R. Gray & R. Rogers River Cafe Cook Bk. (1996) 131/2 Costuluto Fiorentina is a large salad tomato, and ripens to a reddish green colour. Beef tomatoes are a poor substitute.
Draft additions June 2003
beef Wellington n. (also Beef Wellington) Cookery a dish of fillet of beef (often coated with pâté) wrapped in puff pastry; cf. Wellington n. 3b.
ΚΠ
1939 D. Ashley Where to dine in Thirty-nine 53 Tenderloin of Beef Wellington... Larded tenderloin of beef. Roast very rare. Allow to cool and roll into pie crust... Slice in portions and serve with sauce Madire.]
1948 R. Dana Where to eat in N.Y. 217 For an entree let taste be your guide, because everything is excellent, from the beef Wellington, the famous preparation with foie gras and truffles and seasoning of origanum, to the many chicken and sea-food specialties.
1994 D. Porter Frommer's Comprehensive Trav. Guide Portugal '94–'95 v. 96 The à la carte items are available at lunch and dinner and feature..lamb chops with mint sauce,..and beef Wellington.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
beefv.
1. transitive. To apply raw beef to (a bruise).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment by topical applications > treat by topical applications [verb (transitive)] > apply raw beef to
beef1870
1870 T. Simmons Oakdale Grange 124 [It] will show up in blue and yellow relief..unless they beef it.
2.
a. To put more muscle into, to drive harder. U.S. (College slang).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > carry on vigorously [verb (transitive)]
driveOE
to drive through1523
push1561
urge1565
to fall aboard1642
whack1719
beef1860
1860 Yale Literary Mag. 26 83 The first boat in is the winner of the race, so round they turn, and ‘beef her’ for the home stretch.
b. slang. To strengthen; to add vigour, power, or importance to. Const. up (occasionally out). Hence beefed-up (or -out), adj. Cf. beef n. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase in strength or force
afforce1425
forcec1430
reforcec1450
fortify1470
reinforcec1485
stiffen?a1500
strengthen1548
toughen1582
invigorate1646
hardena1677
recruit1678
emphasize1800
bastion1822
beef1941
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)] > attach importance to > make more important
arearc885
upheavea1300
upraisea1300
uphigh13..
enhancec1325
liftc1330
uplift1338
uphebbe1340
uptakec1340
magnifya1382
upreara1382
uphancec1390
preponder?1504
upbring1513
exaggerate1564
greaten1589
weighc1595
to make much matter ofa1649
aggravate1698
aggrandize1709
beef1941
1941 A. O. Pollard Bombers over Reich xi. 155 When the Fortresses reach Britain from the United States certain alterations are made; the larger guns are..‘beefed up’ so as to give them a rate of fire of 900 rounds a minute.
1944 Time 24 Jan. 22/3 The Eighth [Air Force] proved that it had beefed up its reserves.
1958 Observer 2 Feb. 1/2 This main stage—the ‘beefed-up’ Redstone—uses a secret formula ‘exotic’ fuel.
1960 Times 21 Jan. 13/6 Economic planners..may be tempted to beef-up a project to make it ambitious enough to qualify for large-scale aid.
1963 Language 39 242 A new generation was fed the nonsense of Marr, only partially beefed out with surreptitious teachings.
1966 New Scientist 10 Mar. 618/1 The Defense Department has spent £50 billion building and beefing up the non-nuclear elements of the armed forces.
3. To slaughter (an ox, etc.) for beef. Also transferred, to knock down. U.S. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > kill animal [verb (transitive)]
slayc1000
slaughter1535
kill1560
to bring down1768
bag1814
mop1859
murder1863
beef1869
cull1889
carcass1906
harvest1947
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low > knock down > specifically a person or animal
fellOE
to strike down1470
quell1535
to run down1587
to trip (also turn, tumble, kick, etc.) up a person's heels1587
to strike up the heels of1602
level1770
silence1785
grass1814
send1822
to send to grass1845
beef1926
deck1953
1869 Harper's Mag. Jan. 159/1 They [sc. the buffalo] were to be beefed and sent East or put into cattle-cars, and killed after they had arrived in the Eastern cities.
1916 ‘B. M. Bower’ Phantom Herd xvi. 268 I calc'late I'd better beef another critter.
1926 J. Black You can't Win xiii. 185 When one of them got peeved..some hard-fisted miner beefed him like an ox.
1934 A. Hyder Black-girl, White-lady xxi. 309 ‘Yo'kills niggers?’ ‘Like flies,’ Charley assured her. ‘You want me to beef a few for you?’
4. intransitive. To complain, grumble, protest. slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > state of complaining > complain [verb (intransitive)]
murkeOE
misspeakOE
yomer971
chidea1000
murkenOE
grutch?c1225
mean?a1300
hum13..
plainta1325
gruntc1325
plainc1325
musea1382
murmurc1390
complain1393
contrary1393
flitec1400
pinea1425
grummec1430
aggrudge1440
hoinec1440
mutterc1450
grudge1461
channerc1480
grunch1487
repine1529
storm?1553
expostulate1561
grumblea1586
gruntle1591
chunter1599
swagger1599
maunder1622
orp1634
objurgate1642
pitter1672
yelp1706
yammer1794
natter1804
murgeon1808
groan1816
squawk1875
jower1879
grouse1887
beef1888
to whip the cat1892
holler1904
yip1907
peeve1912
grouch1916
nark1916
to sound off1918
create1919
moana1922
crib1925
tick1925
bitch1930
gripe1932
bind1942
drip1942
kvetchc1950
to rag on1979
wrinch2011
1888 N.Y. World 13 May (Farmer) He'll beef an' kick like a steer an' let on he won't never wear 'em.
1889 Road (Denver) 28 Dec. 4/3 He will be coming down town again soon on crutches, ‘beefing’ about cancer of the stomach.
1922 S. Lewis Babbitt v. 60 Course I wouldn't beef about it to the fellows at the Roughnecks' Table there.
1930 P. G. Wodehouse Very Good, Jeeves iii. 74 You have beefed about Miss Wickham.
1931 E. Linklater Juan in Amer. ii. xvii. 182 ‘So I'm a slave, am I? Like hell I am!’ ‘Stop beefing,’ said Spider.
1957 H. Croome Forgotten Place xi. 138 Stop beefing, Frank. You'll be seeing her again soon enough.
Derivatives
ˈbeefing n.
ΚΠ
1939 J. B. Priestley Let People Sing viii. 210 Too much arguin' an' beefin', majority an' minority nonsense, talkin' shop stuff.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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n.a1300
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