Difference between revisions of "Definition: Beef" - New World Encyclopedia

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==Etymology==
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From Middle English ''beef'', ''bef'', ''beof'', borrowed from Anglo-Norman ''beof'', Old French ''buef'', ''boef'' (“[[ox]]”) (modern [[French]] ''bœuf''); from [[Latin]] ''bōs'' (“ox”), from Proto-Italic ''*gʷōs'', ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ''*gʷṓws''. [[Doublet]] of [[cow]].
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==Noun==
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'''beef''' (countable and uncountable, plural '''beef''' or '''beefs''' or '''beeves''')
 
# {{Template:Definition:uncountable}} The [[meat]] from a [[cow]], [[bull]] or other [[bovine]].
 
# {{Template:Definition:uncountable}} The [[meat]] from a [[cow]], [[bull]] or other [[bovine]].
 
#: ''I hate eating '''beef'''.''
 
#: ''I hate eating '''beef'''.''
# {{Template:Definition:countable}} Would be "a side of beef". A chunk, cut or piece not being the whole piece, cf ham.
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# (archaic) A generic term for a cow or bull (plural beeves).
# {{Template:Definition:archaic|countable|plural: beef or beeves}} A generic term for a cow or bull.
 
 
#: ''Do you want to raise '''beeves'''?''
 
#: ''Do you want to raise '''beeves'''?''
# {{Template:Definition:countable|plural: beefs}}'' a [[complaint]] or [[disagreement]]
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# (slang, countable) a [[grudge]], [[complaint]], or [[disagreement]]
 
#: ''He has a '''beef''' with anyone who tells him otherwise.''
 
#: ''He has a '''beef''' with anyone who tells him otherwise.''
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===Derived terms===
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*[[beef jerky]]
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*[[beefsteak]]
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*[[bully beef]]
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*[[corned beef]]
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*[[ground beef]]
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*[[roast beef]]
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*[[smoked beef]]
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==Verb==
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'''beef''' (third-person singular, simple present "beefs", present participle "beefing," simple past and past participle "beefed")
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# (intransitive, slang) To [[complain]].
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#* I gathered from his manner that he had not come to '''beef''' about his sleeping accommodation.
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# (transitive, slang) To add weight or strength to.
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#: Synonym: [[beef up]]
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# (intransitive, slang) To [[feud]] or hold a [[grudge]] against.
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#: Those two are '''beefing''' right now – best you stay out of it for now.
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===Derived terms===
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*[[beef up]]
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*[[beef out]]
  
 
{{Wictionary_credits|beef|5479118}}
 
{{Wictionary_credits|beef|5479118}}

Latest revision as of 23:47, 25 June 2023

Etymology

From Middle English beef, bef, beof, borrowed from Anglo-Norman beof, Old French buef, boef (“ox”) (modern French bœuf); from Latin bōs (“ox”), from Proto-Italic *gʷōs, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws. Doublet of cow.

Noun

beef (countable and uncountable, plural beef or beefs or beeves)

  1. (uncountable) The meat from a cow, bull or other bovine.
    I hate eating beef.
  2. (archaic) A generic term for a cow or bull (plural beeves).
    Do you want to raise beeves?
  3. (slang, countable) a grudge, complaint, or disagreement
    He has a beef with anyone who tells him otherwise.

Derived terms

  • beef jerky
  • beefsteak
  • bully beef
  • corned beef
  • ground beef
  • roast beef
  • smoked beef

Verb

beef (third-person singular, simple present "beefs", present participle "beefing," simple past and past participle "beefed")

  1. (intransitive, slang) To complain.
    • I gathered from his manner that he had not come to beef about his sleeping accommodation.
  2. (transitive, slang) To add weight or strength to.
    Synonym: beef up
  3. (intransitive, slang) To feud or hold a grudge against.
    Those two are beefing right now – best you stay out of it for now.

Derived terms

  • beef up
  • beef out

Credits

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