bef

See also: BEF, B.E.F., and B. E. F.

Translingual

Symbol

bef

  1. (international standards) ISO 639-3 language code for Benabena.

See also

  • Wiktionary’s coverage of Benabena terms

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /bɛf/
  • Hyphenation: bef
  • Rhymes: -ɛf

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch beffe (cap, collar), from Old French biffe. Further origin uncertain. Compare German Beffchen.

Noun

bef f (plural beffen, diminutive befje n)

  1. (archaic) collar
  2. an ornamental pair of bands worn hanging over the chest, notably as part of formal dress by magistrates, professors and certain Catholic and Protestant clergy
  3. by analogy, any of certain other similar objects
  4. a patch on the throat or chest of a different color on cats or dogs
  5. (slang) the vulva
Derived terms

Etymology 2

Noun

bef f (plural beffen, diminutive befje n)

  1. a nickname for an unspecified small Dutch coin

Etymology 3

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

bef

  1. inflection of beffen:
    1. first-person singular present indicative
    2. (in case of inversion) second-person singular present indicative
    3. imperative

Mauritian Creole

Etymology

From French boeuf.

Noun

bef

  1. bull
  2. beef

References

  • Baker, Philip & Hookoomsing, Vinesh Y. 1987. Dictionnaire de créole mauricien. Morisyen – English – Français

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman beof, Old French buef; ultimately from Latin bovem, accusative of bōs. Doublet of cou.

Pronunciation

Noun

bef (uncountable)

  1. beef; cow flesh or meat
  2. A bovine or its carcass

Descendants

  • English: beef (see there for further descendants)
  • Scots: beef

References

Seychellois Creole

Etymology

From French boeuf.

Noun

bef

  1. bull
  2. beef

References

  • Danielle D’Offay et Guy Lionnet, Diksyonner Kreol - Franse / Dictionnaire Créole Seychellois - Français

Volapük

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /bef/

Noun

bef (nominative plural befs)

  1. alcove

Declension

Declension of bef
singular plural
nominative bef befs
genitive befa befas
dative befe befes
accusative befi befis
vocative 1 o bef! o befs!
predicative 2 befu befus

1 status as a case is disputed
2 in later, non-classical Volapük only