01 n. Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.
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1.
Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.
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2.
One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building or ship.“The beams of a vessel are strong pieces of timber stretching across from side to side to support the decks.” — Totten.
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3.
The width of a vessel; as, one vessel is said to have more beam than another.
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4.
The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended.“The doubtful beam long nods from side to side.” — Pope.
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5.
The principal stem or horn of a stag or other deer, which bears the antlers, or branches.
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6.
The pole of a carriage.[Poetic]
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7.
A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving; also, the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven; one being called the fore beam, the other the back beam.
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8.
The straight part or shank of an anchor.
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9.
The main part of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it.
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10.
A heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft; -- called also working beam or walking beam.(Steam Engine) Also: working beam, walking beam
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11.
A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat.“How far that little candle throws his beams!” — Shak.
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13.
One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk; -- called also beam feather. Also: beam feather
Phrases & compounds
Abaft the beam —
in an arc of the horizon between a line that crosses the ship at right angles, or in the direction of her beams, and that point of the compass toward which her stern is directed.
Beam center —
the fulcrum or pin on which the working beam of an engine vibrates.
Beam compass —
an instrument consisting of a rod or beam, having sliding sockets that carry steel or pencil points; -- used for drawing or describing large circles.
Beam engine —
a steam engine having a working beam to transmit power, in distinction from one which has its piston rod attached directly to the crank of the wheel shaft.
Before the beam —
in an arc of the horizon included between a line that crosses the ship at right angles and that point of the compass toward which the ship steers.
On the beam —
in a line with the beams, or at right angles with the keel.
On the weather beam —
on the side of a ship which faces the wind.
To be on her beam ends —
to incline, as a vessel, so much on one side that her beams approach a vertical position.