Synonyms for beam


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : beem
Phonetic Transcription : bim

Top 10 synonyms for beam Other synonyms for the word beam

Définition of beam

Origin :
  • Old English beam originally "living tree," but by late 10c. also "rafter, post, ship's timber," from Proto-Germanic *baumaz (cf. Old Norse baðmr, Old Frisian bam "tree, gallows, beam," Middle Dutch boom, Old High German boum, German Baum "tree," Gothic bagms), perhaps from PIE verb root *bheue- "to grow" (see be). The shift from *-au- to -ea- is regular in Old English.
  • Meaning "ray of light" developed in Old English, probably because it was used by Bede to render Latin columna lucis, the Biblical "pillar of fire." Nautical sense of "one of the horizontal transverse timbers holding a ship together" is from early 13c., hence "greatest breadth of a ship," and slang broad in the beam "wide-hipped" (of persons). To be on the beam (1941) was originally an aviator's term for "to follow the course indicated by a radio beam."
  • noun length of material used as support
  • noun ray of light
  • verb broadcast on air waves
  • verb smile broadly
  • verb shine, as a light
  • verb make electronic transfer
Example sentences :
  • I keep the beam out of my own eye which I have no hope of pulling out of my neighhour's.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Here the gatekeeper thrust in the beam to hold the gate shut.
  • Extract from : « Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, Mycenae » by Jennie Hall
  • A beam of light touching Ferry's face made his smile haggard.
  • Extract from : « The Cavalier » by George Washington Cable
  • Her beam was irresistible, and they went to the large parlor.
  • Extract from : « The Cavalier » by George Washington Cable
  • A Goliath o' Gath, wha hath a stroke like untae a weaver's beam.
  • Extract from : « Micah Clarke » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • The beam of a star must lead any thoughtful soul into endless reveries.
  • Extract from : « The Cruise of the Dry Dock » by T. S. Stribling
  • Just then the beam fell on the Vulcan with dazzling brilliance.
  • Extract from : « The Cruise of the Dry Dock » by T. S. Stribling
  • Not one beam touched her face, for her back was to the sun, yet her face was radiant.
  • Extract from : « Wilfrid Cumbermede » by George MacDonald
  • Even the outward form is impressed with a beam of celestial lustre.
  • Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin
  • The wren, after satisfying its animosity, returned to the beam.
  • Extract from : « The History of Louisiana » by Le Page Du Pratz

Antonyms for beam

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019