beam-ends — beam′ ends n. pl. navig. the ends of the transverse deck beams of a ship • on her beam ends on one s or the beam ends Etymology: 1765–75 … From formal English to slang
beam-ends — [bēm′endz′] pl.n. the ends of a ship s beams: see BEAM (n. I, 7) on the beam ends tipping so far to the side as to be in danger of capsizing … English World dictionary
beam-ends — /ˈbim ɛndz/ (say beem endz) plural noun 1. Nautical the ends of a ship s beams. –phrase 2. on its beam ends, Nautical (of a ship) so far inclined on one side that the deck beams are practically vertical. 3. on one s beam ends, in acute distress… …
beam-ends — noun (nautical) at the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel on her beam ends means heeled over on the side so that the deck is almost vertical • Topics: ↑seafaring, ↑navigation, ↑sailing • Hypernyms: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
beam-ends — noun be on your beam ends BrE old fashioned to have almost no money … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
beam-ends — UK / US noun British old fashioned be on your beam ends … English dictionary
beam-ends — noun plural Date: 1750 the ends of a ship s beams … New Collegiate Dictionary
beam-ends — noun The ends of the transverse beams of a ship … Wiktionary
To be on her beam ends — Beam Beam (b[=e]m), n. [AS. be[ a]m beam, post, tree, ray of light; akin to OFries. b[=a]m tree, OS. b[=o]m, D. boom, OHG. boum, poum, G. baum, Icel. ba[eth]mr, Goth. bagms and Gr. fy^ma a growth, fy^nai to become, to be. Cf. L. radius staff, rod … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
on her beam-ends — phrasal : inclined so much on one side that beams approach a vertical position with danger of capsizing * * * on her beam ends Of a ship, so much inclined to one side that the beams become nearly vertical • • • Main Entry: ↑beam * * * on her (or… … Useful english dictionary