beam-ends

beam-ends
/beem"endz'/, n.pl.
1. Naut. the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel.
2. on her beam-ends, Naut. heeled so far on one side that the deck is practically vertical: The schooner was blown over on her beam-ends.
3. on one's or the beam-ends, Slang. in desperate straits, esp. financial straits.
Also, on the beam's ends.
[1765-75]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • 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

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