BEAK, n. [Eng. peak,pike, &c. The sense is, a shoot, or a point, from thrusting; and this word is connected with a numerous family. See Class Bg.] 1. The bill, or nib of a bird, consisting of a horny substance, either straight or curving, and ending in a point.2. A pointed piece of wood, fortified with brass, resembling a beak, fastened to the end of ancient gallies; intended to pierce the vessels of an enemy. In modern ships, the beak-head is a name given to the forepart of a ship, whose forecastle is square, or oblong; a circumstance common to all ships of war, which have two or more tiers of guns. Beak or beak-head, that part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee. 3. In farriery, a little shoe, at the toe, about an inch long,turned up and fastened in upon the part of the hoof.4. Any thing ending in a point, like a beak. This in America is more generally pronounced peak.BEAK, v.t. Among cock fighters,to take hold with the beak.
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