beam

1. n. Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use. Source: opted

2. n. One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building or ship. Source: opted

3. n. The width of a vessel; as, one vessel is said to have more beam than another. Source: opted

4. n. The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended. Source: opted

5. n. The principal stem or horn of a stag or other deer, which bears the antlers, or branches. Source: opted

6. n. The pole of a carriage. Source: opted

7. n. 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. Source: opted

8. n. The straight part or shank of an anchor. Source: opted

9. n. 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. Source: opted

10. n. 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. Source: opted

11. n. A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat. Source: opted

12. n. Fig.: A ray; a gleam; as, a beam of comfort. Source: opted

13. n. One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk; -- called also beam feather. Source: opted

14. v. t. To send forth; to emit; -- followed ordinarily by forth; as, to beam forth light. Source: opted

15. v. i. To emit beams of light. Source: opted

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