• BEHACK
vb. 1565 obs. – to hack about
• BEHAD
vb. 1768 Sc. – to stop, to wait; to hold, to maintain, to hold as certain
• BEHADDEN
adj. 1. 1768 Sc. – held back, kept back
adj. 2. 1816 Sc. & Eng. dial. – under personal obligation; indebted; obliged
• BEHALE
vb. 1574 obs. – to drag about
• BE HALF-PAST FIVE WITH ANYTHING
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to be all up with anything, to be ‘finished’ or ‘done for’
• BEHANG
vb. c897 obs. – to hang a thing about with bells, hangings, drapery etc.
• BEHANGED
adj. c1200 obs. – hung about, draped, hung
• BEHAP
vb. c1450 obs. – to befall, to happen
• BEHAPPEN
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – perhaps, possibly
vb. 1515 obs. – to befall, to happen
• BE HARD BESTED
vb. c1330 – to be hard put to it, to be hard pressed
• BEHATE
vb. c1340 obs. – to hold in hatred, to hate greatly, to detest
• BEHAVE
n. 1615 obs. – behaviour
• BEHAVIOR REPORT; BEHAVIOUR REPORT
n. 1945 US sl. – a letter home from a military recruit to his girlfriend
• BEHAVIOURED
adj. 1589 obs. – conducted, mannered, behaved
• BEHAVISHNESS
n. 1928 Amer. dial. – bad behaviour
• BEHEADAL
n. 1859 – beheading, execution by decapitation
• BE HEARD UPON THE MIDDEN-HEAD
vb. 1768 Sc. – to quarrel openly
• BE HEART AND HAND FOR A THING
vb. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to be eagerly bent on accomplishing or obtaining a thing
• BE HEATED UP IN THE BOWELS
vb. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to be costive
• BEHEEMED
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – sickly, feeble
• BEHEETER
n. 1382 obs. – a promiser
• BEHEIGH
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – above
• BEHELE
vb. c1000 obs. – to conceal, to cover, to envelop
• BEHEMA
n. 1. Bk1982 Jewish – a fool
n. 2. Bk1982 Jewish – an uncouth person
• BEHEMOTH
n. Bk2014 – a huge or monstrous person
• BEHEST
n. a1200 obs. – a vow, a promise
vb. c1175 obs. – to vow, to promise
• BEHESTING
n. 1583 obs. rare – bidding, command
• BEHETE
n. c1460 obs. – a promise, a vow
• BEHETER
n. 1382 obs. – a promiser
• BEHETING
n. 1303 obs. – promise, promising
• BEHEW
vb. c1314 obs. – to hew about, to carve
• BEHIDE
vb. c1000 obs. – to hide away, to conceal
• BEHIE
vb. c1340 obs. – to make haste
• BE HIGH IN THE INSTEP
vb. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to be proud and haughty
• BEHIGHT
adj. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – named, designated
n. c1400 obs. – a promise
vb. 1. a1000 obs. – to vow, to promise
vb. 2. c1386 obs. – to assure one of the truth of a statement; to warrant
vb. 3. c1420 obs. – to encourage expectation, to hold out hope of life, recovery, etc.
• BEHIGHTED
adj. 1571 obs. – promised
• BEHIGHTER
n. c1400 obs. rare – a promiser
• BEHIND
adj. 1. 1950s Amer. sl. – under the influence of
adj. 2. 1961 US sl. – imprisoned
adj. 3. 1968 US sl. – committed, dedicated
n. 1968 US sl. – the buttocks
prep. 1. 1957 US sl. – as a result of
prep. 2. 1967 US sl. – of a drug: under the influence of
• BEHIND AND BEYOND
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – far away; in the distance
• BEHIND BARS
phr. 1951 sl. – in prison
• BEHINDEST
adj. 1958 Amer. dial. – late
n. 1952 Amer. dial. – the one behind
• BEHIND GOD SPEED
adv. Bk1898 N. Ireland – at an out-of-the-way place, very far away
• BEHIND HAND
adv. Bk1905 Sc. – in secret, in an underhand way
• BEHIND-KICKING
n. 1937 Amer. sl. – a beating
• BEHINDMENTS
n. 1886 Amer. – outstanding liabilities, arrears, a deficit
• BEHINDS
adv. 1382 obs. – behind
n. Bk1911 Sc. – the posteriors
• BEHIND-SIGHT
n. 1884 – backward view, retrospection
• BEHIND-THE-BEHIND
n. 1967 US sl. – anal sex
• BEHIND THE BRIDGE
adv. 1992 Trinidad and Tobago – in any ghetto or slum
• BEHIND THE CORK
adj. Bk1975 US sl. – drunk
• BEHIND THE DOOR
adv. 1996 UK sl. – locked in a prison cell
• BEHIND THE DOOR WHEN BRAINS WERE GIVEN OUT
adj. 1969 Aust. sl. – stupid
• BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL
adj. 1. Bk2006 US sl. – broke, penniless
adj. 2. Bk2006 US sl. – in trouble; in a weak or losing position
• BEHIND THE GRIND
phr. Bk1947 Amer. sl. – behind in one’s studies
• BEHIND THE LIGHTER
adj. 1891 Amer. dial. – tardy, late, behind, laggardly
• BEHIND THE LOG
adj. 1971 US sl. – of a betting style in poker: conservative, even when winning
• BEHIND THE SCENES
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – dead
• BEHIND THE SINK
adj. 1974 US sl. – depleted of funds
• BEHIND THE STICK
phr. Bk1998 sl. – to tend bar
• BEHINDWARD
adv. c1440 obs. – in the direction that is behind
• BEHIND WITH THE RENT
adj. 2000 UK sl. – homosexual
• BEHINT
adj. Bk1911 Sc. – of a clock or watch: slow
adv. Bk1911 Sc. – late; too late; in arrears of work, payment, or fulfilment
prep. 1785 Sc. & Eng. dial. – behind
• BEHINTEN
n. 1950 Amer. dial. – the buttocks
prep. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – behind
• BEHITHER
adv. 1650 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – on this side, on the nearer side
prep. 1. 1521 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – on this side of
prep. 2. 1633 obs. – short of, barring, save
• BE HIT WITH THE STUPID STICK
vb. 1970s African-American sl. – to be stupid
• BEHO
n. Bk1911 Sc. – a laughingstock
• BEHOD
vb. Bk1898 Sc. & Eng. dial. – to hold, to maintain, to hold as certain
• BEHOLD
vb. 1. c825 obs. – to consider; to give attention or regard
vb. 2. 971 obs. – to hold in regard, to observe commands, appointed days, etc.
vb. 3. a1000 obs. – to hold by, to keep hold of, to retain
vb. 4. c1175 obs. – to look
vb. 5. c1175 obs. – to pertain, relate or belong to; to concern
vb. 6. c1200 obs. – to hold or contain by way of purport or signification; to signify, to mean
vb. 7. a1670 obs. – to ‘hold,’ to stop, to wait
vb. 8. a1670 obs. – to permit
• BEHOLDABLE
adj. c1449 obs. – that admits of being contemplated
• BEHOLDEN
adj. 1. a1520 obs. – regarded, considered
adj. 2. 1530 – under obligation on account of favours received; beholden, indebted to
• BEHOLDER
n. c1374 – one who beholds, a watcher, a looker on, a spectator
• BEHOLDING
adj. 1483 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – under obligation, obliged, indebted, beholden; later, dependent
n. 1. c1440 obs. – the thing beheld; an image, a spectre; a vision
n. 2. a1520 obs. – mental contemplation; consideration
• BEHOLDINGNESS
n. 1580 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – the condition of being beholden to anyone; obligation, indebtedness; later, dependence
• BEHOODLE
vb. 1967 Amer. dial. – to annoy, to harass, to bother
• BEHOOVE
vb. 1. c890 obs. – to have use for or need of; to require; to be in want of
vb. 2. 1154 obs. – to be physically of use, needful, or necessary to
vb. 3. 1496 obs. – to owe
vb. 4. Bk1911 Sc. – to be obliged
• BEHOOVEFUL
adj. 1382 arch. – useful, of use; advantageous, expedient; needful, necessary, due
• BEHOPE
vb. 1882 Eng. dial. – to hope
• BEHOPES
n. Bk1898 N. Ireland & Eng. dial. – hope, expectation
• BEHOTE
n. c1000 obs. – a promise
• BEHOTEN
adj. c1200 obs. – promised
• BEHOTING
n. c1300 obs. – promising, promise
• BEHOUNCED
adj. 1691 Eng. dial. – tricked up, smartened, finely dressed
• BEHOVABLE
adj. c1460 obs. – useful, profitable, advantageous
• BEHOVABLY
adv. 1512 obs. – usefully, profitably, advantageously, advisably
• BEHOVE
vb. 1. c890 obs. – to have use for or need of; to require; to be in want of
vb. 2. 1154 obs. – to be physically of use, needful, or necessary to
vb. 3. 1496 obs. – to owe
vb. 4. 1815 Sc. – to be obliged
vb. 5. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to be fitting, proper, required
• BEHOVEFUL
adj. 1382 arch. – advantageous, useful, profitable; needful, necessary, due
• BEHOVEFULLY
adv. 1443 obs. – usefully, profitably, duly; necessarily
• BEHOVEFULNESS
n. 1592 obs. – usefulness, use
• BEHOVELY
adj. c950 obs. – useful, profitable; needful, necessary
adv. c1430 obs. – usefully, needfully, necessarily
• BEHOVEN
adj. 1880 – under obligation, beholden
• BEHOVESOME
adj. c1330 obs. – useful, of service
• BEHOVING
adj. c1175 obs. – useful, needful, appropriate
• BEHOVINGLY
adv. 1556 obs. – usefully, appropriately
• BEHUSBAND
vb. 1640 obs. – to economize to the full
• BEIGE
adj. 1982 US sl. – bland, boring
n. 1945 US sl. – a light-skinned Black person
vb. 1989 US drug culture sl. – to chemically darken cocaine to give it the appearance of a purity that it does not possess
• BEIGE FRAME
n. 1953 US sl. – a light-skinned Black woman
• BEIGH
vb. Bk1911 Sc. – to cough
• BEIGNE
n. 1941 Amer. dial. – a fritter or doughnut
• BEIGNET
n. 1835 Amer. dial. – a fritter or doughnut
• BEIJO
n. 1924 Amer. dial. – a cradle
• BEIK
n. 1825 Sc. – a person
• BEIL
vb. 1. Bk1911 Sc. – to fester
vb. 2. Bk1911 Sc. – to give pain or trouble to
• BEILD
n. 1. 1768 Sc. – one who acts as a guardian or protector
n. 2. Bk1911 Sc. – a shelter
n. 3. Bk1911 Sc. – an image
• BEILDER
n. Bk1873 Eng. dial. – a builder
• BEILDLESS
adj. Bk1911 Sc. – unsheltered
• BE ILL PAID
vb. 1825 Sc. – to be sorry
• BE ILL TAKEN
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to be anxious, disturbed or mentally upset
• BE IMPROPERLY INTIMATE WITH
vb. Bk1896 colloq. – to copulate outside marriage
• BEIN
adj. 1. a1200 obs. – pleasant, genial, kindly
adj. 2. 1533 Sc. – comfortable, comfortably furnished
adj. 3. a1548 Sc. – of persons: comfortable, well-to-do, well off
adv. c1400 obs. exc. Sc. obs. – pleasantly, genially, kindly
vb. c1450 obs. – to furnish bounteously, to fill
• BE IN A BOX
vb. a1555 – to be in a fix, to be in a difficult or embarrassing situation; to be in a dilemma
• BE IN ABRAHAM’S BOSOM
vb. 19C sl. – to have sexual intercourse
• BE IN A FAIRFLE
vb. Bk1900 Sc. – to have an eruption of the skin, to itch
• BE IN A FLAP
vb. World War II Amer. sl. – to get all excited about nothing
• BE IN A FLYMY-MESS
vb. B1900 military sl. – to be hungry and have nothing to eat
• BE IN A HANK
vb. B1900 Eng. dial. – to be in a state of perplexity or trouble
• BE IN A LOW KEY
vb. 1886 Eng. dial. rare – to be in a state of despondence, or depression
• BE IN AN INTERESTING CONDITION
vb. 1748 sl. – to be with child
• BE IN AN INTERESTING SITUATION
vb. 1748 sl. – to be with child
• BE IN ANYONE’S BEARD
vb. c1450 obs. – to oppose him openly and resolutely
• BE IN A PEAL
vb. 1883 Eng. dial. – to be in a temper
• BE IN A PERSON’S BEARD
vb. a1250 obs. – to oppose a person openly or resolutely
• BE IN ARMOUR
vb. L17 sl. – to be pot-valiant (bold or courageous under the influence of alcohol)
• BE IN ARSEHOLE STREET
vb. c1950 sl. – to be in serious trouble
• BE IN A STATE OF ‘NO THOROUGHFARE’
phr. Bk1893 sl. – the ‘menstrual flux is on’
• BE INCONSISTENT
vb. 1875 Eng. dial. – to have a child before marriage
• BE IN DEEP SHIT
vb. 1969 sl. – to be in trouble or difficulty
• BE IN FUNDS
vb. 19C colloq. – to have plenty of money
• BEING
n. 1. 1579 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – livelihood, living, subsistence, existence, maintenance
n. 2. 1624 obs. – occurrence, happening
n. 3. 1839 Sc. & Eng. dial. – a home, a dwelling-place, a lodging
n. 4. Bk1898 N. Ireland – a wretched or unfortunate person
• BEINGNESS
n. 1662 obs. – the quality of existing, actuality
• BE IN GREAT UMBRAGE
vb. 1647 obs. – to be in disfavour
• BE IN HOG HEAVEN
vb. Bk1995 US sl. – to be in euphoria
• BE IN LEADING-STRINGS
vb. 1. 1677 – to be still a child
vb. 2. 1779 – to be in a state of dependence or pupilage
• BE IN LOW COTTON
vb. 1941 Amer. dial. – to feel ill; to be in a state of malaise or depression
• BE IN LUMBER
vb. 1819 sl. – to be imprisoned; also, to be in trouble
• BEINLY
adv. c1450 Sc. – pleasantly, comfortably, cosily
• BE IN MUCK-SWEAT
vb. 20C Brit. sl. – to be flurried or flustered
• BEINNESS
n. 1874 Sc. – comfort, well-to-do condition
• BE IN NIGGER-HEAVEN
vb. 1906 Amer. dial., derogatory – to enjoy one’s self cheaply and vulgarly
• BE IN ONE’S BLACK BOOKS
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to be in disfavour or disgrace
• BE IN ON THE ACT
vb. 1947 US sl. – to be involved in another’s activity
• BE IN PRETTY TANGS
vb. 1878 Eng. dial. – to be in a fine mess
• BE IN TALL COTTON
vb. 1941 Amer. dial. – to be prosperous, to do well, to be in a good situation; to have good luck; to be in good spirits
• BE IN THE DOG-HOUSE
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to be locked out for the night upon arriving home late
• BE IN THE MITHERS
vb. Bk1847 Eng. dial. – to be quite intoxicated
• BE IN THE SAME BOX
vb. 1865 – to be in a similar predicament
• BE IN THE SHIT
vb. 20C sl. – to be in trouble or a difficult or unpleasant situation
• BE IN THE SHORT ROWS
vb. 1894 Amer. dial. – to be near the end or the climax of something
• BE IN THE WRONG BOX
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to be wrong, to be mistaken
• BE IN THE WRONG PEW
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to be wrong, to be mistaken
• BE INTO A MAN
vb. Bk1896 sl. – to pitch into him; to fight him
• BE INTO A WOMAN
vb. Bk1896 sl. – to possess a woman carnally
• BE IN TOW STREET
vb. 1841 sl. – to be deluded or helplessly led by the nose; to be decoyed, to be persuaded
• BE INWARDLY GIVEN
vb. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to be pious, spiritual
• BEIRD
n. 1. 1825 Sc. – a bard, a minstrel
n. 2. 1825 Sc. – a lady, a damsel
• BEISANCE
n. 1556 obs. – obeisance; deferential respect
• BEISUM
adj. a1225 obs. – pliable, flexible, docile
• BEITCH
n. 1988 African-American & teen sl. – a male or a female, a friend or an enemy
• BEJABBER
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to fade by keeping in the hands
• BEJABBERS!; BEJABERS!
int. 1890 chiefly Anglo-Irish – an exclamation of surprise or astonishment
• BEJADE
vb. 1. 1620 obs. – to weary, tire out
vb. 2. 1705 obs. – to make a jade of
• BE JAKE-EASY
vb. 1888 Sc. – to be indifferent, not caring one way or the other
• BE JAMMED
vb. 1811 sl. – to meet with a violent death, by accident, murder, or hanging
• BEJAN
n. 1642 – a freshman at the Scotch universities, where the term was adopted from the University of Paris
• BEJANELLA
n. 1894 Sc. – a first-year lady student at Aberdeen University
• BEJANTINA
n. 1912 Sc. – a first-year woman student in Arts at St. Andrews University
• BEJANTINE
n. 1934 Sc. – a first-year woman student in Arts at St. Andrews University
• BE JAPANNED
vb. 1. 1756 sl. – to take orders
vb. 2. 1859 Amer. thieves’ sl. – to be converted
• BEJAPE
vb. 1377 obs. – to play a trick on; to trick or befool
• BEJASUS!
int. 1908 – an exclamation of surprise or astonishment
• BEJAUNE
n. 1708 Sc. – a first-year student at a Scottish university; no only used in Aberdeen and St. Andrews
• BEJAUNT
n. 1708 Sc. – a first-year student at a Scottish university; no only used in Aberdeen and St. Andrews
• BEJEANT
n. 1642 – a freshman at the Scotch universities, where the term was adopted from the University of Paris
• BE JECK-EASY
vb. 1888 Sc. – to be indifferent, not caring one way or the other
• BEJEER
n. Bk2006 US sl. – an act of fellatio
• BE JERRY TO
vb. 1908 US sl. – to understand or realize the meaning of something
• BEJESUS!
int. 1908 chiefly Anglo-Irish – an exclamation of surprise or astonishment
• BE JIBBED
vb. Bk1896 sl. – to be called over the coals; to get into trouble; to be reprimanded
• BEJIMINY!
int. 1946 US sl. – used as a mild expletive
• BEJINGOED
adj. 1790 Eng. dial. obs. – crazy, out of one’s senses
• BE JOHN AT NIGHT AND JACK IN THE MORNING
vb. 1883 Eng. dial. – to boast of one’s intentions overnight and leave them unfulfilled next day
• BE JOHN TAMSON’S MAN
vb. 1880 Sc. – to be of one stock or family
• BEJONKERS
n. 1988 Aust. sl. – the female breasts
• BEJUGGLE
vb. 1. 1680 – to get over by jugglery, to cheat
vb. 2. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to bewitch
• BEKAY
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – the jowl or lower jaw of a pig
• BEKE
n. Bk1982 – among French Creoles: a White settler
vb. Bk1911 Sc. – to warm; to bask
• BE KEEN OF
vb. 1788 Sc. – to be eager to, to be fond of, to be have a liking for
• BEKEN
vb. 1. a1300 obs. – to make known; to declare, to show
vb. 2. a1300 obs. – to deliver
vb. 3. c1350 obs. – to commend or commit to the care of
• BEKEND
adj. 1513 Sc. obs. – known
• BEKENNING
n. c1380 obs. – knowledge, acquaintance
• BE KEPT TO ONE’S CAKE AND MILK
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to be kept within bounds, at a task, work, etc.
• BE KICKED TO DEATH BY CRIPPLES
phr. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – used as an expression of supreme contempt, as in ‘you ought to be kicked to death by cripples’
• BEKNOW
vb. 1. c1300 obs. – to become acquainted with; to recognize
vb. 2. c1325 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to admit one’s knowledge of; to acknowledge, to confess; to know, to understand
• BEKNOWING
n. 1340 obs. – knowledge
• BEKNOWLEDGE
vb. 1340 obs. – to acknowledge
• BEKNOWLEDGING
n. 1340 obs. – acknowledgement, confession
• BEKNOWN
adj. 1429 arch. – known, acquainted, familiar
• BEKNOWNST
adj. 1863 Eng. dial. – known
• BEKOKIN
adj. 1857 Eng. dial. – recommending
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Lexicophilia 