bi:f n. & v. --n. 1
the flesh of the
ox, bull, or
esp. the cow,
for eating. 2 colloq. well-developed
male muscle. 3 (pl.
beeves or US beefs) a cow, bull, or ox fattened for beef;
its carcass. 4 (pl. beefs) sl. a
complaint; a
protest. --v.intr. sl.
complain. øbeef
tea stewed
extract of beef,
given to invalids. beef up sl.
strengthen,
reinforce,
augment. beef-wood 1
any of
various Australian and W.
Indian hardwood trees. 2 the close-grained
red timber of
these. [ME f.
AF, OF boef f. L bos bovis ox]