beam
1. beam \'be-m\ n [ME beem, fr. OE be-am tree, beam; akin to OHG boum tree]
1a: a long piece of heavy often squared timber suitable for use in construc
tion 1b: a wood or metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp is wound 1c:
the part of a plow to which handles, standard, and colter are attached 1d:
the bar of a balance from which scales hang 1e: a horizontal supporting
structural member; also : BOOM, (MSPAR 1f: the extreme width of a ship at
the widest part 1g: an oscillating lever of a central axis receiving
motion at one end from an engine piston rod and transmitting it at the
other 2a: a ray or shaft of light 2b: a collection of nearly parallel rays
(as X rays) or particles (as elect rons) 2c: a constant directional radio
signal transmitted for the guidance of pil ots; also : the course indicated
by a radio beam 3: the main stem of a deer's antler 4: the width of the
buttocks : on a true course - on the beam
2. beam vt 1: to emit in beams or as a beam 2: to support with beams 3a:
to aim (a broadcast) by directional antennas 3b: to direct to a particular
audience 1: to send out beams of light 2: to smile with joy