bef

Meaning

Noun

1. (archaic, feminine) collar
2. (feminine) an ornamental pair of bands worn hanging over the chest, notably as part of formal dress by magistrates, professors and certain Catholic and Protestant clergy
3. (feminine) by analogy, any of certain other similar objects
4. (feminine) a patch on the throat or chest of a different color on cats or dogs
5. (feminine, slang) the vulva

Verb

1. (first-person, form-of, indicative, present, singular) inflection of beffen:
2. (form-of, indicative, present, second-person, singular) inflection of beffen:
3. (form-of, imperative) inflection of beffen:

beffen

• Verb
• Noun

Read more

Concepts

bands

Synonyms

kin

mond

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɛf/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle Dutch: beffe

Cognate with German: Beffchen

In summary

From Middle Dutch beffe (“cap, collar”), from Old French biffe. Further origin uncertain. Compare German Beffchen.