beam

I. noun Etymology: Middle English beem, from Old English bēam tree, beam; akin to Old High German boum tree Date: before 12th century 1. a. a long piece of heavy often squared timber suitable for use in construction b. a wood or metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp is wound c. the part of a plow to which handles, standard, and coulter are attached d. the bar of a balance from which scales hang e. one of the principal horizontal supporting members (as of a building or ship) <

a steel beam supporting a floor

>; also boom, spar <

the beam of a crane

> f. the extreme width of a ship at the widest part g. an oscillating lever on a central axis receiving motion at one end from an engine connecting rod and transmitting it at the other 2. a. a ray or shaft of light b. a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons) c. a constant directional radio signal transmitted for the guidance of pilots; also the course indicated by a radio beam 3. the main stem of a deer's antler 4. the width of the buttocks II. verb Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to emit in beams or as a beam 2. to support with beams 3. a. to transmit especially by satellite ; broadcast b. to transmit (data) electronically c. to direct to a particular audience intransitive verb 1. to send out beams of light 2. to smile with joy