beth

¹ American  

[beys, beyt, bet] / beɪs, beɪt, bɛt /

Also bet

noun

1. the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

2. either of the consonant sounds represented by this letter.

---

Beth ² American  

[beth] / bɛθ /

noun

1. a first name, form of Elizabeth.

---

beth British  

/ bɛt /

noun

1. the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ב) transliterated as b

---

Etymology

Origin of beth

First recorded in 1905–10; from Hebrew bēth literally, “house”; see beta

Example Sentences

Then there is a legible beth, followed by a partially eroded, partially broken section with space for two letters, followed by a waw and an unclear letter.

From Fox News • May 2, 2019

It culminates in an appearance before a three-judge religious panel known as a beth din, and a trip to a mikvah, the ritual bath.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 15, 2016

Ten years ago, the London beth din placed a similar advert criticising a man who had denied his wife a get, but without his picture or calling for action against him.

From The Guardian • Nov. 8, 2015

In fact, the word alphabet comes directly from the first two letters of the Phoenician alphabet: aleph and beth.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Ther beth rivers gret and fine Of oile, melk, honi and wine.

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 111, December 13, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various