ben
1[ ben ]
/ bɛn /
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noun
the inner or back room of a two-room cottage, especially when used as a combined parlor and bedroom.
adverb, preposition
within; inside.
adjective
inside; inner.
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We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Origin of ben
1First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (Scots); as adverb, an unexplained variant of late Middle English bin, Middle English binne, Old English binnan “within” (cognate with Old Frisian binna, Middle Dutch, German binnen ), equivalent to bi- “near, around” + innan “within”; see origin at be-, in
Words nearby ben
bemock, bemuddle, bemuse, bemused, be my guest, ben, Benacerraf, Benadryl, bename, Benares, Benavente y Martínez
Other definitions for ben (2 of 5)
ben2
[ ben ]
/ bɛn /
noun
the seed of a tropical tree, Moringa pterygosperma, that yields an oil (ben oil ) used in manufacturing cosmetics and lubricating delicate machinery.
Compare horseradish tree.
Origin of ben
2First recorded in 1550–60; from Arabic bān, the name of the tree
Other definitions for ben (3 of 5)
ben3
[ ben ]
/ bɛn /
noun Scot., Irish.
a mountain peak; high hill: Ben Nevis.
Origin of ben
3First recorded in 1780–90; from Scots Gaelic, Irish beann “peak”
Other definitions for ben (4 of 5)
ben4
[ ben ]
/ bɛn /
son of (used especially in Hebrew and Arabic names): Moses ben Maimon.
Also Ben .
Origin of ben
4From Hebrew bēn, Arabic bin “son”
Other definitions for ben (5 of 5)
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use ben in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ben (1 of 3)
ben1
/ (bɛn) Scot /
noun
an inner room in a house or cottage
preposition, adverb
in; within; inside; into the inner part (of a house)
adjective
inner
Compare but 2
Word Origin for ben
Old English binnan, from be- + innan inside
British Dictionary definitions for ben (2 of 3)
ben2
/ (bɛn) /
noun
any of several Asiatic trees of the genus Moringa, esp M. oleifera of Arabia and India, whose seeds yield oil of ben, used in manufacturing perfumes and cosmetics, lubricating delicate machinery, etc: family Moringaceae
the seed of such a tree
Word Origin for ben
C15: from Arabic bān
British Dictionary definitions for ben (3 of 3)
ben3
/ (bɛn) /
noun
Scot and Irish a mountain peak (esp in place names)Ben Lomond
Word Origin for ben
C18: from Gaelic beinn, from beann
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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