beak

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A justice of the peace; a magistrate.

Register: slang

Examples

They take up men, Dick, for going about in women's clothes, and vice versaw, I suppose. You'll bail me, old fellaa, if I have to make my bow to the beak, won't you?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A schoolmaster (originally, at Eton).

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “beak” mean?

A justice of the peace; a magistrate.

Is “beak” formal or informal?

beak is generally slang.