Abaft the beam (Naut.), in an arc of the horizon between a line that crosses the ship at right angles, or in the direction of her beams, and that point of the compass toward which her stern is directed. -- Beam center (Mach.), the fulcrum or pin on which the working beam of an engine vibrates. -- Beam compass, an instrument consisting of a rod or beam, having sliding sockets that carry steel or pencil points; -- used for drawing or describing large circles. -- Beam engine, a steam engine having a working beam to transmit power, in distinction from one which has its piston rod attached directly to the crank of the wheel shaft. -- Before the beam (Naut.), in an arc of the horizon included between a line that crosses the ship at right angles and that point of the compass toward which the ship steers. -- On the beam, in a line with the beams, or at right angles with the keel. -- On the weather beam, on the side of a ship which faces the wind. -- To be on her beam ends, to incline, as a vessel, so much on one side that her beams approach a vertical position.
Beam, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beamed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beaming.] To send forth; to emit; -- followed ordinarily by forth; as, to beam forth light.
Beam, v. i. To emit beams of light.
He beamed, the daystar of the rising age.
Trumbull.
Beam"bird` (&?;), n. (Zoöl.) A small European flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola), so called because it often nests on a beam in a building.
Beamed (&?;), a. Furnished with beams, as the head of a stag.
Tost his beamed frontlet to the sky.
Sir W. Scott.
Beam"ful (&?;), a. Beamy; radiant.
Beam"i*ly (&?;), adv. In a beaming manner.
Beam"i*ness, n. The state of being beamy.
Beam"ing, a. Emitting beams; radiant.
Beam"ing*ly, adv. In a beaming manner; radiantly.
Beam"less, a. 1. Not having a beam.