Collins English-English Dictionary

bee [biː]

1. 1. n any hymenopterous insect of the superfamily Apoidea, which includes social forms such as the honeybee and solitary forms such as the carpenter bee - See also bumblebee mason bee

2. 2. n [Etymology] Old English bio; related to Old Norse by, Old High German bia, Dutch bij, Swedish bi

bee [biː]

1. 1. n a social gathering for a specific purpose, as to carry out a communal task or hold competitions

   quilting bee

2. 2. n See spelling bee

3. 3. n [Etymology] C18: perhaps from dialect bean neighbourly help, from Old English ben boon

bee [biː]

1. 1. n [nautical] a small sheave with one cheek removed and the pulley and other cheek fastened flat to a boom or another spar, used for reeving outhauls or stays

2. 2. n [Etymology] Old English beag; related to Old High German boug ring, Old Norse bogi a bow