ben
|ben|
/bɛn/
inside / mountain peak
Etymology
'ben' (mountain) originates from Scottish Gaelic, specifically the word 'beinn', where 'beinn' meant 'mountain, hill'.
'ben' (mountain) came into English via Scots from Scottish Gaelic 'beinn' and became used in English as an element in mountain names (e.g., Ben Nevis).
Initially it meant 'mountain' in Gaelic, and it has largely retained that meaning in modern usage as the name element for peaks.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a mountain; especially used in Scottish mountain names (e.g., Ben Nevis refers to a mountain peak)
Ben Nevis is the highest ben in Scotland.
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Noun 2
the inner room of a house; the innermost living space (Scots dialect)
They were sitting in the ben by the fire.
Synonyms
Noun 3
short form of the male given name 'Benjamin'; a male personal name
Ben arrived late to the meeting.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/20 05:01