ben

1 of 3

adverb

ˈben How to pronounce ben (audio)
Scotland
: within

ben

2 of 3

preposition

Scotland
: within

ben

3 of 3

noun

Scotland
: the inner room or parlor of a 2-room cottage

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English binnan, from be- + innan within, from within, from in

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ben was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing ben

Dictionary Entries Near ben

be mysterious

ben

Bena

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Ben.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ben. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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