Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

6 V‑LINK You use be in expressions like to be fair , to be honest , or to be serious to introduce an additional statement or opinion, and to indicate that you are trying to be fair, honest, or serious. □ [V adj] She's always noticed. But then, to be honest, Ghislaine likes being noticed. □ [V adj] I felt as if I was in a dream, or, to be more accurate, a nightmare.

7 V‑LINK The form ' be ' is used occasionally instead of the normal forms of the present tense, especially after 'whether'. [FORMAL ] □  The chemical agent, whether it be mustard gas or nerve gas, can be absorbed by the skin.

8 VERB If something is , it exists. [mainly FORMAL or LITERARY ]

9 V‑LINK To be yourself means to behave in the way that is right and natural for you and your personality. □ [V pron-refl] She'd learnt to be herself and to stand up for her convictions.

10 PHRASE If you talk about what would happen if it wasn't for someone or something, you mean that they are the only thing that is preventing it from happening. □  I could happily move back into a flat if it wasn't for the fact that I'd miss my garden. □  If it hadn't been for her your father would be alive today.

11 PHRASE You say ' Be that as it may ' when you want to move onto another subject or go further with the discussion, without deciding whether what has just been said is right or wrong. [VAGUENESS ] □  My dad was a nice man. A gentleman. Be that as it may, he hated Conservatives.

PREFIX be-

can be added to a noun followed by an '-ed' suffix to form an adjective that indicates that someone or something is covered with or wearing the thing named. For example, a piece of jewellery that is bedecked with diamonds is covered with diamonds.

beach ◆◇◇ /biː tʃ/ (beaches , beaching , beached )

1 N‑COUNT A beach is an area of sand or stones beside the sea. □  …a beautiful sandy beach. □  I just want to lie on the beach in the sun.

2 VERB If something such as a boat beaches , or if it is beached , it is pulled or forced out of the water and onto land. □ [V n] We beached the canoe, running it right up the bank. □ [V ] The boat beached on a mud flat. COLLOCATIONS beach NOUN 1

noun + beach : pebble, sand, shingly

adjective + beach : deserted, pristine, secluded, unspoilt; pebbly, sandy; beautiful, spectacular

bea ch ball (beach balls ) N‑COUNT A beach ball is a large, light ball filled with air, which people play with, especially on the beach.

bea ch bum (beach bums ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a beach bum , you mean that they spend a lot of time enjoying themselves on the beach or in the sea.

beach|comber /biː tʃkoʊmə ^r / (beachcombers ) also beach-comber N‑COUNT A beachcomber is someone who spends their time wandering along beaches looking for things they can use.

beach|front /biː tʃfrʌnt/ ADJ [ADJ n] A beachfront house, café, shop, or hotel is situated on or by a beach.

beach|head /biː tʃhed/ (beachheads ) also beach-head N‑COUNT A beachhead is an area of land next to the sea or a river where an attacking force has taken control and can prepare to advance further inland.

bea|con /biː kən/ (beacons )

1 N‑COUNT A beacon is a light or a fire, usually on a hill or tower, which acts as a signal or a warning.

2 N‑COUNT If someone acts as a beacon to other people, they inspire or encourage them. □ [+ of ] Our Parliament has been a beacon of hope to the peoples of Europe. □ [+ for ] He acted as a beacon for new immigrants.

bead /biː d/ (beads )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Beads are small pieces of coloured glass, wood, or plastic with a hole through the middle. Beads are often put together on a piece of string or wire to make jewellery. □  …a string of beads.