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noun

beal

beel

Beal (noun) means a small, inflamed swelling on the skin, such as a boil or pustule. Example: “A painful beal had come up on his neck.”

noun
1
A small, inflamed swelling on the skin, such as a boil or pustule.
"A painful beal had come up on his neck."
verb
1
To fill with pus and swell up, as a boil does.
"The wound began to beal after a few days."

How to use beal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old, mostly dialectal word for a boil or for a boil forming.

When to use it

Rare outside dialectal or historical use; most readers will know "boil" instead.

Word forms

bealed past tense, bealed past tense, beals plural, beals singular, beals singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A painful _____ had come up on his neck.

Etymology

From Old English bȳle, meaning "boil" or "swelling" — the same root that gave us the modern word "boil."

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for beal

See all rhymes for beal →

Frequently asked questions

What does “beal” mean?

The word “beal” means a small, inflamed swelling on the skin, such as a boil or pustule. In plain terms, an old, mostly dialectal word for a boil or for a boil forming.

How do you pronounce “beal”?

“Beal” is pronounced beel (/biːl/ in IPA).

How do you use “beal” in a sentence?

Here is “beal” used in a sentence: “A painful beal had come up on his neck.”

What part of speech is “beal”?

Depending on how it is used, “beal” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “beal” come from?

The word “beal” comes from Old English. From Old English bȳle, meaning "boil" or "swelling" — the same root that gave us the modern word "boil.".

How many meanings does “beal” have?

“Beal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, inflamed swelling on the skin, such as a boil or pustule.

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