the bill or nib of a bird, consisting of a horny sheath, covering the jaws. the form varied much according to the food and habits of the bird, and is largely used in the classification of birds.-a similar bill in other animals, as the turtles.-the long projecting sucking mouth of some insects, and other invertebrates, as in the hemiptera.-the upper or projecting part of the shell, near the hinge of a bivalve.-the prolongation of certain univalve shells containing the canal.-anything projecting or ending in a point, like a beak, as a promontory of land.-a beam, shod or armed at the end with a metal head or point, and projecting from the prow of an ancient galley, in order to pierce the vessel of an enemy; a beakhead.-that part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.-a continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off.-any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant.-a toe clip. see clip, n. (far.).-a magistrate or policeman.