bef

Dutch (Brabantic)

/bɛf/

noun
Definitions
  • (archaic) collar
  • an ornamental pair of bands worn hanging over the chest, notably as part of formal dress by magistrates, professors and certain Catholic and Protestant clergy
  • by analogy, any of certain other similar objects
  • a patch on the throat or chest of a different color on cats or dogs
  • (slang) the vulva

Etymology

Inherited from Middle Dutch beffe (collar, cap) derived from Old French biffe (striped fabric).

Origin

Old French

biffe

Gloss

striped fabric

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms