bet

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɛt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛt

Etymology 1

From 16th-century criminal slang, likely from abet or Old English bætan (“to make better”).

Etymology 2

From Hebrew בית‎ (béyt)

Etymology 3

Abbreviation.

Anagrams

• TEB

Verb

bet

1. continued

Noun

bet

1. face
2. side, direction
3. page

References

• Mirjejev, V. A.; Usejinov, S. M. (2002) Ukrajinsʹko-krymsʹkotatarsʹkyj slovnyk [Ukrainian – Crimean Tatar Dictionary]‎, Simferopol: Dolya, →ISBN

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /beːt/
• Homophone: Beet

Verb

bet

1. Imperative singular of beten.

Etymology

From Hebrew בַּיִ״ת‎ (báyiṯ).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɛt/, [bɛt̪]
• Stress: bèt
• Hyphenation: bet

Noun

bet f (invariable)

1. beth
   1. The name of the Phoenician-script letter 𐤁
   2. The name of the Hebrew script letter ב

Etymology

From Proto-Baltic *bet, from Proto-Indo-European *be, *bʰe (“outside, without”) (whence also Latvian preposition bez, q.v.), to which an old particle -t was added, visible also in the Latvian particle it and the adverb šeit (“here”) (q.v.). Cognates include Lithuanian bèt, Sudovian bat.^[1]

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [bɛt]

Conjunction

bet

1. adversative conjunction, used to express contrast or opposition; but

   istaba bija maza, bet mājīga ― the room was small but cozy

   komandiera īsais, bet atlētiskais augums veidoja neskaidru siluetu ― the commander's short but athletic body (lit. size) made an unclear, vague silhouette

2. (with tomēr) expressing contrast, opposition with a nuance of concession; yet, but still

   stiprs un izturīgs, bet tomēr tāds kā paviegls, likās, visvairāk tikai aiz lielības Martiņš te skrēja ― strong and enduring, yet somewhat light; it seemed that Martiņš was running there rather because of posturing (= to be able to boast about it)

3. (with gan) expressing strong contrast, opposition; but, but instead

   tur nestāvēja rakstāmgaldi, bet gan parasti virtuves galdi ar vienu atvilktni ― the desks weren't there, but instead simple kitchen tables with (only) one drawer

   Šellija Prometejs neienīst savu mocītāju Jupiteru, bet gan sirsnīgi nožēlo ― Shelley's Prometheus does not hate his tormentor Jupiter, but instead sincerely regrets (what he did)

4. (with ne, nevis) expressing strong contrast, opposition; but not

   atnāca Jānis, bet nevis Pēteris ― Jānis came, but not Pēteris

   etiķim jābūt dzidram, skābam, bet ne asam, kodīgam ― vinegar must be clear, acid, but not sharp, harsh (= ‘biting’)

5. (with a preceding negative clause) (expressing strong contrast, opposition)

   tas, kas neredzams sēž uz soliņa man līdzās, nav Roberts, bet Harijs ― the one sitting invisibly on the bench near me is not Roberts, but Harijs

   vīnu apkārt dodama, viņa nenolaida acu, bet skatījās katram taisni sējā ― (while) giving wine around, she did not lower her eyes, but (instead) looked straight in the face of every one (of them)

   ne atpakaļ, bet uz priekšu iet mūsu dzīves gaita! ― not backward, but forward our life's pace goes!

   automobilis brauca nevis pa lielceļu, bet taisni pa meža ceļu ― the car did not go on the highway, but straight along the forest road

6. (with gan in the preceding sentence) expressing opposition to the preceding event, which did not achieve its goal, was frustrated (indeed) ... but

   Sīmanis gan mantu novēlēja, bet mir nenomira ― Sīmanis did indeed want the property, but die, he didn't (= he did not go as far as dying for it)

   rokas gan pieķēris ratu malai, bet neparko nevarēja attrāpīt ass galu ― (his) hands did (manage to) catch the edge of the wheel, but couldn't reach the end of the axle

7. used to express an inconsistency or contradiction between two clauses, or a frustrated expectation

   lietus beidzot pārgājis, bet saules nav ― the rain has finally passed, but there is no sun

   meitenes bārienu gaida, bet štāba priekšnieks smaida... ― the girls were expecting a scolding, but the chief of staff smiled...

   Jānis Bruzils juta, ka viena acs tam pamazām aiztūkst un apmiglo kā ar sarkanu miglu, bet toties otra kļūst arvien skaidrāka ― Jānis Bruzils felt that one eye was slowly swelling and becoming covered with a red mist, but in contrast the other was becoming clearer and clearer

8. used to connect a sentence to the preceding context, indicating an inconsistency or contradiction, or a frustrated expectation; But...

   Līzei bija bezgala žēl izmocītās jaunās sievas. Bet nu bija jāiet iekšā un jārunājas ar citiem ― Līze was infinitely sorry for the exhausted young woman. But she had to go in and talk to others.

   pēc svētkiem Kārlēns aizgāja un solījās pārnākt atkal rudenī. Bet nepārnāca ne rudenī, ne pavasarī... ― after the festivities Kārlēns went (away), promising to stay there again next fall. But he didn't come neither next fall, nor next spring...

9. used to connect a subordinate clause indicating concession to a main clause; but

   lai kāds dzērājs Vanags, bet ataugu viņš taupīja, ragavām ilksi, pat to viņš neļāva nocirst savā mežā ― that Vanags may be a drunkard, but he conserved the (new) forest growth, sleigh lumber (= wood for making sleighs), he didn't let it be cut in his forest

10. (in combinations like ne vien ..., bet arī, ne tikai ..., bet arī, ne tikvien ..., bet arī) used to coordinate clause elements; not only ..., but also

    riekstu eļļa noder ne vien uzturam, bet arī parfimērijas un laku pagatavošanai ― hazelnut oil is useful not only for consumption, but also for perfume and varnish producers

    Nikolajs Sņegovs bija ļoti aizrāvies ne tikai ar matemātiku, bet arī ar seno laiku vēsturi ― Nikolajs Sņegovs was very fascinated not only by mathematics, but also by ancient history

11. (with tad) used to strengthen emotionally the idea expressed in a sentence as opposed to some expectation but...!, but then...!

    bet tad nosēts linu lauks, bez vienas svītrinas, kā ar palagu noklāts! ― but then the flax field was (fully) strewn, as if covered with a blanket

    bet tad ir gan milzenis akmens! ― but that is a giant stone!

12. (used as a noun) obstacle, hindrance, “but”

    šim pasākumam ir savs “bet” — this undertaking has its own but (= there is an obstacle to it)

    tas jau slikti nebūtu, sieviņ, bet ir viens bet ― that wouldn't be bad, wifey, but there is one “but”...

References

Etymology

Cognate with Latvian bet. From bè (“without”) + particle -t. This particle comes from tè (“let, may it be”), compare nèt (“even”) < nete.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bʲɛt/

Conjunction

bèt

1. (adversative) but, yet, though (introduces an idea contrary to or a concession to the previous statement)

   Nóriu, bèt negaliù. - I want to, but I can't.

   Paskutìnis, bèt nè prasčiáusias - Last but not least

Particle

bet (unstressed)

1. (in conjunction with interrogative words) any-, -ever (suggesting the complement is not important or irrelevant)

   bet kadà - whenever, anytime

   Jaučiúosi geriaũ neĩ bet kadà! - I feel better than ever!

   bet kurìs - whichever, any

   Bet kuriuõ ãtveju àš darýsiu polìtinę karjèrą - I'll make it in politics, no matter what it takes.

Derived terms

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bet/

Etymology 1

From Old Dutch bit.

Etymology 2

Etymology 3

From bi + te. Compare Middle High German biz (German bis).

Further reading

• “bet (I)”, in Vroegmiddelnederlands Woordenboek, 2000
• “bet (II)”, in Vroegmiddelnederlands Woordenboek, 2000
• “bet (I)”, in Middelnederlandsch Woordenboek, 1929
• “bet (II)”, in Middelnederlandsch Woordenboek, 1929

Alternative forms

• beit

Verb

bet

1. simple past of bite

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *batiz.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bet/

Adverb

bet

1. better
2. rather

Verb

·bet

1. third-person plural present subjunctive conjunct of at·tá

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *batiz.

Adverb

bet

1. better
2. rather

Noun

bet f (plural bet)

1. beth; the Hebrew letter ב

Verb

bet

1. past tense of bita.

Etymology 1

From English bed.

Noun

bet

1. bed

Etymology 2

From English bet.

Noun

bet

1. bet

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

bet n (plural bet)

1. bed

Noun

bet (plural bets)

1. flower bed

Etymology

From Old Norse bit.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bet/, /beːt/