brown Bess

1 of 2

noun (1)

: the flintlock smoothbore musket with bronzed barrel that was formerly used in the British army

brown Bess

2 of 2

noun (2)

: prairie wake robin

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

brown entry 1 + Bess (nickname of Elizabeth); from the color of the stock

Noun (2)

probably alteration of brown Beth

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Dictionary Entries Near brown Bess

Cite this Entry

“Brown Bess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brown%20Bess. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.

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