beeline

English

Alternative forms

• bee-line

Etymology

From bee + line, via the belief that a bee returns to its hive in a straight course.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

beeline (plural beelines)

1. A very direct or quick path or trip.

   The children made a beeline to the swimming pool.

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Episode 16

     Discussing these and kindred topics they made a beeline across the back of the Customhouse and passed under the Loop Line bridge where a brazier of coke burning in front of a sentrybox or something like one attracted their rather lagging footsteps.

2. (mining, chiefly historical) A dynamite fuse made with a small quantity of dynamite powder along its length, so that the spark travels quickly and at a specific known rate.

Verb

beeline (third-person singular simple present beelines, present participle beelining, simple past and past participle beelined)

1. To travel in a straight course, ignoring established paths of travel. To take a shortcut.

See also

• as the crow flies