ben't

See also: bent and Bent

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɪnt/, /biːnt/

Contraction

ben't

1. (dialect) be not (am not, is not, are not)
   • 1855, Charles Kingsley, Westward Ho!:

     'What... I only hope he ben't one of those popish murderers,' said the old steward, keeping at a safe distance from him, as they entered the hall.

   • 1868, The Sunday Magazine, page 476:

     "Well, Joe, I ben't a fool, if I ben't so religious as you be. You ben't a bad fellow, though you be a Methodist, and I ben't a fool, though I be Harry Cobb."

   • 2000, Elizabeth Mansfield, Miscalculations:

     "You be a guest, ben't ye?" a footman asked, getting to his feet again.

   • 2012, Kenneth P. Minkema, Adriaan C. Neele, Sermons by Jonathan Edwards on the Matthean Parables, page 119:

     Death and eternity ben't so familiar to them at such times; {they are} very much unacquainted with them

   • 2014, John Vanbrugh, Bernard Harris, The Relapse, page 96:

     I wish there ben't some mistake in this business.