beat

The verb means to excel, surpass, or overcome.

"And then their ships could only follow,

For we had beat them all dead hollow."

Beat
·noun A stroke; a blow. II. Beat ·Impf of Beat. III. Beat ·p.p. of Beat. IV. Beat ·vt To tread, a...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
to beat
To excel, surpass in a contest. Thus we say, one racer or steamer beats another. Also, to overcome ...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
Dead beat
·- ·see <<Beat>>, ·noun, 7. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Dry-beat
·vt To beat severely. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Storm-beat
·adj Beaten, injured, or impaired by storms. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
To-beat
·vt To beat thoroughly or severely. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Double-beat valve
·- ·see under <<Valve>>. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
to beat the hoof
to travel on foot. He hoofed it or beat the hoof, every step of the way from Chester to London. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
to beat all hollow
To surpass or overcome completely; thus, "Eclipse beat Sir Henry all hollow." Also, to take wholly b...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
beat to arms
The signal by drum to summon the men to their quarters. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
beat to quarters
The order for the drummer to summon every one to his respective station. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book