'beam-like' originates from the English word 'beam,' which refers to a long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used to support weight, combined with the suffix '-like,' indicating resemblance.

'Beam' comes from Old English 'bēam,' meaning 'tree' or 'post,' and '-like' is a common English suffix used to form adjectives indicating similarity.

Initially, 'beam' referred to a tree or post, but over time it evolved to mean a structural support, and 'beam-like' now describes anything resembling such a structure.