slang. [Derivation unknown. ? from BEAK sb.1; but in Harman’s vocabulary of ‘Peddlers’ French’ in his Caveat (1573), harman beck is explained as ‘the counstable’ (harman being ‘the stocks’).]
A magistrate or justice of the peace.
[1573. Harman, Caveat (Shaks. Soc., 1880), 84. The Harman beck, the counstable.
Gipsy Song, in Shaks. Eng. (1856), I. viii. 270. The ruffin (devil) cly (take) the nob (head) of the harman beck.]
a. 1845. Hood, Tale Trump., xxx. Dicky Gossips of birds, That talk with as much good sense and decorum, As many Beaks who belong to the quorum.
1838. Dickens, O. Twist (1850), 37/2. Why, a beak’s a madgst’rate; and when you walk by a beak’s order, it’s … always agoing up, and nivir acoming down agin.
