Beck v.

Forms: 3–7 becke, 4–6 bekke, bek, 6 beake, (7 Sc. baik), 5– beck. [shortened form of BECKON v. (in ME. becni-en, bekn-en, beken-en), the -en of the stem beken- being apparently taken as the infinitive ending, whence an assumed stem bek-; the Promp. Parv. has both bekn-yn and bek-yn ‘annuto’; cf. open, ope, etc.]

  1.  intr. To make a mute signal, or significant gesture, as by nodding, shaking the fore-finger, etc.

a. 1300.  E. E. Psalter xxxiv. 19. Whilk þat hates me wilfulli, And beckes with þair eghen lesli.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Manc. T., 346. Spek nat, but with thyn heed thou bekke.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 319.

1548.  Hall, Chron. (1809), 703. At the whiche wise menne becked and lyht men laughed, thynkyng great foly in his high presumpcion.

1625.  K. Long, trans. Barclay’s Argenis, I. ix. 22. Secretly becking and winking on the Maids, she bade them speake softlier.

1884.  T. Woolner, Silenus, 136.

  b.  trans. To express by a beck.

1821.  Clare, Vill. Minstr., II. 72. While turning nods beck thanks for kindness done.

  2.  trans. (obj. orig. dative.) To make a mute signal to (a person, to approach); to beckon.

1486.  Bk. St. Albans, A j b. With yowre hande or with yowre tabur styke, becke yowre hawke to come to you.

1595.  Shaks., John, III. iii. 13. When gold and siluer becks me to come on.

1629.  Gaule, Pract. The., 305. Hee [Christ] bowes his Head; as though hee would becke us towards him.

1839.  Bailey, Festus (1848), 40/2. The star Which beams and becks the spirit from afar.

  3.  intr. To make a sign of recognition, respect or obeisance; to nod, make a slight bow; to curtsey. (Chiefly in Sc. writers.)

1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 575. And call him schir, bekkand with bayth his kneis.

1571.  T. Fortescue, Forest, Pref. Verses.

1686.  G. Stuart, Joco-Ser. Disc., 50. She laighly baiking made her honour.

1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull (1755), 51. I mun stand becking and binging.

1877.  H. Page, De Quincey, I. viii. 156. Two philosophers becking and bowing to each other.