▪ I. beckon, v.
(ˈbɛk(ə)n)
Forms: 1 b{iacu}ecn-, bécn-, b{iacu}cn-, b{yacu}cn-ian, béacn-an, 2–4 becn(i)-en, 3 bæcni-en, 4–5 beken, biken, 5 bekn-yn (? bekyn, beccyn), 6–8 becken, 7 becon, 5– beckon.
[OE. b{iacu}ecnan:—OTeut. *bauknjan, f. baukno-, in OE. béacn sign, beacon; cogn. w. OS. bôknian, OHG. bouhhanjan, bouhnen. Also OE. béacnian, a later formation on the n.: cf. ON. bâkna, and beacon v.]
1. intr. To make a mute signal or significant gesture with the head, hand, finger, etc.; now esp. in order to bid a person approach.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke i. 22 He wæs becnende ðæm. c 1000 Ags. G. ibid., He wæs bicniende him. c 1160 Hatton G. ibid., He wæs beacniende heom. c 1200 Ormin 223 Comm he siþþenn {uacu}t All dumb..And toc to becnenn till þe follc. 1388 Wyclif Ps. xxxiv. 19 Aduersaries..haten me with out cause, and bikenen with iȝen. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 29 Beknyn, annuto. 1530 Palsgr. 444/2, I becken with the heed to gyve one warnynge of a thynge. 1675 Hobbes Odyss. (1677) 259 Then to his son with's eye he beckoned. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. 241, I beckon'd with my Hand to him, to come back. 1834 H. Martineau Demerara vii. 89 He was about to beckon to his companion. |
† b. To act as a beacon. Obs. rare.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy xiv. 6037 Brode firis & brem beccyn in þe ost, That yche freike in the fild his felow might know. |
2. trans. (the object orig. dat.; see sense 1): To make a mute signal or significant gesture of head or hand to (a person), as commanding his attention or action, and esp. his approach; hence, to summon or bid approach by such a gesture.
| [c 1000 Ags. G. Luke v. 7 Hiᵹ bicnodon hyra ᵹeferan. c 1160 Hatton G. ibid., H{yacu}o becneden heore ᵹe-feren.] c 1400 Destr. Troy vii. 3112 And ho..beckonet hym boldly..his place to Remeve. c 1440 Generydes ii. 3827 With hir kerche she bekenyd hym aside. 1604 Shakes. Oth. iv. i. 134 Iago becons me: now he begins the story. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 498 ¶3 A lively young fellow..beckoned a coach. 1732 Swift Lett. 58 Wks. 1761 VIII. 133 You may becken a blackguard-boy under a gate. 1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. iv. 138 He beckon'd me to ascend a cart. |
† b. To summon by a signal of any kind. Obs.
| 1205 Lay. 21938 He lette blæwen bemen and þa Scottes bæcnien [1250 bannien]. |
† 3. intr. To nod; to bow. Obs. Cf. beck v. 3.
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens 330 The flowers hang uppon tender stalkes, nodding or beckning downewardes. |
▪ II. beckon, n.
(ˈbɛk(ə)n)
[f. prec. vb.: of late formation.]
A significant gesture of head, hand, etc., esp. one indicating assent or command.
| a 1718 Penn Tracts Wks. 1726 I. 623 æshilus makes a sincere Beckon to a matter, a firm Oath. 1817 W. Taylor in Month. Mag. XLIII. 237 Their beckon intimates no ambush nigh. 1875 B. Taylor Faust II. iii. 204 Strong men obedient stand waiting his every beckon. |