Middle English Dictionary Entry
bekening ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | bekening ger. Also bekninge, becnunge, bikening. |
| Etymology | A bēcnung; WS bēacnung, bȳcnung. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Mute signaling; nodding, beckoning, etc.; (b) a signal of any kind; esp., a sign of command, an order, a summons.
Associated quotations
a
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)3577 : Þe frensche..made a bekenynge to Richard, To take ys way forþ riȝte.
- 1425(a1400) Spec.Chr.(1) (Lnsd 344)93/3 : Owtrageli to synne in syȝte, in heringe, in smellynge, in tastinge, touchinge, in bekninge.
- a1475 Bk.Courtesy (Sln 1986)249 : Bekenyng, fynguryng, non þou vse, And pryue rownyng loke þou refuse.
b
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)7/27 : Þeo bellen rungen, [þet un]ker becnunge wæs.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.42.6 : At his bikenyng [WB(2): wille; L nutum], whete cornes weren solde to the peplis.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)44b/b : Nutus: bekynynge.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)29 : Beknynge, or a bek: Annutus, nutus.
- a1450(1419) Loke how Flaundres (Dgb 102)124 : Sorwe of herte makeþ synnes les; Syknes breþe stekenyng, And bowe to a bekening, And bryngeþ hem to rekenyng.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)12a : A Bekynnynge: Numen, Nutus [Monson: Nutacio].