Middle English Dictionary Entry
bē̆ket n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bē̆ket n. Also becket, bekat. |
| Etymology | Cp. OF be(c)quet (from bec). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A beak-like object, a pointed object: (a) a kind of arrow; (b) a projection of stonework, a corbel; (c) a small bundle of silk.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)6933 : His bowe he bente..He set ther-In a kene beket, And to Menelaus he hit schet.
b
- (1416-7) in Willis & C.Cambridge 2442 : Item, pro ij bekettes hostii maioris, xx d..pro ij bekettes minoris forme..xii d.
- (1449-50) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99238 : Cum quatuor lapidibus pro le bekettes ad ostium ejusdem ecclesie.
c
- (1352-98) Doc.in Rogers Hist.Agric.1580 : [Purchases of silk..are called] beckets [or 'begens'..from two and a half to three 'begens' or 'beckets' were equal..to the amount ordinarily used for lining the summer robes of a great person].
2.
Something with a beak or pointed nose: (a) a kind of fish, ?a pike; (b) a kind of bird, ?a snipe; (c) ?as personal name.
Associated quotations
a
- (1382) RParl.3.142b : Que nul Fisshemongere..achate desoreenavaunt..aucune manere de Pesson fresshe..horspris anguilles fresshes, beketes ou pikes.
b
- ?a1325(1274) Liber Cust.Lond.in RS 12.282 : Item, ii wodecokes pro iii obolis..et quatuor bekates pro uno denario.
c
- (1200) CRR(2) 1228 : Willelmus Beket.
- (1229) Close R.Hen.III263 : David Beket.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. becket.