Forms: 46 bek, 5 beke, 57 becke, 6 bekke, 4 beck. [f. BECK v.1]
1. A mute signal or significant gesture, especially one indicating assent or notifying a command; e.g., a nod, a motion of the hand or fore-finger, etc.
1382. Wyclif, Job xxvi. 11. The pileris of heuene quaken at his bek.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. xlviii. (1495), 809. Thyse ben acounted tonglesse: and vse signes and beckes in stede of spekynge.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, D j.
1502. Arnold, Chron. (1811), 161. They wt a bek on thinge wyl afferme, and the same streit wyl denye.
1598. Yong, Diana, 162. Giuing a becke with his head to his Shepherdesse in token of thanks.
1635. Quarles, Embl., I. xiii. (1718), 54. If pleasure beckon with her balmy hand, Her becks a strong command.
1728. De Foe, Syst. Magick, I. vii. 204. With a beck of the head or hand, as we beckon to servants.
1862. Trench, Mirac., xxxii. 452. Armies of heaven whom a beck from Him would bring forth.
2. Hence, The slightest indication of will or command, and transf. absolute order or control; esp. in phrases To have at ones beck, to hang upon the beck of, to be at the beck and call of.
a. 1470. Tiptoft, Cæsar, iii. (1530), 4. It should be ready at a beck.
1587. Myrr. Mag., G. Cordila, xxv. I had the Britaynes at what becke I woud.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., 117. Bound to your Holinesse, and wholly hanging upon your becke.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 229. His conversion brought the whole Towne into order under Gods becke.
1750. Johnson, Rambl., No. 74, ¶ 7. He expects to find the world rolling at his beck.
1875. McLaren, Serm., 65. Christs love is not at the beck and call of our fluctuating affections.
3. A gesture expressive of salutation or respect; an inclination of the head; an obeisance, a bow, a curtsey, a nod. Chiefly Sc.
c. 1375. Wyclif, Antecrist, 149. Ne wiþ beckus, ne wiþ dugardes, as ypocritis usen.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 29. Bek, or lowte. conquiniscio.
c. 1450. Henryson, Mor. Fab., 24. Welcome (Quod hee) with many bing and many becke.
1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 1470. As good is a becke, as is a dewe vow garde.
1557. Surrey, in Tottells Misc. (Arb.), 218. With a beck full low he bowed at her feete.
c. 1633. Milton, LAllegro, 28. Nods and Becks and wreathed Smiles.
1724. Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), II. 138. She right courteously Returnd a beck.
c. 1817. Hogg, Tales & Sk., III. 267. Ellen came into the parlour with a beck as quick and as low as that made by the water ouzel.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola (1880), I. I. vi. 84. He retreated with a bow to Romola and a beck to Tito.