a. arch. and poet. In 1 bécen, 4–5 bechen, 7 beachen. [OE. bécen:—bóecen:—OTeut. *bōkīno-z (cogn. w. L. fāginus, Gr. φήγινος), f. bôkâ- beech: see prec. and -EN1.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or derived from the beech.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gloss., in Wülcker, Voc., 137. Faginus, bécen.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., I. 182. Þær heo on becenan treowes wyrttruman ʓewexen sy.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Chan. Yem. Prol. & T., 607. This false chanoun Out of his bosom took a bechen cole.
1622. Peacham, Compl. Gentl., II. ii. (1634), 110. By his beechen garland is signified the great plenty of beech-trees which grow about Fasterona.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Eclog., i. 1. Beneath the Shade which Beechen Boughs diffuse.
1773. G. White, Selborne, xxxix. (1788), 117. Before our beechen woods were so much destroyed.
1878. B. Taylor, Deukalion, III. i. Under yonder beechen shade.
2. Made of the wood of the beech.
1663. Cowley, Verses & Ess. (1669), 87. Canst look upon thy Beechen Bowl, and Dish.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. xxix. 46. As hard as a beechen trencher.
1822. Wordsw., Eccl. Sonn., I. xxii. A beechen bowl, A maple dish, my furniture should be.
1870. Bryant, Homer, I. v. 176. The beechen axle groaned beneath the weight.
¶ Now superseded in common use by BEECH attrib.
