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Added 9 October 2026

beckon

/ˈbɛkən/ verb

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about beckon at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To wave or nod to somebody with the intention to make the person come closer.
To seem attractive and inviting.

noun

A sign made without words; a beck.
A children's game similar to hide and seek in which children who have been "caught" may escape if they see another hider beckon to them.

Origin

From Middle English bekenen, beknen, becnen, beknien, from Old English bēacnian, bēcnian, bīecnan (“to signal; beckon”), from Proto-West Germanic *bauknōn, *bauknijan (“to signal”), from *baukn (“signal; beacon”). Cognate with Old Saxon bōknian, Old High German bouhnen, Old Norse bákna. More at beacon.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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