beck harm ant

[Also harman - beck; old slang, of obscure origin; with beck cf. equiv. beak2.] In old slang, a constable. B. Jonson. beckingt (bek'ing), n. [Verbal n. of beck2, v.] The act of making a beck; the act of bowing or nodding. The Communion was altogether like a popish ma , with the old apish tricks of Antichrist, bowings and beck ings , knee lings and knockings, the Lord's Death, after St. Paul's doctrine, neither preached nor spoken of. Bp. Bale , in R. W. Dixon's Hist. Ch. of Eng., xxi. of wood firmly while it is planed. It is made of iron or steel rods fastened to a bench and bent parallel to the surface of the wood. 2. A small anvil with a shallow groove, for rounding the inside of the bows of sci ors. beckon (bek'n), v. [Early mod. E. also becken , beknien , bēcnian , biécnan , later also beácnian (OS. bōknian = OHG. bouhnen = ON. bākna ), beácen , a sign, beacon: see beacon .] I. in trans. To make a significant gesture with the head or hand, intended as a hint or an intimation, especially of a desire for approach or departure, or for silence. Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. Acts xix. 33. II. trans . To make a significant sign to; summon or direct by making signs. I see a hand you cannot see, Which beckons me away. Tickell , Colin and Lucy. Beckoning the imagination with promises better than any fulfilment. Lowell, Study Windows, p. 325.