beckon

Meanings

Verb

• 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, from Proto-West Germanic *bauknōn, *bauknijan, from *baukn. Cognate with Old Saxon bōknian, Old High German bouhnen, Old Norse bákna. More at beacon.