A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Bekin, Beikin, n. Also: bekyn, beikyn, beykin, bykyn, beaken, becon. [e.m.E. and ME. beken, ME. beken, bekyn, biken, ONhb. bécen, bécon, bécun, OE. béacen.]
1. A sign or signal.c1475 Wall. v. 1100.
A bekyn he maid, Schyr Jhon come at his hand Ib. ix. 1638.
The ax he gat … ; A bekyn maid, tharwith the buschement brak 1513 Doug. iii. viii. 26.
Furth of his eft schip a bekyn gart he stent [L. dat clarum signum] Ib. xii. xi. 173.
A bekyn with hys hand to thame maid he 1533 Bell. Livy II. 98/1.
He made ane haisty bekin to the maister of chevelrie 1548 Treas. Acc. IX. 155.
To ryd be land and caus mak bekynnis to the botis in cais thai saw onye Inglische schippis
2. A guiding or warning mark for vessels.1504 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 99.
For the outtaking of the greit stanis in the hevin [of Leith] and redding of the channell betuix the byknys 1553 Ib. II. 275.
To sax men that laubourit twa dayis in the redding of the bekyn and the casting of the stanis thairto agane 1553–4 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 123.
The making of twa bekinnis on the eist end of the bulwork of Leyth 1560–1 Ib. 357.
Ane greit tre of akyne tymmer to be the said bekin 1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 65.
That all schips arryvand within the heivin of Leyth be chargit … to tak in thair ballest without the beykins in tyme cuming 1625 Conv. Burghs III. 179.
Thai had sustenit sum los in thair schips … throw laik of ane beikin vpone the land 1657 Balfour Ann. II. 83.
To put markes and becons one all the craiges and blind rockes
3. A signal-fire; a pile of wood, etc., prepared for this purpose.1532 Acta Conc. & Sess. MS. I. 118.
The warningis to be maid be bekinnis 1533 Bell. Livy II. 90/2.
He tuke thare tentis … and incontinent made ane bekin of reik, as was devisit be the dictator 1535 Stewart 28746.
King Adanus … bekynnis brynt with mony baillis brycht 1557–8 Ayr Common Good Acc.
Item for malkene ane belkin one the hillis 1615 Highland P. III. 299.
Some of the Laird of Largy his servandis … set on grite beikynis to mak thame [the rebels] warr 1627 Reg. Privy C. II. 54.
The Lords of Secreit Counsell hes thought it meete ... that bailes and beakens be sett up in all convenient ... places [etc.]
