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.
Beken, v. Also: bekene, byken. [ME. beken, bikenne (a 1300), to make known, commend, deliver. Cf. Ken v.] a. tr. To commit. b. To admit as possessor. c. To acquaint. instruct.a. a1400 Leg. S. iii. 680.
Fore-thi resawe me now fra men And to myn master me be-keneb. 1515 Fife Sheriff Ct. 6.
To beken and inter [= enter] hir … as effeiris 1521 Ib. 237.
The … schireffis hes decernit hir for to be bekennit tharto 1522 Ib. 257.
To pas, entir, & bekene the said lady to hir tercec. 1513 Doug. iii. viii. 122.
We, not bekend quhat rycht cours mycht we selk, War warp to seywart
