beckon

Definition

To wave or nod to somebody with the intention to make the person come closer.

Etymology

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.

Example Sentences

• "His distant friends, he beckons near."
• "It beckons you to go away with it."
• "How the gentle wind / Beckons through the leaves / As autumn colors fall"