verb
beckon
BEK-un/ˈbekən/
To signal or invite someone to approach or act.
The older man beckons with a curled hand, inviting the other man closer.
Etymology
Gebecnian meant making a silent sign with a nod or gesture. Beckon preserves that nonverbal signaling, here used specifically to invite someone to approach.
In context
As she looked, a great hand seemed to come out of the sea and beckon to her. The summons was one she dare not disobey.
More examples
- The host beckoned us toward the open doorway.
- A new opportunity beckons after years in the same job.
- The sunny garden seems to be beckoning us outside.
Forms
beckon · beckons · beckoned · beckoning