Dictionary

beken en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /bəˈkɛn/
• /bɪˈkɛn/

Etymology

From Middle English bekennen, bikennen, equivalent to be- + ken (“to perceive”). Cognate with Dutch bekennen (“to acknowledge, confess”), German bekennen (“to admit, confess”), Swedish bekänna (“to profess, confess”).

Meanings

1. (obsolete, transitive) To make known; reveal.
2. (obsolete, transitive) To deliver.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To commit or commend to the care of.
   • Now I bikenne þe criste quod she · and his clene moder. c. 1385, William Langland, Piers Plowman, section II:
4. (Scotland, transitive) To commit.
5. (Scotland, transitive) To admit as possessor.
6. (Scotland, transitive) To acquaint; instruct.

Forms