Part 572

2. In order that; that. [Obs.]

And the multitude rebuked them because they should hold their peace. Matt. xx. 31.

Because of, by reason of, on account of. [Prep. phrase.]

Because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Eph. v. 6.

Syn. -- Because, For, Since, As, Inasmuch As. These particles are used, in certain connections, to assign the reason of a thing, or that "on account of" which it is or takes place. Because (by cause) is the strongest and most emphatic; as, I hid myself because I was afraid. For is not quite so strong; as, in Shakespeare, "I hate him, for he is a Christian." Since is less formal and more incidental than because; as, I will do it since you request me. It more commonly begins a sentence; as, Since your decision is made, I will say no more. As is still more incidental than since, and points to some existing fact by way of assigning a reason. Thus we say, as I knew him to be out of town, I did not call. Inasmuch as seems to carry with it a kind of qualification which does not belong to the rest. Thus, if we say, I am ready to accept your proposal, inasmuch as I believe it is the best you can offer, we mean, it is only with this understanding that we can accept it.

||Bec`ca*bun"ga (&?;), n. [NL. (cf. It. beccabunga, G. bachbunge), fr. G. bach brook + bunge, OHG. bungo, bulb. See Beck a brook.] See Brooklime.

||Bec`ca*fi"co (&?;), n.; pl. Beccaficos (&?;). [It., fr. beccare to peck + fico fig.] (Zoöl.) A small bird. (Silvia hortensis), which is highly prized by the Italians for the delicacy of its flesh in the autumn, when it has fed on figs, grapes, etc.

||Bech"a*mel (&?;), n. [F. béchamel, named from its inventor, Louis de Béchamel.] (Cookery) A rich, white sauce, prepared with butter and cream.

Be*chance" (&?;), adv. [Pref. be- for by + chance.] By chance; by accident. [Obs.] Grafton.

Be*chance", v. t. & i. To befall; to chance; to happen to.

God knows what hath bechanced them. Shak.

Be*charm" (&?;), v. t. To charm; to captivate.

||Bêche` de mer" (&?;). [F., lit., a sea spade.] (Zoöl.) The trepang.

Be"chic (&?;), a. [L. bechicus, adj., for a cough, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; cough: cf. F. béchique.] (Med.) Pertaining to, or relieving, a cough. Thomas. -- n. A medicine for relieving coughs. Quincy.

Beck (&?;), n. See Beak. [Obs.] Spenser.

Beck, n. [OE. bek, AS. becc; akin to Icel. bekkr brook, OHG. pah, G. bach.] A small brook.

The brooks, the becks, the rills. Drayton.

Beck, n. A vat. See Back.

Beck, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Becked (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Becking.] [Contr. of beckon.] To nod, or make a sign with the head or hand. [Archaic] Drayton.

Beck, v. t. To notify or call by a nod, or a motion of the head or hand; to intimate a command to. [Archaic]

When gold and silver becks me to come on. Shak.

Beck, n. A significant nod, or motion of the head or hand, esp. as a call or command.

They have troops of soldiers at their beck. Shak.

Beck"er (&?;), n. (Zoöl.) A European fish (Pagellus centrodontus); the sea bream or braise.

Beck"et (&?;), n. [Cf. D. bek beak, and E. beak.]

1. (Naut.) A small grommet, or a ring or loop of rope or metal for holding things in position, as spars, ropes, etc.; also a bracket, a pocket, or a handle made of rope.

2. A spade for digging turf. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

Beck"on, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beckoned (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Beckoning.] To make a significant sign to; hence, to summon, as by a motion of the hand.