/ ˈbekən; NAmE / verb
1.
beckon to sb (to do sth) to give sb a signal using your finger or hand, especially to tell them to move nearer or to follow you
SYN signal :
[ v ]
He beckoned to the waiter to bring the bill.
[ vn ]
He beckoned her over with a wave.
The boss beckoned him into her office.
[ vn to inf ]
She beckoned him to come and join them.
2.
to appear very attractive to sb :
[ v ]
The clear blue sea beckoned.
[ vn ]
The prospect of a month without work was beckoning her.
3.
[ v ] to be sth that is likely to happen or will possibly happen to sb in the future :
For many kids leaving college the prospect of unemployment beckons.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English bīecnan , bēcnan , of West Germanic origin; related to beacon .