becquer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ArchaicLiterary/Archaic
Quick answer
What does “becquer” mean?
To court or woo someone, especially in a persistent or old-fashioned manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To court or woo someone, especially in a persistent or old-fashioned manner.
To seek the favor or attention of someone through persistent attention, often with romantic intentions; to pay court to.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally archaic in both varieties. No significant regional difference in meaning or usage exists, as it has fallen out of common use in all English dialects.
Connotations
Connotes a bygone era of formal courtship; may be used deliberately for humorous or ironic effect in modern contexts.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary speech and writing in both the UK and US. Found primarily in historical novels or texts.
Grammar
How to Use “becquer” in a Sentence
[Subject] becquers [Object (person)][Subject] becquers [Object] for [Goal (e.g., her hand)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “becquer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The young lord sought to becquer the daughter of the duke.
- He spent the summer becquering her with poems and flowers.
American English
- The character in the novel decided to becquer the wealthy widow.
- His attempts to becquer her were noted by all the society papers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “becquer”
- Misspelling as 'bequer' or 'becker'.
- Using it in a modern, casual context where it sounds jarring.
- Confusing it with the more common 'beckon'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term rarely encountered outside of historical or literary contexts.
'Becquer' is an older, more formal synonym for 'woo' or 'court'. 'Woo' is still understood today, while 'becquer' is largely obsolete.
Its standard historical usage is romantic. Using it for other forms of persuasion (e.g., becquering a client) would be a highly unusual and creative extension.
In British English, it is pronounced /ˈbɛkə/ (BECK-uh). In American English, it is /ˈbɛkər/ (BECK-uhr).
To court or woo someone, especially in a persistent or old-fashioned manner.
Becquer is usually literary/archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this archaic term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BECKoning knight from a bygone QUERter, trying to win a lady's favor.
Conceptual Metaphor
ROMANCE IS A FORMAL CAMPAIGN (involving strategy and persistence).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the verb 'becquer' be most appropriately used?