Bec

/bɛk/ noun

Definition

A dialectal or archaic word meaning a small stream or brook.

Etymology

From Old English 'bæc' and Old Norse 'bekkr,' both meaning stream or creek. The word survives in place names like 'Beckham' (homestead by a stream) across England and Scandinavia.

Kelly Says

English place names are linguistic fossils—'beck,' 'stream,' 'burn,' and 'rivulet' come from different languages (Old Norse, Old English, Scottish), showing which peoples settled which parts of Britain!

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