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• becket
  becket

  noun

  a short length of rope for securing spars, coils of rope, etc., having an eye at one end and a thick knot or a toggle at the other, which is passed through the eye.
• Becket
  Becket

  noun

  Saint Thomas à, 1118?–70, archbishop of Canterbury: murdered because of his opposition to Henry II's policies toward the church.

becket

¹ American  

[bek-it] / ˈbɛk ɪt /

noun

Nautical.

1. a short length of rope for securing spars, coils of rope, etc., having an eye at one end and a thick knot or a toggle at the other, which is passed through the eye.

2. a grommet of rope, as one used as a handle or oarlock.

3. a grommet or eye on a block to which the standing end of a fall can be secured.

4. a wooden cleat or hook secured to the shrouds of a sailing vessel to hold tacks and sheets not in use.

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Becket ² American  

[bek-it] / ˈbɛk ɪt /

noun

1. Saint Thomas à, 1118?–70, archbishop of Canterbury: murdered because of his opposition to Henry II's policies toward the church.

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becket ¹ British  

/ ˈbɛkɪt /

noun

1. a clevis forming part of one end of a sheave, used for securing standing lines by means of a thimble

2. a short line with a grommet or eye at one end and a knot at the other, used for securing spars or other gear in place

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Becket ² British  

/ ˈbɛkɪt /

noun

1. Saint Thomas à . 1118–70, English prelate; chancellor (1155–62) to Henry II; archbishop of Canterbury (1162–70): murdered following his opposition to Henry's attempts to control the clergy. Feast day: Dec 29 or July 7

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Etymology

Origin of becket

First recorded in 1760–70; origin uncertain

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

becket Becket

"Oh, then we make things taut, hoist fores'l, clap the hellum into the lee becket, and go below and amuse ourselves."

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 09, No. 56, June, 1862 by Various

They use a becket, in the same manner as at Tanna, in throwing the dart, which, I believe, is much used in striking fish, &c.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 14 by Robert Kerr

They hold the dart between the thumb and the remaining finger, which serve only to give direction, the velocity being communicated by the becket and forefinger.

From Tropic Days by E. J. (Edmund James) Banfield

A becket, or piece of cord made of cocoa-nut bark, used in throwing their lances.

From A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Volume 1 by James Cook

So I dropped the coiling lines and, with the oar already to the becket in the stern, whirled the dory's bow head on.

From The Trawler by James B. (James Brendan) Connolly

It was for this reason Kevin “Seamus” Hasson, a Notre Dame alumnus and attorney with Williams & Connolly, founded Becket in 1994.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

But the Little Sisters prevailed three times at the Supreme Court, and Becket will be at their side if they are forced to go back.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

On our way there, we stopped in Heptonstall, a tiny town above Hebden Bridge, where Sylvia Plath is buried in the St. Thomas A’ Becket churchyard.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026

Ruth, a fashion designer who quits the high-pressure world to become a teacher, acts as a contrast to the hustle culture-inspired ambitions of wannabe billionaire Becket, Henwick says.

From BBC ● Mar. 11, 2026

At Southampton landed many a company of holy palmers from Europe to walk their devout way to the tomb of À Becket.

From England by Sir Frank Fox

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