Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To befool; deceive; balk; jilt.
  • noun An illusion; a trick; a cheat.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb transitive, dialectal To befool; deceive; balk; jilt.
  • noun dialectal An illusion; trick; cheat.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Perhaps from a nasalised variant of Scots begeck ("to deceive, disappoint"), equivalent to be- +‎ geck.

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Examples

  • I circumvented them --- I played at bogle about the bush wi 'them --- I cajoled them; and if I havena gien Inch-Grabbit and Jamie Howie a bonnie begunk, they ken themselves.

    The Waverley 1877

  • I circumvented them -- I played at bogle about the bush wi 'them -- I cajoled them; and if I havena gien Inch-Grabbit and Jamie Howie a bonnie begunk, they ken themselves.

    Waverley: or, 'Tis sixty years since Walter Scott 1801

  • I circumvented them -- I played at bogle about the bush wi 'them -- I cajolled them; and if I havena gien Inch-Grabbit and Jamie Howie a bonnie begunk, they ken themselves.

    Waverley Walter Scott 1801

  • I circumvented them — I played at bogle about the bush wi’ them — I cajolled them; and if I havena gien Inch – Grabbit and Jamie Howie a bonnie begunk, they ken themselves.

    Waverley 2004

  • "What else -- but they got an unco begunk [cheat].

    The Lilac Sunbonnet 1887

Comments

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  • Great Scott! He made how many drunk

    With sentimental rounds of junk?

    Rob Roy and Waverly

    Romance and bravery -

    So Walter begot a world of begunk.

    May 30, 2015

  • I can't resist thinking something like: "I hiked a muddy trail and now my shoes are all begunked."  Folk etymology.

    May 30, 2015