† behightv.

Forms: 1. Present stem.

α. Old English–Middle English beháte, Middle English bihote, Middle English–1500s behote. a1000 Ælfric Deut. xxiii. 21 Ðonne ðu behat behætst.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 161 Moni mon bihateð wel þe hit forȝeteð sone.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 7 Ȝe ne schule naut bi haten hit ach..don hit as ȝe hit hefde bihaten.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 65 Ȝuyche men þet..behoteþ þing þet hi nele naȝt healde.c1400 Gamelyn 378 ffor to holden myn a-vow as I the by-hoote.1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 61 He behoteth that..there shall be encresed peace & accorde.a1601 W. Lambarde Archion (1635) 167 That the Lord of Bedford..nor other of the Councell shall behote any favour.]

β. Middle English–1500s beheete, Middle English–1500s behete. c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 154 Neuere heere after wol I with hym meete..I yow biheete [v.r. be-, by-, -hete].a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6872 So dud prince & als prophete As god dud to him bihete [Fairf. hete, Vesp. hette].a1400 Chester Pl. 31 I thee behette.c1420 Chron. Vilod. 1014 Depe dampnacyon God byhetuth alle þo.a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Wisd. ii. 13 He biheetith [1382 behoteth] that he hath the kunnyng of God.c1530 Hanley in Prynne Sov. Power Parl. ii. (1643) 67 The King shall answer, I grant and behete.

γ. Middle English behyte, 1500s behecht (Scottish), 1500s beheight, 1500s behite, 1500s behyȝt, 1500s–1600s behight. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 69 Wan þe prest..behytiþ suelk an absolucoun.c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 11 If þe pope..behiȝt ani swilk þingis.1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. xcviij^v Promisyng and behightyng, by the faith of his body.1553 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Eneados i. vi. 94 I ȝou behecht [v.r. hecht].1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 458 It bringeth and beheighteth good thinges.1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke i. xxviii. 35 [They] often behight and determine to kill them selues.

2. Past tense.

α. Old English–Middle English behét, Middle English beheet, Middle English beheot, Middle English behete, Middle English behett. c1000 Ælfric Deut. v. 2 Drihten God behet us wed.a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1036 Ælc man yfel him behet.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 71 Swa he þurh þe witeȝa bihet.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 135 Salue ich bihet toteachen.c1300 Harrow. Hell 199 Do me as thou bihete.c1400 Gamelyn 783 He him beheet That he wolde be redy whan the justice seet.c1430 Hymns Virg. 98 He..Þat biheet me riȝt.

β. Old English beheht, Middle English beheyght, Middle English beheyghte, Middle English behite, Middle English behyȝt, Middle English–1500s beheight, Middle English–1500s behight, Middle English–1500s behyght, 1500s behicht (Scottish). c1300 K. Alis. 3925 A byheste, That Darie byheyghte.c1320 tr. J. Bonaventura Medit. 1027 As þou me behyȝte.c1386 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 1614 Myn owen knight Schal have his lady, as thou him bihight.c1440 Gesta Romanorum 122 Vertuys, þe whiche he be-hite in baptyme.a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 1485 The lond, the wich he them byhicht.1527 Caxton's Trevisa's Higden i. lviii. 53 b Scottes sente y^e Pyctes..and behyght them helpe.1569 G. Turberville Poems Your comely hewe behight me hope.

γ. Middle English behigte, Middle English behiȝte, Middle English behyȝte, Middle English bihigte, Middle English bihiȝte, Middle English bihyȝte, Middle English byhigte, Middle English byhiȝte, Middle English byhyȝte, Middle English–1500s behighte, Middle English–1500s behyghte, Middle English–1500s bihighte, Middle English–1500s bihyghte, Middle English–1500s byhighte, Middle English–1500s byhyghte. After final e became mute, this was of course identified with β.c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 1204 He niste what he juggen of it myghte, Syn she hath broken that she hym byhighte.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Matt. xiv. 7 He byhiȝte for to ȝeue to hir. ▸ c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 404 Wole not performe what he so bihiȝte.1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 309 Iesu hathe sente the holy goste that he behyghte.

δ. Middle English behit. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 10 Crist..behit vs heuenly kyndom.

ε. Middle English behotte, Middle English–1500s behote. c1425 Three Kings Cologne (1885) 9 And [þei] byhotten ȝiftes to þe kepers.1493 Festivall (1515) 115 Thou behote me a chylde, and now is the mother deed.

ζ. 1500s behoted. 1520 Chron. Eng. ii. f. 15/2 Those that me other wise behoted [1480 Tho that me other wyse behyghten].

η. 1500s beheighted, 1500s behighted, 1500s behited. c1531 Praier of Ploweman sig. Bvij For so thou behighted vs somtyme.1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xxix. 526 Let vs see what time they behighted for his comming.

3. Past participle.

α. Old English–Middle English beháten, Middle English–1500s behote, Middle English–1500s behoten. c1175 Cott. Hom. 225 Swa swa him aér be-haten wes.c1314 Guy Warw. 104 Bihoten Ich it haue a maiden of priis.c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 2529 Delyvir me of sorowe, As yee be-hote have.1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 267 He hathe behote..to gyue a hundereth folde.c1531 Praier of Ploweman sig. Avij^v It was byhoten by Ieremye.1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Dec. 54 But better mought they haue behote him Hate.

β. Middle English behet, Middle English behete. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3010 Hir son..þat was longe bihet to forn.c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 3137 This childe was by-hete [a1400 Trin. Cambr. bihett] many a yere Ar he were sent.a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 43 As thou me behete hase.

γ. Middle English behiȝt, Middle English behyȝt, Middle English behyht, Middle English bihight, Middle English bihiȝt, Middle English bihyght, Middle English bihyȝt, Middle English byheght, Middle English–1500s behight, Middle English–1500s behite, Middle English–1500s behyght. c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 429 God haves byheght hom.c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 29 Þe happes alle aȝt þat vus bihyȝt weren.a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Ecclus. viii. 16 If thou hast bihiȝt.1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys Introd. 6 Aftyr I had behyht the ryng.1510 N. Love tr. Bonaventura Mirror Life Christ xviii. E v The mede of theym is behyght for to come.1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 564/2 To wakers God has behite the crowne of life.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K4 The keies are to thy hand behight.

δ. 1500s beheighted, 1500s behighted, 1500s behited. 1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 37 He hath behyghted vs euerlasting life.1574 St. Avstens Manuell in Certaine Prayers S. Augustines Medit. sig. ov The light that God hath behighted them.1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xvi. ci. 399 His Knights had all behited them fulfild.

Etymology: An Old Germanic compound verb: Old English bi- , behátan = Old High German biheiȥan , Gothic biháitan (in derivatives), < bi- , be- prefix + Old English hátan = Gothic háitan to call, past tense haiháit , (= heháit ), past participle haitans . The reduplicated past tense appeared in Old English as heht ( < *ˈhehat < *heˈhât < heˈhait ), contracted hét (plural héton ). As there was no other English verb exactly parallel, the isolated inflection of hátan and behátan was in Middle English subjected to a remarkable series of changes, resulting finally in the loss of the original present stem, and the substitution of that of the past as a new present, with weak inflections. 1. The Old English original forms of the present beháte , and past participle beháten , gave regularly the Middle English behote and behoten (to c1525). The Old English past tense behét gave Middle English behet (-heet , -hete ), found after 1400; beheht gave bi-heyght , -height , more usually behiȝt , -hight (-hyht , -hyght , and in 15th cent. -hite ). But in the course of the 14th cent., the normal forms, behote , behet -height -hight , behoten , began to be disturbed under the influence of levelling, and of various assumed analogies. 2. Thus, the Present took the vowel of the then archaic past, and became behete , -heete , frequent in Wyclif, Chaucer, and Lydgate. The Past was occasionally assimilated to the participle as behotte , behote ; but far more frequently the participle was assimilated to the past tense, first as behet , -hete , then as beheyght , behight , in 16th cent. also behite . The Past behight was then made weak, as be-hight-e (3 syllables; compare forms like mighte , lighte ); and finally behight (behite ) was taken as present, and the past tense and participle duly became in 16th cent. behighted (behited ); compare lighted for earlier lighte . Rare forms of the past tense were c1400 behit (compare lit = lighted ), and in 16th cent. behoted , formed on the original present behote . See further under the simple hight v.¹ Towards the end of the 16th cent. behight became obsolete, but was kept up by the Spenserian archaists, who often misunderstood its meaning, and employed it in mistaken senses.

Obsolete.

I. Proper senses.

1. To vow, to promise.

a. transitive (with dative of the person.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)]

swearc825

hightOE

behighta1000

behestc1175

bespeakc1320

queatha1325

vow1338

avowc1374

undertakec1385

forhighta1400

forsweara1400

hest14..

promitc1422

promise1430

protest1430

to swear outa1440

to swear to ——1598

pollicitate1657

a1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxviii. 17 Oð þæt þu me sende þæt þu me behætst.

c1300 Beket 1010 The King bihet hem gret honur.

1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 631 The trayteresse false and full of gyle, That al behoteth, and nothing halt.

a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 2337 A kyng ought..No thyng bihete but yf he it perfourme.

?1567 M. Parker Whole Psalter cxvi. 337 I now will paye, my vowes that I behight.

1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes 506 I behight thee the Tenth of all my gettings.

b. with infinitive or subordinate clause.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)]

queatheOE

sweara900

fangc1175

behightc1275

to make (hold, pay, keep, yield or break) a vowc1290

vowa1325

avowc1400

to plight (one's) faithc1410

promitc1422

promise1447

creance1477

to take in vow1526

votec1540

depose1610

vum1785

to nail down1859

pledge1928

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 9180 Godde we scullen bihaten [c1300 Otho bi-hote] ure sunnen to beten.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 5431 I bihete þe riȝt hit shal be done.

c1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 92 The payens behight her..that she shulde haue a gret somme of moneye.

1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxi. 211 He..behiȝt hym for to done his message.

1496 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (de Worde) i. xl. 81 He that behoteth to come ayen.

1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke i. xxviii. 35 [The melancholious] desire death, and do verie often behight and determine to kill them selues.

2. transitive. To encourage expectation, to hold out hope of (life, recovery, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > foster hopes [verb (transitive)]

behightc1420

flatter1795

c1420 Chron. Vilod. 788 He had..þe fevere quarteyne, Þat no mon þat sye hurre by-hette hurr þe lyff.

a1552 J. Leland De Rebus Brit. Collectanea (1715) I. i. 231 This William..was wondid so sore that no man beheight hym life.

1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (ix. 14) He behighteth himselfe saufty even in the mouth of death.

3. transitive. To assure (one) of the truth of a statement; to warrant. (Cf. modern I promise you.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (transitive)] > a person

sicker1297

ensurec1385

behightc1386

promise1469

insurea1500

warranta1529

resolve1567

c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 1034 Litel whil it last, I you biheete.

a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 17 He had a quene..Trewe as stele y yow behett.

1553 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Eneados i. vi. 94 Dido heyrat comouit, I ȝou behecht..followschip redy made.

II. Improper uses by the archaists of the 16th and 17th cc., when the word was becoming obsolete; cf. the simple hight, also behest.

4. transitive. To grant, deliver.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > hand over to another

i-taechec888

outreacheOE

sellc950

beteacha1000

areachc1000

turnc1175

handsellc1225

betakec1250

deliverc1300

beken1330

yielda1382

disposec1384

resigna1387

livera1400

to turn overa1425

deputea1440

overgive1444

quit?c1450

surrend1450

surrender1466

renderc1480

to give over1483

despose1485

refer1547

to pass over1560

to set over1585

behight1590

tip1610

consign1632

delegate1633

skink1637

to hand over1644

delate1651

to turn off1667

to turn in1822

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K4 The keies are to thy hand behight By wise Fidelia.

5. To command, bid, ordain.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)]

i-bedea800

highteOE

bid971

bibedec1000

ordainc1325

warnc1380

commanda1382

tella1475

mand1483

wishc1515

hest1582

behight1591

order1609

mandate1623

warrant1632

1591 E. Spenser Muiopotmos in Complaints sig. V3 It fortuned (as heauens had behight) That, etc.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. ii. sig. Aa8 He..with her marched forth, as she did him behight .

6. To call, to name.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > call or give as name to

nemneOE

clepec1000

hightOE

sayOE

nameOE

yclepec1175

callc1300

nevena1400

deemc1400

christena1470

nominate1545

term1545

titulea1550

behight1579

benamea1586

inquire1590

nuncupate1609

indigitate1623

font1652

vocitate1653

express1659

appellate1768

nomenclature1824

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Apr. 120 They bene all Ladyes of the lake behight.

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Dec. 54 Love they him called..But better mought they have behote him Hate.

1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 46 Which..are behighted the trees of the Sunne and Moone.

1652 E. Ashmole Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum 129 After Philosophy I you behyte.

7. To bespeak, invoke.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > appeal to or invoke

halsec825

askOE

witnec1200

halsenc1290

calla1325

incalla1340

to speak to ——1362

interpel1382

inclepec1384

turnc1384

becallc1400

ethec1400

peala1425

movec1450

provoke1477

adjure1483

invoke1490

conjurea1500

sue1521

invocatea1530

obtest1548

obtestate1553

to throw oneself on (or upon)1592

obsecrate1598

charm1599

to cry on ——1609

behight1615

imprecate1643

impray1855

1615 T. Adams Lycanthropy in Blacke Deuill ii. sig. A3 I behight you in my prayers, a happy Progresse in Grace.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

单词	behight
释义	† behightn. Forms: Middle English behiȝt, 1500s behight, Scottish behicht, behecht. Etymology: < behight v.: compare the parallel behete n., behote n. Obsolete. A promise. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > [noun] hoteOE behotec1000 behesta1200 hesta1200 troth?c1225 quidec1275 promissiona1325 hightc1330 avauntc1380 grantc1380 forbehesta1400 promise1423 promit1462 behete1470 fiance1470 behightc1475 c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 57 After His blessing and silk behiȝt. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 173 Quhais fals behechtis as wind hyne wavis. 1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1822) ii. 130 I wil nocht dissave the Tarquinis..with vane behichtis. a1547 Earl of Surrey Paraphr. Psalm lxxiii, in Poems (1964) [Not] In other succour..But only thine, whom I have found in thy behight so just. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021). † behightv. Forms: 1. Present stem. α. Old English–Middle English beháte, Middle English bihote, Middle English–1500s behote. a1000 Ælfric Deut. xxiii. 21 Ðonne ðu behat behætst.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 161 Moni mon bihateð wel þe hit forȝeteð sone.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 7 Ȝe ne schule naut bi haten hit ach..don hit as ȝe hit hefde bihaten.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 65 Ȝuyche men þet..behoteþ þing þet hi nele naȝt healde.c1400 Gamelyn 378 ffor to holden myn a-vow as I the by-hoote.1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 61 He behoteth that..there shall be encresed peace & accorde.a1601 W. Lambarde Archion (1635) 167 That the Lord of Bedford..nor other of the Councell shall behote any favour.] β. Middle English–1500s beheete, Middle English–1500s behete. c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 154 Neuere heere after wol I with hym meete..I yow biheete [v.r. be-, by-, -hete].a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6872 So dud prince & als prophete As god dud to him bihete [Fairf. hete, Vesp. hette].a1400 Chester Pl. 31 I thee behette.c1420 Chron. Vilod. 1014 Depe dampnacyon God byhetuth alle þo.a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Wisd. ii. 13 He biheetith [1382 behoteth] that he hath the kunnyng of God.c1530 Hanley in Prynne Sov. Power Parl. ii. (1643) 67 The King shall answer, I grant and behete. γ. Middle English behyte, 1500s behecht (Scottish), 1500s beheight, 1500s behite, 1500s behyȝt, 1500s–1600s behight. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 69 Wan þe prest..behytiþ suelk an absolucoun.c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 11 If þe pope..behiȝt ani swilk þingis.1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. xcviij^v Promisyng and behightyng, by the faith of his body.1553 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Eneados i. vi. 94 I ȝou behecht [v.r. hecht].1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 458 It bringeth and beheighteth good thinges.1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke i. xxviii. 35 [They] often behight and determine to kill them selues. 2. Past tense. α. Old English–Middle English behét, Middle English beheet, Middle English beheot, Middle English behete, Middle English behett. c1000 Ælfric Deut. v. 2 Drihten God behet us wed.a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1036 Ælc man yfel him behet.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 71 Swa he þurh þe witeȝa bihet.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 135 Salue ich bihet toteachen.c1300 Harrow. Hell 199 Do me as thou bihete.c1400 Gamelyn 783 He him beheet That he wolde be redy whan the justice seet.c1430 Hymns Virg. 98 He..Þat biheet me riȝt. β. Old English beheht, Middle English beheyght, Middle English beheyghte, Middle English behite, Middle English behyȝt, Middle English–1500s beheight, Middle English–1500s behight, Middle English–1500s behyght, 1500s behicht (Scottish). c1300 K. Alis. 3925 A byheste, That Darie byheyghte.c1320 tr. J. Bonaventura Medit. 1027 As þou me behyȝte.c1386 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 1614 Myn owen knight Schal have his lady, as thou him bihight.c1440 Gesta Romanorum 122 Vertuys, þe whiche he be-hite in baptyme.a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 1485 The lond, the wich he them byhicht.1527 Caxton's Trevisa's Higden i. lviii. 53 b Scottes sente y^e Pyctes..and behyght them helpe.1569 G. Turberville Poems Your comely hewe behight me hope. γ. Middle English behigte, Middle English behiȝte, Middle English behyȝte, Middle English bihigte, Middle English bihiȝte, Middle English bihyȝte, Middle English byhigte, Middle English byhiȝte, Middle English byhyȝte, Middle English–1500s behighte, Middle English–1500s behyghte, Middle English–1500s bihighte, Middle English–1500s bihyghte, Middle English–1500s byhighte, Middle English–1500s byhyghte. After final e became mute, this was of course identified with β.c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 1204 He niste what he juggen of it myghte, Syn she hath broken that she hym byhighte.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Matt. xiv. 7 He byhiȝte for to ȝeue to hir. ▸ c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 404 Wole not performe what he so bihiȝte.1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 309 Iesu hathe sente the holy goste that he behyghte. δ. Middle English behit. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 10 Crist..behit vs heuenly kyndom. ε. Middle English behotte, Middle English–1500s behote. c1425 Three Kings Cologne (1885) 9 And [þei] byhotten ȝiftes to þe kepers.1493 Festivall (1515) 115 Thou behote me a chylde, and now is the mother deed. ζ. 1500s behoted. 1520 Chron. Eng. ii. f. 15/2 Those that me other wise behoted [1480 Tho that me other wyse behyghten]. η. 1500s beheighted, 1500s behighted, 1500s behited. c1531 Praier of Ploweman sig. Bvij For so thou behighted vs somtyme.1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xxix. 526 Let vs see what time they behighted for his comming. 3. Past participle. α. Old English–Middle English beháten, Middle English–1500s behote, Middle English–1500s behoten. c1175 Cott. Hom. 225 Swa swa him aér be-haten wes.c1314 Guy Warw. 104 Bihoten Ich it haue a maiden of priis.c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 2529 Delyvir me of sorowe, As yee be-hote have.1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 267 He hathe behote..to gyue a hundereth folde.c1531 Praier of Ploweman sig. Avij^v It was byhoten by Ieremye.1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Dec. 54 But better mought they haue behote him Hate. β. Middle English behet, Middle English behete. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3010 Hir son..þat was longe bihet to forn.c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 3137 This childe was by-hete [a1400 Trin. Cambr. bihett] many a yere Ar he were sent.a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 43 As thou me behete hase. γ. Middle English behiȝt, Middle English behyȝt, Middle English behyht, Middle English bihight, Middle English bihiȝt, Middle English bihyght, Middle English bihyȝt, Middle English byheght, Middle English–1500s behight, Middle English–1500s behite, Middle English–1500s behyght. c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 429 God haves byheght hom.c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 29 Þe happes alle aȝt þat vus bihyȝt weren.a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Ecclus. viii. 16 If thou hast bihiȝt.1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys Introd. 6 Aftyr I had behyht the ryng.1510 N. Love tr. Bonaventura Mirror Life Christ xviii. E v The mede of theym is behyght for to come.1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 564/2 To wakers God has behite the crowne of life.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K4 The keies are to thy hand behight. δ. 1500s beheighted, 1500s behighted, 1500s behited. 1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 37 He hath behyghted vs euerlasting life.1574 St. Avstens Manuell in Certaine Prayers S. Augustines Medit. sig. ov The light that God hath behighted them.1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xvi. ci. 399 His Knights had all behited them fulfild. Etymology: An Old Germanic compound verb: Old English bi- , behátan = Old High German biheiȥan , Gothic biháitan (in derivatives), < bi- , be- prefix + Old English hátan = Gothic háitan to call, past tense haiháit , (= heháit ), past participle haitans . The reduplicated past tense appeared in Old English as heht ( < ˈhehat < heˈhât < heˈhait ), contracted hét (plural héton ). As there was no other English verb exactly parallel, the isolated inflection of hátan and behátan was in Middle English subjected to a remarkable series of changes, resulting finally in the loss of the original present stem, and the substitution of that of the past as a new present, with weak inflections. 1. The Old English original forms of the present beháte , and past participle beháten , gave regularly the Middle English behote and behoten (to c1525). The Old English past tense behét gave Middle English behet (-heet , -hete ), found after 1400; beheht gave bi-heyght , -height , more usually behiȝt , -hight (-hyht , -hyght , and in 15th cent. -hite ). But in the course of the 14th cent., the normal forms, behote , behet -height -hight , behoten , began to be disturbed under the influence of levelling, and of various assumed analogies. 2. Thus, the Present took the vowel of the then archaic past, and became behete , -heete , frequent in Wyclif, Chaucer, and Lydgate. The Past was occasionally assimilated to the participle as behotte , behote ; but far more frequently the participle was assimilated to the past tense, first as behet , -hete , then as beheyght , behight , in 16th cent. also behite . The Past behight was then made weak, as be-hight-e (3 syllables; compare forms like mighte , lighte ); and finally behight (behite ) was taken as present, and the past tense and participle duly became in 16th cent. behighted (behited ); compare lighted for earlier lighte . Rare forms of the past tense were c1400 behit (compare lit = lighted ), and in 16th cent. behoted , formed on the original present behote . See further under the simple hight v.¹ Towards the end of the 16th cent. behight became obsolete, but was kept up by the Spenserian archaists, who often misunderstood its meaning, and employed it in mistaken senses. Obsolete. I. Proper senses. 1. To vow, to promise. a. transitive (with dative of the person.) ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)] swearc825 hightOE behighta1000 behestc1175 bespeakc1320 queatha1325 vow1338 avowc1374 undertakec1385 forhighta1400 forsweara1400 hest14.. promitc1422 promise1430 protest1430 to swear outa1440 to swear to ——1598 pollicitate1657 a1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxviii. 17 Oð þæt þu me sende þæt þu me behætst. c1300 Beket 1010 The King bihet hem gret honur. 1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 631 The trayteresse false and full of gyle, That al behoteth, and nothing halt. a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 2337 A kyng ought..No thyng bihete but yf he it perfourme. ?1567 M. Parker Whole Psalter cxvi. 337 I now will paye, my vowes that I behight. 1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes 506 I behight thee the Tenth of all my gettings. b. with infinitive or subordinate clause. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] queatheOE sweara900 fangc1175 behightc1275 to make (hold, pay, keep, yield or break) a vowc1290 vowa1325 avowc1400 to plight (one's) faithc1410 promitc1422 promise1447 creance1477 to take in vow1526 votec1540 depose1610 vum1785 to nail down1859 pledge1928 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 9180 Godde we scullen bihaten [c1300 Otho bi-hote] ure sunnen to beten. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 5431 I bihete þe riȝt hit shal be done. c1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 92 The payens behight her..that she shulde haue a gret somme of moneye. 1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxi. 211 He..behiȝt hym for to done his message. 1496 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (de Worde) i. xl. 81 He that behoteth to come ayen. 1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke i. xxviii. 35 [The melancholious] desire death, and do verie often behight and determine to kill them selues. 2. transitive. To encourage expectation, to hold out hope of (life, recovery, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > foster hopes [verb (transitive)] behightc1420 flatter1795 c1420 Chron. Vilod. 788 He had..þe fevere quarteyne, Þat no mon þat sye hurre by-hette hurr þe lyff. a1552 J. Leland De Rebus Brit. Collectanea (1715) I. i. 231 This William..was wondid so sore that no man beheight hym life. 1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (ix. 14) He behighteth himselfe saufty even in the mouth of death. 3. transitive. To assure (one) of the truth of a statement; to warrant. (Cf. modern I promise you.) ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (transitive)] > a person sicker1297 ensurec1385 behightc1386 promise1469 insurea1500 warranta1529 resolve1567 c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 1034 Litel whil it last, I you biheete. a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 17 He had a quene..Trewe as stele y yow behett. 1553 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Eneados i. vi. 94 Dido heyrat comouit, I ȝou behecht..followschip redy made. II. Improper uses by the archaists of the 16th and 17th cc., when the word was becoming obsolete; cf. the simple hight, also behest. 4. transitive. To grant, deliver. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > hand over to another i-taechec888 outreacheOE sellc950 beteacha1000 areachc1000 turnc1175 handsellc1225 betakec1250 deliverc1300 beken1330 yielda1382 disposec1384 resigna1387 livera1400 to turn overa1425 deputea1440 overgive1444 quit?c1450 surrend1450 surrender1466 renderc1480 to give over1483 despose1485 refer1547 to pass over1560 to set over1585 behight1590 tip1610 consign1632 delegate1633 skink1637 to hand over1644 delate1651 to turn off1667 to turn in1822 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K4 The keies are to thy hand behight By wise Fidelia. 5. To command, bid, ordain. ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] i-bedea800 highteOE bid971 bibedec1000 ordainc1325 warnc1380 commanda1382 tella1475 mand1483 wishc1515 hest1582 behight1591 order1609 mandate1623 warrant1632 1591 E. Spenser Muiopotmos in Complaints sig. V3 It fortuned (as heauens had behight) That, etc. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. ii. sig. Aa8 He..with her marched forth, as she did him behight . View more context for this quotation 6. To call, to name. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > call or give as name to nemneOE clepec1000 hightOE sayOE nameOE yclepec1175 callc1300 nevena1400 deemc1400 christena1470 nominate1545 term1545 titulea1550 behight1579 benamea1586 inquire1590 nuncupate1609 indigitate1623 font1652 vocitate1653 express1659 appellate1768 nomenclature1824 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Apr. 120 They bene all Ladyes of the lake behight. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Dec. 54 Love they him called..But better mought they have behote him Hate. 1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 46 Which..are behighted the trees of the Sunne and Moone. 1652 E. Ashmole Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum 129 After Philosophy I you behyte. 7. To bespeak, invoke. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > appeal to or invoke halsec825 askOE witnec1200 halsenc1290 calla1325 incalla1340 to speak to ——1362 interpel1382 inclepec1384 turnc1384 becallc1400 ethec1400 peala1425 movec1450 provoke1477 adjure1483 invoke1490 conjurea1500 sue1521 invocatea1530 obtest1548 obtestate1553 to throw oneself on (or upon)1592 obsecrate1598 charm1599 to cry on ——1609 behight1615 imprecate1643 impray1855 1615 T. Adams Lycanthropy in Blacke Deuill ii. sig. A3 I behight you in my prayers, a happy Progresse in Grace. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < n.c1475v.a1000
随便看	to mend a pen to mend a person's cheer to mend matters to mend one's draught to mend one's fences to mend one's hand to mend one's manners to mend one's market to mend one's pace to mend one's ways to mend the matter to mend up to meng with mirth to meng with mirths to mention no name to mention no names to menward to merit well to mese one's mood to mess and mell to mess or mell to mess with a person's head to mess with fire to mew to mew at large

† behightn.

† behightv.