befitv.
/bɪˈfɪt/ 1. transitive. To be suited to, or fit for; to agree with, be in harmony with; to become.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suit or be suitable for [verb (transitive)] > be fitting or proper for
riseeOE
i-riseOE
seemc1175
becomea1230
i-semec1275
comec1325
beseema1425
besitc1449
befitc1460
betidea1555
beset1567
due?1606
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1714) 49 That befittith the Kyngs Liberalite.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres iv. 93 He ought..to haue a certaine naturall instinct befitting this office.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 295 They'l tell the clocke, to any businesse that We say befits the houre. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 868 Thou Serpent, that name best Befits thee with him leagu'd. View more context for this quotation
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa IV. v. 26 Inform yourself, for me, whether she wants any thing that befits her case.
1843 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Mexico I. i. vi. 163 The various duties befitting his princely station.
2. Of moral fitness: to be proper to, or incumbent upon, as a duty or task; to be right for.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > [verb (transitive)]
birc950
oughtOE
behovec1175
dowa1225
liea1225
owea1250
it stands one upona1393
liea1400
busc1400
hovec1450
to stand (a person) in (also on) handc1555
import1561
stand1602
befit1604
to stand on ——1608
to lie with1885
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. ii. 2 It vs befitted To beare our harts in griefe. View more context for this quotation
1647 A. Cowley Mistresse 28 She came for that, which more befits all Wives, The art of Giving, not of Saving Lives.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. ii. iii. 175 At home, be wise as it befits thee there.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything > equip or outfit
frameOE
dightc1275
fayc1275
graith1297
attire1330
purveyc1330
shapec1330
apparel1366
harnessc1380
ordaina1387
addressa1393
array1393
pare1393
feata1400
point1449
reparel?c1450
provide1465
fortify1470
emparel1480
appoint1490
deck?15..
equip1523
trim1523
accoutre1533
furnish1548
accommodate1552
fraught1571
suit1572
to furnish up1573
to furnish out1577
rig1579
to set out1585
equipage1590
outreik1591
befit1598
to furnish forth1600
fita1616
to fit up1670
outrig1681
to fit out1722
mount?1775
outfit1798
habilitate1824
arm1860
to fake out1871
heel1873
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres v. ii. 143 A..horse..befitted with a saddle, bridle, etc.
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy I. x. 37 He had..befitted him with just such a bridle and such a saddle.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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