besetv.

/bɪˈsɛt/

Forms: Past tense and past participle beset. Also Old English–1500s bi-, by-. For forms see set v.¹

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English bi- , besęttan = Old High German bisezzan (Middle High German and modern German besetzen ), Old Saxon bisettjan (Middle Dutch besetten , Dutch bezetten ), Gothic (and Germanic) bisatjan , < bi- , be- prefix about + satjan (Old English sęttan ) to set adj.², causative of sitjan to sit v. Beset is thus the causative to besit v.

I. To set about, surround. All transitive.

a. To set (a thing) about with accessories or appendages of any kind; to surround with things set in their places. Now only in past participle.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > surround with > with accessories or appendages

besetOE

OE Beowulf 1453 Swa hine fyrndagum worhte wæpna smið, wundrum téode, besette swinlicum.

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 8169 Itt wass eȝȝwhær bisett Wiþþ deorewurrþe staness.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Ecclus. xxviii. 28 Bisette thin eeris with thornes.

c1547 Vox Populi iv, in J. Skelton Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 404 His tabell..With platt besett inowe.

1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1558/1 Many of thuniuersity..beset the walles of the Church and Church porch on both sides with verses.

1598 R. Barckley Disc. Felicitie of Man iii. 253 I..made orchards & gardens, and beset them with all kinde of trees.

1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 719 They take a..young man, whom they dresse in the apparrell of a woman, besetting him with diuers odoriferous flowers and spices.

1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. iii. v. 179 The Disk is beset with Points that are sharp and stiff.

1834 T. De Quincey Cæsars in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Aug. 188/1 A diadem, or tiara beset with pearls.

†b. more vaguely: To surround, encircle, cover round with. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > surround with

begirdc890

belayc893

bitrumc1000

umbegoc1300

vironc1440

compass1481

beset1578

entour1623

to fabricate about with1634

surround1635

hearse1646

gird1667

round1698

entwine1796

1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 72 His face did shine as it were besette with Sunne beames.

1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares f. 71 Euen as Angels are painted..besette with Sunne-beames, so beset they theyr fore-heads on eyther side, with glorious borrowed gleamy bushes.

1727 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Oeconomique (Dublin ed.) at Distilling It's necessary you should beset it [a Retort], even to the very End of the Beak, with a Sort of Stuff made of Potters Earth.

2. To set or station themselves round, to surround with hostile intent.

a. To set upon or assail on all sides (a person).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > on all sides > specifically a person

forsetc900

beseta1225

underset1488

to fetch in1565

bestad1579

a1225 Meid. Maregr. xvii Ðes houndes habbet me biset.

c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 143 Monkynde in þo stat of innocense when he..was not bysett wiþ enmyes.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15783 Þei bigon to awake And him faste aboute biset.

c1440 York Myst. xliv. 55 Þe Jewes besettis vs in ilke aside.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Fiiii Than he is a scrypplyng, al be set about with ennemyes.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) v. i. 81 I..Drew to defend him, when he was beset .

1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xvii. 148 The Lioness..beset by Men and Hounds.

1873 J. A. Symonds Stud. Greek Poets vii. 194 The Erinnyes, whose business it is to beset the house of the evil-doer.

b. To invest, or surround (a place); to besiege. (Not now said of a regular army besieging a town).

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)]

belieOE

besita1100

beset?c1225

assiege1297

besiege1297

belayc1320

umsiegea1325

ensiegec1380

environa1382

to set before1382

siege1390

forset?a1400

foldc1400

setc1400

to lay siege to, unto, about, against, beforec1449

oppugn?a1475

pursue1488

obsess1503

ferma1522

gird1548

begird1589

beleaguer1590

block1591

invest1591

intermure1606

blockade1684

to lay blockade to1713

leaguer1720

to form the siege1776

cerne1857

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > in hostile or harmful manner

beset?c1225

lapc1330

to lay about14..

underset1488

to fetch in1565

bestad1579

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > on all sides

lapc1330

to lay about14..

besetc1520

beleaguer?1589

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 221 Þe burch..þet ha hefden biset.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. 387 Þuderward he heyde vaste, And þer castel bysette.

c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 3539 For þe Amyral..had be-set þe brigge aboute With strengþe and with gynne.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 7056 In his tyme was troy biset.

c1520 Adam Bel 47 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) II. 141 Thys place hath ben besette for you.

1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. ix. 79 Salvages, well armed, had inuironed the house, and beset the fields.

1737 L. Clarke Compl. Hist. Bible I. vi. 341 They went and beset the Town by Night.

1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xviii. 107 The partizans of Oswulf beset the house where Copsige was.

c. To occupy (a road, gate, or passage), esp. so as to prevent any one from passing.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > decision > resolution or determination > be resolute or determined [verb (intransitive)]

confirm1382

needsa1387

beseta1400

purposea1400

to be determined1529

to set downa1586

to set (up) one's rest1593

to stop at nothing1676

to keep one's pecker up1845

the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close by obstruction or block up > block the way or a passage

forsetc900

withseta1300

stop13..

speara1325

withsperre1330

to stop one's way1338

shut1362

forbara1375

beseta1400

stopc1400

precludea1513

interclude1526

to shut up1526

forestall1528

fence1535

hedge1535

quar1542

foreclose1548

forestop1566

to flounder up1576

obstruct1578

bar1590

retrench1590

to shut the door in (also upon) (a person's) face1596

barricade1606

barricado1611

thwartc1630

blocka1644

overthwart1654

rebarricado1655

to choke up1673

blockade1696

embarrass1735

snow1816

roadblock1950

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15012 Wiþ harpe & pipe..þe weye þei him bi sette.

1574 J. Baret Aluearie B 510 All the wayes were beset with garrisons of enimies.

1630 R. Norton tr. W. Camden Hist. Princesse Elizabeth i. 91 Morton in the meane time beset all passages of accesse.

1753 Life J. Frith (1829) 76 Sir Thomas More..persecuted him both by land and sea, besetting all the ways, havens, and ports.

1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation Introd. 30 The mob, which beset all the avenues to the House of Commons.

†d. To circumvent, entrap, catch. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)]

shrenchc897

beswike971

betrapa1000

bewindOE

undernimc1175

undertakec1175

bisayc1200

beguile?c1225

catchc1225

beginc1250

biwilea1275

tele?a1300

enginec1300

lime13..

umwrithea1340

engrin1340

oblige1340

belimec1350

enlacec1374

girnc1375

encumber138.

gnarec1380

enwrap1382

briguea1387

snarl1387

upbroid1387

trap1390

entrikea1393

englue1393

gildera1400

aguilec1400

betraisec1400

embrygec1400

snare1401

lacea1425

maska1425

begluec1430

marl1440

supprise?c1450

to prey ona1500

attrap1524

circumvene1526

entangle1526

tangle1526

entrap1531

mesh1532

embrake1542

crawl1548

illaqueate1548

intricate1548

inveigle1551

circumvent1553

felter1567

besnare1571

in trick1572

ensnare1576

overcatch1577

underfong1579

salt1580

entoil1581

comprehend1584

windlassa1586

folda1592

solicit1592

toil1592

bait1600

beset1600

engage1603

benet1604

imbrier1605

ambush1611

inknot1611

enmesha1616

trammela1616

fool1620

pinion1621

aucupate1630

fang1637

surprise1642

underreacha1652

trepan1656

ensnarl1658

stalk1659

irretiate1660

coil1748

nail1766

net1803

to rope in1840

mousetrap1870

spider1891

1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. x. 51 He shall make ready his nets to catch birds, and to beset the hares.

3. figurative. To encompass, surround, assail, possess detrimentally:

a. said of temptations, dangers, difficulties, obstacles, evil influences.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict

overharryeOE

aileOE

swencheOE

besetOE

traya1000

teenOE

to work (also do) (a person) woeOE

derve?c1225

grieve1297

harrya1300

noyc1300

travailc1300

to work (also do) annoyc1300

wrath14..

aggrievea1325

annoya1325

tribula1325

to hold wakenc1330

anguish1340

distrainc1374

wrap1380

strain1382

ermec1386

afflicta1393

cumbera1400

assayc1400

distressc1400

temptc1400

encumber1413

labour1437

infortune?a1439

stressa1450

trouble1489

arraya1500

constraina1500

attempt1525

misease1530

exercise1531

to hold or keep waking1533

try1539

to wring to the worse1542

pinch1548

affligec1550

trounce1551

oppress1555

inflict1566

overharl1570

strait1579

to make a martyr of1599

straiten1611

tribulatea1637

to put through the hoop(s)1919

snooter1923

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > harass [verb (transitive)]

tawc893

ermec897

swencheOE

besetOE

bestandc1000

teenOE

baitc1175

grieve?c1225

war?c1225

noyc1300

pursuec1300

travailc1300

to work (also do) annoyc1300

tribula1325

worka1325

to hold wakenc1330

chase1340

twistc1374

wrap1380

cumbera1400

harrya1400

vexc1410

encumber1413

inquiet1413

molest?a1425

course1466

persecutec1475

trouble1489

sturt1513

hare1523

hag1525

hale1530

exercise1531

to grate on or upon1532

to hold or keep waking1533

infest1533

scourge1540

molestate1543

pinch1548

trounce1551

to shake upa1556

tire1558

moila1560

pester1566

importune1578

hunt1583

moider1587

bebait1589

commacerate1596

bepester1600

ferret1600

harsell1603

hurry1611

gall1614

betoil1622

weary1633

tribulatea1637

harass1656

dun1659

overharry1665

worry1671

haul1678

to plague the life out of1746

badger1782

hatchel1800

worry1811

bedevil1823

devil1823

victimize1830

frab1848

mither1848

to pester the life out of1848

haik1855

beplague1870

chevy1872

obsede1876

to get on ——1880

to load up with1880

tail-twist1898

hassle1901

heckle1920

snooter1923

hassle1945

to breathe down (the back of) (someone's) neck1946

to bust (a person's) chops1953

noodge1960

monster1967

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack (of hostile agency)

besetOE

infighta1300

saila1300

seeka1300

visitc1340

beclipc1380

entainc1380

seizec1381

offendc1385

affectc1425

rehetea1450

take1483

attaintc1534

prevent1535

attach1541

attempt1546

affront1579

buffeta1593

to get at ——1650

assault1667

insult1697

to lay at1899

OE Andreas (1932) 1255 Þa se halga wæs under heolstorscuwan, eorl ellenheard, ondlange niht searoþancum beseted.

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 12954 O mann kinn. þatt wass all bi sett. Wiþþ sinness þessterrnesse.

a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 58 Whanne that two vices be sette one euelle delite, gladly they bringe her maister into temptacion.

1611 Bible (King James) Heb. xii. 1 Let vs lay aside..the sinne which doth so easily beset vs.

1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 441. ¶1 [Man] is beset with Dangers on all sides.

1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxv. 73 A poor Maiden that is hard beset.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 240 The difficulties by which the government was beset.

1875 A. Helps Social Pressure ii. 18 The hopelessness which gradually besets all people in a great town like London.

b. of the difficulties, perils, obstacles which beset an action, work, or course.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > of difficulty: beset (a person) [verb (transitive)]

press1654

beset1800

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > order Lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) > [verb (intransitive)] > be resting

beset1800

1800 J. Currie Life Burns (1800) I. Ded. 21 The task was beset with considerable difficulties.

1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) III. xii. 254 The tale is beset with contradictions.

1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 138 The difficulties that beset such an explanation.

c. of actual enemies forming schemes against one's life or property. rare.

ΚΠ

1682 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 202 Our lives and estates are besett here.

†d. passive. To be possessed (with devils). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [verb (intransitive)] > possess (of demon)

beset1483

possessa1513

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 176/1 The deuyls that Saynt Germayn had dryuen out of suche bodyes as were biseten.

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 196/3 Men that were wood and byset with deuyls.

4. gen. To close round; to surround, hem in. (Often with some allusion to senses 2, 3, as in ‘to be beset by ice.’)

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > enclosing or confining > enclose or confine [verb (transitive)]

pena1200

bebar?c1225

loukc1275

beshuta1300

parc1300

to shut in1398

to close inc1400

parrockc1400

pinc1400

steekc1400

lock?a1425

includec1425

key?a1439

spare?c1450

enferme1481

terminea1500

bebay1511

imprisona1533

besetc1534

hema1552

ram1567

warda1586

closet1589

pound1589

seclude1598

confine1600

i-pend1600

uptie1600

pinfold1605

boundify1606

incoop1608

to round in1609

ring1613

to buckle ina1616

embounda1616

swathe1624

hain1636

coopa1660

to sheathe up1661

stivea1722

cloister1723

span1844

c1534 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 57 The towne..being on all sides beesett with wooddes and fenns.

1642 D. Rogers Naaman 345 Foggy clouds which doe beset the cleare sky.

1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) cxxxix. iv Within thy circling Arms I lie Beset on every side.

1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) x. 73 We are now again fast, completely ‘beset.’

1857 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 3 July in Eng. Notebks. (1997) II. vi. 298 The mountains, which beset it round.

II. To set (in figurative sense), to bestow. All transitive.

†5. To set or place (one's mind, affections, faith, trust, love) on or upon (any one); = set v.¹ 37. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)] > put trust in

setc825

besetc1175

laya1307

putc1400

repose1538

pin1583

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 101 Cristene men ne sculen heore bileafe bisettan on þere weor(l)dliche eahte.

c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋532 Thay ben accursed..that on such filthe bisetten here bileeve.

c1440 Generydes 5021 I do very right, Though I besette my loue on suche a knyght.

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 295 His ouer greet trust which in his witt he bisettid upon hem.

1627 Bp. J. Hall David's Psalms iv Offer the truest sacrifice Of broken hearts, on God besetting Your only trust.

†6. To employ, expend, spend (one's words, wit, money, time, pains, study). Obsolete. Cf. bestow v. 5b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > use for specific purpose > specifically an immaterial thing

beteec1175

spenec1200

beseta1240

dispenda1400

spenda1400

expendc1440

incline?a1475

expone1527

adhibit?1538

depend1607

dispense?1624

lend1697

a1240 Sawles Warde in Lamb. Hom. 249 Warschipe þat best con bisetten hire wordes ant ec hire werkes.

a1300 Dame Siriz 274 Neren never penes beter biset.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 214 Me ssel alneway wel do and wel besette þane time ine guode workes.

c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 281 This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette.

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 195 Forto bisette so mich labour and coste aboute ymagis and pilgrimagis.

c1560 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. I. 207 Here ys thy penyworth of ware; Yf thou thynke hyt not wele besett, Gyf hyt another.

†7. To bestow, apportion, allot, transfer; spec. to bestow or give in marriage. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)]

forgivec900

giveOE

besetc1230

deala1250

i-yevec1275

to give (requite, etc.) into one's bosomc1386

yarka1400

wevec1400

yatec1400

administera1425

bequeathc1440

employa1492

exhibit1548

communicate1553

endue1587

cast1612

hand1650

to lay on1942

c1230 Hali Meid. 9 The poure [wummon] þat beoð wacliche iȝeouen and biset uuele.

c1325 Chron. Eng. 492 in J. Ritson Anc. Eng. Metrical Romanceës (1802) II. 290 Thilke he delede on threo, Wel he bisette theo.

1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. cxii Orgarus thought his doughter shold wel be maryed, and wel beset upon hym.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. iv. f. vi^v To the seconde sone camber had beset or apoynted to hym, the Countre of Walys.

1598 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 3 Last Bks. iv. iii. 26 The Beare his feirce-nesse to his brood besets.

†8. To set in order; arrange; ordain. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > have specific position or arrangement [verb (intransitive)]

standOE

liec1121

beset1413

the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > reduce to order > give structure to or organize

edifya1340

beset1413

reduce?a1425

institutea1538

compile1596

to deraign battle1596

modelize1600

skillc1610

organize1632

formalize1646

model1652

modulize1656

structure1664

economize1691

regiment1698

structurize1912

pattern1967

1413 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 19 I, Richard Ȝonge, Brewer of London, be-set my testament in thys maner.

c1500 Blowbols Test. 94 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 95 Withoute tarying ye make your Testament, And by good avice alle thing welle besett.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clxxx. f. cv Than this noble prynce Edward after thise thinges be set hym in an ordre.

III. To become, suit. Cf. Sc. set, French seoir.

†9.

a. To become, look well on, befit, set off. Obsolete.

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

1567 T. Drant tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie sig. Aiiij Sad wordes be set a sorye face Thretynge the vysage grim.

1598 R. Rollock On 1 Thess. (1616) 258 (Jam.) If thou be the childe of God, doe as besets thy estate—sleep not, but wake.

†b. intransitive. To go well or accord with. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > agree, harmonize, or be congruous with [verb (transitive)]

conspirec1384

accorda1393

to stand with ——c1449

to sit with ——a1500

correspond1545

resound1575

square1583

quader1588

to comport with1591

sympathize1594

beset1597

range1600

even1602

consort1607

to run with ——1614

countenancea1616

hita1616

sympathy1615

filea1625

quadrate?1630

consist1638

commensurate1643

commensure1654

to strike in1704

jig1838

harmonize1852

chime in with1861

equate1934

to tie in1938

to tune in1938

to tie up1958

1597 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 1st 3 Bks. i. vi. 14 How handsomly besets Dull Spondees with the English Dactilets?

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	beset
释义	besetv. /bɪˈsɛt/ Forms: Past tense and past participle beset. Also Old English–1500s bi-, by-. For forms see set v.¹ Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English bi- , besęttan = Old High German bisezzan (Middle High German and modern German besetzen ), Old Saxon bisettjan (Middle Dutch besetten , Dutch bezetten ), Gothic (and Germanic) bisatjan , < bi- , be- prefix about + satjan (Old English sęttan ) to set adj.², causative of sitjan to sit v. Beset is thus the causative to besit v. I. To set about, surround. All transitive. 1. a. To set (a thing) about with accessories or appendages of any kind; to surround with things set in their places. Now only in past participle. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > surround with > with accessories or appendages besetOE OE Beowulf 1453 Swa hine fyrndagum worhte wæpna smið, wundrum téode, besette swinlicum. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 8169 Itt wass eȝȝwhær bisett Wiþþ deorewurrþe staness. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Ecclus. xxviii. 28 Bisette thin eeris with thornes. c1547 Vox Populi iv, in J. Skelton Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 404 His tabell..With platt besett inowe. 1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1558/1 Many of thuniuersity..beset the walles of the Church and Church porch on both sides with verses. 1598 R. Barckley Disc. Felicitie of Man iii. 253 I..made orchards & gardens, and beset them with all kinde of trees. 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 719 They take a..young man, whom they dresse in the apparrell of a woman, besetting him with diuers odoriferous flowers and spices. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. iii. v. 179 The Disk is beset with Points that are sharp and stiff. 1834 T. De Quincey Cæsars in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Aug. 188/1 A diadem, or tiara beset with pearls. †b. more vaguely: To surround, encircle, cover round with. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > surround with begirdc890 belayc893 bitrumc1000 umbegoc1300 vironc1440 compass1481 beset1578 entour1623 to fabricate about with1634 surround1635 hearse1646 gird1667 round1698 entwine1796 1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 72 His face did shine as it were besette with Sunne beames. 1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares f. 71 Euen as Angels are painted..besette with Sunne-beames, so beset they theyr fore-heads on eyther side, with glorious borrowed gleamy bushes. 1727 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Oeconomique (Dublin ed.) at Distilling It's necessary you should beset it [a Retort], even to the very End of the Beak, with a Sort of Stuff made of Potters Earth. 2. To set or station themselves round, to surround with hostile intent. a. To set upon or assail on all sides (a person). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > on all sides > specifically a person forsetc900 beseta1225 underset1488 to fetch in1565 bestad1579 a1225 Meid. Maregr. xvii Ðes houndes habbet me biset. c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 143 Monkynde in þo stat of innocense when he..was not bysett wiþ enmyes. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15783 Þei bigon to awake And him faste aboute biset. c1440 York Myst. xliv. 55 Þe Jewes besettis vs in ilke aside. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Fiiii Than he is a scrypplyng, al be set about with ennemyes. a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) v. i. 81 I..Drew to defend him, when he was beset . View more context for this quotation 1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xvii. 148 The Lioness..beset by Men and Hounds. 1873 J. A. Symonds Stud. Greek Poets vii. 194 The Erinnyes, whose business it is to beset the house of the evil-doer. b. To invest, or surround (a place); to besiege. (Not now said of a regular army besieging a town). ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)] belieOE besita1100 beset?c1225 assiege1297 besiege1297 belayc1320 umsiegea1325 ensiegec1380 environa1382 to set before1382 siege1390 forset?a1400 foldc1400 setc1400 to lay siege to, unto, about, against, beforec1449 oppugn?a1475 pursue1488 obsess1503 ferma1522 gird1548 begird1589 beleaguer1590 block1591 invest1591 intermure1606 blockade1684 to lay blockade to1713 leaguer1720 to form the siege1776 cerne1857 the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > in hostile or harmful manner beset?c1225 lapc1330 to lay about14.. underset1488 to fetch in1565 bestad1579 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > on all sides lapc1330 to lay about14.. besetc1520 beleaguer?1589 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 221 Þe burch..þet ha hefden biset. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. 387 Þuderward he heyde vaste, And þer castel bysette. c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 3539 For þe Amyral..had be-set þe brigge aboute With strengþe and with gynne. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 7056 In his tyme was troy biset. c1520 Adam Bel 47 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) II. 141 Thys place hath ben besette for you. 1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. ix. 79 Salvages, well armed, had inuironed the house, and beset the fields. 1737 L. Clarke Compl. Hist. Bible I. vi. 341 They went and beset the Town by Night. 1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xviii. 107 The partizans of Oswulf beset the house where Copsige was. c. To occupy (a road, gate, or passage), esp. so as to prevent any one from passing. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > decision > resolution or determination > be resolute or determined [verb (intransitive)] confirm1382 needsa1387 beseta1400 purposea1400 to be determined1529 to set downa1586 to set (up) one's rest1593 to stop at nothing1676 to keep one's pecker up1845 the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close by obstruction or block up > block the way or a passage forsetc900 withseta1300 stop13.. speara1325 withsperre1330 to stop one's way1338 shut1362 forbara1375 beseta1400 stopc1400 precludea1513 interclude1526 to shut up1526 forestall1528 fence1535 hedge1535 quar1542 foreclose1548 forestop1566 to flounder up1576 obstruct1578 bar1590 retrench1590 to shut the door in (also upon) (a person's) face1596 barricade1606 barricado1611 thwartc1630 blocka1644 overthwart1654 rebarricado1655 to choke up1673 blockade1696 embarrass1735 snow1816 roadblock1950 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15012 Wiþ harpe & pipe..þe weye þei him bi sette. 1574 J. Baret Aluearie B 510 All the wayes were beset with garrisons of enimies. 1630 R. Norton tr. W. Camden Hist. Princesse Elizabeth i. 91 Morton in the meane time beset all passages of accesse. 1753 Life J. Frith (1829) 76 Sir Thomas More..persecuted him both by land and sea, besetting all the ways, havens, and ports. 1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation Introd. 30 The mob, which beset all the avenues to the House of Commons. †d. To circumvent, entrap, catch. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)] shrenchc897 beswike971 betrapa1000 bewindOE undernimc1175 undertakec1175 bisayc1200 beguile?c1225 catchc1225 beginc1250 biwilea1275 tele?a1300 enginec1300 lime13.. umwrithea1340 engrin1340 oblige1340 belimec1350 enlacec1374 girnc1375 encumber138. gnarec1380 enwrap1382 briguea1387 snarl1387 upbroid1387 trap1390 entrikea1393 englue1393 gildera1400 aguilec1400 betraisec1400 embrygec1400 snare1401 lacea1425 maska1425 begluec1430 marl1440 supprise?c1450 to prey ona1500 attrap1524 circumvene1526 entangle1526 tangle1526 entrap1531 mesh1532 embrake1542 crawl1548 illaqueate1548 intricate1548 inveigle1551 circumvent1553 felter1567 besnare1571 in trick1572 ensnare1576 overcatch1577 underfong1579 salt1580 entoil1581 comprehend1584 windlassa1586 folda1592 solicit1592 toil1592 bait1600 beset1600 engage1603 benet1604 imbrier1605 ambush1611 inknot1611 enmesha1616 trammela1616 fool1620 pinion1621 aucupate1630 fang1637 surprise1642 underreacha1652 trepan1656 ensnarl1658 stalk1659 irretiate1660 coil1748 nail1766 net1803 to rope in1840 mousetrap1870 spider1891 1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. x. 51 He shall make ready his nets to catch birds, and to beset the hares. 3. figurative. To encompass, surround, assail, possess detrimentally: a. said of temptations, dangers, difficulties, obstacles, evil influences. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict overharryeOE aileOE swencheOE besetOE traya1000 teenOE to work (also do) (a person) woeOE derve?c1225 grieve1297 harrya1300 noyc1300 travailc1300 to work (also do) annoyc1300 wrath14.. aggrievea1325 annoya1325 tribula1325 to hold wakenc1330 anguish1340 distrainc1374 wrap1380 strain1382 ermec1386 afflicta1393 cumbera1400 assayc1400 distressc1400 temptc1400 encumber1413 labour1437 infortune?a1439 stressa1450 trouble1489 arraya1500 constraina1500 attempt1525 misease1530 exercise1531 to hold or keep waking1533 try1539 to wring to the worse1542 pinch1548 affligec1550 trounce1551 oppress1555 inflict1566 overharl1570 strait1579 to make a martyr of1599 straiten1611 tribulatea1637 to put through the hoop(s)1919 snooter1923 the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > harass [verb (transitive)] tawc893 ermec897 swencheOE besetOE bestandc1000 teenOE baitc1175 grieve?c1225 war?c1225 noyc1300 pursuec1300 travailc1300 to work (also do) annoyc1300 tribula1325 worka1325 to hold wakenc1330 chase1340 twistc1374 wrap1380 cumbera1400 harrya1400 vexc1410 encumber1413 inquiet1413 molest?a1425 course1466 persecutec1475 trouble1489 sturt1513 hare1523 hag1525 hale1530 exercise1531 to grate on or upon1532 to hold or keep waking1533 infest1533 scourge1540 molestate1543 pinch1548 trounce1551 to shake upa1556 tire1558 moila1560 pester1566 importune1578 hunt1583 moider1587 bebait1589 commacerate1596 bepester1600 ferret1600 harsell1603 hurry1611 gall1614 betoil1622 weary1633 tribulatea1637 harass1656 dun1659 overharry1665 worry1671 haul1678 to plague the life out of1746 badger1782 hatchel1800 worry1811 bedevil1823 devil1823 victimize1830 frab1848 mither1848 to pester the life out of1848 haik1855 beplague1870 chevy1872 obsede1876 to get on ——1880 to load up with1880 tail-twist1898 hassle1901 heckle1920 snooter1923 hassle1945 to breathe down (the back of) (someone's) neck1946 to bust (a person's) chops1953 noodge1960 monster1967 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack (of hostile agency) besetOE infighta1300 saila1300 seeka1300 visitc1340 beclipc1380 entainc1380 seizec1381 offendc1385 affectc1425 rehetea1450 take1483 attaintc1534 prevent1535 attach1541 attempt1546 affront1579 buffeta1593 to get at ——1650 assault1667 insult1697 to lay at1899 OE Andreas (1932) 1255 Þa se halga wæs under heolstorscuwan, eorl ellenheard, ondlange niht searoþancum beseted. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 12954 O mann kinn. þatt wass all bi sett. Wiþþ sinness þessterrnesse. a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 58 Whanne that two vices be sette one euelle delite, gladly they bringe her maister into temptacion. 1611 Bible (King James) Heb. xii. 1 Let vs lay aside..the sinne which doth so easily beset vs. View more context for this quotation 1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 441. ¶1 [Man] is beset with Dangers on all sides. 1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxv. 73 A poor Maiden that is hard beset. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 240 The difficulties by which the government was beset. 1875 A. Helps Social Pressure ii. 18 The hopelessness which gradually besets all people in a great town like London. b. of the difficulties, perils, obstacles which beset an action, work, or course. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > of difficulty: beset (a person) [verb (transitive)] press1654 beset1800 the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > order Lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) > [verb (intransitive)] > be resting beset1800 1800 J. Currie Life Burns (1800) I. Ded. 21 The task was beset with considerable difficulties. 1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) III. xii. 254 The tale is beset with contradictions. 1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 138 The difficulties that beset such an explanation. c. of actual enemies forming schemes against one's life or property. rare. ΚΠ 1682 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 202 Our lives and estates are besett here. †d. passive. To be possessed (with devils). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [verb (intransitive)] > possess (of demon) beset1483 possessa1513 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 176/1 The deuyls that Saynt Germayn had dryuen out of suche bodyes as were biseten. 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 196/3 Men that were wood and byset with deuyls. 4. gen. To close round; to surround, hem in. (Often with some allusion to senses 2, 3, as in ‘to be beset by ice.’) ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > enclosing or confining > enclose or confine [verb (transitive)] pena1200 bebar?c1225 loukc1275 beshuta1300 parc1300 to shut in1398 to close inc1400 parrockc1400 pinc1400 steekc1400 lock?a1425 includec1425 key?a1439 spare?c1450 enferme1481 terminea1500 bebay1511 imprisona1533 besetc1534 hema1552 ram1567 warda1586 closet1589 pound1589 seclude1598 confine1600 i-pend1600 uptie1600 pinfold1605 boundify1606 incoop1608 to round in1609 ring1613 to buckle ina1616 embounda1616 swathe1624 hain1636 coopa1660 to sheathe up1661 stivea1722 cloister1723 span1844 c1534 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 57 The towne..being on all sides beesett with wooddes and fenns. 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 345 Foggy clouds which doe beset the cleare sky. 1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) cxxxix. iv Within thy circling Arms I lie Beset on every side. 1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) x. 73 We are now again fast, completely ‘beset.’ 1857 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 3 July in Eng. Notebks. (1997) II. vi. 298 The mountains, which beset it round. II. To set (in figurative sense), to bestow. All transitive. †5. To set or place (one's mind, affections, faith, trust, love) on or upon (any one); = set v.¹ 37. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)] > put trust in setc825 besetc1175 laya1307 putc1400 repose1538 pin1583 c1175 Lamb. Hom. 101 Cristene men ne sculen heore bileafe bisettan on þere weor(l)dliche eahte. c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋532 Thay ben accursed..that on such filthe bisetten here bileeve. c1440 Generydes 5021 I do very right, Though I besette my loue on suche a knyght. c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 295 His ouer greet trust which in his witt he bisettid upon hem. 1627 Bp. J. Hall David's Psalms iv Offer the truest sacrifice Of broken hearts, on God besetting Your only trust. †6. To employ, expend, spend (one's words, wit, money, time, pains, study). Obsolete. Cf. bestow v. 5b. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > use for specific purpose > specifically an immaterial thing beteec1175 spenec1200 beseta1240 dispenda1400 spenda1400 expendc1440 incline?a1475 expone1527 adhibit?1538 depend1607 dispense?1624 lend1697 a1240 Sawles Warde in Lamb. Hom. 249 Warschipe þat best con bisetten hire wordes ant ec hire werkes. a1300 Dame Siriz 274 Neren never penes beter biset. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 214 Me ssel alneway wel do and wel besette þane time ine guode workes. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 281 This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette. c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 195 Forto bisette so mich labour and coste aboute ymagis and pilgrimagis. c1560 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. I. 207 Here ys thy penyworth of ware; Yf thou thynke hyt not wele besett, Gyf hyt another. †7. To bestow, apportion, allot, transfer; spec. to bestow or give in marriage. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] forgivec900 giveOE besetc1230 deala1250 i-yevec1275 to give (requite, etc.) into one's bosomc1386 yarka1400 wevec1400 yatec1400 administera1425 bequeathc1440 employa1492 exhibit1548 communicate1553 endue1587 cast1612 hand1650 to lay on1942 c1230 Hali Meid. 9 The poure [wummon] þat beoð wacliche iȝeouen and biset uuele. c1325 Chron. Eng. 492 in J. Ritson Anc. Eng. Metrical Romanceës (1802) II. 290 Thilke he delede on threo, Wel he bisette theo. 1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. cxii Orgarus thought his doughter shold wel be maryed, and wel beset upon hym. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. iv. f. vi^v To the seconde sone camber had beset or apoynted to hym, the Countre of Walys. 1598 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 3 Last Bks. iv. iii. 26 The Beare his feirce-nesse to his brood besets. †8. To set in order; arrange; ordain. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > have specific position or arrangement [verb (intransitive)] standOE liec1121 beset1413 the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > reduce to order > give structure to or organize edifya1340 beset1413 reduce?a1425 institutea1538 compile1596 to deraign battle1596 modelize1600 skillc1610 organize1632 formalize1646 model1652 modulize1656 structure1664 economize1691 regiment1698 structurize1912 pattern1967 1413 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 19 I, Richard Ȝonge, Brewer of London, be-set my testament in thys maner. c1500 Blowbols Test. 94 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 95 Withoute tarying ye make your Testament, And by good avice alle thing welle besett. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clxxx. f. cv Than this noble prynce Edward after thise thinges be set hym in an ordre. III. To become, suit. Cf. Sc. set, French seoir. †9. a. To become, look well on, befit, set off. Obsolete. 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 1567 T. Drant tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie sig. Aiiij Sad wordes be set a sorye face Thretynge the vysage grim. 1598 R. Rollock On 1 Thess. (1616) 258 (Jam.) If thou be the childe of God, doe as besets thy estate—sleep not, but wake. †b. intransitive. To go well or accord with. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > agree, harmonize, or be congruous with [verb (transitive)] conspirec1384 accorda1393 to stand with ——c1449 to sit with ——a1500 correspond1545 resound1575 square1583 quader1588 to comport with1591 sympathize1594 beset1597 range1600 even1602 consort1607 to run with ——1614 countenancea1616 hita1616 sympathy1615 filea1625 quadrate?1630 consist1638 commensurate1643 commensure1654 to strike in1704 jig1838 harmonize1852 chime in with1861 equate1934 to tie in1938 to tune in1938 to tie up1958 1597 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 1st 3 Bks. i. vi. 14 How handsomly besets Dull Spondees with the English Dactilets? This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < v.OE
随便看	chariot-way chariot-wheel chariotandfour chariotbreaking chariotburial chariotcourse chariotdriver charioted chariotee charioteer charioteered charioteering charioteers charioteership chariothorse charioting chariotlike chariotman chariotmatch chariotpole chariotrace chariotracer chariotry chariots chariotservice