bespreadv.
/bɪˈsprɛd/ transitive.
1. To cover, mark, or diversify (a surface) with (things spread over it); to spread with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > spreading or diffusion > [verb (intransitive)]
bredeOE
bespreadc1275
skaila1300
springc1390
shaila1400
spread1560
disperse1605
diffuse1655
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] > be scattered over an area
bespreadc1275
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > spread or draw over (a thing) as covering for > bespread or cover with
wryc950
bredeOE
bridgeOE
bespreadc1275
couchc1330
spreadc1330
cover1382
overspreadc1385
overlaya1400
overcast1440
to draw overc1450
ramplish1494
to lay over1535
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8245 He..mid ærmen hine bisprædde [c1300 Otho spradde] & forð hine lædde.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 364 A see-foule she becam, And with her winges him besprad.
c1450 Crt. of Love xii High pinacles..With plate of gold bespred on every side.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iii. f. 252 Ther are euident foule blots where with the workes of the holy are bespred.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. ii. 32 The coasts are well bespred with prety townlets.
a1764 R. Lloyd New-river Head in Poet. Wks. (1774) II. 68 Bespread her hospitable board With what she had.
1871 R. A. Proctor Light Sci. 110 A wide continent bespread with volcanic mountains.
2. Said of things: To spread over, to cover by spreading over.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > form or act as covering for > by spreading
overbredeeOE
overgoOE
overspreadc1230
overcomea1300
spread?1567
bespreada1664
a1664 M. Frank LI Serm. (1672) 253 When our graces..bespread and cloth this earth we carry.
1779 T. Forrest Voy. New Guinea 297 Mats bespreading the floor of a large hall.
1832 Fraser's Mag. 5 148 The ‘giant graves’ that bespread the shore of the Hellespont.
3. To spread (anything) over or upon (a surface).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > spread or draw over (a thing) as covering for
tighta1000
hapc1390
to draw abroada1400
to draw over ——a1500
superducea1500
induce1567
overhale1579
bespread1598
strew?1615
superinduce1616
obducea1676
1598 B. Yong tr. A. Pérez 2nd Pt. Diana in tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 207 But with a teint, like the Vermillion Rose, Bespred vpon her face as white as snowe.
4. To spread out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > spread (something) out or open
abredeeOE
bredeOE
stretcha1000
to-spreada1000
openOE
spreadc1175
displayc1320
to let outc1380
to open outc1384
outspreada1400
spald?a1400
splayc1402
expand?a1475
to lay along1483
speld?a1500
skail1513
to set abroad1526
to lay abroad1530
flarec1550
bespread1557
to set out1573
dispread1590
explaina1600
expanse1600
dispack1605
splat1615
dispand1656
extend1676
flat1709
spelder1710
spreadeagle1829
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes (new ed.) f. 95v With armes bespred abrode.
1647 J. Hall Poems i. 25 Since for thy sake so brisk they're grown, And such a Downy carpet have bespred.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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