bespread

American  

[bih-spred] / bɪˈsprɛd /

verb (used with object)

bespread, bespreading

1. to spread over (a surface); cover (usually followed bywith ).

   a table bespread with fine linens.

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bespread British  

/ bɪˈsprɛd /

verb

1. (tr) to cover (a surface) with something

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Etymology

Origin of bespread

First recorded in 1350–1400, bespread is from the Middle English word bespreden. See be-, spread

Example Sentences

Upon either hand Were hills green-browed and mist-engarlanded, And all about their feet were woods bespread, Hoarding the cool and leafy silentness In many an unsunned hollow and hid recess.

From The Poems of William Watson by Watson, William

Perhaps as many as three pages of this copy-book were bespread with her specimens before she discovered that botany was a dry study.

From Young Folks Treasury, Volume 3 (of 12) Classic Tales and Old-Fashioned Stories by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

So they lined the road on either hand, and the birds bespread their wings over the host of creatures to shade them, warbling one to other in all manner of voices and tongues.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 07 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

A little cold sweat bespread his brow just then.

From The Adventures of My Cousin Smooth by Templeton, Timothy

The old man brought him into one of the parlours, which was variegated with many-coloured marbles, the ceiling thereof being decorated with ultramarine and glowing gold; and the floor bespread with silken carpets.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 06 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir