beshrew

[ bih-shroo ]

verb (used with object)

, Archaic.

1. to curse; invoke evil upon.

beshrew

/ bɪˈʃruː /

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to wish evil on; curse (used in mild oaths such as beshrew me )

Word History and Origins

Origin of beshrew¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, beshrew is from the Middle English word beshrewen. See be-, shrew ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of beshrew¹

C14: see be- , shrew

Example Sentences

Beshrew me, if my wife and thee could not make exchange of some portion of her spirit and thy meekness to the advantage of both.

From Project Gutenberg

But listen now: I have weightier matters; I have eggs on the spit, beshrew me else!

From Project Gutenberg

Get me some drink George, I am almost molten with fretting: now beshrew his Knaves heart for it.

From Project Gutenberg

Beshrew me, there be plenty of that trade in London, and chiefly the feeble folk that he hath driven from our stage.

From Project Gutenberg

"Beshrew me, but I think thou art distraught already," answered the Queen.

From Project Gutenberg