beshrew

American  

[bih-shroo] / bɪˈʃru /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

1. to curse; invoke evil upon.

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beshrew British  

/ bɪˈʃruː /

verb

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

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Etymology

Origin of beshrew

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

Example Sentences

"Before supper, excellency, I was ready to eat and then fight my way through an army; now beshrew me, if a sound nap of an hour or so is not much to my taste!"

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Were it not that I fear the Dane, beshrew me if I would ask aught better than to dwell therein.”

From Project Gutenberg

The cackling and talking has come to naught, as it mostly does," said he grunting to himself; "but beshrew me if I like a bootless errand.

From Project Gutenberg

"Now, beshrew me if thou art not the self-same young gentleman who gave me the cloak," he cried in grateful surprise.

From Project Gutenberg