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beshrew

American

[bih-shroo] / bɪˈʃru /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

to curse; invoke evil upon.

beshrew British

/ bɪˈʃruː /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of beshrew

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, I have received fair treatment in this house, beshrew me but I have!

From Helmet of Navarre by Runkle, Bertha

"Nay, beshrew thee, man!" exclaimed John, the Smith, to Thomas the Jones—a contraction of joiner.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, March 1, 1890 by Various

But ah! beshrew you, evil Shadows low'ring In Orcus ever loveliest things devouring: 15Who bore so pretty a Sparrow fro' her ta'en.

From The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

And I do lustily beshrew fate that these be but dreams.

From Eugene Field, a Study in Heredity and Contradictions — Volume 2 by Thompson, Slason

"Ay, true enough," said the lady, "he has not supped; for we were but just sitting down to table to sup, when, beshrew thee, thou madest thy appearance."

From The Decameron, Volume II by Rigg, J. M. (James Macmullen)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023