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

No whaler could attack the huge rollers that raised their monstrous backs, plunged over with a furious roar, and bespread the beach with a swirl of foam.

From Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo Volume 2 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

However, he expressed satisfaction with the mahogany side-board that some previous occupant had loaned from a neighbouring house; our servants had bespread it with newspapers and made a washing-table of it.

From Pushed and the Return Push by Nichols, George Herbert Fosdike

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

He cries-- "Spare thou thine exiles, lightly o'er thy dead, Alive, yet buried, be thy dust bespread."

From Seekers after God by Farrar, F. W. (Frederic William)

They did his bidding and carried the Youth in procession to her and he found the apartment bespread with carpets and perfumed with essences; the bride, however, was absent.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 14 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir